thoughts

i've been doing it wrong my whole life…

monday love

left or right brained?

have you wondered what side is more dominate? 

take this test to find out: http://en.sommer-sommer.com/braintest/

my result: 62% right :) i have that ocd/to do list obsession in me - but overall, def right! 

please comment below what your result was - were you surprised? 

self care love

have a wonderful and relaxing weekend…

shrimp stir-fry and some winter love

Ingredients - we used shrimp instead of chicken… 

• 2 cups white rice
• 4 cups water
• 2/3 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

• 3 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 green bell pepper, cut into matchsticks
• 1 (8 ounce) can sliced water chestnuts, drained
• 1 head broccoli, broken into florets
• 1 cup sliced carrots
• 1 onion, cut into large chunks
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil

1. Bring rice and water to a boil in a saucepan over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until rice is tender, and liquid has been absorbed, 20 to 25 minutes.
2. Combine soy sauce, brown sugar, and corn starch in a small bowl; stir until smooth. Mix ginger, garlic, and red pepper into sauce; coat chicken with marinade and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.
3. Heat 1 tablespoon sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir bell pepper, water chestnuts, broccoli, carrots, and onion until just tender, about 5 minutes. Remove vegetables from skillet and keep warm.
4. Remove chicken from marinade, reserving liquid. Heat 1 tablespoon sesame oil in skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir chicken until slightly pink on the inside, about 2 minutes per side; return vegetables and reserved marinade to skillet. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until chicken is longer pink in the middle and vegetables are tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Serve over rice.

 source for recipe: allrecipes - stir-fry

some baby's breath around the nest - a favorite of mine. 

- so many celebrities are switching to rodan + fields - trust me, it's life-changing and they're clinically proven to be around 90% effective - I am in love! Please message me for details- anytime! 

it's still snowing in charlotte
and is so beautiful.
photo credit: blair richardson

for more on cute packaging and salads in a jar 

visit simply love 

a creative mind ~

as someone who has always been labeled 'creative' ~ this article is very relatable to me- it has always been hard for me to express what is constantly going on in my mind with others who don't necessarily relate:

 We have all heard the saying "tortured artist". It's a commonly used phrase to describe the frustrations an artist has with people who don't quite understand them. This frustration typically leads to isolation, depression and many other expensive emotions. In my opinion, this stereotype doesn't even scratch the surface of what a creative person lives day to day. This is why I am going to make my own label - "cursed creative".

What is a Cursed Creative?

A cursed creative is an person who lives to create. It could be music, painting, writing, editing, design, acting or coding. There are hundreds of outlets for a creative to use to drive their passion. And the curse is... it's never enough. There is no final piece of work. No final applause. There is only an appetite that is never satisfied.  Like a Vampire with better taste in clothes... is the life of a Cursed Creative.

When I first started working with creative minds, it was a challenge for me to understand what drives their passion (or more appropriately their hunger.)  I have done a lot of thinking on this matter, and here is what I have concluded:

Do they care about Money? In short, no. A true creative wants to share with people around them the way they see the world. In many cases, they knowingly understand the profession they are entering doesn't result in a big salary or a million-dollar payday. The irony to me, is that most of the richest people in the world are "creative" minds, that were either lucky enough to commercialize their vision at the right time, or were able to surround themselves with business-minded people to turn their talent into money. Either way, I know for sure money is not the root of why they are creative, and it certainly isn't the motivation behind their passion.

Do they care about Fame? Yes (but in a good way). We all appreciate someone's desire to be famous. It's natural for any person to want to be known and respected by thousands (or millions) of people around the world. It's even more important for someone who creates something to share it with the world. Fame to a creative is more like acknowledgement. It is the assurance of sharing their creation... and not so much the red carpet "take pictures of me" fame. The only real exception is performers (actors) and musicians, because they personify their creativity. In some way they are the MOST cursed creatives, because their art is them. They don't paint the art, they become the art.

So the obvious question is - why are many creatives still unhappy (or un-satisfied) after having success. Why do musicians who perform to thousands of fans screaming their lyrics, are still depressed backstage? Why do actors who perform lead roles in Oscar-winning films, still find themselves on the other side of a needle. The answer is not easy to comprehend or explain. 

It is simply a curse.

When you are a creative being... you are only fulfilled when you are creating. It is a never ending cycle. And no matter what you create - no matter how magnificent, popular or profitable - you will wake up the next day wanting more.

Of course, it's not all bad. There are a few positives in being a creative.

 Here is a short list:

1. You will experience life in a way no one else can comprehend
2. You will change the lives of everyone who knows you by sharing your experiences through a creative outlet.
3. You will change the world. 

...

can you relate to this article? 

i would love to hear-

please share your thoughts below…

source: http://hubsarasota.com/blog_view.cfm?BlogID=1097

smoothie love

1/2 large banana, 2 large fresh strawberries, 1/4 cup blueberries, 1/2 cup milk, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 2 tablespoons vanilla yogurt, 2 ice cubes

a thing called life ...

In the midst of working toward your goals, never neglect your "why". 

Enjoy life today, not "someday"…

mini facial love

my skin has never looked or felt this way -
since using rodan + fields (I began using at the end of november) … 
i literally never dreamed to have skin like this! 
one of my favorite things- 
the mini facial regimen 
which i use around three times a week 
it's a micro-dermabrasion paste that is a high-glide, oil-free formula designed to promote maximum gentle exfoliation. it is designed to be used intermittently to enhance cell turnover and improve skin tone and texture. Lucky Magazine reports that it smoothes away rough spots… i love, love the way it makes my skin look and feel! 

r + f soothe love

thrilled to see that my clients are loving their products- 

the success stories are all extraordinary 

all products are 80-90% clinically proven effective 

check out my website to order:

https://janellemonaco.myrandf.com

nail 3 love

I would like to introduce and share my love for Nail 3 in Matthews, NC with you all. Over the past year, I have been visiting Wendy (she's so very kind and talented) and I always love going to see her. If you live in the Charlotte area and are looking for a place for manicures, pedicures, facials, waxing, etc. please go visit her business. Wendy- thank you for always being so personable and simply fantastic! 

I always love stopping in to your shop~

you do such a great job <3 

some favorites at the moment

i am sitting at the sun flour bakery in my neighborhood

-my very favorite one in charlotte and it happens to be mine-

elizabeth/chantilly

with some coconut tea and books

they happen to have old country playing

my heart is very happy 

rodan + fields mineral make-up