This is where I admit that I almost forgot about our anniversary this year! In fact, Darren had to remind me in the midst of a planning session my family was having for my sister in law's birthday. One of the weekends that came up as a possible option for a party was this one, but Darren asked if we could go do something together instead.

We spent a few days bouncing ideas as to what to do back and forth- a weekend in Aruba? Ooops, my passport expired a week ago (how did I let that happen?). A weekend in Miami, then? Ooops, it was still apparently spring break season there, and flight prices were sky high. And then I got an email from the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga about a new 3D IMAX movie that was premiering the day before our anniversary, and tickets for members (that's us!!) were free.

We love the aquarium (and it's only an hour and a half from our house), so off we went!

We had to park several blocks from the aquarium because of all the Earth Day hoopla that was going on, but I didn't mind at all since downtown Chattanooga is actually a nice place to walk. There are tons of cool shops, too, like the Moon Pie General Store.

I didn't go inside, but I was sorely tempted by this Empire Strikes Back metal lunch box (I have the Williams Sonoma A New Hope version that Darren gave me for Christmas one year). In the end it did not come home with me, though. I'm starting to realize that our little casa is getting full, so the less stuff I bring in, the better!

Pictures don't take up any extra room, though. :) And bonus points for unintentional self-portraits, though now I'm waiting for May to say something snarky about me blogging an iPhone photo- not something I normally do. :-P

friday favorites | april 27, 2012

Happy Friday, peeps! I hope you all have super fun weekends planned!

As for me, I'll be running like crazy right after work today. My niece asked me yesterday if I would take her prom photos tonight, and as it turned out the only time that lined up in our schedules was right after my weightlifting class at the gym and right before her pre-prom dinner. So she's going to be all dressed up and gorgeous, and her photographer (umm, me) will be in running shorts and whatever crazy t-shirt I wear to the gym tonight (which will almost certainly involve lightsabers- my t-shirt I mean, not the gym, though it would be the cooooolest gym ever if they had lightsaber classes...)

Wait, where was I?

Oh, crafty picks! Yes, how about I stop rambling about proms and the gym and lightsabers and just give you a roundup of crafty goodness. :)

From the top left:

• This bowl made of rolled paper strips would be a great way to use up some leftover scraps! Check out the Doodlebug blog for details.
• October Afternoon design team member Stacey Kingman gives a tour of her scrap space. I love how she used colored paper strips in the fronts of her paper drawers- everything looks so orderly!
• Elsie Larson shares tips for getting great indoor photos at A Beautiful Mess.
• These sweet flowers are made from dyed paper towels! Learn how at The Sweetest Occasion.
• And if you want bigger flowers, Design*Sponge shows how they made these massive blooms for a recent Ruche photo shoot.
• I love this fabulous mini album by Anne Jo Lexander- so pretty and full of lovely layers!
• Learn to make this sweet little mini album at Elle's Studio.
• I don't remember how I came across the fantastic scrapping of Nayda Rocha, but I love this girl's fun, colorful, eclectic style!! Be sure to check out her Project Life pages, as well!
• Monika Wright always makes the prettiest mini albums, and her My Favorite Memories of us album is no exception!

Have a scrappy weekend!

bella blvd's baby collections go mardi gras

When I started this layout for my Free For All day over at the Bella Blvd. blog, I had exactly three words in mind:

Really.

Big.

Chevrons.

I think I got them.

I also wanted to use Bella's Baby Boy and Baby Girl collections in a completely non-themed and unexpected way, so I mixed a couple of B-side patterns from each with the lovely new shade of purple in the Sophisticates line. The result was a Mardi Gras themed color palette just perfect for scrapping photos of an outing to one of our favorite local (New Orleans themed) restaurants.

I just can't quit using these green burst buttons! I know I said it last week, but I'll say it again, the new buttons and tape that Bella Blvd added to their lineup at the last CHA are my absolute favorite things in the new release.

And now I want fried pickles again. Sigh. I think this calls for another trip back to Po Boy Factory!

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Supplies (click on images for product links):

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