2 Clever Blog

love 2 love

Aloha Think::

Can you believe that today is the last day of February?  I can - this has been a long month.
So today is the last day of our Love 2 Love project.  ( I do think we should do this again later this year because it has been fun to see what you love)

Since I only have one day left I am going to cram a bunch in this.

The Tervis Tumbler.  My very cool southern friend turned me on to these and I finally bought some for me - can you believe I found Pineapple ones.  
Tervis Tumbler site 

 
I love click n ship. I have not been to the post office in 6 months.  I do all my stamp buying and shipping online and love it!!
 

I love Stumble Upon.  I am not sure if I have totally figured it out but can tell it is amazing.  I have their tool bar on the top of my web browser and just know it is so easy to send you sites now that I love by the click of one button.  I look forward to find out how this works, but it is worth looking at their site.

I am sure I will think of a million  more things by the end of the day, so lets do this again sometime.

don't forget the sunscreen!
Pink::

one step ahead

Photo taken on the plane with my iphone

Dear Pink::

I am on the plane flying to Hawaii and I open People magazine to find their favorite lyp balm is yours too!  You are 1 step ahead, now I really must get a tube and try it out.
Off to get a tan and relax

Aloha
Think::

2 "Clover"....get it?

Pink :: Happy Early March!

I am literally running out the door to catch my flight to Hawaii. I went ahead and changed out the blog design a few days early. Hope you don't mind.

I'm sad that I didn't get my life together enough to finish all my love 2 loves this month. I'll post them when I get back. I've got some good ones half written. :)

Any ideas of what do, see, eat on Maui?  It's supposed to rain so we may be looking for things to do other than stare dreamily at the ocean looking for whales.

I hope you won't get too lonely on here while I'm gone. I'm not sure if I will be able to post while I'm there but I will try. I'll hopefully have a great travel report when I get back if nothing else. Trying to keep up with all your European adventures is hard work.

Before I left I wanted to share one of my favorites from my old personal blog. It's my favorite St. Patty's day decor. Last year it grew like crazy and I had to keep trimming it back with tiny scissors.

Here it is:

*******************************************************************

1. old cheap clear extra large Christmas ornaments

2. clean gravel from fish tank

3. a bit of filter carbon to keep it all fresh, also from fish tank supplies

4. couple of spoonfuls of potting soil

5. weed from my yard

6. Your green poka dot ribbon you sent me

Voila!

A hard to kill tiny terrarium to hang in multiples in my front hall window. I figure that clover weeds can survive anywhere so it may just last all spring without me being able to kill it. And if it doesn't...

...at least I did some weeding in the front yard.

*********************************************************************

Aloha :: Think

Pink :: Happy Early March!

I am literally running out the door to catch my flight to Hawaii. I went ahead and changed out the blog design a few days early. Hope you don't mind.

I'm sad that I didn't get my life together enough to finish all my love 2 loves this month. I'll post them when I get back. I've got some good ones half written. :)

Any ideas of what do, see, eat on Maui?  It's supposed to rain so we may be looking for things to do other than stare dreamily at the ocean looking for whales.

I hope you won't get too lonely on here while I'm gone. I'm not sure if I will be able to post while I'm there but I will try. I'll hopefully have a great travel report when I get back if nothing else. Trying to keep up with all your European adventures is hard work.

Before I left I wanted to share one of my favorites from my old personal blog. It's my favorite St. Patty's day decor. Last year it grew like crazy and I had to keep trimming it back with tiny scissors.

Here it is:

*******************************************************************

1. old cheap clear extra large Christmas ornaments

2. clean gravel from fish tank

3. a bit of filter carbon to keep it all fresh, also from fish tank supplies

4. couple of spoonfuls of potting soil

5. weed from my yard

6. Your green poka dot ribbon you sent me

Voila!

A hard to kill tiny terrarium to hang in multiples in my front hall window. I figure that clover weeds can survive anywhere so it may just last all spring without me being able to kill it. And if it doesn't...

...at least I did some weeding in the front yard.

*********************************************************************

Aloha :: Think

Lyps!

 

Think::

Are your lips as dry as mine?  I feel I can't leave the house without a balm in my pocket.  While I was in Denver (I dried up fast just being there for 3 days) I picked up a tube of Lypsyl at Walgreens and I fell in love. (and it fit into Mr. Pink's budget plan)

 

This is my new favorite lip moisturizer and it dispenses really cool too.  Next time you are at the drug store pick one up you will love it!

mmmm, (rubbing lips together)
Pink::
 

Have you seen this?

 

Lilly Pulitzer Monopoly Set
If I had $50 I'd send one to you, Pink!!

:: Think ::

I love The Week

Pink ::

Somehow this love 2 love thing is bringing out my inner geek.
Map shower curtains and now this.

Before becoming a Mom I read the newspaper everyday. Usually it was at my desk at work, but I read it everyday. After Little Think arrived I tried to keep it up but the papers started stacking up in the corner and I felt like we were wasting money and filling our recycle bin for nothing. (Well, not nothing...I was getting my 40% off coupon) Anyway, we stopped the paper.

I felt like I didn't know what was going on in the world.

I take that back, Little Think was my world and I was thrilled. I just couldn't carry on a conversation with anyone who wasn't interested in Little Think's amazing perfection.

Then we found The Week magazine.

 

The best way to describe it is Cliff Notes of all the major newspapers and magazines. All that you need to know is condensed down and arrives once a week at my door with very few ads getting in the way. (Blasphemy, I know, from someone who worked at an ad agency) But I love that I can read it quickly and feel knowledgeable. I love that they present many sides of issues from various journalists. I love the book, theater, movie and art reviews and the recipes. I love the entire page of editorial cartoons. I love the fabulous quotes they share. But my favorite part is the spread in each issue where they compare homes from around the country and tell you how much they cost. Oooooo!

It is kind of a pricey subscription but I think it is worth 100 times that. We have given many gift subscriptions to friends and family. (Actually, did we give you guys one? I honestly can't remember if we did. Oops!) Their website really does not do it justice. Click here to go to it. Find a copy at your library, newsstand or Barnes & Noble. See if you like it. I promise you will feel very clever, indeed.

I'll try to post something non-nerdy tomorrow :: Think

Reasons 2 Celebrate: Feb. 23rd - March 2nd

Pink ::

For me this is Get Ready for My Trip to Hawaii Week. 
But since no one else will want to celebrate that one with me, here are other better reasons to celebrate.

This week is:
National Pancake Week

23rd :: National Banana Bread Day
23rd :: Tennis Day
23rd :: International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day

24th :: Mardi Gras Day / Fat Tuesday
24th :: National Tortilla Chip Day

25th :: International Clam Chowder Festival
25th :: National Chocolate Covered Peanuts Day (Goobers!!!)
25th :: Ash Wednesday

26th :: National Pistachio Day
26th :: Carnival Day
26th :: Tell a Fairy Tale Day (Once upon a time...)

27th :: Polar Bear Day
27th :: No Brainer Day
            (you are only supposed to do things that are "no brainers")

28th :: Floral Design Day
28th :: National Chocolate Souffle Day
28th :: Public Sleeping Day
             (too bad this is not on a Sunday. Mr. Think often celebrates this at church.)
28th :: National Tooth Fairy Day (this one could be fun)

1st :: National Fruit Compote Day
1st :: National Pig Day
1st :: Peanut Butter Lovers' Day
         (I'm going to combined two and pig out on peanut butter)

2nd :: National Banana Cream Pie Day
2nd :: World Day of Prayer
2nd :: Old Stuff Day (as in the "same old stuff")

:: Think

Valentines Day Wrap up!

Dear Think::

I never really finished showing you what we did for Valentine cards and our big exciting day.  It was pretty chaotic actually, but I always love a good chaotic day once in a while.  My last minute class gift of a Valentine Mug and Target gift card came together thanks to cellophane and ribbon- which in my opinion makes any gift exciting. 

about 20 minutes before I ran out the door I was doing the iron on
for the teacher's Valentine Apron. I am so last minute.  She really loved it and wore it the rest of the day.

 
The other funny thing was I had made heart pancakes for breakfast and told the girls that I had a special fruit dip to put on the pancakes.  Little Pink ran upstairs to her room and said "Oh I have fruit dip" She dug through her class valentine bag and came back down stairs with her fun dip saying , "look mom Fruit dip - it is blue raspberries!"  I am not sure what should bother me more the fact she thought this was acceptable to put on her pancakes or that blue raspberries is an actual fruit!

I am already thinking green for St. Patrick's Day.
Pink::

Ahhhh - scar!

 

Dear Think::

Hope you had a great weekend, mine felt very uneventful and not so clever, but very relaxing.
I hope that whatever you are doing this weekend you get a chance to do one of the following::

 laugh with  this guy

learn some accounting tips from this guy

watch boxing with this guy
 

eat some of these guys

or snuggle up in pj's while watching this guy!
This website has some awesome and fun trivia to check out before the show.

off to pop popcorn
Pink::

unwrapped

Think::

Today I went to the awesome Marine Corps Exchange (exchange is where they have clothes and electronics)  near  Pentagon side of Arlington Cemetery.  It has some incredible deals along with all of their imported European Chocolate Easter treats - which are both yummy and beautiful.  I discovered from making a wrong turn that it is also connected to the Iwo Jima Memorial side of Arlington Cemetery, which is next to the Army Commissary (grocery store).  This was  huge discovery!

I ran into the Commissary to show my friend what the inside looked like and we found this!

How long have these been out?  Have I been missing the boat or what?  Small bits of caramel that are unwrapped.  Please tell me that you have not been using these for years and kept this to yourself.
These are making my love 2 love list for today!  I am making Caramel brownies 2night!

Pink::

ps::  I am going to miss that military discount like crazy in about 17 months!

2 words for you...

Pink ::

HOLY YUMMYNESS!

:: Think

I love my Grammy Music

Pink :: I know you love music.

I used to feel like I was pretty hip when it came to music.
I knew what was going on and what I liked to listen to.

Then when Little Think arrived, my musical life shifted to music for her.
Not that I minded....I love Philadelphia Chickens with deep devotion.
(It's just one of the many Sandra Boynton's music/book collections. So great. Click here if you don't know about it.)

But I really am out of the "big person" music loop, so to speak.

We have a friend who is a DJ. And pretty good one at that. We were admiring his music collection at one of his events and asking him a million music questions. We asked him if we were to buy one CD what would it be? He told us to, "Always, always, ALWAYS buy the Grammy Nomination Compilation!"

So we have.

It is a great way to get a wide variety of music. I laugh because I can be somewhat of a music snob and feel like some of it is not going to be stuff I want to listen to. (Rap?!) But once we have it. I'm usually hooked.

It is also a pretty good deal (at least on iTunes) because you get 20 songs for $10.99.

Listening to it as I type this :: Think

Pink gets 2 Smart!

Think::

Ok I am just loving this list of things we love.  Every morning I wake and hope you have listed something new.  That shower thing yesterday was awesome!

Here is mine for today.  I love Smart Wool socks.  Living in the north east my feet have gotten quite cold in the winter and I wear socks all the time.  This is painful for my native New Mexican feet who grew up in flip flops.

I have run in smart wool socks and love them, but these striped beauties are an answer to my fashion dilemmas.  I never know what color of socks to wear with the right color of pants.  So wearing socks that have every color under the sun means at least I get one right. 

These socks are thin in weight but strong in warmth.  I have 3 pairs and am constantly washing them.

If you ever leave that wonderful, warm winter of yours and need some warm socks - get Smart and and get smart wool!

You can buy me here

toasty toes
Pink::

I love my shower curtain

Pink :: I love to shower in front of the whole world.

Let me explain.

In one of our bathrooms I have a beautiful chocolate brown silk shower curtain. 
To protect it from moisture I needed a plastic curtain behind it.
I was at Target wandering and thought I would pick up a cheap-o plain clear plastic shower curtain.

But I saw this one instead.

A map of the world shower curtain. Oh yeah! Totally geeky, right?

I put it up behind my stylish brown silk curtain facing inside the shower. You have no idea it is there until you hop in to shower.  Then you are shocked to find a huge map of the world before you. Ta Da!

I love hearing the reactions of our house guests who use that shower. They always think it's hilarious. And then we have a long discussion about how we didn't know where Azerbaijan was exactly. Or Togo. Or Kerguelen Island. My geography skills are huge now. I'm trying to find a geography game of some sort so we can whip some unsuspecting souls with our new knowledge.

I find myself using this shower instead of the one in my master bathroom just for the intellectual jolt.

The only downside...my hot water usage is way up as I find myself and others taking longer showers as we ponder all things geographical. But what else can you do while waiting for your deep conditioner to do its job?

Increase your world knowledge here.

Letting my inner geek flag fly discreetly behind chocolate silk :: Think

PS: In the reviews of the curtain on Target's website some complained about it smelling plastic-y and being dirty. Like any plastic shower curtain I get I aired mine out in the garage for awhile and then washed it in my washing machine before I hung it. The "dirt" on it is the powder to keep the plastic from sticking to itself while it's in hot warehouses. Just FYI.

Happy President's Day

Think::
Happy President's Day.  Hope you had a great day.  This is where we went along with the rest of the families in the area.   It was pretty crowded.  We chose not to wait in line to see the awesome and incredible exhibit on President Lincoln, the little's were just not in the mood.  I am thinking of going back by myself when they are all in school.
Happy Birthday Mr. Washington and Lincoln!
Pink::

I love 2 faced

Think::

I love this  idea of sharing things we love. And I love, love the 2 heart logo, we have got to use that all year. 

So here is my first one.  I know it is is animal print - don't judge too soon.  It is the best makeup item I own.  It is a bronzer and blush all in one.  It is made by a company call Too Faced, I bought my at Sephora.  It may seem a bit pricey for $28.00 but it has now lasted me 6 months with no sign of going anywhere and it comes with a brush and mirror.  (i personally don't like the brush but always have it if I need it)

Here is what Sephora has to say about it:

Our world famous, lovely leopard bronzing and blushing powder combines gorgeous shades of golden bronzes, gilded pinks and neutral fawns to create a glorious skin brightening and all over glow.  Available in an all new, perfect and portable purse-sized compact, this wild little accessory lets you get your bronze on anywhere you are.  The perfect bronzer to create a healthy-looking flush to your cheeks and face anytime of the year.  You'll look like you just got back from an African Safari.

• All Skins:  Looks gorgeous on every skin tone.
• Color Combination:  Bronze, fawn and pink - warms, neutralizes and brightens all in one.
• Brightener:  Banish the doldrums all year round.
• Shimmer:  Just enough - great for work and on-the-go girls.
• Bronzing Brush:  Cut to "hit" and "highlight" just where you want safari appeal.

Buy me at Sephora

Anyway - I am not a makeup girl and I love 2 love this stuff!

Can't wait to find more things I love 2 love
Pink::

Reasons 2 Celebrate: Feb. 16th - Feb. 23

Pink :: So glad to have something after V-day to look forward to.

This week is:
    International Friendship Week
    Health Education Week
    National Engineers Week
    International Flirting Week (yikes!)

16th :: President's Day
16th :: Feast of Sticky Buns

17th :: Random Acts of Kindness Day (love this!)
17th :: National Cafe Au Lait Day

18th :: National Battery Day (what would we do without them? I'm
            going to celebrate by buying large quantities at Costco.)
18th :: National Crab Stuffed Flounder day

19th :: Butter Festival begins in China
19th :: National Chocolate Mint Day

20th :: Hoodie Hoo Day
            (Not making this up. Copyrighted by some herbal company.
             Everyone is supposed to go outside at noon, wave your hands
             in the air and shout "Hoodie Hoo" to chase away winter.
             Wonder what my neighbors will think?)
20th :: National Cherry Pie Day
20th :: Love Your Pet Day (LuLu gets too much love as it is...spoiled cat)

21st :: Card Reading Day (maybe it's not too late for my holiday cards?)
21st :: Feast of Peace & Love (sounds groovy!)
21st :: National Sticky Bun Day (in case you missed the Feast of Sticky Buns)

22nd :: George Washington's Birthday (I admire him so)
22nd :: Be Humble Day ( so appropriate this is on George's birthday)
22nd :: International World Thinking Day
             (Girl Scout day to think of other girls worldwide)
22nd :: Walking the Dog Day (real dog walking or the yo-yo trick?)

23rd :: National Banana Bread Day (yum!)
23rd :: Tennis Day
23rd :: International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day
            (are they not appreciated everyday???)

Whew! a very full week :: Think

I love not stinky shoes

Pink :: Here is my first love 2 love for you.

I have stinky feet.

There. I said it for all to read. I'll say it again.

I have stinky feet.

The problem is, as you have mentioned in posts before, I like Mary Jane style shoes. So cute. So comfortable. But the problem is that sometimes socks just don't look right with them. Or with the entire outfit for that matter. And I have to go sockless in my shoes. Now in slides or other summer shoes that is not a problem but in Mary Janes, ballet shoes or any other type of shoe, a problem soon develops. Especially here in Texas.

The Sweaty Feet.

It's not too bad at first. But after awhile the serious stinky-ness arrives. I would never remove my shoes away from home for fear of subjecting others to the horrid feet smell. But at home...my poor Mr. Think who has to share a closet with me and my many stinky shoes, was not silent in his displeasure of walking into a stinky stink of stinkiness every night.

All that changed with my Fresh'ins Disposable Shoe Inserts. Made by Kiwi. Found them in Target one day hanging in the shoe section.  Decided to try them. Changed my life. Saved my marriage. Saved all my cute shoes!!!

They are really thin shoe inserts that are lightly scented that you wear for awhile and then throw away. You buy the size you need so you just pull them out and slide them in. You can't tell they are in your shoes. It says "wear for 5 days" on the package but I go for as long as my nose tells me I can. I use them in all my "enclosed" shoes. Loafers, heels, flats, boots, sneakers, etc. I figure the cost of the Fresh'ins is saving me a ton in the cost of replacement shoes. I could kiss the clever person who invented these.

Click here for their website.

I love 2 love my Fresh'ins :: Think

What do you love 2 love?

Pink :: I got an idea

Did you have  a nice Valentine's Day?
I'm sure you did with Mr. Pink coming home after being gone.

So I was thinking now that we are back in the "post holiday blues" after V day that I needed something to look forward 2. I want to know some things that you really love. I mean really love. Products, places, etc. Things that you might feel silly singing the praises of in a normal conversation but that you really, really like and can't get enough of. Stuff that if someone actually asked you about it – you could go on for days and days about it. Basically I want to know about the stuff you love 2 love for the rest of February, the "Month of Love".  Are you in?

I'll go first :: Think

PS: I love the little logo I made up there created out of our beloved number 2 flopped. hee-hee!

Valentine toast 2 Pink

 

(best investment ever....tiny letter cookie cutters!)

Pink :: Happy Valentines Day!!!

Just thought I would give a toast 2 you and tell what I love about you today.

I love...that your love is directed tirelessly to others.
I love...that you worry about other peoples memories & heirlooms.
I love...that you are such a "fun" mom to your 3 girls.
I love...that you still get excited about things are are not afraid to show it.
I love...that you set hard goals and do it. (And even share your goal imperfections with others!)
I love...that you collect things. Especially friends whenever, where ever you are.
I love...that you never tire of finding new ideas.
I love...that you married such a great guy who puts up with our silliness.
I love...that you are willing to look silly.
I love...that you do things even if you might fail.

but most of all

I love...that you know all my faults and shortcomings but are still willing to stick with me and be my friend.

Love you Pink! :: Think

No empty chairs

Think::
Only one more day and Mr. Pink comes home from his 10 day trip.  (and yes I am going crazy!)
I thought I would share with you a new family tradition we started.  One of the littles drew a portrait of him (seriously you got to love the gray hair and braces) and taped it to his chair at the dinner table.  Every night that we have eaten take out Pizza and Ramen noodles we have laughed and thought about him (Ok, I did cook vegetables one night)
I just thought it would be a fun thing to share to do when any family member goes out of town for a few days.

Here is the up close view.

Counting the hours
Pink::

And the 2clever winners are....

Dear Eavesdroppers::

You will think this is funny. 
The other night as I was making  my fancy, husband out of town dinner of Ramen Noodles for the littles,  I grabbed my 2cleverblog hand painted mug from the top shelf and poured the noodles inside.  Then while my little girl was stirring the soup all these red circles floated to the top.

I had not used the mug since drawing the winner for our first ribbon give-2-you.  I was hoping to keep the numbers inside in case I had to draw winners again.  Oh well.

So I am more than thrilled that Susan , The Passionate Collector  and her  wildly creative team picked the 2 winners for her recent give-2-you.  
 

For the wafer necklace Susan and team chose Erin who posted on February 4th @ 3:47pm.  She is making a sacrifice for our country by being a military wife.  We hope this prize will inspire her to start her first collection since she lost her beloved dolls.

 

From Erin::
When my husband and I were first married we moved to Germany( he's in the Army) and he deployed to Bosnia where he went to a Bazaar and found hand painted Nesting Dolls, he started sending me a different set of dolls every month for the year he was gone, it was very sweet and I loved those nesting dolls so much, I even started buying my own on my travel's around Europe in the 3 years we were there, I had quite the collection! When we were ready to leave Germany and move back to the states I asked the movers to be very careful with my nesting dolls because they meant so much to me and so I watched as each doll was hand wrapped very carefully and they filled a whole box on their own. Once in the states it was the one box I couldn't wait to open, those dolls meant "home" to me, but the box was nowhere to be found...no one had any idea what could have happened to it and my beautiful nesting dolls were gone. I just hope they are in a good home and being loved. Every time my husband has been deployed since he's offered to start a new collection for me, but I just can't seem to go through it again..so I am currently collectionless...

For the Pearl necklace Susan's team chose Nora from Chicago who posted on February 6 @ 1:14pm.  Her post funny and whimsical (her life reminds us of  Susan).  Also, I feel that the fact that she opens her home to stray cats is lovely.  It shows a true generous spirit.  You can say that Meimei and Bailey chose her story hands down.

From Nora::

3 or more of anything is a collection - so boy, do I collect alot of stuff!
I collect:
-CATS that show up at the back door looking for 2 hots and a cot - we have 5; 6 is house limit!
-PEOPLE - you never know when, how or where you will meet them, but each one adds something to you life!
-CRAFT PROJECTS that I will get to some day. I choose to think of them as an annuity - when I am old and on a pensioner's income I will have lots to do and won't have to feel guilty about spending money!
-50 STATE QUARTERS - hey, it's a rough economy!
-RECIPES & COOKBOOKS- gotta eat!
-PHOTOGRAPHS - can't know where you are going if you don't remember where you've been!
-DUST - no, I guess my house collects THAT!
Oh, the list goes on and on .....
Exhausted thinking about it - guess I should just COLLECT my thoughts!
Both pieces of jewelry are beautiful and would be welcomed and enjoyed.

 

::::

Susan and team, Thank you so much for your generous gifts for our eavesdroppers.  We hope you have a wonderful Valentines Day and we look forward to watch you add to your collection. 

 

Here are a few new things I noticed she has collected since we started the give-2-you!
There are even more you might want 2 check out!

Thanks and if you are one of the winners please email think@2cleverblog.com to connect with Susan to claim your wonderful Valentine gift!

I've gotta CRUSH...

 

Pink :: How are you holding up as a "single mom" this week?

Did you know they made Crush in a strawberry flavor?
And in such darling little bottles? (my photo does not do it justice)
I couldn't resist. Had to make one for my personal Crush.

Maybe you want to make one for yours when he gets home.
...or maybe not depending on how it's going. :)

Well, if you do here is where I got my stuff:

Crush Strawberry six-pack at Walmart
1.5 inch wooden tags at Michael's or you could just use a paper tag
pink/red striped string from Martha Stewart Baker's Twine
Open my artwork by clicking here. And then print the page.

There are 6 circles on an 8.5x11 sheet so you can do the entire 6-pack
if you have more than one crush *wink-wink*

I hope the drink tastes good. Sometimes strawberry flavor can be tricky.
But hey, it's the thought that counts right?

Hang in there! :: Think

Free Shipping!

Pink :: you might already do this

I ordered a new swimsuit from Lands End this morning for my upcoming trip. (Yippee!) And as I was just about to click the place order button I wondered if I could find a free shipping code. I always seem to find my catalog with those codes after I place an order. Grr! But then I found this site.

www.rather-be-shopping.com

Got the code and saved myself almost 20 bucks! I don't really do a lot of online shopping because I like to touch what I'm buying (I'm really picky) and I hate the return process. But this makes all that worth it if I can find free shipping all the time.

Are there other sites like this?

Does everyone do this and I'm just slow to figure it out??

Now I want a website to make me look good in the swimsuit:: Think

Have you seen me?

Think::

Ok, so I know it sounds kind of pathetic how many times I go to Goodwill, it is like I live there.  In my defense it is next door to the kids school so if I get there 10 minutes early to pick them up, I just run in.

Today I found these.  4 chalk sketches of a darling family. They were all scattered in the print section but I had to put them all together to take a photo.  My oldest pink was home from school so she was with me and I kept saying to her, "oh this is so sad, it is so sad"  A lady was standing next to me and we kept looking at these framed sketches together.  We both agreed how sad it was that these were being sold in Goodwill and not at home with a family member.

I wanted to buy these so bad.  I thought about it for about 10 minutes.  They were $8.99 each, (which I thought was high for strangers.)  It was like I didn't want to leave them there.  Can you even imagine how beautiful this would be hanging in the house of their great grandchildren?  They are all so beautiful and you can tell they are all related.  I wanted to buy them even to do some hunting to find a blood relatives home for them.  But I knew what Mr. Pink would say if he found them, "What you bought another families sketches, when we don't even have ones for our own kids?"  If I had a huge home with a place to hang them maybe?  I don't know I am torn. 

What would you have done??  Do I got back and fetch them?

falling victim to my budget
Pink::

To any eavesdroppers if you know these people tell me I will run and buy them for you!!!

Healthy Heart Attack

Think::

So you have been to my house.  Our neotraditional neighborhood where the homes are darling and look like a Norman Rockwell painting but they are just so dang close together.  In our culdasac alone there are 16 homes all on top of each other.  I do love this type of life and it has given me a chance to really get to know all my neighbors. It also makes it really easy to do things for your neighbors when they are so close.

 

For innaguration weekend I put little American flags all at their base of their mailboxes. 
It made our little cirlce that much more patriotic

     Today I came up with this idea for Valentines.  I cut out large felt hearts, 2 for each mailbox.
Then i just stapled the two hearts together around the flag of the mailbox.  Yes, you read it right my friend, STAPLED, not fabric glue and not hand stitched on each one.  A simple staple.  It is the only way that I can do them fast without getting caught (what is so sad, remember the day when I would have whipstitched around 100 hearts  for  neighbors mailboxes -oh the days!)
I can't decide if I will do them one night this week or if I will do them late Friday night so they wake up to them on Valentines day.  What do you think?

I know there are some neighborhoods that don't have mailboxes so just even taping a felt heart on each box would be darling too.

back to my heart attack
Pink::


 Goodmail defined here.
           

Reasons 2 Celebrate: Feb. 9th - Feb. 16th

Pink :: What a weekend!

We had so much going on. Not sure I can muster the energy to party this week but I will try.
It is Valentine's Day this week after all.

This week is:
    Boy Scouts Week (yay boys!)
    National Future Homemakers of America Week (yay girls)
    Great American Pizza Bake Week
    International Forgiveness Week (ouch. a tough one....)
    National Cardiopulmonary Week (ha-ha)
    National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week
         (you are already doing this!)

9th :: Clean out Your Computer Day (I am SO doing this today)

9th :: National Inventor's Day
          (Can I invent something to clean out my computer for me?)

9th :: National Bagel and Lox Day

10th :: National Cream Cheese Brownie Day

10th :: Umbrella Day (hope it's still raining tomorrow)

11th :: National Peppermint Patty Day (my favorite!)

11th :: Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk Day

11th :: White Shirt Day (very interesting...Google it)

12th :: Abraham Lincoln's Birthday

12th :: National Plum Pudding Day

12th :: Great American Chocolate Festival

12th :: Borrowed Days Begin
            (It's the Scottish Groundhog Day. Click here for info. )

13th :: Get a Different Name Day (this should be interesting)

13th :: Blame Someone Else Day

14th :: Read to Your Child Day (best book about this here)

14th :: National Cream-Filled Chocolates Day (not a fan personally)

14th :: Ferris Wheel Day (in February???)

14th :: Cat Festival (Little Think will be thrilled)

15th :: National Gumdrop Day
            (I still have some leftover from the wreath I was going to make at Christmas)

16th :: President's Day

16th :: Feast of Sticky Buns (I just like saying this)

16th :: Do a Grouch a Favor Day
            (I may have lots of people being nice to me this day. ha!)

16th :: National Almond Day

Enjoy your Valentines Week! :: Think

February Wallpaper

Pink :: Better now than never right?

Finally some wallpaper for your desktop if you want it. It's very red & pink. Good its a short month. My eyes may go crazy!

Click here to get it.

Email me at think@2cleverblog.com if you have trouble with it.

Just realized I didn't put who said the quote I used. Oops!

"To love is to receive a glimpse of heaven"
- Karen Sunde -

Happy February :: Think

 

Think::

You will not believe this but it is 65 degrees in Denver.  I went for a run along cherry creek and ended up taking off my scarf and jacket.  I discovered some amazing little places I can't wait to share with you. 
Until them I thought I would share another clever travel tip.  I try to always take photos of man hole covers to document where I travel.
I got some great ones from Europe last summer.

Here is a sneak peek at what I earned for going for a run on Vacation.

Ok back to the mile high city I was just jumping in the shower at the hotel but had to say hi!

Loving Colorado!
Pink::

2nd hand is always 2clever!

 

Think::

So here I go again showing off my 2nd hand finds at my local Goodwill.  Glass punch bowl $5.99.  I have one already but am always looking for these to give away as gifts

I can never turn down a blast from my past - these were all that I wore in 5th grade.  Who knew they are now $70 a shirt.  So in pink for $3.98, I could not pass it up.

I have never seen a full nativity set at any thrift store so I was thrilled when I found this set.  It is marked on each piece Mexico.  Each piece was sold individually from 99 cents to 59 cents, so I think the whole set was about $8.00

 

But what I really had to show you was this silver candelabra that I found.  It is tarnished like no other but has such great potential.  You can see a few spots where I have cleaned it up a bit.  It is marked with Reed and Barton 860.  I looked it up on-line and it sells for $1499.00 on Replacements.com  It is so heavy and amazing I can't imagine selling it but if I knew it would pay for our family to take a trip together, I just may do it!
I will show you a post photo once I finish cleaning it with my old toothbrush.

So, Think and anyone else listening, I challenge you to buy  something 2nd hand this year.  With the current economy this is the perfect year to find  ways to buy 2nd hand.

• Make yourself very familiar with every thrift store in your area
• Make Craigslist a visit before you buy anything large
• eBay
• check out freecycle.com - this makes my trash digging legal and so much easier.
• ask your friends to see if they have what you are looking for that you could buy from them.  I bought 2 American Girl dolls from my friend this year and gave them to my girls from Santa and it saved me hundreds!

I would love to see what 2nd hand treasures you can find out there, so feel free to share them at pink@2cleverblog.com.  And don't forget to check our running list of finds just to the left of this post.

So today I am in Denver and you better believe I will search for a thrift store to search through.

Happy Hunting!
Pink::