Workspace of the Week: May 31

Nail Art Saturday

Nail Art Saturday

Friday DIY Roundup #17

Here it is, another crafty Friday! I just wanted to do a shout out to my best friend, Vanessa, if you're reading. Her birthday was last week, but due to the birth of her brand new baby sister, Isabella, we're celebrating today by going to see Pitch Perfect 2 and then having one big girly sleepover at her house. I can't wait :) Anyway, I want to tell you about something I've been thinking about- remember how I received a Brother sewing & embroidery machine for Christmas and have fallen in love with it ever since? Well I just read this post on Making Nice in the Midwest, and it really inspired me to make one. I love quilts, I sleep with one every night, but what if I made my own? Tell me in the comments below. Here are some awesome DIYs to occupy your weekend:
 
1. Tote Bag/ Beach Towel with a Pillow (this looks so cool!) by The Golden Adventures of a Dark Horse

2. How to Make a Dandelion Paperweight by Dandelion Paperweights

3. DIY Painted Feathers (as shown in photo) by Free People

4. Yarn-Wrapped Ombre Monogram Letter by Catch my Party

5. Easy Dotted Sharpie Mugs by Designer Trapped 

6. DIY T-Shirt Pillows by Corinna Johnson

7. Easy Homemade Silly Putty by Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom

I hope you try out some of these crafts this weekend, that dandelion paperweight literally looks unreal, though. I wish Man vs. Pin would do something like that! Thanks for reading. 

xx Savannah

10 Fashion Blogs I LOVE

Fashion blogs are a growing trend in the blogging world, and one of the most popular style of fashion blog is curvy fashion. Trust me- it's very popular! And I'm always looking for some style inspiration, especially in the summer, when all I do is mix match the same pairs of shorts and the same t-shirts, with a cute sundress here and there. So mixing things up with a different bag or a belt or maybe even a simple hair accessory can really change things for the best, and these amazing style-savvy bloggers can totally inspire that (yeah, I said totally, deal with it). I hope you love reading these (or just looking at the cool photographs!!) as much as I do, and try to check some of these out- a few are really unique!
 
1. It's Not Her, It's Me 

2. Fancy Treehouse  

3. Seablanket

4. Cupcakes and Cashmere 

5. Keiko Lynn 

6. Kendi Everyday  

7. The Glamourai

8. Making Nice in the Midwest

9. The Day Book 

10. Atlantic-Pacific

So, did you read them all? Maybe just a few? That's alright. Just so you know, the picture of the cute blonde with those adorable sunglasses is from Fancy Treehhouse- I LOVE her style. Which fashion blog was your favorite? Tell me in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

xx Savannah

 

30 Movies to Watch When You're Bummed

I decided to make a list of movies to watch when you're glum or blue. I know what you're thinking, and no, this isn't a list of sad movies; it's a list of happy, uplifting movies that I love and you should, too. These are great to watch whenever, though, it doesn't just have to be when you're bummed- but of you are feeling down, then look some of these up on Netflix, or rent them from your local Radioshack, or maybe you already own them. If you're perfectly happy and are just looking for something to watch, then pick something from this list and check it out sometime. These are all movies that I have watched and loved, and some are sort of new, others are sort of old, depending on the way you look at it. Tell me in the comments below what your favorite movie is. 

1. The Wild Thorberrys 

2. Legally Blonde 

3. Garfield

4. Dumb and Dumber

5. Paddington

6. School of Rock

7. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2

8. The Smurfs

9. Spy Kids 

10. The Croods

11. Spy Kids: All the Time in the World

12. Lilo and Stitch

13. Ferris Bueller's Day Off

14. Castle in the Sky

15. Hoodwinked

16. The Addams Family

17. Addams Family Values

18. Finding Nemo

19. Big Hero 6 

20. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

21. The Nut Job

22. Overboard

23. Blades of Glory

24. War Games

25. Back to the Future

26. Back to the Future Part II

27. Lilo and Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch

28. Stitch the Movie 

29. Into the Woods 

30. Dolphin Tale 

Alright, yes, most of those are kids movies, and yes, that's Lilo and Stitch- but don't argue with me because you agree that Lilo and Stitch is the best movie of all time. Thanks for reading!

xx Savannah

5 EASY Homemade Icecream Recipes

Last night, I made THE most amazing and delicious and surprisingly edible homemade ice cream. It was cookies-n-cream flavored and extra-chunky, because that's the way I like my Oreo ice cream (just like at Baskin Robbins!), and everyone loved it, even though it was a tad melty, but that was only because it takes forever to freeze and my family is impatient when it comes to yummy things like homemade ice cream. But, anyway, I thought you would like to make some homemade ice cream as easily as the recipe we used was, so I've gathered together 5 awesome, uber easy recipes for you to try out soon- whether it be this week or this summer, enjoy!
 
1. Easy Homemade Cookies-n-Cream Ice Cream (this is the recipe we used!) by Love From the Oven 

2. 4 Ingredient Strawberry Banana Ice Cream by Skinny Mom

3. Easy Chocolate Ice Cream (no machine needed!) by Chocolate, Chocolate, and More 

4. Easy Vanilla Ice Cream without the Custard by Babble 

5. No-Eggs Coconut Ice Cream by Sweet Lavender Bake Shoppe  

Don't those look delicious- especially that last one with the coconut! I also think that the strawberry banana ice cream would be a great breakfast treat, considering it looks so healthy (Skinny Mom has some good healthy treats). Thanks for reading!

xx Savannah

3 Reasons Why I'm Happy Today

It's Tuesday the 26th, yesterday was Memorial Day, and it's really starting to warm up here in Oregon. Yesterday, it was in the late 70's and I believe early 80's. I got lots of gardening done, I planted all of my seeds, and also helped with the corn- 3 very long rows of it. Though our garden isn't as big as it was last year, I think it's better that we aren't harvesting so much food that we can't eat or give away (we are only 4 people, and we always eat and give away so much) so maybe this year will be very different. I know you probably think it's late in the year, but if I remember right, we planted our corn as late as June 20 last year and it thrived. Last night was so much fun, we barbequed chicken kabobs and they were just simply oh so delicious. 

1. I found this great recipe for cookies-n-cream ice cream, and it was AMAZING! I 10/10 100% recommend it, it was creamy and amazing. I am still astounded at how it came out- so good. 

2. I'm so glad I have my seeds planted and ready to sprout! I planted carrots, onions, acorn squash, and a variety of wildflowers and sunflowers. 

3. I've been watching a lot of Threadbanger's Man vs. Pin videos on Youtube- they are so addicting, you should check them out sometime!! :D

Leave a comment below, I'd love to know about the source of your positivity today! Thanks for reading. 

xx Savannah

Top 10 Pinterest Recipes of the Week

I recently (a few weeks ago, actually) created a board just for recipes simply because I found out that I really love to Pin recipes off of Pinterest. I was surprised at how many delicious things I found, and they all look so easy and yummy, and I was also very surprised at how many recipes involve Oreos (I am not allowed to buy Oreos, sadly)! I Pinned all that involve Oreos, nachos, cheese, or pasta. And sometimes pizza. Anyway, every week or so, I decided I would pick out a few of those recipes, ten to be exact, and share them with you. It's like a DIY roundup, but with food! I'm terribly sorry if they make you hungry, like they do to me, or if they make you accidentally cook a five-course meal- but maybe that's a god thing, considering they are making you so hungry. Here are some of my favorites:

1. Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Soup by Cooking Classy

2. EASY Apple Pie Bites by The Blond Cook

3. Pizza Nachos by Tasty Kitchen

4. Baked Mozzarella Cheese Sticks by The Gunny Sack 

5. Garlic Cheese Bombs by Spend with Pennies  

6. Triple Chocolate Thin Mint Parfaits by The Pinning Mama 

7. Oreo Truffles by Moms Need to Know

8. 3-Ingredient Baked Ham & Cheese Rollups (shown in photo) by The Comfort of Cooking

9. Cookies-n-Cream Oreo Fudge Brownies by Kevin and Amanda's Recipes  

10. Outback Steakhouse Bloomin' Onion by Deep 

Don't those look SOOO yummy right now? Especially the baked ham and cheese rollups- only 3 ingredients. I want one right now. But on the other hand, I want a quesadilla. Thanks for reading, come back for more sometime next week!

xx Savannah

Happy Memorial Day!

Happy Memorial Day, readers! Today is the day to cherish your freedom and be happy that you can go outside and feel the sunshine on your skin and hear the birds chirp and listen to the neighbors chop down an enormous oak tree right next to your house. Yes, they did that- the second I walked outside this morning to say hello to my precious dogs, and listen to the chainsaw that had been going on all morning, and massive oak crashed to the ground- Darwin and Seamus both ran toward the sound, being the smart border collies that they are (what kind of dog does that, though??). I yelled TIIIMMMBEERRR!!!!! and we all had a good laugh and it's so warm outside right now. 
 
Anyway, to those who are not looking forward to growing old (and getting wrinkles, but don't worry about that, just drink some BLACK TEA), just remember- you're lucky that you are able to grow old. Those who have served aren't as lucky. Happy Memorial Day, and don't forget to express your gratitude; perhaps donate to a charity (I did!). Thank you for reading, and thank you, those who have served out country.

xx Savannah

Motivation Monday

Motivation Monday

10 Yummy Benefits of Drinking Black Tea

I don't usually write posts like this, but since black tea is practically my favorite thing EVER, and I drink it every morning, I decided to write a post concerning the benefits of drinking it. Black tea is normally a term used to describe tea that has no milk added to it, but black tea actually is a type of tea, made from the Camellia sinensis leaves. It's more oxidized than most teas, which means it contains more caffeine, but that isn't totally a bad thing. There are sooo many good things to come if you drink it (lots of health benefits, believe me!), but I'm only going to focus on 10 of those things. Tell me in the comments what your favorite type of black tea is, and how often you drink it!

1. Black tea is proven to reduce to risk of heart attacks and strokes. It helps prevent blockages from forming in your arteries. 

2. Black tea is great for improving mental alertness. Due to the caffeine, drinking it in the morning will help you stay awake and alert throughout the day, whether you be going to work, school, or simply a day of fun!

3. A group of studies proves that women who drink black tea on a daily basis have an 8% lower chance of developing kidney stones- how great is that?

4. There are certain parts of black tea that can really help to prevent cancer cells from growing and spreading; drinking a cup of tea every day is one of the easiest ways to prevent cancer (and it's delicious, so how can you NOT?)

5. Drinking black tea is proven to help with weight loss because it helps to burn fat and speed up metabolism. It contains no calories whatsoever! Also, it lowers cholesteral. 

6. Black tea can help strengthen bones and the connective tissues- it's not just milk that makes you grow up to be strong, kids!

7. Drinking black tea can help to strengthen tooth enamel, too. It contains fluoride, the main element that prevents tooth decay.

8. While black tea can contain more caffeine than most other teas, it has noticeably less caffeine than coffee. By consuming less caffeine, there's a decreased chance that you'll develop sleep problems, such as insomnia. 

9. Drinking black tea can help relieve the pain of arthritis and the joint inflammation associated with arthritis. 

10. Black tea is LOADED with anti-oxidants, which can slow down the process of aging (that, and sunscreen). 

Those are my top 10 reasons to drink black tea. Are you aware of any health benefits of black tea that are uber-important that I may have missed? Leave a comment below. This was really fun to write, as I have never written anything like it before. Thanks for reading!

xx Savannah 

Workspace of the Week: May 24

Nail Art Saturday

Nail Art Saturday

Nail Art Saturday

Friday DIY Roundup #16

I can't seem to apologize enough- Blogger was malfunctioning this morning and I could not open it, and could not write a post, either. This bugs me a lot because I like to keep an organized schedule without missing out on posts, but with Blogger being down every once in a while, I can't do that. All I can say is this- I am so very sorry for not posting as soon as immediately possible. Anyway, forget about that; it's Friday, and I've got a ton of great DIYs for this crafty weekend we have ahead of us! I'm really excited, and again, I have more than a few crafts by A Beautiful Mess. They have Pin-worthy DIYs and by simply looking at the pictures, we can all tell that we really want to do this. I can't wait to get crafting!

1. Hand-Stamped Pet Tag (as shown in photo) by A Beautiful Mess 

2. Watercolor Phrase Art DIY by A Beautiful Mess 

3. DIY Cardboard Doll House by Mer Mag 

4. DIY Amethyst Mirror by Design Love Fest 

5. Make a Terrarium by Mixbook

6. Crochet Rug from Repurposed T-shirts by One Dog Woof

7. DIY Fabric Phone Charging Station by Positively Splendid

So, there you go- 7 crafts and DIYs to fill your Memorial Weekend and the week to come. Have fun doing this, thanks for reading!

xx Savannah

10 Lifestyle Blogs

One of the most popular blog themes is a lifestyle blog- a blog about you, your home, your life- a lifestyle. There are lots out there, so I decided to share a few of my favorites. The people who write these are really great bloggers and I hope you check them out because I love their blog and you should, too. If you're writing a lost like this on your blog, and need just like *one* more little blog to add to that list because you just now realized that you only have 9, then go on- find one you like, add it to your list! I hope you look forward to reading these every day as much as I look forward to reading all the posts that are written every day by these hard-working bloggers. 

1. Our City Lights is one of those blogs that you can find anything and everything-she writes about all kinds of stuff. Diana is such a cool blogger!

2. A Beautiful Mess is one of my all-time favorite bloggers. I love how yummy her recipes look, how amazing her scrapbooks are, and all those ever-so inspiring photos she posts- I feel like I couldn't keep blogging without her inspiration.

3. Fat Mum Slim is another one of my all-time favorites- she's the first great blog I found, I'm happy to say. Her eye catching design, amazing photography, the fact that she lives in Australia (I've always wanted to go there!)- plus Photo-a-Day, she's just so {AWESOME}!!!

4. Life Unfluffed is an amazing blog about a girl who likes to stay on the crafty side of life, and better yet, the easy part of crafting. You just can't miss her creativity and spunk compared to the rest of the internet's bloggers. 

5. The Dainty Squid is a lifestyle blog about a girl who loves to blog, take pictures, and explore everything! If you love blue hair, you'll love her blog!

6. A Beautiful Exchange blog is a lifestyle blog all about blogging tips and and the life of someone who is truly inspiring in a way that no one can explain- I love her and she loves to write about her passions in life.  

7. Gala Darling is one of the most beautiful blogs out there. I love the way Gala writes and the way she is just ever-so simply positive- it's an eye-catching blog that will make you sure to stay for more!

8. Evelin Kivi is one of the few great bloggers (like me) that use Blogger as their blog host. She is amazing in the way that she posts lists upon lists, something that makes my brain swell for more, and she posts vintage things and things she loves- Evelin is a blogger from a fantasy. 

9. One Sheepish Girl is a blog about a girl who's got style and a crafty mind. I'd do anything to have her blog design- and her awesome creativity!

10. He and I have everything you could ever ask for! Their most recent post (as of today) are some free script fonts, and then the cutest list of things their little daughter, Ellie, says. It's just one of the best blogs out there!

It was hard to pick favorites, but these are some great blogs and I always look forward to waking up every morning and finding a new post written by some amazing writer, who is simply writing about their lifestyle- that's why I love lifestyle blogs. Thanks for reading!

xx Savannah

I'm The Cute One (Made via Picmonkey)

20 Ways to Use Ribbons in Your DIY Projects

Ribbons are a must-have for most crafters, and I am one of them- ribbon is my favorite thing and I wish I could go to Michael's and just stock up and have an entire box of wonderful ribbon of all lengths and designs and colors and sorts. They're great for putting in your hair and hot gluing them to things- but not hot gluing them to your hair (do not do this). You can make all sorts of stuff with ribbon, hundreds of things, probably, but I've narrowed it down to a simple list of 20 things/crafts/DIYs that you can do using the wonder and creativity of ribbon. I hope this inspires you to get on Amazon or go to Michael's, because they have an entire wall of ribbon in every color that you can possibly imagine. And it's usually pretty cheap, too.

1. A handle for something- make sure the ribbon is very strong and very purdy. 

2. Tie a bow around a Mason jar- boom, instant gift. 

3. Like I said above, hot glue some ribbon to something, like a bow to something or just use ribbon as a border. 

4. Make a 5-petal ribbon flower here. 

5. Make a super easy cupcake tower using this tutorial.

6. Make an uber-cute ribbon bow tie (there are 3 different ways, by the way) for the fanciest of your crafting occasions HERE.

7. Make some super-awesome brand new ribbon sandal straps in minutes so that you can have a lot of summer fun in your new ribbon strapped sandals using this tutorial. 


8. You could use a variety of ribbons to make this amazing Anthro-knockoff DIY scarf necklace. 

9. Craft the cutest award rosette ever, and since you aren't buying them, you can choose whichever color/design you want. There are a million tutorials for this on Pinterest!

10. For that little fairy princess in your life, make a ribbon tied tutu that is just THE CUTEST THING EVER. Directions here.

11. Even though it's not the holidays yet, make these adorable scrap ribbon tree ornaments. 

12. You've gotta try these washi tape ribbon wands, which you can make in only 5 minutes. 

13. Tie a ribbon bow on a headband to make an easy, throw on hair accessory. 

14. Make a pacifier clip for that one baby who won't stop dropping their pacifier then crying about it. Yeah, you know who I mean.

15. Make a paperclip bookmark in 5 seconds by tying a small piece of ribbon to a paperclip; do it a thousand times more and BOOM keep them in your pocket for emergencies or give them out as gifts for your bookworm friends. 

16. If you've got a lot of ribbon, make little ribbon holders with cute empty Tic Tac boxes by putting the ribbon inside and pulling a piece through the top for easy access.

17. Tie some ribbon to a long piece of string and you've got a snazzy backdrop. BOOM. (for a wedding ceremony or for a photo shoot, etc.)

18. Simply tie one into a little circle for a last-minute bracelet that makes you look oh-so-crafty.

19. Use this easy tutorial to tie a bow like you have never tied before. 

20. Make this DIY tugging box for young toddlers. 

And that 20 DIYs that YOU can do using ribbon. Well, now that you're done reading, go get some ribbon and try a few of these out! Thanks for reading. 

xx Savannah

Doodling Inspiration

10 Things Your Blog Should Already Have

Good morning, readers. Today I'm here to discuss with you the 10 essential gadgets and pages your blog should already have, as of today. If you have just made your blog and have no idea what to put there, then consider this post as a checklist. In fact, everyone should consider this as a checklist. Just put pretend little boxes next to everything and start looking. Also, I've got good news- I am now officially a part of the Facebook FMS Photo a Day group, and you should, too. It's really fun and I encourage you to participate with me, it's amazing to wake up every morning with a new and unique photo prompt created by none other than the queen herself, Chantelle Ellem. In fact, I just now walked out into the rain to take a picture for today's prompt, "My mood". 

1. An awesome About Page- here's a post with a few tips on how to make it great. This one is important, all bloggers swear by it!

2. An archive, or at least some sort of collection of all your posts, in case a reader is looking for that one post from October to show their buddies. Blogger offers some pretty good options for this one :)

3. You really need to add labels/tags to your posts so that people can easily find posts of that same subject. If someone really likes your DIY Roundups, they'll click on the tag for more. 

4. You really don't want a super boring blog with boring fonts that is all in black and white- that is a blog I would not return to. Instead, use colors that compliment each other that YOU like, and some cute fonts to mix it up a bit. 

5. A really good idea is to have a gadget that shows recent posts or some of your most popular posts. This will help people to be directed to more of your content, and they likely won't leave very soon!

6. A big part of SEO is having your post title before your blog title, but Blogger does a funny thing where they turn this around, and it's all backwards. There's a tutorial here on how to change that- you're welcome. It's super easy, too- I promise! 

7. Having a cute little favicon is something you should totally have because it makes your blog look more professional. It's easy to change- oh, and if you don't know, the favicon is the little image doodaddy on the tab. Mine is a panda bear, and the default Blogger favicon is the Blogger logo. 

8. Make yourself a contact page- this allows people to get more of you. Include links to your Facebook page, Instagram, Twitter, Bloglovin, Google+, Pinterest, etc. If you don't have any social media whatsoever, I suggest you get some- it helps a ton. 

9. Don't spam your readers with a page full of ads- this is BAD. I will likely not return to a blog that is overwhelmed with ads. One or two, maybe three is okay- but just for the money. If you don't make any money off of your ads, get rid of them. 

10. Use HelloBar to make advertisements and allow people to subscribe to your blog. It's completely free and makes quality bars and pop ups. They're easy to use and completely free; I promise!

That's everything you really should have if being a pro blogger is something you want to do. Don't forget to share and Pin this- it's all about SEO, something I will talk about in a future post. Thanks for reading!

xx Savannah

I Just Simply Love This

Cute outfit, right? You can find this awesome blogger here.

3 Reasons Why I'm Happy Today

My favorite day to write these has always been Mondays because it's the beginning of a new week and most people get pretty stressed out at the beginning of a new week, what with work/school/etc., so it's a good idea to spread some positivity like this- along with Motivation Monday, that is. It rained soo much yesterday, and now it seems that Oregon is having an awfully cloudy morning today- good thing we rearranged our living room, now we have a comfy space to play board games. Isn't that the best thing to do when it rains, besides being upstairs in a house with a metal roof, so that you can hear every little droplet making it's descent to the earth?

1. I found a new fashion/style blog that I just LOVE right now, it's amazing- It's Not Her, It's Me. 

2. I've been thinking about maybe participating in FMS's Photo-a-Day via Facebook. It looks really fun, and I encourage you to, too!

3. It's really warming up- I stuck my feet into the pool yesterday, and it was pretty warm! Now I just need to clean it :P

Let's start off this week with three pieces of positivity- why are you happy today/this week? Leave a comment below, I'd love to know! Thanks for reading!

xx Savannah

Motivation Monday

Motivation Monday

I Just Simply Love This

I'm loving this watermelon embroidered woven clutch right now- isn't it cute? You can get one here. 

 

FMS Photo A Day: Week 21

Another Great Photo Editing App

I recently discovered (okay, someone told me about it) a new app that is just PERFECT for taking a selfie because you haven't posted one on Facebook in so long that people have forgotten what you look like. You know what I mean? (I hope so) 

Though this apps marketing isn't directed straight at selfies, it's great for taking them because of the awesome live filters. I just now realized that I'm droning on and on about this great picture0taking app that I haven't even told you the name of it- it's called Retrica. Yeah, I spelled that right- Retrica. Retrica is free for iOS and Android (I have it on Android, for my Samsung tab 3) and so far, I haven't noticed any major bugs- or any bugs, for that matter. I highly recommend it, and just to prove how awesome it is, I've uploaded a photo of myself taken with Retrica.

3 Different Types of Notebooks for Different Types of Journaling

Having the right notebook that fits your style and needs is half of the trick to journaling. When starting a journal or buying a new journal, you should buy one that is practical for your specific needs. For example, if you're buying one to use as a to-do list or bullet journal, one that is small and easy to fit in your pocket or bag would be ideal. But, if it's a research or writing journal that will probably not be leaving your office, a large but sturdy one would be better. Overall, be sure to buy one that YOU like to look at and use because you will likely be looking at and using it every single day. Here are a few that are ideal for certain types of journaling:

1. The Moleskine journal is perfect for bullet journaling, is light and sturdy, and fairly cheap. You can get a set of 3 large moleskin Cahier journals on Amazon for only $12.56 and it's Prime! Moleskines can also be used as Midori traveler's journals and are easily customizable with pockets and inserts all over Pinterest. These are very strong and easy to just throw in a bag to go; order a few today!

2. The plain old composition notebook is ever so simple and old school, but the ideas and possibilities are endless. Personally, I covered mine in duct tape and now use it for creative writing. They're easy to grab and go, and the pages won't ever fall out, but are easy to tear. If you're a student and are looking for something for a research project or are simply studying, this is the book for you; lined pages and super cheap. You can usually get them for a quarter at Wal-Mart during Back-to-School season and I picked up a leather one at Fred Meyer's for only $1.99; they're cheap and practical.

3. If you're more of a professional at journaling and are looking for something sort of pricey (as a planner, that is), then maybe you should consider a Filofax. It's great for long-term and short-term planning, and you customize it to fit your needs (like any journal). You can order them off of Amazon for prices ranging from $50-100, and they even come in a variety of colors, designs and sizes. For someone who is very busy and has a lot on their mind, this is what you need. 

Those are the top 3 that I recommend for those types of journals. Leave a comment below if you want more on this subject, but for now, thanks for reading!

xx Savannah

Workspace of the Week: May 17

Nail Art Saturday

Nail Art Saturday

Nail Art Saturday

Watercolor Koi Fish

Friday Favorites

This week for Friday Favorites, I'm gonna write about all my favorite games. Summer is coming, but while Spring is here, there are still lots of rainy days remaining (we just had one yesterday) and while you're trapped inside you might as well play some games, but if it's sunny wherever you live, then some of these are great for outside, too. Or if you're stuck in the car because you have to go to Costco, I'm sure one of these can suit your needs. These are my favorites that I either play with my sister or my friends, and some of these are board games, ball games, mind games, etc. Try some of them out this weekend when you have a little down time with family or friends (or your dog) :)

-Monopoly board game
-Sorry board game
-Guess What I'm Thinking Of (the name is self explanatory)
-Hide-and-Seek
-I Spy Eagle Eye board game
-The Game Where You Have to Make the Person Laugh without Touching Them
-The Blindfolded Smell Test
-Upwords board game
-Spill-n-Spell
-Jenga
-Scrabble board game (my grandpa is BOSS at this)
-Hangman
-Tic-Tac-Toe handshake
-LittleBigPlanet
-Hide and Seek IN THE DARK
-Shadow Tag
-Four Square
-Hunger Games WATER VERSION (play it in the pool)
-Make a Fairy Home

These are just a few of my very favorite games to play rain or shine- what are some of your favorite games? Tell me in the comments. Thanks for reading!

xx Savannah

 

Friday DIY Roundup #15

Mother's Day is over and summer is on it's way- we are already looking forward to the lat day of school, the day when you barbeque and throw water balloons while you drink something cold and get in the dunk tank. It's the kickoff for the summer, and one of the happiest days of the year (besides Christmas and all that). But we've still got a whole lot of May left and even more Spring left- so let's fill it with the most wonderful of DIYs! I've found some of the best stuff, some stuff you may never have to buy again- but then again, it's your choice, either spend a bunch or craft it yourself. Here are this week's Friday DIYs:
 
1. Homemade Mod Podge ( I really want to do this) by LULASTIC

2. DIY Life Planner by DIYMamaBlog

3. Makeup Remover Wipes (I need this) by One Good Thing

4. DIY Lotion Bars by All For the Everyday 

5. DIY Febreze by Coffee Light and Sweet

6. Easy Light Bulb Aquarium by Soap Deli News 

7. Pineapple Drawstring Backpack by Makeit-Loveit

I'm wondering if the light bulb aquarium is really that easy or if that's just false advertising... But it looks so cool. I'm ever so curious about the lotion bars and that life planner is just cool. Tell me in the comments if you try any of this stuff, thanks for reading!

xx Savannah

Art Journaling Inspiration

Keeping an art journal is a great way to maintain a creative mind. They have been called a bunch of different things on Pinterest, such as art journals, art books, smash books, inspiration book, etc. You can call it whatever you want, and if you don't know how to make one, here are  few tips: simply grab a regular old sketchbook from the art store. Nothing fancy, but a hardcover works well. Then, get all your art supplies together and decorate every single page to your heart's content! Do anything you want- paint, draw, sketch, paste, cut, etc.; your creativity is the limit! One of the funnest things to do with art books is make them out of actual books- grab an old book either of your own or from a thrift store- not a picture book, but a big book with mostly words. Now use that as your surface! I did that in art class, and it was one of the best projects I've ever done. Here's some more inspiration for your pages:

1. Draw the outline of a spider on a page, put some glue in it, and sprinkle tea leaves on it- it will look like a tarantula! This is a great one for young children, but also people who just like spiders or have a tarantula (I WANT ONE).

2. Like in the photo to the right, draw a few boxes- however many you want- and fill them all with different things, like patterns and designs, words, etc. Give them some color, and viola!

3. Write a favorite recipe on a page in black marker- big enough so that ti covers the whole page- and then watercolor over it lightly. It adds a small splash of color and hunger. 

4. Collage a few photos in there and write captions around them- if you'd like, write on the photos themselves. 

5. Use tape in an old book or newspaper to pick up words and phrases straight from the paper- I love this technique, I have used it many times!

6. Watercolor or put random paint on a page, then use a white gel pen to write over it, draw designs on it, etc. (Cover the whole page with paint)

7. Write in a 30 day drawing challenge that you made up for others to see, then use the next 30 days & pages to demonstrate the prompts. 

That's all I have for right now, but trust me, I'll be posting more soon upon request. (There have been multiple requests in person & by email) Thanks for reading!

xx Savannah

Best Online Journaling Sites

Journaling is something that is evolving every day, and for a while now, people have stopped using pen and paper and have moved onto using online journaling sites. There are plenty of them out there, and though I enjoy using a pen and paper over an online journal, I've made a list of a few of those great sites to help you out if you need some advice on what to try. Here are a couple of great choices if you are seeming to be indecisive or are unable to find any site that fits your needs. Keep in mind, there are lots out there, and these aren't the only ones, so try exploring on your own; I'm sure these aren't the only best ones. If you have a suggestion, leave the name in the comments and I'll try to add it to he list. 

1. Penzu is a great online journaling site that is mostly free, allowing you to upload pictures and type as if you have a real journal. There is also a paid version called Penzu Pro, but the free version offers so much that you just cannot resist.

2. Oneword is a super simple site where they give you only one word as a writing prompt and you have 60 seconds to write about it- personally, I think it could teach some people to type faster as the words flow from their minds faster and faster. 

3. 750words is a free online journaling site that gives you a prompt every morning to write your 750 words (assuming the average person writes 250 words per page, there are 3 pages). It motivates you in many ways, including badges that are awarded for when you complete certain days in a row.

4. Journalate is a private diary open for use 24/7 on any device- oh, and did I mention it's free? You can sign up today free of charge; I like that in a journal. ;) In fact, I just now made an account and tried it out- 5 stars!!!

5. Memiary is a Twitter-like website great for people who are pressed for time and don't have the time and energy to do a real online journal. 

Thanks for reading, I hope you try some of these out- Journalate is my favorite so far! Tell me what you thought in the comments. 

xx Savannah

100 of My Favorite Boards on Pinterest

I'm a Pinterest addict, someone who cannot stop Pinning for the life of them- which means, I have a board for everything. Crafts, food, art, funny things I find, things I just simply LOVE, writing and journaling, strange fun facts, etc. There's a lot; I have 14 boards in all, and yet only 24 followers to love them. There's more than one Harry Potter board that I'm following, because I just can't stop being a Potter head, and I am also following multiple Midori, Filofax, Bullet journaling, writing, etc. boards out there because I just love seeing them. So, here are my favorite boards on Pinterest- 100 of them, to be exact. I'll include a hyperlink for your convenience. 

1. Tumblr by Loree Horony

2. . neon . by Sharon Smith

3. Funny Tumblr by Talia

4. Harry Potter by Shweta

5. Harry∞Potter by theamazingstephanie

6. Facts by Litsa Kou

7. Plan Your Adventure by Sarah Shotts

8. Art Prints by ilovedoodle

9. Midori by Michelle Ringor

10. Filofax, Planners and Journaling by Robin Imhof

11. Midori, Moleskine, Journaling, Washi Tape Ideas by Doni Hall

12. // media by mari

13. blog post prompts and inspiration Barbara (Olyve) Harvie

14. Tumblr by Norman Ellison

15. I LOVE IT // by Fat Mum Slim

16. HOME // by Fat Mum Slim

17. DELIGHTFUL DIYS // by Fat Mum Slim

18. PHOTO CHALLENGES // by Fat Mum Slim

19. KIDS ROOMS // by Fat Mum Slim

20. CRAFTS FOR KIDS // by Fat Mum Slim

21. BEAUTY // by Fat Mum Slim

22. PARTY // by Fat Mum Slim

23. ARTWORKS // by Fat Mum Slim


24. PRINTABLE // by Fat Mum Slim

25. DESIGN DONE RIGHT // by Fat Mum Slim

26. CHRISTMAS // by Fat Mum Slim

27. WRAPPED // by Fat Mum Slim

28. CUTE STUFF // by Fat Mum Slim

29. ICE CREAM PARTY // by Fat Mum Slim

30. PHOTOS I WISH I TOOK // by Fat Mum Slim

31. FOOD STYLING // by Fat Mum Slim

32. SCATTER LOVE 03 // by Fat Mum Slim 

33. EASTER // by Fat Mum Slim

34. LIFE HACKS // by Fat Mum Slim

35. SAVOURY // by Fat Mum Slim

36. SWEET // by Fat Mum Slim

37. WORDS // by Fat Mum Slim

38. PHOTO TIPS // by Fat Mum Slim

39. BLOG // by Fat Mum Slim

40. SLOW COOKER RECIPES // by Fat Mum Slim

41. D.I.Y. home decor by Elsie Larson

42. craft night by Elsie Larson

43. gift giving by Elsie Larson

44. party time by Elsie Larson

45. studio inspiration by Elsie Larson

46. donuts by Elsie Larson

47. i scream by Elsie Larson 

48. treats by Elsie Larson 

49. brunch me by Elsie Larson

50. green food by Elsie Larson

51. meal ideas by Elsie Larson

52. small bites by Elsie Larson

53. forever soup by Elsie Larson

54. foodie by Elsie Larson

55. my home by Elsie Larson

56. decor details by Elsie Larson

57. bathroom by Elsie Larson

58. living room by Elsie Larson

59. laundry room by Elsie Larson

60. entryway by Elsie Larson

61. kitchen by Elsie Larson

62. bedroom by Elsie Larson

63. office by Elsie Larson 

64. organize everything by Elsie Larson

65. pattern love by Elsie Larson

66. spring + summer by Elsie Larson

67. scrapbook by Elsie Larson

68. someday i'll make a quilt by Elsie Larson

69. life is colorful by Elsie Larson

70. photography by Elsie Larson

71. life is beautiful by Elsie Larson

72. Illustrations by Mary Doodles 

73. Garden by Mary Doodles 

74. Favorite Places and Spaces by Mary Doodles 

75. Nail design ideas :) by Bonnalee Ader 

76. Otters by Holy Cuteness

77. Bears by Holy Cuteness

78. Elephants by Holy Cuteness

79. Hedgehogs by Holy Cuteness

80. Whales and Dolphins by Holy Cuteness

81. Dogs and Puppies by Holy Cuteness

82. Cats and Kittens by Holy Cuteness

83. Interspecies Mingling by Holy Cuteness

84. Bunnies by Holy Cuteness

85. Marsupials by Holy Cuteness 

86. Primates by Holy Cuteness

87. Big Cats and Cubs by Holy Cuteness

88. Other Animals by Holy Cuteness

89. Photos with Captions by Holy Cuteness

90. Birds by Holy Cuteness


91. Quotes to Live By by Picmonkey

92. Picmonkey Tutorials by Picmonkey

93. Effects by Picmonkey

94. Typography Inspiration by Picmonkey

95. Hope School :) by Bonnalee Ader 

96. Hair color ideas by Bonnalee Ader

97. Tattoos~ by Bonnalee Ader

98. Bullet Journal by Sumana 

99. kiddo bedroom by Elsie Larson

100. { Bloggy Stuff } by DIY Virtual Biz

I hope you get a chance to check out some of these boards, hopefully you can bookmark this and check out all of them- they're awesome, that's why I posted them! Thanks for reading. 

xx Savannah