Confessions Of A Scrapaholic

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!