Lazy Daisy

So this is where I spent most of my morning (not this exact room, but you get my drift). Not because I was feeling ill or hungover...simply lazy! It's a nasty rainy day so I got the kiddies off to school and laid in bed and read my new book. It's hilarious. Everything you've been thinking for years but never said (or maybe you're painfully honest like me and you really did say them).
I picked BabyGirl up from school and we went to the chick for lunch.
Now we're home and I'm debating whether or not to go work out at the Y. Tough one. It's so yucky and rainy out that I just want to stay inside and vegetate. Only problem is, I ate and drank my way through the weekend and now it's back to reality. Those jeans just barely fit anymore!
Alas, tomorrow is my birthday. The big 32. Not exciting AT ALL, I'm afraid. I'm hoping for a Girl's Night Out on Wednesday. Dr. Daddy was super sweet and got tomorrow off so we get to spend ALL DAY together. Yikes!
We spend this weekend spreading 12 cubic yards of mulch. No joke. Every muscle in my body aches! It looks so good now, though! I even got to demolish an old cement bench with a sledgehammer.

Dr. Daddy's conversation with the neighbor:

Neighbor: Is that a pile of concrete I saw out by your curb?

Dr. Daddy: Yeah, I let the mom beat the hell out of a concrete bench with a sledgehammer. She said it was really good PMS therapy.

Neighbor: Understanding head nod.

Dr. Daddy: Now I just need to come up with a solution for next month.

Pink and Green!

Here was my dining room when the previous owner lived here:



Not bad...just not me. The walls were a dark terra cotta and the curtains were a brick red and yellow stripe. She left the gorgeous curtain rods.

It took me no time at all to pick out the wallpaper for my new dining room. I absolutely fell in love with this pattern from Thibaut. I love all things oriental and it is the perfect color of green.



We papered above the chair rail and painted below the chair rail the same color as the trim...a half white/half antique white mix. Eventually, we plan to put in wainscoating below the chair rail.

As most of you know, I then made the curtains. I love pink and green...Dr. Daddy notsomuch. But he was amazing and immediately agreed that he loved the fabric. Here's the final product.



And...the entire room.











The table, chairs, pedestal table and china cabinet are all Baker.





The table legs don't show in the photos so here's a stock photo. I didn't manage to get the china cabinet in the picture but here's a stock photo of it. It has to be one of my favorite pieces in the house. I love the bowed front. My china pattern is Wedgewood Strawberry and Vine and I collect Anna Weatherley salad plates.







The mirror is La Barge. I can't remember where the buffet came from...my husband bought it at the Dallas furniture mart about ten years ago. The lamps are from TJ Maxx and the shades are from Ballard Designs. I bought the chandelier on Ebay and assembled it myself. (You KNOW that required some gin) The soup tureen on the buffet was passed down from my MIL. It's antique Mottahedeh, but you can still buy it here.

I love the rug, Dr. Daddy doesn't. It's a grass cloth and I think it really adds an air of casualness to the room. I haven't found an oriental yet that I love as
much.

The candle sconces were also passed down from my MIL. I found them in her attic!!! She wasn't using them at all. I later saw them in an antique store and bragged to Dr. Daddy about how much money I'd saved by digging through the attic.

So, there you have it!

Now, I'll leave you with a picture from House Beautiful's June 2006 issue. This is my ultimate idea room. I love everything about it...



First of all, the painted wallpaper. Love the birds. The canary yellow drapes just pop and the lacquered curtain rods give the appearance of beautiful jewelry complementing the perfect ballgown. I absolutely love the contrast of the traditional Charleston style table with the clean lines of the Regency style chairs. Dr. Daddy already owned our dining set when we got married. I think if I had gotten to choose for myself I would definitely have chosen chairs like these from Baker:



I love the eclectic look and not having everything be so matchy matchy. And of course, you know I love the rug in this inspiration photo!

Making some progress

So Dr. Daddy came home yesterday and apologized for being grumpy about Hedonism. He is really a softy at heart. Says he just wanted to go back to the place where he remembered having the most fun ever with me. I made him some meatloaf (the key to a man's heart really is meatloaf), and promised him that no matter where we go I'll be sure to bring very few things to wear in the PRIVACY of our room/cabana/whatever. He still really wants to go to Hedonism, but is willing to consider other options. Thank God. So, that leaves us free to do some FUN blogging today! Up next...my new dining room!

Good wife/Bad wife

I'm having a major dilemma. You see, Dr. Daddy is turning 50 this year and I made a really stupid promise.
Let me set the scene for you. Two weeks after we got engaged in 1999 we went to a Super Clubs resort in Jamaica. HE made the reservations and was soooooo excited. It turned out to be Hedonism III. Here's the decription from a travel website:
Tucked away on Jamaica's sultry North Coast, Hedonism III enters the millennium with everything that made Hedonism II the world's most notorious resort - and more! You'll find swim-up rooms. A Roman tub in every room. And a see-through slide that snakes through our disco. At Hedonism III, you'll find that famous uninhibited spirit where just about anything goes. For couples and singles 18 yrs. & over.

I think that's a pretty tame description myself. They fail to note the guest rooms' ahem, AMENITIES.



Yes, friends, that is a mirror on the ceiling. The see through waterslide is super fly as well...especially when people are sliding through it butt naked (which is not to say that I didn't do this as well after countless martinis). The see through slide also happens to traverse the nightclub, so people can sit and drink their libations while watching you slide naked into the pool. I especially love the rule at the main restaurant...clothing required. CLOTHING BEING USED AS A VERY LOOSE TERM. The restaurant, however, is the ONLY place on "campus" that has a clothing required rule.

Here's a taste of the entertainment options:

Night - Theme - Dress Code
Sunday - Pimper's Paradise - Pimp & Ho & Retro Wear
Monday - Pirate's Bootie - Sexy Pirates & Bootie Bottoms
Tuesday - Tease Me Tuesdays - Lingerie & Pajama (non optional)
Wednesday - Alter Ego Exposed - Bring out the Naughty Side Fetish
Thursday - Cesar's Revelry - 'Return to Rome' Toga/ Greek Gods & Godesses
Friday Jamaica Spice - 'Celebrate our Culture' Jamaican colors - black, yellow, green
Saturday Wet & Wild Day / All that Glitters Gala Night Glitter, metallic, sequin, shimmer

At the time we went, I was 23 and pretty conservative. Willing to go have a wild time with my fiance, none the less. Wanted him to be happy...thrilled he was taking me on vacation...had never been to the Caribbean. You get my drift.

At the time, it was my "most fun vacation ever". That's not saying a lot. I was a young adult. My many forays throughout Europe were done with my parents and three brothers in tow. Fun, but not the MOST FUN. Well, I have lived to regret those words. Dr. Daddy absolutely loved the trip. It was the greatest time of his life, yadda yadda yadda. Always wanted to go back. But honey, I would say, there are SOOOOOO many other places I want to go before I EVER go back there! A once and a lifetime trip, yes?

Ahhh, no. In a wild "I love my husband SOOOO much" moment a few months back, I promised him we could go back for his 50th birthday. So. Freaking. Dumb.

I don't know what it is...maybe I'm older, maybe it's having kids, maybe I'm just that much more conservative. I like my rack and have no problemo going topless on a beach where others are topless. I certainly wouldn't WALK AROUND topless, but laying out is fine. I don't feel the need to go to a resort where the nude beach is always full and I'm the only one hanging out on the prude beach. (the prude beach requires bottoms, you see...the nude beach is for completely nude people only)

So, Dr. Daddy asked me last night if I was excited about the trip (it's not till October). I couldn't lie. I told him I would be so happy to go to another Super Clubs resort but that I just wasn't thrilled to got back to Hedonism. It just kind of creeps me out. We definitely ran into some crack whores while we were there and that's just not the kind of crowd I want to run with. Now, he's mad. He thinks I misled him, am ungrateful, blah blah blah. I told him I would totally still go with him...I'm just not going to be ecstatic about prancing around in my jammies (unless, of course, it's my adorable Lilly tank and capri set). This bod just ain't all that hot no more and I don't feel so confident showing it off. Am I being a beeotch?

Read On!

Thanks to my reader Puttin on the G.R.I.T.S. for letting me know that the author of my blog's namesake has a new book out!

"Naptime is the New Happy Hour: And Other Ways Toddlers Turn Your Life Upside Down" is the latest book from Stefanie Wilder-Taylor

I've just ordered it from Amazon and can't wait to read it!

Here's the decription:

Motherhood -- it's not for wimps.

Once the zigzagging hormones and endless, bleary-eyed exhaustion of the first year have worn off, you're left with the startling realization that your tiny, immobile bundle has become a rampaging toddler, complete with his or her very own, very forceful personality.

Just as Sippy Cups Are Not for Chardonnay helped debunk decades of parenting myths to offer honest advice for the first year, Naptime Is the New Happy Hour is a voice of reason for every woman facing questions such as: Will refined sugar make my toddler's head explode? Is it wrong to have a cocktail at two in the afternoon? And what exactly is a Backyardigan?

With biting wit and boatloads of common sense, Stefanie Wilder-Taylor addresses all these concerns and more. Whether it's planning easy outings that are fun for both of you (fact: your child will find the local Target just as scintillating as the Guggenheim), dishing the dirt on preschool TV (those mothers who swear their kids don't watch television? Liars or psychos, every one), or perfecting the art of the play date, readers will find advice, anecdotes, and a reassuring sense of camaraderie to help them survive -- and even thrive -- during each hilarious, frustrating, and amazing moment.

Info

So many questions!!!
All three of the monkey pieces posted yesterday were from the Tracy Porter website. Have fun!

LOVE me some monkeys!

Would it be inappropriate for me to register for my 32nd birthday?

And you thought YOUR house was a 3 ring circus!

I saw this home in the latest issue of Traditinal Home and fell in love. It completely embodies everything I love about interior design. The absolutely perfect blend of tradition and whimsy without overdoing it and making it seem too kitschy. What a delight!

The home was originally built by a circus owner and rumor has it he kept the monkeys in the attic and the lions in cages in the basement! What a hoot! I only wish they had shown pictures of the kitchen...

Easter in Richmond

The kids were out of school on Friday and Dr. Daddy had to work this weekend so I loaded the kids up in the car and we headed off to Richmond for the weekend. We had a great time visiting my parents at their home in the West End (which is for sale, by the way, so if you're interested let me know!)



Friday evening, my stepmom and I headed over to Costco to find something for dinner and were pleasantly surprised to find the Lilly dresses that Happy Housewife had told me were there. I couldn't believe the piles of dresses! We got five for BabyGirl, two for my cousin's daughter, and two for gifts. All for $160.00! Crazy.

Saturday morning I stopped by a cute stationery store and got these Thank You notes for BabyGirl's birthday presents. I printed her name in pink in the upper left corner.



After that, I went across the street and did some browsing. I love Spring clothes and just about died when I found this jacket.



I sometimes love, sometimes hate Nanette Lepore, but this jacket was fantastic. I even tried it on. Bad move. Now I have to have it. I've been wracking my brain trying to figure out which child I can hire out for child labor to make some extra cash.

We had a fun Easter egg hunt on Saturday at my Aunt's house and then headed back yesterday. Despite the fact that I let BabyBoy sit in the way back of the Volvo he and BabyGirl still argued half the time. ABOUT ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. WTH? I don't get the love/hate relationship between the two of them. I'm just glad that every now and then it's love!

Today we're having our new vanity installed in the master bathroom. Maybe now it will only be butt ugly instead of butt ass ugly. It's a start!

I'm hoping to post final dining room pictures this afternoon. My camera is majorly screwed up and I can't seem to get good photos...

Fancy Nancy Party Recap

Finally! We had our Fancy Nancy Bonjour, Butterfly party yesterday and it was a big hit! BabyGirl had a blast and I think the other 16 girls did as well. Of course, it was pouring down rain outside...so thank goodness we decided on an indoor party.
The girls arrived and sat down to color some Fancy Nancy pictures that I downloaded from this great website. Once all the girls had arrived we all gathered in the living room to read "Fancy Nancy Bonjour, Butterfly".



Of course, I read to MY kids all the time...but reading to a group of girls and their mothers/fathers was kind of nervewracking to me for whatever reason. I'm sure I skipped a few sentences but thankfully, I don't think any of these kids can really read yet.

We then went into the sun room, which was decorated with butterflies hanging from the ceiling (note to self: remember to call painter to re-paint sun room ceiling) (note to readers: do not try to adhere butterflies to ceiling using packing tape). I had three tables set up for the activities and eating in this room. These tables are avalable at Sam's Club and are perfect for kid's parties. I used to always rent these heavy, cumbersome tables but then I found these adjustable ones and they are so light and storable! They are just the right height for the kids now and they will grow with the kids as they grow.

The girls were adorable in their wings, tiaras, and fairy wands (I found wands exactly like the one Fancy Nancy has on the cover of the book). The wands and tiaras were from Oriental Trading and I got the fairy wings for a great deal from this Ebay Seller.




After we got all dressed up we sat down at the tables and did some beading. This was lots of fun and the girls were all so quiet and focused I couldn't believe it! They ended up making some really cute necklaces. One sweet girl even made one for her Mom, and it was just what she would have chosen.

After beading we colored some little wooden butterfly pictures frames that I got from AC Moore. Love that place.

Then it was on to pizza, cupcakes, and parfait (fancy for ice cream, of course!). I had tried to decorate the kitchen like The King's Crown, which is the pizza parlour in the original Fancy Nancy book. I took Journey to our Daughter's adorable banner idea and made a sign. I also used these paper pom pom's from the Martha Stewart Craft Collection at Michael's. (note to self: painter needs to paint TWO ceilings) BabyGirl insisted on cupcakes and rather than make them myself I got them from our favorite bakery. The girls had a great time making their own sundaes and making a mess!

We all cleaned up using our uber cute napkins from To Bee Named. At the end of the party BabyGirl passed out her goody bags. I hit the Target one spot hard one day and got all the cheesy Easter purses and white gloves for the girls. We also threw in some beads and star shaped sunglasses...BabyGirl handed each one out and told her friends "this is everything you need to get fancy at home". So Cute.

Mercifully, BabyGirl agreed to open her gifts AFTER everyone left. She loved them all but I'm pretty sure her favorite was the Fancy Nancy doll that friends Caroline and Elizabeth bought for her. I don't know how their Mom found it! I've been searching everywhere.

And now...the pictures!

Hilarious

Click here for a good laugh...

Am I lovin' it too much?

You know the McDonald's commercials with the little "I'm lovin' it" jingle? I'm wondering if my kids and I are lovin' it too much. Dr. Daddy almost never eats fast food. The kids and I, on the other hand, are frequent flyers. McDonald's, Wendy's, sometimes Burger King, DEFINITELY Chick fil' A (one of my girlfriends insists that the Chick is NOT truly fast food!). I'm wondering how often ya'll indulge in a little fried happiness...
So, I've offered a little poll and I'd love for you to get out the vote.
Also, thanks so much for the GREAT ideas for my alliance meetings....KEEP EM' COMIN! I might even offer up a little prize for the reader with the most and best ideas. Hmmm, I'm thinking some gift cards to McDonald's???

Need ideas!

Okay, ladies (and gents, few that you are). I need you to put on your thinking caps. I'm in this medical alliance of mostly women (a smattering of men that don't really attend many events) and we meet about once a month. Each meeting consists of coffee, business meeting, and a short program of some sort. To give you an idea...in the past we've done a floral design workshop, a talk on editing digital photos, what's new in skincare and facial aesthetics, and some more serious topics like internet predators, heart health, etc. We need new ideas for programs for next year and I'm pretty much tapped out! So, send me your ideas!!!!

Back to the grind

Our week at Snowshoe was fun! The kids both got to ski all four days. BabyGirl absolutely refused to ski at all until we bought her a pink Dora helmet. None of that standard issue black stuff for her...a girl after my own heart! Dr. Daddy got to ski three out of four days, and I only did two days. BabyBoy loved skiing with Daddy and told him he was a "brilliant" skier! Too funny.
We ended up hooking up with some friends who were also staying there; BabyBoy is in class with one of their sons. Good times were had by all!
I definitely CAN'T recommend Snowshoe for ski school, though. The kids learned enough, I suppose, but the times are JACKED up. You have to do half days...845 to 1145 or 1245 to 345. NO LUNCH. SOOOOO, we signed BabyBoy up for the full day on the last two days thinking lunch would be provided. Duh. We had to pick him up at lunchtime and feed him and OF COURSE he didn't want to go back to ski school! He wanted to ski with Dad. We wasted $140 on that screw up. Who charges $70 per half day of ski school? Last year at Steamboat we paid $90 per day for a 9am to 3pm class WITH lunch. I'm not usually an overly thrifty person. Not nearly as much as I should be. This, however, pissed me off. I tried desperately to get a refund (since the lessons were sold out and I'm sure someone would have loved to have our spot that we didn't even use!!!) to no avail. What a pain in my ass. In the end, BabyBoy loved skiing with his Dad and I think Dr. Daddy got a kick out of it as well.
We got home on Saturday around noon and then hosted a surprise 40th birthday party for our friend. The caterer that my girlfriend hired to do the party was awesome. We had beef tenderloin, salmon, duck breast on a black bean salsa...to die for! I had made some pork won tons and creme brulee. In all, it was a great time and I think the birthday boy was truly surprised! Sunday, on the other hand...not so great. The FIVE pineapple martinis from the night before did not sit well. I don't think I actually got out of bed until 2pm. Needless to say, I'm not drinking for a WHILE. The pineapple martinis were great, though. So easy to make!

Pineapple Martinis

one gallon Stoli vodka
2 pineapples cut up (I bought the precut kind from the store...use three of them)

10 days to two weeks prior to the party place the vodka and pineapple in a container on your counter. Allow the mix to ferment unrefridgerated.

On the day of the party use a potato masher to mash the pineapple up in the vodka. Strain the mix and discard pineapple.

In a martini shaker mix vodka mixture with ice and that's about it!

We did end up adding a little unsweetened pineapple juice because they were really strong. If you use enough pineapple for the fermentation, however, you should be
fine.

Happy 4th Birthday, BabyGirl!

March 16th, four years ago our lives changed forever when God brought us the most special gift we could have asked for...a baby girl! You are so sweet, so spunky and such a bright light in our lives. We love you dearly and love seeing you grow and learn each day. I never could have imagined what joy you would bring to my life. At only four years old, you are already my best friend. Sweet baby girl...Happy Birthday!