#13 Record a Christmas Album

Christmas in July

You know how everyone who’s anyone has a Christmas album?? Yeah well, it’s about time I get to working on mine. #13 on my list “Record a Christmas Album.” Since my musical skills are basically still at an elementary level I have called upon my sister to join in on the fun (and also make it sound a heck of a lot better). Right now were just making up lists of our favorite Christmas songs and working out the details. I need some help though. What are some of your favorites? What artists/actors Christmas albums make your top ten list?

P.S. I freaking love ELF

30 day self Portrait Challenge

Days 3 and 4.

I know…. put the iphone done. I need to master my “real” camera.

#23 Throw more dinner party with themes

Recently the hubs and I invited the crew over for an impromptu “Booze, BBQ and Mustache Party”. Why Mustaches? Well for some strange reason we had two packages of unused mustaches laying around…  Yep, that’s why. 🙂

To get ready for the party I added some quick splashes of color to our deck area with a few empty beer bottles, a little string, a can of spray paint, and some flowers.  I promise it looks way cuter than it sounds!

Make sure to clean those beer bottles (or soda..your choice) well, and get all the sticky parts of the label off. Letting them soak in water for a bit helps, then hit it with some goo gone. Next, pick your paint. I choose a bright orange and a lime green spray paint. Give each bottle a few coats. If you want a more translucent look one coat might be enough.  Once they are dry, tie your ribbon or jute around the neck of the bottle.

All that’s left to do after that is to hang them around your space and fill with flowers (water is a good idea too).  I used the last rung of our pergola to create a privacy screen of bottles, but you could hang them from trees in your yard or anywhere that needs some color.

I couldn’t leave out the mustache pics.  PS. if you’re thinking about throwing your own mustache party, I would advise to do it indoors in the AC or during cooler weather.  Sweat and sticky mustaches to not mix well…. yep….. ewww…

Happy party planning!

The Selfie Challenge

In my last post I shared some of my favorite blogs with you and one of them was A Beautiful Mess. This week they started a 30 day self Portrait Challenge to learn more about self photography, posing, lighting, and just being comfortable in front of the camera. So I’m in! Are you?? Here’s my first selfie ( ps… I can’t hate that term, but feel the need to use it at the same time. So when you read this just imagine that ridiculous valley girl tone of “OMG we’re taking SELFIES!!) 

Ahhhh! It’s a little weird to see your own face so large on the internet. (and only iphone quality..need to work on that) That’s the biggest part for me though, be comfortable in front of the camera. This also sort of satisfied part of my #20 on my to do list, “Take more pictures with people in them”.  This counts right?? Anyways I hope you join in as well. The best part is if you let the girls at A Beautiful Mess that you’re joining in and where to see your pics you will be entered to win a signed copy of their new book! Have a great day and selfie shoot away!