National Planner Day

August 1^st is National Planner Day which is the best time to make your own planner.  As an administrative assistant, I have learned that planners do come in handy for keeping track of important appointments for work and for personal appointments. These days, I have used my planner for personal items and for planning ahead after the pandemic ends. In the meantime, I have made a free college schedule printable for those of you who are taking online classes this year or classes in person. The second free printable is for taking notes during your classes.

Also, the notes page can be used for personal use. The notes printable can be used for writing messages or for information you want to remember for later. Every planner should have a calendar, notes, to-do list, emergency contact page, appointment page, and daily schedule.  All you will need is a binder with plastic cover, plastic cover pages, tabs, and a binder cover for your personalized planner. Small Labels is a must have item to label your tabs and can be placed onto the calendar for important items to stand out of the calendar.

Depending on how you will use your planner, you can use stickers or different colored pens to write important information. You can make several planners for college, work, and for keeping track of your spending. Below are more resources about planners. Each free printable has a heart design and it can be colored. Once again, these are free and for your personal use. Happy National Planner Day!

15 DIY Planners & Journals to Make or Print at Home:
https://crazylittleprojects.com/diyplannerideas/

Easy DIY Planner:
https://www.100directions.com/easy-diy-planner/

National Planner Day:
https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/planner-day/

How to Make a DIY Personal Planner:
https://www.thespruce.com/making-a-diy-personal-planner-4126060

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Hand Painted Soap Dispenser

Hand soap dispensers were made after 1865. Painting hand soap dispensers make a pretty decorative item in your kitchen or bathroom. It also comes in handy for washing your hands while preparing meals for your family. Hand-painted soap dispensers give a personalized look and stand out among other items in the bathroom or kitchen. Here is the last painting tutorial for this month. 

Different colors of Acrylic Paint (Blue) (Yellow) (Antique White)

Paintbrushes

Plastic Hand Soap Dispenser

High Gloss Topcoat 

Letter Stencil (Optional)

Black Pen or Sharpie

Wash and remove the labels of a plastic soap dispenser. Second, dry the dispenser with a towel. Third, use a letter stencil and a black pen to write the word, soap. Fourth, paint each letter. Wait for the paint to dry. Fifth, use another paint color to paint the sides of the letters. Wait for the paint to get dry. 

After that paint several flowers next to the letters. Once everything is painted, use a topcoat paint. Wait for everything to get dry before using the hand soap dispenser. This hand-painted hand soap dispenser makes a decorative item and a useful item for your kitchen and bathroom. Have fun painting your hand soap dispenser. 

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Letting go of Insecurities

Letting go of insecurities takes time and plenty of patience with yourself. In addition, you will need to block any negative comments from your boyfriend, friends, or relatives. Over time, you will begin not to take things personally. However,  you must not allow your friends,  boyfriend, or relatives to lose your respect. Sometimes, a boyfriend can lower your self-esteem by comparing you to another woman or celebrity.

The lower your self-esteem, the more insecurities you will have. Yet, there are ways to overcome these negative events.

First, tell your boyfriend or anyone to stop body shaming you. Second, tell them how it makes you feel. Third, if your boyfriend really cares about you, he would not make you feel bad about yourself. 

A boyfriend should never tell a woman that she gained weight. Furthermore, a boyfriend should never tell a woman, " You are not my type." Fourth, evaluate your relationship with your boyfriend or with that person that makes you feel insecure. Do not compare them with celebrities or with your ex-boyfriend. Instead, work on changing things in your relationship or move on.  

Take a break from your boyfriend. Perhaps, this will be a wake-up call for him. If not, then take your time to make new friends and a new relationship. A boyfriend should make you feel good about yourself and not worse. Additionally, a boyfriend should not force you to be with him for his own confidence. 

Remove the word insecurity from your thoughts. Allow yourself to go through the grieving process after breaking up with your boyfriend. Continue socializing with your friends on the telephone. Allow yourself to heal from the bad relationships from the past and present. Let yourself feel beautiful inside and out. 

Do not aim for perfectionism. Remember, your achievements and forget about your failures. Dealing with personal insecurities will not disappear on its own. Seek help through a professional therapist. Here are more resources about feeling beautiful. 

Feel Beautiful:

https://www.pushingbeauty.com/feel-beautiful

How to Feel Beautiful and Boost Confidence:

http://www.oprah.com/spirit/how-to-feel-beautiful-and-boost-confidence/all

36 Ways to Feel Absolutely Beautiful:
https://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/36-ways-to-feel-absolutely-beautiful/

Health Benefits of Fruit Tea Infusions

Fruit tea infusions have antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins. After drinking fruit tea infusions, you will feel more alert. At the same time, you might feel relaxed for a few hours. Fruit tea infusions can be made with dry or fresh fruit. However, if you prefer to drink less sugary drinks, use fresh fruit to make your tea infusions. 

Dried fruit tends to have more sugar. Also, fresh fruit has natural sugar on its own. Fruit tea infusions can be made with Black tea, Green tea, Mint tea, and other herbal teas. The best part is that fruit tea infusions can be drunk hot or cold. You can use fruit that is in season. 

You can use one of three different kinds of fruit. For this fruit tea infusion, I chose apples because it supports the digestive system. Then, I chose green tea because it gives you energy. Green tea gives a boost to your metabolism. Here is the recipe for making this delightful fruit tea infusion. 

Ingredients:

1 Red Apple
1 Green Teabag
1 Lemon Slice

In one cup, pour boiling water and insert one green teabag. Wash one apple and peel it. Remove the core of the apple and the seeds. Slice the apples in cubes. Wash one lemon and slice it. Add the apples and one lemon slice inside the green tea. Then, you can drink the fruit tea infusion hot or drink it cold with ice. This fruit  tea infusion is for  one serving. Here are more resources about fruit tea infusions. 

Types of Teas and Their Health Benefits:

https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/tea-types-and-their-health-benefits#1

How to Make a Fruit Infusion:

https://steptohealth.com/how-to-make-a-fruit-infusion-5-easy-recipes/

Healthy Diet: This Fruit-Infused Tea Recipe:

https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/healthy-diet-this-fruit-infused-tea-recipe-may-help-you-cut-down-on-caffeine-2091220

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DIY Chain Necklace with Sequins

Making your own necklaces is a great way to save money in the long run. Also, creating your own jewelry always leaves you feeling confident, and with a smile on your face. This necklace is very easy to make. All you will need is a few items to make this basic chain necklace.

Materials:
Jewelry Pliers
Sequins
Broken Chains
1 Ready-Made Chain
Sewing Bra Hooks
Small to Medium Jump Rings

First, open the loops of the bra hook. Insert one chain inside the loop. Close the loop. Next, insert another chain on the second loop. Close the second loop. Insert one jump ring to the bra hook. Measure the chains to the length you prefer and cut the end of the chains.

After that insert six sequins to one jump ring. Insert the jump ring with the sequins onto the main jump ring of the necklace. Close the jump ring. Insert six sequins to the second jump ring. Then, insert the jump ring onto the main jump ring.

Close the jump ring. Last, insert the chain through the main jump ring. Now, you can wear your new chain necklace with sequins or gift the necklace to someone. These necklaces make wonderful gifts. I hope you enjoyed the last jewelry tutorial for the month.

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Lentils and Tajin Chicken

Adding lentils to your meals will give a healthy boost to your skeletal and cardiovascular systems. Lentils have iron, potassium, and magnesium. In addition, it has acid folic and B vitamins. Eating lentils reduces bad cholesterol. Lentils can be incorporated in your soups, salads, and as a side dish. 

Lentils make an easy side dish when paired with chicken. Here is the recipe. Use one can of lentils or make lentils from scratch. Next, peel an onion and use half of it. Slice half of the onion into smaller pieces. 

Wash one bell pepper. Remove the stem and seeds of the bell pepper. Cut the bell pepper in half. Use one half of the bell pepper and slice it in several pieces. After that slice the bell peppers in smaller pieces. 

Add the onions and the bell peppers into the pot with lentils and water. You can use lentils from a can to make a quick side dish with onions and bell peppers with a little bit of water. In a skillet or in a pot, slice the other halves of bell peppers and onions. Add water and cook the onions and bell peppers. Wash one package of chicken breasts and slice the chicken in small pieces. 

Rub the following spices onto the chicken:

Lemon and Pepper

Paprika

Garlic Powder

Tajin with Lime Seasoning

After that, add the chicken with the skillet or pot with the onions and bell peppers. Next, put one or two Knorr Chicken Bouillons to the skillet or pot. Continue adding water or add water when it evaporates.  If it is too salty, continue adding water. If that does not help, rinse the chicken and ingredients in a strainer. Add water and continue cooking the chicken with the onions and bell peppers.

Once the chicken is ready, serve the lentils on the side. Lentils have fiber. It is recommended to eat 25 to 30 grams of fiber per day. Lentils are good for the bones. Here are more resources about the health benefits of lentils. 

Lentils: Nutrition, Benefits, and How to Cook Them:

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/lentils#nutrition

Lentils: Benefits and Nutrition:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/297638#nutrition

Are Lentils Good for You? Here are 7 Reasons to Give Them a Try:

https://www.wellandgood.com/are-lentils-good-for-you/

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Free Printable Weekly Schedule

Are you looking for a free printable weekly schedule for school, for college, or for work? These free printable weekly schedules are for your personal use. Each printable is ready to be printed and colored. One weekly schedule page has a blank area to write your favorite quote for the week. The other two weekly schedules have my favorite quotes. Have fun coloring these printable pages. 

More quotes at Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/

Work Quotes:

https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/work-quotes

17 Motivational Quotes to Inspire You to be Successful:

https://www.success.com/17-motivational-quotes-to-inspire-you-to-be-successful/

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DIY Sequin Chain Bracelet (Tutorial)

Add a little bit of sparkle to your accessories by making this sequin bracelet. You can make this bracelet by using broken chains or a ready-made chain bracelet that has links. Instead of putting beads on jump rings, you can add sequins to several jump rings and attach them to a chain-link bracelet. Sequin jewelry has been used since the ancient Egyptian era. Sequins can also be sewn onto chains or onto cord jewelry.

In addition, sequins can be placed onto hoop earrings, ankle bracelets, and necklaces. Sequins come in different shapes, sizes, and colors. You can even mix sequins and beads together to make your own chain bracelet. Sequins are inexpensive and it makes a nice gift for a friend. Here are the instructions for making this sequin bracelet. 

Materials:

Broken chains or already-made bracelet

Sequins

Small jump rings

Jewelry pliers

Lobster clasp

Self-Closing Hook

First, measure a chain and cut the chain so that it fits around your wrist. Second, insert a lobster clasp with a jump ring on one end. Third, insert a self-closing hook on the other end of the chain. Fourth, add one sequin to one jump ring and insert it into one chain link. Fifth, continue adding sequins to each jump ring and insert it into the chain links. 

After that, this chain bracelet with sequins is ready to be worn. Make sure the jump rings fit inside the chain link. This bracelet has small jump rings and a total of five sequins. Have fun! Here are more resources.

History of Sequins:

https://www.firemountaingems.com/resources/jewelry-making-articles/gc1d#:~:text=The%20people%20of%20the%20Indus,the%2020th%20century%20to%20today!

How to Use Sequins in Your Jewelry:

https://www.beadinggem.com/2010/06/how-to-use-sequins-in-your-jewelry.html

DIY Easy Sequin Bracelet:

http://quietlioncreations.com/easy-sequin-bracelet/

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World Watercolor Month

Charlie O’Shields is the founder of World Watercolor Month which has made artists around the world to connect and to promote their watercolor artworks. He is also the creator of Doodlewash which is a community for watercolor artists to share their paintings and sketches with watercolors. Also, Doodlewash has charities and art challenges. Watercolors are the perfect medium to paint and to meditate at the same time. Meditating and painting with watercolors help you to feel creative, relaxed, and improves your mood for the entire day.

All you will need are watercolors, paintbrushes, and paper to do mindfulness painting. You can have music while you paint with watercolors while you meditate. However, music is optional. Find yourself a quiet place to paint and to relax at the same time. Here are more resources for painting with watercolors, painting information, and meditation. 

How to Paint with Watercolors-Watercolor painting for Beginners:

https://artjournalist.com/how-to-paint-with-watercolors/#:~:text=Painting%20With%20Watercolors%20Does%20Not%20Have%20to%20Be,...%203%20Practice%20These%205%20Main%20Watercolor%20Techniques

Painting for Mindfulness and Meditation:

https://www.malcolmdeweyfineart.com/blog/painting-for-mindfulness-and-meditation#.XxirZlVKjIU

Doodlewash-World Watercolor Month

https://doodlewash.com/event/world-watercolor-month/2019-07-01/

World Watercolor Month in July:

https://nationaldaycalendar.com/world-water-color-month-july/

6 Brain and Health Benefits of Painting:

https://foxhillresidences.com/6-brain-and-health-benefits-of-painting/

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Benefits of Creative Hobbies (Guest Post)

Do you have hobbies? That’s a common question that a lot of people get asked: What they like to do in their free time and what variety of extracurricular pursuits are important to them. But for some people, hobbies may seem meaningless and without value. They’re missing the point: Hobbies just aren’t about filling free time. Hobbies can go a long way to making people more well-rounded and more content with their lives.

That contentment also translates into work, too. For example, hobbies improve creativity, all around. They’re a way for you to focus energy and give you a sense of purpose, too. And that helps you at work, mitigating the effect of too much to do and too little control as well. But what does the research say about the importance of hobbies? This graphic offers some insights and encouragement for you to develop your own hobbies, starting now.

Benefits of Creative Hobbies

How to Make a Hand Sanitizer Holder?

Are you looking for a hand sanitizer holder sewing tutorial? Today, I have created this sewing tutorial which only takes a few minutes to make this hand sanitizer holder. 

All you will need is thread, needle, and denim material to make this hand sanitizer. It is a quick sewing tutorial and there is no need to use a sewing machine. These instructions are for sewing by hand. 

Materials:

Blue jean pocket

Embroidery thread

Embroidery needle

Scissors

Hand sanitizer travel size bottle

Keyrings

First, use a blue jean pocket for the base of the holder. Trim the edges of the leftover fabric. Second, cut the top part of the pocket and hem the edges. Third, fold the pocket in half and leave some space for the sanitizer. Fourth, sew the sides of the pocket. Fifth, use a strip of denim fabric and sew it in half. Sixth, fold one edge of the strip and sew it onto the pocket. Seventh, insert one key ring to the denim strip. 

Last, sew the denim strip from all sides. Fold and sew the bottom portion of the denim strip to the pocket. Add another key ring to attach it to your travel bag or purse. Make sure you can remove your hand sanitizer from the holder so you can refill the bottle. After making this hand sanitizer holder, you will not worry about forgetting to bring your sanitizer. 

Hand sanitizer holders make it easier to carry your sanitizer when you travel or do errands. However, due to the high demand of travel-size hand sanitizer holders, it can be difficult to buy a ready-made holder. The travel size hand sanitizer holders can be worn on your pant belt buckle, your purse, backpack, or traveling bag. There are several ways to make a hand sanitizer holder by sewing fabric or no sewing at all. Below are some links to make hand sanitizer holders with a ponytail elastic and other materials. 

DIY Hand Sanitizer Holder:

https://hellosewing.com/diy-hand-sanitizer-holder/

DIY Hand Sanitizer Jackets:

https://wonderfuldiy.com/diy-hand-sanitizer-jackets/

DIY Hand Sanitizer Holder-My Crafty Spot

http://mycraftyspot.com/ridiculously-easy-diy-hand-sanitizer-holder/

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Silver Chain Earrings (Tutorial)

Chain earrings make an elegant fashion statement without going over your budget. Silver chain earrings are an easy way to repurpose broken chain necklaces. These silver chain earrings take a few minutes to do. All you will need is a few materials to make these simple silver chain earrings with sequins. Here is the tutorial for making these earrings. 

Materials:

1 broken chain necklace

Earring Hooks

Jump rings-different sizes

Jewelry Pliers

Sequins

First, measure the chain and cut the chains in the same lengths. Second, insert a jump ring to one earring hook. Third, insert a smaller jump ring with the two chains into the jump with the earring hook. Fourth, repeat the same step with the second earring hook. Fifth, insert sequins into another jump ring. Sixth, insert the jump ring with the sequins onto the earring hook. Repeat the same step with the second earring hook. Have fun making these hanging chain earrings with sequins for yourself or as gifts. 

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Affirmations & Quotes for Confidence

As E.E. Cummings once said, " Once we believe in ourselves we can risk curiosity, wonder spontaneous delight or any experience that reveals the human spirit." Writing poetry, painting, and doing things that you can enjoy lifts your confidence. Feeling good about oneself takes time especially if people put you down in a negative manner. Reading and saying affirmations or quotes will improve your confidence. Here is my shortlist to build self-confidence. 

1. I feel good about myself and feel confident in what I do.

2. I appreciate everything that comes my way and will not have fear. 

3. I feel confident, content, and love what I do.

4. No one will stop me from feeling confident about myself.

5. Negative words about my appearance are not in my vocabulary. 

6. Negativity washes away like the leftover paint from a paintbrush. 

7. Positivity is like a fresh coat of paint on canvas, it glimmers on its own. 

8. " Put all excuses aside and remember this-you are capable."- Zig Ziglar

9. " Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself." -Coco Chanel 

10. " Confidence comes not from always being right but from not fearing to be wrong." 

-Peter T. Mcintyre

 

Having confidence and self-esteem is essential for your health. Not only will you feel healthy, but it will be easier for you to socialize with new people at work or any social event.  Feeling confident can also be transmitted to others. Lacking confidence may sometimes lead to wrong relationships and may hurt your health. Therefore, here are more resources about affirmations and quotes for self-esteem and confidence. 

Wisdom Quotes:

https://wisdomquotes.com/

20 Affirmations for Self Esteem that Build Your Confidence:

https://www.developgoodhabits.com/affirmations-self-esteem-confidence/

90 Positive Affirmations for Confidence:

https://positiveaffirmationscenter.com/positive-affirmations-for-confidence/

21 Powerful Positive Affirmations for Confidence and Self-Esteem:

https://www.lifesorted.com/positive-affirmations-for-confidence/

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Azalea Coloring Bookmarks

Azaleas symbolize elegance, taking care of someone, kindness, femininity, and other meanings. Also, azaleas can be given to someone that you miss. Today, I have created five bookmarks of azaleas. Each bookmark is hand drawn and has small design elements. These azalea coloring bookmarks are free and for your personal use. Have fun coloring your new bookmarks. Below are more links and the free printable bookmarks.

 

Azalea Flower-Meaning, Symbolism, and Colors:

https://flowermeanings.org/azalea-flower-meaning/

Azaleas:

http://www.perennial-gardens.com/azalea/azalea.php

The Complete Guide to Azaleas:

https://www.southernliving.com/home-garden/gardens/azalea-plants

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Eye Injury Prevention Month

Protecting your eyes during the summer months is important to keep your eyes healthy, to prevent vision loss, and to prevent eye diseases. Consuming healthy meals that contain Zinc, vitamin E, and vitamin C is one way to protect your eyes. Also, drinking water keeps your eyes healthy. Wear goggles when you do outdoor activities. The whole month of July is dedicated to Eye Injury Prevention because most eye injuries occur at home. Check your vision once a year with your ophthalmologist.

Depending on the activity, wearing safety glasses protects your eyes from eye injuries. When using chemicals, wear goggles. Wear computer glasses to help the eyes from not straining. Knowing when to use the right protective eyewear can protect your eyes from debris, chemicals, and other items from getting into your eyes. Here are more resources about taking care of your eyes.

Summer Eye Safety-Georgia Eye Institute:

https://www.gaeyeinstitute.com/summer-eye-safety/#:~:text=Eat%20right%20for%20your%20sight&text=Vitamins%20C%2C%20E%20and%20zinc,help%20keep%20your%20eyes%20healthy.

Eye Injury Prevention-American Academy of Ophthalmology:

https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/preventing-injuries

Eye Injury: Tips to Protect Vision-Mayo Clinic:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/eye-injury/art-20047121

Eye Emergencies: Types, Symptoms, and Prevention:

https://www.healthline.com/health/eye-emergencies

 

 

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* Free Eye Chart Clip Art:

https://www.pngguru.com/free-transparent-background-png-clipart-vqded/download

Free Azalea Coloring Pages

Azaleas typically bloom in May or in June. These flowers come in colors of orange, pink, and in white. Azaleas have inspired writers, poets, and novelists. According to Gao Xingjian, “Some distance away is a white azalea bush which stuns me with its stately beauty. This is a pristine natural beauty. It is irrepressible, seeks no reward, and is without a goal, a beauty derived neither from symbolism nor metaphor and needing neither analogies nor associations.” Today, I have created three coloring pages of azaleas. Below are links for taking care of azaleas in the garden and more information about azaleas. These hand-drawn coloring pages are free and for your personal use. Enjoy!

Azalea Care-Home & Garden Information Center:

https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/azalea-care/

Tips & Information about Azaleas-Gardening Know-How:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/azalea

Azalea Flower Meaning-Flower Meaning:

https://www.flowermeaning.com/azalea-flower-meaning/

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