Because I'm a Slacker.

Hey guys!!


First things first: I'm giving away some cool stuff over here. 


Today it's going to be a picture overload - partially because I really miss Europe, and partially because I realize that I'm going to completely forget about our trip to Scotland if I don't ever document it. It's just really overwhelming because we took SO. MANY. PICTURES. 


Anyway. The pictures are captioned (if you care to know what they are). Enjoy! 

Brody Castle in Scotland

Obviously this is me. 

So happy that we were getting back in the car. 

Elgin Cathedral, Scotland

Bridge near Elgin Cathedral

So there ya go. I'm not going to talk your ears off - hope that's okay.

One more thing before I go, though - my latest blog design! Sara moved to a different home in France, and decided she wanted a new blog look to go along with the move! Click the pic to see it live. I may be biased, but I like it. :)

And... You may want to stop by tomorrow... There will be a surprise!! Have a happy Monday, people!! 

No Real Post Today Because...

1. I'm sort of lazy.
2. It's nice outside.
3. We're out in Lincoln getting our house hunt on (wish us luck).

Now here's a pretty picture to keep you company while I'm gone.

Yes, I took it in Scotland. No, I haven't completely forgotten that I'm not done telling you all about that trip.

Happy Thursday!! 

Favorite Things Friday.

Hola Chicas (and Chicos... if 1. that is actually a word and 2. any of you are actually reading my blog)!


Happy June!!! It's Friday (thank freaking goodness), and, of course, I have a list of some of my favorite things. Before that, though, I have some mini-announcements.

If you hadn't already noticed - I've got some pretty amazing people on my sidebar, so you may want to check them out. You'll be introduced to them throughout the month, but if you just can't wait, I suggest clickety-clicking their buttons.


Signup for Christmas in July is here. We have 80 people so far... let's spread the word and keep it growing!


So... Remember how I went on vacation forever ago and never really talked about it because 1. I didn't want you all to get sick of it and 2. I didn't want to get sick of it? Well, I remember, so I'm going to tell you my favorite things about Edinburgh (that's in Scotland, for you geographically challenged folk).

1. HARRY POTTER! Okay, so... in case you didn't know, Edinburgh is the birthplace of my homie, HP. Obviously I had to take a picture next to the glorious cafe where the magic happened.

2. The Castle. Okay, so I didn't actually go inside (we are far too cheap, plus it was closed for some reason or another), but it's beautiful on the outside. We all know that outer beauty is all that counts (if you thought I was being serious there, please punch yourself in the face... or arm, because that's less violent).

3. Jubilee Fish and Chips. I hate fish. I thought chips were potato chips (because I suck at British English and only realized that they were actually fries like, when we got to the UK). There's a little chippy in Edinburgh called Jubilee, and they make the best fish and chips ever, period. Do not argue with me. If I was willing to eat fish and like it, then they win. Which... I did, so they did. 

Also... I'm aware that this is a horrible picture - it was pitch black outside and I was in the car. That fish took up my entire lap. 


4. The city itself. Does that even count? I don't care, it's my list... I can put whatever I want in here. Anyway, I'm absolutely in love with this city and fully plan on living there someday - I promise I will.

5. The red phone booths. Yes, I realize they are everywhere in the UK. I also realize that I don't care - the ones in Edinburgh are the best, because those are the ones I'm talking about. Duh.

Before I ask my clever little question at the end of this post, I would like to make a little announcement: I'm planning on having a huge giveaway when I reach 500 followers. Apparently that may happen somewhat soonish if you guys don't randomly decide to hate me and run away. If you would like to give ANYTHING away, BIG or small, tangible or in the virtual world, PLEASE let me know by sending me an email. Prizes can be anything from ad space, to a blog design, to a shop credit, to a gift card, to a book, to whatever else your genius brain can think of. This would be awesome exposure for your shop and/or blog, plus... prizes and giveaways are fun, are they not?


That will be the first and last time I solicit you all via the blog.

So... What are some of your favorite things this week? 

Some More Scotland. Some Changes. And Vampires.

Helllloooooo Blogworld! 


If you don't want to read about the changes, skip to the big neon green sign that says "Start Here." If you just want to look at pretty pictures of Scotland, scroll down till you see them. 


So... what do you think of the new look? In case you've never been here before, this is what these parts used to look like:

I feel like I should mention a new feature that I'm doing, and explain it a little bit. It's called Blog of the Month, and here's how I described it to Jennie, my first ever BotM:
"Okay, it's not so brilliant, and i maybe sort of borrowed and then slightly modified someone else's brilliant idea, but hear me out. So Gentri Lee does this little feature every Monday where she features a smaller blogger that she really likes, and I think that's awesome. I also think, however, that I am way too selfish to give my blog to another person that often (I'm awful, I know), so I decided to do it once a month...I want to try to find bloggers that have less than 200 followers, but are totally awesome and cool and funny and all that jazz. I'm trying to find bloggers that are within the same niche so that my readers will actually appreciate me sending them [their] way."
So there you have it - the new feature. A ton of looking goes into finding these new blogs, and I'm stoked to be able to give them exposure for a whole month.


NOW!!!! On to the post! 

You know, I feel like I have a lot of posts that mention vampires, which is odd, because if I had to pick a Twilight team to belong to, it would totally be Team Sexy Werewolf. Whatever. This post is not about Twilight. Although... I could totally make fun of K-Stew for hours, I will resist and get to the point.

I think I'm turning into a vampire. Seriously - hear me out, peeps. I've gotten so pale that I practically sparkle in the sun and I sleep during the day and am up all night (which makes going to my day job pretty torturous). Someone come tell me that I'm not going to turn into Edward Cullen, please?!

Okay, now on to to the real point of this post - Scotland. Specifically, pictures, because I'm tired of boring you with my words. Even more specifically, pictures of nature. Because Scotland is pretty much one of the most beautiful places in the world (if you're into rolling hills and green).  

 

See? Scotland really is beautiful!

Just Call Me the Sheep Whisperer. And a Castle.

Happy Monday!! 
Or... not so happy, depending on the way you look at it. I choose happy. It makes me feel a little bit better about the five day countdown to the weekend. 


Oh, hey - remember that time I went to Scotland for a week, said I'd blog about it, and then never did [except to tell you all that I got cupcakes, which was obviously the most important part of our trip]? I also may have promised the sheep whisperer video (which is at the end of this post).

Sorry I'm such a slacker. 


Anyway. You all saw that we went to the Wallace Monument on our first full day in Scotland. That was not, however, the only thing we did that day. You see, we also went up to Sterling Castle. I will tell you that we did things the cheap way and went after the castle was closed so that we didn't have to pay for parking or entrance (both of which are ridiculously expensive). I could blabber on and on about how beautiful Sterling is, but I'll just let you ooh and ahh over the pictures (or just sit there and think, eh. I've seen better. If that's your reaction... just pretend to ooh and ahh. Please and thank you).

Sterling.

A hurried picture out the car window. 

I don't know if you can tell, but that's a double rainbow. The later pics show it a little better. That's also the Wallace Monument in the back. 

The castle

A statue

A dandelion... 

this pic shows the double rainbow a bit better, and so does the next one.

I love this one because of the blossoms on the tree.

Just thought these flowers were sort of cool.

And... as promised: proof that I will, indeed, be the next person to have my own show on Animal Planet. So, how was your weekend? Anyone talk to any sheep? Or am I the only one that does creepy things like that? 
PS: Have you guys heard of the Better Blogger Network?? It's launching tomorrow, and I was asked to be one of their bloggers. I'm also part of their social media team. You guys should seriously check it out (and join, obviously) - it's going to be a great way to get your blog out there and make new friends!! 

How to Travel [in Europe] on the Cheap [Part One]

Hey guys! 

[insert cool picture here to get your attention]

Mike took this picture in Ibiza, and I love it. 

Before I get to the main subject of this post, I have another little huge favor to ask of you all. I may end up bribing you with a gift card that would be awarded if I win. Obviously if I don't win, I can't afford to shell out the dough for that. But I digress. If you have a minute, could you please go here and vote for my video?


It's a bit complicated, so here are the instructions:
1. Click the link (so easy a caveman could do it!)
2. Click "log in and vote." (to the right of the picture)
3. Click the "log in with facebook" button, and then "allow." (You can delete it after you've voted)
4. Once it takes you back to the video, move the slider to the right from the number 0 to the number 5, and click "vote." 


That's it! Easy, peezy. If I can get into 1st place, I would win $5000, and that would help me out a lot with my student loans and this master's program. And... it might just allow me to treat one of you voters to a little something special (worth at least $50 if I get first overall, $30 if I get first voter, $40 for second $20 for second voter, and $30 for third $15 for 3rd voter... keep in mind that's an at least, so it could be more). So... just in case I'm lucky enough to win, if you did vote, tell me you did in a comment.

Anyway. 


So. I thought it would be fun to share some tips for cheap travel here on the blog, for all of you who want to get the most out of your money while on vacation. These tips will be pretty specific to Europe, since that's what I know.

By the piers in Ibiza, Spain

1. Take all forms of transportation to your destination into consideration. You may find that a flight is cheaper than a train ticket, or maybe bus is the way to go. A favorite of ours is Ryanair - they have flights for as little as 10 EUR each way. Is it glamorous? No, but if you're looking for glamour, you're probably not too concerned with price.

2. Look into youth hostels, even if you're married. Many times, youth hostels offer private rooms for as little as 30 EUR. If you're single? You can travel for even cheaper. I've seen hostels for as little as 5 EUR a night if you stay in a dorm-style room. In Scotland, they have castles that have been converted into youth hostels - how cool is that? Bonus: You might meet people from the same place as you, or from countries you've never heard of.

A youth hostel that I lived in for 3 months in 2009 while I was here for an internship

3. Don't eat at restaurants. This may be a little easier said than done, but it is possible. When we were in Scotland, we ate out (on our dollar) twice. Two times in seven days. In Ibiza it was the same - twice. That's four times in 15 days. How did we manage that? We bought pre-made sandwiches at the store in Scotland, and in Ibiza we had a room with a kitchen. We bought food and cooked it ourselves. Sure, it requires more effort, but you will spend at least 50% less than you would eating out for every meal. Bonus: You can have picnics!!

Us and our sandwiches on a beach in Ibiza

4. Research the transportation options in your destination. Are you going to be using public transport? Renting a car? Going by bike? Using your own two feet? Do your research. In Scotland, it was cheaper for us to rent a car because we wanted to see the whole country, and that's not cheap by rail. If you're planning on taking the bus, look at the routes. Are they walkable? For most of Europe, the answer to that question is probably, "YES!" You just have to quit being a lazy American. Many cities offer bike rental, so if walking isn't for you, check that out. You may be surprised by what you find.

We rented a scooter because it was discounted if you paid online, and it gave us access to the whole island.

5. Don't pay entrance fees to things like ruins. This is a huge one, guys, and it's one that I've learned the hard way. Basically, a ton of castles are ruins, and what you see on the outside is pretty much what you will see on the inside. This is the one time that it's okay to judge a book by its cover. If you're traveling alone, this can save you (on average) 5EUR per castle. If you're with someone else, it'll save you 10. If you've been to Europe, you know how many castle ruins there are, and you know that it all adds up. 

Dunnottar Castle, Scotland

I have so much more to add, but this is getting long! Stay tuned for more (whenever I get around to it).

Once Upon a Time I Craved Cupcakes with Frosting [and I went all the way to Scotland to get them]

Yo, yo, yo! What's crack-a-lackin'? 


Did you all have a hip-hop-happenin' weekend? My weekend just seemed too short, but isn't that how they always are?

So... I just wanted to tell you guys some really exciting news, but you have to suffer through this post before you can get it. [Don't skip to the bottom, either... that's just not nice]. 

Anyway, I'm sure you all remember this little breakdown that I had a few months ago:

If you don't listen to it, I'm basically crying my eyes out over fatty American food. Totally normal.

So. Imagine how over-the-top ecstatic I was when we went into ASDA (the Great Britain Wal-Mart chain) after 8 p.m. (the stores in Germany would all be closed by then) and found CUPCAKES WITH FROSTING!!!!!! You bet your freaking bottom dollar I bought some of those bad boys.

They were glorious. I will not tell you how many I devoured over the seven days that we were in Scotland. 

I didn't just go to the Wallace Monument, I went to the Wallace Monument and ate a freaking cupcake while complaining about the hike up the hill. 
Oh, to go back to being a lazy American.

Speaking of the Wallace Monument, we hiked up to it, but opted not to go inside.

We did Scotland on the cheap. We went to probably twenty castles and monuments while we were in Scotland and only paid for one. We still got good pictures and saw a lot of things, but we didn't spend a fortune doing it.

Scotland has castles up the wazoo, and almost every single one charges more than five pounds entrance fee. Multiply that by two, and we would have gone broke with everything we saw.

So... most of my vacation entries will be about traveling on a budget. Since, you know, we're so po we can't even afford the "o-r."


Now for the news...


HA! I bet you all are thinking I'm preggers, right? WRONG. But. I did get admitted into the master's program at The University of Southern California. 

via

Now, before you go all crazy telling me to enjoy the weather, know that it's an online program (I still have to do all the student teaching and classroom stuff - they have connections all over the world to set you up with it). It's the perfect program for us and our little travel bug (and Mike since his schooling is priority).

We will still be heading to Buffalo, New York in the fall, and who knows where we'll be in the spring of 2013? Probably somewhere new, because, as the name of this pretty ole blog suggests, Every Day is a New Adventure. 


Finally, check out the latest design! You can click the picture to go to Katie's blog and see it live.

I used lace brushes from SSDema,  random brushes by Seasonstea, and the fonts are passionsans, playdate, and cursif.