2 Clever Blog

Clever boarding pass

Think::
Just getting on a airplane and thought I would share with you my clever boarding pass idea.
NEVER print your boarding pass on white paper, it is impossible to find
I of course go for pink.
Have a great weekend.
Pink::

 

Think ::

I may have done you a little disservice by telling you I was going to the Mountains in Virginia - you may have envisioned a tent and bug repellent picture.  Well it is a little more like this

Oh my, even I had no idea of what an amazing place I was headed to for the week.  It is historic, full of antiques, every piece of furniture is custom upholstered and it is amazingly relaxing.  Here are just a few things we have done this week and we have not traveled more than half a mile.

• ice skating
• smores by the fire
• swimming
• golf
• fishing
• bowling
• bingo
• shopping
• gone to the movies
• chess, checkers and wooden puzzles
• hot tubbing
• we still have paintball, 2 Easter egg hunts, family crafts, magician and Easter Brunch to look forward to.

 

Here is the corridor to the Spa!

I took the historic tour today (i was the only one in the tour and it was wonderful).  I took a ton of photos for the blog because I knew you would love this place.  This resort built in 1766 - any idea of where I am?

Pink ::

Talk about a 180...

Hi Pink ::

can you believe I'm going to go from this.....

(my popcorn scraping mess and other getting house ready to sell nightmares)

to this??!!!

(7 day Alaskan cruise)

We planned this trip a year ago with my mother and siblings when
1. There was an economy
2. We were not moving.

Talk about bad timing.
Or maybe it is the best timing ever? hmmmmm

 I don't think I have ever need a vacation more than I do right now. I have not left the house for the last 3 weeks unless it was to go to church or Home Depot. 6am to midnight everyday painting, refinishing, organizing, cleaning, gardening in 100 degree heat and telling Little Think to stop messing up what I had finished doing.
My "2cleverness" is at a all time low.
Yeah. I need some chill time.
(literally and figuratively)

I will try an mobile post the highlights. I've never been on a cruise before so if it ends up being endless posts about beautiful scenery and chocolate desserts at midnight, I'm sorry.

Hopefully I will come back with fresh ideas to share. Especially with school right around the corner.

:: Think off sailing the Alaskan "drink"
(haha get it? told you I wasn't 2clever these days)

If I were a mystery, this would be my title....

Hi Pink::

Actually this is a real mystery novel Killed By Clutter written by Leslie Caine. She writes mysteries dealing with interior design. I got it at my Book Club book exchange last Christmas. I wanted it so I could frame the book cover because it is so my life right now. (Okay, who am I kidding.... my life all the time) I'm just keep asking myself over and over, where did all this junk come from as we try to get this house ready to sell.

I'm about to unplug my computer for awhile to shave some popcorn. Don't know what that means? Consider yourself lucky! For some reason in the 70's it was the "normal way" to finish ceilings in homes by spraying paint with added bits of foam (i think) so it looks like a vat of cottage cheese.

Whose brain child was this? I'm sure it was lovely when it was first done but after a few years it starts looking pretty bad. We have removed it in almost every room of our house except two. It is not hard exactly, just really, really, messy. We were hoping to make it out of here without having to do those last two rooms. But after our meeting with our real estate agent she told us we really did need to take the popcorn ceilings down. The last rooms are the laundry room and....wait for it.....my office. Ahhhhhhh! We have been avoiding it for 5 years. All those books, art supplies, papers, files, the equipment, all the projects I really will do someday. Nightmare. And so it has begun. I'm looking around thinking there is no way this house will be ready for an Open House in 10 days.

So after reading all that whining I thought I should share something clever to make it up to you. Maybe you do this already but it has been so helpful to us when we travel with our Little Think. In the past I would pack her suitcase and then 10 seconds later she will have pawed through it and everything was in a jumble. I have started packing her outfits in slider ziplock bags. The entire outfit for the day– underwear to socks to hair bows each in its own ziplock bag.

I know its not too "green" but I save the ziplocks and use them over and over for as many trips as the slider thingy will continue to work. I love holding up two bags and asking if she wants to wear "this or this" and then tossing the bag of her choice to her and out she comes in something that says "I have such a good mom – look how cute and coordinated I am while visiting extended family we hardly ever see so we have just one outfit to prove that."

At least that is what is says to me.

Not exactly sure what it will say to the monkeys jumping into your car on your next European adventure next month...

Off to chant my mantra of the day "Cottage Cheese Free is the Way to Be" while 30+ years of gunk falls on my head and I lose all feeling in my arms and fingers.

This house better sell for a million dollars :: Think

Beach Report

Hey there Pink ::

I'm trying to come back to reality after a wonderful week at Hilton Head last week. It was soooo relaxing. I was still recovering from my Swine Flu so I really took it easy. Only down side is I didn't pull out my camera very much which I am now regretting. Didn't even take the traditional writing in the sand photo.   I KNOW! Interesting that we didn't have cell service so we all just put our phones away which was good except for the no blog posting part. Helped me realize my iPhone and Facebook addictions are still alive and well. ha!

This year for Mr. Think's family reunion we rented a house right on the beach. In years past we have been a row or two back. It was perfect for his Grandparents who are in their nineties to sit on the deck and see the ocean. I loved being able to lay on the beach and send Little Think back to the house for potty and/or snack breaks. The constant ocean breeze really helped with the heat too. Especially for those family members coming from non-humid lands. It felt like Autumn to us coming from our 105 degree oven called Texas. We some rain most days but it was a good way to get the kids inside before they had completely worn themselves out. And it made it exciting to figure out what evening to take our family photo. Oh how we needed my Weather Bug app!!! We have rented houses on North Forest Beach area of the island from a company called The Vacation Company for 10 years and been very happy. I recommend them. Luckily his entire family can stay in one house so it makes it pretty affordable once we divide the cost up.

This year we tried "real" long board surfing. (Notice the real is in quotes...) I had done it a long time ago in a body far, far away. Figured the tiny waves would be kind to an old creaky body that grunts when it gets up off the floor, let alone popping up from a moving surfboard. I don't think I embarrass myself too much.At least there is no photo documention to prove it. Little Think was an natural until she had a wipe out that bonked the board on her head. Now she is not too sure she wants to be a professional surfer after all.

We did make it to The Salty Dog. Oh my....those Hush Puppies were to DIE for. I determined right then and there that I could live on them for the rest of my life. Thanks for the heads up. Also made it home with a book, stuffed Jake dog, and t-shirt combo. I'm such a sucker. We had a nice "adults only" upscale dinner out at a place called Red Fish. Very nice. You know it is good when a non-fish-eater like me orders fish and loves it! I even ate lobster. (It had been deep fried and I never turn down anything deep fried...EV-ER.)

It was Mr. Think's parents 50th Wedding anniversary while we were there so I made some iron-on tshirts for everyone. I'll try and post a tutorial for them tomorrow or at least by the end of the week.

Our Real Estate agent is coming over tomorrow to look at our house and tell us how much we should list if for. Please say a little prayer for us. We have put so much blood, sweat and tears in this house along with a whole lot of cold hard cash. I'm afraid if the number is not what I expect I may flip out. Is that why they call it "flipping" a house because it makes you flip out? Interesting.

No longer at the beach.  (Literally or figuratively) :: Think

Applying applications

Think::

Do you know this about me ... I hate to fly and I hate using the word hate, so that let's you know how much I hate to fly.

Today our flight out west was so bumpity. I was gripping the arm rest to my left and Mister Pinks hand to my right. ( yep I alwyas let him have the isle and I crunch in the middle)
Anyway during the part of the flight when the pilot asked the stewardess's to sit down immediately, I grabbed my iPhone and used two applications.

First one is called Meditate Now. It has a series of relaxing messages to keep one from freaking out on a airplane, go to sleep , do well on a test and even helps with emotional eating.

The othe app is called Spin Art. It is exactly what it says it is and will remind you of being a kid. You can create the art and save it as a photo and even print it out and put it in a frame. My littles love it and play it all the time when we are in a long line or while watching me grocery shop. Today during the bumpidy bump I made this pink and green creation. ( which i will name in honor of Lilly Pulitizer) It helped calmed my nerves and was kind of fun too.
We only 75 min left on the flight and I may be making a few more spiny arts and listening to my new friends soothing voice.

I am getting some more peanuts.

Pink::

Off again

Think::

Mister Pink and I are off again for a visit out west together.
We are flying out of Baltimore which is a fun place to fly out of because a lot of US troops fly through here on their way home, which brings on lots of group clapping an cheering!!
Have a great last few days at the beach.

Pink::

On may way home

Think ::

Wow what a great trip. Getting on the plane. I am taking my first "pink eye" flight.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

Pink ::

On top of the.....

Think::

I am right now on top of the space needle! The sun is shining it is beautiful.
Oh how I love iPhones and mobile blogging.
Off to discover something else.

Pink::

Beautiful mornings

Think::
For the past two mornings Mr. Pink and I have walked down to the public market and had these french pasteries and sat on the water and watched the clouds roll over the mountains. Mr. Pink is in la la land.
I took this photo of our hot chocolate this morning. Today they gave us hearts in the cream.
I can't wait to explore the city on my own today. I wonder who I will meet?
( don't worry Nora no one can replace you! But I think I will for sure try to find a paper source)

Off for the day and guess what the sun is shining!!

Pink::

Throwing fish

Think::

Look at me the Market today. Seattle is so great. Mr. Pink grew up here so it is so fun for him to be on old stomping grounds.
We drove his old paper route today and took a photo of him in front of his house that he grew up in.

Pink::

Off again

Think::

Well, I am off again this time to Seattle.

Pink ::

Travel Tip

Pink ::

Ran out of time and/or good light to do the post I wanted to do today so I went trolling through my iPhoto archive and found these recent shots of my "loot" from our Maui Trip in March and thought I'd share this Travel Tip.

Every place we travel that is a "big deal" to us we try and pick up a Christmas Ornament that represents that trip. I love pulling out the ornaments at Christmas and pulling out the memories of the trip at the same time. I find a spot to write the year so I will always remember when it was that we went and prevent future discussions/arguments while decorating the tree.

Here is the ornament we found this trip. It's a real orchid hand-dipped in epoxy that we bought from the artist who dipped it. Isn't it gorgeous!!! I will always remember the smell and colors of Maui when I see this. Will be especially nice when we are cold and snowy in December.

The other thing we try to find (we are not always successful) is a Nativity set representative of the area. Sometimes they are hard to find but usually if you look hard you can find them. I know I will always put them out at Christmas. No matter how my Christmas decorating themes may change from year to year, house to house, the Nativities I have collected will always have a place.

The one I found on our last day in Ka'anapali was perfect. Small (the people are only 3-4 inches), came in it's own box, was locally made from local materials, and was under $100. It makes me so happy to see it.  Great details.

Actually, my favorite thing about all this is that Mr. Think and I decided to do this tradition years ago. I love how it is understood what we are looking for and that we will purchase them when found. No begging or pleading to purchase on my part. I love that he is looking for the perfect ornament and perfect Nativity right along with me and he sometimes has a better eye than I have in finding them.

Can't wait for our next big trip!

Do you do this too? :: Think

Poppy!

Dear Think::

Well we are enjoying our trip and have had a great weekend in Marvelous Missouri.  I discovered one of my favorite downtown centers.  As a Midwest gal maybe you have been there.  It is is Columbia Missouri just blocks from the University of Missouri.  The streets are full of character, great food, vintage shops and one little shop that had me lured in by the just the name on the door. 

Poppy

Here is the awesome story of this great place.  The owner Barb grew up in California watching her mom volunteer at a museum help fill the gift shop with wonderful California artisans. When Barb moved to Columbia Missouri, 30 years ago  she enjoyed getting samplings of her Mom's finds in the mail.  She decided to open a shop downtown to bring the California artisans to the wonderful people of Missouri.  After time she decided to open it to artisans from all over the country  - she was a woman ahead of her time building a store that was like a Etsy live.  (seriously it was like walking through the pages of Etsy)

I so enjoyed walking through every corner of her large downtown space. When I felt like I had seen everything I would turn around to find another corner full of treasures. 
While I was in there I saw three types of customers:

1.  a Mom bringing her 5 year old in to pick out a birthday party gift for her friend
2.  a mom of a college student who was in town for graduation that asked specifically for a artist from Oregon to buy some more of her work
3.  a young man buying a Graduation gift for his girlfriend

I thought it was so telling of how this community loves her shop.  I asked Barb if she just loves coming into work.  She told me two different times "There is not a day that I don't LOVE coming in here" 
On the counter was the above hot pad from one of her Poppy Artists that had just come in and was getting tagged to go on the floor.  This hot pad was just "2 Clever!"

I brought home with me this sweet locket from Clara Beau'.


Even though I bought it for myself she gift wrapped it for me to show me how darling the gift wrap is.
Every detail was put the tissue, box and poppy that went on top.

Since I know that you and I know a lot of talented artists out there (many of them are our Eavesdroppers) I asked her how she finds and picks new artists.  She said she is open to any new artist and just needs an email with a photo.

So if anyone reading is looking for a wonderful place to sell their creations or has a friend that needs an avenue to start her business send Barb an email with a photo of what you make and tell her 2clever sent you. 
 barb@poppyarts.com

If you are ever in Columbia stop by and say hello to the staff at Poppy.  If you never make it to Columbia you visit Poppy in your pj's in your own home 24 hours a day.  Poppy Website Here

Pink::

This was my favorite piece in the shop.  Click here you will love it!!

Again?

Think::

Would you believe I am off on an airplane again? We should have started a travel blog with as much travel as you and I have done on the last 6 months.

I hope you have a wonderful Mothers Day.

Pink::

Wonderful Weekend

Pink::

I'm sitting waiting for my flight home this afternoon. Thought I'd test out a phone post too. It was soooooo great to see you. A hug from you is just what I needed. Thanks for buying me my first mint brownie ever at our lunch. And meeting your freshmen roomates was something I had wanted to do for a long time. (No wonder you had more fun than I did.) I had a great time with my Mom and sisters too. Aren't these flowers amazing? Saw them while heading to the Art Competition Show. Feeling oh so cleverly inspired after this trip!

Yes, I will remember to pat the plane :: think

Minty fresh.

Think::

I am on my home just sitting on the plane. I am loving this new typepad application where I can post anywhere any time.
it was so great to see you. Thanks for the bag of goodies and thanks for shaing a mint brownie with me. They are my absolute favorite.
Have a safe flight home, don't forget to give the plane a good luck rub.

Pink::

my bag is packed

Think::

My bag** is packed and I am off to Utah!  I can't wait to see you. 
Let's meet for lunch on Thursday at around 12:30.
BYU Campus - The Wilkinson Center - at the tables in front of the yummy BYU Creamery!

Pink::
any eavesdroppers that want to join us, we would love to have you! (since you don't know what we look like, I will have this bag with me)

** ok are you loving my new bag as much as me.  I have not made a bag in years - it felt good.  I will for sure do a video tutorial this summer!!

Home sweet Home

Think::

We made it home from Philly and stayed longer than we planned.  We got there and seriously we were having so much fun we could not get ourselves to leave.  We stayed 2 days longer!  We are seriously so last minute and totally fly by the seat of our pants. 
We made it to Fourth Street Deli just like I had hoped and..

I got a growing photo of my littlest little in front of the Liberty Bell.  Oh I love that city!

A few things we did that we didn't plan on doing were... (who am I kidding we didn't even plan on going till a few days before)

• walked through a heart the size of the Statue of Liberty's (ok i know the Statue of Liberty does not have a heart, but if she did it would have been that size)
• went through the land of Narnia
• went to a Tea Party in front of Independence Hall
• had my first Philly Cheesesteak
• met a wonderful friendly blogger by chance on the street for the first time.  She says you are mighty clever!
• our family was filmed for the Philadelphia nightly news on NBC
• discovered the Crayola factory where you could buy a box of just pink crayons if you wanted!

It was great fun and I am cleverly exhausted!

Pink::

Shaped like a bell

Think::

So want to see my new obsession along with my sculpy clay.  Painting!  I want to try my hand at painting all my little girls on these little wooden pegs.  This was my first try.  I am embarrassed to show it to you because there are so many things I would do differently.  But I thought after I finish each one I will show you so I can watch my own progression of trying something that I have NO IDEA how to do.  It is all about learning right?
If you have any great painting tips let me know.

Speaking of bells  --- today we are taking off for Philadelphia for a few days.  We have not been there  since 2006.  I found this photo that I took the last time we were there and my littlest pink was half her age.  I look forward to getting new photos of the girls looking at the Liberty Bell as well as getting a pretzel off the street and...

going to 4th street deli (click on their website, the intro is hilarious!)  and eating their yummy food and a bowl full of pickles!

More from the road.
Pink::

Don't Forget Me!

Dear Think::

We made it home from our fast and very last minute trip to Hickory North Carolina (Furniture Mecca).  We didn't got there for furniture but if I did that would be the place to go.

With all of our traveling we really should compare notes on creative ways to make travel not so painful - I bet we could make a great list. 

Anywho - I will share one more reason why I love having a camera on my phone.  I took a photo of our parking level at the airport and would never have found the car today without it.  I do have that great iphone app the uses the GPS to find your car - but this seemed a bit easier.

I am sure that every time I leave my car in a large parking lot it is secretly saying "Don't forget me!"  I am not very good an remembering where I park.

also it seemed fate that there was mass confusion when getting on the plane today so me and the girls had to wait outside the plane until they figured it out.  I looked down and there were all three of my littles rubbing the plane and I was able to snap this photo.  It kind of gets me teary just looking at it again.  The simplicity of little family traditions - I think are my way of telling my girls "Don't forget me!"

Now onto getting ready for the leprechaun!
Pink::

Mahalo! (Hawaiian for Thank You)

Pink :: I'm home.

Oh what a fabulous trip!!! It was all quite like a dream and I can't wait to share it. But right now I feel like I've been hit by a bus. The overnight BUMPY flight with no sleep and a six year old has really done me in, as well as the 5 hour time change. So I'm tackling my laundry and downloading photos today. Can't yet talk about it without getting weepy that it's over.

Thank you so much for the birthday wishes. I seriously want to examine your brain and figure out how you store little tidbits of information about people. Most of the things you mentioned in your touching post of our imaginary day together are things that I only mentioned in passing years ago. How does your brain do that? I can't remember what I was doing 2 weeks ago let alone things you said to me years past. You really are gifted. I am very lucky to be counted as one of your friends and witness your amazing talents.

This photo is one of the many, many rainbows we saw. They were everywhere.
Little Think was in rainbow heaven!

Trying to stay awake all day and go to sleep at night :: Think

Think::

I am sitting here crying.  My brain is so full of tiny tidbits of information I think because it never got filled with all that information that you have from Physical Science our freshman year in college.  (considering I took it twice and never passed, I had a lot of empty space to fill up)

I am glad that you are home.  I will admit I was kind of lonely and didn't write much while you were gone, next time I think I will need to find someone to chat with me so I don't get so lonely.

Welcome home!

Pink::

 

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::

back from vacation

 

Dear Think::

We are home from one of the best vacations I have ever had.  So relaxing.  We spent the week on the 4x4 beaches of Corolla in the Outer Banks.  A house full of cousins and family.  Thanks for holding down the blog fort while I was away with no internet access - now that was a vacation for me.

I thought I would share with you a clever way to document places you go and the year you were there.  For 15 years I have always written in the dirt and photographed my writings to remember the date and place I had been, so that when I would get my film developed one of the photos would record the details.  (film developed - oh how that dates me!)

Then speaking of Brilliant Barb (she is pretty amazing huh!) I got this idea of photographing our families shadows from her last years Christmas Card.  This was our family this year on the beach in Spain this summer... ahhhh the warm memories!

Then I took one of each of the girls with their name in the sand and their shadow.  A perfect combo of both

Then my last photo I will show you today is the only thing I could come up with at the beach house to document that we celebrated the New Year.  Good thing no balls were missing from the pool table. I love this photo and was only able to get a good shot because I used the edge of the table as a tripod.

I am glad to be back and look forward to sharing you some other clever ideas I had this past week laying around doing absolutely nothing!  I LOVE LOVE the new wallpaper and banner. Oh my it put me in the best mood to open the blog today. I love the New Year poem you wrote!

Any other clever ideas of a way to document the year with numbered items?

Any eavesdroppers feel free to send in some photos because I would love to share them. 

The first 5 photos  I get via email I will send you gobs of pink and white polka dot ribbon to make something clever with!

pink@2cleverblog

 

Happy New Year :: Pink!

I found those Jolly clever souls

Dear Think::

After making only 2 phone calls today I found the shop you visited in La Jolla.  They were so nice on the phone and told them how awesome the gumdrop dress is.  So if anyone is going to La Jolla put Sigi's on your to do list and see what they come up with next (no pressure of course).  If you go tell them 2clever sent you.  Not that they will know what that means... hee hee.

If you don't live close feel free to visit their shop at your computer desk in your jammies here!

Sigi's
7888 GIRARD AVE
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 454-7244


Ok so here is what I did to find it.
Google search La Jolla Shopping
Found this website.
Off that website I look for a specialty store.  I thought it is in a small area everyone will know about that dress.  I found a store with the word Pink it in and asked the girl if she knew.  She knew right away and they were only a few doors down.  wa la!!

Pink::