Happy July! Free Desktop calendars!

So here are two calendars I have been working on, more to come in the next day or so!!! If anyone has an idea for one then please let me know!!

THE List 1.2

I really want to try this spaghetti and meatball recipe... sounds sooooo yummy! (@ Shel Terrific)

This apron pattern is so easy and pretty, I can't wait to use some strawberry fabric for it for AJ! (@ Sew Liberated)

My kids are going to love decorating and then playing with this genius SandSac- eco-friendly, crafty, and foldable! What more could you ask for? (@ Mesko Associates)

I NEED this completely adorable modern Chinese nursery rhyme poster for AJ's room...now! (@ Grace Hester Designs)

MMMmmmmm.... I have never made strawberry jam, but this may get me motivated. (@ Intimate Weddings)

I think my girls would love to make these cute little friendship dolls... lovely! (@ 5 Orange Potatoes)

Now, why didn't I think of this? I make cut out sandwiches all the time for the kids! (@ This Little Project)

Nothing is better than getting a good sale, and these yard sale tips rock my little bargaining world! (@ A Nesting Place)

My new project

My hubby loves me, there is absolutely no doubt about that! I was talking to him about all my graphic design orders lately (yay!) and telling him that I was getting sort of bored with Photoshop. So what does he do? He goes and gets me the WHOLE Adobe Suite CS4!!!! Holy Cow!! This is the new version of everything from Photoshop to After Effects (cool movie editing). So now I am delving into the world of Illustrator for the first time. Whew! It is NOT as easy as I would have thought, being a Photoshop nerd. But I am learning pretty quickly and here are my first two pieces on my new program. I am sure I will be posting more as I learn new tricks!!

The tutorial for this cool project is here!!

THE List -Beta

Ok, I make these lists and all I center on is stuff for the family, the kids I care for, even my pets and Hubby. Rarely, like most moms, do I think about myself. So here is a list that I have been composing of things that I want/need all for ME!!!


I made this strawberry butter tonight and will cheerfully murder anyone else who touches it! Total yuminess! (@ Martha Stewart)

One of my guilty pleasures is laying on the beach, listening to a good playlist or audiobook. This book came highly recommended and I can't wait to try it! (as seen in Sex and The City)

I am such a huge fan of Dogeared Jewelry... this bracelet tops my wish list there! (@Dogeared Jewels & Gifts)

Usually you don't find chandaliers in bathrooms, but this one is so beachy, how can you not put it near the water? (@ Lily & Eve)

Yes I know it is summer, but here in Cleveland it will be chilly again before we know it. I really REALLY want this quilt for those frosty months ahead! (@ Hudson Quilts)


Since I am growing my hair out (with the help of an island vacation promise from the hubby!) I am always looking for cute things to put in it. Sure I could make some hair clips myself, but what would be the fun in that?! And of course these have strawberries on them!!! (@ Zomo & Bara)

And what would a wish list be without something Bento-y?? This set is my new love!! (@ Bento Crazy)

Nirvana has been reached!

If you want to buy me a gift (and who doesn't) here is a little wish list that represents my two favorite things right now- strawberries and Bento boxes. [please insert heavenly choir music here]
Now that I have to find a store to replace Ichiban Kan this may be my new mecca.... Bento Crazy!!! What could be better than this lovely collection of Bento boxes??? LOOOOVE it!

clipped from bentocrazy.com

Strawberry Candy 2 Tier Bento Box and belt set 6.50

Cram Cream Strawberry Stainless Steel Water Bottle 13.00

Black Strawberry Two Tier Bento Box 16.00

Red Strawberry Two Tier Bento Box 16.00

I wonder if I can score some free Bento goodies for doing a kick ass review?? =)

Tickets? Oh, yes, we have tickets!!

So we have been at the new reward system for a couple of days with simply amazing results so far. Gabby immediately understood the concept of the tickets, what they mean, what she can get, and most importantly what happens when she doesn't complete a task. And I can proudly report that we have had five days of perfect ticket earning!!!

No more yelling, no more pleading to clean the room or take a rest break (she actually NAPPED!), and no instigating fights with AJ.... now I just need to find something that will stop AJ from hitting, hair pulling, and pinching in the car!!

I know not all days will be perfect, but five perfect days are encouraging. And you can tell how proud Gabby is of herself that she earned all of her tickets. Love it!

THE List 1.1

Round pancakes are soooo yesterday! How about a pirate ship? ARRRRR! (@ Filth Wizardry)

I can't wait to try out this homemade hand scrub for myself.... sounds sooooo fresh and citrusy! (@ Craftzine)

Who has tons of cash laying around in this economy? Try these cute cheap date night ideas! (@ Small Notebook)

As if I didn't need any more ideas for cutting up pillowcases... cute apron anyone? (@ Betz White)

This pineapple chicken sounds soooo yummy... try it and let me know how it is! (@ Home-Ec 101)

I think that the kids will get a kick out of these DIY poster paints (@ Pepper Paints)

Don't feel like heading down to the pool? Try these cute and cheap sponge balls instead! (@ Betz White)

Watch out rainy days, I may actually have something to battle you now... (@ The Mother Load)

This decorated tape is so cute...so many things I feel the need to tape up now with it! (@ Ichiban Kan) (Pssssst....check out the adorable Bento supplies while you are there!)

MAIL TIME!!!

I LOOOOOVE GETTING MAIL!!!!! In the last three days I have gotten two wonderful packages (with more to arrive any day now!)

First came my bento order from Ichiban Kan, a lovely Japanese import store in CA with the BEST bento deals. I bought three two-tiered boxes with matching belts, a square box, some toothpicks (for make kababobs), some paper grass (for keeping items separate), and some small condiment bottles. (If anyone knows where I can get a pipette please let me know!). All that for about $12!!! Lunches are going to be sooooo much easier to take! Just check out the Bento Group on Flickr to see some AWESOME bento ideas!
Here is a pic of my loot!


Then today I received an even better package- my Usborne book order!! Aside from getting my customer's books I also got Gabby and AJ's books... a LOT of them! (Did I mention that being a consultant totally ROCKS out?) Let's just say that I spent very little to get all these and my girls are sooooo excited to have new books to look at!



And last, here is a pic of my girls... digging in the pool! Gotta love their imagination!

What if Snow White DIDN'T Live Happily Ever After?

photo by Dina Goldstein

Cinderella's on her bedroom floor
She's got a
Crush on the guy at the liquor store
Cause Mr. Charming don't come home anymore
And she forgets why she came here
Sleeping Beauty's in a foul mood
For shame she says
None for you dear prince, I'm tired today
I'd rather sleep my whole life away than have you keep me from dreaming

Snow White is doing dishes again cause
What else can you do
With seven itty-bitty men?
Sends them to bed and calls up a friend
Says will you meet me at midnight?
The tall blonde lets out a cry of despair says
Would have cut it myself if I knew men could climb hair
I'll have to find another tower somewhere and keep away from the windows

But the story needs some mending and a better happy ending
Cause I don't want the next best thing
No no I don't want the next best thing

My Kind of Technology