{ easter JOY }

Isn't Easter usually in April? Seriously, doesn't it seem EARLY this year? Maybe its because there is still a ton of snow here, but I need to kick the Easter Brunch planning into high gear.

Here are a few easter basket ideas that don't involve sugar.



I'm thinking of filling a pink suitcase with the following for Sam...

Wooden Bird Whistles.

Filling the eggs with stuff from the Easter Inspiration Pack from Etsy seller Scissors Paper Glue.

Duck shaped crayons also via Etsy.

Egg shaped chalk. To buy or make. I'm going with the buy option. :-)

In the meantime I am going to get stuff to make these and these.



and of course egg coloring using this tip and lots of rubber bands and then planning on eating lots of egg salad sandwiches.

{ CREATE }

Samme was busy creating yesterday...Made a bunch of spring colored chain rings out of scrap paper via. Crafting with Kids and made some easter cards. What are you going to create today?


And a funny side note...Today Samme said to me..."Mommy, you are a good mommy." I smiled and said "thank you sweetie." Then she said, "But Mommy, when I'm a bad girl you are a bad mommy." !!?!?!!?!?! Pretty darn funny and insightful don't you think... I guess I need to work on how mommy handles bad behavior...continuous self-improvement. :-)

{ save a little, save a lot }

I know a lot of your 2008 resolutions have to do with saving more $ for various reasons - to pay down debt, save $ for a family vacation, buy a house, etc.

Sometimes it’s less overwhelming to think about saving for things in different categories rather than one huge goal. For instance, savings can be looked at in the following way:

* Short-term goals: Purchases costing less than $1,000
* Medium-term goals: Purchases over $1,000, such as vacations, new furniture or even home ownership
* Long-term goals: Savings for retirement or a child’s college education

Take a look at your financial goals and seeing how they fit into each of these catagories and look at ways to set aside some money each month for all 3 categories.

We are trying to save for mostly mid-term goals (solar panels, paying off my school loans and a month in Australia) and long-term goals (early retirement). One of the ways we think we can reach many of our mid-term goals this year is by cutting down our monthly expenses on non-necessary purchases. If we can save an extra $500-1,000/month that will help us have more in the bank at the end of the year for our mid-term goals. We are also looking at ways to increase our revenue for our businesses and cut down on expenses - that also will allow us to have more money at the end of the year for our long-term goals.

ps - Speaking of money, I just found an adorable new wallet.
pps - I'm going to try and get Suze Orman's new book at the library this week.
ppps - A good article in US News about applying the principles of yoga & mindfulness to your spending via Hip Tranquil Chick.

{ organized recipes }

You might remember the great recipe binder that Stephanie gave me for the Let's Get Organized Swap...Here's a "how to" courtesy of Organize Magazine.

update: Great minds think alike, Steph posted about this same tutorial.

{ i'm it }

I've been tagged a bunch in the past few months and have never gotten around to doing it but I finally did it.

7 weird things that you don't know about ME....

1) I took tap dancing classes for 15 years and wanted to be a rockette. {note: i am barely 5'3"}
2) Although I am an impatient driver (I grew up in NY afterall) I HATE to pass people - and if I do pass someone I hold my breath the entire time.
3) I can't function if my house is a wreck and I can't leave the house if the bed isn't made.
4) My favorite movie of all time is goonies. I even let sam watch it last weekend.
5) I am severally directionally impaired - I get lost all the time and I lock my keys in my car at least once a week. Thank goodness for OnStar.
6) The first concert I ever saw was milli vanilli at the binghampton, ny arena.
7) I've had the same best friend for 29 years - we met in preschool and we are polar opposites. lisa is a republican, church-attending, attorney with long nails & long hair; and i am a liberal, hippie, sort of buddhist with no nails & short hair. but i love her to death. i'd love her even more if she voted for obama. :)


8 things that i am thankful for { in no particular order }

1) my parents for "born-ing" me {that's what I called being born when I was little}.
2) my patient, kind, hard-working husband.
3) my cancer...which brought us to our beautiful, funny daughter samme {i am so thankful to be her mom}.
4) sam's birthparents for chosing us and loving her.
5) barack obama's movement for change.
6) my family & friends {you all know who you are}
7) my health & my heart
8) cupcakes

so, I guess i'm supposed to tag a few of you...how about any of you who haven't been tagged. go for it. i know that's a bit lame to not NAME people...but its kind of like those emails that go around and say if you don't forward this to 8 of your friends right now you will experience 8 years of bad luck. silly.

{ good & happy days }

I get a lot of emails asking how I find the time & energy to work, travel so much and do fun crafts with Sam. First of all, I'd like to say, this blog makes me look better than I am :). Seriously. There are mornings when I have to touch base with a rep and Sam watches Noggin. Shoot me. There are days when I have NO energy to workout and no patience for a build your own birdhouse project with Sam and the best idea I can muster is to throw bird seed out the window to the birdies. There are weeks that go by without a single picture taken or journal entry noted. I will never have a record of Sam's life like this. I will never have a perfectly clean house like this. And I will never have a body that looks like this. But, I do try to remember each day, that we indeed 'Only Live Once' and to build some FUN and mindful time into everyday things ~ not just while on vacations or on the weekends.

I was inspired awhile ago by this post on Good + Happy Day (finally got around to finding it again) about planning something fun each day. It can just be a little, "today we'll paint" or "today we'll build a snowman" or "today we'll have pancakes for dinner." It doesn't take much to turn a mundane day into an awesome day for kids. So, this week's challenge is to take your momME or organizeME planner, and on the very bottom blank line - write FUN. And each day this week, plan a little something FUN. Be sure and read her general parenting philosophy too ~ it's great!

And remember... "How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives." - Annie Dillard

{ a wall in my house }

Designed with chalkboard panels and covered with lists, artwork, pics & more.

{ take action }

Today is International Women's Day...we are so fortunate in this nation to have the rights we do. Please visit these links to see how you can support efforts globally to further womans rights, health and safety.

{ spring in a can }

Love this idea - a fun project to do with kiddos. Kits available here if you don't feel like assembling the materials yourself.

{ hope revolution }

Spread hope.
what a great project.

photo via shutterfly sisters via flickr.

{ our little town }

Part One: Notice our happy little town with houses & flowers.


Part Two: Enter Daddy...and the dinosaurs that are marching towards the town!

{ springtime swap }

Bree over at Life at 123 House is coordinating a "Favorite Spring Things" swap. A perfect cure for your winter doldrums.

{ vote }

to all my dear readers in Ohio, Texas, Vermont & Rhode Island...please vote today.

{ too much fun }

I do photo editing & design using photoshop & illustrator but the PicNik program makes it super easy and has a lot of fun features such as turning your photo into a polaroid. Oh & its free. I've been using it a lot for Sam's journal.

{ revamping }

I added onto my desk in my office - needed more work space, more space for Sam to hang with me and do crafts, etc. TGIF - looking forward to a relaxing weekend as this week has been CRAZY! Hope you all have a fun and chill weekend!

{ quickies }

Click here to learn how to enjoy a richer life with less STUFF via StephModo.

Click here for some great tips for simplifying your life.

And here are some great tips for being healthier in one minute.

And here for tips on breaking the purge/splurge habit via Splashes & Splurges.

And here for some adorable downloads.

ps. Spring is COMING! Yippee!

{ 100% recycled, 100% organized }

My new label for my products. I think consumers are increasingly interested in purchasing products that are made in the USA and with the environment in mind and with recycled materials (especially since paper does come from trees - ouch.) At the same time I think that sometimes the "green" movement is a little much - everyone and their mother keeps working the green angle. Does made in the USA/eco-friendly matter to you?
ps - Thanks Sarah for the great design.

{ garden swap }

Here is the garden swap package that is on its way to my swap partner. I can't wait for Spring to arrive...

{ smarter shopping }

Here are some smart grocery shopping tips to get you in & out of there faster and with healthier products.

1. Shop with a list. Sort items by area of store.
2. Keep a well-stocked pantry.
3. Bring home seasonal & fresh items (such as veggies & herbs) to add to the staples on hand.
4. Use a menu plan. Spend a few minutes before shopping to plan out the meals for the coming eek. Figure out lunches & breakfasts too. This saves time and money because you only buy what you need. And if you have a plan for using the foods you buy, they are less likely to sit uneaten in the back of the refrigerator. I like to do this on Sunday evenings and grocery shop on Monday mornings.
5. Avoid crowds. Try to avoid shopping at 5pm when everyone gets out of work.
6. Find out about delivery days of organic produce.
7. Use coupons wisely.
8. Don't forget to bring your re-usable shopping bags.

{ how cute are these clothes? }

Loving these adorable girls clothes from Matilda Jane.
...and yes, I'm procrastinating from that monster to do list.

{ so much to do so little time }

Make your own library card to do list here.
I'm taking a few days off from blogging to get some stuff done...

{ and the winner of the Juno giveaway is... }

and the winner of the Juno giveaway is... {drumroll please}


Jen who said "sweet prizes homeskillet."
Jen - email me at: info at LobotoME.com with your mailing address.
Thanks for all of your entries!
ps - super bummed Juno didn't win Best Picture & Ellen Page didn't win Best Actress...is there no JUSTICE in this world??! ;-) Did No Country For Old Men have to win SO much...can't they spread the LOVE around?

{ INspiring ME today }

These designers and their NYC kitchen via. Cookie Magazine.

Nora's house via DesignMom.

Great organizing idea via. Lost Button Studio.

Make your own cake stand via. Armelle Blog.

** Don't forget to sign up for the Juno Giveaway here.

{ happy birthday will }

wishing you many, many more happy, healthy & adventurous years!

xoxo, jenny & samme

ps. I love photobooth on my new mac. well worth still not having all of my files or emails switched over from my pc.

{ todays discoveries }

ReUSE of magazine subscription cards...

The best peanut butter cookies in the whole world.

Double Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

3/4 cup Maranatha® Organic Peanut Butter (Creamy)

1 stick - organic unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

1/2 cup (packed) organic brown sugar

1/2 cup organic raw sugar

1 large egg

1 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1 1/4 cup organic all purpose flour

1/2 tsp. kosher salt

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 cup Sunspire® Peanut Butter Baking Chips

In a medium bowl combine, peanut butter, butter, sugar and vanilla. Add egg and mix thoroughly. Combine flour, salt and baking soda. Add dry mixture into wet mixture and stir together. (Note: this dough will be crumbly) Add baking chips. Preheat oven to 375°. Scoop 2 teaspoons of dough and shape into a disk. Place on a cookie sheet, leaving a minimum of one inch between each cookie. Bake for 9-11 minutes, depending on whether you desire a soft or crisp cookie. Allow cookies to cool for 10 minutes and transfer to a wire rack for additional cooling. Yields: 3-4 dozen cookies.

And finally a reUSE for all of those magazine subscription cards in all of my magazines. I gave Sam 2 of these punches and a stack of scrap paper and subscription cards and she has been punching away all day. She just told me her hand is starting to hurt!

and a new favorite blog {Armelle Blog}

{ the only thing we need to know }

"Each second we live is a new and unique moment of the universe, a moment that will never be again. And what do we teach our children? We teach them that two and two make four, and that Paris is the capital of France. When will we also teach them what they are? We should say to each of them: Do you know what you are? You are a marvel. You are unique. In all the years that have passed, there has never been another child like you. Your legs, your arms, your clever fingers, the way you move. You may become a Shakespeare, a Michaelangelo, a Beethoven. You have the capacity for anything. Yes, you are a marvel. And when you grow up, can you then harm another who is, like you, a marvel? You must work, we must all work, to make the world worthy of its children." Pablo Casals

{ lovely lisa }

Check out these lovely necklaces, bracelets, spoons, rings from the lovely Lisa Leonard.

I have been eyeing these for months but trying to figure out what WORD or phrase I wanted etched into one. I finally decided on one of LobotoME's mantra's {You Only Live Once}. A good reminder to live each day to the fullest. I think it will go great with my Sam charm from Hot Mama Designs.

{ juno giveaway }

In the spirit of the upcoming Oscars and my favorite movie of all time being nominated for Best Picture among other things, here is a Juno giveaway - featuring a new hamburger phone just like Juno used in the movie (admit it, you want one for your desk!); the soundtrack (great music!); and for good measure a LobotoME saveME notepad. Just leave me a comment for this post (make sure to include your email address or blog link) by Sunday, midnight MST and you'll be good to go. I'll select a winner on Monday morning! * No international entries, sorry.

{ good things }

Things I am happy about this Monday morning...

1) I did it. I got up at 5:30am on a MONDAY. Miracles do happen. And loud alarm clocks across the room help too. (Thanks for all of your tips).

2) I'm glad to be home - still unpacking, doing laundry, sorting through mail, responding to emails, etc. As much as I love to travel, I really love coming home.

3) This is my motto for today...Forget about reaching perfection, especially other people's idea of perfect. Discover what is perfect for ME today.

4) After a weekend of wedding cake (lots of it) exercise time is scheduled & on the books for this week. M, W, F cardio sculpt class after dropping Sam off at pre-school; T/TH yoga class and weekend skiing or snowshoeing. What exercise time do you have planned for this week?

5) Watching the sunrise this morning - a BIG perk to getting up so early.

{ finds }

So, I know one of my New Years Resolutions was to spend less money and not buy more stuff...well, I was doing pretty darn well with that UNTIL we came to Boulder for a visit and I went here and here and here.

Here are my finds.

1) Adorable spring shoes from Target for $14.99.

2) Adorable egg caddy from Anthropologie. $12.00 I am too ashamed to admit my Joes Jeans purchase from Anthro so I will just discuss the egg caddy. :-(

3) Adorable owl salt & pepper shakers ($4.00) & pink glass dish ($8.00) for my desk from UO.

Hope you are all feeling a little bit of Spring in the air wherever you are. Have a great weekend! Stay tuned next week for some more sanity saving daily tips, spring cleaning to do's and a fun giveaway!

{ I luv you willy }

and I probably don't say it enough.
Valentine's Day, even with all of its Hallmark commercialization, is a good reminder to say it (often).

{ v-day goodies }

Here's a sneak peek at a little 'I Love U' book I put together for Samme for Valentine's Day. Still trying to finish this for Willy. Sam is also getting a cute little white mail box with stickers, glitter glue, etc. she can use to decorate it.

Oh, and here's and adorable v-day gift tag download for you courtesy of Inside a Black Apple.

{ pack ME }

We are packing to head up to Breckenridge to ski for a few days with some friends who are visiting from the bay area and then onto Boulder to do this, this and attend a wedding. As some of you know, we travel a lot (for work, for fun, to visit far flung family) so I go through these Pack ME lists like there is no tomorrow.

Thought I'd share a few things I don't leave home without when traveling with Sam.
1) I let Sam fill a backpack with books and toys. I bring a few new surprises (stickers, mini play-doh packs, new crayons, etc).
2) Portable DVD player. Enough said.
3) Gel Gems - they are great for car windows and airplane windows.
4) Patience.

Also, if any of you are snowed in this weekend from winter weather and not traveling, try some of these Clutter Control Tips (via Steph Modo via Domino Magazine).

{ are men really happier than US? }

According to an article in the NY Times, yes indeed they are.

Why? Because, basically, men are working less and women are working more. Or, to quote, “women now have a much longer to-do lists than they once did…. They can’t possibly get it all done, and many end up feeling as if they are somehow falling short.”

No surprises on the size of the to do list ladies, but is it making us unhappy? I'm not unhappy but I also wouldn't say that I don't have a lot on my mind all the time... I also like to think I am the inventor of FUN in our household but come to think of it, a lot of it is planned or scheduled fun (play dates, gymnastics class, etc.) and not the spontaneous, giggle fest type of fun that entails Will & Samme wrestling on the ground or rolling in a pile of snow.

And as much as I love my husband, I do feel that he sometimes thinks - “Oh, it’s just Jenny who is overwhelmed and if she just did yoga and meditated everyday and was more chill about life in general, she would be a HAPPIER mama and wifey.” Will's mantra is "If it doesn't get done, it doesn't get done," while mine is "stay calm and carry on."

We've already discussed on this blog that the busiest weekend EVER to me, was nothin' to Will.

So, all of you ladies - Let's VOW to have more FUN! Let's take time for ourselves to RECHARGE our batteries (use your momME or organizeME planners and schedule some ME-time in and leave some time for unscheduled fun too). Let's set a great example to our kids about how happiness comes from within...

{ my new BFF }

Thank you Steph for not only organizing the Let's Get Organized Swap but for sending me such a helpful & delightful package! The recipe binder is not only gorgeous but it is filled with GREAT recipes handpicked by Stephanie herself. I will post my before & after recipe organization project soon (after I find time to insert my recipes into the binder). Here's the review of the package I sent her! Swaps are so much fun! Thanks again Steph!

{ we are so good together }

They re-printed this 11x19 poster - hurry because it will sell out! PERFECT for a valentine's day gift for your hubby!

{ what's in your bucket? }

We saw the Bucket List this past weekend and enjoyed it...It definitely sparked some great conversation on what we REALLY, truly want to do before we kick the bucket. Take a few minutes and jot down ideas that come to mind...Is it to write a book, learn how to sail, or spend 3 months in Africa? Write down your own bucket or life list and start doing the things...When you are gone, it will be too late.

{ yes we can }

VOTE. Today.

{ victory }

{ organize ME... }

Last night (I know I am such a geek), I organized our photos using these...here is a before & after. SO much fun going through old photos.

And then later today I need to begin mentally preparing for the Superbowl tomorrow....GO G-MEN! The whole fam is getting together for the game! Sam & I are going to make football cupcakes (splurge) today for the big game.

{ brain on over-drive }

Lots of exciting stuff going on with LobotoME lately. Finally received our POP displays (made from recycled materials) and Alli and I have been working hard on our booth for the National Stationary Show in NYC in May! There are about 100 pages of documents to review, sign and interpret...you can't just show up with your product and some Ikea furniture...you have to have it shipped to the warehouse and pay for them to store it and move it to your booth and assemble it (all union labor stuff)...Nothing like trying to get a cool display from the mountains of Colorado to NYC in one piece...More to come on this adventure. I'm still not sure if I am more excited about 1) exhibiting at NSS; 2) having momME time for 5 days in NYC (I know I will miss her every second); or 3) SHOPPING & eating in NYC. I think I'm leaning towards #3 at this point. We've also got some new stores signed on as retailers lately, all across the country. A few of the new online ones are: GiggleFish Gifts (I've mentioned them before but love their concept & design), Precious Personalities, and EmagineGreen - a really cool new company that is designed around the premise of voting with your consumer dollars to positively impact the environment. Also have been talking to several different reps...I'm at the point where we are growing and fast but I need the help of some reps. So if any of you want a job, email me! :)