One minute your in, the next you're out!

I am so excited!! Tonight is the Premere of Project Runway Season 9! I don't know about you, but I am a BIG FAN! It is inspirational and fun to get to know the newest contestants and see what they come up with. Each year the challenges get harder. Keeps you on your toes! I find myself living vicariously through them. In my wildest dreams...::Siggh:: Make sure you tune in tonight at 9pm on Lifetime.

Day Dreaming,....

I was tidying up my sewing space (which is technically my dinning room) and repacking up my machine, sewing box, all my threads and fabrics. Wishing that I had a cute little sewing nook that I could keep neat and tidy, but didn't have to put fully away every time I needed the dinning room for entertaining. Oh,...I am swooning over some cute little nooks I found online. Here are my favorites:

Links: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Feeling Inspired,...

Reference to photo: Here

I usually don't blog about books, or write reviews for them. I really don't have the time these days to read much,...but a few weeks ago I watched an interview with Diane Sawyer on ABC of a young girl who was kidnapped at age 11 and found 18 years later as an adult in a tent in her kidnappers back yard. I went out to the store the day of the book release and bought it. Her name is Jaycee Dugard. Her story brings chills. With all that she has dealt with in her life, she has stayed positive and hasn't allowed her situation to make her bitter and filled with hate. She decided to write a book to share her story and to expose the man and woman who captured her and kept her locked up for 18 years, who also made her pregnant not once but twice and deliver her babies in their backyard. She says that it is her kidnappers "shame" and not hers. They stole her childhood, but they will not steal her joy for life. She wants her book to remind people to be aware of what is going on around them and to go to the authorities if you feel that something weird is going on with a neighbor, or whomever you come across. Even if you aren't 100% sure something is wrong. Go with your gut. If it wasn't for two woman who suspected something, she wouldn't have had a chance to live in freedom today. I have to warn you that her book is graphic. She does go into some detail about the treatment she has received,...but she also shares ways she learned to cope, her hopes that she has for both her daughters, and how to be thankful no matter what circumstance you are in. She has touched my heart and I am sure many others with her heroic story. It is amazing to read a book by a girl who wrote it independently and with only a 5th grade education. Amazing! It will bring tears to your eyes, your heart will break a little for her, and you will cheer in the end when you see how happy she is today to be reunited with her mother and sister and to be living a life of freedom with her daughters. Truly overall an unbelievable inspirational story!

Jaycee has set up her own foundation to help others who have love ones who have been kidnapped. It is called The JAYC Foundation. For more info here is the link: JAYC

If you would like to see a clip of the interview, click here: VIDEO

Moments Like These,...

I was able to watch my sweet little niece a few weeks ago while my sister was in the hospital delivering her second daughter. I snapped a few photos of the cousins giggling with each other during her stay. It was as if I had a set of twins (they are 3 weeks apart)!! Toddlers are busy, but so much fun! While looking at the photos, I can "hear" the giggles. I will forever cherish these moments.

Tuesday's Tunes

I have been going through pictures lately sorting through memories and reflecting back on the past few years. I am ever so grateful for the many blessings. Liam continues to amaze me and I am so happy to be able to stay home and enjoy those special moments with him.

Summer Treats

This summer seems to be buzzing on by. Spending as much time playing with Liam in the pool, taking walks around the neighborhood, trips to the park and playdates with friends as I can fit in. I don't know about you, but I am not about to heat up my kitchen on a sweltering hot summer day. (Especially because I don't have central air in my old colonial house) But at the same time, I don't want to eat out every night. The BBQ has been our friend! When I ran across this recipe via the blog world, I thought it was brilliant! A quick snack (or dessert after dinner) that can be mixed and made in the microwave. It's the Carrot Cake in a Jar!
Check it out! The recipe is located on Babble

What you’ll need:
1 box of carrot cake cake mix {+ ingredients to make}
cream cheese frosting
caramel sauce

What to do:
1. Mix cake batter according to package directions.

2. Spray a 4 ounce mason {canning} jar with cooking spray. Fill jar not quite half way with batter {do not overfill}. Place in microwave and cook on high for 30 seconds. At end of 30 seconds, cook for additional 30 seconds. CAREFULLY remove from microwave and allow to cool.

3. Frost with cream cheese frosting and drizzle caramel sauce on top.

Source: blogs.babble.com

Hope you are enjoying your summer! :)

Giveaway at {The Ardent Sparrow}

So I have been a Shabby Apple fan for awhile now. Although I haven't purchased anything from their shop (yet) I catch myself day dreaming while looking through the beautiful selection of dresses that they offer. If you haven't checked their site out, you NEED to! They have some lovely things. Here are a few of my favorites:

Photos: link

This week over at {The Ardent Sparrow} Rebecca is giving away a great dress! It's the Frida K dress! Can you imagine winning this amazing dress? All the places you would wear it and what shoes would go with it? WOW! An awesome giveaway, go check it out! {Here}

Head over there and enter! (She picks the winner Tuesday July 19th)

I Need A Change

It dawned on me this past week that I am 29! I mean literally, a year away from being the BIG 30! OMG! Not that 30 is old,..just can't believe that I will no longer be in my 20's. I think I am in dire need of a little change. My husband says that I am perfect the way that I am and that there really is no need for a change. I love it that no matter what, he will always love the "me" that I am. But I am thinking of taking the plunge and changing up my hair!! Maybe some highlights or possibly fully blonde? I have been browsing pinterest for some inspiration,....

Photos: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Summer Fun

This past weekend was spent roasting marshmallows by the fire, sleeping in a tent and enjoying the company of friends. Our second visit already this summer to the great outdoors. Can't wait until our next camping adventure! What do you do for fun in the summer?

I Was Featured!

What an exciting day! I received an e-mail late last night that I would be featured over on the Lovely Clusters blog! If you haven't seen this amazing blog, you NEED to! It's filled with eye candy and gift ideas! Wonder over there and check it out! What an amazing Birthday present! Yep, that is right, today I turn 29 years old. Last year in my 20's. Yikes! Happy Birthday to me!

Source: seekatesew.blogspot.com

A Beautiful Blessing

I am an Aunt again! :) My younger sister Roslyn had her baby last night and I was blessed to have been there. Babies are just amazing little gifts. We have been waiting your arrival Jade and we are so glad you are here!

Just a thought,....

Have you ever had a day, month, heck a year, where you are scratching your head and wondering why things are working themselves out the way that they are? I can honestly say that it has been one of those weeks here at my house. Sometimes the craziness of life distracts us from what is really important. We get so wrapped up in what isn't going right, or what isn't going "as planned" that we forget the things that make us happy! And while we worry, lose patience, fret, we forget to be thankful for those things which God has blessed us with. Because things can always be worse. I heard a very profound quote the other day (not sure who it is from).
It said:

"What if you woke up tomorrow with only the things you thanked God for today?"

So that is what I am challenging (myself) you with this week,....What makes you happy? What are you thankful for?

Source: bloomtime.tumblr.com

Handmade gifts are the BEST!

This past holiday weekend was such a busy one! We tried to squeeze as many things as we could into it. One of the fun things on our calendar was my girl friend's son's 2nd Birthday Party! He is such a sweet little boy. Seeing that Liam is only a few months behind him, they get along well! We love getting together for play dates whenever we can. So when we got invited to celebrate his Birthday I knew I needed to make him something special. I found this tutorial over at Noodlehead awhile back and thought it would be perfect! He is at an age that he likes to draw, color and read. With a baby sister at home, it's helpful to be able to tend to her and know that he is staying out of trouble. So making a little backpack filled with quiet activities that he can play with at home or even in the car was the perfect gift!








I lined the bag with cute little critter fabric and placed a pocket on the front for his crayons. Inside the bag I put a small coloring book, box of crayons, a bouncy ball, stickers, and a mini magnadoodle! He loved it! I may need to make Liam one of these! If you would like to make your own, head over to Noodlehead and you will find the tutorial!