Big Thanks!

I just wanted to stop in and thank you guys for all of the kind thoughts on Monday! I know I've been kind of sporadic around here, lately, and I think, when I have been around, it hasn't been super interesting, and I know I definitely haven't been visiting anywhere else on the internet, either, and I miiiiiissssssss it. And all of you!

But, you know...I was in Indiana last weekend, and I'm leaving this weekend for my sister's wedding next week, and I haven't packed or gotten a haircut or waxed my eyebrows or purchased my pre-planned plane snacks (I may be the most ANNOYING person to travel with, ever, but I always have snacks and entertainment. I think that MORE than makes up for my need to get to the airport three hours before the flight, right?) (Ok, I don't necessarily need to get to the airport three hours before the flight. That's an exaggeration. Two will do just fine, thankyouverymuch.), plus I still need to send Steve out for dog food and kitty litter and bread for Brigid, so his parents aren't left with empty cupboards and hungry grandchildren (Yes, the dogs count as grandchildren, what of it?) when they house-sit for us next week.

And laundry. Why is there ALWAYS laundry that needs to be done?

Anyway, I am of the firm belief that every vacation requires three weeks off, in which the first week prepares you for the vacation, the second week is the vacation, and the third week is the recovery from the vacation. But sadly, if I had that much free time at my disposal, I probably wouldn't need the vacation in the first place, so I am making do where I can.

But, beyond all of that, your sweet words meant a lot to me when I interviewed earlier this week, and I just want to thank you all for visiting my little corner of the internet, and I promise to come back on the other end of this wedding...event, I guess, as it's becoming...a more coherent and pleasant and attentive little blogger.

And in the meantime? You can always find me on Twitter.

(It's where my incoherent side hangs out most days, after all...)

Here we go...

In the last hour, I've hit every single leftover in my fridge, in a pretty impressive bout of stress eating.

I am now trying to corral a weepy toddler out of her new favorite princess nightgown and into real clothes, so I can pawn her off on her father for an hour, at the office, because I am about to interview for a new job.

Wish me luck!

(Also, wish Steve luck, because Brigid is in an AWESOME mood right now...)

Quick Hits

I don't know where my inspiration/motivation/general desire to do anything internet related has gone recently, but I am a little out of touch on email/reader feed/general blog kind of activities this week. I'm either blaming vacation brain, or Lego Harry Potter for the iPad, which I have already played through once, to open the free play on all levels, and am now replaying with a hardcore intensity designed to officially unlock everything I missed the first time around.

I am AWESOME to be friends with, I tell you. Or married to, for that matter, as Steve will tell you.

Anyway, a few little things running through my mind right now:

1) I am flying up to Indiana for my sister's bachelorette party this weekend, which gives me a glorious couple of hours all to myself, albeit in an airport/on a plane. And then I've got a longer flight next weekend, too, where I'll have all sorts of time to kill, so...HELP! I'm looking for any good movie or book or general pass-the-time-activity recommendations you might have. I can't guarantee that I will do anything more than just fall asleep during my free time, but still...it never hurts to have a back-up plan.

2) I have decided to give up swearing for Lent this year. The last few years, I've given up shopping...but I'm already doing that for the full year, so it's no additional sacrifice this time around. My other typical tradition involves giving up sugar. But...vacation. And since my language has hit all time lows recently, to the point that I could probably make a sailor blush in the course of a normal conversation, this will be a tough goal to work for. Which is kind of the point of things, after all.

But I've slipped up already. Several times, in fact. So I'm trying to come up with a good 'punishment' (for lack of a better word) system for when these slips occur. Any ideas?

(See? Lack of creativity. My head is just not where it should be these days, I swear.)

3) ...and that's all there is, folks. Books, movies, and swearing. And Lego Harry Potter.

I think this means I really need a nap?

Two Weeks

In two weeks, I will be sitting on a beach in the Dominican Republic. And once again, my little mid-winter beach break couldn't come at a better time...

See, I've never really considered myself an anti-birthday kind of person, but I'm starting to wonder if I might actually be more affected by the big day than I'd previously thought. I always start to feel...disconnected, maybe is the right word, or uninspired, or just plain tired...at this point in the year, and in the past, I've just chalked it up to the weather. Gray, cold, miserable...of course I'm going to be a little blue, right?

But this year, I haven't had that problem. There has been more than enough sun, more than enough warmer weather, and yet...I'm just not myself right now. And I don't like it, at all.

It will pass.

It always does.

And in the meantime, I have a little bit of paradise to look forward to.

But I just wish I knew how to prevent it in the first place...

Friday Round-Up

Today is my last day as a 31-year old. Which...whatever, right? It is what it is. I'm not going to focus on the getting older aspect of things, I think. Instead, I'm going to celebrate the fun part of birthdays.

Like cake. And beer. And, probably pizza, too.

Man, I love cake and beer and pizza...

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Now, on to my favorite Friday links! They may be a little short this week, because it's been a busy few days around here. I HATE when real life gets in the way of my internet time, you know?

Do you like sports? Do you like pop culture? Because if you like either of those things, you should really, really be reading the remarkably talented writers at Grantland. They are one funny bunch of people, I swear. Case in point? Rembert Explains the '80s. You. Are. Welcome.

Chalkboard paint. Who knew?

I have this Style Statement book, but I haven't started the process, yet. I'm kind of excited to, though...I really, really hope it helps me get my mess o' stuff under control again. And if I can convince myself to let go of anything I'm holding onto for all of the wrong reasons? Even better...

And...that's all I have this week. Like I said, short and sweet.

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(And, as always, my post on Style Lush this week. Have a great weekend!)

It's like I don't even KNOW me anymore!

While I am over here, trying to recover from the mortifying knowledge that my husband pulled up my blog to show some mutual co-workers just what I looked like, I thought I'd share a little news with you...

In the past week, I've been to Target and the outlet mall for the first time in 2012, and I DIDN'T BUY A SINGLE THING! AT EITHER PLACE!

I KNOW!!!

Now, I did manage to get my husband to buy me a pretty piece of mercury glass while we were at the Pottery Barn Outlet, as an early birthday present, and it turned out that the adorable yellow cardigan with polka dots that I was eyeing at the Banana Republic Outlet just so happened to be wrapped and waiting for me at my mother-in-law's house for additional early birthday enjoyment, but still...

I'm kind of proud of myself, right now.

But I'd also kind of like to know...is there a way I can arrange one of these birthday things every two months or so?

Because it's definitely a lot easier not shopping for yourself, when there are plenty of other people around to do it for you, and, honestly, I'm just not sure how up on the idea of buying Easter gifts for each other Steve will be, when I try to make that suggestion...

Valentine's Day Recap

My poor, dear husband was told on Monday that he needed to be in Charlotte for a meeting on Wednesday morning. And since flights from Atlanta to Charlotte are in the $500+ range two days out (shocking to absolutely no one, I'm sure...), it was more cost effective for him to just make the drive, instead. But, because the meeting was at 10AM, and he didn't want to get up and drive at 4AM, he headed out on Tuesday night.

Yes, for those of you counting at home, my husband had to leave me and Brigid on Valentine's Day for a 'business trip'.

I, of course, threw a fit (or, you know, shrugged my shoulders, which is about as worked up as I can get about my favorite made-up holiday) and asked if he was pulling a Patrick-Dempsey-from-Valentine's-Day-the-movie on me (no, I didn't, and he wouldn't have picked up on the reference if I had, since no self-respecting person would ever admit to seeing that movie...except for me, apparently).

But, then he gave me chocolate and beauty products and left me alone with Monday's episode of Gossip Girl on the DVR, and all was right with the world.

THE END.

Human Valentine

I'm pretty sure that when I was growing up, the 'don't ever wear pink and red together' rule was right up there with not mixing black and brown as a fashion requirement, to be followed at all times.

My inner child is weeping for me, right now.

(Then again, my inner child wore a school uniform until she was 12, so we don't necessarily trust her style judgment, anyway. PINK AND RED, FOREVER!)

Sweater: Gap

Cardigan: Banana Republic (outlet)

Skirt: Banana Republic (outlet)

Necklace: Old Navy

Shoes: Missoni for Target

So THIS is what February feels like...

It was cold this weekend. Colder than it has been since, I don't know, last winter or something. You know, when it was ACTUALLY WINTER, and not this bizarre will-it-won't-it winter tease we've had so far this year.

(Not that I'm complaining, or anything, because I like the warmer weather, but seriously...MAKE UP YOUR MIND, ALREADY, GEORGIA!!)

So, because it was cold, I figured it was as good a time as any to counteract the winter temperatures with spring colors. Flawed logic...it works for me, every time.

(Do you know what else works for me, every time? Totally copying my outfit from Kendi...)

 Tank Top: Old Navy

Cardigan: Gap (outlet)

Jeans: Levis (from TJ Maxx)

Shoes: Cole Haan

Scarf: Land's End Canvas

Friday Round-Up

Well, it's Friday again. Which I'm excited about and all.

Except...I've got some things on my mind.

Nothing bad, or anything There are just some decisions that I have to think through that I didn't think I'd have to make until some time down the road.

So, one of those weekends, then...

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Now, on to some things less unnecessarily overly dramatic...

I would like to go shopping for a toddler-pestilence survival kit, immediately.

I think I could say this about most of the things that The Bloggess writes, but this robot animal thing? Nearly had me in tears of laughter. She is all kinds of awesome.

In other 'I could link to everything this lady posts' excitement, I kind of want this outfit from Kendi. All of it.

If Brigid was in school right now, and needed to make valentines for her class, we would so be doing this all weekend. Remind me about this conversation next year, ok?

Ginger always hits the nail squarely on the head when she writes about being a working mom, and this post was no exception. I think I find myself falling into the 'someone else is raising my kid' trap from time to time, and I like the reminder that this isn't really the case...

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And in other news, I did a guest post for Tiffany earlier this week, and I completely forgot to link to it here on Monday, when it was posted. And, of course, you should probably go check out my Style Lush post for the week, too.

Happy Friday!

My ABCs

So far, I've seen this done by Jess and Sarah, and, well...I wanted to play along! I kind of love these things. It's a sickness, I think.

A. Age: 31. (Although this will be changing in 10 days, but we won't talk about that, right now...)

B. Bed size: King.

C. Chore that you hate: Folding laundry. I have no problem doing laundry, but folding it and putting it away? No thanks.

D. Dogs: Two. Riley the vizsla, who is pretty, but dumb, and Peyton, the terrier/beagle mix, who isn't fat, she's just big boned...

E. Essential start to your day: COFFEE. And also, more coffee.

F. Favorite color: Green.

G. Gold or silver: Silver.

H. Height: 5' 2". And a half.

I. Instruments that you play: The piano. Sort of. Well, I used to be able to, anyway.

J. Job title: Financial Services Manager.

K. Kids: The lovely Miss Brigid.

L. Live: The A-T-L! Woo! (You may come kick me, now.)

M. Mother's name: Kathleen. Or Kathy, as her cousins call her. Hee...

N. Nicknames: T, maybe?  I don't know that I really have one, I guess.

O. Overnight hospital stays: Just that one time I was in there, givin' birth and all.

P. Pet peeves: Oh, everything annoys me waaaaay more than it should. It's something I should probably work on, I guess. My current general annoyances are people who don't accelerate quickly enough after the light turns green (Steve and I, NASCAR loving people that we are, refer to it as someone spinning their tires on the restart) (I never said I wasn't an idiot...) and my dear husband leaving his beverage can on the kitchen counter every morning after he pours himself a drink for the commute, even though he WALKS RIGHT PAST THE RECYCLING BIN ON HIS WAY OUT OF THE DOOR!!!

Q. Quote from a movie: "Hey look, kids, there's Big Ben, and there's Parliament!"

R: Right or left handed: Right.

S: Siblings: Two awesome sisters.
.
T: Travel favorite: Somewhere with a beach. A really, really pretty beach.

U. Underwear: Mostly VS, I think.

V. Vegetable(s) you hate: Onions. Do onions count as a vegetable?

W. What makes you run late: Everything. I am NEVER on time. It drives Steve nuts.

X. X-rays you've had: Just the general dental types, I think.

Y. Yummy food that you make: I...um...well, I guess I can make a good smoothie?

Z. Zoo animal: Panda bears. Always the panda bears.

Your turn! (And leave me a link to your post if you do this!)

The Girl Who...

My goal for 2012 was to read twelve books. That’s it. Just one a month, that’s all I’m shooting for.

And other than choosing not to count lift-the-flap board books or anything involving the Disney princesses in my final number, I didn’t really set any other parameters for myself outside of my arbitrary, and completely self-imposed, goal of ‘twelve books’.

With that said, I feel like I’m cheating.

It’s my contest. With myself. And I am cheating.

See, I’m already four books into this goal, and it’s only February. Which should make me feel good about myself, right? I am kicking ass on my goals for the year. Woo!

Except that three of those books were from The Hunger Games trilogy, and I managed to finish them in less than a week. So…yeah. It just feels weird, like I should count them all as one, or something.

But I probably won’t. Because I’m pretty persuasive, and I can most likely convince myself that it is, in fact, kicking ass on a goal, and not, in fact, cheating. Plus, I’m sure I’ll end up picking a really long, hard book to read later in the year, that will take me two or three months to read, anyway, and it will all even out in the end. I am a genius, obviously.

I’m glad I’ve had this conversation with myself. I feel better…

Anyway, in other ‘I am waaaay behind on all forms of pop culture’ news, my next literary project to tackle has been the Stieg Larsson trilogy…and it’s taking a little more time to get through than I’d like. I finished up The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo in a pretty timely fashion, but I’ve kind of stalled on The Girl Who Played With Fire. I didn’t like the first one as much as I’d expected, based on everyone else’s review of it, because it took so long to get into any sort of action that I’d lost all interest in the characters by the time the story started moving. And even though I am enjoying the story-telling in the second book more than I would have expected, after finishing the first one, the story still hasn’t gripped me the way I’d hoped it would. But, because I am me, I can’t give up on it until I’ve read all three books, so…I’m holding out hope for a complete change of opinion.

And, also, when I’m done with all three of them? I am going to find the lightest, easiest read I can find to read, because the darkness of the last six books I’ve read will need to be counteracted, somehow. So I’m open to suggestions. After I finish Stieg up with over here, what’s the funniest book you’ve read recently that I should be adding to my list?

Hello, Monday...

It's Inspiration Monday over at Two Birds, and since today's plans included registering Brigid for preschool in the fall (I am already calling 'not it' on taking B in for her first day, ok? DO YOU HEAR ME, STEPHEN??? NOT IT!!) and taking her to the aquarium on my mother-in-law's membership guest pass, the timing of today's inspiration couldn't have been better.

Because, this?

Well, this just translates really well into an outfit that let's you crawl through the penguin tunnel, to the plastic bubble thing in the middle of the penguin pond, where you can stand face to face with those darn penguins!

(which probably would have been a lot cooler, if penguins didn't have beady little creepy eyes right in the middle of their faces, but whatever...I have bird issues.)

 T-shirt: Gap

Sweater: Banana Republic (outlet)

Jeans: Gap

Boots: Hunter

Friday Round-Up

I wish I was better at planning events, because my poor husband's birthday is today, and all I've got on the schedule is a trip to a local brewery for a tour and tasting tomorrow...and the only reason I even got that far was because there was a Groupon for it a couple of weeks ago.

I think I'm going to have to add that to my 2013 list for next year...plan an actual birthday party for Steve. It totally seems like a job for Pinterest, doesn't it?

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And now, the things I've loved this week:

I could not stop laughing at these redesigned What to Expect When You're Expecting movie posters, because...so true. For the love, they are all SO TRUE.

I would like to print out one of each of these, even though I'm not a huge celebrator of the Day of Valentine. They are all just so cute.

Style Lush is giving away a 'Will Run for Champagne' t-shirt here, and you should totally enter. I would, if I could, but apparently, I'm not allowed. It's not fair, really...

I'm pretty sure I need one of these necklaces, immediately.

If I was at all good at these kinds of things, I would immediately go search for a coffee table I could turn into a bench. Sadly, I am not good at these kinds of things. I am, in fact, terrible at them. That's not fair, either.

I've always said, when I grow up, I want to dress like Cee. And yes, I know she is younger than I am. Whatever. I still mean it.

This winter wellness guide is all kinds of amazing. I want to try every single suggestion, right this very minute. However, I think open flames are discouraged in my office. Sad.

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And finally, because I haven't linked to the site enough (I can't help it...biased or not, there are some AMAZING ideas over there!), my own Style Lush post for the week can be found here.

Have a great weekend!

Not so flattering...

While I absolutely adore the pattern on this blouse, something about it just doesn't seem to look right on me, for some reason. I think the style of the shirt maybe makes me look a little more...let's call it well-endowed...than I actually am, and if I'm being honest here (and also, really obvious, because it's not like I can hide it), I really don't need the help in that area.

And I don't think leaving it untucked with work, either, because without the waist definition, things just get worse.

I'm not ready to give up on the shirt entirely, since I've worn it all of one time, but it's going to take some thought to figure out how to get it to work on me...

Good thing I'm always up for a challenge.

Shirt: Lucky Brand (outlet)

Skirt: Calvin Klein (Macys)

Boots: DSW

Bracelets: Mango Tree

Shredded

Well, I did it. Despite the joys of toddler wrangling with an angry and full-of-energy two-year old at 10pm last night, I still managed to start the 30 Day Shred.

And I kind of hated every minute of it.

Of course, most of that hate came from the fact that I really can't stand the running dialogue that trainers insist on keeping up through work-out DVDs, because the work-out itself is pretty good. It's quick, but intense, which is what my schedule calls for right now, and I am definitely feeling the effects of it today. But for some reason, the more I hear the little voice in the TV telling me that I just need to 'push through the pain', the more I think, 'You know what? I really don't need to push through anything. I'm just going to go eat some cake now, thank you very much...', and I'm pretty sure that's the opposite of what they're shooting for.

So, I should probably fix that, if possible. I'm planning to trade out Jillian's constant harping about how a twenty minute work-out DOES NOT ALLOW FOR ANY DOWNTIME tonight for some upbeat music, and I think I might actually enjoy the shredding process as a result.

Or, at least not openly despise it, which might be the best I can hope for when it comes to exercising these days...


(Has anyone ever actually made it through all 30 days of the Shred? Or does anyone know anyone who has? Outside of that before and after photo I've seen on Pinterest, I've never heard of anyone sticking with it, and I just want to know if it's worth it, or not...

Did I mention I'm going to be in a bathing suit/beachside wedding photo in five weeks? I need to make sure I'm not wasting my time, here!)