{divulge}

Look at me.  I'm in an overcoat and it's all cinched up.  You realize I know what's going through your mind. Clairvoyance and me are twisted sisters.  Where on Earth did she find that coat?  There ain't no telling what get up she's got on up under there.  How does Eli keep a straight face when he photographs his Mama every month?  Does Goodwill realize she could be like the blonde Target girl in the Christmas commercials from 2011 for their company?  She's is for real that out there.  I mean does she really get obsessive amounts of joy from good deals and donuts.  Scratch the donut part.  I said that. Not you. 

February was my month to divulge.  If you sit long enough on that 7 letter display, it can leave you feeling sneaky.  At least it did me when I sat down to decide my words of each month for 2013.  I hemmed and hawed over February.  My gut said, "Divulge is your word. It fits."  But, my social innards said, "Fool, what are you doing?  You know they already think you're a fruit loop for these monthly parades already."  I let them internally hash it out for a bit, and then, like The Rock, I decided to lay the smack down on good ole social innards.  My girl, Clairvoyance, tells me street-like and all the time,  "Haters gonna hate. Go on and do your thing. I'm out ahead of you, remember? I got you, Boo."

So, I'm divulging.

For those all new to this monthly-merry-round, go here to read about my new word for 2013. It'll be all the cliff notes you need.  Then you can go ahead and skip on over here to read about my word for January.  And, if you're feeling totally inspired and ready to shop Goodwill and completely up for re-vamping your life in a real kinda way bored and need some more things to divert your attention from the pile of work on your desk, the heaping dishes climbing out of your sink or that huge project you are excessively behind on, then by all means, go here to read all about my 2012.  

You've already scrolled down to see what's under my coat, haven't you?  Clairvoyance tells me all her secrets. Told you we were tight.  Consider yourself buh-usted.  Divulge means to make known.  I loved that in my dictionary it has this in parentheses (private or sensitive information). How many of us keep our own set of parentheses nearby and handy for the yucky parts of our lives?  Guilty.  I told you she tells me everything.

I give you my story board mission for February:

Romans 12:2---Game changer.  Clairvoyance tells me all the time. Your score card is in His hands.  Remember that.  My place & my face on this globe is for getting out the glory of Him.  Giving it in doses large.  And, moving out of my own way when my sour gets the best of me.  The mind is a powerful place.  Lots of room to let ugly set up camp if you aren't careful.  The camp counselors at Ugly Camp have dreadful uniforms, too.  They wear horns and carry pitch forks.  Poof.  BE GONE.  I am His.  Game changer.

Dump---I suck at a lot of things.  I am good at some too.  This month I chose to focus on not letting the not-so-nice parts of me control who I am.  I am noticing that the more I focus on what I can't do well, the more my heart holds unhappiness.  Moreover, the more my mind suffocates the goodness that I do possess.  And, before you know it, I am captive to myself.  Stuck in my own muck.  I'm wallering in it and completely coated in nothing hopeful, helpful or positive for myself or others.  February was my month to dump it.  Dump out the honesty of my yucky in so to speak. So, here I go. I'm flippin' the script on divulge.  I'm taking that sneaky connotation and knocking it down with the out & out truth.  Consider my parentheses exposed:

(                                                                             )

• I am my biggest enemy.
• I wrestle far too much with perfection.
• I struggle with rest both inside and out.
• I am stubborn with change.
• I steal happiness from myself.
• I second guess excessively.
• I say sorry way too much and for unnecessary things.
• I struggle with being confident in conflicts.
• I am not a great listener.

There.  I dumped it to all 4 of you who read me.  And, better yet, I dumped it to God. He reads me by the way. And, He is rocking my socks off.  He slammed this doozy that follows into my prayer time this month out of no where:  

Your attitude exudes you eternally, Meg.  Your body will wrinkle.  Your health may fail.  Your circumstances will fluctuate. You will develop chin hairs that you must pluck incessantly. Your Mom did die. Your boobs will sag. Your money will come and go. Your children will grow up and move away.  But, your attitude is eternal.  In every phase of life.  With every circumstance.  Your attitude is your constant.  

BAM.  

Camp Ugly is now closed for renovations.  

Expect---good things.  Change comes about when we put our foot down on the fickle of us.  It's that deciding moment when we just stop the excuses of I can't exercise or I don't pray as much as I should or I can't save money like I need to or I wish I had more friends, but I don't or I want to be happy, but I'm just not.  We stop them.  All of the excuses.  We take stock in what our heart really desires, and then formulate a plan for change that best fits the goal. The solutions are never found if they're never really sought after, are they? The work put in has been uphill for me as I have begun this expectation shift.  But, without a doubt, I am seeing the good things.  My dumping along with my expecting is one helluva tag team combo slowly moving me towards a much needed mind makeover.  Fickle is easy.  It's safe & snug all surrounded with excuses.  Writing down my specific ever-excuses (the ones I have made forever on the things I say I want to change) and tackling them with a clear action plan is working for me in big and evident ways.

Express---if I felt it, I said it.  Too often I sit on my heart.  I either do one of two things:  

1. I'm lazy and don't follow through on something tugging at me to share. 
2. I worry about putting myself out there too much and what people might think.  

I sent text messages, made phone calls, put cards in the mail, looked people in faces.  I did all of this to swim the upstream of my heart's inhibitions.  Laziness and fear are my proverbial what has she got on under that coat.

Allow---God in on it all.  Like for real this time.  I have ugly cried on His shoulder, remember?  I will do it again if needed, too.  This month I placed myself in the passenger seat.  I turned over the keys and just buckled up.  I asked specific and big things of Him for myself and others.  I expect His answers will come.  And, I am allowing Him to do great things in me and in those others, too.  For Him.  I love how gentle and open the word allow leaves me feeling.  I told all my tricky.  I divulged my deep.  I blurted out my busting-at-the-seams happy to Him, too. I am allowing him in on it all.

Accommodate---my schedule and my work flow.  My family needs me.  I need them.  It was time I looked at ways to hone in on making more of my days for the benefit of all involved.  My days started earlier and my time became more regimented this month.  Quitting times were enforced and set times for work, play and school were maximized.  I realized this month that little times reserved for let down can do wonders to your mindset.  By reconfiguring how our day ran from start to finish, I not only accommodated more efficient work, but I also intensified my joys.

My mannequin story board for February:

My morale:

Random notes of the above:  

I like nail color  A LOT.   I know every name of the Insanity workout video crew and I pretend we all high five after every workout.  Butterfinger Blondies are da bomb.  I'm a hippy at heart.  I've missed writing hand written notes.  My boys are best friends.  A new water cup is a treat.  So are K-May Apple Fritter Donuts.  Talking for hours on the phone to a friend you haven't spoken to in 18 years totally rocks.  Kids have it all figured out.  Good books make good moves in you.

I give you my morals from February:

Everything is better...

when you live outside the shadows of you.

One of the most profound things I read this month came from my 6 year old.  In his free write journal about the human body, he wrote this:

1 life. 

 1 body. 

 He "givs" it.  

One.  

Gift.  

Noted, Casey Face.

Thank you, boy.

A sprinkled assortment of the Goodwill markdowns I found this month:

Leather full length jacket:  $9.99 1/2 off weekend 

Ralph Lauren seersucker shirt for Eli:  $1.99 1/2 off weekend

Gap boyfriend jeans:  $2.25 1/2 off weekend

Cream leather jacket:  $4.99 1/2 off weekend

Old Navy jacket WITH TAGS: $2.25 1/2 off weekend

Ralph Lauren khakis for Eli:  $1.99 1/2 off weekend

Um, read'em and weep {please note original tags still on along with the original price}:

Yes, this happens:

How'd I do this month?

Ensemble statistics:

coat:  $9.99 GW

leggings:  $5.00 Wal-Mart

sweater:  Limited brand $2.25 GW

leopard print tank:  $.25 GW

scarf:  surprise gift from Kenny {made by one of his sweet office ladies at school}:  FREE

boots:  $20.00 going out of business sale in Chattanooga 2011.

TOTAL OUTFIT INVESTMENT:  $37. 49

And, your thoughts, please?

Sneaky?  

Heck no.  

Seriously honest and ready for her best yet?

You bet. 

Gotta scoot.  

Me and my homegirl, Clair, are full-on looking into the crystal ball March of me.  She and I are becoming just so close.  I've even given her a nickname.  Clarity.  Twisted sisters for life.  

.mac :)

{establish}

 Soothing colors are for the birds.  Don’t be throwing me a palette of pale if  you expect me to feel intrigued, up, or in the mood.  It.just.won’t.happen.  My September month was best spent.  It was a month full of busy and the beginnings of good on so many levels.  So much that I'm having to play catch up on my monthly grade outs.  I know you have all been traumatized by my tardiness.  I beg your forgiveness.

For those new to my rhythmical breakdown, it's time you catch up:

January

February

March 

April

May

June

July

August

Ready...set...go!

Ensemble Statistics:

Shirt:

• black & white stripes with super cute tuxedos sleeved buttons
• $1.00 Goodwill
• I started this whole monthly growth campaign with this shirt’s debut here.
• It’s a great longer length with a perfect stretch-to-slouch ratio.
• I initially bought it to wear alone with skinny jeans, but it has evolved into the the go-to base layer undershirt.
• I even wear it under my knock around graphic tees that girls in their mid-twenties sport makes me feel all kinds of alternative awesomeness.

Jacket:

• This jacket spoke to me while on the rack.  It said, “Just what would you do with a short sleeved baby doll-esque jacket like me?”
• I smiled and simply said, “I’ll take you home.  That’s just what’ll I do.”
• $2.25 Goodwill 1/2 off weekend.
• It’s a tomato orangey-red color. 
• It has great o-ring like dangly pulls on an overrun outlet of zippers.
• I really like it.  
• I’ve worn it with chocolate, mustard, cream, pink and blue thus far.  All on separate occasions mind you.  Although from the looks of my ensemble in these pictures, I can see where you might think otherwise.
• Instant love affair/semi-addiction I have going on this with this jacket.
• It has petite mini pleats just below the collar bones.  
• I need a moment.  There.  I'm back.

Corsage:

• The Fabric Corsage by k.Mac.  
• Each time I wear one of my corsage designs, I receive a compliment.  
• They’re unique.  
• They’re personalized.
• They’re fun.
• They look great on any shirt for a splash of different, jacket lapel for a layered POP of color or in your hair atop a low messy bun or in a half way up arrangement.

Jeans:

• Gettum green, huh?
• Yep.
• $2.25 Goodwill 1/2 off weekend
• I get that they’re not the skinny jean look as they are, in fact, rockin' the flair leg vibe, but at $2.25 I’ll color block like a mad dog with some boat crop jeans.  

Shoes:

• Stop the press.
• These girls are my babies.
• $2.00 Goodwill 1/2 off weekend.
• I cannot tell you how much I love them.
• Um, yeah I can.  Watch here to see how they came to be mine. Yeah, you might as well watch every video if you need inspiration to find your own cheap thrills.  Me and my girls won't disappoint.   
• Wanna go Goodwill shopping with me now, don’t ya?
• And, they say Disney World is where dreams come true. 

Bracelets: 

• $5.00
• Dillard's Department Store pre-Thanksgiving sale 2009
• HUGE rock like rhinestones with a magnetic clasp.
• Get compliments on these all the time.
• The rhinestones have a gray vibe to them which promotes an old world vintage look.
• I wear these happies a lot. 
• Sparkly things speak to me.  
• So do short sleeved baby doll-esque jackets of the orangey-red like.  
• Nope, not on any medication yet.
• The other round of bracelets on my left hand are those stretchy beaded Earth tone stone type bracelets.  
• I got them in a pack of 3 from the Dollar Tree about 3 years ago.  
• I liked the grounded element of Earth tones in them so I slapped them on so to offset the schizophrenia camp in session with the rest of my ensemble.

Earrings:

• FREE
• They belonged to my great grandmother.
• clip-ons
• They’re an Earthy jewel tone conglomeration set in a tawny yellow brass gold.
• I thought they further supported my non-schizophrenia rally, so I went with them on the lobes.

Hair:

• Durty-durty, you know how I do.  What? No Air Force Ones for you?
• I have it in some sort of rat's nest bun in the back.  
• I calmed my bangs down with the big ole curling iron barrel.  Typically, I have a tendency of obsessive overuse of this tool in the bang department.  
• SCORE:     Meghan:  1     Curling Iron Overuse:  0 
• Nope, not on any medication yet.

Overall outfit investment:  $13.50


September 2012:

My personal word for growth for September was establish.

My mission:

1. Be visionary; not a dictator.
2. Be steady in motion.
3. Find a new routine.
4. Sit for a bit
5. Second guess perfection
6. Give to God
7. Projects are fun
8. Be real with the boys.

My status:

*  *  *  
3 out of 5 stars

My memories:

1.   Be visionary; not a dictator.  The world will not end if what I had on our homeschool agenda for the day was not ALL accomplished.  Likewise, for my design schedule for k.Mac.  Rome was not built in a day.  Plans are made for progress forward.  Rearranging is called life.  You are not a loser, Meg.  You are human.  Re-group and get your happy cap on to keep plugging.  Ahem.  Got it.  Gonna need to keep reminding myself of this one. 
2. Be steady in motion.  Movement works.  And, it works best if done consistently rather than in ginormous spurts.  No, you can't clean out the kitchen cabinets, design a new handbag, teach Eli emergent division and help Casey with writing at one time.  STOP.  You can move fluidly with one task and EASE into the other.  Shew, this one takes work and lots of reminders for me.
3. Find a new routine.  Get up early.  Make the most of the time before your family needs you most.  Work efficiently when you are at your best.  I rocked this one out.  Voila!  A new routine has been established.
4. Sit for a bit. I don't enjoy being still.  But guess what?  I do.  Oh, I am learning that relaxing is so kind to my soul.  I attribute this lesson to Kenny.  He gets the shiny gold star for teaching me this.  
5. Second guess perfection.  It's unattainable.  Your best is undeniable.  Make time to foster your best.  Screw this mystical mirage called perfection.  I AM GETTING THERE!
6. Give to God.  We are tithing regularly now.  I am taking more time for Him in my day.  I am praising Him for all good things that cross my path.  I am finding my focus so much easier when plugged in to His plan for my life, moreover, my Christian walk.  Love seeing the good coming from this.
7. Projects are fun.  Enjoy them with the boys.  Teach them cool things.  Watch them make and grow.  See how it makes them feel.  Paint, cook, take hikes.  Be more with them than just the teacher that facilitates learning at a desk. I am so proud of what we have done this month in this department.  I hope to show these great projects here in this space.
8. Be real with the boys.  I wanted to teach them more about the realness of schedules, money and time.  I wanted to help them see what all goes into a day from start to finish for a family.  They worked with me on dinner making and meal planning.  I had them keep track of things we needed when they ran out of them around the house.  I made it a point to show them how long it takes to get things done in order to get some where in a timely manner. I had them look at money in our home and how it was used for necessities.  They counted out the money for the water bill.  They added up the electric bill and paid attention when the grocery total rang up on the register. I can't tell you how great these lessons were to provide their little minds with a glimpse of the bigger picture. Believe it or not, these lessons ended up helping me to be more efficient along the way too.

Soothing colors. Nah.  Bring it bold.

I'll color block your socks off.  New beginnings in my camp have officially been established.  Established in my best most imperfect way.

September.  Checkity-check-check.

.mac :)

lycra + wrinkles = wonderful.

I think I missed my athletic calling.  I was a college athlete.  Not sure if anyone out there really knew that or not.  I played basketball and soccer.  After suiting up in this new-to-me skirt, why, I ask you, didn't I play tennis?

Got this sweetie pie with the built-in shorts made of the softest lycra I have ever put my hands on [Just had the pleasure of educating my husband the term lycra this weekend by the way] at a Goodwill for $2.00.  

Clearly, I dressed myself out of the pile of wrinkled clean UNFOLDED clothes from the couch.  And, you know what?  I am in heaven wrinkles and all. A short skirt where you can bend over and you're totally covered.  Where was this skirt in my dancing days in college?  Seriously, I don't understand why I've never held a racket or why wrinkles aren't totally in style?  These questions I will ponder for the rest of eternity I guess.

Happy Monday!

.mac :)

A Pep Rally

Let's talk real, shall we?

I mean I am all about some real.

Real life. Real stuff. 

Ever have times where you so wish you could walk into a gymnasium only to find it full up of band members dressed in their most dramatically ornate uniforms? You know the kind with the fringy shoulder cuffs and feathered tall caps?  Yes, that kind.  And, they were playing a high bass kick-to-the-beat-don't-stop-get-it-get-it rhythm line for you?  And, the drum major was all high steppin' in place with his spirit baton staff waving obnoxiously in the air.

And cheerleaders?

Don't forget the cheerleaders.

Like 4 squads of them with rockstar ponytails flippin' and twistin' like slinkys all over the hardwood and cheering your name.

By now, the fans in the stands would have formed a human tunnel just so you could make your grand entrance to center court.  Each one with tee shirts on that boasted your name and positive sayings about you.

Yeah.

That don't-stop-get-it-get-it beat.

Well, that's what the shoes above are for me.

Reminders.
For when I need a beat.

Got these baby dolls in a Nashville Goodwill.
Paid $4.00 for them.

The moment they met my eyes,  I could hear my name being called out of a megaphone.

I.AM.SERIOUS.

And, as for talking real...

• My nose is raw and red and a wet-like kinda crusty.
• My head is swimmy.
• Water rains out of my nose.
• I am sneezing a minium of 10 times an hour.
• My children have decided to jump on beds.
• They're talking back too.
• My clean, unfolded laundry pile is about to become an art piece on our kitchen couch.
• I cut my nails off and haven't painted them in 2 weeks.

I mean I am all about some real.

And, I'm all about these shoes getting quick-like on my feet.

Cause this mama is in need of a pep rally.

Oh, drum major?  Where are you??

.mac

Mr. T & The Feathered Mohawk

I have abruptly disengaged my vehicle to a halt.  Currently, I'm at a 4 way stop when it comes to the title of this post.  Here's what I got brewing:

1. Peter Pan's Rodeo
2. My T and His Feathered Mohawk
3. Who's Behind That Comb Over Called Bangs?
4. Prints-a-Plenty

Eli & Casey tag teamed this photo shoot.  When you get specific instructions from your freshly turned 5 year old to "quit slouching" you know it's time to double up on the calcium intake.

Let's rap here, shall we?

Ensemble Statistics

Shirt 1:

• Magenta sweater
• Limited brand
• It has real cute drawstring ties on the shoulder that make it all flirty like.  
• Love this in the Spring by itself with a pair of white boat pants and a patterned heel
• It's a thin sweater like material.
• Looks great alone with a chunky shorter necklace too 
• Goodwill
• Paid $2.00.

Shirt 2:

• Navy & white 3/4 length sleeve 
• Gap brand
• I have worn it alone with cowboy boots and white shorts before...CLASSICALLY SPUNKY.
• It also looks great paired with turquoise and then once again with lavender.
• Goodwill
• Paid $2.00

Shirt 3:

• Merona brand
• Great under layer shirt.
• It's tight so you can trust that as you add more shirt layers, you won't get that blousy, bulky feeling.
• Goodwill
• Paid $2.00

Broach:

• KILLER COOL.  
• Totally looks like a family heirloom.
• Rhinestones are chunky fun yet give off that "old money" vibe.
• FREE!
• An older lady friend of mine was just gonna toss out her old junk jewelry to the trash and said I could have anything I wanted.
• WHAT A SAVE!!!!  

Jacket:

• Navy & white
• LOVE the whimsical floral pattern 
• Gap brand
• It's a shorter jacket so it actually accentuates the layered shirt look nicely to me.
• Yeah, I turned the color up.  Don't be hatin' on me.
• I totally look my Dad in this profile.
• Yes, my lips naturally rest this way when I'm not talking.  Weird, I hear you dawg.
• Goodwill
• $3.00

Feather:

• My step mother-in-law bought me a feather pack set of 2 that you can just clip in when you want a little ooomph.
• Eli and Casey's Nana knows me and the serious amounts of happy joy this treasure brings.
• It's a party in my ponytail every time and you know this.

Hair: 

• 2 days dirty.
• For those of you with long hair, you KNOW this is the miracle of the ponytail.
• Bangs...can you say it's time for a haircut?  
• No, I'm not any relation to Donald Trump.
• A special thank you to the big barrel curling iron for taming my 3 cowlicks in my bangs.  That's right. THREE.

Earrings:

• OUTTA THIS WORLD WONDERFUL!
• These were my great-grandmothers.
• They're clip-on.
• aDoRe the floral pattern the rhinestones make.
• I lose feeling in my lobes up until about 15 minutes after I have had them off.
• Beauty is pain, people.  

Bracelets:

• I am the Mr. T of bracelets.
• It's time you know this.

Scarf:

• Navy & white polka dots
• Makes me SOOO happy every single stinkin' time I put it on.
• Goodwill
• 10 cents

Pants:

• leggings
• dark charcoal grey
• It's the new black, you know.
• TJ Maxx
• $3.00 clearance

TOTAL spent on outfit:  $12.10

The Peter Pan in me immensely enjoyed this ensemble.  All day long I felt like Eli & the Face were my Lost Boys.

Mixing prints and layering on offset colors schemes is all kinds of happenin' in the fashion world.

Take it from me, Mr. T.

Well, would you look at that?  My vehicle just found itself in drive.

.mac :)

Quite Certain

Green-wich Village maybe in the top 5 of my all time favorite nail colors by OPI.

It has the strangest yet smoothest funky vibe to me.  I tell you, I just can't stop staring at my fingernails every time I wear it.

And in true Meghan fashion, I rock it like it's the hottest most popular red you have ever seen.

Funked out and ready for a fresh week,
.mac :)

half

I don't have a tattoo.

But if I ever do sponteously ink, it may just have to be the word "goodwill".

Above is just one of the 4 pairs of shoes purchased today at the infamous Goodwill 1/2 Off Weekend sales.

Mmmm, rasberry is gonna feel so fine on this mama come fall. They're totally squishy too.

Shoes are from here. Best I can guess, these were around $70.00 retail compared to the 300 pennies I shelled out for them today.

Yes, "goodwill".

It is a word that just fits right snug around my heartline.

It's compound, and well, I am a huge fan of the compound word.

There's nothing better than getting 2 of something in one package.

Kinda like how I feel about this sweet face above. I get the honor of having her mama as one of my best friends and the joys of baby cheeks & cuddle loves too from Miss McKenzie Grace. A 2 for 1 deal that you can't beat.

And,

goodwill |ˌgoŏdˈwil| (also good will)noun1 friendly, helpful, or cooperative feelings or attitude : the plan is dependent on goodwill between the two sides | [as adj. ] a goodwill gesture.
is just exactly what I get from my monthly shopping experiences at this fine establishment.
2 friends teamed up with me.Sharing and laughing.Hunting.Together and teasing.
Creating happy moments with these girls...

(new fall boots for $3.25 bought today)

well, it just knocks me off my feet.

.mac :)

Saturated

This would be the color on my nails as we speak. I have been wearing this color for about 4 days now and am in love. It's OPI's Greenwitch Village.

I don't normally get all jazzed about wearing funky colors on my nails (now my toenails...that's a completely different story), but I specifically wanted to start 2010 off with a little edge.

Are you a nail girl? I can remember from the time I was just a little pip squeak in pig tails watching my mom maneuver loading and driving us in the car with her nails tacky wet! I can see her taut, slender fingers enunciated from any and all objects. It never failed, that sister always waited until 6 minutes before it was time to leave to paint her nails. And somehow, she always seemed to work it out. The color above resembles a color my mom would always choose only in a Revlon shade. This is OPI's Innsbruck Bronze.


Purple is supposed to be a really hot color in fashion this season. I am contemplating making OPI's Purple on Purpose my February signature shade. And this color is HANDS DOWN a must have in your nail polish library. The perfect anytime red. I particularly love it for my transition from summer to fall. This is OPI's I'm Not Really A Waitress.OPI's Baby It's Coal Outside.

And that's the kicker for me. Not only are OPI's nail colors great as far their durability and easy application, but they also have the coolest names.

OPI's Glamour Game.

I like this one too. Looks like a great winter shade as well as the perfect change up shade from all your razzy brights in summer.

Not gonna lie. These thoughts have always been a-swirl in my noggin:

1. I would secretly love to work for OPI.
2. I would love to be the one who named the polishes and collections.
3. I wonder if I could be a tester for new colors and then write up summaries on my opinion.

And here's my latest obsession. This hue was from 2009's Holiday Wishes Collection. It's called Dear Santa. It was sold out in all area stores, but I have coveted it online and actually spotted it on 2 different ladies out and about.

Don't think for one second I didn't skeedaddle on up to these complete strangers only to confirm that they were, in fact, wearing "Dear Santa".

Cause a girl's gotta know.

So nail color fanatics unite! You just have to go check out OPI's website. I mean whoa. Completely and totally over the top fun. They even have a cyber hand model where you can try on all the colors and even decide what nail length she should have.

Cyber hand paper dolls....EEK!

And don't EVEN get me started on the whole advertisement regarding coordinating your next DELL computer in your favorite OPI shade. Brilliance. Sheer brilliance. My new DELL would be Cajun Shrimp, no doubt. But alas, my next computer will be a MAC.

Initials vs. Nail Colored Computers

You know initials win out.

OPI's Cajun Shrimp (MY signature color)

Lacquer feens, like myself, go peruse this site. It has a great deal on shipping if you plan on ordering larger quantities. I love the high end organization all of the shades to maximize your shopping experience. Placing an order with them this week! Yep, Dear Santa will be on my packing slip.

So whether it's nail color or not, go on. Get saturated something you lOvE!

.mac :)

Future "Present"

I see these in her future.

Cause these are in my pReSeNt!

YEEE-HAAAAWWWWWWWWW!

Oh, by the way, she's here.


.mac :)

p.s. Don't forget to sign up for the giveaway here as it ends tomorrow!

Cause one of these days...

these boots are gonna walk all over you.

Perhaps yesterday's post brought on more accessory nostalgia than I had prepared for.

OR

Perhaps the scouring of new fall fashion looks and then hemmin' and hawin' over them with this chica via email has gotten the best of me.

Either way, it doesn't matter.

2 years.
I have waited long enough.

Come on, boots.
.mac :)

The Surge

Meet my pals. Steno and Bic Mini. Being left handed, the steno is the absolute perfect journaling/drawing notebook for me. No worries about the spirals catching my sleeve or having to contort my hand in the most peculiar of ways. And as far as pencils go, I have always loved the Bic mechanical sketch and toss version. But who can resist, tell me, the Bic Mini? It is so frappin' cute as it is half the Mama Bic's size. Too presh, I say. These guys are compact enough to tote just about anywhere.

And, they are showing up everywhere at my house...

In my hair...


On end tables...


On top of the baking canisters...


I call it the surge. I have had this affliction and/or gift all my life. I am not the kind to dwell on things or SIT down and think things through when it comes to planning and designing. Matter of fact, setting aside time to draw, map things out, or brainstorm only stifles my ideas. Weird, huh?

Once an idea comes to me, I think about it throughout my day. I carry on with my regularly scheduled programming.

Then time passes. Sometimes a lot of time. Sometimes only a very short period of time.

Finally, the surge hits.

And it is all I can think about and concentrate on for days upon days until my fix is satisfied...my idea or design complete, my trial run done, my kinks listed, and my improvement list made.

I sound like a crack addict, don't I?

Hence, the Bic Mini's scattered throughout my house. I even have 1 stuck in the side door of my car, but due to temperatures too chilly to "spelunk" to the garage, you will miss the pic of that one.


I am in full SURGE mode as we speak, cats. I have ideas swirling about in my head like a tornado ripping its way across Oklahoma soil.

Bag designs, little girls' couture designs, new avenues for paint ideas for our Sunshine for the Soul line...it is outta control up in the ole noggin.

And I like it just fine.


It truly is a fix. I can even feel my body's energy level pick up, my mood heighten. and my creative drive kick in. Hmmm. That explanation kind of fits another area of my life at times...

Anyhoo...

Designing is absolutely my favorite. I love that an idea comes from absolutely no where, surfaces, and then allows me to tweak it and make it just as it should be. Then, I get to find the mediums, color hues, and themes just right to bring this idea to fruition.

One of my bag designs as late is my take on what a ole Nanny from England might carry. It has a sassy twist so never fear.

It is practical, fun, and comfortable to boot.

I have chosen these fabrics for my trial test run.

I like the busyness that these fabrics create when paired together. The plaid has a tiny bit of stretch to it and the best rock star pink/poppy red pin line. Perfect toenail color for summer if you ask me. The black and white checked is actually a corduroy. Mixed textures: delightful!

And to top the ole girl off, I am going to incorporate this vintage belt piece from the 1930's. I love its worn ways and classy sparkle.

I am also considering some bulky type hardware too for the strap. Hmmmm.

Yes, this bag should be a great getmethroughtherestofthewinterbag.


So check back soon! The surge plans to bring good things to your shoulder, wallet, mantle piece, and little girl's bum all in due time!

.mac :)

p.s. Just had to use the word, bum, there. It topped off my English persuasion with the bag!!

1st of Tha Month

Couldn't resist this title, I tell you.

It's the 1st of Tha Month.
So cash your checks and come on...

Where you going?

Why here, of course?

That's where I go.
What's so good about the 1st of tha month, you ask?

It's the Double Stuffed Oreo of weekends to shop at Goodwill. Everything in the store which is already so conveniently priced to begin with is marked an additional 50% off.

Uh-huh. That's what I said.

Frugal. I am. I ain't gonna lie. It was engrained in me from childhood, I think.

I appreciate deals. Steals. Cheap wheels.

I actually enjoy finding the good in someone else's forgotten.

And why not?

Some, perhaps, are repulsed by the idea of having to dig, sort, and sift through other's used items.

Dig. Sort. Sift. Why those are some of my favorite verbs right behind dance, kiss, laugh, and create.

Ahhh, the 1st of tha month...


To use the lyrics from one of my huband's favs...

"So what in the world you got in that bag? Yeah, whatchu got in that bag?"


Eight.
8 things.
Twelve.
$12.00 cold hard cash.

That's how it went down, peeps.

I walked in. Did my thing. And left with a bag full of 8 pretties for 12 bones.


I always give myself missions when I go. It adds that much more joy in the "Hunt to Shop", I think.

This trip's particular challenges were:

- buy something for everyone in the family
- buy a sweater type deal for myself to use like this or to wear out and about in our mild Tennessee fall/winter climate. Basically something really comfy, warm, and cute was the picture I had painted in my head.
- buy something out of the blue


Everyone in the family got prizes! Mission #1: DONE.





Here she is. My $3.00 dollar princess. You know when you have that, "I'll know it when I see it" thing going on. Mission #2 accomplished. The paint on that canvas is drying as we speak. It has hoodie for crying out loud.




A long sleeve and short sleeve tee for me. Couldn't resist the Cold Chillin logo. And the Snoopy shirt is as soft as a baby's hiney, I tell you. I can't decide if I am going to wear him to nite-nite in or snuggle in him during the day. Oh, the decisions!
Mission #3: CHECK.

Other purchases included:
-2 pairs of GAP exercise pants for Eli Garrett
-a Polo brand long sleeve polo shirt for Casey face for church
-1 pair of loungy type exercise pants for me.
-1 pair of Banana Republic khaki chinos for Ken to wear to work.

Not bad. Not bad at all.

Trash to Treasure. I wouldn't have it any other way.

...so cash your checks and come on...

.mac :-)