Carving the Pumpkin!

We decided to make Halloween an entire day and do all related activities in one day, starting with the pumpkin carving. We had a great time and can't wait to display it for all the trick-or-treaters tonight.


No thanks! Lallie didn't want anything to do with the guts!
Daddy and Lallie drawing the face.


Lallie and Daddy carefully cutting the pumpkin's face.


Onto the painting, Lallie's favorite part. She loves to paint anything, which is why I keep them way away out of reach of her tiny little hands!


Oh, Smart Daddy.....red and white make pink! All little girl's pumpkins should have some pink! I'll say it again, Smart Daddy!


The finished product, with pink eyebrows, pink lips (and since Lallie is potty training, she made sure the pumpkin had a place for....well, you-know-what! I won't show a picture of that part...it's brown! HAHAHA!


While Lallie is sleeping and Husband is out running errands, I will be working on luminaries for the front walk. I have no idea why I'm doing this, I'm just excited I guess. I've never liked Halloween but for some reason, this year's different. New house, new neighborhood, lots of families and of course, Lallie! So we're going to have lots of fun!

More tomorrow with Lallie in her Princess costume!

Gift Baskets for teachers!

Good morning y'all. This year, Lallie has 4 different teachers since she's an all day student. She loves all of them greatly and they are all wonderful people. They are kind, caring, attentive, well-educated, loving people who really care about these children. My two year old is nearly potty-trained, covers her mouth when she coughs, behaves well in public, picks up all her toys and activities while singing the "clean up" song. I owe a lot of her attitude and skills to her teachers. They ought to be thanked properly.

The only issue, there are 4 of them. So, I'm trying to find inexpensive ways to make sure all of them are taken care of, in the same value but really says thank you.

I went to Michael's yesterday and picked up four baskets at 50% off (total of $10.00). I will decorate them myself with my stash of ribbon, paint etc. I know one of them will have a painted wine glass that Lis Loves tutored us on the other day in her blog. She's a wine drinker (and a fellow JL, so I know her a little better). I think it'll say "Mommy Juice." One of her other teachers is pregnant with her second child (do not yet know the sex). The third is a grandmother and the fourth is a younger 20-something college grad without kids or husband. A wide variety of personalities here!

I don't want to do baked goods - I am not a chef and I think it's a little impersonal to buy pre-made baked items for something like this. I'm thinking ornaments, nail care accessories, starbucks gift certificates. I don't know, I'm at a loss. What do you mommy's think? I really don't know where to go with this!

I would love to know what my Mother-In-Law thinks! She was a teacher for 30 years. I'll have to give her a call and discuss the dos-&-don'ts of teachers gifts!

Lallie in Halloween!

We are not big Halloween people. We don't have Halloween specific decorations (just fall-ish decor) and we hardly ever dress up or go to parties. Not sure why, we just never really go into the holiday. We are however, looking forward to dressing up Lallie as Tinkerbell! Actually, we're saying princess because she's in a princess phase and apparently Tinkerbell is not a princess....just Tinkerbell's friends! :-)

I do enjoy dressing Lallie in Halloween shirts. I got this shirt last year at Target after Halloween for $1.00. It had long sleeves, so I cut them out since it's 80 - 85 degrees here. It has little owl beaded onto the front. The little hair things also came from Target in the dollar section. I think here little outfit is just cute. I haven't put her in pig-tails in a while either, so they felt a little weird to her.

Here are some pictures for your enjoyment. One of them is blurry, but it's Lallie in action! The other one is of her friend at school, Mason. They are great friends.

Have a great day!

Shoe Dilemma - Need help!

For those of you that have been following me for a while now, you know that I hurt my right hip last month. This has caused me to switch to flats full-time rather than my usual heels. In addition, it's fall/winter, so I need closed toe flats.

A little history. My toes haven't seen the inside of a shoe in 8 years (well, except for the holiday up north when I wear my 1990 shoes/boots - Husband usually says, "time to throw those away dear." That is the extent of his shoe help! - but I digress). I have mostly all open toe heels and sandals and flip flops, including my pairs of McKims. I have a few closed toe heels, including my favorite black and white polka dot heels with straps that I am dying to wear....so sad!

I do not take shoes lightly. They are like handbags. You purchase right the first time, you will be able to wear them (or carry them for bags) for years to come. Spend a little, save a lot, in my opinion.

So, for you Tory Burch, Kate Spade and other flat shoe experts, lend me some advice. What should I look for in a flat, what do I stay away from and what brands do you just adore? (I understand the TB metallics and skins can be sort of uncomfortable?)

My curled up, crunched up, damaged pedicure tootsies need your help!

Social Climbers and a Giveaway

Hello ladies! Today I am going to have a couple of posts! This first one is exciting as I get to introduce (unless you already know her!) Beth Dunn. Beth is the author of the book Social Climbers and just a wonderful all around person.

I recently had the opportunity to read her book, which actually had quite an impact on me. The character in Social Climbing reminds me, in some ways, of myself. She is on a social climbing journey which lands her in unexpected situations in which she must climb her way out, while learning about her inner self. During the journey, she becomes comfortable with herself and realizes that who she is...is who she is. As some of us like to say (sort of cliche) but "it is what it is!"

I later had the opportunity to chit chat with Beth and get to know her a little better. She is funny, charming and caring with two handsome boys and Husband who are always dressed alike (simply adorable). She is the ultimate prep and has a love for volunteering with local and national charities.

I encourage you all to hop over to Beth's blog and her website to learn a little more about her. You also might get a little treat from yours truly as I am her preppy guest blogger today!

Beth is hosting a Sorority giveaway, so if you are a college sorority girl, you do not want to miss out. If you are NOT a sorority college girl, never fear, there is a giveaway here (ha! That rhymed!)

Beth has so graciously offered to give away one of her books to one of my fantastic followers. All you have to do is follow me and post a comment....pretty simple! This giveaway will end on Sunday, so post away now!

My day ended great with a little....

....this....


...this...


...and this!

Rough Day

Hi everyone: Super busy today and it's been kind of a rough day! Alarm went off late, forgot to fix my hair (it's still unbrushed in a pony tail/bun thing from this morning!), Lallie insisted on princess underwear (all dirty) and clothes (we have none) and my outfit is brown and dark green (yuck!) Hey, at least my shoes are cute!

In addition, my physical therapist taped my hip into place yesterday. I currently have pink athletic tape that I have to wear for 72 hours taped to my butt in the shape of a flower. She opened a pink package just for me. The color makes it hurt a little less (the power of the mind!)

I fully intended to do a weekend post as we had lots of fun but that will come tomorrow. In the meantime, I did manage to get a few things up for sale on the SLPS Yard Sale site. Check it out as I have a few things, White House Black Market, I.N.C., Benetton and tomorrow some Ann Taylor. Email me at slpreppy@gmail.com if you're interested in anything!

Haters - By Maya Angelou

This was emailed to me earlier today by a friend through a forward. I rarely read forwards, but this one...I really like this one.

Haters/ By Maya Angelou

A hater is someone who is jealous and envious and spends all their
time trying to make you look small so they can look tall.
They are very negative people to say the least. Nothing is ever
good enough!

When you make your mark, you will always attract some haters...

That's why you have to be careful with whom you share your
blessings and your dreams, because some folk can't handle seeing
you blessed...

It's dangerous to be like somebody else... If God wanted you to be
like somebody else, He would have given you what He gave them! Right?

You never know what people have gone through to get what they
have...

The problem I have with haters is that they see my glory, but they
don't know my story...

If the grass looks greener on the other side of the fence, you
can rest assured that the water bill is higher there too!

We've all got some haters among us!

Some people envy you because you can:
a) Have a relationship with God
b) Light up a room when you walk in
c) Start your own business
d) Tell a man/woman to hit the curb
(if he/she isn't about the right thing)
e) you are a strong person and don't let people run you over
f) you have a strong and loving marriage and they can't get in-between spouses to spoil it

Haters can't stand to see you happy.
Haters will never want to see you succeed.
Most of our haters are people who are supposed to be
on our side (like some family and friends).

How do you handle your undercover haters?
You can handle these haters by:

1. Knowing who you are & who your true friends are
*(VERY IMPORTANT!!)

2. Having a purpose to your life: Purpose does not
mean having a job. You can have a job and still be
unfulfilled.

A purpose is having a clear sense of what God has called you to be.
Your purpose is not defined by what others think about you.

3. By remembering that what you have is by divine
prerogative and not human manipulation.

Fulfill your dreams! You only have one life to live...when its your
time to leave this earth, you want to be able to say, 'I've lived my
life and fulfilled my dreams, Now I'm ready to go HOME!

When God gives you favor, you can tell your haters, 'Don't look at
me...Look at who is in charge of me...'

Pass this to all of your family & friends who you know are
not hating on you including the person who sent it to you.

If you don't get it back, maybe you called somebody out!
Don't worry about it, it's not your problem, it's theirs.
Just pray for them, that their life can be as fulfilled as
yours! Watch out for Haters...BUT most of all don't become
a HATER!

'A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man
should have to seek Him first to find her.'

Maya Angelou

Sprayology

Have any of you heard of Sprayology? They make a line of natural homeopathic and vitamin oral sprays (under your tongue) for ailments such as allergies, cold and flu to vitamins and stress relief. They have a daily multi-vitamin spray for women! This would be great for those that cannot take those bulky pills easily or get upset stomachs no matter what you eat (like me).



I saw the sprays in a speciality bath and body store the other day, and I'm just curious if anyone has ever used something like this and if it really works. I'm told that it does work (of course, that was by a salesperson, so yes, of course it works *smile*!)

Give me your input, I'd love to know your thoughts! Check out their website HERE!

Lallie This, Lallie That...

Good morning everyone!

We are 75% potty trained in our household (as I throw my hands up in the air, jump up and down, and revel in the thought that I now have about $100 extra a month in spending money!) Yes, Lallie has taken very well to potty training. Rather, I should say "toilet" as Lallie does not know what potty means. She has been trained very well by her teachers in proper etiquette to say "restroom" and "toilet." (Note - I accredit this whole process to her school teachers!)

Lallie however, had not yet mastered the art of pulling-up-pants, but not for lack of trying. This can't be comfortable!


In other news, I made Lallie another pillow case dress. I'm getting better and better every attempt and have now figured out how to make the arm holes (those are difficult!) I will never be a great sewer but these are just fun, cheap and not incredibly difficult to make! I paired this one with a little undershirt as the weather is unpredictable this time of year and it's perfect for school! She looks like a little box of Crayola crayons!



For those of you who say I'm "talented," I am not talented, I just like to try lots of new things! (though I do thank you for your compliments). I usually don't stick to one thing for too long to become really great at it, but I'm trying to stay focused (though it's difficult as I'm just so interested in everything!)

I really do like sewing, but my machine broke again (mommy...please fly down and fix it!!) It probably didn't, it's just a piece of fuzz stuck somewhere I'm sure. I'm just afraid I won't get it put back together once I take it apart, and then I'm really stuck!

I just hope that my projects inspire some of you to try new things. After all, it's not always about the craft itself, but what it means to you (i.e. knitting and my grandmother, sewing and the thought Lallie is wearing something made from my heart).

Everyone have a fantastic weekend!

Great Balls of Yarn

Okay, so I stole that adorable phrase from the store Great Balls of Yarn. I have decided to try knitting once again! My grandmother passed away when I was in eighth grade however, prior to her death, I spent at least one or two weeks per summer visiting her.

She was a fantastic lady, very classy. She was an English/grammar teacher, hence my impeccable ability to keep the words "like" and "um" out of my sentences and use the words "well" rather than "good" in certain instances (i.e. "I'm doing well, thank you"). I spefically remember one summer where I said "ooo, gross" and she made me look up the word in the dictionary as the way I used the term was not it's proper use. To this day, I say "disgusting" and use "gross" only when speaking about large sums of something. She also made me bring my un-studied lessons for a daily grammar tutorial (that was not fun!)

She played bridge, had weekly luncheons with the girls in which I'd tag along, and she knitted. She knitted several sweaters for me which unfortunately, I do not seem to have anymore. I really wish I did.

She taught me how to knit. I never made anything more exciting than a scarf, but it was something we did daily, especially during The Bold and the Beautiful (which my grandfather still watches to this day!) I specifically remember making a yellow scarf, my then favorite color. I haven't knitted since she died.

Last week I started reading The Friday Night Knitting Club and became inspired. I went to the Great Balls of Yarn store and fell in love. Who couldn't love walls and walls of beautifully colored, and extremely soft yarn!


I am having trouble remembering how to cast-on, but once I got that down, the rest was like riding a bike. Somehow I managed to add three extra stitches to my original 20, but hey, it's been years! I am looking forward to making a little scarf for Lallie and maybe eventually a sweater or two. Who knows - it's nice busy work for my hands while watching prime-time because once you get the hang of it, you don't even have to look at your hands.


Of course, I couldn't leave the preppy outfits out of this post! Who wouldn't love a cable-knit sweater to have on hand while playing golf using clubs covered in knitted socks! But I digress....



The best part about knitting, I'm remembering the time I spent with my grandma. I will cherish those moments forever.

Hems & Hers - Custom Made Skirts & Dresses

I must tell you about this wonderful person, Caroline, and her blog / shop called Hems & Hers.

I ran across Caroline through another follower(ing) blog a few weeks ago and I contacted her about making some skirts for me.

I told her my ideas for colors and patterns, she emailed me about 30 fabric print choices, I chose two, gave her my size and then wha-la....two weeks later, these beauties showed up in my mailbox.



She is VERY competively priced, especially considering they are custom made, from fabrics you are not going to find mass manufactured. They are truly one-of-a-kind. I wore one yesterday and I received so many compliments everywhere I went.

She also makes dresses and other skirt patterns. I will be ordering her latest fall houndstooth pattern very soon because it is just so adorable! That, and some dresses too.

PS - my skirt, the Belle Skirt - it has pockets! Yes, pockets! In my line of work, pockets are a must so I just love this skirt. Plus it is super comfortable as it was made to fit me perfectly.



Please, run over to Caroline's site, Hems & Hers and support her little business. You won't be disappointed!

Weekend; Toddlers Tutorial of an iphone

As you all know, my friend Ashleigh visited this past weekend. We had a fantastic time, though it rained most of Saturday and was pretty chilly Sunday (though sunny!) Friday was perfect Florida weather, we laid out in the pool ALL DAY LONG (Lallie went to school so we got some big-girl time!) We swam with Lallie when she got home.


Saturday, we went to downtown Stuart where we toured all the little shops, bought some great shoes (of course!) and Lallie picked up a miniture stuffed shark and a bracelet. She's really into the movie "Finding Nemo" and she thinks the sharks are funny. My mom would say "like mother, like daughter" as I laughed when Bambi's mother was shot and killed. I was three . It rained while we were downtown, so we stopped at Kilwin's (YUMMM!) for a caramel apple, chocolate covered twinkie and Lallie had blue ice cream in which there was not a bite to spare!


Later, we just hung around watching movies and went for a walk once it cleared up.


Sunday, it was off to church. We took pictures with all of Lallie's Godparents. This is a great picture of everyone BUT Lallie!


Then it was off to the airport, so sad. Lallie kept saying "no bye-bye." She never cried......until..... ....last night. Our next door neighbor, Jamie, came over because I need her to babysit in a couple weeks and she needed details. Jamie looks a lot like Ashleigh and Lallie thought she WAS Ashleigh. Lallie would not let Jamie leave and when that time came, I've never seen tears so big or a temper tantrum so heavy. Husband and I didn't know what to do. We tried calling Ashleigh, but Lallie was just beside herself. She finally calmed down. It was tough as it wasn't a temper tantrum because of something she wanted but couldn't have. She just missed her Auntshleigh. Big frowns.....


Here's Lallie using an iphone. Yes! She actually knows how to unlock it, go to the camera and then scroll through pictures. Scary.




All in all, we had a fabulous weekend and miss Ashleigh very much!

Eliza B. Ballet Flats

Have you seen the new Eliza B. ballet flats? They are just so fabulous!! I walked into my favorite shoe store, Tootsies in downtown Stuart, and there in front of me were hot pink and white polka dot fabric ballet flats with lime green patent leather trim!!! I should have taken a picture! They are SO amazingly adorable. If you haven't checked them out yet, you must visit the Eliza B. website as they have 100's of options to choose from (between pairing patent leather with the fabric). Bonus - they are super comfy.

By the way - how are y'all liking my new look? It's not finished yet, so I will make my official debut hopefully tomorrow and tell you about my preppylicious designer!