4 Educational Toy Recommendations!

Once you click on the Read More link and start scrolling down, you’ll see the little cutie that prompted this post!  If you can imagine, these pictures are from Easter!  I’m so behind with my photo processing, it’s a little ridiculous!  I am happy about becoming best buddies with my camera again!  We separated for a few months awhile back there and boy did it hurt.  I just knew we’d get back together though!

 

Today, I have a few educational toy recommendations for you.  So if you have a little one at home, these are some must have items!

 

FREE Customizable Instagram Printable (for 35 images)!

A little treat for all my bloggy friends!  Your very own customizable Instagram printable.  It is an 8 x 10 .psd file for Photoshop or Photoshop Elements.  Like all of my templates, it is very simple to use.  Just navigate to the layers that read ‘PLACE PHOTO HERE’ (highlighted in red) and go to FILE / PLACE to insert an image from your computer files.  Once inserted, all you have to do is resize your image to fit the frame.  When you are ready to print, remember to use photo paper for best results!  The paper I used for the print out in the images below was 8.5 x 11 HP Premium Plus Soft Gloss Photo Paper. 

A brief glimpse into Evernote!

I’m sure by now you’ve heard of a program called Evernote?  It’s been mentioned even more now that it has quite the competitor, the NEW and POPULAR Google Keep.  Can I be honest with you?  I downloaded Google Keep as I planned to publish a comparison post between the two but, from looking at it briefly, I wasn’t very impressed.  Now don’t quote me on this, but I’m pretty sure that Google Keep is strictly a phone application and that you are unable to access it on your computer unlike Evernote which in my opinion was a deal breaker for me.

To familiarize you with Evernote, it is a program designed for taking, keeping, and sharing notes.  You can capture almost anything from anywhere and it’s easy to sync across all your electronic devices such as a computer, cell phone, and various mobile devices.  It’s great for bloggers that are looking to organize such things as: 

5 Free customizable photo bookmark for print!

Have you, by chance, seen my post on 4 customizable photo bookmarks?  If you liked it, than you are in for a treat.  I created another FREE set of 5 customizable photo bookmarks to print in five assorted colors.  The template is an 8.5 x 11 inch .psd file that can be opened in Photoshop and Photoshop Elements.  The template is super easy.  Once opened, all you have to do is click on the layer that reads ‘PLACE PHOTO HERE’ (highlighted in red) and go to FILE / PLACE to insert an image from your computer files.  Lastly, you would resize your image to fit the frame I created.  That’s it, you’re done! 

Managing your social networks (how many do you belong to)?

I don’t know about you, but I can get overwhelmed sometimes (okay, a lot of the time) when it comes to networking especially belonging to 13 social networks.  No, that’s not a typo.  I belong to 13 social networks (see below).  Using them to meet new people with common interests and to maintain existing relationships/friendships is, although fun, VERY time consuming.  Before I know it, I’ve been on my computer for hours (headache from staring at a bright screen and hand cramps from continuous typing included).  Just when I think I’m finished and am about to log out, I still have to link up my most current blog post.  I’m tired just thinking about it.  Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to copy your blog post url and paste it into a message that, once sent, would get distributed across all of your social networks at the same time?  You know, sort of like magic.  You do believe in magic right?  Well, I certainly do which is what prompted my search for something that would, for the love of God, help me do just this!

Free storyboard template with 6 photos!

I’m on a roll I guess!  I’ve been feeling creative, hence the new storyboard!  Not sure what I’m going to call it but the bottom layer reminds me of cork board which is kind of cool.  Feel free to grab it HERE!  Hope you guys like it!  It is a .psd Photoshop file and is 850 px wide.  As long as you are even a little familiar with Photoshop you should have no problem using the template.  Just click on the layers that read “PLACE YOUR PHOTO HERE” then go to File / Place and choose the image you’d like to insert.  If you have any problems downloading, feel free to leave me a comment.

New Pics... Easter Sunday

So how was your Easter?  We had a fantastic Easter!  It was a very low key (just how we like it) day spent at my sister's house.  We enjoyed a great Sunday dinner (leg of lamb), deliciously sweet desserts (cheesecake, red velvet cupcakes, apricot cookies, etc.), bright tulip centerpieces, our traditional egg game, a little one (Livvy) running around excitedly, but mostly, joyful conversation and spending time with family! 

The weather was a little cooler than we had hoped, but I really shouldn't complain.  In the past, we've had snow on Easter.  Yes, sad but true!   We were just lucky enough to be able to wear our Spring gear.  I should be more specific.  I was lucky that Livvy was able to wear her new, and ridiculously adorable, Easter dress (that was nearly sleeveless) without freezing her little diapered bum off.  I had been waiting over a month to see her in this dress!  I used a sweater to cover her arms for the five seconds it took us to walk from the car into my sister's house.  Thank heavens she is naturally warm anyway.  Would you believe, by midday, she was running around barefoot with just a shirt on?  Oh the legs, those chubby legs, were such an eyeful that I could barely contain myself!  I used every opportunity that she ran by me to scoop her up and kiss those thighs! 

Getting shots was difficult as I was hell bent on NOT using my flash.  I could only up my ISO so much (to brighten the picture) without it looking noisy (grainy).  In desperation, I lowered my shutter speed (for more brightness) only making it almost impossible to get a crisp picture of my rapidly moving toddler.  I know, I have to get over this.  I can't believe I've actually  given up some great photo opportunities just because I do not want to use a flash.   I'll get over it, hopefully.

New Pics... A Peanut for Easter?

I just took these pictures today.  This is the dress and shoes that my mom bought Alivia for Easter!  It is absolutely gorgeous in person, not sure the pictures do it justice.  We bought it from Garnet Hill and it is made my Hopscotch Designs.  The material is fabulous and it is completely lined underneath.  Although a little difficult to get on over the head, okay more like impossible, it was easy enough to let her step into it and pull it up like a pair of pants.  Now I'll just have to pray the weather is cooperative this weekend so that we will all be comfortable in our Spring gear.  I don't have much faith, but we'll just have to wait and see I guess.