there may have many hairstyles, but one thing never changes

Whew....these are just SOME of the pictures I found from the last decade,

and while you will see that I have had many hairstyles/colors,

one thing will always remain the same....

Making faces for the camera makes me....me,

it makes me happy.

And I will never ever stop.

No matter how many times my sisters ask me to.

Anyway....

Happy New Years from all of me (in a non schizo way) to all of you!

© 2009 "Le Musings of Moi"

blah, blah, blah...and GLEE!!!! wheeeee!!!!

Woah, I can't even believe the year is over as of midnight tonight.

Insane.

Don't throw stones, but I kinda liked 2009.

First of all, it was my first full year without ANY anxiety.

Hallelujah Jesus.

And Lexapro.

{Gotta give credit where credit is due ya know?}

Although, I do wonder if perhaps it's time I try life without it....

hmmm....

Not to mention it was my first year of being in my 30's and I freaking loved it.

Love getting older.

Not looking older, mind you.

But being older.

I also finally faced some of my stuff, and got busy taking care of it.

{Still taking care of it.}

It certainly wasn't the easiest year ever, but overall I think I handled it well.

If I do say so myself...

Oh, and here's a big one.

2009 brought me Glee.

My soul mate of a tv show if there ever was one.

I die.

Love you madly Glee.

Forever and ever.

Amen.

I also made and fostered some incredible friendships....

like this girl here and here...and here.

Life is just that much better with them in my life,

AND

In 2010, I've heard there are GREAT chances I might get to see 2 of the three!!!

{Laceyloowho, you better jump on the bandwagon!}

Speaking of Twenty Ten....

Kinda excited about that as well.

Big Plans!

~Getting my tattoo Jan 30, of which I have already placed a deposit on so there will be NO backing out.

{Oh my word!}

And it may look a little something like this,

{My branch of words instead saying: He will bring beauty from my pain.}

with a little bit of this...

{birds for my passed away dad & grandparents...miss them always}

With added flowers, two, one for each of my beauties.

somewhere around this area....

{Kinda wondering though if I will switch to just one shoulder....}

{all 3 images via}

Ahhhh!!!!

The pain!

The beauty.

Get it?

Beauty from Pain?

N.E.WAYS.

~Going on vacay to Miami with my man...without kids!

What what?

I can't wait to bust out Miami fashion over there!!!

{What is Miami fashion, besides BIG boobs? Cause of that, I have none.}

~Another trip home to see my sissies and nieces and nephew.

Highlight of my summer fo sho.

~Move?

Kinda tired of these apartments.

Maybe we need to buy again.

We'll see.

~Send my oldest off to KINDERGARTEN!!!

SHUT UP!!!

That is just INSANE!

Yet, as sad as I may be....I will be equally as happy, because silence is golden.

And that's about all I have planned, the rest....

I'll take as it comes.

I massively hope I continue to grow and bond with you guys,

because every year that comes and goes,

that is always always one of my greatest highlights.

So, much much love to ya'll,

each and every one....

and yes, even to you...

wink wink.

Have an Ah-Mazing New Years Eve!!!

© 2009 "Le Musings of Moi"

breath of fresh air

{via}

That's how I feel about the New Year.

Every year, I get a little more than giddy about the changes a new year can bring.

It all kinda starts right around my birthday.

A new age bringing in a new year.

And it just feels kinda amazing.

I know a lot of people think it's overrated and all that jazz, but I just can't help but feel delight and hope and excitement.

It was after all, the new year that I decided my old way of life was not working for me, and I decided moving to California was just the change I needed....

And just look at me now.

{ha.}

So this year is no different.

I've already begun thinking, making my list, praying over it, pondering and.....

well, you get the idea.

Jimmy's working on his own list, and we're gonna meet together on New Years Eve and go over them all together.

Then, I'm thinking we're gonna frame them or stick em on the fridge...

stick em on the fridge, on the fridge, on the fridge....

{extra points for guessing the song}

so that we'll constantly be reminded.

Here's a sneak peek at mine:

~No more TV at nights for the WHOLE DANG FAMILY!

We need more intentional time around here.

Things are abouts to get done round here, shoooot.

~I need to read more. One book a month is the new goal.

With the no t.v. thing, this should be easily attained!

{Already getting started on The Alchemist...amazing.}

~Family devotions every night.

Especially with Taylor heading into Kindergarten and out of his private christian preschool.

~Become better at thank you cards.

I don't know that I remembered to send a single one all year.

Lame.

~Blog differently, but better.

You may not notice, but my heart will.

~Drink less soda.

I'm bouts to explode from the carbonation.

~~~~~~~

So whatchoogot?

Tell me all the dirty deets...I wanna hear and be inspired.

Inspire me.

© 2009 "Le Musings of Moi"

where do you bare your soul?

via

My journal is my safe place. It holds everything I am. Everything that is truly me.

When I don't feel safe anywhere else, my journal is there.

A blank page waiting for me. Never judging. Never expecting. Simply there.

And when I need to let it all go and just breathe.

I am there.

And when I need to figure out the jumbles of my mind.

I am there.

I never hold back. Never try to be something or someone I'm not.

The years of journals now fill a chest.

There is a chest full of me.

And it absolutely blows me away.

So much of my life could have been forgotten.

And maybe at times, I wish it had been.

But, it's there.

My words.

My heart.

Me.

While I love this little world I've created here on Le Musings....

I have to be honest, it is not nearly as pure.

Because I know it's not completely safe.

Nothing will replace my journal....and I pray the day my kids are able to put their own thoughts into words, I can pass on the gift to them as well.

What about you?

Where do you bare your soul?

What gives you that sense of freedom?

© 2009 "Le Musings of Moi"

monday muse fashion post: new years eve fashion!

Welcome back my loves!!!

Woooooahhhhh, my tummy is fuuuu-ullll. Can I just tell you I ate waaaay too much over the last four days and now I have some serious resolutions to get to?!? I mean, P90X and I are about to get really familiar starting today.

Anyway, all that just to say, I am not taking outfit pics because um, I'm bloated.

Seriously.

I know, I have issues.

Whatev.

So instead, I went to good ol' Polyvore and put together an outfit of what I WISH I was would wear should I ever decide to go out again on New Years Eve.

Last year I was recovering from surgery....this year I'm recovering from overeating.

Kinda the same, right?

New Years by lemusingsofmoi featuring Dorothy Perkins shoes

I'm so into pink lips these days, and I'm more than a little obsessed with that gray dress.

Why oh why must it be so insanely expensive, and who wants to make/recreate it for me for a fraction of the price?

Takers?

And did you see that ring??? The fabulousness!!!

Ooooh, and the clutch. Oh, that sweet lil clutch that just ties it all together.

Mmmmmm.....

Fashion is yummy.

I just LOOOOVE New Years. The entire week I am giddy and excited and in love with the hope and excitment of a new year.

But more on that in another post.

Gotta keep you coming back.

You will come back right?

Mwa.

© 2009 "Le Musings of Moi"

our break up....

Okay....last day of "The Best Of..." and then I'm going to back to good ol' regular posts. =)

This one was funny....because when people saw the title, they immediately thought Jimmy and I were breaking up....

~~~~~~

I hate breaking up. Someone always gets hurt.

I thought when I got married, I would never have to feel the pain of being left again. (My husband is much too smart to ever leave me, you see.)

But, I was wrong.

My heart is about to break, because I'm getting ready to go through yet another break up. And. I. Just. Can't. Say. Goodbye.

When I said here, that my longest relationship to date is my marriage to Jimmy....I lied. But, it was an accidental lie. You see, I've been in denial. I. Just. Can't. Say. Goodbye.

It's time you knew. There is someone else.

Her name...

{yes, I said her.}

Her name is Aviva. And she is my hair therapist. And she is leaving me.

It was between me and love in San Fran....and apparently, love won out.

Aviva and I have been together for close to ten years. We been through boyfriends, job changes, career changes, marriages, babies, anxiety....you name it and we have been through it together.

We've also been through lots of hair changes. Red, black, red and blonde, black and red, blonde one shade, blonde another shade. Short hair, medium hair, layered hair, bangs, no bangs, long hair, pregnant hair, after pregnancy hair, and more recently....gray hair.

Wherever Aviva goes, there I have gone too. From this salon to that salon, I have followed. And when she was inbetween salons, my dear girl came to my house, put foil in my hair in the backyard and then stood barefoot in my tub to wash out the color.

She has been dedicated. She has put up with my demands. She knows me, my hair, my heart, my issues....woah, the issues, and yet she still let me come back every 6-8 weeks to sit in her chair.

And now she's leaving.

My hair is scared. Who will understand the way it likes the blonde to begin at the root? Who will know that striped highlights aren't it's thing? Who will know the difference between a bob and a short cut? Who will know the difference between being blonde and the other kind of being blonde?

More importantly, who will listen to my stuff and get it? Who will be right there with me when I need to laugh, or cry, or go deep. Who will talk endlessly about writing, books and anxiety, and just....get it and all the while they are making me beautiful at the same time? Who has that talent other than Aviva?

So, you see why I've been hesitant to talk about this. About her. But, with it being only 6-8 weeks away, I think it's time to pay her the tribute she deserves.

Thanks Aviva. For getting me through Beauty School Apprenticing, for taking me from blonde to black to blonde again, for helping me overcome wedding day jitters, for rushing me in so I could have cute hair for the birth of my babies...for helping me breathe through an almost panic attack in your chair, for getting deep and personal about God and Jesus, for laughing with me...for encouraging me...

You are so much more than my hair therapist, you're a special friend and I and my hair will miss you. {And should I get rich, I will so be flying you in every 6-8 weeks! So, be ready.}

© 2009 "Le Musings of Moi"

Fear & Courage

Merry Christmas!!!

I hope you guys all had an amazing OOC day.

Ours was incredible.

Better than we could have ever expected, and what truly made it that way, was our time with family.

And trust me....some of our family background....mmmm....well, um....no words.

I'll just say, we had low expectations for part of it, and we ended up being blown away in the end.

Good ol' hope. Bites ya in the butt every time. And we are renewed by it once again.

I also may have shed a tear when I heard Taylor share with his Papa that this was the best Christmas he has ever had.

And he meant it.

My sweet love.

Anyway....now I have a pile o'stuff to go through, a home to clean...and a dead tree to dispose of....(dumpster at midnight?)

so in the meantime, enjoy another one of my favorites.

~~~~~~~

Sometimes it's good for me to go back and read again something I wrote....because usually it's something God is trying to teach me again.

And again.

And again.

This is one of those posts:

~~~~~~~

'Fears simply reveal where we have yet to grow. And each time we fight and win, that fear turns to courage.'

~mike quinn

Fears are never easy to live with. They're even harder to face. And overcoming them takes courage in itself.

I've never been a fearful person.

I loved change, loved the unknown, loved adventures.

I was fearless, young, unafraid.

And so, ten years ago, I bravely packed my car and left for California, without a plan.

No friends, no job, no life. Yet, I knew it was to be my home. I had no fear.

As the years moved forward, taking my maturity with it, I began to learn.

Life began to happen.

Pain multiplied.

It became something real, not just something internal I chose to torture myself with. It was tangible.

It was there.

There became something to lose.

I fell in love. With a man, with my babies, with my life.

I now had something, someones, to lose.

And when life began to happen to me, seeing that it reached out beyond me, I found fear.

Life brought me anxiety. Anxiety brought me fear.

Yet I vowed. I would not be held captive.

I would fight. For me, for my loves.

I find many things that remind me of that time. That time of life was not kind.

And when I face them, I want to run. I want to hide, because what if?

What if I don't conquer?

What if I lose?

What if, once again, it is not just me who will hurt?

Fears simply reveal where we have yet to grow. And each time we fight and win, that fear turns to courage.

And then I remember that truth. I must press forward, face the fear, and walk away armored with growth and courage.

Slowly, I feel the freedom. Hesitantly I face the reminders. There remains just one more.

In time, in short time, I will be face to face with the final hurdle.

But I won't run. I won't hide.

I won't allow in that fear that wants to grip my thoughts and mind.

For again, I now have something to lose. But even more to gain.

My loves.

Because from me, they will learn. From me, they will grow.

As long as I continue to face the fear.

© 2009 "Le Musings of Moi"

Calling all Crazies!

Another one of my personal faves....and especially fitting for the holidays, in which we'll most likely be spending lots of time with the crazies...a.k.a family.

~~~~~~~

What's your crazy?

One thing I'm starting to figure out is that there isn't such a thing as normal. I'm realizing everybody has some sort of crazy going on, and we're all just one link of crazy away from each other.

10 degrees of craziness if you will.

It's no secret here that I've been blessed with the genes that bring about anxiety and at times, depression. From what I know, and have seen, it runs on both sides of my family. Some took and take meds, some don't. Either way, knowing that I'm not alone in it....somehow makes me feel better.

And then I look outside my family....my friends, their friends, other bloggers, people I know and people they know....and I hear their stories. I pay attention to their lives. I listen. I watch. And I feel a little bit more settled.

It's not that I feel better than. Are you kidding me? Have you read this blog?!?

It's that I feel comfort. Comfort in the surrounding crazy.

You may have a hint of OCD or ADD.

You might count calories too often or stand on the scale more than weekly.

You may know the horrors of anxiety or the darkness of depression.

You may have boundary issues or enabling habits.

You might enjoy the drinky drink or the smokey smoke a little too much.

You may be obsessed with greener pastures or stuck in the past.

You might eat to feed the pain, or throw it up to lessen the burden.

Perhaps you spend more than you have, or are tighter than need be.

Maybe you have control issues, or low self esteem.

The list goes on and on. And if I were to keep going, I'm sure eventually I would hit on something you feel familiar with.

We're all broken. We're all crazy. Not a one of us has it down, not a one of us is better than.

Which is exactly why I love those who are open books. Those that share the pain, the humor, and the truth by being real.

While I spent a better part of my life wishing I was more "normal," I'm starting to see that would only mean I didn't really exist. I'm here, I'm different, and I'm just that much closer to being like you.

So tell me, what's your crazy?

© 2009 "Le Musings of Moi"

Where oh where is Broadway?

Seriously, every day...several times a day,

I think of moments where a song and dance would fit in just fabulously.

If only my life really was a musical....

~~~~~~~

My life as a musical

I love musicals.

Love them like a piece of chocolate cake with fudge icing. When I sit in a theatre, or in front of a movie screen, and life is put to song and dance, I feel giddy like a teenager with her first crush.

You know how t.v. shows always begin with a theme song, and then with each cast member their names are shown and the camera closes in on catching them in a frivolous act, and suddenly they stop and smile? So, when I was little, I thought maybe, just maybe there was a t.v. show about my life somewhere in the world, so every once in awhile I would stop and smile. At the invisible camera catching me while I brushed my teeth.

Even at a young age, I knew, life should always happen to a song.

As an adult, not much has changed. I mean, I do now know that I am not part of a secret tv show being filmed, but I do still think my life should not be without a song and dance attached.

My husband has learned this about me, and has even begun to submit to my ways.

For example....I'm trying to decide what to eat for dinner. I begin to hum a little diddy...

"I'm so hungry...oh so hungry....life is so hard when I don't know what to eat....

What, oh what should I be eating? I'm so hungry, life is hard..."

And then if I'm really into the moment, jazz hands get thrown in, and I sing it in falsetto and hope Jimmy will join in. It took some time, but now he does. Although, in case his friends are reading...not really. But really, he does.

"I don't know Summer, I don't know Summer, I don't know what tell you to eat. Please relax though, just relax though, life is hard when you are hungry..."

Whatever, it's weird. I know.

But, since I don't have Broadway knocking on my door, I have to use my talent somehow.

Another way I make my life a musical is in the car, where I keep my collection of broadway show tunes. When I pop Chicago in the player, I become Roxy Hart. And I am not kidding. I am really Roxy Hart. I've even had people pull up next to me and mouth, "Roxy? Is that you?"

And I shake my head in complete modesty, and say, "No no, but your not the first to make that mistake."

One last way I make life a musical in in the moments that call for a well known song. You know where somebody unknowingly says a line like, "Please, don't go." And you can't help (by you I mean me) but belt out, "Please don't go girrrrrllllll...."

Ya, so I'm not quite sure where I'm going with this other than I thought why not share some totally and utterly weird and embarrasing about myself.

So, there you go. Mock me...just make sure to do it in song.

© 2009 "Le Musings of Moi"

Unfulfilled

This is by far one of my most special posts to date. Because not only was it my heart....but it reached someone else's. And when that person called me in tears, because something I wrote had touched her....I was humbled. And in awe of how God can work.

~~~~~~

A void beckoned within.

A soul mate. A love. A piece of my puzzle missing, and so the search began.

What I never expected or deserved was handed from above. Contentment. Love.

And yet, I remained incomplete.

Years later, the tears would fall. A longing. A familiar void.

Incomplete?

Babies. The answer would be babies.

With watered eyes, I shared such revelations with Jimmy. Together we held hands and took in the moment. The moment of finding completion. My tears of sadness turned to tears of hope.

A month went by and I became pregnant. 9 long months later, my beautiful son was born. I felt amazing. I had purpose. My baby.

Time continued to pass as the seasons changed, and yet I remained the same. Purposeless. Filled with a void. A longing.

Incomplete.

I had my soul mate. I had my baby. What could be missing?

And so I searched and searched. I cried and cried. Then I waited and waited.

Still nothing, and the void became all encompassing.

My self, my soul, my smile and heart....were lost to the search. The quest. The hopelessness.

A bigger house, a higher raise, a nicer car....another baby.

And still. I remained. Unfulfilled.

As a secret is whispered softly from ones lips to anothers ears, the truth recently became mine. My eyelids heavily came to a close. A breath escaped from my soul.

It was not outside of me. It was not even within my physical or emotional grasp.

Yet I felt it, I heard it. Beyond and inside. All encompassing. Lifting me up, beckoning me on. Right there, right here.

Standing still. I knew.

The void still existing...yet subsiding one breath at a time.

Nothing physical could make it dissipate.

So I give my heart, my soul, my life...all that is within and all that is external...and the moment I do,

His breath replaces mine.

Not lost, not without hope, not without purpose. Not unfulfilled. Created for a purpose.

One breath at a time, I draw nearer toward becoming perfectly complete.

© 2009 "Le Musings of Moi"

Best of...

This week, you're getting a Best of....

Because it's Christmas week, and I have to be present in life. =)

This one was a bit recent but still fresh in my heart. Drama has a way of doing that.

~~~~~~~

Saying Goodbye to my Boo

My mom was right. I couldn't pass up a chance to write about the following experience. It's real life yo. It's relatable. So listen up.

I had quite the traumatic day yesterday. It was heartbreaking, tormenting, and downright brutal.

I had to say goodbye to my boo.

See that band-aid I'm sporting on my neck? That's my boo boo. Because I lost my boo.

My beauty mark that has always been there. I often likened it to Cindy Crawfords mole.

You know, I felt a kinship with her because of it.

But now I am more in the camp of Sarah Jessica Parker. Because it's gone. Gone, gone, gone. And I didn't even have a chance to say goodbye.

So, I went into the Derm's office with Chloe so that they could check out some freckles on the two of us. I should have known by the cotton mouth and shakes I got in the waiting room that nothing good was to come of this visit.

While I was sitting on the exam table, I mentioned that oh maybe one day in the far far future we could possibly maybe talk about having my boo removed. You know, since Chloe seems to think it's her own personal play toy these days.

And then before I could say 'I hate needles," she whips one out and gives me a shot and suddenly the blood that belonged in my brain went to my toes, and I saw my life flash in front of my eyes.

The life I had with my mole.

My sweet sweet trademark mole.

And while it didn't hurt, and I didn't see the needle, what happened next may have you to believe otherwise.

I almost passed out.

And they had to take my crying baby (who by the way, was crying because we are one like that. She was in tune with my loss you see.) away from me and then instantly put back my head and raised up my legs.

There I was with my paper shirt (opened in the back) and my paper skirt tucked into my grannies, lying back trying to magically change my skin coloring back from green to California tan.

It was all such a blur. And honestly, I had no time to think. No time to ponder the loss I was about to experience.

But, my body knew. Oh yes, my body knew.

It knew it was about to lose a valuable member and it was not letting go without a fight. As I laid there, I realized that this was symbolic. I had this epiphany on my weekend getaway. I am making some changes in my life. And a moleless neck was a symbol of starting over.

I was a new woman.

A new woman who still felt like she was going to pass out.

But, being the amazing actress that I am, I decided to man up. So I got myself together, took my baby back in my arms and asked what was next.

Momma all better.

Only next it was Chloe's turn. It was time to lay her naked baby body on the table and hold her arms while these beasts dug into her stomach to biopsy a freckle and then of all the nerve, STITCH IT BACK UP!

For the love of God.

My poor sweet innocent baby.

And while I stood for a minute, I remembered that the two of us were one and that as she hadcried for me, this time I also was feeling her pain. I quickly realized that my acting abilities couldn't compete with the lack of blood in my brain, and I noticed my toes were feeling unusually warm again.

So, slyly I rolled over the doctors stool and sat my by paper covered bootie down and laid my bloodless head next to Chloe's screaming red head.

Oh the SCREAMING!

Not the I'm in pain screaming, but the I'M SO SCARED AND I'M AFRAID FOR MY LIFE, MY GOD MOM, WHY ARE YOU ALLOWING THEM TO DO THIS TO ME kind of screaming.

And then I got hot all over, and I couldn't shed the paper shirt fast enough, and the green once again replaced my tan, and I began to slump.

Once again, they took my baby and I was once again placed on the table with my feet in the air and my head tilted back, and this time, I even got a Capri Sun fed to me by straw.

I'm telling you. Two moles removed was complete drama.

DRAMA.

So, as you can see I lived to tell. But, barely. Just. Barely.

And now I'm boo-less. In it's place is a boo boo. And Chloe has one too. But we're strong. We'll pull through.

Until two weeks from now when we have to go back and have her stitches removed.

I think I'll prep my xanax for that one.

Can you say scaredy cat?

© 2009 "Le Musings of Moi"

I know people

I know some amazing people....and I feel selfish keeping them all to myself.

So, if you've never met them or heard of them, go pay a visit. And make sure to tell them I said hi.

~~~~~~~

Marit of Complete

My sweet Marit....who should have been my BFF in High School, and yet we weren't. Because we were girls. And girls in High School aren't always the best at choosing friends. Thankfully, we have found each other again, and I'm ever so thankful to have her in my life. She's an amazing friend, an inspiring person, and a powerful writer. You will not leave her blog without feeling a spark of hope.

~~~~~~~

Heather of Mindless Junque

My sista from another mista....my sounding board....my everything. Seriously, she is amazing and sweet and wise and so freaking cute. Have you seen her "In the Closet" series? If not, you must. You. Will. Die.

~~~~~~~

Mag of Carpe Diem

Okay, so I don't know know Mag, but I know her and she totally knows me. I started out loving her because her comments were always so bare and true and honest....and they drew me in. I started reading her blog and quickly fell even more in love. She is who she is, and that's why she's one of my favorites.

~~~~~~~

Molly of Stilletto's & Diapers

Molly....awwwww, sweet, adorable, fashionable, devoted Molly. Whom I adore. While she absolutely lives in the WRONG part of Cali, one of these days I just know I'll get her to come down to the sunny side. You will love her honesty, her fashion, her freaking adorable family just as much as I do. Promise.

~~~~~~~

I simply adore each and every one of those girls, and every single day I am inspired and absolutely a better person for knowing them and having them in my life.

So, here's the truth. I know A LOT of people.

I'm kind of important. People know me. (come on, what movie???)

So, I can't very well fit them all into this post. But if you read here, here, or here....you will get to know some others I've written about in the past.

Enjoy loves.

© 2009 "Le Musings of Moi"

The truth about playgroups

Another article written by Betsy and me....Enjoy.

~~~~~~~

Let me just start by saying that there's nothing wrong with playgroups. Really. They are awesome and necessary and well loved by many moms. Unfortunately, the "organized" ones weren't quite my cup o' tea.

To be fair, I haven't been to very many groups. Actually, I've only been to two. But both of them made me feel very un-motherly. And I make myself feel that way just fine already, so I really don't need any encouragement from others.

I think in order to fix the issues we're having with these "organized" playgroups, we need to require that all playgroups have names that describe exactly what they're about (or not about). Too many of them just go by the name of the area they're in, like "Carmel Mountain Mommies." It's misleading.

For example, one of the playgroups I attended should have been named "Scrapbook or Bust." These moms were very into their crafty ways. Let me again say that's totally cool. More power to those of you who find love and freedom in your craft. It's just that I would much rather pay you to do mine than sit and do it myself. After all, I have my own addictions to feed...like gossip magazines and blogging.

The other playgroup I tried out was a bit more stuffy than I'd like to think myself to be.

I mean, I may not be high class, but I'm sure I do have some class.

Unfortunately, the other moms didn't seem to think so when I showed up for the "Mommy's Night Out" with doughnuts in hand. I heard snickers and snide remarks:

"Oh, my, who brought doughnuts?"

And, "Are you kidding me, are those really doughnuts?"

To which I replied, "What?!? Mama needed some doughnuts! Why you gotta diss? Shooot . . ." (And by "replied," I mean, of course, that I thought it in my head! Come on now, I said I have some class!!!)

So, you see, if they had just named their playgroup "Moms That Are Too Good for Doughnuts," I never would have found myself in that situation to begin with.

Because I could never be part of a group that didn't embrace fried bread and frosting.

Oh, and that same playgroup, the "I Hate Doughnuts" one? They have a message board that I used from time to time. I officially knew it wasn't the group for me when I posted a message asking which BPA free bottles would be best to use.

And instead of help, I got a backlash of whisper and chatter:

"Who is that girl asking about bottles? Ugh, I just wanted to respond, 'Doesn't she know that Breast Is Best?'"

(I have an insider in the group, so I know these things!)

I mean, come on now! At least I was asking about BPA FREE bottles!

Don't I get some credit for that?

Anyway, I've decided that I just need to start my own playgroup. After all, it's a requirement that seems to go with motherhood (along with breastfeeding). You simply must be affiliated with a playgroup. It's the unspoken word on the street.

So I'll call mine:

"Moms who pay scrapbookers to scrapbook for them, who love to read and gossip about celebrities, who don't want to talk about their kids when they're with other adults, who could care less who breastfeeds or formula feeds, who wouldn't mind having a glass of wine at playgroup, and who want to pair that wine with a nice big ol' doughnut."

That's the playgroup I'm looking for!

Fellow Mamas, are you in?

~~~~~~~

{to read the entire article, including Betsy's HILARIOUS part, click here!}

© 2009 "Le Musings of Moi"

Fashion Friday: 19 weeks of Fashion

I'm sure most of you understand that this time of the year is lit-er-ally INSANE.

Oh my freaking word.

So, because of said insanity, taking pictures of cute outfits is just not in the cards.

Not this week anyway.

And next week is Christmas....

And while I'd like to think you will all be running to your computers on Christmas Day

"to see what Summer's wearing....,"

my mom has brought me up to believe that things really aren't all about me.

Not even Christmas.

{whhhhhaaaaat????}

So, I've decided to break it down.

My year in fashion, if you will.

This week you get my first(ish) 19 weeks of fashion...19 because that's all I had time for.

It equals out to about the first 6 months....

So go on....take a trip down memory lane with me, wontcha?

1 ~ Not sure this ever made it on the blog, but it was a practice shot, back when I thinking of starting Fashion Friday's.

2-3 ~ My first attempt at actually doing a Fashion Post.

4-6 ~ First official Fashion Friday.

7 ~ The ONLY time I ever wore these boots.

8 ~ Love these Pink Steve Maddens....and that top from My Thrift Store! Ugh...total cute comfy cashz.

9 ~ Pairing blue with red, and not even for the 4th of July.

10 ~ Definitely one of my top favorite dresses I own. Hides everything yet so stinkin cute.

11 ~ This jacket is my everything in the winter. I feel like I'm wearing a sweatshirt...and clearly, I'm not.

My. Everything.

12 ~ An attempt at boots with cutoffs like I had seen Tori Spelling sport on her show....

13-14 ~ Showing off My Thrift Store finds.

15 ~ I was super excited about this polka dot jacket....and still in love with that red top.

TJ Maxx is the most fab.

16-16.5 ~ Not being a DIY yourself kind of girl, I gave Maegan's top a try.

17 ~ Loving the boots so much I bust em out even in summer.

18 ~ Am I a fan of the skinnies?

19 ~ This outfit went back the next day. The dress anyway....I just felt too old. Lame.

Woah, that was a lot more work than I was hoping to do....all that linking up.

And those aren't even all of the outfits for the first 6 months!

I left a few out....but feel free to use that search box over on the right and google your heart out for more Fashion Fridays outfits.

And now, I'm going to get back to my cozy sweats and watch The Real Housewives.

Man, this time of the year is stressful.

;-)

© 2009 "Le Musings of Moi"

Resolution 1: Turn your Blah Home into your Dream Home

As I've always said, I have the best sponsors....

Not just because they choose to advertise on my blog, but because each and every one of them, I have really fallen in love with either their products or services, and I'm always excited to share them with you guys.

{And if I thought for a minute you wouldn't dig them, um, you wouldn't hear about them. Duh. It's always about you guys in the end. Mwa.}

So with the New Year coming up, and resolutions along with it, why not check in with a few to the left, to the left....

Today we'll focus on New Years Resolution #1:

Turning your Blah Home into your Dream Home.

What do you know? DHB Designs can do just that!

Donna is Ahhhh-Mazing, seriously, and have I ever lied to you before?

No, I haven't. For the record.

Here's what I love about Donna and DHB Designs. She can decorate your room/home from the comforts of her computer. So no need to worry if you're not in her hood.

Here are just a couple of her services to pique your interest:

Mini BLUEPRINT:

What is a mini BLUEPRINT?

The mini BLUEPRINT is E-decorating at its best! With the mini BLUEPRINT you will receive a custom design concept based on your needs and wants! No cookie cutter design work here! Just a fresh take on your room and what you dream for it to be!

What do you receive with a mini BLUEPRINT?

With a mini BLUEPRINT, you will receive a custom design concept for the room of your choice which includes:

a detailed floorplan including furniture, flooring, and accessories

2 to 3 inspiration boards showing details of the room including fabric, furniture, wallcovering, paint, accessories, etc...

a detailed explanation of how to put the room together

a shopping list for all the items included in your design concept with recommended sources and pricing

How it works!

Email your room selection to info@dhbdesignstudio.com labeled with "mini BLUEPRINT". You will then recieve a Paypal invoice along with the CLIENT PROFILE SHEET. Make your payment and complete the CLIENT PROFILE SHEET which includes a questionaire, instructions on measuring your room, and details on emailing photographs of the room itself. Once completed, email it to info@dhbdesignstudio.com. We will send you a confirmation email along with any questions we have regarding your project. Within two weeks, you will receive your mini BLUEPRINT one of two ways: in JPEG files to the email address of your choice or we can mail you a pretty little disc with the files at a flat cost of $10.00. Either way, they are yours to keep!

Want something a little more in depth? More detailed? Then try her BLUEPRINT:

What do you get with BLUEPRINT?

For each space designed, a linen wrapped binder which includes:

A custom floor plan that will show furniture layouts, lighting, accessories, etc…drawn to scale.

Color renderings that will show the finished look of the room.

Design concept boards – color images and magazine pictures that will show the overall feel of the space.

Choices for the room - including fabric materials, samples of wallpaper, paint, flooring, tiles samples, and hardware specs - all neatly packaged in a string envelope!

A detailed shopping list of resources to complete the look of your room.

A detailed explanation of how to implement the design concept provided.

The beauty of this concept is that it allows the client a final vision of their dream room, which they can then implement as their budget or time allows. To view a BLUEPRINT presentation go to the PORTFOLIO

How BLUEPRINT works

The first step is to complete a Client Profile. This is done by using the client profile sheet, a method used to help get the client zoned in on what they desire their space to be. This will enable us to assess the client’s wants, needs, taste, style, etc… Along with this information, we will need digital photos of the room itself. The last step is to send dimensions (measurements) of the room. Once we have this information in hand, we can begin determining the client’s design direction. Each client will receive a consult by email regarding color concept or one major design piece for the room before moving forward with the completion of the project. Approximately 3 to 4 weeks after the client submits their Client Profile, they will receive their BLUEPRINT presentation by mail.

Inspired?

I know, me too.

That's why she one of my favorite sponsors.

© 2009 "Le Musings of Moi"

i have small mmm-mmm's and i cannot lie.

It's true.

And it's time I voice the truth. I have small mmm-mmm's, and I am proud.

{We're going with the term "mmm-mmm's," so that google doesn't send the sicko's over here. Plus, I don't want to stumble any guys with my mmm-mmm talk.}

You see, I've been on both sides of the fence. I've been a C for most of my adult life. And it was fun, I guess. Didn't think much of it.

Oh ya, I took those babies for granted.

As well as my ability to eat cereal and shells and cheese every day without gaining weight....but that's neither here nor there.

Then I got pregnant, and woah mama!!!

I'm not even sure you can call what I had mmm-mmm's.

More like, Melons.

Or Jumbowumbo's.

Or MMM-MMM'S!!!

But whatever you called them, they were large and in charge, and I was not a fan.

At one point after I had Chloe, I was super engorged and while trying to dry up, I sent Jimmy to buy the largest cabbage he could find.

{Cabbage leaves are supposed to help with drying up.}

I took the biggest leaf, set it atop one of my um, mmm's, and what do you know?

It only covered half.

I'm not kidding you people.

It was a sight to be seen.

Or not, because I'm not that kind of girl.

And then God said, ha ha. You had your fun, now I'm going to take ALL of them away.

And He did.

And now I have no mmm-mmm's. In fact, a better term would be skin flaps.

{All of my ex's out there reading this, contain your jealousy, please. I'm a married woman now.}

Oh God, you so funny.

Okay, so I wouldn't mind so much if they were, um, perkier...but, I actually have to admit, I think small is more my style.

So, there you have it.

I'm with the ittybittymmm-mmm crowd and I'm proud.

Who's with me?

SoCal?

L.A.?

hello? anyone? hello?

© 2009 "Le Musings of Moi"

another thing i love....

But you have to go to Chic Shoppers to see it!

{Hint...it has something to do with my tattoo}

Mwa!

© 2009 "Le Musings of Moi"

things i love

It's been awhile since I've done a Things I Love post....

I guess I just needed time to find more love.

For things.

As opposed to the love I have for you.

Which is limitless and needs no time for finding.

Ahem.

So, here's what I'm in freaking love with these days:

1. Jergens Natural Glow Foaming Moisturizer

Doesn't have that icky smell (much) and dries supa fast.

2. Kat Von D Lipstick

Creamy and lovely, and stays on all the live long day. Not even kidding, either. I tried it on at Sephora, wore it through the day and through dinner and it was STILL on!

And it doesn't dry or stain the lips either.

It is shutting it down lipstick style.

3. Galeos Cesar Dressing

All natural, healthy and low cal. 14 calories per serving which is 2 tablespoons. And 1 gram of fat and like, no sodium. And it tastes amazing. Check their website to see where you can find it.

4. Hard Candy Makeup

Imagine my surprise when I saw this stuff at Walmart, when it had previously been in stores like Nordstrom! I spent a good hour checking it all out, picked a coupla things, and fell in love when I got home. Walmart....you're stepping it up.

5. Zevia

An all natural soda sweetened with Stevia. While it took a day or two to get used to it, I am now thoroughly in love. Not as much with the price however. But, I'm giving it a shot. We'll see how long I last without Diet Soda.

And there you have it, my five latest loves.

Besides you.

Duh.

© 2009 "Le Musings of Moi"

monday muse fashion post

{Not sure, but it seemed like a good idea at the time....}

Le Outfit:

Dress: XXI {F21} Purchased that day!

Tights: Costco

OTK Boots: Charlotte Russe

Necklace: Etsy

Ring: Tiffany

Bracelets: Twister Silver & F21

Earrings: XXI, also purchased that day.

{not seen but also worn....my fabulous new jacket}

~~~~~~~

Jimmy and I had a fabulous weekend away in Beverly Hills, and while we definitely got a ton of sleep and relaxation, I am feeling like I need a vacation to recover.

How is that always the case?

So, I swear, every time we go away, I am so sure that I would give up ever owning a house just so we could afford these little mini vacations. It is just so nice to have time away by ourselves and not feel super stressed about money. Well, at least Jimmy wasn't stressed.

I, on the other hand, cannot believe the insane cost of everything in L.A. as opposed to the rest of SoCal.

Crazy.

Anyway.

It was fun....

We personally twittered back and forth with Tori Spelling, (what up T!), and ended up going to a most amazing restaurant that she recommended...

Where I found out I love hummus.

We visited L.A. Ink where I got my tattoo drawn up and made an appointment for January to go back and get it!

We slept a lot.

We walked and shopped A LOT.

We ate a ton.

We got Sprinkles Cupcakes and DIED eating them. OOC.

We (I) bought a $14 dollar well Vodka Tonic (as seen in the pictures) and a $12 Smores plate with 4 marshmallows...

Fun times.

It's good to be home though....where driving a Highlander isn't looked down upon as though it was a Pinto.

Love ya L.A.

© 2009 "Le Musings of Moi"

fashion friday

For Fashion Friday, I'm going to tell you a little story about a birthday gift I got.

From Jimmy.

Kind of.

So, last week I went to a women's gala/fundraiser, and this is how I showed up:

Tunic: Vintage Saks {thrifted}

Might I tell you, I think I was the only one at this gala wearing something thrifted?

And some woman actually told me she could tell I had expensive taste. Ha!

Jacket: {thrifted a million years ago}

Necklace: supa old

Bracelets: {Walmart & Twisted Silver}

Tights: Kirkland? {Costco, and still the best tights ever!}

Shoes: My baby Lou Lou's {Neiman Marcus}

These may be why she thought I had expensive taste. Little did she know I had to birth two babies to get them (for Mothers Day), and even then we didn't eat for a month or so to make up for it.

Kidding.

Ish.

But, while I was there I fell

madly

deeply

head over heels

in love

with the most fabulous jacket.

{very Marc Jacobs, dontcha think?}

But, it was a little out of my comfortable spending range, so I sat and thought about it while enjoying a glass of wine.

{ponder, ponder, ponder}

And then I finally decided, that if I left without it, I would forever (and I'm not being dramatic) and ever regret it. So, I texted Jimmy, told him I was getting a birthday present from him for me, and then ran as fast as I could to get my baby.

And this is how I left:

{Those sleeves!!! Could you DIE?}

{Grrrr to the blur}

And because I need you to appreciate this incredible piece of fashion as I do, here are some close ups:

And so concludes my story for Fashion Friday.

~~~~~~~

© 2009 "Le Musings of Moi"