what i've been up to

the usual.
work, food, polaroids, editing photos, napping, & reading.
that is all. 
oh and growing by the minute. 
how's the summer treating you so far?
xo t.

documentary winner!

...........Andi M!
Please email me at lifelovepaper@gmail.com

Thanks again for all your lovely summery comments!
Until Friday
Tina

Blog Hop

 
In celebration of Studio Calico's new line, Documentary, each dt member is giving away the entire collection on their blogs.
To enter, hop to each blog, and leave a comment. Then hop back to the Studio Calico blog for another chance to win.
I want to know what your simple summer joy is right this very moment.
Today it was the sweet smell of nectarines I have on my kitchen counter.
I had the pleasure of working with Documentary over the long weekend.
My personal faves?
I'm a fan of the stickers, FabRips and the Polaroid rub-ons. You can find the entire line at Two Peas.

 
Next stop?
My sweet friend, Waleska Neris.
Don't forget to the Studio Calico blog as well.

girl loves the friday before a holiday weekend.

Well...sort of.
When you work in the wide world of retail, it gets pretty hectic insane the week before a holiday weekend.
but alas, it's Friday and I'm so ready to enjoy my extra day off.
Flowers are bought, just need some more soil and I'm the hunt for a nice lounge chair for the back yard.
I can see it now....kicking back with a big ol' glass of ice tea, a book and me soaking up the sun. (also need to purchase sun screen)
We're not big on traveling over major summer holidays. it's just too busy with only 2 highways out of Anchorage.
Nope, I'm all about chillaxin' this weekend.

Right now, it's a little after 8am and I'm taking my little break and eating my left over tamale, rice and beans from yesterday's lunch.
Yes, mexican food at 8am. The perks of being with child.

Onto girl loves......

Well, I gotta start with some SC love.

Plenty left in the shop! 
And please do check out the dt gallery. My fellow scrappers amaze me each and every month.

This tweens room. (via Design Mom)

I love how they did this on the cheap.  

Salted Caramel Brownies (via Pioneer Woman)
Me and brownies are like this. (insert finger cross)
Seriously can't wait to try this recipe. I first came across salted caramel candies in Seattle and thought..ewe...but oh no, it was the perfect balance of sweetness and I just can't eat regular caramels anymore.

This. (via Wit+Delight)
For no other reason but the mystery & glamor. Who is she and where is she going with that hot dress and to die for slingbacks? 

This outfit which looks almost identical to my weekend wear. (via Pretty Mommy found by following above link. Don't you just love when one blog leads to another awesome blog?)
flowy tee, check. destroyed jeans, check. gray chucks, check. camel leather bag, check. the only thing thats different for me arethe cuffs. I rarely leave the house without my Coach bangle but I do love the cuffs shown.
 
  
Nothing says summer light fresh berries. (via Paper Tissueon Tumblr. wish I knew the original photographer)
 

Now I'm really ready for the weekend.
Any big plans for you? 
Whatever they are please be safe when traveling and enjoy the summer kick off! 
XOXOXO:) 
T
 

girl shares favorite paint techniques....

....over at the Studio Calico blog. 
 

girl loves friday!

fo' shizzle.
I'm in a silly mood this morning because it is gorgeous outside. Simply gorgeous.
The sun is brightly shining, the trees and grass are getting green, and I plan on skipping out of work a few hours early.
Yesssss.
Plus the kings are running and I know the guys are happy about that. (kings=salmon=yummy)
Nothing better than freshly caught salmon baked on the grill with some salt, pepper and few slices of lemon.
As I type this post, I look down to admire my freshly manicured nails.
Turquoise is the color, inspired by my friend.
Not sure if this is something I can fully pull off since my skin is so pale but it's fun for summer days.
Oh and let me add 2 more things to not say to not only a pregnant woman but one who has struggled to become pregnant. Granted these 2 ladies where "joking", I just didn't care for their comments.
1. "I'm sorry" (said from the snake in the grass employee)
2. "You whore" (said from the 20 something, potty mouthed employee)
I kid you not.
And because I could really care less about the opinions of these 2 women, I'm brushing it off but I thought I would give you an idea of what I'm working with.

Onto girl loves.

I'm seeing so many beautiful things from the stationary show. Wish I was there. (via Old So Beautiful Paper)
Ink + Wit stamps. so cute.
Sapling & Press. what I want our baby announcements to look like.

This quote: (via Kind Over Matter)
 

Studio Calico rubber stamps:
 Creeping my way back into creative life. More picture taking, more personal scrapbooking.
 
Online magazines. (just found this one and I looove. I cannot wait to share my camera with my young one)

So true for me, especially Friday nights. (can't remember where I originally found this)
 

happy friday!
t

I will never forget the struggle.

I've been meaning to write this post since I first became pregnant.
I know there are still quite a few of you who have followed my blog and who have shared the same path of struggling with infertility.
Even though I'm pregnant now after 4 years of trying, I will never forget the struggles and heartache and the whole self discovery process infertility has brought me, not to mention what's it's done for our marriage.

With so many pregnancy announcements, I know they are bittersweet.
I know the feeling. You're happy for that person but.... not that happy.
I'm not sure what the right thing to say to you at this point since I am pregnant now. I hated the usual "hang in there, it'll happen", "try not to think about it, and poof, it'll just happen". Yeah right.
I did try that and you know what? It didn't work, not for me at least.
What I can offer is some insight as to why I think it happened for me this year.
Of course I did have an IUI. I had no major issues, did all the testing and was basically put into the "unexplained category". Very helpful (said with the utmost sarcasm)
We decided 3 IUI's at the most. Then it was time for another path.
When the 3rd came along, I had done a lot of soul searching and crying and came to the conclusion that I was ready to give up on conceiving. What I was not going to give up on was becoming a mother.
I had plans to meet with a woman who had adopted a baby from China. She would share her contacts and fill me in on the process. My husband and I were set on making the journey East to bring home a child.
I was completely and totally content with our decision.
So when I lay on the table, knees in the air, I felt at peace. That was so different than my last IUI's.
I wondered and hoped and prayed I would get pregnant where as this last procedure, I lied there, reading Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential (Jamaica's book recommendation) and waited for the nurse to come in to tell me I could leave. Of course I said a little prayer and left it in God's hands.
I feel know the combination of being content and at peace with my outcome no matter what it would be, played a huge part in my pregnancy. I fully trusted my future and his plans. No doubt what so ever.
I know that sounds easy but it's not for a woman who has been trying to conceive for so long.
But through this journey, I have learned a great deal about myself.
For one, I'm secure in the woman that I am today.
I know it's ok to let go and cry and to show weakness.
I learned to lean on others. That was so hard for me to do.
I learned how to pick myself up after falling hard.
I love my husband more now than I ever have before. He has been the biggest support and overall comfort.
I learned to not only stay positive for a short amount of time but to embrace only positive thinking as a whole. I still have days where I'm a grump, I'm not even going to front about that.
And I'm not going to act like an spokesperson for infertility. I know there are those who have been through far more painful procedures and have tried for many, many years.
This is just my story.
Don't give up, just let go.

(photo via Kind Over Matter)

10 things.

1. Microwave bacon isn't half bad.
2. I've got a bit of a chip on my shoulder this morning for no particular reason other than being tired and not wanting to get out of bed.
3. I'm addicted to June's kit. Pretty much all of my faves from CHA.

4. I will probably never go back to the Glacier Brewhouse to eat again after yet another bad service. I can just recreate their delicious blue cheese salad. 
5. It was a nice weekend to go to the market. I got my bag of mini cinnamon donuts. 
6. I feel like the only thing that will get me through this day is my Band Of Horses Pandora mix and making said blue cheese salad. 
7. I've got 3 mini book covers made but no pages. 
8. I added the movie Eastern Promises to my top ten.
9. I want to go home and scrap and take a nap.
10. People are starting to talk around my office wondering if I'm pregnant. I'm to the point where I can suck in my gut anymore. 

That's all. 
T
 

Girl Loves Friday!!!!!

mmm...it's so comforting to know that this time tomorrow I will be sleeping in and snuggling with Jeff and the pup. I'm also thinking of heading downtown for the market. I'm seriously craving those fresh mini cinnamon donuts that you get still warm from the fryer. That will be my first stop. Maybe my only since the market is geared towards tourists and I'm not needing any kind of native art or alaska sausage at the moment.

I will then be lock down in my home to finish up editing and burning the photos I took from my first wedding shoot. I have one more wedding and that will be it for me. I knew it was going to be a lot of work but you never know if you're good at something until you try. After this past shoot I feel I'm 1. not good at directing a large group of people 2. not good at the constant go, go, go. The most important aspect is that it wasn't fun and it's definitely not my type of photography. Don't get me wrong, the wedding itself was a joyful occasion and a fun one at that but actually working at a wedding was not. I also did not enjoy the neck cramp I endured a week afterwords due the heavy lens I chose to use and 3 weeks of editing. It's one thing if this was my sole profession but it's not. I work a regular job and to be quite honest, the last thing I want to do when I get home from work, especially now that I'm pregnant, is to get back in front of a computer and edit, edit, edit.

So what's my type of photography? I'm much more comfortable with newborns and individuals. I like the slower pace and the one on one interaction much much better. It suits my personality much more as well. It's so delightful to work with young ones  than a huge group of adults on a day of rushing around. I always admired those wedding photographers that take stunning photographs and now have great respect for what they do.

Onto girl loves.

So I'm starting to be on the lookout for cute baby stuff and one of the important things on my list is a cute diaper bag. I know, not really super important but I don't want to get into clothes and nursery stuff right now. The thing is, I'm having a really hard time finding one I like until I saw this one.

 I must have it. It doesn't even look like a diaper bag and that's what I love the most. (found via Ohdeedoh)

I also want to brush up on my sewing skills so I can make a few of my own crib sheets. How inspiring is this classroom? 

I've always liked chocolate and ice cream but now I crave it daily. I've been stopping in Baskin Robbins once a week for a quart of my favorite ice cream ever, World Class Chocolate but It's getting spendy and I'm looking for other ways to satisfy my craving. I came upon this recipe and I knew this would be it.
 You had me at hello.

This girls style minus the cancer stick.
 
a few of my favorite stamps getting the pink slip. get 'em before they're gone! my favorite add on that includes most of my picks from CHA winter 2010. washi tape!!
Sneak Peeks for June's kit and add on's here. 
 

Happy Friday!
T

girl craves friday.

wiping my hands clean of this week. it was sort of dull. at least the warm sun made it's appearance here in Alaska. we're all happy about that. i am looking forward to my visit to the greenhouse this weekend to pick up some lovelies. i love strolling around with my wagon and hand picking blooms. so relaxing and worth the long winter.

because i spend a ton of time on google reader, today's friday post will be what blogs this girls loves the most.

these I have filed under my inspire file:

Dispatch From LA. I really enjoy her notebook collages. It reminds me of the way I use to scrap.
June Craft. I look forward to her desktop downloads for my work computer.
Karen Russel.
Paper + Cup.
Simplesong random inspiration.
Sandra Juto.
Daily Imprint.

my daily reads: (the blogs I head to first)
Garance Dore
The Satorialist
The Image is Found, Personal Blog
Cake Wrecks. This one always gives me a good laugh.
A Cup fo Jo.
Pioneer Woman. Funny, witty and awesome recipes.

food blogs:
Sprouted Kitchen. Beautiful food photography.
Smitten Kitchen.
Bakerella.

photography: (I have a ton book marked but I list my very favs)
Michelle Moore.
Erin Vey
Caroline Tran

scrapbookers:
Eye Candy.
Ali Edwards.
The Good Life I'm so happy to JP blogging again!
Waters Five.

my girls.
The whole SC gang which is on the sidebar there>>>>
Jamaica Makes
Creative Blessing
Hey Jen Renee

I've got a ton more but these are the one's I keep up with the most. Hopefully there's a few in there that are new to you. I'm always excited when I come across a new blog.

Glad you all understood where I was coming from in yesterday's post. I enjoyed a Nachos Bel Grande from Taco Bell without any guilt. Because the bean get what the beans wants....for now. :)

Happy mom's day to all you special ladies out there. Hope the weather is beautiful where ever you are.
Happy weekend,
T

a brief post.

I don't want this blog to turn into a pregnancy blog.
But I have started to compile a list of things to NOT say to a pregnant woman.

1. "this must be part of the pregnancy mood swing thing."
2. "you're eating again?"

The first one I could deal with. The second, not so much. It was just plain rude and came out of the mouth of a woman who is completely obsessed with dieting. I'm already feeling some what self conscious about my food intake but if it curbs my nausea, then so be it.

Venting here. Forgive me for 2 pregnancy posts in a row.

Back to work.
T

at 8 weeks & 4 days, I....

am obsessed with asian pears & cantaloupe.
am feeling some what better as far as morning sickness goes.
am getting a tiny bit of roundness to my belly.
feeling fat.
have no desire to take pretty pictures. I hope pray that this feeling goes away.
am positive I do not want to be a wedding photographer. More on this later.
am forgetting simple things.
still have a weird yucky taste in my mouth when I'm not eating or drinking.
still do not want coffee anywhere near me.
looking for a decent pair of pants.
will be going to the mall to purchase a few Bella Bands.
am already getting people tickling my belly and cooing. I especially love this from my niece who gently pokes me and say "you got a baby in there?"
want to take out my mood swings on a coworker right now. But I won't. I am trying very hard not to.
can no longer watch FoodTV which I use to watch ALL THE TIME. I now love the History Channel & MTV2.
looking forward to diving into the new Sookie novel.
can't wait to go home and scrapbook tomorrow's Dare and my "a week in the life" mini.

I scrapped this last night using Studio Calico's Anthology line and the new Coordination paper. Cool stuff.
 
xo, t.

you know what time it is.

Kits go on sale tonight!

nothing can stand in my way.

The last of my Studio Calico sneaks for March. I'm seriously pooped from scrapping all of yesterday. Not complaining though. It's nice to be on a creative high after a long slump on nothingness. I wanted to thank all of my SC girls for supporting me in the greengable photo contest. I wasn't bummed at all when I saw I didn't win because the love you all showed me was worth more than a win. I'm so happy to be apart of friendly, supportive scrap community. Thanks to all of those who went voted. :)

Can you believe we're in the last week of February?! This is a good thing. I feel as though I'm coasting through the worst part of winter. The sun is shining and even though it's only 17 degrees, I can still feel the warmth radiate through my body. Currently rocking out to the YeahYeahYeahs, and about to nosh on some delicious spring rolls which is adding to my euphoric feeling. This is unusual for a Monday...something I can certainly get use to.

happy monday,
Tina

twenty5

tagged by Jocelyne.
25 random things.

1. I've always loved Valentines day.
2. I'm normally a pink toe girl but I went darker this time. Doesn't feel like me.
3. I finally got the balls to take a photo in a public place.
4. I hated the movie version of Twilight.
5. I'm pondering the thought of going short with my hair again.
6. I'm crazy into pink right now.
7. I'm  not sure if I'm ready to take the next step in the fertility game.
8. I eat a bowl of rice with salted kim (nori) about 3 or 4 times a week for dinner.
9. I love the smell of my dogs fur on the tops of their heads.
10. I refuse to buy a pair of dansko shoes. Everyone in my office owns several pairs. I'm happy with my dirty Vans.
11. I strongly believe less is more.
12. I buy myself fresh flowers every friday.
13. I once wanted to learn to read tarot.
14. I buy skateboard magazines for inspiration.
15. If money wasn't an object, I would be driving a silver land rover.
16. and taking photos with a hassleblad.
17. Listening to the adam carolla podcast gets me through the workday.
18. I love pajamas. The majority of my wardrobe is sadly, pajamas.
Which brings me to random #19, I love my sleep. I need my 8 hours and I need my soft, clean sheets and favorite blanket.
20. I grind my teeth.
21. Give me coffee and tea but no energy drinks.
22. Sometimes I wish I was more in touch with my korean heritage.
23. I think it's extremely rude to not say thank you.
24. I miss Alice's Antiques here in Anchorage. I always found the best things there.
25. I love the way my little niece says my name.

a little random list is fun to once in awhile.
consider yourself tagged. :)
happy sunday....
Tina

love, love.

Valentines Day is one of those holidays you either love or hate.
Me...I'm a lover, no doubt. The hearts, the flowers, seeing the crowd of men hovered over each other in the card aisle at the grocery store and the looks on their faces as they ponder which flowers to buy. 
No matter what side of the fence you're on, I hope you have a lovely Valentines Day. 
 
have a great weekend,
Tina

fog lifted.

a lot of you are know the feeling mondays can bring on.  I sent my husband a text durring work I will not repeat on my blog but he called shortly after to say "case of the mondays, huh"
Yes, I was so sickened with the monday blahs. so much so that I was pretty much mute at work most of the day. the only time I enjoyed was my lunch hour where I immediatly exit the building and into my civic for a jaunt around midtown. Today it was barnes & noble...a usual lunch spot. My mood is lifted when I see new issues of regular reads. I quit buying ragmags but will occassional flip through an usweekly for amusement. I'm no fan of jessica simpson but the whole weight gain matter is over the top. after a few magazine purchases, a good cup of strong local coffee and some fresh air, I return to the office more alive and aware. I take on several projects and chat with a coworker about how we have a hard time shopping for tops versus pants and that funny kid doped up after a dentist visit on youtube. Before I know it, it's quittin' time and I'm overjoyed I've survived yet another monday in a small office full of women who all had the same case of the mondays. 
I have to say I loved reading all of your comments on what made your day. It's these good, positive things that allow us to weed through the bad stuff that comes up now and again. It's also these things that make a not-so-great monday worth going through.
I couldn't settle on one winner so I chose two.

I'm a little late, but thought I'd throw my two cents in anyway. - my best girl is asleep in bed -drinking a frozen coffee drink -checking up on all my favorite blogs -waiting for my husband to call......Mary Claire

A 4-mile run on my treadmill. A little crafting. Out to dinner with the whole family for my dad's birthday. :-)....Deana Boston

Please email me at lifelovepaper@gmail.com.
Thanks everyone for posting a little piece of your happiness here.
Tina

fog

I will be back later today to post the winner of the February print giveway...just as soon as I get my barrings on this fine Monday morning.

hiphiphooray for monday!

what? me...slightly overjoyed on a monday? it's a bizarre feeling I tell ya.
here why....

1. Being featured on the super blog, a cup of jo. Thank you Thank you Thank you. :)
2. Last nights episode of the Office. Maybe they should consider moving that show to Sunday nights. I find it's a great way to kick off the week.
3. That one Career Builder commercial with the cute koala getting punched. I can relate to everything up to the guy in the blue speedos.
4. The wool peacoat I wanted forever but never purchased that I found on the clearance rack today. Last one, my size, discount on top of a discount. Love. I have not shame. I will wear my clearance rack coat proudly.
5. The tasty apple goat cheese salad I'm eating for lunch. *pause for a bite*
6. Knowing that my treadmill is back from his 2 month sabbatical. So are my running shoes. They're eager to get back to work starting today. *must update ipod*

What's got you going on this fine day?
Hit me up and I'll pick a winner for a free print!
:)
Tina

 

honest to blog?

it's exactly 8:10pm, Tuesday and I'm watching Juno for the 4th time. Not because it's cool but it's on and I'm not into anything else. I consider Juno to be a good movie as background noise for when I'm patiently waiting for a page to load on my ever slow laptop or finally deciding I might have something interesting to voice on my blog.
My hibernation week went by fast and I'm glad I took the time off work. I needed time away from my office. I was feeling a bit drone-like there for awhile. Bad thing is, after my 2 day back, I'm still feeling like a drone. A little office drone.

______________________________________________________________________________

9:16am, Thursday at work. I don't know if this post is meant to be but I'm going on day 3 of trying to get just 1 entry done. I began to type again last night but my lovely laptop froze up on me for the umpteenth time. I think I need to just take it in and have it cleaned up. also must learn to save a draft.
I ended my last post because I felt as though is was headed towards the negative side of things. I'm all about honesty and would normally just blurt out my thoughts, good or bad but I don't always want things to sound so dramatic. I simply am having a hard time getting back into the swing of things at the office.
On the upside of things, I put up my sweet mini Valentine Day cards last night. As of this morning, they are all sold but I will have more up hopefully by Friday. If you want to put a set on hold, email me and I'll be happy to do that for you. I'll be making 2 sets, one with TTV images, the other with my polaroids. Also, if you ever see anything on my Flickr page you would like as a print or turned into mini cards, just drop me a line. :)

Did you catch the release of February's Studio Calico kit? There are some sweet exclusive SC papers in this one. My favorite was the fortune cookie paper.
Cool, no? I've posted my other layouts in the Studio Calico photo album to the left of my blog. Of course I had other things I wanted to put down but have forgotten. How likely of me....to forget. I cannot tell you how many moleskin notebooks, pieces of paper, printed emails, and torn bits that have thoughts written on them. That's one resolution that's going slow. We live in the age of organization yet I still haven't come to terms with the meaning. One day I tell you, one day my home will be the epitome of organized bliss, all Martha Stewart like with matching baskets in robin's egg blue and seafoam green. one day. 

A glimpse of my hibernation week. Valentines Day projects, enjoying a cup of hot tea next to the fire, playing with my new camera lens....happy, rested me.
Take care,
Tina