Confidence {The Shine Project Challenge}

Today I'm linking up to The Shine Project's weekly challenge. This week is all about CONFIDENCE. The question that was asked was:

If you saw a mother treat her daughter the way you treat yourself,

how would you feel about that mother?

First, I have to say that over the years I've started to give myself more credit for who I am, but that doesn't say that I'm not my hardest critic.

I walk by the mirror and judge my size {gross look at that bulge}, my hair {why doesn't it do anything?}, my face {round and is that another chin?}.

Source: Pinterest

I question my work {am I good enough, creative enough?}.

Source: Pinterest

I wish I could cross a few more things off my ever expanding 'to do' list each day {why does it take me so long to accomplish some things?}.

Source: Pinterest

But you know what, everything I critique myself on is really lame when I look back at it. So, if I saw a mother treat her daughter the way I treat myself...well let's just say the word LAME is the nicest thing I would think about her. I would also think she is HARSH, CRUEL, MEAN, UNKIND and COLD.  

The funny thing is, when I look in the mirror I don't see myself as lame, harsh, cruel, mean, unkind or cold. I see me. A person who loves to help others. A person who is creative and can't wait for the next inspiring project to begin. A person that is motivated everyday to add things to her 'to do' list {and cross things off because let's admit it, that is a pretty good feeling}. A person who loves to be around people.

It's time for us to look in the mirror and stop dwelling on the things we cannot change and focus on our positive attributes {and when I say 'we' I really do include myself}. Did you notice that my positive attributes have NOTHING to do with my appearance or questioning myself? They focused on me and my personality.

So where does confidence fit in with all of this? In our society we learn early on to focus on our appearances and things that we may not even be able to alter. To be more confident we need to start focusing on the good we hold inside. Have you noticed that as most people age they get more confident? I think that is because they stop caring about what everyone else is thinking and they have begun adding so many more meaningful relationships and attributes to their lives that they no longer need the acceptance from the general public {or the peanut gallery}. So, I say, let's make ourselves better by doing what makes us happy, whether that is belting out a tune in the car or bringing a neighbor some baked treats. Once we find what makes us happy then our confidence will grow with it and shine through.

Source: Pinterest

Good luck to all of you. I know that this is not an easy task but I'm excited to start empowering myself more and building my confidence with positivity.



Also, please don't forget to 'like' Collide Studio on facebook. When I get up to 50 'likes' I'll pick one fan to win a free invitation or announcement design from my Etsy shop {$14 value, the only catch is that they will have to use it by the end of August}.

Living A Healthy Lifestyle {The Shine Project Challenge}

This month The Shine Project is focusing on body image. Last week was about beauty. I know that I'm a week late but I got this in an email this week and had to share it. It is a poem Audrey Hepburn wrote when asked to share her beauty tips.

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.

People, even more than things have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed;

never throw out anyone.

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms. As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands; one for helping yourself and the other for helping others. 

I just think that was beautifully written and had to share.

Now, onto this week's challenge. How will I be living a healthier lifestyle?I'm not going to lie, being pregnant opens the flood gates for food and laziness. I'm less strict with myself and while I'm at the grocery store I find myself looking at items like these...



Not good choices, I know. But, I do supplement that with fruit and normal meals.

My Healthy Lifestyle Goals

On average I only eat fruit 3-4 times per week.

My goal: Eat fruit at least once per day {most likely with my bowl of Crispex cereal in the morning}

Lately I've been a little lazy with dinner. I make dinner but I don't always make sure we have a salad or vegetable included.

My goal: Include a salad or vegetable with every dinner. {Check out my easy peasy recipe below for grilled veggies. They taste great!}

Snacking...I love a little afternoon snack of chips or something that I can just pull out of the cupboard.

My goal: Instead of chips have pretzels, pita chips or something healthier. That way I'm not totally depriving myself of something salting and crunchy but I'm choosing a smarter option.

Grilled Veggies Recipe

I will be the first to admit that I'm a picky eater when it comes to vegetables. I've gotten better over the years and I think that has A LOT to do with learning how to prepare them so I'll eat them. This recipe is so easy and delish.

What You'll Need

Veggies {I prefer yellow and orange sweet bell peppers, zucchini, portabella mushrooms.}

Olive Oil {about 1/2-3/4 cup, depends on how many veggies you use}

Worcestershire Sauce {about 1/4 cup, once again depends on how many veggies you use}

In a large Ziploc bag combine clean and cut veggies, olive oil and Worcestershire sauce. {Hint: You  need enough oil/sauce to coat all of the veggies. They don't need to be soaking in it.}

Shake it up and put it in the refrigerator to marinate for about 20 minutes.

Use a grill pan on your grill so the veggies don't fall through. In about 10 minutes your veggies will be ready to eat. Viola...you'll have delicious veggies to serve on the side or over couscous.

Note: Before this recipe I wouldn't even touch bell peppers.

I'm linking this post up at The Shine Project today. Stop by and check it out.

Through Maggy's Eyes {The Shine Project Photo Challenge}

Maggy, after 'girl time' at the salon getting our hair did. Don't you just love her purple braid.

Life is simple, the world is relatively kind and love is abundant through Maggy's eyes. 19 years ago we eagerly awaited the arrival of a little baby. It was an exciting time and a hard time. Maggy was born with Down Syndrome. I remember tears, but the tears were there because we didn't understand. At that time Down Syndrome was less talked about. The tears were for the unknown. Looking back now, I'd like to think they were tears of joy. I never could have imagined how one person could take a hold of your entire heart in so many ways.

Maggy all pretty for prom...complete with her white tennis shoes and pink shoe laces.

In our house Maggy was not and is not treated special. Sure, she had therapy from an early age and got more toys but when it came down to it, she has always been treated just like any other kid in our house. That is why today she is a sassy, sometimes crabby teenager. When you least suspect it she lets out a sarcastic remark {mostly it's the kind that you don't know if you should laugh or hide your laughter}. She can be stubborn and gives my mom a hard time about everything {waking up for school, taking a shower, going for a walk, and the list goes on}. She drives the golf cart. Cautiously rides her bike {We had a little 'popper wheelie' accident and broke a training wheel some years ago that she will not let me live down}, goes to school dances and loves going to see the doctor. Which leads me to why Maggy SHINES and what she taught me this week.

A day at the zoo. Maggy loves animals.

Earlier this week I went up to help my mom get things ready for Maggy's graduation party. It just so happened that Maggy also had a doctor's appointment that afternoon {Maggy is one of the only people you will ever meet who wants to go to the doctor.}. We ran some errands in the morning.

Half way through Walmart. Maggy says,  "Mom, I have my doctor's appointment!"

While we were choosing where we should grab lunch. Maggy repeats,  "Remember, my doctor's appointment."

At the dollar store. Maggy worries, "Mom, don't forget my doctor's appointment."

Finally it was Maggy's favorite time, or should I say her time to SHINE. As soon as Maggy walked in the door she was greeted like a celebrity. Everyone, and I mean everyone {from the check-in lady to the one that draws Maggy's blood, to an admin person, the nurse and doctor} knows and LOVES Maggy. This was Maggy's time. It was all about her. She was the center of attention and she loved it. In the short amount of time we were there she introduced me to everyone, had a conversation about summer {Maggy reminded me that it was part of her socialization. Socialization is something that Maggy has been working on this year at school. Little things that we take for granted like making eye contact when talking to someone. Well she has made great strides and loves socializing.}, joked around with the nurse and doctor, hid from the doctor, made a sarcastic remark {In true Maggy style, when you least suspected it.} and got quite a few smiles from people in the waiting room.

You see, through Maggy's eyes, people are good. There is no judgment until they do something terrible to wrong her. Through Maggy's eyes hugs are a gift, you don't need to purchase material items. Maggy sees things simply. A trip to the doctor's office made her day because people knew her name and talked to her. The little things matter, like going shopping with my mom and me to pick out stuff for her graduation party. Humor is added, when needed and when you least suspect it.

Trying on hats while we shopped one day.

Maggy shines because she brings happiness, love and humor to so many people. She touches your heart in ways that are unimaginable. I know that Maggy was sent to us as a gift from God, to teach us what really matters in our lives.

Everyday I'm going to try a little harder to see the world through Maggy's eyes. A world of less evil and more good. Time to enjoy the little things in life, jokes to fill in the dull times and priceless hugs to pull it all together.

I'm linking this post up over at The Shine Project. The Shine Project is all about making the world a better place. Stop by and check it out.