My CSN Give Away Order!!!

A few weeks ago I entered a give away going on over at New Blessing Everyday.  Boy was I surprised when Donnie contacted me to let me know I had won.  Me?  Really?  $65 to spend anyway I want?  Me?  Really? 

So after the shock wore off, about five minutes later, and the 'Code' was emailed to me....I SPENT IT ALL!   Yep, took me five minutes.   It was so easy, I already knew what I wanted.  So what did I buy?

Here's the box in my office waiting to be opened.   Any ideas what it could be?

 Okay, here's a peek inside?   Still don't know?  Nope not a blanket, or doughnut.  Kinda looks like a doughnut.

 This just looks crazy, even to me.  Okay, okay, it's a 3 inch memory foam bed topper!!! 

 Here it sandwiched between my bed and my non feather feather bed?  Did you notice that my non feather bed is covered in a bag of sorts?  Well it is, and it's waterproof!!!  No I don't wet the bed...ha ha ha, but kiddos sleep with me and this saves me a lot of dry cleaning.  Plus it's not cheap to have a mattress steamed cleaned.  DON'T ASK!   

I'm like The Princess and the Pea!  I may actually need a stool to get into bed now, and my poor kids, hope they don't fall out.  That's along way down!  I'm just glad my deep pocket sheets fit it all! 

I know of all things I could have bought, why did I pick this?  Easy I bought it for my son Connor.

Our conversation when something like this....

Connor:  Mom, do we sleep on coils? 

Me:  Why do you ask?

Connor:  I saw it on TV.

Me: (damn TV)  Yes.

Connor:  We need to get a foam bed without coils.

Me:  Really?

Connor:  Coils are bad for your back, and mine hurts.  I would sleep better.

Me:  You might sleep better if you slept in you own bed! 

Connor:  I can't sleep in my own bed, you would miss me.

End of story, welcome home memory foam mattress topper!  I can't wait to see his face when we go to bed later, he doesn't know I ordered it.  =)  I'll let you know how it sleeps, and thanks Donnie for having such a great give away!  xx

Monday's Measurements ~ Week 1 Done!!!

Live the Life Give Away has been extended till this Sunday.

Okay, so week one went by pretty smoothly.  I didn't cheat on my diet once and I exercised six days in a row, with Sunday off to rest my muscles.  I learned a couple things too, I'm going to have to tweak the diet.  I love the food, but I need a little more variety.  No biggy, the plan shows you how, and I'm gonna follow the plan.  Another nice thing, I actually saved money on groceries.  I couldn't believe it either, but since I'm following a strict plan, I only buy what I need for the seven days.  No extra junk, just what ever the kids eat.

Okay so here are a couple new pics, it's only been a week so the difference isn't drastic, but give me a couple weeks and I'll knock your socks off!

My new weight 172, 3lb loss in first week.  Pretty good for the first week.  Remember it the beginning you are also building muscle, but that's a good thing.  The larger your muscle cells the more calories you burn, and smaller your fat muscles will end up.

So here is the front view.

Side View.

Rear View.  Maybe next time I won't wear horizontal stripes? 

We'll start at the top and move down.

Shoulders 41.5 inches ~ 41 = .5

Chest 37.5 inches ~ 37 = .5

RT/LT Biceps 12/11.5 inches ~ 11.25/11.25 = 1

Waist 32.5 inches ~ 32 = .5

Hips 41.5 inches ~ 40.5 = 1

RT/LT Thighs 24.5/24.25 inches ~ 24.5/24 = .25

RT/LT Calves 14.5/14.25 inches ~ 14.25/14 = .5

My inches lost for the first week are 5.25.  I always loose in the hips and waist last, so not really surprised.  My middle area likes to hang on to stuff.  Oh well, off to work out!!!  Here's to the same great results next week!!

My "New" Desk and Other Office Pics

You must love me for my personality?  Right?  It sure isn't for my 'before' photography skills.  This one is especially craptastic.  Well, you can at least see the before color, and that the back was coming off.  I had the handy man repair the back and make sure it was sturdy.

Her legs are nice and girly, and the shape and size were just what I was looking for, plus it came with a glass top.  I bought her for $100 off Craigslist, I thought that was a pretty good score.

Please ignore the ugly white board under my CPU, it's only there to protect it from static electricity.  It will be cut down to size and painted black, eventually.  Her curves are pretty impressive.  I didn't paint the hardware, and it is the original.  I think it is a nice contrast.

I had to wait until tonight to take this picture, pesky sun was coming in that window over the stairs.  It kept messing up all my pictures, yes it was the sun's fault, my story and that's how I'm telling it.

The filing cabinet used to be on the other side, but I had to move it for the printer, yes had to.  I just couldn't have cords all over the place.  REALLY couldn't.

The other side of the office.  I'm still debating if I'm gonna refinish these chairs.  I love the worn tattered feel of them, and I still haven't found the perfect pneumatic stapler...sigh.

This shot was taken at the top of the stairs.  I have a lot of chairs.  I guess I really need to start looking for a staple gun.  (I'm not gonna mention the other six chairs for my dining room...double sigh.)

I just love my office now, if only it was in it's own room and not the loft.  Then I could be typing this in peace with the door shut, instead my three year old is having the mother of all tantrums...my dream, to have a door.

Nest Pillow Give Away Winner!!!!! and Other News

Congrats Allison @ FabRehabCreations, you are the Nest Pillow Give Away Winner!!!!!  Thanks to every one who entered.  I appreciate each and every one of my followers, you guys are the BEST!!!  (I used Random.org to generate the winner, #4)

Check back when I hit 150 for another give away.  This time it'll be a piece of art, an original black and white PHOTO, in your choice of sizes.  Pinky Swear, I didn't take the pic, but a fabulous Photographer with tons of experience.  (definitely not me!)

Okay last bit of news.  The Live the Life Give Away is going to be extended until next Saturday, I'll announce the winner on Sunday Feb 6th.  Still in plenty of time for the winner to get ready for summer and pool!  (trust me right  there with ya!)

Quick Update...Busy Day

Hey guys, I know I have some winners to reveal and some comments to reply to, I'm going to try my hardest to get that done today.  I'm super busy.  My handyman just came over and took down my old desk and put in my 'new' one.  I promise a post on the 'new' desk soon. 

You all know my little girly has been sick, and I've gotten way behind as a result.  I hate to disappoint anyone, but think of it this way, you have that much longer to enter the two give aways I have going on.

Thanks for understanding, I promise to be back again today, but tomorrow for sure.  Even if I have to pull an all nighter!!!  Love ya! xx

Anything Goes Party #1 and a few Valentines Day Crafts

Welcome to my first Anything Goes Party!  Where Anything Goes!  Just Party your little hearts out.  =)

There are no rules, just a couple requests.

1. Please follow the blog.  This way I can find you more easily if I choose to feature your project!

2. Please leave a link back to the party so others can join the fun!  I even have a button if you want to use it.

3. Link anything you want to show off, as many you want.  Etsy shops welcome.  (I heart Etsy)

Ready Set Go, Link!

Here's what I thought I would share this week, a couple Valentines Day crafts I made and one I bought as is.

First one is this cute felt and ribbon garland I made.  I just tied them together with twine and then tied ribbon onto the twine.  Super easy and I had the twine and ribbon, so all I had to buy was the cute felt hearts.  They were a dollar each at Joanns. 

I bought this cute vintage looking banner at Joanns too, I couldn't resist the little cherubs.  Of course my son laughs at their little naked bums.  6 year olds!

Here's a close up of the wreath I made, it was not fun to wrap with ribbon, but it turned out pretty cute.  I'm thinking I should put rosettes all the way around?  What do you think?  

I just love this, wish I could keep it up all year.

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you link up!  xx

Wasatch Women Ad for Live the Life and an Update...

I just found this great ad for Live the Life in Wasatch Women, you can see it here.  Live the Life posted it on their Facebook page.  I've never read this online magazine before, but I did take a second to flip through...click through it?  It looks really interesting, it's geared toward women, and our crazy busy lives.  If you check it out let me know what you think.

Next item of business.  Please don't forget my link party starts tomorrow, Anything Goes.  Link as much as you want, just have fun.  I can't wait to see what every one has been up too.

Now a diet update.  I'm really trying to keep this to a weekly post, but I wanted to share a couple things.  I obviously made it through the first day, nope didn't die from the lower calories.  I actually wasn't hungry, of course I could have eaten out of boredom, but no hunger pains.  Which is a GOOD thing, I hate being hungry. 

My last little tid bit is about the supplement they want you to take prior to your work out, Nitric Oxide.  It is suppose to help you work out longer and harder.  I didn't buy it, instead I bought L-Arginine.  This is the main ingredient in Nitric Oxide, and I wanna just say, it WORKS.

I thought I could tell the difference yesterday when I worked my little heart out, but I know for sure it worked today.  My poor little girl got up at 2 am this morning puking her every lovin' guts out.  Needless to say, after changing the bedding, cleaning her, the bedroom and bathroom up, not once, not twice, but THREE times, and did I mention the four loads of laundry that I did before 8 am?  I was so tired this morning, I just new I wouldn't be able to work out, but I did and I feel great.  So there you go, my little update.

Thanks for stopping by, I'm gonna go climb in bed with the kids and watch a movie and relax. 

Please ignore the lack of sheets, they are load 5 in the dryer, yep she puked in bed.  (a lot)  See the spot in the middle?  It's for me, so that's were I'll be until dinner.  =)

The Blog Guidebook

Okay, do I live under a rock? I thought I was pretty in the know...not so much. I just found The Blog Guidebook, thanks to Sarah@Different Dog for leaving a comment with a link. What I mean by found it is, I read my email.

I'm gonna go sign up with them, it's free, and they will list your blog for you. Plus they have a ton of Classes, How To's and other Resources. It looks pretty awesome. 

Monday's Measurements

Live the Life Give Away

Okay, like I promised, the 411 on big 'ol me!  I have to say, I was really surprised when I stepped on the scale.  I didn't know it had gotten that bad.  The real scary part is three weeks ago it was worse.  I've been watching what I eat and exercising this entire year so far.

Live the Life is what I need to be serious, to be more accountable.  It's only 1 hour into day one, and so far so good!!!  I'm half way through my first of six mini meals, and I'm feeling positive.  My eating plan is the same everyday but the exercise portion changes from day to day with Sundays off to rest.

Front View.

 Side View.

Rear View.

On to the gory details, my measurements.  Sigh.

We'll start at the top and move down.

Shoulders 41.5 inches

Chest 37.5 inches

RT/LT Biceps 12/11.5 inches

Waist 32.5 inches

Hips 41.5 inches

RT/LT Thighs 24.5/24.25 inches

RT/LT Calves 14.5/14.25 inches

Yikes!  Thankfully I'm 5'11" tall. 

Now to my weight, this totally goes against my better judgement to share this...I can't even believe I stepped on the scale.  I weigh, insert smirk, 175 lbs!  SIGH!

Okay, so there ya go.  I'm off to drop the boy at school and come back and do my work out.  Let me know if you would like more info on what I'm eating and how I'm exercising, I would love to share with those interested, or if you have any questions about Live the Life.

Just wanted to add, you will need to buy a few supplements, but nothing crazy.  Protein Powder, multi vitamin, L-Glutamine and a Triple Omega.  They also sell these items, or you can pick them up at any vitamin store, and some grocery stores.

 Thanks for stopping by.  =)

Live the Life, The Kristi Approved Program

I'm not even gonna sugar coat it....I have weight to lose, more than I care to admit.  I would love to blame it on quitting smoking, but really I shoveled the food into my mouth, the whole time sitting on my bum.  (my really big bum!)

Now it's time to do something about it, I'm not getting any younger...now if there were only a program for age loss? 

I searched the web and finally found a program that fit me.  I used to watch what I eat and exercise daily, so I know what to do, I just wanted a support team.  This program makes you accountable for your losses, and is clear and easy to follow.  I love easy. 

The program is really common sense.  You eat roughly 6 small meals a day and exercise.  They even included a grocery list and meal plan.  I shopped and prepared all my meals on today, so Monday when I start all I have to do is heat 'em and eat 'em.  You just repeat this for 12 weeks, and as long as you follow the program, you should have good loses.  The exercise is adjustable to your level too, so it's great for all levels, from beginners to advanced exercisers.  The even include a video demonstrating all the exercises.

They even have a program for men, so husbands and wives can do this together.  My hubby is in Afghanistan, and a BEEF CAKE already, just another reason to lose weight.  Sigh.

I don't want you to think that I'm doing this for purely cosmetic reasons, but I'm not gonna lie, I want to look better.  Who doesn't?  I do have health issues that this program will help, and let's face it I want to feel as good as I look.  Plus my family needs me to be healthy and fit.  I'm 38 with a  6 and 3 year old...and I need to be able to keep up with them.

So who wants to do the program with me?  The wonderful folks at Kristi Approved are offering $25 off Phase 1.  There are a few rules.

1.  Sign up for the 7 Day Challenge here.
2.  Like them on Facebook here.
3.  Follow my blog.

And here's some even better news, they are offering Phase 1 for Women to ONE lucky WINNER!  Yep a give away too!  This is a $150 value, FREE!  Entry Rules are the following.

1.  Sign up for the 7 Day Challenge here.  Comment on this post.
2.  Like them on Facebook here.  Comment on this post.
3.  Follow my blog.  Comment on this post.
4.  Blog about this give away.  Comment on this post. 

Looks kinda familiar?  So easy peasy.  You can even put it all in one comment, what ever is easiest for you.  I will use a random generator to select the winner next Sunday, January 30th.  Then I will email the winner to work out the details.

I'm starting the program in the morning, and I will do a weekly post about my stats and progress.  Check back tomorrow for all the befores, weight, measurements and pictures!  I know I'm a little off, before pictures are scary!  Yikes.

I hope some of you will join me, it would be great to have a buddy(s)!  Tomorrows post will include what else is needed for the program and a sample of the diet and exercise plans.

Give Away and Some Other News.....

Live the Life Give Away

Thank you to all of my fabulous followers!!!  I just hit 100!  Triple digits is so COOL!  I promised more info once I hit 100 so here it goes.

Sommer from Designer Garden and SewStylishBowtique has generously offered her Nest Pillow for this give away.  Thank you Sommer! 

Here is the pillow cover you will receive.  It has a deep pocket envelope style closure and will accommodate a 12" x 16" pillow form, (pillow form INCLUDED)  It's 100% cotton and can be washed on cold, dried flat and you can use an iron on low heat.  Make sure to turn it inside out before you iron it.  

Now for the rules, I promise nothing crazy.

1.  Follow Type A, and leave me a comment letting me know you want to be part of the give away.

You can also follow Designer Garden, or stop by and show her some love, but it won't earn you any extra entries.  Just one entry per person, I will announce the winner on Saturday January 29th.

Okay, now for the other exciting news, I won a give away!  I couldn't even believe it.  Donnie at New Blessings Everyday had a CSN $65 give away and I was lucky number 64!  (thank you Random.org counter!)  Thanks Donnie for sharing the great give away with her readers!  Here's the crazy part, I've already spent it!  DOH!  When my package arrives I will post all about it. 

I would also like to spread the word that I'm going to start a weekly link party on Wednesdays called 'Anything Goes Party'.  The first one will start this Wednesday and close on Thursday.  Please check back then and link up as much as you want about anything.  Anything Goes...even Etsy shops.  The more the merrier.  I even have this cute button you can use to link back to my party, found on my button page. 

 Thanks and good luck!!!

A Few Changes, A Give Away and an Affiliate

Live the Life Give Away

I know it sounds like a lot, I guess it is.  Let's start with the changes, remember here where I was asking for some decorating help?  Well, I want to thank everyone for their comments and want to share some of the changes I made.

Of course this doesn't mean I'm done making changes to these areas, these are just the current changes.  Who knows if I'll ever be DONE!  My poor family.  =) 

Okay so this was the area over the fridge last time I posted.  Such a sad before picture.

And after!  I like this much better, but I still have to fill the space over the cabinets.  Yes I have too!

Mantle before, not so great.

Mantle after, huge improvement.  I love the layered mirrors.  I still have some tweaking to do, but I feel like I'm finally headed in the right direction.

Trunk before.  I have no words.

Trunk after.  Have I told you I love mercury glass?  I found these and the runner at my favorite local place.  I refolded the burlap underneath and Ta Da!  Still needs some adjusting, but what doesn't?

Buffet before.  Sigh.

Buffet after.  Okay, so I didn't do much here, but I did score these great mercury glass candle holders.  My jaw dropped when I found them.  I think I may have even did the jumping happy dance clappy thing I sometimes do.  MAYBE.  To know for sure you'd have to check the surveillance video at Marshall's.  I know I need to change the kids picture out, but it's the most recent I have, so there it stays.

Okay, enough changes, now on to the give away! I just love 'em!  This is really only a sneak peak.  The give away will start as soon as I reach 100, I'm 2 away...so any day now.  I guess you'll have to check back.  This is a preview of what you will win.  A Nest pillow from Sommer at Designer Garden.  Like I said, once I reach 100 I give you all the details.  Pinky Swear.

Other exciting news, I have a new Affiliate!  Yippee!  It's Live the Life, at KristieApproved.com.  I'm going to be doing their workout/diet plan starting Monday.  I'll do a post all about it.  It's a 12 week plan, so I'll be doing a weekly post to keep you updated of my progress, and the word is they might be offering a give away or discount code to my readers. 

Tea for Three ~ Lauren's Third Birthday

You may be asking yourself why is she doing a birthday post 9 months after the party?  Well, I wasn't blogging then, and it took me three months to prepare for the last one.  I thought, I'd show off what I did last year and over the next few weeks show you what I have planned for this year. 

Prepare for picture overload!!

Good morning Miss Lauren and Happy Third Birthday.  Showing off her Dora pajamas.  I guess every little girl goes through a Dora phase.  Let me tell you, I'm not missing Dora.

And what post wouldn't be complete without a picture of her butt?  She's a crack up I tell ya.  Nice butt.

Moving right along, here is what her table looked like all dressed up.  I love this table cloth.  I picked out all the fabrics and trim and had it made.  Of course it was custom made to fit a table I no longer have!  doh.  I even had the napkins made.

I love the cupcake toppers and the teapot.  The teapot was a gift from my Mother in law.   The cups and saucers where a gift from one of her friends.   I already had the the three tier tray and cake stand, even the vase is an oldie but a goody.  I bought fake flowers, I figured I could reuse 'em.

How cute is this!  I filled it with pink lemonade, not many little girls like real tea.

Nice little close up of the cupcake toppers.  I didn't make them, this was before I found my craft groove.

I opted for paper plates, I didn't want anything getting broken.  I did make the napkin rings.  One of my first crafty endeavors.

 I ordered a zillion of these little crown cookies, they were so yummy and cute.  I wanted her to feel like a princess.  She's my only girl, so this was just as much for me as for her.  

 I had these custom made with her initial on them too, her own little castle.

I love how these turned out, I had one made for all three of the girls.  This one was for the birthday girl.  I just love German glitter glass.

This still hangs on her bedroom door, I just love the teapot and cup and saucer.  She'll always have this memory of her birthday.  I just love keepsakes.

Here's a shot of the food.  There was only eight of us, including three little girls, so I didn't go over board on the food.  We even had left overs.

Her Happy Birthday banner, another great keepsake I can reuse.  Love that.  

Close up of the detail, so cute.  I picked all the fabric for this too, I wanted it to coordinate with the teapot banner, table cloth and napkins.

No party would be complete without a zillion princess balloons.

The birthday girl, getting ready with our lovely neighbor Daleda.  She was upstairs the whole time I prepared the party, so she was surprised to come down stairs to all the decorations.

Love this picture, our Bestie Auntie Sommer took this.

Here she is with her boa, what girl doesn't need a boa?

I had this cake made at Baskin Robbins, and they put her monogram on it for me.  There isn't any actual cake in it, I needed ice cream to go with the cupcakes so they left the cake part out for me.  She loved her purse, and you can see someone tasted the frosting!

Checking out her own special cupcake contraption. 

I guess she was pretty happy about it, she gave Sommer this cheesy shot.

This the next day after the celebration, she wanted to test out her new tutu and shoes.  She's such a ham.

Happy Birthday baby girl!  Mommy, Daddy and Connor love you to the Moon and back!!!

I know from the pictures you couldn't tell I had a son, he didn't want anything to do with a Princess Tea Party, so he and a friend hung out up stairs the entire time.  Stinky Boys!

Thanks for stopping by!