Wait!

As much as I'm getting to like the new blogger there are things I hate like how it marks things spam (when they're not) an you don't see it! I guess I need to start viewing comments by clicking on the blog rather than relaying on the comment page! Anyway my point is I was nominated for the Liebster Award by Cassie of Cassie Shea and here are her awesome questions for me!

1. What's your earliest memory?
   I oddly remember being in the Christmas play when I was really little. I don't remember how young I was but I remember standing in front of everyone in the church.
2. What's your all time favorite author?
   I know it may be over used but J.K Rowling her books were my childhood
3. If your house suddenly caught on fire and you had five minutes to collect five items, what would you get? (Not including pets and family, they're all safe!)
   Pictures, Lab top, a few sentimental items, as much pyrex as I can, and some clothes
4. What are you craving right now?
   Breakfast foods
5. Who's your current favorite blogger?.
   There are so many it's hard to narrow it down to one.
6. Do you have an etsy? If not, what would you make if you decided to open one?
   I did called Craft'n Bettie but I'm working on some new items and debating on using etsy or shopenvy this go round.
7. What do you miss the most about your childhood?
   Having no responsibilities! Though I enjoy the freedom of adulthood I miss not having to worry about anything.
8. What was your happiest/proudest moment?
   Graduating college.
9. First Movie that comes to mind, go!
   Emperors New Groove
10. Do you cry at movies?
    A Walk to Remember and The Fox and the Hound (EVERY TIME)
11. Have you ever been on TV? (Bonus question for me! - I have! I was on "Too Fat For Fifteen: Fighting Back". No, I wasn't the main star, but I did go to the Wellspring program and was featured on the summer episodes for Emily (who's one of my little friends!))
    Nope but I always have weird dreams that I was on Full House for some reason lol.

Liebster Award

I've done a few of these months ago and they're always fun! I was nominated by two lovely bloggers and couldn't resist answering the questions :)

Questions from Emily of Celebrating the Day:

1. What are you listening to right now?Primadonna Girl // Marina and the DiamondsI've been a little obsessed over her after listening her songs via other bloggers
2. What is your favorite place in the world?I love the mountains of North Carolina there is just something so relaxing about them.
3. Cake or pie?How about Pake?
4. Would you rather live in a treehouse or on a house boat.I don't know if this is Dustin's apocalyptic talk but I'd say house boat!
5. If you could meet anyone in the world (alive or dead), who would it be?This is a tough one but I'd go with Billie Piper.
6. Describe your life 20 years from now.Hmm...20 years from now I'll be 42 and hopefully have kids, a nice house, a cafe/coffee shop where everyone hangs out to hear the local bands and such. I would hope I've travels outside the states at some point and that I still craft or go thrifting.
7. In a movie about your life, which actress would play you?I don't know any celeb that actually resembles me but they never do in those movies based on a true story so I'd get Kat Dennings to play me!
8. If you had to throw a themed party for all your friends this weekend, what would the theme be?It may be the fact I'm starting to miss the beach I'd have a totally cool beach bash. 
9. Which ice cream flavor best fits your personality.I'd say I'm pistachio that odd flavor that people don't usually get but once they do they realize how awesome it is :) 
10. If you could change your name what would you change it to?
    I actually do like my name (thought I do complain when I hear jokes about it) if I could change it I'd have something I could have a nickname with.
11. Whose is your favorite fictional character? 
    Luna Lovegood- She was a little odd to others yet she was so brave and fearless. I think that by being herself, being strong in her beliefs and not caring what others thought made her such a strong female character that I wish I could be.

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Questions from Jessie of My Mod Style:

1. If you made a "bucket list" what would be one of the top things you'd want to do?
   I have a bucket list and have marked off the few and my number one was donating my hair to make wigs for a cancer patient which I did last year!
2. What is your favorite movie?
   I love Hocus Pocus and wait for it to come on every year around Halloween :)
3. Are you a dog person or a cat person, and why?
   I like both but I grew up with cats so I tend to like their laid back style and self efficiency.
4. What was your favorite childhood toy?
   I loved my barbie jeep! We didn't have mega back yard but I pretend the gravel drive way was the road and when I would go back around in the grass I'd pretend I was "off-roading" and would run over the tree roots. It is one of the reasons why I still want a jeep.
5. What is your favorite type of music?
   I like so much it's hard to just like a type but most of it is some form of rock or alternative. I mostly listen to what I grew up with 90's grunge/alternative, 80's metal and 60's rock but I also like stuff I got into as a teen like punk rock, indie, and some electric.
6. If you could travel to one place where would it be?
   I'd love to visit Europe (I say Europe because I can't narrow it down to just one country)
7. What is your favorite thing about your personality?
   I like I try to be a good person, not just because I'm Christian or doing it to benefit myself but because  I know it's the right thing to do and it might make someones day better.
8. What is a perfect day for you?
   Going thrifting and finding all the goods I want, then coming home to relax and craft and taking my time as the day goes along
9. What is your favorite decorating style?
   I like vintage but don't like one specific period style so I love that kind of eclectic style that brings all my favorite things like modern and mod with a touch of homey vintage into the mix.
10. Do you have any collections?
    I collect too much lets begin the list: Pyrex dishes, Owls, Mugs, Our fortunes from fortune cookies (which I need a little jar for those), photo-booth strips, paint by numbers and cross stitch portraits. 
11. If you were a cartoon character, who would you be?
    Marceline from Adventure Time

Sponsor In August!

I tried something different with my free sponsorship this month and I like the way it turned out. So I'm inviting you to sponsor in August! Just read through the selected sizes and email me with the button size plus the link to your blog or shop to: amberupbeat[at]aol[dot]com *please read the bottom for important information*

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Limited Amount Available

Buttons will rotate with other large ads on each page refresh

Optional: Giveaway and/or Guest Post

Will be featured in the Sponsor Spotlight Post with other large ads

Medium Ad's

Limited Amount Available

Size: 200x100

Buttons will rotate with other medium ads on each page refresh

Optional: Guest Post and/or Sponsor Spotlight Post with other medium ads

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Please have it in no later than July 28

*p.s- I'm still at the beach soaking up some sun and have no internet so please be patient for an email back!

Go Fish Clothing & Jewelry Co. Giveaway Winner!

Congratulations Katherine! I'll be sending you an email shortly with more details.

I want to say thanks to Go Fish Clothing & Jewelry Company for sponsoring the giveaway an a big thank you to all you that participated.

Last Day to Enter!

Today is the last day to enter for the Go Fish Clothing & Jewelry Company Giveaway!! Enter before 5:00 pm eastern standard time an a winner will be announced later on :)

You Can Still Enter The Giveway!

Just a reminder you have until this Friday by 5:00 pm eastern standard time to enter to win the Ismene Necklace from Go Fish Clothing & Jewelry Company. Click here for more information and how to enter!

Recipes | Taco Bake

Some nights I get bored with the typical dinner ideas and do a "casserole challenge" where I try to make a casserole with what we have in the fridge. The other night I made this amazing taco bake from left overs and things I needed to use soon.

What you need:

• 1-1/2 cups of pasta
• 2-3 small green bell pepper chopped
• 2 tomatoes diced
• garlic minced
• 1/2 cup Sour cream
• 1 cup of shredded cheese
• 1/4 cup salsa
• tortilla chips
• taco seasoning
• 1/2 pound of beef (chicken or turkey can be used too)

1. Preheat oven to 350F degrees
2. Cook your pasta according to box and set aside for later.
3. In a saucepan, saute your garlic, onion and peppers in a bit of oil until tender.
4. Lower heat and add in tomatoes, salsa, 1/4 of your taco seasoning, sour cream and mix well. It may look a little soupy but don't worry.
5. In another sauce pan cook your beef and add your taco seasoning. *Use a spoon while it cooks in the sauce pan to get a finer texture and to keep from getting big chunks of ground beef*
6. Mix everything into the casserole dish and sprinkle with cheese.
7. Let it bake for 15-20 minutes then let it settle. Serve with tortilla chips and a little bit of salsa, sour cream or guacamole.
8. Enjoy! 

Sponsor Spotlight Part II

Yesterday you got to know a few of the July sponsors and I'm excited to share with you even more wonderful bloggers! Stop by and let them know how awesome they are :)

Green Eggs and Hamm is me, it's my online journal of things I adore.  I'm a hippy at heart and lover of all things old. I'm a crafter, treasure hunter, and a sandwich maker.  I sell records and vintage clothes on Etsy so I don't become a hoarder...because I totally could!

BLOG || RECORD SHOP || VINTAGE SHOP || TWITTER || FACEBOOK 

Hello! My name is Chloe and I blog over on Lazy Explorers. There, you can read about my inspirations, DIY and craft projects, outfits, and adventures. Stop by and say hello!

BLOG || TWITTER || BLOGLOVIN'

Hi there, my name is Bekuh and I blog over at Secondhand Sundays. Secondhand Sundays is a lifestyle blog that features my love of pretty vintage wares, delicious homemade meals, and crafty handmade goods that you can make and share. Come for a visit and see what antics my husband, pup, and I get into next.

BLOG || SHOP || TWITTER || FACEBOOK

Hello, my name is Lauren & I blog over at Tastes Like Love about my daily adventures with my husband & friends, fancy folk, my custom portraits & illustrations and delightful things. I like to wear stockings with floral print dresses, going on picnics, blogging, graphic design, drawing illustrations of cute girls in cute dresses, box set and movie nights with my husband, coffees at cafes, pots of tea and scouting new dresses. Stop by & say hi!

BLOG || TWITTER || BLOGLOVIN'

I'm a stylish biker, surfer, avid thrifter and tattoo designer and city birds nest is where I show all the adventures I go on with my husband. I love to sew, am obsessed with flowers and vintage fabric. I run my own shop filled with own original illustrations.

BLOG || SHOP || TWITTER 

Go Fish Clothing & Jewelry Co. Giveaway- Closed

I've been itching to show you all this wonderful giveaway!

 Thanks to Go Fish Clothing & Jewelry Co. one lucky follower will win this adorable necklace! 

 

To enter you must:

Leave a comment letting me know you follow the blog (through GFC or Bloglovin')

This is only one comment so please do not post one for each!

Brownie Points

(leave a separate comment for each one)

// Follow Go Fish Style (GFC is at bottom of blog)

// Like Go Fish CLothing & Jewelry on Facebook

// Tweet about this giveaway with:

Enter to win a Ismene Necklace by @ShopGoFish at The Owl's Den http://theowlsden.blogspot.com/2012/07/go-fish-clothing-jewelry-co-giveaway.html

// Like The Owl's Den on Facebook

This contest will be open until Friday July 20th at 5:00 pm EST and I'll announce the winner shortly after using random.org.

Good Luck!

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About Go Fish Clothing & Jewelry Company...

Since the opening of our first store in 1987, the primary desire and focus of Go Fish Clothing & Jewelry Company has been to bring opportunity and hope to the poor of the world by purchasing handmade goods from the people who actually make them. We are confident that the lasting, decades-long relationship we have with some of the world's poorest have fostered a spirit of hope, love and dignity to many whom we now call friends.  

Visit one of their twelve locations and check out their beautiful collection of clothing, jewelry and home goods.

Sponsor Spotlight Part I

Good morning! I hope you are all enjoying your day so far. As you know this month I tried something a little different with the free sponsorship which gave me a chance to do fun features like this! So say hello to these lovely ladies!

Hello everybody! I'm Leila--like the Clapton song--and I write over at Confection, posting about all things thrifty, my job as a high school special education teacher, my dashingly handsome partner Henrik, Oakland, writing, and a variety of other things that come up in my daily life as a 22-year-old. I have been traveling all over this summer (Denmark, Sweden, Italy, and France thus far) and am currently in Tunisia, home of the Arab Spring, visiting my very large and very wonderful family. Stop by and say hey if you'd like!

BLOG || FACEBOOK

DMae is a line of hand-painted tee, totes, and soon more by me Naimah. A 28 yr old desk zombie by day, and music junkie, writer, and crafty gal by night. My blog features my life, and the things I love, like, and loathe all at the same time. I have an all-in policy where honesty comes first, no lies...just the truth. Hardships, happiness, and all! DMae began as a hobby, and is now blooming into a full-fledged indie biz. In the coming months, you can look forward to a new line of totes, hoodies, and a special project I've cooked up all coming to the shop. You can also request a custom item by sending me an email, we can take the creative ride together!! Currently the entire store is on sale through Wed July 18th. You can check out the blog for more details and/or email me!! 

BLOG || SHOP || FACEBOOK

Hi, I'm Shani and I blog over at The Girl Collected. I'm an introvert learning to live in an extroverted world. I love writing, crafting, photography, miniatures and cats. Stop by and say hi.

BLOG || PINTEREST

Stay tuned tomorrow for Part II of the Sponsor Spotlight!

Sweet Tooth of Insomnia

I know I'm not the only one that gets a sweet tooth late at night and usually I'll just grab a bowl of cereal then right to bed. Though tonight I was wanting chocolate (no thanks to Hershey's commercial) so I remembered the mug brownie recipe I tried long ago. Then being the weirdo I am I googled and pinterest my heart out to find some kind of whipped topping to create without heavy cream or coconut milk. So you know I succeed in my sweet tooth craving and whipped topping recipe so after this long introduction here are the recipes for both!

Mug Brownie:
3-4 tbsp cocoa powder (not the chocolate milk kind but for baking)
4 tbsp sugar
4 tbsp flour
3 tbsp water
2 vegetable oil
Pinch of Salt

Mix it all in your mug making sure to get all the powder lumps out. It's going to look very dough like but it's okay. Microwave for for about a minute, I did it in increments of 30 seconds and had to go a little over a minute. Let it cool and enjoy!

'Cool' Whip:

2 egg whites
3/4 sugar (no brown sugar)
1/4 tsp cream of tarter
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup boiling water

You'll want to do at least half a pot of boiling water (the rest will be helpful for later.) Meanwhile separate the egg whites from the yolk; it's best to do it in a different bowl in case of egg shells. Add to the other ingredients and measure a 1/4 cup of the boiling water to the bowl and mix. To help it go faster I turned the burner on low and set my mixing bowl over it then whipped away. You can use a electric hand mixer but you get a great arm work out with a whisk! Once it starts to thicken and have soft peaks take it off the burner and continue to stir a little longer. After you start to get stiff peaks then stick it in the freezer to cool. Once it is cooled it does taste very much like the Cool Whip everyone is use too.

The mug brownie can be very sweet (hence the optional tablespoon measurements) but the cool whip helped to balance it a little. I wish I would have known about this little recipe four years ago when I was living in the dorm room. It would have save me some money on the stupid vending machine on the lower floor.

Obsession Wednesday

I just can't stop thinking of big ol' totes! Maybe because I'm thinking of what I'm going to take with me to the beach in a few weeks. Here are some awesome oversized totes that will fit everything I need for a day at the beach :)

Click Picture For Source

Creating Your Own Ads

I know everyone doesn't have Photoshop and sometimes the programs on those photo upload sites do not have everything you need. Because of that I created a how-to tutorial on creating your own ads for blogs or website using the paint program that on your computer. The ad being created now is going to be 200x100 pixels but you can adjust the numbers to fit the size you want.

Hope this helps you even more and please feel free to ask questions in the comments below.

*Edit*
I forgot I have a movie maker on this computer so instead of those pictures taking up space in the post I put together a little "movie" with them. Only one image was out of place but it's only a zoom in on the pixel size after reducing it down to 200 pixels wide but is still 137 pixels tall.  It shows up after we get the images height to 100 pixels so just ignore the random image pop up after that. I know it's not the best video but anything to help you all out.

Fourth Of July

Oh yesterday was such fun and it all went by so quickly...it probably was due to the fact I had to go back home to pick up Dustin from work then took an hour nap later (I woke up around 4 am.) In all honesty I enjoyed cutting up with the family and also celebrating my Grandpa's birthday.

Handcranked banana ice cream on a hot hot day! 

Cheesing it up while waiting for the parade 

Dustin, Mom, Chance and Derrick  

Me, my Mother and younger brother again

 The only good fireworks photo before my camera died

My Grandparents waiting for the fireworks!

My Grandpa is one lucky man he gets a parade and fireworks on his birthday! I hope everyone enjoyed their Fourth of July :)