Gettin' By

Merry & Not-So-Bright.

I hadn't intended to take this much time away from the blog, but wanting to kick off December festively, I spent last weekend attempting to get up our holiday decor -  a process that tested my ability to maintain a holly-jolly attitude. Luckily, I know a good eggnog martini recipe that helps with that.

It all started when I hauled up the boxes of Christmas decor from the basement, and realized that whoever put away the lights last year must have been drinking the aforementioned eggnog martinis, because holy.tangled.mess. But armed with plenty of holiday spirit (and possibly a few eggnog martinis, duh!) I was determined to get those lights untangled and deck those halls!

Of course, Christmas lights being instruments of the devil himself, when I finally did get the strings untangled and strung up in their various spots on the tree and mantle, approximately 37% of them actually lit up. Which made me about 63% grinchy. And in need of another eggnog martini. A few hours spent swapping out bulbs, fuses, and most of my sanity...and I determined that Christmas lights are totally overrated.

So as a family we agreed to squint when gazing at the lights, which make them seem a bit more sparkly than they really are. It also helps us to not notice the approximately 150,647,300 fake tree needles that fall off the artifical tree each day, and making me wonder just exactly WHAT the benefit of artificial over real actually is.  If you need me, I'll just be over here, vacuuming up the green confetti. And yes - DRINKING AN EGGNOG MARTINI.

Today I'm sharing a few of my favorite results of the week-long decorating saga, none of which you'll notice include sparkly lights.

The vintage chalkboard from my Grandma's attic and fluffy felted-beard Santa that deck our entry.

 

Our wooden nativity (and the one wise man that was nearly decaptitated during Shinerbock's puppy years)

 

Our bin of beloved Christmas books - my favorite being Bob, because I sing all the poems loudly in an obnoxious falsetto, much to the chagrin of my children.

 

The handprint wreaths adorning the doors to the kids' rooms (proof that we used to have to time to do crafty things together!)

 

The clay tree sculpture made by Hayden in first grade, along with the assorted "presents" we now jokingly call the "blue balls."

 

The advent countdown basket filled with fun little treats, surprises and activities to enjoy this month

 

Helpful, furry, four-legged creatures who more than happily chew on crappy Christmas lights.

 

Glittery, glitzy balls in my favorite pewter bowl. And, yep, I totally just threw this one in here so I could say BALLS.  

 

All of which just goes to show that with enough eggnog martinis, who needs stinkin' lights anyway?! Happy December!

 

Scrapbook & Cards Today | Summer 2014 Issue

Happy Friday everyone! I wanted to let you know that the summer issue of SCT debuts at 10:00 am EST today. I truly believe it's one of the best issues we've put together yet, and you definitely don't want  to miss it, so hop over and download your digital copy right here.

And here's a peek at this issue's cover, featuring Carson (the adorable son of my favorite fellow margarita drinker, Kelly Goree). I had so much fun creating this bright and colorful page, and I'm thrilled it was selected to grace the cover!

 

Hope you'll check out the magazine - I promise you'll find some fabulous inspiration!  And have a wonderful weekend!

Five on Friday | The Oreo Edition

No, not all five items on today's list are Oreos. And yet, somehow I've found a way to reference them in every entry. Sometimes my ability to fixate amazes even me. So grab a cold glass of milk and some cookies and enjoy!

1. ASOS Satchel Bag with Scallop Bar ($56.46) I was really looking for a happy yellow bag for spring, but when I spotted this one I may have changed my mind. I love the soft mint (can't you see it paired with navy or coral?!) and the scallop detail makes it ever so girly. And it just so happens that it's sized perfectly to stash a package of Oreos (see below) that you don't want your kids to find.

2.  Wood Veneer shapes from Two Peas in a Bucket ($0.89 to $0.99 each). I've collected a lot of the Two Peas wood veneer cards (and have used several in recent pocket page spreads) but these new shapes really have me swooning! These are three of my favorites, but there's a whole bunch of new shapes in the store. Though no Oreos. Note to self: suggest possible new shapes to boss ASAP.

 

 

3.  Bali Clicks Leather Snap Bracelet ($29.00/bracelet; $7.50/snaps).  A fabulous friend gifted me one of these bracelets for my birthday and I've been snapping it on a lot lately. I have the orange leather one with this, this, and this snap and I always get compliments when I wear it. Plus, this funky statement piece can be changed and updated by swapping out the snaps. Or if you happen to lose one in your bag of Oreos and accidentally eat it.

 

4.  Limited Edition Marshmallow Crispy Oreos ($2.99).  Leave it to Oreo to come out with an irresistable new cookie flavor just about the time my Spring Break Bikini Diet kicks in. But these delicious little sandwiches are straight from heaven and combine two of my very favorite flavors: sugar and more sugar.  And the whole "limited edition" marketing ploy?? Means I might be stock-piling these cookies in my garage freezer. If only those darn kids that live here would quit eating my stash.

 

5.  Our Q & A a Day: A 3-Year Journal ($16.99). It's a simple concept - you and your partner answer a question a day and document your responses in this little paperback. Ranging from serious to quirky to laughable, the daily prompts are a great way to record your own personal time capsule. And you can totally eat Oreos while you're answering. In fact, you totally should. Unless they happen to be MINE.

 

Have a happy Friday, peeps!  (It's Friday, friday, gotta get Oreos FRIDAY!*)

 

*Apologies to Rebecca Black. I've got a bit of a one-track mind, apparently. Let's blame it on the sugar, um kay?!

 

 

Five On Friday.

1.  This cleaner is making my inner June Cleaver very happy.  Not only is it concentrated (so you use very little), it's free of solvents and phoshates, biodegradable and downright good for the earth, which I'm pretty sure earns you triple bonus points.  (Points for what? I'm not really sure, but whatever it is, I'M WINNING!) I've been using it on everything in the kitchen this week and I love the fresh, subtle scent it leaves behind.  Not bleachy or chemical-smelling, but definitely a scent that tips off your husband to the fact you can, in fact, do things of domestic nature. Especially when he lets you shop the Anthro sale with no guilt. (See #3 below.)

2. Thoroughly enjoying the read Fourth Comings by Megan McCafferty right now.  It reads like a long letter from Jessica to her boyfriend Marcus, and I'm finding myself loving Jess' satirical views on many topics.  Even though I have not read the first three books in this series, this one is makes me want to go back and read them.  It's totally the non-deep, non-thinking, type of chick lit book I need on my nightstand right now.

3.  Snagged two cute tanks on sale at Anthro this week:

Because apparently my fashion motto of late is boobs look better in ruffles. But seriously, thinking they will pair nicely with my multitude of cardis and maybe a sweet boyfriend blazer I've been eyeing at Boden.

4.  Have been enjoying working with the September Jenni Bowlin Mercantile kit this week.  It's packed full of stuff from her new Family Tree line, which is proving versatile enough for fall, back-to-school, outdoors, and holiday pages.  Here's a little sneak:

You can see more on the JBS Inspiration blog!

5. Yesterday I attended a Very Serious Yoga Class (which sounds a lot nicer than the first name I came up with: We Have Giant Sticks Up Our Asanas Yoga Class, don't you think?) at our rec center.  Needless to say the staunch seriousness of the group got me giggling at very inopportune moments.  While trying to relay this story to Mike later that night, he kept interupting me saying, "And then you farted really loud?" and really, that was much funnier than the original story.  (And I was allowed to laugh, unlike in Very Serious Yoga Class, where they surely would have assulted me with chakras and mudras and mantras, oh my.)

And that's all I have for today - have a fantabulous weekend!

Five on Friday. (Plus some freebies!)

1.  Purchased this cute little skirt in charcoal and plan to make it my summer uniform.  It can be casual with a tee and flip flops, or dressier with a crisp white shirt and strappy sandals.  And the wicking fabric doesn't require ironing. Oh yeah, it's on sale now too! (which means I may need to get it in red, yes?)
 

2. The graphic artist in me cannot resist a well-designed wine label.  Even if the stuff inside is marginal, I'll buy a bottle for the exterior art alone.  And since this bottle of Mommy's Time Out pinot gris featured clever art and a name that made me giggle, I had to take it home.  (Haven't tasted it yet, as my "time-out" has not yet been assigned.  I'll report back later on that!)

 3. If you're wearing a skirt (and drinking wine for that matter!) you need to make those legs look fab with Vaseline Gel Body Oil with Brazilian Nut & Almond Oils. If you put it on slightly damp skin after a shower, your legs will look silky and smooth. And it smells divine.  With this body oil (and enough wine) it's easy to convince yourself your legs should star in the next Nair commercial. Not sure if that says more about the lotion or the wine. :)

4. Saw these lovely pink peonies yesterday during a quick grocery run and had an immediate flashback to wedding planning. (I may have been a little obsessive about finding an EXACT shade of pink peony for my bouquet.) And right there in the crappy little floral department at King Soopers, I saw them.  Not to be dramatic, but the heavens may have opened and angels may have sang. Needless to say, they are now adorning my breakfast table in an antique silver pitcher that belonged to my grandmother.  Every time I pass by them, I smile, reminded of the day I became Mrs. Dickinson. (Holding the perfect shade of pink peonies, I might add.)

5.  And finally, lest you think this post is all about me (which admittedly, this blog generally is!) I wanted to give you a chance (or THREE!) to win a free download of my new Ella ebook, Design Workshop.  Just leave me a comment here and on Monday I'll pick three people to get the hook-up.  And have a great weekend, ya hear?

Design Workshop is Here!

eeeeeeek!  I'm so excited and proud to share with y'all my new Ella book, Design Workshop! It goes on sale today and I hope you'll pop over and check it out.  It's a crash course in design principals like balance, color harmony, contrast, unity, and more --- all in simple, easy-to-understand langauge that will help you build fabulous eye-catching pages.

And just a heads up:  if you check the Write.Click.Scrapbook blog on Thursday, you just might have a chance to win your own copy.  So be sure and head over there for giveaway day!  And happy Tuesday! :)

A Little Love for the Library

One of the many things having kids has opened my eyes to is the joy of a visit to the library.  I can remember as a child visiting the local library in search of Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden books. (Am I the only girl who wanted to become a detective??)  And then later, seeking out the author much-discussed-among- fifth-grade-girls, Judy Blume.  Regardless of the topic or author, I loved the possibilities that always seemed to linger in the shelves; the stories that were just waiting there for me to discover.

And so, I scrapped about it.  :)

(You can click to enlarge the pages.)

Of course, this entry wouldn't be complete without my favorite library quote:

"A truly great library contains something in it to offend everyone."  ~Jo Godwin