LIVING SIMPLY

Last week, I started reading this book called Simplicity Parenting, which might seem strange given that I do not have any children. But I've mentioned before that I enjoy thinking about these things and I also enjoy learning about psychology (I minored in it in college). After reading about the book here, I immediately requested it from my library. 

Basically, this book talks about some really groundbreaking stuff that seems like it should be common sense. It is obviously directed toward parents, but I actually found a lot of the information applicable to adult life as well. 

The author explains that in today's fast-paced world, kids (and adults) have too much stuff and it's making them overwhelmed. He says that most parents should cut their child's number of toys in half, and then in half again and sometimes I think there are a lot of adults that should do the same thing with their own stuff! I know that I am the type of person who can't focus well if my environment is a mess. In college, I always had to clean my room before I could study. Our brains don't function as well if there is a bunch of stuff cluttering up our environment (and therefore our minds). He also did a study which proved that minimizing the amount of toys and just "stuff" in a child's environment can reduce symptoms of ADD or cure it all together. Crazy right? But it makes sense. 

He also explains the types of toys kids should have. Kids need toys, yes, but they need toys that leave room for imagination. I mean, how often do you see kids playing with the big box that a fancy toy came in? That's because the box can be anything they want it to be, while the fancy toy is a set object that can't really become anything else in the child's mind. Kids also need more time outdoors, doing art projects, or playing with their parents and less time on electronics, in front of the TV, or playing with complicated plastic toys that just require pushing a lot of buttons. 

image via con fetti

This book is loaded with lots more information than the little bit that I touched on so I definitely recommend getting this one if you have small children or are just interested in this stuff like me. I actually found it really motivational just in my every day life. Since I started reading it, I have made a real effort to be more in the moment rather than rushing through life and trying to "multi-task" (another effect of having too much stuff) because it makes you so much less productive. I have also gone through my closet and took a load of stuff to Goodwill (something I have always done every so often anyway), which always feels so good!

Has anyone else read this book? What are your thoughts on this idea?

MAKING AN INSPIRATION BOARD

It only takes one glance at my Pinterest boards to see that I'm a really big fan of inspiration boards. I always have been! When I was younger, I used to love tearing pictures (okay, usually faces of NSync members) and words (NSync lyrics) out of magazines and creating collages all over my walls. 

I think every work space needs a pretty, inspiring board to pin things to and mine was lacking this necessity so I decided it was time to make one. 

First, I had to pretty up the plain corkboard. I taped off a few sections and painted it (I used this spray paint for the pink part and this Martha Stewart craft paint for the gold).

Be careful to not stick the tape too firmly or use heavy tape (like duct tape) or this will happen:

Here's what it looked like post-paint. Better already!

Then it was time to fill it with stuff. I like to pin words, fabric swatches, pictures, anything that I like the looks of, really. I usually just go through a magazine and start cutting stuff out without thinking. I think that's the best thing to do - don't over think it. If something sticks out to you and makes you happy, cut it out! That's the best part of an inspiration board - it can be completely random.

The quotes are from here and here, and the "Today Will Be Awesome" print is from my shop.

I printed this "darling" quote from here.

This is part of my four leaf clover collection. I think small collections are cool on an inspiration board. 

These are just magazine clippings:

I jazzed up the top with some tissue paper bunting:

The "Just Start" print is from my shop.

LINK LOVE / 26

I hope you had a good week! Before I get to my favorite links of the week, I wanted to mention this cool little feature I added to the side of my blog where I'll be featuring my "current obsessions". It shows you things from around the web that are on my wishlist, and it changes every time you load the page. :)

I haven't gotten my 2013 Ikea catalog in the mail yet (boo!) but I've been having fun browsing the online version.

I love this sweet little bathroom makeover.

The cutest things that ever happened - this will make you smile.

Half of young adults do not feel they've reached adulthood - are you one of them?

How generation Y is spending money (hint: rent!)

I love this summer hairstyle:

If I was getting married again, this would be my dress:

I'm obsessed with this kitchen renovation (you've gotta see the before picture):

I was so excited to find that a local clothing store in my neighborhood, Imogene + Willie, is being featured by Anthropologie! 

Coffee. And. Donuts. Cupcakes. YES.

"Just Start" Print - A helpful reminder for procrastinators (like me).

...and so much more on Pinterest - follow me?

Have a great weekend!

HEAT EMBOSSING TUTORIAL

Last week, I showed you how I package my Holly Would Press products. One of the things I include in my packaging is a heat embossed "thank you" gift tag which I make myself. I thought today I would share a heat embossing tutorial for those of you who would like to learn how to do this. Heat embossing is really easy and dresses up a simple stamp into something really special.

You'll need:

- Stamp

- Ink pad (high pigment colors work the best)

- Paper

- Embossing powder (This comes in all different colors and even glitter, but I just used clear. You can get it at any craft store.)

- A heat tool (I got mine here - no, a hair dryer won't work unfortunately because the air has to be released in a more concentrated space. They're about 20 dollars, but you can use them forever on so many projects.)

1. Firmly press a well-inked stamp onto your paper.

2. Sprinkle the embossing powder onto the wet ink (think of the way that you put glitter on something - it's the same method).

3. Cover the ink completely with the embossing powder:

4. Dust off the excess powder onto a paper and give the back of the stamped paper or tag a flick to make sure you got all of the excess off.

5. Pour the excess back into the container (embossing powder lasts forever because you really don't use very much for each project):

6. To save time, if you're doing multiple tags or cards, repeat that process for however many you need. I do those 5 steps several times and then lay all of my tags out like this:

7. (The fun part!) Hold your heat tool closely over the stamped tag or card and just watch! Embossing powder is basically a fine wax, so when the heat hits it, the wax melts creating this really cool effect. You can see the embossing powder melting in this picture:

That's it! You're left with a stamp that has a nice texture and a pretty, shimmery look. 

STATIONERY PACKAGING & SHIPPING IDEAS

It took me quite a while to get the packaging figured out for my business, Holly Would Press. I think the presentation of your products is so important (especially with an online business) and I wanted something that would make people happy and reflect the brand. Here is the packaging I decided on.

Every card set gets bound with a belly band that has my logo on it. Then, wedding invitations are placed in a clear box and wrapped with yellow and blue bakers twine.

Stationery sets are bound with twine, and placed in a smaller paper box with a clear cover and a logo sticker. Rubber stamps are packaged inside a muslin bag with a hand stamped logo on it.

I punch my own tags with a paper punch and scrap paper (I have a lot of scrap paper from cutting out cards and invitations), then I heat emboss a "thank you" stamp on the front, and hand write a message on the back of the tag.

I put this smaller box in a more sturdy shipping box with a business card inside.

As far as shipping, it took me a while to organize all of the supplies because my husband and I live in a small apartment. I keep all of the large boxes in a laundry basket stored underneath a table:

Then I have a cart where I keep all of my smaller shipping and packaging supplies:

I string the bakers twine through these little spaces, which makes it really easy to cut a long piece of both of them at once and keeps the twine from getting all tangled:

I make lots of thank you tags ahead of time and keep them in a farmer's market basket so they're ready to go:

Other essentials: logo stickers, heat embosser, a scale for weighing packages, and bubble mailers.

I hope this is helpful for anyone starting a new business and trying to get organized! Do any of you have any other ideas?