LADDventure

The Very Inspiring Blogger Award

I am thrilled to share that LADDventure has been nominated for The Very Inspiring Blogger Award by my new friend Angela, from Popsiculture! Thank you so much Angela. I'm honored and happy to inspire! Once you've been nominated, here are the rules:

1. Thank the blogger who nominated you.
2. List the rules and display the award.
3. Share seven facts about yourself.
4. Nominate other amazing blogs and comment on their blog to let them know you nominated them.

Seven facts about me and LADDventure:

I originally started LADDventure as a way of documenting our (pretty spontaneous) move to Arizona. We were up for an adventure, and it was also a great way to keep family and friends updated.

The blog's first name was Destination Desert, until it became about more than just the move. Then I changed it to Ladd Adventure briefly until my friend's husband brilliantly suggested combining the two words into LADDventure.

I have become immensely more "outdoorsy" since moving to Arizona. Love getting up into the mountains in our Jeep.

I am married to my high school sweetheart and first love, the adorable Mr. Ladd. We've been together for 18 years, married for 9 and I couldn't be more grateful for that guy.

We are adopting two siblings between the ages of Birth-6 soon! We're finishing up the process to become certified to adopt from the state foster care system, and will go from a family of 2 to 4 real quickly.

In 2012, I decided to take a break from teaching to pursue writing full time. I dedicated more time to blogging and eventually started another website, The Candid Teacher all about teaching and parenting.

I wrote a book! Candid Classroom: What Parents Want to Know & Teachers Want to Tell Them released last month, and I'm still pinching myself.

Now for the really fun part - introducing you to some other bloggers who I nominate for the award! I nominate:

My good friend and neighbor, Kelsey from Rising*Shining, who's been inspiring me to purge and organize lately.

Sarah from Positively Dreaming with great thoughts on creativity and design

Sarah R. Bagley, a recovering perfectionists guide to a B+ life

Jacquie from The Sweeter Side of Mommyhood, whose recipe for Chicken Tikka Missala I've made twice in two weeks

Thanks again to Angela for the honor, and go check out these lovely ladies who are truly making the blogosphere a beautiful, inspiring place.

Do You Roku?

When I quit my teaching job to pursue writing full time, we made some changes.  We looked for ways to cut down our monthly expenses and financial obligations to make for some more breathing room in our now one-income budget.  One of the areas we did that was in our TV/Satellite bill by switching to a less conventional option, and it's had the added side effect of bringing more simplicity and less wasted time to our lives. We get a lot of questions about our current setup, so I thought I'd let you know how it's working for us.

We were formerly with Direct TV and paying about $120 a month with no premium channels but the NFL Sunday Ticket (gotta watch my Packers on Sunday) included.  When I type that number it seems ludicrous to me.  Because now we pay $16 a month.  Here's how:

We have a digital HD antenna which gets us all the network and local TV stations right through our TV with a better signal than we even had with the satellite, seriously.

We also have a Roku box which provides internet based streaming television on our TV.  It's the same concept as Apple TV.  On the box there are channels like Hulu (which we pay $8/month for the HuluPlus subscription to watch our favorite shows when we have time) and Netflix (another $8/month).  There also is all kinds of other channels on the Roku like Pandora, Amazon, and Vudu for renting movies, playing music, etc.  I just love that little black box.

F.A.Q. 

How much was the digital antenna and the Roku box?

There was an initial one time investment of $100 for the digital antenna and $40 for the Roku box.  Those paid for themselves within the first two months of saving by not paying a monthly Direct TV bill.

Are there channels you can't get?

Yes, currently some of my former favorites like Bravo and HGTV don't have Roku channnels, and don't have shows on Hulu, but I can buy all the Bravo shows a la carte on Amazon for like $3 an episode.  This allows me to still binge watch my Real Housewives of (name the city), but I've found I actually enjoy those guilty pleasures more when it's not just on mindlessly in the background, but I am intentionally sitting down to watch something.  You can find pretty much every episode of any show a la carte on Amazon.  That's how we watch The Walking Dead.  Even if we buy whole seasons of certain shows, it's still way less than $120/month and we're not obligated for that amount each month.

What about The NFL Sunday Ticket?

We've done this a couple different ways since we've made the switch.  The first year, Sony had a deal with Direct T.V. where you could get it through the Playstation 3 and so we did it that way.  This past year, if you bought Madden 25, it came with a code to get The Sunday Ticket again for only about $100 for the game and the NFL Sunday Ticket.

Do you miss satellite or cable?

Not one bit.  Seriously.  I am more surprised by this than anyone.  I love TV and was very hesitant to give up our more traditional set up.  I will never be one of those extremists who don't own a TV and are militant about not letting their kids watch it.  I see nothing wrong with a little unwinding in front of a favorite show, but this is a small change that has made a big difference in our budget and free time, and I actually enjoy it even more now.

 photo credit: abeckstrom via photopin cc

Wordless Wednesday - I'm Gone

For anyone who has ever worked for a boss who just didn't get it, or left a job that was sucking the soul out of you... 

Favorite Finds

I have kind of a running list of things that I adore.  It's getting pretty full, so I think it's time to share.  I'm not getting paid to promote any of this, I just am really excited about all of these things.  Here's what I'm loving as of late...

At Target

We have a Super Target close to us.  I do most of our grocery shopping there, which is a great excuse to be at Target at least once a week!  Here's a look in my cart.

Wishbone Light Buffalo Ranch
This dressing is great on salads, but my favorite is just to use it as a dip for celery sticks.  It's like wings without the guilt.

Method Tomato Vine All Purpose Cleaner
This stuff is like a garden in a bottle.  It smells incredible and is great for cleaning the kitchen counters.  Plus it's all natural with no harsh chemicals and the bottle is pretty enough to just leave out on the counter.  It's a seasonal limited addition kind of thing, so hurry!  I've been stocking up like mad.  Today it was on sale for $2.66 and I had a $1 coupon today so get in my cart you glorious summer in a spray bottle!

Threshold Organic Blankets
I bought the one in Clownfish Orange, for the guest bedroom, but I really want to get one of each color.  They are the perfect lightweight cotton alternative to a big comforter here in Arizona, and I love the herringbone texture.

Dreyer's Outshine Fruit Bars in Lemon
These are only 2 points on Weight Watchers, and taste like those lemon chills at fairs/carnivals (or if you're from southeastern Wisconsin, Six Flags Great America or Summerfest).

Revlon ColorStay Foundation
As I get older more mature, I'm realizing I need to use foundation regularly to even out my skin tone and provide a good base.  Before it's always just been maybe a little tinted moisturizer and face powder and good to go.   But, lately I've been using Revlon ColorStay Foundation for combination/oily skin (in Warm Golden now that I have a tan), which has a great matte finish for fully made up days or nights out.  I am still experimenting with BB creams and primers for a less made up look (more on that another time)  because it is definitely a full coverage makeup.  But, it  hides shine, spots and wrinkles all day without feeling too cakey or heavy.  It also photographs really well, as I am the queen of the shiny forehead photo otherwise.  They do make another formula for normal/dry skin which has a bit of a satin finish to it for less greasy folk, but I definitely need the matte.

Revlon ColorStay Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain
Ok friends, I tried this on Hollywood Housewife's recommendation the other day.  I am now obsessed - as in I picked up two at Target to try, and had to go to Walgreens later that same day to get 2 more colors obsessed.  I'm usually a lip gloss kind of girl, but sometimes that's just too sticky for me, and often not enough color when you want something kind of bold.  Lipstick seems like too much color sometimes, and I really don't like the texture or way it wears.  This stain is the consistency of a nice moisturizing balm, but with tons of color.  It's also a great way to try bolder colors without looking like a clown. 

On Pinterest

 

Can I just tell you that Pinterest makes me a better person?  No exaggeration.  Now, a lot of my time is wasted on Pinterest, and it can make you feel inadequate if you let it.  But, overall I am far more creative, and life is easier because of Pinterest.
 
Baked Artichoke Chicken
This seems way fancier than it is, but you just throw everything in one pan and stick it in the oven; easy and tasty.

Southwest Quinoa Salad
Absolutely delicious and it is really a filling, hearty, fresh meal.  We had it warm, but it was even better cold the next day.  Perfect for summer!

Confetti Chicken Pasta with Spicy Cream Sauce
I had Mr. Ladd just grill up a few chicken breasts that were marinated in italian dressing and then used half of them for this and half of them for chicken salad the next day.

Breakfast Ham Cups
Everything good about breakfast in convenient, easy to personalize, great to cook for a group little cups.

A Box of Sunshine 
I have now sent out 3 of these boxes of yelow as gifts.  It is so fun to collect all the sunshiny goodies, and it's the perfect gift coming from Arizona to chillier parts of the country.  Such a sweet way to let someone know you are thinking of them.

How about you?  Have you tried any of these?  What are you obsessed with currently? Do share!

Wordless Wednesday - Phoenix Public Market

Fallification

I have a seasonal disorder.  Not the kind that makes you all depressy if you don't get enough sun and vitamin D in the winter, but the kind that means I am kind of  crazy about my seasons.  I decorate my house by them, choose nail polish and lotion by them, cook by them, even listen to music by them.  I am kind of militant about fully participating in the change of seasons.

Now I will admit, the lack of traditional seasons is one very stupid thing about living in a desert. I say we have two seasons really:  
     1.  Hot as Hell season for 4 months from June to September
     2.  Perfect Weather Season the rest of the year when it gradually gets chilly from October -
         January, and then gradually warms up from February to May

Don't get me wrong, Arizona has more traditional seasons, especially in the mountains.  But alas, I live in the valley.  So if I want the leaves, brisk air, and hoodies I need to wait until December (when it actually feels like fall here) or head to the mountains this time of year. Those mountains are a short drive in any direction, and believe me this year we plan to be out in the Jeep every weekend in search of some autumn.

However, in the meantime, the process begins to create a synthetic autumn oasis inside, despite triple digit temperatures outside. I call it fallification, and it usually starts with a serious trip to Bath and Body Works.  (I promise this is not an advertisement for them, although if they want to pay me for the plug in Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin scented anything I would be fine with that.)  Smells are so important for me in creating that seasonal vibe, and Labor Day always feels like it should be the start of fall, so I start to stock up.

This coming weekend we are heading back to Wisconsin for the wedding of some good friends of ours.  I can't wait to celebrate with them and soak up some 70 degree weather.  I always get a bit homesick this time of year, because it is truly the best time to be in the Midwest as it starts to show off with its cool nights and football. 

I took the beautiful changing seasons for granted back there, how nature just does all kinds of decorating for us.  In a way, I actually appreciate the seasons more now.  They are more intentional.  We have to work to create them here, which forces us to stop and pay attention to the passing time.  They seem worth embracing and celebrating.

When we get back it will be time for more fallification - baking with apples, pumpkin decorations, and Halloween party planning.But for now, it is 90 degrees at 11:40 p.m., and I am happily typing away on my laptop with the air conditioning on, a fan blowing on me, and my Autumn candle burning in the background smelling like apples, leaves, and firewood.  Bring on fake fall!

Finds

A couple of my latest obsessions that I thought I would share.  I promise I am not getting paid to endorse either of these.  I just adore them.  If I was Oprah you would all go home with them in a goodie basket after my next show.

 MORROCANOIL Hair Products
I am in love with this stuff in an I-never-knew-it-could-be-so-good kind of way.  

Big disclaimer here...I don't spend a lot on hair products ever.  They have never seemed to make a difference and are obnoxiously priced.  I am a Garnier or Sauve lady usually.  But, my hair stylist tried the Morrocan oil shampoo and conditioner on my hair, and I consequently spent way too much at the salon that night because I needed to have it.  It dramatically changes the texture of my hair even without styling.  My mane is extremely thick and coarse. (I owe it to what I believe to be my secret Samoan heritage, but that is another story.) I have a very hard time getting it smooth, soft, or shiny.  It ends up fro-ing and frizzing out big time when I leave it down.  No more.  I have the shampoo, the conditioner and the oil treatment.  If you have thick, coarse hair or just dry, damaged hair it will be worth every salon-priced penny.

2.  Revlon Quick Dry Top Coat
I am a DIY nails kind of girl.  I have been doing my own nails with a religious devotion since middle school, so I have tried quite a few top coats in my day.  This one blows them all out of the water.  My sister told me about this one, and I could kiss her for it!  It truly is quick dry but without the easy peel/flake factor you sometimes get with other quick dry nail polishes.  It also sets the color underneath beautifully, even over multiple coats.  I am telling you, I have done my nails with this stuff 10 minutes before bed, gone to bed and I still wake up the next morning with a smudge-free, shiny manicure that last 3 or 4 days longer than usual.  I will never use another top coat!