Cupid Can Keep His Arrows

I’ve always been a self-proclaimed Valentine’s Day hater. Every year, I look with disgust at couples spending money on ugly pink roses, gaudy teddy bears, and sickeningly sweet chocolate. You all know Valentine’s Day is a scam, right? It’s nothing more than a phony holiday where corporate America pressures everyone to buy extravagant gifts for their loved ones and pretend to be more in love than normal.

“You all know Valentine’s Day is a scam, right?”

At least, that’s what I used to say.

This year, I had someone to celebrate for the first time ever. And as much as it pains me to say, I actually enjoyed Valentine’s Day. A lot. And yes, I gave in and made impulse purchases for my loved one. And yes, I did love receiving chocolate and silly little gifts. I found myself asking, “Who have I become??” The fact is, love has changed me. My fiancé has changed me. I’ve become someone I don’t recognize; someone who loves celebrating Valentine’s Day.

This Valentine’s Day I realized how special it is to celebrate those we love. Of course we celebrate our loved ones every day. That’s why we spend time with them, and share ourselves with them, and cover them with a blanket when they’re napping, and shovel the sidewalk for them, and leave notes for them, and do the things they enjoy and eat the food they like.

I used to think that was enough; that there was no need for a commercialized holiday just to tell your loved ones you love them.

“At the end of our lives, will we ever say we celebrated our loved ones too much?”

And now, looking back, I wish I would have celebrated my friends and loved ones better on Valentine’s Day, instead of being cynical about a fluffy overdone holiday. Because at the end of our lives, will we ever say we celebrated our loved ones too much? Will we ever regret the ways we loved our spouses and friends and family? Even when it was “only” in the name of Valentine’s Day?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Tina calls Northwestern Pennsylvania her home, and Queens, New York her sometimes home. She enjoys spending quality time with loved ones, reading captivating and educational books, spending time in coffee shops, and occasionally engaging in an active lifestyle via biking, rock climbing, hiking, and swimming. She values the power of words and loves to see writing change and impact lives. If you’d like to contact her directly, you can reach her at tina.thesimpledesignco@gmail.com.

New Year, Same Me

I’ve had it.

I’m done setting goals I can’t achieve. They say to set your goals high, because setting low goals will cause you to underperform. Well I say I’m tired of the pressure, stress, and guaranteed disappointment. Perhaps, there is a time and place for noble goals and great accomplishment, but I say that time is most certainly not the New Year.

Don’t we hear the same facts every year? When January rolls around, everyone starts pulling out the majorly depressing stats about Americans and resolutions.

Fact #1: Over 50% of Americans make New Years resolutions. Fact #2: Only 6% of Americans follow through on their resolutions. Fact #3: Americans are the worst at accomplishing goals. Fact #4: America sure is going down the tubes.

Some people worry about financial debt, but when I look at these stats, I feel like I’m drowning in goal debt. Like somehow I still owe my 2016 self who set a goal to exercise every day. But oops, I already set 5 other goals this year that need to be accomplished. And last year I didn’t read 50 books like I said I would so I’m already 25 books behind for this year.

I am. Drowning. In. Goal. Debt. This is a cry for help.

This year I’m trying something new. My first resolution of the year is to keep it easy. In fact, I am keeping it too easy.

My second resolution is to spell out “though” when I text, instead of spelling “tho.” And following that up, I’m also going to say “slay” less. I’m not removing it from my vocabulary. Just saying it less than last year.

This year, I’m going to wash my sheets more often and forget my keys less. I’m going to get more toothpaste when it’s almost empty instead of rolling the tube up smaller and smaller and making it stretch for a week. I’m going to pay my taxes. I said pay, not do. And when I buy coffee, I’m going to drink all of it, instead of leaving two sips at the bottom and throwing it away.

I’m going to keep sourdough starter alive. If any sourdough is produced or not will depend on how I’m feeling on a day by day basis. I’m not going to run my phone to 1%, I’m going to be ok with bad hair days, and I’m going to, at least partly, overcome my fear of missing out.

If you, like many others (44% of America), are reaching the end of January and realizing you’ve already failed to meet your unachievable New Years resolutions, stop. Get some help.

Start February with a blank slate and your own list of Too Easy Resolutions.

You don’t need to reinvent yourself this year. Just work on slightly improving.

Out with overachieving, in with micro achieving.

Happy New Year!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Tina calls Northwestern Pennsylvania her home, and Queens, New York her sometimes home. She enjoys spending quality time with loved ones, reading captivating and educational books, spending time in coffee shops, and occasionally engaging in an active lifestyle via biking, rock climbing, hiking, and swimming. She values the power of words and loves to see writing change and impact lives. If you’d like to contact her directly, you can reach her at tina.thesimpledesignco@gmail.com.

Do Not Discard!

‘Tis the season for Christmas cards!

Here at the Simple Design Company, we are sending out your Holiday cards at a break neck speed. What a fun time of year, when we revert back to olden times, and give each other the gift of a real piece of paper filled with holiday cheer. In a digital world, we still believe a beautiful and meaningful card speaks volumes.

“But inevitably, we’re left with warm memories and a fridge covered in Christmas cards.”

But inevitably, after the flurries of the holiday when life returns to some semblance of normal, we’re left with warm memories and a fridge covered in Christmas cards. The question arises, what do we do with all these Christmas cards?

“What do we do with all these Christmas cards?”

A while ago, we asked our wonderful social media followers what they do with the Christmas cards they recieve, and here are some of the best ideas they had!

1. Punch a hole in the corner of your cards and keep them on a ring to flip through. (easily the most popular idea!)

2. Put them into a photo album so you can look back at your loved ones over the years!

3. Make a scrapbook with fun stories and designs for each card. (your kids will love helping you with this!)

4. Punch a hole at the top of your cards and tie it with a ribbon to use as Christmas tree ornaments.

5. Use a basket to collect your cards and keep on display. (we know how much your guests will love going through them!)

6. Tape your cards to a door way in your home to make a Christmas card garland!

7. Take a picture of the card and set it as their contact photo in your phone. It can be fun to update these pictures every year!

8. Clip your cards to a wire and make a Christmas card wreath!

9. Store your cards and pull one out every week of the year and dedicate that week to praying for the family or individual.

We’d love to know, have you tried any of these ideas? Do you have other ways to store your Christmas cards? We hope these ideas give you a start to treasuring your Christmas cards this holiday season!

Merry Christmas!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Tina calls Northwestern Pennsylvania her home, and Queens, New York her sometimes home. She enjoys spending quality time with loved ones, reading captivating and educational books, spending time in coffee shops, and occasionally engaging in an active lifestyle via biking, rock climbing, hiking, and swimming. She values the power of words and loves to see writing change and impact lives. If you’d like to contact her directly, you can reach her at tina.thesimpledesignco@gmail.com.

Rethinking the Thanksgiving Menu

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and the scent of turkey and pumpkin pie are in the air.

Every Thanksgiving, a nagging thought creeps into my head.

“What if we didn’t serve dry turkey and bland mashed potatoes every year? Imagine what could be accomplished.”

What if we didn’t serve dry turkey and bland mashed potatoes every year? Imagine what could be accomplished. Everyone would be happy all day and no one would bring up politics. Strangers would be friends and peace and harmony would finally be achieved in our homes and neighborhoods.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the traditional Thanksgiving meal as much as anyone else, but if you’re like me, and wonder just what it would be like to step outside of the box a bit, here are 5 non-traditional menu options to spice up your Thanksgiving!

5 non-traditional menu options to spice up your Thanksgiving!

1. Pumpkin or Squash Soup

Embrace the vegetables of the season with a warm and hearty soup!

2. Garlic Rolls

Switch out your plain rolls with flaky, buttery, garlic knots!

3. Cornbread

Even better, skip the flour-based bread and serve cornbread!

4. Mac and Cheese

Honestly, why don’t we eat this at every meal? Make it fancy with some Conchiglie pasta

5. Panna Cotta

Enjoy the deep and warm flavors of fall by serving panna cotta with peach, apricot, or honey accents!

Try these out this Thanksgiving to shake things up a bit!

Or, like me, indulge in the idea while enjoying dry turkey and bland mashed potatoes, because we all know Aunt Cathy will bring more than enough spice to Thanksgiving!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Tina calls Northwestern Pennsylvania her home, and Queens, New York her sometimes home. She enjoys spending quality time with loved ones, reading captivating and educational books, spending time in coffee shops, and occasionally engaging in an active lifestyle via biking, rock climbing, hiking, and swimming. She values the power of words and loves to see writing change and impact lives. If you’d like to contact her directly, you can reach her at tina.thesimpledesignco@gmail.com.

Fall Fun

20 Fun Activities to Keep You Occupied this Fall Season!

Are you feeling summer slipping between your fingers?

Do you find yourself suffering from pre-winter blues?

Well, good news! It’s officially fall! Which means you can indulge in all the essential fall traditions! Here’s a list to keep you occupied this autumn.

1. Go apple picking

2. Step on a crunchy leaf

3. Drink a Pumpkin Spice Latte

4. Take 1,859,380 pictures of the colorful leaves

5. Make a pumpkin pie

6. Get a good pair of fleece lined tights

7. Carve a pumpkin

8. Eat a pumpkin pie

9. Lose yourself in a corn maze

10. Wear overalls

11. Eat fresh sweet corn

12. Eat caramel apples

13. Drink apple cider

14. Take 7,052,795 pictures in a pumpkin patch

15. Chew on a piece of straw

16. Wear your biggest chunkiest sweater

17. Heat up your leftover apple cider

18. Go on a hayride

19. Jump into a leaf pile

20. Eat apple cake

This should keep you occupied this fall season! Enjoy!

What else is on your Fall To Do List?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Tina calls Northwestern Pennsylvania her home, and Queens, New York her sometimes home. She enjoys spending quality time with loved ones, reading captivating and educational books, spending time in coffee shops, and occasionally engaging in an active lifestyle via biking, rock climbing, hiking, and swimming. She values the power of words and loves to see writing change and impact lives. If you’d like to contact her directly, you can reach her at tina.thesimpledesignco@gmail.com.

Sound Off

I lived 30 days with no music. I am a survivor. This is my story.

I listen to a lot of music. Thousands of hours of music. I turn it on when I drive, walk, and sit. I have it playing in the background when I work. Some might say, I am addicted to music, or rather, I am addicted to noise. A month ago I would have disagreed. Now I’m not so sure.

For the past month, I lived with no music, while keeping a very accurate and scientific log of my responses.

The results may shock you.

“Tell Simon & Garfunkel I found the Sound of Silence, and I don’t like it.”

Day 1: This isn’t so bad. A month isn’t even that long. 

Day 3: I only have 10 minutes to work but I still wish I could listen to music on the way. Does this mean I am addicted to noise? 

Day 5: I just thought of a song I was recently introduced to and I really want to listen to it. Annoyed that I can’t. 

Day 7: I’m going to finish my audiobook instead of listening to music. Making healthy choices. 

Day 8: Not listening to music is kind of annoying but it’s still not super hard. 

Day 12: This road trip is really long without music. 

Day 12.5: Wait, it's only day 12?? Oh boy.

Day 13: Ok the silence on my drive to work is actually kind of nice. 

Day 17: Just kidding. It’s getting harder, will it get easier at some point? 

Day 19: Maybe starting to feel the withdrawal??

Day 21: I am CRAVING music. Every time I get in my car I want to play something. I find myself talking to myself and making random noises. I think the silence is getting to me. 

Day 23: I’m tired of not listening to music. I try singing to make up for it, but it’s a sad substitute. A song is stuck in my head and I really wish I could play something else to get it out. 

Day 25: Need music, please. Maybe dying. Send help.

Day 27: This was one of the worst ideas I’ve ever had. I will probably never do this again. I regret all my decisions. All I want is to turn the music up so loud I can feel it in my brain.

Day 30: This was so much harder than I thought it would be. I’m glad it’s over. Tell Simon & Garfunkel I found the Sound of Silence, and I don’t like it.

“Sometimes silence is what you need to talk to and hear God.”

Overall, this month of no music was good for me. I had time to listen to audiobooks I’ve been pushing off, I had more time to be alone with my thoughts and with God, but most importantly, I found that it is possible to live without constant noise. Silence isn’t a bad thing. And sometimes it’s what you need to talk to and hear God. 

This month was harder than anticipated. I came face to face with the fact that I am a product of my generation and am almost certainly addicted to noise. How would a month of no music affect your life? Try it for yourself and find out!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Tina calls Northwestern Pennsylvania her home, and Queens, New York her sometimes home. She enjoys spending quality time with loved ones, reading captivating and educational books, spending time in coffee shops, and occasionally engaging in an active lifestyle via biking, rock climbing, hiking, and swimming. She values the power of words and loves to see writing change and impact lives. If you’d like to contact her directly, you can reach her at tina.thesimpledesignco@gmail.com.

It’s One Thing

It’s one thing to love someone. It’s another to sacrifice for those you love.

It’s one thing to trust God. It’s another to surrender your desires.

It’s one thing to give. It’s another to give when you have little.

It’s one thing to know about God. It’s another to know God.

It’s one thing to be selfless. It’s another to be selfless when no one is watching.

It’s one thing to be dependent on God for big things. It’s another to be dependent on God for daily bread. 

It’s one thing to stop working. It’s another to truly rest.

It’s one thing to be excited about the future God has in store. It’s another to be excited about life in the mundane present.

“Sometimes things appear one way, but are completely different altogether. ”

Sometimes things appear one way, but are completely different altogether.

We think we love well, but then, it’s easy to love. We say we trust God, but trust is an easy word to say. We give to those in need, because God has blessed us abundantly. We study the Bible and say we know God, but then, even an atheist can know facts about God. It’s easy to be selfless, especially when people are always watching the way we live. We know dependence on God is a necessity, how else would we live successful lives? We stop working on our sabbath, and call it restful. We are excited for the future, and call it trusting in God's plan.

“Underneath the good things we say and the good ways we live, there is a whisper of something better.
A promise of a fuller life.”

Underneath the good things we say and the good ways we live, there is a whisper of something better. A promise of a fuller life.

It is better to sacrifice in love, surrender your will, and give when you have little. 

It is richer to know God as a friend knows a friend and as a child knows a father.

There is eternal reward in being selfless even in unseen places.

There are miracles awaiting those who depend on God for daily bread.

True rest and relief from our burdens is found in communion with Jesus.

We can live in blessed contentment when we see the Present, “the point at which time touches eternity,” as the gift God meant it to be.  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Tina calls Northwestern Pennsylvania her home, and Queens, New York her sometimes home. She enjoys spending quality time with loved ones, reading captivating and educational books, spending time in coffee shops, and occasionally engaging in an active lifestyle via biking, rock climbing, hiking, and swimming. She values the power of words and loves to see writing change and impact lives. If you’d like to contact her directly, you can reach her at tina.thesimpledesignco@gmail.com.