Weekly Wishes #8 - Backpack Hunt Continues

Weekly Wishes is a link-up over at The Nectar Collective, where people share their goals and aspirations for the upcoming week, and discuss any challenges they may have faced. Feel free to check it out and link-up yours, too!

Backpacks:

I missed last week's Weekly Wishes. Mostly because I failed my goal of buying a backpack.

I did look for one in several different stores. I even almost bought one! But I have been having a difficult time finding one that I really like. It has to be large enough to fit my laptop in, and all of my textbooks and it has to be good quality, pretty and an affordable price. I know that I will continue to use this bag well after college so I don't mind investing a bit of money into it, but I do have a budget of $100. I might even be willing to go over a bit if I really like a certain backpack.

 

The only backpacks I have managed to find are either - large, ugly and expensive or small but pretty, good quality and affordable. Either way, none of the backpacks I have come across met all of my standards. It's important to me to only buy things I absolutely love.

 

Since shopping in stores has proven to be pointless I will continue this goal and begin shopping online!

 

And perhaps I need to consider different options. If I can't find a backpack large enough for my laptop and my books, maybe I need to start looking for a separate laptop carrier. However, I really don't want to be juggling too many bags. Why is this so difficult?

 

Backpacks I am considering:

 

Fashion Canvas Shop

 

 

Mooshi Leather Design

 

Kinies

Blogging:

I've been putting more effort into blogging and because of that, interesting opportunities are presenting themselves to me. I'm not going to elaborate on that statement until things are more finalized. However, I am really excited to be back to a regular blogging schedule and hope to keep it up!

 

Because I didn't manage to check off all of my goals from Weekly Wishes #7, I'm going to stick with them over the next week and I hope to have better news next Monday.

And I would love if I could get some feedbacks, comments or suggestions for my backpack dilemma! Only thing is, I want a backpack, not a messenger bag because it hurts my shoulder.

Did you manage to complete any goals lately? Tell me about it!

Thanks,
Cole

Day 20 Blog Challenge - What Do You Collect?

31 Day Blog Challenge - March

Peanuts Ornaments and Guinness Poster

What I Collect

I wouldn't say that I'm big on collecting anything.

When I was a child I used to collect stickers. I had a few sticker books that were full of all kinds. Even those Spice Girl stickers that came with gum. Since then I've passed my sticker book down to Sidney and she's used most of them on crafts which is fine by me. 

I collect concert tickets. Some of them have signatures from band members. To be honest, it's not a large collection. By the time I was legal age and could go to shows at bars I had a two year old. But my mom doesn't mind babysitting now and then and if we can afford to go, we try to make it out once in a while. Only for the best shows though.

I write journals. A lot of them, since I first learned how to write. And I've kept every one of them. They are beginning to take up a lot of space. It seems that the older I get the more I write in journals. In the past year I've filled up more than five. One day I will have to burn them, particularly the ones from high school. I would hate for someone to read them once I'm dead. 

It's actually my boyfriend who is big on collecting things! He collects Peanuts stuff. Books, toys, stickers, Christmas ornaments, stuffed animals, keychains, t-shirts, tins, boxes, and whatever else you can put a picture of Snoopy or Charlie brown on. Actually, we make sure to buy at least one new Peanuts Christmas tree ornament every year. If it's a good year we'll buy 2 or 3.

He also collects records, cds and band t-shirts. We have crates of cds, a crate of records. His band t-shirts have taken up an entire large tote, three dresser drawers and are spilling out off my towel shelf.

And he collects Converse shoes and Doc Martens.

Nick also collects Guinness stuff. T-shirts, pint glasses, posters, coasters, hats, etc. He plans on buying a mirror and a dart board, too.

I'm more of a "I don't have a purpose for this anymore, let's get rid of it!" type of person.

Do you collect anything?

Check out my previous challenges:

Day 1 - Portrait
Day 2 - Favourite Quote
Day 3 - What Makes Me Happy
Day 4 - Best Childhood Memory
Day 5 - Favourite Movies I Never Get Sick Of
Day 6 - Random Acts of Kindness
Day 7 - My Dream Job
Day 8 - Pet Peeves
Day 9 - What's on Your Life List?
Day 10 - Daily Routine
Day 11 - The Last Books I've Read
Day 12 - Something I Miss
Day 13 - Regret

Day 14 - Music

Day 15 - I am Awesome! 

Day 16 - My Biggest Accomplishment 

Day 17 -  When and Why Did You Start Blogging?

Day 18 - Where Are You Happiest? 

Day 19 - 5 Blogs I Read Regularly 

Thanks, 

Day 19 Blog Challenge - 5 Blogs I Read Regularly

31 Day Blog Challenge - March

Today I am supposed to list five blogs that I enjoy reading regularly. This is a difficult challenge, because I'm always finding new and exciting blogs to read! In all honesty, I probably read different blogs for almost an hour every night, which has been really cutting into by book reading but I don't mind.

Also, I did a blog post not too long ago about some of my favourite blogs. It was a fun little post I did for a linky party over at Erin's blog Living In Yellow. However, since I read so many blogs I thought it would be best to live five different blogs than the ones mentioned on that post, just to keep it fair.

Five Blogs I Read All the Time!

Creating My Own Career

I just recently discovered this blog, but have been reading it a little obsessively lately. I love all of the advice and tips that are offered! On blogging, business, Etsy, making money online and more. It's easy to understand, and very useful which is just what I need right now, considering I still feel like I have no  idea what I am doing.

Living In Yellow

Above I mentioned Eric's blog Living In Yellow. I like reading her's regularly because she always has something funny to say and it brightens my day. Her writing style is humourous and down to earth, and I love that.

2 Just B You

Kim over at 2 Just B You is a super, super person! Kim along with the rest of her family, have an Etsy shop where they sell handmade treasures which are just awesome. And isn't it just amazing how the entire family is involved? Not only that but Kim also helps out other bloggers and Etsy sellers. She's constantly promoting other shops and blogs. Plus, when she read my post about us having difficulty catching up on our mortgage she went all out promoting my shop Amity Arts and Crafts and because of her my items have been in numerous treasuries, page views have skyrocketed and I even made 3 sales!

The Young Mommy Life

I enjoy this blog because Tara Jefferson is an honest mom, who talks about the difficulties of parenting while also supporting other moms. She also blogs about how she gets through the day, how she handles certain things and her career, all while being honest and even talking about her struggles. She often has guest posts from other moms who also talk about the difficulties of parenting. Reading her blog makes me feel better about myself when it comes to being a mom.

Back to the Basics

If you like gardening, but are a beginner like me, than you should check out Mary's blog. She gives great gardening advice, totally awesome ideas and is very easy to understand and follow. She also sells plant seeds and books!

So there it is, a small sample of blogs I read regularly.

What are some of your favourite blogs?

Check out my previous challenges:

Day 1 - Portrait
Day 2 - Favourite Quote
Day 3 - What Makes Me Happy
Day 4 - Best Childhood Memory
Day 5 - Favourite Movies I Never Get Sick Of
Day 6 - Random Acts of Kindness
Day 7 - My Dream Job
Day 8 - Pet Peeves
Day 9 - What's on Your Life List?
Day 10 - Daily Routine
Day 11 - The Last Books I've Read
Day 12 - Something I Miss
Day 13 - Regret
Day 14 - Music
Day 15 - I am Awesome! 
Day 16 - My Biggest Accomplishment 
Day 17 -  When and Why Did You Start Blogging?
Day 18 - Where Are You Happiest? 
 

 
Thanks,

Day 18 Blog Challenge - Where Are You Happiest?

31 Day Blog Challenge - March

 

Where am I happiest?

• I'm happiest when surrounded by good friends and family.
   
• I'm happiest with Sidney by my side, giggling and happy.

• I'm happiest when I'm outside, especially during the summer.

• I'm happiest when I'm out in the wilderness. Camping, hiking, at the beach, picnics in the park.

• I'm happiest in our backyard, the smell of food on the barbeque, playing in the pool with the kiddos.

• I'm happiest in my comfy bed at the end of the day, snuggled into my blanket and pillow, with our cat Oliver at my feet and a good book in my hands.

• I'm happiest when I'm in Nick's arms, listening to his heart beat.

• I'm happiest wherever my family is. 

Where are you happiest?

Check out my previous challenges:
Day 1 - Portrait
Day 2 - Favourite Quote
Day 3 - What Makes Me Happy
Day 4 - Best Childhood Memory
Day 5 - Favourite Movies I Never Get Sick Of
Day 6 - Random Acts of Kindness
Day 7 - My Dream Job
Day 8 - Pet Peeves
Day 9 - What's on Your Life List?
Day 10 - Daily Routine
Day 11 - The Last Books I've Read
Day 12 - Something I Miss
Day 13 - Regret
Day 14 - Music
Day 15 - I am Awesome! 
Day 16 - My Biggest Accomplishment 
Day 17 -  When and Why Did You Start Blogging?

Thanks,

Day 11 Blog Challenge - The Last Book(s) I've Read

31 Day Blog Challenge - March

I Love Reading

I really enjoy reading. I read for at least an hour before bed every night. Some nights I stay up way too late reading because the book is too good to put down.

I don't have a favourite genre, or just one favourite author. However, once I start a book, even if I don't find it very interesting because I have to know how it ends! Like that Twilight book my friend Sarah forced me to read. It was pretty boring 3/4 of the way in, and finally the end became interesting.

What I'm currently reading:

The House at Riverton by Kate Morton

I'm only two chapters into this book and am having a hard time staying interested, but I've heard that it's a good book and my friend recommended it to me. But like I said, I have to finish it now.

Recently I read: 

The Digital Mom Handbook by Audrey McCelland and Colleen Padilla

This book was pretty good. It had a lot of interesting information, and I liked how it was geared towards moms. It was also easy to understand. I'm not saying I'm stupid or anything, but I don't understand all that technical talk. 
 

Misery by Stephen King

I like everything I've read by Stephen King. This was a great book, a little slow at times, but how interesting can a book get about a guy sitting in a room, writing a novel. Apparently very interesting because I loved it.

Next on my list:

And yesterday I just bought a new book because I was feeling kind of down, and the best cure for feeling down is a new book and chips. I'll probably start reading it tonight.

21-Day Weight Loss Kickstart by Neal D. Barnard, MD

So that is what I'm reading lately.

Check out my previous challenges:

Day 1 - Portrait

Day 2 - Favourite Quote

Day 3 - What Makes Me Happy

Day 4 - Best Childhood Memory

Day 5 - Favourite Movies I Never Get Sick Of

Day 6 - Random Acts of Kindness
Day 7 - My Dream Job
Day 8 - Pet Peeves

Day 9 - What's on Your Life List?
Day 10 - Daily Routine

Thanks, 

Sending Out Some Blog Love

 

My Favourite Blogs! 

I am always trying to find new blogs to read! Simply because I love reading, and I love reading a variety of topics. 

What can I say, I like learning new things.

There are a few blogs that I love reading on a daily basis.

17 Apart

 

I just recently discovered this blog through Pinterest. I love it because the bloggers, Mary and Tim, talk about a lot of things I am passionate about, which includes gardening, the environment, vintage treasures, home decor, food, DIY crafts and Etsy. 

The Complete Guide to Imperfect Homemaking

This blog is a really great read. It's written by a lovely lady named Kelly who's married with six children! I couldn't even imagine having six children! Her blog posts are so inspirational, fun and informative. Some of the topics she writes about includes parenting, green living, DIY projects, crafts, family life, organization, recipes and more. I seriously love it.

Zenhabits

Written by Leo Babauta, this blog is about mindfulness, health, becoming the person you want to be, creating good habits, minimalism and anything else that promotes a peaceful lifestyle. This is the blog to read if you're trying to simplify and better your life.

This is just a small sample of the blogs I'm really into lately.

Some mentionable blogs include: 

Darlene Nemeth, The Road to Inner Peace and Happiness

If You've Seen My Mind... I'd Love it Back

I'm So Vintage

Oh So Lovely Vintage

Book and Bird

Emma Deer

Maiedae

And of course, Living In Yellow

What are some of your favourite blogs?

Thanks, 

Day 5 Blog Challenge - Favourite Movies You Never Get Sick of Watching

31 Day Blog Challenge - March

I have to admit, I am a huge movie fan. I love watching movies just as much as I love reading books. I love movies from every genre. I love movies that make me think, and movies that don't. To pick a list of movies I never get sick of watching could be a long one, but I'll try to keep it short and just pick just nine.

Top Nine Favourite Movies (that I don't get sick of):

1. American Beauty
2. Fight Club
3. The Devil Wears Prada
4. Shaun of the Dead
5. Girl Interrupted
6. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
7. This is England
8. Trailer Park Boys
9.  Wayne's World

And basically any movie with Adam Sandler in it, except for that Zohan movie which I didn't like at all.

I mean, I love a lot of other movies but these are just the ones I don't get sick of watching. Like, I love 1930's gangster movies, and 1950's horror movies but I couldn't watch the same one over and over again. Same with pretty much every animated Disney movie, especially Pixar.

Check out my previous challenges:
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4

Thanks, 


P.S. - I can't believe I forgot Moulin Rouge! I want to watch it right now.

Play Time is Over

Sidney - December 29, 2012

Winter break is finally over and I am so glad! I’m not the only mom who feels that way, right? ‘Cause that might look bad. But as much as I love my daughter and spending time with her and my nieces, I am all kid-pooped-out and can’t wait to get back into a more “work”-like routine.

I have a lot of things I plan to work on now that I have some time to myself. There are items I want to get up on my Etsy shop; Little Shop of Treasures. Which means cleaning them, taking pictures and editing, researching, writing descriptions, titles, tags, coming up with a price and then advertising. There’s actually quite a bit of work to this side project but because it’s so much fun I don’t mind at all and even look forward to it.

I also just want to mention that over the holidays we got up to 13 sales! It’s such a great feeling seeing the number of sales and money we’ve made. I hope to get up to 50 sales this year for my vintage shop, or more! That would be wonderful.

My other shop is coming along nicely, too. I’ve been busy making bracelets, and am pretty sure I can get it up and running by the weekend. I hope many people will take the time to check it out, and that they like what they see.

Most importantly though I want to take the time to write more. Plan out better posts for my blog, and take the time to write for myself - short stories, poetry and my novel. For as long as I can remember I have wanted to be a novelist, or at least a professional (as in paid) writer of some sort.

Well, that’s it for now!

Thanks,

Cole