Oh, How Pinteresting! #5: Leap Edition

Happy Leap Day/Year!

To all you kiddos out there turning four today, happy sweet 16!  (Ha!)

Another Wednesday.  Another link-up with Michelle!  This is the Leap {Year} Edition!

 via melissa on Pinterest

via Alanna Archibald on Pinterest

via Wendy Sullivan on Pinterest

via Lisa Jones Cowart on Pinterest

via Nicole Berger on Pinterest

via Kurty Perf on Pinterest

via Marie Sablan on Pinterest

via Ashley Daley on Pinterest

How about that last one?  What are you waiting for?  

If you want to do something, now is as good a time as any to finally take that leap!

 

Happy Hump Day, y'all!

Nail No-Go (& One Heck of a Cheesy Moment)

Source/Credit: Chloe's Nails

Can I tell you something?  I love Pinterest, and I love trying out the ideas on my boards.

Do you know what makes me sad?  When I try one of those ideas, and it fails miserably!

Oh, yes, folks!  This is the story of a Pinterest Fail.  *collective gasp*

My finger nails aren't painted often, because it's too high-maintenance for me.  They're pretty for all of two days, and then they look drab, scuffed, and chipped.  However, when I finally do decide it's time to paint them again, it's really fun for me.

(Enter stage right: a Chloe's Nails tutorial with design scissors and tape found on Pinterest)

It seemed simple enough, and I had all the supplies already, so I gave it a whirl.  

I painted my nails the night before.

I cut the tape.

I applied the tape and painted with glitter polish.

I peeled the tape, and... it didn't work.  

The tape pulled up my base color and ripped along the glitter polish.

{No picture.  I was so disappointed that I immediately moved on before thinking to take one.}

Lessons learned:

- Make the tape less tacky by placing it on my skin first.

- Paint the glitter polish and then immediately remove the tape.

I still wanted to do something fun, so I added a darker color to half of my ring fingers.

Before it completely dried, I added glitter polish...

... and brushed it sideways to blend the colors in the middle.

The color is darker on the pinky-side.  I still wanted a slight two-tone effect.

And I changed my pinky polish while I was at it.

No tape.  No design scissors.  But good enough for me!  

And in my defense, I'm sticking to one of my reasons for writing this blog.  

I should try everything, even if I don't think I'll be good at it.  

Because I might be good at it!  (Just not this time.)

It's all Trial By  fire  Sapphire.  

;-)

** This cheesy moment brought to you by Lindsay's musical theatre roots. **

If you have any other tips on how to make this work, please tell me.  

I'm determined to get those nails!

Sponsor Spotlight: Aunie Sauce

Do you know of the greatness that is Annelise aka Aunie?  You must know this saucy little lady!  Yes, she is gorgeous and stylin' and hilarious, but she is also a woman of many wonderful blogs!  Mainly, I see her on Aunie Sauce.  That's AUNIE Sauce, not Annie Sauce.  ;-)  Since I started Trial By Sapphire exactly four weeks ago, she has been incredibly supportive, and I can't thank her enough! Without further ado...

"Well herro there! I'm Annelise (it's Norwegian) and I blog over at Aunie Sauce. Apparently, though I still don't think so, I'm quite fashionable, and occasionally write things that are fun to read. I blog about style, life, love, and lots of lessons that I've learned along the way. Come give me a visit for some swanky, saucy fun."

Her other brain children are Bye Bye Beehive, No Naked Nails!, and Last Lash.  I don't know how she manages all of those blogs!  I have one, and I fall behind sometimes.

Obviously, I adore Aunie, and I invite you to join the cool club.  You can do so by visiting Aunie Sauce and showing her some love!  Tell her I sent ya!

Dear Friday

Dear Friday,

I adore thee!  I respect you too much to sing anything like Rebecca Black's "Friday," so don't fret.  Instead, I'd like to just pull up a chair and share something with you.

I didn't do anything extravagant in the last seven days, and I'm okay with that.  It's been mediocre aside from the fact that my car was hit, and I have a crack in my windshield (separate incidents!).  But forget about that for now.  Today I'm writing about my five favorite things about the last week!

Needless to say, for this week's addition of Lauren's High Five For Friday, I've had to focus on the small, yet still important, things.  And I'm using German numbers this week in honor of my friend Dixie who lives in Vilseck and Mr. TBS who longs for his next trip to Germany.

eins

Husband + Cats
You know how men can't seem to stay organized, cook, wash the dishes, or clean the house? 
. . . . .
(Seriously.)
That is NOT my husband.  I married the exception!  Every woman's dream!
I live this, people.  It's real!  #1 Husband Award goes to Mr. TBS!
And then we just cuddle the sweet life out of the kitties.  Perfection!

zwei

Starbucks Hot Chocolate Packets
Go to the grocery store and buy these now.  You're welcome.

drei

Phone Dates
The best way to pass the time on a one-hour commute is to catch up with friends!

vier

DVR
Mr. TBS and I realized that we don't even know when our favorite shows air.
We just watch them on DVR when they show up.  Thank you, DVR!  

fünf

March Sponsors!
There will be at least 11 awesome ads on my right side bar next month!
I'm gettin' legit, y'all (or so I'd like to believe).

Day of Fri, you are both the day I long for and the last thing holding me back from my weekend.  I appreciate you and all you stand for, but git outta here already!  (At least the 7:50am-6:15pm part.)  

With a most stern but loving kick in the pants,

Linz

P.S. This is me walking (read: running) away to my weekend.  See how happy I look?  No offense.

In The Absence of Grandiose Tales

HAPPY FRIDAY EVE!

Sometimes I don't have grandiose stories to tell friends when we catch up on the phone.  And with all of my friends living everywhere in the world except Houston, it makes for a more interesting phone date if I have a story.  Oh, well.  Please forgive me, friends, for my mediocre updates.  I like to just think I'm just low-maintenance/making your life easier.  ;-) 

For now, here are some little updates: The "Last 13 Things..." Edition!

The last Facebook status update I posted: "I had a dream last night about a mysterious yogi trying to swipe my new yoga mat right before class started.  What is wrong with me?!" 

The last time I talked to my awesome parents: TOO LONG!

I will fix that this weekend.

The last show I watched on DVR: The Ellen Show.

 I record and watch every single episode.

The last song I sang in public: "Grace Falls Down" at my bestie's wedding.

The next time will be at another best friend's wedding in two months!

The last blog I checked: The Kind Life

I've been hooked since June 2011!

The last film I saw that the movie theatre: Tinker Tailor Solider Spy

Honestly, I was disappointed.  Anyone else?  Superb acting, but this is obviously a movie I need to watch multiple times before I catch everything.  I'm all for psychological thrillers, but don't make it that hard to follow!

The last time I got really upset: Something cracked my windshield on the freeway yesterday.  It was the straw that broke the camel's back.  My poor Prius had already been victim to a hit and run last week, so this was one of those "Are you kidding me?!" moments.

The last person I phone dated: My co-worker-turned-beyond-awesome-friend Erin.

Wife, (almost) 31-year-old with to-die-for abs, stunning ginger (yeah, I said it), mom to a beautiful Husky, coolest step-mom, loyal friend.

The Three Little Pigs, Halloween 2010 (Erin, Laura, Linn)

The last dessert I had: Mint Cookies & Cream ice cream

I like mint.  Remember that cupcake last week?

The last time I used my credit card: Hubbell & Hudson
This one goes out to you, Miss Scholz!

The last piece of personal mail I received: A "just because" card from my former roommate and witty girlfriend Cory.  It doesn't matter how little we've seen each other in the last 3.5 years (meaning one time); she's a forever friend!  Lucky me!

She gave me a star in response to my post about my Gold Star Syndrome.

The last Etsy find I added to my favorites: Antique Bottle-Shaped Beeswax Candles

The last time I hit the snooze button: Let's get real, people.  This morning.  D-U-H.

How was that for a life update?  

You have Aunie and Jenna to thank for that! (Both of their pretty faces are on my right sidebar!)

Oh, How Pinteresting! #4: Randoms w/ Notes

Happy Hump Day!  And for all you party-ers, happy post-Fat Tuesday/hangover day!  ;-)

You know the drill!  It's time for my top ten from Pinterest for The Vintage Apple's link-up!

  And away we go!

via Brooke Krause on Pinterest

NOTE: This shot is from the film The Joneses (2009) starring Demi Moore and David Duchovny which was written and directed by my husband's good friend, Derrick Borte!  He has a new indie film in the works, and you can be a part of it HERE!

via Sarah Thaller on Pinterest

via Hopie Krause on Pinterest

via Elizabette Edwards on Pinterest

NOTE: This is my beautiful friend's precious daughter!  Isn't it adorable?!
Photo by Bluepoly Studios

via Aly Taillon on Pinterest

via Mercedes Hey on Pinterest

via K L M on Pinterest

via Cameron Sigmon on Pinterest

via Audrey Hethershaw on Pinterest

 

via Claire Kelly on Pinterest

NOTE: I'm so excited to go to New Orleans in May!

 Cheers to being halfway to the weekend!

Five Ways To Get Yourself Out Of A Funk

Last week was a weird one for me.  Nothing bad happened other than my car being victim to a parking lot hit and run, but even that didn't upset me, because the damage was superficial.

I was just... in a funk, mostly about blogging.  And you know what?  I've been seeing a lot of status updates, tweets, and blog comments about being in a rut or a funk.  Whether it's the transition of seasons or the fall-out of the holidays or indigestion (just a thought, not my rut last week), here are five ways to get yourself out of that darn funk!

Sources: HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE

1. Music.  It can literally transport to another time and place.  Turn off the TV and computer, and take some down time to clear your mind and enjoy some of your favorite tunes.  Last week, my jam was (and always is) Sara Bareilles' "King of Anything".  What a talented lady!
2. Connect with someone.  Sometimes you just need to get your social mojo going, and sometimes it helps to seek advice.  In any case, do it sooner rather than later.  Nothing draws out a funk more than wallowing in it.  Lucky for me, I have hilarious and witty people in my life who are just a phone/Skype call away (or at home -- dear Mr. TBS).  For last week's rut, I e-mailed a few of my favorite bloggers for feedback.
3. Get outdoors.  The world is too big and wonderful to be indoors all the time.  Unless it's blisteringly humid or below freezing, get some fresh air.  It's healthy.  It's free.  Have a picnic, sunbathe, or go for a run, if that's your cup of tea.  Get that Vitamin D!
4. Sleep.  When I'm in a funk, lack of sleep is usually in the top three reasons why.  Sleep is important!  Your brain and your conscious need it.  Little amounts of shut-eye usually result in the unflattering eyes-half-open look (not good on anyone), incoherent bumbling, junk food gobbling, or as I learned in my junior year of high school, odd sentences about cats on fences sneaking their way into history papers.  (No joke.  Good thing I proof-read the paper in the morning.)
5. Make a change.  Give thanks.  Try something new.  Aim to make someone else's day.  Do something on your to-do list.  Positive thinking is nice and all, but you have to put it into action for it to work.  So get movin', and change something!

There are so many other ways to get in a funk-free mood.  What works for you?  

Simply put, I've loved Chipotle since college.  This TreeHugger.com article only strengthened that love.  It is corporate social responsibility at its finest.  It includes a short video about sustainability, our future, and food production.  It aired during the Grammy Awards, but I know most people mute or fast-forward through commercials these days.

It's quite a clever animated short, and I hope you'll take two minutes and twenty seconds to watch it:

This video is awesome!  

Sustainability.  The environment.  Health.  Treatment of animals.  Our future. 

I get it.  We live in a material world that requires money for business.  None of these big companies are perfect, but I have to say that this is a major step for a food chain.  Mr. TBS and I were impressed... and then hungry.  And we wanted to go out to lunch yesterday anyway, so guess where we chose to spend that money?

 It was a lot of food!  Mr. TBS didn't even finish his plate.

 But I did, and I'm not ashamed of that (even though I look slightly apologetic)!

I'm not saying you need to be a vegetarian like me or that you should eat at Chipotle or that I know everything about the food industry (although I have learned a lot through research).  I just wanted to share that music video, because it made my heart smile to see a company create some positive change. What are your thoughts?

I found joy in an unexpected place!  I hope your day is just as joyous!

Sponsor Spotlight: Eight Six Eleven

UPDATE: 2/20/2012 at 11:50am CST
Holly is hosting a giveaway today, so that's even more a reason you should visit her!

I hope you're having a marvelous Monday!  I'll admit that sometimes I dread Mondays, but then I remind myself that Mondays can be a great clean slate if I want it to be.  Hmmm... let's see.  Be in grumpy mood or tackle the day and make it awesome?  Yeah, I choose the latter.

Today, I'm excited to introduce you to another great woman and newlywed who I've "met" through blogging this month, Holly @ Eight Six Eleven!

Isn't her family simply precious?!

Hi there, I'm Holly and I blog over at Eight Six Eleven [www.8six11.com].  I started blogging in August, 2011, shorty after marrying the man of my dreams, who lucky for me also happens to be my best friend.  We tied the knot on August 6, 2011 [hence the blog name].  I wanted a way to journal the many adventures we are sure to face as newlyweds.  These include renovating and decorating our new home, spending time [and way to much money] on our two spoiled babies, who come with four legs and covered in fur and rambling on about our all too uneventful weekends.  You will also find me writing posts about cupcakes and baking, sharing numerous photos as a photographer in the making and just plain loving life!  A special thanks to Lindsay for featuring me on her blog today!  Hope you get a chance to stop by and say hello!

Please stop by Eight Six Eleven, and check out her precious pups and newlywed adventures!

And of course, make it a great day!  :-)

My All-Purpose Cleaner Recipe

Who doesn't like a clean home?  If you're new to this blog, I should tell you that my husband and I have been working to build a greener, more conscious lifestyle.  Our "clean" lifestyle, if you will.  Over the last five and a half years, we've been interested in nutrition, the environment, and animals, but my tipping point was reading The Kind Diet by Alicia Silverstone.  Since then, we've made tiny changes here and there, and looking back, we've come a long way in the last eight months!

Today I wanted to share our all-purpose cleaner recipe.  It's so simple and inexpensive.  And even better, it's non-toxic which means it's safe for our furry babes.  (And one day, our own biological babe!)  

All-Natural Ingredients:

1/2 cup white vinegar

1/4 cup baking soda

1/2 gallon water  

** You can add lemon juice or essential oils for a scented solution.

Instructions:

1. Mix ingredients together, and pour into an empty (preferably recycled and relabeled) spray bottle.
2.  Attack stains, spills, and other dirty stuff!    

Tip #1: To avoid spillage from the baking soda/vinegar reaction, start with the water, and then add the baking soda and vinegar.

Tip #2: For heavy duty cleaning, use undiluted white vinegar.

Tip #3: As the solution dries, the vinegar smell disappears.  I promise!


Easy, right?  Here is the little bottle we keep on our kitchen counter.

So I dare you.  Ditch those expensive, chemical-laden store-bought cleaners, and save yourself some money!  I triple dog dare you.

High Five For Friday, No. 3

Happy Friday, good-lookin'!

I hope you all had a wonderful week that will propel you into one fabulous weekend.  Let's get our weekend on!  I know I could use it.  I have to admit I was in a bit of a blogging rut  time management rut this week.  TBS is not even three weeks old, and I'm in a rut!  GAH!  *pathetic cough*  I need more time in the day (and I'm not even a mother yet).

Anyone have a magic wand I could borrow?  My childhood stole mine. 

I showered some blog love on some pretty special gals yesterday, but the comments I get from all of you make my day too.  And I don't know if you've noticed, but I reply to every single comment so long as an e-mail address is available to reply to!

But enough about my rut!  

On to my highlights for my link-up with Lauren @ From My Grey Desk for...

 UN*

This happened at work yesterday.  To turn down chocolate and mint would just be plain stupid, and I, dear readers, am not stupid.

DEUX*

I ended my three-week streak and made it to bed before midnight on Wednesday.

TROIS*

I adore my blog friends.  Please see my previous post.

QUATRE*

My husband's wit.

We don't cuddle often, because he runs hot, and I run cold every minute of the day.  So I've gotten crafty with how I can cuddle.  I rest my head on a pillow next to him on the couch.  I can hold his hand and relax without making him hot and uncomfortable.  This was our exchange last weekend.

(setting up the pillows on my side of the couch)

ME: I'm going to faux-cuddle you.

(without skipping a beat)

MR. TBS: Faux-kay.

CINQ* 

Did you happen to notice those new social networking buttons at the top of the page?  

I made those!
*curtsy*

I'm no graphic design pro, so these made me straight-up GIDDY to the point of ridiculousness.  

* Feel free to forget my attempt at sounding cultured with my French numbering.

Now move along and enjoy that weekend that's calling your name!

Thankful: Blog Friends

Today I am thankful for: new blog friends and all of the advice that they so willingly give to a newcomer and my "little blog that could".




Jessica @ Lovely Little Things,

you've been nothing but kind, positive, and encouraging since we "met."  I adore you.

Annelise @ Aunie Sauce, 

your sass and advice pushed me through my rut, and I still wish you lived in Houston.

Michelle @ The Vintage Apple, 

you've championed the daylights out of this little blog.  Thanks for spreading the love!

Michelle @ Texas Tanners, 

just like first love, one never first forgets her first sponsor.  Thank you so much!

I just wanted to give credit where credit is due!  

How could anyone ever create a blog without blog friends... and HTML tutorials on Google?