Spring Cleaning | Digital Declutter to Detox and Discover

April 25, 2016April 25, 20161 Comment

Spring Cleaning is not just for attics and closets anymore! Our digital space is not immune from getting cluttered too. Turn on Melissa’s playlist and discover an easy and effective way to declutter your digital life! You might be surprised to discover how much more time and more space you will have in your #inreallife by following these simple spring cleaning steps!

#1 Visualize. Effectively dealing with digital clutter is not very different than cleaning out your garage and storage room. Before you tackle your desktop, smart phone, and tablet, take a few minutes to think about how you want to feel and your desired goals. Do you currently feel weighed down by your growing inbox and full storage capacity alerts? Many studies have been conducted showing how increased work productivity is related to having a workspace clear of clutter. We understand this when it comes to eliminating stacks of papers from our desks, but are we applying this mindset to our actual computer or smart device? And as we spend more and more of our hours on our computers, why would we not desire that same clutter free environment? Think about the mood you want to set for your working environment. By bringing this intention to your digital delcutter spring-cleaning, you are choosing to intentionally design a productive and effective workspace.

“The way of the Essentialist means living by design, not by default. Instead of making choices reactively, the Essentialist deliberately distinguishes the vital few from the trivial many, eliminates the nonessentials, and then removes obstacles so the essential things have clear, smooth passage. In other words, Essentialism is a disciplined, systematic approach for determining where our highest point of contribution lies, then making execution of those things almost effortless.” Greg Mckeown, Essentialism

#2 Eliminate Excess Email.

For many of us, email is one of our most used forms of communication for our work and personal lives. Whether you are juggling multiple email addresses or sifting through countless subscriptions to find your urgent messages, it can be overwhelming. Simply changing email addresses does not ensure escape from daily Old Navy sale notifications and continual invitations to rejoin Match.com. (So I’m told.) Stop spending time everyday deleting individual emails, and overhaul your inbox with unroll.me.

This tool has undoubtly been the best way I have eliminated unwanted subscriptions, SPAM, and companies that flood your inbox. It is completely free and worth taking a few minutes today so you can claim those precious minutes back tomorrow.

“Essentialism is not about how to get more things done; it’s about how to get the right things done. It doesn’t mean just doing less for the sake of less either. It is about making the wisest possible investment of your time and energy in order to operate at our highest point of contribution by doing only what is essential.” Greg McKeown, Essentialism

#3 Nix the Notifications. Yep. Just because the default settings for your texts, apps, even phone calls notifies you with sounds and text alerts, does not mean you have to leave them that way. Design not default, my friends. We are not as good multi-taskers as we think we are. Consider how damaging these digital distractions can be. They pull our focus from what we consider important to what somewhat else may deem urgent. Adjusting your notifications does not mean you will not rely, but it provides a margin for you to determine where your mental energy is going and when.

“Today, technology has lowered the barrier for others to share their opinion about what we should be focusing on. It is not just information overload; it is opinion overload.” Greg McKeown, Essentialism

“Remember that if you don’t prioritize your life someone else will.” Greg McKeown, Essentalism

#4 Discard your Downloads. If you are familiar with Marie Kondo’s tidy method, you know that before you can begin organizing your items effectively, you must purge! In our homes, how often do we attempt to organize the same drawers or closet? We spent countless hours meticulously organizing and even making special trips to Ikea for bins and tools, but inevitably, our efforts return to mess. Kondo maintains that discarding is not only essential but priority. Take this purging practice and apply it to your downloads, Internet cache, and temporary files. For big overhauls, you can use a program such as Clean my Mac, but a simple way to keep these folders clean is by discarding at the beginning or end of each week.

#5 Consistency Finally, it’s about progress not perfection, my friends. We will clean our closets out again next spring, and we will wonder why we still can’t let go of that particular pair of shoes we never EVER wear. So, you may just start today with moving all those pre-date selfies to your trash bin and consider eliminating that excess email tomorrow. I keep my favorite reminder of this hanging above my desktop computer, and it is from Olive Shoe’s founder herself, :

{Side note from LAC: Speaking of Dorothy’s desk…stay tuned for pictures of her desk soon as a featured space in The Olive Shoe’s Creative Home Tours! So fun! Y’all will be in love!…ok back to Dorothy…}

Happy Spring Digital Cleaning, friends! It’s divine!
Dorothy Camak makes her #inreallife home in Greenville, South Carolina—a little southern city that has stolen her heart. Online, Dorothy makes her home at www.dorothycamak.com. She is fascinated by the connecting power of conversation. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram as these conversations become a new Podcast series launching soon!

Lauren {LAC} James is a Sr. Designer of Product Graphics for an international manufacturing company by day and a creativity crusader, designer, planner extraordinaire, artist and blogger in her “free” time. Follow her and The Olive Shoe on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or Instagram! Please subscribe to receive emails, and of course, come back and visit again soon!

Please visit the online art gallery {Art by LAC} and Etsy Shop too!

50,000 Views | A Big Ol’ Thank You, Merry Christmas & A FREE Printable

December 23, 2015December 23, 2015Leave a comment

This morning, The Olive Shoe tipped over 50,000 views and 36,000+ unique visitors for the year. Considering the total views for last year were 4,188…this is kind of a big deal.

I just wanted to take a quick minute in the midst of the hustle and bustle this week to thank each and every one of you who have placed orders, read the blog, sent feedback, hung in there through growing pains as I worked out (and am still working out) kinks in my processes, given me ideas, high fives, hugs, words of encouragement, and supported The Olive Shoe this past year. It has been a big year of growth, learning, writing, and LOTS OF PROJECTS!

As a small token of thanks, please enjoy this free printable (a great last minute hostess gift!)…

{Click Image or HERE to Download Free Printable}

In this joyous season, I would be remiss if I did not attribute this year’s success to the big guy upstairs…there have been days I’m pretty sure the good Lord made minutes longer for me. To God be the glory!! I am indeed so very blessed. It has been quite an amazing year.

A very special thanks to my amazing, wonderful, supportive husband who has put up with our kitchen turning into a laboratory, filing cabinet, and post office at various times this year and for encouraging me to pursue my dreams. He has cheered me on, stamped letters, packed packages, and stood by me the whole time. A GIANT thanks to my sister-in-love, Lauren, and my sister from another mother, Amanda, who have jumped on board as FABULOUS featured writers this fall, my parents and especially Mom for answering many back-to-back phone calls, listening to me ramble about ideas, dropping everything to drive up and help midway through this holiday season, and for just being some of my biggest cheerleaders…and a special thank you the ever charming Dorothy Camak who inspires and uplifts me at our (almost) monthly lunches. This year would not have been the same without any of y’all!

Lots of fun things are in the works for 2016 – new features, new products, two new online locations – The Olive Shoe was recently approved for both Amazon Handmade and Creative Market, so those stores are coming soon, and LOTS of new creative inspiration! I hope you’ll join us for the great adventure. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart for making 2015 so blessed and busy! May your holidays be filled with love, joy, and creativity! Merry Christmas!!!

For More Holiday Ideas & Inspiration from The Olive Shoe, check out one of these:

Lauren {LAC} James is a Sr. Designer of Product Graphics for an international manufacturing company by day and a creativity crusader, designer, planner extraordinaire, artist and blogger in her “free” time. Follow her and The Olive Shoe on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or Instagram! Please subscribe to receive emails, of course, come back and visit again soon!

Please visit the online art gallery {Art by LAC} and Etsy Shop too!

Blue and White for SC | FREE Graphics and 5×7 Printable | Emanuel AME Tragedy

June 24, 2015July 24, 20155 Comments

Last week, 9 precious lives were lost in a horrible tragedy in Charleston, SC. I have been a South Carolinian since I was two and a half years old, and I love this state. We get a bad rap on a lot of things, but there are a lot of things to celebrate about our state as well. Despite controversy and this horrendous act by one person, South Carolinians are coming together to support the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston.

An invitation circulating on Facebook invites all South Carolinians to turn SC blue and white this Friday, June 26, as a sign of unity, solidarity and to honor and remember those who lost their lives by:

1) Displaying our state flag in a prominent place to be seen.

2) Tie blue and white ribbons on trees, lamp posts, cars, etc.

3) Wear blue and white clothing.

4) Turn your profile pictures to the SC Flag and Palm Tree.

5) Any thing else you can think of to show off the blue and white.

Our state flag is blue and white, first used in the Revolutionary War on Sullivan’s Island, rallying troops to keep fighting and can now be used again as a rally cry of unity and peace.

The blue represents loyalty, vigilance, perseverence, and justice.

The white represents purity and innocence.

In honor of this Friday’s demonstration, below are some graphics I will be using to display my SC Blue and White as well as a FREE 5×7 Printable. Click any of the images to be redirected to the Dropbox folder where they are stored. Please feel free to distribute, and use as you see fit!

Sending lots of love and prayers to the friends and families of last week’s tragedy.

With love and good will,

Lauren (LAC) James

{Formatted for Instagram and Facebook Profile Pictures}

{Formatted for Facebook Cover Photo}

{Free 5×7 Printable – PDF and JPG Files in Dropbox Folder}

For personal use only. Graphics Copyright (C) Lauren James

Just Shoe Me, Happy Valentine’s Day and Weekend Link List for February 14

February 14, 2015February 16, 2015Leave a comment

Happy Valentine’s Day!!

I am a hopeless romantic, lovey dovey, more sensitive than I should be most of the time, and head over heels in love. However, I am definitely not the biggest fan of Valentine’s day. My mom is. And bless her, she used to send me care packages in college and the box would have little messages and hearts and pictures drawn all over it. Even earlier – in elementary through high school, she would put little Valentine’s surprises at our seat at the dinner table so when we came out for breakfast there were surcees. My mom LOVES Valentine’s day…and although I loved her illustrated packages and valiant efforts, I think I am more like the Grinch of Valentine’s day.

Although I have to say, yesterday, my sweet Van not only sent me beautiful purple irises and red tulips, but a SINGING VALENTINE!!! Six Montessori school kids serenaded me in the lobby at work, wearing pink and red hats and “playing” pretend trombones and horns… singing “All You Need is Love”… and then read me a little poem. ADORABLE. What a unique, creative, gift! Love that man. Can’t wait to be his Mrs.

So in the name of love and all things red and pink, here’s a little ode to Valentine’s day …just for you Mom…

{Click HERE for Printable .pdf}

Weekend Link List (a.k.a. cool stuff I came across this week):

According to THIS article, the Fifty Shades of Grey Soundtrack is getting way better reviews than the movie itself…even claiming it as one of the best albums of 2015. Artists include: Frank Sinatra, Annie Lennox, AWOLNATION, The Rolling Stones and Beyoncé. Yes, please!

I made my own version of shrimp fried rice for us this week for dinner using this recipe as a guideline and it turned out GREAT…Van even gave me permissions to put more veggies in it next time! How to make perfect fried rice in 6 easy steps

7 Reasons Your Wife is Stressed Out All the Time…This is a really good article; multiple good points to ponder and remember! I sent this to my sweet Van – with a note that said, consider reading this a preventative measure. Hahaha.

Marmalade Bleue – NOT your average calligraphy

5 Ways to Showcase Your Freelance Graphic Design Work gave me some very inspiring ideas. As my freelance portfolio grows, I’m always thinking about ways to display and find more clients…these are great!

My oldest goddaughter went to middle school orientation this week. TEAR. Someone sent her Momma this article, Parenting a Tween, and since she’s like my own, her Momma forwarded it to me, too, to share…pretty much everyone I know has a tween in their lives – a child, a neice, nephew, godchild, family friend or grandchild…this article might be interesting for you as well!

And finally…growing up we called these egg-in-the-holes…but usually the hole was round… these heart shaped ones I found on West Elm’s Blog: Front + Main are adorable!! What are you making for breakfast this morning?

Tell your loved ones that you love them today and EVERY DAY! Hugs and have a great weekend!

Lauren is a Sr. Designer of Product Graphics for an international manufacturing company by day and a creativity crusader, designer, planner extraordinaire, artist and blogger in her “free” time. Follow her and The Olive Shoe on Twitter, Pinterest or Instagram! Please subscribe to receive emails, of course, come back and visit again soon!

6 Festive Appetizers for Holiday Entertaining with Recipes

December 23, 2014July 8, 201512 Comments

We’re all probably eating way too much this time of year, but there’s just soooo much good food around! Plus there are adorable ideas like the ones below to try for your holiday entertaining. I’m always keeping an eye out for new ideas to try, cute themed appetizers, and delicious bite sized party food.

I love entertaining, pretty food and it MUST taste good. I can’t wait to try the recipes below…maybe one or two over the next couple of weeks as I spend cherished time with friends and family!

Here are some of the cutest recipes I found while looking for ideas (recipes are at the end of the post):

{Christmas Tree Appetizers from Cheif 187 Chatter}

{Cranberry Baked Brie from Chef in Training}

{Pigs-in-a-Blanket Wreath from Free Fun Christmas}

{Pillsbury’s Pesto Crescent Swirls}

{Tortellini Skewer Picture from My Dirty Aprons}

{Tomato Mozzarella Skewers with Basil Oil from thekitchn.com}

At the last minute, I found this recipe for Christmas Sangria from Cake-n-Knife as well…can’t wait to try it… so pretty and it sounds delightful! I’ve added the recipe below as well. Merry Christmas and happy hostessing! Hope Santa is good to you. Enjoy this time with your family and friends!

Ok, and now for the recipes….

Christmas Tree Appetizers

Ingredients:

1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
½ cup chopped drained roasted red bell peppers (from 7.25-oz jar)
¼ cup chopped ripe olives
¼ cup chopped fresh basil leaves
¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
4 spinach-flavor flour tortillas (8 to 10 inches in diameter)
Ripe olive pieces

Directions:

1. In medium bowl, mix all ingredients except tortillas and olive pieces. Divide mixture among tortillas, spreading to edges of tortillas. Roll up tightly. Press each tortilla roll into triangle shape, using fingers. Wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 2 hours but no longer than 24 hours.
2. To serve, cut rolls into 1/2-inch slices. Place olive piece at bottom of each triangle to look like tree trunk; secure with toothpick.

Cranberry Baked Brie

Ingredients:

1 (16 oz) circle shaped Brie Cheese
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup chopped pecans
½ cup craisins
3 Tablespoons brown sugar
3 Tablespoons maple syrup

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
Place chopped pecans on a clean baking sheet and bake until toasted and fragrant. About 7-10 minutes.
Place cheese on an oven safe dish with sides. Sprinkle and lightly pat ½ cup brown sugar over it and on the sides.
Bake 15-20 minutes until cheese is soft.
While cheese is baking, In a small sauce pan over medium heat, bring 3 Tbsp brown sugar and 3 Tbsp maple syrup to a boil. Simmer until foamy, about 1-2 minutes.
After cheese has baked, sprinkle chopped pecans and craisins over the cheese. Then drizzle sauce over.
Serve with baguette or crackers.

Pigs-in-a-Blanket Wreath

Ingredients:

Mini Sausages
Refrigerated Crescent Dough Rolls
Red Bell Pepper
Diced Rosemary
1/3 cup Butter
1/2 cup BBQ Sauce
1/2 cup Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce

Directions:

Preheat the oven to the temperature specified on the package of Refrigerated Crescent Dough Rolls. Drain the liquid off of the mini sausages.
Unroll the crescent dough and separate at the perforations to create 4 rectangles. Press together the remaining perforation in each rectangle. With a knife or pizza cutter, cut each rectangle lengthwise into 8 strips making a total of 32 strips.
Wrap one strip of dough around each mini sausage. Lay out the crescent-wrapped sausages with their sides touching on an ungreased cookie sheet in a circle forming a wreath shape.
Bake for 11-15 minutes or until golden brown. Melt 1/3 cup of butter and brush the butter on top of the crescent-wrapped sausages. Sprinkle the rosemary on top of the butter.
Cut a red bell pepper into a bow shape for garnish. Combine the BBQ sauce and cranberry sauce in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring until heated through. Serve with wreath for dipping.

Pillsbury’s Pesto Crescent Swirls

Ingredients:

1 can Pillsbury™ refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
1/4 cup basil pesto
1/4 cup sun-dried tomato or roasted red pepper pesto
1 tablespoon fresh chopped basil leaves

Directions:

Heat oven to 400°F. Unroll dough; separate into 2 long rectangles. On 1 dough rectangle, spread thin layer of basil pesto. Reroll dough; cut roll into 6 (1/2-inch) slices. Place slices on ungreased cookie sheet.
Repeat with remaining rectangle of dough and tomato pesto.
Bake 10 to 12 minutes or just until golden brown. Remove from cookie sheet to serving platter. Garnish with a sprinkle with basil. Serve warm.

Tortellini Skewers

A note about this app: I have used this at many a gathering. The picture came from my dirty aprons, and clicking the link above will get you to the site with the author’s instructions. The instructions below are mine. These are very festive and VERY easy! You can do three sauces – marinara, pesto and alfredo – for extra festive-ness!

Ingredients:

Tortellini noodles (fresh or frozen – both work great)
Mini-skewers – find these in the picnic aisle of your grocery store. I keep all three sizes on hand at home for various uses.
Olive oil
Garlic Salt
Pepper
Sauces of your choosing (I suggest a marinara, a pesto, and an alfredo)
Mini-crock pots

Directions:

Follow directions on package of tortellini noodles. DO NOT OVERCOOK.
Drain in sink in strainer, and coat lightly with olive oil, add garlic salt and black pepper to taste.
Let cool for a few minutes so you can handle the noodles, and then put 3-5 per skewer.
Use miniature crock pots to warm various sauces and serve!

Tomato Mozzarella Skewers with Basil Oil

Directions from thekitchn.com:

We bought bocconcini, bite-sized mozzarella balls, to make the process even quicker, but you could also cut a big ball of mozzarella into chunks. On each skewer, we put three grape tomatoes and one piece of cheese.

For the basil oil, we blended a couple of handfuls of fresh basil leaves in a blender with enough olive oil to make it fluid and creamy. We put it through a strainer, thinking we’d get clear green oil on the other end, but most of the basil bits came through the sieve. Next time we won’t bother with that step; the bits of basil are a nice pop of color anyway.

Note from me:

I’ve done this without the basil oil, but adding one or two basil leaves on the skewer. Once assembled and plattered to your liking, drizzle with balsamic vinegar and olive oil, or just use a pre-assembled balsamic vinaigrette dressing. These are so pretty and always a hit!

Christmas Sangria

Rosemary, cranberries, and apple make this sangria the perfect Christmas drink that goes with any holiday meal!

Serves: 10-12

Ingredients:

2 bottles Pinot Grigio
¾ cup sparkling apple cider
¼ cup sugar
¼ cup cranberries, halved
¾ cup cranberries, whole
1 Granny Smith apple, chopped
3 rosemary sprigs

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher and stir together with a large wooden spoon to help the sugar dissolve. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving. Serve chilled or over ice.

Merry Christmas! Wishing many blessings to all of you and your families. God bless!

Please visit Lauren’s online art gallery {Art by LAC} and Etsy Shop too!

5 Fabulous DIY Gifts for Holiday Hostesses

December 19, 2014March 3, 20153 Comments

WOW!!! 6 days until Christmas!!! Where has this month gone?!?!?!

Last week Van and I went to the golf dinner where we had our first friend date a year ago yesterday. What a year it has been! Hard to believe we’ll be tying the knot in just 96 days. The next few months are going to be SO BUSY!! Hopefully I will manage to fit in a few DIY and How-To blog posts in between wedding preparations, festivities, and living life!

If your life has been as crazy as mine, and you need a last minute idea for your holiday hostesses….well, here are five thoughtful but easy homemade items you can make this weekend:

{Stenciled Tea Towels from No. 2 Pencil}

{Adorable Painted Serving Ware from Just a Girl}

{Wrap a bottle of nice olive oil, champagne or wine from Martha Stewart}

{Make a set of these Peppermint Hot Chocolate Spoons from Yummy Mummy Kitchen}

{Chic Holiday Art from my Etsy Shop also available in a green stripe!}

Happy Holidays! Stay warm with your last minute shopping, safe travels to all those making treks to see family and friends, and I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Merry Christmas and lots of holiday love from me!

Please visit Lauren’s online art gallery {Art by LAC} and Etsy Shop too!

Bloody Mary (or Maria) Mix Recipe, Cocktail Shrimp Done Right, and a Tailgate Checklist

November 19, 2013July 8, 20154 Comments

Happy Tuesday! This weekend is the last Clemson home game until next season. Sigh. Sad times. Then, Sunday is our annual Friendsgiving Feast…more details and pictures to follow soon. Busy weekend! I finally got around to typing up my tailgating checklist – at least it will come in handy next year! Hahaha. You can download it here (or click on the picture below and it will take you to the link).

This weekend, it’s a noon kick, and perfect weather for Bloodys.

Last year I started trying to perfect my own mix. I love Zing Zang, but honestly, it’s expensive. A bottle or can of tomato juice costs about $2, and a 64 oz. bottle of Zing Zang is $9.99. Since I usually have most of the other ingredients on hand, this is WAYYYYYYY cheaper. It’s gotten several stamps of approval, so I decided to share…here you go! (Sorry Zing Zang…I still love ya!)

In a reusable plastic container (I use one that holds 64 oz.), combine:

1 can/bottle of tomato juice
1/4 c. steak sauce
1 tsp. celery seed
1 tsp garlic salt
1 tsp black pepper
pinch cayenne pepper
4 oz. lemon juice
3 Tbsp Dijon mustard
3 Tbsp horseradish (prepared style, not creamy)
2 Tbsp olive brine
2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

Let the flavors combine overnight, and mix well before serving the next day. Et voila!

For Bloody Mary: 2 parts mix, 1 part vodka

For Bloody Maria (Tequila): 3 parts mix, 1 part tequila

…and I’ve recently learned that adding a splash of pickle juice is a very nice finisher! (Thanks Jenn!)

Garnish with your choice of:

Dill Pickle Spears
Olives
Celery Stalk
Lemon Wedge
String Cheese
Additional Old Bay
Hot Sauce
Cocktail Shrimp

…and speaking of cocktail shrimp, they are so, so, so, so, so much better if you do them yourself. It’s SUPER easy. Here’s how:

You’ll need:

1 lb. shrimp (I recommend fresh Murrells Inlet shrimp, personally, but it’s up to you. These were imported to the upstate courtesy of my parents.)
1 beer
2 tablespoons Old Bay seasoning

In a pot, combine the beer (I use whatever’s in my fridge – this time it was Redhook Longhammer IPA) and 1 tablespoon of Old Bay seasoning.

Bring the ingredients to a boil and then add the shrimp.

Add the other tablespoon of Old Bay seasoning on top of the shrimp and give a quick stir to mix it up. Let them steam for about 5 minutes or so +/-…until all the gray is gone and shrimp are pink. DON’T OVERCOOK.

Drain, peel, and eat! YUM! …or use to garnish a Bloody Mary (or Maria – my personal fav)…

Happy tailgating!

Spooktacular! Spooktacular! Happy Halloween!! …and a FREEBIE

October 31, 2013February 16, 2015Leave a comment

Happy Halloween!! Can you believe it’s almost November already? I can’t. This year has positively FLOWN by!!

That aside, I’ll keep the jibber-jabber short and sweet today (it has been a WEEK! Whew!), but here is some halloween trivia for you, some (not bed)knobs and broomsticks, and a free printable for all of you Crafty McCraftersons!! Hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday!

Halloween 2013 - Costumes, Consumption, Candy Corn & More S