DIY Instagram Album and Review

The adorable and talented family at The Nerd Nest sent me one of their Custom Initial Faux Bois Wood Notebooks to try out and turn into my own keepsake. I totally have a thing for woodgrain so I knew I would love it! I decided to fill mine with Instagram photos that I have taken so far this year.

I printed my photos out by sending them to Fedex and paying for them to be printed in color on glossy cardstock and picked up at the local store. I downloaded all my Instagram photos with Instaport and used PicMonkey to make collages (Square Deal) so I could fit a lot of images on one page. I left some space between photos so that they would have a white border. Then I took each collage image and inserted it into a word document on Google Docs. (Hint: Go to file > page setup > change margins to "0")

Then when I logged in to the Fedex website, I was able to connect to my Google Docs and order prints without having to upload any documents or images. From my experience, this is the best way. If you simply upload your collage images, they may be cropped or not formatted correctly. The process was actually really quick! I was able to do this on my lunch and they were ready and printed for me by the time I got off work. The most time consuming part was cutting up each photo. But again, Fedex came to my rescue with their huge and sharp paper cutters that you can use at the store.

My notebook was hand stamped with "L&R" for Lucas and Rachele. Perfect for documenting our life so far this year! I started the first page with some photos I took in front of a fabric backdrop in the living room.

Your notebook also comes with the stamp they used on the cover. How cute is that? I can use this for all sorts of projects like love notes for the mister or thank you notes. I also love how the cooper ink looks on the cover, emphasizing the woodgrain look that I like so much!

I have started to fill the pages by categories, like cats, thrifting, food, etc.

I can't wait to keep adding photos!

Here is a little more about The Nerd Nest:

We're Megan and Jake, and we run The Nerd Nest: a family lifestyle blog where we post a kitchen sink of topics. We love memory keeping, recipes, thrifting, books, technology, DIY projects, and our two mini nerds. We also have a shop filled with an eclectic mix of vintage and handmade goodies. Our favorite things are our bookends made from vinyl records, typewriters, and handmade journals.

SHOP / BLOG / FACEBOOK

Aren't they adorable! On top of being one of the coolest families I know, they make and sell awesome stuff. I hope you check them out!

- Rachele

I am Proud of My Size Link Up #13

My mission:

All sizes are beautiful! Don't be ashamed of your number or keep it from living your life and doing what you love. There is no perfect or wrong size. It doesn't determine our worth and nobody has the right to judge someone's health by their size. So let's show the world that every size can be happy and that we are not ashamed!

How to participate:

I would love to see all different sizes represented in this link up. Whether you are a 0 or 32, participate! This is a weekly feature so each link up will be open for one week. You can add your link anytime during the week. All genders, sexes and non-genders are welcome to join in. Use whatever sizing you are most familiar with. You can link up with me every week with a new post or join in every once in a while! The rules are simple. Post a photo of yourself on your blog, being stylish that week. Post a full body shot, so head to toe! State your size in your blog post or with a graphic on your photo. No diet talk, weight loss talk, negativity or any type of body shaming allowed. This is about being happy with your size and shape, not because it is socially acceptable, healthy or better than others. Then come back here and add your link using the link tool at the end of this post.

If you talked to me 5 years ago, I would be shocked at the number of choices I have when it comes to clothing these days. I used to spend hours in the bedroom. And not doing anything fun or cheeky! I was digging through piles of clothes that didn't fit and struggling to find an appropriate outfit. I hated all my clothes. I felt like Elaine in Seinfeld: "You know I really hate my clothes. I open up my closet, there's just nothing. Nothing. I hate everything I have, I really hate it. It's getting to be a terrible problem for me." I missed out on stuff and the mister became increasingly impatient with me. I had no sense of direction or vision of what I wanted to wear. I didn't know how to find clothing that fit me. It was ruining my life! As trivial as clothes appear to be, the right ones can make a huge difference.

Now, I have more dresses than I can wear in a month that I combine with a number of sweaters and scarves. I have shorts, leggings, skirts, jeans and a range of tops. I can mix in things that are on-trend or go for a retro look. Obviously, I went with retro on this outfit. It is amazing to have these options! And I didn't spend a fortune! I know for sure that I would not be where I am now, if I didn't start loving my body and size. I wouldn't take the time to hunt through clothes at the thrift store. Because why would you take care of something that you hate? So by not being ashamed of my size and shape, I have improved all facets of my life. I know the mister appreciates that we can leave the house without an emotional breakdown over nothing to war.

dress : torrid

cardigan : thrifted

vintage scarf : thrifted

shoes : thrifted

vintage brooch : antique store

glasses : coastal

Are you frustrated like Elaine or have you overcame the clothing crisis?

grab the button

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- Rachele

Fat is Not an Insult

When I wrote Being the Fat Blogger, somebody asked me why I use the word fat. I think they felt the word was too harsh and that there were better adjectives - like curvy, plus sized, thick, shapely, chubby, etc. I like the word fat better. It isn't washed down or putting it nicely. It doesn't make me feel objectified, fetishized or sympathized. The word fat is straight to the point and has power in the fat acceptance community. It is political. We are fat and visible. We have claimed the word and use it to describe our fashion, events, blogs and everything else. There is fat summer, fat yoga, fatshionistas, fat sex, fuck yeah fat tumblrs, fatties, fat hair, fatkinis and so on. So when somebody tries to call me out and say I am fat, I can respond with, "Yes, I am fat. I am fat and fucking awesome."

I am not trying to beat them to the punch. I am not degrading myself so that when someone else does it doesn't sting as much. Fat is simply a word that describes me. Google defines fat as "Having a large amount of excess flesh" or "The presence of an excessive amount of such a substance in a person or animal, causing them to appear corpulent". Both true. So rather than be in denial and avoid mirrors, showering or fucking with the lights on, I have a healthy awareness of my body. I know that I am fat. I make a decision every day to go against what is shoved down my throat by wearing colorful or tight clothes, ordering dessert, being in love and feeling good about myself.

But I also have to deal with shit like doctors prescribing weight loss for everything from a car accident to acid reflux. Instead of being offered surgery for a trapped nerve, I am offered a nutritionalist. I have to report my weight and waist measurement to my employer and forced to take online classes about how my size is killing me. Commercials show my body as the before photo like it is the end of the world to look like me. Movies and TV shows tell me I should be an easy lay and grateful to be raped. I have been accused of being a glutton and undeserving of happiness and a partner. I have been treated rudely in public and judged by people that are supposed to love me. All based on the fact that I am fat. Without knowing anything else about me, just based on what I look like. Sometimes I confront the situation and sometimes I ignore it, walk out of the doctors office and go home and cry. People can shout at me, insult me, shame me and guilt me but I will still be fat. You can't change fat with hate. I don't let that hate make me feel differently about myself. I still want to take care of this body and make choices that are best for me.

That is why I won't stop using the word fat. I identify with fat. It gives me strength and courage to love who I am. To be visible and fucking awesome.

- Rachele

Giveaway: Guess that Sponsor!

what you win:

- Medium ad space on The Nearsighted Owl (subject to approval, $25 value, includes button design)

- $10 Starbucks card from Red Writing Hood

- Set of 12 scenic greetings cards of Ireland from A Cat-Like Curiousity ($15 value)

- One large ad on Icing & Write for one month ($9 value)

how to play:

Enter to win by answering correctly! There are 4 prizes up for grabs and you could win one of them. Match the sponsors, numbered 1 through 10, with their website. The websites are linked below. Visit the sponsor's site and get to know them a little bit and see if you can match them to their photo. I bet you will find a new blog to add to your reading list too! You may also use the clues provided below. Submit your answers on the form below and share this post somewhere else (blog, facebook, twitter, etc). Please also leave a comment on this post, letting me know that you have done it so I know to look for your answers. Confused? Just complete the form below and I will walk you through it. Good luck! Giveaway will close September 3rd. Winners will be picked randomly.

answers:

Nobody Puts Sarah in the Corner

Trail GRRRL

A Cat-Like Curiousity

The Militant Baker

Grits and Moxie

Red Writing Hood

Lolly Likes Fatshion

Icing & Write

Ponder Wonders

That Long Yellow Line

clues:

1.  I hail from the dark magical Appalachian forest, but migrated west to the beautiful red desert of Utah almost seven years ago. I love to write, paint, explore, learn, and make inappropriate jokes.  I also really love dyeing my hair red!

2. Hi!  I'm Jennifer...just a simply complex tattooed lady who is finding my way in the world of books and blogging and a fiscally challenged but creative life in Athens, GA.   My musician husband and our rescue animals - 4 dogs, 3 cats and 2 fish - are also along for the ride.  Join us, won't you?

3. Jes is literally a crazy cat lady. She is also a mental health professional, fat-size model, experienced shit talker, sweaty wedding photographer, kick ass baker, and total momma’s girl. She adamantly blogs and spends an unhealthy amount of time ranting about body acceptance, equal rights, and how universal preventative mental health care will solve every world problem.

4. My name is Aizzing, a twenty something media house diva based in the desert who eats shoes for breakfast. This is my online vision board and personal diary with focus on content that's big on sweets and inspirations. :)

5. We are Jen and Brian. We write about our adventures in NYC and beyond. Our blog is filled with our tips on travel, narratives of our adventures, and photos of cupcakes, skylines, and corgis. We'd love for you to join us on our journey.

6. Hey there people – my name is Sarah. I blog about all kinds of things really – DIY projects, Monday Mantras, Etsy Lustings and many many more things. Basically whatever pops into my head. The main focus of my blog is one of curiosity - I am always looking for new things to try, new ways to look at life, and new goals to achieve. 

7.  Hola! I'm SimplyyMayra! Artist, aspiring writer, photo-taker, book enthusiast, lover of butterflies, tea lover, beautiful at-any-size-age advocate, passionate about honoring the soul discovering the wonders of self love and acceptance.  

8. Hey there! I'm Faith: a massive lover of the outdoors, believer in woman power, novice crafter, avid tea drinker, and crazy rat lady (yes, I said rat). This my little space on the internet where I document all of my adventures with life up in rainy, beautiful Washington. I hope you stop by! 

9. I am a fun loving Scottish lass living in Sheffield with the man I want to have babies with and get married in Vegas. Fat and proud 32 year old shorty. Wanderlust with a passion for fatshion, glasses, animals, art & photography. Pin up dreams and part time model with a serious cake addiction or anything covered in chocolate! 

10. Hello there, my name is Sarah and I'm the crafty cat lady! I'm your typical 26 year old writer/actor/nerd with a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre & Drama and a minor in English; by day I'm an executive assistant, but by night I'm a comic book loving DIYer balancing my life/loves with work! At the moment I’m working on opening up my very own Etsy shop, too, so stay tuned!

- Rachele

Behind the Scenes: House Tour Pt. 2

I'm back with part two of our house tour! Here is the mister's desk and his many collections of toys and video games. The arcade cabinet doesn't have any guts but it is hooked up to emulators and systems so you can basically play any game on the TV inside.

I was trying to get Wednesday to pose somewhere else so she is looking at me like I am crazy here. Apparently, she will only model on her terms.

And this is my desk. It has become somewhat neglected and a dumping ground for things I need to do or take care of. It is an organized mess! My only surviving plant right now is the cactus on the far right (can you spot it?). We just don't get enough sun with all the trees around our house, but strangely that little cactus has held on.

You can see an old photo of my grandma in a bikini and my favorite photo of my grandpa here. I also have some vintage paint by number kits stashed back here. One day I will have time to complete them!

And if you turn around, there is the kitchen!

I have been incorporating lots of useful owls in the kitchen.

We got our kitchen chairs and desk chairs at Ikea. Like a lot of our furniture, the table is a hand-me-down. My motto is usually not to fix something if it isn't broken. So we still use a lot of the same furniture that we got 10 years ago.

Whoa! Messy dishes! Who would post that on their blog?!?! Me! We both work full-time jobs and sometimes the dishes get behind. Some of the dishes by the sink are from the thrift store and waiting for their turn in the dishwasher before we use them.

The clock above the sink was my grandmother's. The painting above the TV and this clock were both fixtures in her house for 40 years. I am told she bought them both new at Sears on credit when she first moved in her house. It makes me happy to keep enjoying them for her.

I keep the bedroom pretty simple. I figure I spend most of my time in here in the dark asleep so I don't hang up as much. Plus I like keeping it somewhat serene. The Eiffel Tower was the original theme so we have Eiffel Towers for lamps. The cherry blossoms above the bed are plastic gold and I spray painted them black.

I recently thrifted two floral vintage fabric suitcases, completely intact! Usually, when I spot them, the zipper is broken so I feel lucky to have them. Marie likes to sit here and listen to Wednesday in the closet. They definitely follow each other around more than any of the three cats.

The closet is where I keep most of my clothes. There is a little overflow in bins. I could probably use a whole room for all my clothes! I have my vintage scarf collection hanging behind the door.

Our bathroom. The blinds are like that all through the house because the cats like to sit on the window sills. The times we have forgotten to put them up, they have busted their heads through! Cats are the official blind destroyers.

I keep my Avon owl collection here.

We like our little one bedroom cottage in the suburbs. We are tucked away behind houses and it is always quiet since we are away from the street and people passing by. We call it our sanctuary or sometimes our bat cave. I am lucky to have someone that I feel like two peas in a pod with, so we share our little space with no problems. I like how our styles and hobbies compliment each other. We could easily stay home for days and not be bored! I hope you enjoyed the tour of our cozy and teeny home.

PART 1 / PART 2

- Rachele