Media Roundup: 5 Things Successful People Do, Oscar-Inspired Cocktails, and More

It's the end of a short week, but I feel like I barely made it across the finish line. Maybe it's a lack of sleep or the grey clouds rolling in yesterday or both, but I made it! I came across some great content on the Web this week that either made me laugh, inspired me to do something new, or helped me to see something from a different perspective. I hope something here catches your eye too! 

1. "Feel" Your Way to Motivation

I don't know about you, but sometimes it seems like no matter how organized my week is or how much coffee I drink I just cannot find the motivation to do everything that needs to get done. Here's an interesting thought: take your emotions into account more. According to this article we can find the motivation we need to be more productive if we realize how powerful our feelings can be.

With some scientific studies to back it up, these tips to avoid procrastination might be the boost you need for greater motivation. Sounds simple enough. Now if I could only figure out what it is that I'm feeling half the time I'd be good.

2. Films to Fuel your Wanderlust

If you love film and travel as much as me, you will love this article! There are a ton of great movies to look forward to this year, but why not let your movie watching experiences inspire a trip or two?!

From the French Alps to coastal cities in Japan, there are some great destination ideas here for anyone who has "have more adventures" on their list of things to do. Even if you don't have the budget for an extravagant trip like the ones mentioned here you can at least keep an eye out for some of these great films set to release this year. A chase thriller featuring Anthony Hopkins and Sir Ben Kingsley? Yes please!

3. 5 Things Successful People Do to End Their Days Right

Do you have an end-of-day ritual? I don't. This article made me re-think my whole life. Well, maybe not anything that drastic, but it turns out that actually giving the end of your day as much thought as the beginning can help you be more healthy and productive.

4. Celebrity-Inspired Cocktails for your Oscar Viewing Party

I'm planning a small Oscar viewing party this weekend so I was pretty pumped when I came across this article with some fun drink ideas inspired by some very interesting celebrities. 

Check it out and mix away!

5.  Ingrid Michaelson's hilariously adorable new music video: Time Machine

Huge props to Ingrid Michaelson on her amazing new music video that was released this week. I was pleasantly surprised by her creative use of cameos and the song's not half bad either. I'm using it as an anthem of sorts to kick off my weekend. 

Do yourself a favor and take a 5 minute break to watch this video.

What jumps out at you from this week's media roundup? I want to hear about it in the comments below!

A Resolve Against Resolutions

So.... it's the end of February. And instead of strong-arming myself into keeping all of my New Year's resolutions, I am enjoying some cookie dough and skipping the gym for the second day in a row. I am all about setting and reaching goals, making healthier life choices, and I love all of the new opportunities waiting to be explored at the start of a new year, but January is always so heavy with expectations that I usually feel completely weary by the time Groundhog Day rolls around.

So far 2015 has been pretty eventful. While finishing up a project for a great company called Booktrope, I have also been looking for a new full time job, building a website, and training a puppy. I also negotiated my freelance rate for the first time, have simultaneously binge watched Gilmore Girls and Parenthood and started getting into Yoga for the first time ever. 

With all of the uncertainty with my schedule and crazy curve ball that is my life lately, I decided not to make any resolutions this year, and instead take what comes and handle it with as much grace as possible. It's been kind of refreshing to skip the calorie counting and impossible diet regimen this year. My approach to tackle the new year and new challenges has evolved into reminding myself what my priorities are and then making decisions based on those priorities, which are as follows...

1. Nurturing my relationship with God
2. Loving and serving my husband
3. Helping and spending time with family and friends
4. Being a good steward of the gifts I've been given including health, home, and relationships
5. Enjoying life and not freaking out when things don't go as planned

I took this picture when we visited Pike's Peak in Colorado Springs last year. Every time I look at it I breathe a deep sigh of relief because there wasn't much filling my mind when I looked out at this beautiful landscape. Sometimes I think we need to simplify instead of making more rules and restrictions for ourselves (this coming from a girl who loves structure!) There's already enough pressures in life to deal with without adding unrealistic and unreasonable resolutions on top of it. 

What are your thoughts on New Years resolutions? Hurtful or helpful?

Throw Back to Labor Day Weekend: An Island Getaway

It's winter in Seattle. And while we have had an exceptionally sunny and warm January, the grey clouds are starting rear their ugly heads and it is turning into the misty perpetually wet city that I dread each year. Sometimes it helps to dream of sunnier times...

Back when JD and I were engaged I lived with a family from our church for a few months before our wedding. Kipp and Taryn have become some of our dearest friends and we were so sad to see them leave Seattle a couple of years ago and settle in Colorado Springs. 

They now have two adorable kids and are lovin' life in Colorado, but they visit Seattle every summer to catch up with friends and get a little bit of time away. They visit the beautiful island of Whidbey to be exact. Only about a thirty minute ferry ride away from Seattle, Whidbey is one of the most beautiful places I've visited. Kipp's family owns a home on the water, and they invited us out for a few days. 

If you ever get a chance to visit the Northwest you should make a point to get out to Whidbey. It is beautiful! Here are some picture of our little Labor Day Island getaway