I love to find mundane items that have been spruced up. It makes doing mundane things more...sprucy.

That is what the Paris site, Pylones, has in abundance! Spruceness!

Some of my favorites:

How could you NOT enjoy sweeping up a mess with these lil cuties? Yes, it is a dustpan set and a mini broom. Adorable.

They have various sets of the matching mouse and mouse pad. There was also a {very} cute ladybug.

New Giveaway

I am almost to 50 followers, and you know what that means...time for a new giveaway! If you want more details, you can read my first post here. Otherwise, sign up to be a follower on this blog and from those, I will draw {TWO} lucky winners in the next week! Stay tuned here! :)

If you were in a comic strip...

I saw this in a Real Simple magazine (June 2009) and thought it was such a great idea! Tell your favorite story by becoming characters in a comic strip-like story!! This starts at $200.

The website is called Elsewares, and it is a bit like ETSY from what I can tell, for artists. It is fascinating--so many beautiful things. I can see myself looking around the site and getting sidetracked for a while!

What a fabulous and creative idea!

A cute way to take a message....

I redesigned a couple of notepads.... I was using them but wanted to give them a fresher look.

Whaddya think?

Photos from the trip

We had a whirlwind time in London for my husband's job, then Italy for vacation. We went to Rome, Venice, Siena, Florence, and Pisa- all in a week!!

Here are some of the amazing views we got to see!

As much as we loved it, it is great to be home! I am finally catching up on orders, done with laundry and getting back to normal life. And its great!!

First thing I did was go to Sonic....

Its great to be home, isn't it? There is no place like your own bed, own shower, and wonderful food options of your home.


We had a fabulous trip and are so happy to be home!!





Here are some things I missed:





There is nothing like the greatness of Sonic.



Um, well, that's really it. No, there were lots more that I missed, but I don't think you want to see a picture of my bed or shower. In fact, I don't know that I have a picture of my bed or shower. So, that's it, just a big, tall Sonic drink.

oh wait...here is a picture of my bed. Coziness!!







Do you have Sonics where you are? It might be a Southern thing....not sure. Kinda like how we call all "sodas" Cokes, even if it is Dr. Pepper. Because we sure as heck aren't gonna call it a POP!! Nerd alert! :) I am sure if you do say "pop" then it is not nerdy, its normal, but where I live, if you say pop, someone is going to make fun of you. You might as well strap on a pocket protector and put some tape on your glasses. :)



Happy being home! Stay tuned for pictures!

Cupcakes, Computers and Cold Drinks

Fresh Fridays are back, and this fresh friday brings you the goodies from Fred Flare!

This is one of the most original sites I have ever seen. They have great gift ideas for people that are practical as well as fun. I love to look around there and see what's new!

I thought this cupcake making kit was adorable! This would be a really fun gift for that friend that loves to bake!

This is a USB port that you can connect to your computer or laptop for all your usb cords. Isn't this cute?!? The tulips add a little life to all those black cords!

Some of the items crack me up. No, this is not a cup with dentures in it. Those may be shaped like teeth, but they are ICE!!

See.....? And I love the slogan-- "Not your grandfather's ice tray!". Funny!!

This is another funny yet practical one. For those of us that looks on Mix Tapes fondly, this is a flash drive that only LOOKS like a mix tape. For those lovers of John Hughes films and the 80's...a way to hang on to the tape and still be productive!

You'll like me when you get to know me...

I always enjoy reading these type of things on Facebook, so I thought it would be fun to put some random information about myself on the {BlOg!}

Its been a long time since: I wore a two piece swimsuit. My belly button is shy and doesn't like to talk to strangers.

I can never have enough: Photos. Candles. Flip flops. Cds. Magazines. Lotion and beauty products. Sometimes I save them, and I have no idea what I am saving them for. But I don't want to use them up!

I collect: Vintage Santa Claus's and vintage things in general. I started the Santa Claus thing when I was at a garage sale and saw a fabulous 2 foot ceramic Santa Claus from the 40's with a broken foot. It was in the corner, not on the table, so I asked if I could buy it and she agreed. She said she was going to throw it away b/c it was broken. And I love it. It sits on my counter every year! I now love all things vintage and have decorated my kitchen in vintage kitchen decor.

Weight loss tip that doesn't really work: I put any treats that tempt me (chocolate chip cookies) in the freezer. That way, I have to go to alot of trouble to defrost them and eat them. But sometimes I end up going to the trouble anyway.

Favorite scripture- Psalms 103. I want to finally memorize it. I have read it so many times that I kinda know it, but not really. If you haven't read it, you should- it's beautiful.

I wish I: lived closer to my friends. I have friends from stages of life...high school, college, working, etc, and we are so spread out now. I think back to when I was in the same town as them and think how fun it would be to be again!

Best random job: Working at Sephora. Worst random job: collecting cable boxes on the weekend. (this was realllly random!)

I am glad I: am thankful for God's blessings in my life. I usually do not take them for granted.

I am not afraid to: wear bright colors, big jewelry, or NOT match my purse to my clothes. Talk in public...for the most part. I had to be on tv a couple of times when I was doing PR for a non-profit, and this was nerveracking! I start talking faster!

Word I constantly misspell: Definitely. Every time. Also, whenever I write Doug, I add an H and have to go back and delete it. Dough....I mean, Doug. Oops- just did it again.

Book that changed my thinking besides the bible: Money, Possessions and Eternity by Randy Alcorn. It changed the way I think about money and made me uncomfortable, in a good way.

My husband is:

• the nicest person I know


• the person I laugh hardest with


• a fantastic hands-on dad


• super talented musically


• a texter while he is driving (you weren't starting to think he was perfect, were you?!!)

I am challenged by: people who pray about everything and don't worry. I am hard wired with worry and I want to be this faith-filled person.

The last book I read: The Time Traveler's Wife (fiction) and Don't Make me Count to Three (Parenting book.)

Last cd I bought: The Killers

The first concert I attended: Michael Jackson, {RIP} when I was 5. I used to LOVE him, and had 2 thriller t-shirts with a picture of him wearing his red zipper jacket. I thought I was *SO* cool when I wore my MJ shirt!

Last purchase I made: a shirt for my son from Peek.

In my purse you will find: hand sanitizer, eyebrow tweezers. I carry them everywhere. I understand this may be weird, but you never know when you might need some grooming. Seriously. The best light is in dressing rooms, so, if I have my tweezers, I am always prepared.

I am curious about- people's lives. I love to hear real life stories, see true movies, watch "Biography" or "E True Hollywood Story". I am fascinated by real life.

Before I walk out the door, I:

• check the weather
• check my email
• get a "to-go" coke for the car

My day is not complete without: seriously...going to Sonic.

My ringtone is set to: For my husband, James Bond 007. For everyone else- I used to have "Don't stop till you get enough", by Michael Jackson. My phone broke and I couldn't find the same ring, so now I have "Whip it"-- you know, "Crack that whip". We did a dance to it in Drill Team so I have fond memories.

Can anyone identify with these ramblings? Can I get a witness? :)

How buying a airline ticket is not similar to buying paint

I think the person that wrote this was genius. Not just because he/she thought of it, but also because they were able to make sense of it enough to put it to paper!

If you have ever been frustrated when buying a ticket, this is for you....

Buying paint from a hardware store ...

Customer: Hi, how much is your paint?
Clerk: We have regular quality for $12 a gallon and premium for $18. How many gallons would you like?

Customer: Five gallons of regular quality, please.

Clerk: Great. That will be $60 plus tax.

Buying paint from an airline ...

Customer: Hi, how much is your paint?

Clerk: Well, Sir that all depends.

Customer: Depends on what?

Clerk: Actually, a lot of things.

Customer: How about giving me an average price?

Clerk: Wow that's too hard a question. The lowest price is $9 a gallon, and we have 150 different prices up to $200 a gallon.

Customer: What's the difference in the paint?

Clerk: Oh, there isn't any difference, it's all the same paint.

Customer: Well, then, I'd like some of that $9 paint.

Clerk: Well, First I need to ask you a few questions. When do you intend to use it?

Customer: I want to paint tomorrow, on my day off.

Clerk: Sir, the paint for tomorrow is $200 paint.

Customer: What? When would I have to paint in order to get $9 paint?

Clerk: That would be in three weeks, but you will also have to agree to start painting before Friday of that week and continue painting until at least Sunday.

Customer: You've got to be kidding!

Clerk: Sir, we don't kid around here. Of course, I'll have to check to see if we have any of that paint available before I can sell it to you.

Customer: What do you mean check to see if you can sell it to me? You have shelves full of that stuff; I can see it right there.

Clerk: Just because you can see it doesn't mean that we have it. It may be the same paint, but we sell only a certain number of gallons on any given weekend. Oh, and by the way, the price just went up to $12.

Customer: You mean the price went up while we were talking?

Clerk: Yes sir. You see, we change prices and rules thousands of times a day, and since you haven't actually walked out of the store with your paint yet, we just decided to change. Unless you want the same thing to happen again, I would suggest you get on with your purchase. How many gallons do you want?

Customer: I don't know exactly ... maybe five gallons. Maybe I should buy six gallons just to make sure I have enough.

Clerk: Oh, no sir, you can't do that. If you buy the paint and then don't use it, you will be liable for penalties and possible confiscation of the paint you already have.

Customer: What?

Clerk: That's right. We can sell you enough paint to do your kitchen, bathroom, hall and north bedroom, but if you stop painting before you do the other bedroom, you will be in violation of our tariffs.

Customer: But what does it matter to you whether I use all of the paint? I already paid you for it!

Clerk: Sir, there's no point in getting upset; that's just the way it is. We make plans based upon the idea that you will use all of the paint, and when you don't, it just causes us all sorts of problems.

Customer: This is crazy! I suppose something terrible will happen if I don't keep painting until Sunday night?

Clerk: Yes sir, it will.

Customer: Well, that does it! I am going somewhere else to buy paint!

Clerk: That won't do you any good, sir. We all have the same rules. You might as well just buy it here, while the price is still $13.50. Thanks for flying - I mean painting - with our airline.

How my 2 year old won his freedom

We are spending this fourth of July in another country, which is always a little strange. We were on a mission trip to Africa last year, and we are doing the same thing at the same time this year, although a different location! They just don't seem as happy in other countries as we are for the day we won our Independence from England! ha!

I am so thankful for the troops. What an amazing gift of freedom that we have been given. So, today, I stand up, put my hand on my heart, and hum the national anthem.

...and the rockets red glarrrrrrre,

the bombs bursting in airrrrrr,

gave proof through the nighttttt,

that our flag was still therrrrrre!

In my mind, I am able to hit all the high notes, too!

Happiest of 4th, fellow Americans!

To stay with the theme of these retro posts, I am looking back to photos from 2 1/2 years ago in July, to when my son was a baby and would let me dress him in whatever I wanted, like flag stuff!!

Now I have to convince him every shirt we put him in is a "sports" shirt. If its from Old Navy and has a picture of waves and palm trees, I say its a "skateboarding" shirt. If its got a number on it, I say its a "soccer" shirt. We also can deviate from this by having 'music shirts' and, what really stretches it is "daddy shirts". (This is when I want him to wear a button up!!) It is working out okay now..until he is old enough to read his shirts. Either that, or reason.

So, I guess we both have won a bit of freedom in his wardrobe...for now.

Retro Come Together

Here are a couple of other fun entries that you might enjoy perusing....


Why are they so in love?
http://cometogethercards.blogspot.com/2008/02/fun-valentine-card.html

Answer to above:
http://cometogethercards.blogspot.com/2008/02/smart-cookies.html

The new fabric in my bedroom- chocolate and blue
http://cometogethercards.blogspot.com/2008/03/new-design-project.html