The moment after I realized I was actually moving to Vegas, I made some magnets for my future fridge.

Okay. That's not true. The moment after I realized I was moving to Vegas was spent hyperventilating. 

Then crying and panicking.

Then curling up in bed as I stared off into space.

Then excitedly planning.

And THEN I made some magnets.

It's so incredibly simple, and I'm here to tell you how I did it.

What you will need:

A roll of magnet tape.

Metal scrapbook embellishments.

That's it.

Just cut, peel and stick.

I was going through all of my scrapbook supplies, deciding what I would keep and what I would give to my sister and I came across these adorable metal embellishments. Within five minutes they were five adorable magnets that have been proudly displayed on our fridge.

Cute, right?

What simple things do you do to spice up your home?

I hadn't planned on posting on Wednesdays during my crazy November full of writing, but during my breaks from writing. (Which have been many...) I've been doodling like a mad woman. I call it doodling, because that's what it is to me. It is doodling in a controlled, artistic format. And this doodle is called a Zentangle. 

Oh my goodness. I first discovered these a about a year and a half ago and fell in love. 

This was my first ever Zentangle. Like I said. It is just glorified doodling!


This one has things from some of my favorite books.


I love Zentangling because it doesn't have to be perfect. I messed up so many times in this one, but it still looks great!


I like to put my Zentangles in a circle shape. It gives me a set area to work with when I'm drawing. And I like the circles because I like to hang them up in my room. Like this:



Cute huh?

But you don't need to stick to the basic circle if you aren't into that. You can Zentangle however you want.

And this started out as a complete scratch paper and turned into one of my favorites. I think she looks like a fortune teller!

If you aren't sure you can handle something this complex to start with, I recommend just drawing random lines and filling each in with a different doodle.


This one is one of my favorites. All I did was trace the outline of a CD a few times and filled in all of the blank spots. So simple, and yet so awesome!

And this one was done the same way. I just traced four circles. Think Zen Diagram Zentangle. Hehehe.


And for this one I just filled an entire piece of paper with circles and squares of different shapes and sizes.

Zentangling is so easy. Even if you don't feel like you have an artistic bone in your body, I guarantee you can do this. It just takes some patience and practice.

To start, I just outline a random design on a piece of card stock paper. I use a fine point Sharpie because it makes everything stand out so much better than pencil or pen! When you start, it will look something like this. A little cheesy? Don't worry, once it's finished, it will look awesome!

Every so often, I'll get in a mood to Zentangle and pop one out like a warm and yummy toaster pastry. And the past few days, I've been in a Zentangling mood! A few things have been getting me down, and losing myself in the small intricate doodles really helps me.


This one was signifying how I was feeling. The heart is black and hard to read until you get a closer look. Then you can see the ache that is there.

And while I was searching the internet for fun new doodles to use in my Zentangle, I saw a lot of people who incorporated faces into their designs. So I tried it. I LOVE how it turned out!


I am very thrilled with this one. It's my favorite of all time.

You should all try Zentangling! It's SO much fun! I would love to see any that you come up with!

Then just pull tight and repeat the third step until your ribbon is covered with strips of tulle!




Now you're done!

The cornier the better. It reminds you what it's like to laugh, and that things aren't always so serious.

(Optional: Add a fuzzy blanket. Nothing is better than having toasty toes while giggling at teenage girls and swooning over boys playing adolescent jail bait.)

2. Get out of the house!

Even if you only go to the grocery store, it's good to stop hiding away in your room.

I suggest looking halfway decent first. I looked like a slob and was genuinely terrified that Stacy and Clinton were going to apprehend me at any moment.


(Optional: While you're out, go through the drive through and get yourself something sweet. Nothing too big. Don't want to break the diet. But just remind yourself that you deserve a treat. You're a good person. Good people deserve sugar.)

3. Do something with your hands!

Write a blog, clean your room, make your Halloween costume. (I decided to combine all three.)


Doing something with your hands effectively distracts your mind from depressing thoughts. All of your attention is focused on tying that piece of tulle to the ribbon.

When you are finished, you have done something productive with your time, and maybe you'll have made something to be proud of!

(Optional: If you make a costume, another way to brighten your spirits it to play dress up. It is guaranteed to produce a giggle or two.)

4. Remember how blessed you are!

I think so many of us (myself included) are so inclined to focus on the bad in our lives. The things we wish we had. The things we don't have and aren't doing.

It's such a spirit booster when you sit down and think about the blessings you have in your life.

(Optional: Write a list. Like Pringles: "Once you pop, the fun won't stop!" The blessings you have in your life will just keep pouring out onto that list!)

What do you all do when you need a lift?

P.S. Thank you to all of the beautiful people who commented on my blog! You all made me smile.