I am so glad it is Friday!! It has been a LOONNGGG week. I am actually pretty pumped that I was able to think of 5 things from this week to give a 5 finger salute!

 Can we say tantruming toddler...... ALL WEEK

I have joined in the fun  at  From My Grey Desk by Lauren
 for her High Five For Friday Feature

1The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

2 My DIY Decoupage Vase- read about it HERE

3 Hangin' with Miss J

4 The Pop Shops Cream Soda (delish)

5 SUNSHINE (finally)

What are you High 5 ing this week?

Have a SWELL weekend Loves!!!

XOXO

A

A little DIY Decoupage

We are celebrating hump day with a little DIY.

One of my favorite blogs “The Glamorous Housewife“  by the ever-so-lovely Bethany Herwegh, has started a weekly feature on her blog called “Crafting with the Glamorous Housewife”. You can read the announcement HERE!

Source- The Glamorous Housewife

Her plan is to complete one crafting project a week.  The project and material list will be posted on her blog every Sunday and the results of the project on Wednesday. This week’s project is to decoupage a vase.  The best part is that she has asked all her readers to join in and share their versions of the Sunday crafting feature. 
So here is my step by step guide to decoupaging  a vase. Let me remind you it is my first try at decoupaging since elementary school, and seriously... that was a lifetime ago.
So here goes!!!

Materials you will need:

Vase
Pretty Paper
Mod Podge
Paint Brush
A dish for Mod Podge

Select a vase to decoupage from the many we have in are “vase” cupboard this was not an easy task I actually like all my vases and the thought of the possibility of me ruining them made it hard to choose but I finally came across a dollar store vase that I was okay to part with if the project went array.

Select the material to decoupage with- I recently bought a book of some scrapbook paper from Michael's with some beautiful prints.

It was hard to choose a paper to use because all the prints I really like were quite large and the vase was so petite. I finally choose this print-

I then ripped the paper into small pieces. Because of the size and shape of the vase I had to rip the paper into even smaller pieces to follow the curves.

I then painted the paper with mod podge and then stuck them to the vase one strip at a time. I had to run my fingers over the edges of the paper to make sure they stuck.

Once all the pieces were mod podged onto the vase I made sure to paint over the entire vase and scrap paper with mod podge to ensure everything was secure.

Here is the finished project! I still would like to add twine, ribbon, or some type of string wrapped around the top. All in all I am pretty proud of my first decoupage craft! What about you, any fun decoupage crafts you would like to share?!!?

Happy Hump DAY!!

XOXO
A

Happiness is…

  Loves it has been a tough week around Casa M…. well for me, and for Hubby having to put up with me. I was feeling so off and super GRUMPY!!! I just kept feeling like there was so much I wanted to get done around the house and ample projects I would like to be focusing on.  For instance blog posts, craigslist finds that I have planned a whole new life for but haven’t even started on. Although props to me I did manage to finish one of them (it only took a year….)

Here is a little sneak peek..... at my "Rock Star" rocking chair I finally completed

 and lastly but most importantly, my life’s purpose- I know just a small thing to focus on…. So in one of my grumpy fits I decided to take little man on a walk with me to get some treats, because a  treat always seem to help one get to their happy place. So off we went… It was so crazy to take ‘lil man by the hand and head out the door…. no stroller or anything.

Off we went. We walked up the street and down the path arriving at the “doughnut shop”.  So we sat and enjoyed our doughnuts and shared frozen lemonade. This was where poor “J” received his first “brain-freeze”. He was rubbing his forehead and eyes and saying “no mas mama, no mas” (side note my husband is half Mexican so Spanish is spoken quite frequently at home) I tried not to laugh at how cute he was for he clearly was not impressed with the lemonade. As we were sitting there I started to lighten up a little bit, I mean who wouldn’t with such a cute ‘lil date?

After our treat we started for home but not before we hit up the bookstore … I love books and so does ‘lil man. We headed over to the kid’s section where J picked out a train book he spotted right away. I too had a book I wanted to pick up.

 I had been hearing a lot about the book “The Happiness Project” by Gretchen Rubin and wanted to see if this book was a “project” I wanted to add to my list. Well let me tell you after reading page 1 in the store I was hooked!  It was like she was writing about me and how I would like to bring more happiness to my life and the ones I love. You see not to brag but I do have a pretty wonderful life and I definitely don’t feel the need to complain, but I do know that I could be doing more with the life that I have,  and as I have been reading on I have learned more and more about achieving greater happiness. I am only on chapter 2 but I am already feeling “HAPPY". I still have all my projects to complete but feel I have some clarity on everything….. Whatever that means  :P

You can check out Gretchen's blog The Happiness Project HERE

I begin this week feeling excited and inspired.  LOVES, I must say it is such a change from last week!

OH and a few side notes:

1)      The Top 30 Vancouver Mom Blogger event put on by Vancouver Mom.ca was fabulous, I was so proud of Miss B for being nominated for her blog “Bits of Bee”.  It was such an amazing opportunity to meet so many talented women.  Listening to the 3 key speakers speak about their blogs and describe all their different styles inspired me and what I want for Miss Bella lime!  I can’t wait to get started on all my new post ideas and a possibly a little face lift.

2)      I read this great link up post called “High 5 for Friday” on the blog   From My Grey Desk.  I thought what a great idea for helping me to achieve more happiness. Starting next Friday I will be linking up for some high fiving!!

 You should all head on over and check it out, and add a little high 5-ing to your week

Wishing everyone a Swell Monday!!!

XOXO

A

HAPPY FATHERS DAY

Shout out to the HUBBY.

You are a truly amazing husband and father. You are the Rock that this family is built on

and I couldn't imagine my life without you!

Happy Fathers Day Baby!!

For Fathers Day Jamie made Johnny a "DAD ROCKS" extra large paper weight .... although it is pretty much the same size as a plate!! It's a little larger than planned. We had so much fun hunting for the rocks around the backyard and Jamie really enjoyed placing the rocks in the dough. Which by the way was the easiest thing to make. I found this awesome  idea over at "ediTORIal"
Yes, that's right TORI SPELLINGS SITE! That girl is a genius, seriously who knew?

Tori actually found this idea over at Crafts by Amanda site: Amanda is pretty CRAFTY you should probably head on over and check out her site!

Ingredients:
• 1/4 cup salt

• 1/2 cup flour

• 1/4 cup water

• bowl

• cookie sheet

• 1/2 cup pea gravel

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.
2. Mix flour, salt and water together in a bowl. If dough is too sticky add small amounts of flour until it is doughy and pliable. Be careful not to add too much as the dough will dry out and your creation will crack.
3. Shape a piece of the dough into a ball in your hands. Place the ball on the cookie
sheet and flatten to about 1/2" thickness.
4. Carefully select pieces of pea gravel to spell out "DAD ROCKS". Press them firmly but gently into the salt dough.
5. Bake your paperweight for 2-2.5 hours until completely dry.
6. Remove from oven and allow to cool before handling or removing from cookie sheet.
Optional: You can spray your creation with acrylic sealer or paint it with a clear coat sealer.

We also made a Family Hand Print that I am in love with. We each picked our own paper to place our hand on.

• Jamie picked his art paper that he had drawn on, I picked some really pretty wrapping paper and the hubs picked red construction paper. 
• We then traced our hands and cut out the tracings.
• I then "mod podged" the hands on top of each other starting with the hubbys
• I then glued them on to white canvas paper
•  (its a little thicker than normal paper, I am so good at giving descriptions).
• I also had to cut the canvas paper to fit inside an Ikea Ribba 8x10 frame 
•  TAAA DAAAA a fabulous family keepsake.

Not to Shabby eh? I might be a little CRAFTY myself!!

These projects were super easy to make and a lot of fun. Thanks for stopping by.

Happy Fathers Day !!!

Jamie and Grandpa

Jamie and his Uncle Casey

Jamie with his Daddy and his Tios

Jamie with Ito John - Ti Quiero Mucho Mucho Ito John

A big thank you to all the DAD's in my lil' man's LIFE

XOXO

A

An unexpected mess that turned into something beautiful!

UGH!!! I deleted my post that I was working on for today ......... and I am too lazy to re type right now and deflated so instead I will share some beautiful photos from the AMAZING market sale that took place on Saturday June 9th at arOka Vintage Boutique.  I have to give a standing O to all the vendors, their pieces were absolutely fabulous and it blows my mind how talented these lovelies are.

There were so many treasures to be combed through once you entered the arOka gardens. You could find that perfect one of a kind piece you were wanting to add to your home, nibble on a tasty treat and add an exquisite piece of  jewellery to your collection. Not only were you able to walk through this enchanted garden, you were given a chance to take home treasures from the vendors by participating in the scavenger hunt, that led you from vendor to vendor.

Isn't this prize basket something to covet??? LOVE everything in it

Via-arOka

One of the prize baskets from the Scavanger Hunt

If you click HERE it will lead you  to arOka's Facebook page where you can read about all the  vendors who took part. I also want to applaud the ever so talented Dawna (owner of arOka) and my boss :) on her incredible event it was such a pleasure to be a part of and ever so inspiring. I am hoping to get my creative vibes in line so I can also take part as a vendor at the next arOka market! Alright Loves here are the pics..... as a side note I did get most of these from Facebook as I was too busy working to take my own...  :)

VIA - The Inspired Biologist

Via- Deanna ArtFORMS

You can see my hubby and lil man perusing through the vendors here

 

Via- La La's Land at home

Via-Deanna ArtFORMS

My turn at manning the arrival table

Via-La La's Land at Home

Loved this table in the front with the white legs... one day you will be mine!

Via-Deanna ArtFORMS

 The Super cute B running the Lemonade Stand!!

Via Jennifer Stafford Events

My fabulous boss Dawna, me, Miss Deanna of Deanna ArtFORMS and the ever so talented Renee B

I am sorry I don't have pics of all the vendors but I was inside working this spectacular event. Looking forward to the next one!

Also must share that I am heading to the

Fabulous 2012 Top 30 Vancouver Mom Blogger Celebration hosted by VancouverMom.ca tonight. Where one of my besties the wonderful Bianca from the blog "BITS OF BEE" is nominated.

Wishing you all a wonderful Wednesday... I am off to get beautified for tonight!

XOXO

A

Weekend Update

Happy Friday Lovelies!

I am so excited for this weekend. If you read my blog you know that I started working at arOka vintage boutique a few months ago. Well this Saturday arOka is having a Grand Opening Celebration by hosting a vendor market in the garden!!! I am so excited to be working it and for doing a little shopping of my own around the garden.  :) I will be posting about the event on Monday.

arOka Vintage

Sunday I am hoping to drag  check out a farmers market with my boys,

Skippy Designs- I heart this piece of art!

 take the beagle smeagles for a good walk

Please stop taking pictures of us Mom and lets go for a walk

 and hopefully squeeze in a  much needed  visit with one of my BFFs and her family.

Source

 Next week I will be sharing with you a few projects that I have finally completed!!!!

Oh oh  I also want to give a little congrats and love  to one of my BFF's Miss Hedy S and her family on the arrival of their absolutley take my breath away beautiful baby girl Rainy who arrived on May 28th!!

Aunty Aubrey(that's me) and Rainy (isn't she GORGEOUS?)

 If you are in the Port Moody BC area on Saturday stop by arOka and say HI!

XOXO
A