LoveLifestyle: January 2013

February is Love

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

Roses are red, violets are blue, I love this blog, and it loves you too. Now feel free to throw up. Heh heh.

Despite our smooshy start, I promise I'm going somewhere with that.

February is the season of amour. The season of roses and chocolates in heart shaped boxes and a general hope that your true love will come through and surprise you. Well, one of my true loves is this blog. I love it like a member of my family. However, in the last six months my life has been pretty hectic with Baby Glitter, spending a lot more time with Matt, YouTube being such a big part of my life and a few other projects, that I had let it cool down a bit. I never left, I just set it down quietly in a corner and gave it a loving look here and there.

(My baby baby and my blog baby makes me a very proud mama)

This month I feel ready and able to make more time for my second baby. I am going to challenge myself to blog every single weekday, come rain or shine. I will uploading my posts at roughly the same time every day so you will know where you are with scheduling (I'm anal and like it when other bloggers do this), so if you pop on over here at 10am GMT every week day, there will be something waiting happily to great you. If I am feeling extra wild (look at me living on the edge there), I will possibly do a couple of bonus posts in the evening too (9pm GMT)- woah there!!

Post style won't change (I feel happy with it for now), but over the next month, you may notice a few little layout tweeks. It's healthy to tinker.

If there is anything you would like to see, please do let me know in the comments of this blog post, I'm pretty open to suggestions. All the regulars will be here- reviews, baby talk, pinterest love, projects, hauls etc but I may also bring back a few LOTD's and incorporate more of my videos too.

I'm excited for a new wave of blog joy. Are you?

Toodlepip!

This month my Ultimate Advertiser is DotComGiftShop . If you would like to find out more about advertising on this blog, click HERE.

Updated Picture

Hey again... I just wanted to pop and say I finally updated my About Me photo... I think its a better representation of my personality.

I adore the sweater color that I am wearing... love love love it.

Later peeps!

Finally Here... Home Management Binder Printables!

Hey ya'll!

It's been a few days since I've posted but I've been busy over here finishing the printables from my Home Management Binder so I can share them with you. I had no idea all the steps that go into getting them ready to share. However, I can proudly say, they are done and ready to be downloaded.

(Listed in order from my Home Management Binder)

The Yellow Pages Set
(includes Family, Friends, Services/Utilities, Medical, Insurance Contact Lists)

[Click HERE to download a free copy]

Medication Prescription List

[Click HERE to download a free copy]

Spring/Fall Maintenance Checklist - 2 pages

[Click HERE to download a free copy]

Home Inventory Sheet

[Click HERE to download a free copy]

Storage Inventory Sheet

[Click HERE to download a free copy]

Vehicle Maintenance Record

[Click HERE to download a free copy]

[Click HERE to download a free copy]

Pre-Travel Checklist

[Click HERE to download a free copy]

Travel Packing List

[Click HERE to download a free copy]

Enjoy!!! I will also be adding these to my printable tab, so they are easy to locate in the future.

Till next time...

You can find me partying here:

Clarins Spring Summer 2013

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

If you are a hardened beauty junkie like me, you will understand how I feel when I tell you that I think makeup is beautiful. As well as assisting in achieving beauty, I often feel that the products themselves are things of great visual delight and the Clarins Spring Summer Collection* is no exception.

I have not yet tried all of these products and the ones that I have will feature in next weeks FOTD with mini reviews, but I felt that this treasure was too lovely to not photograph and feature, as much for it's 'hey, here's a new collection' as for it's art. Yes, I decided it to be a form of art. Call the Tate, I'm coming in.

Palettes beautifully encased in gold, lipsticks reminiscent of the 1940's and powder pots you'd be pleased to display on your dresser, this collection is gorgeous.

With prices ranging from £15.50-£30, I'm excited to share reviews next week and enjoy these pieces throughout the next season.

Are you excited by any of these? Do you feel the same way about glamorous packaging? If you're on pinterest, do feel free to pin any of these images.

Toodlepip!

This month my Ultimate Advertiser is DotComGiftShop . If you would like to find out more about advertising on this blog, click HERE.

Change

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

I have been editing some of Baby Glitter's photographs for our family album and I couldn't help but share one of them.

Darcy is like a tonic. No matter what's happened in the day or how tired I feel, the little cherub always puts a bit of pep in my step and warmth in my heart.

It's true what they say, Motherhood will change your life.

Not for better or for worse*, just for different. I miss having free time and lay ins. I miss having space in my house that isn't filled with plastic toys and equipment and I miss not being able to gallivant about as easily seeing friends. You swap nights out for dinners in and find that some chums will embrace this and others will leave you behind.

You think about all this and wonder if you'll ever have those experiences again. And then you see your child discovering something new with absolute wonderment or laughing at the most innocent of amusements and your heart just melts. Nights out in grotty clubs and crashing on friend's floors suddenly becomes the last the thing in the world you want to do.

For a fleeting moment you can see the world their through pure, blissful eyes and everywhere looks incredible. All that matters is family and kind people and playing together and eating your yogurt. Those are a child's eyes but maybe it would do us good to look through them every now and again too.

Motherhood has changed my life.

And I love it.

Mummypip

*Obviously she has made my life amazing but I was super happy before and am still as happy now. Just to clear that up before there is a blogland uproar hahaha.

This month my Ultimate Advertiser is DotComGiftShop . If you would like to find out more about advertising on this blog, click HERE.

25 Facts About Me

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

After being inspired by A Rosie Outlook (who I'm so pleased I found through Sofia's Journal, it's amazing who you can find through those amazing advertisers!), I have decided to do my own '25 Things About Me'. The last time I did something like this was about 2 years ago so we're about due a catch up I think.

The idea seems pretty simple, share 25 things about your good self.

Let's go!

1. My favourite thing about Mindy is her snout. Mostly because the word 'snout' is so very satisfying to say.

2. If I could decorate my entire house in mints and pinks, I would.

3. I have a little scar on my right knee where I fell over in the school playground and got glass embedded into it. What a safe play environment.

4. The sound of typing is one of my favourite things to listen to.

5. I always, always, always have white bedding in my bedroom. I feel uncomfortable if Matt puts our beige set on (although grateful that he did it!).

6. I got engaged on December 1st 2006.

7. I hate eating outside.

8. I absolutely love the royal family and collect books, tins and china with them on.

9. I still suck my thumb. Don't judge me.

10. If I could go back in time and change one thing in my life it would be to have said goodbye to my mother before she died.

11. If ever I read a sad/bad news story, I go on pinterest straight away. It's my happy place.

12. I have the organisational skills of a flea.

13. The only sport I excel at is frisbee. Which let's face it, isn't much of a sport.

14. My Dad chose my name.

15. I once was a member of a gym (!) where in my head I renamed all the equipment so it was more friendly. So, rather than 'Treadmill', 'Wizadora' etc.

16. Much to Matt's annoyance, I constantly pinch his socks.

17. I think loneliness is the most painful thing.

18. I go to church on a weekly basis and really enjoy it.

19. 19 was the age I finally felt free.

20. I take a LOT of photographs.

21. I only just worked out that I could put the music from my laptop onto my phone. Durr.

22. I am addicted to list making.

23. The smell of mince cooking makes me want to be a little bit sick.

24. Blogging make me do internal happy dances.

25. Sunday night TV is my bliss.

That felt so good! If you have a place to share, feel free to write your lists too.

Were any of those new to you?

Toodlepip!

This month my Ultimate Advertiser is DotComGiftShop . If you would like to find out more about advertising on this blog, click HERE.

How I Keep The House Running - Part 2

Welcome back for part two of "How I Keep The House Running." Today I'm sharing the binder that certainly gets the most use of all... our Financial Binder.

Why not our Budget Binder? This binder goes beyond just paying the bills, it also helps us get ready for tax season.

In the very front of the binder is a pink pocket that holds all the incoming bills.

Directly after the folder is the Budget section. There are quite a few vital worksheets kept in this section. The first one is our Financial Checklist. As I pay a bill each I make sure to mark it off on my checklist. Also I added an Auto column for all the bills that are automatic withdrawal from our account.

{click HERE to download free copy}

Next is the calendar from Tomkat Studios, that I shared in the post about my planner. On the calendar I write when each bill is due and how much the bill is.

Followed by our monthly budget worksheet. Since we use the cash method for part of our monthly budget I made sure to add a cash column just for reference. I don't use a check register because we only use our account to pay bill and everything else is cash method.

{Click HERE to download a free copy}

In the budget section I also have some worksheets that will help the hubby if he ever has to pay the bills. Next in the budget section is our Bill Tracker sheet. This sheet is the who, what, where and how to all our bills. I include each bill that must be paid each month and fill it out descending by due date.

The final sheet in this section I call our "bailout" sheet, it's our Credit Card Info sheet. This has all the info we need if we ever lose a credit card or our wallets and have to call and cancel a card. Some of the info on this one is redundant from other sheets but I wanted it all on one sheet for quick reference.

{Click HERE to download a free copy}

After the budget section are the sections for each bill. Most of the statements for our bills come via email but, if need be, I make a print out and add it to the binder. I decided to divide the binder by bill instead by month because at tax time I can hand over the binder to tally all the sections and presto tax deductions are done!

Speaking of taxes, the last section is actually for our taxes, I have another folder and I keep tax deductible receipts and tax documents (1099s, W2s, and so forth) as they come in in there.

This binder truly makes paying the bill paying and keeping track of tax deductions easier. As you can see from this picture:

My binder is quite fat... we are at the end of the year and ready for tax time. Once the remainder of our tax documents come in I will empty the binder and start all over for 2013.

So that all folks. I hope you can use some of the printables that I have found very helpful.

{Click HERE to view "How I Keep The House Running - Part One.}

Till next time...

I'm partying here this week:

Sunday Summary

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

I like Sundays. The air feels fresher and the atmosphere somehow stiller.

Saturday brunch with my Husband. Bliss x http://instagr.am/p/U8mEaoDtgY/

I don't do chores, I don't dash about, I don't stress. I just be. It really is marvellous.

This week has been lovely.

I finally, finally organised the huge shelving unit in my office, which brings me one step closer to making a tour video of the room.

Darcy made some big steps, including putting her wellington boots on by herself, singing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, putting things back when asked to and learning all about snow.

I went to London and had a great meeting re YouTube and attended a really super beauty event (more of this soon).

I spent quality time with friends I haven't seen in a few weeks.

I saw all three of my gorgeously caring Aunties.

And to top it all, yesterday Darcy was with relatives whilst Matt and I lived out the romantic dream wandering round a gorgeous little village, lunching in a quaint tea shop, choosing ye olde sweets and popping into a local craft fair. How lovely it is to spend Husband and Wife time together when we're not 'Mummy and Daddy' every now and again.

Tell me how your week has been. I hope it's been as beautiful as mine.

Toodlepip!

This month my Ultimate Advertiser is DotComGiftShop . If you would like to find out more about advertising on this blog, click HERE.

TGI... Friday and Weekend Plans

Hey you! How did week round out for you? Mine turned out pretty good. Nothing to complain about. But I'm still overjoyed that its Friday!!!

Do you have anything special planned for the weekend? If you live in the Sacramento Area, why not come hangout here? I'm making sure that I stroll through there at least once this weekend.

The Northern CA Home & Landscape Expo
H&L Featured

From what I read on the website, the ASID Designers will be there and having a sample sale. Sounds like it may be worth taking a look right.

Other than that, I'm going to be updating the blog with the new printable tab and trying to figure out how to link some of this files. Here's a preview of what's to come.

This is from our financial binder, by the way, which I'll be sharing next week. I'm uber excited to share the binder and all the printables from both binders with you.

Till next time...

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