Doin' The Tuesday Tango

The Tuesday Tango is a multiple link-up post for everyone to meet new people and grow your audience. There will be eight link-ups that you can add your link to - Twitter, Facebook, Hello Cotton, Bloglovin, Instagram, Pinterest, Better Blogger Network, and RevolutionizeHer.

All you have to do is follow the host(s) for that week and then add whoever else you'd like to!

Permanent Hosts:

After Nine To Five | Big Apple Mami | Yellow Umbrella

This Week's Rotating Hosts:

This Little Light | Ballistic Gypsy | Designs by Emily F

Directions:

Follow the host(s)

Add your links to any/all of the link-ups

Add at least 5 people from the link-ups

- - -

Want to host one of the weeks? Let us know!

It's a Blogger Book Swap!

ATTN All Geeks, Nerds, Bookworms, and All Around Awesome People:

I am co-hosting a Blogger Book Swap!  
*Happy Dance* 

What is a book swap, you may ask?
Well, it's simply a chance for bloggers to meet other bloggers and share their love for books.  We will not only make new friends, but also receive a new book!

What do I have to do?
If you choose to join, (and I super duper hope you do) you will be paired randomly with another book loving blogger.  Jessica from Sweet Green Tangerine will email you with your partners information, then you can follow each others' blogs and Goodreads profiles. (Don't have one?)  Once you get to know each other, you choose a book & send it to them.  I think it's best to keep the book a secret, and if possible, send them one you have read and loved.  Try not to send them one they've already read if you can avoid it.

How much will I have to spend?
You don't have to spend a lot!  Christmas is coming up and new books can be pricey.  In case you haven't noticed, a used book is still as functional as a brand new one (in most cases).  There's no shame in shopping at a thrift store or from your own shelves. Anyway, shipping shouldn't cost more than {five} dollars & if the book is the only thing you are shipping, don't forget to use Media Mail postage.

Then what?
When you do receive your book in the mail, do a little blog about it.  Then, head back over here on November 8th to link it up so we can all share the book swap fun! 
Please check them out & say HI! 
 
 

Host:

Sweet Green Tangerine

Co-Hosts:

Free Borboleta

Press Play

Semi-Charmed Kind of Life

This Unscripted Life

Ballistic Gypsy

It's the Journey

Also, please spread the word about the book swap so we can recruit even more bloggers to participate!  If you post about it on twitter, use the hashtag #bloggerbookswap. 

please place this button on your sidebar so your readers can share in the fun too!



  <a href="http://sweet-green-tangerine.blogspot.com/2012/10/blogger-book-swap.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k551/sweetgreentangerine/Book-Swap-Button.png" border="0" alt="Blogger Book Swap" width="200"/></a>

Belle of the Ball

Pre-Deployment Ball Time! For the most part, I like Military Balls (that's what she said,) but I am dreading dress shopping! I've been to my share of military events over the years and let me tell you, dresses that might have worked at prom when you were 17 might not be considered appropriate for the ball. Girls, lingerie is not pretty in public. Ok?!  And let's face it, I'm now 31 and a mother of 2. I'm not exactly feeling ballgown-sexy. Ugh, let the games begin.

So here is what I was thinking...

Last week I won a $50 gift card to Shabby Apple via an awesome blog called Arrow in the Eye. Heard of her? No? Go check her out!

Since I'm cheap money conscience, I was determined not to spend any extra money if possible. So instead of shopping for one of their amazing dresses I ended up going with a pair of rose bud earrings, a black metal headband and a red sash. Sadly, these three little things added up to about $50 + shipping. My hope is that I just stocked up on the accessories needed for the Military Ball; all I need now is the perfect black dress. 

shabby apple goodies by ballisticgypsy featuring stud earrings

Stud earrings
shabbyapple.com

red satin sash
shabbyapple.com

Metallica
shabbyapple.com




Here are a few ideas that I am toying with the LBD and red sash from above.

LBD by ballisticgypsy featuring a pleated chiffon dress

TFNC pleated chiffon dress
$56 - bankfashion.co.uk

Red top
$64 - feverdesigns.co.uk

Jessica simpson
dillards.com

Alexander McQueen crystal clutch
mytheresa.com

red satin sash
shabbyapple.com




Or this insanely elegant look here....

 

Perfectly Plum by ballisticgypsy featuring lace pumps

Bottega Veneta ball gown
net-a-porter.com

Dune lace pumps
$110 - houseoffraser.co.uk

Beaded clutch
amazon.com

Lucite jewelry
alexisbittar.com

Nail polish
jacob.ca

Trying my hand at something new

It was time for a change. 

Usually, when I get the itch for change, I'd go right to my closet and start purging old clothes then hit the thrift stores and/or the mall. - Too close to Christmas, no time to spend money on me.

Over the summer, when I wanted change, I took a trip to the salon with my sisters and did something slightly different with my hair. Really, I wanted to go much more drastic with the hair, but I apparently do not know how to convey what I want to hair dressers. - This happens to me every time. 
Every. Time.

By default, it's time for the b-log to get a DIY update. 
-------------------------------------------------------------------
First I was like... doodle, sketch, doodle.

Then I was like... Nailed it.

And now I'm like.... not bad, but now I need new Buttons! BUUUTTTTONSSSS! 

and speaking of buttons- I emailed all you lovely sponsors, but if you didn't read it:
By the end of the week, ALL ads will be removed and added only with PassionFruit. It's all part of the revamp of the b-log.

 <<<<For the small ad space 

use promo code: swap-o-rama 

for a free ad space>>>>

Swap-o-rama

Some ads have expired

Some ads still remain

Some ads just need a face lift

and some need to get in the game!

 use promo code: swap-o-rama for a free ad space

Arrow In The Eye

Today, you can find me blogging it up at Arrow In The Eye. Head on over and see whats-what! 

Do It!

the.book.chat Favorite Quotes

*** Magical Thinking

“I like flaws and feel more comfortable around people who have them. I myself am made entirely of flaws, stitched together with good intentions.” 

“I hate news and information and anything that threatens to puncture the bubble of oblivion in which I live.”  

*** Possible Side Effects

“Although my parents never attended church or mentioned Jesus except when they screamed at each other—and then they used his full name, 'Jesus Fucking Christ” 

“and she's a nurse. do you know how hard nursing school is? it's like medical school. so she's obviously smart.”  

*** I'm Sorry You Feel That Way: The Astonishing but True Story of a Daughter, Sister, Slut, Wife, Mother, andFriend to Man and Dog 

“No one would ever know it to look at me that as soon as I'm alone I am busy busy busy in the head.”  

 

*** When You Are Engulfed in Flames

“Sometimes the sins you haven't committed are all you have left to hold onto.” 

“It's safe to assume that by 2085 guns will be sold in vending machines but you won't be able to smoke anywhere in America.”  

Instagram: #PHOTOADAYAUG

photo cred: fatmumslim living life inspired

So far, I have SUCKED at being diligent with the fun little challenge. The challenge for me is sticking with it. I want to do it. I want to join in. I want to be part of the photo promp challenge. 

Are you on Instragram? Do you follow @fatmumslim? Do you play along?

Follow me @bgbecky and leave your instagram name in the comment as well! 

Excuses Excuses blah blah blah

TRUTH: I have been unmotivated, uninspired, and a complete slacker. 
My bad.

I have a list made (shocker) of topics and I have lots of fun stuff planned for future blog posts in hopes of getting back into the swing of things. Also, if you are part of a weekly chat/party/prompt thingy, please feel free to leave a link in the comments or send me an email. I would love to Check-ch-check-check-check-ch-check it out, What-wha-what-what-what's it all about. WHAT! Did I just make a Beastie Boy reference? Totally did.  Here is a fun one that I try to participate in, but I'm a slacker and only do it sometimes. I suck. Sorry Jess. 

 
If you would like to follow along via Instagram : bgbecky. 
I love Instagram. TRUTH: its the main reason I bought an iPhone. Don't judge me.

 

Gratitude * Liebster Award *

Awards are fun, even if I don't totally know what they are or what they are for. Either way, I thank you, Rachel, from
Swell and Stylish. 

So what is the Liebster award? 
Well, there is no definitive answer to that in any dictionary and vague descriptions in a google search. I've compiled that it's an award that you are given by someone else that says, "Hey, I like your blog and keep up the great work you're doing." It's a great way to discover new blogs and share the love.

Here's how it works once given a Liebster Award:
1.  Post the award on your blog.
2.  Show your thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them.
3.  Choose 5 other blogs deserving of the Liebster.
4.  List the bloggers you gave the award to with links back to their sites.
5.  Leave a comment on their blogs to let them know they've received the award.

Yay for finding new blogs! You can 
view Rachel's FIVE blog picks here.

Now to picking out FIVE blogs to pass 
this rad little award on to. hmm...
~~~~~

I think these ladies are pretty awesome 
and provide some fun reads. Hope y'all enjoy!

• Sweet Green Tangerine 
• a girl named Sue 
• Girl Meets Camera
• Run With Scissors
• grrfeisty

pay it forward

As you may recall, Bhrett from Lost in Relocation had sponsored my first giveaway last month.

 


Today I am happy to announce that I am sponsoring her first giveaway as well! Now rush on over to Lost in Relocation and enter to win a handmade whimsical dream catcher!

Monday, monday

Hello, Monday.

Saturday I was featured on a long time friends blog. This girl and I have known each other for a seriously long time. Pretty much our entire adult lives. We have been thru so many ups and downs and deployments and babies and crazy friends, etc. I'm glad we never lost touch over the years. So here you go, check out my friend, Rain @ wtfrain.com. 

Rains blog is not the homeroom-mom/martha stewart-mom type blog (thankfully) . If you like (and I know of so many of you rad readers who do!!) tattoos, cussing, and just seriously keepin it real kinda talk, then you'll enjoy the randomness that comes from Rain.  

Dang, this is an old picture of us! Ah, memories.

Sweet Savannah, Ga.

One of the questions Rain asked me & my answer:

What songs are included on the soundtrack to your life? 

Damn these are good questions.
• Acid Tongue – Jenny Lewis
• Be OK – Ingrid Michaelson
• Sentimental Heart – She & Him
• Queen of the world – Ida Maria
• Electric Twist – A Fine Frenzy
• Factory Girls – Flogging Molly

Because of this, the Manic Monday Music stuck in my head is... Factory Girls by Flogging Molly !
I'm interested to know, are you a Flogging Molly fan?  In general, I love their music, but there has been times where I just had to turn down the volume a little because they can have so much going on at once. A bit overwhelming for the ears.

Humor Me- the.book.chat

Dear Authors, 

Humor me. Don’t just make me laugh, but make me snort and shoot Dr. Pepper out my nose simultaneously. - This is my court and you are my jester. Entertain me. Show me that you did not merely score high in your creative writing course, but you also have a personality.  I implore you, PLEASE make me laugh!

Full disclosure, I do not read near as much as I should or as much as I would like. My personal library is shabby in comparison to most mildly avid readers. 

The book:

I recently read Magical Thinking by Augusten Borroughs. Perhaps it is because its so fresh in my mind that I am picking it as my Funny book/memoir.

Augusten is a hilarious, self-loathing, gay man whom I now adore and would love to spend an entire day people watching & making snide comments with. Magical Thinking is not a fiction book, rather a memoir of his life. He takes a ton of essays and crams them into a book and somehow, it works. The way his mind works, the way he will share thoughts that some readers (not myself) might find off-putting, only makes me want to read more from him. He appeals to my dark side and makes me laugh out loud. He is my kind of author. Magical Thinking is worth reading just for the story of Debby the dwarfish house cleaner and the 'roid rage chapters alone.  See, you find this intriguing now, don’t you. My job here is done :)

"I myself am made entirely of flaws 

stitched together with good intentions." 

Surely you've seen this quote on Pinterest.
Now read the book and see why he says it.

 

 

I hear he is compares to David Sedaris a lot. So, 

I managed to get my hands on a copy of When You Are Engulfed In Flames & plan on starting it tonight. I'm pretty excited!

I’ll let ya know how it goes. 

Linking up with  -

Sweet Green Tangerine