Raffle- A Chance to win 3 designers' stores for a year!

Divine Digital Partners MEGA Product RAFFLE TICKETS
|Triple Threat| Divine Digital

$2 Raffle Ticket Promotion for the Partners of Divine Digital - Includes DIGITAL DOWNLOAD with $3 in Product Coupons! Free product to partners stores only!!!

Multiple tickets can be purchased - the more you buy the more chances to WIN!!!

Every purchase of this raffle ticket enters you into the drawing to win a chance at ALL THREE OF THE PARTNERS of Divine Digital Stores - ALL PRODUCTS in all three stores - All Commercial and All Personal Use items from Studio RA Designs, Princess Lala Designs & Wetfish Designs - with access to all three stores for an ENTIRE YEAR!

Sale of tickets to take place at Divine Digital - November 10-15, 2010
Drawing to take place at 9PM Est. on November 16, 2010

http://www.divinedigital.com/boutique/product.php?productid=19024&cat=0&page=1

On a personal note...

One of my friends reminded me today that I really should blog... since i was already online... so here I am typing away.

The past month has been very "up & down" for me. And while the good does outweigh the bad, i'm still not sure where I stand with a certain person in my life and that is tugging on my heart strings greatly! I know i just need to give it time and see what happens.

I found out that we are expecting bundle of joy #4! I'm due June 29th, but have not been able to get an ultrasound done yet, so there's a chance this date might change. I'm excited and all my boys are excited. I think my hubby is the only one in the house routing for this baby to be a boy... Please everyone think Pink thoughts for me! I've been dealing with morning sickness, which (after you've been through it 3 other times) really isn't TOO bad, but i'd still be really happy if i could just skip it this time around.

We made it through Halloween without anything bad happening... in the past we've had 2 years of broken car windshields and an eviction. All 3 of my boys dressed as football players this year.

My hubby got his 6 month raise (don't know how much it is yet, but anything is better than nothing) and he's got a training plan laid out to land him a promotion around Dec 15th! We are behind on bills and desperately waiting for the IRS to send us our tax credit for the house... but of course they will draw it out as long as possible. We did manage to get the boys' insurance back as well as insurance to cover my pregnancy and some food assistance... but it would be so nice to feel financially stable at this point in my life.

My oldest son just finished his first tackle football season... they only won 2 games, but he learned a lot about the game, being an athlete, balancing school & sports... and learned a lot about himself as well. His coach presented him with the "MR EVERYTHING" award for playing 7 out of 8 positions on both Offense & Defense!

My middle child, Damek, turns 6 in EIGHT days! Oh where has the time gone? He had his heart set on a party at "pump-it-up" this year... but is being a great sport about having a party in the park instead (since we can't afford the jumping party). I have to get the invites sent out this week.

Baby Merrick (who's not really a baby anymore) currently has a stomach bug... carseat cover is in the laundry and after a relaxing morning of watching "Chip & Dale Rescue Rangers" (how many of you remember that cartoon?) he's sleeping peacefully in his room.

I already picked out the crib I want to buy... See it here
I'm also thinking about getting one of these baskets for when the baby is sleeping somewhere in the house besides her/his crib.

We have to buy a mini van before June... both of our vehicles are falling apart and neither of them will have enough seat belts once the new baby gets here. I've always said i wouldn't drive a mini van, but i'm being realistic in admitting that we wouldn't be able to afford the gas to drive an SUV. John's Mimi is thinking about selling her minivan, i'm just hoping it's in our price range.

John asked me about names i had in mind for this one... and since we used my #1 girl choice for my dog a few years ago (Mina) i'm back to surfing baby name websites.
So far the girls list includes...
Trinity (my #1, but John's not too sure about it), Awen, Aurora, Arwen, and Aislinn
Can you tell i've only gotten thru the A's??

Well... the dryer is done. so I need to try and put the cover back on the carseat before it's time to get Corgen & Damek from school. :)

The Orient and iDSD

Thank you for being patient with me as I got this finished. It's rare for me not to use an entire color scheme when I design, but since it's a mini I decided just to stick to something a little simpler.  There's even a bonus freebie of 12 chinese zodiac flair. Hope you all like it.

 DOWNLOAD HERE

DOWNLOAD HERE

I'm really hoping that I can manage some more time with Photoshop in the near future. I have several big projects all planned out in my head, just need to make it happen. 

Since this weekend is iDSD, I had to have a sale right?

All products @ Divine Digital are 50% off

All products @ DigiScrapWarehouse are 50% off

...and don't forget about my $15 "Holiday 2010 Buy My Store" deal!

All products @ Scrappity-Doo-Dah are 50% off

I think that's it for now... enjoy iNSD! Happy Shopping & Scrapping!

I'll be at my oldest son's last football game of the season tomorrow- GO BULLDOGS!!!!!!!!

Orient Blog Train... my stop has been delayed

Hey everyone who's here for the blog train freebie... i need another day or so to get your goodie ready. Morning sickness is being a real B**ch right now and staring at my monitor doesn't really help. I promise... it's coming soon!

Wonderful Wednesday!

Lots going on...

First I need to tell you that I am one of the featured designers for the current Download-a-Day at Divine Digital! I should have had this posted earlier as my first kit link has been removed, but we will be adding them to the store shortly after the links are removed. Here's the link to today's thread and a preview of my mini kit... October 20th

If you missed the download for October 17th, you can grab it in the store for $1.00... HERE

I also have two coordinating products in the Triple Threat Boutique

"Ghoulish Delight" Alphas
On sale for just $1.50
|CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE|


"Ghoulish Delight" Glitter
On sale for just $2.40
|CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE|

I am running a new "Buy My Store" promotion at DigiScrapWarehouse

(trying to get some sort of holiday budget for my family)

Holiday 2010 Sale!!

Pick up all my current products, plus anything added before the end of Dec.
Over 140 products included!
Coupon code included with purchase is good for 10 uses thru Dec 31st
Good only on Products by Princess Lala Designs
Price- $15

Extra Savings of $5 if you purchase by October 25th - Just $10 gets it ALL

My oldest son has been playing tackle football this fall. They've won a few and lost a few more, but he's learning a lot about football, putting forth the effort and having fun in the process. His homecoming game is this Saturday. Then we have Halloween weekend off and play a bowl game on Saturday Nov 6th. It's kinda sad to think that the season is almost over. We've spent 3-4 hours 4 days a week with all these families and some of them we probably won't see again until next fall. Only one boy on Corgen's team goes to his school. We did find out about a very cheap 5K that is run every month and Corgen wants to invite his teammates & their families to come join us starting in November. He thinks it would be a fun active event for them to do together and to stay in touch between football seasons. I love that he thinks like that! :)

Run for Life started at the boys' school last friday. I missed it due to some appointments, but starting next this week i'll be running around the track twice a day on Fridays. The goal of the program is to have all the school kids complete a marathon, running 1 day a week until February. In Feb they do a Run for Life 5K to benefit cancer research. Corgen clocked about 36 miles last year in PE. He wants to beat that this year. Damek is so excited about actually getting to participate this year- the pre-K classes don't run, but Kindergarten does.

Damek is home sick right now... some sort of virus that causes high fever & headache. Hoping his temp stays down today so he can go back to school tomorrow. He's missing the school picture day today, but they always do a make-up picture day... and we lucked out that they are not doing the class pictures on the same day as individuals. WOOT! 

After I dropped Corgen off at school, I came home and got my workout in. Leslie Sansone's 5K with a Twist. I used 4lb hand weights during miles 1 & 3 and added some extra arm movements. Worked up a great sweat and as soon as I'm done with this post i'm headed for the showers.

Yesterday I acted without thinking first and hurt a good friend in the process. Hopefully time will heal this and she'll forgive me for not thinking about her reaction before i acted. I haven't been in her position before, so it didn't occur to me just how much it would effect her. All i can do is apologize, give her some space and wait... the ball is in her court now.

Ok... time to shower :)

Couch to 5K... Day 1

This morning I weighed myself for the first time in a while... It was a sad number, but it didn't really shock me.
It just helped me realized that i NEED to get serious about taking care of myself NOW! This is my highest weight ever.

I drank a bottle of water, took my vitamins and ate 2 pieces of 12 grain bread with peanut butter.

Then I did my first workout in the Couch to 5K Running program. It was challenging, but i did it. I made 2 full laps around my section of the neighborhood and then to the first speed bump passed my house. I was huffin & puffin, but i made it. By the end my jog wasn't much faster than my walk. One workout down... 26 more to go.

The two biggest things I need to avoid are soda & baked goods. I'm such a sucker for a muffin. I had stopped drinking sodas a while ago, after reading Skinny Bitch. The problem is i started drinking regular sodas instead... so it was good bye fake sugar chemicals, hello sugar!

I stopped eating meat a few months ago. I mostly avoid dairy products & eggs as well... but occasionally i splurge on cream based corn soup (from chili's) or a grilled cheese sandwhich. At first I saw the pounds drop, but just because I mostly eat vegan, doesn't mean I always ate healthy. And slowly all those pounds i lost have crept back on plus a few.

Since I was about 8 years old I have always dreamed of having 4 kids. I always planned on starting my family early in life- I want to be young enough to really enjoy my grandkids. At this point in my life i am wonderfully blessed to have 3 boys. I would absolutely LOVE to one day have a girl. I know I can't manipulate whether my last pregnancy will be a boy  or girl... but I can dream right. I don't want there to be a huge age gap between my kids. I'm not ready right now to go for #4, there are some things I need to address first. So I have my list of things to take care of and i'm working on them as I can.

Enough for now... off to work.

Back again.. LOL

I am the first to admit that i'm horrible at keeping a regular blog. But a friend just started blogging and it reminded me that I should be blogging too. I have 2 main goals right now.

The first goal to be be better to myself- body and soul. My first step towards this goal is to make a few changes to my lifestyle. I will be following the Couch to 5K Training Program. I am also trying to incorporate as many of the Practical Applications of the "Raw Energy Life Force Diet" into my life, one at a time. I do not currently own a juicer, so I'll be going without the morning drinks. I would also like to start meditating again, it really helps to unwind and recenter yourself. Picked up some new vitamins today as well.

My second goal is  not have to work outside my home... unless of course I get a job with Blizzard Entertainment. :) Right now I don't think my current earnings is worth the crap and the time away from my kids. John is working a second job part time to cover about half or what I make from working. If I can match it with my online sales, I'll be able to stay home to fully take care of my family & the house, design more and hopefully go back to school.

**

Princess Lala Designs
Creative Team Call
Call will run through July 31st
Looking for Digital & Hybrid scrappers for both Permanent & Guest spots
I will send a response to everyone who applies, so you'll hear from me whether you make the team or not.

The requirements are...
*If you take it, use it.
*Create 4 layouts per month
*Create 1 quickpage or hybrid project instructions to be used a freebies (optional)
*Check in to the private CT group on facebook at least 1 time a week

Please send me an e-mail with...
*Your name
*Any current creative teams you are on
*If you are a designer, please send me a link to your store
*Links to your top galleries
*And any other info you think I should know

Email me at: princesslaladesigns AT gmail DOT com
Put "CT CALL" in the subject line

You can check out my designs here...
Princess Lala Designs @ DSW
http://www.digiscrapwarehouse.com/xcart/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=70

I also sell at Divine Digital & Your Digital Designers.

**

My Creative Team has already been posting layouts to my Facebook Fanpage.

Come check out some of their work here... 

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=105944&id=91856859702

This is one of my favorites from a new CT Member, Rabecca Forbes...

Click to see layout on Facebook

Time to turn back to Photoshop... I'm working on a collaboration with Studio Ra & Wetfish Designs that will be released after Divine Digital is back up & running.

Easy Vegan Meal Ideas

One of my friends has decided to start eating vegan too. And she asked me for some simple ideas on what to eat... so here you go Kyrie! :)

My favorite Breakfast (I eat this almost every day)
1-2 cups fruit juice (i usually have cranberry, pomegranate blueberry, or orange)
some fruit (banana, apple or strawberries)
1-2 slices of whole grain toast with peanut butter

Sandwich & Salad
2 slices Diary free whole grain bread
Mustard (or another vegan friendly condiment
Any combo of the following...

• dark lettuce blend
• onion (sweet, red, or scallions)
• bell peppers (green, red, orange, yellow)
• tomato (i prefer roma for sandwiches)
• cucumber
• hummus
• avacado
• sprouts

You could add a meat substitute here too if your having one of those cravings for something meat like

And then I just add a salad with most of the same veggies as on the sandwich with some sunflower seeds and a yummy vegan-friendly dressing

Spaghetti
Seriously, I love italian food and will probably be doing lots of experimenting with my old favorites and substituting in vegan cheese... but spaghetti is super simple and is a great opportunity for sneaking in extra veggies.

Whole wheat spaghetti noodles

For the sauce (to keep it easy right now) buy a jar of meat-free spaghetti sauce.
Simmer it in a pan with some veggies until the veggies are tender. I like to use sweet onion, diced roma tomato, bell peppers, and grated or diced carrots.

Pour sauce over noodles and serve with a slice of toast with a smidge of Earth Balance buttery spread.

Pasta Salad
So simple and one pot can feed you for a few days.

Start with whole wheat rotini or elbow macaroni.
Add any of the following:

• corn
• onion (sweet, red, or scallions)
• bell peppers (green, red, orange, yellow)
• tomato (i cherub tomatoes cut in half)
• cucumber
• black beans
• carrots
• broccoli
• cauliflower

Then toss with some vegan friendly dressing or oil & vinegar mixed with some Mrs Dash seasoning.

Rice #1
cooked brown rice
steamed mixed veggies (just buy a bag in the freezer section)
Mrs Dash to taste
Earth Balance buttery spread

Rice #2
brown rice
black beans
corn
diced tomato
lime juice & cilantro to taste

Veggie Burrito
brown rice with cilantro & lime juice
black beans
grilled peppers, onion & corn
salsa or pico
lettuce
whole wheat vegan friendly tortilla


Snacks
Odwalla Strawberry C, C Monster smoothie (could have this at breakfast in place of the juice too)
tortilla chips & salsa (make sure to check the package of the tortilla chips before you buy them)
sliced apples with peanut butter
raw veggies
fruit
peanut butter & jelly (or fruit) sandwich
central market bruschetta veggie chips
chocolate peanut butter cups (seriously not too many... it is still chocolate!) - from "the kind diet"
vegan rice crispies - from "the kind diet"

Hello World (again)

My life has taken quite a few twists and turns in the last 6 months... From losing our duplex, getting rid of everything to move in with my mom... to John finally getting rehired, using our tax return to put a down payment on a mobile home and having to start back at square one with everything house related. I'm taking a few sessions off from school to focus on getting my house settled and in working order... and of course to get my designing business back on track.
My 2 older boys are doing great in school. Corgen is waiting for the interviews for the gifted & talented to start. It amazes me how fast he soaks up information. He's currently reading "Diary of a Whimpy Kid" and plans on starting the Harry Potter series next. His 1st grade teacher promises to test his reading level until he is ready to stop when they do end of year assessments. Damek finally got into speech therapy and it has made a difference already. He's also proud to report that he is learning how to add numbers together now... and very excited that he's learning it younger than Corgen did cause he's only in pre-k (Corgen started school with kindergarten). Merrick is doing good too... he just turned 18 months. Kinda wishing he would start talking more... instead of screaming for everything he wants, but it will come with time.He's cutting one of his canine teeth right now so he's grumpy and I really think he's hit the "terrible twos" stage. A few days ago he threw his first real temper tantrum... threw himself down on the floor when daddy said the peanut m&ms were gone and started rolling across the floor while screaming. It was funny, but annoying.
I think the biggest change I've made is that I am now a Vegan. Yep that's right... no meat, no dairy, no eggs... no processed crap or white sugar either. Yes it's a HUGE change from what i've been eating all my life, but i'm tired of looking and feeling the way that I do... so I needed to make a drastic change. Getting alot of crap from people at work about this. Guess I'll just have to deal with it. I'm already getting pretty used to just tuning them out. I feel really good... well minus the sleep deprivation thing (but that's due to work schedule and boys' school schedule, not my diet). I've already lost 4.4 lbs since I cut out meat & dairy, so I'm well on my way to being a "skinny bitch" <-- great book by the way.

Ok, enough for one post. I'll be updated the look of my blog this week (i hope). It'll be a preview of a kit due to come out atr the end of April.