My Tips To De-Stress

1. Make a list.
My job is the catch-all of jobs. I do a bunch of little things, and these things are constant and yet also constantly changing. It is enough to make me go crazy just trying to complete my ridiculously long daily to-do list, let alone tackling the "fun" add ons that happen continuously throughout the day. But if I can see ALL the tasks I need/want to complete in a day laid out before me, and I can cross things off as I complete them I feel much more in control.

2. Prioritize that damn list!
My bio teach in grade 12 used to say "priorize" and this was no end of amusement to my friend and I. Anyhoo, sorry what? Back on topic...not everything on your list is top priority! Whether you divide things up by due date, or daily items vs. more long-term projects, things will become even more manageable. My boss has this habit of making everything seem like a TOP PRIORITY, even though he knows it isn't. (Steve, I am looking at you.) And sometimes I forget that he does this, and I get even more stressed! Until I put things in the perspective of my list, and then some of that initial stress loses its bite.

3. TAKE A BREATH!
Take another.

4. Step away from the [insert thing here that is driving you crazy].
For me, this means turning off my computer screen for my entire lunch break. I can doodle, or write a letter, or read a book, but I CANNOT do anything on the computer. Not even blog. This really helps me enjoy and take advantage of that downtime.

5. Take time just for you!
Do something silly, or something serious. If it is something you love, something that makes you happy just do it for pete's sake! For me that means working out, crafting, scrapbooking, hanging out with Dude, DIY Sunday projects, and cooking. Make this stuff a priority on your list. Even if it is just "sit somewhere quiet an forget about those damn dirty dishes for a moment." Yep...I use that one a lot.

6. Ask for help. I often forget that I have an amazing support system both at work and in my personal life. And I know that if I were to tell even one person that I can't handle something or need a little help, they would definitely be happy to lend a hand. Heck, even remembering that I have this option, this luxury, is very relieving.

Today [aka the day I wrote this...] I am really struggling. And I am hyper-aware of the tiny thread that is keeping me together.

I am doing better today, thanks for asking.

later loves


p.s. this is today's real post, not that other blip that showed up earlier...my bad. Also, there were supposed to be photos, but the Internet here at work also hates me today...so...yeah. Happy Monday!

Cranky Pants

I have been feeling really cranky and "down in the dumps" lately. I was working some silly long days, the weather has been getting colder, I wasn't making it to the gym...there were many external reasons. And to "cope" I started doing the things that I know only help in the short term. Dessert, garlic stuffed olives, wine...


Even the geniuses fall off the train every once and awhile.

So today I am going to focus on AWESOME and make these doldrums a thing of the past!

I get to see Nicole this weekend! And we are going to a dress-up party at the Jasper Park Lodge!

I am going to my company Christmas dinner tomorrow and plan to stuff my face full of as much Greek food as humanly possible!

BFF takes possession of his new place this week, so I have already purchased a food-based house warming gift and am getting excited to help him move!

Dude's Christmas Concert is next week, and he has already told me that he isn't just going to mouth the words to the song like he has in year's past! HA!

My tree is up! MY CHRISTMAS TREE! That's got to be some kind of Lisa-record.

I had a great hair day yesterday, and my boobs look great in this dress!

Lunch date tomorrow! Coffee date Friday...Candace?!

There is CHILI cooking in the crock pot at home right now, and my place is going to smell so delicious when I get home!

I finally figured out how to create a new layer in Photoshop! Well...sort of...hey, it's a steep learning curve!

There...that's better...

later loves

Saving the Moola

I loved Nadine's comment on my last money-saving post: "I don't go to Home Sense...huge savings!" Here are some funny ways I save money without even realizing it!

1. Cancel all email subscriptions to online clothing stores. No temptations to "just browse" or shop the sales and take advantage of 50-70% off! Of something I don't really need...hmmm. I used to be buying stuff online every month or so because I was constantly reminded of all these places every time I checked my email. And now that there are out of sight, they are also out of mind. I have a closet full of lovely clothes. Why tease myself?

On a side note: Sales are only good news if you actually NEED something. I have at least a couple of dresses in my closet that were the result of seeing a sale and settling on something (anything) just to take advantage of the sale.

2. I drive the Cavalier now. That may not seem like a good way to save money at first glance, but there is a strange way I save money that is not related to gas (which I buy less of in this tiny car, so there is savings there as well). We don't have satellite radio in the Cavalier, unlike in the TARDIS, so I can't listen to new music all the time, and keep lists of bands and songs in the car, and head to iTunes with those lists, and purchase album after album of new music. It's a small savings, but it adds up over time! I have noticed smaller credit card bills ever since.

3. I got a new job, and with it a new commute. I don't have easy access to a Value Village anymore, and I don't drive passed Treasured Memories everyday. More "out of sight out of mind" savings. Now when I go to Value Village, it's a special trip with Nicole. And I might spend more during that one trip, but it's only one trip. And I plan my trips to TM to see Nadine and chat with the girls there, and I pick up only what I really need. This is probably my biggest savings to date.

Wanna hear the best part about my last "savings" post? My dad read it, and loved it, and was super impressed with the tips I included, and was proud of me for writing it. That was the best over-the-phone comment ever!

Do you have any funny money-saving tips? I would love to hear them!

Does your dad read your blog?

Does he read mine?!

later loves

#30lists

Well, I've gone and done it. I finally put my money where my mouth is, and signed up for the September edition of 30 Days of Lists! It starts next week. And even though Project Life & I haven't really been getting along lately, I am going to incorporate it in to my PL book!

I made these cute little cards that I can't even share here yet because I went and skipped ahead and got all of the list prompts ahead of time! HA! So says the rules of the game. At any rate, there is a card for each day/each list with a little doodle. They are so super simple. They fit into a couple of trading card sleeves that fit nicely in my binder.

I am going to make a list everyday and then put it back in its pocket. And maybe I'll add a pic from that day. Or a thought. Or an extra doodle. Or not. Whatevs.

And I will be Instagramming these as I go. You betcha!

Do you have any fun projects lined up for September?

Are you participating in 30 Days of Lists?

Do you like lists?

Follow me on Instagram!

Find #30Lists on Instagram!

later loves

p.s. In four days it is September! My favourite month!! On one hand I am VERY EXCITED! On the other hand I am thinking: "Where the FUCK did the year go?!?!?!" Y'know...

p.s. Double Indemnity is an amazing movie! I was watching it while I made my little cards and I kept getting distracted by Barbara Stanwyk's steamy evil! I could barely focus on the cards, which never happens when I'm crafting and watching tv. Good movie...

A List

I like making lists.

I have signed up for 30 Days of Lists starting in September. I have even started prepping my listing materials for said project. Look at me! Getting ahead of the game! HA...it won't last.

Today my (neverending) Work List includes such things as:

- book movers

- get quotes for signs

-order signs

- order new folders

- follow up on a bunch of design work

- approve design work

- count water bottles

My Fun List includes such things as:

- Make summer mini album

- Create journaling cards for #30Lists project

- August Break photos

- Project Life catch up

- Stamp on fabric

I keep all of my lists in my moleskine. Sometimes I make them pretty, and sometimes boring. But always inspiring!

I like lists...do you like lists?

later loves

Tag, I'm It?! Ah, crap...

Dear Nicole,

Here are those answers you were looking for. I hope they live up to your lively expectations for this game of tag you forced me in to. I don't think I'm going to tag anyone in return. All of the people I play with on the school ground have full-time jobs/full-time kids and can't be bothered with such things....meaning I asked them all before and none of them played along then, so the chances of them playing along now are slim to none (aka zero).

Enjoy!

When you were in high school, who was your celebrity crush? Probably some musician. I liked bassists. And the Coreys.
How has your taste changed since then? (As in, who are you drooling over now and how are they different?) I like dorks, bowties, accents/Brits & hipster beards, but I don't have a celebrity crush. I don't understand "celebrity". I guess if I had to pick someone I would say David Tennant of Doctor Who fame sort of counts. He's handsome, in a dorky-cute sort of way. No beard though...hmmm. Oooh! And Benedict Cumberbatch!
When do you feel most at home? When I'm at home. In my house.
What's your favourite hot beverage? Coffee. Coffee. Coffee. Coffee.
If you could punch someone in the face without repercussions, who would it be? You have no idea how much I love this question. No. Fricken. Idea. That being said, I would totally punch "Party Pooper" in the face. I would be the hero of the office. Nope, make that "The Hero of the Office". Yep. That.
What's your favourite camping food? My twelve year old self would say Hamburger Helper, the beef stroganoff one. But my organic-kale-loving adult self would say a giant bag of Smarties, and anything made in a Pie Iron. Ermagherd...burritos in a pie iron.....drool......
What's one skill you'd like to learn this year? I want to get back into cross-country skiing. But I used to do it quite often when I was younger, so I guess that's not a new skill. Oooh ooh! I want to go on an overnight hike. That's a skill right?
If I were to visit, how would you entertain me for a day? (I look forward to this answer!!) Value Village is the easy answer, because that is how I entertain you while you're here! But to change it up a little bit, I might take you to a Farmer's Market on a Saturday morning, ride the trolley across the High Level Bridge, grab a beer & meal at the Sugarbowl, and head over to the Garneau theatre for a show.
What's your favourite cheesy pick-up line? Don't have one. But I do enjoy it when the liquor store employees flirt with me by asking for ID. Does that count? "Can I see some ID?" That's my favourite pick-up line.
If you were to have a solo dance party right now, what song would you put on? Dude's playlist on my iPad. It's got One Direction - as sung by the Mini Pops - and some k-os, and Miike Snow & is generally just awesome. But to be honest, I can dance to anything. I gots skillz.
What's the best thing that has arrived in your mailbox lately? THE TOQUE!! And don't worry Nicole, it's very big. I also just got my dresses from the Mod Cloth sale, a Christmas present that I sort of had to fight for, and I'm waiting on my Studio Calico month kit. I do enjoy being part of a monthly kit club, if only for the fact that I am guaranteed some fun mail once a month. I've got to pay for this privilege, but oh well!


And that is all I've got to say about that....

later loves

What to do, what to do...

Now that January is in full swing, and all of my goals are blogged, and my Xmas stuff put away, I find I have Blogger's Block.

I am trying to find some great video tutorials that will help me renovate my blog. But I haven't really done much, other than some basic planning.

I have no desire (or cash-money) to do any "renovations" around the house, and I haven't really changed anything up lately, or tackled any DIY projects. Anything that's blog-worthy at least.

I am feeling very disconnected from my wardrobe lately, due in large part to the weight that I am losing (and gaining back!?) and the strange shape my body is in. I have zero desire to take any Fashion Un-Able pictures to share here with you, and nothing new or interesting to share anyway.

My scrapbooking right now is concentrated on Project Life, January Minis and finishing up some 2011 pages. My art is centred around my goals journal and my pencil crayons. Nothing too promising there.

My life is moving forwards and onward, and the lessons I have learned in the past month won't stand up to scrutiny on this blog.

I am drinking lots of coffee. I am looking for a new job. I am eating and sleeping and "doing" in the same patterns I have always had.

That is to say, I am currently kind of "blogger-boring".

So today, I am just going to leave you with this...

Birthday Wish List

I never (ever) make a big deal out of my birthday anymore. It's not that I don't love birthdays, cause I do. It's more that September is just a really busy month for us. The boys & I usually have a quiet dinner out, we go to my Mom's and my Dad's for cake and that's about it.

If you were to - say - shop for a birthday present for Lisa this year, these are some ideas straight from the horses mouth.

Starbucks Instant Coffee. You can buy it at select groceries stores now. I am kind of obsessed with it, as I am now a picky coffee drinker and the coffee selection at both my jobs is sub-par. I like the BOLD kinds, NO FLAVOURS.

Books. I like books. Right now anything will do. I like quirky and offbeat stories, with good characters, dystopic themes, and/or classics featuring zombies and sea-monsters. And if you can find me Shades of Grey Part Two, I will kiss you! Not part one, cause I just finished that one...

Copic Markers are my new obsession. And they are a dangerous one at that. They are pricey and they come in every shade known to man and woman. That's a lot! I like bright green and blue. I could use another red, and some orange. You can buy them at Colours in town here. If you do buy some, ask the staff how the pens work and they'll give you some tips on buying them.

And if Russel if reading this, I would love these headphones from Urban Outfitters. Love love them. Lurve.

And that's kind of it. I'm a simple gal. I don't get out much, and I 'm okay with that. I like colours and colouring. And I like listening to music, drinking coffee and reading good books, sometimes all at once!

Right now I'm...

Reading Player One: What Will Become of Us, A Novel in Five Hours by Douglas Coupland (I actually finished it the other day...it was very excellent)
Watching The Walking Dead on AMC, and lots and lots of old movies on TCM (our box is full of them!)
Creating headbands and a patchwork bag for my brother's girlfriend, and playing catch-up on other Lime Door custom orders
Thinking about the Christmas season and what I want it to mean to me, and traditions I want to start for Lucas, getting my Christmas letter ready to go today...left that to the last minute didn't I!?
Listening to SiriusXM U, an indie rock station. Think alternative alt rock. And I love it! I keep a pen and notepad handy in the car so I can write down songs that I like, cause I know I won't remember them past the next song. With this station, I write down every song! Also, The Arcade Fire's newest album (The Suburbs). I originally only bought "Ready to Start" and then I saw them on SNL...so I had to have the rest of the album!
Eating snack mix by the bucket, homemade bark, cream cheese and nacho chips (the most dangerous snack ever! that I am now trying to avoid so I don't start looking like Santa!)


My nails are the best shade of shiny pinky orangey red.
My hair is doing it's best to be perfect!
I am trying not to think of the fact I need a nice dress for Russ' office party in less than one week.
My Christmas tree is still in the box!
Lucas is sick of getting books for his Christmas Countdown Calendar...but he's got 2 weeks left of this, so too bad!!

We got snow last week! YAY! And it's been sort of trying to snow this morning.

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, every where you go. There's a tree in the Grand Hotel, one in the park as well. The sturdy kind, that doesn't mind the snow..."

Now, that's a Christmas carol I enjoy!

Have you seen the new Starbucks Gift Cards? They are designed by Jonathan Adler for Project Red, and they are gorgeous! I bought some for Lucas' teachers...and now I want some of my own! So I showed Lucas and told him that he and Poppa have to get one to put in my stocking. And then he asked me when they were going to go! He's either: 1. Worried that he won't have enough time to go to Starbucks before Christmas or 2. Excited because going to Starbucks means he gets a big cookie!!

this one is for Daryl, so one of his kids that reads this blog will have to pass it along! I walked passed an office on Jasper the other day and could not for the life of me figure out what the name of the company was! And then it clicked! And I thought Daryl would get a kick out of their logo (he really likes "type" and fonts and whatnot). So, go to this website and check out the sweet logo...it's such a nice play on type that I had to make a mental note. p.s. if you can't figure it out, they have taken an "a" and turned it so it sort of looks like an "e" , thereby turning their name "id associates" into "ideas"...very clever!

I miss blogging...I have been a a "bad blogger" lately, and while I have lots of ideas of future posts, I just don't have the free time lately to post anything. With my blog makeover I hope to have a more clear idea of the things I want to post and be more excited and organized with my posting.

We decorated two gingerbread houses on Sunday at two different houses. Russ and I went to a party on Saturday night that was so wonderful and I got to catch up with some friends I don't see that often. And I didn't eat (or drink) too much! YAY!

later peeps!