What's Your Beach Style?

"Resort Glam"

"Sailor Chic"

"Poolside Preppy"

"Boho Beachy"



Amazing, I have a spare moment...finished my workout for the morning, have one more client to train, boys are currently reading their library books...and so I thought I'd update my much neglected blog and escape to another world where I sit in the sun all day (sunscreen on of course) read a great book and drink some great fruity drink (non-alcoholic of course ;-) Actually, come to think of it, that's pretty much what I do almost everyday now that summers here...isn't life grand?!
So tell me, what's your beach style?

"Again"

Ohhhh if this boy Alex ever comes out with a CD, I'll be the first to buy it! I LOVE HIS VOICE!!!

Haka: Please press PAUSE on our music playlist on leftof screen!

Carl taught the boys the Haka and they were asked to perform it at the WIldlife Safari Park here in Oregon!

Lil Carls Kindergarten Graduation

Six years ago Carl and I FINALLY graduated from BYU-Hawaii and a few weeks BEFORE that, Little Carl was born!! We loved him from the moment he entered this world and we're so proud of him tonight! He performed like a real pro tonight at his Kindergarten graduation program (swaying hips and all), and was animated throughout it all. He brings such joy to our family and makes us laugh everyday! We love you heaps lil Carl!!!

Love, mummy and daddy

I tried...I really, really DID!

The million dollar question I get asked nearly every single day is, "So are you trying for a girl?"

Uh NO! I have been so incredibly blessed with these 4 boys! But a GIRL? Are you kidding me, she'd be eaten alive by these monkeys! ;-) I tried to take some pictures tonight of the boys as they are normally found during the summer months (which has already begun here in Oregon!!), shorts, no shirts, and tans...which haven't quite set in just yet. This is what I got out of it. It's all about the memories right...and we sure did laugh!

Ohana Personal Trainers BLOG!!

Hi guys!! Most of you know that I've been a personal trainer for over 17 years. I've been keeping really busy with my Ohana Personal Training business and just wanted to share with you my new blog. On it (and in the future) you'll find some great tips from Nutrition to fitness, etc... Stop by anytime, I'd love to hear your comments!

WARNING!! The following post is NOT for animal lovers!!

I deliberately made this picture blurry, so that those involved in the slaughtering could not be identified! ;-)

My parents have a beautiful yard...however, for the past few months we have been terrorized by MOLES!! They are ruining their lawn, and we've tried every possible way to get rid of them. We finally have had to resort to calling upon the Samoan gods and their mole killing powers...Carl (my samoan husband) saw said mole, picked up a metal pole, whacked it and killed it...yikes...cheering throughout the house, boys wanting to touch it, Landon thought it might still be alive, wanted to keep it...daddy threw it in the river after many threats from mommy...I warned you...life is proving to be very adventurous indeed here in Oregon!

Gold Mine!!

For all my fitness fanatic friends, and friends who just want to find a great workout...check out this link! There are some great new 'twists' to some ole classic moves!! I'm using some of these in my Boot Camp class tomorrow, and lemme tell you...THEY'LL KICK YOUR BUTT!

Are you SUMMER ready?!

Ahhh, do you smell that...the salty air, coconut scented sun screen? Can you hear your children playing in the surf, while your husband snores next to you, and you reading a GREAT beach read? No? Maybe it's because you're not really feeling quite beach ready yet? I was feeling that way too a few weeks ago, but ever since I started our Personal Training business and teaching Boot Camps in the wee hours of the morning, I'm finally feeling like I might just be able to bare my gams this summer! Whatever gets you excited for summer start doin it now!! Put on some good summer music (my personal faves: Jason Mraz, Jack Johnson and Bob Marley) get outside (walk, jog, run), eat clean, and start feeling GOOD!!

I wanna wanna these!!

I really like this outfit from JCrew!

So cute and perfect for Spring which is in 3 more days!! Yeah

T-strap sandals...LOVE THEM!

All pictures are from http://www.jcrew.com/

Winters then and NOW

Our winters in Utah were usually pretty long, always a bit cold (well FREEZING for me),

BUT always so much fun spent in the snow!!

We decided to take the boys to the beach on Saturday. (We now live in Southern Oregon)

Not sure what to expect, we dressed them in warm clothes. Surprisingly it was 65 degrees, not a cloud in the sky, and the boys ended up completely wet! What a great weekend and what a nice change! Luckily I brought extra clothes for them! ;-)

HELLO, ALOHA, KIA ORA...

Hi guys...I'm still here, have just been CRAZY busy with our recent move to Oregon 2 weeks ago! I feel like I haven't sat still since we arrived: moving, getting the boys enrolled in school, looking for a job (yeah, I get to go back to work for a bit!) But things are starting to fall into place now, OH! and have I mentioned how much I'm LOVING Oregon yet?...cause I do, heaps! It is so green here (we're in Southern Oregon where it doesn't rain too much but still incredibly green!) And even better we're living near family who have helped us out in more ways then I can name! So, I'm back to my blogging world and can't wait to check out everyones blogs! :-)

Christmas Cookies!

Woohoo, it's cookie time!!

Kobe and I...can you believe he'll be 11 soon?! Yikes, I'm too young to have an 11 year old right? I mean 21 is REALLY young! ;-)

The end result was oh so yummy! My friend Eve came over and we used her super yummy sugar cookie recipe that called for orange peel! My house totally smelt like Christmas!

As you can tell...I was way too tired to cook dinner after that. So we went to the brand new Dennys right across the street! Yummy!!

Our future home...OREGON!!

Grandma & Grandpas house is heaven for 5 grandsons!

S. Umpqua river=fishing, boating, & lots of relaxing!

Just enjoying the outdoors is what we love to do!

Summer concerts in the park directly across the river, how cool is that?!

Not sure if many of you know, but our family has decided to make the BIG move to Roseburg, OR!! We are ALL so excited, and we can't wait to be closer to grandma and grandpa Oshita and all the rest of the family! I for one am ecstatic...being the type of girl that prefers being out of doors rather then stuck in the house during months and months of cold weather. Here are some beautiful pictures of Roseburg and where my parents live which is right on the S. Umpqua river...oh and did I mention they have their very own BBEEAACCHH! I'm gonna be in heaven, reading my books while lying in the boat catching some sun (with sunscreen on of course! ;-)

Christmas Song

LOVE Dave Matthews! LOVE this song...hope you enjoy!

(Pictures via Country Home)

This year we decided to decorate our home a few days earlier then usual because Carl left this morning for a 3 week work trip!! Usually I can deal with this just fine, but this trip happens to fall right during my 21st birthday ;-) and our wedding anniversary! Thankfully he returns a few days before Christmas and time should fly by since we're all so excited about the holidays! And I'm thankful for dear friends and family who are already thinking of ways to help me celebrate my 34th, whoops I mean my 21st birthday. Happy decorating everyone!

WARNING: This just in!!!

I am still LAUGHING OUT LOUD!! SOOOO funny! I have through this many times with my own dear husband!!

TTTWWWIIILLLIIIGGGHHHTTT!!!

Edward, Bella, & James!!!

The cast of Twilight!!

(All pics from Vanity Fair)


Yes, I am a crazed fan who stood in a long line for the 4th book, who has read all 4 twice, and am currently thinking about how I'm going to dress up after hearing that many if not all the girls we're going with are 'dressing in costume'....Next Friday will be a FUN night!!


How beautiful are these pictures? And James is looking quite cute here...not so much in the movie though...enjoy! :-)

Good Intentions

Great great room! Love the wall color and organizational (is that a word?) cubbies etc...

I'd love to own this cute little wrapping paper organizer.
(Pictures from Cottage Living)
So I begin every holiday season with the good intention of wrapping beautiful presents to go under my Christmas tree...then life intervenes, and I find myself wrapping gifts in dollar store paper, covered in tape and MAYBE a bow. They usually look awful...of course the boys don't care, but for some reason I do.

My mom is the QUEEN of beautiful Christmases...her home is always so beautiful and warm. The tree is immaculate yet 'touchable', and her gift wrapping is so pretty. You just want to sit in front of her tree at nights with a cup of hot cocoa and just gaze at it.

I will do better this year, not because I feel like I HAVE to, but because I really want to. It gets me so excited, and I love to see how excited the boys get when they see me decorating the house and we have Christmas music quietly playing in the background. We're creating memories for our children, and I hope they are as wonderful as the ones I'm so fond of from my childhood.

A New Day...

Oh I LOVE the colors in this kitchen, the fresh flowers and that gorgeous island!

I'm without a doubt a Country/Beach girl at heart! No concrete jungles for me...this house says home to me.

What DON'T I LOVE about this kitchen!! Look at those bar stools, the WINDOW (Holy Cow I love it), the beams, the greenery, the list goes on and on...

I for one RARELY speak about politics, I kinda think it's tacky unless you REALLY know what you're talking about. I don't always...I look at the views that are important to me, and go to the polls as educated as I can be...

We have a new President of the UNITED States, and although I didn't vote for him, I DO agree with both candidates that we need to become UNITED and fix the terrible mess we are currently in. I think/hope that Pres. Elect Barack Obama can do that! There are too many Countries in this world that rely on us for many different reasons! So I'm looking at this with a new perspective, wanting to move forward, and hoping for a brighter future...

With ALL that said lets just enjoy the above pictures, take a deep breath, sit back and relax...

The Black Seeds - So True

A Friday favorite. This is a New Zealand based band that I really like! One of the guys is Brent from Flight of the Conchords.

Thanks for the calls and text!

(Picture via Coastal Living)

I just love the simplicity of this bed, and the idea of having some sort of caretaker there to hang my bath robe on the bed like that...surely that's who it was right? I could've recovered so much faster with one of them around! And my children would've been fed more then cereal and saimin!

(Picture via Coastal Living)

This would be heaven for me while in my sickly state. I could lie or is it lay, (never could get that right) there with my Theraflu, decorating magazines, all while the housekeeper, nanny, and cook are milling about the house keeping me happy and utterly relaxed! ;-)

Just wanna give a shout out to my dear friends and family who called or text me lately to make sure I was 'okay'. It's so nice to know that I have loved ones out there who like to have a look at my blog and who after noticing I hadn't posted anything in over 2 weeks (gasp! ;-)) they wanted to make sure I was still alive. So thank you very much!!

I've been so sick this last month...due to catching the flu TWICE, and sitting at my computer was just not an option when every part of my body ached. But it's over now!! (*Big smile*) and my first 'to do' this week will be gettin the good ole flu shot...it certainly worked last year!

So my first post back are of beautiful rooms that I would've loved to have spent my 'sick days' in. Great big 'Mahalo' to you all for being so wonderful and hope you're all healthy and happy!!

-Kristen

Summers over, but I'm still in vacation mode...

Great rental home in Laie, Hawaii

Hukilau Beach, Laie, Hawaii

Kohala Village Inn, Hawaii

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Out 'n' About Treehouses, OR

So I've been thinking of possible vacations for next year, (not that I think they'll actually happen but because I'm sitting here at my computer while my children are in school (yahoo), and I can either do this or fold a basket of laundry...need I say more?)

Option 1: Out 'n' About Treehouses, Oregon. I LOVED 'Swiss Family Robinson' growing up...so wanted a treehouse to live in. Well I found the coolest place and it ROCKS!!! The pictures speak for themselves. And with 4 boys, it's bound to be the coolest place ever!!


Option 2: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Ok yeah I know I'm not in H.S. or in College waiting to party during Spring Break, but celebrities always seem to vacay there and it looks beautiful. Not sure if my husband will be down with it though. Last time we were in Mexico, they pulled him into another line for customs because he kinda looks mexican and he hated waiting in that long line while I just sailed through the other...but wow the beaches are BEAUTIFUL, and we both love authentic mexican food!

Option 3: Kohala, Hawaii: Last year we stayed at the Kohala Village Inn. We all loved it there...grandma and granpa live just a couple of miles from there and it felt like ole Hawaii...

Option 4: Laie, Hawaii: We LOVE Laie, have heaps of friends still there, and it brings back GREAT memories!!! Just want to rent a house on Hukilau beach and kick it there all summer!!

I would love to be able to do all 4, but we may have to kick Mexico out of the running...since family all live in Oregon and Hawaii...and that always makes it soo much more fun! Well, off to do laundry...

7 Things...

7 things I want to do before I die...
1. Send all four sons on full-time missions, see them sealed in the Temple, and hold their first babies...
2. Go on a week long vacation to Hawaii with just Carl and not feel guilty about leaving children behind.
3. Go to Greece with any of my sister-in-laws that want to go
4. Visit Jane Austens home
5. Run my own business
6. Go on a HUGE shopping spree with someone else's money of course
7. Travel to Italy

7 Things I DO Now
1. Help with Kindergarten homework
2. Help with 2nd grade homework
3. Help with AWFUL 5th grade homework.
4. House chores
5. Play with the boys
6. Bills
7. Hang out with Carl every evening!!

7 Things I Cannot Do...
1. Hmmm, I don't want to believe there's something I can't do...

7 Things That Attract Me To My Husband
1. His eyes
2. His smile
3. His devotion to our family
4. His positive attitude
5. His love for our Savior
6. His muscles ;-)
7. His playfulness

7 Things I Say Most Often
1. I love you!!!
2. I know it's not fair...sorry
3. Too bad it's YOUR responsiblity
4. You're funny
5. Heavenly Father I so need your help!! :-)
6. Bedtime!!
7. Thanks for working so hard honey!

7 Celebrities I Admire
1. Paul Newman
2. Julia Roberts
3. Maya Angelo
4. Jessica Alba
5. Reese Witherspoon
6. Gabriela Reese
7. Tina Fey

7 Of My Favorite Foods
1. Gyoza
2. Ume Musubis and rolled eggs
3. Brick oven veggie pizzas
4. Yummy veggie sandwiches
5. Stir fry
6. Tofu bowl from Rumbis
7. Chicken salad from Cafe Rio with Tamatillo dressing

7 of My Friends I Tag
Anyone who has the time...

Friday Favorite

Money!! who doesn't need more of it right? And I don't mean in a 'greedy' kinda way, but in a

'I'd just wanna save some' kinda way.

President Hinckley's Last Testimony

A Sad Day

For the past few months Carl has been the Home Teacher to a wonderful young family in our ward. He loves the family dearly but this has been no easy calling. You see a few months ago the father, (who is our age) was diagnosed with cancer. Last night he lost that battle leaving behind a beautiful wife and 6 small children all under the age of 11. Carl was literally at a lost as to what to do for this young family. He would visit with them but knew that really all they wanted was to be with their family during these last days.

But I have to tell you that I really learned something from this experience and from their family. Over the last few years raising little ones, there were many Sundays when I would stay home from Church because someone was sick, or I was just too tired from an all nighter with one of the boys. It was an easy choice and easy to justify...however Matt (the father) went to church every single Sunday no matter how sick he felt. He was even there when he was going through chemo, and you could tell he felt just terrible. But he was there on time in his suit every Sunday while we walked in sometimes 5 minutes late thinking how hard it can be to get our little family ready for Church. I think sometimes we get so caught up in our own lives to remember that there are other people out there with greater trials then our own. I have learned a great lesson these past few months and pray that this young mother and her children will feel the comfort they need at this time.

If you'd like to know more about their family or would like to help in any way you can take a look at their blog here...

Flight of the Conchords - Most beautiful girl

A Friday Favorite...they're from New Zealand, are hilarious, and have that great Kiwi Humour! Want a good laugh?...check it out, I just don't recommend ALL of their songs! ;-) But if you like them check out 'Business Time' and 'Bret, you got it goin on', also very funny!

My Friday Favorites

Ocean front, lake front, river front HOMES...I LOVE them all, esp. when they have the windows like the ones above.

Ali'i Drive in Kailua Kona...someday we'll live there

Sunsets in Kona

Another favorite...the video from Flight of the Conchords above...Carl and I can laugh for ages at night watching some of their shows...

I've been tagged again!

( Our first date was to Rosies Cantina in Haleiwa, this pic was taken at the same place just a few years later, so many great memories!)

I've gotten tagged a few times lately, but this one is the easiest right now. (Kelli, I did take pictures of my house for your tag, but due to my 'type A personality, OCD' etc...they were just too boring...I'd have to be so dog sick for my house to be messy...;-) ) So here goes...

1. Where did you meet your husband? I met Carl in the old gym at BYUH. He and his friends needed one more player for their basketball game, and his friends new I played...let's just say I schooled him pretty bad, and he came begging back for more! :-)
2. How long did you date before you married? He proposed after 2 weeks of dating, I said 'no way, slow down', he asked me again 5 months later and we were married just 3 months after that...so about 9+ months.

3. How long have you been married? Nearly 12 years in December!! It's been Awesome!!

4. What does he do that surprises you? That he can still find me 'sexy' after 12 years and 4 pregnancies! hehe

5. What is his favorite feature? His eyes when he smiles, I love how they crinkle at the corners.

6. What is his favorite quality? His strong sense of family and his unconditional love for us.

7. Does he have a nickname for you? He's always called me Kris or mama.

8. What is his favorite food? Mexican food, esp. if it's from Cali!!

9. What is his favorite sport? Hmmm he likes to watch rugby (and play), but I think it's basketball.

10. When & where was your first kiss? Oh gosh, I'll have to plead the 5th on this one...

11. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? Anything really as long as we're doing it together and the children are left with a babysitter!

12. Do you have any children? Yes 4 handsome boys.

13. Does he have any hidden talents? Yes...He knows all the dialogue and music to 'Seven Brides For Seven Brothers', it's hilarious AND a bit annoying.

14. How old is he? 34 years young.

15. Who said I love you first? It was Carl while we were dancing to a Brian McKnight song...ahhh

16. What is his favorite music? He really likes old school jams. (R&B)

17. What do you admire most about him? That he forgives easily, and can admit when he's wrong, which seems to be about 80% of the time if you ask ME! ;-) J/K

18. What is his favorite color? Blue

19. Will he read this? If I mention it to him he probably will.

20. Who do you tag? Jessica, Kelli, Erin, Alicia & Ardis

Another Friday Favorite

A friend of mine from high school has just created some REALLY beautiful pieces for her ETSY website. Her name is Tamara and her jewelry and photography are so lovely...I already know what my order will be!! Check her out here.

We Remember

This morning I was faced with the question of "What are we remembering on 9/11 mom?, Why do we need to wear Red, White & Blue?" It was a great discussion I had with our boys.

Where were you on that day? I was in my Athletics Conditioning class at BYU-Hawaii when we heard. My parents were in New York and were to take a tour of the WTC...so you can imagine what I did next. I went straight home to wait for a phone call from ANYONE in my family to tell me my mom and dad were okay. Luckily dad said they ended up taking the tour the day before. Can you believe that?!!

I love the song playing right now on our playlist...LeAnne Womacks 'I Hope You Dance'. Remembering all those who fought for us and are still fighting for our freedom, and those who have lost loved ones. Everyday is a precious gift, and it's time I get out of my pajamas, forget about the cold I have right now and DO something...

Ahhh, It's Good To Be Back!

Just a 'few' of the cousins.

Carl with his brothers and sister.

He has another brother and 2 more sisters in N.Z.

We had a fun and busy 3 weeks with Carls family from WA and New Zealand. Nearly everyday was jammed pack with fun things to do, and we had 18 of the 31 grandkids here in Utah. We're really looking forward to Serina and her family moving here to the States next month.

So glad to be back to my blogging world and blogging friends...hope you all had a lovely summer!

Remembering the Good & Not So Good Days at BYUH!

My family is planning a getaway next year to Hawaii for a couple of weeks (or that's how long we're hoping to stay) I can't wait to rent a house and relive some of our favorite pastimes...

Watching Carl and his friends playing BB till dusk.

(Carl schooling Ano! ;-) )

Great friends while at BYUH!
(Garth, Carl and 'Big' Mike)

Endless hours at Hukilau or Bikini Beach

Taking the boys to the beach EVERYDAY while daddy was at work.

NOT something I miss...Hawaiian cockroaches. We had to bomb our place every few months because of these critters. They would fly around at night and land in my hair while I was sleeping!!!

My Friday Favorites

Oh I so love Horatio Hornblower (by C.S. Forester). Mum gave me the complete set of DVD's! Brilliant movies and Ioan Gruffudd's not so bad looking either...;-)
Love this beautiful 'Uptown Tote' by JCrew!


Gap makes some of the best pants...love, love, love these!

Give it up for Chuck Taylors!! Best shoes ever...I wear them with jeans, pants, skirts and cute summer dresses!

Lovely Lovely Cottages

Hmmm, I've always thought of myself as a tom boy growing up, but I think I've morphed into a girly girl over the last ten years. Could it have something to do with the fact that I'm the ONLY girl in this house. I'm finding that I like wearing pretty dresses and skirts and even makeup (gasp). I like girly furnishings and pretty paint colors.

This morning while I was blogging, I stumbled across the most wonderful website Beach Studios located in the UK. My hubby loves big modern houses, but I've always loved little cottages that are a bit beat up around the edges, where the family doesn't get lost and we can sit around a cozy fire reading or watching T.V. Here are a few of my favorite pics from their website...

School is FINALLY here!

Ahhh, the new school year has arrived and I for one am excited!! We were just getting into the really slow, boring stage of summer and the boys needed something to do. Now that school is here, there's a lot less fighting, video games, and whining! ;-) However, every summer just gets better and better as the boys grow older because we can do so much more with them.

All day I was looking forward to picking up the boys and finding out how their first day was. Kobe was especially in my thoughts because of the bullies he kept encountering at school last year....unfortunately they're in the same class with him again. I so badly want to move him to another classroom, but I think I need to wait and see what happens. We'd rather try and teach him to have a bit more confidence, and be a leader, then running away from the problem...however if that doesn't work, then I'll just ask Carl to go to the school after he works out so the bullies can see that Kobe's dad really is BIGGER then their dads. HAHA

Happy Weekend!

Hope you have a wonderful & relaxing weekend.

Oregon...Heaven on Earth

My mum and dad live on a river that is full of bass. There is a "secret" spot where my dad takes the boys fishing and all they have to do is cast their line and reel in the fish...easy as that!

We went hiking with my sister and her little family and it was beautiful!! I was put on this earth to hike gorgeous trails! :-) We all loved it and at the end was a beautiful waterfall!

Kobe and I braving the cold water...I LOVED it, it was so refreshing!

AHHHH the beach. Need I say more? I was in Heaven here!

Thanks Mom, Dad, Great-Grandma, Erin, Lane & baby Cooper for a wonderful vacation, I think it was my favorite trip to Oregon yet!

VACATION!

Hi! We've been on vacation for the past week and having the BEST week ever! Many pictures to upload when I return...doing my best to be electronic free and enjoy some R & R! See you soon!

Outdoor Living

Besides the beautiful columns, gorgeous french doors and pool, I LOVE those sun chairs. I could definetly spend all day out there.
This to me is the most perfect setting! The sun retiring for the day, perfect shade and best of all reading a book on that hammock...it can't get better then that for me!
(All pictures from Coastal Living.com)

Am I crazy?

Okay, okay, so I was one of those crazy Twilight fans who stood in line and waited and waited for the clock to strike 12 am...but even the party at Barnes & Nobles was too much for this old girl (well, I don't feel old exactly being 33 years old, but I sure felt it when I heard all the teenage girls screaming with excitement when they received their books!)

So I skipped that party, said goodnight to my friends and headed over to Walmart where I stood in line for 30 mins. got my book, headed home and fell asleep. This morning I went to Costco and right in the middle of the store was a massive crate full of Breaking Dawn, but that's alright it was a fun experience.

So if you're a fan like me you'll understand if I take a break from blogging so I can finish this book...besides I need to read it FAST...my husband Carl is anxiously waiting for me to finish... ;-)

Rock Scissor Paper

All cards can be found at Rock Scissor Paper!!

and are 20% off right now!

Who doesn't love getting a card in the mail? Isn't it great when someone you know remembers a birthday or anniversary of yours and takes the time to write a sweet message?

In this day and age emails are so easy to send. They're free and fast, but for some reason I've always preferred to send a card or a thank you note. Maybe it's because I love to search for that perfect card!

Above are pictures of some of my favorite cards from Rock Paper Scissors. I also love the Birthday calendar, as we have TONS of birthdays in our family! :-)

What the future beholds...

Kaleo home from his little outing

Okay, how did my parents ever survive raising 3 teenage daughters? Last week our youngest son was invited by his little friend Luka to go to a rodeo with her and her parents. He was ecstatic to say the least, and had to dress in his finest threads! ;-) We knew he'd be home around 10 pm, and as it was nearing that time Carl and I started laughing because it literally felt like we were waiting up for him to return home from a date...When he got home he was so happy and told us of all the things he had seen and done at the rodeo, even showing us how the cowboy wrestled the bull to the ground. I'm just PRAYING he'll be as forth coming with information in another 14 years when he returns home from a date...that's if I ever let any of our sons date! ;-)

Friday Favorites!!

Wellies from Zappos
In N.Z. they call these gum boots, they're also known as Wellies, and rain boots...but whatever you choose to call them I plan on owning a pair for the upcoming winter season, as I was totally ill-prepared for all the snow we had this last year. I ruined several pairs of shoes, and can't wait to get a pair of these...wish they came in a red as well...

Dermalogica
Ahhh, this is the best stuff ever! It's their Skin Renewal Booster and it's a miracle. I've been using it for over a month now, and my skin looks so much healthier, and has more elasticity!

Dermalogica's Daily Microfoliant. It's made with rice and other yummy natural ingredients, and it doesn't dry out my skin like other products. I use it daily at night and I can see the difference. There are so many other products that I love from their line but way too much to write about here.

Outdoor showers!

Coastal Living
While living on the North Shore of Oahu, Hi, and after a long day of surfing, runs on the beach and sunbathing, I took a shower outdoor everyday. I'm not sure what it was that I loved so much about it. Maybe just being outdoors and smelling the ocean spray or maybe it was the thrill of it, but I miss that about living most of your life outdoors.

My dad has constructed an outdoor shower at their home and the boys and I love to use it after a fun day at their river (it actually seems like a lake bacause it's massive) Can't wait to go there next week!

I'm mentally preparing for our plane ride to Oregon soon! Our youngest son who is almost 4 has been displaying some rather rough behavior lately, and I'm a bit nervous since I'll be traveling with them alone. I've flown several times with them while Carl stayed behind to work, but never with a child who fought every request I had of him. Hmmm should be interesting.

Monday Monday

Picture via Coastal Living

It's the beginning of another week, and therefore one more week closer to a new school year. Don't get me wrong, I always enjoy my summers with our boys, but we're really getting into the, "I'm SOOOO bored mum!" days and they're kind wearing on my nerves right now. (The comments, not the boys) Can't wait to go to Oregon!! Yee Haw!!

Love how some of my designing blogger friends post pictures of beautiful beds on Monday. So I thought I'd contribute one of my favorites...Love the tropical feel of course, the super high beam ceiling, & the windows, but I'd paint the walls a blue, green or earthy tone...and maybe change the bedding, a bit too busy for me...

Have a wonderful week!! -Kristen

Happy Weekend!

Courtesy Greek Travels

Have a great weekend everyone!
xoxo Kristen

New 'Twilight" Trailer

If you're a big fan like Carl and I, you'll probably enjoy this new trailer just released yesterday of the Twilight Movie...just click here...Enjoy!

Small Gestures of Kindness

Twice this week my sweet friend/neighbor Eve had shown some wonderful small gestures. First she brought me a delicious Greek salad she made (we're both doing our best to be as healthy as can be) and then yesterday she brought me a candle and thought I might like it! Which I do immensely by the way & even lit it last night while reading a great "beach read"! Thanks Eve! It's little things like that that can really put a smile on one's face. I wasn't even in a bad mood, thanks to my healthy eating lately (haha) but it still made me really happy none the less. I'd like to do the same for friends and neighbors as well, I have the time, in fact we ALL have the time really...care to join me for a little "good deed doin"?