TGIF!

Well folks, it's FRIDAY!  Need I say more?  Although, I'm not sure why I'm so excited, I've been off work since Wednesday.  Maybe I'm excited because I get 2 more days off!  Yay!!  4th of July was traditional, spent with Family and eating BBQ, Yummy!  Today we went to the park and Aiyana flew her kite and played on the playground, here she is!

Needless to say, all that running around, kite flying, monkey bar swinging kind of day really wore her out!  This is the result LOL:

In other news I've been dieting lately -- not following anything specific, just replacing junk with better choices and counting calories.....so far, it's working out really well!  I saw myself in a picture today and I wasn't completely disgusted! LOL This, my friends, is progress.  For breakfast I had a Tiger's Milk Bar and some fresh fruit, for lunch I had a sandwich on whole wheat bread and a piece of string cheese, a Luna Bar for a snack in the afternoon, and a Lean Cuisine dinner -- for dinner!  I'm staying between 1200-1300 calories per day and so far I'm not starving or feeling faint!  Oh....and lots of water.  I've only been doing it for about a week and already my clothes are feeling "different".  One thing I have learned is that protein is really important to keep me feeling full between meals.  Sometimes for a snack I'll have a tablespoon of peanut butter and it holds me over until the next meal.  Wish me luck in my quest to become thinner, I will share my journey with you as I go....Have an awesome weekend my friends!

Case of the "Monday's"

So today wasn't all that bad but it wasn't great either...just sort of "blah" I would say.  I did some more craft shopping over the weekend and found lots more cute stuff to DIY or paint!! EEEK! I cannot wait!  My dining room table has turned into a craft table and we are now eating dinner on the couch folks LOL -- needless to say I'll be starting on my projects this week!  (6-foot folding table for crafts is on my list of things to buy -- immediately LOL)  4th of July is a Holiday and I am treating myself to Thursday and Friday off work as vacation days (much needed).  During my time this week I plan to DIY my heart out and get to painting and sanding and whatever else I need to do with my projects!  I will be SURE to post pics.  I have lots of frames sitting around that I've picked up at random stores like Good Will and I think one of my first projects is going to be a frame wall.  A focal point near my dining room table that looks something like this:

I'm not sure if my side frames are going to be black or antique white....haven't decided yet, but the layout will be similar to the photo.  Oh how I love Pinterest for the inspiration on decorating my home!  My home is mainly neutral tones, but lately I've been adding antique white, and I plan to also add pops of color like vintage blue or yellow...not TONS of those colors but a little "pop" here and there.  We'll see how it turns out and I will keep you all posted with photos as I go!  Fingers crossed! 



OMG!

Ok, anyone that knows me knows how I ADORE crafting, creating, designing, and....well, saving money anywhere I can!  For that reason I purchase a lot of my home decor items at Good Will, or other second hand stores.  I LOVE to shop for old vintage picture frames, candle sticks, shelves and other wood products -- then paint them, or somehow make them my own!  Today, as I was approaching the grocery store in my town, I saw a sign outside the Good Will that says:  "Customer Appreciation day - Everything 50% Off".....My car pretty much came to a screeching hault as I scoured the parking lot for a parking space.  I rushed into the store and straight to the home goods section - I bought several frames for pictures, a few wall shelves, a few baskets, a couple candle holders, wall sconces, and the list goes on!! I love the "shabby chic" more vintage type look so the distressed wood and "used" look fits perfectly for me.  I walked out with a huge cart full of home decor items and spent only $15!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG I am so thrilled.  I probably bought about 30 items.  I cannot wait to start painting, stenciling, sanding, etc!  I will post pictures of my finished DIY projects as soon as I can. I get most of my inspiration from Pinterest, magazines, and of course - my lovely Mother, who always seems to keep her house looking like it came out of Home & Garden magazine (am I jealous? Ok, a little!) but more inspired than anything else! For those of you who love to DIY and craft things of your own - second hand stores are great for home decor items!  And I am soooooooo not above shopping at a second hand store for home goods.  More money in my pocket = more money for my daughter's future.  HOLLER!!!!!!!

Welcome to the Life of Rashell! This is simply a blog about my life, my trials, tribulations, joys, successes, and everything in between!  A little about me....I'm a full-time single career mom with a beautiful and bubbly 6-year old girl.  I also have a passion for graphic arts and currently I am pursuing that as a career as well! In the coming months I'll be launching my own graphics line for photographers -- but that's another story, another day.  Needless to say, life is busy!!  Did I mention I'm also enrolled in college full-time?  As if I don't have enough on my plate....LOL I decided to add more!  Well folks....there is so much more but I think I'll just blog-as-I-go and not overload you with my life story in one post!  In a nutshell I'm 33 years old, single mom, career in HR, graphic arts on the side, live in Central California, VERY driven, obsessed with Pinterest and all things crafty or DIY, and in love with life!  So follow me....it might be a wild  and crazy ride but it will be oh so fun! Why would anyone care about what goes on in my every day life, you ask?  Well, I know a handful of people who genuinely care, a host of others who pretend to care (but really they're just nosey), and then there are those who don't even know me but might be able to relate to me.  Especially on the busy Mom part.  Hopefully I'm somehow helpful and inspiring to those who are following me and perhaps I can be inspired by some of you!  And let's face it.....blogging is cheaper than therapy LOL.  Have an awesome day my friends!! Talk to you soon.

P.S. - That's my daughter and I in the banner at the top of my blog.  I love her to pieces!

Here she is again...