A Very Merry Christmas

Wednesday, December 28, 2011







We had a great Christmas (almost all of us....missed you Sarah and Jackson!) at home. All the essentials: Christmas tree, sugar cookies, Home Alone...it was perfect!  I love the last picture of the crayons on Christmas morning. That was always my fav presents growing up. Something to color, thank you Santa.  It was a good year.



Home For the Holidays

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Source: Sweet Paul

Source: Kid Spot

A little late on the decoration ideas, being Christmas Eve and all.  But loving these ideas for next year....something to look forward to!  Here is a tutorial for the Letter Garland as well.  Loving the idea of words all over the walls.  Festive.  

Merry Christmas Eve.  Sleep tight! 



Happy Friday

Friday, December 16, 2011


I stumbled across this letter organizer today and I think he's pretty awesome.  I mean he is vintage and a scottie.  So fun.  I kinda like it.  


In other news, these holiday cards from my shop were on the front page of the Etsy website today.  I like it when that happens.  Makes me happy.  

Also it's the weekend.  

And 9 days til Christmas.  

Yeah! Happy Friday :) 



Sewing Cats

Tuesday, December 13, 2011


Figuring out my sewing machine is one of my new years resolutions this year.  I've even started an online tutorial type of class that's apparently going to help me teach myself.  I'm going to be a sewer before you know it.  Sewer? I might have made that word up. But that's what I'm going to be anyways.  Its happening.....and I've got my eye on this quilt by Merrilee of Mer Mag.  Its so fun right!?  She's put together a step by step on how to sew this quilt in her cat design. Maybe its a little ambitious for me right now but its definitely giving me goals and getting my wheels turning.  I'm going to be a sewer.  




Music Monday and Loves

Monday, December 12, 2011


There's a lot of renditions of holiday songs out there (Justin Bieber anyone?) but personally I love the classic versions.  I love John Schmidt's assortment here. 



Also I can't get enough of these ugly sweater tshirts by Vardagen.  Love em!  My budget has been arguing with me several times over whether I should purchase one or not.  If I can talk myself into adding my own name to my list of Christmas recipients then this is where I'll go first.  I've had several close calls...but just haven't taken the plunge yet.  



Another store I've been eyeing lately is Blowfish and it just so happens that there is a giveaway going on at Laura's blog.  I'm a dedicated flats kind of a girl so given the fact that they have MANY boots that I would kill to have...they're worth a looksie.  Pretty cool if you wanna check it out!  

Happy holiday time everyone :)







Awesome Today

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

LuciusArt found here

Last night I was feeling motivated that in the morning I would wake up just a little bit earlier and do a 20 minute workout and be awesome.  I know right.  But I guess I forgot that I actually don't do things like that.  So my alarm went off.  And then 5 minutes later again.  And then again.  So instead I rolled out of bed at the time that I normally am walking out the door for work...oops. Ah well. It was a nice try.

So I figured once I got done with work I would make up for that work out.  Long story short I ended up in bed once again. I liked cozy a little too much. Nice try again. 

But you know those friends you have that you kinda avoid cause they're serious party pooopers. The ones who have a hard day...every day. And they love to tell you about it.  I mean every day their dog died. (How many dogs do they really have?)  I am on a mission to never be one of those friends.  Yes I know I haven't washed my jeans in awhile and they are giving me saggy butt, but its still a good day.

Awesome things today
-----------------------------
1. Listening to a voicemail during work of my best sister Jamie serenading me.  My laughter made my friend at work curious enough to listen in and pretty sure it made her day awesome too. 
2. My lunch.  I love food and it was good okay. 
3. Doing something right and productive and my boss acknowledging by saying and I quote, "You are awesome."  Yes, yes I am.  
4. My coworker walking in to work with a box of cookies from the best bakery. And I choose a double fudge one.  I told you, I love food.
5. Some guy was walking around Walmart with pieces of kleenex stuck up his nose.  You know when you have a bloody nose and you're laying in bed with your head propped up nose stuffed with kleenex feeling not so sexy.  Like that. Except he was walking around Walmart. Okay maybe not so awesome but definitely noteworthy.  And courageous.  
6. Another noteworthy couple walking around Walmart sporting their British accents.  I have a definite love affair with the way they talk.  I stalked them for a little while, following just close enough to hear but stealthily enough not to be caught.  Oh how those Brits make me smile.
7. I did a little DIY project at home and it turned out pretty cool if I do say so.  I'd show ya but, I have a feeling this may turn into a Christmas project so we'll keep that under wraps until the 26th.  But lets just say I transfered a photo onto a canvas.  Pretty nifty eh?  
8. Playing soccer with Perry, my little friend that I get paid to be friends with.  He was the goalie and laughed his tiny tushie off every time I kicked it hard and nailed him with the ball. Who knew my athletic abilities against a 5 yr old were so hilarious?  
9. Hot shower before bed. Shaved legs (let's be real. Its winter and this isn't a daily thing.)  Okay confession....I was trying to type occurance on the last sentence but I can't figure out how to spell it right.  So instead I settled for the word thing.  Good replacement word.  


I hope you were awesome today too.


Feed Your Soul

Monday, December 5, 2011

Leah Duncan 


                        
Kelly Puissegur

So I came across this really amazing site called Feed Your Soul where artist's are donating some of their really cool work....for free! To me. To you. To anyone that wants it.  So those of us on a budget can still brighten our homes with some talented creativeness.  One of my favorite artists, Leah Duncan, donated a piece and I can't wait to print it out and find a place on my wall for it. So cool. That's all.  

Angela Traunig



Cutie Cutie

Friday, December 2, 2011


So a success and a failure.  Definitely didn't stick to my meal plan that I created on Sunday. It seemed so fool proof....hmmph.  But still, I followed it mostly....with the exception of a few anxious hunger panic attacks ending up in a macaroni and cheese binge and a couple bowls of ice cream. (ok maybe a few. Or maybe 4)   

Still I'm gonna chalk it up to a good week.  I stuck to good foods for 90% of my day.  And I kept pretty close to eating every 3 hours. And I still have the motivation to keep it up.  So pat on my back for a good week.  Goals: Eat more of the good stuff instead of focusing on calories right now.  No more hunger panic attacks for me.  


I spotted Cuties at the grocery store and I woud have done a cartwheel right there in the aisle, but one of my serious secrets is that I have never been able to do a cartwheel so shhh. We'll keep that between us.  Cuties are seriously good stuff.  They are snackable and yummy and healthy.  I love them in salads.  And I eat em like candy.  You should too.

The dirt on Cuties:  

Mentally - they smell citrusy and good and it makes me happy. Actually, citrusy is known to lower stress levels.  So sniff em before you chow down.  

For your heart - fat free, cholesterol free, and sodium free. Also has folate, which fights heart disease.  

Satisfying - loaded with fiber, keeping you full for longer.  Always a good thing when you're cutting back. 

Healing powers - yes, actual powers to heal your wounds and keep gums and teeth healthy.   Loaded with vitamin C.  

Snackable - only about 40 calories per Cutie so snack away.  Have a handful. Eat em like candy. They're super easy to peel and seedless.  




Tis the season for Cuties - they'll be around til May. 


Music for Monday

Monday, November 28, 2011


Monday!  After a long holiday weekend I'm ready.  I did my grocery shopping at Whole Foods and stocked up for an entire planned week of healthy healthy food. I'm so ready.  I'll report back on Friday how well I actually stuck to the plan (cross your fingers please). 


And now that Thanksgiving has come and gone its officially Christmas season. Bring on the snowy days, the holiday music, the Starbucks, and the shopping!  Bring it Monday.



Giving Thanks

Friday, November 25, 2011




Yesterday was  Thanksgiving, but can I give thanks a day late?  I wasn't feeling so thanksgiving-y before. I wasn't with my family. I have a list of things to do that I have procrastinated.  Long week. Unsuccessful in the diet department (most likely the guilty cause for my bad attitude ya think?).  And I spilled ice cream down the front of my favorite Gap on sale sweater. Rrrrr.....


Today I woke up and it was beautiful outside and I felt like dusting off my bad case of the bah hum bugs.  Thank goodness for brand new days of second chances. Hallelujah for the body's natural ability to cheer up after a good nights sleep.  I explored this amazingly gorgeous place that I'm calling home right now, Utah.  Note to self: add more exploring to my to do list.   Also, add purchasing winter boots to the list cause....yeah I don't think those flats will cut it much longer here.  No matter how much they go with every outfit. 


I hope your day was wonderful! And if not, I wish you a wonderful night's sleep and a happy, thankful morning tomorrow :)




kickin my butt

Tuesday, November 22, 2011


I bought the 30 Day Shred from Jillian Michaels and it better be shredding something cause its making me work!  I'm on week 3 and loving it. Well hating it during...but loving it after.  I'm not very sore afterwards, but you keep moving, no breaks for 20 minutes and it makes me sweat sweat sweat. Sexy I know.  


I haven't lost any weight since I started but I blame that on the ice cream I've been chowing down on.  And the pizza I ate definitely wasn't on her suggested meal plans. So turns out that eating well in conjunction with the videos is pretty important.  Good to know.


But I'd recommend this for sure. I have a hard time with videos because I lose interest quick but this is super fast and she's super motivating.  I'm feeling strong. Verdict: I'm sticking with it for now.  


I also saw on a weight loss show that a girl had a goal to run a 10 minute mile.  Now, she's heavier than me so I was pretty curious to see if I could do it.  I did it in 10 mintes and 14 seconds tonight and I was breathing pretty heavy. So new goal...working on running a faster mile!


Music for Monday

Monday, November 21, 2011


I woke up much too early today. Anytime the sun hasn't come up yet it's much too early, but today beats even that.  On the upside, that means I get to stay in my warm bed instead of hitting snooze every 5 minutes.  Meiko is definitely on my staying in bed playlist this morning and here's one of my favorites from her.  After a few more of her songs, I'll get out of bed soon....ish. Happy Monday! 



Pumpkin Muffins

Friday, November 18, 2011

Tis the season that I can't control my urge for Pumpkin Muffins...and I have yet to find a recipe that beats this one.  So moist!  And chocolatey!  I balanced out my guilt of eating all 24 myself by reducing the amount of sugar to 1 cup instead of 2.   I didn't miss that 1 cup at all so if you feel adventurous....reduce the sugar even more.  Or try no sugar at all (then tell me how they turned out please and thank you).   Thank you mama for the recipe.  You've got all the best ones! 


Pumpkin Muffins:

Beat 5 eggs
Add:
1 cup oil
16 oz. pumpkin puree
2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp baking soda
2- 3oz packages of instant vanilla pudding
Mix until creamy.
Add:
dark chocolate chips to taste (I use the whole bag.  Yep that's right. The whole bag. Back up off me) 

Bake @ 350 in a greased or lined muffin tin for 30 minutes or until golden brown on top.
Yields 24 muffins.



I found out that each muffin is packing almost 250 calories.  That would have been nice to know before I destroyed the whole batch by myself...in a matter of days.  But they're just too good to ignore when they're sitting there on my counter begging to eaten.  Don't say I didn't warn ya.



Music for Monday

Monday, November 14, 2011

I need extra rad music on Monday to get the motivation to roll myself off the side of the bed (cause then there's no real choice other than getting up).  This beautiful song by Carla Bruni is doing the trick for me today.  Yes it's in a different language. No I dont have a clue what she's saying.  Yes it's still awesome.  If you don't speak French then you can make up the meaning for whatever you'd like.  You know how you love songs even more when it seems like the lyrics were written solely just for you and saying exactly what you're feeling.  Perhaps she's singing about love or sadness or....whatever you want to make it yours.  For me I think she's singing I'm beautiful and awesome and I'm not wearing pants. 


And if you do know French.....please! Tell me what she's saying!  


Pattern Play

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

So I'm thinking bringing some more patterns into my room could spice it up a bit and I'm smitten with the stencils from Royal Design Stencils.  Especially this one...


So patterns are on the brain lately.





From Liz Korutz




Music for Monday

Monday, November 7, 2011

I can't get enough of the cover of this song.  No judging, but I might have put it on repeat....and then I might have listened to it 30 times in a row.  It might be my new favorite thing. 



Ella Mae Bowen - Holding Out For A Hero


Speaking of awesome things.  Kiersten Holine is awesome.  She's one of those being discovered still artists with the most incredible voice, I'm in love.  She has lots of covers on youtube if you fall in love too.



Kiersten Holine - Dreams





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