tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41242059663705451402024-02-19T00:46:35.476-08:00MidwestprepA blog about the beautiful things I see, make and do. Navigating the world on a budget but still wanting to create beautiful memories for my family, I keep this blog to share these things with friends.Midwest Prephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151957575453498978noreply@blogger.comBlogger193125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124205966370545140.post-85032221422505673832011-07-14T11:37:00.001-07:002011-07-14T11:38:28.771-07:00Happy Thursday!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGgJJ9iv4vYifJsX1x6zT0xbxRDeKJefiryhus_8fkKf7x_0tRPut4SzVzlguk3l3lSzF82AyR6tiRV81o7jKr8DHHwD8-0_QBX8MraROrjTuAR7X1EFmMjdrJDH8qDwcAC6rlm4tE7g/s1600/IMG_9496.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGgJJ9iv4vYifJsX1x6zT0xbxRDeKJefiryhus_8fkKf7x_0tRPut4SzVzlguk3l3lSzF82AyR6tiRV81o7jKr8DHHwD8-0_QBX8MraROrjTuAR7X1EFmMjdrJDH8qDwcAC6rlm4tE7g/s400/IMG_9496.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629279222600815042" /></a>Midwest Prephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151957575453498978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124205966370545140.post-53664031352656368312011-07-07T13:57:00.000-07:002011-07-07T14:27:35.939-07:00Invitations featured on Party Planning Blog<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjswQJKLpqn1nomo3d_Z3oUXS8W4wtIe2lvnlABkzB_XT_iZ5uI1vvPYYwHueXBPHmzlSDzC5MSTEzOtLCEg8h4izCN51_28PmNJKUtZlQxpVc8DB9Uw4sgkEUrDupWT0GmcctwzzNclg/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-07-07+at+4.17.48+PM.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 162px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjswQJKLpqn1nomo3d_Z3oUXS8W4wtIe2lvnlABkzB_XT_iZ5uI1vvPYYwHueXBPHmzlSDzC5MSTEzOtLCEg8h4izCN51_28PmNJKUtZlQxpVc8DB9Uw4sgkEUrDupWT0GmcctwzzNclg/s400/Screen+shot+2011-07-07+at+4.17.48+PM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626722834808846834" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEISDtQEvPFuHk2nhKEiZFNSAeKPIjRqBuFyQZmSWD1ZXqSMC97nVbLmUhW4fjY587PlDnX2fBl9K_5jlIPpO-sSBcpg3ysrWv-9oiy_ygQvB-zF2WdB30Rydg_dqV1D7hqIHrV_3xEw/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-07-07+at+4.14.03+PM.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 398px; height: 263px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEISDtQEvPFuHk2nhKEiZFNSAeKPIjRqBuFyQZmSWD1ZXqSMC97nVbLmUhW4fjY587PlDnX2fBl9K_5jlIPpO-sSBcpg3ysrWv-9oiy_ygQvB-zF2WdB30Rydg_dqV1D7hqIHrV_3xEw/s400/Screen+shot+2011-07-07+at+4.14.03+PM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626722202557573522" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQvknWCdrz_8Ifx1ipQDahkbQiyjqnIe2KVQN0d3OUsFk1_IGd0Af1yUeWBBXio6aGzBKIoZnVi4rhFSM6HQCLbsTBQoFvlQFzCluDk0PlarmeI2pzZuYNTKsLFs0qrkGf_Vv_pCRDA/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-07-07+at+4.14.26+PM.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 396px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQvknWCdrz_8Ifx1ipQDahkbQiyjqnIe2KVQN0d3OUsFk1_IGd0Af1yUeWBBXio6aGzBKIoZnVi4rhFSM6HQCLbsTBQoFvlQFzCluDk0PlarmeI2pzZuYNTKsLFs0qrkGf_Vv_pCRDA/s400/Screen+shot+2011-07-07+at+4.14.26+PM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626722196892100098" /></a><br />I was so excited and honored to see that my Rock Star Birthday Invitations were featured on the blog of <a href="http://maddycakesmuse.blogspot.com/2010/03/rock-star-1st-birthday.html">Maddycakes</a> party planning. That design was my very first item sold on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Midwestprep?ref=ss_profile">Etsy</a> and really the reason I even started a shop. I think for that reason, it is still one of my favorites.<div>The party was thrown by the mom behind the awesomely titled blog <a href="http://thismamarocks.blogspot.com/2010/03/party-like-rockstar.html">Girl, Outnumbered</a><br /><div><br /></div><div>I love the details of the party and the cake is awesome!</div><div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbdknXTfWBDo4hDcu7bbWA3k9AKthTJSnI__oN1HdbPgKQomFbx73oSu2WJ8S_KokF7M9cENrkAVtpI4KdDpxW6yRzhtqO8YQpgS0hXaXc1XgHz_T-RtM6vlSAVB9gETmQIvXHXtgyUw/s400/Screen+shot+2011-07-07+at+4.13.49+PM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626722489796639458" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 294px; height: 399px; " /></span></div></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Photo credits: Girl, Outnumbered</span></div>Midwest Prephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151957575453498978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124205966370545140.post-2174552884378326442011-06-08T11:13:00.000-07:002011-06-08T11:33:21.384-07:002011 Drugstore Nail Polish<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQaoXVpBn_ckjWKH0xEOIw7a1bKEPrtl1KtJ-Qx28TeX9R-6aRpiVZp-uzd5GwoXPfimZDepEk5Gt5ng1KzrV6tJ-5qJiNh9a6r7vhq8VYWvl5NrDLVQSac6WvraZDFwMaf7KPas_QA/s1600/IMG_9342.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQaoXVpBn_ckjWKH0xEOIw7a1bKEPrtl1KtJ-Qx28TeX9R-6aRpiVZp-uzd5GwoXPfimZDepEk5Gt5ng1KzrV6tJ-5qJiNh9a6r7vhq8VYWvl5NrDLVQSac6WvraZDFwMaf7KPas_QA/s400/IMG_9342.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615918774274168722" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></u></span></div>I am loving nail polish this summer. I got the most amazing manicure I have ever gotten for mother's day and my nails have looked great ever since. I just keep re-painting them at home and they continue to look great. The colors I am loving right now aren't even expensive. I got them at the drugstore and had to share since they are my favorites at the moment.<div><br /></div><div>Sinful Colors Professional- Pink: This one is apparently so low-budge that they don't even come up with fancy names. Boring Moniker or not- the color is definitely not boring- it is neon pink!</div><div>I am normally not a wild nail color girl at all, but this shade is really fun and flattering and it looks calm indoors and more neon and bright when you are out in the sun. The finish is not shiny, so you need to add a clear coat on top, but once you do it looks great. I felt very J.Crew when wearing this, and for $1.99, you can't beat it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Revlon Top Speed- Stormy: This color is very very close to <a href="http://www.essie.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=322">Essie's very popular Smokin' Hot.</a><br /><div>but for $3, this is a more affordable option. Especially when you haven't worn shades like this before, it is nice to dip a toe in at a lower price point. I love this color and it lasted a long time and even went on very nicely. It made me feel very polished and a tiny bid edgy while still being suitable for summer. Plus people were commenting on my nails all week! Isn't that the best when that happens?</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Feel free to share any of your favorite summer nail shades!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Midwest Prephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151957575453498978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124205966370545140.post-53515323878032860552011-06-03T09:46:00.000-07:002011-06-03T10:57:53.883-07:00Budget Nursery Art<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8pT3_zTwXsgqQkmat7bgQkVAGBXKJnfquoc1VD_nYMjMObeW2NTkD-44YTkgtMFgwgr8QDKqzYTx_2e2_h1AJjY-1BWotoesWXYNGVtO0kp8rZQu9l9Z7azJQbRbumB3i3v400iwXtw/s1600/art2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8pT3_zTwXsgqQkmat7bgQkVAGBXKJnfquoc1VD_nYMjMObeW2NTkD-44YTkgtMFgwgr8QDKqzYTx_2e2_h1AJjY-1BWotoesWXYNGVtO0kp8rZQu9l9Z7azJQbRbumB3i3v400iwXtw/s400/art2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614046061113915426" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtu1u2xSZS8rHxs11qnscECHwVbzVopoy2pjQzjgUjiQmfXZkdbCotm43yl7Tsy8URKWrY-AUKhz1qLo9_93HCWKDZs4WW-ax9IrBz2a1phyphenhyphen_Udw14lUWKUTpBtphjvyzCrhdfmk5A9Q/s1600/art.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 377px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtu1u2xSZS8rHxs11qnscECHwVbzVopoy2pjQzjgUjiQmfXZkdbCotm43yl7Tsy8URKWrY-AUKhz1qLo9_93HCWKDZs4WW-ax9IrBz2a1phyphenhyphen_Udw14lUWKUTpBtphjvyzCrhdfmk5A9Q/s400/art.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614039632278164674" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD56PYqMy3vxMTwIRruKOV7vnqeH2cL_y3Btm51HzEbBPOmjculgu8xBQ4fxrz1pAr4D4_yvwWItVXAz2yOVhctCva3vVuuiVXi6zitDKOBwvdIsxoQ-gVaKcmxFBRCrTg9sKSlkwtSg/s1600/IMG_9200_2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD56PYqMy3vxMTwIRruKOV7vnqeH2cL_y3Btm51HzEbBPOmjculgu8xBQ4fxrz1pAr4D4_yvwWItVXAz2yOVhctCva3vVuuiVXi6zitDKOBwvdIsxoQ-gVaKcmxFBRCrTg9sKSlkwtSg/s400/IMG_9200_2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614037984895515010" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mD5mTyecrmjLn0iOS6DzjV7G_WW5cMTPm7C1kEXjS1JC9Ci2nrfKOIV3nUB2QrhkqHEPpzZdeN_JsTHBhdGe1feCmYw_Ec8HrGnuudZGstQbh8eci0Y__fCJh82pVvOfXD5naQyxZQ/s400/IMG_9202.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614037999693868338" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6pI_8Gje_AFKjO2E52bmgjCs-5SbJLNUhBL2pzar4sFzxrny4dosRYCbV8SKqs4yAbmd0GJMsmz0SrZZ_3ici8qiCciRP3iGBr_yQqkuBAVsx0grZT_en94yJetEnOA4CDkw0Pdk_PA/s400/IMG_9201.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614037994095925346" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Art is always very difficult for me. I don't quite know what I am looking for, but I know what I DON'T want. Many times, when I find something I like, it is too expensive or the scale is all wrong. For G's nursery, I took a casual approach, checking out thrift shops and second hand art sales over time and just grabbing things I liked instead of trying to make everything GO TOGETHER. I am pretty excited about the few pieces that we managed to find and wanted to share them with you. I added a few accessories in the mix as "Art" and I will include them in the budget breakdown.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><b>Elephant Screen Print:</b> $6 including matte and frame. I found this at a thrift store hanging on the wall. I debated using it since Baby G's name doesn't start with E, but I like the print so much I decided that didn't matter. I think it may be a screen print. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><b>Colorful Boy and Girl Print:</b> $2 framed ( I reframed it in an I<a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/series/16456/">kea Ribba</a> frame I already had)</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">This was professionally framed with brown paper backing but I didn't care for the frame. When I tore it open I found what I suspected all along. This was originally a greeting card- and it was written in! The writer mentioned a little boy whose name was eerily similar to my son's name which made me feel like I was meant to find this little treasure. I wonder who sent it and who received it and what they were like. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><b>Fish Painting:</b> Painted by my sister- she did a copy of a painting I saw in a catalogue. Hers is slightly different and her colors are brighter, but I love it. I framed it in another Ribba frame</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><b>Peter Pan Drawing Print</b> (Or at least I think it looks like Peter Pan) I found this for $5 at a second-hand art sale. It was in a terrible frame and I stuck it in one of my trusty Ribba frames for about $16.</span><b></b></span><b></b></span><b></b></div><b><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><b>Pillows:</b> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">These aren't really art I suppose, but I took a picture of our dog, traced him in photoshop and created an image which I uploaded to </span><a href="http://www.spoonflower.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">spoonflower.com</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> and ordered as custom fabric. I really love how they turned out and since Baby G is in LOVE with our dog, I think it is fitting that he is a part of her room decor. The fabric cost about $18/yard- I used 2 yards of custom fabric for each pillow (there is a floral fabric I designed on the back seen in Baby G's dress from </span><a href="http://midwestprep.blogspot.com/2011/05/my-first-dress-for-baby-g.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">an earlier post</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">).</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Mirror:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> Again, this isn't art, but the shape of this mirror was so pretty and it helps add some girly whimsy to the space. We found it at homegoods for $20 and re-painted white to match the trim in the room. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">I like that some of these things have hung in other homes and seen other children grow up- it imparts a little bit of history and nostalgia and definitely contributes some warmth and feeling to the room.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Hope you enjoyed the run-down. Thanks for reading!</span></span></span></span></div></b></span><b></b>Midwest Prephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151957575453498978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124205966370545140.post-88578895977727215742011-05-26T13:30:00.000-07:002011-05-27T13:47:59.993-07:00My First Dress for Baby G!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ZFfZs1mH7WGOSLZJNCeLOXfxIaUKFtXywCDDGuFsU3H2jFWz8BnJa0nuSwHKBAjlcpMX-3WqI42dnw_aGJMDsygLfxyWfXXy7so4AQGjPB2zyhFttDekZxFwtm6HkjlOo8oPSxfR7Q/s1600/newdress+for+grace.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 348px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ZFfZs1mH7WGOSLZJNCeLOXfxIaUKFtXywCDDGuFsU3H2jFWz8BnJa0nuSwHKBAjlcpMX-3WqI42dnw_aGJMDsygLfxyWfXXy7so4AQGjPB2zyhFttDekZxFwtm6HkjlOo8oPSxfR7Q/s400/newdress+for+grace.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611125314595245698" /></a>I am almost finished making my first dress for Baby G. I didn't use a pattern and didn't really know what I was making when I started out, but I am very happy with the way it turned out. I even tried a few new details like the little front pleat. Is that a kick pleat? <div>The fabric I used for the bodice is some of the fabric that I used in her nursery for throw pillows. I designed it myself on <a href="http://www.spoonflower.com/">Spoonflower</a>. The rest I found in my scrap stash. I still need to try it on her and finish up the back (it is pinned for this photo). Once I can get it on her- I will post some additional photos. I may have to try making this again and doing a tutorial because it was really easy! </div>Midwest Prephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151957575453498978noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124205966370545140.post-4588365357189439062011-05-26T09:05:00.000-07:002011-05-26T09:11:41.843-07:00Extra Large Tunic Shirt Re-fashion<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPYB-hid-YI0gbE_V1lV8UGBD81zsJ96htE20VgrD6qtpF6qj33jvaDNzRBIgiCZQXnDkHS71MTMjw9I6lrM-bhs6PKNcMIVw2T4v31sLbzEdmS9FZ2dU3xlASIe7Jm6kIWJpzot-6Q/s1600/IMG_8742.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPYB-hid-YI0gbE_V1lV8UGBD81zsJ96htE20VgrD6qtpF6qj33jvaDNzRBIgiCZQXnDkHS71MTMjw9I6lrM-bhs6PKNcMIVw2T4v31sLbzEdmS9FZ2dU3xlASIe7Jm6kIWJpzot-6Q/s400/IMG_8742.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611057112071652226" /></a>I bought this extra large tunic shirt for $20 at World Market a month ago because I liked the print so much. I am planning to turn it into an easy breezy summer dress. I am thinking it shouldn't be too hard- just closing up the side vents and tailoring/taking in the sides- maybe doing some sleeve pick-ups? We'll see how ambitious I am.<div>This pattern is all over World Market and if I could, I would get the matching table umbrella or the outdoor cushions or the trays or plates; or all of it. Did I mention I love this print?!?</div>Midwest Prephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151957575453498978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124205966370545140.post-18307986677695029612011-05-24T19:44:00.000-07:002011-05-24T19:49:55.286-07:00Blog re-vampSo now that I am back, I am thinking that I need to re-vamp what I am doing here. I still have my same design sense and style, but with the recession and raising two little ones- I just don't have the disposable income to spend on $300 boots and really cute lip gloss. Don't get me wrong... I still love this stuff-- it is just that I am not buying it at the moment, and focusing on all of the stuff I can't have seems like cruel and unusual punishment. So... what will I focus on? I will still be posting cute stuff that I am lusting over from time to time, but I also hope to produce some valuable content too. Maybe some tutorials, features on stuff I make, projects I am doing, and maybe even some helpful hints that I come across. I also plan to change up the look of the blog, so you can look for that to come soon as well. A new look for a new focus-- I am excited!Midwest Prephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151957575453498978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124205966370545140.post-65393155289820131462011-05-17T11:11:00.000-07:002011-05-17T11:21:52.220-07:00H is a big kid now!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Ydx6uG1izfrVMeAcn6Iz6q347VMgXho8q-iulh2DrBhowfI6lOcf10ln9-wZPO9O3uvk7ywp-3a-YGOPopYxtONHkSZV88BV8cmjdzQhAodkL4n45UevbPvkJx6fPHGRtltPaPCKYA/s1600/IMG_8084.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Ydx6uG1izfrVMeAcn6Iz6q347VMgXho8q-iulh2DrBhowfI6lOcf10ln9-wZPO9O3uvk7ywp-3a-YGOPopYxtONHkSZV88BV8cmjdzQhAodkL4n45UevbPvkJx6fPHGRtltPaPCKYA/s400/IMG_8084.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607750399955210994" /></a>I can't believe how long it has been since I have posted.... H is so big now- and he has a little sister!<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62x6tlhxnr4ubogUbLmVYC1Jxn1YMuWwWBusxJDjkpfU8I4evWugSZwE9OZxB1XigwDuKJZNRK45Tn4QGixoUoO_GqeChfvrw4Bmpo4npkAksFsHVjb71vJTcT_np7_DSn4_6s9pS3g/s400/IMG_8797.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607751416051877154" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /><div>Introducing Baby G. She is the sweetest little girl!</div>Midwest Prephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151957575453498978noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124205966370545140.post-9972764941669910502009-12-17T11:05:00.000-08:002009-12-17T11:12:41.405-08:00It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4fjsH-XGjwWumH6_mA_88psF-Vp0AEEpUaWHsmNfZYyXTJz7IF4cNmb-09pIz7P5qkhzZvuCxieApgcDpqb0oLufLUU8j7TVkB6RcGbvP5NlJAiTWqszv52UoWEhbHm5Laws4tXe1Q/s1600-h/final+christmas+card+versionno+glasses.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416284638563984066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4fjsH-XGjwWumH6_mA_88psF-Vp0AEEpUaWHsmNfZYyXTJz7IF4cNmb-09pIz7P5qkhzZvuCxieApgcDpqb0oLufLUU8j7TVkB6RcGbvP5NlJAiTWqszv52UoWEhbHm5Laws4tXe1Q/s400/final+christmas+card+versionno+glasses.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><br /><div>We are putting together the Christmas cards this year and like so many hand-made projects...this one has certainly spiraled out of control budget-wise. What I may have saved by designing it myself was quickly made up by the frequent trips to Paper Source for card stock and the perfect shade of red envelopes, trips to the post office for stamps and CVS photo printing. Still, I am excited about how they turned out and I included a cute picture of H along with it. We are sending out about 60-70 cards this year which I thought was a lot until I saw how many people some other people send to! How many cards do you all send out?</div><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416284394292153218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8OMD5SpnkTqqi2ALi5THc5UE7JouZ4_Yp8_JgHC0FfwbTxOsF4yi0d06qS2WKRxRnPxXGTuGW5QPuQ9dJR1RzlkvXNzA4t6YZkyL5F0D3EB4UB7qiCyt6qBBtB71cJx7KPu2yZbjJrw/s400/xmaspicture.jpg" border="0" /></div></div>Midwest Prephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151957575453498978noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124205966370545140.post-39080839087774032102009-12-04T12:37:00.000-08:002009-12-04T12:41:39.240-08:00Old old emailsI have had my yahoo email account since college and there are some pretty old emails in there. I went to see what the earliest one was and this was it- it made me laugh to see how far I have come in the last 7 or 8 years. I thought I would share it with you--I called it my crazy girl column- I must have had a little email newsletter that I sent out- looks like I was a blogger before their were blogs!!!<br /><br /><strong>Crazy Girl Column</strong><br />Is anyone out there worried? Well I am. Here I am a junior, about to be a senior and I have got nothing. I don't have any real career prospects; no money, no idea of what lies ahead and most alarmingly, I don't even have a boyfriend! Isn't college the time when you are supposed to meet "The One"?<br />You know the soul mate that you know better than anyone does and can't wait to spend the rest of your life with? Well, my time is running out and to tell you the truth, I am not ready for any of that! I can't even manage to find someone that I want to spend a week with let alone the rest of my life! It becomes painfully evident that my situation isn't the norm as I see my closest friends pairing off and talking in stupid cuddly voices about the future and marriage and babies and all that stuff. I feel like I am missing something, like everyone is following this unwritten plan and I am sitting here wondering what it is I am supposed to do!<br />I do realize that there is a female stereotype; one that says that women just want to rope in the perfect man and have lots of babies and change the guy into some sort of dutiful husband type, but in a lot of cases that isn't true. Some girls just want a guy to watch movies with on Sunday nights, drink a few beers on the weekends, and tell us we are cute once in a while. Honestly, is that too much to ask? We're not asking for perfection, just a nice-looking guy that can make us laugh.<br />Maybe it is all of those crappy teenybopper movies that I watch. Honestly, I can't get enough of those loose Shakespearean adaptations. It seems like they make the whole situation worse. The kids in these movies are in high school and they're already finding perfect relationships and living out these dramatic adult scenarios between home-ec. and gym class. I am one year away from scholastic independence and I am miles away from any relationship that could be classified as adult.<br />Maybe I should go to law school or something. I test well, and who knows, maybe I could rip up the LSAT. Then I would have a few more years to find "The One". As it is, there is too much pressure. I seem to be drawing from the wrong places. I swear that I am the dream girl for the under 18, over 40 club. If there is a scary old drunken man with-in a quarter mile, it is almost a guarantee that he'll hit on me. Its like I am wearing a sign that says, "hey if you are older than my dad, please hit on me!" I must be doing something wrong.<br /> Most of the single women I know just want to meet someone. It doesn't even have to be the right one. I am not interested in rushing things. I am having a good time--I just wish that there was some way to alleviate the pressure. Each day without a date seems like another day in the "you're gonna spend your life alone club." I want to curl up and hide myself from the judgmental eyes of those stupid girls that talk about their boyfriends all the time. The ones who ask you if you are dating anyone, and tell you it's okay that you aren't. Damn right it's okay! I know it's okay! Just because my parents were dating by this time in their lives and some of my friends parents were already married with a kid is no reason to become alarmed! Just because I am now the 2nd oldest unmarried person in my family doesn't mean I am worried about it.-(sarcasm) With all my whining you might think that I am dying for a serious relationship so that I can grip onto some poor unsuspecting guy and never let him go. I assure you, this is not the case. I think that it's the same with a lot of girls my age. Most of us are just waiting; waiting for something to happen, because this quasi-life we call college can't last forever. And because deep down we are ready for something new.Midwest Prephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151957575453498978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124205966370545140.post-14092611568241442292009-11-16T12:36:00.001-08:002009-11-16T12:43:49.157-08:00Still around...and contemplating a comeback<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404803788080946994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 154px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 194px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6zfab4HLpYMU9SdZ5MFhpZ8kAjjanCX1vZ_gxEWQBI_2Gvfv1uQnge995HV_YYUWwOYmYKwtGyLZUuU0N7vcI7T7N-z_sihcX1gnH47dGrjBOLcoBu2urEkquZ1F1XpEa2cJIQ2jrbg/s400/Harrison.jpg" border="0" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigSeEDElkLMV7y69TkLCkJAnqUiJCJPYF8TXZz7NlwwLFHY1GpeK9e-1ojffL7h7oXIUmhJHMA2mn544TVuV4QvYllywv4iZE_apC8bqtXwmYHkW4rSCIl7oGLVWMpBnnJCL5CVzNG9g/s1600/swing.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404804574896183762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigSeEDElkLMV7y69TkLCkJAnqUiJCJPYF8TXZz7NlwwLFHY1GpeK9e-1ojffL7h7oXIUmhJHMA2mn544TVuV4QvYllywv4iZE_apC8bqtXwmYHkW4rSCIl7oGLVWMpBnnJCL5CVzNG9g/s400/swing.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5zdnnRDErM2xyEe-jPFnb1PLx2FIrbbpDBtDlpRlJ3kCdCG1lDF_qLyfIGbn49yUqU4RK_T3MmJsLzkYoRmBk1iP9SpHrbuMdLRziDGsPQzdBZUrke4cJ7EgQYCa7U8H5Qy4MreNrUA/s1600/apple+11.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404803782327085250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5zdnnRDErM2xyEe-jPFnb1PLx2FIrbbpDBtDlpRlJ3kCdCG1lDF_qLyfIGbn49yUqU4RK_T3MmJsLzkYoRmBk1iP9SpHrbuMdLRziDGsPQzdBZUrke4cJ7EgQYCa7U8H5Qy4MreNrUA/s400/apple+11.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6mzID1_vhIqEMJQfA8SUz_t4GpoJYSBLsVw1co4K6T_JRNbPHShaObjMwQ-a6x2xsIwTpqty4VLQD3MatcWJmjFBVd5mchCSLmQ3QvjbBrvWOiEo6mmfJqmftHsxPb2QHouFDP6U4Lw/s1600/apple+6.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404803770555874706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6mzID1_vhIqEMJQfA8SUz_t4GpoJYSBLsVw1co4K6T_JRNbPHShaObjMwQ-a6x2xsIwTpqty4VLQD3MatcWJmjFBVd5mchCSLmQ3QvjbBrvWOiEo6mmfJqmftHsxPb2QHouFDP6U4Lw/s400/apple+6.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQ1smfn6YPq-95p_lIoUoKcgK5tSnGgMQzpMUsfen7H-kjgNf0ai64XoUxZDnQz3xlLX2faxDgXXqVrQ3clY8jptmKmpQQzOMUNrSxMEm77mOQwxsBg1CO_kZPAFMVzoXfDsnQ7xXTQ/s1600/apple+3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404803760302014914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQ1smfn6YPq-95p_lIoUoKcgK5tSnGgMQzpMUsfen7H-kjgNf0ai64XoUxZDnQz3xlLX2faxDgXXqVrQ3clY8jptmKmpQQzOMUNrSxMEm77mOQwxsBg1CO_kZPAFMVzoXfDsnQ7xXTQ/s400/apple+3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Hi- I am still around in case you were wondering. Thanks for the inquiries. H is growing up so fast!!! I thought I would share a few pictures of what has been going on around here<br />I have lots to share and I can't wait to hear how everyone is doing!</div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div>Midwest Prephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151957575453498978noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124205966370545140.post-43046308548868585982009-07-20T10:09:00.000-07:002009-07-20T10:35:12.620-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXOvdcwiRFz7roMMxoE1N8N8XL_GwY-FemN3sJ7EWZ8xOrWPMSMqhk-iEAvBxqr_YMLy3zoHhCaqRdz1e5RWec7Zd7MLrTRVtphLvpOMU5Zt3IUHykW7j7c718cF5pCeDiIqelNHOZiw/s1600-h/cuisinart+greenware.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360596465953796386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 280px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 280px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXOvdcwiRFz7roMMxoE1N8N8XL_GwY-FemN3sJ7EWZ8xOrWPMSMqhk-iEAvBxqr_YMLy3zoHhCaqRdz1e5RWec7Zd7MLrTRVtphLvpOMU5Zt3IUHykW7j7c718cF5pCeDiIqelNHOZiw/s400/cuisinart+greenware.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Lately I have become more conscious of what I throw away and what I can recycle and reuse and especially what I put in and on my body. I know that sometimes you can have too much information and if you pay attention to every bit of information you would probably be paralyzed with fear, but I also believe that little things can go a long way. We recycle EVERYTHING that we can possibly recycle. We rinse our jars, clean out plastic tubs, cartons etc. Now before you think that I am some sort of selfless green crusader- I must point out that we pay for our trash by volume and recycling is free- so do the math- it literally pays to recycle.</div><br /><div>This weekend I was excited to make a "green" purchase in the form of cookware. I have long been wary of the Teflon surfaces of our non-stick pots and pans, all of which were chipped and scratched which left me cringing when I thought about all of the toxic Teflon that I was ingesting and probably passing on to my son. We purchased the <a href="http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=16034185">Cuisinart Greenware 10-pc Set</a> from Bed Bath and Beyond and we used the 20% off coupon that they send out in the mail and got $30 off. </div><br /><div>The non-stick surface of the pans is ceramic based, and as long as you avoid metal utensils, it is supposed to be better for you. After one use, I can tell you that the non-stick quality is AMAZING and they wash up like a dream. As for the durability and whether they are healthier- the jury is still out. I haven't had them long enough to see how they hold up and I am not a scientist, so I am pretty much just glad they aren't made of Teflon. I will keep you posted on how I like them. I am still partial to my <a href="http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/sku6461511/index.cfm?pkey=ccookware%2Dall%2Dclad&ckey=cookware%2Dall%2Dclad">All Clad </a>set, but sometimes it is nice to have some easy non-stick pieces and the set was a deal compared with buying two pans individually</div>Midwest Prephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151957575453498978noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124205966370545140.post-72529962887003796142009-07-15T13:46:00.000-07:002009-07-15T13:49:44.332-07:00AWESOME- that is all I can say about this<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6guox0A-jCOjfpuRIl4K2v0rB1viEkhTDULW_kcRNQfhb9yXxKej18S7u4xEIHMQqk6UcjEUOrz_4WP86eeUnw46JfyfwJ2HzH6U8UX9msSfV8H1uvEj-304RkOQiceJl7WkArXOhdw/s1600-h/pavilion.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358791763979179714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6guox0A-jCOjfpuRIl4K2v0rB1viEkhTDULW_kcRNQfhb9yXxKej18S7u4xEIHMQqk6UcjEUOrz_4WP86eeUnw46JfyfwJ2HzH6U8UX9msSfV8H1uvEj-304RkOQiceJl7WkArXOhdw/s400/pavilion.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I love this- I want one. I am not sure why I would need one or how I would use it, but I know I love it and I want it...</div><br /><div>I could put it in the back yard on the deck or even on the grass- I could bring it to the beach...I could put it in my living room and just hang out in it I love the thing so much. Plus it is on sale <a href="http://www.zgallerie.com/pc-7782-138-soho-pavilion-black-white.aspx">here.</a> What do you think of it?</div><br /><div></div>Midwest Prephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151957575453498978noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124205966370545140.post-7295631674343586072009-07-06T09:22:00.000-07:002009-07-06T09:25:53.819-07:00Lunch shameI am totally eating a chicken burrito for lunch right now... I am totally grossing myself out. I am usually very healthy on weekdays and especially at lunch- I usually have soup or salad- or sometimes leftover stir fry from the night before- usually it is light and fresh...but for some reason today-- I ordered a CHICKEN BURRITO- I am never going to lose this baby weight if I keep this up. I am half laughing half crying.....but mostly laughing because the burrito is good.<br />sick.Midwest Prephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151957575453498978noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124205966370545140.post-41521602319836434462009-07-01T07:41:00.000-07:002009-07-01T07:57:23.097-07:00Mean Girl<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPIkERrs12iPuTLPqZSnP-3XMVbuf89FqKSXlQpZR-pc-zjj-PVAi-xuoFIAYF4OaJZlD-VQ4RtT_54d1DpK_7BmIMOqk-LQ85xKxcxzthMtAc66lR0gfb2W9AQCHcw8r-PV0DQXrcRw/s1600-h/mean.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353505942994091810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 312px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPIkERrs12iPuTLPqZSnP-3XMVbuf89FqKSXlQpZR-pc-zjj-PVAi-xuoFIAYF4OaJZlD-VQ4RtT_54d1DpK_7BmIMOqk-LQ85xKxcxzthMtAc66lR0gfb2W9AQCHcw8r-PV0DQXrcRw/s400/mean.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I don’t know if it was too early or if I was too tired or what happened, but I did something that I can’t believe! I can’t stop thinking about it because it was so mean! It was the kind of thing you think about doing but don’t really do because that would be—well—mean!<br />I can’t believe I am a Mean Girl!<br /><br />It was 6am, and I was sitting at the train station waiting for my train to arrive. I had just hosted 8 guests in my house for 3 days and I was exhausted. I am staring through the clear glass door to the station when I see a girl approaching with her bike. She parks it directly in front of the glass doors and is getting ready to enter the station. I know that the train is due to arrive any minute and she is blocking the exit that everyone will be rushing through in mere moments. I just kept thinking about how it was so unbelievable that someone would put their bike there, oblivious to the nuisance and inconvenience it would be to so many other people? How could someone be so thick and self involved? So what did I do? Did I approach her and tell her that it was not a smart place to park her bike? No- but that is what I should have done- Or perhaps I could have squeezed through the door and avoided the moronic parking job. I did not do either of those things. I simply walked through the door as I would normally. Knowing fully that it would knock her bike over…and it did! As soon as it happened, I felt terrible! I could not imagine why I had done such a thing! Why was I so angry? To make matters worse everything came flying out of her stupid side baskets- water bottles, locks, chains, coils- you name it! I felt so terrible that I was running around grabbing her things and loading them back into her baskets. I just kept repeating Sorry! I am so sorry! Really I am so sorry! I am sure she thought I was a freak and did not even suspect that I was one of those awful MEAN GIRLS!<br /><br />I still cringe when I think about it….</div>Midwest Prephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151957575453498978noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124205966370545140.post-85806953773166006422009-06-19T07:38:00.000-07:002009-06-19T07:48:59.231-07:00Baby SneezesI am home today with my poor little sick H-opotamus. He was up all last night crying and coughing and sneezing and gagging and weezing. I feel so bad for my little pumpkin. I took him to the doctor last night and luckily it is just your average wicked baby cold, but it still takes a lot out of him and you can't really give him anything to make it go away. I keep attacking him with the booger sucker bulb--I am sure you can guess how much he likes that. At least for now he is sleeping peacefully next to me on the couch. It is such a crummy dark and rainy day that I am glad to be home all bundled up with my baby.Midwest Prephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151957575453498978noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124205966370545140.post-37188280572526011662009-06-15T08:25:00.000-07:002009-06-15T13:10:35.063-07:00Crashed!So funny that the thousands of crazy girls trying to buy Tory B. Totes, shoes and tunics crashed the sale at Rue. LITERALLY. They had to pause the sale due to technical difficulties! I don’t know why I think it is so funny (even though I was getting very excited about the blue tote and the pink and green scroll tunic). Something about the visual of screaming girls on the Internet clicking away furiously like some sort of virtual Filene's Basement mad dash.<br />I hope they get it back up and running and that everybody gets what they want. I think I am over it. Although that tunic might be perfect for post baby mid-section coverage! Alas- if I ever want to stay at home- we need to save… so I will be going without. Boo.Midwest Prephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151957575453498978noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124205966370545140.post-55239621096068388122009-06-13T16:12:00.000-07:002009-06-13T16:17:30.506-07:00Baby H Pictures<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPVyj46IMZsnldhKx4ysA02I695uYmPLvCLrXtdK1_dTs9MAxKFvf-7c7bcDd-ODyqcWhIe4u0xJxiFyVGAiobCH3GZPtg0TP3vUIpIoGk71Swh4WSsCPJHVMwWWHBEqlJGO4R1tf1jw/s1600-h/IMG_1896.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346955204215633010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPVyj46IMZsnldhKx4ysA02I695uYmPLvCLrXtdK1_dTs9MAxKFvf-7c7bcDd-ODyqcWhIe4u0xJxiFyVGAiobCH3GZPtg0TP3vUIpIoGk71Swh4WSsCPJHVMwWWHBEqlJGO4R1tf1jw/s400/IMG_1896.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIx5_OhE06ubM9p8n4s4qsD3Cixi5hyphenhyphen4YESqoKWI9VbkGmRuhu5ixke6tUbj69FcbX4bF7j1DOzFk3JajH69v4v-k-Cu0tV8FSPFIWK-BJeLlNPqtriFfGxv5ogQs0fVCOPXfj5d3MVw/s1600-h/IMG_1792.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346954453464695298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIx5_OhE06ubM9p8n4s4qsD3Cixi5hyphenhyphen4YESqoKWI9VbkGmRuhu5ixke6tUbj69FcbX4bF7j1DOzFk3JajH69v4v-k-Cu0tV8FSPFIWK-BJeLlNPqtriFfGxv5ogQs0fVCOPXfj5d3MVw/s400/IMG_1792.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div></div>Midwest Prephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151957575453498978noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124205966370545140.post-48854351763664255322009-06-08T10:46:00.000-07:002009-06-08T11:07:54.901-07:00Currently ReadingI have recently started tearing through books again during my pump time and my train commute, so in total, I get to read for about 2 and a half hours a day- which is amazing, but books don't last long. I will try to share my thoughts on the books I am reading or have read recently. <div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345019379315570290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 212px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxMU6CBOZrVbR6Pwh_K3raMfXLWqM3LT0N3I1nxustr9b1CerjXVRuHgS7vbch72kgEHD4KkdE7Tjao-yo3AprvOBPo7Eqm5AHU3rI5tGwpFSN9tfHH9euWVpaZqQ0ej9T16ROYT7aQ/s400/girls-in-trucks_l.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>Girls in Trucks</div><div></div><div>Not quite done with this one yet, but the minute I started it I was totally sucked in. I really forget I am reading and almost feel as if I am watching a movie. While this isn't totally deep or Pulitzer prize worthy, it is like a big comfy chair that you can get lost inside. I am really enjoying this story of southern bred debutantes and their wild adventures, love affairs and family drama. This would be a great vacation book or a beach read or even a nice way to relax and have some"me time."</div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345019379629087474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 281px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbLpb0LcnrgVmM1OPvFOjvjM7qMbKyHtZffx-SbUAXt5VWY2ty9n4eD3UiBjw_PCShKUHh4AAviT9XwAIAKGKGbWZoK_8J_6ylPda15400yEsZO01YEstliYjd6K02UyFbUIfnRVjE-w/s400/book+borrower.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>The Book Borrower</div><div>This book is odd. It requires a little patience as it isn't action packed, and is more of a character study, but I like it. The book is about friendship and how it could be the most important theme in your life-weaving itself inextricably through your family, your relationships, your children and even your vision of yourself. Although parts of the book led me to think that the main character was a bit too invested in her friendship-emotionally-it was still interesting to read. There is a second story within the main story that provides a snapshot of a tumultuous part of history that you might never read about otherwise- the trolley era- and that part of the book is very fun to read. I think that if you read this book as part of a discussion group you would have a great deal to discuss- and I think it might make for some lively conversation. It reminds me of one of those strange books you had to read senior year of high school- it seems a little different than other books you might read, but it somehow leaves a lasting impression.</div></div>Midwest Prephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151957575453498978noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124205966370545140.post-90206120505435598202009-06-02T07:16:00.000-07:002009-06-02T08:59:45.314-07:00My Fun (if a little odd) Birthday WeekendSaturday was my birthday and I had a nice morning getting my hair blown out and my eyebrows done. While I was out, Big Guy cleaned the house. I took H with me and it could have been a huge disaster, but he slept the whole time and I even had time to pop over to the drive through window at the coffee chop and get a nice Soy decaf latte. (On a side note my blow out was terrible and I had to call the salon and complain. I felt bad for saying that the guy did a bad job, but it really was terrible and my husband said it looked better when I did it myself- which means it was really bad. Blow outs are expensive, so I felt cheated. Anyway- they are giving me a free blowout this weekend to make up for it. )<br />After my salon time, we went to The Mall that Time Forgot . Big Guy wanted to take me to a jewelry store that happened to be in this location--Picture a mall that the Golden Girls would go to on their show- palm trees, stores called “Madame Bonjour”, and “Smart and Sophisticated Fashions for Women,” A man on a keyboard playing Dancing Queen…..seriously, it was so strange- even the lighting seemed fake and Golden Girls-y. Also, I hated everything that they showed me in the jewelry store- it was all very trashy looking. BUT on the upside- there was a Deli in the mall- it looked like a little grocery store stuck in the wall- very out of place- and it was like a little Italian market with a butcher, a sandwich counter, gelato, and fresh pasta and bread and cookies- it was so cute. We got lunch and sat near the keyboard man and enjoyed some slow jams.<br /><br />Then Big Guy took me on a surprise outing to play Skee Ball! It was 10 cents to play and we bought a $3.00 bag of nickels- that is like 15 games each. It was really fun. We thought we were being so cool because we were going to give our tickets to this kid that was really nice and cute (he showed us how to play one of the games and was adorable- saying things like "this is a really great game!”) and when we went to give him our measly 200 tickets- we saw that he had a stack of about 3,000- we felt a little silly.<br /><br />That night our friends A and D came over and we walked to a pub near our house with the babies (they have a baby the same age as H- they were born in the same hospital 2 days apart) We sat on the patio and had a beer and some mussels and curry fries and then walked back home and made pizzas.<br /><br />The next day we went to play bocce ball indoors and A and D surprised me and showed up to play with us- it was a really fun weekend.Midwest Prephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151957575453498978noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124205966370545140.post-54863825287418289552009-06-02T06:24:00.000-07:002009-06-02T06:25:27.366-07:00It is still so cold!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF83MyZ95E3TzFOpNLoJS9cR3HdL_kBd4pI-GbkZ1DlCv44jXD-QRGU4nHRLG9PBcltFgZnAypn135jrkoJ5UyLS8FHzUWDqK-ij5DqmZYhI7dx0j-eD3hPYvfsDFFDoJtoweqQPvJug/s1600-h/BabyBlueEyes.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342720579418102034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF83MyZ95E3TzFOpNLoJS9cR3HdL_kBd4pI-GbkZ1DlCv44jXD-QRGU4nHRLG9PBcltFgZnAypn135jrkoJ5UyLS8FHzUWDqK-ij5DqmZYhI7dx0j-eD3hPYvfsDFFDoJtoweqQPvJug/s400/BabyBlueEyes.JPG" border="0" /></a> H is all bundled up because it is so cold here! It is JUNE!!!! When is it going to warm up for good!?<br /><div></div>Midwest Prephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151957575453498978noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124205966370545140.post-85100148195016352122009-05-27T05:48:00.000-07:002009-05-27T11:38:47.161-07:00Things I am thinking about todayI am still 3 sizes bigger than I should be. I am still in my enormous pants. I am starting to hate these pants.<br /><br />After my daycare, train pass, bus pass, parking pass, etc, I really only have like $800 left from my paycheck. This working thing is just not working....<br /><br />I keep seeing all these cute new clothes coming out from J. Crew but I have neither funds nor figure for it all.<br /><br />My sweet baby H was sleeping when I left this morning so I didn't get to kiss him goodbye. I should have done so when I was feeding him at 5am, but I was too delirious to think of it.<br /><br />My house is a disaster area...I have no time/energy to clean it and my husband isn't much of a self-starter when it comes to cleaning. The Laundry is piling up- both clean and dirty, I am pretty sure there are bras in my couch and I keep finding ants in my dishwasher!-yuck.<br /><br />My garden hates me. I planted herbs-rosemary, thyme, cilantro, basil, marjoram, arugula, Boston lettuce, eggplant, tomato and spring onion and none of it seems to be doing anything at all. I had visions of fresh organic produce all summer long--caprese salads plucked from my porch--free and fresh vegetables piled on my counter tops. I am not sure how long I should wait before I start over- I see some green, but not much.<br /><br />I am such a downer.....being away from H has sucked the life out of me. I gotta snap out of this.Midwest Prephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151957575453498978noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124205966370545140.post-33629324651717603472009-05-19T09:52:00.000-07:002009-05-19T10:36:39.771-07:00MIA<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Wodjcjudy0IJKhK9BxgzOdBhDP9XePFgeDZWkaDdMeKZtxS8aNxqpNawohy6M7j5VcpbLO1V194CPWSjkJyJMI0y7I_-bdjDuNaJ3Tw_SrB49-4_eFbQufMWuSHfGlD0hT1sRZ7kug/s1600-h/Hblue.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337579740639143954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Wodjcjudy0IJKhK9BxgzOdBhDP9XePFgeDZWkaDdMeKZtxS8aNxqpNawohy6M7j5VcpbLO1V194CPWSjkJyJMI0y7I_-bdjDuNaJ3Tw_SrB49-4_eFbQufMWuSHfGlD0hT1sRZ7kug/s400/Hblue.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Sorry I have been MIA-</div><br /><div>Work and the new hellish commute routine and exhaustion have just taken so much out of me that I never have the energy to come up with a great post...</div><br /><div>I am still reading your blogs though and hopefully I will bounce back soon...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Here is an H pic for you in the mean time.... </div><div> </div><div>plus I read an <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/personal/05/19/p.husband.lessons.before.kids/index.html">interesting article </a>today that I wanted to share. I have been a handful lately- over emotional and just plain mad about going back to work. I try to retain some perspective about the fact that it is also hard for Big Guy- even though sometimes I think he has no idea about how hard things are for me right now. Anyway- I am trying to think about him too... especially since today is our two year wedding anniversary.</div>Midwest Prephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151957575453498978noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124205966370545140.post-21948948888708840402009-05-01T12:41:00.001-07:002009-05-01T12:41:44.490-07:00Tummy Time<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj83NqFgJomO62k2yZfnPVmGdD_zge8yFEpmtS-UJTw1_4q-cb9c7ZlDtvFkzSKWmbh1IT0NDMs5RJ5TldNgcmjZnXexwx4HudD3YYstU4l4x64PoSBdqLOqmSoZqu1JAXSDnTH_-y45w/s1600-h/TumTime2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330943007065835394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj83NqFgJomO62k2yZfnPVmGdD_zge8yFEpmtS-UJTw1_4q-cb9c7ZlDtvFkzSKWmbh1IT0NDMs5RJ5TldNgcmjZnXexwx4HudD3YYstU4l4x64PoSBdqLOqmSoZqu1JAXSDnTH_-y45w/s400/TumTime2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Midwest Prephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151957575453498978noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124205966370545140.post-56147574730783886272009-04-30T14:47:00.000-07:002009-05-01T06:37:22.851-07:00First Day BackToday was the first day back to work. I made it out of the house in one piece. I picked out an outfit last night to avoid any baby weight melt-downs and even showered and blew out my hair to make sure it looked cute. If I was going to be miserable, I might as well look good. I got up and fed and changed H- but not without incident. I had just removed his diaper and was reaching for a new one when he smiled and brought his knees to his chest and explosive pooed on my arm. I let out a surprised yelp and then started laughing. It was really gross, but he is so cute that you can't get mad at him--even when he poops on your arm! Once I got everything cleaned up and put him back together-diaper, onesie, sleeper- I handed him off to my mom while I got dressed. After I got dressed I decided to feed him a little more since he passed out earlier while he was eating. I just sat there and stared at him in disbelief. i couldn't believe it had been three whole months since I had him- he has changed so much and grown so fast and it had all seemed to fly by. I hugged and kissed him and left him with my mom for the day and made it all the way to the garage before the water works started. It wasn't too bad. Part of me knows he is safe with my mom and that is a HUGE comfort. All the sadness is about missing him, and knowing that I will miss him every day. I think this is a cruel situation for a mother to have to be in, but I know many have done it before and I know I just have to grin and bear it.<br />I hope you all had good days today- I can't wait to get home and kiss my baby.Midwest Prephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151957575453498978noreply@blogger.com9