Happy Pretty

Friday Finds-Oscar Winners from the 1950s

2012-02-24T15:29:00.000-08:00

In honor of the Oscars being this weekend today I'm celebrating the time when the Oscars were full of glamour and intrigue. These days we know what every actor/actress ate for breakfast, lunch and dinner before the show! Leaving a little to our imaginations made actors and actresses of the 1950's so much more interesting. Enjoy these images from that far away time that I fear we'll never get back to.
The following movies, actors and actresses were nominated for and/or won a coveted gold statue in the 1950's.

Audrey Hepburn won Best Actress for Roman Holiday

Sidney Poitier became the first African American to win an Oscar for his role in Lilies of the Field

The timeless Grace Kelly won Best Actress for her role in The Country Girl

Montgomery Clift was nominated for his role in A Place in The Sun...a great movie btw!

all photo credits: Wikipedia.org and Amazon.com

Think about it Thursday-Anohter Museum or Safe Children?

2012-02-23T06:18:00.000-08:00

Another Museum for our Nation or Safe Children in our Nation?

I saw on the news yesterday that President Obama broke ground at the site of a new museum, The National Museum of African American History and Culture…the cost to complete this building? The total cost is $500 million to build it and congress already earmarked half of that…so congress is handing over 250 MILLION DOLLARS to build this museum! President Obama says the museum will help “keep memories alive”…do you have any idea how many CHILDREN we could keep alive with $250 million?! I honor and respect and genuinely like President Obama but do we really need another museum, right now when our country’s children are at risk every single day? Is building another museum right now the most pressing issue our funds could be going towards? Did you know that at least five children die every day in our country as a result of child abuse? Did you know that a report of child abuse is made every TEN SECONDS in our country?

Read another story that made yesterday’s headlines and tell me we need another museum before we need to address the epidemic of abusing and killing children in our nation:

http://news.yahoo.com/authorities-children-tied-bed-texas-home-232935688.html

With $250 million dollars, we could have more case-workers checking on these children more diligently and more often. We could have more police officers and create task forces of police officers dedicated solely to aiding abused children.

We could prevent this atrocity from happening again…why don’t more people get outraged over this? Why don’t more people try harder to help these sweet children? I simply do not understand. Maybe rather than building another museum, instead to honor the memory of the African American journey and the injustice and cruelty that they endured in this country, we could prevent torture and abuse of the children that live here right now…today?

I know this train of thought might make me sound radical and I promise I’m not…I just sacrifice a great deal of my time and my life to try to help abused children and all I ever hear is how there isn’t enough money to help them any further. A few years ago, I sat on a board that helped to bring so much awareness to child abuse prevention and it was doing really great things for the community and our children and we had to disband because there simply was not enough money. Currently I sit on the Arizona Foster Care Review Board and all I hear about, time and time again, is how there isn’t enough funding to provide any more services than our state already does for these innocent children. And then I read another story like the one about these poor children in Texas and I just can’t imagine that anyone believes we need another museum more than we need to help these babies!!!!

Please help today in any way you can:

www.childhelp.org

www.preventchildabuse.org

Lamp Re-do DIY

2012-02-22T19:24:00.000-08:00

I got this simple base and lamp shade from Target and added a little oomph to make it work with my new family room sofa and chairs.
Here's what I started with:

And after placing the decorative paper tape 3 inches apart on the shade and then adding the stamps I got this:

Hope you all had a lovely Wednesday! :)

Motivational Monday-Leaders

2012-02-20T06:45:00.000-08:00

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“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” 

~John Quincy Adams

Happy President's Day blogging friends!! :)

Friday Finds-Tea Cups

2012-02-17T07:00:00.000-08:00

I love tea! I love the way it tastes, I love the scent and I love the pretty tea cups most of all! I especially love to find a quiet moment to sit alone and drink my tea and just reflect and be peaceful (it doesn't happen often.) ;) So today Friday Finds celebrates my love of tea and the oh so lovely tea cup!

How freakin cute are these???!!!

Teacups just make everything look so delicate and lovely!

And you can even have endless fun INSIDE a teacup!

Well blogging friends have a fantastic Friday! I'm off to make myself a cup of... ;)

Think about it Thursday-Do The Right Thing...just because

2012-02-16T15:30:00.000-08:00

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"You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him."~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
When was the last time you did something for a total stranger...just because? Or tried to make positive change in your community, because you knew it was the right thing to do, not for any other reason? Listed below are 5ways you can make positive change...just because it's the right thing to do!!! Busy you say? Join the club ;) ...find the time....you'll be glad you did and you may just make a difference in the process!

1. Donate items to a local shelter for abused children. Here in Phoenix a great place to give: Crisis Nursery Don't live in Phoenix? Email me your city and I'll find you a location to support in your area!

2. Need something more simple? Pay for coffee for the person behind you in Starbucks, or help that elderly woman in the parking lot get her groceries in the car. Just look around, there is someone needing a hand all around you!

You don't even have to leave your couch for the next three:

3. You can go to www.change.org and sign a petition to help a cause that needs your support! You don't even have to start your own, just search for one that peaks your interest!

4. Join www.ruck.us to take action through petitions and other avenues for political causes you feel passionate about and meet other people who feel the same way!

5. Start a project of your own, or support an existing project, on www.crowdrise.com! You can even find celebs who do selfless things all the time on Crowdrise! Good stuff!

Did you know that tomorrow is Random Acts of Kindness Day? So do your part and start thinking about it today...DO SOMETHING...if you're really ambitious you could do something today AND tomorrow! And who knows, maybe you'll find a cause you feel so passionately about you'll become a permanent part of their quest to make positive change! It just takes one person to start change...take heed from my favorite quote EVER:
"Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little."~Edmund Burke

Repurpose An Old Frame

2012-02-15T06:14:00.000-08:00

Hello blogging friends! Here's a crazy easy tutorial for you...literally anyone could do it! :) I am redoing my family room, from sage-y toile to greys, blacks and creams. While I've definitely purchased some new staple items I don't want to get rid of some of the little touches in the room that I really like....so I'm repurposing a few items at a time, like this frame that I bought years ago on clearance. The frame started out gold and I painted it this creamy color and stuck some pretty toile paper in it...

For the re-do I decided I wanted a little more "pop"...so I took some stencils and black paint and painted the word "cherish" on some new grey scrapbook paper...

stuck the decorative paper right back in, back on the wall hanging and whoala...my repurposed wall decor is complete!

All you need to create your own is an old frame, some paint, decorative paper, and a stencil you love, you could even do a decoration rather than a word, like a fleur de lis! Can't wait to see what you come up with for your re-purposed frame! :)
Happy Wednesday to you all!!!! :)

Motivational Monday-Good Friendship=Good Marriage

2012-02-13T06:14:00.000-08:00

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“The best friend is likely to acquire the best wife, because a good marriage is based on the talent for friendship.”

~Friedrich Nietzsche

Today is my big guy's birthday...my hubbie is turning 39 today! We have been together for 18 of those 39 years...WOW! Time truly does fly by!
If you read my blog regularly, you know that I'm a big believer in celebrating the good in everyone and everything as often as possible...whether it's a birthday or not...I believe in celebrating the people and the blessings in your life every day!
But on this birthday of my hubby...I offer you the above quote about marriage, because when I think of the hubby...I think of marriage, big stretch right?! ;) I learned this one early on...I try to only treat and speak to my man as I would my best girlfriend. I think if you remember to count him as your best friend, flaws and all, you will find success! And I absolutely count our marriage as a success...because we've had it all, good, bad, sad, happy, sickness, health...and we stand strong, most days ;) despite of, or maybe because of, it all!!
So I say celebrate your man and your marriage today (even if it's not his birthday) ;)....celebrate him and your love anyway, just because!!
Happy Birthday Big Guy!!!! :)

Think About it Thursday...

2012-02-09T13:34:00.000-08:00

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Fourteen years ago today my Daddy decided to end his life. Today, on the first Think About it Thursday....I ask that you all do two things. First, if you still have your Daddy...be thankful for that, and celebrate him, flaws and all! Second, if you know anyone who seems to be struggling, don't be afraid to talk about it. If you're that someone, don't be afraid to reach out. Life is so precious and isn't meant to be wasted my an impulse decision...by the time it's done, you're gone and can't realize how loved and needed you really were, because you gave up too soon. It ALWAYS gets better...sometimes not the next day, sometimes not even the next week...but it does get better and you will get through whatever troubles you today...I promise. We miss you Daddy.

Motivational Monday-Adversity

2012-02-06T12:22:00.000-08:00

“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.”

~ Anne Bradstreet

This week marks the 14 year anniversary of my Daddy's death...I can't even believe it's been that long!!! It was an ugly time but I truly grew so much in that first year and it helped shape the Mama, wife, friend, woman I am today! If you're struggling with something today, please know that it will become easier and this struggle will help make you better, even if it doesn't feel like that could possibly be true today, I promise it will!

Friday Finds-Pink on Pinterest

2012-02-03T21:46:00.000-08:00

I'm having one of those weeks where I wish I was interested in LESS! ;) If you read my blog you know that I try to squeeze as much out of life as possible..."life's for living" is what my monkeys hear me say on a daily basis! But the last couple weeks I've packed so much life in that I am tired...hence Friday Finds coming to you way too late! ;) So when I want to shut my mind off for a bit I exercise, too tired for that, and I browse around on Pinterest! It's such a peaceful place to just flit around...so Friday Finds come yet again from that sanctuary full of delicious photos! Enjoy these Friday Finds...My Top 5 Pink Finds on Pinterest Today!

Pink and Pinterest...what a lovely combination!! Enjoy your weekend my bloggin friends!

Decorative Wood Crate-Tutorial

2012-02-01T16:09:00.000-08:00

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What you’ll Need:

It just wouldn’t be one of my tutorials if I didn’t forget to include something in the pic! ;) Sorry…you’ll need spray paint and your hot glue gun in addition to the following items:

· Wood Unfinished Crate

· Cindy Loo Cricut Cartridge or some stencils would work too

· Decorative Paper

· Pretty Ribbon

· A corresponding Metal Accent (I used this brooch)

What you’ll Do:

· Paint your crate solid black with the spray paint

· Use your ink and stamp and place the stamped message all over the crate

· Use Cricut cartridge “Cindy Loo” to cut out your letters: LOVE

· Use some swirly scissors to cut out some background decorative paper

· Decoupage the paper and LOVE to the box

· Hot Glue the decorative pin and ribbon to the box

Some people use these handy wooden crates to store CDs or DVDs. I will be keeping my drumsticks in there!! It’s the perfect size and I’ve yet to find something pretty to store those in! And because mine is being used for something I LOVE to do…(not necessarily something I’m good at yet, btw)…but because I LOVE drums and it's been my dream to learn to play for FOREVER...this Valentine/Love themed creation has a different kind of meaning for me, and hence the stamping all over with the quote I love and totally live by… “if you can imagine it, you can achieve it, if you can dream it, you can become it” - Love that! If you aren't a drum aficionado, you could fill your wood crate with all the cards your sweetheart has given you, you could put craft supplies in there, it even works to store little baggies of snacks for the monkeys….there are just endless possibilities!

If you create one of your own, as always, please share pics with me and let me know what special purpose you’re using your wood crate for!!

Motivational Monday-Go Out on a Limb!

2012-01-30T07:43:00.000-08:00

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“Why not go out on a limb? That's where the fruit is.”

~Will Rogers

Friday Finds-Magazine Covers I'm Loving!

2012-01-27T05:50:00.000-08:00

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If you've read my "about me" page you know that I have a passion so huge for magazines that I actually even helped to create one! So my eye is still in that world and I get such a huge thrill from a beautiful cover! So this Friday I share with you covers that I am LOVING right now! The shift from models to actresses being on covers hasn't delighted me because I think it's detracted from the art and sheer beauty of the covers of day's gone by...but this month a couple mags got it right, check them out! And have a wonderful weekend my blogging friends!!

Cover Credit: Mario Sorrenti/W

Cover Creidt: Marito Testino/Vogue

143 Valentines Day Card-Tutorial

2012-01-25T16:17:00.000-08:00

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I don’t know about you guys but my hubbie and I text each other A LOT!! We text “143” to say I love you just about every day! So I created this little tech savvy valentine’s day card for him and thought you all might have someone you say “143” to on a regular basis who might also enjoy it!

Supplies Needed:

Patterned Paper

Curvy Scissors

A Love Poem

Decorative Stickers and/or gems

Stencils

Sharpie Markers

Greeting Card Paper

Glue Dots

What to do:

· Use stencils and sharpie marker to write numbers (1, 4, 3) on patterned paper

· Cut around the numbers creating heart shapes

· Use glue dots to affix the heart numbers to the coordinating papers

· Cut the coordinating paper into square shapes

· Affix coordinating paper to cover the front of the card completely

· Affix the heart numbers and then add some trim

· Add a decorative heart sticker to the trim for some extra fun!

· Use the curvy scissors to put some patterned paper on the inside of the card

· Cut out the poem with curvy scissors and affix to the patterned paper inside the card

· Add another pretty decorative heart sticker

· And your Tech Savvy Valentine’s Day card is complete!

Motivational Monday-Winter Tree

2012-01-23T05:43:00.000-08:00

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“Sometimes our fate resembles a fruit tree in winter.

Who would think that those branches would turn green again and blossom, but we hope it, we know it.”

~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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Valentine's Day Frame-DIY

2012-01-18T15:06:00.000-08:00

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This project was super easy, it took about an hour to make and cost about $5! As always, if you create a version for yourself I’d love to see what you come up with!

Items needed:

· ModPodge

· Acrylic Paint

· Unfinished wood frame

· Decorative Paper

· Embellished Stickers

· Scallopped Scissors

· Regular Scissors

Steps to make:

· Paint the frame

· Cut strips of the heart paper for trim

· Attach the heart paper around the opening of the frame

· place heart stickers on music paper and cut around them

· Place the hearts on the frame, I put mine in the four corners

· Cut out the words of the poem and place them around the frame

· type out words (I used the “typewriter” font) of the poem and then cut out in strips

· fit the word strips on to strips of the heart paper you used for the trim

· Mod Podge the words of the poem around all four sides of the frame

Motivational Monday-Faith is taking the first step...

2012-01-16T06:07:00.000-08:00

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"Faith is taking the

first step even when you

don't see the whole staircase"

~Martin Luther King Jr.

Friday Finds-Mood Lifters

2012-01-13T11:10:00.000-08:00

It's Friday the 13th!! Some call it a lucky day, most seem to deem it unlucky. I'll never forget in about 5th grade or so I won a big drawing at school and the lady at the office who gave me my big prize said to me "see it's your LUCKY day after all" and then I went home and broke my arm! ;) So I say today is just like every other day...whatever you make it! So here are 13 mood lifters to help ensure you make today an awesome day, full of joy!

I hope these 13 images made you smile, and help you make this 13th day of the month, a magical one!
I found all these gems on Pinterest btw!

DIY-Black and Green Butterfly Picture

2012-01-12T05:45:00.000-08:00

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Good morning blogging friends!!! :) CraftDay Wednesday is happening on a Thursday on my first week back in the new year! ;)
This one is SO super simple, I almost feel guilty calling it a tutorial! ;)
So I saw this quote on a mug in Starbucks and I just loved it!!! "Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over it became a Butterfly"I love butterflies, there's a special reason, and I loved them long before every girl on this green Earth decided they did too, and got one tattooed somewhere on her body! ;) Not judging anyone who has one btw...I'm sure it looks super cute! :)

Ok so here's what you need:

A backless FrameA blank CanvasAcrylic PaintA stamp and ink padScrapbook PaperFloral EmbellishementsDecorative Ribbon Sawtooth hangersHot glue Gun

Here's what you do:

Start by painting your canvas Type the quote out onto a piece of paper and cut it any shape you likeCut a piece of that scrapbook paper you got out and place them togetherModpodge them to the canvas, once it's dry of course ;)Then place the stamp on the canvasPut the embellishments on the canvas, even though mine were stickers I still hot glued them to be safeOnce you've completed all the canvas work place the canvas in the frame, I made mine a tight fitThen using the two sawtooth hangers, place them on the back side of your frame on either sideThen guide your ribbon through so you can hang it with a pretty bow

And the finished product on the wall:

It was fun talking with you all on a Thursday! I don't usually get to do that! Hope it's a great one!!!!

I'm back!!! :)

2012-01-10T09:23:00.000-08:00

Hello my lovely blogging friends!!! I'm back!!! You know how I'm always posting quotes and reminders to live every day to the fullest and to enjoy all the little, amazing things life has to offer? Well....that's what I've been doing! I was enjoying my monkeys while they had their Christmas break and then catching up on some "real" life work! But I will be back tomorrow with a fun tutorial to share with you all!! I look forward to catching up with all my awesome blogging friends!! I hope you all are off to a glowing start this week!!

Motivational Monday-Prayer

2011-12-12T12:58:00.000-08:00

Regardless of your religious beliefs, we can all pray. I love quotes so sometimes I feel like I've seen them all...but I stumbled upon this one, that I had never before seen, and I just relate so very much to it and wanted to share with my blogging friends in hopes it will touch your heart as well.

I pray because I can't help myself. I pray because I'm helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time- waking and sleeping. It doesn't change God- it changes me.

~C.S .Lewis

Have a wonderfully joyous week!!!

Friday Finds-Coastal Christmas Decor

2011-12-09T16:11:00.000-08:00

Howdy blogging friends!! Ok for today's Friday Finds I wanted to do a different take on Christmas Decorating! My five favorite "Coastal Christmas" looks! Even though none of these look like my tree and/or holiday decor...I am LOVING these looks from Coastal Living!! LOVE that magazine btw...it brings me joy every month, every time I flip through it! Hope you enjoy these fun and different Christmas looks! :)

DIY-Red and White Christmas Wreath

2011-12-07T12:36:00.000-08:00

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Happy Wednesday my blogging friends!! Here's a little HOW TO for you!

This wreath was super easy to make and has that good ol' traditional Christmas feel to it!
Here's what you need:

A wreath from any hobby/craft store (mine was only $3 on sale!!)A paper mache starSome flowers to place on star Festive RibbonA wood chip word (I used "joy") A hot glue gun

Here's what you do:
Start by spreading out the branches of the wreath so it looks less "flat"Hot glue the flowers to the starHot glue the finished star to the wreathHot glue the word to the wreathCut stops of ribbon to length and tie bows on branches of the wreathPut the two ribbons together and use to hang
And in no time at all you have a completed festive wreath!

Would love to see what kind of awesome holiday crafts you all are making!! :) Hope you had a lovely Wednesday!!:)

Motivational Monday-Joy during the Holidays

2011-12-05T09:54:00.000-08:00

We can't escape it, it's every where we turn...the holidays and Christmas are officially all consuming for most people these days! Even a trip to the Target isn't quite the same in these days before the holiday, where are all these people hiding the rest of the year?! ;)
I am of the opinion that the holiday hoopla was created by people who had a happy, wonderful family. Prime example, I'm guessing Father's Day and Mother's Day weren't created by peeps who grew up in a house like mine or homes like I witness regularly in the foster care system! For those not blessed with such the holidays can be a very sad time and a time to remind them of all they don't have...I was one such person until my 21st birthday when God blessed me with the Nicely Fam! :)

“The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.”
― Thich Nhat Hanh
Before I was blessed to be a part of this amazing family, that I'm beyond proud to say is now my family, there were things I did to remind myself of all that was RIGHT and GOOD in my world, it's how I maintained a positive outlook, most of the time ;) and so I want to share some of those tips for you here today. These are a few things you can get started on today, there is no waiting, just get in and get them done and watch your attitude improve!
Top 3 Things You Can Do to Keep you Focused on the Positive this Holiday Season (and always)
1. Make a list of all that you DO have Here is where I would always list things like: my pets, good health, good friends. The list could and should even include the little things that bring great joy like you just got a book you've been excited to read, so you would add to your list; "joy that you had the means to go and buy said book!"
2. Keep positive messages and quotations all around you I like to put mine on some pretty paper and then frame them, you can find a frame at the dollar store if money is tight and make it your own by painting it or decoupaging it if you have the means and know how, and most of you reading this blog do! ;)
3. Help someone who is less fortunate than youAnd believe me no matter how bad things are someone else always has it worse. Reach out to them and try to brighten their day and I promise you, you'll feel better for it! Don't know where to start? Try this site and find a cause/organization that speaks to your heart and plan to spend some time this holiday season giving back: http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.results&overallrtg=4
Whatever you do, don't give up hope! Someday life will be all you dreamed it could be (or close to it anyway) so keep your chin up and hang in there! I hope these little tips help you get through another holiday season and I will keep my fingers crossed that next holiday season you're one step closer to having the life you've always wanted! :)
I hope this fine Monday is the start of a great week my blogging friends!!! :)