My Favorite Things Archives - Page 5 of 8

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

This 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…

Friday Findings

Happy Friday! I don’t know about you, but this week flew by. You may have noticed some changes here on Modern Reject. My little blog went and got herself a facelift. There are a few more changes to come over the next few days, so stay tuned.

Also, early next week I’ll be hosting the first ever Modern Reject giveaway, in honor of my new and spiffy blog design. I’ll be giving away a slew of goodies, so be sure to check back because you won’t wan to miss it.

Last week on Friday Findings, I mentioned Ally Spotts to you, a blogger extraordinaire.Today, my husband and I are actually guest posting for her. We are the addressing the issue of whether or not you can (or should) have friends of the opposite sex once you are married. We’d love to hear your thoughts! So please, hop on over and share some comment love.

Some other posts that caught my eye this week that you might be interested in: Continue reading Friday Findings

Introducing Friday Findings

Usually Fridays here on MR are called Favorite Things, where I list out some of the stuff I love from nerdiness to splurges, and even some of my guilty pleasures.

And after over a year of writing about my Favorite Things, it turns out that while I like a lot of things, I don’t like enough to blog about it for 14+ months. Sooooo, I’ve got a new bag of tricks for Fridays which I am calling (in case you didn’t read the title of this post for some reason) Friday Findings.

Now, I admit it sounds eerily similar to Favorite Things, but here’s the difference: Instead of any one topic (i.e. kids, road trips, etc) I will be sharing with you anything that caught my eye that week–whether it be a blog post, article, song, food item, pin, book, quote, or nonsensical item that I may presently be lusting. Anything is up for grabs. Now doesn’t that sound snazzy?

This also means that I need your help. Yes, you. If you happen to read a post, spot an article, or chow on some amazing grub (I like food okay? What can I say?) please send it my way. I’m always interested in discovering new things worth sharing and that’s exactly what Friday Findings will be all about. You will, of course, score the credit for your finding. Finders keepers, as they say.

And now, the 1st ever edition of Friday Findings… Continue reading Introducing Friday Findings

Favorite (Deserted Island) Things

Well, hello. Friday is here again. Hallelujah! I love the weekends. Right now, I’m also enjoying the many comforts in life.

I am taking pleasure in the little things, like a Saturday afternoon nap, a delicious slice of (gluten-free) pizza, and a good book. Which has got me thinking. If I were stranded on a deserted island, what little pleasures would I most desire to have with me?

Yes, the old deserted island question. Let’s play. Favorite (Deserted Island) Things for Friday.

Basic rules: You can’t bring any people, a television or computer, or any type of transportation to fly or sail your lonesome self off the island. Here’s what I’d bring… Continue reading Favorite (Deserted Island) Things

Favorite (5) Things

So, it’s Friday again and while I’m a little late posting today’s Favorite Things, I thought what the heck, I’ll do it anyway.

Here’s what I have been loving, enjoying, or obsessing about this week:

Gay men loving Jesus. Okay, if you missed Wednesday’s guest post by Matt Appling about sexual identity, stop what you’re doing and read it now. Be sure to read the comments too, especially one by Darylhb. He sums up the struggle and beauty of being same-sex attracted with such wisdom and grace, it makes my heart swell. Subsequently, I now have a blog post idea brewing on the issue.

Babies. Well, actually just one baby–my new son, Beckett. About 4 days ago, he decided to cry whenever he is awake, which means a lot of crying and desperately trying to get him back to sleep. I’m exhausted. Please pray for him…and me.

Gitzengirl. Choose Joy. That is the phrase of a young woman named Sara, who is suffering and now dying, from a painful and rare disease. She happens to be a blogger who has shared her story and struggle with thousands. She has chosen joy, despite her circumstances. She was recently (as in a few days ago) told that her body is failing her. Please, visit her blog, read her story, share her with others, and pray as Jesus ushers her home.

Speaking. I am currently preparing for a speaking engagement I was invited to attend. The big day is only a few short weeks away and let me tell you, I am so out of my league. I am trusting God for the results. I will give you more info as the day gets closer.

Acts. I recently began a study of the Book of Acts, along with about 50 other women. I am already dwelling on thoughts of the Holy Spirit and His presence. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things andbring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:26 Thank you Lord for giving us the Helper, without whom this Christian life would seem impossible.

So where have your thoughts been this week? What have you been thinking about, dwelling on, praying for? Good or bad?

PSSSSSST- I also did an interview for Something Beautiful podcast this week. I talked about how I found Christ, why I blog, organic church, and finding real community–among other things. Check it out here!

Favorite (5) Things

So I’ve been thinking…should I continue with Favorite Things Fridays or kill it? I guess I could have taken a vote and just asked you guys, but I never got around to it.

All that to say, I’ve decided to continue Favorite Things Fridays except that from now on they won’t always be about one topic. Today, for instance, is the first of what will become many–5 Things I’m loving this week and those 5 Things will be anything from posts I’ve read on other blogs, to motherhood tips, to gear and gadgets I like.

Without further ado, today’s Favorite (5) Things…

1. Desktop wallpaper- I haven’t changed the wallpaper on my computer ever. It is the same image it has been since I first got this computer, one of the free images that’s included. Boring. I decided I needed to make a change. Which leads me to The Fox is Black, who hosts the Desktop Wallpaper Project, a collaboration with graphic artists and illustrators to offer unique, funky, and even brilliant wallpaper for your computer.

I especially love this retro city image from illustrator Ben Newman:

2. Color Lovers- If you are anything like me, color is important in your life. I stress over paint samples and paint chips on my home’s walls. In deciding the colors to be used on Modern Reject, for instance, I was picky and particualr. My husband, who is in marketing and branding is also a lover of color and understands its necessity in branding efforts.

He introduced me to colorlovers.com, a virtual superstore of every imaginable color palette one could dream up. There are color palettes for home, decor, web design, fashion, crafts, business–you name it.

3. Yum Berry– I’m not sure if Yum Berry is available everywhere, but it is here in Scottsdale and let me say that this self-serve frozen yogurt spot has become my new obsession. Their chocolate flavor has helped squelch many a chocolate craving for half the calories. Thank you Yum Berry. I heart you.

4. Hello Bar- Modern Reject is set to undergo a small re-design in the very near future (more on that soon, so stay tuned). One element in the new design that is up for discussion is the wonder of the Hello Bar. It is a notification bar that would drop down on the top of this site. I know, I know, usually I find these things extremely obnoxious, but this little guy is simple, streamlined, and customizable. We shall see if it makes its way to Modern Reject.

5. Pinterest- I know I’ve mentioned Pinterest before, but I’ve just got to do it again. I so love this site and their iPhone app. The hubster says I’m obsessed, well maybe I am, but I’m not worried. I’m pinning. (You can find my pins here. Follow me on Pinterest, as well.)

What have you been loving this week? What has been floating your boat, so to speak?

Favorite (Guilty Pleasure) Things

from the archives

It’s Friday and that also means it’s Favorite Things Friday (sorry if you are tired of me reminding you. I’m half reminding myself and also letting any new potential readers, all three of you, know what goes on around here). You would think that I’d be running out of Favorite Things, but no, not me. I apparently love, like, lust, and covet all kinds of crap. That being said, today I am sharing with all of you, my Favorite (Guilty Pleasure) Things.

I’m not sure why I chose this topic for a Favorite Things Friday but perhaps it is because, I am secretly longing to confess these delicious, titillating, and addicting pleasures with all of you, in the hopes that I will… be freed of them? Heck no, nobody wants that. I’m hoping that, by confessing my guilty pleasures, you all will confess your own, thereby making me feel better about myself. Yup, purely selfish motives. Continue reading Favorite (Guilty Pleasure) Things

Favorite (Sleep) Things Friday

Sleep has been alluding me. Blame it on my raging pregnancy hormones, my racing mind, or my enormous over-sized 34 week belly. I have been a bit cranky and certainly very tired. And what have I done about it? Well, like any normal person, I have continued to stay up way too late and wake up annoyingly early.

I used to sleep like a champ. Dead to the world. No siren, or street noise, no ringing phone or door slamming could wake me. Now however, it’s as if I awaken when a fly lands on a piece of paper three rooms away.

So, as I dream of someday achieving that kind of coma-like sleep again, my Favorite (Sleep) Things Friday will hopefully inspire and encourage beautiful nights followed by even more beautiful days.

Here are my Favorite (Sleep) Things: Continue reading Favorite (Sleep) Things Friday