A Southern Accent

I NEVER buy makeup at the drug store. You can ask my mom. When I was in Jr. High (I think they call it middle school now) I absolutely HAD to have Clinique from the department store an hour away. I'm a big believer in brands, go figure. So when I ran out of foundation last week and just happened to be in Walgreens that afternoon, I decided to grab something to use until I could make a trip to the mall. You're familiar with the wall-o-makeup at the drug store: all of the brands blend into each other because they are the same color, the plastic samples for nail colors never match what you actually get, and that oh-so-perfect makeup lighting beaming down from the fluorescent bulbs in the ceiling is perfection for picking colors. It's intimidating, scary, overwhelming...the whole idea needs to be rethought, but that's for another day. I went with my instincts and had to act quick because little man found a $1.99 Hot Wheels car that he just HAD TO HAVE (wonder where...

Hanging with mom, being goofy , being snuggly . Daddy's just looking at us, thinks we are crazy. Mom needs to get her roots done. Bad.

I wasn't really blown away by anyone at this Oscars this year, but did have suggestions for changes to several of the outfits...here are my recommendations, using Photoshop magic: First off, Beyonce. Girl, just because your mama made it, doesn't mean you HAVE to wear it. If she's going to wear this style, at least tone it down with a solid color. That gold lame is just too 1985 for me. I also gave her some more eye makeup cause she looks too washed out. I kinda got crazy with Amy Adams. Maybe it was the necklace, I just had to get rid of it. As my BFF said, "Looks like someone threw up rubies and diamonds on her neck." And that black edging just didn't do it for me. I didn't want to do just plain red, so I played with some black at the top. I could see where Miley was going with her dress, but thought the shell belt took it too far. I took the shell off, removed some of the sequins and think it looks much better. I think if it wasn't as "big...

...but sometimes she can drive me crazy! Yesterday, the phones weren't working (finally got the TV fixed, then the phones went out) and I called the digital phone guys. We walked through a couple of tests and they said everything was working on their end. Then the guy said to check to see where the phone plugged into the wall and there it was...the phone cord, chewed in half, lying on the floor. I felt like an idiot and simply said to the guy, "Nevermind, I know what's wrong." Hubs has just about had it with Lucy and her crazy antics. My neighbor said that she is just basically a teenage girl right now and doesn't want to listen to anything her parents have to say and to just give it time. I hope I wasn't this difficult as a teenager. At least I know I didn't chew on things...I don't think. Puppy advice welcome...

The saga of no TV continues, and I think if the Direct TV guys don't show up today, I'll have to send hubs to a hotel. After church yesterday, he went on a mission to find some rabbit ears so I could watch the Oscars last night. He finally found some at the third store he visited. So I hooked them up to the small TV in the kitchen last night and got pretty good reception. Deciding it would be much more comfortable to lay in my comfy bed and watch, I moved the ears upstairs, and the reception wasn't quite as good, but at least I had somewhat of a picture. When awards season comes around, my BFF and I always watch the shows together pratically on the phone every other minute. Before we found the rabbit ears, I had to call her and break the news that I may not be watching the Oscars. Her response, "Girl, you better get that fixed or I'm breaking up with you." Then she said, "I guess we can hook up our web cam and stream us watching the Oscars and you can wa...

I just realized the Oscars are on tomorrow night. I am seriously thinking about renting a hotel room...Wonder if I can watch it online somehow?

...but right now, I'm regretting it. We've been talking about switching from Time Warner Cable to Direct TV for quite a while now, it's cheaper and you get more channels. The guys came yesterday and installed it, and it was working fine. But on the way home from Lowes today, hubs calls with a frantic tone in his voice, "The TV isn't working. I've called and they said they can't be here until Monday." I can tell he's already going through withdrawals. It's almost 5:00 now and the TV has been out for two hours. I think he's got the shakes now...he is currently out in the yard wiggling the dish to see if he can make a miracle happen... Stay tuned...

I know I haven't posted much this week and so sorry for that. It's really been a pretty uneventful week, but we had our annual sales meeting, so I've been in constant meetings all day and events at night. Let's just say my DVR is extremely full. I've fallen asleep early every night and haven't been able to watch anything on TV.I have the following shows to catch up on tomorrow. I took the day off to just chill a little... - Young and the Restless for the entire week - Guiding Light for the entire week - The Bachelor (yes, I already know who gets kicked off) - The Mentalist (I love some Simon...) - Lost (Have no idea what happens) Let's hope I can make it through Grey's and Private Practice tonight...

Ok , I know it's not Wednesday, but I fell asleep early last night and didn't get a chance to pick the winners! I know you are dying with anticipation to hear the announcement, so let's get to it! I had a total of 131 entries for the giveaway (including bloggers with multiple entries). I entered everyone on a spreadsheet and used the online random number generator to pick these two winners! Ellen at My Stay at Home Life Gracie Beth at Preppy Southern Princess Ladies, contact me to let me know what you'd like your banner to look like and we'll get started! If you didn't win and are still interested in a blog header, just e-mail me and we can create something together! I only charge $25 and will not quit until you are happy with the final product!

I had a fabulous weekend and didn't do much of anything really. Sometimes I just need a weekend of no plans and no deadlines to "get back to happy" and feel refreshed. Although I didn't have plans, I did get a lot accomplished. I managed to clean the house, fill up five yard bags of leaves and pine needles and (with the help of hubs) did laundry. Valentine's day was low key and laidback . Hubs surprised me with chocolate and a teddy bear from Godiva that really made me smile. In 11 years together, we've never done the chocolate thing for Valentine's, so it was fun! I bought him a Cheesecake Factory cheesecake, knowing exactly how to get to his heart. I made the little guy a special heart breakfast (hubs had to work) and we visited his favorite store, Target, Saturday morning and he spent all of his "valentine money" on a new Wii game. We watched the race yesterday and were sad Jr. didn't finish better and that the race was washed out. I d...

Don't forget to enter the drawing for one of two free blog headers! Thanks so much to everyone for such a great response! You have until Wednesday to enter! Here are the rules: 1. Leave a comment and be entered once. 2. Leave a comment and become a follower to be entered twice. If you become a follower or if you're already a follower make sure you let me know in your comment. 3. Leave a comment, become a follower, and do a post about my giveaway on your blog to be entered three times. Go here to leave a comment and good luck! Some examples of my work:

Every evening, around 9:00, my, tall, skinny, husband gets up and heads to the kitchen to pull out his nightly pint of Ben & Jerry's. Then he grabs a baby spoon, climbs back into his chair, and takes about an hour to eat the entire thing, savoring every single tiny little bite he takes. That's typically around 1,300 calories and 80 grams of fat each night. I ( the one who only has to lick a candy kiss for it to show up on my thighs ) on the other hand, sneak into the kitchen, guilty that my sweet tooth is kicking in, rummage through the cupboard and fridge until I choose from either the 100-calorie currently stocked snack or 10 calorie jello cup with sugar free Cool Whip. That's just not fair. So, I've started buying him the Chubby Hubby flavor. At least it makes me feel better and I feel like I'm subliminally sending him a message. It will catch up with him one day, mark my word.

My little guy has never been much of a sleeper. He didn't sleep through the night until he was two. Here's one of my favorite photo sessions from when he was about seven months old. He was supposed to be taking a nap, but would not go to sleep. He was so cute, I had to take pictures. Now, he's almost four and still fights sleep every night. It's not a mean fight, it's pretty entertaining most nights actually.Last night, as most nights, he got really chatty when I turned the lights out. Here's just some of our conversation "Mommie?" "Yes?" "Mommie, I like valentines, they are so pretty." "Me too sweetie, now go to sleep." "Mommie, I like you hair. It's so soft." Then he says the thing every mommie wants to hear... "Mommie, you're the bestest mommie ever, you know?" How does a three (almost four) year old come up with that? All to fight sleep.

Each year, the folks at The Daily Tar Heel (UNC) and the folks at The Chronicle (Duke) make a bet on who will win the big basketball game. The losing team has to publish the next morning's paper in the colors of the opposing team and tell them how wonderful they are. Here's the front page of today's Chronicle...I think baby blue suites them well...go heels...

I'm in love with these shoes from the Gap. Of course, I'm in love with any shoe that is chunky and funky (just ask my mom). These fab feet finds are designed by Paris shoe designer Pierre Hardy and retail for $98.00. They had these in a similar style last year and sold out pretty fast. Go. Now.

Hi everyone! Since I didn't even realize I passed my 200th post until now, I've decided to host a giveaway! Here's the deal...I'm giving away two free blog headers to two lucky readers. If you've just had a blog makeover or don't need a new header, leave a comment on behalf of one of your other blog friends and I'll add another entry for them! I'll announce the winners next Wednesday, 18 February. Here are the rules: 1. Leave a comment and be entered once. 2. Leave a comment and become a follower to be entered twice . If you become a follower or if you're already a follower make sure you let me know in your comment. 3. Leave a comment, become a follower, and do a post about my giveaway on your blog to be entered three times. Here's my latest satisfied client: The Pink Clutch

I woke up this morning and decided I was going to go for a run, thinking... It's a nice day outside. The puppy needs some exercise. I just synced my iPOD. I had mexican for lunch yesterday. I bought some Depends (see this post for explanation). Then I rolled over and went back to sleep. At least I thought about it. Baby steps, I don't want to shock my system.

We headed to my hometown this weekend for my nephew's birthday party. The weather was just perfect, so we couldn't stay inside! So,what do you do in a small, southern town, when the weather is beautiful outside and you're a little kid? You get your great-grandaddy to ride you around on the tractor... ...you make shadow animals on the grass... ...you fly a kite... ...and you enjoy the sun with your cousins while you eat lollipops!

I thought I'd create some fun free Valentines for you guys to print and cut! It's inspired by one of my favorite 80's songs! I've got some more on my mind I'm going to work on tomorow and post, so stay tuned. Just click on this and it will open it in another window to make them bigger.

This is a plug. That's all there is to it. My family has a condo at Indian Beach for rent starting this spring and throughout the year. It's my in-laws condo that they have been living in for the last two years, but they've bought another place at the beach, so this one is now vacant, cute and ready to be loved by you! The condo is located in Indian Beach (between Atlantic Beach and Emerald Isle in North Carolina) and you can go here to visit the property managers if you're interested in renting it! It is a fabulous place for kids, you can walk to putt putt, car racing , etc. They have a pool, jacuzzi, grills, tennis court, basketball court and the most beautiful views of the beach around! Our property is not up on their site yet, but here are some sneak pics. They are putting it up soon and if you are interested in renting for this summer, ask for #214. It has two bedrooms and two baths. Master has a king, second has twin beds. Couch is great to sleep on too (trust...

I had that lovely annual check-up we all look forward to experiencing each and every year today. The doctor asked if I was having any issues and all of a sudden, I really felt old. Me: "Well yes doctor, I'm tired all of the time." Dr: "Maybe it's the three-year old." Me: "Well, true, but I'm paranoid it's my thyroid. I'm hoping I have thyroid issues and that's why I can't lose weight." Dr: "Really? Maybe it's because you're not exercising as much as you should be." Me: "I pee on myself all of the time. I'm trying to start running and I can't do it." Dr: "That's not good... hmmm " as he types on the computer and reads his comments out loud, "...causing patient challenges with daily exercise routine. The insurance guys will like that." Dr: "You say you deal with depression and anxiety." Me: "Yes, I take medicine and it helps a lot." Dr: "Exercise ...

A co-worker and I were talking about someone we work with from the northern part of the country and how he/she can be a bit straightforward at times. My co-worker said, well, you have to realize that you and I are born and bread southerners and we typically like to "roll things in a little bit of honey" before we say them. I laughed and said, "You're right, you're right." I love being from the south and couldn't imagine growing up anywhere else. Every day, I work with people from other areas of the country (and the world for that matter) and we are a bit different . For example some people have never tried grits, collard greens or okra ! (the thought of it!) "In the South, the breeze blows softer...neighbors are friendlier, nosier, and more talkative. (By contrast with the Yankee, the Southerner never uses one word when ten or twenty will do)...This is a different place. Our way of thinking is different, as are our ways of seeing, laughing, singi...

How does a meeting to review ad concepts for a new campaign turn into a discussion about 18 wheelers and honey bees? Like this: We went from concept #4 being our choice, to wanting to own a horse farm, to retiring on a farm, to wanting to retire and raise honey bees, to wanting to save the honey bees and colony collapse, then onto driving an 18 wheeler around with honeybees in the back... When I'm in a meeting and people start to digress and I have a million things on my list to accomplish that day, I just want to reach across the table and say "FOCUS, people FOCUS". Sorry, needed to vent. Back to my million things...

I am so glad January is over ( see reasons why here ). February means lots of pink and red and valentines and expressions of love. Hubs and I used to go out for Valentine's but have stayed in the last couple of years because getting a sitter is kinda hard for Valentine's evening. It is such a fun time because I'm a crafty girl. I remember trying so hard to make the perfect valentine for my parents each year at school. I know lots of people send e-cards these days, but for Valentine's day, there's nothing like getting a special handmade little piece of love. I think my mom still has the ones we gave her growing up in a drawer somewhere. As mentioned before, I designed my little guys cards this year , but came across some other wonderful ideas online that I thought I'd share. There are so many fun ideas out there - not enough time in the day to make them all! Heart-and-Lolliop Flowers Molly's Handmade Valentines

I'm introducing an ongoing feature on my site today that I thought of last night, in light of the economic times we are all facing right now. It's going to be links to deals and bargains currently on eBay for fun finds and hip items. Hopefully, saving you some time and money! A lot of people are initmidated by eBay, so I thought this may make the search process a little easier as well because it can be scary when you get a zillion results on a search. Depending on the response I get, I'll continue...if it's a bust, I won't! So, up for today, everything polka dots . I was inspired by this search because my friend Katy has this great polka dot scarf she bought at the J. Crew outlet. I knew I wouldn't be getting there soon, so the first place I went was eBay. These are all listings ending today, with polka dots, and all currently under $50.00. Adrianna Papell Polka Dot Sundress (Size 14) "H&M" COMME des GARCONS Polka Dots Scarf Wrap (Black) J Crew Yel...

I just finished up a new header for one of my girlfriends that has a wonderful blog and cake business. Her business and blog is Baker's Cakes. Check out her blog and wonderful cakes, cake bites and creative baking she does! Here are a couple of her cakes, but check out the rest on her blog here . Don't hesitate to contact me if you'd like a new blog header! I only charge $25.00 and send you directions for how to post and work with you until we get it right!

Bumpkin on a Swing asked me to put together a little button for us to show GRITS our love. She's had a bad week, send her your love...