Happy Memorial Day

Thankful on this day for...

1. My Granny Philip, who earned two purple hearts defending our great country and who was the most wonderful crazy cajun' I have ever known and loved and still miss every day...
2. The successful completion this morning of our first neighborhood summer swim team meet, always a great (hot, long, loud, chaotic) time with friends and some amazing kiddos... GO GATORS!
3. A teenage boy who is not too embarrassed to still bring his mama his ribbons after his races...
4. Our entire family getting to take a N.A.P. this afternoon... seriously, that NEVER happens.
5. Watching Handsome Hubby and our crazy big dork poodle hanging out swimming in the pool all by themselves...
6. Grilled corn so sweet you should really eat it for dessert.
7.  This beauty sitting on the deck, picking flowers and putting them in everyone's hair (including the exceptionally patient 16 year old big brother)...

Maxi for Me?

Has there ever been a clothing trend that you just L.O.V.E. but can't seem to make work?  That's me and the Maxi Dress.  I see them everywhere... flowy, cool, comfy... just picturing myself wearing one walking barefoot on the beach at sunset with a glass of wine in hand.  AHHHHHHH... but alas, it is not to be.

I was genetically blessed (thank you Mimi and Big Daddy) with good legs, they are strong and thin but shapely without me having to do one single thing to keep them that way...but don't hate me, because on the flip side, I despise my arms.  Not only are they wimpy (could not do a pull-up if my life depended on it), they are attached to broad shoulders and have no definition no matter the amount of stupid bicep curls I force on them.  Now... put those two together in a maxi dress, and no matter HOW CUTE the dang dress is, they all hide the legs and show off the arms.  BOO.  I found this one yesterday at Kohl's, which I LOVE because

1. it's black

2. it has wide enough straps to wear an actual bra

(I'm genetically blessed in some other areas that make spaghetti straps a bit tricky) 

3. it's a great fabric

4. it is on sale

SCORE

Or not... because when I try it on, even though it fits perfectly ALL I SEE ARE ARMS.  

Daisy Fuentes Crochet Maxi Dress

So, I'm trying to talk myself into stepping out of my box... add some cute turquoise jewelry, a fabulous pair of shoes and ARMS BE DAMNED.  Do I dare?

Birds of a Feather...

School is almost out, and we are getting ready here for the BIG 5th Grade Graduation Party... In preparation for this much anticipated pool party extravaganza, Dear Daughter has jumped on the latest trend with the addition of some fabulous feather hair extensions.  How cute are these?  They can be washed, brushed, curled, pony-tailed, you name it... all just like your own hair.  What a fun accessory for summer!  We have a friend who is making this her business, but with the right supplies, 

you can certainly to do it yourself.  

Go score yourself some  FAB FEATHERS!

Bliss Collection Feather Hair Extensions

DIY Feather Hair Extensions

Bird of Paradise Feather Hair Extensions

Vacuuming in Pearls?

Look who is BACK and better than ever!  WOO HOO!  As some of you may remember, Mr. Microwave was a little under the weather.  He has thankfully returned, only to have spread his insidious illness to his friend... 

Seriously... would someone please explain to me what I have done to tick off the Appliance Gods?  The only thing I hate worse than cooking?  Hand-washing dishes.  When we got married we didn't even register for the really fancy Henkel knives Handsome Hubby coveted because he said I would just ruin them in the dishwasher. While my talents are many and varied (hula-hooping and go-cart racing come to mind), June Cleaver I am not.

50's Heavy Metal Housewife Business Card Holder Wallet

On My Honor...

Giraffe Bling Monogrammed Flip-Flops

Summer is here, so please ladies take the pledge with me... I'm sorry to say I do not know the original author, because they certainly deserve credit for bringing attention to this very serious matter.

Open Toed Shoe Pledge... 

 Please raise your big toes and repeat after me:

      

MY SISTERS (The Open Toed Shoe Pledge)

       As a member of the Cute Girl Sisterhood, I pledge to follow the Rules when I wear sandals and other open-toed shoes:

       I promise to always wear sandals that fit. 

My toes will not hang over and touch the ground, 

nor will my heels spill over the backs.  

And the sides and tops of my feet will not pudge out

between the straps.

      I will go polish-free or vow to keep the polish fresh, 

intact and chip-free.

I will not cheat and just touch up my big toe.

       I will sand down any mounds of skin before they

turn hard and yellow.

       I will shave the hairs off my big toe.

       I won't wear pantyhose even if my misinformed girlfriend,

coworker, mother, sister tells me the toe seam really will stay under my toes if I tuck it there.

       If a strap breaks, I won't duct-tape, pin, glue or tuck it back into place hoping it will stay put.  I will get my shoe fixed or toss it.

       I will not live in corn denial; rather I will lean on 

my good friend Dr. Scholl's if my feet need him.

       I will resist the urge to buy jelly shoes at Payless for the low, low price of $4.99 even if my feet are small enough to fit into the kids' sizes.  This is out of concern for my safety, and the safety of others. No one can walk properly when standing in a pool of sweat and I would hate to take someone down with me 

as I fall and break my ankle.

       I will take my toe ring off toward the end of the day if my toes swell and begin to look like Vienna sausages. If I have been privy to the magic that is Foot Soup, I will share that knowledge and experience with the non-initiated.

       I will be brutally honest with my girlfriend/sister/coworker when she asks me if her feet are too ugly to wear sandals.  Someone has to tell her that her toes are as long as my fingers and no sandal makes creepy feet look good.

       I will promise if I wear flip flops that I will ensure that they actually flip and flop, making the correct noise while walking and I will swear NOT to slide

or drag my feet while wearing them.

      I will promise to go my nail shop at least once per season and have a real pedicure

(they are about $30 and worth EVERY penny).

      I will promise to throw away any white/off-white sandals that show signs of wear...nothing is yuckier than dirty white sandals...

In the name of eternally cute feet, this I  do solemnly swear.

Vintage Strappy Stiletto Heels

Ballerina Girl...

Off this morning to watch Dear Daughter perform on pointe for the first time... 8 years of ballet to get to this moment.  Took this pic at rehearsal yesterday with my iphone and the Hipstamatic app, so cool, it makes me feel like a professional photographer!  Now, time to apply make-up and create that perfect bun... 

Happy Sunday!

I Don't Want to be the Mommy... At Least Not Today.

Room Decor Art Print

Posting late today... actually, I wasn't going to post at all.  My mind has been swimming with those thoughts parents have when they just aren't sure they made the right decision regarding their child.  No reason to bore you with the details, but I am having trouble focusing on anything because all the negative "what if's" are streaming through my head like a bad reality TV show marathon.  

Our family is having to make a decision regarding Dear Daughter that I wish we didn't have to make... it's nothing earth shattering, but it IS something that is very important to her and the chain of events and decisions that have finally come to a head are haunting me.  I wonder if we could have done something different, made a better or smarter choice so that she wouldn't be put in a situation that has had her in tears and made her so sad.  

These are the days that I wish I were not the Mommy... there is no easy way to handle your child's disappointment.  EVER. EVER. EVER.  It makes my heart hurt.  Of course, the greatest thing about kids is they are able to move on so much quicker than the adults... here she is headed out for Nerd Day at school this morning.  If I look at this picture long enough... at her big goofy grin and sassy strut, it starts to drown out that nasty marathon episode of "Loser Mama"...