My New Favorite Tool--We R Memory Keepers Power Punch

You guys I am so excited to share my new favorite tool with you all. So I am currently working on my #30daysofselfportrait mini album and am using Kristin's new collection Awesome Ladies Feminist Scrapbook Collection for most of the album. The paper pack from the collection comes with a really cool hard cover that is perfect for making the covers of a mini album. Well, I tried using two different hole punchers and neither would punch into the chipboard cover. So I talked with a couple of people and looked online to see if I could find a strong hole punch. I ended up hearing that We R Memory Keepers' Crop-a-dile collection would be perfect. So I went to Michaels to look for one. I was going to buy the Crop-A-Dile Eyelet & Snap Punch, but realized that I most likely will not use the eyelet setter so I ended up finding the Crop-A-Dile Power Punch!

You guys I never thought I would be so excited to get a punch! Ha! Seriously it is awesome. I can use it to punch through a bunch of things like thick chipboard, fabric, leather, thin tin (like seriously tin! I can't even!), and plastic! When I used the power punch on the chipboard and the patterned paper, it went through like butter!

The photo above are two pages of the patterned paper that were punched by the Power Punch. Mind you, I adhered the patterned papers (front and back) so that they would be a bit thicker and because I thought it would make my mini album look better. 

I'm really loving this new tool and if you are looking for something a bit stronger than a regular hole punch, I would highly recommend We R Memory Keepers' Power Punch.

Do you have a favorite tool?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

*I was not compensated or given a Power Punch in exchange for this review. I bought this product on my own. All opinions expressed here are my own.*

Currently List

Hello! Hello! It's Tuesday and it's time for another Currently List!

Watching: Nothing at the moment. I do need to catch up on Preacher and The Last Ship today.

Reading: As usual, I'm catching up on lots of blog posts and emails. I'm currently waiting for two books to arrive in the mail so I can't wait to get them.

Listening: This song is fantastic. Juan Luis Guerra is amazing! I love that he made an entire album just to honor the indigenous tribes of Dominican Republic.

Making: I'm hoping to have a bunch of blog posts completed in advance for July. I'm also making tons of lists and am working on my #30daysofselfportraits mini album.

Feeling: I have been feeling all of the feels today.

Planning: So I'm planning to go on a spending freeze in July. It needs to be done. Yay for being an adult.

Loving: My boys never sleep in so it was so incredibly nice that they did today...on a Monday!

What are you currently up to?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks--Blogging for Books Review

Happy Monday! I recently finished reading The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. When I first received this book, I was not sure what to expect because I knew it would go into science and medicine. Normally I don't read books that are about medicine and science, but I really wanted to read this book so I could learn more about Henrietta and her family.

The book is about Henrietta Lacks' life and her family as well as the study on the HeLa cells. The book mentions doctors who studied the cells and it also goes into ethics. The story was great and left me thinking about medicine and ethics. It also left me feeling various emotions throughout the book. There were a couple of the chapters in the book that actually made me a bit upset. The way Henrietta's family were treated made me feel so bad for them and I felt so incredibly bad for how her children were treated as they grew up. This book made me realize that we really have come a long way from how people were treated back then compared to now. So many policies and consent forms have been created due to Henrietta's case as well as other similar ones. I don't want to give too much information on this book because I don't want to spoil it, but this book was incredibly interesting to read and I highly recommend it.

Have you read The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks? What are your thoughts on the book?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for this review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Currently List

Hey! It's Tuesday and it's time for another Currently List!

Watching: When this show premiered, the first episode left me confused, but intrigued. Usually when a show just seems confusing, I don't bother to watch it anymore. However, there is just something about Preacher that keeps making me watch the next episodes.

Reading: As usual, I'm reading some blog posts along with some emails. I also plan to read Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz. The series is really good and the stories used to scare me when I was a kid.

Listening: Oh, Adele. She is just amazing. I love her songs and this song is fantastic!

Making: I've been trying to draft up some blog posts in advance.

Feeling: I'm feeling a bit worried, but am hoping that everything turns out ok.

Planning: I have a bunch of projects to work on. I have layouts, cards, and various challenges to work on.

Loving: If you haven't tried the Thin Mints Chewy Quaker Granola Bars then I suggest you go to your grocery store and get some. They are so good...so so good. You won't regret it.

What have you been currently up to?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

10 Things That Made Me Happy Last Week

Hey! Happy Monday! Today I am linking up with Krysten, Lindsay, and Charlotte's weekly link up.

1. Candy

2. Six Flags White Water

3. Six Flags Over Georgia

4. Dippin Dots

5. John

6. My kids

7. Art Journaling

8. Afternoon naps

9. #100DaysofArt

10. Summer

What made you happy last week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Currently List

Hey! It's Tuesday and it's time for another Currently List!

Watching: I can't stop watching the news. It is so horrible what has happened in Orlando.

Reading: I didn't read a lot of blog posts during the weekend so today I caught up on a lot of posts. As usual, I also caught up on some emails.

Listening: This song is awesome and catchy. DNCE has some pretty good songs.

Making: I'm still working on #30daysofselfportraits and #100daysofart. I've also been working on projects for the Awesome Ladies Project and The Nerd Nest Challenges.

Feeling: The events in Orlando has made me feel sad, but hopeful. I can't even begin to imagine what the victims' families are feeling and am praying for a speedy recovery for the survivors of the attack. I'm feeling hopeful because even though there can be evil in this world, there are still so many good people out there. It was amazing to watch on television how so many people and businesses came together to help one another. To see so many people volunteer to give blood, businesses provide food and drinks to law enforcement, and other countries hold vigils was incredible and proved that there really is still good in this world.

Planning: I'm thinking about selling some of the cards and paintings that I have made.

Loving: I love painting. It's just feels so freeing to paint and feels awesome to see what I have made. I'm also still loving the Dylusions Paints that I bought. They really are awesome.

What have you been currently up to?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Friday! Today I'm linking up with Krysten, Lindsay, and Charlotte's weekly link up.

1. Shipping notifications

2. Great customer service

3. The six new Dylusions paints (I have the complete collection now!)

4. Team by Iggy Azalea

5. Couponing

6. Words of Encouragement

7. Spending time with my familia

8. #30DaysofSelfPortraits (I've been posting my self portraits on Instagram...check it out here)

9. Pizza

10. Strawberries

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

My Top Summer Beauty Products

So I am not really into beauty and fashion. I don't wear makeup often and hate shopping for clothes. However, that does not mean that I do not wear makeup or have a few favorite products. Today, I want to share just a few of my go to Summer beauty products.

Biore Baking Soda Liquid Pore Cleanser: This is a new product for me. Normally, I use Biore Combination Skin Balancing Cleanser, but have not been able to find it in stores. I've looked in Target, Walmart, Publix, etc. and it looks like stores do not carry it anymore. I did find it online, but didn't order it because if you know me, I don't like online shopping. So I decided to try this new cleanser from Biore that has natural baking soda in it. I haven't used it for a long time so I can't say if this is awesome or not, but so far everything looks good! I love that it doesn't have a scent and really like that it makes my face feel clean.

John Frieda Beach Blonde Shampoo and Conditioner: First, let me say that I am a huge fan of John Frieda products. I have never had an issue with John Frieda products and I really like how my hair looks after using various collections. I have been using this shampoo and conditioner for a while now. What's really cool about the Beach Blonde Shampoo and Conditioner is that you don't have to be a blonde to use it. I'm a brunette and use this collection. I really love the scent and how it leaves my hair feeling soft and smooth. 

John Frieda Beach Blonde Sea Wave Sea Salt Spray: This is part of the John Frieda Beach Blonde collection. As I mentioned before, you do not have to be a blonde to use this. I have curly hair and have noticed that the spray tames my hair which is a must especially since my hair can get really frizzy. The spray has a light scent and it feels super lightweight.

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream: I am not a big fan of foundation, but will use it on special occasions. On days when I want to put a little bit of makeup on without having to deal with foundation, I use Maybelline's Dream Fresh BB Cream. I love how lightweight this product is and that it is easy to apply. I also love that it has SPF in it too. It's perfect for Summer.

Sun Bum Lip Balm: I love lip balms and chapsticks. I especially love lip balms that have SPF in it. I have had the hardest time finding a lip balm that has SPF in it so I was very happy when I found out about Sun Bum. I currently have the pink grapefruit lip balm and I love it. It smells really good and I haven't had to reapply it a bunch of times.

Do you have any favorite Summer Beauty Products?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Currently List

Hey! It's Tuesday and it's time for another Currently List!

Watching: I don't normally watch The Doctors, but today's episode was pretty good.

Reading: As usual, I'm reading some blog posts and emails. I also read some articles and there was one that caught my eye. It was about the guy who was sentenced to six months in jail for sexual assault. In my opinion, that sentence was lenient and not fair at all.

Listening: This song has been on repeat. It's so catchy.

Making: If you follow me on Instagram (@theemitimes), you probably noticed that I have been participating in the The 100 Day Project. I am choosing to make #100daysofart and so far I am loving it. I did have to skip a few days in May because that was an extremely busy month, but I still plan to complete 100 days of art. I've been making layouts in my art journal, working on 4x6 watercolor cards, and making art on various different sized papers.

Feeling: Even though it's Monday (I fill out my Currently Cards on Mondays and post on Tuesdays), today has been a calm day. It feels good that I don't have a lot to get done because I got stuff done ahead of time.

Planning: I really need to work on my Project Life album. I have been neglecting it for a couple of months now. I think I'm going to pick a day during this month and just work on my Project Life album.

Loving: I decided to challenge myself to take 30 self portraits this month. I'm using the hashtag #30daysofselfportraits on Instagram. I decided to challenge myself to do this because I rarely take any pictures (i.e. selfies) of myself.

What have you been currently up to?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Handmade Cards-May 2016 Freckled Fawn Kit

Happy Monday! I hope you all had an amazing weekend! I received my National Scrapbook Day prize package about a little over a week ago and decided to make some cards. I also used the May "Bloom" Freckled Fawn kit.

I really like how this card turned out. I love the white and pink pearls and the hint of cork just makes the card pop. This is my second favorite card out of the bunch.

I used a Pebbles card base for the card above. I do want to note that I had a bit of a hard time deciding how to use the resin flowers that were included in the kit. I don't use resin items often mainly because I can never figure out which type of glue would work well. I ended up using my Tombow Mono Liquid Glue and Tombow Xtreme Adhesive Tape to adhere the resin flowers onto the card. I'm happy to say that it worked!

I was inspired by Sandra over at Mojosanti. She made some really cute cards using Freckled Fawn's kit. You can check out the cards that she made here.

I really love that the papers in the Amy Tangerine paper pad and the items in May's Freckled Fawn kit coordinate very well. My favorite card is the one with the floral background. That paper is just gorgeous!

Supplies Used:

• Freckled Fawn Kit-May "Bloom"
• Amy Tangerine Better Together 12x12 Paper Pad
• Recollections Cards
• Pebbles Card Pack

How was your weekend? Did you make anything?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...