We went on vacation for a few days to New Orleans for my birthday. For some reason, people are shocked when I tell them we brought the kids. I guess New Orleans has that kind of reputation, but honestly, we ALL had a BLAST. Swimming, shopping, sight-seeing (and none of that kind of sight-seeing if you know what I mean!) It was a much needed trip. I don't remember the last "vacation" we took where there was no work involved, and we were ALL there. It was really nice. The best part was that the hotel was free thanks to all the points racked up by all the traveling that the Mr. does. It was a very cute hotel right in the French Quarter. Yep, I was pretty much in heaven.
Of course, we come home and I have a very busy week recovering from vacation. Did you miss me? Well, I'm back, and I'm exhausted but exhilarated at the same time! I had an amazing evening last night with a good friend at a very fun "special event". I even won a prize! That's always exciting! Unless you're an avid paper crafter like me, you probably wouldn't get it, but then again I was once anti-scrapbooking as well. So, if you don't know anything about Stampin' Up!, well, they are a fantastic paper crafting/memory keeping company that has lots of coordinating paper products (and stamps, imagine that!) as well as digital designing, home decor, oh so many things! Anyway, I'm addicted, as most people that know anything about them are. Every year they come out with a new catalog of all their products. Last night was a red carpet new catalog release. Sounds fun right? So I attended with my friend Julie at a movie theater here in Houston. It was fun to see new products, and receive a new catalog early, PLUS I won 3 ink pads of their new "in-colors" which are seasonal colors they keep around for only 2 years. Not to mention, I also got a fun new stamp set!
Anyway, the point of all this is that for me, making cards, digital designing, and just being creative is a great stress reliever for me, and it's even BETTER that I get to do it with friends! Every mom needs a hobby for "herself" to balance things out. I love that my hobby also records the memories we make as a family, and documents these years that will be over before I know it!
Showing posts with label Small & Simple Celebrations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Small & Simple Celebrations. Show all posts
Monday, April 28, 2014
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Catch up for the week, including an under $30 Thursday on a weekend.
I know I've been MIA this week, and I just want to say my motto this week is:
We had a last minute park adventure where Evan decided playing with the girls was way better than playing with the boys, a trip to the ice-cream factory with our adopted family (neither family has family nearby, and Evan prefers being with them to us, so why not?), a visit to Dad at work (on our way home from Ikea), a messy house to prove it all, and NO GUILT whatsoever! It felt REALLY good to just leave the mess and go enjoy life! I love love LOVE hearing my kids laugh, and they do it a whole lot more at the playground than they do in front of the tv. (Although, they do find humor on tv and Evan has the cutest belly laugh while Sophie does the sarcastic Simpson's "ha-ha.") Anyway, it was a FABULOUS week, and the house managed to get cleaned up pretty quick, which was all kinds of amazing. So now it's time to shop!
1. Here's the dress I was talking about last time on my first under $30 Thursday, which was on a Tuesday, and now it's on a Saturday. I seriously need to reconsider the Thursday part of that weekly feature. Anyway, when I first saw it, it was on sale for $20. I didn't get it but couldn't stop thinking about it, and the Mr. even said "Wow! That's a nice dress!" So I decided to buy it while he was gone and wore it to the airport to pick him up. I got it in black and white (of course I did) but I'm really liking the blue and green one too. Maybe if it drops down to $20 again. Oh wait there's a sale on. Buy one get one 50% off. I should have waited! ANYWAY. Now you can get the black and white AND the green and blue.
2. Or you could get this fun striped one.
3. I just discovered the J.Crew Outlet site (thanks to thebigmamablog.com) and think it may have rekindled my love for J.Crew. I'm always on the lookout for cardis in every color. Well, look no further. 20 bucks. I know you're surprised that it's in hot pink, but no, I'm not buying a hot pink one that would clash with my red hair, but you know ever since Sophie was born I've been becoming soft. I'm not buying it. Just not hating the color anymore. Ok, kinda liking it. Still not buying it.
4. I've decided it's time to wear capris. Not shorts yet, I'm contemplating a spray tan before the shorts, but it's Houston, and it's gorgeous weather, and my jeans are just not going to cut it for this weather. I've always thought Loft pants fit kinda funny, but then Quinette (my gorgeous sister) bought a couple pairs in fun colors and they were so flattering! So I'm contemplating getting them in this color, but I'm also liking the Amore Red. Lots of colors to choose from and 40% off with code TREAT
5. I was SO CLOSE to buying these and still SUPER TEMPTED because they're 40% off of $12.88 but I have NO IDEA what size I am!? If you can figure it out, please let me know. I want these. Shoot. For that price I might just buy some and if they're the wrong size, I'll give them away. I'm so torn right now.
We had a last minute park adventure where Evan decided playing with the girls was way better than playing with the boys, a trip to the ice-cream factory with our adopted family (neither family has family nearby, and Evan prefers being with them to us, so why not?), a visit to Dad at work (on our way home from Ikea), a messy house to prove it all, and NO GUILT whatsoever! It felt REALLY good to just leave the mess and go enjoy life! I love love LOVE hearing my kids laugh, and they do it a whole lot more at the playground than they do in front of the tv. (Although, they do find humor on tv and Evan has the cutest belly laugh while Sophie does the sarcastic Simpson's "ha-ha.") Anyway, it was a FABULOUS week, and the house managed to get cleaned up pretty quick, which was all kinds of amazing. So now it's time to shop!
1. Here's the dress I was talking about last time on my first under $30 Thursday, which was on a Tuesday, and now it's on a Saturday. I seriously need to reconsider the Thursday part of that weekly feature. Anyway, when I first saw it, it was on sale for $20. I didn't get it but couldn't stop thinking about it, and the Mr. even said "Wow! That's a nice dress!" So I decided to buy it while he was gone and wore it to the airport to pick him up. I got it in black and white (of course I did) but I'm really liking the blue and green one too. Maybe if it drops down to $20 again. Oh wait there's a sale on. Buy one get one 50% off. I should have waited! ANYWAY. Now you can get the black and white AND the green and blue.
2. Or you could get this fun striped one.
3. I just discovered the J.Crew Outlet site (thanks to thebigmamablog.com) and think it may have rekindled my love for J.Crew. I'm always on the lookout for cardis in every color. Well, look no further. 20 bucks. I know you're surprised that it's in hot pink, but no, I'm not buying a hot pink one that would clash with my red hair, but you know ever since Sophie was born I've been becoming soft. I'm not buying it. Just not hating the color anymore. Ok, kinda liking it. Still not buying it.
4. I've decided it's time to wear capris. Not shorts yet, I'm contemplating a spray tan before the shorts, but it's Houston, and it's gorgeous weather, and my jeans are just not going to cut it for this weather. I've always thought Loft pants fit kinda funny, but then Quinette (my gorgeous sister) bought a couple pairs in fun colors and they were so flattering! So I'm contemplating getting them in this color, but I'm also liking the Amore Red. Lots of colors to choose from and 40% off with code TREAT
5. I was SO CLOSE to buying these and still SUPER TEMPTED because they're 40% off of $12.88 but I have NO IDEA what size I am!? If you can figure it out, please let me know. I want these. Shoot. For that price I might just buy some and if they're the wrong size, I'll give them away. I'm so torn right now.
Friday, March 28, 2014
Small & Simple Accomplishments
Some people can't get enough of the baby stage, but for me, I love watching them learn and grow and become independent! (Which means less work for me!) Both kids love doing things on their own. Even my 20 month old daughter pushes me away and says "self!" They must feel pride at accomplishing new tasks, and I feel it FOR them.
Today, my son (turning 4 in a month and a half) was carrying some dishes into the kitchen and dropped one, spilling his snack on the carpet. Instead of crying (which is what usually happens) we decided he wanted to throw that away and get some new. So HE went and got the vacuum and cleaned it up. I know it's just something small, but I was so proud of him for handling a situation that could have easily led to a meltdown, resulting in everyone being angry. Instead, we handled it quickly and calmly, which actually INCREASED our happiness.
Today, my son (turning 4 in a month and a half) was carrying some dishes into the kitchen and dropped one, spilling his snack on the carpet. Instead of crying (which is what usually happens) we decided he wanted to throw that away and get some new. So HE went and got the vacuum and cleaned it up. I know it's just something small, but I was so proud of him for handling a situation that could have easily led to a meltdown, resulting in everyone being angry. Instead, we handled it quickly and calmly, which actually INCREASED our happiness.
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