Zippy & ZuZu: The Arrival

     Well...the day has finally arrived.  And so have our Christmas Elves, Zippy and ZuZu.  The kiddos always look forward to seeing what these magical helpers are going to do.  And I will admit, I have so much fun planning and prepping for their visit too.  December first is always a party.  It's a day to celebrate.  To welcome the first day of December and the Christmas season.  So what better way then to have an Arrival Breakfast Party?!

Can't wait to see what they do tomorrow....

Life Blessings

     It's poetry time again!  November brings warm fall colors, harvest time, and many reasons to be count your blessings.  With that in mind, my blogger and friends decided to write poems about Blessings this month.   

Life Blessings Hands together, head bowed...a blessing is spoken. A tickle in your nose, then a sneeze...a blessing is given. Dressed in white, drips of Holy Water...a blessing is sung. A union created, unconditional love...a blessing is celebrated. Hours of labor, instant love....a blessing is born.  A beautiful life, Heaven awaits...a blessing is prayed. 


Beautiful sunrises begin a new day. Little hands to guide the way. Extra hugs when saying goodbye. Sweet kisses that almost make you cry. Smiles exchanged leaving class. I love you whispered through window glass. New drawings she loves to share. Growing up happy is my prayer.



Check out these other amazing poems:                  Baking in a Tornado On the Border Cluttered Genius The Bergham Chronicles Evil Joy Speaks Spatulas on Parade

October Funny Friday

Today’s post is this month’s Funny Friday, a regular feature published on the last Friday of every month. Funny Friday is a collaborative project. Each month one of the participants submits a picture, then we all write 5 captions or thoughts inspired by that month’s picture. Links to the other bloggers’ posts are below, click on them and see what they’ve come up with. I hope we bring a smile to your face as you start your weekend.
This month my picture was chosen...

1.  Victoria Secret's future model...

2.  "Mom, my shoes don't match my panties."

3.  Thinking to herself...how does this silly contraption go on?

4.  2016's Summer fashion trend

5.  That's one MAJOR wedgie!

Check out these other blog for some laughs...

Baking in a Tornado 

Spatulas on Parade

The Bergham Chronicles

Dinosaur Superhero Mommy

Not That Sarah Michelle

Witching Hour

     A couple of weeks back I had the pleasure of modeling once again with my friend Kim Kelley of Kim Suzanne Images.  This time it wasn't the bubbly, colorful, whimsical photoshoot like last month.  It was the total opposite, dark, goth and magical. 
     I found the most perfect witch costume by CordeliaRoyle that I just had to have pictures taken in.  I showed Kim a picture and she was instantly on board!  I love dressing up and becoming a character, I think that's why I love Halloween so much!  With the dress ordered, I needed a few more items to complete my witch look.  I found this beautiful green feather shawl by Ravennixe that would add a bit of fabulous flare.  As far as jewelry went, I wanted something with more of a vintage gothic look. I found these beautiful Emerald green earrings from NouveauDreams that would be perfect.  I also had a custom made Emerald chain bracelet by Mikaylove made to add a little more color.  The Victorian Boots, Striped Stockings, and Fishnet Gloves are from Amazon.  Other pieces of jewelry, my rings, necklace, and bracelet were found at a local jewelry store.  As for the broom, that is a total DIY project.  I found some sticks in a nearby forest, took some glue, rubber bands, and rope and created it.  The books are from a thrift store, the lantern is from a local grocery store.  Some of the other props Kim brought.
     It was a really fun and SPOOKtacular photoshoot, even it was a bit overcast, which did add the perfect light.  And wearing a strapless dress, made for a very chilly 3 hours of modeling.  Hehe, me modeling.  Sorry, that sounds funny.  Anyways...I am so super stoked how the pictures turned out, I mean she did take almost 1,000 of them!!

    Check out these wickedly awesome pictures....

Kim Suzanne Images

Kim Suzanne Images

Kim Suzanne Images

Kim Suzanne Images

Kim Suzanne Images

Kim Suzanne Images

Kim Suzanne Images

Kim Suzanne Images

Kim Suzanne Images

     With October almost over, it's time to start thinking about the next photoshoot we have coming up in November.  I can't wait to show all of you!

Happy Halloween!

     

Rainbows & Unicorns

     I know it's been awhile since I sat down and did a real post, so today I'm doing it!  Kinley isn't feeling very well, which means I'm on the couch watching movies with her today.  Thought I could sneak in a post while she watches her favorite princess, Merida.  
    So, last month was September, which means it was my birthday month.  No matter how old I get, I still love celebrating my birthday.  This year was no different.  I tend to celebrate it all month long, I mean, why not?  And because I like to do themes, obviously, I wanted to do something different and fun this year, which lead me to this fun photoshoot with one of my photographer friends....
     Here's the back story....my friend Kim Kelley of Kim Suzanne Images was taking pictures at a Candid Cupcakes photoshoot, I was there to have pictures taken as well, when we got to talking.  She was photographing a little girl's smash cake and I asked her if she had ever heard an adult smash cake.  She had never heard of them, so I sent her some pins on Pinterest.  With my birthday the next month, we decided we should do it.  I found a lady, Danyelle Uribe to do my hair and makeup, my friend Emma Sadler of Home Ties planned on making my cake and cupcakes, found the perfect rainbow tutu by TulleBoxCreationsUK, a gorgeous golden birthday crown by Lovecrushcrowns, and some beautiful rainbow pearls by AlmostFamousa, booked a photo session at Studio 62, set a date, and that was it!
     I'm not used to being in front of the camera.  I usually the one behind it taking pictures.  With that in mind, I wanted a bright colorful whimsical theme that I could have fun with that reflected my personality.  So I picked rainbows and unicorns.
    Check out how my little photo session went....

Kim Susanne Images

Kim Susanne Images 

Kim Susanne Images

Kim Suzanne Images

Kim Suzanne Images

Kim Suzanne Images

Kim Suzanne Images

     It was a really fun photoshoot!  Kim and I plan on doing some more in the future!  Just wait till you see the Halloween one we did last week!!  It's SPOOKtacular!

Witchy Women

     So, since it is October my blogger friends and I are posting up some Fall poems this month.  I love Fall, the change of the leaves, the crisp in the air, pumpkin spice everything, and of course Halloween!  Sticking with the Halloween theme, I decided to post one inspired by a recent photoshoot I was in.  Have a SPOOKtacular day!

Photo by Kim Suzanne Images

Witches Witches that cackle, tackle with brews, spells, lotions, potions for the sexes, hexes with eye of newt, mummy's toe, bat wings, things mixed together boil and bubble, trouble witches on the prowl, growl black cats with eerie eyes, flies on broomsticks in the air, hair stringy, long, black and grayed, frayed black dresses, stockings, and hat, flat black shoes with rusted buckles, chuckles the witches about the lies, cries of terrified children in their beds, heads  must roll from the witches, bitches of Hell, daughters of Satan, waitin' to cast their evil spirits out, shout the townspeople "Thou shall hang them", Salem known for witchcraft, soon vanished, punished by death, drowned, hung, feathered, burned......Earned.

Photo by Kim Suzanne Images

Check out these other Fall inspired poetry...

Fall Poetry by Baking in a Tornado Falling Again by On the Border Fall or Autumn, Which one do we call ya? by Spatulas on Parade Falling Into You by The Bergham Chronicles

* Photo credit: Kim Suzanne Images * Dress made by Cordelia Royle 

* Feather capelet made by Ravennixe * Emerald earrings by Nouveau Dreams

* Emerald bracelet by Mikaylove

September Funny Friday

 

Today’s post is this month’s Funny Friday, a regular feature published on the last Friday of every month. Funny Friday is a collaborative project. Each month one of the participants submits a picture, then we all write 5 captions or thoughts inspired by that month’s picture. Links to the other bloggers’ posts are below, click on them and see what they’ve come up with. I hope we bring a smile to your face as you start your weekend.

This month's photo is from Not that Sarah Michelle

1.  Someone loves a good game of Hide & Seek.   

2.  Ready or not, here I come. 

3.  If it's not the kids, its the dog, can't a girl pee in private anymore?

4.  I think someone doesn't want to take their bath.

5.   Peek-a-boo, I see you!

Check out these other great blogs for some good laughs!

Baking in a Tornado
Not that Sarah Michelle
Spatulas on Parade
The Bergham Chronicles
Dinosaur Super Hero Mommy
Southern Belle Charm

August Funny Friday

Today’s post is this month’s Funny Friday, a regular feature published on the last Friday of every month. Funny Friday is a collaborative project. Each month one of the participants submits a picture, then we all write 5 captions or thoughts inspired by that month’s picture. Links to the other bloggers’ posts are below, click on them and see what they’ve come up with. I hope we bring a smile to your face as you start your weekend.

This month's picture is from The Bergham Chronicles

1.  Ding, ding, ding...kisses for sell, kisses for sell! Come get your kisses!  

2.  Mini entrepreneurs at work.

3.  In my best Dolly Parton singing voice..."Workin' 9 to 5, what a way to make a livin'..."

4.  Sister for sale, sister for sale, one noisy, bossy, annoying sister for sale.

5.  Buy one, get one FREE!        

Check out these other great blogs for some more laughs:

Baking in a Tornado
Spatulas on Parade
The Bergham Chronicles

Top Ten Thursday: Food of the Italians

        Hello there and welcome to Top Ten Thursday hosted by my friend Tamara over at Confessions of a Part-Time Working Mom.   This week's Top Ten has been inspired by the Italians and all their yummy food.  I am beyond excited to do this top ten, since took a very awesome road trip through Italy two months ago.  So with no further ado, here's my list...

1.  Insalata Caprese con Mozzarella di Bufala (Caprese Salad with Buffalo Mozzarella) - My first foodie stop in Italy was in Venice.  My friends took me to this little pizza place that they frequent.  But instead of pizza I got this plate of beautiful amazingness!

.

2. Cappuccino - Ok, ok, I know this isn't technically a "food," but I just HAD to include it since all the cappuccinos I drank in Italy (and I mean I drank a lot of them) are some of the best I've ever had.  Plus, if you use a spoon to scoop out the foam, then really you are eating, aren't you.  

3. Cacio e Pepe  (Cheese and Pepper) - If you have ever seen the No Reservations with Anthony Bourdain when he visits Rome, then you know how much he loves this dish.  When my friend and I went to Rome, we just had to try this famous pasta.  And we even went to the same restaurant he did too, and sat at the very patio tables he did too!  Oh....it was so delish.  So cheesy, so peppery, the pasta had a perfect bite to it, and all in a crispy parmesan twill bowl.  I would recommend this place to everyone! 

4. Gelato - You can't go to Italy and not have gelato.  This blows ice cream out of the water, there is no comparison.  On the food tour we went on, we stopped at this place called Fatamorgana .  It had so many new and fresh flavors.  I tried out the spiced pumpkin and baklava, there were a-maz-ing!  

5. Prosciutto Crudo - Oh man...did we eat a lot of this!  If you ever have a chance to have some in Italy it is so worth it.  I took this picture in a local deli shop that our food tour guy took us too.  Buying some from a package at the store just doesn't cut it anymore after have the good stuff!   

7. Farro Salad  -  My friend and I stopped at a little restaurant along the Mediterranean coast on our way up to Pisa.  We both ordered this yummy colorful plate of Farro salad with fresh caught shrimp, tomatoes, and basil.  OMG! It was A-MAZ-ING!  It was one of my favorites of Italy.   

8. Prosecco - Ok, Tamara did say we could choose wine as one of our "foods," so I'm rollin with it.  But instead of regular wine, I'm going with Prosecco.  Yes, Italy is know for it's wines, red and white, but I've been on a Prosecco kick, even two months after my trip to Italy.  I am usually a sweet wine drinker, but these days I have been trading in a sweet glass for a drier, bubbly one.  Plus Prosecco makes a really good Hugo. (If you don't know what that is, click the link for the cocktail recipe!) 

9.  Arancini (Filled rice balls) - So, we tried these Arancini balls on our food tour too.  They were really tasty, especially since there was surprise of cheese in the middle of it.  Perfect Italian street food!

10.  Roman Pizza - If anything that Rome or even the Italy is famous for, it's pizza.  And now I know why!  Their pizza is so good, I don't know if it's the difference of ingredients, the environment, or just the amount of love they put into making each one.  But I have to say, Roman pizza was my favorite!  The crust was sweet and savory, soft with just enough bite to it, perfectly baked in one of those traditional ovens, and the toppings so fresh, usually from a local market.  Also, I did notice that, many Italians don't eat the crust OR use their hands.  Pizza must be consumed using knife and fork, cutting the inside out.  So....that's how I ate it too.  (The top pizza was prosciutto and artichoke, the bottom was buffalo mozzarella with marinara and fresh basil).

     So there you have it my Top Ten Favorite Italian foods.  For more pictures of my Italian Food Tour click HERE.  If you want you book your own food tour, I suggest Eating Italy Food Tours & Culinary Activities: Click Here for Italy (Rome, Florence, & Venice), Click Here for London, Click here for Amsterdam, or Click Here for Prague. 

Check out some of my friend's Top Ten Italian Foods:

The Bergham Chronicles

Confessions of a Part-Time Working Mom

Wacky, Weird, Bizarre, & Unique

     It's Poetry time!  My friend Karen over at Baking in a Tornado got a few blogger friends together to come up with some awesome poetry about the Wacky and Weird Holidays of August.  Check out some of the links below for some more poetry!

Wacky, Weird, Bizarre, & Unique

Holidays can be wacky,

Holidays can be fun.

I like the holidays best

in the warm sun.

Holidays can be weird,

Holidays can be bright .

I like the holidays adorned

with twinkling light.

Holidays can be bizarre,

Holidays can be geeky.

I like the holidays that

aren't too freaky.

Holidays can be unique,

Holidays can be new.

I like the holidays I 

can celebrate with you.

Culinary Days of August  

Raspberry cream pie on August first,

Ice cream sandwiches the day after that.

Watermelon slices on August third, 

And Chocolate Chip Cookies right off the mat.

Mustard day is coming up,

Your neighbor's porch covered in squash.

S'mores to eat on August tenth,

And Creamsicle hands that need a wash.

Spumoni on a hot summer's day, 

More herbs, less salt for healthier snacks.

Toasted marshmallows on August thirtieth,

And trail mix loaded with energy to the max.   

Check out these other awesome poems about the Wacky & Weird holidays of August:

Baking in a Tornado

On the Border

Not that Sarah Michelle

The Bergham Chronicles

Spatulas on Parade