Trick or Treating

Cute cousins on the porch! (Experimenting with iPhoto effects :))

This year we had a few Lillias' cousins back in town for trick or treating in Grammy and Papa's neighborhood. Lillias is so happy to have these girls around, they are so good to play with her! Grandma and Grandpa Adams also came along for the chilly trip around the block, which made Lillias oh so happy!

Trunk or Treat

Our church has a annual trunk or treat at one of the member's farm. It is always a good time, visiting with friends, chili cook-off, cute costumes and trunks decorated to the hilt. This year it did have all those things but it was FREEZING COLD! So we didn't stay long, but still managed to leave with some cute pictures of Lillias!

Jessica Sprague Love

The Jessica Sprague Website has become my favorite resource for photography classes and digital scrapbooking (which I am just starting to learn). You can register for her FREE class HERE, starting November 2nd!

See you there!

Co-Hosting a Halloween Party, CONT...

Forgot this one of all the Party Go-ers!

Co-Hosting a Halloween Party

Ashley called me about a little over a month ago with the idea that we should co-host a Halloween Party together. After many calls and several planning meetings it all came together into a fun get together!

The invites:

The Spread:

The Food:

The Games:

Couples Orange Relay

The Men getting into the Girls vs. Boys Halloween Themed Pictionary

Some of the Couples:

Shawn and I

Ashley and Joe

Hilary and Jared

Kristian and Amy

Lisa and Keith

Glass Half Full

On such a gloomy day as it is here today, this is a good reminder to think positive thoughts....

Picture/Quote taken from http://livestories.wordpress.com/

Paper and More from Scribbles n Such

About a month ago, I got an e-mail from Christy about her new online stationary store that she recently started with her friend Michelle. She offered to send me some products to sample and IF I loved or even liked them, then spread the word about her company through my blog. I have to admit I was a little nervous to do this because I am a picky person, but also a people pleaser. I was very afraid that I wouldn't really like the products and then feel like I had to recommend them because I had agreed to sample them....

BUT, I have to say that I LOVE everything she sent me! I feel very lucky that I was asked to do this. It is no secret that I love paper, stationary stores have always been my favorite stores to shop. Scribbles n Such products are described perfectly by Christy and Michelle on their store homepage "a splash of color adds a little extra "happy" to everyday life. Whether it's a trip to the market, a note to the teacher, a birthday wish, or a cute tag on your bag, it's our hope that Scribbles helps put a pep in your step, a song in your heart, and a smile on your face!"

As I pulled out each product I was very impressed with the quality, and functionality, not to mention that from the gift tags to the reusable bags the designs are so charming. While they look fabulous on the website, they are even better in person.

Here are a few of the products Christy sent me to sample that I really Loved:

The Reusable Bag $8

in Spunky Skunk

Perfect for quick runs to the market!

Medium Notepad $8
in Spunky Skunk
My notes to the teacher (from me the sub) are in style since I received this fabulous notepad!






Gift Tags $11
in Forever Retro
OK, so these are so cute and a gift that keeps on giving! I have a new obsession with gift wrapping so this is the perfect touch to top off a perfectly wrapped present. They are made of a high quality plastic so the gift receiver could reuse this tag for so many other things Lunchbox/Backpack tag, Luggage tag... the possibilities are endless!

Circle Cards $10

in Forever Retro

This is a card that will even make the postman/woman's day as it is on it's way to be delivered!

Menu Planner $13

Citrus Circus
This last item is not one that I have seen in person, but love not only the design but the idea in general. I don't know a mom out there that couldn't use one of these!

Thanks Scribbles n Such, I see a bright future for your company!

Check them out HERE...really, go now, you won't regret it!

Fall Favorite and Craftiness

Last week I went to a Uppercase Living Project night, where I made this really cute mud-room board with fabulous hooks. When I signed up to make this project, I did so knowing that I had no where in my current home to hang it up... but none the less I went and made it for "my next house." The significance of this in quotes phrase is that it applies to quite a few home purchases. Now, you may be thinking... Are you planning on moving to a new bigger house?? Well, someday I am, and when that day comes I will have really stunning decor waiting!

The bonus of the night was that the demonstrator (and my friend) just happens to live on a apple farm, so I also picked up the MOST DELICIOUS APPLES EVER!!!! I believe they are called Pixie Crunch.

Thanks V!

What does home mean to you?

One of my favorite magazines is Real Simple, it covers a lot of STUFF from organizing to food to daily chores to decor to inspirational articles and much more. This month it seemed like every page had something that jumped out at me. One those pages was "this month's question" which was "What does home mean to you?"

Here are a few that RS featured that I really loved:

"My husband and I married seven years ago, and we've moved about every year since. Home to me is unpacking that last box."

-Mandy Romney

"Home is where the rags of your life are turned into quilts, lemons become lemonade, and a few extra pounds are simply more of you to love."

-Sherry Bubnowski

"Home means catching fireflies out in the front lawn with my brother. Those were the best times of my life."

-Shannon Cuthrell

"A place where I can wear purple yoga pants, a holey yellow t-shirt, and flip-flops without feeling as if I'm about to be ambushed by the hosts of some TV makeover show."

-Tara Pierson Hoey

"Living in Manhattan, where space if often tight, I've learned not to limit the definition of "home" to my closet -sized bedroom in a shared apartment. New York City is my extended home: The local coffee-shop counter becomes my kitchen table for the morning crossword puzzle, and the Great Lawn in Central Park is transformed into my living-room couch for weekend naps and lunchtime relaxation."

-Oliver Gaag

"Home is Family to me. Texas, in my sister's newly redone fabulous kitchen, in Utah at my grandma's, in my own little home with the hubby and Lillias. But most of all at my mom and dad's, because there is no place, like the place where EVERYONE gathers together for a meal or a game or just to talk."

-Me

Style for Any Age

Ok, these CREWCUTS clothes by J Crew are too cute! However, it's sad when I see 5 year olds that are dressed better than me....

Movie Review

Tonight I went to see "Love Happens." It is the epitome of the word (s) chick-flick, a sappy, predictable love story. I am a fan Jennifer Aniston, so it was worth paying the $7 (twilight price) but over all I seen much better. The hubby was not too into it either, the constant movement and comments were the proof!

On a more positive note, at least I wasn't sitting in the theater for Shawn's movie choice!

Top 6 of my favorite Movies that have (somewhat) recently come out:

1) Time Travelers Wife

2) Marley and Me

3) 17 Again

4) The Proposal

5) Bride Wars

6) Confessions of a Shopaholic

Practice Makes Perfect

OK, well in my case not perfect but a lot better!

I am in week 2 of my photography class, it is both frustrating and challenging! Yet, I am loving it! It reminds me of the online classes I took in college, only the subject matter is interesting and fun (plus no tests). Since I am coming from a place of little to NO technical photography knowledge it is a bit of a bumpy learning experience, but again, a FUN one!

While I was reading over the new material for this week and listening to the video of the OH SO knowledgeable instructor a thought came to mind. The only way I am going to learn this stuff and remember it is to practice, practice, and keep practicing! Isn't that so true for most things in life we want to learn and be good at? So if you are a friend or family member I apologize in advance for the never-ending picture taking!

Conflicting Styles

I recently read an article about finding your own personal style. It seems like most people I know have a very defined style. I feel very strongly that I do not! I am constantly looking at design blogs, decorating tv shows and fashion magazines. I love all kinds of decor, hair styles, clothing styles, music, movies, etc. If I had to pick my own personal style I couldn't, I have felt bad about this most of my life, chalking it up to not really knowing who I am. Well, I am done feeling bad about this! I am, from now on, going to embrace my multi-style personality!

For example....

I look like this one day

And this the next (my new look)

I love this

But, I also Love the Pottery Barn look

I love the J Crew Look

I also Love the Sophisticated look of Burberry

I love most music from Josh Groban to Built to Spill to Dixie Chicks.

I love, LOVE, love movies from Wall-E to My Fair Lady to Top Gun.

******

As you can see, my personal style is to not have one apparently!

Back to class I go!

Awhile back I mentioned that I talked Shawn into buying me a SLR camera. I have yet to take FULL advantage of the great camera that it is, because well, I don't know how... I love to take pictures and have always wanted to learn more about photography so I finally signed up for an online photography class. I have been waiting on this class to open up since I bought the camera, it fills fast so that must mean it's good right?!

The class is Oh Shoot! Digital Photography with Candice Stringham

I have actually followed Candice's blog for quite awhile because I know her sister, Stephanie. Both have really great blogs, a talented family for sure!

Maybe this will scratch my back to school itch....

Shoe Love!

One of each PLEASE!

Lovely!

J.CREW

Back Door Facelift

Two years ago when we moved into our little house the back door was all scratched up from the lock being replaced. We had every intention of replacing the door with a nice six-panel door, but here it still hangs. Making it worse, the dear hubby tried to make it better without having to replace the door by touching up the scratches.... BUT he spot painted it with the wrong white paint. So then it was a two white toned ugly door! 

Since we were having Lilli's party at our house and the main event was in the kitchen where this ugly door hung I needed a quick fix. I have been wanting to paint a chalk-board wall somewhere in my house, so I thought, why not make it on the door. I used painters tape to make the boarder just to fancy it up a little bit. As I was painting  I was getting pretty nervous about a black door in my kitchen, but I LOVE how it turned out! It is so functional and despite the fact that it is black and stands out, it is really a fun addition to our house! 

I forgot to take a picture of the before, but here is how it turned out: