crazy*little*words

oh happy day ...

Oh, be still my heart ... I absolutely fell head-over-heals in love with these shabby chic tea party cookies a while back when I was reading a post by Allyson Jane, {a wonderfully talented baker of sweet confections!} I just HAD to know where to find the deco she used on the cookies, and she ever so politely sent me the info for Dez at Papercandee . Long story short, I have been waiting for her to release her Oh, so Shabby Chic Tea Party line of party goodies. Today, I went lurking over to her blog and there they were, in their full glory!!!

... click each image for a larger view ...

What a lovely First Birthday Party!!

FYI - Allyson Jane and Papercandee Designs are also on Facebook!! Be sure to LIKE their pages!!

I am really thinking Emma will be having a Tea Party-themed birthday party this year!

*All photos posted are copyrighted to the artist whose name appears watermarked on the photo. Please visit the blog links above to find out more information about each of the artists. Thanks! SMJ*

and I still love roller coasters after all ...

For those of you who follow my much neglected blog, that I cannot seem to part with, you know that my life is a series of roller coaster rides - highs and lows - with lots and lots of loopty loops {at least that's what I call them!} The past few months have been no exception, although while some things finally seemed to explode and then settle down, leaving me in a much better state emotionally - and because of that, physically - there were others that seemed to just continuously keep going from bad, to worse, to catastrophic.

Now, I feel I am in a much better place. Other than dealing with the sick bugs, and work, and a house that seems to be in an utter state of chaos and mess - things seem grounded finally. I hope it will stay this way for a bit. Maybe God feels like my shoulders need a break for a bit - I couldn't agree more! Read on for some details of the Crazy Chaotic Life of Me ...

I was up looking around the Willow House website, noticed the link for philanthropies that it supports, and clicked on it … in a word - chills. I had no idea that Willow House was a supporter of JDRF. My family has been supporting JDRF since I was four or five years old. I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of two, and my parents helped to charter and build the New Orleans chapter of JDF in the early 1980’s. You can imagine my surprise when I saw the big JDRF logo on the Willow House site! Being a new consultant, and having NO idea that WH supported this charity almost brought me to tears.

This disease has been a blessing and curse … no, it wasn’t a diagnosis of cancer, or another potentially terminal illness. It was, however, a lifelong “career” if you will, that I did not choose, interview for, or accept whole-heartedly; but it was one that I have had to manage every single day, even when I hated it, when I wanted to just play “dumb” and pretend that I didn’t have it, and every other day in between. Some of those days are quite cumbersome and draining – because it hasn’t been my only job.

I have two small children, two older stepdaughters that are 18 and 20 – one lives with my husband and me, the other with her mom – and a husband who, after 24 years of Active Duty service in the Air Force, retired two years ago. Before that there were deployments, TDY’s, separations, etc. It was the life I chose, and would choose again, but it wasn’t easy. I was left, in the beginning, having to be both mom and dad to two little girls who barely knew their biological mother, depended on their father for everything, and this new person steps in – bright eyed and ready - to be “mom,” cook, teacher, caregiver, chauffeur, supporting, loving military spouse, etc. You got the idea. Oh, and then a single parent AND step-parent on top of all of that.

But, those still were not my primary jobs … managing ME was, or should have been, even though most of the time it wasn’t. Everything else in our lives always came first. Did I mention that we moved to Texas after living in Florida for almost nine years {all of our marriage, until August 2009?} He took a contract job here at Sheppard, only to get an incredible offer with another company a year and a half later, that also does military contract work – overseas. The deployments don’t necessarily end when they retire …

Recently, I realized that given the dynamics of my life, and the fact that I do not live close to most of my family and friends, a “normal” job will probably never be in my future again. Between sick children, children with psychological problems stemming from the lack of a relationship with their biological mother, a spouse whose job takes him away from home – and really, even if he was here, he would be working - and any other calamity, illness, virus, death, etc. that happens in my life, affects my primary “career” – the one I did not choose. It effects my diabetes. When I get sick, I get sick – I don’t just “suck it up” and keep going. I physically cannot. I do not recuperate like a “normal” person. I have to deal with the ramifications of having high blood glucose levels for days - caused by whatever illness, virus, infection, etcetera - that attacks my immune system, the large/high levels of toxic ketones that my body spills into my bloodstream, medications that also raise those levels, and all of the other “fun” stuff that goes along with getting sick as a diabetic.

So strep throat is not just a round of antibiotics and ibuprofen, and two days I’m better. It takes days, a week even, to recoup from strep.

A stomach virus, or the stomach flu, that’s a big welcome ticket to the ER, filled with numerous attempts at starting an IV on someone who is already so dehydrated that they’re basically just using me as a pin cushion. Central lines are fun, and those are all too familiar. The stomach flu takes me out for well over a week, if I am lucky.

Then there is stress. We all have it in our lives. It’s a normal part of life. Money is tight with a recession. Jobs aren’t quite what you thought they were. People move into and out of our lives – especially as a military family. Family members get sick. Some even pass away. They may not be your “biological” grandparent, but he was someone who you only knew as your grandfather, because yours died before you were ever born.

At the age of 92 ½, the greatest man I’ve ever known finally went to heaven to be with his creator – and his first true love, who he was married to for fifty-four years. She was my great-aunt, which made him my great-uncle. Annabelle and Archie … and theirs was a love that lasted through sickness – she also had Type 1 diabetes, since her early twenties … and in health – she lived to be seventy-seven, I believe. A lifetime. He was devoted to her, cared for her … her deteriorating eyesight was the only main side-effect of her diabetes until she was much older. They met at a dance, during the age of the Greatest Generation – she was a tall, slender, spitfire of a lady, and he had the most amazing blue eyes you have ever seen. They danced, and traveled in their early years together. But as they grew older, she wasn’t as mobile as she had been when she was younger – but it didn’t stop him from caring for her any less. He stood by her side, every day of her life, until she died. I truly believe that a part of him died that day also. His one love was gone. He knew she was better off … no more shots, no more finger sticks, no more dialysis. She was “normal” again, and one day they would dance again. Together.

I am aware that this story seems to be digressing, but I am on track … I promise!

One day, out of the blue – sort of, but we all kind of knew – Uncle Archie told us that he had met someone. A lady friend. Someone to talk with, have lunch with, share life stories with. Her name was Margaret, but he called her Maggie. That day the spark appeared back into those stunning blue eyes. She was a widow, married for over forty years to her true love, Bud. He also had lost his sight, and she cared for him the same way Uncle Archie cared for Aunt Annie. The funny thing was, they all knew each other. They belonged to the same social clubs when they were younger – and a bit older. Many hands of cards were played, sets of bowling pins knocked over through the years, and in the end these two loving, caring, heartbroken souls found each other – and made a life together. For over fifteen years, Archie and Maggie travelled the world – cruises to Europe and the Mediterranean, paddleboat cruises up the Mighty Mississippi, and everything in between. The went dancing every week – to the sound of the Big Band classics of the 1930’s and 40’s. Oh, and they had their fair share of martinis, too. Gin martinis. On the rocks. One with water, one with soda. A peel of lemon – never shaken. He lived large … doing all of the things that he had hoped to do with Annabelle in their golden years. He saw the National D-Day Museum open – he was a charter member. He was veteran of WWII. He was a proud, strong, loyal, honest, caring, loving man who was loved by many. He was around when my babies were born, after being scared to death that something would happen to me in the process, because of my diabetes {it was why he and Annabelle chose not to have children.} But I beat the odds – which really are much better today than they were back when they were young – and had two healthy, full-term babies without too many complications on my side.

So, the stress of this man, my grandfather, dying and not being able to do anything about it, to not be able to go home and see him one last time and say “I love you” and “Goodbye” breaks my heart every time I think about it, and completely wore me down. It drained me. Emotionally. Physically. The fact that it was at Christmas, and I was working a retail job that was supposed to be fun and part-time, even at Christmas, and knowing that I could not go home for a day, because all of my time had been used up dealing with strep, and stomach flus, and sick children – physically and emotionally - completely wore me out. And Christmas came and went, it was possibly the worst Christmas of my life, because my parents could not be here with us – Uncle Archie was a father to my father, because his father died when he was barely twenty. He was a mentor to Dad, someone he respected and looked up to. A role model that any young man would be proud to have in his life. On January 22nd, my mom called me – at work – to tell me that he had passed away earlier that morning. The only thing I could think about was “how am I going to get the time off to go to the funeral?” I was stuck. And broken. Worried about a job that certainly did not worry for me. After working out some arrangements to have some cover a shift for me, only to have another not covered because I was the ONLY person that was available to work on that particular day, at that certain time.

I flew to New Orleans anyway, for the funeral of my grandfather – who really was not my grandfather according to the company – to say goodbye to my hero. As I knelt by his side, in the flag draped casket, he looked so at peace. Happy almost. Very dapper in his navy blue suit with his American Flag pin on his lapel. A flag that he defended and honored, all of his days. Happy, because he was probably dancing with Annabelle up in Heaven – unless, of course, she was playing hard to get.

The next two days were good … being home with my family, which I had not seen since October – that was a long time for us – was a much needed break from my reality. I was able to see my new little cousin, Amelia, who was born in June and is the little sister to my God-daughter, Ella Annabelle; and my adoptive niece Julia, born in July, who is the most precious baby daughter of my best guy friend {since the age of two} and his wife. I love them both! The only problem was that my babies were back home in Texas with another strain of the stomach flu. In good hands, and hopefully getting rid of it before I got home, I knew they were okay.

I flew back to Texas on Thursday, only to wake up to a ferocious onset of the above mentioned stomach flu – one that landed me not once, but twice ER with blood sugar levels over 300, large ketones, not able to keep anything in my digestive system. Two bags of fluids, anti-nausea meds, and strict orders for bed rest and a liquid diet for 72 hours were the only way I was leaving the hospital without being admitted. So much for any more time off of work – I had exhausted every second, minute, and hour that I had to use. I did call in, to let them know what was going on, and that when I was better, I would be back, and would put in my two-week notice.

Apparently having a chronic condition that lands a person in the ER for two days in a row, and doctors’ written orders to be on bed rest only constitute “not feeling well” and that my resignation had been accepted. I’m still not quite sure how that was possible when I technically had not given it in writing. The best part … since I missed more than my allotted unpaid time off, not only was I leaving so that they could find someone a bit more dependable {that truly pains me to say that, since I like to think that I am, and have always been, a dependable person} but now I was also considered not re-hirable with the company. Ever. Again. For any position, even a seasonal one. So, a job that I loved and looked forward to every day since I was hired {and I felt lucky to actually get hired} had turned into a nightmare. I do understand corporate America, the need for rules and guidelines because there is always someone, somewhere who takes advantage of situations. I did not think I was doing that. I was truly ill. It was one of those years where every illness that went around hit me, and my children. None of us have ever been sick, so much, in such a short amount of time. And usually there are exceptions to a rule, in a dire circumstance. I guess not this time.

Yes, there was a point to this long, drawn out babble … I am so happy to know that I am part of a company that supports a cause so very close to me personally, and I cannot wait to get started! And I am so very thankful to be able to work on my own terms, my own hours, and not have to worry and stress if one of my children, or myself, get sick. I feel like I can finally put me first and everything else will fall into place as it should. This past year, my faith was tested, and was renewed on a few select occasions, and I believe that God put this opportunity in front of me at just the right time. He always has a plan, and a path, you just never know where it will lead!

So, help me as I start this new adventure with a wonderful company that supports two truly amazing charities very close to my heart!

Sara Johnson Design Consultant Email:   saramcj@gmail.com Website:   saramcj.willowhouse.com Phone:   940.228.7535 Mobile:   850.758.1105

just have to brag for a moment ...

I just have to brag a bit and say that I finally got my much awaited, highly anticipated Christmas present from my parents tonight ... a nookcolor ... and I am SO flippin' excited!!!  I know those of you who have iPads could give a flip, but I think it's the coolest thing ever - well, that and my iPhone!!  I'm so excited to load it up with the list of books that I have waiting for me at home that I have put off buying until I received this ... yay to happy reading!!!  Here's some pics {from BN.com} -

 
the nook color

 

 

the nookcolor Dessin case in Bright Pink - love it!!

So, now I am just waiting on my case to get to my house ... hopefully by the end of the week ... if we aren't snowed in!!

a Thanksgiving wish ...

Today, I am thankful for my amazing family ... through the good times, and the not-so-good ones, you will always be my greatest accomplishment.  I am thankful that my sweet, little girl survived what could have been the most catastrophic day of our lives - and for our Father, God, who sent an angel to soften her fall.  I am thankful for my husband, who is my rock, who is always there to lean on and laugh with, who loves me for who I am - despite my flaws.  For my parents, who raised me to be the person that I am today - independent, strong, confident - and for always believing in me, even when I don't believe in myself.  I am thankful for the United States Armed Forces, who spend every single day of their lives defending this wonderful nation, without regard to their personal feelings, hopes, dreams, wishes, etc.  Thank you for putting our country, my family and every other American family and citizen ahead of your own families - and their wants and needs, and your own - so that we ALL may be safe, and can celebrate Thanksgiving the way that our founding fathers anticipated.  Most of all, I am thankful for my life - my health, my family, my job, my friends, and my faith - and everything in it that truly makes it a blessing to be alive. 

Here's hoping that you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day, spent with family, friends, and those you are closest to.  I know for our family, it wasn't the most traditional of Thanksgiving Days, but at the end of the day, I am thankful that I was able to share it with the ones that I love - near or far ... and I am thankful for my faith, because if it wasn't for faith in God, I certainly would not have made it through the past few years to a much better happier place.

 

In Better Hands - Natalie Grant

geez ...

I can't believe that it has been SIX months since I last blogged ... I'm seriously going to have to do better than that!!  So many things have happened in the ppast few months, and SO many changes have been made in our lives that I find it hard to believe that I haven't written them down ... that probably means that I need to reprioritize things in my life ... or at least be a better planner and scheduler!

Anyway ... here's a brief rundown of the happenings over the past few months ...

• I think I posted about E's little "accident" - she's doing fine, no permanent injuries, thank God.
• We got to spend two weeks visiting family and friends over the summer, in NOLA and Destin ... the kids had a blast going to beach and being with their "Florida" friends {I did, too!}
• Three of my very dear friends, and my sweet cousin, all gave birth to beautiful, healthy baby girls this summer ... and it's killing me because I haven't been able to see ANY of them!!
• My oldest finally graduated from HS and is now officially in college!  She is attending a Cosmetology program and is doing REALLY well - I'm so proud!
• This girl, yes, me, went back to work - part-time - and I LOVE it!!  The company is wonderful and my co-workers are all amazing.  I can honestly say that I love my job!
• Both of my babies are in school now, full-time ... that makes me a little sad since I don't have any babies at home anymore ... but I love to see them learn, and the spark in their eyes when they've learned something new is just overwhelming.
• After a year of retirement {okay, a little more than a year} my hubby turned in his two-week notice at his "normal" job and is now training for one that will take him "over there" just like the Air Force did ... I guess you can take the man out of the Air Force, but you can't take the Air Force out of the man!
• My sweetie and I celebrated our much anticipated Ten Year Anniversary last month ... I cannot believe how fast the time has flown, and then again, somedays it seems like we've been together forever.  I know it's crazy, but I love him just as much, and so much more, than I did when we first met, and got married.  Here's to 30 more years {or more} being married to the best guy a girl could ever ask for!!
• There's only 11 more days until Thanksgiving, and 41 until Christmas - that's CRAZY!!!!
• And finallly ... I will leave you with some photos that were taken over the past few months - some from our trip to NOLA and Florida, some from our little getaway to Oklahoma, and of course, some random ones just because!!

I hope you are all doing well, and I promise to TRY to stay on top of this bloggity blog, even if it is just once a week or so!!!

 
Dinner out with my best friends in Florida ... I miss my girls!!

 

 
A day at the beach with my two little cuties!

 

 
Best friends after a day at the beach

 

 
An American Bison in the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge - so majestic.

 

 
view from the top of Mt. Scott

 

 

 
Two of my loves ...

 

 
Daddy's Girl

 

 
Fearless

 

 
A family photo on top of Mt. Scott

 

 
Texas Longhorn and American Bison

 

 
Isn't he amazing?

 

 

 

 
The First of School 2010-2011

 

 
Ten Years!!

 

 
the quaint little town of Medicine Park

 

 
10 Blissful Years ... and we're still smiling!!

 

 
Halloween 2010

 

 
The Ladybug and The Vampire

 

 
and finally ... moi ... with a new color and cut ...

 

I hope this post finds you all happy and healthy, and enjoying your autumn ... it's finally feeling a bit like fall here, and that really makes me happy!  Have a happy day and I'll see you soon!  XoXo

momma I'm headin' home . . .

It seems like the past few times that I have visited NOLA, I haven't had the opportunity to do and see the things that I feel are important for my kids to experience in my hometown.  So, when we are there in June, I am making a list of everything that I plan to see/do/visit/experience - even if I have to pack them all into a few days!  And obviously, there will be lots of pictures - photos that I can edit, develop, and hang in our home so that my children will understand just how important the city of New Orleans is to me - to my past and to our future.

-  Hansen's Sno Bliz
-  The Zoo
-  The Aquarium
-  French Quarter and all that that entails:  St. Louis Cathedral, Cafe duMonde, Jackson Square, and on & on.
-  Uptown, the Garden District, and the Univeristy area
-  riding the street cars and seeing the River
-  of course 'llI have to visit Sucre, PJ's on Magazine, Scriptura, earthsavers, The Flying Burrito, and Central Grocery

And of course, our trip south wouldn't be complete without a much needed visit to the white, sandy beaches of the Emerald Coast!  I am so excited to be able to go back to our *home* for the last 9 of 10 years of our lives.  We'll get to visit friends, soak up some sun, enjoy some crazy good seafood, and just relax while enjoying Destin and FWB. 

So, get ready Southerners - the Johnson clan from Texas is heading home to recoup, and enjoy some of the much needed southern hospitality that's totally in our blood!!

whoo hooo!

Today is a very good day! My new laptop arrived and I am SO excited! For the past few months we have been battling computer issues - needing more memory, a new hard drive, a new power source, etc. Finally, both of our desktops gave out {not so good, because I really had a lot of stuff on the hard drive that was just purchased for it!} So, after researching and debating on whether we should get a PC or a Mac, I bought a Dell Studio 15 with the new Intel Core i7. It is SO awesome and loaded with features - built in webcam, Bluetooth enabled, Blu-ray, LOTS of memory for my PhotoShop and Lightroom programs and so much more!! Oh, and did I mention that it's red? My favorite color, of course! I'm sure Scott won't be overly thrilled about the color choice, but since I'm the one who will be using it the most, it won't be that big of a deal. Tonight will be a fun-filled night of getting things installed and setup on here, but I thought I would pop in and share my good news with everyone!! Have a great Wednesday!!

all merry and bright . . .

. . . the blog, that is! It's been a while since I've been on here, so I decided to *spruce* things up for the holidays! Christmas is my absolute favorite time of the year - the decorations, the lights, the colder weather, and the spirit of giving! I just love everything about it! This year, since we are in a new city and a new home, decorating was a little different. We usually put up lights outside and decorate our tree, but I don't do much decorating inside of the house, because we are never home over the Christmas break. So, when it came time to decorate this year, I sadly discovered that I did not have very many cute, holiday decorations for my house!! Well, Hobby Lobby's little After-Thanksgiving sale fixed that dilemma!! At least for this year - I am sure that after Christmas I will hit the sales and stock up on more holiday home-decor for next year!

I will have pictures posted this weekend of the house and the tree and all of the cutesy stuff sitting around.

Here's a little FYI, for those of you who read my blog and haven't seen this yet -

With the holidays fast approaching, and most of us having little or no time to plan menus for entertaining and make Christmas gifts for our friends, family, teachers, etc., now is the perfect time to check out the Tastefully Simple website and discover the food you love, the time you deserve!!! From now, until Decembe...r 15th, if you place an order with me you will receive 10% off of the total.

So, just go to the Tastefully Simple website, and check out all of the wonderfully simple, totally yummy goodies and give me a call with your order BEFORE Tuesday, December 15th! Oh, and I almost forgot - if you spend $50 or more, you will receive a full-sized Bruschetta Cheese Ball mix absolutely free! Spend $100 or more, and I'll also include another freebie! Just be sure to contact me, because the offer is only available through me and not on my website!

Well, I guess that's it for now! I hope to be back tomorrow, after my Zumba class, to post some recent pictures of the kids and the house. Here's hoping you all have a fabulous Friday!!

she's so wonderful . . .

My sweet, lovely, dear friend - the amazingly talented Jen Wilson - made this simply adorable drawing of me after one of the "Beginnings" Challenges a few weeks ago. We were supposed to sketch a picture of ourselves - in whatever media we chose - and post it to the forums. Well, I am a HORRIBLE artist, at least with my Wacom tablet, and my scanner wasn't working for me to scan a hand drawn sketch. Anyway, after seeing Jen's awesome sketch of herself, I had to have her make one of me! So, after much anticipation, I am FINALLY posting it here for everyone to see -

Isn't that the most amazing "sketch" you have ever seen?!?!!? I was SO in love with it when she sent it and am actually going to have the full-size version printed and framed. Jen is such a wonderful person - she is the most giving, kind-hearted person that I have {n}ever met! She has the most beautiful soul and I truly honored to be her friend! So Jen, if you're reading this - I love you girl - *mwah*!

If you want to see another sketch that Jen did, check out my friend Allison's blog - Planet Alien - and see the awesome sketch Jen did for her of her utterly beautiful family.

And finally . . . I leave you with one of my most favorite pictures from Disney World - Emma and Patrick with Tinkerbell. Simply adorable!

Happy Saturday!!

fresh new look for spring . . .

Yep, it's been a while! What can I say, I am a total slacker when it comes to my blog. When I am driving Emma back and forth to school everyday, I always think of something totally creative and inspiring to write about and I get SO excited! Then, after I am home, and the house is nice and quiet and I actually HAVE time to sit down and play onlin, I can NEVER remember what it was that I wanted to say! Terrible, I know! I do keep a notebook by my bed, so if I think of something while watching TV, or reading, then I have easy access to pen and paper to jot down my thoughts. Somehow those words never make it to print, either! What I need is a little voice recorder that I can just talk into when something *pops* into my crazy, little brain - then I KNOW I would remember what to write about. Maybe. So, there are many things that I need to post about - want to see my list? Here it is:

Disney Photos - MUST post those!

Valentine's Cookies and the pictures that I took - SO CUTE!

Digital layouts that I have made, and not posted - anywhere!

Cards that I have stamped, colored, etc . . . more creative stuff!

I know there's more on the list, but those are just the ones that come to mind right now. Hopefully this weekend {Sunday, I'm sure} I will get the chance to sit down and upload pictures to sucre - and get my favorite gelato, Nectar! It's sooooo good! My favorite snowball flavor now in a gelato - how awesome is that? They also have the most amazing chocolates and candies - and wedding cakes! Oh my, serious indulgence, but oh so worth it!

On to scrapping news - Jen Wilson has an AWESOME sale going on this weekend - everything in the store is 50% OFF! Can you believe? Here's a little sneak peek ad:

If there are things that you have been eyeing over in the shoppe, this is the weekend to *stock up* and get everything you've been wishing for!! These sales only happen a few times each year - so prepare your PayPal accounts {and your husbands!} and head on over for some fabulous shopping!

And finally . . . something sweet that I found when looking for an avi for my Twitter page. I love supcakes, Ask anyone who knows me and they know that my most favorite dessert is a cupcake. They are simply adoreable, and so totally edible in their cute, little, compact design! So, with that I leave you with a photo of the cutest springy cupcakes, ever!

Have a wonderful Friday everyone and a fabulous weekend!!

some of my favs . . .

This is going to be really short today!! I am still battling this stupid sinus infection and I am SO ready to feel better!! Ugh!! It doesn't help that Patrick is also sick and Emma is like this huge ball of energy - 24/7! I honestly don't know where she gets it!! And at times like this, it can be really annoying!! Okay, enough of the ranting!!

On to my favs!! This one I am super, SUPER excited about!! I absolutely love, LOVE, L*O*V*E Glue Dots!!! They are truly one of my favorte adhesives {if NOT my favorite!} They are so versatile, and they come in all shaper, sizes, textures, etc - for all of your crafting needs. Well, NOW they have a new Glue Dot runner - Dot 'N Go!!!!

OMGosh - I am over the moon excited!! Because the only thing I love more than my Glue Dots are adhesive runners. They are so fast and easy, but not always to best adhesive for the job!!! Now, with these, I know I will a reliable adhesive in a cool, little, zippy runner!!! SO COOL!!!

My next favorite thing is something new from Bobbi Brown. I absolutely LOVE her makeup. It is, without a doubt, my all-time favorite. Of course, I love to try new things all of the time from MANY different brands, but BB is my go-to when it comes to special occasions and everyday must haves. This one is no exception!! It's the new Creamy Lipcolor and it is FAB*U*LOUS {sing it like High School Musical 2!} The color is gorgeous and the texture is wonderful!!!

My favorite colors are Raisin Berry and Bronzed Pink. So, if you have chance to, go check them out!! You won't be disappointed!!

destressing and some favs . . .

I am doing this week's installment of "My Favorite Things" early, because tomorrow I have a MAJOR day of house cleaning. Saturday we are having a bunch of people over for our annual crawfish boil, and I need to do some serious Spring Cleaning so that our house is sparkling clean! So . . . first things first, here is this weeks favs -

It's a bunch of stuff, I know - but all together it makes a SERIOUS "Spa Night" to rejuvenate your senses and help you destress! All from one of my fav lines, AVEDA, you're going to love how you feel! Starting out the line up is Soothing Aqua Therapy bath salts, that are so relaxing and totally destress your body when added to a hot bath! Next, Calming Body Wash, to gently cleanse the skin {and relax your mind - the scent is fabulous!} Then, shampoo and condition hair with AVEDA's Shampure line. The scent is intoxicating and the formula is great for all hair types. After you are done with your "fun in the tub" use some Calming Composition on pulse points to really relax your mind and body. Finish up by lighting AVEDA's Shampure Soy Wax Candle and smooth on some Replenishing Body Lotion to make your skin super soft and hydrated! Now, if all of that doesn't help to destress and relax your mind and body - well, I don't know what will!!

Now, for some scrapping fun!! I was reading the latest issue of Paper Crafts Magazine and saw these REALLY cute cards for Mother's Day that totally rocked! One was a "Latte" card, and the other of chocolate - who couldn't resist that? So, as I read what the supplies were I came across the Gel-A-Tins line of stamps and embossing powders. Check these out -

Aren't they divine??? They are Build-a-Set Chocolate Bliss and Coffee Break stamp sets and they come in these wonderful tins!! AND {yes, it gets better!} they have SCENTED embossing powders - yummy!! So, of course, I got online and found them {on eBay!} and ordered both sets of stamps, plus the Cuppa Joe Black Coffee, Chocolate Bliss, and Extra Foam Latte Scented Powders. Only $40 on eBay {retail value is over $55, so not bad!} I cannot wait to get them and make some really cool cards for my Coffee Lovin', Chocolate Eatin' friends!

And finally, clothes . . . I need some new clothes SO bad! My mom and I went shopping over the weekend, and she bought me a few new things {for my birthday, which is in May!} We are going to Dallas in May for my brother's graduation, and I really needed some new clothes. I really haven't bought new clothes since being pregnant {yeah, maternity clothes - don't need those anymore!} So, I got online to one of my favorite store's website Harold's and took a look around. They have some beautiful stuff!! I am definitely going to need that position with Estee Lauder now!! Here are some of my favs:

That last skirt is my favorite of all - it's called Emma's Garden {LOVE IT!} So, I must first lose some more weight, and then save a little money, so I can get a couple of things before our trip. I love Dallas and cannot wait to go back for a visit - I haven't been there since I was pregnant with Emma, when I went for my best friend's baby shower and bought nursery decor!! So, I am REALLY looking forward to seeing my friends there and taking in the city life! Once Scott retires, that is where I want to move - my brother is there, my parents really like it there, and I of course love it there. Hopefully we will move back in a year or two!! Okay, so that's it for today, and probably tomorrow {since I will be a cleaning fool!} Have a great night and a wonderful Thursday!

insomniac . . .

Okay, so most of you who read this know me, and know of my addiction to anything "beauty" related - i.e. makeup, skin care, hair products, etc. Heck, I even scrapped a page about it -

I Love Makeup!

Credits can be seen here.

Well, let me just tell you that I have found the favorite to end all favorites!!! It's the new beach Body Scrub from Bobbi Brown! Can I just say that I am SO in love with this product I cannot see straight! My little mini-addiction to the beach fragrance line started a couple of years ago, when Bobbi Brown first introduced the beach spray.

I think I had just had Emma, or maybe I was pregnant with Patrick, anyways - I fell in love with the scent and bought it (big surprise right!) I have worn it ever since. It reminds me of being at the beach, on a bright and sunny day when you have Coppertone all over your body and it is glistening from the oil and the sand - that is beach. She has introduced a few new products to add to the collection over the last 2 years (give or take a year) including a wonderful shower gel last summer - it is divine!

Now, it's the body scrub, and man am I sucker for scrubs! I love them all - apricot kernel, sugar, dead sea salt, pumice - you name it, I love it! And this one is THE BEST in my book right now! It smells like a summer day at the beach, and my skin feels wonderful after using it - heck it has Shea Butter and essential oils, what more could a girl's skin want?!?!?

My next little tidbit of info is this - Oh My Gosh Ya'll!! Paula Deen is going on a road tour and having a cooking class near you!!! Well, okay, she's not coming too near me - I live in podunk! But, she is going to my home away from home, where my heart is still living - Dallas, Texas!!! I am SO excited I cannot even stand it!

Tickets go on sale THIS Saturday, and you better believe I will be online buying them!! I love, LOVE, L*O*V*E Paula Deen. There is not weekday afternoon that our TV isn't tuned into the Food Network at 3PM CST, watching her show!! My 3 year old actually ASKS to watch "cooking" after the Backyardigans are over!! And of course, Paula's Party totally rocks! Just to clarify things - YES, I am a southern girl, and sometimes I type with a southern dialect, but I do not SOUND like a southerner when I speak (okay, sometimes I do, but only when around other southerners!)

It is now 12:35 AM, and I am still WIDE awake - after taking a Lunesta, which usually knocks me on my butt! I have said all I needed to say for today - so I guess I will go lie on my bed and read my Digital Scrapbooking Magazine which FINALLY came in the mail the other day ( had I mentioned that I have been waiting like, FOREVER, for it to come?) Hopefully there will be some cool inspiration in there to jazz up my layouts! Night Ya'll!