the pink clutch ...

Color love!!

2012-01-31T07:48:00.001-05:00

About a month ago I spotted these photos on Pinterest. I instantly fell in love. The blue, the green, the hint of pink ... heaven!!

Our dining room is currently the green ... so I just needed to decide which room to make blue.

Dining room and panels

A little convo with the bestie and we both agreed. It would be the front room ... aka the office. We picked out the paint, grabbed some fabric to tie it all together ... and found some amazing plates at Boxwoods in town.

Confirmation photo ... we both loved!!

Bad photo ... fabric is so bright and happy in person!!

Amazing ... yes??

Now to just get it painted. I can just hear Felix now ... didn't we juuuust paint this house neutral for resale??? We may have ... but I am no fan of neutral!! Color makes me happy!!!

Just when I thought my love affair with blue and green was satisfied I spied these photos from the new JCrew line and the love affair was ignited even more!!!

(glitterguide.com)

The skirt, the shirt, the bag, the accessories and most of all the pants and the sweater ... simply put ... Divine!

Looks like I have more shopping to do!!

And with this little buddy home sick for the week it looks like any shopping I will be doing will be online only!

xo,

MPM

Oh yeah that!

2012-01-30T06:00:00.000-05:00

Saturday evening I was preparing to make dinner for the kids and just didn't have the energy to make it happen. I was exhausted and just wanted to snuggle my kids and call it a day. Then I felt guilty. I should be making healthy meals and not giving in to my exhaustion. So I compromised. I went to pick up the take out instead of having it delivered.

As I was backing out of the garage I backed into the garage door. The door wasn't all the way up and the back of the Yukon slammed into the door. Scared the pee out of me. Luckily for me, the car and the door there was no damage. Or at least ... none I can find.

I returned home with the Little Caesar's and greeted the kids in the kitchen. My teenager looks at me and inquires about the car. "So ... (pause for effect) How's the car?" Of course I feign ignorance. He replies ... "Mom my room is over the garage I heard you hit the door."

Flash forward to Sunday night. The teenager sneaks a piece of crazy bread (left over from the Little Caesar's) while I am finishing up making dinner. He takes a bite and then asks me about it.

HSM ... Why is this bread so good? What kind of cheese is on this?

Me ... It's Parmesan cheese.

HSM ... Just Parmesan cheese? Why is it so good?

Me ... They use pizza crust and then brush on butter and garlic. Before they put it in the oven they dust it with Parmesan cheese.

HSM ... How do you know so much about it?

Me ... I used to work at Little Caesar's in high school. I put a dent in the fender of the car and my Dad made me get a job to pay for the damage.

HSM ... Your dad or mine.

Me ... Mine. And I have never had an accident again.

HSM ... You mean until last night when you hit the garage door.

Me ... Oh yeah that!!!

Smart kid ... makes me crazy!!!

xo,

MPM

Hammer Time!!!

2012-01-27T08:13:00.002-05:00

Oh, its Hammer Time up in here!!!

It's the 100th day of school and you would have thought they were going to Disney!!! Except, of course, for the teenager who was eye rolling and dismissing the silliness!

And to top it off Lawyer comes home tonight for a total of ...

36 hours!

Yo ... beggars can't be choosers!!!

We'll take it!

xoxo,

MPM

The sun will come out tomorrow ...

2012-01-26T09:01:00.000-05:00

(thank you Pinterest, once again!)

Today is a brand new day. A new chapter for me and my family!!!

All is well, the sun is out and the possibilities are endless!!!!!!

xo,

MPM

Today ...

2012-01-25T06:00:00.000-05:00

(courtesy of Pinterest)

This is me today.

I am full of anxiety and wait.

But I know ... this too shall pass and every. single. thing. happens for a reason!!!

xo,

MPM

A little spring color in this joint ...

2012-01-24T06:00:00.000-05:00

I saw this photo yesterday over at Black and Spiro! If you don't read her you are missing out!

She is fabulous ... full of color and great ideas!!!

And this photo inspires me to add some spring color in the Lawyer house this week.

It will definitely counter act all the grey, rainy days!

Right?

xo,

MPM

A wet but rather lovely weekend!!

2012-01-23T08:26:00.000-05:00

It was our first weekend without Lawyer and to be honest, I was dreading it. The weekends are so much harder than the weekdays. So much more tiring!!! To my surprise it went off without much more than a whine!

We started the weekend with a movie night at the school. The student council was raising money for Must Ministries! They were showing The Smurfs and National Treasure and selling popcorn and juice boxes. Precious event ... great evening!!! Saturday we all slept in ... absolutely glorious!!! The rainy weather is wearing this house out. Caught a late afternoon showing of Beauty and the Beast in 3D and ate fajitas for dinner. They loved it ... I stuck with water. Too much junk from the movies!! I would rather eat caramel cremes than beef any day!

Sunday we traded church for devotion time at home. It was just what the day required!! After brunch the kids washed their clothes and finished their chores. I snuck away for the afternoon and left the gang with a sitter. A little quiet time and alone errand running is required for me during these long gaunts of single parenting. And there is no better sight than returning to little piles of folded clothes. Its like having a house full of housemaids. Now, if I could only get a footman or three!

I finished up the evening with a quick glass of wine (or 2) with California Girl. For me even the quick get togethers refuel me. One hour of girl time does this girl quite good!! I came home with pizza, tucked in the kids and finished my day to Downton Abbey. I have said it before and I will say it again. This is a great series. If you aren't watching it ... you are missing out. Absolute, sweet perfection!!

Hope your weekend was lovely! Even if it did rain all day every day!

It makes for great nap weather!!

xo,

MPM

Party of 4 ...

2012-01-20T08:00:00.002-05:00

After getting used to having Lawyer home every night for the better part of three weeks ... he is on the road again! (He sounds like a country music artist!) Big long sigh here!

The time alone started off rough ... MHM was home with strep, WPM had two tests to study for and they were all being super hard on the mom!! I think they collaborated and decided to make me as crazy as I could be. I felt myself becoming more unglued by the minute!

But it has been two days now and we have once again settled in ... it only took a few days of antibiotics, an entire bag of double bubble, restriction of the television for a week, two big bowls of homemade popcorn for National Popcorn Day, two big nose bleeds from stress (WPM) and a night out for pizza and salad to rally us all!!! HSM spent the night out last night so after I tucked in the younger two last night I tucked myself in! I was sound asleep by 8:30 pm!!

Today is a new day and all is as right as the rain falling outside!!!

Let's hope Lawyer returns on in February with news we all want to hear!!!

xo,

MPM

Word of the day ...

2012-01-19T06:00:00.000-05:00

Yesterday's word of the day on thesaurus was persnickety.

Persnickety means overparticular, fussy. Snobbish or having the aloof attitude of a snob. Requiring painstaking care.

Fabulous word. Very Violet Cromwell.

Enjoy ... use it as much as you can today. I will enjoy doing so!!!

xo,

MPM

True love!

2012-01-18T08:45:00.001-05:00

MHM is sick. Home from school yesterday and again today as we wait for her to become "not contagious". As she was preparing to go to bed she became very worried. You see, she sleeps with WPM every night because he is anxious about the dark and sleeping alone. She didn't want him to be upset just because she was sick and and could not sleep with him. She thought for a minute and came up with a plan.

He could sleep in the bed ...

... and she would sleep on the floor.

I love it!!! That sweet sacrifice warmed my heart all night!

xo,

MPM

A complete mystery ...

2012-01-17T06:00:00.000-05:00

The Lawyer house has a mystery!! I entered my bathroom and found something missing. No one, including Lawyer, is talking. And I am completely at a loss!

This is what the towel hook in my bathroom is supposed to look like ...

And this is the hook now ...

No towel, no hook ... nothing! I have questioned each of them together and separately. Still nothing. They all look at me like I am the naughty one.

I guess I just completely give up the search, throw in the towel and head to Lowe's for a new hook.

And possibly a surveillance camera! Or two!

xo,

MPM

my365 ...

2012-01-16T06:00:00.000-05:00

As always ... I find great things via the blog world. My recent discovery was a new app for my Iphone called my365. It is a free app that allows you to post a photo a day on your calendar to keep as a memory. The blurb sells it as ... "One day. One photo. Every day is a precious moment.". I thought it was brilliant.

After downloading the free app I immediately scrolled through my camera roll to chose the photos I would like to place on the calendar. Since I downloaded the app on January 4 I did not have many days to fill in. Once you add the photo you are asked to give it a title. Easy enough ...

Jan 1 ... Happy New Year!

Jan 2 ... our amarylis

Jan 3 ... Disney bound

Jan 4 ... Organized again

And a few more of my additions ...

Jan 6 ... Happy Birthday!!!

Jan 7 ... Lawyer's formal

Jan 10 ... School resumes!

It is fun and so easy to use. I will say more than once it has forced me to stop and take a photo of the day just to be able to add it.

I think that is a good habit to have!!

MPM

A little bonus for fellow Downton Abbey loves ...

2012-01-13T16:48:00.002-05:00

Maggie Smith aka Lady Grantham is by far my favorite character! Her question of "What is a weekend?" still makes me giggle. Clearly she doesn't know what a weekend is ... only working people would know that. She is witty, completely snobby and oblivious that the world does not exist exactly as she sees it. I was googling around and found a list of her quotes. I giggled!

Enjoy!!

It is freezing here and I am hunkered down waiting for Lawyer to come home and make a fire. I could make one but that would require me to go outside in the cold. Not gonna happen! OK?

Hope you are snuggled and warm!!

xo,

MPM

Downton Abbey ... I heart thee!

2012-01-13T06:00:00.001-05:00

My friend Alice has long since been referring to Downton Abbey as a most fabulous indulgence. I was none the wiser. That is ... until yesterday. She had shared on Facebook that she was finally sitting down to enjoy the season premiere of Season 2 and I had yet to even watch the first episode. When I inquired about catching up she pointed me to Netflix.

Since I noticed it was available for instant viewing I put it off until the chores for the day were complete. I could not have Don Draper returning from work with the kids unwashed, unfed and me hold up in our room watching hours upon hours of a period drama. He would have flipped his 1960's lid.

I held off until 5 pm when all else was done and I had minestrone soup simmering in the stock pot and was able to sneak off for one episode. I had no idea that I would instantly fall in love and be sucked into the happenings of a Lord Grantham's house in 1912. It is simply fantastic.

I did break for dinner, bath and books and then tucked myself right back into bed for another episode. Or six. I managed to stay up until 1 am watching the entire first season. Lawyer was convinced I had lost my marbles as he answered emails, watched NCIS on DVR and was snoring away by 11 pm. I never stay up past 10 without a very good reason or at least a good nap under my belt.

I had neither and am suffering the consequences today. I am exhausted and suffering from a migraine ... though I know they are not related. The barometer is all whacked out and my head and left eye are pounding something fierce!!

I have been out of pocket most of the day. Not to worry. I did shower, get dressed and make a run to Whole Paycheck. I have dinner ready to be prepared, and after the kids are asleep I will be tucking myself into bed with a cup of tea and a warm blanket.

No Downton Alley for me today ... after watching the season 2 premiere this am ... I am completely caught up!!

You must check it out ... I challenge you not to fall in love!!

xo,

MPM

Lunch and snack packing 101

2012-01-12T06:00:00.000-05:00

I have been asked to share some ideas on lunch and snack packing for school. I have been making the kids lunches and packing them and their snacks the day before to maximize the time in the mornings!!! It works for me and I love it. I posted the photo above on Facebook yesterday of my new habit and one of my friends asked me for lunch and snack ideas. It was easier to blog about it then answer her on Facebook. Jill ... this is for you!!!

First of all I will say that it was not my idea to pack it all the day before. But ... it is a great one!!! It takes the pressure off of me in the morning and making it in the afternoons definitely makes the witching hour and bed time smoother. And I am just plain lazy. Once I tuck the kids in at night I rarely go back down stairs. At this point of the day I love to hang in my room. I blog, I read and I hang with Lawyer if he is in town. I have been making lunches and snacks while the kids are doing their homework after school. They come in off the bus, have a snack and do their homework. I am available if they need me and the lunch boxes are clean and ready to be filled. Once the lunches are made I refill the lunch boxes and they go back in the frig until the next morning. Wham bam ... thank you ma'am. Done!

Snacks ... I am a mom who packs a salty and a sweet, or basically a salt and a fruit. If they have a big fruit like an apple then their salty is tiny ... like 1/2 of a Z bar. If they have a larger salty ... then they get a box of raisins or a few strawberries.

My favorite fruits to send are apples, clementines, strawberries, grapes (when the fat ones are in season), raisins or squeezable apple sauce. I buy the small apples ... you get a lot in the bag and they are plenty for a snack!! Bananas are a complete no go!! I also trade out fruit for squeezable yogurt. If its frozen it stays cold until afternoon snack time. MHM has snack time in the middle of the day since her lunch is at 10:25 am.

Here is MHM's snack for tomorrow.

I let her match her fruit and salt for the week and then bag them. She tries to get creative. It is fun to watch!!!

WPM is all about the salt. He loves crackers and any other carb and my goal is to squeeze the protein in. He goes thru fazes. For a while it was popcorn, then hard pretzels and cheese and now its Ritz crackers. He took them with cheese for two days and today he asked me to pack them with pepperoni.

Lunches ... each kid is different. They all like the same food but they ask for different things. MHM will eat peanut butter and jelly or ham and cheese. WPM only eats ham, cheese and mayo. Once in a while he will ask me for a peanut butter and banana sandwich but he is a creature of habit ... so ham, cheese and mayo it is. HSM will eat anything including the bag if I let him. I usually pack him a ham, salami and provolone sandwich for lunch and a pb&j for snack. He also gets barbeque chips and a yogurt. Sometimes I pack him a pimento cheese and ham sandwich or tuna if its made. MHM will also eat these ... but she says the other kids look at her funny. If they want chips they get a 1/2 sandwich (all but the teenage boy) and then I match it with a fruit and drink. Either water or I just sprung for Trader Joe's lemonades this week. MHM reported that they were fancy and WPM reported they were for girls. Hmmm ... he will be getting water again.

Once in a while I completely branch out and send soup. The younger two love tomato soup and cheese sandwiches. I tried for a while to send wraps and other things and Lawyer made me stop. He insisted I was feeding his children untradeables. He's a joy!!!

I hope that helps Jill!!! Hugs to you and that cute boy of yours!!! Now I need that rosemary chicken recipe you gave me ... I think it was rosemary chicken!

xoxo,

MPM

The studio ... organized!!!

2012-01-11T16:14:00.001-05:00

My office has always been in the house. It is at the bottom of the basement stairs to the right. It is pretty large. The room is unfinished with painted concrete floors. When I first started my business in 2005 it was neat as a pin. I mean neat, tidy and amazingly clean. I had a baby ... it had to be!!! Then I grew and gathered more stock, the baby started walking and well ... life goes on. I would straighten it each January after busy season and it would stay that way for a while but as soon as show season started again it would grow scary day by day. Then ... we put the house on the market. It was super tidy the entire time the house was for sale. Show worthy and quite amazing.

Then the house came off the market and it became the door I dreaded to pass. It was scattered, covered and smothered in there. You could not walk. At all. I hated it!!!!

Not any more ...

The products are all tucked away in their baskets ...

Each basket is tidy and organized.

Everything has a place and each place is labeled correctly.

The working table is clean and all things are put away!!

The thread is organized by color and ready to use!!

I even hung a favorite Kate Spade drawing!!! Its my outlook ... to be colorful on a dreary, grey day.

The fill is all tucked away and labeled for easy use.

The studio is once again perfect!!!

Even the gift wrapping area is neat, tidy and has a few gifts already purchased ready for the year.

It was a long three days. I hauled crap to Good Will, I bagged more crap for the trash. I drank a lot of tea and ate lunch in the studio. All in the name of organization!!! And it was worth it ... all is right with the world once again!!!

xo,

MPM

Cue the music ...

2012-01-10T08:06:00.000-05:00

Wow! The kids are finally back in school. Today is their first day after Christmas vacation and it was a long 19 days for all of us. They were antsy to get back and I was ready for a schedule once again. Do not misunderstand me ... I did enjoy the lazy mornings but those lead to lazy afternoons and after a while we all start going to pot. It was time!!

This morning consists of an extra cup of coffee before I have to bust a move around this joint!!! MHM has a doctor appt this morning and I have some paperwork that is calling my name!!!

I have not forgotten the photos I promised you from the studio clean out. Plus I have a birthday recap to give you. It was a fabulous day!!! My lens was acting up ... I will have it back this afternoon and will get them up tomorrow! Pinky swear ...

xo,

MPM

Wow ... Happy Birthday to me!

2012-01-06T08:20:00.001-05:00

I woke up this morning another year older. Don't really feel any different and look exactly the same as yesterday. Hmmm ... still thinking about those numbers ... I would not want to be any younger than I am if no other reason than the fact that I do not want to revisit any of the younger lessons. Be there, done that!!!

I am off to spend the day any way I want with one amazing friend!!! Does it get any better??? I had a fun lunch yesterday filled with girlfriends and gifts and wine and happy giggles! I loved every second and was sad when it ended. I am one lucky girl!!!

Since calories don't count today I will be indulging in cupcakes, champagne and carbs.

Gotta rock it one day a year ... right???

Happy day to you!

xoxoxo,

MPM

The gift of a week ...

2012-01-04T10:17:00.001-05:00

MHM is at Disney for the week with my parents. They take every child when they are 7 for a week. She has been waiting a very long time for this. When she was born the oldest went (not that she remembers) and then WPM went and she totally knew ... and was not happy to be left at home. Now that it is finally her turn she left without even noticing she was leaving others behind. She kissed us all ... boarded the plane and blew this popsicle stand.

It is very weird to have just two children in the house ... especially two boys. They are self sufficient and only appear in my area for food and to ask questions. Hmmm ... I have been reduced to transportation and cook.

And ... I am ok with that!!!

I have been in my studio since the airport run yesterday am. It needed help. In. A. Big. Way!!! It was all scattered, covered, smothered, diced and peppered with crap. It had gotten so bad that I could only open the door and set more crap down. It had been affecting my sleep and deterring me from even walking into the basement for fear of passing the dreaded door. It was BAD!!!

Not so much anymore. And I slept great last night!!! Part from exhaustion and part from organization. It was bliss!!!

I will reveal at the end of the week when I finally emerge longer than it takes to call for take out, run the boys to the drive thru, grab more tea, pee or sleep. I am taking time off tomorrow for lunch with girl friends and Friday to spend my birthday with the bestie. Its our tradition and it rocks!!!!!!

Til then ...

xo,

MPM

Welcome to 2012!!

2012-01-01T10:25:00.000-05:00

Happy 2012!!

I am enjoying the time with my family and the lazy days of the kids being out of school!!!

Hope your new year rocks so far!!

xo,

MPM

Happy New Year!!!

2011-12-31T10:57:00.001-05:00

Hopefully you are going out tonight and this won't be your house in the wee hours of the new year.

We are!!!

Happy New Year to you from us!!!

xo,

MPM

Merry Christmas!!!

2011-12-25T14:43:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas from the Lawyer family to yours!!!

I hope your day is filled with Joy!!!

We are enjoying our family time celebrating the birth of our savior!!!

See you in the new year!!

xo,

MPM

A little post of pink and green

2011-12-21T08:46:00.000-05:00

Did you see these gingerbread houses on the Lilly Facebook page? There are two houses and each one is absolutely amazing!!! Can you see the monogram on the door knob? I die.

I am in awe of the creativity involved and the detail in each house. Those trees, that snowman, the wreaths ... I could go on for days.

I sent the photos to the bestie this weekend who quickly responded ...

"OMG ... did you buy that for me???"

Oh so I wish ... although if I had purchased either of them I am not sure I would have been able to part with it.

So her next question was ... "Can we make a pink and green gingerbread house next year?"

Oh sweets, that's a tough one.

At least I will have a whole year to figure it out!!

xo,

MPM

A little soiree ...

2011-12-19T08:27:00.001-05:00

Soiree ... noun. a gathering or party held in the evening especially for one particular purpose.

I am hosting a soiree this evening for two purposes actually. The first being able to spend some quality time with those who make my every day better. A girl can not survive in this world without her girls. You could make it ... but why try? And two, to play some games and kick some tail!!!

I love game night and game night at Christmas will be nothing short of fantastic!!! There will be ten of us tonight for some cocktails and nibbles, laughter and giggles!!! Doesn't that punch look amazing???

What could be better?
xo,
MPM

We live in a magical place ...

2011-12-18T18:11:00.001-05:00

Our neighborhood is a great place to live and this time of year it is nothing short of magical. We saw Santa at 3:45 with no waiting. We were in and out in less than 8 minutes.

As I am finishing up some holiday cooking and making dinner we heard the doorbell.

It was about forty people caroling.

Dressed head to toe in their holiday best, some even with plaid scarves and and all the kids shaking bells.

Caroling.

Ahh ... simply magical!!!!

Happy Sunday!

xo,

MPM

Life changing list ...

2011-12-18T08:20:00.000-05:00

As always I am smarter when I read blogs. Whether it be a new style, a great recipe or a great tip ... I find the most amazing things on blogs, well blogs and pinterest. Oh the time suck that is pinterest. This time I discovered this list from reading KAG's blog. All I have to say is WOW!!!

I may have mentioned that I started therapy about 18 months ago. After some urging from a bestie and being sick and tired of being angry and hurt I sought out some assistance from a very talented therapist. In a sentence ... she taught me how to be me. The real me. The happy, content, released from most of my growing up crap me. It was the best thing I have ever done ... I have never been happier!!! If I could sum up the last 18 months it would look a lot like this list I have referenced. She is no nonsense and no fluff. She does not blow sunshine up my derriere. She simply tells me my issue ... we talk about it until I get it and then she helps me work on how to change it.

As I look over this list of 30 things I have a heard time picking out my favorite. They are all good. As a mother I will be printing it out and handing to each of my children one day.

A few of them were huge for the "old me" ...

#1 ... Stop spending time with the wrong people.

#20 ... Stop wasting time explaining yourself to others.

#23 ... Stop trying to make things perfect.

#25 ... Stop acting like everything is fine if it isn't.

And I love the quote by Maria Robinson at the top ... "Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending."

I am 100% confident that the last 18 months I have done that ... I do not have the same life I had before and therefore I will not have the same ending.

Hell yes!!!

xo,

MPM

The magic that is C Wonder ...

2011-12-16T09:01:00.002-05:00

(courtesy of style.com)

"re-imagining retail with an experience that most women never imagined could exist—extraordinary products at an incredible value with luxury service in an inspiring environment—plus a little unexpected 'wow.'" (nyracked.com)

Unless you live under a rock you have definitely heard of the new store C Wonder. It has been all over the news and of course all over the blog world. C Wonder is the new endeavor of Tory Burch's ex Chris. Clearly he is a business genius. He hit preppy square on the nose and made it affordable for all!!! Style.com wrote ... Everything in the store has a decidedly preppy feel, from the printed button-ups to the grosgrain dog leashes, and can be monogrammed or engraved on the spot. (Burch showed off his own initials on the pair of velvet slippers he was sporting.) Taking customization one step further, shoppers can also adjust the music and lighting in the dressing rooms. But for all the custom options, the prices stay firmly within reach. The average hovers under $40. How could you not fall instantly in love?

C Wonder is nothing short of fabulous!!! I have not had the opportunity to set foot in the actual store in Soho ... however, I have had not one but two experiences with the fabulous entity online. The first box came in record time and the presentation I received was over the top!!!

The receipt was packed in that gorgeous envelope!

The package included a great C Wonder tote ... complete surprise!

Under the receipt and tote the entire box was wrapped in tissue and sealed with a gold seal ...

And then each thing I ordered was carefully wrapped and then wrapped again in tissue with gold seals. Seriously? The time and care for each shipment is divine. And I only spent $120.

Unfortunately I can not blog about all I purchased. My friend Charlotte reads my blog and her gift among others was tucked away in this box! You can spot WPM's popcorn maker I ordered. $29 and adorable!!!

I have to make one last purchase (today) for Christmas. It will no doubt be here by the middle of next week looking ever the fabulous shipment!!!

C Wonder ... A+!!!

xo,

MPM

Wordless Thursday ...

2011-12-15T09:37:00.001-05:00

Enjoy!!!

xo,

MPM

Blog world fun ...

2011-12-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

I saw this little ditty on Design Darling yesterday and loved it! It allowed me to give you a little tidbit about me in six short questions.

Where you spend the holidays: at home in Georgia

Favorite indulgence: a new accessory, usually shoes or a bangle

Heels or flats? Heels if I am going out but flats if I am staying in or hanging with besties

Next home project you're tackling: My basement! It needs a fresh coat of paint and some new accessories

New Year's resolution: be less anxious and live my life to the fullest

Blog(s) rocking my world lately: Summer is a Verb always rocks my world, Little Green Notebook

And then I reread my answers and thought about it. I have had a lot on my mind since the funeral on Sunday. Mostly about really living. Not just talking but doing!!! So ... I added a few questions of my own ... mostly so I would think about the responses!

What would you do with a million dollars: Donate 1/2 and travel!!

If you knew you only had a little time left what is one thing you would really want to do:

Take my kids to Europe

Any regrets: none

What about you?

xo,

MPM

The list of ten ...

2011-12-13T06:00:00.000-05:00

My kids have been out of control. It's just that time of year. Lawyer is traveling a lot ... I have been preoccupied and its the time of year when they get over excited and act like complete crazies! I will say that the Santa threat is working like a charm for me. Too bad that will end pretty much the minute he drops the gifts and bolts out of town. Boo!

WPM was whining like mad on Saturday and I made him sit down and write five things he was thankful for ... he whined about it, so I made it ten. He started to whine even more but then realized I would just keep adding five things. Whining is pretty much nails on the chalkboard for me. I despise it. I am working on a way to completely remove it from my life, but I am doubtful. I will let you know how that works out for me.

He sat down at the computer and made his list. It was pretty much a list of ten words. No thought really ... just ten words so he could move on to other things. Notsomuch little one. I made him add adjectives and he could not use the same one over and over again which he attempted to do with the word lovely.

Here is his finished list. (this is the exact way he typed it ...

all I did was copy it over to the blog and put it in italics)

my loving family. my nice mother and father. me funny friends. me cut sister. my supper nice brother and me cousins. my awesome ankle and my super nice aunt. my loving grandfather.

Ps ... his ankle (uncle) was in the house at the time which made his list even easier since it was one thing he didn't have to stretch his brain to think about.

He's pretty stinking cute.

And he will live to see another day!

xo,

MPM

Scared straight!

2011-12-12T08:57:00.001-05:00

Crazy week ... busy and not much to tell for it! Spent a lot of time with the gay bestie and was physically and emotionally worn out. He is life one day at a time and it is heart breaking to watch him suffer. Snuck off to Scott's on Thursday for a two hour excursion. Paper Girl and I scored some gifts for her list and of course had a few hours of quality time!!! Dirty Santa party on Thursday night and then another party on Friday night where I was over served at both. What can I say ... it was a long week and a good cocktail seemed appropriate!!!

My youngest, MHM, has been quite the naughty girl lately!!! She tends to have quite the edge when she is sleepy ... but this is a whole new level of bad! Her room is a disaster and she has been quite sassy. And to top it off she was docked twice this week at school for not listening to directions. All in all ... not good!

I am attempting to scare her straight today with a hand delivered letter from Santa Claus. I have just typed up a letter complete with Santa clip art and details only he should know. She made a Santa list and hid it to keep it safe until she sees him but in trying to find something in her room I stumbled upon it. She does not know I discovered her hidden treasure so the letter will be even more "real" for her. It will be placed on the door step after school where I will be ding-dong-ditching. I know its crazy ... but I have to reign her in some way. I am thinking of sealing it with red candle wax to add the extra level of authentication. If I only had an S stamp to take it to the ultimate level of fear. Oh well ... better planning next year.

I will keep you posted on her progress. Next step ... the naughty list delivery.

Mama ain't playing!

xo,

MPM

Things that say Christmas to me ...

2011-12-07T06:58:00.000-05:00

There are certain things to me that just say Christmas. Here are just a few ...

1. The Real Simple Magazine ... 50 Gifts under $50.

I love to grab the magazine and dog ear the pages. I get great ideas for the hard to buy fors in the family.

When I bought the magazine last week I found a needlepoint Kindle cover for my mother. Sold Out ... of course! Back to the drawing board for her ...

2. The Red cup at Starbucks.

I know it simple ... but I love it!! A latte and a Cranberry Bliss Bar ... perfect little treat for moi.

3. Packages piled up at the front door.
Ebates is inspiring me to do most of my shopping online and nothing says Christmas like a pile of boxes stacked up at the door waiting for me. So much fun!!!!

4. The mailbox full of Christmas cards.

Don't you love it? I possitively love getting mail and Christmas cards are by far the best. And all the photos ... its like having friends in the house at all times. This was a party invitation ... even better!

5. A list written all in red.
I make a list of all the items I purchase so I know who gets what when I wrap. I have been know to have a gift and not remember who it goes to ... which is bad bad. I love to make the list in red. It's festive!!!

via

6. Peppermint bark ...
This is basically just crack. I make bark to give out to teachers and friends but peppermint bark is a little treat just for moi.

7. Vanessa Williams Christmas CD
I have a lot of holiday CDs. But this one is by far my favorite and can be found in my car cd player from December 1 until I feel its inappropriate to keep playing it in January.

What gets you in the Christmas spirit?

xo,
MPM

Still working ...

2011-12-06T07:54:00.001-05:00

I didn't get very far yesterday but I have a better plan today. I did not have any luck with the boxwood wreath so I just bought a regular one and embellished it. I am still trying to replace the topiary (x2) at the front door and I am headed to Pike's Nursery today. Thanks Aunt Grits, you always know where to find dirt stuff. (Call me for the best sales and to find out how many plaids you can successfully mix together and call you for outside stuff, xoxo) I am planning to take my pots and pay extra to have them planted. I despise dirt and its drizzling outside so the only way they will be complete and fabulous is it they do it for me!!! By the end of today I should have the front decorated and the tree up from the basement and at least lit. I have decided to place it in the entry and the lights from the tree will shine thru the front door. Pinterest, of course. Still feeling blah so I am planning to start the day with a holiday Lucky Buck and some Vanessa Williams.

It is hard to decorate when your best friend keeps calling and texting and you know he is heartbroken.

I am trying to splash some Christmas up in here and he is planning a funeral.

It's wrong ... very wrong.

But ... I will do it!!! He would want my house decorated. His house has a wreath on the door and evergreen and holly sprinkled all around the house. I made sure of it before I left Sunday night. I tied his wreath with burlap ribbon and it looked amazing on his red door.

I will have better luck today!!! I am determined!

xo,

MPM

6:00 pm ...
wreath finalized with glitter bow (and now I am covered with glitter)
tiny boxwood bushes planted in pots at the front door (and I am in need of a mani)
side of garage decorated (I like!!!)
spot light located and ready to be plugged in the am when it hopefully isn't raining
Lunch and 2 hours of quality time with the BFF
tree will be pulled out and dressed with lights once kids are nestled in their beds
all in all ... a great day!!!

Time to get it going ...

2011-12-05T09:22:00.001-05:00

I hoped to get the house all full of Christmas love this weekend but my plans got cut short. Instead I spent the day yesterday with the gay bestie. Much needed and time well spent.

Today its time to bust a move on the Christmas decorations before the neighbors think the Grinch lives here.

Be back later with pics ...

xo,

MPM

Another day to be thankful!

2011-12-04T08:02:00.001-05:00

Lawyer and I got into a fight yesterday. It happens ... we are human. Sometimes you just need a good fight to air out some bad air. I cleaned the house yesterday, still looking for a housekeeper, and he did his thing.

About 5:00 pm I got a call from the gay bestie. He had horrible news. His husband had passed away very unexpectedly. He was devastated. My heart is incredibly heavy for him.

As I laid down very late to try to get some sleep I looked over at Lawyer who I was still mad at. He was adding a Home Depot app to his I phone to be able to find out what time they opened this morning. He had heard me telling the bestie's sister that I would bring a wreath for their front door. And that is why I adore him. We had taken separate paths all day out of frustration with one another and his last thought before he fell asleep was to be there for David.

I have another day my husband. David does not. As any other issue we have we will forgive one another and move on. David's story is over. Life is incredibly fragile.

Lee and David

I love you David! I can't wait to see you this morning.

xo,

MPM

Santa arrives in Marietta!

2011-12-03T10:01:00.001-05:00

We were at the Marietta Square last night for the festivities!!! Santa arrived on a fire truck promptly at 5:20 pm ... which we missed because of the traffic ... and the tree was lit at 6:00pm. We watched Santa's arrival online and the kids did get to see him sitting in the gazebo. It is a beautiful tree and the lighting was magical. I love attending events on the square. It makes me feel like I live in a small town. I run into friends and people we know and the events are always planned perfectly. Of course, it doesn't hurt that the event planner is one of my dearest friends. She is truly fabulous. But ... anyone who knows Aunt Grits would completely agree!!!

Of course we had to take our elves with us. MHM insisted on being able to thank Santa for Candace.

So sweet!

Thanks to the teenager for the great photo!

WPM's elf Ollie peeking out of his pocket. He was so paranoid that he would lose Ollie so he borrowed a sweatshirt from his older brother with a big pocket to store him in just to be sure he would be safe.

My kids LOVE Aunt Grits!!! And she adores them ... its a mutual love!!!

She is adorable!!!

The tree before the lighting ...

... and after! So beautiful in person.

And of course I was thrilled to score our Christmas card photo ...

It only took me four photos to get one I liked ... not too bad for my crew.

It was a fun evening ... almost magical!

It is time to decorate the house ... December has arrived!

xo,

MPM

Grown up Santa list

2011-11-30T06:00:00.000-05:00

When I was a child I wanted every single toy made for Christmas. I can literally remember circling everything in the Sears or JCPenny toy section much to my parents dismay. My kids do the same thing. Every single catalog that arrives or sale ad they get their hands on they are marking with sharpies and post its. They make their lists for people who ask and then they may ask for three gifts from Santa. The lists keep changing and getting longer. It is almost funny.

My list is a whole other story. I want just a few things and unfortunately none of them are cheap. Lawyer has not asked for my list yet ... but I will be ready when he asks!

Red Hunter Wellies ...

I thought I wanted yellow until Paper Girl said I would look like Paddington Bear. Good to know!

An ipad ...

Lawyer's office is switching from laptops to iPad. I am thinking it would be good for me to have one too. Right?

Another anniversary band.

Paper Girl says my finger is unbalanced. I think she is one smart girl.

The Cambridge chunky turtleneck sweater from JCrew in grey and yellow ... monogrammed!

And if he is still interested in buying gifts ... there is always the leopard Paige loafers ...

Don't you love them????

He might want to ask soon before the list gets any longer!

xo,

MPM

Very upset little people...

2011-11-29T07:41:00.001-05:00

So the weather channel yesterday was reporting snow this morning. Not the kind that sticks and cancels school ... but the pretty, makes the kids excited kind. They were pumped. The teachers must have discussed it at school because they came off the bus shooting the news. They must have checked the app on my iPhone a million and one times.

They were ready. They slept with their pjs inside out. They flushed ice down the toilet. They slept with spoons under their pillows.

The weather channel app was reporting they would wake up to snow flurries that would last most of the day.

They were so excited.

Until 6:30 am when they woke up and it was raining.

They are grumpy, short tempered and all around not fun to be with. Getting ready for school was bad, bad.

Not cool weather channel app. Not cool!

xo,

MPM

We are so thankful ...

2011-11-28T06:00:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving dinner made two appearances at the Lawyer house this year, Thursday for my family and Saturday for Lawyer's. Our families do not like to mingle. It is silly. And quite bothersome and absolutely not a practice I will adopting once my children get married!

I made one turkey, two hams, two pans of sweet potatoes, one large pot of mashed potatoes, one large pan of roasted brussel sprouts, two pans of dressing, gravy and three different kinds of cranberry. We ate, ate again, warmed left overs, ate again and again and again. And yesterday afternoon after church Lawyer brought home pizza. It was time.

All in all it was a great weekend. The kids went to two movies, we played games and they roller bladed outside for hours during the warm days. Lawyer and I watched two movies, The Dilemma and The Last Song. Of course I cried during The Last Song ... I am such a sap. I did accomplish a little shopping but very little. I must, must, must manage that! The kids see Santa this week so I should be able to get a good jump on it after that! I hope!

We all have so much things to be thankful for. The kids and I made a list which I will share. It is always so funny to me to hear the things they are thankful for. At the top of MHM's list was God ... which makes this mama incredibly proud!

I hope your Thanksgiving was yummy!!!

xo,

MPM

We are thankful for ...

God

my family

warm pjs

dressing and gravy

my grandparents

still living in Georgia

pie for breakfast

no school

warm coffee

ABC Family

Charlie Brown

a house filled with giggles

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

2011-11-23T20:35:00.001-05:00

All the prep is done ... the table is finished and the guests are preparing for bed! The house smells like pumpkin pies and roasted vegetables. We went out for Chinese food and are now cuddled up in my bed watching A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. I couldn't be happier!!!

I love the table. I will say it looks so much better in person. Wish you were here!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope your weekend is fabulous!

xo,

MPM

All the prep is done ... the table is finished and the guests are preparing for bed!

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving!

Family time

2011-11-22T08:05:00.001-05:00

I love this time of year. I love how connected my family is during the holidays. We snuggle in front of the fire, we make goodies together, we stay up late and play games and we watch ridiculously sappy and silly movies on ABC Family. It's good stuff.

Last night I pulled up the schedule for the Countdown to Christmas on ABC Family and noticed that the pre-countdown has already started. Kind of like Black Friday that is now starting on Thanksgiving, which is in a word, stupid. But my thoughts on that are a whole 'nother post! So I showered and jammied up those yahoos and we snuggled in last night to watch The Search for Santa Paws. Now ... I will tell you this is probably the dumbest movie I have seen in a while but we all piled into my bed and achieved the quality time I was looking for. Lawyer may have played Words with Friends the entire movie but that's ok. Like I said ... dumb movie!!!

Today I am off to finish off the Thanksgiving to do list and then home late this afternoon to finish prepping the house for our guests which begin arriving tomorrow. I will be able to finish the day with grill cheese, tomato soup and a ABC Family double header. I have already seen Surf's Up which airs at 6:30 but I am holding out for Happy Feet at 8:30. I will be able to fold laundry and put it away during the commercials. Good times I tell you!!! Good times!

If it was only cold enough here in Atlanta for a fire I might be in heaven!

Looks like I will be waiting until Sunday or Monday for that possibility!!

xo,

MPM

I heart plaid!!!

2011-11-21T15:59:00.001-05:00

The kids are out for the week of Thanksgiving and I have done a big fat nothing all day. Well, that isn't totally true. I have been conversing on twitter, fluffed my Thanksgiving table with flatware, glasses and some leaves, had lunch with Hair Girl and her crew and have been adding photos to my boards on Pinterest.

All in all ... really nothing!

The Thanksgiving table is basically done, it just needs place cards. I found a link on potterybarn.com for vintage post cards and am now just needing ink for the color printer and some card stock to finish that little project. The instructions say to print the cards and then add a layer of velum on top with the guest's name and tie them together. Perfect!!!

So ... why not let my mind wander about Christmas decorations?

I am thinking plaid ... all plaid ... mixing plaids. I am thrilled to try it!!!

Here is what I have uncovered so far to inspire me ...

http://pinterest.com/mpm/i-heart-plaid/

I am thinking it will be grand ... and I will be decorating for Christmas before I know it!

xo,

MPM

Sunday letters ...

2011-11-20T10:35:00.001-05:00

This is by far my new favorite thing to do. I will confess that this week I had to struggle to compile my letters. I am tired. Two weeks with no Lawyer and I am pooped. But ... after some quiet time I found plenty to be thankful for ...

Dear Lawyer, Thank you for giving me the gift of staying home with our children. Even a bad day with them is a thousand times better than any day I can imagine. They are amazing and I am blessed to be able to call myself their mother. Dear God, Thank you for always being there for me. I do not always ask for your help but when I do you provide it to me beyond what I could ask for or even dream of. I have found myself very weary this week and you have stood me up and given me the strength and grace that only comes from you!!! Dear Target, Wow! I was able to catch up with a dear friend with you today. She and I chatted and connected. It was fabulous and we have three dates on the calendar when we will see each other very soon. Many thanks!!! Dear Fall, you have been a gorgeous sight to behold this year. Every single day your colors inspire me. I am amazed we still have leaves on the trees ... but we do and they are amazing colors to enjoy. Dear HSM, I am speechless by you this week. You completed a literary portfolio that is sure to earn you an A+. You will be fifteen in five short days and I am the luckiest mom in the world to have you in my life. Dear WPM, You are a rock star!!! You have worked so hard the past couple of weeks at school and you are now the proud owner of your first three As. I know you are as proud as I am. You inspire me to be a better person, mother and advocate. I adore you!!! Dear MHM, Your laugh makes my heart sing. You are a great friend and an amazing supporter of your older brother. I watch you love him beyond words and encourage him to be all he can be. I am blessed to have you as my only female accessory in the house. Girls rule!!! Dear Hubs, You are a welcome sight in the bed next to me. I am so glad you are home for at least a week. Let's try for two!!

Hope your week was a good one!!

xo,

MPM

Blog reading = smart me!

2011-11-17T08:18:00.001-05:00

I learn so much reading blogs. I read more design blogs than anything else ... but I do read a few very stylish blogs that I heart greatly. You can learn so much ... its like college for mommies! Ha ...

Yesterday I discovered MeebleMail while reading Social Climbers. Holy fabulousness!!!!! You can create stationery for your email. Then ... every time you send an email it is just like sending a handwritten note. Swoon ... now just to chose a pattern. I am stuck between this one, this one and this one. I truly like the Dabney Lee print but I do own a pink bicycle with a basket which I love to ride thru the neighborhood. Hmmm ... and to boot .. the bicycle print also comes dressed for the holidays. Are you kidding me? Then they have plaid and menswear prints and sorority themes. I swear, each one of them is cuter than the last one. Where in the world do people come up with all of these amazing ideas???

I wanted to ask Lawyer last night to help me chose ... however he is currently in LA and on a totally different time zone. Plus, his response to me would have been something like ... "you must be kidding" or "can't you call a bestie to help you with the crisis du jour?" or my favorite ... "isn't that why you love that gay bestie so?".

Whatever ... men never realize how important the little decisions can be.

Hee hee ...

Enjoy!

xo,

MPM

Rainy Wednesday!

2011-11-16T17:06:00.001-05:00

I am almost done with the table setting for Thanksgiving. Since the kids are out all of next week I need to make sure that all is done for the planning. I will not be able to tote the two youngest all over town without much fuss ... so must complete today and tomorrow.

It started with this ...

Then became this when I added the brown place mats and the white plates ...

And currently looks like this ...

No where near done ... but getting there! I still need to gather all the flatware, glasses and fluff the table. I am also debating monogramming my napkins. Thoughts? I would like to add some pheasant feathers and ribbon. And this is only one of two tables I am decorating. The other one in the kitchen will be almost identical. I just ordered 3 inch burlap ribbon from Amazon which arrives Friday so I am growing closer by the minute.

The weather in Atlanta today is highly undesirable. It has been raining most of the day with tornado sirens and warnings. My dogs hate the sirens and I dislike having to check and recheck the weather to make sure I don't need to duck and cover. The kids came home from school talking all about spending quite a bit of time in the hall tucked "into position". MHM keeps reminding me that her teacher told her more than once to make sure her "bottom was tucked in". Apparently she thought as long as her head was covered she was protected. The vision is hysterical. And of course I would know this because she keeps demonstrating the right way and the wrong way. Hysterical ... I promise you!

I ran errands today sporting these ...

I heart them!!!

Hope your day was grand.

xo,
MPM

T-day prep ...

2011-11-15T08:01:00.001-05:00

I have been spending all of my down time (read quiet time at the hospital with Papa post-surgery) planning our Thanksgiving festivities. We are hosting not one but two days of yumminess. I have both menus planned, delegated food to guests and am now working on table prep and outfit prep. My plan is to have our Christmas card photo taken during the festivities so I do want all of us looking our best!!!

After catching up on blog reading this am I popped over to JCrew to check out their new arrivals. And instantly fell in love with these ...

Aren't they fabulous? I am madly in love! They are perfect!!!

I can pair them with a white woven for Thursday's plans and then wear them again on Saturday with a blue woven and my orange jacket not that different from the one pictured above. I can even add a scarf on Thursday from one of Alice's scarf tricks this week.

Now to just find the perfect loafer ...

And to finish my table setting plans and we will be good to go!!!

I love the holidays.

Can you tell?

xo,

MPM

My kids!

2011-11-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

The light of my lives ... I thought I would give you some information on each!!!

MHM

The mini me. The fire in the house. The life of the party. Our 7 year old goes by so many names. Her Daddy calls her "puddin'" ... her middle brother and best friend in the world calls her "my baby" and I have too many names to count. She is an amazing child. She has an amazing level of self confidence. She will try anything and has almost no fear. She loves to swim and play soccer and is great at both. There are so many things I admire about our baby girl. She is a great student and loves to read. She is a great friend. She is incredibly protective of her older brother and probably will end up in the office one day having beat some poor kid up for teasing someone. Every single day I tell her she is smart, funny and the prettiest girl at the party. She always giggles and responds ... "But we aren't at a party". And every night before she goes to bed I tell her I love her more than peanut butter and she tells me she loves me more than jelly.

I love you baby girl!!!

WPM

Our ten year is one very special kid. He is the funniest person I know. He loves to play four square and ride his scooter. He is great on his roller blades and loves to ice skate. He also loves to snuggle up on the sofa and watch movies. Although he struggles in reading and math, he is the best writer I have ever met. He has a photographic memory and is quite the informant. If you want to know something ... I promise he can tell you or find it. He can write a personal narrative that is worthy of publishing. And he can type it for you. When he was 7 he wrote a love letter that still makes me swoon. He is girl crazy and told me yesterday that God gave him the ability to whistle so he could whistle at all the pretty girls.

This sweet boy has a heart of gold. He would do anything to help another and never leaves my side when I am sick. His favorite food is pretzels or popcorn. When he grows up he wants to be a geologist and I will do all I can to make sure he has ever chance to be all he can be!

You inspire me Boo!!

HSM

Our soon to be 15 year old is the best teenager I have ever met. He is the classic first born ... very responsible and anal to the bone. His room might be a mess but his homework is done perfectly and turned in early. He is a great judge of character and has an amazing group of friends. He has a very dry sense of humor and will be the first to tell you he is funny. In his first year of high school he has blossomed. It is his favorite grade by far. He has an interest in community service and loves to help the elderly. He loves to travel but also is just as happy at home hanging with his buds. He likes to hunt and goes out each year with my dad starting in late November. Currently he is almost two inches taller than me and is no where near done. He will be an amazing father and husband one day ... and I will continue to be one proud mama!

I love you babe!

Referring to them from now on by their initials might be easier for me. I call them by so many names it might be hard to follow.

I hope you enjoyed the post ... I love to talk about my three favorite accessories!!

xo,

MPM

Weekly letter

2011-11-13T12:42:00.001-05:00

Last Sunday I wrote letters on the blog to sum up my week. I really enjoyed doing it and have decided to make it a weekly thing. I think that life goes too fast and it is easy to lose sight of all the things we have to be thankful for, all the blessings we are given. I am truly trying to slow down and enjoy my life more. When you live each day for that day only it is so much easier to do. Since our move to Kansas is not off the plate I have forced myself to live one day at a time. Not to think about next week or next month but just about today. It has been the best gift I could have ever given myself. If I had only thought of you so many years before ...

Dear Lawyer, I loved hanging out with you all day Saturday and again today. Since you are gone most weeks I truly treasure our weekends together. Dear Swallow at the Hollow, you remain one of my favorite joints. Your salads are one of a kind and the family loooooves your ribs! Dear Tazo Orange Blossom Tea, you are my new favorite! I know you are so much healthier than espresso. I think this fall you and I will be great friends. Dear Monday, I am truly looking forward to you. You have nothing on your list and I am thrilled to be spending the first day of the week with nothing planned. Dear Hair Girl, thank you for my cut and color. I think I love the new length, even though it is approximately three inches shorter. Baby Girl says I look like Kit Kittredge. I guess I should think about adding a bow for special occasions. hee hee! Dear Shug, cheers to our date night tonight. It's been a long time since we tucked the kids in and focused on just you and me!

Hope your day is glorious!

xo,

MPM

Road trip success!

2011-11-11T08:03:00.001-05:00

I apologize for not posting yesterday ... I had a family commitment that needed my full attention. All is well, great actually, so I am back posting today. I almost feel naked if I don't post. It has become such a regular part of my day.

We had a blast in Columbus!!! Christie Leigh Mueller is more adorable in person that she is in photos!!! She is the whole package ... incredibly driven and someone you would want to make your best friend. I adore her!!! The photos are coming ... I am gathering them to share with you!

I curled up in bed last night with her book Gridiron Belles and loved all I read. It is so well written and so fun to read. I love all the "extra points". Of course I started with the Florida Gators pages, what else would a Gator do? And she knows what she is talking about. Since my Dad grew up in Gainesville and both his parents were professors at the University I grew up going to tailgates, games and the most fun for me, Gator Growl. I loved having the tattoo on my check on Saturdays and posing with Albert and Alberta. It was good times. It was hard for me to not attend the University of Florida. My mother was getting her masters when I left for college and I was not attending the same university as my mother ... so I attended the University of Central Florida. It was a great second choice for me. I could be at the beach after class in 32 minutes and still spend ever single Saturday during football season in Gainesville. And yes ... I do bleed orange and blue!!!

Be back soon with pics ...

Have a great Friday!

xo,

MPM

Gridiron Belles ...

2011-11-09T06:00:00.000-05:00

There has been a lot of talk in the blog world about the new book Gridiron Belles and its adorable author!!! I am excited to share that I will be attending a book signing today in Columbus and will get to meet this sweet girl. Some girls and I are making the trek today to Columbus and this is just one of the things I am excited about!

I am sure I will have stories and photos to share ... any road trip with this crew is super fun! It does not take much to make us laugh intensely ... just ask the patrons at the Horseradish Grill that we closed down Friday night. I know they thought we were all drunk when we left.

Plus The Duggars have announced they are expecting baby #20 ... that alone will keep us chatting for an hour.

Crazy talk!!! Three kids puts me over almost every day. Twenty ... that is a whole neighborhood.

Be back with photos ...

Pinky swear ...

xo,

MPM

Thought for the day ...

2011-11-08T06:00:00.000-05:00

I love this!!!!!

xo,

MPM

Blog Hop: My favorite recipe

2011-11-07T15:07:00.001-05:00

I was inspired by Muffy Martini's Blog Hop to post my favorite recipe out of my favorite cookbook. I love Ina Garten! She is a cook who truly enjoys the whole process of the preparation. She loves to shop, prepare, cook and eat! She inspires me!!!

My favorite cookbook is her Family Style cookbook ...

I have chosen two recipes, two that I like to pair together for a meal!!!

Parmesan Roasted Asparagus

2 1/2 lbs. fresh asparagus (30 large)

2T olive oil

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

2 lemons cut in wedges, for serving

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. If the stalks of the asparagus are thick, peel the bottom half of each. Lay them in a single layer on a sheet pan and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast for 15 to 20 minutes, until tender. Sprinkle with cheese and return to the oven for another minute. Serve with lemon wedges.

Parmesan Chicken

6 Boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 cup all purpose flour

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

2 extra large eggs

1 1/4 cups seasoned dry bread crumbs

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving

Unsalted butter

Olive oil

Salad green for 6, washed and spun dry

Lemon Vinaigrette

(1/4 c fresh squeezed lemon jc, 1/2 c olive oil, 1/2 t kosher salt, 1/4 t ground pepper)

Pound the chicken breasts until they are 1/4 inch thick. Combine the flour, salt and pepper on a dinner plate. On a second plate, beat the eggs with 1T of water. On a third plate, combine the bread crumbs and 1/2 cup of the cheese. Coat the chicken breasts on both sides with the flour mixture, then dip both sides into the egg mixture and dredge both sides in the bread crumb mixture, pressing lightly.

Heat 1T of the butter and 1T of the olive oil in a large saute pan and cook 2 or 3 breasts at a time on med-low heat for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until cooked through. Add more butter and oil and cook the rest of the chicken breasts. Toss the salad greens with lemon vinaigrette. Place a mound of salad on each hot chicken breast. Serve with extra grated cheese.

I know both recipes have Parmesan cheese as a major ingredient, but trust me they pair nicely!!!

Enjoy!

xo,

MPM

p.s. I tried and tried and failed to link the blog hop! Clearly I am not as techy as I thought I was!!!

One of my favorite days ...

2011-11-06T08:22:00.001-05:00

I LOOOOOVE to fall back! It is truly one of my favorite days of the year. I love to wake up and look over at my clock and then turn it back. The whole day is just like someone gift wrapped an extra hour and handed it to me. I feel more rested, more organized and more together. Unlike its evil sister spring forward when I just feel robbed! UGH ...

After Paper Girl's show on Thursday and Friday I crashed into bed finally ready to admit I was sick. The whole chest tight, no voice, slight fever sick. I can't stand to be sick, not that anyone does, but I really despise it. I enjoy waking up with tons of energy ready to conquer the day. I do not like waking up with an elephant sitting on my chest who has forced me to smoke unfiltered camels all night and left me sounding like ca ca. No bueno!

I dd get to catch up on my blog reading this morning. I told you ... so productive today! I was unable to read anything on Thursday and Friday am since I had to be at Paper Girl's by 8:30 am. I have a list of them I read, obviously since they are all in my blog roll, but I do have my favorites. One of my favorites is Today's Letters. I love them! I love their marriage. I love their commitment to have a great marriage. I love the little gifts they leave for each other! They inspire me!

In honor of the inspiration they provide for me I have the following letters from this week ...

Dear Lawyer, thank you for putting up with me. It was a long week ... I cried, I coughed, I laughed. You were there for each event with your arm around me. You rock! Dear God, your colors this fall are over the top. Every time I look outside I am in awe of your work. Another reason why you are simply one of a kind! Dear Yearly IEP, I am so thankful you are behind me for one full year. I hope the plan we have in place for this year makes it one to remember in a good way! Dear dinner dates on Friday night, I love to close down a restaurant with laughter. It is simply the best! I love the looks people have when you leave and they wonder who are those people and why are they having such a great time? Dear besties, You are my world. You send encouraging texts, you show up with little sursies, you love my despite I am flawed, you are the best. Without you my life would not run smoothly! Dear hubs, You make me laugh. I flash you the sign language for I love you and you respond with the same symbol and the words "Hook 'em horns". Silly boy.

Have a good one ...

xo,

MPM

Kate Spade love!!!

2011-11-03T18:06:00.002-04:00

My real estate, turned friend, from Kansas City called me today while I was working at Paper Girl's home show. I quickly answered since we never have the opportunity to catch up and told her I was working but would call her later. She replied ... "I only have one thing to tell you ... Kate Spade is having a one day sale ... 75% off!"

What a great call to receive ... that pushes her up the friend list for sure!

I did indulge in a little Kate love this afternoon grabbing up two necklaces and the small bow bangle.

I am wondering if I should have grabbed up a dress too at those amazing prices ...

I have until 11:59 to decide.

Thanks again Ann for the heads up ... you are the best!!!

xo,

MPM

Thought provoking ...

2011-11-02T06:00:00.000-04:00

Was reading Facebook on Sunday and saw this list on a friends status. At first glance it was a good list ... at second glance it was brilliant. It was taken from Maria Shriver's blog but isn't written by Maria herself. Hope you enjoy ...

50 Lessons Life Taught Me

By Regina Brett

  To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me.   It is the most-requested column I've ever written. When my odometer rolled over to 50, I updated the list.

Here it is:

  Life isn't fair, but it's still good.  
When in doubt, just take the next small step.
Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.  
Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.  
Pay off your credit cards every month.
You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.  
Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.  
Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.  
When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.  
It's OK to let your children see you cry.  
Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.  
Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.  
Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.
You can get through anything if you stay put in today.  
A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write. 
It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.  
When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.  
Overprepare, then go with the flow.  
Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.  
The most important sex organ is the brain.
No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"  
Always choose life.  
Forgive everyone everything.  
What other people think of you is none of your business.  
Time heals almost everything. Give time time.  
However good or bad a situation is, it will change. 
Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
Believe in miracles.
God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.  
Growing old beats the alternative - dying young. 
Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable. 
Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.
Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.  
If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.  
Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.  
Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.  
All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.  
Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.  
The best is yet to come.
No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.  
Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.  
If you don't ask, you don't get.
Yield.  
Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift...

xo,

MPM

Another great year!

2011-11-01T06:00:00.000-04:00

I love Halloween in our neighborhood. It is nothing short of magical! The entire neighborhood gathers in front of our house to parade to the clubhouse. For about fifteen minutes you get to take photos and gather with all your friends and neighbors. It is so much fun!!! Then we parade to the clubhouse ... have dinner al fresco and then take off trick or treating!

The kids had a blast ... the weather was perfect and they paraded, treated, ate dinner, showered and were tucked in by 8:30. Nothing better!

The sweetest cowboy there is ... he tipped his hat while saying Trick or Treat.

The most beautiful cowgirl I know!

Posing with Daddy

A family shot ... minus the teenager who was already giving out candy at the house.

trying to catch a ride on the Daddy ...

... a rather short ride!

Hope your Halloween was grand!

xo,

MPM

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T06:00:00.000-04:00

xo,

MPM

A quickie questionnaire

2011-10-29T06:00:00.000-04:00

I love to read blogs ... and design blogs are my favorite!!! Last week I spotted this little questionnaire on Project Gadabout. I learned so much about her in such a small amount of time. It inspired me to fill it out for myself. When I copied it to past in the post I apparently grabbed her font too. Kind of like it! Too bad I have no idea what it is called .... of course if it was a monogram font I would know it right off!

Here we go ...

Guilty Pleasure? Anything sweet. I love a trip to the candy store.

I can't travel without? A pile of new magazines.

Recent Splurge? My Louis Vuitton Neverfull

My go-to flower? Hydrangeas

In bulk, I buy? Nothing. I hate to store things. Lawyer loves to buy all kinds of things in bulk and then I have to store them neatly. Drives me crazy!

I sleep on? Two fluffy pillows and one to hug. There is always a pillow between Lawyer and I. I never feel like the bed is empty when he is gone.

Comfort Food? Kraft Mac and cheese or an everything bagel with cream cheese and sliced tomatoes

For Breakfast? Cup of coffee and cereal or a Kind bar

For Dinner? I love a big salad! I also love Mexican and Thai. Though ... suggest take out and I am up for it any time!!!

Love/hate relationship with? Exercise. I hate to do it but I love the way I feel when its done. I wish I could remember that motivate me to do it more!

Can't Stop Watching? Right now ... Modern Family, Revenge and the Mentalist

Best online shopping find? J Crew outlet on the weekends

Dreaming about? the holidays ... I love the family time and cold nights in front of a fire!

Crushing on? Blue and green in the house ... I seem to be adding a lot of both lately.

Every girl should have? Confidence. Hands down!

My style in five words? Modern mixed with timeless and a dash of vintage.

I love wearing? Rainbow flip flops ... I am addicted to them! And rain boots ... I love how I feel when I wear them!

Dream Job? Designer of any kind! Though my current job of mom rocks!!!

That was fun!

Learn anything about me?

Happy Halloween!

xo,

MPM

The beauty of fall ...

2011-10-28T06:00:00.000-04:00

I was overwhelmed yesterday by the gorgeous colors in my house and in the yard ...

Hope your day is just as beautiful!!!

xo,

MPM

Keeping it real ...

2011-10-27T14:10:00.000-04:00

So this week has been kind of a bust for me. The kids have early release due to conferences so I am only alone from about 7:30 to 12:30 ... which means I have to squeeze an entire day into just five hours. I feel like they are in preschool again. Well, preschool plus they stayed for lunch bunch. Thank goodness it is just one week.

My middle child does not do well on early release weeks. He likes his schedule. He doesn't like change. I dread this week each year. He is very confused and needs a lot of redirection. Not my favorite week of the year either. I will confess I had a beer last night with dinner. Needed a little something to make it over the hump. It helped ... then I got sleepy so I was out by 9. It happens ...

Lawyer has gotten his travel schedule down to a system. He is trying to keep it to an every other week thing. It's working so far. Neither of us minds the travel but the kids definitely notice him being gone. He went from being a work at home dad for 18 months to an absent dad. It was a tough transition. Every time he leaves the house they think he will be gone for five months. They are always thrilled when he returns five days later.

I promised to photograph my Country Living purchases and share them with you. Truthfully they are still all wrapped and in the bags. I haven't had the chance to get them out and enjoy them. I am however caught up on laundry and almost done cleaning the house. I am considering a house keeper once again. That was the first thing to go years ago with we needed private therapy for Little Mister. I would love to have the house cleaned all at one time on one day! And to have someone else change the sheets ... now that would be divine. Although ... I may have to school them in how to properly dress a bed just like the previous housekeeper (my gay bestie ... I swear nobody has ever cleaned my house the way he did!) did to me.

I am actually excited about cooking tonight. I know ... my kids are shocked too! Lawyer would swear I was lying to get something out of him. We are having this ... except with turkey. We have Frito pie regularly but I never serve it in the Frito bags. The kids will love it!!

Hope your week is a good one ... I will be back in full swing next week!

Pinky swear!

xo,

MPM

Giveaway winners!!!

2011-10-25T08:49:00.003-04:00

Thank you for all your amazing comments and sweet thoughts on my products! Since I have shut my business down it is nice to hear all your thoughts. I will definitely do more giveaways! It is a great way to get rid of some onesies and give you some fabulous sursies!!!

Here are this weeks winners ...

This set of happies goes to Hillcrest Acres!!!

Email me at mpmdesigns@gmail.com and let me know what you want on your happies!!

The koozie goes to Little Miss Southern Love!

Let me know which koozie you want!!!

Also ... I have some extra koozies if you guys want them! I will sell them for $12 (which includes shipping!)

Email me at mpmdesigns@gmail.com and let me know which one you want!!!

Here is what I have left ...

3 Ga tech, 1 Florida, 1 Bama, 1 Auburn, 1 Clemson and 1 Georgia

Have a georgous day!

xo,

MPM

The most amazing day!!!!

2011-10-24T06:00:00.000-04:00

Last day to comment for the giveaway .. don't miss out!

Back in June for Paper Girl's birthday I gave her tickets to the Country Living Fair that would be here in October. It was a two fold gift. She would be going to the fair and I would be flying in from Kansas City to go with her. She was pretty excited!

We were up at crack thirty on Friday ready to go. I had purchased early bird tickets so we were allowed in at 8:30 am instead of 10. An hour and a half to peruse the booths before the general public. It was like Black Friday. We were more excited than words. We left the house at 6:30 and headed to Stone Mountain.

The show was absolutely amazing!!! Each booth was more fabulous than the last one. There were booths filled with amazing antiques, there were vintage trim booths, clothing booths, jewelry booths and food booths. We had to walk the entire fair twice just to make sure we hadn't missed anything! When we were sure we had seen every single booth I must admit I pouted. It was sad to be done.

I am a huge fan of Country Living. I love the ideas, the food and most importantly the way of life I feel exists inside the magazine. It is a comfortable life. It has flaws. It is me!

Paper Girl got to me her fabric design hero, Jennifer Paganelli. It was such an amazing thing to watch. She was almost giddy. They talked, shared ideas and bonded for life. Jennifer is such an inspiration. She is talented and simply delightful. We spent a ton of time (and money) in her booth and I am sure we could have spent so much more of both. I am already regretting leaving some fabric fat packs behind. Her fabrics are one of a kind. She has an eye for color and mixes them beautifully. I think she is fabulous.

The back of the booth had an adorable folding fabric screen in the back ... that it until Paper Girl bought it! It was so special to her. Jennifer had made it for her house for a early photo shoot.

She grabbed it up and we immediately put it in the car!

I wish I had taken a million more photos to share with you ... the whole show was one inspirational moment after another ...

vintage clown costume ... so cute!

Paper Girl got a hundred compliments on her cute pink boots! She did look adorable! But then ... she always does!

I loved this mannequin. I would love to make one for myself!

We had a great time and could have stayed for days ...

However ... the car was full and we spent more than we should have!

I will unpack all my happies and post them for you!

xo,

MPM

Weekend = bliss!

2011-10-23T10:05:00.001-04:00

I love the weekend. This weekend is no exception! I had an amazing Friday (post to come) and the rest of the weekend has included gorgeous weather and family time! How could I ask for more?

Only two more days to enter the giveaway!!!

Many of you have entered but I know more of you have not ... come on girls!!!

Who wants some cute stuff???

xo,

MPM

What is the definition of the word repair?

2011-10-22T06:00:00.000-04:00

One of Little Mister's weekly homework assignments is to define his vocabulary words. I write the words and then he defines them. It keeps him from getting confused and writing more than one thing on a line. His brain works faster than his hands and that happens more than I would like to admit.

This week one of his words was repair. When he doesn't know the definition of the word he asks me for my help. I always tell him to use the word in a sentence. When he uses it in a sentence he figures out how to define the word. He writes down the definition and then I have to check his spelling. He spells phonetically.

LM: What's the definition of repair.

Me: Use it in a sentence.

LM: My mom took the car in for repairs.

Me: So, what is the definition of repair

LM: to fix it

Thank goodness I double checked his work ...

You can thank me later!

xo,

MPM

My cowboy

2011-10-21T06:00:00.000-04:00

Our middle child decided about a month ago that he wanted to be a cowboy for Halloween. Pretty cute! But he didn't want to be just any cowboy ... he wanted to be just like the ranch hand at the ranch Lawyer's best friend owns in Colorado.

Ok ... first of all he is way over six feet. The sexiest man I have ever seen and probably the most polite man to walk the earth. He is the roughest, toughest and kindest man I have ever met. He tips his hat when he sees you and takes off his hat when he enters the ranch house. When he is near all the ladies swoon. Heck, I think Lawyer even swooned. The fact that he wants to be like John Todd makes me proud. What a great role model!

Since we won't be six foot something by October 31 ... I decided to ask him what he wanted to wear. He made me a list. I lost the piece of paper but here is what he wrote.

Black Cowboy boots

Already have my hat

Lasso

The things he wore over his jeans

A long shirt

A belt and buckle

We headed out to Good Will to locate boots ... found a pair of Justin's at the first stop for $20. Score. He also found a great plaid shirt he liked and we purchased that too. Hair Girl has a buckle I bought for her husband for the 70's party we attended in March so I just have to ask her for it. I found chaps (the things he wore over his jeans) and a lasso on Ebay. I paid a total of $40 for both. Score big time!!!

The lasso arrived today and he has been practicing on the mailbox for the last hour and a half. He finally figured it out. He asked me to video him ... and now I get to share it with you!!

He's getting pretty good ... can't wait to see him do it in the chaps!

xo,

MPM

Tooth Fairy

2011-10-20T06:00:00.000-04:00

Don't forget to sign up for the giveaway!!!

The tooth fairy that comes to our house is very cautious. She doesn't go out in rainy weather. It is hard for her to fly and then when her wings get wet she gets stranded some place and has to take shelter for the night. So if it is storming she won't come to our house that night ... she will wait until the next day while you are at school when the rain has ceased and the way is clear.

Or ...

that's what my daughter thinks! It is so much easier to explain to her than the real story ...

... that Mommy was so tired after reading with and praying over her older brother that she collapsed into bed and completely forgot about the tooth and the snack she had laid out.

Until the next morning when the mini me reminds me and I wake up in a jolt and roll over and say to Lawyer ...

"please tell me that is rain I hear ..."

Saved by the rain yet again!

xo,

MPM

Comfort ...

2011-10-19T13:50:00.002-04:00

There is a lot of things that make me comfortable. I try to add a little comfort into each day. It doesn't happen every day. Sometimes it doesn't happen until I put on my lazy pants at the end of the day. Some days it happens all day long. Today is one of those days ...

Between the long weekend at the show where the bestie was super busy, ok super busy doesn't even describe it, to re-entry, the problem du jour with the middle child I am in need of a day of comfort!

I started by lounging in the lazy pants longer than normal. I swamped my sleep T shirt for a cable knit sweater and a pony tail and tidied up the house. Nothing makes me feel better than walking thru a tidy house. Lawyer was hanging around today waiting on Comcast (ps ... hate Comcast! but that and the reason we have both Comcast and AT&T Universal is a whole 'nother post!) so that was a bonus to the comfort level.

I then answered emails and wrote another novel/email to the school. Got those thoughts off my chest ... the comfort level rises even more.

Loaded my darks into the washer and watched Rachel Zoe on DVR. This day is good!

Made Kraft Macaroni and cheese for lunch paired with a Diet Coke in my favorite cup. The perfect comfort lunch.

Now I am working on blogs for the week, watching Fashion Hunters on DVR and resting on top of my super comfy bed. I changed out of the lazy pants into black riding pants/leggings and have added a button down to the sweater mix. This fall I am addicted to button downs more than ever before.

This afternoon will (I hope) consist of hot cocoa for the kids and coffee for me while we tackle homework. It is raining and cold and they will need the warm liquid as much I as will need a caffeine boost. We rented a movie yesterday from the Red Box so the kids are dying to watch Gulliver's Travels and it is the perfect day to do it. I do not like them watching TV during the week but I have to concede on rainy days.

I am meeting two dear friends for dinner at our favorite ... Chicken and the Egg. I have already texted Hair Girl to let her know my hair is not up to par. It is tough when one of your closest friends does your hair and has high expectations. Not to mention cuts her own hair. Yes ... she cuts her own hair!

me: No comments on the messy pony tail

her: Put a flower in it and call it style

me: or lip gloss and call it comfort

I will be sporting the same duds I am wearing now with wellies and a possible scarf depending on the temperature when I leave. The only thing I have to do before I go is add some mascara and lip gloss. I love spending time with my close friends. It's easy and comfortable. The way it should be!

Hope your day is grand!!!

xo,

MPM

Giveaway time!!!

2011-10-18T11:09:00.006-04:00

I know I am late this morning... but I had an novel/email to write about my middle son. Seems that school is on the downward spiral and I needed to get all the happenings documented asap. He comes first! He has to!

Ok .. I have two little vignettes I have brought up from the studio ... I hope you love!

First, a set of things to help decorate your house for fall!

A napkin holder with 150 orange napkins

A black and white striped kitchen towel ... monogrammed in orange for you!

A orange hand towel ... also monogrammed in white (or black) for you!

The kitchen towel is perfect for your kitchen sink and the hand towel will make your 1/2 bath fabulous!

Next ... a team koozie!

I have the teams shown ... if you can't use it for yourself it will make a great gift!

To enter ...

A comment gets you one entry!

Blog about it gets you another entry!

Follow me gets you a third entry!

Winners drawn bright and early next Tuesday!

Good Luck!

xo,

MPM

One more day to the giveaway!

2011-10-17T07:57:00.000-04:00

I know ... I promised you a giveaway today ... but I need one more day to peruse the studio and make something fabulous appear. I am super sleepy after a long week and my house needs some tending to today. Five days away for Mom = bomb galore for the house! Ugh!!!

No worries ... I will be back tomorrow ... eyes brighter with not one, but two

Giveaways!!!

xo,

MPM

Giveaway on its way ...

2011-10-13T07:42:00.003-04:00

I am busy this week at the Junior League Mistletoe Market helping my bestie Preppy Paper Girl but I will be back on Monday ...

and ...

We will have not one, but two giveaways!

And who knows.

I might just send you a happy package Preppy 101!

Thanks for the suggestion!!!

xoxo,

MPM

Anybody ??

2011-10-12T07:47:00.002-04:00

Up for a giveaway?

I have some great stuff hanging around in the studio without a home!

Thoughts?

xo,

MPM

I am loving ...

2011-10-11T08:16:00.000-04:00

I just discovered collages ... I am loving them!

I really like to see all my favorite photos together.

I know I whined about summer ending ... I do love my summers!

I am finally fully into fall and I am enjoying each and every day! The weather has been fabulous, I have been wearing a ton of oxfords this year and I do heart my Erin Condren planner.

Happy Fall to you!

xo,

MPM

Bucket fillers!

2011-10-10T06:00:00.000-04:00

Baby girl's teacher has a program of praise called the bucket filler. The children are encouraged to fill out sheets for each other with sweet notes of encouragement. They can fill them out whenever they feel led and then they give them to the recipient. It is so incredibly sweet! So far she has received two of them so far this year and with each one she comes running thru the door to tell me all about her bucket filler.

I am thinking we should adopt this for our house. How amazing would it be to find a little slip of paper from your sibling with a little note of kindness!

We are definitely going to try it!

MPM

Guess what we did yesterday?

2011-10-09T06:00:00.000-04:00

It was an amazing day!

How was your weekend?

xo,

MPM

Never judge a book ...

2011-10-08T06:00:00.000-04:00

Late yesterday afternoon the boys and I were outside in the front yard. The teenager was preparing to mow the grass and I was getting ready to start the blower for our younger son. Lawyer was out of town in LA.

A sheriff pulled up in front of our house and parked. A nice officer got out and requested Lawyer. Since he wasn't home she spoke to him on the phone and left the papers she was carrying with me. I shook her hand and she left. She was in the driveway a total of maybe 10 minutes. It happens a lot. Not so much anymore since Lawyer doesn't work for himself ... but it is not a foreign concept to me. Lawyer is an attorney. He was the registered agent for a lot of people. He still is the registered agent for one of his friends. He was served. No biggie.

Since we live at a three way stop and since it was just about 5 pm ... I am guessing just about all the neighbors drove by. The nosy ones for sure. They were driving way slower than their usual how fast can we make it up the hill and thru the stop sign. It was priceless. Even the sheriff commented it.

After the boys were done with their chores we sat on the stoop and enjoyed the amazing fall weather. The teenager remarked at the rubber neckers from earlier. I asked him what he would think if he saw a sheriff or a police car pull up in front of someone's house. He thought about it and then responded ... "I am sure I would have raised my eyebrow at them. And that would be really dumb!"

It was the perfect teaching moment. He will never forget it.

You can not ever judge a book by its cover.

Thank you Lord for that teaching moment for all three of us ... it was priceless!

xo,

MPM

The caul

2011-10-07T06:00:00.000-04:00

I have more useless knowledge that I learned during my morning ritual. This time I was perusing people.com and read a story about Jessica Alba's new baby girl. Sweet baby! As I was reading the story I came across this couple of paragraphs ...

Also unexpected — Haven’s arrival in the caul, meaning she was delivered inside her amniotic sac.

“Cash said, ‘She was born in her safe haven,’” Alba recalls of choosing her daughter’s name. “And so there we had it.”

Disclaimer ... Before I go on with my thoughts I need to say that I do not buy into any of the following information. I am grounded in my belief in my Savior and nothing more. I do not believe in psychics. Period. The End.

Back to my story ...

When my middle child was born he too was born in his amniotic sac. The doctor had broken my water but the sac remained intact. When he was born he was still inside the deflated sac and the only thing outside the sac was his one big toe. It looked to me like a clear deflated balloon. He was completely clean and they simply wiped off his foot and handed him to me. I heard the nurses talking (there was a lot of talking and whispering going on ... he was an unusual birth) and one of them said to me. "He is still encased is his sac. He will be a pyschic."

Um ... ok. Whatever. I moved on. They immediately started talking about his other issues and I completely forgot about the sac.

I had no idea the sac had a name or any other information to go with it. Apparently it is called a caul and those who are born with it intact are called caulbearers.

Wikipedia says ...

"Many caul bearers claim to possess clairvoyance or other preternatural abilities.

In medieval times the appearance of a caul on a newborn baby was seen as a sign of good luck.^[5] It was considered an omen that the child was destined for greatness.

Another site says that caulbearers are known to be able to predict the weather. If you want to know when it will rain ... just ask my son. He can tell you in the morning whether or not it will storm. The site also says that these children are easy babies and from early on can be set aside as different. Yes ... he was an easy baby but any baby would have been easy after a baby with colic who cried for three months straight!

I found lots of information in Google ... but the only piece I am willing to claim is that these children are rare and special.

I could have told you that!

xo,

MPM

What I learned from blog reading yesterday ...

2011-10-06T06:00:00.000-04:00

I have mentioned plenty of times before that I have a ritual in the morning. The kids leave the house at 7:30 am and I brew myself a hot cup of coffee and head up to my bed to snuggle with my computer and fulfill my am ritual. I log onto the computer and first read people.com and then usmagazine.com and then hit my blog roll. I do not feel ready to face the day until I am done. Silly I know .... but its my ritual.

Yesterday I was reading and came to the Jones Design Company. One of the many design blogs I love to read. It was her birthday and she was posting about baking herself a carrot cake. Funny enough my mother would make me a carrot cake each year for my birthday. She made it because it was my favorite. The "funny" part is that I do not like carrot cake ... never did. It was my dad's favorite ... not mine. My favorite cake is chocolate with white icing. It's quite the joke at my house.

Anyway ... as I was reading I learned a little bit of wisdom.

She writes ... Today is my birthday. And according to Wikipedia, it is the birthday of 698,999 other Americans too. October 5th {the most common birthdate} happens to fall 40 weeks after New Years Eve, so I guess it makes sense that all that lovin’ on New Years turns into babes 10 months later.

I immediately thought of Baby Girl. Her original due date was October 5th and my ob took her two weeks early via c-section. If she had been born on her due date she too would have the most common birthday. Fun little tidbit of knowledge!

So I guess she was a New Year's Eve baby ... too bad I have no idea what we did that year. I am sure it was the usual ... watch a movie and order Chinese take out.

Kind of funny ...

xo,

MPM

Happy Wednesday!

2011-10-05T08:56:00.002-04:00

My life has changed so much in the last seven months. As we were preparing to move I shut down my business. I could not continue to work and move and get the kids settled ... blah, blah, blah. Now that our move has been postponed (and hangs in the back of my mind weekly) I still have not gone back to work. It has been a huge blessing that I did not see coming.

Now that Lawyer is traveling more than we planned I need to be on my toes. Not working gives me the flexibility to be pulled in any direction. I have never been more relaxed even though its been stressful at home lately. Our middle child is struggling at school and I am working daily to get him and give him what he needs. I will say yesterday I needed a time out and I was able to schedule a last minute wine date with a friend. I love that! If I was still working I would have pushed thru the night and then worked and crashed into bed. Not a good plan ... instead I was able to take care of me. I came home a few hours later relaxed, refocused and much sweeter than when I left. Happy mommy is good! Pinky swear ...

It's Wednesday and I find myself enjoying coffee, some computer time and a DVR'd Rachel Zoe. Life is good!!

On the to do list for today is some laundry, errands for a big week next week and some more down time before the bus arrives at 3 and we start the homework craziness again! My sweet baby is getting hit hard with the homework from 4th grade and its wearing on both of us!

I am also hoping to squeeze in a smidge of girl time this am ... we shall see!

Have a great day!

xo,

MPM

Obsession of the moment!

2011-10-04T13:54:00.001-04:00

I have always loved resale stores ... especially vintage ones. I have sold to resale stores in the past but had never really shopped in them for myself. Until recently when I discovered a number of resale stores in my area that sell high end couture. I know ... be still my heart! I have visited almost all in the area with only a few left to discover! I am in love!!!

It started with birthday party shopping for the mini me! She was having a dress up party so I hit up two Good Wills in Buckhead and Sandy Springs to locate heels, dresses and accessories. Now I know Good Will is very far from high end couture ... but I got lucky twice! Check it out ...

A Louis Vuitton messenger bag and a Thomas Pink men's woven.

The messenger bag was $22 (missing the strap) and the Thomas Pink was $5. I took the Louis to the store at Lenox to have it checked out and to order a new strap and its legit! Holy crud ... who takes Louis to Good Will?

The Thomas Pink is too large to wear out but I looove it as a night shirt! So comfy so amazing tailored! Love it! I may or may not have worn it to a friends for coffee last week. Let's go with may!

Not to mention I saw Manolos .. Jimmy Choos and Louboutins ... for ridiculous prices. Too bad they were not in my size! They were all in great condition!!

That plus a conversation with a friend about a store she loves sparked a whole new passion for me! Here are my finds so far ...

I snagged these brand new clogs yesterday and left a Calypso shawl behind. I was a little worried about the eggplant/purple tones but I haven't stopped thinking about it! I will be snatching that up tomorrow! Let's hope it is still there!!!

Never been worn Ferragamos ... so comfy and such great shoes!!! $79!

Yes its Hermes and yes it is in perfect condition! I love it!!! $180!

Great boots and only $99 ... Preppy Paper Girl insisted I grab them up ... Love them!

I left behind a gorgeous pair of Chanel heels in navy blue and some great Burberry espadrilles. I have told myself a hundred times the heels were too high but I still dream about them!

Yes its an obsession and yes I am hooked!

What can I say?

xo,

MPM

Poison what?

2011-10-03T08:32:00.001-04:00

It all started Friday morning after the kids left for school. I received a text from the teenager letting me know he was having trouble with his left eye. He said it was "inflamed" and asked if he could go to the nurse for some ice and Tylenol. I of course said yes!

He goes to the nurse and she looks at him and gives me a call. She says not to worry ... it looks like he was bit by a bug on the bus. She has iced it down and given him some Tylenol and he is headed back to class. Fabulous. We dodged that run to school and gather said teenager bullet. Back to my cleaning and organizing of the house.

I receive another text from him about 3 pm letting me know he now has a rash. He tells me he isn't staying after school for clubs and is coming home on the bus. Easy peasy! I love a kid who communicates!!!

He arrives home and I completely freak out upon seeing his face. He has a dark red rash covering his left eye, his nose, all down his left cheek and his left ear. His eye lid is bright red, covered in rash and blisters. The nurse clearly needs to attend some continuing education classes. This is no bug bite at all and looks to be poison ivy to me. He and I run over his week and realize he hasn't been outside in danger of touching anything poisonous for at least a week. He was home sick with a bad head cold for Monday and Tuesday and then was buried in homework and clubs the rest of the week. I load him up with benadryl ... kiss him goodnight promptly at 4:45 pm and head off to Baby Girl's soccer game and dinner afterward at Chic-Fil-a. When I get home I wake him up ... convince him to eat the chicken sandwich I am holding ... load him up with some more Tylenol and kiss him once again!

The next morning he looks 1000% worse and Lawyer is convinced he has the plague. I am sure its poison ivy but am still 100% he hasn't been exposed to the outdoors for at least a week. There is no way ... right? This child is highly allergic to anything with the word poison in it. As we are prepping to get him to the doctor he comes in and lays this little nugget on me.

"It just occurred to me that we did a leaf project in art class on Wednesday. Two girls from the class were responsible for gathering leaves outside and the rest of us were asked to sketch them."

Are you kidding me? My child is completely covered with poison ivy because of an art project? Oh ... she is not going to like me ... I can promise you that!!!

He is home this morning resting ... and doped up on steriods, benadryl and Tylenol. I am hoping to encourage him to return to school tomorrow. However I am not sure I would have left the house looking the way he does as a teenager!

I will keep you posted!

xo,

MPM

Fall is here!

2011-10-02T22:00:00.000-04:00

What a great weekend for weather ... it was crisp and sunny during the day and cold at night! My perfect weather! I got a lot done around the house! I cleaned ... moved furniture and hung a few things on the walls to brighten up the house. I just need to hang a wreath on the door, get some mums and the house will be fall ready!

Baby girl had a soccer game on Friday night and another on Saturday afternoon. She loves soccer. We had to skip last weeks games due to her bike injury and she was not happy at all!!! It was great to see her happy on the field.

She spent the first quarter sitting out ...

... but was back in the game in her favorite spot ... goalie!

My favorite part of the game is the beginning and the end. Both teams gather in a circle and have a quick prayer. It does my heart good to see it each and every time!

I highly recommend watching a soccer game in a toasty scarf and drinking a hot cocoa!

Saturday night we were off to the fair ... again! Lawyer had been dying to go and we squeezed it in after the game!

I love the fair! Where else can you people watch for hours and get a jalopino pepper? I mean ... you can't make this stuff up!

It was absolutely freezing but super fun. I would rather be cold and cozy in a warm clothes at the fair then hot and sweaty any day!

We stopped for hand stamps and then were off to ride until we dropped!

The cold but happy crew! Lawyer doesn't look happy in this photo but he swears he was!

Me and the mini me waiting in line for the flying circus! I love this ride!!!

Finally made it to the front of the line ... did I mention it was freezing cold??

Ran into our sweet friend Aunt Grits! We love her!!! She appeared at the end of the roller coaster. Her timing was perfect ... Baby girl was tired and crying after she road the coaster. She ran out of the car once it stopped and right into the arms of our sweet friend! I was shocked that she didn't like it, usually she is fearless!

Although after Daddy sprung for cotton candy ... her smile returned!!!

Lawyer bought chili cheese fries to share ... though Baby girl and I stuck with the cotton candy!

I am sure if I took a bite of those I would surely die!!!

Hope you had a great weekend ...

I am loving this weather ... may it last for a while!

xo,

MPM

ps ... just noticed this photo Lawyer took with my phone while Baby girl and I were riding the roller coaster ... simply priceless!

Good times! xoxo

Laugh your way to a better marriage

2011-09-30T07:55:00.002-04:00

Lawyer and I attended a marriage seminar last night at Buckhead church. He signed us up and we made it a date night. I got a shower, made myself cute and met him at a Mexican restaurant by the church.

The speaker for the evening was Mark Gungor. If you have not heard of him ... Google him. He uses comedy and laughter to make some very simple but yet very strong points about successful marriages.

The first thing he said was that if you ask a woman how she would like her husband to be different she will describe a woman. She wants him to be more caring, complimentary and do the things she likes to do. For the most part she just described her best friend. We as women need to embrace the differences between us and the men we married. They will never be more like a girl and we wouldn't like them much if they were!

The first session was about the brain. The male brain vs. the female brain. A mans brain is made up of boxes. He has a box for every single thing he needs to worry about. He only opens and thinks about one box at a time and when he is done he slides that box back into place without touching any other box he has. He also has a nothing box. He literally can sit and think about absolutely nothing. When we see our husbands sitting and staring off into space and we lovingly sit next to them and ask them what they are thinking and they reply "nothing". They aren't keeping their innermost thoughts to themselves. They are telling the truth. They are thinking about nothing!

A woman's brain is a superhighway. It is made up of wires and each one connects to one or more wires. We can think and talk about a number of things at once. Notsomuch for a man. He thinks and talks about one thing at a time and can not process us jumping all over the place. If we want to communicate something to a man we must sit and have him looking at us when we talk about one subject and one subject only.

Vision. Men are binocular and women are wide angled lenses. A man can stare directly at something and not see it. A woman can see what he is looking at, what all three kids are doing and still know what the next door neighbor is wearing at the mailbox. This doesn't make him dense ... it makes him different.

Stress. Men process stress by pulling out their nothing box and clearing their minds. They can watch TV, read or surf their iPhone for days to relieve stress. They do not relieve stress by talking. A woman can only relieve stress by talking it out. When a man sees his woman stressed he suggests she do nothing to relax. She needs to talk it out. He loves her and is offering her his best recommendation to relax and regroup. She wants to talk and gets offended. A woman has two choices. She can call her bestie and talk it out or she can remind him that to relieve her stress she needs to talk about it and he needs to sit there and listen without trying to fix it.

Sex. This session went on for an hour. So freaking funny and so dead on point. I could go on for post after post on this one but the one thing he said that sank in for me was this. A woman needs to feel chosen every single day. It is just like the middle school dance. We stand against the wall waiting for the boy we think is cute to chose us. When he does we are over the moon. Marriage is not any different. A man needs to express to his wife that he still chooses her many months and years later. If the choice was given to him today he would still walk up and ask you and only you to dance. We want to be special ... we want to be chosen.

Last night as we were getting into our separate cars to come home Lawyer looked at me and kissed me and whispered ... "I choose you".

Hours later I am still over the moon!

xo,

MPM

The order of the teenagers

2011-09-28T07:58:00.001-04:00

There is clearly an unspoken order of teenager behavior. Somewhere they read how to behave with other teenagers since they clearly all behave the exact same way. Take, for instance, the bus stop.

Our teenager walks to the bus stop a half a block away. He is the only person at that specific bus stop. He simply walks up ... texts a few friends and waits on the bus to arrive. If he is running a few minutes behind and is not confident that he will have this few minutes of down time waiting on the bus he asks me to drive him to another bus stop in the neighborhood.

This bus stop is fascinating. Without my teenager present it has three boys and one girl who consistently wait for the bus. They have an order in which they stand and are very clear on who speaks to each other and who pretends the other does not exist.

From left to right ...

One girl

Large space ... and absolutely no interaction at all ... pretending the other is not even there

One boy ... friends with my son ... they talk and smile but no cutting up or crazy antics

My teenager

Small space but yet no interaction at all ... even though they know these boys

Two boys ... talking and laughing the entire time ... these two will definitely be voted class clowns

Today when I dropped off my son I said to him. "You should make friends with that nice girl. I know her mother and you would like her. She is smart and funny. I know her sisters name but I can't remember hers." He looked at me and responded ... "I will not be speaking to her and I won't remember her name because I don't plan on asking her what it is."

There you go ...

Clearly he does not subscribe to my philosophy of talking to trees if no one is around! She and I would be friends by weeks end and I would have invited her to sleep over within a month!

xo,

MPM

ps ... in other news ... the Keurig lives another day. She performed as expected this morning and was even void of her usual after brew spit. Good girl!!!

Don't be a cranky coffee maker!

2011-09-27T11:59:00.001-04:00

To my beloved Keurig:

I understand some days it is mundane to make coffee for me day after day. I always brew the same kind of coffee. It is usually the same cup with the same splash of cream that sits upon you waiting for the hot and steaming coffee. There is never any variance and I am sure you are silently screaming ... "really Dark Magic again ... big shocker there! And truly ... always in the exact same cup?"

However ... I would caution you against acting up! I would remind you that you are in fact a coffee maker and when I appear promptly at 7 am eyes half open I expect you to brew said produced coffee in the boring same cup. I would not act out like you did this morning refusing to brew my coffee.

Otherwise I will have to replace you with this ...

Yes ... I just say the V word. I have it on good authority from Paper Girl that this is the mac daddy of coffee makers. It does not cop an attitude and brews perfect coffee. I understand it will require more of my time and effort but be sure that I am willing to make the commitment just to have my steamy hot coffee in the am just the way I like it!

So consider your coffee making self warned. I would straighten up and fly right so you will not be in the back of the Yukon on the way to the Good Will where bad coffee makers go to retire.

xo,

MPM

The fair

2011-09-26T06:00:00.000-04:00

The younger kids and I went to the fair on Saturday morning. We had a blast. We were lined up and ready when they opened the gates and we rode the rides free for an hour. The weather was great and the people watching was at its best. As Jeff Foxworthy says ... "if you want to feel good about your family go to a state fair. You will look around for a while and then look at your own family and then think to yourself ... wow we look pretty good." (I saw him in concert Thursday night at church ... he is absolutely hysterical!!!) Lawyer wants to go back and I told him I would happily go. I will just need to wear my Daisy Dukes, get some Camels to chain smoke and find a newborn to nurse. Good times!

The tea cups ... these make me so suck but those two little ones love it!!

The flying circus ... this one was so much fun!!!

Little Mister did not like the idea of this ride so he stayed behind and took photos ... and I think he took some good ones! That is Baby Girl and I up in the air in the next photo ... pretty good photo taking ... right?

The giant slide ... they rode their fannies off on this one!

The little one screamed her head off all the way down each time and Little Mister tried to look cool on his ride down. Hysterical ... absolutely hysterical!

Then there was the food. Seriously ... anything you can imagined fried! They had fried candy bars, fried oreos, fried brownies, fried Twinkies and fried banana pudding. I just really wanted to see them fry banana pudding ... but that line was way too long!!!

I ate a turkey corn dog. I made her show me the package to prove to me it was turkey. She did and then I ordered it! It was delicious!!! The kids were so excited that I was eating a corn dog they insisted on taking a photo of me eating it ...

And then just kept taking photos of me ... it was so funny. Every time I took a bite they laughed more and took more photos!

I could not leave without ordering a funnel cake.

It was to die for!!!

Baby Girl insisted she needed cotton candy and Little Mister wanted homemade ice cream.

De-lic-ious!!!

Four hours into the day Baby Girl had to ride the Flying Circus one more time before we left!!! We had just enough tickets for her to ride alone ... which she did! Clearly the baby is fearless!!!

We had a blast ... truly so much fun!!!!

And the best part ... I get to cross the fair off the Fall bucket list!

Thank you Aunt Grits for suggesting we go! You always have great ideas!!! We love you to pieces!!!

xo,

MPM

Freedom at church

2011-09-25T16:04:00.003-04:00

I love Buckhead Church. I love Sunday mornings getting ready to go to church. I love every single minute we are there and I love Sunday afternoons on the high of having attended church.

I did not always feel this way. As a child growing up in the Catholic Church I felt boxed in by rules and like I was spitting out all they gave me to say. I felt almost dead inside but didn't understand what that was at all. I just dreaded Church and CCD and mass at school. When I got married I wasn't allowed to get married in the church because I was marrying a man who was divorced. We got married in a country club by Lawyer's best friends father. He was a Baptist minister I had met only once before. I will never forget him saying to me. It is much easier for you to go to church with your husband then to ask him to go to church with you. I had no idea what it meant at the time.

When we had our first child we were still trying to get Lawyer's dispensation so we could all go to church together. I finally got so frustrated I decided to let Lawyer chose the church. He chose a great church and within six months I accepted Christ and became a Christian. I absolutely loved my new relationship with Christ.

As a new Christian I loved our church but it was always a chore to attend. I have no idea why. We attended a great church with an amazing pastor but something still was not a 100% for me. We attended on and off for 13 years but never regularly and never every single Sunday.

And then about a year and a half ago a dear friend invited me to attend her church. Holy smokes ... I loved it from the minute we walked in the doors. My kids loved it. My 84 year old father in law loves it. And that is saying a lot since the praise music is nothing less than a rock concert each and every Sunday.

And then it occurred to me today why I love it.

I feel free.

I feel loved.

I feel secure.

I can be me!

I am 100% content with my worship on Sunday. I need to step up my bible study time (just joined one this fall) and my daily quiet time ... but my Sunday is perfect.

As I sit here and blog about this I am 100% positive that this is the way my relationship with Jesus is supposed to me. I am supposed to feel free and loved and secure in him. I should feel like I can be me and not have to dress a certain way or act a certain way. I can stand there in church and sing my heart out (I am sure out of tune) and act like a crazy girl in his name. I can be me .. only the best part of me.

I have the privilege of bringing up my kids with this same idea of faith. I can only hope and pray it makes them feel as amazing as it makes me.

And with the excitement on their faces every Sunday I think it just might!!!!

xo,

MPM

Leap Year

2011-09-23T17:23:00.001-04:00

This is one of my favorite movies! Its sweet and funny and all around makes me feel good! I love Amy Adams. She ranks right up there with Reece Witherspoon to me. Always delivers a great movie!!!!

It's been a long couple of days ... and I couldn't think of a better way to spend a Friday night then to cozy up in my bed watching a feel good movie. Baby Girl was invited out to a movie and dinner as a birthday present and my sweet middle child and I are home alone.

I recently purchased a Louis Vuitton and Lawyer has been calling him Louie. Two of my kids either don't notice or could care less. The middle child quickly picked up on it and asked why Daddy named my purse. Lawyer quickly responded ... ask Mommy to watch Leap Year with you. When he asked this afternoon I immediately realized it would be the perfect end to a long week.

He thinks its hysterical and quickly picked up on the reference.

We are headed to the fair and soccer tomorrow so this evening in sounds perfectly lovely!!!

My favorite part of the movie has yet to air ...

Wait a minute wheres Louis?'
'Louis I.... hes fine I strapped him to the roof'
'You strapped him to the roof? He'll get filthily up there'
'Dont worry well throw him in the wash, Hell be grand.'

Love it!!!

I might need a glass of red wine to go with my pj pants and duvet snuggle!

Hope your evening is lovely ... from the O'Brady Callahans!

xo,

MPM

Fall TV ...

2011-09-23T06:00:00.000-04:00

There are a lot of shows debuting this fall ... not all of which I am in to. I am thrilled to see my favorites are back ... NCIS, Modern Family, Body of Proof and The Good Wife. I have already set my DVR for these shows and will definitely be tuning in. And then of course, The Rachel Zoe project. This show is so fun and always sucks me in. This is one show I will pause and re watch if any one interrupts me. The fashion on the show is to die for .. I love each and every second!!!

I have been drawn to Castle and The Mentalist but have yet to watch a single episode. Are they worth it? Should I just jump in or catch up first and then move forward? Thoughts?

And then I am already sucked into two shows this year ... one even more than the other. Ringer on CW started last week and I loved it at first glance. It has quite a few twists and turns and I am struggling a little to keep up. I watched the Pilot twice and now I am caught up I think on all the happenings. Each character has so much depth I love it!!! I will say I think Henry is such much cuter then Andrew. But that's just me ... I adore Sarah Michelle Gellar. She is adorable and her hair is amazing! I love the clothes Siobhan wears. I would love to be let loose in that closet!

And then there's Revenge. Holy cow ... I love it!!! First there is the Hamptons and the scenery. Absolutely amazing. I love the house she rents. It has been a dream of mine for years to rent a beach house for the summer. I have always thought I would rent in the south but after seeing her wearing sweaters at night it would be fabulous to sun and beach all day and be chilly around a fire at night. The plot has great depth and the characters are fabulous. I am loving each and every second!!!

What else should I be watching ... what are you loving this year?

xo,

MPM

Fall shopping list ...

2011-09-22T06:00:00.000-04:00

I saw this list recently in Matchbook magazine and it got me thinking. I know what I would like to have ... but what do I really need for fall this year? I am at the age when trendy doesn't always cut it. I need to boost my wardrobe with some great pieces that I can use year after year. That way when I add trendy each season I don't look like I am trying to dress beneath my age. This is a true concern of mine.

Ok ... if I look at the list above and check my closet ... what classics am I missing?

Shoes ... Riding boots

a classic black heel

Accessories ... opaque tights (need new ones for sure)

Black bikini ... notonyourlife!!

Baubles ... classic gold watch (would love a vintage one)

Tops ... long sleeve T (need 2 white and a black)

Silk blouse

Long wrap cardigan

Silk camisole

Pants ... all set!

Skirts and Dresses ... pencil skirt (or 2)

Outerwear ... Trench

Blazer (get season to pick one)

Not so bad ... the classics are in this year so my list should not be so hard to complete!

What are you adding this year?

xo,

MPM

Happy Birthday baby girl!!!

2011-09-21T08:14:00.000-04:00

My baby is 7 today ... it doesn't seem possible!

I love you baby girl!!

You are the peanut butter to my jelly ... the icing on my cupcake!

You inspire me!

xoxoxoxo,

MPM

Bike 1 ... Mini me 0

2011-09-20T14:36:00.004-04:00

I was just getting settled at home yesterday afternoon when disaster struck ...

Baby girl was riding her bike and hit a trash can head on. It was trash day so the can was full and didn't give any. She flew into the air and landed on the concrete. I was sure she had a concussion but when she finally calmed down she started making sense once again.

Bad, bad, bad!

We got her checked out at the emergency room. She was bandaged and sent home.

And that tough cookie got up this morning and headed off to school.

She amazes me!

xo,

MPM

ps ... mental note ... no more flip flops on the bike! It will be socks and tennies for us from now on!

Minneapolis and back ...

2011-09-20T14:07:00.001-04:00

I flew out on Thursday morning to spend a long weekend with the BFF in her new house in Minneapolis. Funny enough her husband was transferred within weeks of Lawyer telling me we were relocating to Kansas. We spent the entire summer feeling each other's pain. I am in limbo but still happy in Atlanta and she is settling into a new house, new state and new job.

Minneapolis is fabulous. I love how artsy and fun the burbs are. She lives in Eden Prarie and we spent time there as well as Edina. I loved both of them. So eclectic and cool ... very Virginia Highlands to me. So much fun!

By far my favorite place we stopped was in Edina off of 50th and France. Such a great area to shop and eat!!! Have you ever been to Hunt and Gather? I fell in love the minute I spotted it from the corner. This is one amazing place!!! The perfect combination of antiques and vintage pieces. Kitschy and funky ... simple perfection!

Pieces of license plates ... you can spell anything!

Do you need a silver platter? They have plenty!

Loved this dress ... I would wear the heck out of this during party season. Too bad I am not a size super tiny!

Look at all of those scarves! I love how they are displayed!

I am a sucker for an ugly chair ... just ask anyone! I would have snatched this one up in a heartbeat if I hadn't flown! Such good lines!

Great desk ... even love the color!

Great vintage panels ... I should have bought these!

I managed to check out with only a roll of vintage wallpaper ... so freaking cute and a bunch of vintage buttons. I am thinking they will dress up some cardigans I am growing tired of wearing as is!

Great city ... can't wait until my next trip! I should plan it before they get hit for winter! I love snow but I am not sure I would do well in -10 degrees!

Wowser!

Hope you had a great weekend!!!

xo,

MPM

What is my accessorality?

2011-09-19T06:00:00.001-04:00

(courtesy of mrs.lillien)

I love Mrs. Lillien. I have gushed about her before! She is edgy, fashionable and constantly the source of inspiration for me and I am sure many others.

Last week she posted this photo and question ...

What is your accessorality?

I had to think ....

On most days (those days I actually get dressed in something other than a polo and khakis) I would say I lean toward the kitschy or the frisky.

I can also be prissy ... though it is not a favorite of mine!

During party season I am been known to be glitzy. Maybe even during a girls night out, or two.

I would say I rarely am ritzy. But Lawyer would disagree.

I am not sure I have even been bitchy.

Maybe I should venture out more ... those shoes are to die for!!

What is your style?

xo,

MPM

My favorite place in the house ...

2011-09-14T06:00:00.000-04:00

This post will sound superficial and retarded I am sure. But if I am being truthful with myself and with you I will have to say my favorite place in the house is my closet. It is not a large closet ... just a standard walk in.

For being a standard size walk in ... it holds a lot of stuff!

It is like Carrie Bradshaw's closet ... endless storage in a tight space!

I would love to take everything out and paint it a fun color ... but I probably should have done that when I organized it the last time. Can't see that happening now.

And I am having a chandelier repainted to hang inside ... nothing fancy just black and adorable.

But it would make the space even more fun!

Now that I look at the sweater section I could paint that part and wait on the walls for later.

Oh the options ... pink, orange, yellow, turquoise, emerald green ...

I am sure loving green right now ... maybe green!

xo,

MPM