European Vacation ~Day 1~

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”

– St. Augustine

The Anderson European Vacation Adventure: Day #1

May 7th 2010

After months and months of preparation, planning, saving $$$, and shopping for travel clothes . . . the day had arrived!

We dropped our little kiddos off at their "Fantasy Suite"

Ok and how cheesy am I . . . I almost teared up dropping them off, won't see them for two whole weeks;-(  BUT they are well taken care of there!

Then I sent out my last packages for Memory Bean Designs, hurried and packed (can we say procrastinator?!), and we were off to Seatac Airport!

Our flight on British was leaving at 6:30 p.m., so we arrived with plenty of time.  I was sooooo worried that my bag would be too heavy . . .

but I made the 50 lb limit woooo hoooo!

After checking in our huge bags, we went to Runway Grill to enjoy dinner and super big beers:-)

And along with our beers . . . we had a club sandwich and a yummy quesadilla.

Then off to grab a bunch of magazines for the trip (3 each), and then waiting . . .

(hoping that they would bump us up to 1st class again (like last July-AMAZING!)

 . . . but no such luck.

Anywho we were off! 9 hours to London.  We slept, watched movies (Avatar and Shutter Island), and started my 1st of FOUR books, Twenties Girl

(SUPER cute book!)

Layover at Gatwick, London . . . transferring to Barcelona, Spain to join our cruise the next day!!!

So we waited . . . and waited . . . and waited for them to announce our terminal.  Even AFTER the flight was scheduled to leave . . .

The board flashed . . .

CANCELLED!!!!

Stupid freaking Dumb Ash Cloud shut down the Barcelona Airport!!!

(actual eruption May 7th 2010 in Iceland- the culprit!)

They had no idea when it was going to open.  We just laughed, lucky us right?!

So it was a little crazy, no one knew what to do. They said they could fly us to Madrid and then we'd be on our own to take a high speed (expensive) train to Barcelona, but no promises:-(. We didn't want to get stranded in Madrid either (already been there lol).

So an option was to go to the next Port to meet the cruise ship, but that was Naples, Italy

(trust me no one wants to stay in Naples for 2 days! Kinda ghetto)

My AMAZING hubby made a decision to join at the NEXT Port,

 ROME, ITALY

Soooo we had to book a hotel in Rome a.s.a.p. and try to get a hold of our hotel in Barcelona to cancel.  Oh wait! Andy's cell didn't work even though he signed up for International service, somehow they messed up and didn't fully activate it, so we had to get a calling card and go go go! Note to self: BOTH bring cell phones next trip! Lol

(Andy on pay phone, me just chillaxin' with my complimentary Starbucks treats:-)

Yeah we'd miss the first 3 days of our 7 day cruise, BUT we'd for sure make it, AND we get 3 days in Rome (my hubby's favorite city in the whole world!)

So off we were trying to get on a flight to Rome.

Wooo hooo we made it!

So we arrive at 10:00 p.m. to Rome, Italy . . . and go to get our luggage . . .

and wait

and wait . . .

until we are the last ones there, staring at the conveyer belt trying to will our luggage to appear.  NOPE.

I always knew this happened to people, but never thought it would to me! So we filed a missing luggage report.  What a trip so far!

What doesn't kill us makes us stronger, and what a relationship builder! Ha ha ha

~End of Day #1~

So it only gets WAY better after this, I promise!

Stay tuned for more adventures and amazing pics (13 days to go!)

(I sorted through our 4000 pics and will only post the best!)

*Sorry this is so long, I am writing all our travel experiences on my blog mostly for our memory.  If you have a small attention span, or not enough time to read, just look at the pictures, it's ok I promise!*

~Tamara Nicole~

Sunshine!

"Be yourself.  Everybody else is already taken"

~Oscar Wilde

I so love that quote! Everybody always trying to copy and/or be like/dress like other people.  Be yourself.  Make your own style!

Soooo I know I promised trip stories and pics, will do soon!

Trying ot get back into the daily schedule lol. It takes a min or two:-)

So to tie you over . . .

YELLOW!

(Cause it's rainy here and I'm dreaming of summer!)

tiered ruffle leatherette heel $37.50

Anthropology Yellow Brick Maillot $168

Arden B. Slub Cold Shoulder Tunic $29

.Mollie Collection Lined In Red Silk by Fiazco on Etsy, $70

Pottery Barn Emma Dinnerware-Yellow $40-$159

 

Shop Ruche "walking on sunshine dress" $37.99

~Recent Sales at Memory Bean Designs~

Woooo Hooo and PROMISE photos and stories soon.

Hope you all have a LOVELY Wednesday!!!

~Tamara Nicole~

Birthday Week!

~My Fabulous Birthday Week~

Ok seriously when it comes to birthdays, I turn into a little girl (ok my husband may say "princess") lol.  I can't help it, I get sooooo excited.  Birthdays are a huge deal. 

Especially mine . . . ha ha! 

Just playing, but now that I'm TWENTY SEVEN, I've relaxed a little and have realized it's not how big your party is, it's who you spend your special day (or week!) with:-)

So far:

*last Wednesday in Luxembourg Ted and Marina (bro in law and wifey) took us out for dinner to a "authentic Luxembourish" dinner for my b-day.  Thank you! The food was amazing, will have to go back and visit for more*

*Saturday Girl's Birthday Brunch*

*Hubby Birthday dinner at Ruth Chris Steakhouse, mmmmm*

My silly "this drink is strong!" look!

Andy being all handsome and whatnot

*Cheesecake Factory and Birthday celebration with the in-laws! They spoil me!*

Still to come:

*Work lunch with my girls*

*Dinner with my fellow creative friend, and one of my besties!!! Bethany*

*BBQ with my family next Sat*

Ok everyone needs a birthday week, right?!

~Travels~

We have been going through our 4,000 photos from our recent European vacation. 

Still catching up on sleep and laundry.

Stay tuned for our funny stories, and great photos, and non stop food from our trip!

~Memory Bean Designs has a Facebook Fan Page!~

Become a fan of mine!

I'll post upcoming giveaways, lotsa photos, discounts, etc.

Add me!

***Also if any of you lovely bloggers have Facebook fan pages too let me know, I'll totally add you too***

~Fabulously Free Mondays~

Starting next Monday (yes a week from today!)I will be doing almost weekly giveaways!!!

  The Lovely Etsy shops are hand chosen by yours truly to make sure it's the best of the best! Along with the giveaways will be some fun interview questions:-)

Sneak Peak:

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(If you want to sponsor a giveaway here on my blog, or know an Etsy shop you'd like to see on here, please email me memorybeandesigns@yahoo.com for more info)

I hope you all have a fantabulous Monday, and a great week!!!

I Could Really Use a Wish Right Now

May is such an eventful month, I don't even want to get into detail really about it.
As I'm approaching graduation, many lingering thoughts are constantly in my head, and yes the negative ones. I just feel for some reason I need a new beginning. Lately, I've been around so much negativity, that I can tell is just pulling me down, putting me in a big slump. For a girl with big dreams, I need every support I can get. I feel I've been under such a protective shield my whole life, that I may not ever get the fulfillment of making my own decisions devoid of asking someone if they agree.
I've prided myself with my parents approval my whole life, taking into consideration everything they told me, and did what they suggested me to do. But it just seems like right now I can do nothing right, and there's so turning back. I feel my relationships getting stretched too thinly, close relationships that I felt would be there for me forever. Who knew that some of my choices in college would affect my future with the people I care about the most. Am I wrong for following what I want sometimes, especially if I'm doing everything else right?
I have come to question myself as an individual. Of course I feel bad that I can't be the straight A student I was throughout my whole academic career. I remember when a C would make me cringe, and now a C is seen as a sigh of relief in passing my economic courses.
It's bad enough not getting into the college I always wanted to go to, but not even excelling in school was not something I thought I'd ever go through. School did involve a lot of hard work and dedication, but I never knew I'd be struggling to pass almost every course I enrolled myself into. Sure I could've changed my major to something simple, but I'm so close to graduating, I can taste it. Which is a bad thing because I have the worst case of Senioritis ever. Instead of being in the present, I find myself thinking about the future constantly. I'm so used to wanting to plan things and knowing what my future entails, instesad of it being up in the air.
Since my honeymoon in my personal relationships is not coming to a close, I have realized that I need to be independent, and not rely so much of other people. I could've have the great graduation gifts I was promised, but knowing for sure now that I will probably get none makes me realize I can wait and do things for myself. I always prided myself on accomplishing things on my own and that's what I can say college has done for me. I'm not the most responsible person, but I do learn from my mistakes and I take fault for my actions. I've learned the hard way that if I'm not on top of my stuff, things can turn out badly. Recently I paid a $40 late fee for my tutoring I had earlier this year, turning out to $100. And now I recently misplaced/lost my phone. Though I believe someone stole it from my bedroom.
Why are all these things happening to me to me right now, in the midst of me graduating, and needing to focus on my academics!!! I need money, but it's hard for me to work when I have all these classes and other things through the week. I feel like I always have to defend my actions, but why can't I just say something happened and not be criticized for it.

I Could Really Use a Wish Right Now...






Camille

Japanese Tattoo Art

Japanese Skull Tattoo Design

Sexy Japanese Dragon Tattoo Art

creative tattoo designs

We're Back . . . and Jet Lagged!!!

We're baaaaack!!!

And very, very jet lagged after our 18 hours of traveling yesterday

We have MANY many many stories,

what a absolute adventure we had!

WAY too much amazing food . . .

Cancelled flight . . .

Amazing bakeries . . .

10 miles a day walking-ish . . .

missed part of the cruise . . .

mmmm espresso! . . .

 lost luggage . . .

barely missed train . . .

almost lost our luggage again . . .

Had good times . . .

lol crazy crazy but what a fun ride!!!

Despite all the insane things that happened we created sooo many memories, and what doesn't kill you makes you stronger right?! I think travelling is GREAT bonding and strenghthening for relationships . . . now I'd say we're ready for The Amazing Race!!!

With our four thousand pictures we took collectively . . . it will take a while to go through and pick my faves, and edit, etc. So here are a few shots to tie you over:-)

~Hubster and me at Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy~

~Leaning Tower of Pisa in Pisa, Italy~

~Spanish Steps in Rome, Italy~

~Ponte Vecchio in Florence, Italy~

~Cassis, France~

So stay tuned for many pics, and lots of fun adventures from:

Rome, Pisa, Florence Italy

Villefranche-sur-Mer, Nice, Eze, Cassis France

Brussels, Belgium

Luxembourg (I got to meet my niece and nephew!!!)

I can't wait to try and catch up on all of your blogs! Will take a minute or two lol but I kinda missed blog land:-)

Good to be back home!!!
(off to do like 7 loads of laundry, wooo hooo!)

~Tamara Nicole~

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P.S.
My BIRTHDAY is Sunday, wooo hooo!!! Will be the big TWO SEVEN! So lots more eating/celebrating this weekend, then a strick diet and exercise plan to get rid of all this gained yummy food weight!

Tattoo Designs For Men & Women

Anyone who walks into a tattoo parlor will be greeted with a variety of eye-catching and colorful tattoo designs, including everything from simple to images that are very complex. With the exception of those that have already chosen their preferred image, it can be very difficult to select from the many tattoo designs on the spot. Even if you have already selected a design, the artist may be able to present you with several different options to make your tattoo designs even more personable. Before arriving for the application of a tattoo, it is best to have a selection of tattoo designs in mind before you enter the parlor. Although there are some exceptions, most men and women will naturally be drawn to different tattoo designs. Men, for instance, would likely prefer something masculine, while women often prefer something dainty and sexy. Of all tattoo designs, women commonly select hearts, butterflies, flowers, lettering, etc. The most popular placement, for women, is the shoulder, lower back and ankle. Men, on the other hand, often prefer that their tattoo designs be placed on the upper arm, chest or back. While there are tattoo designs that are gender specific, it is important to keep in mind that getting a tattoo is a very personal thing and the image that is ultimately chosen should be one that reflects something that is important to the wearer. Upon discussing the various tattoo designs with the artist, the customer will gain a better understanding of the different options and designs available. Many individuals select tattoo designs from those presented at the parlor, while others prefer to do some research and help ensure that their design is unlike any other. For certain tattoo designs, some people prefer to look at real life photos or browse through artwork for ideas pertaining to their tattoo designs. If you find an image that you like, simply take it to the artist for an evaluation as to whether or not the image can be recreated in the form of a tattoo. This article is to be used for informational purposes only. The information contained herein is not intended to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice or recommendations for tattoo designs or placement. Prior to getting a tattoo, individuals should consult with their physician to make sure that it is a safe procedure for them to endure. Some individuals should not get a tattoo if they have certain medical conditions or a weakened immune system. For further information, consult a physician or dermatologist.