It's all apart of life's pageant

Winters in the sun...

I have been dreaming of winters in the sun. I used to spend three months in Baja Mexico during the winter - five years on the beach, in the sun. I don't miss the boyfriend I did this with but I sure miss the lifestyle. Now fast forward to 2010 and there is a strong possibility we will be spending three to four months in the sun...

[photo credit]

Viva Las Vegas!

On the way out for a few days in Vegas. While I usually don't have a lot of down time when in Vegas I do have my favorite places.

My favorite place to stay... (I am checking out the Hard Rock this trip)

Mandalay Bay

This property has everything - the best pool, great restaurants, and has a lot to offer if you are traveling with kids.  What is even NICER about Mandalay Bay is there is a small Four Seasons property that is connected to Mandalay. Thanks to some very nice clients, I had the opportunity to stay here and you wouldn't even know that you were in Vegas! Also at the Mandalay is the House of Blues Foundation Room - if you ever have a VIP pass to an event here, it has an AMAZING view! It is located on the top floor of the the hotel and you can look down the entire strip.

Where to eat... you really can't go wrong in Vegas anymore, choices are limitless! Here are some suggestions - on the expensive side, but great for when you get bored of the buffet:

Nobu - hands down for sushi

N9NE Steakhouse at the Palms - be prepared for the most expensive smores you will ever have! LOL! It's all about the presentation. Then head up upstairs to Ghostbar for some unbelievable people watching...this is a 20-something crowd.

Also at the Palms is Alize - best bet for a romantic dinner if you are looking for that type of place! ;)

Aureole at Mandalay Bay is a must see just for the wine rack tower! The wine gal has to be pulled up by a harness to retrieve the wine. The design was inspired by the movie Mission Impossible.

This trip I am looking forward to seeing the Wynn and the newly remodeled Caesar's Palace!

Enjoy life!

Da Kitchen

Chicken Katsu for lunch

Da Kitchen

Chicken Katsu for lunch

Packing Tactics - clothes

Packing clothes for a trip can be a daunting task. Over the years I have developed a plan that works for me - it does take some initial planning but I haven't gone wrong yet.

First I always make a list - I should have a template on Word but I usually just find a memo pad (like my Kung Fo Panda one). I start making a list of essentials - underwear, pjs, socks, blow dryer, make up bag, etc. I MUST make this list and as it is packed, I cross it off. If I don't make this list inevitably I will forget it. The next thing on the list are the days that I am going to be traveling with space left between each so you can write. I denote important activities that need a different attire - like BBQ on Friday night.

For each day I put outfits together - by doing this I can see where I can cross-over and wear something twice (yes, this is OKAY) and make sure that EVERYTHING coordinates together. When traveling I try to stay pretty neutral: black, brown and white with a few bright colored pieces. Staples when traveling: white long sleeve t-shirt, black cami, black pants and dark fitted jean jacket. These items are ALWAYS in my suitcase when the trip is a week long or more.

Packing Tactics - on the plane

Today is all about the essentials on the plane. Because of security I travel VERY light with my carry on - I don't mind waiting for my luggage if that means that I don't have to go thru security with it, lift it over my head on the plane to stuff it in an overhead compartment, OR keep track of it. I take my chances with the airlines losing my luggage. In the 15 years that I have been traveling I have had problems with my luggage twice. That is 30 weeks of travel each year, three to four days a week - in my busy days. So my odds have been pretty good.

I choose one of two bags to carry on - briefcase or purse. The camera bag is always a carry on. In this weeks case it's going to be breifcase and camera bag - the purse is packed empty in the suitcase.

I bet you can guess what my number one item is? WATER! I pack an empty water bottle by Nalgene in the 16oz size. Then once I am through security I find a water fountain and fill up. Sometimes if the Starbucks isn't busy I can get them to fill it for me with tap water. Ask with a big smile!

TRAVELING TIPS:

• You need to stay hydrated when traveling. Drink plenty of fluids (preferably water) before, during, and after your flight. Not only will you feel better, but keeping up your fluid reserves also helps your body ward off a whole other host of maladies. Staving off dehydration will also decrease your risk of getting jet lag
• Put plenty of moisturizer on your hands and pile on the lip balm
• If you wear contacts, use your glasses instead
• When you land try to spend at least 15 minutes outside breathing fresh air - I don't care if it's below freezing or 105 degrees (F) - you need fresh air!
  

Packing tactics

Blog updates: I have linked some 'pages' on the left hand side of the blog. This is quick access to some of the popular posts. Healthy living I will be adding to - for right now it has a quick link to my daily routine posts and the Advocare products that I use. My office & craft room have the links to the daily posts going through my organization. And the Daily blogs page list all the blogs that I visit on a daily basis.

Since I have been getting ready to pack for our trip I thought it would be a good time to get my travel tips on the blog! I used to dread packing and it was worse after 9/11 - what you could take or more what you couldn't take. Over packing and under packing. Number of bags and the weight of them. I have been fortunate enough that I travel so much I stay up to date on most of the requirements. Today I am going to share with you some of my packing tactics. This will work for a 10 day trip or a weekend trip - month long trips might have to be addressed in another post.

I always like to start with the basics - suitcases and other cases. Right now I have two pieces of luggage (not matching yet) that I am trying out for size and functionality. They are on the inexpensive side of the spectrum but have been holding up very well for the amount of travel that Kirk and I do. Kirk has his own luggage but from time to time I see him borrowing mine...he has NICE matching luggage so go figure!

First piece is from TARGET. It is Swiss Gear Aubonne 24" in brown.

I just bought this about three months ago so it's still available at the store and online. There were a few things I wanted to try out with this piece: size, weight and the spinner wheels. One of my biggest pet peeves is when you need to move fast and you are trying to wheel your bag and it has a mind of it's own. These spinner wheels allow you to move the bag in anyway possible quickly. LOVE it so far - I was worried about the durability of the spinner wheel but so far so good. Size - this has been the perfect size for five to 10 day trips and allows for purchases along the way. It is also good for the weekend trips that require a great deal of wardrobe changes. Weight - this piece is light when empty! Always key when you are looking at luggage - if it's already heavy when you pick it up empty move on to the next one. Remember you are not always going to have help picking this thing up so you better be able to lift it full by yourself! I also love the color - it's dark so it hides scuff marks and it's different from black and it's easy to spot at baggage claim.

Successful Creative Weekend

The WINNER is: Carol in Seattle!!!! contact me [email protected]

This past weekend I flew down to San Jose to surprise my friend AnnaRobyn (or AR or Anna or Robyn)! It was her sister Kim's CM Crop Away weekend in Occidental, CA so I knew it would be a fun weekend to spend time together. The weekend is organized by the coolest Creative Memories consultants - it is low key and goal is to have FUN! If you want to join us next year be sure to contact Kim Heggins at: [email protected] There is limited space so you need to get your deposit it in early. I am hoping to again next year!

 

The venue for the event is great for scrapbooking - lots of space, as long as you didn't bring your kitchen sink! ;) It is held at the Alliance Redwoods in Occidental and you stay at the lodges on the campground. While it's not camping - it's not the Ritz Carlton either. They have been doing this for nine years and this is my second time attending.

Getting ready for a crop...does the statement create a little anxiety?? I was a little anxious about packing up my things for a scrapbooking weekend - but after a pep talk from Stacy I realized that I was set up to do this! I was more concerned about bringing all the tools necessary. But soon realized as long as you bring a basic tool kit you should be fine! I grabbed five kits (in my project folder section of my shelving unit) that I have been wanting to do, a few tools and some embellishments - I even pulled a few sets of pictures from my category drawers (Library of Memories system) so I would be able to complete some mini albums. Everything fit into my pink Target suitcase (not sure if they carry this Issac Mizirahi one anymore) and arrived off the plane neat & tidy. I use the cropper hopper case to transport all my smaller tools and it fits nicely in the suitcase. The only larger tools that I bring are the 12" Fiskars paper trimmer and my ATG adhesive 'gun'.This was my first time using the rotary Fiskars trimmer and I have to say that it worked really well. I still love my Genesis trimmer at home, for traveling this was perfect and I love that you can get different blades for it - the scalloped one is my favorite.

Here are my five complete projects! 1] Why i Scrapbook by Kristina Contes - I just need to add pictures 2] Halloween album Cocoa Daisy kit - pictures and journaling are done 3] December Daily album that I was going to do in 2008 but now I will be using for 2009 by Cocoa Daisy & Ali Edwards 4] Mini book by Ali Edwards using the January Cocoa Daisy kit (January) - pictures and journaling are done 5] Altered folder album by Carol Wingert that I will be making two more of so I can give as gifts. I know that most of these kits are sold out but I think that you can really use the stuff that you have on hand to create similar projects. I will be posting detailed shots of these completed jewels later this week.

I can safely say that by being organized the way that I am it was VERY easy to prepare for this event and complete all the projects. Also because my pictures are in the Library of Memories system I will be able to find the pictures I want to add to the 'Why i Scrapbook' album very quickly!

I also loved checking out all the new Creative Memories product! Well new to me - and it was fun to see how much the company had progressed. I owe a great deal to Creative Memories, it's how I started scrapbooking. I was invited by a friend, received a cool pair of scissors and the rest is history. But here are my top five product finds from CM

• PicFolio albums - this was the first time I have seen these! Great for the Library of Memories system or photo album scrapbooking - they have these kits that include the 4x6 mats, you could finish an entire album in less than a weekend and it would look like a masterpiece.
• Jewel Acheivement kit - in person this kit is gorgeous!
• 12 inch Decorative Trimmer - used this several times over the weekend, even on chipboard.
• Circle cutter - I have had this for some time and still think that it's the easiest for me to use. I also love the CM cutting mat and just ordered another one to replace my beat up 10 year old one!
• Corner Maker - easy to punch and smooth edges every time

I was tagged over the weekend by Lisa and Jeanette - thanks! ;) There are rules and they are tough ones. The rules are:

1. Take a picture of your self right now, no primping or preparing. Just snap a picture.
2. Load onto your blog.
3. Tag 3 people to play...remember if you are tagged on another blog we will all be heading to yours to see if you played along.

ugh- up early this morning to catch my flight home, plus an airplane ride, no makeup (look at bags, zit on the chin and bald spot on my eyebrow!) ... okay who to tag next... Margie (send her some hugs), Allison (because this should be easy for her right? and check out her talented sister - my dream home) and Georgana (she is so darn CUTE!)

Now the giveaway for today!

• The Scrapbooker's Almanac by Elizabeth Dillow

The winner will be announced tomorrow morning before 10 am PST - be sure to leave a comment so you are included in the random drawing. Happy Tuesday!

Home again, Home again

jiggity jig.

We took a much needed break to Mexico a few days after Christmas - part of our Christmas gift to each other. There is a great deal to be said to having sunshine on your skin and having the ability to sit outside in the fresh air.

This was our first time to the Sonora area of Mexico and we loved it. It was a small town and very low key. Much of my time was spent with my girlfriends at the house, reading books (4.5 books to be exact!), eating, drinking fabulous margaritas and ice cold Pacifico. Kirk spent time with the guys hunting and fishing - he has a very hard time doing 'nothing'.

But now it's time to be home and back to work, eating right and exercising! Fortunately where I live in the state of Washington I no longer have this. Poor Stacy, Kayce and Kiley have record snow fall! Right now we are experiencing rain, flooding, and high winds. Which doesn't bode to well for trees in saturated ground or homes that were built on the sides of hills.

Tomorrow I start my seven day DETOX plan - a variation from GOOP. I was turned onto GOOP from my wonderful friend Jeanette. While I haven't really cared for Gwenth Paltrow the actress I have enjoyed her newsletters. This DETOX plan seems very doable and while I am not going to make all the recipes I am going to do my variations based on what is available in my stores. I see that they don't have the Jan 1 email on the website yet - you may need to sign up or wait when it is archived next week. Bottom line is no dairy, grains with gluten, meat, shellfish, anything processed (including soy products), fatty nuts, nightshades (potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and eggplant), condiments, sugar and NO alcohol, caffeine or soda. I will keep you posted because I am going to need to 'talk' to someone about how I am feeling!

Good to be back and hope all of you had safe holidays!

Prospero Año Nuevo

We have left all of this:

For some warmer weather, so Happy New Year to everyone - see you in 2009!