{Seriously??

I am in love. It's a little ridiculous... it's a little funky... and it's a little FABULOUS! My latest craze are glitter cups! You would think that I drink a lot of soda. I probably drink more than I should but everything in moderation, right?? I think this will make a great water cup too... and I might just drink a little more now that I can drink it with flare! I have orange and black glitter, bling, cups and everything spooky to make one especially for my favorite time of year! To be continued....

{Back to School Mom projects!

OK so I do miss my kids, but I'm not going to lie when I say that after 3 months of flying by the seat of our pants I also realized how much I missed routine. I am excited to get back in the gym on a regular basis and start a few projects of my own. So after I complete my homework (ie... paint the entire main floor of my house to cover up all of the sharpie marks and scuffs from balls and shoes) I am ready to tackle a few cute things... Here are a few that I've been eyeing since BEFORE girls camp took over my life!

1. Amy Butlers Weekender Bag (I've heard it's a doosy, but I'm up for the challenge).

2. I have the paint all ready to go for my laundry room, which is currently a burnt orange but will soon look something like House of Smith's pantry! I also love this idea only in a blue/grey. I love how fresh it looks and I could use a few more 'cool' colors in my home.

3. I've got to include something to get me excited for Halloween and these adorable trick or treat bags will do the trick!

{Feelin' Lucky...

to have friends like these...

Last night was my turn to host TLC. What a hoot! I feel so blessed to be surrounded by women who are fun and know how to kick back and have a good time. There have been periods in my life when I haven't had that and so I just have to say I LOVE these ladies! (and many more but these are the only pics I had on my camera). We shared beauty secrets and played like teenage girls until the "wee hours of the mornin'."

We were taught how to apply false eyelashes. Here's an action shot... one eyelash on and one off!

My beautiful Sister-in-law, Alicia.

One of my "co-hosts" for the evening (thanks Cori for a super fun time!)

J.B. nothing but good vibes comin' from her!

Buffy knows how to work the camera... this was just one of many gorgeous "glam" shots of the evening!

Valarie is a natural beauty (and a rockin' yoga instructor!)

Kelly moved in a little over 6 months ago and I just love being around her. What a fun addition to our little group!

{Knock off Wood...

I love, Love, LOVE this blog! Knock off Wood. I ran across it a few weeks ago and found myself inviting a few friends over to make Ana's version of PB Kids Collector Shelves. We modified the size and added some routing to make them look a little more like the PB version and they turned out SO cute! I have to say that for a bunch of girls that haven't ever worked with power tools (I think I qualified as the most experienced and I have really only used Todd's miter saw for a cut or two) that we did pretty good for ourselves! They came together fairly easily and will hopefully be as useful in our kids rooms as we have imagined.

After I painted and stained my shelves I was inspired to make Jackson a dry erase calendar for his room using my vinyl (if there is any interest, I may add them to my BNB blog). Hopefully I can move Sam into his "big boy" room by the end of the summer and give both boys' rooms a makeover. Nothing like a few little projects to get me motivated to switch things up around here!

{Food, Friends and Spaahhh...

A girl couldn't ask for anything more! I have such a fun, fun group of girlfriends... about two and a half years ago my sister-in-law and my friend Julie and I decided that we needed to branch out and meet new people. We really just wanted an excuse to get out of the house by ourselves one night a month, so we started a Bunco group. It was a struggle to get even 5 ladies to come. Since then, we kicked Bunco to the curb and turned it into a general "Ladies Night Out" {actually officially, T.L.C. The Ladies Club... yes, I know... ;) } You pair up with a buddy or two and host one night a year making it anything you want it to be. We have over 40 ladies who are on the "invite" list but anyone is welcome. It has been such a fun thing in my life! Well, last night was my night to host and I was super smart and paired up with the two ladies who own beauty schools and we did a spa night! All I had to do was bring the food... is that great or what? Cori was gracious enough to let us do it at the Paul Mitchell School here in town and both she and Julie donated a heck of a whole lot of product! Thanks gals...

Our services for the night included a wash house special provided by the PMTS future professionals. Lemon juice scrub followed by a Perrier rinse or a raw sugar scrub. We also paired up and gave each other a quick facial and pedicure. Good, good times.

Ashli's rejuvenating mask...

Kari and Wendy partnering up for a deep cleansing...

Tiffany painting someone's toenails...

Katie, just relaxing...

Julie Baer, who doesn't read my blog (so don't tell her that I have this picture posted or she might kill me!)

Cori... the Paul Mitchell rockstar!

Elaina, getting down and dirty with someone's toes...

B-Ridge soaking it all in...

{Girls Trip...

What a fun, fun weekend with some crazy fun girls! I think I've really only had a group of girlfriends like this one other time in my life (post college) and there were just 3 of us. I was talking to Julie (second from left) and if you would have asked us three years ago if we liked living in this part of Colorado Springs, I think we would have hesitated to say yes. We are surrounded by beauty, true. But we were sorely lacking in the girlfriend department! It seems like in just the last two years we have had some really fun, dynamic families move into our wards and neighborhoods. Thank heavens! I am such a social person, I just need good friends.

We started planning a 'girls trip' this summer and it went from the Oregon coast to Vegas, to San Diego and finally to Denver. It was perfect. Thanks to Dan and Julie we were completely pampered at the Aveda Institue and enjoyed facials, pedicures and hair cuts/color. We stayed at the Burnsley hotel in Denver (on the 13th floor). It was great, thanks Buffy! Leslie popped in for a quick hair cut and Alicia and Sara met us at Aveda Friday afternoon. That night Meghan and Valerie joined us. We went to Maggianos for dinner, the Secret Life of Bees (theater 13), and a rip roaring Haunted House (called the 13th floor haunted house). Notice the trend?? I am completely exhausted and trying to concentrate on a talk for church tomorrow but I had so much fun. Thanks girls (and grammies for taking the boys all weekend!) We missed those of you that couldn't make it but there's always next year!

{Loving all things OWL...

There is something about owls that has me smiling this fall... here are a couple of project ideas and other fun things that I've been eyeing

This Owl Pillow might just end up on Sam's bed (well, crib)!

Sam is a little big for an Owl Onsie, but maybe a t-shirt will do?

Absolutely love these Owl Cupcakes!

If only Halloween were a year round holiday! Owl Nightlight

I might just have to make one of these in orange and black for Jackson's school Halloween party!!! Owl Pin

...and this Owl Necklace is a little creepy, but something is still drawing me to it!

{ready for sPring!

I know I am ready for Spring when I start wearing capris in 30 degree weather and I chop off my hair! I had a hair appointment this afternoon and I had no idea what I wanted when I went in... only a change. I have a pretty good relationship with my stylist so I said "give it to me" and this is what I got! It's the shortest my hair has ever been so I'm a little freaked out, but I think I like it! It sure feels lighter and hopefully it will be a lot easier to fix... the real test will be what Todd says when he gets home from work tonight!