Tuesday Talk: More Acts of Kindness

Welcome back for another week of Tuesday Talk!

Last week we talked about acts of kindness you can do for your spouse.

Many of those acts can be easily switched for family and friends, 
people you know well enough to know their likes and dislikes.

This week let's talk about kindness towards those that surround us every day and we do not always notice: 
people at work and complete strangers.

When making my list I thought about things others have done for me 
and what I would appreciate when going about my work day and errands.

Here's what I came up with: 

At Work

Bring someone coffee
Deliver the mail
Say thank you for tasks completed
Send a note of encouragement and support for someone working overtime
Offer to help
Clean up the break room area
Leave a note for the janitorial staff
Compliment your coworker on their work
Bring in a treat to share
Be the first at a meeting and have water out for everyone
Make sure to ask about their weekend/big event/ etc.
Offer to run and get lunch for someone
Re-organize/clean up the storage/supply area
Make an effort to talk to the person that annoys you
Share your snack
Pray for your co-workers by name

For Strangers

Hold the door open
Say hello to everyone you pass
Pay for the person behind you
Let someone go ahead of you
Compliment a stranger
Share your umbrella
Have information for local charities and shelters to share with the homeless
For a set period of time find one item per day to donate
Write thank you notes for the employees of a non-for-profit you admire
Send a care package to a service man or woman
Leave a large tip
Tell a mother out with her crew that her family is beautiful
Offer your seat to someone standing
Bring a snack to the staff at the doctor's office

I'm sure together we can come up with many more ideas.

What is an act of kindness that you have performed or received?

Now for the link up!

Please make sure you link back to at least one of the hosts in your post, sidebar, or party page for the opportunity to be selected for our feature posts or pinned to our board.

Your blog is being shared on our 13 blogs and we would love it if you would return the favor and link back to us (you can grab the button below)! Thanks so much!

 

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Check out the Tuesday Talk guidelines here,  and check out the features from every week here!
  We'd love to connect with you! Please follow us in some way!

Beth - Our Pretty Little Girls ~ Michelle - Grammie Time

Keri - Living In This Season  ~ Christina - Waltzing In Beauty

Tara - Mrs. Coach Sims ~ Lauren - Simply Free

Jess and Katie - Sweet Little Ones ~ Whitney - Polka Dotty Place

Becky - BYBMG ~ Elizabeth - All Kinds Of Things

Sarah - Abiding In Grace ~ Amy - Go Forth and Mother

Emily - Morning Motivated Mom

I cannot wait to read your post!

Thanks for stopping by!

An InLinkz Link-up

Tuesday Talk: Football Fashion for Tailgate Tuesday

Welcome back for another week of Tuesday Talk!

This week we are thrilled to be joining forces with Erin of Love, Fun & Football

for her Tailgate Tuesday party to celebrate the beginning of football season!

I grew up in a house full mostly of women so there are many things about sports that I missed out on learning, but now that I'm grown I don't feel like I really missed out.

Even though sports were not a huge focus in our family, every fall there was nothing more special than packing up and heading to a football game with my dad at his Alma mater.

This was only beat by the extra special games when the whole family was able to attend or extended family came in, with a parking pass, and we hosted a tailgate.

The smell of burgers and brats floating in the air crisp with optimism of the outcome of the upcoming game. The fans milling around campus making sure to hit all their favorite spots. Racing from the Glee Club performance to meet the band on their march to the stadium.

Everything about the prep for the game is sprinkled with something akin to fairy dust.

It enchants me, draws me in, and my spirits are lifted up and fly.
These memories bring me such joy.

As I got older (and outgrew my cheerleader costume) preparation for the game went beyond tickets, food, and throwing on a sweatshirt. What to wear became a central question, as well as interpretation of the weather radar (I'm sure the weather was a factor before, 
but that was my mom's job until I was old enough to pick out my own clothes). 

Let's be honest ladies.

Sweatshirts can be cute, and some of us can look cute in them, 

but they would never make it to the list of attractive items to wear.
And another honest fact, branded clothing can get expensive and does not have the versatility of other items in your wardrobe. 

So what does one wear to a game?

Especially when the forecast of your destination can range from fabulous to miserable?

I have come up with some ideas for our entire football season!
A big key is to select items layers that follow your team's color scheme and mascot.

Seeing as everything I know about football I learned at the stadium of the University of Notre Dame and the Indiana weather offers a good deal of variety, we all get to be Irish fans today (or at least for the length of this post, but you really should consider it as a life decision)! For the Irish we can toy with shades of green, navy, and gold and pull in other Irish items such as shamrocks and plaid.
I hope you enjoy my efforts on combining football and fashion! 

August

In August the sun is most likely out and the temperature is somewhere between 65 and 90 degrees. Due to the optimum weather now is the perfect time to wear your team's tee (or a shirt in your team's colors). You could even wear a fun bracelet or headband. Sunscreen is a must and since you probably won't get a chance to reapply a longer pair of shorts and hat would be recommended to help protect you from the rays.

September 

Come September the weather can be trickier to predict.
Indian summers provide warmer days with brisk nights.
It is more than likely though that Autumn's crisp has set in and depending on the wind or the shade of your seats you may or may not need a jacket.
The art of layering comes in to play this month.
The good news is, there are a multitude of attractive options available to us.
This Fall standard outfit goes from everyday to game day with the addition of a pop of green and shamrock earrings both of which you could wear any day.

October

October can be another tricky month to predict, but precipitation and wind have more than likely come to join the mix. The rain can put a damper on spirits quickly. The key is to wear warm, breathable layers underneath so during the moments of dryness (or when you venture inside) you can remove your rain jacket and still feel put together. Some fun rainboots or a hint of jewelry can help brighten up your look.
A change of clothes (at least socks) is highly recommended

November

November is most undoubtedly going to be cold. Depending on how cold you may opt for long underwear and layers of socks (most long underwear is thin and breathable and works well with layering - they just might not go with your skinniest of skinny jeans). Wool sweaters, sock, mittens, and hats help keep the heat in (note the Irish cable to support my team - yes, I'm a nerd) and bonus points for finding a scarf in a plaid resembling that of the band. An insulated coat that covers your seat when seated is a great choice (especially if you find one that sports your team's colors). Even though the snow might not be falling, it's time to pull out your winter boots. Those bleachers get cold fast! 

Go Irish!

Now it's time for you to link up!
Thank you for letting us join you, Erin!

Please make sure you link back to at least one of the hosts in your post, sidebar, or party page for the opportunity to be selected for our feature posts or pinned to our board.

Your blog is being shared on our 13 blogs and we would love it if you would return the favor and link back to us (you can grab the button below)! Thanks so much!

 

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 Check out the Tuesday Talk guidelines here,  and check out the features from every week here!
  We'd love to connect with you! Please follow us in some way!

Beth - Our Pretty Little Girls ~ Michelle - Grammie Time

Keri - Living In This Season  ~ Christina - Waltzing In Beauty

Tara - Mrs. Coach Sims ~ Lauren - Simply Free

Jess and Katie - Sweet Little Ones ~ Whitney - Polka Dotty Place

Becky - BYBMG ~ Elizabeth - All Kinds Of Things

Sarah - Abiding In Grace ~ Amy - Go Forth and Mother

Emily - Morning Motivated Mom

I cannot wait to read your post!

Thanks for stopping by!

An InLinkz Link-up

Tuesday Talk: Love and Hate

Welcome to Tuesday Talk!

 

Michelle tagged all of us Tuesday Talk hosts to do our own Love and Hate posts.

I have not done a post like this in a long while and with all the new faces around here, I thought it was perfect timing to do a “getting to know you” post.

 

The gist is to make a list of ten things you love and ten things you hate (I try to avoid using the word hate because it is so strong, so let’s say dislike with a passion instead) and tag ten friends to write their own post. Since it’s Joy-gust, I’m going to start with my dislikes so we can end on a joyful note thinking about the things we love.

 

Here it goes!

 

I dislike…

 

Chewing with one’s mouth open

Being rushed

Being put on the spot

Crass humor

Being told to do something I am already doing

Snakes – especially large ones that can swallow humans whole

Objectifying people

Mosquito bites

Condescending attitudes

Horror films – I do not understand the fun in being terrified

 

 

I love…

 

Decorative pillows – it’s amazing how a pillow can pull all the colors in the room together or add a unique twist to a standard color palate.

Children’s literature – I could read Winnie the Pooh and Anne of Green Gables forever

Organizing closets, cabinets, dressers – the feeling of accomplishment is the best

Good business – an unique angle, stellar marketing, great customer service it makes me happy

Drinking tea outside – there’s something so peaceful about sitting in nature

A fresh snowfall – before anyone’s feet have touched the crisp white blanket

Pops of red – in an outfit, meal, or room it completes the picture

Baking cookies – oatmeal chocolate chip are my favorite

Perfume d’ bebe – how do babies smell so sweet?

Being an aunt – there are no words to describe the joy

 

I tag you!

 

Link back your Love and Hate post, and any other post, with Tuesday Talk!

 

 Next week we'll be getting ready for Football season, so prep your recipes and tips, to link up here and with Erin from Love, Fun and Football for her Tailgate Tuesday party.

 

Please make sure you link back to at least one of the hosts in your post, sidebar, or party page for the opportunity to be selected for our feature posts or pinned to our board.

Your blog is being shared on our 13 blogs and we would love it if you would return the favor and link back to us (you can grab the button below)! Thanks so much!

 

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 Check out the Tuesday Talk guidelines here, 
and check out the features from every week here!
  We'd love to connect with you! Please follow us in some way!

Beth - Our Pretty Little Girls ~ Michelle - Grammie Time

Keri - Living In This Season  ~ Christina - Waltzing In Beauty

Tara - Mrs. Coach Sims ~ Lauren - Simply Free

Jess and Katie - Sweet Little Ones ~ Whitney - Polka Dotty Place

Becky - BYBMG ~ Elizabeth - All Kinds Of Things

Sarah - Abiding In Grace ~ Amy - Go Forth and Mother

Emily - Morning Motivated Mom

I cannot wait to read your post!

Thanks for stopping by! 
 

An InLinkz Link-up

Introducing Joy-gust

Happy August!

Can you believe it is August already?

Me neither!

 

Well, August is here and to stay (for the next twenty-something days that is) and that means one thing…

 

Joy-gust!

 

Yep, I’m bringing Joy-gust back.

Last year my word of the year was joy. I designated August to focus on joy in a special way and Joy-gust was born.

 

Joy can be defined as a great happiness and giving happiness.

 

A gust is a sudden outburst or surge.

 

Joy-gust is about a surge of finding and spreading joy in my life.

 

For August, my goal is to practice daily acts that create joy - to take the focus off of me, myself, and I, and find an act of kindness I can do for others.

 

Would you like to join me?

Wonderful!

 

Check back for words of wisdom that foster a joyful attitude, ideas for acts of kindness, reflections on the subject, and support throughout the month.

 

August is our month!

Let’s make choosing joy a way of life!

 

Hugs,

Christina



#EncourageBeauty

Have you heard of the #EncourageBeauty campaign?

Anna of In Honor of Design and Hilary of Dean Street Society

initiated it a little over a year and a half ago.

It inspired my Questions of the Heart Guest Post Series

and more for many women.

Well, they brought it back in an Instagram challenge for this week

and brought more hostesses on board!

 

via

 

I love everything about this challenge.

Helping others know their worth and their beauty inside and out,

this makes my heart sing.

 

Thank you, Anna and Hilary!

 

So if you are not already,

will you join me

in recognizing the beautiful gift of you

and showcasing those you love?

 

Do not worry about coming in half way through the week!

I will be right alongside you!

Consider this a state of my brain address,

I thought the challenge started next week.

Sigh.

 

Consider this your Joy-gust inspiration for the day.

See you over on Instagram!

 

 

Hugs,

Christina

 

P.S. You can follow me on Instagram: @waltzinginbeauty

Nothing to Nowhere

A few weeks ago I found myself in my childhood neighborhood for a meeting.

Not only was my meeting in the neighborhood I came home from the hospital to,

but just down the street from my parents' first house.

 

I was early and the idea of killing time on my phone while baking in my car was not appealing

so I decided to roam and visit some memories.

It had been nineteen years since I had lived there,

boy does that number make me feel twice as old

and yet I navigated myself through the neighborhood with ease.

 

It is amazing how much we can remember when we are in the right environment.

I felt like I was back on my little bike on a summer day trailing behind my sister.

 

This way to the house of our babysitter.

That way to the pool.

Around the curve to our friend's home.

Straight at the stop sign for the modern stucco house that still does not quite fit in.

 

Then I got to a stop sign.

This was the edge of where I was allowed to ride my bike.

Turning left would take me back around to home.

Turning right would take me into a place never ventured.

 

The little girl in me,

I know her so very well,

hesitated at the choice to make as if choosing between right or wrong.

The turn signal clicked

and I felt that horrible blend of excitement and fear at the start of a new adventure.

I charged onward enjoying the scenery of this new and familiar place.

 

And as often happens when caution is thrown to the wind,

I found myself completely and utterly lost.

 

No longer am I the little girl on a bike crossing her boundaries,

but the feeling of relief when finding your way home is still the same.

 

Joy-gust inspiration:

 

Be Joy Filled:

Do you have a favorite childhood item stored away in a closet?

Pull it out and incorporate it into your home décor.

 

Spread Joy:

Make a favorite recipe and share it with a friend.

 

Hugs,

Christina



 

 

 

 

 



All Is As It Should

 

Fill up with Joy:

Go for a walk.

Try documenting the things that make you stop and take a second look.

 

Spread Joy:

Say hello to everyone you pass.

Don't forget to smile!

 

Join me for Joy-gust!

Hugs,

Christina

 

 

Brush Strokes

Guest lists are a great exercise.

 

Yes, it can be overwhelming to see the number grow,

but it also quite humbling.

 

Each number represents a person

that changed your life in an irreplaceable way.

 

Each one of them is a stroke of the brush that paints the picture of your life

and without them the picture of such an important day in your life is not be complete.

 

Thank goodness for ballrooms.

 

Joy-gust Inspiration

 

 

Be Joy-filled:

Do you have a picture on your phone or computer that you just adore?

Print it off and display it in your home.

You'll enjoy it so much more.

 

Spread Joy:

Write a note to the people that you are with on a daily basis,

thanking them for the qualities that they share with you

and the role they play in your life.

 

Happy Monday!

 

Hugs,

Christina

 

 

Because the ultimate cure for the Monday blues is 
something that will make you smile and grateful for what you have.  

These things make me smile and hopefully they will make you smile too.

 

 



Seven Quick Takes or Control, China, Colors, and Cardio

--1--

 

Some days it is hard to feel in control of, well, you.

 

It seems like everyone and everything needs something from you

and you do not have time to get your checklist done

and then you look in the mirror and you see

a very frazzled, sour puss with dark circles and caffeine induced jitters.

 

Sometimes we get lucky, because no one else sees her.

One time to be thankful for hallucinations, right?

Sometimes we get lucky, because people love her anyway.

 

One thing that I started implementing remind myself that I am in control of myself

and to help me get through my own checklist while assisting those I serve,

is not checking my email first thing in the morning.

Checking emails before checking my to do list makes me feel very overwhelmed

and my list gets lost in the urgency of answering everyone right away.

It is hard.

I am not so good at it, but now I have a voice in my head saying,

"Stop it!"

But I have noticed a difference

between the days I am successful at waiting until a specified time and those that I do not.

The next step is not checking email constantly.

 

--2--

 

Did you pick your china pattern?

Has replaced, "Do you know your colors?"

as most popular question of the week.

Thanks to B and the posting of this picture under the heading:

"It begins..."

 

I should have believed him when he said he was taking a FB picture.

 

So to answer both questions:

(1) No, we were at the mall for something else and looked for less than a minute,

but I am super excited to pick out china.

(2) Wedding planning is a bit overwhelming because of all the options and directions you can go and then there is actually being able to find what you have in your head in real life part.

All this being said, I am one hundred percent certain that my colors will be red or not red.

 

P.S. I am not complaining. I love every single bit about being engaged.

I think I was born for this. *wink*

 

--3--

 

Need a new workout for your routine?

Try learning a dance routine in a favorite music video.

I am taking a Michael Jackson dance class this month and I love it.

It is a lot of fun learning the moves and trying to keep up with the music.

Forty-five minutes of Thriller had me sweating.

 

--4--

 

Speaking of working out...

 

All you avid runners out there, I need your help.

Oh and all you asthma sufferers, too!

 

I am a baby runner,

as in, I struggle through running a mile at jog-like speeds.

My goal is not to run a marathon or anything,

I just would like to go for a run around the neighborhood a couple times a week

and not feel like I am going to cough up a lung.

My problem is, I have exercised induced asthma.

I know how to pace myself and get through it in other physical activities,

but I struggle with breathing while I run.

Any tips or things that helped you when you started?

 

--5, 6, 7--

 

And some inspiration for your Joy-gust:

 

 

Spread Joy:

Compliment a stranger every day.

 

Fill up with Joy:

Is there a color that makes you smile?

Add a splash of it to your outfit or wardrobe.

 

Have a wonderful weekend!

 

Hugs,

Christina

 

Linking up with Jen for Seven Quick Takes