just jump

Don't you think as women we have a lot to balance? I'm not sure if we do it to ourselves or if we are such incredible multi-taskers that people assume we can handle it and dish it out onto our plate. Regardless of why, there's usually a lot going on in everyones' lives.

At some point we have to forget about trying to do it all and say "someday" or "neverday." There's always a sense of relief when you say no.

On the other hand, it's also is invigorating to say yes & take a leap into something new. Have you taken a leap of faith recently? Do share.

Last week someone cooked up something too sweet to refuse and thus I have taken on a fun project. It's a lot of work but I'm thrilled for it. It's like after dinner when you are completely stuffed but there's always room for dessert, right?!

Happy Monday!

PS Did you win the Studio Calico December Daily giveaway? check it out...!

❀

Why hello spring, we missed you. Please get comfortable and stay a while.

Don't hurry off so we can take time and enjoy your flowering 'popcorn' trees, your tulips, crisp breeze, and mostly the fact that the grass isn't covered with snow.

Yesterday really had to be the loveliest day of the year so far. We filled the day with painting toes, picking dandelions and drawing chalk rainbows. I also continued to teach how to share, cleaned sippy cups, broke up some girl fights over Woody doll... who knew he was such a ladies man ;)

and finished up a class for Scrapfest. My class is designed with the Hello Sunshine line from AC... really cute stuff!!

Gotta go chase after these girlies. Have a fun weekend, any plans?

We are shipping out the Something Splendid envelope kits. Join us because it should be a fun class!!! And I promise I'll have some crafty posts next week, cross my heart.

aye me gusta

File this blog post under my new year's resolution to Play More because that's just what we did. I took the liberty of planning date night since it is the 2.45 hours I look forward to all week. For some reason the little things, like him leaving his shoes out or my constantly asking him to pick up something, doesn't bother us after we have a night out to recharge and remember we're not just momma & daddy. Even though we absolutely love those roles being Collin & Liz is pretty fun too.

When I told Collin our agenda for the night I'm sure there were plenty of other adventures he could think of but let me tell you... he was engrossed with painting his bowl. All of a sudden this red striped work of art with the words, "add milk or ice cream" was so cool. Love the finishing touch, "you did it."

Color Me Mine has a wall full of porcelain pieces to choose from. I spotted a flower bowl and knew it would be the perfect addition to my desk where I love to fill little bowls with do-dads and buttons.

Once they fire our bowls they will be really bright and shiny the paint is dull and lighter right now. I'll be back Thursday to pick up our beauties.

Hope you had a fun weekend!

I actually worked on something crafty... I just need to add some finishing touches and take pics.

outfit: RUCHE

play more

Resolution #15:

My 12 year old self would be quite disappointed if she could see future me... because sometimes I take life much too seriously. Last year, for my twenty ninth birthday, I received the following gifts from different members of my family and I'm not joking: Punky Brewster DVDs, a purple hula hoop and a vintage Minnie Mouse t-shirt. Coincidence? I don't think so. They were simple reminders that even though our lives are spotted with worry, stress, & lack of sleep don't let that turn us into a living Cruella Deville.

So, one of my resolutions is to play more.

Some ideas to consider while achieving this newly proclaimed mantra:

• Walk lightly with a skip in your step, no slouching.
• Kiss someone in the rain
• Only eat mini marshmallows while throwing into air and catching them in your mouth
• Roll down the car windows and sing "Nothing Compares To You" as loud as possible
• Go bowling or roller skating
• Leave love notes for people you adore
• Never walk past a photo booth with out taking pictures
• Be the one to plan a fun date or outing with friends
• Build a fort every Friday

Okay, some of these are down-right unruly or verging on annoying but, hey, if it lifts your spirits and makes you smile then go for it.

I started off this resolution with building a fort. Once I finally got the fort figured out we had a fun time! Putting it together is definitely part of the play. First I tried hanging something from the ceiling: too heavy. Next I tried chairs: not cute. Then I found some pipe that I use for a tent: perfect.

If we are going to keep this up every Friday I definitely need to get this fort kit: Crazy forts. Just for the base pieces and use my own fabrics.

Lighting is also key to a great fort. (bulb string lights.)

Ta ta for now. Off to play.

I shared this resolution with Mandi over at her blog, and wanted to share it here too.

confetti

Before today, confetti was just tiny bits of paper cut so small that after a celebratory moment you'll be tediously finding them in every nook and cranny.
Before today they were only experienced at birthday parties or New Year's.

But now it has a whole new meaning for me. It's the only way to describe what happens to my heart on a nearly daily basis. It's those moments when my heart is filled with so much bliss it bursts into tiny bits of colorful confetti in the air then slowly falls like rain, dancing to the ground.

This happened today when I was looking at Lola. She was ready to take a nap, so instead of her usual cries she was content wrapped up in her blanket like a Christmas present. I was looking at her and, being the proud mother I am, gushing over her little button nose and perfect pout. She looked at me and smiled the biggest smile--like I said, confetti, everywhere.

Sure, I was vacuuming it up for the next hours but it's worth it, right? ;)

Although those moments are largely outnumbered by the pull-my-hair-out mommy moments, they give me the strength to make it through until the next burst of joy.

I hope you had a Happy New Years!! I was completely exhausted since I was up since 4 am that day and was planning on celebrating with my east coast friends a couple hours early. Or maybe even my Australian friends who were asleep. But I guess Lola was intrigued by the idea of her first New Years and didn't want to miss all the fun, despite her tired momma.

Thrilled for the new year and this unwritten chapter of our lives!