Happy Thanksgiving 2013!

I will be taking a few days off from blogging to celebrate Thanksgiving (and do a little shopping). I hope everyone has a fantastic holiday filled with family, good food, and fond memories. Be sure to set aside a few moments to remember all that you can be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving! I am thankful for you!

Takedown Twenty Review

Hey all! Just wanted to post a quick review about Janet Evanovich's latest Stephanie Plum novel, Takedown Twenty. Stephanie (because by book twenty, we are on a first name basis) gets up to her usual hi-jinx, including the typical man problems, indulging in lots of junk food, and getting into some sticky situations. Standard fare for a Plum novel.

Fans of the series should expect the usual ongoing jokes, a fare amount of your favorite characters, and a giraffe. Nothing life-shattering happens with the plot line, but I came in with low expectations on that one (with just a glimmer of hope).

There have been mixed reviews out on this one, mostly because people are expecting something more than what the past nineteen have been. It's an easy read that reminds you just how funny Stephanie and her "accomplices can be".

Overall, I liked it. I thought it was one of the better Plum novels in recent memory. I may or may not have read the entire book the evening it came out. Okay, so I did. Feel free to judge me for it.

If you haven't read it already, Takedown Twenty will be a fun, light read this holiday weekend for fans of the series. If you haven't read any of the books yet, I would take the time and start with One for the Money. It's a barrel of laughs.

Keep.com

Hi everyone! Did you enjoy Holiday Gift Week 2013? I'm going to be honest, while I loved shopping, collecting, and creating the images for the Gift Week, it was a little hard to not write about all the items, and just give you a picture. I felt a bit detached.

But don't worry, I kept myself busy by writing a bunch of posts, reading some books, and working on a few craft projects. I can't wait to share everything with you over the next few weeks (did I ever think I would be like this?). Oh, and I have been wasting an unhealthy amount of time on...

Keep.com. Why didn't I come up with this? Seriously, it was living in my brain, and the Keep people extracted it somehow. Keep is like Pinterest, but only for products.

Think of the possibilities. You can create a shopping cart across the internet, and itemize them on different "collections", and all of the links are available to you at time of purchase. You can hold onto these items and wait for them to go on sale, and Keep will actually tell you when that happens. Or you can just "Keep" them around as a visual guide as you do your shopping.

Conveniently, sharing is simple, so creating wishlists or registries is a snap. I can see this being especially useful when furnishing a new home or starting a renovation project.  I have been doing something similar with my ongoing wishlist though Amazon's wishlist button, but this seems a lot more visually appealing. And there is a handy free app (called Keep Shopping) for "keeping" and shopping on the go.

It's chalk-full of positive reinforcement, such as "That's hot!" or "Awesome!". I find it endearing, but could see how it could get annoying to others after a while. For me, I get all excited. Yes, my keep is awesome, and therefore, I am awesome, too. And then, there are the recommendations for similar awesome products below each "keep". They've been pretty spot on, so it is a great feature.

I am not sure how this has escaped my notice for so long, because some of my favorite bloggers like Emily Henderson and Reichel Broussard from Copy Cat Chic have been on the bandwagon for a while now.  I am a new user, but if you are already on (or join), you should follow me. I'm seriously addicted. Here are some of my most popular "keeps" in the past week (apparently, these keepers love Anthropologie).

L to R, Top Row: Lauren Ralph Lauren Patterned Shawl Cardigan, Set of 3 Painted Wooden

Vases, Luminous Dots Pillow, Chalkboard Table Runner

Middle: Partita Flats, Midland Tweed Satchel

Bottom: JD Salinger Boxed Set, Silver Bells Wreath, Kate Spade Notebooks (Set of 2), Cozy

Classwork Cardigan, Stitched Velvet Bedding

There are tons of gift ideas, so if you couldn't find gifts for everyone during Gift Week, this is a great place to start browsing. If you would like to join, click here. And then, of course, follow me. Do you Keep?

Ah, so glad to be physically writing again, and I still got to include some pretty pictures. 

Holiday Gift Week 2013: Day 7

Small Gifts for Anyone

1. Philosophy Snow Angel - Sephora $16.50
2. Hot Chocolate - Williams-Sonoma $19.95
3. Tree Drink Charm Set - Pier 1 $24.95
4. Kate Spade Notebooks (set of 2) - Nordstrom $12
5. Everything is going to be okay Notecards - ModCloth $14.99

Still haven't found what you're looking for? Check out some more of "R's picks" through the link on the side to help get your creative juice pumping. I'm sure I will throw out a few more ideas between now and Christmas. Happy Shopping!

Holiday Gift Week 2013: Day 6

For the creative:

1. Wreck This Journal (paper bag) Expanded Edition - $13 2. A Compendium of Curiosities by Tim Holtz - Jo-Ann $24.99 3. Diamine Flowers Box Set of Ink - Goulet Pens $89  4. House Pencil Sharpeners- Crate & Barrel $4.95 5. Green Flower Cabochon Bracelet - Piperlime $28

Holiday Gift Week 2013: Day 5

With Day 5 of our holiday gift week, I wanted to take a brief moment to honor the men in our lives. While this is just a tiny look at the many gifts you can get men, I at least wanted to make sure they were represented in some way. In case you were curious, all of these gifts were given their stamp of approval by The Man.

1. Hoppy Holidays Beer Glasses - Crate and Barrel $15.40
2. How to Be a Man - J.Crew $28
3. Midori Traveler's Notebook - Goulet Pens $50.20
4. Tommy Hilfiger Passport Organizer - Macy's $50.00
5. Case Stockman Knife - Am
azon $42.10

Holiday Gift Week 2013: Day 4

We're halfway there! Get some fantastic ideas yet? Behold, gifts for the Girly-Girl!

1. Ceramic Jewelry Tray - J.Crew $19.95 2. Glitter Bug Small Flat Pouch - Kate Spade $50 3. Snowflake Pillow - Pier 1 $29.95 4. Ciate Mini Mani Month - Sephora $58 5. Cake Plate - H&M $9.95

Holiday Gift Week 2013: Day 3

So here is Day 3 of our Holiday Gift Week. Today we are looking at gifts for "The Traveler".
























1. Plaid Scarf -Banana Republic $59.50 2. Colorblock Leather Passport Case - J.Crew $45 3. City Notebook New York - Moleskine $17.95 4. Hershel Supply Co. Settlement Backpack - Nordstrom $55 5. Rattan Picnic Basket - Pottery Barn $89

Holiday Gift Week 2013: Day 2

Day two of our gift week brings us a selection of gifts for the busy mom. All available online. And these all happen to be under $30. 

1. Smash Book Baby Pack - $27.99 2. Twenty Dollar Twenty Minute Meals - Urban Outfitters $12.95
3. 5-Year Journal - Levenger $25 4. Personalized Giant Winter Cookies - Williams-Sonoma $24.95
5. Bless This Mess Apron - H&M $9.95

Holiday Gift Week 2013: Day 1

Here we are, kicking off Holiday Gift Week 2013 with gifts for the Reader in your life. The rules are: must be available online and must be under $100.

1. The Classics Collection - Barnes and Noble $80.98 2. Page Nibs - Levenger $19 3. Personal Library Kit - Amazon $13.34 4. Cable Knit Throw - Pottery Barn $79 5. Kate Spade Library Card iPhone 5 Case - Nordstrom $40

Stay tuned for more gift ideas, every day for the rest of this week. 

Next Week: Holiday Gift Week 2013

Next week is the week before Thanksgiving week. Crazy, right? So was saying week three times in a sentence.

While it is too early to start playing Christmas music (not until Black Friday, people!), it's not too early to think about purchasing the perfect holiday gifts. I am creating a holiday gift guide week to get us all into the giving mood. That's right, seven days, Sunday 11/17 (my East Coast friends may not see it until Monday) through Saturday 11/23. All presents are varying in price under $100 and all are available online. This can make your shopping streamlined and stress-free.

They are a perfect way to show love to friends and family, and the pictures are pretty, too!

Update 11/14/13

Hey everyone! I just wanted to give a quick update about what I am working on.

I have a ton of exciting posts lined up, starting with next week (more on that tomorrow). Stay tuned.

I'm knee-deep in wedding planning. It's coming along great, and is thus far, stress-free. Mostly. I will have updates on that as they happen. With pictures.

And what is by far taking up the most of my time is getting my Etsy shop ready for launch. I am going to start out with a limited amount of colors and styles, and see what YOU like best. Then I will revise and expand. Here's a sneak peak at what's brewing.

Oooh fuzzy close-up knit shots. Very descriptive, I know. But there's a lot more where this comes from!

So now I need a favor. I would love for the answer for the following two questions (answer one or both-whatever you want).

1. What warm and cuddly item would you want to see from my Etsy shop?
2. How do you feel about pompoms on hats? Fringe on scarves?

Thanks in advance. I can't wait to share this with you!

Discover Your Optimal Health Review

As some of you may know, I have been participating in the Take Shape For Life program for the past 20 weeks. I am beyond thrilled at the huge impact this has had on my life, so this review may be a bit biased. I'm trying to remain objective, but forgive me if I lose my way. This also was not on my fall reading list, but it seems like it is going to take the place of another on the list. Sorry, A Brave New World. I may never read you.

Dr. Wayne Scott Anderson has come out with a new book called Discover Your Optimal Health. The purpose of this book is a swift kick in the butt to get you, the reader, started on a journey to create the healthiest self possible. I've read a few weight loss books in my time. It's not a hobby per say, but I never really got past the reading, and if I did, it would be for a few weeks before I would give up. I was more content in my routines than motivated to be healthy.

This isn't a weight loss book. This is a book about motivation, and about how being unhealthy isn't your fault. It's easier, quicker, and often cheaper to eat unhealthily. We have stressful jobs; we have stressful lives; brownies come in boxes. You get the picture? Okay, so he is a doctor and has facts and editors and such that make it sound a whole lot more impressive. But he has a point. And the point is, it is easier to be overweight than not in this day and age.

However, this book isn't just for the overweight. That's why I said it is not a weight loss book. It's about how no matter what you are doing, optimal health should be your focus. Dr. Anderson defines this as is a healthy mind, a healthy body, getting beneficial sleep, and spending good quality time with those you love. Sounds like a dream, right? Maybe, but Dr. A seems completely convinced, and I want some of that.

Discover Your Optimal Health acts as sort of a prequel to the Take Shape for Life program, which includes his other books (The Habits of Health and the supplementary workbook) as the guideline for making a healthier you for a lifetime.

Some of the negatives for the book:

There is a lot of repetition of key phrases and stories that can get annoying, especially if you have already read the Habits of Health. I know that repetition is key for remembering, so I suggest only reading a chapter at a time, and not trying to read the whole book in one go.

Dr. Anderson sometimes seems like he doesn't live in the real world. This is specifically in reference to what is feasible for most Americans monetarily. For example, although it may be more relaxing to completely redesign my  bedroom, travel to Europe, and get regular massages, I am not made of money. And while swimming regularly is an excellent workout, I am not going to be able to install and indoor pool in my house to make this happen. A suggestion to join the YMCA would have been more appropriate.

Otherwise, I'm a huge fan. It's a great book to read if you are considering Take Shape for Life, already on the program and need a bit of motivation, or even considering any diet out there. Dr. Anderson has a gift for motivating and framing the issues, and he provides some answers on how to take your life into your own hands. It's not an all-encompassing text by any means. It is more an avenue to start the journey of shifting your life from a non-healthy trajectory to a path toward optimal health.  I can't gush enough about it. If you are looking for health, start here.

The Scrapbox

I really wanted to like scrapbooking. I've attempted it more than a few times and have come away with a few finished pages, a lot of unused stickers, and pictures with no home. If you can scrapbook, I envy you and the beautiful things you make. Since I just have too many interests and not enough follow-through, an endeavor like scrapbooking just can't rope me in for the long haul. This is why I love the idea of a scrapbox.

Here are some of the supplies I used.

To make a scrapbox, all it takes is a few hours. Mementos from your trip, event, etc go into the box and voila! Okay, so there's a bit more to it, but it takes much less time and endless creativity to make, and the outcome is still beautiful to revisit. Items that wouldn't traditionally fit into a scrapbook can now be stored with the photos and other items that you choose to include. If you choose to write or label the backs of your photos, like I did in mine, both sides are easily accessible, and you can see both sides of any postcard with ease. You could also store your mini travel journal in here, to keep my memories alive. Here's how I make mine.
 
I started with a plain old cigar craft box. Mine is actually left over from a mass of jewelry boxes I made years ago, stored into a box of craft supplies with no purpose (yet), and promptly forgotten about. Oh, and I originally painted it black, which was totally awesome (sarcasm) since I now wanted it to be dove gray for this project (cue five coats of paint). But hey, it was kind of free! If you don't happen to have one on hand, here is an option from JoAnn (I think that is where I originally got mine).

Painting plus a peak at the collage.

I purchased a 2 oz. container of dove gray acrylic paint from JoAnn and used those wedge makeup sponges to apply the paint (the paint was globbed onto a paper plate first). It was the cheapest option, and they actually sell them in craft stores, so it's not weird, right? They worked great, as long as you aren't concerned with a little paint on your fingers. I really did have to use five coats on the outside, and four coats on the inside to cover up the black paint. It will likely take you less if you start with a standard wood colored box.

I started painting on the outside and left about five minutes in between each coat for drying. I used thin coats and the paint was fast-drying, so you may want to vary accordingly. Paint tip: tape off the hinges and other hardware so you don't paint them. It makes the box hard to open and close. I painted mine, but only because I painted them the first time, and they were poorly done and black. It turned out okay, as long as you don't look it it up close. Painting brass with acrylic paint isn't the prettiest thing. You can always get new hardware, or just remove the existing hardware, if you don't like it.

On my five minutes of "downtime" between each coat, I sorted through photos and items that I wanted to put in my scrapbox. This definitely took a lot longer than it should have, because I was leafing through tickets and random food labels from my trip to Europe a few years ago with nostalgia, but it still was time efficient. I also used the downtime to put my chosen photos into clear plastic photo sleeves. This was just my way of organizing, but it is not essential to the project. I found these on clearance at Target.

The collage (after lacquer).

The last thing I did while waiting for the paint to dry was create a collage of collected wrappers on the bottom of the box. I planned to use them in a scrapbooking project, but I had only created two pages of said scrapbook before fondly forgetting all about it. I pulled those pages apart to include their memories in my scrapbox, actually. The collage only took a few minutes, and I affixed them with a glue stick temporarily.

Overall, the entire paint, collage, picture organization process took an hour and a half. But we are not done yet.

I wanted my box to look a little more professional and last for years to come. So I brought in a high gloss lacquer that I sprayed on the inside to give the box a shine and to keep the collage in place. You could also use modge podge or whatever you like. On the outside, I glue-sticked a photo that reminds me which box this is, plus adds a bit of decoration to the outside. Next time, I'd probably add some craft paper as matting for the photo to make it look a bit classier. You can be as creative as you want to with the outside and labeling. I then sprayed outside of the box to seal the photo in forever.

For the lacquer, I did three light coats on  both the inside and the outside. I left an hour in between each coat, and a full 24 hours before switching from inside to outside, obediently following the instructions on the packaging. So I didn't exactly wait that long, I waited thirty minutes between each coat and about two hours before I switched over, but don't tell anyone, okay? I'm impatient, and it turned out great. The coats themselves took seconds to do, so they didn't waste a lot of time.

Outside all lacquered up.

Some spray lacquer tips: 1. Light coats are better, because then you don't end up with a pool of shiny that never dries. This also helps things look a little more even if you miss a spot on the first go. 2. Ventilation is key. This part should be done outside or in a well ventilated area. Breathing is your friend. 3. Make sure that all important objects are away from the project you are lacquering. This should be self explanatory, but my iPhone has a couple spots that are extra shiny. Oops. 4. Hold the lacquer spray 10-12 inches from the project. This will ensure those light coats. 5. For this project, in particular, I don't recommend lacquering the hinges or the ledges where the box closes. We don't want these getting stuck together. I put little wedges to hold the box open, just in case. 6. And even though mine turned out okay, I strongly recommend you follow the instructions. 7. I should probably mention that it is highly flammable.

In the meantime, I planned out how I was exactly going to place everything inside. And before I switched over to lacquer the outside, I loaded up the inside (again, impatient).

I wanted to have some organization on the inside of my box, because I was trying to load a ton of stuff into a small box. I chose a few items to display on the lid, including the charm bracelet that I purchased and added a charm from each city I visited on that particular trip. I still wear the bracelet occasionally,  so I made a loop for it. This way I can take it out and wear it at any time (and I always know where it is).

I also wanted to put all of my business card-sized items in one envelope for easy access and so they didn't get all jumbled in the bottom part of the box. There were a few different ways I could do this, but I decided to make a shirt collar envelope. This is really easy to make, I cut out a strip of paper that was twice the size of the cards that I wanted to include. I put all the ones inside the paper to measure, and then folded it in half horizontally so it covered the cards completely. I then folded the sides backwards, so they are sitting behind the cards. I cut vertically down the center front of the paper, and folded the

two pieces downward and sideways to form the collar. I trimmed the back piece of paper down so it was not visible, and trimmed the sides (that are folded backwards) so that they weren't bulky or noticeable. I then used a long strip of washi tape around the bottom of the envelope (front and back) to hold the envelope together and look kind of like a shirt. I put an extra strip of regular tape on the back top to hold the sides in. I then used double sided tape and a glue stick to attach the envelope to the lid.

Close up of the inner lid, completed

I used the glue stick/double sided tape combination (just in case) to affix all of the items that I wanted to display on the inner lid of the box. I then used washi tape to add a bit of decoration. If you really want to purchase those adorable scrapbooking stickers, the inside lid of your box is the place to put them. I would modge podge or put a clear gloss over them to keep them in place and pretty for years to come. It saves money because you only need a few of them, and still allows you to be creative. See, I put one of my many stickers on the inner lid for decoration.

Finally, it was time to load it all in. I probably needed a bigger box, but it fit, and for that, I am happy.

Inner organization

Added a few last minute maps and brochures

The entire time spent loading up the inside and lacquering (not including dry times) was a little under an hour. So, overall, this was a two and a half hour project. Take that, scrapbooking!

So, that is my scrapbox of my European adventure a few years ago. You could do one per year of your child's life, or make a newborn box per kid, complete with rattles, baby documents and that cute little hat you they wear when they come home from the hospital. This is my go-to for now on. And if I have just photos I want to through together for memories? I get a standard no-frills photo album or go to shutterfly.com for a cheap alternative to the scrapbook.

And I may have made up the majority of the words in this post. That's part of the fun, right?

My Insignificant Grammar Rant

Everyone has something they believe in strongly. For example, I've seen countless posts on Facebook and Twitter about the government, the latest awards show, or Sunday's game. Here's my declaration of belief: I believe strongly in the Oxford comma. If you aren't sure what that is, look at the second sentence of this post.

Or at this sentence: I'm obsessed with office supplies, stormy ocean colors, and nail polish (from the About Me tab at the top of my page). Somewhere in the course of my school years, the comma before the "and" in a list of 3 or more subjects became unnecessary. It upsets me, confuses me, and I reject this change completely. See what I did there?
 
Now, I'm not a grammar expert by any means. I write conversationally and speak in run-on sentences that sometimes just trail off. I rarely correct others' spelling and grammar, unless you are one of my younger siblings, in which case, it is on. Okay, and I sometimes correct celeb's tweets and then change my mind and delete, not wanting to be that girl.

This change really did confuse me. One year they taught it, the next they didn't, changing the rules of my Language Arts class forever. For a long time, and sometimes still, I used it part time, depending on which part of my brain I was channeling. Seriously grammar, you can't do this to me! It's like Ziva leaving NCIS, why???

I list things often, you may have noticed. Commas are my favorite punctuation (followed closely by the parentheses). So that's what I believe in. Pretty profound, huh? And you thought this was going to be another controversial rant. We try to avoid that here.

Note: Via Wikipedia, it's called a serial comma. Take a look here at some of their examples on ambiguity that omitting this comma can cause. Or don't. We aren't about pressure here.

Inspiration 11/10/13

Fall Recipe Friday:Chicken Black Bean Sweet Potato Enchiladas

So I'm going to try something a little different today. Fall has some of the most amazing flavors, as I am sure all you pumpkin spice latte junkies know, and I have the perfect recipe that will satisfy all your desires for fall yummies. And since I totally can't eat it right now because I am in strict pre-wedding diet mode, I'm going to share. And yes, I made up this recipe all by myself, after tweaking so many other recipes to my liking. You may be able to tell that I've never written a recipe for others to read. Shhh... It's okay.

Just a warning, you are going to want to make these in large batches (although my batch should feed six normal eaters) 1. They are that delicious, and taste just as good, if not better, reheated. 2. That's a good thing, because they take forever to make if you are starting with chicken and sweet potatoes that are uncooked.

They are flavorful, hearty, and I am sure you can see how you can cut down the cooking time by using this recipe to jazz up your post-Thanksgiving leftovers.

Ingredients:
-16 oz. mild salsa-home made or store bought, have fun with it, it can really change the flavor!
-1 15 oz. can of black beans
-6 cloves minced garlic
-1 lime or lime juice
-2 cups smashed or mashed cooked sweet potatoes
-1/2 tbsp. cumin
-1/2 tbsp. chili powder
-1 lb. chicken breast, cooked with salt, pepper, and garlic, and then shredded (or cooked turkey, yum!)
-salt and pepper (to taste)
-12 tortillas
-shredded cheese (mexican blend, cheddar, or monterey jack-your preference)
-light olive oil for pan
-1/2 cup chopped roasted green chiles (optional)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

The filling is assembled in three separate parts.

The black bean part:
Drain black beans and mix with the lime juice and 3 tbsp of garlic in a mixing bowl.

The chicken part:
In a separate bowl, mix shredded chicken and half of your salsa.

The sweet potato part:
In a third bowl, mix sweet potatoes, cumin, chili powder and chiles (if you are using them).

Pour half of the remaining salsa in the bottom of a large baking dish. Heat a large pan with some olive oil and garlic (optional), and soften each of the tortillas, one at a time, on both sides. Then dip the tortilla in the dish of salsa to make sure it is wet, this is important so you don't have any crispy bits (I'm sure that's the technical term) on your enchilada. Then layer a bit of each of the above parts equally (1/12) into the tortillas. I like layer mine with sweet potato, then black bean, then chicken, but I am sure it won't matter if you mix it up. Place them in the baking dish once finished.

I pour the rest of the salsa over top, and add a healthy layer (meaning-a whole heck of a lot) of cheese on the top.

Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly.

These really are filling, and cover such a complex variety of flavors. And yes, I have done it with leftover turkey and the Thanksgiving sweet potatoes, and it was a success.

I don't currently have pictures, because that would mean me actually eating this awesomeness, but I promise you, it requires a fork (or a shovel). I am saving my calories for this cake tasting that is coming up... Have a great weekend!

A Note and Inspiration 11/6/13

So I had the rest of this week scheduled out with an awesome craft adventure and a book review. My awesome craft is almost finished, however it requires a little bit of time outside, since aerosols and asthma don't mix, and shockingly, it will not stop raining in Portland this time of year. I'm not sure what I was expecting... but there's a slight delay in the final product. So hold that thought.

The book review that I was hoping to do was on Allegiant, the third and final book of the Insurgent trilogy. Well, I read it. And I have decided that there is no way I can do a review without giving something away, and that just will not do for those who haven't read the books, but may in the future. So... here's a pretty picture. I will come up with something awesome for you tomorrow. 

5 Tiny Notebooks-Cute and Functional

We are halfway through Notebook Week, which means it is probably time for me to share some of my favorites. Small notebooks have a ton of different uses. Not only are they portable, but they are just plain adorable. Oh, and since this is me we are talking about here, all of them are fountain pen friendly. And I might as well add that I own all of them except the Field Notes, so if you are really curious, I will share what I do with them (and if you are not curious, you will have to do some skimming). The links go to gouletpens.com, my favorite pen and notebook retailer, but they are available other places as well. Let's get down to it.

1. The Leuchtturm 1917 Jottbook. About 3.5" by almost 6". 30 sheets. So I have a bigger version of this, and the paper is infinitely better on the larger version, which almost made this little notebook a disappointment. I can only write on one side of the page with my pen, unlike the larger version, where I have no problem. However, it's bound so well and is so adorable, that I made it work. It also has a lot of the other Leuchtturm benefits, like a table of contents and page numbering. It's being used as a pattern book, which is probably better that I only use one side anyway.

2. Field Notes. 3.5" by 5.5". 24 sheets. While their standard brown package is very much in style right now, they also release limited edition colors every season. I would love to sign up for their yearly subscription service, because I am a nerd like that, but even I don't need that many little notebooks. I don't currently own one of these, but I am a fan nonetheless. They come in packs of three.

3.  Apica CD-5 Notebook. 2.8"x 4". 36 sheets. So this notebook is the tiniest of the bunch, and I love it. It comes in a variety of colors, and yes, there are bigger sizes if you want (I do! I do!). I haven't pinpointed an exact use yet, but it would be perfect as a tiny travel notebook for a week-long trip, or a quote book, or a great way to tell someone how much you care. These also would make great, inexpensive gifts. Also, there are bond offerings.

4. Clairefontaine Staplebound. 3"x 4.75". 24 sheets. So this one doesn't have the most amazing cover, but it comes in tons of colors, they have versions in cloth bound, top stapled, and wire bound, and it has the same awesome paper that's in my beloved Rhodia. This one is a crafting log, basically clocking in and out of my many projects, so I can price accordingly.

5. Midori Traveler's Notebook. 4.1" x 5.3". 40 sheets included. So I just have some of the paper inside, and it writes like a dream. If this were the only notebook I carried throughout the day, I would definitely invest in the full carrying case. It's classy, adorable, and completely customizable. It can hold up to three small notebooks inside (and yes, one of them can be a planner). There are a ton of little notebook inserts, as well as stickers, folders, etc. The one I have pictured is the Star Ferry Edition, but they also come in brown and black, as well as larger versions. Mine doesn't have lines, so it is used primarily for sketching (really horrible sketches-but at least I try!)

Any little notebooks that you are a fan of?

The Writer's Notebook

If you are a writer or any sort of creative, a notebook can certainly be a powerful tool for productivity. It's where ideas are formed, starting out as glimmers of inspiration, pieces of a dream, random thoughts that may capture your imagination. Creatives may not always be the most organized of people, but a bit of structure can be beneficial to your craft.

So I've developed my notebook system to combat "writer's block" and focus my imagination. It has been influenced by the way my brain works, as well as the writing class, Writeriffic, that I took a few months ago. I use this system for everything: the blog, my creative writing, and crafting. Here it is:

1. The Topic List. The first 10-15 pages of the notebook are for your areas of expertise. What genres do you like? What experiences did you have that could maybe one day be included in your work? Who has impacted you? This is the space for merely a list of uncensored topics that you may one day want to use. Every once in a while, rack your brain for anything you can think of that would be interesting to you, and put it here. Then, whenever you are looking for a new topic to brainstorm, you have your list ready.

2. The Inspiration Section. This can be a folder, a file on your computer, or just random things written and pasted directly into your writer's notebook. In here you will put words, quotes, pictures, newspaper articles, anything fascinating that may one day inspire you to create something. Feel free to get as crazy with this inspiration as you want. Who knows, your next murder mystery might have your protagonist reading about the effects of meditation on the brain, even if that has nothing to do with your plot.

3. The Brainstorming Section. I know what you are thinking, "You mean all of that wasn't brainstorming?" It is, but this is a designated section for you to take and idea, and make it grow. Get out all of the details. Don't censor yourself. One bad idea can lead to five good ideas. Or it can be changed slightly to make it a good idea. Make charts about the characters in your story. Write a blurb from each of their perspectives. Interview them. Bubble, chart, map your way through all possible plot points. This is where you experiment. Once you have some solid ideas, dig in deeper. By having your story all mapped out, the writing process becomes cake. If you are an artist, this is where you sketch, play with color, break the mold. Take breaks from your ideas. Let them sit and stew in your head. Come back with a fresh perspective and start the process over.

4. Drafts. This is where you take all of the information you have amassed, and write. I can't tell you how to do this. I'm not an expert on different writing styles, I just know what works for me. You don't have to use a pen and paper for this like I do, it may be on the computer. If you do, just be careful you aren't cutting out too much. You can always do that later, once you have all your thoughts down. Editing is important, but this isn't the time to do it. Just write as much as you can, and note if you want to come back to a word or phrase. And then keep going.

5. The Editing Checklist. This is the last little bit of your notebook. Or it can be a Word Document. This goes through all of the common spelling and grammar mistakes that you make that you need to look out for. Words that you use too often, punctuation that you misuse, these items go here, so you know what to look out for when you go back to edit your work. Editing isn't it a one time thing. You should edit, and then polish and then edit again. It's not easy, but it is worth it. For different mediums, the amount you edit will be different. For example, I edit my blog very little to maintain conversational style, but my creative writing is thoroughly inspected. 

And there you have it. An organized notebook and a creating process. What system do you use to create?

The Many Uses of Notebooks

So I've been putting A LOT of time and effort into coming up with products and patterns for my Etsy shop. The problem is: too many ideas, only twenty-four hours in a day. I've decided to release a limited number of products later this month (hopefully) and then a more comprehensive shop will be open in January. I'm having a little too much fun with this.

In the meantime, I have been trying desperately to keep all of my crazy thoughts organized. This inspired me to make this week all about the notebook, my organizational must-have. There are so many things you can do with a notebook, making it one of the most versatile office product available.

One of my very favorite notebooks, a Rhodia

in graph paper. I use this one as a writers notebook.

More on that later this week!

Here are just a few ideas:
1. as a journal, writing in the life stuff
2. creative writing and poetry
3. recording your dreams
4. inspirational quotes
5. words and phrases that inspire you
6. sketches
7. doodles
8. recipes
9. keeping track of your business
10. writing down things you are thankful for daily
11. logging the books you read and writing reviews
12. travel, to keep those memories forever
13. to-do lists, grocery lists, things to remember
14. finances: what you spent/where; bank ledger
15. an address book
16. creating your own planner
17. class/book/meeting notes
18. goals
19. wishes
20. project logs
21. knitting/crocheting/sewing patterns
22. brainstorming
23. a makeshift scrapbook
24. writing music
25. not so mental math/scratch paper
26. writing letters to people, even if you aren't going to send them
27. space planning
28. random, perfect thoughts
29. diet and exercise tracking
30. spiritual thoughts and notes

This is just the tip of the iceberg for a notebook's use. I personally love the tactile experience of a pen and paper, but a notebook doesn't need to be just that. You could use your computer, tablet, or smart phone, if you prefer, and create separate notes or sections for each topic that you wish. For example, I have a OneNote notebook designated for crafting inspiration, with little notes how I would do it differently (or better). Do you use your notebook for anything that I haven't covered?

Self-Inflicted Wounds Review

I just finished Aisha Tyler's semi-autobiography Self Inflicted Wounds. You may know Aisha as a comedienne, co-host of The Talk, actress, voice of Lana in TV's Archer, or video game enthusiast. I bought the book, mostly because I read so many good reviews (due to the fact that I follow Tyler on Twitter) and also mostly because it was a Barnes and Noble daily deal on my Nook. Yes, I meant to say mostly twice. Oh, and I mostly think she's hilarious.

This book is a collection of short stories that showcase some of the more ridiculous moments in the star's life. Let's get right down to the review.

The Positives:  Aisha Tyler is funny AND human. I got a kick out of her metaphors and antics. The book jumps around from some highly questionable decisions (that you totally made at one point or another) starting from age 5.

On some occasions, I could understand perfectly where she was coming from, and why she made that decision. Oh, you don't respond well when people tell you what to do and do the exact opposite? Me too! Oh, you don't have a filter when you speak and sometimes say the world's dumbest things? I understand. 

There were also parts of the book that I couldn't relate to at all-and that made it all the funnier. I didn't come from San Francisco with vegetarian, hippie parents in the 70's, but that makes an excellent background for stories. Imagine it.

The Negatives: I do feel that some of her stories, to be made longer or more exciting, borderlined on preachy and redundant. I didn't feel like we needed as much justification or "feel-goodiness" after every story of high school stupidity. I felt like she didn't need to tell me, because I know. I did some of these stupid things too-new meaning to the phrase preaching to the choir, because I don't sing (especially in collegiate A Capella) .

I also feel like Tyler forgot that most Americans read at a sixth grade reading level. Either this is due to her Dartmouth education and the fact that she is well read, or the girl just wrote next to her handy thesaurus. I thought that the vocabulary was a little low-level for a comedy book. Not that I don't enjoy reading intelligent books, but I kept getting that nagging feeling in the back of my head that there is a time and a place for it. And seriously, there is no excuse for using the word "halcyon" more than once in a book, unless it's in the title. 

Overall: I liked it. Any woman who is taller than me and willing to publish super embarrassing photos of herself just to get laughs is okay in my book.  I love how Aisha Tyler was able to make fun of herself, but still feel proud of her life and accomplishments, scars and all. Don't let my negatives stop you from reading this incredibly funny book, I'd love to giggle about it with anyone who has read it.