Life with Direction: 2012

Propagating Succulents Update

Succulent propagating from a single leaf is rewarding and easy to do. I've finally reached the sprouting stage, which has taken about 5 months of patient anticipation. If your interested in starting your own garden, see my previous succulent post for directions. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!

My First YouTube Video

Check out my first YouTube video, "Called Out In The Dark", by Snow Patrol.
P.S. I LOVE this Song!

Wedding Designs

Image via Style Me Pretty

Hello Texas!

Smartphone vs. Flip Phone

I've always been one to welcome change, except when it comes to technology. "If it works, don't fix it", and, "keep it simple stupid"sum up my ideology. So, why did I trade in my flip phone for a smartphone? Peer pressure!
SMARTPHONE vs. FLIP PHONE

Flip Phone Pros
1. Easy to use.
2. Can access all dial buttons.
3. Unlike a smartphone, I don't have to hit a power button every time I want to perform a function.
4. Better battery than a smart phone.
5. Easy to use texting function.
6. Cost less than a smart phone.
7. Overall phone plan cost less than a smart phone.
8. Extra (expensive) damage insurance not needed.
9. Able to hit snooze button multiple times.
10. Phone doesn't have the ability to butt dial, or randomly call contacts.
11. Able to silence entire phone with one button.

Flip Phone Cons
1. When damaged, carriers never have parts to fix it.
2. If you lose a phone charger, good luck trying to replace it, chances are it's no longer available.
3. Apps are outdated.
4. Internet app is slow and worthless.

Smartphone Pros
1. Game apps.
2. GPS system.
3. Able to read emails.
4. Video chatting with friends.

Smartphone Cons
1. To end a call, I have to hit a power button on the side of the phone, which lights up the visible screen, allowing access to then press the end call button. Let's start with the obvious, why doesn't the screen stay lit? Is it too much to ask to have my screen visible for an entire 30 seconds? Never before did I have to make a conscious mad dash to end a call for fear of accidentally creating a voice mail message. On a flip phone, the power button is used to turn a phone"ON"or "OFF", unlike a smartphone which requires it to be pressed constantly in order to access any function on an already turned "ON" phone. If I've turned my phone "ON", why do I have to keep pressing a power button to be able to access my phone? and better yet, why do I have to hit the power button to make my screen visible during a phone call? Shouldn't the phone be on, it's in use!
2. Texting is the worse on smartphones! If you enjoy being in a constant state of frustration, you'll love texting on a touch screen miniature keyboard. Personally, my hands aren't amused by this joke, especially after hitting an "S" and seeing it replaced with an "A".
3. When you want to call someone, hit the green phone button, then the name of who you want to contact, to which you are then given the option to call or text. Are you serious? Isn't it obvious that if I wanted to text I would have hit the "text" button and not the green phone in the first place?The two buttons are next to each other on the opening page, so why am I being stalled from making a phone call with stupid questions?
4.Touch screen is a nightmare to use.
5. Battery life is horrible! If you haven't yet, start memorizing the locations of all the electrical outlets in your home.
6. Smartphones are expensive and can easily cost an arm and a leg to fix when damaged. If you think you won't drop it, you will, so do yourself a favor and add insurance to your plan.
7. Smartphones have a silent button for calls, and a separate silent button for texts (good luck trying to find it). For me, when I want a phone to be silent, and I take the effort to hit the, "silent" button - that means, I want the entire phone to be silent. Hello Mcfly! Silent means silent, not, "please notify me with a loud chime when I get a text" Why have a silent button if you can't silence your phone?
8. If using the alarm, the snooze button will only go off 3 times. Yep that's right, 3 times. Not a huge con, but for someone who usually likes a good 5 snoozes before waking up, I'm now consciously counting instead of enjoying my extra 5 minuets of sleep.

Recreate the Look

Image via Polyvore

Recreate the look with these perfect pieces:

Reasons to Drink More Water

Weight loss
Water is one of the best tools for weight loss, first of all because it often replaces high-calorie drinks like soda and juice and alcohol with a drink that doesn't have any calories. But it's also a great appetite suppressant, and often when we think we're hungry, we're actually just thirsty. Water has no fat, no calories, no carbs, no sugar. Drink plenty to help your weight-loss regimen.

Energy
Being dehydrated can sap your energy and make you feel tired -- even mild dehydration of as little as 1 or 2 percent of your body weight. If you're thirsty, you're already dehydrated -- and this can lead to fatigue, muscle weakness, dizziness and other symptoms.

Healthy skin
Drinking water can clear up your skin and people often report a healthy glow after drinking water. It won't happen overnight, of course, but just a week of drinking a healthy amount of water can have good effects on your skin.

Digestive problems
Our digestive systems need a good amount of water to digest food properly. Often water can help cure stomach acid problems, and water along with fiber can cure constipation (often a result of dehydration).

Cleansing
Water is used by the body to help flush out toxins and waste products from the body.

If you don't like the taste of water, add some flavor (Choose one)
1. Add a slice of Lemon

2. Peel a cucumber and add 3 slices to your glass
3. Add a slice of lime
4. Add a slice of pineapple
5. Add a couple mint leaves

Ways to Train yourself to Drink more Water
1. Set goals
2. Carry a water bottle
3. Challenge yourself to drink a little more each day
4. Start the day off with a full glass of water
5. Drink a glass of water before each meal
6. Drink a glass of water on your lunch break
7. Replace all drinks (sodas) during the day with water
8. Order water whenever eating out

DIY Chai Latte

Tired of waiting in line and being over charged at Starbucks? Join the club. I had no idea how easy and inexpensive a "Do it yourself" chai latte could be. Take a stab at my 2 step chai latte , you'll thank me later. I promise. This reciepe will save you time, money, and taste like christmas. Enjoy!

Ingredients Needed:

1. 1 carton of either unsweetened or sweetened vanilla almond milk

2. 1 carton of Oregon Chai (Available at Trader Joes)

STEPS

Step 1. Fill 3/4 of the glass with Almond milk
Step 2. Fill the rest of the glass with Oregon Chai

Aromatherapy Oils

Let's start with the basics, "aromatherapy is the practice of using the natural oils extracted from flowers, bark, stems, leaves, roots or other parts of a plant to enhance psychological and physical well-being." If your looking for a simple holistic approach to fix ailments, this is the way to go. As a skeptic I put it to the test and was pleasantly surprised with the outcome. For example, a simple whiff of lavender calmed my nerves and completely reset my mood. The oils are easy to use providing fast acting results. If you're not afraid to try something new, check it out for yourself.

Aromatherapy Oils

1. Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia)Lavender stimulates cell growth function, especially the skin cells. Improve endurance, reduce pain, reduce depression, lower blood pressure, relax tense muscles. Lavender can relieve stress, excessive emotions, and dependence. If you have difficulty in sleeping, take a few drops of Lavender oil in your pillow or a few drops in your warm bath before sleeping, you may reduce the insomnia.

2. Kanuka (Kunzea Ericoides)Kanuka functioning relieve skin allergies, increase endurance, strengthen concentration, increase feelings of confidence.

3. Tea Tree (Maleleuca Alternifolia)Tea Tree as immune stimulant, anti-virus, anti-septic and anti-fungal. Useful to treat dandruff and acne. Used to reduce cough, asthma and sinus. Able to improve blood circulation and lymph glands. Good for people with stress, mental weakness and depression.

4. Roman Chamomile (Anthemis Nobilis)Very good for babies and children. Serves to stimulate the formation of white blood cells, relaxing, stretching the nerves, reduce emotional feelings such as anger, fear, sadness, tension, so they can become more calm and patient.

5. Sandalwood (Santalum Album)Function: soften the skin and balance the water content, kill bacteria, remove phlegm, sore throat, cure cough, bronchitis, and increase sexual desire.

6. Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)Benefits: balancing the hormones in any situation (menstruation's, menopause, pre natal, post natal). Accelerate wound healing. Recommended for PMS, menopausal and pre menopausal period.

7. Lemon (Citrus Limonum)Benefits: stomach acid balance, reduce cellulite, helps healing sore throats and either used as a cold.

8. Peppermint (Mentha Piperita)Serves to relieve headaches, enlighten the mind matted. For digestion: reduce nausea and bloating. Peppermint prohibited for pregnant women because it can stop the milk production.

9. Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus Bluegum)Benefits: reduce the itch from mosquito bites, to help deal with problems such as respiratory and diuretic. The smell of eucalyptus and Cajeput are similar. Practice distinguish scent, because it really looked like.

10. Ginger (Zingiber officinalis)Ginger is a natural aspirin, which can help the patients blood viscosity, all types of muscle pain, reduce nausea, bloating, and increase appetite.
List provided by: Hub pages

Rolled Magazine Art

Attention contemporary art fans, I've got just the DIY project. Rolled magazine art is a great and inexpensive way to add flare to your style. I was hooked on the technique after viewing a couple projects online. I believe in functionality, so I wanted to create something with purpose. That being said, what could be better than a vase? It holds flowers, candles, and endless amounts of knick knacks. This project was fairly inexpensive but somewhat time consuming. The creation itself looks awesome, but expect to work your fingers to the bone. The smartest way to complete this project is to coherence some friends or family to help you. Would I do this project again? Absolutely! If you're interested in creating you're own, check out my tutorial below

Rolled Magazine Vase Tutorial

Items needed:
1. Glass Vase (square or round)
2. Magazines
3. Hot glue gun + glue sticks
4. Scissors

Instructions
Step 1. Rip out a magazine page and use the scissors to cut the page into 3 even strips
Step 2. Take one piece and fold it in half (Repeat 2 more times to the same piece. Make sure to fold in the same direction as the first fold)
Step 3. Start at one end and tightly roll the piece of paper
Step 4. Once rolled, put a dab of glue on the end to hold it from coming apart
Step 5. Add a good amount of glue to the back of the rolled piece and place it on the vase
Step 6. Repeat steps 1-5 until the entire vase is covered.

DIY Propagating Succulents

Succulents are one of the few plants that can be propagated. What does that mean? Simply, that a single succulent leaf, when cut and planted, can produce a new succulent. Propagating succulents is an easy and great way to increase your collection. Before you start de-leafing your plants, it's good to note that not all succulents can be propagated. Since I'm obsessed with having succulents in my wedding, I've decided to try propagating my own batch. If interested in propagating succulents, check out my tutorial below.

Materials

1 Large Bin (I got mine at JoAnn Fabric Store, you can also find them at Michaels)
Cactus soil
3-5 different types of succulents

Before you start propagating

Drill 6 to 8 holes on the bottom of the plastic bin
Fill the bin with cactus soil

How to Propagate Succulents

Step 1. Gather leaf cuttings (Break the leaf off at the stem)

Step 2. Place leaves out for 3 days (Don't put in direct sunlight)

Step 3. After 3 days, plant each leaf tip barely under soil (Use cactus soil)

Step 4. Once roots are visible, plant firmly under soil

Step 5. Water once a week

Step 6. Enjoy!

DIY Bracelet Holder

My next project! For instructions visit Infarrantly Creative

Image via Infarrantly Creative

Fashion Update

Click on the Fashion tab above to view my latest addition

Image via Haute and Rebellious

Things To Do When Bored

1. Read a book

2. Go to the beach

3. Take a nap

4. Go for a drive

5. Play air guitar

6. Go for a Hike

7. Visit a museum

8. Volunteer

9. Clean your room

10. Practice lip syncing

11. Go to a Theme Park

12. Call a Friend

13. Visit with Family

14. Go for a swim

15. Get a massage

16. Meditate

17. Start a blog

18. Play a board game

19. Sign up for community service

20. Go to the library

21. Visit a state park

22. Learn a magic trick

23. Meet your neighbors

24. Rent a movie

25. Start a garden

26. Shop for clothes

27. Play a card game

28.Go on a nature walk

29. Learn how to knit

30. Go sailing

31. Go wake boarding

32. Take a cooking class

33. Learn Tai Chi

34. Go for a run

35. Read astrology

36. Eat ice cream

37. Go to a spin class

38. Get a manicure

39. Create a new hairstyle

40. Make s'mores

41. Take a fencing class

42. Watch a foreign film

43. Dance around the house

44. Learn a foreign language

45. Start a craft project

46. Build a pillow/blanket fortress

47. Go bowling

48. Sell stuff on Ebay

49. Practice yoga

50. Take a bubble bath

51. Donate blood

52. Go on a date

53. Do something nice for someone else

54. Learn to play an instrument

55. Write a book

56. Feng shui your home

57. Write a song

58. Learn reflexology

59. Learn how to read palms

60. Look up positive affirmations

61. Write down a quote that motivates you

62. Rent a classic movie from the library

63. Create a vision board

64. Memorize a song

65. Donate money to a charity

66. Go rock climbing

67. Travel outside the country

68. Go zip lining

69. Play horseshoes

70. Learn about eating healthy

71. Go horseback riding

72. Start a water fight

73. Take a class

74. Finger paint

75. Tell a joke

76. Learn about past life regression

77. Learn how to juggle

78. Go on a spontaneous road trip

79. Watch funny Youtube videos

80. Learn how to read auras

81. Make a care package

82. Donate to Goodwill

83. Learn sign language

84. Become a fan of a Sports team

85. Clean out your car

86. Make a photo album

87. Watch a stand up comedian

88. Have a yard sale

89. Go to Las Vegas

90. Give yourself a facial

91. Go on a bike ride

92. Start a book club

93. Follow/support fellow bloggers

94. Make a video diary

95. Watch a hockey game

96. Go to a concert

97. Post something on Youtube

98. Learn a trendy dance move

99. Go camping

100. Write down your goals

A Neon Summer

This summer neon is back! Not back like the 80's, but back to add a little flare to your style.

Image via RunningonHappiness

Image source unknown

Image via Hello Fashion

DIY Stencil Painting

I love DIY (Do It Yourself) projects. As a novice, with very little creative talent, I wanted to put my "skills" to work. Stencil painting did the trick. Why stencil painting? It's easy, clean, and almost effortless. For those who need inspiration, like myself, Martha Stewart online provides a variety of creative DIY projects. To be honest, I'm not a Martha Stewart fan, but it fit the bill. I'm very satisfied with my creation, and even hopeful for the next.

If you want to create your own, here's what you'll need:

1. Canvas, any size will work (The canvas I used was a 36" x 36")
2. Martha Stewart Stencils
3. Stencil paints (Choose any colors that spark your interest)
4. Sponge brush