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Category: Lifestyle
{Time Is Money} Are You Spending Both Wisely?
It’s safe to say that we have all heard the phrase, time is money. But what does that really mean? When considering the quote above, I would say it means that time is valuable. We can easily recognize the value of money, how great we feel when we spend it wisely, and how annoying it is when we feel that money is wasted. Those same paradigms should be applied to what I believe to be the most valuable currency that we all have- our time.
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{Every Woman Should Know} 10 Things Your Don’t Owe Anyone
Have you ever had one of those weeks that tested you both personally and professionally? Well, let’s just say that this was one of those weeks. In it I learned that there is no greater peace than peace of mind. I also learned that sometimes it is easier said than done to be your authentic self, but you will always come out better for doing so. I came across this brief video posted by Power of Positivity that breaks down 10 things you don’t owe anyone and I must say that I have been tested by 4 out of the 10 in the past month. Life is gift and you should give everyday the chance to become the most beautiful day of your life; otherwise, what is the point? I hope that the video below inspires you to wake up, be kind, kick ass, repeat. Happy Friday Lovelies.
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{Derby Fashions} Does Looking Good + Feeling Good = Spending Money?
A few weeks ago I was low key stressing about Derby Fashion….I know, it’s just the Derby and people have real problems, but when I don’t look good, I don’t feel good. I wasn’t even planning on attending until the very last minute so things became a mad dash for me to find the a complete get up, including the dress, cute wedges for the grass, and of course, the hat! The Mr. and I were here, there, and everywhere and I even employed the help of my mom in the search for the perfect hat. I was swiping left and right (my bank cards not Tender) when it hit me…Danielle, you have hit one of your shopping triggers. In the past few years I have noticed that I tend to spend more when I feel something is “lacking” in my appearance. I will over shop when I probably didn’t need to as a way to try to correct something that may be off in my life. On the second day of running around Atlanta I forced myself to just stop and really think about what is currently in my closet. This is after the Mr. treated me to a very cute new dress and I bought new shoes. I was out looking for THE HAT when I thought about switching things up. Actually, it was after I saw this picture that I began to rethink my entire approach:
My original plan was to go traditional Derby in a more dressed up way, but I loved how pretty and comfortable she looked (no comment on her Beau). “Oh wait”, light bulb moment, “I have a very similar dress in my closet”….but still no hat. In my final half hour of stress before we had to leave, I told myself that whatever hat I found, be it for the dress we bought or the dress I have, would dictate my Derby look. Fed up and feeling a little defeated, I went to one final store and found a hat. We attended Atlanta’s version of the Kentucky Derby and had a blast with new and old friends.
Check It Out!
Through the experience I learned that I have to start making time to take better care of myself, that way I don’t have to get ready, I will stay ready. I learned from a mix of packing up my closet for the big move (another post for another day), that it is time for me to reinvest in my wardrobe. At (insert cough here) 30 years old, I shouldn’t be trying to wear the same staples from college. My style has evolved and so has my body. I also learned that along the line, I had replaced an updated wardrobe with things to make my new house a home. I was a girl with a closet full of clothes with nothing to wear because I had not taken the time to properly edit, purge, and organize. For Derby Day, I wore a dress from my own closet, shoes I already had, and a hat that, unlike the more traditional style, I could see myself wearing again. After I complete my Edit, Purge, Organize, which I will blog my way through, I will be able to make better decisions like that in the future.
Editors Note: I took the new shoes back because they worked for the new dress but weren’t really my style. With that money, I bought six new classic wardrobe must haves. Special thanks to Event Rentals Unlimited for VIP access to the beautiful air conditioned glass tent!
shemakescents{at}gmail {dot}com | Instagram @shemakescents
{Monday Motivation} Rich vs. Broke
Today’s #MondayMotivation will hopefully inspire your thought process. It is so hard to get caught in stuff….consuming “stuff”, showing off “stuff”, and being wasteful with “stuff”. If you spend like you are wealthy, you will never be wealthy because you spent it all. Instead of “acting” rich, why don’t you make positive changes to actually get to that status? Like the word freedom, the word rich has so definitions. Remember, rich doesn’t always have to describe someone’s financial state. I motivate you to act broke with your spending and be rich in the things that really matter…like people and experiences that….FEED-THE-SOUL. Take this week and do things that make you feel like your best you. Wishing you a great start to your week!
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{World Recycle Week} How To Save On Purchases By Donating Unwanted Clothes
“90% of textile waste is recyclable”
Yesterday after my outdoor yoga class, my friend Dana and I found our way into H&M where the window featured signage about World Recycle Week. During the campaign period, April 18-24, H&M aims to collect 1,000 tons of unwanted or worn out garments from customers worldwide in its more than 3,600 stores. The initiative is part of H&M’s goal to close the loop in fashion, recycling unwanted garments to create recycled textile fibers for new products.
The timing could not be more perfect because I have started a Purge, Edit, & Organize (post coming soon) overhaul for my closet. My plan is to sell the clothes that I no longer wear or fit properly. Whatever doesn’t sell will be split between the Goodwill and women’s shelters in Atlanta. Everything else, that I would have normally tossed, will go to H&M for recycling. I’m not sure if this is the case for all locations, but my local H&M is offering 30% off your entire purchase if you bring in items for recycling. This could be a win-win situation if you are in the market for a trendy new piece to add to your wardrobe or home.
shemakescents{at}gmail {dot}com | Instagram @shemakescents
{Time Management} How to Find More Time in Your Day
People are so into time management tips and tricks which is evident by one of our most popular posts, {Quick Tips} How to Be More Efficient. If you had an extra 5 or 10 minutes in your day, how would you use it? Would you hit the snooze one more time? Spend it doing something you love? How about 30 minutes? Would you try something new? Work later? I live my life according to an ever-changing color coded to-do list that keeps me organized in my 9 to 5, that helps organize 2 home renovations and of course, SheMakesCents.com. With a day packed with things that have to get done, I sometimes find it difficult to schedule time to do things I want to do.
Getty Images/ Digital Vision/PeopleImages.com
Admittedly, I am one of those people who wishes for more time in the day to do the things that “feed my soul” or at least keeps me from losing my marbles. Tuesday night Google launched “Google Goals” as a new calendar feature that finds unscheduled time in your schedule and devotes that time to work toward personal goals, such as pilates, updating your financial plan, reading the SheMakesCents Book selection, or girl’s dinner/date night with the boo. I’m more of a traditionalist with my paper calendar; however, I am open to using Google Goals as a FREE life coach for time management. It’s worth a try, especially for all of you whose phones are permanently attached to their hands.
Check out this video to see how it works!
shemakescents{at}gmail {dot}com | Instagram @shemakescents
{Monday Motivation} Refresh Your Priorities
Happy Monday!!! Today’s Monday Motivation goes out to my family. This past Saturday, my eight year old cousin Kentric Stubbs Robinson had a wish granted by Make-A-Wish Mississippi; hours later, he lost his battle to a rare blood cancer. How lucky we all are to have someone that makes saying goodbye so hard. He was a fun, curious, and kind child who had a talent for dancing and was not afraid to show off this skills.
Today I motivate you to stop existing in this world and start living! Be like Kentric. Do something that feeds your soul; that’s where true happiness lies. If dancing is your passion, then dance. If reading brings you peace, make time to read. If your happiness is in the kitchen, cook. If helping others is your thing, go volunteer with an organization you admire. Just don’t waste the time you have left doing things that don’t feed you mentally, spiritually, or physically. Starting today, refresh your priorities. You will be a more fulfilled person for it.
shemakescents{at}gmail {dot}com | Instagram @shemakescents
SMC April Book Club: Year of Yes!!!
My favorite season is upon us… SPRING! This is a time for a rebirth of goals, visions, and overall positive changes. That being said, it’s time for yet another book selection for the upcoming month of April to get us motivated and inspired. The April book selection, written by the mega-talented creator of my Thursday night lineup, Shonda Rhimes, was actually a recommendation from shemakescents readers like you. That’s right, we are reading Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person.
Starting April 1, 2016, we will start Year of Yes to see how saying “YES” changed Rhimes’ life. I am a firm personal advocate of the “It’s okay to say no” because I witness all too often how saying “yes” can allow other’s access to take advantage of you or a situation. However, I fear that by saying NO sometimes that I am blocking my own blessings from coming through. It has been said that her year of yes saved her life and that it will inspire readers to change their lives with one little word…YES. Join #shemakescents as we “dance it out, stand in the sun, and become our own person” with our April book selection. Shoot a picture of you with the book on Instagram| @shemakescents and on Twitter @shemakescents using hashtag #shemakescents for a repost.
Grab your very own copy (ebook/traditional style) of Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person
{Monday Motivation} Attract What You Expect
Happy Monday Lovelies! I hope it has been was a good one. I thought I would send you a little inspiration as you start your week off. This #MondayMotivation can be applied to your career, finances, love life, and friendships. It’s never too late the be the person you want to be.
Attract What You Expect
I take this quote to be a suggestion to be selective on who you bring into your inner circle. You can’t move forward if you surround yourself with stagnate people. Surround yourself with people who motivate you to keep moving not those who want you comfortable where you are. Another interpretation could simply be the Law of Attraction. For example, people who believe in doing affirmations to help them reach their goals. “I am a money magnet; therefore, money flows into my life abundantly”.
Reflect What You Desire
I desire to be credit card free by June 1, 2016. I have to continue to be diligent about paying extra over the minimum payment and not making any more purchases that can’t be paid off in full before the billing cycle. To do that, my actions must reflect my desires.
Become What You Respect
Be the type of person that you want surrounding you. For example, if you desire to deal with people who respect your time, don’t be the woman to show up late for anyone else. This is the ultimate, “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”.
Mirror What You Admire
Use the best qualities of those you admire, put your own twist on it, and you will not only reflect admirable qualities, you will be the woman you want to be.
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