Are You Smashing?

Well of course you are "smashing," I know you're amazing.

But I mean Smash*ing.  As in the Smash book.

And no, this is not a sponsored post, I promise! 

I first saw them when Ricki over at Art @ Home mentioned her color swap partner sent her some, but that they loved them so it was perfect.  This made me extremely curious as to what it was so I went over to Michael's and looked at them.  At first I thought "Eh, that just looks like a scrabook thing-not interested" and went my way without one.  But then I saw this video:

Look how cute that is?

So I grabbed Julie and we went back to look at them again.

This time I came home with all of this:

I bought myself an orange Smashbook (Orange is "Simple Style") along with some tape, an extra pen, some little "To do" signs, a rubber band to hold it closed, and some more extras.  I also bought a second one to give as a birthday gift for someone.  Julie picked up a "Wedding Style" one and is going to use it as her sign in book at her Reception in October.  We also recently picked up one and some supplies to give to Meggy for her birthday too!

Here's some Smashing I've done with old business cards I have laying around; do you see yours? I can spot Beth's and Grace's over there on the right, mine on the left, and Camille's art card down there at the bottom.  :) I love it!

I also went back and bought myself a second one that is "International Style" so that I can put all of my travel keepsakes in it.  I'm excited to have a place to put all the little things I've been saving that I don't want to get rid of but don't really have a place for!

So do you have a Smash Book?
If so, what do you do with it?  I want to know!

Catch Up!

Howdy friends.  I'm playing catch-up today, sorry I disappeared for a few days around here... I had to work on Monday, but spent the whole day doing blog design for one of my oldest friends Melanie Grace.  She has two Etsy shops and was asking me questions about how Social Media can help get them out there-and so I helped her get blogs created for both of them! You should check out my design!

Seriously, go comment and tell her hello and welcome to blogging world-I promise I will love you forever if you do.  Also, if you want a chance to win some awesome goodies from her shops down the road, follow her blogs!

The first one is Live Steamy.

It focuses on her love of all things Steam Punk, and she makes some gorgeous creations.

 

I also did her Etsy banner:

The second one is Earth Craft Serenity.

It's for those of you who are witchy/pagan/new-age/spiritual, etc.

 

That night I went straight home and finally opened the birthday bottle of wine Kristi got me.

My weekend was nice and fairly relaxing, other than having an upset stomach for most of it.  Friday night I went over to Shawn and Justin's to help make Justin a birthday cake with a cartoon of his cats on it.  Have a look!

It captures their personality quite well.

And I played with the same cats...

Saturday I realized that I kind of love that my nightstand looks like this:

Sunday there was an impromptu birthday party for my friend Megan.  Wine and Cheese, and Cupcakes with caramel Brandy frosting.  Yum.  Of course Julie and I ran to Michaels first to get her a Wedding themed Smash Book so she can start using it as an idea collector as she plans their wedding.  I just love that Meggy and Jon-Michael ended up together, they're so perfect for each other and only seem to work more and more as I see them.  It makes me happy.

Last night I went out to Erika's house to help sew rainbow bandannas for Cause for Paws Utah's booth at Pride this weekend.  Josh and I are both going to volunteer there this weekend! Fun! There was so much cute fabric!

Oh for the rest of this photo-dump, here are some cute faces I worked with at the Adoption Center last week!  Aren't they cute?

So how are you?  I have a ton to do today, but promise to say hi if you leave me a comment!

My To-Do List for today:

• Send a CFPU email out about Pride.
• Update all of my blogs.
• Update the CFPU blog.
• Finish Melanie's blog designs.
• Send out swap matches for the Book swap (BE EXCITED!)
• Grocery shopping.
• Volunteer this evening at the Pet Adoption Center.

To-Do list for the rest of the week:

• Thursday after work: Shopping for pet food, visit my grandmother.
• Friday after work: Aliens the Puppet Musical
• Saturday & Sunday: Volunteer at the Utah Pride Festival

Swap Reminder

Just a quick reminder that there are only two more days left to sign up for the Books 'n' Bloggers Swap hosted by Beth and I.

Sign Ups and information HERE.

Turn Those Speakers Up

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Lenovo for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

If you're anything like me, when you're working around the house you like to blare some music to keep yourself motivated.  Whether it's mudnane things like cleaning, or other stuff like sitting around crafting, journalling, blogging, etc. I like my music to be playing, and loudly.  

The Lenovo speaker M0520 is a 2.0 speaker system that not only has the main speakers, but a built in amplifier and sub-speakers that help make your sound great.  They can be attached to your laptop or desktop machine, or you can just simply have them hanging around so you can plug in your iPod/MP3 Player or smart phone.  

These things also pack a punch with 4 watts of power for high-quality full sound-which if you've ever looked at other little speakers, or taken them home and bought them, they don't always sound good... I bought a tiny pair to use with my iPod when my old car stereo went out and you could barely hear them, so good sound is a MUST!  They also have speaker wire spools for easy cord storage.  I hate always having my loose cords getting tangled and taking up space, and having an easy way to wind them up when I want them put away is a big deal-maker for me! 

My favorite thing about these cute little pod shaped speakers is that they are small and get power from your USB so you don't have to have an outlet to run them!  They even have an energy saving function that helps them not use too much of your battery life if it's a laptop.  This makes it much easier to take my music places with me like family get together's in the back yard, or camping!  No more needing the car to be on for music or relying on quiet built in speakers to hear your tunes while you hang out around the camp fire.  These are great! 

Recap, Book Swap, & Belated Happy!

I'm going to try and cram as much as I can in this post! Including my swap info, weekend recap & photo dump, and happy list!

First, for those of you that missed it yesterday-Beth and I are hosting a book swap! It's going to be so much fun-it makes me happy! :) Check it out!





Last weekend was fun.  Friday night we went to a fundraiser (bands & burlesque dancers) for Cause For Paws Utah (the rescue I volunteer for) and it was pretty fun! The benefit was at Bar Deluxe on State Street, and the entire bar made us feel like we were back in Portland.  It was pretty cool actually.  It makes me happy to go out with my friends!

Josh, Ortie, and Max dancing sexy.  LOL

Doug and Julie.  Um, cute?

I love when bathroom walls in bars have art and graffiti.

It was sort of Burlesque...

This dude was wearing a chicken suit only moments before this...

Saturday was pretty chill, we went to breakfast, ran some errands, and then watched some movies. Have you all seen Monster with Charlize Theron?  It's about the first female serial killer, and you actually feel bad for her.  And Charlize as ugly-wow.  She's a great actress.  We also watched  Everything Must Go this weekend.  First movie I actually enjoyed Will Ferrell in.

Sunday I went down to visit my family for my brother's birthday. 

My little sister and me.

Us again.

Shayla and Cole-she's taking these pictures FYI.

Shayla and my mom.

Shay with grandma.

Shay with grandpa.

Shayla with Ari.

And Ryan got the frisbee stuck in the siding.  That's skill.

I bought a Smash book this weekend, and I'm curious to see what comes of it... More info coming soon! :) 

Books 'n' Bloggers SWAP!

That's right, it's a BOOK SWAP! 

Are you as excited as we are?

Beth and I have decided to host this swap together.

The Deal

Who's hosting?

Beth from Living a Goddess Life

Angie from My So-Called Chaos

Dates to Remember:

Sign ups: (Today) May 22nd - Saturday, May26th
Matches sent out: Wednesday, May 30th

Send date: Friday, June 15th & Saturday, June 16th
Goodies Link Up: Friday, June 22nd.

Shipping:
 First Class, Parcel Post, or the equivalent with another shipping vendor .
(we know that Media Mail is cheaper, but we want everyone to get their books relatively quickly). 

What you are sending:

3 books, each within theme.

Book #1: A Book You Love

This is a book that you are particularly fond of.  Maybe it's your favorite, or your favorite lately, or just one you really think that everyone needs to read in order to survive this crazy little world.  Your choice-show them your tastes!

Book #2: A Book You Haven't Read

Maybe someone recommended this book to you, or you just saw it and though-that could be really good, but in any case you want to read it but haven't yet.  Create a potential shared favorite!

Book #3: A Book Your Partner Wants

This is where you're going to need to do a little research.  Follow up with your partner and find out what kind of books they like, check out their Amazon wishlist or Goodreads To Read list to see what they want to read but haven't yet!

*Books can be used, but must be in really good condition!


Don't have a good bookstore near you? 
The Book Depository offers free shipping and has many titles!

Requirements

• You must be an active blogger located in the United States.
• You must be willing and able to follow the rules and participate.
• You must not be a flaker. If something arises that keeps you from following through with the swap, you must notify us immediately (either of us, you'll have our emails). We understand that life happens sometimes, and if you give us advanced notice we can make sure that your partner doesn't end up heartbroken and bookless. We don't want anyone to be bookless!

How To Sign Up

1. Follow both of the hosts blogs:  

Beth: http://artemishi.blogspot.com
Angie: www.mysocalledchaos.com


2. Fill out the Swap Sign-Up Form HERE.
3. Update your Goodreads To Read list or Amazon Wishlist.
(You don't want them sending you something you already have for book number 3)
4. Wait for an email from the hosts confirming that you are in.  
**Do NOT link up without being confirmed.**
5. Once you are confirmed, create a blog post with the button (code provided in the email sent by hosts) and link that post up with the linky below!
6. Once you're matched up start shopping!
7. When you receive your books, create a post and link up with the hosts!

Glass (MM)

<a href="http://www.mysocalledchaos.com"><img src="http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww257/agofish/For%20Blog/musicalmondays.jpg"></a>

This week's song:

Glass

by Ingrid Michaelson

Rolled around on kitchen floors

Tied my tongue in pretty bows with yours

And now we pass

And just like glass I see through you

You see through me like I"m not there

You could make my head swerve

Used to know my every curve

And now we meet on a street

And I am blind

I cannot find the heart I gave to you

Sometimes what we think we really want we don't

Sometimes what we think we want we really don't

Sometimes what we think we love we don't, we don't

And I am blind

I cannot find the heart I gave

And when we meet on the street

And I am blind

I cannot find the heart I gave to you

***

The above video doesn't really have anything to do with the song, but the song is so pretty and the lyrics striking.  Every time this song comes on my iPod I have to stop and ponder it.  Ingrid has a way of making all of her songs sound sweet and lovely, but with a hidden haunting quality in the words.  I love it. 

And isn't it true?  Sometimes what we think we want, we really don't.  Or sometimes we love things that aren't good for us, and while it hurts to ache for them when we want them; a times comes when you realize that you're better off without that-or you find something better.

Someday, somewhere-it'll all be worth it.  Just hang in there and realize you can't feel like this forever.  

What are you listening to this week?

Don't forget if you link up throughout the year you get entered in a massive drawing at the end of it for music related goodies! :)

Keep it Positive

Source: superswoon.com via Miss Angie on Pinterest

Oh How Pinteresting

First, before I commence with the pins...

Gorgeous Camille is having a giveaway to celebrate her Etsy being back!

Check it out, all of her stuff is amazing!

I am thinking of doing away with my usually pinning theme.

It's a lot of work, and a lot of pins.  What do you think?

Today I'm just going to post a bunch of pins I like this week.

Source: missiekrissie.blogspot.com via Miss Angie on Pinterest

Source: observando.net via Miss Angie on Pinterest

Source: iwastesomuchtime.com via Miss Angie on Pinterest

Source: someecards.com via Miss Angie on Pinterest

Source: weheartit.com via Miss Angie on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Miss Angie on Pinterest

Source: 9gag.com via Miss Angie on Pinterest

Source: gali-miau.deviantart.com via Miss Angie on Pinterest

Source: pleated-jeans.com via Miss Angie on Pinterest

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Miss Angie on Pinterest

DIY Tangle Free Headphones.  Awesome!

Source: fuckyeahbookarts.tumblr.com via Miss Angie on Pinterest

Source: google.ca via Miss Angie on Pinterest

Source: wwjdfy.tumblr.com via Miss Angie on Pinterest