Candy Inspired Random Acts of Kindness

Ok...so sorry for not keeping up to the daily Random Acts of Kindness posts like I promised. I did say I would try to post daily, but life gets in the way and well...you know the story!

I've been very good at doing one a day but if for some odd reason I don't go out in public on a particular day, I make up for it the following day. This "challenge" has been so much fun. Those that I've witnessed giving the actual RAOK to makes me smile. They are usually surprised and taken back! It's fun to watch their expression!

So, here is a round-up of a few candy Random Acts of Kindness that I did!

From the top left corner: Riesen (Remember, everything happens for a Riesen)--this was my favorite to hand to the person. She was so grateful--and the only one to date that wished me a happy birthday and a year full of blessings! Check out my instagram post with the story!

Top right corner: Mint M-n-Ms (You are Marvelous)--I gave this to a lady at the grocery store. She smiled, but was a little unsure!

Bottom left corner: Pop Rocks (Hope your day ROCKS)--I gave this to the young lady barista at a Starbucks. She had been so pleasant to everyone that day (I was "working" out of there that day), so I decided she was going to be the recipient! She was so surprised!!

Bottom right corner: Snickers (No need to SNICKER, U GOT THIS)...so this one had to be my funniest ones I've done so far. I left it in a women's bathroom stall. I love the play on words!! A little humor never hurt anyone! The feedback I got from my friends was that they wouldn't take a candy bar from a bathroom. C'mon--its wrapped!

I can't wait to share more of my Random Acts of Kindness with you! 

Day 2 of #RAOK

So yesterday was a fun day! I met a friend in Madison, WI for lunch and catching up. After lunch I decided I needed to hand out my Random Act of Kindness for the day. (did you miss my post from yesterday?) I wanted it to be a surprise this time. So, as we went to our cars, I found one that looked like it was a "moms" car--you know, with car seats inside! And I carefully stuck a rolled up magazine in between her driver side window and mirror.

The magazine I handed out is an awesome one. You can subscribe to it or pick it up at your local grocery store or book store. It is the one and only Live Happy. Have you seen it? It is jammed packed with positive stories and happiness insights. So much better than most of the junk on the newsstands these days. Check out their website--they have a TON of articles available for free. Their mission to to Make the World a Better Place. 

This week they are even sponsoring an awesome FREE 1/2 hour webinar/conference call called Wake Up Happy! You can register for Free by clicking here. They are a great way to start your day!

I'm excited to see the reaction for today's Random Act of Kindness...it's a bit fun, spunky and silly!

Have a Happy Wednesday!

It's a countdown!

Yesterday marked the 40th day before my 40th birthday. I decided to do something meaningful and fun to celebrate. Not that this idea is new or anything, but thought I'd try to brighten someone's day while approaching my big 4-0!

And so it begins...40 days of Random Acts of Kindness!

I'm going to do my best to do daily updates with the RAOK I committed! So, here is the first of 40:

I made the tags on the coolest new site I discovered, Canva. I was "working" at Panera and there was a hard working young lady cleaning up the dining area, bathrooms and coffee station. I decided she needed this. On my way out of the store, I stopped by her and said: "Here, I hope this brightens your day." She looked at me surprised and said, "thanks." And that was all I needed.

Can't wait to share with you what I do today!!

Happy Tuesday!

Enough Already...This is Why I Blog

If my world isn't crazy enough as it is, I decided to throw blogging into the mix. So why would I do such a thing? Many reasons, really...like...

1. Creative Outlet--So originally, I started it because I needed an avenue to express my creativity. I'm a creative person by nature and my marketing position wasn't full-filling that outlet. I started reading other blogs and got addicted. At one point I was reading about 25 blogs a day--all on various different topics--from crafts, decorating, fitness, tech, food...you name it, I was reading it! One day, I shared a blog post with a friend and she encouraged me to start one. I shrugged it off! And then, got the nerve up to do it and, well...as they say, the rest is history!

2. Learn New Things--When I started reading blogs, I learned so much. I started doing some of the things that I was learning on the blogs. Then I started sharing on Facebook and with my friends...well, when I decided to give this blog thing a try, I was amazed at all the cool things I learned how to do. It's crazy to think that I was able to do so much just by trying it!

3. Meet Fabulous People--So, I wasn't expecting this outcome while blogging, but it happened. You start leaving comments and sharing other bloggers work and you make friends--just like in the real world. You build virtual friendships and get comfortable asking for help, input and opinions. I've met some seriously amazing people since I've started blogging--just can't wait to meet them in person!

4. Giveaways--As a blog reader, I was always amazed on all the free stuff bloggers received and gave away. I thought you had to blog for years and have a huge following before receiving this stuff. I was surprised how quickly I received offers to test products or do give-aways. What fun, not only for me but my followers.

5. Inspire Others--I have really enjoyed receiving comments from readers who enjoyed a project or a recipe. Knowing that I inspire others to create, whether in the craft room or in the kitchen, makes me smile. I don't get paid to blog, so knowing I have an impact on someone's life is all I need.

If you've sat on the sidelines wondering if you should start your own blog, I will throw this back at you-- WHY NOT!?! What is there to lose? There is so much to gain. It's easy to get started and the perfect place to start is with Web Hosting Hub. The Hub has the best of everything to get you online faster. Great support, money back guarantee, and lots of tools to build your website.

When you decide to join the blogging world, let me know--I will start following you! Until then, thanks for visiting me today!

#Braidsagainstbullies

If you have school-aged children, then you know about bullying. It has to stop. Here is a great idea from our little corner of the world that has gone viral. I would encourage you to participate or share. This is the right way to combat it--silently and massively.

Let me know if you join in!

Check out the group on Facebook and be sure to follow on Instagram.

Have a great day!

I'm Back!!!

Have you missed me? I've missed you.

I've missed blogging.

Life has been busy, but in the good kind of way. I found happiness. Wait, let me rephrase that...I created happiness. I left a negative world in search of inner peace. I've grown and been challenged over the course of the last six months. I needed this break, but I'm more excited that ever to get back into it. I love creating. I love cooking. I love exercising. And most of all, I love sharing it with all of you.

So, I'm making a promise to you and to myself. I will be back blogging on a regular basis and I'm trying to come up with a few surprises here and there.

I hope you welcome me back with open arms and I hope you spread the word to your friends--CRAZYLOU is in the house!!!

Have an awesome day.

Super Easy Valentines

With Valentine's Day quickly approaching, I thought I would show you the easy Valentine's we put together for Carson's classroom party. These are great for boys and girls and were super cheap, too!

Crazy & Kool Valentines

Supplies needed:
Crazy Straws (I found these at Wal-Mart for $.97 for 6)
Drink Pouches (at Wal-Mart for $1 for 8)
Free Crazylou Printable
Scissors
Hole Punch

Instructions:
Print out the FREE printable.
Cut out shape.
Hole punch two holes on the printable for straw to go through.
Take the drink pouch and put it in the "crazy" part of the straw.
Slide the printable tag onto the straw.
Give to your favorite Valentine!

These took me less than an hour to put together (with limited help from Carson)! I love that it isn't candy, too. I get worried with the children that have food allergies--at least with this, even if they have a food dye allergy, they can enjoy the straw!

Find me on Facebook!

Have a great day!

Where have I been?

Thank you to the kind readers that have reached out to me over the past month wondering where I've been. 

I'm sorry. Life happened. That's really the only explanation I have.

I'm fully committed to my new project with Nerium International and my focus was on building my business. It's been an exciting few months!

Kids sports are in full force. Hailey is in club volleyball and Carson is in basketball.

I actually had projects at my full-time job.

I started a fitness boot-camp.

My blog is my hobby. I don't make a lot of money doing this, but I have passion for it.

Sometimes hobbies need to take a break so that life doesn't get overwhelming.

I finally realized I can't do it all.

But, at the same time, I realized that if I didn't change what I was doing, nothing in my life would change.

I took a risk. It's taking off. I'm becoming a happier person. I'm a better wife, mother, sister and friend. This quote I found, truly sums it up for me.

For those of you that stuck around, thank you.

I'm going to make an effort to get on a posting schedule again. 

I've missed my blog and thought about it daily. But I didn't want to post something unless it was good content to share. I shouldn't post just to post.

I look forward to making 2014 a historic year in my life. And I hope you continue to go along with me on this ride.

It's 2014 -- the Year of All Things Great

Happy New Year!

Last year I started a little tradition with the kiddo's--it's a New Years Survey. They fill it out and I file it away with their school papers (the ones I keep!). I think it's a great way to recap the year and set a goal for the new year.

CLICK HERE to Print!

This year, I've decided not to do the typical New Years Resolutions. Don't get me wrong, I've done fairly well with them in the past, but this year I wanted to focus on just ONE WORD.

Maybe you've heard about it?  Go here to learn more. Chose just one word that sums up who you want to be or how you want to live. One word that you can focus on every day, all year long.

I'm torn on my one word though. It's tougher than I thought it would be. I even went to this blog to get some "one-word" inspiration.

But...as I was writing this post, I realized that one word kept coming back up on the surface. So, that has to be it, right?

My life has dramatically changed since September. I have a better outlook on life, I feel energized and motivated because of the leadership that has been supporting me on this new journey. So my word for 2014 is POSITIVE. In the past, I've been known to dwell on negative things. But seriously, Nerium has given me a gift to start seeing the best out of every situation. It truly is a gift.

I look forward to seeing how this ONE WORD will help define an amazing 2014. I'll keep you posted along the way.

So...are you doing a New Year's Resolution or will you be joining me on the ONE WORD Challenge?