Foodie Pen Pal Swap & Some Confessions

This month I participated in a swap called Foodie Penpals which is hosted by the Lean Green Bean, have you heard of it?  It's a fun swap where you are matched up with a partner (not always a blogger) and you each send the other a box of foodie goods.  

I was matched up with Jessica (who's not a blogger so I can't link to her) and she sent me a really fun package with these goodies in it.  Lightly salted dried veggies (which I'm totally addicted to now), Odwalla Superfood bar (it was a great breakfast), Zatarains Red Beans and Rice, Mint Tea, White Bar-B-Q Sauce (so curious about this one!), cajun seasoning, and cornbread mix.  It was such a fun box! I of course sent her some fry sauce (it's a Utah thing), rootbeer extract, and a few other goodies I really dig. :) 

In other news...

I confess that I'm going to drop about $900 on a DSLR and accessories today.  I want it to come tomorrow so I'll be home and with my Prime membership Saturday delivery is only $12.  Still... It's painful paying that much money all in one go... But I want it so bad! Especially before my Oregon trip.  But still... I'm kind of panicking over the money.  lol

I confess that I also started this morning out looking for a good DSLR camera bag that also could double as a purse since I get two carry-ons and one will be my suitcase so the other needs to hold my camera plus a book, my 3DS, wallet, keys, phone, etc.  But then I came across this awesome tutorial on how to Turn a Purse into a Padded DSLR Bag from Make It & Love It and now I'm thinking I'll put my sewing machine to good use... It just collects dust these days anyway!

I confess that I'm feeling really fat, and totally bummed that I haven't really made any real effort to lose weight before my trip.  UGH.  Not looking forward to squeezing my butt into those airplane seats and to feeling like a hefer when I buckle up.  Damn.  I guess I have a week, it's not much but even if I can just lose a few pounds I'll feel better.  Maybe I'll go full-on juicing next week.  Also my downstairs neighbors are moving out this weekend so I should start a workout routine while no one is in there! 

I confess that I'm toying with the idea of getting rid of Health NOT to Health NUT.  I hardly every blog over there anymore-but I started it with the hopes that it would force me to write about my weight loss journey-and I just keep failing so it gets no love.  I just don't know.  

I confess that there are a lot of giveaways happening right now (check out the giveaway section of the sidebar to your right! However there is one on Instagram that's not getting a lot of love-it closes Monday and has about 7 entries so you have a high chance of winning if you're an Instagram user in the US!  Check it out! 

How are you?  What's up this weekend?

We Don't Have to Be Friends on Facebook

Oh Facebook-the simultaneously magical place where I can keep up with everyone I could ever want to and place where a good amount of stress is generated.  Stress?  Well yes, it's stressful to always be sucked into the drama that people create. Some people thrive on causing a stir and getting into internet arguments, and then there are those of us over here that are just like "Oh hey, look at this cute cat!"

It's stressful to constantly be berated with political and religious images. some are fine, but we always have at least one friend who is constantly posting "I hate the president" or "Your religion is wrong for this reason."  It doesn't matter which side of the fence they are on or what god they pray to-it's a constant stream of negativity and a lot of looking for someone to argue with.

Let's not forget about the people who hate everything.  They complain about the snow when it's snowing, then the heat when it's warm... They complain about the rain and the drought.  They complain about their family and friends, then they complain when no one wants to spend time with them.  It's a never ending cycle of hatred-and reading that is just inviting yourself to feel negative also.

But this person is your friend... You see this person every day at work, or every Friday night when you get together for dinner and drinks... Or this person is family.  It's your cousin, your aunt, your sister-so you have to put up with their posting insanity or sending you twelve invites for every single one of the two-hundred-and-fifty-three games they play right?  That's what you do for family.

There are only so many posts that feel so stupid you want to tear your hair out, or so many posts that enrage you and leave you feeling angry before you have to do something about it-and you're not about to start an internet rage-fest or argue with someone who won't listen to logic.

Let's be honest.  There is only so long you can deal with seeing all of this before you just snap.

So what are you to do? You want to be able to go on Facebook and still keep up with people and see the good things. You can try hiding their posts-but inevitably they're going to realize that you're not seeing their things and carry on their drama on your end this time. They'll leave comments on your posts/pictures hoping to incite some kind of "debate" (but we all know that debate to these kind of people really means one-sided argument-because they are incapable of logically discussing things and rather they just want to rant at you) and you'll start feeling the sadness and frustration that you were previously dealing with again. There's just no winning. Eventually you're going to start to hate this person in real life.

This is the point when you need to take a long hard look at that delete button and remind yourself that you don't have to be friends on Facebook. It's not the end of the world. You can still see and love someone in real life without the frustrations of Facebook. It will be okay-in fact it will be more than ok-it will be a lot better.

So go ahead and free yourself. That way you can get back to Facebooking and all of it's glory without the constant worry that logging in is going to ruin your whole day. The world will be a much better place for you-promise.

*Update* Check out my awesome reader's comments below-they have more funny stories and other great tips for when unfriending just doesn't feel right!  Hiding & unfollowing work really well too!*

February Group Giveaway

Hey loves!  My fantastic February sponsors have teamed up for a really great group giveaway for you, and I'm SO excited to be sharing it with you!  Are you ready?  Most of these are USA only, though there are some gift cards and ad space open worldwide! 

Prize Details | Website | Facebook

Prize Details | Website | Facebook | Instagram | Blog

Winner's Choice | Website | Facebook | Blog | Twitter

Prize Details | Shop | Facebook | Twitter | Blog

Life According to Steph | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Thoughts, Rants, and Art | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Amber Nicole | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Utah Queen of Chaos | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Year of Firsts

SmallnHot | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Now enter the giveaway!

One winner per prize/bundle details of which bundle is open to which country is listed on the graphic.

Entering the giveaway through the Rafflecopter agrees to the Terms and Conditions within.

Giveaway runs from 12AM 2/27/14 - 12AM 3/6/14. 6 Winners!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Etsy & Starbucks Gift Cards: bcteagirl
Fish Poster: Tahlia B
Nail Polish: Sabrina A
Eye Shadow: Mckenzie S
Scarf Ring: Rachel K
Ad Space: Kaylee B

Mug O'Comfort Swap

Sign ups are now open for the Mug O'Comfort Swap over at Chaotic Goddess Swaps!  

Not sure what this is?  It's a swap where we pair you up with another blogger and you send each other a mug-related package between $15 and $20 (before shipping)!  See more details HERE.

Don't forget the giveaway is still going on over there too!

Patric Bates Art Giveaway

Every so often Shawn and I will wander down a bit further south from work to get a sandwhich at a cute little sandwich place attached to a coffee shop.  On one of these occasions, the coffee shop had these fantastic artistic prints hanging up of a local artist named Patric Bates.  Shawn and I instantly fell in love with them and added him as a friend on Facebook-and voila, look what I have for you today! 

Patric makes these gorgeous one of a kind works of art that are so full of detail and imagination that they draw you into this incredibly different fantasy world where you are forced to wonder about (or make up your own) stories for the characters?  Each person or creature in the painting has it's own personality-and thus each likely has their own tale to tell! 

Not only does he create these to-die-for prints and originals that he sells in his shop, but he also has a calendar, bookmarks (honestly, I'm in love with the bookmarks I received from him!) and he's working on an alphabet book with mythical creatures.  His sheer creativity and dedication has me in awe-I really wish I was as talented and dedicated to my art as he is to his!  I love when you find art that shows the love an artist has for their craft, and it definitely shows in these pieces.

The Giveaway

Patric is offering one lucky reader of My So-Called Chaos their choice of one print and two bookmarks from his shop!  The giveaway is open to USA only, and ends at 12AM on 3/11/14

Entering the Rafflecopter agrees to the Terms and Conditions listed within.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Everyone is Gay {Musical Mondays & Giveaway}

What is Musical Mondays?

Musical Mondays is a weekly linky party where we share a song we're into for the week, and talk about why we like it-or why it effects us.  Along with talking about music, I host a (usually) month-long music related giveaway. 

This week's song:

Everyone is Gay

by A Great Big World

If you're gay then your gay don't pretend that you're straight

You could be who you are any day of the week

You are unlike the others so strong and unique

We're all with you

If you're straight well that's great you can help procreate

And make gay little babies for the whole human race

Make a world we can live in where the one who you love's not an issue

'Cause we're all somewhere in the middle

We're all just looking for love to change the world

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh

But if the world stops spinning tomorrow

We can't keep running away from who we are

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh

If you're gay then your gay

If you're straight well that's great

If you fall in between that's the best way to be

You have so many options

Every fish in the sea wants to kiss you

Muah!  Awww!

'Cause we're all somewhere in the middle

We're all just looking for love to change the world

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh

But if the world stops spinning tomorrow

We can't keep running away from who we are

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh

And we're all here in it together

We're one step closer to breaking down the walls

Everyone is gay

Hooray! 

I hadn't heard this song before I bought the album, and now I love it!  It makes such a great point about just letting people be who they are because "we're all just looking for love to change the world", which is sooooo very true! 

What are you listening to this week?

Please grab the button and link up your Musical Mondays post in the linky!

<a href="http://www.mysocalledchaos.com/search/label/Musical%20Mondays" target="blank"><img src="http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww257/agofish/For%20Blog/MUSICALMONDAYS_zpse9de9ff4.png" alt="Musical Mondays at My So-Called Chaos></a>

Now for the Giveaway

Enter to win an MP3 copy of Is There Anybody There by A Great Big World (sent from Amazon)!

This giveaway will run from Monday 2/3/14 to Friday 2/28/13.  It is open worldwide.

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Good Laughs, Good Eats, Good Lessons {The Weekly Round-Up}

♥ Look at these super cute birdies that Ashlie Blake over at Painting Bliss is working on!  She's even selling them in her shop!  Soooooooo adorable!

♥ Much Love Illy shared a fantastic post about how her haircut is not just a haircut, and how it reminded her about letting go-especially when it comes to plans you expected that didn't happen.

♥ Life According to Steph shared a recipe for Ga-gun Ga-Gung Chili that looks tasty!  Yum!

♥ SmallnHot shared a post about why we need to apply toner.  I haven't used it before-good info!

♥ Life and Lemons wrote a great post called Why We Work which lists some great tips for couples and also anyone who hopes to ever be a couple.  She's a great example!

♥ Jenn from Thoughts, Rants, & Art cracks me up... Especially when she compares her baby to an Ewok.

♥ Amber Nicole shared her recipe for Puff Balls (which look kind of like donuts) and look TASTY!

<a href="http://www.mysocalledchaos.com"><img src="http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww257/agofish/For%20Blog/MSCC%20Buttons/weeklyroundup_zps248cb375.jpg"></a>

Share your favorite reads this week!

The point of The Weekly Round-Up is to focus on other people instead of just another post about ourselves.  It's to build better community, share insight into what we love to read, and hopefully introduce you to a new blogger you'll love and adore!  Wanna play along?  Write a post with links to your favorite blog posts from others throughout the week, put the button in it, and link up with us on Sundays!

I Dream of Handmade Fairy Boots

Have you heard of Gipsy Dharma?  If you haven't yet, be prepared to be filled with some serious want as you read the rest of this post.  I am dying from the beauty that are these handmade leather boots-they slay me.  The colors, the style, the craftsmanship-AMAZING.

I'm a barefoot girl myself-I'd prefer to be shoeless for as much of my life as I can-so I love that this brand was created by a girl who wanted to share a love of going "barefoot" while still wearing shoes.  They have super flexible (yet long-lasting) soles on them and laces that allow you to completely adjust how they feel on you so that they wear like a second-skin.  These are breathtaking!  The colors!

Aside from making boots any gypsy or hula-hooper would drool over, she also makes gorgeous handmade clothing too!  Most of her cute little belt skirts match the boots-it's incredibly whimsical.  I can only imagine that wearing these soft shoes and free-feeling clothing makes you feel remarkably like a pixie dancing about...

I'm adding so many pairs to my wishlist right now... Oh didn't I mention you can actually buy these?  Visit Gipsy Dharma's catalog to see all of her current styles and colors! I'm so in love!

Life Lately

I just realized I haven't written a personal post in quite a while.  Phew, February has been so extremely busy!  Here's a little update on life lately! I'll break it down into some categories so I can play catch up.

Last weekend was full of fun!  On Saturday Ken & Kristina texted me to see if Josh and I wanted to go to the Natural History Museum with them to see the Chocolate Exhibit! It was a lot of fun to go through and wander around with them and the kids-and honestly, awesome just to get out of the house for a bit.

Then on Sunday night I went up to Ken & Kristina's to spend the night.  Kristina, Ashley, Courtney, and I crafted the evening away-they were headed to the Walk the Earth Concert the following week (tonight actually) so they wanted to make galaxy shirts.  So I joined in just for fun.  We also made some fun plates.

Monday was spent shopping and playing with the baby-I love days off from work where I can go play! 

Also, I booked my plane tickets to go to Oregon for Spring Break!  I could not be more excited... I miss the ocean so much!  Oh and Mr. Bingo, I miss him too-so it'll be nice to go visit.

Recently over at Chaotic Goddess Swaps we had our Books 'n' Bloggers Swap.  That one is always a favorite, and we were surprised to get nearly quadruple the amount of swappers we usually do!  So exciting!  

I was paired up with the awesome and ever-sweet Harlynn from Mind Your Madness!  That girl is crazy-cool and she sent me some awesome books as well as some handmade bookmarks (which my goddaughter Kailee promptly stole-and I had to fight her just to get the two I liked most back-so I don't have photos! lol).  She got me The Artist's Way (from my wishlist), Hush Hush (A book she hasn't read but sounds interesting), and Looking for Alaska (A book she loves-but is also on my wishlist yay!)

Also in case you didn't notice we just announced the Mug O'Comfort Swap with an awesome giveaway too! Sign-ups start Monday over at Chaotic Goddess Swaps.

Currently here on My So-Called Chaos we have a lot going on.  Voting for the final round of the Best of Blog Awards, a big 5 Year Blogiversary Giveaway, a $25 Sephora Gift Card Giveaway, the Musical Monday's Giveaway, and so much more coming up!  Stay tuned!

School might just be killing me... But I'm getting by.  I've decided I really don't care for my Hybrid English class... I would prefer it just be in class or just online-instead of having all of the homework for online class (like 5 papers a week) and still having to meet with the professor during the week.  Boo.

I was struggling with French this semester because she's going a lot faster than my last professor did, and then we go into passe compose and all of it's rules and gah.  I got a C on the first test.  A C.  I got pretty much all As last semester.  Such a let-down.  BUT my professor is awesome and lets you take it home and redo parts of it for half credit-so hopefully I bumped it up to a B! We had our second test last night and I think I did much better on it.  I'm also getting much better at understanding it and also being able to carry ona  conversation.  Josh and I try to tell each other about our days in french to help me learn.

Work has been crazy busy.  We introduced a new tool-and as always there are a bunch of kinks to work out that result in a harder time for a while.  Also Shawn (who's the only other person managing the email queue with me) was out most of last week due to bronchitis so playing catch up has been fun.  Oh well.  I'm looking forward to Spring Break when I have a week off of both school and work and will be in Oregon by the beach.  LOVE! 

On another work front, I'm working on some new ideas for my Etsy shop.  I hope to reopen some time in the next few months with a whole new product line.  Yay! 

Ugh.  I'm pretty sure I gained back everything I lost... My shirts don't fit as well, I feel more sluggish and sick than I have in the past... Mostly I've put a bunch of really crappy food in me.  But I'm getting back to my juicing & smoothies-just keep chugging along... 

So I got my tax return back... Yeah it was pretty nice, who knew being a student earned you such a good rebate?  The smart thing to do would be to put it towards my student loans I'll eventually have to pay back... But am I going to do the smart thing?  Nah.  I paid off my credit cards, I booked my ticket for Oregon, and I'm going to finally by my DSLR!  Ok, so some of those can be construed as smart still... Like paying of the cards, booking a trip that will keep me from burning out or losing my mind, and also the camera can be used to further my online business!  Score! 

But I've also done a hefty bit of shopping in the last little while...  I went shopping this past weekend and bought a new coffee table & 3 new pillows from IKEA, as well as some 600 thread count Egytion Cotton Sheets (HEAVEN!) and a new book.  I also picked up these awesome prints at the auction for CFPU a couple weekends ago.

I also received these awesome goodies on trade!  Yes, I do some trade now!  Love it!  The eyeshadows are from Printcess and the gorgeous art & bookmarks are from Patric Bates.

What have you been up to?