Friday, July 26, 2013

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1. Artist: audrey*kawasaki
I have a thing for Japanese artists. 
Not sure where it comes from but, I'm a fan.
I found her from watching this YouTube video of Christina Perri (singer of "Jar of Hearts" & "A Thousand Years") getting a tattoo form Kat Von D.  I am a big fan of both of those artists also. The tattoo she got was a work of Audrey Kawasaki.


Bio From Her Site:
The themes in Audrey Kawasaki's work are contradictions within themselves. Her work is both innocent and erotic. Each subject is attractive yet disturbing. Audrey's precise technical style is at once influenced by both manga comics and Art Nouveau. Her sharp graphic imagery is combined with the natural grain of the wood panels she paints on, bringing an unexpected warmth to enigmatic subject matter. 

The figures she paints are seductive and contain an air of melancholy. They exist in their own sensually esoteric realm, yet at the same time present a sense of accessibility that draws the observer to them. These mysterious young women captivate with the direct stare of their bedroom eyes. 

This is my favorite piece. It's called "Two Sisters".
For me I see it as a yin & yang image representing the inner struggle of the same person. By her title I am not sure if that was the artists intention for this piece, but that is what rocks about art.  It can be whatever you want it to be.  Love, love, love...
 

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Thursday, July 25, 2013

So true. Mason (my 3 yr. old) did the cardio cd of P90X with me the other day. He keeps telling me, "Mom, you need to do your "superman - bananas." He's right....I do. He also keeps wearing around my bib number from that Color Vibe 5K I did and he says "Mom, I'm a runner like you." I even got him to eat broccoli yesterday. 

I'm trying to change my unhealthy ways because I know my kids will be watching, but this was a cute reminder that I need to try harder.
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Reuters Photo: Suzanne Plunkett
I am not a follower of the Royals.  I knew a baby was coming but that was about it.  I just now looked up some news on it.  When I was combing through the articles I saw the picture above of the happy couple and their new bundle of joy, looking much like any ordinary little family. Then I noticed how sweet, natural and lovely Kate looks.  I don't think I have seen anyone in the media look as beautiful after giving birth.  Then it hit me, I don't think I HAVE seen anyone so high-profile so soon after giving birth.  They usually go into hiding until many sessions with a personal trainer and they attribute their post body only to the calories burned by breastfeeding.  


I applaud Kate for helping the self confidence of all new mommies that worry when they still "look pregnant"  after giving birth.  I absolutely LOVE that she went for a dress with a waist and not a tent - unapologetic for still having her bump post baby. Maybe that wasn't the intention but even if not purposefully it will serve as a beautiful comforting image for new moms.  I do not doubt Kate will be slimmed and toned before you to know it but it is nice to see a famous person brave enough to just be in the moment with their baby and not worried about what will they say about my "post-baby body".  I wonder after all the positive PR she gets for doing this if we will start to see a trend of other famous moms following suit? 

 I am also I fan of the nod to Princess Diana with wearing polka dots...again whether intentional or not. :)
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Friday, July 19, 2013


You know those yummy airplane cookies?
Crush'em up into a cookie spread and Bam!
Great substitute for peanut butter 
for those with nut allergies. It is sooo good!
As I mentioned in my last post, we just threw a little reception at our home for our daughter's Christening.  Before I had to deal with my emergency root canal I had planned on trying to make one of these beautiful tiered ruffled burlap tablecloths.  I just ended up throwing a piece of burlap over the table with a lace runner, but this is still on my wish list for parties.  If you are not a sewer or just want to save time this one is for sale on Etsy and it is gorgeous!

PaulaAndErika

Country Chic Home Decor 

**FYI Jo-Ann Fabric is running a ONE DAY SALE today (7-19-13) on burlap. Think I might snag this for whenever I decide to tackle this sewing project.

So cool. This is the Verizon accessory of the month right now.  I know this due to my husband working for Verizon.  Totally going to snag one of these.  This HD Camera has night vision and can be watched on your smart devices like your phone or tablet.  No worries about range either.   It can alert you if there is movement so people are using them for home surveillance while they are out of town, etc. You can literally watch it ANYWHERE by just adding the app. Know what this says to me?  
Kick ass BABY MONITOR!!!

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Thursday, July 18, 2013


My husband follows this site called "theCHIVE". In an attempt to prove to me there is more on there than pictures of beautiful women he shared with me a post called "30 Amazing Life Hacks Worth Giving a Shot". So here is the one that I have been using the past couple days since reading the post. 

 How to make a yummy toasted sandwich, toasted on the outside and soft inside, in.....wait for it.....your regular everyday no frills toaster. 

Mind blown! Pshhh!
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Wednesday, July 17, 2013

My first attempt at making an ombre cake.
Pretty pleased with the result.
Our daughter had her Christening this past weekend.  Last week while knee deep in party preparation for our family flying in from out of state I had to have an emergency root canal.  Oh the pain and perfectly imperfect timing.  Yes, it was very difficult decorating on pain killers but it was such a blessing to have my Mother in town to help me.  She was here to help me keep an extra close eye on the kids while I was medicated, let me catch a nap when the pain was putting me in orbit, helped cut and hand me tape for decorations, etc.  Best part was making an unforgettable memory while making Emerson's cake at 3 am while she shared with me all of my late grandmother's baking tips.  She was a hard working single mom for much of my up-bring and there was just never time for us to have such bonding experiences.  Better late than never.  Definitely going to be a cherished memory of my mother.  She was amazing! No idea how I would have juggled the pain, appointment, watching the kids if it were any other time since I am a SAHM with no other childcare option right now.  God was most definitely watching over our family.  
Feeling Blessed!

**(Post & pictures from the weekend soon.)**
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Saturday, July 06, 2013

My little man is a fan of all things superhero.  
He runs around our house in underwear and a cape most days.  
So it isn't surprising he also wants to fly.
I love his imagination and love of role play so I help when I can.
Here is a tutorial on how I gave my little man jets to fly.

 Supplies: 2 Large Plastic Drink Bottles, Cardboard for Wings (I used a shoe box), Felt for Flames, Black Tape, Heavy String, Scissors, Hot Glue Gun
Crafters Assemble! 
 1. Cover the Bottles with the Black Tape

 2. Draw & Cut Out the Cardboard Wings. Make 4 holes for the string straps.

 3. Thread the string through the holes to make straps. Think Backpack.
Use your child to measure the length of the straps for better fit.


 4. Place tape on the strings to make sure they don't move around or slip out of place.
5. Hot glue your bottles to the cardboard wings.

6. Make a hole on each side of the bottles. Run a string across the bottles.
Tie in the back for added support of the bottles to the cardboard.


 7. Create the felt flames.
Either free hand or find a pattern online for flames to trace and cut.



 8. I used a second layer of yellow to create a fire feel.
Just trace around the red flame onto the yellow.
Then freehand the same shape, just smaller.

 9.Hot glue your yellow layer on top of the red layer.

 10. Hot glue your felt flames into the holes at the bottom of the bottles.

11.  I decided to color the string across the bottles black so it didn't stick out so much.
Just a person preference.  I know my son wouldn't care or even notice.
 Finished Jet Pack Ready for Take Off

My Superhero taking his new jet pack 
for its maiden voyage.

**UPDATE/MODIFICATION: I found the straps kept slipping of his little shoulders.  
So I created a chest strap. Basically I attached a string to each shoulder strap at chest level and then they tie together as if you were tying a shoe.

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