Part II

Okay, it seems as though I was premature in presenting my Wish List because I have come across several other items that have begged to be included. I would be remiss to not mention them as I'm sure Santa is tightening the reins on those reindeer as we speak! So...in keeping with sequential order...I present to you, the amended list...

continued...

11. A Dyson Vacuum (the dust cup scares me but the force in which it sucks makes me, er...excited)

12. My den and dining room painted (I love the granny smith apple but I'm ready for a muted changed as I have a 3 year old who already yells at me)

13. The toddler fully potty trained...that's right, I want someone to do it for me!

14. iPad (for blogging and all)

15. Dinner at Galatoires

16. An Ashley Longshore original (I know it's on my list every time but maybe she'll feel sorry for me and slide one my way...wink wink)

17. A day with Tori Spelling...she would love me, I just know it!

18. A nanny (one that doesn't fall asleep at 8pm...you know who you are!)

19. A banjo...with lessons

20. A writing job...dreaming, I know.

So there it is...the list in it's entirety. Of course this doesn't include stocking stuffers but I'll spare you that! Let's just say that I'm not one to take to kindly to fruit in my stocking.

Again, the disclaimer...in no way am I endorsing any of the listed products...except maybe the Nanny and the Maid as I'm sure both of these things would make my life a lot easier and, well...who wouldn't endorse that?

Now, what does everyone else want??

image credit: flikr

little ole me...

Jes over at My Happily Ever After gave me a blog award! So exciting that someone other than my sweet mom, dad, sister, and the husband are reading...and, exciting that I get to tell everyone some very useful information about myself...ha!

I am supposed to tell y'all 7 things about myself and then pass it on to 15 bloggers. If you are a blogger and read my blog, please allow me to virtually bestow upon you this award and in return tell me a few things about yourself...but, let me know in the comments section so I can scoot over to your blog and get to know you as well!

Here goes...

1. I am extremely paranoid...about everything

2. I spend countless hours putting together different outfits in my head

3. I have to make a list to get anything done

4. I wish I could break dance

5. I don't like carrots

6. I like scary movies but I'm to afraid to watch them

7. I don't like to fly

Now, do you feel super enlightened?? Probably not, but it was fun! Thanks Jes for reading my blog and for being a good friend!

Thursday's things...on Wednesday

Thanksgiving is nearly upon us and I can hardly wait to see my family and eat and eat and eat! In a rare moment of silence I started thinking...we go through the motions of everyday life and hardly take time to think about all the things that we are thankful for. Those days when I can't seem to do anything right and lose my patience at the drop of a hat, I forget that I have so many things in my life to be grateful for. The husband and toddler are definitely at the top of that list...even though most days I feel like the toddler is plotting against me! I am so thankful that they are my family and love me as much as I love them. Of course our family wouldn't be complete without our two hound dogs...despite their unbelievable ability to sleep for days straight, they are great protectors and providers of unconditional love and kisses. I'm thankful that we have a nice home in a nice neighborhood with great neighbors...and a mall close by! I'm grateful that we have wonderful loving parents and siblings who support us more than imaginable. I'm thankful that we have never gone hungry, except on the rare occasion we ate entirely too early and stayed up too late. I'm thankful that I have a husband that likes to watch the same shows I like on television. I'm thankful that the toddler sleeps so well and overlooks my shortcomings as a Mom (we all have them...I know). I'm thankful that the husband overlooks my shortcomings as a wife (laundry and cooking are not my strong suits). I'm thankful that we have great friends...some of whom we've known for a lifetime. I'm thankful that I'm a stay at home Mom. I'm thankful that we live in the South. I'm thankful that we are all healthy...despite the inordinate amount of raw oysters and sushi we've consumed (except of course the toddler has never had either). I'm thankful that the toddler and the husband were in the kitchen making chocolate chip cookies from scratch last night at 9pm...even though it was way past the toddler's bedtime. I'm thankful for quiet times. I'm thankful for a messy house...because it means I've been doing things with my family. I'm thankful for a lot and I'm just not sure why we don't think about these things more than one day a year. Soon, it'll be Christmas and these things that we cherish in our hearts will be lost in the hustle and bustle until next Thanksgiving. But for now, thank you for all of those who make my life a little better each day and a little brighter each year. Happy Thanksgiving!

image credit: spilled milkshake

Holiday Wish List

I present...the list. The list of things I want...probably don't need, but nonetheless feel I can't live without. As I've said before, these items are by no means an endorsement but rather, they are things that I think I would love to bits! After wracking my brain, I surprisingly came up with a rather short list compared to last years behemoth! Alas, since my Mom is quite possibly the only person reading...please, Mom don't break the bank trying to collect all these perfections!

Here goes...

1. Big gold link watch...either L.L. Bean or Michael Kors

2. Frye riding boots...brown/saddle

3. Nikon 1 J1 with 10-33mm interchangable lens

4. Large gold initial necklace from Max and Chloe by West Avenue

5. Haircut and highlights

6. Tropical vacation

7. David Yurman bracelet

8. Brown Tory Burch Reva flats

9. A maid

10. Electric panini press

p.s. the order is not necessarily reflective of the level of desire...as a hot pressed sandwich right about now sounds divine!

Thursday's things

The Dead

There's just nothing better than a little Dead to get you going...change your day. No matter how bad a day I'm having there's something magical...transcendental...about those melodic riffs and Jerry's ramblings...like a little love in every song. They got me through college, got me through those twilight years after college, and are still getting me through today! I'm so glad I got to see them in concert before Jerr's untimely death...they will always be one of the best bands around...dead or alive!

Here's a little something to set you on your way... http://youtu.be/oFaLw7laS9E

image credit: the bear

Thursday's things

Sequins

It's true...I'm a magpie of sorts...completely drawn in and dazed by shiny things. There's something so fun and fashion forward about sequins...that little sliver of gleaming plastic that says, "I'm confident, adventurous, and well...maybe a little mischievous too! Sequins at night are the norm, but...sequins in sunlight make the most amazing mini solar system displays this side of the milky way! Don't be afraid to add a little sparkle to your day...and watch as everyone is drawn into your gravitational pull!

image credit: we heart it

haul out the holly

I can't believe it's almost that time of year again...time for holiday music, wish lists, party dresses, sweaters, and plaid! It seems the celebrating starts earlier every year...just after Halloween the decorations slowly start peeking out from store windows and street lamps...and then, there's the telltale sign...the red cups at Starbucks. Mailboxes are jammed full of catalogs printed with ever hopeful items waiting to be added to growing wish lists. Of course, nestled amongst the ever building tidal wave of glitter and glitz is Thanksgiving. And while I've always been a "no decorating until after Thanksgiving" kinda girl, I can honestly say I'm considering getting a jump start on things this year. Why not, right? Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful for so many things and will enjoy my turkey and dressing on the 24th just like everyone else...but, I don't think I will enjoy it any less if my tree is already up and my halls already decked. Besides, it's usually at Thanksgiving that my family likes me to hand over my list of wants, and well...won't they be surprised when I'm ready to set them on their shopping way! So, with that said, stay tuned for my list of wants and "needs". And, don't be afraid to start compiling your own...I mean, there are only 46 days left until the big day! Now, where did I put my pen and paper?

image credit: ideas home concept

Thursday's things

Southern Spice

I will warn you, this is an acquired taste. As a child I was drawn to the bright yellow can but each time I took a sip I was awfully disappointed. But...that was then and this is now and I can say that I am now a big fan. I love most anything spicy and this certainly fits the bill. Produced locally, Buffalo Rock has been in business in my town since 1901. A relic of sorts and with Garden & Gun's recent tribute to the spicy South Carolina ginger ale, Blenheim, I decided to rediscover the Buffalo Rock Southern Spice that lured me in as a child. Now...I drink it straight from the can but SOME people like to mix it with Maker's Mark for a sweet and spicy nip...and well, it's good like that too!

image credit: food and wine

take two

I feel like I've been stuck in a perpetual Hitchcock movie for the past month...and not in the "who me? - who done it?" Grace Kelly/Tippi Hedrun kinda way. But rather, in the 'things coming at me in all directions-making me crazy' kind of way. Which got me lost in thought...not about all the things that filled my never ending October calendar but...well, about Hitchcock movies. I remember seeing The Birds for the first time and being afraid to go outside...cringing every time I saw a crow flying low or hanging around staring me down. Then came Psycho, and then Vertigo and then, my all time favorite...The Rear Window. There's nothing better than a little Jimmy Stewart on a rainy night, doing a little detective work. Not unlike myself in similar "spy" work I've done. And, how odd it is to piece together your own story...something gets your attention, turns your head, and before you know it you've got people committing crimes you've only seen on Law and Order. The imagination is a powerful tool. Did the old man across the way really kill his wife...chop her up in little pieces...or did she really go on a trip? Either way, it's a testament to how powerful the mind really is...how things can come at you fast, and in all directions, and quickly spin out of control. Now, back to me...October started with a birthday bang for the toddler and husband, then portraits, football, a bachelorette party, more pictures, out of town company, Halloween parties, Halloween hayrides, Halloween train rides, Halloween parades...and blurry eyed...I stumbled to bed...and now it's November. The non-stop spinning is finally starting to slow down...fall seems to have, er, fallen and now it's time for a brief respite before it starts all over again in November. And so, sometimes the craziness that is our life seems straight from the movies...without the bird pecked eyes and chopped up part...but not really a romantic comedy either!

image credit: shybiker