The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize.-Steel Magnolias

Friday, May 20, 2011

Taking It To the Maxi!

Baron is getting used to this photo taking.

  I was looking for a great dress that I could wear to the pool, beach, (no plans to go, but hey, a girl can always hope) to dinner, a luncheon....so basically the perfect dress.  It also had to be cool so it would stand up to the southern heat!  Not that southern women sweat, because we don't....we glisten, honey.

The search was on.  I finally decided on a maxi dress, but some felt a bit too formal or the fabric wrinkled too easily which is not good for travel.   And with 4 kids, I really hate tags that say "Dry Clean Only".
Then I checked out the LOFT outlet and fell in love! 
With the dress, naturally.

The colors are complimentary for EVERYONE!  The dress was light and airy, and the price was just right.
Then I found a perfect cardi for cooler evenings and mornings.  I was sooo happy!
Is it possible that they are a perfect match to this amazing Coach bag?  Why yes.

Kaja has designated herself as my official photographer and did a bit of surfing of blogs to sharpen her skills.
She LOVES "posing Mom".  How fun for a 9 year old to get to tell her Mother what to do!!


Kaja directed me to pretend to be watering my plants!  I was like "With my purse???"
I think my daughter has been watching to much Nick at Nite!
Even June Cleaver and Donna Reed didn't have their purses for watering tomatoes....maybe gloves though.

Banana Republic sandals- clearance

ATL- necklace: recycled

Coach purse/scarf: gifted
So, this weekend I am going through my closet for the big "Spring Clean".  It is time to see what I really have, what I don't need, what doesn't fit, etc.  So far I found a sweater I bought on clearance 2 Years ago and it still had the tags on and had NEVER been worn!  I can't wait to see what else is in there!!!

Have a fabulous weekend!

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Happy Mother's Day!!


I don't have a sweet story like Lise.  But I do have a picture of me and BOTH kids, which hardly ever happens. They just refuse to be in pictures together. They would like everyone to think they hate each other, but I know that deep down they do love each other. I have proof that once upon a time, they weren't scared to show affection for one another. How CUTE are they? This is my favorite picture of the 2 of them. They are 2 1/2 and 1 1/2 here.



Yesterday, Leah and I went to the funeral of the dad of one of her best friends.  It was unlike any funeral I have ever been to. It wasn't stuffy and reserved. It was joyful and vibrant and alive and just amazing. I didn't know this man, but by the time that funeral was over, I was truly wishing I had. I feel like I missed out on knowing an extraordinary individual. 

It also marked the first time Leah has worn a skirt EVER. She's worn a dress a couple of times since she was 5 but never a skirt. I thought she looked so pretty. I probably won't see this again for awhile.  The dress I have on was bought like 3 or 4 years ago. And the shoes were bought this year at Goodwill. They look like they were made to be worn together, don't they?


I hope you all have a wonderful and Happy Mother's Day!!

Saturday, May 7, 2011

My Message For Mothers Day


Lise and Josh
 Today I was prepared to write something memorable to all the Mothers out there.  But the weeks activities got in the way of me finishing (and trying to pass a kidney stone...and YES you did need to know that, LOL) I was frustrated not to be able to get back to writing.  At some point lost my ability to be a Mary Poppins Mother and raised my voice at Josh.  He was hurt and taken off guard (I blame the kidney stones) walked into the house, ripped up something and dropped it quietly in the trash.  Wrapping my arms around my little son, I kissed his forehead and apologized for losing my patience.  He, in turn apologized for his earlier behavior.  I told him I loved him and went to leave. 

About 30 minutes later Josh comes to find me with something in his hands.  It is the Mothers Day card he made for me and had previously thrown away.  He found Duct Tape and put it together!  He hands it to me and says "It's not perfect anymore, but I think you can still see that I love you too."

I cry.

We sat on the sofa looking at this perfect little treasure.  I explained that this may be my favorite gift ever because it shows very plainly how life is.  We are not accepted because we are perfect.  To the contrary, we all suffer tears and breaks, but to those that love us, we are always accepted and LOVED.  (Especially by Moms!)  :)
See?  This is STILL a beautiful card!

Look at that beautiful hand print!

Josh, I love you!  And to all the Mothers, Grandmothers, Aunts...etc  who love unconditionally....
Enjoy this special day!

Mom and Josh

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY
from
SOUTHERN COMFORT!

Thursday, May 5, 2011

HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO!!!


Cinco de Mayo—or the fifth of May—commemorates the Mexican army's 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War (1861-1867). A relatively minor holiday in Mexico, in the United States Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage, particularly in areas with large Mexican-American populations.

I just like to use it as an excuse to drink Margaritas! Unfortunately, there will be no Margarita drinking for me today. I have to work and tonight, Leah has Honor's Night. Oh, well. My coworker, Laura, did bring in some yummy Mexican layered dip! YUMMY!!! And we'll be having tacos for supper.

Any of you celebrating?

Sombrero: Cherokee, NC. (I know, weird, right?)
White shirt: Ann Taylor Loft clearance
Pin striped capris: Christopher & Banks
Shoes: Payless

Have a fabulous day, y'all! Someone drink a Margarita for me!!

Even Flo got into the spirit with us today!! (But she won't give me my hat back!)

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Fashion To Take Stock In

The Stock Market can be a guessing game.  So I choose to invest in great pieces that will carry me through many occasion's.  And finding them at thrift stores?  Priceless!  All the pieces in this outfit came from thrifting and (including the purse) the whole look was under $30!  WooHoo!
Skirt:  Sigrid Olsen
Sweater: Ann Taylor
Purse: Nine West
Shirt:  Ann Taylor
Hot Pink belt (pink and yellow?  oh yeah!) thrifted
Pin:  Made by the fabulous Leah Hollet!!! It was a gift and perfect!

So, you may be wondering why I am talking about stocks today.  Well, my son Josh and two friends made up a team to compete in the "Stock Market Game".  It is a great opportunity for children to become educated in commerce and business.  And they won for their region!!!  So we got a trip to Atlanta for a program and awards.  I am so proud of these boys. And may I give a shout out to their Honors teacher, Mrs. Brychell, who is amazing!!!  Teachers do NOT get enough love.
 The name of their team was "Men In Green" and their t-shirts had a gold $ sign on the back (thanks Teresa).

Josh and Mom (who is so very proud)  at the Depot at Underground Atlanta

Josh, Daniel, Mrs. Brychell, Zac

Kaja and Mom (Yes, she got to come!)

Our Star guest speaker and Falcons running back

Since Josh and his team did so well, I found out what the main money makers were that they invested in.  It turns out that they thought outside the box with "Game Stop" and "WWE"!!!   I was like "You can invest in wresting????  Seriously???"  LOL!
But, as I said, I take stock in the fact that the best market to invest are thrift stores!

Monday, May 2, 2011

Feeling Proud and Patriotic Today!


This outfit is not the one I had planned today. But after hearing the news last night that Osama Bin Laden is FINALLY dead, I decided that today called for red, white and blue!

I know his death doesn't mean we are any safer but it finally feels like justice has been served and that the mission is indeed accomplished! And I hope that it brings at least a little peace to everyone that lost someone due to the 9/11 attacks.

I am so proud of our country, our military and President Obama this morning. He said he'd get him and he did!