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What I’m Into – August 2013

August 30, 2013 by Amy 17 Comments

It’s time to share all the fun things from the month that I’ve been obsessing over.

 

Monogram App

monogram

So we’re here—I’m getting app recommendations from my kids’ friends.  I saw Emma’s friend use the Monogram App to create background and lock screen images for her iPhone and fell in love.  The combinations are endless. I’m very sure there’s something better I could have spent $1.99 on but I did it anyway.

 

South Hill Designs Locket

south_hill_designs_locket

I’ll be honest, I wasn’t sure these lockets would really be my thing.  But listen, after I picked out all these charms, I was, well, charmed.  In my locket I have a coffee cup, a sparrow (his eye is on the sparrow), a typewriter, a camera and a little girl with my girls’ mutual birthstone.  I’m sure my rep (and friend) JoAnn would love to hook you up with a locket of your own.

 

FlightTrack App

flighttrack

 

It’s not new to me, but earlier in the month when I was flying, I was into my FlightTrack app.  You can check times of the flights, status, and even maps to watch the flight path as it travels.  While you can totally travel without it, I liked being able to check my connecting flight as we taxied in from the first.  (That doesn’t sound pretentious at all).

 

Man Woman Wild

Man,_Woman,_Wild

Man Woman Wild is our latest Netflix find.  An ex-Green Beret and his British wife get stranded in different locations each week and have to survive for three days on their own.  It’s totally staged but still fascinating.

Good Natured Potato Chips

HERRS_GoodNatured-Chips

These are really fantastic potato chips.  They’re not thin and greasy but thick, crunchy and tasty.  The kids don’t care for them and that just means MORE FOR ME.  The Cheddar Cheese flavor is my favorite.

 

HootSuite

hootsuite

 

I’m a self-professed social media addict and I just now started to use HootSuite this month.  Honestly.  I’m a little embarrassed to admit it.

I’m able to pull in my Twitter and Facebook accounts and monitor them all from one screen.  More importantly, I can post to all of them—and schedule the posts—all from one location.

 

Sandals

 

aerosoles

 

So, 34 is the age I bought my first pair of shoes for the sole purpose of comfort <—see what I did there.  And it turns out all those ladies were the smart ones.  These sandals are SO comfy. If you’ve been paying attention in my WIWW posts, you’ll see I wear them ALL THE TIME.  I can wear them all day and no pain whatsoever.  And wow, Aerosoles has all kinds of cute shoes.  I think I’ll just take my cardigans and Aerosoles and retire now, thankyouverymuch.

 

Tangle Teezer

tangleteezer

Now, for one of my favorite finds. This is a brush called the Tangle Teezer. Lexi used one at a sleepover and just raved over it. The family had gotten it on a trip to England.  We were in luck, though.  The same family made a trip back there this summer and bought one for us to save us shipping.  It is fantastic.  Lexi has such a sensitive scalp but this Tangle Teezer somehow makes it easier to brush.  Score!  You can get it online here.

 

 

Alrighty, those are some highlights from the month.  What has captured your attention lately?

 

This post is linked up with LeighKramer.com

Filed Under: Fashion, random, technical, tv

WFMW: Where Do I Store My Measuring Cups?

August 28, 2013 by Amy 4 Comments

measuring_cups

Today’s tip is one of those things where it feels absolutely absurd to share but it’s such a small thing that has made such a big difference that I can’t not tell you.

OK.  Are you ready?

Store your measuring cups in a cupboard and not a drawer.

Here’s the deal.

For years—YEARS–I stored my measuring cups in a drawer.  The drawer we have now is one of those double tall drawers that we throw all of our kitchen gadgets into.  Every single time I needed a measuring cup—sometimes 2-3 times a recipe—I had to dig through the drawer to find the right cup.  Sure, I tried to stack them neatly but when we’d go to dig for other gadgets, they’d come undone and all get lost again.  No wonder I didn’t like cooking!

On a whim a few months ago when I got so frustrated, I got them all out, stacked them and set them in the cupboard next to the stove.  Some small part of me flinched at not having the measuring cups with the rest of the kitchen gadgets but let me tell you, it has COMPLETELY CHANGED my cooking life!

They’re already stacked in order so I don’t have a lot of guess work where the 1/4 cup one is.  I don’t have to bend down to look in a drawer. In fact, I rarely go in that drawer anymore. I don’t have to wrestle anything else to get it out of the cupboard. It’s the best thing ever!

So see?  The smallest change ever but it’s truly revolutionized my cooking experience.

Works for me!

Filed Under: random, WFMW

A Few Things You Should Know About Me

August 23, 2013 by Amy 20 Comments

Come October, I’ll be headed back to the Allume conference.  This year, I’m excited to travel with my friend Becky! 

Allume is being held in Greenville, SC which apparently is super busy the weekend of the conference so all the rooms got booked.  Several attendees had to pair up in rooms.  Becky and I got paired with a pair of ladies we don’t know but I’m excited to meet.  It’ll be like summer camp!

Today we’re all sharing a few things our roommates should know—but I hope everyone can learn something new today.

 

allume-conference-smileboot
Mary, me, Amanda at Allume 2012

 

First, y’all should know we’re partying in my home state!  I live less than 2 hours away, just south of Charlotte, NC.  But my home is in South Carolina.  I know, it’s a little confusing.  I never know whether to say I’m from Charlotte since that’s what everyone would know but it’s not even in the same state I actually live in.  Anywhoo, I’m super proud to live here.  Greenville is one of our lovely cities and I think everyone will fall in love!

This is my second year at Allume.  Last year was both wonderful and overwhelming.  I roomed with Mary, Amanda and Mandy.  Mary and Mandy won’t be there this year since Mary is pregnant and Mandy just had a baby.  Amanda is speaking this year!

I’m an introvert.  That means a lot of things.  Here’s a list of 23.  That might mean you’ll come in the room during the day and find me crying.  While I LOVE conferences, I get overwhelmed.  It’s ok.  I just need a minute to get it out and then I’ll be fine.

On the flip side, I do well in small groups so I might be a chatter box in the room.  Especially at night. I love late night girl talks and if I know me and Becky like I think I do, it will be tough to get me to be quiet before sleeping.

However, I’m on East Coast time and I’m usually zonked by 10pm.  You probably won’t find me out late at the parties and even if I’m talking, I’ll like the lights out earlier than later.

I love chocolate and coffee.  If you can’t find me, look near the dessert tables first.

But I am gluten-free, so I can’t eat most of the goodies.  I’ll be scouring for M&Ms.

When I travel, I’m a neat-freak so you won’t find my stuff scattered over the room.  But, it won’t bother me if yours is.  I have two kids and messes don’t scare me.

Speaking of my kids, I have two girls that are 8 and 10 so you might find me Facetiming them in the afternoons.  I also like my husband pretty well.  We just celebrated our 15th anniversary this month.

I rub my feet together before I go to sleep. Sorry if that’s weird.

I don’t care whether I shower in the morning or evening.

But I’ll need some breakfast before I can communicate well.

I do this What I Wore  Wednesday post every week so I might ask you to take my picture. 

I’m a social media addict so I’ll probably be Instagramming my food. Follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram so we can connect before the conference.

I love writing but my favorite thing about blogging is the connections with people.  That means I’m super excited to meet everyone and I just know we’ll have a great time!

 

You can meet more attendees here!

Filed Under: Allume 2013, random

Cirque du Soleil Quidam Review

July 4, 2013 by Amy 1 Comment

I’ve professed my love for Cirque du Soleil since first seeing Quidam a few years ago in Charlotte.  I’ve seen a couple shows since but after returning to Quidam last night, I remembered why I fell so hard for the shows in the first place. 

Quidam is the quintessential Cirque du Soleil show only rivaled by the water show “O” that I saw in Las Vegas.   While there is a loose storyline of a girl experiencing her imagination through a magic hat, the main acts shine.  From six men hanging only by ropes twirling at break-neck speeds in sync to juggling acts that leave your mouth hanging open, Quidam astounds.

photo (1)

I admit I was a tad worried the girls would be completely lost and bored.  I couldn’t have been more wrong.  Seeing the show through my girls’ eyes was my favorite part of the night. 

Emma would see someone do something amazing and look up at me to see my reaction.  Our eyes would meet as in, “Yes, I saw that, and I thought it was amazing too!”

A few times I caught her clapping unprompted by me, or anyone else in the audience.

Lexi, who of course didn’t even want to go, stubbornly said she liked it during break but professed by the end that she “absolutely loved it.” 

Even Scott, who admittedly is allergic to any cultural events, said that although the “distractions in between didn’t do anything for me, the main acts were amazing.”

A special part of last night was sitting in front of a little boy, about 3, who insisted on commentating the entire thing.  The show would move into a dance or transition that was meant to be very moody and artsy and he would say things like:

“They are running like dogs.”

“That person looks naked.”

“That sounds like a helicopter.”

“He is funny.”

It was the most innocent, straight-forward, tell-it-like-it-is commentating I’ve ever heard.

We had a fantastic time as a family and I’d highly recommend it for all ages.

You can still get the family ticket pricing.  No promo code is required.  Just use this link or click on the image below.

QUIDAM_Blog_Offer_2013

 

I was provided 4 tickets in exchange for this review.  All opinions are my own.

Filed Under: random

Cirque du Soleil Quidam Costumes and Giveaway Reminder

June 14, 2013 by Amy 1 Comment

banquineCostume

Last week I announced that Cirque du Soleil’s Quidam show is coming to Charlotte July 3rd-7th.

I talked a bit about how the show inspires me.  I just can’t imagine all it takes to put the tour together.  Did you know there are 45 artists from 20 different countries that perform?  And that the show includes 2,500 pieces of handmade costumes worth $2,000,000!! 

It’s just fascinating to me looking at the picture above to know that someone came up with the overall theme of the costume design and then handmade each piece that you see.  I think it’s so far beyond my abilities that it astounds me.

Just amazing!

I wanted to remind you that there is a discount for a Family 4-pack.  No promo code is required.  Just use this link or click on the image below.

QUIDAM_Blog_Offer_2013

 

AND, don’t forget I have a family 4-pack to GIVE AWAY for the Saturday show at 3:30pm!!

Just head over to the original post to comment to be entered!

Filed Under: random

Hello Summer, Hello Water Leak

June 9, 2013 by Amy 5 Comments

20130609-220517.jpg

Did you ever have a day that just did not go as planned? Our Sunday was going just fine until it got flipped, turned upside down about 7:30.

The short story is the girls decided they were going to clean a few stuffed animals out of their closet today and we found mold on the molding, carpet and the base of the wall. Ugh!

Turns out the furnace’s water pan was overflowing, leaking down the walls and sitting in the closet floor. All the stuffed animals sitting in there were also soaking up all that water and many of them had mold on them too.

Cue the mess above.

You know how I was saying I wasn’t very organized? If I were to pick an area in the house that was the least organized, this closet was at the top of the list.

We had to get all the stuffed animals out (trust me, I realize it’s a ridiculous amount), remove all their shoes and all their clothes. Scott then removed their shoe rack and cut the carpet out.

The insurance company was called, Scott temporarily fixed the furnace and the girls were moved to the guest room until we figure out just how much of a mold problem we have.

I’m trying though to look on the bright side. I’ve been forced into reorganizing that closet, we probably will be replacing the carpet finally and it’s looking like we’re going to use this as an opportunity for Lexi to move to her own room.

I’m also super thankful this happened when Scott is off for a few days and the girls aren’t in school.

Still, anyone would admit what a pain something unexpected like this. Definitely not how we planned to spend our Sunday night or start the Summer.

Have you ever had a water leak or unexpected house emergency?

Filed Under: random

What I’m Into – May 2013

May 28, 2013 by Amy 4 Comments

fast_and_furious_6_2013_wallpaper

I’ve loved Fast and Furious from the beginning but admittedly, I haven’t watched every single movie. But still, Dom, Brian and the crew are sort of ingrained as part of my pop culture life. And let’s just be honest with each other–cute boys and fast cars are hard to resist.

It’s hard to believe 5 sequels in they could deliver all the goods. A solid storyline, riveting car scenes, nail-biting fights and characters you can’t help but love.

This particular sequel boasted strong themes of love and family that hearken back to the original and if you’ve ever loved the franchise, this is a must-see.

If you’ve seen it, let’s hit the comments because there were a few things I was confused about.

 

ranch dip

So, Hidden Valley ranch dip isn’t new and it probably is on a bunch of people’s bad list (including my own) but I have not been able to find a ranch dip recipe to make at home that tasted good. So I buckled and got the ranch dip mix and we loved it. So yeah, good or bad, I’ve been into it.

 

canon lens

After taking the Shoot Fly Shoot Photography 102 class (see sidebar), I was convinced I needed a new lens and Scott got me one for Mother’s Day. And I think the guys were right–I have been LOVING my new 50mm lens. It’s been perfect for my WIWW posts and would be great for anyone wanting to take portraits. I’m sure it’s good for other stuff to but I feel woefully unqualified to tell you. Hit Josh or Kevin up on Twitter or email, I’m very sure they’d love to answer any questions you have.

 

remote

To go along with the new 50mm, I picked up a lens remote and holy cow does this make my life easier. Now I can pop my camera on my stand and snap as many photos as I want without annoying my family. It’d be great if you want to try your hand at family photos and you want to be IN the photos and not have to get up and down to keep setting the timer.

 

I’m linked up to What I’m Into at Leigh Kramer’s blog

Filed Under: random

Things I Don’t Do

May 20, 2013 by Amy 13 Comments

bookshelf

I’m afraid at times I’ve given the impression that I “do it all”.  If you don’t have that impression, GOOD!  But, a few people have recently said something along those lines, and well, it’s not near the truth!

I do some things but there is certainly a long list of things I don’t do at all, or if I must, not well.

If you’ll give me a few hundred words, I’ll share just a few.  

Balance our checkbook

I haven’t balanced a checkbook in at least 5 years.  I don’t even HAVE a check register.  We have all but 1 bill automated, never have cash and monitor all activity through our online banking and mint.com account.  Several years ago, I would balance the checkbook religiously but it got to the point I got so frustrated that I just threw my hands up and said life is too short to balance a checkbook.

We tried all cash a few years ago but after I lost $100 and Scott got frustrated at having to remember it, we both agreed it wasn’t for us.

We do keep a budget in mint.com and I monitor it closely so hopefully Dave Ramsey is not crying too hard somewhere.

Clean Our House

As a trade-off for working full-time we have someone clean our house biweekly.  I know I can do it, and did for a time, but I choose to spend my limited time doing other things.  I feel exactly zero guilt about getting help and I love my house every other Wednesday about noon.

Do The Dishes

I’ve mentioned this before but let’s be clear–I rarely wash dishes.  I empty the dishwasher and do the dishes if Scott is too busy with a project but the general rule is that I cook and he cleans.

Organize Paperwork

I haven’t filed a piece of paper in years.  I keep super important papers in a pile inside of our file cabinet but I haven’t filed anything.  The papers in-process I need are in stacks in my desk and in the kitchen and wherever else a piece of paper happens to land.  I’m really, really bad at paperwork.  It’s still on my list to read 10 Steps to Organized Paper.

Organize Anything

OK, let’s just be clear–I am horrible at organizing anything.  My bookshelves are a wreck, my shoes are piled in my shoe rack, the Tupperware cabinet looks like there was an earthquake, my pantry is stuffed and my linen closet is disheveled.  Sure, my house is picked up most of the time but don’t go looking too hard or you’ll find my messes.

Get My Hair Cut

When my hair was short, I would get a hair cut every 6 weeks but I’m too cheap and too busy to do that now.  So I grew my hair out and last time I got it professionally cut was last summer.  I cut it myself two months ago.  I actually need to break down and get a good cut soon but just adding this to say I don’t spend hours at a salon every 6 weeks.

Get My Eyebrows Plucked

I’m a home-plucker.  Again, too cheap and busy.

Get Regular Pedicures

I’m a home-pedicurist (is that a word–probably not).  I might get one once a year at the start of summer but that’s usually it.

Go Shopping – Even at Target

It is rare that I go shopping anymore.  Rare.  Now, when I do go out, I might spend a chunk of change but that’s only because I usually only do it twice a year and most of it is on the kids.  Those darn kids keep growing.  My friend Dani feels mercy on me every once in a while and gives me bags of her hand-me-downs.

More specifically, I only go to Target if I absolutely must.  I learned in the past few years that it’s just a downfall for me.  I want every other thing there and I spend too much money so I deliberately don’t go.  I get most of our toiletries free or almost free at CVS and get other absolute necessities at WalMart.  And even then, I try to send Scott.  

I’ll add a caveat here and say I do grocery shop on my own religiously on Saturday mornings.  It’s rare we go any other day.

Remember Appointments

Unless I put an appointment or event in my calendar I rarely remember it.  I’m so bad at this.  If you are expecting me at a party of some sort and I’m a no-show, please text me and help me save face.  The invitation is drowning in some sort of paper pile in the house.  It’s not you, party-planner, it’s me.

Remember Birthdays, Special Occasions, etc

And more to the point, I’m really, really bad at remembering people’s birthdays or anniversaries.  Facebook is a lifesaver most of the time.  But still, please don’t expect cards.  I’m so bad at this and wish I was better. It’s not that I don’t care.  In my head, I’m throwing confetti but I can just never get myself to a store to get a card or organize my paper enough to put something in the mail.   Remember, I don’t even mail my bills?

When the kids have something special at school, I’m the mom running to Walmart the morning the t-shirt is due and dropping it off in the office.  Again, the reminder is buried in a paper pile somewhere.

DIY

It is a rare day that I attempt a DIY project.  You’ve seen a few projects on here but that’s because it’s rare and it needs documented.

Exercise Regularly

OK, so this one goes back and forth.  Sometimes I get on a kick and exercise regularly but other times, like now, I’m not doing anything.  We did the P90X for 60 days but then Spring happened.  I seemed to trade time with the garden and pool in the summer for exercising in the winter.

Watch TV

I probably need a whole post on this but at the current time, I’m not regularly watching any TV.  Yep, I gave it up. I watched The Office finale last week and one or two season finales after skipping the back half of the season.  I quit a few months ago and I LOVE the extra time.

Extracurricular Activities

After trying Tae Kwon Do, guitar, gymnastics, art and horseback riding lessons, my girls have spent the past year not doing any extracurricular activities other than school-related clubs.  I don’t spend evenings or weekends at practices, games, concerts, recitals or otherwise.  Both girls are showing interest starting back up in the fall so we’ll see if this lasts.

Get Up Early

There was a season where I was getting up about an hour early and I loved it.  I saw a lot of benefits and wish I could get back in the habit.  But right now, I get up when I absolutely have to and usually it means stumbling to the kids room after hitting snooze 4 times.  I don’t get to bed super late. I try to be asleep by 10 but I still find myself needing at least 8 hours of sleep.

 

I could add a ton more here…sew, can food, scrapbook, volunteer at charities regularly, travel often, go to the movies, attend sporting events…oh my word, what DO I do??

I hope you get the drift–there’s a lot I don’t do or don’t do well and I’m nowhere near a super mom.    

I don’t list this to shame myself. I just realize I have budget limitations, time limitations, organizational impairments, and personality weaknesses. And I want to be sure you see them too.  Please, please don’t ever think I do it all. It’s hard to know these kinds of things when we live screen to screen where you’re often reading my highlight reel. 

The truth is no person anywhere is doing their best in every area at the same time. 

In the past few years, it’s helped to see we go through different seasons with different roles.  When the kids were little I was horrible at cooking dinner and grocery shopping but I exercised regularly and watched a lot of TV because that’s how I stayed sane.   Then there are other things, like organizing, that I just don’t think will ever be strong suit for me.

So, let’s just do what we can always do—for ourselves and others:  celebrate the things we’re doing well and paint some grace into the gaps. 

 


So fess up, what do you NOT do?

Filed Under: random

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Hey! I'm so glad you're here. I'm Amy, working mom of 3 in the Southern suburbs. I love Jesus, my family, books, chocolate and coffee. I write about faith, parenting, adoption, marriage, fashion, and design. Read more here

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