New York City here we come!

Hello friends

This week I am going on a little adventure.

I am first going to DC and then we are driving to New York City!

I am so excited.

I've never been there.

I will be fullfilling a lifelong dream.

I will be standing on Broadway.

I would prefer that it was in a long black witches costume, a green face and a full orchestra,

but, I will be happy none the less!

Enjoy your week and I'll see you back on Friday...

or you can follow us on twitter!

Sunshine, Sharing and books!

What a glorious week of weather we had.

50's and on two days 60 degrees!

For us that's a heat wave.

Time to open the windows.

Hear the birds chirping.

Sleep with the windows cracked open.

The snow has melted.

Things are starting to green up again.

and then....

on Saturday it snowed 2 inches!

That's Chicago for ya!

Even though I live an hour from downtown, it sounds much cooler than...

That's Illinois for ya!

Last week I put these up

I should have ironed it, but that's what the wind and rain is for.

The wreath needs something, I'm going to go out today and look for some butterflies and ribbon.

Totally am in love with this line from Target.

It does not go with my homes inside decor, so I settled for the gardening gloves.

 When I woke up to the snow on Saturday, I decided to spend the day reading this book.

Seriously fell in love with it.

I could not put it down.

I loved it so much I ran out and bought another of her books The House at Riverton.

I would love to see this made into a PBS mini series like Little Dorrit.

You can check  the author out here.  She has a nice website.

 This weekend I also made a little confession to Brad...

I finally told him I am not a nook girl.

The thing is I never asked for the nook, he thought i was hinting at it because I had brought the marketing tool home.

I was so relieved to have finally said it.

I love book stores and books, and when I fall in love with a book and the author i love to share it.

Yes, you can share with the nook, but it not the same as touching the pages of the written word.

So the first person to leave me a comment that is interested in reading my copy can have it!

The snow is almost all gone ...

again!

Looking forward to a great week of weather and...

Dancing with the Stars! I had given up on this show, but I must say I'm totally looking forward to Kate Gossellin and the possible wardrobe malfunctions of Pamela Anderson...

I'm jut sayin!

Here's to books, sharing, dancing, and sunshine!

we just clicked or was it glicked?

This past Saturday I spent the day with my new friend Traci. We met at the Donna Downey class I took this past December. We were pretty busy throughout the class, but sat at the same table. When the class was over we began talking more and I offered to drive her to her car. As soon as she got in the car she noticed I had Glee playing and said she loved Glee too. It was then that I knew we just clicked. We continued talking about things on the short trip to her car and as she left i remember thinking... Gee, I really like her and would like to hang out with her some more!

Soon she invited me to a crop where we chatted all day and had a great time.

Then she asked me to go thrifting with her... and shared her secret spot with me!

This is what I found there...

I have such a serious look, I think I was channeling Anna Wintour in this.

Such a find! A vintage jacket with a mink collar, i don't think it was ever worn... the pockets were still stitched together, and it was 25 bucks!!!!!!

Then Traci has convinced me that I can make my convertables with ties...

 I'm thinking some headbands and possibly wristlets... we shall see.

I found some old costume jewlery, books and these for our boat. 
I have some convertable ideas for my hat.

 Here's when you know you've clicked with someone.

We had just left Windy City Scrapbooking and I had placed my package in the trunk of my truck,

got in the truck,

took off and was driving up and down the street ... (in the city) looking for parking

the hatch is wide open and we never knew it till we parked again!

That's how much we were talking and having fun!

It really would have been a bust if my purchases would have fallen out all over Fullerton Ave.

I really believe people come into our lives for a reason.

I am so glad I went to that Donna Downey class. I went alone and that's not something I would normally have done. So I was meant to meet Traci and am so happy that I did.

Our next adventure will be checking out a new flea market and possibly introducing her to the volo antique shops that have tons of old vintage stuff and finds.

 and... the Glee concert.

If you would like to meet her she has a delightful blog.

And look at these fabulous finds I scored in her vintage etsy shop!

  Above If you press on the Anna Wintour name you will be taken to a link of The September Issue. I recently bought this movie. It is a 3 dvd set. If you can rent it with all 3 it really is quite facinating. The person who really impressed me was the photo sylist Grace. You simply must see her talent. The 3rd dvd is a brief look at the Met ball and it will amaze you to see what goes on the behind the scenes. It makes the Oscars look small in comparrison. You will see everything from the decorations, to the table settings and you will not believe your eyes! Loved this!  

It's pouring outside, but the temp is near 60!

I feel like scrapbookimg something!

Someone you should meet

This past fall through blogging I met my wonderful friend Katrina. Though I have not met her in person, I feel we have become friends through sharing our stories, our families., and scrapbooking. It is a good thing she lives on the other side of the country, because I like her so much I'm afraid I'd stalk her. It's funny how you may never have seen that person face to face, yet, they do things or say things that you just know in your heart your paths were meant to cross.

Go here and meet this wonderful gal and her beautiful family.

Last night I made a recent pot roast recipe she had on her site and I must say it was THE BEST pot roast EVER. So simple, yet bursting with flavor. The boys both had seconds and I managed to cut them off from thirds to save a bit for my dear old dad.

Last month I asked her if she would like to be a featured designer for the month of March and show us her calendar page.

Katrina has three boys ages are 21,18 and 5. They are handsome and adorable. It has been interesting to see their different personalities through her blog. You will love them all, and Kaden's eyes and his little face will melt your heart!

Katrina chose to use the word Grow in her title and theme,very fitting for March.

  I love the idea of using two different pictures several years apart showing the " growth" of the boys.

What a great tree! love love the core gated texture, the ruffled paper for the ground and the 3d leaves!

Great bottom portion. I need to try this look. 
I always leave the bottom white.  I really like how she covered the edges  with paper and used a paint spray technique on top of the white. Outling the numbers is also very clever!

 

Just something a little fun and different .

I wanted you to  meet a friend I look forward to learning about everyday! 

 So hop on over to her blog and say hi!