our daily obsessions

:: Valentine's Day - decor inspiration

2012-01-27T00:00:00.000-08:00

Love the Valentine's Day decor I was able to find on Pinterest.
If you haven't decorated already, here are some cute ideas . . .

Source: duitang.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: blog.crescendoh.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: dottieangel.blogspot.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: kimboscrafts.blogspot.com via Laney on Pinterest

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Amy on Pinterest

You can follow my boards on Pinterest here.

:: Family Happenings - reese's birthday party . . . stay tuned

2012-01-25T00:00:00.000-08:00

I'll be posting soon about Reese's 1st birthday party.

Isn't she the cutest one year old?

Stay tuned.

:: Good Reads - the maze runner

2012-01-24T00:00:00.000-08:00

One of my goals is to read one book a month.

You laugh.

But it's the truth.

This is actually pretty good for me.

I love to read, but just have so many other hobbies I enjoy,

that reading often gets overlooked.

I borrowed this book from my brother/sis-in-law.

{we won't say for how long though}

It took me awhile to get through it, but by the end, I couldn't put it down.

It's a young adult science fiction (and I'm not really into science fiction),

but I did like it.

And of course it's a sequel, so guess what I'll be reading next month?

I'm actually in suspense right now.

I need to read it.

What should I read for March?

Do tell!

:: Deals - jcrew clothing

2012-01-23T16:51:00.000-08:00

We usually can't afford Jcrew's prices,

but . . . when there's a deal like this

there's bound to be something I can afford.

I mainly just shop their girl's clearance to get Ava's clothes for next year.

Love the quality of their clothes.

AND all their clearance is free shipping.

{wow. and they're not even paying me to say this.}

Check it out here.

:: Ramblings

2012-01-20T00:00:00.000-08:00

I drive a TON for my job.

If I'm not going to a hospital in Riverside County, them I'm going to LA,

Orange County, Palm Springs, San Diego or even Victorville.

It gets old after awhile - the driving part does.

Last Friday I drove to Palm Springs to do a procedure.

But that's one area I actually don't mind driving to.

There's rarely any traffic.

It just seems so much more peaceful than the hustle and bustle of L.A.

Plus, I absolutely love those energy windmills.

{FYI: eyes on the road while taking pics}

:: Family Happenings - trampoline jumping

2012-01-19T22:25:00.000-08:00

We recently bought a trampoline for the girls.

Bought it from a friend for a great price.

This little one absolutely LOVES it!

I'll put her on and she'll bounce up and down with the biggest smile on her face.

Oh, life's simple pleasures.

:: Refashioning - shirt to toddler skirt

2012-01-18T00:00:00.000-08:00

For our family pictures in November, I'd had this color palette all worked out in my head.

Maybe it looked a little too halloween-ish (I added in black), but I thought it worked.

I was wanting to make the girls outfits but I ended up just making their skirts.

{which was fine with me}

For Ava's skirt, I wanted to use this woman's XL top.

I'd found it at Downeast Basics on clearance and thought I'd resize it to fit me,

but that never happend {the story of my life},

so I knew it'd make a perfect skirt.

It already had shirring.

{that's what it's called, right? - - I'm still a beginner sewer}

So,

1. I just cut across a few inches above

2. folded over right above the shirring

3. then sewed it.

4. I next got out my elastic and measured it to Ava's waist

5. I pinned the elastic to the shirring and did zig-zag stitches across it

Turned out to be cute, definitely not professionally done,

but it worked.

This is what it ended up looking like.

It's a little big, but she'll grow into it.

And there's my little cheese-ball.

{the skirt underneath is this skirt from DowneastGirl}

I'll be linking to these parties here.

:: Organization - the master bedroom

2012-01-17T16:46:00.000-08:00

I decided that at the beginning of each year, I'd like to select a word.

One word that will encourage me and help me to remember the goals that I've set.

So, a few weeks ago, I decided that my word of 2012 would be "organize".

Sometimes I feel so scatterbrained.

There are so many things that I'd like to accomplish, but I feel that I just don't have enough time.

But I think that half the reason why I don't accomplish what I'd like to,

is because I'm just not organized.

With this main goal of organizing,

I also decided that I'd do separate smaller goals for each month that will help

me to accomplish that main goal of being organized.
{am I making sense?}

One of my main goals for the month of January was to work on the master bedroom.

Lately, it's been majorly disorganized.

Yesterday, the hubby didn't have school, so we tackled the bedroom.

And can I tell you . . . it looks amazing!

It looks like a completely different room.

Before I can show it to you, we need to finish the baseboards, finish the headboard,

and then put things up on the wall.

We've lived here 2 1/2 years and haven't done this yet . . .

I will be organized by the end of this year, I tell ya!

Here are some master bedroom inspirations . . .

Source: decorpad.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: ashleeraubachphotography.blogspot.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: thewoolacorn.blogspot.com via Amy on Pinterest

{I'm hoping our headboard will resemble the headboard at the top . . . we'll see}

:: Just For Fun - famous objects from classic movies

2012-01-13T00:00:00.000-08:00

Because it's Friday,

play this game.

I showed it to my husband and I've never

seen him get so excited over a game.

That man doesn't play them . . . at all.

He also watches a lot of movies, so maybe that's why he likes it a lot.

And I think we did pretty good, if I do say so myself.

Play it.

It's fun.

Go here.

:: Baking - lemon crinkle cookies

2012-01-12T00:00:00.000-08:00

I needed to bring some food to a get-together with

some friends so I decided to make some lemon cookies that I found here on pinterest.

They were delicious!

Lemon Crinkle Cookies
Makes 2-3 dozen

Ingredients:
½ cups butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
½ teaspoons vanilla extract
1 whole egg
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
¼ teaspoons salt
¼ teaspoons baking powder
⅛ teaspoons baking soda
1-½ cup all-purpose flour
½ cups powdered sugar

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease light colored baking sheets with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Whip in vanilla, egg, lemon zest, and juice. Scrape sides and mix again. Stir in all dry ingredients slowly until just combined, excluding the powdered sugar. Scrape sides of bowl and mix again briefly. Pour powdered sugar onto a large plate. Roll a heaping teaspoon of dough into a ball and roll in powdered sugar. Place on baking sheet and repeat with remaining dough.

Bake for 9-11 minutes or until bottoms begin to barely brown and cookies look matte {not melty or shiny}. Remove from oven and cool cookies about 3 minutes before transferring to cooling rack.

*If using a non-stick darker baking tray, reduce baking time by about 2 minutes.

Lauren Brennan; laurenslatest.com

I'll be linking to these parties here.

:: Valentine's Day - love canvas

2012-01-11T09:03:00.000-08:00

I made this last year and being that it's such and easy Valentine's Day decoration,
I thought I'd post it again.
It seriously took me 2 minutes and I had all of the supplies on hand.

All you need are:

- canvas (I had an 11x14 laying around)

- chipboard letters (mine were pink - - perfect)

- hot glue gun

Just come up with a word that you want to place on your canvas and glue it (or you could tape it to the canvas and use the canvas for other holidays). I glued mine to the bottom right hand corner. And you're done!

I placed mine on the chalkboard canvas that I made. I even scalloped around the edges of the canvas to make it look a little more valentines day-ish (don't look too closely at my scallops - - they look like my 3 year old did it).

I'll be linking to these parties here.

:: Fashion - asymmetrical collars

2012-01-10T14:32:00.000-08:00

I'm loving these little girl dresses with the

asymmetrical collars.

I'm trying really hard to resist the desire to make a few.

:: jcrew

:: Playful Pickles via Color Issue

:: Design - free fonts

2012-01-09T00:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday!

Guess what?!

I have a new obsession.

Fonts.

I love designing invites, posters, working on my blog, etc.

So this is perfect.

And what's great about it is that a lot of the fonts are free!!!

You can find some free fonts at Lost Type, Font Squirrel, UrbanFonts, Dafont

and I'm sure there's many more.

I'm back.

2012-01-05T18:26:00.000-08:00

Sorry I've been blog slackin'.

I need to get back into the groove.

Just been having so much fun with family in town

and my husband not being in school at all.

It's been a nice break.

But really, I need to get blogging.

We had a fun New Years Eve with friends and then New Years Day

we spent it with family.

Monday, we had even more family come into town.

Yesterday, we all went to Disneyland.

Miss Ava has been dying to go.

We haven't been in a year.

{cause there was no way I was taking a newborn and a

toddler there by myself}

So, here are some pics.

I decided to instagram it most the time.

It was so much easier.

:: nothing like a 3 year old temper tantrum to start our day off right.

:: let the memories begin.

:: reese's first trip to Disneyland.

she wasn't too excited at the beginning, but I think she ended up liking it.

:: ava taking a phone game break.

:: ava loves dumbo.

:: loved being with my sisters.

:: reese loves dumbo too.

:: loved the firework display.

:: happiest place on earth.

:: New Years Eve

2011-12-28T12:47:00.000-08:00

How was your Christmas?

Ours was wonderful.

We just arrived home last night from a

fun filled week in Las Vegas with family.

Source: afieldjournal.blogspot.com via Amy on Pinterest

On to New Years.

Any fun plans?

We'll probably just be home

{and putting the kids to bed early}.

Found a few cute ideas for the countdown.

Source: howdoesshe.com via Amy on Pinterest

:: 12 balloons with activities in them for every hour.
{that way you can keep them busy AND they'll stop asking "how much longer"}

Source: theidearoom.net via Amy on Pinterest

:: same idea as the one before, but in bags

need some free printables for your New Year's Eve party?
Love the Tom Kat Studio printables.

Source: thetomkatstudio.com via Amy on Pinterest

I absolutely love this idea {below} to add memories throughout the year
and then read all of them on New Year's Eve.

Source: inchmark.squarespace.com via Amy on Pinterest

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T00:00:00.000-08:00

Hope you all enjoy this wonderful day

and are able to spend it with those dearest to you.

I am so grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ.

His birth, His life,

and the great gift He gave each one of us.

Merry Christmas!

:: Christmas - reindeer food

2011-12-21T00:00:00.000-08:00

Last week I was trying to figure out

what to give Ava's little preschool friends for Christmas.

I'd seen these idea on Pinterest.

Reindeer Food.

Of course.

They'd love that.

And Ava loved the idea too.

And it's so simple!

Just get some oats, sprinkles, and glitter, (or other reindeer snacks)

mix and put it in a snack size ziplock bag.

Print this topper here and you're done.

They'll love sprinkling this on the lawn/snow on Christmas Eve.

{here are those sneaky, little hands again - - always trying to grab what I'm photographing.
at least they're cute, sneaky hands.}

Some other free printables for reindeer food

can be found below.

Source: tomkatstudio.blogspot.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: mychicnscratch.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: memyselfandu2.blogspot.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: kerryspapercrafts.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: memyselfandu2.blogspot.com via Amy on Pinterest

:: Christmas - portable north pole video

2011-12-20T00:00:00.000-08:00

Last December, I discovered an amazing website
that helps you create personalized videos from Santa to your child.
Genius.
Almost better than waiting in a 2 hour line at the mall to sit on his lap (we have yet to do that).
It's called the Portable North Pole and you can find it here.

I discovered it and made a personalized message for Ava and each of her cousins
that were going to be at my parents' home for Christmas.
After we read The Christmas Story and the kiddos
opened up their Christmas pajamas,
each child took a turn watching their own message
from Santa.
{we recorded it, but I can't find it.}
The awe on their faces was priceless.
Those kids were in heaven!

So, I was reminded about it this year and decided to do it again.
It might as well become a tradition.

All you have to do is give them some info
(name, age, what they want, what state they live in, pictures)
and your e-mail and they'll e-mail it directly to you.
It does expire (I think a month later) but you can
buy your video for $6.99.

If you'd like to see Ava's video that we'll show her
on Christmas Eve, then click here.

:: Family Happenings - Wicked!!!

2011-12-19T00:00:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite things I did last week?

Well. Now that you ask. . .

We FINALLY saw Wicked!!!!

It was amazing!

I've been dying to see this musical.

Well . . . about three years ago (as an anniversary gift)

the hubby gave me an "I owe you" to go see it.

I heard it was coming back to L.A.

and politely reminded him of his "I owe you".

So, he bought tickets and we went last Wednesday night

{which might be the cause of the lack of posts from last week}.

Anyway, I thought that since we were driving to L.A.

we might as well drop by the fabric district.

I've been waiting to go there for years.

So, we dropped off the girls with some family

in San Diego and drove to L.A.

Spent a few hours in the fabric district.

{I was in heaven. I don't think the hubby was, but I think he was happy that he wasn't studying for finals anymore, so he could care less where he was.}

umm. . . check out these yards and yard of ribbons and lace

and floor to ceiling filled with bolts of fabric . . . inexpensive fabric.

HEAVEN!!!

It started getting dark so we decided to go find the theatre and then

grab something to eat nearby.

Traffic was crazy.

That's why I don't live in L.A.

We found a hole-in-the-wall pupusaria (which are the best)

and ate those yummy pupusas that I constantly crave.

Here we are before it started.

Oh. Did I mention it was amazing?!

If you ever get a chance to see it, GO!!!

And the hubby LOVED it too (no joke - and he's not a musical-lovin' guy).

**oh and if you want more info/tips on the fabric district,

then check out this link here.

Leanne has some great information!

:: Christmas - paper snowflakes

2011-12-13T00:00:00.000-08:00

We have a Christmas Advent calendar,

and each morning Ava opens up the little envelope

to see what activity she get to do that day

(related to something Christmas-y, of course).

Well, the other day it was to make paper snowflakes.

Ava's addicted.

The other day she kept on giving me papers

so that I could make more and more.

She automatically put them on the fridge.

Love my girl.

I think we'll probably hang them from the ceiling.

Here are a few tutorials.

Source: adamandhaleykjar.blogspot.com via Amy on Pinterest

(we did all three of these - I like the top one the best)

and we've gotta try these ones below.

Source: vintagejunky.com via Amy on Pinterest

A Christmas wish for a young boy.

2011-12-12T00:00:00.000-08:00

A woman from my church recently posted

on Facebook about her nephew who will soon

have his last Christmas.

Her nephew was diagnosed with DIPG (diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma)

or Pediatric Brainstem Cancer in December of 2009.

He's currently on Hospice and will be spending his last Christmas at home with his family.

He's only 10 years old.

{can see more about him at www.oliverpalmer.blogspot.com)

His Aunt says,

"About 6 months ago while spending a lot of time at the hospital, the local area in Waterloo Iowa had a "get well card" campaign. He received literally bags and bags of cards from well wishes. This needless to say made his day. He loved reading from so many cards of complete strangers that had taken an interest in his life. What we want to do for him this, his last Christmas, is see to it that he again receive bags and bags of Christmas cards, only now from all over the country. "

So, please,

if you have some time,

please send Ollie a card.

It can be short or long.

Handmade or bought.

What matters is that he gets a card from you!

A complete stranger!

It would make his day.

Mail to:

Oliver Palmer

417 Oaklawn Ave.

Waterloo, IA 50701

We'll be making a card for him tomorrow night.

Maybe a few snowflakes too (cause right now Ava's on a homemade snowflake kick).

And please repost this on your facebook page or blog!

The more cards the better!

Happy Monday! And hope your weekend was great!

:: Clothing the Littles - holiday dresses

2011-12-09T00:00:00.000-08:00

I love little girl dresses.

Especially the holiday dresses.

This one is from H&M for only . . .

$9.95.

No joke.

I'm in love.

Of course it wasn't at the H&M near me.

And they don't sell online.

Has anyone seen this dress?!

{doesn't look like it'd be hard to make though - maybe I'll try}

Oh and if you're not into making Christmas dresses,

a great place to buy them is off of ebay.

Some people buy the dresses just for Christmas

and then never use them again.

So they're cheaper but still in great condition.

I found the cutest dress for Reese

for my brother's wedding in February.

It was bought from Gap for probably around $40-$50, used only a few times

and I bought it for $7.

Love it.

{but watch out. ebay can be pretty addicting.

also, make sure you know how much shipping is because

sometimes the item will be really cheap, but the shipping is a fortune!}

:: Christmas - scrabble ornament

2011-12-08T00:00:00.000-08:00

When I'm at thrift stores, I'm always on a lookout for scrabble games.

Do you know how many crafts you could make with those pieces?!

Anyway, I found a game and they've been

sitting in our laundry room gathering dust.

{side story - - we don't play scrabble at our house cause the hubby despised it.

although now his favorite computer game is 'words with friends'

and now all of the sudden he wants to play scrabble.

but, because sometimes I'm too prideful and so annoyed that

he complained about that game for 5 years - whenever my family played it,

I decided to do with it what it was bought for - to make a craft. :) don't worry.

I'm sure I'll find another scrabble game soon and we'll actually play it.}

I first saw this idea here.

All you need is:

scrabble pieces

the wooden stand they sit on

a chop saw

twine

ribbon

hot glue

Pretty self-explanatory, huh.

Cut the stand down to the length of the word you want to create.

Sand edge.

Hot glue the letters to the stand.

When you get to the letter in the middle, first hot glue the twine and then

you can hot glue the middle letter on top of the twine.

Place ribbon around

and you're ready to hang it on the tree!

I think I'll be making these with our names on them

to go on the present with the Christmas pajamas.

{we get a new Christmas ornament each year}

Be careful though.

Little hands love these scrabble ornaments.

:: Christmas - christmas book tradition

2011-12-07T00:00:00.000-08:00

I tried this tradition a few years back, but Ava was too young to care.

So, I didn't continue it.

(plus I don't think I had enough Christmas books)

But it's really easy.

Just wrap up 24 Christmas books.

{if you don't have enough, go to the library or . . . re-wrap}

Place numbers on them (or not ).

Put under the tree.

Each night they get to open one up and you get to read it to them.

(although on Christmas Eve she gets to open up two - -

'Twas The Night Before Christmas and The Nativity)

Ava LOVES it.

She loves opening presents {and then shredding the paper to pieces}

and she also loves books.

So, it's a win-win.

We love reading them near the Christmas tree

with the twinkle lights lighting the pages.

We love Christmas!

Reese also likes this tradition and is beginning to love the opening of gifts.

{just hope she doesn't shred them like her older sis}

What are some of your Christmas traditions?

:: Christmas - real meaning of Christmas

2011-12-06T00:00:00.000-08:00

So before you get too caught up

in the commercialized part of Christmas,

take a look at this video

and lets remember the real meaning of Christmas

through a child's eye.

I absolutely love this.