Can I call myself a quilter now?

Now that I have made two quilts can I be called an official quilter now?  Not sure if I would go that far but I did enjoy making this quilt for my friend, who is expecting a girl in August.  My sister sent me to this fabulous fabric store, Scrapbooks, Etc., to buy cute material.  And it did not disappoint....except for the fact that it has cuter fabric best suited for girls instead of boys.  My son will have to wait for his quilt then. 

There is no story behind this one except for the fact that it is my first striped one.  I was a bit skeptical when I was laying down all the stripes.  In fact, I hated it.  I told my sister, the quilter in the family, that I was not made to do this.  First of all, I hadn't put on my "new fashion goggles" yet so it was a bit difficult for me to think of all these prints going together.  But I added a few solids and whalah!  My first quilt was made.  I made my share of mistakes but I really liked the finished product.  Hopefully next time it doesn't take me as long.

Google Reader vs. Facebook

Can I just tell you how much my life changed when Google Reader entered my life.  No more scrolling down my blog list and checking for updates and to find that no one updated.  Seriously!  Waste. of. time.  But with Google Reader I could just enter all of the blog websites in and it would tell me when they updated....except for stupid private blog snobs (oh wait, I'm one of those, too). hehe

Enter Facebook!

That Mark Z. guy is a genius!  Who would have thought that his little idea would be so great?  My how has facebooked changed the world.

Sometimes I feel like my day isn't complete until I get to my Google Reader to see any updated blogs.  I spend about 30 a few minutes reading blogs but lately I have found a new love.  I love that my favorite blogs have Facebook pages.  So, I can catch a glimpse of their blog through Facebook, because we all know we check it more often than blogs due to apps on phones, etc.  So, I decided to create a page for you to like.  Instead of seeing it on my personal facebook wall, you can be notified of updates to the blog if you want.  I mean, I don't want to force anyone to read this blog, even though I would love all the traffic.  But I can send you in the right direction.

Go to Addicted to Diet Coke on Facebook now!

Now, if only I could add a pretty button on my sidebar for people to like it.  Any helpers?

Newest Treat!

Costco did it again!  I swear everytime I go there that I'm going to stick with my list, but somehow a few extra items sneak into my cart every.single.time.  This time I'm not regretting it.  I bought these.

Oh baby!  I think I'm a little late jumping on the bandwagon for these because I know my SIL has gotten them before.  Can I just tell you how much the bodybugg hates these already and maybe my waistline?  But they are full of antioxidants....(oh, and chocolate)!  They are so good.  I bought these for our beach vacay for treats but not sure if the bag is going to last until then.

What about you?  What is your new favorite treat? 

Oh so yummy!

I tried this the other day-raspberries with a chocolate chip inside.

(since raspberries were on sale....I'm a couponer so I'll save that for a future post)

So yummy.

But I did something that I think helped it become more of a "treat."  If having chocolate mixed with fruit isn't treat enough.

I made several servings and put in little baggies, popped them into the freezer for a few hours, and ...

Whalah!  A delicious frozen treat.

I love it when I find healthy, yet indulgent, treats.

Second chances

This outfit goes to show that things can be brought back to life.  Whenever I clean out my closet, there is always, ALWAYS, at least two things I want to give another chance.  These two things have made the list, yet again.  I bought this dress skirt a long time to use for a swimsuit cover up.  It served its purpose for a few summers but now has a new one. 

And the shirt. Oh, the shirt.  I just can't seem to give it up.  I may only wear it about twice a year, but I love it when I do, and I always swear that I'll wear it more.  It doesn't happen.  I got it in China about 5 years ago.  It reminds me of my trip so I hate to give it up.  Don't I sound like someone from the show Hoarders?  Anyway, it's actually pretty long but I decided to tuck it in because too much of a good thing can kill destroy the look.

Let's give three cheers for second chances!

Time Saver

 What can I say?  I love stripes.  I have worn them every day this week.  I have learned a new tip this week.  At the beginning of the week I planned an outfit for every day and put it in a special spot in my closet.  That way I didn't spend half of my "getting ready time," aka the 30 minutes until my son's show ends, picking out my daily outfit.  Instead it could be spent on what shoes to wear.

Inspirational outfit

Not that I have any clothes that are inspirational, but when I peruse around on Pinterest I get ideas in my head from all of the inspirational photos.  Yeah, I mentioned how I'm addicted to that right?  Okay, just wondering.  Now, I wonder if you are too.  The only thing missing from my outfit is a turqoise necklace.  Oh yeah, my son broke it a month ago and I've been meaning to replace it.  Who says you can't have jewelry with toddlers?  Still questioning that one.

Shades and Stripes

I don't know about you but I sure do love those Shades undershirts.  Genious I tell ya!  I swear I have been wearing a tank top or undershirt since high school (should I reveal it....um...for 14 years!)  My old roommate from college says it is a Utah thing but I guarantee you she wears them now.  Plus, I live in AZ now and everywhere I look I see them.  But don't you feel naked without one?  I do.  I own enough to spread the love but one could always use a fresh, white one without those pit-stains.  We have a serious problem in our house with that one. I know, TMI.

I digress.

My mom recently sent me a striped one (and a few white ones).  Was she trying to send me a hint?  Nah, just being nice but hint taken and accepted. I can't tell you how much I love the striped one.  It's so adorable and will go with my new outlook on life clothes.  Ooooo, the possibilities!  I couldn't wait to wear it with this shirt.  BTW...lately I've been on a stars and stripes kick so anything red, white, and blue has my name on it.  Just realized that you can't really see the stripes but just imagine how fabulous they are.

I'm not being paid to advertise but should be. :)  They are that good.

Do you pin?

I wrote on my family blog about my latest addiction, Pinterest.  It is slightly addicting but so terrific!  I especially love the app on the iphone.  I get so much more "pinning" done that way. I'm trying to decorate my new house (okay it takes me awhile) and just get fun ideas.  But there is so much more out there.  Fashion, hair, crafts, food ideas, etc.  Love it! 

Here are some of my favorite pins this week:

Flab to Fab

Do you ever flex your tricep muscles when you wave so your flab doesn't hit you in the face?  Yeah, me neither. Okay, true confession.  I have done it many times, too many to count.  That is just one problem area that will never go away.  But I have a new exercise that I'm slightly addicted to that will hopefully turn the flab into fab.
I did this in an aerobics class this past week.  My triceps were a little sore after and I love being sore.  That means that I worked hard....or it means I haven't worked hard enough in the past. 

Lie on a bench facing downward.
Grab some handweights.
Do a tricep kickback (elbows stay up and just move your forearms)
Do as many as you need.  You will feel it quickly.

Normally, I just do this exercise standing up but it is SO much harder this way. 

Just "tri" it!

Brownies and blue toes

This is my new motto.  Out with the old and in with the not so new.  You know, turn your old clothes into new outfits.  I'm obsessed.  I feel so drab and boring if I don't wear eyecatching outfits, even if those outfits are clashy to others.  Like today, I'm boring.  I feel like a brownie because I'm just wearing all brown.  Where did Diva Kate go?

Do I get credit for at least having blue toes?  I got this fancy shade of blue to go with my pedicure on Saturday.  It may not match any of my outfits but who needs outfits when you wear a swimming suit every day.  Yes, this color matches my suit.

Don't worry.  I'll come back.  Just have to plan some amazing outfits.  Instead of embarrassing myself with daily outfit pictures, I'm just going to post the pictures of the outfits that I feel were a stretch for me or where I feel that a lot of creativity (and bravery) were involved.  I am really boring when it comes to fashion so mixing colors and patterns is kind of fun, new, and exciting for me. 

Bye bye brownie! Hello new and exciting (and blue toes)!

Here are a few outfits that I have loved putting together.

Life is short, buy the dang shoes!

Over Memorial Day weekend, I bought another pair of shoes.  My husband was like, "What?  Another pair?"  Actually he didn't say that.  He gave me the thumbs up because he liked them.  But sometimes I look in my closet and think that I have too many shoes.  But then I say, "A woman cannot have too many pairs of shoes."  Right?  I hate to get rid of shoes because there are certain "outfits" that I wear them with.  You know, that pink shirt needs the turqouise shoes and so forth.  Shoes really make or break an outfit. 

Fashion Tip -When you have great shoes you have to find an even better outfit to wear with them.

Here is what I wore on Tuesday:

And today I'm wearing these bad boys (the Memorial Day shoes)!  If you can believe it, they are actually really comfortable.  Hallelujah!  Great shoes that are stylish yet comfy.

30 for 30 Remix

I found this blog, Kendi Everyday, awhile ago and my inner fashionista has come out.  I like to accessorize but I usually stick to matching colors and wearing the same outfits over and over.  I've learned a few things in the past few months about fashion just by reading this blog. 

First, shop your closet

and

Second, try putting different things together that you normally wouldn't.  You know, be daring!

Kendi has a challenge called the 30 for 30 Remix.  She takes 30 items from her closet (shirts, pants, dresses, skirts, etc.) and makes 30 outfits from those items.  Simple, right?  Yeah, maybe not so much for my mediocre fashion knowledge.  I've decided to take the challenge but I'm doing it a bit differently.  I'm going to use my whole closet...not just 30 items!  I'm going to learn how to put different things together and to use my boring, old clothes what I got.

Oh, and I'm trying to curb my shopping addiction during the process so I'll try to refrain from buying clothes.  Not sure how long that will last but I will try.  I've already tried on several new outfits that I put together using just one dress/skirt. 

Wish me luck!  My inner diva is dying to come out.



Summer spending

My hubby told me last night that my grocery and gas bill were perfect but that I needed to just be a bit careful with my other bills....specifically Target.  I tell ya, that place is dangerous.  I mean even the dollar section items start to add up.  I can always find things at Tarjay that I want need.  And now we are approaching summer where I do tend to spend more money because stores are the only place cool where you can take your kid to wear them out for a summer outing besides the pool.  Hence, money is usually spent. 

My name is Kate and I have a shopping addiction.

Anyway, I vow to try harder even in this dreadful heat.  Can't wait to tell you of my adventures.

Do you have this Summer spending problem?

Find What Your Looking For

Welcome to my new blog.  Here you will find all of my latest addictions.  These include fitness, fashion, and crafts. You may find some other things along the way.  You just never know what you might get with my crazy brain.