My Style!

 Their Style...2...My Style

I read a lot of books and magazines, no surprise as I've talked about it before.  I have a lot of magazine subscriptions...don't ask but in my husband's words "its ridiculous" LOL. BUT I read them all and I love Us Weekly, People, Glamour, InStyle and Marie Claire for my fashion fun reads.  I've always been interested in fashion, I like to dress nice but I don't want to spend a ton of money either. So sometimes you have to be creative and shop around.  I have two teens who eat a lot, stick their hands out for money a lot and college tuition coming soon so I try to save wherever I can.  Doesn't mean I don't like quality pieces and if I know I will wear it a lot I will invest more money in it....ex. jeans, boots, dresses.

So when I saw Reese Witherspoon's outfit in a magazine recently it spoke to me....totally my style and I had most of the pieces (jeans, shirt and necklace).  But I need a belt and shoes that color...I love it and red IS my fave color.  I also want a camel/brown purse this fall, its on my want list as I know it will go with everything and is always a classic.

courtesy of Us Weekly magazine

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SUZANNE's VERSION

My jeans are from A&F because they fit me well and I like that they don't stretch out

and counts as FREE since I own them already :)

This shirt from NYC Limited Co is $49 but with a coupon you can get it for $30--

I have a navy shirt like Reese's from Express with short sleeves but I like the contrast of the white & navy polka dot shirt as an option too.

my necklace came from Nordstroms for about $50 a few years ago but this one from

Etsy is similar and only $28

This belt from Target is only $12

and

These shoes from Steven Mikka (at Zappos) on sale for $62

and

I {heart} this Coach purse which breaks the my bank at $398 BUT it can be used for many seasons.

I still use a classic black Coach satchel from 8 years ago...always elegant and looks great, just gotta take care of them!

Or this satchel which is $155 from Zappos which is a bit cheaper and still nice! 

and can't forget my nails...and I love this Essie color "Glamour Purse" for fall, a nice neutral.

 (I'm partial to Essie & Butter nail polishes...they stay on a long time and I'm brutal to nail polish LOL).

 

So total of my outfit is $104 for shoes, belt and polka-dot shirt since I own the other items.

But I'm sure you could find shoes cheaper than $60...I know these shoes are made well and if I hate them, Zappos ships them back for free...gotta love Zappos!

 

Not too bad and something I can wear a lot and switch around with other items in my closet.  The purse is a "want" item...doesn't mean I'll get it but it also means I will ask for it for my anniversary prezzie ;)

Ohhhhhh hubbbbyyyyyyy!!!!

Hi Everyone!

Hope your August is going well!  Our August so far has been pretty cool which is abnormal...hope this doesn't mean hurricanes will be crazy and a bad winter...fingers crossed for none anywho.  Usually its 98 degs with 110% humidity which will suck the life right outta ya...ick!  I don't mind the heat but the humidity is NO fun.  Trying to slowly get myself back into the "school is coming" routine of things.  Riley's HS football has started so he's gone M-F from 7:30 am til 3 pm and then on Saturdays he has scrimmages so its busy.  We've done some school shopping (which is always a bowl full of fun...not) and we won't get any supplies because the high school doesn't release supply lists until student orientation day and EVERY teacher wants different stuff.  My favorite one year was "notebooks with rip out paper that measures 8x10 only, no holes on side"...really? OMG!  And of course by the time we get lists every store is depleted of supplies...last year we stood in a mile long line at Staples UGH!  So I have already bought stuff I know they will need, its all the nit-picky items I gotta wait on till I know what they want.  I so preferred when they were in elementary school...we paid $40 and a box of supplies were waiting on their desks the first day...ahhhhhhmen, LOVED that!

And I've been preparing that in a few weeks Alexa will start her senior year...sigh..I know its coming but can't say I'm ready for it.  She's already had her senior pics taken and we've ordered her cap/gown...ugh..I'm struggling with all this I must say.  She's almost done with her early acceptance application to U of SC...if she gets the letter that she's in by Oct we can SIGHHHH with relief...then we are done.  If not, she will apply again along with 4 other colleges and pray because U of SC is her FIRST choice...so stressful I tell ya!  My stress may have reached an all time high this summer me thinks..I'm gonna have to try yoga and meditating (well maybe not, I'm too ADD to get thru those lol).

So I'm working on acceptance, low-stress, happiness and joy right now...heehee :) May the universe help me get thru it all.

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Pretty In Pink

My CMC DT has gained 4 new fabulous gals...go HERE to see who they are 

and read their bios.  They join my already fabulous talented DT girls that I love!

The current challenge is up at CMC Challenge and its all about "Pretty In Pink"

everyone is welcome to join in the fun!

See the DTs fabulous projects below:

A Catch 22

Happy TGIFriday friends!  I am off to Richmond, VA today with my family (and teen's friends) to attend Redskins Training Camp.  I got myself a VIP pass so you know Suzanne will be ALL OVERRRR that park and trying to meet my fave players..I have NO shame ;)  If you follow me on Facebook you know I'll have a few pics up there if you want to have some laughs at my expense.  If there is ONE thing I'm good at...its getting up close & personal to those I want to meet hee hee.  And I plan on meeting RGIII yes'm!  We want to see Alfred Morris again as well....we met him last year before he was a for-sure thing on the Redskins and he was so humble, nice and kind...even when I was poking his muscles to see if they were real :)  So we have printed out our pics of Riley with him and hope to get him to sign them...who knew he'd be such a breakout-star-rookie...MEEEEE helllooooo!  So that's pretty much our weeekend and then back home on Sunday for some rest.  This week has been nutters with Alexa's Senior pictures (sob) and doctors appts and getting Riley geared up for next week's start of football practice.  He will going Mon thru Sat from 8:30 til 3 everyday which means mom will be running lots with sweaty boys in her car ugh!  So hope you all have a fabulous weekend as well!

PS---see my last post below to see what I've been up to this summer and vacation pics!!

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SCACD DIGI RELEASE

Want this badge?

Today SCACD is formally premiering the SCACD Digital site by adding over 35 images designed by Carmen Medlin!!! Carmen's range is fun, fresh as well as elegant and will have something for everyone. Susana has added quite a few never before seen Fab images as well as taken some classic past rubber stamps and turned them into digi for this release.

Reminder to Our International Friend: As you know, SCACD has stopped the sale of physical items. However, International customers can now purchase SCACD Digital images only!

Join us today to celebrate this release with the SCACD DT as well as bunch of amazing Guests! If you lose your way check out the Store Blog for the entire list.
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Isn't she a cutie pop?  And her sentiment cracks me up...right up my alley!
If you came from my friend Susanna Boyd's blog then you are on the right track!
This is "Catch 22" from the new digi release at SCACD and she comes with the sentiment.
Best thing about digis is resizing them to your heart's desire, flip them, layer them...have fun with them!

So I used these sweet papers from Simple Stories because I loved the Shabby Chic feel and the fun colors together.  I distressed and inked all the papers which always brings another element of texture to projects...I'm big on layering and lots of texture...adds that extra ZING to everything :)  The die I used is by Memory Box and some buttons and flowers from my stash.  I trimmed the plaid paper into a fun arrow accent with my scissors and a right-angel ruler.

Catch 22 was colored with Copics:  RV000,R20,R21,R22 / BG18,BG13,BG11,BG10 / Y11,Y15.  And accented with a few Stickles here and there for sparkle.  I used a swirl stamp to add some interest around the edges too.  The sentiment says "Does this bow make my butt look big?" LOL!!

I'm last on the hop today so if  you are starting with me make sure to start at the beginning at 

Alex's Blog or go to the Store Blog to see all hop participants!

Enjoy your weekend!

What I'm Up To?

Hello friends!!  I have not left ScrapBitz to die...no worries LOL!  I have been taking off most of July and August to enjoy summer, be with my family and work on my own health which was in desperate need of some time off.  So I'm still alive and kicking and working on lots of things all at once per the usual....just took time off from working on crafty projects for now.  So I will have a new post on Friday and of course I will be back in September with posts for you all each week...don't worry!

If you miss some stories and pictures I have been posting on my other blog Bitz of Me....that blog is full of recipes I've made, decorating, organizing and just my life in general.

In September my daughter begins her Senior year of High School so its been extremely important for me to really soak up this summer, being totally present and in the moment and enjoying her and my family.  Work is always there, will always be there...unfortunately I cannot wish this time back so I have made an executive decision to take time off.  I haven't taken time off from this blog in over 6 years...YIKES...so I thought I was due.  And my health has been suffering a bit...I don't yakety-yak about it because no one comes to my blogs to read that stuff...but let's just say its prevented me from getting some things done in the craft room right now and I hope to be as good as new (well slightly new lol) this fall and back to business as usual.  So no worries...its all gonna be good!

So here is a picture diary of sorts of what the Dean Family has been up to this summer:

Our backyard is a favorite place to be when its nice outside!

My garden is growing well and we've had a ton of goodies from it already and I've been cooking up a storm with all the produce.  YUM!
EDIT:  RECIPES are on my Bitz of Me Blog
The Tomato Pie recipe will be up on Friday for everyone :)

My hydrangeas are beautiful this year out front of my house.

We spent 2 weeks in Key West, Florida for our summer vacation this year!

Then a long 4th of July weekend in DC to wrap up our vacation...lots of fun, lots of memories and lots of good times with the family!

View from the deck of the master bedroom in our resort.

Parrot Key is a beautiful place to stay on the Gulf side.

Gotta love the beautiful sunsets in Key West

When in Key West you have to have Key Lime Pie...duhhh! YUM!

The Kids at the Southernmost point in Key West!

Can't have a vacation without some time at the pool relaxing, reading and hanging out.  Or in my hubby's terms....SLEEPING in the pool LOL!

No vacation is done without some Putt Putt golf at night!

AND

Some goofing off LOL!

LOL!

We spent the day at the Dolphin Research Center in Marathon Key...Alexa wants to intern here next summer.  Great place to spend the day!

Dolphins at the Research Center!

The water off the Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas is just beautiful & perfect for swimming and snorkeling!

Snorkeling off of the Dry Tortugas...best day ever!

Inside the Fort!

Me and Alexa...wrapping up a great trip in the Keys!

DC architecture is beautiful if you take the time to really look and notice!

Part of our DC weekend included a visit to the Smithsonians...we hadn't been in a couple of years and they are always fun to visit (and free)!  This is the Smithsonian of Natural History...one of our faves!

We spent 4th of July afternoon at a Nats game in DC of course...fun!

Crabs on 4th July weekend are a MUST for us! YUM!

We spent 4th of July evening on the top of my hubby's work building to watch the 

fireworks over the National Mall.

Fireworks in DC never fail to amaze!  You can see the Washington Monument to the left!

Alexa spent time down in Orlando, FL at SeaWorld for career training camp.

She is going to major in Marine Sciences in college and this was something she'd been wanting to do for awhile. She had a blast!  She got to swim with the dolphins, interact with seals, otters and penguins.  Some one-on-one time with Shamu! Behind the scenes action, watching the vets and trainers up close...she was sad to come home LOL!

She roomed with a friend from school so she had a buddy and and she made some friends

there with the same interests that she may know for a lifetime. Great experience!

Meanwhile I took Riley up to upstate NY to visit my Gram and family.  My Gram is 92 and we try to visit every summer.  I took Alexa to Niagara Falls last year so this year it was Riley's turn!

My family's house is on acres of vineyards (the grapes are used in Welch's Grape Juice & Jellies)

Grapes look yummy this year!

My dogs acclimate to country life in NY well...this is Baylee after some jaunts in the pond going frog hunting LOL!

 Some nights at midnight you will find me baking cookies in the kitchen for the teen's friends...friends are over all house 95% of the time I think...they never leave.  So cookies are always good...mmm!

 Denard Span...whom I asked for a hug from and then he got his first homerun of the season..I like to think it was my hug-magic that helped LOL!

Cutie Ian Desmond!

Adam LaRoche (Alexa's fave)

Manager Davey Johnson

A few of the sigs on my shirt...whoot!

Lots of weekends you can find us at Nats Park in DC watching our baseball team the Washington Nationals....we have season tix so we are there a lot!  This past weekend was a Season Ticket Holder event and we got to meet all the Nats players, I got a few hugs (heehee) and some autographs on my shirt and Alexa's hat...it was awesome.

This coming weekend we are headed to Richmond, VA for Redskins Training Camp. I got VIP tix to meet the players (can ya tell how excited this gal is) and we are taking the kids and their friends and staying overnight.  Gonna be fun!  I've been a Redskins fan since I was 5 and I cannot wait for football season to start...and some RGIII action :)

So that's it in a nutshell...the Dean's are all over the place..trying to soak up summer, enjoy life and most of all enjoy being with each other!  

And we will continue that thru August before the rush of school and sports begins ackkk!

Wishing you all a beautiful August!