Where's the "Like" button?

Does anyone else have an issue with this?  These days, it makes me happy when I read an enjoyable email, have a "laugh out loud" moment with girlfriends, a nice driver lets me go ahead of them in traffic, I find a good sale, I hear my boys tell each other that they love one another, or I have something as simple as a good hair day.  I just wish I could find life's universal "Like" button.  It's sounds so stupid, but it seems that sometimes that "Like" button is just the most appropriate response.

I'm convinced that it's a 21st century human being's desire to feel gratification on a comment, a status update, a good deed or kind guesture.  I get it, sort of, but why is that?  Is the feeling a good deed gives us not enough anymore?  Is it our addiction to social media and RSS feeds, is it the yearning for the most current and instant responses, is it competitiveness, is it a longing for attention, or a combination of all of these?

Sometimes, rather than responding to an email, or waving to the kind driver, it would be fun just to reply with a "Like" button.

Blogger Spotlight... Jennifer O'Reilly

I would like to introduce Jennifer O'Reilly.  She is such a kind, sweet, talented, and super fun mommy!  I love reading her blog, and I know you will too.  She has a beautiful family and she does a great job of capturing her family memories.  My personal favorite posts are when she shares things about her design projects.  Give this girl some spray paint and a salvaged household item and magic happens!  Check out her blog HERE - I know you'll love it!  Here is a post where she uses her magical talents with spray paint - so darn cute!!  Click HERE!

 

Question #1:  How do you take your coffee? 

3 tsp of sugar and creme brulee creamer

 

Question #2:  How long have you been blogging? 

Almost 3 years

 

Question #3:  When you first began blogging, what did you hope to accomplish with your blog?  How, if any, have your blog goals shifted as you've become more experienced? 

I started my blog with my in-laws in mind. They live in Georgia, and I wanted to keep them as close to us and the kids as possible. It's not easy having family living far away so I try to keep them updated with our lives through our blog. I also love that our kids lives are chronicled and I hope to make our blog into a book one day for the kids. 

 

Question #4:  Red wine, white wine, or depends on the occasion, meal, etc.? 

Definitely depends on what I'm doing, what I'm eating, and who I'm with. I love both!

 

Question #5:  Ultimate vacation spot?  Is this somewhere you've been, or hope to visit someday?

Since we honeymooned in Sante Fe, I hold a very special place in my heart for turquoise jewelry, art galleries, cowboy boots and pinion wood. They're so many places I could have fun in. Greece in high up on my list of places to see.

 

Question #6:  Cheez-its or Cheese Nips? 

Parmesan Cheese-its

 

Question #7:  Describe the perfect date night with your hubby. 

I miss riding on the back of my hubby's Harley. Since we've had kids, we don't ride anymore. I would love to take a ride around Lake Hefner and have dinner on the patio of somewhere casual. I miss those days!

 

Question #8:  If you could invite one celebrity, past or present, to dinner, who would you invite and why?  

Lady Ga Ga. Just to see what she would wear. 

 

Question #9:  What is your favorite charitable organization? JLOC

 

Question #10:  Name three things that you are passionate about in life. 

God, Family, Friends

 

Question #11:  If you could spend the day by yourself, with no phone, email, carpool, errands, etc., how would you spend your day? 

Spa day that includes mani, pedi, facial & massage. Lunch on a patio with a glass of Sauv Blanc and a shrimp caesar salad. Browse some antique shops/boutiques for a fabulous find or fun piece of jewelry. Maybe hit up a book store and catch up on my favorite decor/celebrity gossip magazines.

 

Question #12:  What advice would you give to someone that has just begun blogging? 

Don't get frustrated and google the questions you need answers to. It's a work in progress.

 

Question #13:  What is one of your favorite family traditions? 

Dressing in Red, White & Blue, loading the girls up in their wagon, and heading to the 4th of July parade in Edmond.

 

Question #14:  Name three baby items that you thought you had to have pre-kids, but now that you've had kids, realize you didn't really need.  Name three baby must-haves. 

1. Bedding~Our baby nurse told us in our parenting class that all we needed was a sheet and I thought that was the saddest thing I'd ever heard. But, I have to say after a few months I took the bumper out (Fear of SIDS and 5 month old Audrey was pulling herself up and trying to stand on it) and we never used the big blanket that came with the bedding. I removed the dust ruffle after we moved the crib lower to the ground. It was so important to have pretty bedding at the time, but after a 2nd baby I thinks it's a waste of money and time. 

   

Must haves-Boppy, pack-in-play, video monitor, (and diapers diapers diapers!)

 

Question #15:  What is your favorite drink from Sonic? 

Lame, but it's what I always get. A route 44 water. So thirst quenching!

Blogger Spotlight... Stacy Nance

Allow me to introduce the amazingly talented, Stacy Nance, of Stacy Nance Interiors!  Stacy and I went to high school together, but have recently become reacquainted through mutual friends, similar interests, and our blogs.  Please check out her design blog HERE.  She offers great ideas and inspiration for your own home 'to do' list.  I know I have plenty of things on my list.  Actually, I have several design, home decor, household, and wish lists.  Mainly, though, I have my everyday to do list and then my 'someday' list.  Surely I'm not the only one!

Here are Stacy's responses to my random questions.  Enjoy!

Question #1:  How do you take your coffee?

No coffee for me; sometimes tea or DDP for a caffeine fix

Question #2:  How long have you been blogging? 

It will be a year in June.  Wow!  How time flies!

Question #3:  When you first began blogging, what did you hope to accomplish with your blog?  How, if any, have your blog goals shifted as you've become more experienced?

Blogs and social networks i.e. Facebook and Twitter have quickly become the way we communicate with our friends and neighbors.  This is how the world shares information. I studied this in my master's degree (library and information studies).  So when I started my business, I consulted with friends.  We all agreed that a blog was necessary to the success of the business.  The blog showcases my design aesthetic.  People feel like they know me through the blog, and that's exactly what I want.  Facebook has really been a launching pad for the blog and business.  How would anyone but my immediate friends know what I was doing if it weren't for these tools?  Through these avenues people can see what I'm doing and decide: "I want Stacy to come do that at my house!"  

My goal is three posts a week on the blog.  I didn't want to spend money on the blog in the beginning.  Now I think it's time to invest more money into the business.  I want to revamp my blog design this summer as well as launch a website with my design projects.  I also want to do some "giveaways".  Friends and acquaintances comment on my FB page or to me personally all the time, but I would like to see more discussion on the actual blog.  I can see on my stats that hundreds of people check it out, so I just need to get them commenting!

Insert Regan's comment:  What an awesome and smart answer!!  Where would any of us be without social media these days?

Question #4:  Red wine, white wine, or depends on the occasion, meal, etc.?

My favorite is a sauvignon blanc from New Zealand.  Yummy!

Question #5:  Ultimate vacation spot?  Is this somewhere you've been, or hope to visit someday? 

My two favorite vacation spots are Northern California and France.  I love the Sonoma region near Napa, and Provence and Paris are just magical.

Question #6:  Cheez-its or Cheese Nips?

Cheetos!

Question #7:  Describe the perfect date night with your hubby.

Well I love a good date weekend to Dallas.  Occasionally, my husband will take me to Dallas for a weekend of shopping.  We stay at a nice hotel and eat at all our favorite restaurants.

Question #8:  If you could invite one celebrity, past or present, to dinner, who would you invite and why?

This one is tough for me...  Laura Bush and I have a lot in common, and I've always wanted to meet her.  She is Theta and a librarian like me.  I would love to talk to her about literacy and education.

Question #9:  What is your favorite charitable organization?

Our friend Hayden has CF, so we love supporting her whenever possible.  We also have a place in our hearts for Young Life.

Question #10:  Name three things that you are passionate about in life.

That has changed in the last several years.  When I was teaching I was very passionate about education. Now, I'm passionate about being a good mother, friend and wife.  

Question #11:  If you could spend the day by yourself, with no phone, email, carpool, errands, etc., how would you spend your day?

Start with a massage. Then a pedicure.  Then I would probably make my way to my favorite design and antique stores.

Question #12:  What advice would you give to someone that has just begun blogging?

Start small but set goals.  I think it all depends on the content of the blog.  If it's for a business, always consider your business plan.

Question #13:  What is one of your favorite family traditions?

My Granny makes lunch for her kids, grand kids and great grand kids every Sunday.  She's the best cook I know, and I hope I can be as giving and kind as she is someday.

Question #14:  Name three baby items that you thought you had to have pre-kids, but now that you've had kids, realize you didn't really need.  Name three baby must-haves.

I don't think I thought much about baby items before I had my son.  I thought I was going to breastfeed for six months. HA!  I used my expensive breast pump for two weeks before calling it quits--one of the most disappointing and difficult times in my life.

My baby must haves: Aiden+Anais swaddle blankets (love), bouncy chair, Fisher Price Lamb Swing, and Boon High Chair

Question #15:  What is your favorite drink from Sonic?
Diet Strawberry Lemonade

Thirty One Home Shopping Event... Tonight only!

Hi friends!

Thirty-one is a company with some fun, and practical everyday items.  Among other things, they have great summer bags for vacations, travel, etc.  This event is like many of the home shows, except this is a 'shop from home' event.  Please see the links in the invitation below.  It is from 6-9 pm TONIGHT.  No need to RSVP, just feel free to shop if you are interested.  They are offering some great discounts if you purchase during this time slot.

A link to their online catalog can be found HERE.

Thanks for considering!

   
Online shopping from 6-9pm with special pricing during event only

View the show here: THE EVENT
Shop here:  THE STORE