Hobby of necessity (giveaway)
*This giveaway has ended as of 12/16 midnight. Stay tuned for more giveaways soon! Winner’s info at the bottom of this post, along with the details on the lotion bar I’m so obsessed with 🙂 Thank you so much to everyone for entering!********************************************************************
For me, there are two types of hobbies:
1.) the kind you really, really love and
2.) the necessary ones.
When I was younger, I decided I was going to knit. Some of my friends could knit, I thought it was cool and decided to give it a whirl. It lasted about 4 seconds. I have the patience of Bella waiting for chicken and knitting wasn’t something I needed a reason to do. It’s hot in Tucson and my beanies and scarves get worn about twice a year.
The hobbies I really enjoy: teaching fitness, Zumba, cooking, reading, dance, etc
Necessary hobbies: photography and scrapbooking
Photography is a necessary hobby for the blog… I don’t really like it, or know what the heck I’m doing. I take a picture in “P” mode, auto-adjust the colors if it looks weird, and post. Some people get warm and fuzzy talking about aperture and shutter speed, and alas, I am not one of them. Scrapbooking has become another necessary hobby since the Pilot has been deployed 3 times and we always make scrapbook pages, and since we have a little one on the way, I’ve taken to online scrapbooking. The day we got our maternity photos back, I made photo books for madre, nana and baby, and had them shipped out. Was it fun? Not at all. Am I glad I did it? 100%.
I could see the same thing happening with the lotion bars I was trying to figure out how to make.
I had a sliver left, needed to replenish the stash, and couldn’t get a hold of the amazing woman who makes the lotions and soaps. So, I headed to the health food store for ingredients…. and then she called me back. Thank goodness making lotion bars didn’t have to become a necessary hobby 😉
I ordered an extra one for a lucky blog friend <3
To make the giveaway a little sweeter, I’d also like to share my #1 pregnancy must-have with the winner:
A snoogle!
The bonus about this giveaway is that you don’t have to be expecting a little one to enjoy. Everyone could use a rich, buttery, lotion bar made with real ingredients and the comfiest body pillow ever invented.
Congratulations to the winner!
For those of you who were curious about the lotion, I talked to the woman who makes them today to make sure it was cool to share her info, since she doesn’t have an Etsy shop or anything like that. She makes AMAZING products (lotions and soaps) and my fave is the bitter almond lotion bar. You break off a piece, heat it up with your hands and rub it on 🙂
Here’s her email address if you’d like to order something from her:
bbilleaudeau@vtc.net
Her name is Giselle and she can ship in the US, in the winter, as the bars will melt in the summer heat.
620 Comments
Leave a Comment
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
This is such an appropriate post for what I was thinking over my 30 minute drive to work today.
About my personal hobbies and hobbies I should start cultivating to influence my future kids.
I love going out, cooking, reading, exercising, shopping at farmers markets and grocery stores!!
And some necessary hobbies I think I need to have are being more knowledgeable about nature, environment, being excellent at ice-skating and more.
I loovve both those items!!! Can you please share that lady’s contact number or details??
Thanks!
yes, when i post the winner, i’ll post the deets on how to buy them.
I could really use a snoogle in my life.
no kiddies in my house..yet.. My favorite hobby is probably reading about health, historical figures, whatever really, I just love to curl up w/ a great book and learn new stuff. Cooking and baking of course. Necessary hobby? Hmm..does cleaning count? lol.
i love making cupcakes! but the not so fun hobby that comes from that is how often i try to find room in my pantry for all of the ingredients. yes, lame.
my youngest is 15
my hobbies are: bodypump, zumba, and walks with my hubs and dog, bella!
no due date yet but would love for a september or october one! 🙂
Hobbies: Running, Cooking, Reading
Necessary Hobbies: Personal Finance and Bargain Shopping
I had a miscarriage this week, so winning something would be a good way to end the week, since the beginning of the week was heartbreaking.
Such a GREAT giveaway!
Fun hobbies: yoga, baking, running.
Necessary hobbies: mopping the floor, folding laundry, cleaning my room!
Hobbies I really enjoy: dancing, doing pageants, and cheerleading
Necessary Hobbies: working out (not a huge fan, but it’s just one of those things. Your blog helps me keep my workouts interesting), crafting (I’m an RA and we do a lot of arts and crafts, but it’s kind of tedious.)
Children: Kids really aren’t my thing. . . but I have a little black fur baby that I adopted from the Humane Society. He’s a cocker spaniel and about 8 years old.
Fun: Photography, zumba, running, painting, reading, gardening
Necessary: Cleaning/organizing, cooking, couponing
OMG I’m so excited for this giveaway. Since the last mention you made of the lotion bar I’ve been trying to find some of my own. Stretch marks are nothing to play around with and I’m taking all necessary precautions! My hubby and I are expecting our first baby (a girl!) in April 2012. 🙂
Hobbies I love: Cooking, Pilates, Crafts (anything crafty), Painting, Decorating, Bargain Shopping, And I’m not sure if baby planning is considered a hobby but I love it.
Necessary Hobbies: Home Remodel (Blah), gardening
I think running is my biggest necessary hobby. I almost always dread it a little bit, but once I’m out on the trail I absolutely love it. Cooking and baking are my fun hobbies. They are like meditation for me.
My hobbies are running, baking and scrapbooking. Like you, I hate taking photos and being in photos – just something I have to deal with! 😀
My newest hobby is running! I just signed up for my first 5K and I really hope I stick with it!
LOVE your blog-I just read about it on a babycenter message board!
my neccessary hobby is also one of my favorite things to do…work. I’m a lactation consultant. love the job and spend a lot of free time doing research and learning as much as I can. Thankfully I work at night and can be home with 2 kids(my other neccessary hobby that I love!)
Other hobbies include cooking, shopping, skiing, and doing flips on a trampoline(whe i’m not pregnant that is!) Baby #3 due on June 1st!
I have been eyeing one of those wonderful pillows and right now with this weather my skin could use a lotion bar!
Hobbies: working out…which i am finally getting my energy back for more intense workouts. reading, and my puppy Miley:)
Necessary hobbies: Laundry:( I really dislike!
Due : June 18th 2012…This is my first:)
This is my first time to your site! Very excited to gain some knowledge!!!! Thanks for sharing your tips!
Ooooo I’ve been wanting a snoogle. My back has been killing me and I’m only 14 weeks. Due June 13
My fav hobbies are dancing, baking and crafting:).
Fun giveaway!
enjoyable hobbies: rowing, spinning, baking, reading, taking my dog for a walk, crafting, napping
necessary hobbies: rowing (sometimes enjoyable but also necessary as an athlete), cleaning, doing homework
no children, only a Siberian Husky 🙂
I would love a snoogle (aka the barrier)!!! I refurbish/repurpose antiques and I’m a lover of bird watching/feeding (which turns out to be squirrel watching/feeding). I’m also a pretty intense gardner when the season cooperates! How sweet of you to do such a great giveaway!
Mo
Lol, my favorite hobbies are pretty simple….reading and cooking/baking! I used to be crafty but it really is just too expensive 🙁 Having a lot of back pain lately so could totally use a nice body pillow!
I have been begging my husband for a Snoogle since I got pregnant and saw yours(I’m 18 wks today!) but the price scared him off and he came home with a full body pillow from Wal-Mart. ERRRRR…not the same! Not at all the same 🙁
My due date is May 18. I just started feeling kicks last night!
Hobbies: Baking (bread more so than sweets other than cookies), Cooking, gardening, riding my bike with my husband
Necessary: Vacuuming and mopping.
Thanks so much! I have loved reading about your journey to baby!
Fun hobbies: running, strength training, reading, knitting (Wisconsin is cold and I lose things easily), shopping and spreadsheets (nerd alert!)
Necessary: painting our house, cleaning
no kiddos yet, but hopefully we’ll get started on that next year!
Where in Wisconsin? I am in the Milwaukee area (Thiensville) – we’ve certainly been lucky weather-wise, haven’t we?
I have never thought about the division of hobbies, but it’s true, isn’t it?
So, my favorite hobbies are:
Fun – reading, walking, dancing like a goofball when no one’s watching (and sometimes when people are), baking, and travelling.
Necessary – (ish) crocheting (which is way more fun and faster than knitting to me, but that i always only get halfway through a project unless there is SERIOUS motivation; sewing and crafty things (which came in handy when getting ready for my wedding); shopping (i actually have a total love-hate relationship with shopping), and practicing music (which is one of my jobs, but ends up in the hobby pile anyway).
I’m due June 14th! 🙂 so excited about being pregnant with my first and now that i’m feeling better I’m really excited about getting my workout back on! Yay for having motivation again!
I write poetry as a hobby. =D That snoogie looks great… I’d like one because I sleep on my side a lot.
Hobbies I really really love — photography, zumba, exercising
Necessary ones — running (NOT a fan, wished I enjoyed it, but I don’t), cooking (I love to eat, and experiment with different ingredients, and trying different things but I would be perfectly ok if I never had to cook again)
Due Date is June 17th! (Our first baby)
I LOVE YOUR BLOG!
My fav hobby is hiking with my dobe. This past summer we also did geocaching. May be my newest obsession.
I’ve heard those pillows are to die for!!
I love doing anything crafty, but I’m really trying to get into photography. I love taking pictures and I just got a new SLR for Christmas, which I’m trying to get the hang of.
We just recently found out we’re expecting after going through infertility treatments (best Christmas gift ever!!) and I’m due on 8/10/12 🙂
Enjoyable hobbies before kids: Scrapbooking, soccer and volleyball
Enjoyable hobbies after kids: SLEEP
Kiddos: Two boys 7 and 3
Truth be told I get really detailed when I scrapbook and just sticking pictures on colorful paper is not for me…I tried that just to get it done then went back and redid the pages. I need about 4-6 hours of dedicated time to be productive and if that time is available I would rather sleep. 😀
I sleep with a fbp (full body pillow) my youngest calls it a pb&j…the snoogie looks awfully comfy and cozy.
FUN! and Thanks!
I am due on August 2nd with my first baby. I am so excited and winning the prizes would be nothing short of AMAZING! my favorite hobbies include cooking, reading food magazines, and going to yoga.
My favorite hobby is playing guitar, a necessary one being knitting. I enjoy knitting somewhat, but it’s nice to not have to buy our warm fuzzy stuff (Idaho gets COLD) and a lifesaver for budget-friendly gifts.
I am due with our very first little peanut May 24, and might even get to find out whether we’re having a boy or a girl in about 4 hours, SO excited!!
no kiddos in the house yet, but i need the snoogle!! 🙂 i sleep with a blanket in between my legs – the snoogle would be much better.
hobbies – baking and photography for sure! 🙂
Im curently 21 weeks pregnant and my fav hobbies are teaching fitness classes, hiking, cooking.
Least fav…I don’t love cleaning however that is not really a hobbie as it needs to get done 🙂
I would absolutely love a snoogle 🙂
My favorite hobbies are reading and gardening…No little ones of my own yet, but I adore my niece (3) and my sis is due again in May!
i love your blog! so fun to find similar minded people and learn and grow as i while away on the internet:).
hobbies i adore: practicing yoga, teaching yoga, traveling to CO, CA & AZ (i love the west, what can i say?), reading novels, running while reading magazines (on the treadmill, obvi), and doing nails for friends.
neccessary hobbies: cooking. my husband is the chef of the family, and i’ve notoriously been a microwaver my entire life, so it’s been hard to learn how to cook things in other ways… stove, oven, crockpot. i CAN do it, but i do it to bless my hubs every now and then… if it weren’t for him, it’d be chipotle and microwaved veg for every meal. 🙂
My favorite hobbies include reading magazines and blogs, cooking/finding new recipes, and walking my puppies 🙂
My hobbies include reading, cooking, dancing and taking pictures. The only baby we have in the household is our 10 year old cat…for now 😉
My hobbies are baking, photography, and just recently I’ve really gotten into weight lifting!
My necessary and enjoyable hobbies mostly all seem to overlap, depending on the day, time, etc.: cooking, exercising, blogging….can cleaning be a hobby? It sure takes up a lot of my time these days, so if so, totally just necessary! 😛
My hobbies include reading, travelling and cooking. No due date yet, but one never knows what the future holds! 🙂
I love to run, cook, read, dance and explore… I am also not big on hobbies that take a lot of time and concentration — I do enough of that at work. I am due June 7 and actually got my Snoogle in the mail yesterday. I absolutely LOVE it. For the first time in weeks my hips don’t hurt. Earlier this week I also found out my best friend is prego (so much fun!!), so if I was to win this I would give the snoogle to her…she is going to need it very soon! Thanks so much!
My hobbies are painting, designing, taking group classes at the gym, cooking, and reading. Current babies include my pup and cat :]
I’d like to think my fav hobbies are fun AND necessary: baking, cooking, shopping!
This is exciting! Ok, I think my necessary hobbies are cooking and reading health books. I do actually enjoy them as well, but they are necessary. Otherwise, we don’t eat and we wouldn’t know anything about plant-based living or celiac disease! Another hobby, which is also necessary so good thing I like it, stuffing cloth diapers. I actually get to sit down and I love it! I would love to learn how to sew also!
Fun hobbies: reading, writing, and baking
Necessary hobbies: running (for sanity, and because of the whole baking thing 🙂 ), Insanity
I’m due with baby number 2 June 25th, 2012 and I have a 14 month old little man.
I dream of my very own snoogle 🙂
Fun hobbies – Knitting!!!! I love it 🙂 I think I’m the opposite of you because I don’t have the patience not to knit. It keeps me from being too fidgety. In that way, I think it is sort of a hobby of necessity too (sidenote: I learned to knit when I lived in Tucson :). I’ve since moved back to Ohio, though). Also love reading.
Hobbies of necessity – I recently begun making my own laundry soap to save money.
No children here (yet), hopefully someday 🙂
Wow! There are already a LOT of comments!!
Hobbies I Love: yoga, pilates, sewing (when I have lots of time to do it, otherwise not fun), hikes with the dogs and hub, skiing, snoeshoeing and most recently weight training (never thought I would say that ;))
Necessary Hobbies: running, vacuuming, moping, dishes and laundry
No babies yet, just 2 Weimaraner dogs. The hub and I are “trying” though so hopefully soon on the baby front 🙂
Necessary hobbies: Weightlifting and cooking. I don’t always look forward to it, but weightlifting is by far the best way I’ve found to cope with my (admittedly high) stress. And, cooking is frustrating to me because it can be so imprecise, but it really encourages me to break out of my type-A mold and be creative (as opposed to baking, which is more formulaic).
Fun hobbies: Reading and video games 🙂
My favorite “fun” hobbies: Exercise (Is that a hobby? I guess so! It is for me)
Sky Diving. Although I don’t do this nearly enough
Cross stitching. Again, this is something I don’t get to do as much as I want to. Between working over forty hours a week with teenagers in foster care and going to grad school for my Masters in Social work… I just don’t have time anymore. During my two week breaks from school (between the semesters), I have a little extra time for this type of stuff)
My “necessary” hobbies: Washing my car. I have a love/hate relationship with this. I used to think this was like therapy for me. But I quickly become obsessed with every single detail of my car. This can take me hours upon hours to get everything just right. I wash/clean my car at a minimum of once a week… especially since purchasing a WHITE car.
Studying: Ugh… Enough said. Can we just fast forward to August 2012 already? I want my Masters so I can be DONE!!
my favorite hobby has to be spending time with my friends . I’m a medical student right now which makes time to myself a rare commodity.
I’m not expecting anytime soon but body pillows are a MUST for me when I sleep so I think I could do with a nice snoogle.
I love cooking! And it’s both a fun hobby and a necessary one. My husband and I just started trying for a little one, so I would love to win this!
Fun Hobbies: reading (I am that weird person that can’t put a book down no matter how late it is, and I get a little sad when I reach the end if I feel particularly attached to a character), running (relatively newfound hobby and honestly it becomes more and more enjoyable with every mile), traveling, and grabbing coffee with old and new friends and realize we’ve spent the entire afternoon chatting 🙂
Necessary Hobbies: scrapbooking (I too have recently switched over to the online photobooks!) “emily updates” (emails to old friends, teachers, co-workers keeping them updated on my life every 2 weeks–I tried to switch over to a blog but there was massive protest…)
No due date and no children. Someday though 😉