Lallie's Vision of Crafting

This is one of our guest bedrooms.  Nothing exciting, a bed-in-a-bag, just to have something in there.  It is my craft room, where I've been completing all my sewing (you can't see my desk).

 

And this is Lallie has had to opportunity to craft with me.

 

I turned my  back to my desk (which is against the wall) for a total of two, maybe three minutes.  She was playing with a puzzle when I turned.  After three minutes, every one of my ribbon spools had been dragged out of their drawers and completely unwound.

 

 You can see some of the toys that she had strung out, not big deal.

But I guess mommy's fabrics and ribbons are so much more fun!!

She was actually tangled in multiple strands of ribbon however, by the time I'd gotten my camera, she had wiggled free.
 

 It took about 30 minutes to clean up what she destroyed in a matter of seconds!

 But, hey.....she had fun, so how could I be mad! :-)

Nail, Lent, Lallie Updates

Sorry for my lack of posting this week.  It's been a little crazy at work.  But, it is time for an update on a few things I posted last week.

(1) The Nailene nails have been on for one week and they have been wonderful!  They have held up well, only one popped off while I was cleaning Sunday, but I glued it back on a presto...perfect!  I'm very happy with these.  Next time I will get Kiss nails though, I've heard those are even better!

(2) Lent - I have completed zero shopping for unnecessary things.  I am quite amazed with myself in the willpower I've had.  And it really wasn't all that hard.  Now, another 5 weeks and we're golden.

As for complaining, I've been better but far from perfect.  I told you about a co-worker that I'm trying not to let get to me.  Well, let me telly you, I have been T.E.S.T.E.D this week for sure!  Thankfully Husband has been supportive.  I still need work in other areas though.  One thing is for sure, we've had a great week and trying not to complain has cut down on bad moods, arguments etc. etc.

The Bible.  I have not started.  Shame shame on me.  Will work on.  Pray for me!

(3)  Lallie - oh my, where to begin.

• She's singing the ABC song, and in tune
• She has started using the words "yours," "mine," "ours," "we."  Instead of referring to "Mommy's such-n-such" and "Lallie's such-n-such," she's using the other words. Literally happened overnight.
• She is quite the puzzle doer.  She is working on 24 - 48 piece puzzles (not the shapes, actual puzzles).  It take her a while, but with a little verbal instruction, she does fantastic
• She's afraid of the tiger in the bathtub (I don't know.)
• She LOVES popcorn, she can't get enough of it
• She loves her new Radio Flyer scooter (she wants to ride her tricycle so bad, but she's still too short)
• She adores America's Funniest Home Videos, especially the animals, and she'll often say "ahhh man!" when someone falls on their rear.

(4) Husband - he thinks he's funny.  Here's an exchange from this morning.

Him:  Your butt looks small.  Hmmm.

Me:  (snide look)

Him:  I mean, those pants make it look really small.

Me:  Honey, that's not a compliment.

Him:  Well, it does.  It looks good.

Me:  You realize you're saying my butt looks big every other day.

Him:  I didn't mean that.

Me: Well, that's what it sounded like.

Him:  Okay, your butt is so small today, it's vanishing.

Me:  (big smile and walk over and kiss him).

Him:  (roll eyes and wipes sweat off forehead).

Lallie: Daddy's so funny!

A self-taking picture from our trip to the park this weekend.  After the park, daddy announced he had a surprise for Lallie and I.  Lallie guessed toys, kitty cat and shoes (yes, shoes.  Uh oh.).  The surprise was really ice cream!

Have a fantastic day!!!

The Eco-Friendly Bag.....Gone Oh So Colorful!

I am simply in love with these bags.  I love eco-friendly bags.  I try to remember my Publix brand bags whenever I go to the store but always forget.  And I don't dare walk into Nordstrom carrying a Publix brand bag, right?

Well, The Love List posted a blog about these bags yesterday.  I'll admit, when I first so them, I thought, these are not going to fit my wallet (or my Lenten sacrifice, but hey, there's my website list waiting for me :-)

Nope, these are very affordable and come in all different sizes.

These are from Mixed Bag Designs and come in all sorts of sizes (pictures are all courtesey of their website).

This is the Department Store bag in Carribean Pineapple for $12.00

The Grocery Store bag in Sunshine Gerber Daisy for $12.00

The Drugstore bag in Newport Links for $8.00

The Hold Everything Tote in Seaside Gerber Daisy for $19.00

The Box Store bag in for $16.00

Sign me up please, I want one of each!

All Things Pink, Southern & Handmade

I love pink, I am a modern southern belle and I love all things handmade.  So today, I'm featuring some of my favorite new pink finds from Etsy sellers!

First, the cable knit pink pillow.  I just love this throw pillow.  Perfect for a little spring/summer color, and even though it is knit, brings a little southern summer charm to any living area. 

$48.00 by Strikk Handknits.

These pink chrysanthemum earrings are just adorable.  Thinking southern, I often think of movies such as Steel Magnolias, Big Fish, Driving Mrs. Daisy or Fried Green Tomatoes.  When in their Sunday best, you often see large flower clip-ons or large pearls.  These smaller, daintier earrings remind me of such southern movies.

$10.00 by Adrienneaudrey.

Thinking modern southern belle, I love this damask decoupage bowl! In fact, this would be perfect for summer in my shabby chic white dining room!

$14.00 at Juliesadorabowls Shop.

For $5.50, three vintage lace and linen blooms scream southern.  This would be beautiful in the damask bowl above, don't you think?

$5.00 for three at Sweet Vintage '78.

Moden twitst on a southern housewife apron.  This is just so bright and airy for spring/summer.  Who wouldn't want to cook in this?

$32.00 at Sugar Pie Chic.

You know me, the mommy of a mini southern belle in the making.  So, have to include the toddler dress.  I love this simple pink dress with embroidered frogs.  So cute and the style definately reminds me of a mini southern belle.

$60.00 at The Classic Baby.

Nailene Nails

Yes, you heard correctly.  Nailene Nails. 

You know, the $5.00 glue ons you can get at any pharmacy, grocery store or Walmart?

Still don't remember.  Okay, Lee Press On Nails (the stickers).  Or Kiss Nails?  Don't deny.  We all tried them in the 1980's in middle and high school and carried around dozens of mini nail glue containers in our purses.  Some of them even leaked and got stuck to the bottom of our massive fake Dooney-style bags that hung down to our knees.

Remember?  Good.

Notice anything different about my new nails?  They look like salon gel / acrylic nails (whichever floats your boat), they feel like salon nails, but they certainly don't cost the same as salon nails.

(excuse my skin, my thyroid issues keep my skin extremely dry, no matter what I do)

These are Nailene Nails that I glued on myself last night for the measly price of $5.00.  I got 36 nails, picked the ones that fit.  Buffed, washed, cuticle oiled, dried and then glued.  I didn't have to file any of them down.  The whole process took about 30 minutes.  No nail polish to dry either.

Best part, I have a whole 2nd set waiting for me when these are finished.  Two rounds (nearly one month) of professional looking nails for.  Certainly beats the salon cost $50 - $75 per month or more depending on your nail style.

So, I'll keep you updated.  Nope I'm not ashamed to say I wear cheap nails.  Not at all.  In fact, let's spread the secret (I know I'm not supposed to shop, but for those of you that still are shopping, think of what you could buy if you didn't have to spend on nails! Gotcha thinkin' huh?)

I've been told by a friend who's worn these forever and I had no clue they were Nailene, that they last about 1.5 to 2 weeks.  Then you just soak them off and put on new. 

I'll let you know.

40 Days of Lent - My Lofty Goals

If you follow me on twitter, you know that I have a very lofty goal for what I'm giving up for Lent.  I suspect that I will fail, after all, I am a sinner, but not without lack of trying.  The point is not to give up something that's easy, like brussel sprouts or cleaning!  The point is to give up something that has some sort of meaning in your life.  But, I'm going to take it a step further.  I'm going to START doing something that I've been avoiding for quite some time.  As they say, "walk the walk, don't talk the talk."

I've never taken Lent seriously before.  Never.  It's always been kind of a joke to me, like New Year's Resolutions.  However, this year will be different.

(1) I'm giving up: negativity.  Of course, this is a general term and it's near impossible to give it up completely if you really think about it, so I'm getting a little more specific.

• I'm going to try to quit complaining about such mundane things in life such as a sock getting lost in the laundry, the dog licking my good pants as I walk out the door to work, Lallie throwing a screaming fit because she didn't get what she wants AND, the weather (after all, even though it's 40 this morning in Florida, really, can I compare at ALL to those up north right now? I think not!)
• I'm going to quit letting a specific co-worker get to me with her miserable ways.  It's not worth it. I know I do my job, I do it well and my boss and I have spoken that all is well.  So, it's over, just let her be miserable and quit trying to defend myself against her when I have nothing to defend.
• Lastly, I am NOT going to be liked by all.  I am a HUGE people person.  I would talk to a rock if it would talk back to me. And I've had issues with this since I was a kid, mainly because I was a nerd in grammar and high school.  So ever since, I've struggled to be liked by all I meet.  It's just not possible.  So, I'm going to quit trying to understand why certain people don't like me and get over it.  After all, it's their loss, not mine.

(2) I'm giving up shopping.  There are my own personal reasons for this. So, I'm following along with some twitter friends and will stop shopping.  This means for the unnecessary things.  Do I really need that smellicious candle? Do I really need that adorable shirt or shoes?  This does exclude Lallie however, as she is going to need new school clothes in the next few weeks as it warms up.  And, she's started to gain weight and quickly grow out of her older clothes.  (Drat, my one out! :-)

Now, onto the thing that I'm going to START.  I'm going to start reading the Bible a little a day, and meditate.  I need to find a good study, hopefully geared towards a full-time working mommy and wife.  This is going to be difficult.  Let me tell you.

Last night, it's Fat Tuesday, Lent hasn't even started yet and I've already given myself an excuse as to why I shouldn't start yet.  After all, I do have to finish the current book I'm reading and can't put down, right? WRONG!  (By the way, Firefly Lane is excellent)

Why is this so difficult for me?  What do I have to be afraid of?  Maybe my thoughts that I won't understand or won't know how to apply it to life?  I don't know, but what do I have to lose?  I love to read, I've read almost 8 books since January 1st.  This should not be difficult.  I am determined to start this evening.  I read every night before I go to bed.  Today is the day.  (I'll let you know how I did tomorrow).

So, that's it.  My lofty goals for Lent.  These are truly going to be very hard for me. But I'm determined.  I've always struggled in my walk with the Lord.  I'm in a better position now than I was 10 years ago, but still, there are things I can still do to improve my personal relationship.  Lent is the perfect time to start.

What about you?  What are giving up for Lent?  Are you giving it up for the right reasons?

Think about it.

Our Valentine's Day

Husband and I decided this year to spend on Lallie instead of on each other.  So, I went out and got a bag-o-goodies for Lallie and we had a fun time opening her gifts!

It's a lot of fun shopping for her now because we really know her personality and the things that she would love to have and play with over and over again.  She received a big balloon, which she carried everywhere.  She also received a nifty heart-shaped sippy cup with a curly straw, dog and cat stickers, a pink fluffy heart pillow, a princess dress-up toy, bubbles, pom poms and suckers.

She loved everything!  The stickers are one of her favorite.  Thankfully, she knows that stickers only go on paper......or.....

on your face!!  I was in this picture too with stickers all over my face, but mornings without makeup are scary, so I'm cropped out! 

Hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day!!

The Olympics

I noticed yesterday that Google changed their picture heading to a stadium (not sure whos) and Olympic symbol.  I noticed people tweeting and blogging about the games, but I honestly did not believe that they were happening.  I thought all the hype was they had just awarded Vancouver the right to have the Olympics in the years to come.

I obviously do not keep up with Olympic news. 

Today, as I'm reading through blogs, I noticed that Seersucker Scrapper said she was super excited about the opening ceremonies tonight.  I continued reading and then..... Wait, Hold the Phone....TONIGHT???  Did I miss something?

Has it really been a year and a half since Michael Phelps blew everyone away in his swimming feats?  Has is really been a year and a half since the Chinese gymnast contreversy?  Has it been a year and a half since an unprecented 85 countries received medals in the summer Olympics?

Wow!  I am absolutely floored.  I truly am.  Not because I'm thrilled to watch the Olympics, I've always loved them so I'm excited I get to watch them.  But there's another point here.

I have completely and totally lost my sense of time since Lallie was born in 2007 and this was one of those "V8" moments, where I got bopped in the head and had to step back and say - WOW!  Lallie was only a year old at the last Olympics.  I remember getting her to bed before the opening ceremonies.

Time needs to slow down, rather, I need to step back and smell the roses!  I'll start tonight, by watching the Opening Ceremonies, enjoying a glass of wine, and starting off the Valentine's Day weekend with a relaxing evening!

Sounds good, right?

Sorry for my absence!  Lots going on this week.  I promise to return very, very soon!

Until then, Happy Hump Day!!

Contemplating Etsy!

As you all may know, I do have an Etsy website.  I haven't sold a thing on it, but that's understandable.  I only have a few things, they are very traditional in style and relatively easy for others to make on their own.  I did sell a few to friends, but that's about it.

However, I am contemplating selling my pillowcase dresses and maybe nursing covers on Etsy.  This weekend, I made seven dresses and one shirt for Lallie in a relatively short amount of time (about 2.5 hrs each on Saturday and Sunday).  I am also working on my own pattern of a semi-Lilly-esque shift dress with tie-backs and buttons on one of the sleeves.

Here are some pictures of what I made out of some leftover fabric I had lying around.  I haven't had my sewing machine in months, so I needed a little practice, but I think they all turned out pretty good.

What do y'all think?  Be honset please!  I would sell them for fairly inexpensively as they aren't difficult to make (for me as a sewer) and I anticipate a few mistakes, but nothing really visible.

If I decide against, at least Lallie will look cute in them!

And did you really think you'd get away without a picture of Lallie?  Here's my little prepster, getting ready for church. 

Happy Monday y'all!

Thanking God For Every Day!

I am not a preacher, but I am a Child of God and last night, after hearing of some news, I couldn't sleep and had these thoughts racing through my mind.  I've never really posted about faith on my blog before, but there's a first for everything, right?  Little anxious, but need to get off my chest and plan on trying to live in faith better in the future.

Last evening, one of our fellow blog/twitter friends was in a car wreck, hit by a drunk driver.  Thank God she is fine and walked away relatively unscathed.  (Psalms 118:24 This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.) 

The first thing I thought of when I heard the news is that, life is short, we should appreciate it more, and thank God for every single solitary little blessing in our lives.

We don't know when or how our God will take us from this earth to live in heaven with him.  But until that time, we are commanded to love and serve one another, to serve the will of God and to forgive our trespassers.  So, as I thank God for our friend's safety and that her adorable children and husband still have her in their lives, we also must forgive the trasspasser who caused this in the first place.(John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.)

Think of it as a wake up call.  So, not only this day, but every day, say a prayer, thank God for your blessings, no matter how big or small.  Thank God for those in your life, without them, you wouldn't be the person you are today (yes, even those you may not care so much for, they are still God's children). I can't tell you what to thank God for, that's between you and him, but you know what I mean.  (1 Thessalonians 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.)

I definately should heed my own advice.  I don't talk to God nearly as often as I should, I take my time with my family for granted a lot of the time and I let little things stress me and cause rifts when they are quite simply, little things.  "Don't sweat the small stuff" as the popular statement goes.

In addition, I love to read, but why haven't I sat down and read my Bible?  Quite frankly, I think it's a little bit of fear, a little bit of anxiety, a little bit of excitement.  Adding that to my list of things to do.  We are to live by the word of God, but how can one do so if they haven't even read the word?  Don't get me wrong, I have read it, but I don't READ it, if you catch my drift.  I need to meditate and live by it more. (Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And he shall direct your paths.)  (Ecclesiastes 1:14a To fear the Lord is the beginning of freedom.)

So, even though our friend was in an unfortunate accident and I would NEVER wish this upon anyone, it has opened my eyes, and I'm 100% sure it has opened hers even wider. 

So, 2010 list of things to do- updated:

1) Read Bible, mediate and improve my relationship with God

2) Spend more time WITH my family and not just with my family.

3) After that, everything else will fall into place.

Love and Blessings!!

Everything Turquoise!!

Ever since Lilly debuted their new line of bed linens through Garnet Hill, I have been enamored by the color turquoise. 

I've never paid any attention the color before then.  I've always known that turquoise colors looked good on me because of my blue eyes, blonde hair and pale skin, but other than that, I've never considered decorating with it.

Recently, I ran across the blog Everything Turquoise.  I LOVE this site.  Every day, a new turquoise item is posted and described along with information on how and where to buy it.  Anything from KitchenAid mixers to towels and lamps is included in this blog.  Even better is that everything posted is usually of reasonable price.

For example, yesterday they posted this adorable dress from Delia's which is only $44.50!  It's perfect for a summer wardrobe.  Delia's has LOTS of cute dresses out, including other turquoise dresses.

The other day it was this blender (so cute considering my kitchen is blue).  Found at Amazon.com.

As an accessory, I love this necklace.  Would look great during the summer with a white outfit for a little pizazz don't you think?  Can be found HERE.

And, can't forget my little minnie.  How adorable is this mini bathing suit from Janie and Jack?  Lallie is in need of new swimsuits, so this just might be on my list of "thinks to get."

Have a great day!

Our Weekend in Pictures

Our weekend in pictures, with short captions.

Seafood Fesitval where we found lots of great crafts including these adorable little ceramic shoes. Handmade to hold business cards or your cell phone.  Aren't they adorable? And only for $8.00!

Lallie experienced her first snow cone!

Exhausted little girl!

Saturday afternoon, we watched the Cats play Vandy.

Have to throw in a picture of UK's biggest fan, our golden retriever, "UK"

Lallie loves her new Radio Flyer scooter!  She can't reach the peddles on her tricycle yet because she's so short, so this was a great alternative.

Sunday night, we had our friends over for dinner.  Turner made himself at home at our table (we didn't have enough chairs for all of us since we're still furnishing our new home).

Merritt and Turner had a great time playing with Lallie and Lallie enjoyed showing them around her playroom.

Hope you all had a fun weekend too!