Making Lifestyle Changes + Questions for YOU

Making changes takes discipline. It also takes recognizing you can't keep doing the same thing and expect a different result. But not all change is good - some change is even unwelcome. But then again, some change can be for your own good. One change in life that for sure takes some time to adjusting to is moving. Moving to a different company or moving to another state, it takes time to learn your way around and get acclimated with a new environment. It also takes time to "embrace the place where your at."

 

Around Town:

The Historic District (street) of Old Town Gilbert

 HUGE change from living in Miami.

Some environmental changes bring on a change in lifestyle. For me, our move from another city has brought on a change in lifestyle. I believe it's for the good though. One of the things I use to do when I was younger was pay more attention to health & fitness. But for whatever reason (work, school, relationship, time, or attention span) my lifestyle changed to making compromises. And those compromises had lead to unwanted change over time: muscle aches, back aches, and feeling tired. There comes a point in time (at least for me anyways) when you say "enough is enough" and start making changes. Here are four changes I've made in the past four (+) weeks for a healthier lifestyle:

 

NO MORE COKE!

CHANGE #1. Removing Coke from my diet.

Cold turkey - Just up and stopped. I've tried before, but would get headaches when I consciously would try to stop. This time, I just, without thinking about it, and a week past w/o headaches. Now it's been about six weeks without, and I don't miss it at all. I thought drinking Coke gave me energy - but it doesn't. Exercise + eating better + just being me is what fuels my energy.

CHANGE #2. Drinking more water.

Drinking water bores me. I don't like it. But I find living in the desert, it has become increasingly necessary to take in - DAILY. Not just because they say, "Drink 8 glasses a day", but because living in a HOT dry climate that you're not use to can bring on headaches. For me, no matter how many Advil I took, the headaches wouldn't go away. Hubs said it was from the Coke, so drink it (not the encouragement I'm looking for to live a healthier lifestyle - so NO.) I had heard on a local channel that dehydration can cause headaches. I thought, "But I'm not sweating. How can I be dehydrated?" Apparently what adds to sweating is humidity. In Florida, it could be 90 WITH 90% humidity - so yes, you sweat like a beast. Here in AZ, the humidity may be only 9% at 8PM in the evening with temps still at 109 - And if you're not drinking water (like I wasn't) the headaches came. Since I'm drinking more water, my headaches have gone away (except for the occasional times something ticks me off lol). I've also replaced my Coke drinking with Lemonade and Lipton Diet Tea.

 

Fresh from the local Farmers Market - Fresh basil & tomatoes for grilling pizza.

Fresh berries & bananas for morning smoothies.

 

Shopping the local Farmers Markets is also another lifestyle change I've been doing here in AZ. They don't always have these items stocked, but when they do, it's also good to help out small businesses and the local economy.

CHANGE #3. Eating more fruits & veggies.

For some reason, eating the veggies took too much time, thought or energy - for whatever reason I don't know - and many times my good intentions would end up in the trash. So I started to make smoothies and drink in that nutrition. And after seeing a tip on Pinterest to freeze fruits for veggies, now I'm not throwing food away because it spoils. I have it in the fridge to snack on, but before they spoil, into the freezer it goes. Adding in yogurt (Activia) has also been a great means of adding calcium to my diet.

 

LOVE the long straight-aways for the ride!

CHANGE #4. Adding aerobic exercise to my daily routine.

If you're a blogger, you've got it: Bloggers Butt. The inevitable once upon a time thing called secretary spread from sitting on your ass too may hours in front of the computer... Blog hopping, leaving comments, writing posts, and now: PINTERST added into the mix and hips become deadly. I've always been tiny (I got that build from my father) I also use to weight train in my 20's and did yoga in my 30's. Not to mention all the running around I would do 5 days a week visual merchandising in a 150,000 sq. ft. retail establishment (without fail: every morning I'd be CLEAR on the opposite side of the store from a bathroom and literally would RUN through the store to make it lol). Being now in my EARLY 40's  (will be 43 in August!) I've noticed changes happening - Those changes people talk about and we don't want: Weight gain. Hate it. And it's NOT going to stay.

 

Morning bike ride - In the desert.

I started biking again every morning. At first, it was a struggle to even finish a mile. That's just how "out of it" I was. But I started to increase my stamina. After making the one mile w/o chest pains, I tried a longer distance: 3 miles. than 4, then doubling it to 8. Once again, something I use to do (loved biking to the gym or from Bay Harbor to South Beach) but over time, just stop doing. Much of the water I've now been drinking is coming from quenching my thirst during my ride. I've been freezing my bike bottle with water - and while I'm riding, it melts enough to drink + it's still very cool. These four minor changes have resulted in more energy, clearer skin, and an end to my back pain I was having for the past two years (from a lifting injury in '09). Next phase of change will be to increase mileage PLUS: Get back into yoga again (the room is ready! No excuses!) Sometimes recreating yourself can mean finding who you were and waking it up.

 

Just a few blocks away from our home: 

The Potato Barn Home Furnishings - (yes - potato, not pottery)

Making changes, a little at a time also leads to wanting to make more changes (especially when you do start to see the changes happening). And speaking of wanting to make more changes: What are some changes you'd like to see here on the blog? If you're a follower from Florida where I began blogging, I'm sure you've noticed a slight change in my regular postings. I was posting regularly: M-F with occasional (but not often) weekend posts. Since our move, (and still getting use to the time change) I've not only seen traffic here die down, but seeing that traffic die (along with the lack of comments and the infamous "Follow - Unfollow" numbers) has me wondering...

NEED YOUR INPUT BELOW:

I'm questioning whether it is still worth blogging? If you're a blogger, you KNOW how time consuming writing, proof-reading, commenting on other blogs, back-linking for photo credit - and now especially - editing person photos of your work to be "pin- worthy" can be. I've blogged plenty of "How To's" from room redo's, rental redesigns, seasonal decor changes,  holiday decorating, tips & sources, store tours, online board design, home & closet organization, tablescapes done on a dime, thrifting for clothing & furniture finds, refinishing thrift finds, to Pinterest and joining link parties. I was even changing the color schemes or headers more regularly when I first started - but that is not only (crazy) too time consuming, I don't believe it does anything to help brand a person, their talent, their niche, their product or their audience. So here are 10 questions for you:

1. Have your blogging habits changed since Pinterest?

2. Have your blogging posts changed since Facebook Timeline?

3. Do you only follow blogs who do giveaways?

4. What makes you join one blog vs. another?

5. What makes you un-follow one blog from another?

6. What would YOU like to see more of HERE on this blog?

7. What are some topics you would like to see posted?

8. Do you prefer clear images? or the on-trend stylized Instagram photos?

9. What is enough photos for you in a post? 1? 3? 10? 20?

10. Are you reading posts? Or just looking for pictures to catch your attention (like at Pinterest) 

Another change I've noticed is I haven't been receiving the email alerts from blogger when people do kindly (thank you very much) leave a comment. I know I too have had to change my emailing address (twice in past six months) but I have checked the settings here, and comments should be going to nyclqd@yahoo.com. I am usually on Facebook and Twitter in the morning here before I head out to ride.  Are you on Twitter? Maybe this can help with future engagement: If you're on Facebook & Twitter, please leave your Name + Facebook link + Twitter name ("@____") here in the comment section. And to ensure I see the responses + get back to you, I'd appreciate it if you could send in your answers to the above 10 questions to my email at: nyclqd@yahoo.com. Also include the TIME you do your blog reading. In the meantime, I'll be doing some blog clean-up around here + taking in your feedback.

Speaking of TIME - Thank you again for yours.

For more inspiration, also be sure to join me at Pinterest. 

 

DETAILS ABOUT MY SUMMER RESTYLE 2011

As I mentioned yesterday, over the years, my personal style has changed. And so to has the look of our home. Through out all the changes, I've managed to merge old thrifted pieces with a few new ones. Accessories and textiles in textures and prints has also been key to the (many) updates.  I think because I like and use similar lines in my finds, but various scale and proportions, I'm able to mix & remix my pieces for fresh looks. Here are the details of the downstairs living space and some of the dining area restyled for Summer...

 

No picture hanging behind the sofa right now because I currently have a panel of gold chains layered over the cream panels. This subtle gold accent relates to the $15 faux bamboo painted gold coffee table, and an OLD mirror I also painted gold mirror I have hanging over the wall unit to the right. I'd like to paint the mirror frame to the left (in the space) gold as well, to help give balance to the room and change it up a bit.

Mixing collectibles:

I love collecting starfish or shells from our trips, but sometimes I mix in similar store bought pieces to create a bigger impact. The top starfish I had gotten for $5 in the Bahamas, back when my DH & I were dating (2003), The skinny starfish are from ZGallerie (3 yrs ago), I used them last year all in one black basket as a centerpiece on the dining room table, but this year I used them in my white painted vases & painted beachy wine bottles.

Some starfish I used in my relocated Tiffany bowl. The bowl was a gift from our Realtor when we had bought this place in 2006. The blue beach glass stones are from Ikea (3 years ago). I like the way they picked up on the two colored books I brought down from the office. Jeff LOVES to fish, so the painted white wood carved fish is a nod to his hobby (from HomeGoods 2007) The Grapewood branch I picked up at HomeGoods during "Buy Made In America Week" earlier this year. It's from California and I like the organic addition to the coffee table-scape. The white ceramic pillar holders I had gotten on clearance at JCP back in '08. Someone had returned them so I scooped the up at a steal for only $2 & $3 (I LOVE a bargain!)

The medallion print lumbar pillow is a new addition I picked up at Target last month. It works well with the two $3 blue burlap-like pillow covers I had gotten two years ago at Crate&Barrel. I need to update this pic because I switched one of the pillows for a navy & white pillow to add more pattern to the white sofa for summer.

Splitting the back sofa euro pillows allowed me to add a band of green from nothing more than a green linen table runner. So although solids are mixed with patterns, the solids are textured which also adds to the layered look.

Quick peek at the dining space buffet with the summer vignette (and mixed in beachy bottles in turquoise). I love the way the $1 thrifted lamp makeover I did last year works with adding pattern here, but still relates to the pattern in the living room.

The Spring apple green accent wall in the dining space has since been updated too (you can see reflection in mirror). I simply washed over it with watery white and turquoise paint... but that's another post ;-) The silver round mirror was another thrift find last year. I had previously used it as a tray (for New Years). Since the chain mirror was damaged, I simple hooked the thrifted mirror to it (until I really fix it) but hey, for now - it works, and all it took was a paper clip (opened like an "S" to make the hook).

I LOVE turquoise jewelry in the Summer... so rather than keep it all hidden in the jewelry chest, I took a few faves out to use in my Summer vignette. Simple bracelets are on the beachy bottles, while a thrifted wooden bowl holds a necklace and turquoise stone.



The white thrifted pedestal bowl (found last fall) was holding green apples and then Easter eggs for Spring... now it's holding the green & white sea urchins I got in Key Largo from my day trip with Becky, earlier this year. The rolled up blue pashmina relates back to the blue pillows over on the sofa. Simple sea breeze scented Glades candles also add to the Summer mood of the space.

The table I've used behind the sofa is a little iron & wood table (from Target) I use to have in my apartment. Occasionally, to also change its look, I'll use an over-the-door mirror on top of it. Here it helped give more surface to work with. I was able to relocate a pair of lamps off the side tables, and use them behind the sofa. I tend to buy things in pairs, which gives balance to a space - but if overdone, it can make a space look too formal. Here it's more casual because of the pillow mix on the sofa.



I love the merge old pieces like my white sofa (from 1998) with newer additions I find in my travels (like simple pillow covers from Crate & Barrel on clearance for $3) and thrift, like the $15 faux bamboo coffee table with a pair of modern end tables I picked up at the Salvation Army a few years back.

Ikea bamboo platters hung in a series of three gave a little rhythm and natural texture

to the mix in the corner. The rug is Thomas O'Brien - at Target.com - I had gotten for a bedroom makeover I did last year, but we switched it for a larger and more graphic pattern rug. This is 4x6 and was on sale for $30, so for me that was a keeper. It's soft, great size for the space and on trend pattern helped update the look of the space. The brown leather chair is Jeff's beloved recliner - I'm DYING to take sandpaper to and distress it. Fortunately, Sephora, our cat, is already distressing it in her own way =)

And after all the furniture refinishing I've been doing the past two weekends, I'm contemplating refinishing my fave (and first) thrift buffet. This solid wood buffet, on casters, with a slate slab top was only $30. I've had this for over ten years, and it's been black (after finding it in a two-toned green). I don't know if I should go graphic and two-toned (white & black) or give it a distressed grey & white wash. Doing this would help lighten this end of the room.

This is the mirror I want to paint gold. It used to be attached to an old dresser we had at the condo, but we donated (the dresser) after not using here. It's a heavy beast, leaning on the wall. I built the gallery wall around it starting back at Holiday '09 (with only mirrors) and added my B&W photos to it in January 2010.

 It's funny, with all the changes I do, this part of the space hasn't changed much - usually I just change up the lamps and vignette on the buffet. The weathered branch I recently found while walking on Hollywood beach. I like the way it adds another organic texture to my beachy bottles.

I added a few more starfish over here to the vignette with the beachy bottles.

I used my shell necklaces tied on their necks. The chrome lamps with green shades were from HomeGoods - at only $29 - for their scale and fab shade (I'd like to add ribbon to) they were a great value.

I snapped a few pics this morning showing the additional patterned pillows I added...

This little lovely lamp was another thrift find - a steal at only $5 - I had spotted it out of the corner of my eye... when I wasn't even looking for it. And that the thing about thrifting - being aware of your surroundings because you NEVER know what you're going to find...

These Milo Baughman chairs are a perfect example of "being aware of your surroundings when thrifting"... I scored these while I was actually out looking for end tables for the bedroom makeover. When I asked how much - the guy said $10 each. I said great! While we walked to the desk to write them up, I took a chance and asked if he could do any better - he said, "ok both for $16"... They need a little TLC, but in the meantime, I flanked the wall unit with them, and added a few more pillows (Lord knows I have a TON of!! lol)

Again, the strong neutral base colors of the walls, floor and furniture is

what has allowed for so many changes...

Adding two rattan placematts on the sofa end tables helped give texture to this tablescape. I carry scissors in my car (on the door) so I can get fresh cut greens for our neighborhood at anytime...

All this experimenting I do in my own home helps me help you.

Contact me at nyclq@comcast.net and let's see what we can

come up with to help you restyle your space for the way you live now...

Also check out these related posts:

Anatomy Of My Budget Style
DIY Beachy Bottles

Updated Thrifted Table

My Junking Journal
Gallery Wall

Thanks for stopping by!

LINKING POST TO:

Chic On A Shoestring - Flaunt It Friday

My Romantic Home - Show & Tell

Miss Mustard Seed - Furniture Feature Friday

Under The Table Dreaming - Sunday Showcase

The DIY Showoff - Project Parade

Between Naps On The Porch - Metamorphosis Monday

The Shabby Chic Cottage - Transformation Thursday

The Shabby Nest - Frugal Friday

Finding Fabulous - Frugalicious Friday

FOCUS - My First Blog Post

Focus... that's a little difficult to do right now. Several ideas and emotions are streaming through my thoughts. Some good... and some NOT so good. I partially feel like Kathleen Kelly, from The Shop Around the Corner in "You've Got Mail."

"People always say change is a good thing, but what it really means is that, something that you didn't want to happen, has happened." She had a choice to make: stay right where she was or close her shop. When she decided to close her shop, her friend Birdie Conrad commented, "Closing the shop is the brave thing to do. You're imaging your life can be different. You are marching into the unknown, armed with - nothing. "

Although the nothing is only partially true (meaning no pay check to count on) the one thing I do have to arm my self with is my talent. Now where do I focus my talent? A part of me DID want to leave my comfort zone. A familiar place where I'd been working, developing my management style, as well as developing strong organizational skills, and was still able to be creative in problem solving. But I know, over the past two years, I nurtured and developed another facet of me: my creativity. I've grown to be VERY passionate about re-designing, staging, and event planning. All of which are so far and away removed from what I spent the majority of my life's hours doing.


Where do I go from here? What's the next step? Is there a manual for me to read? Is there a job description for me to follow, and maybe even "tweak"? My location (Florida) plus the economy have some of the odds stacked against me. Life has thrown me some lemons, and it's up to me to not only make the lemonade, but present it in a way that makes people wonder where can I get more?! In other words: sell it. But what is my "it".


I need to put my heart up on a shelf. I need to let go of the disappointments of my past. I need to believe "something" good WILL come from all of this. Everything happens for a reason. Loyalty working at one place for sixteen years wasn't all for nothing. It was all to strengthen me for what I will do next.


I just need to focus.