confession session

Mondays are tough. Mondays require coffee and extra eyeliner. Monday is not the day for coherent, organized thoughts. Time for a little post I like to call "Confession Session."  I've done a bunch of these in the past (though I'm too lazy to search and link to them) and they're always a good time. I'll fess up to a few things and if you have anything to confess, leave it in the comments. We'll all feel better getting these things off our chests. :) Here are my confessions.

I purchased Photoshop Elements months ago and I still have no idea how to use it. I open it on occasion, poke around for a minute or two, then get intimidated and close it down. Anyone have any tips or a helpful tutorial you can point me to on how to teach myself to use the program? 

I ate two Krispy Kreme donuts yesterday. #moo

My Mindy Kaling girl crush continues.  In my last post, I discussed Lean In. Today, in The New Yorker, Mindy shares her thoughts on Leaning In of a different variety. I giggled the whole way through.

Yahoo purchased Tumblr for $1.1 billion. Confession: I do not understand Tumblr. At all. Is it a blog? How do you comment? Are you supposed to comment? I'm baffled.

I hate crockpot recipes. I love the idea of dinner cooking while I'm at work but the food always comes out mushy. Ick.  (I do make pulled pork in the slow cooker on occasion and it's pretty good. This recipe for beef tacos isn't bad either.)  I'm planning to try a new crockpot recipe for chicken phillies this week. My expectations are very low but  I'll report back if it's edible.

I don't think Honest Toddler is funny. (They're going to take away my mom card for that one.)

At any given time, I have at least 12 half-written blog posts sitting in my queue. Most of them will  never see the light of day but there they sit. It's like a graveyard for unfinished thoughts. Does anyone else do this?

I'm embarrassed to admit that I still haven't finished Team of Rivals. I started it months ago. It's such an interesting read but not well suited to my reading schedule, which is mostly late at night before bed. I keep reaching for lighter, easier reads. At this rate, I'll be reading it well into 2014.

I take approximately 913 pictures of my munchkin a day. Here's one. (No one likes a post without pictures!) 

Now it's your turn - leave a confession or two in the comments. 

a little fluff, a smidge of substance

So much to share, so little time! It's been a busy few weeks. Hopefully things will slow down for a few seconds so I can share on the recent happenings and pictures but until then, here are few things that just can't wait. Or maybe they just don't require uploading pictures. Whatever.   

 

Beauty.com is having a 20% off friends and family sale.  My shopping cart is FULL.  It is so rare to find a sale on make-up and skincare products. Ulta, Bloomingdale's, Saks - they all seem to exclude beauty products from their promotions.  But this sale is good - NARS, Stila, Urban Decay, Bliss, Kevyn Aucoin, Philosophy.  My willpower is weakening. I'm definitely stocking up on a few favorites - Urban Decay eyeshadow primer and Nars blush - but I'm tempted to try a few new things too.  I've never been one to splurge on skincare but I'm not getting any younger and I've been saying I'll invest in some decent products for ages. I have some Philosophy and Bliss products in my cart that have been recommended.  Any other must haves?

 

(That read like a sponsored plug - swear it wasn't. I'm just excited to find a good deal. And don't forget to use Ebates too - they're offering 6% back for beauty.com purchases.) ***ETA: Looks like you might need the email to get the 20% off.  Comment or email me with your email address and I'll send it to you.

 

I recently joined One Kings Lane, after hearing many of you talk about it for years. Bad move. I want to order 983 things.  However, their emails are out of control.  I'm getting 2-3 a day. OKL, we just met. You're coming on a little strong. How 'bout you play it cool and ease up on the emails?

 

I'm not sure how you transition from talk about make up and home decor to a review of a book on feminism and women in the workplace, so I won't try.  (This, by the way, is why I have no answer for the question "What is your blog about?")

 

With all the buzz around Lean In, both positive and negative, I finally decided to pick it up.  I'd read so many op-eds and reviews, I wanted to form my own opinion.  Honestly, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the book.  (Not because of any review I read prior to picking it up - it's just not the type of book I typically read.) As a working woman, so much of this book resonated with me. Sandberg's advice to lean in and take a seat at the table is just the advice I needed to hear at this stage in my career.   Her message about finding a true partner in your spouse was spot on. (And left me even more thankful for my partner, who is one, in every sense of the word.) The discussion of mentorship and "leaving before you leave" was particularly insightful and so helpful to me. 

 

 I love that Sandberg has directed a spotlight on the gender leadership gap in corporate America and government.  I love that she says ambition and taking risks are good and that having a career and a family is not the same thing as trying to "have it all." I love that people are talking about women's issues! I borrowed an electronic version of the book from the library but I'll be purchasing a copy to hold on to.  "What would you do if you weren't afraid?" she asks.  I don't know - yet - but I haven't stopped thinking about it since I finished Lean In.

 

What was going to be a quick book review turned into a one person book club discussion so I'm out of time for today's post. (You know what's the opposite of leaning in? Spending your lunch blogging. Sorry Sheryl!)

weekend update

 Saturday morning, I packed up the car and Jill, Blaire, and I drove down to Bradenton to see our family.  My parents split time between Florida and Pennsylvania so we jump at the chance to see them whenever they're in Florida.  My grandmother was in town from California as well so it was the perfect weekend for a visit.  I was feeling pretty awful all day (the plague will not leave our house) but the weather was too beautiful to stay indoors. We spent most of the weekend in the pool and Blaire couldn't have been happier about it.

 

As usual, all my pictures are of Blaire. I can't help it - she's such a cute subject.

 

That face!

I just love the curls.

Blaire absolutely loves the water.  She would have spent every single minute of the trip in the pool if we'd have let her.  In the few minutes she was out of the water she'd point and say "Wawa! More Wawa! Pease!" begging to get back in.  Because she's so incredibly spoiled loved by my family, there was always someone willing to hop in the pool with her.

Water baby!

A full day of swimming wore the poor girl out. She crashed hard late afternoon and slept for a few hours.  The late nap and excitement of being with her grandma and papa made for a late Saturday night. It was close to 11 by the time I snuggled her into bed with me. I'm not sure which of us fell asleep first.

Sunday morning Jill and I took Blaire out for breakfast while everyone else slept in.  We stopped at the park on the way back and little missy was in heaven. 

We weren't home more than 10 minutes when Blaire requested a dip in the pool.  It was still early and the pool was still partially shaded and chilly but everyone jumped right in. Anything for Blaire Bear!

My mom picked up this little chair for Blaire and she just loved it. She'd carry it back and forth between the patio and the house. It's perfectly sized for her.  I should mention that my mom also picked up a booster seat, all of Blaire's favorite foods, and some fun toys to entertain her. She makes it so easy to visit. Moms are the best and I couldn't love mine more.

 

And of course there was work to be done too.  She kept picking up the mouse and using it like a telephone.  Such a goofball!

 

It was a wonderful weekend but far too short. I wish we lived closer to my parents so we could see them more often but it makes me appreciate the time together that much more. We get to see them again in a couple weeks so we're looking forward to that trip already. 

 

And that plague I mentioned earlier? I'm starting to wonder if it will never leave us. I was sick last Sunday/Monday. Blaire was home sick two days last week.  I got sick again Saturday but the plague had mostly released its grip on me by Sunday.  By late Sunday night, Brian had fallen victim.  He's home sick from work today.  I just hope that whatever it is, it doesn't find its way back to Blaire. Poor thing has been through enough already.  I'm crossing my fingers for a healthy week. 

 

Love & Lysol,

 

Mel

little of this, little of that

My inbox is such a dangerous place right now. The sale emails are flooding in and temptation is high.  Saks and Tory Burch are running friends & family sales with 25% off and the Bloomingdale's private sale just started. Baby Gap just unveiled their DVF line (waiting for that to go on sale) and J. Crew is also offering 25% off all purchases with no minimum purchase required.  Pottery Barn, PBK, Gap, the Loft - they've all sent emails too. It's as if all the retailers got together and planned an attack on my bank account.

While we're on the topic of shopping, I am loving J. Crew Factory lately.  The selection has really improved and they're always running great sales online and in store (half off in stores this weekend!).  Their v-neck tees are my new weekend staple - perfect to throw on with skinny jeans and flats or shorts and sandals. This oxford popover is great too. Not see-through in white like so many others I've tried. My last three issues of InStyle are sitting unread in my magazine stack so I have no idea whether maxi dresses are still "in" but I sure hope so because I ordered  this one and I love it. Perfect for summer.  

bracelet, clutch, earrings

 

I picked up these fun accessories on my most recent trip to the outlet mall. I almost never carry a clutch these days (not exactly conducive to lugging diapers and sippy cups) but I couldn't pass up this coral bag. The leather is so soft. Someone please invite me out for drinks so I can take my new clutch out for a spin!

 

Changing gears - I eat Panera's Thai Chicken Salad for lunch at least once a week.  It's even better if you sub the Asian dressing for the Thai dressing. I tried making it myself at home so I could bring it in to the office for lunch but it wasn't nearly as good.

I just love this picture I snapped of Blaire waking up from her nap the other day. The flash affected the coloring but I think it gives it a funky 70s vibe. And I just love her bedhead and sleepy eyes.

 

 

And this video cracks me up. Check out Blaire's fake laugh. (She's watching a video of herself as a baby, laughing.) UPDATE - The embed code from YouTube won't work and I know diddly squat about HTML code. Here's a link to the video if you really want to see my silly girl.

Blaire and I are headed to my parents' house for the weekend. My grandmother is in town from California and will be meeting Blaire for the first time!  We're planning on lots of pool time and fun with family. Should be a great weekend. Hope yours is as well!