well-designed living

me : )

as part of jess' design your life series, i wanted to do my own DIY design your life post.  her blog, makeunder my life, is about designing a (fabulous) life with intention, purpose and passion.  so, though i may not get it right all the time, i thought i'd like to share how i (attempt to) live a well-designed life...

1. stay strong.  when i first started exercising regularly 5 years ago, it felt like torture to drag myself out of bed (earlier than usual) to fit in a 15-20 minute workout.  but now, i'm so happy that i stuck with it.  in "pushing beyond the pain" i found that i really like moving my body.  i like feeling strong and fit and flexible.  it makes me walk with confidence and stand up a bit straighter.  now, believe me, i don't pop out of bed anxious and excited to workout everyday, but i always feel better for doing it.  and with small steps, i eventually (5 years later) have built up to 60 min, 5 days a week.  i encourage you all to find the beauty of connection through working (with) your body.  (my recommendation?  try yoga.  it's fabulous for both body & soul.)

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2. everything in moderation...including moderation.  (i think mae west was the first to say that, so i can't take the credit.)  i eat healthy, wholesome foods at least 80% of the time.  the 20% is reserved for dinners out, drinks with friends and dessert.  i've finally learned that deprivation has no place in a healthy diet and that all things...yes, that's right all things, including chocolate and fried food and mac n' cheese and pancakes...can be enjoyed (from time to time).

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3. happy hour is what life is all about.  ok, let me explain.  life is about the small moments.  not just the big ones.  take the time to enjoy and appreciate your life where you are right now.  don't wait for the weekend or for when your "to-do" list is done or for when you lose 10lbs, because there is always an errand to run or something else that "should" take priority.  make it a habit to give yourself a break and enjoy the here and now (with a $5 cosmo in hand : )

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4. follow your bliss.  this point i cannot stress enough.  life really isn't just about finding a (tolerable) job in order to make money (though money does have its perks), it's about finding something you love to do.  the money will come.  trust me.  if you create a career around what you love, you'll be wonderful at it, and it will feel a lot less like work.  trust your gut, have faith in your abilities and craft a life around your true passions and what you're truly good at, and the right path will unfold before you.  it's magical.

5. learn to love yourself.  this is not always easy...especially for us girls.  but it's worth working toward.  if you learn to love and appreciate yourself, life gets much simpler, because you're working with yourself, instead of standing in your own way.  take it one step at a time.  treat yourself well.  feed yourself wholesome food...80% of the time.  and move your body a bit.  it'll thank you for it, and you'll begin to see the beauty that was always there.  (and don't beat yourself up when you enjoy a piece of cheesecake or one too many glasses of wine.  life isn't supposed to be so damn serious : )

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well ladies, i believe that's enough wisdom rambling for one day.  and remember, design your life just for you.  no one else.

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vintage purse giveaway (it could be yours!)

hello all!  this is my first ever giveaway (and it's a good one)!  rachael, fellow blogger and total sweetheart from it's simple love, and i are hosting dual giveaways.  i'm giving away this adorable and super chic vintage purse from her etsy shop on my blog, and she's hosting a giveaway of my book and two (handcrafted) t-shirt necklaces on hers : )  lots of fun!

could it be cuter?!

it's simple love is one of my dailies.  rachael blogs about life, love, travel, music, photography and (of course!) amazing vintage fashion.  her personal style and positive outlook are to be coveted!  i strongly recommend stopping by her blog and vintage shop...they're totally worth a (prolonged) visit.

...wish i could enter...

so...on to the good stuff...how to win!

to enter vintage purse giveaway:
you must be (or become) a follower of my blog, lifestyle maven, and leave a comment below : )

extra enties:
+1 follow it's simple love (make sure you come back and leave an additional comment to let me know)
+2 blog about this giveaway or add a link to it on your blog (again, be sure to let me know)

remember to write a separate comment for each entry.  open to u.s. and canada residents only (sorry!).  the giveaway ends friday oct 15th, and the winner will be chosen at random.

thank you for entering & best of luck!  (p.s. i'll be totally jealous of whoever wins this purse...)

oh and don't forget to stop by it's simple love to enter for a chance to win a (signed) copy of my book and some very awesome t-shirt necklaces : )

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Silver Lining

Ever have one of those days when you're feeling a little overwhelmed?  When everything seems to be hitting all at once and there don't seem to be enough hours in the day?  Well today was one of those days.  I was out of town over the weekend and came back to quite a bit of work, and (I must admit) I was allowing it to get the best of me.  I kept trudging forward, but my energy and enthusiasm were waining.  I was making cold calls for my business and wasn't making tremendous headway (or so it felt).

Yet, when these moments come, they are undoubtedly followed by something positive.  It never fails.  Just when all seems to be weighing on you, stopping you in your tracks, something comes through - no matter how small - that makes you feel better, pushes you further in the right direction or brings a smile to your face.  My last call today came through.  I found myself on the phone with someone who was genuinely pleased I had reached out to them.  They needed my assistance and I needed theirs.  Kismet.

Just as I was feeling downtrodden, I was handed my silver lining because I kept moving forward.  I didn't let my doubts get the best of me.  And because of that, I was given a chance to make something happen.  A chance to move forward in a positive direction that will better myself and my business.  Funny how one small positive thing can make everything come into perspective in a new, uplifting, empowering way.

Keep on keepin' on.  It'll pay off...I promise..

The Only 3 Things You'll Ever Need

Ever wonder what it takes to improve your health, achieve greater happiness and live the life of your dreams?
Well, there are three principles which will help you reach all of your dreams (and they’re free!). You ready for them? Drum roll please... They are: intuition, simplicity, and beauty.

Sure, that all sounds well and good, but how do you get from here (the cave of self-consciousness, stress and dieting) to there (the land of self-appreciation, happiness and health)?

Well, these three principles will be your guides and aid you in all of your lifestyle decisions. They'll ground you and remind you what's truly important as you strive to create your best life. With intuition, simplicity and beauty as you guides you will begin to move along the path towards well-designed living.

If you trust your intuition, your innate wisdom, you will discover what you truly want in your life and what you no longer need. You will naturally begin to seek greater simplicity in both your lifestyle and home.

And, when you simplify your lifestyle and home environment, the innate beauty that was there all along begins to shine through. If you follow and trust these principles of well-designed living, I guarantee your life will become richer and more fulfilling. Not to mention, you’ll wind up taking better care of yourself, your family and your home.

Happy living : )

Cailen first published article as The Only 3 Things You'll Ever Need on Technorati..