Saturday Shop Hop: Summer

Welcome to another Saturday Shop Hop!  Last week's theme was Silver.


Here are a couple of the fabulous items that linked up!

Bonn Bonn Boutique

 Cloud Nine Designz

 My Cents Of Style

The Rogue Baby


This week's theme:  Summer

Link up any and all of your summery items!  Nothing summery in your shop?  Link up anyway.  

Next week I'll be choosing a couple of submissions to display!

Be sure to visit each other's shops, and if you have a spot on your blog, be sure to post our button!  The more we share the hop, the more visitors we all get :)  Thanks all!

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Want to co-host a hop?  Email stuffilove.and.mimibaby@gmail.com!

A Truly Great Post

Have you had the chance yet to meet Chelsea of Yours Truly?  If not, you're missing out!  She is a very sweet woman, and happens to hold a top spot on the sidebar this month!  Here she is to tell you a little about herself:

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1) What is the name of your blog:

 Yours Truly 

2) How did you come up with the name?: 

I wanted something that was simple but had something to do with me. I was thinking Just Chellie or Simply Chellie maybe, but then I went to sign an email off at work with "yours truly," and was like, that's it!! 

 3) What do you blog about/ where do you find your inspiration?:

 I blog about anything and everything that is relevant to me and my life. I have everything from what I wore posts, blog design posts, random posts about semi-exciting things I did recently and tons more! That makes me blog sound really uncool haha. Just go see! I get my inspiration from all of the other amazing bloggers I follow!

 4) Do you have a shop?:

 Nope, hopefully in the future when I move back to Canada, shipping from New Zealand is far too expensive for right now.

 5) What is your favorite post from your blog?:

 Probably my blog design giveaway post...because who doesn't want to win a blog design!! It's so exciting. Plus it's my first giveaway. Go enter! 

6) What is your favorite summer activity?:

 Kayaking! The past six years I have worked at a kid's summer camp, and it is THE best job ever, hands down. The last few years of that, I have been a kayak instructor. Being out on the water on a sunny day is amazing. 

7) Is there a food you absolutely can not stand?:

 I really don't like raisins...but I wouldn't like throw up if I saw them. I'm not an onion fan either, but will still eat them if they're in something. So I'm not really sure what to answer to this...I'm pretty okay with most foods. Any animal fat makes my stomach turn though! I cut the fat off everything I eat, the texture just disgusts me!

 8) What type of music is most often playing at your house?:

 A lot of New Zealand music, reggae styles, a bit of dubstep...that's all my boyfriend's music though. He has quite good music taste. If I were in charge of the tunes it would be Carly Rae Jepsen (SHE'S FROM MY HOMETOWN BY THE WAY. HER DAD WAS MY PRINCIPAL IN HIGHSCHOOL!!! I feel the need to tell everyone this) and Justin Bieber. I personally like songs with good beats that I can dance and sing to. I don't really care if it's lacking in depth and emotion, haha. If I'm not listening to that stuff, then my genre of choice is probably Indie/Alternative. 

 9) What is one thing you wish you could tell other bloggers?:

 TO TURN OFF CAPTCHA ON THEIR COMMENTS!!! I cannot stress this enough. When that captcha pops up....I don't even want to comment anymore. It drives me nuts! 

10) Are you working on any special projects right now?:

 Yes! I have just decided to start doing some blog designs on the side. I did my whole own design and have been into graphic and web design for years and years (I'm pursuing it in school even!), so I figured it's about time I put my skills to good use. I have a lot of fun designing blogs as well, and want to create something that is affordable and perfect for the person I'm making it for. If you need/want a new blog design, please send me an email at yours.truly.chellie@gmail.com and we can definitely work something out! 

11) Tell us a little about you: 

I am from Vancouver, Canada but I'm currently on a year and a bit long adventure living with my cute Kiwi boyfriend in New Zealand. We did a trip through Europe together for 2 months before we headed over here, and it was amazing. I work for a skin cancer screening company....GO GET YOUR SKIN CHECKED! It's a real thing guys - I send many, many reports to people in a day that tell them they have skin cancer of some form. It sucks. But I like my job otherwise, haha. As previously mentioned, in Canada I was/have been a kid's camp instructor for six years, it's the best ever. I eat a lot of edamame, I like blogging, making new friends, I LOVE cats..like creepy cat lady styles, Hello Kitty = my favorite. I don't have any kids or pets but I definitely want both in the next few years (don't tell my boyfriend the kids part...he'll be scared haha). Oh yeah, I'm 21. Still young, but sometimes I find myself longing for the "adult" life. I want my own house, badly. 

12) If money were no object, what would be your dream car?:

 An Echo maybe. I like small cars. My boyfriend would kill me for saying this haha. I honestly don't care about cars, just give me something that runs. It's a plus if it looks alright. 

13) What's your favorite thing on Pinterest?:

 Everything. All the DIY stuff maybe....so many amazing ideas. And food. And clothes. I'm addicted... see here. 

14) Which Facebook meme has made you laugh, lately?:

 All of the "condescending Wonka" ones. And the ecard ones. My favorite one that I recently saw was "It's so hot when you wear your pants halfway down your legs" said no one ever. Hahahah how funny is that? Maybe it's just me... #crazy #usinghashtagsinablogpost #what? 

 Twitter Facebook Pinterest Bloglovin HelloCotton Instagram

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Told you she was fun!  So go check out her blog, see some of those fun Pinterest ideas, or drop her a note on Facebook!  Glad to have you with us for July, Chelsea!

Getting To Know You: Hobbies

Welcome back to the Getting To Know You linky-party! Each week we'll be posing a series of interview-style questions for you to fill out and link back up.  Feel free to include photos if you'd like - the more creative you get, the more we'll all get to know about each other.  Each week will have a different theme, so we can learn all about each other.  And, of course, if there are any questions you don't feel comfortable answering, go ahead and leave them out.  Here's how it works:

1) Copy the questions below.
2) Fill them out - be creative, we want to see the real you.
3) Include some photos if you like.
4) Grab the button to share so everyone can link up.
5) Check out a few new people and make some friends!

I'm looking forward to getting to know you all!

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Getting To Know You #2:  All About Your Hobbies

1) Aside from blogging, what hobbies take up most of your time?

2) What do you consider to be your most unusual hobby?

3) Do you have any hobbies that people might not expect you to?

4) What do you consider to be your greatest hidden talent?

5) Are there any hobbies that your family takes part in together?

6) Has a simple hobby ever lead you to a grand adventure?

7) What is your newest hobby?

8) What is your oldest hobby?
9) Is there a hobby you wish you had the time or talent for, but it just hasn't happened?


And my answers:

1) Aside from blogging, what hobbies take up most of your time?
Aside from blogging, I don't have a lot of time for hobbies.  I have a little shop where I make jewelry and electronics pouches (I'm splitting and moving the shop - keep an eye out for a grand re-launch in August).  And once in a blue moon I really love cooking and doing theater. I used to play my flute a lot, too, but I get it out maybe every 6 months now.

2) What do you consider to be your most unusual hobby?
Survivalism.  Hubby and I have watched so many apocalyptic movies and tv shows lately (have you seen Jericho?  you should) that we've really gotten into talking about (and even kinda preparing for) how we'd survive "the end of the world as we know it."  It's scary and fun at the same time.

3) Do you have any hobbies that people might not expect you to?
I'm still a newbie, but Hubby is really drawing me into the world of Sci-fi.  Anyone who knew me pre-marriage would be shocked.

4) What do you consider to be your greatest hidden talent?
I'm not sure I could call it a "talent" but most people are surprised to learn that I have a degree in acting.  I haven't had much time for shows, lately, and I can be deceptively shy.  But I've done my fair share of work on (and back) stage.

5) Are there any hobbies that your family takes part in together?
Gardening.  Going along with the survivalist theme we're doing lots of experimenting with growing food (not so easy in this 100+ degree KS heat!) and the kids love to help dig in the dirt and pick fresh veggies from the garden. 

Picking cherries, fighting over the watering can, helping prepare buckets - even baby sis wants to help dig!

6) Has a simple hobby ever lead you to a grand adventure?
I'd say most of them have.  I got to spend a whole summer at the Globe in London because of my theater 'hobby,' preparing for the end of the world has significantly changed the way I view "stuff" and how I prioritize my time and my things, and my little shop (and this blog) have led me to meet so many amazing new people!

7) What is your newest hobby?
Survivalism.  Sci-fi.  Austrian Economics.  All the stuff my husband has brought into my life.

8) What is your oldest hobby?
Theater.  I've been acting since the second grade.  My mother was an opera singer and both parents have spent significant time on the stage, so I guess I was born into it.  My sister was theater major, too (and now we're both stay-at-home-moms -- but we read a dramatic bedtime story!).   Here are some of my more recent performances:

A nun (along with my mom) and party-goer in Sound of Music, Martha Cratchit in Scrooge: The Stingiest Man In Town, Kate in Taming Of The Shrew, and Cecily Cardew in The Importance Of Being Ernest

9) Is there a hobby you wish you had the time or talent for, but it just hasn't happened?

I wish I were a better cook.  I've loved food since I was a kid (can you tell?)

I do pretty well in my little kitchen - considering that I didn't start cooking until college. I know my way around a decent bechamel and I'm queen of fancy mac'n'cheese.  I'm tackling the challenge of gluten-free-baking one moist cake at a time.  But I did actually consider going to culinary school (before we had kids) to learn how to make fancy cakes and combine unusual ingredients.  In the meantime, I'm happy to come up with these sorts of confections in my free time.

Also, I'd love to be a runner.  The idea of taking off on a 20 mile trek is so appealing to me.  But I can barely make it a half mile before I'm gasping, and my bad hip hates me the next day.  Something to work up to I guess :)

Wednesday Wander: Bloglovin/Hellocotton/Google+

It's Wednesday! Which means it's time for the Wednesday Wander!

This week we are linking up our Hellocotton/Bloglovin/Google+ accounts.  

Here are the rules:

 

1) Add your Hellocotton/Bloglovin'/Google+ info to the linkup (feel free to link up all 3, just specify).

2) Check out a few other people.

3) Leave a hello or two.

4) If you've got a sec, share the wander.

5) Grab a button if you've got somewhere to put it!

That's it!  Thanks guys!

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Want to cohost a Wednesday Wander?  email stuffilove.and.mimibaby(at)gmail(dot)com

 

Tuesday Tutorial: Second-hand Dresser Redo #2

We had such success remaking little brother's dresser that big brother begged to have his done, too.  We'd bought his off Craigslist before he was born, and we'd already sanded and stained it once.  But the top had been roughed up a bunch from toys and sippy cups and there were places where the wood-filler didn't take the stain too well, so I was more than happy to give the dresser a new look.

I've been talking a lot with Big Brother about what he wants his room to look like in the new house.  I happened to have this photo canvas lying around (I printed it on a whim when canvases were on sale).

He loved it and now he wants a whole collage of kite canvases on his new wall.  In the meantime, we decided to paint his dresser to match, and I'm also working on updating his curtains to keep with the blue and red theme.  So here's how it all went:

1) Remove all drawers and sand dresser and drawers

No knobs to remove on this dresser!

 2) Prime dresser and drawers

The dresser was dark and I wanted to paint it a lighter/brighter color so I knew I needed to prime it.

Lesson Learned:  

Never store paint in a hot garage.  By the time I got around to using the primer, something had gone wrong with the paint.  All I got was aerosol and even when the paint stopped spraying I only had a thin layer on my dresser and drawers.  I was too lazy to buy more paint, but now my dresser has a slightly mottled texture.

3) Spray on paint

This time I  was more careful about applying the paint in thinner layers, so I greatly reduced the amount of dripping from what I experienced on the previous dresser.

Lesson Learned:

Be sure you cover all visible layers.  I forgot that two thin strips around the front edges would not be covered on the inside by the drawers.  I'll have to go back in and add more paint later because they are really splotchy at the moment.

 4) Return drawers and enjoy!

I was thrilled that the new dresser even matches his current wall decorations, though they won't be coming with us to the new house.  Big Brother is thrilled with his new furniture and eagerly awaiting the rest of his bedroom accessories.  And I'm thrilled that we got away with decorating so cheaply!

 

Stuff I Love: Hoover Steamvac

 source

Whoever decided that carpet belonged in a dining room obviously did not have children.   However, we have both a carpeted dining room and several small children.  Based upon his dining-room performance alone, we're pretty sure little brother could qualify for Major League Baseball.  We've found some of his dinner under the living room couch - and he never left his seat.

This is part of the reason we love our Hoover Steamvac.  Originally suggested to us by a friend who was simultaneously potty training a toddler and housebreaking a dog, we weren't surprised when it performed excellently in our own high-mess home.  We love it for potty training accidents, we love it for post-spaghetti-night cleanup --- and we love it for the "what was I thinking when I gave the kids blueberries for snack then ran downstairs to check a recipe" disasters.  To his credit, big brother tried to vacuum up his mess.  And bless his heart he simply hasn't lived long enough to know that vacuuming blueberries just makes the mess worse. 

So here it is - Hoover Steamvac vs. blueberry stains.

 Eeeeek - how will we ever get these out?  First line of attack - baking soda and vinegar.  We usually use Resolve, but we were fresh out.  Great as the Steamvac is, it's a good idea to Resolve first.

 She has no idea that Mommy is upset about her floor.

 Fortunately, it was relatively well contained.

 Isn't he the best?  The Steamvac isn't the lightest tool on Earth, so hubby often has pitty and cleans for me.  That said, even as a small woman, I can carry it up and down the stairs if need be without too much trouble.

 Gross.  We steam clean every 2-4 weeks and the water comes out looking this brown (or worse!) every single time.  Makes me want to shampoo every day!  No carpet in the new house, please!  (but we won't need to ditch the Steamvac when we finally have wood floors - it does a bang-up job on upholstery, too!)

 As clean as cheap, builder-grade carpet will ever get.  Thanks, Steamvac!

The only flaw I've found with the Hoover Steamvac is that it would occasionally mysteriously stop sucking up water for seemingly no reason.  I'll confess, we lost the manual.  It's possible it addresses the issue in there.  But after much Google-ing, we discovered the two main reasons ours won't suck. 

1) This little plastic flap on the water tank is out (hubby claims it has something to do with the hose attachment).  If the flap on the far right there looks like this, your Steamvac will not suck up water.

 If it's in line like this, you're good to go.

2)   The lid has to be on just right.  Make sure you start with the section opposite the filter, then shut the filter side.  If you start on the filter side, the back hinges won't properly lock, and the vacuum won't suck up water.  

And that's it!  If you've got pets, small children, or just happen to think that carpet is as gross as I do, this is the tool for you!  And in the long run, at a couple hundred dollars, it's a LOT cheaper than renting a Rug-Doctor all the time and gets the floors just as clean.  Happy shampooing!

Note: I was not compensated for this post in any way.