Hi, my name is Laura and I have a problem....

Yes, I am sure all of my avid readers have noticed that my posts have been, well, few and far between...while I would like to say that I have been busy working hard, changing lives one at a time and truly improving the world for future generations...I have actually been....um....shopping.....online.....and shopping online (sigh)a lot.

John has encouraged me for years to find a hobby, something that I am good at, something that I enjoy...(something to distract me so that John can play games, read a book, and watch movies.) I have finally found my hobby! But shockingly some..like John...or say our bank account, may classify this "hobby" a major problem!

I hate to admit, but I am probably more materialist than most, definitely more materialistic than I would like to be. I am not the biggest spender...but as my mother would say I have a huge "Wanter" (not dirty contrary to popular belief)But I must confess I do have a mental "would like to have" list. This list includes things that really should be replaced due to over use or being misplaced, or things that I can't afford at the time, but someday would love to have..."wants"

For example...A black dress coat..a few Christmases ago my parents generously gave me a wonderful black coat from Banana Republic. Sad to report a few years later the coat is now MIA. It was wonderful...I know it enjoyed its short life with me. It got to go to Baltimore to greet Abby McElheny in to this world..It was lucky enough to go with Carrie to New York for a weekend getaway and had numerous other fun time with my family and friends....but now, hopefully its new "owner" whoever that may be, loves it as much as I did. BUT once a coat is gone..who can pay hundred(s) of dollars to replace it!? I sadly, cannot. that is until "Shop it to me" came in to my life! John, you have Shea to thank for this one...but girls it is amazing. You enter brands you love, sizes you wear and wa-la daily amazing deals and clearance items emailed...simply incredible! I am now the owner of a lovely $300 black coat purchased for $60! amazing

Coats, dresses...all like Christmas morning when you get home from work but TODAY'S purchase tops them all...

I do not typically think of myself as an "old soul" by any means, but when it comes to entertaining I find that I have developed many "old soul" tendencies. I have a major appreciation for pretty table linens, candles and flowers...and unlike most of my generation, I LOVE CHINA. This may seem a little odd to some. Many of my peers have fine china simply due to the pressure they felt during wedding registry time. Numerous place settings tucked aways or even still at their parents house yet to be used. It fell under the heading of "Southern Bridal to dos", and it like everything else needed a check mark, but I, on the other hand enjoy setting a table and using China whatever the occasion may be...

Now, just a little background...I come from quite a long line of "china lovers"..they not only enjoy china..but use their china to celebrate all occasions with family and friends. Like me, plates make these women happy. This again is odd to those of you who do not understand. My mother's china is Autumn. It is excessive. It is like my mother. Lots of colors. Lots going on. Perfect. She chose it as a bride to be and to this day it still "makes her glad".



My Grandmother's china is Tuxedo. It is beautiful. Classic. Understated. Simplistic, like my Grandmother. While I have fond memories of both, Tuxedo has always struck a cord with me. I always said I would register for Tuxedo...until my time came and last minute I buckled under the pressure of wedding decision making overload and changed my china to Federal Platinum.

White and Platinum is definitely a major contrast to the Ivory and gold of Tuxedo that I always pictured, but there is a lot I like about it. The thing I LOVE about it is this...the Christmas accents. My Christmas plates and mugs are something that I look forward to using each year!


Well, back to the "hobby", like Shop it to me, eBay has also become a part of my day to day...Now, to set the record straight I have not been making random, frivolous purchases, but instead finding deals and crossing things off the "list". Sporadically, I will search for "Tuxedo" on eBay. Typically with few results or prices that rival normal retail. But this time was different. After HOURS of "watching" and strategic eBay planning I "won" FOUR Tuxedo dinner plates for $64! WHAT?!?I was thrilled and called John immediately to share my joy. I was then told he did not understand that it was a good deal...and probably never would...darn. You would think the collector of all collectors would understand how wonderful this is but apparently China didn't make his list!...but for those of you who "get it" CHEERS!! and Happy Valentine's Day to me!!