#FFFriday-Keep Truckin

<a href=”http://www.mamainsomnia.com/” style=”border: none;”><img alt=”Mama Insomnia” src=”http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z267/anngee410/Friday.jpg” style=”width: 129px; height: 129px;”/></a>OK, I really have to remind myself that I said I'd keep up on #FFFriday even if no one ever link's up. I think I am having an exceptionally hard time with it because I am being a lazy blogger this week.

But a promise is a promise, even if it is made on a post that no one will ever link up to!!

I've been a lazy blogger this week because I have been unusually productive at home this week. That said, this is what I'm diggin' on this week:


*This week I've been on a major cleaning kick. (Someone alert the media!!) This year, I really want to focus on finding more natural cleaning methods. They are better to use around the kids and they are way more cost effective than buying cleaning products at the store. Last year, I traded in my Swiffer WetJet for the Libman Freedom Mop, which uses a washable pad and your own cleaning solution, and my love affair with homemade cleaning solutions began. Pinterest is one of the best resources for ideas, but www.armhammer.com also has hundreds of natural cleaning solutions!

*I've also been cooking a lot this week and of course I have Pinterest to thank for this. Check out my new Tried It & Liked It board for my personal recommendation's!

*Guess who got a new job?! I am very excited to start a new job with a wonderful new company. Though I am still serving, this new company-a casino-offers a multitude of future opportunities. Finger's crossed this new job is just the start of a long career.

*Dafont.com. I tend to be a little behind when it comes to techy stuff and I just figured out how to install new fonts on my computer. (Thanks again, Pinterest) DaFont.com is one of my favorite new sites to add new FREE fonts!

*I got this in the mail this week for Nolan:

Adorable right?? Thank you Aunt Geri for the awesome gift!

Check out PLM DeZigns on Etsy for so many other cute onesie & burp cloth designs. I'm thinking Nolan must have the argyle St. Patrick's day toe and burp cloth set too!!



Since I am feeling lazy, and the site I need isn't working right now, there is no linky this week. Feel free to grab the button though! Linky will be back open next week!

#FFFriday 1/19

It's been a crazy week here at the Insomnia household. You know the kind filled with lots of errands, doctor's visits, and everything in between. Also exciting?? I have 2 job interviews this week. The bad news is they are still for positions in the hospitality industry, but the good news is they are both for places that I could definitely make more money than I do at my current job. Keep your finger's crossed for me!!
Now onto this week's Favorite Five...

1.) Sleep. If you follow me on a regular basis, then you know I was getting very little sleep these past few months. Toddlers and newborns tend to do that to a person. Luckily, my little Nolan must have gotten the memo that mommy was at her wits end because-knock on wood-he has been sleeping for a nice little 6-6.5 hour stretch at night. Amen. Hallelujah.

2.) I can't seem to get the soulful voice of James Morrison out of my head these days. His latest album, The Awakening, is a definite download. Track 11, Right By Your Side, is my personal fave!

3.) Zumba. My sister in law and I took a class last Saturday and I am OBSESSED!!  I haven't worked out in almost a year, so to  say I was hurting bad after my first class is an understatement. My lungs, were all, "What the heck is going on?" but it felt so good too. There is lots of booty shaking and hip thrusting which is part of what makes it so fun, but can also be slightly awkward hilarious in front of a bunch of strangers. (Sorry woman behind me in class) I can't wait for my next class.

4.) I tried this recipe on Pinterest for Chocolate Chip Cookies and I am in love. If I keep making these I am going to need a lot more Zumba classes.

5.) Do you watch New Girl on FOX?? If you do then you know all about the Douche bag jar and how wickedly awesome this week's episode was. If you don't then you are sadly missing out on one of the funniest new shows. Has anyone seen my driving moccasin's??

Side Note: Thank you Glee writers for finally starting to write good shows again. This week's episode was finally a good one!

What are you diggin' on this week??

Dear Hallmark

If you are on Pinterest-& you should be- then you are probably familiar with someecards.com.

But did you know that you can create your own???

I made this one about Pinterest and it got re-pinned over 500 TIMES!!!

Then I was feeling a little feisty and made this one:

Which was inspired by this e-card that I unfortunately did NOT make (but wish I did):

Clearly I should apply for a job at Hallmark don'tcha think???

Hit me up on Pinterest, yo! 

The first #FFFriday link-up

Happy Friday the 13th!!

I introduced Favorite Five Friday's last week.
It's my pet project for 2012 and I'd love for it to take the nation by storm catch on.




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So what are my favorite things from this week, you ask??

First things first, I am LOVING Jason Mraz's new video/song released on iTunes. I am so excited for his new album to come out, and if this song is any indication as to what the new album will sound like, then it is going to be awesome!



On a totally different note, do you know how you know you are getting old??
When the thought of a new appliance excites you.

If you follow me on Facebook (& you should) then you know that I had a sad stove situation going on. Not only did our smoke alarm go off everytime we turned the oven on, but the screw holding the front of the door melted and caused half the door to fall off. Only half, not the whole thing, which makes for a really pretty picture. Needless to say we needed a new one & this shiny new one arrived on Saturday:

isn't she pretty??

Also awesome?? I bought her online through Ebates and got $29 cash back since it was double cash back at Sears.com. Add that to the $50 or so I racked up over the holidays with my Christmas shopping and I have almost $100 coming to me this February. I've said it once and I'll say it again, if you aren't using Ebates.com you are cray cray. Sign up now & tell them I sent you!! It's free and it's awesome. (Also, I have to give a shout out to ebates.com customer service. I had a problem with some of my cash back purchases not being credited to my account and they fixed the problem right away!)


Rounding out my week...

*Amanda at It's Blogworthy totally got me hooked on Tiny Towers, a new game app for the iPhone. Connect with me in the game center: mamainsomnia

*New shows are starting back up!! Shameless on Showtime, 30 Rock on NBC, Dance Moms on whatever network they are on. And the Golden Globes are on this Sunday. I'm sure I'll be tweeting up a storm, so of you don't already, hit me up on Twitter so we can judge celebrities all night!! I LOVE awards season!!!

What are your 5 Favorites this Friday? Link up and grab the button!!

Winner

We have a new winner for the Thirty-One giveaway:

this screenshot is
horrible but it says #9!!

Congrats Jen Stoller!!

Email me your information and I will pass it onto Cora!





& Don't forget that tomorrow is Friday and the very first Favorite Five Friday link-up. What are you lovin on this week??



<a href=”http://www.mamainsomnia.com/” style=”border: none;”><img alt=”Mama Insomnia” src=”http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z267/anngee410/Friday.jpg” style=”width: 129px; height: 129px;”/></a>

Future All Star #iPPP

Meet Brian Urlacher's future replacement:

aka Bruiser

At 13.5 lbs at just under 2 months, something tells me this kid is going to be a force to be reckoned with.

Linking up with #iPPP

Thirty-One Giveaway winner!!

Thank you to all that entered my Thirty-One giveaway. It has been my most popular giveaway yet, and I hope 2012 brings even more awesome giveaway's for you guys since you are all da' bomb. (I'm totally bringing back da' bomb this year, BTW)

Now down to business.
We have a winner:

Congrats to Jen Aprea who one with this comment:
"I liked you on fb :)"

email me your info at mamainsomnia@gmail.com in the next 48 hours to claim your prize.

Didn't win but still want some great Thirty-One stuff?? Cora will be setting up a mystery hostess party for those of you that want to make a purchase. Keep an eye out, I'll be posting details soon!

Introducing...

***Have you entered my Thirty-One giveaway yet?? What are you waiting for? Giveaway ends Monday January 9th!***

This year, I quietly resolved to do more with this blog.

Try and write more often and more deeply from my soul.
Collaborate more with my fellow bloggers. Read and meet some new ones.
Maybe even work on my punctuation skills a little bit more. (maybe)

I didn't want to get too specific because I tend to have a problem with consistency when it comes to blogging.

Case in point: On January 1st I signed up and vowed to do a 365 photo a day. As of today, I have not taken a single picture.

Another thing I wanted to do in 2012? Create (&stick to) a successful weekly meme. Weekly meme's are great for when you can't think of something on your own to post about. My hopes are that this little meme will become that for people. A place to come when you need a little nudge to get you through a bout of writers block or a week where you don't feel like thinking too much about your posts!

So without further ado I'd like to introduce...

<a href=”http://www.mamainsomnia.com/” style=”border: none;”><img alt=”Mama Insomnia” src=”http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z267/anngee410/Friday.jpg” style=”width: 129px; height: 129px;”/></a>




 
Have a song you can't stop moving to this week? Or a blog post you read that you just can't forget? Maybe you tried a new recipe this week or obsessed over something on Pinterest. Big or small, end the week on a high note and share your 5 favorite things from the week. Grab the button and link up!!

The Linky will go live next Friday at 12am and stay open all weekend each week. To start you off, I'll share my #FFFriday with you today!

1.) LAMFO-Sexy and I Know It- I realize it may be played out for some of you, but I don't listen to the radio much these days so I still find it ridiculously funny and catchy. And you really haven't lived until you can hear your toddler say, "Girl, look at that body"!

2.) My Baby Bijorn: I would not get anything done these days without the help of this device. As a matter of fact this post is brought to you by the Baby Bijorn!!

3.) Jamaican Me Crazy K-cups by Wolfgang Puck- This coffee has a hint of coconut goodness and is super yummy. I need at least 2 cups a day to function!

4.) The Celebrity Round-up over at It's Blogworthy: In the interest of saving money, I am considering giving up my US Weekly subscription. I've been a loyal subscriber for years, but between the Internet and Amanda's awesome recaps, I know I can get all the same info and save myself $60 a year!

5.) The weather: I know I'm probably jinxing it, but it's January and we still haven't seen any major snow or sub-zero temps. Yay for a mild winter so far!

Thirty-One Giveaway

I gave up on the whole losing weight/exercise more/be healthy thing because I always start out with the best intentions, but come February 1st I'm knee deep in a cheeseburger.

This year I am focusing on a more attainable goal...getting organized.

And let me tell you friends, after this past month, I need this resolution more than ever. December,  I just about lost my mind. This past month we lost a wallet (thankfully we found it), some savings bonds, and a hefty gift card we got for Christmas.

So I need to get on the organization train ASAP.

Enter Thirty-One.

Their purses and storage solutions are not only affordable but come they also come in a wide selection of ADORABLE fabrics. You can even personalize them!

My friend Cora, a Thirty-One consultant has been gracious enough to give one of my readers this super cute Thermal Tote in one of my personal favorite prints, Awesome Blossom:

The Thermal Tote is perfect as a lunch bag, to keep bottles cold or to take snacks to the ballgame in!

To enter this giveaway:

Mandatory entry: Visit Cora's e-boutique and browse around the products. Leave me a comment telling me which you covet most!!

Additional entries:

*Like Mama Insomnia on Facebook

* Follow @MamaInsomnia on Twitter and tweet/re-tweet the following: " I entered @MamaInsomnia's Thirty-One giveaway!!" Include a link back to this page. (One tweet per day)

Please leave me a separate comment for EACH one of these you do.

If you are interested in hosting an online Thirty-One party or have any questions let me know and I'll pass on your information to Cora. And if you have some holiday money burning a hole in your pocket and see some stuff you really like, feel free to browse my Online Party going on right now!! I'm trying to score enough hostess rewards so I can get meself a new diaper bag since the old one smells like mold. (this is what happens when a sippy cup of juice spills and dear husband leaves the diaper bag in his hot car for a week)

This giveaway is open now through January 8th!!