Organization Station!

It's true - sometimes the smallest of purchases can make such a big impact.  I was returning a much to red table runner and had all intentions to walk away with the money and not buy anything else.  Whhhhy is it never that easy?? Well, as expected, that all changed when I found an orange scarf.  Ohhh, I've been wanting one ever since seeing this cute scarf on Pinterest:

All these visions of great fall outfits with a pop or orange were fluttering through my mind!

So the orange scarf was a must.  Now I'll just walk to the register....

But - ohhhh, look at all these bright colored planners! 

I've been looking for a planner that will take me into the land of organization.  One that fits nicely into my bag and not only gives me a month at-a-glance but also has a two page spread of each week.  That's not too detailed a wish list, right??   I was looking though these Lilly Pulitzer planners and check, check, check ALL my needs were met.  I was sold.  Plus, look at how cute it is! (I think I should have used the flash...)

It even has a cute page of stickers to add to fun dates.  I've already added a cupcake for C's birthday, a green and red martini for Christmas, and a wedding cake for an upcoming wedding.  LOVE!

Each month is so colorful and has such a creative quote.  October's "Make like a leaf and show your colors!" Ok...I'll be wearing my orange scarf :)

Colorful tabs and great pictures on the month and weekly calendars.  It just all makes me smile!

Yesterday when I was in driving school ALL day (oops...do not speed and "going with the flow of traffic" while smiling doesn't get you out of a ticket), I was able to write down birthdays, weddings and all important school dates.  I used a pretty purple pen and used a few stickers.  I felt like I was a little kid again.  And I loved it.

With all the changes coming up in my life (I'll be able to reveal tomorrow!), I can't wait to use this planner every day to keep track of the millions of little details that will soon become my life.  It was such a small purchase but is already having a big impact.  Not only does it have every detail of a planner I was looking for, the colors and design makes me want to use it and keep it looking great!  

And, in case you were wondering - National Pink Day is June 23 and the Kentucky Derby is May 5.  

Thanks, Lilly :)

mosquito-ville

Thanks y'all who left the sweetest comments about my big decision coming up.  After talking to family and friends, I have made my decision to accept the challenge :) I think it led to a night of tossing and turning and some slight anxiety, but I am confident in it and so excited! I can't quite divulge about the details of my new adventure yet but will VERY soon!

We had a fabulous weekend at a black tie gala on Friday and got to catch up with some great friends.  A night of wining, dining and dancing led to a very slow Saturday :)  A perfect Saturday in fact to lounge on our back deck with a pumpkin spice latte, our Kindles (The Hunger Games book 3...yes!) and Charlie.
See...doesn't it look so nice??

The only teensy weensy problem is that our backyard is not so pleasant. We have discovered our blood is made of 100% sugar and we seem to attract every single mosquito in Virginia.

Week after week, it goes something like this:
Powering up my kindle, taking in our backyard scenery: "Wow, I love our backyard.  Why don't we come out here more often?"

"And look, I don't see a single mosquito! Maybe they're all gone now.  We should use the firepit tonight!"

Sip, sip of my drink. AHHHHH, oww and WHACK.  First mosquito sighting, first mosquito bite. "it's ok,  I don't see any others."

Whack, whack, whack "That's it! I'm going in!"

This time, we lasted 4 minutes.  It takes about a week until we forget about the mosquitos again and venture back to our deck only to become mosquito food once again.

So then we bought this:

Our very own mosquito net! We unzip it, climb in and watch the mosquitos whack into it as they try to attack.  It's amazing.  Unsightly, ridiculous, impossible to build a firepit inside (for risk of death...),  challenging to crawl inside BUT completely 100% mosquito free.

The really cute, newly purchased teal umbrella, white adirondack chairs and newly built deck do not matter.  The monster net held down my bricks is our only source of backyard survival.  We even ran off Verizon as they came running out from behind our garage slapping at their arms and itching their legs (maybe that's why they let our dog out and left our cable off for 3 weeks post Irene...mosquito revenge!).  Behind the garage appears to be moisture free...so where are these suckers breeding???

I think it's time we called The Mosquito Squad.

Until then, we will be sprinting for the net, hoping to make it in time!

Decisions

"Without leaps of imagination, or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities.  Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning."

- Gloria Steinem

I have a really big decision to make...

by Monday morning.  

Sometimes things come into your life when you least expect them to.  

Do you grab the opportunity or shy away from the challenge?

I'm about to take a leap of imagination, a venture into a whole new world of possibilities.

A turn not completely away from my dream but a sidestep back to a familiar world that I do love because plans have changed a bit 

(don't they always??).  

I'm going with the flow.  Trying to think hard and really trying to listen to my every thought.  

I'm excited and nervous for this decision to be made.  

It won't rock my world completely but it will change my life for the next 10 months.  Am I ready?

I need to decide.