How to Make and KEEP Your New Year's Resolution!

Photo via TAC Photography

According to statistics I found on the incredibly credible Internet, about half of all Americans will make a New Year's Resolution each year. Once the calendar flips to February, these same statistics show that half of us have already given up. So, let's do the math: If only half of Americans (50%) actually make a resolution in the first place and then another half (25%) quit pretty much immediately, that means about 75% of our countrymen slack off in the area of self-improvement. Not exactly impressive or encouraging.

But you, my dear, have the ability, the power and the fortitude to make a New Year's Resolution and actually KEEP it! How? I'm glad you asked...

Have Yourself a Stress Free Little Christmas! Advice on Eliminating Holiday "Busy-ness"!

Merry Christmas To All!

Christmas is my favorite holiday! Which I realize is not original in the least, but still, I love it so much!

My Christmas wish for you this season is to have a stress-free, enjoyable holiday. Don't think it's possible? Whether it is or whether it isn't possible actually all depends on your choices. How do you want to reflect upon this year's holiday? Will you feel like a Christmas angel? Or are you going to Scrooge-It-Up? How you spend your holiday is all up to you, babe.

Venison Recipe - Grilled Backstrap Tenderloin Sandwiches

I grew up in northern Michigan and in my house, November means hunting season; deer to be exact. Pretty much all of the men in my family (and some of the ladies too!) go deer hunting and it is quite uncommon for them to come home empty handed. 

Recently, my husband took an interest in hunting and got his first deer over Thanksgiving weekend. This may have been my husband's first deer, but cooking and eating venison has been a tradition in my family for generations and I've got quite a repertoire of recipes. But my husband pointed out to me that venison is not a commonly prepared meat. So if there were a lot of men who brought home deer this season, that probably means there's also a lot of wives out there wondering what to do with it!

Handmade Holiday Burlap Wreath - REVAMP That Wreath You Made for Fall With a Few Easy Steps!

Each season I notice a few standout, popular DIY crafts that explode all over Pinterest and Instagram. This past fall I saw numerous posts and pins for handmade burlap wreaths. Now burlap things have never really been my style but each photo I posted of the burlap wreath was absolutely beautiful. So beautiful that I just had to make one myself! 

I was so happy with the way my wreath turned out and absolutely love looking at it every time I walk through the front door (which is where I chose to display it). In fact, I loved my wreath so much that when the seasons changed and Christmas music began to fill the air, I didn't want to take it down, even though I had decorated the wreath for fall. Lucky for me, I realized I could quickly and easily turn my Harvest wreath into a Christmas wreath - all it needed were a few simple adjustments!

How to Make French Press Coffee: It's Science!

You guys. French press coffee is so good. It's frothy, smooth, rich, bold... it's just absolutely crazy delicious. And today I want to share with you how I make this amazing beverage every single morning.

Thrift Store Shopping: Buying Designer Labels on a Budget

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One way that I incorporate more designer labels into my wardrobe is by shopping at thrift stores. Unless I am looking for something specific that I need right away, like an outfit for an event this weekend, thrift store shopping never lets me down. As long as you've located a few good stores that have a high rate of quality items and a clean, organized set-up, then you've got an AWESOME way to add more of the styles you desire to your closet!

Minimize Time in the Kitchen: Stress Free Strategy #1 from That Busy Girl

In our American culture, women are busy. Busy being mothers, wives, career mavens, homemakers... women are busy just plain old taking care of business. 

When it comes to putting meals on the table, I like to keep a high standard and cooking for me and my husband used to STRESS ME OUT. Not only can preparing high quality meals get expensive, it can also be super time consuming. But after a few years of seeking advice from other wise busy women in my life, I've tried out (and sometimes failed at) creating a set of tips and tricks that allow me to simplify life WITHOUT compromising taste, nutrition or my sanity.

I calls these my Stress Free Strategies.