All I Want for Christmas

Just a few things I've been lusting after...

Keurig single serve coffee maker. Since LC doesn't drink coffee, this is the perfect solution for me! I love all the K-cup varieties... flavored coffee galore as well as different teas.

Shark Steam Mop. Must be the late nights with Little Miss, but I really want a steam mop after watching the infomercial. Since the new house is 90% wood floors, this would make clean up super easy!

James Avery stackable rings. These are great, modern "mother's rings", but I can see adding one for our anniversary month as well.

My Flip Flopz

I've been an admirer of My Flip Flopz's work for quite some time. She has a fantastic blog (such gorgeous photos) and an equally fab etsy shop!

I convo'd Susie on Thursday to see if she could do a custom sign for me. She sent me a picture this morning and it's shipping out tomorrow! How's that for service?!! I sent her a picture of Little Miss' bumper fabric and the verse and this is what she came up with!!

How gorgeous is it?? I'm so in love! It's 18x18 and will go perfectly in her room!

And to quote Susie, "...Every now and then I make one that far exceeds what I could have ever pictured. This is by far my favorite and it wouldn't have been near as special without such a great scripture on it! I think it should blend well into your room! It will be tough to hand it over to Clif at the post office and let it go - it really is one if its kind! "

PLEASE go visit Susie and enjoy all the Southern goodness she has to offer!!

Our new home!

We've only been living with my parents for 2 weeks, but we are so excited we found a house! We're resending the offer on the short sale and close on this home in a month! This house has everything I was wanting (except a media/game room): 1 story, hardwoods, granite, large living room, large yard (almost half an acre), oversized master shower, cul-de-sac, 3 car garage and "extra" touches!

built in desk by the girls' and guest rooms

kitchen (with double ovens!) and breakfast nook

living room

looking out the back door

side view (we negotiated to keep the swing set... Miss Priss will be thrilled!)

Let the shopping begin! I need rugs desperately, so if you have any suggestions, let me know!

Shopping Makes a Girl Feel Better!

LC and I did a little shopping this weekend. I found a few things to make me feel a little cuter...

This hoodie and capri set is so comfy! I wish they had it in other colors!!

So cute (even cuter in person!) and so comfortable... they have memory foam!!

E and I have been looking for gold espadrilles for a while. I decided to bite the bullet and get these Michael Kors.

In the Closet

I just got done putting my maternity clothes on hangers and finding a place for them in the closet. I've come to the following conclusions:

~ I wore a TON of dresses when I was pregnant with Payton. Great for corporate America, not so great for a stay at home mom who's on the floor playing most of the day.

~ I must have rotated the same 5-7 shirts every week, so the tops I do have, are a bit thread bare.

~ I have very few basic, casual clothes.

~ I HATE the majority of the maternity clothes that are now hanging in my closet. Seriously, with the exception of 2 dresses and a pair of ridiculously expensive denim bermuda shorts (that I don't even know if they fit this time around), I despise my clothes.



It's no wonder I've been in a funk lately. My "normal" clothes are too tight or too short, my maternity clothes are too big and I think they're ugly! The only way I see to remedy this situation is to do a little shopping... but of course, I can't/won't spend too much since I'll only wear these clothes for a few more months.

Say Cheese!

My camera (damn Amazon for lowering the price less than a week after I bought it!) came on Thursday! I'm so excited!! Elaine and I are looking for a photography class to hone our skills, but need something that's not a huge time commitment.

I'm looking for a cute camera bag, but it seems like the bigger the camera, the uglier the bag. I looked on etsy and found a few cute ones, but they're over $80.... yikes!

An Itch I Can't Scratch

Ugh! I have a major urge to shop... for clothes, for shoes, for bedding, for house stuff, really for anything except groceries (since we actually need those). The problem is, I need to shop for some big ticket items that should take priority of my budget, but I need to save, save, save for them (there's actually money burning a whole in my pocket since I've started saving for the camera).... such as:
1. new lap top
2. new super-duper SLR camera
3. new house

clearly no instant gratification in the above list.

I must add... LC is self employed (and I stay home with P) and while I could go buy the above (with the exception of the house.. 2 mortgage payments is no bueno), I'm trying to recession proof our bank account just in case things head south in the future.

Preppy Baby!

on the cheap.... from Old Navy

$4.00

This would be so cute with some little gold sandals

$8.00

$14.50

Teacher gifts

Tomorrow is Payton's Christmas party and last day of MDO until January. I wanted to get her teachers a little something.... Each one is color coordinated... green socks, green tulle, green Christmas tree ornament/ blue socks, blue tulle, blue snowflake ornament/ cream socks, brown tulle, pink and cream candy cane ornament.

~Pier 1 mug - $4

~BBW hazelnut candle - $2 (bought on sale in July)

~candy cane kisses - $1 per mug

~french vanilla hot cocoa - $.88 for 2

~BBW softest socks - $3.25

~orange spice, cranberry pomegranate, chai tea - free from my pantry

~I had the cellophane bags and tulle and tied it all together with a ceramic ornament.

Total - $11

MDO

Mom's Day Out starts today for Miss Priss!!! I know she'll do great and have a ball. I'm looking forward to running errands like I use to... you know, when you set out to go to Target, but then remember you wanted something at JoAnn's, then you want to look at what Kirklands has new for fall, you have a return at the mall, etc.... Those type of errand running days don't work with P. The quick in and out when it's just me turns into a sweating momma (since it's still 8 million degrees here in Texas) trying to get that girl in and out of her carseat for a 5 minute look-see... NOT WORTH IT!

School starts at 9:00 and then I'm coming home to mop the floors (so fun!). I'm meeting my momma for lunch and a little shopping. Payton gets picked up at 2:00 and I'm sure will be tuckered out so we'll come home for a nap. They only rest for about an hour at school. She's use to a 2 hour morning nap and a 2 hour afternoon nap. This momma isn't ready for her to drop the morning nap completely!!

I think YaYa is coming over to take her for a taste of icecream to celebrate her first day of school.

I Think It's a Don't!

Seriously??? This retails for $22... not wonder it was on baby steals!

Here's the description:

The Downtime Sleepy hat is perfect for on the go (flights, car trips, shopping, etc.) or at home. Its patented, fold-down sleep mask creates a dark, sleep-inducing environment for your baby. It blocks out light and visual stimulation to help your baby fall asleep and/or have uninterrupted, restful naps when it otherwise would be difficult to do so.

I know Payton would think I was crazy for putting this on her. And, the eyelashes really creep me out!

Check Her Out!!

I'm loving all things monogrammed and here's a fabulous site to check out! Her prices are super reasonable and she's offering free shipping until July 30th.

http://mpmdesigns.blogspot.com/