How I Stay Thankful

We are in California right now visiting my family for Thanksgiving. Upon arrival, I was immediately confronted by this intense smell of smoke, like we were at camp and the fire had been burning a little too long. The fires that have ravaged Butte county and Los Angeles County are the worst I remember seeing in my lifetime, with over 800 people still unaccounted for. My sister went to Chico volunteering and giving out supplies to people in need, but there is still so much work to do. The rain that is expected to come is supposed to help with the fires that are still burning, but now we think that may cause mudslides which could be even worse.

This Thanksgiving I’m extra grateful, being safe at home with my family. Yet another reminder that nothing is ever guaranteed in life, and we need to appreciate everything we have, because it could always be worse.

It is easy to feel grateful during times of crisis, but not so much in the thick of mundane everyday life. I have a motto that keeps me on my toes though. It is:

Live life, but make it cute.

I learned this from watching my kids and how they turn every situation in to an opportunity to play and imagine. Kids instinctively know the secret to happiness. As human beings we all have to do the same things – eat, work, sleep, repeat. But instead of just going through the motions or complaining every step of the way, I like to make every thing I do ‘cute’, or in other words- just a little extra special. Doing this takes a little practice and effort, but it is so worth it.

Some examples of what I do to make life cute:

When Tom asks me for a favor, I say – ‘Anything for you, the love of my life!’ or when Adam asks me for another meal, even after he just ate – I answer with, ‘It would be my pleasure, my first born son!’ I may just be extra excited to welcome home my family members by showering them with hugs and kisses like I haven’t seen them in years. Even if I am not actually feeling it, just acting that way tricks my subconscious brain to make me actually start to feel that way. Then comes the ripple effect – after I put out all that good energy towards the ones I love, I get it back and then some.

For dinners, I like to try out new recipes all the time, and experiment with new flavors – it makes cooking and eating dinner way more fun for me. When I get dressed, I pretend like I am in a boutique and shop my closet for pieces I haven’t worn in a while, mixing and matching accessories and even DIY’ing when I feel extra creative. When I am doing my own makeup or hair, I’ll pretend like I’m a professional artist and I’ll give myself a tutorial on my look.

When I shop, I like to imagine I am styling a client that has unlimited funds (a trick I picked up from Immaculate Wardrobe Stylist, Sophia Hyacinthe) I go to my some of my favorite online retailers like Shopbop, (which is currently having their big annual sale!) and I start favoriting items I love. You can get emails when those items go on sale, and I always take advantage of that feature! These boots were my latest sale purchase and I am obsessed with them.

Moral of the story, it is easy to stay grateful and appreciate & enjoy your life – you just have to make it cute!