Here's to a fabulous 2011!!

Goals I have set for myself this year:

1. Focus a little more on my "Thirty One Gifts" business. I started selling these bags early last year, but I haven't been able to devote as much time to them as I would have liked. This year I want to try and do that. They have an awesome special starting tomorrow. I will blog about it later.

2. Organize & Save!! I married a wonderful man in 2010, and we have a new year ahead of us. A new year to save "as a family". Being married, I can organize for more than just myself.....yay! For someone who loves organization, this will be very enjoyable for me. I asked the parents for 2 organizing shelfs at Christmas which will aide in my efforts.


3. Buy less shoes. PERIOD.

4. I've had an interest in trying to make vinyl stickers here recently. I either want to purchase a circuit expression or a silhouette sd. I haven't decided on which one I should go with. Any advice?? If the vinyl stickers work out well for me, I just might bring back my etsy shop back, still undecided.

5. Lose 20 pounds (again) Last year, I set a resolution for myself. I wanted to lose 50 pounds before my wedding in July. I met my goal, and after the wedding, I had a few too many chimichangas....(I say chimichangas because I had some for dinner tonight, hehe. My last one of 2010. I was successful with weight watchers last year, so I plan on doing WW again this year.


6.Take a little time everyday to appreciate my life and all the beautiful things that have contributed to it. (This past year I lost my grandfather "Daddy-Pa" and I will always remember my memories growing up visiting my grandparents on the lake) Left with me are wonderful memories that I carry with me everyday. Above is a photo I took from their backyard. Chances are I won't be there again, and the view pictured is one I saw every time I went to visit them. Along with that photo are many years of happiness I appreciate now more than I ever had in the past. Left with me are thoughts of taking more time to appreciate my life and everyone in it.

Happy New Years!

Our holiday card for 2010...

Merry Christmas from Scott, Sara, Matthew & Roxy! :)

Pinnacle Whipped Vodka, My new fav...

My sister brought this vodka down to my house this past weekend, and I am sooo glad she did. I only had a few sips of the drink she made, but it was definitely enough to make me realize that this would soon become a new fav liquor of mine. She had mixed it with pineapple juice, and it was very yummy. I think I am going to try and mix this vodka with cream soda and orange soda too. It basically adds a creamy taste to any drink you mix with it. I asked Scott to go by the ABC store this afternoon, so we could get a bottle. Yummm....Just wanted to share this find, but definitely glad my sister brought this to my attention, who knows how long it would have taken me to find this (ya know, haven't been out in a bit, hehe) Have a nice evening everyone!!

Fabulous Finds over the weekend...

My mom came to visit this weekend, so on Saturday, we decided to go to Bizarre Bazaar in Richmond, VA. It was soooo crowded, but it was very worth the effort.  Its basically a 4 building craft show. I am surprised I didn't spend more than I did. I went to a few booths that I absolutely loved, so I wanted to share my finds with everyone! :)

The first booth that caught my eye was called "Howards Tiles" They basically would put art on tiles, and turn them into dry erase boards.  I bought one that had the word "Groceries" across the top. I thought it would be cute to use in the kitchen.

Another favorite booth of mine was called "Temptations by Maggie"  They had a variety of different things, personalized glasses, plates, etc... I bought a plate and a matching cheese spreader. I have a cheese ball that I always make, and realized the other week, that I had nothing cute to serve it on, so tada, now I do!! :)

Some of the others booths I loved:

B invited

La Crema

Fortis Design (Where I found the cute polka dot duct tape)

I hope everyone has a nice week!

December Thirty One Gifts Special

This month if you spend $31 you get either the hard case wallet,  the mini on the go organizer, or the flat iron case for half off! :) Just remember to place you orders before December 7th if you need to have your order in before Christmas!!

Click here to go straight to my Thirty One page! :)

Our new corner hutch! :)

Last night Scott and I went to "Good Wood". They carry all sorts of wooden furniture, some finished, some unfinished. They had a special "Black Friday" deals going on, and we found this corner hutch, unfinished for 240 dollars! It was an awesome price. Scott spent the day staining it, while I was busy at my Open House selling my goodies. When I got home, I was soo happy with the way it turned out. We really needed a corner hutch in our dining room, and we were so happy to find it for only 240 dollars, ofcourse, the price went right back up today, being that "Black Friday" was over. Just wanted to share our "fabulous find" for the weekend!

Wonderful Open House Today!!!

Today, I participated in a Holiday Open House at my friend Mary Melber's house. I sold my wonderful Thirty One Gifts, I love so much!! :)  I also sold some goodies too! :) I made some buckeyes (these are basically homemade peanut butter cups, yummm) These always sell great during the holidays.

I also brought some cookies from a friend of mine's kitchen, Nanny's Sugar Cookies . She made some super cute cookies that matched the "Thirty One" purses I love sooo much! I was soooo happy with the way they turned out!!

She even gave me a few Holiday cookies, this one was my fav! I am going to be buying some more of these before Christmas gets here!! :)

I hope everyone has had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend! I have, can't believe it's already Sunday tomorrow! I will be spending most of the day putting up Christmas decorations, yay!

Thirty One GIFT IDEAS!

I was browsing online, and I came across a fellow consultant's page, and she had some awesome gift ideas that I had to share. She listed certain occasions, and how thirty one gifts had almost something for everything! http://mythirtyonelife.com/thirty-one-gift-ideas/

Baby Shower/New Mom
* Ultra Plush Baby Blanket (personalized)
* Ribbon Pacifier Holder
* Infant bib
* Cindy Tote (as a diaper bag)
* Thermal Container (to transport baby formula and food on car trips)
* Square and Large Utility totes (personalized to hold baby toys, bath products….)
* Littles Carry-All Caddy (to hold bows, lotions, baby medicine….)

Wedding/Bridal Shower
* Personalized Stationary
* Luggage Tag and Handle Identifier (great for the happy couples’ Honeymoon)
* Cindy Tote
* City Weekender Tote (Personalized with new Initials or Last name)
* Jewelry Roll with Pouches
* Pull Apart Cosmetic Bag
* Skirt Purse
* Picnic Thermal Tote & About Town blanket
* Hostess Apron
* Personalized Hand Towels
* Large Utility Totes (Great for organizing the couples new place)

Wedding Party
* Personalized Stationary
* Pull Apart Cosmetic Bag
* Jewelry Roll with Pouches
* Manicure Kit
* Mirror Compact
* Hard Case Wallet
* Cindy Tote
* Super Sassy Sac
* Demi Purse
Back To School
* Coin Purse (for lunch, laundry, phone calls…)
* Rubber Key Chain
* Mini Zipper Pouch
* Cinch Sac
* Zip Flap Messenger Bag & different styles of flaps
* Toddler Backpacks
* Cindy Tote (great for College Students to carry lap tops and books)
* Thermal Tote (personalized lunch bag)
* Organizing Utility Tote (Great for dorm organization and shower caddy)
* Large Utility Tote (great for books, laundry….)
* Wristlet Wallet
* Mini On-the-Go Organizer
* Pull Apart Cosmetic Bag

Teachers Gifts
* Rectangle Basket & Personalized Liner
* Organizing Utility Tote (great for crafts)
* Littels Carry-All Caddy
* Mini Organizer (great for organizing a desk or craft supplies)
* Thermal Tote (personalized)
* Super Sassy Sac
* Cindy Tote
* Silk Scarf
* Portfolio

House Warming Gift
* Magazine Basket (can be used for countless purposes)
* Rectangle Baskets and Liners
* Personalized Thermal Container and Rectangle Basket make a great gift!

Birthday/Christmas/Other Gift Giving Holidays
* Organizing Wallet
* Hard Case Wallet
* Nail File
* Flat Iron Case
* City Weekender Tote
* Super Sassy Sac
* Albany Bag
* Organizing Shoulder Bag
* Skirt Purse and different skirts
* City Skirt Purse and different skirts
* Medium purse
* Personalized Stationary
* Thermal Tote
* Picnic Thermal Tote and About Town Blanket
* Thermal Container & Rectangle Basket (great for keeping hot dishes hot and cold dishes cold)
* Rectangle Basket & Personalized Liner
* Hand Towels
* Hostess Apron
* Magazine Basket
* Manicure Kit
* Silk Scarf

Easter
* Thermal Tote (can be used as an Easter Basket and taken to school to carry lunches)

Christmas is coming up!! :) Affordable gift ideas that everyone seems to love!

Everyday things remind me....

Everyday I am reminded of the loved ones I have lost. I run across little things, and it makes me smile....and cry, depends if it's "that time of the month" LOL.... I just feel like sharing some of these reminders, because I want to, and because it makes me feel better, and being that this is my blog, I will do just that, hehe...

Shahanna and I went to breakfast this morning......she got gravy and biscuits.....Every time I would go visit my grandparents, they would ALWAYS make sausage gravy and biscuits, and it was the best.  We always looked forward to it. Even after my grandmother "Mommy-pa" passed, Daddy-pa would go out and buy "Libby's Sausage Gravy" He would tell me that he knows it's not the same, but since he couldn't make it like she did, he wanted to do the next closest thing he could..... Also, today at the grocery store, I saw a coconut cream pie, Daddy-pa's favorite....I brought him a homemade one a few Thanksgivings ago, wanted to try to remind him of Mommy-pa....Now he is with her, that makes me happy.

 "Love you more" .......just a phrase that reminds me of my grandma "Mom's Mom". We always said that to each other every single time I came by to visit her.  Also, popcorn, popcorn always reminds me of her, because she always made popcorn balls every Christmas....

My FAVORITE Christmas candy "Buckeyes" They remind me of my Aunt Ellen, that just passed of Cancer, and Mommy-pa who I lost 4 years back.  I will continue to make them every Christmas. They will always remind me of them, and it's a good memory I have to carry with me.

REDSKINS, anything Redskins always reminds me of my Uncle John, He barely ever missed a game, and when I was growing up, this was just something I always remembered about him.....

Every time I go to Scott's mom's house, there is one particular chair that Scott's father sat in EVERY morning, when I used to drop Roxy off before going to work. He enjoyed having Roxy there with him to keep him company, and it made us happy that she had company during the day.  Now, there is not a time I walk in their house, that I am not reminded of him there waiting for our arrival every morning....

Every time I make a strawberry daiquiri I think of one particular weekend down at Rollin's Fork with Shahanna's family, friends, and Nick Mason. Very interesting daiquiri, that's for sure. Oh, and we definitely learned, you just can't cover up certain alcohol....

When I first got to college, I was assigned to a dorm that was very nice and all, don't get me wrong, but it was an Academic dorm, where you needed to maintain a certain GPA to live there. Now myself, I was just assigned there because they needed to utilize rooms, I didn't have a certain GPA that got me in there, LOL.... Well anyways, so the party atmosphere wasn't so hopping around there, and being that I was a freshman, I really didn't know much of anyone.  I did know Ricky. He would come by my dorm, pick me up, and take me out so I could meet people. This ultimately led to me meeting the girls that I would soon call my ZTA sisters.

Just some memories I have that I wanted to share....everyone, loved ones, friends lost, brings some sort of memory to my life that I always will have with me. No matter how small or large the memory, it has all influenced me in one way or another. It makes me a better person.

My new car!!

I just got a new car...well I didn't just get it, but this is the first time I have blogged about it.

Just wanted to share a few pics so if you see me cruising around the George, I am not in the Mazda Protege anymore.... Still trying to think of some cute tag names...never had personalized tags, but kind of want some now.

My day at CulinAerie yesterday...

Every quarter, my company has quarterly awards they give out to the region. They turn this award ceremony into a "group event" by planning a different event/activity for the company to participate in. Yesterday, we went to a place called CulinAerie. This is a cooking school, where they teach you to make different meals, etc... It was a very neat experience for me. As most know, I don't like cooking, I am not the best at it. (Except sweet stuff, I love making candies/cakes/cookies) We all made a 3 course meal, and I am pretty impressed with the way our food turned out..... First we made a salad, it used oil, lemon, cheese, etc....... I didn't like this so much....but the rest of the meal was fantastic!

Then we made the main dish.....It was composed of Garlic, Tomatoes, Peppers, Onions, Chicken, seasonings, etc...on a bed of rice....It was very good....I cleaned my plate (I also took the day off from weight watchers, I know, I know)

The last thing we made was a chocolate souffle.   This was probably my favorite! There was also a sweet creamy sauce we used with it that made it even better....It was very  fluffy and cake light. I actually had never had a souffle before....

I think the end result was great, I had a great group that made the meal great....For some reason I think that if I were doing this on my own, it wouldn't have ended up as nice...hehe.... It was good for me to do this though, a neat place in DC I never went to, and not a far drive at all! :) Definitely would recommend this activity for any large group!

Talk to everyone soon, tomorrow is Friday, yay!

Another fabulous food find!

Only 1 weight watchers point (PET brand) Just wanted to share!! :) Hope everyone has a nice Tuesday!

Tuff Stuff.....ummmm, not really....

Okay.....so on Saturday, Scott and I stopped at Walmart, and when we were there we decided to pick Roxy up a new toy. We have to be careful when we get Roxy chew toys because she is very good at destroying them....so we look for "TUFF" toys. When we saw this duck toy, it looked like it was a good fit.....Boy, were we WRONG! We gave this toy to Roxy, and 10 minutes later, it was destroyed. Kind of funny, a waste of money, but funny....

Free Zipper Pouch!!! November Thirty One Gifts Special!!!

Free Zipper Pouch this month with any $31 purchase. I always love FREE!!! These Zipper Pouches are a lot larger than I first thought. I use these bags for Yard Sales, Thirty One Orders, and I even use these as a Laptop Case for my mini laptop! Click here to visit my page!

Lookie!!

Just wanted to share the card I made. I made it using a stamp I bought from Burnt Cookie on Etsy....Love her stamps!  I hope everyone has a nice day, halfway through the week!

Okay...this could be in poor taste to share, but I am doing it anyways!!!

Okay, so I ran across this, and I wanted to share, it made me smile....

Yes, this product is called POO-POURRI. Women wouldn't need this product of course, because as we all know, women don't have to, ya know, #2, but for anyone else....this product is mostly made to be used in an office environment from what I can tell. You take this product, and spray it right into the toilet, maybe 5/6 sprays....Then you will notice it miraculously will help everyone that may be entering into the bathroom thereafter. Funny....but true.

My Halloween Goodies...

Okay, so since I don't have any small children, I use Halloween, Easter, and other little holidays to make cute little goodies I can give out. This year I went and bought some clear baggies, some curling ribbon, and the candy of course. :) I am very happy with the way they turned out and am looking forward to giving them out on Halloween! :) I love making little things like these, so if you ever need help trying to come up with cute favor ideas for birthday parties, come to me and I can help, or I can just make them for you...I find that even though it can be a little time consuming, I seem to enjoy it! :) The favors are being modeled in one of my new purchases from Thirty One, of course! (I allow myself one, sometimes 2 purchases a month) This product is the "small magazine basket" but surprisingly, it was much larger than I thought it would be. Perfect for holding magazines, hence the name of the basket, wrapping paper, HALLOWEEN candy, etc... Anyways, hope everyone has a nice evening! Talk to ya soon!

Christmas will be here before you know it!

I just wanted to share another lovely product from one of my favorite Etsy Shops Say Your Piece , I am always finding something I want to buy, and I am pretty sure my next purchase will be coming up here soon. I am trying to remember when I started buying items from this shop, it's been a while, LOL.  I wanted to make a "Gore First Christmas" ornament.  Anyways, just wanted to share, this shop has plenty of items, good for any occasion really, so since Christmas is coming up, thought I would let everyone know what great gifts you can get from this site, go visit it!! :)

What business card design do you like the most?

I have been trying out different designs for a new Thirty One Gifts business card design...can't decide what one is my favorite, what do you all think I should go with??? Happy Friday by the way! (Had to blur out my phone number, to weed out the crazies, hehe)

Don't you just love this?

My mom saw this at a thrift shop, and bought it for me....she knows me well.  I love this! So cute, a high heel and a bottle opener, who could ask for a better bottle opener than that!! :) It's being modeled on my beautiful new mouse pad that I bought on ETSY ofcourse, where else?! Anyways, just had to share another fabulous find!! :)

Remember, Thirty One has a $5 Bag this month!!

Don't forget, the whole month of October, if you spend $31 you get an organizing utility tote for only $5!!!! They come in solid colors too!(Black & Brown)

Click here to go to my page....

I learned something I never knew....

Wanted to share part of the eulogy that my father wrote about my grandfather (Daddy-pa) This was something I never knew, and I am glad my father shared this with me... It really shows a lot about what kind of person my grandfather was...This past Saturday was his service...


"Dad fought in the Korean War.  While I was growing up I understood that he had ahead a tough time there and so never raised the subject.  But a couple of years ago, I decided it was time for me to know the truth of his involvement there.  I asked Dad what happened and found him surprisingly forthcoming.  I asked why he had never volunteered the information before and he replied that he didn’t know anyone was interested.  I assured him I was and what he shared with me was incredible.  Dad was a member of the US Army’s 2^nd Engineer Battalion of the 2^nd Infantry Division.  Dad fought in a particularly bloody engagement known as the battle of Kunu-Ri.  The 60^th anniversary issue of VFW magazine which came out this summer, ranked the 40 deadliest engagements of the Korean War.  The battle of Kunu-Ri was number 2.  What had happened was that 5 divisions of Red Chinese regulars had attacked the northernmost US Army position.  Dad’s unit found itself fighting a rear guard action against the incursion.  This meant that Dad’s unit became the front line of a struggle to delay the Chinese advance while the rest of the 2ID attempted to retreat. Dad’s unit was eventually overrun and he found himself miles behind enemy lines in brutal minus-20 degree weather, difficult terrain and amongst thousands of Chinese whose job was to kill him.  I have since read several books on this battle and still find it difficult to grasp the demands placed on Dad and the extraordinary endurance required from him to return safely."

I had wrote some things about my Daddy-pa in the last few weeks, it wasn't anything fancy, it simply stated the things I would miss about him. I debated whether I would talk at the service or not.  I have never been the best public speaker (Anyone remember me in my one and only beauty pageant?) If you did, it was probably because I made the biggest fool of myself and how do you forget something like that, haha. Well anyways, the day of the service I was still undecided. I had never spoke at a service, and I wasn't sure if I would be able to do it well, but at the last minute I decided I would. I simply shared the little things I would miss about my Daddy-pa, and I am glad I made myself get up there....it was a very difficult thing for me to do, to make myself get in front of a crowd of people, I have always really not liked public speaking, (speaking yes) but not to big crowds. I got up there, and I shared who my Daddy-pa was to me....and I have no doubt my Daddy-pa himself helped give me the courage I needed...

Fabulous Holiday Sweets

 

This holiday sweet is one of my favorites.  Made from chocolate and peanut butter, these candies are called Buckeyes. They are the best holiday treat, and I have started to make them every Christmas without fail. It was something my Mommy-pa Haga and my Great Aunt Ellen used to make every Christmas. Mommy-pa would give everyone their own bag every year. Due to recently losing Aunt Ellen & Daddypa, it just makes this memory ever so fresh in my mind….and it makes it that more important for me to make them…..so be on the lookout, chances are my freezer will be fully stocked with these….. Oh…..and I calculated the weight watchers points…..Each Buckeye is 3 to 4 points, YIKES, I know….but I have started to make the regular ones, and then mini ones for myself, so they are less points and WW friendly. You know I had to figure out a solution for this….can’t go without the buckeyes…..

“Come on Sara, pull yourself together” (self talk….it helps)

I have to say, these last few weeks, I have been pretty disappointed in myself. After the wedding, I kind of let loose on the weight watchers diet.  I had worked soooooo hard for the past year on it, met my goal, but now, I have tried to start the diet back at 3 different times, and each time I have managed to revert back mid week to my unhealthy eating habits, the calorie filled krispy kreme to the right, the ice cream bowl to the left…and I really need to stop it. Why can’t I get my motivation back?? How can I get it back? You know, every time I eat something bad for me, I feel so guilty now…never used to feel that way.  Now I think back to the quote “Eating skinny never tasted so good” and now I understand it a little better….once you get that goal you wanted, the accomplishment almost gives you that much more motivation not to revert back…..I just need a little bit more motivation that normal…..Maybe I need to start going to the WW Meetings I never went to, or maybe I should get back to my running….Man, I just need to get back into things…and now, like tomorrow.

And you know what else….The last time I saw my “Daddy-pa” before he passed he said that I had lost so much weight and he was really proud of me and what I had done for myself…..and that means more to me now than ever, that he noticed how hard I had tried, and what I had put into everything, and I am glad he got to see that before he left us….I am glad he was able to know what I had done for myself, that I was able to reach my goal and that I was able to get married to a wonderful guy that he “liked” more than the others (hehe).   That is almost a new motivation, to keep him that proud; he will just be looking down on me now, that’s all….

"May you see that happiness is found in what you have, not in striving for what you don't have."

I found these 3 books at Hallmark, they are between 10-15 dollars a piece. They all have different quotes and are written by the same author, Lance Wubbels. "Dance While You Can" has quotes about living life to your fullest, "If Only I Knew" shares quotes that really help someone that is going through a loss of someone they love...and "I Wish For You" shares quotes about following your heart. They are quick reads, and definitely worth buying in my opinion. These are the only 3 I have seen, so I don't think there are any others yet..... For someone who loves quotes like myself, these little books are perfect. They make you think about your life and others.....Anyways, just wanted to share.....

Thirty One Gifts Christmas Gift Guide!!!!

Thirty One Gifts has just come out with their Christmas Gift Guide for this holiday season.  The items are NOW available for purchase.  These bags make really nice Christmas gifts! For others and for yourself! My favorite items....The large utility tote and the zipper  pouch, I am going to have them in every color one of these days! Remember spend $31 and get the organizing utility tote for only $5. It's a awesome deal, Thirty One Gifts usually have pretty great specials, I like the $5.00 items and I also love when they offer free embroidery.

You can go to my site and order right from there if you see anything that you just HAVE to get! :) Click Here!

I will definitely be making this soon.....

Gina's Skinny Recipes: Pumpkin Spice No-Bake Cheesecake

Love this site, always has yummy healthy food finds....Just wanted to share! :)

Fabulous Find for October

 

This month I want to share some of my favorite cookies!!!! I love them. They look cute, and taste great!! Nanny's sugar cookies have some really cute Halloween themed cookies, they are great for parties, fundraisers, anything really. I have found myself buying these cookies, for others...and then eating them....and then buying more....try to find any occasion where I can buy some!!

Click here to go to her website, and she ships anywhere!! :)

Thirty One Gifts OCTOBER Special begins tomorrow!!!!

I can't wait to take advantage of this deal!! :) I got these bags for my bridesmaids before my wedding this past July.  I got them all personalized too!! My mom also has one of these also......It looks like I will be getting one this month as well!

You only have to spend 31 dollars, and this tote is only 5 bucks! :) I love the months were the bags are 5 bucks! :) I might actually get two for myself, haha..... Wait, I am supposed to be selling these, not buying them all....I do sell some bags to other people, really, I do....

October is a great month to start your Christmas shopping! :)

Here is my Thirty One site!! :)

So?! I needed a smile...

So I did two things.....

1. Had a nice glass of wine (again) before bedtime.....

2. Dressed Roxy up as a Hot Dog, not too sure if it's a good fit for her...we were just testing it out, that's all....

Anyways, it made me smile, I wanted to share.....