found me a husband :)

I picked him up on Thursday afternoon!!!! He snuck up on me! He wasn't on the bus with the rest of his guys, so I was just standing there talking to my friend and all the sudden some guy's arms are wrapped around me from behind. Good for Amy, cause she didn't even bat an eye. I had no clue he was walking up. I thought everyone was going to mutiny because he got there ahead of everyone else. So we're having a happy reunion and they're all still waiting. Oops...

Anyway, I know I've been way not around, but I'll do better. Here in a few days :) In the meantime, here's a pic of our reunion. There were things in the background that aren't supposed to be photographed, so I cropped around our heads. It sucks, but I love this picture!

wild horses and rockin' plastic tubs

I'm trying to avoid eating. I really, really want some Froot Loops. Bad. They sound sooooo good. Ugh. Must stop talking and thinking about Froot Loops.

I got pretty much everything packed today. I have a shit ton of stuff. It's all sitting around in my rockin' matching plastic tubs. I look super duper organized. Pretty unsure about how I'm going to get it all in my car though...*sigh* Oh well. That's a problem for tomorrow.

You know what's really hard to pack?

Hangers. In retrospect, it wasn't a good plan to try to pack them. As my husband so kindly put it, "We can buy new hangers. Seriously. They're like 10 cents." Thanks for the observation, sweetheart. What he was thinking was, "Holy Mother Mary. What is wrong with this chick?? She's packing freaking hangers. Hangers! What did I do when I committed my life to her? I wonder if that's a reason to back out. Hanger packing. Hmm...sounds familiar. I'll have to look into that..." I really do feel bad for the kid though. I've been running around like a nutcase stressing about all this shit. He just keeps telling me to calm down and that I don't have to bring everything and that it'll all be ok. He's trying to be all Zen and I really just want to kick him in the shins real hard.

I had been packing for 4 hours straight and for some reason it seemed like a good idea to cram all my hangers into my suitcases. I have a lot of hangers. I then realized 2 things:

1. I didn't need to take my suitcases because we have like 8 at the apartment in Georgia and all my clothes are in rockin' matching plastic tubs. Basically I was going to transport 2 suitcases of hangers. I know. I'm an idiot.

2. I don't have room in my car for 2 suitcases full of hangers.

So I wrestled them back out. They were all tangled because I had zipped the suitcases partially closed and then just forcefully shoved them in. The whole thing probably took me 45 minutes. Such a waste.

I'm trying to pack only things I really need in like the next 2 months or so. After that I'll head back down to Texas for a few days and get whatever didn't fit the first time around. However, I have this strange compulsion with getting everything in one trip. We'll see how that goes, come loading time. I'm going to have to be really creative. Somehow, in my head, my car had a lot more cargo space than it did when I opened it up today. Oy vey.

Basically, I just want to throw everything out of a 12th story window and watch it crash to the ground. I have this fantasy of my rockin' matching plastic tubs bursting open and watching my clothes scatter everywhere. It would have to be in New York or something because there are a lot of people around watching and gasping in awe. There's even a soundtrack with an orchestra and when my stuff hits the ground there's like this huge crescendo with cymbals. Another fave is all my bins being lined up in front of a firing squad and then my crap exploding everywhere as they're riddled with bullets. There's a soundtrack for this one too. It starts with the song they play at the showdowns in the movies. There's also tumbleweeds involved. There's also the tried and true "trampled by wild horses" vision. Although this is usually one I reserve for people and not things. I'm making a special exception. This is where my mind goes...

Tomorrow is my last torturous packing day though. I'm on the road Monday morning. Then I get to unload all of it and find somewhere to put it. Oh goody. Maybe I'll just wait till TJ gets home and make him do it. "Here honey. Help me unload, unpack, and put away all my crap after your 18 hour, multiple flight trip. Missed you!" I really don't know precisely how long it takes to

get back from where he is. Although it feels like I should, since this is his 3rd trip. It's funny how you forget things like that. At the time it seems life changing as you count every hour. Now I can't even remember. Guess he's kind of old news at this point...Stop gasping and making tsk-tsk sounds. I'm kidding.

I was going to do a Spoonful, but the only words I can think of are stomp, packing, moving, kick, and cramps. You'd be surprised how little there is to work with when you type those things into the Etsy search window.

Well, after all that, I still want Froot Loops. Problem is, I kind of feel like I deserve them. Just like I felt like I deserved 812 Cheez-It's and that ice cream from Chick-Fil-A.

I'm going to do something mind-numbing and brainless. Have sweet dreams, everyone!

xoxo

p.s. The pictures represent about 1/3 of the stuff I'm hoping to fit into my car...Check back tomorrow, when I will go insane after attempting to load my car. It promises to be a good read.

real quick...

I have an article to write and more packing to do, but I just wanted to post this link so you can all go look at my feature in a really cool blog!! There's a giveaway too :)

http://otherhoodllc.blogspot.com/2009/08/tile-me-beautiful-review-giveaway.html

xoxo

lemon sugar sunshine

I know, I know. My titles are just getting downright stupid. I have this strange obsession with having something about sugar in them though. I can't help it. My fingers itch to type something less idiotic, but I can't do it.

Read a great blog post today...for any of you who buy bath and body stuff from sites like Etsy or Artfire, this is a must read. I never thought about the effects of essential oils on your body mostly because they're supposed to be "natural" and "natural" can't possibly be bad for you. It's natural, right?? Since I know absolutely nothing about all this stuff, this provided some really good information and made me stop and think.

I got absolutely nothing productive done today. However, I suppose that depends on who you ask. I got 3 perfect fitting bras. If you're a woman, you know what an accomplishment that is. I despise bras. I hate them so much that I hate spending money on them so I usually just get one that fits pretty ok from Target or something.

As we all know, the husband is coming home soon. It's been almost 6 months since I've seen him. So I decided I'd go to Victoria Secret and get something nice. I figured about $60 for a nice little set wouldn't kill me. So I go to the mall, pop into the store, browse a little, and head for the dressing room. I've never been into a dressing room at VS. I felt like a freaking rock star. It was a bit awkward at first since they measure and grope you, but it was oh so worth it.

So you walk up and they ask "what size bra you're wearing today". Not kidding. So I announced it in front of a roomful of strangers. The chick looked at me like I was crazy. Now, I'm not going to tell you my bra size. That borders on tacky. That's clearly info that only gets shared in the privacy of the VS fitting room. I will tell you that I was wearing a bra that was 2 sizes too big in the band and one cup size too small. Go figure. You know, you feel like a bleeding idiot when you find out how off you've been in that kind of thing. I mean, I'm 25. You'd think I'd know what size bra I wear.

Anyway, back to feeling like a rock star. The girl measured me and put me in a dressing room with my name on the outside on a little pink card. Then she starts bringing me all these bras in my size. Then she checks them all for the perfect fit. And I'll be danged if she wasn't absolutely right. It was like a rebirth for me. A bra that fit. I went insane. I got out of there for under $300...barely. I told TJ that I spent "kind of a lot of money". He didn't ask how much. He even actually said something along the lines of "oh that's fine". Funny how accommodating they are when you're buying VS lingerie.

Anyway, that was like the highlight of my year. If you've never been properly fitted (don't I sound fancy??), you should take care of that. It's a whole new outlook on life.

I'm sure you all feel very enlightened now. I'm getting sleepy and TJ will be calling to tuck me in soon, so I'm gonna do my Spoonful now. It's lemon-themed.

Metal Kitchen Sign with Lemons from In Him Designs, Summer Sunshine from Bagatelles & Co., Lemons Anyone from Faith Works 4 You, and Lemon Creme Body Sugar Cubes from Naiad.

I love, love, love this little sign! It makes me want to have a sunny yellow kitchen. At this point, I really just want my own kitchen. Soon. Soon. But I do have yellow dishes...I'm halfway there!

I don't know why I have this thing for lemons all the sudden. I'm so ready for autumn and winter, but I pick this bright summer yellow. I kinda want to carry this little clutch with a little black dress, but then I'm afraid I'd look like a bumble bee. But the purse is so stinking gorgeous. Not only do I adore the color, but the style is incredible. Very classy and elegant.

Is it just me or is this like the most precious little girl in the whole wide world? How cute is she in her little model pose with her big blue eyes and lemon dress?? The dress itself is darling too; with ruffled sleeves and a bow at the waist.

I love bath stuff. Especially salts and scrubs. This is a super cool scrub in cube form. And it smells like lemon creme! How yummy and decadent! I love lemon cookies. I'd smell like a lemon cookie all day. Then I'd be hungry all day. But I would smell delicious! And I'd be silky smooth.

And now I have to go downstairs and have some lemon cookies because all this lemon talk had given way to a craving. Not that it takes a whole lot to make me hungry.

Don't let the bed bugs bites!

xoxo

sugared rose petals

More packing today. Ugh. I'm getting there, slowly but surely. I'm starting to realize just how much crap I have all over this house though. I got out a big box and threw a bunch of it away today. Do I really need the last 5 1/2 months of People magazine? Noooooope. Gone. There was a lot of other stuff that just kind of had me shaking my head. At what point did I decide that some of this junk was worth keeping? Clearly it's not good enough to pack up and move.

Last night TJ called after I had taken my sleeping pill. Which, by the way, I find completely unfair. I agree to things that I would never agree to when not under the influence. Like, "So I'm going to get a whole new set of golf clubs, cool?" or "I was thinking we could get a gigantic flat screen TV instead of eating for the next 8 months. Does that sound like a plan?"

Mary knows what else he talks to me about. I've probably agreed to name my first child something stupid like Mickey (don't ask...). Anyway, when I woke up this morning, I seemed to remember him saying he bought me the first 3 seasons of 30 Rock. DVD's are incredibly cheap over there. He got Kylie like 500 cartoons for $40 or something. I also remembered him telling me we could go to Nashville when he got back.

Two very random things, but two true things. So I will now be caught up on all of my 30 Rock's and I will be headed to Nashville shortly! Does anyone know what we should do while we're there???

Tomorrow Jers has to get all her shots and I have to get my oil changed. That means I actually have to get up, get dressed, and put on make-up tomorrow. Gawd. I know I keep saying this, but I really don't know what I'm going to do when I have to get a job again.

Ok, ok I won't stall anymore. I know you're bored out of your mind and you're only reading this because you have a burning desire to know what the 4th and final universally flattering color is. That is, if you haven't already Googled it.

The 4th color is rose. Apparently it compliments the natural blush of all skin tones. Plus it makes you look way tan :)

Baie Rose Eyeshadow from Orglamix, Magnolia Pleated Bag from Sweetgum Handbags, Camille Necklace from Kande, and Florah Skirt from Stuff by Kate.

I wish I felt confident wearing eyeshadow. I feel retarded when I do. I just can't get used to it. I am in love with this gorgeous pink shade though. It's pink without being gaudy and the sparkle is just right. Might even make a girl change her mind about eyeshadow...

I love bags. We all know this. But I'm really loving all the pleated bags that are popping up lately. This one has some really pretty, yet casual fabric, but the pleats make it look fancy and sophisticated. I love the combo of those two and the simplicity of the design.

This necklace is to die for! The round piece used to be a buckle! How cool is that? I love the pearls too. So delicate and the perfect offset for the silver of the necklace.

I could never pull this skirt off. I don't have precious tan legs. But it's so fun and flirty and perfect for summer. I don't know why, but I keep seeing someone wear it to a baseball game with a little white tank. We'll never know why I think the things I do. I love the lace around the waistband!

Well, that wraps up my 4 universally flattering colors series. Kind of sad...I like having a little mini-theme to post about. I'd appreciate suggestions...Hope you enjoyed the info! Here's the link to the article where I got the info.

Have sweet, rose colored dreams!

xoxo

drops of teal sweetness

I hate moving. It just bites. I don't even actually have much of anything to move at this point and I still want to burn everything I own so I don't have to transport it. I got some space bags today to pack my winter stuff and jeans in. I'm only taking my car, so I have to be conservative with space. They work ok. Not as flat or fantastically small as I had hoped, but it'll still will take up about 50% of the room as it would have. I also got a bunch of those under the bed plastic organization boxes. I'm trying to do this as neatly and as organized as possible. This means all my stuff has to be in matching boxes. I'm not sure why that makes me feel more efficient, but it does.

But I got all of my closet (hanging clothes and shelved clothes) and all my jeans into 6 of the large bags. If you knew how many items of clothing I have, you'd be amazed. Vacuuming out the air was fun. Except I got a pillowcase caught in the vacuum and now my room smells like burning rubber. It's making me nauseous.

I need to get stuff done though. This week is going to be all packing, sorting, and loading. I'm leaving next Sunday or Monday probably. I can't believe how soon TJ will be home! I'm so stinking excited! I'm not excited about packing, driving 11 hours to Georgia, and having to unpack when I get there. Buuuuut it will be the last time for awhile hopefully.

I went to Target to get all my stuff today and when I got back TJ called and asked if I spent a fortune. So I asked what he considered a fortune. The conversation unfolded as follows...

TJ: Well, I'd say about $175.

Me: Oh, ok. Then no.

TJ: I know you spent more than $100 though. You have a $100 minimum at Target. (He then transitioned into his Michelle voice which is high and squeaky and not at all representative of the way I speak.) If I don't have $100 worth of stuff in my cart, I just start scraping packs of gum off the shelves.

Me: Whatever. I do not.

TJ: (Still in the Michelle voice) But I start at the purses. You can never have too many purses. If I don't find enough there, I head to the clothes. You always need more shirts. Next comes shoes and then housewares. If I get really desperate I'll buy something for my husband.

Me: You suck. Shut up. I'm never buying you anything ever again.

TJ: Aw baby. I'm actually really glad to have the Target addiction back.

Me: Could you say that again please? I need to turn on the tape recorder.

TJ: I said I'm just glad to have you back. And if the Target addiction comes with it, then that's fine.

Me: Nope. You said you loooooved the Target addiction. Said it gave you a reason to get up in the morning.

TJ: You can prove nothing.

Anyway, that was all random and really for no good reason other than that I love my husband and we have a blast together. Plus I'm getting all giddy to see him.

The 3rd color in the universally flattering color list is Indian teal. I wasn't really sure what the difference was between that and regular teal, but it seems that Indian teal is more blue and a little darker than the light greenish-blue-turquoise that I think of when I think teal. I tried to find things that were the right shade, but it's rather difficult. I think I did well though.

Teal Satin Flower Hair Pins from Nomsa , The Weekender from Kelly Hillis, Lolita Earrings from Rose Marie's Bijouterie, and Teal and White Peonies Tunic from Harrilu.

I know, I know. Again with the satin flower things. I can't help it. They're so gorgeous! And these were the perfect color teal. It was fate. They called to me.

I've been looking for a weekender bag for awhile now. I want something huge that I can put enough stuff in for a few days and not have to pack a suitcase. Since this was the perfect color teal too, I choose to think it was fate as well. I love that it zips close too!

Lolita is fun to say. It sounds saucy and sexy. Kind of like these earrings. How fun are they?? They make me want to have long dark hair and dance the salsa.

I love the tunic style shirts. They're kind of flattering on every shape. They're very forgiving and are baggy in all the right places. A universally flattering shirt in a universally flattering color...does it get better than that? No. It doesn't.

Well, TJ is getting irritated because I'm typing on here and not talking to him so I'm going to go before he pulls the Target addiction funding. This would be disastrous. We do not want that to happen.

xoxo

sweet red wine

I know you're all anxiously waiting to see what the next color on the universally flattering list is. In case you missed the title...it's "true red". Like red red. Fire engine, firecracker, cherry red. I'm way tired, so this is gonna be short and sweet.

The Spoonful...

Henrietta Bag from Sew Mo', Butterfly Corsage Jacket from Dark Pony Designs, Love is Red from T8 Designs, and EcoCollar from Greenbelts.

I'm loving this bag. It sold today after I had it picked out! I was too lazy to re-do my picture collage and I adore it, so it stayed. There are other colors, so go check them out!

I think this jacket is absolutely darling! The sleeves are the perfect length and the fit is sublime. The buttons are really cute too. Plus I love anything that's cropped like that too.

I don't usually like gold jewelry, but this bracelet is too cool. I love the multiple chains and the toggle clasp. I also love how the beads are randomly clustered. It has this messy, sexy look to it.

The last one is a little something for your doggie. I couldn't resist. They're eco-friendly and freaking adorable! It's fancy without being all prissy dog.

Sorry I'm so boring tonight. I picked some really good stuff to make up for it though!

xoxo