today I will....

...do some blog reading. the googs is screaming at me +1000!
...make buttermilk pancakes. bisquik need not apply.
...finish up with Feb's SC kit. my desk is an utter disaster. could only mean good things.
...update SC blog. compiling sneaks.
...re-arrange bedroom. new sheets in cool color prompts for immediate re-do.
...emailing those who wanted sundried tomato cream sauce recipe. butter & cream can do no wrong.
...picture taking, polaroid shaking.
...dareskys.
Kodak pony  Tina.

it's the simple things.

011909-new, freshly laundred sheets in the prettiest shade of amethyst.
-the full bloom of a white hydrangea
-a warm slice of chocolate pecan banana bread. recipe found here.
-finally finding the perfect solution for dry winter skin: Khiels creme de corps body scrub & lotion.
-getting to sleep in past 5am on a weekday.
-the silky feeling of little butter's coat after a bath.
-new issue of Domino waiting for me on my nightstand. 
-the success of a new dinner recipe: sundried tomato cream sauce with chicken.
-giving an old camera a new home...and a good cleaning.

what simple things bring you happiness?
 

mysteries of the mid-afternoon crash: a typical tuesday

good thing blogging on a regular basis wasn't one of my resolutions.
the best thing I can report is that our crazy cold spell has finally broke. bad thing is that it's snowing now. how can I complain though? I live in Alaska. A-L-A-S-K-A. grin and bear it I suppose.

At the moment I am going through the dreaded mid-afternoon crash or slump or the period in the work day in which one wants to lay their head on their desk for a snooze...knowing they can't, they reach for whatever sugary and fattening snacks that reside in the kitchen. Maybe it was the warm and comforting spicy chicken curry I had for lunch that's making me extra sleepy today.
I will NOT go towards that costco sized bag chocolate pretzels, I tell myself. Instead I'm noshing on a kashi go lean bar, something I don't highly recommend because of the cardboard essence I'm getting after each bite. it is loaded with fiber and has some sort of chocolate coating that's curbing my said chocolate pretzel craving. And maybe it's the combo of thinking of witty blog lines and the cardboard bar but I'm starting to get a little boost. that's good. Looking down at the time....2 hours to go. I can do this.

more tomorrow. must get back to work.
tina

it's alive!

wow, I've been in total solitude mode since the new year. it's still extremely cold here. too cold to really do anything that doesn't involve thermal long johns, slipper socks, and a steaming hot cup of tea.

resolutions 09 going strong and I think I've finally settled on my "word".
Believe 

I want to believe again. I want to find lost hope. I want to trust in what lies ahead.
I am ready to make sacrifices and I am ready to make the best of 2009.

Tina

is it cold enough for you.

I always want to say something smarmy to the guy who feels the need to ask "is it cold enough for you" when it's 15 below. Yes. It's cold enough.
This time last year I was held up in my bedroom under mounds of blankets, eating every snack in sight and bellows of "woe is me". The usual winter depression hasn't hit me which I'm so very thankful for. I've kept busy with my picture-taking ventures and now that I've got a good supply of polaroid film thanks to  my bro & sis law & my sweetest, I should be good until spring. Ah.....spring.
I have to say that I'm ready to kick off a new year. 2009 will bring good things as long as I bring good things to 2009. My first resolution:
Resolution

Enjoy the new year!
Tina

humpday happiness.

*J's dinner night:his "gourmet burgers". He makes a petite one for me. love that.
Burger

*Scoping out recipes from Thekitchn blog.

121508
*not having to dream of a white Christmas.

*finding comfort in a hoodie after a long work day.
Selfie 

*Creative spark in the form of a kit.

*Did you hear that?!
51E4MCJ5j1L__SS500_ 

happy humpday.
Tina

monday monday.

This weekend went by with a blink of an eye. Is Christmas really next week?
Really?!?!
I'm just about done with my shopping. Just a few more things that can be purchased online.
I'm pretty late on getting my cards out but they will reach their destinations before Christmas.
Note to self.....get address written in nifty address book purchase years ago instead of keeping torn
bits from envelopes that seem to be everywhere but in said address book...

I'm sure you're curious as to who I've chosen for the print giveaway...
I really hate picking, even randomly and because it's the season of giving, I've decided to include everyone that posted  a comment last week. Some of you may receive a print, most will receive this card:
House 
I'm going to contact each of you for your mailing address here shortly! :)

Thanks for all checking up on me and leaving sweet comments.
Happy Monday (if there is such a thing)
Tina

a week of favorites continued. how many times can I type the word "blog".

wow, posting everyday is really hard and I have to give it up to those who do. I did blog yesterday but right when I was at the point of spell checking, my computer froze up. Everything was lost and I was not about to spend another 30 minutes typing.

First, I want to indulge a bit in my narcissism and direct you here.
I have to admit I'm a bit on the bashful side and usually like the spotlight directed as far away from me as possible but this totally made me shine. (I was going to strike that because I wonder how shy I can be if I blog about my life and take endless self portraits but I know there's a few of you who know me personally that can agree on this) I love taking photographs and opened my shop in hopes of making a few extra bucks. It's become so much more. I cannot express how happy it makes me to send some one their prints and hearing about how much they enjoyed them. That's really why I love doing this.

This leads me to list my favorite blogs at the moment. It's been good times ever since google reader and I hooked up. What makes a good blog? For me it's got to be witty, honest, clean in design, interesting and gosh darn it, I've got to be inspired. I can't say that I'm the best judge of character but I'd like to think that these blogs represent the blogger in the truest form. I'm also not naive in thinking that these bloggers could be the complete opposite of who he or she really is. Hell, I could be crazy cat lady or hiding bodies in my freezer. I kid. All these ramblings that sometimes don't make any sense, the moodiness...it's all me. I want to get a feel for who that blogger is when I'm reading their words or looking at the photos they've posted. I want to be entertained. I want to laugh out of loud and not just post LOL. These are the blogs I stalk.

The City Sage. I found Anne's blog while surfing around one night. I think it was her post on boy jeans that caught my attention. I feel her simple taste is similar to mine. I also read something about her move across country that really hit home.  

Creature Comforts.I find this blog exactly that. Comfort. It's beautifully designed and I'm never left uninspired.

Bliss. Mrs French is some one I follow on Flickr. She's a brilliant photographer who just announced a collaboration with Urban Outfitters. Like, woah.

A Cup Of Jo. Her blog is like a cup of joe, something I enjoy on the daily. Currently loving her gift guide posts.

Ks3v8

Le Love. Who doesn't like seeing beautiful people in love?

Smosch.com. I new blog for me. I enjoyed her daily posts of New York City.

Sugarplums and Mistletoes. Sarah B's holiday blog. She's a kick ass crafter and an honest blogger to boot who has excellent taste in music. Here's her actual blog, Pieces of Work.

Sounds of Science. She's been to all the cities and she's rocked them all. No, I don't know if KC's been to every city but she's certainly rocks even after all the insanity that is the scrapbook industry.

I could go on and on but those blogs are on the one's I go to first. If any of you listed are reading this,
thanks for keeping up your great blog.

mm..Friday. Work day's just about over and I am so looking forward to the pedicure party I'm attending tonight. Foot rub + wine + girl talk = one happy girl.

Have a great weekend. Oh, almost forgot. I know I said I would be giving a way another print and those of your who posted through the week are entered to win. I just haven't gotten around to gathering names and responding to your lovely comments. It's on the top of my to do list for the weekend and I'm pretty sure they'll be more than one winner.

Take care!
Tina

a week of favorites continued. my list to santa.

ah...feeling much, much better and I'm actually getting a jump start on tomorrow's....er today's post. I'm so post happy right now. I may keep up with this post a day....why not.

Here are some things that I hope will be under my tree on Christmas. I've been fairly good this year. I'm starting to donate more and never let a sneeze go unblessed.

Not sure if I've been good enough to receive this though.
Mosaic1335867 
1. camera man and hassy by http://www.flickr.com/photos/daffie/.
2.first camer by mikki**
I would love love love to be an owner of a Hasselblad.

So very frivolous but come on...cashmere leg warmers! Found one a favorite blog, Bliss.
Col19 
I would like the boots as well.

James_mcavoy 
Yes, I want James Mcavoy under my tree.

41daeywimLL__SS400_ 
I really need a better lens on my cannon. I've heard really good things about this guy.

Other things I could always use and would love:
Books
CS4
Polaroid Film
Vintage Cameras
Scarves

I'm simple. Ultimately I love anything anyone has ever gifted me with the exception of a toaster J got me one year. Yes, we needed one but does that really count as a Christmas gift? :)  

Tina

a week of favorites continued. keep calm and carry on.

Il_430xN_48675901 
Screenprint by SFGIRLBYBAY on the top of my wishlist.

I really need to invest in that gem of a poster and I need to have one at the office and at home. Wonder if I could turn that into a personalized license plate? kpclmcryon.
Just feeling overly annoyed today. I feel as though I'm swimming against a current of insensitive people and a-holes. I wonder if karma is being thrown at me and what I did to to piss her off.

Bad karma starts with a phone conversation last night and is continuing on through today. I thought a trip to the bookstore would help. Browsing through aisles of books and thumbing through overly priced magazines usually calms me but after hearing a disabled worker being scolded by who I assume is his manager, further adds to my annoyance. I see this kid every week. He dusts the shelves and always looks up to smile and say hello. I hate that this woman is so irritated with him and feels the need to scold him in front of customers. She leaves and I walk by him. He looks up and smiles. At this point I'm annoyed with myself for not saying anything to said manager. I know some people who work with getting these disabled kids jobs. They'll be hearing from me. No one deserves to be talked to like that.

Still searching for some calming comfort during my lunch hour. I head to cafe del mundo for a latte. It's delicious but still not helping my mood. The wind is bitter cold. I wonder why I even bothered brushing my hair. My next stop is New Sagaya for spicy chicken curry and chocolate. Not just any chocolate. Days like this call for Cadbury. Again, delicious and slightly comforting but I'm still easily annoyed. I bark at the accountant who always feels the need to stick her head in my office to see what I'm eating for lunch.

Really, I'm most annoyed with myself. Maybe this is more than bad karma. Maybe it's a test, a challenge. Why do I let such things tug at my every nerve? This is just a small hill I need to GET OVER. And I know that with the holidays, I'm not the only one who is annoyed with simple things. We're all busy, rushing around town to get things done. Arranging family gatherings, calculating the cost of gifts and wondering how you're already over budget, eating every sugar cookie insight.

I cannot wait to do the most comforting thing, the only thing that will make this day 100% better. Going home, getting out of my work clothes, turning on the Christmas tree lights and kicking back with J and the dogs.

Here's for a better tomorrow,
Tina

a week of favorites continued. mosaic monday.

I'm nuts about Flickr, that's a given. I probably spend more time there than anywhere else on the web.
Why? Well, here's a reason:
Mosaic571433  1. Tiny Deer by Missamyo 2. Christmas Bokeh by *andrea
  3. Guess What Today Is by Buttons Magee 4. Sparkle by mainemomma2007
  5. Spin. Darken by mainemomma2007 6. Go Red by toomuchcoffeegirl

My top 6 favorite photos right now from a few of my favorite flickr friends.
I find Flickr really inspirational. I love peeking into the souls of others through their photographs. There's something very personal about this art form that draws me in. It's a little voyeuristic, a lot of curiosity and I feel each photograph represent a piece of that person. I love that. I think that is the main reason why I love photography.
This also leads me to be honest and admit something that has been talked about through the scrapbooking community in the past. I could probably be viewed as the young woman who bought herself a fancy digital camera and now considers herself a photographer. I'm not going to take offense to that.
First, I don't call myself a professional photographer and would never try to pull off portrait sessions with paying customers. I've never had any interest in portrait photography. That takes a lot of skill and natural talent. I've seen many scrapbookers who are insane portrait photographers that I greatly admire and learn from.
Second, I'm a still life girl. I love capturing things. Pretty things, odd things, outdoor things. I also love doing different types of photography such as Ttv and now Polaroid. The challenge is what I love most.  
Third, I am insanely passionate about photography and to me, that's more important that how many years of education it takes to actually call your self a pro photographer. I am a wishy washy person. A flake may be a better word. I'm fully aware of this not so great trait that runs deep within me. I've never been able to put my finger on what I wanted to do "when I grow up". One year it was a writer, then next an accountant. My senior year was fashion design. But photography has stuck with me. To capture a moment or object on paper....that excites me.

Man, I hope that didn't come off as defensive because it's so not meant to be. I just wanted to put that out there since I now sell some of my prints. It also further explains why I heart Flickr so much. It's a whole site dedicated to people who have a passion for photography...from the little guy with the toy camera to the big guy with every bell and whistle there is to have in digital photography. We all have something in common and that's our love for capturing.

Ok, winners.
First up from Friday's post is...........KateB!
Second is.............Patty!
Ladies, email me with your addy's please.
I'll be doing another print give away towards the end of the week AND those of you who have posted already, I'm counting you in for the next give away because that's how I roll.

Happy Monday,
Tina

a week of favorites.

Good morning.
I will start off by stating the obvious...it's Sunday. My very favorite day of the week. It's my day, my day to do everything I wanted to do all week but couldn't because of work, time with friends or family, everyday errands and all the other things that keep me away from the things I put down in my personal to do list. Here's my typical Sunday:

very early morning grocery shopping. I like doing this because I hate grocery shopping period.This stems from my past job as a sales rep who would stock certain items in said grocery store. Going early ensures empty isles and no waiting at the checkouts.
The old bear goes with. She loves her Sunday morning ride. We go through the Starbucks drive thru for venti vanilla latte and a mini dog treat.
Sometimes I drop off an energy drink for my man and his coworkers. I hate that these guys work on a day that's meant for rest and relaxation.
I take the scenic route home so the dog can stick her head out of the window and enjoy the very cold wind in her fur.
After getting home, it's still early in the morning. I don't leave the house after this little trip. I refuse to leave the house unless absolutely necessary. I blog, like I'm doing now, catch up on other blogs, catch up on emails, make a phone call or 2 to long distance family members. There's also a little cleaning. A clean house makes for a calm Tina. Now I can enjoy taking some photographs because at this point the sun is finally up and I've got to full advantage of the tiny amount of daylight there is right now. A little scrapbooking while either listening to music or catching up on Grey's. Poking around in the craft room and finding unfinished projects. Arrange the flowers I brought home.
Putzing around the house with a pot of coffee on the burner. That is my ideal Sunday. It's my day.

This week I'm going to challenge myself and try to blog everyday with my favorite things/wish list. I have also chosen a winner for the print I mentioned in my past post. I will announce that person tomorrow. Sorry, you just have to wait a little longer! :) I'm also going to give you all another chance to win another print. Tell me what your ideal Sunday in tales or if there's a different day you consider your favorite. I'll choose a winner before my next post tomorrow. 

Happy Sunday,
Tina

Orn126
 

december madness has begun.

I know this because I can usually find a parking spot downtown at 10am on weekdays (my lunch hour) but for the past week, I've opted to park at the very top of a parking garage. Not complaining though, just adds a few more steps for me to walk up. A good way to sneak in some exercise. My treadmill has been on vaca for the past few weeks. Not sure if you remember but I was on a sort of diet earlier this year and actually met my goal weight. I kept it realistic and that was the biggest part of my success. Now I jump on for a light work out a few times a week so I can eat all the sweetness the holidays bring and not feel bad. Ok, enough boring diet talk. I hate listening or reading about one's diet so I won't put this on you any longer.

Here's a random one word meme I found somewheres in blogworld. I couldn't keep it at one word though. I'm a big fan of explanations. Here we go....

Where is your mobile phone? charging
Where is your significant other? bed (butthead has the day off)
Your hair colour? mocha (brown, just plain brown and I refuse to color my hair)
Your mother? absent (lost in Oregon)
Your father? best (couldn't ask for a better dad)
Your favourite thing? home (bonifide homebody here)
Your dream last night? odd (aren't they always?)
Your dream goal? changes (almost on a daily basis.)
The room you're in? sucks (I'm at work, what do you expect?)
Your hobby? documenting (photographing anything and putting it down on paper)
Your fear? publicspeaking (will always be public speaking)
Where do you want to be in 6 years? Traveling (preferably in Europe)
Where were you last night? sleeping
What you're not? dishonest (being totally honest bites me in the ass sometimes)
One of your wish-list items? coach (I need a new purse)
Where you grew up? everywhere (Born in S. Korea, then Florida, Las Vegas, now Alaska)
The last thing you did? edit (photos)
What are you wearing? jeans (comfy sweater, boots and my fav diamond studs)
Your TV? old (you know, the square, non-flat, no plasma or lcd screen. We're upgrading soon)
Your pets? spoiled (sleeps in bed with us)
Your computer? bff
Your mood? bored (very bored)
Missing someone? sometimes
Your car? honda (I love my honda)
Something you're not wearing? makeup
Favourite shop? Target (only place that carries polaroid film)
Your summer? short (non-existent the past few years)
Love someone? fiercely
Your favourite colour? Gray (is that weird?)
When is the last time you laughed? now (joked about wearing ear plugs the rest of the day. enough office gossip already. sheesh.)
When is the last time you cried? awhile
 
Give it go and link me up. I want to see what one words you come up with. Plus I'm feeling gifty so I'll choose a winner for some TtV's prints later this week.
 
Happy 3rd of December!
Tina
3044209383_dea41a92d2_o

I can tell that we are gonna be friends.

I was going to do a short "happy thanksgiving" post today but I feel as though I have some thoughts to explore. So here we go.

Life:
Watched Hancock last night in the dark. Couldn't help but pause once in awhile to look out the window. The snow was so beautiful last night. The sky was a shade of blue I wish I could describe. It had such a calming effect on me. It also reminded me what I am most thankful for and that is just being where I am today. Healthy, alive, having a roof over my head and having some one who loves me just as I am.

I immediately looked out my window after turning off my alarm this morning to see how much it did snow. The faint white glow coming from the curtains was my first clue. Yep, still snowing. I only wished I was off today to avoid the drive to work but knowing that I will have the next 4 days off made my mood better. Opted for thermal, jeans, and uggs for work wear...I keep in mind that 1. I will be sweeping off quite a bit of snow from my buried civic and 2. I never know when I'm going to be digging myself out of being stuck somewhere. The perks of driving a small car I tell ya.

The drive was good, a bit scary but good. Happy that I've missed morning rush hour. Not happy that the jeep with the huge tires is flying past me, causing a mass of white to blind me for a brief moment. I also enjoy seeing all the plow truck drivers with there shovels and sand in the beds of their trucks, working like mad men to get all their lots done before they're filled with cars. It reminds me of one of my very favorite movies, Beautiful Girls. It's one of those movies I can watch anytime it's on tv. Plus a lot of the characters remind me of some of the guys I know here.

Love:
I have tapped into my favorite winter Pandora mix. Started with my fav band, Death Cab. Now includes White Stripes, The Shins, Muse, Amos Lee, Feist, The Weepies....lot's of other bands I hadn't
heard of until now. Love. Music totally sets my mood for the day. I downloaded the new Dido and as much as I love her voice, her music kind of depresses me a little. So she's on the back burner for now.
Work out tunes must include Linkin Park (yes, I still listen to old school LP) Santogold, a little Beyonce...you get the idea. There was a reason why I brought up the music thing but my short-term
memory is in full effect so we'll end it here.
Other current favs...
This top
This bag
This calendar
This outfit
My Flickr Favorites

Paper:
Studio Calico's December reveal is tomorrow night. Kick back with a slice of pumpkin pie and get ready to treat yourself to a kit full of the newest goods and some exclusives. If you really want to treat yourself, I suggest an add on or 2.

Lastly, I want to wish you all a very safe, peaceful, fulfilling Thanksgiving holiday.
3057243721_d40f025192 
Love,
Tina

not a whole lot to report...

except that it's snowing and it's my 3rd favorite day of the week. Not hard to guess what my other 2 favorite days are.....one hint. It doesn't involve me being in the office.
Finally updated the shop. Wish you could see how cool these prints are on the metallic photo paper.
Shop update 
Oh and I've got a little preview of my holiday items that are in the works. I should have them in the shop for your purchasing pleasure next week.
Coming soon 
And since we're on the subject of holidays......Studio Calico reveal night is tonight. Working
on the December kit now. It's a great mix of sophistication and cool with a dose of holiday cheer.
Just stop in tonight and you'll see what I mean. They've got a really generous give away that you may want to take a peek at. Should be in your newsletter. If you still haven't jumped on that band wagon
I highly suggest you do.
Again, I really am at a loss as to what to blog about today. I really should start keeping a little note
pad for those lightning bolt blog ideas I seem to have when I'm either no where near a computer or just not in the mood to blog. I do want to thank all of you who wished me and my love a happy anniversary last week. Very sweet and touching and so appreciated. I may not reply back to your posts
but I do read and enjoy every single word. Know that. I'm slowly sneaking my way back into my regular blog reading except I need to get it organized. What do you all use? Isn't there a nifty site for store all
your blogs and let's you know when that's persons updated? Clue a girl in, would ya?

happy friday. enjoy your days away from work.
Tina

a weeks worth.

Monday & Tuesday spent voting, heated political discussions that were more racial than political, seeing through the fakeness of some and the truth in others, and planning some anniversary festivities which includes yummy breakfast at Snowcity Cafe, thanks to Ronalyn and her glowing review of the place.

Wednesday
Feet

Celebrated 9 years of marital blissan ever growing companionship with my truest. I can't say my marriage is perfect but it's pretty damn close. Jeff and I have been through a lot. He was the stability I needed in my life when we started "going steady" back in highschool. The odds were against us but we pulled through. He is my best friend and as cliche as it sounds, I believe he is my soulmate. I remember that first day after our "will you go out with me" phone call. We met up in "blue hall", locked hands and that was it. I felt as though I had already known him and I've never felt more comfortable with anyone at that point. We've already begun to plan out our 10 year ann. Europe is first on my list but we also thought it would be fun to do a road trip across the U.S. We're actually leaning more towards that idea.

Thursday was like a Monday since I had taken Wednesday off. One word is stuck in my mind. Something Obama had mentioned about sacrificing. SACRIFICE. This is something I need to realize and follow through on. I'm so use to getting what I want. Let me clarify so I don't come off sounding like a spoiled brat. I see a pair of shoes that I feel as though life will end if I don't buy them so I buy them. But I really can't afford them in the sense that I have bills to pay or that the extra funds would be much more attractive in my savings account rather than on my feet. So I'm going to go along with the change and sacrifice to better my future. This is going to take A LOT of will power on my end but I have sacrificed other things and there's no reason I can't do this now. Mind over matter.

Friday is spent pondering weekend activities. I was invited to a friend of a friends birthday party that I think I'll pass on due to feeling too old for the college crowd that will be attending. If I went that would mean giving up my spot on the couch next to J and missing movie night. Call me lame but that's much more fulfilling to me. Will also be doing a bit of scrapping, picture taking, and Christmas organizing. I know, I know. Christmas talk already. But this will be the year I actually get an early start like I say I'm going to do every year. I will not be combat shopping 2 weeks before Christmas. I refuse to subject myself to such terror. I want to enjoy this holiday to the fullest. Mark my words.

Have a great weekend.
Tina

trick or treat?

Pumpkin 
First...a treat. The winner of the Studio Calico add on is.........................................
nov kit looks fabulous! I love giveaways!
mrc1471
Congrats! Please email your mailing address to april@studiocalico.com. Yay!

Now a trick in the form of a Dare.
6a00d8341c10ec53ef010535c65dd4970b-800wi 
Really like this weeks dare. All about using the covers of magazines or creating your own. I'm not going to lie, I have been known to judge a book by it's cover. Same goes with mags. If it catches my eye, I'll thumb through it to see if it's worth taking home or just a quick read at the bookstore. And I know you're just loving my rocking folksy dress. ha!

How awesome is it that Halloween fell on a Friday this year? J and I bowed out of a couple of parties. Just wasn't feeling it this year. We'll probably hook up with some friends and go trick or treating with their kiddos. Then head home with to watch some scary movies and crack open a bottle of wine. Halloween perfection for us. How 'bout you? Any plans? Are you dressed up at work today?

TV was so good last night. The beginning of Office had me laughing so hard. I <3 Creed as the Joker. Too good. And I'm so very happy 30 Rock is back on. I'm trying to like Kath & Kim because I love Molly Shannon and John Micheal Higgins but the Selma Blair character annoys the s out of me.

Not much else happening on my side of the planet. I am working on getting some holiday stuff prepared for the shop so be on the lookout for that :) Also thinking of taking up the all mighty Ali Edward's December Daily booklet. I started gathering some things for that. I did this last year but never bound the book together.**note to self, get your s together and finish what you started**

Happy Halloween folks! Be safe and try not to OD on the sweets. ;)
Tina 

just a note.

SC_Nov_Blog I told you the November line up at Studio Calico was good, didn't I? Tonight's reveal night and there are a few things happening on the mb's including the debut of live chat. New to me, hopefully I can keep up with all those wonderful ladies. We're also having a costume contest and there are some other challenges with sweet give-aways. Dav has them up on the blog.

Off to make dinner before trying the live chat.  Oh, one last thing.....I have something to give away! I have one Paris add-on kit from July. SC has a sweet little shop in the works to house all past add ons, if they are still available that is. 
 Image01

All of the SC ladies are giving away a different add-on. We will choose a winner Thursday, the 30th. So be sure to post something at each blog to better your chances of nabbing an add-on. Here are the links:

Caroline
Joy
Stephanie
Jenn
Janine
Emily
Nic
Nik
Kelly
Dav

Happy Monday!
Tina

bizarro monday

meaning I will attempt to do everything opposite than I would normally do on a Monday.
Like sparring my husband, colleagues and blog readers my usually monday morning rant.
I will actually be awake/alive and keep a more positive 'tude from 6am-3pm.
I changed my usual mellow, office friendly Pandora mix for a more rockerish mix...
White Stripes, Cold War Kids, Pixies...turned up a few notches to drown out those who
try my positive monday morning 'tude.
Wearing a comfy sweater I would normally wear on the weekends.

Speaking of weekends, mine was more lazy than I would of like it to be.
Although the house was a wreck and many to-do's going undone, I couldn't help but feel really, really bored. I stepped out of the house only to get a coffee and take the dog for a quick walk and got right back into my pj's as soon as I got home. It was just that kind of weekend.
I did manage to get some other things done like:
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Purchase a few Halloween decorations from Target. We won't be carving pumpkins this year since the moose think I'm intricately carving pumpkins for their eating enjoyment.

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Was lucky enough to pick up the last copy of keri Smith's newest book, How To Be An Explorer Of The World. I'm hoping it will help open my eyes to different things I've never noticed before. 2957273858_0967dd40c1I like picking up a few bouquets of flowers to have in the house over the weekend. One for the kitchen and one for the craft room that'll I'll later move to the bedroom. WinfallLately I'm seeking warmth and comfort in the form of chocolate topped with a massive amount of marshmallows. And is there a name for the season in between Fall & Winter? Winfall maybe. Fallter? That's what we're in right now.

Well, on with bizarro monday!
Take care lovelies, Tina