Summertime and September

I've been dreading this day for about 3 months....the first day of school.

But I really can't complain. I've had a fantastic summer with Clinton and Presley...

We spent some time with great friends...

Soaked up the sun and the water....

Birthday parties....

Presley's first trip to the Orpheum....and first movie...to see the Wizard of Oz.

Even her first day of Preschool happened this summer!

I got a few projects out of the way....not near as many as I planned...

Saw a few of my faves in concert...



Read some amazing books....

Some so-so books....

And one that I sadly couldn't even make myself finish....

So there a lot of my summer in a nutshell. It was a good one...no complaints here!

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Even though September is the dreaded first month of school, I decided to focus on some exciting things going on this month. There are a lot of "firsts" for Presley and I!

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First, this weekend we're going to see Clintons family in Madison, MS...right outside of Jackson. There's not one place I'd like to live in MS...or even vist for that matter... except for Madison...I love it! And I love his family! Every year his aunt and uncle have a fish fry on Labor Day weekend and we all go down there to see them. We are both so anxious to see everyone.

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Anyway, Clinton is the middle child...he has an older and younger brother. Ironically, the only 3 cousins that he has are all boys, too...and they each have a cousin that is their age, too! So, Brett has always been known as "Clinton's" cousin since they are the same age. Naturally he and his wife are the ones we stay with and hang out with the most. We all get along so great and have the best time together.
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Brett, Karla, and their sweet little boy J.B!

I can't wait to get my hands on this little chunky monkey! This will be J.B.'s first Labor Day fish fry, too!

Next weekend we'll be taking Presley to her first fair! I'm not a huge fan of the fair...and I haven't been to the one in Memphis since it moved out of the ghetto. But, being the obsessive mother that I am, I feel required to take Pres anyway.

I also get to see Jerry Seinfeld in standup this month!!! I have been trying to see him for years! Every time I go to NYC, I look him up to see if he's playing anywhere. I did the same thing when we went to Vegas this year. He's either not in town, too expensive, or sold out! So I'm freakin PUMPED!

The same weekend, we're going to see Disney on Ice! My MIL called me last week when she saw it advertised and asked if she could take Presley...she wanted to call dibs before I made plans with someone else haha. I told her she could take Presley, but she'd have to take me, too! I love all things Disney...plus I can't miss out on P's first experience either! So we're going with my MIL, SIL, and two nephews! Outta be a good time!

I think Presley might just wig out when she sees Snow White...she's her favorite!

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Well, now that you're bored to tears with all my pictures and ramblings about everything, I'll say goodbye. Have a great Monday!

Projects, decisions...money

Thats pretty much what my weekend is going to consist of.

This weekend is my last weekend of 100% freedom. School starts Monday. I'm trying out 4 classes this semester, and I'm really nervous about it. I just don't know how I'm going to manage working full time and going to school full time, when I have a family that I'd like to spend time with at least a few times a week! And not to mention..."its the most wonderful time of the year." Yes, the holidays. And we all know how important that is...and how much I love to consume my days and nights with all things festive. Ugh. No sense in worrying about it now.

On to better things. This is going to be a pretty low key weekend. I have a wedding tomorrow night, but thats all I have going on. So I decided to try and wrap a few projects around the house that I've managed to put off all summer...shocker.

One of those are these canvas' from Pottery Barn...


I haven't quite decided what route I want to go yet, but Miss P "painted" some canvases about a month ago (just finger painted them, mixing blues, greens, and reds), and I thought about using those as the background and painting little houses or something on them. I'm also going to get some frames this weekend so I can frame them and hang them up in her playroom.
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Ok, so you know how I posted a pic of this Cindy Lou Who costume for Presley this year??



Well, I still love the idea. But lets be honest...I can't sew, and I wouldnt have the time if I could. So that leaves me to rely on my mother. Don't get me wrong...she's great at that stuff. But she also is a procrastinator (she's had the material for my kitchen curtains for over a year!!). So when I asked her to make it, she kinda gave me an "are you crazy look?"
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So, I decided to keep my options open. Then I found this....

How cute is that?? And if you don't think it is, then check the baby version...

O.M.G!! How stinkin precious is that??!! So what do you think? Shoot for the Cindy Lou Who costume, or get the owl??

Weekend...and rambling

Friday I talked about how excited I was to go see two of my faves, David Gray and Ray La Montagne, in concert. Well, it didn't disappoint.

Candice and I got to Nashville about 1 yesterday and met up with her other BFF April. We went back to her condo and laid around for about 4 hours. It was heavenly. We lounged around, watched pointless shows on MTV, painted our nails, did our makeup....it was wonderful.

Before the concert, we had dinner at the California Pizza Kitchen...good Lord it was so good! Then off to see David Gray and Ray La Montagne!

The concert was actually a benefit concert for all the flood victims in Nashville. If you aren't aware of it, Tennessee really suffered from flooding a few months back, and Nashville was hit really bad...especially downtown. So it was really exciting to see DG and RL in concert, and know that it was for a good cause, too.

Well, I knew that DG was going to be amazing because I've seen him before. But RL was just as incredible!! And on top of that, we walked in the arena to find that one of Candice's favorite female artists was the opening act...Erin McCarley. Shes actually from Nashville and is A-mazing. She has the sweetest, softest voice I've ever heard... Pretty much what I imagine an angel from heaven to sound like hah! The combo of the three made for a fantastic night...couldn't have asked for anything better!

But of course the company was also a highlight of my weekend. Candice has been one of my bffs for the past 8 years...and we've known each other about 14 years. Shes such an amazing friend and I'm so thankful for her.

I've really had a lot on my mind the last few months...mostly revolving around relationships, whether its family or friends. I've always tried really hard to balance my life as a mother, wife, friend, daughter, student, employee....the whole 9 yards. So many people think that I put way too much on my plate...which is probably true...but I really wouldn't have it any other way. I love being busy, and I love revolving my life around the people I love...and the things I love. Despite what little time that leaves for myself.

However, I have decided to kind of re-evaluate what and who I invest my time in. I've come to this conclusion ....

"I only need to invest in people that invest in me...and I only need to invest my time into things that are truly worth it."

I don't mean this in a "what can you do for me" kind of scenario...and I know that real life means you have to do things you don't want to sometimes. But its just kind of disheartening to be the only one in a friendship...or heck even in your family...that makes the phone call, that tries to plan the get-together, that shoots over the email...that puts forth all of the effort. I'm proud of myself for having that quality...for being the one that makes sure to show everyone I care and that I'm thinking about them. But why am I so concerned with it? Maybe I just feel the need to stay connected...I don't know. Whatever it is, I'm just kind of over it.

I know that friendships change over time...its inevitable. But I really hate to see that happen, so I guess that's why I try so hard to keep in touch with people. Anyway, I didn't mean to get off on a tangent...but do y'all find that you feel the same way sometimes? Am I looking too much into all of this? Maybe I shouldn't worry about it and just keep doing what I'm doing...or is it time to start putting more effort into the ones that matter most, stop stretching myself so thin, and just let time run its course?

Weekend please.

I'm so ready for 5:00. This weekend has sucked...plain and simple. Sorry to be a Debbie Downer, but there are just no two ways about it.

Not much going on tonight and I hope to keep it that way. Clinton has not been home before 8:30 or 9 since Monday, and frankly its starting to get on my nerves a little bit. We need some major family time...just Clinton, Presley, and myself.

I really don't have much going on tomorrow either. Just my normal running around, spending money that I shouldn't. You know, the usual.

Sunday...well, that is the day that I'm waiting for! Me and my bff Candice are taking a little road trip to see her other bff April....and THEN, we are going to the David Gray and Ray Lamontagne concert!!!!!

April and Candice

THE David Gray...my fave ever!

Ray Lamontagne...who I discovered a while back through David Gray...awesome!

I've never been a concert goer, but Candice and I went to Atlanta this past April to see DG because we absolutely love him. It was hands down the best concert I had ever been to...hey, it even knocked the Janet Jackson/'N Sync concert out of 1st place if that tells you anything. So of course when we heard he was going to be so close to home, we had to go see him again. Yes, he's just that amazing! And if you're not sure who he is, then I think I have a few songs of his on my page...check it out. And I'm sure you know his most popular song "This Years Love"...but really guys, thats just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to his music.

Anyway, its going to be a short trip...we're heading to Nashville on Sunday and driving back Monday morning. But before we leave Nashville, we'll be hitting up the Loveless Cafe for their famous, southern breakfast!

I'm not gonna lie...I had never heard of it until my work bestie, Laura, told me about it last week. She knows about all things southern. And apparently this "is on the list of 1000 places you should go to before you die." I apparently do not have this list!! But of course now that I know that, I have to go. I am seriously probably looking forward to this about as much as the DG/RL concert since its been about 5 weeks since I've had "real" breakfast food (no, I do not consider melba toast breakfast food).

Have a great weekend!!

I have a confession

I'm a Pottery Barn thief.

I love Pottery Barn. If I could afford to decorate my house entirely with their furniture, accessories, etc...I would.

But, I can't. So instead, I try to make due by recreating some of their ideas the best that I can. I would love to have the real deal, but sometimes its just not feasible. And other times, it's just plain stupid to pay their prices when I know I can somewhat pull off the same look.

So with that being said, heres one of my inspirations....



Loved the personalized buckets for storing toys. But I was not a fan of paying $30 or $40 each. So instead, my mom found regular galvanized buckets from TSC for about $8, and I spray painted them red. Then I used my cricut to cut out the vinyl letters on the buckets...

I still have to get another one, but they only had 2 in this size when we went the first time.

And it's hard to tell in these pictures, but this bookshelf was also a replica of a Pottery Barn item that I just HAD to have....

I showed Clinton a picture and asked him if he thought he could make it for less than $400 (yes, thats what they wanted for it).

He looked at it and was like "sure, $50 tops." And sure enough, thats all it cost!

Gotta love my handy man! Now granted, it might not be as cutesy looking...and he didnt cut out the side windows and stuff, but for 50 bucks I'll take it!

So theres one summer project down...100 more to go. And only one more week left of sweet, sweet summertime.

Side note: This blog was posted before the "Pottery Barn Challenge" at The CSI Project. Please hop over to their site to see more projects from fellow Pottery Barn lovers!!

Weekend wrap-up

I am not ready for this week for many reasons, but the biggest one is probably the fact that I only have 2 weeks left of my summer break. I think I've cried about 5 times in the past week just thinking about.

Ok, not really. But I definitely wanted to.

My sister and BIL came in town from Phoenix for the weekend, and we had a wonderful time! We all had dinner together Friday and Saturday night, which was the first time since January when we were in Vegas. Hard to believe it had been that long since we'd all been together! Saturday day, I went to my sister's best friends baby shower at Owen Brennans (yummy). Then Saturday night I had Bonefish for the first time....O. M. G. It was A-mazing!!!

We wrapped up the evening with everyone coming back to our house and watching Presley entertain us with her new gymnastic moves haha.

There was one downfall to my weekend, which happened on Friday the 13th...of course.

Clinton's mom let me borrow her Yukon Thurs-Saturday so my sister could borrow my car instead of renting one. Patti has a jeep as well, so it wasn't a big deal to give it up for a few days. Clinton also has a jeep in addition to his truck, but neither me or my sister have a clue how to drive a freakin stick!

Well as Im enjoying lunch on Friday with all my work ladies, I discovered that I had like 5 missed calls from my sister and dad. I went into panic mode for a split second, then when I called her back, she informed me that my car broke down.

Great.

The funniest thing about this though, is that Clinton has been trying to get me to trade in my car for the past 2 weeks. We both just want something bigger ( I downgraded from a Tahoe to a Kia Sorento, which is a mid-size SUV, to save money when we had Presley. Needless to say, we've missed the Tahoe).

I've refused the whole idea because I'm just not ready to go back to an expensive car note. We went ahead an looked around, but everything I wanted was going to double, or almost triple, my note.

Not interested.

Ironically, I was telling my work ladies this as we were driving to lunch (before I got the call).

So, as soon as I convinced Clinton that we did not need a new car, he's back on his rant again. I think I've convinced him to wait till the first of the year, but he's really wanting something new before we drive out west. Say a prayer that I can convince him otherwise!

Hopefully today we will find out whats wrong with my car...and hope it doesn't cost a small fortune. And thanks to my wonderful MIL for letting me borrow hers as long as I need it.

Other than that, it was all-in-all a great weekend! I hope that y'all had a great weekend as well!

25 lbs and counting!

Today Ive officially reached my 25 pound mark!!!

That's 1/3 of the way to my happy weight, and 1/4 of the way to my ultimate goal, and that much closer to my baby making goal...and don't ask what that goal is, because only a select group of peeps know!!

Anyway that's about the most exciting thing going on today, but I'll take it! OH...and I finished reading Baby Proof.

LOVED. IT.

I wasn't prepared to like it as much as I did because all of my friends said it was their least favorite. I don't know if it's because I'm married or what, but I totally connected to it. I stayed up till about 12:30 to finish it because I refused to put it down.

If you aren't familiar with Emily Giffin's books, then you HAVE to read them. The first two are Something Borrowed and Something Blue...they're a sequel and are A-MAZING!!! Next is Baby Proof, but its not related to the first two (even though she does mention a few of the characters... which I love). Then there is Love the One Your With... So many people love this one the best, so I can't wait to start it this weekend! The last one just came out not too long ago, Heart of the Matter, but I've heard a lot of mixed emotions, so let me know what you think if you've read it!

It makes me sad to think I only have a few weeks left till school starts. No more reading books, crafts, movies...and good ole' relaxing. My days will consist of working 40 hrs a week, and my nights will consist of 4 classes and going to bed at midnight. I'll somehow have to manage to find time to spend with Presley and Clinton...and maintain some form of normalcy for our family. It's going to be tough, but the outcome will be worth it. That's all that keeps me going these days.

I didn't intend to blog today but I was so excited about my weight loss and book, that I had to! So again, have a wonderful Friday and weekend!!

Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful for the fact that this little lady has LOVED her first week of preschool!

I was really worried because she loves her babysitter so much. But she has been a trooper and is already asking me every morning if shes going to school (or Church as she sometimes calls it)!

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I'm also thankful because my sister and brother-in-law are going to be in town from Phoenix for the weekend!!! My sister arrived at midnight last night, so I won't see her till later on this evening...after I get my hair did (another thing I'm thankful for today)...and my BIL will get her tonight at midnight. We have a lot going on this weekend from eating out to baby showers...and just some much needed QT.

Ok....I have a really bad problem...its called an addition to decorating and changing stuff every 6 months. Presley moved into her big girl bed in January and we ordered her bedding from Target. It wasn't my first choice, but I just didn't want to spend a lot of money. Of course, I'm so over it now because I never loved it to begin with.

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When I go the new Pottery Barn catalog a few weeks ago, I really fell in love with 2 of the quilts that they had. Being true to nature, I couldnt make a decision to save my life, so I asked everyone I know for their opinion.
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Here were the two options....




I really loved the star quilt because it was a little different from what I normally do, and I felt like Presley would be able to keep it forever...kinda like a true heirloom. But how cute is the one with the birds?!

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Well of course the decisions were split right down the middle, which didn't help me one bit. But one of my friends said something that was so true, that I've always known about myself...

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"Candice...lets be honest here. No matter which one you get, you're going to be sick of it in a year. Plus, she's 2...get her something that still says 'little girl' when you look at it."

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Therefore, I went with my initial reaction, and got the one with the birds :)

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My mom and I had earned about $220 from a consignment sale we participated in last weekend, and we used it to buy her new bedding:) Of course Clinton thought I was ridiculous, which always seems to amaze me...I mean, he's known me for 13 yrs. He should be use to this by now!
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Im also about to refinish my great-grandmothers antique iron bed for Presleys room. Once I get all of it together, I'll post some pics for you ladies!
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Well, I hope that y'all have a fabulous week/weekend!

Decorating blues

Literally...I have the decorating blues in more ways than one. I'm so over my house that its pathetic.

Let me rephrase that....

I'm so over my living room that its pathetic. I'm tired of the dark brown leather couch, chair, black armoire, black bookshelves...everything is dark!! Even most of my accessories are black or brown. I really don't know how all of this happened! I guess its a case of using what I have and being too busy (lazy) to change it out. This kinda gives you an idea of part of our living room...


The rest doesn't look much better...I promise.

Anyway, I've figured out why I'm in this slump. You know how the more you look at something, you don't even notice its there? I really think thats how I've been with my living room over the past few years.

Well, I've always heard that you should never keep anything in your house that you dont really love. If you love it, you'll love it for a long time. Well if thats the case, I might as well throw it all out. I don't think I love but a hand full of things in there honestly. So, with that being said, my decorating blues have really put me in the mood to make some changes. I've been paying a lot more attention to the types of things that really get me excited, so I wont continue settling for things just because I want something new.

I've also really been taking note of the styles that I've always loved...that never grow old to me. I've always loved light, airy rooms (which baffles me as to how I got into the position I'm in). I love greens, blues, light furniture, etc.

So as I stumbled across one of my favorite decorating blogs the other day, I realized she had exactly everything I was looking for.

****Please note that all the following pictures are taken from her blog, The Nesting Place...she has noted on her blog that we are allowed to share, but I want y'all to know she totally gets credit for them!

So the pics below will show you that I literally have the "blues"....



I'm so obsessed with the light robin's egg blue, turquoise, etc...

And I've always been a lover of red, so the two together just seem like the perfect match for me :)

Below is her living room now...she's redone a few things, and I love it just as much! Nothing is better than a white couch. And if it weren't for my two labs that sleep on our couch every night, I would totally have one.

So. This is my inspiration...now I just need to figure out how to make it happen.

There are a few things I know that I have to keep...the couch for instance. Which is the worst because thats the one thing thats totally going to ruin my chance of achieving this look.

I also have a huge, black armoire that I have to keep...plus its one of my "loves"....but other than that, I'm pretty open to changing/painting/recovering or getting rid of everything else.

Time to get busy!!!

Bittersweet

Today is definitely bittersweet for me. It's Presley's last day at her babysitter. She's been going to Ms. Lisa's house since she was 6 weeks old. I'm so excited about her starting preschool on Monday and reaching that next milestone, but I can't help but wonder where in the world the last 2.5 years went. Of course I worry about whether she's going to like it or not, and I dread the million times she's going to ask me if shes going to Lisa's house (because shes literally asks me that 7 days a week).

So, I wanted to do something nice for Lisa since she's been so good to Presley, but I really struggled with what to do. I hate giving gifts that aren't very useful, and you only really know so much about your babysitter and her favorite hobbies.

My work bestie, Laura, found a cute gift basket idea for daycare/babysitters....it was called the Daycare survival kit:

Mounds: For the mounds of information you learn.

Crayon: To color your day bright and cheerful.

Peanuts: To be a little nutty sometimes and have a good laugh.

Band-Aid: For when things get a little rough.

Aspirin: When all else fails, take 2 and find a quiet corner.

Hugs and Kisses: To keep you going.

Sponge: To soak up the overflow, when your brain is too full to hold anymore.

Cup: For when yours is overflowing.

I didn't want to spend a lot of money on that type stuff because I wanted to make sure that I still got her something she would truly enjoy and that would be very excited about. But I ended up only spending like $30 on the basket and all the goodies to go in it. Then I found a yummy candle that smelled AMAZING. I finished it off with a gift certificate to her nail salon, as well as one to J. Alexanders for her and her hubby to enjoy a great dinner.

When she opened the door this morning and saw me holding the basket, she gave me this sad little face that almost made me cry...ok, I did tear up a little bit. We hugged and thanked each other for the last 2.5 years...and I vowed to take Baby Pair #2 there when the day came.

I really feel like I'm making the right decision, but at the same time I never intended on Pres starting preschool this soon. I guess this is just the first of the millions of times I'm going to doubt my parenting decisions. Might as well get use to it!

Well I hope y'all have a fabulous Friday and weekend. Talk to you soon!

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for...


DRUMROLL PLEASE.....


because as of this morning, I have lost 20 lbs and 16.5 inches!!! I still have many, many, MANY more to go, but it's a start!

I am also thankful for the rain clouds forming outside my window! Memphis has been hellacious this week, and I'm just about over it!


Memphis in August is always hell in a hand basket, but yesterday we reached a heat index of 120...the highest since like 1947 or something crazy like that. I'm so ready for fall that I can already smell it!
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Speaking of fall....I've already figured out what Presley is going to be for Halloween. Let me preface this by saying that, YES...I am the crazy mother that plans costumes 3 or 4 months ahead....and the same crazy mother that plans birthday themes about 6 months ahead (which by the way, I've already figured out and her bday isnt until February). I can't help it...and I don't plan on changing.
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So here it is....

Cindy Lou Who, who was no more than two!

photo found here

I really wanted something sweet and innocent since she's still only 2 yrs old, but she's kind of past a lot of the cute, cuddly costumes for babies. I'm just not ready for Snow White, Cinderella, and all that stuff yet...she has plenty of time for those things.

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So I thought about Cindy Lou Who and decided to do some googling. I was actually thinking more of the version from the Jim Carrey movie, but when I came across this one, I couldn't resist! I've already talked to my mom about helping me make it, so I hope it turns out alright!

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Have a good day!