It's time for a YOU day.

When was the last time you gave yourself a MINI day off? 

After arriving home from Chile, and "napping" for 15 hours, i volunteered twice the next day, then babysat the next few days and had a TON of work to catch up on, and a few deadlines due that week. The running around after being exhausted from a kinda hard, very LONG trip made me agitated, unconfident and unsatisfied. 

So today, i'm taking a mini day off.

I didn't get ANGRY at myself for not writing this blog early this morning or last night [which happens], i didn't FORCE myself to do work this morning i didn't want to do [that happens too] and i actually ate REAL FOOD for lunch [this doesn't always happen].

The outcome so far [at 1:34pm] has been MAGNIFICENT. I've only done a few tasks that HAD to get done, took a break, walked outside eating a freshly made falafel sandwich [which was actually CHEAPER then the organic freezer meal i was craving] and now i'm about to watch a cheesy holiday moving while packaging dozens of holiday cards. Do i want to paint after that? Sure, maybe! And if not, i wont force myself to.

I challenge you to have a day where you aren't FORCING yourself to do tasks you don't want to do. And who knows.. maybe you'll just craving doing them anyway because you aren't being so mean to yourself.

Happy Wednesday friends!! 
-Jenipher

A Nightly Doodles SALE + A GIVEAWAY! yay!

Hello friends! I'm back from Chile! Yay!

To CELEBRATE my first time in South America i wanted to offer you a 25% discount WEE!!! Just use the code: CHILE in my shop. 

I took many photos and videos of Chile, so look for some inspiration on how to travel with ANXITY on my blog in the upcoming weeks!

In addition to the SALE, i wanted to have a GIVEAWAY too! I designed these iphone inspired Holiday cards while i was away and would LOVE your feedback on which you like better. If you email back telling me which you like more i'll be picking a winner to receive a few goodies from my shop!

Hooray! 

I look forward to hearing your thoughts & I hope you're having a lovely Thursday friends!! 
-Jenipher :)

I love... Summer Pierre!

I first found out about Summer Pierre on a "Grown Up Gigs" interview with Michelle Ward. I was super excited to listen into the call because not only is Summer an illustrator but she draws a TON of comics, and is also a musician. Can we say lady of all trades???

I love that she draws comics about real life in a way that's fun and inviting. I love comics in theory but don't find many that i truly relate to, so i completely appreciate this about Summer's work. The best part for me right now though is that she proves that you could still be a lady of all trades WHILE being a mother, and as someone who seems a family in my future, that makes my heart SO HAPPY!

Head over the Summer's site to read some more fun comics! 
Happy Friday friends!
-Jenipher

What's NEW Wednesday?!

Happy Wednesday!! 

As you're reading this [if you're reading TODAY, lol] I am finishing packing to go to South America! Ahh!!! [scary and exciting!]

Chiledoodling.jpg

Since i'm not a great traveler [eek!] my GO TO will be to draw my way through my fears on this trip! I'm going to take little videos and can't wait to share if my doodling my way through anxiety really works! [cross your fingers!]

I plan to take little movies and draw TONS of doodles on my trip! Starting with the 18 HOUR!!! long journey it takes to get there from NY to Chile. [Layover in Texas included]

Weee!!
I hope you're having a lovely day! Chat with you soon!
-Jenipher :)

Encouragement Monday #2

Happy Monday friends!

So hard.. and yet, so helpful!
Have a gorgeous day friends!!

-Jenipher

It's Friday! Time to BREATHE..

It's funny... i started off SO strong last week blogging all week, and the funny thing is that i did THIS week too! BUT i blogged on my other blog and then realized it's time.. i need to condense the two blogs, so hopefully by next week, i'll only be posting on THIS blog. 

It's okay to not do something consistently AFTER you decided you will! Habits are HARDCORE hard to start, but just the fact that i'm posting, and letting myself BREATHE instead of getting down on myself is GROWTH.

I hope you let yourself breathe today too! After all, it is the weekend!!! YAY!!!
Have a beautiful day friends!!
-Jenipher


Things i LOVE Friday!

Happy Friday!!

On Fridays I'll be chatting about things i Love aka things i think YOU'LL love too! Sometimes it might be a funny video to bring you joy [like in my newsletters] or someone i think is  AWESOME .

 It seems like it would make COMPLETE sense to talk about one of my favorite artists for the first 'i LOVE Friday!' so I'd like to introduce you to Lisa Congdon![although I'm sure most if not all of you know of her already!]

 Lisa is a lady of many trades! She paints abstract paintings, she does hand lettering, she's licensing her work, she teaches, and she's a great speaker - She's genuine and has a sweet voice. I've heard her lectures twice already, and i can't wait for the next one!

The internet is a place where it's so easy to feel inadequate because of how "perfect" everything is: the perfect studio, or cooking experience. Kids that look like they came from a catalog, and a house that's decorated to a Tee. One of the main things i want people to see about my journey is that it's NOT perfect. I didn't spend 40 minutes making my breakfast look like a magazine made it for me, ill just share it and hope that it inspires people the way it is.  

And that's why my ALL time FAVORITE reason i love Lisa so much, is that she is insanely honest on her blog. She doesn't make everything perfect. She shares her struggles, her anxieties, and her progress in a way that makes you realize she's a real person. 

Take a look around her website, her blog. Count how many different types of work styles shes has! It's amazing. :) I hope you had an inspired Friday friends!!

-Jenipher

 

What's NEW Wednesday's!

Hooray! Happy Wednesday friends! Today [and on Wednesday's] I'm going to tell you about the fun new things in Nightly Doodles land! I've been slacking telling you things AS they happen, so lets start NOW! :D

I'm teaching an doodle journaling class in Manhattan on October 1st, [eek!] and wanted to personally invite you all to come! There will be watercolors, and micron pens and experimenting galore!!

The class will be at an adorable little shop called "the Ink Pad" in Chelsea. It's going to be super laid back and fun, and the Ink Pad is just the CUTEST!!

I truly hope if you live near by you can come!! 

Have a beautiful day!

-Jenipher

Monday Encouragement! #1

I've been thinking about blogging consistently for YEARS. Years!! Isn't that crazy?!

And it's time! For now, until the end of the year, my goal is to blog at least 2-3 times a week. Wish my luck!!

To get rid of the MOODY Monday's I'll post a happy, encouraging doodle, starting with RIGHT NOW! On Wednesday I'll share what will be in store for that day of the week. Hooray!

Have a beautiful day friends!

-Jenipher

Finding a moment to BREATHE.

Good Golly! 

Holy August?? Where did it go?! 

Hello September.

Hello end of Summer. [hooray!]

Hello cooler weather, pumpkins and warm cozy drinks.

My Favorite. :)

I'm finding lately in the hussle and bussle of life, that it's harder and harder to just take a moment to BREATHE. For me it's taking a moment to sit with a warm beverage [even in summer!], often a treat and my sketchbook. To jot down what the daily anxiousness's are, and to randomly make to-do lists to get things out of my head. [even though i already have them on my list at home!]


However that looks for you...i ENCOURAGE you to take a few moments for self care everyday. It really does make ALL the difference!!

My 'self care' has been watercoloring. :)
 

How about YOU? What can YOU do today to take care of yourself?

-Jenipher

Watercoloring, to-do lists, and ALL that Jazz!

Holy August!

Lately I've been struggling with super long SCARY to-do lists, and trying my best to catch up with all the things i feel like i 'should' be doing more often... like blog. It makes my heart sad b/c i really DO want to blog more consistently, but other things that need to be done ASAP come up and blogging gets set to the back burner. 

But on the BRIGHT side.. I've been working on an all new "30 Days of Doodles" and it's ALL original watercolor doodles. I'm OVERJOYED and have been happily working on it nightly. It's going to be so encouraging and beautiful and lovely! I would love for you to join me on this 30 days of encouragement if you're interested. :)

wysksite.jpg

I'm going to keep most of them a secret until the launch but here is one of my recent ones on the front page of Women You Should Know's website.Yay!

Today i will CELEBRATE that i got a WHOLE blog post done!! [something off my to-do list! hooray!] ;)

What can you CELEBRATE that you got done today??

-Jenipher

 

Rest is IMPORTANT to FLOURISH.

Hi friends!! It's been a WHILE!

I just got back from Florida. I was visiting my family, and had the pleasure to 'meet' my nephew! Yay! 

While i was there, computer-less, i spent a majority of my time exploring my creativity in ways i don't often allow myself to do here in NY. My mom bought me a NEON EXPLOSION of fun crafty things! [sharpies, colored pencils and the COOLEST pencil pouch i've ever seen!!]

Florida.jpg

I spent time hugging doggies [they have three] and swimming everyday. I learned that computer FREE days are so IMPORTANT. I spent a lot of time just being with friends and family, but i spent a SIGNIFICANT amount of time writing, drawing, and coming up with new designs, and planning my current and future projects.

It's funny.. as artists we wish we had the time to work more on crafty things and less on business things... but this past week I learned that spending a TON of time using your right brain is EXHAUSTING. I guess the balance is okay for now... [even if i still wish i allowed myself to be crafty more often]

All and all it was a good trip and a good reminder how IMPORTANT rest is for not only my body, but for my career too!

Is there anything you've learned [about yourself] recently? I'd LOVE to hear about it! :)

Happy Wednesday friends!!

-Jenipher

 

It's time... to Believe in YOURSELF.

Dear Friends...

There are going to be moments where you heart will SOAR, the creativity will FLOW and JOY just oozes out of you. But often, bumps in the road will hit you when you're not expecting it, and when it does, i want you always Believe in YOU. 

There will be people who will support you along the way in your journey, but there will also be people who just think you're crazy. Sometimes, these people will be the ones closet to you, and like a quick rip of a bandaid...that will hurt the most.

During these hard times, it's MOST important that you BELIEVE IN YOU. Through thick and thin, believe in YOU. YOU can do this. YOU have things under control, even when you don't feel like you do. I have faith that things will all work out... in time. And BRAVE you.. you will PUSH through the hard times, because deep deep down inside... you BELIEVE IN YOURSELF.  

And on those days when it's hard, and you don't seem to believe in yourself.. take a moment, please take JUST a moment... to sit and breathe... and relish in the fact that you GOT this!!! In time... you SO got this!!!!

I hope you're having a BEAUTIFUL day dear Friend.

- Jenipher

 

 

Psuedo Cherry Pie + Giveaway WINNER! :D

For the last few weeks i've been CRAVING cherry pie. Like HARDCORE, craving it. Without having time to really make one from scratch [and not wanting to buy a meh piece of pie] i randomly thought of a pseudo version!!! 

AND IT'S DELICIOUS!

So delicious that i eat it almost every day, and since it's healthy, i don't even feel guilty for having 'pie' everyday!!

You just mash up a graham cracker or two in a bowl with your fingers, add some honey, and spoon over some thawed frozen cherries. Stir Stir Stir and BAM! Amazing dessert that doesn't give you guilt. It's amazing!! 

A few weeks ago i asked YOU to tell me your favorite WEIRD super power, and a lot of you did! [either here, or on my other blog or Nightly Doodles Facebook page!] THANK YOU! 

And the winner is.... Angie!! Yay! Congrats lady!!  I'll be emailing you shortly and James will be sending you your book soon! :D

I hope you're all having splendid day friends! Doing anything fun? I hope so! :)

-Jenipher

PS: Pooey! I had a cute video of my kitty picking the winner, but for some reason it won't load onto this blog post! ALAS! Head over to my Facebook page to see it. :)

Have a beautiful [not mundane] Monday!

I hope you are having a MAGICAL Monday!

Here in Nightly Doodle land I'm having one of those days where I end up doing household tasks to ignore all the other tasks i have to do.

You know those days? 

There are SO many exciting things to do, and so many mundane things to do, that i feel caught in the middle sometimes.

Alas, putting on a movie [Today is a Kristen Wigg one!] and just DOING THINGS is how it's just going to be. Perhaps creating a new #CollegeMonster will help speed up the process... [actually, i'm so excited at the thought i better get to work!] Ha.

^This^ friends..is my new obsession! I call them Collage Monsters!

^This^ friends..is my new obsession! I call them Collage Monsters!

Perhaps making a collage monster yourself will help YOUR day too!

-Jenipher :) 

Happiness = a COLORFUL week.

If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you know that this past month was a pretty hard time for me. BUT, this past week I felt a GIANT weight was lifted off me, and things were falling into place! :)

Last week was TREMENDOUS! I decided last week something i've been debating for YEARS... 

I'm going to take part in National Stationary Show 2015!!! Eeek!! And the funny part was that during the last few hard weeks when i was ignoring my actual work, [making a new logo, buying new colored envelopes] i was actually doing things to prep for NSS and i didn't even know it! Crazypants!

Other then that BIG decision, i spent extra time doing things that truly MATTER last week.. instead of just working all the time!! Boy had off from work for the Jewish holiday [and we had Cheesecake to celebrate!!] and there were lots of picnics and parks involved. All and all it was a SUPER great week! AND! I had SO MANY incredible posters last week for the #DoodleDream blog party!! Holy COW. It's such an honor. It really is!! 

Be-Grateful.jpg

I hope you're having a GRATEFUL week friends.

                                                                        -Jenipher 

 

 

It's time for a GIVEAWAY!

It's time to share the love! And to give away a book!! Just comment below and tell with the COOLEST weird SUPER POWER you'd like to have!  Here I'll start!! I want the ability to shoot sheep out of my hands if i want to! So many friends to cuddle with afterwards! 

Yay!!

-Jenipher


Life with Body Image Issues.

bodyimage2.jpg

Holy cow! It's week four already! Oh how time flies. This week is the glorious topic of body image!

It's funny... if i go through this blog from the last 6 years i have posted SO MANY super honest, raw posts about my battles with depression, anxiety and an eating disorder. Thinking about this now, it's NO WONDER i wrote a book about these SAME issues. :)

Here is a post i made on March 10th, 2011

 

" The worst worst WORST part about seeking help for my eating issues is finally truly realizing that binge eating WONT make me feel better...and starving myself afterwards is not correct 'punishment procedure' after a binge.

My coping mechanism for ANYTHING at all has always been eating, including right now. Consuming way more cookies then deemed necessary after eating a large meal i didn't even enjoy, doesn't logically make sense. ...Which is VERY interesting considering how logically i live my life is most other manners.

Could you IMAGINE how much we could do if we didn't feel any hindering emotions? If we didn't feel lonely, unworthy, over weight, 'stupid', inadequate? It sounds glorious doesn't it?

Now a days as I'm eating, I'm constantly aware that food won't change these horrid feelings; which in essences, takes away even the smidgen of 'happiness' that i used to feel from binge eating.

Add to the fact that there is NO REASON to stave myself or even take 'punishments' for my 'bad [eating] behavior'. All of this new reflection, awareness and change makes me feel like I'm drowning in a new way I've never felt before.

Coping, escapism, growing, learning, asking for help... My life right now is especially hard in ways I've always felt and never concurred.

There are days when i don't feel like it's going to get any better...that I've ever going to fully feel alive... but I'll just keep on swimming. The current has to slow down a little bit along the way, so i can at least coast until the next larger waves break.

Honestly and Sincerely,
Jenipher "


I also found this one on my blog a few months later about being THANKFUL for my hair after my eating disorder.

It's really crazy pants how much i LOVE food now, and just a few years ago i didn't ALLOW myself to enjoy food...

But alas... i'm SO GRATEFUL times have changed, and i get to enjoy how DELICIOUS food is!

Yay!!

-Jenipher