I did it!

I had been looking. And thinking. And doing a lot of sweet talking to my cautious hubs. (Who is still sure most of you aren't real)

But I finally bit the bullet and did it.

I'm so stinkin excited! There are some fab girls going, most specifically, my roomies Rachel and Natalie!

If any of you readers are going, let me know. I would love to meet as many of you as possible!

The Black Friday that flopped.

I ALWAYS go shopping on Black Friday. Its tradition. I even posted a Fashion Friday: what not to wear post last year.

This year, I wasn't feeling it. We were in NY and it was 20 degrees that night. My California blood was freezing. I usually have a list of stuff to go fight some people for, but I didn't even have that this year. I knew I wanted to go look at toys for Coop, so the hubs and I had planned to go out just for that.

We went to Toys R Us for their special 10pm opening. Along with the rest of NY state. It was madness. We were in a massive line and were nowhere near the door at 10:30pm. We started hearing all the grumblings of people asking "what are we looking for here?" Which made me wonder the same thing. I wanted to slowly browse. (And sip my starbucks. And spend endless hours letting the Christmas magic soak in.)

So we left. Went to bed, slept until 9, then went shopping.

It was moderately peaceful by that time and I couldn't help but think about the $10 in savings that ALMOST made me loose a night of sleep. So not worth it. I have decided that unless there is really big, money saving awesomness,

I'm going to sleep.

Cyber Monday? Now, that is a WHOLE different story. I'll shop in my PJ's any day.

Lets get packing.

Organized packing. Is there such a thing? Notsomuch.

We are going to NY for Thanksgiving and packing up just for a few days becomes quite the project for 3 people.

(I have no idea how y'all with more kids do it)

I usually throw all my favorites in a suitcase and end up without the basics and with tons of leftovers. This time, I decided to pack outfits.

This way I have everything I need for each day, and will hopefully avoid being packed up to our eyeballs for the entire drive.
See the shorts and tights? Luuuurve this look. Only thing is, I am scared that I can't pull it off. I guess we'll find out because I didn't bring any backups! Hehehe.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2 year old kid shopping craziness.

Nothing really prepares you for shopping with kids. Once you have kids, you will begin to savor every solo errand run like its a weekend vacation.

Why? Because shopping with your kid goes like this.

Our first stop yesterday was Joanns. Coop was good to start. Hanging in the cart, reading a book on how to perfect cupcakes. I was picking out some fabric and doing some major debating on exposed zippers. As I'm waiting in line at the fabric cutting counter, Coop let's out a scream.

Like ridiculously loud. Red face and clinched fist loud. I was mortified.

He is usually good in the store...not today. I leaned down to ask him why he was screaming and he did it again. This time I put my hand on his mouth to muffle the noise because yes, it was THAT loud. Everyone was looking at me.

I refused to leave because I was next in line! I gave Coop some stern talking to and threatened not to give him his candy cane once we got in the car. Okay quiet. Got to the checkout. He screamed again. Threw his jacket on the ground. I was deathly pale and sweaty.

What the frick are you supposed to do in these situations?

In the car, I told him how sad he made me and how unacceptable his behavior was. He cried and said "sorry, mommy". Fine. We'll try again.

Next up, Trader Joes. He loves this store because they have the little carts. He got his cart and said, "I don't need help, Mom." Fine. I was still annoyed and didn't want to do anything to make him scream again. He went up and down the aisles saying "ooh, lets try this" and putting it in his cart. Haha, just like mommy. I only needed one thing, (cough, cough...almond champagne) so we were out pretty quick.

On to Target. I told him I had to look in the clothing department first and told him he has to be good or else we wouldn't look at toys. I went into the dressing room. As I'm trying on pants, he starts singing...LOUDLY. "Oh, baby I'm a rock star" was blaring out of our room. He seemed to put just the "oh, baby" on repeat for what seemed like forever. Once we came out, of course the attendants were laughing and talking to him.

Cooper proceeded to tell them all that Daddy is in Chicago.

Sweet mercies, we're going to be followed home.

When we passed the bra department, Coop started yelling, "Look Mom, BOOBS!" Really, Coop? As if I hadn't been embarrassed enough today.

We managed to escape with one ripped open package of animal crackers and loads of sweat and embarrassment.

When we got home, he napped. Thank goodness.

Because this little man can sure give me a run for my money.

Fashion Friday - Military Style

Just found this coat yesterday and I luuuuurve it.

{Sleeve buttons}

Did a "sleek" pony, but my layers left some strays.
{I need some practice on that hair}{Be a dear and wrap it up}
And thanks to Macy's weekly One Day sale, I am the proud owner of these cuties.
Outfit Deets

Jacket - Target
Jeans - Old Navy
Shoes - Rocket Dog, Macy's
Bag - Target
Sunnies - Prada



Happy Friday, Y'all!





Fashion Friday is brought to you by the fab, Summer!

Chilly weather meal. {Chicken Tortilla Soup}

My sweet sis sent this recipe to me and its delish. Totally perfect for a cold night.

{Chicken Tortilla Soup}

2 Cans {EACH} Cream of Chicken, Cream of Mushroom and Cream of Celery Soup. (I used the reduced fat)

2 Cans Campbell's Cheddar Cheese Soup

2 Cans Chicken Broth (Same size as soup)

1 Can Diced Tomatoes

1 Cup Salsa (I used hot)

1 Onion, Chopped

2 Clove Garlic, Minced

1 tsp. Red Chili Powder

Salt and Pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients in a large pot. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer 1 hour.

{Add in}

4 Chicken Beast, diced and sauteed

1/4 cup fresh Cilantro, chopped

Simmer an additional hour.

{Topping}

Slice 1 package tortillas into strips
Roll up and quickly fry in vegetable oil.

Top soup with tortilla strips and shredded cheese.
{Enjoy}

Because I really needed another place to shop.

Y'all, i just found out that you can now shop at Kirklands online. Dangerous, huh? If you've ever been there, you KNOW this means trouble. The hubs probably hates that they did this, but I'm pretty darn excited.

I hope my family reads this and tells Santa.

hint, hint.

Loving this stuff right now.

Canisters that are the exact colors of my kitchen.

Rolled Arm Bench that would be perfection in my entryway.

Santa Towel ummm, hello, does it get any cuter?

And these Ornaments that would fill in my "pretty" tree quite nicely.

We're doing a decorative one on the landing at the top of the stairs and a "let Cooper put whatever he wants on it" tree in the living room this year. I am counting down the days until I can put up the decorations, but I feel like I have to wait until after Thanksgiving!

Have you started to decorate yet?

Bad hair day.

I always wanted curly hair. And my mom gave me just what I asked for with those pink sponge rollers you slept overnight in.

Every Easter

I would wake up hating it the next morning and would cry while trying to brush it out.

Every Easter

Then my mom made us do the unthinkable and take pictures in which I went into full pout mode for.

Every Easter

Aren't I just the sweetest thing you ever saw? Bahahaha. I couldn't resist showing you this pic after I scanned those in for my birthday. Which, by the way, was uhhhhmazing. Thank you all for the sweet birthday love!

Y'all are amazing!

Shutterfly 50 free Holiday Card promo.

Well, everybody is doing it. Jumping on the Shutterfly bandwagon, because well, we're no fools! I know a good deal when I see one!

I usually order all my pics from Shutterfly because they are good prices and I've always been happy with the quality. I did our we just moved cards through them when we moved to California, but have yet to do any here. Sigh. 6 months is a bit long to wait, ya think?

This year, we will just be doing a joint Christmas/Just moved card.

I'm in luck because Shutterfly has offered bloggers 50 free Christmas Cards.

These are the ones I have my heart set on.

Shutterfly has all sorts of gift ideas like these Calenders

I make a calender for my mom every Christmas. The past few years, I have done it through other places because I like to personalize the days. But wait! Shutterfly now has personalized dates that let you to add a photo and text to calendar days. Yes!!! I will be making her calender in the next few days and it will be from Shutterfly!

Aren't these Address Labels super cute? They would save tons of time, so I may just have to get these, too.

And these Gift Tags are adorbs! Talk about saving time. I spend forever writing and sticking those little tags on, only to smudge all the ink with my sweaty gift wrapping fingers. Bleh.

So get on over to Shutterfly and order your holiday goods now!

If you are a blogger and want to take place in Shutterfly's 50 free card program, go here!

I'm officially in my LATE 20's.

I'm having a hard time with this one. I know, I know, I'm not old, but I'm now closer to 30 than 20. And it kindof hurts.

While I still feel a bit like this.

{Poser. Circa '91}

Or even this.

{Circa '89}

I'm so not a kid anymore. Am I finally going to realize that now?

Even though I'm not loving the age, I'm going to celebrate with my premature greys. Here's your excuse to have a glass (or 4) of wine, as much chocolate as you can stomach and put your partaaaaay pants on. Cause that's sure what I'm going to do!

Happy Birthday to meeeee!

{Oh, and next year, my birthday will be amazing. 11-11-11. I think a killer real life party is in order.}

Blazer lovin

I am seriously in love with one of this seasons hottest trends: The Blazer.

I have a couple old ones, but I had to get one with contrast cuffs.

{You can dress 'em up, or dress 'em down.}

Just find a good fit and its flattering on all body types.

{Who says you can't jewel up your feet?}
{Wowzers. Someone really needs a hair coloring. Stat.}

Outfit Deets:

Blazer - F21

Jeweled T - Target

Boyfriend Jeans - NY & Co

Pumps - Steve and Barry's

Necklace - F21

You know where I went today to wear this? Nowhere. That's right. Only the hubs saw me today . But I did do a little shopping online last week and got a package from F21 that I was way too excited to let sit in my closet. Hehe.

There's a veggie lover among us.

Over the weekend, we went with the hubs sis and bro-in-law to see Veggie Tales Live.

Veggie Tales is one of Coop's fave shows and those squeaky little voices get grained into your very brain.

We even bought a CD so when we aren't watching the movie, we can listen to the music.

Cooper loved it. He sang. He danced. He clapped. He shrieked and pointed.

I have to admit, they are pretty cute.
And they do teach good values to kids.
{Just wish they would tell him not to hit, cause mercy its driving me batty}

This happy grin while singing "I love my lips" would make me do just about anything.

Like listen to "The Hairbrush Song" again...and again.

Shoes only a Father could love.

I'm pretty certain I had my Dad wrapped around my little finger when I was younger.

I remember when he took a flight with about 15 of us teenagers to Minnesota.

{I deeply feel for him now, as I distinctly remember playing slap on the tray table with a poor soul sitting in front of us}

The whole way there, he told me my shoes smelled awful.

{They were some cheap, fake leather sandals that I thought were the shizznit.}

That night, he put my shoes outside the hotel door, unable to be in the same confined room with them. Then, the next day, he brought me to The Mall of America to buy me my first pair of these crazy fad shoes.

This started a very unhealthy collection of Dr Martens that I to this day can't seem to part with.

When I was about 16, (a very emotional 16) my love of animal print began. I was having a bad day when my Dad brought these home to me.

My very first pair of real life 4" stripper shoes. That he went to the store and bought himself. Because he loves me.

If that isn't wrapped around his little finger, I really don't know what is.

CSN Giveaway {WINNER}

Wow, lots of you wanted some Christmas shopping money from CSN!

I used random.org to choose the winner, and once again, it is a teany tiny picture.

If someone wants to tell me how to fix that, lemme know. Mmkay, thanks.

Out of 90 entries, the winner is #30.

Annie of Our Little Family!!

Congrats, Annie! You have won a $50 gift card to use on anything at CSNstores.com!

Send me an email so I can get your info to pass it along to CSN!

Today was the day IT happened.

The thing I always heard horror stories of.

The thing that I prided myself in NEVER happening to me.

{I just must have the most understanding child ever}

The thing that would make non-mother's stomachs churn up into their mouths.

IT was poop.

On little fingers, the bed, the sheets, the passies, the pajamas...everywhere.

Enough to strip all the sheets, blankets and bumper pad, bring out the clorox wipes, and deep sanitize the passies.

{And not take a picture until the cleaning was done}

And for the love of all things holy, I hope in NEVER happens again.

And a happy Halloween it was.

Getting ready to go to Trunk-or-Treat at church.

First he had on the monkey, then said "no, monkeys are not cool!"

He was in love with this slide.

I on the other hand, was out of breath from climbing up while carrying him and being passed by all the kids.

Halloween night getting ready to trick-or-treat in the neighborhood.

He said he wanted to go back in and watch Shrek.

But was happy with all his bounty afterwards.

I'm going to be needing these....

...because remember that dream job I wanted?

I got it!

{massive, cheesy grin}

I pulled out all the scrubs, (which I think should be fashionable and not make you look like a blob) and luckily, they all still fit!

I'll only be working 1 shift a week, but I didn't realize how ridiculously excited I would be for my new "big girl job". Eeek!