Free Holiday Facebook Covers from PDS

Do you ever get the "creation" bug? A need to just sit down and make something just for fun? I do. I recently made myself a new Facebook timeline cover and I had so many ideas that I ended up creating a handful to share.

I've posted them over at Priceless Design Studio along with simple instructions for downloading. There's a sneak peek below!

Hand-crafted Gifts

For Christmas this year I received several beautiful handcrafted gifts. I love perusing Etsy, and always prefer supporting small businesses - especially stay at home moms.

I got this purse from Katie Read's It's Elemental Fashion shop on Esty. It is really well made, with big pockets inside, and lots of padding on the strap and purse. Plus my 15" laptop fits in perfectly! The front is covered in ruffles of Amy Butler fabric. It is So Sweet.

Just as bright and cheerful, is this blanket that came from Aubree at Fabricadabra Designs. She had agreed to make me a blanket in exchange for a new blog design. I made myself wait until Christmas morning to open the package, and immediately fell in love with the cheery colors and the grey chevron. Thank you Aubree!  

My little sister made the whole family their own circle scarves. {I've heard them referred to as infinity scarves as well.} It was so sweet of her to handmake these. Mine has a deep shiny blue inside, and then a thick, textured knit on the outside. Thank you Jules! 

Last, but not least, remember the iPad cover I designed a few months ago? Well, Grove did an A-mazing job engraving the leather and creating a bamboo cover for my ipad. Thank you Grove!

Holiday Catch-up!

Graduation, friends, Christmas.. time is flying on our short trip back to the states. Some things I missed: Target, Starbucks, family. Some things I forgot I missed: nice toilet paper, laundry rooms, comfy couches. And some things I could live without: crowds, parking lots, and commercialism.

Most of the trip has been wonderful though. Graduation was the best, because I was able to meet the other teachers who I've been talking to everyday for over a year! I loved putting faces to names, and I'm so proud of us for finishing.

Graduation from APU
(still have 4 weeks of classes left though)

I missed my 10 year high school reunion this year, but a few of my old friends were in town for the holidays so we had a mini reunion of our own. We haven't all been together since back in college. Not much has changed!

For the last few years, Christmas trees at my mom's house have been a little unconventional. This year it was a lime green, skinny, spiral tree. She has promised me that when there are grandkids there will be a real tree. Guess I better get on that.

My mom's two children pups kept us on toes. They are quick to steal any stray socks or unattended snacks. And depending on what you are munching on, the poodle has been known to jump several feet in the air to snatch it out of your hand!

Ian Scott McDoogle

Zeena

I've also spent a lot of time watching Bravo and playing on my iPad instead of doing homework. And have made several trips to Barnes and Noble and Target to wander and lust. It has been a wonderful break so far, and I still have 10 days left!

Merry & Bright!

It's a Kate Spade inspired Christmas! I just finished up my Christmas card and had it printed at the local printing shack. And by printing shack, I literally mean a one room shack. 

Chris took his final today, and we are getting ready to head back to California tomorrow. Today has been full of packing, cleaning my closet, cooking the kitty food, etc. I am really looking forward to spending the night in a hotel tomorrow, and getting my first Starbucks in 6 months, and eating mexican food on Friday!

Speaking of Kate Spade, Fais over at aboutfais.com is having an awesome giveaway this week! You can enter to win this 2012 Kate Spade planner. Isn't it beautiful? 

Next time you hear from me, I'll be back on American soil!

Where are you Christmas?

It is hard to believe that Christmas is only 20 days away. Here in Dominica, there just aren't many signs.  There are no twinkle lights decorating houses, the air is still warm and sticky, and there is no Starbucks to sell special holiday drinks in red-cups. However, I managed to find a little Christmas door decoration to hang on our front door under some red tinsel my mom sent me last year.  A small bright spot, in a very un-Christmassy climate.

It's in my blood...

I realize that I don't talk too much about my family here on my blog, other than mentioning Chris every now and then. This is probably because they all live so far away this year. I miss them.

I have a wonderful mother, Diane, who is so generous and kind. She is hilarious, and I get my laugh-till-I-cry gene from her. My mom is a kindergarden teacher, agility dog trainer, and is quite crafty when she wants to be. She taught me to love books and reading by always being half way through one herself.

My sister Julie is the most tender-hearted girl you will ever meet. She instantly makes you feel welcome and like you are the center of her attention. Julie is super compassionate to everyone she meets. She is a graphic designer by profession {check out her work here} and amazing artist.

I am lucky to have my step-father Peter in my life. He is kind hearted and always has good advice in tough situations. He has a keen sense of intuition, which is difficult to describe but incredible to see in action. Peter is a minister as well, and married Chris and I back in 2007.


My father, Ted, is a man of many hats. He is a drummer, engineer, Harley-rider, and also where my computer and technology geekiness comes from. He is a computer programmer and made sure I was way ahead of the other kids in mathematics. We even had an original Apple desktop computer, way back when.


It's fun to look at the bits and pieces of my family that I carry with me. I am a teacher like my mom and computer nerd like my dad. My sister and I are so very different in some ways, and so alike in others.

Although I dislike the two day trip to get back to California, I will be glad to see everyone at Christmas this year.  We will be in California for about 3 weeks in various places.  Let me know if you'd like to get in touch!

Santa Baby

A selection of Tiffany gifts this season.  For your viewing pleasure, enjoy the background music.


Santa Baby Lyrics

$200

$100

$2,650

$925

All You Need is Love

Cover by Lynden David Hall of the original Beatles song.

Nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be.

It's easy.

All you need is love.

The Countdowns

This weekend there was a party for the 4th semester spouses because they are in their last semester here and will move back to the states at Christmas.  They are counting down the days.

5 of these wonderful girls are leaving :(

It was pointed out to me today that I have 400+ days left on the island.  So I'm not exactly in countdown mode yet BUT it is only 41 days until I get to come back for a visit!  I can't wait for a Red Cup, Chipotle, and In-n-out.  Our tentative holiday plans look like this:

December 20: Overnight in Miami ((Starbucks at Airport))
December 21-24=3:  Los Angeles
December 24-29:  Atwater
December 30-January 2: San Diego
January 3-4: Upland
January 5: Los Angeles
January 6: Overnight in Puerto Rico ((One Last Starbucks))

I would love to see friendly faces if your Holiday plans mesh with ours!