Category: Et Cetera

Friday Findings: Gifts, Babies, and Plastic

Frieday Findings on Modern RejectEver have one of those weeks that somehow manages to feel painfully slow, and yet, way too fast, all at the same time? Well, that was my week. Monday, I started off with the stomach flu, which I was quite certain I was going to die from (or at the very least be transported to the E.R. for severe dehydration). Tuesday and Wednesday I spent recovering and then all of the sudden it was Friday.

Somewhere through the week, however, I had time to read and discover some pretty cool things–a lot, in fact, so let’s not waste any time.

First up…

Gift guides gloriousness. Okay, I don’t know about you, but I love me a good gift guide. I love perusing through gift ideas, making mental note when spying the perfect gift for an individual (and of course, the perfect gift for little old me doesn’t hurt either).

Well, the gift guide, Gifted Magazine, is about as glorious as it gets. It is thousands of lovely, creative, and unique gift ideas for men, women, and children. Need a gift for a burly man or an artistic man? They’ve got you covered. Have a temperamental teen in your life? No worries.

Also check out Design Sponge, who also happens to have ongoing themed gift ideas in the month of December, with everythign from gifts to the photographer to the librarian, to the tech geek. This one, encouraging you to skip the store, and give a sentimental gift is one of my faves.

Authentic is the New Plastic. The title alone is just too darn good. Do you know Ken Barba and his blog? Well, Ken wrote a post this week that blew my socks off and is perhaps one of my favorite reads in a long time. I’m actually a little miffed that I didn’t think to write it first. Why is authentic the new plastic? Go read and find out…

You Can’t Afford a Baby. Have you heard of Suze Orman, the financial adviser? She recently told a couple that they shouldn’t have a baby because they couldn’t afford the $700-1000 worth of expenses. My friend Karen, one of the most inspiring, Godly moms I know (or might ever know) wrote a blog post this week inspired by this advice, in defense of having more children. Karen has five kids herself and she addresses the fact that babies don’t need to be this astronomical cost, but rather a celebration of God’s gifts.

Alright, tell me what you found this week? Read anything worth sharing? Any good gift ideas fall into your lap? Bonus Question: What is your favorite Christmas tradition?

Interview with Jim LePage, Talent Extraordinaire

Today, I have the privilege of interviewing the talented and gifted artist and graphic designer Jim LePage. I first mentioned Jim, here on Modern Reject, last month. I was so impressed by his passion, work, and vision that I wanted to share him with all of you.

If you love God’s word, desire to be inspired, or are a creative mind, then you will enjoy this interview. Keep reading to see some of the coolest, most stylish, Biblical artwork around… Continue reading Interview with Jim LePage, Talent Extraordinaire

Happy Thanksgiving!

Everyone, I hope you have a wonderful and very Happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy your families and long weekend. Rest. Eat. And most of all, be thankful.

I, for one, will be doing all of the above. Expect my return next Monday, after the long holiday. And please know: I’m thankful for you, my loyal readers.

Friday Findings: Pretty Pictures and Fighting Cancer

Frieday Findings on Modern RejectFriday, sweet Friday, it felt as though you would never get here this week. And I’m so thankful you’re here now.

Can you believe that this time next week we’ll be overdosed on tryptophan and cranberries (just the way I like it). But until then, I’m holding off on entering the holiday season as long as possible. So today’s Friday Findings are holiday-free. First up…

Piccsy. How did I not know about you? You are like a long lost cousin to Pinterest, only much sexier and better looking. Oh, and British.

Piccsy represents mankind. It is all of the emotion, the beauty, the wild, the valor, the humanity, the hatred, in pictures. Crude, beautiful, delightful, whimsical, and even painful photos. It is our good ideas, our funny ideas, and our terrible ideas.

It is a montage of human life and I am hooked.

Beautiful packaging. Now maybe you’re not like me in this, but I sure do appreciate some nicely packaged product. The weirder or more clever, the better. Then I found this list of 30 Bizarre and Creative Packaging Design examples the other day and was psyched to peruse the examples shown. There is some genius to be seen.

My favorite read(s) of the week. From Theology 21, Mannequin Nipples And Erotomania: Rethinking Consumer Culture (yes, that’s really what it’s about) From The Resurgence, Homemade People, about the importance of our homes.

Young and battling cancer. You may have seen the movie 50/50 recently about a young man in his twenties diagnosed with cancer. Well, turns out my husband and I know someone who is currently facing the same thing. Billy Price a.k.a William Price III is a friend of ours and was recently diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. He is 28.

Billy loves Jesus. He trusts God and this is how much…he tweeted this last month to announce the news:

Yesterday I was diagnosed w/ Hodgkins Lymphoma. It’s a very treatable cancer. I’m feeling great & by the grace of God we’ll kick its ass.

Billy is now blogging about this turn of events. His blog isn’t all cancer talk. It is also humor, politics, love, life…Start reading. You won’t regret it.

So where did this week take you? Read anything great? Find anything new? Got any recommendation for me? Let’s hear it.

 

Go On, Ask Me Anything…

Since I started writing here on Modern Reject, I’ve had the great privilege of answering many of your questions. Granted, I’m not always sure of the answers. Many times I don’t know exactly what to say, but still you ask…and still I’m honored to respond.

So today, you get to ask me all of your burning questions. You can ask anything. That’s right anything (well, don’t get creepy or turn into that guy).

Do you have blogging questions? Want to know something personal about me? Wondering why I write about this and not that or where I  stand on a theological point? Do you have a question about marriage, sex, or dating? I’m all ears. Just ask!

My promise it too that if you ask the question in the comments, I will answer you. Cross my heart. But here’s the catch: you have to answer the question too. So go for it because, I can’t wait to read your questions…

 

Continue reading Go On, Ask Me Anything…

Friday Findings: And the Winner is…

Frieday Findings on Modern RejectHappy Friday. This week, I made a new discovery, found a list honoring our troops and announce the winners of this week’s giveaway. Woot! First up…

Female voices. Alece Ronzino on her blog Grit and Glory compiled a list of female Christian voices when she posed this question on Twitter: “Who would you say is an influential, inspirational, creative FEMALE voice? Why?”

I was totally humbled and blown away to have found my way onto this list, along with some of my own favorite bloggers. I was also introduced to many female writers that I had yet to discover and I can’t wait to scope them out. You should, too. I think you’ll find some really talented and unique bloggers to follow. And you can add your own suggestions in the comments.

Our troops. In honor of Veteran’s Day today as well, here is a great compilation of the 15 Best, Most Famous Remembrance Day Sayings, including one of my all-time favorites:

“Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of readiness to die.” -G.K. Chesterton

Big thanks. And finally, a humongous thanks to each and every one of you who entered the 1st ever Modern Reject Giveaway! What a fun week. I hope you all enjoyed the giveaway as much as I did! I’m looking forward to doing more in the future. Playing Santa is addicting.

And the moment you’ve been waiting for…

The winners of the giveaway prizes based on Random.org’s number generator:

#126 Kellie

#132 Chelsea

#4 Molly

#47 Katy

#5 Travis

Congratulations to all the winners! I’d also like to give one more huge shout out to those who contributed to the giveaway. If you have yet to stop by their sites, please do and show them some love. They are so talented and you’ll be happy you did:

Jones Design Company by Emily Jones

Jessica Rose’s shop Vol25

Jim LePage and his amazingly cool Word series

So what caught your eye this week? Any new discoveries? Do you honor any veterans in your family? Tell me!

 

 

GIVEAWAY: $50 Amazon Giftcard and a Whole Lot More

******This Giveaway is Now Closed*******

Welcome to Modern Reject 2.1. My beautiful blog just got a whole lot prettier with a new face-lift. You may be thinking pish-posh, she didn’t need it, but au contraire.

The new and improved version of Modern Reject is full of fanciness that will actually improve your experience. The navigation is easier to use, which means you’ll be able to find what you are looking for faster. The new sidebar, for example, now lets you find posts by subject like sex, marriage, church, lists, and other topics.

“What else,” you ask? Well, let me tell you. You can also subscribe much more easily to Modern Reject. Say you don’t want every post in your email or RSS (but I gotta ask, why wouldn’t you?) you can subscribe to a specific category, like Culture or It’s Love. Simple and cool.

Perhaps you are much like I used to be, however, and you are unsure what this whole “subscribe” business means. It allows you to never miss a Modern Reject post. You can choose to subscribe via email, which would bring posts right to your inbox. Spiffy, huh? Or you can use an RSS reader, like Google Reader (my preferred choice), which lets you read many different blogs in one place. Also very cool.

To subscribe via email, all you need to do is enter your email in the box up at the top of every page that reads: Get my emails. Easy peasy.

And, if you’re a mobile junkie like me and, say, you prefer to visit Modern Reject on your phone, well the times are a changin’. There is (finally!) a very nice mobile version of Modern Reject. You can even post and respond to comments from your phone.

Now, as you can read, I’m quite excited about the new Modern Reject look and, as a result, I thought I’d throw a little party–the first ever giveaway on Modern Reject! Woot!

So what’s behind door #4? Let me tell ya. I’m giving away some cool stuff… Continue reading GIVEAWAY: $50 Amazon Giftcard and a Whole Lot More

Friday Findings: Geek Lovers and Living the Life

Frieday Findings on Modern RejectThis Friday, I find myself sick to my stomach on Halloween candy–candy that I have stealthily stolen from my children’s stash, mind you. A person can only eat so many mini Twix before things start to fall apart.

But here’s the good news: It is November, which means it finally feels like fall here in Arizona. Now, I’m not one of those people who get all kooky and start pulling out the Chirstmas decorations on November 1st (please forgive me for calling you kooky if you are one of those folks), but I do find myself feeling extra excited for this holiday season. What about you?

Well, one thing that got me smiling is this list of 20 Awesome Geek Gifts. Are you a geek, like me, or do you know a geek? Would they love a gift decked out in <html>, comic book heroes, or Pac man? Then this list is for you. So fun.

Now, I know I’m jumping the gun since we are still months from January and all of those resolutions we like to make and then not keep. But have you ever dreamed of living a life free of worry, limitations, and restrictions? Have you ever dreamed of quitting a job and traveling? Or having your dream job that allows you to wake up and enjoy each and every day? Yes? Okay, then you should check out my friend Breanna Chanson’s new blog Rare Existence: The Art of Extraordinary Living. (How great is that name by the way…)

Breanna is a talented photographer, alongside her equally talented husband, and they are (without sounding totally cheesy) living the dream. They are free. She is now writing to help guide and encourage others to do the same. It is good stuff.

Lastly, how much of a difference do Christian bloggers make? Have Christian blogs influenced you or helped you in any way? Has this blog done that? Well, my blogging homie Moe, of Beta Christian, is asking just that in his post The Christian Blogger’s Influence. He offers some great encouragement and reasons why people should blog for Jesus, so to speak.

Alright, what has caught your eye this week? Got anything new and exciting to share with me? Read anything thought-provoking, challenging, or weird this week?

 

Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid…

I really like to be scared. Since I can remember, I have had a strange love affair with horror movies. I remember watching Alien for the first time, hiding under my mom’s covers, peeking out with just one eye (my mom told me not to watch).

I remember seeing the Howling at a friends house and being terrified and completely riveted as a man morphed into a werewolf in the bloodiest, gooiest, and icky-est of transformations.

And I remember convincing my mom, at the age of 11, that I was old enough and brave enough to watch Stephen King’s It. She agreed, but with one requirement: I had to watch it alone, in the dark. She was trying to teach me a lesson. Well, lesson failed…except that I was afraid to brush my teeth for a week, for fear that an evil clown hand would come up through the drain and grab me.

Since I like being scared, for many years Halloween was the perfect time to be freaked out! But alas, I have little kids now. They are easily frightened. I cannot dress up as a tormented zombie or a dead bride any more {sigh}. I have to be semi-responsible.

But that doesn’t mean I can’t sneak in the occasional horror flick from time to time. Or enjoy seeing and hearing about other people’s fright nights. Here are some images of just what Halloween is all about to me–the costumes, the good scares, and of course, the candy. Enjoy… Continue reading Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid…