Pinterest Inspired "Art"

I hesitate to call what I am about to show you "art" because I am by no means an artist.  However, I do like arts and crafts. ;)

Pinterest has had me trying all kinds of fun things that I wouldn't have tried before, so last night, I made a late night Walmart run, and after purchasing a $14 frame, "borrowing" about 60 paint swatches from the home improvement department, and resurrecting one glue stick from my teacher days, here's what I came up with.

(Please excuse my the shadow of me taking the photo with my phone, lol.)

So, it's not perfect, but I thought it was a kind of fun little thing to hang up in the kids playroom or  in Bean's room.  (I wish I had taken the time to cut everything a little bit straighter and perhaps glue it down a little bit better, but maybe next time ;) )

Here's how I did it.  (Again, late night cell phone pics...sorry!)

Cheap wood frame from Wally World...complete with Mat!

Trace the outline of the mat so that you know the boundaries when you are placing your swatches.  It also helps to figure out how many swatches you can fit up and across.

Lay your swatches out how you want to glue them.  Cut.  Glue.  Repeat!

In hindsight, I wish I had grabbed the swatches that have four or five on them, instead of these larger ones.  I thought I would appreciate having more to work with, but looking back, it would have been a lot easier to have equal sized portions already made for me. 

Either way, it was fun, quick, & cheap!  After I decide which one of these blues to paint the living room, I may have to try this again...with a bigger frame, all blues and creams, and a paper cutter!

What has Pinterest inspired you to try?  Here's a quick look at another one of my other Pinterest projects... melted crayon pumpkins. 

All you need is a pack of crayons.  And a lighter.  And a room where your kids can't see you and start screaming "You're ruining all my crayons!".  Ha!

Happy Pinning!





Are you Pinterested?

I am ADDICTED to Pinterest.  I check the Pinterest app on my phone more often that I check my voicemail, or text messages, or email.  I'm obsessed.  Lately I have become extremely fond of pinning recipes that make my mouth water.  Here are a few that I think I need to make this weekend.  (That is - if my house is ever clean, and if I ever make it to the grocery store.  Ugh.)

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Pull Apart Pumpkin Bread

100 Calorie Smores Cups

And to top it all off...

Honey Crisp Apple Sangria

I think I need this one now.  Or maybe like an hour ago...

Is your mouth watering yet??

What I Learned from 10 Minute Trainer

The baby weight from Bean is being extremely persistent.  It just doesn't want to leave despite how hard I try to make it.  (Well, I try really hard in 2 week spurts...then I give up and eat a cupcake.)

Anyhoo - I have decided to try the 10 Minute Trainer.  There is really no excuse for not finding 10 minutes in my day to get healthy.  I'm now on day 2, and here is what I've learned.

1.  I am really out of shape.

2.  When attempting the warrior position with toddlers running around, be prepared for someone to think you are making a bridge for them to crawl under.

3.  When attempting a downward dog, be prepared for a toddler to jump on your back and want a ride up. 

4.  When attempting any sort of ab workout a toddler, or puppy, may attempt to use your abs as a resting place.  This does not make ab work impossible.  Just more difficult.

5.  10 minutes of cardio is doable.  10 minutes of abs is not. 

6.  Having a really cute workout partner is essential.  Here's mine.



I'm attempting to become consistent with this program.  It's quick & painful...exactly what I need.  Has anyone else out there tried this?  How did it go?  I could use some inspiration.

New Parent in NYC

I spent this weekend in my old stomping grounds of NYC, however, I must tell you times have changed.

I spent Saturday night out in Times Square until 11:30 pm. 
I used to go out around then.

I spent Saturday night out in Times Square.  At the Disney Store.
Not where I used to hang.  Just sayin'.

I spent all day Saturday on my feet.  In my leopard ballet flats.  And my feet hurt.  A LOT.
I used to wear shoes like these.  All the time.  My feet were dandy.



I cabbed it.  Whenever possible.
Never had money for that.  Big improvement.  HUGE.


Yes, things have changed.  I wasn't there to party, I was there for the New Parent Expo, but honestly, I had a fabulous time!  I couldn't have spent my time with better friends, I ate great food, I slept in a big comfy bed - alone, (Never considered that a luxury pre-kids. ;) ) and I met all kinds of wonderful people!  I even scored some swag.  Awesome stuff.  Pacis, blocks, & stroller accessories.  (Again, not quite my old definition of swag, but I am super excited about it all!)

I missed my little lovies like crazy cakes, but I truly enjoyed my weekend, and am still recovering.  Oh my, things are not the same, but I am learning to appreciate every little change because the time is flying by, and I am truly blessed.

Yet Another Reason Why Pets are So Darn Expensive...

Ugh!  I thought having a dog who was sick all the time was expensive.  I think this new puppy of ours is costing just about the same with all of the stuff he has eaten!  Today, he struck against Kate Spade.  My super fun, ridiculously priced, Kate Spade iPhone case.  :(

So sad :(  Although, I suppose it could have been worse.  He could have eaten a Kate Spade Bag...or shoes...

Ohhh Chewy, why did Daddy have to name you that?!?

ShopRunner

A few months ago, drugstore.com had a FABULOUS deal on diapers.  Of course, like most sites, the price of shipping was literally more than the price of the diapers.  At the time, a company called ShopRunner was offering a free month trial of their service through drugstore.com.  For that month, I received free two-day shipping on any of my purchases from select vendors.  I signed up because I wanted those diapers, and I wanted them cheap!  Of course, I checked out the other companies that worked with them, but at the time I really didn't feel like I needed to spend $79/year to keep that benefit.

I actually wonder about this often while I'm pressing the "Buy Now with 1-Click" button on Amazon.  Why don't more companies offer free shipping?  I would be much more inclined to shop with them if they did.  I purchase something from Amazon at LEAST once a week...usually it's more like 3 or 4 times a week, because I know I will get it in two days and won't have to pay shipping.  Honestly, even if it's a little more pricey than my local store, I'll still buy it from Amazon because it means that I don't have to pack up the kids, get myself dressed, and shlep to the store.

Anyway, I got off track.  My point was, that while I loved the IDEA of ShopRunner, I did not like the price, and I cancelled my membership as soon as my free trial expired. 

Today, I got an email from ShopRunner asking me to "come back!" and they would take care of my 1st years membership costs.  Sweet!  Just in time for the holidays! 

What do you think about ShopRunner and their pricing?  Would you join for $79?  One of the stores that participates is Babies R Us.  Their shipping is always astronomical, and SUPER slow, so that is intriguing, but honestly if I spend $80 for a shipping service, my husband might have something to say...

So, here's what I'm going to do...  I'm going to keep track of what I order using ShopRunner, and then I'm going to see if the price is really worth it for me.  ShopRunner is making it easy for me.  They have a little tool right on their homepage that will tell me how much money and time I save.  Ha!  Right...saving time...not sure about that one, but we'll see! 

In the meantime, I encourage you to try them out with a free trial...maybe they'll ask you back too! :)  Here's an invite!  Enjoy!

Disney Dreamin' Round 2

Sooooo, much to my surprise (& joy!!) I received an email from the Walt Disney World Moms Panel on Saturday congratulating me on making it to round two of the application process!  I literally jumped up and down when I read the email! (Not so cute anymore...just sayin'.)

I wasn't expecting to hear anything.  I mean, they accepted 20,000 applications.  I kinda figured that the odds were stacked against me.  They also said that they would be making decisions the second week of November.  (I had it circled on my calendar!)  So when I got the email I was in shock - and then the nerves set in.  Now not only would I have to answer more essay questions, but I would have to submit a 60 second video of myself talking about a topic of their choice!  Eeek!!!  The email said that I would need to log back in to the application site on Monday morning (today) and then I would find out what the essay questions were and what the video topic was.  Needless to say, I spent all weekend thinking about what the questions could be, learning how to work the web cam, ipad cam, iphone cam, etc., and figuring out what to wear in the video.

I seriously contemplated setting up a Disney shrine.  I figured I'd wear a Disney shirt, with Disney jewelery, and a pair (or two) of Mickey ears.  I thought I'd sit in front of a shelf full of Disney knick knacks, play some Disney music in the background, and then beg for a position on the panel.  In the end, my husband talked some sense into me and I tried to just be myself and let the panel judges see my love and knowledge of WDW and the Disney Vacation Club.

Now, I play the waiting game again.  I am being cautiously optimistic.  I did the best I could.  I would absolutely LOVE to be a part of the panel, but I know that there are lots and lots of other qualified and deserving people out there who also made it to Round 2.  So, that being said, please send some pixie dust my way!  I kind of NEED to be a part of the panel.  Really, I do.  I can feel it in my blood.  Maybe if I make it, I can stop annoying people at swim class, and on the grocery line, and at all of the other places where I decide I should tell people why they should love Disney as much as I do.  :)  ***Fingers and toes crossed***

What's a Mom to Do...

...when there is only decaff coffee in the house????

Have it with a side of diet coke.  :D

Not Me!

Today, I did not take the long way home from work, to listen to Seal, and avoid the inevitable chaos of bedtime at my house.  Not Me!

My daughter did not eat the ENTIRE tip of a marker while I was drinking my coffee and attempting to read a book.  Not My Child!  And certainly Not Me!

And while we're discussing coffee, I did not make an extra large pot this morning so that tomorrow when I wake up I can just nuke the cold stuff.  That would be gross.  I wouldn't do that.  Not Me!

I did not ignore the gigantic pile of dishes in my sink that has been there for 2 days now and then beg my husband to please please please take care of it and I would "clean the rest of the house tomorrow."  Not Me!

I also did not open the box containing my daughter's new Princess Celestia My Little Pony and seriously consider taking her out to play and brush her hair.  Not Me!  I'm not buying toys just because I wish I had them when I was little.

And, though I am on the verge of falling asleep at the computer, I did not hop back on to throw together a "not me" post because I seriously want to win these beautiful pendants from  Plum Blossom And Lily!  Absolutely Not Me!  Well, maybe, but I mean, look how pretty they are.  I think I need them.  Are you reading this McMama?  Pick me!  Pick me!

Baby Legs

I am a HUGE fan of finding good deals!  It's become a little problem because I can't seem to pass them up.  For example, the other day I saw a FB post that said that the Walking, Talking, RC Remote Control Iron Man was on sale on Amazon for $5.21.  $5.21!!!  So, what did I do, I grabbed my iPhone, opened my Amazon app, and 1-click-bought that baby.  Does my son really need another superhero toy?  Absolutely not.  Will his face light up when he opens it on Christmas morning?  Yup!  Will my husband be okay with my $5 purchase?  Yup!  Do I wish I had bought a few more for my gift closet.  Abso-friggen-lutely.  Especially when I checked back an hour later and they were back up to $40.  (Still better than the original $60, but not exactly something I would keep around the house for a back-up gift.)

ANYWAY,  took a little detour there, but back to my original point.  I LOVE a good deal!  So, when I saw on FB that a friend of mine had purchased $120 worth of BabyLegs for $30 shipped I almost didn't believe it.  Of course, I had to try.  So, now $30 later I have 9 pairs of BabyLegs and 1 set of socks on the way to my house.  :)  A few of these will be going in my kids stockings, a few will be put in my gift closet, and the others will just be tucked into Bean's draw to wear with all of her super cute tutus and skirts. 

Here's a little preview of what I may have purchased ;)

Could they be any cuter??  I'm crazy about them!  So anyway, if you want to get your hands on some of your own, head on over to www.BabyLegs.com and use the code I posted above!  What a great thing to have in your gift closet for a little addition to a baby shower present!  These usually run about $12 a pair, but with this deal, you can get them for $3 a pair!!