Confessions Of A Scrapaholic

Operation Christmas Child

This week is National Collection Week for Operation Christmas Child. OCC delivers shoe boxes of gifts to needy children all over the world.  In 2008, over 8 MILLION shoe boxes were collected from families in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, Netherlands, Finland, and Ireland.  These precious boxes, filled with gifts for kids who otherwise would have no Christmas, were delivered in countries all over the world.

It is so important to me that I teach my girls to be thankful for what they have and to have thoughtful and caring hearts. We have always given as a family but this year I wanted to Zoë to actively participate in the giving. Last week the girls and I went shopping and they each filled up boxes for OCC. I won't lie, it wasn't exactly the joyous experience I had pictured in my mind, there was a lot of, "No, we aren't buying toys for YOU today." I am hoping that improves as the years go by. LOL! In the end though, Zoë was excited to prepare the boxes with me. I delivered our boxes to a drop-off location nearby this afternoon and they said they had already collected over 1,000 boxes. Isn't that amazing?! You still have time to join in!

I also wanted to spread the word about a darling Etsy boutique, Tiny Belles Boutique. (You know how I love Etsy). Tiny Belles has the most darling tutus, hair clips and hand stamped necklaces. This week, November 16-23, for every item purchased in the Tiny Belles Boutique they will donate an item to Operation Christmas Child. How cool is that? You can get some Christmas shopping done AND know that you are contributing to a wonderful cause. That is my kind of shopping. Look at some of their fabulous girly items...

It really just makes you want to dress up, doesn't it? Or is that just me?

A Pumpkin Obsession

I think it’s safe to say that I’ve developed something of a pumpkin obsession. Or to be more specific, a pumpkin decorating obsession. I blame my friend, Heather. She goes all out for Halloween at her house. I have drooled over the decorations she’s posted on her blog for years, and apparently it has rubbed off on me. I had so much fun painting, decoupaging and glamming up my pumpkins. We don’t do spooky Halloween decorations at our house, instead I call this Halloween Chic. You should see all the other jeweled and sparkly things we’ve got going on. Halloween is quickly becoming one of my very favorite holidays. Who knew?! I took this picture of my pumpkins the other day and I just had to scrap it. Didn't they turn out cute? It is so much more fun than carving pumpkins and they last forever!

Click HERE for credits

In other scrapping news, my Frozen Pancakes layout was chosen as a Gallery Standout today. I've never been chosen before so I was pretty darn excited. I have had that photo sitting on my desktop for at least six months so that I would scrap it. (I kid you not). It is such a nice feeling to have it d.o.n.e. Now to finish up the 10+ layouts that have been sitting on my desktop for who knows how long... Does anybody else do that?

Only two more days until Halloween, can you believe it?! Don't forget, you still have one more day to BOO your neighbors. Zoë and I went out last night and BOO'd three families without getting caught. WHOO HOO! Last year our neighbors came outside just as we were sneaking up to their front porch and busted us. What are the odds?

My New Favorite Album

I have been scrapbooking for about ten years now and I just finished my very favorite album, Me: The Abridged Version. Cathy Zielske taught this class at Big Picture Scrapbooking and I would recommend it to anyone. It was hands down, the best class I have ever taken.

It's not my favorite because it's about me, it's my favorite because of how it was designed. This album lists, from A-Z, little stories and tidbits about me. They are stories that probably wouldn't have ever been told otherwise. Who am I kidding, they never would. In the last ten years I have created exactly two pages about myself. After looking through and reading this album you know pretty much exactly who I am and what makes me tick. Those are precisely the sort of pages I strive to create. Real glimpses of life today. Real glimpses of mine and my family's stories. I fully intend on making another album every 10 years. It will be fun and interesting to see how I have changed. I am also on a mission to have Kelly write down his own A-Z and make him an album, but I'm not holding my breath. Click here to view the entire album. I'm a bit quirky. You've been warned.

Coming in as a close second is Our Family Halloween Album. I am totally on a Cathy Zielske kick right now, can you tell? Have you heard that she is now selling her templates and Designer Digitals? How awesome is that?! I finally made a title and dedication page for the Halloween album (read: totally copied Cathy's) using Heather Ann's new Wickedly Cute kit. She designs the cutest Halloween kits. And don't even get me started on the treat accessories. She makes it so easy to be crafty.

My New Favorite Things

It's been a while since I did some enabling shared some of my favorite things, and I recently found some new items for my list that I wanted to post.

First up, the long-sleeve tee from Ann Taylor Loft. They are soft and snuggly and can be dressed up or down. I own two of them and plan on buying more. I think they are going to be my fall/winter staple. Combine it with a cute sweater and you are all set.

Next, cosmetics. I am a huge fan of Bare Escentuals. I won't use any other cosmetics anymore. They recently released some amazing new products:

• Bare Minerals Matte Foundation
  I have struggled with oily skin since junior high. I have tried everything to get rid of the blasted shine: powder, oil-free products, shine reducing serum... Nothing worked until now. If you struggle with shine you must try this product. It is a little jar of powdery magic, and it won't even dry out your skin.
  

• Hydrating Mineral Veil
  Mineral veil is like an airbrush in a jar. I have used the regular mineral veil in the past and bought this new formula when I ran out. I like it! I can't say that I have noticed a huge difference between the two, but it feels nice and cool when you apply it. It is very enjoyable in the summer time.
  
• Bare Minerals Flawless Definition Mascara
  I have been on the hunt for the mascara ever since I decided to wear it an be a grown-up a few years ago. Mission accomplished. It doesn't clump or smear and glides on smoothly. I normally can only wear waterproof because of my contacts, but this mascara doesn't smear!
  
• Prime Time Eyelid Primer
  I may have mentioned this one before, but it is worth another mention. Normally I consider primers to be a waste of time and money, but I was sick of my makeup vanishing an hour after I applied it, so I gave this a try. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it kept my eyeshadow in place all day long! I ran out last week and could definitely tell the difference without it.

KaBoom Continuous Toilet Cleaning System
Our water leaves a weird film in our toilet bowls and showers. I don't have a clue why. Soft water? Fluoridation? Either way, I don't like it. Clorox bleach tablets take care of the film, but they are too strong smelling for me. I tried the KaBoom system and voila! Clean potty and no weird smell, and it lasts for three months. Cool.

I could have sworn there were a few more, but I am drawing a blank right now. Hmmmm. I'll have to think about it and get back to you.

Dangit!

After twenty years, I finally stopped watching Days this summer. Now, I am sucked in all over again.I finally gave up after a year of waiting for Nicole to get caught. It looks like Monday is the day. Whoo!