Pink Holidaze

Can you guys believe we're only 16 days from Christmas?? Holy cow!  It's crazy.    Anyways, I think this is one of the first years I'm going to get our cards out on time (I swear they would have been sooner if it hadn't been for this crazy winter storm).  I already wrote about the  card options Minted has this year, and how much I love the foil press.  So, here's what we chose for our cards.  I'm really, really happy with them.  The foil press is oh, so pretty.  And, what I like almost more is the fact that I barely had to address any of the cards.  I used the address assistant - you basically put all of your addresses into an excel file and upload it properly and it saves them all (you can always edit later).  So, now we have them for parties, Christmas next year, etc.  And, I already had an excel file, so I simply copied and pasted, making the process easy-peasy (p.s. tip - to upload it requi...

 We've done a little switching up in the living room.  Our arrangement was like this  before (except we had added an ikea shelf as our tv stand).  It was nice and cozy, and to be honest, I really liked it.  BUT, it only officially seated 4 people (3 comfortably), and it was feeling very, very small with all of Eloise's toys.  It was time for an overhaul.  As sad as I was to take E's kitchen out of here (she just loves it so much), I'm glad we did.  We've reduced her down to two toy bins in this room to reduce the extra stuff.  We inherited a chair from some friends who are moving, and brought E's rocker in here as well (tore my heart apart a little).  And here is the result - seating for six or seven and a lot less clutter.  P.S.  I know I have a lot of Christmas decorations up already, but I really feel this isn't decorated enough yet.  I think it needs a little more warmth to it, maybe? Taking ...

I'd been talking about wanting biker boots recently.  I know, weird.   And out of my comfort zone. But they're trendy, and something about them appeals to me.  SO, Zach was kinds enough to pick some out for me (really sweet) recently as a surprise.  Sadly, they were a bit narrow at the ankle, and my generous hips just don't do well with that.  So, I found some similar, but a little more flattering to my shape to get instead.  These babies - in the photo above.  I'm pretty pleased.  Plus, they're super comfy (If you EVER, ever want shoes that will last you the whole day - look no further than Cole Haan - they made the best decision ever when they paired with Nike).  Now I just have to get up the guts to wear them.  Skinny jeans and chunky sweaters, here they come!  {P.S.  I found mine at TJMaxx - they're called the "Alix" Moto Boot}.

 This. Girl. - I love her. Two is hard sometimes, you know that?  So fun and so taxing - all at the same time.   This little person becoming their own human being, little by little.  Our girl, she is very much her own person.  Stubborn, strong-willed.  But sweet and cuddly.  And SO much fun.   Asking Jesus for help as we aim to shape this little being - allowing her to blossom, yet to obey. In my frustration sometimes I imagine this will of hers standing up to something more substantial in the years to come (not just potty training or foods she dislikes), which gives me some relief - She'll stand strong to her faith being rocked; She'll ward off that idiot of a boy (they'll all be idiots in my opinion, I assume) who thinks he is worthy of her attention. He has created her this way - our feisty, silly, sweet little girl.  I am so thankful. {Photos thanks to Elena Brown}

Christmas is coming!! I'm getting kind of (ok - more than kind of) giddy with excitement.   And on that note, I've been checking out Christmas cards options.  These foil printed cards from Minted  are on the top of my list.  Seriously, foil-press, I heart you.  I can't decide which one is my favorite.   {Um, also - they have glitter envelope liners.  Yep.}   P.S. - 15% off foil-pressed cards right now (and some other deals, too)! :)   Other favorites from the Minted Holiday collection include the more budget-friendly  petite cards  and postcards . I recommend taking a look.  :)  My favorites below {click on photos for links}:

When I meant I was back, apparently I meant...not back?   I don't know.  I'll guess I'll figure out what keeping this up looks like for me now that I'm done with school and out in the work world.  Brief update - I began working - I'll be practicing in family practice.  That's about as brief as it gets, although I would like to write more about finishing school at some point.   But, for now... Eloise's room, rearranged to allow for her toddler bed and of course, her horse  (we will have to talk more about horses and the intense, intense obsession at a later time).   So, the original plan was to get Eloise her twin bed (this Jenny Lind for The Land of Nod ) and some nice horse bedding, perhaps.  In my mind, what was the point of a toddler bed?  Well, we decided to save some money now and wait to buy her twin.  Then we would just add a cheap guard rail to her crib - oh, wait - basically like the front of the crib.  Then we wo...

Stackin' it up.

Okay, I found this on my phone and have no idea where it came from, but and I love these and I have to share. :)  From E's first birthday party long ago.

One of the major events while I was off from blogging...I graduated from PA school!  Yay!  I'll write more later, but here are some photos from the big day.  I can't believe this day finally came (my first white coat ceremony here ).  Many of the photos are from Mayumi or my mother-in-law. Receiving my long white coat.  So exciting. There are two PAs in the family now.  Woot! The family. Love these ladies. Party time at my parents' abode, planned by my mom and Zach.  So much fun. (p.s.  My mom says that banner was from minted , and I think the straws as well.) Eloise Anne. E and T - born 4 days apart. Biggest surprise...my roomies from Morocco came in from far away.  Loved, loved, loved it.

Dear all, I swear I've been alive.  So, here I am.  I'm back.  Through a series of events (note to self: keep accounts updated with proper payment info), I no longer possess pinkholidaze.com, and that is okay, since I found out how to unlink it from blogger again.   Kind of annoying, yes.  But, Pink Holidaze is now officially colleenkemp.blogspot.com again.  Hopefully you guys haven't given up on me yet.  Stay tuned for real posts soon. :) Sincerely, Colleen

Okay, while we're talking products I love.  Chewbeads.  Yeah, yeah.   You know I love them.  But, UMM, now they have " juniorbeads " - necklaces and bracelets for kiddos.  They are stinking adorable and they have glow in the dark options.  Thinking my nieces (and Eloise when she's a little older) need these asap. (p.s. Breakaway clasp - really works. Tested by Eloise just last week. :) {All photos from Chewbeads.com }

 So, I guess wanting to post more and actually posting are two different things, huh? :) So, I'll post now on a deal and something fun...PAPER.  Yup.  My favorite.   I was super excited about pairing up with Minted to offer you all some really fun ideas for Mother's Day gifts.  And gifts they have o'plenty.  They've allowed me to try out some of their personalized stationery, which I've been dying to get for a long while now.  It seriously took me forever to decide which design to pick.   They offer an incredible selection and a whole lot of options for Mother's Day, including personalized stationery, prints, and journals.  Plus, they're offering 10% off their stationery and journals right now (code: MOTHERS10).   Above was my pick.  I chose the " Pink Blossoms Stationery " with the curved frame shape (love the shapes).  I thought, let's go monogram this time.  :)  It is loverly.  Minted can do no ...