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2012 in Review with Photos

December 28, 2012 By 2 Comments

These images do not even begin to capture all the wonderful things that happened in 2012, but here are a few of my favorites. They remind me that this year was a true blessing for me. Friendships were strengthened and new friends made. I struggled and I stood my ground on things I believed in. I experienced happiness in new ways and sadness in others. One constant has been the love of my children, family and friends who true know and accept me just as I am.

Here’s to an amazing new year with no mistakes in it!

Make sure you sign up for my #MailLove2013 postcard mailing. I would love to sending you something special next year.

 

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They are the Lights in my Life

December 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Thank you to Macy’s Heart of Haiti for providing product to inspire this post about the stars in my life.

This year, my children and I decided to put our tree up the first weekend of December. I like how it makes our home festive and puts us in an instant good mood. When I come home from work, the tree is the first thing I see. My oldest, Chloe has the tree lights on, so everything is twinkling and inviting when I arrive home.

We spend a lot of time in the living room. For one, it is one of the only rooms with a television and we like to spend time together watching our favorite shows. I love spending time with my children, because they remind me what true happiness is. They remind me to be happy no matter what and that I have a choice in how I act and choose to deal with the many challenging situations in my life. My children are the lights in my life. For as much as they drive me crazy with their constant chatter, arguing with each other and general loudness, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Those are signs of life and people who love unconditionally. That makes me so happy.

This is not the first time I have written about Macy’s Hearts of Haiti. I am absolutely in love with the collection. The collection features more than 40 home decor items including quilts, metalwork, jewelry and paintings all made almost entirely from recycled and sustainable items such as old cement bags, cardboard,oil drums and local gommier wood. To date, the program has employed 780 artisans, which has improved the lives of over 6,200 individuals.

I received exclusive product from the Macy’s Heart of Haiti line that inspired this post. I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own. #CleverHaiti

Filed Under: My People, Reviews! Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Picking a Calendar for the New Year

December 19, 2012 By 2 Comments

I love selecting a calendar for the new year. I have not decided if I am going to personalize one or just pick something out that strikes my fancy. In the meantime, here are some calendars I really like for 2013.

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Great to see old books being upcycled and used as calender. This one sells for $15 at Pickle Dog Designs.

 

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I love the concept behind the Invisible Calendar. It is designed to encourage creativity. This calendar sells for $15 from SashaPure.

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For all my zombie and Walking Dead fans, this calendar is for you! The Build-a-Zombie calendar sells for $14.99 from Geek Alerts.

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How fun is this puzzle calendar. I think it belongs on my desk at work. I found this one at Paper Source for $12.50.

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This is such a fun calendar. I like the handwritten look.. I found this calendar at MessyBed Studio for $14.00.

Don’t forge to sign up if you would like to receive a postcard from me next year. Who doesn’t like to receive some mail love?

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Are You Ready to Rumble with the Rabbids?!

December 14, 2012 By 2 Comments

Thank you to Ubisoft for sponsoring this post. Please click here to learn more about Ubisoft. I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective. #UbiChamps

If you have not had a chance to play any of the Rabbids game, you are in for a treat with Rabbids Rumble. This game, just like the other Rabbids games is filled with the silly antics of the Rabbids characters.

In the game, you can collect over 100 deranged Rabbids. Each of them has their own unique combat abilities strengths and weaknesses which are a little wacky, too. Each Rabbid can level up to 10, and each has 3 different abilities – a regular attack, a special attack, and a defensive move. Each battle takes place between three different rabbids on each side. If you beat a team of rabbids that includes one that you do not have ,you’ll get to “capture” it.

Rabbids Rumble is filled with mini games that last about a minute. Some of the mini games are basic rhythm games, navigating through trap-filled mazes, to firing cows at archery targets. At the end, players are graded based on hitting various targets.

There is nothing overly hard about the Rabbids Rumble game. It is rated E for Everyone and your kids will get a kick out of it. I know mine did. The Rabbids games are hilarious to us, because the characters are so quirky and funny. Plus, with over 100 Rabbids to collect, you are sure to run across a few who will become favorites.

 

 

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Going on a Poptropica Adventure

December 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Thank you to Ubisoft for sponsoring this post. Please click here to learn more about Ubisoft. I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective. #UbiChamps

Poptropica Adventures is a jam packed adventure game sure to keep your kids interested with many interesting adventures on Poptropica islands. There are three islands to explore in the game. My daughter’s favorite island was the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory island. My kids also liked customizing their characters. You can change the look of your avatar by altering the clothes, hairstyles, hats and so on. As the characters are going through the game, they can build collections with gadgets to help them complete the quests. There are also mini game challenges which are unlocked when a quest is completed. All of this adds variety and increases the adventures of Poptropica.

The overall goal of the game is to journey across three different islands to help rebuild the Poptropia Museum. My kids enjoyed the different levels they had to completed on the special levels. While challenging, the game is still great for school-agers. The game is rated E for everyone. That makes Poptropica a fun game that containing no violence the whole family can enjoy.

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#MacysThanksPinning - Follow My Boards and Like My Pins!

December 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment

I have been a supporter of the Hearts of Haiti and Rawanda Path to Peace products since they came out. For one, the products are absolutely beautiful and secondly, they support a good cause.

Heart of Haiti is a “Trade, Not Aid” initiative that was launched by artist and social entrepreneur, Willa Shalit, The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund and Macy’s. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and despite the devastating earthquake people there are filled with hope and a desire to improve their lives through employment. By creating one of a kind pieces – such as bracelets, metalwork, paper mache, and wood work - the Heart of Haiti initiative provides artists with an opportunity to make a living, feed their families and pay their children’s school fees.

Rwanda Path to Peace is a healing journey and a source of sustainable living that utilizes the incredible skill of weaving that is passed down by generations of Rwandan women. The sale of the baskets through Macy’s has given these women a source of sustainable income and pride. The project and the income it generates has improved the lives of at least 18,000 children, providing access to education, health care and more.

I have created a board on Pinterest sharing some of the photographs of the beautiful items I have in support of both causes. I would greatly appreciate your following my board and liking the pins. Also, support the causes and the artisans who have created these beautiful products. You will not regret it and I would greatly appreciate your support.

Filed Under: Embrace the Everyday, Reviews! Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Clouds - One of My Favorite Things in Nature

December 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment

 

When I first came to interview for my new job, these sculptures greeted me. I thought they were so pretty, I stopped to take a picture before heading up to the interview. Best part about them is the gentle clinking sound they make when the air conditioning unit comes on. The sculptures suddenly come alive and become living art.

I love clouds. I always have. When I lived in Montana, also known as Big Sky Country, I loved taking rides with my family on the weekends. I would stare out the window looking at the amazing cloud formations. They were mesmerizing and I found myself easily lost in their fluffiness as we drove around for hours looking at the countryside. In fact, from my bedroom window, I could see a snow capped mountain. Seriously, it was one of the coolest things I have ever seen. Although, I have to admit look at the stars at night was just as neat as the clouds. I loved looking at constellations, too.

What is one of your favorite things to look at in nature? Share. I would love to know.

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12.12.12

December 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment

This started off as a Wordless Wednesday, but there is just too much going on to keep quiet. I decided to create a Time Capsule today as part of a little something Xanthe Berkeley put together. I really like the idea of recording and capturing the ordinary and keeping it for later.

My children love hearing stories about themselves when they were younger. What a net idea to have it recorded for them to watch later. Will you join in and capture your 12.12.12 in pictures or on film?

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Wordless Wednesday **Poinsettia**

December 12, 2012 By 1 Comment

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