ZOO DAY

Today, mom and I took H to the zoo! He had a great day petting goats and alpacas, feeding lorikeets and other birds, not shying from the giraffes, eating pickles and fries, and watching the spider monkeys. He fell asleep while walking around the Natural Florida exhibit, but was up and ready for more before we had finished our lunch. (By the way, Brevard Zoo has an amazing pulled pork sandwich... they stuff it with coleslaw and french fries. SO GOOD.) I'm loving my week off from school, and can't wait to do a few more relaxing things before classes start again. DIYODS coming up!

OPEN LETTERS

Dear H,

I love you. So very, very much. You are my number one dude. <3






Dear lychee frozen yogurt,

You're delicious, and a great decompressing ritual.

Let's do lunch again.







Dear paperwork,

Seriously think I'm getting carpal tunnel. Any suggestions?

... Any that don't involve, "Suck it up, Sugar Tits"?






Dear 2 AM,

Nothing personal, but I don't like showering with you. If we were sleeping together, that'd be different. But we're not.






Dear bed,

I promise to spend quality time with you soon. This won't last forever.






Dear tea kettle & instant coffee,

You are life savers.






Dear daily organizer,

Holy shit, I'd be lost without you.







Dear nursing school,

You are difficult, challenging, heartbreaking, and frustrating. But you've also introduced me to some wonderful people, and given me the confidence in taking charge of my future that had been missing. You are the best choice I've made in years.

NABLOPOMO: PIMPIN' AIN'T EASY

{WHAT MAGIC IS THIS?}

Surprising absolutely no one, I'm already straying from the pre-made prompts. Not because they are boring or unimaginative, but because I really have a problem with not being a smartass. Also, the various memories of my first's are exceedingly embarrassing and possibly still prosecutable. We can talk of those times all in good time, lovers.
Instead, I'd like to share a(nother) loving post on my ginger-haired nephew. He'll be seven months this week! It's almost like he suddenly became this gorgeous little boy, who loves squash, wants to drink from a big person glass, sits up on his own, getting his first teeth, waves, and is a Casanova-in-training. Where did the little sleepy, snugglebutt boy go? It's hard to believe he would fall asleep anytime, anywhere, and now he fights sleep until completely drained of energy. (Just like his Daddy!)

Where did the time go? I can't wait to witness all of his beginnings, but the speed it's going by at is breaking my heart.


One week old
Newborn onesies were so big!
zonked out
snuggles
zonked
snuggles

First Halloween Pumpkin Patch
First Christmas (Poor boy!)

Fist bumps with Auntie
Swinging
Big boy bottle
Two teeth growing in and has been awake all night

I love you, HT!

I LOVE THIS LITTLE DUDE

Love. Love. LOVE.

OH, CLAUDIA...

I've been missing for a while because I haven't quite felt like blogging. The inspiration and desire was waning. These things happen, and sometimes, instead of forcing it, you just need to unplug and reboot. And so, I'm back and ready to kick out the jams.


(And bad jokes. Aw yuss.)


Since Thanksgiving is the last kind-of lookbook time I have, I'm going to share some snaps from my Thanksgiving with SIL's family. We spend the week in Georgia, at a beautiful house in the mountains of north Georgia, owned by SIL's friend's grandfather. It was low-key, and no-internet/cell phone signal (for me at least). (And there was TV, so I got to watch my future ex-husband Aaron Rodgers and the Pack kick the Lions ass.) Nice time to relax, laugh, sit by the fire, and drink exciting new cocktails.


(Mmmmmmm, gin and juice. New fave.)



Friend's house where we stayed the first night. Beautiful and so inspiring.


F21 sweater|Hanes men's undershirt|F21 jeggings|Fryes


First night on the mountain! FYI, grilling during high winds and frost temperatures is not recommended. Guess who learned that the hard way.


Good morning! I have such handsome men in my life. :D


This is what we got to see every morning with our coffee.




Meeting his other aunt and uncle for the first time!


















Hiking on Black Friday!




Post-hike: F21 Madras|F21 jeggings|gift socks|Fryes (not pictured)


(We were at a rest stop, soothing the unhappy baby, and SIL was getting ready to try breast feeding. Just before anyone gets all up in my grill about safety and car seats and whatnot.)


That's all, kids! After this chance to recharge, I'm planning out some new posts, and the same silly, ridiculous nonsense you've come to expect from and over-caffeinated spaz attack.

Love you!

ADVENTURES IN SHOPPING

Last Sunday was the final day for Florida's "No Sales Tax" break for back-to-school. The tax break mostly applies to school supplies like backpacks and lunch boxes, but clothing across the board is also included. You see where this is going, yeah? Since I don't want to be one to let a tax break pass without celebration, I took Sister-In-Law and Baby H shopping at Kohls.

A Girl's Day was so what the doctor ordered. The past week was a stressful one, for both of us, and since having the baby, she needed new clothes. And since my birthing hips keep attracting delicious foods, I needed some new pants. I know, it was, like, destiny or something.

H was a trooper. His only demands were that he have his binky and be held at all times. As long as those two demands were met, he was happy as a clam, and a MUCH better shopper than his Daddy and Gramps. I even managed to snap a quick phone picture:


{That's my Junebug!}

The lesson: Tax breaks are awesome, and H is doomed to go shopping with the Rihab women for the rest of his life. Sorry kiddo, but that's the rule.

KOHL'S

Incidentally, Kohl's is my favorite eyeliner and a favorite store. Strange, yes, but I do so love them both. One of the highlights of my youth when visiting Wisconsin was the trip to Kohl's, where my tomboy self first got in touch with my shop-inista.

Yesterday, I went on a shopping excursion with Mom, Sister-In-Law, and Baby H. We found out that H is fascinated with the outdoors and dislikes shopping. A lot. Red faced screaming that cannot be tamed until he's back outside. And we learned that three tough, grown-ass women become basketcases when H lets out a particular whimper.




(Breaks my heart. I'd rather hear him wailing and fussing than make that whimper!)










At Five Guys. (My first time being!) H is engrossed by the colors of the Five Guys.






Grandma cuddles while smelling delicious burgers and fries. Lucky boy! (Just wait until you can have solid food, kiddo. You are in for a world of good treats.)







My Kohl's haul was pretty minor. Just a few tops to round out my closet and (hopefully) make an OOTD showing soon.




A nice breathable top in a pretty teal. (And on sale!) Can't wait to pair this with silver jewelry, baggy boyfriend shorts (DIY on these later) and sassy wedges.



I plan to pair this with boyfriend or leather shorts, bangled wrists, Panama hat, and worn-in motorcycle boots when fall comes around.



I like basic pieces, and this tank has an awesome little crochet detail on the back. I like that. I plan to wear this quite a bit over the remainder of the summer. Oversized sunnies, cut offs, with bare feet and champagne as I lounge by the pool. Ahhhhhhh....



Is it Friday yet?

BABY, YOU GOT A FUTURE IN MEDICINE

Aw yeah, my nephew has got some STRONG jaws on him. He just loves nursing! Loves it so much he tried to sleep-nurse on me. The look of a confused newborn gumming away at my bra: priceless. When he has babies, I can't wait to throw that story down.

And I had a moment of TV deja vu...