Website Wednesday!!

I get almost all of my craft ideas, inspiration, and tutorials online.... here are a few of my favorite craft places to visit online!

Prudent Baby - I get tons of inspiration and gift giving ideas from this cute website. it has crafts of all types, from knitting to no-sew! It also has recipes... but ive never tried any from the site. I am currently in love with this blog in regards to cooking.

Made By Rae - Yet another blog for babies/toddlers/kids. I used a free pattern on here to make my first dress. I made it for my Neice Remi. It is primarily sewing related.

Geek Crafts - The title explains it all. lately there has been a lot of Dr. Who stuff on there, which I dont really care about... but they have cute Nintendo, Star Wars, and even periodic table of element crafts. This is the only craft website I recommend to the husband... he is a bit nerdy... being a chemist and all.

Welp, there you have it. It is now time for me to go home and decide whether I am going to take a nap, wrap up sewing projects, or clean the apartment.

Website Wednesday: Thursday Edition

Rats... I was going to do this yesterday but forgot!

This weeks featured website is If It Were Not My Home. I just discovered it today, but it is pretty neat. here is the intro:

The lottery of birth is responsible for much of who we are. If you were not born in the country you were, what would your life be like? Would you be the same person?

IfItWereMyHome.com is your gateway to understanding life outside your home. Use our country comparison tool to compare living conditions in your own country to those of another. Start by selecting a region to compare on the map to the right, and begin your exploration.

Have fun!

Website Wednesday

I found myself laughing out loud today in my office when I was reading the website Sh*t my Dad Says. The tagline says "I'm 29. I live with my 74 year old Dad. He is Awesome. I just write down sh*t that he says."

This man is hilarious; and not in the 'dad joke' kind of way, more in the 'im-old-so-I-can-say-whatever-I-effing-want" kind of way. Therefore, do not read it if you are not okay with various vulgar curse words.

For those not into vulgar humor, I found another website I really like: EatingWell.com. Mostly I like it because it gave me a recipe for watermelon sorbet... but it has other good stuff on it too.

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In other news, on Friday I will have been eating healthy for 4 weeks! I'm mostly excited about that, but I dont think I have lost any weight since my clothes all fit exactly the same (I don't believe in scales). Granted, I am not eating healthy to lose weight; i'm doing it to lower my cholesterol and take care of physical self.... but I would have expected to lose something! It's a bit maddening really.

It might have something to do with the fact that I still have a goiter, but the Doc said that it wasn't inhibiting my thyroid functioning. Oh well. Even though I haven't lost weight I have had positive results from this lifestyle change; I don't get stomach aches anymore and I have more energy!

Speaking of energy, here is my to-do list for tonight:

• Eat Dinner
• Grocery Shopping
• Water plants in community garden for at least an hour
• Work on current sewing project

Hope all is well with you folks!

Website Wednesday

Nothing makes me more uncomfortable than a spreadsheet full of numbers and dollar signs.

While some out there (ahem, husband and other like-minded folk) appreciate having their finances fit neatly into excel, exposed for the whole world to see, I do not. Numbers have never been my friend. I struggled in school with math and still struggle. Numbers do not make sense to me... which makes budgeting extremely difficult.

Before the husband and I got married we did some pre-marital counseling. The hardest session was the one that focused on finances and budgeting. I am pretty sure I wiped the pastor out of kleenex from all my crying! It was the longest hour and a half of my life, but we made it through. We decided before the meeting that we needed to create a budget and stick to it, and after the session we made the budget in excel. It was rough and not without a ton of anxiety on my behalf, but we completed the task. The husband learned soon thereafter that talking to me about finances is most successful late at night when I am sleepy and cant work myself up. :)

There is, however, one simple internet site that has made things easier for me in regards to finances. This website helps me understand money and budgeting with applications such as pie graphs (I mean, everyone understands pie graphs). The website is also pleasing to look at -unlike excel, which gives me the shivers to even think of because of its coldness and matter of fact layout.

Mint.com is a godsend. Seriously people. Check it out and see if it can do for you what it did for me (and my husband)!

The husband finds his security in facts, science, and numbers. I find mine in easy-to-use internet sites and chocolate.

Website Wednesday: Thursday Edition

I just stumbled upon the worlds coolest furniture designs: Straight line Designs Inc. No no one I know would be able to afford anything they make (they don't even have prices listed!!), but they are awesome to look at and admire.

I love these drawers! And think how fun it would be to have these in a little girls playroom!

Ah, to dream.

Bucket List, Life Goals, and Website Wednesday!

Ive had a bucket list since I was in high school. Some things on the list have changed (I no longer have the desire to get a tattoo), some have come true (get married, go to Ireland, graduate college), and some remain the same (learn to play 'brick' by ben folds five on the piano, be happy with my job - which has also come true).

Lately I've been thinking about some things on my to-do list...

• Getting a Masters Degree: My sister graduated with her masters this year and it really got me thinking about finishing my formal education. I've been wanting to get a Masters of Social Work for a couple years now. I am still not sure what concentration to focus on, but my current job allows me to see social workers providing a wide variety of services to the public, so hopefully I will settle on one soon.

• Having Children: I have had baby fever lately. I blame it on my extremely cute nephew and the fact that 90 million girls I know are having babies. Seriously, 2 girls from my freshman college floor, one friend from college, my hairdresser, a good friend from high school, and my cousin are all pregnant/had their baby in the past 2 weeks. And this is not even talking about the babies some of my friends already have! I just keep reminding myself that I am not ready for such a drastic (albiet wonderful!) life change. The husband and I would like some time to ourselves before devoting our lives to our eventual little one. But that doesnt stop me from buying baby things at garage sales and sometimes TJ MAXX for my friends with babies!

So those are the topics that have been consuming me lately. Well, that and hot fudge sundaes.

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Also, todays Website Wednesday link: Jims Pancakes. This man makes the most kick ass pancakes ever. Words cannot describe how impressed I am by his creativity and ability to make art out of a breakfast food. He has made a 3D ferris wheel, bacon and eggs, giraffes, ducks, etc. I don't know how he does it, but I'm glad he does.

Website Wednesday with a dash of snarky-ness

Last weekend the husband and I went to a great concert. The opening act was amazing and the headliner was one of the best entertainers I've seen in a long time. We had a blast, except for some folks who don't know the unwritten courtesy rules of concerts. Therefore, I give you...

The (Un)Written Rules of Concerts

1. It is only appropriate to sing loudly if everyone else is singing loudly too. While we didnt have this problem at this particular show, it has been a problem in the past. I came to the show to listen to the musician on stage, not Johnny Bravo behind me. Dont get me wrong; it is very acceptable to sing quietly to yourself, but if you cant sing quietly, dont sing at all.

2. Do not try to create a space for yourself to stand. This is also known as if-you-dont-back-off-me-I-will-elbow-the-crap-out-of-you. This was a big problem last weekend. This guy tries to squeeze in behind me and in front of someone else about 3/4 way through the concert. He was so close to me his hand kept hitting my butt and I could distinctly hear him slurring all the words to the song even though he was singing quietly to himself. I decided to remedy this by elbowing him nicely (a warning shot, if you will) and shifting my body so I was perpendicular to him so he couldnt touch my butt...it didnt work. Eventually the husband told him to back off and he moved. The husband also had a (large) man lean on his fingers for an extended amount of time. Apparently the guy didnt mind, but Tim did.

3. Don't talk all the way through the show. You would think this would be obvious, but it is not. If you paid money to go to a show, why wouldnt you want to listen to it? Comments here and there are fine, but not through the whole show. There is bound to be some murmuring during the opening act since they are usually not well-known, and i'm okay with that. That is totally different than talking through the whole show.

4. Dont text all the way through the show. I mean, really? Are we that distract-able that we cant turn our phones on silent for 2 hours? I mean, im sure your text to your BFF about her hot date last night is super important, but cant it wait? It takes away from the ambiance of the lights, music, and presentation in general if all you notice is the bright screen on the blackberry in front of you. Side Note: The husband and I were at a concert once and saw 2 guys looking at pron on a cell phone while waiting for the band to start... it was very uncomfortable.

Okay, sorry that was a snarky post. To make up for it, here is your Website Wednesday Link!

:)

Website Wednesday

I am an avid blog reader... and seeing as it is Website Wednesday I thought I would share my faves with you. Note: blogs written by friends are the best, but the following blogs are my fave non-friend blogs).

1. 2Birds1Blog - If you are offended by cursing, inappropriate talk of various body parts, and gossiping this blog is NOT for you (I'm looking at you Nancy and Jen)! It is written by 2 twenty-somethings. They talk about their ridiculous lives, awkwardness, and lack of money. So, if you are an awkward, poor, 20-something with a twisted sense of humor check it out. If not, i'd recommend steering clear of it or it may give you a heart attack.
2. Vixen Vintage - This is my all time favorite blog about all things vintage. Solanah, the blogger, is an inspiration to me. She sews clothes from vintage patterns, always has cute hair (she is a fan of rag curls - one of the few curling techniques I haven't tried yet), and always has fun pictures on her blog.
3. Advanced Style - This blog is dedicated to the more refined people in life (i.e older adults). The blogger, Ari, takes pictures and writes about the lives of the older women he meets living in NYC. the women he talks with are so fun, daring, and beautiful! Someday I will have an advanced style, and I only hope that people will appreciate it as much as Ari.

So there's that folks.

Enjoy. I'm off to use some gift cards; thanks mom and mom-in-law!

Website Wednesday

Sorry for my lack of posts folks; on Monday I found out a client of mine had died... so I wasn't in the mood for writing. Yesterday I was weirdly busy at work and didn't have time to post. So here we are...

Mental Floss

Have you ever wanted a brief history of presidential vacation or wondered what the difference was between impressionism or expressionism? No? Well, i'm sure your life would be incomplete without knowing 15 reasons why Mr. Rogers was the best neighbor ever; mine was until I read the list (seriously... this guy is freakin awesome; his mom made all of his sweaters).

This is my go-to site for random facts and even more random quizzes (i.e. who said it quiz: Jane Austen or Steve Austen).

Side note: My b-day weekend was fantastic! I had so much fun with the fam (I missed those who weren't able to make it of course). Now that my birthday week is over it is time to focus on The Husbands birthday... but I've already gone 10 bucks over our spending limit! eek!

Website Wednesday

While perusing the NPR website today I found this awesome article. It discusses the jobs of yesteryear.

Click here

I hope your week is going well. My birthday week is in full swing!

Website Wednesday: Thursday Edition

Well, I was so astounded by my 'Thank You' note that I completely forgot about website Wednesday... so here it is!

Old Jews Telling Jokes - Okay, I admit it; I (along with a certain MegLaz I know) have a huge fascination with Jews. Perhaps it is because I didn't have a Jewish friend until I was 22, so there is a certain unfamiliarity. Perhaps it is the sincerity and traditions... who knows why I love them, I just do!

So this website is exactly what it says; it is old Jews (mostly men) telling jokes. And they are GREAT! I really enjoy a good and dry joke. If you don't, i'm not so sure this site is for you. But you should check it out anyways!

ps... Happy Passover and Easter!!