Yes...the Royal Wedding.

that's me in Cambridge, 1999
my love runs deep, people

Go ahead and roll your eyes...and, then,  let me say that I was not a fan of the months of harping on every last detail of the royal nuptials, BUT I knew I would watch with rapture on the big day.  Being the anglophile that I am, it is quite a day for the English.  I have a handful of friends from across the pond, and even though they seemed to be more excited that it's a bank holiday, it seems, in the end, their fondness for the royal family and their peaked curiosity followed suit with the rest of the world.  In fact, on this day I considered myself honorary, proper English.

The other day, I saw these cute, FREE printables from The TomKat Studio, along with a great champagne cupcake recipe from With Style & Grace.  I knew what had to be done.  So, I hosted a little get together for my sister, my niece, Kate, little Ro, and myself.  I would have pictures of us, but I never quite got around to it.  Boo.

I am not ashamed to say I got a little teary.  For me, the whole event was such a pleasant, and positive distraction from the current state of things.  Harmless, good fun.  And, oh my, that dress.  Timeless, modest elegance.

But, now, life returns to normal.  In fact, I'm most interested in closing my eyes for a bit on my favorite pillow du jour before folding some laundry.  How's that for royal?

A girl and her dog.

Betsy and Chopper have had it 'going on' since she was a baby.  I can't pinpoint why they seem to be so connected.  However, their bond is evidence of the power of canines in one's well being.  I'm not suggesting our lil' schnauzer has healed her in any way, but his presence has always lifted her spirits.  

Keeping the two of them apart is almost as hard as keeping clothes on Betsy Jane.  Or keeping a ponytail in her crazy hair.  I have admitted defeat on both accounts.  Don't judge.

Do you have a special little woofer in your life?  I would love to hear about him or her.  Especially names...

HomeGoods is fun.

HomeGoods...

I always find something fun there, like these chairs.

Then again, the trash is fun, too.

That table is from the trash.

See?

With an ounce of perspective...ANYTHING can be fun!

Hump day ear candy.

Grace Potter & the Nocturnals.

If you haven't heard of them, now you have.

Grace has quite a voice.

They can rock it out.

I had the pleasure of seeing them live last year when they opened for The Avett Brothers.

Fan ever since.

This is GREAT cleaning house music.

Start with "Paris".  It's been getting some radio time.  It's fine rock-n-roll.



And, yes...she looks like Heidi Klum.  And, yes....she is friends with Kenny Chesney.

And, yes...she did a song for Disney's 'Tangled'...



Here is one of my favorites...



Hope you like Grace and her Nocturnals.  Try 'Sugar' and 'Falling or Flying'.  Try it all.

Have a great Wednesday!

Too cool.

It is pretty clear she is a rock star.

She is getting more and more independent every day.

Case in point, she put her own nightgown on in these photos.

Sure, it's inside out and backwards, but she did it herself.

She has quite a love affair with my shades as of late, too.

And, as every knows, it's a unique fashion sense and a great pair of sunglasses that makes one a rock star.

Now, if only she could work out a guitar...

Eh...?

I'm not sure why, but this is what 

Rosie is walking around the house

saying this morning...

"Let's hear it for Quebec!"

So, why not?

Let's hear it for Quebec!

Hip-hip-hooray!

Hip-hip-hooray!

Hip-hip-hooray!

Go Quebec!

Things I like...

1. The American Flag


2. Getting the boys new tennis shoes, mostly because you would have thought I gave them a shoe box full of gold instead of sneakers.


3. The RESULTS of exercise and eating better.  

4. 4-year-olds who endlessly talk into a staticy walkie-talkie of which there is no pair.


5. Little boys who pretend they don't like their mother's hugs.

6. Clean, tight sheets.


7. Fiber.


8. Lush.

The End.

Cooking! Food! Dancing!

I love to eat.

But, I will eat anything.  Junk, good stuff, meat, veggies, tofu.

In my quest to 'toiten' up, I am trying to eat better, and not snack.

Last night was pizza night.

I made my own concoction on a whole wheat tortilla.

A splash of good olive oil, a sprinkle of parmesan, and load of fresh stuff...onion, broccoli, spinach, shrooms, and tomatoes after it was baked at 350 for about 8-10 minutes.  Did I mention the goat cheese?

Just a few dabs here and there.

It was delish.

My husband and boys would never eat it.

Ever.

Sigh.

In order to keep a good thing going, 

I cut up a bunch of fruit and veggies and put them in the fridge ready to go.  

That's part of the problem.

Convenience.

If it's all ready to go, I'm way more inclined to eat it.

Also, I like to dance around while I'm cooking or baking.

This is a good song for that...

It's Friday...so DANCE!

Deal.

 photo via Gap.com

Sometimes things just happen right.  God is beaming down on you, the stars align, and Gap has 40% off the lowest marked price.  

I have admired that dress above for some time.  Alas, it was $89.50.  My wedding dress was $225.  I could not consciously buy a $90 dress just because.  I tried to justify it.  One of my favorite people in the whole world {my cousin, Tony} is getting married in October.  There's a reason.  A 6 months away reason. But the price tag still gnawed at my sale loving soul.

I would periodically check for a markdown on-line.  It went down to the current on-line price of $79.99.  Then, I got a hold of a 30% off promo code.  Still couldn't do it.

Yesterday, my sister and I went to the mall.  For me, that doesn't happen often.  I wanted to show her the source of my anguish.  Here's where the story gets good {if you aren't asleep already}.

The dress was marked down to $30.99.  WITH AN ADDITIONAL 40% OFF THE LOWEST MARKED PRICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But, then the story gets sad again.  They had big sizes and little sizes, but not MY size.  Sigh!  Plus, the on-line store does not honor in-store prices anymore.  Sniff, sniff.

Here's where it gets better again...a quick phone call located my size at another mall right by my house.  

Here's where it gets tragic...again.  They did NOT have the 40% off the lowest marked price.

But, this tale takes another turn in my favor.  The sales girl told me to buy one there and then, the other store would do an even exchange for the one in my size.  Ca-ching!

I am now the proud owner of a 'Tiered tulle dress' from Gap for $20.16 with tax.

  

So, to recap...wanted a way too expensive dress for an occasion 6 months away.  Practiced self-control, and decided it was out of my reach, and ended up getting it for a steal.  

Patience is a virtue, my friend.