for the time being. I am really not good at the linking and etc that make a blog standout and blogger has just been a little easier for me to swing.
SO find me here http://chrisdodaj.blogspot.com/ and you can see what I have been up to!
xo
Chris
Wanted to share just a few pics of our Valentine's Decor. I tried to upload at 2Peas but it's not working!
This was done on a budget too. The biggest splurge were the two heart plates I spent around $10 for those at TJ's. the live laugh love vases I got at Target for $1.00. My favorite of them all are the vintage postcards I put in flower pots. I'm thinking that they need a ribbon. the little hearts which are each different (sequins, glitter, and shiny and $1 each) i put them in tiny pots I painted. cute stuff.
We had a great time in NYC on Saturday. Weather was decent and I found some awesome paper stores. We went to Q2 for lunch and dinner cause we love their food and it's so super cheap. Not what you would normally expect in the city but it really is a hidden gem. We also went to the Met and walked through the Egyptian exhibit. very cool. It's been along time since I have been at a museum.
We went to brunch yesterday with some of Jeno's family. The kids stole the show, so cute!! Here are a few pictures:
just a few of my favorite ones.
I'm off to start my day and wake up my little one!!
By the way....it's a whopping 18 degrees here today. I'm not leaving the house!
Have a great day, hugs, Chris
So my guy is turning 37 today!! Happy birthday baby! Our 11th year together celebrating your special day!!
I am about to bake his cake and get some of his gifts ready for tonight. We are having lobster and steamers and at his request, yellow cake with chocolate frosting!
here are some cards he'll be receiving later!
I have a cake to bake and some Creative Cafe layouts I have to just finish up!! Have a great day!!
We were supposed to get hit with a huge snow storm on Sunday night/monday morning. We got NADA. I know it's only Jan. 15, but I seriously don't think Bren Bren is going to get her snow suit on this season. The year I was preggers it snowed like 100 inches - what the heck?? Honestly I do love the mild winter, but if it's going to be cold, well it might as well snow! Just my honest opinion!!
I'm all about JUNO these days. We went to see it twice in one week. Just adorable and it was probably one of the best movies I have seen in probably ten years. Love the soundtrack too. It's now on my ZUNE - happy fun music, and I didn't mind paying for it one bit. Love JUNO.
I'm getting ready for Jeno's birthday and I have been having a lot of fun buying Valentine's Day decor stuff. I have bought some of Jeno's gifts (some really nice shirts, undershirts, dress socks) and if he's a good boy that new Ipod thingy. It would be such a big help to him. He's always working and mostly traveling all over the tri-state area and when he is waiting for auctions he good check his email, calendar, research etc.
These things here are my go to scrapb
ooking supplies that I have to have near me when I scrap. My adhesive (in about three forms - tape gun, mini runner and glue) my Heidi Swapp distressor, my Staz-On Ink pads in jet black and dark brown, my ruler, my stamp cleaner, my xacto knife, my runer, my dictionary, my sharpie pens and of late, my Zune. That thing is seriously awesome.
I'm tired - have to get a few more bday cards done! Have a great night!!Love, Chris
Nothing was accomplished this weekend! We all went into little Italy yesterday for some groceries. Love that there is a Cheese shop, a Pork store and a pasta store. Most of these have been around for decades. We bought some delicious cheeses, a montechego, an Italian Piave, and some parmesan. The pork store we bought some beautiful prosciutto, some sopressatta (sp?) and this seasoned pork that's translucent when sliced (super thin ofcourse). We also hit Peter's butcher shop in the retail market, and bought a ton of meat. You'd think we were Italian, but nope we're not. There are tons of Albanians, and every once and a while Jeno will laugh out loud because he ofcourse knows what everyone is saying. We had lunch at the deli in the retail market and it's my new favorite. We had a huge bowl of pasta fagioli and an Italian combo. They put some fresh baby mozz knots and a pasta on the plate too. There wasn't a crumb left. It's that good!
Ofcourse no trip to the Bronx would be complete without have one of the Worlds best cappacino from Delilo's. Yummmmo! Jeno and I are like why can't they have these in CT?? Seriously Why??????? Starbucks just dosen't cut it!!
Today Brenna and I made Valentine M&M cookies and Jeno made some of his famous chili. Sooo good. He didn't make it spicy because of Brenna but it's still so good. topped off with some mont jack onions and sour cream and the New York Giants kicking Dallas Cowboy's butts - perfect!
I'm heading back to the gym tomorrow after a month of not working out. I'm gonna be sore tomorrow night. Hope my trainer dosen't think I'm gonna be doing any of those little suicide sprints. no way no how!
So it's now 7:30 and Jeno's watching the rest of the game with his bro and Bren and I are just hanging. She's listening to my Zune just grooving away. It's so funny no matter what song is playing she's got the same groove. funny!!! She's also making way too much of a huge mess with a corn muffin. My OCD is about to overload so i'm off to vacumn. Nighty night!
I have been loving creating with my Creative Cafe products that I recieved. Seriously, I haven't even thought about using anything else lately! The textures, and colors are so warm and inviting. I made this layout today (picture is coming out dark). It's so easy to use these products. They are really wonderful!
I used the double vision pp, the blue/white polka felt sheet, felt flowers, CC buttons, stickers and rub-ons. This layout here only took like 15 minutes to come together. Love that!
And of course the little lady there is something special too! It blows my mind how fast she is growing. I can't believe I was pregnant three years ago. She turned 31 months the other day (thanks to Pampers Parents email for letting me know that - wink!!)
Speaking of which, I better get going, she dosen't like being the last one picked up from daycare.
I am going to start hosting the AE Life Artist Challenges on twopeasinabucket.com starting tomorrow on the Pub mb. Love Ali Edwards scrapping style - she totally inspires me.
OH!! Danelle Johnson (the Creative Cafe mastermind!) is giving away some super cool stuff on her blog right now through the end of January here is the link (http://danelle-johnson.com/danelleblog/ ).
Have a great night!
Peace, Chris
Happy New Year Everyone!
I love the beginning of a new year! So full of hope and optimisim, so many things to look forward to and accomplish. This year I have some major things to try to live up to. Things I believe to be managable, not insane - been there done that. On my list to do: lose another 30 pounds, win CK HOF (did I say managable?), move to a bigger house, teach Brenna how to read, get back to Hawaii, scrapbook everyday (even for an hour), daily meditation, take pilates and maybe even get pregnant! Brenna "needs" a baby of her own. Actually, I think we are all ready for a little baby goodness.
Enough baby talk!! Our Christmas was all about Brenna this year. Jeno and I gave each other the computer, which was a big purchase, but so needed. Santa was very good to Brenna this year! Lot's of Barbies, and art supplies and movies and books. She also got some really cool presents from the rest of our family.
Here are some Christmas morning pictures.
Peace, Chris
It's just a few days before Christmas!
So excited this year for it. Brenna completely understands and is super excited because she tells me "I need Santa" and she NEEDS candy, and presents etc. The word need has replaced want.
She just let me take some pictures of her in front of the tree too.
For me, this time of year makes me so incredibly grateful for everything I have in my life. A few things on my gratitude list are:
Loving husband, a happy and healthy little girl, both my parents, my brothers, my extended family, my friends, a warm comfortable home, great memories traveling this past year, a successful business and my new design team gig, my Volvo wagon (seriously I love this car), being able to help others, losing almost 30 pounds and snow on the ground this Christmas. I think my list rocks!
We are having my family over on Christmas Eve. My grandmother Margaret always had a wonderful celebration for us every Christmas Eve, She made lobster neuberg, rice, salad, ham and a dessert she swore she made, but we knew it was bought. I have like two decades of memories that I am so happy and grateful for. I can remember being all dressed up, sitting in her big comfy chairs in the living room, enjoying appetizers, trying to find which presents were for each of us. My grandfather always had a camera in hand (that's where I must get it from!!). Totally good memories!
We didn't pull out our "GOOD" ornaments this year as Brenna is just way to curious and wants to touch everything. All the decorations are from the auctions and such. Here's a peek:
I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a happy healthy and successful New Year! Here's to 2008!!!!
Hugs and Peace,
Chris
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