Friday Feature: Pinterest! The Virtual Corkboard Wonderland!

Welcome to the Friday Feature, where I highlight something that I'm really loving -- but first, let me introduce myself...........
"Hi, my name is Mara and I'm a Pinterest addict."  Seriously, they need a support group!  If you're part of this wonderland already, you know -- and if you don't know what I'm talking about, you must check it out!

It's a virtual corkboard - a place to "pin" all those great ideas, crafts, paint colors, recipes, funny things.....that you come across online.  It's like someone looked in my head and knew that I was wishing for a simple, beautiful, user-friendly place to keep track of all the fantastic things I see on blogs and other places!  (My method of copying a link into a draft in gmail wasn't exactly ideal!)

It's an awesome place just to organize the things that float your boat, or browse others boards and find oodles of inspiration!  I've already come across so many things that I don't think I would've seen otherwise.  You can follow people with similar interests - either their whole collection if you like their overall style, or individual boards -- for example, when their "Living Room" board is full of pins exactly like what you imagine for your own, or when every recipe they post in "Yum yum" is making you drool on your keyboard.

You need an invitation to join, but it's free and fantastic!  Send me your email if you'd like an invite!  And if you leave your "username" I'd love to see your boards.  =)

You can pin whatever images you'd like, and create any boards that you want - whatever makes sense to you....here are some screenshots of my boards:


These are dreams for my laundry room once we get done with the "big" stuff (like siding, roofing, flooring...silly details like that) and can work on the "fun" stuff...

Whenever I come across recipes or decorations that I think would be perfect for our next soiree, this is where they go (sure, 'cause we're so fancy pants that we have soirees)  ;)

I want to create a playroom/art area for the kids in the basement.....and some of these funzies would be perfect for what I have in mind - and some are ideas that I never would've thought of!

Ahh, my "delish" board.....here's where I go to drool!  ;)   I love being able to tuck away tasty treats here, so when I need a yummy dish to pass, or an idea for an awesome chicken dish - tada!  No more...."there's a dessert I saw online that would be perfect for the party - which website did I see that on??"

I created a "to make" board where I keep all the fantastic projects that inspire me to be crafty - so when I get the creative bug (and 30 seconds of free time) I know where the great ideas will be!

Ohhh Pinterest, how I love thee!!

What do you think??  Are you already pinning?  Or are you inspired to go start your own pinboard?  Need an invite, let me know!  I'd love to see your collections!

Don't be a Selfish Scooper!!

I went to an apartment yard sale this past weekend, and one of the tenants had tables and tables of what looked like my stockpile.....only on steroids! Knowing how the deals are gotten and how often they come around, I was not pleased with the apparent "shelf-clearing" that had gone on to get all of it.

I'm all about getting great deals, but when you're selfish and hoard everything for yourself everyone else loses. It's so frustrating to get your list and coupons in order, finally get a day that the hubby's home from work and get away to do your shopping and then there's nothing left! 
Or, if someone's not even deal shopping and they just want some cough medicine for their little one, but it was a freebie and the shelf is empty because someone else was stoked to get 17 bottles for free, it puts a really bad light on "couponers" (and store employees notice who comes through with cart fulls and that doesn't create any goodwill either).

Obviously there isn't an endless supply at the store, then if there's someone like this around, what is on the shelves is quickly scooped up and others go home empty handed. There are plenty of deals out there - you don't need every one on the shelf! Please think of others!

Now, there are times when they store is very well-stocked, or it's the end of the last day of the sale, or you have a chance to go to multiple stores.....when you are able to get multiples - in the right way, remember that's a perfect chance to be generous! Think of friends who may be struggling with a job loss, food pantries, women's shelters, pregnancy centers, nursing homes.....the list goes on and on.



Don't be a "selfish scooper"! I know it can be easy to get carried away if there's just an amazing bargain, but everyone comes out ahead if we shop fairly and think of other shoppers as well.