Weigh In 09/29

 

Well after last weeks atrocious 6 pound gain, I was pretty motivated to have a good loss this week. I stuck to my goals and it definitely paid off! I slipped up and had soda twice and I wasn’t as good about tracking as I need to be. That is what I’ll on focusing on this week as well as adding in more exercise.

But eating breakfast and replacing some meals with protein shakes definitely made a difference! I lost 4.4 pounds! Yeah baby!

Goals for this week…

Exercise 4 times (walking the dog counts)
Eat more veggies
No soda. No exceptions
TRACK EVERYTHING EVERYDAY!

Guest Post: Carrie from Frugal Foodie Mama

I've got a treat for you today! One of my fabulous sponsors, Carrie is here today to tell us about about her self and share a yummy and easy recipe! Take it away Carrie! 

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Hello there!  My name is Carrie and I blog over at Frugal Foodie Mama.  You can find me there blogging about how you can still be foodie even if you have a budget, posting my delicious and wallet friendly recipes, and chatting about natural parenting. Today I am hopping over to here to Finding My Way in Texas to share with you all my recipe for a quick and easy (not to mention cheap and yummy!) 8 Minute Mock Rice Pudding...

One of my son's favorite after school snacks (and I know it is a little weird, but...) is white rice doused in soy sauce.  He requested this a few afternoons ago, and I decided to make a little extra for myself.  I was craving rice pudding, but wasn't too crazy about the time that goes into making a whole batch from scratch.  So I improvised and wanted to share with you a little something I came up with that I like to call 8 Minute Mock Rice Pudding.  ;)

What you will need:

2/3 cup cooked rice (to make it truly 8 Minute Rice Pudding, I suggest 5 minute rice)

1 tbsp butter

2-3 tbsp of French Vanilla flavored creamer (I used SO Delicious French Vanilla Coconut Milk Creamer)

1 1/2 tsp sugar

Cinnamon to your taste

*This makes enough for one serving.

Cook your rice according to the box directions.  Most instant rice is 1 cup of boiling water to 1 cup of uncooked rice.  I made 2 cups of uncooked rice.  My son ate a good bit of it for his soy sauced rice, and I had enough rice leftover to make both myself and my husband a bowl of the rice "pudding".  

When the rice is ready and still very hot, add the butter.  Stir until melted and well incorporated.  Now add the French Vanilla creamer and sugar and stir well.  Sprinkle in as much cinnamon as you like.  Stir again.  And there you go!  8 Minute Mock Rice Pudding. :)

What is your favorite dish to mock up?

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Every once in a while I get an insane craving for rice pudding! My Nana used to make it for me on occasion, and it was always a favorite! I'm definitely going to be trying this some time soon! And if I followed the recipe above, it would only be 6 weight watcher points! Woot! Thats pretty good for a sweet treat :)

Thanks so much for sharing Carrie! 

I hope you'll drop by her blog and check out her recipes, she's got some FABULOUS ideas!

Princess S’s Baby Blanket

 

I’ve mentioned the Facebook Group that I started in order for me to meet some fellow Texans that blog. One of the fabulous ladies I’ve met is Emily from Sweet Bella Roos! We even got to meet in REALL LIFE one time! She just had a sweet baby girl and I wanted to make her something special :)

I contacted some of the ladies in the group and asked them to pick out and then send me some pink fabrics. I combined them with some of my stash and created this fun, cozy baby quilt for little baby S.

I used free motion quilting and it was the first time that I’ve done it on something bigger than a mug rug! I really enjoyed it and I am so glad that Baby S is enjoying it too! :) Her momma sent me this pic to share with you all…

Isn’t she just the sweetest thing? I just wanna kiss her cheeks and hold her for hours! Thanks for sharing this Pic Emily! :)

Don’t be THAT blogger!

 

Its been said before, but I thought I’d chime in with my 2 cents….

Don’t be THAT blogger'…

…For the love of pete! Please don’t be a no reply blogger! I like responding to your comments! But I can’t if you’re the dreaded no reply guy! Not sure it this applies to you or how to fix it if it does? Karen from Sew Many Ways has an easy tutorial to walk you through the steps! Go Here

…Captcha = no comments! You probably know what I’m talking about when I say its FRIGGING ANNOYING! So lets turn it off shall we? Go here for a video tutorial on youtube. And incase you’re wondering… mine is turned off and I dealt with the spammers by clicking the “no anonymous comments” option. Hurray! 2 problems – 1 stone!

… If you use twitter, and it is linked to your blog, but its marked private… WHY? I’d like to be able to follow you! If you want to keep your personal account private, that’s cool… just don’t link it to your blog or use it for a giveaway. Yup, you guessed it, ANNOYING!

… If you’re a “fashion blogger” Cool! You’ve got more guts than I do! But do us all a favor and post at least ONE picture LOOKING at the camera with a normal SMILE. Maybe it’s the photographer in me, but golly it frustrates me! I get that its “artsy” but common! Give us a smile!

… Need help? Ask. I like to help. That’s all ;)

ANNNNNNNNNNNNNDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD…………………………………………… End Rant :)

Farewell Summer, Hello Fall Swap!

 

 

If you know me at all, then you know that I LOVE swaps! Snail mail is one of my favorite things to get and its even better when it comes from a new friend!

I got matched up with the lovely Jessica from Forever and a Day!

 

We’d actually met before the swap assignment through the Texan’s Who Blog Facebook group! AND I’d won a Thirty-One giveaway from Jessica (I got an awesome organizer that I use for grocery shopping and couponing! Love it!) We have a lot in common! We both love Texas, crocheting/knitting, and being crafty! Oh and we both love fall!

I have to say, Jessica spoiled me! I felt like I’d gotten a never ending box of fabulousness! Let me show ya what she sent me!

A very full box full of goodies!

Fun yarns that have already been turned into wintery headbands :) A super adorable scarf. And an Owl candle holder that I ADORE! You know how I love owls!

Fabulous jewelry right? I wore the turquoise “pearl” set to church on Sunday! And I love the blingy bracelet :)

Jessica figured out that I have a fabric obsession :) She found some INCREDIBLE remnants for me! And yes those are Sock Monkeys! My sock monkey obsession is secondary only to my Owl obsession :)

Jessica sent me 2 of her favorite fall recipes (Delish!) and book that sounds great! Its next on my book list :)

 

I scored big time right? This is easily one of the best swap boxes I’ve ever received! I kind of feel like I didn’t send Jessica enough, but I’m going to make up for it, don’t you worry! Oh and if you want to see what I made and sent to Jessica, you can go here!

Jessica, thank you so much for all the thought and effort you put into my box! You definitely figured out what my favorite things are and I am so grateful for my box of goodies!

Bloggy Boot Camp: What I learned, Part 2

 

I’m back with the rest of what I learned from Bloggy Boot Camp Dallas! You can read Part 1 here. I’ll say it again, if you get a chance to go to a BBC event, I highly recommend it! I’m not going to giveaway all the details… that’s why you pay to go! LOL But I will share some of the highlights of what impacted me the most :)

I covered the morning sessions in my first post and after lunch, you had a choice, The Business of Blogging session or the Writers Workshop. Kelley and I had already agreed to split up, she went to the Business of blogging and I went to the Writers Workshop. And golly! am I glad that I did!

The Writer’s Workshop featured the fabulous Francesca (from the SITS Girls) and Kathy (from Mama Kats Losin It)

^{Sorry for the icky iphone picture! I really should have taken my Nikon!}

• ^{There is a difference between blogging and writing (its in the content!).}
• ^{There is an art to writing but success come from including the fundamentals.}
• ^{EVERYTHING is searchable and your first 100 words contribute the most to SEO}
• ^{Writers block? – walk away – check out inspiration links ( Just write: extrordinary-ordinary.net / Pouryourheartout.com / Five Minute Friday: lisajobaker.com) – distract yourself with something “fun” but have paper and pen near by to jot down new ideas.}
• ^{The six word memoir exercise (http://www.smithmag.net/sixwords/) Would this work as your tag line?}

^{The six word memoir was one of the hardest things for me to come up with (and mine ended up being 7 words) but it has inspired me so much! There are big changes coming to this little blog of mine and I can’t wait to share in a week or two!}

 

^{Holly Homer (sheisdallas.com & businesstoblogger.com) was up next! And boy, oh boy, did she have some incredible ideas to share about Local Content and some smart tips for SEO!}

• ^{Change the URL of your “About Me” Page – include an SEO searchable phrase and then use those exact words in EVERY guest post/giveaway opportunity and link it back to your “About Me” page! {Can we say brilliant!}}
• ^{Set up a blog category under the name of your town for your local content/around town type posts.}
• ^{Obscure posts will get more hits.}
• ^{Make yourself available to the local press! You might be surprised to find that they will use you!}
• ^{Attend local events whenever possible.}
• ^{You ARE already a local blogger, but may not realize it! Identify your local sphere of influence! – check out your analytics, search for geo-centered boards on pinterest, Twitaholic .}

 

^{Growing Your Traffic with Tiffany Romero and Francesca Banducci of the SITS Girls (Two flipping-fantastic women if you ask me!) was intense! They blasted us with a TON of info in a short amount of time ( we were running a little behind schedule lol), but it was a fab session and added about 38,748 more things to my To Do list!}

• ^{As soon as a new social media is introduced, register your name! Even if you don’t use it right away! Otherwise it may be gone!}
• ^{Editorial Calendar! Plan out the next 12 months! It doesn’t have to be for all 365 days or uber specific, but get the gist of it on paper.}
• ^{Twitter – sign up both your personal name and your blog/business name –FILL IN THE BIO!}
• ^{Keep a healthy Tweet ratio – 8 convo tweets vs. two promotional tweets.}
• ^{Facebook – Get visual! Create your own images and use them! – Add a freebie to your FB page.}

 

^{Have you heard of Flourish in Progress? Elizabeth was one of the funniest speakers of the day! And a total Gem! I got to talk to her a bit at the Mirassou Wine Tasting After Party and she is so genuine!  She spoke at BBC about Authenticity.}

• ^{What is your Story? Its YOURS! No one can tell you how to use your voice!}
• ^{If you’re honest and don’t try to hide details, you will be surprise by the number of people who “get it”!}
• ^{When you get discouraged (about a lack of comments/interaction) remember that people have lives!}
• ^{Not everyone will like what you do, and not everything is about you!}
• ^{If you put out honest content and work it, you can make a space for yourself in the blogosphere!}

 

^{Honestly, at 5 pm I was sad! I was sad because the day was over and the learning was done :( I could have listened to these remarkable women talk for another week! Of course heading upstairs to the Mirassou Wine Tasting party helped a little bit ;)}

I was so glad to meet up with some of “My Texas Girls” from the FB group I started in the spring! (Photo Creds to Cynthia from Oh So Pinteresting)

Overall it was an absolutely INCREDIBLE experience and I can’t wait to go to another BBC (hopefully) next year! And maybe even a weekend conference? We’ll have to see :)

Sunday Snaps

 

I desperately need to to grab my camera, head to the lake and go for a walk! Its been ages since I practiced different techniques with my camera. Anybody want to come to my part of Texas and be my model for a day?

My puppy is getting so Big! Riah will be 5 months on Tuesday. And I think she is close 50 pounds now!

I can finally show you this baby quilt! A friend from the Texan’s Who Blog facebook group just had a beautiful little girl. Some of the ladies from the group sent me some pink fabrics and I combined them with white to make this fun baby quilt! I’ll share more details soon :) I’m waiting for the Momma to have a chance to take pics. Hehehe

That’s all I’ve got this week. Maybe next week I’ll have something that’s more “photography” like. :)

Happy Sunday!

Weigh In: Back to Reality

 

Some of you may have noticed that I haven’t posted any updates/weigh ins for over a month… Most of you probably didn’t notice a thing ;)

Well I fell off the WW wagon for 5 weeks. The first week I missed I was sick/slept in. Second week I was in a funk/depressed/eating everything in sight. Third week I was shopping/thrifting with my MIL. Fourth week I was in Dallas at BBC.

weheartit.com

So today, 5 Saturdays since the last time I weighed in, I am up 6.2 pounds.

OUCH!!!!!

I’m so pissed at myself for letting it happen, and yet at the same time happy that its only 6.2 pounds. It could have been a lot worse considering how many times I’ve eaten out over the past month. I had basically stopped tracking my points and exercise has become a 4 letter word.

So, I’m starting over. Forgiving myself for messing up, and getting back on the Wagon!

This week I’m going to go back to the very basics of the WW plan. Tracking everything I eat and working out. I’ll be cutting out soda, limiting coffee and giving up all forms of junk food. I’m going to actually eat breakfast (Body by Vi shakes are awesome!) and exercise.

Time to get back to business!

Busy Busy Busy!

 

I’ve been crocheting, sewing and crafting like mad! I've signed up to do Bowie’s Second Monday Trade Days in TWO weeks and I’m busting my butt to get inventory made and ready to go :) Since I haven’t done any craft tutorials lately I thought I could at least show you some of what I’ve been working on. If you follow me on instagram you may have seen some of these already :)

I made a couple notebook covers for myself and a friend for Bloggy Boot Camp Dallas. I liked them so much that I started making more and more! These were pretty good sellers last year when I did the Christmas markets around here. Hopefully they fly off the shelf in October!

I got a request for a custom order for a photo shoot set for an adorable one year old! Can’t wait to see the pics!

Mule was off work yesterday and we spent the evening matching movies. I got these 5 hat “shells” together Woop! Just need to add faces and I’m that much closer to my inventory goal!

Something new (they’re going in the shop soon!) are these Big Bow Winter Headbands :) I’m hoping to “steal” a local for a photo shoot soon! I’ve got Pink, Purple, Teal, Yellow and Black. I love switching up bright and cheery accessories in the winter. Makes me feel a little less “blah” when everything is grey and gross outside.

ok! Time to get back to work!

September’s Giveaway!

It’s the most wonderful time of the month here at Finding My Way in Texas! You know, that glorious time when some of the lovely ladies hanging out on my sidebar share some love and give you the chance to win cool things!  Hurray!

Kelley @ the Grant Life

 Blog / Facebook / Twitter

Amanada @ Princess of the Panhandle

Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest

Stephanie @ Vintage Modern Wife

This credit can be used on any item in my shop, Vintage Modern Moments on Etsy. I currently specialize in customized photo tile coasters but can also make custom orders for large display tiles as well.

Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Shop’s Facebook

 

Tania @ Mama Mantras

Includes: option to participate in a giveaway on "Confessions of a Life Addict" or "The Mama Mantras" depending on content, social media mention and pins to pinterest.

Blog / Twitter / Facebook

 

From Me! Finding My Way in Texas

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Bloggy Boot Camp: What I learned Part 1

 

 

Saturday was an incredible day! From getting to FINALLY meet one of my favorite people in REAL LIFE, to the “famous” bloggers and the overall experience it was an incredible day! I’ll tell you right now, if you have the chance to go to a Bloggy Boot Camp, do not hesitate, not for one second! But since you couldn’t make it to Dallas I thought I’d share some of what I learned!

(I snagged this from Kelley, but don’t worry she’s ok with it )

The day started off with Laurie from The Tip Junkie! Laurie has definitely experienced success in the blogging world! She had TONS of fabulous things to share.

• Always expect a pay off - don’t spend time, money or effort in things what won’t pay off. Period
• Never second guess a fun idea! - The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of willingness.
• Branding! – Branding is what people say when you’re not in the room (identity)

I took pictures of all of her slides, and looking back I really wish I had sucked it up and taken my Nikon instead of just our old digital cam, so excuse the awfulness, but I wanted to show you this slide…

(yes I know there are a couple heads in the way, I was in the back of the room!)

I walked away from this session feeling inspired and challenged! I’m trying to write a little bit differently, and definitely think differently.

I will be using this tutorial to make my images more searchable. I’m working with a friend to design a new logo that I can use EVERYWHERE. A new/tweaked design is in the works. And I am definitely going to be doing more with my footer space!

Next up was Cynthia from Nap Warden with “What you really need to know about blog design”. She shared lots of slides with designs she has done with tips for how to make your design work better. While I am not a designer, (definitely not one of my strengths!) I walked out of this session feeling empowered! Now I know what I want and need for my next design, and will be more vocal while working with my designer!

Things I need to include in my design…

• high quality graphics (new logo!!!)
• my own water mark design
• cross platform consistency (carrying through the logo and color scheme to twitter, Facebook, etc.)
• a kick butt footer area. It’s the perfect area for a secondary navigation bar. People might not have been ready to “commit” to following you at the top of the page, but if they make it to the bottom, they just might be ready to subscribe!

I’m really excited to start work on the new project (details coming soon in case you were wondering) and implement the things I learned from Cyn!

Angela from the Untrained Housewife talked to us about ebooks, how they can be a fabulous marketing tool, and how to write one! Of course now the idea of writing and ebook and becoming a published author is now in my brain and added to the list of things I want to do! Its at the bottom of the list at the moment, but its still on there!

If you’re interested in writing an ebook here are the basics from Angela's session…

• Start with an idea that is not too broad (everything there is to know about knitting), but not too narrow (how to knit purple hamsters).
• Write your table of contents. Keeps you focused and can help avoid writers block.
• Once its all written, polish it up! – professional images/graphics/cover art. Editing!
• Format – presentation is important to readers
• Marketing – sell it on your site, create your own affiliate program, amazon
• Monetize WITHIN your book! Include affiliate links. (kinda brilliant that one! I never would have thought of it)

After lunch, you had a choice, The Business of Blogging session or the Writers Workshop. Kelley and I had already agreed to split up, she went to the Business of blogging and I went to the Writers Workshop. And boy and I glad that I did!

I learned soooo much about who I am as a blogger/writer and what I want to become. We did some eye opening exercises and had an open discussion about writing! I’d love to share more… but there’s just too much information to share about the afternoon sessions :)

So come back on Monday and I’ll share some more of what I learned

Me, Myself and I

This months questions:
1) When you're feeling down, what do you do to pick yourself up?
Chocolate usually works. But if I am in a real funk, I need either a good laugh or a good cry. Sometimes a combination of the two!

2)  If you had to live in a different time period which would you prefer?
I’ve always dreamt of living in Victorian Era London, the daughter of some rich Duke or Earl. How much fun would it be to wear those dresses? I’d probably be the crazy rebel type and burn my corsets though! ;)

{Source}

3)  What is the most creative Halloween costume you've ever worn?

One year, when I was 10 or 11, I went to our church’s costume party as Queen Easter. My mother made a pretty awesome toga/wrap/dress thing out of some white sheets and PAINTED my hair with black tempra paint. It was like I was wearing a helmet or something! I remember having to wash my hair 5 times to get all the paint out (Natural blonde here). But I won First prize that year, and I was sooooo thrilled!
4)  Five weird things about you we wouldn't know without being told?
I hate feet. I’m allergic to spinach (like take me to the hospital allergic). My second toe is disgustingly longer than my big toe. Up until 6 months ago I hated anything caramel, now I LOVE it. I collect vintage children’s books, like Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys :)

5)  What would you tell your 16-year-old self?
Boys are over rated. Ignore your stupid brother, someday someone will love you just the way you are. PUT DOWN THE DONUT! Take a zippered purse with you to Romania, much harder for the pick pockets and then you won’t lose all your spending money. Spend as much time as you can with Nana, she might be annoying at times, but you’re going to miss her desperately when you’re older. (Shoot, I’m going to make myself cry!)
Time for some chocolate therapy and a funny movie. Or maybe just a movie :)

Sponsor Spotlight!

 

Yay! Its that wonderful time of the month where I introduce you to the Lovely Ladies that have been hanging out on my side bar :)

 

 

Brooke from Covered in Grace.

You can find her…

Blog / Twitter / Facebook

On Monday’s Broke hosts Monday Meet Ups! The perfect place to link up any and all of your favorite posts from the week before!

What is she looking forward to most in September?

I'm looking forward to our last Sunset Cruise in Waikiki with all of our friends before we leave Hawaii. It's going to be so bittersweet.

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Jac from babEblessings

You can find her…

Facebook / Twitter /  Google +

Jac is a a fabulous blog designer and runs a print shop! She recently released her inspirational journal. And let me tell you, its fabulous!  It’s the perfect place for bible study notes, daily reflections or moments you want to remember.

What is she looking forward to most this September?

September is a great month, and I'm looking forward to cooler weather. And it seems to have arrived :)

 

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Carrie from Frugal Foodie Mama

You can find her…

 Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest

Carrie has some seriously DELISH recipes on the blog. The Vanilla Spiced Peach jam is a must read/make!

What is she looking forward to most this September?

Fall weather! Crunchy leaves! Pumpkin everything and apple picking!

 

 

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Stephanie from The Vintage Modern Wife

You can find her…

Blog / Twitter / Facebook

What is she looking forward to most this September?

Opening my etsy shop, Vintage Modern Moments! I'm excited for the new endeavor!

 

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Tania from Mamas Mantras

You can find her…

Twitter / Pinterest / Facebook

What is she looking forward to most this September?

September is National Yoga Month!!! I love all the special classes and trainings that go on!

 

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Jennifer from Jennifer Leigh’s Blog

You can find her…

Blog / Twitter / Facebook

What is she looking forward to most this September?

I'm looking forward to the humidity breaking & the leaves changing colors, but even more important the FALL FASHION!! Love boots, sweaters & all the great fall colors!

 

 

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I’ve had so much fun getting to know these lovely ladies better!

If you’re interested in sponsoring Finding My Way In Texas you can learn more here. The first 5 people to use code Septemberlovin get 50% off for October! Sponsorships will be changing quite a bit in November!