2011: Week 2

Only 2 weeks into the new year and I am already behind.
We had a death in the family last week which pretty much brought everything to a halt. The only way I can describe the past week is melancholy. I have to say though, the services were beautiful. This is the first time I have ever seen the doves released graveside.. it was a very emotional and breathtaking experience.

Trying to get my focus back has been a challenge. I have almost caught up on orders.. just a couple more days and I should be good to go. =)

Since I have been busy working, I recruited "Wild Woman" to put her creativity to use and decorate my 2011 project binder. She still has to put the finishing touches on it but I LOVE what she has done with it.

Pink, Black, Pocket Tags and Polka Dots!
And how cute is that cocktail!?.. teehee
Isn't it just Deeelish?

Now it's your turn April.. Where's your binder? =)

Okay, it's time for me to get back to work.
Hope you all have a fabulous day!

XO XO,

My Word for 2011..

I didn't choose a word last year but one sure chose me.
My life went through a complete upheaval in 2010. Everything that was, is no more. But that was then and this is now.
The start of a new year is the perfect time to take the reigns
and "Create" myself anew.
So my word for 2011 is

Create the daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, artist, designer, teacher, business woman, blogger, friend & stranger... the "Me" that I want to be. The "Me" that inspires & nurtures others to be what they see inside themselves.

** Create the highest grandest vision possible for your life, because you become what you believe. ~ Oprah Winfrey

Have you picked your word for 2011?

XO XO,

My Favorite Things of 2010

Thought I would share with you some favorite things from my year of
Simplicity and "Transformation".

~~ Foodie Fave..

Pink Champagne Cupcakes
Every girl deserves a little sugary pink goodness;
and these cuppies are sooo yummylicious...

~~ I treat myself now..

after going through this transformation in 7 months :)
(this pic is from a couple months ago.. and I have actually lost a bit more)
Yay Me!

**********

~~ Beauty Fave..

Make Up For Ever Powder / Bronzer

&

Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer
my most favorite lip treat

**********

~~ A girl's gotta be comfortable..

Yoga Capri's

&

Fitted Tee's

&

Comfy Cami's

&

Zip Hoodies

&

my fave Pink Swoosh Air's

&

my must have "Messy Pony" :)

**********

~~ on TV..

Gossip Girl

**********

~~ at the Movies..

Grown Ups

**********

But my most favorite thing of all..

My Family
Which now includes this precious little miracle that we were blessed with to make our year complete!

I hope you all have a wonderful New Year full of Love and Happiness.
I look forward to sharing it with you.

XO XO

Introducing Maddison Lynn

MZ6WV8CQKRUT

It's been a tough week.. My daughter had complications and they were forced to deliver her baby. The pregnancy caused Cec's liver to completely shutdown so it was a matter of life and death for her. I am so blessed to be able to say that she is doing much better and will hopefully be able to come home tomorrow. And I am happy to introduce to you our precious little miracle Maddi.

She joined us 3 months early but she's a fighter just like her mommy.
I have been sick so I haven't been able to meet her yet or even be at the hospital with my daughter since the first day. And that is driving me crazy.. but I will not chance either of them getting sick.

Now if I could just figure out what my "grandma" name will be.. It's a lot tougher than you'd think.. LOL..

xoxo

Happy Hump Day Before Thanksgiving

We interrupt this post to bring you a special announcement.
I would like to send a big "thank you" out to my lil' sis, the most unselfish person I know.. Without you this most annoying and inconvenient head cold would not be possible. LOL.. You know I still love you though. =)

Now back to our regularly scheduled posting.

So.. are you all ready for Thanksgiving? Will you be traveling or staying close to home? Have you thought about all that you have to be thankful for?
For me, this year has been one of new beginnings & self discovery. I have learned that I don't have to be everything to everyone.. and that it is ok to make myself happy first. I would have never imagined my life taking the turns that it has, but I also wouldn't change it if I could.

I have quite a lot to be thankful for this year, and I wish that you are able to celebrate the blessings in your life with the ones you love.
Our table will be missing one very important person; but he is in my heart. And hopefully they will enjoy some semblance of a Thanksgiving Dinner way over there in Afghanistan.

In case I don't make it on tomorrow,
I want to wish you all a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

Bisou Bisou.. Mwah!

Happy Thursday!

Yep, it's me again.. Two days in a row.. I know, right!? Can you believe it? hehe.. I'm working on getting back into the swing of things.. ;) Writing notes to myself seems to be helping.. That is as long as I remember to read them. LOL

Since it's Thursday and my boys are on tonight, I thought "What could be better than a little Salvatore eye candy?" =)

I loooove his eyes!
~Eye Candy of the Day~
Ian Somerhalder
aka Damon Salvatore (the Vampire Diaries)

Sooo, the weekend is almost here, what do you all have planned?
I have taken a few days off from creating so I could work on some of the "behind the scenes" tasks.. Like working on my facebook fan page... (actually, they're not called "fan" pages anymore, but who knows what they are calling them this week.?. business pages? artist pages? or just plain "pages"? lol) Anyways...been working on linking everything up, getting pics uploaded and suggesting to friends... trying to get everything ready for my first giveaway..
(there's a link to my page in the sidebar to the right ;)
Hoping to have everything set and in place for "Small Business Saturday".

Will you be joining in the festivities? If you're interested in finding out more about how you can show your support, click on the link above.

Well, it's time to get back to work.. =)

Have a great day everyone!

Smoochies! xoxo

Middle of November Already??

Instead of closing out the post with eye candy, how 'bout we do something crazy and open up with it. ;)

~Eye Candy of the Day~
Ed Westwick aka Chuck Bass

Cec came over last night and we had some, long overdue and much needed, self indulgent trash tv girl time. hehe.. Now, after one episode, we are hooked on Gossip Girl. And wouldn't you know, Hulu doesn't even have the first 2 seasons.. Looks like I will be searching for the past seasons on dvd and we will just have to make a weekend of it. Between her pregnancy and my sweetie being deployed, I think we have plenty of time to catch up on Dexter too.

I can't believe how fast this year has gone by.. Just a little over a month before Christmas!?! I have been so busy around here.. I miss the days when I had time and was organized enough to blog at least a few times a week.. lol

I am up to my neck in cupcakes and hairbows right now.. Hopefully the weather will cooperate enough this weekend so I can take pics of everything. =)

Hope y'all have a wonderful week!
Mwah! xoxo