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!)