Remember those Disney shirts we were working on?  Well, it took me awhile to get this post ready because, well, because I’m lazy.  When I finally finished ironing on all those transfers and neatly folding the shirts so as not to crease the transfers the last thing I wanted to do was unfold all of them to take pictures.

I had a few spare seconds today though so I snapped a couple of quick photos.  You’ll notice that I made every effort not to disturb that aforementioned folding.

I think you’ll agree that these babies are totally cute.

We have five shirts each.  Three of our shirts are personalized so that while it’s clearly recognizable that we’re a group, each person’s shirt is a bit different.

Here are those:

That last group is our Animal Kingdom shirt.  The logos we came up with may not make a lot of sense to you unless you’re a Disney World fan.  Each one sort of corresponds with an attraction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park.  The “advertisement” is meant to be tongue in cheek on a few of them.  For instance, inside the Tree of Life is an attraction called “It’s Tough to Be a Bug.”  So, the exterminator bit kind of pokes fun at that.  The Mt. Everest Track Inspector (tough to read in this picture) refers to the infamous mangled tracks on the Expedition Everest ride.

Fun aren’t they?

And then we have two shirts that are not personalized.  Well, they are personalized in that we made them, but unlike those first three, these are identical.

Here are those:

And last but not least are the books we made.  We came up with this idea last year and it was such a handy tool that we brought them back.  They contain a daily itinerary, fun facts and trivia, and a “While You Wait” section that has all sorts of Disney-inspired games to help keep the kiddos (and adults actually) entertained while we are waiting in line for attractions.

See there?  Told you we put a lot of effort into our trips.

So, whatdya think?  Which is your favorite?

I finished it this weekend.  And by “I”, I of course mean we.  Jeff had to put up the hardware for the drapery and hang the wall art so that everything was all even and stuff.  When you ask an engineer to hang a picture you’d best be prepared for an arsenal of hi-tech laser leveling equipment.  If it were me, I’d just eye it and pound a nail into the wall.  I’m not complaining, I’m just sayin’. 

Anywho…

The new dining room is a big improvement, no?  One might even call it, oh I don’t know, rich maybe.

*****Updated to announce that Jen at Our Daily Big Top is the winner in the Fliggity giveaway!*****

A certain someone is having a birthday next week.  I won’t mention any names but I will give you a hint.

And yes, I am heinously biased, but how gosh darn cute is that?!

Last year I found the cutest felt birthday boy hat for him and I honestly didn’t think I would be able to top it for this year’s batch of birthday photos.  But then, I discovered this little number (number, get it?!).

Are you loving the shirt as much as I am?  Because, really, I’m diggin’ the shirt.  How perfect is it for a birthday boy (or girl)?

I got it from Fliggity.  

Fliggity is a mom-owned small business out of North Carolina.  Lisa (the mom) makes some of the cutest custom kids clothing I’ve come across.  In addition to the “How Old Am I Shirt” that Jayce is sporting, she has three other product categories as well: Tiggity Tie Die, Stylish Superheroes, and Shirts That Fliggity Fly.  Could the names be any catchier?  I think not.

Wanna win one?

I thought you might.  Here’s your chance!  Just click your way over to Fliggity and have a look around.  Choose which shirt you’ll get if you’re the lucky winner.  Then head back over here and leave me a comment telling me which of Lisa’s fabulous fliggitys you’d most love to dress your little one up in.  I’ll announce a winner on Wednesday, August 13th.

And…Lisa has offered my readers 15% off a purchase through the end of August.  Just use code 15fliggity for the discount. 

***Here’s a hint for you – Jayce’s shirt is a tad too tight.  Lisa recommends that if you’re ordering for a boy, order one size larger than you would normally.  Girls sizes are standard though***

This is my dining room. 

Clearly it has some issues.

It has good bones I think.  That is, if you consider the mirror, furniture, and words printed on the wall bones.  I like those things.

(Translated from Italian, those words say – It is written: Man does not live by bread alone).  Because you might have been wondering.

I know I would have been.

Moving right along though.

When we moved into the house most of my decorationg dollars went elswhere.  The formal dining room just wasn’t a priority.  It is, however, a very visible room in our house and now that the remainder of the decorating is pretty much done (or done for now at least) this room bothers me.

And when a room bothers me I do what any red-blooded American mom does.  I go to Target.

This is what I picked up last weekend.  (Did I mention how much I love Target?)

I know the flash on the camera didn’t do a thing for picture quality, but work with me kay?  Those two long signs are tin with lots of tin wine labels affixed to them.  That “merlot” picture is a close up of the two long signs so you can get the picture.

Aren’t those cute?  Love them. 

I’m also making a drapery for the bare naked window. 

I made my husband hold the fabric up for me the other so I could see what it would look like when all is said and done.

He laughed at me because as soon as he placed it I said, ”that’s going to look rich.”

I said it out loud.

I’d had a glass of wine and rich was the adjective that the silk fabric brought to mind.

Not rich like money but rich like, well, rich.

He’s been making fun of me for it pretty much all week since.

Whatever.

It will  look rich.

I’ll post pictures when I’m done.

And then you all can tell him just how rich it looks.

He wouldn’t dare make fun of all of us.       

And of course by ‘all of us’ I’m refferring to myself and my six loyal readers.

You ladies do have my back on this one right?                                                                                            

Saturday was the big day.  The big shopping day that is.  I have to admit to being slightly neurotic the day before.  I spent lots of time going over your comments about where to go and what to buy.  I visited more online retail sites than I care to admit to.  I even compiled a list detailing my goals.

Did I mention I’m not a great shopper?

Give me a wad of cash to spend and tell me I have to spend it on clothes for myself (not clothes for my family which would be easy or stuff for my house which would be even easier, um hello, Z Gallerie calling)  and I freeze.  I don’t know what it is about buying myself clothes that throws me into a tizzy but it totally does.  I debate every detail, from how it contains my blueberry (muffin top) to how big a dent it’ll put in my budget.  There is something wrong with me.  Really and truly, there is.

All that said though, I think I came away pretty good.

Here’s where I shopped: Gap, Forever 21, a little shop in the mall called Mocha (it may be a regional thing, I’m not sure), Ann Taylor, Old Navy, and Buckle (thanks Soliloquy).

And here’s some of what I got.  I’ll have to get more pictures of the other stuff later.

 And in case you’re wondering…
Coral Shirt – 36.00 Ann Taylor
Jeans – 118.00 Lucky Brand
Cute little wooden beaded bracelet – 4.80 Forever 21
Green and White layered tanks 7.50 each Old Navy
Green and White Skirt - Forever 21 21.80 (isn’t that ironic)
The orange skirt – Gap 11.99
Brown and White layered camis – 7.50 each Old Navy
Jeans – 138.00 Lucky Brand
Black and White top – Ann Taylor 29.99

I also got THE MOST ADORABLE little black dress (I heard I needed one) at Mocha.  I didn’t get a picture but I am going to have to because it was, HANDS DOWN, my favorite buy.  And I got a second of the Old Navy skirts (cobalt blue) because I loved the orange one so much.  Get this though, I had to go to a second Gap because the first didn’t have any more.  Same skirt, different color.  One was 12 bucks, the other 22.  I had a hard time justifying spending more on the same exact skirt but I loved it so my hands were tied.  I also got a really bright orange handbag (to go with my green outfit) and a cute black everyday sundress at Target.  Oh, and a straw hat.  I’ve always wanted one.  It looks pretty cute with the sundress.

Okay, so I still have about one-fifth of my original budget left to get some more stuff.  But, as for my purchases so far, whatdya think?  Be gentle on me kay?  I’m fragile when it comes to shopping…

     Do you subscribe to Consumer Reports?  I do.  The website, not the magazine.  In fact my subscription has sort of crippled me in that I can’t make a major purchase anymore without obsessing over researching what those who’ve gone before me have to say about a certain product.

     In the spirit of sharing good information I thought I’d ask about a few different products I’ve been curious about.  You know, to get firsthand information from my trusted interfriends. 

     This is one of those pizza ovens.  Now, I’m picky about my pizza.  If I consume Pizza Hut it’s as a last resort.  Since moving to our current city I’m bummed to say that I have only found one restaurant that serves up a decent pie.  So if I have a craving for pizza, I make it myself.  I crank the oven way up and use a stone to bake it but I’m wondering if this little gadget would have anything on my boring old GE Profile wall oven. 

     The Margarator.  Looks to me like a glorified blender.  What does this doodad have on my Oster?

     I saw this brilliant invention sitting on my mom’s dresser during my recent visit and I forgot to ask about it.  Are you familiar?  It’s a foot scruffer (of file if you insist on using proper terminology) that catches all that nasty skin that you scrape off.  I’ve always scruffed over a wastebasket but then when Kennedy empties the bathroom trash I am sure to find plenty of skin flakes strewn all about the bathroom floor.  Say it with me friend, EWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!

     Recognize this?  No it’s not some updated Nerf product.  Brace yourselves ladies – it’s a bra ball.  You put your bra in this and toss into the washer for a machine washed brassiere with hand-washed results.  How cool is that?  But does it work?

     Okay, now it’s my turn to tell you about a couple of things that I love and don’t.

     1. My panini press – Love it!
     2. My indoor electric ice cream maker - I scream for ice cream (two thumbs up).
     3. Scooba (the floor washing machine) – It was good while it lasted but it didn’t last long because the battery kept dying.  I wouldn’t buy it again.  I sold mine on E-bay.

     That’s all I can think of for now.  Feel free to chime in though on things you’ve tried and loved (or not so much) even if (especially if) I haven’t mentioned it here.

     You know how Oprah does those “Favorites” shows at Christmas? 

     Surely you do. 

     For those of you who spend your time hiding under rocks though, Oprah’s Favorites shows highlight some her favorite products for the gift giving season.  And if you’re a kazillionaire like her, then you can actually afford to buy some of the products she favors for the loveys on your list.  Or, better yet, if you’re a lucky audience member, you get to take home one of everything she spotlights on the show. 

     And the stash she sends those folks home with is nothing to shake a stick at friends.

     Well, this year, she did a summer season favorites too.  I didn’t think it quite compared to her holiday favorites show, but that’s just little ol’ me talking.

     Not a kazillionaire by any stretch of the imagination.

     Anyway I had absolutely nothing else to blog about thought it’d be fun to share some of my own favorites of the season.  And you don’t even have to be a kazillionaire to bag these little finds for yourself.

 Of course, standing by the door waiting on the Fed Ex guy to show up with your share of Darcie’s favorite summer bounty isn’t exactly time well spent.  Like I said, I’m no kazillionaire.

     Tell me that isn’t cute, in a creepy sort of way.  I’m totally into bold colors these days and if I had even a fraction of Oprah’s kazillion, it would be cool to switch out my striped fall-ish throw pillows on the couch with vibrant, fresh ones that look like they’re just groovin’ along to that “Under the Boardwalk” song.

     This, my friends, is summer cocktailing at it’s finest.  It’s a blueberry mojito and yes, it is as zesty and refreshing as it looks.

     I’m a strawberry sort of girl and slice of strawberry pie on a summer evening makes for a perfect end to darn near perfect lazy days.  Unlike the one pictured though, I make mine with a shortbread cookie crust.  Say it with me kids, DE-lish!

     And since I’m all about the fruity, let me just tell you that this (Melon Sorbet) is the perfect scent to add a little bit of tooty fruity to your home.  And if ya hurry, you can catch them on sale for a steal.

     I. Love. This. Stuff.  I use it year round, but for anyone who digs a lighter feel during the sticky sweaty months, it rocks.  It’s a moisturizer, with just a hint of color.  LOVE IT!

     I bought one of these a few months ago in brown.  I loved it so much I went back to get one in the other colors too.  If I turned on my handy dandy webcam and smiled for the camera you’d see that I’m sporting one even as I type this.  But, then you’d also see that I have neglected to apply any of that tinted moisturizer today and my hair looks eerily like the nest that bird in our backyard has been working so hard to construct.  Yeah, so I think I’ll pass on the picture, but suffice it to say that this is my favorite tank of the summer.

     Betcha didn’t expect to see my favorite herb of the season did ya?  Ah-hah!  Well here it is.  Cilantro.  I used to have a serious aversion to this stuff.  The smell was just too strong and it totally turned me off.  But I’ve slowly become accustomed to it seeing as how it’s used liberally on the grilled chicken tacos I always order from our favorite Mexican place.  Oh, but get this.  I had a Mediterranean pizza the other day with pine nuts, feta cheese, kalamata olives and uh-huh, cilantro pesto drizzled across the top of it in a cool ziggity zaggity shape.  Um, my standard DE-lish rating just doesn’t do justice in this case.  It was over the top my friends.  And the drool all over my keyboard is okay because that pizza is exactly what I’ll be ordering tomorrow night when I go out with my bloggy friend and neighbor, Kellie. 

     Last but certainly not least.  If that doesn’t make for a perfect summer solstice party beverage station, I don’t know what does. 

     Perhaps you’re one of those super organized women who cooks a month’s worth of dinners and stows them away in the freezer so as to save time later.  If so, I totally hate you.  But I applaud you nonetheless.

     As for me, I’m a bit challenged when it comes to that sort of thing.  That is of course, until I came across this place in town that organizes that whole process for me.  It’s a local business that features a new menu of dinners (about 15 at any given time) each month.  They do all the planning, kitchen prep work, and clean up.  All the customer (yours truly in this case) has to do is set up an appointment time to go in and assemble any number of meals that suits the family.

     I visited for the third time on Thursday.  I spent about two hours there and in that short time I prepared 13 meals.  Tasty and unique meals to boot.  Each entree has directions applied right to the disposable packaging so that all I have to do at home is either grill, bake, or cook it on the stove-top according to the directions.  Simple as pie I tell ya.  And since they use all kinds of fresh and tasty herbs and ingredients, my meals come out that much better than they would at home.

     I’ve heard that little shops like this are available all over the country.  I just thought I’d share in case any of you are as organizationally challenged in this regard as I.  You might want to check your phone book or ask around for a similar place.  Because when summer rolls around, I’m all about simple.  And seriously… who isn’t?

     Mr. Fed Ex man came through for me today, big time.  BIG TIME.

     I pre-ordered this little diddy a couple of weeks ago and I have been dying for it to be officially released so that I could give it a whirl.  And lo and behold, here it is.  I can’t wait to slip into my yoga pants and sports bra and see just how much of a beating this little baby can dish out.  Whatever it takes to get this blueberry (muffin-top) of mine up and outta heya!  I’ll let you know how it goes!

     I got such the deal on the cutest patio dinnerware on Friday night.  Now before you run out to try to score the same deal I got, I should tell you: it was a one time thing.

     My kids had their annual community fair at the school on Friday night.  This event isn’t one of those things that you attend because your daughter’s best friend’s mom is the President of the PTA and you know if you don’t go your daughter’s sleepover invites will soon dwindle.  Oh no.  Our peeps do an awesome job of organizing this really cool event each and every year.  They do bounce houses, cotton candy, pickles on a stick, you know, the whole nine yards.  And I wish I could take some credit, but alas, I’m one of those miserable moms who sits on the sidelines and lets everybody else do the cold calls for donations from local businesses.  I know, I know.  I need to get involved.  But before you turn up your nose, hear me out.  I used to volunteer in the classroom every week.  I’ve done the whole grading a trillion papers and cutting-out-foam-stars-until-your-hand-falls-off-from-the-cramping thing.  And then my son was born. 

     Well.  He was.

     Okay, so anyway back to the community fair.  It really is a well-planned and very organized event that raises a ton of money for the school each year.  And while it may be true that I don’t pull my weight in the planning and executing of the event, between the six of us we drop enough cash there every year to buy math textbooks for the entire third grade.

     My kids clamor over the sold-by-the-slice pieces of Papa Johns as if it’s the be all end all.  I mean, it’s not like I slave over homemade pizza at home each and every week, but whatever.  I think it has something to do with the can of soda that comes along with each slice at the carnival.  All for only 4 tickets.  Soda is pretty much public enemy number one in our house so you can understand the excitement.  Jeff and I opt for Mexican delicassies over the greasy, hours-old slices of pepperoni pie.  So what if they serve the carne asada through the window of a restaurant on wheels?  It’s a carnival, so we live a little.  Of course then there’s the cotton candy and the snow cones and the kettle corn and the face painting.  But that, my friends, is only the tip of the iceberg.  The show stopper is the silent auction.  That’s where we drop the big bucks.

     When it comes to the auction, Jeff has a method.  Last year he was the successful high bidder on the highly sought after gymnastics birthday party package.  So this year when I begged and pleaded that he win me the day at the spa package, he was eager, to say the least.  

     Jeff put his method into practice at about two minutes till closing time.  He meandered over to the bidding sheet and perused the competition.  He tends to be a bit on the competitive side so I worried momentarily when he gave the evil eye to the PE teacher, but then of course I surmised that as the PE teacher, surely she could hold her own. 

     Then came the one minute warning.

     As the horde of class moms drew in their breath he surprised me by turning his back and walking away from the table.  Hello?  Babe we’re talking facial, massage and pedicure here, ‘member?  I briefly considered taking up my own post among the elbowing crowd of facial-deprived women but thought better of leaving the children unattended.  

     At precisely that moment I caught his attention and the glimmer of battle I recognized in his eyes renewed my trust.  He turned once again and started towards the table, his gaze set squarely on the bidding sheet.  Time slowed and somewhere in the distance I heard the Rocky theme song come slowly to life.  And then:

     “Put your pencils down.  Bidding is closed.”

     His trance was broken and he searched the crowd until he found my eyes.  First, he was a deer in the headlights and then, realizing his folly, a sad puppy dog.

     He made his way back to me and, and through broken speech, questioned how his method had failed him.  ”But.  They never gave.  What about?  Thirty second warning.  Not fair.  I thought…” 

     In the end, we lost the day at the spa package.  Oh but we didn’t lose everything.  I won the perfect patio dinnerware set for only twelve bucks.  I know.  Score!  Not to mention the Chuck E. Cheese-esque trinkets that the girls came home with.  Chinese yo-yo’s, sparkly slime in a tub, gaudy bejeweled rings.  Oh yeah.  We came home from that carnival a whole lot richer my friends.