Spring Break

So, it's been pretty weird around here.........last week Zach left for Korea.  What the what?!?! you might be saying.  Don't worry, it's not going to be that long, hopefully! Also, I got sick on like Wednesday/Thursday.  So sick that I had to take off last Friday.  So sick, that all I did Friday and Saturday and the majority of Sunday was lay in bed having feverish dreams where I was various pieces of tape.  Yes. I dreamt I was pieces of tape.......I have no idea.  Last time I was really feverish I had a dream that I was a cake and I couldn't roll over or my layers would fall off.

So yeah, that happened.

Also, I had a ton of amazing content (don't I always) that may or may not have started automatically posting because, while I was too busy worried about my tape adhesive fever dream, I didn't unschedule my half-done posts.  Sometimes scheduling posts makes me finish them and sometimes it just makes me look like a crazy person.

So, there's that.

Also, here's a picture of my poopie's little feets.  

So I'm just going to take a spontaneous Spring Break.  It's going to be family time here shortly with Easter and all.  I'm not going to be able to film and I'm not going to be able to get that quality content up so Spring Break!

I'll try to be back by Wednesday next week?  Maybe?  But go ahead and follow me on Instagram because I'll be posting a bunch over there.  

April 2015 Journaling Cards

These by far have to be my favorite set of journaling cards.  They are travel themed & vintage inspired.  I was inspired a little bit by air mail and a little bit by vintage flower overlays.

(this post contains affiliate links, read my full disclosure here.)

With Zach gone for work I was really inspired by what travel can teach us.  We've done this long distance relationship thing before but I never thought we'd have to do it again, which hit me really hard.  I think, like we did before, we'll learn a lot more about each other.  It has been so crazy to look back on life and realize where we once were and where we've come.  I know with this little experience in our life together we'll discover the same thing in the years to come.  That is why I left a lot of room for journaling on these cards.

As always I created these journaling cards in PicMonkey.  This design tool never ceases to inspire me.  Each time I design something new I feel like I learn a new technique or a new style of doing something.  Their overlays are amazing and the fonts are pretty rad.  This month I used my own fonts which is a free option (here are my top fave dingbat fonts to use in PicMonkey) to create the compass design and the United States 4x6 card.  The fonts I used were Bergamot Ornaments and StateFace.  PicMonkey has tons of stuff for free but if you update to Royale $4.99/mo or $33/year you get sooooo much more!

***link is updated now!!***

If you'e like to download these to print, click here.  As always please play nice - don't disseminate these as your own, don't sell them, and please pin this post for others to see.

Anything new happening to you in April?

xoxo, Moe

ps. Here are more journaling cards for you!  I also just listed some pretty patchwork cards in my shop.  If you want some PicMonkey tutorials, click here.

The Way We Love Our Pets

A few weeks ago my family dog passed away.  His name was Rudy and my parents got him my freshman year of college.  He was like a little furry, four legged brother to me and I am still very upset by his death.  He took me to college, cuddled with me on holidays, and always loved talking to me on Skype.  To some people this may seem weird but to our family Rudy was everything, he was as much a part of the family as a blood relative.  He went everywhere with my dad - rode on his shoulders in Lowe's and in the car, hung out a baseball practice, etc.  He had tons of neighborhood doggie friends.  He was a great cuddler and a good listener.  I'm sure we've all told him secrets that only he knows.

(photo taken by my dad, he was such a photogenic dog!)

To some, this seems weird.  Others don't grieve for their pets the way we do.  We didn't have a pet for so long and it seemed like once we got Rudy there was no other pet in the world.  It is really weird to have a thing that you care for that loves you unconditionally.  He loves you when you're sad, when you're happy, when you're frustrated.  He loves you when you don't even think he does.  To a pet you are their whole world and it saddens me to know he will no longer be a part of ours.

After he died I began to think about grief.  I realized it was a really selfish sort of thing....you're sad because you've lost something important but then you start to think 'How am I supposed to' do this or do that.  'How am I supposed to move on?'  Grieving is weird and it is even more weird when you're grieving for a pet.  But honestly, when something so tiny depends on you so much and then all of a sudden they aren't there.....its super hard to understand.

Anyway, I'm missing little baby Roodle a whole heck of a lot.  My cousin sells a line called Origami Owl.  It is a jewelry line of customizable lockets that you can fill with charms, inscription plates, etc.  The line is really pretty and I made a memory locket in memory of Baby Roo.  Some times the way we love our pets is intense and to the ends of the earth.

We all loved you Baby Roo.

xoxo, Moe

Beauty Review // Favorite Spring Make Up from the Drug Store

The snow has melted, finally, and I am so ready to bust out the make up for Spring.  I did a bit of a transition into the bright, springtime colors in my March Make Up Basket but can't wait to put together a fun spring look for my channel as well.  I'm was going through my make up to decide on what I should include in my April basket and decided to put together a really pretty collection of spring time make up in case you're in the mood to do some drug store shopping now that the weather is warmer:

For me, spring is all about the bright lip and cheek colors so I like to keep the eyes neutral.  I feel like all fall and winter long we were doing the deeper eye colors - smokey eyes, cranberries, deep reds, etc - and right now I want to lighten it up a bit with some neutral shades.  I am all over the matte look for springtime eyes so I love the Physicians Formula Matte Eye Shadow Quads (review here) because of the range of matte shades.  However, if you're looking to add some shimmer the Sonia Kashuk Eye on Neutral Shimmer palette has a great variety.  This palette has the deeper shades....if you need them.  The shade are pigmented and smooth but do kick up a bit of powder.  I love the lighter shades for a pop of shimmer in the center of the lid.

Now we're getting into the fun stuff - the cheek products.  Milani released these Rose Powder Blushes in a Limited Edition set last summer and I think the summer before that too - but these babies are permanent now.  These are two great colors Tea Rose (open on the top) is a really nice neutral-ish pink.  If you're scared of pink I would suggest this one because it's not going to be too bright pink even thought it looks scary.  I also love it because it has that slight tint of periwinkle which has to be one of my favorite colors to see in cosmetics!  The next blush is Coral Cove and this would look amazing on deeper skin tones.  It is definitely that pop of orange!  Each of these blushes is matte and really silky.  The rose relief won't go away too fast either....I have one from the original collection two years ago and it still has the rose design.

At the top of the image there are my two favorite powder highlights from the drug store, both from the Wet n Wild line.  On the left is the Wet n Wild Color Icon Bronzer in Reserve your Cabana.  It is s super light, champagne shimmery powder that reminds me a bit of the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders.  It is smooth and soft and just applies a light pearly highlight - nothing too shimmery.  It does kick up a bit of powder though but looks gorgeous on your cheek bones.  The second is the Wet n Wild Fergie Center Stage Collection To Reflect Shimmer Palette in Rose Champagne Glow (review of all the Shimmer Palettes ever here.)  These remind me of the MAC Mineralized Skinfinishes (I have the one in Lightscapade and boy is it dreamy) and kick up a lot less powder than the Color Icon Bronzer.  The Shimmer Palettes are much more glitter - they give that wet look with a little bit of fine shimmer - while Reserve your Cabana is more of a sheen - it is more reflective than it is shimmery, there are no little glitter particles.  I definitely think that the Shimmer Palettes are more comparable to a Mac Mineralized Skin Finish and the Color Icon Bronzer in Reserve Your Cabana is more like the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders.

My absolute favorite part of spring and summer is the bright lip colors.  I will keep a neutral eye and a neutral blush but go for a POW on the lips.  On the far left is a new line from Maybelline, the Rebel Blooms collection.  This is the shade Orchid Ecstasy and it is a really pretty pinky-fushcia-purple (the image makes it look really dark, but it really more of a true purple color in the tube.  These lipsticks are rather glossy and more sheer than my favorite line from Maybelline, the Vivids line.  The Rebel Blooms collection have a lot of fun colors but I chose this one because its a great, easy way to wear a purple lip with out feeling like you can't pull it off.  I love that this collection has a translucent purple cap...purple is my favorite color!  If you're down for a full, opaque bright lip I'd suggest the Maybelline the Vivids line.  Pictured above is the shade Pink Pop.  This line has a bright orange, clear top and is really fun to look at in the store.  The shades in this line are very opaque - one swipe is full color.  They are still glossy, just more full color and really comfortable to wear.  Personally I blot off the glossiness to have a bright matte lip.  Pink Pop is a true bubblegum, Barbie pink perfect for the springtime!

The next in the image (second from the right) is the new Wet n Wild Balm Stain in Redioactive...how clever.  This is my new favorite lip color.  It is the perfect bright pink, corally, red color.  I think it is really unique to the drug store.  These Balm Stains are super long wearing.  When you first apply them they have a nice gloss to them while giving your full color.  However, they leave behind and intense stain that lasts a good chunk of the day.  The stain left behind is also full color...so don't worry!

Finally, I love to play with the LA Girl Glazed Lip Paints (other colors were in my Favorite Summer Lip Colors here.)  This one is in the shade Peony and it is the perfect light, peachy-pink color. (This one was hard to photograph too, the packaging is more of a true bright coral peach color) These are really glossy and rather runny and are best applied with a lip brush.  They are a little bit sticky but I find that these lip colors last for a few hours.  Some colors even leave behind a little bit of a stain - but this one is so light you might not be able to tell depending on your lip color.

Hooray for spring time!  I can't wait to put together my April make up basket and really get back into the swing of things on my channel.  My goal is to continue with videos every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday like I was doing at the beginning of the year.  Here's to making that happen!

What is your favorite drug store look for spring?  Anything new and excited you've added recently?

xoxo, Moe.

ps.  Read more beauty related posts here.

Make it Monday // Easy Stash Busting Crochet Coasters

I am pretty confident that Spring has sprung here in North West Indiana.  I went outside on my day off a few weeks ago and it was like suddenly the world was in color!!  What the actual heck...its like my world has been covered in snow for the past 3 months....oh, wait, it was.

(this post contains affiliate links, please read my disclosure here.)

Earlier in the year I realized I hadn't picked up a crochet hook in ages.  In fact I couldn't remember the last thing I crocheted. (Funny enough the last thing that I knitted was using up the alpaca fiber I spun!)  Does anyone else go through phases of crafting?  Or phases of interests rather?  I'm all about the planners now, I guess.  But I do have a left over yarn stash that is just begging to be used up - and this Craftsy class looks really good to finish off some skeins by making some embesliments.  I thought some quick stash busting projects that would be great for a weekend afternoon but then I saw this class on Craftsy to improve your crochet techniques and I think some left over yarn could go towards that project!  I feel like there is always something new to learn even if you're seasoned in your hobby.

Anyway, here is my little stash busting project created in an afternoon.  These are super fast to work up and you can make quite a few for a gift or for every end table in your house!

Supplies : size I & size L crochet hooks, two colors of worsted weight yarn from your stash

Pattern

work this pattern in the round (and it's the simplest thing you could ever do)

row 1 : With the two yarns held together, ch2, sc 8 times in the the second ch from the hook, join with slp st in the top of the first sc, ch 1.

row 2 : 2 sc in each sc around, join with slp st in the top of the first sc, ch 1.

row 3 : 2 sc in first sc, 1 sc in next sc, * 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next sc*, repeat from * to * around, join with slip st in the first sc, ch 1.

row 4 : 2 sc in first sc, 1 sc in the next 2 sc, *2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in the next 2 sc*, repeat from * to * around.  Once you reach the first sc, using the size I hook join round with slp st in top of first sc - be sure to only yo and draw through the color of yarn you plan to use for the outer border.

row 5 : Using the size I hook, 2 sc in first sc, 1 sc in next sc, *2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next sc*, repeat from * to * around.  Join with slp st in the top of the first sc.  Trim and weave in ends.

Repeat for desired number of coasters.

I used a bright yellow and a natural beige color and I they remind me of warm, warm weather.  Even though I'm not looking to add to my stash (yet!) I'm loving all the yarn options on Craftsy!  I love trying new yarn textures...but I feel like I always buy one skein and then I don't know what to do with it....hence why my stash is super huge.

I am hoping to get cracking sometime this year on my crafty goals this year, too.  Boy I'm slacking!

xoxo, Moe

Boost Your Blog // Why Blogger isn't bad for Bloggers

I've had this blog for going on 5 years.  It has always been hosted on Blogger.  My other blogs before this - Cross My Hooks and Just Playing Hookie - have been hosted on Blogger as well.  Blogger is a fine platform for both the beginner blogger and the seasoned blogger.  Honestly, I'm sick of hearing other bloggers complain that blogger sucks and suggest that there are better platforms.  I think this gives Blogger a bad rap!  You're not an unprofessional blogger because you use Blogger, you're not a more professional blogger because you use another platform.  These traits come from your attitude about blogging and your over all website design.  

The thing I hear the most is that Wordpress offers so much freedom to do so many things.....however, do you really need all of that? With more freedom comes more room to get lost or screw something up.  With more freedom comes more responsibility.  Are you really up for the upkeep of that blog?

However, I do recognize that other platforms offer more things and different things that may be better for your brand.  For example, I do know that Wordpress allows you to create a shop hosted with your blog.  If that is for you....go ahead and do that...I personally find the Etsy marketplace to be better for me.  Anyway, here are 5 reasons why Blogger isn't bad for you:

Easy to set up for beginners 

Like I mentioned before I have zero experience with other platforms but Blogger is easy to set up for beginners....oh, and it is free.  You can create a beautiful, professional, clean blog in minutes.  You get a template editor with near complete control of every aspect on the template.  You get multiple templates to choose from - my favorite is the Simple Template because it creates the most clean look.  There are also quite a few tutorials you can find to create simple headers, widgets, HTML hacks, etc.  You can also often find free templates to upload.  Many designers also offer premade Blogger templates on etsy.  Believe me, there are quite a few - I used to offer designs for under $50!  Not to mention the main focus of Blogger is to blog so the actual post composition is pretty straight forward.

Already connected to all you're Google accounts

If you're a Google user (which, why wouldn't you be!?!?!) then your blog is connected to all your Google platforms - YouTube, Gmail, Blogger, etc are all Google derivatives.  Personally, I like when all my little things are by the same big thing.  You log in to your Google account and you instantly have access across all those platforms.  My computer stays signed in to my account and I don't have to have a separate blogging account.

You can be professional by purchasing a personal .com domain through Google

This is the biggest thing I hear from those not on Blogger - that you can not have a personal domain with out being on something like Wordpress.  Nope, I pay $10 a year for my fivesixteenthsblog.com domain and I don't have to worry about any security set up, any listings any where, or any of that.  Additionally, I have my own email for the blog (I hardly use it) but you can set up an email like info@yourblog.com .... how stinking professional is that?  You don't have to spend a zillion dollars ot have a profesh blog.

Easy to customize if you're into HTML/CSS
Another huge, gigantic, crazy thing I hear about using blogger is that your blog will look like everyone else's.  Well that is a big, fat, stinking NO!  No, it won't look like everyone else's if you don't make it look like everyone else's.  Like I mentioned in the first point above - you get access to an amazing template editor that can make even the novice blogger look amazing, with the right touches.  Additionally, if you're into an afternoon of Google searches and trial and error you can create completely custom additions to you blog.  The layout designer lets you add widgets but the Advanced CSS option lets you completely customize your Blogger blog.  And, if you're not into that sort of thing...there are hundreds of designers ready to help you create a custom Blogger blog that will look totally unique.  (Prices range of course but you're not limited to 7 layout options...ever! I promise).

You don't have to worry
You aren't in charge of the security of the site, you aren't responsible for updates, you aren't responsible for major SEO....Google is.  You don't have to have your own site manager to make sure you're site is up to date, running smoothly etc.  While I do know that many bloggers are a one man show and they probably can handle the upkeep of a Wordpress blog...from what I read, it seems like a lot, am I wrong?  However, since Blogger is owned by Google....Google does all the back door stuff for you.  You don't have to manage the entire site - you manage the design and the content.  There's not too much you can screw up there.

Can you tell that this debate really gets under my skin? I don't need about 98% of what Wordpress has to offer me...that 2% is that it would be nice to have a self hosted shop connected to my blog. But I do really love Etsy and Storenvy marketplaces for my brand.

When I go to a new blog I don't instantly think 'ew, this is a Blogger blog...they must not be serious' or think 'hey, this blog is hosted on Wordpress/Typepad/SquareSpace/Etc....they must be so profesh.' (Yes, I just said profesh...because I'm being sarcastic).  When I got to a new blog I'm impacted by the layout, the design, the images, and the content.  That, to me, is much more important than where you host your blog.  I've also found that some blogs hosted on other platforms don't translate well to mobile use (I'm not saying that my blog is the best, most mobile friendly blog, but I digress...)

Additionally, the professional look of your blog comes from it's design and you're attitude towards blogging.....not the space it is hosted on.  Just because you blog on Blogger doesn't mean your blog is subpar.  Blogger has just the right amount of stuff that many blogger's need.  So don't think in order to have a successful blog you need to spending $$$ - because you don't!

Where do you host your blog?  Any thing you'd like to add?

xoxo, Moe

ps. Read more Boost Your Blog Posts here.

Trend Tuesday // Top 6 Dingbat Fonts

I am a sucker for a good dingbat.  Dingbat fonts really get to me because I love the idea of having an icon to express my every mood.....I think that's why I love emojis so much.  But there is one question I have....why is there not a taco emoji?  Riddle me that Batman!

Here are my top 6 fonts:

Peax Webdesign Free Icons // Adhesive Number Seven // Bergamot Ornaments

State Face // Cool Stuff // DJ Kitchen

I love dingbat fonts because they are so versatile - create a sticker, create a poster, create a card, the possibilities are endless really.  So. Much. Fun.

xoxo, Moe

Make it Monday // Five Spring DIY's

Spring is officially just around the corner.  The snow is finally melting here in North West Indiana and I am soooo excited.  I can not wait for warmer weather and am already enjoying the longer days.  It may not get about 50 degrees here for a while but is it too soon to start wearing flip flops???  Since Spring is nearly here I thought I'd do a round up of some Spring inspired DIY's from posts past. Hope you get a bit of inspiration flowing just in time for warm weather.

Patterned Journal Cards

This DIY isn't too old but it is super Spring-like.  Pastel colors and robin's egg blue always get me in the mood for Springtime.

Organize your Desktop

Why not do a little spring cleaning and get your desktop ready for the season.  Organize your files with this fun DIY using my favorite design tool, PicMonkey.

DIY Purse Organizer

While you're organizing your desktop you might as well organized your purse.  Create an easy to sew purse organizer from two placemats.

Create a Manicure Kit

Time to bust out the pretty nail colors.  Organize your polish stash and create a fun manicure kit one weekend afternoon.

Refreshing Lemonade Drinks

Since you did all that organizing you need a refreshing drink to sip on the porch.  Add some champagne to these lemonade recipes and have yourself a party.

xoxo, Moe

Five Sixteenths Designs Is Back

After a crazy long hiatus, I've opened my Etsy shop back up for digital downloads.  Currently there are only Personal Sized and A5 sized planner pages listed but I plan to have listed downloadable stickers, Midori sized inserts, journaling cards, and planner page bundles.

I'm also hoping to add dividers and even my own planner covers!  This has been a fun little journey that I'm not taking too seriously.  I'm adding things as I go and not putting too much pressure on myself.  I want to get back to having fun with my Etsy shop and not just feeling so pressured!

I'd love for you to take a look!

xoxo, Moe

Make it Monday // DIY Patterned Pocket Scrapbooking Cards

One of my favorite things to hoard are scrapbooking supplies - even before I started doing Project Life!  I've always been in love with scrapbooking supplies and one of my biggest problems was using them up.  I love the all the patterns and packs you can find, but I am always afraid that I will use the scrapbook paper in one layout and the immediately regret it.  I'm not good at committing I guess.  That's one thing I love about doing Project Life - you can change things easily as you make a layout.

This post contains affiliate links, please read my disclosure here.

But to solve the problem of my hoarding I've been making my own cards so I can print them again and again as I feel like I need them - that way I never run out!  In the sets I offer for free each month I like to include at least one or two fully patterned cards.  Today I wanted to share with you how to make different patterns using different online pattern generators a long with my all time favorite online mini design power house - PicMonkey!  (You can find some other DIY tutorials for making pocket cards on my blog here.)

Supplies - PicMonkey.com, printer, card stock, paper trimmer or craft knife and ruler, various pattern generators as mentioned below.

Create patterns with a pattern generator

First there are three pattern generators I want to mention - Tartan Maker, Stripe Generator, and BG Patterns.  Each of these creates a custom background based on the hex code corresponding to colors that you input.  I use ColourLovers to find palettes (or create palettes - tutorial here) and use those hex color codes in the patterns.  The hex code is the six digit combo of letters and numbers that correspond to colors.  ColourLovers gives you both the hex value and the RGB value of the colors in your palette.

Each website operates nearly the same, but for this demo I'm going to show you Tartan Maker.  There are many values you can play with - direction, yarn size, colors, etc.  Simply copy the hex code from ColourLovers and past it into the text field on Tartan Maker.  You can also use the color picker by clicking the solid color boxes next to the hex codes and picking a color you like.  Once you've input your values, click the make it over the preview.  You'll see a live preview of your pattern.

If you download this preview you're only getting a small tile, since we aren't in art school and no one will get mad at us, aaaannnnddd this method is totally acceptable for this project - we're going to take a screen shot.  Find the option to go full screen on the website and take a screen shot - If you're on a Mac Command+Shift+3 will take a screen shot and immediately save it to your computer.  If you're on a PC you'll use the Print Screen key and paste the image into a program like paint and save it.

Create and find patterns on ColourLovers

Another really cool place to find and create patterns is ColourLovers.  Using the search bar you can search for different patterns.  Use creative keywords - not just dots or stripes - because you never know what you might find.

Once you find a pattern you like, you can either download the 1600x1200 images under the share this pattern menu on the right hand side or you can color it yourself (by clicking color this pattern under the pattern image) with the hex codes of your color palette.

You can also use the create button to make your own pattern with different shapes.  These can get super complex or be super simple.  Make sure you change each shape to a different shade of gray so you can color each shape a different color when you save your pattern.  You can do this by clicking the square box of color under the layers menu on the left hand side.  The pattern maker is a fun tool to play around with.

Once you save your pattern design, color it with your hex codes, save it, and download the 1600x1200 image.  To create patterns and palettes you'll need to create an account.

Creating the patterned cards

Since PicMonkey is my favorite site for easy designing, I'm using it again today!  To create the cards open your patterned images or screen shots in PicMonkey.  

Using the crop tool, crop to the size you'd like.  Personally, I think that the 4x6 cards are great as plain patterns but creating 3x4 cards with patterns and text is pretty cute too!  Once it is cropped, use the rotate tool if you need to.

I used some fonts and overlays from the Royale feature of PicMonkey but the free version has some amazing fonts as well.  This powerful mini design machine is only $4.99/mo or $33/year.  Love it!

For the blue Spring card I used a pattern from ColourLovers, same as the Remember This card. 

The plaid card was made with the Tartan Maker.

Repeat this step with all the patterns you could ever think to make!  Save your images as a .jpg and print them how you wish (I use Picasa).  Trim them and slip them in your scrapbook or even use them in the Project Life app!

How do you get creative with your favorite supplies?  Any other tips you have for Pocket Scrapbooking?

xoxo, Moe

find more PicMonkey tutorials here!

oh, ps - if you want the set of three I designed for this post, click here!

My Success Story (Well, Sort of)

If you're looking for some grand success story of how I turned my little part of the internet into a wonderful opportunity ....... this isn't the post for you.  However, if you're struggling to understand why you feel something pulling you in the direction of your dreams but you have yet had your big break ..... then this might the post for you.  This might be the post that puts your little accomplishments in a light that makes them huge successes.

This is a post about how I realized my dream helped my buy my car, and that is a pretty big success.

Let's start at the beginning:  If you're new, a few years ago a left my home town of Virginia to trek up north to be with the man I love.  I spent a few months struggling with self-employment/unemployment.  I loved, and hated, every minute of it.  It was great to explore what I could do - and I found I could do it, it was just too much work that I wasn't ready for.  I wasn't raking in the dough like a needed to - a girl has to eat and save and you know, be alive - and so I decided to find "real" full time work (emphasis on the "" because any work that pays is real work, but thats beside the point....).  And I did.  Because I felt like I'd given up on self-employment, I struggled with feeling like a failure.  However, I loved that I didn't have to worry about my finances anymore and I had a steady pay check.  The good of the company was in someone else's hands and I wasn't one person doing everything.  This post by Alycia also really got to me.

It took a while (a long, long, long while) but suddenly I started to feel like I was doing alright in my full time job, and even succeeding.  I also began to develop a routine again and was able to fall back into my blog.  Long story short., I found it in myself again to put the effort into my brand while still working a full time job.  I'm not sure if I'm cut out for blogging as a business or running anything full time....it is a fun hobby that I can make a little pocket cash from.  I like it that way for right now because I'm realizing it's keeping me honest.  Here's a post on my thoughts on employment

I'm more in tune with what is genuinely me and I don't feel the pressure to be on the brink of the next big thing, to stay ahead of the game, to turn my blog into a cash cow.  I can still blog for me and not for the $$$.  I didn't have a steady income from this blog or any of my shops, and I still don't......but I had earned and saved enough in my PayPal account to put $1000 towards the down payment on my car.

Now, that might not seem like a lot considering I've had an Etsy shop on and off since like 2007 but through my stunt of self-employment/unemployment I laid the ground work to continue to make something off of what I'd set up.  The majority of my earnings came through my Zazzle shop and some from my old blog design shop, it also came through the affiliate links on my blog (read my disclosure here).  Did you know that PicMonkey (affiliate link) is my leading revenue link?  I promote it because I love it......and thats what I love about my small blog.

So, what is the point of this story?  The point is that after feeling like a failure because I gave up on my dream I realized that all my hard work helped me out in a time I needed it the most.  Working towards my dream helped me buy a car!  It may seem small but when you're in need of an extra grand to really get your payments manageable it's nice to know that you did that one thing that you felt like a failure at.

I remember getting so upset thinking that I was failure because I wasn't making a living wage off of what I was doing.  I was making something but it wasn't enough.  Now I realize that what wasn't enough before was just enough when I needed it the most.

That is my success story.  Working towards my dream helped me make a huge purchase.  It seems unimportant but it really was a revelation to me - at one point I felt like I wasn't doing enough and then suddenly I thanked my old self for all her suffering.  Just thinking about it makes me want to continue working towards something I love.

What is a success story of yours?  Do you have anything small that made a meaningful impact on you?

xoxo, Moe

Four Simple Goals March 2015

Recently, setting these goals every month has really been doing the opposite of what it should be doing: I start to feel pressure to complete things that I'm not really feeling any more.  This month is the deciding month on whether I drop the monthly goal thing for a bit and focus on completing what I feel should be completed.  It's like I set these goals and then a day after the post goes live I change my entire idea of what I should do this month.  I loved doing these little goals in the beginning but I think I'm getting away from what this used to be for me.  Anyway, here are March's goals:

Finish a prototype of a secret, awesome project - It's not really that top secret and it's only awesome because I think it is, but I have a secret thing I've been wanting to come up with for the past little while.  This month should be about finishing a prototype....and figuring it out if it can be done at all!

Focus on the Facebook page - I want to get back into my Facebook page.  It is platform that I really struggle with yet I feel could really help me out in the long run.  I already added a fun cover image and am working on overhauling what goes on over there.  If you haven't liked my page yet, I'd love it if you did!  Click here to find me!

List 2 pocket scrapbooking card designs in the shop - I've been meaning to do this every since I quietly opened it in February.  However I've just either not been inspired or too lazy to put them together.  Here's to getting at least two done and listed.

Follow through more - This is going to go hand in hand with my planning this month.  For example I've planned out doing some YouTube videos but then I don't follow through with posting them.  I want to come up with a plan and stick to it!

March is going to be full of changes and hopefully everything falls into place.  I have some fun posts planned and I just overall want to focus on continuing this little dream and exploring what I can do for myself.

What do you have planned for this month?

xoxo, Moefour

When will it be Summer Wish List

the snow is still going strong here in northwest Indiana and I am ready for some warmer weather.  I am ready to start complaining about how dang hot it is!  I've already brought Spring to the etsy shop with some vintage floral notes pages but I really need this Winter to turn into Spring and the Spring to turn into Summer.

bag // coffee // lipstick // sandals // towel // sunnies

I threw together this little wish list of sorts to persuade warmer weather to head my way.  I can't wait for bright lipstick, iced coffee, sandals, and sunnies.  C'mon Spring! C'mon Summer!

Are you wishing for warmer weather?  What's it like outside where you are?

Revisiting February 2015 Four Simple Goals

Hey there March!  I can't believe March is here and it's still snowing out.  I just can't even handle this.  I know up north here snow can last until May (May!) and it did last pretty well into spring last year I think but I'm excited to know we're one month closer to warmer weather.  Let's be real here.....I neeeeeeed Summer to show up.  I am ready to start complaining about how hot it is.

Anyway...let's see what did (or, let's be honest didn't) happen with February's Four Simple Goals: 

Finish 2014 Project Life - Guys, I wish this happened.....but it didn't.  I am making it an unofficial goal of March.  I also need to get with it to start on this year.....thats another unofficial goal for March!

List 3 Planner Pages in the Shop - Guess what?  I've listed like 8 planner pages.  That's right, my shop is up a running now.  I am taking it slowly.....I'm adding when I feel like it.  I don't want to put too much pressure on myself to do things.  So I'm working on different inserts and then adding when I feel like I should.  If it doesn't feel right I don't do it.  So far it's been working for me.

Progress on the Upstairs - We've made only a little progress.  Zach's parents came and helped us out last weekend but it is a lot of work for two people who work full time.  We have loads of other things we want to do to relax and working on the house is not one of them!

Have a date night - It really shouldn't have but it kinda just got pushed aside.  With some crazy life stuff this past month Valentine's day got moved around too.  So it was just an over all weird month to get anything done, I guess.

Sorry this wasn't really a great update on my goals.  I'm actually thinking about stopping this feature for a while (I think I mentioned this before) because I'm starting to feel like I'm not accomplishing the things I set out to do but I am accomplishing different but still important things.  Important things like a zillion photos of my dog curled up with Zach & I because pretty much we didn't get out of bed the whole month of February!  I'm going to try for one more month.....and then we'll see how it goes.

What did you accomplish this month?

xoxo, Moe

ps. If you want a lot of cute corgi photos, please follow me on Instagram!

Read my past Four Simple Goals here.