The Art To Living Simply According To Emily

I am obviously no expert on any subject really, but I AM working on de-stressing my life and keeping my house calm, comfy, and cozy.

Speaking of cozy- We do not live in a gigantic house. We have a tiny two bedroom one bathroom apartment. We like the idea of a small place. It keeps our family close to one another. Although, another bathroom would be nice. Getting ready in the morning is a real chore. Since we have such a small abode, we do not need to buy a bunch of furniture just to fill up space. (money saverrrrrr.) I mean I really do not need a dining room, a living room, and a den. We are very content with our beautiful space. This is one way we are keeping our life simple.

Another way to keep life simple is preparation in meal planning. I HAD to learn how to cook. I wish I could cook like best of them, but I really cannot. I had to teach myself. Cooking and meal planning save you TONS of money at the grocery store. Also, if you have planned meals you will not order out for chinese and pizza twice a week, which can be a lot on the budget.

Numero tres. Yes, I speak Spanish. Hola. It's more Spanglish than Spanish. Anyway, number three. Be free from clutter. Donate, sell, recycle, or toss if you have not used it in over 6 months. This is so hard for me, because I am borderline hoarder. Obviously not a self- diagnosis- i am diagnosed by my parents and husband. Since we are trying to move within the next couple months, we are trying to downsize and get rid of things that we no longer use. I'm a work in progress.

Stop comparing you lives to others and just live your own. If you are content and happy with your life and the way you live it, own it. Do not try and keep up with the Jones'.

Drum roll pleaseeeeee!!!!! dun dun dunnnn duhhhhhhh

Emily's 5 keys to happiness

1. Don't hate. (said in my ghettoist voice.) Is that a word? It is now.

2. Don't worry.
3. Give more

4. Expect even less

5. Simple is beautiful

 

4.52

" A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Jack Wilson: The king of taking selfies on my phone. I love going through my phone and finding these. He has more selfies on here than a 13 year old girl would!

My first giveaway!

Win my "Love Sugar Scrub" just in time for valentines day! You have to follow my instagram @mrsemilyg and details are on there to win! Happy love day to you all! 

   

Brrrrrr!

I HATE WINTER. Let me take that back. I like winter for maybe a month, but after that, it's just annoying. Especially when you have a child. That means you have to think of a bizillion activities to keep them occupied for MONTHS! Jack has been sick the past couple of days so I can't even take him out to play in it. Plus these guys are everywhere:

Like huge daggers just waiting for me. This is not suited for child safety. So we have been indoors. I have completed every puzzle, made everything out of Play-Doh, read a million books, and caught up on all my shows. WHERE IS SPRING?! I miss it. It doesn't look like the cold is letting up anytime soon. I need to snap out of this funk and get a spray tan or something! Sorry for my " I hate winter rant", but I seriously would love to be at the beach right now!!!

Staying indoors also means I made these gems! Lightly tinted cranberry flavored lip balms made with organic coconut oil, essential oil, and beeswax. 

A day off. Sikeee.

A day off is rarely EVER a day off for me. My day off started with Jack waking up with a sad whimper at 5:30 a.m. burning up with a fever. But seriously, 5:30 a.m. on your day off?! My day off is running around like a crazy lady catching up on laundry, tending to my little needy boy, getting the house straight, and making dinner. On my day off I am a nurse, a maid, and a chef. My day has called for not one, but two grande 6 pump vanilla lattes, excedrin extra strength, a 30 minute nap, and I may or may not have eaten ice cream while Jack was napping. Hint: I did! 

❤Today I am so thankful for J taking a nap. We both needed it ❤

Flashback: why do they look sooo cute when they're sick?! This little gem is from 2 years ago. 

3.52

"A portrait of my child, one a week, every week, in 2014."

Jack: My sweet boy is growing so fast, but this morning, while he was in a deep sleep, I studied his face. I studied how his cheeks aren't as chubby, his feet are not so little, and his hands that were wrapped around mine were not as tiny as they used to be. Tomorrow he will be a little older. Each day he is changing and growing. I know i will never get this day back. I took a few minutes this morning the relish in the charms of the present and reminisce about the past.

It's the little things

I have recently become obsessed with simplicity. These days it's the little things that bring me the most joy. Yesterday it was a day date with my hubby. We had a chance to drop Jack off at school and spend the entire day together. This is a rarity which only occurs probably once a year. What are the chances we are both off on a holiday, but daycare is still open? We had no interruptions while talking to each other. We chewed our food instead of inhaling at a little Chinese restaurant. We sipped slowly on our coffees while we split breakfast and we searched for our new place to call home. 

It was a lovely day date :)

2.52

" A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2014. "

Jack: The cold weather and rain has kept us indoors a lot and Jack has definitely gone stir crazy. We ventured out to stomp the rain puddles and run some quick errands over the weekend. 

my 25th ;)

OK, OK. The gig is up. I actually turned 28. Shocker. I like to think i still look 25 though. It's a privilege to grow old and I shouldn't take it for granted.

I took off two days for my birthday. Day one I sent my boo to daycare so I could have a "me" day. For all you who haven't yet experienced motherhood, a "me" day is a day to get a haircut, get a mani, brush your hair, actually put on make-up, or even better- meet your friends for lunch and get to actually speak to them in complete sentences!!!

I had breakfast with my good friend Kristen at Lamplighter Coffee around Carytown. I love catching up and talking to adults :) I spent the rest of the day shopping and exploring.

Day two i got to spend my actual birthday with a mommy and son day. TJ made me an awesome cake. I got to eat lunch with my BFF Katherine at Panera, Jack and I snuggled for a late nap, presents at my parents, and dinner with my boo!

But first up, I had to get my free birthday drink. Gold member status!! Boop! Hi Jack!

It was such a lovely birthday. I can't wait to see where 28 takes me.

1.52

" a portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2014. "

Jack: this is the face I see many times a day when he does not get his way. This is also the face he makes right before he's about to jump on Tj, wrestle him to the ground, and become "champion of the world. "

Motivational Monday

There is always something beautiful in each day to be thankful for. Even when everything is going wrong, focus on the positive, even if you have to dig for it. Maybe it was something small. A cup of coffee, a napping child, a 5 minute meditation. Cherish each and every day, because it is a day you will never get back.

Xx

E

P.S.  this wallpaper. I need it in my life

An all natural oatmeal mask

I found a "recipe" for an oatmeal mask that will help eliminate acne scars or marks on the face NATURALLY!

Of course I tweaked it and made it my own, so here is my version:

What you will need:

1/2 cup of oatmeal

1 cup water

2 drops lemon

1 tsp of cinnamon powder

I also added a few drops of grapefruit essential oil to "wake up" my skin. 

Step 1

Put water in a pan to medium heat

Step 2 

Add the oatmeal

Step 3

Add two drops of lemon and stir into a paste. (should look something like this at the end)

Step 4 

Let this cool down, then add cinnamon and stir

Voila! Easy! Apply this to your face for 15-20 minutes and rinse off with lukewarm water. 

Advised use is once every 2 weeks for the first month, then once a month thereafter. 

Disclosures:

Always spot test!!

Do not use if allergic to any of the ingredients. 

Mild burning on the face might happen due to the cinnamon, if unbearable, wash off immediately!

Xxoo!

E