DC Photos - Part 2: National Mall, WWII Memorial

Everyone knows the story of WWII and how the United States entered the conflict that encompassed nearly the entire globe.  There are wings of Smithsonian's dedicated to this war and an entire museum devoted to the Holocaust.  A visit to the National Mall is not complete without a visit to the newest monument, the WWII Memorial.  On the day I visited the mall a group from Honor Flight had brought a group of WWII veterans from Chicago to the monument.  Honor Flight Network works to bring those who are honored by the monuments to the mall to the see them.  Below are just a small portion of the photos I took at this monument. 

DC Photos -Part 1, Arlington National Cemetery

It's humbling to visit Arlington.  It's hard to find inspiration in a place that holds 25-28 funerals daily.  But through the delicacy of human emotions that are so close to the surface when visiting these hollowed grounds one can find more of a sense of honor in being apart of such a great nation.  The reverence with which everyone you encounter there from tour guides to grounds keepers holds these remains of those there with the utmost respect and dignity.  While there it is not unlikely that you will see a funeral.  Of the two processionals I saw there is one that I will never forget.  The processional began with a full military band, a bugler, the casket upon a caisson, a group of over 50 mourners and then the processional of about 30 cars.  Everyone on the tram fell silent.  You could hear the drum beat of the band and the click of the hoofs from the horse.  The groundskeepers stopped pruning trees and mowing lawns, all vehicles stopped, and everyone held their collective breathes.  Its enough to make you proud to be apart of such a great nation.  I only saw a fraction of the memorials but I have an even deeper respect for those who have given their all to our country.  Below are a selection of photos from Arlington.

Del Mar Decadence

Not exactly elegant decadence.  More caloric decadence.  This years San Diego County fair was a ton of fun that included an extensive variety of carnival classics and other wacky creations.  Here is a sample of stuff we ate and saw...

Funnel Cake

Dippin Dots

Footsie Wootsie

Plastic Toys

Cheesecake on a stick...yes it is amazing

'Alice' cake in a competition

Fresh

I have written before about my adoration for Sephora and its wide product range.  But now a favorite product has added a new color in its repertoire.  For a few years now I've been using Fresh's Sugar Lip Treatment.  This replaced my former go to lip treatment, the Rosebud Salve.   I've gone through several tubes..but still had to apply a lip color afterwards.  Enter my solution...Fresh came out with Sugar Rose last year.  A perfect pink hue that makes my pout sparkle.  I'm on my third tube in less than a year.  And my family wonders how I have VIB Status at Sephora.  Now they have introduced Sugar Plum.  Similar to Clinique's epitomes Black Honey lipstick/gloss but more moisturizing.  These three lip products are living happily within the confines of my makeup bag.  I've even gotten my mom and sister in on the act.  Both of them use the Lip Treatment and Sugar Rose.  If you want a no fail summer lip color run...do not walk to Sephora and pick one up.

Slacking

Yep..thats me.  I've been slacking.  Not for sake of trying, I have been busy actually.  Work, friends, family, and general musings about town.  But I do have a new BFF,...its my iphone.  It keeps me untethered from my macbook.  And *sigh* I am now one of "those" mac people.  I can't stop gushing about the many apps, features, and fun things that keep my obsessed with my iphone.

So, this weekend while I surprisingly don't have to be anywhere I am (finally) working on some posts, cleaning, and prepping for the big family vacation.  Isn't it awesome not to 'have' to be anywhere.  Its very freeing and lets my inner sloth emerge onto the couch, cool drink on the table, laptop on snack tray, movie downloading on iTunes (told you I was a mac person), and two adorable dogs sitting at my side.  Don't get me wrong I love being busy and the fact that my phone keeps buzzing with new emails.  But, sometimes in our harried lives its nice just to sit for a while and leave all obligations behind.

Dollar aisle garden

I love Target.  It has the best product selection of affordable items for your wardrobe, kitchen, home, etc.  I am currently obsessed with their blue corn tortilla chips and cheddar and bacon dip...perfect for homemade nachos!  But their dollar aisle is always calling my name.  Whether it be craft items or adorable party items there is always something new to look through.

A few weeks ago we bought some dollar aisle grow your own herb garden potted plants.  It sounds kinda sketchy...a potted plant, from the dollar aisle.  Would they grow?  Would they just be empty pots of dirt sitting on the counter?  Well...the photos below show that (a) they do indeed work...and (b) I can grow stuff!!  Now I know why my grandma likes gardening so much...the results.  Its so fun to come out in the morning and see the progress that they have made overnight...or sometimes just in an afternoon.
Enjoy the photos!!

They have grown so much since I shot these on Sunday.  The sunflower has popped up out of the dirt and I can see a second sprout coming up.  Currently they all have some foliage popping out of the ground.  Can't wait to see the flowers and herbs!!! 

Technicolor Disney

I know there is a collective sigh amongst my friends and family when I say that I am either going or just returned from a trip to Disneyland.  I am a lucky girl.  I live in Southern California with the best weather in the world and I get to visit the happiest place on earth practically whenever I want.  And really as I've posted before it really doesn't get old.  I see new things virtually every time I am there. This last trip was no different.  Here are some of the most colorful photos from my recent trip two weeks ago.  My technicolor Disney! (to see the photos in their full capacity double click on the photos to enlarge them)

The newly transformed 'Fun Wheel' at California Adventure.  Love the new 'pie-eyed' Mickey look!!

The ultimate 'technicolor' sign.  Although red doesn't show up well in photos..*sigh*.

'Cheshire Tails' at Marceline's Confectionary.  We went in for sugar cookies and I had to snap a photo of these...their sparkly purple sprinkles were calling me.  

Ice Cream!!  Swirled cones on a sidestreet on Main Street, where when you sit at the tables you can hear the 'residents' of Main Street holding conversations above you!  

This caught my eye in the penny arcade as I was walking to get coffee on Main Street.  The only three alike in that section.  Super cute shell design and all brightly colored!

Grizzly River Rapids while taking the scenic route to Soarin.  

I cannot escape peacocks...its like they find me.  I should start taking more photos of them.

My favorite of the bunch.  These remind me of the singing flowers in Alice in Wonderland. Kinda like the tiger lilies that growl at Alice.  These were on Main Street near the 'Partners' Statue.  

Now what to do with these lovely photos?  Hmmm...normally they'd just go into a file on my computer and wait for the day that they'd be used.  Well...I saw this online on my fav crafting site, Etsy...these picture cards/post cards caught my eye.  Simple and useful.  Combining three of my loves: crafts, photography, and stationary!  I could even extend into the world of creating my own journals...but I'd need a zutter.  Let's see how this goes before I invest 75 bucks into another crafting tool...not to mention the added accessories.  That's a pretty penny to make journals.  Another project...ahhh I love crafts an endless source of creativity!  

Philadelphia Wedding

This year I have two family weddings.  One in Florida and the other in Pennsylvania.  The philly wedding is that of my eldest cousin.  She and her fiance were high school sweethearts who broke up and dated other people for about 3 years.  They dated others but always thought of each other.  This past year they ran into each other and realized that they missed one another.  Well...the rest is history.  This past November at my sister's wedding her fiance asked my aunt for my cousin's hand.  Their wedding is this summer.  Now comes the guest dressing challenge.  Its in August.  In Philadelphia.  Yep.  Humidity to the max.  Summer in the city is definitely just like the song suggests.  So this is my dilemma...cotton gauzy sundress...that seems too casual, or a festive party dress that will be appropriate but really hot (no pun intended).  I don't know her colors or even her theme for the wedding.  But I do know what I 'd do for a summer wedding.  Moroccan Secret Garden.  A beautiful mashup.  The opulence of the gilded moroccan aesthetic and the elegance of the floral summer garden.  Vibrant colors of pool blue, teal, peach, purple and some gold thrown in for good measure.

The three dresses below are some that I am considering purchasing for the event.  The two satin dresses are gorgeous and very flattering.  However they might be a little warm especially since the ceremony is outdoors.  The cotton pattern dress is a little lighter and very festive.  I still have months to decide and purchase a dress.  But that's the fun part of window shopping right?

Moroccan Secret Garden by nessie746 featuring Maggy London dresses

Items in this set:
Suzi Chin Maggy Boutique Stretch Charmeuse Sheath Dress, $94
Suzi Chin Maggy Boutique Stretch Satin Dress, $150
Maggy London Border Print Party Dress, $140
BP. 'Helina' Wedge Sandal, $60
Kate Spade Pearl Snakechain, $145

-no subject-

I was going to write this on facebook, but I decided this was a better forum for my thoughts.  

Chelsea King, your life was cut short by a man to vile to speak of.  There are no words strong enough for how horrible he is.  I hope your family is comforted by the notion that you are safely in the arms of god tonight.  Your story has reached the entire San Diego community for all the wrong reasons.  But however short, your life was a gift and you touched more people than you will ever know.  Everyone hold your family members a little more tight tonight and remember the King family in your thoughts.  

Everyday Alice

I have two favorite fairy tales.  Sleeping Beauty and Alice in Wonderland.  Alice comes to theaters this Friday and I can't wait.  Digital 3D here I come.  Now there are tons of sites featuring merchandise that is wonderland themed.  And I do love the overly adorable jewelry (I bought two pieces this weekend) but the thematic graphic tees are a little juvenile for me.  If I had children you'd bet that they'd be adorned with cute character apparel.  But for me, being 29, its a little much.  However, that doesn't mean I can't get into the spirit of the movie through my wardrobe.  I created a Polyvore inspiration board to illustrate the spring florals, whispy clothing, dainty espadrilles, and all out gorgeousness that is Alice. 

Everyday Alice by nessie746 featuring Victoria's Secret

Items in this set:
Daytime jersey A-line Convertible Dress in solids, $68
Stretching Days Cardigan, $78
Old Navy Womens Embroidered Linen-Blend Tops, $25
Juicy Couture Ruffle Trench, $300
Bow Front Platform Pumps, $85

Work in Progress

This past weekend I was going to attempt to get back in the groove and 'create' something well...you know...cute!  The lure of watching the olympics and old movies on tbs (I'm a sucker for almost famous..."I'm a golden god", it never gets old) got the best of me.  I did get something accomplished, my taxes and a few cards.  No photos of the cards yet...I did make them I promise.  Just forgot to upload the photos.  For now enjoy the product pictures and imagine the work in progress.

Pile of new products to keep me busy.  Lemonade paper and rub-ons from Basic Grey.  Other misc items from Cool Scrapbook Stuff in Poway.

Amuse stamps from Paper Tales that made an adorable card...semi-valentine part just because.

I think I might just have to post on the finds I get from the Michael's dollar aisle.  These adorable stamps were yes, just a dollar.  I couldn't decide between the bunnies.  They both pulled at my crafters sense of cuteness.  Plus at a dollar each I could afford to get both.  Also in the dollar aisle was a chipboard book bound with a binder ring in the shape of a teapot.  I am obsessed with all things alice.  Alice in wonderland that is.  I plan on using that teapot book along with the teacup chipboard I got at Cool Scrapbook Stuff to make some type of alice themed book.  Possibly for a disney trip or just for photos of us riding the teacups.  Another 'work in progress'.  Have you noticed a theme here? I think my problem is that I have too many supplies and waaay too many options.  And the only way (lately) I've been able to complete something is if I have it all in one place at one time.  So, the goal for the next month....complete a project using the dollar aisle finds and the alice project.

Valentine DVD's

This past November I went to Disneyland with the extended family who was in town for my sister's wedding.  I took an insane amount of photos for most people, but for me it was about average.  Now I love to scrapbook but the hobby is expensive and a little hard to replicate for multiple people.  This gave me the perfect platform to use my mac and create a photo project with iMovie.  For those of you who don't use a mac iMovie is a program that lets you integrate photos, video clips and music into a seamless Sundance film level family movie.  Their instructional videos on apple.com are the easiest way to learn how to make your own.  Next came how to package it for shipping.  A simple dvd case with a ribbon just wouldn't do.

First came the card to hold it all.  (The lion is from K & Company from their zoo valentine collection.)

Supplies needed: 

2 sheets of cardstock, one red and one white (both 12"x12")

Adhesive

Glue dots

Scissors

Ink pad for edging

Felt vine pattern (adhesive backed)

Two gift tags (one large one small)

Paper Trimmer

Red ribbon

Black Sharpie

First cut both pieces of cardstock in half. You will have two sheets that are 6"x12".  Set the red aside and cut the white in half again.  With the two pieces of white you will need to trim them down about a half inch on two sides so that they fit into the card (for your sentiment) and onto the front of the card for the background on the lion.  

Glue down your pieces and adhere the lion to the front of the card.  Also add any embellishments to the front you wish.  I added a vine-like felt ribbon that is adhesive backed.  So simple and adds just the right amount of detail without taking away from the lion.  

The glue dots come in handy when placing the dvd inside the card.  This interior shot showcases the dvd with a tag inside the dvd case.  It reads: "Play me in your DVD player.  I'm in HD!"  That's right the dvd is in HD!   Gotta love a mac!

Next was making the mini tags to denote who's card was who's in the package (I made two of these, one for grandma and the other for my future aunt).  The K&Company paper was just too cute and I thought the little lions on the full size patterned paper was just too adorable not to use.  

I edged the sides of the small tag and adhered the cut-out lion to the tag.  On the reverse side I wrote the recipients name.  Tied it all together with some sheer ribbon and its off to Philadelphia.  Not as jaw dropping as a scrapbook but close enough.  Plus it can be played over and over by my two year old cousin who will no doubt love watching herself on tv.  And I'm sure my family will too! 

(sidenote: once I figure it out I'll attempt to upload the dvd project here)

Buttercream Frosting

I love sweets.  Period.  Very rarely will I turn down a sugar infused treat.  My family knows that I must not feel good if I don't jump at the chance to scarf down candy, baked goods or ice cream.  This past week my mom decided to clean out the closets and make some of the box mixes we'd had for a while.  Of these was a package of three types of cupcakes each with distinct flavors.  Lemon Poppy, Strawberry Vanilla and Chocolate Caramel.  Um, yes please!  Included in the package was a mix to make Buttercream Frosting.  Mom placed a can of whipped icing on the counter thinking that we didn't have the ingredients for buttercream.  Turns out it was just butter.  Well that small amount didn't last long, especially since we kept putting our fingers in for tasting.  So I had to make some from scratch.  I had never done this before, but it turned out amazing.  And its relatively easy.  Just a mixer, powdered sugar, salt, butter and a little milk and you're good to go.  I got the recipe off the back of the package of powdered sugar or you can find one here. 

My favorite cooking utensil, the best mixer ever, KitchenAid

Buttercream! Yum!

Iced and ready to enjoy!!

My dog, who watched me ice 40+ cupcakes and patiently waited for me to drop one. Sorry Pixie no sweets for you dear.

Scrumptious and sweet no more can frosting for me.