10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Friday! Today I'm linking up with Charlotte, Lindsay, and Beth for their weekly happy and grateful list link up.

1. Happy Mail

2. Brownies with marshmallows

3. Target

4. My boys

5. Take Me With You by Andrea Gibson

6. Stars Above collection at Target

7. Ice cold water

8. Going to bed early

9. Aveeno MaxGlow Infusion Drops

10.  Using the Happy Planner Free Spirit sticker book in my journal

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

This is Everything Project Life Layout

It's been a while since I made and shared a Project Life layout. I used the Little Details Mini Kit from Life Love Paper for both of my Project Life Layouts. The majority of the embellishments came from two previous Freckled Fawn embellishment kits.

For my first layout, I documented a day at the park with my boys. It was the first weekend of Summer break, and we were so excited to go to the playground. We went to the park in the morning before it got way too hot.

For my second layout, I documented a trip to the Marietta Pizza Company. It was Raphael's first time, so we were all excited to take him there. If you are ever in town, you have got to try Marietta Pizza Company. The pizza is delicious, and John loves the spinach and mushroom calzone.

We've been having a blast this Summer, and I'm loving documenting our adventures. I can't wait to make more Project Life layouts.

How are you going to document your Summer adventures?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Friday! Today I'm linking up with Charlotte, Lindsay, and Beth for their weekly happy and grateful list link up.

1. Truth Hurts by Lizzo

2. New Swig Mug

3. Shopping by myself

4. Working on a new project

5. Using watercolors again

6. Self-care

7. The Nutcracker and the Four Realms

8. BOGO Starbucks Frappuccinos

9. This scrapbook layout

10. Journaling

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Little Moments Traveler's Notebook

Happy Wednesday! I recently completed my Little Moments Traveler's Notebook. I had so much fun documenting little moments. I think it's so important to remember the little moments because they are part of our story.

I started this traveler's notebook in February. I loved that I decided not to try to complete this notebook in a set amount of time. I made layouts whenever I felt like it and documented random things like shows I watched, Target finds, family days, and adventures. The layouts are not in chronological order, but I did use my date stamp on several of the pages so I wouldn't forget when the events took place.

I had so much fun working on this traveler's notebook. It was great to use a lot of my scrapbooking and crafting stash on this little project.

*Please note that this is a photo-heavy post.*

I love how my traveler's notebook turned out. I learned a few things about working in my traveler's notebook insert. One thing that I learned is not to use bulky embellishments when working in a travelers notebook. Even though I love that my notebook is chunky, it started to get a bit hard to work in it. In the future, I plan to use flat embellishments and my stamps whenever I scrapbook in my traveler's notebook inserts.

How do you document your little moments?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Atlanta Area Moms Blog

Today I'm over at The Atlanta Area Moms Blog with a new post. I'm sharing the things that make my life easier as a mom. Feel free to check out my post and let me know what you think.

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Summer Bucket List

Happy Monday! We consider the first day of Summer to start on the last day of school. However, the first day of Summer will officially be here on Friday. We've been having so much fun this summer, and I decided to make a Summer bucket list. I love making seasonal bucket lists. It's always cool to see what we were able to get done at the end of the season. This year, I included the usual things on my list as well as a few new things.

• Try 5 new recipes

• Read 5 books

• Go to the pool

• Try different seasonal foods and drinks

• Drink lemonade

• Eat popsicles and ice cream

• Make s'mores

• Go for a walk every day 

• Have a BBQ

• Visit amusement and water parks

• Explore my city

• Go to the Silver Comet Trail

• Go to new-to-me parks

• Visit the library every week

• Declutter

• Relax

• Blog More

• Journal every day

• Make more art

• Exercise 3 days a week

What is on your Summer bucket list?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Heather Ford on Unsplash

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Friday! Today I'm linking up with Charlotte, Lindsay, and Beth for their weekly happy and grateful list link up.

1. Celebrating Father's Day early

2. Cooler weather

3. Catching up on classes on Skillshare

4. Pizza

5. Evening walks with my boys

6. Papercrafts projects

7. Starbucks

8. Captain Marvel

9. Keanu Reeves memes

10. Reading

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Enjoy Today Layout

It's been a while since I made a 6x8 scrapbook layout. Honestly, I really enjoy creating smaller sized scrapbook layouts. It's easier and takes less time to create. I love Crate Paper's All Heart collection, so I decided to use several items from the collection on this layout. I also used a few pieces from Freckled Fawn and Pinkfresh Studio. The rainbow die cut is from a pack of Amy Tangerine ephemera. I love that the words "Enjoy Today" are in gold foil.

A couple of weeks ago, I went to Downtown Smyrna and found a beautiful piano. Of course, I took a photo of it and knew that I wanted to document it in a layout. Finding this piano made me want to explore my city more and discover more hidden (and not so hidden) gems.

What are you currently working on? Have you gone on any adventures?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

If You and I Had Coffee

If you and I had coffee...

We'd meet at Starbucks. I'd ask you if you have tried the Java Chip Frappuccino and the Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino. If you haven't tried either one, then I'd recommend those two drinks. The Java Chip Frappuccino tastes just like the Mocha Cookie Crumble...the only difference is that the Mocha Cookie Crumble has the cookie crumbles.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that we finally cut the cord and subscribed to Hulu. We already had Netflix for a little over a month and have loved it. We get a good deal on Netflix because we get it for free with our cell phone service. We actually pay an upgrade for Netflix (about $3), but it's worth it since we can use Netflix on four different screens. 

As for Hulu, we decided to try the basic plan so that we could see if we liked it. We ended up really liking Hulu, but the ads were very annoying. I really did not like how the ads just popped up out of nowhere. There were many times when an ad would pop up, and then the show would be over. Eventually, I realized that if the ads are about 80 seconds long or then that meant that the show was over. 

We have been fed up with cable for a long time. We had too many issues such as the price kept increasing every month, the DVR not recording our shows, etc. Cutting the cord was a long time coming, and I think I hesitated because our kids do enjoy watching cartoons. I wanted to make sure that Netflix and especially Hulu, had shows that the kids love as well as a decent amount of family-friendly shows and movies.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that you should watch Always Be My Baby and I Am Mother. Both films are on Netflix. I loved both movies, especially Always Be My Baby. It was the best rom-com that I've watched in a long time. I Am Mother was kind of weird at times, but interesting. I'd also ask you for any Netflix and Hulu recommendations.

Oh, I would also recommend The Bold Type. This show is on Hulu, and it's fantastic. I love that they discuss social issues and topics that are so important in the real world. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I am so over the rain. Don't get me wrong, I love rainy weather, but not when it's been raining for about a week. We're supposed to have sunny weather for a couple of days and then it's back to rainy weather.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I have wanted to go to this little boutique that's close to my home. I've wanted to buy a new summer dress or romper, but I always have the hardest time buying clothes. I'd invite you to come with me because it would be fun to have a friend to help me pick out a dress. Maybe we'd go after our coffee date.

What would you tell me?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

Target Finds

Happy Monday! I'm so excited to share what I found at Target in May. There were a lot of great things that I found, and I'm happy to say that I loved every single item that I purchased.

Let's see what I purchased at Target last month.

1. Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Chunks

So I didn't actually purchase this at Target because they were out of stock when I went to buy it. I ended up buying it at my local grocery store, but I do plan on going to Target in the next few days because they finally have it in stock.

These snackable cookie dough chunks are so delicious. I actually ate an entire bag in one sitting. There is also a peanut butter cookie flavor that is available.

2. Cantu Hair Products

After trying Cantu's detangle brush, I knew I wanted to try some of their other products. This month, I bought the Natural Leave-In Conditioning Cream, the Comeback Curl Enhancer, and the Deco Easy Wrap. The leave-in conditioner is by far my favorite Cantu product. It left my hair feeling smooth and soft. The curl enhancer was also useful as well. I love the hair wrap for days when I want to put my hair up.

3. Belgian Boys Mini Choco Stroopwafels

I've tried the Belgian Boys Mini Stroopwafels and absolutely loved them, but was curious about their mini chocolate covered stroopwafels. I actually went to Target to buy the regular mini stroopwafels, but unfortunately, they were out of stock.

The mini choco stroopwafels were good, but not as delicious as the regular ones. I would still repurchase them, but they wouldn't be my first choice.

4. Just One You made by Carters Sleepwear

I found two cute sets of sleepwear (on clearance!) for Raphael. It was perfect timing because Raphael needed some new pajamas. Each set came with two pairs of pajamas. They each came with two short sleeve shirts, one pair of pajama shorts, and one pair of long pajama pants. So I basically bought four pairs of pajamas for only $16. Usually, they are priced at $15.99, but each set was on clearance for $7.98. You can check out the pajamas that I purchased here and here.

Overall, I'm really happy with everything that I purchased. I was able to save on several of these items by using the Cartwheel app, checking the sales ads, and/or using coupons.

What are some of your favorite Target Finds?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Friday! Today I'm linking up with Charlotte, Lindsay, and Beth for their weekly happy and grateful list link up.

1. Ocean Eyes by Billie Eilish

2. Having most of my blog posts for June edited and ready to publish

3. All. The. Summer. Vibes.

4. Get Messy Art - Season of Starting

5. Heart Talk by Cleo Wade

6. My sisters

7. Random Summer Breeze and Summer Storms

8. Getting enough sleep

9. Bath & Body Works sales

10. School supply shopping is done!

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

What I Read In May

Last month, I accomplished my goal to read two books. I know that I definitely could have read three books, but I'm glad that I read two books. I'm hoping that this month, I can accomplish my reading goal. I really enjoy reading, but sometimes, I can't find the time to sit down and read.

I'm really excited to share what I read last month. Both of the books that I read were amazing, which made it easy to take the time to read.

Must Read

Keep Going: 10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad by Austin Kleon

I love reading Austin Kleon's books. They always help keep me motivated and is the perfect pick-me-up. This is an excellent book for every person who wants to live a creative life or wants a little bit of inspiration. In this book, Kleon offers ten ways/rules to stay creative. I loved the quotes and illustrations that were included in the book.

This is a quick read, and you can quickly devour it in one day. However, I took my time reading this book, and I'm so glad that I did. Keep Going is part of a trilogy and I highly recommend his previous books, Steal Like an Artist and Show Your Work. You can learn more about Austin Kleon here.

Frida Kahlo: An Illustrated Life by María Hesse

I am a huge fan of Frida Kahlo. I first learned about María Hesse's book on Instagram, and the cover had me hooked. I had to read it, and I'm so glad that I did. I learned a few new things about Frida and really enjoyed the artwork. This was more of a graphic novel with illustrations by María Hesse. One of the things that I loved about the illustrations is that they were a reimagination of Kahlo's paintings. The book is in first person narrative, which made it very interesting.

I read this book in one day, and I'm sure that I will read it again and again. If you are a fan of Frida Kahlo, I highly recommend this book. You can check out María Hesse's work here.

Blog Posts I Loved in May

3 Essentials of a Killer Social Media Bio by Megan Dowd

This layout by Theresa

Vanessa's take on Get Messy's Season of Creativity

This canvas background art journal page by Anna-Karin

All Birth Stories are Beautiful by Alise

Lecy's post on collecting notebooks

A REAL Breastfeeding Experience - One Year In by Alexis from The Chemistry Cachet

Anne Butera on Slowing Down

What did you read in May?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

June Goals

Happy Monday! Another month has passed! I say this every month, but I'm so surprised by how fast the month went by. May was such a busy and fun month. Now that school is out, we can't wait to go on lots of adventures this month.

Since it's a new month, it's time for new goals. Before we get to the new goals, let's recap on my goals from last month.

Recap of May Goals

• Read 2 books: This was a pass. I read Frida Kahlo by María Hesse and Keep Going by Austin Kleon. I loved both of these books and will have a full review soon.

• Complete 2 classes on Skillshare: This was a fail. I only completed one class this month. I took Adam JK's Envelope Manifesto class on Skillshare. I absolutely love Adam's work and highly recommend his course. 

• Try 2 new recipes: This was a pass! I tried three new recipes! I've been baking a lot. I made banana nut bread and chocolate chip bread. I also made sheet pan lemon pepper shrimp, but added my own twist to it and used the shrimp for shrimp tacos. 

• Finish Season of Creativity album: This was a fail. I didn't finish the Season of Creativity, but I did work on it.

• Work on Get Messy Art Journal - Season of Inspiration: This was a pass. I made lots of pieces in my journal (both writing and art journaling). 

• Work on The Painted Diaries monthly theme - Explore an artist: I'm not sure whether to call this a pass or fail. I didn't work on this as much as I would have liked.

June Goals

• Read 2 books

• Try 3 new recipes

• Complete 2 Skillshare classes

• Go for a walk every day

• Journal every day

What are your goals for June?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...


*Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. Clicking and completing a purchase helps The Emi Times run!*

Photo by Isaac Smith on Unsplash