Repurposing

I've been organizing my hobby room and needed a few jars for scissors, markers, etc, but nothing coordinated with my room.  Then it came to me.  The painted jars from Pinterest!  They're all over the place and look SUPER easy to make.  So I used some of my fave martha stewart craft paints and swirled them in two of the jars, then a tad of the paint from my pegboard and swirled it in the third jar.  Voila!  Pretty, functional and in perfect sync with the rest of the room.  Next time I'll take the time to find prettier bottles and create a more pleasing composition of five or so jars, these are random $ store acquisitions and for the time being they do the job.  If you want to see the original pin I followed click here.

Eating to lose weight!

I've just embarked on the arduous journey of weight loss, and I've found my most helpful friend in this task is ... FOOD.  I know, seems counter intuitive, but I find if I make really good food, then I don't mind the deprivation of doughnuts or cookies or other minions of the fattening world.  Pinterest is an evil temptress with all the mouth watering pics of flourless chocolate tarts, and gorgeous homemade breads.  However, she can also be a staunch supporter, with delectable salads, and sumptuous seafood.  Today I made cilantro lime shrimp with a pear gorgonzola salad.  I followed the shrimp recipe exactly, but made my own vinagrette for the salad.  I'll share that on some future post because it's beyond amazing and would make even cardboard taste good.  I think the entire meal took 15 minutes to make and less than three to eat.  It was so delicious I inhaled it....next time, I'll slow down and savor every bite.  See here and here for the original pins I followed.

Taking the Plunge

I'm starting this blog with some trepidation. I've played with the idea for a couple weeks, and while it sounds fun to use the superb ideas and inspirations from pinterest and apply them to my life; it's quite another thing to write it down and be potentially held accountable in my journey by friends, family and even strangers.

I'll clarify from the get-go, that I don't think a website can make you better or worse...but rather what you do with that website. For example if I wasted copious amounts of time on Pinterest and never did anything...then I'd be the worse for it. If I take the ideas and use them to explore and develop my interest, talents and passions, then I'll be the better for it.

My goal is to improve my and my family's quality of life. The areas in which I could use the most help are:

1. Organization and Cleaning
2. Cooking
3. Fitness
4. Toddler - education and activities

I'd also like to use my rare free time to pursue the things I enjoy. Such as:

1. Painting/Sketching
2. Crafting
3. Gardening

I will now go about the house and garden taking 'before' pics...and as I journey through this year of pinterest, we shall see what improvements occur. My goal is to post at least twice a week. Each time with a project or completed task that was inspired or enhanced by pinterest.

Wish me luck!