Contentment Challenge :: Do's, Dont's & January Goals

I was thinking about the contentment challenge all day yesterday. Yes, it seems crazy and difficult and frustrating and wacky, but I think that's exactly why I need to do it.  I need to step outside of my comfort zone & really challenge myself.

I'm really excited for this journey with so many other awesome gals!  Seriously y'all -- if you're thinking about doing this, join the Facebook group! Already read some awesome posts and found some sweet new blogs :)   Contentment Challenge Do's & Dont's Okay, so here is what I'm allowed to buy: necessary food, necessary toiletries, medicine, gum, gas, mandatory grad school items (books, supplies for portfolios, etc.), anything I have been given a gift card for -- but once that's gone, it's gone. I will try and save those too.   What I'm not allowed to buy: clothes, shoes, handbags, jewelry, NAIL POLISH, books, magazines, junk from Target, snack food, sodas at work, etc. Basically anything that isn't on my other list.   Exceptions: I have read through different rules and guidelines and agree that I don't want to come off rude to family or friends.  For example, one of my friends that I don't see very often has contacted me to get together with our boys this month and I absolutely will say yes. I make exceptions here because getting together with friends is good for you! Plus, we can probably find something free//cheap to do :) Gifts is the other exception. If it's someone's birthday, anniversary, etc. that is an exception to the rule as well! I will get them something small and personal, or think of something I can DIY :)

January Goals 1. Get ahead on my assignments. I want to start this semester STRONG! I'm taking 4 classes, compared to 3 last semester, and that is a tad scary.  I have always been terrible about procrastinating.  However, if I start strong, hopefully that means I'll finish strong.  My planner is already looking colorful & busy beautiful :) 2. Finish The Rescue. The other suggestion for this challenge is to read 3-5 books, however with grad school it is reaaalllyy tough to read for pleasure. I have so much to read, write and create for school in addition to work & interning that I barely have enough time to sleep!  However, over break I started The Rescue by Nicholas Sparks and I would really like to finish it. 3. See a new movie. Seriously, we own movies that I've never seen before! I'm going to have my own movie night at home & watch a movie that I own that I've never seen. 4. Make 2 new clean recipes. I am getting really interested in clean eating as a way to get healthy.  I've found some AWESOME recipes on The Gracious Pantry that I can't wait to try out! 5. Take water to work every day. I neeeeed to break my soda habit. It's too easy to go grab a Coca Cola when I'm feeling tired or crazed by the kiddos.  Today I put a slice of lemon in my water & found myself looking forward to taking a sip! Woo!     Holler if you think I left anything off my lists! And let me know if you want to join in on the fun! ;)   TGIF y'all!!

::Contentment Challenge::

Contentment.   Ever since doing some Instagram hopping - ya know how you're on one picture, and that takes you to another profile, and perhaps even another - and finding Dear Sweetheart Events, my heart and mind have been called to this challenge.   The Contentment Challenge is basically not buying anything unnecessary for 3 months. I am going to try my absolute best to keep up with this challenge the next three months.  I saw how fast the past three months flew by, so the next three won't be that hard, right?? I'm hoping this will create a lifestyle change for me. I need to teach myself to refrain from obnoxious Target purchases and trips to TJ Maxx "just to see what they have"...

Each month Kat is going to post a theme, a verse and a challenge to keep us motivated and occupied throughout the challenge This month's theme is simplicity.  It's time to realize that I am never going to be measured by my possessions.  Yes, it is fun to go out and raid the Target one spot & find cute new flats at Gap but does any of that stuff really matter?   Today, after work, I am going to work on my "do's and dont's" list -- basically what I find acceptable to purchase and what I am going to refrain from purchasing.  I am also going to write down 5 goals for January.
I'll share those with you tomorrow.   I encourage you to join myself and several other awesome women on this journey! Go check out Kat's blog where you can also find a link to a Facebook support group :) Also this post is really helpful. It's comforting to know I'm not alone in this -- I feel like I will be more likely to stick with it.   SO, here's to living life content with what I have, simplifying my life, doing what matters and knowing that there are other people out there who are living contently with much less than I have been blessed with.   Happy Thursday!

Holiday Style :: ModCloth Edition

Christmas may be over, but we still have New Year's Eve to dress up pretty for! And since today is New Year's Eve Eve, it's time to start thinking, if you haven't already, about what you'll wear! If you need some outfit inspiration, here is an ensemble I put together using the Committee Celebration Dress from ModCloth! All of the pieces are from ModCloth. If y'all haven't checked out ModCloth yet, you're missing out. They have such fun clothing & accessories.  These bow wedges have my name written all over them. Their necklace designs are so unique and fun!

Modcloth Holiday by slryan3

Today is my boy's birthday, so we're off to celebrate with cupcakes & football!! Go Texas!

My 2014 Goals :: Overview

Whew! We are back from our trip to Austin, Texas. I will have more on that later, but for now I will tell you...I love Texas!   On Wednesday we will welcome a new year. 2014, if you can believe it. I have felt like 2013 flew by and I didn't have the chance to get done what needed to get done - or what I wanted done.  Or rather, if I did have the chance, I was mostly likely using that chance to celebrate something else, like graduating! Or getting into grad school! Or finally getting to go to the beach! All things that happened this past year.   2013 was very good to me, but I hope 2014 is even better. I want to spend 2014 working in more ways than one. I want to work to better myself, my relationships, and my habits.   I've thought a lot about what goals I want to put on paper, and here they are:

 I'll go into more detail at a later date.  Each of these are important to me and I hope I can find the strength to keep up.

What's a goal you have for 2014?

Festive in the Classroom

I'm always trying to find new, fun and festive ideas of things to do with the kids during the holiday season.  We always have an early release or full day off from school landing somewhere near each major holiday, which are perfect times to get out the craft supplies and have some fun!
Here are some of my favorite holiday crafts to do with the little ones to take home.   Easy Christmas Trees from Fantastic Fun and Learning

 How awesome is this idea? I'm all about finger painting, but this is a great idea to keep things clean -- I have some kids who hate getting their fingers messy so they would love this! I think it's also fun that the pom poms match the color paint they belong with :) This would be great for our little ones.
Build a Snowman from happy hooligans

This activity would be awesome for all ages - the older kids could get SO creative with this and really add a lot of detail. The little ones would love getting to pick their own pieces out and make it their own.
Name Trees from Miss Kindergarten

I love this activity - perfect for kindergarteners - and it can be completed with or without the name. You could also modify this and make snowmen! Good practice for spelling names and using scissors.
Shape Ornaments from Mrs. Lee's Kindergarten

These ornaments would look so cute hanging up around a classroom.  Even though this idea was inspired by a kindergarten teacher, I think you could use it with all ages. Especially with the older kiddos who are diving into geometry. They could get really creative with this - either making it symmetrical or trying to fill the circle the best they can with shapes.

I love getting festive! Plus these crafts gives the kids something to do with all of their craaazzzy holiday energy!