Callaloo Soup

I'm Still There Mentally & Some Morning Coffee Reads

Ahhhhh. Yes. In my mind I am still in Barbados, lounging on the beach, eating my favourite foods, and feeling totally relaxed. The reality however, is that I am back at home, and gearing back up to attack work and regular life. Here are some articles that are helping me get back in the groove.

It took a while for me to realise that I am highly sensitive in some areas. I can't handle too much loud noise, I don't like for my hands to be dirty (ick!), and even though I love you, I really can't be hugging you all the time. Lots of bells went off when I read 15 Tips for the Highly Sensitive Parent over at Sorta Crunchy. Self-care as a parent is so important, it's equivalent to the "put your oxygen mask on" first scenario when flying.

The first week back it was so hard for me to focus and work. So hard. I am trying to implement some of these 5 Morning Rituals to help my productivity. The first one is really true!

I'm considering that I might need a social media detox.

Okay, this pairing of tiny objects with their exact Pantone shade is doing nothing for my productivity, but how could I not share?

What online reads have you enjoyed of late?

 

 

Webspotting

We had a splendid time on vacation, including one glorious day at the beach. More on that soon. Here's what I've spotted around the web lately.

Both CNN and Huffington Post are loving my former city Lyon over Paris. I don't blame them. 

Speaking of France, the bread cliche thing is real

I wish I could get my hands on this amazing sketchbook recording every colour imaginable.

I try to avoid Buzzfeed because it is such a timesuck, but this look at school lunches from 13 countries is fascinating.

Holly Becker of Decor8, whose blog I have been reading for years, shares some thoughts and asks thought provoking questions about the future of blogging.

I love blogging, and plan to keep doing it. Like scrapbooking, it is an integral part of what I do. But I do think we bloggers owe it to ourselves and our readers to keep evolving. So I recently embarked on this Spark Your Blogging e-course from Campfire Chic. I am loving it so far!

What have you spotted on the web lately?

P.S. I do truly love Lyon and wrote an ode to the city when we left, as well as this post about our visit a year ago

 

Silliness and Fun

 

Make yours here

 

Hello! How have you been? What's new in your world?

Want to find out just how crunchy a mama you are? Check out Crappy Moh's Crunchy Mama Scale.  Illustrated with crappy pictures of course! I'm between quartz and topaz. You?

The Oatmeal has nailed why printers are evil. I am totally living this right now. Thank you Epson Artison 1400!

Hellooooo! Is it me you're looking for?

I can get behind these 3 lousy tips for parenting.

You may not like Math, but you're gonna love these graphs and charts. I promise!

 

I hope you're having a lovely weekend.

Happy Awesome Inspiring Fun Good Stuff

Today my sweet boy turns five. He has been patiently waiting since January, when his classmates started having their fifth birthdays. Love him so so much. I reprised my balloon streamer birthday morning surprise, and he loved it just as much as last year. And yes, those are the same pyjamas. I think we will retire them this year.

How was your week? What fun, edifying or just plain silly things did you enjoy this week? here are some interesting things I found.

Leo Babauta is the master at making me slow down, take stock and try to improve. Here he writes about becoming a morning person. I'll be chewing on this for a while and trying to incorporate some of these techniques.

As a low media advocate, this article about why watching TV is better than swiping an iPad confirmed what I feel to be true

These brilliant literary cartoons from Tom Gauld will have you smiling and nodding your head.

New reports suggest that knitting is good for your brain. Join the knitting revolution with me! I still have a giveaway running for a free class from Craftsy.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Do What You Want, Get Over Creative Block and Stack Rocks. Among Other Things

I don't have as much time as I would like to read all the blog articles I'd like to read, but thankfully, I do sometimes come across gems in the online world that resonate with me in some way. I make a point to share those that really speak to me on Twitter, and I want to share them here too.

Most recently I've loved:-

At the cusp between wonder and fact: a mom writes about her son turning nine years old. I love how beautifully Christina Rosalie writes, and how the deep connection between her and her son comes shining through.

Michael Grab Balances Rocks: As an engineer and general science geek, this appeals to me. Plus we have a river with tons rocks nearby, and I can totally see Kieran and I having a blast with this.

Whenever I have a day that I am feeling unmotivated, and not wanting to work, I read these tips: How to Make Yourself Work When You Just Don't Want To. They work!

I love Janet Carr's take on not doing what society tells you you should do.  Plus she talks about her Filofax, and you know I am all about that!

Have you heard about Brain Pickings? I adore all their posts, and this recent one about overcoming creative block definitely met the mark.

What good stuff have you read lately? Have a great weekend, friends.