Small Things Add Up

Ahhhh the winter...that beautiful desolate cold season of solitude, crisp white snow & spending the dim evenings inside. Ha! WINTER CAN SUCK IT.

Each day we don't know whether or not the weather is going to kick us in the bum to remind us to stay inside, the dread of this happening keeps us locked away till the point of nearly going mad with all the restlessness & oh yeah lets through every virus, bacteria & body afflicting illness into the mix because we have no better source of "natural" entertainment. END RANT

I have, however, managed to check some items off my list, and in an effort to not get down on what I have not done... Here is WHAT I HAVE DONE.

I Have an 'Office'

Okay... I technically share it with Husbie, but I've straightened it out and made it me friendly... complete with colorful sharpies regular & fine tip! I love sharpies! :)

It is cluttered... but its my kind of cluttered organization
Note the plant stand to hold a couple pictures

I bought a $10 planner (well it was free with two boxes of diapers from Target ... they have that deal where they give you a gift card with two boxes) and I printed out an inspirational quote to put in the front. I also finally made an organizational binder for my Stella & Dot goodies. I slid in pieces & parts from last year's Stella & Dot planner into the front/back & spine for some added flair.

Bye Bye Christmas

Don't worry the actual decorations have been taken down for quite some time... (there were a few stubborn pieces that got over looked... welcome mat & wreath... big jerks) I am ashamed to say that my regular decor was keeping camp on my buffet without being put out where it belongs for... a longer than respectable time. But I put it out! Oh & Husbie has bought me flowers (TWICE!!!)

My Happy Little Shelf

My Happy little shelf. OZ plate from my Dad & Great Grandma
Sewing Teapot & small water basin from my Mamaw
Mini Flower Vase from Czech Republic (really should get a better pic)
Yes I know this shelf has too many items on it... Small space w. too many treasures...
Looking for Shelves #LongestCaptionEver

Happy re-decorated tables... yes I did get a better vase out rather than my tupperware below for the second bouquet of flowers! (HUSBIE BOUGHT ME FLOWERS 2X)

Happy Buffet sans all of my regular decor.

It is also our little mini bar & pipe collection display

Plants are Alive!

I am happy to say that I now have a (still small) collection of LIVING plants!! I found this pretty neat plant stand at the thrift store & it holds six of my plants. What you say! Shiree has kept more than six plants alive! Why yes, yes I have. I have two more in my kitchen window sill & one more by the sliding glass door. Nine plants! 9!

6/9 Living Plants!

Odds & Ends

I painted a wooden bow for Ara's room & Finally (10 months later) hung my nail polish shelf & unpacked my nail polish from the plastic bag in my closet. Woot! Woot!

I also made some progress in the kitchen & bathroom, however those are for future posts & more productive times... :)

The First Thing I Did in 2015: It's not a Surprise

New Years Eve

I kissed Husbie (shocker!) But here is a quick re-cap of our New Years Eve Night out... Remember dear Fbook followers... I was VERY concerned about what I would wear for this event. See below my beloved (and CHEAP) find via Deb in the Tuttle Mall ($29!!!) Dressed it up with my Stella & Dot and BAM! I felt pretty spiffy.

What Exactly?

So my dear co-designer, Ashley Wills, was contacted about Camelot Cellars/CMH Fashion Week using our Highball costumes as part of the evening's entertainment & as you can see... we totes ma' goats were able to get models (almost all the original ones) to do it! We were even able to find a way to ease the "pain" of our dear twinsies.

NYE Masquerade @ Camelot Cellars
Photo By: Melissa Gould
Models (L-R) Wendy Jobes Hartman, Brittany Jean Lawrence, Jessica Rose, Abby Bowman, Angela Darr
Designers: Me :) & Ashley Wills

How?

We tried to re-style the garments of our ready-wear (very slightly) to have more of circus/masquerade feel to fit the theme of the event & considering that this was more of a fund raiser so no money went into doing so & we had to throw our own hair & makeup abilities into the mix... I think it turned out quite well.

For our lovely conjoined ladies we borrowed stools from all parental units to prop our stage/skirt on & to have the models actually able sit on underneath. Yay for not having to walk down a runway! I think I've decided that this costume is really meant to be more of an installation due to the underpinnings of it all... *every project is a learning opportunity* All in all though they were relieved & we felt much more humane.

Photo By: Melissa Gould
Models: Jessica Rose, Abby Bowman,

For our Harlequin Doll we really didn't do much to make her more clown like. We removed her fur ruff for a much more classic one, gave her a pink/blonde wig & put a mask on her. I did find this super awesome technique for making masks via Pinterest!... I used one on each of our ready wear models & LOVE they way they turned out. We of course had to paint on a tiny red nose... it was completely NECESSARY :)

Photo By: Melissa Gould
Wendy Jobes Hartman

We made our Ballerina Doll more of a Tight Rope Walker by taking away her wind-up key, doll tights, & point shoes. We added a feather to her headpiece, some circus-y (technical term) striped tights, a balancing umbrella (b/c we didn't buy a parasol), avoided using crazy awesome broken doll makeup & switched up her pearl necklace for a simple choker.

Photo By: Melissa Gould
Angela Darr

Brittany wasn't our original model from Highball but she was AWESOME & miraculously fit beautifully into the garment! We turned our Rag Doll into a Ring Master/Animal Tamer by adding a top hat & whip/crop & not using our arm warmers, leg warmers, doll make up or pig tails. I LOVE the tights she brought to wear with the outfit as well!

Photo By: Melissa Gould
Brittany Jean Lawrence

Result

We had a really chill & relaxed evening with beautiful music in a swanky venue (Camelot Cellars). We also got to display our designs in a unique setting for a great cause (raising money for CMH fashion week). All in All: 2 thumbs up :)

Photo By: Melissa Gould
Models (L-R) Angela Darr. Wendy Jobes Hartman, Jessica Rose,
Abby Bowman, Brittany Jean Lawrence 

Photo By: Melissa Gould
Jessica Rose, Abby Bowman
We even gave our poor ladies a break from their theatre skirt!
 Good thing we also designed what they would wear underneath. 

Photo By: Melissa Gould
Jessica Rose, Abby Bowman
High Five for making it through another event!

Photo By: Melissa Gould
Husbie & I

5 Reasons I Don't Hate on Resolutions: & also some really long winded stuff :)

5 Reasons Why I Don't Hate on New Year Resolutions

1. I like to make "firm decisions"- If it isn't firm I don't... well you know *bleep* with it (sorry couldn't resist... if you don't get it... pm me)

2. Who doesn't need a fresh start!?- If you say you don't then good for you (now that you have voiced it, sit down... know one likes a braggart)

3. I personally, need the inspiring reminder to set my eyes on the bigger picture, that 365 days can really change my life & that goal setting is something that I actually do to be a mentally healthy individual.

4. Failure is ok. It is my humble opinion that those who don't learn that early truly struggle... I mean even if you do learn that early, dusting your knees off after a fall does not auto connect to "Yay! I'm closer to success!" but I love taking a look at my goals from last year & seeing just how close I actually came.

5. Even if I get half of just one goal checked off I get really pumped up! I mean that is SOMETHING... and SOMETHING is totally better than NOTHING.

My friend over at StyleonHigh said this (& I LOVE IT):

"I wanted to share my goals for 2015 with you and, as a whole, I really recommend sharing your goals in some public manner. It can be a little scary, but it makes them feel so much more real. It’s potentially a little embarrassing knowing that you will likely fail at least a little and everyone will know, but who cares? I think failure is awesome and crucial to a well-lived life! And hey, stay tuned for this time next year when I get to share with you all of my inevitable failures. "

image via: www.catchsmile.com

My Resolutions

So I love selling Stella & Dot, because they not only let me have fun selling gorgeous items, but they also do a lot of  life-coaching. During the first week of January my Director posted an incentive (to win product or business supplies... I don't remember.. didn't win that particular one) to write out our goals (in the present tense), print them out & frame them. 

I liked the idea so much I shared with Husbie & printed one out for each of us. I included motivating/inspirational quotes at the top of each one (his was actually from a fortune cookie he opened a few years ago). -BRAG ALERT- & I've got to say that my Husband has already made a huge change. I've been sick off & on the last few weeks & he has been awesome! I even got flowers after a particularly bad day with our darling toddler being well... a toddler. Mine well.. we are off to a rocky start... but that's OKAY.

Goals... We Got 'em

Constant Re-Boot

If we didn't constantly have to re-start ourselves, or how I like to put it... get our "ooomfta" back, life really wouldn't be that fulfulling (I don't think). Easy- oh yeah suuuuper easy... but not as full of opportunities to improve. At least this is what I'm going with.

I mentioned that my New Year's is off to a rocky start (enter woe's me section):

- I have been ill so my "I am active goal" is a bit on hold along with any planning of hosting event or date nights with Husbie

- Ara's sleeping has not been so good & she has been a bit more fit-throwy than desired so my quiet time & prayer life has not necessarily seen a good increase

-We are learning the in's & out's of Donnie's new pay schedule... including "Holiday Pay" & well... we did not particularly win... -so savings is well... postponed

-We have had a discussion/I have done more research re: what me getting to Hoopla (S&D's annual conference in Las Vegas) would actually entail.. and well... if I were to be able to set aside the money it would be incredibly selfish of me to use it all more me when that kind of money would make such a difference in our current family finances...

Pretty lame set of "-"s huh? Kind of like a bummer? Pretty much every Resolution I made got a big doody made on it... but here's the thing about New Year Resolutions ... I could just give up... OR

-Know that hey I've got a plan to be more active. I HAVE already been to the gym, had Ara in the playroom, & had 1 really GOOD workout (that is ONE whole workout more than NONE)... 

-I am one temper tantrum (okay a few)... (a LOT) closer to having a well behaved little girl. I did have 2 quiet time sessions.... That is 2 more than NONE

-Now we know what to expect! Family=Awesome so we are well fed, clothed & have a roof above our heads... that is better than NOTHING

-Hey all the more motivation to do so crazy well with S&D that I not only get to go to Hoopla, but Donnie gets to go to Pax East (some gaming thing he always talks about) & we can also make a giant deposit into our savings.) Perhaps a bit unrealistic... but if I achieve a third of this.. our savings is gonna look a lot better than NOTHING.

So really.... I'm looking forward to my first full week of 2015 in which I am NOT sick & able to take this positive outlook... and well do the important thing & ACT on it. Besides Focusing on what I HAVE done is the whole reason I started this blog... so I better do something or I'm gonna run out of stuff to write about.

Christmas in the TownHome: Recap of Christmas Happenings :)

Our Christmas Card 2014

This year we were extremely blessed to have been gifted a photo session (for Ara's birthday back in March) from a beautiful family friend & photographer Christy Leiter! She is a new Mama herself to a gorgeous little one and has always done such wonderful/beautiful work. She is amazing & didn't even mind (at least not too much as the damage/my editing was already done... lol... yay for family friends! but seriously I won't take advantage next time) that I took WAY too much artistic freedom with her work to create this year's silly Christmas Cards: THANK YOU CHRISTY!

Ara was generally kind of grumpy & attached to Daddy- I know disbelief!

Ara's Portrait

So since our Miss Thing was so clingy with Daddy... I caved & scheduled a session last minute at a (shall remain un-named) portrait studio. We had much better luck capturing my truly happy baby's smile :) & Here is one of my faves.

Cross Necklace Gift from Great Grandma Sue
Dress from Gammy Holly

Outdoor Decor

I brought out Mr. Frosty! The last giant piece of Holiday Decor my (in case you didn't know... late) Father made for outside of our home in Newark. His arms & shovel screw on and off, but he most certainly remains a beast to move in & out of a town home basement. Luckily I have an amazing Husbie... Also we have decided that he will stay out till spring!

Mr. Frosty, Exterior Paint on Plywood
Russ Campbell 2007

So my step dad is crazy handy & has the unfortunate task of making all the pins I send my mom on Pinterest. Definitely sorry I'm not sorry because he was sooooooo kind & made two of these crazy cute log snowmen! Mom has one & I have one too! I think he secretly likes these little creative projects (why else encourage me by gifting me one!?) or he just loves my mom that much... most likely a combo of both.

Photo by Christy Leiter  Edited by Yours Truly :D

Main Living Area

I LOVE decorating for Christmas! Like dis-tastefully so! During the holidays my already well knick-knacked home seems to shrink exponentially due to my cramming shelves, tables, walls, doors or any nearly clear semi flat surface with my "holiday joy". Below you can see my use of sconces to hang stockings, planters to hang ornaments & a glimpse of mistletoe hanging from our ceiling. Donnie & I shared our very first kiss (k, fine... with each other) under this same ball of fake mistletoe circa 2004? or 2005... oh dear apparently it only takes about 10 years for things to get blurry.

Blogging Parent trying to Take a Picture Use of Highchair Level: Expert

Media Shelf & Substitute Fireplace

Lego Bathroom Sneak Peak

Ok so it isn't a secret if you have been over... but our downstairs bathroom is Lego themed. It, however, is not "finished" in my humble opinion. So here you can catch a glimpse of our little tree, colored towels & Lego Reindeer!

Why he didn't come with a red nose option I'll never know.
Donnie says he has a red piece... but he didn't find it for me.
#Husbieshaming

Christmas Art Project

In my cluttering up any/all space with Christmas I most certainly do NOT forget doors. This wall space is our downstairs bathroom door. I had the two top pieces of decor in place & immediately knew in my heart of hearts that the bottom was completely NECESSARY. Enter our first ever toddler painting project: despite all preventative measures... paint ended up on the carpet (I totally washed it out), on my shirt, on my bra, on my jeans but clearly mostly on my toddler (ok & the intended poster board).

Funny Note: I ended up hot gluing this thing to the door to get
it to stay... at the end of the season I was able to remove it with
little to no damage to the paint on the door...
I DON'T RECOMMEND TRYING THIS UNLESS I'M PRESENT

Toddler Christmas Decor

Her room could not simply go untouched by Christmas. That would be a dis-service to the holiday. This was mostly not clever & a bit of a hot mess that involved me stashing my own beloved childhood Christmas decor items along with some that she got last year just wherever I could.

Because EVERY child needs 3 "1st Christmas" plushes

Didn't YOU know that the 3 wise men had to travel over a pink bear?

Star Wars Bedroom Christmas

Okay so I put my "girly" tree with pink & purple ornaments in here... and it totally worked. Also I decided that our Canes also got to reside in here. Alas we didn't get one from this year... (National Lampoon Christmas Vacation Themed!... I guess it saves me the heartbreak of having to pick between Eddie & Clark)

ONE LOVE

The Star Wars Wreath I made Donnie the year we got engaged :)

We'll Have A Blue Christmas...

In our bathroooooom.... This is where all my snowy blue wannabe Jewish decor gets displayed. I believe the first year I did it my good (Jewish) friend Davida made fun of me for it.. I am undaunted though. My love for Christmas will not be constricted solely to the traditional Green & Red decor... no.

Most Importantly Yay!

Well that's how everything LOOKED around here, but otherwise we had a WONDERFULLY blessed Christmas & I am so very thankful for all of the quality time we have had together making memories with our little one. I am also VERY thankful for how much less cluttered my life feels once Christmas is packed away! 

Christmas Day Smiles