it's my birthday, i'll do what i want!

Birthdays have always been pretty important to me. I was an only child growing up so yes, I was a little spoiled. My parents were always wonderful and gave me the best they could. I didn’t get everything I wanted but I did get to be the center of attention a lot. Now that I’m a mom it’s nice to have that day/week and say “It’s my birthday, I’ll do what I want!” The fact that mother’s day is in the same month as my birthday is just a bonus. Call me self centered if you want but the other 11 months out of the years it’s all about my family, so I can have one right?

I’ve been crazy busy lately as well. I don’t think I’ve ever sent out so many e-mails before. I think that’s a pretty good sign though. I’m working hard to make my blog and Etsy shop something to be proud of. It’s what I really enjoy doing so it should be the best it can be. My school work may be suffering slightly for that but I learned my lesson. I just had to resubmit my first project ever; thankfully my Professor is extremely understood.


At the beginning of this week I made a list of all the things I wanted to get done. I must say it has been working way better than the daily lists I used to make. I’ve been feeling pretty productive but not over worked at the same time. I still have a lot to cross off and I keep adding too it, but I’m getting there. I started out pretty down in the dumps but this week has really been perking up!

I’ve been contemplating spoiling myself a little for this birthday. Most of the time when I have a few extra pennies to rub together I run out and buy more craft supplies or take my daughter to McDonalds. Since I have a few extra dollars of birthday money I’m thinking of spending it on a new and fun camera. I’ve really been trying to make photography enjoyable for myself again. Since it is my major I should at least want to take picture right?

Do you have any fun camera recommendations for me? I was thinking something in the ways of a 35mm lomograph camera.


Veronica from Crack the Sky got this White Angel – Wide Angle Lens that looks really fun.

I’m still up in the air. If you could buy yourself something a little special for your birthday, what would it be?

I know something that you could all get me for my birthday. Take some thought into donating to one of the great organizations that are helping those affected by the recent tornados and flood waters that are distorting our beautiful country. Those people need more than I could ever ask for right now.

Don’t forget: today is the last day to enter the little birthday custom order giveaway!!!

One more thing before I'm done. Here's a little Birthday from Zac Hanson. Maybe it was for his 21st Birthday and I'm way past that but everytime I watch it I crack up! So, enjoy...

just another blogging advice post.

All over the web you will find a million blogs and websites with a million different ways to tell you have to make a great blog. They will tell you how to get the most traffic, how to cater towards your audience, and even make a profit from blogging. I am taking a moment to add to the list of successful blog advice sites. I may still be a beginner, and I don’t have a zillion followers, but I have ideas and since I have a blog so I am going to share them.



1) Be Yourself. I think it’s really important to stay true to who you are as a person on your blog. It’s easy to lose yourself in links, photos, and information. Don’t forget that you are really the true story behind you blog. No matter if your blog is about family, cooking, or crafting you are the author.

2) Be Kind. I love getting comments on my blog. It makes my day bright and makes blogging feel worth it. Writing nasty comments to someone on their blog just isn’t cool. Let’s all follow the golden rule here people: Do unto others as you would have done to you.

3) If you express an opinion expect an opinion back. If you go on a rampage about a touchy subject expect negative feedback. This goes a long with #2. If you go on a tangent about on a touchy subject people are going to react, both in a negative way and in a positive way. Now if your blog is full of touchy subjects then you should be used to bad comments, but sometimes they can be pretty shocking, so be prepared!

4) Don’t forget to have a life. I think this one is mainly for me. I have a total obsessive personality, so when I find something I like, my world revolves around it. I can’t help but check my blog a million times a day, and read through my dashboard just as much. Sometimes I have to slap myself and remember there are other things in life besides blogging. And if I didn’t have a life, what would I blog about?

5) Be original. Although it might be the highest form of flattery copying another person’s work it isn’t very nice. A blogger probably worked very hard to come up with the ideas for their site, stealing it isn’t cool. There are a ton of blogs out there that have very similar, but they all stand out because of the individual nature the author gives them. I’m not saying don’t use someone else’s ideas as inspiration; just make it your own. Who wants a carbon copy?

6) Take your own advice. You can read and research and copy as much as you want but when you start blogging you are out there on your own. You’ll have the support of a million great bloggers but on that computer screen it’s all about you. If you don’t enjoy your own blog it will show. Have fun! People will want to come see your blog if you want to come see your blog!

7) Write about what you want to write about. Chances are no matter what you write about someone in the world is going to be interested in reading about it. It could be the most off the wall topic but someone in the south of no where will be interested in the same thing. Don’t be afraid to take a risk sometimes. It’s totally worth it.

I know I have a bunch of more things I say about blogging but I’m going to leave it at that for now. Enjoy the people you meet, and the things you find in the blogging world.

What blogging advice do you have?

i've come to a few conclusions.

there will always dishes in the sink.there will always be laundry to do.the dog will need to be walked at the most inconvenient times.there will always be a kid begging for my attention.there will always be shopping to do.there will always be food to cook.my house will never be clean.there will always be things that go unfinished.nothing will ever be perfect.



...and i'm okay with that.

list and energy and brooches... OH MY!

I’ve been a super busy bee today! I woke up kind of early and finished all of my homework before Aurora woke up! I was also able to start making a new blog button, which I love if you didn’t notice. I then made a To Do List for the rest of my day. It was pretty busy but I’m proud that I fit everything in!



I even got to make a brooch for my mom. She had asked me to make one for her when we were visiting over Christmas, but I just haven’t found the time, or the energy. I finally did it and I’m excited to get it in the mail for her. It’s kind of a surprise and not something I usually do for my mom, so I’m a little tickled by it.



I even got in two blog posts today! I don’t know where my energy came from but I wanted to get stuff done so I just did it. It feels good. I still have to drop off my prescription and go to my doctor’s appointment. It’s nothing serious just routine stuff.

How was your day? Busy? Lazy? I love both kinds of days!

Before 26

I’ve been truly inspired by Miss Elsie over at A Beautiful Mess blog, I mean who couldn’t be? She has fabulous style, a great website, and a gorgeous store! Who wouldn't follow her? For a while now I’ve wanted to have my very own shop so stumbling on her blog was one of the best things I’ve ever come across! One of the things she has done that really got me thinking was her birthday list. She wrote a list of 27 things she wanted to do before she was 28 and crossed them off as she went along. She made a new one this year also. I think the best part of this was she shared it with her blog followers. A person can write as many lists as they want but who is going to hold them accountable for it?

I decided to make a list of things I want to do before I turn 26. It’s not 25 things but I don’t have quite a year to complete it all so I cut myself some slack. I’m going to check it off and share my journey! I showed my husband last night and he thought it was a pretty good list, what do you think?

Are you making a list? What do you want to get done before your next birthday?

Happy Trails!