Kickstart Your New Year with Healthy Habits

The start of a new year is a perfect time to refresh your routines and embrace healthy habits that set the tone for the months ahead. Whether you’re looking to boost your energy, improve your mindset, or bring more balance into your life, small, intentional changes can make a big difference. Here are a few simple yet powerful habits to kick off your new year on a positive note:

1. Prioritize Daily Movement Movement doesn’t have to mean a rigorous gym session. A brisk walk, stretching routine, or dancing to your favorite songs can invigorate your body and mind. Consistent daily movement helps improve mood, increase energy, and support overall health.

2. Create a Morning Routine You Love How you start your day can set the tone for everything that follows. Incorporate activities that energize and inspire you—whether it’s sipping a warm cup of tea while journaling, meditating, or reading a motivational quote to spark creativity and focus.

3. Hydrate More It’s simple but often overlooked: staying hydrated is vital for your health. Invest in a water bottle you love and make it a habit to drink water throughout the day. Adding a slice of lemon or a splash of fruit can make hydration more enjoyable.

4. Embrace Mindful Moments Practicing mindfulness doesn’t require hours of meditation. Pause for a few deep breaths during stressful moments, savor your meals without distractions, or spend time observing nature to center yourself in the present.

5. Declutter Your Space A fresh start feels even better in a tidy, organized space. Take time to declutter one room or even just one drawer. Creating a peaceful, clean environment can help clear mental space and boost productivity.

6. Celebrate Small Wins Instead of focusing solely on large, long-term goals, take time to acknowledge small victories. Did you complete a challenging task? Stick to your new habit for a week? Pause to celebrate these moments—they are steps toward bigger successes.

Starting the new year with healthy, sustainable habits can help you feel more balanced, focused, and energized. Remember, it’s not about perfection; it’s about progress. Choose one or two habits to begin with and enjoy the positive ripple effects they bring into your life!

Hope this inspires you to embrace positive changes in your life. Thanks for stopping by, and here’s to a happy, healthy new year!

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“Love yourself enough to live a healthy lifestyle.” ~Jules Robson

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Happy Mother’s Day💐✨

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Here’s to the ones who make every day brighter, every moment sweeter, and who sprinkle magic in everything they do. Happy Mother’s Day to all the incredible moms out there! Your love knows no bounds, and today, we celebrate you 💐✨

Happy Mothers Day!!

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“Mothers hold their children’s hands for a short while, but their hearts forever.” ~Unknown

Thoughtful Thursday – Statue of Liberty

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July 4, 1884, France gifted to the United States the Statue of Liberty for the 100th birthday of our country. What a monumental and inspirational gift she was and still is. She stands for many things but each part is represented by a different element in her design.

Lady Liberty’s torch is a symbol of enlightenment to show us the path to freedom, liberty and justice. The crown which is a halo with rays like the sun are another way for her to enlighten the world. The tablet Lady Liberty holds in her left hand is inscribed with Roman numerals which read July 4, 1776, and represent a book of law. The broken chains and shackle at her feet show she is free from servitude and oppression especially with the recent abolition of slavery in the country at that time.

Lady Liberty stands 305 feet tall, including the pedestal in New York Harbor. From 1892 to 1954 she has greeted more than 12 million immigrants and travelers that entered the United States through the Ellis Island Gateway. She is a inspiring symbol to all of us.

I hope you enjoyed this post today. Wishing you a Happy and Safe 4th of July!

Thanks for stopping by!

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Thoughtful Thursday – Show Dad Your Love

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I can’t believe that Father’s Day will already be here this Sunday, June 18th. This is a special day to celebrate those great dads who are here with us today and also to honor and remember those who are no longer with us.

Dads have a unique style all of their own in how they handle life and teach us what they know. I learned so much from my dad and he was the one who inspired me to create art. My love for photography, roses and birds all came from him. So how will you show your love to that great man?

Here are a few ideas for Father’s Day:

  • Make a handmade card with a personal photo.
  • Make a photo collage of memorable moments.
  • Have an outdoor celebration in the park, beach or your own backyard.
  • Take dad out on a sporting adventure of his choice.
  • Go camping for a night.
  • Cook his favorite dinner.
  • Have a backyard movie night.
  • Build something fun together.
  • Spend an evening star gazing.
  • Spend a nice day together talking about fun memories.
  • Take him on a fun road trip.
  • Go to a sports game together.
  • Tour a vineyard or brewery.

Wishing all Dad’s a very Happy Father’s Day!

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“A father is neither an anchor to hold us back nor a sail to take us there, but a guiding light whose love shows us the way.” ~Unknown

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Thoughtful Thursday – Give Mom a Gift that Touches her Heart 💖

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Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 14th. Often we take for granted all the wonderful things that mom’s do for us everyday. Like the pile of clean clothes that magically appear in your dresser or the sweet love note with encouraging words that are hidden in your lunch bag. What about the breakfast or dinner that’s ready to go just when you’re starving, in a rush and don’t have time to make anything for yourself. Let’s not forget all the love and support they give as the biggest fan of our lives!

This Mother’s Day give her a gift that touches her heart. Here are some ideas to get you started:

  • Spend the day with her doing her favorite things.
  • Serve her favorite home cooked meal on a beautifully decorated table.
  • Create a themed meal from a place that she wants to visit.
  • Bake her favorite sweet treats and serve them up bistro style.
  • Plan a walk or hike in her favorite park and enjoy the great outdoors.
  • Go to the nursery with her and get a few flowers to plant in her garden.
  • Take her on a picnic and spend a quiet afternoon talking.
  • Go on a nice bike ride and stop for a light bite.
  • Spend an afternoon at the local museum.
  • If she has a lot of responsibilities offer to pitch in and give her the day off.
  • Serve her breakfast in bed or cook a morning brunch.
  • Watch her favorite movies with her and bring all of her favorite snacks.
  • Take an art class with her, whether online or in person and create something together.
  • Make a scrapbook filled with all of your favorite memories and photos of her.
  • Make her a handmade card or mini book with special photos or memorabilia.
  • If you’re computer savvy, create a video slide show of your favorites times spent together.
  • Make her a spa basket with handmade treatments (plenty of recipes can be found online).

Get creative, put a little extra thought into it and give her a special gift from your heart!

Thanks for stopping by!!

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“When you look into your mother’s eyes, you know that is the purest love you can find on this earth.” ~Mitch Albom

Expressions of Love Update

I’m working in online classes learning new techniques to improve my skills. When I need to take a break I love to paint my canvases and I was able to finish two more pieces for my Expressions of Love Collection. The one canvas above is bold and popping while the other one below is softer.

I like to photograph my canvases outdoors in the natural sunlight; unfortunately the weather hasn’t been cooperating lately. But I plan to have these listed in my Etsy Shop later this week.

Everyone wants to feel loved and appreciated, especially those who work hard making your life better. I created this Expressions of Love Collection to honor those special souls. Visit my Etsy Shop to see the full collection.

What do you think of these two new paintings?

Thanks for stopping by!!

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“Love is forgiving and love is for giving.” ~ Wayne Dyer

Expressions of Love Works in Progress

I’ve been busy in online classes learning new skills and taking breaks in between working on my canvases for the Expressions of Love Collection. I love how the colorful backgrounds make the hearts pop!

In talking with others I find so many feel unappreciated and taken for granted. No one likes going unnoticed for all the work they do. Sometimes a simple “Thank You” can have a huge impact on their day. So make sure to say “Thank You” to those who brighten your days.

The four paintings shown here are a work in progress so stay tuned. They’ll be available in my Etsy Shop soon. What do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks for stopping by!!

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“Love is forgiving and love is for giving.” ~ Wayne Dyer

Expressions of Love Update

A quick shop update. I always felt that we should express our love and appreciation to those we care about every day and not limit it to one day a year. And that was my motivation in creating this new line, Expressions of Love.

These 5×5 inch paintings were created on a thick 1.5 inch canvas so have the choice on how to display them. You can hang them in a small area or you could buy several and hang them as a nice grouping on your wall. The other option which I love with this thick canvas is that you can easily stand it on it’s side making it perfect decor for a desk, shelf or counter.

They are happy and fun paintings that will brighten up any space. They’ll come packaged in a pretty cellophane bag and tied with ribbon. These are the first two paintings I have available in my Etsy Shop and I’ll be adding more this week.

What do you think?

Thanks for stopping by!!

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True Love Whimsical Village

I made this little village a while ago and bring it out every year as part of my Valentine’s Day decoration. It was created on an 8×10 inch canvas which I painted first. If you don’t have a canvas, a sheet of watercolor paper would also work just as well.

While the paint dried, I designed and cut some wonky, whimsical homes from Valentine themed cardstock. The doors and windows were made using shaped punches but you could easily cut them by hand.

Once I had all of my parts cut, I made sure everything fit together before gluing it on to the canvas. I added a few stickers, rhinestones and sequins for interest. And finished it off with some doodles, shading and highlights. Of course lets not forget the glitter for the bit of sparkly magic.

There are so many variations that you can make, just use your imagination and supplies you have on hand!

Hope this inspires you in some way, thanks for stopping by!!!

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“Love one another and you will be happy. It’s as simple and as difficult as that.” ~Michael Leunig

    Expressions of Love Collection💖

    I love Valentine’s Day but it’s sad that it’s only celebrated one day out of the year. Our love for others should be celebrated everyday and not limited to a single day. So I decided to fix that and came up with the idea to start the Expressions of Love Collection.

    I thought it would be a great way to tell some one how much you care and appreciate them. They could be perfect gifts for weddings, anniversaries, or a simple I love you! You could even gift one to show your appreciation to a special some one for all that they do.

    The four paintings shown here are a work in progress so stay tuned. They’ll be available in different sizes and styles to fit your specific needs. Best of all, they will available all year.

    What do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

    Thanks for stopping by!!

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    “Forever and always, from me to you. My love is pure, my love is true. It is gifted to none other than you.” ~Truth Devour