Thursday, August 30, 2012

What's Been Up?

Hey everyone! So much has been going on with me again and I wanted to keep you updated.

For the past 2 weeks, my tailbone (very last part of my spine) has been poking against my skin. It's been very tender and painful to sit on. This has happened before, but has always baffled the doctors since I've never given birth or fallen on my butt. It's amazing what a quick first-ever visit to a chiropractor can do. With a simple x-ray, he was able to tell me in 5 seconds why my tailbone does what it does and why I experience lower back pain. Diagnosis: minor  scoliosis. Yep, I have a minor curvature in my spine that's not suppose to be there. The x-ray looked similar to this:
 It was pretty mind blowing to say the least to see my spine curving like that. The bright side is that with a few specific exercises and adjustments, the curvature can go away.

Now, on to the next interesting health revelation. I told you guys last week how I was getting tested to see if I had either Celiac's Disease or a gluten intolerance. After stuffing myself with gluten foods for a week and a half, my test came back negative for both of them. But, the blood test did pick up on something that never crossed my mind. I have iron deficiency anemia, which would explain the tiredness and lightheadedness that I've been experiencing. Just like with my scoliosis, this has a bright side too. My doctor prescribe iron supplements for me to take twice a day for 3 months. 

I hope you guys have had a better time than I have. Leave a comment letting me know how things are going for you or anything exciting that has happened!

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

September Sponsorship NOW AVAILABLE!!!

Can you believe it's almost SEPTEMBER?!?
If you're like me, you were probably enjoying August too much to remember that just like the other months, it too shall past. With the coming of September, I am looking for some sponsors! If you've ever wanted to sponsor a blog but always felt hesitate...there's no need. I'm a small blog but I work hard for my sponsors each month. And the great thing is that it's FREE to sponsor! This is definitely a win-win situation for you :)

If you're interested in sponsoring during September, just click here to fill out the Sponsor Form. I look forward to getting to know each other next month :)

Monday, August 27, 2012

5 Great Etsy Gifts for Candy Lovers!

I LOVE CANDY!!!!
It was not very hard to find gift ideas for this week's theme CANDY! I love candy for so many reason - the taste, the sugar, the color, the shininess, the "makes everything better" feel you get from eating it. 

As I discovered on Etsy, you don't necessarily have to eat your candy to enjoy it fully. You can wear it as jewelry or let the colors inspire your wardrobe. So as Autumn draws ever closer, let's take one more look at all of the candy colors of Spring/Summer that we will miss. Enjoy :)

5 GREAT ETSY GIFTS FOR CANDY LOVERS!
Lollipop Candy Earrings

Lollipop Candy Earrings - $6.00


Sweet Candy Land Tutu dress

Sweet Candy Land Tutu dress - $21.95


Gumball Candy Dish

Gumball Candy Dish - $10.00


Eye Candy Lolita Cupcake Earrings

Eye Candy Lolita Cupcake Earrings - $7.00


*LUXURY ITEM*
vintage 1950s dress / 60s dress / White, Purple, Teal, and Green Floral Print Tulips Sundress

vintage 1950s dress Floral Print Tulips Sundress - $224.00


August Sponsor Giveaway!



Yay! It's giveaway time today! My sweet sponsor Courtney from over at Chase All Your Dreams has lovingly offered up two cute prizes from her shop Midnight City Creations. 

Here is what's up for grabs for ONE WINNER!!!
Adorable Piano Ring with Flower

Umbrella Necklace (24 inch chain)

To enter, all you have to do is follow whatever the Rafflecopter widget tells you to do (demanding little booger, isn't he?) This giveaway is open internationally and ends on September 24th.
 Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, August 24, 2012

I'm Still Here...Although I'm M.I.A.

Hey everybody! Sorry for not posting anything yesterday and for posting late today. Yesterday was a kind of a busy day.

 My husband has been sick with a fever since last Saturday. I finally convinced him to go see the doctor, and boy I'm glad that we did! Turns out, he has bronchitis. Poor thing can't say three words without coughing his lungs out. So needless to say, I'll be busy taking care of my baby making him chicken soup, giving him his meds, and making sure he gets plenty of fluids and rest.

So, until we meet again, here's a little something to look forward to for next week:
- Guest post from my cute buddy Courtney who blogs over at Chase All Your Dreams

-A GIVEAWAY from Courtney! You could win some really cute jewelry :)
Piano Ring

Umbrella Necklace
- Tuesday's feature of "5 Great Etsy Gifts for..." will be about one of my favorite things in the world...CANDY!!!

Can't wait to share all this awesomeness with you guys! See you next week :)

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Gluten and Me...Together Again?

 

Yummy! Some of my favorite foods have gluten in them and I've had to give them up...until now. You may be wondering why I would go back to eating gluten after I realized that it was making me sick. Well, I found out a very interesting fact the other day.

When I was tested for gluten intolerance, the results turned up negative even though I knew gluten and me were not getting along. Do you want to know why it came out negative? It's because I had started eating gluten free two months prior to testing. That is a big NO-NO! You have to have some type of gluten in your system for the antibody the doctor is looking for to pop up.

So, temporarily, I'm back to eating gluten until next Monday to try to build back up in my system a good reading for my blood panels. I'm introducing it slowly into my diet, but I can already feel the effects:
- fatigue
- headaches
- nausea
- abdominal cramping
- bloating/gas
- difficult bowels (if any)
-painful muscles and joints

Once I get my blood panels taken, I'm going right back to my gluten free diet. I will keep you guys informed when I found out the results.

5 Great Etsy Gifts for Mixtape Lovers!


Oh yeah, we're taking it back to the 80's and early 90's with the mixtape! Do you remember sitting in your room listening to the radio when your favorite jam came on and you got up to grab a cassette tape to record the song so you could listen to it whenever? Yeah, I did that too...so no need to feel ashamed :)

Whether the mixtap contain party jams, love songs, best friend songs, or your favorite songs we are all probably guilty of either making one or giving a mixtape to someone. Today's gift feature is in ode to the awesome mixtape that we use to love (maybe some of us still do) back in the day. Hope you enjoy the finds as you  reminence :)

5 GREAT ETSY GIFTS FOR MIXTAPE LOVERS!
Felt Mix-Tape Journal - The Sunset - Sky Blue and Orange Eco-Felt embellished Moleskine notebook

Felt Mix-Tape Journal - $18.00


Scrabble Tile Pendant Necklace // Love Is Mixtapes // Red

Scrabble Tile Pendant Necklace // Love Is Mixtapes // Red - $5.50


Music Heart Mixtape - Khaki Messenger Bag

Music Heart Mixtape - Khaki Messenger Bag - $45.00


Rock n Roll Lamp Cassette Tape MixTape Multi-color LED Night Light Mood Light Table Lamp Nightstand Light Rainbow colors

Rock n Roll Lamp Cassette Tape - $39.00


Mix Tape Coin Purse - I Like You

Mix Tape Coin Purse - I Like You - $50.00

It's Party Time...With Me, Myself, and I!


Yep, it's party time! And when you're at a party, it's only natural to introduce yourself and get to know others that are there. That's why I'm in L-O-V-E with this link party that Breanna is hosting over at her blog My Beautiful Crazy Life!

Every third Tuesday of each month, Breanna and her co-host come up with 5 questions for you to answer so that everyone will get to know each other better. The name of the link party is "Me, Myself, and I". This is my first time linking up, so I hope you'll enjoy my answers and even link up yourself!

1. What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?
Learn to play every instrument in the world flawlessly. My Dad was a drummer and my Mom has great taste in music so my love for music runs pretty deep :)


2. If you only had six months left to live, what would you do with  the time?
Spend every moment I could with my family and friends having fun and just enjoying life. There's no need to travel the world and all that fancy stuff when you can leave your family and friends the best gift of all, great memories of their time together with you.

3. If a front page article was written on you, what would the headline be?
SERIAL BANK ROBBER STOMPS POLICE!!! 
I'm not condoning robbery by any means or suggesting that I do that, but that's what my headline would read. Why? Because my husband tells me all the time that when I straighten my curly hair I look like a completely different person. He says I could rob a bank and not get caught just because I'm so unrecognizable! Lol! I wish I had pictures to share of the difference, but I don't. Maybe next time...

4. What is your biggest pet peeve?
When you are done with your shopping cart, please put it where it belongs - either back in the store or the shopping cart collector that's in the parking lot. DO NOT leave your cart on the sidewalk (unless it goes there), the shrubbery beside your car, or the parking space beside you. I HATE THAT!!! I will send you evil eyes if I see you do it!

5. What is your favorite chick flick movie?
How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days. I love that movie, especially when I watch it with my Mom. Kate Hudson is hilarious in this movie. I love the parts where she can go from sweet and loving to psycho and crazy in like 4 seconds flat! If you haven't seen it, please do :)

Monday, August 20, 2012

More Sponsor Love - Meet Lindsey!

Good morning everyone! It's that time again to get to know another awesome lady and her blog. Oh, and did I mention that she's a sponsor this month? Show some love for LINDSEY!

Hello Crazy Unique readers!! I am one of Celeste's sponsors and I wanted to introduce myself, my blog, and my family (since they all sort of run together). I am Lindsey, and my blog is called Babies, Books, and Signs. The name came from the fact that my son was a little less than a year when I started it, so babies were the major focus of my life. Books because my blog is also a book blog, though I haven't had time to read and review as many books lately as I would like. The signs part is because I'm a baby sign language instructor. You can come visit me over at http://www.babiesbooksandsigns.com/


So what can I tell you about me? Well before I was a mommy, I was in the Army. I was a Mental Health Specialist and I worked on an inpatient psychiatric unit. Before that I taught high school Geometry (yuck) for a year and before that I was a student at Norwich University, the Military College of Vermont. I am a huge nerd, I love sci-fi, I love ice cream, and if I had my choice, I would spend my entire day reading. :) I am going back to school in September to get my Master's in Elementary Education, and I cannot wait to be a teacher! I am hoping to teach 5th or 6th grade.


My family consists of myself, my handsome hubby Craig, my cutie patootie son CJ, my dog Kami, and my new cat Naginta. We currently live in Derry NH. I am completely out of my element here. I grew up in the city, and I am now in the middle of the woods. Do you have any idea how many different types of bugs there are in the world? Well come check out my backyard and you can meet them all. And birds. I hate birds. There are so many birds in the woods!


This is my little schmoopybear CJ. Isn't he the cutest? He just turned two, and is a bundle of fun. He tries very hard to be a good boy, but he's two, so he gets into everything. He loves to play the guitar and piano, and his favorite show is currently Queen: Live from Montreal. Yes, Queen, the rock band. He has a slight speech delay so he's just now learning to talk. He says the funniest things when he does talk. He is extremely affectionate and loves to snuggle with mama. Lucky me! I cannot wait to watch him become a smart, happy little boy. We are going to have so much fun together! 


My blog may be called Babies, Books, and Signs, but it encompasses my whole life. I hope to see you over there. Thank you so much Celeste for letting me sponsor your wonderful blog!

Visit Lindsey and her awesome blog!

Friday, August 17, 2012

I'm Over the Moon!

If you own an online shop, you that feedback means everything. When you get generic but good feedback, you're happy. When you get kind, personalized, positive feedback, you're smiling from ear to ear. But, when one of your customers blogs about the items they received from your shop and how excited they are, you are over the moon...
...or at least hop around like a happy bunny!

This happened to me yesterday from one of my favorite customers named Amy who blogs over at My Little One-Room Schoolhouse . She ordered a few items from my shop during the 50% off sale (which ends tomorrow) and then asked for a custom made item. I've never done a custom order, but I was excited to get started. She wanted a chibi (mini) version of Lil' Red, the mascot for Nebraska football, as a pendant for her daughter. This is how it turned out:



She said her daughter was super excited and happy to receive it, which made me super excited and happy :) If you want to read the rest of her blog post, click on the following link.
http://littleoneroomschoolhouse.blogspot.com/2012/08/is-that-really-made-from-clay.html

I hope you guys enjoy it as much as I did! And while you're there, show Amy some love. She is really humble, sweet, and friendly. It's been fun getting to know her through our little "talks" on Etsy. Lol! Let me know what you think about the post and her blog :)



Thursday, August 16, 2012

I'm A Little Blog Angel


For those who have followed me for a while, you know I'm involved in a wonderful project called "Be A Blog Angel" hosted by Craftbotic Q and Dreamy Meadow. It's an awesome way to help another blogger anonymously and also discover a cool blog you never knew existed!  

Well, it's that time again for me to let you know what I've been up to as a blog angel without giving any spoilers away as to who I've been helping...which is hard sometimes :)

The blog I've been partnered up with is really cool and I have a blast reading her posts. She talks about food, her family, arts and crafts, DYI projects, organizations tips...you name it! It's never a dull read over there. As her angel, I've tried to leave as many comments as possible and keep my eye out for anything else I can do. I have done something else, but if I say it, she'll know that I'm talking about her. 

If you're interested in reading what the other blog angels are up to this month or you're interested in joining us in October, click on the following link:

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

My Insomnia Spurs Creativity

Cute Cupcake with Bow Cell Phone Charm

Cute Cupcake with Bow Cell Phone Charm - $3.50


Among the various health issues that I have to contend with, insomnia is probably the worst. I love sleep! But most of the time I can only sleep during the day and not at night. I've tried not taking naps at all and it still doesn't work. The medicine I'm on for my Tourette's will make me drowsy, but sometimes fails to put me to sleep for the whole night.
Spring Rose Ring

Spring Rose Ring (available in 9 colors) - $5.50



So I've learned over time that instead of getting frustrated because I woke up at 2:30 am and can't get back to sleep, get my butt up and go to the craft table! Lol! I'll have ideas just pour out of me that I  really believe wouldn't happen otherwise. Most of the new items for my Etsy shop were created at 2:30 in the morning in a quiet house with no distractions. You'll find some of them throughout this post.

Pumpkin Stud Earrings

Pumpkin Stud Earrings - $4.00



If you deal with insomnia like me and find you can't sleep one night, get up and get creating! If you're not into crafts, you could read a book, write out the dinner menu for the week, plan out what you're going to do for the day, etc. Let me know what you do when you just can't sleep :)

Alice in Wonderland Cupcake Charm

Alice in Wonderland Cupcake Charm - $8.00

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

5 Great Etsy Gifts for Autumn Lovers!

It's getting close to that time of year where we enjoy pumpkin pies, soups and stews, s'mores, the leaves changing colors, bonfires, and of course FOOTBALL!!! Yes, Autumn is right around the corner and I'm so excited!

But of course with a change in season, you need a change in wardrobe. I love wearing hats, gloves, and scarves when it starts getting a little nippy outside. All of the gift ideas I found today are handmade crochet accessories that would look great in anyone's wardrobe. Just because it will be getting colder, doesn't mean you have to stop looking cute :)

5 Great Etsy Gifts for Autumn Lovers!
Woman's Crochet Hat - Olive Green - Crocheted Newsboy Hat for Adult

Woman's Crochet Hat - Olive Green - $24.00

(I can't describe how much in love I am with this hat!!!)

Teal Crochet Scarf with Flower Brooch Pin

Teal Crochet Scarf with Flower Brooch Pin - $22.00


Gray Crochet Fingerless Gloves, Eco Friendly Yarn

Gray Crochet Fingerless Gloves - $19.99


Alpaca Slouchy Hat with Pompom  Chunky Knit Beret in Stones Colors and Teal

Alpaca Slouchy Hat with Pompom - $40.00


***A CUTE STEAL***
Crocheted Fingerless Gloves / Wrist Warmers - Dark Grey Heather

Crocheted Fingerless Gloves / Wrist Warmers - $6.00


Monday, August 13, 2012

Guest Post - Meet My Buddy Ronni! :)

I'm so excited for you guys to meet one of my incredible sponsors today! Her name is Ronni and she blogs over at anywhere-is.net. She is fun and full of life. Please stop by her blog and say "hello" to her. She would really love it :)

Take it away, Ronni :)

Well, HELLO THERE! I'm Ronni and I blog at anywhere-is.net. :) I shake you warmly by the hand. (50 points if you can tell me what movie that's from.)
Happy July 4th!
I'm Ronni!

I'm a mom, wife, editor, dreamer, and daydreamer. I have awesome kinky curly hair that is most certainly not a trend. I love my family, yogareading (especially contemporary YA romance), going to Disney World, spaghetti, playing sim games, music, dancing, and watching gymnastics. I don't like winter, loud parties, bigots, mushrooms, onions, heavy traffic, and red lights. I'm married to Adam, a ghost hunter and author, and I'm the mom of Aidan, who is the most awesome kid in the whole darn universe.
Aidan Is excited for the new Ninjago that's coming on tonight.

I'm in training to get my 200-hour yoga teacher certification. It's been a crazy but amazing ride.
Half-Assed Dancer's Pose (Natarajasana)
I suck at balancing poses, ok.

I have a lot of dream jobs. One is to be a parade dancer at Disney World. I got to do the next best thing in February, by riding a float in the Disney Animal Kingdom's Jammin' Jungle Parade!
Jammin' Jungle Parade
Yeah, it was awesome!! We LOVE to go to Disney World. We try to go at least once a year. Adam goes for the food, I go for the atmosphere, some of the rides, the shows, the characters, the food, and the music. Aidan goes for the rides and the food.
It's Us!
I talk a lot about my day-to-day life because for some reason, there are people who find that interesting. (And I love them for it!) I talk about yoga, and I post lots of pictures. I posted lots of pictures before it became a *thing*! /hipstermoment. I'm goofy and honest and real. Still interested? Pop on over to anywhere-is.net and say hi! I love making new blog friends. :)

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Cosplay Outfit #1 - Gir (Update)

Hello everyone! I finally finished my t-shirt for my Gir cosplay for the anime con that I'm going to next month. Wow! Next month? I better get going on finishing the other cosplays. Lol!

Here are the pictures of the finished shirt:
The front

The back (with the little tail)

With the Gir ears on doing my favorite con pose :)

I'm not in the full cosplay outfit but I can tell you what I will be wearing:
1. Short black wig
2. Gir ears
3. Gir shirt
4. Black shorts
5. Black arm warmers
6. Black over-the-knee socks
7. Pink Converses
8. Face markings painted on (facepaint)
9. Random jewelry (maybe?)

I will be taking PLENTY of pictures during the con, so I'll post a picture of me in full Gir cosplay so you can see the final product :)