19 Apartment Decorating Hacks

Confession: I’ve lived in student housing for the last 6 years. Yikes. Some of my apartments have been better than others, but they’ve all been small and very basic as far as amenities go. My current apartment is a cozy little 3-bedroom. There’s no air conditioning, no dishwasher, and no washer/dryer. I don’t have fancy carpet or cute white kitchen cabinets (insert crying here). But I’ve made it work! I’m always flattered when people tell me that it feels good to be in my apartment, because I’ve done my best to keep it clean and decorate it well. I have a real-life budget and I try to make good decisions. 

Here’s a few things that have been helpful to me in creating a space I truly love despite the limitations I’ve been given.

1. Command hooks are your best friend. I especially love the velcro ones, because they can hang your frames completely flat! 
2. The best way to decorate is to clean.
3. Anything in sets of threes looks classy and elegant.
4. Don’t be afraid of old/funky/thrift store items. I once read that you should ask yourself, “If I saw this in Anthropologie, would I think it’s cute?” If the answer is yes, BUY IT! 
5. Pick one neutral color and work with it. It’s easy to go overboard with colors and patterns. Choose one neutral color as your base and find fun accent colors. 
6. Beware the gallery wall. A gallery wall with hundreds of little frames can make a small apartment feel dark and cluttered. Keep it simple, stupid. 
7. Empty glass jars can be beautiful decor.
8. Candles are magic.
9. Trays and baskets are the best way to decorate kitchen and coffee tables. It doesn’t really matter what you put in them, as long as it’s in a basket, it looks good! 
10. Hang ONE dish towel on your oven, and make it match your decor.
11. Rugs, curtains, and throw pillows are the easiest way to make an apartment look like a home. No matter what your carpet and walls look like, you can give the illusion of a well-decorated home with matching rug, curtains, and pillows. 
12. Cute towels can double as throw blankets.
13. Stacks of books can be great decor.
14. Put something on the front door. I think hanging a wreath on the front door is the equivalent of putting shoes on your feet. It just makes everything complete. 
15. Don’t be afraid to go BIG! Oversized art, plants, and furniture can look modern and cool. Don’t get oversized everything, though or you’ll feel like a doll in a giant’s house. 
16. Utility carts are a cute way to get more storage.
17. You don’t need to put something on every wall.
18. You DO need to put something on the main walls.
19. Don’t hate on the Dollar Tree! I’ve found great baskets and storage options at Dollar Tree and you really can't beat the price.

It’s easy to feel discouraged when you’re renting an apartment. Don’t assume that because you don’t own your apartment, it has to be ugly and dirty. Take pride in your physical environment! Make it your own!

♡♡♡
Rebecca

My Style Secret

Have you ever looked at someone and wondered, ‘What is it that makes them look so stylish and put together?’ Since I graduated from college and started working in a professional office, I’ve been very aware of what I wear and how I present myself. My friend, Annie (the talented photographer who takes all my pictures) taught me this trick and it has revolutionized the way I dress, decorate, and do almost everything!

Here’s the secret: Color, Pattern, Texture.

That’s it!

Every time you get dressed, you should put on Color, Pattern, and Texture. I’ll explain.

Color

This one is obvious because we all know what classifies as a color. When you’re pulling clothes from your closet, ask yourself, ‘Which of these will be “my color” today?’ (You can wear a monochromatic outfit and still make this work, I’ll explain how later.) 

Pattern

A pattern is anything that repeats itself. There are some obvious patterns and some less obvious patterns. For example, stripes, polka dots, and floral prints would all work for “my pattern.” But sometimes a chunky necklace can be a pattern, or a lace cut-out shirt. Start looking for patterns in your closet and you’ll be surprised with what works.

Texture

Texture is anything that feels different to the touch. Leather, lace, and linen are all examples of texture. This is the trickiest element for me to master, probably because most of my clothing is a standard cotton-poly blend. But there are a few tricks to get around that. Hair can be a texture IF it’s wavy or curled. Jewelry can be a texture (though it has to be something pretty distinct). Wearing a texture really helps add some visual interest to your look.

Sometimes you have one item that could pass as color, pattern, or texture. I find that my outfits work best if I have three distinct pieces--one for color, one for pattern, one for texture. You can see how a monochromatic outfit would work. In the pictures below, Annie was wearing a white shirt (color), nude woven shoes (pattern), and a white linen blazer, as well as a necklace (texture). There were no pops of color, but it still looks complete.

 
I love this trick because it’s an easy way to check myself if I feel like my outfit is off. The same principle of Color, Pattern, Texture applies to anything visual. If you’re decorating a room and it seems like something is missing, ask yourself if you have all three elements. When you take a picture and it looks off, check to make sure you’ve got Color, Pattern, and Texture in the photo.

This little secret has helped me find my style and maximize my wardrobe. As I get better at documenting my outfits, I’ll share some of my favorites here on this blog!

♡♡♡
Rebecca

Bad Day Blues

I’m having a bad day. I hate writing that because I want to be happy and positive all the time. But I’m not. Pregnancy has ROCKED MY WORLD emotionally (it’s been rough physically, too, but that’s another story). I generally feel pretty happy and positive when I wake up in the morning, but I usually lose my cool around 3PM and it takes me a few hours to feel better. That probably sounds so dramatic, but it’s the absolute truth. By the time I get home from work, I am either (a) filled with rage, or (b) on the verge of tears. It’s fantastic.

Unfortunately, I don’t have any profound advice about dealing with a bad day. I’ve been really frustrated with myself because none of the usual things I do to feel better have been working lately. There’s no fast reset button for these kind of days. I did read an article by Elizabeth Gilbert (one of my creative idols) on Oprah (another one of my creative idols) that made me smile, but it didn’t take away my bad mood completely.

The Kind Gesture that Helps Elizabeth Gilbert Find the Light On Her Worst Days

Listening to good music usually helps me, too. I could tell I was going to have a rough day this morning when my Christmas music made me feel sad. I love Christmas music! It should make me happy! Even Nat King Cole couldn’t cheer me up! What’s wrong with me??? I’m listening to Demi Lovato right now at work, and I must admit, I’m LOVING IT. Her music speaks to my angsty soul.

I wonder if I need a new notebook. I have found that if I am having a lot of bad days, I get a new notebook, organize my purse, and I am a new woman. I always feel slightly guilty for buying new notebooks when my old ones aren’t full, but honestly, if $4.99 is all it takes for me to feel better, I think that’s totally worth it.

The truth is, some days you just feel sad. I believe in exercise and sleep and self-care, but sometimes those things don’t help and you just need to call it a wash. I made a little chart with some more specific “bad day remedies” I tried today in case you’re interested in some of those things. At the very least, you can always tell yourself that tomorrow is a new day and not everyone is 100% all the time.

♡♡♡
Rebecca

October Highs & Lows

I’m writing this post about a month late, but I wanted to make sure I captured everything I could about October while it’s still fresh on my mind.

 

Highs

• Cob and I went on a weekend getaway to Heber as one last hurrah before the baby came. We stayed at The Homestead Resort and had the best time. We debated a lot about whether we should take a getaway and I’m so glad we did because life with a newborn is crazy and I love remembering that weekend.

• We bought a stroller! After a tearful visit to Babies R Us, we finally ordered the Baby Jogger stroller + car seat system from Amazon and I love it sooooo much. I know it’s silly to love your stroller, but I honestly just love the color (all black) and the shape and the design. And you can fold it up with one hand! I’m obsessed.

• Maternity photos with Annie Vandermyde. I procrastinated taking photos until I was 38 weeks pregnant, so I looked a little chubbier than I would have liked, but I love how they turned out, and I’m so glad I have a record of my pregnancy.

• I finally got the nursery decorated! Despite all my efforts, it didn’t turn out anything like I planned. I wish I had a picture here to show you, but it is very happy and peaceful and sweet. I stuck to a navy/gray/white color palette, and I added some subtle bird influences, because I feel like this baby has the personality and spirit of a bird. The crib was a hand-me-down from my Aunt Doris, but it’s in great shape and it fits the style of the room perfectly. And best of all, it’s DONE!

Lows

• Pregnancy was ROUGH during the month of October. I was so tired and sore, I couldn’t even step over the edge of the tub to get into the shower without grabbing my own leg. I didn’t expect to have the baby early, but as the month drew to a close, I found myself hoping that I would go into labor or that my water would break. It didn’t. 

• Halloween was a bust. I hope that now that we have kids, I’ll be more excited/motivated to celebrate Halloween, but it was pretty lame this year. Cob and I watched Vertigo with my parents on the weekend, and on the actual day of Halloween, we found ourselves at the McDonald’s drive thru at 12:30AM. What a thrill. 

• Eyelash extensions. Ok, let me tell you a little story. My whole pregnancy, I’ve been having an internal debate about eyelash extensions. A lot of girls here in Utah get their eyelashes done before having a baby (so you look pretty and also it’s low maintenance for when you have a newborn), and I guess I’m just easily influenced, so I made an appointment to have mine done a few weeks before my due date. BIG MISTAKE. I looked like a drag queen. I looked like snuffaluffagus at the club. The eyelashes were so big and heavy, I could barely open my eyes. I felt ridiculous (you can see them in my maternity photos). I tried to make them work for about 2 weeks, but then I was done. So naturally, instead of paying to have them removed safely, I decided to take them out myself. Bad idea. I soaked my eyelashes in coconut oil and then I ripped them out. And when the fake eyelashes came out, so did my real eyelashes. By that point, I had learned my lesson and I just walked around with my bald eyeballs for the next week until my eyelashes started to grow back. If you’ve been wondering if you should invest in some semi-permanent fake eyelashes, please learn from my mistake. Be grateful for the beautiful eyelashes God gave you and save your money for a good mascara.

Looking back, October was a great month, but I’m ready to move on to bigger and better things! (Read: Baby and Christmas!!!)

♡♡♡
Rebecca

What Should I Do About Instagram?

This is the last picture I instagrammed.

I have a love/hate relationship with Instagram. I’m constantly telling myself that I should just stop using the platform altogether, but then something always brings me back. Boredom, most likely. I know using Instagram isn’t something that should bring me stress, but I feel like I could be using it differently and enjoy it a lot more.

What I Like About Instagram:

• I like seeing beautiful pictures. I know it’s not always an accurate portrayal of someone’s life, but I still like it. I’m a very visual person, and I enjoy seeing nice photographs of people’s homes/family/outfits. And let’s be honest, we all have that friend who posts dark, blurry photos, and I think that’s worse than a photograph that’s been carefully staged.
• I like getting tips, tricks, and ideas. I follow a lot of Instagrammers who share really valuable content, which is awesome! I think it’s great that I can get dinner ideas and at-home workout plans and outfit inspiration all at once.
• I like staying connected with friends and family members. If it wasn’t for social media, I wouldn’t have seen all the drama after my niece Lily chopped off her own hair. I think it’s great that I can stay close to people I care about (without a lot of effort).

What I Don't Like About Instagram:

• I don’t like how Instagram is all about STUFF. I feel like everyone on Instagram is always talking about their stuff; makeup and hair products and clothing, oh my! People even use hashtags like #FridayFavorites or #MondayMustHaves just so they can talk more about stuff (probably because they make money if you buy something they recommend). It drives me nuts!
• I don’t like how everyone on Instagram is a brand or an influencer. I know this is hypocritical because I also have an Instagram “brand,” but it bothers me that nobody can just be a person who shares pictures. You’ve gotta have a fancy brand and your own hashtag and a posting schedule.
• I don’t like how Instagram breeds perfectionism. And comparison. And jealousy. If you don’t have a fancy white kitchen with subway tile and granite countertops, don’t bother sharing a picture of what you ate for dinner. Instagram makes me feel like I’m the only one living in a ugly house wearing ugly sweatpants. Even though I KNOW I’m not!

So here’s my dilemma. I know that I shouldn’t care about any of that stuff and just quit Instagram once and for all, but I care! I like Instagram! I want to use it! And as silly as it sounds, I care about my Instagram aesthetic. I love seeing someone’s curated feeds and admiring their style. I want that. But I know that what I’m doing right now isn’t really good for me. I want to use Instagram in a way that works for me, but also satisfies my need to share nice pictures and have a cohesive theme. Right now I have two separate profiles, one for my personal stuff, and one for my design projects.

I wish my feed looked like this!

What do I do?

I think I’ll continue using Instagram for now, but try for less structure on my design account and more structure on my personal account. I’m also going to look for people who are using Instagram in a way that I want to use it and try to copy them. And I’m going to choose an aesthetic for my feed, because I’m annoying like that. Wish me luck!

♡♡♡
Rebecca

ALSO, if you’re not already following me, you can find me at www.instagram.com/rebecppeterson (personal) and www.instagram.com/rebeccapetersonstudio (design)

Rebecca's Guide to Drugstore Foundations

I’m OBSESSED with drugstore makeup reviews. It’s so fun to see what high-end products people can duplicate with drugstore products. I think there’s just something so satisfying about finding a really cheap product that looks just as awesome as something you’d get at the Nordstrom makeup counter.

Below are my favorite (and least favorite) drugstore foundations, along with some notes so you can see why I like and don’t like them.

A couple disclaimers:

1. I have really oily skin. I do use a moisturizer, but I honestly don’t need to because my skin is so dang slippery. So take that into account with these recommendations. 
2. I really prefer a full-coverage, long-lasting makeup look. I don’t love a super fleeky highlight/contour so I try to find a foundation that covers my under-eye circles and zits without too much trouble. 

 Best Drugstore Foundations:

Maybelline Fit Me Matte & Poreless Foundation
If you’re looking for a full-coverage foundation that won’t make your skin look dry and cakey, I would HIGHLY recommend this foundation. It’s very smoothing, but I wouldn’t say it has a totally matte finish. It’s very natural looking and it truly lasts ALL DAY.

• Full coverage 
• Very buildable 
• Smooth finish 
• Lasts LITERALLY ALL DAY without slipping off

L’Oreal Lumi True Match Foundation
This foundation looks just like my skin, which is why I love it so much. It requires two coats to really be FULL coverage, but I’ve been having pretty good skin lately, so it’s been a perfect fit. It also has a pump, which is SUPER convenient. I have to set mine with a powder because it definitely has a “glowy” look, but I don’t mind that too much.

• Easy to find the right shade for your skin tone 
• Medium coverage 
• Dewy finish
• Lasts 8-10 hours without slipping off

Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Loose Powder Foundation 
This is a great foundation if you want medium coverage in minimum time. It also smells amazing! Don’t use it as a setting powder though, because it’s really pigmented. You need to use it alllll over your face.

• Medium coverage 
• Matte finish (no creasing!) 
• Lasts 6-8 hours without wearing off or getting oily

Coty Airspun Powder Foundation 
If you want to just powder your skin without putting on a heavy layer of makeup, I would definitely suggest trying this powder (available at Walmart for $6)!

• Light coverage 
• Very buildable 
• Smooth finish 
• Lasts 8-10 hours without wearing off or getting oily

Worst Drugstore Foundations: 

Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Foundation 
This foundation is like mega-ultra-coverage, which is great, but it’s definitely a heavy foundation, and if it isn’t a perfect match, there’s not much you can do about it.

• Extra Full coverage 
• Looks super heavy 
• Talc-free (is that a thing?) 
• Lasts 12-14 hours without slipping off 

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Glow Sheers BB Cream 
Very “meh” product. If you want a BB cream that’s good for your skin, I think this is a good option, but it honestly just doesn’t do much.

• Sheer/Medium coverage 
• Not buildable 
• Lasts 6-8 hours

Cover Girl BB Cream 
This product is garbage. It literally turns orange the second you put it on and then it slips off your face. DO NOT BUY.

• NO COVERAGE NOT BUILDABLE 
• Oxidizes immediately

What do you think? Are there any must-have products I missed?

♡♡♡
Rebecca

You Don't Need a System to Get Things Done

If you’ve ever worked with me (personally or professionally), you’ve probably noticed that I love cleaning, organizing, and most of all, organizational systems. Lists, apps, bullet journals, kanban boards, Mari Kondo; I’m obsessed with anything and everything that I think will help me get my life together. A lot of people are drawn toward “systems” because they seem like a magic switch to achieving anything you want in life. ‘Download this program and buy these printables and all your problems will be solved!’ 

The truth is, there isn’t a magic system that will suddenly transform your big hot mess of a life into a perfectly structured, picture-perfect one. (If there was, it would be David Allen’s Getting Things Done, which is amazing and life-changing and the topic for another day.) Life is organic and chaotic and that’s ok.

BUT--

I get frustrated when people around me use “life” as an excuse for not fulfilling their responsibilities or not reaching their goals. It’s like, ‘who’s in charge here?’ If you’re one of those people who feel like organizational systems have failed you in the past, or if you’re like me and you’ve spent hundreds of dollars on planners and apps that you thought would magically transform your life (spoiler alert: they didn’t), then I have a simple solution for you:

Take 100% responsibility for your life.

I’ll say it again, because this idea is revolutionary nowadays. Take 100% responsibility for your life.

That’s it. There’s no special book, no app, no program you can use that will help you get your life together IF YOU DON’T TAKE 100% RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR LIFE. I mean, think about it! People who are successful, it’s not because they have some incredible system. They don’t have a life coach. Successful people are successful because they take responsibility for what happens to them. They make a conscious decision that they’re not going to ignore their opportunities or responsibilities. Successful people aren’t flakes.

So, if you’re feeling empowered by this idea of taking 100% responsibility for your life but you don’t know what to do, don’t worry! It’s easy! Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Write down what you need to do 

Step 2: Do it! 

You don’t need a leather notebook or a fancy pen to do this (Unless that’s your thing, in which case, go for it)! Just find a place to record what you need to do, and then do it. I like to use pen and paper, but if you want to set a reminder in your phone, great! If you do better with a sticky note on your computer, that works, too. HOW you implement this idea doesn’t matter, it just matters that you implement it! Adopt an attitude of responsibility for whatever task or assignment you’re dealing with at this time in your life.

Homework?
Housework?
Work work?

Be responsible. Write it down, make it happen. I recognize that this principle is harder to implement for bigger projects and long-term goals. But the attitude always applies. If you have something you want to accomplish with your life, don’t wait around for someone to do it for you. Write down what you want to do, and then do it! Break it down into smaller chunks if you need to. Put it on your mirror if that helps. But don’t let yourself get caught in the excuse that life is too busy for you to remember to buy the milk or call your grandma or start that exercise program.

Cute office supplies are not necessary to get things done, but I don't let that stop me!

I’ve ranted enough about this idea to last the rest of my life, but if this idea resonates with you, I really encourage you to check out:

www.secretowlsociety.org
(Awesome blog with tons of free printables all about taking 100% responsibility for your life) and
www.instagram.com/becauseisaidiwould
(An account where people can make promises and fulfill them, it's very inspiring!)

♡♡♡
Rebecca

October Bucket List

Apple cider. Pumpkin bread. Big sweaters. Twinkle lights. Corn mazes. Pumpkin patches. General Conference. Tomato soup.

 I love all the seasons, but there’s something special about fall. I love the way it gets dark early and I love the smell of dead leaves (is that weird?) on the sidewalk. Fall marks the beginning of the holiday season and this year I’m determined to enjoy every moment of it!

Here’s my October Bucket List: 

1. Visit a pumpkin patch 
2. Watch general conference (lds.org) 
3. Decorate the nursery 
4. Decorate the master bedroom 
5. Eat at Pizza Factory 
6. Buy a cozy cardigan 
7. Drive the Alpine Loop 
8. Roast s’mores 
9. Go window shopping at Gardner Village 
10. Take a weekend getaway with Cob 
11. Eat caramel apples 
12. Take maternity pictures 
13. Have a movie marathon 
14. Set out a jar of candy corn (!!!) 
15. Take a personal care day 
16. Make tortilla soup 
17. Design a fall printable 
18. Read a good story book 
19. Decorate a wreath 
20. Make a baby quilt 
21. Drink lots of chamomile tea 
22. Celebrate Caroline’s birthday

I can't wait to see how everybody celebrates fall!

♡♡♡
Rebecca

DIY Self-Care Schedule

I’ve been working on practicing self-care lately. (If you haven't heard of self-care before, search it on Pinterest!) Self-care is important for me because I have a lot of responsibilities, and if I don’t have the physical or emotional energy to tackle those responsibilities, I break down. And the more I practice self-care, the less I break down.

So, self-care = good.

This week, I sat down and made a list of some of the "self-care" things I felt like I should do to take better care of my physical and emotional health. I put these things on a calendar, just for a little self-care schedule. For me, I chose one physical activity (I decided to walk, since that’s about all the exercise I can handle right now) and one fun activity to do 3x a week. I thought about making a checklist, but I didn't want to beat myself up for not doing something that was just supposed to help me feel better!

You can download the schedule I made HERE:

I’ll explain how I designed/used the schedule. The middle columns have some general suggestions for self-care practices. I used those ideas as inspiration for choosing my own activities, which I wrote down in the left-hand column. I didn’t schedule something for every day, but I did try to space out my activities so I would always have something to look forward to during the week. I filled out the “Gratitude List” sporadically just as a way to stay positive and avoid feeling overwhelmed. In the bottom corner, I listed my 3 goals for the week. (I purposely put the goals section in the bottom, because I wanted to give more attention to my actions/habits than my goals.)

My goals were:
1. Do something fun 3x 
2. Be fully present during my self-care activities 
3. Choose being happy over being productive 

Lastly, I chose a positive affirmation and then put my schedule in a sheet protector (because I’m extra like that) and referred to it throughout the week. I know practicing self-care will always be a challenge but a pretty printable seems to make it a little better!

♡♡♡
Rebecca

What Does Your Favorite Color Say About You?

I love color theory and I love personality tests, so I decided to combine the two and make my own "Color-Cheat-Sheet." My favorite color is always pink, but sometimes I really wonder what it would be like to favor a different color.

What do you think of this analysis? Did I get it right?

♡♡♡
Rebecca

August Favorites

What a crazy month August has been! I can’t believe it’s time for fall! The change of seasons always gives me an excuse to buy new clothes, redecorate, and just generally get my life together. I thought I would share a few of my favorite things I’ve found/used/loved this month.

click on the pictures to buy/learn more about each item

Vanilla Island Lotion

I stumbled across this lotion while shopping at Harmon’s the other day and it is my new favorite! I’m pretty picky when it comes to vanilla-scented things, but I’m pleased to report that this one is a clean, fresh vanilla, not a thick, butterscotch vanilla. The actual lotion is great, too. It keeps my legs smooth all day (which is no easy feat) and the smell lasts forever. #winning

Harmons, $15.00 

Fringe Studio Notebook

I was shopping around TJ Maxx when I found this notebook and I’m not kidding when I say I’m obsessed with it! The cover is made from a soft, faux leather material and the pages are really nice and thick. I know this sounds crazy, but I swear my handwriting is better in this notebook. I love it. (I can't find a picture of the actual notebook I bought, but TJ Maxx had a bunch of them!)

TJ Maxx, $6.99

Body Kindness by Rebecca Scritchfield, RDN

This book was LIFE-CHANGING. I started reading it because I wanted to develop a more positive pregnancy mindset and I was not disappointed. The author takes a really holistic approach to health -- she addresses nutrition, exercise, sleep, as well as self-care, relationships, sexuality, and goal-setting. I read it through once, and I’ve referred to it about a thousand times since then as I’ve tried to make small improvements in my healthy living. As a designer, I really think the book is worth buying because it’s just so beautiful! The colors and typography are just so lovely.

Barnes & Noble, $14.99

A New Day T-Shirt

Target has a new line of clothing called “A New Day” and this shirt was only $8! I haven’t worn it yet, but I love the color and pattern so much.

Target, $8.00

Biore Charcoal Scrub

This could really go on a “Favorites” list every month because it is my go-to face wash. I love the salicylic acid combined with the exfoliating beads. It always leaves my face feeling fresh WITHOUT drying it out or giving me excessiveness redness.

Target, $7.99

"No" is the New Yes - Article

My coworker shared this article with me and I thought it was so profound. I’m such a people pleaser, I literally need someone to give me permission to say no, otherwise I totally overwhelm myself.

e.l.f. Lip Scrub

A few months ago my friend/makeup artist/life coach Jocelyn did my makeup and had me use a MAC lip scrub to get all the dead skin off my lips. It worked so well I was determined to find a dupe for what she used. This E.L.F. lip scrub does the job! You literally rub it all over your lips and then the sugar dissolves and your lips are fresh as death. And it’s only $3! Run, don’t walk!

elfcosmetics.com, $3.00

I think those are all the favorites I have for you this month. I’m determined to find a fall candle to share next time, so check back and see what I find!

♡♡♡
Rebecca

Top 10 Best & Worst Things About Pregnancy

I debated whether I wanted to share something so personal on this public blog, but I really enjoy reading personal bits of other bloggers’ lives, so I thought I’d give it a go. Pregnancy has been both easier and harder than I thought. It’s been easier physically (for the most part) but much harder emotionally. Even though I know everyone’s experience is different, I wanted to share my top 10 best and worst things about pregnancy.

Best 

1. good skin
I know not everyone gets the glowing skin when they’re pregnant, but I’ve definitely had it and I LOVE it. I’ve always had kind of dull, oily skin, but right now my skin is smooth and supple. I will probably get pregnant again just to experience this great skin!

2. loungewear 
When you’re pregnant, you can get away with wearing literally whatever you want. I wear leggings every single day and nobody even bats an eye.

3. baby kicks
This should probably be higher on my list, but I LOVE feeling the baby kick. Sometimes it’s a little freaky, but usually it just feels good. I like having a reminder that there’s a real human growing inside of me. I feel very connected to the baby when he kicks.

4. baby clothes
Buying baby clothes has been a great source of therapy for me. Whenever something happens (good or bad), I go to Gap and buy the cutest thing I can find. I don’t want to be one of those moms who only buys clothes for her kids, though, so I make sure to buy myself something, too.

5. thick hair 
Similar to #1, I’ve had great hair since I’ve been pregnant. My eyelashes and eyebrows have been so much thicker and longer. I know a lot of women lose a lot of their hair after having the baby, so I’m living it up while I can!

6. compliments 
People make a lot of stupid comments about pregnant women, but they also say a lot of nice things. No matter what I wear or how I do my makeup, people always tell me how cute and skinny I am. And right now, I’ll take what I can get!

7. baby daddy 
Watching my husband get excited about having a baby has been very special to me. Even though he’s not somebody who just LOVES kids, he is already very thoughtful and loving when it comes to OUR baby, and it’s honestly been so fun seeing that part of him.

8. (lack of) stretch marks
I know this is a stretch (get it…?) but I’m really grateful that I haven’t gotten any stretch marks with pregnancy. As far as I know, stretch marks are genetic, so I really just lucked out in that area, but I’m definitely not complaining about it!

9. better curves 
I don’t always feel this way, but on a good day, I look at my body and I honestly feel pretty sexy. I haven’t gained an excessive amount of weight so my arms and legs are still pretty skinny and my boobs are definitely bigger haha. The body stuff has actually been pretty hard on me emotionally, so I’m trying to be grateful for the things I do like!

10. the motherhood club
When I got pregnant, I felt like I joined this elite group of women who wanted to raise good families and set/reach good goals and just generally make the world a better place. Seriously. Mothers are amazing. I have loved receiving advice and comfort from other moms, because it makes me feel included and excited about this chapter of my life. Being a part of the motherhood club has been such a privilege for me.

Worst 

1. morning sickness 
I had all-day sickness for the first 20 weeks of my pregnancy. Even though it was pretty mild, it was really hard to continue living my normal life during that time, especially because nobody knew I was pregnant. I haven’t been nauseous since hitting that half-way mark, but I will never forget how crummy it was.

2. body issues
I know I said I feel good most of the time, but seeing my body change has been really, really hard for me. A large part of my identity (and probably everyone’s identity) is the way my body looks, and seeing that change so drastically in such a short amount of time has thrown me for a loop. I started using positive affirmations such as “I am PROUD of the changes my body is experiencing with pregnancy” and I feel like that helped a lot.

3. comments/insults 
I could write an entire book of the weird things people have said to me since being pregnant, but I’m really trying to focus on the positive here. I’ll just say this: If you’re not telling me how skinny and beautiful I look, just shut up. Even comments like “Wow, you look so pregnant!” are hurtful and should be kept to yourself.

4. comparison 
It’s been really hard for me not to feel like my pregnancy is a competition with other women's’ pregnancies. I know I’m not the first person to have a baby, but to me it’s so special and sometimes other people treat it like it’s no big deal! Even when someone else announces that they’re pregnant, I feel bad haha.

5. hormones
My hormones haven’t felt out of whack until recently, but now they’re out of control. I get sad/mad/upset really easily and it’s frustrating to feel like I’m just not myself. My mother-in-law says that hormones are a blessing because they magnify our feelings, but sometimes I wish they would just go away!

6. food 
I have had a really weird relationship with food during pregnancy. I honestly haven’t had a great appetite and I haven’t had any crazy cravings. Most days I just really don’t feel like eating anything other than McDonalds (which is the same thing I like to eat when I’m not pregnant) and it’s exhausting to explain to people why I’m not taking a lunch.

7. pelvic pain 
In case you didn’t know, being in the late stages of pregnancy (28+ weeks) feels like you’ve been hit in the crotch with a wrecking ball. IT HURTS. ALL THE TIME. Nobody told me about this symptom, so I called my doctor and asked if it was normal for my uterus to fall out of my body and she said, “Oh, yes. That feeling will probably get worse as you get farther along.” Great. I don’t want to whine about this forever, but my private area literally hurts no matter what I do. It hurts to sit, it hurts to stand, it hurts to walk, it even hurts when I’m lying down. The ONLY time it doesn’t hurt is when I’m in the bathtub, which is why I take so many baths these days.

8. “how are you feeling?”
This question will be the death of me. Like I mentioned above, my crotch hurts all the time. I really want to be a positive person, but some days I just can’t do it. Sometimes I actually feel insulted when someone asks me that, because the truth is, until I’m not pregnant, I’m not going to feel good, so please stop asking me.

9. heartburn 
I actually *kind of* see heartburn as a positive thing. It’s an old wives tale that heartburn during pregnancy means the baby will have lots of hair, and because I want a baby with lots of hair, I take on the heartburn with pride. But also, sometimes I feel like I’m having a stroke, and that’s no fun.

10. preparation
I know this is vague, but the logistical preparations for having a baby have been really stressful. I’m 6-7 weeks away from delivery and I just feel so overwhelmed by everything I have to do to get ready. My mom is taking me shopping today (which is mostly for fun, but I think it will help me to feel a little more on top of things). The truth is, it doesn’t matter how many blogs you read or how many people you talk to, I think you just never feel prepared for something like this.

Pregnancy has been a miraculous experience and I’m SO GRATEFUL for the opportunity I have to be pregnant, but I would be lying if I said it wasn’t hard. I’m just glad that when this pregnancy is over, I’ll have a beautiful new baby to show for it!

♡♡♡

Rebecca

6 Week Project Calendar

A few weeks ago (or was it days? I’m losing my mind), I started feeling REALLY overwhelmed with everything I needed to get done in the next few months. Working full-time while being pregnant and trying to keep my house clean and fulfill my church responsibilities has been a big challenge, and that’s putting it mildly.

I decided I needed to see all my projects on one calendar. I looked everywhere for a cute template I could fill out, but I couldn’t find anything I liked. So I made my own! You can download the template below.

download here

♡♡♡
Rebecca

8 Ways to Build a Strong Personal Brand

“Branding, to me, is the identity of a product or service. It’s the name, the logo, the design, or a combination of those that people use to identify, and differentiate, what they’re about to buy. A good brand should deliver a clear message, provide credibility, connect with customers emotionally, motivate the buyer, and create user loyalty.”
-Gini Dietrich

As a graphic designer, I care a lot about branding. I’ve been known to buy more (or less) expensive products at the grocery store because of the way the package is designed. I often look at billboards while driving and ask my husband, “Why do you think they used that font?” As I’ve focused on branding for companies and organizations, I’ve also focused on branding myself. I maintain a professional brand for my design work, Rebecca Peterson Studio. But I also have a personal brand. I want people to know who Rebecca Peterson is and what they can expect from me, both in-person and online.

Here are 8 crucial elements I’ve discovered for developing a strong personal brand.

1. Take High-Quality Headshots

Having a professional portrait will help you stand out online, especially on social media. I find it beneficial to use the same picture across all online profiles, so anyone who’s looking can see that all accounts belong to the same person.

2. Create Deliberate Desk Space

The way your office looks says a lot about you. Decorating your desk with baskets, pencil cups, and coffee table books that you love will help you stand out, even if you work at home.

3. Establish a Meaningful Mantra

Most companies have a tagline or a motto that summarizes what they do or what they believe. Try the same thing for yourself. It can be a bible verse, a favorite quote, or even just a saying that you relate to. My mantra is “A Well-Designed Life,” which is where I got the name for this blog!

4. Use Consistent Colors

You may have a few favorite colors. Or you may have certain color schemes that you prefer more than others (warm/cool, saturated/unsaturated). These are your brand colors. Wear them, decorate with them, and find other creative ways to bring these colors into your life.

5. Make a Working Wardrobe

For anyone who sees you regularly, what you wear is one of the biggest parts of your personal brand. You don’t have to put on heels if that’s not your style, but taking some time to evaluate what you wear and why will help you dress for each day with confidence.

6. Develop a Signature Style

Your personal brand should have your personal touch. Evaluate your handwriting and your signature and make sure they represent the kind of person you want to be. Bonus points if you have a favorite pen or writing tool.

7. Find Mindful Mentors

If there’s someone who embodies the kind of personal brand you’d like to have, connect with them. Observe how they behave online and in-person and adopt those strategies yourself.

8. Start Seeking to Share

How will anybody know who you are if you don’t tell them? When you see something online or in real life that embodies your brand, share it with your friends and followers. They will appreciate the insight, and they may even start sharing similar things with you!

I love these pictures because they feel like "me!"

Creating a strong personal brand is all about one thing--you! As you embrace your unique talents, desires, and aesthetic preferences, you’ll be able to develop a distinctive, authentic brand. And trust me, there’s nothing more satisfying than seeing other people recognize “you,” too.

♡♡♡
Rebecca

My (Obsessively Simple) Makeup Routine

I have a problem. I love makeup. I spend at least ~$30~ a month on makeup, which I’m not proud of, but I can’t help myself! I’m always looking for the best products/best coverage/best value. I’m definitely not a beauty blogger, but I thought I would share my makeup routine so other people could see how I get my “look.”

I think it’s important to note that it’s very important for me to have a makeup look that is:

• Professional (classy and age-appropriate) 
• Simple (minimal layers on my face) 
• Affordable (shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg) 
• Easy (sometimes I do my makeup in the car) 

Step 1: Moisturize

I always start with a clean face. I use “Dermasil Daily Retinol Lotion” as a moisturizer and it’s only $1 from the Dollar Tree! I’m telling you, this stuff is MAGIC. It tightens your pores and leaves your skin feeling soft without any shine or grease.

Step 2: Foundation

I use L’Oreal True Match Lumi foundation in the shade Cool C3. I have tried literally almost every foundation in the world and right now this one is my favorite. To me, it’s more important to have a foundation that matches my skin and has a natural, smooth finish, than to have a foundation that covers ALL my blemishes and lasts all day. I also have pretty clear skin right now so that makes a big difference in what I want to use. I apply my foundation with a Real Techniques Expert Face brush.

Step 3: Powder

I set my foundation with Coty Airspun Loose Powder using the Real Techniques setting brush. I only set it underneath my eyes and around my t-zone, otherwise my makeup starts looking cakey.

Step 4: Blush

I switch off using the Pixi blush from Target and the Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso. I apply it using a Real Techniques blending brush and I start from the edge of my cheekbones and blend in. The Pixi blush is a little more pink and the Milani blush is a little more coral and pigmented. I try to keep my blush really minimal because some days I feel like I go to work looking like a clown, and nobody likes that!

Step 5: Eyebrows

I use the Maybelline “Brow Precise” pencil in soft brown for my eyebrows. I just fill in the spots that are a little sparse and then brush through it. I don’t like really harsh or dramatic brows, I just try to fill in the brows that I already have.


Step 6: Mascara

I wear the L’Oreal Million Lashes mascara in black. I put on pretty thick mascara on my top lashes and a very very thin layer on my bottom lashes. When I need to look good all day, I’ll wear the waterproof version and it stays on all day. (It actually would stay on forever if I didn’t take it off, that stuff is super long-lasting).

Step 7: Lips

I have A LOT of lip products that I love. I feel like sometimes my lips look really product-heavy, so I’m trying to simplify in that area. Most days, I wear Maybelline Baby Lips in “Pink Glow.” This is a lip balm that changes color depending on the Ph balance in your lips, so it always matches your skin perfectly. I love it!

♡♡♡
Rebecca

My Top 3 Organization Tips

My sister-in-law (Hey Marianne!) asked me what my top 3 organization tips are this summer and I’ve been thinking a lot about it. There are a lot of “productivity gurus” out there in the world, and some of them have better advice than others, but because I spend so much time reading and contemplating this kind of stuff, I thought I might have something valuable to share. I thought about labelling this as “Top 3 Life Organization Tips” or “Top 3 Home Organization Tips” but I decided to challenge myself and choose the absolute best tips overall.

Here's a random picture of some cute "organizational tools"

1. The 2-Minute Rule

If you’ve ever asked me for organizational help, I’ve probably told you about the 2-minute rule. This is a principle from David Allen’s book Getting Things Done, which is kind of like the bible of organization/productivity. Allen says that if a task will take you 2 minutes or less, you should do it RIGHT NOW, because the time it takes you to create a reminder for the task and then actually remember to do it is probably more than 2 minutes. I’ve expanded this rule to 5 minutes and it is a life-saver. Have a 5 minute phone call you need to make? Do it now. Need to send an email? Do it now. Don’t bother putting it on your to-do list, JUST DO IT. 

2. Inbox-ing

This is another David Allen idea that I have fallen in love with. This trick is based on the idea of an email inbox. “Stuff” comes into your inbox. Some stuff is tasks, some is events, some is random ideas, and some is just junk. Your email collects this “stuff’, and you go through your email and decide what action needs to be taken. Once an email is dealt with, it no longer lives in your inbox. I know not everyone organizes their email this way--even though you should!--but the principle is this: An inbox just collects stuff temporarily, and you go through it regularly and clean it out. I have 2 inboxes. I’ll tell you how I use them and how they help me stay organized. 

physical inbox
One is a physical box (it’s actually a basket) on my dresser that says, “Reb’s Inbox.” Think of it as a pile of “Things to Go Through.” Stuff that I don’t immediately know what to do with goes in that basket. I try to go through the basket every week, although sometimes I get lazy and only look at it once a month. David Allen recommends clearing out your inbox every day. Here’s how I do it: I pick up the first thing in the inbox, decide what to do with it, and I don’t put it down until it has a home or I decide to throw it away. Then I move on to the next thing. If it’s a quote from church that I want to save, I put it in my filing cabinet. If it’s a receipt, I usually toss it in the trash. Sometimes I write ideas on blank pieces of paper and toss them in my inbox, because I want to deal with them at some point, but they’re not urgent. Then when I go through my inbox, I look at the piece of paper and decide what to do with that idea. If it’s something I want to do immediately, I put it on my to-do list. If it’s something I want to do in the future but not right now, I put it on a Google Doc. You get the idea. When you don’t have an inbox, your brain is always busy remembering things instead of being free to think creatively or problem solve. You’ll be surprised how much headspace you have when you know that all those miscellaneous tasks/ideas are captured somewhere, AND when you know that they’ll be dealt with in a timely manner. It also helps with clutter at home.

notebook inbox
The other inbox I have is in my notebook. Every day, I turn to a new page and title it “Inbox.” This is the list version of the basket I keep at home. Ideas, thoughts, notes, and other random tasks get listed here. Anything that’s on my mind, big or small, gets on this page. I can then transfer necessary things to my daily to-do list, put events on my calendar, and sometimes I even rip out this page and put it in my basket at home, to be dealt with like other physical items. The principle for both inboxes is the same, I just don’t want to bring a big basket around with me all day to put my things in.

3. Don’t Put To-Do’s on Your Calendar

First things first: You HAVE to have a calendar. You can’t rely on random sticky notes, text messages, or other people to tell you where you need to be and when. Take 100% responsibility for your life and get a calendar. I enjoyed using a paper calendar/planner for many years, but I switched to Google calendar to better manage my schedule with my husband’s schedule, and it has worked really well for me. You can use whatever is easier for you. Once you have a calendar that you like, it’s VITAL that you use it as a hard landscape for your time. You need to know when you’re available and when you’re not. It’s all about trusting the system. If you have To-Dos on your calendar instead of just events, you won’t be able to tell when you’re really free. Listing negotiable items like “do laundry” on your calendar instead of a To-Do list means that sometimes the things on your calendar aren’t really happening and that makes it easy to ignore other appointments. Then the whole system breaks down. You need to know that when you look at your calendar, the time that’s blocked off is really blocked off. This principle has honestly changed my life because I can schedule appointments with total confidence. I never worry that I’m double booking myself or that I’m going to forget something, because I know that all my necessary appointments/meetings/events/etc are captured on my calendar.

I think it’s appropriate to put “Reminders” on your calendar, but I think that only really works if you use something like Google calendar where you can turn off the reminders when you’re looking at your schedule. 

I hope this is helpful! Here’s a cutesy graphic I made with shortened versions of all these tips.

♡♡♡

Rebecca

Baby Boy Nursery Inspiration

I’m getting ready to have a baby (in November! Eek!) and to fuel my nesting desires, I made a little inspiration board to help me envision what I want the nursery to look like. I was really inspired by this nursery, but I wanted something a little simpler, and I have a slightly different color scheme in mind.

This beautiful nursery is from www.lynzyandco.com!

I have a really small room to work with, so there won’t be much there besides the crib and a rocker, but I still want to make it a soothing space for the baby. I’m sticking to a gray and white color scheme, with soft navy blue as an accent. I’d love to choose an “animal” that I could get as a stuffed animal or a mobile, kind of as a subtle theme, but I haven’t found the perfect animal yet. To be honest, it’s been a lot harder than I thought it would be to find things that I like. Baby stuff is all so multi-colored and ugly! #firstworldproblems. Hahaha I’ll have to share a picture of the nursery when it’s all finalized!

Links to all the items on my inspiration board are below. Everything is from Ikea, Target, and TJ Maxx, so it’s all pretty affordable.


rug

crib

candle

rocker

art

shelf

vase


One thing I didn’t include on this inspiration board that I would love to find is a vintage rocking horse. I found one that I LOVE from Restoration Hardware, but it was like $600. No thank you!

I can’t wait to meet this baby in just a few months!


♡♡♡
Rebecca

Studio Photography Cheat Sheet

A few years ago, I decided that I was tired of having dark, blurry Instagram photos and I wanted to level-up my photography skills. I started working with my iPhone 4 and slowly progressed to where I am today. I don’t claim to be a professional, but I do think my photography skills have improved a LOT and I’ve picked up some useful tricks along the way. Even though I'm more interested in product photography and photo styling than portrait photography, the general principles are the same, so I thought I would share what I know.

Lighting

Note: I prefer a soft, natural light look (I would also say I prefer cooler colors over warmer colors) so if that's not your style, go ahead and skip this part.

• If you don’t have natural light, put your camera away and do something else. Seriously. It’s really not possible to get a good photo when it’s high noon or really dark or overcast. 
• Shoot with your subject facing the window for more even light.
• If you’re shooting something on the floor, place it closer to the window.
• If you’re shooting something on a table, place it farther away from the window so you avoid the harsh direct light.
• Avoid using different light sources. When using natural light, turn off the lights in the room.

Photography is my favorite way to document my love of beauty and design.

Camera Settings

Shooting in manual is the only way to get great photos. After you’ve figured out what f-stop, shutter speed, and ISO mean, the next step is understanding the hierarchy of those settings.

• Aperture/f-stop is the most important setting (I never change my aperture from 1.8 because I really like that soft focus).
• Shutter speed is the next most important setting. To make sure your photos are sharp, never shoot below 1/125. Annie, my photography mentor, never shoots below 1/250, but if I don’t have great light (which I never do), I’ll go as low as 1/125.
• ISO is the last setting you should adjust. I keep my ISO at 100 because my camera images get really grainy at higher ISOs, but nicer cameras can look good anywhere from 100 to 800.
• If you can’t avoid using a high ISO, put the picture in B&W and go for an “editorial” type shot.
• Always shoot in RAW and export in JPG. RAW allows you to capture more detail (for me that means light) and gives you more elements to edit.
• If you’re shooting outside and it’s too bright, bump up your shutter speed instead of your aperture so you don’t lose your soft focus. If you can, lower your ISO.

Styling

You can generally use the same settings for portrait photography and product photography.

• Always put things closer together than you think they should be.
• People should always be touching.
• Never cut people off at the edge of their limb. Cut them off in the middle of the limb and your eye will fill in the rest.
• Follow the rule of thirds. This was a rule I didn’t understand for a long time (even though I had it explained to me a million times). This is the secret: Have the focus of your photo only cross at ONE point on the grid. That makes a big difference in where your eye ends up.
• Any well-composed photo should have three things: Color, pattern, and texture. If you include those 3 elements, you’ll always have a great photo. (I'm going to write another article about how to use the principle of color-pattern-texture to level-up everything in your life!)

I still have a lot to learn about photography, but having a list of tips always makes me feel better! I'm excited to see how my pictures improve as I practice taking more photos and learn more about using my camera.

♡♡♡
Rebecca