Project Life : Week 21

Week 21 : May 21-27

Despite the busy week ahead, I was happy to have some alone time yesterday to complete another week. I love how all of these weeks are coming together! Summer is almost here (and it sure feels like it here in Michigan) and this week reflects that. Lots of outside photos, seasonal treats and birthday surprises to share.

Full spread : click any image below to enlarge

Left side :

I'm normally a Chunky Monkey girl, but this Ben & Jerry's flavor was yummy!!

One of my favorite photos from the week. Chillin' in the grass with my lil girl :

Right side :

The surprise is out of the bag and the kids know that Daddy's 'structure' is really a playset for them. Morgan thinks it is 'awesome + amazing' - just like her Daddy!

He is such a ham lately. Love him!

Thank you so much for looking! This week I'm linked up to The Mom Creative. Check out Jessica's post for more inspiration! And if I forgot something, just ask. :) If you are not familiar with Project Life, click here. All of my 2012 Project Life posts can be found here.

Products I used this week : click the photos for more info

InLinkz.com

my less list : no 16

I'm going to be doing a lot less of what's not necessary this week as most of the to-do's I have planned are going to focus around Morgan starting preschool in the fall and preparing for a big birthday party next weekend. As time permits, even if it's just 10-15 minutes here or there, these are a few things that I want to tackle this week. Lots of purging :

1. continue the iPhoto purge. Right now I'm in 2010 - when another photo explosion occured - Parker's birth year. Fail - back on the list for next week.
2. scrapbook room purge. Lots of rubber stamps (from my cardmaking days) and some embellishments (old + new) that just don't excite me anymore. I'm not particularly worried about how I'm going to get rid of / sell the stuff right now. Maybe in my shop, maybe at the next garage sale my local scrapbook store has. Right now I just want it out of my desk. Done and being stored in a box until I figure out how I'm going to sell/get rid of it all.
3. wash my makeup bag + brushes. I'm trying to be more conscious of taking care of this stuff so it lasts. Well, and putting makeup on with a dirty brush is just gross. :) Complete - all is fresh + clean!

It's going to be a little lot like Christmas here with both kids celebrating their birthdays in the next week or so. I anticipate a grand toy purge approaching soon. I'm seriously considering a garage sale this summer. I've never had one and know they are a ton of work. Is it worth it? Am I nuts?

Each week I write a short list, no more than 5 items long, of simple tasks that I want to complete during that week. Small things, not huge projects, that I can easily do in the span of 7 days. Things that will keep me focused + help me keep my eyes open to the big picture. You can read more about my One Little Word, less, why I chose it + how I'm documenting it in 2012 here. You can read all of my (now updated) less lists here.

5 favorites for Friday

 

Did you spy the sweet iPhone case in last week's Project Life? The artwork is from Kal Barteski (one of my most favorite ladies I know via the net) and made on an Uncommon iPhone case. It's awesome, right? Kal blogged about it here. With 8 options to choose from, it was hard to pick just one. It's beautifully made and will last a long long time. Well, until I save the money for another one.

Erica shared a delicious dinner she made last week - a simple veggie wrap. I switched up a few ingredients and made mine with a whole wheat tortilla, hummus, julienned red bell pepper and english cucumbers and shredded carrots. So delish and healthy and perfect for summer! It's my new favorite lunch.

I splurged on some Aveda Damage Remedy conditioner to take care of my freshly highlighted and newly dry hair. My curly hair already has a tendency to frizz without the color (and the heat and humidity) and this stuff is the bomb. My hair is actually curly again - and not a weird frizzy wave. I think that classic Aveda scent is my absolute fave smell too. Thank goodness, a little goes a long way.

I adore funky nail polish colors - especially on my toes. This afternoon I gave Morgan and I pedicures with Essie's Turquoise and Caicos. It's such a fun color!

I often change up the way I keep track of the stuff I want to get done. The Teux Deux website + app combined with some handwritten lists was my method of late. Last month I ordered this 5 Days a Week notepad from Knock Knock and I adore it. Lots of space to add a bunch of to-do's each day, plus plenty of sarcastic comments like typical Knock Knock products. So far, two thumbs up. I like being able to plan my day (and week) at a glance without getting on my phone or computer. Like I need another excuse.

Posting will be light next week. Between the long weekend, an ice cream social at Morgan's preschool and their quickly approaching birthday party, I have a lot to focus on at home. I'll be back on Sunday with my less list for the week, which will very likely include less computer time. To my fellow Americans, have an awesome Memorial weekend!

our summer manifesto

Last year I wrote a post about our summer plans and this week, as part of my less list, I've been revising that list to our 2012 plans. This morning, I was totally inspired by Ali's summer manifesto post and thought I would share the beginnings of mine:

• Plan fewer errands, including the post office and 'just because' trips to Target and the like.
• Camp in the tent in the backyard.
• Attend one of Mark's softball games.
• Consume large amounts of watermelon, corn on the cob, potato salad + popsicles.
• Go to the farmer's market + buy local produce (can we try to do this at least every other Saturday?)
• Go on bike rides - with and without the kids.
• Plan easy-to-make, simple ingredient dinners + give our new grill a workout.
• Make regular plans to visit with my mom + sister, since they'll both have the summer off.
• Eat lunch + dinner outside - as often as possible.
• Go to our library's storytime on Thursday mornings (love that it is outside in the summer).
• Visit our favorite parks - feed the ducks, play on the swings + get wet at the splash pad.
• Spend (the majority) of Parker's nap outside, instead of in front of the computer. Read books with Morgan in the grass.
• Go on a nature walk.
• Find and perfect a signature summer (adult?) beverage. 
• Explore our favorite zoos - Detroit + Toledo.
• Visit our local lakes + play at the beach. We loved doing this last year!
• Keep the cooler clean + the fridge and pantry well-stocked for spur-of-the-moment outings.

Other Events :

• Camping in Port Crescent (same park as last year)
• Visit the local fairs + festivals : Ann Arbor Art Fair, Founder's Festival, Ann Arbor Summer Festival are a few on the top of my head.
• Attend a couple of local parades : Memorial Day + Founder's Parade
• At the park : Marshmellow Fly + Fry and Splash Bash

And while I was typing up this list, I asked Morgan (who will be 4 in a couple weeks) what she'd like to do this summer. This was her response :

• go to a Fresh Beat Band concert
• make pictures
• go to the water park
• see a puppet show at the fair and go on the ferris wheel
• and my favorite : take a train ride home from the zoo like Polar Express

If you would like to read more summer manifestos, click over to Ali's blog where other people are sharing their plans. If you are here from Ali's blog, welcome! Thank you for reading. :)

Project Life : Week 20

Week 20 : May 14-20

This week : Parker was sick, the weather was beautiful (and hopefully here to stay) so we were outside a lot. Mark got to see his first project, solely designed by him, in person and it was awesome to see how geeked he was about it! His mom was here to help him begin to assemble a super special birthday gift for the kids. The funny thing is they have no idea that what Daddy is building is a playset for them. I've been teasing Morgan that it's a garage for Daddy's tractor/lawn mower and she totally bought it. Let's see how much longer it is until she figures it out! :)

Full spread (click any image to enlarge) :

 

Left side :

Lots of straight stitching (until the sewing machine freaked out) and other little bits this week. Loving the new October Afternoon 9 to 5 line (which is what the 'I was here' is from) :

Right side :

On most of the 3x4 slots I used my new hello stamp with the journaling cards that came in the core kit. I promise I'm done adding new stamps for a while. It's been fun and a little addictive. ;)

Pretty simple this week. Some most days I find myself still finding that balance/interest in keeping it simple and adding fun bits. Including printing photos, I've been averaging 2.5 - 3 hours to complete each weekly layout :

I did end up starting a new album with May, so it looks like I'll have 3 albums this year instead of 2. I'm working on my closing page for the first album and the opening page for album two. Will share that in the coming weeks.

Thank you so much for looking! This week I'm linked up to The Mom Creative. Check out Jessica's post for more inspiration! And if I forgot something, just ask. :)

If you are not familiar with Project Life, click here. All of my 2012 Project Life posts can be found here.

Products I used this week : click the photos for more info

InLinkz.com