Pop of Color

I heart DSW. I am too broke to really shop right now, but they are one of my favorite places to spend when I do have extra cash. So imagine my delight when I returned some shoes* that didn't fit (sadness) and was able to exchange it for this lovely bag.

I am in lurve. It is so pretty. I ordered it in the blush color, but it is also available in a grey hue. It is a huge purse, but that's how I like it. The better to carry diapers, juice boxes and snack packs with (and to hide illegal drinks and food when going to the movies). And, this purse makes me feel good about myself because it is VEGAN!! If you are in the market for a new bag for this spring, check out the deals at DSW and the Urban Expressions "Delilah" bag. Happy shopping!

(Sidenote: said shoes were purchased with Christmas gift cards...)

A Letter

I know Willow Smith is all the rage on the tween music scene, but I think that these young ladies may have something more profound to offer than "Whip My Hair."

These girls are so well-spoken and have such a good message. I would love to see the girls and their parents on Oprah, along with Lil' Wayne, for an open discussion about how the words we use carry weight and influence others. I'd watch.

Spartina 449

A friend of mine had an adorable wallet from a brand I'd never heard of before, but now I am in love with them! Have ya'll heard of Spartina 449 before? I hadn't and I think they're adorable. It's a bit like Vera Bradley, which I like but can only handle in small doses.

I think a cute wallet would be fun - like this one in Island Ferry print.

And I am in love with this large, pocket tote in the Melrose print. I think it would make a great diaper bag too!

So, if you're on the hunt for a new bag, wallet or tote - check them out!

Pix

We did a photo shoot with APW Photography a couple of weeks ago at the Duke Gardens, and I'm happy to say that Ben was a trooper! Even though we met early in the morning for the shoot, it was still unbelievably hot. Luckily, Noy was able to get some great shots of Ben frolicking through the gardens, feeding ducks, checking out the flowers, and just sweating his pretty little blonde head off! If you live in NC and need some great family photos, please check out their site (now added to my "friends in the biz" section).

One Hot Betty

I wanted to thank the beautiful Buford Betty for putting my little ad widget on her fabulous site, Make Room for Style, for all the hip mommas out there. I have decided to bite the bullet and try advertising in order to get the word out about myself as an Independent Stylist. I am trying to do that in as many free ways as possible, like advertising on my friends webpages and joining local Mommies sites. I have also decided to do some local magazine and online advertising in CLT and RDU. It is so different being on the other side as a client rather than the advertising sales rep. It also makes me realize how much I miss being out in the field and interacting with clients. J has a few leads on new positions that will hopefully get us to RDU sooner rather than later. Let's just hope that there will still be job opportunities for me when we get there. Unless I get this Stella & Dot business off the ground and bringing in some serious income, I will have to go to work to cover the daycare costs alone once we move. It is crazy expensive! I really don't know how people pay for multiple children in daycare - it would be like two decent-sized mortgage payments. Man, how did my parents do it? You appreciate your parents so much more once you pop out a baby. Really, I have always loved them, but now I am just amazed at all they have done for me and my sis - and I marvel out how they did it all. Thanks Mom and Dad for being so freakin' awesome!

And a big PS - if any of my lovely blog friends would allow me to put a little ad widget on your site, I'd be forever grateful! Hint, hint....

Chagrin

Isn't marriage a hoot?! J and I have been arguing about the speed at which we seem to be moving on our relocation plans, as evidenced by my weekend rant. Couple that with having a child and a tight budget, and there just doesn't seem to be as much time to devote to "us" and doing the things we used to do for each other. We are definitely at the annoyed with each other point of our marriage, and are aware that things will change but right now can be a bit sucky. And then today I get this totally random email from him, and it made me remember all the good that seems to get swept so easily under the rug when I'm mad.

Date: Mon, Mar 22, 2010 at 11:06 AM

Subject: this was supposed to be a surprise...

Don't be mad, but two weeks ago I ordered you a new laptop computer from HP. It will be delivered this week probably on Wednesday. They were running a good deal on HP computers that week, and I thought it would be a nice surprise to help you with your new business and keeping in touch with your book-face and email and such.

Hope you aren't upset. If you want me to cancel the order I can, we can just send it back to them without opening it.

Love you.

JBH

Seriously, the sweetest thing he has done for me in a very long time. And no, he doesn't have to buy me big gifts for me to remember that I love him dearly. It honestly is just the fact that he thought of me and how to make my life easier. He could have cleared a drawer in his desk for me and I would have been just as happy...although a new laptop is much better, especially since mine is on the fritz and we've been sharing his. Also, I like that he thought I'd be mad - because who would be mad about getting a new laptop? If anyone could, it would be me. Obviously I'm not, but he knows me well. He knows that I like to pick out my own stuff and can sometimes be a bad gift-receiver.

(I am fully aware that this post may make me seem like a difficult person to be married to, and will admit that I am. Who isn't?)

Desserts

Can I just whine for a minute? I am so stressed out! They are laying off 11% of our company right now, and that includes sales staff. In fact, it includes like 25 of us. So that's a fun waiting game to deal with...and then I just found out that I'm being shifted from my current team (whom I love) to a new team in a totally different office, which is not close to my home at all. I've been really upset about this, and overly hormonal about it. Honestly, every time I think about it, I cry. The lamest analogy I can think of is it feels like I'm a senior in high school with 4 months to go before graduation, and my parents have just told me we're moving immediately. Yeah, kinda lame, I should be happy to still have a job, but it sucks. Oh, and then we just found out today that they are probably going to be changing our compensation plan as of August (and not for the better, of course). I feel like I'm in the "home stretch" of this pregnancy, and now everything is just totally breaking down at work. The stress of it all is really just pushing me to a breaking point. Obviously I am going to do everything I can to just hang in there for 120 more days, but I can't take this type of maintained stress level for that time period.

Oh, and to top off my day, I got home from work and heard our cat, Nixon, howling upstairs. This typically means that his curiosity got him locked in a room for the day since we close most of our upstairs rooms when we leave the house. And yes, J locked the cat in the guest room today - usually not a big deal. However, I guess Nixon's bladder couldn't handle it today...so he peed all over the bed (not kidding, like 3 separate big spots). I wasn't happy about it, but what can you do. I went to get the sheets, down comforter, and blanket off and I hear a "plop"...yep, he pooped on the bed too. I broke down...I called J and told him "You locked the cat in the room. I'm pregnant. There's poop. It could kill the baby. I'm closing the door, and you're cleaning it when you get home." Nixon has since been crying and sulking all night because mommy was pissed at him and refused to pet or snuggle with him all night. Yes, my cat is not normal and must have our attention at all times. When he doesn't get this, he acts like a petulant 2-year old.

Thanks for letting me piss and moan. The point of my subject line "desserts" was that stressed spelled backwards is "desserts" - and have ya'll tried the Betty Crocker Warm Delights? OH MY GOD - so f*ing good! Seriously, I bought a few to try - and am addicted. You must try them! Today! Go now...run...buy some!

Cutesy

I have decided to start posting pictures of the fun onesies we're getting for little Lima Bean. Everyone loves cute onesies!

So this week's onesie is courtesy of Auntie Beckers in ATL and http://www.babywit.com/:

Thank you Aunt Beck-a-roo! We love it!!

Covet

So, I was at one of my favorite stores in Davidson today, Southern Bella, and I found something new to covet - Glenda Gies bags. Glenda Gies takes these swaths of gorgeous old fabric and turns them into lovely purses, baby bags, etc. Unfortunately, these bags are very pricey. Alas, I shall just covet from afar.

From the Postman with Love

Shout out to Tammany for the super cute onesie from Austin! I came home today for lunch, and I had a little surprise from the Post Office - how fun! I love the onesie, it's so cute! So thank you missy!

Also, since you're lurking out there reading - leave a comment sometime to say hi!
Miss you!
Love,
S

Bling, Bling

My baby sis, my little panda bear, is engaged! Crazy, right? I feel so old knowing that my sister is getting married - so grown up! Her boyfriend surprised her with the perfect plan, and I'm so happy he was able to surprise her! She's a hard one to surprise.

He took her to Airlie Gardens in Wilmington under the guise of wanting to use his new camera & tripod. They walked along, enjoying the day and taking photos, when boom - down on one knee and popping the question. This is a photo after it happened - smart thing that timer on a tripod.

And here's the most gorgeous ring that he picked out - so shiny and blingy! Who says a school teacher can't rock a rock?!

A Country Girl Can Survive

What up peeps! Long time, no blog. What's up with that? Oh, wait, that's right - I'm the blogger. Sorry! I've been a bit tired, sick, tired, sick, tired, sick....you get the pic, right?

So before the slight hiatus, I took a nice weekend trip with the girls to Chicago. It was great - loved it, loved it, loved it. Great people, good food, beautiful city, fun events - just too much for one weekend really, and yet not enough either. Great city, and I will have to go back! I would blog about it, but I still have no pics because I forgot my camera - dumb, duh, dumb, dumb. So, instead - everyone hop on over to CindyLooHoo's blog and check out her day-by-day postings of our trip, now with pictures. Seriously, it was a great time and I couldn't capture it any better.

http://livinglargeinchicago.blogspot.com/

Yeats I Am Not

Ode to Silk

I love you chocolate Silk,

I drank you without guilt.

But when I read the nutritional label,

Your carbohydrates made my belly like a big fat dirigible.

I never claimed to be a poet...plus it's really hard to find something that rhymes with label!

Have ya'll tried Silk Chocolate? If not, do - but go for the low-fat version. I literally drank a whole carton yesterday. It's so smooth and creamy, and it was the only thing making my nauseous tummy happy. Of course now I know that our love must be denied. I cannot handle your passion Silk Chocolate - you consume me. And since I cannot say 'no' to you, I have banned you from the home (until my next craving).

TGIF

Can a 5-year old get any cuter? I think not!

What more could a little girl want for her birthday - friends, dressing up, make-up and a little tea party! Happy belated 5th birthday Miss Lila Brooke!

There's no real reason for this post. It's been a long and arduous week and this just perks me up!

No Shrinking Violet

Oh yes, I'm looking at you. Aren't I just too much? I wore my fancy tiara and pearls just for the season. Who says a turtle can't come to Christmas? I'm too pretty not to be on the tree.

Guppy Love

I bought three great new ornaments this year from my favorite little store at the Lake, Anthology, and these are my favorite! Kissing bride & groom fish! They are so freaking cute, and I love the magnetic glitter lips! They are hand-painted by a local artist (supposedly), and I bought another from her collection....which you can see tomorrow. Oooh, the anticipation!

All Decked Out

So earlier when I said "So here's my tree and my wreath," I forgot the tree part. Here it is. It's much prettier in person. I think next year I'm going to add some ribbon and some purple ornaments. It needs a bright pop of color.

Knock, knock...

I've been remiss in posting my holiday decorations in the house. I'm actually proud that we did all of our decorating the first weekend of December, which is super early for us. We're usually very last minute with anything related to Christmas decorating! But this year I made a point to get it done the first weekend, and then forgot to post photos (duh!). So, here's our tree....and my gorgeous wreath that Angie made. It makes me happy every time I drive up to the house.

37 Inches

So, I got home last night and my Christmas/Birthday present had arrived and J decided to set it up. What's my combo gift you may ask? A flatscreen television with HD TV.

*Cool gift? yes.
*A gift for me? supposedly.
*Secretly a gift for my husband? yes.
*Am I letting him think that I don't know it was a gift for him under the guise of my christmas/birthday? yes.

It's 37 inches of liquid crystal, baby! Last night he had it on football, and I immediately changed the channel to which he replied "Hey, I was watching that!" Unfortunately for him, I have the ultimate trump card - "But, I thought it was my present?" Gotcha!

There's a New Colby on the Scene

Colby was our intern at work this summer, and she's such a sweetheart. She's all of 19 years old, gorgeous, and has this amazing voice. Seriously, I just know the sky is the limit for this girl.
Sure, you haven't heard of her, but you will one day. So here is your chance to get a sneak peak. You can log on to her website by clicking on "The Amazingly Gifted Colby Bell" to the right under Say What?!?


Do yourself a favor, log on, listen to her song and then you can say "I was listening to her before she won her first Grammy."