Marc Jacobs bag splurge.

I've been wanting a new bag for a long time (browsing pinterest will do that to you).  A nice bag. A fancy bag. And when I say fancy, I think I do mean designer.

But not an expensive designer bag; a more "reasonable" designer bag (If that isn't an oxymoron).

Point is - I'd like a new bag. A splurge bag. A treat.

I get most of my bags from Banana Republic and they have great bags -- stylish, high quality, long lifespan AND -- when Banana has a 30% or 40% off sale -- a great bargain.

On to my splurge bag. Maybe it will be a Mother's Day present for myself.  And I've identified Marc by Marc Jacobs as the maker of my bag.  There are three I love.  I've cut it to two, and now I need help deciding which one.

Here they are:

Little Tate Tote

Take Me Tote

Love the color. Love them both --- totally different, but not different enough to warrant both.

Normally I'd say Little Tate is more my style - I love the faux quilted look and it'd be a cute, fun, light everyday purse or diaper bag. But....Take Me Tote is just so shiny and pretty and sleek! and can oomph up any outfit....

Which do you like?

Just in time for Mother's Day: cute and free online cards.

If there are other procrastinators out there or people who just like to send online cards (a fun way to brighten someone's day) - I found a great online e-card site, punchbowl.com.

I still think an actual hard copy of a card is best, but if, like me, you sometimes get around to it a little bit late (meaning: tomorrow is mother's day and I still haven't sent out cards), this is a very cute, classy way to send an e-card.

Punchbowl has lots of free choices, tons of different categories and customization options (you can change fonts, wording, colors, etc.)

And it's sent almost like it's an actual card - there's an envelope with stamp and label, you click to take the card out of the envelope and click again to open the card . There is even customizable envelope liner!

Take a look at the two cards I just created for my sisters-in-law.

cute right? I especially like the choice of fun fonts. Makes it more my style. Hope they like them too! And if either of them are reading this, I'm sorry I didn't send you physical cards in time! 

Happy Early Mother's Day to all the moms!!

Summer Reading Challenge.

I like this. It's a reading challenge from a blog I just found, A Cupcake Love Affair. The challenge was created and is hosted by Megan at Semi-Charmed Kind of Life.

This sounds fun. But, I haven't exactly been reading a lot lately.  Don't get me wrong, I love reading. I can put away a 300 page book in one night if I get really into it, but I just haven't a) found the time or b) felt a strong pull towards that many books lately.

The Happiness Project

There have been a few - five to be exact - that I have read this past year and have really enjoyed and recommend:

-Happy Chaos (Soleil Moon Frye)
-Bossypants (Tina Fey)
-MWF Seeking BFF: My Yearlong Search for a New Best Friend (Rachel Bertsche)
-The Happiness Project (Gretchen Rubin)
-Sippy Cups Are Not For Chardonnay (Stephanie Wilder Taylor)

cute covers!

And my choices have definitely changed; I used to be VERY into chick-lit. Especially with really cute covers, ie, all of the Shopaholic books, Jennifer Weiner and Jane Green books....

Now I'm choosing books that are either autobiographical/memoir-esque, but they still have that light-hearted vibe (and they also happen to have cute covers!)

Ok, back to the challenge. Here is the list of types of books you have to read:

•  One chosen for the U.S. 2012 World Book Night
•  One you were supposed to read in school, but either bailed on or Cliff-Noted
•  Memoir or narrative nonfiction book
• Examples: Friday Night Lights, When the Game Stands Tall, The Devil in the White City
• One in one calendar day (at least 150 pages)
• One you've always wanted to read but haven't gotten around to yet
• A pair of books that have antonyms in the titles
•  For example: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Boy in the Suitcase, or The Unbearable Lightness of Being and Heart of Darkness
• One set in a place you've never been but want to visit
• One written the year you were born and later made into a movie. 
• Read and then watch the movie; compare. Or find a movie released the year you were born that was based on a book and do the same
• Go to a bookstore or library and pick any bookshelf. Read the third book from the left on the fourth shelf from the top. (If it's not at least 200 pages, pick the next book to the right)
• One about which you’ve heard bad things
• A trilogy (or any three consecutive books in a series)

For full rules and information, visit here.

Sounds fun! I think I shall give it a try. Truth be told, I really don't need to be on the computer THIS much, right?

oh, and ps - I LOVE Danielle Steel. Always have, always will.  Can't beat a good Danielle Steel book!  What's your favorite?

P.52 photo challenge: week 18.

This week's theme has two options: fiesta OR siesta.

Fiesta. Siesta. Either one, both are good.  We'll go for the fiesta before the siesta.

Here's some pictures of Buddy fiesta'ing 20 month old cowboy style.

He absolutely loves his cowboy hat and his rocking horse. He is so very funny.

ps - I really want to take a beautiful photo of him siesta'ing, but I can't seem to figure out how to take one while he's asleep without the big bright flash waking him up!

Happy 20 month birthday buddy.

I can't believe that my little boy is 20 months old today. It is amazing how fast it goes. And in the past two months he has been doing so so many new things.  He is talking in multi-word sentences, repeating everything, loving sports, spending hours throwing balls around the house, dancing, asking for what he wants more and more and really having great association with things. He also loves trying to take pictures with my camera - seriously.

I'm trying to find a new class to take with him on the days I don't work.  We have recently tried Li'l Kickers soccer class and today, Little Gym gymnastics class. Both seem slightly advanced -- he isn't really yet following directions from teachers in a class (ie, kick the ball, jump up and down), but he is able to understand and follow directions one on one (ie, from me).

Some of his new words - hockey, basketball, football (or as he says it - oh-toe-ball), soccer, baseball, southpaw, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Go Sox, big sun, draw big sun, draw purple sun (he's very into the sun), outside, mama outside, dada outside (also into being outside) bicycle, motorcycle, park, swings, shadows, cowboy....

He is saying more and more people's names - and remembering their names later or in pictures.

And his little personality comes out more and more. He is really a sweet, funny, loving, happy little boy.

So happy 20 months to my little bestie. Much love.