i can’t help but love the classically awkward school pictures.
cheesy backdrops. cheessier smiles.
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From the category archives:
dear diary… everyday life
on my nightstand is our newest favorite book, round trip by ann jonas. it’s perfect for an afternoon cuddle, bedtime story – what can i say? we can’t get enough of it.
don’t be fooled by the simple black & white illustrations.
round trip is anything but simple….
read along as the travelers leaves their home, passing farms, trains, & crossing bridges.
before arriving in the city, where they explore, eat dinner & even go to a movie.
but unlike other books, the end isn’t really the end.
once the traveler reaches the city, you flip the book over & see the entire journey in a whole new way.
the city skyline, becomes a starlight night.
what was once a bridge, becomes a road lined with telephone poles.
trust me when i say, round trip is a story you’ll want to read again & again & again.
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when julie & i signed up for timree gold’s disneyland inspired, sleeping beauty’s castle painting class, we didn’t know what to expect.
or at least i didn’t.
much to my dismay, i quickly realized it was NOT going to be paint by numbers.
although timree did help us get started, by painting the first “tower,” the rest was up to us (yikes!).
armed with a plate full of paint – julie & i painted the remainder of our castle entirely on our own.
luckily, timree walked us through the entire process, literally line by line.
after free-handing the castle, we got to work, filling it in with color, texture & even a few fireworks.
and while MY finished product wasn’t nearly as fabulous as the “real deal”, i have to admit i’m pretty pleased with the end result.
that feeling of accomplishment was solidified when i unveiled my masterpiece to the kids.
you should have heard the “ohhs” & “ahhs” – if even for a moment, i felt like a true artist.
& i’m pretty sure i’ll be a regular at timree’s studio.
it’s too cute, not to visit again, (& again, & again).
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i’ve found paradise… the riviera maya in mexico.
white sandy beaches. tranquil blue waters. tropical jungle.
what more could you ask for?
for nearly 10 perfect days we swam, played in the surf, explored the local archeological ruins of tulum, “xplored” underground caves filled with stalactites and stalagmites, drove across suspension bridges & jungle trails in amphibious vehicles, ziplined our way across the jungle, & ate way more guacamole than i’d care to admit.
unfortunately all good things must come to an end. but you can be sure, i’m still dreaming of paradise.
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it was a day full of sunshine, rainbows & whole lot of love – the day my sister kerry june got married.
eleven years my junior she will always be my baby sister, but now she can proudly proclaim that she is also a “sadie sadie, married lady.”
her wedding day was absolutely perfect – in every possible way… laid back, yet still elegant.
dinner, dancing, a photo booth, hot chocolate, an ice cream sundae bar, succulent plant wedding favors & and a candy bar.it was definitely the event of the summer.
i can’t imagine a better way to start a new life with someone you love…
wedding details:
first dance: “how sweet it is (to be loved by you),” james taylor
brother/sister dance: “have i told you lately that i love you,” willie nelson
wedding ceremony: LDS los angeles temple / reception venue: maravilla gardens in camarillo
wedding photographer: hello studios
wedding flowers: belle of the ball designs
wedding dress: modern trousseau “regan”
bridesmaids’ dresses: anthropologie / groomsmen’s suits: calvin klein
live music: the soul shadows
wedding caterer and ice cream bar: command performance
wedding cake: skiff’s cakes
wedding invitations: marta dansie
videographer: skyline videography
all images courtesy of hello studios.
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this summer the boys have spent a large part of their summer dressed in jeans, long sleeves, full face helmets & the biggest smiles i’ve ever seen on their faces.
it’s not because we’ve somehow managed to escape the heat wave…
but because that’s the “dress code” at the local orange y bmx track.
they’ve practiced their berm turns, worked on the “rhythm section,” overcame their fears of the starting gates, & may have attempted a wheelie or two.
in the end, they realized the bumps & bruises they acquired were simply trophies to be proud of, & stories to tell to their friends.
after all – if you didn’t crash… you weren’t riding fast enough.
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i have to admit, i’m still scratching my head in wonder… but, i was recently named one of orange county’s top “40 under 40 innovative young business professionals” by oc metro magazine.
i can’t even put into words how honored i am to be selected – you should see the honoree list… it’s a literal “who’s who” of the orange county business world. again, i’m still trying to understand how little ‘ole me made this amazing list filled with ceo’s, philanthropists & more.
thank you oc metro for such an incredible honor. i just hope i can live up to the sage advice of norman vincent peale, that steve churm closed the program with…
“stand up to your obstacles and do something about them. you will find that they haven’t half the strength that you think they have.”
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it’s dark outside, but the birds are chirping. they know that today is a big day.
like me, i’m guessing they could hardly sleep?!
i was up past one, & wide awake at 5am. which is silly, because more than likely i’ll get little to no sleep in the next 36 hours (but at least i was able to get an extra little carbo loading done).
why you ask? well, because i’m racing today, & tonight & all day tomorrow too…
yep! i’m joing the “ragnar nation.” me & 5 of my soon-to-best-will-know-EVERYTHING-about-me-after-spending-36-hours-in-a-van-together friends (including carrie & elise – my usual cohorts in crime), 1 full-time driver, & 1 full-time photographer/ social media rock star are going to be running 200 miles (leap frog style) all the way from huntington beach to san deigo (via the inland empire).
with just six runners, that means we are running approximately 33 miles each in just over a day. (i’m actually responsible for 40!) yikes! hopefully i’m prepared.
i’ve been hydrating day & night for nearly a week (it’s supposed to be HOT), the last couple of nights i’ve been sleeping in my recovery compression tights to make sure my legs fresh (sexy huh?), & last night i carbo loaded (which is always my favorite part of racing).
if you’re feeling a wee bit envious of my upcoming adventure, feel free to follow along. we will be posting updates to the team sparkle face book page, or you can follow us on twitter: @runTeamSparkle, @according2kelly, @thisiscarrie, @cupcakeactivist, & @tamrabbit.
wish us luck!
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rainbow chocolate dipped oreos, rainbow cupcake bites & rainbow slushie
a rainbow ensemble including team sparkle rainbow stripe race legs,
& a tiered team sparkle rainbow skirt
teams sparkle rainbow wings
& a plethora of rainbow tissue poms poms & paper lanterns
is all you need to create a colorful & fun rainbow themed party
somewhere over the rainbow, way up high,
there’s a land that i heard of once in a lullaby.
somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue,
and the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true.
someday i’ll wish upon a star and wake up where the clouds are far behind me.
where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops,
that’s where you’ll find me.
somewhere over the rainbow, bluebirds fly.
birds fly over the rainbow. why then, oh why can’t i?
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rich & decadent double fudge hot chocolate, served with just a touch (okay, maybe a double scoop) of ice cream. hot chocolate floats- the ultimate late night anytime snack on a cold winter day.
hot chocolate floats
1 mug of hot chocolate
1/4 cup of international delight creamer of your choice
1 scoop (or 2) of ice cream of your choice
combine hot cocoa, international delight creamer in a mug and stir to blend. top with a scoop (or 2) of ice cream, & serve immediately. my “standard” hot chocolate float is made with french vanilla international delights creamer, and french vanilla ice cream or mint chocolate chip ice cream.
but sometimes, i like to mix it up & live on the wild side…. pumpkin pie spice international delights creamer & pumpkin ice cream, peppermint mocha international delights creamer & peppermint ice cream. the possibilities are truly endless.
the only thing that could make hot chocolate floats even better? a couple of candy cane joe joe’son the side. better wipe my mouth, i’m drooling.
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Capture the flavors of the holidays in every cup of coffee with International Delight Creamers. Available in a variety of flavors, such as, Pumpkin Pie Spice, Vanilla Spiced Rum and White Chocolate Raspberry.
TellTeTeTell International Delight what your favorite holiday treat is for a chance to win a $200 Walmart Gift Card.
Capture the flavors of the holiday’s in every cup of coffee with International Delight creamers. Available in a variety of flavors, such as Cinnabon, Almond Joy and Pumpkin Spice, International Delight can make everyday feel like a holiday.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of International Delight. The opinions expressed by me do not necessarily reflect the view of the International Delight Brand.
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