Fall is in the air (It went from 98 to 85 degrees and in NC that just might mean I need a sweatshirt.)
I LOVE this time of year. Decorating for fall, picking apples, simmering soups, and spending Friday nights in the football stands are just a few of the things that make it grand.
This fall will be a bit different. I am adding something to the top of the priority list. For the month of October, I will be sharing “31 Days to More with Less.” This idea started an entire year ago when I posted my $1 Dollar – One Minute Magic Post.”
Here are just a few lines from that post, “I am a family manager that loves accountability. My heart’s desire is to be in intentional in all aspects of my life, not just with my family. My intentional balancing act also consists of my home, personal finances, friends, quiet time, and a myriad of other essentials I could list. But quite frankly, when the busyness of life gets in the way, those mundane domestic tasks are often the first to get pushed aside.
Here’s the kicker. I have a fun brainstorm coming up where we can hold each other accountable for one month in the little things of life, but more importantly, let’s view those things through my lens of frugal living.
30 days of intentionality can transform the way we think about SO MANY things. But trust me, I will only set the timer for ten minutes a day, experimenting with how many areas I can take “outside the box” in transforming the little things from mundane to magical. 🙂
Does anyone want to join in?
Let’s read that first line again, I am a family manager that loves accountability, or should I say NEEDS accountability. (Seriously, I don’t think anyone loves accountability.) My great idea never came to fruition, until now. It took the Nester gathering up this fantastic group of bloggers to encourage and inspire you for the month of October to make it happen. We are all bringing a topic for which we are passionate, and I am privileged to be included.
There’s nothing I enjoy more than encouraging you all to live Life to its fullest…on less money. Look for nuggest from me on finance, food, friends, fashion and frugal living (which also translates to fun, trash to treasure finds, but I couldn’t think of a good alliteration for that.:))
I am shaking in my boots – not about the topic, but the 31 day thing. For my longtime readers, you know that the thought of posting something THIRTY ONE DAYS IN A ROW is leaving me a little faint. In fact, a few of my blogging buddies literally laughed at me, “You? The woman who writes at midnight the day a post is due? You’ve never posted that much in your life, let alone ahead of schedule.” Yes, they know me too well. While many of these other amazing ladies already have their October posts outlined, I can’t even see past the weekend. Yet, that’s why this place is Balancing Beauty and BEDLAM. It’s a real life look at trying to balance it all – the good, bad and ugly.
The best part of this whole month is that I get to “hang out” with these wonderful ladies.
:: 31 Days to Stress-Free Entertaining from Sandy at The Reluctant Entertainer
:: 31 Days to a Better Photo from Darcy at Life With My 3 Boybarians
:: 31 Days to More with Less from Jen at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam
:: 31 Days of Autumn Bliss from Melissa at The Inspired Room
:: 31 Days of Grace from Emily at Chatting at the Sky
:: 31 Days to an Inspired Table from Kendra at My First Kitchen
:: 31 Days to a Less Messy Nest from the Nester at The Nesting Place
:: 31 Days of Living Simply from Emily at Remodeling This Life
I know each of these amazing women in real life and they are the authentic deal through and through. (The Nester, Emily, Kendra and I have all gone to the same church at one time or another for years, so this gives us an excuse to catch up.) 🙂
Don’t worry, we don’t want you glued to your computer every day, so just choose through out the month which bits of wisdom nuggets you need to hear for the day.
My month of “31 days to More with Less” is just as much about what I need to hear, and I can’t wait to learn along with you.
Are you ready to join me??
Speaking of wonderful ladies? Do you know that (in)courage is celebrating their ONE YEAR anniversary? I am sharing about creative friendship building ideas, and the best part is that they are giving away two amazing Dayspring Glass Pitchers if you leave a comment over there. I know, so much to read…but how fun is that?
Ha, ha!! I’m looking forward to this! I did a 31 papercraft ornaments in 31 days series last year and it just about killed me. I suppose that if I want to do it again I have to start now, huh? LOL!
Good luck! I’m really excited about your series!!
I can’t even imagine tackling craft projects every day, but you are a wonder woman in that department. Yes, this may kill me as well. 🙂
Looking forward to this as I love learning how to do more on less.
I’m really looking forward to reading everyone in the series. Good luck! 🙂
Hey Jen! Your post is fantastic!! Can’t wait to do this with you.
xoxo
Emily
Hi I just stumbled upon your blog yesterday and am LOVING it! I am really excited about this series you are doing, I will for sure be reading along! You are so talented, I especially have been enjoying the fashion series.
Hey Jen!
I love your use of the words “intentional” and “accountable” – can’t wait to share October with you!
Darcy
You and Nester are two of my favorite reads. I get excited whenever something new pops up in my reader from either of you.
I live in NC too and yes, it does seem like sweatshirt weather!
Bring on the More. And the Less. I’m excited to be doing this with you!
I’m looking forward to reading along. Last December I attempted to write 12 days of Christmas Cookies… I just realized a week or two ago that I missed Day 12! oooppps
Sounds good! I am in the “clean out” mode so I might just go for 31 days to less! And then enjoy life more without clutter and extra stuff. It’s hard for me to get rid of things, especially ones I bought (even really cheap) but no longer like or use. And I want to get over that. However, I don’t think I’ll be blogging it. Just carrying a bag out of my house each day. 🙂 Good luck with the every day, planned posts. I’ve only done that once, last December by sharing some of my favorite ornaments each day. I think I got close to every day.
I’m looking forward to this…only problem is I have to wait more than 31 days to start the 31 days. ha!
I would LOVE to jump on this wagon and ride! 🙂 My newest goal has been to be more creative with my family… whether it be hosting childhood make-believe plays in the back yard (we did that last night) or cooking something different… I want to change things up a bit while staying dedicated to living on less and paying off more debt so that I may remain a SAHM as long as we need to… 🙂 We have begun eating dinner by candlelight (Thank you for that tip… Best. Tip. Ever.) and I am more intentional in all of the things I do day-to-day. I am now cooking from scratch… and line-drying clothes… LOL For years I have felt a little guilty about being a stay at home mom when I could work and vice versa… In this “season” we are truly enjoying me being at home with our family and am trying my hardest to keep it that way! Your blog is an absolute inspiration and is always my night-time read. Keep doing what you are doing! And, I cannot wait to read the other “31” blogs!
How about calling it 31 days to Frugal Fab-u-la-city…they say (whoever THEY are) a habit is formed in about 28 days, so I look forward to some new addictions…uhmmmm, I mean habits (in a good way of course)! It’s really too bad that reading all of these great blogs has turned mine into a cobweb!
I just joined your site and look forward to your October offerings. Maybe next year you can do 31 days of bedlam. We would all relate. 🙂
Fondly,
Glenda
You sound like me. Great aspirations of blogging ahead and once in awhile I get there. But more the time, just gettin’ it done.
I’m really looking forward to Oct. I’ve been sensing how God would take my own blog and use it for his glory. So I’m excited to share in your journey and see how he uses it as well.
I really enjoyed this post. (Always awaiting your next one) Laughing my way through. As an avowed serial painter I have learned never to use tape. It adds like 16 extra unnecessary hours to a job. Also guilty of not painting the ceilings and completely regretting it later. Lazy. Do you mind if I put a link to this post on my blog? I would love to share as I am painting my stairway hall from top to floors and you have a very witty tutorial here.
Absolutely. 🙂
Absolutely, feel free. 🙂