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  • A South Florida Mom Blog ~ Living Life on the Sunny Side

    Hi, I'm Karen Lisa, a 28 year old work-at-home professional photographer. I blog about my life with my sweet baby boy Zachary, loving husband Adrian, and our little dog Maya, loving life in sunny South Florida!

    I love: tea, photography, Twilight, any song by Stevie Nicks, road trips, good music, handmade jewelry, an amazing mix-cd, True Blood/Sookie Books, cheese, Harry Potter, animals, traveling, and caviar. What makes you happy?

    Access this site via {siren.org} or {brightautumnsun.com}! :)

Wordless Wednesday: My favorite ultrasound photo

I’m a little late to post this (been super busy the past couple weeks), but we had our “big ultrasound” about 3 weeks ago, and found out that we’ll be having another boy! Adrian and I are REALLY excited (and so is Zachary, who wanted the baby to be a brother). I’ll be 21 weeks this week and am blown away by how quickly time is moving compared to my first pregnancy.

Here’s my favorite ultrasound image for this week’s WW — it’s a little hard to see in this Instagrammed photo of the ultrasound printout (I was too tired to scan it, heh), but if you look closely you can see his little feet coming up over his head, like he’s doing a somersault inside my tummy! So cute!

My favorite ultrasound pic of our little boy!

The Florida Renaissance Festival is back for 2012!

The Florida Renaissance Festival is returning to South Florida for its 20th year of family fun and entertainment. I am so excited – I attend the Renaissance Festival each and every year and love seeing the colorful participants, fun shows, and unique crafts.

Renaissance Fest 2008

The splendor of the Renaissance era will take over Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach for five exciting weekends, beginning February 11th, 2012. Guests can browse through the enchanted craft village, where more than 100 artisans and merchants will demonstrate and sell their wares. Twelve stages of entertainment will host a variety of performances, including the critically acclaimed “Musical Macbeth.” William Shakespeare’s classic tale of ambition, magic and murder will be told in a 30-minute whirlwind of Broadway showtunes, pop hits and slapstick comedy.

Renaissance Fest 2008

“The Florida Renaissance Festival is a South Florida tradition that has delighted fans of all ages for many years,” said Bobby Rodriguez, executive producer of the Florida Renaissance Festival. “We are excited to celebrate our 20th anniversary by bringing back many of our fans’ favorite acts and experiences.”

Wordless Wednesday: Islamorada Sunset

This week I have a cold, Zachary is getting over one, and I have a lot of work to do that I don’t feel like doing (would much rather rest). Posting this photo of a sunset I captured in Islamorada on our last visit down to the Florida Keys before having dinner at one of my favorite spots, Morada Bay Cafe. I wish I was there right now!

florida keys wedding photographer

Canon 5D | 50mm f/1.4  @ 1/4000| ISO 160

Getting organized in the new year

I’ve been doing a lot of work around the house lately getting things organized, simplifying, paring down and throwing things away/donating. Sitting down too much doesn’t agree with this pregnancy (I get pins and needles in my legs, not to mention that persistent lower back pain), so I have been trying to avoid discomfort by walking around my house and being productive! It’s been working out great, and while it’s not “exercise” it still gets me moving in ways I hadn’t anticipated.

This past week, I stocked up on some organizing supplies at Target and got to work in our bathrooms.

My guest bathroom (which is also the kid bathroom) wasn’t really disorganized, but there was a lot of “stuff” on the counter and no real place to put an extra roll of TP or a tissue box. A plastic shoebox solved that problem, and now holds the aforementioned items, plus some room spray, a lotion, and Zachary’s bubble bath. Now the only items sitting on the actual countertop are hand soap and a candle. So much more tidy.

My master bathroom was by far the most disorganized. Every time I try to clean the bathroom counters, I always get frustrated by how much makeup is on the counter and how many bottles of this and that I have to clear away. I do use all the different bottles (soap, perfume, toothpaste, contact solution, hair stuff), but there are just so many of them. Another plastic shoebox solved this problem as well, as all the bottles now live in a shoebox giving me easy access and an easy way to move it out of the way for cleaning.

Additionally, I found an old lucite makeup organizer under my counter just taking up space. I cleaned out the bathroom junk drawer/makeup drawer and now have room for the organizer and ALL of my makeup! I think that cleaning out the bathroom drawers and cabinets is going to have to become a yearly activity, because I was shocked at how much old makeup was in there, not to mention the random expired contact drops, creams, and bottles of Advil! I filled up a whole grocery bag with junk and was astounded by how much crap I have held on to over the years. I’m sure I could even get rid of more things if I went through the drawer again…

My husband Adrian has always disliked the makeup being out, so he’s been really pleased, as have I — having all of this space available has really made it so much easier to keep our bathroom tidy.

This photo from Pinterest was my inspiration.

While my makeup drawer will certainly never be as neat and tidy as Martha Stewart’s (I contemplated posting a photo so you can see how I did it, but it’s better left to your imagination – and Martha’s is prettier anyway, lol), it’s much better than it used to be, and best of all, there’s now plenty of room on my bathroom counter!

How often do you organize your makeup drawer and bathroom cabinets?

AndraJanuary 12, 2012 - 6:57 pm

I have my make-up organized in a drawer and for some silly reason I feel like it’s more fun to get ready when it’s like that.

kristenJanuary 12, 2012 - 10:48 pm

my makeup is out of control. i have SO MUCH!! i have a little cabinet dedicated to it & a drawer that is full of crap. and of course, my bathroom counter is overwhelmed with stuff, too. i should try getting a plastic shoebox!! sounds like a good way to stay organized. :)

Wordless Wednesday: Brussels Sprouts

Almost forgot to do WW today! Here’s an Instagram shot of our vegetable side dish from dinner the other night – Brussels Sprouts Hash. It was one of the most delicious things I’ve ever eaten! The recipe called for pearl onions, but I just chopped up a little more than half an onion and caramelized it since I didn’t have any of the pearl variety. Definitely going to make this one again! Meal planning is proving to be a fun and healthy adventure for 2012!

Brussels sprouts hash with caramelized onions and honey

casey martinezJanuary 11, 2012 - 2:39 pm

I was so not a fan of B sprouts when i was a kid but, as an adult I enjoy them and this really does sound SO yummy not to mention the picture is kinda making me drool!! I just love fresh cooked veggies!!

karen lisaJanuary 11, 2012 - 2:42 pm

They were very fresh and tasty! I actually got them at the farmer’s market, and can’t wait to get more!