Wednesday Obsessions... Or Free Netflix (Kind Of)!

In the summertime my movie watching and book reading goes on overdrive because of the extra free time on my hands. It's been this way since I was in high school. Call me a nerd, but I love being up to date on movies and have old classics under my belt...

OMG so many movies!!!

I bought a Netflix subscription back in 2005, but it kept getting more and more expensive and they would make you wait weeks, some times months for a new release. Andy finally convinced me to stop wasting $25 a month on the DVD's and Blurays that would just sit on our coffee table... sometimes for months...

I remember a few years ago when Shine a Light came out... I had that in my house for a record 3 months... 3 MONTHS!!! I never watched it... I recently did though and it was terrible (I'm just not a Stones freak I guess) but that made me think... I spent $75 for a movie to sit on my coffee table for 3 months! I could have purchased it 4 or 5 times over! I still have the streaming version of Netflix for my Appletv.  It's only $7.99 a month and for whatever reason I can't bring myself to cancel it.

It's been only over the past couple years that I've discovered a new **FREE** way to watch movies.....

Behold the Broward County Public Library System... Or as I like to call it FREE NETFLIX!!!

It's absolutely 100% the most amazing thing ever. Do you have a library card? Great! You're all set to get started! All you need to do is access the Broward County Library Catalog, search for your movie, place a hold and choose which branch to pick it up... Seriously, it's just that simple!!

The Broward County Library Search

The library staff will transfer, pick up and hold the movie for you. You'll get an email when it's ready and all you have to do is drive your pretty little self to the branch, go to the front desk and voila! It's yours for about a week! As a matter of fact 10 can be - 10 is the limit for checking out movies... Not too shabby!

My Holds... Don't Judge

Last year I remember watching What Dreams May Come and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang... Two movies I had wanted to see since I was little... Crazy right? Who goes through childhood without seeing  Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!?!

Of course this system works for any other thing that the library has to offer you too. Of course it could also cost you just a little cash money if you return the movie late. If you want it longer though, you can renew right from the website. When you're done with your item you can also drop it off at any Broward County library and they will return it to its originating branch. They basically do all the work for you!

Sooooo call me a nerd, but I love my free books and movies! Do you have any secrets like this to share? I'm all ears!

The Most Hilarious Book I've Ever Read....

In lieu of a Wednesday Obsessions blog I had to share with you one of the most hilarious books I've ever read... I literally couldn't put it down and finished it within a 24 hour period.

Let's Pretend This Never Happened - By Jenny Lawson

First off let me say I can't believe I read something on the NY Times Best Seller list! (without realizing it of course)! It's the little things....

Jenny Lawson, originally from Wall, Texas is full of some of the funniest stories you'll ever hear. She admits herself that she had to call it a mostly true memoir to protect the people within the book. She claims, "the moment you think you've heard the most fucked up crazy stories... Those are the true ones" And it's true!

Her stories range everywhere from childhood in the most rural of rural towns (including a class in high school where she had to inseminate a cow and gets her arm stuck up in there) to stories of childbirth, her obsession with oddball taxidermy and her loving and hopeless husband Victor.

Jenny... A Self-Portrait

She has a sarcastic tone that carries throughout the book and is so refreshing to hear. If you love Jenny McCarthy or Chelsea Handler books, this one's for you!

Jenny was also named one of the Nielson Top 50 Most Powerful Mom Bloggers and Forbes listed her blog as one of their Top 100 Websites for Women.

After finishing the book, the fun and hilarity continues on her blog - theblogess.com - You'll get daily shenanigans that will have you rolling in your office chair.

5 foot metal chicken named Beyonce? Of course!

Do you have a favorite funny book? Have you read Jenny's book or blog?

I'm a 2012 Elite Yelper!

Huge thanks to Johnny T for voting me an 2012 Elite Yelper - I've even got a new shiny badge to prove it!

Of course, as always, follow my reviews all around town on yelp here.

Weekend in Review....

What a fun weekend! It could have been even more fun had I not succumb to a stomach bug on Saturday night, yuck! I pushed myself through Indie Craft Bazaar, but after packing up the car and sitting down for dinner at Tarpon Bend, the spins and aches came on full throttle. Props to the Edelmans and Andy for noticing I did not look right and needed to go home. Feeling much better this Monday thank you very much!

Here's a breakdown of the two events that made my weekend!

Grouplove at Ricochet:

I can't say thank you enough to South Florida Music Obesessed for getting Andy and I into this invite only show. After last seeing them playing for thousands streaming Bonnaroo at home, this was such a special treat. I mean there were maybe 100 people there. Such a blast! I'm gonna "bump the beats till beddy bye" for a while to come!

Click over here to see some awesome photos and videos shot by South Florida Music Obsessed of the event!

To see my yelp on Ricochet, check here.

AND

Indie Craft Bazaar: Summer of Love:

Since I already gave you an awesome preview of some of my fave vendors last week, I hope you were able to make it! I ended up with an awesome new Henna love courtesy of Lori, with plans to get another new one next week before we go to Key West!

It was a great show and had an amazing turnout! I have the best friends in the world that keep coming back to visit and even managed to make a few new ones. It's so crazy how you can meet people nowadays! My best ICB meetup would have to be Ashley. We met on instagram (crazy right?!) and she takes the most amazing South Florida pics, not to mention shes a super cool chick! Why did we not get a pic together?! Next time! Follow Ashley and her amazing pics here.

Did you make it out to ICB? What did you do this weekend?

Currently Obsessing Wednesday....

In an effort to place some sort of structure on this blog one day of the week at a time, I've decided to make Wednesday the day of the week I get to share with you the latest and greatest things I'm obsessing over.

Since the day IS Hump day, here are the things I would like to hump share this week:

1. Viggle -

A big huge thank you to Mr. Dennis Tagliarino for getting my hooked onto this one. I say that in a semi-sarcastic, but very appreciative tone. I'm almost halfway to a free Kindle Fire! Yes ladies and gentleman - FREE! Viggle gives you rewards for watching TV, plain and simple. Think Shazam for TV shows. Log into the app, let it listen to your TV and get points. That's it! You can also watch ad's or play trivia games to earn points. While my Kindle Fire is 375,000 points you can redeem at 7,500 for $5 gift cards to Chili's or Starbucks. Have an iPhone? Download the free app here. FUN!

2. The artist SHAG -

I swear I live in a teeny tiny little bubble sometimes.When Andy and I went to Disney in February, we came across this amazing piece at the Disney Fine Art store. We were so disappointed that they were sold out of the prints and failed to write down the artists name. So for months we tried to track down the above print and were in luck last week when Andy finally found it! Shag (Josh Agle) does the most amazing retro vintage inspired artwork. Back in 2010 he did an entire collection for Disney World, Land and Cruises. From original pieces, to prints, to coffee table books and so much much more check it out - There is even a Shagmart for your purchasing pleasure!

3. This Anthropologie Dress -

Couldn't you just die? I die. At $248 I'm try try trying to make it til it goes on sale... Unless Sara lets me use her birthday coupon :) Jk, It's just sooooo me, I mean click the link - it's GORGEOUS! You know you need it when you've been obsessing over it for days and then your best friend Mrs. Doopiemoo (who doesn't even know you're obsessing over it) forwards you the anthro email saying "I think you need this dress"

Yep!

Girl... Where have you been?!

Living my life girl... That's where I've been!

Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!! After over a months hiatus I'm back to say hola... or holla.... or challah?

Wow... it feels weird to be typing here after the break, but really really good at the same time. Let's see what's been up over the past month?! I guess I left off last as we were going to the Bahamas... Well... We went! And it was nothing short of amazeballs!

Bahamas Trip 2012

While we were there I read 2 books in 3 days... Something I have never before accomplished - The Happiness Project and The Art of Happiness by the Dalai Lama. No I'm not getting all crazy or depressed... I just love reading stuff like that - Gives a good perspective on life! I also got a wicked case of sun poisoning.... But only on my arms? Oooookkkk?

I had close to a week and a half off and spent the days spring cleaning my house (as inspired by the Happiness Project) playing with my Etsy shop, thrifting with my mom, meeting friends for lunch and dinner, bringing Bella to my parents to run around the yard, doing yoga and anything else that might have fit my fancy. I loved having all that extra time... Sigh....

The Spring Break awesomeness ended with a night in my favorite South Florida spot, Wynwood! Us and the Edelman's headed down to eat at Joey's and take in the Art Walk. I have to say this place is becoming an absolute mad house now during Art Walk! If you're going to go and want to see everything, go early. You would think it was Mardi Gras or something! Best part of the night - Car-e-oke (Karaoke in a car) Or Cari-oke... Either way, laughs to be cherished forever.

Wynwood Highlights!

I even managed to accidentally take a video when we were trying to take a photo again - WTF is wrong with me?! Hilarious!!

In other fun news I had a fun time tweeting with Brad Wollack from Chelsea Lately - I offended him, which I was terribly sorry about! Though it did get his and Sarah Colonna's attention... Sorry Brad... You ARE a sensitive bunny - Love you!

Soooooo.... Since then I had an awesome time vending at Indie Craft Bazaar - Spring Fling. Cari and I set up shop right next to each other and did it for the first time without any manly, husbandly help. (Well... except for Keith coming in the beginning) The show was at Revolution Live and spilled out over into Green Room. I tell ya, the things you notice in there when you haven't had a couple cocktails... Like the entire place filled with Shepard Fairey artwork... Durrr!!!

Having fun at Indie Craft Bazaar!

After the show, we completed the puzzle of loading multiple tables and all of our work into one car and managed to make it to Dennis and Maria's house just in time for dinner and cocktails!

The past weekend we did the annual (or semi-annual) Fullone family garage sale. I never know where I accumulate so much crap! After the garage sale, Andy and I headed up to Sunfest with Dawn, Scott, Kayla and Tyler and had a blast. We were able to sit in the VIP section and see Michael Franti in all of his yumminess up close.

Sunfest fun!

Also in news this month, Andy and I booked a trip to Buffalo next month! For those that don't know - that's where I'm originally from and I'm ashamed to say that I haven't been back there in about 12 years. My husband doesn't know or hasn't seen where I've spent a little less than half of my life. How crazy is that?! I'm so excited to get back to my roots :)

So I guess that's all for now....(Like that's not enough) Going to get back on the wagon with this - Summer is a coming which is fun to be had!! What's new with you!?

Broward/Palm Beach New Times Feature...

In case you haven't heard me screaming from the rooftops, my flowers are featured in the 

Broward Palm Beach New Times this week!

My beauties...

They are featured in promotion for Odd Duck Bazaar this weekend! 

Stay tuned for a special preview tomorrow of some of the wares I will be selling at the show. 

Pick up a copy of New Times all around the Broward Palm Beach area this week!

15th Street Fisheries... Yum!

This past Sunday Andy and I were driving around checking out a few different events in the area and decided to have lunch at one of our favorite places in Ft. Lauderdale - 15th Street Fisheries.

We've been coming here since back when we were dating... (Insert Awwwwwwwwwwww) and it's just such a staple to the Ft. Lauderdale area. Fresh seafood on the water - What more could you ask for?

View of the docks from our seat at the bar

We were surprised at the 45 minute wait for lunch since we arrived around 2:00... Late lunch crowd. So we just sat at the bar.

The food here is excellent! We've never been disappointed. I always get the crab cake sandwich. It comes with fries and a great dill sauce - So yum!

Another must try is the Bloody Mary.... This ain't your grandmama's bloody mary - don't go without having one! It's like a meal in a glass, and at $10 a piece I guess it should be!  It's got the celery stalk... But also an olive, a pepperchini and a HUGE shrimp.... My mouth is officially watering.

Is this not the most delicious thing you've ever seen?

On Yelp, there are a lot of people saying it's touristy. I've really never noticed it being touristy until we noticed the water taxi stop - other than that it's kind of hard to find, down a back street. More of a locals place to me... You can pull up with your boat, fill up gas, get bait, have a meal, etc.

Inside Bar Area... Don't ask why there's a dozen eggs on the bar

They have free valet if you're driving up, which helps because of the location. There's definitely limited parking.

The only thing bad I can say is that it gets super crowded when the weather is nice and can take a while to get a table... But well worth it once you do. Sit outside! You can also buy bait to feed the Tarpon with. Great for kids!

I should also mention that we were able to score a free beer for Andy for checking in on foursquare - see, that whole rant on social media does prove beneficial sometimes... FREE BEER!

You can check out my Yelp on Fifteenth Street Fisheries here or take a drive down on a nice day and enjoy the ambiance!

Social Media Addiction...

Hi! My name is Tara and I'm addicted to social media.... "Hi Tara"

So many options!!!

After signing up for a crazy amount of social media outlets lately I've realized I may have a problem. Let's break it down. I have:

Facebook (me and gcd) - https://www.facebook.com/greencycledesigns

Twitter - https://twitter.com/greencycleD

Instagram - http://instagr.am/p/IHL1S6CGr-/

Pinterest - http://pinterest.com/greencycled/

Blog - http://www.greentaralove.blogspot.com

Linkedin - http://www.linkedin.com/in/taraackerman

Google + -  http://www.gplus.to/greentaralove

Her Future - http://www.herfuture.com/profile/TaraAckerman

Yelp - www.taraackerman.yelp.com

I haven't yet delved into the world of Tumblr, YouTube, Flickr or Vimeo..... But don't worry, I'm sure they are on the horizon. This also doesn't count constantly updating and relisting pieces on Etsy! Whew!

So yes..... I believe I AM addicted to social media., but do I have a problem? Hmmmmm....

I think the ones I have are pretty manageable, I have a twitterfeed app constantly crossing the lines of some of the outlets to better manage time. You never realize how important all of this stuff is until you have your own business. I've posted pics of my pieces on Pinterest that have sold that way. I've met lots of people on Twitter that have turned into blog posts on GCD, show acceptances, sales or even celebrity conversations and follows. I'm talking to you Yoko Ono :)

It wasn't until recently when I signed up for Foursquare that I realized how time consuming it all is. It's like work! We were in Disney World and for whatever reason I couldn't get a signal. I just wanted to check in! And then I realized how dumb is this? I'm getting frustrated because I can't check into a stupid game when I'm in the happiest place on earth. So stupid!

For the most part I see the benefit to it all, but sometimes when I see people posting every 5 minutes it makes me wonder if they have a life outside of the phone or computer? I'm as into it as the next person, but I also value time spent with people enough to put it down when it's appropriate. When you see a couple or friends at a restaurant and they are both on their phones - it irks me so bad! Put the phone down - Live!

If there is a real live person in front of you, shouldn't they take precedence over your social media updates/texting/game?! Maybe I'm not as addicted as I thought.... Sweet!

Seriously...

What do you think about all of this social media stuff? Any ones you can't stand or swear by?

Stuck... And Pinterest as a means of getting unstuck...

I don't know what it is, but since the turn of the new year I've been completely stuck creatively....

Just stuck... I don't feel like making anything. I've got the same vases on my work table that are already painted and ready to go for a while. The same flowers already cut into squares that just need to be folded, done up and listed, new contacts to promote GCD with - I just don't feel like it.... Should I even be admitting this? I'm hoping that in outing myself it will lead to the creative juices flowing again.

2011 was the most hectic, crazy, fun year for me with GCD - From October and the Heartsy feature onward it was just pandemonium... Order after order, show after show... I don't want to complain because it was amazing, but I think it's what attributed to my burn out. Maybe I'm just being too hard on myself?

I know sometimes in life you just go back and forth between your creative and intellectual side (hmph hmph!) - But it's hard when you make art for a living - you're supposed to be ON all the time right? Right now I'm only in the mood to read, and go and see and do. With all the amazing artwork I've been surrounding myself with it's still not kicking in. I'm reading 4 books at the same time... (like, what?! really?!) Dining out, going out and overall just working on me and the loving relationships I have with my friends and family... Everyone needs that too in life, so it's got to be normal right?

Through this rut some positive things have come of it... I've cleaned up my work space, thrown out any extra crapola that was laying around, organized myself AND I'm finally keeping my social media outlets up to date (this blog included, yay!). I'm now also addicted to Pinterest - Pinning away on my boards in hopes that inspiration will come.

If you haven't already heard of or requested in invite to Pinterest, prepare for the obsession. Think virtual bulletin board... You can create a board with any topic and collect images, products or whatever else floats your little boat. You can follow your friends or just awesome pinners, re-pin cool pins, like pins... All very addicting!

My Pinterest Boards

Right now my obsession is with the Home Stuff and Vintage Photos... Who wouldn't get inspired by old pics of Twiggy and houses with massive book collections? ;)

You can see or follow my Pinterest boards by clicking here.

So hopefully this will pass... Some picture will come along and bring me back into the flow. It's crazy... I get like this and then usually snap out of it and put out like 10 pieces in one day... Cheers to hoping it will happen soon!

I'll leave you with my favorite creativity quote EVER -


"People might think you can turn creativity on and off, but it's not like that. It just kind of comes out. A mash up of all these things you collect in your mind. You never know when it's gonna happen, but when it does ... it's like magic. It's just that simple and it's just that hard." - Gwen Stefani