Becolorful

A New Chapter

 

Becolorful has now become Be Colorful Coastal. Please sign up for updated posts here. 

Two years ago we made the decision to purchase a home in a coastal part of the country. As we spend more time there, meet new friends, and make that house a home I decided to create a blog to record our adventures, design successes, and missteps, and all the emotional ups and downs that come with our new back and forth life. If you are interested in following along, you can find my updates here:

Be Colorful Coastal

Genuinely Cool Baby Art

One clever mom, one agreeable baby, ten fingers and a jar of black finger paint? The result is priceless.

 

 

This was one of the most cherished gifts that I received this past Christmas.

Who knew baby art could actually be something you would want to frame and keep out for years to come?

Crew Hayden, my obviously very talented eleven month old grandson, finger painted this beauty with a bit of "signature help" from his mama.

I love that she chose black instead of the more expected bright colors. What a team. They are one sophisticated duo that know how to produce some genuinely cool baby art. 

 

 

Thank you. I love it.

xoxo

Mimi 

Kid's Art Just Makes Me Happy

 

 

One of the things that kept me busier than usual these past few months was co-chairing a charity event for the American Red Cross. Like a lot of these events, ours also included a live and silent auction.

While I was helping to pull together auction items I remembered that last fall there had been a mulitple home fire in our area. This fire affected five families and some of those families had elementary aged children. The Red Cross responds to every home fire and I thought it would be meaningful and logical to approach the elementary school that these children attended and ask them to contribute an art project. They enthusiastically agreed and the resulting artwork was absolutely incredible.

Kid's art is usually so colorful and pure and these pieces were no exception. There was definitely a heart theme going on here and each painting evoked a feeling of hope and gratitude.  I thought what better place to show them off and share them with others than here on BeColorful.

Approximately twenty five fifth grade artists participated in this project. A few of pieces were stand alone and frameable.

 

 

 

 

 

 

But what to do with all the other paintings? There were elements in each and every one of them that were unique and noteworthy. So I decided to cut the remaining pieces up and take selections from each of them and incorporate into a larger collaged canvas.

 

The cut out images were applied to a 40x40 canvas that I had painted red.

 

 

 

The overall look was colorful and dramatic but it is when you look closer that you notice all the fabulous details that are so wonderfully uplifting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There were four art pieces that were auctioned off at our Red Boa Ball and we raised almost $1500 from these four items!

 

 

 

 

 

Kid's art must make others happy also. Thank you so much to the fifth graders and staff at Hiawatha Elementary School for contributing to our Red Boa Ball and helping the American Red Cross in such a significant way!

 

This is an event and hopefully an auction item that will be repeated next year so follow BeColorful or the Red Cross here or on Facebook for updates on the

Red Boa Ball 2015 

xoxo,

p

Rodan and Fields

 

I was fortunate enough to reconnect with one of my delightful high school classmates a while back at our reunion. Since then she has become a consultant for Rodan and Fields, a cosmetic product line developed by two esteemed female dermatologists.

 

My classmate recently sent me some samples of her product to see what I thought. Now I will have to disclose that it is difficult to say with any real conviction in such a brief period of time that these are the next wonders of the world but I did read her brochures and information and liked that the central theme seemed to be that you don't have to spend major dollars to achieve healthier and younger looking skin.

This line of products are certainly less expensive than a visit to the dermatologist but they are more costly than what you would find in the discount stores. I have used Lancome and Philosophy for the past several years and I would say this line would be comparably priced to those department store cosmetic products.

 

Rodan and Fields have several product lines for different types of skin issues such as anti-aging, acne, and sensitive skin. I was most interested in the anti aging products.

The items that I used in this product line were the Micro-Dermabrasion Paste

 

the Night Renewing Serum

 

 

and the Lip Renewing Serum

 

but after reading the product guide I was also thought their eye cream and broad spectrum sunscreen were also something I could be interested in.

The exfoliating cleaner that I used is applied after washing your face. It helps to slough off those stubborn dead skin cells - a process that slows down as we age. My first thought was that the product felt a bit greasy but it did rinse off easily. I have used a similar product from Philosophy that I incorporated into my regimen once or twice a week. I would probably do the same with this exfoliator.

I was more impressed with the night serum. It left my skin feeling softer, smoother, but definitely not oily. The product seemed to just bond with my skin.

The lip serum was very much the same. It also came in those small individual pellets. It is a matter of personal preference but I felt like there was a lot of product in those lip capsules and I could probably use one pellet for two consecutive nights. Fine lines around my mouth haven't become an issue for me yet but I like Rodan and Field's philosophy that "The best wrinkle is the one that never happens". 

These products are not available in stores. Instead you need to find a Rodan and Field's consultant in your area or contact my friend Lisa.

There are two schools of thought to this. Yes, it may seem like it is a bit less convenient and you need to plan ahead so you don't run out of product. I did see that you can sign up for automatic shipments though and that is a nice feature.

The other way of looking at this, is that you have a personal consultant that you can discuss your unique skin issues with and discover the best workable options for you.

 

To find out more about the entire line of products click here. 

To confer with Lisa click here.

Hope you are all having a fantastic weekend.

Don't forget to stop back tonight for this week's Motivated Monday.

xoxo,

p

My New iPhone Just May Make Me Skinny

 

Yes, you read that right.

I am using my phone to help me make better choices at the grocery store.

It is like having my own personal nutritionist in my back pocket. Gotta love that.

I'm talking about the Fooducate App for iPhone and Android.

This is a resource of nutritional information that has been garnered via scientists and nutritionists on a wide variety of packaged foods  and then each item has been given a letter grade.

 

It is so easy to use and the very best part is that it is FREE!

 

The concept is simple. You scan the bar-code, receive a nutritional grade for the product, and if you don't like that grade you are offered a list of healthier options.

 

You can download the app onto your iphone here and the android app here.

After downloading, open the app and you will be greeted with this screen.

 

 

You will be asked some basic marketing information questions about your gender, age, and weight. Then you will be questioned about any particular health concerns. Answering these questions will help Fooducate to customize the best food choices for you personally.

After these preliminaries you will have a home screen that looks like this.

 

From this screen you can either browse for foods by name or brand or gain information on a particular item by scanning the UPC bar-code.

 

To scan you just tap the scan image and then hold the phone over the bar-code of the food item. You don't even have to have the bar-code perfectly centered.

 

 I was amazed by how quickly this app works. Within seconds a new screen would open up with a stock image of the item I was scanning along with a corresponding grade and alerts to possible concerns with the product.

 

I found this example on the internet.

Don't want all that sugar and food coloring?

 Tap the healthier options tab in the bottom right corner  

 

and an extentisve list of smarter, healthier choices will appear.

 

How great is that? I love technology. I felt so geek chic, oh okay, maybe nerd bird going through the grocery store. My first time through I was scanning everything like it was my job. I think it took me two hours to get through the store.

:D

There were a few items that I was interested in that were not in the Fooducate library but when that happens you will be prompted to send a picture of the product and an image of the ingredients and nutritional information. Because you set up an account when you first registered for the app, Fooducate will send you information on the item and add it to their extensive and growing registry of products.

As I was looking for some images to help with my post I found that there is now a Fooducate App for diabetics too.  That would have to be so helpful.

Way to go Fooducate. With your help and my iPhone I may be able to reach that goal weight yet.

xoxo,

p

 

So It's Officially Fall - The BeColorful Recap

All I can say about the game this weekend is that it was ugly. 

September in Iowa is usually about football games, fall leaves, and Octoberfest celebrations. The football this year may be less than stellar but we still have the leaves and the parties to look forward to.

Things are still pretty green here in the Midwest but when I took my walk today it was definitely chillier and I know the fall colors will follow.

I do a lot of thinking when I walk by myself and today I realized that fall is officially here.This past season went by so quickly that I started thinking about what I had actually accomplished over the summer, which is never as much as I had hoped.

This, sweet readers, is what I did last summer.

Hehe

We didn't do anything major to the house this summer. Those changes usually happen in the colder months. I did, though, make a couple of minor tweaks to our

living room.

 

I am still looking for or hoping to paint a canvas for this space too and I am also still thinking about painting that mantel or maybe the wall behind the fireplace.. perhaps this season. :D

I was planning to paint the dining room pink but Mr. Rosie is not on board with that one. He usually is in total agreement with whatever I want to do and basically gives me carte blanche. I was surprised he felt so strongly about this and because he so seldom balks at my ideas, I'm going to give in on that one and rethink the color.

 

Now I'm leaning toward painting the walls a neutral and maybe getting a blam of color with some fuchsia pink chairs.

???

I am also still looking for the perfect cocktail table in our family room  More on that later this week.

When it came to painting projects this Dorothy Draper bowl is one of my most recent pieces

but this wine cabinet was my biggest undertaking.

Next up I will be doing a dresser for a client and I am anxious to get started. I love painting when the days are cooler.

I also did a fair amount of reading over the summer.  This book was one of my faves and I included it in my summer reading reviews.

I just finished reading Dark Places, another book by Gillian Flynn and I am currently reading Killing Lincoln. My reactions to both will follow soon.

When summer began I had some things on my to do list; books to be read, projects to complete, and weight to be lost.

 My goal to live a healthier lifestyle, though, has probably been the area where I have been the most successful these past three months. Along with making better food choices I have consistently "stepped up" my workouts.

I wrote about these shoes earlier this summer and I was hopeful that they would help me avoid those shin splints that seem to be a perpetual problem for me.

Well the verdict is in on the shoes. LOVE THEM. I have only had one twinge of an issue with shin splints and that was when, while out of town and without my Newtons, I wore another pair of athletic shoes on an extended walk. As long as I stay with these I seem to be okay. The Newtons were a bit pricey but I would buy them all over again now that I know how well they have worked for me. I'm not sure they are quite as cushy and comfortable as my Brooks or Asics but the ergonomically designed sole is apparently what I need to avoid what has for me been a real source of frustration.

 

So looking back I feel like I can say I met most goals, fell short on others, and added some new ones to my list. So bring on the fall. I'm ready.

Don't forget to check back later for this week's Motivated Monday here on BeColorful.

xoxo,

p

Stop To Remember 9-11

What I Love Today { Newton Running Shoes}

Let me begin by saying I am not a runner. Read top heavy and weak knees but also the fact that I have forever been plagued with shin splints.

So why would a non-runner like me fork over $155 for a pair of running shoes?

Well, for starters, I saw them in the January issue of Departures Magazine and I was drawn in by the fun styling and popcicle colors. I know, shallow, right?

Then last month I was getting ready to head out to Las Vegas. If you have ever been there you know this is one place that no matter where you go you will be doing A LOT of walking. I thought these little lovelies would be a great thing to take along.

I wasn't familiar  with the brand. I looked for them locally and while we were in Vegas but without any luck. I searched for them on-line when we got back and found them on the Newton site in a variety of styles and colors. I read a bit about the shoes and canvased numerous reviews and the more I read the more intrigued I was. Apparently unlike most running shoes on the market that encourage a heel strike gait, these shoes, with their lower heel and amply cushioned ball area are designed for a mid-foot strike.

I didn't realize that a heel strike was detrimental but apparently it is and it can lead to an increased incidence of shin splints. Hmmm. interesting.

This made sense to me and is probably one of the reasons I never liked Nike Shocks.

Like I said, I am not a runner but I do like to walk for exercise. The problem is every Spring when I resume my walking regime I have to start so slowly and gradually increase my distance and pace. It is frustrating because I just want to get up and move but If I kick it up too fast that nasty sharp pain that I am all too familiar with will reappear.  The more I read about these shoes the more anxious I was to try them. 

They arrived last week and I have to say I am crushing on them big time. They took a bit of getting used to. The extra cushioning on the ball of the foot felt somewhat strange but not in a bad way. 

A trip to NYC is in my near future and I am thinking of ditching the Sex in the City fab shoes look for this turquoise, yellow, and orange sporty style. I could pair them with a short skirt from Lucy or Athleta and work the athletic vibe.

 

 

Is that too Midwest of me? 

I'll look like a tourist won't I ?

 C'est la vie. I am what I am.

I know how girly this all sounds and that all the real runners out there are rolling their eyes by this point but hey,I do intend to wear these shoes for some serious fitness walking. It's just that for some of us shopping is a true endurance sport too.

:D

 Besides I can still rock the heels at night.

 

Newton running shoes, this is what I love today.

xoxo,

p

 

Motivated Monday May 14th

Better late than never right?

Sorry for the delayed Motivated Monday but Mother's Day took me out of town and away from my computer.

I tried to post via my iPad but Typepad and iPad aren't very friendly.

I'm thinking this is more of a Typepad Fail.

Errrrr...

 

Anyway, I hope your Mom's Day was spectacular.

Look what my three sweeties did for me yesterday -

This was posted on Liz's blog  which, of course, I subscribe to via email. I saw this before I had even rolled out of bed. Tears before coffee. It was going to be a great day. :D

 

from around the globe…

Liz in Des Moines, IA

 

James in Toyko, Japan

 

Adam in Cedar Rapids, IA

 

Happy Mothers Day, Mom, from your three. 

 

How lucky am I ?

Very.

Love you guys. Thank you so much. I am so glad I had that girl first because I know she is the one that orchestrated this project and leaned on her brothers to get their photos to her. She is a typical first born. :D but I am proud of those two boys also for listening to her and following through. Will miracles ever cease? :D

 

So on to Motivated Monday.

I'm so late in posting that I will keep my comments brief but I didn't want you to miss some of these incredible posts from last week like this 

                                           Pesto and Feta Turkey Burger

via

Renewed Upon a Dream

Yum!

Or how about this 

Penny Counter Top

over at

Domestic Imperfection.

Amazeballs!

 A classic design

that I will be adding to my Pinterest for sure.

 

Another surface treatment idea was this yardstick resurfaced table top from

Life on Walnut Street 

 

I don't know how you all think of this stuff but wow, am I ever happy that you do.

Incredible!

 

I also loved this stunning pink chair 

via

Bella's Crafty Mom

 

Can you believe she updated the fabric on this chair by spray painting it with a mixture of paint and fabric medium?

Seriously!

Love it with that ottoman too.

 

I noticed the whole peacock rage back around Christmas time and I thought this 

Peacock Vanity 

from

Make Me Pretty Again

was a great original take on that theme.

Here is a teaser shot. You will have to visit her blog to see the full piece.

Very fun.

 

 

Notice - Eliminating BeColorful's Google+

 

 

 

 

I still am trying to figure out an option to replace Google's Friend Connect but the Google+ Page is not it. I have found it clumsy and complicated and I do not see any benefit for me at this time. I'm not sure if it is trying to be another Facebook but Lord knows I don't need another account like that. I would never get anything done.

:D

Blogging, Pinterest, FB and Twitter are all I can handle.

Because I will not be using the Google+ or their photo editor I am also looking for something to replace my Picnik photo editing. Does anyone have any ideas?

I would love to hear what you use.

xoxo,

P

Party Thoughts

This past weekend we had a cocktail party here at the house for roughly fifty business clients and close friends.

A lot of you have asked for more party pics.

Apparently we had a good time because there are very few pictures except for these of the set up before the party started and when the first handful of guests began arriving.

We had two tents. One for food and one for the bar.

I bought my tabletop items the day before the party at Pier 1

Nothing like last minute.

Because the party was at night and I didn't want to use the flood lights I knew that it would be more important to have candles than flowers.

Lanterns seemed like a good solution and something we might be able to use again.

I couldn't get enough of any one thing this late in the season so I mixed and matched using blues and greens.

I think that worked.

On the bistro tables I used margarita glasses filled with white sand and a candle. It was a cocktail party after all. :0

Tiki torches and strings of lights helped give us the ambience we were looking for.

I wish I had taken more night pictures because it really looked prettier after dark.

I even did some of the tables with Christmas lights underneath so they had a great glow going after the sun went down.

Oh well, trust me, it was pretty.

Mike and I had fun stringing lights the night before and doing the whole lighscaping thing.

He is a fun guy to throw a party with once you get him involved. He is always a little reluctant at first but as ithe party gets closer he totally gets into it.

Usually Liz is on top of the photography but she became engrossed in conversation and the mojitos too so it wasn't until quite late and after a number of the guests had already left that we remembered to take photos.

This was also  after what was probably more than a couple cocktails.

A bit blurry.

:-0

Hehe. Actually, it IS hard to get pictures in this low of light without a tripod.

These were better.

 

 

The food was amazing.

Thank you Cibos.

It only sprinkled very briefly.

Thank you God.

The house is in the middle of a do over but even so I was proud of how we pulled it all together.

This week I will show you some of the new design items that made it in time for the party and the temporary solutions that we used for those that didn't or I couldn't afford yet.

When we threw our very first party here thirteen years ago we hadn't even moved in yet.

We took decorating suggestions from our guests, borrowed lawn furniture to sit on and drew pictures on the blank walls.

The house will never be done and even though we talk about selling it from time to time, everyone says we never will.

Why would we? This house was made for a party.

The next one?

It will be awhile. 

A fall party would be fun, we've never done that, but definitely not this year.

:)

xoxo,

P

BeColorful On Houzz

I must admit, I felt a little bit important today when I saw my home office on Houzz.

They were doing a feature on home offices for their Ideabook of the Week post.

My two photos are toward the end of the article but hey,

better late than never.

I am sure it was the wild watermelon color or maybe Sherri's pillow that got my space noticed.

:)

What can I say?

This girl loves color.

 

Cultural Differences

This weekend our son, who is going to school and working in Japan sent us this video.

I know, who has time to watch, but take a moment.

I promise it is prety amazing.

 

Then on an entirely different note,

I was working on my laptop the other day with the TV going in the background.

I looked up to see a commercial and I was intrigued.

What were they selling?

So officially I'm shocked.

Right?

In reality, it made me laugh and thank goodness for Tivo because I rewound it and played it again.

Maybe I'm a bit twisted.

 

 

Cultural differences?

xoxo,

P

Chic C'est La Vie? Je Dis Bull

Make it stop!

Have you seen this yet?

 

I saw it on  SGM one of my favorite naughty, bawdy and undeniably funny entertainment blogs.

(Thanks Lee for the heads up on that one).

 

The creepiness factor here? 

Well, there are no words.

She might as well hang a sign around her neck that says

"Hey look at me and tell me how fabulous I am".

She really can't sing for crap.

That was obvious with her first release - Money Can't Buy You Class.

Stupid a** song.

At least this time around the listener isn't subjected to the same torture.

This time she basically talks over the music track in her transgendered condescending smoker voice.

"Daaaaaaaaallllling"

I would puke if I wasn't laughing so incredulously.

Someone must have told her that if she throws in a few French words it will sound "classier".

I'm thinking that when you have to talk about how classy you are, well, you aren't.

It's as simple as that.

And those lyrics? Really?

Ridiculous.

Has she read a newspaper beyond Page Six?

It's just creepy.

Jill and Kelly who are also in the video are apparently there for gag effect and to make us laugh at their total lack of any decent dance moves.

The other housewives apparently turned The Countess down.

LuAnn was actually surprised by this.

Then again, she was a totally snarky manipulative beotch on steroids in Morocco.

Can't say that I blame them.

I do love the show though.

It makes me feel so smug about myself.

:)

This show and a few others, namely,

Million Dollar Decorators

Real Housewives of NJ

and 

Flipping Out 

are among my guilty pleasures.

Thank God for Tivo or I would never see them all.

Plus I can stop and rewind when I have those

"Oh no she din't" moments that I just have to see again

and then maybe one more time.

So, I just wanted to share a bit of my shallow side with you today.

Dissing on those crazies is always welcome here

:)

 

xoxo,

P