Aug 29, 2014

Spread the Word: PenGems

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Are you  looking for a girly, state of the art writing utensil that will suit your everyday writing purposes!? Well, if you answered no I’m sure this blog post will change your mind, and for those of you that answered yes you're in luck! The answer is PenGems!

Aug 25, 2014

Peek-A-Boo: August 25th 2014

It’s another one of those days people but rest assured I plan to get you all some more solid content later in the week. Anywho, I’ve come across yet another online treasure, ThingLink! I’m not super tech savy so I have not yet discovered how I could link separate parts of an image to different websites or etc. but, ThingLink has got me covered!

Aug 22, 2014

Spread the Word: BookOutlet Weekend Deal

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All of you avid book readers better listen up because boy do I have a steal for you! The BookOutlet’s Weekend Deal is 30% off all Scratch and Dent titles. Now you may be wondering what the heck a Scratch and Dent title or book may be and I’m hear to tell you that they’re exactly what they sound like, books with a few scratches here and there, and maybe a dent or two. If you’re under the impression that these books are no longer reader worthy then I’m sorry to say you’re wrong because who doesn’t like a book with a bit of character? Especially if that means you’re getting it for 30% off!

Aug 21, 2014

Peek-A-Boo: August 21st 2014

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You all know that social media is actually a mind control device used to draw people in and then rob them of their time right? Of course you do because we’ve all been drawn in for a countless amount of hours. . . or maybe even days not realizing that time was slowly slipping away! I’ve been super into Twitter lately but I’d have to say that at least 50% of the time I spent on Twitter was beneficial to my blog for a number of reasons.

Aug 20, 2014

Peek-A-Boo: August 20th 2014

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The number one reason why I've only been able to give you all sneak peeks at what I've been up to is I've been working on a tutorial. I mentioned in one of my former blog posts, FON-Tastical, that I’d be creating a tutorial on turning dingbat fonts into blog photo embellishments. It is almost done so I imagine that I’ll be sharing it with you in the near future!

Aug 19, 2014

Peek-A-Boo: August 19th 2014

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Another one of my favorite online photo editing tools is PicMonkey and it’s probably one of the most popular online photo editing tools out there. The number one reason is probably the fact that it’s practically free however, there are a few premium features that require payment. The second reason is probably because it’s been on the web for quite some time and has gained significant recognition from the online community.

Any who, I plan on attempting to use PicMonkey as an alternative to Adobe Photoshop in the hopes that my tutorials will be done using free online resources. So that way, I’m almost 100% sure that you all have access to the materials and or resources that I use in my tutorials.

I actually found myself using PicMonkey for a tutorial that I came across on Michelle’s Desk. Considering the fact that my posts can sometimes be quite lengthy I figured it was about time I added a scroll to the top of the page widget to my blog.
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Notice that the widget I was working on in PicMonkey is not the same as the one that is currently up on my website. This is because I found inspiration elsewhere, on thefirstgradeparade.blogspot.com to be exact, and of course I had to run with it.
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As you can now see my scroll to the top of the page widget looks like this:
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Question of the Day: When you're inspired by another blogger's design or etc. do you immediately take action or is there something else that you do?

Aug 18, 2014

Peek-A-Boo: August 18th 2014

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Another beauty that I found while I was scrolling through my Twitter feed was Fotor. It’s a photo editing website like Canva but of course it has its own flair. Right now I’m not 100% sure what I’ll be using Fotor for but, I’m pretty sure I could get good use out of their collage maker.

Here’s the collage maker I mentioned earlier. It automatically sizes the photos so that they fit within the collage. All you have to do is drag and drop!
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I also plan to get pretty good use out of the cover photo creator. Especially because I plan on creating 100% free tutorials and using online resources such as Canva,and Fotor will help me do exactly that. Not to mention that it’s easier than creating a cover photo from scratch in Adobe Photoshop!
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Last but not least you can do some basic editing including adding text, adjusting brightness, and resize photos.
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Question of the Day: What’s your favorite online photo editor and why?

Aug 15, 2014

Peek-A-Boo: August 15th 2014

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I’ve decided to invest some of my time into the look of my blog and found Dana’s YouTube channel, The Blog Beautician, to be very helpful in my pursuit. She also has a few videos on her YouTube channel Wonder Forest geared towards blog design. I find Dana to be quite the expert when it comes to creating video tutorials and I’ve considered creating a few myself. Anyways, you should  definitely check out all of her videos but I’m going to share the ones that I found to be most helpful.


This first video is a total lifesaver as well as a time saver! Trust me, you are going to be glad you watched it.



I’m sure if you’re just starting out with Blogger, while still learning to code and succeed at web design, as I am, you’re wondering how you could make your very own blog header and corresponding yet fully functional navigation bar. Dana’s got the answer for this too!




For more blog design help and tutorials just check out Dana’s website icanbuildablog.com.
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Question of the Day: When it comes to blog design, do you prefer to do the work yourself or hire somebody else to do it?

Aug 14, 2014

Peek-A-Boo: August 14th 2014

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Sometimes I’m not able to post as much as I’d like due to a lack of time or sudden inspiration that needs immediate attention or etc. Anyways I’d still like to let everyone know what I’m doing and be able to share with you all, even if it’s only a sneak peak at what I’m up to. Which is exactly why I’ve created this blog series and entitled Peek-A-Boo.

Let’s have a look at what I’ve been up to! I’ve been super focused on toying around on Canva’s website. I discovered their site while I was busy looking for potential blog post opportunities on Twitter. Their website is absolutely flawless as far as I can see and I’ve probably spent hours of my life on their website that I will never get back but trust me it was so worth it!


Can you believe that they have the perfect Pinterest image size! Now I can finally kick my Pinterest images into gear before it’s too late.
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I also love the fact that they have tutorials on how to use their website because it helps you explore the possibilities and is a source of guided inspiration.
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And if you're in need of even more inspiration then check out the Editor’s Picks because they’ve got some really nice projects there as well.
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Question of the Day: Do you find shorter blog posts just as valuable as longer blog posts?

Aug 13, 2014

A Web Design Secret

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I’m not sure if you all are aware of this but, the world of digital scrapbooking and the world of web design sort of fall hand in hand. Allow me to explain, in order to be a seasoned digital scrapbook you need to be a little more than familiar with Adobe Photoshop and the same holds true for web design. In order to be a seasoned digital scrapbooker you need to have an eye for design and the same holds true for web design. Now it’s clear to see that there are quite a few commonalities between digital scrapbookers and web designers that you may not have noticed.


Today I will be focusing on design which is clearly present in both the work of a digital scrapbooker, as well as a web designer. More specifically, we’ll be focusing on digital scrapbooking embellishments. You might be wondering how digital scrapbooking embellishments and web design go together? Well, digital scrapbooking embellishments come in many similar forms that are often utilized by web designers. For example, digital scrapbookers use banners to decorate their digital scrapbooking pages while web designers use banners for navigation bars or etc.


Digital scrapbooking embellishments can be used by web designers to do a multitudinous amount of things. Below are a few link to predominantly digital scrapbook focused websites however, now that you’re in on the “secret”, you know that they can also be used in any web design endeavours you may have. Even if you don’t find them to be useful to you in the realm of web design, they can always pose as great blog photo embellishments!


  1. The Graphics Fairy
  2. Pinterest
  3. Free Digital Scrapbooking
  4. Best Free Scrapbooks
  5. Shabby Princess
  6. A Cherry On Top
  7. Google
Question of the Day: Do you have a purpose for digital scrapbooking embellishments in your web design?

Aug 12, 2014

FON-Tastical

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Do you ever get lost reading blog posts? One blog post will lead to another, and then another blog’s post will lead to yet another blog’s post, and you get the idea. Well this happened to me yesterday and before I knew it the day had ended and I realized that I’d barely scratched the surface when it came to today’s blog post. So, here we are and thankfully I managed to complete it and, I’m just glad because now I get to share it with you wonderful people.

Just by looking at the above image you might have suspected that we’d be discussing cheese however, that’s not exactly true. Anyways, by looking at the title I’m sure you figured that we’ll be discussing fonts. Not just any fonts, but dingbat fonts. Now if you’re unfamiliar with dingbat fonts you might be wondering what the heck they are! That’s how I felt when I first found out about them but I can assure you that they are absolutely, positively wonderful. I could go on and on about dingbat fonts but I think it’d be better if I show you what they are.
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Since you have an idea on what dingbat fonts are, if you weren’t already familiar with them that is to say, I’ve compiled a list of dingbat fonts from the prior image so that you can put them to good use. Also, look out for a future blog post on decorating blog post images, or anything else your little heart should ever desire, using dingbat fonts! By the way I’d like to give a special thanks to dafont.com for their wonderful, free selection of top of the line fonts! Enjoy :)


Question of the Day: Are you familiar with dingbat fonts, and if so how do you use them?

Aug 11, 2014

"Let's Get Digital, Digital"

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Embellishing blog photos can prove to be quite a challenge, especially when you have to do it day after day, week after week, month after month and so forth. Well, I have a solution to any woes you may have had concerning this topic. That solution would be digital washi tape.


Digital washi tape is just like ordinary washi tape but you know, digital. In my case however, I don’t happen to own any non-digital washi tape! Every time I try to get my hands on some washi tape it just never ends up happening. Sad, I know, but we are not here to talk about my fruitless efforts at obtaining washi tape now are we!?


We are here to talk about the wonderful world of digital washi tape which is accessible to both you and I anywhere we have access to internet. The best place to find digital washi tape, (in my opinion) for the price of zero dollars and zero cents, is . . .Pinterest! Literally all you have to do is type in “free digital washi tape” and then you’ll be able to begin your digital washi tape shopping spree.


Before I push you all out of the nest and send you off on your merry way, I’d like to share a few of my favorite Pinterest results (concerning free digital washi tape anyways!). First up, we have a polka dot themed set of digital washi tape via atypicalenglishhome.com. I don’t know about you but I love me some polka dots so you know that it was love at first sight when I spotted these babies.
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Next we have a chevron themed set of digital washi tape created by the ever so talented Angela, the author at atypicalenglishhome.com. You’ve got to admit that chevron is just as cute as polka dots (but I still think polka dots are cuter!).
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Last but not least we have a very decorative set of digital washi tape that was created by Doro via punktpunktkommastrich.blogspot.de. Of course my favorite would have to be the digital washi tape strip decorated with polka dots however, the digital washi tape strip decorated with maple leaves would definitely have to be my second favorite.
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We’ve come to the end of today’s post so please feel free to let me know how your digital washi tape shopping spree goes and “That’s all folks!”.

Question of the Day: What is your favorite way to jazz up blog photos? Blog photo templates? Another type of embellishment?

Aug 8, 2014

"Oh Appy Day": Google Keep

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If you are looking for a virtual substitute to sticky notes then look no further, Google Keep is here to save the day! Hip hip hooray!


Google Keep is similar to the default sticky note application that runs on most desktops but Google Keep is definitely better (well at least in my opinion)! In order to prove that Google Keep is better than all of the rest, I’ll be discussing the pros versus the cons.


Pros:
All of the sticky notes in Google Keep are organized so that you’re able to view the in both a quick  and efficient manner. With Google Keep there’s no need to click and drag through dozens of sticky notes just to find the one that you’re looking for.
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The text on each Google Keep sticky note automatically adjusts to the perfect size so that you can easily read each sticky note, no matter how little or how much text the sticky note may have.
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The last thing I’d like to highlight about Google Keep is that it’s fairly customizable, especially when compared to other sticky note applications. You can change the color of a sticky note, add an image, create a checklist, and etc. Honestly, sticky note applications don’t get any better than Google Keep.
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Cons:
I do love the the fact that there’s more than one option when it comes to the color of a sticky note but, there just aren’t enough colors to choose from! Google Keep allows you to change the sticky note to one of eight colors (white, red, orange, yellow, grey, blue, teal, and green). Personally, this is upsetting to me because my favorite color is purple (but hey that’s just me).
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Lastly, I find the reminder feature to be limited because it only allows you to receive desktop notifications unlike Google’s Google Calendar application which allows you to receive an sms, desktop notification, email, or all of the above as a reminder.
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Overall, I give Google Keep a four out of five which is not too bad when you think about it. Keep it up Google (see what I did there).

Question of the Day: What are your go to apps for jotting down a quick idea or note? [By the way, did anyone notice my typo, (and if not, what typo?)]

Aug 7, 2014

a-MUSE-ing: Kelly Dixon @SmartSchoolHouse

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Every once in a while in life we come across people whom we find to be quite a-MUSE-ing or in other words, a type of modern MUSE. The star of today’s post is Kelly Dixon the author at www.smartschoolhouse.com.

If you are already familiar with her work, you know that it’s absolutely phenomenal. Honestly, what’s not to love about Kelly and her website? Her website is pretty, simplistic, and well organized if you ask me. I love the pictures, I love the color scheme, I just love everything about her website.Don’t even get me started talking (or typing, lol) about the intuitive crafts section of her website . . . it is chock full of lovelies for you to do with your lovelies.

And if you love Kelly’s website just as much as I do, then you’re going to love her Instagram (@smartschoolhouse) which is just as colorful and fantastical! I just want to say thank you to Kelly for being today’s muse and that she’s an inspiration to me!

Question of the Day: Are you familiar with Kelly’s website, and if you are what’s your favorite part about it (and if you aren’t won’t you head on over and check it out)?

Aug 6, 2014

Work B*tch: My Favorite Insta-Yogis


Britney Spears song “Work B*tch” (I added the little asterisk there just to keep things a little more PG) inspired me to create this blog series, as you can see by the title. Today I’ve gathered a few Instagram videos from three of my favorite yogis on Instagram; yoga_girl, laurasykora, and gypsetgoddess. Most importantly I forgot to note that I love, love, love yoga and that it truly is a w-o-r-k-o-u-t!

First up, we have yoga_girl (and her Instagram video is linked below). Look at that, even her dogs are getting in on the action . . . in a way, lol!
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Next we have laurasykora (her Instagram video is also linked  below) proving that yoga is better when done with your loved ones. You go girls!
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Last, but not least, we have gypsetgoddess (her Instagram video too is linked below) and not only are her moves on point but so is her outfit! Where can I get myself a pair of leggings like that?!
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As you can see, these three lovely yogis prove that yoga is no joke and should not be overlooked when you’re in need of an intensive workout. So . . . get away from the screen and as Britney said, “You better work b*tch!”.

Question of the Day: Where is your favorite place to do yoga? On the beach? In the living room? In the backyard?

Aug 5, 2014

Textagram Tuesday: Quotes

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If I could describe Instagram in 3 words they’d be; dynamic, innovative, and inspirational. Funny, considering there are very few words (if any) to be found on most of the content you find on Instagram anyways!

Not entirely true when it comes to Textagram, a nifty little application for android that allows you to create Instagram content solely focused on, you guessed it,text.

I have a few examples for you all! But, due to a lack of creativity, (I don’t even know how that’s possible, lol) I decided to base my Textagram examples off of quotes. By the way these quotes are not mine, just so we’re all on the same page.

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Question of the Day: Does Textagram actually have a place on Instagram, or not? [(See what I did there?) lol]

Aug 4, 2014

T to the Power of 3: Disney's Frozen


T to the power of 3 does not stand for t to the 3rd power, well at least not in this case, it actually stands for Twitter theme tutorial (try saying that three times fast!). I personally believe that it’s important to stand out on social media and believe that Twitter is no exception. On most social media sites, including Twitter, there’s a limitation on how much you can customize your twitter account. However, it is possible to customize Twitter to benefit your user experience and I’m going to show you how you can do that!


That being said, Twitter allows you to customize your header, profile picture, the color of hyperlinks, and your background. Today we will be editing the Twitter header, the color of hyperlinks, and the background.


One more thing, I’ve decided to do a picture tutorial because my last video tutorial was definitely lacking, in the speech/ text department considering there was no sound, or in instruction(s) period. So today I’m going to give a picture tutorial a whirl in the hopes that it’ll be more effective.


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Download Disney’s Frozen background image.


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Download Disney’s Frozen header.


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Question of the Day: My favorite character from Frozen is . . .Olaf! Which Frozen character is your favorite?