It's Jenny Time

23.4

2012-02-15T06:30:00.000-05:00

That's how much weight I've lost since October 27th.

I know, right?!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2012-02-14T12:19:00.003-05:00

*smooches to you*

spring!!!

2012-02-10T08:30:00.000-05:00

Oh my heavens how I love Spring. I've had this blog for something like 5 years, and every year around this time I start musing about my yearning for Spring. I can't help it, despite the incredibly mild winter we've enjoyed this year. I want to open my windows. I want to have sunshine streaming through the windows (the one's that are open). I want to see buds pushing their way through the dirt and days where I can lose my gloves completely.

Hurry up Spring, sheesh!!

P.S. This was taken in my side yard the other day...yeeee!!!

Nail dilemma

2012-02-09T06:30:00.000-05:00

I'm having a mani dilemma...

I typically go for a darker color on my finger nails (think raisin-y brown or darker), but for spring I'm itching to go lighter. I love the idea of a sheer tangerine, but it looks weird on me. And the peach (second from the left) is so pretty in theory, but again...weird on me.

I have a sheer pink on right now, but I'm not feeling that either. And the green on the far left? Love it, but not on my nails.

Maybe I'll stick to buff, but that's pretty boring.

What do you wear in the spring? Do you stick with what you like year 'round, or bust out the pastels when the robins start to hop around?

Mam's Hams...

2012-02-08T15:58:00.002-05:00

I know. You're all like, "what the heck is Mam's Hams?". Here's the story...

Mam's Hams was Madeline's hair salon around the time she was 3 (think the photo above). I would sit down, and she would ask me if I wanted my hair done. Someone to play with my hair!? Yes, please! Then I would remember it was a three year old mangling my hair into one giant knot. So what, she had a blast. When I would ask her the name of her salon, she always said, "Mam's Hams". To this day, I have no idea what it means or where she got the name.

Mam's Hams...she looks like someone who'd name their salon Mam's Hams, doesn't she?

Alias

2012-02-06T08:00:00.000-05:00

I was poking through some tv shows I've downloaded on iTunes in the past, and one of them was Alias. I forgot how much I LOVE that show!!! So I found the DVD boxed set I have and started watching it over the weekend. Seasons 1-5. I couldn't do what I wanted to do, which was to hibernate and watch it all one after the other, but I got through half of season one (keep in mind I've already seen the whole season, but I forgot stuff!!!!).

You guys, if you never watched this show, download a few on iTunes. You won't be sorry.

Coloring...

2012-02-03T07:00:00.000-05:00

Coloring in jammies after a shower. Is there anything better than that when you're a kid?

No. No there isn't.

xo

Books

2012-02-02T06:30:00.000-05:00

As I've mentioned before (again, too lazy to link to previous posts, sorry), I take Jack to the bookstore every Sunday. He goes, begrudgingly. Once he's there it's awesome, but he's the boy who wants to go to the toy store, not the library (which is what he calls the book store). His reading skills are really improving, it's amazing to listen to him read to me. I can't wait to start this with Emma. And any other random children that want me to buy them books. Because the books? I love to buy them for little minds just learning to read. It's such an amazing world they're stepping into. Lucky them.

xo

This girl...

2012-02-01T06:30:00.000-05:00

She's kind of amazing...

ink

2012-01-31T07:30:00.000-05:00

My brother has several tattoos, all of them original in design. Until his most recent.

He had the tattoo you see above inked on his skin in December; same font, same position, same everything. The story of this young man inspired him so much that he had to replicate the sentiment, one he feels very deeply. This will be his only 'copied' tattoo he says. I for one, love that he felt the need to mark his body with this selfless statement. Something our soliders display in their actions daily.
Read this young man's story here.

Photo credit: Laura Rauch / © Stars and Stripes

sing me a song...

2012-01-30T07:00:00.000-05:00

I've done this a few times before, because I love discovering new music. Hopefully I can inspire you to try something new!

Here are a few of my favorites lately. Some old, some new. All good.

Breathe Me - Sia
A Thousand Years - Christina Perri (you have to hear 4 year old Emma sing this. *tears*)
I Won't Give Up - Jason Mraz
We Get On - Kate Nash
Kiss Quick - Matt Nathanson
Be That Easy - Sade
Promenade - U2
Your Song - Ellie Goulding
This Year's Love - David Gray

Enjoy and Happy Monday! xo

I think I'm covered...

2012-01-26T06:00:00.000-05:00

I pulled this out of my purse. One purse. That I'm currently using. There are 10 forms of lip color, gloss, stain, etc. And trust me, there's a hell of a lot more where this came from!

Like any woman, I'm obsessed with buying the newest beauty thing (whatever that thing may be), and my go to purchase is always lip color. Now I've been rocking the Bonne Bell Dr. Pepper* lip balm since I was in high school (thank God they still make it), and I purchase a tube nearly every time I'm at Target, but I'm still always on the look out for that perfect shade. Perfect coverage. Not too sticky. Not too dry. I'll find it one day. I just know it.

*If you're looking for a red tint, super yummy smelling and not at all sticky, try Dr. Pepper. Just save some for me.

xo

Not too fast!!!!

2012-01-25T06:30:00.000-05:00

Oh I can't handle it. These itty bitties aren't so itty bitty anymore. I mean, sure, they're only 9, 6 and 4, but still!!!!! Their faces are a little less babyish, a little less full of pudge. They're all still really good snugglers though, so I'm lucky there!

Don't grow up too fast guys. Please?

It's all politics...

2012-01-24T06:30:00.000-05:00

Don't worry. This isn't a post about politics, per se. I'm not going to share my political beliefs or preach about who you should vote for, etc. What I AM going to post about is my obsession with politics. The whole process. Give me a night full of debates and political news coverage and I'm a happy girl.

I pretty much have CNN on the majority of my day (only switching to Bravo when I need a break) and lately it's all politics all the time. Sweet!

I may be doing a lot of eye rolling the past few days, but I love it nonetheless.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

5, 10, 15...

2012-01-22T20:01:00.001-05:00

TWENTY!!!!

I've lost twenty pounds since October 27th.

I know. I'm kind of proud too. :-)

xo

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Lil Blue Boo

2012-01-20T07:00:00.000-05:00

I am in awe of this woman. Her name is Ashley and she has a design/diy blog. This past fall she thought she was pregnant, however, it was what's called molar pregnancy. In rare cases this mole become cancerous, as it did in the case of Ashley. She's been responding well to chemotherapy, but I think about her every day. This woman. I don't even really know what to say about her other than she is a complete and utter inspiration to me. She recently had her head shaved (her mom shaved her own head first so her granddaughter (Ashley's daughter Sienna) could get used to the idea first (apparently inspiring women run in the family...) and her friend made a video of the event. Say a little prayer, won't you, and check out her blog. She's amazing.

Lil Blu Boo

birthday girl...

2012-01-19T07:00:00.000-05:00

What? It's this fancy lady's birthday? Well you don't say!

Happy Birthday Mom. You're kind of amazing and I hope you know how much I love you - like a whole lot...

punch...

2012-01-18T06:30:00.000-05:00

Yes, indeed.

source: Alana Taylor

Building traditions...

2012-01-17T06:00:00.000-05:00

I think I mentioned this once before (I'm not great with labeling my posts or linking back to them), but we have a little tradition here where I take the kids to the book store to pick out books when they're learning to read so they can have some one on one time with me, and can pick out books to get them excited about reading. Maddy is a voracious reader, just like me. She gobbles books up. Jack is a little less enthusiastic, but he's warming to the idea. Hopefully the next one will love it as much as Maddy did (I'm looking at you Emma...).

Week by week, Jack's fighting me less and less, and I think he's starting to fall in like with reading (we're not in the love stage yet...yet).

We stumbled on story time at Barnes & Noble. We had to stay to listen to If You Give a Dog a Donut, I mean, it's only part of one of the best children's book series ever. Yes. Ever.

The benefits of having a brother...

2012-01-16T15:01:00.001-05:00

So as many of you know, my brother was here for the past 3 weeks. It was so nice to have him here, on so many levels. One of those levels has to do with the numerous odds and ends he tackled while he was here (mounting the tv in the family room (the mount was only in the family room for a year and a half), taking down the Christmas tree and hauling it up to the attic (it's heavy!!), fixing a wonky sink faucet, I could go on and on).

Now that's not the only reason I'd like him to move back (which will never happen), but it's a nice little bonus!

Miss you buddy. xo

You've got mail...

2012-01-12T07:00:00.000-05:00

I'm quite sure I've posted about this before, but I'm a big fan of old school correspondence. Like handwritten, put in an envelope with a cute stamp. I even use cute stamps for my business correspondence (because wouldn't you rather open a letter with a cute stamp rather than a plain old flag?). I always look up the new stamps that will be coming out each year. Look what I found for 2012!! I know, right?

Love these for letter to the itty bitties in my life.

Just pretty on an envelope.

Love the colors!!!

This is the first Christmas stamp I've liked in a long time!

I love the stamp on the end (the navy and kelly green). It reminds me of a rugby shirt.

Pretty, pretty.

Look out clients and friends - there may be a letter or card with a cute stamp in your future!

Weight Loss Update

2012-01-11T07:00:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone! Ahhhhhhhhhhhh...

That's my loud sigh of relief now that the holidays are o-vah. I actually gained 4 pounds over the holidays, but I've lost all of that and then some! I'll give you an update next week when I weigh in, but I'm happy to be on track and I'm back to 18 pounds lost since late October.

One of my best friends just joined and I can't wait to cheer her on! Go you (you know who you are)!!

Dislike

2012-01-10T17:52:00.004-05:00

I have to rant. Please just bear with me.

I'm here to voice my irritation with Facebook lately. When did FB become a playground for passive aggressive complaints ("I hate it when my friends let me down...", "I'm over it...") and thinly veiled insults at friends who have upset you? I can assure you that if I have a problem with you, you'll hear it from me directly, not in some annoying post. And I certainly won't ever intentionally or unintentionally make you look like a piece of crap to my FB community. I'm not talking about one person, it's all over FB.

It's so unbelievably frustrating to me that there's a part of me that just wants to shut down my account. I won't due that of course, because I like to use FB for what it was intended for...reconnecting with people you were friends with once in a lifetime ago, stalking old boyfriends and creeping on people you didn't like in high school.

A puddle of tears

2012-01-08T22:38:00.001-05:00

My brother leaves tomorrow. After having him here for nearly a month, I can't bear to see him go. I'm already in a puddle in anticipation of him leaving. Miss you already sir. Come home soon. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Sherlock

2012-01-05T07:00:00.000-05:00

I'm in love with Robert Downey, Jr. Now you know. I saw the new Sherlock Holmes movie the other day and it was fantastic! I loved the first movie, and I loved the second even more.

Go check it out. So, so good.

Adventures in appliances

2012-01-04T08:30:00.000-05:00

Oh sweet, good times. The dryer broke the other day. Nothing says "Happy New Year" like having to take your wet clothes to your mom's house to dry, and then going appliance shopping on New Year's Day.

But it was 12 years old, I guess it was time for it to go. So the new dryer will be here on Monday and we'll be back in the land of dry clothes.

What was my word of the year again? Ah yes...thankful. Thankful I can buy a new dryer. Thankful the old one lasted as long as it did.

60D

2012-01-03T07:00:00.000-05:00

Over the holidays I decided it was time to upgrade to a new camera. Don't get me wrong, I loved my Canon SLR. I've had it since 2007 and it's served me well. But it was time to move on from my little buddy.

I picked up a Canon EOS 60D and I am in lurve, let me tell you. It's kind of fabulous, and by kind of I mean it's amazing. Things have been crazy with the holidays, and my brother being home (which I'm loving, btw), but I'll find the time to play with my new toy this week.

Stand by for some pics! xo

Happy New Year!!

2012-01-02T12:42:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year everyone! I always find myself at a loss this time of year. Excited about what may come, and apathetic at the same time. Plus I'm always a little tired after the two weeks that recently passed.

I'm not making any resolutions this year. But I am going to focus on a word to keep me pointed in the right direction, attitude-wise. My word this year is:

Thankful

Let's face it, I'm pretty blessed. I have an amazing family, a fabulous group of friends, a great job and home. We're all healthy and have all that we need. I'm going to try to focus on what I have this year, and not what I want. Not what I wish I had. Because all I really need is already in my hands.

Happy New Year friends. Here's to 2012. xo

Lame

2011-12-30T22:41:00.001-05:00

I'll be the first to admit it. I've been a sucky blogger lately but with the holidays nearly over I'll be back, I promise.

Love you guys (and Happy New Year little loves!)!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

My latest obsession...

2011-12-28T22:28:00.001-05:00

Kind of can't get enough of these. Cinnamon hard candy. I'm such an old lady.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

The week off...

2011-12-27T16:25:00.003-05:00

Oh you guys, I have the week off and it feels aMAZing. Nothing to do. Nowhere I have to be. My brother is here, and we're all just hanging out. It's kind of perfect.

How's your week after Christmas going?

My very own Folger's commercial...

2011-12-22T08:00:00.000-05:00

My brother came home the other day from Europe to spend the holidays with us (this is the first time in I don't know how many years we've all been together since my dad passed away). My brother's in the military and they sort of don't care that it's a holiday, so no brother the past few years.

It felt like that stupid Folger's commercial where the brother comes home from Africa and the sister puts a bow on him and says he's her Christmas gift this year.

Because you know what?

He is.

xo

Adventures in weight loss

2011-12-21T09:30:00.000-05:00

I'm down 17 pounds y'all! Yeah, I know. I'm kind of like a rock star. It hasn't been super easy, and it takes a bit of gym time on top of the whole eating thing, but I'm doing it!!!!

Scarlette

2011-12-20T14:38:00.001-05:00

Look at this muffin. One year ago she was fighting for her life. Now she's this little itty bitty with the cutest face ever. She has struggles, sure, but she made it! Check out her mama's blog for a good laugh and a reason to squeeze your kids really tight!

Toothpaste murder...

2011-12-15T14:00:00.005-05:00

I went into the bathroom yesterday and encountered the following crime scene...

I know. I should have warned you.

I'm not really sure what happened as both of the potential culprits have denied any involvement. I will get to the bottom of this. I promise you.

Christmas pictures...

2011-12-14T09:57:00.003-05:00

I've been taking the kids pics for Christmas cards for a few years now. I always like to do them outside (you know, when it's absolutely freezing (poor things)) and if I can swing it, on an overcast day. This year I had to get them done and it was a sunny day and I didn't really get any pics I loved. Here are the two not so horrible ones (sun kind of sucks for pictures - shadows and squinty eyes).

The cards are rolling in and I love to see all of the kiddos in the pictures that arrive, that is, if I can see them before Madeline grabs them and puts them in her room...

Um...11 shopping days until Christmas (thank God for online shopping)!

We've got a reader...

2011-12-13T11:06:00.000-05:00

Jack Attack has been stressing about reading. His sister is a reading phenom and he was feeling a little inadequate. Well Mr. Man is now a reader and he's on top of the world. We have a Sunday date now- after Sunday School we head to the bookstore where we pick out a few books, read a few and take one or two home. I did this with Maddy as well, and it was so nice to spend the one on one time doing something beneficial to the itties.

P.S. Um there are only 12 days until Christmas...

Shop local...

2011-12-09T09:00:00.000-05:00

The other day we decided to head to the Niagara Falls Market in lieu of anything better to do. So glad we did. While there, I purchased a couple of gifts and I thought I'd share their sites with you.

One is a company called The Secret Chicken. They have an etsy shop (love me some etsy!!) and it's mainly handmade stationery items (you know me and my stationery...). The shop in NF had a ton of things. I had to buy a few for myself, I couldn't help it.

The other is a cool t-shirt company called &Buffalo and I picked up a little sonethin' sonethin' there as well. AND the cool owner Joe gave Mad and Jack a t-shirt each. Quite the sweet one, that Joe. Besides, who doesn't want to support a company that designed a T that says "I still call it the Aud". Enough said.

I like looking outside of the big stores for those hard to find people on my list (I'm talking to you, Will). I've been pretty lucky shopping local. You?

P.S. There was ice skating too! :O

Fa la la la la...

2011-12-08T08:00:00.000-05:00

So I have a Christmas playlist that houses everything holiday music. I found myself forwarding past certain songs I'm not a fan of (Blue Christmas? Christmas Shoes? Who the hell writes this depressing crap!?!). Then I just deleted them from the playlist. Then I thought about what songs I really love this time of year. Then I thought I'd share that list with you! Lucky you!!!

Anything by Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Burl Ives and Perry Como. Like Anything.
Where Are You Christmas - Faith Hill
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - David Gray
Christmas Day - Dido
Do They Know It's Christmas - Band Aid
My Bells Are Ringing - Lenka
O Holy Night - Kelly Clarkson (my favorite version ever - don't judge)
The River - Rachel Yamagata
Santa Claus is Comin' to Town - Bruce Springsteen
We Wish You a Merry Christmas - Weezer
The Nutcracker (fave being No. 13 Waltz of the Flowers) - Tchaikovsky

There are many, many more naturally. What are your favorite holiday tunes?

Adventures in Christmas Decorating...

2011-12-07T07:00:00.000-05:00

After finding boxes in both attics (why didn't we put them all in one attic last year!?!?), we commenced the holiday decorating. Oh my LORD do we have a lot of ~~crap~~ holiday goodness. Here are a few pics of where we are so far...

And yes, it has been ages since I've picked up my real camera...iPhone photos are just a little too convenient it seems.

Where the hell I've been (and other musings)...

2011-12-06T15:36:00.001-05:00

Two days dark on the blog...where the hell have I been? Well, I was a little sicko last week so I didn't do much of anything. I did, however, make a list of the things I want to blog about. I just didn't, you know, blog about them.

In other news:

I ripped (one by one) the baked on nail polish (the one month manicure - which is amazing - until you jack it up) and somewhat destroyed my fingernails. They're getting a daily treatment of Essie's Feed Me nail polish in hopes that I can restore them to their gloriousness. I don't know what I was thinking.
We had to replace our tree for the family room and decided to go with a monster 9 footer. Oh but she's a beauty (pics to come this week)!
I'm off to NYC for business this week, and while I'm gone there's going to be a little kitchen remodel on the cabinets! Cannot WAIT to see how it turns out (again, pics to come).
It's time to make an appointment for my 6 month dental cleaning. And I'm avoiding it (making the appointment - I hate going that much).

That's it for today folks. Stay tuned for so much blogging goodness this week!

A Fine Tangle

2011-12-01T08:00:00.000-05:00

Oh my. My sister was at a recent Shop Local Event at Monkey See Monkey Do* where she met Brittany Thrun, a local artist and teacher. My sister was smitten with Brittany's wares and after taking a gander around her blog and shop, I am too! I'm a lover of homemade gifts (even if they weren't made in a home of anyone I know), and there are a lot of cute things on her blog and in her shop. Maddy actually purchased a little sonethin sonethin at the event! Such a fashionista!

(excuse the tired eyes, it was a 7am photo...)

So check out A Fine Tangle, and if you have itty bitties, get them to a class at MSMD!!

*if you haven't been to this bookstore in Clarence, please go! I can't emphasize the amazingness of this shop. Its full of books (duh), cute gifts, classes for kiddos, etc. It's just a little bit of awesome right in Clarence!

Early resolution

2011-11-30T09:00:00.000-05:00

Well, it's been a month so I guess I can tell you all, I joined Weight Watchers. And I've lost 9 pounds so far! Wha?!?!

I'm doing it with my sister and a friend, and I feel fantastic. The plan is super easy, and coupled with working out (which I'm kind of starting to enjoy - I know?!? Me?!), the pounds are just falling off. My goal is 5 pounds a month, but I've sort of exceeded that goal for this month. I don't expect to lose 9 pounds a month - I'm beyond happy with the 5 pound goal I've set. I can't wait to see what I look like next year!

Stay tuned, I'll keep you posted with my progress monthly. Wish me luck!

xo

Happy birthday to you......

2011-11-29T09:00:00.000-05:00

Happy birthday to my sister Kelly. This birthday I wish for you a year of happiness and health, success in every part of your life and peace in your heart.

I love you little K.

xo

Turkey Waddle 2011

2011-11-28T09:30:00.000-05:00

Here's my sister with Mad and Jack. We woke up really early (ok, it was 7:30 but it was Thanksgiving day!!! A girl needs her beauty sleep!) and participated in the 7th Annual Turkey Waddle, Clarence's version of the Turkey Trot. All of the proceeds go to the Clarence Food Bank and it was a nice way to start the day. We finished up the day with dinner at mom's and The Muppet Movie. Then my insane sister went shopping at midnight, came home at 8am and started baking. Like I said, insane.

We're thinking an evening movie might be a new tradition. Do you ever switch things up? My family can be a little resistant to change, but I'm all for it.

Have a great week!

xo

Well lookie here...

2011-11-25T10:58:00.001-05:00

Looks like our little Elf on the Shelf is back...

His name is Chris and he's our resident elf who pops up during the holiday season to report the kid's behavior back to Santa. He's pretty awesome and I'm glad he's back.

Thanks for making our lives a little easier for the next month Chris. It's always nice to bust out your name and watch the attitudes change before our eyes...

Amazing Race

2011-11-25T09:00:00.000-05:00

I SO want to be on this showwwwwww...

What I'm Thankful For

2011-11-24T09:00:00.000-05:00

What am I NOT thankful for? I'm so blessed it's not even funny. Yes, there have been some not so awesome things happen in my life. Who hasn't had periods of horridness in their lives? But I am so very lucky. I have an amazing family. I have incredible friends. I have a great job and a beautiful home. Everyone I know and love is healthy.

The older I get, the more I realize how much the little things matter. How important the small moments in life trump the big ones.

There's a lot to look at globally to make anyone freak out. But there's a lot of beauty as well. I'm trying to focus on that.

So Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Gobble gobble.

Breaking you know what...

2011-11-23T09:00:00.000-05:00

You guys, I am not ashamed to say that I loved Breaking Dawn. I did. I loved it. Go ahead and judge me, I don't care. Was it cheesy? Ya. Overwrought with drama? You betcha. I loved every minute of it. And guess what...I'll probably see it again before it leaves theaters.

Wry baby

2011-11-22T12:22:00.001-05:00

I've been a fan of this company for years, purveyors of all things baby kitsch. This onesie is one of my favorites (and the least off color I could find):

Check 'em out for the itty bitty in your life. Wry Baby

Let Love Speak Up Itself...

2011-11-21T09:30:00.000-05:00

I love this song by The Beautiful South. They're a band I've loved since college, and this song popped up in my iTunes playlist...

Don't whisper love and dream of wedding bells
Don't do all the talking, let love speak up itself
Let love speak up itself
So when you feel a little tatty and unhappy with your face
Let it breathe into us, and put you back in place
Let it breathe, let it breathe

Let it rise up in the morning and take us for a walk
And let it do the talking, when we're too tired to talk

Let love speak up itself
Let love speak up itself

And yesterday Annie Lenox's Why popped up and I remembered how much I love that song too. I actually posted those lyrics a few years ago.

What would I do without music?

Tales in hoarding...

2011-11-18T08:30:00.000-05:00

What better way to finish up the week than a story of my hoarding habits? I'm not a hoarder in the sense that I could end up on the television show (which, for the record, ca-reeps me out). I'm more of a product hoarder. Specifically (but not exclusively):

Candles (favorites are Yankee and Bath & Body Works, but I do like BHG Candles as well)
Bath and Body Works Hand Soap (they have like 80 million scents!! Everyone knows your hand soap should match the season!! Duh)
Nail Polish
Art Supplies
Body wash and body lotion (once I find a scent I love I buy it up - I've been burned before by a favorite scent disappearing - yeah, I'm talking to you Mennen Lilac Deodorant...)

Recently, my friend Karen stumbled upon my candle dresser. Yes. You heard that right. Now she's like my sponsor when it comes to candles. She's the little voice in my head that says, "Now Jen, do you really need that candle?" The answer is always no. She already knew about my hand soap problem (only because every time she comes over there's a different hand soap out...I could only use the "hey, we wash our hands a lot" excuse for so long). So now the secret is out. I have a problem.

What's the item you can't help but purchase, regardless of the size of your stock pile at home?

Line up!

2011-11-17T07:00:00.000-05:00

I'm having an obsession with liquid eyeliner lately. I'm also having an obsession with attempting to apply it correctly. As of late I look like someone applying it with her left hand (when she's clearly right handed). Eventually I'll get a clean line. Either that or I need to employ a make up artist.

Photo credit (you didn't really think that was my doing up there, did you?!?!): SuupJared

sparkles!

2011-11-16T08:30:00.000-05:00

In my never ending search for all things sparkly, I found a little gem called Snow Bunny by Revlon. It's all platinum and silver glitteriness. Leave the word alone, it works in this case...

Chevron warmness...

2011-11-15T08:30:00.000-05:00

Look what my sister in law made me!! A chevron blanket! SO loving this thing...
If you're in the market, she makes a mean blanket. Just sayin'.

xo

A party of epic proportions...

2011-11-14T09:00:00.000-05:00

Jack turned 6 last week and his party was this weekend. Can you guess the theme? Being a girl that doesn't read the comics, I don't know much about the politics of superheros, however, a few of the men at the party mentioned that we combined DC and Marvel Comics (oh the horror!!). Who knew? They let it slide and a good time was had by all! Here's to a super week! :)

Lest we forget...

2011-11-11T10:11:00.001-05:00

Happy Veteran's Day, and an incredibly heartfelt thank you to all who have served. God bless you.

Image source: One plus One

2011-11-11T06:30:00.000-05:00

For once I'm somewhat on target with my home decorating. I always decorate way too early (I blame it on the stores that sell halloween gear in July), but this time I withheld from busting out the Christmas items and decided to work with the fall theme.

The picture of Jack is in my new favorite frame that I hemmed and hawed about at TJ Maxx & More. Now I can't live without it. Because it's shiny.

This one's for my dad...this little gnome is always there - he got a kick out of them so here this little guy sits. :)

I made this arrangement myself. Yeah. I know. Pretty sweet.

I love this beaded birch bark candle. So shimmery. Love anything glitter, beaded or shiny. I'm like a baby or a cat.

Happy Friday!

Disclaimer - I can't guarantee that Christmas items won't be up in the next few ~~days~~ weeks...

Fantastic Mr. Fox

2011-11-10T09:00:00.000-05:00

Oh how I loved this movie. I loved it even more because George Clooney played a role (even his voice via a stop motion fox was still swoon-worthy). So imagine my happiness when I stumbled upon this picture in Pinterest. I would LOVE to dress up like this (even though I don't really dress up for Halloween). Really fun, fun, fun.

Side note:
Favorite line from the movie - Coach Skip "Basically, there's three grabbers, three taggers, five twig runners, and a player at Whackbat. Center tagger lights a pine cone and chucks it over the basket and the whack-batter tries to hit the cedar stick off the cross rock. Then the twig runners dash back and forth until the pine cone burns out and the umpire calls hotbox. Finally, you count up however many score-downs it adds up to and divide that by nine."
Second favorite line from the movie - Mr. Fox "The cuss you ARE."

Photo source: Oh So Lovely Vintage

Birthday Boy!!

2011-11-09T08:00:00.000-05:00

Oh no. We have a birthday boy in the hizzouse. His name is Jack and he's officially 6 (and yes, I just said hizzouse...)! SIX! Happy birthday you wonderful kid. You're kind of the coolest kid I know, and I love you to the moon and back.

All my love little rock star. xoxo

Land of Nod

2011-11-08T09:00:00.000-05:00

Oh Land of Nod how I love you.

If you aren't aware, Land of Nod is only the best place to buy fun children's toy and bedding. I adore this company and have for a few years. They're actually an offshoot of Crate & Barrel, for what it's worth. Take a look at a few pics from the catalog that came the other day (mainly the Christmas toy catalog)...

A mustache kit? LOVE it!

Love these dolls...

Ugly dolls for sure...

This superhero cape kicks ass. So not the lame red towel I had as a kid. LOVE!

Check 'em out for that hard to buy for kid (trust me, they're out there...).

Pins - Fashion

2011-11-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

As promised, here are some of my favorite fashion pins. All from Polyvore.

(don't know what's up with the hand lotion in this one...)

Miss Abby

2011-11-05T19:36:00.002-04:00

Hi bloggies. I was wondering if you could do me a favor. My friend's daughter is in the hospital (and will be for a bit it seems) with double pneumonia. Poor Abby is uncomfortable, sad and feeling horrible. If you could send a little prayer up for a speedy recovery I'd appreciate it. She's such a little spitfire, it's so sad to know she's so sick.

I love you sweet Abby girl! xoxoxo

Diwali

2011-11-04T10:45:00.000-04:00

Earlier this week we received a sweet visit from our Indian neighbor. Jenu arrived with a box of Indian sweets in celebration of Diwali (festival of lights). Having spent time in India (during Diwali), I was touched that he remembered and thought to bring us a little something to celebrate. Even better, we were able to spend time with him (his family is still in India while he continues his nanotechnology research at Roswell Park Cancer Institute). It was a nice way to spend a Sunday night, thanks Jenu!

Pins...

2011-11-03T10:37:00.000-04:00

I'm such a sucker for a great picture. Thank God someone invented Pinterest. Now I can spend copious amounts of time searching and pinning, searching and pinning. I love this site. Here are a few of my favorite photography pins.

Source: Peekaboo Photos

Source: Brianna Graham Photography

Source: 100 Layer Cake

Source: James Christianson Photography

Source: Janae Hardy

Need source

Source: Spearmint Wedding (I don't have the actual photographer's source)

Source: Amelia Lyon

Source: Lisa Lucky

Source: Grey Likes Weddings

Source: Jaime Lackey Photography

Source: Amelia Lyon

Source: Evoking You

Source: Stephanie Williams Photography

Source: On to Baby

Source: Sam Blake

Source: Clayton Austin Love Stories

Source: Bleubird Vintage

Source: Amelia Lyon

Source: Amelia Lyon (a personal fave of mine...)

Source: Sloan Photographers
Source: Sloan Photographers

Next week - favorite pin fashions! Oooohhhhh!!!

Well Hello Monkey Face!

2011-11-02T09:00:00.000-04:00

I found a new blog that I'm obsessed with. Hello Monkey Face is a fashion blog (this girl has mad style), however, she doesn't show her face (or her name or where she's from actually, although wherever she lives is beautiful). She puts a monkey face over her face (hence the name). She takes pics of herself with a remote camera trigger. She's kind of awesome.

Take a look-see, you won't regret it.

redhead

2011-11-01T11:00:00.000-04:00

Sometimes I wish I were a readhead, but only if it looked like this...
So pretty.

photo source: SaraLynnPaige

Boo!

2011-10-31T16:00:00.000-04:00

five years...

2011-10-31T09:00:00.000-04:00

It's been five years since I lost my dad. He passed away on Halloween in 2006 after a long battle with cancer. I don't want to write about how he suffered or how horrible cancer is (but God it is horrible). I want to share a little about what made my dad so awesome.

He loved babies.
He loved his family with ferocity. Don't mess with this man's kids or wife, brothers, sisters or parents.
He was a total blue collar man and was about as down to earth as you could get.
He served in the Army as a paratrooper and had the knee problems to prove it.
He loved candy. Like, his nightstand was packed with it. Black licorice being a favorite.
He loved the Sabres and the Bills, and please don't talk during the game (thankyouverymuch).
He had the most linear, boxy handwriting I've ever seen, especially for a lefty.
I think I get my organizational skills from my dad. He had nearly every piece of everything he owned neatly stored in its place, labeled (naturally). I could hang out in the garage for days going through his bits and pieces, all perfectly sensical in their order and placement.
I have vivid memories of my dad watching the Sabres games while I sat on the floor playing with my dolls. The sound of the organ (dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun...dundundundundundun SCORE!) and being close to my dad made me so happy.
He had the most amazing relationship with Madeline. Maddy was born on his birthday, and I think this bound them together. Oh how he loved her. And I loved to see that relationship develop. I wish Jack and Emma were born earlier, because he would have adored them (he had a blast with Jack for the short time he was here with him)!
He was an IM maniac. I always had some kind of IM from my dad, no matter when I checked my computer. I loved that. It took me awhile not to look for a message from him after he was gone.
He always put his shoes on, even when he was hanging out in the house. I do that too.

I love you dad. I just love you so much. xo

It's beginning to look a lot like...

2011-10-29T09:00:00.000-04:00

OK, I'm sorry. I can't help. I. cannot. help. it. I love Christmas music and I'm fighting with ever fiber of my being not to start playing it.

But I bought two Christmas CDs this week and my resolve is weak.

I certainly can't wait until December (are you crazy?!?!?), but my gut tells me I should at least wait until after Halloween (even if the stores can't).

fa la la la la

Outdoorsy

2011-10-27T08:00:00.000-04:00

I LOVE fall colors. Purples, oranges, golds and browns. Here's a little snippet of one half of the front door. The mum on top is going insane, the one below looks a little sad. It looks a lot better than that in person, not sure what's going on there.

What life was like...

2011-10-26T07:00:00.000-04:00

I love this card...

Why do I blog?

2011-10-25T08:30:00.000-04:00

Sometimes I wonder why I blog. I've been doing this for nearly 7 years now and I don't really have anything terribly witty or relevant or inspiring to say. I haven't put any effort into increasing my traffic (although I do love you, sweet readers) or followed any of the rules of blogging (yes, there are rules to blogging). I don't solicit sponsors to make money, I have nothing to sell or promote.

So why do I do this, if not for the reasons that many people blog? I guess to me, this is an online journal. I've always kept a written journal, dating back to when I was a little girl. Eventually my journals became more visual (that's when my scrapbooking started) and I started to abandon writing down what I was feeling. I found my journals were starting to become a bit of a downer, as the only time I wrote was when I had something to get off of my chest.

Then I went to India for 6 months. I found that it was easier for me to communicate with a bunch of people via the Internet. I used a website called Xanga, and it was a VERY basic blogging site. Like, shoe cans and string type blogging. But it served its purpose and allowed me to share my adventures with people that I cared about.

Then my dad passed away. I had a lot to say. A lot of emoting going on there. I wanted to do something in an easier environment, so I moved to Blogger. It's been good, I like it here. I am thinking of making the switch to Typepad, but we'll see.

I guess the point of this post is that there is no 'why' as to my blogging. I just do it because it's become a part of my routine, an online journal that I can reference when I want to. It's given me the opportunity to meet people I never would have met (either virtually or in real life).

I don't have a ton of followers. I don't get a ton of comments. It's ok. I'll be here anyway, and I hope you will be too.

xoxo

The proof...

2011-10-24T09:00:00.000-04:00

I told you I was scrapping...

Happy boy...

2011-10-21T10:37:00.002-04:00

This is the face of a boy about to head into surgery to have his tonsils and adenoids removed (oh, and have some tubes put in those cute little ears). He's such a happy boy, I just could not love him more. He's safely out of surgery now, just waiting to get this little man home to cuddle him up.

Oh and the sweet quilt? He picked out every piece of fabric and I sewed it up for him so he'd have his own custom tonsillectomy blanket. So glad they let him use it today!

Love you Jack Attack. xoxo

Halloween

2011-10-21T06:30:00.000-04:00

I was going to title this post 'hooker' but then I was worried about the possible google search readers I'd find...

Scrap pic

2011-10-20T11:00:00.000-04:00

I haven't posted any scrap pages lately. Mainly because I haven't done any. But the other night I was in a creative frenzy and completed 10 pages I'm sort of in love with. Pics to come soon - I know you can't wait.

Old man...

2011-10-19T08:30:00.000-04:00

Happy birthday to my turd of a brother. He turns 33 this year and to me that means he's officially old. He never reads my blog because he's too school for cool, nevertheless, Happy Birthday Will. Love you more than you know. xoxo

Girl Scout

2011-10-18T11:03:00.003-04:00

Guess who made the leap from Brownie to Junior Girl Scout yesterday...ME! No, not me. Madeline! It was such a cute ceremony. They 'bridged' wearing little wings and then removed their Brownie vest and changed into their Junior Girl Scout vest. I personally quit Girl Scouts (too many rules for a social rebel like me at the time - all I wanted to do was collect badges), but I love that Mad and her friends are into the message of Girl Scouts, the friendship building, civic responsibility, etc.

Here's the Brownie...

Here she is in her wings, getting ready to bridge to a Girl Scout...

And here's the Girl Scout (with a sweet avocado green fridge backdrop courtesy of the church the ceremony was held in)...

So proud of you Maddy Mad! xoxo

P.S. Anyone needing any Girl Scout cookies? ;-)

Guess what we did this last weekend...

2011-10-17T08:30:00.000-04:00

Our friends Amity and Steve have a home in PA and let me tell you, it is amazing. Sweeping views of the mountains, streams and fields for days... I'm not what you'd call a nature lover per se. I much prefer the great indoors. But seeing the kids explore and discover and love the outdoors made me like it a little more.

Twelve by 2012

2011-10-14T08:30:00.000-04:00

I read about this challenge on Oh Hello Friend's blog. Basically you come up with 12 things you want to accomplish before 2012. I initially thought, 'excellent, how hard can that be?'...then I looked at my to do list for today and realized I can't even get what needs to be done today finished. But what the hell, I'm going to give it a shot. And if a few of the 12 are lame-o gimmes, then so be it. Cut a girl some slack...

So here they are - my Twelve by 2012

1. Clean and organize attic (things seem to strangely land on the stairs to the attic, but no further...)
2. Clean and organize garage (don't ask...)
3. Semi-master my camera before I buy my next one
4. Read 8 of the books on my To Be Read bookshelf
5. Paint front door entry
6. Find a better way to organize mud room
7. Establish a habit of working out at least 3 time per week
8. Lose 10 pounds (this is a start kids...just by 2012)
9. Finish a quilt I started for each of the kids (just finishing one at this point would be huge)
10. Make a Halloween and Vacation mini book (supplies for which have been just hanging around)
11. Finally make the decision whether or not to switch over to Typepad for my little blog
12. Visit my grandfather (who lives too close for me not to visit more often)

OK so let's see what I can accomplish. I'm already overwhelmed...

i carry your heart...

2011-10-12T23:08:00.000-04:00

i carry your heart with me

(i carry it in my heart)

i am never without it

(anywhere i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing, my darling)

i fear no fate

(for you are my fate,my sweet)

i want no world

(for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant 
and whatever a sun will always sing is you
here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart
i carry your heart

(i carry it in my heart)

-e.e. cummings

My favorite poem of all time.  Just thought I'd share.

Anxiously awaiting nugget...

2011-10-10T17:03:00.000-04:00

My frousin Shannon is having a baby today! Say a prayer for an easy delivery and a healthy baby! I'm so excited!!!!!!!

UPDATE: She's here! She's here! Baby Taylor Leighann arrived this afternoon and is a-DOR-able. I'm already in love. Congratulations Shannon and Andy! xoxoxo

Lemony Snicket...

2011-10-06T11:00:00.000-04:00

I loved this movie. Madeline is reading the series (along with some other books), so we rented the movie last weekend. I was only popping an eye over my laptop initially, but after about 5 minutes I was hooked. I loved the dark cinematography, I loved how Maddy and Jack were so shocked by how truly bad Count Olaf was, and by how enjoyable it was for me as an adult (ish). It was a really great movie, check it out when you have nothing better to do.

Organization

2011-10-05T09:00:00.000-04:00

I've been on an organization kick. Little tasks, here and there. A desk drawer one day, my sock drawer the next. Today I tackled a folder that contains all of the items that have no home. Sadly many of those items met their fate with the shredder. It had to be done.

In the midst of all of this organization, I've also decided to buy new cleaning supplies. It's called a sickness people.

I trolled around Target with all of my cleaning goodies, feeling all giddy inside. Then of course I had to buy new organizational items to house said cleaning products.

That was a good day. That was a good, good day.

Sarah's Key

2011-10-04T09:30:00.000-04:00

This movie killed me. I read the book. It killed me. Seeing it on film only made it more real. It's stuck with me for days, and as hard as it was to watch, I will absolutely be buying this when it comes out on dvd.

If you haven't read the book, please do. It's not an easy read in terms of subject matter, but it's a lovely story.

Oh and the little actress who played Sarah? Mélusine Mayance. She was amazing. A-mazing.

When skies are Gray...

2011-10-03T18:01:00.000-04:00

This little boy...ugh, it breaks my heart. I don't this little man, just a little guy from the blog community I belong to. This little boy was just diagnosed with leukemia - and this is his story...

When Skies Are Gray

Say a prayer, or make a donation, won't you?

xoxo

Anything I wanted...

2011-10-03T10:30:00.000-04:00

A couple of Saturdays ago I did exactly as I wanted. When I wanted to do it. It was absolutely lovely. I did whatever I wanted at my own pace, I had no plans, I just sort of glided through the day. This is now a once a month necessity moving forward I've decided.

yes. It's a plan.

Dear John...

2011-09-30T09:30:00.000-04:00

This movie killed me. Slayed me. It was just too emotional for me to handle and I lost it in the theater when it came out. I bought it on dvd, and haven't watched it since I bought it, afraid of what emotional state I'd be left in. But I watched it...and it killed me again. Even looking at the pictures makes me weepy. But I love this movie, oh how I love it.

Craftiness

2011-09-29T10:00:00.000-04:00

No. I'm not getting married again. Been there, done that, I'm all set thanks. That doesn't mean I don't love all things weddings. I mean, truth be told (and we're all friends here, right?) I subscribe to Brides and Martha Stewart Weddings. Can't help it. It's all so pretty!

I stumbled upon this book while browsing at Hobby Lobby and I had a coupon so, of course, I bought it. It's so lovely - not homemade in the sense that you're wearing a wedding gown made from a bed sheet. It's really about making your wedding personal, and I love that (especially considering that I basically eloped with Mr. Man back in the day). Oh if I had it to do over...

Other than the incredible photography, the book has step by step instructions for all of the items (which could easily be adapted to showers, birthdays, any celebration really).

Check it out.

Fall manis

2011-09-28T12:27:00.000-04:00

I love a nice dark nail for fall. This one is a purply brown (let's call it raisin). Naturally I can't remember the name of it, although I know it was OPI.

A few of my favorites for those interested:

OPI Suzy Skis in the Pyrenees

Sally Hansen Flirt

OPI Siberian Nights

Essie Carry On

OPI Russian Navy

Essie Wicked

And toes? Don't even get me started on pedis...

Dino fever

2011-09-27T12:03:00.000-04:00

I love these little dinos. They sit on my desk until the kids steal them and I find them in their rooms via my stepping on them. Damn dinosaurs...

Halloween decorating...

2011-09-26T07:00:00.000-04:00

So I was going to publish this post next week. You know, in October. But then I thought I'd keep it real, and post it now. My halloween decorations. In September. Whatever.

It all started with this little Mr. Man. He's a bobble body votive holder, about 8" tall and I love him. So I bought two of him. Then Madeline and I decided that we'd go with a black, cream and purple color scheme. And then I was off and running...

Considering the room is cream and blue, I kept some little pops of the turquoise in the decorating scheme (LOVE these glasses from Anthropologie - I pick a couple up every time I'm there).

Purple and black creepy window clings! Yes please!

Bat wall clings from Target. Possibly my best purchase to date (other than my bobble headed mummy).

Don't worry, by Halloween I'll be ready to decorate for Christmas! ;-)

Have a great week loves! xo

fuzziness...

2011-09-23T12:06:00.000-04:00

My sister in law is a knitter extraordinaire. I've had her make a few blankets for some of the little ones in my life and the other day I was like, 'yo - I want a blanket'. So she's making me one. And I'm totally hijacking this color palette and pattern from this blanket (photo courtesy of thompsonfamily.typepad.com).

I bought the yarn yesterday and now it's just up to Meg to get knitting. So get knitting Meg...geez. ;-)

Emma-lemma

2011-09-22T10:30:00.000-04:00

This kid...I'm telling you - she's the funniest kid I know. Between the faces (see first picture below - hi drama!), the hilarity of her daily statements, and her itty bitty-ness (she's seriously the most petite little thing you ever want to meet) - she wins the award for funniest 4 year old in our family. And I mean, her eyes?!!? I know!!!

McCracken

2011-09-21T11:00:00.000-04:00

This little man is turning into quite the ladies man. He's always been complimentary to the girls in his life (I can't count the times I've heard him comment his sister on something she's wearing, or how often he'll walk up to me and say 'Nenna, did you get your hair cut? I like it!'). When my sister told me that he told his new Kindergarten teacher that she has a good singing voice, I wasn't surprised. Not in the least.

9 going on 30...

2011-09-20T11:37:00.000-04:00

This kid who can't walk by an accessory without trying it on first...

Who sports feathers in her hair (a recent addition thanks to a birthday gift from a friend)...

Who thinks there's a chance in hell she'll get to leave the store in these shoes...

That kid is kind of awesome...

NYC

2011-09-19T10:54:00.000-04:00

I was in NYC last week on business and while I was there, I walked by the 9-11 Memorial. It's all walled off, you can't really see anything (and you need reservations and tickets to enter...they're booked right now until mid-October), but through a sliver of barricade you can see the trees and fountains. There's still a huge area under construction, it looks very much as it did when I was there 8 years ago, 5 years ago, last year...

The firehouses surrounding the WTC still have flowers, pictures, letters from family members and candles.

It really doesn't get any easier, does it? I suppose someday it will, but now, even ten years later it still feels a bit raw.

Confession

2011-09-17T20:03:00.001-04:00

I'm too stupid to figure out how to fishtail braid my hair.

The Westing Game

2011-09-16T10:31:00.001-04:00

I LOVED this book when I was little. Like, I was obsessed with it. So you can imagine my delight when I found the book for Miss Madeline to read. Every night she calls me into her bedroom to tell me her new theory as to whodunit. I actually don't even remember whodunit, other than there was a major twist that left me shocked as a 9 year old.

What about you? Any books you can't wait to relive with your little one?