Life in Beta

Thanks to one of my coworkers, I am slightly obsessed with Portlandia. This is the opening scene from the first show, which gives you a pretty good idea of what to expect, I think…

If you have streaming Netflix, they have the whole first season available to view instantly. What are you waiting for!?

It’s the first Thursday of the new year already! Here’s what I’m lovin’ so far in 2012…

My friend Cindy posted this on her Pinterest account the other day. Hehe.
(I wonder if I’m dating myself by saying I understand the reference?)

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Another Pinterest-find, this time via BelleRenee – Don’t these banana oatmeal smoothies look yummy?! (I’m thinking of stopping after work tomorrow to get some bananas to make these.)

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Another yummy thing: Nutella frosting via HelloVanny has to be pretty much the most brilliant thing EVER.

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I learned about the Photo-A-Day challenge via Amy Morby’s post about it. I wish I’d seen it sooner, as I’m already several days behind … but maybe I’ll participate anyway. I’m enjoying seeing what others are posting at least! Are you participating?

Did y’al see Leigh-Ann’s Tie Cuff tutorial!? I’m in love and now I want to go thrifting for some fun ties!

Sarah of Yes and Yes shared a few last-minute solutions for 2011′s resolutions that cracked me up.

Sarah of  Sillygrrl had great advice for how to achieve your goals in 2012.

And finally, from the “I’m behind the times”-files:

• ModCloth. Seriously, I don’t know why I didn’t order from them sooner! I got THREE new dresses from them over the holidays, and I’m already lusting over a fourth. I had no idea they’re Pittsburgh-based (only 2-hours south of here), so even their basic shipping arrives overnight. What more could you ask for!?
• Birkenstock Sandals. I know, the 90s called and they want their shoes back. (Whatevs. :P) I had a pair of knock-off Birks back in the day and I wore them till they literally fell to pieces. My hunny surprised me with a REAL pair of Arizonas for Christmas, and I adore them. I’ve been wearing them (with my colorful hand-knit socks, tank-you-veddy-much!) despite the fact that it’s December. No snow on the ground? Sandals are valid footwear, I say.
• Tattoos. I’ve admired them for years on other people, but I got my first two days ago. I’m afraid my mother may disown me, and I’ve been feeling really bad about that, but at the same time, I really really love it. Every time I catch it out of the corner of my eye (it’s on my left inner-wrist), it makes me smile. A lot. (But more about that later.)

This faux porcelain tutorial at Crafted Love
 (You are going to be SO surprised at how this is done! — At least, I was.)

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Alycia‘s posted about tips to organize your sponsorships and create a nice PayPal payment form for them
 (I am just embarking into the world of sponsorships and link exchanges, and am quickly finding that organization is key — Alycia’s posts are a great help to get started!)

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Leigh-Ann and Kyla announced the all-new Indie Business “Compass” e-course which will launch in January
(I signed up — did you!?) 

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Finally … Kim guest-posted the recipe for Nutella Rolls on Lisa‘s blog
(Nutella + banana + crescent rolls? Can you get any better than that!?)