This Is No Time For An Intervention (Updated)

I saw these shoes today and had, I mean had to have them. Especially since they were 50% off thanks to a one-day sale. Forget that I have nowhere to wear them. Forget that I have nothing to wear them with. Forget that I am on a budget. Forget that I'll probably break my neck trying to walk in them. Forget all of those things. When you have an addiction, you have an addiction and that good sense your mama taught you is thrown to the wind.

So in true addict fashion, I have begun justifying my actions by making up reasons for why it was, in fact, a smart and responsible move. So far, the best I've come up with is that I was planning on buying a fabulous new outfit for my Valentine's Day date with hubby. We are going to a swank resto-lounge and I need to at least try to look like I belong there. So rose colored, sequined, platform, slingbacks pumps on V-day it is. (caution: twisted rationalization up ahead) Actually, it's the perfect shoe for a romantic date, no? Nevermind that it's February and will likely be freezing and open-toe shoes make little sense. NEVER.MIND. The shoes? They are fly. And I will feel so hot in them that I will actually be warm.

Really, the only thing left to do now is to find a cute dress to go with them. Any suggestions? Come on fashionistas. What kind of friends are you if not my enablers?

It is with heavy heart that I must report the following unfortunate news - I came home, opened up my email and saw this message: "Thank you very much for shopping at SmartBargains. We are sorry to inform you that all items in order 280308322941-315096811018 have become unavailable...blah blah blah."

Friends, it's a cruel, cruel world.

Can We Say Happy Valentine's Day?

Ok, I couldn't get the scanned image to show up any bigger so you probably can't read the small print, but how fabulous is this J. Crew promotion? They'll send your gift recipient a handpicked pair of shoes each month for a year. All for *only* $1800.

A girl can dream, can't she?

Being a mom and looking great - you can have them both!

Addendum to my post about work/life balance -- which, by the way, was drafted about 12 days ago and just never made it to the blog - so much for work-life balance:)


Anyway, in honor of the last day of this month (can't remember whether it's Work-life appreciation month - or what!!!) I convinced myself that I MUST stay up beyond my bed-time to post this entry to the blog.

I think that it is possible to balance all the pressures of daily life as a working mom AND still look fabulous - how, you ask????

First tip, get a trim/cut as regularly as you can. Uncombed hair works very well if it was recently trimmed/cut. You will find that you can get away with a quick finger toss, if it's been freshly cut.

Second tip, take your styling utensils to work with you. I would try to get myself and DD together in the morning and out the house by 8 a.m. - and it just wasn't working. And then one day when I was running a bit late, I decided to take the flat iron into work with me and do my hair when I got to work. Ta da!!!!!! why didn't I think about this before. It saves me about 15 minutes every morning and my hair looks a little bit better because it doesn't have to face the elements on the way into the office.

Last tip, get a pair of fabulous black or brown pumps. Pumps always dress you up and it makes you feel sexy and in control. I advocate having a beautiful pair of shoes handy at all times. For me, it's such the opposite of a "mama" stereotype that it takes me out of that mama-mode and transforms me into the power lady at the job. When I'm in pumps, I think I'm hot and that makes me feel good which translates into a happier mom and happier wife - this is in my world and I'm sure I'm going to get a lot of flack for this tip:)

To bed I go!!!!!!

LOVE IT! Thursdays: Sanity-Saving Gadget

During our trip to Chicago week before last, we stumbled upon a fair where my sis and I got the cutest little gadget! It's called Finders Key Purse (get it??) and it really is the best thing since sliced bread. And maybe reality tv.

Anyway, Finders Key Purse is a key chain designed to hook on to the side of your purse (or pants pocket, etc.) so that you won't have to dig all around your bag searching for your keys or phone. Brilliant! To make it even better, the woman who designed it offers the key chain in a variety of adorable designs. The charm faces outwards so all you see is that cute little design. I got the Red Pump (naturally) and Lisa got the Fleur-de-Lis. For a mere 10 bucks, we were sold.

I have to say that I love this little gadget. The design of the hook makes it very difficult for it to fall off the side of your purse, so while the contents of my bag could be a disaster, I can rest assured that my cell phone is always where I can find it. Such a small thing, but it really makes life that much easier! Lisa uses it with her T-Mobile Sidekick and there is a design that works with keys too.

I give the Finders Key Purse:

5 gavels: Love it! Can't live without it!

All the Cool Kids Are Saying It

I. Am. Beat. It's never fun to start the week exhausted. But I am. And I blame it all on J. Jones and J. Ny for starting my weekend off with cute little orange and pink drinks of the alcohol persuasion. Let's just say it was more than a leetle hard for me to jump out of bed on Saturday morning. And then, my friend and I decided to take our kids to see their first movie in the theatre. I must have still been tipsy if I thought my two hooligans were going to sit through Shrek the Third. Actually, they did surprisingly well and sat "quietly" - it's all relative - for about 45 minutes. Shortly thereafter, chaoes ensued and we ended up leaving early. Which was really a shame because we the kids we were really enjoying the movie. But it was a good trial run. Tiring but fun. Add in the three strawberry margaritas I had at my mom's night out on Saturday and you can imagine how I felt by Sunday morning. But still, I made hubby a big breakfast for Father's Day and cleaned the house from top to bottom. And kept the girls busy so Dad could relax on his special day. Dropped his aunt to the airport and played with the girls on their Slip n' Slide. By the time Top Chef came on at 9pm, I was a goner. And so, this morning I am beat. But it's a happy tired. And that rocks.

Oh and this morning rocked. Having a nanny come to your house is positively delightful! This morning, Nini arrived bright and early and the girls were ecstatic. I'm sure they're still showing her exactly where they keep each and every one of their personal belongings. And now that she's only watching my two kids instead of her normal 5, she is looking forward to doing a lot more with them, and that rocks. As I was leaving, she was setting up a craft area for them while having Chatterbox count the number of pink shoes in her closet. Actually, I bet she's still counting. The poor thing has inherited Mommy's passion for shoes through no fault of her own. But I digress. Getting out of the house this morning was a breeze. There were no cranky wake-ups, no frantic dressing and no hasty daycare bag packing, and no jumping into the car speeding to work, sweating profusely. It was great. And that's when I realized that we have been led astray ever since I brought Chatterbox to her first day of daycare. We could have been living the easy life all this time! But that's ok. I'm just glad the daycare snafu has been resolved. I am already looking forward to the extra 30 minutes of sleep that I plan to add on tomorrow morning. And that definitely rocks.

I'll Take *Lovely* for $1000, Alex

I have good news and bad news...Whatch'a wanna hear first?

The Bad News: My Mother's Day Weekend has come to a close.

The Good News: It was lovely! Remember my fun-filled day of errands on Friday? Well, as it turns out, I ended up at the mall for about 3 hours and mopped nary a floor and folded nary a towel. It was great! And I have about 5 new outfits (hooray!) and of course a fly pair of shoes (HOORAY!) to show for it. And I was able to get the shoes with a giftcard that hubby gave to me in 2005 (no joke) so that just sweetened the deal. Thanks Hubs! [Of course his response when I got home was "You wasted that gift card on SHOES?" Will he never understand?]

Saturday the gals and I lazed around in the beautiful weather outside all morning. Well, the gals splashed around in their kiddie pool and I lazed. *Lovely* Then Saturday afternoon was the annual Mother's Day Pink Party with my mother's group. Everyone dresses up in their prettiest of pinks and we celebrate motherhood over a deliciously catered meal in a beautifully decorated backyard. The hostess even gave out Certificates of Appreciation to all of the moms for our "dedication and hard work at the most challenging, fulfilling and important job of motherhood." Amen! Then, Hubby, the gals and I went out for dinner (yes, I was already stuffed) to a cozy authentic Mexican restaurant and then for an evening drive. It was lovely evening. Oh! And then I came home to a sweet card from my Sis and delivery of gorgeous roses and lilies from my Dad wishing me a Happy Mother's Day. *Lovely*

Sunday, Hubby and the girls brought me breakfast in bed. Well, actually the girls jumped all over me and the bed begging for my food as I tried to watch the mother-daughter episode of How Do I Look "alone." Then Oldest and I went to church where I was greeted with a beautiful corsage and Mother's Day card from the Teen Ministry inscribed with:

"It's Mother's Day...May the world bloom in your honor!

Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. Proverbs 31:30"

Very true. But my new shoes are still slamming.

And after church, the family went to to a Caribbean buffet brunch. It.Was.So.Good. I'm still stuffed. *Lovely* We topped the night off watching the latest episode of the Sopranos. [Can you BELIEVE what Tony did to Christopher? He's cold man. Real cold.]

And that was my weekend. Did I mention that it was just *lovely*?

Cole Haazard

I knew breaking in new shoes could sometimes be a pain but who knew it could be hazardous! This morning I was backing out of my driveway on my way to work and I went to step on the brake but because my shoes were brand new, I had no traction and my foot slipped right off! Luckily I wasn't on a busy street -- it could have been ugly. Well, my feet wouldn't have been ugly because, trust me, the shoes are cute. But still, it could have been worse. Could you just imagine the news headline?

Don't get excited. I got them on clearance.

And please don't get scared away by my superficial shallow rants. I am, how do you say, a "multi-dimensional woman." Therefore, a thought-provoking, deep-discussion-worthy post is on its way soon. Maybe.

Well, She Can't Be That Dumb...

Is it bad that I am loving Jessica Simpson's new line of shoes?