Most of you HATE {not just hate, but HATE} truncated posts, and I’m so glad I asked.

I WANT your feedback. Honestly, I had not heard one negative thing about it until I asked. I should have asked earlier!! It made me sad to hear that some of you had been “skipping my blog altogether.” I have more questions about this below too so hold onto your britches we’ll get there. But first, I just had to say THANK YOU for your feed back. It means a lot to me that you would take the time to tell me your thoughts. I was touched by the way you were all honest in your feedback.

SO, because of this feedback I have un-truncated the most recent post.

Bear with me while we switch things around and make the necessary changes to adjust the look of All Things Thrifty to look its best. It may take a few weeks to get all the kinks worked out since my kids are out of school for the summer. All of the sudden I feel like I’m swimming in cereal crumbs on my kitchen floor.  Do you feel like this too? Summer comes around and I feel like I’m breathing with one lung trying to keep up with it all. Maybe it’s all the “I’m bored” complaints that put me in an insta-bad-mood.  I ran to Wal-Mart today to pick up a prescription, and I could have made the “people of Wal-Mart” top 10 list if someone would have snapped a picture of me in my shorts, socks, and flip flops. I have no shame. The point I’m trying to make here is that I don’t make the best decisions at times. And, maybe truncation was one of those sock/flip flop decisions.

Since we are talking about bad decisions, I should have never taken this selfie of myself. I know this is TOTALLY off topic, but I had to get LASIK twice in my left eye. #notgoodtimes. I had to wear these protective goggles for a few days.  I’ll save doozy of a story for another time.  Are you interested in stories like that one about my personal life? {That’s where the All Things Us category stems from}.

It’s hard to strike that balance between an organized clean blog and the look of complete chaos, so for now I have un-truncated the first post so that the most recent post will be seen in its entirety. What do you think about that? PALEEASE tell me how you feel, if there is something that bothers you about my site, send me a comment or an email. I need feedback in order to adjust.  I promise I will read every. single. comment and email. I try hard to respond when you have questions too.

By the way, I know that a truncated feed is not something that I have ever done, and I just want you to know that I don’t plan to either. I don’t judge those blog owners who have done this though. I understand where they are coming from, and some of these bloggers are dear friends of mine who have gotten oooodles of their content stolen. So, be patient with truncated feeds. They are not trying to make your life harder, I promise.

On that note, if you are reading All Things Thrifty from some sort of Reader, please know that Google Reader is going away July 1st. So if you are using Google Reader, you will need to start using another program to read blogs from. I have heard Feedly is great, and I personally use bloglovin’.  What do you use? Am I missing the coolest one on the market?

Also, those of you who are reading from a tablet of some sort, I’ve been wondering how you like the new layout of All Things Thrifty on those devices? I’m just pelting you with questions today, aren’t I? Sorry, I’m just interested in what you have to say.

Lastly, I’d like your opinion about one more thing. Lately I’m sure you have noticed that All Things Thrifty has expanded in several other areas outside of DIY projects {now called All Things DIY}.  I am trying to beef up those other areas, and although DIY projects are my forte, I’ve asked some of my talented blogging peers to help me by guest posting. Tell me your thoughts about this.  I do NOT want anyone to feel like All Things Thrifty is a place to “skip”. Do you like the All Things Us, All Things Girlie and All Things Delicious posts? Are they too often? How often would you like new content from All Things Thrifty?

xoxo,

Brooke

I’m thrilled to be here today… Brooke is one of my dearest blogging friends and I admire her for so many reasons. She is seriously one of the most beautiful people, inside and out. I adore spending time with her in person and on All Things Thrifty everyday. Isn’t blogging amazing?!

Today, I’m sharing a fun summer recipe that I loved as a child. My Mom used to make this all the time and loved the light, fluffy dessert made with one of my favorite summer fruits… Strawberries!

This easy to make dessert is melt in your mouth delicious and perfect for those hot summer nights. It’s so easy to make, you’ll want to bring this to all your summer get togethers. I still have fun memories of sitting out in our backyard with a little piece of this strawberry heaven, thinking I was the luckies little girl in the world.

Strawberry Cloud Recipe

• 10 oz. frozen strawberries (do not thaw)
• 3 egg whites
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 10 oz. Cool Whip
• 3 cups graham cracker

Pour graham cracker crumbs into a 9×13 pan and press into a lose crust. Set the pan aside. Place egg whites, sugar and frozen strawberries into a large mixing bowl. Mix on high until the mixture triples in volume. Carefully fold in Cool Whip and then pour over graham cracker crust. Smooth out the top and garnish with strawberries. Place in the freezer for at least two hours. Serve cold with extra berries and if you feel daring, a drizzle of chocolate.

Brooke thanks for letting me come and hand out with your friends today. I would love for you to come on over to WhipperBerry and see what else I have going on in my neck of the woods. Here are a few of my favorite posts from WhipperBerry and my talented creative team…

globe makeover // crepe cake // drab to fab chair makeover

picture source

My BFF Mandi just posted about how I have recently truncated my posts. {She was asking for advice about her upcoming blog redesign.} I just read all 42 comments on her post. Oh. My. Gosh. GUYS!! I had no idea you felt that way.  Before I switched my blog design, my main concern was how disorganized it felt, so I truncated the posts in an effort to organize my blog.

So, tell me once and for all, do you hate that All Things Thrifty has truncated posts? I can take it, and I want your feedback. Do you think it helped make it look organized?

By the way, I have NOT truncated my feed because I wanted my entire posts to be completely available to those of you who are reading through a reader, but when I switched the look of All Things Thrifty, all I got was positive feedback about how organized my blog was.

One reader who commented on Mandi’s post specifically called All Things Thrifty “awful” and as hard as it was to read, I am grateful for her honesty.  So, lay it on me.

Do these pants make me look fat?

2nd Annual Summer Soiree

Saturday, June 22, 2013

6-10 pm

Conservation Garden Park Education Center & Garden

8275 South 1300 West

West Jordan, Utah

Tickets are $15.00 {click HERE to buy}

All tickets subject to availability- the event WILL sell out so don’t wait!

My cute hubby and I will be speaking together about upcycling! Come learn all about upcycling from us IN PERSON! We are BFFs already, right? Grab a few girl friends and get out of the house for the night. Who can turn down a GNO!?!

We are in GREAT company! Brooke Walker is the keynote speaker. I’ve met Brooke a few times, and she is absolutely amazing.

Brooke Walker is the co-host of Studio 5, Utah’s #1 local lifestyle program. Brooke will inspire us to follow our passion while letting go of our fear of “imperfection”. Have you let worry that you aren’t good enough/ talented enough/ worthy enough stop you from accomplishing things that matter to you? It’s time to step out of our comfort zones and take a few risks. Brooke will share with us lessons she’s learned from the thousands of people she’s met through the Studio 5 program and encourage us to be our own best selves.

Let me know if you have any questions about the event! {Leave me a comment and I will respond.} I am looking forward to it! Hope to see you there!

And that brings me to the fact that today is THE BIG DAY that we announce the winner of our Massive RYOBI Power Tool Giveaway! Luckily, our little Rafflecopter form did the dirty work for us and pulled up our winner in the most random of fashion! Congrats to (drumroll please!)…

Hilarie Sullivan!

Check your inbox asap!

We were so honored that so many of you participated in the ‘Blog Hop’, and were surprised by how quickly we had our winner (Congrats Stephanie Richardson for winning the matching contest!). We got tons of positive feedback and are so glad that everyone enjoyed surfing around each blog! We just might make it harder next time!!!

In case you missed it, the premise of the contest was to match each blogger with a popular project of theirs. Here are the correct answers!

Interiors by Kenz ~ Painted Faux Moulding & Headboard

Twist Me Pretty ~ Pink Room Reveal

Vintage Revivals ~ Swig Sugar Cookies

East Coast Creative ~ Large Photo Frame

Whatever Blog ~ Melted Crayon Artwork

Domestic Imperfection ~ Paisley Stencil Table

Home Stories A to Z ~ Tiered Garden Planter

Sarah Dorsey Designs ~ Painted Rug

Pretty Handy Girl ~ Backlight Bookshelf

Sawdust and Embryos ~ Shading with Stain Technique

The Idea Room ~ Lemon Sugar Scrub

Kara Paslay Designs ~ Mason Jar Chandelier

All Things Thrifty ~ Everything I know about Spray Paint

DIY Village ~ Dog Bowl Chairs

One Good Thing By Jillee ~ Yogurt Dots

Nine Red ~ Striped Painted Table

There’s an overwhelming amount of creativity and talent in this group, and you should definitely hop on board and keep up with each one! You’re sure to be inspired to the fullest.

And HUMONGOUS thank you to RYOBI Nation for supplying our giveaway prize! For even more inspiration, check out these great projects!

Today I am going to be sharing with you one of my very fav and go to hairstyles, especially in the summer time. It is super fast, cute, and perfect for a day on the go or dress it up for a night out with your man.

-Bobby pins

-Comb

-brush

-Elastic

-A sock bun form {optional} you can get them at walmart, target, H&M, amazon, and any beauty supply store.

1. Brush through your hair

2. Pull your hair up using your fingers {I like to use my fingers instead of a brush to pull my hair back so it gives it some volume instead of the slicked back look}

3. Secure the high pony with an elastic

4. Pull it tight poofing some of the hair forward again to give it some volume in the front

5. Take your comb and back comb {rat} all the hair. This gives it the full look

6. take your hair and start wrapping it around itself into a bun

7. Hold it in place and grab your bobby pins

8. Start placing them through your bun to secure it in place

9. Once your bun is all secured, if you have shorter hair like me, you will need to secure the back hairs up into the pony

10. Grab the extra short hairs in the back and put a bobby pin through them going upward to hold it in place

And there you have the first way that you can do this Easy top Bun. I love this for swimming and working out or just for a lazy day at the park with the kids. The second way I am going to show you is all the same steps with just a few quick easy additional ones. The second option gives you a thicker fuller bun.

1. After you get your hair in a high pony,  take your bun form{or a rolled up sock} and place it over your elastic of the pony.

2. fan your hair around the form

3. Rat your pony just like the first bun

4. wrap your hair around itself and the bun former and pin it all in place with your bobby pins, then securing the baby hairs in the back

This is just like the first bun with one little extra supply. I have
seen when people roll the sock or bun form down the hair, but I like the
wrapped look better, it is also easier, faster and those with short
hair, like myself, can do this type.

And it is that easy! Go and try it out. Long, medium and medium short hair can all pull this one off. I hope you love it as much as I do.

Along with an occasional hair style I post about things I love including:

Do you ever have a day where you are bound and determined to teach your kids responsibility!?! I know, it’s impossible for it to happen in one day, but tonight, I was having one of “those” nights. I wanted to teach my kids what the world was all about.  Who knows if I’m doing it right, heck, I make it up as I go.

Tonight, I taught Connelly {my 8-year-old son} how to cook Ramen Noodles. He is old enough. He was up for it, and heck he even remembered how to turn the stove on from the last cooking lesson over a month ago.

So even though Ramen Noodles isn’t normally something to celebrate, tonight it definitely was worth celebrating!  He did a great job!

While I was on a roll, I put my 9-year-old daughter to work too. We decided to eat outside, but we needed to clean up the patio table first. It was disgusting.

She got our handy-dandy outdoor cleaning supplies and got to work.  All of these Proctor and Gamble products can be found at The Home Depot.

Oaklyn was thrilled with her task, as you can tell by her enthusiastic face! {sense the sarcasm}. 

Actually she really is a great help around here. She does a good job cleaning, and she did a great job tonight too. 

Our table was gross.

But, it only took a few seconds to clean up and then we were ready to eat Connelly’s….ahem…home cooked meal. He was very proud that he made the Ramen all by himself, and of course the other kids were thrilled. We are living the American dream. Ramen Noodles for Dinner! Follow us on Instagram to get daily updates of our randomness.

We had a great family dinner outside in our backyard. Do you have any tips on how to teach responsibility to your kids? We still use our chore chart religiously, but we need all the help we can get!

Leave a comment below telling me a tip on how to teach your kids responsibility and you will automatically be entered to win:

A #ReadyDoneClean Prize Pack that includes:

· Mr. Clean Outdoor Pro Spray

· Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Outdoor Pro

· a roll of Bounty

· and $50 The Home Depot gift card

{Thank you Proctor and Gamble for providing the prize}.

This post is sponsored by Proctor and Gamble and The Home Depot. All opinions are 100% mine.

I love my hubby! He’s my right hand man, my best friend but most of all, the best father anyone could ask for. With that being said, I could see myself making any one of these gifts for him… now I just need to decide on which one. Ha!

Who doesn’t love a candy bar card?

 This one may take a bit more time but I think it is so cute and original! Shrinky Dink Tie Tack

One of my favorite sayings for free! Add a family picture for a personal touch!

 Need a T-shirt Idea?

 A Manly non-sweet Goodie Basket.

 Free Father’s Day Coupons

 Eat, Drink and be Hairy.

 Another goodie basket! Only this time, use his favorite sweet treats!

 Candy Bouquet

 Father’s Day Sports Package

 I LOVE this saying!! Another awesome free printable!

 Need a quick gift from the kids? Love this treat!

 Can’t forget Grandpa! Here’s a little something for him!

 Know a guy who likes a clean car? This is perfect!

 Movie Party Bucket! 

 I know someone who would love this one!

  Here’s another set of super cute coupons!

 We love you to “pieces”! 

 How about a Super Dad party to celebrate that special guy?

 Super Hero Supply Kit

 So cute! And who doesn’t love pop rocks??

 Adorable gift boxes for the perfect gift!

 Need something for that handyman in your life?

I love to have my kids fill these out. So hilarious!!

I know this says “teacher” but I think this would perfect for “dad”! A fun cooler filled with his fav beverage!

Well peeps, good luck! These are all such spectacular ideas!!

I can’t wait to get my gift started, which let’s be honest, will probably be Saturday evening!… J/K!

xoxo, Brooke

We’ve got a special surprise for you today… who doesn’t love a little friendly competition and GIVEAWAY?!?! (there will be a randomly drawn winner in addition to the winner of the contest, so you should enter both ways!)

The premise of this contest stems from the fact that ALL OF US are guilty of Pinning an idea without ever checking the source… guilty as charged! But there are likely pins on your boards that are from your favorite bloggers, and you don’t even KNOW it! (Am I right?)

And that’s where the contest comes in:

Here’s the line-up! SUCH an amazing group of bloggers that we wrangled!!

And below are projects from each blogger (including ME!) that you’ve likely seen viral all over Pinterest!

Before we get to the rules, can we talk about how

RYOBI is giving away $800 worth of POWER TOOLS?

Just… in time for Father’s Day!

Perfect timing if you ask me.

$400 RYOBI Giftcard goes to our randomly selected winner, and $400 RYOBI Giftcard goes to the first person to correctly match up all 16 bloggers with the correct projects!

SO!

When you click on the Contest Form (at the bottom of this post), it will direct you to a page that will show you an image of the project, and a drop-down menu of bloggers. You just go down the line and select away! Some projects you probably know already, but some you may need to SNOOP AROUND blog-land to find!

We call this BLOG-HOPPING. And it’s highly encouraged in the blogging world.

Here’s the links to the home page of each blog (in no particular order). Now get busy!

1. Sawdust and Embryos
2. All Things Thrifty
3. Interiors by Kenz
4. Whatever Blog
5. Home Stories A to Z
6. Sarah M. Dorsey Designs
7. Twist Me Pretty
8. The Idea Room
9. DIY Village
10. Pretty Handy Girl
11. Domestic Imperfection
12. One Good Thing
13. Kara Paslay Designs
14. Nine Red
15. Vintage Revivals
16. East Coast Creative

{UPDATE: We have a big winner for the Matching Contest part of the giveaway (but the random drawing is still open tillSunday)! Stephanie Richardson was the very first one to match us up like a PRO! We still encourage you to see if you can figure them all out too! There’s so much amazing talent in this group, and you’re sure to stumble upon some serious inspiration. Thanks for playing!}

Entry #1 (Randomly drawn) ‘Like’ us ALL on Facebook, and let us know that you did on the Rafflecopter form below!	Entry #2 (Contest!) Click below to match up each blogger with their amazing project!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

• One entry per person, per entry method.
• Winner of matching contest will be emailed, and publicly announced on Facebook.
• Winner of random-drawing giveaway will be announced on Father’s Day here on the blog, as well as Facebook.
• Be sure to hop over to RYOBI Nation and check out some amazing inspirational projects!
• Be AWESOME today (that’s a given)

This contest/giveaway is in NO WAY affiliated with Pinterest or Facebook, and we hereby release them of any liability related to this promotion, the receipt of prize winnings, etc. The giveaway prize has been generously provided by RYOBI Nation. All prizes will be mailed by the sponsor and all participating blog owners are not held responsible if the prize is not fulfilled. Giveaway starts Monday 6/10/13 at 5am est and ends at midnight on Saturday 6/15/13. Alternate entry available by sending your entry via email to wehopeyouwin@gmail.com. Winner will be announced on Sunday 6/16/13 and will need to respond within 48 hours to claim their prize, or another winner will be chosen.Winner must be 18 years of age or older and a US citizen in order to win.   May the force be with you.

What do you think? Will you come next year?