Goals for 2015

*Please Note: This post has been imported from my previous blog, Organized Magnolia*

This has been such a wonderful ride and I'm really glad I started this blog. I know my intentions and vision have changed since I started this blog, but hopefully you all still enjoy it! I have created a couple resolutions that I hope I can keep this year. They are a little more customized to the direction my blog is going in. I just hope I can keep them!

1.) Staying Organized In Belgium
I have to stay organized in a foreign country. Do you know how hard this is going to be? I need to stay organized but also be very mobile. I'm only going to be living here for six to nine months! How am I going to do this?

2.) Don't buy things Because Of The "Where Else Could I Get It" Sense

3. )New Blog Design
I have been using a Blogger Template by 17thAvenueDesigns on Etsy (found here). If you struggle with designing, I would recommend seeking help. You don't always have to do everything by yourself.  I had always planned on learning html to design my own blog. This blog design was a good interval between the beginning of my blog and finally knowing enough html to design a blog. 

4.) Create A Happiness Jar 

5.) Knock of Bucket List of Places to Travel
So I'm in Europe. I think I can knock off a couple of places I need to go to on my Bucket List. Here are some of them: Belgium (Check), Germany, Austria, Spain, Denmark, Finland, Luxembourg, Sweden, Portugal, Norway. 

6.) NO Shopping Online

7.) Start Saving Money

I have this horrible habit of what I call "Tourist Shopping". I'll pick something up and say "Who cares if I don't need this?!? I'm in Europe. I should definitely get this!" I keep forgetting an important point though: I have to be able to get it home from Antwerp, BE to Atlanta, GA USA. Kind of a long trip and I'm limited to only a couple of boxes for shipping. 

One of my biggest goals this year is to create a Happiness Jar. I don't enjoy the little things enough and I am a jealous person at times. I need to be grateful for what I have. As soon as I find a jar or some kind of container, I'm going to write the date and something that made me happy every single day.

I am absolutely horrible about this. I love shopping online. It is my go to feel good thing. I have a bad day at work equals shopping online. I fight with a friend, I shop online. Its a bad habit that I need to kick. Plus my credit cards would love a breather. I hope to find a different outlet. Like if I'm feeling really down, take a walk. Find a quiet corner. 

I want to buy a house someday so I need to start saving!

A Belgium Apartment

Oh my goodness you guys. I've finally got an apartment in Belgium. I'm actually here. I simply cannot believe it. I'm sorry if the quality of these photos aren't the best, but I only have my iPhone right now. In addition, I really only have four windows total. So not that much natural light.

Yes. Unfortunately, that is my kitchen. No oven. There is a microwave, but its hard to use. I'm going to have a hard time baking brownies or cookies here.

Big screen TV and a big couch! Super stoked!

I'm kind of excited about that wardrobe. I can just hop in and pretend I'm in Narnia. 

Its actually a pretty nice place. One of my co-workers has promised to take me to IKEA so hopefully I can give it a little Heather Flair. Also does anyone know if command hooks are sold in Belgium? I was told I can't put any nails in my walls, but they look so blank. I need to do something. :(

The owner calls this a 'desk'. I see a vanity waiting to happen. What do you think of my new place readers?

Camera Wish List for Birthday

1/2/3/4/5/6

Is it bad I'm already thinking about what new camera accessories I want, and I don't even have the camera in my hands? I still have two weeks to before I can even touch it (it was shipped to my apartment in the States. I don't get back until December 18th). Then, I need to test it and decide if I should keep it! HOWEVER, if it had it now, I think these are the things that I would buy for it.

1- I really am in love with this bag from ONA. It has the look, the style, and the size that I want. However, $300 is a little much for a bag right now. I have to start saving for a house you know!

2- This is another bag from ONA. Still $300 and just way too expensive. This kind of bag is more for those days you don't need much. Just a wallet, a camera, and your keys. 

3- So this is actually an insert. Say you found a bag that is perfect. It has the look you want. It's the perfect size and color too. However, there is no protection for your camera! Well you can buy one of these guys and voila! That bag is now meant for a camera! And it can still be used as a purse too!

4- I'm actually about this close to buying this bag from Jo Totes. It is classic looking and would go with just about anything. 

5- I'm absolutely in love with this bag. It isn't as professional looking as the other ones, but it is just so darn cute. It has that nautical theme that everyone is into right now. It is also from Jo Totes.  

6- I am absolutely in love with this camera strap. It's purple (my favorite color) and you can monogram it!! Ahhhh!

Do you have a wishlist for your camera? If so, what do you have on it?

Have a great day!

European Travel Edition: Hostel vs Hotel

In my recent trip to Amsterdam, Netherlands, I had the wonderful opportunity of staying in a hostel. I'm using the word 'wonderful' VERY liberally here. 

One of my co-workers loves to stay in Hostels. He thinks they are great experiences to meet new people, which I completely agree with him. However, there are the things like having to wear shower shoes, not knowing if your sheets are clean, and the fact that I could be robbed at any moment, that don't really suit my tastes in living arrangements. 

He is just more of a free spirit than I am. I can stay in Hostels if its for one night. If its more than that, I'm going to draw the line. I think because I have practically lived in a hotel for the past six months, I'm just spoiled now. I like knowing all of my sheets are clean and none of my stuff will be touched. 

Readers, what do you prefer? Hostels or Hotels?

Cooking in Belgium

*Please Note: This post has been imported from my previous blog, Organized Magnolia*

As everyone knows last week was Thanksgiving! I was starting to get very homesick because I don't get to go home until Christmas. After talking to some of my American co-workers, we decided to have a little Thanksgiving here. Guess what I was in charge of? Dessert! I decided to try a very easy apple pie my mom and I made last year. The reason I went with something simple like this was because I had never baked in Belgium and neither had my co-workers! This recipe is very basic and so I was sure that I could find the ingredients in the local grocery store. Thankfully I did!

A lot of things were in Dutch though so thankfully I had a phone where I could just whip out the Google Translate app (Get it. You'll be so thankful you did). The only thing I was worried about was the flour. I knew it was flour, but I didn't know what kind. As you know, flour can make a huge difference in baking. 

Also, they don't know what a 'pie' is here. After talking to some people, I figured out 'tart' crusts are what I wanted. Thankfully, those come pre-made as well.

If you get stuck in a jam like I did, my recommendation is to do a little research first. 1) Make sure it is an easy recipe. You don't want to try the Caramel triple chocolate cake on your first baking experience here. Follow my mom's rule for life: KISS (Keep it simple stupid). 2) Research your ingredients. If your grocery store doesn't have it, is there something else that could work? 3) Research your equipment. I showed up at my co-worker's apartment and found out she had no measurement cups or spoons. Thankfully she had a tart pan, but what if she didn't?

Finally, enjoy what ever happens! If this pie had turned out to be bad, we had all agreed to bring it to work the next day and tell everyone that was how it was made. Just have a good time whenever you are baking! The easy apple pie recipe that I used can be found here.

Travel Edition: Chile

*This was imported from my previous blog, Organized Magnolia*

Hi everyone! I know I created this blog to talk about my creative organization and decoration ideas, but a blog should change as a person's life changes right? So every now and then, depending on how much I travel, I'm going to write a 'Travel Edition' post. I'm going to cover different challenges that I have had to encounter while travelling to Chile and now moving to Belgium. Yep you heard right ladies and gentlemen. For 3-6 months, I will be living in Belgium for work! I'm so honored to be given this opportunity. 

My first view of Chile from the plane

So for my first edition, I wanted to give some advice and hints about Chile, since this country is a little different from the rest of South America.

Santiago at night

Most of Chile is in the Eastern time zone. During the Northern hemisphere's summer/Chile's Winter, both are on the Eastern Time Zone. However, during the Northern Hemisphere's Winter/Chile's Summer the time is different by around 2 hours because of Day Light Savings Time.

View of the mountains from Puento Alto

The water is fine to drink in Chile. All of its water comes down from the mountains. I stayed down here for 5 weeks in a row and never encountered Montezuma's Revenge. 

This made me giggle too much. Drive thru for McDonalds

Santiago is a lot like San Francisco in weather and the atmosphere. It is a very artsy kind of town and full of young people. 

The "River" that flows through Santiago

One of the best things here is that if you don't speak Spanish, its ok. A lot of people are very friendly and will still help you out. Watch out for cabs though. They like to rip tourists off sometimes and charge higher rates.

Expresso!

If you want to learn a little bit of Spanish, Doulingo is a great app to get you started. It can teach you basic words to full sentences.

It rarely ever rains here because Chile is a thin slice between the ocean the mountains. This creates a perfect climate for wine though!

Me at the Undurraga Winery

Chile is often called the Europe of South America. I think it is because it is the most urbanized and stable country. There is even a district called 'Sanhattan' because that is where the wealthy people in Santiago live.

Me at the Concho Y Toro Winery

The biggest difference from the US is that waiters/waitresses are not allowed to take your credit card away from the table. They bring little tiny credit card machines to you and swipe the card in front of you. Watch out though because they do ask if you want to pay for your dinner in installments. 

View from my hotel

Its also customary to always tip 10%. Giving a smaller tip is considered rude. 

Pisco Sour!

Finally, drink a Pisco Sour! Pisco is a South American brandy and it is really good!

Happy Travels!

Kate Spade-esk Champagne Sign

As I said before in this post, I have finally decided on how to design my dining room. My first challenge, the gallery wall. I started with some easy prints to create! The first one is a very popular sign "but first, CHAMPAGNE". Seems perfect for my dining room. I whipped out my gimp program and started creating!

Michael's happened to have a wonderful 40% off sale on frames when I stopped by, and I grabbed this cute and simple frame! 

Put them together and voila!

Isn't it just so cute?

Happy Crafting!