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On my 30th birthday, I created a 40×40 list outlining 40 big things I want to achieve by my 40th birthday. One of the first goals I tackled was buying a great camera and taking photography classes at the local art school. I’ve since taken 4 classes and have loved every frustrating second of it.
Even though my focus has been on digital photography (and maybe exactly for this reason), every teacher I have had has echoed the same tip:
Print. Your. Photos.
Computers crash. Accounts get deleted. Files get corrupted. Software gets outdated. But a printed photo in your hand can last for generations. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t backup, upload, and protect your digital files, but the value to photography is still in the physical photograph.
And just like there’s value in that 5×7 photograph, there’s value in photo gifts.
Taking your favorite photo and transforming it into something that you can use and enjoy every day is the reason why we take photos. Not to stuff them into a box and shove it into the back of a closet. But to relive those memories and share them with those around us.
Shutterfly is a great place to turn your photos into tangibles (I just ordered 200 prints last weekend) and the best part is how reasonably priced everything is. You can barely get a generic iPhone case for $35, but you can order a custom iPhone case for that price at Shutterfly.
Remember as you’re taking photos and backing up your hard drive to take a few extra minutes to order prints and send someone a photo gift.
You’ll appreciate it when your computer crashes.
Follow Shutterfly on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
The lovely people at Shutterfly compensated me for this post with a Shutterfly gift card. I am a regular Shutterfly customer and all opinions are my own. Please see my site policy with any questions.
I did it. I registered for BlogHer again this year. I’ll be traveling to New York City in August to blog and network (and visit my sister). Years of experience have taught me that it’s never too early to start preparing so I ordered my business cards from Tiny Prints. Of course, there’s no need to order months in advance with Tiny Prints because they can have your custom business cards printed and delivered in no time.
I chose one of Tiny Print’s custom templates in a super cool folded design that just so happened to match my personal blog. I edited my info, added my logo, and in minutes they looked one-of-a-kind without the one-of-a-kind price tag. These business cards printed on high quality card stock and the colors are spot on, so there’s no mistaking that you (and Tiny Prints) take pride in your business.
This wasn’t the first time I’ve ordered from Tiny Prints. I order custom greeting cards all the time (my little cousins love when a goofy photo of them to their birthday cards) and I’m almost through my last batch of business cards, which get compliments whenever I hand them out.
It’s safe to say I’m a big fan of the quality (and price) of custom Tiny Prints business cards. Have you ordered from them yet? Are they great, or what?
The awesome people at Tiny Prints supplied me with a new stash of business cards. Please see my site policy with any questions.
I didn’t start wearing glasses until high school. I didn’t start wearing glasses every day until college. Both awkward times to make the transition to wearing glasses, but I embraced them as a fashion accessory (with the bonus of actually being able to see clearly) and quickly acquired a collection of bold and colorful frames. Now I have a hard time visualizing myself with out glasses and on the rare occasion that I pop in my contacts, my friends and coworkers hardly recognize me.
I know you’re thinking that my little eyeglasses habit must cost a small fortune, but it doesn’t because I have a little trick. A trick that allows me to wear designer eyeglasses and the latest trends at a fraction of the cost.
I order online glasses.
It’s super easy to buy glasses online. The most difficult part is asking your eye doctor for your prescription information – sometimes they don’t like to give out all the information but it’s your prescription, so be firm! GlassesUSA makes it easy to enter your prescription information and even has professional opticians available to assist if you have any questions. Their 110% lowest price guarantee and 100% satisfaction guarantee makes ordering a no-lose situation.
I haven’t yet ordered from GlassesUSA.com, but I’ve heard good things from personal friends and after spending some time browsing I can see that they have a great selection of name brand frames and the latest styles, not to mention all the prescription options my eye doctor offers, so I’m excited to order a new pair of glasses this new year. And to make sure you get the very best deal on your new glasses, GlassesUSA is having a new year sale, so use these coupon codes:
Take 20% off any pair of eyeglasses and get FREE US shipping with the code: NEW2012
Take 10% off any order of prescription glasses with the code: Blog10
Do you order your eyeglasses online? Have you ordered from GlassesUSA? Tell me what you think!
This post is sponsored by www.GlassesUSA.com. All opinions are 100% my own. Please see my site policy with any questions.
Merry Christmas! (Yeah, I said it. I’m usually a “Happy Holidays” kinda gal, but it is Christmas Eve.)
I’ll be spending the weekend with my family but I wanted to drop in to clear my cash-spending conscience before the festivities begin.
- $30 gas
- $58 Target
- $200 TOMS (I may or may not have ordered 3 pairs of shoes in the middle of the night. If I don’t love them, they’ll be returned.)
- $25 Bluefly (Had a $25 Klout Perk so I ordered some baubles for half price!)
- $46 Lands’ End (Ordered two cable knit sweaters that were regularly $100 each!)
See you in 2012!
Contest is now closed. Congratulations to our winner – Sammi!
Cold and flu symptoms are starting to make their way around the office this holiday season and the worst of it isn’t the running nose or sneezing; it’s the congestion and sinus pressure which inevitably causes horrible headaches and much whining and complaining by all. Most people don’t know that sinus pressure caused by nasal inflammation is a potential cause of congestion, which means they probably aren’t taking the right medication to alleviate their symptoms.
That means wasted money on the wrong medications and extra time off of work to recuperate. Don’t waste time and money when Advil® Congestion Relief treats the real problem; sinus pressure, congestion, and headaches caused by nasal swelling and inflammation.
Advil is also taking on another type of congestion – congestion problems facing communities around the country – through the Advil® Congestion Relief Project and they are looking for communities in need of relief.
Submit your story on how congestion effects your community – from long lines at the DMV to bumper-to-bumper traffic in the school parking lot – include how Advil’s Congestion Relief Project can help and your community could win up to $30,000. Advil has already unveiled a new library in the Brox so relief to your communities congestion problems could be next!
Leave a comment telling me what kinds of congestion problems are plaguing your community and one winner will receive a 10 count package of Advil Congestion Relief.
I am a member of One2One Network and this post is part of a sponsored campaign. I received both product and compensation for my time. I make no claims about Advil Congestion Relief as a product or it’s effectiveness. As always, all opinions are 100% my own. Please see my site policy with any questions.
Entries will be accepted until midnight, Sunday, December 18th. One (1) winner will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email. Please use your real first name and a valid email address when entering. I am not responsible for incorrect contact information. US residents only. Prize will be shipped directly from the sponsor.
Contest is now closed. Congratulations to our winner – Stephanie!
It’s no secret that I struggle with balancing my wants and needs. I’m a big fan of self-gifting and can usually find a reason why I deserve to treat myself to little things throughout the month. I constantly have to ask myself do I really need that? and I end up feeling guilty when I say yes too often.
But I don’t have to feel guilty about treating myself to products from Freeman Beauty; a brand I’ve used since college. Their on-the-go packets of Feeling Beautiful facial masks are a staple in my beauty routine and budget friendly at only $1.99 each at the drugstore. The Avocado & Oatmeal Facial Clay Mask and Pineapple Enzyme Facial Mask are my absolute favorites that are an essential part of any DIY at-home facial.
This Saturday night (yes, I’m staying in and enjoying some me time this weekend) I’m trying the new Chocolate & Strawberry Facial Clay Mask and let me just warn you – do not start your beauty routine hungry because this facial mask smells exactly like chocolate frosting. I’m dangerously close to taste-testing. It tones and diminishes the appearance of large pores while moisturizing, so you’ll look refreshed and renewed. It’s great for all skin-types and my sometimes sensitive skin was soft and hydrated after rinsing.
Freeman Beauty products are available at Wal-Mart, Rite-Aid, and other retailers, but if you’d like products delivered to your door, they’ve offered the coupon code BLOGGER25 for 25% off online purchases. If you’d like to try some of my favorite products, Freeman has put together a DIY facial kit including the following products for one reader.
- Chocolate & Strawberry Facial Clay Mask
- Avocado & Oatmeal Facial Clay Mask
- Cucumber Peel-Off Facial Mask
- Plus a shower cap, hand towel, and travel case
To enter, leave a comment about your beauty routine and how you fit it into your budget. For extra entries:
Please leave a separate comment for each entry. You have until December 16th to enter – now go get beautiful on a budget!
The lovely people at Freeman Beauty provided products for review and giveaway.
The fine print…The lovely people at Freeman Beauty provided products for review and giveaway. I received a sampling of products in exchange for my participation. As always, all opinions are 100% my own. Please see my site policy with any questions.
Entries will be accepted until midnight, Friday, December 16th. One (1) winner will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email and/or Twitter. Please use your real first name and a valid email address when entering. I am not responsible for incorrect contact information. US residents only. Prize will be shipped directly from Freeman Beauty.
K-Cups vs Red Cups -
November 30, 2011
I
t’s hard to believe that the holiday season is in full-swing, but the weather in Austin has finally gotten brisk (well, at least in the early mornings), Christmas lights are twinkling in every window, and I’m craving big red cups of fancy hot beverages, so it must be true.
What’s also true is that those big red cups of fancy hot beverages are not in my budget this month. But armed with my coworker’s Keurig® and hazelnut cream K-Cups from Millstone Coffee Company and I’ve got the holiday spirit. Not to mention one perfectly brewed cup of fancy coffee at a fraction of the cost of the home of the red cup.
You know what else would put me in the holiday spirit? $10,000.
Now through December 27, 2011, coffee lovers can visit Millstone Coffee and share what matters most when enjoying their daily cup of coffee to be automatically entered for a chance to win a grand prize of $10,000, a Keurig® Single Cup Brewer, and a year supply of K-Cups from Millstone. There’s also 32 weekly prizes up for grabs, which includes a $100 grocery gift card, a Keurig® Single Cup Brewer, and a month supply of K-Cups from Millstone.
Happy brewing!
The lovely people at Millestone Coffee Company provided a variety of K-Cups for myself and my co-workers. All opinions are 100% my own and you can read my site policy if you have any questions. Please visit www.millstone.com for full contest rules.
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