In my pursuit of finding balance in living, I took a tour around blogland for inspiration and found a great selection of ideas for everything from baking a cake to organizing your pantry to finances to crafting for Mother’s Day, and of course, redecorating:
- First of all, I love that nest vase (above) from Martha! What will she think of nest. I mean next.
- Simplemom has been doing a spring cleaning series and even though I am in the middle of my Procrastinator project, I am still following along with her! I organized my baking cupboard this week and it felt great!
- Amy from Mom Advice had a round up of Mother’s Day ideas and gifts
- I thought this was a fun card to make for Mother’s Day!
- Kimba shows us how to make a jute vase (Kimba must make a dozen projects a week, my head spins contemplating how she manages such creativity!)
- I would be happy if someone made me this cake (from Tidy Mom) on Mother’s Day. Or these tasty looking pancakes from Lisa at Celebrate Creativity.
- I was inspired by this post on financial stewardship by Crystal at Money Saving Moms.
- Love this new neighbor gift idea from Just A Girl.
- Loved this guest post on living simply by Emily on Small Notebook.
And since we are over HALF WAY THROUGH OUR Procrastinator Party Progress (don’t give me that deer in the headlights look), here is some makeover inspiration for you:
Trust me on this, you have to see the before photo of this orange bathroom, then go see the after. AMAZING BEFORE AND AFTER!
Lastly, if you need inspiration from others to finish your project, or if you want to be an encouragement to someone else this weekend, visit the people from the Procrastination Party links. So many great before photos, they can all use your encouraging words! Maybe start on the list in reverse, or in the middle, so everyone gets a chance to be visited! I’m working my way through too! Let’s all support each other!
Now it is time for Beautiful Life Friday, where we pause each week to remember the beauty we found and keep ourselves on track with our goals for how we want to live.
This week, I chose to PRESS ON. Even though I had a hard day on Wednesday {the kind of day where you want to crawl under the covers and cry while you eat peanut m&m’s} I decided to not let FEAR or WORRY ruin the rest of my week.
Instead of wallow in despair, I did what all good Project Procrastinators do when they have one week left to finish their projects, I picked myself up, put on some cute shoes (doesn’t that always make your day better?) and took myself out shopping for PAINT. Cheery, happy paint.
How about you? How was your week? Share the beautiful, the happy, the inspiration and your journey to find a beautiful life right where you are!
Remember, link up to a specific post (not your home page) related to a Beautiful Life or (sad) your link will be deleted.
Happy Mother’s Day!
photo inspiration: Martha Stewart
I agree, there is so much inspiration in the blogsphere, wonderful.
Mayas inspiring blog post..Bathroom with a View
Oops – sorry my friend. My blog name and title took over a few lines. :)
I’m pressing on, but no where near my Procrastination Party Project. So many other deadlines, but I really want to get it done. We’ll see.
Jen@Balancing Beauty and Bedlams inspiring blog post..Frugal Fashion – Frump or Fabulous?
Pass the M& M’s please- I’m right there with you- Only I wasn’t smart enough to put on cute shoes- need to remember that- {and I’m a shoe gal- =)
I did have a couple good days this week- so there is hope. Just need to get through this weekend-
Thanks for all the great links-
teresas inspiring blog post..Someone is always listening-
Oh, sorry your week wasn’t so great either Teresa! Big hugs and I’m sending a pack of M&M’s though the screen to ya.
xo
Happy Mother’s Day to you… ENJOY!
Fifi Flowerss inspiring blog post..Yearly Fashionable Home Tour…
Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers in the world!
Greetings from Italy!
Federicas inspiring blog post..Two special girls: Mira & Alice
Happy Moth’ers Day to you
Always enjoy visiting your blog space to see what new inspiration and creative goodness you have found to share with us every week. Thanks for brightening our day.
Pearl Maples inspiring blog post..Sky Watch Friday
Hi Melissa,
As always I enjoy your posts. Thank you so much for the Friday linky’s. I love to meet other bloggers and make new friends. Such a great place to find inspiration.
Have a wonderful Mother’s Day!
Jennifer
Jennifer @ Blogging God And Mes inspiring blog post..Mr. Linky Sign Party
Thanks Jennifer!
Great Inspiration links! Happy Mother’s Day! I hope next week is better for you.
I can’t wait to look through all those links you gave us! And the picture on your post is so pretty! Happy Mother’s Day!
Shannans inspiring blog post..Memory Lane – Part II
Sorry you’ve had a tough week. Hope your Mother’s Day weekend is better!
P.S. LOVE that orange bathroom makeover. :-)
Julia @ Hooked on Housess inspiring blog post..Hooked on House Portraits (& Giveaways!)
Yes, so glad that you went shopping for paint! That’s half the battle right there. I can tell you this…my cheery paint project makes me grin every time I see it. I have one coat left (that’ll be a total of three) and then I’m ready to put it back together. Yee Haw! Thanks for the motivation! Thanks, also, for all these great links…I do plan to follow them later today.
Vees inspiring blog post..A Ho-Hum Azalea Collage
I love your attitude, Melissa. I hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day weekend! Thanks for mentioning my article on small notebook!
Emily@remodelingthislifes inspiring blog post..Mother’s Day Link Love
Hi Melissa :)
Beautiful ideas!!
I just came by to wish you a Happy Mother’s Day!
rue
rues inspiring blog post..A mom…
Sometimes I wonder what the heck I’ve gotten myself into with all these projects. And I am a natural procrastinator from a long line of accomplished procrastinators. Happy Mother’s Day everyone. And I do mean everyone because I believe that we women are mothers to at least one person even if we didn’t birth them. Go get yourself some chocolate…
Patricias inspiring blog post..Six of Cups
I too love the nest vase. Completely adorable. The orange bathroom was lovely but I found the author’s statement to remind her readers to remember it is just a blog and not real life truly charming. I will return to her site and soon.
I had plans for several projects. Have you heard the phrase “We make plans and God laugh’s?’ Yes, the broken water heater and other disasters that occured (of course) while the hubby is out of town on business reminded me of this. :) Ah well, maybe next week.
Laura Ingalls Gunns inspiring blog post..Apron Strings
Well, this weeks proven to be one of chaos and confusion… one where blogging has been put on the back burner…. so much so that I’ve resorted to mashing pasts posts together. In the mashing process,the posts I mean, I realized that it boiled down to this: Managing my time better. So, I took time to think about what I blog about… balance and priorities. Thanks Melissa for your reminder to beautify our lives. Any day that I feel I’ve mastered my time IS beautiful!
Pretty Organizers inspiring blog post..Time Management: One of the 12 Homemaking Skills
That is right, if we focus too much on any one thing, EVEN BLOGGING, our lives stink. And stinky lives are not beautiful at all. It is about balance and feeling {somewhat!} in control of our life and at peace with it.
Life all around is is beautiful so I am going to go shut down this computer right now and enjoy the sunshine!!
Wonderful links – thanks for sharing Melissa! I participated in my first every BL link :)
Angie @ The Creative Mamas inspiring blog post..10 things I have learned about surviving Motherhood so far…
Glad you joined in! :-) So happy to hear that!
I’m going to sit down with a glass of wine this weekend and look at your links. Perhaps I’ll even build something. Thank you so much. I linked some happy news for me.
Oh, I think I just pulled a bad one. I linked to my bumper sticker post hoping to give you all some chuckles and then went to check if it worked. It did. But I also realized at that moment that maybe some of my “funny” bumper stickers won’t be funny to others, but rather offensive. I’m sorry. I should have realized that earlier.
So I posted a more fitting link. Feel free to delete the prior one. I’m sorry Melissa.
So glad to know that we all have rough weeks from time to time. M&M’s and cute shoes are totally acceptable for rough times, or even good times!
Happy Mother’s Day!
Ginas inspiring blog post..Through the Lens
Glad you understand! xoxox
Sorry you had a tough week Melissa!! Did you find a paint color?
I still haven’t gotten my second coat of paint up – I want a sunny day so I can see what I’m doing and mother nature is not cooperating.
Hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day Weekend!!
~TidyMom
TidyMoms inspiring blog post..By The Book: How to Take Care of MY Kids {Giveaway}
Hi Melissa :-)
After taking my annaul two month winter break from the internet, I’m back and ready to be inspired by you! Love the picture of the tulips ion the nest!
Hope you’re having a beautiful and FABULOUS spring!
Mave
Mavens inspiring blog post..Spiritual Spring Cleaning and Healthy Turkey Stroganoff
A two month winter break from the internet? I LOVE THAT. THAT is inspiring! Welcome back!
Thanks for hosting such a fun and inspirational post! This week, I got to celebrate my anniversary with Mon Cheri.
-marie
I wanted to say thank you for all the inspiration you give, I so enjoy your blog and the cheer you bring. Have a restful weekend and thanks for sharing!
Lisa L.s inspiring blog post..Let the party begin!
Thank you for reading (and for letting me know you enjoy it). It means a lot! :-)
I’ve been trying to Press On through laundry and dishes this week despite getting little sleep!
Abbies inspiring blog post..Laugh lines …
Happy Mother’s Day Melissa – we are off for a beach bbq, and some family time…
Sarah
Thanks for hosting so many inspiring links!
I love your blog!
Leilas inspiring blog post..The bluebird of happiness…
Glad to know that other’s have those M & M kind of days too! Just reading your words give’s me cause to not let the tough days rule. Painting, or gardening always helps me pull out of it.
May the next M & M’s you have be on top of fudge brownie Ben & Jerry’s.
Happy Mom’s weekend to you Melissa!
Does anyone have a link for the nest vase above? I looked all over Martha’s site and could not find it. :(
Oh, I meant to have that link go directly to the photo and instructions…eek, I’m fixing that right now. Thanks for asking!
Happy Mother´s Day and thank you again for the opportunity to participate!
My mother´s day presents are the plants on my post – just what I wanted :)
RMLs inspiring blog post..Hats, Bags and Sunglasses
Happy mother’s day!
Palabuzzs inspiring blog post..Pacquiao vs Hatton: the aftermath
Thanks for being so inspirational always. Love my time here reading all your thoughts and suggestions. Happiest of Mums day!
Claudia
Claudia@DipityRoads inspiring blog post..Tulip Festival
I have been hyped up to finish my project. I believe that we have had one day this week that did not rain. So, one chair is all I had time to do. This coming week is the big busy week before recital, this means lots of late nights at the auditorium. I reeeeeeealy want to finish my table! I hope the rain holds off for next week.
Jesss inspiring blog post..Wordless Wednesday
well, I started off the week selling most of our possessions at a yard sale- including most of our tv’s and was excited to start unplugged living. All went well, until a bout of strep throat took me out for a few days. today i felt better just in time to be pampered from morning til , well, now by my beautiful family. :)
as far as inspiration? I am loving burlap right now- and even found a blog design that featured my new love. :)
ginas inspiring blog post..summer. loving… burlap.