Life hacks for busy creatives

May 20, 2015 in STYLE

I have a busy lifestyle and while I can't really complain (I'm single and have no dependents, so it's really not that hard) I do try to maximize my free time so I can spend more time on what I love. Here's what I use:

Laundry

If you don't have a washer and dryer in your house you know that doing laundry is just that much more annoying. I just tried Washio for the first time and it worked out pretty well. I packed up my laundry and they came to pick it up during pre-selected hours. They asked my preferences and provided some sturdy bags for wash and fold and dry cleaning. I scheduled when I wanted them to return the clean laundry and voilá, laundry was done. Is it expensive? Yes. But if you factor in time gained and hassle lost, it may be worth it for you. Use this referral code (echeveste99453dy61) for $10 off your first order if you want to try it out!

Grocery Shopping

I'd love to try Blue Apron, but it's just not worth the cost for me. It would make sense if I knew my sister and I were going to eat all the meals, but our schedules are so full that sometimes neither of us are home for dinner for days. I wish there was a one meal option, but there's not!

Instead, I use Relay Foods, which allows me to schedule a pickup of the groceries I want. They even have meal plans with recipes that focus on fresh, local veggies. You can pick a recipe and add all the ingredients to your cart with one button. We've been doing this for weeks now and it is amazing. Try out Relay Foods for yourself!

Clothes Shopping

I tried Stitch Fix once and hated it. I know others have had better experiences, but it just wasn't for me. I signed up for Daily Look's Elite Box and LOVE it. I'll have to post about my next box to share what I get next. Until then, try it out for yourself: use this link for a two-month free trial of Elite Box!

what do you use to save time? are these services worth the cost for you?

My Weekly Goals #4

February 16, 2015

This past week has been snowy! I grew up in Arizona, so I still get a little shocked when the temperature drops. Swirly snow is so beautiful--but I can only walk through it for about 20 seconds before my face freezes.

I hope you all had a really great three-day weekend and ~Valentine's Day~. On Saturday morning I saw a post on Vila Clothes's instagram with the idea to make a heart-shaped camera filter. While listening to the love-over-fear playlist, I made my own version out of a post-it note. While out and about this weekend I took some photos of the snow. I hope you like them!

This past week I spent some time visiting my friend's home studio to get inspiration in setting up my own in my new apartment, spent time blogging, went to a live post cast recording and scouted textiles. I found some awesome sweaters at Martha's Table that I'll soon be turning into some new looks. I also made a new friend (a friend of a friend was in town) and talked break-ups, dating and love over some craft beers at Lost + Found. A busy week, but enough downtime to watch a depressing German film and price out all the things I need for my new place.

How was your week?

MY GOALS LAST WEEK

Work out 3x. This did not happen. It happened twice but with the snow and the cold and yeah more excuses. I'll try again this week.
Complete 5 sketches for Laguna collection. Yes! And it's live. I'm still practicing, but I'm happy enough with them to share. What do you think of my Thalia collection?
Cut robe pattern and get organized. I decided to work on textiles first, so I didn't do this but I did something else on my list towards finishing my next collection.

MY GOALS THIS WEEK

Organize next collection and prep fabric. I have to redo my plan because moving is taking up more time than anticipated and I want to get my home work space set up before really diving in.
Pack. It's time to box up everything for moving next weekend.
Blog according to schedule. I am actually writing this on Tuesday, so I'm already a day behind.
Work out 3x. I'm adding another goal since I didn't accomplish this last week and it's normally just my normal schedule so I have to get back on track. Snow or no snow.

What are your goals for the week?

Want to start sharing your weekly wishes? Details at the Nectar Collective!

*Here's my passion planner! I got it last week!*

My Weekly Goals #3

February 09, 2015 in STYLE

Happy Monday everyone! This past week was really busy. I started German, had a collaboration meeting and participated in a trunk show in Adams Morgan. I met up with some people I'd been wanting to catch up with in DC, went to Phillips After 5 and a talk at the Cutting-Edge Spanish Crafts exhibit. I also had the rescheduled girls brunch with some friends which was totally worth the wait!

I decided to stay in last night to get (food) prepped, even though I had planned to check out Jazz Loft. I made a really yummy stew, cranberry-edamame salad mix and grains to get me through the week. I also watched some TV while cooking (Downton, Girls, The Newsroom) because I needed a little chillaxing. This week I hope to continue eating well, but I need to get back on my workout schedule--I've been using snow, rain and now clouds as an excuse to sleep in and have been missing my normal gym time.

MY GOALS LAST WEEK

Work on Laguna collection I started on this, but I didn't get too far. Honestly, I started hating my illustrations so I stopped. I need to get back to it and be open to the work that comes out. 1/2 check
Mood board for collaboration I did this and had a meeting about it! I need to follow up and start the mood board for another collab. Check!
Clean out my closet This was a lot easier than I thought it would be. Normally I put it off, then don't have enough time and end up just washing and refolding everything I own. Because I had it scheduled in, I knew I had to do it. I even (unsuccessfully) tried to get my sister to do it too. I filled two bags with shoes and clothes that I do not need and took them to Buffalo Exchange and for donation. I also did my laundry and refolded everything else, resulting in a brand new outfit today. Check Check!

MY GOALS THIS WEEK

Work out 3x Like I said, I've been a bit lax on this and only made it to the gym twice last week (actually, once because I counted walk n' work as exercise time, which is cheating). I love going on a run and taking gym classes, but coming back from sunny west coast to gray sky DC (and a long commute), well, it's been hard to get up in the AM. It's easy to get up and go on a long run on Laguna Beach because it's Laguna Beach! Enough excuses, see you in Kettlebell class. Or, if the weather let's up, on the Mall, running towards the Lincoln Memorial.
Complete 5 sketches for Laguna collection I have time scheduled so I have to ignore my self critic and get some sketches on paper.
Cut robe pattern and get organized I'll be back in the sewing studio this week and I want to use the time to cut my robe pattern out of some fabric I printed over the holidays and get my next collection organized. I've made some decisions recently about the direction I want to go, so I'm ready to move forward.