good read [pinstrosity]

Ahh Pinterest. We have such a love/hate relationship.

I love that I can "pin" images and ideas from my favorite blogs and store them there with the link instead of a folder on my desktop. I love that it encourages people to be crafty and creative. I love that it is the reason why my kitchen produces a lot more tasty items and pretty desserts. And I love that it helps decorate our world's houses one DIY starburst mirror at a time.

However,there are so many things that I can't stand.

I hate that it breeds comparison, materialism, and bad body image--just to name a few. I think I've unsubscribed to every person's "fitness" board or "motivation" board because they drive me crazy. A lot of that probably has to do with the fact that I just had a baby and am carrying around an extra 15 lbs, so when I log onto Pinterest and see about 10 "before/after" shots or 5 ab close-ups, I want to scream...and then eat a Snickers.

Obviously, it is a great tool to use when you need a place to store things that intrigue you or that do help you eat better and exercise. Nothing against that. I just think we need to be careful with our pins and the motivation behind why we pin things. Do we find pleasure in turning mason jars into soap dispensers? Or do we want all our friends to think how crafty and cool my house is? Am I pinning this because I want my pin feed to look trendy and stylish or because I am actually going to reference these outfits and looks when I go shopping? Do I want to have that tiny waist and tight abs because I want to look hot and skinny or because it means I'll be more healthy?

There have been so many times I've found myself scrolling and scrolling and then just thinking, "Who cares about any of this stuff?!?" But eventually I always come back because it provides a forum for some pretty great projects and recipes that I would never have found without it.

So that's where this gem of a blog comes in. And I think that those of you who have pinned things only to experience a complete failure will appreciate this.

It allows readers to submit their pinning mishaps (because we have ALL have them) and take comfort in the fact that most of those beautiful pins we see have been practiced until perfection, carefully staged, and then beautifully photographed. So of course ours isn't going to look like theirs!

But there are some just complete failures that beg the question, "Who gave this person an oven??" This site cracks me up so much and I thought all you pinners out there would get a laugh or two out of it as well.

Enjoy and happy pinning!

good read [how about orange]

Most of you, I'm sure, already have this blog on your reader.  But for those of you who don't, subscribe now!  How About Orange, was the very first blog I found.  Can you believe it?  I now follow over 300, but at one time, this was the only one I would check.

Remember this little project?  Well at the time, I was searching the web for a tutorial on how to do a fabric spread piece for our mantle about 3 years ago, and found this.  After that, I became obsessed with blogs and DIY projects.

Since 2007, the blog has morphed into an even bigger source of DIY projects, time-wasters, and tutorials; she seriously has it all.  If you're looking for a blog that has tons of things to make or discover the latest freebies from other blogs and websites, then this is your blog. Happy reading!

good read [simple marriage]

simple marriage is another one of those blogs that helps me see the bigger picture. not only is it a blog dedicated to marriage, but it features ways to approach situations in life, general day-to-day issues, and keeping things simple so you can experience more. what i enjoy most is that it reminds you that marriage is so much more than being happy and in love--something i often tend to forget.

one of the reasons i keep coming back to this blog was the post the power of a family maxim. here is an excerpt that again make me wonder about my own perspective:

"Today we find many Christian believers living a status quo relationship with God that is more characterized as “business as usual” than a life demonstrating God’s power. Our focus is often more concerned with improving our standard of living than improving the Kingdom of God through our circle of influence. God has called each of us to live for a cause greater than ourselves – a life that is dependent on His grace and power to achieve things we never thought possible through our lives. This is His plan for your life.

The apostle Paul prayed that He might experience the power of the resurrection in his life. This power is available to you and me to live for a cause greater than ourselves.

How often do we live for a cause greater than ourselves with our family? Yes, we may be the protector and provider for the family, but to what end? What’s the point of putting a roof over the family’s head and food on the table other than barely surviving? Or we may be the nurturer and primary caregiver for the children, but why?

What is your family maxim or motto?

Are you living for a cause greater than yourself in your marriage? In your parenting?"

ummmmm. i don't think i want to answer that question.

so if you enjoy blogs that tackle interesting and sometimes touchy subjects in marriage, then give simple marriage a try.




good reads disclaimer: i haven't mentioned this before, but with all blogs that i share and other blogs in the blogosphere, i'm not suggesting everything the author says is truth. in the virtual world, especially, people are more likely to look credible, but don't let that stop you from disagreeing and constantly searching for truth. if something goes against what you believe, ask why, look it up, pray about it, talk to others. i love to read blogs, so i'm constantly reading and even if i don't agree with what is being said, i see it as a learning opportunity to dive deeper into my own beliefs or open my mind to thinking differently about something.

good read [knock off wood]

knock off wood makes me want to buy tools. pink ones. ana sees furniture she likes (a lot of pottery barn and crate and barrel) then explains how to build a knock off and shares her plans with all of blogland to see. not only does she make plans, but she tells you what to buy, what tools to use, and what to get cut. it's amazing how much you save by building it yourself!

and just when you think you can't pull something like this off, ana set up a flickr page where readers can post their knock offs from the site and encourage others that it can be done.

currently, i'm eyeing this console table for our kitchen that costs a whopping $20-30 in materials. love it.




with a finish like this table (b-e-a-u-tiful!). it also definitely helps that the previous owners of our house left all their stain and cream paint. :)


i predict somehow joel will get suckered into helping me...he just doesn't know it yet. :)

good read [simple mom]

now i know i'm not a mom, but simple mom is one of my favorite blogs ever! i'm ALL about making life more simple and thinking of ways to better manage the house. Her posts are full of resources, tips, and inside experiences for families of all shapes and sizes. She also has some really great downloads for the super-organizer inside you. If you like practical ideas on how to declutter your house and home (and sometimes life), she's your girl!

better blogger

yes it's almost march, but one of my goals for this year is to become a better blogger. i love reading blogs that are consistent, and while i am not a professional blogger (can you believe that even exists??), i do want to try to post more often. so one of the ways i plan to do this is to post updates on life, fun blogs i find or love, cute things i come across, more pictures, what i'm learning, etc.

so to start off, i wanted to share a new blog i found that is quickly becoming one of my favorites.

Love Actually has some really good ideas on how to love on your spouse/significant other or make them feel special. the blog stemmed from the idea that love is normally portrayed as effortless in movies or pop culture, but "love actually" takes work. the blog is broken into ideas ranging from date night, quick and easy romance, lovey-dovey gifts, fun and games, etc.

she also gives "mid-week romance tips" that are so cute. here's one of my favs (probably bc joel LOVES pb&j so much).



the blog also led me to this gem of 100 date ideas from redbook. there are so many to choose from...i love it!

some of my favorites:
::Pick a TV show, get a season's worth on DVD and make a running date to watch it together every night.
:: Museums usually have one free night a week, so hit one then.
:: Paint coffee mugs at a paint-your-own-pottery place.
:: Hit a farmers' market and scavenge for your dinner.
:: Stop at a fancy bakery and pick out a treat each — for each other.
:: Head to a batting cage.
:: Check out the talent at a small local art gallery.
:: Get all dressed up and catch an orchestra or opera performance.

so if you want some new ideas for dates, romantic guestures, or fun ideas, then jump over and take a look and see how you can make the one you love feel extra loved today! :)