The Rosy Life: Kicking it old school!

Hello rosy friends! I've sort of been hoarding my photos and words, keeping them tucked into my mind and on my camera. Sometimes I feel pressure to only post my "big camera" photos seeing as I am a photographer. But, this post is just as real life as those. I keep it old school with my trusty iPhone 5 (I hear they're on 10 now!) and it hasn't let me down yet. Better yet, it can easily tuck into my back pocket, leaving my hands free for my baby.

The past couple of weeks I've had fun including some new recipes, adventures, and decorating ideas into my schedule, just little snippets here and there. First, is this old-school bulletin board.

You all know I simply adore Pinterest! It is seriously like taking a mini mental vacation for me. But there's still just something about tearing pages out of magazines and keeping them to flip through. I am totally a magazine gal. Have been for years. This week I took this thrifted bulletin board, tacked up some of my magazine tear-outs, and last, added some screen shot pics from my phone. Totally getting inspiration off my phone and into my real life. I feel so inspired every time I walk past this!

Wondering where I put the bulletin board? This is a hint. A couple weeks ago I went looking for a desk. The amount of paperwork I have right now for three kids (and one a foster kiddo) is kind of staggering. It never ends. I have a dresser I use as a stand-up desk but wanted somewhere else to actually sit occasionally. Okay, so sit in the evenings because there is hardly any sitting during the day. I scoured our local thrift stores and was so let down. Maybe it's just the trendy factor of NWA, but junky desks were at least $75, minimum! Ummmm.....no.

Very last minute on my way home after far too long looking, I stopped in the local Salvation Army store and saw this beauty. I immediately knew I wanted it, already picturing it painted a different color. It came with a ginormous dresser and mirror that were totally gorgeous, but not needed in my home. I asked if they would only sell me this piece and they said yes! I purchased it for $39.

Here's the after! :) I just love it.

What you can't see in the "before" photo is a layer of bad looking contact paper on the top of the desk. I scraped that off, sanded the desk, and then used spray-paint on it. Ideally I would have purchased a very nice paint and spent a long time redoing the desk. However, my life just doesn't allow for that and the spray paint worked awesome!

Desk total: $47

I've also been doing this pattern with my health: Eat awesome, exercise, drink water, repeat. Hit the weekend and struggle to keep it up. Then back on the healthy stuff. (sigh) I really am trying so hard to stay motivated and this week have totally had HIGH energy levels and a clear mind, gut, and moods, all because of my healthy eating and drinking enough water. I'm telling myself to keep it up this weekend, even when there are more foods to distract me. Anyone relate?

Here's how I'm staying motivated:

Food prep! I've mentioned this a thousand times on the blog, but it is a game-changer for me. I prepped these salads above and made a super yummy avocado dressing to go on top. Lunch today for me will be easy! The fridge also has: dairy-free alfredo, roasted sweet potatoes, frittata, avocado, and soft-boiled eggs.

Water: My goal is to drink a gallon a day. So realistically here's how I make that happen: I get up and have a mug of warm lemon water first, then 32 ounces of water BEFORE coffee even. Then another 32 ounces of water before lunch. That leaves two more 32 ounce bottles to drink the second half of the day, which is always more of a struggle for me because there is just so much to do, chore and kid-wise. And TMI, but yes, I'm in the bathroom a ton drinking this much water but my skin, body, and head (headaches are gone!) feel amazing. So it's worth it.

I also really love following motivating people on IG.

Current faves:

https://www.instagram.com/awilsonwellness/

https://www.instagram.com/nataliecreates/

(she has been sharing a lot in her IG stories)

https://www.instagram.com/candacecbure/

https://www.instagram.com/kirastokesfit/

(This trainer is RIPPED, way more fit looking than I'll ever be! However she shares many, many workout moves and videos you can do at home with little to no equipment! So helpful!)

Long story short-there really are a few food groups that just do NOT settle well with my stomach and head and gut at all. This might sound like the trend everyone is on when I tell you what they are, but it's so true. Dairy, sugar, and too many carbs are all a recipe for disaster for me. Also, not drinking enough water makes me crave food (junky usually) more so water is so essential again to my days.

This week instead of our weekly quiche I made a frittata, eliminating the cheese and crust of a typical quiche. Everyone liked it! Even my picky eater! I even snuck some squash and peppers in there. ;)

Here is another recipe we all love, from a favorite blogger Minimalist Baker.

You can google "dairy-free alfredo, minimalist baker" and find this complete recipe. You guys, my kids LOVE alfredo and I do too, until an hour or so after. Then I just deal with the worst tummy issues from all the cheese and cream cheese and pasta. So, I've been making this instead and all three of my kiddos gobble it up. They eat it on regular pasta and I eat it on top of roasted sweet potato. Mostly because I haven't learned to use my spiralizer yet.

Other simple joys the past week or two have been the warmer weather! Although I admit I am starting to give up on a snow day. BUT, we've been on the farm and down to the creek several times already and my goodness how wonderful it feels.

The light is just so magical, even when the surrounding area is just so brown. The kids like to throw rocks in the water and try to break the ice that occasionally still hangs around. In warmer months they are allowed to get in and play!

Beauty can be found almost anywhere.

In my happy place.

We've also been exploring our local parks some! Last week we ventured off the beaten path at a park and discovered a waterfall. The girls were so thrilled! Of course, I am back on a mission to find heart rocks everywhere I go.

I've been trying to not let my life and schedule rule me, but instead still slow down enough to look for moments of beauty, joy, and wonder in my day-to-day. These little rainbows were just that.