Back to reality

So Jim and I took our week vacation a little earlier this year due to some concert conflicts. Ridiculous right? I know, but we love our concerts. Anywho, we went to our family cottage from 10-18 July and it was a nice relaxing week. We took a few day trips here and there but really just kind of hung out. I'll be adding some pics to my photo blog of things from the week.

I took the 19th off of work to sort of get back into the swing of things and do laundry and whatnot. I usually take the Monday off after I get back. Don't want to go jumping back into work too fast now lol.

Monday night was a photo shoot though. Now, I don't do portrait photography. I'm not really a people person and I prefer macro photography and landscapes. But, my friend Rachel asked me and my other friend Rachel to do some maternity pictures for her so I thought it would be fun to try something different. And guess what...it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be lol. I think its more the editing of portrait photographs that I don't like. Getting the skin tones right and making sure the white balance is good...ugh. I did edit one picture though...



...and I'm pretty proud of how it turned out.

So anyway, back to work...it was good actually. We had a new piece of equipment being added to the lab and after traveling to Ottawa back in March for the training, I was excited to get it up and running.

I bought a new purse too. I bought it before we went on vacation and it was waiting for me when I got back. I bought the Steve Madden BPatchh purse in lilac.



It was originally $98 and then it went "on sale" for like $89. Then the very next day it was on sale for $39.99...yes please! I love it! It's not leather, but it's super soft and can hold a ton of stuff.

Then, this past Thursday I went to a Gigi Hill handbags party. Of course I bought a few things. I'll post the actual pics of the items when I get them in. I must say that their business card holder is sweet!

And that's about it for now. Jim and I know we need to get back into home renovations so we're trying to decide what project to tackle next. We shall see...

It's hammer time

Seriously? I get some of the 80's fashion come backs, but others, not so much. What the hell...



...it looks like she's carrying around a bag of sand in her crotch. M.C. Hammer anyone? Yikes! It sort of reminds me of what Tyra has been wearing on this season of America's Next Top Model.

Maybe it's just a better way to hide these...



I gave into the leggings come back but I don't think I'll be giving into this.

Trash the Dress Pics

So I decided it was time to trash my dress since I've been married, oh, going on 4 years now. And it still fits (actually it's a little big) so now was as good a time as any. Plus my friend Rachel didn't have any of these types of photos for her portfolio yet, so it worked for both of us :o)

Here's one pic...


And here's a link to the first blog post and the second blog post. There's quite a few pics on these links but if you want to see the whole gallery, email me at lostarz at gmail dot com and I'll send you the password for the full gallery.

I love they way they turned out!

Happy Day for the Fajah

So we went to breakfast this morning with Jim's parents and his brother and family. It was so nice of them to let us know that they had planned on doing this breakfast thing, oh, like 14 hours beforehand. We don't do the church thing and we don't have kids so we like to sleep on Sundays :o) I know, I know, it's Father's Day and all but this isn't the first time this has happened. I always feel bad for Jim though because Sunday is his only day off and he had to get up the same time today that he normally does for work. Oh well. My dad isn't even home this weekend. My parents are at our cottage but I did call to wish him a Happy Father's Day. The good thing about getting up that early is that we got a bunch of stuff done and still had the rest of the day to do whatever.

Our first stop was Costco. We noticed they had a coupon for the GPS we wanted to get so we were able to purchase that. We went with the Garmin nuvi 265WT.

Then after that I wanted to stop by the mall to find a few things to wear for work. I'm going to a meeting in Virginia next week and it's supposed to be like 90 degrees so I wanted something not too hot to wear. Well at NY&CO I found the cutest dress...

And while this can't really be worn to work, it will look cute with the black leggings I bought that I swore I'd never wear.

After that we hit up Sonic so I could grab a Cherry Limeade and then we went to a nursery so I could find a stand for my bowling ball. Bowling ball you ask? Why yes. My mom took an old bowling ball did some crafty stuff to it and made it a garden "statue". I think it looks pretty awesome and now I FINALLY have a stand for it.

Jim and I just got back from a bike ride and and I think I'm going to go relax for awhile. Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Oh and here's me and Jill at the bowling fundraiser we had last night...

Black Friday Deals

So for the past few years I've gone out on Black Friday with my mom. We're not one of those people that get up at 4 a.m. for the doorbuster bargains, but we usually get some good deals. I always end up getting a bunch of stuff for myself and this year was no different. I did get some gifts for other people so it wasn't all about me, but I'll still share what I got.

At Old Navy I got two of these sweaters since they were only $10. I got one in orange and one in brown.

Then I got one of these fleece pullovers (in this color) since they're so comfy and it was only $7.50.

One of the main things I was looking for was a new coat. I have a black wool coat now which is fine, but I can't handle all the lint and pet hair it attracts. I need to carry a lint roller with me everywhere I go. I found this jacket at Macy's for $50.

And then we were pretty much done shopping, but decided to stop in at a local department store, Parisian. At this point I wasn't really looking for anything in particular, but I came across this jacket.

I've always wanted a cute little leather jacket, but never wanted to pay the price it came with. Well I got this leather jacket for $64 which was normally $218! Isn't that crazy! There was no way I was passing it up. Needless to say, my shopping ended for the day after that.

It was a good day.

I own 68 pairs of shoes

That's right! And I was just browsing the DSW website...I think I have a problem...lol.

The other day I was cleaning out my closet and decided to count all the pairs. Now, this 68 pairs includes multiple pairs of flip flops and work boots and whatnot, but that's still a lot of shoes!

Got some awesome deals today!

I was checking in over on thenest.com like I do pretty much everyday and came across a post with some awesome promo codes to use at Victoria'sSecret.com. I was able to get 2 bras and a pair of panties for $16 which included shipping! How awesome is that?

Then later on I went shopping with my mom and hit up DSW. She had a coupon for $20 of a $50 purchase and wasn't going to use it, so of course I wanted it! My $50 purchase were these Skechers

And then they had 80% off all of their sandals. I got these red ones for $8.99 regular $40,

and these awesome yellow ones for $11.99, regular $60!

Seriously...how awesome of a deal is that? Of course I have to wait until next summer to wear them, but oh well.

Then when I got home Jim and I went grocery shopping. Our total was $180, but after bottle returns and coupons the total dropped down to $115. Yeah...we had A LOT of cans/bottles to take back. We hadn't taken any back all summer.

Anyway, I was just super excited about my deals today and I had to share.

I'm headed to some training for work this week, and while I have my work laptop, I'm not totally sure that the Internet works on it. It works at work, but I don't think the wireless connection is working nor is a connection with an Ethernet cord. (Okay and how many times did I just use the word work??) So I may not be posting until I get back...not like I post anything all that exciting anyway...lol.

Shopping = good = anniversary gifts

I hit up DSW and Marshalls / Home Goods today. I had two $10 gift certificates for DSW so of course I had to spend them. I went in there looking for a really nice pair of brown riding boots but I didn't really see anything that I loved. So I decided to look around. I currently have these 1-1/2" - 2" heel boots from Payless that I bought like 3 years ago. I love them, but they've definitely seen better days. So I walked over to the shoe bootie section and came across this cute little ankle boots. I was sold.

Ciao Bella - Gloria in black

Then I headed over to Marshalls / Home Goods. I found a really nice purse and some cute sweaters. I really need to start stocking up on fall clothes! I also found an ornament for the D&R Ornament Exchange over on The Nest.

Tignanello Medium Tote

The leather shoes and purse were my anniversary gift since we celebrate our 3rd tomorrow and that's the traditional gift. Yeah I buy my own stuff. It's just easier that way. If I waited for Jim to get me an anniversary gift I wouldn't have it until Christmas. Jim got a gift too - Simple shoes, in black. He loves them! I think the pair he has now he's owned for like 2-3 years. It was time for a new pair.

So yes - I bought my own anniversary gift and yes, I gave shoes to Jim for his present. Whatever...we're practical people. At least he made reservations for dinner for us for this Saturday!

You know you want it - III

And once again...a bunch of fun stuff I found while browsing through BH&G

L.L. Bean Fleece-lined Hoodie

I just may have to buy one of these...they look so comfy

I just really liked the look of this bedroom. It's in a townhouse so it gives me hope for our condo

West Elm faux-bois mirror

I've seen this type of mirror in so many magazines and I'm intrigued by it. It's out of stock on the website, but I still had to post it

Kashuk Tools blending sponge
A better sponge for makeup application

Just a few recipes I want to try

Mustard-Herb Beef Stew

Martini Brisket

Ginger Curry Chicken with Lentils and Leeks

California Tuna Parmesan

Snickerdoodle Pie

i ♥ shoes

I mean, what girl doesn't? Actually I do know a few, but that's just crazy talk! lol

Anywho, I'm going to a wedding today, so you know I had to go and buy a new pair of shoes for the occasion. I told Jim, at least I'm not buying a new dress. So I went in for one pair and bought two...oops!

Here's the one's I'm wearing tonight



And then the other pair I bought



And then here's a couple more that I bought this summer


I guess I have to be good for awhile now...no more shoes for at least...oh...a month? LOL