tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29902835213037593392024-03-13T10:46:53.294-06:00One Lucky PickleAdrianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09156993835198308864noreply@blogger.comBlogger122125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990283521303759339.post-83199900967502661932015-05-05T16:39:00.000-06:002015-05-05T16:40:04.274-06:00Sporty-Chic Baby Shower<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I was so excited to help plan this sports themed baby shower. My mother- and sister-in-law were in charge of the food, and they wanted to do different kinds of sports balls (wait until you see them down below!!) I knew the food would be delicious and adorable, and I turned my attention to the invitations and decor.</div>
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Browsing Pinterest for inspiration, I came to a realization: it is too easy to slip into "Juvenile" territory with this theme. Which, if you are giving a party for a six-year-old sports nut, is perfect! But let's be honest. This baby shower isn't <b><i>for</i></b> the baby. We are celebrating him, of course, but the party is all for <b><i>Mommy</i></b>. </div>
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I wanted this new Mommy-to-be to feel special and pampered, so I really tried to focus on elegantizing (totally a word!) things a bit. I can't see baby boy looking at photos someday and being disappointed that I girlied things up a bit, can you?</div>
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<span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;"><i>*The Invitations*</i></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhli0VagKaZqjYScU69kn7x2Jv7-VQrKrw_eEoZmWD8pd5N-pkhS8biFcyMcKa3JnjeD_B0cPpe1NcLStYD09-9NmWZkmYkdLruCA3m1wHUgFAluJAiOTvXlS0wSt5cbSLcj0Kp0A0Y6R0/s1600/Invitation-Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhli0VagKaZqjYScU69kn7x2Jv7-VQrKrw_eEoZmWD8pd5N-pkhS8biFcyMcKa3JnjeD_B0cPpe1NcLStYD09-9NmWZkmYkdLruCA3m1wHUgFAluJAiOTvXlS0wSt5cbSLcj0Kp0A0Y6R0/s1600/Invitation-Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I used a scripty font (<a href="https://creativemarket.com/Seniors/108778-Isabella-Script-%2840-Off%29" target="_blank">Isabella Script</a> for fellow font-a-holics), a hand drawn banner, and a bow in the back to try and up the charm factor. Also, please note the orange baseball and the teal football. Going for grown up color scheme here!</div>
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How'd I do? Is it pretty enough? I was gonna add glitter... but I ran out of time (story of my life). How cool would Caitlin's name look cut out with double sided adhesive on the Silhouette and coated with GLITTER?!?<br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">*The Food*</span></i></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTVCgrYh7zD8UFoCLg1ZgD68SD0bFadscTXyU7IMyDf-aKMJkcLHR3ayS4ta6iqeAI8cKDgZVjojWD7JF7PZVGlJUZJv5UFoG2gFf2oIU_WK1yXt1m-5o9qP_y5N_TfSLM0aM9nguZlRU/s1600/Food-Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTVCgrYh7zD8UFoCLg1ZgD68SD0bFadscTXyU7IMyDf-aKMJkcLHR3ayS4ta6iqeAI8cKDgZVjojWD7JF7PZVGlJUZJv5UFoG2gFf2oIU_WK1yXt1m-5o9qP_y5N_TfSLM0aM9nguZlRU/s1600/Food-Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSbdsVPsxXkaTS4I7UtU3mVgJW5ABZLEuCCVAVWpM_raGcUjc32FxKAXSx9j_Z21NKRaFZ-P4kQm-NLSfwmpBKlcthsZqv_xyT5ae-z-YQSXGALECPCk6j3Pnv_OraWVAUhESjNXsRms/s1600/Fruit-Pizza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSbdsVPsxXkaTS4I7UtU3mVgJW5ABZLEuCCVAVWpM_raGcUjc32FxKAXSx9j_Z21NKRaFZ-P4kQm-NLSfwmpBKlcthsZqv_xyT5ae-z-YQSXGALECPCk6j3Pnv_OraWVAUhESjNXsRms/s1600/Fruit-Pizza.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I told you that the food was fabulous! And it all tastes even better than it looks. They made chocolate covered strawberry footballs, baseball cupcakes and basketball sugar cookies. The biggest hit, however, is that giant beach ball dessert pizza! Yep, you are seeing strawberries, oranges, blackberries, raspberries, pineapple, blueberries, and mango! All fresh, all delicious. Is your mouth watering yet?</div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">*Decorations*</span></i></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5xxMeuvK1WgZ4gU9grwdaxKH9JNRiNLxuXtHArQDV4ozGlbKJkKh_LkxIPfy4qqd7oSzvPPu5FWyP2dTUTHqRJOy0AXwoKJwTe9R34vLPWxrlHIqWyL74irWgVCS89vrlM1oYitNr1rY/s1600/Concessions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5xxMeuvK1WgZ4gU9grwdaxKH9JNRiNLxuXtHArQDV4ozGlbKJkKh_LkxIPfy4qqd7oSzvPPu5FWyP2dTUTHqRJOy0AXwoKJwTe9R34vLPWxrlHIqWyL74irWgVCS89vrlM1oYitNr1rY/s1600/Concessions.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We hung this sucker right by the food. You know, in case anyone was confused about whether or not they could eat those delicious things.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADrK7Rh6XoOEp7pfvFcRxGnGm4epsKCO3XcfcdmBonoM6FkvClqA2sZVG3iHubSkz_4cLNz0LV0wgWPgRDTD8PuAqGVBIW85MQkIlqKkpEh-SgATFpV8Wal2emz6towWFg3tzEJatpKE/s1600/Close-Up-N.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADrK7Rh6XoOEp7pfvFcRxGnGm4epsKCO3XcfcdmBonoM6FkvClqA2sZVG3iHubSkz_4cLNz0LV0wgWPgRDTD8PuAqGVBIW85MQkIlqKkpEh-SgATFpV8Wal2emz6towWFg3tzEJatpKE/s1600/Close-Up-N.jpg" width="243" /></a></div>
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Close up because this thing looks amazing in person! Again, the baseball's stitching is orange instead of red to go with our color scheme and the edges are DOUBLE inked. The orange I had was too bright, so I followed it up with a light tan ink and it helped a lot. Plus there's bows, just like on the invitation! They literally tie everything together and gussy things up.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">*The Fun*</span></i></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZHtv7RsdUcoOsI0IimvS_qodXHW3uejmrsg9L2aLjA1IIfBgazrl5iSjwpZ_e2rrrG-kbZK5nkWhUKnGCz9_CSMRpSObjBTJPq0n611pKbO1rHKhNLoSPr0tHLV6tM5i23DI9P6jz1k/s1600/Photobooth-Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZHtv7RsdUcoOsI0IimvS_qodXHW3uejmrsg9L2aLjA1IIfBgazrl5iSjwpZ_e2rrrG-kbZK5nkWhUKnGCz9_CSMRpSObjBTJPq0n611pKbO1rHKhNLoSPr0tHLV6tM5i23DI9P6jz1k/s1600/Photobooth-Collage.jpg" /></a></div>
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We finished things off with a photo booth which was a blast!! I made some glittery bibs and pacifiers. I cut them out on my Silhouette, but they'd be easy with scissors! My backdrop was so ghetto--and I wish I'd thought to take a picture! I picked a spot across from a window to have lots of natural light. We tied this fabric up to a balcony and lowered it down to the ground. I love that you can't tell though!<br />
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Now I have tons of pictures of everyone who came with the new Mommy to be, and I can give them to her as an added gift! In addition, the photo booth gives guests a way to get to know each other, be silly, and have fun. I am in love with this party trend!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7MCJC8DfHVktQTnO95iFjySwL_CU2EsmfDUBH1Gp4l6f5we1JH3oG47ZyDyXPJCaGVyeJXbj1046B5HAqQSWjZ-PRRB5-EJna__Y4McJhig3ySrn0QD2ZssJqRkFmdmFBu7jx5puCHhs/s1600/Photo-Props-Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7MCJC8DfHVktQTnO95iFjySwL_CU2EsmfDUBH1Gp4l6f5we1JH3oG47ZyDyXPJCaGVyeJXbj1046B5HAqQSWjZ-PRRB5-EJna__Y4McJhig3ySrn0QD2ZssJqRkFmdmFBu7jx5puCHhs/s1600/Photo-Props-Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here are some of the props I made for the photo booth. Sparklies, my friends. Just making sure we all know who the shower is for! Once again, I used some ghetto tech--Elmer's glue for the heart, star, stripes, and polkas. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.<br />
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This party was so much fun for me to help plan, and I think it was fun for the party guests too!<br />
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As usual, I would love to share some of the files I created so you can use them too!<br />
<a href="http://bit.ly/Sporty_Chic_Party_Files" target="_blank">Sporty Chic Photo Booth Props</a><br />
I have included .SVGs, Silhouette Files, and PDFs so anyone can use them!! The banner shapes were from Miss Kate Cuttables <a href="https://www.misskatecuttables.com/products/product/freebie-of-the-day-sports-ball-collection.php" target="_blank">(baseball)</a> and Silhouette <a href="http://www.silhouettedesignstore.com/?page=view-shape&id=59505" target="_blank">(banner)</a>. <br />
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I love to see what happens when you use my creations! One easy way is to put pictures on our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OneLuckyPickle?fref=ts" target="_blank">Facebook Page</a>--it's such a nice way to say "thank you" and it makes my day happy.<br />
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<img alt=" photo Heart-Adriane_zps2e2b06dc.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b612/OLPAdriane/Icons/Heart-Adriane_zps2e2b06dc.jpg" /><br />
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Adrianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09156993835198308864noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990283521303759339.post-82256419522793381702015-05-01T16:00:00.000-06:002015-05-05T16:39:56.275-06:00Watercolor Hearts "I Love You" Card<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItcQJ3oFv-YXJ46ZFaKTgjVBncnuPgl3HhiE0bjPLZminOy1tdCC-5uo-vGypwSJlLRbeVIUbozpZ9Dpi2s3gbfGWLwEtB3Nce1t08B5L9OFvb2Ay9IMHjuUBfqV4XRtui1bS3aIIOm4/s1600/IMG_3629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItcQJ3oFv-YXJ46ZFaKTgjVBncnuPgl3HhiE0bjPLZminOy1tdCC-5uo-vGypwSJlLRbeVIUbozpZ9Dpi2s3gbfGWLwEtB3Nce1t08B5L9OFvb2Ay9IMHjuUBfqV4XRtui1bS3aIIOm4/s1600/IMG_3629.JPG" height="400" width="398" /></a></div>
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I loved loved loved my friend Bekka's Valentine cards in her shop, <a href="http://www.seewhatiseadesigns.com/2015/01/a-few-things.html" target="_blank">See What I Sea Designs</a>, this year (f.y.i. I linked to her blog so you could see them, since she is taking a vacay on her etsy store as I write this--bad timing on my part. But go check out her blog :) I kept thinking about them and thinking about them. They made me want to paint! <br />
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I haven't painted since Junior High art class...<br />
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Luckily, the project I had in mind didn't take as much skill as Bekka's cards did.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTLG8rN-lyju9cN6dn7E4o3IowUTB4EnzlheSTu5E491GdfbpC-XiP7b2kryvTJbd-taKJOTxwbSii7nE7Y2hvHrhgDKKYteV_KspLbTwSgkiIi4AofIdYyo8NLhjUuGE8gbgCFxcjPBw/s1600/Mother's-Day-Card1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTLG8rN-lyju9cN6dn7E4o3IowUTB4EnzlheSTu5E491GdfbpC-XiP7b2kryvTJbd-taKJOTxwbSii7nE7Y2hvHrhgDKKYteV_KspLbTwSgkiIi4AofIdYyo8NLhjUuGE8gbgCFxcjPBw/s1600/Mother's-Day-Card1.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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I just got some watercolor paper pretty wet with a large, flat brush (they call it a wash brush, turns out), and then added the colors dancing around in my head to the paper: oranges, pinks, purples, and yellows. I dragged them across the page in streaks and let them run where they wanted.<br />
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After the paper dried, I stuck it to my Silhouette mat as well as I could (it was a little warped from the water) and cut out A MILLION hearts. Not exactly a million, of course, but it felt like it when it came time to take them off of the sticky mat! It made me wish I had a plain ol' heart punch instead!<br />
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I printed "i love you so much" on white cardstock, folded it lengthwise, and added my watercolor hearts with pop up foam. Voila!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA54f1HdlXoDK3x2VqDYTAxysQ7EorzcWhSJXzAiHuv2MOlP2t9XN3iCiuy6fWLVft-FuE_pp91mDbafAsNSN92Baa8I0bR5AYI5KyZGY63mwKrxsbUK9FJFVM-X41R9W1URLHcJxm28Y/s1600/Mother's-Day-Card2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA54f1HdlXoDK3x2VqDYTAxysQ7EorzcWhSJXzAiHuv2MOlP2t9XN3iCiuy6fWLVft-FuE_pp91mDbafAsNSN92Baa8I0bR5AYI5KyZGY63mwKrxsbUK9FJFVM-X41R9W1URLHcJxm28Y/s1600/Mother's-Day-Card2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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I love that each one turned out similar, but so completely unique!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwbhNKFl4QznhPqVv22KlKrPjkIidPgyLNQN5_aYxIVr1dsSAqY_6qnWlE1cRTcNyYbk5Rtii1eKxW6w_TwS1dHgAsJZOoE8-fU_CeqC7Cj0SWjJ0xRtfHdq8md0Rtgomm-bvGfcy6Pe0/s1600/Mother's-Day-Card3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwbhNKFl4QznhPqVv22KlKrPjkIidPgyLNQN5_aYxIVr1dsSAqY_6qnWlE1cRTcNyYbk5Rtii1eKxW6w_TwS1dHgAsJZOoE8-fU_CeqC7Cj0SWjJ0xRtfHdq8md0Rtgomm-bvGfcy6Pe0/s1600/Mother's-Day-Card3.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><br />
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While these may be great for Valentine's Day, they would also be perfect for Mother's Day, don't you think? In a pretty pink envelope...yeah. It's a plan. (Don't look, Mom!)<br />
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I loved pulling out a brush and acting all official, like I could really paint something beautiful. I definitely haven't put in enough time to completely paint something lovely, like Bekka has, but I'm happy with the result of my first attempt, and proud that I blended a skill I didn't have with techniques I use all the time--like cutting paper, baby!<br />
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Adrianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09156993835198308864noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990283521303759339.post-14697647760029961302015-04-29T21:21:00.004-06:002015-04-29T21:21:45.965-06:00My Battle Against Perfectionism :: Pie for Dinner<div style="text-align: center;">
You know those days where you actually have a plan?</div>
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<i>And it's a good plan?</i></div>
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And everything should work out perfectly to make that plan happen?</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And then it doesn't?</span></div>
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Yeah, well.</div>
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Monday was one of those days.</div>
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I do my weekly grocery shopping on Mondays.</div>
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Depending on how the morning goes, we either sneak it in before my daughter's preschool, or the other two hooligans and I go while she's at preschool. </div>
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I always do my meal planning before I go, otherwise our budget goes out the window.</div>
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And this week, we have a couple events that affected what meals I planned for on each day, like kindergarten orientation, and we always have a leftover night, but that has to be after certain meals that we always have leftovers from, right? </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Sounds a little OCD?</b></i></span></div>
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Perhaps.</div>
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But it works for us. </div>
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My glorious plan went flying out the window when my 18-month-old didn't nap at his usual time. </div>
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I'm not totally crazy, I promise. I know kids naps go crazy sometimes, and typically nothing goes as planned with children.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">EVER.</span></b></div>
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<b>NEVERTHELESS</b>--I was determined to have Slow Cooker Breakfast Casserole for dinner, because I needed to use the bacon and green onions that we'd already had for a week, so I figured I'd just use the "cook on high for 2-3 hours" option.</div>
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I got it in the crock pot at 4:30.</div>
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BUT I figured that 6:30 wasn't too bad for dinner, right? And when I do this meal on low for "4-5 hours" it's ready in 4. So I figured 2 hours on high was a pretty safe bet.</div>
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Nope. </div>
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We still had runny egg coming out of the middle at 2 hours.</div>
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So I figured, what the heck. We have a Marie Callenders banana cream pie in the fridge that has ALSO been there for a week. It won't last forever. So let's have dinner backwards!</div>
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Naturally, the husband and kids thought it was a great idea.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">So we had pie for dinner.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">AND IT WAS AWESOME.</span></b></div>
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<i>The casserole still wasn't done at 2.5 hours.</i></div>
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So we threw some bagel bites in the oven and ate those. Nom nom nom.</div>
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<i>It still wasn't done at 3 hours.</i></div>
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So we put the kids to bed.</div>
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And then I ate some casserole 3.5 hours after putting it in on high for "2-3 hours."</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Maybe I need a new crock pot!?!?!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>And life went {deliciously} on. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Plus we had some awesome Breakfast Casserole leftovers for dinner tonight. </b></span></div>
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<img alt=" photo Heart-Lauren_zpsfade7730.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b612/OLPAdriane/Icons/Heart-Lauren_zpsfade7730.jpg" /></div>
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Lauren Davisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03547226267105116599noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990283521303759339.post-91102053317733607892015-03-26T13:21:00.003-06:002015-03-26T14:02:25.617-06:00Instant {removeable} Backsplash for $30<div style="text-align: center;">
Okay... maybe instant is a little bit of a stretch.</div>
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But I DID do it during naptime, so I consider that's pretty darn fast in my book.</div>
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BEHOLD--THE BACKSPLASH.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZcb99mHdJ0yp4YBX8J-eBS3d1FON4elD6zxdRZW7U0KHdUNBKNwEsRflIo-8WrgaylmEI0fM5AuZ1z56xRrPUoTuoG7NUyriN7o7hvuMPYrd_M63N4GdRH-blyCJtLXUwHEOKhf547JE/s1600/6433-watermark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZcb99mHdJ0yp4YBX8J-eBS3d1FON4elD6zxdRZW7U0KHdUNBKNwEsRflIo-8WrgaylmEI0fM5AuZ1z56xRrPUoTuoG7NUyriN7o7hvuMPYrd_M63N4GdRH-blyCJtLXUwHEOKhf547JE/s1600/6433-watermark.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Yeah, I know--ideally the quartz strip wouldn't be there, and the backsplash would go all the way down to the counter, and blah blah blah. But here's the deal--eventually we'd like to install a subway tile backsplash. Probably in a similar color to this. But it's not in the budget right now, since Mr. Handsome is working on finishing the basement. But I reeeeeallly wanted to get some color in there, because I didn't exactly realize how close in color the countertop was to the wall color we chose when designing our house. </div>
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See?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKHttNSYCOf3uiz9ZZAllvkuKO44BSEN6CZnrG8Hdu7SXQPvnQ87yKS1-_I_ZG0PmzwhXCEaxNk5V_ruFJ72V3AdPo3NwIODD5YRmrIUYb-6epm6myMyxPKNlPyPjZ09Y5Gf2REqPjdVQ/s1600/Kitchen:Dining1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKHttNSYCOf3uiz9ZZAllvkuKO44BSEN6CZnrG8Hdu7SXQPvnQ87yKS1-_I_ZG0PmzwhXCEaxNk5V_ruFJ72V3AdPo3NwIODD5YRmrIUYb-6epm6myMyxPKNlPyPjZ09Y5Gf2REqPjdVQ/s1600/Kitchen:Dining1.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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I almost cried when they first put the countertops in. Once everything else is there it's not really a big deal, but we chose things with a blue backsplash in mind. I just didn't realize how much the lack of color there would drive me crazy in the meantime.</div>
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Well.</div>
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CONSIDER ME CRAZY.</div>
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On a completely related note, I spend a lot of time in Target these days, since my daughters' preschool is right around the corner from one, and who wants to drive all the way home for an hour and a half just to drive back out to pick up the tiny human, when that time could be spent walking around the haven that is Target? </div>
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My point is that I stumbled upon this aisle while looking for their command hooks.</div>
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"Oooh! Pretty colors!" my mind said... and I naturally gravitated towards the blue diamonds (Devine Color Diamond Wallpaper in "Horizon"). </div>
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Which, ironically, are not in this photo because they were all sold out when I went back to get a product shot. Go figure. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qqYN9AngOJu7sX1QBXltEFA40EpFigNbV7ZChn0IJeacZrmf8RetL37EC-B00iFHwwNjypGLAdhqGpsR33Ck3sHIekWTyjo3zAxl5PQ4bn3df5_OQUdlmOpTEDv0npt-YWJU9jqVTOI/s1600/At+Target.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qqYN9AngOJu7sX1QBXltEFA40EpFigNbV7ZChn0IJeacZrmf8RetL37EC-B00iFHwwNjypGLAdhqGpsR33Ck3sHIekWTyjo3zAxl5PQ4bn3df5_OQUdlmOpTEDv0npt-YWJU9jqVTOI/s1600/At+Target.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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I had to give it a try, though. I figured it would be a nice, fast, way to add some color. It's wipeable (vinyl, not paper), so when I spray cake batter from my mixer all over the wall, it's no big deal. It's supposedly easily removed, without any damage, which is awesome--RENTING, ANYONE!?!? And it's repositionable (peel-and-stick!), so if you don't get it perfect the first time, you can gently pull it off and try again. HOLLA!</div>
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(I can't actual testify of this quality, since I haven't tried to remove it. When we actually get around to replacing it with tile, I'll let you know. Figured I had nothing to lose, since when we actually DO remove it, we'll be covering the area back up anyway.)</div>
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So I got a nice fresh squeegee and a roll of wallpaper, and once the kids were snoozing I went to town. I had to reposition a few times, but it was a lot easier than I expected. the cuts aren't perfect. If you look close at the top ends (which no one with <i>ever</i> see unless they feel the unquenchable urge to squat down in my kitchen) it's not particularly pretty, which you can see below:</div>
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But again. Who really cares, right?</div>
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I'm really liking the way it looks behind my spice jars.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPndSdxWR2MSm6MS9EfHptd6MfIcne_w0OOhiKoca-lbAHzTr4vrv50jT3KX_Jp4w7sPIaX7o4yOmCvCuin4MCVKjXYOlDx-gQj9ZTFm1Y53F1kvtIDA0vU6w_h8poG2lUCmbxmVnOOOI/s1600/6451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPndSdxWR2MSm6MS9EfHptd6MfIcne_w0OOhiKoca-lbAHzTr4vrv50jT3KX_Jp4w7sPIaX7o4yOmCvCuin4MCVKjXYOlDx-gQj9ZTFm1Y53F1kvtIDA0vU6w_h8poG2lUCmbxmVnOOOI/s1600/6451.jpg" height="640" width="484" /></a></div>
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I chickened out and didn't put it on the wall with the window. There would be a LOT of "cutting around" stuff, and I'm not sure what I would want to do along the top edge. Maybe a strip of thin moulding? Hmmm. It's suddenly sounding a lot less scary. What do you guys think? Overall, it was suuuper easy to put up, and it makes a HUGE difference, for only $30. I consider that a huge win. </div>
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<img alt=" photo Heart-Lauren_zpsfade7730.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b612/OLPAdriane/Icons/Heart-Lauren_zpsfade7730.jpg" /></div>
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Lauren Davisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03547226267105116599noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990283521303759339.post-48774717347407870622014-11-22T22:38:00.002-07:002015-02-01T21:39:10.625-07:00Free Printable: Thanksgiving Placemat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nEXAzY8zBRAASK_ZeNYA2cvpGCXr2-PuozLD5easwiTC3qverkBXFO3TajB7A9BmeHQVsPoNJHnbCNHM-EiQTC20V3goA0HiRDdeNALKEoU1XYXfJIIS1-3G2qcSKtrocf5DKrUdpEI/s1600/Placemat-Preview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" title="Free printable Thanksgiving Placemat from One Lucky Pickle. Get your family thinking about their blessings while they stuff their bellies this year!" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nEXAzY8zBRAASK_ZeNYA2cvpGCXr2-PuozLD5easwiTC3qverkBXFO3TajB7A9BmeHQVsPoNJHnbCNHM-EiQTC20V3goA0HiRDdeNALKEoU1XYXfJIIS1-3G2qcSKtrocf5DKrUdpEI/s1600/Placemat-Preview.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hey everyone! Thanksgiving LOOMS. It's one of my favorite holidays--a time to laugh with my family and eat all the best foods together. But let's be honest, it can add a teensy smidge of stress--especially if you're trying to make it special. I was trying to figure out how I could add my mark to Thanksgiving at my Mom's this year. After playing some Thanksgiving-themed games with friends, I knew I had my answer: a placemat we could write on. The perfect thing to help us focus on being thankful, instead of being distracted by stuffing our faces with our favorite goodies.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZu2LLTt3N3FWXfj0T3x1LRv4cbCqyaTyyPBVsXVJnNrVLUFO7uQD5bJMu7UkIz3u7O2_H-tqghHwldSDP5r-0epaNouHRt-HMSds4ggny5zTQYzDlu6box-JYPn-YQK0LyNbqCwrNYJk/s1600/Placemat2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZu2LLTt3N3FWXfj0T3x1LRv4cbCqyaTyyPBVsXVJnNrVLUFO7uQD5bJMu7UkIz3u7O2_H-tqghHwldSDP5r-0epaNouHRt-HMSds4ggny5zTQYzDlu6box-JYPn-YQK0LyNbqCwrNYJk/s1600/Placemat2.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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Not that I'm dissing the goodies, my friends! In fact, I was pretty tempted to cook a full course Thanksgiving Feast so I could photograph it with the placemat.<br />
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Someday, once I learn to cook a turkey like an actual grownup, I'm going to bust a move like that. <br />
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Here's a close-up of the game: Thankfulgories (You know, like Scattergories)! Everyone tries to think of 10 things they are thankful for that start with the letter "M." Then, one by one, family members read their list. Any duplicates get crossed off, and the person with the most blessings listed at the end WINS!!<br />
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On the other side, I have listed questions to take turns answering--things like, "What do you appreciate most about the person sitting at your left?" and "Describe something that happened this past week that you are grateful for, and tell us why."<br />
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Mostly, I can't wait to see my grumpy uncles' faces when I tell them they have to play along. It's going to be GREAT!!<br />
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Oh, and the back is blank--perfect for the kids to draw the things THEY are thankful for!<br />
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You can download the Placemat <a href="http://bit.ly/OneLuckyPickleTGPlacemat" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">HERE.</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I took the file to a local print shop and had it printed on 11 x 17 cardstock. Cheap, easy, love it! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">As always, I would love, love, LOVE to hear how it goes if you use these!! Drop me a line in the comments, or upload a picture on our<a href="https://www.facebook.com/OneLuckyPickle" target="_blank"> Facebook Page</a>! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>And tell me, please: what Thanksgiving traditions do you have in your family?</b></i></span> </span></span><br />
<br />Adrianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09156993835198308864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990283521303759339.post-24656023252677727702014-11-07T17:00:00.000-07:002014-11-07T17:00:09.464-07:00Operation Organization: My Craft SpaceDear friends,<br />
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We are about to get up close and personal. Those of you with weak stomachs for disorganization may need to avert your eyes. I am about to share one of my MANY greatest weaknesses:<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>I am prone to clutter.</b></span></i></div>
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There are other, not so nice ways of saying this, but I prefer not to think of myself as <span style="font-size: large;"><b>a slob</b></span> or a <b><span style="font-size: large;">messy! </span></b><span style="font-size: small;">Really, I don't know what happens, but it's not very long after I clean my craft space that it looks like this:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGomv_s0CgUJfzorc1pWLNyuXDAGInuVYl3GPki1OUsVT8hiHsqBJoTVC1qlVIsif4keYOujvv2WqUwRVMsawaIu0jek1le3Ldvaczxz9zQOCzJoTYqHmW2icKReorEwbbTlboWGD4ko/s1600/Messy-Table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGomv_s0CgUJfzorc1pWLNyuXDAGInuVYl3GPki1OUsVT8hiHsqBJoTVC1qlVIsif4keYOujvv2WqUwRVMsawaIu0jek1le3Ldvaczxz9zQOCzJoTYqHmW2icKReorEwbbTlboWGD4ko/s1600/Messy-Table.jpg" /></a></div>
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The leftovers from former craft projects pile up around my computer and start to take over my husband's space too. I'm sure the poor dear often feels he's being eaten alive! The pictures simply cannot communicate the feeling of utter chaos that I start to feel in my space. It's just sad, because that is not how I want to feel in my creative space!<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>I want to feel Inspired. Empowered. Free. </b></span></i></div>
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As I get to know myself better, I have realized that it is my <span style="font-size: large;"><b>perfectionism</b></span> that causes most of my problems (<i>say WHAT?!? Perfectionism can make you messy?!?</i>). In this case, I become overwhelmed trying to tidy a space when I have to decide, as I go, where to put things. If everything had a place, I wouldn't fizzle out trying to clear up. But I am reluctant to jump in and organize an area until I have a plan for the ENTIRE room. <span style="font-size: large;"><b>WHAT IF I DO IT WRONG AND HATE IT LATER?!?</b></span><br />
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But I have four kids who keep me<strike> crazy</strike> busy, and a mild case of ADHD which keeps me from focusing on any one project for very long, so a full blown plan for any part of my house has yet to happen. <span style="font-size: large;"> <b>If I want to keep my sanity, I'm going to have to let go of my desire for a perfect plan, and get moving</b>.</span> <br />
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Before my clutter starts eating family members.<br />
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I will be researching Pinterest-y ways to organize my various supplies. <br />
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Because piling it on my kids' train table isn't working... for some reason...<br />
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I will be adding shelves, drawers, and more counter space one piece at a time (I love you, Ikea!) and slowly but surely making enough places to put my ever growing craft supply (I love you, <a href="http://tracking.pickyourplum.com/aff_c?offer_id=2&aff_id=1542&file_id=32&source=Post" target="_blank">Pick Your Plum</a>!) and turning this chaos into order.<br />
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Will you join me, my friends? Will you lend me the strength of your listening hearts? Because if I know you are waiting to watch my journey, I will push myself further. It's going to be grand--a joyful rebellion against self imposed shackles--and against entropy too.<br />
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P.s. How do you impose order on your craft supplies?<br />
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Does keeping your creative space tidy come easy, or is it a constant struggle for you, as it is for me? <br />
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How have you been able to conquer your inner perfectionist?<br />
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Tell me all of it in the comments below. I need your help!! <br />
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Adrianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09156993835198308864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990283521303759339.post-6147306414266769122014-09-29T16:00:00.000-06:002014-09-29T21:51:20.788-06:00Celebrate You Glitter Dahlia Card<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiquLAeIqmyDyngAIxdz006KS0_fNXr61osp4mu5wPTU2Me7TaxYNLgPiBSRBPTBz-e57Mya74FlfSJQVMZm8H3WKnf3C5NMBiSsTG6elH8eEjmi-BHvKEJEHiNTj3HbP7HsqMQ7AoBHGo/s1600/Preview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiquLAeIqmyDyngAIxdz006KS0_fNXr61osp4mu5wPTU2Me7TaxYNLgPiBSRBPTBz-e57Mya74FlfSJQVMZm8H3WKnf3C5NMBiSsTG6elH8eEjmi-BHvKEJEHiNTj3HbP7HsqMQ7AoBHGo/s1600/Preview.jpg" height="640" width="604" /></a></div>
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I wish I had the photography skills to share this card in its true glory. How does one photograph glitter? Teach us how, Lauren and Jamie!!<br />
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At any rate, this was my first time playing with Silhouette's double sided adhesive and I'm in love! I used <a href="http://www.silhouetteonlinestore.com/?page=view-shape&id=15947" target="_blank">this shape</a> and the font is Amatic!<br />
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Adrianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09156993835198308864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990283521303759339.post-19161586322139854602014-09-24T22:33:00.000-06:002014-09-25T22:59:04.469-06:00Getting My Stripe On :: DIY Striped Magazine Boxes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So.</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhERD0T6K6tKySq1yZrW0oU3ic23tnXRUhIZB9YxswisCETtX0J_dpm_YtChmRpIz3jHyYwqD3tSQ2Wsgsj5bFG0g-7gDUMWWytVKWWWgmWTT3D9Q9Os8lThw8hUTtzfqYkhu49qREDyu0/s1600/9282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhERD0T6K6tKySq1yZrW0oU3ic23tnXRUhIZB9YxswisCETtX0J_dpm_YtChmRpIz3jHyYwqD3tSQ2Wsgsj5bFG0g-7gDUMWWytVKWWWgmWTT3D9Q9Os8lThw8hUTtzfqYkhu49qREDyu0/s1600/9282.jpg" height="640" width="444" /></a></div>
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You know when there's a giveaway that you REEEEAALLY want to win, so you jump through all the hoops and like all 700 people on instagram, facebook, pinterest, etc. etc. etc.? </div>
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I entered one of those once.</div>
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I don't do it often, because I'm kind of a streamlining freak, and I get all OCD when my instagram feed gets all cluttered with people and companies I don't really care about. But I thought to myself, "Maybe I'll really like one of these new people/companies/brands--who knows!?" Well, I ended up un-following most after the giveaway ended, but there was one who's posts I enjoy, and I loved <a href="http://www.emilyley.com/collections/home-office/products/magazine-box-navy">THESE</a> from her site. </div>
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Only problem?</div>
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I love navy.</div>
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That's not the problem.</div>
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The problem is that navy (and gold, for that matter) and my color scheme don't hang out all that much right now.</div>
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So I decided to hack it. I was walking around IKEA and found <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30214429/#/50214428">these magazine file boxes</a> and knew I had to try. At 2/$5 it wasn't much of a financial risk. I picked up some cheap acrylic paint at Michael's (it was on sale for 6/$2) and some painters tape and totally winged it.</div>
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Tip: look closely when buying the file boxes. Sometimes the silver strip across the top isn't perfectly straight, and it will make your stripes look a bit crooked.</div>
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I slapped some paint on there--two coats of the coral, three of the robins egg blue.</div>
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Tip: Make sure to be slow and careful taking the tape off around the corners where the top coat of cardboard is thinner, or you'll rip it off.</div>
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Once the paint is dry, assemble. Which, basically amounts to un-flattening it and putting the corner trim on. </div>
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Now I just need to label them. I'm still deciding which magazines to put where. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyI4zn_KTb8iczxSDGYolqH53SMLAkWf6z3VfdG3JQJX7jg38mgcm3BXil4RWnnREKnK2Vi9ol7bSXLTgs8eJkF1M7nagsSWj84Y4nRoxPcyJoowcvHxHqrpJRaOpJTsll8yxCDJuL6DQ/s1600/9204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyI4zn_KTb8iczxSDGYolqH53SMLAkWf6z3VfdG3JQJX7jg38mgcm3BXil4RWnnREKnK2Vi9ol7bSXLTgs8eJkF1M7nagsSWj84Y4nRoxPcyJoowcvHxHqrpJRaOpJTsll8yxCDJuL6DQ/s1600/9204.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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I love how they turned out! They're not perfect, but they were fast, cheap, and they give me that extra pop of pattern and color that I wanted.</div>
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So tell me--what color will you try?</div>
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Lauren Davisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03547226267105116599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990283521303759339.post-90427198620862531492014-09-19T23:44:00.000-06:002014-09-19T23:45:16.478-06:00Jake and the Neverland Pirates Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We threw this birthday party for my son who is a big fan of Jake, Izzy, Cubby, Scully, and Bucky. It was very simple, but after all, a five year old doesn't care as long as he gets to eat cake and open presents!<br />
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What pirate party would be complete without a treasure hunt? The kids swung through jungle vines, conquered the Never-Peak, slid down the Never-Falls, and collected coconuts, following instructions "from Jake himself!" I printed up some treasure maps from the <a href="http://www.thehandmadehome.net/2012/01/the-present-family-a-treasure-hunt/" target="_blank">Handmade Home</a> and placed them before each activity. Notice the low-key "coconuts" and the buckets we threw them in. If you wanted to dress things up, you could cover the buckets with wrapping or butcher paper. Make sure you say "Oh coconuts!" Cubby-style if you miss the buckets!!<br />
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I thought the final treasure was rather clever: the kids got to decorate their own treasure chests and fill them with gold (chocolate) coins and ring pops!! They had a blast gluing jewels on and covering everything with markers.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEickrL7tKDAT32Ji_CW_tm0wu0jDjBJ7_gOORMBK_ScKp_n5oiU0gkTv6d0nTvSg96M9mMi6KJB5249v_mn77-mo6DrCSnnmvIIymGUXZatYaG86HhGLa_Ka7gM7eR4-JBNG_v6WDNVYyA/s1600/Syd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEickrL7tKDAT32Ji_CW_tm0wu0jDjBJ7_gOORMBK_ScKp_n5oiU0gkTv6d0nTvSg96M9mMi6KJB5249v_mn77-mo6DrCSnnmvIIymGUXZatYaG86HhGLa_Ka7gM7eR4-JBNG_v6WDNVYyA/s1600/Syd.jpg" height="640" width="467" /></a></div>
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They did turn out rather marvelously, don't you think?<br />
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If you'd like to play along at home, I've uploaded the Silhouette files:<br />
<a href="http://bit.ly/TreasureBoxBottom" target="_blank">Box Bottom</a><br />
<a href="http://bit.ly/TreasureChestTop" target="_blank">Box Top </a><br />
Simply cut them out attach the top pieces with gold or silver brads--very piratey indeed!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYI60fFen49qg9Wi8RwFB57H6_V32KR_wogfGNUBEV-DeWXCurWkq6QToH0GgLfQ8lvICpPlAeTWmb3GUI4vaxaMQTXNIcDQBg8WX2KJwj5OTf7e8p5Ob4l_UIYvA8JjubA8xHQ2w1ldM/s1600/Food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYI60fFen49qg9Wi8RwFB57H6_V32KR_wogfGNUBEV-DeWXCurWkq6QToH0GgLfQ8lvICpPlAeTWmb3GUI4vaxaMQTXNIcDQBg8WX2KJwj5OTf7e8p5Ob4l_UIYvA8JjubA8xHQ2w1ldM/s1600/Food.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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We ate "X Marks the Spot Rice Crispy Treats, Pirates Treasure (popcorn, chocolate and M&Ms), "Scully Want Some Cheese and Crackers" and Jello and orange slice sailboats.<br />
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And of course, the exquisite Jake cake! Perfect it is not, all I cared about as a kid were the plastic characters on top. Check and check, my friends! Add to that the delicious chocolate frosting covered rice crispy ship and island? This was quite tasty! I have to shout out to my friend who shared her Jake cake on Facebook--she was actually the inspiration for this whole party!<br />
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I've made you a Bucky sail, if you would like to build your own Jake cake. It is slightly different than what I have--it has a Happy Birthday medallion on it!<br />
<a href="http://bit.ly/BuckySail" target="_blank">Bucky Sail Download</a><span id="goog_1477591952"></span><br />
<span id="goog_1492391903"></span><span id="goog_1492391904"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>What other games or food would you have at a Pirate Party? Do tell!</b></span><br />
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<img alt=" photo Heart-Adriane_zps2e2b06dc.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b612/OLPAdriane/Icons/Heart-Adriane_zps2e2b06dc.jpg" /><br />
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Adrianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09156993835198308864noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990283521303759339.post-74715135863078934702014-09-05T21:35:00.000-06:002014-09-05T21:41:05.401-06:00Free Printable: Lunch Box Love NotesIt's that time again, and we are up to our necks in the back to school frenzy! New teachers, new schedules, and blessedly, a return to routine. I'm hoping one of these days I'll be able to keep up with it all...<br />
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Last year, I started sending little love notes in my oldest's lunch box. At one point he told me how "embarrassing" it was, but I didn't stop because I kind of like to annoy him...When I volunteered in his classroom, I started leaving them at his desk as well. His teacher let me know how much he loved them, and when he brought home his pencil case this summer, I found a bunch of them that he'd saved.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Can I get an Awwwwww?</span></b></div>
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Sadly, I got out of the habit of sending the lunch notes. I was pregnant and tired and my husband started taking care of the morning routine while I...dealt with my morning sickness.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Excuses, excuses...</span></i></div>
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This year, I am determined that I will send a note every day and see how much I can "embarrass" the child. And to make it easier, I made a few to print out. I can fill out a couple ahead of time and if I am busy with the baby in the morning, it will be easy for the husby to slip one in the lunch box.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWeTEm-tbKD3Ebl_FMF9MgKxk2NOpVWU3UMjpWll1Spq6cqeh5AxXxfHhKQgBwPoIbj7UZe5da_Sh1bs4qulGi7rEYSTm00qWzZBKih0LKv-ob_8fdU4sIGS9XQNlkZKgUko8YAxKP09U/s1600/Love-Note.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWeTEm-tbKD3Ebl_FMF9MgKxk2NOpVWU3UMjpWll1Spq6cqeh5AxXxfHhKQgBwPoIbj7UZe5da_Sh1bs4qulGi7rEYSTm00qWzZBKih0LKv-ob_8fdU4sIGS9XQNlkZKgUko8YAxKP09U/s1600/Love-Note.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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It occurred to me that perhaps you might like to make your littles feel special too, so feel free to snag the download and print away!<br />
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<a href="http://bit.ly/OLPLunchBoxLoveNotes" target="_blank"><img alt=" Free Printable: Lunch Box Love Notes" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqac2tA1Ow43Z0Mj3OR9H1oqDY3IOFjsiWupJuzocuhoAZDURPT8xkEGQOQPpxi-ArAXIKA-xrg6Q3ox3S_rvdZ2xXJWk6gudXchOCOXDPe5-btPnnvaP7qu4yasMvsuWf3pVCYEKwVlE/s1600/School-Lunch-Notes-Preview.png" height="640" width="494" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://bit.ly/OLPLunchBoxLoveNotes" target="_blank">Click here for the Printable</a><br />
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<a href="http://bit.ly/LunchBoxLoveNotesBorderless" target="_blank">Click here for a borderless version of the Printable</a><br />
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<img alt=" photo Heart-Adriane_zps2e2b06dc.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b612/OLPAdriane/Icons/Heart-Adriane_zps2e2b06dc.jpg" /><br />
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Adrianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09156993835198308864noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990283521303759339.post-59554384010936232712014-08-09T20:39:00.002-06:002014-08-11T23:48:59.877-06:00All-Natural Sunburn Relief<div style="text-align: center;">
So. </div>
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Essential Oils. </div>
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<i>Everyone's doing them.</i></div>
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Aaaand a while back my curiosity got the better of me and I just had to try them to find out what all they hype was about. I'm ashamed to admit that they have mostly lived peacefully in the sweet little subdivided box I purchased for them.</div>
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There are one or two that I've used several times, but they were blends--designed to perform a specific purpose. No mixing or creativity required. One is designed to help boost your immune system, and the other helps with congestion.</div>
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So I've decided to experiment and bit and share my successes (hopefully no failures, right!?) here. </div>
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My first experiment?</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Sunburn relief.</span></b></div>
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We enrolled my girls in swimming lessons this year, but they didn't start until the end of July. And that may have been the first time I've worn my swimsuit this year. Nope--that's false. It was the <i>second</i> time. But that's beside the point. </div>
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The point is that most of my lovely skin hadn't said hello to the summer sun yet, and I got a bit rosy after bobbing around in the pool with my mini-man while the girlies were getting their swim on. When I got home I rolled my eyes a bit, realizing that I didn't have any aloe vera in my house. </div>
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But then inspiration hit.</div>
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Essential oils!</div>
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Hey! I have some of those! Maybe one of my oils provides relief from sunburn! </div>
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After a bit of research on the world wide web, I decided to go with this:</div>
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<b><i><u>INGREDIENTS:</u></i></b></div>
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<b>20 drops lavendar oil (for healing and soothing)</b></div>
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<b>25 drops peppermint oil (for cooling and soothing)</b></div>
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<b>water/fractionated coconut oil to fill a 2 ounce spray bottle</b></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(I happened to have a pump bottle of hair spray from my airplane-friendly toiletries stash.)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjAqg8NsO75aCrv18J5WftN-LTYETSV98uG0WDHOwfVbiB6kysI6tNSTMhYQw25TOTAQJ0Rs6EHjmPgMC4JQQqGgkhClmLEH9ama6zEsq0oKq0Dzjm0Bk8BDVwCXbBtDDn7RquuiOFAY/s1600/Sunburn+Relief+Vertical.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjAqg8NsO75aCrv18J5WftN-LTYETSV98uG0WDHOwfVbiB6kysI6tNSTMhYQw25TOTAQJ0Rs6EHjmPgMC4JQQqGgkhClmLEH9ama6zEsq0oKq0Dzjm0Bk8BDVwCXbBtDDn7RquuiOFAY/s1600/Sunburn+Relief+Vertical.jpg" height="400" width="301" /></a></div>
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And that's it! Make sure your pump bottle is clean, put in the oils, and fill with the carrier. I used fractionated coconut oil. <b><i>Shake well</i></b>, and spray away. I like to rub it in a bit after I spray.</div>
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It wasn't the same sort of instant cool that a bottle of aloe provides, but I felt like the soothing lasted much longer and I healed faster. Plus I always feel sticky when I use aloe, but not with this!</div>
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But get this--EVEN MY HUSBAND LIKED IT.</div>
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Say WHAT!?</div>
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This is the same husband who puts the word essential in little quotation marks with his fingers whenever he talks about them. He sunburned his feet pretty bad when we went paddle boarding last weekend, and I put some of this on his feet when we got home (to the tune of some eye rolling on the Mr.'s part), and what do you know! The next day there was no sign of it. </div>
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The Mr. said (and I quote):</div>
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"You've made me a believer!"</div>
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<img alt=" photo Heart-Lauren_zpsfade7730.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b612/OLPAdriane/Icons/Heart-Lauren_zpsfade7730.jpg" /></div>
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Lauren Davisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03547226267105116599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990283521303759339.post-3046676332653954252014-07-31T15:51:00.000-06:002014-07-31T16:05:47.427-06:00A Happy Marriage = A Happy Home <div style="text-align: center;">
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The clock said 9:15. We had started our children's bedtime routine at 7:45,
which meant we had been at it for an hour and a half. It was one of
those nights where everything was a battle- from getting in and out of the bath
to picking out the “right” pajamas. It had been one of "those" nights for months now. With a toddler hanging from my shoulder and
a screaming 7 year old at my feet, I glanced across the room at my husband for
help. He was wrestling with our teething baby, trying to keep him from biting
his shoulder, all while trying to explain to our 5 year old why she couldn’t
take a bowl of cereal to bed with her to “keep under her pillow until she got
hungry.” His voice was full of patience, yet he spoke every word like it
weighed a hundred pounds. He had ketchup on his pants, and spit up on his shirt.
He looked completely drained. He caught
my eye and for a moment we just looked at each other… and I thought to myself- How
did we get here? <o:p></o:p></div>
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Just yesterday we were young newlyweds, certain that the
power of love could conquer anything! All you need is love! Right?! We were
blissfully unaware of things like unemployment, mountains of laundry, stacks of
bills, or the grief of losing a child. There were days we thought we were busy, and tired... but the true meaning of those words had yet to be discovered. <o:p></o:p></div>
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It didn’t take long before we became acquainted with the
cruel realities of life. Even the monotony of day-to-day living started to take
it’s toll. There were lists to be made, things to be done, and children to take
care of. The days quietly turned to years, and suddenly I found myself looking
across the room at this handsome man and thinking… when was the last time I
REALLY talked to him? Sigh….This man. This wonderful amazing man… do I even know him anymore? <o:p></o:p></div>
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My husband is going to school, and working full time, so our time together is extremely limited. I am the mother of 4 children under the age of 7. My children
are young and dependent on me for everything. While in the trenches of
motherhood it is often hard to remember that before I became a mother, I was a
wife. I was a friend, a lover, and a companion. Just months after we were
married, while I was still settling into my role as a spouse, we found out I
was expecting. And now, here we are… four children later. I wouldn’t change the
number of children we have, or our choice to have them so close together. I
know that the decisions we made were right for our family. However, I had
become so wrapped up in my role as a mother that I had put my relationship with
my husband on the backburner without even realizing it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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That night I decided something had to change. Over the
course of the last few months I have put more effort into making my
relationship with my husband a priority. Implementing a few small habits
brought about some big changes in our relationship, and I wanted to share them with you just incase you find yourself in the same boat we were in. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> 1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Do
the little things.</b></div>
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Let’s be honest, between work,
kids, and an endless list of things to do, date night often gets pushed to the
bottom of the list. And far too often a weekly night out is not in the budget
for us. But don’t despair! We have found it’s the little things that keep our
relationship alive: Hold hands when you’re at the park with the kids, send your spouse a quick text to see how their day is going, let them know you’re
thinking about them. When your husband gets home from work, stop what you’re doing
and give him a hug and a kiss. Cuddle on the couch when you watch a movie… In
front of the kids? Really? YES. Really. Children need to know their parents
love one another. I have realized that my husband and I are the strongest example to our children of
what a marriage should look like. How we treat one another becomes the
blueprint for how our children will learn to treat their future spouse. Raising
them in a home where their mother and father clearly love and value one another
will set them on the right path for how to build their own healthy
relationships. So yes, do the little things- and let your children see them. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>2. Be a team!<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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When women get
together there is a tendency to start husband bashing. You all know exactly
what I’m talking about and I’ve got two words for you- Stop it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Maybe he does leave
his socks on the floor, and maybe he really can’t remember to take out the
trash. But guess what? No one is perfect. <o:p></o:p></div>
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How would you feel
if your husband complained about your flaws in public? <i>“Ugh, when I came home from work yesterday it looked like a tornado had
blown through the house. My wife was STILL in her sweats, probably because
they’re the only thing that fits her these days… she hadn’t even bothered to
put on make up! The kids were screaming at the top of their lungs, and my wife
hadn’t even thought about what we were going to have for dinner yet.
Unbelievable! I work hard all day long, and yet THIS is what I come home to?” </i>It’s
not so funny when the tables are turned is it? <o:p></o:p></div>
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So next time your
girlfriends are swapping complaints about their husbands- resist the urge to join
in. Praise him when he can hear you, and praise him when he can’t. Respect him
and he will do the same for you. Build him up in front of your children, “Wow,
you are so lucky to have a dad who will play tea party with you!” or “Doesn’t
daddy look handsome today?” It will make
him feel like the super hero he is. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Be each other’s
number one fan. Support one another, even when it’s hard. When my husband told
me he wanted to go back to school to get another degree I told him that if it’s
what he really wants, then I’m behind him 100%... even though it means surviving
long days without him, living on a tighter budget, and doing it without making
him feel guilty about it. I’ve got his back, and I know he has mine. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Work together. Play
together. You’re a team- so act like it!<o:p></o:p></div>
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3. <b>Go to bed together.</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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This seems like such a simple thing, but for
some reason it is so hard for us to do. Too often I’m up late working on the
computer, or my husband is studying, and we end up dragging ourselves into bed
at different times. And I’m embarrassed to say that FAR too often we let a
third party interrupt our alone time. Nope, not the kiddos. I’m talking about a nasty
time-sucking tyrant called TECHNOLOGY. Laying in bed with my husband playing
games on the ipad, and me on my phone surfing Pinterest for new recipes, and
pinning articles about how to connect with your spouse <i>(oh the irony.)</i> … we may as well be on separate continents. Our new rule is to turn off all electronic
devices 30 minutes before bedtime. Those 30 minutes are our time together to
talk and reconnect without the constant distraction of text messages or the ensnaring
appeal of the Internet. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I recently had a good talk with a friend of mine, and when I
told her that my husband comes before my kids she looked at me like I was
crazy. <i>“What? Your husband is a grown
man. He can take care of himself.”</i> But here’s the thing - putting my
husband first doesn’t mean my children’s needs are neglected. My
responsibilities as a mother haven’t changed. My days are still filled to the brim
with carpools, homework, spelling lists, skinned knees, dance recitals, sticky
fingers, PB and J, and endless battles over who gets the pink cup <i>(Would it be so hard for Ikea to make their
dinnerware in ONE color?!? I'm just sayin'!) </i>My plate is still as full as it was 6
months ago, if not fuller- but the days don’t seem as long. Why? I think it’s because I don’t
feel alone in the chaos. My relationship with my husband is stronger than it’s
ever been, and even when the kids are bouncing off the walls- our home feels a
little more peaceful. <o:p></o:p></div>
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At first the idea of making my husband’s needs a priority stressed
me out. After all, I’ve already got an
army of little people who need my love and attention. The thought of one more
person who needed a slice of my time was overwhelming. But do you know what I’ve
learned? Putting my husband first isn’t really a matter of how I divide my time
during the day. In fact, if we were to graph it out, the kids would definitely
get the bigger piece of the pie! So what’s the difference? It’s not so much about
the <i>size</i> of the slice of pie, it’s
about the <i>quality</i> of it. It’s not
about how much time my husband and I have together- it’s about making the most
of what we have. And it’s worth the effort. A happier marriage = a happier
home. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So tonight, as I look across the battlefield at my husband
as he rocks our baby to sleep, his shirt covered in spaghetti sauce, his hair
disheveled from building a fort in the living room… I’m not looking at a man I
hardly know anymore. I’m looking at my teammate, my best friend, the love of my
life. And I can’t help but think he’s never looked sexier. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--EndFragment--><img alt=" photo Heart-Jamie_zps52d56181.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b612/OLPAdriane/Icons/Heart-Jamie_zps52d56181.jpg" /></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990283521303759339.post-26340481663450901012014-06-30T15:00:00.000-06:002014-06-30T23:40:19.967-06:00Top Ten Reasons Being A Newborn Is Horribly Difficult<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91Pm4rVg0WVf0EeXbSBs6xv5iWfbgdVbJNzONaHDcPSljFk_e1kwNZhIzuXcdRgjFyTj3ZUwIRjmPHMyRdy29f2w0Eu99-bVOBdWRuFzr9gHi-sUDM2tZ7yXxhbjdleDmv3IgyFWAP6M/s1600/6002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91Pm4rVg0WVf0EeXbSBs6xv5iWfbgdVbJNzONaHDcPSljFk_e1kwNZhIzuXcdRgjFyTj3ZUwIRjmPHMyRdy29f2w0Eu99-bVOBdWRuFzr9gHi-sUDM2tZ7yXxhbjdleDmv3IgyFWAP6M/s1600/6002.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hi! I'm new here. At first glance, you would think I have the easiest life in the world: My every whim is seen to by willing, even eager <i><span style="font-size: large;"><strike>slaves</strike></span></i> parents, I eat when I want, sleep when I want, and even receive praise for bodily functions usually discouraged in polite company. <br />
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But don't be fooled. My life is far more difficult than it appears! Don't believe me? Check out my list:<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">10.</span></b> If I don't get my 20 hours of sleep, I get <span style="font-size: large;"><b>C.R.A.N.K.Y</b><b>.</b></span> don't even go there.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig3TEDnFzcSSashjDfwooY9ThZHWE5u3wIoHgPSzegTbO0YVm9w0KrSfVzdmw2ylnL1HOqwxpXzXfhpyfy6lKbnong4PLZ0mUKKKcc44VW1L-XgPqAsjAZjwtO8q4Lzu5BigzM0oQUIDQ/s1600/6046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig3TEDnFzcSSashjDfwooY9ThZHWE5u3wIoHgPSzegTbO0YVm9w0KrSfVzdmw2ylnL1HOqwxpXzXfhpyfy6lKbnong4PLZ0mUKKKcc44VW1L-XgPqAsjAZjwtO8q4Lzu5BigzM0oQUIDQ/s1600/6046.jpg" height="420" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">9.</span></b> Speaking of which, these people keep odd hours. They sleep during the <span style="font-size: large;"><b>night time</b></span> and don't <span style="font-size: large;"><b>eat</b></span> nearly often enough. For some reason, they seem to expect <span style="font-size: large;"><i>me</i></span> to adjust to <i><span style="font-size: large;">THEIR</span></i> schedule. They even get a bit grumpy when I refuse to conform...<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">8.</span></b> What would be a tiny gas bubble for you is bigger than my whole stomach... So yeah, I think that's enough said.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>7.</b></span> Actually, no. That deserves a little more discussion. Can you even imagine the amount of discomfort that kind of <i><span style="font-size: large;">flatulence</span></i> can cause???<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_raa4KuLFWDU7jXYTSUhz_6dHXWzwkbGum0mt1hpvDFb_n5tmo-srmg-HyL4jPWDiVLiboAnl8M4HDcuDGvwv_-GvMwnIRe883DBZ48vJ24rJxrtZ8vW6OBxMSjmsHO7xGZOEwZ6pQEg/s1600/6074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_raa4KuLFWDU7jXYTSUhz_6dHXWzwkbGum0mt1hpvDFb_n5tmo-srmg-HyL4jPWDiVLiboAnl8M4HDcuDGvwv_-GvMwnIRe883DBZ48vJ24rJxrtZ8vW6OBxMSjmsHO7xGZOEwZ6pQEg/s1600/6074.jpg" height="432" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">6.</span></b> Imagine expressing the desire to go outside, only to be carried up the stairs, down the hall, and dumped in one's bed? Frustrating doesn't begin to cover it. I just wish I could move by myself!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5.</span></b> Trying to have a conversation or express a simple need is very frustrating when my only mode of communication is to cry. Obviously, I have different types: I <b>scream</b> when I hurt, I <i>wail</i> when I need a clean bottom, I <span style="font-size: large;">fuss</span> when I am hungry and I <i><span style="font-size: small;">whimper</span></i> when my brothers get all up in my face. It doesn't matter though, none of these people are very great at interpreting my signals...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMvzlBtHeGByyMFA5tNG7MPmI0WppnaRlwcALZuUheiTj1sbL9hRd2Gxitlc4XDZcfMbYfPbHy32mJH3XzEPXkdQ7iOwmCvM7tb81glb_aWby6I15m3qbD9bHk6BSt8_yuJDHhmT2Wyg/s1600/6055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMvzlBtHeGByyMFA5tNG7MPmI0WppnaRlwcALZuUheiTj1sbL9hRd2Gxitlc4XDZcfMbYfPbHy32mJH3XzEPXkdQ7iOwmCvM7tb81glb_aWby6I15m3qbD9bHk6BSt8_yuJDHhmT2Wyg/s1600/6055.jpg" height="452" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">4.</span></b> My head is half my body weight. As fun as being a <i><span style="font-size: large;">bobble head</span></i> looks, it isn't. So stop laughing already.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">3.</span></b> I have these <span style="font-size: large;"><i>strange appendages</i></span> that keep whacking me in the head no matter how desperately I try to control them. They invariably attack most ferociously at mealtime. My own body coming between me and my dinner? The humanity!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8wxCDE-lNujpYKxNhNS2lHF0V0Noq3U3KPGUFW8oNlO1Idlmhyphenhyphens8ZQJemnCLYBdkB8XOlzI6vMcJgyNzDBcW1dbWL5w5YaDO_Ysmp_zi8FZABOrdZgP31ywUnroSpmLGOtUUmNWe9Yl8/s1600/6105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8wxCDE-lNujpYKxNhNS2lHF0V0Noq3U3KPGUFW8oNlO1Idlmhyphenhyphens8ZQJemnCLYBdkB8XOlzI6vMcJgyNzDBcW1dbWL5w5YaDO_Ysmp_zi8FZABOrdZgP31ywUnroSpmLGOtUUmNWe9Yl8/s1600/6105.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">2.</span></b> Pretty sure I know much more than these <b><span style="font-size: large;">crazies</span></b> who call themselves my
parents. They tell me this will continue until I grow old enough to have
my own, and suddenly, all bets are off... But I'm not buying.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">1.</span></b> I'm a grown up spirit <span style="font-size: large;"><i>squashed</i></span> into teeny tiny quarters (Seriously. Have
you seen my itsy toes?!?). It is nearly impossible to contain this much
awesome, folks!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQG01YjZ9a0LTzuufeqouy64g3Etw0yrjDZZ0azxD0T7hJdJNShim8GRlq2OXMoQYj3vRXYUzX19FvYa5cTHmPSlPwANUp3Zc1YSkTZNhuAEViKpR0lv_NtCCLpoVA3vjY-iCwCeU_Kt0/s1600/6091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQG01YjZ9a0LTzuufeqouy64g3Etw0yrjDZZ0azxD0T7hJdJNShim8GRlq2OXMoQYj3vRXYUzX19FvYa5cTHmPSlPwANUp3Zc1YSkTZNhuAEViKpR0lv_NtCCLpoVA3vjY-iCwCeU_Kt0/s1600/6091.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Photo Credits: <a href="http://davisonphotography.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Davison Photography</a><br />
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Adrianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09156993835198308864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990283521303759339.post-66163195005624858512014-06-16T07:00:00.000-06:002014-06-21T15:03:14.776-06:00One Lucky Pickle is TWO Years Old! (Giveaways CLOSED!)Boy have we learned a lot about ourselves and about blogging in the past two years. It feels like only yesterday that we were giggling on the phone together, trying to decide what to call our new blog! Since then we have added three children to our families (one each!!), Lauren moved twice, and we have written over a hundred posts. <br />
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And this is what we have been up to most recently:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrmJLpWMgHiLY2g4De1MVcDdxV4Gk06zqSJWo5TwHKJG8-apym5Gv3D9zDZgwRNRG1MWn4379ITQyTnBTNSs3mlINb5fyysHZO01ebqCU980fKhoKxclBO6KCK_fxK71L9JvP6xsTq_VM/s1600/One-Lucky-Pickle-Birthday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrmJLpWMgHiLY2g4De1MVcDdxV4Gk06zqSJWo5TwHKJG8-apym5Gv3D9zDZgwRNRG1MWn4379ITQyTnBTNSs3mlINb5fyysHZO01ebqCU980fKhoKxclBO6KCK_fxK71L9JvP6xsTq_VM/s1600/One-Lucky-Pickle-Birthday.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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Setting up a huge birthday giveaway for our most fabulous Pickle readers! We are tickled that YOU are here with us! Every comment, e-mail, like, share, and pin that you send our way still makes us giddy. We want to say thanks, so we've partnered with some of our favorite online shops to get some goodies into your hands!!<br />
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First up, a set of 3 prints from <a href="http://ccs.infospace.com/ClickHandler.ashx?ld=20140613&app=1&c=prodegemeta3.swagbucks&s=prodegemeta3&rc=prodegemeta3&dc=&euip=75.162.184.126&pvaid=7a8a766229b24f3295307dfe976b92fb&dt=Desktop&fct.uid=a04e48c0d5044df183e3bc5e534341df&en=saSGi6zbYVlaBat%2bZaUJFwLZ7itaq%2foIOjT4vHJQmXYprel0hUd5npOyPTLMTdou&du=www.seewhatiseadesigns.com&ru=http%3a%2f%2fwww.seewhatiseadesigns.com%2f&ap=1&coi=771&cop=main-title&npp=1&p=0&pp=0&pct=http%3a%2f%2fwww.swagbucks.com%2f%3fcmd%3dapi-handle-search-click%26id%3d2913647%26t%3dw%26b%3d0%26f%3d0%26src%3d1%26p%3d2&ep=1&mid=9&hash=B0A2FB0721C80889EB8FB87D089B6142" target="_blank">Sea What I Sea Designs</a>. Click on the picture for more details and to enter the giveaway!<br />
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<a href="http://www.oneluckypickle.com/2014/06/see-what-i-sea-designs-giveaway.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_8128_zpsa2608cd5.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b612/OLPAdriane/IMG_8128_zpsa2608cd5.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
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Next we have a hand knit monster of your choice from our very own Lauren at <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllStuftUp?ref=search_shop_redirect" target="_blank">All Stuft Up</a>. Click on the picture for more details and to enter the giveaway.<br />
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<a href="http://www.oneluckypickle.com/2014/06/All-Stuft-Up-Giveaway.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmutTexV-suByvkic82MhU7GV0v2ruo1Tr2wRrluohjVpxU8tdud-mu9iIx8RqIfY0je5eyPa8a2Lha6gaBr0eHVBmsbLpqhyd1Qx3OMyt_giN0mdL3TZuHCmp2LUPTCBHh6l47A3irNA/s1600/Quad.jpg" height="440" width="640" /></a></div>
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Check out this gift basket filled with Younique Cosmetics (including the magical mascara that Jamie reviewed) from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Crystalchidesteryounique" target="_blank">Crystal Chidester</a>. Click on the image for more details and to enter the giveaway.<br />
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<a href="http://www.oneluckypickle.com/2014/06/younique-cosmetics-gift-basket-giveaway.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzmk5LN6hh2x0zJVIB5PKiTvgIhFzu-2b-jRS8RFHOBx7B5xL9ddnS_HwjBSY5-UutX77p0qokIbOgMfIyUIxqpbFheHKQosKZoXArldHiJIlcXJRPcKaVTufOpkNc-LffpCqG2KUEvw/s750/DSC_4745-Edita.jpg" height="155" width="640" /></a></div>
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And finally, we have a Disney's Brave inspired necklace from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/FandomTreasures?ref=l2-shop-header-avatar" target="_blank">Fandom Treasures</a>! Click on the picture for more details and to enter the giveaway.<br />
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<a href="http://www.oneluckypickle.com/2014/06/fandom-treasures-necklace-giveaway.html" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.oneluckypickle.com/2014/06/fandom-treasures-necklace-giveaway.html" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIrpMK93mn_IZSrFlEtNQB5Ugju6XdkLbd2WK9BB-etMe2uoOO5MT7PEd5Pa_Qr-L4ZlwczEiJldAkUz63ly2WGXpZvgIr_ItfSW67gGTaI6xHMS5alx9WMAW8afWT6ebBbLLyBlrP2U/s1600/Change+Your+Fate+Necklace.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Thanks to these awesome partners for some seriously nifty loot! And a super big thank you to our One Lucky Pickle readers--you are the reason we do what we do. I hope you win!<br />
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All of the giveaways start now (what are you waiting for?!?) and end Friday June 20th at 11:59 p.m. MST. They are open to all U.S. residents at least 18 years of age. We will announce the winner on Saturday, so check back then! <br />
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Adrianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09156993835198308864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990283521303759339.post-45203033004740348302014-06-16T06:59:00.003-06:002014-06-21T15:05:58.835-06:00Fandom Treasures Necklace Giveaway (GIVEAWAY CLOSED!)I have been following <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/FandomTreasures" target="_blank">Fandom Treasures</a> ever since Melanie started her store. I'm a big fan of all things Disney, and her necklaces are spot on--such a celebration of the magic. Now she has expanded to other brands of awesome--so if Star Wars (I know, technically now Disney too), Friends, or Sherlock (just to name a few) are more up your alley, she's got you covered!<br />
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Which one is my favorite, you ask? Well, I'll tell you--I own her <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/171566179/disney-tangled-inspired-hand-stamped?ref=listing-shop-header-1" target="_blank">Tangled Inspired Necklace.</a> I actually won it in a giveaway (I never win anything!! It was SO AWESOME!!)!!<br />
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Now it's <span style="font-size: large;"><b>your turn</b></span> to win!! And don't worry if you don't ever win anything either--it's time to "Change Your Fate." (See what I did there? That's what the necklace says...) And yes, I said that in a Scottish accent in my head--did you?<br />
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The giveaway starts today and ends Friday, June 20th at 11:59 p.m. MST. They are open to all U.S. residents at least 18 years of age. We will announce a winner on Saturday the 21st, so check back then. Good luck!<br />
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Adrianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09156993835198308864noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990283521303759339.post-27532079616700237622014-06-13T13:14:00.004-06:002014-06-13T13:14:37.209-06:00Get ready to Par-TAY!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>The fun starts on Monday--see you there!!</b></span></span></div>
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Adrianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09156993835198308864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990283521303759339.post-54837111229733243452014-06-04T07:41:00.000-06:002014-06-04T07:49:00.329-06:00Pet Rocks<div style="text-align: center;">
With the sound of the final bell ringing in their ears the kids burst through the doors of the school in a flurry of excitement. Bikes and scooters parading down the streets in a race to freedom... by the looks on their faces you'd think they were experiencing the heat of the sun on their faces for the very first time. And boy does it feel GOOD! </div>
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School had been out for all of 20 minutes when Addie came up to me and said, "So mom! What kind of fun things are we going to do today?!" </div>
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Uh... I dunno. RELAX? Play outside? Celebrate the fact that I get to take a brief hiatus from driving back and forth to school 3 times a day? Rejoice in the end of homework and spelling tests for a few months?! </div>
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My brilliant suggestions were met with doubtful eyes and scowling faces. </div>
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Shocker. </div>
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"Why don't we make pet rocks?"</div>
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"What's a pet rock?"</div>
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"Oh my sweet children. Prepare for some serious fun! We're going on a walk!" </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL8kftWOeYwvdD9qyugPT9CpxJclZhXIF0b0c4qG3G70a9Ou_2kAuCeB9qdvx18CPLUPP7WQkYI_i_8VjAVb9t3TlJYG-bVBled721YhLK3DBoTPIgM1Rx280KPoai6CcBEofGGRckIc8/s1600/blog8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL8kftWOeYwvdD9qyugPT9CpxJclZhXIF0b0c4qG3G70a9Ou_2kAuCeB9qdvx18CPLUPP7WQkYI_i_8VjAVb9t3TlJYG-bVBled721YhLK3DBoTPIgM1Rx280KPoai6CcBEofGGRckIc8/s900/blog8.jpg" height="494" width="640" /></a></div>
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We put Zach in the stroller and set off in search of the perfect rocks. We picked up a few friends along our journey, and they helped us scout out which rocks looked the most like different animals. </div>
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"This one is shaped like a unicorn!" "This one would be a perfect butterfly!" </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9SEG3ufO4lA9G6t_ZELk3qlx9Cs0TpyRVxcjKHLZFHCQ5DwTq3x2UQ1nTrbFNhyphenhyphenOJ3IVUUnxGF6rHga5RaAdGYXKpVp-z2K9gXwC0egxuOqLylm42w4lhcUgpPRjoERW-icSmmHi6OVE/s1600/blog6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9SEG3ufO4lA9G6t_ZELk3qlx9Cs0TpyRVxcjKHLZFHCQ5DwTq3x2UQ1nTrbFNhyphenhyphenOJ3IVUUnxGF6rHga5RaAdGYXKpVp-z2K9gXwC0egxuOqLylm42w4lhcUgpPRjoERW-icSmmHi6OVE/s900/blog6.jpg" height="494" width="640" /></a></div>
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Once we were happy with our collection, we busted out our <a href="http://www.oneluckypickle.com/2012/09/diy-laminated-placemats.html">handy dandy placements</a>, and the paint!</div>
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(We seriously use these placemats for everything! They wipe clean so easily!) </div>
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The kids had so much fun creating what started out to be pet rocks, and quickly transformed into abstract art. No matter- it was still a blast, and most importantly it kept the kids happy and engaged for hours! </div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopUnDoY0Cj9ykBc6eo4lmJNdiollpdJ_uEAtWqS8iFUnSsN5az-6a4TdLDohlivvR4BAyuNpu9OaCpU5TmWgR0dVgSLjkRPI_jTtiNjth9LJcwKUu5bBN9Ut6drGd0mUfu83fRzA-q5A/s1600/blog+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopUnDoY0Cj9ykBc6eo4lmJNdiollpdJ_uEAtWqS8iFUnSsN5az-6a4TdLDohlivvR4BAyuNpu9OaCpU5TmWgR0dVgSLjkRPI_jTtiNjth9LJcwKUu5bBN9Ut6drGd0mUfu83fRzA-q5A/s900/blog+4.jpg" height="494" width="640" /></a><br />
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The baby took a break for a light snack...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGd0bnP3TnyawilFjeZD-duSWB-Nz8_7ylvb7NOijL4cwl21F7296Bz3hBwuaO68Fz_wHDVvLC6_DkvorACJMFqN6JytGFfkbFb9-iMxsXmd8FZsEiC7Ilr0Ie7GANJM_AQv1QKS8A0I/s1600/blog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGd0bnP3TnyawilFjeZD-duSWB-Nz8_7ylvb7NOijL4cwl21F7296Bz3hBwuaO68Fz_wHDVvLC6_DkvorACJMFqN6JytGFfkbFb9-iMxsXmd8FZsEiC7Ilr0Ie7GANJM_AQv1QKS8A0I/s900/blog1.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></div>
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And some much needed gardening. :) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvy5yq1wlbrUUIc0ZdkjiRBKvUFc0M1sNwQgvBukDHG3ESZ3kgUvyuc2pxItqnua6daOsabjYbBHZQseu2Ly6OBnJ-ooAaho3z8KzDErEtQwE5RD18OLNbDR1i2Q7m29QyuPcINt9vlw/s1600/blog+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvy5yq1wlbrUUIc0ZdkjiRBKvUFc0M1sNwQgvBukDHG3ESZ3kgUvyuc2pxItqnua6daOsabjYbBHZQseu2Ly6OBnJ-ooAaho3z8KzDErEtQwE5RD18OLNbDR1i2Q7m29QyuPcINt9vlw/s900/blog+3.jpg" height="287" width="640" /></a></div>
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But for the most part, we spent the entire afternoon working on our pet rock project. </div>
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You may wonder, after all that effort, why aren't there any pictures of the finished product? Well, the thing is... we left the rocks out in the sun to dry. My 3 year old decided the rocks looked hot and needed some water. So she dutifully filled up the watering can and gave them a drink. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYsRZq6hfNJ-7DGX2MQs7UqmhHFX5XCqGbsqrq6yuGCxaTzdK_tleWqVtsIod4f5UkHZnpt4cLHNCLeqfIsqvWzf-OV8ZB4FswncyTEPxhp70H1qhS82Sd6bnkrq5TyvYofgVc0wplly4/s1600/blog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYsRZq6hfNJ-7DGX2MQs7UqmhHFX5XCqGbsqrq6yuGCxaTzdK_tleWqVtsIod4f5UkHZnpt4cLHNCLeqfIsqvWzf-OV8ZB4FswncyTEPxhp70H1qhS82Sd6bnkrq5TyvYofgVc0wplly4/s900/blog2.jpg" height="494" width="640" /></a></div>
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We now have a rainbow colored sidewalk, and naked rocks. </div>
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(Turns out Crayola washable paints REALLY are washable!) </div>
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Needless to say there were tears and apologies, followed by popsicles and promises of another pet rock adventure another day. :)<br />
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What kind of boredom busters have you been up to this week?<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990283521303759339.post-38907769841810521832014-05-26T12:04:00.003-06:002014-05-26T12:05:11.677-06:00Closet Playroom Remodel
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Sometimes I feel a little claustrophobic. We are a family of
6 living in a little over 1000 sq. feet. I know that we are incredibly blessed to have a home to call our own,
and I LOVE our house! I really do! But there are days where I feel like the walls are caving in, and on those days I spend way too much
time thinking about my dream home… A beautiful 3000 sq ft home nestled safely
at the end of a cul-de-sac, with enough space for us to breathe. Surrounded by
trees and a luscious garden, and a yard where my kids can run amuck… and we’ll
have a garage, and a kitchen with enough counter space to cook a meal… sigh…
It’s a beautiful dream. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
But it’s just that. A dream. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
One of the biggest items on my wish list is a playroom. I’d
love to have a space where the kids can imagine, play, and create… and where I
can close the door to contain the mess and pretend like it isn't there if I have to. This week while I was doing some
deep cleaning in our closet under the stairs I decided… hey… if I want a
playroom so badly, why don’t I just make one?!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
So I did.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzjFNecCO63UgrmeA0kWmp1Ti9bZZ_SYoGMWoVZFEgxHTuNws4A8TopDZ5f3TgxVEmbA2aP9ZsVJJxDXRD321pOLPaclrURNIN31nG7I8NqwLOTBlfY_T3KIMtcP4sT3vglGxjnP2EkU/s1600/web11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzjFNecCO63UgrmeA0kWmp1Ti9bZZ_SYoGMWoVZFEgxHTuNws4A8TopDZ5f3TgxVEmbA2aP9ZsVJJxDXRD321pOLPaclrURNIN31nG7I8NqwLOTBlfY_T3KIMtcP4sT3vglGxjnP2EkU/s1600/web11.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Now I’m totally kicking myself for not taking a before
picture of what this closet looked like. But I didn’t realize I was going to be
doing anything fun or exciting when I started my de-junking mission that
morning. Sorry! There are no pictures of the total disaster that existed
under my stairs. Imagine with me for a moment a
closet so scary that you didn’t dare open the door lest something fall out of
its precariously stacked location and knock you on the noggin. The floor was so
littered with puzzle pieces, Legos, Barbies, and broken toys that you couldn't even see the floor. In fact, there was
no floor- just a knee deep swamp of despair. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
True story. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I took a deep breath and dug in. The first thing I did was empty
the closet and get rid of anything and everything we don’t actually use. Then I
vacuumed up the bag of powdered sugar that had apparently exploded underneath
all the mess. How it got there in the first place I have no idea. After the
space was nice and clean, I decided I wanted to paint! After all, what’s a
playroom without some fun color?! I had a can of blue paint left over from an
old project and used that to brighten up the space.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
While the paint was drying, I organized the toys. An old
wicker basket now holds all the dress up clothes. I happened to have some empty
organizing bins in the attic, so I pulled those out and used them to store
small toys and dress up accessories like hats, shoes and necklaces. <i>(Ignore the ugly sticker... I don't know why I didn't pull it off.)</i> Then I used an
empty container from Sam’s Club that used to contain cheese puffs <i>(I mean… uh…
organic chia-flax-spinach-kale chips)</i> to store all the play food. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwcmQnh02vwkvRjKhYb-FKRncigl4MV1Km2KdGMBnU1UeJeqDDArWOtEd5REubEx6SL7vLkmcI56kgNEV8N2u_1i-NCVshBfjpQ87Cjr6ONXkOJW9g6X3f5-WsrUJz6H5yu_2R4klf9V0/s1600/web5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwcmQnh02vwkvRjKhYb-FKRncigl4MV1Km2KdGMBnU1UeJeqDDArWOtEd5REubEx6SL7vLkmcI56kgNEV8N2u_1i-NCVshBfjpQ87Cjr6ONXkOJW9g6X3f5-WsrUJz6H5yu_2R4klf9V0/s1600/web5.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
This over the door organizer holds library books, and a few
favorites from our bookshelf… I plan to rotate through them so we don’t
always end up reading the same books. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<o:p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvidyIISwjGpx4Eb0vmjc77-axHJTvQRYcvmd1t-Cubz_X2EbBRqycsClep0KWfcv9xj6S6pvbLZzcZThw9rknhtKCNVFJSh3AOfHPMECKXaLoK8wiKF3NKPLA-4IzISYHhTGCa8IhT8/s1600/web8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvidyIISwjGpx4Eb0vmjc77-axHJTvQRYcvmd1t-Cubz_X2EbBRqycsClep0KWfcv9xj6S6pvbLZzcZThw9rknhtKCNVFJSh3AOfHPMECKXaLoK8wiKF3NKPLA-4IzISYHhTGCa8IhT8/s1600/web8.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
</o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
One of the biggest reasons I wanted a playroom was to
provide some creative space for my kids. My older girls LOVE to make crafts and
they just end up all over the house and stuffed into every crevice of their
closets. To solve the clutter issue I strung some twine on the wall, and used
clothespins to hang up their masterpieces. If they want to put a new piece of
art up, and there isn’t any room, they have to decide which piece they have to retire. That way I’m no longer the bad guy who sneaks old art projects
into the garbage when no one is looking because I just can’t handle the clutter
anymore. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqubbLHo8SXQYF3xUT4xiEJxawU-wBVWvp7G8bmVbPcDL_oeu_S43guRotdCfhq2WtjXvjKYiPDP-7IwBmj9ZykSQonvl5MzZr13cSvRtFZVqw0Kk8wjGX0UtSLZHFKzhqH97OTv0DDC8/s1600/web1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqubbLHo8SXQYF3xUT4xiEJxawU-wBVWvp7G8bmVbPcDL_oeu_S43guRotdCfhq2WtjXvjKYiPDP-7IwBmj9ZykSQonvl5MzZr13cSvRtFZVqw0Kk8wjGX0UtSLZHFKzhqH97OTv0DDC8/s1600/web1.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I also found two child-sized wooden chairs in my attic that had been
sitting up there far too long so I pulled them out and stuck them in the "playroom." <i>(This is why I have a hard time getting rid of
things! You’ll never know when you need them again!) </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYb8jHwkZbUx_6K_-CpRKBOr59SfmnbMdOWzBoKG-4pE_tq125K8CQ49Uv1wPuRWmQ1Yo0Hx8NibSlTZ4VzDfSO6IHb_ICxe1Ko3sV969u6y_zRtzhjQtrnUYKAeIK2Z_Sh7cj3VVD6R0/s1600/web2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYb8jHwkZbUx_6K_-CpRKBOr59SfmnbMdOWzBoKG-4pE_tq125K8CQ49Uv1wPuRWmQ1Yo0Hx8NibSlTZ4VzDfSO6IHb_ICxe1Ko3sV969u6y_zRtzhjQtrnUYKAeIK2Z_Sh7cj3VVD6R0/s1600/web2.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Rj4Jy3amDwhGTWFJTtWA5JX0DjrEhKAd-DwvPX5bK_d7n0OOEayYU5uj_QU1bqkLrUMP8XZk0Nv1pxUhCdddS8bN3fJGXLysTQ7Kg3tsP7tyTBVT-UwPqBMz79onqsBHAwQmDO67EXc/s1600/web3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Rj4Jy3amDwhGTWFJTtWA5JX0DjrEhKAd-DwvPX5bK_d7n0OOEayYU5uj_QU1bqkLrUMP8XZk0Nv1pxUhCdddS8bN3fJGXLysTQ7Kg3tsP7tyTBVT-UwPqBMz79onqsBHAwQmDO67EXc/s1600/web3.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
This totally rad ottoman now holds all the art supplies and
also acts like a little table for pretend tea parties.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3RRHDSGMdVsW_dfWcvATyTSpEjaDeSgx0vvCtg7gsySdsFGwEJEyAxPzGtzL7QjoA1nYTxJNWWO2LcW_ILKhU2btjzhWe4aG5Pws-xpc7XXzKsqZHMS9rj0IzqceWDDYE2uRX01p0zt4/s1600/web+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3RRHDSGMdVsW_dfWcvATyTSpEjaDeSgx0vvCtg7gsySdsFGwEJEyAxPzGtzL7QjoA1nYTxJNWWO2LcW_ILKhU2btjzhWe4aG5Pws-xpc7XXzKsqZHMS9rj0IzqceWDDYE2uRX01p0zt4/s1600/web+6.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
An empty tin is now the home for the stamps and glue sticks.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdjHQm8p0Xmle_38arQgQRj-Tc_w1CIBJrR9oiXm4dSAhNZ-0ESzSx5D0NTmZszG9rVXzFwNGLNyhuQUt5JJi96QjI4jjA-JGXON8OQcF5LGk5T99UTcUbc9CqfFsRyoQMf_innsTgzA/s1600/web4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdjHQm8p0Xmle_38arQgQRj-Tc_w1CIBJrR9oiXm4dSAhNZ-0ESzSx5D0NTmZszG9rVXzFwNGLNyhuQUt5JJi96QjI4jjA-JGXON8OQcF5LGk5T99UTcUbc9CqfFsRyoQMf_innsTgzA/s1600/web4.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
And as a finishing touch I decided to make a chalkboard out
of an old picture frame and some chalkboard paint I’ve been holding onto for a
while. I hung it over the ugly metal utility access panel on the wall… because why not? <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5zKO8gNuMPEAa0VIs6_DgdpEOs9fPV6RhR2TlvkoZ_AlU-EWZuHMQbcNRv9W7FtvXRxH29MB09Y74cUbKaSL8-MiarXm8fa7UpDhFLP8lDhF2GAJgA2DUNeJHG6QZNBaJVr0xd02eui8/s1600/web9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5zKO8gNuMPEAa0VIs6_DgdpEOs9fPV6RhR2TlvkoZ_AlU-EWZuHMQbcNRv9W7FtvXRxH29MB09Y74cUbKaSL8-MiarXm8fa7UpDhFLP8lDhF2GAJgA2DUNeJHG6QZNBaJVr0xd02eui8/s1600/web9.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I seriously love this room! I know it’s small, but it’s so
functional now! My kids spend hours in here every day, and I don’t know who is
happier about it- them or ME! (Pretty sure it’s me.) They play dress up, do art
projects, play house and their favorite make believe game- super spy! My oldest
has also been using this room as a quiet place to do her homework. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOp3hjL0VUak8XStk-kY6EufKEtWe6LPndpWsCEqacVq1SHYzNFoK17TvpQz65bJO11m8sF0XuAzLoiqDHq-f3qt45BJ7iiBQWyuYiz8D5qmYkeWx0DdWlg2i-TlEoTYHBf_ldEz-9x48/s1600/web7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOp3hjL0VUak8XStk-kY6EufKEtWe6LPndpWsCEqacVq1SHYzNFoK17TvpQz65bJO11m8sF0XuAzLoiqDHq-f3qt45BJ7iiBQWyuYiz8D5qmYkeWx0DdWlg2i-TlEoTYHBf_ldEz-9x48/s1600/web7.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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I think my favorite part of this whole project is that for
the most part I just used items I already had on hand. The only two things I bought were the red ottoman
and the super funky rug… both on sale at Ross! Score!</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(bonus points if you can find spot the tiger and the yellow rose who snuck into this picture.) </span></i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSgWqZjr4_QaljC8CwWGcd9Mtm7mu1jMZtf23phji-0XsAuu0EgQyPwvwTR5XgqeycrwKudLOq2syLK4ism4WjfarGHoV-4T_zt4vbYyFVZBei2AIwaJX85im1imk0p46zdN3xzQ0OQbs/s1600/web10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSgWqZjr4_QaljC8CwWGcd9Mtm7mu1jMZtf23phji-0XsAuu0EgQyPwvwTR5XgqeycrwKudLOq2syLK4ism4WjfarGHoV-4T_zt4vbYyFVZBei2AIwaJX85im1imk0p46zdN3xzQ0OQbs/s1600/web10.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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This project was so much fun, and it was a great reminder to me that THIS home can be my dream home. I know it's small, but we I honestly believe that someday we will look back on our years spent here and realize they were some of the happiest years of our lives. Some days I may feel like we don't have "enough" but I am learning to that I have the ability to take what I have right now and make it enough. It’s all about being happy,
wherever you are <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span> <o:p></o:p></div>
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<img alt=" photo Heart-Jamie_zps52d56181.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b612/OLPAdriane/Icons/Heart-Jamie_zps52d56181.jpg" /></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990283521303759339.post-44452160791118502242014-05-09T10:37:00.004-06:002014-05-09T10:37:53.470-06:00Help Me With Mother's Day!<br />
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Eeek. Yeah, I know--Mother's Day is on Sunday.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've been thinking about it for months, truly I have!</span><br />
<br />
I've just been so busy baking my very own <span style="font-size: large;">person</span>-al Mother's Day gift (see what I did there? Snort!! Cuz I'm going to have a baby in three weeks...Okay, I'm so not funny...), I haven't settled on what to create for all the mothers in my life!!<br />
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What are YOU gifting to your very most special mother?<br />
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I was GOING to get a Bouq for my Mom and Mom-in-law, but I'm a little late for that... I suppose better late than never applies, right? I mean, who's going to turn their nose up at a Bouq?<br />
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<a href="http://the-bouqscom.7eer.net/c/90594/72773/1913" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img alt="The Bouqs - Premium Farm Direct Flowers" border="0" src="http://adn.impactradius.com/display-ad/1913-72773" />
</a></div>
<img border="0" src="http://The-Bouqscom.7eer.net/i/90594/72773/1913" height="1" width="1" />
<br />
<br />
But I still need something to give them on Sunday. I'm kinda wishing I could reuse some of my past projects. If you are in the same boat as I am, feel free to give these quick, fun projects a try!<br />
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<a href="http://www.oneluckypickle.com/2013/05/mom-likes-her-roses-recycled-with-side.html" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.oneluckypickle.com/2013/05/mom-likes-her-roses-recycled-with-side.html" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7DCAQ7uARkaYw6Q-Tf3n2QIkDySUTiNAwgT_-Zj7NP_09iz7NcdVNflrvphND78zjENUmFAGxyF7qpIMMSkt_0yFwkIiiszoPAOV_LynP8JStLFOpHLN6ub5drzSnDsAD0r0WqbtAYE/s1600/Flower-Pens-Tutorial.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
My mother-in-law still has her <a href="http://www.oneluckypickle.com/2013/05/mom-likes-her-roses-recycled-with-side.html" target="_blank">jar o' flower</a> pens sitting by her phone--they don't walk off as easily as other pens. I guess all the boys that live there would rather find a more manly pen--PERFECT!! The downside is that she doesn't need any more...but I'll take the win.<br />
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<a href="http://www.oneluckypickle.com/2012/07/diy-photo-gift-boxes.html" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.oneluckypickle.com/2012/07/diy-photo-gift-boxes.html" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQkXR5GI7p6WhW-u5WpG1dZ8sX_ayTlahhye2QdKe0slPjYOj6PYZEFmJ_-fhf-oC2D9H9A6MzdgA3qMdtbBc46cfRmgUhnyZkP7VmkgZvATKbG4891GA8eVTnZWHHgZpQy5ZYN74d02o/s640/Photo+Gift+Box.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I suppose I could redo the <a href="http://www.oneluckypickle.com/2012/07/diy-photo-gift-boxes.html" target="_blank">photo gift box</a>. Moms love pictures, right? Heaven knows I have enough paper to make a MILLION photo boxes. <br />
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But I'm hoping for something new, something fast, and something amazing. So go ahead, comment quick, and give me some good ideas.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Pretty please?!?</span></b><br />
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<img alt=" photo Heart-Adriane_zps2e2b06dc.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b612/OLPAdriane/Icons/Heart-Adriane_zps2e2b06dc.jpg" /><br />
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Adrianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09156993835198308864noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990283521303759339.post-54334855245955447162014-05-07T18:33:00.001-06:002014-05-07T19:22:12.806-06:00Younique 3D Magic Mascara Review<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzmk5LN6hh2x0zJVIB5PKiTvgIhFzu-2b-jRS8RFHOBx7B5xL9ddnS_HwjBSY5-UutX77p0qokIbOgMfIyUIxqpbFheHKQosKZoXArldHiJIlcXJRPcKaVTufOpkNc-LffpCqG2KUEvw/s1600/DSC_4745-Edita.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzmk5LN6hh2x0zJVIB5PKiTvgIhFzu-2b-jRS8RFHOBx7B5xL9ddnS_HwjBSY5-UutX77p0qokIbOgMfIyUIxqpbFheHKQosKZoXArldHiJIlcXJRPcKaVTufOpkNc-LffpCqG2KUEvw/s750/DSC_4745-Edita.jpg" height="155" width="640" /></a></div>
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Well hello there! </div>
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Yes that's me! We're getting up close and personal today! </div>
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Let's talk about make up!</div>
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What is your make-up routine? Do you go all out every day, or are you more of a lucky-I-remembered-to-put-on-pants-today kind of gal? 9 times out of 10 I seem to be in the latter category... but I'm working on it. I want someone to come to my house and teach me exactly what I need to be wearing, and how to apply eyeshadow in a way that says "I'm a hot classy mama!" instead of "Shoot! I'm late for algebra."</div>
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Any volunteers? Seriously. </div>
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Today I want to talk about a little product that has made a dramatic impact on my beauty regimen... especially since I have never really given any thought to having a beauty regimen. :)</div>
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My routine consists of mascara, lip gloss, a touch of cover girl in a weak attempt to cover the ever-present dark circles under my eyes, and a little bit of the same brownish eye shadow that I've been wearing since the 9th grade. (Well, not the exact same one. I did manage to purchase a new one since then... but in the exact same color.) Yeah, like I said before, make-up just isn't my thing. </div>
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Or rather... it <i>wasn't</i> my thing. </div>
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It is my pleasure to introduce you to the most fabulous mascara you'll ever apply:</div>
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Younique- 3D Magic Mascara<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoMsO1k3jajfmyta5d5Liqw1cof5kx1Cg3AFwG4JVKyHgWbksM7CAthnqQMrvbQAnYUV-_hxPrZeCe7doeuMizkLrXNZAdfiML7McbAQYJTrCr76HVXKLq4XUdkFSw1XrIexfU0nA_PwU/s1600/DSC_4749-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoMsO1k3jajfmyta5d5Liqw1cof5kx1Cg3AFwG4JVKyHgWbksM7CAthnqQMrvbQAnYUV-_hxPrZeCe7doeuMizkLrXNZAdfiML7McbAQYJTrCr76HVXKLq4XUdkFSw1XrIexfU0nA_PwU/s900/DSC_4749-Edit.jpg" height="433" width="640" /></a></div>
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First impressions are extremely important, and this mascara makes a great one. </div>
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Can we just talk about how cute the packaging is here? Holy cow. I feel prettier already!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKe2ZSKe-mytB0IG3I-sX2QDDKXWsIg4tQn9yYrPNEc0edg8pJJjiM-BvxTU-NOiXOUOOvRrhU2PM62BEl7HaRI05abL77-Aicj1xZW2MBJRY-3LBsiwt9uUJ-jO6igtu-rUK5PDdaciE/s1600/DSC_4755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKe2ZSKe-mytB0IG3I-sX2QDDKXWsIg4tQn9yYrPNEc0edg8pJJjiM-BvxTU-NOiXOUOOvRrhU2PM62BEl7HaRI05abL77-Aicj1xZW2MBJRY-3LBsiwt9uUJ-jO6igtu-rUK5PDdaciE/s900/DSC_4755.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a></div>
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Open up the little case and you'll find two mascaras. The first one is the Transplanting Gel, which looks like your typical mascara. The second one totally threw me for a loop the first time I opened it. I wasn't sure what I expected, but it's basically just a brush covered in lots of teeny tiny black fibers. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEife_zHV7jaIMBW9wnwSYI-o0cj7Ry1RU1dy_H7H8fyH_9pJZvWgFdNg25JHnfFJEmaZ3QjtZDN3WB45YFRvTkaXIVpV_tQAEhTGH-8mm_ll0E0W3bj-ZcLt6BofZ5e8DQB2pDnIMkLSoI/s1600/DSC_4756-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEife_zHV7jaIMBW9wnwSYI-o0cj7Ry1RU1dy_H7H8fyH_9pJZvWgFdNg25JHnfFJEmaZ3QjtZDN3WB45YFRvTkaXIVpV_tQAEhTGH-8mm_ll0E0W3bj-ZcLt6BofZ5e8DQB2pDnIMkLSoI/s900/DSC_4756-Edit.jpg" /></a></div>
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I couldn't wait to put it on!</div>
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The instructions say to put on a base coat of your favorite mascara, and then the transplanting gel. Then while the gel is still wet you put on the natural fibers. Finally you put on one more coat of the transplanting gel to seal the deal. </div>
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WOW! What a difference!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL235RW_l-kPgWCe5D9LNKv87lqU-wFZGJLcfl8JdG08VJNk59OYm1Oikc6n28Dmsl4osP4D-RR0jjVt_uQoil1mSseVK0pfky61qw3XAd_QNlps2csvY_9HTAjRq4OADDhHvK1fo-EXI/s1600/DSC_4738-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL235RW_l-kPgWCe5D9LNKv87lqU-wFZGJLcfl8JdG08VJNk59OYm1Oikc6n28Dmsl4osP4D-RR0jjVt_uQoil1mSseVK0pfky61qw3XAd_QNlps2csvY_9HTAjRq4OADDhHvK1fo-EXI/s900/DSC_4738-Edit.jpg" height="214" width="640" /></a></div>
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In the picture above I applied my make up as I normally do. I then used the Younique Magic Mascara on the left side, and my typical double coat of mascara on right side. Suddenly I am feeling like- what was the point of my normal mascara?!? You totally can't even tell I'm wearing any! </div>
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Today was one of those days that I was running around all day long and didn't really have time for my whole make-up routine. So just out of curiosity I skipped the base coat of mascara underneath and only used the Magic Mascara. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQpRSGTECEivxJU_pAmc6_BtecfYw5GxWhrYnHvS2po4Xjq4x9RGbYRqq0eViqWyl6FL4VyoYJcdAT4b3cvZbHwKrFtRFoShht4FMFbc8X2SsDyx6UlQ0GabmFGhUHqFK7gtPID3ANPcI/s1600/DSC_4763-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQpRSGTECEivxJU_pAmc6_BtecfYw5GxWhrYnHvS2po4Xjq4x9RGbYRqq0eViqWyl6FL4VyoYJcdAT4b3cvZbHwKrFtRFoShht4FMFbc8X2SsDyx6UlQ0GabmFGhUHqFK7gtPID3ANPcI/s900/DSC_4763-Edit.jpg" height="182" width="640" /></a></div>
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I. Am. Amazed. </div>
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I don't think I can ever go back!</div>
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Today I ran all over town with nothing but mascara on (Whoops! Remembered the mascara... forgot the pants! I kid. I kid.) and yet I totally felt like I was all dolled up because my lashes looked incredible. I caught myself batting my eyelashes a few times, but then I remembered I'm married and probably shouldn't bat my eyes at random strangers. </div>
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The other thing I love about Younique is that their whole line of products is naturally based, and all but one (Rose Water) are Gluten Free! I know for the majority of you, that's doesn't seem like a big deal. But trust me, for those of us with severe gluten allergies it is a BIG deal! </div>
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A huge THANK YOU to my friend Crystal who let me try out this amazing product. You can find more information about Younique's line of make-up at her website <a href="http://www.youniqueproducts.com/crystalchidester">HERE</a>. </div>
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Oh! And I totally need to give photo credit to Olivia, my 5 year old daughter. She kind of rocks. </div>
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<img alt=" photo Heart-Jamie_zps52d56181.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b612/OLPAdriane/Icons/Heart-Jamie_zps52d56181.jpg" /></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990283521303759339.post-27381223438373702014-05-03T22:11:00.000-06:002014-05-03T22:11:22.934-06:00Cayenne Pasta<div style="text-align: center;">
People.</div>
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I have tried to photograph this meal so many times. </div>
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And I just can't capture the deliciousness.</div>
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It's not super fancy.</div>
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But it is yum yum yummy. </div>
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Quick and easy, too.</div>
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Done in the time it takes to cook a pot of pasta.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBQW58ni4_UoseSf_9kxkThQbhM2GHtq8Fy5UFhEpLO6DqmWketR5E2bax1G0bSlMH7jnlj2QUxpautzNT-pUPlCNf61nJcicaEt7gOFN2pjuUu77kbH4xRKkcNcGqX9nrDPMEmz8i74/s1600/Cayenne+Pasta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBQW58ni4_UoseSf_9kxkThQbhM2GHtq8Fy5UFhEpLO6DqmWketR5E2bax1G0bSlMH7jnlj2QUxpautzNT-pUPlCNf61nJcicaEt7gOFN2pjuUu77kbH4xRKkcNcGqX9nrDPMEmz8i74/s1600/Cayenne+Pasta.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><u>INGREDIENTS:</u></i></b></div>
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<b><i><u><br /></u></i></b></div>
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Pasta of your choice (we love penne)</div>
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1 red bell pepper, julienned or chopped</div>
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3 cloves garlic, minced</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(or 4. or 5. Can you ever have too much garlic???)</span></div>
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1/2 tsp cayenne pepper</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Mild enough that my girls' faces don't melt off, but enough that there's a bit of a kick. If you love spice, or if your tastebuds are all dead like my brother-in-law, throw in a bit extra...)</span></div>
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1 c. reduced fat sour cream</div>
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3/4 c. chicken broth</div>
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3/4 c. grated parmesan cheese</div>
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salt and pepper to taste</div>
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<b><i><u>DIRECTIONS:</u></i></b></div>
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Cook pasta as directed on package; drain.</div>
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While the pasta cooks, drizzle some olive oil in a large skillet and saute garlic and cayenne pepper over medium heat for 2-3 minutes.</div>
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Stir in sour cream and chicken broth; simmer uncovered for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in parm.</div>
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Toss hot pasta with sauce and peppers and season with salt and pepper to taste. OR--if your family has differing taste like mine, let them choose how much sauce and whether or not to include the peppers. </div>
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I don't love bell peppers. So I'm a sauce only kinda girl. My husband loves the bell peppers, so he loads 'em in there. Both of our girls love the peppers, but prefer them on the side.</div>
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How will you eat yours?</div>
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<img alt=" photo Heart-Lauren_zpsfade7730.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b612/OLPAdriane/Icons/Heart-Lauren_zpsfade7730.jpg" /></div>
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Lauren Davisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03547226267105116599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990283521303759339.post-52209930371639592122014-04-28T16:00:00.000-06:002014-04-28T16:00:01.153-06:00Many Thanks Card<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFHxp5DpyrEgZmIurJlRLL50SoVF2IwU3nEx-_JCukVkwICzxByDpWm65ElD5mqmJ7VVCN4KPTLyuMV1mvM_q8l3b4e6LHY70jX5cPmn81EEd-ff0rcBmhvkG2_edmVgn2lY3eBdTNYjM/s1600/Many-Thanks-Card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFHxp5DpyrEgZmIurJlRLL50SoVF2IwU3nEx-_JCukVkwICzxByDpWm65ElD5mqmJ7VVCN4KPTLyuMV1mvM_q8l3b4e6LHY70jX5cPmn81EEd-ff0rcBmhvkG2_edmVgn2lY3eBdTNYjM/s1600/Many-Thanks-Card.jpg" height="640" width="512" /></a></div>
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Supplies used:<br />
American Crafts' Margarita Rumba Paper<br />
Pick Your Plum Ribbon<br />
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Fonts:<br />
Sacramento ("many")<br />
Epidemia ("Thanks")<br />
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If anyone wants the Silhouette cut file, you may download it <a href="http://bit.ly/1gOoNQU" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
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<img alt=" photo Heart-Adriane_zps2e2b06dc.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b612/OLPAdriane/Icons/Heart-Adriane_zps2e2b06dc.jpg" /><br />
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Adrianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09156993835198308864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990283521303759339.post-52002898621923284752014-04-21T16:00:00.000-06:002014-04-21T16:00:00.818-06:00Go Bananas Popup CardHey there! Looking for the <a href="http://www.oneluckypickle.com/2014/04/blayzers-inferno-review-and-giveaway.html" target="_blank">BLAYZERS GIVEAWAY?!?</a> Don't forget to enter to win your very own pair of Blayzers Inferno workout pants!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbVkWpOmv7SKNJ1Vu3Mj03El2BPl1N83dvK9wZJllC5aE0qhj6Z109tICTSxCeeUpLjS3UMrgjxorsev9fXEa-2Ute8QHel4jEKVmLMkcoDyk9ZHICq-kgxH440J69WUEo7-y29sSuk8/s1600/Card-Front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbVkWpOmv7SKNJ1Vu3Mj03El2BPl1N83dvK9wZJllC5aE0qhj6Z109tICTSxCeeUpLjS3UMrgjxorsev9fXEa-2Ute8QHel4jEKVmLMkcoDyk9ZHICq-kgxH440J69WUEo7-y29sSuk8/s1600/Card-Front.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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I kept the outside of the card really simple, because I wanted it to contrast starkly with the inside:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WCweRLrgFkcF6YKRxefx24P6Ifn4Yg8WLkYi60AFDyuikQVCsdOZHbWEeMNoF65zVwQ6hY24pjan8XAu1oVjO3dt6VWZx_nOQEUg7zraYksw-MByVMqOxvAhn1iCP_7dUUJO436XNdo/s1600/Card-Inside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WCweRLrgFkcF6YKRxefx24P6Ifn4Yg8WLkYi60AFDyuikQVCsdOZHbWEeMNoF65zVwQ6hY24pjan8XAu1oVjO3dt6VWZx_nOQEUg7zraYksw-MByVMqOxvAhn1iCP_7dUUJO436XNdo/s1600/Card-Inside.jpg" height="640" width="512" /></a></div>
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Boom! Hello adorable monkey! I love that he pops up on a spiral, so he bounces back and forth when you open the card.</div>
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Supplies Used:</div>
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Miss Kate Cuttables</div>
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*<a href="https://www.misskatecuttables.com/products/product/freebie-of-the-day-valentine-monkey.php" target="_blank">Valentine Monkey</a></div>
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*<a href="https://www.misskatecuttables.com/products/product/walk-on-the-wild-side.php" target="_blank">Walk On the Wild Side </a>(leaf)</div>
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Fonts:</div>
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SectionIntersection ("Go")</div>
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SAF ("Bananas")--I changed it a little bit though.<br />
Traveling Typewriter (Card Front) </div>
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I designed the spiral, the bananas, the tree trunks and coconuts.<br />
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<img alt=" photo Heart-Adriane_zps2e2b06dc.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b612/OLPAdriane/Icons/Heart-Adriane_zps2e2b06dc.jpg" /><br />
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Adrianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09156993835198308864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990283521303759339.post-85670734593603723892014-04-17T12:07:00.000-06:002014-04-17T15:20:41.974-06:00I don't know about you, but I need a bouq!Well, hello, gorgeous bouquet of ranunculus that showed up at my door this morning! How was your journey from a equatorial volcano to my home?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXh211UdHYgKdYAmFI3CwPanLDXdpIrNFdfwylXkCJr4fGZOEB8B6kfXygPZFgTE0hyn2Lnh1vpuEOz61uWowhX-Ra3o96DbDmdwbwInw-QoQzX53BSJWG6uPulsxsSq_Pd0p6_08sRQ4/s1600/Full-View.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXh211UdHYgKdYAmFI3CwPanLDXdpIrNFdfwylXkCJr4fGZOEB8B6kfXygPZFgTE0hyn2Lnh1vpuEOz61uWowhX-Ra3o96DbDmdwbwInw-QoQzX53BSJWG6uPulsxsSq_Pd0p6_08sRQ4/s1600/Full-View.jpg" height="640" width="512" /></a></div>
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Apparently not too taxing, because you are looking LOVELY this morning!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi807ZB6tR-i1E_M4dF9VALTQlOtYGasy1xS_KZZbCGImM22tc66IlGkrSEJCzLrHU19qfie9WTHRa1_WtuozN1eA2FOWOoFJsJ909nODR0hhI3Tn89_BKTbB4R361XY8u2PEe48_NSFUU/s1600/Pretty!.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi807ZB6tR-i1E_M4dF9VALTQlOtYGasy1xS_KZZbCGImM22tc66IlGkrSEJCzLrHU19qfie9WTHRa1_WtuozN1eA2FOWOoFJsJ909nODR0hhI3Tn89_BKTbB4R361XY8u2PEe48_NSFUU/s1600/Pretty!.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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It was hard to choose between all the gorgeous flowers on the <a href="http://the-bouqscom.7eer.net/c/90594/73731/1913"> Bouqs' site</a><img border="0" src="http://The-Bouqscom.7eer.net/i/90594/73731/1913" height="1" width="1" /> (Yummmm....roses galore...) but now that we've met, I know you are the only bouq for me!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggmu-a_-uEfujrFJG8r_KIwki_YXWb2A9aBkQxsbPuZ-kg6vddF75MF4NDJoBij58YaX63GCiD-55LecP-rhGGyHKAY45qCuHKwxEJzxnd_OlzqmTdm8yqtkF5WpyLZ5xlUu60M7DrrCA/s1600/Super-Close.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggmu-a_-uEfujrFJG8r_KIwki_YXWb2A9aBkQxsbPuZ-kg6vddF75MF4NDJoBij58YaX63GCiD-55LecP-rhGGyHKAY45qCuHKwxEJzxnd_OlzqmTdm8yqtkF5WpyLZ5xlUu60M7DrrCA/s1600/Super-Close.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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We here at the Pickle would like to give a big ol' welcome to our newest sponsor, <a href="http://the-bouqscom.7eer.net/c/90594/73731/1913" target="_blank">The Bouqs Company.</a> They are a rising star in the internet flowers business, intent on making the experience better for everyone. I can tell you, they spoiled me--ordering was easy, and I didn't have to wait very long for these pretties to show up straight to my door!<br />
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I ended up choosing the <a href="http://the-bouqscom.7eer.net/c/90594/126156/1913?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thebouqs.com%2Fen%2Fvolcano-collection%2F87-lush-us.html" target="_blank">Lush Us Bouq</a>--straight up pink ranunculus, baby! But there are roses, lilies, gerbera daisies, and much more. Super good news? Try the code WELCOME20 for 20% off your first order! (I haven't tried it--I just found it on retailmenot.com. Just trying to help out guys!!)<br />
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<a href="http://the-bouqscom.7eer.net/c/90594/126122/1913">
<img alt="" border="0" src="http://offers.affiliatetraction.com/creative_images/80547636145820140319Bouqs_728x90_thickthieves5.jpg" height="90" width="728" />
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<img border="0" src="http://The-Bouqscom.7eer.net/i/90594/126122/1913" height="1" width="1" /><br />
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<img alt=" photo Heart-Adriane_zps2e2b06dc.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b612/OLPAdriane/Icons/Heart-Adriane_zps2e2b06dc.jpg" /><br />
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*The links in this post are affiliate links, which means we receive some compensation when you buy from the Bouqs through us. We thank you for your support, since any income goes straight to more crafts, parties, and fun for the blog!!<br />
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Adrianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09156993835198308864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990283521303759339.post-83326659993912575202014-04-07T16:00:00.000-06:002014-04-07T16:00:02.806-06:00Doing Dishes Trumps DisneylandOkay, so no one's ever going to say that doing dishes as a family is more FUN than Disneyland. It's a menial chore that never goes away--in fact, it seems to be undone the moment you finish. I would actually rather clean a toilet than do the dishes. So how can I claim that doing dishes together will make more of an impact on my children's memories--not to mention character--than a trip to Disneyland would?<br />
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Well, that's what I'm here to tell you. Several months back, our dishwasher broke. We had just <span style="background-color: white;">upgraded our floor </span>from tile to laminate, and we didn't have the funds to fix it. Plus, the thought of any more leaking on our brand new pretty floor made my husband (who installed the darn thing, bless him) cringe. I have some pretty crazy ideas about families working together from my days in college, and I convinced everyone involved that doing the dishes by hand every night would be FUN! Turns out it IS pretty fun--and even more importantly, this ritual has become very important in the lives of our children (and us parents too!).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2BuKPY9M0vruDwOoHPPL7e-dEAC05Jc1gCtiAzTh7NWenz06sQXipOHjveD3bhHnOMlO0tSPtCTVHGfcPkR8suQEZnScKLTaZ_30xv94t-FSgc-SndWWehXykiC7ioFmayFjZta2wGRA/s1600/Preview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2BuKPY9M0vruDwOoHPPL7e-dEAC05Jc1gCtiAzTh7NWenz06sQXipOHjveD3bhHnOMlO0tSPtCTVHGfcPkR8suQEZnScKLTaZ_30xv94t-FSgc-SndWWehXykiC7ioFmayFjZta2wGRA/s1600/Preview.jpg" /></a></div>
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One reason for the impact is quite simple: we do dishes Every. Single. Day. When added up over a childhood, that makes for a lot of sudsy moments piled on top of each other. Poor Disneyland doesn't stand a chance when you factor in actual minutes spent PLUS the number of repetitions. <br />
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Besides being ever present, doing dishes is a perfect job to do together. It requires such little skill that there is something for every level to do. Daddy does the washing, I rinse for him when I finish clearing the table and sweeping, the big boys dry, and the baby helps them put everything away. It is a serious thrill to look at my whole family sandwiched between the
sink and the<span style="background-color: white;"> silverware drawer</span> (<b>which we moved to a bottom cupboard so the littles can reach</b>), busily working together to accomplish a shared
goal. And it tickles the baby that he gets to be a part of it!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdOTy9am15EdBs2FGX36h86JxDbbjDcmxxhGcJKE2CcmviCF7F5zCsxQi_F-Qf_kFkbAo__0lseVhAn0okFFukqPhtNR9Wc05VX8CUVCzpQ57JFuIx1XadGkfwPiosre2Fqy3HGih3lM/s1600/Littles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdOTy9am15EdBs2FGX36h86JxDbbjDcmxxhGcJKE2CcmviCF7F5zCsxQi_F-Qf_kFkbAo__0lseVhAn0okFFukqPhtNR9Wc05VX8CUVCzpQ57JFuIx1XadGkfwPiosre2Fqy3HGih3lM/s1600/Littles.jpg" height="512" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Cup stacking--very helpful AND developmentally appropriate!! </i></div>
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There is another reason I feel confident suggesting that the boring, mindless repetition of dish doing can hold a candle to the boundless fun and energy of rides and Disney magic: the very mindlessness that makes dishes so boring actually promotes meaningful conversation. It's easy to relate events of the day, develop strategies to cope with friendship woes, or coach my four-year-old through handling the crush his classmate has on him (!!!) because I don't really have to focus on scrubbing or buffing. I have a feeling that as these guys get older, crushes become more serious, and jobs and school become overwhelming stressors, this might be the only time I have to "trick" them into telling me about what's going on in their lives. Try having a deep conversation in the middle of Space Mountain...dishes wins!!<br />
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Another plus for doing dishes: it is a "taking care of the whole family" job--studies have shown
that these kind of jobs, as opposed to self-care tasks (cleaning their own
room, brushing their teeth, picking up the toys that THEY got out) helps children develop compassion. In our western society, these kind of jobs usually fall to the mothers--how silly of us to keep these incredible learning tools to ourselves! So I am unselfishly sharing this task with my whole family and letting them reap the rewards as well. Ha!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzoiqsQelde4mBVQXpZwP1apLOPgWim_bLmji9bpRZGsZ7rBGvM-QQII636GCiJ-XJR_liPlSuHDoHR_avBcs2hrgdIXOkbhj8vdRK3cCuI39B6PFJKw_GWVwpa9-OFzPlq-Ufs9jOGjk/s1600/Focused.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzoiqsQelde4mBVQXpZwP1apLOPgWim_bLmji9bpRZGsZ7rBGvM-QQII636GCiJ-XJR_liPlSuHDoHR_avBcs2hrgdIXOkbhj8vdRK3cCuI39B6PFJKw_GWVwpa9-OFzPlq-Ufs9jOGjk/s1600/Focused.jpg" height="640" width="512" /></a></div>
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<i>This guy has actually started drying without being asked (gasp)!!! </i></div>
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Doing dishes scores major points because working together can build your family into a team (as long as Mommy and Daddy can keep things positive instead of stressful). Even when we are "competing" parents vs. kids to see who gets done first, we are actually working together to fight against entropy. By the way, I love it that my kids haven't figured out that our "distress" at them finishing before us masks our smugness that they just joyfully participated in a chore. Bonus, they get to practice good sportsmanship in winning: "maybe tomorrow you will win, Daddy." These kiddos take a lot of pride in "their" clean kitchen and we all feel good that it was a team effort.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFgXWinUL4y3s0tnXyqyZaNsY4Iorvwka7y9RDcOFJV1Abclwf0gmF5N7Sct8tuEwzyPtg3cSUhvHM0Lj9c8iDT7JnoBr02RFhaPxiUJu6VggG8cYuzlkecWdzHL_0niHTlQCTMi5f5JA/s1600/Games.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFgXWinUL4y3s0tnXyqyZaNsY4Iorvwka7y9RDcOFJV1Abclwf0gmF5N7Sct8tuEwzyPtg3cSUhvHM0Lj9c8iDT7JnoBr02RFhaPxiUJu6VggG8cYuzlkecWdzHL_0niHTlQCTMi5f5JA/s1600/Games.jpg" height="640" width="512" /></a></div>
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<i>How many pieces of silverware can we fit in the cheese grater? </i></div>
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It sounds idyllic, and I can feel some eyes rolling through your screen. Obviously it's not smooth sailing every night. We parents have to work really hard to keep from nitpicking, nagging, or stressing perfection. There are little feet under ours, and in the beginning, we could have gotten the job done much faster if we'd sent them off to play. Occasionally (most days) I find a dish in the cupboard that wasn't perfectly dried the night before. Some team members are less willing to help than others (I have to prod myself more often than I'd like to admit). But as we work to patiently teach and consistently expect help, all of these hard things get easier.<br />
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The other night, my 6 year old got to do the washing--his favorite job--because Daddy was at work late. Instead of competing, we worked together, us vs. the kitchen. He keeps reminding me, "remember when I washed all the dishes?" And I don't point out that I made sure they were well rinsed first. He couldn't wait to tell Daddy about this amazing accomplishment. Neither could I.<br />
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Incredibly, the job worse than toilet cleaning has become nearly enjoyable, and the companionship we feel as we do it brings real joy. The memories made may not be as glossy and sparkle filled as shooting aliens with Buzz or braving snakes with Indiana Jones, but they will be deeper, more meaningful, and substantial. They will be the memories I will love to pull out and caress against my cheek when my boys have moved on to scrubbing forks and plates with their own families. With any luck, these kids of mine will feel the same way.<br />
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<img alt=" photo Heart-Adriane_zps2e2b06dc.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b612/OLPAdriane/Icons/Heart-Adriane_zps2e2b06dc.jpg" /><br />
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Adrianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09156993835198308864noreply@blogger.com2