Keeping Calm & Carrying On

Introduction Q&A

Over at Bella Blvd's Studio Blog we are wrapping up a couple weeks of new Design Team member introductions. Laura and I are topping it off with our introductions today that include some fun & a bit random Question&Answers from the new DT ladies themselves. Last week I asked them what they'd like to know about me, about Bella, anything goes and that I'd select a few questions from the pool to respond to. Some of the questions were fun to read including things like

What's in your purse right now? and What color do you most often paint your nails?

Then, of course there were more serious questions about my life, my hobbies & my company.

I'm also sharing 2 new layouts I've created, revealing my style, who I am and some of the things (and animals) that I love. These are just a couple peeks, visit Bella for the full layout reveals.

 Be sure to stop by and check it out! Happy Friday! Hope you have a great weekend!

Art History Buff

Happy Monday everyone! It's been a while since I've shared something in my "Did you Know this about Me Monday?" feature. Naturally you wouldn't be surprised that I love art, graphic arts, photography and inspiration that nests from the world of art & design. But, did you know that I have a love for art history? It's kind of ironic because during college art history lectures weren't really my favorite at all because it required a ton of memorizing. But...it all changed after studying abroad in 2005 in Italy, Florence to be exact, where one could argue is te root of years and years of art history! After exploring, studying and seeing art history I had memorized come to life I fell in love. I've kept all my college books and really love the stories behind the history of art. A wise professor once told me, "to understand graphic design, pop culture and art today....you must study and appreciate where it has been and how it has evolved."

Habit & Routine

It's been a few weeks since I've shared a random fact about myself, so here we go.

I am a creature of habit.

Truth is: I have a morning routine every.single.day, ok well just about. I snooze for way too much times (5-8 snooze repeats at 9-minutes each) when my alarm goes off in the morning and then head right for the tv to watch/listen the Today Show as I get dressed for my morning workout.

I love the Today Show.

The stories are always great. The guests and regular features are awesome. I feel like I get all the world news in just a few minutes, see great concerts on Fridays, listen to The Professions debate about hot topics and learn tips, new recipes and more! Plus I'm a sucker for Matt Lauer. After meeting him a few years back in New York I fell in love with his small stature and kindness. Just call me a groupie.

The other sad truth is that sometimes (more often than not), I choose to run on the treadmill instead of kick-box with Jillian Michaels or do the Last Chance Workout with The Biggest Loser (DVDs) because it's "easier" to watch the Today show while on the treadmill. The time flies by. Sad, I know....but it's true.

I don't think Good Morning America compares. Do you have a preference? A morning routine? A favorite news/show in the am?

Monday's Random Fact About Me

I wish so badly that I was a gardener. I wish I loved all the outdoorsy work associated with beautiful gardens, flowers and gorgeous green grass. But the truth is, while I definitely appreciate it all, 

I am NOT the Gardener Type.

I honestly don't know why, because if genetics had anything to do with it, I would be a gardening machine like my Nana and Nano (Grandparents). They have even won the City of Wauwatosa's Beautification Award presented by the city's Mayor for their spectacular landscaping and yard.

Well, Steven and I have been hoping to do something with this deshevled looking flower bed in front of the  house....

(haha-don't mind all the yellow "flowers" in the front yard...that's another post for a different day---remember I said I'm not a gardener!)

So, anyways, back to the point: Nana, Nano and I went to Home Depot a few weeks back and bought some bushes to plant and some other things too. The Saturday before Easter we spent the day together hoeing, digging, de-weeding, planting and watering!

There they are...in they're element. It was wonderful to spend the day outside with them, and learn from them---after all, how the heck else would I know how far to dig the whole to plant, to pull of the rocks out of the soil, and how to pull the roots apart at the bottoms of the bushes ;)

Even though I'm not in any of these photos, I did work right alongside them ;) I just had to step back every once in a while to grab a photo. This is no joke. Hard work. Physical Labor. We laid those nice stones for the hose.

Nana and Nano always recommend keeping the tags on the bushes for a while to make sure they don't die within the first three months while they are still guaranteed....even though I can honestly never imagine myself digging up a dead bush and returning it to the store ;)

So...one day of pretending I am a gardener wasn't so bad. And spending time with these two is priceless, that's for sure. The front flowerbed looks beautiful and I've been watering everyday (Nana says for the first 10 days at least to water). Now, we are by no means finished with the yard because the project-list goes on and on. 

But...one at a time...we will get these projects tackled.

Such a great Spring day making wonderful memories with Nana & Nano.

Sock Monkey Mommy's Day: Part 1

That I love to host parties and get-togethers?

Recently my girlfriend, Allyson, found out she was pregnant with her fourth baby girl! Can you believe it, four girls! Wow! I am so happy for her and know she probably doesn't need anything, especially a baby shower....so instead I threw her a "Mommy's Day."

Allyson's baby has been named Alayna and Allyson has been brainstorming and creating a beautiful baby's bedroom for her with a sock-monkey theme....so what better way to celebrate that with a Sock Monkey themed Momm'ys Day! Here's the invitations I created and mailed out:

Today is Part 1 of the Sock Monkey Mommy day where I'll reveal the decorations and games we played. Let's start here at the front door!

I've been collecting sock monkeys from here, there and everywhere for the past three months knowing I was going to throw the party. I found this super cute idea on Pinterest to wrap styrofoam wreaths with yarn. It was time-consuming but not strenuous to do at all while catching up on Days of our Lives and the NCAA tournament.

There's the mommy, Allyson ;) Dresses perfectly in matching colors ;)

I created three different wreaths, in three different sizes and the colors that match Alayna's nursery. Post-party all the decor and props were gifted to Allyson.

I had so much fun with the yarn that I made paper mache wrapped yarn letters too spelling

A-L-A-Y-N-A, but I don't seem to have taken any photos of them....crazy!

When guests arrived they were greeted by "Mommy Maxine" and her sock monkey babies. The invitations asked everyone bring some funky socks for Allyson, because she's a funky sock collector! She went home with this big basket of cute and adorable socks from everyone.

As my usual parties, it's nice to help out the "guest of honor" by having everyone self-address an envelope for the thank-yous she'll have to send later....

I found that super fun springy monkey pen at Pier 1: great little detail, huh?!

The house was decorated with sock monkey babies.

Because shower games aren't always the most fun, I just limited it to one game with two different rounds. We played Scattegories based on the popular family game, using the letter "A" (Alayna) in round one, and the little "M" (Meinholz-last name) for round 2.

Most everyone participated and two monkey-themed prizes were given out to the winners with the most points (Monkey/Banana salt & pepper shaker from Pier 1, and a Monkey patterned photo album that I snagged at Target!)

I designed fun little game papers, printed them out and even the Mommy-to-be got to play too!

Allyson opened several sock-monkey themed gifts from onesies to hats and this beautiful handmade quilt by her Alayna's Nana. I definitely learned a lot at this party---it makes sense to have a theme. It gives family, friends and guests inspiration for gifts....and Allyson received some awesome sock-monkey themed gifts!

This ends Part 1 of the party. I hope you'll stop back on Friday (May 4th) to see part 2 which includes several pictures from the dessert buffet and friends/group shots!

Here's a sneak peek of the dessert buffet that I'll reveal on Friday...

See you soon!

Today's Random Fact About Me

That I am a horrible speller?

It's scarily one of my "things" that everyone knows about me---that there's is almost always a typo or error in a blog post, a handwritten letter, on my scrapbook pages, or whatever....in just about everything. That's why is always very scary when I design papers like these....

(Bookin' on the Beach from my All Inclusive Collection).

(R.S.V.P. from my Socialite Collection).

(From my Family Dynamix Collection).

These papers are all hand-typed. Every. last. word. So they are checked over and over again both technically and by eyes in the Bella Blvd studios! ha!

Update: I thought you Might want to Know...

I've got to keep you on your feet! And, as a creative person, change is good. It rejuvenates my mind and soul & gets me excited! It's definitely a creative thing.

Lately, I've been super inspired finding new blogs & creative ideas. I thought to myself, 

"self, it's time to refresh the blog with some new features."

Blogs are personal, right? No matter how you spin it I am me--and "ME" is Personal. Sentimental. Emotional. That's why I want to make this blog "more me". Does that make any sense or am I rambling?? I'm not saying I'm going to be crying telling you my entire life story & daily dramas, but I do want to share more about who I am, my life and interests (including scrapbooking of course, but not limited to.) 

With all that said I've come up with some new features you'll start to see around here on a regular basis:

I'll explain a little bit more about each feature as they come up...and every single week won't be the same....but if there is wedding stuff....it will appear on a wednesday. These features are also now in the "categories cloud" on the sidebar if you ever want to search for posts tagged specifically. 

As usual I'll be including random DIY's, Single & double page scrapbooking layouts, health & fitness updates and more! If there's every anything you'd like to see around here, be sure to email me or leave suggestions below by entering a comment.

Welcome to a breath of fresh air around here ;)

And last but not least, it's time to announce the randomly chosen winner from Thursdays Sophisticates Chipboard Giveaway!

Congratulations to Sandi Pressley who wrote, "

Love the fun quilt feel this layout has. I love Bella Blvd. and appreciate the chance to win some goodies."

Be sure to email me with your mailing address and I'll ship you the goodies right away!