Roundup | A Joyful Riot

11 Podcasts that will enrich your life | AJR Favorites

January 23, 2016 ·

So we are in the midst of #snowpocalypse2016 over here. Which means we really do have a lot of snow, not a foot yet but it looks like it may get there. And it also means that all weekend we will be huddled under blankets, eating tons of food and binge watching Netflix (plus hopefully some reading too). It is still the beginning of a new year which means it is a time for a new regular feature! Every so often we will be sharing an “AJR Favorites” post to share with you our latest favorites whether that be books, design trends, music, tv shows, party ideas, party supplies, clothing, etc.!

To kick this off we are rounding up our current favorite podcasts. This may seem somewhat random to the blog but listening to podcasts while you are completing your latest DIY project is the best thing to do. I have been trying to listen to podcasts more often ever since I found a new podcast app that I love (Overcast which is free and has tons of great features). Apparently I did not share my newest finds with Machelle soon enough though because she recently told me she felt like she had been wasting tons her life before she started listening to podcasts and blames me for that. Harsh!

So, to make sure that I do not receive any blame from anyone else I am passing along both of our favorite podcasts for you all to check out. And we would love to hear from you – what are your favorite podcasts?

1. 99% Invisible – shorter podcast that explores design in our lives. Topics range from “the worst smell in the world” to superhero costumes.
2. BackStory – awesome history podcast that takes a current event as the impetus for exploring the history of the topic.
3. On the Media – media analysis show covering why we use the term “boots on the ground,” political correctness and more.
4. Planet Money – who knew economics could be so fun?
5. Serial – obviously!
6. RadioWest – based out of SLC with host Doug Fabrizio who is just fantastic and covers all topics.
7. TED Radio Hour – explores a particular issue or topic using past TED talks.
8. This American Life – had to include this one!
9. Welcome to Night Vale – community updates from a fictional town where anything is possible. I would have to describe this as delightfully bizarre.
10. StarTalk – an hour with Neil deGrasse Tyson, enough said.
11. Book Review by the New York Times – authors and critics discuss books, art, ideas.

What should we add to our list?!

2015 Year in Review

January 5, 2016 ·

HAPPY 2016!!!

As I am sure at least some of you noticed by our lack of new content, we both took a quick holiday break from the blog to focus on school finals, work, and family time. And to be honest it went by way too fast and getting back into the swing of things is feeling extra tough this year. I definitely get the post-holiday blues.

However, both Machelle and I love the start of the new year because it allows us to reflect on the past year and double down on our goals for the next. To be honest we did not accomplish all of our goals this past year but we do have a renewed vigor behind us for 2016! We are still solidifying our precise goals so they are not quite yet at the point to share but trust me they will be fairly soon and we cannot wait to grow and experience new things with you all.

2015 was a year that I could not wait to be over. Too many times it just felt too hard too often and by early December I was like “see ya 2015!” However, placing blame on 12 calendar months is actually pretty silly when you start to think about it. Any year, any day even can be terrible or joyous and here we like to focus on the positive. Despite some of the heartache and stress, 2015 also brought the following: awesome blog projects including two fun blogger swaps; two (way too brief) weekends together in Utah; almost weekly business calls (this is included because we are very proud of our somewhat professionalism); a new blog design, travels to Mexico, France and Brazil (plus smaller road trips in between); Machelle and Stella living it up with me in DC while Greg was out of town; another year celebrating both of our marriages; Machelle fully attaining platinum blonde hair; successfully completing Whole30; Malissa finally starting a book club and of course Stella turning one.

It would not be a proper review post without sharing our favorite and most popular posts of the past year. What one was your favorite? Did you make any of them? What would you like to see more of in 2016?

Mini Desk Marquee Light | Floral Globe Anthropologie Hack
Fruity Balloon Straws | Baby/Toddler Harem Pants
Animal Cookie Marquee Light | Balloon Easter Eggs

25 of the Easiest Advent Calendars

November 24, 2015 ·

I Absolutely LOVE the idea of advent calendars! To me, it helps slow down the season as you patiently wait for each day to come and reveal your new treat/present/task/reminder.

When we were kids we always, always got the chocolate ones. I don’t think I even knew any other kind of advent calendar existed! And I’m sure there weren’t nearly as many amazing DIY ideas as there are today!

So I’ve scoured the DIY-net and found 25 of my most favorite and easy ideas ever! I love every one of these and I bet a lot of them will be new to you because a lot of them are new this year! They all range in easiness but I’ve included ideas on the more involved ones to make them even easier.

Now get to it! Your advents need to start in T-minus 6 days, which is time a plenty for each of these ideas!

13 Sprinkle-filled Halloween Projects

October 27, 2015 ·

I know that I have written this before but I think it bears repeating – every holiday can benefit from sprinkles. Including the traditional ghoulish holiday of Halloween. Some of these projects even feature sprinkles + a little bit of the macabre for a delightfully fun time. Look no further for the perfect mishmash of whimsical ideas to make this Halloween filled with sprinkle fun!

1. The Original Pink Sugar Cookie Costume. We just love soft sugar cookies so why not dress up as one? (A Joyful Riot)

2. Birthday cake pumpkins. Ok how cute are these? Anyone with a birthday that lands on or around Halloween should definitely have this at their party. (A Subtle Revelry)

3. Halloween Candy Bark. How yummy does this bark look?! And amazingly colorful too! (A Pumpkin and a Princess)

4. Kid’s Cupcake Costume. This is such a sweet child’s costume idea! (Brit + Co)

Birthday Week Kickoff! | Gift Guide

September 21, 2015 ·

Our birthday is coming up in 8 days!! This year we’ll be celebrating on the blog by doing two weeks of birthday-related posts. We started this last year with tons of fun birthday DIYs but we know what you all really want to see is what to buy us this year, right?!!

In all seriousness, there will be a lot of fun posts coming up featuring birthday candles, our favorite treats and great party crafts but we thought kicking it off with this fun guide would be a great way to introduce ourselves to you with a little insight into our style, senses of humor and what we think would be fun to play with! We also know some of you are already thinking about this upcoming holiday season and we thought this guide could be a great, early brain-tickler and possibly give you some ideas for the (super classy and amazingly fun) ladies on your list.

yellow coat / fox scarf / burgundy hat / faux leather skirt
camera scarf / tweed jacket / lace booties / brother serger
polka dot backpack / candle holder / blue coat / felt garland
Why Not Me / mint necklace / plaid scarf / crystal ring
drink sleeves / agate bookends / floral coasters / 31 bits necklace
flower mug / Modern Romance / bracelet / party bobbi pin
cotton candy maker / floral notebook / duffle bag / geo confetti

Which is your favorite item on the guide? Anything you’d put on your birthday wish list?!

Like the items on this list? Keep up with our fashion and home decor finds on Pinterest!

11 Podcasts that will enrich your life | AJR Favorites

2015 Year in Review

HAPPY 2016!!!

25 of the Easiest Advent Calendars

13 Sprinkle-filled Halloween Projects

Birthday Week Kickoff! | Gift Guide

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