Martha & Me: Great Minds Think Alike! :)

Martha and I are on the same wavelength this holiday season!
I couldn't resist picking up her latest issue, with the aqua & red cover! LOVE it!

This issue is FULL of great holiday ideas! Pick one up!

See....two peas in a pod, Martha & I.....
My aqua & red snowflake party inspiration post!

hee! hee! :)

Also, did you notice my aqua & red Etsy finds in my sidebar?!
Super cute stuff for this theme!

Confession of My Latest Obsession {Beware: This Post Isn't About Parties}

Okay, I'm going to confess....
I am lovesick obsessed teenager at heart. Not to mention my OCD, which makes obsessive behavior pretty typical for me. I was OBSESSED with New Kids on the Block during my younger days. I really need to share a photo of my room so you can understand the depth of my obsession. My mom was nice enough to let me "decorate" however I wanted, which meant a picture of Joe or Jordan plastered on every inch of my room. Even pictures pinned on my lampshade. I mean everywhere.

Last year when they made their comeback, I went right back to being obsessed.
It felt like yesterday.

During college, the movie, Titanic came out. I again felt that same OBSESSIVENESS. It just got me. I determined that I was so connected with it, that I must have died on the Titanic in my previous life (or something). I watched it seven (yes, 7) times in the theater. I waited in line (with my now, husband :) at midnight the day the VIDEO was released. One of my prized possessions is a limited edition framed piece of wood from the ship in the movie that my then-boyfriend, now husband bought me. I have books, magazines....and yes, I was obsessed with Leo. Weren't you?

{i'll never let go, jack....i'll never let go}

My friend, Shannon finally convinced me to read THE vampire book this summer. Like many, I was leery of the whole sci-fi vampire "thing". However, it's so much more than that!
It was AMAZING. I LOVED IT.
I finished it in two days (my family missed me those days while I was in la-la land), and rented the movie the next day. And the day after that? Ran to the store for New Moon. At that point, I knew I had it.....the Twilight Fever and I now I know...I have it bad.

My 12-year old neighbor (yes, I'm friends with a seventh grader...) texted me the night of the New Moon Premiere, and asked if I was going. I wasn't, and I thought "why not?!" Her mom wouldn't let her go since she had school the next day, but me...the 32 year old....I should have gone! This is what obsessive teenagers/cougars do! It was too late to try to go, but I figured I could convince my hubby to take me this weekend for our date night. Well, we had a fabulous dinner and then headed to the theater. He decided New Moon just wasn't up his alley (he's probably right), and wanted to see something else.
Not me...I was going with or without him. And I did just that! :)
We went to our separate theaters....
and boy, did I enjoy my time alone with Jacob (& Edward)!
I walked out smiling to myself (a big smile), I just couldn't help it! :)

Now, I can't stop thinking about the movie (and Jacob)
....and I need to go buy Eclipse!
Please confess. (don't be afraid)
Are you with me on this or should I stop acting like a silly lovestruck teenager?

Happy Weekend!

My little ones picked roses for me with our wonderful neighbor,
Kristina the day before we moved.
They were gorgeous, so I had to snap a photo of them.
It seemed fitting that one of my zebra chairs should be in the photo.
I miss them.

I hope you have a fabulous weekend!

Don't forget to stop and smell the roses....

Exhausted.

Wish I could go sleep there.

For three days.

Be. back. soon.....

XOXO,

Kim

{photo via flickr}

Home. Bittersweet. Home.

Hello! Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Can I share with you my bittersweet weekend? I know I don't get too personal on my blog, but today I'm letting it out. Maybe this will be therapeutic for me.

Our home SOLD over the weekend.

This is a great thing. Repeat, this is a great thing. Our life will be much easier when we get settled in something more manageable. This is what I've been wishing for every single day. I'm so sick of cleaning, rearranging my schedule, picking up every little toy, turning on every light, burning every candle to make it show PERFECT! I'm sick waiting in anticipation to see if each showing was "the one". We've been so close to selling it so many times. It finally happened last night. What a relief.

I love this house. I spent six months of my life coordinating the remodel of the entire house. Every tiny detail was chosen by my hubby & I. Sadly, every dollar and more that was put into this house is lost because of the market.{kitchen ~ BEFORE}

I'm not going to continue to complain about this because we were lucky to have had plenty of good times when the market was great. And even though it's ugly, things can always be worse.

Here's the real kicker though, and I am wondering what you would do in this situation.

The buyer made an offer on our home including EVERYTHING in it! Fully furnished.....4,000 square feet of years of accumulation and...

WE DID IT.

We needed to get the deal done, it was a high pressure situation and we DID IT. It wasn't easy, I walked around my house crying making a list of what absolutely couldn't stay. I'm still so shocked and really can't even comprehend what's next. We don't even know where we're going....

Let me disclose, that this has happened before, sort of. When the market was good, we moved VERY often. Most of the time the buyers wanted some of our furniture. No big deal, that means shopping for me! And if you don't know this about me, I am obsessed with staging and decorating. I really don't get attached to furniture. You know, we would sell a couch here, a table there.....however, this sale includes EVERYTHING, with the exception of my beloved armoire (below) which I couldn't bear to give up and a short list of personal items. It's flattering really, that someone likes my taste enough to want everything!

I still don't think I truly "get" that this is really happening. The whole thing just isn't sinking in. First priority....where are we going to live?!

Second priority....get excited about having a fresh start, a clean slate, a whole house that needs to be decorated....in any way my heart desires. I don't even know where to begin. It's going to be a big project...I plan on writing about my progress here...and hope you will join me!

If this isn't BITTERSWEET....I don't know what is.

It's time to look on the bright side....and I'm ready.

At least I have my wonderful family and my armoire. ;)
Thanks for listening. I think this helped.

XOXO, Kim

Welcome to My Jungle!

Apparently, I have a "thing" for animal prints. I've always been drawn to the zebra pattern, which I notice all of the time in home decor magazines. Just a little hint here and there, nothing over the top. Trust me, I know animal prints can get cheesy, but I don't go that far (I hope!). The other day, I pulled out little plates to use for brownies, and noticed they were zebra print...and then went into my studio and noticed my file folders are zebra print...This led to me thinking about how many things I own that are animal patterned and I decided to go on a hunt today into the wild (my house) and show you some fun things!

PHOTOS ABOVE:

{1} Giraffe Print Peep Toes (I love to look at these, but never have worn!)

{2} Zebra Themed Jack-N-Jill Bathroom (T & K's)

{3} Zebra Print Top (in the event I need to dress professionally)

{4} Cheetah Print Lamp (sits on the desk area of the kitchen, LOVE)

~

{1} Zebra Suede Chairs (my prized possession from my mother-in-law)

{2} Zebra Dessert Plates (brownies seem even yummier on a cute plate!)

{3} Leopard Print Betseyville Bag (fave for Vegas)

{4} File Folders in my craft room (love zebra with green)

{1} Leopard Print Jacket (bought for a Vegas trip last year at Forever 21)

{2} Zebra Purse (LOVE it, from my purse party last year)

{3} Zebra Silk Headband (very stylish, wear if I'm feeling sassy)

{4} Our pet, ZeeZee (we keep her at the zoo!) Kidding...

Have a great day & GO WILD!

XOXO,

Kim

New Auction to Benefit Kate McRae - Sweet Dress

Jaime from Busy Bizzy B, offered to auction off this adorable onesie dress (size 12 months) made with Amy Butler fabrics (my fave!) to benefit little Kate McRae. If you aren't familiar with Kate's story, you can read my posts here and here. After being on vacation last week, I caught up on the lastest post on her mom's journal today. The heartbreak continues as Kate has started chemotherapy. A recent video captures a day in Kate's life now. Extremely different from what her life was just a month ago, I'm sure. Please keep this little angel in your thoughts and prayers.

To enter the auction, please visit Jaime's BLOG HERE

Visit Jaime's Etsy Shop HERE

Kate McRae: Auction Results

Thank you so much to all of you who bid on my party package auction to benefit Kate McRae. Congratulations to Brooke Meyenberg from Jackaroo Love blog, who placed the highest bid of $200. I want to also say thank you to everyone who is supporting this family and praying for this little girl.

This is an excerpt from Kate's mom's post today, and it brought tears to my eyes reading it..

Today we realized Kate was really processing what was going on around her and to her. We stopped as I was pushing her in the hallway and she asked "Mommy, am I going to be bald?" We were waiting to have this conversation a little further down the road with the Child Life Specialists. She wasn't going to wait. So there in the middle of the hallway, I sat down and tried to explain to her why the kids were on this floor, and why most of them lost their hair. And that yes, we were pretty sure she would lose hers. She began to wimper and say "no, no, i don't want to". My heart broke knowing her anxiety, and yet also knowing the battle was over so much more than her losing her hair. We did assure her that hair grows back. She seemed a little more at ease knowing that. But some days it is so difficult to tell what her little 5 year old mind is all thinking. So pray for her anxieties. She is a thinker, and I know by her question that none of this has escaped her. Innocence stolen.

Follow Kate's progress HERE

Kate McRae: Party Package Auction - Latest Bids!

THANK YOU for your support!

I was so happy to wake up to 3 new bids!

The party package is now at retail value!

$150

7/15 8:41am

Interested in bidding?

PLEASE COMMENT HERE!

Also, please feel free to grab the button above, that my friend Andra created. Add it to your blog sidebar to show support for Kate. You can link it to:

http://www.prayforkate.com/

Kate McRae: Auction from Dolce Vita Mia

One of my local Twitter friends, and fellow Etsy seller, Dolce Vita Mia generously offered to auction one of her adorable onesie sets!She picked my very favorite one from her collection! It is made with Heather Bailey fabric and includes a onesie & matching hair clippie. All proceeds will go directly to the McRae family.

PLEASE visit her blog ASAP to BID on this item!

Perfect for baby shower gift, or for your own little one!

Thank you, Mia for your support!!

Visit the Dolce Vita Mia Etsy SHOP HERE

Kate McRae: Party Package Auction - Bid Now!

LASTEST BID AMOUNT: $200.00

Updated: 7/16 12:35am
(check comments for new bids before bidding!)

The McRae family needs your prayers, for their daughter Kate. This story really hit home for me, so I decided that I would auction a party package, with every penny of the proceeds going directly to this family. Even though they may only be asking for prayers at this point, they have a long road ahead and people around the world are supporting them. Let's do our part!

Starting today, I am auctioning a custom party package from The TomKat Studio that includes:

25 custom invitations - 5x7 flat

25 coordinating thank you cards

50 return address labels

24 cupcake toppers

24 favor tags

(retail value: approx. $150)

Minimum bid for this party package is $50. Payment to be made via Paypal within 48 hours of acceptance of bid, or package will be awarded to the next highest bidder. Highest bidder will have 6 months to redeem the party package.

TO BID, PLEASE COMMENT BELOW!

If you would prefer not to bid publicly, please email me at kim@thetomkatstudio.com and I will keep track of the bidding. Bidding opens Tuesday, July 14th at 10:15am and ends Friday, July 17th at 9pm. Time will marked automatically when the comment is posted. No comments/emails will be considered after this deadline.

If you would like to donate directly to the McRae family or host an auction of your own, please email me at kim@thetomkatstudio.com and I will make sure that they receive whatever it is you would like to give! If you would like to host an auction of your own, I will write about it here on my blog and link to your auction. Email me for details! I already have 4 people willing to auction products/services with the proceeds going to the McRae family. I will post them soon!

In the meantime, please PRAY FOR KATE! Read updates HERE.

Pray for Kate: TomKat Studio Party Package Auction

You probably read my post about little Kate McRae, a local 5 year old girl recently diagnosed with brain cancer. One of my readers sent me the link to her story and it really broke my heart. During my "Birthday Week" giveaways, one of the commenters said that if she wins, she would like her prized auctioned for the benefit of Kate McRae. I've been trying to think of something I could do to help this family, and this comment sparked an idea for me.

I am putting together a post to auction off one of my complete customized party packages, and the proceeds will go directly to Kate's family in the form of gift cards. Although the family didn't request it, with the outpouring of people wanting to help, there is currently a fund being setup for their benefit.

Here's how the Auction will work....

Bidding will begin on Tuesday, July 14th 9:30am and end Friday, July 17th at 9pm.

I will be putting together a post shortly describing the party package that will be auctioned and the minimum bid required. I promise it will be filled with fabulous items!

If you have a product or service that you would be willing to auction for the benefit of Kate, please contact me!

Please spread the word about the auction! If you would like to donate a gift card or money to go towards purchasing gift cards for the family, please email me at kim@thetomkatstudio.com. My customer/friend, Andra has a direct connection to the family and will make sure it goes directly to them.

Life Isn't Always A Party.....

One of my wonderful blog followers, Air sent me an email today. Here it is:

Hi there Kim.........I was reading this sweet little girls story today and realized that she is in your part of the country. I wondered if you could read it over and be kind enough to maybe post something on your blog. I would like to do something for the family but have not decided what yet. So if you have any ideas please let me know. As a parent I am counting my blessings today that my children are all healthy and able to do normal everyday things. Seeing this sweet little Kate suffer and her parents as well just broke my heart. I cried through reading the journal. How could you not? Thanks for your time. Aaron

I clicked through to read about this sweet little girl, Kate (cute & blonde just like my own Kate) right here in Phoenix and how her family recently found out (June 29th) that she has a major brain tumor. I immediately got the chills and tears sprung to my eyes, as I read her story. To read her mom's posts, makes my heart ache. After reading every post on the site, I realized that this story is really close to home. The McRae family is a part of the Cornerstone Christian Church in Chandler, AZ (where we live). I haven't been to this church yet, but we have friends who are members and last night I signed up to participate in their Holiday Boutique.

What can we do to help? As far as I can tell, they aren't asking for donations (except to donate to the CaringBridge website to help other families in need), just lots and lots of prayers. So if you have any ideas about what else this beautiful family needs, or what we could do for them, please share your ideas!

At the very least, please take a moment and appreciate your happy, healthy children and give them every ounce of love that they so deserve. This is taken from one of Kate's mom's posts, and really puts things in perspective:

Do you know those days where your kids are endlessly calling "mommy"? I have had many of those in the past. My kids are 6 (she will be 7 in 2 weeks), 5 and 4. There were many times I would say "okay no one can call me mommy for 10 minutes, I just need quiet!". How many times did I complain about how it seemed like they were always pooping and I was always wiping. How I loved those days where I could lazily stay in my pjs and not wear any makeup. One word can change all of that. Cancer. Now I beg for my daughter to say mommy, just once, just for something for me to hang onto. I don't care if she screams it, slurs it, anything, just say mommy.

I cannot imagine what this family is going through. Please visit Kate's site HERE & keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

If you have time to leave some words of encouragement, here is Kate's Mom, Holly's email: hollymcrae@gmail.com

Love,
Kim

{photos by Promise Tangeman}

The TomKat Studio: My Fan Mail (giggle!)

This post is going to sound a little self-righteous (is that the right word?), please forgive me. I hope you don't stop reading my blog after I confess this....

I LOVE getting emails everyday from random people who tell me how great I am. Who wouldn't like that, right? I like to call it my "fan mail"! (giggle, giggle! :) I am honestly shocked with the amount of emails that I receive from my blog.

I am just a tiny little blip on the radar of party planning, crafty, creative women of the world, but I honestly say that I have a hard time keeping up with my fan mail. Here's why...I love people. I love people who love me. I love people who love the things I make and want to make them, too. I want to chat, bond, be best friends with everyone who takes the time to write to me. So when I go to respond to my "fan mail" (again...giggle, giggle), I end up writing a book. I think I need a better technique....short & sweet, perhaps? Oh well, sometimes I just can't help myself, because chatting with other people who share my passions, is why I blog!

So, if you have ever written/commented, and I haven't responded, let me apologize RIGHT NOW. I'm going to be better. If you are one of the million readers who has emailed me for the instructions for the lollipop invitations, and you have yet to receive them, I APOLOGIZE. I haven't had the time (seriously!) to create a presentable document yet. I'm really am a busy momma! I haven't explained how busy on this blog, but I know one of these days I'm going to start talking about the rest of my life.....stay tuned, if you're interested. ;)

Too Many Cupcakes = A Serious Sweet Tooth!

Okay, so a couple weeks ago, I confessed that I was going to start going to the gym, due to my affection for cupcakes and all things sweet. I have to admit now that I went that one day and it was so traumatic for my children that I haven't been back yet. We were getting ready for our vacation, and I wasn't ready to make the commitment of training my kids to hang out for an hour with the crazy, screaming children. However, I promise, I will go back and they will be trained someday.

On another note, I visited my dentist today. I really didn't want to, (who wants to go to the dentist?), but I was forced to. My husband recently left his job with the homebuilder that he has worked for the last eight years, (more on this exciting news later!) which meant that our dental coverage would no longer exist as of July 1st. Hence, the June 30th appointment. What can I say, I'm busy! Well, luckily my appointment was in the morning because my dentist broke the news to me that I have 7 new cavities. It's only been a year since I've been! Not like the last time when I had like 10 cavities and I hadn't been in five years! Ugh. Since the insurance was running out today, I had to go back this afternoon and get ALL 7 cavities taken care of. Fun. Really fun. I do have to say though, my dentist's office does everything possible to make you comfortable while they chisel away at your teeth! I was cuddled up in a super soft blankie watching "He's Just Not That Into You", during the whole process. Without the movie, I would have been going insane...all the buzzing...scraping....sorry, I'll stop.

Afterwards, since I could barely move my face, I had an Oreo milkshake for dinner. Isn't that fitting? What can I say...I have a serious Sweet Tooth!

Speaking of Sweet Tooth, have you heard of "The Sweet Tooth Fairy" bake shop in Utah? If you read NieNie (if you don't, you should), you know about this shop. Check out their delightful desserts HERE! One day, I hope to eat something from there, rather than just look at it. Yum.

P.S. Could their logo be any cuter?!?

Looking forward to.....

...... escaping the Phoenix heat, enjoying the fam, swimming, mini-golfing, reading some magazines, maybe a book (twilight finally?), sleeping, maybe getting a massage........I'm so ready! Are you jealous yet?

Follow-up: Too Many Cupcakes....

Thank you for all of the encouragement! I did make it to the gym, but not in time for the 9:30 class that I had hoped to take. Good thing though, because about 30 minutes into my rendezvous the treadmill, a girl from the childcare room came to rescue me. Apparently, my children don't do well in a room full of 100+ screaming, running, crazy children. I don't blame them, I wouldn't do well either. After they both stopped hyperventilating, (actually Kate didn't stop until she cried herself to sleep in the car), we ventured on to a fun afternoon swimming with friends. Whew.....rough morning.

One more reason against me to go to the gym. Don't worry though, I will win. Not today, but I'll try again tomorrow. Wish me (them) luck.

{photo via inmagine}

Too Many Cupcake Mondays = Time for the Gym!

If you read this blog, you know that I have an affection for sweets. Every other post is about cupcakes or candy, right? Well, the kids finished up their swim lessons last week, so we are starting a new schedule today that includes visiting the GYM. I'm scared. It's been a LONG time....long, as in my last workout was in 2007. We were in a good routine back in '07, until an old man drove his car right into mine. Luckily I drive an SUV, (which was totalled) and the kids and I weren't injured severely. However, it threw a wrench in my commitment to the gym.....and it's finally time to get going again. Like I said, I'm scared. I am nervous to go get in my gym clothes right now. I am probably writing right now because I am stalling.....but hey...if I ever want to look good in these (see above)...I better get started!

Before I go....I think I'll go sneak one of those cupcakes I made yesterday.....

Where in the World Am I?

{photo via yvetteinufio}

I'm on vacation! We just returned from a "staycation" at a local resort with a fabulous water park! It was a quick few days, but much needed!

I miss the blogging world....but I vowed to "unplug" until Monday. I had to take a little peek at my blog reader...but only let myself indulge in the fun for 30 minutes. (okay, an hour....) But I am no where near caught up with all the blogs I follow.

I've been crafting today for Tommy's Birthday Party, which is Saturday. Another reason I needed to "unplug"....poor guy wouldn't have any party decorations if mommy didn't shut off the other mommies who need party stuff! ;) Gotta keep the priorities straight! (not that I don't love my customers!)

Be back Monday (if I can resist until then), with T's party and more!

Do you miss me?

Miss you,
XOXO,
Kim

I picked a WINNER!

Congratulations my love!

Download my favorite Kris Allen song, HERE!