Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese {again}

So in my entire 'pinning' career I have only attempted two Pinterest projects.  However two out of two have been a success.  You'd think that this would inspire me to attempt more.  It doesn't.  Let's get real - I always convince myself that there is never enough time.  I am hoping to change this.

Last week I submitted my 'Campfire Orange Peel Cinnamon Buns' pinterest inspired camp recipe to a new link up that Amber from My Three Bittles is co-hosting with Melissa from A Day in The Life of A Mom and a Wife and Sarah from Fortune Favors The Brave called The Pinterest Project (that's a whole whack of links). So I thought I would share with you (again) the first pinterest inspired recipe I made.

That's right - the infamous Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese from Closet Cooking.  I know - I have already reviewed this - but dudes this grilled cheese sandwich is probably the best grilled cheese I have ever eaten. You need to make this.  And then invite me for dinner.  Or lunch.  I'd even eat it for breakfast.  I am not too picky. 

I followed the recipe exactly - except I omitted the mayo (umm - because it's disgusting).  The best part is instead of dipping this sucker into ketchup - you can dip it into buffalo sauce.  Or even better blue cheese dip.  Mayo Schmayo. 

But there is something else you should know - Kevin, the author of Closet Kitchen, actually cooks from his closet kitchen in MY city. Since finding this out I have tried tweeting him to invite me over for dinner - but no dice.  What gives Kev? 

What have you pinned up lately?

This is totally in your head now, right?

Gone Camping

Currently

This week has been crazy.  And I am so glad I was only working for three days of it.  I am now off for the next four days.  And we are going camping.  You know why?  Because all your rain dancing worked.  Well partially.  There are still some fire restrictions in the area meaning we can have a fire between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.  - so please I know you're tired but keep up the dancing.  Because this time we are headed roughly 320 KM {200 miles} north to Grundy Lake Provincial Park.  That's an awfully long drive if you can't enjoy a campfire.  I like a day fire.  It makes me happy.

So since I have been too busy to commit to any blogging activities this week - this is what has been going on lately.

Enjoying: My new design

I've been slowly working on it.  It's not complete - but it's getting there.  I love the added white space and the clean lines of the fonts.  And I busted out some new colours.  What's up tangerine orange? Once it's good I will provide a thorough review of all it's bells and whistles.   But seriously - how lame is that picture of me.  I took it for a Scavenger Hunt Sunday prompt.  It's absolutely ridiculous - but I used it anyway.

Learning: Self Control

Especially when I don't agree with things.  I wouldn't say that I am opinionated - but I am not afraid to tell you what I think.  This doesn't work well in every situation.  It's hard to keep quiet when I am having such an internal struggle.  However sometimes a little self control is good.  I am really trying to learn this better.  Because there are often too many foot in your mouth situations.

Inspired By: My Blog Growth

The growth in readership my blog has experienced.  I've put a little extra effort in sponsoring a few bigger blogs - and it's gone a long way.  It makes those days when I think "Man I should really just delete my blog and forget the whole thing existed" harder to actually consider.  It's true there are some days that blogging isn't for me.  And there are some days that I am so enamored with it.  It's the relationships that are formed that really inspire me.  The kindness of strangers to encourage you as you grow.  You learn.  You develop.  Those people are the ones that inspire me to stick around. 

Becoming: A hermit

Seriously.  My 22 year old self would probably kick my ass.  I don't know what it is - but since I hit 32 I never want to leave the house.  Like ever.  I am convinced this is my body telling me that I should be at home with a baby.  I used to do anything to go out and have a beer with a few friends - but now a night curled up on the couch sounds 100 times more appealing.  What is that all about?

Indulging in: coffee

This is nothing new - but by part of me learning self control means that I am now losing the ability to sleep like a human.  My dear friend insomnia has returned.  It's the freakin' worst.  Nothing is more awesome than staying up until 4 a.m. when you have a full day of meetings.  So I have been drinking an absurd amount of coffee.  This is probably not helping my inability to sleep - but it does help me function.  And it does take the edge off.  Dude - coffee is totally my crack addiction.   It could be a lot worse.

Now your turn

Can you rain dance?

I can't believe I am going to request this - but do any of you know how to rain dance?  Seriously.  We have a camping trip planned for this weekend - but this has been the hottest, driest, grossest summer we have had in all the history of summers.  It's been so hot and dry that many provincial parks in Ontario have put fire bans into effect.  Boo-urns! {do people still say boo-urns? }

How do you camp with out a fire? It's like eating macaroni without cheese.  Like cereal without milk.  Dinner without beer.  It's just wrong.  How do you cook?  How do you roast marshmallows?  Hot dogs?  It would be a terribly sad camping experience.

So please if you can rain dance - do a little jig for me?  If you could time it to rain between now and Wednesday that would be great - because I actually would like for it to stay dry the rest of the time while we camp.  I've done rain camping - and I don't think I need to try that again.

Also if you could beaver dance as well - that would be great.  Ummm.. scratch that.  That kind of dance could get confusing.

Currently

Do you not want to jump into this water?  It's gorgeous right?  This photo was snapped on the day before I got married during our catamaran booze cruise .   I am desperate for a vacation right now - thank goodness we have a camping trip planned next weekend.  And thank goodness I have a summer day on Friday.  Lady is tired.

So this is my third link up this week!  Check me out.  I really like this currently link up - because I am able to stop and think about what has been going on.  I wish I could tell you what is going on with Steve but he asked me to stop blogging about him.  He also asked me to blur out his face when I post a picture of us together.  How am I supposed to become blogfamous with that kind of attitude?  Ummm....even Basil is supportive of my 'blogging'.  I should have written this into our vows.  Remind me of this when I tell you we are planning to renew them.

Let's do this.

Cooking? Absolutely Nothing In This Heat

Since I work in an organization that serves seniors - and manage a program that helps seniors with their outdoor home maintenance  - I need to be aware of the weather.  Never in my life have I ever been more on top of the weather.  Summer 2012 is the summer of heat.  Seriously.  There is currently an extreme heat alert in affect.  This means temperatures with humidity over 40 degrees Celsius {104 F} and yesterday it went up to 45 {113 F}.  Ummm - there is no way that I am turning on my oven.  Tonight I ate a can of Alphaghetti!  It's was glorious. 

Making? Our Spare Room Into An Office

We purchased a desk from Ikea a few months back when I was inspired to sort out our 'storage' {or junk} and utilize our back room better.  This project lasted a few days and I just started it again.  Since I have been working on a few designs - I thought I would professionalize myself with a more inspiring workspace.  Because lounging on the couch trying to code just isn't working for me. Also - I've got a few aprons to sew.  I nee an office/sewing room.  I will have one by the end of summer.  I should have added that to my bucket list.

Working On?  my new blog design

And I am not getting anywhere fast.  I am having such a difficult time deciding how I want to lay it out.  However I settled on some fonts.  And a colour scheme.  Now I just need to think smart about how I want to lay it out and structure it. I am really not sure what direction I want to take this blog - or how committed I want to be.  But I feel like I need to consider all these things before I decide on the overall concept.  Ugh - designing for others is SO MUCH easier.

Reading - Quiet: The Power Of Introverts

Actually soon to be reading - I've just ordered it online. As I get older I become less and less introverted - or maybe I am becoming more introverted? Actually I think I have embraced being introverted.  I love being alone.  I love working alone.  It's when I get my best work done.  After watching this talk - I want to read this book.   

Listening To?  Jimmy Fallon

I guess that's watching?  But whatever?  I've been watching Jimmy Fallon YouTube clips.  Did I mention that I love Jimmy Fallon?  No?  Well I do.  Like a lot.

What's On Your Bucket List - Vlog Link Up

So prior to preparing for this 'blow your mind' vlog that you are about to see {are you ready for this? } I had only ever created a bucket list for the city that I live in.  I did this in an attempt to get to know my city better.  To date I haven't crossed one thing off that list.  I am good at writing lists - but bad at sticking to them.

When I finally started to think about this list {that was only yesterday} - I decided to break it down into two parts.  One my most desired travel/adventure activities and second my most desired life/personal goals.  I am not sure if this is my be all and end all list.  But these are definitely some things I want to accomplish in my lifetime.

I am going to warn you - it's long.  How do you keep a topic like this short?  It's impossible.  But before you watch all my awesomeness in all it's glory make sure you also check out my co-hosts.  Because without them - all this wouldn't happen.  Right? Right!

{Becoming What I Always Was // Punky and the City // Life as a Young Mom // 
The Way I Am // Thoughts By a Petite Brunette} 

And seriously YouTube?

Here are a few things I want to further explain from this vlog

@2:58 - I talk about floating in the dead sea reading a book - this is what I want a picture of

{via}

@4:10 - I talk about wanting to go to the moon with Virgin Galactic.  OMG!

I hope that wasn't too painfully long for you?  If you made it through - thanks.  And sorry.  I thought about cutting it short - but I didn't.  Basically because I have no idea how to edit videos.  I am OK with that.  It's not my thing.  So thanks for linking up and I can't wait to hear what's on your bucket list.  And don't be shy - grab this button and put it on your posts.  Word up sista friend.  OH OH OH - And mark your calendars for Wednesday August 15th, 2012 - for the third vlog link up.  We'll keep you posted with the topic and details. 

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{P.S.  This link up with remain open for 7 days - so you still have time to link up until next Wednesday}

Me, Myself & I

Is the picture above what people would classify as too 'designy'? I may have went a tad overboard - but this is what I would look like if you could actually see my thought bubbles.  I mean rarely am I thinking about horses and James Spader at the same time - but I can explain why I am thinking about them now.

You see there is a new monthly link-up starting called Me, Myself and I.  And my friend Kristen from Confessions of a Graphic Design Student is co-hosting.  So in order to support her - and to take any opportunity I can to tell you a bit more about myself - I decided to answer their five preset questions. {Plus I want to see how posts in a row I give a shout out to Kristen - seriously right?}

1. What is your biggest phobia? 

A phobia is defined as an irrational fear right?  Well I am fearful of horses.  I don't know why exactly.  When I was younger I had no problem.  My family used to live near a horse farm.  I eventually started having nightmares - where I would be out walking around and then horses got out and starting to chase me.  Reoccurring nightmares.  Since then I find them oddly creepy.  I have no interest in them.  Why they got to chase me?  {I am aware of the bad grammar in that last sentence}

2. If you could relive any day of your life, what would it be and why?
I probably should say my wedding day - because that day was pretty special - but I would really like to go back to April 9, 2004.  This was that day that Steve and I moved to Vietnam.  Our plan was to find a teaching job and see where that took us.  We took up residence in a guesthouse for $10 USD per night.  Went to a local restaurant.  Had a beer and planned out our next move.  I feel like this was the beginning for us.  It was the first time we would be living together.  I feel like that day - everything changed.  For the better.

3. If you could choose to stay a certain age forever, what age would it be? 

30.  I got engaged on March 18, 2010 - eight days after my thirtieth birthday hours before we were to leave on vacation.  So we went on an engagementversary to Vietnam {the destination was fitting}. We got married in Cuba on March 3, 2011 - seven days before my thirty-first birthday.   It was one of the better years of my life.   The weeks leading up to my thirtieth birthday I remember saying that I wasn't sure how I could ever top my twenties.  In a matter of a year - it was a done deal.  Now bring on the babies. 

{Sapa, Vietnam, March 2010}

{Varadero, Cuba March, 2011}

4. Which celebrity do you get mistaken for?

Everywhere I go people are asking - "Hey - weren't you in Boston Legal?" to what I respond "Say what?" and then they say "Dude you look like Robert California on The Office!" It true friends.  Anytime I do this Celebrity look-alike thing - James Spader and I are always paired up.  I am convinced he is my dad. Just take a look for yourself.




Twinsies right?  James Spader has been popping up since the first time I attempted this.  It must be the glasses and our moon-esque faces.  However ONCE and ONLY ONCE someone told me I looked like Brad Pitt's girlfriend {he was dating Gwenyth Paltrow at the time - it was THAT LONG AGO}. I mean obviously I look like Brad's lady - look at me - but seriously I would rather look like Gwen than James.  Sorry Jay Spade.

5.  What songs are included on the soundtrack to your life?

I wrote an entire post about this around a month ago. But I thought you would like to see {and hopefully listen} to my jams.  Go check it out. 

However it's almost ridiculous how much I am into this Unearth album {below}.  Though not my life soundtrack it's what I am listening to these days.  Ummmmm.... Sometimes we listen to it before bed.  It's official.  I totally caught a case of the Steve Hope's.  I am now able to fall asleep to this. What the eff?

Now it's your turn!  Go!

OH SNAP - Guess What I Saw?!!!  I am totally going to do this - right here, right now. A shameless self promotion.  Because why not?  Who else is going to do it?  So what are you doing tomorrow?  I have a good idea - why don't you grab your vid.cam and record a vlog about what's on your bucket list?  And then come back here tomorrow and link up?  Need more details.  Don't worry because I've got your covered.  Check it out.  And grab a button, yo!

{What's On Your Bucket List? Backgrounder}

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What The Bittle?

Because I am desperate for people to trust me with the guts of their blogs - I offered up my 'design services' {and I use that term loosely} to another giveaway.  One that Kristen was holding in June for her birthday.  Happy birthday Kristen!!! I thought this would be a good opportunity to open it up to some bloggers who might not know me and vice versa.  I did this because I am crazy!  No but seriously I did this because I wanted to work with a blogger that I didn't know much about.  To see if I could design for them without having a sense of their personal style.  OK and participating in a giveaway added a little exposure to my blog too. Win win - right?

And a big {or not so big} win for Amber from My Three Bittles who was the winner of my in-progress of learning services.  YEAH AMBER!  And YEAH EMILY! And YEAH KRISTEN {because why not?}. I was a slacker and didn't contact her right away.  But hey I had a five day migraine - and I was on day four when I saw her e-mail in my junk mail.  Why does that happen?  I hate it.  She was understanding - and we got the ball rolling almost immediately.  I had only visited Amber's blog a few times before - but wasn't a dedicated reader {because I am a bad blogger but trust me after some digging - Amber's ramblings are gold!}.  This was perfect - this was exactly what i wanted. 

After a few e-mails back and forth I was able to come up with the basic design concept based on few pieces of information that Amber provided.   

{click the image to see the design in all its glory}

1.  The Header - Amber said she liked her current header and that she was contented to keep it the same.  However - I suggested that I would spruce it up a bit to match her colour scheme and overall blog design.  I made it left justified to keep some, much loved by myself, white space. 

2.  Social Media Icons - Amber sent a few examples of blogs that had their links and social media icons above the header rather than underneath. {I smiled - because this was something I wanted to learn how to do}. 

3.  Social Media Icons - Part Dos.  I decided to add some under her about me image to break them up.  No rhyme - no reason. 

4.  Circle About Me Image - This was another request that made me grin.  I had just figured out how to make clipping masks in Illustrator so I was excited to try this out.  In hindsight I wish I made the picture black and white.  I think it would make the colour in the design pop more.  I might have to change this.  Amber?

After we had all that established - Amber sent me the link to a Design Seeds colour scheme 'Santorini Tones'.

{colour scheme inspired by Design Seeds - Santorini Tones}

I went to my two go-to fonts.  Bebas Neue and New Cicle.  Why?  Because I love the clean lines.  And I think they look like they were made for each other.  They should get married and make beautiful font babies. What? Anyways - I have been learning some lessons in the importance of using Web Fonts.   The main lesson being don't just use fonts you downloaded.  They need to be web safe.  Or installed. Or linked. Because if they are not -  a person visiting that site who doesn't have that particular font installed on their computer won't see it correctly - the font actually defaults to it's font family - HUH???  I don't know how to explain this properly.   Anyways short story short - Google Web Fonts (GWF) is your answer. Use them.  Learn about them. Otherwise you run the risk of a visitor seeing.....GASP.....Comic Sans.  And then immediate barfing will ensue.  You don't want that.   Maybe someone can explain all this to you in a more eloquent way?  That person is not me.

Since I had already gone ahead and designed the blog with both Bebas Neue and New Cicle - I realized I had some Google research to do to find some matching web fonts. I have no idea what I am talking about!  But  from what felt like hours of research,  I settled on both Oswald and News Cycle.  After some comparison I think they match almost perfectly. Check me out - matchin' fonts in blogger, like a wizard. Anyone? What do you think?  This was great because both were listed for use on GWF. Word! So wham bam thank you mam - I got those loaded in the template and I was pleased with the results.

Here are my three favourite elements in this design.  And what I am most proud of. 

I noticed that Amber had installed a pin it button onto her blog posts.  At first glance the red pinterest button, in my opinion, clashed with the pink in the design.  It had to go!  So I used one of the monsters from her header and added a speech bubble.  Try to convince me you don't think it's adorable.  Because it is!  End of story.  However I had a bit of trouble installing it - and I am still not 100% convinced it worked.  But I'll make it work! Challenge accepted little pin it button. Your fate it mine.

 
I mentioned this already - but I am so in love with how this turned out.   This was definitely the most challenging part of this design.  Once I got it to work - I will guarantee you that I did a victory dance!  And I might have said "Booyah Mother F@#!er$."  I say that sometimes - or a lot!  If there was a beer close by I would have shotgunned it.  I was that excited.  What a loser right?

AND...if you scroll all the way to the bottom - in the right hand corner {or maybe the left I am directionally challenged} you'll see another little monster.  GO LOOK!!! You're back?  Or did you die from how cute that little sprite was?  I giggled the first time.  When did I get so ridiculous?  But come on - it's adorable.  Even I can recognize that. 

 So whatcha think?   So far I am enjoying this design learning journey.  And luckily - I think I got it right for Amber.  I mean she let inside her blog after all.

An Interpretive Walk Through Algonquin Park

We went camping in Algonquin Provincial Park a few weeks ago, if you remember I shared with you that I saw a moose.   Well we didn't only see moose - we walked a few of their interpretive walking trails and learned a bit more about the Algonquin environment.  Which is amazing by the way.  If you ever visit Canada {or are in Ontario} you should consider a trip to this park.  We've been there three times in the last year - I suspect we'll be back sooner than later.

Not only is Algonquin great for moose sightings - but it's also a great way to enjoy the summer by being outside.  Being in nature.  Oh and I should mention that the ice-cream up there just tastes better.  Moose tracks what?? 

I've been thinking of a way to saw some snippets of our trip with you - so today I am participating in Ashley's Scavenger Hunt Sunday .  It's been awhile since I've participated - probably due to the fact that I rarely pull out my camera.  So though these shots aren't fresh  - at least the will make you want to visit Algonquin. 

Water

There are tons of lakes and rivers surrounding the park.  This is a shot from one of the interpretive trails 'Whiskey Rapids'  which was along the Oxtongue River.  There hasn't been much rain this year so the rapids weren't so rapid.  But the walk was worth it. 

Petal

This popular daisy was snapped on the 'Spruce Bog Boardwalk' neither of these insects are bees.  I think one is a deer fly - but the other one?  Anyone?

Fresh

 Unfortunately because I can't capture just how fresh the air is there - when I look a this picture it reminds me just how fresh everything is in Algonquin in June.  I can only imagine how awesome it is in May when spring is in full force.  The reason Steve and I went on so many of these walks was in hopes to see a moose.  We hadn't seen any so we planned to walk the 'Beaver Pond' trail in hopes of maybe seeing a beaver.  We didn't.  But we did have an opportunity to see the pond from this view.

Eight

Well I didn't see eight together - but I saw eight in total that weekend.  I am talking about moose.  Yes I saw eight moose.  I still can't believe it.  And I still can't stop talking about it.  Definitely the highlight of my summer.  If this is lame - I don't care.  Moose are awesome.

Calm

Like fresh - nearly everywhere is calm in Algonquin - but I found the bog the perfect place to sit and relax and enjoy the sounds of nature.

So do you want to go to Algonquin Provincial Park now or what?  I know I do. 

check out some other interpretations here

Currently

Are you thinking 'Damn Emily, I am totally digging your post intro title?'  Well did you see the awesome 'The Clipping Mask- Photoshop Tutorial' that Kristen from Confessions Of A Graphic Design Student posted this week?  I was inspired by it.  But I didn't use photoshop for this - instead I used Illustrator - in four easy steps {maybe I will create an Illustrator version?}.  I am conflicted about what I need to use Photoshop for.  I like it - but not when I am messing about with design.  I like it for photo editing - and that's it.    Anyways - if you use Photoshop and want to learn how to jazz up your fonts - check out the tutorial.

So currently I haven't been up to much.  But check out this....

Katie {AKA the CSS Wizard} taught me how to do this

You're thinking 'So what - you added an image to your post!'  - nope!  I didn't.  With some borrowed code from Katie - I CSS'd the eff out of my template.  Oh and in the process mistakenly deleted some code for my date and comments - but whatevs man - this means I no longer need to open a new file to create these header/ title tags.  Effin' brilliant.  If I wasn't married - and didn't want to already marry Carrie Underwood I would ask Katie to be my wife.

I am joining Randalin for her weekly currently link up - because she inspires me to sit down and think and reflect on what's been  happenin' in the life of E-Ho.  Here it is, after a long awkward intro.

Missing - My Father-in-law

It's been a rough few months for our family - and everyday his presence, knowledge, humour, wit, perspective has been painfully missed.  We are thankful that he was able to share in this moment with us - but it's sad to think he won't be there for the rest of it.

Dreaming - Of Coding

For real!  Did I ever tell you that I have an obsessive personality?  If I am interested in something - I am really into it.  And I try to learn as much as I can about it.  I Google.  I buy books.  I practice.  Practice. Practice.  And then all of a sudden I'll lose interest and get obsessed with something else.  I am sure that this is the reason my teenaged relationships never worked out - girlfriend was crazay!   Currently I have been obsessing over code.  So much that I wake up and I am still thinking about it.   Why can't I get obsessive over cleaning?  That would be more practical.

Loving - The Temperature Drop

Thought there was a heat alert issued today by the City of Toronto - it has got nothing on that last heat wave that we had.  It nearly crushed me.  Good riddance five day migraine.  I ain't got time for that.  I am digging breezes that don't feel like disgusting smoggy dragons breath.

Laughing - At Ted

Steve and I went to see it few weekends ago and I am still laughing.  Have you seen it yet?  I want to see it again.  I love Seth MacFarlane - so I am not surprised that I loved this movie.  Obviously the premise is ridiculous - but come on it's still funny.

{WARNING: UNCUT VERSION}

Wishing - i was camping

We are trying to plan out a few more trips this summer - but honestly I wish I could camp every weekend.  I love being away from the daily grind.  Away from technology {though I will attempt to upload an instagram}.  And I like just being in nature.  The food, beer, and marshmallows are an added perk.  And seriously what's more relaxing then reading next to a morning campfire? 

What have you been up to currently?

What's On Your Bucket List?

So do you remember that time when six incredibly attractive and insanely funny girls came together and coordinated the inaugural 'What's In Your Closet?' vlog link up?  No?  Well then you have some catching up to do.

Anyways for those of you who do remember.  Those of you that wanted to participate - but didn't.  Those of you that did - and did awesome.    We are back with a brand new invention.  Did you just jump up and down because you know what I am eluding too?  YES - that's correct.  We are hosting another vlog link up.  This time we want to know What's on your bucket list?

But what is a bucket list exactly?  Let me tell you.

 A list of achievements or activities that a person hopes to accomplish in their lifetime

Well Some of us may have grand bucket lists.  Some of us might have small ones.  And then some of you might not even have one at all.  But don't worry you can still participate - because you must have some things that you want to do.  YOU MUST!  For example - What dress from anthropologie are you saving your pennies for?  Maybe you want to own leather pants.  Or maybe even fit into a pair of leather pants you already own.  Maybe you want to eat something exotic - or maybe you want to try some authentic poutine?  The list of possibilities is endless.

So get out your vid-cams and jot down a few things you really want to accomplish in your life.  Big or small.  Serious or ridiculous.  And tell us what they are and why you want to do them.  Don't fret - because we aren't looking for your 1001 in 1001 days.  Not even close.  But just a snippet of your list so we can all get to know one another a bit better.  Cool?  Cool! 

Come back here on Wednesday July 18th, 2012 at 12:00 a.m. EST.  And link up your vlog.  But while you're waiting be sure to check out my good looking link up crew. 

{Becoming What I Always Was // Punky and the City // Life as a Young Mom // 
The Way I Am // Thoughts By a Petite Brunette} 

And don't be afraid to pin this link on pinterest.  Tweet it out.  Facebook share it.  Heck blog about it. Or  just tell your friends.  And your mom.  And your dog.  He/she can link up too.   And last but not least.  A button.  To share on your VLOG post.   Are you excited yet?  I am totally hoping you're going to tell me what wild animal you want to ride. {inspired by Alyx - who wants to ride a kangaroo}

Yo, VIP, Let's Kick It!

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Sometimes I Design Blogs.

Over the weekend I put the finishing touches on Heather's {from The Life Unexpected} blog design.  And hesitantly, I sent her the test-site and to my surprise she gave me the thumbs up to install it live.  Phew!

But - let's back up a second.  Why am I designing someones blog?  Well do you remember back in April when Lauren from Our Crazy Ever After was giving away a free blog makeover?  A free blog makeover from yours truly?  Well Heather was one of two winners.  {The other blog I made over was The Dashboard Diary}

When Heather and I first started corresponding over e-mail, she stated "I am not afraid of colour!" My first initial thought was probably some sort of profanity.  That looks a like this 'F@&#' You see - I AM afraid of colour.  I do like colour - but I don't know how to design with it.  I like to stick to simple.  To easy.  So I instantly doubted that I would be able to pull something together that she would love.  The colour scheme she requested was yellow, grey and black.  OH NO - the dreaded yellow!!  How do you make yellow look subtle - but pop at the same time?  I definitely had my work cut out for me.  And with three revisions from my original mock up later - I came up with this colour and font scheme.

Why did I use two similar cursive fonts?  Well simple - I couldn't find a free web safe version of the Contribute font I used in the header {if you know where to locate one I will thank you in mini eggs}.  So I searched Google Web Fonts in hopes to find one that was similar.  I think I did a pretty good job with matching it with the Rochester font.  Agree with me please!  Thank you. 

For the colour scheme I borrowed one called 'You Are My Sunshine' that I found on The Perfect Palette. {Side note - I used to live on that site when I was in the early stages of planning our wedding} but I added in some black and lightened the greys a bit.   

And here is how the  final design turned out. {click the image to go visit Heather's blog to see it in full force}.

I am not going to lie - I am kind of proud of this design.  Not only because I think I did an alright job with the design  and the COLOUR- but because of all the hard work that is behind the graphics and layout.  Yes it's true - I coded my little nerd heart out.  I even stayed up to 4:30 a.m. on a Friday - nose deep in CSS.  If this isn't nerd status - I don't know what is.  At least I know Katie would hang out with me.

Here are some of the elements that I am proud about from this design.

1. The squiggly line.  The squiggly line my husband repeatedly told me to take out.  I am glad I didn't.  It adds some flair to the header filling up some of the white space - yet still leaving it open enough to not look too cluttered.  Oh - and I embraced my Illustrator pen tool. So I sort of felt as attached to it as the letter D.

2. The background Flower Burst.  It's fixed. And since Heather wanted colour and I have such a hard time with backgrounds - I coded the background to scroll with the page.  This way the flower comes with you.  Adding that little burst of colour anywhere you are. 

3.  The Navigation Bar.  I really like it's location.  I also like that it's simple - home, about, and contact.  No fuss no muss.  {I said that to my husband the other day and he thinks it isn't a phrase - I Googled it and turns out it's a common phrase from the 60's and 70's - yep I am old too} I also figured out how to unlock the header and how to add more widgets.  It was a big day.

4. The Social Media Sprite.  Eppppp!!! {I just said that} - this is my favourite part of this design.  It seriously took me 5+ hours to figure out how to make this work.  But I did it.  And it works.  Thanks to Katie {again!} - this girl is getting a lifetime shipment of mini eggs. {I must be craving mini eggs}.

5. The Widget Title Bar.  Normally what I do {or should I say did?} is individually design a widget title for each widget {I hate the word widget}.  But, but, but not this time - this time I did some magic with some CSS coding and viola - now any time Heather adds a new widget to her blog - the widget title will magically appear.  This was also a glorious moment.  Cyber fist bump to anyone who is willing.

I now have 5 blog redesigns {including my own} under my belt.  And three more in the works.  I think after those are completed - I will have the skillz to redesign my space and blow all your minds up.  {just kidding - I am not really that confident}.

So what do you think - honestly?  I can take it. 

Memories of Thailand

When I think about Thailand - a few things usually come to mind.

Elephants

Fortunately but unfortunately you don't see elephants just wandering the streets.  However I did see this one while walking in a local village.  We had to clear the road so they could pass on by.  But yes - when I think I Thailand I always think of elephants.  

Tigers

Again tigers don't roam the streets - thankfully  because I am sure they would be poached for their blood. Teeth. Fur. etc.  But there are, like for elephants, tiger conservation areas where tigers are taken care of.

Monkeys

I am sure there are monkeys in Northern Thailand - but in the South - by the beach - near the garbage - there are monkeys everywhere.  These monkeys are definitely comfortable around people - waiting for someone to toss them a snack.  This makes walking in their path rather unpleasant.  You see I once had a bad experience with monkeys - and since then they aren't my favourite animal to be close to. 

Monks & Buddha & Temples

Thailand is a Buddhist country.  And to no ones surprise there are countless Wats (temples) in every city and province.   It's not uncommon to see monks.  Or images of Buddha.  There is something about the saffron colour of a monks robe that I find calming.  And seriously - are you looking at this monks tattoo?  Amazing right?

Palm Trees

Probably for some of you palm trees are NBD (No Big Deal) but for this Canadian - I crave the sight of a palm tree.  I love them.  I want to plant one in my future backyard.  Steve and I talked about why we don't live in California.  We both aren't sure about the answer.

Beautiful Beaches & Gorgeous Sunsets

No description needed!

But truthfully when I think of Thailand - I think of our Honeymoon.  And when I think about our honeymoon I think about all the reasons why I think honeymoons are the best way to vacation.  Today I have taken over Little Woman's blog to explain 'why honeymoons are awesome!'  Come over and check it out and hang with me.

{Edit:  Awesone=Awesome // Little Women=Little Woman}

Current Events

This will probably be the only time you'll hear me complain about this - but MAN IT'S HOT!  I can't stand it.  Mostly because with wicked temperatures in the high thirties {like 100 for you Americans} I am blessed with even more wicked migraines.  Migraines that make me dizzy even when laying down.  Migraines that make me want to throw up.  Migraines that make me me want to rip my brain out.  Seriously - it feels like it's on it's way own.  Plus we are still sans ac. And I am out of Advil.  So basically I just wanted to complain. 

But here are some things I've been up to lately that I am not complaining about.

Sometimes I am so easy to inspire - and then sometimes I can't seem to find inspiration.  At all.  I feel like I am having one of those funks.  I've mentioned a few times that I have multiple hobbies - and this is the reason why.   But lately I can't seem to get inspired.  Someone please INSPIRE me.  Actually you know what - my husband inspires me everyday.  With everything he has been through these past few months it's amazing that he keeps so positive and so level headed.  I only wish that I could take life in strides like him.

Anything cold.  As I mentioned the weather is whack.  I want Popsicles. ice cream.  beer.  salad.  anything that doesn't require me to turn on the stove.  Oh and I love cherries.  I love when they are in season in Canada because they don't require me to take out my life's savings {which isn't much by the way}.  I can eat cherries all day - everyday. 

Long weekends.  And summer hours.  Breaks from the daily grind.  Lately I have been enjoying my personal time - and I feel a lot better for it.  I love working and I love being busy - but lately it's been really nice to just sit and relax and do nothing.  OH and also I am thankful for all the opportunities I have had to discover Ontario.  It's truly a beautiful place.  I've been learning about moose.  about beavers.  and bogs.  and sometimes the odd lily pond.

Of course because Howard Stern is a judge on AGT (America's Got Talent) I have had the pleasure to start watching this show. Because if you didn't know - Steve loves Howard Stern.  I assume that this love affair can only be comparable to the one I have with Carrie {yes totally on a first name basis}.  I know Steve would leave me to marry Howard.  Anyways AGT is somewhat entertaining.  Especially this guy.  Ridiculous. 

To understand the difference between HTML and CSS.  It's all a bunch of mumbo jumbo - but I have been tinkering and have learned how to do a few new things.  Of course I should give some credit to the blog design course that I took through the Blog Design Network - What! What!  And Katie from Priceless Adventure -  who is always available to help and pumps out some gorgeous designs I might add.  I am really excited to work on a few new designs and then finally start to rethink my own.  Because lets face it the current state of Hope Squared is well.... it's old. Boring. and not functional.  I don't even have a search bar.  I suck.  But knowing is half the freakin' battle.

Whatcha been up to lately?  Link up here.