Road Trip Recap Days 1 & 2

Well have you been dying to see my pictures from my roadtrip?

How about hear about the recap?

Here goes...

Monday, July 16th

4:00 AM: Alarm went off.

4:30 AM: Everyone loaded and in the car.

4:45AM: Quick swing by Burger King for breakfast.

4:50AM: On the freeway and headed out of town.

About 8:30AM: Stop in Elko for gas!

It's pretty and Dreary.

About 10:30AM: Stop for a rest stop in Button Point.

WTF is Button Point anyway?  Josh says the restroom had a glory hole.

About Noon: Stop in Reno for food and gas.

Did you know we don't have Jack in the Boxes in Utah?

Julie doesn't think it's impressive, but Josh loves it.

About 5:00PM: Arrive at the hotel in Redding.

It's actually really nice for $40 a night.

We get cleaned up and walk around the corner for dinner.

The restaurant is called Grilla Bites and all of their food is organic.

I get a Tofu & Peanut Sauce stir fry and a beer.

Tangerine by Lost Coast is my new favorite beer ever.

They also had this really cool contraption that we played with.

The golf ball goes along knives and spoons and stuff.

After dinner we wander through a local artist's shop.

Then we walk back to the hotel where Julie and I hop in the pool.

Josh runs to Safeway (which we also don't have) for some beer.

For some reason, everyone staying at the hotel had to watch us swim.

It was kind of creepy. Though we were playing Marco Polo like kids.

After a couple of showers we settled down and watched the new True Blood.

I love that our Cheap Motel had HBO!

Day 2 after the break!

(The best pictures are yet to come!)

Guardian (MM)

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This week's song:

Guardian
by Alanis Morissette



You, you who has smiled when you’re in pain
You who has soldiered through the profane
They were distracted and shut down


So why, why would you talk to me at all
Such words were dishonorable and in vain
Their promise as solid as a fog


And where was your watchman then


[[CHORUS]]
I’ll be your keeper for life as your guardian
I’ll be your warrior of care your first warden
I’ll be your angel on call, I’ll be on demand
The greatest honor of all, as your guardian


You, you in the chaos feigning sane
You who has pushed beyond what’s humane
Them as the ghostly tumbleweed


And where was your watchman then


[[CHORUS]]


Now no more smiling mid crestfall
No more managing unmanageables
No more holding still in the hailstorm


Now enter your watchwoman


[[CHORUS]]


***

Such a great song, and so very sweet.  The music video was just released this weekend, and the song will be on her new album coming out in August.  I cannot wait! 

What are you listening to this week?

Don't forget to link up and you'll be entered to win a big music prize at the end of the year!

New New New!

I confess that for the first time in months I uploaded new product to my Etsy shop.  I'm going to try harder to be more creative and keep it up and going.  For those of you who participated successfully in the Books 'n' Bloggers Swap, you may remember my Reader Girl Series of cards and bookmarks.  Well, people loved them so I decided to put some up in my shop. :)

I confess that I uploaded pictures from my trip to FB last night, and will share the good ones with you next week for sure!  It was so much fun, and there's lots of great shots like these:

I confess that after looking at those pictures I really want a new camera... My camera comes in 16mp now, and the one I took them with was 12mp.  However, if I'm going to spend the money shouldn't I just get a nice fancy camera?  Though the point and shoot is ever so easy to put in my pocket.

OR   ?

On another note, I confess that I really do love PassionFruit Ads.  It makes it so easy to manage, and easy to find other people to sponsor or advertise on.  Also, their service is fantastic. It's been great!  Don't forget to enter my giveaway that's running until next Thursday, and you could win free advertising here on the blog for a month!  8 Winners!

What do you have to confess?

Giveaway: Win Free Advertising!

As many of you know by now, I am offering Sponsoring in the upper left sidebar on my blog.  I have lots of sizes and prices available.  For more information, please see my Advertising/Sponsoring page.

I have decided to giveaway 8 advertising spots.

Totally free, for 30 days worth of advertising.

1 Large (200x200) Ad Spot:
Includes options to host an giveaway and/or guest post, sponsor round-up inclusion, and mentions on social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, etc.

2 Medium (200x130) Ad Spots:

Includes options to host an giveaway, sponsor round-up inclusion, and mentions on social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, etc.

5 Small (200x75) Ad Spots:
Includes sponsor-round-up inclusion and mentions on social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, etc.

What can you advertise?
Anything! You can advertise your shop or product, you can advertise your blog to get more followers, you can even advertise your twitter/facebook/pinterest, etc! 

Current Stats: Updated 7/25/12

I get an average of 10,000 page views a month.

That's 10,000+ times your add can be seen.

I have 735 followers through GFC

439 "Likes" on Facebook

524 Followers on Twitter

443 Followers on Pinterest

154+ other social media followers

(Instagram, Bloglovin, HelloCotton, etc.)

Follow the break to enter!

Back from Vacation!

Hello lovelies, I'm back! 

Did you miss me?

First off, the weekend before we left we went to Jon and David's for dinner/beer.

I got this hilarious picture of Thor.

That is a "Why are you picking on me?" face. It was funny and cute!

After that we went out for drinks for Andy Panda's birthday:

I haven't uploaded all of the good photos taken with my camera. 

But here are some of my instagram photos for a good sneak-peak at my trip!

Stopping at Jack in the Box in Reno.  No, we don't have them here in UT.

Our motel in Redding.  We went swimming, it was fun!

Josh at the Route 101 cafe. We were dying for a bathroom and food by this point.

I took this when we first got into the redwoods.

It's on the Avenue of the Giants and SO pretty!

Blowing up their "air mattresses." Yes, they are water float beds.

We went into Eureka and saw a few of these guys swimming in the harbor.

We weren't sure what they were, but I'm pretty sure they're Harbor Seals.

We spent one night in Patrick's Point and after a little hike found this view!

Josh and Julie went all the way out to that rock. 

I stayed back and took pictures.

We found more harbor seals there!

Josh and Julie are down close to the Harbor Seals.

After hiking from Patrick's Point to Palmer's Point we found this view.

That's where we were by those Harbor Seals.  So pretty!

We settled in that night and roasted some weenies.

Even though we hadn't showered in four days, Julie painted her toenails.

And a gutsy bird swooped down, looked at us, took two pecks of butter, and flew off.

Before we left, we went and played on more rocks.

And went down, then back up, like a hundred stairs.

When we made it to Sacramento we got to see these two!

It was so great to see David (hand gesture) and meet his girlfriend Cate!

In other news.

Yesterday I finally cleaned the house in time to go out and play.

We went to El Chihuahua for death stars with Max, Ortie, Josh, Deacon, and Ashler.

Then we watched the Fireworks.  

Believe it or not, here in Utah the 24th of July is MUCH bigger than the 4th of July.

Death stars are lovely large goblets filled with fruity alcohol.

Oooooohhhh.... Aaaahhhh.... lol

So how have you been? 

It's been a while!

King of the Bongo (MM)

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This week's song:

King of the Bongo
by Robbie Williams



Love this song by Robbie.
Listened to it on the drive home last night.

Link-Up!
Don't forget that linking up enters you to win a great music prize at the end of the year!

Occupy Your Studio!

Cynthia Haase lives by the mantra: Occupy Your Studio!

It all started in 2010 when Cynthia and her good friend JunieB. decided to rent their own studio space after learning what an escape it could be.  It changed her life and mental state.  One day as she watched JunieB oil paint a large canvas she decided to give it a try herself.


"My first 4 x 4 “daily” oil painting was really bad, but I put it up on my Etsy shop, Littleton Studio, and it sold.  OK - I’m now HOOKED. "


Last year she averaged 3 paintings a week, this year it's more like 2 but she's been working on some heftier pastel projects.  She tries to be in the studio most mornings, and has even sacrificed book clubs, coffee dates, and other things to follow her passion into the studio.   


She keeps herself motivated by paying rent on her studio, and by painting with her good friend JunieB.  It's easier to keep going when you have a good friend to pass the time with and encourage you.  Read more on this story HERE.

Cynthia is even nice enough to offer you tips on how to be a more productive artist (man, could I use that!) by offering tips!


Cynthia says:

1. Find a place you can call your studio, whether at home, or off-site.  It should be a place to escape to not a place to dread.
2. Make yourself accountable to someone to actually occupy your studio.  She's accountable to JunieB, yours could be another artist friend that you check in with daily for awhile.
3.  Find a motivation.  Mine is $$. Decide how much money you need to keep your studio operating, or how much you need for a vacation, supplies, etc.  Money can be a very motivating factor.  You don’t produce? You don’t get paid!
4.  Pick a consistent time to be in your studio, not “just whenever you can find time.”
5.  Find your trigger/routine for beginning to paint. Mine is an iced venti skinny vanilla latte, putting on my black apron and putting some tunes on the CD player.  Once the apron goes on, my body knows it’s time to get down to business.

Like Cynthia Haase Fine Art's work?
All of the images shown here are for sale, and there are many more!

Cynthia Haase Fine Art Shop | Cynthia Haase Fine Art on Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

Want more tips on being a better artist and seller?
Follow Cynthia's blog: What Are You Really Selling?

What Are You Really Selling Blog | What Are You Really Selling on Facebook

Want more?  See her galleries on DailyPaintWorks and DailyPaintOriginals

Please go leave her some love, she's so fantastic!

June/July Sponsor Round-Up

As you may have noticed, I now offer sponsoring on my left sidebar.  I have met some wonderful people since I started this, and I'm proud to show them off to you now!  Please stop by and visit them and show them your love!

Cynthia Haase's favorite mediums are pastels, oil, and colored pencils.
When she's not in the studio she spends her time as the national President of the Colored Pencil Society of America.  She's also a member of the Impressionists Society of America, Missouri Valley Impressionists Society, and the Pastel Society of Colorado.  Even though she is busy busy with all of those societies, her mantra is still "Occupy your studio!"




Please find her and say hello!  Plus check out her gorgeous art for sale.
Etsy Shop | Shop Facebook | Blog | Blog Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

***


In her words: "My name is Tara Reid and I run Starletta Designs from my studio in Ontario, Canada. I originally opened for business in 2007, but after a few months life got in the way. It wasn't until March of 2012 that I decided to relaunch as a full time business. I do still work part time doing graphic design projects on the side, but jewelry design is my true passion and creative outlet! I create only one of a kind or limited edition pieces, as I like my customers to know that they have something very special."

 

Please go say hello and check out her beautiful jewelry! 
Etsy Shop | Facebook | Twitter

***

Melanie Grace's true philosophy is to create something absolutely wonderful out of totally reclaimed junk.  She loves to take things that were once cast aside and make them into a work of art; something beautiful that you'll never look at as junk again.  She really succeeds, as most of her pieces are breathtaking!




Please find her and say hello, and check out her gorgeous steampunk gear!
Etsy Shop | Blog | Facebook | Pinterest | BlogLovin'

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Melanie Grace and Travis started Earth Craft with the desire to bring people together where they could find real handmade things that were lovingly and personally made.  They sell metaphysical stuff and essential oils.  They're currently hosting a giveaway of essential oils HERE.




Please find them and say hello, and check out their items available.
Etsy Shop | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | BlogLovin'

***

Photography has always been a passion for Jessica, and it really shows in her work.  Not only does she catch very awesome colors, and make everyone look completely gorgeous, but she portrays their state of being so well! They are inspired.




If you need a great photographer in the Utah area, check her out!
Photo Blog | Facebook  | Website

***

Handmade Men is a brand new venue for one-of-a-kind and handcrafted pieces for men to be featured. Throughout each month we talk to artists (men and women!) who create for the growing male handmade market, learn about awesome handmade gear for men, and share wisdom about men's health, grooming, DIY projects, and more! The site is a great place to keep a pulse on hot Etsy products and shops that cater to the masculine spirit.  Every Monday they feature an artist or product like the Etsy-Famous Bottle Wrench and they have Friday "Hot Picks" where they feature items that fit a theme like Poolside Essentials.

Check them out, and definitely if you're a dude or a seller that makes stuff for men!


Blog/Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

***

If you're interested in sponsoring My So-Called Chaos for July/August, you can end up in my next sponsor love post and I'll talk about you!  Featured and Large sponsors also get their own individual posts or review/giveaway opportunities!  Please check out my Sponsor page to see more info and a discount code!