Smash Book Journal // Documenting 2014

At the beginning of the year I made a list of goals that I would like to complete as the year went on. One of those goals was to journal this year. My first diary appeared when I was about 5. I wrote in and out of it for years. Then during a dramatic time in my life I bought a journal and wrote in it everyday to vent and figure out life. Yet, once I started college my journal became a planner and I had everything detailed out. That was two years ago and then I just stopped writing. Although my blog is a great way to document, sometimes I need a place to let myself be free. I need to write things out or creative something out of my mood and being digital doesn't always do that, and sometimes isn't safe.

I was browsing the internet when I came across the perfect way to document the year without costing alot. I am making a smash book journal. A journal in case you didn't catch it. I have bought journaling cards that I am going to write the day on and I can't wait to show you how the book is turning out. I think that the smash book  perfect for just getting my day on paper without being having the perfect "look" or without trying to fill out a huge diary page. The book also allows me to be creative, which is another goal of mine.

Last but not least, another reason that I like smash book is that since I am trying to embrace my one little word, free, I wanted a way to keep up with it and remember the word. Smashing it is a great idea. I can remember when I embraced the word or when  I went against my word.

I picked up my smash book at Joanns and I had a coupon for 40% off so the book was only eight dollars. The smash book that I choose is a Smash Smart because it has alot of really neat school pages inside. Since I am taking two sciences classes this semester, I thought the book would fit perfectly. I am hopping to use the book through this semester or 16 weeks.

I already have alot of the pages planned out and I am working on getting them together. I was thinking about vlogging my progress. What do you think? How do you want to see my pages? Do you have a smash book or do you another method to keep up with your days?

\\ FOLLOW ME //

Operation Beautiful V.22.2

<center> <a href="http://shaneprather.blogspot.com/search/label/operation%20beautiful"><img border="0" src="http://i825.photobucket.com/albums/zz180/x3shanerx3/blog/op.jpg" /></a></center> As expected, I received overwhelming interest in my Operation Beautiful project. Thus, the showcase will roll out 3 lovely ladies each Monday until I stop receiving entries...hopefully never!

This project is to make you think, ponder, appreciate the simple things about yourself, that add up and make you truly beautiful. The smaller qualities that you adore about yourself, like your lips or eyes, that make you feel pretty on the worst of days.

This project is about your talents, your secret hidden abilities, your amazing personalities. Those quirks which make you, uniquely you. And, I sincerely hope that after you read through the finished product to discover how these other ladies feel about themselves, you can spend the rest of the day, sincerely feeling great about yourself.

If you feel vulnerable, insecure, or hesitant to send in an entry, don't be! We're in this together. It will hopefully make you realize a few things about yourself. This will by far be one of my favorite posts I'll ever do on this blog, and I won't even write it, you guys will. Take it away ladies!

Elizabeth

I feel most beautiful when…I'm clean. I know, weird right? And maybe a bit awkward. But seriously. Motherhood is messy.

My favorite physical feature is my... My eyes. They change between blue and green depending on the day. I just like them.

Something non-physical that I love about myself is...I have gotten to a point in my life where I care what people think, but I'm not afraid to rock the boat. I used to just shy away from confrontation and get all flustered, but now? I'm not afraid to question things and disagree. My father in law calls me "a breath of fresh air" and I appreciate that more than anything.

I'm happiest when...I'm at home :) I am such a homebody...I love being comfortable and being in my element.

Clodagh

I feel most beautiful when…I have just straightned my hair or it has curled just right

My favorite physical feature is my... Eyes or hair when it's behaving

Something non-physical that I love about myself is...that I am very ambitious

I'm happiest when... i'm with my friends just talking

Kate

I feel most beautiful when… I'm curled up on the couch in mis-matched pajamas with my hair in a loose bun on the nape of my neck... Just so comfortable, so me.
 
My favorite physical feature is my... My eyes. They are big. They are brown. They are round. They are mine.
 
Something non-physical that I love about myself is...that I am so loyal. I pride myself on being the best kind of friend and companion around.

I'm happiest when... I'm spending time with people who love me. Whether it's playing with our pups, enjoying a date night with my husband Adam, or game night with friends, I'm at my happiest when I surround myself with those who love me just as fiercely as I love them.

Interested on being featured in future rounds?

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7 Steps to remove “Share Endorsements” On Google+

I don't know how many of you know this but Google+ has changed their policies. They only changed three things but that first one is the one you might want to concern yourself with. Below I listed a photo of what the concern is. "Firstly, clarifying how you profile name and photo might appear in Google products (including reviews, advertising and other commercial contexts)" Now I am not an expert on law lingo but I am thinking that means that if you have a Google account, Google can take your name and photo and you use you for an advertisement of something that you liked or talked about. It's not bad but it could hurt you. If you are a blogger, then you are loosing money. Wither you want that information shared or not, here is how to change the setting on your profile. 

My Art Update 01.16.13

Over the weekend James and I got really creative. He wanted to try painting out so I thought I would join me. I ended up creating four pictures in one sitting. I was surprised how well they came out. James calls them abstract but I call them me. What do you think?

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FREE Yearly Editorial Calendar for ANY blogger

FREE Yearly Editorial Calendar for ANY blogger

This is a simply layout for Google.com/drive. Make sure that you are signed in or create an account. Then just click the link above to access the layout. Highlight all or Ctrl+A and then copy by keyboard, Ctrl+C. Then create a new spread sheet for yourself and paste the layout inside, Ctrl+V. Now just rename to whatever you want and you have a simple, free editorial calendar.

Once you have it saved I would recommend adding in any holidays, festivals, and anything else  that you celebrate. That way you can remember when something is, like Corn Festival, and plan around it. Also if you really get stumped try adding a new column to the layout meant just for silly national/state days; such as eat a hot day day, tickle your dog and free hug days. That way you always have something that you can act on and post about.

Your welcome. ;]

Check out this post for idea on how to create blog post for the year. Or come back here to find out more. 

Update 10/19/14: I am afraid this is no longer available thanks to google changing google drive.


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