I'm an Elf!

Now watch me dance!

Laguna Niguel's "Most Unique" Lighting Display

SO last night we went to look at Christmas lights, and found the "Most Unique" winner of Laguna Niguel's Christmas decorating contest. The house has a sign in front asking you to set your radio station to 90.5 FM. There you will meet Mr. Belgen, the man who has produced a lighting show set to Christmas music.

Definitely worth seeing.

5 Tunis
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

I Heart Christmas #6

Nellie Gail Christmas Lights - My husband and my first date was when I was 14 years old. We went to Nellie Gail (a really nice neighborhood by where we live), parked the car and walked through the streets looking at Christmas lights. Tonight we will be celebrating our 12th year of that cherished tradition.

A Singing Santa's Elf

Katharine McPhee of 'American Idol' hauls gifts to O.C.'s Hopes House.
By LORI BASHEDA
The Orange County Register

Months after the fifth season of "American Idol" ended, McPheever swept through a south Orange County shelter Tuesday.
"Idol" runner-up Katharine McPhee and her boyfriend, Nicholas Cokas, drove two cars packed with gifts from their home in Sherman Oaks to Hopes House, a refuge for abused women and their children.
None of the six kids, all under age 6, knew who McPhee was. But what's more important to a 4-year-old – that you're a newly minted pop star, or that you just showed up with hundreds of presents? read more

I Heart Christmas #5

The Christmas Sweater Spectacular - Some friends of ours have an annual party asking us to wear the tackiest Christmas Sweaters we can find. It is hilarious, people get really creative. This year a guy made his own sweater with twinkle lights strung through...however he couldn't find any battery operate lights, so he had to plug himself in wherever he was standing. Funny. And the 'We Three Kings' perform. Their greatest hit is Little Drummer Boy - it's outstanding in every way.

10% off Hozell for the Holidays

For those of you who have become Hozell fans, here's a promo code for 10% off through Christmas. You'll also get an "I'm friends with Hozell" t-shirt. I just got mine and I feel so dope. I can now say first hand that these are really sweet shirts. Really thin and soft - my husband just got vacation and tree. All orders placed before Dec. 18th ship by Christmas. Enjoy.

I Heart Christmas #4

Birch log Fires - My father-in-law packs really light every summer when we go to Maine, so that he can bring home boxes of birch logs as checked baggage. Free Shipping! We bring them out at Christmas time and listen to the crackling of the logs - it's fantastic.

12 days of Freebies

12 days of Freebies started yesterday. Go check it out...we'll be posting new freebies everyday. And if you're really that lazy then you can grab them here too. Just right click and save to your desktop.

A Postcard for your students:





SPECS:
6"x4"
300 dpi
CMYK
front & back

If you are just short of a printing genius then you'll have no problem printing both sides on a desktop printer. If you're mother doesn't call you for technical support for her printing needs, you might want to consider one of these two other options:

1. Print front and freestyle the back
2. Send out to have them printed at Kinkos

I heart Christmas #3

The Joy - This is really the greatest. Undescribable happiness tied to a feel good season, where people love and give and are kind solely because it's Christmas time. It's bizarre but it makes me so happy.

I Heart Christmas #2

You've Got Mail - literally, and the movie.

I love receiving Christmas cards. It's a wonderful break from the bountiful amount of Christmas specials that are shoved into the mailbox. Every night when I come home my husband has sorted through the junk and has a lovely little pile of fun mail for me to open. A highlight!

And the movie...ah, the movie. There's nothing quite like the combo that is Tom Hanks & Meg Ryan. I usually watch this with a cup of tea and my dear friend Shelby. We watched it 3 times in a row once. It was in college, and the week of finals. Both art majors. Both serious procrastinators.

Team Day

We went to Moran Raceway "The Full Wood Kingdom" in Beaumont for our sym team day. 70 mph go-karts. Amazing! We had a blast. I would recommend this to anyone who's looking for something special to do for their team, or just a group of friends. I really thought I was going to hate the whole thing - being a girl, and kind of a princess - but Rocky (co-owner) took incredible care of us. Gave us a 40 minute class on safety tips, and best practices on the track, got us all geared up (even rib guards), locked and loaded and set us free.
I thought I was basically amazing until Andy passed me (smiling and waving). Then Josh, then Nadim, then Pepe, then Jack. But I beat Debbie and Daphne - that's gotta count for something right?


Here's an arial view of the track


SYM team after completing "the final race" Team Nadim & Pepe were the big winners - thus they got bigger trophies. That's me with the helmet on. I felt really cool with it on.


Here's my car.

I Heart Christmas #1

Peppermint Hot Chocolate - I actually order this year round, but it's just more fun in a Red Cup during the holidays.

My Fortune

We ordered in Pick Up Stix today for a team lunch before the long weekend. Good conversation, good food and a great fortune.

I've always wondered when this would happen. Apparently soon. I'll keep you posted.

The Office was amazing last night

OK so do you really think they're dating or is he just trying to make Pam jealous? What was the deal with the gum? These questions take hold of my mind. My opinion, Pam is ridiculous. She rejected him so now it's her turn to take some daring initiative. She went back to her old indifferent self way too quickly. Come on Pam, put yourself out there.

Highlights:
• It was 45 minutes and should always be
• When temp claimed his desk
• Tobey trying to give knuckles

Outstanding!

Joshua Radin in Concert

My husband took me on a date last night to the House of Blues to see a musician we enjoy named Joshua Radin. He's part of an 11 week tour called Hotel Cafe, proceeds go to (PRODUCT)RED. His set was short but brilliant. He's a featured artist on Zach Braff's new movie The Last Kiss. Here's a video about the movie and soundtrack. Paperweight with Schuyler Fisk is a winner, which they performed at the concert together - very sweet. Fear You Won't Fall is my favorite of his from a previous CD.

Riddle Me This

My most recent obsession...www.weffriddles.com. I'm on level 7. Top that.

One Word Challenge

Josh, I accept your challenge.

You can only use one word...
Not as easy as you may think.

1. Yourself: joyful
2. Your husband: sincere
3. Your hair?: growing
4. Your mother?: cheerleader
5. Your Father?: gentle
6. Your Favorite Item: sweatshirt
7. Your dream last night: design
8. Your Favorite drink: propel
9. Your Dream Car: Toureg
10. The Room You Are In: loft
12. Your fear: death
13. What you want to be in 10 years: mother
14. Who you hung out with last night?: hubby
15. What You're Not?: organized
16. Muffins: top
17: One of Your Wish List Items: Toureg
18: Time: gone
19. The Last Thing You Did: click
20. What You Are Wearing: dress
21. Your Favorite Weather: 78
22. Your Favorite Book: pride
23. The Last Thing You Ate: egg
24. Your Life: blessed
25. Your Mood: fun
26. Your body: short
27. Who are you thinking about right now? legs
29. What are you doing at the moment?: concentrating
30. Your summer: europe
31. Best part of your life: love

Take it Nadim!

InDesign CS2 Lesson

I spent the first half of my day today at an InDesign class put on by one of our printers West America Graphics. It's a free class that they offer to their clients to further our learning and streamlining file preparation and hand off. It really benefits everyone involved.
I learned so much. They brought in a gentleman who does Beta testing and consulting for Adobe - so he really knew what he was talking about, offering tips and how to's to benefit our workflow across the board.

To top it all off, I got a certificate of completion (andy's going to frame it) and I won a $10 Starbucks card in the drawing. Hooray!

New Site

3 1/2 months of work, and it all goes live today. Check it out.

Family Picture Day

Years of my mom's forced photography sessions has really paid off. We are all well trained, even my 2 year old niece, to know the sooner we all just sit there and smile the sooner it willl be over.
Of course we're always appreciative after the fact. So thank you mom for yet another great captured moment.