The Top Ten Things That Make Me Happy (#5)

Wanna hear something funny?

Sometimes I forget that people actually read this blog.  Silly, I know, but it's true.  And it's responsible for some of my more epic blog fails.  Example:  this summer I started a "Top Ten Things That Make Me Happy" series.

Cool, right?

Well it would have been if I hadn't stopped at number four.

It's not that I didn't have six other items in mind to write about.  I just seem to have developed a little case of blogger's ADD.  I guess I got distracted and, well, kind of forgot about it.

So imagine my surprise when people started writing me to find out what happened.  Seriously, I was shocked.  But also really pleased.  Thank you, loyal readers, for keeping me honest.  I now present you with "thing" number five:  the Lazy Susan.

Okay, it seems like kind of a weird thing to honor and celebrate, but anything that keeps me organized makes me happy.  And when I find an organizational method that continues to work long  after its initial implementation, I feel it is my duty to share it with others.  The Lazy Susan fits that bill.

Finding an open jar of jam or other condiments in my refrigerator used to be a nightmare.  The result was numerous duplicates which got expensive after awhile.  Then I decided to add a Lazy Susan to the top shelf in my fridge and all of that changed.  Now with a quick spin I can survey all of my jars.  So, so handy.

(I swear there are fruits, veggies and protein in the drawers that you can't see ;)

I had a similar problem in the cabinet where I keep unopened bottles and jars.  Some of them are really tall so those little plastic steps (of which I'm also a fan) wouldn't work.  Add a Lazy Susan and, voila! problem solved!

Under-the-sink cleaning supplies?  Those are on a Lazy Susan too.  (A huge one--and I love it!)

So there you have it:  "thing" number five.  I promise I'll bring you numbers six through ten soon.

(And if I don't, feel free to give me a little nudge...)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Linking:

http://organizeyourstuffnow.com/wordpress/home-decor-organizing-link-party-70
http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.com/

Nothing but Net

... dot.net, that is.

That's right.  I recently made a little change to the blog.  Thanks to my brother, a software engineer who is kind of the bomb, `a casarella's new URL is:

www.acasarella.net

You can omit the "www" if you want.

(We like to keep it casual around here...)

If you're used to typing in my old blogspot domain, don't worry.  Through the magic of the internet you will be automatically redirected to the new address.

And just to keep things neat and tidy, my email has also changed.  You can now reach me at elena@acasarella.net.

I feel like such a big girl blogger.

Thanks, Bro!

xoxox

Punch Box Revisited

One of my most popular posts to date (okay, it was actually THE most popular post I've ever written) was called "A Party Favor."  In it, I explained how I found this blog via Pinterest and how it inspired me to make a Punch Box for my neighbor's fourth birthday.  

When I wrote it I had no idea what an amazing response it would garner.  Seriously, people went nuts for this thing.  And the absolute best part about it?  Well, that's been the people who have written me to say that they wanted to make one (or that they already had).  

One of those people was Diane, the director of my daughter's preschool.  My daughter is long out of preschool but Diane and I remain friends on Facebook.  (Thank you, Facebook.)

Upon seeing the punch box she sent me an email asking if I'd help her make one for her granddaughter Chloee.  She wanted to use it in lieu of an Easter basket as a fun way for Chloee to collect some Easter loot.  It was a great excuse for us to get together and chit-chat while getting our craft on.  

Below is the finished product.  We used a Uhaul box and she decorated it with paper flowers.  (And get a load of her craft room in the background.  I seriously want to live in there...) 

But Diane wasn't the only one who was inspired.  About a week ago I received the following email from reader Sabrina Fitzgerald-Ruiz:

Thank you for the creative tutorial in the "Punch Box". I'm always looking for new ideas to spice up my daughter's birthday parties. This year she's turning the big "1-0" and I wanted to do something unique. My daughter just loved the idea when I showed it to her on Pinterest.

I wish I would have had the circle scoring tool, as I'm sure it would've been a lot faster. I ended up using a coaster to outline circles and used an Exacto-knife to cut out circles. I wanted to step it up a little bit, so I used zebra wrapping paper. I also found letters that were much like post notes that were a fun.


I was quite surprised at how much candy and toy prizes we were able to get in the lunch bags. My daughter and I enjoyed doing this together. I really hope the girls at her slumber party love it.

A Punch Box makes a great alternative to a Pinata!

Check out those pictures!  Didn't she do a great job?!  (Sabrina, I'd love to hear about the girls' reaction.)

(And for the record, you can order one of the "circle scoring tools" by following this link or clicking on the Products tab above.)

Finally, another punch box spin-off comes from the lovely and talented Amy from the blog, While Wearing Heels.   While on vacation last week I was delighted to open my ipad and find this post on her blog.  (Yes, I keep up with my favorite blogs on vacation, even if I'm not updating my own ;)

Please click on the link above to read her post.  And not just because it says all kinds of nice things about me.  (Unless that motivates you.  Come to think of it, that might be why I read it three times... ;)  Seriously, though, go for the punch box and stay for everything else.  You can also follow her through Google Friend Connect or Bloglovin'.  She's a frequent poster and her blog is full of the MOST adorable crafts.  (I guarantee you'll recognize many of them from Pinterest.)

I'd like to finish up by inviting you to send in pictures of your punch box.  If you do I'll be happy to feature them on `a casarella's Facebook page.  

Happy Punching!

The 2012 Ultimate Blog Party

Hello!  If you're linking up from the 2012 Ultimate Blog Party I'd like to welcome you to `A Casarella.

I'm kind of new here in the blogosphere, in fact I've been blogging for exactly three months today.

I call myself a mommy-blogger (because, well, I'm a mom who blogs) but ironically I don't write much about my kids.  If you'd like to learn what I do blog about allow me to direct you over here, the post in which I tell you how it all began (ninety looong days ago ;).  Or I perhaps you might stop over here, where you can learn more about my blog goals.

If you want to know more about me as a person, why not pop over here or here for a little history lesson. 

(And if you're still with me after that?  Well then I consider you a lifer ;)

Before I sign off to look through everyone else's blogs I thought you might be interested in reading some of my more popular posts, like this one.

That little project went viral on Pinterest.  And that made me a little big for my britches.  (For about two days.  I'm recovered now.)

This one was also popular.  And it's easy.  People seem to like easy.

Oh, and this one is tasty.  People also seem to like tasty.

And finally, this just happened today.  I'm still kind of giddy about it so I just had to share!

Thanks for stopping by and I look forward to getting to know a whole bunch of new (to me) bloggers!

  

Paging Virginia Woolf

The other day as I was wasting time on Facebook perusing Facebook for blog inspiration, a link to this popped up on my feed.

It was written by the lovely and talented Karianne over at Thistlewood Farm.   (Have you seen her blog?  Seriously, go over there right now and take a look.  Total home décor porn. )

So in her post Karianne gave us a little behind-the-scenes glimpse at Thistlewood Farm.  Specifically she showed us where she blogs.  And as it turns out, she blogs in exactly the same place I blog: the kitchen.  The difference, of course, is that Karianne’s kitchen looks like this and mine, well, let’s just say mine doesn’t.  (Probably explains the difference in our blogs.)

And I have to admit that this is a bit of a sore subject for me, the fact that I blog in the kitchen.  Because it’s not just the blogging I do there.  It’s also the bill paying, the phone call making, the permission slip signing--I think you're starting to get the picture...

Now don’t get me wrong, I *know* how lucky I am.  I mean, this is the view from my kitchen window and I promise you that I’m grateful for it:

Yes, that is a giant inflatable swan in the pool.
She's my Beyonce.
(If you don't understand that reference please click here.  You will not regret it.)

However I find it somewhat ironic that the person who runs the home, the one who spends the most time here, the person whose job title has the word home (as in HOMEmaker) prominently displayed within it, is the one person in the home who lacks a room of her own.  (Every so often I need to get back to my English teacher roots and throw in a literary reference or two.  Just bear with me.)  

Each of my daughters has a bedroom and together they share a playroom.  My husband has an office and, although it’s also a guestroom, he has another office at work and that one is all his. 

I have a spot at the kitchen table. 

My laptop stays there, open and running all day long, and unless I've been uber-productive there’s generally a stack of papers nearby that needs sorting through.  It’s really not very pretty.

So in answer to your question, Karianne (that one about where I blog) well, here it is, warts and all:

 

It may not be terribly glamorous but it’s all mine.  

(That is until more than five people want to eat at the table.  Then I have to share.  ;)) 

So, I gotta ask:  Where do you blog?

Tag!

...I'm it!  

Megan over at "Our Pinteresting Family" tagged me today in a little game of Q&A.  Before I answer her questions I recommend you pop over to her site.  If you're a Pinterest Junkie like I am you won't be disappointed.  

So here's how it works.  Megan asked eleven questions which I'm going to answer.  I then need come up with eleven new questions and tag someone else.  Let's begin: 

1. What was your first pet?  

• I actually had two first pets: a pair of goldfish whom I named Trixie and Red.  In hindsight those names made them sound a little bit like working girls...

2. Which season do you prefer and why?

• Summer, without a doubt.  I love sunshine, long days, and summer fruits.  I also like the freedom of summer vacation.  

3. Where is your favorite place to shop?

• Dude, I do not know if I can name just one place.  Here are just a few by category.  
• For groceries: Trader Joe's and Fresh & Easy.  
• For the house: HomeGoods, Pottery Barn and West Elm.  
• For one-stop shopping: Target.  
• For the thrill of the hunt: thrift stores (especially Amvets, Goodwill and The Salvation Army).

4. What do you like to do in your free time?

• Lately?  I blog.  Or think about blogging.  Beyond that I love to work out, read, go to the movies and get together with friends. 

5. What is your all time favorite TV show?

• Hmmm...  I really loved Buffy the Vampire Slayer.  That might surprise people but it was an excellent show.  I also loved The Sopranos; that was some quality television (albeit somewhat violent).  If you want to know my favorite network it's HGTV all the way.  

6. Do you like to garden? If no, why?

• No, because I hate killing innocent plants.   My thumbs are as brown as they come.  

7. What is the biggest splurge purchase you have ever made?

• Does my house count??  If not I would have to say either our vacation to Maui three years ago or our vacation to Atlantis last summer.  

8. What was your favorite grade in school and why?

• Probably junior or senior year of high school.   I liked my school and my classes.  I had good teachers and good friends.  I hope my kids are that happy when they're 16.

9. Who do you admire most?

• Beyond the obvious people like Ghandi and Martin Luther King I would have to say my husband.  He is the hardest working person I know and I do not say that lightly.  He is also just... good.  He has a good heart.  He's an amazing father.  Plus he's really cute.  

10. What can someone tell about you as soon as they visit your blog?

• Hmmm...  I'd love to hear how other people would answer that.  If I had to guess I'd say that they could figure out my interests (crafting, cooking, etc.).  They'd know I like the color green.  They'd know that I'm...wordy...  

11. If you could name a lipstick color...what would it be called?

• I have NO idea.  If I come up with something good, I'll revisit this question.

Now the next thing I am supposed to do is tag some other people and come up with eleven new questions.  First the bloggers:  I'm choosing two people I know in real life, my friend Marie over at Cafe Pangaea and my sister-in-law Linda at Stitch Sister.  

Marie's blog is all about her journey into wheat/gluten-free living.  In addition to posting amazing recipes she also shows readers how to embrace the wheat-free lifestyle without giving up the rest of your life ;) 

Besides being a rockstar sister-in-law, Linda is also a mother, wife, accountant and quilter.  Stitch Sister focuses mostly on the quilts but it touches on other topics as well.  (Like my cute nephews.)

Ladies, here are your questions:

1. How did you come up with your blog name?
2. Name one thing about yourself that most people would be surprised to learn.
3. What blogs do you read religiously?
4. If money were no object, where would you live and why?
5. What fashion choice do you look back on with regret?  (Bonus points if you post a picture; I wish I could find one of my mall hair circa 1988.)
6. Post a link to your favorite blog post to date.
7. What was the first job you ever had?
8. What song in your music collection would you consider your guiltiest pleasure?
9. Fill in the blank:  I would die a happy woman if I discovered that ____________ read my blog.  
10. What is your favorite "tip" to share with other people?  It can be a product you love, a great place to get a bargain, and easy kitchen tip, your favorite book (anything, really).
11. What don't you know how to do with your blog that you'd love to learn?

Ladies, it is up to you if you'd like to tag other people.  No pressure at all.  (You can use these questions or make up your own.)  And if any of my other readers want to answer these questions on their blogs (and tag others), please feel free to do so.  I'd love to hear what you have to say.  

  

  

I'm the Pied Piper (Alternate Title: Pushing My Luck)

So I started a Facebook page for `A Casarella.

And I know we're new friends and all...

(so I'm a little hesitant to ask for favors)

but if you'd pop over and hit "like," I'd be oh-so grateful.  

(And since I'm asking, I'd love it if you'd follow my Pinterest boards too.)

I promise I'll follow you back.  

(Am I pushing my luck yet?)

A Casarella

Promote Your Page Too

Irony

The fact that my "home-centric" blog is causing me to completely neglect my home. 

Well, not completely.  

But I do need to work on balance. 

(Call that goal #7!)

And I have to post this.  

Because it's funny.

Who doesn't love ironing humor?

You can buy one here.

Oh, Grow Up!

So a bunch of really cool ladies (like this one and this one and this one and this one and this one) have posed a question to the blogosphere: What do you want your blog to be when it grows up?  In other words, what are your (blog) goals?

This is a timely question for me as it's something I've been thinking about a lot lately.  You see, my original goal was merely to start the blog.  (I didn't think much beyond that.  If I had, I probably would have been too overwhelmed to start in the first place.)  Once I'd met that, the next logical goal was to actually maintain the blog.  This is an ongoing thing but given the excitement I feel when a new post is brewing, I think it might be achievable.  After that my goal was to actually tell someone about the blog.  Because, you know, a Hello Kitty diary with a lock would be much easier to work with if I'm just looking to keep a journal.  (Wayy less HTML for one thing.)  You can read about my blog debut here.  (It's not that exciting but if you're brand new to blogging or thinking about starting one, it's worth a peek.)

So now that I've done all that, what next?  Why the heck am I doing all of this and what do I want to get out of it?  Here are the goals I've come up with.  Some are purely about the blog and others are more tangentially related but all of them are relevant in some way:

Goal #1:  Be True to Myself

That might sound simple, even trite, but let me explain:  for the first few posts in this blog I was really writing for myself.  No one else was reading (except my sister-in-law who is my biggest champion) so I didn't worry about offending anyone, or holding a reader's interest, or whether or not the blog was as visually pleasing as other blogs.

Once other people started reading, I noticed a shift.  It was more difficult to construct a post.  I was constantly worrying about the reader instead of focusing on the content.  

Now, I'm not saying that a writer shouldn't think about his or her audience.  Of course that's important.  A writer needs to write clearly and choose content that will capture his or her readers.  But in the end, this is a personal blog, and if I spend all of my time trying to be someone that I'm not then it becomes, well... something else, and I don't think that's what I want.  

Related to this is the fact that my blog does not have a unifying theme.  I've been thinking a lot about that lately too and, although it feels a bit selfish, I've decided to embrace it.  Why is it selfish you ask?  Well, if my blog had a specific topic, then people would know what they were getting.  It would be a destination for people who are looking for something specific.  Most of the blogs I love focus on specific topics, typically home decor, DIY, design, etc.  Truth is, though, if I tried to maintain a blog with that narrow a focus, I'd be in big trouble.  I simply would not have enough material, so to speak.  So I just have to put myself out there and hope that the things that interest me (things ranging from Monkey Hooks to Kristen Bell) interest other people too, so they'll continue to come back.  And that brings us to...

Goal #2: Make Some Dough-Re-Mi

Oh gosh, that just looks so crass all written out on the page like that.  Really, it feels kind of dirty.  But this is about honesty, so I'm not going to lie:  I'd love it if I could make some money off of this bad boy.  Listen, I'm not aiming to make Dooce money.  I'm not even looking to support myself.  I'd just like to be able to contribute something financially to my family.  If I could actually make some money from writing about the things that I love (writing being one of the things that I love), well, then, I'd say I'm pretty much living the dream.  

This picture was taken from the most ridiculously beautiful blog.  It's written in Portugese.  You don't even need to translate it.  The pictures say *that* much!

Goal #3: Start and Promote an Etsy Shop

This is one of those tangentially related goals.  Like I said above, I'm looking to make a financial contribution to my family.  And as much as I'd love to think that I can achieve that via blogging, I'm also kind of a realist. For that reason I'd like to start an etsy shop selling vintage items.  Going to thrift shops and vintage shops is something I adore.  I love the thrill of the hunt.  I love getting something for (next to) nothing.  And I especially love the idea of making some money while doing what I love.  

What does that have to do with the blog?  Well, judging from what I see out there, it seems there is a  natural symbiosis between etsy shops and blogs.  When I find an etsy seller that I like, I often check to see if s/he has a blog.  Similarly, if I notice that a favorite blogger has an etsy shop, I'll try to stop by and check it out.  I also think that it's interesting to hear about one's thrifting (or crafting) adventures and then see the items purchased (or made) go up in a store--particularly if I'm interested in buying said items ;)

I'm pleased to announce that I have been actively working on this goal.  As in, I've put up my first listing.  (I'd be so grateful if you'd check it out.)  

Clearly I'm approaching the shop a lot like I approached the blog, with baby steps, but I'm excited to see where it goes.  :)        

Goal #4:  Become a Better Photographer

This one's a no-brainer.  Some of my favorite blogs are my favorite blogs because of the way they look.  Photographs are a big part of that (see caption above).  Some of the photos in my blog have been hits and others have been misses.  I'd love to rack up more checks in the hits column.

When my stepfather gave me a beautiful SLR camera a couple of years ago, I promised myself that I would sit down with the manual and learn to use it.  Every week I faithfully dust that manual as it sits on my nightstand waiting to be read.  Since that (obviously) isn't working I'm thinking about taking an adult ed class on using your SLR camera.  I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Goal #5:  Make Connections/"Meet" People

I started this blog hoping that I would someday have readers.  As it turns out several of those readers are starting to feel more like friends.  This was an unexpected and lovely surprise.  I find that a lot of my fellow bloggers are like-minded women (at least, they seem to be mostly women) who rejoice in lifting one another up.  What a bonus!  It's little like having co-workers, except I can interact with them while wearing my pajamas.  And the ability to interact with people whilst wearing pajamas?  Well, you can just call that goal #6 ;)



(Turns out there are even more cool ladies hosting this shindig.  Find them here and here and here and here and here.)

Overwhelmed (but in a good way)

So the other day I was perusing my RSS feed when I came across this post on Cheap Chic Home, a blog I'd been following for awhile.  As a new blogger I thought I should check it out.  Little did I know what was about to occur.  Shortly after I made my comment, the blogger (Kim), graciously wrote back and checked out my blog.  We went back and forth for awhile and as a result of her suggestions (or maybe it was from looking at her blog) I took a chance and joined something called Linky Followers, a site that connects bloggers.

I can explain the experience like this:  imagine going to a party full of really cool and interesting strangers.  Now imagine that--as soon as you enter--everyone at the party stops what they're doing, welcomes you warmly and compliments your shoes.  :)  That's what joining Linky Followers has been like for me.

So to all the new people who have begun following 'A Casarella, thank you!  I am overwhelmed by your kindness and look forward to reading every one of your blogs.  If somehow I miss you (and I am terrified that I'm going to overlook someone), please forgive me (and don't hesitate to give me a little nudge ;).

Linky Followers

So I'm experimenting with this Linky-thingy.  (See the Linky Followers icon on the sidebar.)

Unless you have a blog it will probably be of no interest to you.

I'll be back to my regularly scheduled programming tomorrow.

The Trouble with Blogging

So here's one of the many reasons I failed to start a blog years ago:  I don't like to neglect my responsibilities.  And once I've started something it becomes a responsibility.  And you see, I am an "all-or-nothing" kind of gal.  I go big or go home.  No in-the-middle-wishy-washiness for me, nosiree.  So once I start something I don't want to neglect it.  I don't want to be one of those blogs that people find and then realize, "Oh, the last post was five years ago."

But sometimes "real life" gets in the way.  This week is a perfect example.  It's a short school week for my kids.  It's also a week where I am preparing for a major school event (I'm a volunteer but I have a lot to do; please see above where I talk about going big) and my daughter's eleventh birthday party.  (Birthday parties can be kind of elaborate around here.  More on that later.)   Then, of course there's the time I spend taking care of my kids and the house and the errands, not to mention time spent on Facebook and Pinterest.  I've already explained the importance of Pinterest.  And Facebook?  Well, somebody needs to cyber-stalk my friends and acquaintances.  Dear God who will do the stalking if I start slacking off?  I jest, I jest.  Kind of.  (Okay not really.)

So this is my way of saying I won't be around for a few days.  But never fear.  I'll be back next week with a kick-ass post about my daughter's birthday.  I know, I know.  You can hardly wait.

Do You Remember Your First?

One of the reasons I wanted to start a blog was because there are so many great blogs that I enjoy reading.  I'm sure I'll discuss many as time goes on.  Reading blogs is as much a part of my daily routine as checking email.

That's why it's funny to think that a decade ago, there were no blogs.  Oh, maybe there were.  I'm sure people had online diaries--in fact I know a few early adopters who did just that--but blogs are a part of our culture now in a way they weren't just a few short years ago.

The first blog I ever read was Dooce.com.  I know, I know... it's kind of a cliche.  Sort of like losing your v-card on prom night.  But at least I can say that I "knew" her when.  Okay, "know" might not be the most accurate word, but I was an early(ish) reader.  My babysitter introduced me to Dooce in 2004.  Dooce (aka Heather Armstrong) had just had her first daughter and I was pregnant with my second.  She was experiencing post-partum depression and I was experiencing what I refer to as pre-partum depression.   We were both English majors, both madly in love with our husbands, both living in our first houses.  Clearly we were destined to be BFFs.

Sadly, like many relationships, ours eventually faded.  I still check in on old Dooce from time to time but I no longer consider her my #1.  This is by no means an indictment of Dooce or her writing.  She is still wickedly funny, an excellent writer, an amazing photographer.  But Heather went and evolved on me.  She got all enlightened.  She had a baby without pain meds, ran a marathon  and started hanging out with Christy Turlington.  In short, we no longer have much in common.  Don't get me wrong, I do not begrudge her her enlightenment.  More power to her!  (Truly!)  I just can't relate anymore.

It's okay though because now I have lots of other imaginary internet friends.  (Shout out to John & Sherry at Young House Love!  Those guys and I are tight.)

'a casarella

A small plaque affixed to our house reads 'a casarella. When my mother first saw it, she smiled. "I think it means little house," she told me. Though it had been purchased by the previous owners, we decided to keep the plaque. It's a sweet way to welcome people to our little house.

When I came up with it for a blog name I was sure it had already been taken. As Blogger (the blogging program) searched its archives to tell me if the name was available I thought to myself, "This is a sign. If this name is available I should start a blog. If not, forget it." I crossed my fingers but I'm not sure if was hoping for or against it. I've wanted to start a blog for awhile now but have talked myself out of it on numerous occasions. Does the world need another stay-at-home mom blogging about design and crafts and cooking and motherhood? Can the world bear more endless talk about first world problems? Only time will tell...