Bring Pretty Back

Editing/Production of the book begins next week!

2012-01-28T13:05:00.000-08:00

I received an email yesterday from the publisher saying editing/production of the book has been moved up! The fun begins next week!!! I was expecting late march! Hip Hip Hooray!

Steph Chant on the Bring Pretty Back Radio show!

2012-01-26T09:12:00.000-08:00

Stephanie Chant is on the Bring Pretty Back blogtalk radio show today!!!
Listen now at
www.blogtalkradio.com/bringprettyback or look on the right of the blog and click on the link Stephanie Chant

Nicer than standing at the bathroom sink...

2012-01-25T09:59:00.000-08:00

I decided I needed a PRETTY place to start my day. Yesterday I set up a little makeup table and chair in our bedroom with everything I need to start the day right.
I started with my light up make up mirror, all of my makeup, hair products and a a cute little sewing basket with legs on the floor to store everything in. I strung a string of white Christmas lights over the window . A candle in a pink candle holder.
Perfect. There is order for everything . I feel girly & pretty taking the time to really pamper myself. Didn't cost me a dime to set it all up. Just a little time . Makes starting the day so much nicer than just standing at the bathroom sink.

Have a pretty day!
Kristin

An honest heart to heart...

2012-01-24T07:01:00.000-08:00

On my blog I say I am "Leading the revolution to Bring Pretty Back". I must say I have not been a very good leader. I have always been honest on the blog. As a matter of fact in the beginning ( and I am sure even now)V was nervous about my honesty. What would I reveal? Kind of like ... On no... what WILL she say?? I am respectful of him and his feelings. But as for what I reveal about ME , I am open and honest. 2011 was a bad year and I have struggled to pull out of a bit of a depression and funk. I feel like a bit of a fraud and failure today. I have NOT been practicing what I preach. That is going to change as of today.

I have not had a lot of PRETTY in my life the last year. I feel bad. I look bad. What do they say ... admitting it is half the battle? Well my pretty friends I am admitting it. I need to get my pretty act together.

BRING PRETTY BACK is about having a pretty life. Not just a pretty face. Not about the size dress you wear. It a whole pretty package of all aspects of your life. There. I said it. Now... I need to prove it. And I promise you... and myself... I will.

Curly fries don't make it all better...

2012-01-22T16:12:00.000-08:00

I have been committed. I have been drinking my green tea and walking every day. Focused on losing this weight and eating healthy. Til today... a friend of mine is going through a hard time right now . She called and needed to talk. Could I meet her?? Absolutely! A friend in need is a friend indeed! I put my coat on and was out the door in two minutes. We met at Arby's. You can guess where this is headed. Emm hmm... we solved the worlds problems with a roast beef sandwich and curly fries. Get's worse.. we were there so long we got another order of fries- large. Oh ... did I mention the curly fries are even better dipped in the mayo/horseradish sauce. Getting on the treadmill now.

To those of you that dream of writing a book...

2012-01-20T10:27:00.000-08:00

" If there's a book you really want to read but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it" Toni Morrison

I needed to save MYSELF from abandonment...

2012-01-10T11:41:00.000-08:00

You have seen homes abandoned ... what happens to them ??? The roof falls in, the paint peels... the foundation crumbles. You have seen cars abandoned ... what happens to them??? They rust and stop running properly... they usually stop running all together.

You have seen people ...abandoned. They abandon themselves. What happens? They stop taking care of themselves. Their foundation crumbles and they stop running properly.

I was one of them .

The more I neglected myself ... the more I abandoned myself... the more I crumbled.
I needed to save myself from abandonment.
It hasn't been easy. I still have lots of work to do. I have stopped crumbling.

Did someone see something in you...

2012-01-02T15:43:00.000-08:00

I said I wasn't going to proclaim big resolutions... that does not mean I do not have big plans & dreams for 2012! I received an official start date for the book to begin production in March! Which means if all goes well, the book should be DONE in September. To think I will be an actual author in 2012 is hard for me to even believe. I remember having lunch with my Aunt Lori MANY years ago- I was in elementary school and I had to write some sort of story for school... I read the story to her sitting in the booth at the A&W restaurant. When I finished she told me one day I would write a book. After all of these years , I can still recall the excitement I felt when she said that to me. What about you??? Has there been a goal or dream in your life from YEARS ago? Did someone see something in you that maybe you didn't see in yourself?? Maybe 2012 it will become a REALITY.

This New Year ... I will greet with open arms.

2011-12-28T17:25:00.000-08:00

The end of the year seems to always stare me in the face like an imaginary stern schoolmarm with her hands on her hips...asking me if I've done my best over the last year. Did I lose the weight, finish the projects I swore I would do, waste my time...resources... MY LIFE .

I reflect , I ponder ... And every single year I create grand goals and resolutions for myself. And every single year I fall short. So, here is the question- are they really goals and resolutions I want? Or are they goals and resolutions from my youth or is it the bombardment of the weight loss commercials and the bigger- is -better- in- everything- we- own -that gets me? I don't know. This I do know ...This year will be different. There will be no GRAND resolutions. There will be NO feeling badly about myself because I don't feel as though I haven't measured up to myself - or the nasty woman in my head- no, not this year. This year I will be happy with what I have or haven't done. I will greet the New Year with open arms and at the end of the year I vow to do it again... and again. As long as I am blessed to do so. I wish the same for you, don't feel badly if you don't feel as though you didn't measure up. You did.

A PRETTY DELISH fondue recipe!

2011-12-26T17:14:00.000-08:00

We have made this simple fondue recipe for YEARS. I love it! it would be a perfect thing to make for the New Years parties this week. Something different & easy.

PRETTY DELISH FONDUE

One 16 oz jar of Cheez Whiz - don't substitute , it isn't as good.

One can of Campbell's Cream of Shrimp soup

garlic powder. not garlic salt- not fresh garlic - just plain ol' garlic powder. Add about a half teaspoon and taste it. Add more if you think it needs it.

Mix it all up and I like to put it in a little crock pot on low.

If you want to make a bigger batch it's easy to do.

We like to dip
Ritz crackers
Cubed French Bread

Cauliflower into bite size chunks- cooked - but not too much. You don't want it mushy. I just serve the cauliflower room temp.

Don't forget the toothpicks for dipping!!!

The Book Is a MANUSCRIPT!

2011-12-14T13:43:00.000-08:00

The book is officially a manuscript! My thoughts into thousands of words staring back at me is exciting and a bit scary. Now my editor will get involved and there will be lots more work to do to. I can't wait. Once again I want to thank you for your support .

A little late to the Zumba party

2011-12-14T09:10:00.000-08:00

I am a little late to the party , but I gave Zumba a try last week. LOVED it! I am going again tonight. The best part - Zumba leads to coming home and not opening the fridge. The next morning makes me think about what I want for breakfast... all that hard work ... I choose to have the oatmeal instead of the french toast with extra syrup and butter... leads me to lunch... leads me to dinner...

Kind of a healthy chain reaction. I think I need Zumba seven days a week.

A kitchen Martyr... isn't pretty!

2011-12-04T14:44:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving was at our home this year and we had a wonderful meal. We had a wonderful time. Guess what... I didn't make everything homemade. Gasp! I know! I have learned NOT to be a kitchen martyr. NOPE. Not this girl. there is a restaurant near us that does nothing but turkey- it is actually called the TURKEY Roost- they make homemade stuffing and gravy that is DELICIOUS! And when I brought it home and popped it in the crock pots for Thanksgiving dinner- I kid you not I said out loud- to myself..."There- stuffing and gravy is done." And I cracked myself right up!!! I got to work on the rest of the meals, put everything else in crock pots- It was a crock pot holiday!!! And I loved it! Everyone loved it. All that crockery may NOT be for you. And that is OK too! But if you hate yourself ... and everyone around you because you are all spun up in the kitchen... that is NOT good. Maybe you love all the cooking... then by all means put the Christmas music and an apron on ...slice ,dice , chop and sautee your pretty little heart out!

I do what I want and love to do and the rest I do the easy way. I do not stress out . I do not proclaim how hard I have worked. Complained about everything I have done or what I NEED to do.
To be totally honest- I just don't get that. At. All.
THE KITCHEN MARTYR. OHHHHHHH boy... The gal that frets and tells anyone that will listen to her tale of woe. How hard she works -all that she does... the baking! The cooking! oh my! Ridiculous.
I bake what I want to bake. I cook what I want to cook.
I do what I do with love. I do what I do because it makes me happy. If I didn't make one single cookie and put Oreo's on the plate- guess what - that's ok! The family LOVES them with ice cold milk. As long as we're together what difference does it make what we dunk in coffee or milk?? I may even start a new tradition.

V's 25 year class reunion & a black sweater dress

2011-11-30T18:40:00.000-08:00

CLASS REUNION...Don't those two words just make your blood run cold? V's class reunion was black Friday. I knew it was coming... well... for 25 years. Yet it seemed like it snuck up on me. I wasn't going to go... nope. I was all shook up about the weight I have gained since high school. Did I look old??? Have I accomplished enough??? Will V be proud of me??? I was insecure. I was worried. I was being ridiculous... I decided to go to the reunion on Wednesday afternoon, with Thanksgiving Thursday I didn't have much time to prepare and get an outfit.

Things got off to a rough start shopping. Emm hmm. Had to compose myself a few times. Then I tried on a black sweater dress... I had a winner. Was I the size I was in high school. Oh mercy no. I was pretty happy I lost those 12 pounds on weight watchers though...

Guess what... We had a wonderful time! And to think I almost didn't go. As the holiday parties approach PLEASE don't let your insecurities keep you from a wonderful evening . Good times and memories with family and friends are more important than your weight or what ever your concern is about yourself... I KNOW that whatever it is...you are making more of it that you need to. PLEASE know that you are PRETTY!!! oh ... and... I HIGHLY recommend a black sweaterdress!

Have a PRETTY Thanksgiving!

2011-11-21T12:13:00.000-08:00

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving! This is the time of the year to remember how BLESSED we are. I have the turkey in the fridge & crock pots at the ready for all of the sides. Wednesday night I will make fudge and ham roll ups. It's not all about the food- family and friends are So much more important than the mashed potatoes and yams... but I think Weight Watchers and I will part ways for a few hours on Thursday ...
With THANKS and LOVE
Kristin

Best Selling author Cynthia Sass today on the Bring Pretty Back Show!

2011-11-08T06:34:00.000-08:00

Join us today as Best selling author Cynthia Sass willl be on the Bring Pretty Back show at 5:00 p.m. EST. Cynthia has SO much to say on nutrition and weight loss!!! I hope you can join us live , and if not you can listen to the show ANYTIME at www.blogtalkradio.com/bringprettyback

Scarce but not absent for a few weeks!

2011-11-01T06:23:00.000-07:00

I received all of the info from the publisher regarding how to submit my book. Right now the book is on hundreds of pages ALL over my desk. It's GO TIME and I have LOTS and LOTS of work to do! For the next few weeks I will be scarce... but not absent. I will be holed up in my office writing .

I will still be doing my blog talk radio show and will post upcoming guests later this week!
I will be doing a blog talk radio show today at 5:00 EST. If you can not tune in live- click on the link on the right hand side on my blog and you can listen anytime you want.
The topic of today's show is :
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO KNOW EXACTLY HOW TO DO SOMETHING TO MAKE IT HAPPEN!
www.blogtalkradio.com/bringprettyback

Regrets...

2011-10-27T18:37:00.000-07:00

Regrets- We all have them . Some are big regrets that we relive over and over...wish with all our heart we could turn back time... do things differently. If you are in that group I do not need to list examples of big regrets . You already know. Some are little regrets. A party we missed, a date because we thought we hadn't lost that last few pounds, a house we didn't put an offer on... on and on the list of regrets could go.
Here's the thing - poring over our regrets will NOT change things. Playing things over in our heads imagining a different outcome... if we had just done things differently... will NOT change things. It just keeps you in the past . Look at what you are regretting as a lesson . Do things differently... now. Learn from what you regret - I am not going to call it a mistake because it wasn't. It was just what you did in the past . Leave it there.

I'm down!

2011-10-25T20:28:00.000-07:00

My computer got a VERY bad virus and completely destroyed it.

Can't tell you the strong angry feelings I harbor toward the virus creators... grrrr! Anyhoo... since I have no computer ... I'm down. If I don't visit your blog or respond to you that is the reason.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! TO ME!

2011-10-23T20:38:00.000-07:00

Today - Oct.24th - is my 43rd Birthday!!! I am so blessed and with my husband and sons. My family and friends. EVERYTHING in my life. Including YOU reading what I write and what I say on the internet radio show!!! Looking forward to what this year will bring! I think 43 is going to be a very pretty age!!!

With Love,

Favorite BRING PRETTY BACK movie of all time

2011-10-16T11:24:00.000-07:00

This is my ALL TIME absolute favorite movie. It is the ultimate BRING PRETTY BACK MOVIE!!! Do yourself a favor and watch it! I found a site online that you can watch it for free! How great is that! I can not figure out how to add a link to my blog so this is the web addy http://www.watch-free-movie-online.net/ You can just type in The Mirroe Has Two Faces and enjoy!

Pam@ Over Fifty Feeling Forty willl be a guest on the show!

2011-10-14T18:26:00.000-07:00

Pam from Over Fifty Feeling Forty will be a guest on the Bring Pretty Back Show Saturday October 15th at 10:00 a.m. EST ! She has so much to say about fashion for us ladies wanting to be stylish! Her tips are fabulous!!!
You can visit her blog at overfiftyfeelingforty.blogspot.com
www.blogtalkradio.com/bringprettyback you can listen to the show live at this link or when ever you want as it is recorded!
Have a pretty day!
Kristin

Slippery Slope....

2011-10-13T13:30:00.000-07:00

I was speaking to a friend the other day and we were discussing how to keep romance alive with children. She confessed that she has the children and the cats in the bedroom with her and the hubby and that was just fine with her. She also said it was beginning to be a problem with her and her hubby. I bet is is... She asked what I thought about that. hmmm... I personally think that could be a problem. I won't get into the debate of children in the marital bed or not... that's your business. I will say this - you are on a slippery slope when you do not make a private place for you and your husband . I could write a book on this subject I have so much to say... as a matter of fact I just might. For now , I will just say ... slippery slope ladies.

Makes me think... I need to get outside

2011-10-12T11:48:00.000-07:00

Weight Watchers or Pizza and Wine...

2011-10-10T17:37:00.000-07:00

My friend Karen and I decided THIS was the week to sign up for Weight Watchers - Tonight was the only night she could go without having to leave work early. The closest meeting was about 30 miles away - we gear up and go, our heads are in the game! At the sign in we discover that we may not be signing up for the same thing as the Weight Watchers in our town. So we were advised to wait and sign up on Wednesday in our town -What are two gals to do .Drive directly to the pizza place and have pizza and wine. Would we care for breadsticks? Absolutely! While your at it... bring lots of ranch and pizza sauce for dipping too ..thank you very much!

We had a wonderful time !!!

Wednesday - we will try it again!

One sentence at a time = my dream

2011-09-29T12:50:00.000-07:00

When I sat down to write my first blog post... I honestly did not realize I was writing my book. Letters made sentences. Sentences made my thoughts real. I wrote what was in my heart and soul with no expectations. No BIG goal. It didn't seem like an overwhelming task. If I was writing a book I would have over thought it. I do not do well when I over think things. I start to doubt myself and tend to censor what I say. Which of course ...tends to make me... not , well... me. Good or bad- I am me.

A year and a half after the first blog post- today ... I received my publishing contract for my book. It has been a dream of mine my whole life, it just seemed as though it was for "real" writers. Funny how things happen. This was the goal the whole time -the book. And I did not even realize it. I was just writing ... one sentence at a time.

Don't Quit... Stay Strong...For 24 hours

2011-09-27T20:12:00.000-07:00

Today I almost caved on my weight loss mission. I was shopping at Walmart ... and EVERYTHING looked good. I wanted EVERYTHING. I put a bag of Halloween candy in the cart. Mini snickers. " For the kids" FYI- all of the "kids" are grown. Two don't live at home anymore.
So... they were for me. I put them back . I bought string cheese.
I was thinking as I loaded my healthy choices in the car...

I will stay strong for the next 24 hours. I will not quit for 24 hours. I can do just about anything for 24 hours.

WE can do just about anything for 24 hours. Can't we??? YES we can.
Are you struggling with your weight - DON'T QUIT! Stay strong for 24 hours.
Are you possibly struggling in your marriage? DON'T QUIT! Stay strong for 24 hours
Are you looking for a new job? DON'T QUIT! Stay strong for 24 hours
Whatever you are going through... DON'T QUIT! Stay strong for 24 hours

After the 24 hours ... STAY STRONG... and do it again... for another 24 hours.

Bring Pretty Back Blogtalk Radiow Show - is BAAAAAAAAACK!

2011-09-24T17:41:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to say that the Bring Pretty Back Blog Talk Radio Show will resume Monday September 26th @ 11:00 A.M. EST. You can listen live at www.blogtalkradio.com/bringprettyback The show will be recorded so you can also go to that address and listen anytime you want! I am excited! I have wonderful shows and awesome guests lined up to share their ideas and thoughts to BRING PRETTY BACK!

I'm the newest Spice GIrl!

2011-09-21T13:23:00.000-07:00

The only spices I use are salt and pepper. And Cinnamon for french toast. I really need to use more spices and less butter. Butter seems to make everything so delicious ... doesn't it? I am turning over a new health leaf sinceV's trip to the E.R. with a heart health scare. He's fine. SO , let's keep it that way .

I think butter is fabulous... in moderation, but there has to be a healtier way to cook! I think I am going to be the new spice girl. I think I shall call myself ...PRETTY SPICE

Back and EXCITED!

2011-09-19T18:34:00.000-07:00

V and I had a wonderful time on our anniversary getaway! Now.. it's time to get back to work writing! That book isn't going to write itself! I am excited and am dizzy with all the ideas I have swirling around in my head!!! Focus Kristin... focus!

Short Blog break and an Anniversary!

2011-09-15T14:23:00.000-07:00

I am consumed with writing the book and Saturday is our 23rd wedding anniversary! So I will take a little blog break . I will return next week! See you soon!

I WILL wear these at my first book signing!

2011-09-13T08:41:00.000-07:00

I have my outfit all planned out for my first book signing . And I WILL be wearing a pair of these. In either nude or black. I have always dreamed of wearing a pair of them... now I have the perfect occasion.

Are you a Rock Star ... or Back Up Singer???

2011-09-10T15:12:00.000-07:00

I believe we fall into one of those categories... Those of us that are more outgoing and make a little more noise...like a rock star... and those that are quiet behind the scenes kind of gals... like back up singers.

It's funny - because each can't understand why the other feels the way they do. The rock stars love an "atta girl" and a pat on the back. They know they are pretty but like to hear it.

The quiet ladies don't need the accolades or the attention. Not only do they not need it , they don't care for it. They know they are pretty ... even without the slap on the back. I think these are the ones that do the most work to be truthful.

The world needs both.

Which are you? I think you can guess what I am! Would you like my autograph??

One step closer...

2011-09-09T17:03:00.000-07:00

Today I spoke to a publishing company about my book. They are interested !!!! I can't tell you how excited I am. One step closer to my DREAM! I have lots of work to do... but it is a labor of love , that's for sure! Thank you So much for your PRETTY support!

SO... "what do you do?"

2011-09-07T17:12:00.000-07:00

That is a hard question for me to answer. I was introduced to a bunch of ladies tonight and of course that is the normal question people ask when the introductions get going. "So, Kristin... What do you do?"

Hmmmm. What do I do?

I blog, I am writing a book - I do a radio show. I am a mother... yet all the boys are grown. I am a wife , and I will say I love taking care of V~ love being a homemaker . But aren't we all? If you work full time you are still a homemaker! Actually you are superwoman. I tip my hat to you.

And when people say " What do you do? What are they really asking? How successful are you?

WHAT'S YOUR WORTH? You know it's true.

I KNOW I have worth. You KNOW you have worth no matter what you "do". Why is this such a loaded question for us.

Why is this such a hard question for me to answer?
What do I do???
I AM LEADING THE REVOLUTION TO BRING PRETTY BACK

Operation Bring Pretty Back- Day Six

2011-08-31T11:39:00.000-07:00

Operation Bring Pretty Back- Day Six

Day six isn't glamorous - but it needs to be done. I am cleaning out the pantry. I can't find the bottom or top of my blender- I have been threatening to make smoothies alllll summer. I have the pitcher part...

I think I will paint the inside of the pantry door bright aqua ! That will give me a little lift when I reach for a box of cereal or elbow macaroni.

Celebrate those birthdays! And day 5!

2011-08-30T08:05:00.000-07:00

Friday I was at my dear friend Linda's 50th birthday party. Happy Birthday L! While there I was talking to another friend and she said her birthday is in the spring. Fifty as well. She said she does not want a party . Does not want a cake. Wants the day to go by without so much as a whimper of happy birthday. That is crazy! WHY shouldn't we celebrate or birthday our selves our life? We spend ourYEARS raising our children, our marriages, maybe a garden and hopefully... if you are really living... a few eyebrows.

Guess what - with or without a cake. With or without a party. You will be the age you are. Yes. It is true. So WHY oh WHY not celebrate?! If you feel old - make some changes! Start a hobby! Start a business! Color your hair red! Take up pole dancing for exercice. DO SOMETHING that celebrates YOU ! Blow those candles out with aplomb !!!!! Don't pretend that it's not your birthday... that is not pretty.

p.s. My birthday is October 24th- I will be 43. I can't wait!

Bring Pretty Back Project 365- day 5- I am not a sun lover... I have my spf 90- yes 90... on my make up table. I kind of hit and miss the application. I will put it on every single day for the rest of the Pretty 365 project. Every. Single. Day.

Day 2,3 and 4!

2011-08-29T06:07:00.000-07:00

I have been on a crazy "spring" cleaning rampage! SO I have not been on the computer all weekend! So I have a few days to catch up on the Bring Pretty Back Project of 365 days of PRETTY.

Day two of BPBP 365: I took everything out of the bathroom and evaluated things. My oh my... I had a beach towel from V's 21st birthday in the cupboard. He is 42. Ok... now , that is ridiculous. You can get towels at Target for 4.50 each. WHY do I have towels that are decades old in the cupboard??? Out went the faded, threadbare towels from days gone by. I was left with a small stack . We really do not need stacks and stacks of towels. Just enough . I will get four new towels from Target .

Day three of BPBP 365 The top of our closet has a shelf that has stuff jammed on it. V's hats, a bag of old dvd's, a large quilt my great aunt made me when I was born. It is ripped and not my colors but I just can't bring myself to throw it away. I took everything off of the shelf. Washed the quilt and am deciding what to do with it. I put storage containers filled with winter clothes on the shelf. So much better!

Day four of BPBP 365: Scrubbed and washed the exterior doors. Seriously- why did I put that off for so long! Looked like the Addam's family lived here!

Bring Pretty Back every day for a year!

2011-08-26T03:37:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was cleaning the house and I was putting little touches here and there. A pretty towel on the towel holder in the kitchen, a new candle by the sink, a new deep conditioner for my hair. It felt good. I decided this is something I can do EVERY single day. Make sure I add at least one PRETTY thing to every day. 365 Days Of PRETTY- This morning I poured my coffee in a pretty cup. I honestly hate those standard coffee cups, those straight side plain coffee cups. It's a small thing and it made a pretty difference. 364 days to go, I will post daily what pretty things I do to BRING PRETTY BACK to my days and life... I believe... this may just be life changing.

What are you crazy proud of?!

2011-08-20T15:49:00.000-07:00

Do you make a fabulous homemade pizza? Can you decorate a room with a few simple items and make it look like it belongs in Better Homes and Gardens? Run marathons? Can you sew and can make something gorgeous for your home or possibly something to wear? What can you do that you are CRAZY proud of? I KNOW you are a GREAT momma! That is of course the ultimate pride... but that is not what I am talking about... I'm talking about outside of your family... what are you proud of??? That little feeling inside of pride that gives you feel that little electric humm in your soul that you just know you rock at. You know what I am talking about! I think we tend to dampen that a bit because we feel like we are bragging or boasting ... so we play it down. Come on ladies... toot your own pretty horn! What are you crazy proud of?!

Nothing brings changes faster than a health scare!

2011-08-15T18:53:00.000-07:00

It was a stressful weekend! Early Saturday morning V went to the hospital with chest pains and was having trouble breathing.he is ok... More tests ordered . But changes here are happening here. I will be cooking healthier food, more exercise and no more fast food. It was a wake up call... I am up to the challenge! Cha Cha Cha Changes are a comin' !

Raise your children and your marriage...part two

2011-08-11T20:47:00.000-07:00

V and I are now one year into all of our son's having gradated from high school . I am happy to report - all is well! I did a blog post on this a few months back . I got so many comments and emails because it hit a nerve. The day will come and the children will be on their own and it WILL be you and the hubs sitting at the table eating -just the two of you. You will be in the living room watching TV - just the two of you. Sunday morning coffee- just the two of you. TRUST ME. It will happen. The time is NOW to take the time for date night. Maybe a nightly ritual of no TV or computer for a half hour to talk about your day. Maybe a new hobby you can share. Walk the dog together so you have time to talk. I don't know what you like to do together... but , whatever it is... DO IT. Take the time!

PLEASE don't tell me you are the couple that think you will worry about that ... when the time comes. If you do , you may be in trouble. You may not know know each other. Worse yet ... you may not want to anymore. Ditto for him. You may have grown so far apart and are living such separate lives that you don't know how to reconnect. It may be a slow disconnect and you don't even really notice it's happening. Or it could turn into one of those sad situations we have all seen happen - "when the children graduate... I'm outta here" . You may be saying that to yourself right now. You may just be putting in the time til you can either reconnect or completely disconnect . Maybe you haven't really given it much thought with the children, laundry,cooking the meals, sports.... on and on the list of obligations go.

I encourage you to ponder where your marriage is headed. It doesn't matter the age of the children. Start TODAY evaluating if you are connecting... or disconnecting, Please don't be part of the "someday when the kids are grown club" .

Have a pretty day!

Kristin

A MUST have for working out!!!

2011-08-10T12:38:00.000-07:00

Do you have an ipod for your workouts? Walking , going to the gym, riding your bike ...what ever you do exercise! I couldn't live without mine!!! If you do not have one I strongly encourage you to get one. It honestly makes all of the difference to keep you going when it gets a little tough... and makes the workout go by SO much faster! Mr. Kid Rock and many others have gotten me through some tough times when I didn't think I could finish the workout ... me and my ipod have taken a long break - too long... - my little pink cutie is charging and will be back in action tonight!

Have a pretty day!

Kristin

From Playing House to Drudgery...

2011-08-09T11:24:00.000-07:00

When you were little did you Play House? I did, I loved it. I loved everything about it and dreamed of one day having my own home. I made cakes with my Easy Bake Oven, took care of my " babies" my dolls & Baby Alive doll, I even loved the little Baby Alive diapers I had to change !!! I KNOW real life isn't quite as fun as when we are little girls PLAYING house. I am not really comparing playing house as a child and keeping house as an adult . When V and I were dating in high school my friends were talking about going to college and careers, I knew I wanted to be a housewife and stay home. Yes, I LOVE to blog and I am now working on my book, but my main concern should be my home and family... I will confess it has not. And if I am really going to be honest with you it has been a looooooooooong time since I really felt that way. I cleaned ... although not all that well. Just put a little time in. I have never liked the home we are living in and I kid you not didn't put a thing on the walls for over fifteen years, I treated this house as just that... a house, a dwelling... not a home. We are building a new little home , but it may not be complete for a year or so. I am treating this house as a home. I need to change my attitude. I need to remember why I wanted to be a housewife and take care of my home and family. I put on my "uniform" this morning to get my head in the game. I bought a cute pink floral vintage apron at a yard sale with a pink towel attached on the left side for a leftie like me last month, this morning I got it out of the drawer. Sometimes things become mundane and more like drudgery when really it is a blessing. Shame on me for forgetting that.

Have a pretty day!

Kristin

PRETTY Inspiration!

2011-08-04T21:00:00.000-07:00

Have you watched HOT IN CLEVELAND yet ? I LOVE it! Hilarious! Now ... talk about PRETTY INSPIRATION!!! Jane Leeves is 50, Valerie Bertinelli 51, Wendy Malick 61 and Betty White 89. - Age is just a number and these ladies prove it!

I want a FUN & HEALTHY marriage & lifestyle

2011-08-04T14:57:00.000-07:00

It seems we just settle into a lifestyle don't we. It can be an active or sedentary. V and I have not gone with the active one.Dinner then off to the couch. Dinner and a movie. Lot's of time on the computer. I want to start doing more active & fun things together and with friends. I would LOVE to get a tandem bike for me and V ro ride ... but he tells me I can get one... but I may look silly riding it alone. He doesn't see the charm like I do. I need to find things we can do that we both enjoy.

If we are what we eat - we may as well eat to look PRETTY!

2011-08-03T17:00:00.000-07:00

Back when I was gung ho in my health and fitness lifestyle I was ~~obsessed~~ interested in healthy foods. It really is fascinating when you look into the science of food and how it affects out body. Both good and bad. I loved to read Prevention magazine & Shape magazine. Not only for the information , but also for the motivation. I felt SO much better when I ate better. Food really is fuel. Yes... I know. Alot of the info is common sense. Twinkies for breakfast or Oatmeal ~ not hard to know which is the healthier choice! I will admit to enjoying both ... lately more Twinkies than Oatmeal. And I feel it. UGH. But I have gotten out my old health magazines and I am INSPIRED to get back to nutrition and exercise. Not necessarily excited at this point because I have been really eating poorly. And I am not going to lie to you ... it is going to take a bit to get back to where I was before. But I will start with oatmeal tomorrow morning . One pretty healthy choice will lead to another ... and soon I will no longer crave the fats and sugar. That is such a good place to be. I did it once I can do it again. Here is an example of what I love to read about ! Ladies YES! Eating can make us PRETTY! www.prevention.com/skindiet

LITTLE Bucket List... more like a tea cup list

2011-08-02T11:59:00.000-07:00

We all know about the bucket list - from the movie - The bucket List. Things you want to do before you kick the bucket. I have one You may too. I hope you do. It can be a little daunting because they are mostly lofty goals. The bucket list is usually BIG dreams and goals. For example: Climb Mt. Everest, Learn to sail, Adopt a child , Join the Peace Corps, Build your dream home, Go back to school, Start a business, Write a book.... I have started a TINY bucket list -more of a little teacup sized list. A list of things that can be easy to done in a short amount of time. Things I will REALLY do - things I can do today. I decided to do this weekly.

This weeks "tea cup" list to make my life just a little PRETTIER!

1)30 minutes on the treadmill EVERY day- on the slowest pre- set workout - but still... I will be on it!

2)Be daring with a color of nail polish I normally wouldn't wear- I think purple .

3)deep condition my hair- it's a bit straw like... Keeping up this blond I had when I was 12 years old takes a bit of a toll on the locks.

4)Wash my front door. Feng Shui experts would not approve . I have some bad Chi goin' on.

5)Have one meal with no meat. no particular reason - but it is summer and so many fresh things to work with. Healthy and different than same ole same ole dinner.

No more than five things or I know I won't do it.

That is my little list- next week I will come up with a new list!

Opposites attract... We are proof.

2011-07-29T13:44:00.000-07:00

One of my closest friends that has known me my entire life ... she is seven months older than me and we were friends in the crib together as our mothers are best friends. She has know V since junior high ,she knows us. She recently said to me that she figured out why V and I work so well together . We are like a tether ball set . V is the pole and I am the ball on the string that flies around. He keeps me grounded . I need that And I like to think I add a little excitement to his life. He needs that.

They say opposites attract... we are proof ...

Are you the pole or the ball?

The Plan.

2011-07-27T10:47:00.000-07:00

I have been asked what the book will be about. Thank you for asking!!! This is my dream/plan for the book.

I love a book I can read through easily and enjoy. Then... bring it to read over and over , be able to open it willy nilly and read a few pages . Or go to the page that gives you a little lift. That is the book I want to write.

I want it to be a book that you give to yourself... or friend for a special occasion or for no reason at all.

The book will not just be about beauty - it is about Bringing Pretty Back in all area's of our lives.

Now... I have got to get to work... I have a book to write!

Me?! Writing a book!? Yes I am!

2011-07-25T10:49:00.000-07:00

I am taking the plunge & taking on the exciting task of turning how to Bring Pretty Back into a book! Me ...WRITING A BOOK! This will be lots of work and a labor of love! I have never been so excited about anything in my entire life!

Take the TIME to be girly and pretty

2011-07-23T10:17:00.000-07:00

It does take a little more time to be GIRLY and PRETTY. But it is worth it! Isn't it!? YOU ARE WORTH IT!!

Let's Talk Makeup Ladies! I would love your input!

2011-07-22T14:04:00.000-07:00

I would LOVE your input ladies!!!

Let's talk makeup! First foundation~ Do you wear liquid foundation or mineral loose foundation? Lipstick or lip gloss?

To Thine Own Self Be True

2011-07-20T08:29:00.000-07:00

" This above all: to thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man." That is about the only thing I have ever read of Mr. Shakespear's work... and I must tell you I believe it is brilliant. What does it mean exactly... well, don't try to be someone else or try to be what someone else wants you to be. BE YOURSELF! In real life we see others with seemingly perfect homes ,careers and marriages. In blog land we see perfect homes , landscaping,and recipes... We start to doubt ourselves don't we. It starts when we are young - we try to please our parents , teachers and friends. Then we get a little older and we try to please our spouse, children and the community. We see brilliant ideas and wonderful things and think that is just the thing we need to... do/try/buy . Even if it is NOT us whatsoever. We do it with decorating - do you really think in the 70's all of a sudden everyone just suddenly fell in love with orange , wrought iron and mushrooms? In the 80's everyone fell in love with mauve and blue or sea foam green and peach? Then came Shabby Chic and now Gray.If you love any of those lovely colors - that is wonderful! But if you really want a purple living room - go PURPLE! I went out on the edge and painted my entrance hot pink and white. Even the paint lady at Home Depot gave me a funny look. Guess what... I am a hot pink kinda gal! I love it and I have gotten more compliments on that than any thing I have ever done in a home. But if everyone hated it , I wouldn't care.It is ME. That is just decorating. There are the careers that seem to go in a trend. Did you become something you didn't want to become because of others ideas? I hope not. Are you a teacher but secretly long to be a tattoo artist? Do you work in an office and dream of owning a little organic garden selling produce? Are you a blond but have always wanted to be a firey redhead? Have long hair but would love a short bob? TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE. Why is is so hard to be OURSELVES. Our true selves. Fear I guess, fear of someone not liking us - thinking we are odd. It really is ridiculous. Do everyone a favor ... most importantly YOU and be yourself. Thank you Mr. Shakespeare...you were a wise man.

NEW BLOG NAME&URL! And a little makeover!

2011-07-19T12:46:00.000-07:00

BRING PRETTY BACK has a new name & home ~From now on we will be at http://www.bringprettyback.com/ Lauren from Designer Blogs was my hero and got everything switched over and gave my blog a little makeover as well!

My HEART knew!!!!! BRING PRETTY BACK is ME!

2011-07-16T09:01:00.000-07:00

My heart KNEW what to do since the losing of my name/url debacle. In between the sobs and the momets of inspiration and clarity - it knew. It knew from the first post what I was trying to do - BRING PRETTY BACK for myself and to talk to YOU about it. I was rattled when I lost what I felt was ME with the loss of my domain name . SO I panicked. I thought I needed to completely change my name. But we all know that doesn't work don't we. Both making a decision while we are in a panic state and completely changing ourselves... doesn't work. When doing something we are MEANT to do... it is in our heart and soul.... that doesn't change does it. I needed to settle down. I needed to think clearly. I am not going to let three little letters ING throw me over the edge. Someone may have taken my domain name but not me. Not what this blog is all about. You know how we need to listen to Our gut. Our heart. Our soul. Well... my gut, heart and soul sings three little words - BRING PRETTY BACK... it is as if every single thing in my life led me to this. Bring Pretty Back. THAT FEELS RIGHT. I thought I could change the name to something else - and it felt wrong. I kept trying to convince myself to go with a completely different name... LOVE the name - A Pretty Life

but , I love it for someone else. SO, what I am trying to say is this ------- BRING PRETTY BACK is ME! Losing three little letters... is Not going to stop me. ING may be gone - but I am still here! Monday the revamp will be complete , the new .com will be complete. As of Monday http://www.bringprettyback.com/ will be up and running! It is time to BRING PRETTY BACK - Join the pretty revolution!! yep - there it is .. I'm back .
Is http://www.aprettylife.com/ for you? If so , I have a wonderful url/domain just for you. Just let me know.

Let's CREATE A PRETTY LIFE!

2011-07-13T15:25:00.000-07:00

I am moving forward in life since I no longer have my domain name and have not gotten a response from the woman that has it now.... So a PRETTY NEW BEGINNING! My blog will be called ~ A PRETTY LIFE from now on!
That is what this journey has been about from day one to create a pretty life. I have always thought everything happens for a reason! And as devastated as I was when this whole thing went down I am EXCITED to move forward with a PRETTY life. We have so much to cover don't we! Cosmetics, clothes , our home, our relationships everything that makes life PRETTY! Ladies... I have only just begun ! Let's create a pretty life!

Monday Lauren from Designer Blogs will be transforming the blog into A Pretty Life! I am excited about that!

THIS IS ME! I LOST my .COM!

2011-07-12T03:34:00.001-07:00

Due to a mix up with my account at godaddy I no longer have bringing pretty back dot com. YES! I was devastated! But crying (sobbing at times) is over and time to move forward! THANK YOU SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much for following me and continuing to stick with me... as I continue the crusade BRINGING PRETTY BACK! Would you PLEASE do me a favor and spread the word for me you can find me here back at blogger/blogspot? HUGS and THANK YOU. I left a message for the owner of the domain to please contact me and let me know if she will sell it back to me.

At home BEAUTY day!

2011-07-10T12:18:00.000-07:00

Today I am going to give myself a head to toe pampering beauty day. A home mani/pedi~ the Ped Egg is coming out of the drawer. Deep conditioner on the hair. It's one of those shave everything but my head kinda day, shape up the eyebrows &facial mask. I will exfoliate & moisturize. I need it, both physically and mentally !! Nothing like a beauty day! When was the last time you treated yourself to a day of beauty and pampering? I HIGHLY recommend it!

NEW BLOG!!! BRINGING ROMANCE BACK!!!

2011-07-08T16:41:00.000-07:00

I have posted about romance & marriage on this blog ...ALOT! There has been so much interest in relationships and romance I have decided to separate the two subjects~BRINGING PRETTY BACK and BRINGING ROMANCE BACK and have started a NEW BLOG devoted to such an important subject! Of course I will still be blogging about PRETTY on this blog as well!!! I hope you visit and I hope you share your tips and thoughts about romance at the new blog bringingromanceback.blogspot.com

Priceless...yet... Costs... Nothing

2011-07-08T04:24:00.000-07:00

What is is priceless and it costs nothing. ANYONE can do it. No matter our age-weight-size... What is it??? A SMILE. A genuine smile. Not a smile you put on right before you have the family photo taken ... or the photo as you are standing in front of some sort of monument on vacation... I mean a real happy smile. A SMILE! You know what I mean. A smile that makes your eyes SPARKLE.

Are you thinking -I have nothing to smile about... This is going wrong ... that is going wrong. You are going through some tough times? Then YOU are the one I'm talking to the most.

Do it RIGHT NOW. SMILE. You are already so much prettier just by doing that. And don't you feel happier too??? A smile... Priceless... just like YOU.

PRETTY FROSTING... for OURSELVES!

2011-07-06T18:31:00.000-07:00

And I do not mean butter cream! I am talking about "frosting" for ourselves!
Bringing Pretty Back "frosting" can start with a cool pair of sunglasses or earrings! Maybe a fresh new hair cut or color! A gorgeous new lip color or eyeshadow! I have neglected the little things that can doll me up! Shame on me!!!! I have been INSPIRED with all of the great ideas you all have shared with me as to how to Bring Pretty Back starting TODAY! I am excited to share the AWESOME PRETTY ideas I have gotten in the last few days and I will be doing a blog talk radio show tomorrow on this! Do you have a tip I can share on the show?! What do you do to add a little sparkle or fun to your appearance? I would LOVE to hear it!!! Let's inspire each other !!! Now - THAT is what Bringing Pretty Back is all about!
Hugs ! I will be doing the show today at 6:00 p.m. est!!!
Have a PRETTY day!
Kristin

Is your anchor down???

2011-07-04T08:51:00.000-07:00

Do you have a vision?

You can call it a dream , a vision or a plan... but with out any of those things you are drifting. Floating. Bobbing like a cork in the water. All over the place yet going nowhere. And when storms come in life... and they always do... you capsize. Then it's even harder to right yourself.

When I am bobbing and floating I am unsettled . Depressed . I eat too much and move too little.

But when I get my thoughts clear and have a VISION, I am more ME. It is as if I "wake up".

I am thinking about the BPBP constantly. The vision I have for all of it is becoming crystal clear.

I am not floating ~ I have put down the anchor. How about you? Are you floating... going nowhere or have you put down YOUR anchor ???

Have a PRETTY day!

Kristin

Baby, YOU'RE a firework!!!!!!!

2011-07-01T09:43:00.001-07:00

This song by Katy Perry is on her Album called Teenage Dreams. I think it would apply to Middle Age Dreams ... maybe even a little more. Actually if you still have a pulse... this applies to YOU! Any age! Any circumstance! Come on show em' what YOU'RE worth!!!!!!!! Baby YOU'RE a firework!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Glammed up little vintage camper- GLAMPER!

2011-06-30T09:22:00.000-07:00

A pretty boutique in a little glammed up vintage camper~ GLAMPER! Pink, white, sparkly, romantic, sweet, dreamy... The walls will be my favorite Pottery Barn pink cloud color- the curtains crisp white- the cushions will be covered with a beautiful floral fabric. There will be little chandies hanging inside the glamper and chandies hanging from the awning outside. Also , lots of sparkling strands of white lights! Under the awning we will create a magical space for ladies to gather. Somehow I will add a shiny disco ball as well! I am getting inspiration from Sandy~myshabbystreamsidestudio.blogspot.com !!!!!!!!!

Just look at the photos I included in this post of her studio! PRETTY INSPIRATION!

This little camper may be small, but there are BIG things happening inside! The most exciting thing of course is the Bringing Pretty Back Project! We will be visiting nursing homes, hospice homes~wherever we need to go to spread some PRETTY~ The Bringing Pretty Back radio show will also be on the move, as the shows will be done in the little camper! Guests, if possible will sit at the table in the camper and talk to all of you! The shows will be on You Tube soon! We already have people contacting us to know more about the Bringing Pretty Back Project and the BPB products! Isn't that PRETTY exciting! We started with nail polish - and now we are adding cosmetics! Who knew a year ago all of this would be happening?! Sometimes we have dreams that- we -don't -even-know -we- have- in our heart until we start doing something different. And once you get that spark of a dream...it is amazing and if you listen to your heart WONDERFUL things can happen. I have been listening to my heart .

PRETTY marriage series.. on the radioshow!

2011-06-29T07:08:00.000-07:00

I received MANY emails about my last post on marriage and how V and I have been off kilter. It has struck a cord. I received more emails than comments , many about issues in their own marriages... I understand. This is a very personal issue and not everyone wants to post a comment for all the world to see...I understand. I am touched that those that left comments and emailed, felt comfortable to contact me . I have so much to say on this that I spent the entire day yesterday getting my thoughts together on this subject of marriage. I am no expert- FAR FROM IT ! V and I have been married since 1988. We have been together since I was 15 and he was 16. We started our family while I was still in high school...no not necessarily on purpose, we have raised three (wonderful) sons and are now dealing with the empty nest...we have struggled with NO money we have been ok with money, we have owned our own businesses, we have had to deal with being apart as V travels with his business...sometimes for months at a time, oh... there's more... Lot's more. We are still married... I tell you all of this to say to you I am NO EXPERT...but ...we have dealt with things. I will share my mistakes as well as what I think has worked. ... I believe this is a VERY important subject, and I want to do it to the best of my ability. So, this this what I have decided to do! I am going to do a Bringing PRETTY back into the marriage series on the blog talk radio show. Starting today.

I will address the issues that were emailed to me ~ so keep the comments and emails coming!

Bringing PRETTY & SWEETNESS back ... into the marriage!

2011-06-27T07:07:00.000-07:00

Stress affects EVERYTHING in our lives ...our sleep,our health, our skin, EVERYTHING. Including our marriage . And it seems as though the more stress - the more communication breaks down in our marriage. And of course , the more the communication breaks down ... the worse it gets. What a cycle! I will admit, when I get upset about something - I clam up. That is so immature- I know! Drives V crazy, and I do not blame him. Things can go on in this pattern til ... all of a sudden your marriage can be in BIG trouble. And it does not have to come to that , if you take the steps to avoid it getting to that point. V own his own business ~ here it is~ http://www.icfbuildingsolutions.com/ I am very proud of him and what he has accomplished.
V has stress of his own with owning a construction biz. I am working on The Bringing Pretty Back Project... so I am wrapped up with that. I will admit- things have been off kilter here . And I DON'T like it when V and I are off kilter. So... I need to get things back on track! I know sometimes I sound like a 1950's housewife- (I am not ashamed to say, by the way)and I believe the tone of the home- marriage - is set by the woman. I really do. And the tone I have been setting is- not very sweet and loving. Enough of that nonsense.

I will be doing a blog talk radio show on this topic tomorrow. And will be posting what I will be doing to bring the PRETTY & sweetness back into the marriage and home tomorrow as well.

WHY stop in my PRETTY office... the living room is going pink too!

2011-06-26T13:31:00.000-07:00

I have extra pink paint ... what's a girl to do with it??? Paint the living room! The dark beige is NOT me. But PINK is! I know it seems a bit silly to be doing all this in a house we won't be in much longer... but I can't help myself! I have the paint I got from the hardware for 5 dollars a gallon in the oops section! When I find my camera I will take photo's and share my pink joy!
Have a PRETTY day!
Kristin

Are you still wearing the same make up since high school?

2011-06-24T17:00:00.000-07:00

If you graduated high school in the last century... like myself... it may be time to update a bit. We rocked that blue eye shadow HARD in the 80's... and it may be time to say goodbye. I am excited to tell you I have been talking with some make up artists for tips and ideas... I will share the info on the blog and they will be guests on the radio show! Excited about that!!! If you have any specific questions, let me know and I will make sure to ask them the question and get you the answer!

I am quite sure the question you ask... I NEED to know the answer myself.

Have a PRETTY day!!!

Kristin

Pretty Dream Board WAll!

2011-06-23T20:17:00.000-07:00

I have a BIG box full of clippings I have cut out of magazines and collected for what seems like forever. Photo's of rooms I love, quotes, sayings... all kinds of things I think are fabulous. I have been planning on doing something with them for quite a while~ and tomorrow is the day! I am going to put a pot of coffee on and start going through all of it!! one wall in my new PRETTY office to the DREAM WALL. I am thinking of using lots of frames to put everything in ... like a collage in frames. The pink shabby chic satin drapes are hung! The pink cloud is perfect on the walls. I put the new desk in the room today- looks great! My sons are going camping this weekend so they won't be able to put the chandie up til next week . V is working on a big bid for his biz... but maybe I can sweet talk him into putting it up for me tomorrow. I told him he could use my pink office to work in any time he wants. He thought that was funny. V working in a pink office~ I think that would be PRETTY cute.

My second LOVE

2011-06-23T11:36:00.000-07:00

As you know... I love my hubby V. But.... my second love is the one... the only...Mr. Carson Kressley. I just know we would be BFF's...He makes me laugh- he makes me cry... I MUST one day meet him. I think Mr. Kressley needs to be on the Bringing Pretty Back show! Don't you! That would be DREAM COME TRUE! ( Thank you TV guide to take this photo of Carson blowing ME a kiss!)

Life's too short for an ugly ...ANYTHING!

2011-06-22T14:51:00.000-07:00

The first coat of Pink Cloud is on the walls! LOVIN" it! The little electric fireplace is now white! Tomorrow the second coat will go on. I have a desk I bought from a thrift store last summer that I painted white that will be making it's home here in the new pretty office! The chandelier ~ I added a photo of the chandie still in it's box~ will be hung Friday morning ~ thanks to my sons! Friday I will hang the curtains... and it should be complete Saturday! Isn't it AMAZING how a coat of paint can change your life! ( well... at least your room!) Girls - grab a paint brush and go wild!( I think the Purdy brushes are the BEST) Life's too short to have an ugly office! Really... Life's too short to have an ugly... ANYTHING!

PRETTY OFFICE remodel is beginning today!

2011-06-21T08:22:00.000-07:00

I have been THINKING of remodeling my office ... for about a year.

TODAY IS THE DAY!

The walls will go from the awful comet cleanser green to my new favorite paint color Pottery Barn's PINK CLOUD. The plastic mini blinds will be white sheer curtains, the floor is a gray carpet - that will be cleaned-, the desk will be painted either white of HOT pink... not quite sure yet. One entire wall will be my DREAM BOARD! I will also have one of the chandalier's I have for the new little house installed... It will be fall before we are in the new house so I may as well enjoy the chandie in here! The fake electric fireplace will be painted high gloss white... Lot's of work to do... but It will we so PRETTY when it's done! I am hoping it will be done in a few days!!! Photo's coming soon!

Radio Show today!

2011-06-20T08:34:00.000-07:00

There will be a new Bringing Pretty Back Show at 1:00 EST!

www.blogtalkradio.com/bringingprettyback

I'm PRETTY Excited!

2011-06-19T05:07:00.000-07:00

I have had the pleasure of having the most awesome guests on my blog talk radio show... Thank you awesome guests...thank you awesome listeners! Last week I was contacted by a few people asking to be on the show! SO EXCITING to me! SO, the show is growing !!! I am fired up to make the show the BEST I can...thank you for listening and spreading the word about the show! If you have show topics or guests you would love to listen to on the show PLEASE let me know!

Get all the info... before you comment on a blog!

2011-06-17T21:24:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I came upon a blog called wannabeformerfatgirl.blogspot.com It was my first time to her blog and the post I read she was telling us about tom and how she was hurt so badly. She then went on to say how she was on the shower floor for hours and ate herself silly. I looked through more posts to see if I could learn more about this TOM! No other mention of him... SHOULD HAVE BEEN MY FIRST CLUE! I was not havin' it! NOPE! I told her that this Tom was not worth all of that! Get her butt up off that shower floor I even said " Hell with Tom"! There was more to her post and my comment... but this is the condensed version. I was SO upset that she was SO upset over this guy. She was sweet and contacted me and thanked me for the support. Although ... as much as she would love to break up... she couldn't... TOM... was her time- of -the-month! I was laughing SO hard when I read her message to me - V was in a different room and came in concerned to check on me... he thought I was upset and crying!

My Shabby Stream Side Studio's ~ Sandy Foster on the radio show today!

2011-06-16T10:31:00.000-07:00

Sandy Foster from My Shabby Stream Side Studio will be on the Bringing Pretty Back show tonight ! She has transformed a little hunting shack into a PRETTY sanctuary on their property in New York. She proves you can make something beautiful with a little budget and hard work. Sandy has been in numerous magazines, newspapers, on blogs and she was just featured on the Nate Berkus show! Join us tonight at 6:30 p.m. est www.blogtalkradio.com/bringingprettyback ! And as always the show is recorded and can be listened to anytime!!!

Count your BLESSINGS more than Calories

2011-06-15T09:24:00.000-07:00

I know I talk about weight ALOT on this blog~ Mainly because it seems to affect me more than anything as I am working on Bringing Pretty Back in m life. I asked my guest Sheryl on my radio show last week this question ~ Did she think people were overweight because they were unhappy or were they unhappy because they were overweight. It is kind of a which- came -first- the chicken- or -the -egg- question, I know...you can listen to her response here www.blogtalkradio.com/bringingprettyback .... I would love your thoughts on this as well.

But FOR ME I am overweight because I am simply unhappy. THAT IS HARD TO ADMIT. I think two decades is enough of that and changes need to be made.

Last night I was pondering this - and a thought came to me - I need to start counting my blessings more than I count calories... And need to make the changes necessary to be happy. The calories will take care of themselves as I am an EMOTIONAL eater!
Don't you just love a good AHA moment!

MORE CUTENESS & Pretty Fuel!

2011-06-10T05:17:00.000-07:00

**** It has been brought to my attention blogger is once again (grrr!) not letting people leave comments! I really want to hear your thoughts on the Bringing Pretty Back Project!

please email me at bringingprettyback@hotmail.com if you can't leave a message! THANK YOU!!!!!!!

Here are some inside photo's of the little pink glamper! Are you ready for this... IT IS IN PERFECT condition. PERFECT! It is a 1960 nomad camper. And it is an adorable ten feet long! I do not have this little darling at my home yet... you know how things are working out exactly as I need them to to make the BPBP happen... Billy, the owner of the glamper called me yesterday and offered to deliver it for me! From Kentucky to Michigan, just because he is so nice and he is 100% behind the BPBP! Can you believe that!

As you can see by the photo's the inside is in awesome condition- but... she's going to get glammed up inside... I will have the cushions recovered in pinks and whites. I have little chandies at the ready to be installed, OHHH can't you picture bright white curtains with little white pompom's on all of the windows?! The jury is still out on if I will paint the walls and ceiling... I have a feeling it will get a coat of bright white or Pottery Barn's new color for 2011 called pink cloud. I put a photo of pink cloud at the top of this post. The little fridge will be white soon and I am thinking a little vinyl quote in hot pink will be applied. I have the perfect quote !

Now lets talk about the awning! I am going to have to have one made~ the camper has the bracket for the awning so I just need to take it to the "awning store" and have one made - in PINK and white of course!

I am thinking that little round tables I can fold up is what we need for under the awning for the pretty ladies at the nursing homes and anywhere else we are called to spread a little PRETTY !!!

I want to THANK YOU so much for your support about the BPBP!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my gosh~ The comments and emails I have received cheering me on! I told you I am on the tiniest budget in the world to make this happen... and your support is like pretty fuel to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You lookin' for some weight loss motivation?!

2011-06-09T14:39:00.000-07:00

If you are tune in tonight to the www.blogtalkradio.com/bringingprettyback show Sheryl aka Bitch Cakes will be talking to me about her weight loss success story ! You will not believe her GLAM transformation! You can visit her @ www.sherylyvette.com

Can you stand it ! It's so CUTE!

2011-06-07T06:52:00.001-07:00

Let me introduce you to the Bringing Pretty Back GLAMPER! OHHHHHHHHHHHHH! The cuteness is almost too much for me! I just did a post on how things are falling into place like magic for the Bringing Pretty Back Project!!!!!!!! It is AMAZING!

Let me tell you a little more about what's happening !

Let me start by saying I am doing this on a shoestring budget... not even the whole shoestring - more like the little plastic things on the ends of the shoelaces- that is my budget. TINY. So it's a little harder to do when there is very little to work with. But... that is not stopping me!

This is my dream and vision~ I needed a little tiny vintage camper - guess what - I found the PERFECT vintage PINK and white camper yesterday for sale. I kid you not it is EXACTLY what I have been dreaming about. I was floored when I saw it online. I knew in my heart it was meant for the BPBP. That is what I will call the Bringing Pretty Back Project for the rest of the story to shorten it up!

I called this morning to see if MY camper was still for sale. YES! of course it was , because I know I am somehow meant to have it. I explained to the gentleman what I wanted to do with it - and he took 600 dollars off the price right then and there! THANK YOU!

So... what is this BPBP all about ?

The little camper and I are hitting the road! I have been working very hard on the products we will carry~ There will be gorgeous nail polish, luxurious bath and body products, candles, apparel, and MORE! A little boutique on wheels! We will set up at festivals- salons and spa's, right at people's homes! Of course we will have an online store as well! Can you stand it!? Wait! There's more!

It gets better! The little camper and I will also be going to nursing homes and hospice homes, women's shelters... anywhere we need to go to spread a little PRETTY!~I am getting a sweet little tent that will set up right outside of the camper that we will also glam up and make PRETTY! Chandeliers will be hung inside of the tent- we will make it PRETTY . The ladies that would like to join is will gather around tables either in chairs or their own wheelchairs and we will have a wonderful time . We will wear pink feather boa's and ti era's & drink lemonade. That is my dream for all of this~ wish me luck.

Back @ it!

2011-06-06T11:25:00.000-07:00

I am back at it! Walking four miles a day! Will be back up to six miles a day by next week! Feeling good! Bringing Pretty Back one step at a time!

Fireproof...your marriage

2011-06-01T20:31:00.000-07:00

Marriage is hard. It's work. V and I have been married over 20 years... so we know. I did a post called Raise your children... and your marriage. The response was incredible. It struck a cord. Because if you have been married longer than the wedding reception you know too...it's not all hearts and love. I believe in marriage... I believe in all that goes along with it. I am also wise and honest enough to know there are days V thinks to himself- really??? What was I thinkin'? And I think the same thing... But then , something happens and then he realizes I have his back like no one else in this world. And him ... mine.

I think it is ridiculous to get upset about things like the toothpaste cap and the garbage. I honestly do. Life is too short for that silliness. These are only my thoughts and opinions! But... I believe one million percent that the foundation of marriage is RESPECT. Romance , excitement and all the rest is nice. Very nice. But without respect it means nothing. There is no foundation to build anything on. V and I watched the movie Fireproof. The movie is incredible and I highly recommend it. I will tell you though, to be honest the acting is a bit cheesy. Quite cheesy actually. But... a great movie.

You can if you think you can!

2011-05-31T10:32:00.000-07:00

My blog talk radio show tonight will be about this book, this little note... and serendipity . I framed the little note and it will be in my office to remind me...

www.blogtalkradio.com/bringingprettyback

showtime is 7:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time and as always will be recorded so you can listen at your leisure!

The call in number is 310-388-9731

It's a sign... SERENDIPITY!

2011-05-28T08:52:00.000-07:00

Don't you love it when something happens and you just KNOW it is a SIGN you are on the right path? Sometimes the sign is a soft whisper... and sometimes it is loud ...speaking right to you... loud and clear. I believe that is God speaking to you. Yesterday it became crystal clear that I am on the right path with The Bringing Pretty Back Project. Next week I will resume the blog talk radio show ... The show will be on Tuesday and Thursday nights at 7:00 EST. Tuesday I will be doing a show about the sign I received to show me I am doing what I am supposed to do. Serendipity... OH! How I love a serendipity story! Do you have one? I would love to hear it! Let me know if you have a story you would love to share and join me on the show! You can email me at bringingprettyback@hotmail.com ~ I would love to hear from you! You can listen to the show live online at www.blogtalkradio.com/bringingprettyback ... if you can not join us live you can listen to the recorded show anytime that is convenient for you . It's easy , look on the left side of my blog and click on the show you want to listen to and it will start playing. How easy is that! Thank you for listening to my show! I am going to ask you for a favor... will you please spread the word about my blog talk radio show? I would appreciate it from the bottom of my heart! THANK YOU!

Investigation Discovery contacted me!

2011-05-26T19:54:00.000-07:00

I did a blog post on who would portray you... if you were to have a story made about you ... into a television show a few days ago and someone from the Investigation Discovery /social media team contacted me asking if they could ask that question on their Face book Page. www.facebook.com/InvestigationDiscovery

Every Friday they have a fill in the blank question on their FB page (May 27th ) my question of who would portray you ...will be posted ...

I am excited to see what the answers will be! Thank you I.D!

Can't seem to stop my antics...

2011-05-24T19:05:00.000-07:00

I KNOW that it is sometimes a challenge to be married to me. I swear I don't try to do things that have GOT to drive poor V to the edge. Last week we went out for pizza at a restaurant that is about 30 miles away with two of our sons and the middle son's girlfriend... had a fabulous time. The next day the same girlfriend came over and we were going to town ... hmmm... where was my purse? Oh, I remember... at the restaurant. I left it on the floor the night before. So I ask V if he want to go to lunch at that restaurant , he said no... why? I toldhim ... I had to go get my purse anyway maybe he might want to go for lunch. Make the trip count , don't cha know. He just gave me a look ... like - oh my. He stayed home to work on paperwork for his biz and I took the son's girlfriend to get my purse - and out to lunch...
Oh this isn't the first ... or second... time I have left my purse behind. Nope. Once I left it at a hotel and since it was too far to go get it, they shipped it to me C.O.D. - the U.P.S driver brought the box to the door... it was C.O.D. I had to pay for it- that was back in the day when you could pay the driver cash for the c.o.d. fee... the driver handed me the box. I had to explain to him, I had to open the box ...to get my purse ...so I could pay him as my money was in my purse. I then told him I didn't want to ask my V for the money because ... well... this could be our little secret. He thought that was hilarious . I opened the box & paid the man.
I can't seem to stop my antics- wait til you hear what I did yesterday....

Lot's of PRETTY things happening at world headquarters!

2011-05-22T19:05:00.000-07:00

Have you ever started something with one thing in your mind and as you move forward things change and evolve into something else...even more... than you dreamed? Well ... that is what is happening to the Bringing Pretty Back Beauty Co! First... the name had been changed to The Bringing Pretty Back Project.

Things are taking longer than I like to get things together, but... I am over the moon with what is happening at The Bringing Pretty Back Project world headquarters! I needed to get clear with a few of my ideas and sometimes I struggle with that! I tend to get a little scattered and want to to run before I walk !!! A few things coming soon.

1) The nail polish is almost ready. The colors are amazing and the polish is fabulous!

2)The Bringing Pretty Back Project products are being designed- cool rhinestone shirts and bags as well as some other PRETTY things will be ready soon!

3) The Bringing Pretty Back blog talk radio show ~ new shows and interviews ~ coming soon!
4) I am working on MUCH more! Don't forget...the best part.. one dollar of every product goes to charity!!!

Who would portray you?

2011-05-21T19:09:00.000-07:00

I love to watch true stories on tv ... the Investigation Discovery channel is my fave & have been on a Untold Stories of the E.R kick this week. I also like the A Haunting series... ok , now that I have admitted I watch way too much TV... I was thinking about how they have the "real" people on the shows telling their stories... and they have actors that play them. Sometimes the actors that play the real people look very much like the person they are portraying, and sometimes it's funny because they do NOT. I was thinking today ... what would the actress look like that would play me on one of these types of shows? Hmmmm... I am thinking that I wouldn't be happy with my "double" if they were to cast someone right now. So... there is another gauge for me to get my act together and get in shape. I would love a cool & sexy actress to portray me! Who knows... maybe something will happen in my life I need to tell my story about. Another reason to hit the treadmill.

Life... is pretty

2011-05-21T11:49:00.000-07:00

Take the time to enjoy all of the pretty things life has to offer.

Time with friends and family... or... maybe a little solitude, a new recipe you have been wanting to try, reading a good book, making your house a home with a project, planting some flowers... whatever it is that makes you happy... isn't that what life is really about? Life is Pretty.

Have a pretty day!
Kristin

Go with your FIRST CHOICE!

2011-05-20T07:07:00.000-07:00

Last Christmas season I was at Joann Fabric and I was at the fabric counter... I can not remember why, because I do not even own a needle... anyway... there was a woman standing there in decision angst. One fabric was a BOLD purple paisley , the fabric was a mix of many colors of purple - from deep purple that almost looked black to light purple. It was bold and it was gorgeous. The other fabric was a conservative pattern -get this, I can't remember what it looked like - but it was blah and obviously forgetful. I decided to butt my nose in... and asked her what she was going to do with it. She told me she was making a Christmas tree skirt. I asked her what her first choice was. Without as thought she told me the bold paisley. Well then, there's your answer I said. She seemed worried that because the pattern was so different that people might think she was silly choosing that one. Ok ...now... really???? What is wrong with us that we are concerned what people think about our tree skirt choices? But... that's another blog post. I said it's like when you go to the restaurant and right away you know you want a certain thing... but keep looking at the menu or possibly someone you are with orders something that you think maybe would be better~ so you choose the alternate. Then you get your meal, and while maybe what you ordered was fine... it wasn't what you wanted. You should have gone with your first choice. I told her it's usually the same with lots of things. I told her to go with the bold paisley. It was gorgeous. It was HER first choice . She bought the paisley. And I KNOW she sat in front of that tree and LOVED it. Go with your first choice... no matter what it is... It's hardly ever wrong... FOR YOU.

You know it's REALLY time....

2011-05-19T10:48:00.000-07:00

To get serious about weight loss when your bra's are too small. Enough said.

THE BRINGING PRETTY BACK PROJECT

2011-05-18T05:20:00.000-07:00

The day I sat down to write my very first blog post , I had NO idea where this was headed. I had no plan. no goal. No dream. I was just a woman searching for something, and I wasn't even sure what it was. That has changed! For the last year THIS has been in the works...

THE BRINGING PRETTY BACK PROJECT... not just a blog... a pretty revolution .

And I didn't even know it!

Now... believe me... there are now BIG plans,BIG goals and BIG dreams!

It is as if all of the stars are aligned and serendipitous things are happening to make THE BRINGING PRETTY BACK PROJECT ...not just a blog...a pretty revolution come to fruition ALMOST overnight...

Amazing how all of a sudden ...something clicks and all comes together. Even though it is YEARS and YEARS of things that click.

Coming Soon!

2011-05-17T10:20:00.000-07:00

Working on something pretty!

It's Official! I'm middle aged

2011-05-16T08:13:00.000-07:00

Yesterday all of our boys and their girlfriends came over for Sunday dinner. Momma LOVES it when all of her chicks are in the nest! I tried two new pasta dishes... that I will never make again... we ate, we laughed. Had a great time! Then we had coffee and cookies right out of the oven. I was in my glory. At around 9:30 ... P.M.~ as in at night! We were cleaning up and they started discussing what they were going to do "tonight". WHAT?? I thought we already did what we were going to do for the night! I realized right then I was middle aged when I thought they were crazy not to want to go put on their pajamas & slippers and cuddle in for the night with the remote and laptop to BLOG! Now THAT is a fun night! Welcome Middle age.

Like a little break - up...

2011-05-13T20:31:00.000-07:00

I know it is a little over dramatic...But I can't help but feel bad when I lose a follower. It's like a little break up to me! I can't help but feel bad. Was it something I said? Did I offend that person that unfollowed? Do they think I am boring? Ohhhh... I dwell and ponder on it.
I have even considered not having a follower section.
Am I alone in this? Or maybe you haven't lost a follower...
For those of you that are followers , I feel like Sally Field... You love me... you really love me!
Me and my obviously fragile feelings... Thank you!

AWWW! Baby!

2011-05-13T10:32:00.000-07:00

Today V found a baby Robin bird in the driveway. When we investigated we discovered the nest fell apart in a storm we had last night. So... what to do??? We got a basket and filled it with Easter grass, and hung the basket in the tree. The baby's parents were chirping and pacing and flying around... the baby was calling them. We walked away and hoped for the best. It was a huge success! It took an hour or so, but the parents returned to the nest ... Easter basket... and started feeding it! A pretty little life is saved.

I don't know what I think is cuter... the bird in that Easter grass ... or V taking care of it.

Laser Focused...

2011-05-11T06:43:00.000-07:00

I am off to a meeting today to get more info on a business idea... excited and amazed how much I can get done in a day when I am laser focused!

How soon NOT NOW...becomes NEVER

2011-05-10T13:05:00.001-07:00

I was born an entrepreneur. It's in my heart. It's in my soul. I am constantly thinking of business ideas. I will admit, sometimes I wish I could just stop... be content . I have come to the conclusion to embrace it and just keep jotting biz ideas down in my pink note book. Sort out what ideas are doable and what are not worth exploring. I read a quote today that said this..." How soon...NOT NOW... becomes NEVER" Isn't that the truth. I do not know who said it . HOW TRUE IS THAT!?! Sadly... I believe very true! Amazing how just a few words can give you the spark you need to move forward with something... and all of a sudden it seems possible !

Queen for a day

2011-05-07T20:20:00.000-07:00

I will shamelessly admit I love mother's day! Every single minute of it. I have three grown son's and of course hubby V... so I am the only girl ~ except for the boy's gal-pals. And I get my money's worth out of my SPECIAL DAY. Actually, this year I have been calling it my SPECIAL WEEK, as they have been working on the projects I asked them to do. I am lovin' it! It isn't the gifts that make the day... I just love them all doting on me. Sometimes I will say... will you pour me a cup of coffee~ by the way do you remember the 18 hours of brutal labor, that ended in that c-section when I had you???

I think of the no sleep- colic -crying all night- night's, the football games when the sleet was pelting me in the face, the- where -can -they- be- worried late nights, and last but not least ... the stretch marks... Momma is puttin' her feet up today!

Honestly I will admit being the only girl in the family they do dote on me and I will say, I am a little bit spoiled. They are wonderful boys and I am so blessed. I am wishing you a PRETTY mother's day and milk it for all it's worth ladies! You deserve it!!!!

And to my Momma... Thank you! And Happy mother's day!