{Fabulous Friday}

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Hello and Happy Friday!!
Don't you just love Fridays!! I think they are the best:)

I thought it would be kind fun to start a fabulous friday party on Friday's!

On my facebook page....i'll have something special for you going on....today it's 15% off your purchase in my shop!!

And here I thought it would be fun to have a little linky party:)

I thought I would share what i've been tinkering around with.

but you have to promise.....not to laugh:)

I've been tinkering around with mixed media art!

I am not an artist and I won't claim to be one....
if you want to see beautiful artwork her are some talented ladies.....

Artfully Graced
Seawashed Studio

But I do like to try new things.....it's how I think one can grow as a person!

It's not perfect....but it's perfectly me:)
Maybe a little second grade....but that's ok.
I had fun tinkering around and even bought a couple books to learn a little about mixed media art:)

ps....these were all done before my books arrived:)

I think as long as you are out there exploring...trying new things...learning.....you are growing!
Those experiences help shape and define who you are:)

Even things as simple as shells glued to a canvas can be "art"
At least I think so:)

It's an expression of what makes me happy!
Shells and simpleness!

I plan to hang this in my spare bedroom....when and if we ever get it finished! Might be next year sometime:)

I love simple things the best...
but every once in awhile .... I like a little crazy chaos sprinkled in:)

Craziness makes me feel alive:)
Doing new things makes me feel alive:)

How about you........what makes you feel alive?!?!?!?

Ok....now let's see what fabulous things you have going on this Friday:):)

Oh and if you don't mind.....share my button on your post:)!! Thanks!

“Don't fear failure so much that you refuse to try new things. The saddest summary of a life contains three descriptions: could have, might have, and should have." Unknown

{Starfish Hairpin Give-Away}

Hello there!
How are you on this fine Monday!?!?
Me....not so well....had to stay home due this terrible cold:(
Really bums me out when I get sick....I am a go..go..go kind of person and it just drives me crazy to just sit around and do nothing!
Well....since I have to just sit around...I thought it would be a great time to do a little Simple Daisy give-away!
More about that in a bit:)

but first....
yes....your life is 100% what you make it.
No matter what.....
Even if you hit a rough patch....you can choose how you will handle it and how much you will let it affect you.

Recently at work...I was chatting at lunch with co-workers and one in particular is going through what I would consider a rough time....she has her mother who has dementia living with her.
And now....for most people this would send them right over the top....but you know what...I was just so amazed at what a good attitude she had about this situation.
She laughed as she told us some of the "crazy" things her mom does.
and as I asked her about this situation....she told me "you just have to laugh about it...you have to keep a positive attitude."

I love to surround myself with people like this....
people who find the positive in everything! That's not to say that you can't have a debbie downer day every once in while....it's to say that so much of life is the attitude we have!

I have been in my own debbie downer mode recently....
gained a little weight...not too proud of that.
wanting so badly to follow my dreams...but have to pay the bills.
getting sick for the millionth time in a row....welcome back to school.
always being so hard on myself....can't ever think I am good enough.


but you know what.....
just as I was feeling all of those things.
I click on Beach House Living to read to the most lovely post about myself. I just cried. There it was all written out....all the great things I accomplish....the way I encourage others...all the things I dream to be.

I am all the things I dream to be! I just haven't spent the time looking at the positives:):)

So whenever you find yourself getting into a funk....have a really nice blogger write a lovely post about you...haha!
No really....
pick yourself up off the floor and write out all the lovely and wonderful things you do!!!!
I promise you'll feel better .... and guess what...when you feel good about yourself and your life....you'll be a better wife, friend, worker and person to yourself:):):)


So there it is!
Now head on over to check out Beach House Living! She makes the cutest stamped silverware....just perfect for a hostess gift:)

Whew....glad I got that all out of the way:):):)

Alright...you know I am a total beachy kind of girl!
While I don't live near the ocean I do live near the beautiful Lake Michigan!

And while starfish aren't found on the beaches of Lake Michigan they still make me super happy:):)

And I thought they would make the sweetest little hair pins:)

What do you think!?!?!?

And even better....it was fun to photograph these pretty little hair pins on the beach:)
And I decided one these happy hair pins would make a perfect give-away! Are you in?!?!


yes..yes!
Life is a journey...the ups and the downs:)
And if you are always so busy wishing for the next best thing {like owning a shop} you don't get to truly appreciate the moments that make up life!





Now for the give-away~
Finally...you're thinking:)

One sweet little starfish hair pin! Measures 2 inches!

No rules for this one....
just leave a comment telling what makes you happy! And go out there and just be happy! Happy people make other people happy and since you are who you surround yourself with....let's make those people happy:):):)

Let's see....
This give-away will end Thursday night 9/16/10 at 6pm.
The winner will be chosen by random.org
I will announce the winner on my Friday 9/17/10 post!
Hope that covers it all....if not...let me know:)

Yippee!!!!!!



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and because i'm a dork......


Good Luck:)

The best vitamin to be a happy person is B1. ~Author Unknown

Beachy Craft & Healthy Recipe}

Hello and Happy Friday to you!
How are you....how's your week been going!?!?!?
If I don't say it enough.....thanks so much for always taking time out of your busy schedule to stop by and say "hello!" I so appreciate it! In fact...you make my day:):)

Yes....wine please!
It's been a doosy of a week for me and now i'm sick:(
Nasty sore throat. DARN.
Plus I need to be really kicking my biking training into high gear....but it's not gonna happen.
I should know after 5 years of teaching that I get sick at this time of the year EVERY YEAR....yes I am the dork that documents those kinds of things:) :)

So i'm not going to beat myself up too badly if I don't ride the 100 miles this year....I might only ride the 75 or GASP....the 50. Either way....i'm not putting any rules on myself!!!!

Sometimes it's nice to take the pressure off yourself....just enjoy life! It's a busy time of the year for me and I will just accept that from now own....
Maybe in the future i'll schedule my 100 mile bike ride for the summer.....when i'm riding full tilt:):)
Owell.....
Do you ever find that you put too much pressure on yourself???


Even with being sick I made a super happy and healthy meal this week!!!!


It was so good....just rocked my face off:):):) and it was more than easy!
The vinaigrette was just ....
honey
cinnamon
apple juice
apple cider vinegar
olive oil

YUM....YUM:)

I love healthy greens and am always trying to find ways to eat more of them!
I also had a little chili with it!.
Vegetarian but still delicious!
Just open cans of
beans....
tomatoes....
corn and stir...!!!
I add...cumin, chili powder and drum roll please.....
franks red hot sauce for a super kick!
I can't say enough about this chili.........except that I actually can't take credit for it...
my husband made it the other day and I totally copied him....Franks and all!!!!!!!

It's been a little like autumn around here so I have been more than happy to eat my chili and have my red wine!
I love autumn .....just don't like what comes next:(

Even the dogs have been happy!

and I know it's hard to believe but Ruby has been chew free for quite awhile now!!! Yippee!!!!!
She hasn't touched a thing since i've been back in school....
I know....I've probably just jinxed myself:)

And you know....
I like to give you a little crafty inspiration.....

These little tags were super easy and would make fabulous hostess gifts!!!
Just chalkboard paint little wooden forms
glue them to burlap
tie some twine to them and then cover that up with a little shell!!!
Awww.....how happy:)


They could even be used as tags for your wine bottles!
Beachy....Simple....Cute!

Oh and I am thinking of doing another give-away here before too long...
I was thinking of give-away a cute little starfish hair pin.....what do you think!?!?!?!
Or I could do something else!?!?!?!

Hope you have a super happy and simple weekend:) I am hoping to get in at least one 30 mile ride......we'll see:)


"There comes a point in life when you get tired of chasing everyone and trying to fix everything, but it's not giving up. It's realizing you don't need certain people and the drama they bring." Unknown

{Random Happy Things}

Well hello there!
Happy almost hump day!
Where is Friday....that's all i'm asking!!! :) :) :)

Seaside...yes that's were i'd rather be:) :)
It's been a week and it's only Tuesday!

ps....that seaside sign is one i've made recently! What do you think?! I happen to think it's pretty cute! Sort of my take on all those vintage inspired signs out there!

Alright...I told you this was going to be random!

A little while ago I drug my best friend over to a freshly plowed corn field to watch the sunset! We had a blast!

I absolutely love to do random things like that! Good thing the farmer didn't get mad at us and my friend was willing! I think it's fun and it makes you stop and really appreciate the simple moments in life!

I also thought it would be fun if she walked out into the field and danced ...while I tried to take pictures that didn't turn out!
I completely adore her ....she fun...funny and a great friend! Plus look what she's willing to do to make me smile! :) :)

Little did I know she'd expect the same from me....
You can tell...I am not nearly as comfortable dancing in the middle of a plowed corn field!
It was a much better idea when it was her doing the dancing! :)


Owell....it sure made us laugh! and sometimes that's all you need!



On another random note.....
One of my friends at work also makes jewelry!
Black Rock Design....check it out!!!

She makes absolutely gorgeous jewelry but was lacking in her display....let's just say....she didn't have a display!
She asked for a little help and I was delighted!

I gave her a little homework assignment...
asked her to come up with 20 words that would really describe what she was after....and had her pick a couple images that really spoke to her!

From there.....she let me design her whole display!! I was in pure heaven!
I absolutely love to design things! I think it turned out amazing.....

I came up with the ideas and she did the hard work of painting frames....coloring canvas.....and cutting fabric~~
I think it really shows off her amazing jewelry!

Now if someone would just pay me to do this for a living....i'd be in bliss!!!! :) :) :)

And lastly....
see I told you it would be random!

I started my autumn decorating tonight...

ps...notice the 2 wine glasses in the background!!?!? I couldn't decide between red and white wine tonight! So I had a little of both! :) :)

Anywho...I built another one of those cute little crates tonight and painted it creamy white and then scuffed it all up!


I put a glass candle holder in it and surrounded it with autumn pumpkins and what not....
I hate to admit it....but I must....I love autumn!!! I love everything about it! and I love getting inspired to re-decorate my home to reflect the season. I just don't look forward to what comes after autumn.

Hope you have a super happy rest of your week! Maybe it will fly by!

“A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are.” unknown

{Aqua Blue Ball Jars}

Hello and Happy Monday to you!!
Thank you for all of your inspirational comments on my last post!!! Sometimes I think it's totally dorky to share my hopes and dreams.....but then.....you all seem to make it feel alright!!
And it's so nice to know that we are all out there striving for much the same thing!
Let's start a small shop nation!!! haha!!!

Anywho....I did the ride on Sunday...finished 63 miles! While I was riding I couldn't help but think.....riding is such a metaphor for life and for following your dreams.
As I start out on my ride.....I can tell you one thing....63 miles would STRESS me out to think about......soooooooo I break it down into smaller increments!!!
I tell myself....all I have to do is ride to the next SAG stop {a place where you grab a snack, a drink and use tinkle town if you have to} they are usually about 17-20 miles apart. For me, that is a doable distance. I break it down that way.....much the way I do life. If I stop and think that I may want to actually own a shop ....i'll get completely overwhelmed ..... but if I say to myself....today or this week or this month...I am going to accomplish a b or c....it's much more manageable!! Get it!!!!
Alright, fine.....I am not always the best explainer of things but the point is....break done your goals and at least for a moment DON'T focus on the big picture......you'll get there if you just keep focused on the small steps!!!
got it!!!!!


Alright......


Simple Daisy is about so many things and I truly appreciate you supporting me as I move through so many questions in my life!
I wonder if i'll still be blogging at 81 because you know by then.....i'll have it all figured out?!?!?
haha!

Recently I came across a jackpot of aqua blue ball jars and as soon as I brought them home.....I knew I had to build a super cute crate to house them in!
Much like the things I would include in my shop!!! Do you like!?!?!
Oh and just for curiosities sake.......would you purchase a handmade crate like this!?!?! Say for $28?!?!?!
I would love your feedback....as always! :) :) :)


Trust me.....you could build a super cute crate too, if you wanted to! !!
It's not too hard....you just have to be handy with a saw!


Thank goodness my gramps taught me how to use a saw! Or really.... I wouldn't stop bugging him until he did teach me to use a saw!
Anyway....it really did pay off:)
I am not afraid of power tools! And notice the dogs helping me!?!?! They like to help (or really get in the way of) everything I do!

Oh and Ruby loves the turquoise paint!!!!
See it all over her nose:)


And L.C. loves to see what new things I have going on!!!


Well I bet you even Ruby & L.C. would tell you....just follow your dreams....break them down into small increments and they will be totally doable:):)


And if you're so inclined....take pretty pictures in everything you do!!
And especially in your new turquoise crate that houses your aqua blue ball jars!!
Just because it will make you so happy:) Another thing about goals......do what makes YOU happy! NO ONE else can ever know what that is for you!! Dig deep and search what is going on inside of you!!!! And again....take happy pictures....they'll tell you something about you:)
And just for fun....
The new "prop" chair and my happy crate with housing the ball jars!!!!!
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Have a super great rest of your week and get out there and do something happy & creative:)

Follow your heart and your dreams will come true.
Anonymous