Thirsty Thursday Blog Hop

This is my idea of a "breakfast of champions". What could be better than a skinny mocha, no whip with two pumps of Hazelnut and a yummy vanilla cupcake? 

Grab your favorite beverage and hop on over to FTLOB and meet some new bloggy friends.

Wordless Weds - A Whale Of A Tail

Linked to Wordless Weds and 5 Minutes For Mom

Two more days to Enter our PureAyre Giveaway! This is an amazing product for your home and life you do not want to miss out on! CLICK HERE to enter!!

Quarterly Top 5 Photos Jan-Mar 2011

These are my Top 5 photos I have taken of my girls since Jan 2011. 

Do you have your Top 5? Link up and enter the random drawn giveaway  @ Amber's Articles, @ Click It Up A Notch and @ Nap Time MomTog

The Ultimate Blog Party 2011

It's almost that time again!!! 5 Minutes For Mom is having their annual Ultimate Blog Party starting April 1st...that's only in a few days!!!! This will be my third year participating in the fun and the second year I am offering up a prize for one lucky winner.

My prize will be added to the Party List along with dozens of others giveaway prizes. What will be the prize?

This adorable Tiered Skirt with Embroidered Top. I might be giving away another outfit right here on my blog during the party but haven't decided yet. Should I?

If you do not know about 5 Minutes For Mom or their awesome annual Event stop by today and get all the info because trust me you do not want to miss the fun!


And do not forget I the Giveaway going on right here at A Pocket Full Of Buttons. PureAyre is an amazing and safe product to use in your home that you will fall in love with! CLICK HERE and enter today!

Sunday Snapshot- Waiting For Spring

It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold:  when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.  ~Charles Dickens

Bunny Bentos

Bunny PB& Nutella sami's, bunny marshmallows, 

strawberries and baby carrots.

On Thursday I made the girls a bunny bento. With Easter just around the corner I thought it was a perfect time to get the Easter theme lunches up and running. 

PureAyre Review and Giveaway *CLOSED*

CONGRATS to #8 Birdy's Boutique!

What is worse than a stinky room in your home? How about the heavy, chemical sprays you use to cover up the offending smell? Even the sprays that claim to "eliminate" the oder still often leave an strong lingering smell that makes me gag. I do not have a sensitive nose but walking down the candle and spray isle in the supermarket makes my head spin and tummy queasy.

I just want a product that is does what it says, is healthy for my family, has an ingredient label I can pronounce and leaves my house smelling clean... not covered up. Well ladies I have found it or should I say they found me and in the nick of time. I was contacted by PureAyre about writing a review and hosting a giveaway. As I visited their website I knew right away this was a product and company I had to test out.

Earlier this week my youngest M came down with the flu. That poor girl had it coming out of her uncontrollably from all ends (TMI I know). My house smelled like death...or PARVO for you dog owners. While trying to find my hubby's painters respirator I remembered I had just received my box from PureAyre. What better of an environment to test out a product right? Starting in the bathroom I sprayed PureAyre, then down the hallway and through my living room to the kitchen. I didn't use much as it is a pump spray so I could control the amount.

Right after the first spray of PureAyre I noticed a very nice light mint smell. Clean and definitely not artificial, it was quite pleasant. After spraying my house I went back to the most offensive room...the bathroom. I walked in and was shocked. Nothing, no foul orders, no heavy lingering perfume smell. Just air, literally pure air. It was like a summer day where the windows where open and a sweet breeze had taken over my house. Okay, now I am impressed.

Since then I have even sprayed down my dogs bed. Even though she is almost 2, I notice when she gets lazy or when it's raining and she refuses to go outside to potty...she leaks and her bedding smells musty. After using PureAyre on her bed there was no musty or urine oder. I love PureAyre and guess what I found out, PureAyre is going to be featured on Shark Tank April 1st! I'll be watching.

How It Works:

"PureAyre is composed of plant-derived enzymes, purified water and essential oils. It is the first and only food-grade odor eliminator. That's why it's safe. And PureAyre is the only product with enzymes specifically targeted to break the bonds of all odor-causing compounds found in nature. That's why it's strong.


You have a lot of odor eliminators to choose from, and some of them work on some odors. But only PureAyre works on all organic odors. Only PureAyre uses the right enzymes in the right amounts to be this effective and strong. And only PureAyre is bottled without using any alcohol or hazardous chemicals as stabilizers. No other odor eliminator can make these claims. That's why other odor eliminators are only partially successful…if they work at all."

The Man Behind PureAyre:

"Everyone at Clean Earth is focused on the health of people, animals and our environment. The company's founder, James Mitchell, has a passion for PureAyre that stems from being extremely sick as a child with severe asthma, food and environmental allergies. James knows what it's like to not be able to breathe easily. As an adult, James became aware of the dangers of indoor air pollution, and increasing cases of asthma, chemical sensitivities and respiratory illnesses. James knows this product has to reach a broader market because it would benefit so many people. Not only does PureAyre get rid of odors that annoy; it literally cleans the air so people and pets can breathe easier.


As part of its mission, Clean Earth supports various environmental, animal welfare and socially responsible organizations. Clean Earth always seeks to have a positive impact on people, pets and the planet. For example, Clean Earth contracts with SKCAC Industries to package PureAyre. SKCAC is a non-profit organization that employs people with developmental disabilities."

Win Your PureAyre Here:

PureAyre will give one lucky winner the same set I received PureAyre For Baby. A 4oz bottle and a 14oz Trigger Spray bottle.

"A naturally powerful way to completely eliminate odors from: diaper pails, strollers, spitup, vomit, urine, sour milk, carpets, bedding, clothing, laundry and much more. Also

removes stains." 

How To Enter:

Mandatory Entry: Visit PureAyre and leave a comment here telling me what other Product they have besides the "For Baby" mentioned above. Please leave your email address if it is not posted on your profile so I can contact you. 

Extra Entries: (Please leave separate comments for each entry)

* Follow Me (or let me know you already do) (1 entry)

* Follow PureAyre on Twitter and Tweet the following: (2 entry)

I need some @PureAyre In My Life Giveaway @sewfierce http://bit.ly/flogMb

* Follow PureAyre On Facebook and post on their Wall we sent you (2 entries)

Giveaway open to US Residents

Giveaway Ends March 31st 2011. Winner will be chosen by Random.org on April 1st 2011.  and notified via email. A post will follow.

Good luck everyone!!

Disclaimer: I was contacted by PureAyre to write a review and host a giveaway. I received the above mentioned products free of charge. Any and all opinions expressed are mine and mine alone and are unbiased.

My New Bag - DIY Camera Bag

The last few weeks I have not been happy with the look of my bulky, man-ish camera bag. Plus it's not easy to access my wallet, keys and phone...actually there is no place to put them. This is the bag I have been using. It's a nice bag and all, but not very me. I take my camera everywhere but have found at times I feel blah, and sometimes embarrassed about lugging my bag with me into a nice restaurant..kinda clashes with my dress and heels.

I have seen some adorable, stylish bags around the internet. I love the "Ginger" from Epiphanie and "Med Bone and Black" from Jill-E Designs but on our Military pay they are just outside my price range. So I tried thinking outside the box..or bag as it where. I noticed that these camera bags have nice padded inserts and separators. I thought...well heck I could make those myself and convert one of my purses right?

This is inside the Med Bone and Black bag from Jill-E Designs. See the separators? Perfect for camera and lenses to fit and very stylish.

This is one of my newer purses. Got it for $19 bucks at Marshall's and super cute. Now I thought all I had to do was make the inserts to keep the camera body and extra lenses secure. I was wrong. Yesterday while browsing some of my new favorite photography blogs I stopped in on ...and then, she {snapped}. Something drew me to click on her "in my {bag}" link.. really I think it was just me being nosey...lol I then saw something awesome. She had the same "problem" I did and the same thought about converting a purse.

As I read on she explains that she opened up the lining seam and glued a card board piece and foam to the bottom of the bag to support the extra weight of the camera. Genius! Then using more foam she lined the walls of the bag then sewed back up the lining and BAM...she had a camera bag. AWESOME! (p.s. you need to go see her bag, it's gorgeous!)

Already having the foam I headed to the garage to find some cardboard. Now I was ready. I did the same as her. I opened the bottom seam,  glued cardboard (with my already glued foam topper) to the bottom of my bag. Then I cut and fitted my foam to the sides of the bag. I noticed I had a small gap from where the foam of the bottom piece and side walls met so I busted out the ducted tape and taped the seams all the way around. When I was satisfied I sewed back up the lining. Now for the separators. Since I only have two lenses and one is always on my camera I figured at this time I really only needed one. So I cute foam into thirds, cut fabric to match measurements, sewed pockets and stuffed my tri fold fabric with the foam and tada!

EDIT: Since posting I have gone back and hot glued a 2 inch strip of Velcro to each side of the padded separator and then the Velcro mate to the sides of the bag to keep the separator in place. Works perfect!

...and it zips and is still very sleek....

p.s. see those round magnets on both sides of the zipper...awesome pockets to put my wallet, cell, keys, lipstick, a couple lollies for the girls and my lens wipes. I LOVE this bag even more know. Now this is a girly camera bag and only cost me around $26 bucks total! ROCK ON!!

Wordless Wednesday - Shelter Island

Linked up to: Wordless Wednesday and 5 Minutes For Mom

The Ultimate Chibatta Sami

Last week I made this amazing sami with everything and anything I could find. It is layered from top to bottom with smoked turkey, smashed avocado, crispy bacon, spinach, and melted Fontina cheese on toasted fresh chibatta bread. The smoke from the turkey with the creamy avocado, crunchy bacon and sharpness of the Fontina was like an explosion of textures and flavors...amazing!

Looks like a Cafe sami you would easily pay $8 bucks for right? Nope, all made at home and for a fraction of the price. Who needs to go out and wait in line when you can do this at home....and then plop on the couch and watch your favorite soaps...lol

Kodomo Sushi Giveaway

My friend Laura at Semper Fi Momma is started a new blog called Kodomo Sushi.

"Come and join me in the journey of broadening the pallets and tastes of our children through sushi. I think it's fun to open children up to culturally different types of foods, helping even the pickiest of eaters try something new by means of making it look appealing and fun. And what's more fun than eating little bites with chopsticks. Kodomo, the Japanese word for 'kid', means that I am gearing these recipes towards kids and their likes, enticing them to try new things and keeping meals fun and fresh."


To kick off the Grand Opening of her new blog she is giving away a $30 Gift Certificate to CSN Stores. We all know how much I love CSN Stores especially Cookware.com! So stop by Kodomo Sushi, follow her new blog and enter to win!

Macro Monday - Anniversary Cake

On the 14th I celebrated my 7th anniversary with my wonderful husband. That night to my surprise when I arrived home with C from her gymnastics class hubby was putting the finishing touches on a homemade cake! I have to say I didn't know he was a baker, after all it takes him and hour to make simple taco meat...lol

This cake was spectacular! He made a Red Velvet cake with a mixed berry compote filling and pink butter cream frosting. Hope he doesn't think this baking thing was a one time deal :)

Sunday Citar/Sunday Snapshot - Foggy Morning

"Sit in reverie and watch the changing color of the waves
that break upon the idle seashore of the mind."
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Salty and Sweet

Yesterday we had my most favorite flavor combinations....salty and sweet. M and I made fresh air popped popcorn with real melted butter while watching a movie. Then for a treat after dinner we had frozen bananas I prepared earlier in the day. What a wonderful way to end the week.

For Japan With Love

Show {Off} Your Shot - Beauty and The Beast

Today starts a new week of Show {Off} Your Shot hosted by and then, she {snapped}. It's hard to decided what pictures to post because I have been shooting so many different things lately. So I decided to go with "the beauty and the beast".

The bird of paradise I shot upon sunrise while walking my daughter to school. I saw the way the sun was coming through the "feathers" and loved the bright colours. I processed it in Photomatix (LOVE this program thanks to Trey from Stuck In Customs) using the "painterly enhancement" and played with the adjustments until I got the desired textures. Then I did a little more adjusting in Picasa and there you go.

This is a "7 Ton" from my husbands motor pool. While I was visiting this office the other day I noticed the sign which normally is not on the truck so I wanted to capture it. I used Picnik for the selective black and white and then loaded it into my Photomatix for texture around the tires, tread and grill.

Have a picture you want to show off? Click the button and link up!

Shamrocks and Rainbows Bento & More

Happy Saint Patrick's Day everyone!!

May there always be work for your hands to do.
May your purse always hold a coin or two.
May the sun always shine upon your window pane.
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near to you and

May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

I realized today of course that we did not have much green foods that the girls would eat in their lunches. So we did a Shamrock/rainbow sami with green marshmallows and then using the colours of the rainbows we add strawberries and blueberries.