I have recently narrowed my focus and got a FRESH START over on Wordpress.
Here is FanTABulousWomen.com and Let Me Rephrase That writing services
Life is good in my little world. Welcome.
Friday, June 1, 2012
I have moved over
If you are new to my blog, please enjoy poking around all of my old posts.
I have recently narrowed my focus and got a FRESH START over on Wordpress.
Here is FanTABulousWomen.com and Let Me Rephrase That writing services
I have recently narrowed my focus and got a FRESH START over on Wordpress.
Here is FanTABulousWomen.com and Let Me Rephrase That writing services
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
How to say "I'm Thinking Of You"
Did a song you heard on the radio recently make you think back fondly on an old friend?
Did you see a cute bauble in a boutique and think, "That looks like something Stacy would wear. She is so stylish!"
Did you find yourself eating lunch alone and missing the co-worker who moved on to a new job?
Did you turn down a new responsibility and remember how a former mentor taught you how to say 'no' gracefully?
Or perhaps you've had someone on your mind for a long time and don't even know why.
Maybe you recently stepped down from a leadership team, changed jobs or churches or executed a successful event and were left wondering, "Did anyone really even notice??"
It seems to me that many of us wonder if and when anyone ever thinks of us...yet we think about people day in and day out and rarely take the time to tell them. We've probably all been in both positions: thinking about people but letting the opportunity to acknowledge it slip by...or left wondering if anyone out there is thinking of US.
Doesn't it feel good when you get a text that says, "Saw your Facebook status, how are you feeling today??" or when you get a greeting card amidst all the bills in the mail or when a friend surprises you with an iced coffee in the morning?
In today's technological world, that person-to-person connection is often lost. Even for people who blog or post a lot on Facebook, it can be discouraging and lonely when people rarely comment or interact with your content. People are saying a lot--but we're not talking very much.
People--and women in particular--crave that attention, admiration and acknowledgement. They want to know that they are seen, appreciated, missed and that someone is listening. They want to know that someone notices when they're not there.
In my opinion, the best way to say "I'm thinking of you" is to let the person know what happened that brought them to your mind. It could make someone's day (or week or month!).
Who have you missed, noticed or thought of lately? Maybe they were in a dream you had or their name came up in a conversation. Maybe you miss their smiling face at work or at church. It doesn't take much time or effort to simply say, "I thought of you today!" I guarantee you, they'll love to hear it.
Here are just a few of my favorite ideas. Would you take a moment to add your own favorites in the comments? And if you tell anyone you're thinking of them, I'd love to know how they reacted! :)
Did you see a cute bauble in a boutique and think, "That looks like something Stacy would wear. She is so stylish!"
Did you find yourself eating lunch alone and missing the co-worker who moved on to a new job?
Did you turn down a new responsibility and remember how a former mentor taught you how to say 'no' gracefully?
Or perhaps you've had someone on your mind for a long time and don't even know why.
Maybe you recently stepped down from a leadership team, changed jobs or churches or executed a successful event and were left wondering, "Did anyone really even notice??"
It seems to me that many of us wonder if and when anyone ever thinks of us...yet we think about people day in and day out and rarely take the time to tell them. We've probably all been in both positions: thinking about people but letting the opportunity to acknowledge it slip by...or left wondering if anyone out there is thinking of US.
Doesn't it feel good when you get a text that says, "Saw your Facebook status, how are you feeling today??" or when you get a greeting card amidst all the bills in the mail or when a friend surprises you with an iced coffee in the morning?
In today's technological world, that person-to-person connection is often lost. Even for people who blog or post a lot on Facebook, it can be discouraging and lonely when people rarely comment or interact with your content. People are saying a lot--but we're not talking very much.
People--and women in particular--crave that attention, admiration and acknowledgement. They want to know that they are seen, appreciated, missed and that someone is listening. They want to know that someone notices when they're not there.
In my opinion, the best way to say "I'm thinking of you" is to let the person know what happened that brought them to your mind. It could make someone's day (or week or month!).
Who have you missed, noticed or thought of lately? Maybe they were in a dream you had or their name came up in a conversation. Maybe you miss their smiling face at work or at church. It doesn't take much time or effort to simply say, "I thought of you today!" I guarantee you, they'll love to hear it.
Here are just a few of my favorite ideas. Would you take a moment to add your own favorites in the comments? And if you tell anyone you're thinking of them, I'd love to know how they reacted! :)
Friday, April 6, 2012
Moms, Memories and Makeovers
Source: proudgrits.blogspot.com via Tabitha on Pinterest
{that's my mom and me, ABOVE, after our winter makeovers, November 2011}
I LOVE our newest SPRING promotion for mothers and daughters (even 'adopted daughters' and daughters-in-law)!
Participating mom & daughter teams will receive a COMPLIMENTARY
spring makeover treatment package including:
* age defying or botanical facial treatments
* microdermabrasion AND Satin Hands treatments
* spring color trend makeovers (think corals, pinks and greens)
* a snapshot of your special 'girl time' together.
You can even FRAME the picture and give it as a gift for Mother's Day!
Contact me today to schedule your makeover!
(602) 349-1129
Visit my Mary Kay personal website HERE.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Spring Clean Your Make-up Bag!
Source: marykay.com via Tabitha on Pinterest
SPRING CLEANING SPECIAL!
$5 off for EVERY $20 you spend to replace what you throw away!
buy $20 = pay $15
buy $40 = pay $30
buy $60 = pay $45
buy $80 = pay $60
buy $100 = pay $75
(plus 8.9% tax)
Shop on my Mary Kay personal website .
I can ship your order ANYWHERE in the U.S. for just $5!
Or call me to place your order over the phone! (602) 349-1129
MAKE SURE TO MENTION 'SPRING CLEANING' WHEN YOU ORDER TO GET YOUR SPECIAL DISCOUNT!
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Let Boys Be Boys
I've been wanting to watermark my pictures (some of them are getting pinned to Pinterest, hooray!) and quote myself here and there....so this is one picture I ran across that I thought was cute.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Spring where I am
How does Spring spring in the valley of the sun, you ask?
Well, we have peaches growing on our peach tree in the back yard.
Aren't they cute??
Today my mom and I took our time at Home Depot. I got new succulents for my polka dot pots for the back patio. Low maintenance, baby!
And an itty-bitty succulent for my Goodwill teacup.
The only flowers I buy are geraniums because I can actually keep them alive. This one is out back so I can enjoy it from the porch or swing.
I added a pink geranium to my bird cage by the front door.
I decided that I needed to add a little life to the inside of our house, too, so I got a new houseplant. It's called a Dragon. I'm still looking for the perfect pot. Probably turquoise.
I think I like this spot, though.
Just a few little touches of nature and color but I like it!
Spring has definitely sprung here. What are YOU doing to invite Spring into your home?
Well, we have peaches growing on our peach tree in the back yard.
Aren't they cute??
Today my mom and I took our time at Home Depot. I got new succulents for my polka dot pots for the back patio. Low maintenance, baby!
And an itty-bitty succulent for my Goodwill teacup.
The only flowers I buy are geraniums because I can actually keep them alive. This one is out back so I can enjoy it from the porch or swing.
I added a pink geranium to my bird cage by the front door.
I decided that I needed to add a little life to the inside of our house, too, so I got a new houseplant. It's called a Dragon. I'm still looking for the perfect pot. Probably turquoise.
I think I like this spot, though.
Just a few little touches of nature and color but I like it!
Spring has definitely sprung here. What are YOU doing to invite Spring into your home?
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
How To Choose Curtains {and not lose your sanity}
I waited seven months after moving in to our new house before purchasing curtains for our family room. I took my time looking for just the right ones and made sure I got exactly what I wanted. I am THRILLED with the result!
{my curtains!!}
Choosing curtains can be a harrowing experience! Maybe what I learned in the process will take the pain of out your decision.
1. Know your needs.
FUNCTION: We love the view of the back yard and didn't want to obstruct it. Light control isn't an issue and neither is privacy so our curtains were really just for looks. Do yours need to block light, provide privacy or disguise an unattractive view? That will help determine the type of fabric, whether they're lined or not and how much width you need.
FORM: Do you want something trendy? Traditional? Do you plan to replace them in two years...or ten? Do they need to be stationary or open and close easily? All of that will help guide your shopping AND determine whether to get rod pockets, ones with grommets or ones that clip on.
CARE: We have young kids and live in the desert where there is a lot of dust so we knew they needed to be machine washable, too. Check the care instructions before purchasing. If they are 'dry clean only,' add the cost of dry cleaning to the price tag.
{we hung them so that they 'kissed' the floor}
2. Are you going for neutral or WOW? Figure out whether you need curtains that are A: neutral so that they calm the room down and blend in to the walls or B. have a WOW factor to bring pattern and color into your otherwise-bland room. This will help you narrow down your search considerably and make sure you don't end up with curtains that overpower (or underwhelm) the entire room.
Some people invest in neutral furniture and paint the walls in calm colors then bring in the POP of color with things that are easier to change like accessories, pillows and curtains. Then maybe colorful, eye-catching curtains are right for you. You might be better off buying fun fabric and making your own. I can't help ya on that one.
Other people love to paint the walls in bold colors and decorate with colorful, funky decor and furniture. Those people may need neutral curtains that won't take attention away from the more exciting elements of the room. These people will have an easier time finding ready-made curtains because most retailers offer a wide selection of plain curtains in tame colors and patterns that will work in the most rooms.
As my husband pointed out, I will always want to have bright, funky furnishings and accessories, so I need more neutral curtains to keep things from being TOO eclectic and loud.
We had actually originally set out to have gray walls and ended up with a gorgeous shade a blue-green that we adore. So we took the opportunity to 'get our gray' with our curtains. Plus gray is my hubby's favorite color so he feels like he won this one. Which really means a win for ME.
{I still get to enjoy the view of the yard}
3. Get a vision and don't settle for less.
Curtains really set the tone for a room and make a BIG impact on the space. Decide how you want the room to look and feel. Collect images and shop around. Make sure your curtains fit your vision before purchasing. If you're not sure or the effect is just an "Eh, it's ok" reaction then pass them up and move on. It's worth the wait!
{both windows}
4. Budget first.
How much do you want to spend? Take into account how many windows you have and how many panels you will need. If we'd needed to close our curtains, I'd have needed FOUR panels per window instead of two which would have DOUBLED the cost! And don't forget about rods. They can be even more expensive than the curtains themselves.
{they have an ikat-esque pattern}
5. Try before you buy.
Like paint, I HIGHLY recommend buying one of the curtains your plan to buy (or a large swatch of the fabric you intend to use) to put ON your window before committing to doing the entire room. Look at how the light filters through it, how it looks at night, how the pattern 'reads' from across the room (maybe you need a smaller or larger-scale pattern?) and how it fit into the overall scheme of the room. Look at it from the other side of the window, too.
We duct taped the 84' version that was available at the store up to our window so we could get an idea of the feel throughout the day. I was in love.
I am so glad I took my time and shopped around. I couldn't be more happy with how the room is coming together!
Mine are "Sorrento" by Cindy Crawford in Skyline Gray from JC Penney. I ordered the 108" length on-line and had it shipped to my house for free. They arrived in three days!
Are you frustrated by all the curtain choices out there? How are you narrowing down your search?
{my curtains!!}
Choosing curtains can be a harrowing experience! Maybe what I learned in the process will take the pain of out your decision.
1. Know your needs.
FUNCTION: We love the view of the back yard and didn't want to obstruct it. Light control isn't an issue and neither is privacy so our curtains were really just for looks. Do yours need to block light, provide privacy or disguise an unattractive view? That will help determine the type of fabric, whether they're lined or not and how much width you need.
FORM: Do you want something trendy? Traditional? Do you plan to replace them in two years...or ten? Do they need to be stationary or open and close easily? All of that will help guide your shopping AND determine whether to get rod pockets, ones with grommets or ones that clip on.
CARE: We have young kids and live in the desert where there is a lot of dust so we knew they needed to be machine washable, too. Check the care instructions before purchasing. If they are 'dry clean only,' add the cost of dry cleaning to the price tag.
{we hung them so that they 'kissed' the floor}
2. Are you going for neutral or WOW? Figure out whether you need curtains that are A: neutral so that they calm the room down and blend in to the walls or B. have a WOW factor to bring pattern and color into your otherwise-bland room. This will help you narrow down your search considerably and make sure you don't end up with curtains that overpower (or underwhelm) the entire room.
Some people invest in neutral furniture and paint the walls in calm colors then bring in the POP of color with things that are easier to change like accessories, pillows and curtains. Then maybe colorful, eye-catching curtains are right for you. You might be better off buying fun fabric and making your own. I can't help ya on that one.
Other people love to paint the walls in bold colors and decorate with colorful, funky decor and furniture. Those people may need neutral curtains that won't take attention away from the more exciting elements of the room. These people will have an easier time finding ready-made curtains because most retailers offer a wide selection of plain curtains in tame colors and patterns that will work in the most rooms.
As my husband pointed out, I will always want to have bright, funky furnishings and accessories, so I need more neutral curtains to keep things from being TOO eclectic and loud.
We had actually originally set out to have gray walls and ended up with a gorgeous shade a blue-green that we adore. So we took the opportunity to 'get our gray' with our curtains. Plus gray is my hubby's favorite color so he feels like he won this one. Which really means a win for ME.
{I still get to enjoy the view of the yard}
3. Get a vision and don't settle for less.
Curtains really set the tone for a room and make a BIG impact on the space. Decide how you want the room to look and feel. Collect images and shop around. Make sure your curtains fit your vision before purchasing. If you're not sure or the effect is just an "Eh, it's ok" reaction then pass them up and move on. It's worth the wait!
{both windows}
4. Budget first.
How much do you want to spend? Take into account how many windows you have and how many panels you will need. If we'd needed to close our curtains, I'd have needed FOUR panels per window instead of two which would have DOUBLED the cost! And don't forget about rods. They can be even more expensive than the curtains themselves.
{they have an ikat-esque pattern}
5. Try before you buy.
Like paint, I HIGHLY recommend buying one of the curtains your plan to buy (or a large swatch of the fabric you intend to use) to put ON your window before committing to doing the entire room. Look at how the light filters through it, how it looks at night, how the pattern 'reads' from across the room (maybe you need a smaller or larger-scale pattern?) and how it fit into the overall scheme of the room. Look at it from the other side of the window, too.
We duct taped the 84' version that was available at the store up to our window so we could get an idea of the feel throughout the day. I was in love.
I am so glad I took my time and shopped around. I couldn't be more happy with how the room is coming together!
Mine are "Sorrento" by Cindy Crawford in Skyline Gray from JC Penney. I ordered the 108" length on-line and had it shipped to my house for free. They arrived in three days!
Are you frustrated by all the curtain choices out there? How are you narrowing down your search?
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Making Easter Cards {the easy way}
I had something of a card-making binge last night. I cranked all twelve of these out in about two hours using stuff I already had in my craft supply stash.
All you need is: 1. notecards 2. paper 3. cardstock 4. adhesive 5. stamps and ink 6. embellishments 7. scissors and/or a paper trimmer.
I had a pack of 16 notecards that I got for less than $4 on clearance at Target recently. They were cute enough on their own but when I decided that I wanted to send some Easter cards out {on time!}, I knew I could jazz them up.
Here's what I did...and YOU can do it, too, and probably with supplies you already have at home!
1. Grab some blank notecards. They can even be thank-yous or birthday cards--and you can just cover up the sentiment with paper!
2. Find some coordinating paper and card stock. Use the paper in your scrap pile--you might be surprised by the combinations you can dream up! {like the one below} I let the hints of orange and hot pink dictate the paper and flowers I used. Funky!
2. Cut and attach some coordinating paper to the card to add dimension and interest. I usually just do a 1-2" strip down the middle like the striped paper, below. Brown for an Easter card, who-da thunk it??
3.Stamp your sentiment onto cardstock. I like to ink the edges, too. Then layer it on more card stock or just attach it right to the paper.
4. Add an embellishment in coordinating colors. I used butterflies {like the one above} and flowers for a springy touch.
{I happen to love the green/turquoise/cobalt blue color combination above}
Then just add a sticker or another stamp inside if you want to, write your sentiment and you're done!
LOVELY!
So much better than a mass-produced card and WAY more affordable!
I hope the recipients enjoy getting them as much as I enjoyed making them!
Thursday, March 15, 2012
It's Tea Time Somewhere!
I am BIG on every women having some 'me time' EVERY day. Whether it's as simple as a peaceful shower with no interuptions or going on a girls' getaway weekend, it has to be SOMEthing just for YOU.
I have heard several women say, "I don't even know what I would do if I had any time to myself." That is a tradgedy. For one thing, FIND THE TIME. Convince the people in your life that it is something you NEED, not just want. For another, by all means plan ahead to spend that time wisely!
When my husband takes my boys off for a manly excursion, the garage door isn't even all the way down before I'm drawing a bath or thumbing through a magazine in my favorite chair.
Or putting on my kettle to brew a pot of tea! Earl Gray is my current favorite.
The ritual of brewing tea is so comforting and soothing and taking the time to steep the leaves, pour the tea into a lovely cup, add milk and sugar and nibble a treat...well, it's pure bliss. I love to brew a whole pot so I can linger over a cup or two.
Find some time for yourself. Let me know what you do because maybe I can steal your idea for next time.
I have heard several women say, "I don't even know what I would do if I had any time to myself." That is a tradgedy. For one thing, FIND THE TIME. Convince the people in your life that it is something you NEED, not just want. For another, by all means plan ahead to spend that time wisely!
When my husband takes my boys off for a manly excursion, the garage door isn't even all the way down before I'm drawing a bath or thumbing through a magazine in my favorite chair.
Or putting on my kettle to brew a pot of tea! Earl Gray is my current favorite.
The ritual of brewing tea is so comforting and soothing and taking the time to steep the leaves, pour the tea into a lovely cup, add milk and sugar and nibble a treat...well, it's pure bliss. I love to brew a whole pot so I can linger over a cup or two.
Find some time for yourself. Let me know what you do because maybe I can steal your idea for next time.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
student of the week
My boy was student of the week last month and I summoned my inner scrapbooker and created this poster of pictures from his first six years. I kinda love how it turned out. My baby sure has changed. Sometimes it's still hard to believe that he's already in kindergarten. Now I know why, at my high school graduation, all the parents were saying, "It seems like just yesterday that they were in kindergarten."
Monday, March 12, 2012
Fun new blog and giveaway
Discovered a fun new blog and web site from an Austin, Texas interior decorator.
JVW Home has lots of eye candy and great ideas. And lots of turquoise, my favorite color right now! She's doing a LOVELY giveaway on her blog.
Check it out!
JVW Home has lots of eye candy and great ideas. And lots of turquoise, my favorite color right now! She's doing a LOVELY giveaway on her blog.
Check it out!
Friday, March 9, 2012
Take a Hike
I find the Arizona desert beautiful.
So last weekend, we took the boys on a desert hike. Ok, so it was more of a desert meander--or a walk at best--and less of a hike.
Ethan checked out some coyote scat.
He got a kick out of walking along the trail. Pun intended.
We posed in front of a saguaro.
I thought this tree was beautiful.
And the city view was fabulous.
Brothers.
And my baby looking adorable by the windmill.
It was a great family outing and we're planning to go back soon. Maybe next time we'll actually HIKE.
So last weekend, we took the boys on a desert hike. Ok, so it was more of a desert meander--or a walk at best--and less of a hike.
Ethan checked out some coyote scat.
He got a kick out of walking along the trail. Pun intended.
We posed in front of a saguaro.
I thought this tree was beautiful.
And the city view was fabulous.
Brothers.
And my baby looking adorable by the windmill.
It was a great family outing and we're planning to go back soon. Maybe next time we'll actually HIKE.
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