A New Car and 16 Things About Me

It's been a busy few days. My lease was up on my 2005 Honda CR-V and, although I loved that car, it was time to move on. After all, it was my second CR-V in seven years! I've wanted to upgrade to a Honda Pilot for a long time and the opportunity finally came. I just love the feeling of being high up off the ground. I now have a 2008 Honda Pilot SE similar to this one (mine is metallic grey, which is darker)...

I love it!!! And we got a great deal so that makes it even sweeter. I paid much less for this almost-new Pilot with just 1100 miles on it than I did for my new CR-V in 2005! :-)

OK, now on to 16 Things About Me, which I have seen posted around the blogging world lately.

1. I work in the custom publishing industry and I love the feeling of seeing our printed magazines and books. It's so rewarding to have a final product in your hands that you know took a LOT of work to put together.
2. I have been married to my honey for 4 years and 4 months. He's a Republican, I am a Democrat. He's an Aries, I am a Libra. It's funny because we're so different yet we have a lot in common in terms of family values and goals.
3. I graduated high school with honors and ranked in the top 10% of my class. I also graduated from the University of Miami with honors (Cum Laude).
4. I never liked math. To this day, I do not enjoy math or science at all. And I actually loved essay exams.
5. My favorite color is GREEN. I also love red and yellow. You could see all three colors on the walls throughout my home.


6. I learned to drive sitting on my grandfather's lap, and by the time I was able to reach the pedals he began letting me take over. He owned a white Ford pick-up truck that I remember fondly.
7. I was an only child. My parents separated before I was born so I was raised by my grandparents for almost all of my young life (I lived with my mom for 2-3 years while I was in elementary school).
8. I love vintage trinkets and antique objects. They make me happy.
9. Vanessa is a Greek name that means butterfly... And I LOVE butterflies!!!

10. I met my BFF when I was 17 years old. Our ex-husbands grew up together in New Jersey and they introduced us. Our marriages didn't last forever, but our friendship withstood the test of time, highs, lows and everything in between! I love her like my sister and I couldn't imagine life without her.
11. I have always wanted to have a baby girl...
12. I don't like pickles, liver, mustard (unless it's on a knish), oysters, or anchovies.
13. I'd rather eat a strawberry shortcake or pineapple upside down cake instead of a chocolate cake or any other chocolate dessert.


14. Vanessa is my middle name. My first name is Myriam (but c'mon, do I look like a Myriam? I think not!)
15. I have traveled more during the past seven years than ever before and I love to go to new places and discover new cultures. I have a goal of visiting one new place every year (at least!).


16. We just bought a new mattress. Boy does it feel good. In fact, I think I am going to go try it out... Good night!

Wanna join in the fun? Go ahead! Share 16 Things About You...

Peace and happy scrapping,
Vanessa

Bienvenue to my Scrappy Space

Hi my friends!

Although a couple details are still pending, I couldn't wait any longer to share my scrap room/home office with you. I like to refer to it as my HAPPY ROOM because it really makes me smile every time I step into this room. It's just so ME! :-)

First, this is a photo of the room as you enter, with my gorgeous vintage chandelier from Perfectly Charming in Ohio that my BFF bought me for Christmas. I love it!



And here's an expanded view as you enter the room... the walls are painted Jalapeno Pepper from Benjamin Moore (I found this paint color in a Pottery Barn catalog). It's a bit darker than I anticipated, but I love the warm, cozy feeling I get when I walk into the room -- and green is my favorite color!



I really wanted to have some type of wall art collage in my room, so I created this using a mix of old and new frames and objects. The red vintage frame on top is from my visit to Ohio (Perfectly Charming again!), the middle row holds some framed prints I picked up a while back at an arts festival on Miami Beach, and the number card is from IKEA. The frame on the bottom left has a photo mat that everyone signed at my bridal shower and it holds a photo of my mom and me (taken just seven months before she passed away).



Here's a close up look at my awesome three tier wire basket from Sadie Olive. This was one of my fave birthday presents last year! I love the weathered look and how it holds lots of stuff. I mainly keep my inks and wood mounted stamps in it.



On the opposite side of the room, in front of my desk, I have my IKEA Expedit bookcase, which is the best! It not only looks nice, but it also holds a ton of stuff. I have all my albums on the bottom cubes, books, magazines, acrylic paints and glitter, cards, frames and more on it...



On top, I have another three tier wire basket from my dear friend, Damaris, as well as a little chalkboard I picked up in Ohio, apothecary jars (which I have yet to fill) from Target, and my beautiful milk glass lamp (also from Perfectly Charming in Ohio).



Here's a close up of my acrylic paints, Stickles, glitter and Mod Podge -- all housed in a tray I picked up at Ross for a few bucks.



This milk glass vase is from an antique shop in Naples... Richard and I came across a couple of great finds during our weekend trip last fall! I'd like to fill it with some fresh flowers from time to time just to liven it up a little.



And now I present to you my gorgeous Art Deco 1930's typewriter that works. It's in excellent condition and I love it. It was a Christmas gift from my honey. Look at this beauty...



In this little nook between my desk and the IKEA bookcase, I have a beautiful old red chair (one of two) that my mother-in-law gave me a few years ago. She had these in her garage for a long time and I fell in love with them! Above the chair, I have two 12x12 frames that I bought from Damaris to put a couple of my layouts. Below the chair, I have a basket (the first gift basket my honey ever gave me filled with Valentine's Day goodies!) filled with unfinished projects.



This is a photo of my desk with my wireless keyboard and mouse that are awesome! I also have my magnetic mat on my desktop for my scrapbooking projects. I keep my trimmers on the open shelves below my desk. The sugar and creamer set that I use for my pens and paintbrushes are some very cool finds from a trip to a Goodwill store in California.



Behind my desk, I have an old bookshelf from Linens 'n Things that holds some of my treasures, as well as my printer and organizers down below. The jars hold ribbons and buttons, more milk glass from Naples, a cute pedestal from Perfectly Charming, an antique amber glass container and old keys that belonged to my Mom, an Eiffel Tower clock that my friend Jeanie gave me a long time ago, and more.



This is a red letterpress photo mat from Sycamore Street Press that I fell in love with and just had to have! I love how the red stands out and the detail on it is pretty cool. It comes in a large size and you cut it down to fit your photo frame.



This is an Elsie Flannigan print I bought on Etsy back in 2007. I loved the green and the painting itself with the girl holding her camera.



This is just a close up of my other IKEA bookcase, with my fave litle Epson printer, mini album basket (another find at my mother-in-law's house), and my cute owl paper weight from Sadie Olive (a birthday gift from my friend Lou).



I wanted to display my clipboards, but didn't know where to put them, so I tied a ribbon around the top in order to hang them on the front of my closet doors.



Finally, behind my door, I have an inspiration board where I can keep layouts or projects I see in magazines that I like, as well as photos and cards that make me happy. My Tim Holtz apron hangs from an over-the-door hook for easy access.



That's all!!! I am still waiting for my Kellie Rae print, which will have a home on the wall next to my ladder bookcase. Also, I have two curtain valances that will go on the top of my windows.

Sometimes I still find myself moving things from one place to another (and back again) trying to decide what I like best, but overall I am very happy with my room. It reflects my design style, it holds many photos and other things that I hold dear to my heart, and it makes me happy! I know that I am very lucky to be able to have an entire room to myself and I am thankful to have this retreat where I can just relax and unwind after a long, stressful workday.

Please tell me what you think, share ideas or suggestions, ask questions, etc. I'd love to hear from you!

Peace and happy scrapping,
Vanessa

Creative inspiration

Hi there!

I've been quite busy cleaning and organizing and I am still not completely done!!! Will I ever be done? Maybe. In any case, I have actually made lots of progress and I just might be able to post pics of my newly reorganized and redecorated office/scrap room (AKA: my HAPPY room). I am so in LOVE with my space. I can't wait to share it with you.

In between all the reorganizing and purging, I made time to go on a dinner and movie date to Cinebistro with my honey. We watched Marley & Me. What a great movie! It's funny, entertaining and sad all at once. Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson have some really great chemistry. A while back, we also saw Australia with Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman. What an incredible movie! It was long, but trust me, we didn't even realize it. It's a truly beautiful motion picture. Go see it!

Just before the holidays, I picked up this book and I've really enjoyed all the eye candy and creative techniques.



Kelly Rae Roberts is a gifted and highly talented mixed-media artist and I have fallen in love with her inspiring style and soulful artistic approach. I definitely recommend this book. You'll thank me later. It's called "Taking Flight: Inspiration And Techniques To Give Your Creative Spirit Wings." I even bought myself one of her cool 8x8 prints on Etsy. I can't wait till it gets here!

Oh, and guess what? I made my first-ever Designer Digitals purchase -- although I'll probably use it on a traditional paper project :-) I fell in love with Ali's new Valentine's circles and for only $3.99, it was well worth it! I plan to make a little Valentine's mini or tag book and a layout with these...



So, what's inspiring you lately? Please share!

I hope you find your creative wings and take flight, as Kelly would say!

Vanessa

My 2009 word is...

SIMPLIFY.

As in simplify my life. Focus on the little things. Don't dwell on the possibilities. Make it happen. Get rid of excess. Feel the love. Streamline. Unclutter my home and office. Put family first. The simple things in life are the most beautiful.

How did I pick this word? Well, last weekend while I was out and about I kept bumping into this word and it made sense to me. First, I saw a little throw pillow that read, "Simplify." At the next stop, I found a wooden piece with "Simplify" on it. Next, a plate stared at me, "Simplify your life." And so on... OK, I get it!!! Simplify it is.

On a different note, I have been sick this week with laryngitis and I'm coughing like crazy. Not fun.

I have not done anything creative this year! And it's driving me crazy. My scrap room is almost finished, but now I am waiting for my hubby to paint one last spot on the wall and to hang my vintage chandelier that my BFF got me for Christmas.



Next up will be my curtains! Then I will really be done and I can post photos.

For now, I leave you with this beautiful bedding from Pottery Barn Kids. Yes, I know it's very random, but I fell in love with it this week when I received my Pottery Barn catalog in the mail and I just saw a snippet of it on Trish's blog (her darling daughter fell in love with the own pillow). Isn't it beautiful? They have the crib bedding to match and I love the owls with the butterflies and trees (reminds me of a beautiful stamp set). I told Richard that I want it for the baby's room which we haven't yet decorated or even started for the baby that we don't yet have but hope to have one of these days in the very near future. LOL!




Peace and happy scrapping,
Vanessa

Happy Holidays!

I have been very sad the past few days because the holidays just aren't the same without my Mami around. I keep coming across mementos and things that remind me of her... What has definitely helped some is that it's been an eventful few weeks, so keeping my mind occupied is good therapy. Here's a recap of the past couple of weeks.

First of all, I did go back and visit Demetrio at his home. He has some bruises from the fall, but he went to his doctor and is being cared for... He was out and about last week so he seems to be okay. God bless him.

This holiday season, I have actually baked a couple of times. I hate to cook, but baking is fun. I made these "Magic Blondies" from MarthaStewart.com on Thanksgiving and again for my friend Barb's birthday. They are yummy, but they're actually more like breakfast muffins.



I started my second December Daily album because I gave the first one to my mother-in-law (I knew she would really appreciate it!). It's a beautiful album that I made in Ohio when I visited Trish. The second acrylic album isn't even close to being finished yet, but here's a sneak peek at the cover...



My company celebrated this year's successes (and challenges) with a holiday party at Garry's house (he's the publisher). We planned to recognize a few folks and hand out trophies and I was happy to honor a couple of my top employees. BUT the big surprise came toward the end, when Garry announced the Employee of the Year and it was little old ME!!!! What a great surprise. It's been a tough year so it made this even sweeter!



We gathered at Barb's house to celebrate her 30th birthday (give or take... LOL!) and we had lots of fun scrapping, eating and opening presents. I made a 2009 calendar project inspired by Jenny Bowlin... (photos to come). Isn't Barb just lovely?





Then, on Dec. 19th, we all exchanged scrappy kits we made ourselves. It was Lou's idea to put together kits using items from our stash and then we picked numbers so it was a complete surprise. I love the kit I got with Esther's Stampin' Up! goodies. Whoohoo! Barb set up the table beautifully. We were in awe. I felt like we were at a romantic bed and breakfast (minus the husband... LOL!). We each brought a plate to share and we ate some delicious food. It was great!







Richard and I took a stroll down Miracle Mile to browse the shops and enjoy the lights and splendor all around us. This is a photo we took at the Christmas Village they have every year.



That's all for now... I have so many more photos, but those will have to come later. I took lots of photos on Christmas, I finally did get around to decorating my home for the holidays, and I've been working on my scrap room... Plus, I was a very good girl this year because Santa was VERY good to me. I received a new camera, a beautiful vintage typewriter, my one-of-a-kind chandelier from Ohio (thanks to my BFF and to Trish for helping make it possible!), bedding, a suitcase, and more!!!

May you have a safe and happy New Year filled with many wonderful blessings! Thank you so much for stopping by (even though I haven't been blogging as much lately). Your comments make me smile and I truly appreciate each and every one of you...

Peace and happy scrapping,
Vanessa

The right place at the right time

Hi friends,

I usually love the holidays! It really is "the most wonderful time of the year" for me... Lots of treasured family time and traditions, non-stop shopping (with a good reason), delicious meals, cool weather, festive lights and decorations, time to reflect on our blessings and the true meaning of it all, getting cards in the mail, opening gifts, taking photos and scrapbooking, etc. I love all of this! But this year is a little different. There's still all this to love about the holidays, BUT a few less people now to share it all with and that makes it a bit more difficult than ever before... I have so many things I want to do to celebrate the season, but I can't get myself to do it... I haven't decorated my house and it's already Dec. 14. I haven't even sent out my photo cards yet (an annual tradition).

BUT YOU KNOW WHAT?

Something happened to me yesterday that made me so very thankful... something that made God's presence abundantly clear... for some reason, I was in the right place at the right time and I am so glad for that. You see, after some Christmas shopping, Richard and I parted ways so he could go get a haircut. I was leaving my house to go to Macy's when I realized that I didn't want to go to the mall just yet. So I carefully crossed a few lanes and decided to turn in a different direction to go donate some clothing to the nearby Goodwill store. After dropping off my donation, I made a u-turn and quite a distance in front of me (between some shrubs/trees), I saw a little old man with a cane drop his belongings and fall onto the pavement. I accelerated to get to him quickly when I realized that a woman in an SUV was backing up toward him and was about to run him over! (I'm tearing up as I type this.) I immediately went crazy, beeping my horn and waving my arms frantically for her to stop as I drove toward her. She saw me and she stopped the car, wondering what was wrong... I ran out of my car, rushed to the man who was trying to get up in a state of panic and, without thinking twice, I picked him up off the ground to get him out and away from behind her car.

My heart was beating a mile a minute and I was shaking, but nothing mattered except that this little old man was safe. He didn't want to call his family. He didn't want us to call 911 because he was afraid they would take him to the hospital. But I told the woman to call them anyway. I later realized that she bumped him with her car causing him to fall and she was so nervous about it, but she helped me check him while I sat him down in her car and she called the police.

Fire rescue arrived and his vitals were okay. His arm was bloody and they bandaged him up. The old man told everyone that thanks to God, I was there to save his life!!! The woman driver also thanked me for getting her attention just in time. He's 90 years old, in pretty good shape, takes the bus to the shopping center to shop at Walgreens and, sadly, he has no family. Fire rescue wouldn't drive him home (against policy) and the police officers can't either... I couldn't believe that! Richard called me and immediately showed up since he was across the street. I told the old man that I was going to drive him home (he's divorced with no children and his sister passed away so he lives with a friend of his who's a widower). And I did. I took him home, helped him inside and left him my name and number just in case.

I haven't stopped thinking about Demetrio. I hope he's doing fine... I think I may just have to pay him a visit this week...

And that, my friends, made my holiday season meaningful.

Happy holidays!!!

xoxo,
Vanessa

I wish I could post photos, BUT...

...things are just not working out in that department! My little point-and-shoot Canon camera needs replacement, so I've been using my big Canon EOS 20D for photos and that is making my December Daily Album quite a challenge to complete. I mean, it's not like I can just stick the EOS in my pocket or purse and capture every single detail in my life throughout the day! Argh! So, I've decided to just create a "Snapshots of my Christmas 2008" album instead of a daily one... hey, I'm having to get creative here...

Then there's my computer issue. You see, I married a computer whiz/electrical engineer who will work on every computer but mine... So as nice as he was to give me his laptop recently, none of my software is installed and I cannot access images right now. Another argh! (UPDATE: he may actually work on my computer issues tonight because I complained so I guess he's still a keeper! LOL!)

So, having said that, I must steal images from other websites to add some visual appeal to my post today.

Here is a beautiful Christmas garland that my friend Trish at Work in Progress created. I'm just drooling over this!!! Isn't she talented.



Then there's this beauty from Jenny Bowlin that I am so going to scraplift... I have some of the materials already in my stash so this calendar is the perfect vintage project to go in my new scrap room.



I guess I'll share some photos with you next time, including some Sadie Olive goodies that Ady and Lou got me for my birthday.

For now, I'm going to continue updating my Christmas Wish List (top left of blog, honey, in case you are reading this - and family and friends, too!) and get some rest because I have a cold (yuck!) and we're celebrating Barb's birthday tomorrow so I have to get better tonight! I even baked some goodies for her birthday, but I can't show you the picture!

Hope you're having a great weekend! Peace and happy scrapping!