Summer Things I'm Loving

Just a few things I've been enjoying lately!

Beach reading: Why of course, Jane Green's latest novel, Beach House! First, I love the cover of a book. I so judge a book by it's cover (ha!) in bookstores and libraries.

Anyway, I really like Jane Green and this is just a "plow through sitting on the beach, relaxing vacation" read. A huge list of characters, set in Nantucket and there are quite a few plot twists (not the most realistic, but hey! who cares). The descriptions of Nantucket made me want to summer there, now. The characters were interesting and she brings in the whole discussion of developing a beach community.

A good, solid fun read!

I'll be honest, when I started reading Jennifer Weiner's latest, I didn't like the characters. Told from a mother's perspective (remember Good in Bed? Weiner follows the life of her main character in this novel) and her teenage daughter's perspective. I remembered Good in Bed and was curious to see how the plot would play out. Then, I remember how it was to be 13 and seriously annoyed with my mother and life and how everything was confusing. And I feel in love with the characters. By the end, I had cried and laughed. If you're in the mood for a mother/daughter REALISTIC relationship novel - check this out! I really enjoyed it.



It's hard to see here but Neutrogena is making Grapefruit face wash and body wash. YUM! I love the face wash and it is perfect for summer and invigorating in the morning.



Loving this little adorable jacket from Ann Taylor Loft. It's a little too warm for jackets right now, but I'm definitely ordering this - great color and I love the structure of it - just what I've been looking for the fall!

Eyebobs.com! I love their funky selection of eyeglasses - I think these are my favorites. And I just like saying eyebobs.

Oh goodness, Haagen Dazs Raspberry Sorbet. Like heaven on a hot summer day - the flavors and textures are perfect, I could eat a pint for dinner alone!

Yes. I'm here!

I wish I had a valid/exciting reason for the lack of posts, but really? I don't. Life just keeps rolling right along (too fast for my taste) and I realized it's been a few weeks since I've posted. Nothing new here, working, doing the daily grind, spending time with the husband and dog and that's about it!

New Look? You like?! I was inspired by this Ladybug's new look (and attempted it, but was reminded of my computer literacy and impatience with anything computer related). I even fooled around with Wordpress but also realized I was in way over my head. Anyway! I love the new look, it's about time!

I've enjoyed my retail job right now but have been recently hired to teach a few classes in fall - woohoo! I'm super excited/nervous. It's what I've taught before, so I actually have a teensy bit of experience under my belt. It's not exactly a high paying job (at all) but I think it is a "foot in the door job" and will hopefully be a longer term place for me. I'll still be working at my small business and teaching, aka balancing two different trays and I hope I can do it without too many "STRESSED out" melt-downs. My husband is also considering a back to school/graduate degree - not soon, but perhaps in the next few years, which I fully support. So, we've been discussing future plans and such.

Also, our obsession as of late, buying a house. We really would love to buy right now (and just know we could get a better deal in our area, in this market). We've been looking, obsessing and crunching numbers (and of course, I 've fallen in love with/imagined new furniture in/raising families in/ no less than several homes!) but realistically, we are going to wait until the winter/early spring to see what happens then. Things are so crazy now and WE are the only ones putting pressure on ourselves to buy, so. That's that. (and I obsessively check Zillow.com to see what's sold in our neighborhood) Hee.

Other than that, we'd really love to find a house, settle into jobs we are comfortable with because we DO want to start a family (not tommorrow, not next month -maybe in a year or so!). I mean, according to our ideal plan (because who knows what curveball life will throw). I love reading all you "Mamas/Mamas to be" bloggers - and I love hearing all of the stories and details. I know we will be there sooner than later, but at the same time, I'm really enjoying where we are in life - just enjoying our lives together.

Whew, now that that's done, my latest thoughts:

1. J.Crew "and I quote"NEW AND UPDATED WEBSITE. My arse! Ok for about 2 weeks, I couldn't even pull up J.Crew, then it was all "NULL/$" and "No sizes" - ARGGGHHH. Then, my hub said try viewing it through Internet Explorer (instead of Firefox, which I use) - which helped, I got to see the sizes of the clothing for sale but it was sooooo slow.

AND then, when I was alllllll set to order the Lisa dress (that fabulous knit dress you've ALL blogged about and I decided I couldn't live without for 29.99 plus 20%), the checkout page was all $&%^&%^& weird not loading. For 20 minutes, which caused me to be late to work, and BOOM I lost the dress. But according to yall, I probably would have been waiting until August to get it anyway. Anyway, J.Crew - I'm annoyed. You are a bad, horrible boyfriend because I know I'll be back (already lusting over your fall lines) but you've ditched me quite a few times lately. Not good.

2. Speaking of shopping (which, in my world is almost nil these days), I've picked up a few cheap finds -
*Seven's for $30 at TJMAXX - Score (although, I have this odd feeling they aren't REAL Sevens, but I honestly don't care because they were soooo comfortable when I tried them on)
*I hit up the J.Crew outlet for a super sale (and wishing I could've bought more) but I picked up 2 of those adorable "Frenchie nonsensical saying" graphic tees for like $6.00 each. And a little rope/nautical key fob for $4.00. Good Lord, I love a deal!
*Randomly thought I would try out the Generic "Cosmetic/Perfume" outlet for kicks - ermm, jack pot! Bobbie Brown, MAC, Prescriptives and Clinique - all at outlet prices. Great deals, and I was superstoked - I'm still basically stuck on my favorites ( I don't stray with make-up and try new things, I like what I like) but it was great to supplement with brand names!

3. Still watching, So You Think You Can Dance (although 2 hours is sometimes to much for my attention span - Tivo please!) and um, another new fave, From G's to Gents with Fonzworth Bentley. MTV, honestly, I love this show (and Fonzworth's classy outfits and his Cosby sweater). I do. Thanks for making my summer viewing HILARIOUS! :)

**Sidenote. I will consistently flip the channels and say "ohmygodthis is so annoying, let's watch - DON"T TURN IT!!" or "oh geeezz this dude drivesmeCRAZYpleasedon't turn, I want to watch!!". Half the time, I'm watching because I'm annoyed or fascinated- am I the only one??

4. Beating the Heat, Tickled Pink style, Volume 1. Ohmy. Are we in the dog days of summer or what? This evening found husband shirtless , myself in tanktop and short shorts 8 years old and only relegated to the house(classy, redneck! Thanks for your applause) drinking beer/cool white wine and eating sorbet on the back porch. One must have a Tervis Tumbler to go and cool drink this time of year.

We've also hit up a few family parties/dinners in the past few weeks. I love a good old fashioned get together and hanging out with people. I think our friends/family thing we are odd, only because we are younger, but we really enjoy hanging out with everyone. I made a 7layer Mexican dip that got rave reviews and also got a FAB/YUM recipe for a Greek-style layer dip. Only social etiquette held hubby and myself from just eating the entire thing. So good!

Ok. I think that's it! I'm reading/catching up and will be blogging more regularly. Also, I will be better on commenting - loving hearing all the summer fun from you bloggers!

This week I've got some meetings, lots of errands to do and a little visit to Charleston to help a friend look at wedding dresses (I'm so pumped!). ALSO! I have a 1st year wedding anniversary to prepare for and enjoy! I've got a couple of neat presents picked out(for him, not me!) Trying to organize our fall and get our weekend excursions prepared/planned - looking busy - again!

Keep cool!

New Look!

Updating and getting a new look!

Trying to update the blogroll (didn't realize it would be deleted!) , so if you want to me on it, please let me know!!

Back with a better update later!

The 4th & Summer

We had a low-key 4th weekend here - a few cocktails (yay for fresh mint mojitos and juleps), grilling out, fireworks and a whole lot of humid weather! I bought 2 of those pre-made pizza crusts (so easy) and Friday night sauteed fresh shrimp and had a garlic/shrimp/basil pizza. Oh yum! Then Sunday, I made pesto and layered it with a few chopped tomatoes and mozz - again yum. I love being able to just throw on some toppings, bake and dinner is prepared!

Onto fun summer reading & tv-watching!

I read "Savannah Breeze" a few weeks ago and loved it, and I was excited to read her latest. The basic premise is a contest between two Food Network wannabe cooks, Southern style. I loved her descriptions of Southern cooking and the places. The relationships were cute. Just an overall fun read!
Ok, short story here. When Emily Giffin's first book, "Something Borrowed" came out, myself, my husband (then boyfriend), his sister and her friend were ALL riding together (in my car) to the Cape. And 18hr/2 day trip. God bless his heart (looking back now) for driving us through New Jersey and New York City (where we were all screaming at him and the traffic half the time). Anyway, sister thought it would be a great idea to read outloud from Giffin's book. Well, we all LOVED it. (Except for patient boyfriend, he would just get annoyed with the characters). I thought she articulated relationships and got inside the character's head. At the end of that trip, by the way, Husband decreed no mention of Sex and the City, cute or shopping in the car.

All that to say, this book does it again. And, I won't spoil it, but I was surprised by the ending, in a good way. She does a fantastic job of relating marriage and changing/learning who you become. Check plus, in my book!



Shoe Addicts is just a good old beach read - cute, funny and realistic characters. They have a great female relationship and you want to rally for each of them. Easy, fun read. Take it to the beach!
Summer Viewing. People, I have gotten hooked on QUITE a few shows this summer.

Speaking of - Bachelorette - did anyone guess she would pick Jesse???? I totally did not, but I guess opposites attract?? What did you think?

Next Food Network Star - I love cooking, love the food network and I love watching this show (I was addicted to it last summer - along with Top Chef!) My favorite front runner now is, crap, I can't think of her name but Katie Holmes Bob girl. I love her style and I've spotted her wearing a few J.Crew things!

Ok, this is my new, complete tv trash show - Tori and Dean. I can't help it! I like them! I feel for them and I think their baby is cute! (can't condone how they got together, leaving their marriages and all) But I feel like they are in the zone of semi-normal!



I'm also watching:

So You Think You Can Dance

and I CANNOT wait for Real Housewives of ATL and the new Project Runway.

Well, there you have my intellectual stimulation for the summer!

Have a good one!

Sooooo

I don't enjoy posting once a week - but I'm busy! Here we are again, sooooo here are my thoughts and things!

We had a fabulous weekend - my mom came in town, and I had taken a half day on Friday so we had the whole weekend to catch up. Well, Friday we ran home to wait for the cable guy and ended up talking for the 2 hours it took him to fix up our cable lines. Anyhoo, Friday night, we took a long extended "cocktail walk" around our neighborhood and moms was super excited and happy for us and our new place.

Later, we hit up a local cafe for dinner. It was empty for a Friday but we didn't mind because we got the place to ourselves and got to enjoy the guitar player and his Clapton jams. I had a yummmmmm salad with a honey mustard vinagrette, grilled mahi-mahi and crumbled hush puppies. And a few chilled glasses of pinot grigio. I thought I was off the "white wine" wagon because I've been drinking so much red wine, but a chilled white wine in the heat of summer is fabulous!

Saturday, we all got up and visited with some relatives who are hysterical and fixed us ham biscuits for breakfast. Then, we took another long walk and drove out to the beach for the afternoon. Where hubby and I played in the waves. Yes, I still love to get out there and dive under the waves - so much fun. T

hen, P grilled steaks and we feasted on steak, salad and french bread. We hit the bed earlyish both nights because we'd been running around all day. Sunday was church and outlet time. But of course, we stopped at "Backyard Burgers" for a energizing lunch beforehand. I haven't been to the outlets in a loonnnngggg time and I was pumped.

However - sidenote - I think outlet denotes true "clearance" or deal. I'm kinda annoyed at the stores that just produce a different line with slightly cheaper clothes instead of leaving with "holy crap, I can't believe I got that for $5.00. Like the Orvis outlet, where we had to DIG to find sizes and look our way through the leftover monogrammed items. Where we picked up an Adorable doggie bed for Ralph (red with black labs on it) and he LOVES it - it's cute.

Anyway. That being said, I picked up a cute black eyelet skirt at Banana Republic with a cranberry top. We also found the Clarks outlet, which had great prices and GREAT selection. I used to shudder at the thought of wearing Clarks (or the like) but I really think the brand has come a long way in creating more "hip" shoes. And, I've discovered working on my feet all day REQUIRES comfortable shoes. No ways around that.


So, great weekend, picked up a couple new things (including a new navy/green horse Polo) and had summery meals with good conversations.

I had an extra day off for the holiday this week, and thus, today was spent catching up on weekend chores and laundry. However, I scooted around town and peeked into our Lilly store (have you seen the chino skirt with embroidered TOTES - ugh, freakin adore it. If I had a hundred bucks to throw down, I'd do that now!)

But, I really need to order new make-up and probably new make-up brushes - so there goes the shopping budget! I may try out some of the "Bare Escentuals" Bare Minerals things - any favorites out there?

Speaking of shopping, I love when I "re-discover" a store. I haven't been to a K-Mart in yearrrrssssss and Steinmart in a really long time. Well, color me Martha Stewart happy but I was LOVING all of her stuff in K-Mart. How cute! K-mart's aren't as well known as my favorite "classy" Target but Martha's home gear was classic and cute. I have neither the room or money to be decorated our already stuffed home, but when we get a house - sign me up! I scooted around Steinmart too and found several cute tops and dresses. Items that can go either way - like your older, elegant aunt would wear to a party or (as I would hopefully do) dress up a funky little jacket with jeans, sandals and hip jewelry. Shopping is truly therapy for me. I am always more relaxed after perusing a store (whether it be K-Mart or Lilly).

And I also treated myself to a manicure, pedicure and eyebrow wax. Oh! What a difference it makes.


Vera Bradley. Some people lurrrvvve it. Some people hate it. I like it (enough for the totes and travel items, sometimes as a purse) but I also love my Longchamp and enjoy a sophisticated leather bag instead. In fact, I'm working where they sell it and some days, I can't look at it without my head hurting. I hear some people come in and DISS the hell out of that "quilted" crap (rude! We sell it! Thanks!) and others FREAK out if they find out their pattern's retiring. And then there are the ones like myself, who collect what we like.

I love this new pattern, Puccini - in the clutch wallet. It's a little funky, a little different and doesn't scream Vera. Perfect for keeping in your purse or taking out for a night!


I've decided to "go with" Cambridge (navy/green) as my pattern for my travel stuff (at least that could/should match) Actually, I really like this one and plan on getting the duffels, tote and cosmetic bags (and maybe garment bag for Christmas). I can see it monogrammed and sporting this with all of my pink/green/navy preppy gear.




PS. If you like cereal and want to that Kashi health assurance while eating a bowl of this Captain Cruch like goodness, then Honey Sunshine is your new favorite. Yum, is it good (and all without that junk food guilt!)