Playing with The Camera

My parents got me a fancy camera for my birthday. I LOVE IT!  I think I have always loved taking photos. There is something unique about capturing a moment on film or an SD card.

There is SO much to learn. 

Here are some of the random photos I have taken so far...

More to come (hopefully a little more interesting)!

New Traditions

This year, the day after Christmas, we drove to the Santa Monica Pier. It was my first time at the Pier. I loved it! I decided it should be a new day after Christmas tradition. It's a short drive. The Pier was clean, open, and not overly crowded.

We walked the beach. Love. 

We rode the roller coaster. Twice. 

We ate at Pier Burger. Delicious. 

See you December 26, 2013!

Home For The Holidays

I have to agree with Dorthy, "There's no place like home". I was able to spend Christmas with my family. I love them all SO much. It is extremely hard to live so far away. I wish, I wish I lived 8 minutes instead of 8 hours away. But for now my life, my path is 8 hours away. This Christmas season has been a great end to 2012.

Some of the Festivities...

santa bingo.

an adopted tradition from my s.i.l. it has become a family favorite.

the room is busting at the seams with cousins, grand kids, friends, and parents.

prizes are won.

yummy food is consumed.

How cute is my sister-in-laws bun?!

it was fun. until next year, i love you all!

Be Unstoppable

Have you ever met someone who is contagiously happy?

They are happy. 

They are successful. 

They enjoy the moment. 

They have reached their dreams and keep reaching. 

We can each be that person. 

We can be contagiously happy, reach our dreams, and keep reaching. We can. I promise. We just have to decide to reach. When we do, we will be unstoppable.

The Help - Free Printable

I loved reading The Help by Kathryn Stockett. It was such an inspiring story. I loved all the characters, especially Aibileen Clark. Ms. Aibileen's character provided a positive, kind, nurturing influence for the child she cared for each day. Each day she would tell the child, "You is kind. You is smart. You is important.", in hopes of fostering loving characteristics in the child. I think the lesson taught by Ms. Aibileen is one we can apply to the children in our lives, old or young. We can all use a little self-esteem boost, once in a while or even better everyday.

click below for the full download

Homemade Ornaments

I love the idea of having an ornament that symbolizes my year. I love the idea that my Christmas tree will tell my story. It will be a glimpse of me. Of the good times. The moments that have made me, me.

This year I made a really fun one. It is great for the traveler.

What you need:

empty glass/plastic ornament

paint pen - black and red

Mapquest printouts of your travels

airplane template

gold glitter

ribbon

step 1

create an airplane template to trace. (I just found one I liked on google images). 

step 2

enter your city/country/state into mapquest. print. 

step 3

lay the airplane template over the area you want to cut out. trace. cut out.

repeat step 3 for each city/state/country you have traveled to.

step 4

on the outside of the ornament draw a travel trail with the black paint pen (dashed lines) then add a large X with the red paint pen. add the year. 

step 5 

remove ornament cap, add gold glitter. (I choose gold because it reminded me of sand). 

step 6

roll your little paper map planes. insert each one into the ornament opening.

step 7
replace the cap. tie a ribbon to the top of the ornament.

now your travels are encapsulated to be remember for years to come.

One of Those Days

Do you ever have one of those days when you feel sorry for yourself, the day is grey and gloomy, and just do not feel pretty? I do. I was feeling exactly that. I decided I needed a little spice in my life.   What's a girl to do?

I bought red lipstick. 

I wore red lipstick. 

I felt pretty.

Try it.

Citrus Body Scrub

I came across this recipe for citrus body scrub on Everything Emily, be sure to stop over and check out all her other fun ideas.

We had a secret santa gift exchange coming up at work, so I decided to whip some up. It was super easy and smelled delightful, making it the perfect secret santa gift.

Citrus Body Scrub

needed:

1/2 cup of sea salt

1/2 cup of olive oil

Juice of one lemon

Juice of one grapefruit

1-2 slices of both grapefruit & lemon

jar with lid

optional:

gift tag

ribbon

step 1

slice 1-2 slices off both the lemon and grapefruit.

step 2

juice the remainder of the lemon and grapefruit. (I used my juicer. Be sure to peel the citrus first).

step 3

in the blender add: 

1/2 cup of salt

1/2 cup of oil olive

blend.

step 4

add to blender:

lemon and grapefruit slices

juice of juice

blend.

step 5

pour into your container.

label.

add embellishments.

Enjoy!

I am alive! I promise!

It's been a while. So sorry. Life is crazy, working full-time, going to school part-time, and fulfilling my church, friend, and family duties. One day I will be able to dedicate more time to creating, for now I will take advantage of school breaks and holidays.