a peek....and a giveaway

Is it Thursday? It must be.
First of all....I want to thank you girlies for emailing me yesterday just to "check in".....
I've been a bit overwhelmed....partly because my children are home all summer....and it's hard.....
If i could afford it...they would all be in summer camp....but i can't....so they are home with me.....and to boot, i also watch my neighbor's girl 2 days a week.....luckily she's lola's bff.......so that helps.
I'm running a home....an online shop.....a blog.......a childcare.......well at least it feels like a childcare here at my house, and all this while trying to get ready for this Saturday.
My little "shop at home" event was written up and i am forever grateful, but also it means that i have A LOT of new people wanting to come shopping.
Normally.....I just set up in my home.....but with the amount of people that are expected....I have decided to turn my carriage house/garage into a studio of sorts.........
and what you see above was taken last week before any of the bells and whistles. Just a sneak peek.
I also have decided to temporarily close my online shop while I re-group, because .....
well really......I would rather write.
I will re-open soon.....but I just want you to know that it is going to be back to the basics for me....just my favorite items and maybe some new every now and then...
Which brings me to this:
I have A LOT of just one items from my shop. One small crown creamer.....one frame...one this ...and one that.....
So I am putting 2 boxes together for 2 lucky readers to win.
It'll be good.....I promise!

Just leave a comment.....
If you want to blog about it....double name in the hat for you....
If you want to become a follower....tripple name in the hat for you...

Now go forth and enjoy your Thursday...

xo

madame butterfly.....

I actually have a free minute to write......my hubby took Mason to the pet shop..to get a fish.

I don't know why...so don't bother asking. The kid wanted a fish.....even though we have a bird....

so they went to peruse the fish isle of the local pet store......{i wonder if i say....I'm ready for my french bulldog....that my hubby will take me to peruse........uh.......i doubt it}.....




I've been hot-gluing these paper butterflies for over 3 hours now......

it's relentless........

makes me want to quit my job......

oops....i don't have a "real" job......

and i can't really leave the children on the side of the street now..can I?!....

well....i did once.....leave them on the side of the street.......

i was SO tired of the arguing....that i pulled the car over.....and pulled them all out......

and you better believe i am NOT going to tell you what REALLY happened because you might

call child services and.......

my mother in law might call me....

and there goes that 'mother of the year award'....again....

and for sure.....i would lose a few followers.......

it does happen.....losing followers......for me at least.

yes...i have been known to lose a few followers.....



alright...where was i???.....





oh.....butterflies.....

do you love butterflies?...i do....i think i like them better then birds now......
and i have an open house this weekend........
with butterflies as the theme.......


which brings me to this:

I'm making some changes......BIG changes..........
or not so big........
one thing i know for sure....
is i love to write......

just know that i am ONE woman....with three children.....and a husband.......who LOVES to blog.......

xo

a simple life....

As you know.....I had a whirlwind weekend.
I was a jet-setter....
flying across the country......

errr.........
not in first class though......i was in the back of the plane.....
the very last row....with two children....
and i hate to say it....but i hate flying with children.....
because all i want to do is catch up on my latest people magazine
reading about Michael's funeral ......and the latest on Jon and Kate...
but ...
i can't....
because i have kids.......
and I'm trying to get them to sit quietly and watch their dvd...
without kicking the man's chair in front of us ...
which is cranked ALL the way back ....so of COURSE my children want
to KICK it.
whew....now that i got that off my chest.....



I knew you wanted to see some cute pics of the children before i got to your EYE CANDY.....right?!

By the way......notice the smiles........

I paid them each $5 to pose for me so that i could have a post of cute pics for you.....

and now ...just what you have been waiting for.......

a little eye candy....

JUST FOR YOU!

{feel free to ENLARGE the images}

you know how much i love you girls.......

and not everybody has the same taste in candy as i do.....

xo

salt water.....

Happy Sunday.

How is it that i am back already.....only spending 48 hours total....actually.......not really even 48 hours.....

and .....I left this girl behind.....but i have a feeling....she was smiling as

Fin and I hopped out of the car.....................My children argue a lot......

over the silliest things....like a stuffed animal...

seriously.

And.......I only took 68 photo's all weekend......but they were good........

you will have to wait to see them.....and i really tried to look for some eye candy for you......

but it was a lovely...lovely weekend.

xo

fashion friday.....

Happy Friday girls.....

I'm on an airplane right now......and wanted to show you

what i bought for my trip....

you might even see me with mine on the airplane...

{total hit with the flight attendants}

I think you have all seen the commercial for this....

but how many of you actually bought it?

Nope...

I didn't think so......

so......please don't be jealous.....

I love my "snugglie"...especially because mine reminds me of

pepto bismol.....

I love lounging around on the sofa with mine while catching up

on all my favorite magazines....

...even though it might be 90 degrees out...my snugglie keeps me warm in my

air conditioned mom mobile....




...and truly......truly.....the best part has got to be that


it keeps me comfortable while combating the mosquito's


while lounging out back .....

so....
try not to be too jealous......

eye candy....

Well girls.......

I leave early Friday morning with those two above.....for sunny Florida.......

don't hate me......because Fin and I only get to stay for 2 nights....then we head back. On the other hand....Lola gets to stay with her Nanna for the whole week.

But......I do plan on spending ONE WHOLE DAY at the beach.....yup....you heard me......ONE WHOLE DAY.....

.... looking at this:

.....and this:



...and yes....I o.k'd it with Bryan.....

as long as i just LOOK.......

I promise to bring my camera.......for you.......because we all need a little eye candy every once in a while.....

right?!

oh....and make sure you check back Friday........I have a special edition of Fashion Friday for you......

I know it's been a while......

but i promise.....it'll be good.

xo

the soiree....

good morning girls........

here are some of the pic's from our Friday night soiree......

I wish you could have joined us.....

This was the only good pic of me and the hubs at the party....as you can see we are lounging on the "daybed".

.....

I moved some of my indoor furniture outside...which makes a much more

cozy atmosphere.

The paper lanterns were on clearance at Target...total score.

I used my worktable and turned it into our bar area...

and used my vintage metal tub..filled it with ice...

and voila.......cold drinks.

The best part.....no cooking!

I ordered a burrito bar at one of the local Mexican places..

I set it up and ....people could make a plate of food

when they wanted.

It was truly....

a wonderful evening with our close friends.

xo