Baby Shoes

I've been completely unprepared for all the stuff a little baby girl needs for cold Sunday mornings. Dress, Tights, Bloomers, Sweater, Shoes. Ahh! But you're now looking at the proud owner of baby shoes from etsy seller, LilCubby. These are not the ones I purchased, but these cuties are still for sale!

Thinkin' About Cars

I'm thinking about Christmas, and Ethan's birthday, coming up soon. Plus, the move back into our house, which will come...Someday. So I've been scouring the internet to find some of the best car-related gifts & room decor.

I typed in "Car" on etsy, and have just finished scouring the 356 pages of results. Here are just a few of my favorites: Car Activity Table
Wooden Cars
Car Mug
Cruisin' Cars Announcement
Pillow with Chalkboard
Light Switch Cover
Pillow
Red Truck Pillow
Bucket Toy Organizer
Gift Tags
Car Stationary
Hanging Magnetic Board
Car Painting
Cars on Vacation Bowl
Race Car Switchplate
And if I had a car-obsessed girl, she'd for sure get this little car coin purse.

More Pretty from Etsy.com

I love the internet. Such pretty things can be seen from the comfort of your own home. Like these personalized cards, from Sarah + Abraham's etsy shop. Or this little jacket, made from a vintage tablecloth, from Posie's Boutique. Cute cute cute!And while Im on the subject of etsy, they are having online video tutorials nearly every day this month, on a different craft. Next week, you can learn Metal Etching, Screenprinting, Appliques and more!

Etsy Prints from Sarah Jane

I'm very excited about the prints I received from Aunt Renee, Aunt Libby & Minama, from etsy.com seller, Sarah Jane Studios. There are so many adorable ones - here are just a few of the precious prints she has available, which would look adorable in any little girl's bedroom. Etsy's so much fun!

Allergy T-Shirts

There are some days that I wish I had a shirt like this. Random (well-meaning) parents feed in the park feed him food, and elsewhere. A couple of these would make me feel a lot better. I wish there were more that I really liked. The one I really like is pictured, but only comes in sizes 4 and 6!

For those of you who have kids with allergies (or for a gift idea for someone who does) check these out!
Making Friends
None for Me, Please
Goats Eat Anything (pictured)
I'm Allergic
Please Don't Feed Me
I Have Allergies
Please Ask First
Ask Mommy
Cluck Allergies
Don't Feed Me Button

I can't decide. Which styles do you like best? I like the message of "Please Don't Feed Me" but wish it was cuter. Lurking designers want to design me one that I can have printed?

Safe Plates & Bottles

I've been looking for these! I'm so excited to find these plates and these bottles on Ohdeedoh.com. Is there anyone else nervous about all this talk about harmful plastics? Anyway, I'm going to be looking into these options!

Chickin Feed

Addie sent me a link to a great product, called Chickin Feed. The main product is this Tracking Board, which tells you how much protein, veggies, calcium, etc. your "little chickins" need every day. They also have a book coming out with meal ideas, along with some other cool products in their future. I'll take one!

Bridesmaid Dresses

Ever ordered a bridesmaid dress for what size you'll be at 7 months pregnant? Well, now I have and I'm worried! I'm so excited about being in Laura's wedding, and wearing this gorgeous Melissa Sweet number (in Sangria, minus the flower). But have NO idea what non-maternity size I'd wear at that point! Here's to hoping that I don't gain more weight than I did last time! And to hoping I can stand up there in heels! (And yes, I said it...I'm 12 Weeks!)

PS. Karina sent me this helpful article on pregnant bridesmaids. Be SURE to check it out, you won't want to miss this dress. Thank you, Laura, for not making me wear the same.

Christmas Stockings

I finally ordered Ethan his own Christmas stocking. I've been looking for hand knitted woolen stockings for a year and a half now. They are actually quite hard to find, but I finally found a few I liked. My favorites are these above from Pottery Barn Kids, these below from Warm Biscuit Bedding.

I decided to go with these from these from Annie's Woolens. I like the size and designs. Plus, I spoke with the knitter herself on the phone! I love small businesses.

The Antique Tureen

Before I buy anything, I try to ask myself “Do I really NEED this?” When I saw an antique soup tureen that was an identical match to one I already owned, I told myself “No. No one in the world needs 2 soup tureens.” But hours later, I regretted that decision. What are the chances that I would run across an identical matching soup tureen? So I went back at the end of the day & bought it at the garage sale down the street! I must say that I’m glad I did. So guess what you’ll be having next time you come over? ..SOUP!

Mark Your Calendars!

If you have kids, you'll want to mark your calendar for these upcoming consigment sales. If you haven't done the consignment sale thing yet, you're missing out on some great sales! Here are some coming up:

Wee Wares - Aug 2-4 at Lipscomb U.
Once around the Block - Nov. 14 & 15 at West End Community Church
Otter Creek Consignment Aug 24-25 at Otter Creek Church

Find even more here

Books for Boys

I think older boys are hard to shop for. They are over toys, but don't want clothes either! That's why I'm excited about the Dangerous Book for Boys and the World Record Paper Airplane Book. I love "The Dangerous Book for Boys". It features things every boy should know, like chapters on dinosaurs, famous battles, compass navigation, how to make invisible ink & tie knots and more! How cool. (ps. Make sure you buy the American version.)

The Challenge

Here's my self-proposed challenge. ONLY Have enough clothes, dresses, socks & underwear to fit in THIS closet and THESE drawers. It should be easy enough, since I'm not working professionally, so really only see my hubby & son on a daily basis. But it's not! I have found that I'm a keeper of stuff. It's not like I even buy clothes very often; I just keep the ones I've got forever. Most of my stuff doesn't even fit me well - since I've fluctuated within 20 pounds (non-pregnancy times) most of my adult life. Why is it that we women want to keep clothes in case we lose/gain weight again?! Anyway, I don't know if I can do it, but this is my challenge. I hope I can do it!

Fair Trade Gifts for Mom

Feel good about the gift you buy Mom next week. Fair Trade empowers farmers and farm workers to lift themselves out of poverty by investing in their farms and communities, protecting the environment, and developing the business skills necessary to compete in the global marketplace. Here are some awesome gifts that you’ll feel great about buying.
First, there’s this Vietnamese bowl or this Kenyan basket from A Greater Gift.

Of buy her something beautiful she can wear, like this necklace from Mercado Global. Or this shirt from Fair Indigo.Or buy her some coffee from Dean’s Beans.

And don’t forget, you can shop locally at 10 Thousand Villages for tons of beautifully crafted fair trade items.

"I Love Thursdays"

I'm starting something called "I Love Thursdays." I'll share with you some of my favorite things. Maybe I'll do it consistently, or maybe this will be the only "I Love Thursday."

Today, I love:
1) Western Chief Boots - They keep my feet dry on a day like today. Plus, my niece has a matching pair.
2) The Red Campaign - Buy Something, Help fight AIDS.
3) Consignment Sales - Why buy full price when you can get a good pair of kid shoes for $3?

The Poser & Her Mac

I know there are many of you asking, “Is She posing for the camera? What a goof.” Okay, I’m only sort-of posing. That actually WAS a legitimate picture of me coming in from the grocery. But I did take the picture myself.

You see, I must begin by saying say that Macs are the best computer on the planet. And they now come with a Photo Booth – just push a button on your computer, wait for the 3, 2, 1 countdown, and “Snap!”

No camera required. No crazy camera propping/tilting fiascos & setting of a timer. No cords and photo transfers. It takes the picture, loads it onto your photo gallery. Many times, I just hold the laptop up to Ethan if I want to take a quick picture for our blog, or if there’s a fleeting moment before me.

My grocery picture was actually taken as I walked in the door. I just hit the countdown button on my computer and “Viola.” So I may take lots of Photo Booth pictures, and I am a bit of a goof, but I’m not completely posing in my pictures. But who knows, unless we’re totally oblivious to the camera, aren’t we always posing…just a tiny little bit?

(Pictured - us “posing” for the Photo Booth)

Clothes on a Budget

Too funny. So, we all appreciate a good top from Walmart. And since we’re all shopping in the same stores, let’s talk about how great Target is. Yesterday’s grocery shot features my new Target top, which has also been just hiding out in the closet until a warm day. I have to exercise total discipline when I walk into Target now. Their new designer clothes beckon me to come peruse the racks. I try hard to resist.

And do you have a Plato’s Closet near you? I hope so, because it’s a great place to find deals. Mostly, they sell super-trendy teen clothes on consignment. Most I wouldn’t wear. But they have tons of jeans & basic tops from Gap, Abercrombie, etc. I’m a bit embarrassed to go in (feeling old), but it’s worth it.

Finally, I must lament the fact that Anthropologie is opening up in Nashville soon. If I had a endless clothing budget, this is how I would dress. I don’t think I’ve ever actually bought anything there, but now I’ll have to just watch other people walking around in the adorable clothes. Torture.

So my battle with consumerism continues. I'm not over it today, nor will I be anytime soon. I would be lying if I said I didn't hope their was a day that I could buy as many clothes as I wanted, from wherever I wanted. But I'm working to be content with what I have. Most days I am. Until I see one of you ladies or gents with something I want, and then it rears it's ugly head again.

For now, I'll just savor the designer duds of Target, Walmart, and Plato's Closet. They really do rock.