Project Life Fun Featured on the Craft Warehouse Blog

So honored to be featured on the Craft Warehouse blog. Today, I am sharing allllllll the fun you can have with the Project Life Sunshine Core Kit… check it out HERE.

My new favorite trick- DIY speech bubble cards using extra journal/bi-folds. A tutorial on how to make these will be featured on the Craft Warehouse blog Monday:

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December Daily 2013: Part One

I swore up and down I would absolutely NOT do December Daily this year after making it through day three last year. I will NOT BUY A December Daily Kit, I said. NO, NO, NO. And then the kits came rolling out. And it became, maybe I’ll buy ONE kit this year. JUST ONE. Heh. For the most part, I stuck to the one kit purchase. I am really hoping THIS is the year I FINISH my attempts at a Daily December album. Hold it to me people.

COVER Page:

ddcoverpageDay 1: I am more or less keepsaking moments versus days. In the little bag, I had the boys write down their hopes for the season, and I did the same. Having completely dropped the ball on family photos this year, I had Jake draw a family portrait. I kind of love it more than an actual photo…

ddp1Day 2: I lost an envelope of pictures somewhere. I have no idea where they are. I have ordered second copies and am waiting for them to finish this page…

ddp2Day 3: Decorating our tree…

ddp4Day 4: A Thanksgiving Break tradition, our third year doing it, making our Salt Dough Advent Calendar. The boys did most of the work this year. These ornaments are always my FAVORITE.

ddp6Day 5: Our Elf on the Shelf made his annual appearance. Magic for the boys, many EARLY MORNING panicked wake ups for ME- did I move the elf??!!

ddp7Day 6: The beginning of the boys’ Christmas Lists. As of today, Christmas Eve, they’ve penned about five different versions of their list…

ddp8Day 7: First real season of basketball for Tyson. So much fun. So different watching him play a sport where he is truly SELF motivated…

ddp9Days 8 and 9: The calm before the December Crazy storm. Trying my best to stay ahead of the game. And a fun, mid-week birthday party…

ddp10Days 10 and 11: More fun with Victor, our elf, and an ice skating adventure with my boys…

ddp11Days 12 and 13: Will trim black and white photos to place in the cut out letters of “favorite” and I had to keep Tyson’s last list. I know that all too soon his list will no longer reflect little boy wishes…sigh.

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Half way there!! Chugging along…


Stitch Fix: I May Never Step Foot in a Store Again

A few of my very wise and fashion savvy mommy homies have shared the wonders of Stitch Fix. Intrigued, I decided I had to try it myself. I almost always have both boys in tow which makes shopping rank up there next to pulling teeth. Having stayed home for five years, and recently re-entering the workforce a couple years ago, I have several different wardrobes in several different sizes…most of which are out of date or poorly fitting. Enter the wonder that is Stitch Fix.

You fill out a style profile. Set up a delivery date. And a cute little polka dot box arrives at your doorstep with handpicked clothes just for you. You can try them on at home. Without your little ones threatening to open the dressing room door or peeking their little heads underneath or hearing them YELL your size our for the entire store to hear. Mommy friendly, shopping genius for the fashion challenged like myself.

IMG_8432Part of the reason I was especially intrigued by this opportunity was the chance to step out of my clothing comfort zone. Read: purchase items that aren’t thrown in the cart at Target or Costco. Or my staple Gap trousers for work. The only problem with stepping out of my fashion comfort zone is that it then presents the challenge of how to wear or style. Stitch Fix provides you with a styling card with various outfit possibilities. Thankyouverymuch. I loved the little hand written note, I had noted that I have an IMPOSSIBLE time finding pants, especially after starting CrossFit. It meant a lot that the stylist took that into consideration…

IMG_8431In this months box:

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1. Just Black- Adora Skinny Jeans: I actually laughed as I pulled these out of the box. I thought for SURE there was no way I was going to fit all of me into these tiny little skinny jeans. Apprehensively, I stepped inside and pulled…and they fit. Overwhelmed with shock, I turned to the mirror and was surprised to like them. To be completely honest, I am slightly concerned that the back hem is working a little too hard and fear they may be too small. I have never worn anything so fitted. Or this shade of gray. But thanks to a quick Facebook post, my friends have convinced me to try these bad boys…KEEP.

2. Under Skies- Milan Lace Print Back Pleat Top: I loved this out of the box but wasn’t a fan of it on. It was boxy and shapeless, and made me feel schlepy. RETURN.

3. Ezra- Rothwell Chevron Strip Split Neck Blouse: I actually squealed when I saw this top. LOVED it. And then I put it on. Not so much. Disappointed. I really wanted to love this top. RETURN.

4. 41Hawthorn- Ivy Solid Tab Sleeve V-Neck Blouse: I actually really liked this one. If it had been a little less expensive, I would have kept it, but at $68 I have too many similar shirts to justify this purchase. RETURN.

5. 41 Hawthorn- Abrianna Longsleeve Cardigan: I love open, flouncy cardigans and own enough to prove it. However, this one was a little thin and a little big for my liking. LOVED the color though. RETURN.

You pay an initial $20 styling fee which is then credited towards your purchase if you decide to keep any items. If you decide to keep all five items you get 25% off the entire box. While I am only keeping one item, I am still extremely happy with Stitch Fix and look forward to my next box. You fill out an online survey following your purchase in hopes of narrowing down your style a bit more. I am hoping my next box brings more color and shape. All items that don’t work out for you are simply placed in a pre-paid priority shipping bag and dropped off at the USPS. I can do that. Even with kiddos in tow.

For now, I am left with new gray jeans. A HUGE step out of my typically dark-colored bottoms. I happen to have the suggested items from the style card. Look out…heh. I shall sit and bend gingerly until I am confident those back seams can handle me.

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Fashion blogger, I am not. However, I am more determined to shop my closet and add new pieces to help me break my yoga pant addiction. And add more color to my wardrobe. If you are interested in trying Stitch Fix you can try via this referral link: HERE.

If you try it, let me know what you think and what you get!!


Project Life 2013: Week 42

A quick update from my phone. It’s cold and overcast here today, which makes for bad photo lighting. Went with my tried and true: blue, black, yellow, tan/white color combination. Keeping it simple, trying desperately to catch up…

IMG_8209As I was writing on the monthly calendar, I was wondering why I don’t use them more often…what an easy way to journal the goings on of a week: soccer, soccer practice, soccer game, date night, Family Day at Jake’s preschool…

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IMG_8211Linking up with The Mom Creative:

The Mom Creative


Project Life 2013: Weeks 40 and 41

WEEK 40
PLw40Finally using bits and pieces of my Cocoa Daisy and Gossamer Blue kits. LOOOOOVING the color schemes. Learning to embrace the pink. Moments from my “Day in the Life”, Jake’s attempt to circle “TWO” books he really wanted from his book order- he circled nearly all of them. Silly boy.

PLw40a_edited-1Saturday soccer, big DESIGN TEAM moment for me, birthday parties, and my sad desk at work received some much needed crafty love:

PLw40bI love using little bags to hide hidden pieces of journaling or notes. This week, it hides a copy of a memorable e-mail with a simple “read” tag.

PLw40cWEEK 41

PLw41aJade was the winner for Week 41. I struggled with the title card for a long time- it just wasn’t coming together. And then suddenly, it did. I love it: texture, layers, colors. Done.

PLw41bA big FIRST for me: a real haircut at a new salon. For years, I have gone to my talented, amazing girlfriend who owns her own  salon. Unfortunately, it is nearly an hour away and it is hard to carve out that much time to get to her. So, I took the recommendation of a friend and tried someone new who is local. She worked absolute MAGIC with my hair. It has NEVER looked this curly. Ever. After YEARS of fighting my curls, I am embracing these bad boys:

PLw41cThank you for visiting!!


Project Life 2013: Weeks 38 and 39

WEEK 38
IMG_9814Fun with the new coral core kit. Jake’s first week of soccer, Ty’s second week of first grade…lots of big milestones.

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IMG_9819WEEK 39

IMG_9821Sunshine kit for Week 39. Lots of patterned cards = lots of fun ways to cut up the extra cards and use them as embellishments. I love to cut up the cards into simple strips and use them as faux washi tape:

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2013 Salt Dough Advent Calendar

IMG_9730I made two batches of dough this year: one for each kiddo. I did very little, they took on most of this project on their own. It has become one of my most favorite Thanksgiving Break traditions.

IMG_9732After baking at 250 for approximately 5 hours and letting the ornaments cool overnight, they were ready to be decorated. The boys were up EARLY and ready to go…

IMG_9759An old egg carton = perfect paint holder. Other half = perfect embellishment holder.

IMG_9762Christmas music playing, warm cup of coffee in hand, happy boys…swoon:

IMG_9772Their finished products. Ready to be sealed (one coat of Mod Podge and embellished):

IMG_9784Jake’s favorite part:

IMG_9791Our 2013 Advent Calendar:

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Vanilla Chai Sugar Scrub: Take Two

IMG_9711I decided to make sugar scrubs as  gifts again this year. I loved them so much, I made extras so that I could have them all through the year. They really are super simple to make and the smell gets even better with time…

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups brown sugar

2 cups turbinado sugar

10-15 chai tea bags: cut open and add dry ingredients

2 cups grape seed oil

2 teaspoons honey

2 teaspoons vanilla

10-ish drops cinnamon essential oil

MIX dry ingredients, add wet ingredients. STIR. DONE.

IMG_9715This is a double batch using last year’s recipe. It merits approximately five 8 ounce jars. I made two batches to make sure I had enough to last ME throughout the year. And to keep a couple extra around should I need a quick hostess gift.

IMG_9721Ordered the jars HERE. And wooden spoons HERE.

IMG_9723Now, to figure out how to package them…thanks for visiting!!


Christmas Goodie/Gift Bags

Every year, come the week before Winter Break, I find myself scrambling for teacher gifts for the boys’ teachers. This year, I am determined to help alleviate some of the December Craziness by attempting to get things done early. I immediately fell in love with the me & my BIG ideas Christmas stickers the second I saw them. I grabbed a few Pocket Pages cards, a piece of green card stock, a couple of Whisker Graphics bags and started to shuffle things around. Within in minutes, I had things organized for the makings of four gift bags:
mambixmasA little bit of the process: I like to always get all my goods out to see what I have to work with. I grab all the things I think will coordinate or might work:

mambixmas1I narrow down the pieces I want to use. I had my eye on the felt Christmas tree. For these bags, I kept is super simple. One colored piece of card stock + one Pocket Page journal card = 2 layers, with the exception of the one “TODAY” card where the word itself served as a fun layer.

mambixmas2Adhere background piece, adhere journal card to top. Stick tree on. Star sticker on top. Word sticker on side for some added dimension. Tie twine. Done.

mambixmas3Four completed Christmas gift bags in less than an hour. If only the gift buying were as easy.

mambixmasgoodiesThank you for visiting!!


13 in 2013: Book Nine

The StorytellerThe Storyteller by Jodi Picoult

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It can be said that our life is made up of chapters: an ever evolving story with various characters entering and leaving. Some characters playing main roles in multiple chapters, their impact obvious and life altering. Others, merely come and go without so much as a ripple. It can also be said that each of us houses the seeds of good and evil within, nurturing and growing both throughout our lives; however, it is often within our power which seeds we choose to sow, evil always lurking beneath the surface of any good choice.

As we mold the story of our life, we learn that stories play a multitude of roles in our daily choices and being. There are stories of future goals, dreams and possibilities. There are the stories we tell ourselves when we doubt our own capabilities. There are stories we tell others to cover up that doubt. There are stories that affect us more than we’d like to ever admit and there are stories that alter our life path forever, the chains of which remain connected no matter what we do. Honesty: a story that unfolds itself. Lies: stories we tell ourself and believe so deeply that we try to live them.

Sage Singer and Josef Weber: two characters unlikely to form a friendship. Two characters who could not be more different on the surface; however, their life stories become woven together by a tapestry of moral struggles and family history. Josef has only been coming to the local grief support group for two weeks when he starts a conversation with Sage. That conversation would lead to another, and then another. Both living seemingly invisible lives, choosing to walk alone, they find a comfort and friendship with each other neither has known in a very long time. It is when Josef asks Sage for an unbelievable favor that both discover the depths to which long-buried secrets and lies can tear apart a heart. And life.

The Storyteller is a book that explores the magnitude of moral indiscretions and their effect on our life’s path. Can one ever truly escape a past chapter wrought with lies? Can evil deeds be erased by a life of good choices laced with guilt? What lengths would you go through to find forgiveness in others?

“I know how powerful a story can be. It can change the course of history. It can save a life. But it can also be a sinkhole, a quicksand in which you become stuck, unable to write yourself free.”

Beyond photographs which leave interpretations up to the viewer, stories live on…”some stories live forever”.