27th + Luxe: the luxe life

Showing posts with label the luxe life. Show all posts

I know, I know - I'm a day early, but I prefer to do these things on Monday. For the past 15 or 16 weeks I've been linking up with Melyssa over at The Nectar Collective for Weekly Wishes. It's proven to be effective for me. I started participating because I've been procrastinating a lot lately and it has really helped me to stay on track. But I've decided that I'm ready to share monthly goals with you and I'll also be sharing business goals as well, something I found over on Think & Grow Chick. If you're starting a business, have a business, or you're thinking about starting a business, you may want to think about giving this a try. This is something I'll be implementing on my new site as well, so I wanted to go ahead and get started!

JULY MONTHLY GOALS

// Review branding. I created my own style elements this time around (if you want to call them that!) and I need to be sure I'm okay with them. I'm sure they are just fine, but I tend to second guess myself.

// Begin creative coaching course. I'm so excited! This course starts today. I'm ready to work through the material and get this party started!

// Put newsletter content into an editorial calendar. I finally created an editorial calendar for this thing. When I launch my new site, I'll be able to create more newsletter with better quality content. By the way, if you haven't yet, sign up here.

//Outline my business processes. It all seems so easy and put together in my head. But, once I start mapping it out on paper, it really turns into a lot, so I'll be spending some time on it this month.

CHALLENGES

// Staying on track. I have goals for my new site, so staying on track while I'm working on this blog and the new site is a challenge. I've reduced the number of posts I create here on 27th + Luxe, but I don't want to neglect this space and I want to make the new space everything I want it to be. For right now, I guess it's about finding a good balance.

// Prioritizing. I've found myself jumping from task to task. I need to get better about completing something or getting to an acceptable stopping point before moving on to the next item on my list.

WHAT'S WORKING FOR ME

// Keeping a list of goals. It keeps me focused on what my initial goal was for rebranding. When you're rebranding, you will come up with all these other great ideas, but it's important to stay on track and focused on the main goal.

// Feedback. I've gotten some feedback from family and friends. I also need to get feedback from some of my blogger friends and my business coach.

PERSONAL GOALS

// Paint more. I've been able to work on little projects here and there, but I want to do more. Maybe I should set aside a few minutes everyday?

// Start sewing again. I have ideas tucked away for this too, so maybe a few minutes every weekend would work for this to make sure I touch it.

// Explore the city. I can be a homebody and I really need to get out. I'm a born and raised Houstonian, but I've never explored my city as an adult. It should be fun!

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ME

CJ from Some Call Me CJ nominated me for another Liebster Award. Since I've been nominated before, I will be answering these questions so you can get to know me better! Thank you CJ for the nomination and for your kind words!

1. What makes you boring?

I am a homebody. I'm perfectly fine sitting at home with the television on, lounging in my bed and working on my laptop. I think that makes me boring, but that's my introvert self. I really have to mentally prepare to go out and then I need time afterwards to recuperate.

2. What makes you cry?

Anything sad! But if I had to choose something specific, I cry when people are senselessly mean and cruel. There's really no justification for being mean and cruel, but it really gets to me when I see this or hear about it.

3. What makes you laugh uncontrollably?

Kids. My little brother is starting to talk and he does the funniest things. He can always cheer me up when I'm feeling down. I also have a lot of little cousins so the questions a 4 year old will ask you or say will make anyone laugh! This new generation of kids is so advanced!

4. What is one annoying habit you have?

I'm late. Almost always. Even when I wake up early to avoid being late, something happens and it causes me to be late anyway.

5. What item is your shopping weakness?

I don't have a particular item, but if I really like something, I'm known to purchase that same item in multiple colors.

6. Favorite ice cream flavor?

I really like Amaretto.

7. Pepsi or Coke?

Coke

8. Warm weather or cold weather?

Cool weather

9. What color best describes you?

White and gold together. White is very calm and peaceful, and gold adds a bit of zest. I'm very down to earth and calm, very serene. Every once in a while I'll surprise you with a bit of spontaneity or a funny joke.

10. What's your favorite app?

Right now I'm really loving Trello. I wanted to get a new planner for 2015. For the longest I've been saying I would get the Whitney English Day Designer. But, I'm thinking I will pass and get a cheap planner for $15-$20. I say that because I like making my own lists in my notebook so doing that and carrying a planner is too much. I also love Trello because I can create my projects and place tasks with deadlines under each project. So I see no need for a massive planner right now. I'm a little sad because the 2015 Day Designer is white + gold.

11. What made you choose the college you went to?

Well, I attended Prairie View A&M University, a Historically Black University. So one of the reasons I selected the school is because of its history. Another reason I chose the school is because a lot of my friends from high school were going there. I didn't really discover who I was until I had to move away from home for work after college, so being around people I knew and not being too far away from home was very important to me at that time.

OUR HONEYMOON

I finally got around to getting the pictures off of our cameras from our honeymoon. I've been meaning to do it for weeks, but I always managed to get sidetracked by something else. Anyway, they are now safe and sound on my computer and in my dropbox account. I'll probably load them to photo bucket too. Enjoy!

WEEKLY WISHES 16

Happy Monday! I hope your weekend was great! Mine was pretty relaxing. I went to lunch on Saturday with my mom, sister and precious niece. Then I spent Father's Day with my dad and little brother. I did pretty good with my goals for last week, especially the one about finishing grad school!

LAST WEEK'S WISHES

// Go back to personal training + boot camp. Adding some extra activity this week in an effort to get back on track.

// Get back on track with blogging. Still focused on engaging. Also exploring the new blogs I've found + being more active on social media.

// Finish grad school! I'm in my last week! Even though class is officially over on Sunday, my plan is to be finished by Friday.

// Begin preparing for e-course. I signed up for an e-course that I'm so excited about! Don't worry, I'll share more about it later.

This past week was very relaxing for me in the sense that I didn't have too much to take care of. I did make it to personal training and it went pretty well. The only thing that I dread is the running. I'm not an endurance runner at all. Like AT ALL. When I was in track, I ran sprints. So I dread having to run during personal training. While I know that running helps speed up weight loss, I can't stand it. I've been doing pretty good with blogging and engaging. I need to figure out how to engage more during the day. I really feel like I miss opportunities to connect during the day while I'm at work. Being able to schedule tweets and posts to my other social media accounts is nice, but connecting with other people is an area that I'm still working on. I FINISHED GRAD SCHOOL!!! It feels so awesome and I'm so happy to be finished. I didn't get to prepare like I wanted to for my e-course last week, but now that school is officially over, that will be my focus this week. As far as our beach date, I'm hoping to go on Friday or Saturday. I haven't really made any plans...maybe this will be one of those situations where I wing it.

THIS WEEK'S WISHES

// Try boot camp this week. Do I really want to...no. But I'm going to try to go.

// Get back on track with blogging. Still focused on engaging. Also exploring the new blogs I've found + being more active on social media.

// Begin preparing for e-course. I signed up for an e-course that I'm so excited about! I've already received a worksheet so I want to get started on it this week.

// Continue working on rebrand. Guys, I've had so many great ideas and I'm excited to share them when it all comes together!

Best of luck accomplishing all of your goals this week! You should consider linking up with Melyssa for Weekly Wishes. They don't have to be weekly-they can fit your schedule however you see fit!

WEEKLY WISHES #15

I hope that you had a wonderful weekend! Mine was pretty good. I caught up with a dear friend, I got some much needed rest, and Aaron + I found a church that we've started visiting. I like it, so this may be the one!

LAST WEEK'S WISHES

// Go back to personal training + Pure Barre. Adding Pure Barre this week. That's it. I need to get back there.

// Get back on track with blogging. Still focused on engaging. Also exploring the new blogs I've found + being more active on social media.

// Thank you cards. I must start. That's all.

// Finish June Household Budget. Goal is for this to be completed by Saturday night.

// Finish grad school! It's the final countdown!!♩♬ ♪ I'm in the LAST 10 DAYS OF GRAD SCHOOL. It feels like I just started and kicking myself because I'd waited 4 years to start. I'm so glad to be done you just don't know! More time to focus on my other interests.

Well...I got sick this week and so I didn't make it to Pure Barre or personal training. I did get some much needed rest, so that's good. And I lost some weight while I was sick so I'm going to try to keep it off now that I'm semi back to normal. As far as blogging is concerned, I'm back on track all right! I had to purchase a new idea notebook. We decided we want to include a wedding photo in our thank you cards, so this is on hold. We should be getting our photos this month, so hopefully I'll still have it finished by the end of June. Budget smudget. In all seriousness, this didn't get done and still needs to get done. I procrastinated with my school work this week, but got it done.

THIS WEEK'S WISHES

// Go back to personal training + boot camp. Adding some extra activity this week in an effort to get back on track.

// Get back on track with blogging. Still focused on engaging. Also exploring the new blogs I've found + being more active on social media.

// Finish grad school! I'm in my last week! Even though class is officially over on Sunday, my plan is to be finished by Friday.

// Begin preparing for e-course. I signed up for an e-course that I'm so excited about! Don't worry, I'll share more about it later.

//Plan a beach date. I really want to go to the beach. Like really. Hopefully Aaron + I can spend a day out in Galveston sometime soon. I'm a planner so I'll start putting a little itinerary together.

Best of luck accomplishing all of your goals this week! And, if you're anything like me, you should consider linking up with Melyssa for Weekly Wishes. They don't have to be weekly-they can fit your schedule however you see fit!

FAR FROM MEDIOCRE: PURSUING YOUR GREATNESS

Hello! Aren't you glad it's Friday? I know I am! I've been overflowing with ideas all week and I wanted to leave you with something positive! As we grow up and get older, as time speeds up, as loved ones leave this earth, it's becoming even more imperative for me to live what I love. I see no point in waiting for tomorrow, or next year, or 5 years from now. Why not today? Granted, some things do take planning + resources - actionable steps to reach the end goal, but what I'm saying is, why all of the excuses? Why not begin to pursue your greatness today?

//Love hard. I'm realizing that life is short. Truly. Losing loved ones has a way of knocking you on your backside and making you reflect not only on your life, but their life as well, especially when they've loved so much, done so much + impacted so many lives in such a short time. All because they loved hard. That's why we're here - to share agape love. So love hard my friends.

// Live your life. Just live it. Don't spend so much time worrying about where you are and where you wish you were or about the opinions of others. Live in the moment, the present is a gift, it really is. Enjoy the people around you, enjoy the journey -your journey.

// All things are possible. Boy is this true! In a moment of transparency here, I spend time worrying about where I am and where I wish I could be. But when I sit back and reflect on where I started, I know that all things are possible with God. He has a plan for my life and your life too! I'm thankful that I know Jesus and that with hard work and faith in Him, I'll reach my goals. You will reach your goals too!

// Pursue your greatness with ferocity. It's so easy to want to give up and just ride the wave through life. But what if you decided to fight and pursue your desires? Can you imagine the outcome? What about the inspirational story that you'll leave behind? By pursuing your own greatness, you have an opportunity to inspire others to do the same - just by living your life + doing your own thing.

I really love that quote - pursue your own life and don't get caught up in the story that someone else is creating. Always be in competition with yourself to do better, live better and love harder. Weave your own dream and use the power within you to make those dreams come true. Be a dream chaser and then take actions to realize those dreams. Always believe in yourself.

Have a great weekend!

xoxo Keiz

ONE MONTH LATER

We've been married for one month today. It still feels pretty strange that we're no longer planning for the wedding, meeting with our planner, or shopping around for items we'll need for the big day. They weren't kidding when they said the day goes by so fast. I did my best to soak everything in. I remember being happy that my vision for our day became a reality; everything was so beautiful! And I remember being so thankful that we made it -we high-fived each other after our I Dos!

We've known each other since 2005. When I started college, I had heard about people finding their sweethearts there and marrying them, but I didn't take it seriously so it was a pleasant surprise when we stumbled into each others lives. We've been inseparable ever since. Aaron and I have had our ups and downs over the years, but I am thankful for how far we've come and for how much we have grown together. One thing that I am very thankful for, although I wasn't as thankful in 2010 (I've wanted to get married for a while!), is that we took our time really getting to know each other before we were married. Everyone has their own timeline and this is what worked for us.

Now, I'm excited about our next chapter- marriage is a serious thing! We're planning for our future together and in that planning we have to think about things like finances, where we'll live, where we'll worship and serve together, when we'll have kids, and so much more. When people have asked me how it feels, my response every time has been "It feels the same." And it really does! Granted, there is giddiness when he calls me his wife and when I call him my husband, but other than that, everything is the same. Maybe because we've known each other for so long and have grown together over the last nine years. But there is something that is different. We've made a conscious decision to deepen our commitment to one another. That's what has changed. And with that change comes a dedication from both of us to have a christian marriage. This means that we both need to live Christ filled lives and deepen our relationship with God. That will make our marriage stronger and help it to mature over the years.

Are you recently married or have you been married for several years? How do you feel that your relationship with your spouse has changed?

WEEKLY WISHES 14

LAST WEEK'S WISHES

// Go back to personal training + Pure Barre. Adding Pure Barre this week + I'm sure I will be in pain! But, it will be worth it, I'll feel good by the time the weekend gets here!

// Get back on track with blogging. This week I want to focus on engaging. I was able to do this a little bit last week, but I really want to focus on reading and commenting on blogs this week. I've missed it to be honest.

// Start skillshare course. Continue working on Photoshop course.

// Thank you cards. Aaron is off this week, so ideally we'll be able to get quite a bit of this done. I really want to have all the thank you's sent out by no later than mid June.

// Start working on the household budget. This is my job because I'm good at it. Aaron will pay the bills and I'll keep track of the spreadsheet. This is the first time we'll be doing this together so it will be interesting!

// Come up with a date idea. So Aaron has told me that I can pick whatever I want and we will do it this weekend. Yay!! Do you have any suggestions?

Personal Training, check! Pure Barre...not a check! I had a busy week, but hoping to get to class this Wednesday. Personal Training was pretty intense, I'm still in pain. I did get some commenting done this week on blogs. I tried to plan in advance. I found that if I couldn't comment right away (i.e. I'm at work), I would go ahead and formulate my comment so that I could make sure the commenting did get done later in the day. I did get to play around with Photoshop a bit. I'm thinking I'm going to go ahead and start Illustrator though. These thank you cards are killing me. Nothing got done. Life was hectic this week. But, I'm off this Friday, so no excuses. I did start working on the budget, yay! I'm aiming to get it done by the end of this week. No "date" for us. It stormed, I got lazy and wanted to stay indoors.

THIS WEEK'S WISHES

// Go back to personal training + Pure Barre. Adding Pure Barre this week. That's it. I need to get back there.

// Get back on track with blogging. Still focused on engaging. Also exploring the new blogs I've found + being more active on social media.

// Thank you cards. I must start. That's all.

// Finish June Household Budget. Goal is for this to be completed by Saturday night.

Best of luck accomplishing all of your goals this week! And, if you're anything like me, you should consider linking up with Melyssa for Weekly Wishes. They don't have to be weekly-they can fit your schedule however you see fit!

FINDING MY WAY

image via Little Monster Baby

In high school, I studied journalism, was on the yearbook staff, I took creative writing + photography. I excelled in History and English, I loved drawing colorful notes on notebook paper for my friends. You know the ones - Crayola markers using the hand lettering techniques that only a high schooler could. I took my time on these notes. Every letter had to be drawn out, shaped and colored in just right. Then the letter had to be folded just perfect before they could be passed to a friend or slipped into a locker. I loved my journalism class + being a part of the yearbook staff. I loved going to different events to capture the perfect image + write up the perfect story to match that image. And oh my gosh I was in love with creative writing! I'm sure my notebook is somewhere around here-if I can find it, I MAY share something for some giggles. And I loved photography. I actually learned about composition, shooting in manual, and developing film. Then I went to college and somehow ended up studying business and lost it all.

How in the world did this happen?? That's the question that I'm asking myself today because although I have learned so much since graduating and being employed full-time, being able to look back and reflect on the things I enjoyed before being slapped with reality, I realize something just isn't adding up. And it's interesting that I've been working toward to figuring out what I really want to do since 2011 (when I started thinking about grad school), that everything is coming back around full circle. I'm blogging, I've picked up a camera again, I signed up for that calligraphy course that I still need to take + I'm painting. I've also started journaling + I'm thinking about a creative writing course once grad school is over in a few weeks + life settles down.

Crazy how that happens - how things come full circle, especially when you're meant to be doing something different. My sister started off as a bio major, switched to accounting, worked for a few years, and now she's back in school pursuing her first + true passion, to become a doctor. I'm still working out the kinks, but I'm finding my way. It seems that sometimes to find your way, you must go back to the beginning. So that's what I'm going to do!

What is something that you loved/love to do that maybe slipped away or you don't have as much time to devote to it as you'd like? How can you find your way back to it?

WEEKLY WISHES 13

LAST WEEK'S WISHES

// Go back to personal training + Pure Barre. Oh my gosh! Pray for me that I don't die tonight. I haven't been since before the wedding and my trainer is not going to go easy on me. Oh and pure barre how I've missed you! Please be gentle to all my muscles as I stand on my highest tippy toes, tuck and pulse.

// Get back on track with blogging. This means scheduling my posts and engaging. I still wish I was on vacation. I think the other thing is that I am overflowing with ideas and I am trying to focus on one thing at a time. It may be time to revisit my content plan to help me get back on track.

// Start skillshare course. So, I'm thinking I'm going to go with a Photoshop course first. I added a lot to my wish list, but Photoshop really needs to be tackled. Thankfully I have three weeks left so I can really start digging into the other subjects I'm interested in learning.

// Tie down business ideas. I guess it's okay to be flexible when it comes to this because I'm still figuring it all out, but it really feels (only to me-everyone I ask thinks I make sense so...) like I'm a tad bit all over the place? Any other business owners feel like this?

// Thank you cards. Guys. There are still gifts at my mother's house. And gifts at my house. I have a four day weekend this week so I really need to start working on this before time gets the best of me.

I did make it to personal training this past week and I survived!! I'm excited to get back on track with my fitness routine! As far as blogging is concerned, I've written out some ideas + I'm working on getting things organized. I did get a chance to start that Skillshare course! Awesome sauce! I'm still working on streamlining my business ideas and now I believe I'm on the right track! The thank you cards...well...I've sectioned out the gifts so that Aaron + I can start this week since he is off. Four hands are better than two right?

THIS WEEK'S WISHES

// Go back to personal training + Pure Barre. Adding Pure Barre this week + I'm sure I will be in pain! But, it will be worth it, I'll feel good by the time the weekend gets here!

// Start skillshare course. Continue working on Photoshop course.

// Thank you cards. Aaron is off this week, so ideally we'll be able to get quite a bit of this done. I really want to have all the thank you's sent out by no later than mid June.

// Come up with a date idea. So Aaron has told me that I can pick whatever I want and we will do it this weekend. Yay!! Do you have any suggestions?

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

I love this weekend because it means that summer is near! I am not taking a trip this year *so sad* BUT I do plan on lounging poolside at several points this weekend! And while I'm lounging, I'll be catching up on some reading!

Have a great one!

OUT OF OFFICE

image via

Today is one of those days where I feel like I just need to check out for a bit. Have you had one of those days? I feel like I don't want to be bothered, I need to assess + process my feelings, have a good cry and then pick myself back up to try again...tomorrow. I started to work on a post + just felt totally...bleh. So instead of whipping something together quickly just for the sake of posting, I'm going to be "Out of Office" today. And don't worry, I'll be back tomorrow!

WEEKLY WISHES 12

LAST WEEK'S WISHES

//Recover. You know how you need a vacation after your vacation? I am so tired it's not even funny! And I want to get all these thank you cards out of the way as soon as possible. So this week I will be trying to rest and get everything back in order.

//Work on business website. I really want everything under one space. I'm not ready to make that change yet - going to one site - so everything will remain as is for now. I'm still trying to figure out what that would mean for the brand I'm working on building and if I'll need to change direction a bit. But I do need to work on my copy and fine tune some things. So my goal is to start working on that this week.

//Finish these last four weeks of grad school strong. It's almost over!! That's all I have to say about that! Once I finish I can start focusing on some other courses I have my eye on like Blog Life, Brandgasm, and Photoshop. I've been trying to start the classes on my list for the year for a while but, school comes first. So glad I'm almost done so I can pursue my other interests!

This last week was a pretty laid back one. I didn't really get to relax because I was visiting with one aunt before she left and then the other came by too so I was basically wrapped up in family time. Not to mention my daddy turns the big 5-0 today! We celebrated with him on Wednesday and again on Sunday. I had three assignments due, some interviews..."recover" was a bust!! I did get a chance to brainstorm about my business website and make a few changes. I brainstormed some more yesterday and targeted some additional things I'd like to learn and implement. Still a work in progress though. YES!!!! THREE MORE WEEKS!!! I've decided that for now I'm going to let lynda.com go and take some classes on skillshare - it's cheaper and seems like a fun online learning environment. With lynda, there's just too much of a "freshman american government 101 with 200 students" feel to it.

THIS WEEK'S WISHES

INSTALUXE

I thought it would be fun to do a recap of some of my photos via my Instagram. I've never done an Instagram related post, so I thought it would be fun to share a few snaps from my last week!