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Thursday, June 27, 2013

The Girls

Have you ever heard of The Girls Apparel?  Well, I had not until a few months ago.  But you need to know!

Occasionally I tell you about a product I LOVE so much that I want to share it with everyone I know.  Several months ago I picked up a pair of what I considered yoga pants with tummy control at a local Marshall's.  I LOVED these pants so much I went back to see if they had more.  Of course, they did not have another color in my size, not a big surprise. 

I started searching - online - my 2nd favorite shopping place next to discount stores.  I only found the pants in two places - Sears and on The Girls own website.  I headed off to Sears and they had them in stock but not my size, sigh....I really wanted more of these pants...seriously comfortable and looked nice enough for work with a long top or jacket.

Now I could show you a picture of me wearing the pants - but NO, their model looks better. But I like how I look in them too, even if I'm bigger than this model (and all the fashion models in the world). So, I'll borrow a pic from The Girls. I don't think they will mind, since I am telling you how wonderful their product is and where to buy it!  I had never heard of The Girls Apparel, but now I am a huge fan.


Photo Credit
After finding them online I liked The Girls Apparel on Facebook and they had a 20% promo code post at Mother's Day.  Good news they've got another discount promo starting tomorrow, June 28, 2013!
Here's a peek at one reason these pants are so great.  That's the tummy control.  If you don't need tummy control they sell a version without. 

photo credit

After checking out The Girls site online, I realized the pants I bought are not classified as yoga pants - although they do sell yoga pants.  Mine are just called Bootcut Pants - in my book that means I can wear them anywhere.  So I bought two more colors and a pair of shorts and I love them all just as much as the first pair.  I ordered one size up from the size I wear in slacks or jeans, because they are tight fitting and the extra size makes them a little less snug.  They sell sizes XS to 3X and tall sizes too.

My office is pretty casual most of the time and I have worn all three colors I purchased - charcoal, heather grey and black to work with a long top and no one said, "why are you wearing yoga pants to work?"  I think it's because they fit loosly through the thighs and the fabric is cool but not thin or clingy.  And the shorts are super, I think I need another pair in a different color.

They also sell other clothing in addition to the pants, so check them out. I highly recommend you get a pair of these pants ASAP.  You're gonna love them! 

Cheers to comfort,

Laura

note:  The Girls Apparel didn't pay me to say this, they have no idea I'm such a huge fan

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Monday, June 24, 2013

Buttercup, The Wooden Rocking Horse

I've shared photos with you of some precious things that I passed down to my daughter.  I'd been saving those things since she was a baby for the time when she became a mother.  I also kept some precious things for my son. His first born arrived a two weeks ago. Because his baby is a girl I didn't give him everything I have tucked away in the cedar chest.  Some of his things are gender specific, so he left those items with me until he has a baby boy.

But his little wooden rocking horse is fine for a boy or a girl.  It's been in my house since the mid 80s and been ridden by more children than I can remember. It's pretty sturdy - since Grandpa Joe reinforced it's neck 25 years ago.  My parents gave Michael this rocking horse shortly after his birth.  My Mom and I picked it out on a shopping trip when he was just a baby.  He spent a lot of time on this little wooden horse.



I wanted to freshen her up a little for our little Ellanore, because Miss Horsie had a few scars.  Here she is ready for her makeover.



I mixed up some Pale Sunshine chalk paint (I use Plaster of Paris) and gave her a few coats.  Then I sanded the edges a little.  I think Buttercup would be a good name for her now with her pretty purple polka dotted bow.


The paint job is far from perfect.  I was a little disappointed at first.  But the horse is 27 years old and that's pretty old for a horse.  Even a rocking horse.


I think our little rocking horsie is ready for a new rider now.  I'm excited to take a picture of my little granddaughter rocking on Daddy's horse some day, but don't grow up too fast, precious little one.

Rock on,
  Laura


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Friday, June 21, 2013

A Shell in Your Pocket and Sand in Your Shoes

According to the calendar, today is the first day of summer.  "If I Were Queen" it would be a worldwide holiday.  It would be a day for drinking lemonade, grilling burgers, eating watermelon and homemade ice cream and floating in the pool.  But of course, I'm not the Queen of the World so....it's just a regular day at work for me and mine.

The first true day of summer is different down south than in the northern states of the USA.  Our summer here in Texas started a few weeks ago and we've already had plenty of hot, humid days.  Think sauna.

But I've been waiting for summer because I LOVE it, even if it makes me sweat (and I DON'T love sweating).  One thing I've been waiting for is to display my beach decor all over the house.  Once upon a time, Christmas decorations were my favorite (and I still love them) but I think my new favorite home decor is my summer/beach decor. I'm a beach girl at heart, (see top of blog page!) even though I've always lived in a landlocked state.

I haven't made a lot of progress so far, but I did manage to get started and that made me very happy.  I quickly put a few things out on the entryway table and snapped a photo.  I guess if I lived at the beach I could decorate my house this way year round!  This is just the beginning, I did quite a bit last year after being inspired by other bloggers who change out their mantle decor throughout the year.  You can take a look at last year's summer/beach decor here and here.  I will change it up a little this year and add a few new items.  But one of the best things about my summer decor is that most of the items I use are already in my house.  So I don't buy much - which is the best way to decorate!


A conch from Jamaica, the sand/shell jar from our trip to Seagrove Beach, Florida,
drift wood and brain coral from Mexico, shells my father-in-law collected in Hawaii.
A lovely glass fishing weight from....Marshall's and a seahorse candle holder from Kohl's.

Part of the reason I love the beach/summer decor is because it brings back memories of beach vacations.  And beach vacations are my favorites (But, I love the mountains too)


I can't pass up a good sign and I found a new one this spring
I put it front and center when you enter our home

Grab your flip flops and a cold drink. It's summertime!

Laura


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Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Blessed To Be So Lucky

My husband is out of town and I'm home alone tonight (except for the Tabby Boys, they are always here).  I just hung up the phone after talking to him, and we agreed to talk again before we went to sleep.  I had lunch with him today, I saw him about 7 hours ago.  I miss him already.  So I'm standing in my kitchen heating up some leftovers for my dinner for one, when I realized - once again - how blessed I am to be married to SuperDave.  Seriously.

I met this really super guy when I was still in high school and that was it for us.  You can call us blessed, I prefer that because blessings come from God, or you can call us lucky, I'm not sure where that comes from - but I think we've been blessed with an abundance of good luck. And are lucky to be so incredibly blessed.

33.5 years people! (in 9 days) and we don't even like to spend the work day apart from each other.  We've been married so long I use a calculator to figure out how many years, but still say "Happy Anniversary" on the 27th of every month.

I felt quite successful recently when my oldest daughter posted this picture on her Facebook page with this comment "This is sooo my mom and dad. As a child, I was grossed out and embarrassed. As an adult, I am so grateful that my parents are still madly in love!"


Photo Credit


I know, we are strange.  But we had a couple of strange marriages for examples - both sets of our parents have been married over 50 years - I'd tell you how many exactly, but I'd need the calculator again.

Did you see that cat photo here?  He's baaaaccckkk and let me tell you, it's hard to type a blog post with a cat sitting on your lap with his paws at the keyboard! ha!  Anywho.......

Father's Day was a perfect day for the two of us, church, lunch and a day relaxing in the backyard by the pool, reading side by side, floating in the pool side by side.  We are two peas in a pod for sure!  And now we sit around and talk about our retirement and our traveling days in the years ahead and well, it just sounds like a continuation of the adventure we started so long ago.  We've raised 3 kids, owned 6 homes, had many jobs, lived in a few different towns and a couple of states.  But through it all, no matter what happens out there in the BIG WORLD, it's all okay when we come home at the end of the day to each other.

I love you SuperDave.

May everyone who reads this be so blessed,

Laura


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