Friends and Handbags

This weekend I was lucky enough to share with 3 of my best friends from college.  We ate, we drank, we laughed a lot, and cried when it was all over.  

Even though it's been 13 or so years since we graduated Mizzou, I still think we all look the same.  

Lolly, Janelle, Me, and Michelle

We were all DG's at Mizzou, and with or without drinks sometimes we revert to age 19 and get out our 'arm-anchor's.'  Yep, its embarrassing, but fun (and funny!) at the time!  Here's Janelle and I getting our 'anchor' on:

Janelle's probably dying that I posted this pic, but the real reason I did is because I am OBSESSED with her new Louis (pictured on her arm above).  Whew!  It is fabulous......and different than what I see around here all the time!  

Louis Vuitton Artsy Tote

Even better?  Her husband bought it for her for Christmas - without any help.  Joe, are you reading this? 

Finally, don't forget to enter my giveaway for a beautiful Rachel Olesker Bracelet - retailing at $85.  It's so beautiful, click HERE for giveaway details and how to enter.  Here's the bracelet you can win:

Obsessed, Apparently....

My title to this post is not so clever as I want to introduce you to a new blog out there you MUST read.  Apparently Obsessed is written and edited beautifully by an old friend of mine who resides in Kansas City. 

She writes about things that she's 'apparently obsessed' with, because that's something that many of her friends say she says A LOT.  I love it. 

For example: 

 "Apparently, I am obsessed with the ballet flats I just tried on."  Cute!

Here's a quick list of reasons I love her blog:

1.  she affectionately refers to her husband as 'The Texan' and her son as 'The Bug.'  I love this, it's like you're reading about fictional characters, but 'apparently' you're not!

2.  her taste is impeccable - from organization items to fashion to food, she's a gal from whom I would definitely take advice.

3.  the way her blog is set up is just gorge (for gorgeous, people).  Take for example the picture she chose under 'Meet Me.'  

Fabulous.

You can also find Apparently Obsessed on Facebook - click HERE. 

Stylish Blogger, Moi?

Hopefully by this title you all don't think I'm complimenting myself (which in all honestly wouldn't be a surprise, ha!), but instead I was nominated by Melanie of Scout as someone who is, a 'stylish blogger!' Thank you Mel, you're always very sweet to me.

As part of the deal, you have to nominate other 'stylish bloggers.'  Here are some great blogs I follow written by some very stylish women!  Ladies, I look forward to your posts!

Look Learn Love

Art Wall

Whine and Cheez

Raw for a Reason

That Girl in Pearls


The other part of the game is to reveal 7 interesting things about yourself....so read on if you're interested!


1. I recently learned to needlepoint (from my Mom) and needle pointed my husband a proper Christmas stocking! I am in the process of making Gemma's as well......and also making a little pillow for my niece Sienna (it's a very belated gift at the rate I'm going!). Obviously this is not the one I made - sorry, I don't feel like unearthing it from the basement Xmas decs...but it's similar.

2. Before kids, I had professional pictures taken of my dogs! Yes, I did. They turned out amazing......the photographer I used is Amanda Jones. If you are an animal lover like me, it's SO worth it! Here's an example of her work:

3.  I have a pacemaker.  Yes, as in the old lady kind.  To me, it's not a big deal and I don't think of it much.  I really don't even notice the scar anymore.   I probably will in a couple of years when I have to get my battery replaced - no joke!  I'm battery operated. 

4.  A few years ago (before kids, even before I was married), my Mom and I were shopping on Armitage Ave in Chicago and found some adorable frames.  You know, the kind that are painted with either rhinestones on them or a bow, or whatever......but they were in a boutique for $40 or $50!  Both of us being somewhat crafty, we thought 'We can make these!'  So we bought some materials and they came out.....just ok.  I made a few, gave some to my Mom, and got bored of it.  However, a couple of months ago, I revisited this craft and am now making my own frames - some to give as gifts, but I think I may just open my own little Etsy shop.  And yes, I will do custom orders if you're interested!  Stay tuned.............in the meantime here are a couple I have ready to  go:

5.  Despite all of his unfortunate comments, strange singing faces, and just all around weirdness, I love me some John Mayer.  I love all of his albums, and love to blast it in the car, when making dinner, whenever!  When Gemma was teency this summer, for some reason his Battlestudies album calmed her......Joe says it's because it's melancholy.  He's probably right.  When we moved out of our house last year in Madison, I was pregnant with Gemma and very emotional about the move, quitting my job, etc, and so as we drove away I turned on John Mayer's song 'All we ever do is say goodbye' and sobbed all the way to Chicago.  Whew!  I was intermittently laughing at myself; Joe didn't quite know what to say. 

6.  I am kind of obsessed with swimwear.  Strange, given I live in the Midwest and only don one on a yearly vacation and maybe a handful of times in the summer.  If you were to come see my 'collection' you'd laugh.  How many swimsuits does a Midwestern girl need?  Apparently more than 15.

7.  I went to an all girls, catholic high school.  We wore uniforms, rarely shaved our legs, had many nuns for teachers, and loved every minute of it!  St Teresa's Academy in Kansas City was the best!  I made some of the best friends of my life there, and learned so much about myself.  I loved being in the all girls environment and focusing on ME.  What else did I love about it?  That our brother school was Rockhurst.  Who doesn't love a Rockhurst boy?  Here are some old school photos to make you laugh.

Never thought I would have these

No, I never thought I would have these, but I took the plunge. I have .....................Mommy calling cards! Aren't they cute?

Do any of you feel this way? Are you thinking - how cheesy is that? Or, is that really necessary? That is what I was thinking a couple of years ago when I found out such a thing existed. Are you ready for the 'BUT?'

But, my stylish friend Melanie of Style Scout had suggested these a while back, and I recently decided I needed some.

Here are my (and what my be YOUR reasons):

1. When you're at the park/preschool/mall and you meet another Mom with kids that you think might be someone you want to get to know, do you really have the hands/time to get out some paper or program her number into your phone?

2. If you do end up programming her into your phone, will you remember who she is a week later when you're scrolling through your phone? For example, you see Cara and think, "who the heck is Cara with a 312 area code?"

3. If you don't have the time and just decide not to exchange information and hope that you see each other again, it's Murphy's Law that you won't. Believe me, because I have done this too many times.

4. If you live in a new area (which I do) and don't know many people (which I don't), this is a great way to connect with other Mom's, set up playdates, and make friends for you and your kids!

5. So if you DO have Mommy Cards, reaching into your bag and handing one out is easy as pie. And the chances that whomever you hand it to will call you are much higher, since you gave them an adorable card that they won't soon forget!

I got my cards (at Melanie's suggestion) on Etsy, by Pixielimpress.

Here are some of my other favorite designs she features:

Bag Lady

I am writing this post to pimp out my friend. Yes, I said pimp her out. Sorry, I just wanted to get your attention. Who knows, but I wanted to share with you guys my friend Michelle's new business.

She is a SAHM like myself, and recently decided to start a business from home - via the company Thirty-One. Michelle is a 'consultant' for Thirty-One, but basically that means she sells these super durable bags, purses, totes, you name it, from her home and through in-home parties. Fun!

The bags come in all sort of different patterns from stripes to plaid to dots, and you can personalize EVERYTHING! That is why this job is perfect for Michelle. Everywhere you look in her home, you will find either a monogram, an initial, or a name. And it's adorable! It wouldn't be Michelle's house without any of it.

Anyway, let me get on with it.

Look at these adorable backpacks......you'll never get them mixed up with another kid's!

And check out this beach tote, adorable!

Even more usability on the beach...

What do I have, you might ask? And what do I recommend?? Here ya go....

I have two of these - they go on the floor of my car underneath each of my kids' car seats. I have never had a great way to organize all the kid stuff that I keep in my car (diapers, wipes, baby toys, videos, video player, a couple of books, water bottles, i could go on!), and these have been the BEST organizer. I picked a cute boy fabric for under Griffin's seat, and a cute girly one for Gemma's. See below!

Secondly, I have two of these gigantic organizers in my mud room. They, like the car organizers, kind of stand up by themselves and have handles on either side. I have had them personalized - one says 'kids' and one says 'dogs.' Everything kid and dog related can go into these bins and I know where it is!! LOVE. This is not my fabric, I used a black and white dot with red embroidery.
Finally, I have a Utility Tote. This has been surprisingly GREAT! I wasn't so sure at first, but it's now a standby, and it's outer pockets are perfect for snacks, baby bottles, sippee cups, car keys, anything! I ordered this in the same fabric I did my mud-room organizers......cute, classic, will never go 'out' of style.

So, if you're interested in either buying some Thirty-One for yourself, OR if you'd like to host a party (for which there are GREAT perks), you must get in touch with Michelle! Even if you're not in the Chicago land area, Michelle hosts parties in St Louis, or she can get you in touch with a consultant in your area.

You can email her: mmhefley@gmail.com

or

Become a fan of her business on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?fbid=161310233894064&id=161302297228191&aid=35046#!/pages/Michelle-Hefleys-Thirty-One/161302297228191

And of course you can always contact me with any questions too!

Life just got a little bit crazier.....

Let me explain.

Since 2003, my husband and I have lived in Madison, Wisconsin. On March 1 (as in 3 months ago), we moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for a new job. And now, in about 2 weeks, we're moving yet once again to Chicago, Illinois! AAAAAAAhhhhhhhh!

Don't get me wrong, I am really excited to be getting back to Chicago. It is the city I lived in right after college for about 5 years and it was the time of my life. I love it there - so much to do, so much shopping (important!) and of course I met Joe there. And we got married there! However I'm not really excited about the prospect of moving AGAIN coupled with the fact that I'm 32 weeks pregnant. I think you all already know that fact though.

Today, I thought it would be fun to show you a few things in Chitown that I'm very excited to get back to......

My Chicago Girls!

Lou Malnati's Pizza...mmm! - especially deep dish spinach.

Shopping! I could go on and on about this one - Mag Mile, Bucktown, Wicker Park, Lincoln Park, the simple bliss of having a Nordstrom's, an Ikea, seriously I could blabber all day.....and then there are all of the places that have popped up while I've been gone. I have a lot of 'work' to do.

Sweet Mandy B's Cupcakes - I need not explain this one

And of course Lake Michigan's great beaches...

Aside from all of that, I am thrilled to be able to raise my kids in Chicago. There is SO much to do and see. I can't wait to take Griffin to the Lincoln Park Zoo and the Shedd Aquarium. I know he'll love them both! Now, I just have to move out of Pittsburgh, into Chicago, get settled, find an OB, have a baby, no biggie, right? ;-)

Wish me luck!