I don’t wait for moods. You accomplish nothing if you do that.
Your mind must know it has got to get down to work.
(Pearl S. Buck)

Happy weekend to you, my lovely friends! How was your week? I hope you were able to enjoy some sunshine, sparkle and productivity amidst your busy days. My week went by quicker than I expected and I can’t believe the last days of January are upon us!

Since I started on January 1st, today is my last official day of the Whole Living Action Plan. I’m looking forward to sharing a recap of my experience in tomorrow’s Good Eats & Gratitude Post. More than that, I’m excited to celebrate tomorrow morning with my first coffee in 4 weeks! I have all sorts of fun things planned for tomorrow — including some serious spa time.

Do you have anything exciting planned? The following ideas and creative weekend to-dos are intended to inspire. Consider this a friendly reminder to seek out little delights and exceptional joys in the days ahead. Share your plans in the comments below!

listen to a new favorite podcast
run 3.5 miles & practice yoga
make snacks for next week
get a mani, pedi & massage!
window shop for new yoga gear
flip through February magazines
explore, play and pin on Pinterest
put together next week’s meal plan
read a book & sip on a soy latte
indulge in a decadent dessert

No matter what you end up doing this weekend, remember to take a moment or two for yourself. Light your favorite candle, wear fuzzy socks, go out dancing, or buy some treats at Trader Joe’s. Sending love & sparkle your way!

Image Credit: I like jumpers. via Bethan

Would you like to receive these posts & my monthly newsletter directly to your inbox?
Sign up today to let the magic of Inbox Inspiration and Muse Memos begin.

Everyday, think as you wake up, today I am fortunate to be alive,
I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it.
I am going to use all my energies to develop myself,
to expand my heart out to others;
to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings.
I am going to have kind thoughts towards others,
I am not going to get angry or think badly about others.
I am going to benefit others as much as I can.
(Dalai Lama)

Happy Friday to you, my lovelies. Are you looking forward to the weekend? I try to mix fun to-dos with necessary chores to keep my weekends happy & productive.

This week I’m looking forward to spending time with my Mister, blogging & reading blogs, flipping through the big stack of February magazines on our coffee table, and grocery shopping for the Bonus! Week 4 of the Whole Living 2012 Action Plan.

Do you have anything exciting planned for the weekend ahead? The following list of ideas and creative weekend to-dos are intended to inspire. Consider this a friendly reminder to seek out little delights and exceptional joys in the days ahead. I invite you to share your plans in the comments below!

embrace these 10 real-talk blog tips
make new playlists for yoga & running
set up external hard drive for MacBook
sort through Google Reader & add a few new blogs
run 2 miles on Saturday, 3 on Sunday
finish reading Style Statement
watch an inspiring manifesto
download new podcasts

I hope that you find yourself happy and enjoying some time for yourself this weekend, however you end up spending it. See you here again on Sunday for another Good Eats & Gratitude post!

Image Credit: 16-05-10 Last Of The Summer (Wine) via Bethan

Would you like to receive these posts & my monthly newsletter directly to your inbox? Sign up today to let the magic of Inbox Inspiration and Muse Memos begin!

There is nothing wrong with loving the crap out of everything.
Negative people find their walls. So never apologize for your enthusiasm.
Never. Ever. Never.
(Ryan Adams)

Hello & happy weekend!

This week has been filled with interesting shifts and wonderful surprises. The Twitter & blog circles I swim within are bubbling over with #reverb11 energy. I am so impressed with how the community as a whole has adapted to the change in circumstances. We happen to be quite the sparkly, resilient and supportive bunch — if I do say so myself.

Are you wondering, what the heck is a reverb? To find out, dive on in to Twitter with the #reverb11 hashtag … or read take on it here.

Are you thinking about joining #reverb11, but wondering if you are too late? The water’s a perfect temperature, and there are cups of hot chocolate in the cabin for those of you who prefer not to splash around in the winter.

Holiday vacation imagery aside, this weekend is a perfect time to get started with #reverb11. I hope to spend a few hours reading other people’s posts and connecting with new reverbers.

Do you have anything exciting planned for the weekend ahead? The following list of ideas, links, and creative weekend to-do’s are intended to inspire. Consider this a friendly reminder to seek out little delights and exceptional joys in the days ahead. I invite you to share your plans and creative to-do’s in the comments below!

mail a few sweet postcards
shop for craft supplies for DIY holiday gifts
discover a new place to find inspiration
laugh, think & have your emotions moved to tears
rise early on Sunday morning to enjoy moments of silence
clean house, do laundry & cook something colorfully delicious
celebrate a friend’s 28th birthday with drinks
recap this week’s #reverb11 mini muses
meet up with a friend for coffee
practice yoga with at lululemon

Image Credit: Untitled via SharkThe

To practice any art, no matter how well or badly,
is a way to make your soul grow. So do it.
(Kurt Vonnegut)

The weekend has arrived! What do you lovelies have planned? I’m looking forward to spending time with my Mister, meeting up with friends, catching some extra sleep and blogging for next week.

The following list of ideas, links, and creative weekend to-do’s are intended to inspire. Consider this a friendly reminder to seek out little delights and exceptional joys in the days ahead. I invite you to share your plans and creative to-do’s in the comments below!

run a few miles on the treadmill & practice yoga
find a beautiful way to count the days
beam music to the could with iTunes Match & play with Drinkify
add Spoon Fork Bacon, My Baking Addiction, & The Notebook Doodles to Google Reader
paint nails, listen to The Civil Wars, do laundry & clean house
enjoy a midday shopping trip with a great friend
order holiday cards & finalize gift list
sign up for monthly crafty goodness
wrap a pretty gift for Micaela’s Ornament Swap
prepare & grocery shop for a Thanksgiving feast for two
find a few ways to put extra care into the everyday details
finish reading A Place of Yes and start this

Image Credit: untitled via hillary the mammal 

Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement.
Nothing can be done without hope or confidence.
(Helen Keller)

Hello friends! I hope you’ve had a nice week. Mine has been a bit crazy, but in a busy/good sort of way. I know I said it before, but I seriously missed all of you. Diving back into blogging has made me such a happy camper.

Last night I stayed up too late catching up on my Google Reader. There are so many talented folks out there! If you’re looking for new bloggers to follow, I highly recommend that you check out my Daily Reads. (Click over to the blog if you’re in a Reader.)

On an unrelated note, the Mister’s been out of town the past few days for an MBA stock pitch competition hosted by The Johnson School at Cornell. If you have some winning vibes to spare, please send them his way!

Do you have any fun plans for the weekend ahead? I’m hoping to get a jumpstart on things by heading to Target and the grocery store after work tonight (something I usual leave to Sundays). If I’m feeling frisky, I might even get my laundry started.

The following list of ideas, links, and creative weekend to-do’s are intended to inspire. Consider this a friendly reminder to seek out little delights and exceptional joys in the days ahead. I invite you to share your plans and creative to-do’s in the comments below!

sign up for a goodreads account
listen to this while cleaning the house
get organized for 2012 with a stylish planner
reflect on last month’s favorite things
do what it takes to follow your inner guide
think about yourself from a different perspective
get a new techcessory for iPhone or iPad
add a new favorite blog to the list
read, run & write for November Intentions

✳ One more thing! Would you like to join me in celebrating a new season of inspiration?
Sign up today to receive Inbox Inspiration and/or Muse Memos.

Image Credit: Autumn. | Walking through leaves | Autumn Sunshine. via Eselle

My will shall shape the future.
Whether I fail or succeed shall be no man’s doing but my own.
I am the force; I can clear any obstacle before me
or I can be lost in the maze.
My choice; my responsibility; win or lose,
only I hold the key to my destiny.
(Elaine Maxwell)

Happy Friday, my lovelies! How are you? I’ve had a great week—beginning with a holiday on Monday and wrapping up with my 2nd blogiversary this weekend.

I am overjoyed with the excitement around Sparkle Swap and am really looking forward to seeing new friendships unfold. Registration closes tomorrow, so make sure you sign up soon if you want in on the fun!

A special thanks to Micaela Maxham for sharing her Truth, Love & Insight this week. I just adore Micaela & her readers who are so incredibly creative, sweet & amazing.

The following creative to-do’s are intended to inspire happy weekends. Consider this a friendly tap—or slight tug—towards exploring little delights and exceptional joys this weekend. I invite you to share your creative to-do’s in the comments!

celebrate 2 years of blogging amazingness
remember special moments with a sweet diy
meet up with a girlfriend for coffee
journal, meditate, or think on this
play with new Sephora finds
write snail mail love notes to friends
cook spicy fried veggie deliciousness
switch out to fall wallet & purse
send out Sparkle Swap surveys
snuggle up & watch a movie
go bowling with friends on Saturday night
find a pair and shop for a good cause
 clean house & get ready for another amazing week

Image Credit: Francesca via Astrgony

Celebrate summer—sun-drenched days and starlit nights.
(Gooseberry Patch)

Happy weekend to you, my friends. What do you have planned for the days ahead? I’m looking forward to taking full-advantage of the three day weekend with a mix of fun, productive and creative things on my list.

It looks like the weather’s going to cooperate here in Chapel Hill for today’s football game. The Mister and I are attending our first tailgate of the season, and are really looking forward to connecting with some new B-School friends. Go Heels!

My 2nd blogiversary is just around the corner—1 week from today. I’m overjoyed with the response I have received so far. If you’ve emailed about providing a giveaway item or participating in future guest posts, I hope to follow up with you over the weekend. Please know that everyone’s invited to the celebration. Bring your party hat, streamers and favorite tunes to the party.

The following creative to-do’s are intended to inspire happy weekends. Consider this a friendly tap—or slight tug—towards exploring little delights and exceptional joys this weekend. I invite you to share your creative to-do’s in the comments!

Paint nails & watch an old favorite like Eat, Pray Love.
Order a new wallet & laptop cover.
Light a candle, pour some wine & catch up on emails.
Find a journal for a new top secret project.
Cheer for the Ohio State Buckeyes & UNC Tarheels.
Play on Pinterest & pick up finishing touches at Ikea.
Blog & plan for the upcoming Sparkle Swap.
Watch Bravo on demand while folding laundry.
Relax & enjoy the extra day off on Monday.

Image Credits:
Football in Grass via Jayel Aheram // Rack ‘Em via Yogma // Lightly Grilled Asparagus via woodleywonderworks

The moment when you first wake up in the morning
is the most wonderful of the twenty-four hours.
No matter how weary or dreary you may feel, you possess the certainty that,
during the day that lies before you, absolutely anything may happen.
And the fact that it practically always doesn’t, matters not a jot.
The possibility is always there.
(Monica Baldwin)

Hello and happy weekend to you! What do you have planned for the days ahead? My Mister’s birthday was earlier this week, so we’re meeting up with friends for a celebratory dinner this evening. I’m also planning to read, relax & sleep in on Sunday.

The following creative to-do’s are intended to inspire happy weekends. Consider this a friendly tap—or slight tug—towards exploring little delights and exceptional joys this weekend. I invite you to share your creative to-do’s in the comments!

Enjoy a simply delicious breakfast.
Try this amazing DIY paint by number.
Find the magic in trusting this path.

Get stylishly organized.
Make small diet changes.
Fill your walls with photos.

Pick up an inexpensive & yummy bottle of red wine.
Indulge in a solo date night or a summery night for 2.
Delight in sweet, sunshiny, lemon treats.

Create space for your life and day job.
Adorn your refrigerator with these glitter magnets.
Make a movie-inspired dinner.

Image Credits:
the wallflowers:sleepwalker via Lali Masriera
red via Scarleth White
Le Voyage des Ballons Multicolores via ClickFlashPhotos / Nicki Varkevisser 

The world is round and the place which may
seem like the end may also be the beginning.
(Ivy Baker Priest)

It always feels good to wake up knowing the day ahead will be filled with weekendy things. This is our last weekend in Raleigh before we move to our new home in Chapel Hill. I know the next 7 days are going to be busy, but I am looking forward to getting settled and exploring a new town!

I hope this creative weekend to-do list is the encouragement you need to create an extraordinarily joyful weekend of your own. Please share your plans in the comments below or write a list for your blog and link back to this post…

make a moving playlist
hold onto the simple moments
go to bed super early & sleep for 11 hours
pack up & prepare for next Friday’s big move
dream of baking a sweet treat or a delish dessert
browse crate & barrel for new home goods
work on my blogger’s to-do list
relax & read on the patio

Image Credit: via WeHeartIt

The next best thing to being wise oneself is to live in a circle of those who are.
(C.S. Lewis)

Hooray! The weekend has arrived! The past few days have been filled with change and challenge, but I’m grateful for your support as I jump back into blogging and believing in my sparkly, creative life. What do you have planned for this lovely weekend standing before us? I am looking forward to spending time with my Mister and enjoying in the following creative weekend to-do list.

work on getting that swagger back
indulge in some retail therapy
journal in the morning with delicious prompts
sip wine & dine al fresco
make a few improvements to the blog
watch reality tv while doing laundry
consider how having it good might be bad
write a letter, call a friend, share a secret
start reading The Happiness Project
add some sparkle to my Filofax

Image Credit: Vision board via Moi