Me and COVID-19: 5 Very Honest Thoughts I've Had in Pandemic

Well, hello from my home office. My home office- that is now my temporary/permanent office- is where I’ve spent a majority of my time since we are currently under quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Other than this office and walks around my neighborhood, I have literally only gone to the grocery store in the last three weeks. (Man, I can’t wait to look back on this post one day and think, “Oh, that was so crazy- remember that!?!?!”) 

At a time when we are isolating ourselves physically, I have been craving connection. I am just so curious what other people are thinking about this whole thing, how it has affected their lives and their work, and how they are handling it all. So I thought I would share five REALLY honest things that have crossed my mind during this crazy weird time in my life in the hopes that it would help both you and I connect right now. 

I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR SOCIAL MEDIA RIGHT NOW: As much as people tout the dangers of social media (some of it warranted and some of it not), it’s surely been a huge lifeline for me right now. One major takeaway from this whole thing for me has been that wow, the world really needs digital communication. Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, podcasts, Zoom, Google Hangouts, etc. are INCREDIBLE tools we can all use to stay connected when we aren’t physically surrounding ourselves with our people right now. Surrounding yourselves with positive and joyful people right now through digital means is going to make a huge difference in how happily you experience this time in your life. 

And those people don’t have to just be the people that you know in real life. They can be people who help inspire and motivate you on the Internet. I just recorded a video called Women Who Inspire Me: The 10 Internet BFFs You Need In Your Life Right Now that will give you tons of great ladies to follow on social media while you are distancing from your real life tribe right now. 

THIS IS JUST WEIRD.  I feel like I am living in a movie right now. It just feels so surreal. I mean, I KNOW what’s happening because I am seeing it play out in front of me, but it still doesn’t seem real that this will be my life for the next six weeks. That I literally will go NOWHERE except for the occasional trip out to get food/supplies. That I will literally be living and working at home full time. Everyone keeps using the word “unprecedented” to describe this situation, and while I am certainly annoyed by the overuse of the term, it does seem to perfectly paint the picture of what is happening. Our generation (and our parents’ generation) has not lived through anything like this. It is literally a historic event that our kids will eventually read about in history books.Living through history is new to us all and we are all just trying to figure out how to deal with it the best we can. 

WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I LOST MY JOB? With 100 percent honesty, this has been my biggest fear. As an event planner, what I do for a living (gathering large groups of people together) is literally BANNED right now. I work for a small, family owned business who makes their money by selling event space to large groups of people and we are legally unable to do that for at least eight weeks, maybe more, depending on how long this lasts. While I know that my bosses are doing everything they can right now and exploring every resource available to them, I have to prepare myself for the possibility that if this drags on, I could lose part or all of my income. And,of course, thinking through that fear that is scary. I am sure many of us right now are walking through lost income (or the possibility thereof) as well. For me, it has made saving money into an emergency fund more important than anything else in my world right now. Every little bit of cash that gets moved into savings makes me feel better about the uncertainty. 

I LOVE WORKING FROM HOME: My husband and I are both lucky enough to primarily work from home right now. We’ve found a good set up for us both to be working at home at the same time, him in the dining room/living room and me in my home office. I have to say, neither of us having a long commute has truly been a blessing. We each would spend between an hour and three driving to and from work and having that be eliminated makes the switch between “work mode” and “home mode” instantaneous and I love it.

In that regard, being together this much has honestly been great- I really, really love it. It’s been so nice to enjoy his company more. And I know that sounds cheesy and like I am just saying it to say it, but I genuinely mean it. I’m not saying there aren’t little annoyances; I am just saying that overall, I wouldn’t want to be quarantined with anyone else. And as someone who’s aspiring to work from home permanently, this experience has only solidified that desire for me. 

THIS TIME IS AN OPPORTUNITY: I posted on Instagram last week a thought that crossed my mind while I was out walking one day. “This time is an opportunity to be more WHOLE people.” I’ve gotten the chance to regularly walk outside in the early evening and my husband actually has time at the end of his workday to get some outdoor projects done; something that he has always wished he had time for. All of those around-the-house projects that we all have had on our to do lists for years can finally get done and you can call your grandma and ask her how she is because YOU HAVE THE TIME. We have the time to be more well rounded people and have a whole life because so many of our normal distractions have been deleted. If you have a creative project to work on or something new to start, you now have the time to do it. Heck, even if all you had been hoping for was more time to rest, you have that time now! This time is an opportunity. 

I AM VERY CLEAR ON WHAT IS IMPORTANT: I saw a quote recently that said, “When everything is going crazy, everything that is important becomes clear.” Doesn’t that just hit home for you right now? The second that this crazy news started to become really REAL to you, what were the first few things you thought of? Those things are the important things. Modern life is full of demands and expectations and distractions that make our lives a big blur of running from one thing to the next. Now that a lot of that blurriness has been removed, the simplicity of what life is now is actually kind of refreshing.

Of course, these things have always been important. But now, they’re standing out from the noise more than ever before. Living intentionally through this time means spending your time and energy on your most important things. 

Stay home, stay safe, stay healthy and have a great day, Meghan

Hey, I’m Meghan

I love coffee, yoga pants, planners and color coordinating markers. Sound familiar? Yes! Let’s be internet BFFs. I am here sharing content on all things organization, productivity, goal getting and personal growth. Welcome!

The Internet BFFs That You Need In Your Life

They say you’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with. And that definitely includes not only the people you know in real life, but also the people who are in the information you consume every day. I’ve found a TON of value from these Internet friends and I’m sharing them so you can, too.

Rachel Cruze, Personal Finance Educator

Instagram

YouTube Channel

Book- Love Your Life, Not Theirs

The Financial Diet

YouTube Channel

Thefinancialdiet.com

Marie Forleo, Business Educator

Instagram

YouTube Channel

Book- Everything is Figureoutable

Rachel Hollis, Motivational Speaker

Instagram

YouTube Channel

Next 90 Days Challenge

Jordan Page, Family Life

Instagram

YouTube Channel

Funcheaporfree.com

Lydia Senn, Frugal and Simple Living

Instagram

YouTube Channel

Amy Landino, Productivity and Professionalism

Instagram

YouTube Channel

Book- Good Morning, Good Life

Jenna Kutcher, Marketing, Motherhood, Body Image

Instagram

Goal Digger Podcast

Lavendaire, Inentional Life Design

Instagram

YouTube Channel

Artist of Life Workbook

Kalyn Nicholson, Vlogger

Instagram

YouTube Channel

Hey, I’m Meghan

I love coffee, yoga pants, planners and color coordinating markers. Sound familiar? Yes! Let’s be internet BFFs. I am here sharing content on all things organization, productivity, goal getting and personal growth. Welcome!

Why I Started a YouTube Channel

Hey there! Welcome back to the Morning Coffee blog! 

In case you missed it, I announced a few weeks ago that I have expanded Morning Coffee’s platform to YouTube!  

Though I announced it not that long ago, I’ve actually been posting videos since last December. 

Wondering why I didn’t share it right away? Well, part of it was practical in nature- I wanted to be sure that I could maintain all of the work that the channel required on a daily basis before I made a promise to create content. Scripting, filming, editing and posting videos is actually quite a bit of work, and the last thing I wanted was to make this proclamation that “I make videos!”, release two and then get into the nuts and bolts of the process and realize I didn’t have the bandwidth to do it regularly. So that was part of it. 

But, honestly, the biggest reason why I waited to share it “publicly”,  was that I was a chicken. I was scared to hear what people thought of it and thought of me for deciding to release videos onto a worldwide platform. I was afraid they would judge me. 

 I realize that putting your face all over the Internet is really not something that most people would want to do. And I didn’t want people to think it was weird. And by “people”, I am mostly talking about the people I know in real life, as people who watch YouTube don’t really think it’s weird that people they watch make videos, because, well, they like to watch those videos. 

Besides my fear of not having anyone understand why I would choose to post on this platform at all, I also didn’t want them to think that I thought SO HIGHLY of myself and that I decided i was an EXPERT AT LIFE. I didn’t want them to think that I have everything figured out and that  I just HAD to share it because I think I AM JUST SO GREAT AT EVERYTHING. 

Because, I don’t. 

Like, I reaaaalllly  don’t. 

I don’t have anything figured out perfectly, not to mention having everything figured out all at once.

Guys, my laundry sits clean in a basket for a week before I manage to put it away. 

I am no freaking expert. 

So, if I didn’t decide to do it because I think so highly of myself, why did I do it? Well, I did it because I had always wondered what it would be like to try it. I have LOVED writing my blog over the last year and I have loved having a creative outlet for sharing my thoughts. But I really don’t feel like people read too much anymore and I wanted a bigger platform where I could share my content with a bigger audience IN A MUCH MORE DIGESTIBLE WAY. Heck, I would much rather watch a video than read a blog post, and I feel like my audience would feel the same way. 

When I approach my writing, the only way that I know how to make the posts sound authentic is to make them as conversational as possible. You know,  make them sound exactly like my real voice would sound if we were sitting down together at a coffee shop or over dinner. I hope that people who know me can literally HEAR my voice when they read my posts. But, a vast majority of the world hasn’t met me yet and they would have no idea what my literal voice sounds like…unless they could hear it for themselves on video. 

And that is why I decided to make a YouTube channel- so that I can share my real voice with more people. And not because I think I am some magical life expert, but because I am just like them and doing the best I can to figure it all out. Because I am just like them and because I am going through the same things that they are. 

If you haven’t yet, go check out my channel and see what I am talking about! I would love to connect with you over there!

Thanks so much for all the love and support for what I do! 

Meghan

Hey, I’m Meghan

I love coffee, yoga pants, planners and color coordinating markers. Sound familiar? Yes! Let’s be internet BFFs. I am here sharing content on all things organization, productivity, goal getting and personal growth. Welcome!

Favorite Clean Household & Beauty

Beauty

Dr. Bronner’s Organic Lotion

Dr. Bronner’s Castille Soap

Follain Toning Mist

Follain Moisturizer

Hurraw Mint Lip Balm

Leap Organics Face Wash

Household

Grove Cleaning Concentrates- All Purpose, Glass, Tub and Tile

Grove Stain Remover Spray

Method Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Norwex Descaling Spray

Norwex Dusting Mitt

Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent

Hey, I’m Meghan

I’m here sharing content all about pursuing your own version of more and loving how you feel doing it. If that sounds good to you, stick around and let’s be friends!

My 2020 Reading List

I can’t tell you how happy I am that I rediscovered reading at the end of 2018. I read some great books this year and I’ve already complied my list for the new decade. If you want to read more in 2020, check out my 2019 reading list and the list for 2020 below for some fun suggestions. And hey- maybe you know someone on your Christmas list that might enjoy one of these, too,

2020 Reading List

Good Morning, Good Life: 5 Simple Habits to Master Your Mornings and Upgrade Your Life by Amy Schmidttauer Landino

The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance and the Art of Living by Ryan Holiday

Better Than Before by Gretchen Rubin

Outer Order, Inner Calm by Gretchen Rubin

Crushing It: How Great Entrepreneurs Build Their Business and Influence- and How You Can, Too by Gary Vanyerchuck

Everything Is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo

Hug Your Customers: The Proven Way to Personalize Sales and Achieve Astounding Results by Jack Mitchell

The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron

You Are A Badass at Making Money: Master the Mindset of Wealth by Jen Sincero

9 Steps to Financial Freedom by Suze Orman

Hey, I’m Meghan

I love coffee, yoga pants, planners and color coordinating markers. Sound familiar? Yes! Let’s be internet BFFs. I am here sharing content on all things organization, productivity, goal getting and personal growth. Welcome!

The Cassa- Hall Gallery Wall

Well, it’s been awhile since you got an update on things over here at the Cass household (Cassa, if you will). One of my goals this year was to decorate with some of our wedding photos so that we could use those expensive things after all! And I really do love them, SO! Here’s the first gallery wall i did of our family wedding photos. What’s more interesting than the photos itself, is actually the quick and easy process I used to hang them straight, using wrapping paper! (I did not think of this, by the way, I saw it on Pinterest somewhere a few years ago.) Here’s how I did it!

The frames I bought are from Hobby Lobby if you are interested.

STEP ONE: Lay Out Frames on a Piece of GRID BACKED wrapping paper.

Lay out a roll of wrapping paper on a level surface. And here’s THE SECRET- You have to use wrapping paper that has a grid printed on the back (I get mine at Kohls). Lay the grid face up and arrange your frames on the grid however you would like them.

STEP TWO: Trace the outlines of your frames

Use a pen or a pencil to trace around the outsides of each frame, making sure to use the gridlines for guidance and keep everything straight. Mine frames were all laid out symmetrically because that is the way I wanted them, but this will also work if you are doing a gallery wall with frames that are more staggered instead of even.

STEP THREE: Mark Nail Holes on the paper

Turn each frame over and make an “x” where you’d like the nails to go for each frame. I slid my frame down a little bit from it’s outline so I could mark it best and used the center of the wall hanger as the guide for my nail holes. Remember to use the grid lines to help you keep all the nails aligned. WORD TO THE WISE- even if all of your frames are the same, measure each one individually. Some of your wall hangers may be slightly off than the rest.

STEP FOUR: Hang your sheet of wrapping paper on the wall.

Once you’ve marked the outlines of all of your frames and nail holes, take your sheet of wrapping paper and hang it on the wail where your frames will be hung. I used painter’s tape so it wouldn’t leave marks on the wall.

STEP FIVE: Put nails into the wall

Using the marks you made for your nail holes, hammer in your nails for each frame over the wrapping paper. My husband did this for me, but he said the wall template worked perfectly for him! Once all of your nails are hung, pull the wrapping paper off of the wall and TA=DA, you’re ready to hang your frames!

Super simple, right?? I mean, at least it’s waaaay easier than just guessing and hoping for the best. I’m really happy with how it turned out! I will be doing it again on a bigger gallery wall for our master bedroom, so stayed tuned for that! If you try out this tip, let me know how it works for you!

Hey, I’m Meghan

I’m here sharing content all about pursuing your own version of more and loving how you feel doing it. If that sounds good to you, stick around and let’s be friends!

When to Work and When to Rest?

I don’t know about you, but there’s enough items on my “want to do” and “have to do” lists that I could literally be “productive” all of my waking hours. And we know that’s not practical for many reasons, but mostly because it's not sustainable. People need to rest and recharge and have breaks to be the best of who they are. 

Because I’ve realized that a paradox exists- sometimes rest IS productive (like when you take a break and come back to a task with better energy and focus) and sometimes the things you do while being productive ARE PROVIDING A FEELING OF REST (like the refreshed mental feeling you get from a clean inbox or an organized fridge)

So, I’m often grappling with the question- how do I know when to rest and when to work? This can be especially tricky because sometimes rest is a legitimate need and sometimes, rest is a convenient excuse. The annoying but also realistic answer to that is that it is going to be different for every person. 

Here’s a few ways that I know I am truly in need of rest:

• I feel “OFF” or “not myself” for a reason I can’t identify

• My temper is shorter than usual

• I don’t enjoy things I normally do or enjoy them  to the same extent

• Physical signs like abnormal body pains, excessive yawning

• Lack of creativity 

I also know a few signs that tell me that I’m in need of some productivity:

• My physical spaces (car, desk, purse, kitchen)  are messy or cluttered

• I feel uncomfortable in my clothes or appearance

• I feel anxious or stressed

• I’m bored with my mindless activities (Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, TV)

• I forget something that I’m normally on top of

If you stopped to think about it, what are the signals that you send yourself when you are in need of rest or work? How do you tackle the balance between productivity and recharging? Tell me in a comment below! 

Hey, I’m Meghan

I’m here sharing content all about pursuing your own version of more and loving how you feel doing it. If that sounds good to you, stick around and let’s be friends!

Wanna Drink More Water?

I’m sure it’s pretty clear, just by looking at the name of this blog and all, that coffee is my favorite beverage. I love it, I enjoy it, I drink it all of the time. But unfortunately, while I’d like to think that a woman could live on coffee alone, that just ain’t the truth. Especially since coffee actually can dehydrate you. So, we need to drink water. The world tells us REPEATEDLY to drink water, but sometimes it’s easier said than done. 

I am not a “health nut” by *any* stretch of the imagination, but this is one habit that I can actually say I’m really good at. Here’s how I help myself out by drinking more water. 

MAKE IT CUTE- You need a cute cup/bottle/glass/etc- Let’s be real, regularly doing the habits that make us more healthy isn’t actually that fun. So, make it more fun by drinking out of a cute bottle or cup. I use this Yeti Rambler in my favorite teal color. I also bought the lid that comes with a straw because that’s how I like to drink my beverages. It’s the little things, you guys! . 

IT.GOES. WITH. YOU. EVERYWHERE. - It’s literally your third arm now, okay? Fill it up before you leave to go anywhere. Before you leave the house, fill it up. Before you leave work, fill it up. Before you leave mom’s house, fill it up. Bring it with you in the car, take it to your desk at work, take if on your errands or when you’re at a friend’s house. You get the picture. My Yeti is literally by my side all day.

LOSE THE PRICE GUILT- If you’re out somewhere and you’re thirsty, BUY THE WATER. I realize that you may be at a concert and it’s $35 for a 24 ounce bottle of water without a cap, and that’s really ridiculous, but honestly now, there’s a lot of worse things you can spend your money on than water. I see you at that concert buying a $12 beer or a $15 Captain and diet, I see you. So, yes,It’s overpriced, that’s the reality, but for the love of god, if you’re thirsty, just buy the dang water! (Restaurants and drive-thrus will usually give you water for free if you’re purchasing something else!)

I hope you enjoyed these tips on how to state hydrated because Around here, we believe that your cup should always be full.

Hey, I’m Meghan

I love coffee, yoga pants, planners and color coordinating markers. Sound familiar? Yes! Let’s be internet BFFs. I am here sharing content on all things organization, productivity, goal getting and personal growth. Welcome!

How to Read More

Fall is the perfect time to cozy up with a blanket and a book… and a good cup of coffee, of course. Do you want to read more but struggle to commit the time to it? Here’s some of the things that have helped me read on a regular basis in the last year-

1. Little by little- Because of my work schedule, I don't really tend to have huge, uninterrupted spans of time when I could read for an hour or two. So, I read for 10 minutes a day. It doesn’t sound like much, but I was really surprised how quickly I would get through books by just doing a few minutes a day. Pick a set time frame (10 minutes, 15 minutes, etc) that you could devote to reading each day.

2. Set a timer- I found that it was easier to focus on what I was reading if I set a timer on my phone for my ten minutes so that I wasn’t glancing up from my book every couple minutes to check the time. With a timer, I can go all in on reading and my phone will tell me when it’s time to stop. And sometimes- I don’t! If I’m close to finishing a section or a chapter, I’ll keep going if I have the time. The timer doesn’t lock you in, but it does ensure you’re getting your minimum time in. 

3. Have a pencil handy- This tip would likely apply to non-fiction reading (which is my favorite), but I underline, star and circle things in books that I really want to remember. Quotes I like, ideas that sound interesting to me, or things that apply to me personally. Even in a fiction book, you may find a phrase or passage that you really like and want to remember it or have it for later. Making notations in  your books helps you commit things to memory and get more value out of the words on the page. If a book has a LOT of information that I want to remember, I will actually write my highlighted sections in a notebook so I have them to reference later .

4. Take action- The whole point of reading a book is to learn something new or broaden your perspective. DO something with what you’ve just read! I’ve found that actually applying a tip from what you’ve read motivates me to read more. For example, when I read The Home Edit, I bought some paint markers and labeled the containers we have  in our master bathroom cabinet, and when I read Homebody I bought a metal tray for our entry way to collect keys, hats, and purses by our main entry door.  Applying what you’ve read helps you see in real life how reading can make your life better. 

Not sure what to read? Check out my 2019 Reading List, Four More Books to Read in 2019, and my Bookshelf page on the blog. 

Hey, I’m Meghan

I love coffee, yoga pants, planners and color coordinating markers. Sound familiar? Yes! Let’s be internet BFFs. I am here sharing content on all things organization, productivity, goal getting and personal growth. Welcome!

3 Things I've Bought to Improve My Life Lately

Instead of doing a “favorites” post this quarter, I thought I’d highlight some of the things that I’ve bought recently that have ACTUALLY made a difference in my daily life. Hope you enjoy! 

Hello Fresh- I’ve been wanting to try a meal delivery service for some time now. I’ve known many other people who’ve tried them and I wanted to see if it would help me get back some more time in my week by not having to think of meals and buy all of the ingredients at the grocery store. They have some introductory pricing available for new customers, so our plan for 3 meals for 2 people came to just $24 for the first week and about $30 each week for the next month. Regular price is around $60, so it’s nice to get to try it out at a lower rate before deciding whether to keep my subscription. I will be sure to share my thoughts on Hello Fresh on my Instagram! 

New vacuum- This is how you know you are officially old- you spend your Friday night buying a new vacuum at the store and then coming home to put it together and vacuuming your entire house. Our old vacuum had completely lost its suction and we did our best to clean it up and clear it out ourselves, but in reality, the vacuum was 6 years old. As I was shopping around for new ones, it was very clear that they’ve made some big design and functionality improvements since 2013! I ended up with this Shark rocket stick vacuum because it works well for both carpet and hardwood floors, has a detachable hand vacuum and was ultra light with a self-cleaning brushroll. SO MUCH EASIER to vacuum! 

New books- I’m really excited to be starting The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin this week and I also grabbed the classic 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey in my order as well. Check out my 2019 Reading List or my post on Four (More) Books to Read in 2019 for some more book recommendations. 

Tell me about something that you’ve bought lately that has improved your life in the comments below. Have you tried a meal delivery service? What household item can you replace to make your cleaning more efficient? What books are you reading right now?

Have a great week, 

Meghan

Hey, I’m Meghan

I love coffee, yoga pants, planners and color coordinating markers. Sound familiar? Yes! Let’s be internet BFFs. I am here sharing content on all things organization, productivity, goal getting and personal growth. Welcome!

The Cassa-Kitchen

I’m back with another house update for you, and this week we are moving into the kitchen. The kitchen of this house was one of the big sellers for us because of the open layout to the dining room and the ample storage space. I hope you enjoy another little peek into our home!

The wall color is Oyster Bay by Sherwin Williams. We also carried the same color through to the dining room since the spaces are so open to one another.

I utilized the space above the cabinets to display some cute decor pieces that matched the color scheme or fit the subtle coffee motif I have happening in here.

I pulled in a shade of navy blue with matching rugs in front of the sink and the patio door in the dining room from Kohls. That is also where I got my kitchen towels from.

Eventually, I would like new light fixtures in the kitchen and to replace the bar stools with a set that’s a bit more decorative, but I’d say round one on the kitchen is complete!

Hey, I’m Meghan

I’m here sharing content all about pursuing your own version of more and loving how you feel doing it. If that sounds good to you, stick around and let’s be friends!

Book Review: Big Magic

I thought I’d write this book review a little differently for you today because when I really thought about it the book “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert really addresses the misconceptions and fears that people have when it comes to trying something new in their lives. For me, that’s starting this blog. For you, it may be pitching a new idea to the boss at work, or starting a new hobby like yoga or salsa dancing or making a big change in your life. Here’s some of the key questions Gilbert responds to in the book. 

Are You Creative? Gilbert tackles this common misconception in the first section of the book, saying that creative living goes far beyond being an actual artist as a profession. She explains that a creative life is simply a life that recognizes that we are more than the sum of our daily duties and that pursues joy always. “A creative life is an amplified life,” she says. “It’s a bigger life and an expanded life and a hell of a lot more interesting life.”

She goes on to say, “Are you considering becoming a creative person? Too late, you already are one.

Am I Original Enough? This was definitely a fear I experienced when thinking of starting this blog. Will anyone listen or care about what I have to say? It’s been done before. Maybe you are thinking of starting a new project and work or at home and feel the same way. Gilbert says, “Creative entitlement simply means believing that you are allowed to be here and that merely by being here- you are allowed to have a voice and vision of your own.”

Even though something has been attempted before, it hasn’t been attempted by you. “Share what you are driven to share,” Gilbert urges. “If it’s authentic enough,believe me- it will feel original.” 

What If People Hate It? “I can only be in charge of producing the work itself. That’s a hard enough job,” she writes. “I refuse to take on any additional jobs, such as trying to police what anybody thinks about my work once it leaves my desk.” 

She later emphasizes this again when she says, “ Recognizing this reality- that the reaction doesn’t belong to you- is the only sane way to create.” 

What If It’s Not Perfect? Simply put, Gilbert says perfection should not be a goal. “It starts by forgetting about perfect. We don’t have time for perfect.”  She says that perfectionism is what tends to stop people from creating in the first place, which only holds us back from living fully. 

“At some point, you really just have to finish your work and release it as is- if only so that you can go on to make other things with a glad and determined heart. Which is the whole point. Or it should be.” 

Hey, I’m Meghan

I’m here sharing content all about pursuing your own version of more and loving how you feel doing it. If that sounds good to you, stick around and let’s be friends!

Four (More) Books to Read in 2019

In January, I shared the books that were on my 2019 Reading List and I thought I would update you on how I’m doing on the list halfway through the year. This is really the first time in my adult life that I’ve made reading a priority and set a goal of reading regularly. I genuinely have to say that I’ve been LOVING it. I’ve really gotten some great information and inspiration from the books I’ve been reading and I hope you can find a few good books to add to your own list. Here’s a review on a few of the books I’ve read this year PLUS a list of the ones I’m adding to read this fall and winter.

Adding to My 2019 Reading List:

Do It Scared by Ruth Soukup

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo

You are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero

Already Read in 2019: Of the five books on my original 2019 reading list, three have reviews up on the blog already: Homebody by Joanna Gaines, Girl, Stop Apologizing by Rachel Hollis, and The Home Edit by Clea Schearer and Joanna Teplin. I’ve already finished Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert so look for that review to be up on the blog soon!

In case you are curious about any of these titles, I’ve also read The Checklist Manifesto, The Ultimate Sales Machine, and Shut Up and Sell More for work purposes.

Tell me-what books have you been reading lately? I would LOVE some recommendations! Happy reading : )

Hey, I’m Meghan

I’m here sharing content all about pursuing your own version of more and loving how you feel doing it. If that sounds good to you, stick around and let’s be friends!

How I Refill My Cup

Have you ever gotten to that level of mental or emotional (and sometimes physical) tiredness where you’ve thought like, “I am just… DONE. I’m DONE. There’s nothing left in me at this point. I’m all out!”? I can relate. People will refer to it as running on an empty tank or “pouring from an empty cup”. Social media will tell you to that it’s “all about finding balance” but seldom tell you how to ACTUALLY achieve that equilibrium again. So that’s what I’m going to talk about today- how I refill my cup when I feel depleted.

SLEEP MORE: We all have things in our lives that force us to wake up, i.e. children, work, etc. But when your tank is empty, make sleep a priority and just get a bit more than you usually do. Even an extra 30 minutes can help you wake up feeling more rested, which is so critical to getting you back to your normal self.

DITCH THE TO DO LIST: Whaaaaat? Me? Tell you to NOT have a list? Shocking I know. While lists and schedules are something I rely on on a regular basis, if I feel especially run down, I don’t make a physical to do list. I’ll remember the biggest things I have to do (like go to work or the grocery store) and still do them but it’s a far pared down “list” of items that I will worry about. If we’re honest, a good number of things on our lists will not cause the world to end if they wait a few more days. Give yourself space and breathing room in your day so that you can take life at a slower pace, even for 24 hours.

SCROLL ON (guilt free!): Give yourself permission to do something that is entirely for pleasure, not productivity. For me, that’s scrolling social media and watching You Tube videos. For you, that could be your favorite book, movie or TV show. Take the time for yourself to do something that is entirely relaxing. Your brain and your soul need the rest, I promise.

GET COMFY: To be fair, I dress for comfort 90 percent of the time, so this really isn’t something I have to FORCE myself to do, but when I’m feeling especially empty, I skip straightening my hair, putting on makeup or getting out of the clothes I slept in. It sets such a different tone for your mood when you can be completely undone looks-wise. Again, if you have to leave the house, you may need to change, but when and where you can, treat yourself to some coziness.

I hope this helps you if you are in a season of business in your life right now. Tell me- what do you like to do to recharge?

Hey, I’m Meghan

I’m here sharing content all about pursuing your own version of more and loving how you feel doing it. If that sounds good to you, stick around and let’s be friends!

The Cassa- Living Room

UPDATE! 9/3/2019- I realized, after looking at these pictures, just how bare the wall by the TV looked. I was always planning to add something on either side of the TV, but finally found the perfect thing and I wanted to share. I got these wooden windows from Kohls and I think they’re the perfect fit : )

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Hey guys! Welcome back to the blog and welcome back to the Cassa this week. It’s been awhile since I shared a house update, so I thought I’d give you a peek in at the progress we’ve made in the living room. It’s not DONE done, but it’s at a great stage of completion for now. Check it out!

The wall color in the living room is Breezy by Sherwin Williams. I will keep it real and say I am not 100 percent in love with how this color turned out, but we hired a painter to paint this and so we’re far past the point of commitment. I’m not repainting it (or paying someone to do it again) so it’s here to stay for now. I do want to get us a new front door that lets in more light that I do think will help soften the color.

The wall art above the couch is from Kirklands and it was perfect because it has all of the colors I’m using in the house right in it. The throw pillows are from Target, Kohls and Gordmans. I tried to choose pillows that had physical or visual texture to them. Eventually, I would like to find a good teal throw pillow to bring out that color in the wall frame, but this is a good start.

We got a great deal on the area rug from Home Depot and was the first big decor piece we picked up. The gray color is neutral, but the pattern gives it some texture. I am using that pattern in several different rooms in the house (you may remember my shower curtain in the main bath) to tie all of the rooms together.

The TV stand we picked up at Colders a year or so ago and the little faux plant is from TJ Maxx. I tried to incorporate greenery (fake, because I kill the real thing) into each room in the house. I couldn’t find it on their website, but the galvanized metal candle holder on the coffee table is Better Homes and Gardens brand from Walmart and the tasseled placemat is from Hobby Lobby. The light mat helps break up the dark wood of the coffee table and the tray where I keep a remote basket, some photo books and magazines.

The light gray curtains are also textured with a diamond pattern. I got them at Gordmans for $16.99 and then had a upholsterer add blackout fabric to the back of them to make them more opaque and give the thin fabric some weight. I love our little pewter floor lamp from Bed, Bath and Beyond.

On the wall with our wood burning stove, I have the cutest square clock from Hobby lobby. On the other side of the stove by the front door is where I’d like to eventually put a coat rack of some kind on the wall with hooks for guests. The house doesn’t really have a formal entry of any kind, so I would like to carve out a little corner of designated space for that.

One of my favorite parts of our living room is the little niche cut above the wall to the kitchen. The previous owners installed an outlet up there so I have a set of cafe lights plugged in up there that I can turn on at night from a light switch and it looks SO cozy at night! We hung a wood square wall art from Target that will stay up year-round, but I do plan to change up the decor a few times of year. The spring/summer set up that I have now is like a “flower market” type theme. The color of the flower canisters match the colors of the house PERFECTLY and I just put in a variety of fake plant stems from Hobby Lobby and TJ Maxx with a little wood crate I got at the Target Dollar Spot and a metal basket.

Hey, I’m Meghan

I’m here sharing content all about pursuing your own version of more and loving how you feel doing it. If that sounds good to you, stick around and let’s be friends!

My Favorite Podcasts

Do you need something new to listen to on your summer trip or next visit to the pool? I thought you might. Here’s some of the podcasts that I am loving lately to give you some new ideas for your summer listening leisure. (Though for the record, I’m usually listening to these in the car or on a walk instead of a pool).

Happier with Gretchen Rubin: Hosted by author Gretchen Rubin and her sister, this podcast is all about happiness and good habits. Who doesn’t want more of that? This is a great listen when you want something light and easy to enjoy. Perfect for summer!

Goal Digger Podcast: This is a great one for any person who works and is looking for new ideas on how to do it better, more efficiently, or with more joy. That sounds boring, but Jenna is SO entertaining that I promise it doesn’t feel like work. Jenna is a photographer, online educator and influencer who is really good at being authentic and doesn’t shy away from sharing the details of her success.

The Marie Forleo Podcast: I fell in love with this podcast after a recent episode where show host Marie Forleo interviewed author Kate Northrup on “How to Do Less and Accomplish More”. It was really easy to listen to and digest and I got some practical tips I could use right away. Give that episode a listen!

RISE Podcast: If you’ve been around here for awhile, you know how much I love me some Rachel Hollis. She’s all about personal growth, taking action and making your dreams happen, no excuses. She covers a variety of topics from business to personal to life in her interviews, so there’s a little something for everyone here.

Detail Therapy with Amy Landino: She’s one of my favorite (if not actual favorite) YouTubers, so it was natural that I would love this podcast. Amy is passionate about going after the life you want and she interviews people from all walks of life and gets all of the details on how they’ve achieved personal success in their lives. Amy keeps it fun and spirited with her guests and I always come away with a few good nuggets.

Happy listening and I hope you soak up every little bit of summer this year! See you next week,

Meghan

Hey, I’m Meghan

I’m here sharing content all about pursuing your own version of more and loving how you feel doing it. If that sounds good to you, stick around and let’s be friends!

Favorites from My Wedding Registry

It’s wedding season and if you aren’t planning a wedding, you are likely invited to one, if not several. Whether you are stumped on what to put on a registry or what to buy off of a registry, I’ve got your back. Here are some of my favorite things that we put on our wedding registry.

Nice Luggage- I feel like this is one of those semi-expensive, adult-y things that I wouldn’t have bought myself but am SO HAPPY to have now. There’s something really nice about having quality pieces of luggage that are sturdy, roll easily and are built to last. This is the set we use.

If you are shopping for a couple that loves to travel, these packing cubes are awesome and literally saved me from packing catastrophes will we were in Ireland.

Rubber Kitchen Utensils- Okay, this one probably seems silly, but SINCERELY I didn’t know how much I needed these things in my life! The flexible material helps you get all of food out of the bowl, the pan, the jar- you name it! And I love it. We have this set with wooden handles that we keep out near the stove and then I also have this jar scraper and set of mini spatulas as well for baking and cooking.

Along those same lines, silicone baking mats were another amazing discovery from my registry. Makes clean up SO much faster!

Toasting Flutes and Bar Glasses- We aren’t the fancy kind of people that need a full 16 piece set of crystal glasses, but we did register for one set of beautiful toasting flutes that we bring out for special celebrations for the two of us. I am happy to say we’ve used them several times!

My husband really loves liquor decanters and he was very excited to receive this crystal set for our wedding. Don’t feel pressured to register for (or buy) a full dining set of crystal that will sit unused in a cabinet forever. Pick a few special pieces that you know you will use and go for those.

Good sheets- It’s amazing what a difference good sheets can make! And, for the record, my version of good sheets is not a 5,000 thread count Egyptian cotton set- it’s actually this really affordable set from Target. They have elastic panels sewn in to the corners to make fitting them over the corners of the mattress MUCH easier (can I get an AMEN to that?!?!) and they have a slight silky texture that feels really nice! Again, this was something that I wouldn’t necessarily have bought myself, but something I am so happy we do have now.

If you are planning your wedding this summer or attending one, hopefully this list helps you pick out the perfect gift. Happy wedding season!

Hey, I’m Meghan

I’m here sharing content all about pursuing your own version of more and loving how you feel doing it. If that sounds good to you, stick around and let’s be friends!

Book Review: Homebody by Joanna Gaines

Why I picked it up: I’ve been a Joanna Gaines fan since the early days of Fixer Upper on HGTV. Though her style isn’t necessarily what I would choose for myself, I knew she’d be a great resource for tips and insight as I decorate our new house.

My Key Takeaways:

1. Make it meaningful - Joanna spent a good amount of time in the book touching on being thoughtful with the items you put into a home. She says, “ I believe what we surround ourselves with - the colors, the materials, the things- can be random and meaningless or they can convey some of our most important truths if we let them.”

2. Make it functional- In the chapter on entryways, Joanna talked about making spaces functional is still more important than the look so it works for your home and the people in it. I took her advice and bought a “catch-all” tray for our back entryway where our keys, sunglasses, etc. can live when we come in each night.

3. Make it simple- If you are familiar with Joanna’s style, you’ll know that she prefers a minimal, pared down look. She advises, “ Our homes should be a source of happiness to the people who live there, so surround yourself with things that you love and let go of the rest.”

Overall, the book was organized in a really easy to consume way. Each chapter tackled one room, so it will be easy for me to go back and refer to it when I am working on the room. The book had a great amount of quick reference lists and tips that were practical and well laid out. I’d definitely recommend this one if you are looking to design or redesign a space in your house. Plus, this book is so pretty, you can display it on your coffee table when you’re done. Dual purpose!

Buy Homebody on Amazon ( Affiliate link- thank you!)

Hey, I’m Meghan

I’m here sharing content all about pursuing your own version of more and loving how you feel doing it. If that sounds good to you, stick around and let’s be friends!

10 Things to Do Before Your Next Trip

Headed out on a trip or vacation this summer? Here’s my handy dandy checklist of everything you should remember to do before you leave on an extended trip:

1. Let Your Bank Know You Are Travelling: If you are travelling out of state- and ESPECIALLY- if you are travelling out of the country, you should alert your bank of the dates that you will be out of your normal area.(My bank had a feature for this online!)  To protect your account from theft, they could put a stop on your account if they see a bunch of unusual activity. And no one wants to deal with that when you’re just trying to get another margarita at the poolside bar.

2. Hold Your Mail: Help out your mail carrier and let the post office know to hold your mail ahead of your trip. He/she will thank you for saving them from stuffing a week’s worth of mail into your tiny mailbox. You can do it online-right from USPS.com. Simple and easy!

3. Refill Your Prescriptions: Plan ahead of time to have enough of your regular prescriptions to last you while you are away. You may need to contact your insurance if you need to get a prescription outside of your normal schedule, so make sure you do this two weeks ahead of time or so and don’t have to rush.

4. Share Your Travel Arrangements: Send digital copies of all of your travel arrangements to someone you trust. In the case of an emergency, someone back home should have all of your travel information, just in case. For bigger trips, be sure to include pictures of your ID and passport as well. I use good ol’ mom for this one if my husband and I are travelling together.  

5. Clear Off Your Devices: The last thing you need is to be posing for the typical tourist photo in front of the Eiffel Tower with  the stranger that you nervously asked to take your photo shouting from a distance; “It says you don’t have any more photo storage!” Cringe. Clean off your phone, camera, iPad, etc. before you leave so that you can take all of the vacation photos that you want with no problem.

6. Pack Your Carry-on: My strategy to packing my carry-on is essentially this: pack for the worst case scenario of your checked luggage getting lost. Anything that you couldn’t easily replace, like prescription glasses and meds, should be in your carry-on bag so that they don't get lost or damaged. I also pack a change of clothes, deodorant, my makeup and toiletries in my carry-on so that I can at least freshen up if I am without my checked bag for a day or two- which has LITERALLY happened to me- twice. Trust me on this one.

7. Close windows/doors: Before you leave the house for the last time, run a sweep through your entire space and lock your windows and doors. Be sure to check the garage and basement, too! Safety first!

8. Prevent Smells: No one wants to come home to a stinky mess after a long day of travel. Be sure to clear out your fridge, unload your dishwasher, and take out all of your trash so there’s nothing funky sitting alone in your house all week while you are gone.

9. Check Your Thermostat: Make sure that your thermostat is set to keep the house at room temperature while you are gone, otherwise your house could be overheating or freezing while you aren’t home to check it.

10. Wash Your Sheets: This one is definitely not necessary, but there’s something really comforting about coming home to a clean set of sheets on the first night you’ll be back in your own bed.  

Where are you headed this summer? Comment below!

Hey, I’m Meghan

I’m here sharing content all about pursuing your own version of more and loving how you feel doing it. If that sounds good to you, stick around and let’s be friends!

Spring Faves 2019

Happy spring, everyone! Every season has its perks, but spring always feels like such a huge shift in energy after the winter. The grass is greener, the sun is brighter and everyone is talking about home improvement projects and spring cleaning. As I get fresh motivation from the change of the seasons, here’s what I’ve been loving this spring (PLUS my favorite quote at the moment!):

Renew and Refresh Candle- This is hands down, my favorite Bath and Body Works candle of all time. This scent came back this season after being MIA for a few years, and I basically threw a parade in its honor. It’s light and airy and the PERFECT scent for a spring afternoon with the windows open. I’m not kidding when I say you NEED this. (It’s not online right now, but it is in stores.)

Lemon Water- My husband turned me on to this one, and I can’t stop drinking it. I’m really good about drinking water in general, but as I’ve tried to cut way down on my soda habit, sometimes I’m craving something with more flavor and lemon totally does the trick for me. If lemon isn’t your thing, this Pin has tons of other fruit recipes to try. I wouldn’t have thought that fruit would flavor the water as much as it actually does, so give it a try!

Pedicures- It’s the time of year for fresh feet! I went with some family to get pedicures on Mother’s Day and it was the PERFECT time to go. Sandal season is upon us and pedicures just feel so good! I don’t regularly get pedicures, but it is nice to treat myself to one at the start of spring and summer. I got a gel polish so that I can make this pedi last as long as possible.

Peachy-gold Eye Shadow- Even though I’m a stick-to-what-you-know kind of girl, I tried a new eye shadow color recently and I’ve been LOVING IT! I got this Tarte palette back last year when I was planning my wedding, but only recently started playing around with it. I’ve worn the color Encourage every day this spring and I'm really digging the soft, peachy gold color for spring and summer.

Mint Crossbody Bag- I got this beauty a few months ago and have worn it every day since! The color is so cute and fresh, and the soft leather material is really nice. Your phone fits perfectly into the front pouch and there’s a ton of room inside for cards and lip balm, etc. Who needs to lug around a huge bag in the spring and summer? No thanks. Especially when this one is so cute! As I write this, the bag is 30% off and less than $20. Great deal!

“I aspire to be a woman who wakes up and loves what she does everyday, travels often, spiritually secured and financially stable.”

— Boss Babe, Inc.

Hey, I’m Meghan

I’m here sharing content all about pursuing your own version of more and loving how you feel doing it. If that sounds good to you, stick around and let’s be friends!