Dream Year 2013: February Re-Cap

Posted in Dream Year 2013 by widdershins22

Did this month fly by or what? It was a very busy month, full of traveling and celebrations. Let’s check out how things went:

Shawn and I had our trip to Whiskey, plus there were some fun Date Nights, both with other friends and by ourselves. In addition, I had a nice mini-break from things at home when I went to my nephew’s hockey tournament. All of this helped me not get into the winter doldrums I often feel this time of year.
Creativity wise things are still chugging away. I think that I’ve found a good routine where I work on projects during Joseph’s morning nap. It gives me a mental break and energizes me for the rest of the afternoon. I’ve been working on a couple of quilts plus some smaller projects for Joe’s upcoming birthday party.
I had my birthday this month -38 what!? – and with that comes a little more reflection and introspection. I feel like I’m in a good place right now, but still battle against the SAHM guilt/anxiety at times.
Physically, I sucked this month. I fell off the wagon with going to yoga class with all of that traveling going on and I feel it. I have still been trying to practice at home, but Joe makes it a bit difficult. Eating wise, I feel like we’ve done pretty well – barring a small Culver’s binge during my stint as a “Hockey Aunt.” I also STILL haven’t gone to get my running shoes. . . . I suck. I’ve been really wanting to get back on my Couch to 5K program lately, so I need to focus on this and make it a priority this month, no excuses.

21Feb2013

Birthday Boy

Posted in General Life by widdershins22

Happy 6th Birthday, Walter. My sweet boy, I can’t believe that’s its been so long. You were such a tiny pup when we brought you home. Now I see gray on that snout of yours. Ever serious and sweet, you’ve been a constant companion. I’m so proud of how you’ve accepted your “little brother” and love him so. You’re beyond patient with his bulldozer ways, although I’m sure his food-sharing had made things more bearable. I love you, my fuzzy guy. Happy birthday, boy.

20Feb2013

February’s Birchbox

Posted in Fashion by widdershins22

This month’s theme is inspired by the season’s awards shows and being red carpet ready. While, I won’t be walking the line anytime soon, I will be celebrating my birthday shortly, so I’m hoping these products can get me ready for my tiny spotlight.

Color Club Fiesta Collection – I’ve received this nail polish in past boxes and I’m happy to say that this one is just as great. I love how this brand won’t bubble or peel off and its also free of formaldehyde and other chemical nasties, so I don’t have to worry about it around the little guy. This time I received Mamba – a great red color that isn’t too much for daytime but will still dress up nicely for a night out.
Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle – This leave-in hair mist conditions, protects from UV damage, as well as detangles like a pro. Something I really need with all this dry winter air. It really smoothed and moisturized my hair while still allowing it to curl. A bonus was that it helped to de-frizz a bit as well. It reminded me a bit of Johnson & Johnson’s No More Tangles, but for grown ups!
Juicy Couture Couture La La – The latest scent from Juicy and I swear they all smell the same to me: Fruity & Floral. Totally not my bag. Please, Birchbox, no more from this brand!
WEI Pomegranate Buffing Beads – An interesting take on a scrub, this product comes as a dry scrub that you mix with your regular cleanser. Made of finely ground pomegranate peel, micro beads, and other natural ingredients, I like how you can use your normal cleanser as well as how easy it would be to travel – one less tube to get through TSA. It was a bit like doing a science experiment, and I did have a near-catastrophe of spilling the powder when opening the packet, but that’s just my klutziness coming into play.
WEI Golden Root Purifying Mud Mask – I’m normally not a fan of mud masks, I feel like they dry out my skin too much and leave my skin feeling tight and itchy. This one, however, was much more mild. It made my skin feel smooth and firm, but not parched. Made of soft China clay and infused with golden root, it was very smooth and silky to apply.
Bonus Freebie: Ghirardelli Milk & Caramel SQUARES – Dreamy milk chocolate and silky caramel from the geniuses at Ghiradelli? SOLD!

Anyone interested in signing up for a Birchbox? Please click here so I get points for the referral. Thanks a bunch!

BTW: This month I’ve joined the Birchbloggers link party, please check out other blogger’s reviews for this month at The Nerdy Katie and Fabulous But Evil.

**Product Photo via Birchbox**

16Feb2013

Water Slides & Hockey Sticks

Posted in General Life by widdershins22

Happy 11th birthday to my amazing nephew Luke! He’ll be living an eleven year old’s dream by celebrating it while attending a squirts hockey tourney and spending it at a indoor water park.

I’m excited to say that I’ll be joining him for his birthday extravaganza. Shawn has been ~~brave~~ awesome enough to watch Joseph this weekend so I could join him and my sister. Lets hope for a birthday win!

14Feb2013

Outfitted: Valentines Family Style

Posted in Fashion by widdershins22

Team Colley doesn’t really get too fancy for St. Valentine’s Day. Shawn and I have always had the tradition of getting takeout sushi and I’ll make cupcakes or cookies for dessert so we can spend the evening relaxing at home. No need to get gussied up or make reservations, it’s a jeans and a tee on the couch kind of thing. This year won’t be any different, except that I’ll have a little helper in the kitchen to make some “love cakes” this year. Wishing you and yours a Happy St. Valentine’s Day.

13Feb2013

Joseph: 11 Months

Posted in Oh Baby by widdershins22

One month shy of a year! Where has the time gone?

I am a ball of energy and movement. Constantly on the go and crawling/cruising wherever I can. I am not quite walking on my own yet, but I am standing on my own for a few moments at a time. I’m sure I’ll be walking, or running, everywhere very soon.

My love affair with the vacuum continues and I am more obsessed with books than ever. I also love to play with my trucks and of course wrestle with Walter. I also love to cook with mommy and open all of the cabinets in the kitchen.

My favorite foods right now are pasta and daddy’s blueberry pancakes. I also like to try whatever mommy and daddy are eating and having them feed me with their fork.

I have had a growth spurt and can now reach the doorknobs, although I haven’t quite figured out how to work them yet. Mommy seems pretty happy about this. I also got my first hair cut this month! I look more like the big boy that I am without all that hair.

One more month until the big day!

12Feb2013

Recent Nap Time Projects

Posted in She's Crafty by widdershins22

I’d thought that I’d share some of my recent small sewing projects that I’ve done lately. This first one came about while I was playing around with some scraps in my fabric bin one day and decided to make myself a little “mug rug” for in my studio. I’ve seen a million of these made on other blogs before, so I just improvised with what I had on hand after deciding the approximate size I wanted it to be. Finished, it ended up being about 9″x13″, just the right size for a cup of coffee or small snack plate. It came together super fast, I completed it during one of Joseph’s naps!

I hate to admit it, but I really needed one of these. I am a bit ~~clumsy~~ ~~sloppy~~ unaware sometimes and will knock over my drink while working at my desk, or I’ll put it on a shelf, only to forget about it completely. This gives me a designated spot, keeps things tidy, has held up to several washings, and it bring a little more color into my space. Perfect.

Here’s another little project I whipped up one day during nap time. I made some blocks out of some pink scraps I had laying around and then used them to make some half-square triangles (HSTs) along with some left over white fabric I had on hand. I then figured out the pattern and stitched it up. The finished size is approximately 14″x19″ I’ll be hanging it on the wall in my studio for right now, but I might eventually make it into a throw pillow.

***forgive the atrocious photos. February in Ohio is as gloomy as they come, so the light was terrible. . . . not to mention I was too lazy to press things beforehand.***

11Feb2013

Joseph’s First Haircut

Posted in Oh Baby by widdershins22

Someone finally got a haircut. He’s been needing one for weeks now, but it took me a while to convince Shawn to do it. (He has a touch of hair envy.) So Saturday we went to Cookie Cutters and braved the scissors. I have to say that I was quite the proud momma, he did so well and didn’t shed one tear. He even hugged his barber, MerriLynn. She was so sweet and talented (I couldn’t imagine trying to do her job) I almost hugged her myself. Now Joseph looks less like a sheep dog and more like my little guy.

Checking it all out.

A little more off the top, please.

Hugs for MerriLynn.

I can’t believe he say still for the clippers.

Checking out the new ‘do.

7Feb2013

Undocumented Gifts

Posted in She's Crafty by widdershins22

I was sitting here thinking, wouldn’t it be nice to show off some recent projects that I made? Then I realized that I didn’t photograph ANY of them. Ugh. Normally, I am fairly good about getting a shot or two of a finished project before giving it to the recipient. Recently, however, I have failed miserably.

I overlooked several projects at Christmas: a knitted hat for my nephew, two pairs of socks for my mom, and a made a quilt for my younger sister Ashley, none of them photographed. I partially redeemed myself by getting a quick shot of Mikey’s and Roz’s quilts.

I just gave our friends a hand-knit receiving blanket as well as some bibs and burp clothes that I made and, once again, I didn’t take one finished photo. Blarg! I was really happy with how they turned out, too.

I vow to be better about documenting my projects more and sharing them with you. I actually have a couple of small things that I’ve done recently that I haven’t shared yet, so I am going to find the time to get some decent shots of them and put them up here. Now, if I could only find my camera charger. . . .

4Feb2013

Whiskey & Home Again

Posted in General Life by widdershins22

We had a great time in Madison over the weekend. Even though it was bitterly cold, we enjoyed visiting with friends, hitting some of our favorite restaurants and bars, and ~~snooping around~~ driving past our old house. We also stopped at my beloved Brennan’s and dropped $40 on some amazing cheeses to bring home. (I would have brought home some Spotted Cow but we didn’t have enough room in our luggage.)

I have to say that I found myself missing living there a bit more than I thought I would. Don’t get me wrong, I love Columbus and I’m glad to be back, but Madison is such a lovely city and it will always hold a special place in my heart. I know that we’ll be back to visit again. Hopefully, next time it will be above freezing!