Misc: JCPenny, Promise & Flower Girl Dress

Today's post is a hodge podge of things on my mind recently... Enjoy!

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JCPenny

Have y'all seen the new look of JCPenny's marketing?  I have and it's certainly caught my eye!  Their commercials are super cute and the look books they send out monthly now are bright and colorful.  I look how they are pairing outfits for quite inexpensvively which is great for out budgets.  I know Hopsy over at Monograms and Manicures has been loving on JCPenny lately and I think I'm going to have to join her in this love! 

Specifically, I'm loving the Worthington Pencil Skirts.  At only $20 in every color imaginable, I need to add these to my closet.  For my office attire, I'm a skirt and pumps girl and one can never go wrong with a pencil skirt!  I'm also loving the MNB by Mango dresses and tops, especially in orange and navy and the ruched stripes.  Too cute!

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Promise

So, after Tuesday's post, I have a question.  Does Starbucks count as a drive-through or fast food?  I mean, I only ordered a coffee, but it is techncially a drive through.

I always have my coffee when I get into the office however, this morning, I was out in meetings until 9:30, so I just drove through without thinking (to avoid a caffeine headache).  I was half way through my cup before I realized....did I just renig on my own Lenten Promise?

See, I think this is EXACTLY what God is calling us to do during Lent.  Be more aware and thoughtful of our everyday actions.  Giving up fast food and drive-throughs is so much more than just giving up the food.  It's practicing thoughtfulness in our everyday actions thereby, making God ever more present in our lives.

So, onto another day (unless y'all say Starbucks is okay!  :-)

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Flower Girl Dresses

They are finished!  I shipped Dylan and Sophie's little dresses to their mom yesterday and Lallie's is just about done.  Ashleigh and I couldn't be happier!  They are the cutest little flower girl dresses and the absolute perfect design for a beach destination wedding!  I can't wait to see some professional photos of the girls in them.  (note: Lallie is wearing Sophie's dress, so it's just a tad big).

Back ruffle view.

Happy Wednesday Y'all!

My Lenten Promise

Yes, yes, I know I am nearly a whole week late getting started.  I have thought and thought about what I would give up for Lent this year and I have to admit, I have not gained much past success in this department. This year I am determined.

So what is my promise?  I'm shamed to admit this.  Yes, shamed!

I am giving up fast food and soda.  (I know that Lisa, my trainer, is reading this with her head held low thinking "didn't I teach her anything in Body Back classes?")  Yes, I am shamed.

But I will insert a disclaimer here (because, you know, we all have excuses thanks to Adam and Eve)...

I eat the *good* fast food.  Diet soda or lemonade, Wendy's salad, fresco tacos at Taco Bell. I don't drink soda at home, pretty much only water.  Okay, there was that one bacon cheeseburger, but give me a break!  It was 10:00 at night and we were on the way home from the hospital with Lallie's cracked head and we were hungry.  Excuses.

Shame again....yes, Lallie ate the McDonald's chicken nuggets.  Blech!

You saw my post a few days ago about eating healthier foods and organic.  We do eat well at home when I cook, but with two working parents, it's hard to get our schedules together sometimes for that dinner meal.  In this particular post, I'm talking mostly about lunches when I'm out on the road with work.  Breakfast and dinners we eat at home and Lallie, she gets a very balanced and nutritious lunch every day, packed by yours truly.  I just don't practice what I preach to my family during the lunch hour.  With my becoming more and more educated about healthy eating, this is the next step.

****As a side note, we don't feed Lallie fast food very often at all.  But McDonald's, they sure do have their marketing strategies down!  Lallie looked at me from the back seat a couple days ago and asked when we can go to McDonald's so she can get her box of hope.

Don't get me wrong, I certainly appreciate McDonald's charity work and am glad they are giving back to those in need through the Ronald McDonald's House Charities.  It really is a worthly cause.  But, HOPE certainly does NOT come from a little red box filled with junk food and a toy.  Hope comes from family, friends, Godparents, prayer, from within and most importantly, from God himself.  Sorry for the sidenote....it disgusted me that McDonald's is selling hope to my 4 year old via their food (you should have seen me try to explain this one to Lallie!).  We don't let Lallie watch much TV except for Sprout and PBS, so I'm not 100% sure where she saw this commercial.***

Anyways, I'm giving up anything fast food.  That is, food you have to get from a drive through.  Through work, I am often on the road and I admit, staying in my car rather than getting out to walk to a Publix is much more convenient.  But no more!  I shall prevail!  I plan to go shopping and fill my large office fridge with healthy foods.

What will this accomplish?

1. I will become healthier.
2. My pocket book sure won't suffer!
3. Husband will hopefully follow suit and join me.
4. Lallie,  though she doesn't eat this much anyways, won't be tempted.
5. I'm doing this as my Lenten promise to God to support this temple he has given me.

What are your Lentent promises?  I'm anxious to hear!

Happy Tuesday Y'all!

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!!!

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.