Dollar Tree Finds

I love having Instagram. I was on it about a week ago and I discovered DollarTreeLady; she is always posting the finds that she gets at her local Dollar Tree. I thought that would make a great blog post and stashed the idea for later. Well, I went to the dollar tree for some random supplies and here is what I came out with. Most of my buys were for my new craft addiction and how I plan to store//use.

1. Snack Storage Containers -- These were two for one so I only spent four dollars on eight. I planned on using these store scarps of paper but take up more room then I thought so I am just using the round ones for storing paper clips and stick pins. They are awesome because they have a little opening in the top so I don't have to open the whole thing up.

2. Dolly Hearts -- I bought these to craft with, for my smash book.

3. Washi Tape (!!)  -- Yup I found four "washi" tape at the dollar tree. That's like half of the normal cost.

4. Vaseline -- For my dry skin. It works the best, no alcohol or funny smells.

5. "Hello My name is" Labels -- Also bought for my smash book.

6. Chips Ahoy Cookie Snacks --Cause well, who wouldn't. I am the cookie monster.

7. St. Pattys Socks -- I love holiday socks. Plus, my socks seem to be getting eaten by the washing machine or something because I have a ton of single pair socks. Any ideas on what I could do with them?

8. St Pattys Scarf -- This is a Fl scarf, which means that it is really thin but it will be soo warm by March here that it will work great. I can't wait to create an outfit for it.

9. Dividers -- Bought for my school but after using them, I don't like them. The clear divider is really hard to see. Luckily it's the first one but I will probably different ones soon.

10. Pencil Pouches or pencil holders -- These were bought for school as well but I found them really useful for storing scarps of paper, paint samples and more for crafts. They are great because they are flat so they don't take up room and I could put them in a cute binder that holds craft stuff later on.

11. Coupon Holder -- Also bought for the intention of hold scarps but then I loved the pencil pouches better. And I have coupons taking home anyways.

12. St Pattys Stickers -- Can't really smash a St Pattys Day without stickers to match!

13. Photo paper -- I couldn't believe when I found Polaroid printer photo paper in the dollar tree. There is really two sizes there. One is a 8x11 for either a collage or really big pictures and then a 4x6 for smaller collage or photos.

I plan on making a post soon about how I use all these or different ways you can use them, probably in march so keep an eye out.

\\ FOLLOW ME //

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?

\\ FOLLOW ME //