friday favorite

chapstick + color = perfection

happy st. patty's day!

look what my little leprechan left me...

these happy, hoping for spring, green canisters from tar-jay! if the color is called "guacamole", how it could it ever be bad!?

"A best friend is like a four leaf clover: hard to find and lucky to have."

-Author Unknown

"and a happy new year"

...the words I've been clinging to to justify leaving my Christmas cards up for SO long! Yes, Christmas is over, but surely I can continue admiring them because afterall...it is a happy new year, right?

Well, I gave myself a month, and decided it was time to take them all down. I am always so sad to see all of the cards go...

...but not nearly as sad as my naked bulletin board! 

The only thing that made it okay was the "happy" I got this year out of my love for all things Christmas Cards. This year I decided to start a little tradition for us by creating a place for us to keep a copy of each of the Christmas cards we send out. My hope is to add to this book each year, one day filling the book with a growing family, special memories and have a place to look back at all of our cards year after year.

I ordered the book from Jenni Bick Bookbinding and I was thrilled the day it came! Isn't it fun when something you order arrives just as you pictured it?!

This book is called the Classic European Bookcloth Photo Album. It is available in so many fun colors, sizes and personalization options. My wheels are already spinning on other fun ways to used these books! I love them! How much fun to have a book of photographs for each year? OR if we're dreaming a book for each season! Lime for Spring, Yellow for Summer, Orange for Fall, Sky for Winter! And don't forget you can emboss ANYTHING on the front cover. TOO FUN.

My book is beige and was embossed with gold. I bought inexpensive gold picture tabs from Hobby Lobby and put our cards in right away. My only regret is that we do not have a Christmas card from our first married year. Sadly, this would have been the easiest year because we could have used a wedding picture, but for some reason it just didn't happen. I've left a spot for 2005 and will have to use a picture from our first married Christmas in place of an actual Christmas card.

2006

2007

2008

2009

...goin' on a treasure hunt!

Earlier this month I went on a treasure hunt.

My friends Rebekah and Annie hunted along side me.

Huntin' for treasure is a lot like huntin' for animals.

You wake up early. Eat a hardy breakfast. Drive a few hours....and HUNT

When you return home from the hunt you display your trophies proudly.

treasure #1: lamp 

husband's response, "..cool um, I'm surprised you chose a lamp"

darn, well at least it makes me happy. AND he had just worked over 16 hours.

happy shade already feeling at home...collecting dust

treasure #2 fabric

this fabric was love at first site. It yelled for me to take it home. How could I say no?

Scott's, thanks for the hunt and the treasures! I hope to see you again sometime soon! 

T.G.I.S

Here's to sleeping until your eyes open and coffee with too much creamer.
Happy Weekend!

Five Friday Favorites!

1. How I met your Mother Season One
I typically let my husband watch enough TV for both of us so that I am off the hook and can let my A.D.D run wild. I am not one to want to sit down and watch an entire season of any show (very unlike the hubs!) BUT earlier this week John bought Season one of How I met your mother. We have enjoyed this show together for the last few seasons, but this week we started with the pilot episode and I am hooked...I would even go so far to say this show is better than Friends!


2. Zapp's Voodoo Gumbo Chips
My newest guilty addiction. My coworker Laura discovered this delectable treat at Derk's one snacky afternoon and we have been hooked ever since. VERY dangerous! We are in love. If spicy is what you are after this is not your chip, but if you crave "everything under the kitchen sink" flavor you have met your match!



3. eBay
Goodness gracious don't get me started on eBay! It is a major problem and my hubs and piggy bank would definitely agree. It combines so many things that I love shopping, bargains, and friendly competition. I should stop but it's just too fun! I mean do tell where else in the world can you get


This brand new still in the wrapper hubby wear all the time shirt for $11
or This retails over $300 bcbg dress for $45!?



4.Mini Babybel Cheese
Babybel cheese. Horrible for you I am sure, but I do not care. This cheese is worth it! I fell in love with babybel a while back and had totally forgotten about it until John and I were reminded of it on an episode of Unwrapped. Paired with yummy crackers it is the perfect "after school snack".


5. www.modcloth.com
My online shopping problem is news to no one, but this is a site that recently caught my eye and it was love at first sight. My online "wish list" is busting at the seams with wish they were mine cute summer dresses
like this...

or this...

how cute is this...

I love the ruffle on this...

how perfect is this!?

...now if they could somehow find their way to my "shopping bag"!

Say yes to the dress

I tempt myself daily with various "eye candy" Clothes, shoes, sales you name it! When I fall in love with clothes on line I have the pointless habit of emailing John. I am sure he is super concerned with what dress or pair of shoes has caught my eye for the day....but he is patient and typically responds to my emails instead of automatically deleting. Yet another reason why I love him. I don't really know why I email him...maybe part of me is wishing he would respond "I actually have a huge pile of money I have not told you about, that dress is awesome. Buy it immediately." typically not the case. A few weeks ago I emailed him this dress.

Anthropologie's "Walk-A-Ways" Dress. Only $129.00 right!?! I think it is SO cute! SO fun! And perfect for almost any summer occasion.

John's perfect response simply stated:

"it's cute and neat but is it 130.00 for one dress cute and neat??"

...darn. He is right. Probably not what I need to spend.

SO, you can imagine my delight when I found this.

Lulu's "Little Sparkler Dress" $34! Cute neat and absolutely $34 for one dress cute and neat! And how perfect this little get up is called "The Little Sparkler" ordered just before the 4th of July!

Three favorites

Three of my very favorite things....

1. porches
2. wine
3. good friends

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!!

After work a few nights ago, I ran in to the grocery store to pick up a few things. I went in with my hurried "get in, get out" mentality because I longed for my sweat pants cozy by the fire. I rushed to get each item on my list and scurried to the check out line. While in line I felt the biggest hug around my waist. Before I even turned around I thought...Aww this poor child is going to be SO embarrassed when I turn around and he/she realizes I am not his mom or teacher. We all know the feeling... at one time or another I am sure we have all grabbed the wrong mother's hand resulting in ultimate humiliation for anyone under 4 feet tall.

When I turned around I was surprised to see a little girl with glasses and a huge smile still hugging me just as tightly looking up at me. I smiled back at her and she simply said "I hug pretty people" and squeezed me again. I smiled at her and told her "I hug pretty people back" she smiled. I told her she made my day...and she did! The world needs more people like this precious little girl...

Something that may NOT be hurting America

In response to Nick's recent posts series "Things that are hurting America", I wanted to write about a much different experience...and not one at Taco Bell.

I got a new car. Still excited...but you know that. The worst part about a new car (if you have to find one) is getting the liscense plate. I am not a fan of renewing liscenses, or liscense plates, or boater registration, etc. etc. and typically neither is any one else in the crazy long lines standing with you for hours...the worst part is the people behind the counter hate all of these things the most...which means they also hate you for making them deal with these things all day.

I put it off long enough. This week my car will be three weeks old, so I set out on my mission to get the tag. I checked several times to be sure I had my papers and insurance so that I would not work forever to get to the front of the line and be refused a tag...I left the house at 8:15 this morning and headed toward the Probate Office on the Atlanta Highway.

I walked in the office approximately 8:20. I was kindly greeted by a retired aged man who sincerely asked how they could help me. I told him I needed a new tag and he directed me over to the "pick a numbers"...As I lifted my hand to choose my fate a lady said "ma'am, I can go ahead and help you over here if you would like"...I was thrilled not only because she could help me right away, but more importantly she did not sound like she hated her life!

She was nice as she asked for my papers, asked which tag I wanted, looked at me when she told me my total and actually pointed at the places she needed me to sign...I was beyond thrilled...the best part it is 8:53, I am at home, and the tag is already on the car. AMAZING! High five to the Probate Office on Atlanta Highway.

The Dyson DC 17 Absolute Animal

My life was changed forever exactly one week ago yesterday. Last Monday I checked online shipping tracking constantly. When I saw it was delivered a little after 1:00 it took everything in me not to jump out of my chair and run home....but I waited. A little after 5:00 I arrived home to a box on my front door that rivaled Christmas morning.



It was well worth the wait. It is incredible! As if the name was not enough..."Absolute Animal" It really does seem to make a huge difference in the animalness of our home. It has changed my relationship with Barley..and maybe even a little bit with John. I always knew I was a fan of a "vacuumed" home but the new addition takes it to a whole new level. So many attachments and features...so little time. It is; however, a little hard to vacuum with only one arm because I had to cut the other one to get it but thank goodness for Bed Bath and Beyond 20% off coupons!

...maybe technology does impress me a little

Any of you who know me would know that I have never been considered a "techie" by any stretch of the word. I can not even spell the word! Daughter of one? YES! Sister of one? YES!! Married to one?? YES! YES! But, I have always enjoyed the "simpler" things of cell phones and by no means had any factor of my identity associated with the technology I have (or the car I drive for that matter! )

Unlike all Americans I do not own an ipod, a nano, a chocolate something or a blackberry...I honestly thought some sort of flip phone with a colored screen (fancy!) was enough for me. After all there are curtains and clothes and way more fun things to buy!

THIS WEEK as John and Nick gushed about the latest gadgets and new fangled boy stuff, Jurrie said "WHY would you ever even need all of that on your hip?!" and I responded "Yeah, I mean technology doesn't even impress me" (I sounded as smart as it sounded when you read that) The boys just shook their heads.....

It has been a rough week at our house for some of the "things" I count on most. I started my week with my vacuum cleaner dying. That in itself will require another post and I do not want to cry so I will not "talk" about it now. Needless to say you do not realize how much you love your vacuum until it is gone.....THEN on Monday afternoon it was absolutely gorgeous so our little family (John, Barley and me) decided to go for a walk. Barley was showing his dad a new trick where he stops quickly on his leash in a certain way where it wraps around John's legs and cuts them. After seeing this trick once, John learned his leason and moved out of the way as soon as possible....John got great at moving out of the way and my cell phone also got great at jumping out of his pocket and on to the sidewalk....

The lovely red flip phone (brought to you by Weddings by Jill) had a rough life of abuse. Dropped, kicked, lost in ginormous purses but Monday it met its match in the sidewalk and never was the same.

I accidentally left my phone at home on Wednesday. It wasn't working well but I still felt so weird with out one at all....I told Jill about the dreaded fall and she actually said her phone was having a lot of trouble too. The conversation ended with Jill saying "I hate our phones!!" I didn't say me too because it is paid for...each month...by someone who is not me or John.

Thursday I went to work. My focus was not on my phone but with dying curiosity regarding the genders of my favorite twins. I went in to my 11:00 meeting and Jill set something on the table in front of me and said "Don't say I never gave you anything" and it was this...

The AT&T tilt. It is BEAUTIFUL. Has a fancy slide out keyboard. GPS navigation. Internet.....it even "TILTS" to my surprise. I do not really know how to work it yet, but I am in love. ....Now if I can just find the money to buy John and iPhone the world would seem a little more "just".
Maybe technology does impress me just a little.