Can I Pull Off "Retro Chic"?

Or will I just look old and/or silly? My swim suit and swim dress came in the mail today. I am reposting the pictures from online instead of modeling them myself (um, ya - no!) SO - I tried them on and now I am wondering will I look "retro-chic" (definitely the look I was going for) or just plain old lady? Will this really work for me?

A Bright Idea

Mark and I have decided to finally, and I do mean finally, finish the basement. A project that we have started too many times than I can count. I am wanting a really fun light fixture for the "kids area" and I think I found it. Cute right? Love the colors, love the concept!

Hating the price. Not sure - okay definitely know, I will not be dropping $300 for this sassy chandelier. Curse you, Pottery Barn! So does anybody know if I could buy the wiring mechanism to whip up something like this? I am pretty crafty and could manage the details; I just don't know where to get the hardware.

To Swim or Not To Swim?

Okay, so this was no easy task for me because winter is approaching and the selection of swimsuits to purchase locally is null. So, I have no other choice but to buy online - which absolutely terrifies me. Agh! Every girl out there knows that a swimsuit is not an easy purchase, in fact, it borderlines torture. Finding the perfect fit, the right amount of coverage, and the proper support is the triathlon of swimsuit shopping. Once achieved, it is the trifecta! Add the additional battle of need vs. function and finding the suit to compliment both, now that is a real dilemma. I don't really feel all that self conscious in a swim suit. Maybe I should feel more self conscious because this bod ain't what it used to be (not that it was all that to begin with.) But for some reason, the way I look or don't look, for that matter, has never really bothered me all that much. I know I could drop a few (okay maybe more) pounds. I know I could tone up, but I am not going to sit on the ship (or at home during the summer) just because I don't look like a supermodel in my bathing suit. So, these are my choices. We did not actually "swim" on the ship during our first cruise, but we did do a lot of lounging (aka sleeping for Mark) in our suits on the deck. We did go snorkeling in St. Thomas, though I don't think snorkeling will be on the agenda this time around, we do plan to spend a lot of time on the beach when we are at the "private island." I definitely want a suit that I will feel comfortable walking around on the beach, probably more of a swim dress, and another suit for soaking up the rays on ship. Suit 1 and 4 are also available in scarlet red and steel blue. Which ones do you like, what are your picks?

To the Nines

So we haven't even decided where exactly we will be cruising, and I am already picking out dresses for our formal dinners. Go figure. I mean really, would you expect anything less from me? All I really need, clothing wise, is a couple of dresses and the inevitable swimsuit (I will post more about that when I get the courage to actually look for one.) So, these are my choices. I really can't decide on the two that I would like. The first one is my absolute favorite. Very classy and elegant! The remaining three are shown in different colors than I would pick, but these were the only photos available. The second dress would be smoke in color; more like a titanium. I like this one because it is cute and sassy. The third dress would be a wine color. It is very plain in the front and detailed with bustling in the back - a perfect bridesmaid dress. The fourth dress Mark chose and the color would be "sterling orchid" which is lavender with a metallic sheen. The criss-cross is joined with a faux crystal broach - very exquisite. Now the tough part...A Decision. SO - let me know which one you like. The best part is...each dress is on sale at David's Bridal for a mere $39. How great is that! A beautiful dress and a bargain. Heck, I might buy all four. Woohoo!

A Little Piece of Heaven

A little while back, I was not sleeping. Tossing and turning, nearly kicking and screaming while Mark snored with contentment, I had had enough. Then suddenly, I was sleeping perfectly, peacefully. Mark, on the other hand, began losing more and more sleep each night. I remember distinctly a pillow being tossed across the room in frustration. We couldn't figure it out. I had blamed it on the mattresses for a while, but why was I all of a sudden sleeping and Mark was not??? And then I remembered, I flipped the mattress. HA! It was the mattress. Well, not anymore. Because this is what we loaded up in our truck tonight. Yeah, us!

And let me tell you. We are in love. Love, love, love! Though, I do feel like the princess and the pea sitting high atop our bed and Mark is extremely paranoid about the kids even being on the bed.

iPhone

I know, I know, I know I said that I wouldn't do it. Spend that kind of money on a phone that is, BUT I did. AND I am lovin' every minute. BECAUSE it is really more than just a phone. It's an iPod, a palm pilot, a GPS, etc. etc. etc. all in one. Over the years, I have easily spent many, many times more on all the other gadgets this "phone" houses. Can you tell I am still trying to convince myself? The downside (and at first I almost returned it just because of this) I can't picture message anymore. Aw, shucks! I am definitely over that. Mark is love, love, lovin' his, too.

I Heart Target <3

What a deal. I mean, What. A. Steal! Mark and I went on a day date to Target. Pronounced Tar-jhay - we were on a "date" after all, and we might as well make it as exotic as possible, right? And this is what we found. We had been looking on and off for about a year for new furniture for the girl's room. And wait until you get a load of this...the nightstand was $74.99, the bookcase was $99.99, and the dresser was $16.99 yes I typed correctly Sixteen dollars and ninety-nine cents. Can you believe it? We even asked the cashier if the price was right, she rescanned the dresser and said, "yep that is what it's ringin' up." Thank goodness for being in the right place at the right time. Now task #1 is assembling the furniture, and task #2 is making it all fit. Where's Grandpa?????

On My Christmas List

While Mark and I were at Crate and Barrel the other day, we came across this simply delectable cookbook. I can't believe there is a book called Sticky, Chewy, Messy, Gooey and I don't have it in my collection? Are you joking? This is ridiculous! I am surprised I was able to put it back on the shelf once I got my hands on it! The only thing I can think of that would be better than this would be if they opened a bakery called Sticky, Chewy, Messy, Gooey in my neighborhood. I could really get on board with that.

Ebates

I wanted to tell you about Ebates, a shopping site that gives you up to 25% Cash Back every time you shop online. You can shop at over 900 stores including Barnes & Noble.com, Gap, Target, Buy.com and Expedia. Plus you get additional savings with exclusive coupons, free shipping offers, and limited-time sales! Sign up with Ebates today and we'll each get a $5 bonus when you make your first purchase! Click here to sign up -- Happy Shopping!

Mermaid Fun

My little mermaid SO needs this. Talk about the ultimate pool accessory. This would definitely be a huge hit for Jillian's birthday. She already thinks she is a mermaid - she will stretch herself across the living room floor with her legs together, toes pointed, and flutter as if she had a real mermaid tail. It was featured in this month's Cookie magazine, so I have been unable to find a website that has it in stock. If anyone else has any luck, let me know.

Baby carrier - carrier

Jennifer, this is the baby carrier strap I was telling you about on Sunday. Seriously, who thinks of this stuff? Is it really possible to have sooo much to do that you need to be hands free while walking from the store to your car without the worry or restraint of a car seat in your hands? My favorite part is the product description...

"Easy to carry and lightweight"

Is that the strap by itself? It must be because, alone the carriers are not lighter than air, and then to add a 10-22 pound baby. Ridiculous!

Heel-arious

So, I was looking online to find Karigan a pair of cute summer tennis shoes and look what I found. I would like to imagine my saucy princess as the proud owner of a pair of these Heelarious "high-heeled" crib shoes. But, oh my, these are - well - hilarious! I would seriously crack up if I spotted a little diva baby kicking it in her car seat wearing a pair of these.

If you had $47,000...

...would you buy this bed for your daughter (or yourself?) I do have to admit it is one pretty bed, but FORTY SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS. Who is spending this kind of money on their children? Probably the same people spending $1.3 million on sweet sixteen birthday parties. Absurd! Hey Grandpa, think you could whip up one of these bad boys?