31 July 2008

thankful thursday

It's crazy how fast life seems to be going right now! I feel like it was just Thursday! In a short couple of weeks I'm celebrating my 5th anniversary! CRAZY I tell you! Time flies when you're having fun, right?!

1. Chelsea! She is fun to have around & keeps me on my toes.
2. Fun customers! I just love the gals that come in the studio, they are so spunky!
3. Jumping back into things you love that you forgot you love! I have been making a ton of cards lately, I haven't made time in forever to make any & it's been so awesome & relaxing, I had forgotten how much I love it! (maybe you'll be lucky enough to get one in the mail! hehe)
4. People who believe in you! I have been around a few new people lately & have really aprriciated how much they quietly encourage & believe in me.
5. Prayer. It's amazing how calm it can make you feel. I tend to forget to pray when I'm nervous or anxious about something in a particular moment but when I do, I love feeling the love of the Savior.
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29 July 2008

a must try!

If you like Indian fry bread, you have to try this new restaurant called Cafe Laguna in Mesa. They opened last Thursday & you know we were there!!It's AMAZING! The Lara boys are the owners & are the greatest people & have worked so hard to open their doors. It's quick service, made as you watch & nothing is over $8.99. They've got awesome savory fry bread options & super tasty sweet dessert options. It's located on Power just south of Baseline in the same strip center as Bahama Bucks (another favorite!!)

The parents of these guys own the original location off the trail in Apache Junction. When deciding where your next meal will be, look no further! I know you'll love it as much as we did & you can't beat the personal, friendly service. {Doesn't that look awesome?! It's one of the gourmet selections}
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28 July 2008

Seriously Food Netowrk?

Are you kidding me?! I almost couldn't believe my eyes last night while watching the finale of The Next Food Network Star. You definitely didn't pick a star.

I can't believe you picked someone who can barely even speak into the camera let alone cook in front of it. I don't think Mr. "BIG DADDY" {yuck} ever even scored high enough to win a challenge much less a show of his own.

You let me down this time Food Network. I have to say you've been bombing out pretty regularly with your new shows. What happened to new episodes of fan favorites like Paula's Home Cooking, Everyday Italian, Barefoot Contessa, Food 911 or Good Eats? Who cares about the "can't keep their hands off each other" Kneelys or "can barely understand a word she says" Nigella anyway? One more thing FN, why did you
steal Adam's concept for a show & give it to Aida... who the heck is this Aida lady anyway?

Susie Fogelson said she thought Aaron would reach a new audience for the Food Network. I'll tune in to at least the first episode of his new show Big Daddy's House, airing August 3, to try to figure out what this new audience is.

Until then, I think I'm just gonna stick with Paula, you can't go wrong with a hip grandma!

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25 July 2008

thankful thursday & fabulous friday!

I know I know, I'm late on thankful thursday. I could give you 20 reasons why I didn't post but they are all lame & boring so I'll spare you!

This week I have been thankful for:

1. Adorable nieces & nephews. I can't believe how fast they all grow, I just love them all & love being their aunt, it's a special role.
2. Naps. I was able to take a nap the other day & it was heavenly!
3. Coupons. Now this sounds like an odd one, but when you run out of basically every personal product (soap, shampoo, razor blades...) at the same time & you remember you have the Proctor & Gamble brand saver laying around somewhere you can't help but be excited!! I saved a TON of money on the necessities, I can totally get how these crazy coupon ladies are slaves to the cause, it's a pretty nice rush I must admit!!
4. Talent. I am always amazed at the little things I am able to teach someone while I'm at work. It's so much fun to show someone a new skill or what a new product is!
5. A vehicle! I cannot image living here in the summer without one.
6. Rekindled friendships! Yay for blogs & facebook.
7. A super cute husband! Clint is great, he got me the new sharpie pens. He knows how much I love sharpies & he knew I had to have them!


Talking about naps has inspired my selection for today. I love bedrooms that are sleek yet comfy all at the same time. Here is one of my favorites!
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24 July 2008

my evaluations!

Last night was a fun night once again. A little SYTYCD & Project Runway!! I have to say I wasn't blown away by anyone last night on SYTYCD. I thought a couple of the routines were pretty good but nothing blew me out of the water. I would say my favorite routine was NappyTaps (Tabitha & Neapolian) "lyrical hip-hop"!

On Project Runway... oh the twists! I thought it rocked that the models got to choose the materials for the designers to work with. I was really surprised at what some made in the end. Some that I thought were a little stronger really showed a lot of weakness in the 2nd episode. Again, as in SYTYCD's case I wasn't blown away by any of the designers work. I normally always find at least one outfit I covet until the next episode when I replace it with a new favorite. Above are the top 3 in my opinion. I was sad to see Wesley go, I think he had great potential. All I can say though is, Crystal I think you're hot like LEATHA!!
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22 July 2008

bored


Can everyone tell I get bored easily?! I decided the throw-back blog header wasn't doing the trick for me any longer! I am so into black, white & yellow right now it's not even funny. I wish I had more clothes in these combos. The crazy thing is, it's really to hot here to be wearing black... hmmm what is a girl to do? Change her blog of course!! I had to add pink because the yellow wasn't showing up as well as I was hoping, but hey a girl can never have to much pink anyway right?
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18 July 2008

Fabulous Friday


I wish I could spend the weekend at this home for some R&R! Could you imagine?!!! I imagine it lakeside with a pool to one side of the house. A slight breeze in the air & the smell of camp fires lingering in the distance. Yummy s'mores for an evening snack! I bet there is also beautiful music being played softly throughout the property like that they play at Joes BBQ... the best way I can describe it is, Little House on the Prairie meets Indiana Jones lol! Oh what a beautiful weekend it would be. Instead, I'll be enduring the sun & heat a little longer! Maybe if we're lucky we'll get that rain they are forecasting for Saturday evening.
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17 July 2008

Thankful Thursday

Wouldn't you know I almost forgot to post today!!

Today I'm thankful for:

1. My cute green shirt. I love wearing the color green, it makes me feel alive & happy!
2. Strawberries. The possibilities are endless: strawberry________ (pancakes, muffins, on angel food cake, jam, in cookies, plain, with yogurt, in ice cream...)
3. Friendly & thoughtful people. They make life so much more bearable lol!
4. Great photography. I see so many talented artists out there & I am amazed.
5. Left overs. I had the most yummy ham & swiss sandwich from Honey Baked Ham today for lunch & it was almost better then it was yesterday for dinner!
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16 July 2008

Make it work!!!

Tonight will be a fabulous night!!! YAY YAY YAY!!!

We LOVE Project Runway at the M House!!
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15 July 2008

Be


One of my friends Amber has such a way with words & thoughts. I enjoy reading her blog (sorry it's private!) because she has the most wonderful things to say to bring me back to earth & back to the heart of this life. Today she made a beautiful & real post about cracking down those facades we all place up. It made me decide that I would go ahead & make this post about what's been weighing so heavily on my mind the past couple of weeks. I often don't post things like this because I am not the most eloquent person when it comes to my words. I always know what I want to say but when I write it, it never really seems as pretty. But today, I'm not concerned. Today I'm going to be be real & honest & vulnerable.

 I loose sight all to often of what is truly important in this life. I have been thinking so much lately about my potential as a being in this world. I constantly wonder if I'm contributing enough not only for my own life but for my family, friends for my job for those that I have even the tiniest bit of influence over. Do I really let my light shine in a way that will make others stop & see the kindness I have to offer. Do I act in a way that let's others trust me & have faith in me. Am I true to the person I want to become. The answer is always, I just don't know. But, I am learning one tiny baby step in front of the other that it's ok to make mistakes, it's ok to not know where I am going even when I think do, it's ok to be happy even when so many others around me are struggling beyond belief. It's ok to be sad on days when you just feel lost. I am so hard on myself all the time, I always have been. I will say it today & I'm sure I'll have to remind myself a million times over. IT'S NEVER TO LATE TO BE WHO YOU HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO BE!!! We all need to take a deep breath & stop being so self critical & so judgmental about others. You never know how just the smallest of comments can literally make or break someone in a given moment.

Take a risk. Go out of your comfort zone. Smile. Be present in very moment. Enjoy the little things. Walk with faith & a knowledge that you are a child of God. Be brilliant. Be who you've always wanted to be. Bloom! Make the best out of what life hands you. Don't be afraid to change directions for we really never know when we'll make a right turn. Be true to yourself. We all have so much to offer to this world. I don't know that we even realize it. When it comes to connecting with others, challenge yourself outside your comfort zone.

 I admire so many of my friends, here are just a few things I look up to & notice & hope to be more like:
Katy T, you honestly have got to be one of the most witty & amusing people I have met!
Aimee, do you realize just how talented you really are?
Amanda D, do you see how beautiful you are?
 Krystin, do you realize you are one of the best listeners I have EVER met?
 Jacey, I am constantly amazed at how driven you are.
Dee, you've been there through thick & thin, good, bad & ugly, you truly are the definition of a friend in my book.
Kathi, I hope you can see you're light as bright as the rest of us, it's almost blinding to me at times.

"Our worst fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frighten us. We ask ourselves, 'who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?' Actually who are you NOT to be? You are a child of God; your playing small doesn't serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us. It is not just in some of us, it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear our presence automatically liberates others." --Marianne Williamson

Thank you Ambs for giving me courage to say what is written on my heart & reminding me how much I love Marianne for this very reason! I think this quote is simply amazing & I loved your thoughts about 'our potential to be real' this morning! Simply beautiful!!

Thanks to all of you who make my life better & more meaningful. Especially Clint, the single greatest thing that has happened in my life. Thank you for putting up with me & for encouraging me. I love you & I AM the luckiest!
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11 July 2008

fabulous friday

This has nothing to do with this post, but did everyone here in the Phoenix area not LOVE the rain we got last night?! I seriously was in heaven. I told Chelsea I just needed a hammock for the back porch because I could have stayed outside forever listening to the rain & feeling the nice cool breeze!

Since I started up Thankful Thursday's again, I thought it was the perfect time to launch my newest little repeating blog post. I am a collector by nature. I try to resist the inherent urge I feel, but it doesn't always happen. For the past few years I have been collecting inspiration for my drop dead gorgeous house I'll one day have. I could spend HOURS looking at design blogs & surfing the web looking at amazing rooms & homes. I hate that all these photos are stored away in my decor folder so I am going to start sharing them! Every Friday, come back for a little decor inspiration.



In honor of the rain... wouldn't you love to be curled up on this couch with a cup of caramel apple cider or pumpkin spice white hot chocolate from Starbucks staring out these beautiful picture windows & watching a great movie like Steel Magnolias or Anne of Green Gables?!! {yeah yeah I know they are oldies but goodies to me, two of my very favorites!}
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10 July 2008

thankful thursday

That's right folks! It's back...finally! I kinda slacked off my Thankful Thursday's for oh let's just say a little too long! I thought today would be the perfect day to start them up again.

Today I am thankful for:

1. Storms. Not just the amazing one we're having outside this very moment, but the other storms we face in this life. I am learning just how valuable they are in my growth.
2. Creativity. This one is my life line, without I truly would have no clue who I am.
3. Guidance. I am not always quick with words & I am always so thankful when somehow the words I need are given from up above.
4. Sharpie ultra fine tip retractable markers. I seriously am in love with these!!! Thank you Mr. Sharpie for inventing the greatest pen ever.
5. Quiet moments. Can I just tell you how much I love driving past all the fields of corn ready for harvest anytime. It's so quiet & peaceful when I drive to work. I love having that time to meditate, plan & pray.
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04 July 2008

and the winner is...

Congrats Kathi!!!
I'll have to get your current address so I can get your special package of my favorite things off to you this week! Once I know Kathi has received her prize I'll post what I sent to her.
To the other ladies that commented, thank you! This contest was 2 fold for me, I was really needing some new tunes for the ipod & now I've got some! Thank you all for commenting & good luck next time!
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02 July 2008

stand

I am really feeling connected to this song at the moment!!! We'll make it, we have to. That's the only choice.


You feel like a candle in a hurricane
Just like a picture with a broken frame
Alone and helpless like you've lost your fight
But you'll be alright
You'll be alright

Cause when push comes to shove
You taste what you're made of
You might bend, till you break
Cause it's all you can take
On your knees you look up
Decide you've had enough
You get mad you get strong
Wipe your hands shake it off
Then you stand
Then you stand

Life's like a novel with the end ripped out
The edge of a canyon with only one way down
Take what you're given before its gone
Start holding on, keep holding on

Cause when push comes to shove
You taste what you're made of
You might bend, till you break
Cause it's all you can take
On your knees you look up
Decide you've had enough
You get mad you get strong
Wipe your hands shake it off
Then you stand
Yea, then you stand

Every time you get up
And get back in the race
One more small piece of you
Starts to fall into place, yea


Cause when push comes to shove
You taste what you're made of
You might bend, till you break
Cause it's all you can take
On your knees you look up
Decide you've had enough
You get mad you get strong
Wipe your hands shake it off
Then you stand
Yea, then you stand

*ps there is only 1 more day until I draw a winner from my 100th post contest, don't forget to leave a comment.
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