{random olympics observations}

If you are friends with me on Facebook, you have already read my ramblings about random Olympics related things, but I thought for fun I would share them here too.

1...

As a crafty gal who loves fun fonts, the first thing I noticed when we switched on the Olympics was this...

That font.

Really?!

They might as well of used papyrus or comic sans. Both of which are used on this awesome frozen yogurt sign...

{Apparently I'm not the only one that is confused by their choice of font.}

2...

I find it really hard to take the men's water polo players seriously when they have those cute little bows tied under their chins...

Couldn't they use snaps or velcro on those things?

And do you think they tied each other's?

{Thanks to my hubby for that funny mental picture. According to him it would be too hard to tie your own.}

3...

I can't watch women's gymnastics without being reminded of one of my all time favorite SNL skits...

 

 

You said a little prayer?! That is SOOO sweet!

Perfect for a Monday morning laugh. :)

But seriously, it has been fun watching the games with our boys. I think their favorites so far have been the synchronized diving and gymnastics. What is your favorite sport to watch?

{washi tape blog planner}

A few weeks ago, I discovered Beckie's free blog planner printables over at Infarrantly Creative. I did a little happy dance in my desk chair because I've been looking for a blog planner and it is so hard to find one that fits how a blogger thinks {or at least how I think...;)}

So using Beckie's printables and some fun scrapbooking supplies, here is what I came up with!

So fun, right? It makes planning my blog so much more exciting and I'm actually staying more organized because of it.

So how did I put it together?

I printed off the weekly planning pages...

Source

...which have the perfect places to plan my posts/projects, and jot down to do lists and stats.

And the monthly calendar pages...

Source

Then I bound them together using the handy binding machine we have at my office.

For the cover, I used a piece of woodgrain scrapbook paper, and for the back I used a simple manila file folder cut down to size. Then I gathered some supplies from my scrapbooking stash...

The hubby took the boys out for a few hours {heaven!}, so I fixed myself an iced coffee and got to decorating...

This washi tape is so cute, right?! It is from the K&Co Smash line and I found it at our local Joann store. I used it to outline the edges of the font and back covers, and to attach a cute "M" on the front.

Then on the inside, I attached a pocket {another Smash product} to hold a pen, stickers, and any other random items I might need a place for...

And then I got to work filling out my first weekly page!

Thanks so much to Beckie for offering this free printable...it is exactly what I needed to keep my blog organized and growing!

{take me out to the ballgame}

We took the boys to their first baseball game a few nights ago and we had so much fun! We have a wood bat league here in town...mostly college guys, so it is kind of between watching high school and minor league.

My husband actually played four years of high school ball in the same stadium, and was the pitching coach for the high school team for several years, so it was rather nostalgic being back there again. 

The boys had lots of fun with their Nana...

And enjoyed blue raspberry italian ice in little plastic reds' caps...

And the sweetest thing of the evening...an older man was sitting behind us and was enjoying watching the boys. We struck up a conversation and told him it was their first game. He went off for a bit and came back with two baseballs he had bought for them...

He even signed them...how sweet is that?! There is something to be said for living in a small town. :)

Linking up with...

{make something bright with Astrobrights papers}

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

I have a love affair with all things paper crafting, so when I heard about the "Make Something Astrobright" challenge and "Give a Brighter Year" sweepstakes from AstroBrights papers, I had to share it with my readers.

AstroBrights papers come in 23 bright colors, so there are so many options to make your project bright and bold. And they’re perfect for projects at home, school or the office. Their papers are great for brochures, invitations, flyers, announcements or craft projects. I know that once my boys start kindergarten {next year!!} I will be using lots of craft supplies to help them with projects, so AstroBrights papers will be my go-to brand.

Astrobrights is giving you the chance to support your local elementary school by entering the Give a Brighter Year sweepstakes on Facebook.



You can win a cash prize and school supplies valued at $30,000 for the school of your choice. Exciting, right?

You can also participate in the Make Something Astrobright design challenges and use your creativity for a chance to win AstroBrights Paper and other prizes! Share your projects with pictures and video on the Astrobrights Facebook page.  Share via Twitter and Pinterest, and be sure to use the hashtag #goastrobrights so others can find your projects!

How will you organize and get ready for back to school this year? Any projects AstroBrights can help you with? A few projects might inclue PTA meeting flyers, after school chore chart {this will definitely be happening at our house}, book reports, science fair projects, and scrapbooking about summer vacation, just to name a few.

Are you helping your children with any fun paper projects this summer, or preparing for the school year ahead? I'd love to hear about them in the comments!

{instagram blog hop}

 I'm so excited to be co-hosting the Instagram Blog Hop today with Ashlyn, Emily,  Kimberly and Niki! Link up your Instagram and enter to win your choice of one of the headbands in my shop!

Welcome to week seventeen of our Instagram Blog Hop! New to the party? The Instagram Blog Hop is a place for you to link up your Instagram account and find new Instagram friends!

Here are your HOSTS:

Ashlyn @ Let It Be Beautiful 

Emily @ The Pink Elephant 

Kimberly @ A Night Owl 

And NEW! Here are your CO-HOSTS:

@mandy_ford from This Girl's Life!

You can find Mandy here:

Instagram :: Blog :: Etsy :: Facebook :: Twitter :: Pinterest

@nikicaron from Gumdrops & Gloss!

You can find Niki here:
Instagram :: Blog :: Facebook :: Twitter :: Pinterest

Here are the RULES:

1. Follow your hosts and co-hosts on Instagram:

@loveeashlyn

@mrsemshhh

@anightowlblog

@mandy_ford

@nikicaron

2. Check out and follow a couple fellow IGers.

Tell folks you follow that you found them through the hop!

3. Spread the word! Grab a button!

<center><a href="http://anightowlblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Instagram%20Blog%20Hop"><img border="0" src="http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m523/ashlyn_williams/INSTAGRAMbutton200x100.jpg" /></a></center>

4. Link up your profile from any Instagram web interfaces like these listed here:

Followgram | Ink361 | Webstagram | Gramfeed | Extragram

Just log in with your Instagram account, grab your profile URL and enter it in the linky below.

Want to co-host an Instagram Blog Hop?

Email Kimberly and she'll get you on the calendar!

:::::::::::::::::::

And this week we have a GIVEAWAY sponsored by one of our lovely co-hosts, Mandy!
Mandy runs an adorable Etsy shop called Love Squirrels, and she's offering one lucky winner their choice of adorable toddler headbands!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

:::::::::::::::::::

Now, on to the HOP!

Remember, please link up your INSTAGRAM account, not your blog.

{thrifting score}

The thrifting Gods were most definitely shining down on me this weekend.

That, and my awesome Mother-in-Law, who discovered this treasure for me.

Say hello to my new chair...

Isn't she adorable? Perfectly mid-century and she was $40!

I think my favorite part is the upholstery...a wonderfully nubby gray chenille that looks brand new.

She is the perfect piece to bring the blank wall in our family room together.

For now, I have her paired with pieces we already owned...our  IKEA rug, and an olive green ottoman {not sure if that will stay}...

And I'm planning a frame collage using a variety of frames and a lot of olive green spray paint...

Here is a little mock-up of what I have planned...

I have a white frame that I want to throw into the mix for a break from all the green. I will probably leave a few empty and fill a few with photos or other fun items.

I'm also looking around for fabric to make a pillow for the chair. This one is at the top of my list right now...

And to finish off this cozy corner, I have a wooden tray for the ottoman that I'm going to makeover. It will serve as a great place to sit a drink and a magazine. 

So what do you think?

Not too shabby for $40, right?

Linking up with Apron Thrift Girl 





 







My entry into Thursdays are YOUR Days at 52 Mantels is sponsored by Appliances Online and their Best Freezers!

{a very etsy birthday wish list}

I already shared a little jewelry wish list for my upcoming birthday, but I thought it would be fun to share some of the great Etsy items that I've bookmarked lately, that I would looove to have come home with me.

First are these two awesome vintage pieces from joyridevintage...

Hello awesome {$10!} chevron bag...

And sweet {$6!} yellow beads...

I already have a headband from love stitched, and I would love to add these pretties to my accessory wardrobe...

And speaking of chevron...

SO cute, right? Check these pretties out here.

And did I mention I kinda love chevron?

LOVE this bag.

Do you have a big Etsy wish list? I'd love to see what items you are daydreaming about.

{instagram friday}

It has been a loooong week for this girl. So I am beyond happy to say that it is FRIDAY!

And that means it is time to link up with Jennette over at Life Rearranged for Insta-Friday...



Here's a little peek into my past week...

{I'm mandy_ford on Instagram if you want to follow along}

1. coffee filter = popcorn bowl
2. newest Twitter follower made my day. {love you TJ Maxx!}
3. I want you Momma!
4. RIP Marshall's owl vase
5. fun new Target earrings
6. my silly Benny

1. lots of ponytail action going on this past week
2. love this olive green frame wall...I've had this magazine for 5 years!
3. watching a little Rugrats before they go to bed
4. chevron art
5. rain!!!
6. working on the boys' numbers with their UNO cards

1. the boys love looking at my "punkin magazines" {Halloween issues}
2. need to get on this thing more often...did 5 days last week but only 2 so far this week.
3. post work-out messy bun
4. stinky piggies on my seat
5. I need some washi tape in my life...isn't this pattern adorable?
6. seeing stars on my top today

What are your weekend plans? I have high hopes as always to get some crafty projects done but you never know around our house. It will be fun no matter what. :)