Adventures of a New Mom

Life; According To IG

2012-02-04T16:26:00.001-05:00

How I Feel About Blogging Lately

2012-02-02T00:39:00.001-05:00

I clearly don't post enough on my blog. I want to change this but am not exactly sure how to go about it. I post all my pictures on other portals, not a whole lot of reason to cross-post. So maybe I should just use it like livejournal. Remember that? When people could actually type out their feelings without fear of being judged by some holier than thou ass-face? When we didn't have to post a ton of pictures with fancy editing and frames that frankly is just a big time consuming process... for what? That's not why I started blogging.

I want to be able to write and/ or vent about whatever, whenever I feel it necessary. That's why I had this thing private for the first year or so! That was my best writing; when I thought no one was looking. As much as I would like to get back into that mindset, it's not realistic, people do read this.

But maybe I should just stop giving a fuck what people think about me. Someone will always be judging you negatively, always. But for all those haters, there's double the amount that actually care. And THOSE are the ones that matter. I could care less about how many followers or whatever I have. I care deeply though about the friendships I've formed because of blogging. And those are the ones that matter. Those people I know that actually care about my writing, not how many pictures of my kid I can post.

I want to be more carefree and fun with my blog. I feel like there's always this pressure to make perfect, pretty entries that are detailed and blah blah... Which is why I stray and tend to just photospam the shit out of your feed. I also need to get into a better routine of WANTING to blog. I have little to no desire to open this thing.

Confession; since getting my iPhone last May, I haven't opened google reader. Not once. I don't even blog from my computer, just my phone. And the funny thing? The main reason I got an iPhone was to blog. But the blogger app blows so... Yeah.

Okay so the bullet points:
-Haters gonna hate
-Livejournal mentality
-I really like my true blog friends

Thanks, bye.

Lately

2012-01-29T15:54:00.002-05:00

2012-01-24T12:45:00.001-05:00

Someone fix the blogger app for iPhone and I'd blog all the time. Until then, you just get random pictures in no order from who knows how long ago. Enjoy.

2012-01-19T17:48:00.001-05:00

Sometimes I don't really have words. There's no reason for them.

Happy Birthday

2012-01-18T16:10:00.001-05:00

TO ME!

Wordless Wednesday

2012-01-18T01:44:00.005-05:00

Playing catchup. These are all from January 1st-7th. In no particular order since the blogger app is cool like that.

Oh, and I now have to put awesome writing on my pictures because, well... if you're not a part of my life, you don't get to use my pictures. What a hassle.

Growing up

2012-01-13T00:24:00.001-05:00

I can't believe my dude will be two in four months! And with my birthday in less than a week, it's making me have all kinds of mixed emotions... Get ready to embrace some changes, yo!

Shabby Apple Winner

2012-01-09T00:27:00.003-05:00

Congratulations to Rachel!!! Yayyy! I'll be hollerin' atchyou for your info!

Thank you everyone that participated!

Yep

2012-01-08T02:57:00.002-05:00

Happy New Years Eve

2012-01-07T17:26:00.001-05:00

Steve was working on new years eve because... why not? Now that I'm a mom, it's not as likely I'm going to get my drink on. And I'm perfectly okay with not jamming myself into a small space to watch a ball of orange lights drop from a crane. Yeah, in our town here in Florida, they lower an orange fruit shaped ball from a crane. Okay. So anyway. This sounded way better... Target until they closed. Oliver got to stay up past bedtime, I got coffee, everybody wins!

I know I'm posting this a week late. It's okay. And the pictures are all out of order because the blogger app does that? Not okay but hey.

Shabby Apple Dress Giveaway!!!

2012-01-05T14:33:00.016-05:00

I am so over the top excited to be able to offer you this amaaazing dress! Thanks to Shabby Apple, one lucky reader of mine will win one of their own, brand new, fantastic navy scalloped dress! Great elastic waist and forgiving, soft fabric. This is easily one of my new favorite dresses and I'm sure you'll love it, too!

To win this dress, simply comment below that you've done the following:

Required Entry-

-You MUST like Shabby Apple on Facebook.

Additional Entries-

-Follow my blog via google friend connect in the sidebar

-Follow me (@reneekristine) on twitter

-Tweet about this giveaway. Make sure to tag me (@reneekristine) or it won't count.

-Blog about this giveaway with a link back to this entry.

(You must enter these all as separate comments, lumped together doesn't work.)

If you've lost count, that's a total of up to FIVE ways to win! Good luck!

Giveaway ends Sunday night, January 8th, Florida time!

Don't want this dress? Want it but don't feel like waiting? Use coupon code "NEWYEAR" during checkout to receive 20% off!

It's Oliver approved.

THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED. WINNER HAS BEEN CHOSEN

Congratulations, Rachel!!!

Wordless Wednesday- Best of 2011

2012-01-04T21:32:00.022-05:00

Perfect idea for a Wordless Wednesday!

Tidbits- First birthday. We moved to a new house. Loves fresh squeezed juice. Mama went blonde. Loves books. Ryan Gosling is hot. Waving. Swinging. Hates dress-up. Peek-a-boo. Awesome hallway running.

New couch. Good food and family fun. Started a shop. Sunsets. Birthday parties. Hand holding. Pumpkins. Running. Joined Weight Watchers. Hotel fun in New Jersey.

Dapper gentleman. We like shoes. Owls. Fox sox. Pile-o-toys. Pizza. Me. TP owls. Favorite pillow.

Curls for days. Afghan obsession. New purse. Owls. Lost 50lbs. Started felting. Christmas happened. I'm melting. Biggest forehead knot ever. Potato pizza.

This year has been... not amazing but! It got really good towards the end and I'm really getting a grasp on this being a mom {aka whole new person} and losing weight {aka whole new person}. It's been a big adjustment but I'm really excited for what this year has to offer! Sure, I have resolutions but I'd rather not share! Why? Because every time I say I'm going to do something, I want to rebel against it. I have no idea why I do this kind of self sabotage but hey. I'll let you know at the end of the year haha

Reposting a Post

2011-12-31T18:02:00.001-05:00

I was looking through my stats and saw a couple people looked at this entry today. So I read it. Yep, I'm going back to that. Part of my "new years resolutions"? Sure. I love every single thing about it. And look how little Oliver was!!! Okay, that's all!

Everyone have a safe and happy new year! I will be home by myself {well, Oliver will be asleep. but Steve works until the ball drops.} So I'll be doing what I usually do on any other Saturday night:

Playing around on my iphone and watching mindless tv. Maybe I'll have a drink or two. I don't know, not a big drinker. I guess you'll have to check and see what I'm talking about, then you'll know ha!

Happy New Year!

iPhone Photo Apps

2011-12-31T14:11:00.010-05:00

I think it's ridiculous how some people are so secretive about what photo apps they use. As though you'd be stealing their "style". No, you did not invent the scratched frame haha.
So! Here's what I like to use!

1. PicFrame- A must. Yes, there's diptic which is basically the same, but I like the stretching and effects {fx}! But this is how I get my collages. FREE!

2. RetroGram- My absolute newest favorite. Honestly, it's basically my all in one, end all be all app. It has everything I need, really. That is, after resizing things with PicFrame if need be! FREE! But I paid the $.99 for the upgrade because it was well worth it!

3-6. BeFunky, Vintage Cam, Pixlromatic and picture show- great frames and effects. FREE!
{I updated to BeFunkyPro}

7. Phoster- Create awesome posters, fliers &announcements with fun layouts and font options. $1.99

8. Squaready- For all those pictures you take longways but can't fit all the goodness into the standard instagram square! FREE!

9. Snapseed- Great editing tool that is a little complicated. I haven't gotten too far into it because I just downloaded it yesterday! Why? Because its usually $5 and is FREE! for a limited time!

10. Lablebox- patterned text banners. FREE!

11. PhotoTimer- Self explanatory. FREE!

12. Crackle- Watch full-length movies and tv shows through your iPhone! FREE!

I'd upload a bunch of picture examples for you but... until blogger app gets their stuff together and keeps my pictures in the order I put them, it ain't happenin'! Plus! You're going to be so busy playing with all your new apps, it won't matter what my pictures looked like anyway!

I hope this was helpful! If you have an instagram, feel free to add me (reneekristine) so I can see all of the awesome pictures you create in the new year with these!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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Wordless Wednesday

2011-12-28T19:38:00.001-05:00

Go to Walgreens right now and buy these items! I'd never tried either of them and I must say... Coming this close to the end of the year.... they might be my favorite foods of 2011. Why do I say Walgreens? These delicious pumpkin nuggets {yes, eating one now} are half off! There's also eggnog flavor. Plus! They had a ton of A Christmas Story things half off; bunny slippers, bobble heads etc. oh, and the hazelnut thins... um yeah, they were unfortunately gone within a half hour of opening them. Okay, probably in less time than that. Go!

Steppin Out: Christmas

2011-12-27T17:37:00.016-05:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! As you can see, ours was pretty good, nothing too major. We went to Steve's parents' on Christmas eve like we always do {sans pop pop; still in the hospital}, Christmas morning alone, my family Christmas night. Low key and simple, perfect.

Dress- Vintage

Belt- Thrifted

Shoes- Red TOMS

Finished the night off right, ha!

I'm so excited for Oliver's toys this year. They're far more interactive than last year! And shockingly quieter and less annoying than all the spin around bop and light up toys! and I can't wait to see him continue learning new things! Having kids makes the holidays a million times more fun.

Except for the fact that I'm Santa now.

Look What I Made

2011-12-22T17:23:00.010-05:00

I'm not exactly a crafty person, but I want to be. And it's not that I'm not artistic, I am... or at least used to be. I'm just lazy now. But recently I've bought things for crochet, embroidery and felting! Up first? Felting!

I made a donut rattle!!! It took a total of 30 minutes and one test run, which just became a bagel... since I forgot the icing hah!

But all you need is

-felt

-needle

-thread/ embroidery floss

-scissors

-stuffing (i took apart an old pillow)

-whatever "rounds" you feel necessary for measurements. (I used a large cup for the outside ring and a water bottle cap for the donut hole!)

-Rattle (took apart an old toy hah)

It really is just as simple and lining everything up and sewing it together. Make sure to decorate the icing first if you want any "sprinkles". Sew almost all the way around, leaving an inch or so open for stuffing purposes. Get it all in there nice and tight, no floppy donuts!

Whatever, I'm so proud of myself! It feels freakishly good to make things yourself and I plan on doing wayyy more. I'm actually halfway through another project already! Weeeee

If you get the hankerin' to try this out, link me back to your work! I'd love to see it!

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Tidbits: Three

2011-12-21T02:30:00.002-05:00

1. I could live on sushi.
2. Can't even pee alone.
3. The best sauce-less pizza in the world.
4. Boy ponytails= partytails
5. Boots three sizes too big.
6. Blanket bed the second he wakes up.
7. Growing like a weed. with 'tude.
8. Hey girl hey
9. Fox sox rox
10. Sometimes I like flowers.

Got Tagged!

2011-12-21T00:03:00.000-05:00

Alright so Jess tagged me. Which means I better do it, right? Right.

Rules:
1. You must post these rules.
2. Each person must post 11 things about themselves on their blog.
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
4. You have to choose 11 people to tag and link them on the post.
5. Go to their page and tell them you have linked him or her.
6. No tag backs.
7. No stuff in the tagging section about ‘you are tagged if you are reading this.’ You legitimately have to tag 11 people.

11 Things About Me-
1. I gauged my ears to an inch when I was younger. Which means they'll never be smaller than 00g.
2. I wear glasses. But haven't gone for an eye exam in 5 years.Whoops.
3. I went on a cruise to Mexico and Jamaica when I was 13. Wish I could do that again.
4. I would do all kinds of wrong to see Kings of Leon and Mumford &Sons play together.
5. I got my first tattoo on my 16th birthday; my chest. Go big or go home, right?
6. I've been a nail biter for as far back as I can remember.
7. My dream growing up was to be an MTV VJ. I was super obnoxious.
8. I went to cosmetology school. Only for a semester. Just because I like doing my friends and own hair, doesn't mean I want to do old lady perms.
9. A perfect food day would involve sushi, creme brûlée and sour gummy worms.
10. As of today, I have lost 50lbs since January 25th!
11. This took me a really long time. I get really stumped when I'm put on the spot.

11 Questions Asked by Jess
1. If you could get paid really well to do what you totally love, what would it be? It could be anything! -Oh that's easy; a food critic. More specifically, I like finding the weird and taking pictures of it. But getting paid to eat it sounds pretty amazing.
2. Who is your celebrity crush? -Should I be predictable and say Ryan Gossling? Or should I admit that I secretly love Ed Norton? Ugh, I like 'em old, I'm not even going to admit the other ones.
3. What is your dream car? -Acura suv. I dated someone in high school that had one and I just have this memory of them being so luxurious.
4. What do you wish you were better at? -Time management.
5. What is your food weakness that you will over eat every single time? -Creme brûlée. If its on the menu, I'm getting it. Even if I'm stuffed. There's always room for crusty sugar goodness.
6. What latest fashion do you hate and wish would just die? -UGGS. I'll never understand.
7. Your favorite iphone/andoid app? -BeFunky Pro. They have a free version, too.
8. What is your most favorite website? -My current most used is pinterest. That is of course, when it's not down. Which is every other day.
9. Your top 3 favorite stores to shop? -Can I say Target x3? No? Okay. The other two are Goodwill and Salvation Army. I truly don't buy myself things that are full price. It's extremely rare.
10. What was your favorite childhood toy? -Ninja Turtles. And now Oliver plays with them. They were also my cake for 3 years. Yeah, I wasn't a tomboy or anything...
11. What really freaks you out/scares you? -Lizards. Which sucks when you live in Florida. Snakes, cockroaches, whatever, those are fine... but lizards and frogs? blerf, they just... LUNGE! at you. No thanks.

My Questions for the tagged
1. What is your favorite movie of all time. ever?
2. If you were told you had to pack up your entire house and move, where would you go?
3. How many siblings do you have?
4. What was your favorite board/ video game growing up?
5. What is the best concert you've been to?
6. You have 24 hours left to live, what do you want to do/see?
7. When you're in a bad mood, what's the one thing that pulls you out of it every time?
8. What is your favorite thing about this holiday season?
9. I'm not a big drinker, what's your favorite cocktail?
10. What rap song do you know word for word, no lyric sheet, whole thing?
11. Were you as stumped as I was?

And I tag... Katie, Jess, Emily, Holly, Beckie, Becky, Andrea, Trisha, Lisa, Heidi and Amy!
{no pressure ladies, just following protocol!}

Better Late

2011-12-16T10:37:00.003-05:00

I feel like I should update. I've been trying to do better, even when I don't feel like I have much to say. Which is crazy because, well, let's face it... I've always got something to say. I guess there's just the pressure that it has to be entertaining and sometimes I don't want to put in the effort to do a whole song and dance to show you a couple pictures. I also really struggle with "how much information is too much information" here in the blog world so sometimes I'm at a loss. Sometimes it just feels easier to tweet random one liners than compose a well written post. But I'm going to try.

So before I forget, here's pictures from last weekend.

There was a local craft show going on here. Where, among the 75+ artsy vendors, I got to meet the ladies of OhStrumpets! So sweet and guess who was a total ham? He absolutely loves his new Christmas present! Who would've known that is it the *perfect* toddler size? I mean, when he hugs it, it conforms to his body haha, it's amazing! I hid it once we got home and I can't wait to see his face again on Christmas!

And that owl necklace was a gift from me to me. Why? I'm really proud of the progress I've made with my shop {ps- one more sale (30) and I'll host a giveaway!}. I'm really happy with the way things are going and I've never bought myself a piece of jewelry that wasn't on clearance. It's crazy to say that and realize it really is sad hah!

The night ended with sushi and the bounciest curls Oliver has ever had. I don't understand exactly where it's all coming from... my hair is straight. Straight enough that I look like I used a flatiron... but didn't. I mean... my dad's hair does this exact thing when it gets too long. Which means I'll never cut it. I've trimmed his bangs, so I guess he'll just rock a mullet until the curls get heavy enough to make them straight... because ain't no way I'm getting rid of all that springy goodness!

He's never laid under the table like this. He's been a lot more... "normal" lately. hahah okay, no, this isn't normal. But I mean... he actually sits and takes breaks and lays on the floor like a normal person that relaxes. Does that makes sense? I liked this shot because he laid there without moving for a solid 3 minutes. Which is an hour in mom/toddler time.

Oh, and that's creme brulee coffee with almond milk. You should probably get on it. No, really. Go.

Oh, and take a gander through my old Favorite Friday posts!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot like Christmas

2011-12-13T20:45:00.000-05:00

Christmas has vomited all over my life.

Favorite Friday

2011-12-09T22:03:00.002-05:00

Um yeah, I need this. Need.

The easiest, prettiest diy holiday vases.

S'mores pancakes. Need I say s'more?

Make your own tunic.

I just... okay.

Log cabin bath. Yes please.

Brulee grapefruit?! Slap myself in the forehead.

Love me a fox in blazer.

If you have a daughter, please make her this for Christmas.

Caramel apple filled cookies. Yes, filled.

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Cheapest, Longest Christmas Garland. Ever.

2011-12-05T11:52:00.012-05:00

I made these garlands. Garlands? Paper chain link things? Whatever. This elementary school craft was one of the cheapest and easiest things I've ever made. Aside from those owls. Well actually, toilet paper ain't cheap!

Okay so this project of two super long decorations cost me maybe a dollar. Maybe. Here's the basics;

"Small" Garland- A pack of pattern paper. Total of 6 half sheets {3 full sheets}

= 20 feet long for a whopping... $0.42

Large Garland- I bought a pack of construction paper. 83 sheets {which I will obviously be using for future projects} for $0.97. I took out all of the red, white and green ones. 24 sheets which still totaled an hour of cutting and almost a half pound of strips measuring in at DOUBLE the length

= a massive 40 foot garland for... $0.28

-I also used about half a stick of glue so you can add that into the cost if you really need to. I don't know, $0.50? The point is, whoa cheap. And easy. Plus, I can take these apart and reuse the paper.

I opted out of tape. The glue stick was just so fast.

The "small" 20 foot garland actually took a longer amount of time to complete because I didn't put my patterns in an order first, so I was scrambling to make sure i didn't put two of a similar color and pattern close hah! Tip- Sort your patterns, it will FLY by!

This monster, no joke, took me all of 15 minutes to make. Maybe 20 if we're counting all the random things I do in between {reply to comments, pee, eat, take a drink of diet dr. pepper, who knows!}

I'm thinking the large one will wrap around the Christmas just fine...! and the other will go along whatever wall it looks best on. Just hang from one end of the ceiling to the other. That post is still to come...

{Hah, I wrote this post at midnight after my crafting shenanigans and then took the measurements the next day. Seeing that I thought they were maybe 18 feet combined, proves my math skills are shit. But my unknowingness to just breeze through huge and easy and uber cheap nothing projects just kind of amazes me and makes me all kinds of Christmas vomit cheer proud!}

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TP Owls

2011-12-03T16:28:00.006-05:00

What should you do with all your leftover toilet paper rolls? Make something cute! In my case, I went with my favorite animal; owls!

What you need-
Empty toilet paper rolls
Permanent marker
Thumb

All you need to do is fold the top sides down while pressing your thumb in the middle. You could tape this if you wanted from the inside, but that's up to you.

Be sure to remove all tp bits and try to make the face on a side without a cardboard indent on it. Then draw. Add on little feetsies and ears. Whatever pattern works for you, it's art. Ta-da!

You could take this a step further with colored markers, stickers, glitter, feathers... turn it into a fun kids craft! Instead, I opted for the boring mom project. I think I might attach some hooks and add them to the Christmas tree... Once I put it up!

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