The time to relax is when you don’t have time for it.
(Sydney J. Harris)

Sunday Overwhelm usually strikes in the mid-afternoon—right around the time when I realize that my alarm is set at 6:00 am the next day, and the hustle and bustle of another week is just around the corner.

The magic of creative weekends is replaced with stress. I worry about to-do’s usually ignored and left to the last hour—laundry, grocery shopping and paying bills.

Today, I find myself  on the brink of a Sunday pity party. It’s be a lovely & quiet weekend filled with snuggling, coffee and productive moments online—and yet, I can hear that little voice inside starting to pitch a fit about dressing up in work clothes tomorrow morning.

I’d like to approach my Sunday afternoons with grace, and accept this time as an important part of my week that helps the rest of my days flow smoothly. Today my goal is to smile, breathe and practice some seriously positive self-talk as I get ready for another week.

Do you suffer from Sunday Overwhelm? Have you found ways to sooth the pangs of annoying agenda items in your life? I would love your thoughts and suggestions on the topic, as it’s been an area of challenge for me this summer.

image credit: weheartit

There must be quite a few things that a hot bath won’t cure,
but I don’t know many of them.
(Sylvia Plath)

It’s important to pause and evaluate a day’s work, to recognize when enough action items are complete, and acknowledge when it’s time to power off. Life has been clicking away at a beautiful pace lately, and I feel fortunate to have stimulating projects to work on in my career at the office and in my web work at home.

The response to my reflections on college life was heartwarming, I’m grateful that so many of you shared thoughts on what you miss from those ‘good old days’. It’s nice to know that we have these feelings of nostalgia in common—and certainly that there are ways to incorporate parts of what we miss from college in our lives as adults today.

I encourage you to carve out time for yourself. Make it a point to do something this week that you would have done back then.

Tonight, I’m putting my recommendation into practice. It’s been a long day, and I’ve accomplished plenty. If I were in college and had homework assigned, this would be one of those rare times when I’d do the bare minimum right before class the next day.

Instead of replying to emails and working on blog content, I’m going to…

Rest. Relax. Repeat.

Weeds Season 5 is On Demand and I’m noshing on chips & salsa. I’m sipping on wine and leisurely wandering through my Google reader. I am taking it easy and letting my battery recharge in preparation for an early morning trip to the coffee shop tomorrow, where I’ll glad that I’m not hastily finishing my homework!

image credit: weheartit

Act happy, feel happy, be happy,
without a reason in the world.
Then you can love, and do what you will.
(Dan Millman)

Do you ever have those days when the sun is shining, the grass is green and the birds are singing—but for some reason, you’re grumpy, frumpy and in a bad mood? When I’m feeling down, I try to stop and listen to the to the story playing in my head. Is it uplifting and positive, or does it cut me down and make me feel worse?

It’s important to realize that we have a choice to ignore that mean little voice—and we have an opportunity to set the record straight. Negative self talk is like a fire, it needs oxygen and energy to grow. Instead of fueling your inner Negative Nelly and her cries of doubt, take her power away with a big blanket of kindness.

I know this is easier said than done, but it’s something that I’m working on. I’d never let someone talk to my best friend the way my Negative Nelly tries to talk to me—and even though I can’t control the thoughts that crop up, I can choose which seeds I water. Without the proper nutrients, those nasty thoughts won’t survive long.

Next time you find yourself grumpy, frumpy and in a bad mood, remember that you have some options. You could wallow and let the mood settle in for awhile (a very valid choice at times), or you could try to shake those blues.

Wear a subtle smile with your favorite lip gloss. Send loving thoughts to the people you care about most. Think of happy memories, or beautiful daydreams.

Remember that your inner Negative Nelly is a mean and misunderstood little girl with pigtails and a pink skirt. Give her a tiara, some crayons and a jump rope. Let her go play in the corner while you go on living your gorgeous, sunshine-filled life.

image credit: eelke dekker

We should all do what, in the long run, gives us joy,
even if it is only picking grapes or sorting the laundry.
(E.B. White)

It’s a gorgeous Saturday morning and I’m grateful the weekend has arrived! An action-packed week has me craving some solo creative time, so the mister is whooping it up with his buds at the pool. With nearly 1/2 of 2010 behind me, it only seems appropriate to sneak in a little intention-setting and creative dreaming.

The following collection of creative to-do’s are intended to inspire extraordinarily joyful weekends. Consider this a friendly tap—or slight tug—towards exploring creative shenanigans of your own desires. I invite you to join in!

evaluate the last 6 months & dream about the next 6

package up a little snail mail treat for a friend

take pictures & become a better photographer

organize closet, do laundry & set aside old items for goodwill

pay bills & assess finances with a smile

do something on this summer must-do list

schedule a massage, pedicure or tarrot card reading

compliment a stranger and see what happens

enjoy a new book while soaking in a bubble-filled tub

order customized energy bars

put together a garageband mix of yoga & tunes

image credit: seanmcgrath

Every day is an opportunity to be creative – the canvas is your mind,
the brushes and colours are your thoughts and feelings,
the panorama is your story,
the complete picture is a work of art called, ‘my life’.
Be careful what you put on the canvas of your mind today – it matters.
(Innerspace)

I came across this quote and found it to be a lovely reminder that we choose the lives we live. We pick the colors of paint that suit our mood and we influence the weight of the brushstrokes. We have no idea how the work of art will turn out, but we see glimpses of how it could be.

Take a moment to consider how complete or empty your canvas is today. Is there something that you can do to create more white space? Do you want to add some big, bold colors? What is your heart telling you?

I’ve been trying to listen to my heart lately, but I feel like I’m receiving mixed messages. Sometimes I feel the passion to write, be creative and get more involved in the beautiful webby community we live in. Other times I find myself wondering if I will ever catch up on all the ‘things’ I have and want to do. Then, there are other times when I decide that the ‘things’ I have to do are so immaterial and useless, and I should just live in the moment.

For now I am trying to hold still and listen. I know there is wisdom in patience and understanding in space. I hope you are well & loving your creative lives. I miss you & will be back in full force soon.

image credit: via weheartit

All our dreams can come true–if we have the courage to pursue them.
(Walt Disney)

In honor of Cinco de Mayo, today’s post features my top five (cinco!) tips for landing your ideal job. Although my free time is spent sparkling and shimmering through the interwebs, my days are spent amongst cubicle nation in the world of HR and recruitment. This career path has afforded me experience and insight into one of the most challenging situations in many people’s lives: the job hunt.

Whether you’re making a career change or have recently found yourself out of work, there are simple ways to find success in your search. Here are a few of my favorites:

1. Remember the Secret

Stay positive and true to yourself. Looking for a new opportunity can be overwhelming, so keep in mind that a good attitude will carry you far. People are innately attracted to energy, spirit and confidence. Pump yourself up. Be your own cheerleader. Believe that you deserve the job of your dreams.

2. Build a Professional Brand

We live in a remarkable era full of ways to connect with strangers and network with colleagues. If you can become friends with Ashton, you can easily scope out your future boss. Use LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook to research potential employers and get the word out about your work.

Think about the way you’re packaging your personal brand. Do you have a professional sounding email address? It’s hard for a potential employer to take you seriously with an email address like sexybabexyz@gmail.com. Is your resume comprehensive, easy to read and typo-free? Does it accurately represent the career path that you are trying to pursue?

3. Do Your Homework

Never underestimate the power of being prepared. If an organization requests a cover letter, prepare one with the specific position in mind. Many candidates use a bulk approach to their search, which makes it difficult to stand out from the crowd. Tailoring your application and correspondence will help you glitter in a sea of potential employees.

Before an interview, study up on the company, their culture and key players. Make a personal connection with each individual that interviews you and ask for their card before leaving. Once you are in the safety of your car, jot down notes on each person that will help you remember them in the future.

4. Add a Personal Touch

Simply put, candidates who send prompt and well-written thank yous are hard to come by. Use high-quality stationary, a pen with blue ink and postage that’s classic (not cute). Reference the notes you took on each individual you met and try to tie in a piece of information that relates to your conversation. Finish your message in a way that clearly states your interest in the opportunity.

5. Ask for the Job!

It may seem bold to finish an interview by asking for the job, but it is a surefire way to let the interviewer know you’re interested. So often interviews are wrapped up by the interviewer saying,

“Thank you for coming in. We enjoyed meeting you. Do you have any final questions?”

This is the perfect opportunity to express your desire to join the team! I recommend you reply (in your own words) something like this,

“You did a great job answering my questions and I appreciate you taking the time to meet with me today. I am really excited about the opportunity and hope to join your team soon. Is there any reason why you wouldn’t endorse me to receive an offer for this opportunity?”

Asking this question gives you one final chance to uncover any hesitations from the interviewer’s perspective, and the opportunity to address those concerns directly. The whole reason you’re in the interview is to secure a position within the organization… go for it!

photo credit: via Cosmo’s 10 Mistakes Even Smart Women Make in Job Interviews

There are so many ways to invoke creativity and inspire brilliance in your day to day life. If you look closely, there is magic and beauty everywhere.

Seek to find a remarkable, yet completely ordinary, moment each day and I promise that you will make astounding discoveries.

In the meantime, check out a few treasures I’ve uncovered recently…

Happy phrases that sparkle and shine, via Cup of Jo.

Sex in the City 2 and Eat Pray Love, trailers for two movies I must see this summer.

Curiously cute Red Velvet Cake Balls, recipe by Bakerella.

Justified and Treme, my love for these two new shows is surprising.

Micaela’s delightful giveaway, join in to celebrate Dolce Vita’s 300 followers!

A woman and her passion for photographing animals, video via Etsy.

“Good for you” food bars with ingredients I can pronounce.

Women Food and God, an interesting read that I’ve found difficult to put down.

Thanks to all of you who extended kind words of encouragement in response to my confessions. I love being part of this amazing blog/tweet/webbie community and am looking forward to getting back into the swing of regular posting soon!

image credit: via banter banner

We realize our dilemma goes deeper than shortage of time;
it is basically a problem of priorities.
We confess, We have left undone those things that ought to have done;
and we have done those things which we ought not to have done.
(Charles E. Hummel)

I’ve been thinking a lot about goals and intentions. Since turning 25, my idle thoughts have drifted towards the future and where I want to be in the next (gasp!) 25 years. For some reason, it’s hard to imagine that far into the future.

That might be because lately I’ve been really concerned with my day-to-day and have been less focused on my long-term dreams. Even though I’ve shared my musings on priorities and perspective, it still feels like I’m stuck in a rut.

This is a positive, inspirational blog meant to shine with love, sparkle and joy. It’s my sacred creative outlet and a piece of our cherished community. A place where we can explore our hearts and do our best to make every day an extraordinary adventure.

Because of this, I have shied away from revealing too many dark or twisty pieces of my life—the negativity and gloomy days that find their way into otherwise beautiful weeks. It can sometimes feel like I’m being dishonest or hiding bits of who I am. I know this is a common struggle amongst bloggers. I’ve been touched by those who have shared similar feelings before.

Like I said, I’ve been thinking a lot about goals and intentions. I have also been wondering why I let being busy become such an easy excuse for blogging less. I truly love blogging, tweeting and connecting with all of you. I’ve had to make small adjustments because of my new job, but there’s another reason why I’ve been quiet that I have been too scared to share with you.

Remember back when I hosted the Good Karma Gift Swap? A truly amazing group of bloggers participated. It seemed as though the swap was going to finish up as planned, with everyone sending a gift and everyone receiving one in return. It was my intention to wrap it all up with a comprehensive post that linked back to all the swappers’ individual blog posts on the experience.

Somehow (snow storms, postal service mishap, indifference, disorganization, life) there were a few participants who sent gifts and received nothing in their mailbox. I fell behind on my answering of emails and management of the project, and eventually let time slip away. It’s been two months since I launched the swap and since then I’ve wondered how to reconcile the situation.

It might sound strange, but I’m embarrassed the swap didn’t turn out as planned and I wish I had dealt with it head-on when things began to slip up. As the weeks crept by, it seemed to make more sense to just carry on without a recap post.

What would you do? Would you be interested in reading a review of the bloggers who swapped good karma gifts back in February? Or would you recommend moving on and learning from the experience?

In my heart, I think it’s time I pick my head up and out of the sand, resurface, reconnect and begin to look towards the future. Dream about what lies beyond today’s to-do list and tomorrow’s agenda. Remember to make every day an extraordinary adventure.

Maybe even work on hosting another swap someday…

image credit: tanakawho

Every moment of your life is infinitely creative and the universe
is endlessly bountiful. Just put forth a clear enough request,
and everything your heart desires must come to you.
(Mahatma Gandhi)

Hello there my friends. It has been too long since our last chat. The beginning of this year has been such a whirlwind I don’t even know where to begin. I’ve dropped in and out of my blog a lot lately, and I’m not pleased that my posts all sound like my journal entries, “I really should write more often… I’ve been so busy… It seems like time is flying by…”

One thing that has tripped me up recently is not knowing where to begin. Thinking about all the things I want to do (and all the things I think I should do) spins me into the worst possible mood. I tell myself there’s no use in trying to get it all done because that’s an impossible feat for anyone… and then I spend 2 mindless hours watching Kell On Earth, completely avoiding all semblance of productivity.

I want to share my musings, tweets, creative thoughts and sparkly spirit with you. I am dying to get back into reading and commenting on your blogs. I am thirsting for new discoveries and fun links to pass your way. I wish I could just press pause and “get things in order” so that I could start living a more organic, happy, healthy and joyful life.

I know that no such pause button exists. I realize that I need to reorganize my thinking and establish priorities. I understand that I have complete control of my to-do list and schedule. I guess the trick is just getting back on track and trying my best to make every day an extraordinary adventure.

PS. I’m deeply saddened to announce that not everyone has received their Good Karma Gift Swap package. This is probably due to the terrible weather we’ve experienced the past few weeks. Unfortunately, it might also be because some packages didn’t make it to the post office in the first place. As this was a very successful swap in most cases, I am searching for ways to remedy the situation. Please email me or comment below if you are interested in earning some Extra Extra Good Karma by replacing a lost gift.

image credit: Erin Tyner via etsy

Decide what you want, decide what you are willing to exchange for it.
Establish your priorities and go to work.
(H. L. Hunt)

It’s been awhile since I sat down and took stock of my priorities. I feel like I’ve been swept up by life’s demands and have done little to anchor myself. I don’t know about you, but I have a tendency to get overwhelmed by my ambition. When I think about all the things I want to do, all the places I want to see and all the people I want to meet—I lose sight of the tiny treats my everyday life can offer.

Does this ever happen to you?

In order to make every day of this week extraordinary, I’m going to…

to take my time
sip peppermint tea
keep a gratitude list
remind myself that I’m doing enough
enjoy the ride
be patient with myself
send some snail mail
practice yoga
snuggle with my mister
read some blogs
smile at strangers
make my priorities a priority!

photo credit: theogeo on flickr