A few of my favorite things.

{Invite Inspiration}

My secret dream is to host a favorite things party.

I saw the idea on Pinterest and have been smitten with the idea ever since. Basically, you invite a handful of girlfriends over and ask them to each bring five of their favorite things within a set price limit. Then at the party, you get to share your favorites, exchange items, and everyone goes home with a bag filled with some well-loved, picked-with-care lovely little things.

Sound fun to anyone else? I thought so.

The Nester has also hosted her version of a favorite things party and she shared some new favorites over on her blog today. In the spirit of favorites, Friday, and frivolous fun, here are a few of my current favorites.

Paper Mate Flair Pens. Love these. My list-making / calendar-writing life has vastly improved since I started keeping a pot full of these (and these) on my desk. Because life is better lived in color.

7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess. I'm reading this currently and it's eye-opening, life-changing, and my personal favorite: h-i-l-a-r-i-o-u-s. I've thought about buying a whole boatload of these books and passing them out to everyone I know. But that seems excessive. So instead, I am deeply committed to sharing this book (and my copy!) with anyone who acts borderline interested in the topic.

L'Occitane Hand Cream. Dry winter hands make me bonkers. This is the hand cream dreams are made of. It's pricey but it makes your hands feel like a million bucks, so I say it's worth it.

Lindor Truffles. Theresa handed me a handful of these the other day after a particularly strenuous hill run (yes, we see the irony here and we're OK with it), and I've been enjoying them ever since. My absolute favorite, always in good taste, stay-at-home mom joke is that we sit around eat and bon bons all day. Case in point: I'm eating one as I type right now. At 10am.

Fiestaware Gusto Bowls. I *may* have bought myself new dishes on our 10th wedding anniversary. I choose Fiestaware (scarlet, cobalt, peacock & shamrock), and I love the sight of COLOR smiling back at me whenever I open our cupboards. These gusto bowls are particularly favorite pieces, and I think they would be a cheerful addition to anyone's kitchen.

Lakeshore Candle Company Candles. This is a local (West MI) company and they make the most amazing soy candles. My absolute favorite is the Apple Cider.

What would you bring to a favorite things party??

{Link Up Here}

Some favorite things party inspiration: Joy's Hope // The Nester // A Place for Us

Do-Be-Mem.

I love Sunday nights.

I like to write in my planner, map out my week, pick up the house, put ALL the laundry away, and get ready to great a new week come morning.

Here's a quick goal-setting exercise I just discovered... jotting down three simple goals for the week: do, be, memorize.

{Thanks Printable}

Do... say "thank you". We're wrapping up our One Thousand Gifts book club this week with a discussion party on Thursday + I need to carve out some time to update my own list. Gratitude is a great exercise in perspective, and it always brings me back to where I need to be.

Be... flexible. I like to hit the ground running on Monday morning, but I will more likely than not still have a sick little Kindergartner when the sun comes up. Grateful that my To Do list can be shelved, and I will get to spend a day at home with my on-the-mend little yellow haired girl (a rarity these days!)

Mem... three sets of shoe sizes. My annual outlet mall shopping weekend with my mom and SIL is at the end of the week... and there's a Stride-Rite outlet. Enough said.

What's on your agenda this week?

Five things I'm loving right now.

I found myself in a momentary funk the other day, when I spotted a tweet about a five things I love link party over at a blog called Back to the Basics. (Social networking at it's finest.) 
I scraped myself off the couch, thought of five current favorites fairly quickly, and instantly felt like the glass was once again half-full. Some of these things I have loved for a good, long time (lattes!), some of these things I have just recently learned to love (change...oy).   Here you go...five things I'm loving right now...

  Slowing Down. I'm in the process of reading One Thousand Gifts, and I'm learning a lot about gratitude. #1 observation: it's hard to be grateful when you're always in a hurry. I'm trying to put less on my calendar each week and manage my time better. I want to build space into my life so I have time to practice gratitude. I want to adopt a childlike attitude of wonder. I want to enjoy my life not just live it. I want to notice the little things. Like these fish. In Meijer. Because grocery shopping, like life, is not an emergency.

  Elementary School-ers. I love mine, of course, but I'm also talking about the bigger realm of K through 5th graders. I've never been the type to come alive in a room full of toddlers, making animal sounds, crawling around on my hands and knees, reading the same book 56 times... but as I volunteer in D & E's school, I'm learning that I enjoy this age group a whole lot. I like talking to them, learning their names, sharing a kind word, sending a smile their way. Kids this age are sweet, receptive, and still think Dylan T.'s mom is cool.  

  Change. I know. Not the obvious choice for a "things I love" post, but hear me out. I've heard it said that change is a form of loss. And loss can be sad and scary and uncomfortable. But I've also heard it said that change is to be expected. And when I shift my perspective and realize that change is a natural part of life, suddenly it doesn't seem so frightening. When I realize that out of change and loss often springs new life and opportunity, I am filled with hope and renewed energy and gratitude. I'm filled with thankfulness for what was... and for what will be.

  Lattes. Previous fav: rasberry white chocolate mocha. Current fav: pumpkin spice (I also love all things seasonal). I know the statistics on what I could be doing with the $5 dollars I spend a couple times a week on lattes, but I also know that lattes make me feel warm and fuzzy and can turn an ordinary day into an extraordinary one (or salvage a particularly terrible grocery store outing). I also found a workaround to any latte-inspired guilt: I pick one up for a friend too and suddenly it's an act of generosity, rather than indulgence. It's my little way of paying the latte love forward.

  All things SILLY. Here's a theory: we take ourselves a bit too seriously. Want to experience joy, spread joy, laugh a little (or a lot)? Try acting silly. For my dear friend Theresa's birthday, we spent the morning driving around from place to place, collecting birthday freebies. The list included a bear claw, an ice cream sundae, two cute bowls, queso dip, an appetizer, a piece of chocolate cake and some ready-to-bake cookie dough. We allowed ourselves to act ridiculous, laughed until our sides hurt, and garnered a lot of smiles from strangers. Silly? Yes. An amazeballs way to spend a morning? Absolutely.   Enough about me. What five things are you loving right now?
Linking up here...

Living the Width, Volume IV

I hope you took a moment to look through last month's great reads!

Here's your chance to share! Scroll down to link up your own posts...

The idea behind {living the width}:

a monthly mash-up of posts centered around intentional living, new experiences, celebrations, community, pushing the limits, glimpses of glory, moments of truth & aha moments.

I'd love to read your latest adventures, see your newest projects, and share in your joy as you seek to live not just the length of life, but the width of it as well.

{Party Guidelines}

1) The intent of this link party is to share posts that inspire and motivate others and that showcase your very best bloggy (& living life well) work!

2) All types of posts are welcome including crafting & DIY, tips & tricks; simplifying & organizing, parties & celebrations, musings & reflections, projects & challenges, milestones & accomplishments...and everything in between.

3) Feel free to link up more than one post. Please link recent posts that were written and posted in the month that corresponds with the party (i.e. Volume IV = August 2012). Make sure you link directly to your post, not just your blog.

4) Please share the blog love by tweeting, sharing on Facebook, or  posting the {living the width} button within your blog post or somewhere else on your blog. Check back and see if your post is featured as a great read next month!

5) Lastly, go grab a cup of coffee and spend a few minutes clicking through some links below and commenting on your favs. Let's applaud each other for attacking life with intention and purpose!

<a href="http://theterpblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1063.photobucket.com/albums/t504/terpblog/width300.jpg">

A Simple Purging Process + A Link-Up!

We've covered a lot of ground this week: we shared the story behind Project Purge + we put a purging plan in place (including the why, where, who & what). Next, I wanted to share with you some of the how?

Read on & then check back on Monday for the details on the first five spaces we'll be working through together!

A simple purging process*:

1. Empty out the space.
2. Separate items into piles: keep, toss & sell/donate.
3. Ask yourself the hard questions {see below}. Be honest.
4. Remove toss & sell/donate items from your home.
5. Reload space with keep items.
6. Smile, breathe a sigh of relief. Repeat.

{*My full purging process here}

Questions to ask yourself as you purge: 

• Could someone else use it better?
• Is it beautiful or does it serve a purpose?
• Does it serve more than one purpose?
• Do you have duplicate items that do the same thing?
• What are the costs (and rewards) for purging this item?
• Do you use it on a regular basis?
• Does it work? (If no, throw it out.)
• Has your family or your current lifestyle outgrown it?
• Could you live without it?
• If you were moving tomorrow, would you take it with you?
• Is the extra clutter holding you back?
• Why are you holding onto these items?
• Are you being true to your true self? Are you holding onto items that are weighing your down or "should"ing you?
• Are you hanging onto things out of guilt, obligation or fear?

Some additional resources:

• 100 Ways to Simplify Your Life: A list by Francine Jay, an author, blogger, and minimalist who is seeking to live life a beautiful life with less stuff.
• Jen Hatmaker: Wife, mom, speaker, blogger and author of 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess. Jen's writing is inspiring, authentic, and hilarious.
• Becoming Minimalist: Blogger and minimalist Joshua Becker's thoughts on why the best the things in life aren't things.
• Simple Mom: Tsh's life encompassing site is designed to help you live more simply and more intentionally.
• IHeart Organizing: Jen's spaces aren't only streamlined, they're pretty too. Stop by and admire her projects, including this series last spring on purging.
• Simple Organized Living: Check out Andrea's clutter control category for instant inspiration.

And now, a link up! If you're feeling the call to purge your home of the excess and you're ready to GIVE IT UP and pay it forward, please link up either your blog or a post pertaining to Project Purge: 15 Days of Giving It Up. If you don't have a blog, you can also link up your Twitter or Instagram accounts // #projectpurge. 

The link-up will be live throughout the month of August so feel free to check in at any time with your progress and add to the collection (the links will automatically sort themselves from newest to oldest).

Need a button? Grab one here! Looking for the printables? Check here.

Living the Width, Volume III

Did you sneak a peak at last week's {great reads}?

Here's your chance to share! Scroll down to link up your own posts...

The idea behind {living the width}:

a monthly mash-up of posts centered around intentional living, new experiences, celebrations, community, pushing the limits, glimpses of glory, and aha moments.

I'd love to read your latest adventures, see your newest projects, and share in your joy as you seek to live not just the length of life, but the width of it as well.

{Party Guidelines}

1) The intent of this link party is to share posts that inspire and motivate others and that showcase your very best bloggy (& living life well) work!

2) All types of posts are welcome including crafting & DIY, tips & tricks; simplifying & organizing, parties & celebrations, musings & reflections, projects & challenges, milestones & accomplishments...and everything in between.

3) Feel free to link up more than one post. Please link recent posts that were written and posted in the month that corresponds with the party (i.e. Volume III = July 2012). Make sure you link directly to your post, not just your blog.

4) Please share the blog love by posting the {living the width} button within your blog post or somewhere else on your blog OR feel free to spread the word by tweeting, sharing on Facebook, or calling your mom. Check back and see if your post is featured as a good read next month!

5) Lastly, go grab a cup of coffee and spend a few minutes clicking through some links below and commenting on your favs. Let's applaud each other for attacking life with intention and purpose!

<a href="http://theterpblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1063.photobucket.com/albums/t504/terpblog/width300.jpg">

Living the Width, Volume II

Fire up! 

It's the second volume of {living the width}!

 In case you missed Volume I 
{last month's link-up's + great reads}, 
the idea behind {living the width} is this: 

a monthly mash-up of posts centered around intentional living, 
new experiences, celebrations, community, pushing the limits, 
glimpses of glory, and aha moments.

I'd love to read your latest adventures, see your newest projects, and share in your joy as you seek to live not just the length of life, but the width of it as well.

{Party Guidelines}

1) Please read carefully: the intent of this link party is to share posts that inspire and motivate others and that showcase your very best bloggy (& living life well) work. I reserve the right to delete links that I don't feel meet these guidelines (no giveaways or Etsy shops, please).

2) All types of posts are welcome including crafting & DIY, tips & tricks; simplifying & organizing, parties & celebrations, musings & reflections, projects & challenges, milestones & accomplishments...and everything in between. Let's applaud each other for attacking life with intention and purpose!

3) Feel free to link up more than one post if you'd like, but in the spirit of the party, please don't go too bananas. In addition, please only link recent posts that were written and posted in the month that corresponds with the party (i.e. for this month, Volume II = June 2012). Make sure you link directly to your post, not just your blog.

4) Please share the blog love by posting the {living the width} button either within your blog post(s) or somewhere else on your blog. For bonus points, follow The Terpblog via Google Friend Connect on the sidebar or "Like" us on Facebook (or do both if you really want to be a rock star).

5) Lastly, go grab a cup of coffee and spend a few minutes clicking through some links below and commenting on your favs. Let's encourage each other and spread the love!

<a href="http://theterpblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1063.photobucket.com/albums/t504/terpblog/width300.jpg">

I will feature my favorite links {great reads} mid-month, so stay tuned!

Currently | 6.21.12

Currently I am...

Making
Gluten Free goodies.
Hubby and Little Man are giving the #GF lifestyle a try for a month or so.
Hardest part is keeping treats in stock.
Found a few winners recently (hope to share them here soon!)

Listening to
Needtobreathe Pandora.
AND we just bought tickets to take the big kids to a show!
This summer! Outside! WAY past their bedtime!
So much to like here.

Craving
A clean, stream-lined home.
Loving the 31 Days to Clean Reboot by Sarah Mae.
A few minutes a day spent on intentional cleaning = less stress & more time for summer fun. Less stuff to begin with = less to clean up & take care of.

Writing
As inspiration hits.
I try to do everything in my power to avoid extra stress, and I try to limit the amount of things I "have" to do (my To Do list is long enough as is). I want to keep blogging fun (& fresh) so I only write when I wanna.

Laughing at
My new Twitter crush @HonestTodder.
Best. Tweets. Ever.
Recent Favorite:
In my bed. Heard wine being corked. Are they celebrating my bedtime? Terrible.

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

{Inspired to share your current happenings? Hop over and link up here}

a new series: {Memory Verse Mania} + a free printable!

As I was putting together this year's summertime to do's for myself and our family, I realized a big priority for me this summer is helping the kids learn some Bible verses.

I grew up in a church that placed a big emphasis on memory verses between children's church, Sunday School, youth group, and AWANA (can anyone else still sing the theme song because I *ahem* still can).

My mom also frequently ran little contests around the house for my brother and me, i.e. "learn the books of the Bible and I'll give you this giant Hershey's bar." Hint: it worked.

Dylan and Ella {ages 7 & 5} are at great ages to soak this stuff up - they're reading on their own, they're soaking up knowledge like sponges, and they know how to appreciate a fun challenge.

I've been taking notes while on my own journey through reading the Bible (what I affectionately refer to as the Bible in 90 Days 364 Days), and I've come up with twelve verses our family will be learning this summer - one for each week of summer vacation.

I've grouped them into three categories - praise, promises & character - and I thought I'd share them here in case anyone else wanted to join in.

Without further ado, I present to you the stars of {Memory Verse Mania}:

{Praise}

Psalm 19:1

Psalm 118:24

Psalm 136:1

Psalm 139:14

{Promises}

Isaiah 40:13

Jeremiah 29:11

Philippians 4:13

I Peter 5:7

{Character}

Luke 6:31

Philippians 2:14

Colossians 3:20

Colossians 3:23

Now here's the part I'm extra excited about...

If you know me, you know I love a pretty printable. When I was planning out this series, I realized it would be really cool and helpful to have a set of printables to go along with the verses.

And while I appreciate fine printables, I have zero experience creating them. This is where my blogging buddy Nikki comes in. Nikki creates awesome (often faith-based) printables and then shares them for FREE on her blog, LDS Printables, because she's cool like that.

Nikki has kindly and graciously created a beautiful set of 8x10 printables for us - twelve printables in all - plus a chart for you to display and keep track of your progress on.

I am sharing the chart here today. We'll be kicking off {Memory Verse Mania} next Monday and I'll post the first four printables then - all centered around the theme of praise.

Download Chart Here
{Please email me if you have any trouble downloading the chart!}

More fun! (If you can handle it!) Go ahead and link up your blog here - just the main URL, please - if you'll be joining us this summer.

We can keep each other company, compare charts, and cheer our kiddos on together. 

Oh, and grab a button for your blog (isn't it cute?). And make sure you pop over to Nikki's blog and tell her what an awesome job she did on the printables!

<a href="http://theterpblog.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1063.photobucket.com/albums/t504/terpblog/button1-1-200.jpg">

40 bags in 40 days

When I first got hooked on Pinterest (28-some weeks ago...time flies when you're having fun), this '40 bags in 40 days' pin was one of my very first pins. It quickly went on my To Do pinboard along with my Year 32 list.

The idea is simple: make a list of 40 areas in your home and in 40 days, get rid of 40 bags of "stuff" from these spots. {Stuff = clutter, junk, excess, and anything else that is no longer used or needed.}

January brought with it a new year, and I thought it might be a good time to revisit this 40 bags idea. I did a little more reading on-line and found that this concept is often tied in with the Lenten calendar.

Spiritual clutter control? I'm so in.

I sent a Facebook message out to some good friends and kindred cleaning spirits and got an overwhelming, yes! let's do it! response. (Have I mentioned lately how much I love my friends??)

We started a private FB group and created and then shared our lists on-line. Some of the girls already have a great start and the rest of us are joining in on February 22, when Lent begins.

free printable by Sugar Tot Designs here

Clearing out the clutter. Finding freedom in less. Intentional living during the Lenten season. Sharing the ride through accountability and community.

40 bags in 40 days. T minus 14 days. Are you in?