Another Why Didn't I Think of That???

Found this today on Jar's of Cute and I must say brilliant invention - anti-theft lunch bags. Do you know how much this would have helped me in college??? Seriously, I had leftovers stolen. I don't like to eat my own leftovers much less someone else's!

All smocked up

Honestly with all the baby posts on here you would think I had a child. But, as world's greatest aunt, I must keep up my auntly duties by staying on top of all the baby trends out there.

My cousin, Jennifer (she also wins an award for most loyal blog reader AND poster), sells the cutest collection of children's outfits that every southern baby must own. I mean what says southern more than hand smocked outfits? Um, nothing.

Here are some of my fave's from the summer and fall collection:

Is this not precious for a little boy?

So cute and modern, yet still classic.

How could I not love a dress with a cupcake???

Preppy baby. The gators up close.

The whole outfit.

To see the whole collection, you can visit Shrimp & Grits Kids. If you are interested in ordering, I would love for my cousin to get the credit, so email me and I will put you in touch with her!

All the rage

Since I am obsessed with planning my sister's baby shower, I have been checking out every blog known to man. And, since cupcakes are all the rage (don't worry, I am totally on the cupcake train) I have come across cupcakes so cute you could plan a party completely around them.


These first two I found on Sweet Cuddle Cakes' blog.

The rest are from Blue Cupcake. Is she not amazingly talented???

My Own Personal Fail Blog

I don't know if you guys read the Fail Blog feed that I have on the right. If not, you are soooo missing out. Lately I have come across a few fails of my own. I know they are kind of lame. But, I cannot help that I have not run into anything funnier. Totally not my fault.

So, from my European travels - I saw this vehicle and the company name gave me a good laugh. Perhaps a Lost in Translation FAIL?

I was at Macy's this past weekend (oh, I got the cutest new comforter that can only come out when company comes over since Carter thinks he owns the bed) and I was shopping with my sister-in-law (did I tell you Tommy's other sister is with child?) and I cracked up when I saw the below:

1- Tag placement fail - Hello, why would you put that woof tag coming out where it is coming from? Just sayin'.

2- And, that being said I don't think this is the best First Impression (see brand tag - it is really unfunny when you have to explain it, huh?)

And, this is why I don't write or take pictures for Fail Blog. Obviously it is the little things in life that amuse me.

Results

You guys cannot leave me hanging like this. On my lamb/calf poll it is a tie! My vote was for lamb and Tommy's was for calf. So, it really is a tie. Tie breakers?

Speeding Ticket or Wedding Dress Dry Cleaned? It's a toss up.

Today I was discussing the fact that I have been married three years and my wedding dress is still sitting in a closet in my house. Never preserved. Never cleaned. I just cannot bring myself to do it. To me it is the monetary equivalent of getting a speeding ticket. I cannot imagine a worse way to spend $100+. Um, yes, I am cheap. Clearly....

So, ladies, here is a poll for you:

I am dying to know.

Martini anyone?

My sister recently moved back to Tulsa from the big town of Coweta and my mom and aunt were nice enough to fix up their backyard with a brand new bar! I cannot for the life of me find the inspiration picture online but it was in the May (or April) 2009 issue of Better Homes and Gardens. It is super simple to put together (that being said, I didn't help at all but it looks easy enough). It is just cinder blacks stacked 5 tall and a $2 old door from Habitat ReStore.

Now, I think we need to have bbq and drinks, Al!

Judging

This Friday I had soooooo much fun! Catherine with Sage Culinary Studio invited me to be a guest judge for her Iron Chef cooking camp. (Click here for the course description.) Four groups of two presented each of the three judges with an appetizer, main dish and desert made with the secret ingredient: apples!


Catherine was nice enough to have me (the only non-celeb judge ; ), Tasha, from Tasha Does Tulsa and Betty Casey, editor of Tulsa Kids Magazine judge the teams. The winning team received 4 cooking classes from Sage!


The kids were judged on appearance, taste, plating and creativity. I was so impressed with all of the kids and their confidence. I would NEVER have been confident enough at that age to talk to a bunch of adults and explain to them the meal I prepared. They were all so awesome.

Below are some samples of the food we ate:

Look at the plating! So impressive and unique. This was curried chicken on a bed of apples and onions. It was a great combination.



I would have totally ordered this salad out at a restaurant. It was chicken on a bed of greens with pecans and apple slices with vinaigrette dusted with parmesan.

And, you know how I love desert. This was an apple muffin perfectly baked - crispy around the edges with real chunks of apple inside. Delish.

I didn't want them to take this one away. A perfect apple crisp. Heaven.

After eating 12 totally unique items I left so impressed with these kids. I am totally sending my kids to cooking school (um, when I have some). They were so enthusiastic about cooking and I cannot think of a better way to get your own personal chef (unless you marry someone who likes to cook. Minus one for me there.)

Save the Date

Just wanted to share the save the date I made for my sister's baby shower. I am so excited about throwing the shower and have gotten such cute stuff! Can't wait to share more with you guys!

Clipboard. Check.

I love, love, love when readers send me post ideas. It is a lot harder to write a blog than it looks. My family friend, Mo (short for Melissa/Mo-lissa) sent me the site of Cottage Indus-tree. Um, can you say cuteness? Really, I think I need an adorable clipboard now.

Another invention...

It looks like inventions are not really in the cards for me. Last year, I posted about a great idea I had. (Looking back...not so much). But, this past week I was just sure I had it. The world needed a cooler (meaning temperature) carseat for babies. I had my business plan going. I sold my brother-in-law on the idea. We even had a name - Carseat Cooler.

Lesson learned again. I guess it helps if you google first. Apparently I don't know every item for sale on the planet. Nor the fact there are 90 variations of said product already on the market.

This one comes with ice packs.

And, this one comes in fun colors.

Leave it up to someone in Arizona to invent this first.

Love a gift basket

I love making gift baskets and I LOVE little girly things! My friend Ann is having a girl and I had so much fun putting together a basket for her baby shower! It is super easy to do, so I took pics along the way:

First, find a cute container. This is one Ann had registered for at Target.

Fill it with diapers to give the basket height.

Instead of tissue paper fill it with an adorable pink tutu!!!!

Now start adding the fun stuff:

And, voila an easy gift basket.

Okay, now back to the tutu. Is that not just the most precious thing you have ever seen? Totally impractical. Yes. But, I mean how could you not want one after seeing this picture???

If you are in the market for a tutu (and, really, who isnt?) check out the etsy shop of Fairy Tales Unlimited. She was great to work with and got this out to me Monday for my Sunday Shower!

Habitat ReStore and More....

I have lots of of Habitat stuff to update you guys about! First, I have started a new blog for Tulsa's Habitat for Humanity's ReStore. The ReStore is one of Habitat's best kept secrets. They have a resale shop here in Tulsa at 12th & Norwood (off of Sheridan) that sells everything you could possibly need for home improvements/renovations. Doors, windows, appliances (like really nice ones), paint, cabinets and so much more are available.

And, since new inventory is always coming in Habitat has been trying to find an easy and efficient way to get the news out to their followers, so a blog was a great solution! Right now the only stuff on the blog are sample posts from training but I am going to add it to my blog roll and encourage you to check it out. Also, the ReStore accepts donations from those in construction to those renovating their homes, so if you are ever wondering where to send those still nice but unwanted items, you have your place! They will even pick it up from you!

Also, I want to invite you guys to 200th home dedication. This is a huge deal for Habitat and the City of Tulsa. Through the donations of time and money from thousands of volunteers Habitat has been able to place over 200 families in simple, affordable housing. I had the opportunity to work (well that is debatable...) on this house yesterday and the family of four is thrilled to move into their first home.

Lastly, I am also raising money for Habitat's 20 years, 200 houses celebration. Please consider making a donation to this wonderful cause.

Going to the Birds

I had no idea the bird theme was going to be so popular! Here are some more fun finds I found for baby-still-doesn't-have-a-name.

I love this Etsy Mobile. It is so cute! I think you decorate it yourself with scrapbook paper...so....that might be a challenge. But, the final product looks super cute.


This mobile, also from Etsy, is so cute and you can customize the little fabrics.

Allison is thinking about a sage damask fabric and then just accenting with birds. It will be so hard to choose the world's cutest bird, though! However, this little bedding is still chic without being overly baby...imo.

A mobile for the shabby chic baby:

And, even though this is not exactly for the baby's room, these shoes from Land of Nod were just too precious not to share! (Are baby's shoes this expensive???)

Aunt Angie, we are girls after your heart! I know you will love all of these!!

My mood

For the record, my mood has improved tremendously. I told the printer my piece and finally got him on the same page with me. Everyone usually comes around when I badger them enough. Just ask my husband. ; )

And, you guys, when I got home today I got the cutest thing from etsy delivered today for a shower this weekend. I took pics and cannot wait to post. You will die from cute overload. I know the suspense is killing you.

Also, I have Zumba tonight and it always puts me in a better mood. It also makes me crave Mexican food. (Hey, have you guys used the new search feature on my blog? Wow, that made my life so much easier than having to search through the archives for the link. Try it!)

Tomorrow/this weekend since the bird theme is such a hit I will post some more "finds" for you guys. While I am at it, have I ever directed you guys to www.thefind.com? If not, you must go there. Type in whatever you need and sort by price and you can get some really great deals from stores you would have otherwise not heard of. Have I already shared that little gem? I cannot for the life of me remember what I type on here. But, repeating stories is what I do, so I am just keepin it real.

Irritated

I am soooooo not in a good mood today. Thank God I have an outlet. (That would be this blog.)

So, here are my rants for the day.

1- Ordered some signage for an event. Was to have it delivered today. Got an email at 5 yesterday...a part for the printer is missing but we should get it tomorrow. Phone call today...so sorry but we cannot print your graphics. Um, yeah. Figure out a way to get them printed--we have NO recommendations for you!!!!!

I need them tomorrow and you are a printing company. Do not leave it up to the customer to call around AT THE VERY LAST MINUTE to find someone else to do the work. And, have it be told it will be double because it is a RUSH. I am so frustrated I could cry.

I owned my own business for three years. I cannot imagine calling a bride the day before her wedding only to say a flower didn't come in. That happened. More times than I can count. But, my sorry ass called every damn florist in town, stalked Sams, took money of my own pocket to make sure the bride was pleased and was never the wiser.

Apparently I have some kind of super Customer Service gene that is not being used by the rest of the population. How can I find a way to make money off this?

2- Two Today Show issues got on my nerves this morning. I don't consider myself overly opinionated but today I will be.

Issue A - David Letterman's joke about Sarah Palin's daughter.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Tacky, not appropriate and I cannot stand someone who won't apologize and just admit they made a mistake. (Can you see a recurring theme??)

Issue B - Miss California being asked to resign/kicked out/whatever.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Why is it okay to have an opinion only if it matches popular opinion? Unfair, imo. I personally believe in equal rights for everyone but she was caught in a question that was wayyyy controversial and everyone got questions about world peace.

Okay, rant over. Hopefully next time you talk to me my world will be sunnier. UGH!

Baby Bird Finds

My sister is thinking about doing a bird theme in the baby's room (cute pink birds...not black crows or anything scary) and etsy has the cutest stuff. It is seriously so addictive.


You guys...those are bloomers!!! For $20 and free shipping, seriously a steal.

Every little girl needs some

ruffles on her butt. It is the only time this will be considered cute! Allison, you must pick out a name asap!!!

Whole bird set from Alissa Jacob's:

Okay, Tommy is forcing me out of the house...so I will post more finds later.

Celebrity Gossip

I am sooo disappointed in myself. Now that I don't subscribe to US Weekly and only check it when I am bored on my phone, I have no idea what is going on in the celebrity world. However, I guess one such celebrity is making news a little closer to home. According to the TheLostOgle.com, Jessica Alba has been trying to make a statement....on protecting great white sharks...in Oklahoma. I can understand that this would be a pretty big issue to raise awareness on in middle America. But, whatever. Read the whole story...pretty entertaining and honestly, just odd.

And, in other psued0-celebrity/reality tv show news (and because The Lost Ogle is my new favorite blog) there will be auditions for the Real World 22 (OMG - I still remember Julie and Eric from season 1 and I swear I have watched every season since then...I am so lame. And old. I don't think I am even in the demographics for this show) in OKC.

Okay, I will troll the internet for more celebrity gossip news for you guys...

My little baby

I have long debated whether my little Carter Benjamin looks more like a calf or a lamb. What do you think? I am split down the middle.

Help me find my identity. Do you think Carter looks more like a:
	Lamb
	Calf
pollcode.com free polls

My Pudge is clearly a horse. A mini-horse but a horse, nonetheless.

Last to know...

Ever learn something and it seems so obvious you swear you must be the last to know? Well, for the longest time I thought when I saw this ♥ symbol that people must have some special program on their computer. Ends up (and I am sure everyone else in the world already knew this) that everyone has cool symbols at their disposal. Who knew? So try this, hit the alt key at the same time as a number key and this is what you get:
1 = ☺
2= ☻
3= ♥
4= ♦
5= ♣
6= ♠
7= •
8= ◘
9= ○

So, for those of you who have been living in the dark age's with me, you can now pretend you knew this forever...like I will from here on out.

Official Blogger

Even though I have been blogging for well over a year, I have never been tagged by another blogger -- until today! Yay me! My friend Angie, over at Step-Fabulous tagged me on her post 8-things. And, I love when someone gives me something to blog about, so I am doubly excited!

8 things I am looking forward to (in no particular order):

1- Going to Chicago in July!
a. It is my favorite US city
b. I get to see my friend Mindy
2- Seeing my nephew Max this weekend
3- My sister moving to Tulsa
4- My sister having her baby!!!
5- Throwing showers for my sister and million friends that are pregnant. (I so love a good party.)
6- Going to dinner at Michael Fusco's tomorrow night with Tommy.
7- Seeing puppies. I have no idea when that will happen but I always look forward to the day I see a puppy.
8- The Griffin cookout on Saturday - laying by the pool, sun, good food and little Max will be there!

8 things I did yesterday:

1- Went to work
2- Girl's night at Leon's!
3- Lunch with my former boss and coworker at Chili's - so fun!
4- Seriously my day yesterday was so lame I am having trouble coming up with something even remotely interesting to fill you in.
5- Oh - Mindy knows Ed on the Bachelorette and I missed the beginning Monday so I watched it online.
6- I think I watched some House Hunters episodes.
7- Brushed my teeth. Twice.
8- Um, yeah. I got nothing.

8 things I wish I could do:

1- Take a Zumba class more than once a week.
2- Take a trip to Italia! I am soooo on a Europe kick. I swear I look up plane tickets daily.
3- Take a nap.
4- Cook. And enjoy it.
5- Find a housekeeper.
6- Work on a TV show. I think I would be good at behind the scene interviews. Except for asking the personal awkward questions. I can already hear the crickets chirping.
7- Go to the set of The Office and be Pam for a day. Well, administrative professional Pam. Not new salesperson Pam. I just want to know what they are really working on behind their computer screen and really, I think it would just be fun.
8- Meet Donny Deustch, the Today Show cast and Joel McHale.

Shows I watch:

1- The Soup
2- The Today Show
3- House Hunters
4- House Hunters International
5- The Bachelor/Bachelorette
6- My First Place
7- Property Virgins
8- Ace of Cakes
And, there are so many more. I love tv.

Favorite Fruits:

1- Pineapple
2- Pears
3- Blueberries
4- Strawberries
5- Honey Dew
6- Kiwi
7- Grapes
8- Blackberries

8 Places I would like to travel:

1- Italy
2- All 50 states...I think I have about 20 to go.
3- England
4- France
5- Australia
6- Greece
7- St. Lucia
8- Scotland

8 place I have lived:

1- Shreveport, LA
2- Tulsa, OK
3- Stillwater, OK
That is awfully boring....

8 tags:
Since I only have about 3 friends who regularly read this, you guys are the lucky winners:

Jackie
Laura
Emily

You are tagged!

Entertaining

I love, love, love a party with details. Oddly, I do not entertain much. My house only comfortably holds about 5 people, so finding seating and watching my 27" tv is not that fun. But, I still love a good party. One of my favorite books is Real Simple Celebrations. There are so many simple and inexpensive ideas for your home or event.

From the Real Simple website, here are some really fun tips:

Create a table runner. Leftover wallpaper or wrapping paper works great and costs nothing.

Dress up the chairs. Tie a colorful sash around the back and tuck a sprig of rosemary into the bow, suggests Los Angeles event planner Mindy Weiss.

Windproof the tablescape. To avoid chasing paper plates and napkins around the yard, weight them down with pretty rocks or shells. Wrap utensils in napkins and tie with paper twine. Keep the tablecloth secure by sandwiching each corner with a pair of mutually attracting magnets.

Design a one-bloom centerpiece. There’s no need for an expensive arrangement. Place a small colored vase with one bloom inside a larger hurricane lamp or clear glass vase.

Use fresh herbs as decorations. “Herbs in small glasses look fantastic,” says Los Angeles event planner Yifat Oren. “You can use clear or colored glass, everyday or vintage bottles, in the same or different shapes and heights. And you can do just a single herb in a glass―like rosemary, lavender, or thyme―or mix them.” Another idea, from Katie Brown, author of Katie Brown’s Outdoor Entertaining: Taking the Party Outside (Little, Brown, $30, amazon.com): Use pots of lavender as combination centerpiece, place card, and favor. Onto each pot, tie a tag that has a name card on one side and a recipe using the herb on the other.

Set up a lemonade stand. It gives guests something to do the minute they arrive and helps with hydration on hot afternoons, says Brown. Stock it with glasses, an ice bucket, a vase of mint sprigs in water, and straws.

Freeze mint leaves in ice cubes. Add them to lemonade or water for a cool, refreshing zing. To make the cubes last longer outside the freezer, Brown suggests setting a bowl of ice inside a larger bowl filled with half ice and half water.

Have portable misters handy. On hot days, fill spray bottles with ice water so guests can mist themselves.