Announcements!

We've got two big announcements today.

First, I'd like to announce the winner of last week's giveaway challenge. In case you missed it, last week we did a series called Inspired Life, where we looked at how to cultivate the things that are important in your life and be happy and well-balanced. Along with the series was a giveaway, sponsored by living rooms direct. The winning item? This cool throw pillow from allmodern.com

We had an amazing response to this and it was a great way to roll out 2009 and get ready for the new year. Thank you to all those who participated. Drumroll please.....

The winner is...
Rama Nayeri of Orange County, California. Congrats!


Next item on the agenda.



Yes, that's right. Inspired Design Daily blog is moving to inspiredesigndaily.wordpress.com. Follow the link to the new location and please update it on your readers or just subscribe to the new one when you get there.

This move is really exciting because we are growing quickly (yay!) and the new format will allow us to do more fun stuff as we continue to get bigger. We're also re-structuring a bit and there will be some new weekly features and guest bloggers as well. So follow along and, as always, I am really appreciative of your support. Thank you so very much!

inspired life, day 2

Today we're going to focus on health. I think this is so important because it seems to get overlooked more than anything else. Sure, we'll eat better next week, exercise tomorrow and take some time for ourselves after...(insert excuse here).


image courtesy of storm communications

The thing is, if we don't have our health what do we have?

So my assignment for today is to ask yourself: How do I feel? Take a look at your physical well-being and make note of what's going on. If there is something that you know you could improve, come up with some simple changes to start.

For example, if you've been feeling tired a lot lately and you've become a caffeine addict as a result, make a promise to get yourself to bed a half hour earlier for a couple nights (Note: I won't tell you to ditch the caffeine, so don't worry...). In a couple of days ask yourself the same question and see if the answer is any different.

Feel free to share as much or as little as you want. We've got two days left to our giveaway so let's keep it up! If you're still feeling inspired when this is over, check out the whole living total action plan for wellness

Note: I received some emails from readers that were unable to comment via blogger due to a technical error. If you run into that problem shoot me an email at linsi.brownson@gmail.com. Each day you comment is one entry into the drawing so comment away! Plus, get a bonus entry if you re-post this on your blog.

This giveaway is brought to you by Living Rooms Direct, with a prize from allmodern.com

in with the new...and a giveaway!

A recent series of events has reminded me how important it is to take care of ourselves and to nurture the elements that make us feel whole. I created this blog to be a place of inspiration and I try as much as possible to keep thing interesting. But we live in very busy times and it's easy to get too focused on the external demands in our lives and not pay enough attention to what is important.

Over the next week I would like to spend some time looking at those important things: our health, our personal connections and our passions. I believe these elements are key to living a happy, balanced life. And what could be more inspiring than that?



Today's Topic: Stress

The one thing that has always helped me when things start to feel a little crazy is to breathe. There are so many times when things like yoga, meditation or a hard workout are out of the question (like after a stressful office meeting or when you're in line at the grocery store) but breathing is something you can do anytime, anywhere. Check out this great article on coping with stress through breathing.

Now that we're breathing, let's talk about the giveaway! Monday through Thursday this week I will post a small assignment to help get you more focused on your needs. Post a comment to let me know you're participating (you don't have to share unless you want to) and at the end of the week I will enter your name into a drawing. The folks at allmodern.com have graciously donated a gift for me to giveaway to the winner of this little challenge. Exciting, right?

List up to 5 things that are stressful for you right now. Be very honest: if you break down the obvious things (love, money, work, etc.) you will find that there's usually more to it. My biggest stressors typically come from guilt.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Now look carefully at each of these things. What about it can you control and what can't you? I've always been told that if you can change something you don't like, do it and if you can't, let it go. That's easier said than done, and this will take a little work. But it's totally worth it.

Think about it and let me know. If you have some insight to share, please do. Happy Monday!