Friday, September 30, 2011

66th Fashionable Fridays

I've taken a lot of pictures since last week, but unfortunately I forgot to take any of myself! Here's some pictures of my kids' fashion.


 We're getting ready for Halloween in our house! Fairy wings and pirate hat from the $1 store!!! Woot Woot!

The picture is mixed up - we were just having fun. We're going to do a Peter Pan theme.
My husband is going as Captain Hook.
I'll be Wendy.
Our son will be Peter Pan
Our daughter will be Tinkerbell.

What are you/your family going to be for Halloween!? Feel free to link up last year's costumes too.


Link up your fashion, hair, make-up, Halloween costumes!

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Shutterfly

I'll say it again how much I love Shutterfly! They always have freebies. Here's a greeting card I made for my mom's birthday coming up. Did you know you can have Shutterfly address and mail your cards for you so you don't deal with double shipping? I love it! (These are my own opinions)


5x7 Folded Card
View the entire collection of cards.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

11th Work-out Wednesday

Here are my stats:
Height: 5'4
Beginning Measurements
  • Around the Belly: 39 in. (47 in. 38 weeks pregnant with my daughter- I was only 45 in. with my son, but I weighed almost 10 lbs. more)
  • Waist: 38in.
  • Around my bottom: 40.25 in.
  • Upper Arm: 12.25 in.
  • Inner Thigh: 23.5 in
Goal: flatter tummy - 34 in. around my belly (so I don't look pregnant still when I wear my pre-pregnancy shirts), 140 by September 1st. OR to fit into my 7-9 jeans comfortably.

Ideally would love to be 120-125 again and 30-32 in again.
Pre-pregnancy: 131 lbs. Gained 36 lbs. when pregnant:  167 lbs.
Beginning weight: 147 lbs.



Today's Weight: 137.2 so I've lost a pound in the last week. I've been doing a lot of walking this week, pushing my kids (about 50 lbs. of kids) in our "new" double stroller since my husband accidentally broke our other single stroller.


Link up your progress or fitness/health tips and ideas.

Friday, September 23, 2011

65th Fashionable Fridays

Here's what I wore today! Just a simple outfit for going out visiting teaching and later having a girls' movie night. We watched Midway to Heaven based on the book by Dean Hughes. It was pretty cute, but kinda weird that Michelle from the Bachelor was in it.

Anyway here's where my clothes are from.
Pink Shirt: Wal-mart, on sale for $3!
Jeans: shhh... I'm still wearing my Old Navy Maternity jeans since I only have like 2 pairs of jeans I fit into at the moment.
Green Necklace: Paparazzi Accessories
Green Flower Ring: Paparazzi Accessories


Sorry I don't look very happy...maybe I'm just tired from my very busy last 2 weeks. Anyone else seem like they've been crazy busy more so these past couple of weeks?


Anyone know the rules with horizontal stripes!? When is it not okay to wear them? I've been wearing some lately because I don't feel like I look wider in them or maybe it helps hide my protruding baby belly?

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

10th Work-out Wednesday

Here are my stats:
Height: 5'4
Beginning Measurements
  • Around the Belly: 39 in. (47 in. 38 weeks pregnant with my daughter- I was only 45 in. with my son, but I weighed almost 10 lbs. more)
  • Waist: 38in.
  • Around my bottom: 40.25 in.
  • Upper Arm: 12.25 in.
  • Inner Thigh: 23.5 in
Goal: flatter tummy - 34 in. around my belly (so I don't look pregnant still when I wear my pre-pregnancy shirts), 140 by September 1st. OR to fit into my 7-9 jeans comfortably.

Ideally would love to be 120-125 again and 30-32 in again.
Pre-pregnancy: 131 lbs. Gained 36 lbs. when pregnant:  167 lbs.
Beginning weight: 147 lbs.



Today's Weight: 138.6 so in 3 weeks since my last post, I've lost about 3 lbs. Not bad since I haven't done much due to potty training the first week in September and then starting a joy school/preschool last week. Busy busy! Maybe that helps though.

I wanted to share with you my favorite salad! We like green leaf lettuce (the darker the greens, the more nutrients!) or romaine. I put tomatoes or mandarin oranges, carrots, cheese, and chow mein noodles with some Caesar dressing.

What's your favorite salad?

Monday, September 19, 2011

54th Mommy Mondays - Guest Post - A Hungry Child Can't Wait: Ask 5 for 5


Guest Blogger: Sarah Lenssen from #Ask5for5
Family photos by Mike Fiechtner Photography

Thank you Crafty Mommy Diva and nearly 150 other bloggers from around the world for allowing me to share a story with you today, during Social Media Week.

A hungry child in East Africa can't wait. Her hunger consumes her while we decide if we'll respond and save her life. In Somalia, children are stumbling along for days, even weeks, on dangerous roads and with empty stomachs in search of food and water. Their crops failed for the third year in a row. All their animals died. They lost everything. Thousands are dying along the road before they find help in refugee camps. 

At my house, when my three children are hungry, they wait minutes for food, maybe an hour if dinner is approaching. Children affected by the food crisis in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia aren't so lucky. Did you know that the worst drought in 60 years is ravaging whole countries right now, as you read this? Famine, a term not used lightly, has been declared in Somalia. This is the world's first famine in 20 years.12.4 million people are in need of emergency assistance and over 29,000 children have died in the last three months alone. A child is dying every 5 minutes. It it estimated that 750,000 people could die before this famine is over. Take a moment and let that settle in.

The media plays a major role in disasters. They have the power to draw the attention of society to respond--or not. Unfortunately, this horrific disaster has become merely a footnote in most national media outlets. News of the U.S. national debt squabble and the latest celebrity's baby bump dominate headlines. That is why I am thrilled that nearly 150 bloggers from all over the world are joining together today to use the power of social media to make their own headlines; to share the urgent need of the almost forgotten with their blog readers. Humans have the capacity to care deeply for those who are suffering, but in a situation like this when the numbers are too huge to grasp and the people so far away, we often feel like the little we can do will be a drop in the ocean, and don't do anything at all.

When news of the famine first hit the news in late July, I selfishly avoided it. I didn't want to read about it or hear about it because I knew I would feel overwhelmed and uncomfortable. I wanted to protect myself. I knew I would need to do something if I knew what was really happening. You see, this food crisis is personal. I have a 4-year-old son and a 1 yr-old daughter who were adopted from Ethiopia and born in regions now affected by the drought. If my children still lived in their home villages, they would be two of the 12.4 million. My children: extremely hungry and malnourished? Gulp. I think any one of us would do anything we could for our hungry child. But would you do something for another mother's hungry child?


My friend and World Vision staffer, Jon Warren, was recently in Dadaab Refugee Camp in Kenya--the largest refugee camp in the world with over 400,000 people. He told me the story of Isnino Siyat, 22, a mother who walked for 10 days and nights with her husband, 1 yr-old-baby, Suleiman, and 4 yr.-old son Adan Hussein, fleeing the drought in Somalia. When she arrived at Dadaab, she built the family a shelter with borrowed materials while carrying her baby on her back. Even her dress is borrowed. As she sat in the shelter on her second night in camp she told Jon, "I left because of hunger. It is a very horrible drought which finished both our livestock and our farm." The family lost their 5 cows and 10 goats one by one over 3 months, as grazing lands dried up. "We don't have enough food now...our food is finished. I am really worried about the future of my children and myself if the situation continues."



Will you help a child like Baby Suleiman? Ask5for5 is a dream built upon the belief that you will.

That something I knew I would need to do became a campaign called #Ask5for5 to raise awareness and funds for famine and drought victims. The concept is simple, give $5 and ask five of your friends to give $5, and then they each ask five of their friends to give $5 and so on--in nine generations of 5x5x5...we could raise $2.4 Million! In one month, over 750 people have donated over $25,000! I set up a fundraiser at See Your Impact and 100% of the funds will go to World Vision, an organization that has been fighting hunger in the Horn of Africa for decades and will continue long after this famine has ended. Donations can multiply up to 5 times in impact by government grants to help provide emergency food, clean water, agricultural support, healthcare, and other vital assistance to children and families suffering in the Horn.

I need you to help me save lives. It's so so simple; here's what you need to do:

  1. Donate $5 or more on this page (http://seeyourimpact.org/members/ask5for5)
  2. Send an email to your friends and ask them to join us.
  3. Share #Ask5for5 on Facebook and Twitter!
I'm looking for another 100 bloggers to share this post on their blogs throughout Social Media Week. Email me at ask5for5@gmail.com if you're interested in participating this week.

A hungry child doesn't wait. She doesn't wait for us to finish the other things on our to-do list, or get to it next month when we might have a little more money to give. She doesn't wait for us to decide if she's important enough to deserve a response. She will only wait as long as her weakened little body will hold on...please respond now and help save her life. Ask 5 for 5.

Thank you on behalf of all of those who will be helped--you are saving lives and changing history.


p.s. Please don't move on to the next website before you donate and email your friends right now. It only takes 5 minutes and just $5, and if you're life is busy like mine, you probably won't get back to it later. Let's not be a generation that ignores hundreds of thousands of starving people, instead let's leave a legacy of compassion. You have the opportunity to save a life today!
 

Friday, September 16, 2011

64th Fashionable Fridays

Here's what I wore last Sunday, my new dress that I got from Down East's tent sale during Labor Day Weekend.

I don't look that great because I was way tired, but I love the print and color of the dress along with the length of it.







Husband's Birthdays

My husband turned 30 a little while ago. Here's what I did for him. Even though my husband doesn't care about all this stuff; I can tell he still appreciates it and now he's going to attempt to do something special for my birthday =D Can't wait! The little things are so important!

First my son and I went to the $1 store to pick up some decorations. Then we went to my husband's work before he had to work and decorated. This was a total surprise to my husband. He didn't think I could surprise him 2 years in a row! I'm awesome! =D


Then when he came home from work, he had this waiting for him just to remind him all the great things he's done. Some of the accomplishments his family shared with me.
This was based on this idea from the Dating Divas - pinned here. 30 envelopes decorated with a little scrapbooking paper with a paper inside with each one of his accomplishments.





For my husband's birthday last year; it was his golden birthday so I got this cake made and added some gold coins.
Golden Birthday means the age you're turning matches your birth date day.




I'm Topsy Turvy

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Colortime Contest and Coupon

Colortime Crafts And Markers™ contacted me with this opportunity. They are looking for some new ideas for their products. It would be helpful if you took a look at http://www.colortime.com. They want you to think of an idea, this idea maybe interpreted and printed on a Colortime Crafts And Markers™ product.

In order to participate, you must complete the following survey: Colortime Survey.
1) By participating, you will automatically receive a 30% coupon on retail orders up to $100 to be used until December 15, 2011 for all Colortime Crafts And Markers™ products. This coupon cannot be combined with any other Colortime Crafts And Markers™ offers or discounts.

2) We will select one winner to be picked randomly that will receive a $100 gift certificate for Colortime Crafts And Markers™ products that can be used one year from the day you receive your certificate. If a purchase is made prior to receiving the gift certificate with the 30% coupon, we will refund the amount spent up the $100 gift certificate.

3) The contest will end on October 7, 2011.

4) We will only accept one submission per person. You cannot enter through multiple blogs.


Colortime Crafts And Markers™ is a wonderfully creative craft activity that can be used for birthday parties, sleepovers, scout troops, and many other group events. They give their customers the chance to design their own t-shirts, pillowcases, backpacks, tote bags, bandanas, and more! Since 1990 over 2 million children and adults throughout the country have enjoyed Colortime Crafts And Markers™.
With a broad line of products, along with their special Colortime™ quick-drying permanent fabric markers, they have provided their customers the opportunity to take home a very special keepsake. Colortime also offers wholesale pricing and custom artwork for orders over 72 pieces.

Friday, September 9, 2011

63rd Fashionable Fridays

Here's what I wore for my husband's birthday last week!

Asymmetrical Ruffle Shirt from Old Navy - only $8.97!
Red Belt from Kohls.
Necklace from Wal-mart.
Skinny Jeans from Old Navy.


Link up your fashions, make-up, hairstyles!

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Making Extra Space for Family Life - Guest Post

Making extra space for family life

A few years ago it looked like the property bubble had well and truly burst. Prices had fallen almost universally across the UK, and many owners of so called ‘buy to rent’ properties seriously considered selling their investments. Unfortunately for some, house prices have recovered at an alarming rate, and we now find ourselves in a situation where prices have either reached or almost surpassed pre-recession levels. The problems this has caused new buyers has been well documented, but it is also an issue for people with expanding families looking for more space.

If this sounds like you then an extension to your existing house could provide an ideal solution. An extension can provide you with the extra room you need without a move away from the family home. You can tailor the space to suit your needs, and match existing features to modern ones to create continuity within the household. Period features such as internal oak doors or original pine beams are readily sourced, and can be installed by your builder into any extension with ease. Whilst it will be clear that some parts of the home are newer than others, the overall feel and character of the house will remain the same.

An extension also offers you the opportunity to change the way a household operates, by re-purposing existing rooms and creating new spaces. This is ideal for older houses with unusual or archaic layouts. For example, a small and ugly UPVC main entrance, perhaps backing onto another house, can be re-appropriated as a back door, with a new, larger oak doors leading into a reception room taking its place as part of an extension.

An extension can make great financial and practical sense too. The financial pitfalls of a move can be off putting and with good reason; the cost of estate agent fees, removal companies and possible deals falling through all add up. The money saved on these can be used to purchase quality fittings and finishes, from high calibre furniture to luxury fittings to real teak window frames or internal oak doors. From a practical perspective, the hassle of having to pack up your entire life into cardboard boxes to be placed in the back of a van is something everyone is keen to avoid. Furthermore, the feeling of being settled in an area can be hard to achieve and even harder to leave behind.

Of course, an extension isn’t ideal for everyone – some houses may be built on plots of land which are simply too small. In other areas, planning restrictions may make any additions to a house difficult – although ensuring that the same ‘style’ of building is consistent throughout and maintaining period features such as oak doors or bare stone work can often help in such cases. For other families, it may be that the criteria mentioned above – settled family, admin costs etc – aren’t applicable for a variety of reasons. However for a great deal of families it makes a great deal of sense, so why not enquire into the costs today?

This article was written by Amy Fowler on behalf of UK Oak Doors; suppliers of external and internal oak doors.

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Thanks Amy for your post. It would be fun one day to be able to add an extension to a house to add rooms and repurpose other rooms. The current place we live was originally a trailer. The owners added a large master bedroom and a living room to the trailer when they were living in it and had 5/6 of their children in it while building their dream home next door.

Monday, September 5, 2011

53rd Mommy Mondays

Happy Labor Day! Hope you had a fun-filled weekend!

Potty training this boy has begun - using the 3 Day Method!


I'm terrified, but hoping this works!

I'll have posts this week if my scheduled posts work! See you next week!

Anyone else use the 3 Day Method?

Link up your Mommy Moments!

Friday, September 2, 2011

62nd Fashionable Fridays - Paint that Nail

Want to get to know more about me? Population 250 did a spotlight on me! I feel so honored! She has an awesome blog. Go check it out!

Have a fabulous Labor day Weekend!
Check out these fun nails from Paint that Nail!
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Happy Friday!!! August has now past; I'm so sad I don't want it to get cold!!  Today I'm going to show how to do this fading cheetah print, so lets get into it!

Start off by painting yous nails yellow I chose Essence colour & go- mellow yellow.



Using a make up sponge, sponge a light orange color leaving some yellow at the bottom. I used Wet n Wild wild shine- sunny side up.


Now sponge a darker orange on top but leave a little bit of the light orange showing at the bottom thats what creates the gradient. I used Sally Hansen Xtream wear- sun kissed.


Taking a light coral color sponge it the same way we did with the darker orange. Leave some color showing at the bottom. I used Wet n Wild wild shine- blazed.


Now for the last color your going to sponge it in the corner so it goes from coral to yellow.



If you want to try the cheetah print this is how you can do it or you can just keep the fading and thats really cute too! All you do is make C's and they dont have to be perfect some can be more straight and some can be more curved no animal has the same pattern! I used black Acrylic paint and a detail brush.  




Add a top to make everything glossy and last longer. Also if you use acrylic paint the water can wash it off so you want to make sure to seal it in. You also dont have to use those colors just have fun with it!!:)






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So fun Kristyn! I like what you said about no animal has the same pattern - so true! Don't be afraid to try this and the end no one can tell if you made a mistake or not - it will still look cool! Same goes with crafting and scrapbooking =D
Link up your fashions, make-up, hairstyles!