(diva)logues

"I wanna dance... and love... and dance.... again..."

Last night as I was tucking Bryn into bed & saying good-night, I told her I'd see her in the morning after my 6:30 Spin class.  She said, "Yeah... I'll just be waking up & eating breakfast when you get home and you'll come in the door yelling, I'm ready to start the day!"  I laughed... because really I do usually say something obnoxious like that when I'm coming home from a butt-kicking workout that early in the morning.  At 5:55am when my alarm goes off, however, I'm not exactly thinking "I'm ready to start the day" though.  And just to aggravate her, I burst through the door this morning and yelled that.  She smiled.  She loves me.  

I registered Bryn for the new Zumbatomic class at the Y (Zumba for kids) and her first class was last night.  The instructor for the class couldn't make it though, so I subbed the class.  I had 9 awesome girls, aged 6-12.  It was lots of fun!  Well... minus the part when we got in the car & Bryn said, "Did you have to shake your boobs?"  Not only don't I have much in that department to shake, but I told her I wasn't shaking them & I did try to change the dances and make them appropriate for kids. 

Seriously?  Like I would stand in front of her class & shake my boobs?  

Welcome to the tween years.  I'm still wrapping my brain around this phase we are now in, of whatever I do being questioned.  Next week, we shall see if the real instructor shakes her boobs too.  LOL 

Ok, so what else...

Mother's Day is around the corner, so I needed to come up with a Mother's Day card for the next Nikki Sivils E-Blast that goes out to all the retail stores.  Also... it will be nice to have a card already made for the occasion, since I seem to be doing things at the last minute lately.  I used the Audrey collection to assemble my card... 

I added a staple to the center of each of the heart cut-ups and then pulled each side of the heart away from the paper to add some dimension...

I'm attending another cooking class with my mom & sister tonight.  I'm sure there will be something amusing that happens... there always is... so more on that tomorrow!  You can be sure, though, that I won't set my wine glass on the food prep counter this time... just incase the wine police is watching.   

And PS...

I'm LOVING this new Jennifer Lopez song. 

"Wrap it up... I'll take it..."

Just trying to finish things up around here... wrapping gifts and also cleaning the house since we'll have my family here on Christmas Day.  The grocery store was mayhem today, as was Target's parking lot, but thankfully most people were smiling.  Love people that are smiling.  ;-)

Making gift tags is about as crafty as I could get for our gifts this year.  I used the Nikki Sivils' Gingerbread Land collection for my letter stickers.  I hand-cut my trees, stacked 2 of them on my hand-cut tag, machine-stitched it down the middle, then added a small folded piece of ribbon to the top & adhered it with a staple... 

... same process here, only this time I used a large snowflake punch & stacked 2 of those...

Notice how lazy I am at changing the thread on the sewing machine?  They all got green thread.  LOL

Also, just wanted to share this version of Ave Maria that put tears in my eyes the first time I heard it the other day.  What doesn't put tears in my eyes these days?   I have issues... like hormonal... LOL 

This is my last post for the week, so I'd just like to wish you all a very MERRY Christmas!  Enjoy your time with family & friends this weekend & make sweet memories.  And thank you SO much for always leaving such kind and funny comments.  You all keep me smiling, for sure!

XOXO...

"Now go. Stop. Drop. Pause..."

Did I ever mention that Thursday is my favorite day of the week?  It may have something to do with Zumba in the morning.  Just sayin.  And I love that some of you have started taking Zumba classes because I talk about it on here all. the. time.  You are cool girls.  ;-)   

 

Just another page today using lots of Bella Blvd.  Since this birthday party was held at the horse race track, I decided to make a horse using my Cricut and the Create A Critter cartridge.  Or... I guess I should say that Bryn made the horse for me.  And of course, I had to add some google eyes.  Love those.      

There was also a Kentucky Derby theme going on... thus the hats.  I didn't wear one, but by the end of the evening Bob did...

 

He's kinda dorky like that.  And I can say that, because I'm never dorky.  Not at all.  

And speaking of Bella Blvd... I'm going to have a boat-load of projects going up on the SRM Stickers blog on Monday for their "Paper of the Week" series that's been going on for the past 2 months.  So stay tuned for that with a chance to win some Bella Blvd goodies! 

And thanks for the fun comments yesterday.  You guys always make me laugh. 

• No, I'm not selling the Missoni I scored.  Ok... well how much is it going for?   
• Yes, OF COURSE, I have an outfit planned for the reunion.  Now I just have to figure out how I'm getting home that night since all the other party people are spending the night at the hotel.  But, hey... at least I have a dress.  I have my priorities you know.
• And as for Zumba... I wish you ALL could make a road trip here to try it out.  I promise you it would be the most FUN workout you've EVER had.  It's like you're at a party in a nightclub... minus the booze & lurking men... and a LOT more sweating!      

Rock on...

I made a trip to Archivers yesterday after lunch with my date.  I don't go there very often anymore, but I went looking for some of the new Amy Tangerine collection.  Thankfully it wasn't a wasted trip.  I bought some of the paper & a package of the stitched Thickers... love those.  The last thing I need to be buying is more scrapbooking stuff, but that yellow chevron paper... had. to. have. it.      

For now, though, I have another mix of random stash.  I feel the need to use what's still laying around, because once I file it away behind cabinet doors, I tend to forget about it.  This one is a mix of mostly Cosmo Cricket, Bella Blvd & Pink Paislee.  It's not the most rock-n-rollish page, but at our age we aren't exactly diving into mosh pits anymore either...    

 

I altered the iPod cut-out a bit.  The original highlighted music category on there was "hip hop."  So I typed out "rock & roll" on Word, highlighted it with yellow like the original was, printed it & covered it.  I used some of my Glossy Accents on the "screen" to give it a little more dimension...

 

And speaking of mosh pits... I'm loving that song "My Body" by Young The Giant ever since I saw them on the MTV Video Music Awards the other night.  And I must play it really loud... 

Back to COOL...

 

It's almost back to school time.  Next Wednesday for us.  The School is Cool collection from Nikki Sivils is the perfect way to document first day of school photos, school-related activities thoughout the year and teacher cards + gifts.  Check out more fun projects on Nikki's blog today!

And on a totally unrelated subject... my sister's boyfriend, Tony, is in a contest with his remixed Nick Carter song, "I'm Taking Off" (Poplectro Darkhorse Remix).  Would LOVE it if you could take a second and vote for him here.  The lyrics are REALLY cheesy, don't blame Tony for that.  He didn't write the song, he just remixed it and according to my sister... made it sound a whole lot better than the original version.  I told Marci I put my space suit on and voted for him... LOL.  Thanks for your help, friends!

 

Well, more "date nights" for us this weekend... dinner + a movie tonight (Horrible Bosses, I think.  Anyone seen it yet?) and then a birthday party tomorrow night.  And Bryn will FINALLY come home on Sunday!  Yay!  

Have a GREAT weekend, everyone! 

Sunday SWEATY Sunday...

Oh my gosh. What a fun night. U2 is probably one of my all-time favorite bands and this concert was amazing. And HOT. 52,000+ people, packed into Busch Stadium. I was sweaty & gross by the time I got home at almost 1:00am, but it was worth it. I've seen a lot of concerts in my life. And I have to say this one ranked right up there in my top 5 concerts ever.

 

 

I was supposed to go to the show with my friends, Sally, Stephanie and Stephanie's husband, Curt. But Steph texted us yesterday & told us she was REALLY sick and was going to have to miss the show. One of their neighbor friends that Sally & I both know, stepped in & took her place. Just incase you were wondering who the 2 men were and... where is Bob? We had a blast though. Lots of laughs. Missed you, Steph! Hope you're feeling better! Excuse the partial recording of one of my fav U2 songs, but the battery on my iPhone was almost dead by the end of the show. You get the idea though! And thank you, Sally, for singing on my recording, too. LOL

"Step up, step up... let your hair down... pop, drop & lock... it go all out..."

Yes, I'm still here... just having fun.  LOTS of fun.  Haven't created anything in 2 days, but I did manage to get my craft room cleaned since it looked like a tornado ripped through and left paper & product all over the place once I finished up all my projects for CHA. (Which, by the way, is already next week!)  And since I invited my friend & her daughter to come over yesterday, it's always motivation to actually clean.  

Note to self:  Invite friends over more often, so the house gets cleaned regularly.  Or... become rich & famous and hire someone to clean for me.    

Anyway... was cruising through Piperlime (one of my favorite online stores) and made a couple purchases...          

 

 

Gotta love a little retail therapy on a Friday afternoon. 

Got a sneak peek at a new zumba song last night.  Although we were drinking some wine when I learned it, so it remains to be seen if I can actually remember it in class tomorrow.  I'm loving the song though.  In fact, Bryn asked me to stop playing it so much.  And is Jennifer Lopez hot or what?   

Have a great weekend!  I'll be back with more of my projects for CHA next week...    

"It's a beautiful day... don't let it get away..."

Have you stopped by the SRM Stickers blog lately?  They've been posting the brand new sticker sheets that are making their debut at the CHA Tradeshow next week.  Something that's brand new this time around, are the Fancy Sentiments... for cards + projects requiring "a little more elegance or sophistication."  I wouldn't say that creating elegant & sophisticated cards are my forte, but I think these stickers can also work with something a little more cutesy...    

 

I used the new Thank You sentiments to create my card, along with some Pink Paislee Hometown Summer and a little pink crepe paper...

 

 

I'm already finished with Spin class this morning.  And it's hot & nasty outside, so we'll be inside today. I sweat enough this morning, thank-you-very-much.  ;-) 

Bob sent me a link to this article this morning... U2 360 Tour preps begin at Busch Stadium.  I'll be one of the 50,000+ fans, along with 3 other friends, in the crowd on Sunday night.  The tickets were purchased almost a year ago.  Florence & The Machine opened for them on part of their tour.  Really, REALLY wish they were going to be here this weekend, but it looks like we'll be seeing Interpol for the opening act instead.  I don't think I'm familiar with them, but U2 should be phenomenal.  Can't wait! 

 

Happy Monday everyone!  Hope it's a great week!

"Let the rain wash away all the pain of yesterday..."

 

We had a fun night out with friends on Saturday night, in spite of the 4 inches of snow we got that day.  This after wearing short sleeves just a few days earlier.  Always, always crazy weather patterns in this lovely state I call home.  I think we needed more wine on our table.  Just sayin'... LOL.   

LOTS going on here crafty-wise this weekend with Nikki Sivils.  Will elaborate on one of those things soon.  The other involves me being Nikki's "Retailer Program Coordinator."  I've been coordinating the content for the e-blasts (emails) that are sent to the retail stores.  We are getting ready to send out our 3rd monthly e-blast & Nikki has been receiving great feedback from them.  Very excited to be part of it. 

 

 

 

Does your local scrapbook store carry Nikki Sivils' products?  If not, ask them!  Stores listen for feedback from their customers.  They want to carry what you want to BUY!  

Keeping me motivated to crank out the projects this weekend is Just Can't Get Enough by the Black Eyed Peas and Coming Home by Diddy.  I downloaded it after hearing it at the Y while I was running.  It actually made me run faster.  First song I ever purchased by him...  not usually a fan of Diddy, P.Diddy, Puff Daddy, Puff, Sean, what-ever-his-name-is-now.  Heard it on American Idol when he was a guest star a few weeks ago & forgot about it until I heard it again on Friday.  Pretty sure I played it about 100 times since then.  Well, both of them.  I do that.  Much to Bob & Bryn's dismay...

Happy Monday! 

"It's getting ill, it's getting sick on the floor... we never quit, we never rest on the floor..."

Hope your weekend is a FUN one!

One of the many Zumba songs that start my day off with a major smile & a LOT of sweating...

Ima party... and party... and party... and par and par... and party... Enjoy your weekend!

I'm head over heels...

Just making some cards for the upcoming holiday.  I made this one using one of my felt suns.  It's not a Valentiney-heart-card, but it gets the point across just as well.

And here's one with quite a few hearts, using the Nikki Sivils U R My Favorite line...

I put each of the hearts on pop dots, added some embroidery floss & tied it all together into a bunch.

I finally watched my DVR'd Oprah episode of Lady Gaga's performance and now I have Monster stuck in my head.  I had not heard it yet, but it's going on my iPod for running.  I ♥ Lady Gaga.   

Just a reminder that you still have a couple days to submit your FAVORITE FRAGRANCE/SCENT layouts, cards or projects here!  There's FUN prizes... check it out!

I just think these are so pretty...

 
found here and here.   I hope it's an early Spring...

Grease is the word...

Heading out tonight with my mom & sister to have dinner & then see the Broadway show GREASE! Looking forward to a fun Girl's Night Out. This song has nothing to do with the show, but I'm obsessed with it right now. I heard it a couple times in Spin class. After hearing it again in this morning's class, I came home & googled what I could remember of the lyrics. Found it and have come to the realization that I think I love everything David Guetta does (minus the cheesy video, that is)...

Possibilities...

As we get closer to the new year & new resolutions... some words to think about...

New set of possibilities
+++++++++++++++++++

Somewhere out past where you're now comfortable, there's a
pleasant surprise. Beyond what you already know you can do,
there are exciting and fulfilling and new things you'll be
able to do.

There's a very short distance between what you think you can
do and what you don't think you can do. That distance is the
size of just one thought.

Once you decide that it is possible for you, it IS possible
for you. Once you have the thought that it can be done, it 
CAN be done.

The world you experience is contained within the world you
expect to experience. Expect more, and suddenly a whole new
set of possibilities will open up to you.

Ask yourself what you would like to be able to expect. Then
go ahead and bring your expectations in line with your
desires.

Each day is an opportunity to grow beyond yourself while at
the same time more fully expressing your authentic self.
Touch your highest vision, expect it to happen, and you'll
surely see your way there.

-Ralph Marston

And if those words don't give you some motivation, maybe my newest download will... For Your Entertainment.  I have to listen to it really LOUD though & for some reason that video isn't very loud.  It's on my iPod now, so I'll be runnin' to that one fo sho.  This one, too... :-)

 

The November HIP 2B Square kit rocks my world... :-) 

09/09/09

9 things on the ninth day of the ninth month of 2009...

1. Had a long over-due hair cut & high-light today.  She actually did more low-lights than high-lights for Fall, so I'm sporting a little bit darker "do."
2. This new bag was SO CHEAP, but gets compliments every day.  I think it's the funky blue color.  It holds a ton, too, so I like that... 
3. I have a card on the GCD Studios blog today.  It's just a simple little card I made with my kit that I won from them, but it was a nice surprise to see it today....
4. Looking forward to a fashion show Saturday night with my sister.  Still deciding what to wear.  Maybe this...   
   
5. Clinique is my favorite MUST-HAVE for the face & body.
6. Does Beyonce have a bad song?  I think not.  This one ROCKS. 
7. 6 more days to complete your "favorite food" layout for a chance to win a fabulous prize!  So far, every single submission I've seen makes me hungry! 
8. Is it just me or is it just a little much when you're asked over & over again in Target, "Can I help you find something?"  I walked into the magazine aisle yesterday.  I started to flip through a magazine, when a girl walked around the corner just to ask me if there was something she could help me find.  I'm not at Nordstrom.  I'm at Target???  I'm looking at a magazine???
9. I ♥ Design Star & Project Runway. 
  Carry on...

"Calgon, take me away..."

... is what I texted Bob this afternoon while out in the heat for 2 1/2 hours at the school "Olympic Games."  If only I knew when I volunteered to help out that I was going to have "Date Night" the night before, I may have reconsidered!  It was all good though & I can say I'm glad to be back at home, in the air-conditioning!  

Went to a restaurant called Sasha's Wine Bar.  For my local friends, it's a must.  We went to the location on Shaw, but they also have another one (supposedly smaller) in Clayton.  Wine bottles covered all the walls & they had cool wine bottle pendant lights hanging down above all the tables...

  

 

 

My sister joined us after dinner at the bar for a glass of wine...

 

We had the BEST time.  Bob & I spent the night at the Sheraton afterward. 

We are staying in town this weekend.  Bob is participating the Senior Olympics... in the basketball free throw & around the world events on Saturday morning & their 5K on Sunday morning.  We are going to visit his family in Illinois afterward on Sunday.  Hopefully I'll have some crafting time this weekend, too! 

How about you?  Plans for Memorial Weekend?  Hope it's a good one! 

Can anyone help me find...

... a remix version of N.E.R.D.'s Rockstar?  I heard it in Spin class yesterday & I want it for my iPod when I run.  I could find N.E.R.D.'s version on iTunes, but I'm looking for the remix...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yIyduqRa-Y&feature=related

And if I can't get the remix on iTunes, then is there a way to download from youtube to your iPod?

Anyone?  Anyone?  Bueller?  Bueller?