This Post Contains Affiliate Links.

Hello, cyber shoppers. I bet everyone and everybody will be online at some point today scouting out the best deals and checking off our holiday to-do list. However, who else finds shopping for men to be a daunting task? After all, how many wallets can one give a man? That's why I have spent the last few weeks curating a "The Ultimate Gift Guide For The Creative Man." I have looked high and low to find gifts that will appeal to the most finicky chap. Yes, all of the items can be accessed in cyberspace today. Go ahead and log on and get shopping for the one-of-a-kind man or men in your life. Create simplicity today by shopping now and checking off even the hardest to buy for on your list. Let's get started!

1. Fragonard Eau de Toilette is an excellent gift for all the musky men out there. Yes, men are fantastic creatures, but sometimes they need a little spritz to take them from man to gentlemen. This little set of tiny colognes is perfect for any man wanting to create their signature scent.

2. STEAM Kids Christmas {affiliate link} is a terrific book that inspires girls (boys too) and adults alike to have fun learning through STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) projects. This book is filled with hands-on projects that build brain power and fun. This is a great gift for any Uncle, Dad or Grandpa. Imagine how many hours will be spent building a Santa Drop with the kids!

3. Nixon Lodown II Surf Watch {affiliate link} is the perfect gift for the diver, surfer or cool guy in your life. This watch not only shows the time, but it also depicts the tides. This gift is perfect for the man who needs to create outdoor adventures and stay on top of the change in nature.

4. Dr. Carvers Shave Butter will create the perfect shave for the sensitive man your life. It helps soften hair, fights razor bumps and is tested on interns, not animals. What could be a better gift than a painless shave?

5. Spokelit Bike Lights {affilate link} are a super cool way for that special bike aficionado in your life to create a light show of his own. These lights attach to the wheel of a bike with no special tools and are waterproof. These light up darlings will bring a whole new meaning to the name Nightrider.

6. Chubbies Swim Trunks are a great way to give the party animal in your life, even more of a reason to party. Chubbies have designs that fit almost any fun, loving man. "The Liberties" option even changes to a stars and stripes pattern when soaked in water, well hopefully water. Chubbies are the best weekend clothing period. It's a perfect gift for the man who loves to create fun times and party hard.  

7. Tokens & Icons Wrigley Feild Seat Cufflinks are crafted from authentic Wrigley Field seat wood. What Cubs fan wouldn't be thrilled to wear a bit of nostalgia while creating a great sense of style? If your man isn't a Cubs fan, there are so many other options at Tokens & Coins . Each will be treasured for a lifetime by the man your life. This one is a home run!

8. Winter Is Coming Sweatshirt {affiliate link} For the man who aspires to the Iron Throne, this Valyrian sweatshirt is sure to strike fear into the hearts of White Walkers everywhere while creating red hot passion in the royal quarters.

Let me know how the men like their gifts. Until tomorrow great gift givers!

This Post Contains An Affiliate Link.

Hey! Today our bellies are probably still full from the beautiful, bountiful Thanksgiving dinners we all enjoyed. We may have ventured out over the weekend or hopped online to do some holiday shopping. Maybe we all took in a movie or enjoyed hanging out with family and friends. If you are like me, I forget these are truly unique moments that may not be available to us in the future. We tend to forget at the moment, or at least I do, that not everyone is having an extra special holiday. People get sick. People go to bed hungry. People have rough patches. Sometimes they need kindness to get through this complicated life.

At this time of year, it's a tradition in some families to celebrate the season with an advent calendar. Advent calendars usually count down the days until Christmas. However, I'd like to offer up something slightly different, a Kindness Calendar. Let's call it the most beautiful advent calendar in the world because what is more beautiful than being kind? Below you will find a FREE printable for 25 days of counting down the season with kindness. The idea is that kindness can unite all humans no matter what religion or creed by its ability to provide us with empathy and compassion.

Here is the FREE printable. With it, today, create a countdown to kindness calendar.

You will need:

• Kindness Calendar Printable (download here)
• 13 sheets of 65 lb white cardstock
• tape
• scissors
• a branch or large jar
• string or twine (if using a branch)
• twinkle lights (optional)

Step 1: Print all sheets of the printable. Cut out all stars. Make a small notch where the line appears on the top and bottom points. 

Step 2: Fold the two right points of the star. Then fold the two left points. Fold the bottom point and then the top. Secure the top and bottom points with the notch.

Step 3: Cut the string/twine at different lengths. tape to the back of the stars. Double check the twine is attached to the top of the star. Or fill a large jar with the stars. There is no need for the string or twine if using the jar.

Step 4: Attach the stars to the branch. Add twinkle lights to the branch or the large jar.

Open one star each day starting tomorrow and create 25 days of kindness.

Let me know how the spreading empathy goes and until tomorrow great humans.

Hey, Shoppers! Black Friday is over. Did you find some deals? Me too but I still have some shopping to do. I want to check a few more names off my list. I could wait until Cyber Monday, but I am looking for super unique gifts. Often it's too hard to locate those speical gifts online, so I am headed out to do some local shopping today. In fact, today Nov 26th, is Small Business Saturday. It's the day to head out and support local business because small businesses make communities healthy. They provide instant tangible offerings and are connectors in the larger community. 

For instance, one of my favorite local shops is "Flowerland." It could be solely a garden store, but it's so much more. It's a place for the community to come and relax and connect with the natural beauty while sipping a perfect cup of coffee. They offer unique books, garden gifts and of course plants. One can even buy a perfectly cut Christmas tree from "Flowerland." It's a fantastic place to shop and feel a sense of community. I'm picking up a few lovely gifts and taking the time to enjoy the process of shopping and soaking in the beautiful environment.

Today, create community and shop locally. Get out there today and explore your community. Support local business, and it will be the gift that keeps on giving.

Until tomorrow local shoppers.

Hey there. Who overindulged yesterday? It was a lovely day to give thanks. However, four slices of pecan pie and a pound of butter are still sitting in my stomach and are making for a slow start on a Friday. Maybe when we tried to slide on our pants today and our stuffing made it a bit harder to button the two side of our pants? Perhaps the belly feels an over-inflated balloon? Our digestion might just be a little off today. When I feel like the pains of over consuming, I turn to a smoothie.

Just the thought of a smoothie makes my body perk up and pay attention. It's easy to jam pack 8oz of gut calming ingredients into a drink. One smoothie has the potential to make our bellies and minds feel better in just a few short minutes. In fact; new studies show the gut bacteria we carry around sends signals to our brain and can affect our mental well-being. Here is an excellent article in "The Atlantic" on how gut bacteria affects our mental health: "When Gut Bacteria Changes Gut Function."

Today's project is to create kindness for your body and mind today. You can whip up a smoothie, take a walk or meditate. Do something kind for yourself today. If you need a little extra push, here is a smoothie recipe created just for you to aid in digestion.

Help! Digestion Smoothie

(makes approximately 2-8oz drinks)

• 1/3 cup brewed and cooled Allegro Brand Organic Happy Tummy Tea (or mint tea)
• 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
• 1 cup frozen strawberries
• 2 cups almond milk
• 1/2 a granny smith green apple cored and sliced

Step 1: Brew the tea and let cool. Add a few ice cubes to quicken the cooling process.

Step 2: Add the cooled tea and green apple in the blender with lid. Pulse till smooth.

Step 3: Add the blueberries, strawberries, and almond milk to the blender and blend for 1 minute or until smooth.

Drink up and give some TLC to your belly and your mind!

Until tomorrow overindulgers! 

Happy Thanksgiving Turkeys! As we all scramble to get the bird in the oven, the appetizers together and the pie baking, we might feel a little apprehensive of what will be talked about at the Thanksgiving table. Thanksgiving has a strange way of churning up feelings and emotions. Maybe it's the flowing red wine or the tryptophan in the turkey that makes us brave enough to speak our minds and draw lines. In these moments, it's good to have an escape pod when the conversation goes sideways and the people insist on getting a little too passionate about their viewpoint. This is when empathy is no longer in play and nothing good can come of the conversation. 

Today, create a list of 10 conversation starters. Consider this your detour and saving grace at the Thanksgiving table. Here are 10 ideas to get you started.

Let me take this moment to give thanks to you dear readers. It's been an amazing 330 days and I am deeply grateful for all people who take time out of their busy day to read and support this blog. All I can say today is thank you!

Until tomorrow.

Well, hello. It's the day before Thanksgiving and all through the house nothing was stirring not even a spouse. That is to say, I decided not to cook this year on Thanksgiving and I outsourced our Thanksgiving dinner to a local grocery store. As I type and admit this, the words "thanksgiving" and "outsourced" sound sad.

However, by not having to prepare for tomorrow's feast, I have free time to focus on other things, including what to bring to a Friendsgiving celebration tonight. I went through my recipes and cookbooks. I considered bringing my grandmother's Cracker Dip recipe which consists of 2 lbs of cream cheese, 1 lb of sour cream, 2 packages of Carl's Buddig Beef and a small white onion. It's disgustingly divine. Many a thanksgiving I have found myself huddled over the mammoth size bowl of dip, shoveling crackers into my mouth wondering if I could just skip the turkey. As I was daydreaming about the Cracker Dip, I remember dessert was requested for Friendsgiving. The Cracker Dip will have to wait.

Next, I considered all the classics such as pumpkin pie, a pumpkin roll or turkey cupcakes. None of them seemed right. Popping open the file cabinet in my brain, I found a recipe in which I haven't a reason, patience or guts to attempt, Pate de Fruits. Pate de Fruits are sweet, little, fruit gummies bursting with flavor. They are one of my favorite things on this planet. Today, I made Cranberry Pear Pate de Fruits and after 3 hours in the kitchen, I can say I am smarter for cooking up these little gems.

First, there was locating a recipe. After finding the one that seemed delicious, I realized I purchased the wrong pectin. Apparently, there are quite a few different kinds of pectin for the specific type of fruit used. There are also different cooking times all based on how a polymer (pectin) interacts with the sugar in the fruit. It all boiled down to chemistry. As I worked my way through combining the two recipes, I made a giant mess. Bowls were everywhere, there was fruit puree on the floor and the dishwasher was overflowing but I was learning. Cooking was making me smarter.

Today's project is to get cooking a create smarts. Pull out the recipe you have always wanted to try. You know the one that is stuffed in your cupboard, pinned on Pinterest or flagged in a cookbook. Take the time to explore and learn. Notice how the synapses in your brain feel like they are awake, alive and on fire. 

Until tomorrow creative cooks.

Hello. We are going to keep this post short and sweet today because the holidays haven't officially started and I am already pooped. That is to say, I'm already feeling the overload that comes with the holidays. There are cards to be made, cookies to bake, parties to attend, photos to take, friends to celebrate, presents to wrap, food to prepare, lists to be made, stockings to stuff, trees to adorn, tables to set and life to celebrate. It will be lovely time and I am filled with gratitude for all the special experiences and times ahead. Yet, the holidays are like a jolly, robust Santa sitting heavy on one's shoulders. 

That's why today we are going to gear up for the holidays and create some downtime. Go crawl onto the couch, turn on the television, curl up with a good book or call a friend. Relax and take time before holidays have you doing a humongous holiday hustle. 

That's it for today! Until tomorrow.

This post contains affiliate links.

Hello, Friends -

This is a special note for all the Uncles, Aunts, Grandmas, Grandpas Cousins, Moms, Dads, Teachers and kids at heart. As we enter the holiday season, I want to again share with you an amazing new book that is chocked full of brain-teasing activities that are fun for kids and adults that love to tinker and create. It's called STEAM Kids Christmas and this book will provide a one-stop resource for your family to create hours of brain-busting fun during the holiday season.

You might be thinking "Who has time during the holiday rush to do anything more?" 

You do.

Because a bunch of elves used their magic and their brain power to make learning and creating, even in the busiest time of the year, completely possible. By elves I mean, the authors of STEAM Kids Christmas. They have consulted with Rudolph and given STEAM learning a frosty coating of holiday fun, north pole antics, and an array of twinkling Christmas tree projects. The book is packed with 25 days of reindeer games including a printable advent calendar ready for daily reveals. This book shows you step by step how to create each project in with simple, everyday objects.

If you think I am really trying to sell you this book, you would be right. I just did three of the projects in this book with my kids today and I was blown away by the interesting questions each project ignited in my kids. More importantly, we all had so much fun as we ALL had tinkered with trees, painting psychedelic snowflakes and created geometric ornaments. If you are an Uncle, Aunt, Grandma, Grandpa, Parent or kid at heart, bringing this to any family gathering is a sure fire way to connect the family together. Check out this indoor snowball fight! What big and little kid wouldn't love to do this on Thanksgiving?

Today's project is to go create holiday fun and scoop up the book while it's on sale today. The elves are telling me this is the last day to take advantage of the STEAM Kids Christmas launch special pricing and it's only good until midnight. If you buy today, the elves are also including FREE STEAM Kids Christmas Coloring pages. They are stuffed full of even more fun activities to light up the holidays. 

If You Live in the European Union, Click Here to Get Your Copy Today

Enjoy the projects and the last day for the sale today. See you tomorrow holiday creators!

Hey! It's Sunday and I am going to keep this post short as I know everyone is most likely traveling for the holidays or preparing for the week. Speaking of which, I'm in charge of the whole thanksgiving meal this week. It's just my family but I feel impending anxiety about how to cook a turkey. So much so, I am avoiding preparing for the Thursday feast. The thought of butter, basting and roasting have my palms sweaty. As with other things in my life, I realized this morning I just need to ask for help.

Help is all around us and other people are generous. They want to give their time and they want to see success. When help is in play, everyone feel good and it gets problems solved. Have you ever noticed how adults constantly encourage kids to ask for help? Why don't adults do the same for other adults? More importantly, why don't we ourselves ask for help?

Today, create the ask for help. Do you need help developing a dish for Thanksgiving? Ask for help. Is there a work project that has you spinning? Ask for help. Are the kids at a developmental milestone and driving you crazy? Ask for help. Has your computer slowed down to a maddening pace? Ask for help. Are you generally feeling overwhelmed and need a fresh life perspective? Ask for help.

Individually it's hard to change. Together, united, if we support each other, WE can change the world around us.

Until tomorrow. 

Ok, folks. After yesterday's failed post of "How The Skill Of Failure Will Guide You To Sucess." I did a do over and made Mountian High Cranberry Pie today. The good news, I took my learnings from yesterday and applied them to today's pie making. The process was much easier and the pie turned out to be pretty darn delicious. The bad news, the Mountian High Cranberry pie doesn't beat the classic and beloved pumpkin pie. Isn't funny how we get attached to classic recipes? Case in point, Mountian High Cranberry Pie.

Funny enough, Mountain High Cranberry Pie is a replica of a dish that was served at all of my family holiday gatherings growing up. My beautiful and warm-hearted grandmother always whipped up a "salad" called Green Stuff on every holiday. Green Stuff consisted of sliced grapes, cool whip, pineapple and pistachio pudding mix. It was the 1980's, it was the Midwest and Green Stuff was the glue that held our family gatherings together, perhaps literally. When she passed, I took over the heavy responsibility of being the Green Stuff maker.

Years later, I changed the recipe to Cranberry Salad where I exchanged the cool whip and pistachio pudding for whipped cream and cranberries. Today, Green Stuff has now turned into Mountain High Cranberry Pie. It's funny how recipes change from generation to generation. Today's project is to pick a classic family recipe and add a new twist. Try to create your own classic holiday dish today. See if the new dish makes you and everyone you love giddy on Thanksgiving. In the meantime, here is the recipe for "Mountain High Cranberry Pie."

Moutain High Cranberry Pie

• 10-ounce package fresh cranberries
• 1 cup sugar
• 8-ounce can pineapple crushed, undrained
• 2 cups mini marshmallows
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1 graham cracker pie crust

Step 1: In food processor, chop cranberries until chunky. In a large bowl, add the cranberries, sugar, and pineapple. Combine and then place the bowl in the refrigerator for 40 min. Drain the liquid off the cranberry mixture. Set aside.

Step 2: In a large bowl, whip the cream cheese. Add the 2 cups cream and whip the cream cheese and cream until stiff. Fold in the cranberry mixture and marshmallows.

Step 3: Pile the cream and cranberry mixture into the pie crust and allow to set for 3 hours.

Slice and enjoy a piece of holiday heaven.

Until tomorrow Holiday Tradition Makers! 

Hey! Let's start with, today was a total failure of a project. It should have been expected. Yesterday's project seem to come together seamlessly and go off without a hitch. Today was a different story. With thanksgiving just around the corner, I was itching to get in the kitchen and whip up a new fangled dessert. There is just something about the holidays that makes me want to bake my heart out.

I stepped into the kitchen today to make a coconut whip cream cranberry pie with graham cracker crust. Sounds good, doesn't it? I brought along with me a pint-sized 3.5-year-old baking assistant. The first mistake. He wanted to lick everything, the cranberries, the counter, the coconut can, and the orange peel. Every time I turned around he was licking something. To combat what appeared to be hunger, I let him hold the mixer that was dunked into the coconut cream bowl. The second mistake. When I turned around he had turned on the mixer. The coconut cream swirled around the kitchen and went everywhere.

How could he resist turning it on?

This is me running to turn off the mixer as he shouted "Yipee!"

After cleaning up the mess, we tried to whip the coconut cream. It's a lie. I'm sure of it. All those Pinterest pins are wrong. Coconut cream can not be whipped into something resembling whipped cream. I tried for 20 minutes to get that cream to whip and nothing. Mistake number three was not double checking Pinterest. What was worse, it tasted like musty old coconut. Did I give up at this point? No! I went ahead and opened a can of cranberry sauce. Maybe just a touch of the gelatinous red stuff would add the right amount to tartness to make the coconut perfect? It was gross. Even the kid wouldn't eat it.

So I ended scrapping the whole project and it was a failure but what is interesting to note is I realized today failing is a skill. After doing this blog for almost an entire year, I can firmly say, failing is something we all should do constantly. Before this blog, when something wouldn't go my way, I would get mad and embarrassed. Now, I just say "What could I have done differently?" Let's go do differently tomorrow.

The world is lying about being able to whip coconut cream.

Today, create failure. Pick a project that is on your list and do it. Write down 3 things you learned and then do the project again tomorrow. Note if the second time around was more of a success.

Until tomorrow keep failing and watch out for cranberry fluff pie round two, without the coconut cream.

Hello, Holidays! Big celebrations are just around the corner as thanksgiving kicks off the season of celebrating next week. When I think of the holidays, I think of all the delicious ways to create. There are cookies to bake, candies melt, meals to prepare and drinks to mix. While all these edible bites are a good way to celebrate. I think it's important to kick off the season with a little spicy kick in the pants, the spicy chai latte. There is something about a spicy chai latte that screams welcome to the holiday season. Maybe it's the scoops of soothing cinnamon or the way the ginger spice adds a level of warmth to every last drop of creamy milk. Whatever it is, a Chai Latte is a perfect way to usher in the holidays.

Today's project is to create a tradition of kicking off the holidays with cup of something special. Perhaps you prefer a cup of hot cocoa, a splash of egg nog or a cup of mulled wine? Whatever you choose today, whip up and greet in the holidays with warmth and a big smile. Clink your glass with a friend and find joy in the start of the season. If you are interested in creating the perfect chai latte right in your own kitchen, here is a delicious recipe.

The Perfect Chai Latte. 

(makes 2- 8oz cups)

• 2 cups unsweetened almond milk 
• 1 tea strainer packed with black tea
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground cloves
• 1 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/3 tsp ground ginger
• coconut whipped cream topping (optional)

Step 1: In a  small saucepan over medium heat, warm the almond milk. When it starts to simmer, immediately remove from heat.

Step 2: Hook the tea strainer to the side of the saucepan and let steep in the warm almond milk for 10 minutes. Remove and discard tea. Stir in the maple syrup until combined. Mix in the remaining spices. If the mixture has cooled warm to a palatable temperature.

Step 3: Serve warm with a dollop of coconut whipped cream. Yum!

Until tomorrow Holiday Spice and everything nice!

Hello, little turkeys. Remember when we were kids and things were a bit more simple? We didn't worry about world politics, paying the bills or the specific direction life was taking us. At least in my childhood, there was a sense of being in the present and feeling pure joy. Don't get me wrong, childhood can be a very stressful time but there was something about childhood that created the feeling of true joy. Somewhere along the way to adulthood, I left joy in a parking garage and didn't the note the location. I've been looking for it for a while now and each time I think I have found it, it slips back into the dark parts of the garage. In other words, why do we reach a certain age only to find pure joy is hard to obtain? 

Take, for instance, drawing hand turkeys. Remember as a child, placing your hand down on a piece of crisp construction paper and carefully tracing with a marker around each finger? The turkey would then be completed with a beak and a waddle. It was pretty amazing to see a simple line drawing turned into something more. There was joy in that simple process.

Today's project is to create childlike joy and trace your adult hand on a piece of paper. Take your time and work slowly drawing a line over each curve and down into each valley. Add a beak, waddle and maybe some feathers. Most importantly, without judgment register your feelings before and after the process. 

Until tomorrow turkey lurkey.

Hello. It is going to be a good day because we are alive today. It's funny how we often take life for granted or at least I do. In fact, I find myself taking just about everything for granted these days. It's easy to do as we carry on with everyday life. When was the last time we stopped, picked up our heads and pointed out the good stuff? With thanksgiving right around the corner, I thought we could take today and make a plan to put in writing what we are thankful for in our lives.

Today's project is to take the next nine days and create a gratitude list. You can start small and find thanks in the tiny moments that make life better. Maybe it's finding gratefulness in a hot cup of coffee, the fact clean water came from the faucet this morning, or you are alive. After the nine days are up, it will be Thanksgiving here in America. We can all then find out what happens when we turn on our filters and see gratitude in our lives.

Until tomorrow.

This post contains affiliate links.

Hello! Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Who has been thinking about what to bring the host on the day of the great Thanksgiving Day feast? No, I'm not talking about pie. I'm talking about the gift given to the host that shows she is appreciated for getting up at the crack of dawn to shove a robust bird in the oven and stand on her feet for twelve hours to cook up a showstopper of a meal. If you are like me, I wait until the very last minute to find a host gift. I end up bringing either a festive dish towel or a bottle of just ok wine. Neither of which makes me gitty. I can only imagine the host is also pretty apathetic about the turkey clad dish towel and so so wine. The bottom line is, gift giving takes a certain knack and talent. One has to know a bit about the recipient and then get creative. In this case, creativity is the hard part. Forget that, gift giving is just downright hard.

Today, however, I have researched and dug deep to find a list of "The Ultimate Creative Hostess Gifts For Under $40." In fact, most are under $20. They are unique, useful and creative! Today's project is to get a jump on a host gift and create prepared gratitude by jotting down what your host might love to receive. Here are some suggestions.

1. AmazaPens {affiliate link} are a terrific way to create lovely, colorful and spectacular designs. After all the guests leave and the leftovers are cooling in the fridge, the host will be thrilled when she unwraps her AmazaPens where she can create an artful moment to melt way the holiday stress.

2. STEAM Kids Christmas {affiliate link} is a terrific book that inspires girls (boys too) and adults alike to have fun learning through STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) projects. This might seem like an odd host gift but it is bursting at the binding with cool projects the kids can do while the turkey is cooking in the oven. For a short time, the eBook and printed book will come with a STEAM Christmas Coloring eBook too! They will create a much-needed distraction so the turkey can get on the table and the family stay at peace.

3. Glass Macaron Ornament Set From West Elm is an even better gift than an actual box of macaron cookies because she will be able to enjoy these little treats for years to come. Create joy and smiles this holiday and next with these little sparkely gems.

4. Soul Paper Holiday Cards Gift Set is a beautiful way to tell the hostess she's special. This sweet little pack of holiday cards is hand created and professionally printed by artists Alexandra Mathews. What is a better way to tell a hostess she's special than these lovely cards? Plus, they will create a new way for the host to pass on her thanks and holiday spirit to someone else.

5. Herbivore Detox Bath Salts is a perfect way to say thank you for taking care of me for the day! These blue clay, dead sea, bath salts will melt away the stress of the holidays. Your host is bound to fall into a lovely nights sleep after she soaks in these naturally and wonderfully scented lavender and eucalyptus soaking salts. They will create bath heaven!

6. Mariage Frères Esprit de Noël Tea is a lovely way to say to your hostess that she is worth every drop of this festive, beautifully flavored, orange, cinnamon and clove tea. It is a glamours addition to every holiday table and creates the perfect accompaniment to a slice of pumpkin pie.

7. CB2 Trio Vases (not available online currently) are triple the thank you! These pint size vessels will hold just a few perfect flowers and will be darlings at a celebratory table for years to come. They will continue to create memories years into the future and let your host know you appricate all her hard work.

Well, Let me hear how the gifts go over and see you tomorrow wild turkeys. 

Hey! Today is the day I get away from myself. Lately, I find myself in my head. It feels like all I do is think, and then think more about thinking. It can sometimes feel like a pressure cooker, infusing thought into the old gray matter, at such an intensity, my brain could explode. When I reach that moment, I pack up and head into nature.

Sadly, it's been a very long while since I have stepped away from thinking. It's important to know that we don't have to go far to reset and gain a wide perspective. We do need to step outside and take in the vastness and wonder nature provides for us. Who else has noticed that being outside can make us realize we are such a tiny part of the puzzle? The ocean is a great example of this. It especially can make us feel small, quiet and insignificant. I once read a quote that said: "tell yourself nothing really matters." However, I don't believe it that quote for a hot damn second. As soon as I set foot in front of the ocean, a big redwood, or a drifting landscape, it becomes apparent, everything matters, especially turning off our brains, listening to the deep voice inside ourselves that tells us to be kind. 

Today, provide yourself a nature break. Step outside and take a long walk, go for a hike, climb a rock, look at the falling leaves, sit by a river and take a big deep breath. Take it all in. Try not to think and create the space that is needed to keep going.

Until tomorrow budding John Muir.

Hello. We sit today on the edge of change in America. As we all look at the current social barometer it's confusing. It's hard to imagine what lies ahead for the future of this great nation. What does the next year look like? Where will we be in 1, 2 or 4 years? It boils down to we don't know. It is all unclear, murky and unexplained. At a time like this, we dive deep into what it means to be human and our core values. We think about what we stand for and in what we believe. This process can churn up feelings of turmoil, unrest or combativeness. While most great artists take their own personal emotion out of the creative project they produce, creativity is something that can help us deal with what we are feeling. It can help us transform.

Today, I took my kids out and bought them a special desk. They are to learn, dream and explore at the desk. Most importantly they are to create at this desk and cast away any emotions that don't serve them at the desk. Today's project is to find a space you create. A place where you can shed emotion and channel energy. It's a place where being creative can help alter your state and in turn help the world keep going.

I'm going to go do more creative projects with my kids. See you tomorrow creative change makers.

This post contains affiliate links.

Hello, Friday! Who else thinks Friday is pretty great? It's usually my favorite day of the week but yesterday took the cake. A friend of mine invited me to her house to teach me how to block print. In fact, she invited a group of other ladies to spend a few hours drinking coffee, chit-chatting and creating stuff. She encouraged us to bring our own projects and also provided all the necessary equipment to create block prints. First, block printing was a very cool medium in which to create. For my first project, I sketched a penguin design since all I can think about is the STEAM Kids Christmas book that just launched complete with a pop-up penguin advent calendar. 

Second, I have forgotten how amazing it is to sit down with a group of lovely people and just talk and work. It is inspiring to see how what and how other people create. We even came up with an unofficial name for our Thursday groups of creating together "The Creative Improvement Club" and we are going try to do this meet up every week.

Today's project is to invite a few friends over to create stuff together. Work on creating a business plan, a blog, a scarf for Aunt Gretta, make jewelry or a marketing campaign. Remember it's a "Creative Improvement Club" you are creating it to find power in a tribe.

Until tomorrow Members Only!

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Season's Greetings again! Surprisingly, the holidays are right around the corner. If you are like me, I procrastinate on finding the perfect gift. Then I run out of time. Which means, I can never find the perfect gift and I end up gifting socks. Well, not this year! This year I started early and I am providing everyone "The Ultimate Gift Guide For The Creative Woman." It's filled with gifts at every price range. This guide has many super-duper, special gift options for all the wonderful women in my life and yours! You will be sure to find something that will delight any daughter, sister, niece, mother, grandmother, girlfriend, aunt or wife. Today's project is to create a gift list for every woman in your life and get shopping. Let's take a look below.

1. STEAM Kids Christmas {affiliate link} is a terrific book that inspires girls (boys too) and adults alike to have fun learning through STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) projects. Creating a new way to learn has never been so fun. This is a great gift for a teacher, mom, dad, grandma, grandpa or kid at heart!

2. Nike Internationalist Premium are super stylish kicks for all the ladies on the go. Gift these special sneakers and you are sure to bring a smile to any finicky teen or chic aunt. These little darlings create a style with just the right amount of casual girl cool.

3. All Clad Stainless Steel 3 qt Saute Pan {affiliate link} is an amazing cooking pan for the Julia Child in your life. Creating never tasted so good! Bon Appetite.

4. Bando Sticker Book {affiliate link} is a super cool book of well, stickers. However, this isn't just any typical sticker book. This book contains stickers like "Fries before Guys" and heart emojis. Any little sweetie will sure to fall in love with these little gems. Creating with these stickers will turn anything into a hip, cultural project of self expression. 

5. Apple iPhone 7 in Rose Gold is a great way to snap fabulous photos and create long lasting memories. Also, it's dang pretty. Did I mention there is also a STEAM Kids Coloring book {affiliate link} that can be downloaded and printed? It's a great way to keep everyone keep busy during winter downtimes. After all, winter is coming.

6. Poppin Initial Notebook in copper is the coolest metallic notebook out there. What could provide a sweeter and more lovely place to create and jot down ideas, dreams and an offical bucket lists? 

7. Buxom Lip Polish Collection is a festive way to add a little shine or shimmer to any woman's stocking. These glossy little gems, make lips minty fresh and create instant polish morning, noon or night. Great for mom and sisters alike.

8. AmazaPens {affiliate link} are a terrific way to create lovely, colorful and spectacular designs. They are a great gift for teachers and coloring book artists alike.

9. Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Shadow Pallet is for all those beauty addicts out there have been on the hunt for just the right pallet of colors for the old peepers. Each of these darlings looks great layered on every skin tone. These velvety smooth shadows create a cool sophisticated girl look that young and golden ladies alike will love.

10. Denik Goal Digger Blank Notebook is an amazing notebook that features different artists on the cover. A portion of the sales go to building schools worldwide. If there is one gift that a creative woman would want, it's receive something creates change in the world. Put three of these on your list or nine. Everyone can use a notebook that gives back. In short, gift this one!

11. Fragonard Eaux De Toilette Perfume Set just smells delightful. Every woman can create a signature scent that will delight and inspire her everyday.

12. Blue Sky Alpaca Organic Cotton Yarn {affiliate link} is a lovely gift for any woman who loves to knit and create the softest and most lovely keepsakes for all the people in her life. The yarn is washable, warm and an absolutely divine to create with. 

Well, I have some shopping to do for all the creative women in my life. Let me know how the gift giving goes and happy gifting everyone!

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Season's Greetings to all teachers, parents, educators, penguin lovers and everyone who is a kid at heart! An amazing new book launches today called STEAM Kids Christmas and it is bursting at the binding with great ways to learn and create fun throughout the holiday season. For everyone out there who is saying "What is STEAM?", it's an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math. If there are questions why STEAM is important, check out this post from last week: "How To Use Candy To Expand Your Grey Matter." In short, STEAM is about giving kids tools to create and experience learning like a kid.

If You Live in the European Union, Click Here to Get Your Copy Today

Let's get back to the book. It's pages contain 25 days of STEAM projects that will generate holiday fun for kids and adults. Ever have those boring holiday downtimes? This book contains so many interesting learning projects, there won't be time to be hear the dreaded "I'm bored!" In addition to 25 days of projects, there are STEAM challenge cards, project shopping lists, and cool coloring pages. There is even a super fun Penguin Pop Advent Activity which was created by yours truly! Check out how these penguins can turn a boring moment into an ultimate snowball fight in seconds. 

The book was written by a group of amazing bloggers who together are on a mission to get kids to learn through the STEAM experience.

This book is the ultimate way to create, learn, and celebrate through the holiday season. Plus for the first week only, buy the STEAM Kids Christmas eBook or printed book, and you'll get the STEAM Kids Coloring eBook too. This coloring book offers some fantastic activities that offer adults time to bond with all the children in your life.

Are you an Aunt? The kids are going to remember when you Tinkered With Trees together. Are you an Uncle? You are going be the best, most favorite Uncle when you show up with everything needed for the Disappearing Candy Canes project and the STEAM Kids Christmas coloring book. Is it too hard to shop for cousins? Your Aunt will thank you when her kids open these books and she sees her kids create cool STEAM projects while she catches a few moments of peace. Are you a Mom and need a few minutes of free time to make sure the turkey is ready for the big feast? Have the whole family make a 25 days of penguins and an advent calendar is ready to go!

If You Live in the European Union, Click Here to Get Your Copy Today

Today's project is go create something from this book. There is both a hard copy and an eBook available. Give the gift that keeps on giving and watch minds grow. Click below and buy STEAM Kids Christmas and discover why creating like a kid is so much fun!

If You Live in the European Union, Click Here to Get Your Copy Today

Until tomorrow STEAM penguins!