The bags are packed...

My bag is packed and tomorrow I head to Colorado.  Don't worry, you aren't getting rid of me that quickly...  Jason and I are going for a short house hunting mission.  But, this is the first real sign that this move is happening.  September 12th.  That is our family dooms day. 
Basically, I'm  going the the fake it 'til you make it mantra.  I am going to keep telling myself, and my friends and family, that CO is going to be amazing, and we're going to love it.  Yes, I'm sure eventually we will love it.  And we will make friends and find a CO family.  But, in the meantime, I'm just going to say it.... So, these are the first bags packed on our road to Colorado.

In other moving news... the invites for our bon voyage party are out!  I'm really excited to share this day with everyone that means the most to us in CA. 
And, we've been working on our plan for the drive to CO.  Our first stop will be Vegas... and I'm so excited because we are going to be seeing my cousins there!  They are second cousins... and a lot older than me... but when we were growing up they were the big brothers I never had... As with all things, we grew up, got new lives and grew apart.  In fact, I havent' seen two of them since my grandpa's funeral 8 1/2 years ago.  And, to be honest, I barely remember making it through that day.... so that was hardly a proper visit.  Now, I'm thrilled to share Emery with them, introduce Jason...and share memories about when we were kids.  While I am so excited, I also think it is going to be tough to get through memories of my Grandpa.  I think of him everyday.  And everyday it brings tears to my eyes.  Even after all this time, I desperatly miss him.  And miss that I didn't get to share Emery with him.  Or that he never met Jason.  Jason and I met just 4 months after he passed.  I'd like to think that Grandpa brought us together.  He would have adored Jason.
But, it will be a wonderful time to share the happy times and have happy tears.  Grandpa would be so happy that we are still spending time together.  So, I guess this move is bringing something else positive... reconnecting with family...

So, I'll keep you posted on how your housing mission goes.  And, we get to spend a few days together without Emery.  Of course we'll miss her, but it's a fun time to just be together. 

xoxo

My crappy mommy overshare

My girl has had some "tummy issues" for about 10 days now.  After 4 days I called the doctor.  After a few more days of his reccomended pedialite and bland diet I called again.  One more day later, he finally called and we went into the office.
On a side note, why on earth is pedialite so disgusting.  No child is going to drink it for more than a day or two before handing back and saying, "It's not juice, I don't like it,"... just like Emery...
I digress....
A few tummy pokes and a long, unsuccessful attempt to catch a glimpse of Emery's tounge... he had nothing.  Had we been camping?  Yes, but a week before it started.  Decreased energy?  No way.  Decreased appetite?  Judging by the picture of her crazy spaghetti face from last night?  Probably not.
So, I walked away with order to go to "the lab" and pick up a specimen bottle.  Yup, that's right.  A stool sample was in my future.  OR so I thought.

SEVEN samples were in my future.  Seriously?  This is crappy.  Very crappy, times seven.  How convienent that Jason leaves for a work trip tomorrow.
Awesome.
Hopefully we get some answers, then a solution with all this mess.

Pasta and Popscicle Dinner Greetings from Miss Emery

And this was after the initial face wipe down....

Finally enjoying our community

I grew up in Long Beach... Jason and I have lived here for 3 1/2 years... and we wait until 2 months before we move out of state to finally enjoy the great summer ammenities of our community.
We have fallen in love with Thursday night Concerts in the Park.  While they are officially through the City of Lakewood, they don't ask to see a utility bill to enjoy the evening (luckily).  We've been two weeks in a row now and Emery has loved it.  It is free, the evenings are lovely, and our girl sleeps like a rock afterwards.  Bring a pinic dinner (or send Nana to pick up subway) and you're golden.
Last night, Nana, Papa, Auntie Jenny, Bubbs, Madison and Nana joined Emery and I for this wonderful evening.  Jason was traveling and missed out on the party.
Here are a shot of my favorite kids having fun!

I can't say enough great things about these fun family activities!  I just hope that Denver has something similar, because we really love it!

My name is Crystal and yes, I've broken the cardinal rule of blogging DIY projects...

Yes, I realize that I never shared the finished product of my adorable DIY necklace holder for the my bedroom.  Yes, I realize that the whole point of sharing my crafting adventure online is to show how it actually turned out.  Yes, I finally have proof that I am not 100% craft challenged.

Yes, I apologize for the terrible quality of my cell phone picture... But, you get the idea.  I really do love it.  It is so easy and a great reminder to add something fun to every outfit.  These are a few of my favorite bold necklaces... which I usually end up wearing with one of my subtle chain necklaces that Jason has give me over the years (Tiffany's Infinity Hearts, S&D Love necklace, Tiffany Chou Shell...).  I have a husband that lives by the motto of "When in doubt, buy an "everyday" necklace..." haha, but it's true, and I love him for it.

xoxo,
Crystal

Proof of our 4th of July camping adventure is coming soon.  I only wish I had gotten a photo of the GIANT sign on the bathroom that featured a giant picture of a rattle snake that stated, "Rattlesnakes share this area, please be careful!"  Really?  They are sharing my crappy bathroom that is a glorified porta-potty...really?  Either way, it prompted me to RUN to and from the bathroom, ban emery from using it, and potty faster than anyone ever before... oh, and use my shoe to open the toilet seat.. everytime.  Have I mentioned I hate snakes?

A lesson in Modge Podge

Well, I got a hard earned lesson in modge podge last night. Wow is that stuff sticky and fickle! I'd never used it before, but next time we battle, I think I'll be more prepared. And, I love my piece even more because it seems to have some hard earned battle wounds.

Here's my process....

I got this adorable little wood piece from Michael's that seems to be just the right size for the 2 hooks I got at target... I painted the edges white because I knew I wouldn't be placing papere there and I didn't want to have just wood showing.. and I think it will help the green gingham pop a little more.

(I realize this image looks a little funny, blame my phone)

Next I modge podged the paper on... well, I didn't realize right away that I needed to place a layer of glue/modge podge under the paper to help it stick, so half way through doing the top, I lifted the paper and put some on the wood. I think this is why it got a bit lumpy. Oh well, battle wound right.

It has now dried overnight and I'm ready to put these adorable white hooks in.

Should I be trusted with a drill? We'll see. Final project photos may have to wait until husband comes home tomorrow...

But, one fun fact... I've decided that I'm going to invest in that velcro wall stick stuff to hang photos in our next home. We have a million "ooops" holes now, or where I've changed my mine. I've already got one roll that I plan to use to hang this beautiful finished project.

I love this green gingham. I think it if fun, summery, bright... fabulous. We hope to incorporate a beautiful teal, yellow, and bright green into our new bedroom.  I have a feeling that I'm going to need a lot more bright colors in our house to get through the dreary winter summers in denver...

however, turns out I'll be hating summers and winters there... supposed to be 97 today in denver...awesome.  so long beautiful california mid-70s weather...

what fun summer items are you all creating?  please share!

xoxo

Adventures in Craftland

Lately, I've been a frequent visitor at my local Michael's Store. We are just over 2 months from our move and I keep thinking of fun things I want to do and make in our new home. We arent' actually buying a home for a few months, but still. I've been so inspired by my recent blog adventures that I truly can not help myself.
So, today, I decided to tackle a long standing problem of mine... jewelry.
I have several pieces of adorable jewelry that I wear almost daily. These are not the very special chain necklaces that I've collected over the years... the first piece of tiffany's jason gave me for my 19th bday, my love necklace from stella and dot, or my other S&D necklace with both a mom and "e" charm for my girl... These are the larger, more colorful statement pieces that I wear in rotation, seriously, almost daily. Many of them are 31 bits, some are Stella and Dot, all are amazing. However, some of them don't get out as often as they deserve because they get lost in my giant jewelry box. I mean giant when I say that... It's a stand up one, with doors AND legs. I love it, but it's huge and overwhelming. Currently, several reside in canvas bags (yes, toms shoes bags) in my catch all make up, lotion, etc basket on the dresser. But, they need a place to call home.

So... I've decided to tackle my first real crafty project. I'm going to make something adorable to hang on the wall that they, my prized jewelry pieces, can hang on!

Off to Michaels I went to get some treasures. I got a wooden board, white paint, modge podge, adorable crafting paper in a bright green gingam and sponge brushes. I just need to pick up some hooks and I'll be ready to go.

Wish me luck. I promise to share the results tomorrow, good, or bad.