Shoe Envy

I have a love-hate relationship with shoes. On the one hand, I love pretty shoes. On the other hand, my feet groan in protest if they're not comfortable enough!

That leaves me unable to buy cute cheap shoes. It makes my wallet sad! I'd love a closet full of shoes but if I'm going to be comfortable wearing them, I'll have to shell out a lot of cash for them... and I'm frugal!

Some of my favorite brands that carry cute and comfy shoes are Naturalizer, Reef, Aerosoles, and Clarks. Here are some I'd love to have on my feet:

1. 2. 3. 4.

What about you? Do you have a shoe obsession?

Baby Bumpdate: 32 Weeks

Has it already been that long? Here's the latest:

I've been having fun entering a lot of giveaways for baby stuff - and I've been VERY blessed to have won a few things! Check out the swag so far:

Itzbeen Baby Care Timer

Diaper Clutch

Electric Breast Pump

Whimsical frame (I picked it out in orange!)

Nursing Pillow

I can't wait to start using this stuff when Baby Boy finally gets here :)


PS: The big blogiversary/birthday bash giveaway winner is Roxanne! Congrats and I'll be emailing you shortly!

Tickle Me Tuesday, 68th edition

Welcome to the latest edition of Tickle Me Tuesdays, where we all share what's been tickling our fancy!

If you'd like to participate (and you know you do!!), here are the rules:
  

1. Write a short post with anywhere from one to five items that have been tickling your fancy recently. Please include pictures and links :)

2. Make sure to link back to the party in your blog post (you can grab the button or include a text link)

3. Come back here and link up your blog post!  

4. Visit some other links and HAVE FUN!

This week's finds are all things I'd LOVE to have in the nursery:

Modern Nursery Pennant from Modified Tot

Typography Word Art from Vinyl Crafts

3 Sprouts Storage Bin 

Now it's your turn! What's been tickling your fancy lately?

<a href="http://yesteachercrafts.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s92/french_mk/tickle.jpg" /></a>

Lovely Lust-haves: Lace

Lace isn't just for little girls anymore! I'm seeing touches of it everywhere and I love it! So feminine and dainty - I wish I had more lace accents in my wardrobe. Do you wear a lot of lace? Below, some pieces that caught my eye!

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Can you pick a favorite?

(and PS: if you haven't yet, hurry and enter my big blogiversary/birthday bash giveaway! It ends SOON!)

Birthday Blessings

As it turns out, it's really hard to be down and out about your birthday, when you have 13 kindergartners and first graders who are SO EXCITED about it!

One little girl told me a day beforehand:

"Guess what? Tomorrow's your birthday and me and the whole class made you a ENVELOPE and we're going to give it to you tomorrow but guess what, it's a SECRET and everybody CAN'T TELL YOU!!!"


I may have melted into a pile of giggles right then and there.

And the next day, when I woke up? My sister and my husband had arranged for a special ride to school:

A LIMO!! If you remember from my life list, riding in a limo is something I've never done but have always wanted to do!! I felt like a total movie star - for once I wished my commute was longer than 20 minutes :)

The day just got better from there... I had cupcakes for the students (and they all drew me such sweet cards!), and my colleagues surprised me with a lunch spread! My aide baked a heart-shaped cake for me - it was delicious :)

When I got home, hubby picked up some takeout from the best empanada restaurant around... yum! We finished off the meal with thin mint ice cream.

Oh and I can't forget the beautiful flowers that one of my good friends from England had delivered. They really cheer up the house!

After my grand day (plus opening all of the packages and cards from faraway family), I felt extremely spoiled and VERY loved! So far being 30 has been pretty fun!

PS: Have you entered my blogiversary/birthday bash giveaway yet? Five fabulous prizes up for grabs!!

The Sparrow Fund: Shopping for a Cause

I'm so excited to announce that I'm a part of the The Sparrow Fund! I'll be donating 10% of all my sales in May to this worthy cause. Over fifty other businesses will be taking part, too! (For the full list, click here.)

This is what Kelly has to say about The Sparrow Fund:

The Sparrow Fund is committed to supporting adoptive families by providing grants for this purpose—grants to pay for preadoption counseling and support, medical reviews of the file of the child they are referred, and postadoption support as their child becomes part of their family. As parents to a little girl from China, we have found these services to be absolutely integral for a family adopting internationally.

As families learn more about The Sparrow Fund, applications for grants have increased. Already this year, we have given a total of 6 grants. And, we are growing our services as well, collaborating with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s (CHOP) Adoption Program to provide training opportunities for adoptive families. Our first training will be May 5^th and is focusing on adoption related issues in the classroom (check it out here). We plan on offering opportunities like this twice a year to better equip and encourage adoptive families. 

I know several families in real life and in the blogosphere who are going through the adoption process. I'm thrilled to be able to share my support in this way!!

Happy Shopping!

Happy Birthday to ME!

Today I turn 30. (For my birthday, I asked for another year of being 29.) Max is making jokes about getting a senior discount now, but he won't be laughing long since his 30th birthday is only ten days away!

via

But seriously, I'm trying my best not to freak out, and instead to celebrate with a little more pizazz than usual.

For example, I'm actually celebrating with friends this year! We're going to a great Tex-Mex place in town on Saturday and it should be fun. I haven't actually celebrated with people (other than with my husband) since my NINETEENTH birthday! I am such an introvert....

My kindergartners and first graders have been counting down to my birthday on our calendar for the last two weeks, so I'll be bringing in some cupcakes and juice for a little party. (Can't wait to share pictures of frosting-covered faces!)

And of course, I'll be milking the day week for all the ice cream I can squeeze out of it :)

Calories don't count on your birthday, right?!

PS: Have you entered my blogiversary/birthday bash giveaway yet?