{Happy Halloween}

So we got all dressed up and went to the trunk-or-treat at the church today. The kids were sooooo excited and have been excited since they had their parties at school on Thursday. The kids helped William and I pick out our costumes, I was a witch and William was Darth Vader. The kids picked out their own costumes too, Aaron was a Ninja, Sam was Superman and Ruth was Cinderella (her favorite part of her costume was her wig!).

We had fun. I am a bit bummed the church didn't do a halloween party, but I can understand them not doing one when the school had one on Friday. I just miss going to the church halloween parties, they are always so much fun.

Anywho, I snapped a few pictures of everyone in their costume before we left to go trunk-or-treating. Enjoy and Happy Halloween!!

{Calvin & Hobbes Find}

I forgot to mention the great book finds during my last goodwill trip. I found several books for the kids for under .59¢ each book, (what a deal!!!) BUT my best find of the day was two Calvin & Hobbes comic books, shown below, for .99¢! I was so excited to find these and for such a small price.  Calvin and Hobbes is one of my favorite comics. I just love the imagination of Calvin and how he has adventures with his stuffed tiger, Hobbes. I am glad I can share his adventures with my own kids and for such a great price too. Why buy new books when you can find them for less then a buck at goodwill?

{Revamped Goodwill}

I have known for some time that I needed a new way to keep my jewelry because my daughter, Ruth, seems to think that all my jewelry is hers and constantly takes my most prettiest pieces and subsequently looses them. So while at the goodwill today I found a cute little jewelry box (well really it was ugly, but I knew it had potential). I spray painted it black and it just turned out beautifully (only if you don't look too hard, I am still learning the spray can technique, but I am happy and that's all that matters, right?)






(the middle drawer folds out to reveal a nice area to put your rings)


Ruth has been fascinated with the little hair bows that I bought from one of the gals at church and because I am trying to be a bit more frugal I looked up how to do them and of course I found ribbon on sale and discounted flowers & pretties that can be put on "alligator clips" and of course because I couldn't find my own glue gun (it's packed somewhere) I bought a $2 with some glue sticks. Now because I made so many I needed a fun way to hang them and found a cute little picture online using a picture frame & some ribbon. So while at the goodwill I searched out a picture frame. The one I found was less then desirable but I knew with a coat of paint it would be perfect. I slapped on the ribbons and I am not done, I am going to add fabric to the back and make it a bit more sturdy. But it's great for now.



 

(the hair stuff in the image were created by me, Ruth loves 'em and wants me to make more. I think I am going to be adding these to my Christmas baskets this year)


Now because I wanted to keep my necklaces up higher and out of Ruth's reach I found a fence like spring form thing and knew it would work for my necklaces, of course a nice coat of black paint helped bring it all together with all the other items I got from goodwill.





(do you notice I don't have any bright colored necklaces anymore, Ruth has lost them all...I need more color!)


So what do you think? For under $8 I got a cute way to display my necklaces & Ruth's hair clips and a new place to store my other jewelry. I am sooo happy with how they turned out, even if the paint job isn't the greatest, I know I will get better in that area.

{Mom & Dad Visit}

My Mom and Dad (Bob) came all the way over from Portland to visit us this past weekend. It was great!! I didn't tell my Dad (Barry) and his Wife about them coming out and invited them over for our weekly game night, boy were they surprised when they pulled up.

Before my folks showed up the kids were helping Gary & my Dad (Barry) move the branches from off the fallen tree to the burn pile. It was fun to capture the moments of this and of when my folks showed up.

Gary brought over his girlfriend, Sarah, and she is such a peach and the kids just adore her. She is definatly a keeper! do you hear me Gary ;o) 

I was able to capture some great group shots with my self-timer...I wish I could get a remote for my D200 but I was told they just don't make 'em for my model...guess I will have to upgrade to one that does, haha.

Anyways, below are the images taken during the Saturday my folks arrived. It was a nice quiet weekend that was filled with lots of movie watching, wii bowling and good 'ol fashioned fun. My mom brought the Kitchenaid mixer and a few baby items she and Jeanie had picked up (which are going to be stored until I get preggers again).

It was an awesome weekend and I am sooo pleased we got to see them before the end of the year. The kids were stoked that "Nana & Papa" came and even though Rocky (the damn dog) wouldn't let anyone near "Papa" the kids still had a blast getting to see their grandparents again.

{First Place}

Aaron got first place, in his class, for his poster for the "PTO Carnival Poster Contest" - He was soooo excited and was just beaming when he got home and showed us his first place prize of a small blizzard at DQ. We went to where his poster is being hung at a local business and I snapped the below image with my cell phone, so it's not the best, but he was so excited that I was going to share it with everyone on my blog. He did a great job and we are just so proud of him.

{Sorry in Action}

Here is a quick video I took with my phone of our girl kitty, Sorry, attacking the moving picture on the TV. She has been doing this more and more lately and the kids and I just find it hilarious!

{Elegant Classic}

I took a fun quiz at Home Goods and it really did a good job of picking my style! If you want to take the quiz too, just click HERE

Below is what it said about my style:

Arya, you are an ELEGANT CLASSIC

You have a refined sensibility with an appreciation for history and tradition in your furniture and your rooms. You value beauty, things that are well crafted, and family heirlooms. You are visually sensitive and understand how symmetry and a formal layout give order to a room, and hence your home is refined and calming. You are not taken in by the trends of the moment. You go for things with a timeless appeal, and appreciate old-fashioned virtues like manners and handwritten notes and making a home that is welcoming for others.

You value comfort. Your home is a warm and open friendly place, and you feel happiest when everyone is cared for and relaxed in your space. Elements like pillows, throws, overstuffed furniture, and good lighting set the mood. You may also enjoy layering different fabrics or mixing patterns to create a cozy effect.

Putting Your Style to Work!

With your style and needs in mind, here are a few tips that will help you make your home a little happier.

1. Your Design Challenge: MAXIMIZEDesign is all about tricks, and with small spaces, the game is to literally trick the eye. Mirrors obviously expand a sense of space, and if possible, place them across from windows so they pick up the light and the outdoors. Leggy furniture gives the illusion of more space, as you can see under it. And, a mix of upholstered and non-upholstered pieces also makes a room feel less dense. Also, consider multi-tasking furniture, like a dining table pushed against the wall—it can be a desk by day and gets pulled out for dinner parties. Or a bedside table big enough to accommodate a chair and function as a desk.

2. Your Happy PlaceMake this room as comfortable and inviting as possible by bringing in some real furniture like an armchair or a sofa if you have the space. A little lamp on the counter or decorative hanging light can set the mood. Stools are great perches and can easily be moved around. Don't forget to bring your personality and style into this room: hang some art or display a collection of family photos in mixed frames. Consider bold, happy colors in the kitchen as well, like brightly colored pots and pans, big bowls for corralling fruits and vegetables, and trays for spices, oils, teas and pepper mills.

3. Be Party-Ready All the Time!Food: Devote space in your pantry or on a shelf for go-to party essentials: crackers, dip, chips, nuts—whatever you like to serve. Keep on hand a collection of attractive bowls and cocktail napkins, and you'll be able to set a spread—instantly!

Drink: The simplest and chicest thing is to have a drinks tray or table always set up. Include a mix of pretty glasses, an ice bucket, a lovely pitcher, and bottles of soda and water. When the bell rings, just add ice and limes.

Mood: Nice, flattering light makes us feel good. So nix the harsh, direct light from overhead fixtures in favor of the softer glow from floor and table lamps. Also, keep some votive candles and a couple of hurricane lanterns for setting around the room.

Scent: The first thing you notice about a home is how it smells. Use naturally fragrant cleaning products. If you find a scented candle or fresh potpourri you love, stock up on it. Any scent you like, whether perfume or linen spray, can be used on upholstery, bedding or just spritzed into the air.

{Queen of Hearts Give-a-way}

There is a give-a-way by Grosgrain for a lovely Queen of Hearts, Alice & Rabbit costume and I just couldn't pass up entering it! Go check it out by clicking HERE!

(image taken from Grosgrain's website, isn't this just too cute!) 

 

(image taken from Grosgrain's website, isn't this just too cute!)   

{End of Year Special}

I am having an end of year special for Arya Wiese photography.  This special will go thru October 15th and will end December 31st of 2009.  

(please note that Arya Wiese is a natural light, ON-Location photographer)

(In order to use this special you will need to pay the $275 when you book your session.)

{B. Family}

I am so excited to share with you the sneak peak to the session I did yesterday for my friend, Michelle! She is so beautiful and has the most amazing family and I was so honored to photograph them yesterday at Katherine Albertson Park.

It was the perfect time to go too, because as you can see below the color was AMAZING and it was only a tad chilly, overcast and just perfect for taking family photos!!

I hope you enjoy viewing the sneak as much as I did photographing and editing it!!