My Entry For the Sew-vivor Competition!

Most of my readers are already aware of my extreme handicap where computers are concerned (Click HERE for more details) Of course, if the internet ever goes down and the power goes out I might be a step ahead...but then again?  Maybe not!
Anyway, my sister-in-law turned me on to this sewing contest survivor style, and I thought I'd give it a try even though terms like "link party" and "hashtag" intimidate me!
According to the rules, I can enter anything that I have previously sewn as long as it was made entirely by me...

And this is one of my favorite creations!
This is my own pattern, and while it isn't overly difficult to make, it is somewhat time consuming!

I love all the flirty ruffles!

And the super stretchy neckline makes it easy to put on and take off!

So, this is my audition piece for the Sew-vivor contest!
The top 10 will be selected to move on to the first round on March 13th!
Stay tuned...
And check out the rules, updates, and exciting creations by clicking on the Sew-vivor link in my side bar!
Wish me luck!

What the Heck am I Doing?!

I have always been physically active, sports in high school, and a relatively consistent gym attendance (excluding my first year of college and the freshman 15 which we won't dwell on)...

I used to run to the gym on my lunch break when I was working and sneak in a quick 30 minutes of cardio, and since I am now a stay at home mom, the gym has become somewhat of a refuge, a place where it's all about me, and it's quiet in my head...PRICELESS!

About a year ago, I got the urge to try a group fitness class...

Pause here because this is pretty significant, I avoid all human contact when working out, and I have limited rhythmic abilities and no desire to make a fool of myself...

I found that Anna, the instructor, had a great style and I started noticing a big difference in my body tone almost immediately, so of course, Anna announces that she is pregnant and will be going on maternity leave...

Well, Anna had to miss a class a few weeks back and oops! I found myself teaching the class in her place!

Somehow, I was convinced that I should get certified, hired by Ballys and substitute for Anna!

So, for the past few weeks I have been consumed with 8 counts, hitting the "phrase" during a step routine, and conquering some pretty significant nerves!

Practice is the watch word, so guess who is now able to demonstrate a proper warm up routine?

This is Noah slowly rolling his head to one side and then the other...

And thanks to Gwen Stafani and her Holla Back classic, Noah can now spell Bananas while step kicking to the beat!

So things have been a bit crazy around here with all that jumping and lunging and weight lifting etc...
And that's on top of all the regular...

Day to day...

Busyness!

So, while posts may be a bit spread out at the moment, there are more tutorials and fun projects on the horizon!

What is all that white stuff?

We woke up to this winter wonderland this morning...

And since this is basically the first time it's snowed enough to break out the snow gear, we suited up and headed outside!

Some of us were new to the difficulties inherent in walking through several feet of snow...

But she caught on quickly enough to the concept of throwing snow at daddy!

Since we don't have to go anywhere today, the snow is a welcome distraction...

And our pantries are well stocked so there is hot cocoa on the horizon...

But, of course, it is necessary to sample the snow as well...

And check it out, I actually made it into a picture!

Be safe out there!

Mmmmmm Coffee?

It's time now for what's your BZZ?!

Well, hello bzz kit!  

As most of you already know, I am a bzz agent, and as such, I am frequently asked to try free samples of new products and to share my honest opinion of said products.

Today it is Nescafe Memento, a fancy frothy, instant coffee treat, and my generous bzz kit included 3 flavors, Carmel latte, cappuccino, and Mocha for me to try, as well as a packet of coupons for me to share!  

Ok, lets give it a try...

Seems easy enough...

We'll start with the Carmel latte, and since it's early and he needs the boost, we'll let Joshua have the first sample...

And the verdict is?...

Hmmm, Joshua is not impressed, wimpy flavor and no wow factor...

The best that can be said about this instant beverage according to Josh?

"It's good enough for camping..."

Ouch!  That's like having a good personality!

Ok, my turn, it looks good, nice and foamy (The box says they infused the powdered milk with air which gives is a super frothy texture that lasts)

But, I'm going to have to agree with Joshua, it's not bad, but it definitely lacks flavor, and the foam gets a little strange after a few sips...almost chewy...

So, my conclusion is...

The Nescafe Memento instant coffee beverage is convenient, but lacks impressive flavor.

I have to agree with Josh on this one, it's basically good enough for camping, but not for the kitchen!

Precious Moments!

I am so blessed...

What a gift it is to be a mom...

To hear Noah whisper at 6am "Mom?  Can I go see my sister now?"

And to hear Gigi's exuberant "O-AH!" when he opens her door...

No profound thoughts today, no exciting projects to share...

Just a few sweet moments...

And maybe a laugh! (One Gigi won't thank me for when she's 16!)

Happy Friday, everyone!

The Conclusion...

HE DID IT!!!

He washed the clothes...

He dried the clothes...

Sometimes, she helped...

He even folded his own clothes and put them away!

And, with a little help from a $1 donation from Auntie DyDy, Noah was ready to purchase his much anticipated Batman Tower!

Of course, the in store price may vary from online deals!!

Did you know that Target will match Amazon prices at the customer service counter?!!

Phew!

Because explaining to this face, the economics of saving $5 by ordering the product online and waiting another week to receive it was not an option!

Ugh!  Sniff, my baby is so grown up!

He said, "Hey, mom?  Aren't you glad I paid for my Batman Tower instead of you guys paying for it?!"

No tears shed over the empty wallet...

And since the box clearly doubles as a boat, everybody wins!

And, on a side note...

Turns out Walmart is selling incredibly cute little girl babies for less than it costs to buy a Batman Tower!  

Strange Plaid Short Sleeved Dress Shirt...How I Love Thee!

So, before we get into an explanation of the title, can I just say the weather lately has been ridiculous?

I mean it's absolutely not winter, it's a sort of odd brown dead spring with sunshine and warmth followed by ridiculous random cold and back to the brown spring warmth...

And did it seriously just rain last night?  

Just enough to encase my car in ice this morning, but by noon, we were able to play in the backyard with just a light jacket...

Anyway...

You're probably wondering about my strange Blog title, but here it is, the strange, short sleeved, plaid dress shirt that I found in the back of Josh's closet...

Josh kindly relinquished the shirt to me for creative transformation and now...

It is a ridiculously cute (if I do say so myself) summer romper for Gigi!

I added a slightly cinched waistline to give it a little shape...

And, because I am all about finding ways to avoid hemming, I utilized the pre-hemmed edging of the shirt for the shorts hem!

The romper is easy to put on and take off by way of the super stretchy elastic neckline...

And I must say it is a vast improvement over the "Dwight Shrewtness" of the actual shirt!

Makes me wish for summer!

Or even an especially warm Brown Dead Springish winter day!

And on a completely unrelated topic, is there anything more attractive than a grown man at a little girls tea party?!!!

Ok, maybe one thing...

Can I get an AWWWWWW?!!!