Favorite Sweaters and What Up Wednesday

Hi Foxy Friends! Welcome to another week of The Blended Blog Style.

I got this sweater at the Nordstrom anniversary sale and finally it's starting to get cooler...actually not true, it was cold for 6 seconds and then we're back up to 80's...good news though, we are going back down to the 60's, next week for Christmas, yay for colder weather for Christmas!

Today I'm also linking up with Mel, Shay and Sheaffer for What's Up Wednesday. I like looking back on these, especially since it's the same questions each month, click here for the past months.

What we're eating this week:

Meatloaf on Sunday, then we were going to eat left overs for Monday and Mr. comes home and says there isn't enough meatloaf to eat tonight, I think we should get pizza, so pizza we got. We recently found a pizza place near us, where you can get a bacon chicken ranch and it is SOOO good! So we get half that and then half of whatever Mr. wants. Yum! I should take a picture next time, don't worry we get pizza every 10 days or so...so bad right? What do you like on your pizza?

What I'm reminiscing about:

This time last year, how much the kids have grown and how many new experiences they've gone though this past year. I can't wait to see what next year has in store for us!

What I'm loving:

*Some of the links are affiliate links and I will  either receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you click on it or if you make a purchase from one of these links, I may also receive a commission on the sale of the product. Click here for my disclosure page.

I have been loving all of these things. I have the tee in 5 or 6 colors, they are so comfy, I want to wear it ALL the time. The Exfoliator I got in my FabFitFun box and I love it. I use it once a week, and it makes my skin feel so soft. My friend got my the eyeliner for my birthday and I am obsessed! I used to use this one religiously, but since discovering this new one...oh my goodness, winged eyeliner game is perfect. It goes on gorgeous over eye shadow and it doesn't pick it up like some other ones do and make it less pigmented. So pretty. And the boots, holy cow, they fit over my big calves...I repeat they fit over my calves. And rumor has it (or reviews online), say that it fits skinny calves too...go get them, they are $50 and worth every penny! I just got these fairy lights and they are so fun! Remote control and on a timer, so it goes on automatically. So dang cool right? 4 strands for $20 making it $5 a strand, easy decision to buy! They can go anywhere in the house.

Tee / Exfoliator / Eyeliner / Boots  / Fairy Lights 

 
What we've been up to:

Spending time with my family, keeping busy with getting ready for Christmas, trying to squeeze in time to see my friends before the Holidays.

What I'm dreading:

I'm off for 10 days with the kids and I'm already dreading going back to work in the new year! Boo!

What I'm working on:

Trying to come up with content for the new year and come up with some videos for my YouTube Channel. Anyone have any requests?


What I'm excited about:

Christmas and Baby Fox's birthday! I'm going to be making him this cake this year. He's looking forward to turning 7 because we told him he couldn't drink soda until he turned 7. (Back Story: I drink Diet 7-Up and once he asked us if he could have some and we told him it was caleld 7-Up and that it meant that you couldn't have it unless you were 7 or up...it stuck, so he's super excited to drink it)

What I'm watching/reading:

I guess this counts as watching/listening. But have you seen this guy? His videos ARE SO GOOD and unique. I mean the coordinating and preplaning that goes into this...amazing. Plus Pitch Perfect 3...who else is excited?

What I'm listening to:

Michael Buble christmas album. You can listening to it too...

Just found this song with Ed Sheeran and Andrea Bocelli doing Perfect together, so dang pretty.

What I'm wearing: 

See the beginning of this post. I did buy a red dress for Christmas, so excited to wear it! It's sold out and I can't find it, darn. But will try and take pictures and show case next week, if I can.


What I'm doing this weekend:

Doing a lot of baking, see above and then I have to make probably 400+ more cookies because we went through the 600 from the other day...oops! Don't worry I didn't eat them, I gave them all away.

Hoping we can find time to get away to see some Christmas lights. Plus my brother will be in town for the weekend, so we're looking forward to spending time with him.

What I'm looking forward to next month:

Meeting up with some friends (Lana, Deena and Abbie) in Seattle. Woo hoo, so excited to hug them and get to spend almost 3 days with them exploring, eating and shopping!

What else is new:

Not much else is new. Planning stuff for next year and excited for everything we have going on. Calendar is starting to fill up, which I love!

Bonus Question: What is the best gift you've given a guy?

Hmmm...what is the best gift I have given Mr.? Well it's always something he doesn't want. But I really like the Bose system (this isn't the one I got him, but it is Alexa compatible, that's pretty cool) I got him, it's portable so it doesn't have to be plugged in.

Don't forget to enter my giveaway for $200 cash here!

Now link up your favorite outfit of the week!

An InLinkz Link-up

Linking up here 

$200 Cash Giveaway

Guess what?  I have a giveaway going on right now for $200 paypal cash! Can't win if you don't enter! So go enter and win some cash!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS
Prize: $200 Cash (via Paypal)

Co-hosts: Endless Bliss // Sunny Sweet Days // Burning Moon's Inside Advice // Homeschool Insights // Craftyourself //

 Behind the Plates // Beautiful Touches //  Crayons & Cravings // Coupons and Freebies Mom // Kate Style Petite //
The Mommyhood Mentor® // Mama's Mission // Surviving Mommy // Crayons & Cravings // Jenns Blah Blah Blog //
Capri's Coupons // Lipgloss and Crayons // Mom and More // Inspiring Words from the Heart //
Peanut Butter and Whine // Sparkles and Shoes // Getting Fit Fab // Misadventures with Andi // Beautiful Touches //
Java John Z's // The Frugal Free Gal // SWEETHAUTE // Ottawa Mommy Club // Made In A Pinch //
Musings of a Museum Fanatic // Homeschool Insights // A Labour of Life // Bill Hiatt's Education Site //
Ms. Cat's Honest World // Sunshine and Sippy Cups // Mommies with Cents // English Tea Lady //
Deliciously Savvy // Foxy's Domestic Side // La Vie en May // Avec Amber // My Dairy Free Gluten Free Life // 
Fashion Fairy Dust

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Winner will be notified via email.

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10 Favorite Pictures of 2017

Hi Foxy Friends! I was so tired from the weekend I decided to take Monday off...although I missed not posting about decorations around my house. Perhaps I can get it together and do an after Christmas post, haha. I missed Erin's last lin up for the 10th on the 10th, but better late than never?  Anyway, her last prompt was our 10 favorite photos from this year. I think it's going to be hard to pick, but I'll try. I'll start at the beginning of the year and work my way to the end.

| ONE |

January - Being at the end of the year, and she is no longer is in a crib or in a toddler bed but a full size bed, makes me love this picture even that much more.

| TWO |

February - Taking  Mini Fox to see her first movie - Lego Batman

| THREE |

March - We were waiting for Mini Fox's ballet class to get out and Baby Fox wanted to take silly picture. I don't know why this makes me laugh every time.

| FOUR |

April - Love our yearly flower field pictures.

| FIVE |

When you go on a trip to a different country to meet up with fellow bloggers that you've never met before and you ask them to take this picture and they immediately jump into action without batting and eye or questioning you, you know you found your people. Thank you Blended Blog ladies, Love you!

| SIX |

Our first family trip, where we drove 5 hours, stayed in a hotel and did all sorts of touristy things. Here is Sequoia

| SEVEN |

Our trip to Yosemite this year. I just love this picture of the Guys and the kids...and the girls holding hands, so sweet. We've known this family for almost 7 years and am so happy/thankful to have met them and become as close as we are.

| EIGHT |

7th year Trick or Treating together and it's just as fun this year as it was 7 years ago. And I love that we all still get dressed up.

| NINE |

Our most recent trip to Arizona, where we did so many amazing things, but I just love this picture. Even though you can't see our faces, I just love it.

| TEN |

This picture...I dreamed of taking this picture right here for a year...as soon as we took last years Christmas cards, I knew I wanted to take this years at this pier, and the pictures turned out EXACTLY how I imagined they would, even better. Now where the heck are we going to take pictures for next year?! I have one idea left, but the kids need to be a few years older, darn.

So those are some of my favorite pictures from 2017, I mean there were a ton, but if I could only pick 10. These would be it. So what are your favorite pictures of this year?


Linking up here  also linking up with Ashley & Erika for Tuesday Talk

Friday Favorites #144

Hi Foxy Friends! It's Friday and I'm going out with a friend tonight! Woo hoo, just what I needed! So looking forward to it. But first let's get to some Friday Favorites.

Monday: The Ultimate Gift Guide
Tuesday: How To DIY A Canvas Picture
Wednesday: My Version of a Christmas Sweater
Thursday: Erin Condren Unboxing and Review

I know crazy, two videos in one week. I'm on a roll! But here is the DIY canvas picture if you want to see it. It's easier than you think and was only $5 each to make!

Then I also did an Erin Condren unboxing, it's my very first one, I'm so excited to start using it!

Finally got our Christmas cards out. I'm so bad, they have been siting on our counter since mid November...oops!

In case you missed my IG post...first go follow me, so you don't miss something so monumental again, haha, j/k. I promise not to junk up your feed. I barely remember to post anyway, oops!

All of our family photos, coming at you, next Friday, so stay tuned.

Mini Fox had her Christmas performance on Monday, she was so sweet. Of course I filmed it all, which means I got little to no pictures, oops! Parental fail.

Waving at Daddy as she passes by.

All the kids did a great job, it was so dang cute.

Then Santa came for a visit...

What Mr. sees on the daily when he is leaving for work. I don't even know how he walks out the door after this.

In other pictures this week:

Always the poser

The sunglasses, what a crack up.

Can I say, her outfit, so dang cute! Is it okay to want what your 4 year old is wearing? She wasn't so sure about the shirt, but as soon as everyone started telling her how cute she was, she was totally on board. In case you are wondering she is pretending to be a bunny. Also notice the boxes behind Baby Fox...I think there might be 10 stacked up over there, oops.

Taking brother to school.

She had a make up gymnastic lessons. I love she has her doggy in one hand and a fuzzy purse in the other. So dang cute, oh and of course the boots.

I don't know why, but this picture from lunch yesterday, she looks like such a little girl, she isn't my baby any more...wahhh!!!

So what are you up to this weekend? We are headed 100 miles north to see all of my cousins. We do an annual Cousin party and it is a blast! Here is us from last year. This year we've grown by 1.

Linking up here

Unboxing My First Erin Condren Life Planner

Hi Foxy Friends! It's Thursday! Woo hoo. Mr. and I decided (I'm seriously doubting our decision making skills right now) to do a 3 day cleanse. Today is the last day. Man it's been mentally tough this go. this is my 4th time doing a 3 day cleanse and this one is mentally the most challenging. I think it's because of the time of year and all of the yummy goodies and it being slightly cold, so you want to snuggle up and eat lots of bad for you things.

Anyway, getting to the whole reason for the post. Today I'm reviewing my very first Erin Condren planner! I won a giveaway back in March and was saving the gift card to use for a 2018 calendar. I am so excited to start using it. I've been a Franklin Covey girl since 1996...I know I'm totally dating myself...but it's true. See this post for proof.

Here is my 2018 blogger planner

And a look at the inside:

So pretty right?

And a look at the month.

And I like that the weekly view planning is just after the month.

I made a video with my review, but here are some notes:

Pros:

1. The weekly planning pages are behind the month that it occurs.
2. The boxes are big so I won't have problems writing in it.
3. There are no lines on the 2 page monthly, I hate when they confine me to lines.
4. Customize the cover
5. Buy new cover throughout the year if you get tired of the one you have

Cons:

1. It's big
2. It's big
3. Did I mention it's big?

So far the only con I really see is the size...other wise I think this might be the perfect planner. Perhaps I need to come up with a new system, instead of carrying my planners everywhere I go...what do you do?

Okay onto the video!

Pin for later: 

 

Linking up here also linking up here

Believe Shirt

Hi Foxy Friends! Welcome to The Blended Blog Style. This week we decided to do a Christmas sweater theme. Unfortunately for me, I don't own a Christmas sweater, because #Californiaweather, some years it's 80° on Christmas day, so sweaters don't really do well here. Lucky for me, while shopping around for some Christmas shirts, I found a light weight long sleeve t-shirt, that was perfect! I do believe in the magic of Christmas!

*Some of the links are affiliate links and I will  either receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you click on it or if you make a purchase from one of these links, I may also receive a commission on the sale of the product. Click here for my disclosure page.

The boots are so comfy too, keeps my feet nice and warm!

Silly picture!

Thanks so much for linking up with us! Now show off your Christmas sweaters or shirts!

An InLinkz Link-up

How To DIY A Picture On Canvas

Happy Tuesday Foxy Friends! Today I'm sharing with you how to do a cheap and easy DIY picture to canvas. I was trying to find 10 X 10 canvas to buy, but  I couldn't find them anywhere, so I was off to figure out how to add it to canvas. Here is the easiest way to explain it, which I feel like a lot of other tutorials I tried to find didn't go over.

*Some of the links are affiliate links and I will  either receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you click on it or if you make a purchase from one of these links, I may also receive a commission on the sale of the product. Click here for my disclosure page.

What You'll Need:

Canvas + 1 extra ( I picked 10 x 10 inches)
Picture (printed from Costco or something like that, you could probably also print at home on a piece of regular paper)
Foam Paint Brushes
Paint (I chose black paint to hide my mistakes)
Mod Podge

Directions:

Step 1:

Paint the outside edges of the canvas. I picked black paint, but you could choose anything that is going to match where you are putting the canvas.

Make sure to paint a little over the edge, in case you cut the picture too small, which I did, but you can't tell at all.

Step 2:

Cut picture to size.

Tip: If you have a 10 x 10 canvas, cut it about a 1/4 of an inch smaller, as the sides of my canvas were curved, and when I cut it exact, the picture hung over the sides. But check to make sure what yours is. It's always better error on the side of caution and keep cutting smaller until you get to where you want to be.

Tip 2: You can use a ruler and scissors, I just happen to have a quilting mat and cutter.

Step 3:

Pour Mod Podge over the canvas. Some people like to dip their paint brush, but I just say go for it. You can always add more, so error on the side of light.

Tip: It takes more Mod Podge than you think to cover the canvas. 

All covered with Mod Podge, you can choose if you want to cover the sides or not. Remember this dries completely clear.

Step 4:

Place picture on the Mod Podge'd canvas, press firmly and make sure to get rid of any air bubbles, those would be bad. Make sure to really press down on the sides, as those tend to stick up a bit...wait for it to dry, about 15 minutes.

Step 5:

Once dry...now this is the scary part....pour more Mod Podge all over the picture and spread around with your foam paint brush.

Tip: You can't use too much, this will dry clear, so if you accidentally use too much, don't worry about it, spread it evenly and continue on.

Step 6: 

Here is where your DIY is going to make it look legit. Take your extra canvas, and use it to create an imprint in the canvas. You want that texture that canvas has to make it look real.

Tip: I tried to put the canvas directly over the top and press down, but where the wood is on the back, didn't imprint with the canvas texture. I found using the middle worked the best and moving it around. Sometimes I accidentally moved it a bit, so it smeared, don't worry just do it again. It's not dry yet, so just keep working it until the texture looks like you want.

This is what it will look like.

Tip: I suspect that if you have a thicker layer of Mod Podge that you will be more of a texture to stand out, so if you are looking to make it look a lot more textured, do a thicker layer. I also think that you could probably do a thin layer, let it dry and then do it again for another layer to make it a bit thicker if you want. I did not try this...just guessing based off of what I did.

And the finished product!

I couldn't get a good picture of the texture on this picture, but I could with some of the ones. Like these.

The texture is by no means uniform, but I think that makes each of them unique. Of course you can barely see the texture from afar, but I think if you didn't have it, then it would look "off" and not really canvas'y'.

My finished project!

I absolutely love it, and it makes me smile every time I walk into my kitchen and see their cute faces...crying or not.

Of course if you are more of a "I need to see it in action person", here is a video I put together.

Now go out and impress your friends and family with how crafty you are!


 

Linking up here