Self portrait of Valentines Day

Part of being a couple is that you have no one to take your photo when you go out! So, here we are at our Valentine dinner at Houstons *(YUM)* where we took our own.

Need a birthday card?

I have friends that go to pricey card stores to pick out greeting cards and spend 4.50 a pop! Here is alternative to the hassle, lack of originality, and the high price! This feature allows you to pick out 25 cards (choosing 5 designs from the collection) to be sent to you in one order-- and here's the best part--they are only $2 each (total $50). Keep them in a drawer or a closet, and you will be prepared to give an original birthday card any time!!

Other options for the Card Giver....

Birthday Card Grab Bag, $28

TEN Designs you handpick--an assortment of birthday, encouragement, baby, etc

Birthday Card Stash, $18

(

10 of one design)

TO ORDER:

1. Visit Greeting Cards here
2. Choose FIVE designs from any category- {Wedding, Birthday, Baby, Spiritual, Encouragement, Special Days, or Holidays}
3. Reply to this Email with the 5 designs of your choice and I will send you a Paypal invoice and then your cards!

What will happen tonight?

I am LOVING LOST. Its so twisted it makes my brain hurt. In the best way!

{From last week}...

Who IS this kid? Jacob? A sibling of Jacob?

Finally, the Numbers make sense!

I can't wait to see what's next!

To read all kinds of crazy theories, go here: Lostpedia.

Custom Graduation Cards

Right now, I find myself working on graduation cards. This was a great idea for a senior that wanted to let his friends and family know of his upcoming plans. He wrote a little note, which I printed on the inside of the card. Then they SCANNED his signature and voila- a printed signature without getting cramps signing all the notes individually!
The front of the card is on the top of this image, which is a classic monogram with a smart black border.



There are so many great ways to dress up the blah graduation thank you notes! Hopefully there will be lots more to come!

What drives me crazy about 24!?

Dana Walsh and her side hair! Why does she ALWAYS have it to one side?!?

Valentine Tips for Writing a Love Letter....{cont}

5. Talk about a memory. Some of the sweetest times are ones that we might have forgotten. Recall a memory when you knew he was the one, or knew she was the wife for you. It brings us together to remember all the time we have shared together.

6. Finish the letter by reaffirming your love and commitment. Share what your hope is for the future and how you see it including that person.

7. Valediction. Don't just end with: "Love, Eric." Even if you said, "All my love," it would be better. You become even more romantic by writing something like: "Dream of me, my love..." What you want is a simple, yet heartfelt goodbye: "With undying love," or "Forever yours." Remember, you may think this is too sappy, but your loved one will treasure each word. Be prepared to have it quoted to you in years to come

8. Insert. Include a special extra: petals from a flower, sprinkles of stars, a teabag of your favorite tea ...You get the idea. That little extra effort means you really put some thought (and heart) into this.

9. Presentation: Hide it in a surprising place. (Taped to the Coffee pot, under purse before she leaves for the day, make a letter hunt.)

Image from 100 layer cake here

Valentine Tips for Writing a Love Letter....

These are some of the tips that I shared on Good Morning Texas for Valentines Day, just bits and pieces of things I have learned along the way...

1. Hand write the note. This is hard for me- in this day where we all 　spend so much time at the computer, it feels a little "stone-agey" 　to pick up a pen and manually write a note, much less a letter. 　But it is so precious to have the handwritten words, and years 　from now, that will be part of the sweetness of the letter to look back upon.

2. Greeting. Choose an endearing salutation. Don't be formal. Use you love's first name. For example: "My dearest Jennifer . . ." or "My darling Matt . . ."

3. Be specific. We all love being praised, and the more specific the better! Things like, "you are a great husband" are nice, but it's even better to give an example, like, "you are a great husband because you take our son to get donuts on Saturday mornings and let me sleep in".

4. How has your life changed since you met? Share how your life just got better since you love came around! Maybe it has been nice to have a companion and your nights of lonesomeness are no more. Think back to what life was life was when you were single and how 　its different.

5. Talk about a.... To be continued. :)

Photo credit- my favorite calligraphy- here

A happy memory

Looking at my boring to-do list, I need a dose of reality. I let my mouse guide me as I went through my photos looking for something to spur me on. And it landed on this.

This is a picture of a darling little girl I met in Africa who had AIDS. It is a happy memory because she was full of life and SPUNK!

It was blessing to get to go and meet this kids, and it was so strange to come back to reality. And now, 2 years later, it seems like so long ago. But in some ways, not long at all!

Gift Ideas

Its the first of the month, so you know what that means! Some creative, orginal, and funky gift ideas!

iPod Case-- this is a fun guy gift..

Thomas Paul's gramophone-printed canvas pouch conceals and protects MP3 players. (Bucks County Dry Goods; 609-397-1288

Using vintage photos and saddle-stitched ribbon, these sporty key chains are made by hand. (rebeccaraydesigns.com, $45)

Barrettes-- these are my favorite! They remind of "Days of the Week" Underwear! Not that I had any....

There's no such thing as a bad hair day with Mara Greenaway's collection of seven hand-stitched felt-and-metal clips. ($39; rompstore.com; enter CL10 at checkout for 10% discount)