Mood Box.

A while back, I had decided to start a Mood Box, instead of a mood board - bit more tidy + I have a stack of ol' vintage tins that need a job. So along the ways I have been collecting, postcards, labels, stickers, business cards, hangtags...basically anything that catches my fancy!!

As I predicted, there is definitely a few common themes :: which is the perfect way to figure out how you should/want to brand your goodies!! (and keep that creative mind inspired!)

 

Just thought it was worth a mention now - as a good collection needs time to mature ::giggle.

 

Happy long weekending Canadians!!

 

lovely snaphots::

1.  the beautiful asian woman that adorns my Mood Box

2.  the contents

3.  not a bad collection!

 

The Organized Me.

Well I figure, if I make things fun, then i'm more likely to do it! This is a project that i've been thinking about for a while...My cute organized Businessing 'income + expense' binder. I'm currently sans binder, as.. do you know how hard it is to find a recycled binder in Canada! I just can't seem to put all my hardwork in a plastic vinyl piece of throw away junk (feel free to email moi if you have a source)

So anyways I've made a start + its perfect timing as the month of August (starting today) is going to be about...

the financials!

 

About this cute organized Businessing Binder project ::

Well after rummaging through most of my boxes, I found I had an abundant supply of ol shipping + office supplies - so instead of throwing them away + consuming more ~ I got creative! 

 

The ingredients needed for the job :: 

~ 12 cream coloured file folders - one for each ,month. Bank statements, visa bills, gas mileage sheet, monthly business journal + all other top secret snippets can be hole punched and kept here

~  24 shipping envelopes - 2 for each month, 1 for income + 1 for expenses, all receipts can be filed here in an organized fashion with small clips

~ washi tape....I just really  wanted some + turned out to be the best thing for colour coding

~  my new toy :: a create your own text stamp (love!)

~  geeky cute paper eyelet stickers.

~  one recycled 2" thick binder (to come)

 

lovely snapshots ::

 

1.  A stack of my ol' shipping envelopes

2.  All the yummy ingredients used 

3.  Paper eyelets

4.  Shipping envelopes are all binder ready, with 3 punched holes + sturdied up with eyelets

5.  Closer look at my favourite month - january

6.  Washi tape + colour coding

7.  12 months of folders all stacked up ready to go

8.  The theraputic aftermath of hole punching..

The classic Shirtdress

First installment into the new Wardrobe :: The all-time classic Shirtdress.

This lil grey + red pinstriped beauty is made from a beautiful quality thick cotton.  Dolled up by a quick iron, my red Sandgrens + red pearls (thats what they are to me::giggle) ~ this recently thrifted number is the perfect fit in more ways than one.

Now the other reason I am in need of a new Wardrobe, is I need a bit of a style make-over, a new look for a new chapter. Unfortunately, pregnancy introduced me to the elastic waisted jeans....+ I have only given them up recently(so comfy ~ i'm glad I didn't know about these years ago!). In addition, this new mama body of mine is... a touch different than the old me ~ there are some lumps + bumps where they never used to be and a lil extra cuddly stuff all over. So I just have to adapt, and start with some clothing items that make me feel comfortable in my skin.  

The Clipboard.

What a Fabulous Finding :: 3 preloved clipboards! There are so many scrumptious ideas out there for using Clipboards + organizing...that I really need to just settle on one for now!

 

Anyways today I thought I would share a funny story of mine about the use of a Clipboard::

I know a chap, he is hilariously cheeky but to see him, you would think he is a serious grown up. He wears a suit + tie and is very high up on the food chain for a big big company. We were chatting about work + life one day, he told me that I work too hard, and if he could give me one tip in life...it was to get a clipboard. He informed me that if you have a clipboard, walk with a mission + have a perplexed look on your face ~ even if its too the lunchroom, washroom or to no where specific....people will think that you are busy, very busy and therefore very important! Thus i'm very fond of the Clipboard :: giggle.

The July Book Collection.

The July Book Collection is made up of some materials i've been thumbing through this month.

 

Well as I've been thinking about what to actually put in my wardrobe, my Stitch with Style magazine is the perfect place to get a lil inspiration + patterns!!  Every year my parents get me a subscription to a magazine for my birthday(at the beginning of the year)...so this year I thought i'd try a sewing mag to help me get back in the saddle.  And that collar, how absolutely gorgeous ~ and what is it made from :: vintage hankies!

 

Next book.....the Handmade Marketplace  by Kari Chapin.  I've had it for a while now, but I thought it would be a good book to re-visit this month, theres bits + pieces that are super helpful, and a touch different from  Craft Inc which I read last month.  Its also illustrated by one of my big time girl crushes Miss Emily Winfield Martin.

 

And the last book....a Little Golden Book of Hansel + Gretel which was my Mr's from many moons ago.  Funny how those gold spines can bring back to your childhood.  So we decided to read it to Bea one day (even though she is too little) + I guess I had forgotten the storyline for some reason....'oh my' what a horrific story!  Thanks goodness for cute vintage illustrations of pudgy lil kids!

Sunday drive

Its been so so hot, so our Sunday Drive (which we decided to do on Saturday!) had to include water.  So we headed to a beach/lake just outta town - ended up being the perfect place, not too many peeps, shady trees, and grass to set up shop ( I love sand in my toes, but little people, eating + sand don't go together so well).  What was also pretty spectacular was the ocean of water lilies on part of the waters edge ~ perfect for foolin around with my camera. Infact a bride + her entourage showed up to take their wedding photos in a row boat amongst the lilies....so thought it would be best to put the camera away, as I didn't want to come across as a random crazy stalker. 

Anyways was a special day for us, as our lil baby Bea turned 9 months old, so really she is double her age, if that makes sense.  Funny how the 9 months in your belly  seems to take forever.  Well I have to say she is a pretty good little friend to have ~ she is a crazy talker + dancer, but quiet in a crowd, loves to eat anything/everything + is completely obcessed with her tongue, think we'll keep this one :: giggle.

 

photos::

1.   the ocean of Water Lilies

2.   leathery leaves + elegant flowers

3.   Families, beach towels + flip flops against the the lovely scenery of emerald lake water and     orchards.

4.   New bathing suit

5.  lots of swimming with Daddio

6.  The drive home, we passed by fields + fields of  pretty pink Echinacea

7.  Quick tub time before bed

Hot date with the..bookwork



photo :: Beca Runs

Already 1/2 way through July, and we still have lots of exciting stuff to get through!! So since we are still in the month of Organization, I thought it might be a good idea to twinkle our toes into the bookwork side of things + that way we'll be organized for next months topic ~ the #numbers#!

Now an itty bit of important information is...there is so much help out there in the universe that is FREE or splendidly affordable :: google search being your best place to start!

So lets talk about accounting software ~ truthfully, i've always been quite retro in this department, like I'm in love with pencils, paper + erasers, but I guess thats because i'm such a tactile sorta person. Unfortunately ~  i'm being left in the dust + creating more work for myself than need be.....so its time to move on + get with the program. Learning something new is on the list :: so me,the computer + accounting software are going to be have some hot dates for the next lil while. You don't actually need the best of the best when starting out - you just need to learn the ropes, so there are free options like Wave accounting, Gnucash, or  there are nifty sites like Quickbooks Online and Stitch labs depending on your budget.

 



Spending a little time to research what might work for you + your situation, is the best idea ~ then knuckle down, coffee in one hand, papers/receipts in the other (I might keep my pencil behind my ear, just in case)...and go for it