Category Archives: FUN

Follower Milestone + Gift for You!

By maggiebj | Published: March 18, 2013

I’ve hit a milestone number of official followers (people subscribed via Bloglovin’, email, WordPress, or other feed reader), so to celebrate, I made some buttons for my blog to share with you! If you have your own blog and have a list of favorites or daily reads somewhere, I’d love your support! Click here to see the buttons and get one (or click “GRAB A BUTTON” in the menu above). I have several lovely color options available, as well as a couple sizes. If you just have a list of links to blogs you enjoy rather than image buttons, I’d love your support that way as well if you’re a regular reader. :)

If you follow my blog but don’t use one of the methods under the “FOLLOW ALONG!” section to the right, I’m now getting into the habit of sharing about new posts via Instagram. So follow me @maggarama to stay informed about my blog. I may start tweeting about them, too.

And while on the subject, if you use Google Reader, I’m sure you’ve heard the news. I’ve been using Feedly since last fall, and I highly recommend it as an alternative. Right now it’s connected to Google Reader, so you can easily import all the blogs you follow when you sign up. When Google Reader eventually shuts down, however, Feedly will switch to a new system, and you won’t have to worry about losing everything. I actually wrote about how much I love it on my design blog: read here.

2ndhand_knowledge_badge_yel

If you have a blog you think I might enjoy, share in the comments! I keep a blogroll page with my regular reads. I update it about once a month. And definitely let me know if you use one of my buttons – I’d love to see them in action! :D

 

 

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St. Patrick’s Day Links!

By maggiebj | Published: March 14, 2013

Spiddal, Ireland © Maggie Josey, 2013

Above image – the only four leaf clover I’ve ever found was in Ireland. My friend was searching for one in a patch of clover, and I just looked down and there one was. Not even ten minutes later, I found 20 Euro on a solitary beach. Coincidence?

I’m switching up weekend links and doing it today…I should have an outfit for you tomorrow. Today was a sweatpants and t-shirt day for me. This week’s links are St. Patrick’s Day themed. If for no other reason, I like this holiday because it reminds me of spring and of Ireland. It also reminds me of that time I studied abroad in London and our faculty-in-residence scheduled us to go to a four hour opera in Italian on St. Patty’s Day…not many of my classmates were very happy about that.

FOOD:

Green foods are a festive choice for St. Patrick’s Day. Try mint – a homemade shamrock shake (no food coloring!), or matcha (green tea) – donuts, cookies, cream puffs, and cupcakes. If you like avocados, check out my pin board devoted to this favorite food of mine. If you missed it, check out my recipe for avocado pie - yummm!

Bailey’s Irish cream and Guinness are of course popular choices for this holiday. I’d prefer mine incorporated into a desert, though – this Bailey’s pound cake sounds good, as do all of these desserts. Or you could make some Irish whiskey fudge.

CRAFTS/DECOR:

I love this shamrock moss wreath. I’d gladly leave it on my door all year.

These paper shamrocks are cute…and probably easier to make than the wreath.

A felt shamrock garland in the colors of the rainbow – pretty!

These St. Patrick’s Day vases are cute and unique.

Live shamrocks – the best kind!

FASHION:

These Celtic knot necklaces are so pretty! Grab some green cord and follow this tutorial video to tie the knot.

Give yourself a manicure – minty-green nail polish with gold sparkles.

The Pantone color of the year is emerald. Check out this inspiration post I did on wearing emerald for some ideas on how to dress for St. Patty’s Day!

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Liebster Award

By maggiebj | Published: March 8, 2013

I’ve been nominated for a Liebster Award by Miss Hannah Marie! Thank you, Hannah! This is an award that’s passed around the small/new blogger community. Every blogger who receives the award nominates 11 more bloggers who have less than 200 followers. Interesting fact: Liebster is German for “beloved.”

The rules:

  1. Post 11 things about yourself.
  2. Answer 11 questions from the blogger who nominated you.
  3. Nominate 11 more bloggers.
  4. Ask 11 questions for your nominees.

 
I think this is a great way to learn about other bloggers as well as discover new great blogs!

11 things about me: (1) I love musicals (movies and live performances) – Wizard of Oz and Mary Poppins were childhood favorites, and I’m a big Fred Astaire fan. (2) I interned with Discovery in 2011 and got to work on web content for Shark Week! (3) I prefer to eat organic, local, and/or fair trade. (4) I love trying weird foods (yup, I tried the haggis in Scotland and the black pudding in Ireland). (5) When flared pants first became popular when I was in middle school, I hated them – I wore “carpenter” jeans. (6) My musical preferences mostly fall under the genres indie rock, indie folk, and vocal jazz. (7) I have a not-so-secret desire to move to the Pacific Northwest (anyone know a company in need of a graphic/web designer? ;) ). (8) I used to be terrified of dogs (even tiny ones), but now I adore them. (9) I’ve loved art all my life. My profession is graphic design, but I love painting, drawing, and pretty much everything else creative as well. (10) I love to write and was one class away from having a creative writing minor in college. (11) I enjoy hiking (one advantage of living in the foothills of the the Appalachian Mountains)…and climbing trees.

Answers to Hannah’s 11 questions:

  1. If you could take a vacation anywhere, where would you go and who would you take with you? – Right now I’m dreaming of Switzerland. I’d take either my sister, my mom, or my friend Hannah because I’ve traveled with them before and know they’re great travel companions.
  2. What is your dream job? – If I were to choose a job outside of my current field, I think I’d go with interior design. I love upcycling, renovating, organizing…and HGTV.
  3. What is your favorite book? – To Kill a Mockingbird. And the Harry Potter series. And everything F. Scott Fitzgerald. I could name books all day. I love to read.
  4. Favorite movie or TV show? – Doctor Who! I may be a fanatic.
  5. Favorite blog? – Delightfully Tacky for fashion, Design*Sponge for home/interiors, A Beautiful Mess for DIY, and DesignLoveFest for design.
  6. What did you want to be when you grew up? – When I was REALLY young, I wanted to be a hair stylist. Throughout most of elementary school, I wanted to be a travel agent. In high school, I got really into video production and wanted to be a post production editor.
  7. What is your favorite article of clothing? I have a purple and blue tie dye skirt that’s super comfy, yet really cute. It was my go-to Saturday piece in college, and I still love it.
  8. If you could have lunch with anybody, who would it be and why? – Because “famous” wasn’t specified, I’m going to say my closest friends from college because I miss them DESPERATELY!
  9. Favorite food? – avocados, mmmm (one of my favorite recipes is coming to the blog soon!)
  10. Favorite childhood memory? – My family went to Germany and Italy to visit my uncle in the Army when I was 9, and we went to Sandpoint, Idaho and Canada when I was 11 to visit my great grandparents. Both were amazing trips and are probably part of the reason I love traveling so much now.
  11. How did you get started blogging? – Check out my Q&A and About Me! :)

 
My 11 nominations (some probably have over 200 followers, but I tried to choose blogs that are smaller – under 1000 I guess – that may have not had as much exposure as some of the better known fashion blogs around. I also wanted to choose blogs I actually enjoy myself):

  1. The Caffeinated Closet
  2. Life, Etc.
  3. Shen Dove Style
  4. Gray Skies
  5. Threads & Buttons
  6. Tessa Leigh
  7. Patterned Love
  8. Day to Day
  9. LLC
  10. Small Town Big Wardrobe
  11. Dainty & Decadent

 
My 11 questions for you:

  1. What is your favorite color to wear?
  2. How would you spend your ideal day?
  3. What is your weirdest favorite food?
  4. What is the coolest thing that has ever happened to you or that you’ve done?
  5. mini, knee-length, midi, or maxi skirt – choose one.
  6. How/when did you develop an interest in fashion?
  7. Name three musicians/bands on your playlist.
  8. Do you have a funny childhood memory?
  9. Biggest pet peeve?
  10. Favorite animal?
  11. Where would you go for your dream vacation and what is one activity you’d like to do while there?

 
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What’s up? February Edition

By maggiebj | Published: March 1, 2013

INSTAGRAM – (follow me @maggarama) FebInstagram

  1. My hair is finally kinda getting long(er)!
  2. This ad placement in a magazine made me giggle. Notice the spout pouring water into the coffee filter on the left page and the position of the gas pump on the right. When I first saw this my brain registered them this as a two page spread rather than separate images.
  3. I’ve made a lot of risotto this month. This recipe called for SO MANY mushrooms.
  4. I’m ripping out the carpet in my house…solo. It’s a nice break from the computer.
  5. I made peanut butter filled cookies for myself for Valentines Day.
  6. Snow! Hopefully the last of the year. I’m ready for spring.
  7. 23 birthday candles is evidently over the top, so I just got one.
  8. My sister knows me so well. She got me this birthday card (I love Shark Week).
  9. My friend Jami came over one Sunday afternoon and we had a Doctor Who marathon to catch her up on season 7. We only got halfway through, so we have to plan another marathon. (yay!)

 

READING – I should be reading Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, but I haven’t picked it up this month. I’ve been reading a bunch of articles and studies about social media for a project I’m working on. I was recently reminded I still need to read the second and third Hunger Games books.

WATCHING – I’m slightly embarrassed to admit that I’ve gotten hooked on American Idol this year. You see, it comes on right after Big Bang Theory…which my family watches every night while dinner is being prepared. So yeah, that’s my excuse.

NEW BLOG FINDS – Steffys Pros and Cons, Maddie the Coonhound (I’ve known about this one awhile, but it’s just so cute!), Vivaluxury, Blog Milk, Urban Weeds, Wearing It On My Sleeves, The Moptop.

LUSTING – Have you heard of Inkkas? I just discovered them yesterday and I’m in love! They’re sneakers made out of beautiful South American textiles. The company, “was founded on the principles of fair trade, philanthropy and authenticity,” and 10% of all sales is donated to help protect and preserve the Amazon rainforest (check out this post I wrote on incorporating sneakers into your wardrobe). Also, I’m itching to make a quilt and I want to use this as one of the fabrics. I have the quilt planned out in my head, I just need to get the supplies and get to it.

Have a LOVELY weekend! And happy March! :)

 

 

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Weekend Links!

By maggiebj | Published: February 22, 2013

Tomorrow is my 23rd birthday! I’m thinking either these cupcakes or these? Hmmm…

This video is brilliant. As is the kid narrating.

And another video. Goats are strange creatures.

An awesome DIY – turn a utility bucket into an ottoman.

I spend a large portion of my day sitting…I think I need one of these.

This made me giggle.

Have an old pair of flats or heels you want to jazz up?

Yes, I primarily shop secondhand, but these purses are lovely and $5 from every purchase is donated to a cause, depending on the color of the purse.

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Another Blog?

By maggiebj | Published: February 20, 2013

So I looked at my blog schedule today and realized I had left a few days with no planned posts…intending to go back and fill them in. Whoops.

Instead, you can head over to my OTHER blog. It primarily focuses on design, but there’s still some stuff there that may be interesting to you even if you’re not interested in graphic design, for instance, I wrote about my birthday wish list earlier this week.

Also check out my archives here. There’s a handy dandy category menu over in the right sidebar so you can view specific kinds of posts.

Outfit coming tomorrow! :)

 

 

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Weekend Links!

By maggiebj | Published: February 15, 2013

via we heart it

Excited for the weekend? Here are some neat links for you to check out:

I’m not 100% sure if I’ve ever posted this, but here are 6 ways to wear a button-up.

Check out these really neat DIY rope bangles.

I want a pair of pants like these…Palazzo pants I believe they’re called?

EVERY DAY my desire to move to Oregon grows a little stronger. Today it grew 57% stronger than on a typical day.

Chocolate eclairs! They look much easier to make than I would have thought.

Check out this Fashion Mixology over at A Beautiful Mess. Looks three and four are my faves.

Make a pretty scarf that will transition well into spring.

These tutorial videos are pretty funny.

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Bye-Bye Carpet!

By maggiebj | Published: February 11, 2013

Today I moved all my furniture, ripped up the carpet, pulled a zillion staples out of the floor, pried up all the tack strip, cleaned (scrubbed!) the floor, and moved all my furniture back into place. 3 more rooms + a hallway to go! I volunteered to do this for my parents while I’m still at home. I really like to stay busy, and sometimes I like to get away from the computer and do things that require a little more physical activity than sitting and typing (web designer!). Our carpet is ancient and icky, so its removal is long overdue.

So…I never did a blog post today (well, I did this one, but I didn’t do my typical style, tips, or DIY post). I should have an outfit for you tomorrow, though. I’m spacing out this carpet removal so I don’t wear myself out too much/strain any muscles/break my back. I hope your week is off to a great start! :)

Following pictures are from my Instagram.

 

 

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(Early) Weekend Links!

By maggiebj | Published: February 7, 2013

image via Samantha Stapley

I looked out the window and discovered it was raining, so I’m switching it up – weekend links today and outfit tomorrow.

Download some lovely free Valentines wallpapers for your computer here and here.

Elsie at A Beautiful Mess shared her flea market shopping tips, but they’re great for any sort of thrift shopping, really.

Give this cute, super easy to make origami Valentines Day decoration a try.

These DIY necklaces are adorable!

Macro photos of butterfly wings. Amazing!

Real Simple Magazine offers 10 ideas to make-over some of your old clothing.

How has your week been so far? Fantastic I hope! As for mine, it’s been pretty good. I got a couple of inquiries about about some new freelance design projects, which is great timing because I ‘m finishing up a few and in need of some more. I also recently applied for a job in the Pacific NW (I really only want to be a freelancer on the side, at least at this point in my life). I really (really really) want the job and I think it’s a great fit for me, so I’ve been on the edge of my seat all week hoping for a phone call or email. I love my mom and dad and am thankful that they’re letting me live at home with dinner prepared for me every night and a low monthly rent as I work on figuring out my future, but I’m really ready to…go.

ANYWAY, have a fantastic Thursday evening/Friday, and I’ll see you tomorrow evening with an outfit (unless it rains all day again, in which case I’ll aim for Saturday).

 

 

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What’s up?

By maggiebj | Published: February 1, 2013

I follow a few bloggers that do an end of the month recap on their blog. I always enjoy – it’s interesting to see what they’re up to, what they’re reading, watching, etc. It makes them a bit more real, I guess, and it’s a great way for me to find out about other blogs, good books, etc. So…here it goes. Just a once-a-month spin on weekend links. :)

But first, Have you taken this quick poll yet? Do it (please)!

ON INSTAGRAM - FOLLOW ME!…

JanInstagram

  1. I made a blog schedule for January and stuck to it! February is now printed and ready.
  2. I bought the Lord of the Rings trilogy two years ago intending to read it, but the craziness of school, internships, and projects kept me away from it. I’m finally into it. I’ve read the first book and I’m part way through the second. Now I hate to put it down!
  3. I love my Doctor Who mug my friend gave me for Christmas! I drink tea or coffee from it on a daily basis.
  4. New hat! Got it on Ebay.
  5. Design, design, design! My time is normally occupied with web design and development, but I do posters, ads, logos, etc., too. This month I started working on some designs to help promote my services to the resale industry! That venture is still a work in progress, but I’m excited about it.
  6. More design! These are for a really cool website I’m working on (I love implementing hand-drawn elements into my designs).
  7. We finally got some snow! It didn’t stick around for long, but it was still pretty.
  8. Snow turned to sleet and freezing rain. My friend who lives about 30 minutes out of the city stayed the night with me so she wouldn’t have to drive home on black ice. We played scrabble and watched Doctor Who. A fun, much need night with my best friend.
  9. My mom makes THE BEST homemade granola. No, really, it’s the best. I won’t buy granola anymore.

 

READING: Lord of the Rings, A List Apart series for web designers, I Break for Yard Sales, and still waiting on the arrival of Blog, Inc. - Amazon notified me 2 weeks after purchase that it’s not in stock, and the Ebay seller I bought it from after that has disappeared off the planet.

WATCHING: Downton Abbey! That’s about it until Doctor Who starts back up…apart from travel shows on the local PBS station (my weakness! I have an enduring case of the travel bug). I also have a HGTV weakness – Property Brothers, Color Splash, Flea Market Flip, Extreme Homes). Oh, and American Pickers. But I really don’t watch that much TV, I promise.

NEW BLOG FINDS: Frolic, Life, etc., Raspberry and Red, So Lead Us There, Day to Day, Virginie’s Cinema, The Caffeinated Closet

LUSTING: Madewell colorful spring sneakers, awesome water bottle, fun camera lens, a neat DIY book (with a beautifully illustrated cover), and always and forever, a letterpress.

OH, OH OH, and check this out. My mom found this blog where I was featured as a good source of design inspiration (see #4)! WHAT? Cool!

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  • Hey! I'm Maggie, a graphic designer, crafter, devoted secondhand shopper, Doctor Who fanatic, and dog-lover. Stick around and explore!


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