What I'm Loving Right Now!

• My Ann Taylor Loft cropped pants.  Perfect for work and super comfy and I got 2 pair for a steal at the Outlet Mall over the weekend.
• Fun, bright nail polish, especially via Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear.  This stuff has taken me from my OPI/Essie obsession to a much cheaper and long lasting option.  There is nothing better than a fresh mani/pedi.  On my toes at the moment:

via

Pacific Blue

• The sun and the amount of Vitamin D I received over the weekend.
• Speaking of Vitamin D, the vacation day and pool day I have planned for Monday with friends and family.
• My 2" and 1" Conair curling irons.  Both great purchases.  I've had my 2" for years and the 1" was just purchased in the past year in an attempt to get the wavy curl look.
• Suave hair products.  Thanks to this girl's recommendation!  Um, again, I was a professional product whore for years, but I'm always trying to cut the dollars somewhere.  My favorites:

Replaces my Matrix Sleek Look Smoothing Creme

Refreshing.  I've also tried their Sleek  shampoo and Humectress conditioner.

• My new deodorant.  I've always been a Dove girl for my deodorant, but this whole chamomile thing they have going on has my essential oil lovin' heart all excited.  

• Blonde colored bobby pins.  Always been a fan and my love will continue.
• Wine.  Always and forever, amen. (like this wasn't going to be included.)
• My staple, go to hairspray.  I've used it for years, they just recently changed it, but I still like it.  Works great, inexpensive AND smells fabulous.

• Bath and Body Works handsoap.  I have an addiction and a problem.  Right now I have Wildberry Dahlia in my kitchen and French Lavender in Mia's/my bathroom.  LOVE.
• The fact that it is Sea Island Cotton fragrance mist time of year.  My favorite!  I weird about this.  I can only wear certain smells during certain time of the year.  Same applies for my candles and Scentsy fragrances.  You won't catch me burning Baked Apple Pie in July.
• The wallflower refills that I created with my own essential oils (thank you Pinterest).  The lemon I used in my kitchen didn't really ever smell, but the lavender that I used upstairs smelled like you were walking up to a spa.  However since they are 1/3 oil and 2/3 water, they only last for about a week.  I might try to add more oil next time.

I'm a smell girl (um, clearly).  My love for most things is based on smell, but it also has to work.  I'm a product girl.  Always have been.  

So what are you lovin' right now?

All images, excepted as noted, via Google.

Refueled....done and done.

This weekend rocked my socks off.

The weather was perfect, amazing and had SUMMER written all over it.

So much time with good friends and most importantly, the Hubs and Mia!

No care in the world, no time schedule, just perfect weather, sun, water, relaxation (and mucho margaritas)!

These kind of weekends are important.

Refueling is so necessary.

And I needed to be refueled pretty badly.

I knew she'd love the water, but she may have loved the boat even more.

Good friends, the Husband and boat naps.  Doesn't get much better!

Naps, naps and more naps.

And an early birthday present to myself
because who doesn't deserve to buy themselves a little something.
I'm borderline Fossil obsessed.

What a perfect weekend!  So rejuvenating and exactly what all of us needed!

And can we get a big YAY!!! for another short work week and another 3-day weekend this weekend!

Someone's about to rock 34 like nobody's business!

Have a great week!

Stop, Collaborate and Listen

Ice is back with my brand new invention
Something grabs a hold of me tightly
Then I flow that a harpoon daily and nightly
Will it ever stop?
Yo, I don't know
Turn off the lights and I'll glow
To the extreme I rock a mic like a vandal
Light up a stage and wax a chump like a candle
Dance


Sorry kids.  Not much to say lately, but I thought I would leave you with a little diddy that will certainly now be stuck in your head.


You're so, so welcome.


Busy, busy as usual and gearing up for a nice long weekend.


Hope all is well with everyone in blogland.


Maybe I'll be back with substance next week.

Doin' The Potty Dance, Feelin' The Love

My girl.  My 2 1/2 year old toddler.  Is officially using the big girl potty more than a diaper.

This time it's for real.

We've been here a few times, but this time is different.

AND?

It makes me sad.

I've wanted this moment for at least six months.

AND now that it's here??

It breaks my Mom heart a little.

She's becoming a girl.

And no longer my baby.

Shit.

Where does the time go you guys?  How did we get here so fast?

I'm excited for her.  I'm excited for us.  I'm thinking about all the things I will buy us myself once we no longer have to buy diapers and wipes.

She's so proud of herself.  We are so proud of her.

I have emotions with this and I may have shed a tear or two about it.

This age is AMAZING and so much fun, but it's filled with so many emotions for me.  There is so much growth between 2 and 3 and we're only half way there.  The changes are so much more dramatic.  They become less and less of that squishy baby each and every single day, sometimes by the minute.

Everyone is right.  You know when it's time.  You will know when they are just ready.

Thanks to Dora and stickers, we've successfully filled up one potty training chart and tonight we'll go to the store to get her a present.

All filled up.  I found the chart here.

My Dad's kept a log for me on Tuesday.  So cute.  He's the best Papa. EVER.

Pretty sure this will be put in her keepsake box along with her completed charts and her "Rules."

She's requesting a bike.

Go big or go home.

That's what we say, well at least when it comes to potty training.

So that's where we are.  Happy family.  Happy home.  Everyone human here uses the potty.

Saying SO What

This week, I'm linking up again with Shannon at Life After I Dew and this week I'm saying SO WHAT if:

1. I left work early yesterday to go get my roots done.

2. I had a margarita last night after going to the gym.  It was a skinnygirl, so there.

3. Mia's rocking the potty training, yet the bedtime routine has been driving me a little crazy.  She now knows the potty can be another stall tactic in delaying bedtime, but this early in the game I have to let her go.  Last night, she didn't go down until 9.  And by then I was exhausted.

4. I let Mia have ice cream with two pieces of bubble gum in it yesterday even though she has no idea what to do with it.  "Don't swallow it, just chew it and when you're done spit it out in the napkin." "Mia, where's the gum?"  "In my mouth."  "Well, spit it out.  Did you swallow it?"  "No."  "Are you sure?"  "It may upset your tummy."  "My tummy hurts."

5. Speaking of ice cream, my neighbor bought $35 worth of ice cream from the ice cream truck and yes I judged her for it.  Especially if her freezer was already full.  But she did give Mia a Spongebob ice cream with freezer burn on it, so that was nice.

6. If I'm overwhelmed by life right now, everything seems so busy and time just keeps flying by faster and faster.  Thank goodness Memorial Day is just around the corner and therefore a little timeout, some relaxation, sun, boat time, drinkies, good eats and good friends.

7. Because of Shannon I now need a personalized key ring because it's just that cute and who doesn't need a little key flair.

Happy Wednesday!  Hope you have a good one!

Tuesday Tidbits

1. Memorial Day is in another week and I don't have a swimsuit.  We're going to the lake with some friends.  I have a bikini, but I'm not sure I'm there yet.  Bought a one piece a few weeks ago, but ended up taking it back.

2. I travel to Atlanta Sunday and Monday for work.  Traveling with my least favorite co-worker.  She's a one upper regarding every aspect of life and it drives me batty and it makes me what to stab pencils into my ears.  But it's a vendor trip, so there's alcohol and food involved, so I think I'll survive.

3. I got a mani/pedi yesterday on Mother's Day.  Went with the shellac mani and a funky polka dotted pedi.  The nail polish on my toes has already chipped.  Say wha?  You know if I painted them myself it would last  at least 3 weeks.  Tempted to go back and have them repaint my toe.

4. This was the first year Mia told me "Happy Mother's Day" and I about peed my pants when she said it.  With her sweet little voice it may have been one of the cutest things ever.  "Happy Mother's Day Momma."

5. Holidays are hard.  I try not to have a pity party with each and every one, but by the end of the day I always feel sorry for myself.  So was the case yesterday.  I went to my parents and the Hubs went to his.  I wouldn't say that I "like" his Mom a whole lot.  If you haven't been following, she said some not so nice things about my family last year and since then I stopped trying to act like she liked me and I like her.  She's hurtful and I don't have time for those people anymore.  There was a card for me, from her, on the island when I got home last night.  I didn't open it and I'm not sure I will.  So with each and every holiday, whether large or small, we (me, Mia, Hubs) always spend a portion of the day apart and I effing hate it!  At least for Mother's Day I had Mia the whole day.  I understand that my Hubs wants to see his family, but I hate that that means time away from each other.  I'm always Grumpy Gus by the end of the day and I need to get over it, for the sake of Mia.

6. I love Lifesavers Spearmints.  I always have them in my office.

7. If I don't finish The Hunger Games pretty soon I may die.  I want to, I want to, but little time. My goal is to finish it this week so I can start 50 Shades Sunday on the plane.

8. Our weather lately has been amazing.  I'm sure by writing this it will rain for the next 2 days.

9.  I'm struggling keeping up with my "Mom" duties lately.  I kinda suck actually, but due to #8 we've been outside a ton.  I'm so behind on laundry it's ridiculous.  But does that really matter?  I used to think it did.

10.  I want my deck back.  We're in the process of rebuilding/enlarging it.  I didn't realize I would miss it so much.

Inked

For Mother's Day this year I finally got my Mia Jane tattoo.  I've been waiting just about 2 1/2 years for this.

And I love it!

This tattoo means a lot to me.  Not only is it my Dad's handwriting, but it's on my left side right underneath my bra line, so it will be forever close to my heart.

My Dad and I have a very special bond and words cannot begin to explain the bond we have always shared.

He means the world to me and this special little detail made this tattoo that much more meaningful.

Planning.  

I had two pages of handwriting that he gave me 

and I picked my two favorites and put them together

After a whole five minutes, the finished product.  

I LOVE it!

For all the Mommas (dogs and children alike) out there, I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day!

Have a great week!

Words of Wisdom...You're Welcome

via

Happy Friday!

**After a 2 1/2 year wait...I'm going this weekend! I'll post about my Mia tatt next week.  
Happy Mother's Day to me!

Dear Mia

Dear Mia,

Last Saturday you turned 2 1/2.  I'm just not quite sure how that happened.

You and I celebrated while Daddy slept in.  You requested doughnuts, so in our jammies and unbrushed hair and teeth we went to go get doughnuts at 8:00 am.  We came back home and just talked and shared our breakfast together.  It was quiet and nice.

You're not a baby anymore.  You're an active, talkative, playful little human.  I can't believe you'll be 3 this year.

You've been showing your independence for quite some time, yet you always need to know where your Momma is and I love that you do.

You're my Saturday shopping buddy and must always go with me when I head to the gym.  You love to have car dance parties with me.  You get just as excited to go to Target as Mommy does, but I think it's because you know they have Icees there.

I think often about how fast this time has gone and just sit and watch you often and am in awe by who you have become in such a short amount of time.

I think about what you will be like as a teenager.  Who will you be?  What kind of person will you become?

I'm amazed by you every single day.  You're a talker.  You can carry on full conversations.  Your communication is amazing and people comment on it often.  You know your ABC's.  You can count to 20.  You can count to 10 in Spanish (thanks Dora).  You can do puzzles, you can draw smiley faces, you can play Memory.  You still love your Disney/Pixar movies, but I'm pretty sure your favorite is still Monster's Inc, but Tangled is a close second.

If we would let you, you would watch Dora and Yo Gabba Gabba all day long.

You're starting to love Barbies, but specifically the Princess ones.  Rapunzel and Pascal are by your side everywhere you go.

You're still sleeping with about 10 things in your bed - books, stuffed animals and about 4 blankets.

Baby blankie is still by your side.  Always.  Everywhere.  But you are finally learning that it's important for it to hit the washing machine once a week.

You're obsessed with all your games on my iPad and you know how to move things in and out of the folders.

You've started using expressions like, "Oh my gosh" and "Oh my goodness."  Which are hilarious to hear you say.

You sing songs and often ask for me to sing them to you.  You still love to read books and you often just want to crawl in my lap with at least 10 of them and read every single one together.

You love for me to play with your hair at bedtime and I just love that you ask for me to do it.

You're slowly learning about consequences for not listening.  You're slowly learning that the word NO does in fact exist.

You're slowly learning how to use the big girl potty and Mommy and Daddy are slowly learning how to let go of those few things that still make you feel like our baby.

You know exactly what you are doing with each and every step you take and word you say.  Even in moments where you would think the world is ending, I can look you in the eye and have a conversation with you and you will listen and seem to understand me.  You're an intelligent little girl.

It's amazed that this is how far we've come.

This...

to this...

I so look forward to the years (and 1/2 years) to come.

You are the joy in my day, the love of my life and I'm so appreciative to have you.

I hope you know just how special you are and how much you mean to me and your Daddy.

We love you so much.

Always & Forever,

Momma

It's Wednesday - Saying So What If...

This week, I'm saying So What if:

• I came to work with no makeup on this morning.  I was tired and lazy this morning. No worries, I'm looking normal now.
• I tempted to stop reading The Hunger Games, so I can start 50 Shades of Grey.  Not finishing something makes me feel weird, especially if it's a book.
• My laundry from Saturday is still in the basket.  It's folded, so that counts right?
• I may leave work early on Friday to go get my Mia tatt.  Happy Mother's Day to me!
• The Hubs and I had a date day/night last Saturday and we were in bed by 10:30.  We both slept 9+ hours, which was AMAZING!
• My biceps and shoulders looked huge and borderline man-ish at Body Pump last night.  It's working, it's working!  I'd rather have man-ish muscles that triceps that wave back. Just sayin'

What are you saying So What to this week?

Link up with Shannon!

Happy Wednesday!

Saying SO WHAT

My first link up.  Go me.

Thanks to Shannon over at Life After I "Dew" for the inspiration.

This week I'm saying SO WHAT if

• I had a bit of a tude' last night with the Hubs over Mia's jammies.  She ended up in fleece and it was 405 degrees in our house.
• I have a glass of wine almost every night.
• I've been shopping more than usual.  My wardrobe is boring me lately.
• I have a wedding to go to on Saturday and have nothing to wear.
• I have an addiction to Starbucks Green Tea (on ice, shaken, with 3 Splendas)
• I need a Mommy Time Out.  Dinner with my bestie and sis tonight.  Just in the nick of time.
• I only use MAC eyeshadow.  It's worth every penny.
• I hire a cleaning lady/man/human/robot.  

If I've Learned Anything...

It's been a while since I've done a workout update.

Going to the gym is just part of my routine now and less of a task, I guess (or so it feels).

There are still days that I don't feel like going and there are still moments where I don't.

Some days I just want to come home and chill with my family instead of run until 8:00.

I've been doing Body Pump for 4 months now and thanks to my workout buddy, Gina, I started taking a quick 30 minute core class called cx worx.  Love it!  And I try to get in 1 day of cardio (in the gym, outside of a walk with Mia, running/chasing Mia around the house).  So right now, 3 days a week is my deal.

If I don't go, I feel bad and guilty.  I like going.  I used to love the gym, especially in college and in the early stages of my working life.  It was just a part of who I was and again it's finally becoming a part of who I am now.

What I've learned?

It doesn't matter what the numbers say.

It doesn't matter what everyone else is doing.

It doesn't matter that I'm still fluctuating between the same 3 lbs, up and down the scale, weekly.

It doesn't matter that if I truly want to be back to pre-pregnancy I have 10 more lbs to go (well it matters a little cause that would be pretty awesome).

It doesn't matter that I love a sweet treat every once and a while because sometimes I just need one and sometimes it has enough power to turn a not so great day into a pretty good one.

It doesn't matter that I love my carbs, what matters is keeping the intake of carbs under control.

It doesn't matter that I drink wine like water because I don't see that changing anytime soon.  Momma needs one vice.

What does matter is feeling better about myself.

What does matter is seeing Mia grow up and learn the importance of exercise and eating well.

What does matter is the extra social time Mia is getting in the daycare at the gym.

What does matter is the me time I am getting (even if it's cut short because of a poopy diaper or leaving doesn't go very well because she would rather sprint across the gym instead of go to the car)

What does matter is the definition I'm seeing.

What does matter is the results that I'm seeing.

What does matter is hearing your Hubs tell you he's proud and that you look skinny and toned.

There are things I've learned and there are certainly things that matter, but those things are much different that what I felt before.

When you don't have the time and you have to prioritize your life, that is your choice.

You can't blame any one person or thing for something you want.  If you want to do it, it's up to YOU to make it happen.