Confession 38 - Fist Bumps are OK and Emily Post

I'm finally getting back to writing. I know, it's been forever! What was I thinking when I thought summer would allow me to think deeply and write more ... NOT! It's been a constant struggle with finding things for the Little B's to do, attending social events and taking the liberties to stay out late and have fun during these long summer nights.

Today I'm confessing about my obsession with Emily Post and striving to have good manners, something we all struggle with young and old.  Many of you youngins may not even know who she is. My obsession started way back when I was younger. Living in a household where my parents were immigrants, it was always hard for me to judge whether I was doing something appropriate or insanely tacky. I had a good friend that I spent countless hours with who lived in a household of "prim and proper" and I always looked at them to set the bar and inadvertently learned the dos and don'ts. Things like, how to set a proper table, when to use please and thank you and when you have overstayed your welcome and should go home (sometimes I still get that wrong). As I got older and discovered Emily Post, I would read about what to do and research the heck out a of a topic.  Like, do you always send a thank you card after a dinner? Even if you said thank you while leaving and called and said thank you the next day.  Ya, I'm a little insane like that.  If you come to my house, you will see Etiquette by Emily Post prominently displayed on my book shelf, not because I'm the "manner queen" or crack that baby open all the time, but it's a reminder to me, to try to instill the best manners and etiquette within my family. Nowadays, that book rarely gets cracked and is merely dusted, I find it easier to Google the subject or go to the Emily Post website.

If you don't know much about Emily Post, you can read a brief biography here.

And from the Emily Post website, I love how they have changed the tune of etiquette and formalities. I find our world and definitely the newer generations, are becoming more and more casual. But, the basics of etiquette and manners still hold true, check it out below:

About The Institute

The Emily Post Institute, Inc., is one of America's most unique family businesses. From social networking to social graces, the name Emily Post has been the definitive source on etiquette for generations of Americans. Spanning five generations, this family business maintains and evolves the standards of etiquette that Emily Post established with her seminal book Etiquette in 1922. According the the Posts, though times have changed, the principles of good manners remain constant. Above all, manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. Being considerate, respectful, and honest is more important than knowing which fork to use. Whether it's a handshake or a fist bump, it's the underlying sincerity and good intentions of the action that matter most.

I'm so glad to know that the fist bump suffices as a welcoming and acknowledging gesture! I really like how the company has taken Emily's vision and made things current over the years.  You can go to the site to read up on etiquette in the digital world and  even everyday manners. Two sections I frequent often.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not perfect and I'm sure I'm lacking in many of these areas (especially probably in the technology manners area), but I'm always intrigued to find out the thought process behind certain gestures and a reassurance I'm doing the right thing.

I know many of you may think this is a weird confession and most wouldn't care what others think, but remember, etiquette and manners are not defined by that. It just shows that you are a caring thoughtful individual. What's so wrong with that? So next time you are wondering whether or not you should regift that Christmas gift, manners for Facebook or if it's okay to wear white after Labor Day, peruse the Emily Post site and get your manners and etiquette in check!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you liked my latest confession!

Confession #37 - Playlist #4

Today's confession is my "start of summer" playlist. If you haven't heard these songs before you're probably living under a rock and are totally missing out.

You'll find me signing or cutting a rug to all of them! Check em out!

And don't forget to use my favorite music app, Spotify, to listen to them! It's free to listen on your laptop or desktop and only $9.99 a month for unlimited access to 1,000s of songs.  Besides Shazam, it's the only music app I use!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you liked my latest confession!

Confession 33 - SquareHub App Social Networking for your family

Today I'm pre-confessing (is that even a word) about an app that was just released today, SquareHub.  Ironically, there is nothing "square" about this app and it seems to me to be one of the coolest, most awesome apps that I have seen released in a long time.  I mean, I think the last time I was this over the moon, was when I stumbled on Orchestra, I remember my giddy feeling, all happy and blissful! Well, this morning when I found out about SquareHub, I felt the same exact way.

So what is it? It's a new app that basically lets you have a private network with your family.  So let me paint the picture. We have close family friends that have 5 children, 1 away at college, 1 soon to be and 3 still at home. At any given time, both parents are on their phones texting away to their children, talking about what's for dinner, who can pick  up who, who will be home to feed the dog, etc. Group texts can get hairy and rather cumbersome to respond to, so most of the time, the parents and the kids are sending individual texts. See the issue? See the huge "black whole of time"? What if there was a way to have private communication for your whole family to see?

Introducing SquareHub, a private social network for your family that allows you to communicate in real time with your whole family, taking away the cumbersome, clunky way texting, calling and emailing are. Take a look at the screen shots below... Literally I'm {swooning} and so AppHappy!

You can check in to places just like on Facebook, so parents will know when your kid reached the movie theater or Suzy's house. You can also share pictures, that can be adorned with stickers, filters and star rewards. The app is also equipped with emoticons for when you are too busy to respond with a "I like that", or "bummer", you can just hit the face icon! Genius right?

The app is cleverly equipped with a To Do List feature where you can assign tasks to any family memeber and any or all family members can have visibility.  No more from your teenager "mom never told me to do that", oh yay buddy, that's not what the To do List says! Genius! (I know think of a new word Creative Junkie)

So go and check out this app and download it, it's FREE and get some time freed up to do some things that matter, instead of sending texts and emails!  I'm sorry to say that this app is only available for iPhones at the moment, an Android version is currently in development.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you liked my latest confession!

Confession 29 - Taking Care of My Skin

Today I'm confessing about my secret (well not so secret anymore) regimen to my, what people are saying, glowing skin! I'm letting all my readers in!

Thankfully, I have good genetics and wrinkles and sunspots are at a minimum, but let's face it (no pun there), everyone ages and everyone gets wrinkles and age spots. I was looking for a new regimen that would keep my face clear of acne (yes, I'm still getting acne in my late 30's), clean my pores and make my skin look and feel flawless.  About 6 months ago, a friend of mine, Michelle, began selling the skincare line, Rodan + Fields. I quickly went on to the product page and started to investigate.  Michelle became instrumental in helping me figure out the best line for my skin type and issues.

We soon decided on trying the "Unblemish" line as it would help with my acne and scaring.  From the first week that I started using the line, I could see a huge difference.  My acne started to clear up and my skin was finally starting to look somewhat normal.

After using the Unblemish line, I used and purchased one of my all time R+F favorite products, Micro-Dermabrasion Paste!  I use this paste 2-3 times a week and it makes my skin feel and look amazing!! I just use a dime size and scrub it all over my face dry, with no water. And then wash it off.  I cannot say enough good things about it.  My 8 year old even uses it for her Keratosis Pilaris.  After discussing the product with our dermatologist, she said it's worth a shot.  It will completely clear up her face after just one use.

Since I've started using R+F products, they have come out with yet a new revolutionary product, the Macro Exfoliator! It's basically a hand held exfoliator  that can be used in between professional treatments and can even replace those procedures, plus, can be done once weekly at home, which I love!  I found after the first use, my skin looked good, but after the second week, it looked luminous and glowing!  It is a treatment that mimics the professional treatments, and the results are similar, but a fraction of the cost.  It is quickly becoming one of my all time favorite products!  There is even an iPhone app to keep you on schedule of using your Macro E, I'm Happtastic~

Now that you have read all about my experience, go experience Rodan + Fields for yourself.  For anyone that goes and likes Michelle's Facebook Page, here she will send you a free sample of the Micro-Dermabrasion Paste. Completely free, to try and fall in love with!  So hop to it and like her page and see the glow!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you liked my latest confession!

Confession 28 - Back in the Saddle and Fundawear? YIKES!

Well, I'm back from my 3 week hiatus! I was out for pleasure to Nashville, TN for 2 weeks and then in Orlando for business... phew, that was a lot of traveling! More to come about my Nashville trip. I did get out to do some photo shooting so I will be eager to share those.

Today, I'm just confessing about a new technology I read about. Why you ask, because it's so tantalizing! Check out this article I found on Mashable about this new technology..


After you have checked it out, leave me a comment on your thoughts.   Post "50 Shades" and Christian Gray, this seems very interesting.... !  And, once again, I'm proving to you that I stay up and up on the most creative technological products out there, LOL!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you liked my latest confession!

Confession 22 - Ringya App - A way to organize phone lists

Today I'm confessing about one of my favorite phone list organizing apps... Ringya {{squeal}}. It is one of my favorite "sanity" apps and I've only been using it for about 3 months! What is it? Well it allows you to take a photo of any phone list spreadsheet (yes you heard that right, you just take a photo) and then send it off within your Ringya app to the gurus there, some minutes later (usually about 30 for me) you get an alert on your phone through the app that your new phone list is ready! It takes all the information and creates an individual contact for each person on the spreadsheet. It will even categorize the list for you, by heading. So the class list for my daughter's class is broken down by student, mom, and dad.  I have at my finger tips, phone numbers, addresses and names! It's just genius! Don't believe me? Check the video out below:
 A new feature just released is group text and email. So if I need to rapidly send out a message to all the neighbors on my block, I hit group message and bam, same message to all neighbors in one action!  How cool is that?

So if you are tired of constantly looking for a spreadsheet on your messy desk or searching for hours through emails up on emails, download this app. You will not be disappointed! If not for anything, just to see the beauty in the conversion of a spreadsheet into contacts... it's absolutely beautiful!

Now...  an app needs to be created that automatically puts my daughter's softball game schedule into my google calendar from a spreadsheet, now that would make me do the "Happy Dance" like a million times!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you liked my latest confession!

Confession 12 - San Diego Train Ride

Today I'm confessing that I love traveling by rail. Why you say? Well, there is not the stress of traffic,  you can move about in a train car, use the restroom, eat, drink and as you will see, snap some awesome pictures. I'm fortunate to be living close to the coast in California and have access to the Surfliner Amtrak Train. What an amazing experience. My husband and I went for a 24 hour trip with some close friends down to San Diego. Normally, this would be a 60 minute drive in your car, but on a Saturday, with lots of traffic going south, it can take you up to 2 hours if you don't leave at the right time. We packed an overnight bag, some snacks and traveling cocktails and hit the train station.

I'm in love with my iPhone right now and all the neat photo apps I've been able to take advantage of. This trip, I used almost exclusively the Camera 360 app.

Just check out these cool pics!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you liked my latest confession!

Confession Eight - My Favorite Craft Machine

Today I am confessing about my favorite craft machine. It has honestly changed my life and I couldn't imagine living with out it now.  It's the Silhouette Cameo. So what is this machine? Well, it can cut paper, vinyl, fabric, adhesive sticky paper, magnetic paper ... and many other mediums that are constantly being added. This machine is unlike it's popular competitive predecessor, the Cricut.  The main difference between the Cricut and the Silhouette is that the Silhouette connects to your computer using software that comes with the machine instead of cartridges. This is so convenient. Not only are you using a system that let's you "simplify" and keep you from having to buy yet another product to store (the cartridges) but it let's you use fonts and images that you already own. It's a no brainer.

I urge you to check out the Silhouette site and take a peak. 

Take a look at the quick video to see how it works. It's wild to see the Silhouette in action. 

Here are a couple projects I've done. One using vinyl and one using heat transfer iron ons.

So ask me any questions you have about this cutter and I'll promptly answer! It's one of my favorite all time purchases ever! It's up there with my iPad and my Canon DSLR! I know right!

Thanks again for stopping by and I hope you liked my latest confession!

Confession Four - Guru's of Scrapbooking

I'm confessing about scrapbooking {{crushing}} and my favorite all time blogger today! I started scrapbooking back in the late 90's officially, but in my early teens as an old school scrapbooker. I've been at it for awhile. I'm in no means an expert, I just love doing it, I value it and I'm committed to it. My dear friend Sue and I would scrapbook together and scrapbooking, some could say, was the foundation of our friendship. You'll hear more about that later. Today I'd like to confess about my all time favorite "guru" of scrapbooking. I've followed  this super talented lady for years, meeting her over the years at CHA and at other local scrapbooking events. Ok, so who is she... ? Hold on there overachiever.... over the course of January, I'll be showcasing my top three! I encourage you to go to their websites and look around. I'll be featuring many of the things they do on their sites here on mine, so if you get overwhelmed (it's a lot to look at and digest) come back here and check out my ongoing features.

#1 Becky Higgins 

Why Becky? Well I have met her in person many times and she is very down to earth. I also relate to her the most. Most importantly because of her tagline above that she is so passionate and committed to. She has also started a whole new approach to scrapbooking called Project Life.
Check out this video below ... which takes me to another point! I love her use of still photos AND video through her site and blog. Seeing her very inspirational videos keeps reminding me what a deficit of videos I have of my kids. I need more!


Take a look at her site:

Then go and take a look at the 12 Christmas Videos she posted this year. Here's the first one. I guarantee you will laugh, smile, cry and giggle a lot! It's good therapy for the soul.

http://www.beckyhiggins.com/blog/2012/12/12-videos-of-christmas-no-1-2/

Convinced yet? Ok, now go to the site and click under "Free Stuff" see all the cool rescources she has on her site! She even posts Holiday Card Templates every year!  You'll also find two very cool custom handwriting fonts (are you a font hoarder like me?).

I'm committed to doing some "Project Life" this year and actually completing some projects! It's a goal worth keeping for my family to show them how much I love and value them.

If you are still unsure how great Becky Higgins is, take a look at this video:




And then for your final assignment, if you are a DIE HARD and want to commit like me, carve out 30 minutes in your day and watch this. If you watch this video, please please post your comments on what you think?  I'm up for the challenge this year to get my "Kid's Stuff" organized once and for all!



Okay, I think that is all for today... phew, I'm tired from all that! It was more than I envisioned, but so inspiring!

Thanks again for stopping by and I hope you liked my latest confession!

Back To School - Post #2

Are you going just as crazy as I am trying to keep track of all the dates (Back to School, Teacher Conferences, Holidays), it's just maddening! At the beginning of the year, you are bombarded in all directions with dates to put on your calendar. And, most of it is still be distributed in paper form (my huge pet peeve, not only is not "green" but I don't need more clutter or a paper to lose!)

So, does this happen to anyone, you get the paper from your child's school,  you read it, you're like, yes, I need to keep this in a safe place. You put it in a safe place, then you can't find it and can't remember the safe place, you run through  your  email inbox, you text and call a couple of other frazzled mommies, and still can't find your info...??? Ding, Ding Ding!!! That's me!!!  .... last year... This year, I'm trying a different approach.

I've been reading a lot of articles lately on using technology to simplify... and so, here is how I am taking that approach to help me with my lost papers/ need dates issue.

Take a picture and file it!  Camera phones have come a long way and you can now use them to "scan" papers. Gone are the day you need to go through a million steps to scan a piece of paper. Now, all you do is  set the paper on a flat surface, point and shoot! That's it!

Now, I like to use the camera capability through a little program called Evernote. It allows you to take notes and catalog your pictures too. It also syncs up with an online account so you can access your files from your desktop or laptop, this is great for redundancy.  It also... wait for it... let's you share! Yes!!!  You can share all your notes and pictures with your hubby. For me, that doesn't matter, he rarely helps manage the family calendar, but if you have a hubby that does, it's a great feature!

So, as I sat in the multipurpose room of my daughter's school for Kindergarten Orientation thrown with 4 different drop-off / pick up schedules and hundreds of other dates to remember... I snapped away.

Here's what Evernote looks like:

http://evernote.com/


Let me know if you use this system or something else.  I'd love to hear your feedback!

Until Later.... !

Computers, iPads... such the old school...

So my dad sent me this email... I'm half hesitating while I click on the link to open the video... did I just download a virus?  I know you guys are just like me... your parents send you these weird emails... and you are like where did you find this stuff? Enough with the rant, more importantly here is the video, and no there is no virus. Check it out, very interesting stuff. And if anyone has an "In" to Corning... I'd love for that to be my next job. So cool!