Thursday, February 18, 2010

Carmen's Famous Italian Hoagies and Cheesesteaks!

I wanted to share one more fun adventure in Philadelphia!


As soon as we got to Philadelphia, we had to get a cheesesteak, of course. We were told 
to go Carmen's Famous Italian Hoagies and Cheesesteaks at the Reading Terminal Market 
across the street from the convention center. So off we went to get our cheesesteaks. 


I have to say, they really were the best cheesesteaks! If you are ever in Philly, go 
and see Carmen (aka; The Big Ragu) at Carmen's Famous Italian Hoagies and 
Cheesesteaks on Market 12th and Arch Streets. He was so much fun! We ate 
our lunch, hung out and had a blast meeting him and his crew! We could 
have stayed all day. 


And when you visit him, tell him that Jayboo sent you!














Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Philadelphia's Magic Gardens

While visiting the show in Philadelphia, we decided to do a little sightseeing. We were told of a place called The Magic Gardens What an amazing place to visit and highly recommend visiting if you are ever in Philly!

The Magic Gardens is a non profit organization that show cases the art of Isaiah Zagar.
Here's little background on Isaiah Zagar - an award-winning mosaic mural artist whose work can be found on over 100 public walls throughout the city of Philadelphia and around the world. He devoted himself to beautifying South Street neighborhood since the late 60's. 

We have never seen anything like this magical place. As we walked up to the house, there were mosaics covering each side of the building, with vibrant colors, it lit the whole street up. It was just magnificent. I would love my house to have this much 
color and style. 

His artwork was influenced a lot by his travels. He traveled to Peru for the Peace Corps for three years and brought back found objects, which he used in his mosaics. In addition to his three-year Peace Corps service in Peru, Isaiah has completed artist residencies in Tianjin, China and Rajisthan, India. He also participated in a residency at the Kohler Ceramic Factory in Wisconsin.

Here are some photos of his incredible life-long work! I am still in awe! 

Outside of the Magic Gardens
One of the ceilings inside the house
Downstairs basement walls - my favorite!
Outside in the gardens






Tuesday, February 16, 2010

American Craft Show and The Niche Awards - Philadelphia

We just got back from the Buyers Market of America show and The Niche Awards in Philadelphia. We had a wonderful time. 

The Buyers Market of American Craft (1982) is the nation’s largest wholesale craft trade show. It is held biannually, the Buyers Market offers artists the opportunity to create long-term business relationships with over 3,000 galleries throughout the United States and Canada. 

That was just one part of our exciting trip to Philly but the important part was going to the Niche Awards show to see Jay Bridgland (my brother) of Bridgland Studios who was nominated for a huge award! The Niche Award.

He is a truly amazing glass artist. I was so excited to be there for his big win. He won under the category, Sculpture to Wear (concept Jewelry) - called Modern Tribal!
Congratulations Jay Bridgland! His work speaks for itself!

Stay tuned for more exciting places we visited in Philadelphia! A great place to visit. 
The cheesesteaks are AMAZING! :)


































Tuesday, February 9, 2010

"Take Your Pix" Board Book Album Review...

I was so excited to receive my very own "Take Your Pix™" Board Book Photo Album. The Board Books comes in yellow, pink, and blue colors, as well as white. I chose the yellow album since it reminds me of sunshine -- and living in NH we are in serious need of some! :)
























The front cover of the yellow, pink and blue albums have "My First Photos" written in soft felt lettering. The white album is blank for your creative input. The book itself has sturdy pages so a baby or young child can hold it. The photos can be inserted at the top of the page with notches on the sides of the pages for flipping. 

The photo album is 7" x 7" with 10 pages. It holds 20 4" x 6" photos and has a cover photo frame that holds a slightly smaller photo (about 4" x 5", so you can just trim a 4" x 6" photo to fit). All of the Board Book Album products are perfect for display and are free standing!  

What I really love about these albums is the sturdiness. I also love that I can decorate it myself. I am really looking forward to adding my daughters photos. We are going to have fun decorating it.

These albums are also great for gifts -- baby showers, wedding gifts and birthdays. Little ones can decorate it with special events, or add photos of their family and friends.

These albums are also used by speech therapists to help kids with autism, speech delay, or other special needs. They may find it particularly beneficial as a learning tool, or just something fun to create with their own favorite photos.






They are priced originally at $24.95 but you can buy them now at their special price for just $19.95! What a great deal! 

Here are some ways to decorate your own board book! 


Birthday party photos, going back to school photos














A Wedding photo album for a gift! 
































A couple more in pink!





















Check back soon to see my very 
own "Take Your Pix" Board Book Album all decorated!
Stay tuned....


Thursday, January 28, 2010

It's Wedding Season!

It's that time of year again...wedding season! Brides and Grooms to be are preparing for their big day. It's a very exciting time. Brides are running around finding the perfect dress, looking for the right rings, should it be a dj or a band, photographers, the cake (can't forget the cake!) and the list goes on.


It's very important to capture every moment of your big day! The bride getting ready with her maid of honor and bridesmaids and sharing their moments. The look of the groom waiting for his bride to walk up the aisle. The shy flower girl walking down the aisle with rose petals in her basket, and of course when the bride and groom finally say "I do," as the guests are pulling out their tissues, it truly is an emotional and exciting time.


Two Dudes with Cameras are one of my favorite photographers. Check out these wedding photos and you will see what I am talking about. The photos speak for themselves! 


My favorite is the Bride and Bridesmaid photo! They are having so much fun!





















































Here are some photos from Zero G 
A privately held space entertainment and tourism company.
Their mission is to make the public accessible to space in a fun
adventurous way! Two Dudes photographed a wedding on 
one of their flights! What a fun way to get hitched! :)
















Monday, January 25, 2010

Jillian Michael's 30 Day Slimdown



What a great feeling I get after a work out with Jillian Michael's video on TV. She really does an amazing job training all the contestants on The Biggest Loser. It's amazing to see the before and after photos. It shows the hard work and commitment each contestant has to push for their goals! They are all inspirations!


I work out at home, before my daughter gets up (sometimes she wakes up and watches me while she is half asleep) :) I actually show her some of the exercises, then later on that night she gets into her "workout outfit" and works out with me, it is really cute! 


I wanted to share with you a couple of the programs I have exercised to.
I have worked out to 30 Day Shred: Level 1, No More Trouble Zones and 30 Day Shred: Level 2. 


What I love about these exercise programs, is they WORK! :) She combines cardio and strength together, since they are the most important factors of losing weight and toning and strengthening.


She has put together a program called "Jillian Michael's 30 Day Slimdown"


Here is the order of programs you will need for her 30 day slimdown. You can also check them out here: "Jillian Michael's 30 Day Slimdown"


Day 1: 30 Day Shred: Level 1
Day 2: 30 Day Shred: Level 1

Day 3: No More Trouble Zones

Day 4: 30 Day Shred: Level 1

Day 5: Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism

Day 6: No More Trouble Zones


Day 7: Ahh Day Off! :)



Day 8: 30 Day Shred: Level 1

Day 9: 30 Day Shred: Level 2

Day 10: Quick Trouble Zones

Day 11: 30 Day Shred: Level 2

Day 12: Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism
Day 13: No More Trouble Zones



Day 14: Ahh Day Off! :)



Day 15: 30 Day Shred: Level 1

            Quick Trouble Zones
Day 16: 30 Day Shred: Level 2

Day 17: No More Trouble Zones

Day 18: 30 Day Shred: Level 1

            30 Day Shred: Level 2

Day 19: No More Trouble Zones

Day 20: Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism



Day 21: Ahh Day Off! :)




Day 22: 30 Day Shred: Level 2

            30 Day Shred: Level 1
Day 23: Quick Trouble Zones

Day 24: Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism

Day 25: Quick Trouble Zones

            30 Day Shred: Level 2




Day 26: Ahh Day Off! :)




Day 27: No More Trouble Zones

            30 Day Shred: Level 1


Day 28: Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism

            Quick Trouble Zones

Day 29: 30 Day Shred: Level 2

            30 Day Shred: Level 1

Day 30: No More Trouble Zones



You can download the information on each program here! http://www.exercisetv.tv/workoutplans.aspx?id=1 


When I gave birth to my daughter, I really could have used this program. I started off with easy exercise, then we bought an eliptical. After a while of using it, I decided I needed something else, especially toning the tummy area. I found, these programs are the best way to get into shape! 


I would love to hear from you if you have worked out with Jillian? 


Hope you enjoy her workouts as much as I do! :)

















































Thursday, January 21, 2010

Silver Jeans Review and Giveaway by feisty frugal and fabulous!


I love jeans! I could own thousands of pairs. So as I was hunting around for some great giveaways, I came across this one over at Feisty Frugal and Fabulous! 


I was very excited, as they are giving away a pair of Tuesday Bootcut Low Rise by Silver Jeans! So head on over and check it out, you could be the next winner! :)


Good luck!






My Life!

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I am a graphic designer, a Mummy to a beautiful daughter, a wife to a wonderful hubby! We are part-owners to an internet greeting card company called www.365-Cards.com -- specializing in on-line personalization. Cards for all occasions! I love to blog and review about contests "Mum friendly" products. I have fun meeting new people! Love my family and friends. I laugh a lot! Life is good! Hope you enjoy it here!

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