Top 2 Tuesday

Ahh... Hello, Tuesday!

I can't believe Christmas is around the corner, I really need to get my Christmas cards in the mail,

and my Mom and Brother's gifts shipped.

Now on to the fun and games

go visit

The Undomestic Momma

and play along

Top 2 Favorite Games

1. Scattergories - I have played this game so many times, it's almost become 'easy' for me.

2. Catch Phrase - This is a fun take-a-long game, and fun to be played in a big group.

I apparently like games that have to do with words

Happy Day Everyone, Enjoy It!

Thanks for stopping by...

Peace and Love

XOXO,

Renae

Family Christmas Picture

Happy Thursday... it's been a fast week for me, I guess because I was off work on Tuesday. I do wish I was able to stay home all week! It's been cold freezing here in Chicago... BRRRR! My HUGE collections of warm cozy scarves have made their seasonable appearance, YAY!

Tuesday, like I mentioned, we took Booges for his 6 month pictures and also family Christmas pictures.

I would like to share a few of my favorites with all of you...

We had so much fun!

I hope everyone has a wonderful day.

Thanks for stopping by...

Peace and Love

XOXO,

Renae 

Top 2 Tuesday

It's Tuesday... and I'm off work today, YAY! We are taking Booges for his Christmas/6 month pictures this afternoon. It felt good to be able to sleep in a little and lounge around the house

(The Man decided not to go to school, so we're all home together)

Now on to Top 2 Tuesday

link up with Taylor and join the fun!!

Top 2 Favorite Christmas Ornaments

 

What a fun and hard topic...

I have a HUGE collection of Christmas ornaments and love them all, but here are my most recent favorites

 

1. So this time last year I was pregnant with Booges, and I didn't know what I was going to have at the time. I love the idea of 'picking' a new ornament every year, and even though he wasn't here born yet, I wanted to get something, and this is what I ended up with

 

Mr. Humpty Dumpty is happily hanging from our tree.

This is his ornament this year

2. Ok, this next one is kinda funny... keeping up with the new Christmas ornament idea, last year The Man and I celebrated our first Christmas together

(I know, our first Christmas and pregnant... we didn't wait at all)

I wanted to pick something up for us... I was at the store alone, but wanted him to 'help' pick it out.

So as I stood in front of the wall of ornaments, he sent me on a little scavenger hunt. He told me to look at the one right in front of me and move 2 to the left, one up, 3 to the right... and so one (you get the idea).

Well when he was done... this is what we ended up with

We don't have our ornament this year... we are going to look for one later today.

I don't think I want to play the same game (however it was fun) I don't want to end up with a dump truck or something else crazy.

Thanks for stopping by...

Peace and Love

XOXO,

Renae

 

 

Oliver's first christmas card

Picture Joy Christmas

Get custom photo Christmas cards online at Shutterfly.com.

View the entire collection of cards.

Weekly Love

Happy Thanksgiving Eve Wednesday!

It's time for Weekly Love over at Chicago Cuisine Critique's blog... link up and join the fun!

What I'm Loving this week...

1. I'm LOVING my Booges this week (I love him everyday)

He is getting so big and learning new things everyday. He's trying to crawl and it fun to watch him...

He's so into Mama right now, and I'm cherishing every moment of it.

He has the cutest little dimple

and biggest brown eyes

2. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving... YAY!... my favorite holiday. I love spending time with family and friends, giving thanks and being thankful.

so my dinner isn't going to be big and elaborate... but will be nice (sweet and simple). I'm planning a small dinner for The Man and myself (Booges will feast on baby oatmeal and baby food... sweet potatoes and green beans). Spending the day with my 2 guys makes me HAPPY. We don't get a lot of family time together and I LOVING the idea of a whole day together.

3. I'm LOVING Trader Joe's!! It's been a frequent stop of mine for years (really several times a week). It's on my way home. This year my whole Thanksgiving dinner is from Trader Joe's, and I only spent about $45 (better then the $90 I spent last year). 

Our meal...

turkey breast stuffed with cranberry apple stuffing

sausage cornbread stuffing

maple roasted sweet potatoes

green beans

cranberry sauce

rolls

pumpkin pie

double chocolate cake

a bottle of TJ's Sauvignon  Blanc to wash it down

Thanks for stopping by...

Peace and Love

XOXO,

Renae

Top 2 Tuesday

It's Tuesday... YAY! Thanksgiving is almost here, and I can't wait!! Head over to Taylor's blog and join in for Top 2 Tuesday... today's topic is...

Top 2 Things on Your Christmas Wish List

Ok, so this one is honestly a little hard for me... I'm not one to make a huge Christmas list for myself. But I'm not gonna lie... there are things out there that I would LOVE to have.

1. I saw the Red by Marc Ecko handbag and just fell in love with it... it's simple, and so me

It's just the perfect size for all my stuff, and still large enough to be a 'mom purse'

 (I tend to collect all of Booges stuff in my purse when I don't feel like carrying lugging around a diaper bag)

2. A new watch... I really REALLY like this Fossil one

I love the mother of pearl look with the crystals... again, simple but pretty

Thanks for stopping by...

Peace and Love

XOXO,

Renae

So Thankful... Today is a good day!

For those of you who read my blog... you are aware that I haven't had a car for a few weeks. Well.. guess what?!?!!! The Man got it running last night, YAY! We were told by several people that the engine seized and I would either have to fix it or get a new car.. either of which I really wanted to do.
It ended up being a belt that needed to replace, because it wasing moving, nothing worked. I'm so happy that he didn't give up and kept trying different things... I have my car again.
Thank you to the CTA buses, subways and metra trains for getting me back and forth, but I will no longer need your services.
I woke up this morning and thanked God for the many blessings in my life (as I do everyday). I was getting a little stressed out about it all, and today I felt the heavy load lifted.

A huge THANK YOU to The Man... You're The Best!

Thank you for stopping by...

Peace and Love

XOXO,

Renae

more bracelets... and an inspiration

Happy Sunday!!

I spent some time yesterday making these...

I love the sun toggle on this one, and I LOVE these light carnelian stones.

I can see this bracelet being worn with so many different things.

So brown and pink may be so last season... but I still like the color combination.

I found these pink glass beads with the brown swirls and didn't know what to do with them.

Little rose quartz and brown tigers eye... Perfect!

I normally don't make double strand bracelets, but (I think) this one came out so pretty.

Purple crazy lace agate with tanzanite swarovski crystal. This one makes me HAPPY!

I think these little brown snowflake obsidian stones are so cute... it you really look at them, they do look like they have tiny snowflakes on them... I paired them with large sponge coral nuggets.

What do you think?

Then there is this beauty... my new inspiration...

I found this picture looking browsing online.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the different shapes, colors, and textures in this one.

This piece is so inspiring to me, and I am excited to draw from that inspiration and see what I can come up with.

Thanks for stopping by...

Peace and Love

XOXO,

Renae

Weekly Love

It's Wednesday which means it's time for Weekly Love over at
Chicago Cuisine Critique's blog...

go link up and join the fun!!

What I'm Loving this week...

1. I'm loving my Friend Vianca

This girl has been a wonderful friend this past week, with my car broken down she has been there...

driving me home from work. Thank you V! I LOVE you!

2. I'm loving my new scarf (from Target)

OK, so I got it for my birthday from my friend Tinik, a few weeks ago. But it finally cold enough for it, and I've worn it everyday this week. I LOVE the paisley pattern.

3. I'm loving baby orajel

Booges is teething, and Orajel has been a life saver. I LOVE the person who invented this mouth numbing agent and I LOVE you Orajel.

4. I'm loving my new petal pusher pin from The Pleated Poppy

I got this beauty in the mail this week... I LOVE the vintage look of it.

Lindsey makes the cutest things... got her out her shop and her blog here

Thanks for stopping by...

Peace and Love

XOXO,

Renae

50 free holiday cards... from Shutterfly

Hello to FREE!!

Shutterfly is offering 50 free holiday cards to blogger, like you!!

Go here and sign up. It's easy!

I was just thinking to myself the other day...

'Renae, what are you going to do for Christmas cards this year?'

I don't know if I'll be able to choose just one design

and so many more...

Go check it out and take advantage of this opportunity.

Thanks for stopping by...

Peace and Love
XOXO,
Renae

Top 2 Tuesday

Happy Tuesday!!

It's Top 2 Tuesday time over at Taylor's lovely blog!! 

Top 2 Favorite Jobs you've had

1. My newest job... a mama! I love being a mom.
It's the most rewarding job, EVER!
When I come home from a hard day at work (which I do love what I do and have been with my company for 9 years) and all I want to do is NOTHING I have this super cute little face looking at me with a BIG smile and I melt.

2. My second favorite job would be Starbucks back in High School

The hustle and bustle of morning 'rush hour' was never a bore... and I LOVED my fellow bristas.

Getting to know the regulars was always fun...

AND

really who can beat free coffee... all you wanted, all day long

not to mention the monthly free pound of coffee.

However, the coffee smelled that lingered in my hair for hours after my shift was over wasn't always the best

and I don't think I'll be able to drink another frappuccino

(good thing there not my favorite).

Thanks for stopping by...

Peace and Love

XOXO,

Renae

Wishing for the weekend... and Jewelry

Is it Friday yet??? Ok, I know it not good to wish for the weekend (when it's only Monday night) because it's like wishing your life away... But I just love the weekends. It's really the only time I get the spend my days with Booges and being creative.

Here are some pictures of some bracelets I made this past weekend...

Making jewelry is very relaxing to me... it's my stress relief...

What do you like to do to relieve stress?

Thanks for stopping by...

Peace and Love

XOXO,

Renae