A Travel Journal of Your Very Own

I am a HUGE proponent of travel journals. I have been on a few significant trips in my life: Europe with my Dad and Tweets, Hawaii with an old boytoy, and most recently: my Sistamoon. On each, I kept a travel journal. At the end of every day, I took ten minutes to write down everything that happened that day. Vacations go by SO fast - it's easy to forget all of the details... I am so happy to have those travel journals to look back on and remember all of the fun moments.

SO, of course this meant I had to prepare a travel journal for the Sistamoon. I promptly referred to my fave craft book...(this is seriously the best book ever!)

Trusty Esther had a travel journal tutorial... SCORE! Creating this journal was a lot of work, but I knew this was a special trip, so I wanted a special kind of journal - all the work was well worth it. Let's get started!

You'll need:

• An awl
• Drafting paper (I find this is the easiest paper to work with when folding and measuring book signatures)
• Bookbinding thread
• Bookbinding needles
• Scissors
• Bone folder
• Papercutter
• Envelopes
• Coverstock for the front covers and the accordian binding
• A phone book or something thick and nonimportant for "awling" on
• Optional: Chipboard for the covers, in case you want something sturdier than coverstock

*I found all of my materials at Blick art stores.

Here is the finished product... This is an accordion bound book, which allows the user to stash all manner of paper ephemera/souvenirs from your trip! For me, I would be visiting eight different ports, so I wanted to create eight different sections to my journal. Each section featured a signature made out of drafting paper for writing, an envelope to hold my Metro tickets/paper remembrances, and a map of any given port. I created a map to glue onto the front cover, and elastic straps to hold the journal shut. This was my first homemade travel journal, so I learned many things I will do differently next time! See below for things YOU should do differently from me - learn from my mistakes, sister!

*Many apologies for the pictures - I had to use my flash because I had no natural light! No judging! All photos mine.

First, I created the paper part of the eight signatures I needed to create.

Then I took my envelopes and prepared them for binding into the signatures. I bought eight envelopes - one for each signature. I measured the envelopes before folding to figure out where I'd need to sew (so they didn't stick out too far.)

I gathered maps for each of our eight ports and prepped them for inclusion in the signatures. Again - measuring to make sure they didn't stick out further than the paper in my signatures. I just printed off most of my maps from the internet.

Next, I lined up my signatures and prepared to use my awl to punch holes for binding. I ordered my signatures like this: paper on the outermost layer, then the envelope, with the map on the innermost layer. I had eight signatures, so I had to repeat the awling process eight times. I measured for the three holes I needed to create: 1 hole in the middle, 1 a half inch from the top, and 1 hole a half inch from the bottom. Make sure you put something thick like a phone book under the signatures as you awl (!) That awl will cut you or ruin your countertop if you don't!!

After that, I prepped the binding cover. I selected a prettypants coverstock and folded the paper into 1" folds. I had eight signatures, so to include the covers, I needed ten "troughs." Again, use that bone folder!

Then I was ready to sew my signatures to the binding! I strung bookbinding thread onto my needle and essentially sewed a figure eight. After lining up the signature to the binding, The needle/thread runs from the signature into the binding in the middle hole first (leaving a tail), then back up through the topmost hole, back down the middle hole, up the bottom hole, then box knot to the tail you left from your first stitch. (Google box knot!) Repeat eight times! You may need a beer on hand for this part. I'm just sayin'.

This is what the binding looks like on the outside - perty, huh?

Now, on to the covers! The art store couldn't cut my chip board for me because it was too thick. He assured me I could successfully cut the board myself with an Exacto knife. Um yeah. I thought my homemade cutting looked jankity. If I had it to do over again, I'd cover the chipboard in pretty fabric or paper to cover the mistakes. They would have looked more finished that way. :/

I affixed my map I drew to the front cover and punched holes in the back to string the elastic through.

Voila!

Have you ever made your own book for a special occasion? What are your best tips?

A Bee's Life: Snappy Style

Hi, Bees! When Pengalicious brought up the idea of a series talking about blogging a la WeddingBee, I was so excited. As several other Bees have written... WeddingBee can be a lifechanger.

Let me start at the beginning.

Way back in October 2008, I had just started to plan my wedding and felt a bit overwhelmed. My family lives in Texas; I live in Chicago... Out of necessity, I was planning this shindig largely on my own and I didn't know where to start. Several of my friends had recently wed, and unanimously, they all said "You HAVE to read WeddingBee, it's the best." One of my friends said it was the only wedding blog she read because the others were so negative and intimidating for an average, normal bride with an average budget.

Well, I took their advice, and I. Was. Addicted. As we all know, once you discover the 'Bee, that browser refresh button gets a lot of use. All of the bloggers were so entertaining and had their own personality. Some were great at DIY, some were so insightful, some were downright hilarious. I loved it! I was SO hooked, that I decided to see if I could become a Bee myself...

I started a blog for - let's face it - the sole purpose of becoming a Bee. In my day job, I do a ton of writing, and I wanted to learn how to write for an audience, as well as document my journey to wedded bliss. I was looking for a supportive community, and I found it! I had no idea how important this support would become. Dun Dun Dunnnnn ;)

So I started my lil Blogger account and wrote for two weeks. My close girlyfriends were the only ones who had my blog address. I told no one that I was applying to WeddingBee. I sent in my application to Mrs. Bee, and waited with bated breath. Seriously, I sucked it in everytime I checked my email.

FINALLY, (I really only had to wait a few days, but it felt like an eternity!) I received an email from BEE@ weddingbee.com. She wrote that while they liked what they read, that they wanted to see more. That of course meant that I wrote every day for the next ten days! On the tenth day, I was ensconced in the deepest of deep woods in Northern Wisconsin on a business trip. My email barely worked. I was only able to check my email once every few days.

I called my fiance and asked him to check my email and see if Bee or Pengy had written me while I was away... AND THEY HAD! They asked me to join the Hive as a blogger. I was thrilled, covered in bug spray and sweat in the crappiest hotel you've ever seen. (Seriously, WHO doesn't have internet!?) My fiance had to write Pengy on my behalf and explain that I was out-of-pocket but I definitely wanted to be a Bee and would write the second I got back into civilization.

Picking Snapdragon as my moniker was a no-brainer. I mean, duh. As I have said before... Snappy, Snappin', Snapilicious, Snap, SnoopinSnap... like the actual Snapdragon flower: endless entertainment!

Over the next few months, I learned so much about blogging. Seriously, for a newbie blogger, WeddingBee is the best place to cut your teeth. Mrs. Bee and Pengy are experts, so when you blog here, you learn from the best. (I am not kissing their ultra-fine booties saying that - it's just true.) I learned what material works best, how to communicate via web, how create a steady flow of content.

I also got to know so many of you and the other blogger Bees. I had never been a part of an internet community that was so free of Ego. Snark? What is that? People were just normal - the way I imagine they are in their real life. Every blogger Bee I've met is exactly the way they seem in their blog entries. Friendly, thoughtful, ultra-creative, and the funniest ladies you've ever met. Truly.

Then, in February... I found out that my fiance was unfaithful on a Wednesday, and I called my wedding off that Friday. For the three days inbetween, my parents, my sisters, my best friend, and the Bees were the only ones who knew what was going on via email. The outpouring of support and emergency advice were what kept me going when my world was falling apart. I was in the Emotional Emergency Room, yo!

So to say WeddingBee was a lifechanger for me is no exaggeration. On the surface, my lack of privacy when it came to my breakup was difficult... in the end, it was healing. I couldn't be ashamed, and I had no reason to be.

Sometimes I think of how WeddingBee has affected me - I can tell you I will never look at wedding details in the same way again (those suckers are a lot of work!) They have also created a love in me for all things wedding and blogging. There's a reason most Bees continue blogging long after they wed, including me. Having been a part of such an incredible community, how could I leave? Blogworld is awesome! :)

Advice for new bloggers:
The first thing I learned as a blogger... a blog is not a personal diary. There is a fine line between telling the truth and spilling your guts. Life isn't perfect, and sometimes bad things need addressing (like why I wouldn't be posting anymore doily-folding tutorials!) Using a blog as therapy is almost always a bad idea. When blogging, ask yourself, does anyone else want to read this? Is this self-serving or helpful? It's a good reality check! And remember, once something goes on the internet.... good luck erasing it!

My other piece of advice is to have integrity. In blogland - and ESPECIALLY in wedding blogland - you may feel a great deal of pressure to lead a lifestyle that is fascinating or a wedding that is "incredible." Don't let other people determine the sort of wedding - or life - that you will lead. Be yourself always. People can tell when you're faking it... and why would you want to? You're pretty great just the way you are!

That's blogging the way that I see it - XOXO

Cruisin' the Waves

Earlier this summer, because I called off my wedding, my Honeymoon became my "Sistamoon." My sister Snappy-L and I vacationed for two weeks on a Mediterranean cruise, and I can honestly say it was the best trip of my life. We had a great time of relaxing, sightseeing, learning, bonding, and eating... a whole lot! It was just the medicine I needed. I know some of you are planning cruise honeymoons, as well as varying trips to Europe/Asia. SO...

If you're in Barcelona, make sure to vist the Mercat de Sant Josep for fresh fruit...

If you're in Rome, have fun with your cameriere...

When you port in Sicily, get up early to watch the sun rise over the coastline...

If you're in Athens, locomote via Metro...

...and take a shot after your INCREDIBLE lunch (yes, those are blocks of fried cheese... BLOCKS!)

Should you happen to be in Ephesus, stand where St. Paul preached to the Ephesians and St. Mary spent her last days (allegedly)...

Window shop in Istanbul's Grand Bazaar... (operative word: "window")

If you're in Santorini, fall asleep on the black sands of Perissa Beach...

Once in Valletta, prepare for adventure... How much do you want it!? Trust me, I was channeling me some Jillian Michaels on this cliff climb.

And on ship, always, always eat lots of sushi...

...and visit the French restaurant at least twice.

(sigh) I want to go back! Someday, someday. :)

Cruising presents its own set of peculiar vacation challenges that the average vacationer might not expect (I surely didn't!) Here are some tips that Snappy-L and I found most useful:

• Bring a watch and an alarm clock. Cruise ships have extremely strict departure times from port! Don't be late, or you may be staying in Greece (or wherever you are) indefinitely! You'll need that watch to stay on top of the time. We made it onboard with ten minutes to spare in Athens... I about had a heart attack!
  
• Do a mix of tours and "on your own." My sister and I mixed it up. Tours can get uber expensive, BUT they do afford you the luxury of being able to "turn your brain off" just a bit. The advantage of being on your own is that you can schedule your day exactly the way you want and save some moolah.
• Sometimes the cruise ship will not be able to dock right in the port, and passengers have to take small "tender boats" into the dock. Make sure you find out ahead of time which ports may utilize tender boats, because you will need a ticket to get on the tender! Snappy-L and I did NOT check ahead and had to pick up our tickets into Santorini at the last minute... putting us on the last tender... greatly delaying our entrance into port. (SIDENOTE: Santorini is difficult to get into between tender, cable car, and bus. I recommend starting your trip into port as soon as the ship allows to maximize your port time.)
• Bring extra batteries, the salt water causes batteries to corrode more quickly.
• Bring a power strip for your room. Most cruise rooms have only 1-2 electrical outlets.
  
• Don't automatically discount the "dorky" on-board events - they can be pretty fun! We took a napkin folding class, and I am proud to say I can now whip out an opera house, banana, mouse, queen, diamond, and a rubber chicken. Aren't you jealous?
  
• Take one day to wake up early and watch the sun rise over the coastline. Suck it up and do it (see the Sicily photo above) TOTALLY worth it!
  
• Bring a travel journal! More on this next time.... I have a great DIY travel journal that is great for special vacations... like your honeymoon. ;)

I hope this was helpful! What are YOUR best travel and cruise tips??

Your New Favorite Gadget... No, Really

Recently, as of about six months ago, I met my new technological love. This beauty is attractive, fashion-forward, fits in my party clutch, and is always there when I need her. Friends, meet your new best bud: The Flipcam.

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I can't tell you how handy this lil number has been... I've broken her out for parties, nights out, everyday life - and perhaps MOST handily, at weddings and while on vacation. I absolutely love my Flipcam! My favorite part about her is that she fits in my purse. We would all love to have a camcorder at the ready for those most special moments in our lives, but... I have no inclination to drag a camcorder around a wedding! Too bulky.

The Flipcams come in many different styles and at all price points, currently, from $149 (the camera I bought!) to $229 for the fanciest, most customizable HD version.

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I have to tell you, that $149 that I spent has been worth every penny. I carry it in my purse, right next to my point and shoot camera. There have been so many moments that have snuck up on me, and I was ready to take video to remember the moment by. The quality is outstanding, much better than the video option on my point and shoot - I really can't say enough good things about it. I am officially raving. (!)

The Flipcam is also an all-in-one device... Wait for it... Wait...

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Bing - The cam comes with its own hideaway USB drive! Mrs. Quiche and I most recently used the Flipcam at Mrs. Powderpuff's wedding, and we were able to create a DVD for her of all the special Powderpuff wedding moments. Our experience successfully convinced Mrs. Quiche that she wanted to get one, too! Take a look at a few videos from my recent "Sistamoon" to check out the quality:






I really can't recommend the Flipcam enough. The quality is great; the price is fantastic - you will use it all. the. time. What's your favorite tech gadget? Will it play a part on your big day?

* I am not associated with the Flipcam company in any way. I just really love this product, and I think everyone should own one! I mean really, think of all the "behind the scenes" wedding moments you could capture!