Bed Rest.

I'm alive!  Alive!

Thanks to an emergency...

And a lot of....

I am feeling loads better (and minus a pesky appendix.)  I hope to be back to regular blogging this week!

Party Planner.

I love to entertain.  So it's no surprise that when it's time for The Bug's birthday each October, I go a little nutty.  Some say I turn in to a teeny tiny stage mom.  I've been talking about his birthday since mid-Summer and it's finally time to start implementing some of the ideas I have been collecting.  (Pinterest has kept me very occupied.)

This week, I will book the photographer (I always incorporate our annual family pictures with The Bug's birthday party.  I like to get great candid shots at an event where happy faces are guaranteed.) and order the invitations. 

While I am not quite ready to share my ideas for this year's party with you, I will happily pass along last year's Cowboy Party, complete with ponies.  (Much less expensive than you would think.)

All images by Kevin McBride, who I have blogged about before. 

I am very excited about this year's party and it makes me incredibly happy that The Bug is too.  Here's a clue:  it all centers around one of his most favorite activities and something we do every day.  Stay tuned...!

Hungry.

If you're looking for me these days, my nose is buried in my latest reading obsession - The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins. 

I picked up the first book last week and finished it in 2 days.  It's absolutely addicting.  And the way it's written makes the story feel very, very real.  So real that I found my palms started to sweat during the scary parts!

The whole premise of the series is mildly disturbing - local children are chosen to participate in an annual event known as The Hunger Games where the only way to "win" is to stay alive.  They literally battle it out to the death.  If you can get past this (I just chose not to think about it too seriously and focus on the characters), it's an amazing story.

I picked up the second part today and already have the third and final checked out from the library.  Knowing me, I will finish both this week!

Which is great timing since the movie based on the books comes out March 2012. 

Have you read the series?

Guest Posting at Scout.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

I am so honored to be guest posting over at Scout today. 

Melanie is one of my favorite blog reads and she has found a great assortment of bloggers to post this week while she is away on vacation.  (If I do say so myself.)

We're talking Fall Lust List - be sure to check it out!  Then come back here and let me know what you think.   And of course, what's on your Lust List?

Bar Cart.

Never thought I needed a bar cart until I came across these on Pinterest.

All of my liquor is housed on the top shelf of our pantry and the one million glasses I registered for when I got married?  Gathering dust in my cabinets.  A bar cart would be the perfect spot to showcase everything!

All of these bar carts are designed by Society Social, who recently debuted their online catalog and their full shopping site will go live next week. 

I of course adore the orange version, called The Tipple Trolley Bar Cart.  Wouldn't that be cute at your next outdoor gathering? 

Friendship Bracelet.

Popped in to my salon today for a quick visit and while there came across these ADORABLE bracelets.  They remind me of the friendship bracelets I used to wear in middle school, but jazzed up a bit.

This picture does not do the cuteness justice.  They come in a variety of colors and are made of cord and metal chain braided together finished with a little chain fringe.  Way cuter than anything I ever made.

I was initially drawn to the more neutral ones - grays, creams, etc.  But I got so overwhelmed with all the choices, I had to leave.  I haven't been able to stop thinking about them since.  So, looks like I will making a visit back tomorrow to pick one up.

You can buy them online at Alltherageonline.com for $13.50 or locally at Bijin Salon & Spa for $9.25 (6960 Mission Lane, Prairie Village, KS).  Seriously adorable.

Anyone else bringing the friendship bracelet back?

Love me some Emma.

How adorable is Emma Stone?

You probably first saw her in Superbad, the movie only husbands seem to love.  But she's making the rounds lately promoting The Help (which I hope to see asap) and the new Spiderman.  And Easy A - the movie that started slow but was subtly hilarious. 

I love that husky voice. (And her girl on the go style.)

The perfect red hair.

I can even handle the blonde phase.

I think she's the new "It Girl."  Let's be friends, Emma, mmm-kay?

Colorado Cool.

At the end of the week, the family and I are headed to cooler climate - Colorado - and I couldn't be more excited.

We're staying in a cabin/condo surrounded by the Rocky Mountains and I hope that my ideal version of "hiking", "fishing" and "hot tubbing" lives up to my hype.  I'm also excited for The Bug to have experiences that he's never had. 

So, as expected, going on a vacation has me thinking about what to wear.  Since most of our daily activities are active, I plan to pack more workout wear than I usually take on vacation.

Lululemon Quick Step Pant.  Like your track pants from 1990, but cooler.  My friend Caroline introduced me to a similar pair which I thought were a little big on me.  The sales gal brought these out and once they were on, I didn't want to take them off.  So comfortable and functional.  The Texan does not like these - says I look like I'm about to have a dance battle. 

Gap Body Ombre Racerback Tank.  Love the subtle ombre effect. I always think a racerback style is flattering.  Win win. 

Old Navy Mock Neck Fleece Jacket.  How cute?  I love the longer length, the cute drawstring, the gym-class gray.  So easy to toss on over a colorful tee and still feel cute on a cool Colorado morning.

Looking forward to our family get-away and enjoying some time in nature.  Seen any cute active wear I need?

Anniversary Sale.

As much as I am ready for Fall, I have a hard time buying things right now.  I'm one of those who wants to wear whatever I get right when I get it.  So when the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale rolls around, I know I SHOULD buy because of the great prices, but don't usually get as excited about it as everyone else does.

I've discovered that my one exception is The Bug.  Those of you with kiddos know that every year/season, you have to buy an entire wardrobe for your child.  What fit them last Fall won't fit this Fall.  And shoes.  Geesh.  New shoes every few months.   So when he's getting a makeover every season, you can bet I'm buying when the deals are hot.

I ADORE these.  Classic suede boot with fun laces.  He loves them too and has been wearing these around the house with shorts, which is a look.  $29.95 during the sale; $59.95 after.   Would have NEVER bought these full price.

Adidas Samba Sneaker.  I'm a little on the fence about these (a little too hipster), but for whatever reason, The Bug liked them.  He was drawn to them the second we walked in and even tried to put the display shoe on.  I am slightly nervous that we are entering shoelace territory, but guess he's got to learn sometime.

I'm always disappointed with the amount of Mini Boden Nordstrom carries in the store, particularly for boys.  Here's what I would have gotten had they been able to find it for me at the sale price.

Love me a stripe.  And their thermals are fantastic.  Great quality, keep their shape, color stays nice and saturated.

A new hoodie is a must.  The Bug doesn't really love bulky jackets (and who would if you are sitting in a car seat?), so a cute jacket is something we get tons of use out of.  I may have to bite the bullet and order this as we are heading to cooler weather shortly and he's going to need one.

What did you pick up during the Anniversary Sale?



Cute, cute Clementine.

The Bug and I were at Target yesterday searching and searching for some fun indoor activities.  The heat is seriously impacting our fun schedule.  While browsing the art aisle, I came across Clementine Art supplies.

I'll be honest.  I spotted this due to the adorable packaging.  I made a note of it, came home and did a little research.  Seems maybe I should be concerned about what exactly is in my shall-not-be-named crayons, markers and glue sticks currently living in our art box. 

The story goes that an art teacher from Boulder, CO, noticed how messy art projects were - in the kiddos hair, hands and even their mouths!  She wondered what exactly "non-toxic" meant.  Once she found out, set set out to create her own line of natural art products using ingredients from her kitchen (flour, water, etc.)  And voila!  Clementine Art was born. 

We are up to our ears in art supplies, but when the day comes to replace everything, Clementine Art will be my first choice.  Would also make really adorable gifts - maybe packaged in a wooden crate like real clementines are?

Have you seen Clementine Art?

Wearing any flare this season?

Don't know about you, but I am kind of tired of the super skinny legging style jeans.  I'm ready for a new silhouette.  Good thing I have been spotting lots of flared leg jeans in the stores lately. 

One of my favorite styles in AG's "Farrah".  Seriously, I've never felt skinnier!  I loved how soft these were and I thought the rinse was nice - not too dark, not too whiskered.  Being 5'5", I definitely needed some hemming, but think these are cute for everyday (with a comfortable wedge) and night (with a fab heel).

I've adored the Citizen of Humanity "Hutton" jeans for a looooong time.  They had a really great summer-friendly rinse that I lusted after.  I finally got around to trying them on and they just didn't work for me.  But they are a great option.

Finally, my go-to brand for a while, J. Brand's "Bianca".  A high rise flare style jean.  I do love a high-rise. 

Are you embracing the wide leg for fall?