Mr. Jingles... our Elf on the Shelf

This was our first year having an elf visit.  We named him Mr. Jingles and at first he was really good.

He just hung out on the tree.

But it didn't take long for him to start being naughty.

He toilet papered the tree, then my daughter's door.

Then he left a stern message, scared the kids enough to set them straight!

Some days he was just hanging out with the gingerbread people.

One day he was hanging from the ceiling fan.

But some days he was really naughty.

Like when he dumped a huge bag of bows all over my son's room while he slept.

Of course, the kids thought this was hilarious!

My daughter also thought it was great when he used Mommy's red lipstick to write on 

the mirror.  Guess who had to clean that up?!!

He even found time to catch a movie with Barbie!

...and get into the sprinkles and cheerios!

But I think my favorite was when Mr. Jingles mustached the kids, 

with PERMANENT marker!!!  They still had 'staches for Christmas Eve.

We were sad to see him go but we know we'll see him again next year! ;-)

Kim

New Year, Fresh Start!

  Whew, well we survived the holidays and the kid's winter break!  I can't believe how fast it flew by!!  I have lots of pictures to show you and we got a little Christmas surprise that I'm sure you will be seeing a lot of on this blog.  I hope to have some time this week when the kiddos are in school to get some posts together.  I love the holidays but now that it is the new year, I am ready to pack up this Christmas stuff and bring in some fresh, new color to get ready for spring.  I love this years greens and bright colors, I think this weeks "Inspiration Friday" post will be all about getting ready for Spring!!

Kim

Inspiration Friday No.34~ Out of Sadness Comes Love

  This has been a difficult week, I have not cried this much since 9/11, as I'm sure many of you have.  I am so happy to have had no work scheduled for this week so I could go through all the stages of shock, grief, anger, and finally sadness that has encompassed me.
  I do not watch the news often, I get most of my news from my Facebook or Twitter feed, but this week I have been glued to the news stations.  I have stayed up way too late for too many nights looking at guns statistics and becoming more angry the more I learned.  This one week feels like a month and I am no where near Newtown, Connecticut.  I can only just imagine what it must be like for them.
  With today being a week since the shooting I am going to take a moment of silence along with many others.  You may see some websites go black for one minute tomorrow starting at 9:30 a.m..  If you are on Twitter you can find out information at #momentforSandyHook.
  I have cried so many tears listening to the parents of these children.  My daughter and I even talked about doing a "peace sign" birthday cake like Grace McDonnell did for her 7th birthday.  She is the same age as my daughter, but Grace will never celebrate her 8th birthday.  This is so difficult for me to even comprehend how this must feel for her family, so many beautiful children, their teachers and principal, all lives lost too soon.

Angel who was killed in Sandy Hook shooting, Grace McDonnell.

  As seen on the Emily A. Clark blog, if you want to do something to help you can go to Brickyard Buffalo to purchase downloadable prints, like the one you see below.  All of the proceeds will got to the Sandy Hook School Support Fund through the United Way.

"My Heart Carries Me Through" - Kelli Murray

   I am sure today will be difficult for so many, but I know for myself, I need to move on.  

The news stories are becoming less about those that were lost and more about the disturbed 

young man and his motives.  No matter what they may be, it will never justify the killing of 

innocent children, so I really don't care to hear it.  

Today, I will prepare to celebrate Christmas with a heavy heart 
and I will not take for granted 

that I will have what so many families will not have this holiday season.

  

You can follow what is going on with Newtown, Connecticut by following their Facebook page.

~  Kim

My thoughts on the Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy...

I try to keep this little blog of mine light and easy, but I have something I want to say, and I hope you don't mind.


I have come to terms with the fact that I put myself in danger when I walk into a mall, a movie theatre, or a grocery store, but I will be damned to accept sending my child into a living hell as I send her off to school.

I am so sick of hearing that if a criminal wants to commit violence that there is nothing we can do. How many children need to die before we throw our hands in the air and say "Enough is enough"? 

This is a gun issue, a mental health issue, a school security issue, a societal issue. How can you send your child to school tomorrow and say that our system is not broken, that there is nothing we can do differently to make sure that our children return home safe?

This was not a surprise to me. I have walked in to my child's school and noted the one woman sitting at the front desk would not be any match for a gunman. I have noted how close to an exit door my child's classroom is and how little to no security is present as I walk through the halls. I have worried, I have watched, and I knew something like this was coming. But no matter how your logical mind may prepare itself, the truth is so overwhelming and heart-wrenching that it is hard to breath.

The absolute worst has happened, now we must use this chance to fix what is broken. It is our responsibility to do everything in our power to protect our children and those that spend their lives teaching them. We have to work together to look with open minds and open hearts to do what is right and what is required for us to send our children to a place a safety and security.

To the victims of Sandy Hook Elementary, may you rest in peace. You will never be forgotten.

Kim

Sadness

I am so incredibly saddened by the tragedy that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary this morning.  I don't know if it's because I have children that same age but I have been crying all day, unable to shake it.  In the picture that the news is showing of the children coming out of the school, crying and with fear in their eyes, I can see my own children's face in their faces.  This could have happened anywhere, to anyone of us.  My heart is broken and I can only hope that those families who lost a loved one can find peace during this time and heal their broken hearts.  Bless them all and those little angels that are no longer with us.

~  Kim

Holiday Makeup Look

So you know how I am a makeup artist?  Well, I have been busy working, promoting, networking, social networking...you name it, and I've been busy doing it.  

I was really excited a few weeks ago to come across a beauty blogger who was looking for guest posts.  I sent over a holiday makeup look and she featured it on her blog today.

Here is the post with a full break down of products used, please go check it out:

 http://www.15minutebeauty.com/2012/12/an-amazing-gold-eye-look-with-makeup.html

 It's shimmery gold and red lips, so pretty for a holiday party!!! 

You can check out all of my work at www.makeupbykimporter.com.

 ~ Kim

Inspiration Friday No.33~ Starfish & Christmas Trees

I really love the idea of incorporating starfish in decorating for the holidays.  

They are so simply and pretty.  I keep meaning to buy some since mine have 

been used elsewhere through out the house.

 Cottage Living

This is what our home looks like (currently...it could always change!)

This table I purchased at a garage sale for $10, I meant to paint it white-ish but never 

got around to it.  Thought it kind of fit in with my Christmas decor just the way it is!

The kids decorate a real Christmas tree with tinsel, colored lights, and colorful ornaments.

This is my tree.  I like white. 

Top pictures can be found on my Pinterest page.

How are you decorating your tree this year?

~  Kim