My Plea to Spring

Dear Spring,

Where have you gone? It is obvious from your rapid departure that I have upset you in some way.

Was it the ill-fitting capris I was so eager to throw on at the first signs of you? The way I disregarded your non-committal nature so early in the season by aggressively planting all sorts of flowers in my flower pots? Or perhaps it was the way I so boastfully showed off my amazingly fast growing Peony plants to the neighbors? More likely it was the careless comments I threw around about how I would for sure be going for lots of walks once you arrived and the way I found excuses to do other things when you produced those sunny days.

Surely the whole midwest, no, surely the whole NATION, should not be punished for my transgressions!

If you return again soon I promise to not take you for granted. I will pack away those ill-fitting capris until I've spent more time going for those walks I promised you I'd take. I will consider your temperamental nature before further planting in my flower pots rather then assuming you're here to stay. I will be more humble with my 'amazingly fast growing' Peonies.

These things I promise you Spring. Just please come back, I implore you.

Desperately yours,

Emily

So easy you can 'Coast' right through it!

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

As promised here is the coaster project. It's super easy and completely customizable to match to your own color scheme. I came up with this idea after having a hard time finding unique coasters for my living room. Also, my side tables are smaller and I only needed a couple of coasters, not the standard set of 4 or 6.

Items you'll need to get started:

-Mod Podge
-Tacky Glue
-Craft Paint in color of your choice - purchased mine at Hobby Lobby for .59
-unfinished wooden coaster base (I'm really not sure what the term is for this piece but I found them in two different sizes at Hobby Lobby in their unfinished wood section. I got the slightly larger size that was .99 but you can get a smaller version for 2 for 1.00.)
-decorative paper - I used scrapbook paper but you could use a leftover scrap of wallpaper, a favorite gift wrap paper, fabric, etc.

-felt - I used some leftover felt from my living room coasters which was approximately .25 for the piece.

How to guide:

1. Paint unfinished wooden base
2. Cut paper to fit top and adhere with Mod Podge to coaster base
3. Mod Podge over the entire coaster (sides and top) to seal the coaster and protect
4. cut felt piece to fit bottom of wooden base, adhere with tacky glue

Ta-da! You're done! It's really that simple!

Here's the one I made for the side table in Baby Sissy's room. I just needed one and it's custom made to match her room.

Here are the two I made for made for my living room. I plan to make some additional coasters to change out with each season. I'm thinking something brighter and fun for summer, perhaps a white wooden base with a simple seashell cut out decoupaged on top.

With the help of handsome hubby I was able to get the paper lanterns hung in Baby Sissy's room and I think it looks great. I'll be posting pictures soon.

On a side note, I have to send a big Congratulations shout out to my dear friend and neighbor, Savvy Momma http://savvymomma.blogspot.com/ who just had her baby boy today! She and I have seen each other through these second pregnancies and I'm so excited for her that he has finally arrived! We're planning to visit them tomorrow and I can't wait to meet him!

Is it my turn yet?! :) Nope, still have 6 weeks left to go!

Hurray for Friday!!

My father and stepmother are coming to town this weekend. We don't have too much planned except perhaps a trip late tomorrow afternoon to the Rainforest Cafe. My son is obsessed with that place and it's not for the food let me tell ya! He just sits like a zombie at the table, taking in everything like it's the first time he's been there. It's one of the few sit down restaurants that I feel we can sit down and relax a bit with him as he's really good to stay put in his chair. At 2 1/2 yrs old he's still in awe over the big gorilla's, elephants and all the other animals that go crazy when the 'rainstorm' hits every 30 minutes. Although he says he's not scared and that they are just 'toy' animals, I'm pretty sure he is. He told me last night that he was going to hold Grandpa's hand at the Rainforest Cafe in case Grandpa gets scared. ;) hehehe He's such a funny little guy!

I have a great little project I'm working on in Baby Sissy's room that involves some very fun pink and green paper lanterns that I found at Old Navy of all places! I'm planning to hang them from the ceiling over the crib as a fun twist on a mobile so I'll be sure to post those pictures this weekend.

I also am working on making a coaster for her room so I'll show you that and include steps on how to make them yourself! Hopefully if I'm on top of things I can get these posted by the end of the weekend.

Happy Friday to all and enjoy the Easter weekend!

A Pregnant Woman's Beauty Plan

It's something I nearly forgot from the first time around but there's no denying it, at least not for me. It's very hard to feel anything but frumpy and restless at 33 weeks pregnant.

Now, don't get me wrong, I am SO grateful that my pregnancy so far as not been riddled with complications and that my baby appears to be growing healthy and happily. I'm just feeling rather large, and definitely not in charge of my body.

Typically this time of year my head is swimming with thoughts of shopping for summer clothes, exercising to lose those extra pounds prior to the start of swimsuit season, and planning for all the glorious summertime fun that lay before me.

This year my head swims with thoughts of how it is even possible for my tummy to stretch further and our upcoming arrival. It's slightly depressing to see all the cute summer outfits knowing that it will very likely take me all summer to even begin to recognize my pre-baby #2 bod.

However, not one to sit around on my loins and feel sorry for myself for long I have decided to take action in anyway I know how. After reading Erin's latest post http://ladybugs-12.blogspot.com/ regarding her current sunless self tanner obsession I had to chuckle. I too have recently become a self tanner junkie.

In my personal quest to make myself feel more attractive and less frumpy for spring I have begun to use the two following products with faithful regularity.

I've found this to be a good product for a gradual, natural looking sunless tan. I use lotion for medium skin tones and it really looks pretty good. To shorten the whole apply then wait 'til it dries routine I just apply to the body parts that will see the light of day at this point (i.e my neck/shoulders/arms and from the knees down).

Nice white teeth are important. Period. End of story for me. It's one of the first things I notice about a person and even if they've got everything else going on, if their teeth are yellowed/grayed or in generally bad condition it's hard for me to get past it.

About 6 years ago I 'splurged' and went to the dentist to be fitted with trays for a professional teeth whitening. This was just before the big teeth whitening obsession hit the nation and I must say I reveled in my brilliant whites. I can't tell you the number of compliments I received on my smile AND how nice it felt for the ol' self esteem. Sadly, and very randomly I might add, my very large Golden Retriever managed to get a hold of them off my bathroom counter and chewed them to pieces! How strange is that?! I later learned that for whatever reason this is not that uncommon occurrence. Hmmmmm....I digress.

Other 'Beauty' shout outs:

- Going to get spa pedi's at the various strip mall nail salons. For $25 to get an hour in the massage chair, time with a magazine or friend and fresh sparkly feet you can't beat it! If you've not gone out to get your spring pedi I recommend you don't delay! You deserve the treat!

- Clean & Clear Oil-Absorbing Sheets -another nod to Erin over at 'Ladybug's Picnic' as she recently raved about this product. I too love this product. If you even get the slightest bit oily you've got to give these a try. The sheets absorb soooo much better then the regular old tissue kind. Only around $4 you've got to give them a try especially with summer just around the corner!

- Bare Escentuals - i.d. bareminerals foundation and i.d. bareminerals warmth. A friend turned me onto this product and I have grown to LOVE it. I get a great smooth, silky finish and the 'warmth' powder adds the perfect amount of color to my face.

- Bath and Body Works - ILE DE TAHITI body lotion and spray in Tiare Flower. It's such a fresh, light scent for spring. It's funny, my OB dr always seems to comment on how lovely a scent it is at my bi-wkly appts with her. (I don't think she obviously remembers that she's mentioned it at my past 3 appts.) lol

I have several other products that I love but I'll have to save those for another post as I've already been too long winded!

Hope everyone is enjoying their hump day!

I love Etsy

Two posts in one day can you believe your eyes?!

If you've not had the opportunity to check out Etsy I highly recommend you do! Etsy describes itself as 'Your place to buy & sell all things homemade'. I personally have found so many things I'd love to get and give from here and I think you'll find the same!

Here are some items that I'd love to get for Baby Sissy.

Vermont Fairies - Wee Bird in Felted Nest $9.00 - http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=5607787

This would be so cute sitting on a shelf or side table.

Soft Texture Baby and Toddler Blocks - $32.00 for set - http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=5301276

The colors can be customized and I'm thinking more pinks and greens to match her room but these are super cute as shown!

Flying Love Bunnies 8x10 Print - $15.00 - http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=5293473

I love the bright pinks. Would be adorable matted and framed in white.

Personalized Minky Throw Pillow - $29.50 - http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=5635912

These pillows can be customized with different colors and of course different monograms. I think this would be super cute on Baby Sissy's pink chair. I'd order it with the green pom-poms as shown but with a bright pink monogram.

Pink and Green Beanie - $10.00 - http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=5206353

How cute is this?! I can't think of a single little girl who wouldn't look beyond adorable wearing this beanie.

There are really so many more neat, unique items on Etsy that you have to check out! It's a fantastic place to find one of a kind gifts, jewelry and anything else you can imagine.

I'll post soon with some hip momma must have items from Etsy!

The Great Diaper Bag Debacle

Ebay - Friend or Foe?

I recently purchased a 'Buy Now' item off of Ebay from what appeared to be a very reputable seller. To give you an idea this seller has well over a 1,000 feedback remarks and it's 100% positive.

After having lost the diaper bag I truly wanted via the Ebay 'swiping' bid process, I decided to purchase this one. Based on the description of the bag, "Pottery Barn Kids Classic Diaper Bag, Bright Pink and Green, Brand New With Tags" and the picture provided I thought it was cute, practical and I loved the bright pink.

Here is the picture that was provided:

Here is what I received.

Now, don't get me wrong, I do think this green bag is cute, especially now w/my monogram on it, BUT, this bag was clearly not shown in the picture provided. Based on the picture provided and the sellers description the bag I purchased was the bright pink one.

I quickly replied to the seller that I thought there must have been some mistake as the bag I received did not match the picture provided in her listing, in fact the bag I received was not in the picture she provided at all! She responded back that bag was indeed featured in the picture she provided and that her name 'Holly4390' was watermarked over the bag.
Now, I've looked at that picture at least 20 times at this point and the bag that has 'Holly4390' partially written over it is clearly a green bag with blue trim, STILL not the bag she described to be selling OR the bag she sent me. Beyond frustrated at that point I responded back pointing out the seemingly obvious. Her response was 'I believe the bag I sent you to be the bag pictured'. What kind of response is that?!!! 'I believe...' The bag was very clearly not the same bag she described or sent me.

To make a very long, frustrating story short she ultimately refused to acknowledge that her listing was misleading and inaccurate and would not let me send the bag back for a refund. Instead she refunded me $10 off the bag.

Had she responded back to my first email apologizing for the confusion and acknowledging her mistake, perhaps even offering the $10 off at that point I would have probably let it drop. I honestly didn't want to deal with the hassle of repackaging the bag and sending it back and I am a very reasonable person. However, the fact she refused to acknowledge her error and her comments like 'I believe it to be the same bag' were ridiculous and extremely frustrating.

I've seriously thought about reporting her to Ebay, and may still do it as an FYI to them. Obviously I decided to go ahead and have the bag monogrammed so my reporting her to Ebay wouldn't be with the intent of trying to get a refund on the bag. I did accept her $10 off offer, clearly stating to her that this was in no way me agreeing that her. I stand very firmly on the fact it was misleading and inaccurate but I felt I had really no other choice as she repeatedly said there was no error on her part and she would not let me return the bag for a refund.

My dilemma: I would really, really like to leave her the negative feedback she deserves as a way to alert other potential buyers but I'm fearful quite honestly that she'll leave negative feedback for me. Although my email responses to her were always professional I'm concerned that if I were to leave negative feedback she'd do the same just to be spiteful or something.

What do you think I should do?

You Simply Must

After seeing the commercials I just knew I had to try 'em! I searched high and low and finally found them at Super Walmart of all places. It's the Hostess Cupcakes 100 Calorie Packs and boy were they worth the search!

On the day I finally got my poor swollen fingers (have a mentioned I've only got 7 wks left to go?) on these delectable little treats a friend of mine surprised me by dropping by with a couple boxes. I had ranted to her about how I had to try them and knowing I was a pregnant woman on a mission she found some at our local Dillon's grocery store. How sweet of her!

Who knew but apparently they are so popular the stores can't keep them on the shelves!

I've now tried the golden cake/chocolate icing and the chocolate cake/chocolate icing and I have to say that my fave is the golden cake. They even have the creamy filling!

If you go to http://www.hostess100.com/ you can get a coupon for a $1.00 off. I guess the trick is finding a store that has 'em in stock!

You'll have to let me know if you like them too!