The "One Chore a Day" Challenge

Master of the clothing piles!

Recently, the "basic organization" situation in my apartment has become a bit, errrr, dire. Having missed spring cleaning entirely, I now find myself existing amongst a sea of piles. The piles consist of everything from clothing, which I long ago gave up on finding a proper home for (since my dresser and closet require a hazmat suit) to homegoods (where do YOU keep your spiralizer and funky shaped gold flower vases!?) The need for a good overhaul/goodwill deposit is so far overdue that the idea seems like a fantasy (I had an actual dream where my apartment was spic and span which made waking up the nightmare...) This is why I have adopted the "One Chore a Day" Challenge for the month of July.

I once read that the best way to tackle a big project, especially housework, is to break it down into smaller projects that you can complete individually. This gives you a personal sense of accomplishment and progress while avoiding the overwhelmed feeling that a big task can create. Starting on Saturday, I have tackled one small project each day, first removing the piles of laundry from the corner of my bedroom and now organizing my dresser drawers, 1 at a time. This strategy has translated to about 20 minutes of "chores" per day which can easily be managed while on the phone or as a break from work (#WorkingFromHomeForTheWin) 

At this rate, I hope to get through all the tasks on my list in about a month (I'm comin for you kitchen pantry!) and I won't ever have to give up a full day of fun in order to play Cinderella. It's the "One Chore a Day" Challenge for the month of July. Who's with me!?!

Hump Day Distractions

Sea Horse. (hehe)

Hey hey hump day... what's cookin good lookin!? Today I'm taking the "if I act super pumped about everything, everything will be awesome" approach. Nothing slays being overtired and kinda uninspired like an extra dose of faux-enthusiasm. AmIRight!? Here to help us all survive the week and get over the hump is a heaping pile of distractions from around the web. Enjoy!!

* If you've got time (and if you don't, bookmark it for later) I highly recommend THIS article about how to excel in your 30s. The author collected from his >30 readers what they would tell their 30 year old selves and the results are inspiring (at least to this nearly 30 year old lady!) 

* An awesome craft for the iPhone case addicted (such as myself)

* This bulldog-daughter combo makes me lust for a bulldog all over again. Amazeballs.

* Rainbow bookshelf anyone!?

* Thinkin it might be time for another 30-day challenge. Abs, I'm comin for ya.

* And while we're getting fit and trim for bikini season.

* And to balance life out, this list is the opposite of abs and bikinis and it all sounds delicious:)

* New baby buggy. Shut up.

* The worst is finding out about awesome things like this, AFTER it's sold out.

* Ready to have your mind blown!?

Healthy Habit of the Month V.

Would you like to get a closer look Ryan!?

This post is the fifth installment of SeektobeMerry's "Healthy Habit of the Month" series. Sourced from my bff's at Weight Watchers, online articles and my own efforts to keep fit and trim, throughout 2013, I will attempt to integrate one new healthy habit into my life each month. Join me!

How are we doing my fit and healthy friends? Five months into our "Healthy Habit of the Month" series, I hope you're all still with me because I'm actually starting to feel a bit fitter and healthier! Last month's challenge to "Keep Track" has had a huge impact on my activity and sleep habits (just ask Dr. H who had to endure me walking in circles in our living room at 11:30 last night - had to reach that daily step goal!) and though my accountability buddy and I need to rekindle our relationship, I'm still nailing it with at least once weekly workouts and kicking it up a notch in the fruits and veggies department. Tiny changes are starting to make a big difference and it feels really good! So what are we up to this month you ask?

Healthy Habit of the Month #5: Challenge yourself.

Last night I finished my first ever 30-day fitness challenge. Over the past month I adhered to THIS totally do-able 30-day Squat Challenge and holy crap... RESULTS!! In taking on the challenge, I decided that instead of trying to totally revamp my workout routine or suddenly commit to an aggressive fitness plan, the squat challenge seemed achievable and easy to squeeze into my normal day (because it's totally normal to be doing a quick 25 squats in the bathroom stall at work, I swear!) All kidding aside, these 30-day challenges which are all OVER Pinterest are really worth a try because they're do-able and the results are tangible. You can do anything for just 30 days and with 4th of July weekend just over one month away, its the perfect time to go for those  stronger, slimmer thighs and a tighter, higher booty!

30-day Squat Challenge HERE

30-day Crunch Challenge HERE (on Pinterest HERE)

30-day Burpee Challenge HERE (and how to do a proper burpee HERE)

30-day Squat/Crunch/Plank Challenge HERE (this is my next one, whose with me!?)

30-day Pushup/Squat/Plank Challenge HERE

And for previous Healthy Habit of the Month posts, click HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE!