Someone's Getting Some New Art - Giveaway Winner!

A huge thank you to Ashley at Illuminated He{art} for creating a custom work of art for my giveaway!

Without further ado, the winner is:

Congratulations Jackie on winning a fabulous painting! I'm sending Ashley your email - enjoy!

Thank you to everyone who participated!

List-apalooza!

Thanks to Tervis for sponsoring my writing. Visit their website http://www.tervis.com to learn more about the world’s first smart cup.



Today's post is brought to you by Tervis, and it's all about smart lifestyle tips. I'm no lifestyle guru, but I have had many, many years of doing things the insane way. You know - doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. I think I've finally learned my lesson and now live and die by lists.

Having a plan is the biggest and smartest lifestyle tip I know. Over the years, I've made thousands of lists. I love the feeling of writing something down and then feeling unburdened about needing to remember it. Grocery lists, to-do lists, lists of pros and cons (you know what I'm talking about ladies!). Lists are wonderful tools...if they get used.

Lists have their place...no really, they have their place; and it's probably not on the fridge. The most efficient list is the one you'll actually use. The list in my head is forgotten about as soon as I walk into another room; the list scribbled on the back of a receipt is thrown away in a fit of 'de-cluttering'; the list hanging on the refrigerator becomes part of the scenery and is never referred to or updated.

I need a list for all these lists!

Just about every list that's written down on paper or a dry erase board is one that doesn't fit a busy lifestyle. Think about it - how many places do you have a list written down? When you're at the store and the list is at home, how useful is that? What's the one thing that's always with you, always within arm's length? Your phone. If you have a smart phone, search for a free, To-Do list app and get ready to never forget needed groceries/craft supplies/tasks again. Make it a point to update it and before long it'll be second nature to check the list on the phone.

My actual to-do list; it actually does work for me, even though some of it is slightly non-specific ;)

How about a list for exercise? Recently, I ran my first half-marathon. The decision to run was made 11 weeks ago and I wasn't much more than a couch potato at the time. I found a 10-week half marathon training schedule online which is nothing more than a list of when to run and how long to run. It kept me on track and motivated. If the schedule said to run 10 miles, did it matter that it was 95 degrees out with 100% humidity? No, the schedule said 10 miles; 10 miles it is. 

With the support of my exercise-loving husband and the training schedule, I was able to go from not being able to run for 3 minutes straight to running the entire 13.1 miles in 2:43:39. 

Right after the half with my husband - I felt great!

Find or make an exercise schedule of your own, with your own favorite type of exercise (or at least the one you'll actually do), put it where you'll see it (maybe on your phone?), and regard it as a must-do. It's amazing what happens when exercise is a 'must-do' rather than a 'should-do'.

Lists won't solve all your problems, but they will lower stress levels. Checking something off a list is like a reward. Make lists, put them somewhere easy and convenient for reference/updating, and make it a habit! You'll be more organized, have less mind-clutter, have what you need in the fridge, in the pantry, in the craft room, and be healthier.

You're welcome ;)

I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective. To learn more about Tervis, visit their website http://www.tervis.com.

Art is the Key

This giveaway is now closed. I will announce the winner on October 24, 2011.

One of my new bloggy friends is Ashley over at Illuminated He{art}.

Ashley recently took the leap from career girl to full-time artist and I'm so excited for her! It takes a lot of faith and support to live your best life and based on what I see so far, she's on her way.

We started chatting and thought it would be fun to swap a project in a giveaway. My contribution was this upcycled frame:

It was from an estate sale, was a dirty brass color and was framing a dated flower print on a black velvet background. I spray painted it, added a stamped fleur-de-lis on plain cotton duck and now it's quite the statement piece. I'm on the hunt for another one just like it (to keep for myself!) The lucky winner is also getting a $20 coupon to my Etsy shop.

Now for the giveaway...

Ashley is painting a custom piece of art and is graciously giving it away to one of our readers! She features her art on her blog and she has a unique style that I love. Here is what one lucky winner will win:

Don't you just love this? Two current trends - a skeleton key and a map...awesome! 

It's an 8x10 original oil and mixed media on canvas, so there will be a slight delay in shipping as Ashley wants to make sure it's completely dry before packing it up and sending it to our lucky winner. It'll be worth it though, don't you think??

This giveaway is now closed. I will announce the winner on October 24, 2011.

To enter:

Be a follower of my blog

Additional entries:

Visit her art and tell me which painting is your favorite

Follow Ashley's blog

Leave a comment below for each entry.

Good luck to all of you!

Giveaway starts today and runs through Oct 23rd at noon.
I will announce the winner on Monday, Oct 24th :)

(By entering, you understand and are agreeing to the Official Rules below)

Official Rules

No purchase necessary to enter this giveaway; the only means of entry are outlined above. Must be over the age of 18 and be a U.S. resident, odds of winning are determined by the number of eligible entries and will be determined by Random.org, JunkyVagabond nor Illuminated He{art) are liable for technical difficulties associated with entering this giveaway, by entering this giveaway you give Junky Vagabond the right to publish your name and/or likeness, Void where prohibited by law. This giveaway originates in the state of Michigan. Still reading? Wow - good for you! Now go enter the giveaway!

Running for More Birthdays

Today, I ran and finished my first half marathon! 

I ran for the American Cancer Society, 

the official sponsor of birthdays, on the DetermiNation team

I ran for my Aunt Carol - a two-time cancer survivor

I ran for everyone affected by cancer

I kept running and didn't stop for the entire 13.1 miles because my sore knees and feet were nothing compared to what someone being treated for cancer, or their family goes through. 

The 34th Annual Detroit Free Press Marathon is a unique marathon because it involves two international crossings:

• You get to run across The Ambassador Bridge - a suspension bridge connecting Detroit, Michigan to Windsor, Ontario, Canada and the busiest border crossing between the US and Canada

• After running through the friendly streets of Canada, we get to run for a mile, 75 feet underwater - back through the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel - the second busiest border crossing between the US and Canada.

Running through the streets of Detroit, with thousands cheering you on from the sidelines, made for an awesome run for more birthdays on a chilly Sunday morning.

I'm Giving it Up...

The blogging world is full of creative types changing their worlds in their own unique ways. Some have kept their full time jobs and are blogging part time, some are stay at home moms doing amazing DIY projects in their homes, others like me have made the leap into this full time.

While I've been having fun selling/upcycling vintage pieces in my Etsy shop, my bigger dream is to be an artist and create art that others will actually buy. However, the title of the post is just a tease... the thing I'm giving up is not the blog, the art, the junk, or the shop! Take a look at this:

Isn't it adorable?? It's become one of my favorite pieces, but anyone who owns a shop knows not to fall in love with their creations.  I'm giving it up for a giveaway at Ashley's blog.

Ashley of Illuminated He{art} is one of the artists/bloggers I've met virtually who is actually creating and selling her art. She's one brave lady and has jumped in with both feet. She's creating amazing art and realizing her dreams. You have to see her paintings!

We decided to have some fun and host a giveaway of each other's pieces on our blogs. She's hosting a giveaway of the one-of-a-kind Junky Vagabond vintage frame on her blog, and I'll be hosting a giveaway next week of one of her original art pieces.

Go check out Ashley's blog, enter the giveaway, and show her some love. I can't wait to host the giveaway of her art - you could win an original piece of art of a new artist...how exciting is that??!!

What are you waiting for? It's a giveaway!!

Off to Chi-Town!

Hi everyone!

I'm off to one of my favorite cities this weekend - Chicago! I'm going to support The American Cancer Society at the Chicago Marathon. My husband and I are going to be up at 4:30 in the morning on Sunday to get our cheering spots on the course. If you hear cowbells, it's us cheering on the runners! There's nothing like being in a race and getting cheered by the bystanders; it's like what I imagine an olympic athlete must feel like :)

We'll both be running the Detroit Half Marathon on Oct 16th - my first! The running has been going well except for oh, you know, the fact that my knees are 47 years old and have never run more than 6 miles at a time! But, with the help of knee braces and the stubborn-ness determination that is second nature to me, I'm going to run 13.1 miles next weekend.

All of this is my excuse for being away from the post for a few days...deep dish pizza, here I come!!

My Memories Digital Scrapbooking Giveaway Winner!

My first giveaway is in the bag...and I'm happy to announce a winner:

Linda from A La Carte, you get to use this awesome program to scrapbook for your new grandson!

I'll email you with the details. Congratulations and Happy Scrapping!