Finding Balance this New Year

I always look forward to New Year’s Eve for two reasons:

1. We can all start over with an internal clean slate and

2. It’s an excuse to dress up and have some fun.

I’m not big on New Year’s resolutions, but I am a fan of making goals for the New Year. I believe the only way to achieve things is to work hard for them, so while a resolution may just be a declaration, a goal insinuates action.

I’m declaring 2014 to be a new year filled with balance. In that vein, the chart below includes my balancing goals of less and more. Of course, an action plan accompanies it to aid in my follow-through.

Happy New Year! Wishing you much health and happiness this year.

Less buying/More beading
As a self-proclaimed shopaholic, buying less is hard to do. Since my bead stash is literally bursting at the seam, anytime I feel compelled to buy something, I can admire a clasp I just had to have. I can also bead something to compliment that clasp. I definitely want to increase my handmade beaded jewelry inventory this year so I’m prepared for the upcoming art festivals and trunk shows I have scheduled in 2014.

Less criticizing/More creating

I spend a lot of time and energy criticizing…myself, others, life, etc. That time and energy would be better spent creating things that enhance myself, others, life, etc. I have great plans to redecorate my office and studio, build display frames for my jewelry, and feng shui space in my basement for monthly game nights, to name a few.

Less dwelling/More doing

The last few years have definitely had their share of health issues for me and instead of dwelling on the past, things I’ve lost and life paths that have changed, I’m plowing ahead with the energy I have to build my businesses, Beaded Expressions by Marla and Stella & Dot and absolutely live life to the fullest my body allows me too.

Less junk food/More juice

Eating healthy, adopting diets and moving more is probably on everyone’s list…at least for the month of January. I realize all I need to do to work towards being healthy is to eat less bad stuff and drink more good stuff. The juice trend is in full force right now, but I believe in the healing benefits of fruit and veggies, even if I’m not really a full-fledged vegan hipster...yet.

Less over-thinking/More organizing

I have a lot of things to organize this year including my bead stash, my filing system (or lack therof) and my closet. And I absolutely refuse to over-think organizing them…It. Just. Has. To. Get. Done.

What resolutions or goals are you setting for 2014?

Let it Bead,


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Sights of the Season

I made a pretty long list of things I wanted to accomplish this holiday season. While I couldn't check off everything this year, many memories were made and my pictures below captured the sights this season.

 

Hot chocolate with extra mini marshmallows and whipped cream in festive mugs.

My open house Jingle & Jewels invitation

Handmade jewels deck the tree for Jingle & Jewels

Beaded Expression by Marla boxes for Jingle & Jewels

Mistletoe kisses with Gracie

My gingerbread house this year was far better than last year's collapsing cul-de-sac, but not nearly as great as the Salezze mansion my aunt had professionally made for our indulgent pleasure.

Last year's collapsing cul-de-sac

Salezze gingerbread mansion: What every gingerbread house aspires to look like

The Nutcracker curtain

Gracie enjoying one of the many snowfalls this year

Champagne in monogrammed glasses

We were nice!

Waiting for Santa by the fire

Greeting card photos

Hope you had a wonderful, blessed holiday season with family and friends!

Let it Bead,




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Poinsettia Punch

This fragrant and refreshing holiday drink is such a crowd pleaser. It's both delicious and decorative as the finished product resembles a deconstructed poinsettia plant floating in the punch bowl. It's easy to prepare and will add to your table-scape this holiday season.While serving a punch is certainly a throwback, it allows for self-serve so you can host or hostess with bells on!

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 750ml bottles chilled brut Champagne
• 1 1/2 cups white rum
• 1 1/4 cups pomegranate juice
• 1 large lemon, thinly sliced
• pomegranate seeds
• fresh mint leaves
• 1 ice block

Preparation

Bring 1/2 cup water and sugar to boil in small saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves. Simmer 5 minutes. Cool syrup completely. 

Combine Champagne, rum and pomegranate juice in punch bowl. Add enough syrup to sweeten to taste. Mix in lemon slices, pomegranate seeds and mint leaves. Add ice block to bowl.

source

Let it Bead,


~~

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