You're Officially Awesome.

Jessica Hische. Sigh. Have I mentioned that I have a design crush on her? Like for real. 

Spring is late to the party, the weather has been spotty and I've been a bit gloomy. But then boom! Here she comes with her quick wit and Thousands Under Ninety to brighten my day and collectively everyone around me. Who doesn't want to be told that they're a Winner at Life? Not this lady.

Thanks Jessica for spending your time to put smiles on thousands of faces and make every day just a bit brighter. Three cheers to Jessica!

Now go brighten someones day by sending them an Official Thousands Under Ninety Award.

Introducing: Confetti Balloon Revealers

When Megan, Andrew, and I originally met to discuss starting The Gender Reveal, or initial goal was to create unique party revealers. Well, today we launched our first revealer on Etsy! A jumbo 36" balloon filled with beautiful pink or blue hand-cut confetti. When the balloon pops the confetti flutters down, showering you and your guests with the sweet surprise. It's really quite beautiful and such a fun surprise every time we test it. You can check it out here.

More fun revealers are on there way to our shop, so keep checking back for more updates.

For party ideas and inspiration follow us on Pinterest. 

Coconut Oil Sugar Scrub

 

I love making and receiving handmade gifts at Christmas. Last year my friend Megan gave me some lovely homemade Lemon Sugar Scrub made with olive oil and introduced me to this awesome winter trick. Let's be real, skin gets dry in the winter and I hate putting lotion on, I'd rather jump into some warmer clothing. I find that this natural oil and sugar combo leaves my skin perfectly moisturized - no lotion needed. Hooray!

This past Christmas I reused Megan's idea and made a coconut oil sugar scrub for some of my other girlfriends. I've kind of become obsessed with coconut oil lately. Read about the multitude of things you can do with coconut oil and how great it is for your body here.

Basic Sugar Scrub Recipe

via Wellness Mama

2 parts sugar (white or brown)

1 part oil (coconut, olive, or whatever suits your fancy)

1/2 tsp Vitamin E oil, optional (I left this out)

Essential Oils as desired

Mix. Put into fun jars and enjoy your silky smooth skin.

Admittedly, the coconut oil is less than ideal in the winter since it has such a low melting point (76°F). I've found that if I put a small jar in the bottom of the tub while I'm showering, the warm water will help it melt and it's ready to use after a couple of minutes.

 

Here's a previous homemade gift idea I made in 2010: Paperwhite Bulbs

2013 Goals

After looking back at last years goals, I realized that they can be grouped into a three categories: creativity, productivity and health. In 2013, I've limited it to two: Leading a healthy and creative life.

1. Live a healthy life.
Last year, I focused on weight, as if health was only related to an arbitrary number on a scale. This year I'm focused on holistic healthy living. This means healthy eating, being active and working out, taking time to relax and enjoy life, and yes - still trying to kick the snooze button habit for more productive sleep.

2. Live a creative life.
This was a theme that was prevalent in last year's goals as well. I want to read more, sketch more, craft more, cook more and keep myself inspired personally so that can translate that creativity and inspiration into my professional life.

I can't really measure these lofty ideals, so I'll just have to be honest with myself if I'm truly living more healthfully and creatively.  That being said, I'm very excited to see what 2013 brings.

Happy New Year! What are your goals/resolutions?

2012 Goals review

As I prepare for the new year, I looked back at my 2012 goals. Mid-way through the year, I updated my goals and knew I bit off more than I could chew in the beginning.

I did accomplish my major goal of completing my thesis and graduating. But I seriously failed in most of the other categories and may even be worse off then I was at the beginning of the year. Here's a quick recap:

1. Lose 25 pounds. Well... in the spring I was doing well, but then fall and winter came and thesis deadlines loomed and I started this fast food kick and my heavy winter coat showed up again. So, I'll definitely be keeping this one for 2013.

2. 6 Blog posts per month. Definite fail.

3. Read at least 1 book per month. Actually, I think I may have come close to completing this with audio books and grad school books. I'm counting it as a win!

4. Break snooze button habit. Another definite fail.

5. Weekly sketches. Again, I think I sketched more than usual this year (sitting in a psychology seminar). I'm counting it as completed!

6. One craft/art project per month. I think I could say I did this about half the time. So I'll give myself half credit.

7. Finish thesis & graduate! Major success here. I should count it as double points!

So I accomplished right at half my goals. Which isn't nearly as terrible as I had anticipated. I'm thinking through my goals for 2013 now. Hopefully I'll have a better success rate next year!

Happy Holidays!

Celebrate!

I've finally finished grad school! WOOHOO! While working on my thesis, I kept a list of things that I wanted to do when I was finally done with school and regained some free time. I've already started to cross off items on the list. And letmetellya it's nice not having the weight of school to think about.

Here's the list (in no particular order):

1. Take a calligraphy class
2. Breathe
3. Workout
4. 14 day cleanse
5. Plan Medditerranean cruise
6. Lasik Eye Surgery
7. Update TGR site
8. Start manufacturing gender revealers for TGR
9. Paint a painting or two
10. Learn to cut glass
11. Schedule a massage
12. Host a ladies happy hour
13. Read the Mockingjay
14. Go for a walk
15. Cook a meal
16. Decorate for Christmas
17. Design motivational posters series
18. Catch up on neglected freelance gigs
19. See Life of Pi
20. Go through Google Reader feed
21. Take an aerial yoga class

Let's see if I can get them all accomplished in 2013!