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?

The END of 2013

This year has blown by. With lots of changes in my life over the course of 2013, I am excited to see what 2014 holds for me and my family.

I thought I would wrap up the last day of 2013 with my most popular posts. I'm surprised at a few, but overall I think I've got some great readers that LOVE the same things I do!

Starting from the bottom and moving closer to the most popular post...

10. 40 Blows!

9. S'more Popcorn

8. Easy Breakfast Casserole

7. 40th Birthday Gifts for Men

6. Healthy Protein Shake

5. Recycled Wine Bottle Craft

 

 

4. 10 Elf on the Shelf Ideas

 

 

 

3. The Ultimate Vacation Packing List

 

2. Hot Cheesy Dip

And the most POPLUAR post on Crazylou in 2013 was...

Awesome Dill Pickle Dip

Now...technically these aren't all originally from 2013. Some are from 2012, but because I finally figured out how to promote my blog and ever since I became active on Google +, these posts have found new life!

Be sure to follow me!

GOOGLE +

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

INSTAGRAM

PINTEREST


Many thanks to all my readers. Thank you for giving me a reason to keep up with this blog. I love your comments, emails and interaction on the different social media outlets. I look forward to growing and expanding Crazylou in 2014!

Here's to a fabulous ending of 2013 and a joyous beginning to 2014!

 

 



Tasty Tuesday--merci Chocolates Giveaway

Happy Tuesday! Today for Tasty Tuesday, I'm not sharing a recipe. It's better. I'm sharing chocolates! Have you heard of merci Chocolates? Have you tasted them? If not, you are surely missing out. These are amazing little chocolates. The folks over at merci gave me a box to sample and to give away!! How sweet are they?!

My husband and I had the lovely chore (wish I had more chores like that!) of taste testing these--my favorite is the Hazelnut-Almond. I think my husband enjoyed the Cream Truffle the best.

Each box of merci includes a delicious selection of rich, European chocolates made from the finest ingredients. Flavors range from Milk Chocolate and Hazelnut-Almond to Dark Cream and Praline-Crème and are truly scrumptious.  I love the cute packaging too--there are plenty little chocolates in the box--so you could easily gift the entire box or package it up into multiple gifts!

I love there message, too--a delicious thank you. Check out their website for more ways to tell someone thank you.

Check out their Facebook page too-- they have a really cool app, the Thank-You-Maker! You can send a friend a meaningful thank you, and in return receive a Buy One Get One Free coupon!

So, today is your lucky day, my way of saying thank you! I will be giving away a merci Chocolate gift package to one lucky CRAZYLOU reader!

It's simple to enter, simply leave me a blog post on who you would like to give a big THANK YOU to this holiday season!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

HO HO HO...it's a review of the Nexus 7 #Staples

Thank you to Staples for providing me with the Nexus 7 to review. All opinions are my own.

I was excited to receive the tablet in the mail and it came super fast. We opened up the box like it was Christmas! My kids were super excited! Thankfully, it was easy to set-up and it was already (somewhat) charged so we could start using it right away!

I'm a big fan of Google Products. I love my Android phone. The apps, the look, the feel of the device suits me perfectly. The coolest thing that happened when I started setting up the Nexus 7 tablet was that once I plugged in my Gmail account, it started to load up the apps that I had on my phone! So awesome--and for a busy mom, a HUGE timesaver!

The kids took it over and loaded up on some of their favorite games. Now I knew it was going to be hard to get my hands on it! They love the size of it. They love how sleek and cool looking it is. And they love how fast everything loads.

Once I was able to use it for awhile, I browsed Pinterest, checked Facebook, cleaned out my email and also posted a few pictures on Google + ! This is now my new favorite toy! I love the size of it, too. It fits into my purse and isn't bulky.

It comes loaded with Google Now--which is super cool! From knowing the weather before you start your day, to planning the best route to avoid traffic, or even checking your favorite team’s score while they’re playing, Google Now brings you the information you want, when you need it.

Every Home screen shows the Favorites tray - another quick way to get to your apps and more.

At the bottom of every screen, no matter what you're doing, you'll always find these three navigation buttons:

• Back: Opens the previous screen you were working in, even if it was in a different app. Once you back up to the Home screen, you can't go back any further in your history.
• Home: Opens Home. If you’re viewing a left or right Home screen, opens the central Home screen. To open Google Now, swipe up.
• Recent apps: Opens a list of thumbnail images of apps you’ve worked with recently. To open an app, touch it. To remove a thumbnail from the list, swipe it left or right.

It really makes navigating around your tablet SUPER easy! Another reason I LOVE Android products!

Here are a few pictures I took with it--so much better quality than our other tablet!

Anyone else behind on wrapping gifts? Ugh!

Here is our lazy dog...just thinking about playing with his ball!

And the kids had fun taking pictures with it too!

 

If you've got a hard-to-buy for person on your gift list, this would be an awesome gift! I highly recommend it. Head to Staples.com to get yours shipped to your doorstop quickly and just in time for gift giving!

Gotta go--the Nexus is calling my name and it's time to play!!







Tasty Tuesday -- Pinata Cake

I'm not sure about you but I am FREEZING!! We certainly didn't ease into winter here in Illinois. However, with the cold also brought snow. It was a beautiful sight to see, but man, I hate the cold.

Remember the post on my son's Bowling Birthday Party? Click here to find out all about it.

Well, I attempted my first Pinata Cake because thought it would resemble a bowling ball. So, today on Tasty Tuesday, I will show you how easy it is to make one of these! And...how fun it is to eat!

 Even though it looks a bit complicated, 

it really easy fairly simple.

Grab two boxes of cake mix--your choice of flavor. Prepare as directed and place batter into glass bowls. Bake as directed on the box or until golden and set in the middle. Mine took about 10 minutes longer than the box suggested.

 

Allow cakes to cool slightly. Carefully turn cakes over to release from bowl. Allow to cool completely.

Next scoop out some of the center of the cake. About a 1/2-1 inch border around the perimeter of the cake and down into the center of the cake.

 

Next, fill with candy. We used Sour Patch Worms, M-n-M's, candy corn, Skittles and Gummy Bears. Next frost the edge of the cake. Not too much frosting, this is used like the glue for the top and bottom of the cakes.

Now carefully place the top onto the base of the cake.

Frost as you would like. For us, I wanted it to look like a bowling ball, unfortunately, it looked more like a ghost. I didn't want to frost it all black because I didn't want to send all the kids home with black-died lips, tongue and mouth!

I still love how it turned out and I loved the reaction from the kids! This is definitely worth trying for an upcoming celebration!

Have a fabulous day! 

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