Things I Tell Myself

I have a few Bible versus that I tell myself often, a lot of you have heard them as well.  However, it's been a rough week for the SLPS household.  Between sickness (and a very fussy Lallie on steroids), work and other issues, it's been just a little stressful.  Things are getting better though.  I've read my versus, but I also have these few little sayings that I've gathered off cards, blogs, emails etc. over the years.  Here are some of my favorites for your enjoyment!  Sorry to say, I don't know who or where any of these came.  And some of them aren't just for encouragement, some of them are little reminders, I hope to pass down to Lallie in the future.

"Don't sit around waiting for somebody else to make you happy.  Happy is a do-it-yourself kind of thing."

"Be true to yourself and what you want out of life.  Broken hearts heal, but broken dreams don't."

"Make your own choices, but don't forget, you're the one who will have to live with them."

"Take chances now and then, chance is just another way to say that life is waiting to open a door for you."

"Forgive others, and when you need to, forgive yourself.  See the good all around you even if you have to squint sometimes."

"Love who you are and know that you are loved.  Always, always, you are loved."

Have a great day!! One more 'til the weekend!

You've Got Answers, I've Got Questions!

You've got answers, I've got questions. Everyone seems to be doing the Q and A however asking the blogg"er" the questions and then they answer. Well, I'm the opposite, I've got the questions and I want YOU to answer. In the meantime, if you want to ask me a question...go for it, I'll answer in future posts! I look forward to your Q and A's!!!

1) Where is a great place to buy fantastic bed sheets with high threadcount for a reasonable price?

2) What cleaner do you use on your white Corian sink to keep it nice and white? I'm struggling with this.

3) Lallie's hair is so long compared to most kids her age. We love it and will never cut it! Ever! But, I'd love some great ideas of something to put in her hair besides just ribbons and bows. Know of any great tutorials or etsy shops?


4) I really want to go back to wearing some of my closed toe heels and pumps now that my hip is feeling a little better, but I can't walk in them, my feet slide and my toes crunch. What insert do you all recommend? (like I assume Dr. Scholl's foot pads? - I don't know the name).


5) What Twitter texting app do you use for you Blackberry?


6) What pens do you use for your Mom Agenda? I don't like the ones I bought at all! Need something bright!


7) I'm going to be starting the Couch to 5K soon. First I need a jogging stroller. Any suggestions for your runners with kids?


8) In regards to running, running shoes???


9) I need a GREAT website or cookbook for easy crock-pot meals. Lallie n
eeds to eat more veggies, we need to eat healthier, but as a working mom, I just don't have time for full meals and we need to spice things up.


10) Under the eye dark spots. My mom let me try some Oil of Olay regenerative eye cream for the daytime the other day, it worked great, for the one day. But, before I go out and buy, any other possible recommendations or reviews of the Oil of Olay?


11) What is your absolute "must read" of the season? Lately, I've read, Overnight Socialite, reading The Help, American Wife, loads of others!

Our weekend in the Keys

We had a wonderful trip to the Keys despite Lallie becoming ill and us having to leave slightly early. She was a trooper the whole weekend, had lots of fun and then Sunday, she just seemed to get worse, so we went ahead and left. However, here are pictures from some of the things we did while we were there (lots of pictures as don't forget, we have out-of-town family and friends who love to see pictures!)

This is the night before we left. Just thought it was cute seeing Grandma and Lallie working on their laptops together.

I just love Lallie's new pink and green hat with her initial and green/pink grosgrain bow on the back. She loves it too! My mom and I with our fruity drinks from the Islamorada Fish Company. We also at at the Fish House in Key Largo, the Green Turtle among various other places. Yummm!! The only thing we missed are oysters. Nothing beats the oysters in Apalachicola! (By the way, That Place on 98 in Port St. Joe, closed! :( So sad. They still have there place in town though).

I love this picture of Lallie, though she looks a little upset that I'm taking yet another picture (and she was not feeling very well) ! Isn't she cute in her little Lilly dress. Dolphin watching with Daddy at the Dolphin Research Center.

Now, onto sailing on my dad's new sailboat. It's a smaller boat with three sails, without a cabin that he had made in England. It's beautiful. I hadn't sailed since my parents had a bigger boat on Kentucky Lake when I was a kid, so this was lots of fun, and Husband's first time sailing. Please forgive my appearance, I look awful (that's Husband's sweatshirt so it was a little big)!

My dad the captain!

Here are som other pictures from the trip. Lallie loves to have her picture taken in a group of people while one person is holding the camera. It's the ONLY time she'll actually look at the camera and not sideways while saying "cheese" like in the picture with the cute blue table. We had lots of fun and can't wait to go back soon!

BOOK SWAP!

Good morning y'all! A few months ago, I hosted a book swap and it turned out to be a great success! Jo over at Bees and Fleur de Lis and I are teaming up to do another book swap.

Here's how it works. Post a comment here OR over at Bees and Fleur de Lis with your email address (please don't forget your email!)

Only post your comment on one OR the other's blog, as to not confuse us!

The closing for entry into this swap is next Sunday at midnight (January 24th). On Monday, Jo and I will compile all the names and assign partners.

You are to contact your partner, discuss which titles you have and would like to swap and then between the two of you, decide how many books to swap.

For example, Jo and I were partners last time and we swaped five books!

Now, for shipping, don't forget to ship via Media Mail. It's extremely cheap, so I think I got my five books for a total of $4.00!!

So, who's in???

Islamorada Weekend

Today, we're headed to Islamorada, Florida down in the Florida Keys for the weekend with my parents. Husband and I have lived in South Florida for almost 9 years and have yet to visit the Keys. Sad I know but hey, "when you live somewhere, you never go anywhere."(picture courtesy of bserata.com)

My parents brought down their new sailboat that they had custom made and shipped from England. We're hoping to get it out on the water on Saturday. If not, there's always the tarpon feeding, the dolphin petting and other fun attractions. Not to mention the relaxation and great eating (including the International Fish Company).

(picture courtesy of biocrawler.com)

I'm not 100% sure where we're staying yet. My dad made the reservations. We are super excited and look forward to a fun weekend. I'll post pics as soon as we get back!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Weekend Update!

I just realized that I never did post about our past weekend! Sorry out-of-town family! (Notice how I'm going turquoise, after my post about the new Lilly bedding. I think I like turquoise now!)

Friday started out with a shopping trip to the Palm Beach Gardens Mall with Petunia in Paradise. We shopped for hours, lunched at California Pizza Kitchen and laughed 'til we dropped.

With Petunia's fabulous style help, I purchased a new pair of J Brand skinny jeans in a dark blue wash and a pair of black leather Tory Burch shoes with silver medallion. I also picked up some Juicy lounge pants on sale for 40% off, and in my size, shocking! I'm only showing my bottom half because I look horrible in this picture!

Saturday, we didn't do much, but later in the day, we went to visit our friends Mike and Rachel and their two kids. We had our annual Christmas exchange with them and Lallie received a new baby doll and carrying seat. She loves it and sleeps with the baby doll (in addition to bear, pillow, nana 1, nana 2, giraffe, baby 2 and star the bear). Lallie's friends loved their gifts too! Rachel served chili as it was freezing cold that night and Mike and Husband made a beer brew in the garage. It was a fun night!

I can't believe all three kids are looking at the camera, especially during hot dog and mac/cheese time! They're usually chowing down!

Best buds (excuse my picture, I was obviously uproaring about something! LOL!)

Sunday, we headed off to Church in the freezing cold! I just had to wear my new TB's so my feet completely froze off. Seriously, my toes were blue! Lallie was too cute in her Tommy Hilfiger dress and Pottery Barn sweater with pigtails. I love pigtails!!

Later that day, an old friend that had recently divorced from him wife came over for the afternoon and dinner. His ex-wife had his two girls that week, so he had a good time being with old friends. We really did a lot of catching up.

Lilly P. and Garnett Hill

I know, I know! I have so many other things to talk about but I couldn't resist posting about Lilly Pulitzer and Garnet Hill teaming up to make absolutely gorgeous bedding!!

Have you seen it yet? If not, you must run over to Garnet Hill and check out these lovely pieces. I think I might switch from my staple pink/green combo and change to turquoise/pink. Seiously, have you ever seen a turquoise color more beautiful!
I am loving these green sheets! Maybe I'll be turquoise/green now. I just don't know, so many options!

I do know one thing, as soon as I can re-do the upstairs guest/Lallie bathroom, I think I'll be going with these bathroom staples. The bathroom is currently palm tree decorated, perfect for those who come visit since we're in Florida, but it's dark green, gold and brown - ick, ick, ick. So how about these!