Doing Nothing and Organizing...

Not surprising, I'm still working on unpacking from moving home after graduating college. I'm trying to purge as I go (I'm getting better at letting go of birthday cards from when I was 14...) as well as pack away things I don't need until I move out (toaster oven, pots, pans, etc..). So, it's a slow process!
I also house sat for a week, which put a "pause" on the unpacking while I was staying with their dogs and cats!
Here are a few helpful tips/ideas that I think could help anyone!!

Doing Nothing
It seems like a dream, right? "A WHOLE DAY TO DO NOTHING!"
That's what I thought...
But, let me tell you - it was horrible. I didn't actually do nothing; I knit, I read, I took care of the animals in the house I was house sitting... but at the end of the day - I felt like crap!

A few days later I had another day with "nothing" to do. But, I made sure to shower, get dressed (in a new pair of sweats anyway), and stick to a somewhat normal schedule (for meals). It helped! Even though I still knit, read, took care of the animals, etc... doing it in an organized way made me feel less groggy at the end of the day!

So, the next time you are SO excited to do nothing - DO SOMETHING! :)

Organizing 
I'm not the most brilliant "organizer" and I probably read this idea on Pinterest once upon a time. BUT, here's what I did with all of those extra/little things you find when organizing!

Every year when I moved in to the dorms (I lived in the dorms all 7 semesters I was in college) I would receive a bunch of samples - face wash, dish soap, laundry detergent, shampoo, you nanme it! Personally, I think that samples aren't really going to do anything - how do you know if a product works for you by using it once?! You can't!
Anyways, so I have a bunch of samples just sitting in random bins in my room because I always say "Oh, yeah, I'll use that" - and then never do.

Here are a few close ups of samples I found:

 

Overall, I found shampoo, conditioner, heat activated hair product, body wash, body lotion, feminine pads, a lot of face wash, and a few facial moisturizers. I also found travel sizes of  body wash, lotion, and body spray.

So, that's what I did! This thirtyone bag, which I only use to carry toiletries when travelling, became my storage place for all of them!
In on of the zipper pockets I put all of the small samples. In the elastic bottle holders I put the travel size body wash and lotion.
In the side mesh pockets I have the body spray and a bottle of Pure Romance Coochy conditioning shave cream. (There's still a tiny bit left of the shave cream - but I have a newer one in a scent I prefer in my shower).
In the front zipper compartment I put a travel kleenex and some feminine products. Seriously, never travel without some feminine products - even if your "time" is like clockwork, you might save someone else by having it with you!
In the large center compartment I added a couple more travel size lotions and body washes (not pictured) as well as a travel pack of Q-tips!

Now, next time I go on a trip or just away for a night, I don't have to stress about packing! I can throw in my toothbrush, toothpaste, razor, and makeup! I suggest if you have a certain bag you always use, and if it's already taking up space - use the inside of it as well!

Google Maps, purging, and "Chicken and Peppers" - The first 6 days of 2015

Like I promised, here's a brief summary of what I did during the first six days of 2015! And see the corresponding numbers below for tutorials, tips, tricks, recipes, and other fun facts! 

1. Had dinner with some family friends.

2. Took a dance class in Minnesota. 

3. Went to an empowerment workshop with Madre.

4. Enjoyed dinner with my boyfriend's family.

5. Organized (and purged) all of the papers I've been hoarding.

6. Made a really delicious meal!

2. My first post-college dance class. I would suggest reading any directions a place provides for you before typing it into your GPS (or google maps app). Google maps got me there, but failed to mention that I had to turn into a little driveway and go to the building behind the Subway restaurant. 

But actually, when driving somewhere new (even if you're familiar with the area) I would suggest looking at the map ahead of time. So you get a feel for where you're going. Especially if you're driving alone - it's no fun to be going highway speeds and trying to glance at your phone telling you which exit to take! 

5. I will admit many of the papers I threw away were actually (somewhat) necessary up until I graduated. But, I completely reorganized my file folder with important documents. And I plan go through my 3 different "dance" binders next. 

My suggestion when going through anything is to ask yourself "do you actually need this?" and "is there another place where this information is available?" For example - credit card statements. I receive mine in the mail, but can also access them online. Therefore, once I look at them, there's no need to keep the paper copy! 

6. RECIPE! I call this "Chicken and Peppers" but maybe you're more creative...

I'm giving amounts that I make for myself - which usually is one or two servings depending on my hunger...

Ingredients

4 oz Chicken breast 

1 Bell pepper

1 serving Pasta sauce 

1 serving Pasta (any noodle will do)

Olive oil

Garlic

Salt

Pepper

Directions

Put water on to boil for the noodles. And start heating some oil in a pan.

Cut pepper(s) into small pieces.

Cut the chicken into bite size chunks.

Add peppers to pan when hot

Season with salt, pepper, garlic (I sometimes do an Italian seasoning as well)

When fairly cooked, add chicken (should be right around the time the water is boiling)

Add seasoning as desired.

Add pasta to water when boiling, cook as directed.

Continue to stir both the pasta and the chicken/peppers.

When chicken is cooked through, add pasta sauce and stir.

Strain pasta and add to pan with chicken, peppers, and sauce.

Stir.

Serve!

Another New Year

Well, it's that time again. Time for people to make resolutions that they'll forget (not that I'm guilty of that or anything...). But, here's a reminder: each day is a chance to better yourself. Don't let January 6, September 15, or July 27 keep you from being a better person - the "New Year" is just one of 365 chances to make your self a better person in 2015!

With that said, I do have two resolutions for 2015.

1. BLOG. I'll admit, I had this one last year and I didn't follow through. But, I'm hoping that without school (YAY, I graduated!) I will be able to focus on myself - and therefore blogging - a little bit more in 2015.
My goal for this is to blog at least once a week. A diary, if you will, of my experiences. In addition, I hope to add some tutorials, reviews, and other bloggy things to make it more interesting than a reiteration of every moment of my life!

2. Live in the moment. Now, this doesn't mean I'll be making rash decisions in 2015. But it does mean I hope to put down my phone more. Candy Crush and Facebook can wait until I'm done experiencing life!
My goal for this is to check my phone for texts/emails in down time. And check social media only 3-4 times per day - when I wake up, lunch, and before bed. Now, this has been a struggle thus far, but it'll only get better.

Does anyone have tips for making either of these goals happen?
What are your new years resolutions?