ballin' on a budget : summer planning

Ballin' on a Budget:

Lately I feel like every trip involves a common theme: ballin' on a budget. Where to travel, where to stay, what to do, but the most important question...how much?

I have dedicated a series (more to follow) for the fabulously frugal. A "how to" for inexpensive traveling, dining, shopping, and event options near you.

summer 11 ideas

BYO-anything

bring back "pot luck" with better verbiage, just add the below:

*BBQ

*picnic

*cookout

Take a bike ride with friends. Maybe along a specific scene, or maybe bike somewhere and back. Nothing can pull memories from childhood like a nice long ride...with your feet up!

*take your bike

*rent a bike

Host a happy hour to share a bottle of wine.

*host at your backyard, deck, or patio

*host on your roof deck (see my view above)

Search for FREE summer events.

*concerts

*festivals or carnivals

*local events (gallery hops, art shows, restaurant weeks)

Let's remember:

“Summer is kind of like the ultimate one-night stand: hot as hell, totally thrilling, and gone before you know it.”

-Cosmopolitan

I plan to add these to my message board so that I follow through and commit to a care free summer, that fits my budget!

My whole life, I've wanted to feel comfortable in my skin. It's the most liberating thing in the world. -Drew Barrymore

After a weekend full of conversations that varied from dating to complexion, I found myself researching the lesser of the 2 evils. Google search: Why am I still prone to break outs and will I always feel like I am 14 or a cast member of Glee?

I hope the below will help you make smarter decisions during stressful days...

Bad food for the face:

Caffeine: cut back on tea, coffee, & chocolate

Simple carbohydrates: rapid increase of blood sugar levels increase oily substances & clog poors

White rice, sugar, breads

Acid forming foods: cheese and fatty meats

lack of vitamin b: need more whole grains, eggs?

Good food for the face:

Water: drink 6 to 8 glasses a day

Fruits: apples, oranges, berries, melon, kiwi, grapefruit, pineapple, papaya & bananas.

Vegetables: carrots, cabbage, coleslaw, tomatoes, collard and mustard greens, winter squash, peas, onions and green beans.

Grains & Protein: Have 2 to 3 grain and protein servings each day.

10 tips to prevent acne:

Keep your face clean

Moisturize

Try an over-the-counter acne product:I like this

Use makeup sparingly

Watch what you put on your hair.

Keep your hands off your face.

Stay out of the sun

Feed your skin: read above

Exercise daily.

Chill!

"friends are the family we choose for ourselves" -Edna Buchanan

"I never expected to see the day when girls would get sunburned in the places they do now."

-Will Rogers

This weekend I am diving into a (most needed) reunion with my best friends. I thought of the quote "Friends are the family we choose for ourselves" and came across an article highlighted below:

5 Friends Every Woman Should Have:

the uplifter

the travel buddy

the truth teller

the girl who just wants to have fun

the unlikely friend

Although this weekend is full of highlights, there is something bittersweet. Our Great friend JY, and favorite “American” will be deploying soon after our visit. 

After more than 2 years, we will try to match up to our previous reunion weekend:

To quote our late, great, Magistra Gerber, we will wish him "pax vobiscum" following our best rendition of dixieland delight....

The writings on the wall...

I love inspirational art, especially the idea of filling a home with positivity all over the walls; floor to ceiling...

I love Sugarboo Designs. They specialize in handmade products that bring soul to the home.

Perfect for a home but also:

birthday gift:

wedding gift:

Baby gift:

just for you gift:

even puppies could use a little inspirational decor....

“Normal is not something to aspire to, it's something to get away from.” - Jodie Foster

Can you relate to needing "normal" to slip away from your vocabulary? 

If:

nor·mal/ˈnôrməl/

Adjective: Conforming to a standard; usual, typical, or expected.

Noun: The usual, average, or typical state or condition.

Than:

My friend reminds me "you realize there is no such thing as normal" and I love her for this.

There is no such thing as a "normal":

Mother

Father

Family

Sibling

Significant Other

Friend

You

It's not "wishful" thinking

What are you attracting to your life?

I recently set a few goals and promised to commit:

- Blog

- Yoga

- Learn the guitar (no really this time)

I purposely committed to these goals because I noticed (my family, and friends even noticed) that work was becoming my focus. I am fortunate for my career, although reflect the quote "While I am proud of a number of accomplishments, there are real costs to being unreasonable. Long hours. Too little time with family. A near incapacity for, as they say, stopping and smelling the roses."

-Eli Broad

With this said, I wanted to share a recent encounter with the law of attraction: ("like attracts like”, positive and negative thinking bring about positive and negative physical results.)

On a mini vacation to Florida with my roommate, we visited her close family friend. We noticed he had three guitars, so one thing led to another... "Do you want the acoustic? A friend of mine was going to throw it out, so I took it. You can have it."

Simplified:

We are like magnets - like attract like. You become AND attract what you think. So think about what you are thinking about...

I love you not because of who you are, but because of who I am when I am with you. -Roy Croft

My best friends left this evening after a surprised weekend trip to visit. Although we can all relate to the word "friend", there are distinct differences in friendships. There are surface friends, acquaintance friends, mutual friends, work friends, maybe even exercise or dog park friends. But there are best friends, and these are who you go to when you have "come to your knees with it." 

This weekend I realized that you can loose a lot in life. Material, physical, and emotional assets. However, what you own in friendship is something that literally cannot be purchased or replaced.

My favorite movie is The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood for several reasons. A favorite take away below:

• "I think it can best be said... The road to hell is paved with good intentions." 
• "Well, what about the road back? What's that paved with?"
• "Humility"

Simplified:

You need friends, and you need best friends, or at least one. Whether you loose a parent, a significant other, a loved one, a friend, a job, or worse....these are the people that physically and emotionally put you back together and bring you back to life. Always remember to be a friend. You need one and you need to be one. Don't fear humility, be grateful you have learned from it.

Could all the pretty pictures change your life?

Although I previously mentioned I adore The Secret, the law of attraction, and even admire karma, I do not want the (few, early, much appreciated) followers to believe this blog is dedicated to one theme. Fear not, I will do my very best to entertain you in a wide array of topics in the days and weeks to come!

With this said, the second post is extending to "live the secret" and creating a vision board. Are you guilty (like myself) and place your true wants on the back burner because they are not visual in your day to day life? Or, have you asked yourself, "what is a vision board, what are examples, where do I put the vision board?" 

Additional vision board info here

Simplified:

• Add pictures, images, phrases, and quotes of things you LOVE and WANT to attract to your life
• Add these to a board, paper, poster, or designated area located in a place you FREQUENTLY view
• LOOK at the board often. Then, ASK > BELIEVE > RECEIVE.

Vision Board Examples:

This is my best friend Anya. She is my constant inspiration to do well, strive harder, want more, and pursue life daily. I admire Anya because of her sound character. And with this, I give you an example of a successful and admirable being and her vision board.

Chicago,IL

Additional examples:

For those manly, and those metro:

Lastly, stop worrying about what other people will think about what you specifically put on your board, where it is located, and why. Instead, you should ask yourself - why would you feel insecure about revealing your wants in life?! Also, if the vision board is in your home, why are these pessimists invited in?

How to apply the secret law of attraction:

If you know me well, as a good friend, acquaintance, or family member, you are well aware of my obsession with the secret, and the law of attraction. Since reading the secret in 2008, I can personally attest that the concept has changed and improved my life.


I will be the first to tell you that I have horrible luck, and I am generally sceptical and cynical by nature. A co worker recommended this book to me by saying "have you ever thought about changing your outlook on life"? I of course thought, "no, but you obviously think I need to". So I purchased The Secret that day, I read it 6 months later...


This is dedicated to those who have ever felt interested or curious about all the hype. How could I improve my life simply by changing the way that I think? The secret and the law of attraction relate to your belief whether in religion, the universe, or science.


I hope you can try, or at least try once! Then you can ask, believe, and receive all that you want or need in your life.


Simplified:

• ASK: What is it that you truly "want"
• Ask for what you want. Write it down, think about it continually, reflect often.
• Clear your mind to focus on your want (meditate, take a walk, fall asleep reflecting)
• BELIEVE: Visualize, imagine, wander in your thought
• Be grateful. Be grateful for all that you currently posses, and for all that you are asking for/attracting.
• Be positive and give positivity in all avenues of your life
• Have patience
• RECEIVE: Enjoy, and be grateful