100 Days of Gratitude

This year, my number one biggest goal for 2013 was to 

be more positive.

So far, so good!
Thanks to a few key things, but mostly an app I found for my iPhone that I want to share with you.

I downloaded The Gratitude Journal back in December (12/12/12).

(it costs $0.99 but it's completely worth every penny)

Thursday, I celebrated 100 days of Gratitude.

This simple app reminds me that every single day there is something to be grateful for.
I've struggled with happiness and remembering to be grateful in the past and this is the perfect thing to keep track of everything good in your life. And there's SO MUCH to be grateful for, friends.
Sure I'm grateful for the obvious things in life (family, food, shelter, etc.) but I'm also grateful for little things like kitties purring, cranberry green tea, sleeping in, hugs, relaxing evenings, not being hung over, foggy mornings, children's laughter, sunrises and sunsets (with the perfect amount of clouds), taking walks, blue skies and sunshine, hearing birds sing, the sound of rain on the rooftop, sweet wine, the list is endless.

Every single entry, the first thing I add is the simple fact that I'm alive, happy and healthy.
Yes, I'm simply grateful to be ALIVE.
Every. Single. Day.
(How's that for positivity?!)

And every single entry, I end my gratitude list with Kevin.
Always.
Doesn't matter if I was in a mood, or he was in a mood.
I'm always grateful for finding the love of my life.

Here's a little peak at a few entries over the past few months:

                                                                                    Cupcake bullet points because it's my birthday month!

The app has the cutest touches that you can add to everyday entries, too.
Such as:
 bullet point symbols
 font style
font size
a photo
photo frames

They even have a daily quote you can add to each entry!
(my favorite part)

There's a quote I once saw that really hit me hard, which is the reason I decided to download this app.

"What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday."

The first time I read that quote, it took my breath away.  I would have nothing.  That quote made me realize that I need to start being more grateful and thanking God for everything he has ever given me.

Be grateful, friends

xo

What's Making Me Smile

I've kind of been in a mid-winter funk lately.  

Not really wanting to do anything or go anywhere.

I've been mostly keeping to myself, preferably in my room.

Blah. Blah. Blah.

I don't like winter.
It's my least favorite season.
I like it for about...a week.
Usually the day after Christmas I say, "Bring on Spring!"
But of course, I live in Buffalo, New York where Mother Nature says,
"you've had enough snow? Okay, here's three more feet!"
That may be an exaggeration, but she's still kinda evil around these parts...
(We have had some breaks from the cold with freakishly warm weather, though. Thank goodness!)

Anyhoo!

Usually, when I'm' feeling blah-ish I like to listen to music, get crafty, find some inspiration, or just look at pretty things.

Here's a peek at what's keeping me going through these winter weeks:

Watercolor floral
Especially this print  by Elise from Grow Creative

"Cleaning" my room and finding sweet memories

Any paint swatch craft (is that fad over?)
I want to do this craft sooo bad, just different words!

The best blow-job pictures ever!

(with a leaf blower, of course!)

Keeping busy

Lenka

This kitty sweater

(But seriously, who's buying me this?! I'll be your Valentine!)

Anything Coral or Mint.

Yolanda Pettinato and her amazing yoga dvds

A Beautiful Mess' (my favorite blog) Instax Wallpaper

Doing this to every wall of my future home...not really, but how fun is it?!

And of course, these two handsome fellas.

Always.

Thanks for reading!
What keeps you going through the winter?

xo

My Week According to Instagram

Hey there! Hi there! Ho there!

Here's what a speedy week full of gratitude looks like: 

Last Sunday:

I relaxed deeply with the family and tried out my new watercolor paints!

I've becoming quickly obsessed and want to paint every second!

Monday:

I had off from work and spent the day roaming the mall with Kevin.

Saw this at Anthropolie (so cool)

and this on the drive home.

(Canada disappeared...AHH)

I also participated in a 5 shot challenge, but I'll probably make a separate post on that, maybe.

Tuesday:

It started getting really cold & quite beautiful

Wednesday:

And then there was snow...

Thursday:

Lots and lots of snow...

and some chicken wings with very dear friends at Duff's!

(finally popped that Duff's cherry!)

YUM!

Friday:

Had a great morning cuddling at work,

 Reminisced about being young,

had a coffee date with the hunkiest man I know,

 made some popcorn, and settled down for a movie

Saturday:

Spent the morning sipping cappuccino and working on some blog posts. 

 I also enjoyed little things like matching socks,

 and spending the evening with my handsome boyfriend.

For more pictures, follow me on Instagram at: sbenzz

Thanks for checkin' in!

xo