15 Websites Similar To Pinterest

It seems like the entire world has jumped on the Pinterest bandwagon in the past year, including myself. It’s one of those sites you can literally spend hours on. “Visual Bookmarking” has definitely made its mark for 2012 as one of the top new internet trends.

Here are 15 Pinterest-like websites that may spark your interest. Some of these sites have differed from Pinterest by centering their site around a specific theme.

1. Dribbble - This is a show and tell for designers. The images are high quality and original pieces. You can search by color, project, tags and can even find designers by location, skills and availability.

2. Weddinggawker – A wedding planner’s heaven. All the photography is submitted by wedding bloggers/photographers from around the world. And the website’s editors review submissions daily and only choose the highest quality, most beautiful images to showcase.

3. We Heart It - A teenager version of Pinterest, this site is imaged based and has “tops tags” similar to “trending topics.” There are all kinds of images on this site, but the majority of the images center around pretty faces and outfits.

4. Wanelo – This is the perfect place for shoppers. Find unique products and stores you’re never heard of. You can actually buy any of the posts you see, just click on the post and it will direct you to the original site you can purchase it from.

5. FFFFOUND! - An image bookmarking site, it is particularly popular with photographers because of the awesome photography found here.

6. Zootool – This site is for the all-around organizer. Collect, organize and share your favorite images, videos, websites, articles, documents, links, etc. It’s known for its easy-to-use interface and working well with various blog and social media outlets.

7. Designspiration – The perfect spot for design, architect, photography and fashion design inspiration. Search by color, type of design, etc. Their photos are high-quality and user submitted.

8. Gentlemint – It’s pretty much a Pinterest for men. Maybe Pinterest feels too girly for some men? Well, here is your solution. It works the same as Pinterest, just with “manly things.”

9. Trippy – This site is perfect for travelers out there. Use this site to collect and share travel ideas with friends to plan a trip. Or find ideas for a future trip with customized travel boards.

10. Image Spark- A creative-based site, Image Spark allows you to collect inspiration to put in your “moodboards” which can be resized, edited and customised. A neat different between Image Spark and Pinterest, is that you can choose if your moodboards on Image Spark can be public or private, which is a very nice feature for creatives.

11. Chill – This is the perfect visual bookmarking site for videos. With so many viral videos going around on the web, there’s no way to see all of them, but you can discover countless videos on Chill and bookmark the best ones so you can watch them over and over again.

12. Ology – Get in the know about everything that’s trending on the web with Ology. Trending topics, breaking news, viral videos, Ology is about finding out the latest info about your passions.

13. Knack Registry – A new take on a wedding planning, create a virtual pinboard of your wedding registry for your guest to see and purchase. Find items your want for your registry without being constricted to a national retailers. You can register traditional gifts, unique items and your perfect honeymoon including airfare and hotels all in one place. Your guests can go straight to the link and purchase it online.

14. Postwire – Centering their site around connecting business personals or companies to their clients, Postwire allows you to create a private board for your clients, whether you’re a designer, personal trainer, business developers, etc. Instead of sending your clients countless emails with articles, links, pictures, etc., just send them a link to your shared webpage that will have everything in one spot.

15. 500px- A photographer’s dream, you can click through thousands of high-quality, stunning photographs taken all over the world. It’s a photo community that lets you discover, share, buy and sell inspiring photographs.

Hunger Games

I am SO excited that Hunger Games is coming to theaters this Friday. Exactly 2 days, 3 hours and 19 minutes (but who’s counting?). Here’s some fun Hunger Games info that will hype you up for the premiere. Check out the Official Movie Trailer here.

After reading the trilogy, I was instantly hooked. Every chapter kept you reading more. The books are written by Suzanne Collins. Her inspiration for writing The Hunger Games was the Greek myth of Theseus, reality TV, and the Iraq war.

Some fun facts about Collins is she’s worked on the writing staff of several Nickelodeon shows including Clarissa Explains It All, and was named one of the most influential people of 2010 by Time Magazine.

But if you haven’t read the books, here’s a little Hunger Games 101. The picture below is a shot of some of the cast members from the movie. Here are the character names from left to right: Clove, Marvel, Foxface, Thresh, Glimmer, Cato, Rue, Peeta, Katniss and Gale. (All of them are sent in the Hunger Games, except Gale).

Here are the main 3 characters:

Katniss Everdeen (middle) is the main character and is the one who’s perspective the books are written from. She volunteers herself in place of her 12-year-old sister, Primrose Everdeen, who is originally selected to fight in the the Hunger Games. Katniss must prove herself in the games by using the bow and arrow skills she’s perfected.

Peeta Mellark (left) is the male tribute for District 12 and is forced to go into the Hunger Games with Katniss. A baker’s son, Peeta doesn’t really have any battle skills, and is forced to take a different approach in the Hunger Games to fight for his survival.

Gale Hawthorne (right) is Katniss’ best friend in District 12. Gale and Katniss hunt for food illegally outside the perimeter of District 12 to provide for their families.

Yes, there is a little love triangle between the main characters, and deciding whether you are Team Gale or Team Peeta may not be an easy task…

Now, one of the great thing about these books is that they’re not centered around the love story. They have a very action-packed plot that takes priority in the story telling.

Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, The Capitol of Panem forces each of its 12 districts to select a boy and girl (ages 12- 18) to compete in the Hunger Games. The basic premise of the Hunger Games is is a fight to the death between the 24 teens, with the last survivor named the winner. The whole battle is filmed like a reality TV show for all the districts to watch. Here is a map of Panem below, is relation to North America:

Each district has a specialty. They are listed in the photo below. The main characters are from District 12 (known for mining).

The Capitol is the seat of Panem’s totalitarian government and its chief city. The Capitol is known for its riches and eccentric styles. Very futuristic clothes, hairstyles and architecture.

Key players:

President Coriolanus Snow (seen below) is the leader of all 12 districts and does not like his power challenged. The purpose of the Hunger Games is to keep his power intact and prove to the population of Panem that he is not to be questioned.

Haymitch Abernathy (seen below) is the first and only District 12 Hunger Games champion. He is Katniss’ and Peeta’s District 12 mentor for the Hunger Games, and he’s assigned to train the two for the competition — when he’s not too drunk.

Cinna (seen below) starts as a stylist from The Capitol assigned to Katniss, but soon becomes one of her closest friends and allies.

March Photo Challenge

I’ve pretty much always been into photography. My first photography class was in high school and I definitely fell in love with it. I kind of took a break when I started my job, but lately, it’s been weighing on my mind to pick it back up again.

I bought a Groupon for a 5-hour photography class, and one of the things I learned in the photography class is to just get out and go shoot stuff. Things that catch your attention, things that move you, things that scare you, just go out and shoot. Practice makes perfect. You’re not going to get better by just studying photography on paper.

You can say that I’m ready to go out and take on the world with my camera, but I don’t really know where to start. I’ve seen these “photo challenges” all over the web, so I thought I’d make my own, and I hope y’all will follow along.

When setting this up, I wanted you to have more leeway with the order, so you may start at #1 and go in chronological order, or you can start at #15 and skip around; it doesn’t matter. The topics are not assigned to a specific day. Just go out, start with whatever appeals to you on this list, and cross them off when you’ve got a photo that fits with the category.

I would love to see some of y’alls photos along the way. You can tag me on Twitter @kaylameyer1. It would be great to take some of y’all’s photos and put them on my blog :)

Romance Flicks

Since it is the month of love, I find it fitting to share some of my favorite romance movies. I just love a great love story and they’re especially fun to watch near Valentine’s Day. Make some popcorn, curl up with some friends or your significant other and throw on one of these great romance flicks. Twelve of my top romance movies. Twelve days until Valentine’s Day. Coincidence? I think not.

Click on the links for the theatrical trailer: 1. Titanic 2. How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days 3. A Walk To Remember 4. The Notebook 5. 10 Things I Hate About You 6. Sweet Home Alabama 7. The Proposal 8. She’s All That 9. Notting Hill 10. 13 Going On 30 11. America’s Sweethearts 12. P.S. I Love You

10 Must-Have Music Playlists

If you’re like me, then you’re getting tired of hitting the “shuffle” button on your iPod. Next. Next. Next. Next. Ohh I like this song. Next. Next. Next.

I recently just purchased a new iMac (yay!) and I’ve been transferring all 976 songs onto my new computer. I’ve been deleted songs I never listen to anymore, adding album artwork, etc. That’s when it hit me that I need to take the time to finally sort my songs into playlists, so I can finally stay away from the “shuffle” option. Sometimes you just feel like listening to a specific category of songs based on situational events, instead of divided by artist or song title.

Here are the 10 must-have music playlists for your iPod, according to me.

1. The “I Work Out” Playlist

Obviously. Everyone needs some heart-pumping songs to run to. And you definitely don’t want to be hitting the “Next” button every minute of your work out. Create a playlist that will have you in the zone for your next meeting at the gym. I would even suggest a separate “running” and “workout” playlist. Just put this playlist on shuffle, and you’re ready to sweat. See my recent post for great songs to run to here.

2. The “Dance Party” Playlist

Whether you’re having a party at your house, or you’re on your way downtown, you need a playlist that can get everyone dancing, laughing and having fun. And most of the time, these events are impromptu, so you definitely want to be prepared. Songs like “Party Rock Anthem” by LMFAO, “Yeah 3x” by Chris Brown, or any dub step song would be perfect for this kind of playlist.

3. The “Childhood Jams” Playlist

You know you love rocking out to those old songs from your childhood. This is a great playlist for those “I’m Alone In My Car” moments, when you just feel like belting out “Wannabe” by the Spice Girls or “Bootylicious” by Destiny’s Child. Don’t be ashamed, everyone has those songs that make them think of their first concert. I grew up in the 90s, so of course my iPod has some N’Sync, Britney and Christina on it.

4. The “Chill” Playlist

Everyone has those relaxing afternoons where some tranquil music makes the perfect background noise. Maybe you’re studying, working or just cleaning on a rainy day, those Jack Johnson, Citizen Cope and Kings Of Leon songs will fit the part. I always love having songs I can play in the background, but not distract me. Especially when I’m trying to be productive.

5. The “Relationship Status” Playlist

Recently broken up? Hopelessly in love? Create a playlist. Whether you feel like listening to “Bubbly” by Colbie Caillat or “Goodbye” by Jagged Edge, sometimes you need some songs to fit your love life. Get your “broken up” playlist or “I’m in love” playlist ready. Shuffle, and repeat.

6. The “It’s Just One Of Those Days” Playlist

The title should give it away, but just when you’re having one of those days, throw on some angry music to vent. Perfectly titled, “Break Stuff” by Limp Bizkit or “Drop The World” by Lil Wayne ft. Eminem would be great additions to this playlist. Save this mix for those days when nothing seems to go your way, it gives a theraputic touch.

7. The “Oldies But Goodies” Playlist

Oh, you know this category. Pull out all those hits from back in the day and stick them in one playlist, so whenever you want to jam with the ‘rents, you know what to put on. Everyone has some Earth Wind & Fire, Stevie Wonder, and the legendary Michael Jackson. Load them up on here and get ready to jam.

8. The “Guilty Pleasures” Playlist

This is for all those songs you’re ashamed to love. Maybe those teeny bopper hits like, “Baby” by Justin Bieber or “Party In The USA” by Miley Cyrus. This is even perfect for those annoying songs you’d love to hate like, “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion or “Ice Ice Baby” by Vanilla Ice. Maybe this is the playlist you save when you’re by yourself.

9. The “Singing In The Shower” Playlist

Who doesn’t love to sing a great tune in the shower? Jeremy loves to belt out “Tiny Dancer” by Elton John in the shower. (I know this because I heard every word from the next room. Oh yes, even the high-pitched chorus, “Hold me closer tiny danceeerrr…” haha) And sometimes I can’t help but try to sing like Adele when “Rolling In The Deep” comes on. This playlist is especially useful, because it’s not like you can easily hit the “Next” button in the shower.

10. The “Fun On The Road” Playlist

Everyone must have a playlist for those long road trips. Pick out your favorite tunes you know all the words to, so you have no trouble singing at the top of your lungs on the open road. Driving for a long while, whether it’s for a trip or just stuck in the long commute to work, is just straight out boring. Unless you have Rihanna or Beyonce blasting through the speakers, that is.

StickyGram

Valentine’s Day is around the corner, and everyone is looking for that thoughtful gift for your boyfriend, girlfriend or best friend that won’t break your budget. This is the solution: StickyGram

StickyGram is a website that will turn your Instagram photos into magnets! You can choose which of your photos you want to turn into magnets, and the dimensions are approx. 1.97″ x 1.97″ (the same size as you see on your photo). Stick them on your fridge, locker, cubicle, magnetic board, and more.

Instagram is a free app you can download on the iPhone. It allows you to take a photo, add a filter and upload right away to Facebook, Twitter, etc. And now you can use these photos to turn into personalized magnets.

You get 9 on a sheet, like below, for $14.99 plus FREE shipping on the StickyGram website! That’s less than $2 for 1 magnet! Shipping does take 5-12 days, so plan accordingly. But this is such a cute, thoughtful present for anyone, or even yourself!

Upcoming TV Premieres

One of my favorite things about the new year, is all my favorite TV shows return for spring! Here are all the upcoming premieres starting tonight:

Pretty Little Liars returns Monday, January 2 (tonight) at 8/7c on ABC Family channel. Watch the preview on youtube here. (This show is so addicting. If you’ve never seen it before, I recommend watching it from the beginning before you dive right in, otherwise you’ll be totally lost. It’s so worth it though.)

The Bachelor‘s season premiere with Ben Flajnik premieres Monday, January 2 (tonight) at 8/7c on ABC. Watch the extended preview on youtube here. (And this season looks like they tried to get as many crazy girls as they could find and fit them all in one season. They succeeded.)

Biggest Loser‘s season 13′s premiere is Tuesday, January 3 (tomorrow) at 8/7c on NBC. Watch the promo on youtube here. (This season looks super interesting because they’re splitting all the contestants into two teams. Bob vs. Dolvett. Let the weight loss begin.)

The Vampire Diaries is coming off their season 3 hiatus on Thursday, January 5 at 8/7c on The CW. Watch the promo on youtube here. (If you know me, this is one of my all-time favorite shows. I highly recommend it. Warning: It’s ridiculously addicting, but incredible awesome.)

The Secret Circle is another show on The CW that’s coming off of hiatus Thursday, Dec. 5 at 9/8c. Watch the promo on youtube here. (It’s become a show I’ve grown to like. I’m not addicted yet, but maybe as the story line develops a little futher… we’ll see.)

Project Runway All Stars‘ premiere is airing Thursday, January 5 at 9/8c on Lifetime. Watch the promo on youtube here. (Eight of past season’s favorite designers come back to find out who’s the best of the best. Can’t wait for the drama and talent to unveil.)

Once Upon A Time is coming off hiatus on Sunday, January 8 at 8/7c on ABC. Watch the preview on youtube here. (Me and my roommate have been totally obsessed with this new show. I just love fairy tales with a twist.)

New Girl is coming off of hiatus on Tuesday, January 17 at 9/8c on FOX. Watch the promo on youtube here. (This show is so fun and corky. I love it.)

American Idol has a two-night premiere Wednesday, January 18 at 8/7c and Thursday, January 19 at 8/7c on FOX. Watch the promo on youtube here. (I’m kind of wondering how this season will turn out. The last one was kind of a bust, so we’ll see.)

The Voice has its season 2 premiere after the Super Bowl on Sunday, February 5 at 8/7c on NBC. Watch the promo on youtube here. (I can’t wait for this show. Their first season earlier this year was so good! I’m interested to see where they take season 2.)