Monogram Everything with Elizabeth Chilla Designs!

I have been a HUGE fan of Elizabeth Chilla designs for a while now. I am so impressed with how talented she is and how unique her monogram styles are. Elizabeth takes great care to get the monogram just right whether it be just initials , a single letter or a chic image. She has so many options to choose from and so many wonderful items to monogram. Recenlty she monogrammed a fabulous cashmere grey sweater with the coolest purple initial monogram. It is so chic and I love it with jeans, leather pants and cannot wait to wear it with white jeans, as the weather gets warmer!!!

To see more of Elizabeth’s items, follow her Instagram HERE.

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Everyone’s Favorite Tomato Pie

Every year around Easter I start to make Tomato Pie. It is always everyone’s favorite by far and it is so easy to make. Once you try it you will make it all summer long! I like to use sea salt and you can even add a little truffle salt to give it a little extra kick! Bon Appetit

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Bake a 9 inch pie crust until brown (you can use a store-bought crust)

Roughly chop and squeeze tomatoes (to remove liquid) about 6 large tomatoes to fill the bottom of the pie shell (make sure they are firm tomatoes not soft!).

Sprinkle with basil ( just when you think you added enough, add more)

Add salt (I use sea salt) and pepper

Filling:

1 cup Mayonaise, 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese- Spread Over Tomatoes

Bake on 350 for 35-45 minutes until the cheese becomes bubbly.

Overcome Spiritual Depression: Top 4 Tips That Actually Work

Spiritual depression refers to loss of joy and spiritual vitality. It is also known as “The Dark Night Of The Soul”. It happens when your life seems meaningless. Also, you may struggle to seek comfort around you.

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Image Pixabay

Some of the signs of spiritual depression include:

  • Loss of joy in worship
  • Questioning your faith
  • Negative thinking about god
  • Losing interest in your regular church activities, etc.

These signs can also create problems in your personal life. Unable to share struggles with your partner or believing that they won’t understand can add to your frustration. Spiritual depression also makes people feel disconnected or cut off from god.

Surprisingly, you can work to overcome spiritual depression even when you aren’t sure about the cause. This article will discuss some of the ways you can combat spiritual depression. So, let’s get started:

  1. Read Good Books

If you are dealing with spiritual depression, then inspirational Christian books can be your best friend. These books can help you realize that you are not the only one dealing with spiritual depression.

You can buy “Jesus Talked To Me Today”, in which the author James Stuart Bell shares 40 inspiring true stories on how God helps his children. Also, you will learn about people who heard Jesus speak, encountered angels, and experienced the divine.

So, the more books you read, the better. You will gain information for your ignorance, inspiration for your weariness, and insight into complex problems. Also, reading good books can grow your knowledge of God, yourself, and the world around you.

2. Seek Help

Depression and anxiety are not a joke. It can have a serious impact on overall well-being. However, one of the best ways to overcome spiritual depression is to seek help from a therapist.

A therapist can offer guidance and support with:

  • Identifying causes of depression
  • Exploring potential treatments
  • Uncovering links between spiritual beliefs and depression

Many therapists are Christians and they specialize in faith-based counseling. However, those who don’t practice faith-based counseling can help explore religious and spiritual issues alongside depression. So, find an experienced therapist who supports your beliefs.

3. Meditate Regularly

Meditation has the potential to expand awareness. And when the awareness expands, you can easily cope with your depression and anxiety. While there are no strategies for meditation, you only need to remove distractions around you.

However, you don’t have to sit down and close your eyes. You can be mindful while watching movies, reading books, lying on a bed, and taking a walk. So, meditating daily for at least 5-10 minutes is crucial.

4. Give Your Diet A Makeover

As you eat unhealthy food, you may feel worse. During this time, it is wise to give proper attention to your diet.

Replace unhealthy food with nutritious foods as it will fuel your body and brain. Also, it lifts your mood and energy to some extent.

Wrapping Up

Reconnecting with your faith and believing in God can help you eliminate spiritual depression. The tips mentioned above can help you overcome depression and improve your overall well-being.

However, if it doesn’t work, it is wise to consult a professional therapist.

Spruce Up Spring…. Home Edit

I have received a bunch of emails asking for some new home accessories for readers who want to spruce up their spaces for spring. I feel your pain. After the holidays, I am always longing for a lighter look and want some fun new accessories to help achieve it. I also like to modern it up a little too. Here are some really fun items that won’t break the bank. I love them all and have a few in my own cart!

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1. This shape wine glass has been on my wish list for a while.

2. You can never have too many blue and white jars. This one is so pretty!

3. I am in love with this lamp how pretty would a pair be on either side of a console table?

4. This is such a chic sculpture. I love it on a side table. The gold color is perfection.

5. I bought these baskets for my own house. I use them for collecting everything!!!

6. These oversized pillows will look amazing for updating a sofa.

7. A friend gave me a similar one of these round pillows and I love how it looks on a side chair.

8. Everyone was looking for patio heaters last summer.. This is such a great one!!

9. Love this blue color.

10. This mirror is perfection.

11. I cannot pass up a pouf! I want this for my family room!!

12. How pretty is this mother of pearl side table/stool? LOVE IT!!!!

Have You Ever Wanted To Be A DJ? I have!!!!

Being a DJ (a disc jockey) has become a popular career choice over the last decade. With the likes of artists like David Guetta and Calvin Harris making huge careers out of being a DJ, it is no wonder why so many people are wanting to pursue it. While being a disc jockey used to be reserved for only those who had a huge following and could afford the expensive equipment, it has now become much more accessible, meaning more people are venturing down the path of being a DJ. Certainly, the internet has had a huge influence on this, as people have access to a wide range of tutorials and can put their music out there with a click of a button. So, if you are thinking of pursuing a career as a DJ, then here are some things you need to know. 

Is Being A DJ For You?

The first thing you need to consider before pursuing a career as a DJ is whether it is right for you. It would be a good idea to do your research on the role of a DJ, before you venture into a career. Entering any new career can be a little daunting, so it is always best that you prepare for yourself for what the role will entail.

While there is potential to make money from being a DJ, you will likely end up working for a long time before you start to see lots of money entering your bank account. This is definitely an important thing you need to consider because you can’t expect to jump into being a DJ and immediately start making a lot of money. You will likely have to consider DJing as a hobby on the side while you build your career and develop your skills.

What Sort Of DJ Do You Want To Be?

The next thing you need to consider when pursuing a career as a is what sort of DJ do you want to be. Most of the time when people think of DJ’s, they assume they need to be out at the clubs every weekend playing to a huge crowd. But this is not necessarily the case. Certainly, club DJs are one path you can go down if you want to live in the world of partying, but there are a couple of other options out there. 

A radio DJ is where the concept of being a disc jockey originated, so it is considered the classic form of DJing. Being a radio DJ can be a great option if you are after a more stable career as radio stations offer full-time DJ work. The great thing about being a radio DJ is that it is very versatile. All radio stations operate in their own way, so each day on the job can be different. Although it may be considered a more stable option, being a radio DJ still gives you the freedom and creativity to play the songs you like.

Another option you could pursue as a DJ is to be a producer. While some DJing is about playing pre-recorded music to an audience, as a producer you are the brains behind the music and the one who creates the music that is played. Being a producer requires much more knowledge about music production and audio engineering, so you may need to consider acquiring further education if you want to pursue the producer route.

Work At Your Local Radio

One thing that could help you with pursuing your new career is working at your local radio station. Assuming you are already a big music fan, working at your local radio station is a great way to get your foot in the door of the music world. Even if you are not presenting on radio, you will have the chance to be around a lot of like-minded people who share your passion for music. When it comes to expanding any career, networking is the number one way to do it. Meeting other people in your industry can be extremely useful as they will be able to connect you with other important and interesting people.

Not only this but working at your local radio will hopefully give you access to a lot of technical equipment that can help you with developing your skills as a DJ. Being a DJ is not an easy job, it involves a lot of knowledge about technical pieces of equipment. Working at a local radio station can help you learn all about the equipment and you can get excellent advice from some experienced disc jockeys. It is important to remember that the people you will meet at your local radio station would have been in the same position as you, so they will be more than happy to give you advice so you can get to where you want to be. 

How You Can Support Artists and Their Art in The Community

Without art, the world would be less expressive, colorful, and fun to live in. When people realize this, it would change their perspective and increase their appreciation for every form of art available for everyone’s enjoyment. 

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Below, let’s look at ways you can show your support to artists in your community as they continue to make the world a more creative place. Let’s begin.

  • Buy Art or Commission Some 

A direct way to contribute to an artist is by buying one of their works. Whether you need the piece they’ve already made, or you love their style and thus want a custom-created art, financially supporting artists is usually appreciated. 

It would keep them doing what they are doing, but it would also give the artist a boost to their self-esteem. It also helps in knowing that people still care for why they do. But, most importantly, they are willing to pay for it.

  • Participate In The Art Community

To get involved in an art community, you have to join it. First and foremost, art is a creative outlet. Therefore, people should try to find an art that resonates with them, irrespective of whether they feel talented. 

It is normal and encouraged to explore art on your own. However, you can join an art class in your school or community. This can be a way of introducing yourself to your creative side while also supporting instructors who make art education possible.

  • Visit Art Galleries

Visiting art galleries also exposes you to several works from different artists. Sometimes they might be part of history or theme, and you can experience emotional responses that could come from your exposure to different pieces. 

If you love art, you should visit galleries and museums to look at works from artists like Julie Blackmon, Homegrown. When you do this, you help keep their door open, not just for monetary gains, but to let the general populace know that art interest is still alive.

  • Donate to a Local Arts Charity

The art industry is primarily saddled with the issues of funding. Therefore if you are able financially, do support by donating. When you make donations to your local art fund or charity, you contribute to the support of arts and artist organizations immensely. 

Such gestures would aid the art industry by providing smaller institutions and individuals with the resources they need for artistic exhibitions, production, and much more.

  • Virtual Support

Social media is a very powerful tool, and sharing art images or artist pages through Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest can be very valuable to artists in their exposure. In addition, when you leave a positive and genuine comment on an artist, designer, or gallery image, it would be uplifting and can make a big difference in their practice.

That’s A Wrap 

Art can enrich everyone’s lives, however, it can be challenging for people to get exposed to it without support. Therefore, supporting local art in communities is important. 

Being involved in arts and artists in your community can show you what artists near you are doing.