6 Years Ago Today...

Time for a little sappiness ladies and gentlemen! Break out your Tissues!

6 Years ago today in front of my family, friends and God I vowed to love, honor and cherish my best friend and most amazing PERSON I had ever met! With no questions, doubts or concerns I felt a sense of privilege and honor that I was going to be Mrs. Kristen S.. He chose me! How could I have been so lucky?

6 Years ago today was 1 of the most amazing days of my life! A years worth of preparation and planning for what I thought was going to be the BIGGEST day of my life went off with out a hitch! The flowers, food, favors and cake all exactly how I envisioned but at the end of the night I couldn't remember seeing any of it! I was so captivated by the emotions and the love that exuded from not only the new Mr and Mrs but everyone that surrounded us! Almost like an out of body experience...It was truly a love that I didn't know if I would ever feel again.

As I sit here and type this to the music of our first dance...

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

I'm a blubbering mess of tears, a body full of Goose Bumps, and butterflies in my stomach because that overwhelming amount of love I felt that day still exist tonight!

Thank You my Darling Husband for giving me the most amazing life! You are what dreams are made of and 6 years later with no questions, doubts, or concerns I find it a privilege and a honor to be your wife and Mrs. Kristen S.. Happy Anniversary...I love you!

XOXOXO

A Look Inside My Beach Bag...

V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N....WOOHOO!!
Every year since I can remember my family heads down to the beach for the 4th of July! It use to be a 3 bedroom condo with 20+ of us packed in there like sardines. Now that we all have our own families and individual schedules with meals, naps, and bed times it has come to the point where each family gets their own condo on the same street! It's a tradition that we just can't break and for the most part of it I look forward to it every summer! The days of absorbing the sun and closing my eyes to enjoy the sounds of the ocean are LONG GONE! Now I'm counting kids every 3 minutes, packing huge coolers of juice boxes and P&J's, chasing shovels and boogie boards into the surf and taking bathroom breaks every 30 minutes! All that aside it's amazing to see my daughter running and laughing with all her cousins just like I did growing up.
This year I thought I'd share with you some of my favorite things and what's going to be in my beach bag this summer...

1. Cetaphil came out with a NEW Moisturizer...UVA/UVB Defense Facial Moisturizer SPF 50! I love this stuff! It's non-comedogenic, for all skin types, alil goes a long way and works GREAT!
2. Like Mother like Daughter. My baby girl has very sensitive skin and needs a constant moisturizer. I like to use Aveeno Baby Sunblock Lotion, Continuous Protection, SPF 55. It's alil thick but definitely last for hours. Tip: Apply BEFORE you go on the beach!
3. While on the beach I do an tri-hourly touch up on the kids with Coppertone Continuous Kids Sunblock Spray, SPF 50. This is great b/c I don't actually have to touch their sandy bodies and it takes seconds!
4. Ok, as much as I know about the harmful rays of the sun I still LOVE a natural, sun kissed tan! So on my body I use Hawaiian Tropic Protective Tanning Dry Oil Continuous Spray SPF 12. This SPF is just enough to keep me from getting burnt while giving me my healthy glow. It's not sticky or messy like most sun tan oils and it smells DELICIOUS!
5. Now my husband on the other hand does the same thing every year! Being Greek he thinks that he's invisible from the sun! Although he's already dark complected he still gets REALLY burnt! So I'm always armed with a bottle of Banana Boat Soothing After Sun Gel with Pure Aloe Vera. Alittle sticky at first but this green gel could put out a fire if need be!
6. SUN GLASSES!!! I 'm a BIG believer in investing in a good pair of UV protecting, over sized sun glasses! Not only do they look HOT like Posh Spice, but they are an anti aging mechanism that is over looked (no pun)! SQUINTING causes Crows feet and forehead wrinkles! This year I chose Prada's 'Glamour' Oversized Sunglasses.
7. For the past 3 years I have stocked up on these adorable Mossimo® Gemma Flip Flops - in Silver in fear that they won't make them next year. So far I have 4 unworn pairs in my closet. They go with EVERYTHING, their comfortable and best of all their $$$CHEAP$$$!
8. I went hat shopping last week b/c I really stress out about sunspots and unwanted pigment (the kind that coats your upper lip). So I wanted something hip and chic that would compliment my suite and sunglasses while blocking those harmful UVB rays. I ended up with this. A little more then I wanted to pay for a straw hat but it's a more sophisticated twist to your teenagers cowboy hat and it's "one size fits all", fits like a glove!
9. Summer reading...what's that?? I can't remember the last time I read a chapter in peace! I've chosen 2 books based on reviews and editorial notes. The first one, "Bitter is the New Black : Confessions of a Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smartass,Or, Why You Should Never Carry A Prada Bag to the Unemployment Office" seems hilarious! Sounds like it got alot of LOL's and might shed some humor on the poor state of the job market and economy? The 2nd "The No-Cry Discipline Solution: Gentle Ways to Encourage Good Behavior Without Whining, Tantrums, and Tears" really sounds like a page turner!! LOL! Maybe if I read this one first and learn some new techniques on dealing with my squealing, arm biting, gut kicking, toe stomping, crocadile tear, Drama Queen of a daughter I could get a couple chapters of Bitter in?
10. Remember that amongst all the "Chaos" the best thing coming home in my beach bag are the memories made the Summer of 2009!

XOXO,

Let Freedom Ring...

Chaotic Creations by Kristen

has lots of Great, Personalized

4th of July

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Just for my Blogger Buds...

Enjoy 15% off your purchase

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(offer Valid 6/18/09-6/22/09)

My Brush with Virtual Death!

What a NIGHTMARE of a weekend I had!

I've said it out loud and I've repeated it many times in my head that one of my biggest fears is getting a Virus on my Laptop! I frequently remind myself that I need to back up my files ESPECIALLY all of my embroidery designs. Well just thinking about it obviously didn't help!

The unthinkable happened this weekend! On Saturday I inserted a CD of Jpegs that I received in the mail from one of my wholesalers and with in seconds my WHOLE ENTIRE HARD DRIVE WAS DELETED!!!

"FFFFFFUUUUUDDDDDDGGGGGGEEEEEEE!!!"

I screamed like Ralphie from "A Christmas Story"... WTH just happened?!

Unsure of what the black screen with blue text meant I immediately called 911! (My IT neighbor) and interrupted his family cookout. OMG, neighbor, I think my laptops dead! You have to come over....Stat! This man has 20+ years of IT experience surely he'll know what to do! After many attempts to reboot the look on his face told me the outcome looked grim!

Where's your back up drive, he asked??

I don't have one!

What do you mean?

What do you mean what do I mean...I don't back up!

You don't back up?

WHAT DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND???

Oh geez Kristen...you really need to keep a back up!

OK, must we add salt to ulcers that are forming in my stomach as we speak? I'm about to loose my best friend to a deadly virus and you're giving me a lecture?? FIX HER!!

So off he went with my best friend in tow...across the street...I'll be back in a minute he shouted!

I took that literally....I sat looking out the window for about an hour waiting for their return. Once I saw him flipping burgers on the grill I assumed my BF was in stable condition and it was replenishing its fluids or something. Never heard from neighbor the rest of the night...:O(

After a sleepless night of tossing and turning I couldn't help but reminisce on all the "Memories" I hoped she'd remember...would she recognize me after she woke up...would she have saved all the gifts I had given her in the last year...how about all the contacts she had made...would she recognize them again? UGH...the pain was unbearable!

The next morning I paced the floors...eager for her return! Although everyone I talked to was sympathetic no one really understood. I heard alot of "Kristen, it's not the end of the world", or "Things could be alot worse" and I agreed....I began to question my state of mind. Were these feelings warranted? After all it IS just a laptop! But I couldn't brush it off...I felt sense of overwhelment as my blackberry chimed with new emails...new orders...and Blogger Love! "Dear God", I cried..."Why me??" what am I going to do? EVERYTHING'S GONE! Months and Months of work down the drain...shoot me, shoot me NOW!!! Ok, alil Diva-ish and dramatic but at that moment this situation was right up there w/cancer!

Then a knock at the door..."Good News", says neighbor! "I was able to save your embroidery designs, your emails and favorites! Bad News, The rest is corrupted and needs to be euthanized!" Ahhh...this is Good News!! The Cancer can be cured and although the recovery may take some time my BF will be surfing again soon!

"THANK YOU SO MUCH, NEIGHBOR!!! I'M FOREVER INDEBTED TO YOU!!"

Lesson Learned!! Just like my attempts to dodge cancer by not smoking or staying out of the sun . The way I obsess over cleaning mine and my daughters hands with antibacterial wipes to prevent the spread of germs...I will also back-up my best friend to insure her good health can be restored even after a "Brush of Virtual Death".

Have a GREAT Weekend!

Here's alil' Silliness to start off your weekend!

Have a FABULOUS One!

XOXOXO,

Kristen

Time is Running Out!

Father's Day is in 10 days!!

Today is the LAST day to get your Father's Day orders in w/standard shipping!

Forget Hallmarks Left Overs and Crowded Isles!

Check out my AWESOME selection of

Personalized Father's Day Gifts!

Take advantage of 10% off your total purchase with

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www.chaoticcreationsbykristen.com

I got Bloggy Bling!!!

I'm SO excited!

I woke up this morning to find out that my "Fabulous Father's Day Gifts" post was featured on "Tip Junkie" Today!

Along with this GREAT honor I get to add this adorable Bloggy Bling!

(If you didn't notice by my Blog Design...I LOVE BLING!!)

Awwweee....I'm So Proud! Waaaaaaa...

"I'd like to Thank the Academy..."

Ok, alil overboard...but I couldn't be more Grateful!

Being a "Newby" to the Blog World...this is AWESOME!

So Thank You... and your adorable face

for giving me this opportunity!
I look forward to providing you with more Great, Personalized Gift Giving Tips!

If this is your first time visiting...WELCOME!

Please enjoy a "Cup of Chaos" with me once in awhile and become one of my

"Fabulous Followers"

As you can see...not too many right now.

But you know, it's not quantity it's Quality! ;O)

Love you Gals!! XOXO

Mammalicious Coffee Week Giveaway!

My new friend Amy over at Mammalicious Finds is hosting a

Fabulous Bloggy Bash this week in honor of all us coffee lovers!

Chaotic Creations by Kristen (me)

is proudly sponsoring today's giveaway!!

2 Lucky Posh Poochs will receive a

Personalized "Fetchly Roasted Starbarks" squeaker toy.

Enjoy your morning Jolt with your Best Friend Every Day...like me & mine...

The Poshest Pooch In Town!

BECOME A "FABULOUS FOLLOWER"

for Your Daily Dose of Chaos!

&

Visit Mammalicious & Enter to Win

this and a weeks worth of other Caffeine related Goodies!

Fabulous Father's Day Gifts

I can't believe it's already June?!

For me June is always a busy month! Lots of birthday's (7 to be exact) including my adorable hubby, my wedding anniversary (6 years June 28th), Father's Day (June 21st), Graduations (3 of my 20 nieces and nephews this year), The Cook Out Kick Off (6 already scheduled) and the start of our vacation! Yowzers!! Oh wait...I can't forget all the scheduled stork deliveries this month! (5 miracles to be born this month)

If you're anything like me you wait until the last minute to get those special gifts that usually ends up being the same gift someone else got off the glass shelves of Hallmark! Not that there's anything wrong with Hallmark but this year why not try and give gifts that a made especially for your special guy?

An Awesome collection of "Manly" gifts have been added to "My Site" just in time for Father's Day! There is something for any type of guy! Whether he's into Football, Fishing, Cigars, Music, Billiards, The Beach or just a cold beer...I am confident you'll find something to suite his personality in the "Dudes" Department!

That's a Great Idea!

Below I have put together a couple of "Themed Gift Giving Ideas" that will definitely show him how much you appreciate him!

* Myself or Chaotic Creations by Kristen have
NO affiliation and are NOT responsible for any of the recommend sites outside of my own listed below.

The Missing Golfer
This is the one day you have to say, "it's ok!" Forget about the fact that you NEVER get a break...Forget about the fact that you passed up those $100 sandals b/c you just got a new pair last year...this is the day you have to say, "you deserve it dear!"

The Personalized Vintage Golfer Sign paired with the Magnetic Golf Divot Tool Key Ring, copy of "The Legend of Bagger Vance" DVD and a Gift Certificate to a local golf course or TeeBone.com will keep him smiling for years to come!

The Ricky Ricardo
Remember the episode of I love Lucy when she went to Cuba to meet Ricky's family and pretended to be a Cuban Cigar Roller? One of my favorite episodes...and although you didn't roll these cigars yourself it shows the same efforts as Lucy made to make her hubby happy!

A Personalized Humidor filled with a Father's Day Sampler Pack of Cigars and Personalized Vertigo Cigar Torch Lighter makes a perfect gift for a man who enjoys a good cigar once in awhile!

The Executive

Does it feel like he loves his job more then you? Are you always feeling like you're on second base while his laptop, blackberry and colleagues crowd around the home plate? Give him a gift of reminders that he can look at everyday and know that he has a family that loves and appreciates him!

Lay on the guilt with a tie chosen by the kids that shows their interpretation of him, a picture of happy days with the family in our adorable Dad Frame, and Engraved Cuff Links that he'll see every time he checks his watch to remind him it's time to come home.

These are just a few ideas on how to take a personalized gift to the next level! If you would like some tips and ideas for your guy please do not hesitate to contact me...I would be happy to help!

See something you like from CCBK ? Please order by June 11th for guaranteed Father's Day Delivery. (some restrictions apply)

XOXO,