Jovie’s Belated

Posted on | June 30, 2011 | 5 Comments

Well, my baby girl is officially 2… almost a month later… While we did celebrate when we were driving around France it didn’t feel right, a small cupcake in a hotel room after dinner wasn’t enough I thought. So today we did a little happy belated party. It wasn’t anything big. On some Thursdays M has her friends over. Since we see them often (between school, ballet and gymnastics), these girls have become Jovie’s best buds. When the girls are here I usually give them a little snack anyways so the only difference was the cake (which was BEAUTIFUL), good bags, and balloons (which is one of Jovie’s most favorite things).

Let me share a few photos from today besides a few more digital scrappy pages that I made for Jessica Sprague!

The cake!! I was quite ecstatic about the cake. The girls’ mum, a great friend of ours too, made this. She doesn’t do this for a living but goodness, shouldn’t she?!?! Everybody said that fondant’s not tasty but oh my, this one was!!! Great tasting cake and awesome looking too! I am going to pay her to make me a Mad Hatter cake, HA!!

Another view.

Then here’s a series of Jovie with her cake. Her attempt to blow, her clapping proudly for blowing, and her carefully eating the cake.

She was so happy with the whole ordeal and we’re very glad we’ve made some great friends here in our little village!!! Very memorable day it was!

There here are more pages that I did for different manufacturer at Jessica Sprague’s store. This one below I created using Jessica’s template and gorgeous The Office paper by Splendid Finn.

Then here’s M itching. I love her look. She wasn’t happy when I took the photo but I love how the picture turned out. I used some new gorgeous goodies from In The Making Design: Valpolicella (coming soon!) and a kit that was create for March 2011 Jessica Sprague Digital Design Class.

Then I have this fun one using pieces from Cosmo Cricket’s Jack’s World Candy Candy and Salt Air Paper (coming soon!).

That’s it and oh, the first page was created using Jessica Sprague’s Collab kit from the March 2011 Art of Digital Design class.

Have a great one!!

Gordes, France

Posted on | June 28, 2011 | 2 Comments

One neat thing about driving through France was seeing how each area differs, in a very significant way, from one another. A two hour drive can take a traveler from lush to dry. As soon as we hit Provence, the geographic changed in the most stunning way. As you drive further into Provence you’ll notice more and more off white, with a tint of orange, homes built on the very tip of a high hill (some look so steep). The tallest piece from each village is usually the steeple of the church (although if there’s a castle it’d be the castle).

We visited a few (at least when it wasn’t raining) when we were in Provence and out of all, the most well known is probably Gordes. The village is quaint and like many known places in France, touristy (you might notice the lack of people in the photos, just FYI I waited until it was empty or as empty as possible before photographing). But it was still quite pleasant and we had a great time walking around, snacking, and shopping. I am not a souvenir kind of person so no T-shirt with I Love Gordes or a statue. What I like to buy when traveling are spices and things I can use (like pots and pans, HA!). So in Gordes I purchased some local herb de Provence, salt mixed with olive oil and different other spices, local olive oil, local rose wine and lavendar. After using the salt, I wish I had bought two tubs of it. It is sooooooooooooooo good!!

I have a few pictures from Gordes. The photos are in the order they were taken so that you can get an idea of what it was like walking through the gorgeous village. So not to make anybody wonder let me go over them really quick…

The view from where we parked.
I have a thing for small roads/alleyway. This was just one of many as we walked into the center of town.
The center of town. Behind me was the castle.
A street view, to the right is the castle.
M looking at a white dress. I said no. I become freak mom when the kids wear white expensive clothes.
A linen shop across from the dress shop.
The small street leading up to the church.
A walkway down… we didn’t go.
Another road we walked on, I think the church is to the left.
We did go up and down a few steps. This one led to a viewing area, to see the valley below.
A close-up of the steps so that you can imagine being there better {::SMILES}.
A house. I love red doors!
The pharmacie… promoting safe sex.
The boulangerie… yum! One of the best part of France!
More shops and check out the old cobble stones. LOVE it!!
See how short the alleyway is? Just shops to the left and right.
There are a few artists who has a home in this village. What an inspirational place to be living in!! JEALOUS!
Another path
Another path
And another path
A shop and the view down below
A house as we walked back to the car (I think our car is next to the person walking up)
An illegal stop that I made so that I could take a photo.
Then somebody (while I was taking the above photo) told me that there’s a (legal) viewing area just a bit below and got this photo. This is what one would most likely see on postcards, websites, and who knows what else.

If you are planning a trip to Provence, especially the Luberon valley, do check this village out. Spend a few days and try to do it in the first week of July when the lavender are in full bloom. When we were there they were gray and dull. Very not photogenic at all. I am hoping to catch them in bloom and stay there for a full week to explore more of the beautiful area.

I know this is a bit cheesy but there’s something about France that just makes me so happy. I’d love to live there, maybe retire there, and open that bed and breakfast that I’ve mentioned in the past (it’s why I practice to make the best looking pancakes and staying at B&B when possible). It’s probably a dream but hey, dreams do come true, right? I mean, I am here in the UK {::SMILES}.

I hope you’ve enjoyed the little photo walk through Gordes. Until next time!!

Heat Wave!

Posted on | June 27, 2011 | 6 Comments

While my accent is still quite American my body has definitely become British! It was in the high 70s today and goodness my gracious, I was dying! We went to the Cambridge midsummer fair, celebrating its 800th year (which makes it the oldest fair in the UK – I’d think the world’s oldest too), and couldn’t stay too long.

I remember last year, hubby and I had a good giggle because one of our neighbors was complaining about how hot it was to cook. It was no higher than 75 degrees (23.8C) that day and coming from Missouri we were accustomed to summer temperature in the 90-100 degree range.

I think there is something different about the direct sun though. It is so much hotter and brighter here it seems. I haven’t done a lot of research on this but when the sun is out, even when it’s cool outside, the sun really hits you. Is it just me? Somebody knows what I’m talking about?

Here’s a simple little card using Waltzingmouse’s stamps and sketch. I love this stamp set! I purchased it a few months back but haven’t found the opportunity to use it until last week. I thought this one piece fits the sketch so well. I’ve really been into white lately and I love how the red goes against the crisp white card.

Well, I better go! I was suppose to have this post up Saturday but uhm, got into shopping mode and forgot. I hope you all play along! It’s a fun and very versatile sketch!!

Stop No. 44

Posted on | June 25, 2011 | 37 Comments

NOTE: The hop has ended. Download links have been disabled.

Hi all! If you’re a Jessica Sprague blog hopper, welcome to stop number 44! To those who are here just because you have nothing else better to do (kidding!!) welcome and if you’re interested in collecting 47 freebies to celebrate Jessica Sprague’s 4th shop birthday (or just wish to start at the beginning), please visit Jessica’s Sprague’s blog first and move forward from there! There will be a little slip of quote in each freebie that you collect and if you can put all the pieces together you’ll be eligable for an awesome price!

Now, see the page above? using this Quick Page that I created you can create this same exact pice! Just add your own photo and voila!! So, don’t wait, download this little freebie and I’ll let you go on to the next blog! Have fun!!

Wardrobe Change

Posted on | June 24, 2011 | 1 Comment

I can’t remember if shared this or not but one day I told my colleague that I was one of those college kids who rolled out of bed, brushed teeth, put hair up and went to class in PJs. I told her that I slept in flannel bottoms and T-shirt top. I was adorable!! I can’t remember what she said exactly or what she did but she wasn’t impressed and eye rollings most likely took place. Fast forward… I have nice clothes, many are dry clean only ones too, from well known companies. But, unless there was a meeting, I was teaching or was super motivated, everyday was casual Friday. Fast forward again and now I am a work at home mom. Dress style: Way too casual for hubby and M’s taste. Jovie, as long as she gets her mama, she doesn’t care less. I have good days but for the most part: Frumpy!

Despite my lack of dressing up motivation, I do change 2-3 times a day!! I’d wake up, look at the weather gadget and dress accordingly. Today for example, I got a fitted tee, a skirt and flip-flops. It wasn’t even noon yet and the weather changed. It was cold and raining. I had to change into some long sleeve shirt and pants. Oh don’t forget the thick socks. Later in the evening, between getting pee’d on by Jovie (potty training not going anywhere) and the warmer temperature I had to change again. The UK weather make me feel like a movie star! The weather has also confirmed my belief that the UK is definitely a female. Ya know, indecisive, moody, and one more thing which I won’t write out in public.

Now, I’m not complaining. I actually like the coolness, makes me sleep well! I want to share a bit of my experience here.

When we went to the carnival (on the scrapbook page above) the day was beautiful but goodness, it got chilly. I made the mistake of not bringing a jacket but see, this is where you need to always be prepared when you’re in the UK. ALWAYS have an umbrella and ALWAYS bring a sweater/light jacket. You never know when the weather will change — I really don’t think the weather folks even know either. Need more details on the scrappy page? Check out Pebbles blog for info! TTFN!!