A Passion for Scrapbooking, Decorating and Shopping

Decorating a man's domain...

Finally, this room has some form of expression to it. 

It was a gift (I found from the Wisteria catalog) to my guy from me for his birthday earlier this year.  He just hung it in his domain.  The Bull now has the pleasure of hearing noise from time-to-time emanate from the speakers it hangs between.

 

For a different occasion, I gave my guy this framed print I discovered from Ballard Designs.  Very regal and masculine.

Perfect for his space which he prefers to decorate himself. I try to mind my own business and let him have at it but I can't help but offer my opinion and ideas here and there. 

So, my opinions and ideas come in the form of gifts...but let's not tell him I said so.  ;-)

And since this room is a work-in-progress, I must come up with some gift ideas for Christmas. 

With the influence of teens...

We've had family visiting over the course of the week last week and are now trying to return to normal in our household.  Admittedly, we are a bit sad as our house no longer has the sounds of laughter bellowing from our beloved teen nieces & nephew.  

I've got lots of magazine reading to do as well as the google reader which is filled with blog posts to catch-up on.  

Having spent time with teens the last few days gave me the urge to check out MTV Cribs online in order to fulfill my interior design needs in the form of eye candy.  Many of the celebrities I do not know but there are some houses they feature that are incredibly big and quite imaginative when it comes to filling 10,000+ square feet of living space.  

If you have spare time, it's worth viewing the episodes that are available on their website.

We also watched '17 Again' and now know the looks and sounds of Zac Efron.  I've seen his name splashed in magazines but knew nothing of him.  I can see why young girls take a liken' to him.

And what would a teen do without iChat.  Their friends were far yet near with this tool.  I was happy to share the technology with them and see the interaction with their friends.

Striving to be a Savvy Auntie and keep the pace of teens at this stage in our lives has been challenging yet fun. I am now going to rest my weary head and savor the moments we had together.  

Socializing...

I cherish my girlfriends and our friendships.

Ever since I began blogging in 2005, I have 'met' some very kind folks.  A majority of those who share similar interests, whether it be a love for scrapbooking, decorating or shopping...or all 3. 

And having become a member of the Facebook and Twitter communities, I have 'met' more individuals sharing common interests and reconnected with old friends and school chums.  I have found the entire experience to be quite rewarding.

I recently shared how I love being a part of the Savvy Auntie community.  And although I am not a mom, I enjoy the camaraderie with Lazy Moms, another fabulous circle of women.

As a child, I was painfully shy and still am to a certain degree today.  It is something I am overcoming with age.

Truthfully, I am fascinated with people.  And when you can connect with someone who is just as passionate as you are about a particular hobby or can relate in some way to your interests, it is very gratifying.  Sharing dialogue is what keeps me connected to those individuals.  If I am on fire with passion about a particular subject, I can go on and on, sometimes talking faster than I can think.

Remaining connected to my family and friends is very important too.  What would we do without instant messaging, texting and email?  Facebook also plays a large role in our family's lives as well as dear friends.  It's how I observe what is going on in their life in micro-blogging fashion.  When they include pictures, it's like icing on the cake. 

There remains the old-fashioned side of me that involves pen and paper in order to stay in touch with dear friends, but I also embrace technology. 

Without technology, my soul would not experience what it does today...friendships in all shapes and forms as well as staying in touch with family.

Having shared my thoughts on socializing and technology, I am now off to text with my sister, sharing our reactions while viewing our favorite TV show tonight.

Bless you, technology. 

Savvy Auntie...

My heart melts when I hear our 3-year old niece call me "Auntie G-nette".  Or when our older nieces and nephew connect with us in conversation and enjoy our company. 

Last week, we had that opportunity to connect.  We were present for their last day of school and celebrated with a meal at Sonic. We went bowling.  Played at the arcade.  Manicures and pedicures with the older girls.  Seeing them perform with their Guitar Hero.  Went to the mall.  Witnessed our nephew do great things academically. 

And watching our youngest niece make attempts at diving into the pool during a swimming lesson. 

 

She's an expert when it comes to belly flops.  :-)

Being an Aunt is quite rewarding.  For me, it's being a part of their lives and bonding with them.  It's a relationship I began to nurture at each birth. 

Recently I discovered Savvy Auntie.  A place where it gives me a sense of belonging, recognizing the special things we like to do as an Aunt. It's an opportunity to share your thoughts and opinions as well as gaining resourceful tips. 

Savvy Auntie is a fabulous community of women celebrating a role of a lifetime.  As we've all heard, it takes a village to raise a child and an Aunt is a part of that village. 

If you are interested in seeing what Savvy Auntie is all about, please visit their website.  It's a very inclusive group with Aunties by Relation (ABR), Aunties by Choice (ABC), Mommy Aunties, Great Aunts, Godmothers, and all women who love kids.

Hope to cross paths with you at Savvy Auntie.

Auntie Jeanette

Robb & Stucky...

During our visit to southern Florida last week, I got the chance to visit a furniture retailer, Robb & Stucky, with a showroom that seemed endless and filled with casegoods and upholstered furniture to send me into eye-candy-wonderland. 

I'm not very good about hiding myself from mirrors while taking photos.  I was so distracted by the beauty of this "room" I could only focus on capturing as much as I could into the photo frame.

Do you ever walk into a furniture store and say how a certain piece of furniture would look great in a particular room of your home?  It drives my guy crazy because all he can hear are the dollar signs popping into his head as I think out loud.  And that's what I am pretty much doing, particularly when I said "these chairs and mirrored nesting end table would look great in our bedroom."

You could say that I am vocal about my dreams and fantasize a lot about what could go where in our home.  ;-)

My sister and I were drawn to the wall color and decorative striping on the wall of this particular room vignette.

What drew us to Robb & Stucky was their brochure my sister brought home after a business meeting she attended at their store's community meeting room (this could be a potential meeting place for a crop, right).

Well in the brochure I discovered a leather sofa, potentially for our family room.  So we went to check it out.  It's a wedge-style sectional sofa.  Not too big, not too small.

And with sexy nailhead trim, I had to go run my fingers over it in the flesh. 

The nailhead trim continues around the perimeter of the back of the sofa too. 

They were making it too easy for us to make a purchase from their store as they ship anywhere in the U.S.  I didn't need to hear that.  The good thing is we can stew on this for a bit before making any final decisions on a major furniture purchase as I have the salesperson's email address.

It was quite an experience visiting Robb & Stucky.  I wish we had one located nearby in my neck of the woods but it's probably a good thing we do not.  The temptation would be too great. 

If you are ever near one of their locations, it is worth spending the time perusing their goods as you never know what you might find that would look good in your family room.

A sense of style...

I am enjoying the photos from the First Lady's visit to Europe where she is accompanying her husband.  And I applaud her fashion sense in mixing off-the-rack fashion with designer-ware. 

I've always enjoyed J.Crew but seeing how the First Lady is showcasing their wares has given me a renewed interest in this line.

Yes, the above outfit is all J.Crew and the First Lady looks fabulous in it.

When her official portrait was unveiled recently, I was wowed by how classy she carries herself in the photo as well as having arms any girl could envy. (I understand the dress is designed by Michael Kors.)

I recall when my sister was getting married several years ago that as her Matron of Honor, I suggested I should wear a dress with sleeves. 

My sister chose a sleeveless dress for me to wear.  And in southern climates, a shawl would cause a sweat attack. Since she was the Bride, I complied.

I tried to get in shape before the big day but doing arm-curls a week before the wedding is just not enough.

Right now I am choosing to focus on the positive and that is what a classically fashionable First Lady we have. 

Classy & Fabulous...

Thanks to a touch of insomnia, I am entertaining myself with the discovery of some rooms that are quite inspiring.

If I may, I'd like to share them with you.

An eye-catcher here.  Layering this bedroom in neutral colors is very appealing to me.

This living room room is amazing.  The dentil moulding and neoclassical mirror along with a neutral palette are great classics.

And the "x" design in the cabinetry of this kitchen island is incredibly classy and fabulous.  The architectural detail is what makes it so attractive.

You want to know what else is classy & fabulous? 

These stamps from Stampin' Up!.

"A girl should be two things:  classy and fabulous"
  - Coco Chanel

I could not agree more with Coco Chanel's quote.  It reminds me of what my Father used to tell us gals while growing up.  "Be a Lady however painful."

And he was usually repeating that when we were doing something un-lady-like. 

Sharing a little bit of home decor mixed in with a small bit of stamping.  It's nice when the two worlds collide. 

Ho, Ho, Ho...

[My niece with santa]

Merry Christmas
Wishing you love, peace and joy and all the magical moments that the holidays bring.

Gift ideas: What to get mom...

It's the first of December.  Time for me to begin putting a dent in my gift-giving shopping list.  It is this time of year where my sister and I have the same discussion each year.  What do we get Mom for Christmas?

If you ask our mother, she will tell us that she does not need a thing.  We want to express our love and appreciation for our mother.  For all those moments when she'd help remind Santa that we wanted Barbie dolls, the Welcome Back Kotter board game, satin jackets and platform wedge sandals.

As a scrapbooker, I have begun working on a pictorial of the grandkids (my nieces and nephew) using a kit I purchased sometime ago from Creatologie by Carol Wingert. 

And I purchased a feminine and large duffle bag from Vera Bradley to encourage more travel for our mother to see me as well as my sister and the grandkids more often.

If you find yourself in the same predicament, trying to find the ideal gift for your mom, I've listed a few ideas below:

• A cashmere wrap from Nordstrom is perfect for this time of year.  I keep a knitted wrap at the office as I always have a chill.  
• Hot Flash Pajamas & Nightgown from Acacia.  I think my Mom would get a laugh out of this.  And it seems pretty practical too.
• Brighton Jewelry from Cutter & Buck is one way to treat your mom to a nice piece of silver jewelry, particularly if you need to ship it to her.
• Yoga for Beginners from Gaiam would actually make a nice gift for any female in your family who is interested in fitness that is not too fast paced like aerobics.
• A Rosemary Tree from Gardener's Supply Co. is perfect for the mom who likes to use fresh herbs when cooking.  This is an ideal hostess gift too.
• A Cross Pen in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness is a good deed kind of gift.
• Down Surround pillows by Pacific Coast Feather Company's Hotel Collection accompanied by a good book will set the mood for some R&R our mother's deserve.  Or if you can get your hands on an Amazon Kindle (they are on backorder), and if your budget allows it, would make for a fabulous gift for book-reading moms.
• A subscription to your mom's favorite magazine is a great way to "send" a gift.
• A Keurig Single-Cup Coffeemaker is a wonderful gift for not only coffee drinkers but for tea drinkers too.  

I hope this helps spark some gift ideas for our mom's.  And if you have any ideas you'd like to share with me, why I'd love to hear all about it. 

I will be sharing more gift ideas in the days ahead. 

Gift idea: Candy & Snack Dispenser

One of my father-in-law's favorite snacks is peanuts.  Whether they are cashews, pistachios, peanuts in a shell, peanuts without shells, mixed nuts, and so-on, it's pretty much a staple in his home. 

In the pile of catalogs we received this week, I came across Plow & Hearth's and flipped the page only to see the ideal gift for dearest father-in-law.  A Candy & Snack Dispenser.  It will make a great companion to his resting place (aka recliner) while watching his favorite football team (the Redskins) play each weekend.

I also like how you can change the finial on the dispenser to suit the season and/or occasion. 

It then dawned on me how perfect this type of dispenser would be for my desk at work.  As much as I love Peanut M&Ms with their festive and seasonal colors, I never filled my candy dish with these candies for my co-workers to enjoy for sanitary reasons.  Instead, I share individually wrapped Life Savers in the candy dish. 

This Christmas, my father-in-law will enjoy his nuts of choice displayed in this lovely dispenser as will my office desk look festive with my favorite M&Ms.

A meal of thanks...

My mind is on food right now.  Specifically, I'm thinking about Thanksgiving.  We are hosting dinner this year and I've begun selecting recipes for the meal. 

One recipe we are going to try is a Sweet Potato Casserole dish from the current issue of Cooking Light magazine.  I always judge a recipe by the photo, then I read the ingredients.  And if it's complicated, forget it, but this recipe seems relatively easy and healthy. 

We also intend to make mashed potatoes which seems like we're overloading on the carbs but we're all about tradition at Thanksgiving, so it's a must.  And so is the gravy.  The challenge is keeping the gravy warm throughout the meal.  Sometime ago, I purchased a Gravy Mate and have yet to utilize it and believe now is the time to break it out of the box. 

Taste buds vary on dessert.  Each one of us prefers a different type of pie.  Between pumpkin, apple, pecan and mincemeat, we always have a variety of pies at Thanksgiving.  Oh, I almost forgot, we also like to have some-little-something for breakfast.  How about more carbs and sugar?  This time, I intend to order a crumb cake rather than bake one.  The oven will already be on overload.

Also, wine is on my shopping list.  And since I will be the only one sipping it, I can choose to my own liking.  This time, I'm going for an organic red Cabernet. 

I just need to find the ideal tablecloth and we're all set.

The thought of family gathering around for a meal to celebrate tradition and history makes me feel warm and fuzzy.  I hope you are enjoying all the joy that the season brings.

Flowers for mom...

Selecting a gift for my mom is one of the challenges I face at every gift-giving opportunity.  Ultimately it comes down to a bouquet of flowers or a flowering plant. 

For her birthday recently, I wanted to do something a little different.  And after searching around the 'net, I found something that related to flowers but in a unique way.

Flowering tea.  I've never seen anything like this before and sent a gift set to my mom.  She's a tea drinker and has enjoyed every sip thus far.  Even my 2-year old niece loved sipping this tea with Grandma.  The gift was a success. 

Aside from the benefits of drinking the tea, the presentation is nice and cheerful.   

Then another opportunity for sending flowers presented itself when a relative was in the hospital recently.  Instead, I sent the Flowering Tea gift set with the idea it provided the bouquet of flowers you'd normally send in the form of flowering tea, as well as helping to heal and nurture the soul with something warm to drink.

It's convenient to have a standard gift idea ready to give at a moment's notice.  And I've definitely found mine.

And if you belong to Amazon Prime, 2-day shipping is free.  The membership comes in handy, particularly around the holidays.

Have a fabulous weekend!

Post-trip...

It was hot & humid but fun moments were shared between us (Aunt & Uncle) and them (nieces, nephew and family).  And considering the weather, it is not a good time to visit southern climates this time of year but we wanted to share in the life of teens and toddlers for a few days.

They can be precious...


And they can be creative (as in masculine teen room decor)...

We are happy to be home (particularly after an airline delay) but our hearts are longing to be back in the company of our family. 

And to entertain myself during the delay at the airport today, I purchased and read a few local home design magazines.  I consider them my souvenirs from a trip.

Then to my pleasant surprise, I see an ad for a Home and Garden show with a guest visit by Angelo Surmelis in Miami later this month.

I'd love to learn design tips from Angelo in person but time is not on my side over Labor Day weekend.  So for those decorator enthusiasts in the Miami area over Labor Day weekend seem to be in for a home design treat. 

Southern Florida appears to be the mecca of home design.  And one of these days, I am going to devote a couple days to checking it out in person.  Driving along I-95, you see all sorts of design centers and reputable manufacturers. 

There's good things going on in those neck of the woods.  I hope to visit more often.  Here's to family and home design. 

Girls day out...

Spending time with my nieces today, I've learned that the Jonas Brothers are THE group among teens, Forever 21 and Hollister are COOL stores to shop at and Juicy Couture is oh-so stylish.  And for a 2 year old, having your nails painted, shopping for shoes and a purse, and playing with mommy's iPhone are entertaining. 

There's nothing I cherish more than hanging out with our nieces.  We topped off the shopping adventure with milkshakes from Chick-fil-a.

Spending moments with our nieces and nephew has been the highlight of our trip. And the ability to view HGTV on our flight.  I also had sister-quality-time at the spa where I had the chance to flip through the latest Florida Design magazine.  What a treat.

No matter where I am, the inspiration must follow me.  Even if it's a magazine or two.

This and that, Thursday night edition...

Currently I have family visiting with little opportunity to connect with my Mac.  I do though have some interesting links to share.  One is the kitchen of the year sponsored by House Beautiful and shown on the Today Show.  A feature that appeals to me are the 2 refrigerators side-by-side.  Although we're a family of two, I could see having 2 fridges in the kitchen.

Today, I had my first experience at a Korean spa called  SpaWorld.  It was different, but not in a bad way.  The massage therapist walked on my back.  Yes, she walked on my back.  Fortunately she was tiny but boy were her feet strong as she kneaded my back, tending to every tight muscle. 

And the body scrub has left me feeling soft as a baby's derrière.  I'm glad I was able to share this time with my mom and aunt.  It meant a lot to them for me to experience some of their culture.

Also, did you notice the blog banner?  I know some of you have based on the feedback I've received.  Leave it to my talented friend Tammy to come to my aide. 

For what remains this evening is a diet Coke, ibuprofen, body moisturizer (want to savor the body scrub) and a cold pillow to rest on. 

Friday is almost here...

About a Girl...

My mind requires entertainment while standing in the check-out line.  I'll grab a magazine to peruse and/or purchase.  Why I'll even read the label contents on a pack of gum if I have to, just to help the time pass.

So last Saturday as I was checking out at our LSS, I discovered a book near the check-out called "About a Girl: Create a Scrapbook All About You".  It took me about 10 seconds to realize how perfect this book would be for a couple of our teen-aged/pre-teen nieces. 

I'd like for them to learn about journaling and telling stories about themselves.  Something I wish I did more of when I was their age.  I kept a diary but only made a couple entries before it got tucked away somewhere in my bedroom and long forgotten.

I look forward to the day when I can share the story behind this photo with our 2-year old niece.

 

She was experimenting with mommy's lipstick that requires an oil-based make-up remover to get off your lips.  Or in this little girl's case, off your face.

While we're on the subject of documenting memories, Carol Wingert's classes at our LSS were phenomenal.  She introduced a few new techniques (new to me, that is) and I enjoyed the freedom to create.  Carol encourages you express yourself creatively in your own way.  I intend to share the projects very soon (as well as the one from Debby Schuh's class in April).  I'm way behind but am on the road to getting better organized.

The popular vote...

Can a soda determine the outcome of the Presidential election?

Who knows.  It would make for an interesting BBQ to serve all 3 sodas and see which one most people select.

My father follows politics very closely, and in particular, the upcoming Presidential election.  So, I've decided to serve these sodas in his honor for Father's Day.

Now that I've mentioned Father's Day, I do have a gift idea to share.  It is one I purchased for my guy post-Christmas because they were sold out before Christmas.  It's a carabiner watch from Wind & Weather.  For those who do not like to wear a wrist watch, it's the ideal gift. 

The watch includes a thermometer, compass, magnifying glass and a flash light.  And the numbers are easy to read, which is fabulous for those who are too stubborn to wear their reading glasses when they should (I'm not naming any names...you know who you are).

What a shame they do not make one with feminine qualities because I do not like to wear a wrist watch and could really use a carabiner watch for myself.  Hello, Coach....here's an idea for you.  ;)

Aunt & Uncle...

Using one of Carol Wingert's fabulous monthly kits, I dedicated this album to celebrating being an Aunt & Uncle.  That is, my hubby and I being an Aunt & Uncle. 

It's the little things that make this album fun to put together.  Like a row of ribbon tied around the wire of the flower on the neck of the bird.

And embellished edges bring a frilly touch that I so admire.

The amazing things you can do with scallopped-edge cardstock.

And cutting-out vignettes of patterned paper, adorned with more birds.

Leave it to Carol to show us the way.  I am enjoying the journey and recording thoughts and adding photos of our precious nieces and nephews. 

And I look forward to Carol's classes at our LSS this weekend.  The journey continues...

Fit Flops...

When my sister stopped by for a visit last Saturday, she mentioned the flip flops on her feet were called Fit Flops.  I've heard of the sneaker version but never laid eyes on the flip flop version. 

The description mentions it tones muscles, including your thighs.  So, I wonder if I wear these Fit Flops all summer long that I will have nicely toned legs by the fall. 

And the Wii Fit arrived and I plan to muster-up the courage to use it over the weekend.  I'm intrigued by the challenges it presents when I saw the preview.  It does not allow you to go to the next step until you've completed the current step properly.  I need this!

The accessories for the Wii Fit are adorable too.  A board sleeve for storage, exercise mat and a pink silicone sleeve are nice options.  There is also a We Ski game that you can use with the balance board.

Finding new ways to stay fit keeps me interested and intrigued.  Quite frankly, I find the treadmill dull and boring but I am not giving up.  That is what I tell myself, particularly when I look at the Bean Exerciser my husband inflated for me months ago and is still sitting in our bedroom untouched. 

Actions...

I find myself trying to learn more about photography and Photoshop actions.  And tonight, you can find me spending time on The Pioneer Woman's site seeking knowledge and downloading her free actions.  (Note:  It only works with Photoshop Creative Suite and not Elements).

Here's a photo of our niece (who turned 2 today) with no actions:

And here's the same photo with Pioneer Woman's Lovely & Ethereal photoshop action:

And here's an example of Pioneer Woman's B&W action:

I have so much to learn and am having fun in the process.  And you just never know where that next click on the 'net will lead to. 

As for The Pioneer Woman, I admire her writing style and wealth of information she shares with her readers.  Her photography is inspiring and her cooking skills can even make a non-cook like me ready to take them on. 

It is now time to explore her Home and Garden section.  Goodnight, folks.

A family that plays together...

...stays together.  And the Wii certainly provided the fun, entertainment and exercise for our family.

Boxing wears me out very quickly.  My sisters enjoyed it though. 

They worked those arms.  And between gasping for oxygen, they were exerting their energy vocally. 

The physical exhaustion, causing her to collapse momentarily before picking up the momentum again for another round.

Me....I hid behind the lens.  I can't box, I'm taking photos. 

Tonight, I learned that the Wii Fit I pre-ordered has been shipped.  I can't hide behind the lens any longer.  And I can't make up any excuses.  It seemed like a good idea at the time I ordered it.

I need motivation.  Maybe a new pair of Nike's will do the trick?

Celebrating a role of a lifetime...

Recognizing how important our mothers are to us, particularly on that special day in May, where we express how much we love them.  And it is this time of year when I began to think of ways to express love to my mother long distance which is sometimes not very easy.  So I've begun a list which I thought I'd share in the event you find yourself in need of gift ideas:

• A cyclamen plant.  The blooms are pretty and last longer than fresh flowers.  In thinking back on previous gifts, I may have given one to my mother a number of years ago. 

• Finding a watch-face with numbers that are easily read is tough.  I managed to find one by Brighton that has a combination of silver and gold.  It's on the top of my list. 

• Face Oil-free sunscreen is very important, no matter the age.  Combined with a stylish visor, our mothers faces would be well-protected from the sun.  And don't forget the body too.

• My sister and I both wear Vera Wang fragrance.  Why not make it a threesome and include our mother as a wearer of this beautiful scent.

• If my mom were a computer-user and had email, I'd send her an e-card.  All the more reason for me to stay on top of my card-making.  

That reminds me, I better make a card...now...before I forget.  I may even make some adorable photo stamps.  And note postage rates go up May 12 with first class mail at 42¢. 

I also have a 2nd mother whom I adore.  And every year, I give her Vera Bradley gifts.  It's her favorite.  And I like to give my sister a little something just to recognize how much of a good mommy I think she is to my nieces and nephew.

Hmmm, I better get started on those handmade cards.  It just dawned on me I have more Mother's Day cards to make.

May your Saturday be an enjoyable one.

Goody, goody gumdrops...

In a matter of minutes they go from this: 

...to this:

This is our youngest niece, who at Thanksgiving decided those gumdrops did not deserve to be on the gingerbread house.  They deserve to be eaten, and she would go to great lengths to get to those gumdrops.  Turning your back to her for just a moment is all it took.

I share in her desire for sweets.  And I discovered something that offers a little bit of sweetness but without the calories. 

Diet Dr. Pepper Cherry Chocolate (Limited Edition). 

You can taste the chocolate and hint of cherry.  It's not overpowering though.  It's just right.

I found my 12-pack at Target.

Interestingly, I'm not a fan of Diet Dr. Pepper.  I will drink just about any type of diet soda except Diet Dr. Pepper.  I'd choose regular Dr. Pepper, which happens to be my all-time favorite soda. 

With this new Limited Edition Diet Dr. Pepper, I will drink-up calorie-free.  And I will return to Target to stock up before it's all gone. 

A family affair...

His name is Fud...

...and belongs to my newlywed sister and her husband.  For a puppy, he sure is big.  He has a loving demeanor though.

BUT poor Zippy (my parents dog) does not like Fud.  We've never heard Zippy growl until the moment she met Fud.  She is one sassy little Bichon who is particular about the company she keeps.

We celebrated Christmas together.  And in an effort to not show favoritism, I presented gifts to both dogs.  A fortune cookie for Fud (remember my sister's wedding cake) and a Chinese take-out container for Zippy.

I can only hope that when Fud visits the Zippy household again that he comes bearing gifts.  Because the way to this gal's heart is a nice Coach doggy collar.  ;)

For the love of shoes...

Shoes are like souvenirs to me.  When I travel, which is not often, I somehow manage to come home with a new pair of shoes.  During my one-and-only visit to London in '99, I purchased a pair of Russell & Bromley mules which to this day I cannot get rid of although I have not worn them in years.  There are fond memories of that visit and those mules are a reminder of the awesome time I had in such a wonderful city with my dear friend, Sheila.

And Patrick Cox, oh how I love those jellies.  I purchased those shoes a long time ago because of an article I read in InStyle magazine in the late 90's where Sandra Bullock raved about them. 

Now because of what ails my feet, I must where sensible shoes with a lower heel.  Where do you find sensible yet stylish shoes?  Trust me, I have been spending a lot of time online at Zappos and Nordstrom seeking them.

I unloaded some of my favorites onto my sister during our visit over the Thanksgiving holiday.  And as soon as the shoes fell to the floor, this girl took an immediate interest in them.

She is a girl after my own heart.  And she has 2 older sisters and a mommy who share the same passion for shoes.   I envision girl-bonding time in our future as we shoe-shop together.   

Wait till we introduce her to handbags!  After having received a postcard recently from Anya Hindmarch with her latest styles, I am very tempted to scratch everything off my Christmas wish list and ask for the bag that appears on her homepage.  In reality, I better stick to my original wish list.

Yes, I'm just a girl with big dreams.

For the love of Santa...

What's a little girl to do when she goes to the Mall to see Santa and decides at the very moment she sees him to cry.  Mommy joins her for comfort.

and her Aunt jumps in too and plants a kiss on Santa (let me just add this was at Santa's prompting).

I managed to knock his hat off but Santa was a good sport about it.  Yet I didn't take this opportunity to tell him what I wanted for Christmas.  Although while at the mall, I managed to drag my guy into the Apple store and pointed out a nice wireless keyboard and monitor.  ;)

Hope everyone is enjoying the season!

There's no place like home...

...where even on Thanksgiving Day I convinced my guy to hang patina tiles I recently purchased from Southern Living in the kitchen.

I'm thankful for this man in my life.

I'm also thankful for my friends.  I love everything about each and every one of them.  I'm very thankful for my best friend, who has this amazing lamp.  And when I saw it the other day, I gasped.  She then managed to find one for me from the Bombay Company, which is going out of business.  We always look out for each other, even when it comes to home decor.

And my family, whom I'm excited to spend this very day with.  They accept me as I am....sweatsuit and all, which I find very comforting on a day like today. 

I hope everyone is enjoying their time today with those who mean a lot to you.  And if anyone has recipes for leftovers to share, by all means send them my way.  'Cause my sister is cooking a 20 lb turkey!

Gobble, Gobble!

An SLR-like model...

...that is what Consumer Reports refers to this camera by Fuji.  My sister and her husband were seeking a point & shoot digital camera for business-use, so I checked CR and found this Fuji to be one of their "quick recommendations" (and they purchased the camera).  I was impressed with CR's take on this camera. 

The features include image stablization, wide-angle zoom, manual controls (if you choose to get creative with your photo-taking) and a video recorder with zoom capabilities.  Note that the camera is not lightweight but neither are digital SLR cameras.

Best of all is the price is far more affordable than a digital SLR.  The link I provided to the camera takes you to Amazon where you can also read the reviews from owners of this camera.  Feedback is a good reference before making a purchase, particularly on equipment, like a camera. 

I wanted to share this in the event anyone is shopping for a camera or is in need of holiday gift ideas.

Anniversary journal...

One thing my sister and I have in common is the date of our wedding anniversary, which we both celebrated recently.  And in a recent phone conversation about our anniversaries, we both could not recall what we did last year to celebrate it.  Life is always busy and the past just fades away much easier as we're older. 

My sister calls me back to say she has a brilliant idea....how about an anniversary journal where each year they (herself and her hubby) make an entry about their anniversary on that particular day.  For instance, she included a card from flowers he sent her and wrote some details she wanted to document.  And her hubby also shared some thoughts and included a card he gave her. 

I've decided this is a must for my guy and me although we are very late in the game to start one (after 19 years) but better late than never, right!? 

I do recall some anniversaries, but not all of them.  So, I've ordered a blank journal and am ready to start on this project very soon.  I plan to include a business card of the restaurant we ate it, the label from the bottle of wine I drank (I didn't drink the whole bottle...just to be clear on that) and some sentimental thoughts from the day.  Then I'm going to pass it onto my guy for his input. 

The key is we must do this every year AND we must remember where we placed the journal.  :)

Ta-da...

My sister completed her Heidi Swapp canvas project from CE. 

As I mentioned before, it was her favorite class.  This event has inspired my sister in many ways.  I'm so glad she is discovering such a wonderful hobby. 

And now I understand why Heidi finds the She book by Kobi Yamada so inspiring.  I won the book last weekend at the crop (along with an awesome Karen Foster planner and other goodies).  Although I've heard this book mentioned many times, I've never taken the time to actually read it...and wow!  There are some amazing and powerful quotes in that book.  They really spoke to me.  I'm going to select one to include on my canvas that I hope to complete over the weekend along with some other projects that I'm excited about.

So, here's to a creative and fun weekend!

Jupiter...

If I may, I'd like to introduce you to a new blog that has nothing to do with scrapbooking but has a lot to do with real estate and West Palm Beach, Florida.  In particular, Jupiter and Juno Beach.  Hence the name, Blogging Jupino. 

The company behind the blog is Cobblestone Realty.  They are a growing young company continually expanding services to provide a complete line of realty products and services for their clients.  They serve one of the most beautiful areas in Florida and are located on the east coast where their community is rich with a diversified population.  They have seasonal (or snowbirds as they like to call them) young families.

There are a few famous celebrities who love the Jupiter area because of the private communities available to them.  Cobblestone Realty can help with relocation, second homes, seasonal rentals and investment properties. 

Blogging Jupino is a forum for Cobblestone Realty to share resources, information, and anything that pertains to homes and real estate.  They plan to include tidbits on interior design and staging a home for sale as well as local interests.  I look forward to hearing more on that front!

More importantly, the blog is managed by my sister and her hubby is Cobblestone Realty.  I'd like to welcome them to the world of blogging.  And if you want to stop by to wish them well, I know they'd greatly appreciate it. 

Of course if you are ever looking for a home in the West Palm Beach area, Cobblestone Realty would be a great resource.  And if you are interested in opening a local scrapbook store, this area could really use one! 

Fortunately...

...the weather cooperated and my sister's wedding ceremony was a pleasant one outdoors. 

And have you ever seen a pink and green wedding cake?  If not, now you have:

There's a story behind the fortune cookies and part of the story is that is what her husband used to propose to her. 

And my sister's love of pink and green was reflected throughout the wedding.  She even managed to find green and pink tiki torches. 

I now have many photos to scrapbook and I need to spend quality time with Photoshop CS3. There's nothing like a family wedding to present a creative opportunity. 

Memo boards for auction...

In order to come up with a craft item for auction at an upcoming family reunion, I embellished a couple of small cork boards from Target.  I certainly have plenty of fabric laying around for this project, but I ran out of gimp. 

Actually, I had plenty of gimp for the topiary board but on the damask board I improvised with girly MM trim.  And I took bronze upholstery tacks and dabbed jet black Staz-on Ink to coordinate with the color of the board. 

This is one of my favorite projects because it's a quick and creative way to embellish your home.

Showers of happiness...

The day was as beautiful as the bride-to-be.  Planning and preparing for this shower has taken a couple of months.  And then things happen so quickly and it's over in a matter of hours.  Sort of like spending all those months shopping for Christmas presents and it's all over in a matter of minutes on Christmas morning as kids rush to open their gifts.

Thank goodness

for scrapbooking as I would not have been nearly as inspired as I have been with this hobby over the last 5-6 years.  I would have never thought to cover a clipboard with paper and adding pretty embellishments.  I created two clipboards (from Staples) - one for the guests to sign-in and one for tracking gifts.  My intention is to include those sheets in my sister's shower album I am putting together.

Thank goodness for K&Co. and Lil Davis chipboard alphabets.  Adding words and phrases around the room was endearing and fun. 

And a big thank goodness for Deb and her Say It With Letters business.  I was able to order a beautiful and fancy letter from her Etsy site, which provided a touch of elegance to the shower setting.  The compliments were endless from the guests on that piece.  My hubby applied black gesso (available at Dick Blick) onto the letter for me to give it a somewhat shabby but sophiticated look.

Oh, and thank goodness for Target for their affordable yet-feminine tablecloths from their Shabby Chic line were just what I was looking for.

The flowers, food, margaritas, and most important, our family & friends are what made for a spectacular celebration. 

Small details...

In order to designate a spot for the bride when we gather to socialize as a group, I decided to embellish a white pillow with a sparkly "Bride" on the front.  My preference was for a pillow smaller than what I found (Fieldcrest at Target), but it was a last minute idea.

Another challenge has been finding candy wrapped in a color to coordinate with our color theme (black, white, green & pink).   It has been a fun mission though. 

There's still plenty to do in preparation for tomorrow's party.  Tonight, I have a date with Costco.  :)

Love & Wishes...

I have wishes of love and happiness for my sister and soon-to-be brother-in-law.  So the theme for her bridal shower on Saturday is "Love & Wishes". 

I'm expressing it with decorative tags & ribbon by Christine Adolph.  As for the tags, I glued them to thumbtacks and stuck it through a Junkitz flowerz and onto the decorative bulletin board.

And I'm expressing it with mini composition books (from Staples) I embellished for the ladies.  With the many sheets of Amy Butler patterned paper I have remaining from the invitation-making project, I decided they would serve another purpose for the shower.  Also included are the prima flowers and crystal jewels we used on the invitations and black polka-dot ribbon.

I am very excited to have the opportunity to use the WISH tickets.  I also have a set in blue and pink, which you can find at Inspire Co.  I've had them for some time now, hoping to find good use for them.  And I did!

There's still more work ahead of me before Saturday.  Sharing tidbits of what has been accomplished thus far is like checking items off my to-do list.  I'm half-way there...

Free-spirited...

...in an Amy Butler sorta way:

...with a Prima hydrangea on top:

This was my first experience with a card-making mission of this magnitude.  There are definitely things to consider when making mass-produced cards.  Like beautiful Maya Road ribbon in velvet (our original selection) can cost oodles of $$ when you need enough for 150 cards.  So we switched to much less expensive ribbon. 

I am relieved this mission is complete.  Next mission...what am I going to wear to the wedding???

Damsel in distress...

What's a girl to do when, at the last minute, she realizes she had not ordered cardstock for her sister's 150 wedding invitations that need to go out this week.  Oh my.

She calls Scrapbook.com and they come to the rescue by shipping 3 packs via overnight mail, ensuring I had them in time for my weekend of invitation-making.  I had called late in the day and missed their cut-off for overnight shipping but they were kind enough to help me out in my time of need.  It was such a relief.  Their Customer Service is #1 in my book.

As for the invitations, we're almost finished.  Along the way, I've learned a few things:

• Vellum works best for printing using a laserjet printer (the ink smudges using an inkjet printer).  And ribbon holds the vellum in place in the card very nicely.  Also, ribbon hand punches are a godsend!
• Bargains can be found at Target where we discovered Anna Griffin Thank You notecards marked down 1/2 price, using only the envelopes for the RSVP cards. 
• Thank goodness for gold labels as they can cover address errors on the RSVP envelopes. 
• Moo cards are an adorable way of announcing where the couple are registered.
• Fancy Pants acrylic block was the perfect size for adding flourishes to the front of the 6" square card.
• With Versamark, green patina powder and a brush, we were able to create those flourishes to my sister's liking.
• Prima's hydrangea flowers with a little sparkle make a pretty accent.
• And last but not least, Amy Butler has fabulous patterned paper.  Where else can you find pink & green (the Bride's favorite colors) designed so prettily that you can even use it on a wedding invitation. 

Stay tuned for pictures. 

Black & white...

It feels great to be home and crafting today.  I always make a mess when I'm in the middle of a project and this photo is evidence of that.

And here is the end result of that creative mess:

The fabric, one of my current favorites, was stapled onto the bulletin board (from Target).  I then glued black gimp around the perimeter with a hot glue gun.  And upholstery tacks were used where I criss-crossed the black french gimp (available at Fabric.com) on the board where photos and notes can be tucked. 

My intention is to showcase photos of my sister and her fiance at her bridal shower later this month.  And it is one of my gifts to her. 

I am now warming-up for preparation of 150 wedding invitations this weekend.  Holy cow.  The project includes Amy Butler Belle Henna Paisley patterned paper, which I will be shopping for this week.  If anyone has any good resources where I can buy at least 50 sheets, please let me know.

From black & white to pink & green.  Oh how fun it is to be a girl.  :)

A shabby welcome...

Having spent the last 3 weeks with my nieces and nephew, we've tried to make good use of our quality time together.  One thing I enjoyed with my nieces is crafting.  I love teaching them things I've learned along the way.  And having dabbled with gesso, thanks to Carol's good teachings, I shared that new-found knowledge with these 2 girls.

We decorated and embellished door hangers for their respective bedrooms.  They played with rub-ons, flowers, buttons and acrylic letters. 

I couldn't convince my nephew to partake in this wonderful creative session, so I embellished his door hanger for him.

What fun I had attempting to make a masculine door hanger for a teen-aged boy.  I incorporated red & black acrylic paint as well as white gesso and simply applied random phrases from these rubons. 

The quality time between Aunt, Uncle and nieces and nephew have come to an end for now.  Thank goodness for scrapbooking as I can reflect on these moments while creating memorable pages with all the photos I took for our album. 

Games we play...

We are spending good quality time with our nieces and nephew this summer.  I'm trying to make our home a fun and welcoming visit for them but it is not easy keeping them entertained.

I started with board games and they selected Clue, Battleship, Uno and Mad Gab.  They also selected books to read from the young adult section as they are teenagers and I figured they would find good choices there.  My oldest niece claims the book she chose is a bit mature.  Truthfully, I have no idea what is appropriate or not appropriate for a teen.  Growing up I used to read good 'ol Judy and must admit that as I worked my way up the chain of books she wrote, they did get a bit racy. 

We've watched movies, had treats at Dairy Queen and spent a little time shopping as the girls needed lip gloss and sunglasses.  I mean, what's a girl without her lip gloss and sunglasses.  ;)

And where would a boy be without his video games.  I'm amazed at what games you can now play, like the guitar.  The boy can eat too.  He has an appetite of a college football player.  To eat 3 servings of lasagne in one sitting is incredible. 

As their aunt and uncle, we are getting some good lessons on life with teens.  And we are enjoying each and every moment of it.

Comforts of home...

There's nothing like a new plant to bring new life to our home and a copper pot for added warmth.

Fortunately our niece was around to give us a helping hand.  It was her first attempt at re-potting a plant and she did a fabulous job.

And my passion for topiaries led me to this tic-tac-toe set, an eBay find.  For now, it's the perfect little accessory for our living room. 

There was no comfort at home when we discovered our patio table shattered after a hail storm last week.

The pile of glass is what remains from our glass tabletop.  I look forward to the day when there's an enclosed patio attached to our home.

I do find comfort in being with our family and that is pretty much how we spent our weekend. 

From here to there...

A week with family...

...playing at the beach

...shopping for craft supplies

...making crafts with our nieces

...playing with our youngest niece

...and taking great joy in our nephew doing neat things to my laptop

...also helping our niece seek bugs for a school project

...with thanks to Old School Acres at Etsy, our youngest niece could safely play with makeup.

The week went by quickly and I am now trying to return to my usual routine.  I've got lots of eye candy in the form of magazines and catalogs waiting for my attention as well as photos in need of scrapbooking while the memories are still fresh in my head. 

I have begun counting down the days till I see my nieces and nephew again.  And I must say that the temperatures in the South were actually cooler than the Northeast.  Amazing.

Black and white...

My latest fascination is with the colors of black and white.  And yesterday, I spent the day cropping with friends and created invitations to my sister's bridal shower.  Her color of choice is green, so we selected black and white as the colors to complement the green.  I purchased pre-packaged invitations with vellum and envelopes at Recollections and selected American Crafts patterned paper with a black and white pattern to serve as the background of the invitation.

A benefit to cropping with friends is the guidance and assistance they provide.  And having vendors on-hand is a great benefit too.  I was able to purchase the perfect color of ribbon from Denise, who has such a great selection to choose from.  My friend Jen also helped with trimming the edges of the top of the invites with a scalloped scissor, Jennifer provided the brilliant idea of stamping the edge of the envelope and Ashlie offered guidance on the placement of the cardstock with the typewritten text as well as stamping an umbrella image at the top, which I still have to do.

Then today, I came across a cute black and white wrap-dress.  It was not my plan to purchase anything at Target but prescriptions and oatmeal, but that dress spoke to me.  So in the cart it went.  And my one-and-only was wowed by it when I took it out of the bag this afternoon.  To me, that means something because it is not his usual reaction to my purchases. 

I was also distracted by some chic black and white damask coffee mugs en route to the checkout.  I'm unable to find a link on Target's website, but they are new, sophisticated and only $3.99 a piece.  Coffee mugs are not high on the priority list of our household needs but these very stylish ones would be ideal to serve coffee and tea at my sister's bridal shower. 

Lastly, this purchase has nothing to do with black and white, but certainly satisfied my need for the ideal handbag this summer.  Every time I enter Target, I look for this bag, and today, it was there waiting for me.  Love the pockets and it is quite stylish.

It has been one very productive and happy weekend. 

Gifts for mommies...

In celebration of motherhood, I've included a few gift ideas for mommy crafters on the right side of this site.  The Amy Butler Creative bags are so pretty and sit on your shoulder very comfortably.  And I just ordered the new Fiskars glue gun.  Hope to give it a test drive next week.  And we must not forget the Making Memories tag maker.  Truly, it would make a great gift for a non-scrapbooking mommy as well as a scrapbooking mommy. 

I'm not sure what I'm going to send my mommy but am contemplating a spa gift certificate.  I also have a second mommy who will be receiving another Vera Bradley bag.  She loves 'em.

My sister, who is mommy to 4 children, including my goddaughter, will be receiving a little something from me too.  Perhaps it will provide a little ambiance to their outdoor dining pleasure.

Now that I have worked out the gift-giving for Mother's Day for my family, it is now time for cardmaking.  It is something I usually wait till the last minute to make, if at all.  Yes, I do buy cards and my family gives me a hard time about it as they expect handmade ones.  Having just purchased Amy Butler's new paper may be the motivation I need to make these cards. 

For me, it's all about love, pretty papers and embellies and time...lots of time. 

A family-friendly basement...

Our basement remodel project began last summer and was completed during the Christmas holiday.  Actually, we have some minor items in need of attention, but they are being dealt with.

Part of our mission with this project was to make the basement family-friendly.  And what I mean by that is so that if we have a loved-one to care for with special needs, our basement can accommodate that. 

I'm so glad we did.  My FIL will be staying with us temporarily while he recovers from some ailments.  One thing I've observed with the elderly is that they do not take to change very well.  So I've made it a mission for my FIL to feel welcome and be as comfortable as possible. 

Our basement includes a bedroom off the main rec area with it's own door to the bathroom.  In the bathroom we have an ADA-compliant shower where I've hung 2 waffle-weave shower curtains (JCPenney) for easy access and a spa-like feeling.  A special chair for his comfort is available at his disposal.  I'm trying very hard to give the bathroom more of a spa-like atmosphere vs. a sterilized feel.

In the bedroom is a window where I have a recliner for him to enjoy reading the newspaper with a cup of coffee in the mornings.  There's a shelf with a cable-ready TV for his viewing pleasure.  Unfortunately the large walk-in closet is already filled with stuff.  I've designated it our "holiday" closet where anything holiday-related is stored.  So if my FIL's stay becomes a permanent one, I'll purchase an armoire for his clothes.

I've stocked our wet bar with microwave-friendly foods for his breakfast and lunch.  Due to ordinance rules by our county, we were not allowed to install a stove in our wet bar.  So I purchased a toaster oven and water kettle for toast and coffee or whatever he may fancy.

Our poker table converts to a dining table where my FIL can enjoy his meals during the day.  I just need to find a lovely but masculine tablecloth for it.

We are also placing wireless intercoms on each level of our home.

I am truly thankful that I was able to obtain most of the necessary items for my FIL by shopping online.  No kidding.  During the past 2 months, it has helped me save time and money and given me the ability to fulfill my FIL's needs.  And when he says he wants peanut brittle, by golly I'm gonna find him some! 

I share this with anyone and everyone as there might be someone out there dealing with similar issues and are looking for resources and guidance, just like me.  It truly was instinct on our part with the planning of our basement remodel and designing it to be ADA-compliant. 

I promised our builder we'd provide updated photos, so I hope to post a photo album this weekend.

LOVE

Love is what it's all about.  And when it comes to this little girl, it is definitely all about love. 

From her shirt down to her shoes.  The last couple of days have been spent with this little girl and her momma.  And I got to share one of her first's.  Her first snow. 

And Baby J was prepared for her first snow, with thanks to Korie.  My only challenge was shopping for a snowsuit and snow boots which are hard to find this time of year.

Now her proud aunt looks forward to scrapbooking these unforgettable moments.

Happy Valentine's Day! 

A Girl's gotta have her handbag...

No matter where she goes, she must have her handbag with her at all times. 

And to prove my point, here's a photo of me toting my handbag with my Mom and Aunt at Arlington National Cemetary circa 1970-something.  The fascination with handbags started at a young age and progressed from there.

Since I have purged most of my handbag collection on eBay, I think it's time for a new handbag (gotta rebuild the collection, right?).  One that is sturdy, has shoulder straps, compartments, and most importantly, is stylish.  I've spent a lot of time online staring at Coach bags at Nordstrom & Macy's and checking out Kors and the like at Zappos.  Nothing captured my attention.  I even checked out the online sale at Bloomies.

I did save a few cherished handbags that I've owned for a long time.  Rather than spending more money, I should rotate and use what I have.  And I'm sure my one and only would emphatically agree. 

But there's nothing like a new handbag to give you a renewed feeling of style, providing a boost of confidence we sometimes need.

I'd say it's time for a new handbag!!!

Post-holiday...

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.  We enjoyed spending the entire day with both sides of our families and coming to the realization that we can't eat like this every day....thank goodness.  My treadmill has been set-up in the basement in front of a TV, waiting for me to get reacquainted with it.  I'm just trying to muster up the strength to step foot on it. 

Does spending the morning in a shopping mall, walking around and seeking great bargains count for exercise?  I even carried bags that weighed a ton around the mall.  My arms got a workout.  Just wish my belly did too. 

Speaking of bargains, I found some nice appetizer plates at PB today, marked down to $1.99 each.  I can't tell you how thrilled I was to find something I like, much less at a bargain price.  I've been seeking these type of plates for the wetbar, and they fit the bill.

I also spent some time doing online bargain shopping as well.  Between Nordstrom, Wal-Mart, the Container Store, Amazon and Overstock, I did quite well. 

It has been a happy, fun-filled couple of days.  And I'm not the only one that feels this way. 

If I received a Cookie Monster backpack and a Tickle Me Elmo for Christmas, why I'd be just as happy as this little girl too. 

Dad's griddle...

My Dad and I have been swapping stories about our remodeling projects lately as he is currently in the process of remodeling his kitchen.  And when I stopped by for a visit recently, I got to see how the project is coming along.

First, I have to tell you that my Dad is passionate about his kitchen.  He loves kitchen gadgets and tools and LOVES to cook.  So it was no surprise to me when he decided to install a commercial griddle.  We kids thought it was a little extreme but it is what he has always wanted. 

They are also installing a huge, and I mean huge kitchen sink with a tall faucet, along with a double-wall convection oven, a warming drawer and a big cooktop.  All of which he purchased online.  My Dad was pretty tickled about that.

His plan is to cook a huge breakfast Christmas morning for the family.  It is a tradition of ours and we look forward to it each year.  No diets, just comfy clothes and enjoying family time together, which is rare given our hectic schedules. 

I'm happy for my Dad that his dreams are coming to life.  It is interesting to know what makes a person happy.  And for my Dad, it's his kitchen.