"Mom, OMG this is the BEST cake I think I've EVER had... like EVERRRR in my LIFE!" were the words from one 12 year old girl in my house today. You guys know I host a women's luncheon on a monthly basis and it's my chance to play hostess and serve up a yummy meal (that is not geared to appeal to little ones!). So I get to play with my creativity in the kitchen. That is how I was taught by my mom. So I follow recipes SOMETIMES and when I don't … [Read more...]
Travel in Style Essentials
Summer time for so many means travel, vacation or "holiday" (I always love to hear Europeans call it "holiday"). Whether by airplane, boat or car, I've put together some stylish things we need to make travel easy and enjoyable. 1. A diaper bag. Yes, you read me right. A diaper bag. In fact, I might even do a post ON diaper bags! LOVE diaper bags because they have so many great compartments, perfect … [Read more...]
It’s about Five
It's Friday. And that means FIVE things I'm sharin.... 1. You GOTTA check out my newest sponsor and welcome them with love by entering a giveaway they are hosting. Your jaw will drop as did mine when I stepped foot into The Fleuriste. This goodness could be YOURS. Enter HERE before Monday because that's when the winner will be announced. 2. You never know when you're about to find what you're looking for, especially when you … [Read more...]
Thinking about Five on Friday
Thinkin about about five things.... 1. Winner winner chicken dinner! Who is the lucky one to get this little bauble of a piece to adorn their hands? Congrats to Kecia!! Lot's of people shared it and tweeted it, but unfortunately, forgot to comment on it... Don't forget to COMMENT here on it.. each of those gets you an entry! 2. I came across a cool little app that allowed me to create like "word" grams? So... I wrote this up a few … [Read more...]
Drift Away
Getting the week started in a positive summer mode... Needing sunshine and warm weather and needing it to feel like the SUMMER. Agree? via Isn't that a bit dreamy? A house boat like that to float away on? I'll take it! In case you missed Friday's post, I'm kicking off the Summer of Love ... check it out HERE... Stay tuned for a great summer filled with lots of goodness and love... starting tomorrow! … [Read more...]
A Winner and an Announcement
It's FRIDAY and that means FABULOUS things.... First.. a winner!... Thanks to all who entered and to LuxeObjects who shared another little piece of their greatness with us. This little GNOME now has a new HOME! {tee hee hee!} Congrats to Lynn! Contact me HERE to get you get this cute GNOME HOME! HA! My announcement.... I will be MIA from the first part of July till mid August on "holiday" and am unsure of internet … [Read more...]
Friday’s Five
This was a hiccup of a week... It started ok and we had some turn of events that frankly left me out of the mood to be very chatty and also I felt inappropriate to blab about my usual pretties that I love to share. Those things seemed so frivolous to me and I just had to give it time before I got back up to doing what I do here. So pardon my break, but I had to feel it inside, and at the same time feel appropriate too. 1. I never appreciated … [Read more...]
Tornadic Tragedy
My heart is so heavy today. The devastation in my home state is unthinkable. About just 20 miles south of where I live, which is not that far, and an area that we are no strangers to, was the largest tornado in the history of tornados in the world (as quoted by Mike Morgan, chief meteorologist at KFOR). This tornado took a path 20 miles long and it was 2 1/2 miles wide. Having been hit with storms, getting worse as each day has passed, the … [Read more...]
Show me my goal.
There is something to be said about SEEING what it is you are reaching towards. Goal setting. For anything you're trying to achieve or become, having a visual reminder of what that is in front of you all the time will greatly help you get there. And I need a visual NOW! Case in point, weight loss. It seems I feel like I yo-yo the past several winters, and this one being no different. Am I packing on a built in winter coat??? I have no … [Read more...]
Five thoughts…
Five thoughts that either bring back memories, will create new memories, or capture memories. But all connected in that way. Not planned or intentional when I began to write this, but it appears to be the common thread to all of my five thoughts today.... 1. I recently became the owner of a new vehicle, and part of the deal is one year of free Sirius XM radio. I never listen to any one set thing, let alone pay for a service when we have free … [Read more...]
All five in one.
Every have one of those periods in your life where so much is SO much? via If you're overwhelmed and you're doing SO much, this one's for you. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but it is what it is. Enough said! {wink} All five of Friday's faves right here. Cheer's to the weekend! … [Read more...]
A job well done.
I had a very profound moment this weekend. I spent the past 3 days on a road trip for a soccer tournament for my daughter. It was fun hanging out with the other families, seeing the kids have a great time, but also watch them take their sport they love so seriously and give it their all. This incident came so timely after my post on Friday. It really gave me chills and tears to my eyes after it all happened. Let me set up the scenario for … [Read more...]
Friday’s Five
Thinking about 5 ... well always more but this discombobulated brain knows you guys would fall asleep if I shared much more than that. So, are you ready? 1. I'm terribly annoyed by drivers that drive pretty much side by side or close to that, at or under the speed limit, and there is NO possible way you can get around them. It's almost like they KNOW you want to get buy, so they have this plan between them to BLOCK you. Anyone else feel this … [Read more...]
Strawberry Shortcake
It was time for my monthly networking luncheon today that I host at the hacienda. And being that I'm trying (keyword TRYING) so hard to stay on purpose with the healthy, low cal, low fat diet, I came up with a few healthy choices on the menu. One is my super easy "Sandra-Lee" style Strawberry Shortcake. I take a store bought angel food cake, some fresh strawberries, fat free cool whip and lemon yogurt. I wash the strawberries, … [Read more...]
Real Beauty
Seriously, if you have just a few minutes, you really ought to take a look at this. Get ready to be moved. http://youtu.be/XpaOjMXyJGk See, here's the deal. I've ALWAYS had issues like these. I can't say I don't still. I think that's why it has taken me so long to begin doing fashion posts (of myself), and I still am quite uncomfortable doing them because of my fear of how I think I look for the most part. But I'm slowly … [Read more...]
Friday’s Five
What a week to say the least... 1. Dreaming of summer vacation .... via and a little of this maybe... via 2. Wouldn't it be fun to drive one of these? via Seriously, if anyone knows how I can get one or get one made, you're GOLDEN to me! Lemme know! I'm SERIOUS! Hubby will be like ARE YOU KIDDING ME? And I'm like UM NOOOOO! HA! Call it "Irene's GOLDEN CHARIOT". 3. One of my most drolled over pins... via every girl … [Read more...]
My blogiversary
One year ago today The OP Life was born. via How time flies!! I knew some 8 years ago when this whole blogging thing was beginning to emerge that I was fascinated by it all. But I was clueless and really it just wasn't time for me. Fast forward with all this social media, and me just growing as a person, and finally deciding, whether I know what I'm doing or not, HERE I GO! And I jumped in with both feet and never looked back as I … [Read more...]
Five Fine things on Friday
1. A WINNER! A WINNER!! The lucky winner from the wonderful giveaway sponsored by Eleni from Fall Into London is entry #3, Meaghan via Random.org. Send me a message over HERE and I will connect you with Eleni! Thank you to ALL who participated in this fun giveaway. And a HUGE thank you Eleni for sponsoring this great giveaway!! You are one SUPER talented gal!! 2. Remember my dilemma of the Gel or Shellac nails HERE? Well, I kept … [Read more...]
Show Me the Money.
I am the biggest bargain shopper. I might like things that have a hefty price tag, but I rarely pay full retail price. And if you know me, you also know how much I love places like Target, Marshall's and TJ Maxx, as well as ALL my fave discount online shops. So saving money is always a thing for me (especially if I get a great deal on it!). Well, dear friend Kecia introduced me to something last year that was A-MAZING. Remember this? from … [Read more...]
Fabulousness on Friday, Five of them
My life's experiences this week have been nothing but priceless. And keeping it to 5 is going to be hard, so bear with me if some of the 5 have more than one thing, for those of you who compartmentalize it all in the brain. 1. I learned what vodka penne pasta pizza was.... and it haunted me thoughout the night with nausea beyond. Was it worth it? Maybe! {{wink!!}} ....and I got to eat some of the most AMAZING cake batter EVER (because I … [Read more...]
