What I Love Wendnesday

1. This cute purse (especially for fall and winter)

2. These Menu Planners (thanks to Jacky!)

3. This Shirt (and a reason to wear it)

4. This notepad (or just a pet zebra)

5. This outfit (thanks to BabyGirl!)

"We got older but we're still young..." - The Starting Line

Music!

Since we moved into our new office, today is the first day that we have had music. It's amazing to me how much of a mood lifter my favorite music is. And the fact that I find something amazing makes me feel really great. Maybe all is not lost.

Thanks everyone for your sweet comments on my last post - you guys ROCK!!!!

Working and watching Despicable Me

This movie always makes me smile!!

Over the moon happy for EasyCanvasPrints!

I was recently contacted with a sweet opportunity. Megan at EasyCanvasPrints offered me a free Canvas Print in exchange for a sponsorship on my sidebar and this post.  I was stocked!!! Right away I had a brilliant idea - make one for our office - so that's what I did.


I don't have a picture of it, since my camera charger is lost, but here is the image I uploaded to EasyCanvasPrints.com (cute website btw):

And it turned out looking 99.9999% exactly like the image. Honestly, I thought it might turn out a bit blurry since they blew it up so large, but no it was crystal clear.


I LOVE IT!!! I can't express how easy the process was and how thrilled I am with the outcome. It arrived at my door early and it was packaged perfectly. Everyone in our office can't stop looking at it and my husband was very impressed.

Thank you, thank you, thank you EasyCanvasPrints - you guys rock!!!

Seriously people, if you want a canvas print - hang it over the mantel, or your bed, or do one for the office like I did - please please check out EasyCanvasPrints. You won't be disappointed!

After Valentine's Day Give-Away!

Hi lovelies, hope your Valentine's Day was as lovely as you are!! My day was great as is every day spend with my sweet Hubby. I'm not looking forward to tomorrow without him though... anyone with me there?? But don't cry because it's over just yet, no no!! We (the team at DreamUp Studios) have a fun surprise in store for you!!

To keep the love going we thought today would be the perfect day for a give-away!! We are offering one $100 DreamUp Studios gift card to three lucky winners!! We will be hosting this giveaway on three blogs (DreamUp Studios Blog, Sunshine and Bubblegum, Little Things and Possibilities) and choosing one winner from each blog.

So how does it work??

It's simple really! Just leave a separate comment for every entry, telling us which entry it is (ie. I followed you on facebook). You may visit each participating blog and leave more comments there for more chances to win. In two weeks we will choose one winner from each blog (be sure to leave your email so we can contact you if you win) and give them their prize!!

To qualify for the give-away leave us a comment and tell us which DreamUp Studios services you would purchase with the gift card if you won.

For extra entries you may 1.) browse our past projects and leave a comment on the project that you like the most, telling us why you like it (then come back to this post and leave a comment so your entry gets counted). 2.) 'like' us on Facebook. 3.) Follow us on Twitter. 4.) Follow us via Google Friend Connect

For extra extra entries you may 1.) leave a comment on one of my past posts 2.) 'like' me on Facebook. 3.) Follow me on Twitter. 4.) Follow me via Google Friend Connect

Finally, to show our love and appreciation for our current followers (either of the three host blogs, facebook or twitter) we are giving you each FIVE extra entries just for being awesome.

Google it!

Have a look at Google today. It's so fun!!

This party ROCKS!

The CUTEST PARTY EVER!! Seriously, I LOVE this party. I want to be there. I want to be one of those kids. So so so much fun!

 You HAVE to check out the rest of these amazing party pictures. Here is the link.

Take a picture, it will last longer!

GRAPE

I LOVE grape soda. That is all.

CSN Stores Review - Food Processor and Scissors

Remember this post? Well it's time for the official review! Instead of the shiny red processor I decided to get a simple white one so that it would match my other small appliances. Plus it was cheaper which meant - scissors!

  Hamilton Beach 10-CupFood Processor in White

Zwilling JA Henckels 5 Piece Scissors Set

I LOVE these two items! The first time I used the processor I wondered how I ever lived without it. It's that good. I made many dinners and deserts with it already. I WAS able to crush up candy canes and put them on top of cupcakes for Christmas just like I had dreamed. And last night I made chicken balls; this baby cut my prep time in half!

The scissors are great too. They work well and I love the variety this pack provides. I was always looking for scissors before but now there is always one clean and waiting in the drawer to be used. I'm smiling just thinking about them - I'm so so in love!! Thanks CSN your products ROCK!!

All you readers out there, please remember CSN Stores when doing any online shopping.

Owls, FOOD PROCESSERS and CSN Stores!!

OWLS seem to be big this year. Not big as in they 'are eating too much', but big as in they are popular - you can find them all over the place. In clothing, jewelry, furniture - even as children's backpacks. Have you noticed this too?

Source

I ask because there was a real life owl that used to hang around our apartment complex for awhile. Hubby and I would see him when we went on walks. We named him Mr. Owl. He was a very nice owl. I always liked when he as around - a cool reminder that someone is watching out for us. Sadly, we haven't seen him lately and I miss him. Maybe that's why I keep noticing all the Owl stuff floating around?

Anyway back to the backpacks. Aren't they so cute!! Do it - click the link above and look at them. SO CUTE! They are from CSN. Some of you may remember me mentioning this company in the past - well, I'm working with them again! (free stuff makes me happy!!) This time I know exactly what I want: this little shiny red food processor!!!

I've been wanting a food processor ever since I moved out of my parents home; I just haven't been able to justify the cost. I''m not a very good cook and I probably wouldn't use it that much. I would have to find room in the kitchen to store it. BUT the other day I saw some food channel using one to chop up peppermint candies - I NEED to do that. Justify complete. Review to come.

Back home and already homesick

Yesterday was pretty great! I got to hug my sister, listen to my dad sing his silly songs to no one, talk to my brother and his new wife, shop with my mom and kiss my husband (for the first time in 2+ weeks). It also involved getting up at 5am, driving for 3 hours, flying for 6 (and waiting to fly for 2) - but we won't talk about those parts.

Yep, I'm back now. It's sad and happy at the same time. Happy to be with my love and sad to be so far away from my family once again.... I miss them already.

Highlights of my trip: (in no particular order, well... maybe sort of) 1. witnessing my brother and his wife get married/sealed for time and all eternity 2. cooking hot dogs over a fire and looking up at a million+ stars in the sky 3. getting a tour of his background/garden from my grandpa 4. staying up late watching Christmas moves with my sister 5. visiting with friends and family at the reception 6. a cookout at my other brother and his wife's little house 7. eating my mommy's enchiladas and homemade banana nut ice-cream that everyone pitched in to make

ghoulish goodies

Happy Halloween! Let's enjoy so ghoulish goodies shall we!

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a lovely shirt and a story

the story:
One night Hubby and I were sleeping soundly when all of a sudden he shot out of bed.

"What is that SMELL???" he mumbled/shouted.

I didn't smell anything and went back to sleep but the urgency and terror in his voice prevented me from falling. He walked around the apartment smelling everything, repeating his question over and over again. After a few minutes I started to smell it as well and got worried. "Maybe it was some sort of gas leak and we were being poisoned". I had flashes of us out on the street - pj's on body and blankets in hand.

"It's the fan!!" He announced upon smelling it like a drug sniffing dog. A huge 'I saved the day' grin across his face. A sigh of relief was shared by both of us. He took the stupid thing outside never to be used again.

Yesterday I finally got around to replacing said fan. Since I was in 'town' (I'm a small town girl so I still call going shopping 'going to town')I did a little shopping. Resisted purchasing anything at Kirkland's, although there tons of things I wanted, and moved on to Avenue. There I tried on a blank/blank shirt and it fit me! It was 4 sizes smaller than I tried on last visit! The sleeves were too short so I didn't buy it but it made me happy that it fit - haven't fit into that size since high school. BTW - everyone, thank you for your kind words on my last post! They really meant a lot. I did get a pretty purple eggplant shirt which I like very much.

Now on to the fan. I went to Target since it was right there. I always hate going to Target cause they never have what I'm looking for but I gave it one more shot. I walked around that whole silly store and didn't see one fan. Vacuums, tables + chairs, lamps + shades - but no fans. Grrr... by this time I wasn't feeling too hot (well, that's a lie - I was feeling way too hot, overheated in fact) so I just went home fan less. Stupid target. Stupid fan.

Lovely, lovely, lovely shirt.

BTW: TOMORROW IS MY BIRTHDAY!!

Got my MOXIE back!

Hubby and I were finally able to execute the beach vacation we've been trying to plan. Didn't mention anything here on my blog because I didn't want to jinx it. Must have been a good plan because it worked. Yay!! The beach was so much fun, so relaxing and rejuvenating. Everything I wanted it to be.

Back to real life was surprisingly not-so-bad. It felt GOOD to be home - which was really weird considering how "sick and tired of being at home all day" I was before the trip. I've caught up with most everything (with ease, I might add. So needed a little break!) AND I was even inspired to redesign this blog. Take a look around (if you are reading this in a reader click through) and tell me what you think. It's the most "me" of any designs thus far and I LOVE IT!!!

Been having these random "I look pretty" moments when passing by a mirror. These are far and few-in- between as I get older so I'm trying to cherish them.  I think I might die my hair again, humm... Oh the giveaway for a new blog design is still going on, enter if you haven't!

Today I'm linking to Feel Good Friday and  Friday Fragments. Have a great FRIDAY!!!

Some Kindle Commercial Love

These are my current favorite commercials. I don't have a Kindle, or any desire to own one, but these still make me smile. The songs are so happy and catchy. The kind of songs that stick in your head all day, maybe sneak out of your mouth from time to time, but you don't even mind.

They are short and sweet just like someone special I know and can't stop thinking about today. I miss you Hubby, these are for you!

My Shopping Epiphany/ Life is a delicate balance

Some things you should know before the story:
1. I SUCK AT SHOPPING!! Even though I work hard to get it, I feel bad spending money, I want to save up for our baby and to move away from here.

2. I've been collecting Classic Winnie-The-Pooh since I was 12. I've always been practical like that, knowing that I would give them to my baby one day.



Now for the story:
Sister and I went shopping the other. We had coupons for borders so we went there first. After looking through every single cd she found two she wanted to buy and I found a whole stack but ended up putting them all back.

We then went to the mall. I found this ADORABLE Classic Winnie-The-Pooh baby scrapbook. Not only was the album cute but the pages inside were all decorated and waiting to put pictures inside. It was PERFECT but pricey so I reached out for some advise.

"You don't have a baby yet." Sister said.

Shut up shut up!! I know I know!!!

"What?! You called me for this?" Hubby said.

I decided to buy it anyways. When the cashier told me the price I about fainted. For some reason it was on sale for 76% off. I had to check several times after I left the store to make sure I wasn't dreaming. While we were still in the mall a huge thunderstorm started. We waited it out for awhile then headed home as it didn't look like it would stop anytime soon and we were tired and needed to start dinner. On the drive home I got lost.

It was wet and slippery and dark and I was scared. My sister was playing one of her new cd's and the song "I believe in you"by Vertical Horizon came on. I said a little prayer, turned around and found our way back home just like that.

Life is a delicate balance. Sometimes it's all about having the confidence to follow your heart and other times it's all about asking for help. Amazing what you can learn while shopping huh?!

My sister, my sister and me

My little sister is here.

She's half way through her teenage years, plus she's never visited me without the rest of the family, so I was a little nervous that she wouldn't have any fun. But the moment I saw her all those nerves quickly flew away (similar to the speed in which we ran into each others embrace).

I missed her.

We are having a blast! Games, movies, shopping, music, cooking and eating what we cook. Yep, we are having a blast. Like two little girls at a birthday party.



CLIENTS AND BLOGGERS: please be aware that my sister is more important than you. No offense, really I love you guys, but I love her with my whole soul and I plan on spending as much time together as possible while we have it. I'll still be working and commenting on blogs but if my response time slows down a bit this will be the reason. Just wait for me k? THANKS!!

And by the way, isn't this the cutest cake ever? I WANT one. Maybe my sister and I will make one, humm....

{images by ana gonzalez}

Jesus wants me for a sunBEAM!

I LOVE MY SUNBEAMS!! Sunday went so well. There were only 7 of them there and they were little angels. Seriously they were the most well behaved I'd ever seen them. I'm racking my brain to figure out why but I have no idea, they where just really great.

The lesson was "I am Thankful I can smell and taste" so I took some candles and spices and had them take turns smelling them. It was a hoot to see each child's different reaction to the same scent. Most of the girls disliked the spices while the boys liked them. Then we had a little lesson and went off to make the popcorn trees, play with bubbles and playdough which was a hit (Hubby said the playdough was too expensive [it was $4.90 for 10 little tubs] and I shouldn't get it, but I got it anyway - thank goodness!).

We were having so much fun that I forgot about the time and was late for singing... opps!

Thanks for all your suggestions and encouragement!

Now off to clean. Picking my sister up from the airport tonight and have so much to do.

put the lime in the coconut

Yesterday Hubby asked if I wanted to get out of the house for awhile. He's sweet like that. My meds are starting to work so I took him up on it!! We went to one of my favorite stores in the world - Yankee Candles. They are having a big sale right now and I loved every moment of my small shopping spree. Business has been good so I didn't even feel guilty, yippee!



I got 2 large candles, 2 medium candles and Hubby grabbed 2 of those plug-in things. I had a $10 off coupon that they took on top of the sale so it was a great deal. SCORE!! I LOVE candles. Here is the printable coupon I used if you are interested. Lime in the coconut is my fav. although Tulips smells great too and Berry Tangerine is a nice change of pace from my usual scents. I think I'm obsessed... and now I have that coconut song in my head.

ps: What made you feel good this week? Share at Feel Good Friday. While you are there check out the design, it's a yours truly.