Gardening in High Heels

cultivate a beautiful life

Five things to prepare for 30 Days of Lists success

I have a shocking confession: I planned ahead.  The past two times I participated in 30 Days of Lists, I had no idea what vessel would store my magnificent lists.  In September, I pretty much stored them on Post It Notes until the end of the month when I decided to write them on Project Life cards and hold them together with binder rings.  And in December, I bound my own book again with PL cards, but I didn’t have it ready in time.

Five things to prep for 30 Days of Lists success. Get your PL cards and rukristin stamps!

So this time, I’m planning ahead.  As I mentioned before, I ordered the perfect little notebook from rukristin and I’m excited to fill it up with lists throughout March.  If you’ve never listed before, or you have but are looking for inspiration, here are five things to gather before you start listing.

A notebook / paper

If you register early for #30Lists, you will get a digital scrapbook kit.  While it’s so cute, I love the tactile element to crafting.  Cutting things out, finding the right layout, adding embellishments.  So I need a good base for my work.

Like I said, I’ve used all sorts of bases, from plain PL cards to Post Its.  Whatever you want, make sure that you have it handy when March starts so you can jump right in and start sharing your lists with the world.
30 Days of Lists prep. Notebook from American Crafts DIY Shop

Something to write with

I write my lists with Sharpie pens and my list titles/prompts with a regular Sharpie marker.  love Sharpie pens.  Any Sharpie product pretty much is steak sauce in my book, but the pens are great.  They’re bold, they glide nicely, last for ages, and super thin so you can doodle in the margins.

I like to grab a few colors that coordinate.  In September, I stuck with a black/white theme with pops of purple and pink.  So I grabbed Sharpies in various shades that would work together.

But you may want a plain black pen, colored pencils, ink and feather…whatever.

Washi tape

I’m a little late to the washi party, but I’m all in now.  Thank the lawd I have a Pat Catan’s close to me so I don’t have to fork out $5 per roll.  I’m also a fan of the Target dollar section for finding things like that.  They have (had?) surprisingly cute washi tape for a buck.  Yessir.

You can't scrapbook or makes 30 Days of Lists books without washi tape.

In December, I didn’t have to add many embellishments because of the paper, but I did add in some stamping and some washi tape elements.  In September, my lists were all embellished with washi tape.  I like the pop that washi tape gives my books without having to sacrifice writing space.

Fancy scissors

Someone help me with the proper name for these things.  I love them for adding a pretty boarder around my scrapbook pages or cutting washi tape instead of tearing it for a more elegant feel.

Other stuff

Embellish away!  Ribbons, decorative tape, stickers, stamps, patterned paper…these are your memories and your book, so make it how you want it to look.

Studio Calico and American Crafts DIY Shop scrapbook embellishments from rukristin papercrafts

Arrow rubber stamp from rukristin papercrafts

I can’t wait to start the March 30 Days of Lists and for once, I will be ready for it!  Are you going to join the the list making?

What essentials do you have on hand for scrapbooking?

[disclaim]The link to register for 30 Days of Lists is an affiliate link.  I’ve been listing with them in 2014 and I know you’ll love it too.  Thank you for supporting gals that support Gardening in High Heels![/disclaim]

Five things that need to stop

Man it feels like it’s been a long week.  I blame the standing desk that I’ve been using at work.  It’s exhausting to be on your feet for the better part of the day.  It also makes me so hungry.  I eat something good for breakfast like chia pudding and a glass of Instant Breakfast mixed with almond milk and I’m ravenous at 10a.

I get unusually snarky when I’m in a mood, so let me entertain you with my list of things that need to stop this week.

Five things that just need to stop this week

Ridiculous drivers

During my lunch break the other day, I had to drop off documents for taxes and I had to drive there.  On my way back, I witnessed so much bad driving in the space of 10 minutes.

I was sitting in the left-turn lane at the “Stop here” line.  Some jaggo in an Audi decided he didn’t want to wait in line (or he just changed his mind) and he used the right-turn lane to cut in front of me and turn left.  It wasn’t like I wasn’t paying attention or being jerk, I was stopped legally!

Then a bus decided that he didn’t want to wait for the light to turn green before proceeding across the intersection and just went for it when no cars were coming.

This is seriously one of my biggest pet peeves, so I’ve written about it before.

Nasty people

As an introvert, I can only handle so many interactions per day.  When someone is nasty, that depletes my stores of patience at a very rapid rate.  People who think they are the shiz or they are entitled to have everything their way..ugh.

There is no reason for me to help you if you’re mean to me, make snide comments, or assume you’re entitled.

Self-centered people

This is a special group of nasty people.  Much like drivers who are just menaces on the road, most of them assume wherever they are going is the most important and everyone else can wait behind them.

There’s nothing like the person who cut in front of me to make a left-hand turn.  Yes, sir, you are more important than me.  I’m glad you missed that day in kindergarten when we were taught to wait our turn.

Also, my name is Angelica, not Angela, Angelina, Ange-mumble-mumble.  Nothing smacks of being self-centered like calling me by the wrong name for our entire interaction.

Cold

Ugh.  I’m sure we’re all sick of hearing everyone complain about the cold, but really.  I’m fine with snow (because usually that means it’s about 32 degrees), but the negative 10 degree nonsense just needs to stop.

Talking about 50 Shades of Grey

Yep, I read the books.  I will fully admit that I got sucked in.  Everyone at work was reading it (and then we all jumped off a bridge together!) so I borrowed the first book from a co-worker and it was just a train-wreck.  I couldn’t stop!

But that doesn’t meant I want to sit through a 90 minute live-action version of it.  Call me crazy, but a watered-down-R-rated version of soccer mom porn just doesn’t sound like something I want to spend my money on.

What’s on your list of things that just need to stop?

Five Valentine’s Day date ideas (And 5 in Pittsburgh!)

There’s nothing like the excitement of a mystery date, especially on Valentine’s Day.  But, there’s also nothing like having no clue what you’re going to do on Valentine’s Day

In the interest of love this week, let’s talk date ideas.  Jonathan does a great job of finding fun things to do and I’m told he already has something brewing for this year (darling, just tell me to wear).  In case you aren’t so lucky and are scrambling for something to do for the big day, these ideas should translate to almost anywhere.

Five date ideas for Valentine's Day (or anytime!)

If you’re in Pittsburgh, then you’re extra lucky because I have specific events happening in the ‘Burgh on or around Valentine’s Day!

Have a Fancy-pants Dinner

I never get to dress up anymore.  I’m thrilled to be able to wear jeans and Converse sneakers to work if I want to, but I do miss getting a little more dressy.  Dressing up is pretty much now reserved for weddings.

Take a look and see if your favorite restaurant is having a formal dinner and get get on those reservations, like, yesterday.

In Pittsburgh…

There are tons of special dinners, but this one at uber-popular Brew Gentlemen will be out of tickets fast.

Day Drink

As my drinking partner in crime for my guest posts over at PCBN, we have shared many, many beers together.  Since Valentine’s Day is on a Saturday, why not take advantage of that and do a little day drinking?  Wineries are great for this, but some of my favorite Saturdays together with Jonathan have been at breweries.

You get to learn something (how beer is made) and taste it.  Then bring home growlers/bottles of your favorites.  Bonus: breweries have their beer on tap.  You couldn’t get fresher beer if you jumped into the barrel.

In Pittsburgh…

There are tons of breweries and wineries sprinkled around.  And we’ve had great times at every one we’ve visited.

I also love stopping by Wigle Whiskey.  Their tour tickets are sold out for Valentine’s Day, but you can still taste.  There’s also a Cupid’s Cocktail Class on Friday, February 13th!

Get Creative

This is probably my favorite, next to day drinking (I’m young and have a disposable income, sue me!)  Jonathan and I have done some great creative things together and I love it because you have the memory of the time together, but then you also something to take home with you as a memento.

We’ve made glass tiles, painted (okay, it was a room in my house and technically not a date, but it was still creative!), and hopefully will continue to get creative.  There is no judgement from either of us so it really helps to foster the romantical connection.

In Pittsburgh…

Make flowers for your valentine at Pittsburgh Glass Center or get hands-on at TechShop and etch a wine glass (and then drink wine out of it with a wine/chocolate pairing!) or make plasma-cut flowers.

Do Something Nerdy

In case you couldn’t tell, I’m a huge nerd.  And I love museums.  There’s a thing in Pittsburgh every fall called RADical Days where museums (and the Pittsburgh Zoo and the National Aviary and….) offer free admission on select days.  Yes, we have gone to five museums in a day because free admission!

Take a look in your city for half off admission nights, deals, or community-sponsored admission programs.

In Pittsburgh…

The Warhol Museum is my favorite.  Every Friday night, they do Good Fridays and offer half off admission and late hours (5-10p).

Fun fact: my grammy rode the bus with Andy Warhol when he was still Andrew Warhola.

Go for Adults Only

Come on, not like that!  A 21+ night is a great way to explore somewhere that you only know from a kid’s perspective (or maybe you avoid a certain places because of all of the children running around.)

I love the 21+ nights at the Carnegie Science Center and we’ve also gone to Phipps when they’ve had one of their nights as well.  It’s definitely a cool vibe and things look totally different in the dark.  There are Chihuly pieces all over Phipps but I never noticed them as much as I did at night!

In Pittsburgh…

Have some adult beverages and then enjoy a late night skate.

The Carnegie Science Center, Phipps Conservatory, The Children’s Museum, and I think the National Aviary have 21+ nights.  Explore the museum, look at the plants, make something and do it all while enjoyed a cocktail.

Bonus: Find Live Entertainment

Support your local cultural society.  A concert, musical, play, mystery dinner…always great date ideas.  Pittsburgh Winery also lets you taste their full flight of wine and they have live music on the weekends, so you can get a two-fer here!

If you’re still looking for something to do, check out your local event pages.  Shout out to Yelp for having a great events board.  Yes, I was an intern for Yelp in Pittsburgh.  Yes, I stocked up our event board every week.  Yes, you should check out Yelp for your local city.  </PSA on Yelp>

What are you doing on Valentine’s Day?  Do you have a date or are you celebrating Galentine’s Day?

Five things that need to stop in reality shows

I’m not a huge TV watcher.  When I come home from work, I’m either working on freelance, developing things for this blog, feeling guilty for not more frequently guest posting for PghCBN, or trying to give my eyes a break from screens.

Long story short, when I do actually watch TV, it’s usually some dumb zone-out reality show.  I know, they are total trash, but I really just want to not think about my job and responsibilities and get absorbed in someone else’s life for 45 minutes.

I fully buy in to competition reality shows.  I love seeing deserving people win $10,000 for putting together an edible meal made with pickled chicken parts, gummy worms, and some weird looking squash.  And then Vanderpump Rules because omg the drama.  And the clothes.  And the drama.

Five cliches that need to stop happening in reality shows

But I still love to make fun of this trash that advertisers support knowing that we’ll overlook some of these cliches.

Why are you crying?

If I were on a competition show, my nerves would be shot, too.  When I’m maxed out, I tend to break down and have myself a good cry.  But I prefer to do that alone.  Sometimes Jonathan sees it.

I don’t want someone who is judging me to see me cry, though.  If I can’t keep it together while I’m baking cupcakes or something, why would Gordon Ramsay trust me with his restaurant?  Maybe going on a competition reality show isn’t the most mentally sound decision someone should make this week.

We can tell he’s only dating you because you’re on TV, why can’t you?

So you’re sitting around, bummed that you can’t get a date.  You’re pretty, intelligent, and miraculously into sports.

“I know!” you exclaim.  “I’ll go on a reality show to find quality men and the prize will be a lifetime together with me!”

Oh sweetie, oh honey, no.  What is wrong with you that you need to go on a reality show to find the love of your life?  Haven’t you seen the tabloids?!  The last 10 of you already tried that and the guy either cheated or they got divorced.

Maybe that was a little harsh, but really.

Yes, we all are here to win.

The cliches of, “I’m here to win!” and, “I know I rocked that round” are just obnoxious filler.  Of course you’re here to win!  No one says, “I’m here to lose.  I’m just happy I made it here.”

You’re running around the world to win a million dollars.  Of course you’re not putting yourself through that without the end goal of winning a million dollars!

Plus, the people who say, “I made the best dish in that round” are clearly jinxing themselves.

We know you got that job because you’re on TV.

I’m sure you’re a great writer and you’re qualified to write a makeup series simply because your bathroom looks like a new Sephora location.  But I know just as well as everyone else that the only reason why that blog will pay you to write is so you’ll talk about it on your cable TV show and drive traffic to their site.

Clever PR move.  Kudos!

The really drunk girl.

I understand you need to drink to cope, but why oh why are you letting yourself get this horrifically, embarrassingly drunk?  You are on national TV!

Not only are you glorifying black-out-drunk drinking, you’re making yourself look really stupid.  I’m sure your new blog contact is so thrilled that you’re representing them.

What reality show cliches would you add to this list?

Five things that make winter suck less

Winter sucks.  I’m sorry to those who are on speaking terms with winter, but in my mind, it’s like winter is wearing pink and it isn’t even Wednesday.  Colds, shoveling, ice, freezing temps.  There’s nothing good about it.

Except these five things.

How to make winter suck less

Here are five things that make winter suck less for me and hopefully for you, too.

A good, warm beverage

I am all about a good cup of coffee.  In the wintertime, it’s even more important.  There is nothing more satisfying than wrapping chilly fingers around a steaming mug of deliciousness.

Tea is my thing right now.  I have a wicked cold that’s kicking my ass and tea is the only thing that warms, soothes, and doesn’t put my nerves on over-drive.

Celestial Seasonings Candy Cane Lane TeaCandy Cane Lane tea from Celestial Seasonings tastes fantastic (the peppermint covers the blah green tea taste) and is decaf.  I love the Gingerbread Spice, too.  The flavors are outstanding.

Snacks

Dude, you best believe I hibernate in the winter.  I just ate ice cream and now I’m debating something crunchy.  Usually I go for chocolatey/sweet snacks, but you can’t beat guac and chips or good homemade hummus (why yes, yes I did make that delicious hummus pictured below).

Homemade hummusI’m also digging these Fruit Vines from my Influenster #FrostyVoxBox.

Fruit VinesI’m not a huge fan of made-mostly-of-gummy-sugar-stuff treats, but I love the sweet strawberry flavor and the chewiness.  Very satisfying.

A full Netflix queue or a stack of books

There are days when I just don’t want to do a damn thing.  Living with a parent requires me to look like I’m a contributing member of society, but when I lived alone, there were weekends when I didn’t eat anything with nutritional value and ripped through seasons of SATC in a day.

I can quote each episode and I still cry when Aidan leaves for the last time.  Since I discovering the miracle of Netflix, though, we’re no longer exclusive.

Books are also a necessity.  Anything that you get emotionally invested in or are hilariously entertaining.  Yes Please was done in a weekend.  Bonus points if you’ve already spilled food on the pages.

A low-commitment and high-guilt-removing workout

I have to start training for the Pittsburgh Half Marathon soon, but when I don’t want to drive out to the gym just to use the treadmill, I gotta have backup.  I feel better telling myself, “Well I didn’t run today, but I did do __ instead.”

Plus, you may want to add a little physical activity to get endorphins flowing and combat the winter blues.  Or something.

I’ve been getting into kettlebells lately.  It’s a low-impact strength workout that gets the heart rate up.  I also love 10 minute workouts from FitSugar because we can all suck it up for at least 10 minutes.  And Yoga With Adriene is a new obsession.  Since my doctor said yoga is an acceptable workout, I feel totally justified by subbing this in.*

*I’m not a doctor, so don’t take this as end-all-be-all health advice.  I just told you to pig out, remember?

A project

When you finally have drank, eaten, read, watched, and worked everything out and can’t stand it anymore, something to focus your energy is necessary.  I’ll clean, knit, write, organize, anything to get my mind off winter.

30 Days of ListsHomemade bound book for 30 Days of ListsBonus: you can binge-watch and scrapbook at the same time.

I love doing #30Lists.  It gives you something to do every day that’s easy to manage.  Plus, I got to make my own mini-notebook for it out of Project Life cards.

Or you can try a new hobby.  Book binding or photography, anyone?

When all else fails, have a stock of beer on hand!

What do you do to make winter suck less?

Disclaimer: I received the tea and Fruit Vines from Influenster for testing and review.  These are my authentic opinions and everything listed is what I actually recommend to make winter less awful.

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