Do you love YOU? (Spread [Your] Love)

I have recently fallen in <3 with these posts floating around my rss feed!  

I want to introduce you to my newest addiction:

A project called

SPREAD [your] LOVE

Here is the intro from Victoria and Lindsay: 

I love myself.

Three simple words, that unfortunately in today’s world are seldom heard.

We are always trying to fix those little problems that we think are wrong with us

rather than embracing what the universe has blessed us with.

You should love yourself whether you are tall or short, or thick or thin…

remember that you are beautiful.

To help spread this message and help every woman realize her true beauty

Victoria of Garden of Eden Designs and Lindsay of Scenic Glory,

are asking you  (fellow bloggers, designers, crafters, and writers)

to come together and share why you love YOUR-selves.

We as a community should show that all shapes and sizes are beautiful.

It is our spirits that should shine through.

My Curves & I

Not gonna lie, its been a very love/hate relationship these past 24 years.

I've dieted, exercised, fasted, (binged) sweated, fought, & cried.

I've been on that rollercoaster for way to long.

But in this last year & a half, after I married my best friend, I sat down & had a very serious conversation with him. We talked about the pro's & con's  in eachother & in ourselves. 

& not ONCE did my shape or its constant flux ever come up. 

When I asked him about it, he laughed.

"Hunny, you always like to remind me that when we met, you were 80lbs. But I'm going to tell you know just like I told you then. I LOVE YOU. Wether you want to be 7 million pounds, or 10 lbs. When I look at your body, I don't see your weight. I see the confidently sexy, goofy, & beautiful woman I married. I LOVE YOU."

& I realized:

WHAT AM I DOING?

I love me! The REAL me.

The real me likes to sing.

The real me loves to dance.

The real me loves to feel sexy!

The real me loves to cook & bake.

The real me loves to

EAT.

Now, don't get me wrong, I love healthy foods... 

But don't you DARE try to take this Italians carbs away!

& with carbs, comes curves...

& The real me LOVES her CURVES!

And now, I ask you to join in on our project. Lindsay and Victoria are declaring the week of

June 1st through June 8th Spread [your] Love week,

 and we want to know why you love yourself.

So take a photo of yourself with a sign and let us know why in a post.

 Help spread [your] love and promote positive body image for EVERYONE out there.

 And once your post is up, go link up with us here.

Your self-love post will remain there for the rest of the year to encourage others to love their-selves as well.

 

SPREAD [your] LOVE

 

To help spread the word and encourage others to love their-selves as well, grab the badge below:

<center> <a href="http://gardenofedendesigns.blogspot.com/p/spreading-love.html"><img border="0" src="http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc497/thegardendesign/projects/love.jpg" /></a></center>

~ALSO~

I'm being featured over on Mallori's Blog for

Make sure you head on over, check it out, 
& leave me some love !! :)

  Today is the last day for this months MFB, Make sure you check her out!

Getting to know ME!!!

So'm I'm joinin in over @ Mannland5.com for 

"Getting to know YOU"  Mondays!

1. would you rather go on a picnic or to a bbq?

BBQ! Definitely!! Friends, Family, Music, Games, & Food.. What could be better???

2. would you rather go bra-less or panty-less?

Oh crappo.. Neither really, but if I have to choose... Well I wouldn't get a choice. I would have to say "Panty-less" or Sans Chonies as we say it at my house... Cause really? My Ladies can't be allowed to swing free, unless I'm wanting to give people black eyes... ( Including me!)

3. would you rather go on a $5000 shopping spree at your favorite store or go on a $5000 vacation?

Uhm.. Shopping spree. No doubt.

Have you seen my wardrobe lately?? I can go Vaca at my cabin.. Gimmie some CLOTHES!!

4. would you rather eat escargot or sauteed crickets?

My hubby is French, So unfortunately the Snails are already a given around here...

( Though dear MIL hasn't gotten me to eat one YET!!)

5. would you rather go on survivor or the amazing race?

HA! Doesn't matter cause I won't last long! I'll vote my DAMN self off! :D

6. would you rather be hot or cold?  

HOT.  

Cause I can always cool down.. can't STAND when I get to cold. 

I'm a baby when I'm too cold...

7. would you rather go to the beach or lake?

Beach, Cause I will barely play in the water anyways. 

( I have a huge fear of "what-if-something-grabs-me") 

...& The beach is MUCH prettier! :D

8. would you rather not shave your legs for a month in the summer or your armpits?

Uhm... Ew? 

Legs.. My Hair doesn't grow much after the first week, So I'm good there. I ain't having no hairy armpits! Even if my hubby is french, that crap ain't gonna fly! Naaaasty...

Okay. Go ahead & stop by, answer & link up on the questions yourself over at:

So we can get to know 

YOU a little better!!

 Don't forget to check out the newest features!

...Yummmm Baklava!!!

(Click the button below to see the entire swap!)

This week's theme:  Macro

OMG...  I thought that the baklava couldn't look any better!!!

...now the MACRO view is making my mouth water...

yours too?

Here, lemme help:

Baklava

 Prep: 30 mins     Bake: 40 mins     Yield: 4 dozen


1-1/2 pounds finely chopped walnuts
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1 pound butter, melted, divided
2 packages (16 ounces each, 18-inch x 14inch sheet size) phyllo dough
Syrup:

 2 cups sugar
2 cups water
1 cup honey
1 tablespoon grated lemon or orange peel

1. In a smal bowl, combine the wlnuts, sugar, cinnamon, & cloves; set aside. Brush a 15 inch x 10 inch x 1 inch baking pan with some of the butter. Unroll each package of phyllo sheets; trim each stack to fit the pan. cover dough with plastic wrap & a damp cloth while assembling. Place 1 sheet of phyllo in pan; brush with butter. Repeat 14 times.

2. Spread with 2 cups walnut mixture. Layer with 5 sheets of phyllo, brushing with butter between each. Spread remaining walnut mixture. Top with 1 sheet of phyllo; brush with butter. Repeat 14 times.
(I saved a tiny bit of the walnut mixture, & sprinkled over the top layer when finished.)

3. Cut into 2-1/2 inch squares; Cut each square in half diagonally. Brush remaining butter over top. Bake at 350 degrees F for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown.

4. in a large saucepan, bring syrup ingredients to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer for 10 minutes. Strain & discard peel; cool to lukewarm. Pour over warm Baklava.

 Enjoy!!

 Times almost up to check out the newest MFB feature!

Your Just Jealous...

What in your opinion is the most quotable movie ever?

oh my gawsh... I don't know. My husband & I quote so many...
I think we would have to go with:

"GAAWD!"

!! Danielle !!

AHHHH!!!

It's HERE!

It's Danielle's birthday!!

This little munchkin:

 

 ...is turning...

15! 

...Holey Crappo I'm getting old...

She's an awesome lil chic with a sassy I-dun-care-what-you-think-cause-I'm-ME kinda attitude and a goofball outlook on life. Pair that with an 80's inspired wardrobe & you got it made! She's my absolute all-time buddy
(Since day #1  ya'll!)

& I can't WAIT to watch her grow even more!

She's not expecting this post, so hopefully its a good surprise!

(Luv ya Brewster!)

Stop by HER PAGE, send her a birthday greeting,

& help me make this the most  
AWESOME
birthday ever!!

*It's us against the world, kid.*

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DANIELLE!!!

I got a pocket, got a pocket full of sunshine!

It took me a little bit to get it up here, but my wonderful friend 

gave me this awesome award!

Like most blogging awards, it comes with some rules:

There are a few things you must do to accept this award:

1. Thank the person who gave you this award and link back to them

2. Tell us something about yourself

3. Nominate 10 other bloggers

4. Contact these other bloggers and let them know they've received this award

Thank you, thank you to my amazing friend Mallori from:

for thinking of me! Your such a sweetie!

So now I am supposed to tell you all something about myself. I'm not quite sure on how to go about this, so I figured I'd share some random facts:

1. I love piggies. 

I think they are adorable! ... & penguins...

2. I had miscarriage in October... but trying again. <3

3. I can listen to Frank Sinatra aaalllllllll day, everyday.

4.  I think "button" is the best word in the world.. 2nd best is "bubble."

5. Nutella is made by the GODS.

6. I think everyone looks like someone famous. It just takes me time to figure out who...

7. I organize my dishes before washing them, like I do the laundry.

8. I hate when people cry in front of me. It makes me extremely uncomfortable.

9. Orange is an amazing smell. I will get everything in orange smell if I can.

10. If I could afford it, 

 I would dress in 50's style EVERYDAY.

Okay, Now to pass it on to a few friends:

10 bloggers:

1. My little sister Danielle (She needs a sunshine kick!) @

2. Sarah @

3. My wifey (& Former roomie) Melissa @
 

4. KLZ @
 

5. Miss Allie @

6. Lauren @
 

7. Chrissy @

8. Jill @

9.  Nadine @

10. Slidecutter @

I love all these gals and hope they 

enjoy the award as much as I did...

Cause you can never have too much sunshine! :D

 Don't forget to check out the newest features!

Apparently, I'm crazy.

Yea...don't ask, cause I don't know.

In other news:

If you havn't noticed yet, I've started a postcard swap!

if you would like to join in, click this button:

& email me your name & address and I will mix you in to swap!

 Don't forget to check out this months MFB!