Be an Archeologist

We surmise a lot about a civilization by what the archeologist “digs up”.

We come to a conclusion about that civilization based on what we find, and this goes into the history books as fact. I always wonder how many great finds never get found! There is no rule that only the best art, pottery, or sculpture will survive!

The first part of the class I teach has to do with finding out who you are as a person… Today….not who you used to be, or who you feel you need to be, but getting to the authentic “you”. We seem to lose track of that over time. We wear many different hats and fill various roles and sometimes forget who we really are. The first couple lessons are a self assessment and are very critical, so do not skip these, but give it some thought.

Pretend you don’t know you – open your closet – be an archeologist.

What will you “dig up”?

• What conclusions would you come to when looking in your closet ?
• Could you guess your age, your income, your hobbies, your personality, your job?
• Would you be correct?
• Is this how you want to be remembered?
• Are you hanging on to the past?
• Does what you find portray who you are?

Jot down some words to describe what you find – Do you look schizophrenic? Is your style all over the place? Or maybe you seem sad, depressed, boring, lacking distinction. Would you seem interesting & intelligent or boring perhaps a doormat? Cheap or classic, fun or sad? Could you guess your age, health or even gender? gasp!  Take a long hard look and write down what you find.Before you get rid of anything or buy anything new, hold off -  you first need to get a clear picture of your personal sense of style.

When they asked Michelangelo how he made his statue of David from a block of marble, he is reported to have said…..

“It is easy. You just chip away the stone that doesn’t look like David.”- Michelangelo

Once you get a clear vision of who you are, you will simply rid yourself from clothing clutter that’s just not you!

Rain, rain go away!

I have lots to do today!

My daily to-do list is usually pretty ambitious! It has rained almost nonstop since yesterday so I did put off going grocery shopping again today. I hate getting drenched while lugging groceries in and out of the car. I did get to work on my freelance business today and that is good $:)

• Met with a client to discuss his package design for a product line that he is putting in stores and selling on the internet.
• Reviewed a few screen print designs for various clients
• Chose fonts for the design of the Advent program cover
• Got a jump-start on the Christmas Service logo for postcards, program covers etc.  for my church.
• Thinking of adding a category to post design projects that I’m working on so I don’t get lazy.

Working from home is really working for me! I guess you could read that 2 ways…..

I will try and add what I have had to eat each day – not because I am a gourmet chef, (far from it), but because I get busy and just don’t eat!

All I used to need was a drink of Dr. Pepper and I was good for a few hours – a few sips would do it- and I was good for a few more hours. This worked really well while I was at work and couldn’t get away for a proper lunch – I rarely eat fast food and just never had time to pack the healthy, real food I like, so the Dr. pepper seemed to hit the spot.

Well I stopped drinking soft drinks a few years ago because I was concerned about creating future blood sugar problems – I would become very shaky until I had a “swig” and then I was fine. So I switched to water – which is a good idea overall and I like water but I started gaining weight. I just thought age maybe and the fact that I was sitting at a computer all day. I finally broke down and while my daughter was having her sports physical, I had them take a look at me. (I’m not really a doctor person) I had no energy or appetite when I came home at night – We left the house at 7:30 a.m. for work and school and then after rounding everyone up from practices, we would get home @ 8 or 9 at night! (Crazy now looking back at it)

Fortunately I had a doctor that specializes in treating the problem with lifestyle and food first, rather than masking with medicine! My type of person! After running every type of test and finding nothing technically wrong she pointed out that my body was in starvation mode ! I certainly didn’t look like I was starving and I never felt hungry! She explained that when I would eat, my body would hoard the food as fat stores in case I didn’t eat again for a while. My mistake was once I switched to water, I was no longer getting a constant supply of calories (although they were empty calories) throughout the day to be used as energy! A constant, consistent supply means the body knows it is getting fed and doesn’t have to squirrel away fat for a rainy day! Duh… why didn’t I think of that.  She was right!

But even now I have to make sure I eat because I still don’t have much of an appetite. So when people ask me what I’ve done lately, they look at me like I’m crazy when I say “eating”. I am not a doctor! I enjoy finding commonsense ways toward living a healthy lifestyle and this works for me!

I must say this isn’t permission to pig out on fast food that isn’t really food at all. I’m talking savoring real food and enjoying each bite – but that’s a topic for future posts.

Greetings and first impressions

This is a great idea that a friend of mine did for the front desk of a middle school – They had a problem with pens disappearing, so, not only is this unique, but very functional and solved the problem. Please be sure to have a pen laying out so people will know they are pens!

Before

What a beautiful way to greet parents, customers, patrons, visitors, or clients and put an instant smile on their face.

These “bouquets” makes great gifts! You can match a room’s color scheme, seasonal themes or use your signature flower to make your space uniquely “you”. Put your personal stamp on your daily surroundings and you may just brighten someones day!

After

Directions: Wrap green floral tape around the barrel of the pen and the wire stem of the flower.

I purchased these flowers in the dollar store and cut them apart with wire cutters. Be sure to use floppy, flouncey flowers -

they work better than stiff flowers like rose buds or tulips.

Put in a pretty vase and Viola …. instant style !

Sometimes I jot ideas down while sitting in my screen porch room – so, hidden in the bouquet centerpiece is a pen – can you find it?

I gave the pink bunch I made to my sister (since they matched her decor) but kept this one out for me! Sorry sis ….

Enjoy!

A beginning…

I am, unfortunately, a perfectionist – I have a vision in my head of a blog , but I cannot get it to that point without just beginning somewhere ! It took me forever to decide on a layout, not one choice was what I was looking for, but I decided just to go with this one and just begin! So here it is, The world through MY eyes, and I think it will be fun!

I am spending this rainy, spring-like (fall) day trying to get this whole blog set-up figured out!

I am really good on a Mac with all the graphic programs, but this is on a pc using a word processor type program and it’s really aggravating me.

So for all you blog pros – well, I get there someday -

And for me – step one in getting over perfectionism – just start and know that I don’t always have to try and be the best !

(Much easier said than done)

Closet clutter intro….

So we begin!

Join me on a journey of simplifying, defining and refining yourself ! As a designer in the fashion industry, certain techniques are applied to a clothing line or brand to stay current and relevant. This is an ongoing process that changes and adapts as life happens.  No reason we can’t evaluate and edit ourselves ! Embrace life’s changes – if we are so busy holding on to the things of the past we can’t truly live in the present!

So, just who are you …. really… today?

It’s not about living in the shadow of who or what you used to be, or satisfying the image of  what is expected of you. Remember, your job, your possessions or your looks do NOT define and validate who you are !

We will shed the cocoon of clutter that you have surrounded around yourself, and your current comfort zone will be tested. You will no longer hide from the world and just fade into the background of life. You are here for a  purpose and you have something to give to those you meet each day. It’s your life and it’s time to “show up”.

We will purge some “baggage” and discover the freedom that comes with staying true to yourself.

We will uncover emotional, spiritual, physical, and mental clutter and work through the chaos toward life of clarity & courage!

It will be liberating, informative, and enlightening.

The first section coincides with my 4 week class at Coastal Carolina – it’s all about  finding you …again!

After that, we explore and apply these techniques to your home, your health and your purpose.

Stick with me and let’s get started!