Moving, Merging, Consolidating...Simplifying!
Friday, October 10, 2008
My weblogs are moving to a new home! Please pardon the dust during this simplification process as I move to a new home, {INSPIRED Simplicity}. I am merging my two sites, My Life and My Soul, for after all they are one and the same. In efforts to live up to my new blog title and to live my passion in simplicity, I hope you find this new site much simpler and improved as I try to consolidate and, well, keep things simple. In moving forward, I hope to incorporate tips and resources that not only inspire me but that I find to be very useful in my quest for a simple, authentic and balanced life. May {INSPIRED Simplicity} bring out the simple pleasures and treasures of the simple life. Please update your links to my new address and visit soon.
Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 10/10/2008 01:37:00 PM 0 comments
Planning to Savour the Holidays
Friday, October 3, 2008
It's October already! In the beginning of the year I penciled in goals for each month in my planner. For this month I wrote Christmas preparations (and, of course, my darling daughter's birthday (that'll be a separate post)). I noted this reminder for myself because last year I was overwhelmed and stressed out from late preparations. So this year I'm giving myself enough time to prepare so that I can savour the season and fully enjoy the holidays.
stumbled upon photo by: AnthonyHere is the beginning of my checklist
1.) Family photo for Christmas cards
When? (Taking into consideration all family members individual busy schedules.)
Having 6 members in the family (not counting my mom, who may be celebrating Christmas in Manila this year), with two of our children now adults with busy schedules of their own, it's getting harder and harder to schedule a photoshoot. This year I really need to plan ahead in hopes of having a complete family photo as oppose to the individual collage photos I had to make do with last year.
Where?
home? indoor? outdoor? beach?
2.) Family Newsletter
In the last two years, our family newsletters are made available online saving on paper, ink and time. Our newsletter website is noted on the Christmas cards we sent out.
3.) Cards
Hand made cards are not only very satisfying to make, it is a great budget idea for today's trying economic times. I plan to set weekly goals as to how many cards I need to make per week based on how many cards I plan to send out and my deadline.
4.) Gifts
In light of our present trying economic times, finances dictate for creative gift giving this year.
Stay tuned for my creative gift giving ideas.
In the past years I organized my gift list in a spreadsheet. At a glance I can see what I gave to whom in what year. The system allows for easy gift shopping or gift making and avoids the possibility of duplicate presents.
5.) Decorating
I am simply grateful I already have what I need in this department. I normally start putting up our holiday decorations right after thanksgiving. I collected holiday decor over the years by buying most of them after Christmas.
For those of you who still need some holiday decor, I suggest to make note of what you still need so you can start looking for sale items. Or better yet, try to wait and shop for them during the big after Christmas sale.
6.) Entertaining/Family Time
I am not normally a "baking" mom but this year I plan to have a cookie baking day and creative gift making time with my darling daughter (hopefully I can involve the boys too). It would be a great family time to discuss the true meaning of the wonderful holiday season.
Hopefully when Christmas time comes I can actually revel in the joy of the season.
Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 10/03/2008 10:10:00 PM 0 comments
My Decorating Style...Authentic
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
I don't really have a particular or specific decorating style...I'm what they call "eclectic". I like to call it "authentic". I'm normally an obedient person but when it comes to decorating, I go with whatever I like or what works for me as oppose to following a design rule. I like just about every style there is, hence, my what they call eclectic style. I enjoy combining the different styles I like and incorporating things that have meaning to me. I also enjoy the "hands-on" experience in creating or repurposing something for the home. I get my inspiration from HGTV. But even before HGTV, there was Lynette Jennings on the discovery channel. She was my original source of design inspiration. She has a new book out available on my inspired bookstore.
Thomas Jefferson said: "In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock."
Lynette Jennings says, and I absolutely agree, that even in matters of style, there is no need to compromise. Don't be afraid to go with what you like and let your authentic style show through.
Happy fall decorating! (Just a word of caution and reminder from Suze Orman: we are in recession (in case you are still in denial:).
So enjoy recycling and repurposing what you already have.
Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 9/30/2008 08:13:00 PM 0 comments
Harvest Festival
Monday, September 29, 2008
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As in our "taekwondo days", we use these activity times as precious family moments creating memories to treasure for years to come. Though not a thrilling time for the boys, Isabella's proud brothers are always there to support their baby sister. We took a leisurely stroll after the performance and had a nice Mexican dinner to end the day.
Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 9/29/2008 05:59:00 PM 0 comments
A Peek of the Blue Ocean
Friday, September 19, 2008
...from my bedroom
It's a beautiful day today....
cropped.JPG)
Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 9/19/2008 01:08:00 PM 0 comments
Labor Day Weekend Nesting
Monday, September 1, 2008
This weekend I was blessed with the energy and strength to tackle a long dreaded task. True to its name, I laboured during labor day weekend. I had been needing, wanting, yet dreading cleaning/organizing my closet. It feels so good to put things in order and to finally see the beautiful hardwood floors inside my closet. Once you start organizing, you get this surge of energy/inspiration leading to a "nesting mood". At least it did for me. I finally got to organize not just my closet but several other cabinets/closets in the house.I was able to revisit my old scrapbooking stuff (hopefully this will fuel a spark to "create" again).
tackled closets:
- my closet
- Isabella's closet
- hallway linen closet
- entryway coat closet
- masters bath cabinets
- kitchen
- laundry
- boys room
- garage
well, I'm halfway to an organized home:)
On Monday, Isabella and I started painting the fence. We did half of the left side so I'd say we're about 1/4 of the way to a painted fence:) yet another dreaded task. Today I feel drained so I'm praying for the next surge of energy...hopefully soon:) and for a "nesting mood" for my soul.
I am {Simply Grateful}
This is what the Lord says: Put your house in order. - Isaiah 38:1
Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 9/01/2008 08:15:00 PM 0 comments
Isabella's academic recognition/achievement
Saturday, August 30, 2008
It's a great start of school year for Isabella as a 4th grader this year. The top 13 entering 4th graders are placed in a combined 4th/5th grade class. She loves the extra challenge she is able to do in language arts and Math. The class separates for Social Science and Math due to different curriculum. High STAR test scores allowed Isabella to stay with the 5th graders for Math. We are so proud of her love for learning and her love for everything she gets to do. We are Simply Grateful.
Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 8/30/2008 11:27:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Isabella
Striking a Pose...
Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 8/30/2008 11:13:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Isabella
Best Friends Forever
Krystn’s support and genuine admiration for Isabella is an incredibly remarkable gift. I could not wish for a better BFF for my darling daughter. Isabella is equally genuinely proud of her black belt BFF who also happens to be in GATE language arts (congratulations Krystn!). This mutual authentic admiration and love they share at such a young age is truly a great blessing and we are simply grateful.
Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 8/30/2008 10:39:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Isabella
Pier 39 Show
enjoying a tour jete
it's all about dance...and lovin' it!
tapping to her heart's content
a quick change from tap to jazz in the finale Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 8/30/2008 09:59:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: dance
Good Timing of a Bad Thing
Our water heater burst the day before our scheduled trip to Union City for Isabella's performance at Pier 39. As bad as it may be, the timing is a blessing. Can you imagine if it happened while we are gone for several days? And I was able to locate a plumber who was able to replace the water heater on the same day. The boys and I rented a shampooer to suction the water out of the carpet in the garage. All is back to normal by the end of the day and we were off to Union City as scheduled the following day.
Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 8/30/2008 08:58:00 PM 0 comments
"Inspired" Guests
Just before the completion of our kitchen project, I had the pleasure of a visit from my spiritual mentor and hero, ate Lolit, and her family, together with Glenna, another spiritual hero. Need I say more? It was a short visit but definitely not short of inspiration.
Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 8/30/2008 08:56:00 PM 0 comments
