:: Wedding Wishes ::

I confess, I have not really be IN to all the Royal Wedding Hype.  I have not been following the news in regards to all the upcoming festivities and the guest list.  I was not up bright and early to watch the cermony -- I can barely get up to go work!  LOL!

I did however check out the videos online and I must say that Kate looked absolutely stunning in her dress which I thought was so beautiful and elegant -- much the way she seems to come across as well.  Prince William and Prince Harry both looked dashing in their uniforms.

The thing that struck me the most though as I was watching was the absence of Princess Diana.  She loved her boys SO much and I can only imagine how proud she would be of both her sons and especially Prince William on his wedding day.  I would imagine it was quite tough for Prince William not having her there and my heart truly goes out to him.  I very much remember the day of Princess Diana's wedding.

Even though I am not into all the hype, I do, VERY MUCH, wish both Prince William and now Princess Kate ALL THE VERY BEST in the world.  I pray they will have the fairy tale Happily Ever After that Princess Diana never had.

Happy Wedding Day William and Kate :)

And can I just add how much I love the little attendent there in the left corner of the picture with her hands over her ears!  LOL!

:: Lily Bee Love ::

Lily Bee Designs is one of my favorite companies in the scrapbooking world and I recently did a layout for The House of Paper Blog using one of their newest lines, Picket Fence.  I just love the colors in the line and there is SO much versatility.  I came across some pictures of my kiddos from when we were living Seattle and Hunky Hubby had taken them out to Snoqualmie Falls...

Can't believe how little they are.  I know I am biased, but aren't they just the cutest?  I miss them being that little. *sigh* 
Anyway, I also had some KI Alphas in my stash so I used them for my title.  I am pretty happy with the result :)

Still loving the older Lily Bee lines as well...

My girl has always loved the characters at Disney and even now, at almost 10 she is still happy to have her picture taken with them...she is definitley MY daughter! ;)

*sigh*  Not only do these pics make me miss living in Seattle where we had 4 ACTUAL seasons but Fall is my favorite and it was always such a treat to make a trip out to the pumpkin farms...Florida just doesn't cut it for Fall!

Now these pics are a little more recent -- last summer to be exact when we took a mini trip out to Gatlinburg and The Smokey Mountains.  Hunky Hubby and my All Star Son go backpacking every summer...The Diva Princess and I are more of Day Hikers though ;)  They are actually gearing up for their next trip this June.

My new favorite blog right now...

You know how there are just mean and spiteful people out there...the ones who have nothing better to do apparently but try and tear other people down in order to make themselves feel better...the ones who most of the time are so cowardly they opt to post their comments and opinions "anonymously"...you know who I mean, right? 

Well, now there is a blog out there were all those "mean comments go to die"  LOL!  I LOVE IT! Ya gotta check it out...

Look, I am still alive!

Today marks the first day that my Diva Princess has been to school since Friday, April 8th.  Literally, the day after we got home from our weekend away at Disney, she came down with the Flu and then that fed into a nasty sinus infection.  It was downright AWFUL!  She had a fever for 8 days straight.  By day 7 I was a complete mess and finally cried out of sheer frustration and worry.  Of course I managed to also catch a bit of it but was better able to fight it off and only missed one day of work.

SO, the project I wanted to post has yet to get posted. *eyes rolling* 
Story of my life I suppose.  I wasn't completely uncrafty though and did manage to get some scrapbooking in...just need to get the layouts scanned in.

For now, please feel free to check out The Roomie of the Month at The House of Paper.  Each month the Interior Designers, feature an active member of The House and scraplift one of her layouts.  It is always fun to learn a little more about The House Roomies... CHECK IT OUT HERE

Hopefully in the next day or two I will FINALLY get my mirror-turned-chalkboard project posted...keep your fingers crossed for me! ;)

ºoº ~ Magical Monday ~ ºoº

Have I ever mentioned how much I hate Mondays? 
Well, I hate them even MORE when they come right after I have spent a most wonderful weekend away at My Happy Place ºoº with my little family and my BFF. 
Hate them even MORE when my Princess wakes up with a fever on the first day of a week of testing.
Hate them even MORE when I get to work only to find a mess!

UGH!  I hate Mondays!

So, let's focus instead on the magic of my birthday weekend...shall we?  And even better, it is the perfect excuse to share my most recent April Best Foot Forward pictures...

4/8 - What better way to start of a magical weekend than with a horse drawn carriage ride through our resort.  The Port Orleans Riverside was so beautiful.  I felt like I was on a plantation in the deep south...so peaceful and gorgeous.  I have always wanted to go on a carriage ride so Hunky Hubby and the kiddos treated me to one shortly after we checked in.

4/9 - We were on safari today...at Disney's Animal Kingdom.  My little Princess asked if we could sit in the front row so we had a great shot of all the animals that were out an about.  Alyson was so proud of the fact that SHE got us in the first row...and I was quite proud of her for asking.  She seems to be asserting herself a little more these days which I think is just fantastic.

4/10 - Does this picture really need any explanation?  LOL!  This is my most favorite pictures so far, hands down!  I am sure Mickey and Minnie were wondering why on earth this cRaZy lady wanted to take a picture of their feet but they were happy enough to oblige...maybe it was the Happy Birthday button I was wearing ;)  Whatever the reason...this picture just makes me happy!

Wishing you all a ºoº ~ Magical Monday ~ ºoº

My sister ROCKS!

In honor of my birthday today, my sister decided to hijack the Best Foot Forward project I am doing this month and posted this picture on Facebook to celebrate...I am just LOVING it!

Thank you Rachelle!  LOVE YOU TOO!

04/05 Best Foot Forward

Holy cow!  Two nights in a row, being treated to a dinner OUT!  I am getting spoiled...but OH how I LOVE it!  I spent time with my sister Rachelle tonight.  It was WONDERFUL.  We talked for 4 hours.  There is an 11 year age difference between us and I am just so proud of the beautiful woman she has become and thoroughly enjoyed connecting and talking with her.  And how can you NOT love someone who will sit outside a restaurant on a bench holding her feet up in the air for a picture?!  LOL!

04/04 - Best Foot Forward

I am celebrating a birthday this week -- of which I have very mixed feelings.  I was able to meet up with a couple of friends for dinner in honor of my birthday though, so I guess it's not ALL bad getting another year older.  Now that I work full-time out of the house I don't get to spend as much time with some of my mommy friends since the busy-ness in our lives takes us in different directions.  It was nice to try and connect for a brief couple of hours.

04/03 - Best Foot Forward

Tonight my feet lead the way to a soccer game.  USF vs The Tampa Bay Rowdies.  We are a soccer loving family these days and taking the kids to see the local college soccer games has proven to be a lot of fun...and an in expensive family outing as well.

ºoº ~ Magical Monday ~ ºoº

Most people don't really look forward to Mondays...and I am definitely one of those people -- unless I happen to have the day off of work ;) 

I decided to start something new and make each of my Mondays a
                 ºoº ~ Magical Monday ~ ºoº

Today actually IS a Magical Monday for me though.  I was able to do online check-in for my arrival to The House of Mouse this Friday!  This week is my birthday and the only thing I asked for from the Hunky Hubby and our babes is a weekend at Walt Disney World...and no whining, crying, picking, fighting, annoying or complaining ;)

One of the things I love most about living in Florida is being so close to The House of Mouse. 

Walt Disney World is My Happy Place.

I am like a kid in a candy store and I never get tired of being there. This year they came out with the monthly payment plan for Florida Residents Annual Passes and we have been able to take advantage of that....SO much easier on the wallet for sure! 

So in just 4 short days, I will be picking the kiddos up from school and making our way to My Happy Place for my birthday -- complete with dinner in Italy ;)  La Dolcie Vita!

04/02 - Best Foot Forward

Tonight we were at the baseball field for Stevie's game.  You see that 3rd baseman, kind of blurry there between my shoes...yep, he's mine ;)

Never really been a big baseball fan -- more of a soccer and a football fan really...but I do so enjoy watching when it is one of my kiddos out there.  How can I not be a fan then, right? ;)



Couldn't resist sharing a couple more pics...he looks good out there, don't he? ;)

04/01 - Best Foot Forward

Day 1 of my Best Foot Forward project and ALREADY I am having trouble!

I am torn as to which photo to use.  I got together with 2 of my girlfriends to watch a movie based on a book we had all read (Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil...just in case you were wondering).  We met at my BFF's home and coincidentally, her precious babes just happen to be my god babies as well ;)

I snapped this pic of Little G while he was sitting under my chair...


precious, right?

 Later, I snapped a pic of the 3 of us hanging in the kitchen...

But now I can't decide which one to use?  What do YOU think?

Are you ready?

Today is April 1st! 
That means it is time to put your

BEST FOOT FORWARD

No, those aren't my shoes, but aren't they HOT?  Wonder how far I could walk in them before I fell on my face?!  Not my legs either...DAMN IT!  Oh well...

Looking forward to seeing what you gals come up with.  If you post your pics on your blog please be sure and link it back in the comments section, or you can email me your favorite pics from the week.  Thinking it will be fun to do a wrap up at the end of the week!

And remember, it's not really about the shoes...but where they take you this month :)

My World - Made By Hand: 400 Followers { YIPPEE } GIVEAWAY...

Are you a lover of PEEPS?
I mean really, are they NOT just the cutest?
Then be sure and check out Jessica's super cute giveaway on her blog: 
My World - Made By Hand: 400 Followers { YIPPEE } GIVEAWAY...

GOOD LUCK! :)

A little spring time

Man oh MAN, the weather is cRaZy here today.  Severe storms and tornados.  I woke up to a tornado warning this morning and it got so loud outside we actually woke up the kids and headed to the closet...a definite first for us!  We don't usually get too many tornado warnings in these parts and we have already had two.  At least one of them touched down near us.  I decided I don't really get paid near enough to make it worth my while to drive in this weather  so I called into work and I kept both kiddos home from school.  Alyson has set up a little camp in my husand's closet ;)

Since I have a little free time I thought I would share one of my recent projects. 

I was inspired by Madigan Made's Painted Milk Glass Apothecary Jars  as well as her Milk Glass Christmas Trees.  She has a love of painting things white and I think she ROCKS it!

Are these not gorgeous or what?

I decided to start out small and found a vase that I wanted to use with some cute ceramic white birds I found on clearance at Michael's.  


cute, right?



My vase was just one of those clear glass vases that at one time had some very pretty flowers in them from my hubby.  I had some white spray paint already (although just as I started spray painting I realized it was actually primer...but it worked out just fine - not really sure it made a difference.) 

I taped up my vase and got ready to paint...

Not sure if you saw my Pottery Barn Inspired post but I had the first project I shared in mind as I was painting this vase and when I saw those ceramic birds on clearance at M's.


Adorable, right?

 Since I don't have any cute bunnies and such, I opted to just work with what I have on hand {which really isn't much} and kept my little display more spring themed rather than for Easter.  It is not as fancy as my inspiration but this is what I came up with...

Really happy with how my "milk glass" vase turned out and I just love it with my little birds...I just think they are so sweet.

SO sweet in fact that I ended snagging FOUR...but they WERE on clearance ;)

Like I said, not as fancy...but I am happy with it for now. I am not much of a floral arranger either so please don't judge me too harshly.   Maybe I will get lucky and find some cheap white plates at the thrift store or Ross next time I get a chance to go.

A big thank you to Madigan Made and Roeschel from The DIY Show Off for all the inspiration.  And speaking of Madigan Made inspiration...will be sharing my mirror turned chalkboard inspired by her as well very soon :)

Time for a pedicure?

Just a couple more days and I start my little photo project... BEST FOOT FORWARD

 
Thrilled to know that I have a few friends who plan to put THEIR Best Foot Forward with me :)  Thinking a pedicure is in order just in case ;)  Just in case I am not wearing cute shoes, I want my toes to at least look their best!

You can read about my original inspiration for this in my first post.  I love having fun little photo projects to do and since I will have an excuse for taking pictures of my shoes...well, how can it NOT be fun?!  LOL!  Seriously, though, it isn't about the shoes but more about just documenting where my feet take me over the month of April.  April is my birthday month as well as my anniversary month so maybe my feet will take me to some fun places ;)

Like browsing around Ross on my lunch hour...


CHEERS to my FlaminGals!

 If you are playing along I would love it if you would share your pics with me...maybe I could spotlight them over the week :)

Self Portraits in My Kitchen

So, do you remember the post I shared from Family Ever After?  Things have been so busy and crazy lately that I kept putting off taking my self portraits.  I really wanted my kitchen to be all cleaned up, wanted to have a cute little outfit on, makeup done, hair did....but alas, the stars just were not going to align in order for that to happen. 

So, the other day I was scrapbooking on the bar in my kitchen (because despite the fact that I have a great little corner of our home office to scrap in, it is currently in CHAOS and so I moved my creativity elsewhere for now) I was remembering that I still had not taken the self portraits.  My hair was twisted up in a clip, I have no makeup on, and *gasp* my kitchen was slightly messy BUT, I just decided to go for it.  I did grab my favorite kitchen apron though. 

Here ya go...for your viewing pleasure...please be kind ;)


I am only as strong as the coffee I drink and the hairspray I use :)

Thinking about what I should make for dinner?



See...I really was scrapbooking :)



Just don't tell anyone about the dirty dishes on the counter ;)



WHEW!  I am exhausted now!  LOL!

 

Feeling Lucky?

Happy St. Patricks Day!

I confess, I am not irish so I don't celebrate and it really is not a big deal in my house, BUT,  with that being said, the kids and I are all wearing our green to show our support to all our irish friends and I have no problems having a beer (or two) and saying CHEERS to all those who do celebrate! :)

In the spirit of St. Patrick's Day, LUCK was the theme of the week at the House of Paper.  I wanted to do a couple of layouts that were a little less "traditional" when it came to thoughts of luck -- here's what I came up with...



click to enlarge image

 

I LOVE LOVE LOVE these pics of my Sports Star playing goal keeper and I thought the quote was PERFECT!  Have to give props to My Hunk for that one.  I was telling him about the layouts I was working on and that I wanted to use some of Stevie's soccer pics and he quoted me "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity".  Couldn't have said it better myself!

(I used the new Teresa Collins Sports Edition as well as a little Echo Park)




click to enlarge image

 

Love the Jason Mraz song Lucky -- especially the Glee version ;) and so I thought it was another fun twist to doing a Lucky Layout ;)  (I used Lily Bee Lovely on this one)

What do you think?

Are you celebrating today?

P.S.

SEEEEEEEE, I am wearing my green at the office today! :)




Happy St. Patrick's Day!

 

Pottery Barn Inspiration

I just love all the fantastic ideas out there in Blogland (is that an actual word or just something we all made up?  LOL!)  I also love Pottery Barn -- BUT, like most, am NOT really a fan of their high price tags. 

I came across a couple of ideas that have really inspired though for doing some Pottery Barn inspired decorating at home for a LOT less and I wanted to share them.  Both of these ideas seem TOTALLY doable for the thrify crafter -- even for someone like me who works full time and still has to be a full time mommy and wife, which of course means my creative time tends to be very limited.

Roeshel from The DIY Show Off  really blew me away with her PB inspired Easter Decor

THIS was her inspiration from Pottery Barn

Go check out her blog to see exactly how she put hers together...all for under $20!  And I don't know about you, but I actually like HER version better than the original!



The other one that caught my eye is from A Soft Place to Land.  The fact that she calls it a Pottery Barn Hack absolutely cracks me up!  LOL!

Her inspiration from Pottery Barn:

HER Pottery Barn Hack:

Super cute with a LOT better price tag!  You can go to her blog for the full & super easy tutorial on how she made hers as well.



SO?  What do you think?

Blog Crushing and Guest Posting!

I am so super excited today...

I was asked to do a GUEST POST by Andrea at Project Envy!

I am SO thrilled  and just GIDDY that she would ask me!

So PLEASE head over to her blog and check it out. 

You can see the Top Ten Blogs I am crushing on right now!