25 August 2010
By Amber
In Challenge, Giveaways, Green
For more information about this challenge see the intro post, week 1 and week 2.
Confessions:
#1 Josh Turner Shirt: $30.00 This is one of those items that I don’t regret having, it was a great concert last week, but I do regret the price 
#2 Digital Photography Book – I will say that this is very eco friendly though its a digital book! Check out all of these books from Ella Publishing so cheap!
Success:
I”ve been doing really good about going shopping and only what is on my list. I’ve also managed to avoid Michael’s craft store and I’m trying to find alternatives to the idea I have in mind, I’ll let you know what I come up with next week.
Hints:
As I said last week there are other ways to reduce your impact besides not buying things. Here are just a few
- Make sure to turn off the lights when you leave the room.
- Use some of the new light bulbs out there that use less wattage and put out the same amount of light.
- Use a programmable thermostat and turn up (or down if its winter) the temperature a few degrees when your sleeping or out of the house.
- Turn off the AC and open windows on nights that are cool and low humidity.
- Close the curtains and blinds on your windows during the day.
Giveaway:
Now onto the second item that will be included in the Reduce Challenge Giveaway, a set of 4 eye shadows from Everyday Minerals! Its easy to get entered in this giveaway, just comment on any of the Challenge posts (one comment per post) and let me know what you are doing to reduce your impact! At the end of the challenge I will draw a name to get the whole package. So come on and join in!
(These were not donated, they are duplicates from my own collection. I just like them so much I thought I would share!)
24 August 2010
By Amber
In Uncategorized
The problem with thoughtful posts is I don’t stay on one thought long enough to formulate a whole post. I’ve been awake for about and hour and a half and already this morning I’ve been thinking about money, like how to save more, and also money, how to earn more. I’ve thought about what healthy food to bring to my work potluck on Thursday (to no avail so if you have any suggestions let me know.) I’ve also thought about how amazing MAC is with all the hard work he did on the house yesterday and how nice it was to wake up in a clean calm house.
The money thing seems to be the most constant thought however. We arn’t in want, we are actually doing quite well but we had two big bills this month (new tires and car insurance) and I just don’t like how close to our minimum balance that brought us. Those are things we should be prepared and saved up for. Not to mention MAC would like to make a career change that would most likely include a pay cut…
Through all of this I’m realizing for about the billinth time that I over think things. Sometimes life just isn’t as complicated as I try to make it out to be. When you put it all out on paper its not all that sacry, ya know? OK sometimes it is but not now. Why do we get ourselves so worked up over nothing…
23 August 2010
By Amber
In Photography
I’m not even going to pretend I’m a pro but I have enjoyed taking photos of MAC and his buds playing paintball and I’m getting pretty good. (In fact now I realize the limits of my camera Olympus E-500…oh dear.)
Don’t be afraid to zoom in. When you are outside on a sunny day you can zoom as much as you want and really don’t need to worry about exposure. However if its dark out or you are inside the exposure becomes a concern. First off chances are flash won’t help with the lighting issue since you will be too far away. If you have a SLR change out the lens to one with a larger zoom and then try not to zoom in as much, this will let in more light. Another possible option is try to get closer, or try a different angle.
Some of my favorite pictures are from tracking (that is my word who knows what the pros call it.) I really like the motion it showes. See how blurry the background is in this picture but “D” is clear. I simply moved my camera with him and snaped pictures the whole way.
Lastly is Burst mode (again my term)
it is the icon 2nd from the left you should have the option somewhere on your camera normally near the timer. Switch to this mode and your camera will keep taking pictures as long as your finger is on the trigger (with varying shutter speeds depending on your camera.) This is my current favorite hint, and how I caught this moment of “J’s” slide and the dust cloud. 
20 August 2010
By Amber
In Uncategorized
I really just can’t believe it, I just can’t. Earlier this month I went to Kohl’s and spent $87.51. Since I had spent over $50.00 they gave me a $10.00 Kohl’s cash coupon. One of the things I bought was a Jacket for Mac. Brought it home he tried it on and the shoulder pads made him look like a football player. Not so hot when your not one…. So after some basic math $87.51-54.00=$33.51 (under the $50.00 required to get the Kohl’s Cash) I decided not to use it since I was going to be returning the jacket. Well since then the coupon expired and today I returned the jacket, and got $45.89 (tax) back. Ummm What?!?! They took out the $10.00 Kohl’s cash even though I didn’t use it!!!!
To summarize the rest I called Customer Service and nothing after a lot of back and forth nothing… I can’t believe it.
PS the original receipt said “Returns of items in this transaction MAY reduce the value of Kohl’s Cash and/or the refund amount.” not will, may…Grr.
Rant
20 August 2010
By Amber
In Free
A few weeks ago I won this on a blog giveaway at Craft-O-Maniac and I just wanted to show you how cool it is:
Second of all I’ve been having sewing machine issues, and then one of my friends gave me this:
What do ya think? Should I redo it?
