Photo Love

I love photography almost as much as I love decorating.   I love taking pictures, and I adore looking at others' photos, especially creative angles and editing.  I guess it's all part of being a 'visual person'.

My camera, a Nikon D40, is a few years old now, and not as fancy as some newer models I've see around, but it's got all the bells I need (and more). I would love to know how to use more of its features, but there is only so much time in a day. So I rely pretty heavily on editing software to mask my rather limited knowledge ;-).

On an average week, I would say that I take at least 150-200 shots, and only a fraction of them ever make it to my editing software. But there are always a few keepers that I fall in love with, and ultimately end up in an album or scrapbook, or on this blog.


I thought I'd share a few of my favorite shots over the past week or two.  I've gotta admit, I can't really go wrong when the subject matter is a sweet as this :-). 

Hope you're having a happy weekend.

Blog Name Love {and Envy}

In my (real life) profession in an ad agency, I help create brands.  And, everybody knows that a big part of brand is its name.  Perhaps that's why I tend to really notice blog names.

Lord knows, it's not easy to find a good blog name these days.

When starting a new blog, the one thing you can count on is that there are already literally thousands of well-established blogs out there in your interest category.

And, if you have a list of five possible blog names in mind, don't get too attached yet. I can bet you that at least four of those domain names have already been spoken for, and maybe five.  If you're lucky, you'll end up with a name that bears some resemblance to your original idea. (Believe me, I know!)

So when I see a creative one that's made it through the initial obstacle course, it makes me smile.

For me, a great blog name is a lot like a great brand name.  It stands out from the crowd of similar blog names out there, and, it says in some way that this blog's for you; it resonates.  In other words, it's unique and memorable, and it also tells potential readers (your target audience) that they'll find some reward in spending 5 min a day on your blog. 


When I see a great blog name, I can't help but feel a little tingle of envy, like, oh crap, I wish I'd thought of that!  But mostly, it's admiration.

With that said, here are 10 names in the blogging world of home decor and crafts that I love!

• Under the Table & Dreaming - yup, I can just picture myself curled up under there in the fetal position with my latest interior decor mag, hiding from the dogs, the babies, and the blackberry.  This name makes me smile.

• In Between Laundry - This one makes me laugh because it taps into a real life truth for any crafty mom. When else would we find the time to indulge in decorating or crafting?

• I Heart Nap Time - When I first saw this one, I think I might have yelled back at the screen, "Me too!"  Nap time = mommy time. The babies' nap time that is.  I don't get to nap.  Ever.

• Fingerprints on the Fridge - First thing I thought was oh, thank god there are other mommy bloggers around here whose homes aren't perfect.  I immediately liked this blogger!
  

• A Diamond in the Stuff - Upcycling. Trash to treasure.  I get it.  In like 2 nanoseconds flat.  Count me in.

• Less Cake, More Frosting - I immediately smell a cake baking. Might as well call it "Come this way for all things sweet and yummy!"  Love it.

• Making the World Cuter - Exactly.  Decorating and crafting isn't brain surgery or a solution for world peace.  But, darn it, the world is definitely a little cuter after every project!  Makes me grin.

• {Primp} - Awesome in it's simplicity.  Says everything it needs to say in 5 little letters.

• Reinvented - Again, just one word but packed with meaning.  I immediately get it.

• Craftaholics Anonomous - Taps into a truth for anybody addicted to their glue gun.  It says, don't worry, you'll find others here just like you!

So, tell me, what blog names do you love (and envy)?

Truer words were never spoken!

This is my first day back from a wonderful 2-week vacation in the sunny south.

And guess what I've spent the day doing?

Uploading vacay photos? No.

Unpacking? No.

Easing back into things? Nopers.

If you guessed "housework", then ding ding, you are right!

The crazy thing is that my cleaning lady was just here yesterday. (And, she was here 3 times while we were away). Not to mention that our dog sitter / house sitter did an awesome job of keeping the house in great shape.

I just can't relax until I know everything has been scoured and put back in it's place. I am actually kind of mad at myself for wasting the day this way. What's wrong with me, lol?!?

The funny thing is that when I decided to take a little break and hop on here to read some favorite blogs, the first blog post I clicked on was about (the silliness of) housework! It was as if it was waiting there for me. I'll leave you with the best quote I think I've ever read:

"A perfectly kept house is the sign of a misspent life."

Truer words were never spoken!

OK, I'm putting the swiffer away now, and am going to go and daydream about my trip.

 

Bon Voyage mes amies!

Not sure if I mentioned it before, but today I'm getting the heck outta this winter weather!

Looking forward to bare feet, flip flops, the smell of suntan lotion, a daily dose of Vitamin D, outlet shopping and Mickey Mouse.

Just love this shot of my daughter and her cousins on vacation last year!

See you in two weeks!

Until then, keep on decorating!

 

I'm crushing on...

One of my fave blogs, Eighteen25, is having a "Crush Week". Fun idea!

They inspired me to share a few of my crushes with you.

My Main Crush...

Ma famille

My daughter and twin boys

My Blog Crush...

Nesting Place

Photo Credits to Nesting Place

My Dream Job Crush
Seasonal Window Designer
Anthropologie Rockefeller Plaza, NY!

My Clothing Crush...

lululemon

And bonus: it's a Canadian company!

My Make Up / Skin Care Crush(es)...

No. 7Protect & Perfect Serum

Lise Watier Miracle Primer

 My Movie Crush...

13 Going on 30

An oldie but still one of my faves, especially the Thriller scene!

   My Shopping Crush...

HomeSense

My Jewelery Crush...

Pandora

I'm working on filling out my bracelet with lots of aqua just like this one! Swoon.

My Male Celebrity Crush...

I mean really?!? Mc Dreamy with twin boys?  Seriously crushing!

  My Perfume Crush

Fruits & Passions

Pear and Peony

What kinds of things are you crushing on these days?

I'm linking this post up in the comments over at Eighteen25.

Until next time, happy decorating crushing!

My Real Life Christmas!

This time of year is so hectic.

It's easy to get a little lost in the craziness.  

The shopping, the wrapping, the baking...

and of course, who can forget, the holiday DECORATING!

The holiday decorating has to be just right.  Has to be perfect.

And when you blog about holiday decorating, you start to see everything as a photo opp.

You decorate it, you stage it, you shoot it, you crop it, you edit it, and you post it.  And...then you repeat.

But, in my home, as I am sure in yours, not everything is a 'photo opp'.

Not everything is perfect. 

The imperfect real life moments, or the 'out-takes', are the ones that are most meaningful.

Here's a taste of real life...

Stop covering your face!

Mommy, did you move my ornament?

Gabby's goofy face

Need some help here!

Seriously...I need some help here!

Are we supposed to clap or smile?

"Look at Mommy! Over here, look at Mommy!"

"Everybody, look at the camera! Yoo-hoo..."

Hmmm...this looks tasty! I'm sure Mommy won't miss it!

Quick look over the shoulder...

Mmmmm....yummy.

 

Snowman craft to keep kiddies busy!

I came across a cute little snowman printable craft idea on a great mommy site.

From start to finish, it might keep your kiddies busy for a couple of hours - including the game, the colouring, the cutting, and gluing. As a mommy of 3 munchkins myself, I know just how precious a couple of hours can be at this time of year!
 
Printable Snowman Craft



Here's our version. Happy holidays!