Color Me Merrier - Get a Leg Up

Go Little Buddy! Go! (image via pinterest)

He's so close.  Don't you just want to give him a boost?! 

Color Me Merrier - All the Small Things

image via Pinterest

Somedays it is necessary to slow down and look for the small things. Stopping to see clouds floating above in your cup of coffee? That's a small moment to treasure.

Color Me Merrier - Break-ation: A Staycation from Work



image via Pinterest



Today's project positive is to take a day off.

So, bye.

Just kidding. But only sort of.

I'd like to announce today that I'm going to take a break from daily posting for the first two weeks of June (the 3rd - 1th). Then after that I'm coming back with a 3 day a week schedule. I am doing this in order to provide better content on a regular basis, not just daily content.

The schedule will be for posts to go live on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. there will be Facebook and Twitter posts on those days too but bonus content and behind the scenes photos going up more often.

So I am taking 2 weeks "off" but I'm going to be working on content to go up as soon as I'm back on June 18th. And to help soften the blow I've got guest posts lined up from some of my favorite bloggers! These ladies were more than willing to share how they plan to style their summer with you.

As I work to create the best posts for you I want to know which type of post do you like best? Recipes, decorating, DIY, style advice, beauty advice, sale notices? Is there something you'd like to see here that we're not doing a time of? Fitness, travel, work advice? Leave comments, tell us on Facebook or send us an email so we can give the people what they want!

So for today's Merrier Monday we recommend planning a stay-cation where you still work behind the scenes but let the spotlight fade a bit. There is also a major positive vibe by doing something without recognition. Something as small as cleaning the office coffee pot when no one else is in the kitchen or bigger, like, letting other bloggers take over your space for two weeks!

Don't worry, over the next two weeks I've got awesome daily content planned. There is a salad recipe that is perfect for your memorial day weekend party, a couple of decoration ideas for that same party and what to wear all weekend!

Color Me Merrier - Plan a Picnick!



image via HGTV on Pinterest



The time of year has come for afternoons, outdoors, in the park. The perfect way to spend that afternoon is with a picnick!

This weekend would have been a bit chilly for it but plan a picnick for next weekend when the highs are in the 70s for Chicagoland.

Picnick perfect foods are easy to pack, don't need to stay too hot or cold to be enjoyed (safely) and are easy to eat. Finger sandwiches, salads and finger fruits are best. Bottled water, izzie pops and lemonades are best for beverages.

Grab a blanket, a couple of books, a portable radio or non-internet capable iPod and speakers. Most importantly, grab a main squeeze, bestie and / or furry friend to spend the afternoon with!



Color Me Merrier - Chill Out



Chill Out - Image via Pinterest



Going into the weekend I had the best intentions for a super productive Sunday. Come Sunday, all I wanted to do was lounge on my sofa.

So, I did.

It felt nice to just chill out. The windows open, re-runs on TV and zero productivity. There was a little cleaning and then cooking dinner (grilled shrimp tacos for Cinco de Mayo) but I excerted next to no effort the rest of the day.

It is something that I recommend to do once every couple of months. Let yourself off the hook and just chill out.

It doesn't make getting up for work any easier on Monday however.

Color Me Merrier - Use Energy Wisely

I am a person who spends a lot of time with my head in the clouds. It usually is semi productive but I still pass away commutes, elevator rides and long showers day dreaming.

What do I day dream about? Travel, jobs, food, redecorating, shopping. Basically I have a scrolling Pinterest board that I am always racking through.

So when I came across this quote I had to take a moment and think. Yet again, Mrs. Roosevelt is correct and her infinite wisdom is timeless.

For my Merrier Monday I am going to take some of my day dreams and set up a couple of plans to achieve them. I'll focus on some of the smaller things. Like new recipes to try and redecorating the few spaces I have left. 

What do you day dream about?   

Color Me Merrier - Give Compliments

Saying something nice can make someones's day and today's Merrier Monday tip is to do it twice. Today, give out two sincere compliments.

Telling a co-worker you like her hair do or a stranger on the sidewalk that you like her coat will do double duty... they'll feel good and you'll feel good too. Email your teammate and tell him that you appreciate his help and that he did a nice job on that project.

I got this idea from Danny who made the point that giving out two compliments demonstrates that you've really put the effort into it. One could be sort of easy and flippant but it takes extra energy to give two.

Plus it is Monday, and Federal Tax Day so everyone needs a little pick-me-up today.

Color Me Merrier - Cyber Sabbath

image via Pinterest

Technology is everywhere and it is constant. TVs are smarter, tablets are featherweight and phones are barely used for calling anymore. Information is at our fingertips.

But there are benefits to putting the devices down and stepping back slowly.

After a four-day hike sans tech, according to SELF Magazine, people did 50 percent better on a creativity test. University of Utah researchers say even an hour of nature time yields some benefits if you unplug. AKA you're smarter without a smartphone.

Forbes has compelling reasons to unplug as well. You'll manage stress better, actually get more done, sleep better and just be nicer overall.

If you are new to this idea try just leaving your phone at home while you grocery shop or run other errands. Eventually you'll build up to leaving it on silent in your bedroom for a whole weekend afternoon. 

If you commute via public transit to and from work read instead of obsessively refreshing your twitter feed. (Kindles are acceptable but only just. If it is an internet capable reader try just getting an actual book because you'll be tempted to check other apps). And turn off your iPod, unless a newborn baby is next to you on the train it is not necessary to listen to JT's new album, again.

Try doing a crossword puzzle or soduku. Grab a book of 'em ala Stanley Hudson on The Office at the local drug store or 7-Eleven.

If you drive to and from the office you shouldn't be on your phone anyways... but if you find yourself tempted in stop and go traffic put your phone in your trunk for the drive. You'll be able to access it if you get into a fender bender. 

Also if you drive try listening to NPR instead of the top 40 hits station or even turning the whole radio off and just listen to the sounds of the freeway. The white noise is calming and you'll have time to let your thoughts wander which will make you feel more refreshed by the time you get home.

This week try taking some Cyber Sabbath time and see how you feel! 

Color Me Merrier - April Fool's!!!

via SomeEcards

Well it is April 1st, April Fool's Day and also our project positive slash merrier Monday.

To inject a bit of happiness into your day today try a harmless prank.

Tape on the underside of a laser mouse renders it ineffective. If a coworker leaves their screen unlocked, take a screenshot of it with programs up, then minimize everything and make that screenshot the background image.

Last year a college friend of mine put up a picture of positive pregnancy tests on Facebook and got about 80 likes before she dropped the "April Fool's" bomb.

My freshman year roommate "flipped" my room. Everything got turned upside down including pieces of clothing on the floor being taped to the ceiling. She didn't do it on April Fool's but, looking back, it was a pretty good prank (I was livid at the time).

Just be sure that the person you're pranking can handle it and that no harm can actually come their way.

Have a lovely Monday!! Oh, and I went blonde with a streak of lavender for my hair appointment. April Fool's, it is brunette ombre. 

Color Me Merrier - Go Commando

Happy Monday!! Can you believe it is the last week of March? Neither can we.

Today's Project Positive task is to simply take it off. 

Within reason of course. Don't Go Commando if there is even a SLIGHT chance of it leading to an embarrassing situation. 

We recommend the privacy of your own home. Easy times to just hang in your birthday suit are when you're brushing your teeth, picking out what to wear or even sleeping in the buff all night. If full birthday suit is too much just ditch your skimpies during one of these times and let a little fresh air in.

Just try it. Even if it is only for a few minutes. You might find that you feel thinner which makes everyone happy!

Color Me Merrier - Treat Yo Self

image via pinterest

Today's quick hit for a punch of positive is to Treat Yo Self by splurging on an every day item.

Often I find myself grabbing the cheapest option for something that I use every day or that is maybe disposable because I don't think the money is worth it. But every time I reach for said item I have a pang of "oh this is so cheap" and regret not getting the better version.

Now budgets don't allow for everything to be the top of the line version but it does allow for one or two. The trick is to pick things that you use every day and will feel like a luxury every time you do.

For me, this is cosmetics or body products. A higher quality mascara makes me feel like I'm getting away with something when I brush on a few layers. Organic body lotion is another. 

But the options are endless. If you make yourself coffee every day, invest in a fancy coffee maker or bean grinder. Or if you love to bake treat yourself to a silicone baking mat or cookie cutters.

The trick is to treat yo self to something that you'll get good use out of and will appreciate the luxuriousness of the item!

Color Me Merrier - Physical Photos

Happy Monday! Hopefully you've bounced back from losing an hour yesterday. we relied on sunny flowers and a lot of coffee!

For our second installment of Color Me Merrier the quick hit positive increasing task is to print out pictures.

This day and age we are taking more pictures than ever. Digital cameras, camera phones and photobooths are everywhere. But all of the pictures are stuck on memory disks or social media sites!

Take 30 minutes today to pick out a few of your favorite shots and upload them to a photo printing service. Walgreens, Snapfish and Shutterfly are all easy services to use. 

If you don't want to go and buy new frames for all these pictures just change them out for pictures that have been in frames for a while. Or get a little photo album and every couple of months add a few more shots to it.

Are you an instagr.am junkie? We are too. Have you heard of prinstagr.am? It is a service that uses your instagram shots in posters, calendars and even stickers! 

If you have a few hours of time to dedicate or have an event you want documented (vacation, wedding, birthday) make a photobook through Artifact Uprising. The site makes it easy to upload pictures straight from Facebook and Instagram as well as from your camera itself. The layouts are crisp and the tool is easy to use. 

And, if you're really not up for having physical pictures around change up your profile pictures. You'll get some Likes and comments and that will cheer you up right away!

Color Me Styled - Merrier Mondays

In spite of snow being in the forecast tonight and tomorrow here in Chicago... spring is coming. Spring brings longer days, fresh foliage and brighter fashions. All of these combine, at least for me, into the perfect recipe for positiveness!

Breaking out of our winter shells will bring a smile to any gal's face but I think there are a few extra things we can to do make our days even just a hint more positive. Every Monday in the Month of March (heck yes alliteration) I'll share a tip for living a more positive life. 

Working Titles: Merrier Mondays. Project Positive. Color Me Merrier. Color Me Tickled. (Let me know your favorite on Facebook and Twitter)

Color Me Styled's first step to Positiveness is to smile! If you're sitting at your desk, answering your client's 4th email asking for something they already have, you're probably scowling. Stop, take a deep breath and smile! Your cubicle mate might think you've cracked but you'll feel a million times better.

When you pass strangers on the street, or at the store, or in the hall, greet them with a smile. It doesn't have to be over-the-top but if they see you wearing a smile, they're more likely to smile and that could very well change their day! 

Smiling is contagious and it helps to spoil any sour mood. It is free. It is easy. And you can't overdo it. 

So, Happy Monday!! Keep smiling :)