Don't these look yummy?

They'd be perfect for a cold winner night like tonight...

{found here}

Lillie and I both love dresses on her. She picks to wear them as much as possible and I love them because they're so simple. I'm lazy, what can I say? J Crew updated their website with new Spring styles yesterday and I can already tell I'm going to be very light in the wallet this season. How cute are all these?

Would it be bad if I had another babe JUST to have a reason to buy this? 

You only turn 5 once...

which is why I'm planning on throwing my only child a HUGE ridiculous party. :)

 Lil's birthday is at the end of June and she never gets to celebrate with her school friends because of that. So, to make up for the fact that mommy and daddy didn't get busy earlier, I tend to throw her very large complicated over-the-top birthday parties. They're a blast to attend, but they kill me! I'll be tired for a week afterwards, but it's totally worth it...for the most part. Anyway, this year with her turning 5 AND starting Kindergarten in the Fall, we're having an even bigger one than usual. I don't know who will be in her class next year, so I'm inviting BOTH classes from her school, so that's 32 kids to start with. Then add the 10-12 kids of our good friends outside of school and you've got one hell of a par-tay! We're renting a local park/house for the party because our backyard isn't flat enough for kids to play and have the bouncy house that she so desperately wants. I was going to do a Mexican Fiesta theme at first, but decided to spend the money I save on not having to buy a bunch of Mexican themed decorations on another bouncy or I can have the ice cream man come by. How cute is that? So, these images below are some that have been shaping the party in my mind. More to come in a few...

I {heart} all of this*...

Blogging has been pretty hard lately. Not sure why, but I haven't been very inspired lately. Everything seems to look the same and while I know that you can't reinvent the wheel, if I see one more funky sock/cute shoe pictures or a damn bird cake topper, I'm going to scream. So, I've let all the re-wedding stuff slide and have been taking a break from blogging as well {I'm sure you couldn't tell right?}. But, this all changed the other day when I saw this darling party on Inchmark. I raced out and bought all the supplies to make the candy favors for Lil's class this Valentine's Day. How cute are they? How cute is the whole party? Hell, Brooke's whole blog is great! Check it out!

Also, if you have any inspiration to share, send it my way...I hate being in a rut.

I'm going to try and recreate these for Lil's class, though I'm such an Illustrator dummy, we'll see.

Simple and sweet. It was for a friend's 4th babe, which I think is so sweet of them to do. Every baby deserves a shower!

I love the garland that she hung over the dining table. I might have finally found a use for my sewing machine!

I can't bake, but these make me wish I could!

She picked the drink flavors to match her color scheme...a girl after my own heart!

*You know I had to use heart in the title...just too easy!

{all images from here}

Sorry about not cleaning up these before posting them...I'm lazy today. I've had them saved for a week now, so I just wanted to get them on the blog. How cute is the shot in the elevator? I'm not sure what I like more, the Obama's or the Secret Service guys trying to act like they're not there. :) Cute! He has such a great smile!

What dolls!

Love the coats!

Best. Day. Ever.

{here}

I'll be back later this week...

The smelly kid...

He looks like he smells bad. Why oh why did he do this?

I never thought I'd say this, but I wish I had a bridesmaids dress! I love Thread and I really wish I could get this first one quicker than 14 weeks. I'd love to wear it to a charity event I have in the middle of February. It's simple, but chic and looks very comfy. Great for a night of drunken dancing! :) 

Anybody seen a dress like this in a sz. 16? Probably not!

I'm just saying...

Since when did the young dolphin-hugging It Girl start looking like the Crazy Reality Republican?

I'm not sure where I found this picture of Hayden Panettierre, but how much does she look like Elisabeth "Sarah Pain is my BFF" Hasslebeck in it? In fact, I'm still not sure if it's really her. They look too much alike!

Cute cheap find...

How fun is this photo tray from Target? It's from their new Umbra Loft line, which I haven't seen in stores, but looks very promising. Like it promises to wreck my "no spending" rule asap! You could put a picture in the bottom or a piece of fabric or patterned paper would look great as well. There is one review of it and it was glowing, so I think I'll need to make a run out to 

How cute would this be for a reception with pictures of the couple or old family wedding photos? I would serve cupcakes or cookies on them at a dessert bar or something that would be eaten quickly so you could look at the pictures!

Be back soon...

I'm going to take a few days off to work on things around the house...I might post a few things here and there. I'll be back at the end of the week.

Is this the same dress that the officiant has on? I love the dress she has on {not to mention the bride's dress!} and I've had this Marchesa saved for awhile. While I was writing the other posts about the dresses, I begin to think they might be the same. What do you think?

UPDATE**** I bought this dress on Gilt this week. So, I sure hope I love it as much in person as I do online. I guess one of our colors is now red! :)

{#1, #2 and #3}

BTW, how gorgeous is that picture? I've got some more images to post later from the same wedding. It was shot in Charleston by the super talented guys from A Bryan Photo and is on the front page of their site right now. It was a stunning ceremony and looked like a super fun reception!

Pick My Dress...

Ok, now that I've decided to go with a cheaper J. Crew ceremony dress, I need to pick one! I know I've got months and months, but why wait? I like one or two of these as much as I'm going to like anything, I think and the price is great as well! I might add some sort of silk/fabric flower to whichever dress I choose {sort of like this dress}, but maybe not. We're going for a black tie optional/cocktail attire level of formality, so keep that in mind when picking your fave.

Anyway, a little about my body...I'm a shorty {5'4"} and while I'm not going to share my weight, I'll say I'm curvy. My chest is probably my best feature, except maybe my smile and winning personality. I wear a large D cup, so I HAVE to wear a bra, but I can wear a strapless one with ease. I'm planning on toning up for Wedding 2.0 and have some kick-ass arms and back, so I'd like to show those off too.

I'm not going to tell you my favorite until I hear what everybody {all three of you who read and comment} has to say. What's your vote?

{Robin}

{Cecelia}

{Gracie}

{Whitney}

If you click on the names, you can see the detail shots of each dress.

Web design!

Anybody know a really good freelance web designer? That wants to work for cheap? :) I need a simple website quick...

Thanks.

All about the Whimsy...

{Retro Whimsy #318}

{Classic Whimsy #302}

I adore both of these.

Black Tie Requested...

We're planning on having a fairly formal affair, so I'm wondering if a short reception dress would be out of place...think I should go long? I have use for both in my wardrobe, but would get the most use out of a new cute cocktail dress. I don't want to be underdressed at my own party though! 

{all here}

Sea of 16...

16 sure looks a lot different then it did when I was 16...

{here via here}

Million dress Bride...

Since I can't get the venue guy to call me back, I've been thinking about a million other little things...Like the dress issue, for instance. Do I really want to spend $$$ on a "real" designer gown like the ones I've posted time and time again? Yes. Should I? No. I just can't get over the feeling that I would regret spending that much money on something I could only wear once. So, I've come up with a new plan...cheaper ceremony dress and rocking reception dress that I can wear over and over. What do you think?

This for the ceremony...

Then one of these beauties for the reception/after-party...

{#1, all others}

World's Most Expensive Ice Skating Costume...

I'm just saying...