One Little Word 2015: Step

Happy Monday! First of all, I wanted to say thank you so much for all of the awesome congratulations on Saturday. Y'all are so darn sweet! I was quite surprised when Elle from Elle Studio contacted me last fall about joining her Design Team for 2015. Shocked I tell ya. I love Elle's Studio products, and being asked to design for this team is a real dream come true. I was excited to finally be able to tell everyone my news after keeping a secret for so long...and such a big secret.

Today I am sharing the word I selected for One Little Word and discussing why I chose it. Last year, I chose the word "Flourish" and I do feel like in many ways this word and focusing on it, really helped me reach some of my goals. One of my goals was to get on a manufacturer design team. The other was to start regular intentional exercise. I was asked to be on Elle's Design Team and I successfully lost and kept off 20 pounds. I still have a ways to go on the weight loss front, but it is a great start!

For those of you that follow me on Instagram, the fact that I have chosen "Step" as my word for 2015 should not come as a surprise. Honestly, the word chose me. Wherever I looked for words this year, I was continually faced with this selection. I am a Fitbit addict and that word fits perfectly for my goal of moving more and living a healthier lifestyle. I love that the word step can be interpreted so many different ways.  These are my goals for 2015

1. Literally take more steps.  I will walk at least 365000 steps in 2015. This will be documented via Instagram with #365000in2015. Please fell free to join me on this journey, and use and share the hashtag as well.
2. Take steps (series of arrangements) to grown my business.
3. Step in and be more present and in the moment
4. Step out of my comfort zone. This includes; taking fitness classes at my gym (yes I joined a gym,) being more social in person and get to know more people in my community (versus just online.) Trying a new hobby (knitting.)
5. Step on It. Increase my fitness activity level. Continue walking and learn to run. Sign up for and try Zumba classes and Spinning.
6. Keep step. Continue with my daily chores and work around the house, but do so in a more organized fashion. I have streamlined my cleaning and organizing with daily and weekly chores, as well as coming up with a zone cleaning schedule. I love being organized and this is really allowing me to whiz through my responsibilities at home.

What did you pick for your word this year? Have you decided yet? I would love to hear your thoughts and your word selection? I will be back tomorrow with some Project Life pages to share from 2014. I am currently only weeks away from completing my album for 2014. I plan on sharing all of the remaining weeks on the blog this month with multiple posts.

Until next time...

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

#40days40bags

I hope all of your had a magical and blessed Christmas. Our day was wonderful, very special and peaceful as well. I am venturing off of the game plan a little bit, I had planned on showing you the rest of my December Daily pages today, but those will have to wait until next Friday since only about 1/2 are complete at this point. In the meantime, I am starting a new challenge today (well yesterday actually, last night to be more accurate.) I would love it if you would join me.

The Challenge: #40Bags40Days started by Becky Novacek on Instagram. It basically consists of purging and donating 40 bags/  boxes of items in an effort to simplify and organize in the process. I don't know about you, but starting a new year with some clean and freshly organized spaces is the best! I love organization, so this challenge was so up my alley, and since it was on my to do list for January anyways, I figure why not start a few days early.

I will be purging way more than the 40 bags, I am going to guess and say at least 60. I already have 4 bags/ boxes and have just started. I am donating about 95% of what I am purging, but I am selling a few scrappy items and a few larger items in the garage for extra cash for some home items we would like to purchase/ need for storage pieces. These include:

• Dresser/ storage table for front entryway-this will be thrift all the way, some paint, new hardware, and some cool legs…I have a vision, but need the money and the right piece first.
• Shelving for family room-Home Depot, Lowe's or Container store. Still deciQ\,M.//.,ding that.
• Mirror for over fireplace mantle, or make something??? 
• Other projects: To be decided later in January when we see how much we have made from the selling process and if we have any money left over. 

Here is the list of areas in my home I will be organizing and purging over the next 40 days

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These are my first four boxes/ bags of items to donate

Thanks for stopping by today, I will be back next week with all kinds of scrappy and non-scrappy goodness to share. Here is the schedule...

Monday:       Layout share
Tuesday:       Project Life, looking back at 2013 and planning ahead for 2014
Wednesday:  New Years Resolution
Thursday:     40Days40Bags Update
Friday:          December Daily Part 10: The rest of the album

So who's joining Becky Novacek and I and purging some stuff? 40days40bags anyone? You can follow me on Instagram (link is on the right of blog.) I would love it if you would tag me and show me what you are getting rid of. Also before and after shots are the best. I will be sure to share a few of those for you next week, and there will be some on Instagram throughout the week as well.

Happy Organizing,

xoxox

Toni