3 Easy Steps to Better Pinning

There is SO much great stuff on Pinterest! I could spend an entire day just perusing and happily repinning. But as you might have noticed, there are some real duds on there, too. Have you ever tried making "The World's Easiest and Delicious Meatloaf in Under 5 Minutes" only to find out it is super complicated and kind of gross? Yup! 

So my friends, to avoid this kind of Pinterest disappointment, follow these three quick and easy steps to better repinning:

1. Always click on the pin! Sometimes pages aren't there anymore, the link is wrong, or it simply isn't as described. Just take two seconds, click, and if it works and it looks like something you want to hang on to, REPIN.

2. If it is a recipe, click on the pin and check the COMMENTS section of the post. If there are no comments, then it is a gamble but usually there are and they can be super helpful and honest. If 20 people write and say they just can't get that no-knead bread to rise, chances are it is not a great recipe. There may also be tips on how to make the recipe better or more healthy so it is a win-win.

3. If it is something you would like to buy, click the link to see if it goes to a store, if it is still available, and if it is in your price range. Sometimes I will just repin something because I like the photo or just want something similar BUT if it is something I am pinning because I would really like to own that exact thing, I click first.

Do you have a favorite "repinning" tip? I would love to hear it! Happy Pinterest-ing! xo

fave (free) fonts: mtf

Ready to test drive your new font skills from yesterday's post? Run, don't walk, to mtf, an absolute treasure trove of fun free fonts. If you are interested in using them commercially, her rates are VERY reasonable! $5 for one or $99 for ALL of them.

Enjoy! xo

p.s. Some of her fonts fall into a category called "Dingbats" which means that instead of letters, each keystroke with deliver a graphic. The little bunny in the MTF Bitty Baby is my fave!

YOU CAN DO IT! finding and using new fonts

Did you know how incredibly easy and quick it is to download and install a new font onto your computer? Also, there are literally thousands of super cute and useful fonts out there for FREE. (Note: Some are free only for personal use so you will want to read the license info if you are thinking about using it for a commercial project.)

One of my all-time favorite FREE (for personal use) fonts is Ali Edward's (of Creating Keepsakes fame) official handwriting font. You can find it here... just scroll down until you see FREE FONT.

If you are a Mac user:


1. Click on the font link to download it into your DOWNLOADS folder.

2. Go to your DOWNLOADS folder and single-click on the file (in this case CK_Alis_Hand_Official.ttf). 

3. Click the INSTALL FONT button and you are good to go.

(Note: If you have any applications running that will use the font, i.e. Microsoft Word, you may need to quit out and start the program again before the font will be available.)

If you are a PC user, please go to this page on the Microsoft site for super quick and easy directions on how to install (and uninstall!) fonts.

What is your favorite free font? Include a link in the comments below!

Never tried finding one before? Try a google search for something like, "free handwriting font" or "free Christmas font." You will be AMAZED at what is out there. xo

blog crush of the week: The Happy Family Movement

I first discovered The Happy Family Movement blog through their "Summer Bucket List" on Pinterest. As soon as I clicked I fell in looooove. Besides the fact that their website is absolutely adorable, it is chock full of great stuff for families. Did I mention that they are also professional photographers? Prepare to swoon.

This is a HUGE website so I thought I would point out two of my favorite spots for quick and easy access to the goods:

1. From tickle tunnels and greener living to "road trippin' bucket lists": Simple Ideas

2. From water balloon fights and backyard campouts to firefly catching: Summer Bucket List

Some of our very own Summer '12 "Bucket List" moments!

K.I.S. Idea #2- Receipts

Do you have a wallet or envelope that looks like this? Stuffed with REALLY important receipts and tickets that you MIGHT just need one day. Break free from the paper madness! Grab your camera phone and take a quick picture of the receipt. Make sure it is readable and that you include the whole thing (for long ones, go crazy and take two pictures! It costs you nothing.). Granted there are some stores and businesses that require you to have your original receipt... but I figure that at the very least having a snapshot of my receipt, my coat check, or my ticket from the tailor is better than nothing.

p.s. If you want to be on the Creative Geekery varsity team, make a little folder on your phone called "Receipts" and file the pics in there for easy access. For a refresher on how to do that on the iPhone, refer back to K.I.S. #1!

pin it: Printable Paper for FREE

Image from www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/1990/11/14

I was a Calvin. (Sorry, mom!) My son is a Calvin. So I am pretty sure that now makes me the "Conniption Queen." 

Let me set the scene for you: 
Wednesday night around 7:30. 
Just tucked the little one into bed. 
Husband is out of town for business.
Fourth grader is in sudden, desperate need of graph paper with three lines per inch on letter-sized paper.
WHAAAAAAT?

As he knows, lack of preparation on his part does not constitute and emergency on my part but that doesn't tend to slow him down. What he ALSO knows is that I am pretty computer savvy so once again, mom + google to the rescue. This is when we discovered www.printablepaper.net!

This is definitely a site to pin or bookmark! With over a THOUSAND different types of paper available to download for FREE it will save your kiddo's butt more than once. Now here is hoping you have computer paper and ink in the printer... xo, the Conniption Queen

app love: Amazon Mobile (do NOT go to the store without it!)

It would be easy for me to write an entire blog about my love for Amazon. (Oh, Amazon. We have had so many good times together.) So when they released their app I knew it would be love at first use and it was. Combined with my Prime Membership (read more about that here!) it was a convenient, yet deadly (to my wallet) combo.

But the best part of this app is less obvious than you might think. Yes, you can order pretty much anything you might need in a matter of seconds no matter where you are, but my FAVE feature is the SCAN feature in the SEARCH section of the app.

So you are at the store and you are thinking about buying a vacuum, an HDMI cord for your kiddos' Xbox, or a North Face fleece. Get that smartphone out and scan that barcode! There are two reasons I love this little barcode scanner (three if you are like me and just get a kick out of scanning barcodes. Beep.). 

1. You can do an instant price check. I was recently eyeing a screen protector for my mini iPad at Target. I discreetly scanned the barcode and discovered that I could order the SAME exact screen protector for $10 LESS. Even if I needed it urgently I could have paid $3.99 for overnight shipping (thank you Prime Shipping!) and still come out $6 ahead. I was in no rush so I hit the 1-Click Order button on Amazon and I put the protector in my hand back on the shelf.

2. You get instant access to the fabulous library of reviews and star ratings that Amazon users leave as feedback for their purchases. So even if the price is the same, you have can see what people think about what you are about to buy. It helped my husband and me decide between two air conditioners without even having to leave the store. Score!

Happy (informed) shopping! Beep.

app love Weekend Edition: FIVE GUYS

Many restaurants have tried launching apps with varying degrees of success, but when FIVE GUYS decided to give it a go, they hit a HOME RUN!

This app is attractive and CRAZY easy to use. But here is the best part: it is a HUGE time saver. For anyone who has ever been to a Five Guys, you know that they wrap your food up to go whether or not you are planning to eat right there in the restaurant. So ordering ahead, as if you are going to take it to go, really doesn't change your overall dining experience. 

Launch the app, choose whether you want to pick up your food "now" (meaning about 5-10 minutes) or later, plug in what you want (including toppings... you can even tell them EXTRA ketchup or LIGHT on the mayo), plug in your credit card (I allow the app to save my CC info but that is totally up to you), and hit order! When you get inside, skip the line, go right to the pick up area and tell them you have a web order. They will ask for your name and you are in BIZ!

Whether you are leaving the hockey rink, the mall, or your house.. ORDER AHEAD. Unless you really enjoy mingling with strangers in that weird little corner with no chairs and not enough personal space.


BONUS TIP: You pull up to Five Guys on the spur of the moment and you can see a CRAZY line inside. Pull out your phone and order and choose "PICK UP NOW." Sit in your car, enjoy some tunes, chat with your family, read my blog, whatevs... then head inside when the time listed in your confirmation email arrives (typically 5 minutes) and grab your food! Skip the line every time!

Free Printable: Disney Countdown Paper Chain!

With school vacations on the horizon, I know more than a couple of lucky families who will be making the trip south to Disney World! I think 1/4 of the fun of a Disney trip is the anticipation. Talking about which park you want to hit first, who wants to go on what ride, and most importantly, HOW MANY MORE DAYS UNTIL WE LEAVE?

I have always loved paper chains so a couple of years back I created one with our upcoming Disney trip in mind. It was a Christmas present for our boys so I put it in a shoe box, wrapped it up and put it under the tree. 

There are two files you will need to download and print. One of the files has a chain link that says "1 day left." You will only need one copy of that one. Then just print out however many copies of the other file you need and you are good to go!

File One (only need 1 copy of this!)

File Two (print as many as you need!)

Note: These are for personal use only. 8:) Thanks!

Also check out my Stress-Free Disney Series starting with Part 1: Planning!

p.s. Going on vacation or just counting the days down until summer? Click here for my printable non-Disney vacation countdown chain!

365 Project + Collect App = L.O.V.E.

You have probably heard of the increasingly popular idea of a 365 project. It really is as simple as this: take one photo each day. Now that so many of us have great cameras built into our phones, this is even easier than you might think! I am going to make it EVEN easier for you.

I decided to give this project a go last year (366 days!) and probably documented about 80% of the year. When December rolled around I quickly and easily converted this collection into a photo album for my husband, slapped a bow on it, and put the baby under the tree (more on that another day, I promise!). Not only did we end up with an incredible record of all of the big moments of 2012, we also have beautiful reminders of lots of "little moments" that might have otherwise been forgotten: an afternoon snuggle on the new couch, one last summer bloom, a last minute dinner at Red Robin with the cousins, a Sunday afternoon walk around the neighborhood.

Last year I used Instagram which I loved but I started to feel a little icky about some of their privacy issues (like when they said they were going to start selling user's photos! What? They have since decided not to.) So I started hunting around for something new and that is when I discovered an adorable little app simply called, "Collect." It features a clickable monthly calendar. Tap on the day, select your photo, give it a caption or add details if you like and slowly but surely you will build your own 2013 photo library. And if you are worried you might forget one day, breathe easy. The app reminds you with a notification that pops up on your screen! Love. It.

You can also easily share your photos (note the captions are posted as well so keep it clean!) to Mail, Twitter or Facebook by clicking the little button in the lower left.

Android user? Do not despair! I did a quick search for an Android equivalent and while I haven't tried it, the "My365" looks pretty sleek! Any Android users out there using My365 or something like it?

blog crush of the week: All for the Boys

I have a slight (read: total) obsession with blogs. Right up there with Pinterest. It is crazy to me how many thousands (millions?) of beautiful blogs are out there on every topic imaginable. So I was thinking I might share one of my faves with you each week. 

Decided to start with one that is very close to my heart: All For the Boys. I am the SUPER proud mama of two hilarious, adorable, sarcastic, kind (ok I will stop now) boys so I knew I would love this blog from the moment I read the title.

(all images in collage from All for the Boys)

From "Fort Fridays" to DIY toys to AAADORable printables (think jokes for tucking into lunch boxes) you will not be disappointed. Either way, check it out.

What blogs are you crushing on these days?

Never, ever, ever... Pay For Shipping Again!

I love to shop online. Love love love. In fact, my UPS guy and I are on a first name basis but that is another story for another day. The one thing that I REFUSE to do is pay for shipping and I avoid it at all costs (no pun intended) and I want to help you do the same!

This might be old news for some of you but I am still shocked whenever I have discovered a friend or family member has paid for shipping. Shocked, I tell you! Totally floored. So let me share with you my top five ways to avoid paying shipping and you can start shopping online like a total pro in a matter of a minutes.

1. Always go to retailmenot.com first! They are an absolute treasure trove of online coupons that users post to share the love with other shoppers. While you may not find a code that is for free shipping, you will find some kind of coupon that will save you something and make up the difference. Trust me, it is a good thing and takes about 2 seconds. (BTW, they even have an app now! Life is good!)

2. Shop at stores that offer free shipping EVERYDAY whether you spend $1 or $100. There are so many out there. Please feel free to add to this list but here are my personal faves:

• zappos.com (not just shoes but clothes, accessories, home, beauty... the works!)
• llbean.com
• nordstrom.com
• endless.com
• 6pm.com 
• piperlime.com

3. TARGET! You have probably been asked 10,000,000 times if you would like the infamous "Red Card" when checking out. If you are like me, you do not want or need another credit card BUT what you may not know is that they have a debit card that links right to your current checking account. SO easy! Not only do you get 5% off each time you use it, you get FREE SHIPPING at target.com everyday. No minimum purchase required!

4. One last shipping trick for the day. If you are lucky enough to have a SEARS nearby with a Lands End in it, you can order anything from their little kiosk at the LANDS END register and have it delivered to your how FOR FREE! So if you are making a trip to the mall anyway (twist my arm), swing in and place your order right there. Easy peasy!

5. Saved my favorite for last... AMAZON! This one is not totally free but a GREAT DEAL nevertheless. You can pay $80 a year to become an Amazon Prime Subscriber. I know, I know. You are thinking, $80?! That is not even close to free! True. But here is the fun part. You can split the subscription four ways! My mom and sisters and I have split our subscription for many years and each pay $20 for a full year of free shipping. Note: not everything on Amazon is Prime Shipping Eligible. Look for the little symbol to be sure. And if it isn't eligible, skip it and buy local!

Happy shopping! xo

K.I.S. Idea #1- One Way to Use Your Camera Phone to Make Life Simpler

If you are anything like me, your phone is pretty much always within arm's reach. Even at home! Unlike say your wallet, your dental insurance card, or the business card for the guy who swears he can rid your yard of moles. So put that baby to use! Most phones these days have cameras and if you have a Smartphone you have hit the jackpot because you probably have a pretty sweet little camera at the ready at all times. Let's put it to work to help you K.I.S. (keep it simple).

So let me back up for a minute. I am a public library junkie. I don't know if you knew that about me. I love our library so much I would marry it... If I didn't already have the best husband evaaa and the library was a man. Moving on. I am constantly looking up books and movies and often put things on reserve or request them from another library which requires my incredibly long and impossible to remember library ID.

Enter the camera phone!

Here is a library card "selfie" I took this summer after having to get up and hunt for my wallet for the 500th time so that I could reserve a lib book. And you got me. That is not my actual library card number but I didn't want anyone getting all crazy and going on a book borrowing rampage on my account. ;) So I took this pic and now I have it with me all the time. (Full disclosure: I used the Facetime camera on my iMac for that glamour shot above. Works just as well!)

If you are feeling REALLY ambitious, create a K.I.S. folder to keep things like this organized. I wouldn't do this with things like credit cards, obvs, but for lower security-level cards like this, it is perfect!

Kiddos' Artwork Piling up? ARTKIVE it!

If you have kiddos at home, you know the massive amounts of school work and art projects that come home each day. They are all fabulous and precious but they sure do take up a lot of space. And if you are slightly disorganized (like me!), you find yourself with piles of paper all over the place. The worst is when your husband ("accidentally") recycles one of these piles because he can't stand looking at it anymore (and can you really blame him?).

Enter ARTKIVE! This is one of those apps that I wish had come around about 8 years ago but I am determined not look a gift horse in the mouth! Artkive is an adorable little app currently available for the iPhone and iPad (sounds like the Android version is in the works). This app let's you snap photos of your kids work each day as they bring it home (or in one big batch if you have some catching up to do). Then you can "file" the image by child, grade and date. Genius!

A couple of tips:

1. Try to keep up with the papers by taking the pictures on a daily basis. This way you won't get overwhelmed and give up on the whole thing.

2. Be careful of shadows when taking your pics. Either take the photos outside or by the light of a window. You may have to move your body and/or iPhone to eliminate the shadows. You can do it!

3. Create a share circle! Grandparents and great aunts and uncles would love to see what your kiddos are up to in school. Just click on the "Share Circle" button at the bottom of the app and add names and email addresses. After you photograph and label the work, you can choose to simple "Artkive" the work or "Artkive and Share." I am sure your 500 Facebook friends love to see little Jimmy's scribbles but they may not want to see them everyday. Just a thought (coming from a chronic oversharer!).

4. The app saves your images on their servers as well as in your own Photo Library. COMING SOON you will be able to order prints and books of your Artkive. How cool!?

5. As hard as it might be, after you photograph your image (make sure you are happy with the way it looks) and Artkive it, try recycling some (or all for you really brave people out there!) of the artwork and papers. You will be amazed at how freeing it is to eliminate those piles of work. If my kiddos catch me in the act, I always explain to my kids that I have photographed and Artkived their work. They are totally on board!