Happy Valentine's Day

I don't understand why Cupid was chosen to represent Valentine's Day.  When I think about romance, the last thing on my mind is a short, chubby toddler coming at me with a weapon.  ~Author Unknown

Happy Valentine's Day!  I hope your day is filled with love.
If you remember, I did a project where I created a Love Notes jar a few weeks ago.  You can check out how I made this here.

Since then,  everyone in my family has been leaving each other love notes.  I got several e-mails and comments asking me to share some of the notes.  Last night after dinner we sat around and distributed the notes.  We each took turns reading aloud.  Here are a few that my kids wrote:

My daughter's nickname is "Pup"

The costs of the Love Notes jar was less than a few dollars.  The value of these notes...priceless.  My daughter said she loved doing this so much she thinks we should make it a monthly thing.  I agree.  Everyone felt so good reading the nice (and funny) things that were written.  My kids couldn't wipe the smiles off their faces.  This was really such a simple project that yielded such a deeper result.

Isn't that what Valentine's Day is really about?

I'd also like to take this time to thank Emily from The Toasted Coconut,  Allison from Leomommyof4, and Heather from Whatitsallabout4u for awarding me the Versatile Blogger award.  It is so sweet of you to think of me and present me with the award.

The rules are:

1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you the award

2. Answer 10 questions

3. Pass it along to 7 blogs you've recently discovered and enjoy

4. Leave your recipients a note, telling them about the award

And the 10 questions are:

1. Why did you create this blog? 

I have always enjoyed decorating, sewing and crafting.  My husband and I do so many of the projects on our own.  We are both very handy and I thought this blog would be a great place to share my adventures in decorating with others.

2. What kinds of blogs do you follow? 

Home decor, DIY and crafting blogs.  I also follow some cooking blogs...mainly because cooking is not my strong suit (I'm hoping maybe they can teach me something).

3. Favorite make-up brand?

All of my makeup is Bare Minerals.  I discovered it when I was pregnant with my daughter and my skin was a hormonal mess.  It's the best.  It's all minerals...nothing else.  It's actually good for your skin.

4. Favorite clothing brand? 

Ann Taylor Loft.  Everything in that store fits me like it was custom made for me.  It's nice to go into a store knowing you can walk out of there with something.  I also love Ann Taylor when I want a more classic and elegant look.

5. Indispensable makeup product?  

Bare Minerals foundation.  It doesn't make you look like you have makeup on, but it evens out your complexion, and feels like you don't have any makeup on at all.  I don't leave the house without it.  It also has SPF in it which is awesome.

6. Favorite color? 

Aqua

7. Favorite perfume?

I don't have a favorite perfume as I rarely wear perfume.  

8. Favorite film?

It's a tie between An Officer and a Gentleman and Heaven Can Wait

9. What country would you like to visit and why?

I would love to visit Australia.  It seems like such a far away, cool place to go.

10. Would you rather forget to put mascara on one eye or forget blush on one side of your face?

Definitely blush.  

Now for the 7 blogs I’ve recently discovered.  These are all great and I hope you take a minute to go and check them out.

1. Hare Styling

2. Memories in the Making

3. Simply Step Back

4. Dream Home DIY

5. Lovely Crafty Home

6. Adventures of the Domesticated Mama

7. Sugar n Spice in the land of balls n sticks

Hope you have a great day.  Don't forget the Winter Blues Wednesday party.  The link will open up Tuesday night at 8pm EST.

Hope to see you all then.

-Judy

Debbie's Newbie Party

Stylish Blogger Award - Wow Thanks

I was very excited this morning when I read through my comments and found that Molly had presented me with my very first blogger award.   Yesterday I hit 200 followers and today my first award...it's been a really good week. 

She got my name from  Debbiedoos.  I have been a fan of Debbie from day one of me blogging and she is a great source of help for anyone new to blogging.   

So here's how the award works:

First - I have to list seven things about myself .

Second - I have to pass along the award to seven people who have inspired me.  

ABOUT ME:

1.  I am the oldest of three.  I have twin brothers 16 months younger than me.  My parents still live in the same house that I grew up in about twenty minutes from where I live now.  The three of us played sports constantly growing up.  My brothers and father trained me to be an athlete.  My parents were ahead of their time and let me play with the boys in sports...keep in mind I was born in 1968 so I was a child in the 70's.

2.   I met my husband on my first day of college.  He was a sophomore when I was a freshman.  He lived two doors down from me on my dorm floor.  I was miserably homesick that first week so I don't totally remember our first meeting.  As it turned out he lived only 15 minutes away from me at home.  Over time we discovered that we had been in the same magic class when he was seven and I was six (neither of us remember it, but we have the pictures to prove it - maybe somewhere deep in our memory we do remember).  We were "just friends" for six months, although inseparable.  It soon became apparent to everyone that we were meant to be together.  I graduated from college in three years instead of four, mainly because I could, but also because he was graduating.  That is so telling of my personality...I put 200% into anything and everything I do.  


3.  I went to Law School after college.  I married my husband two months after graduation from Law School.  We were engaged for almost two years because it was really important to me to graduate first before getting married.  I wanted my Law degree in my maiden name, and still use my maiden name in business.   I became a sole practitioner in 1995 specializing in Real Estate and Wills and Trusts.  It has been a very good career for me allowing me tremendous flexibility.  


4.  I have two beautiful children.  A son who is thirteen and a daughter who is ten.  They are both May babies...which was important because my husband is an Partner in a large accounting firm and he needed me to deliver after busy season.  Glad I could accommodate his schedule...lol:)


5.  I am extremely competitive in everything I do.  I am an avid tennis player.  I play 4-5 times a week and work out at least three days a week (so that I can play the 4-5 days a week).  If I didn't work out I would be injured all of the time (I know this because that's what I used to do).  I believe I have so much energy because I keep myself so active.   


6.  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE decorating...shocker, right?  I agree with Nate Berkus that your home should rise up to greet you.  I have never hired an interior decorator (although I've tried to a few times)...mainly because I want my home to be an expression of who I am and for me, working with a decorator just doesn't achieve that end.  My husband is very handy as well and the two of us make a great team when it comes to home projects.  


7.   I am definitely a type A personality.  I set goals and I make sure I achieve them.  At times, it's an exhausting way to live.  I love to be organized.  When I'm not organized I feel completely out of sorts (I guess a little OCD as well).  


PASSING ON THE LOVE:


Back in August I first discovered this thing called blogging.  I am embarrassed to say that I didn't even know what a blog was until I stumbled upon my first nominee...


1.  Centsational Girl
In my opinion, she is one of the Queen's of the blog world.  She is extremely talented and is a true inspiration to anyone who reads her blog.  You probably all already know her but I had to give her this award anyhow because she is really the blog that started it all for me.


2. Isabella and Max Rooms
Janell is amazing.  She was the second blog I ever discovered.  I found her blog through Rate My Space on HGTV.  Her daughter's room is what first caught my eye and is just gorgeous... and she made almost everything in her daughter's room.  She is one class act.  I love her projects and love the new look of her blog.  


3.  Southern in my Heart
I have told Vanessa that she is my best friend in blogland.  Vanessa is amazing for my ego.  She is so incredibly kind and her comments often make my entire day.  Her comments mean so much to me because she herself is so talented and has such a gorgeous home.  Please check out her blog...you won't be disappointed.  


 4.  A Stroll Through Life
I love Marty.  She has the most beautiful vignettes you will ever see.  She is forever finding the best bargains at Goodwill or garage sales.  Marty doesn't know this, but she looks incredibly like my mom (at least in the picture on her blog).  So much so that I showed my mom Marty's blog the other day and my mom asked..."hey, is that a picture of me?"  My mom is convinced now that she is somehow related to Marty.  I don't know about that, but Marty's incredibly talented.  You have to check her out.

5. House of Turquoise
Erin from House of Turquoise is amazing.  Her blog is better than any magazine subscription you could have.  She finds the most awe-inspiring spaces I have ever seen...and all featuring one of my favorite colors...aqua.  She has several other blogs she maintains as well.  If you are looking for inspiration, you have to check out Erin's blog.

6.  All Things Heart and Home
Robin's blog is just beautiful.  She has a "All Things Inspired" party every Wednesday and there's just something so warm and inviting about her blog.  If you haven't visited her before, please do.  It's worth the trip.


7.  Freckled Laundry
Jami's blog is all about creating a vintage chic home.  She is super talented and has an incredible eye for design.  She's only been blogging since May, but with 670 followers already, you know she is sure to be around for a long time.  I hope you go check her out.

Thank you again to Molly for the award.  I hope you go and check out her blog.  I'm off to let the nominees know about their award.  Have a great day.  


-Judy