2 weeks without a post?!

Just when you think you can breathe, life comes at you again.  I am so terribly sorry, folks, that I have been MIA recently. 

Let's get back into the swing of things with a little post of fall fashions I am loving for the mini-me! 
I would have made a polyvore board, but it wasn't working this morning when I tried.  So, instead, you get a scrolling closet!

Plaids

Fun Knits

 

Skinny Jeans

Boots

 

Warm and Cozy Coat

A Bow for Each Outfit

 

What are some of your closet staples this time of year?

 

 

 

xoxo,

Linda

Photos + Cards

It has gone from sunny and hot to cold and dreary in RVA in no time flat.  I hope the sun comes out and starts giving me some real Fall weather soon!

Can you believe it's already October?

It's time to start thinking about those holiday cards... because let's face it.  Everyone loves to get mail that isn't a bill in their mail box.

What, you haven't thought about your Christmas cards yet?! It's ok... I haven't thought tooo much about ours yet either.  I have scheduled a photo session with the Pyle gals, but that's really it for now.

But in case you are a planner, like myself, here's something you don't want to miss!

There’s just something about sending family photos with your holiday cards that go hand-in-hand! So, all Not So Perfect Photo clients will receive a 15% discount code for their holiday cards from Carly Reed Designs. See a design you love but no photo yet? No problem! Order your cards and receive $15 off your session with Not So Perfect Photo!

xoxo,
Linda

Back to normal?

Phew!! Time to take a sigh of relief.... we have survived one of the busiest starts to a month EVER.

I feel like I can breathe again.

Recruitment is finished, Torie's married now and her wedding was beautiful, and my wonderful nephew had a mustache bash for his first birthday.

Friday, I even had a day off.  Sure, it cost me the drop-in rate at school, but goodness gracious did I need the time.  Met with the contractor for the new floors; got to go to Target without losing my mind; annnnnnnd wait for it - could just sit down in my own home and just enjoy a cup of coffee in the afternoon with quiet.

Saturday, Lainey started dance and then we had a brunch date with her favorite boys, the Minetrees.

It was a normal day.  

A day with a little bit of structure/schedule, but for the most part, it was just fun and relaxing.

It was not filled with 100s of sorority women, time crunches, hours of craft projects, or appointments.

It was just a normal day.

And I loved every minute of it.

Sure, I watched through a two-way mirror at my little lady cry for most of her first dance class. But hey! Who didn't see that coming?!  Luckily, her teacher was a trooper and danced around the studio with Lainey on her hip.  After class, with tears still on her cheeks, I asked her if she had fun and in between her sniffles, she replied, "Yeah..."

I think she's going to be just fine.

xoxo,

Linda

The tantrum of all tantrums

My child's favorite place on Earth right now is Target. Yes, Target. No, her favorite place is not the fabulous and new playroom that I have been working so hard on... it's Target. 

She will literally ask me, "We go to Tarrrrget?" And smile as innocently as she can.

One would think this would make errands a little easier because she wants to go with me, right? 

WRONG!

It makes it easier to get her there, but it never fails... here is how the trip goes:

Me: OK, now you have to be a good girl and listen while we are at Target.
L: Yes, momma!
Me: OK... I am serious. You gotta listen to me!
L: Ohhhhkaaayyy

*Enter Target*

*Get in the buggy*

L: Cake pop?
Me: After we shop a little bit. Let's get some stuff marked off our list and you can earn a cake up.
L: Cake pop!
Me: After we shop.  When we make it back around to Starbucks, you can get one.

*Minor meltdown #1*

*Meltdown corrected with a different (boring) snack*

...5 minutes in....

L: I get out. I wanna walk.
Me: No, Lainey. Just sit differently. Wanna sit in the way back?
L: No! I wanna walk!!

*Minor meltdown #2*
*Meltdown corrected by letting her walk*

Now, this quick errand has turned into a game of follow the leader. Only, I am not sure who is leading whom at this point.

And thanks to Target with their strategically planned layout -- baby things like food pouches, pull ups and shampoo are all directly across from the toys section.

...As I go to the right to get pull ups...

...Lainey veers to the left...

Me:  Lainey, this way.  We need to get snacks and undies.
L: I need a buggy.
Me:  You have a buggy at home.
L: I need a buggy!! 

*Lainey pulls a toy buggy off the shelf*

Me:  Lainey, put that back! We aren't buying toys today and you have one of these already.

*I put the buggy back on the shelf and start to walk towards pull ups*

*MAJOR MELTDOWN*

Full on tantrum.  I kid you not... the most embarrassing yet.  Complete with shrills so loud they would have hurt your ears.

So, what do you when you toddler is screaming so loud the entire store can hear her?  
You look at her, shake your head, and step right on over her.
That's what I did, any way!

As my toddler ran out from the aisle, I looked at the parent next to me and said "Life is hard when you're so little." and told Lainey, "Boots, people are starting to stare at you."

I then convinced her to look at something else.  She huffed for the rest of the time we were in the store.

Until she got in the car.

Then she said, "You forgot my cake pop."

I chuckled and closed the car door. 

Don't let that face fool you.

xoxo,
Linda

Recruitment Hangover

For most, Labor Day weekend is a long weekend full of cookouts, swimming in the pool, and celebrating the end of yet another wonderful Summer.

For me, Labor Day weekend is full of Greek letters, chants, and laughter with a dash of stress and drama. 

Only a sorority girl would know what all of those things add up to be... formal recruitment, of course! 

After 8 years of recruitment, you would think I would be tired of it.  But really, I enjoy it! I enjoy being active in my chapter and watching it continue to grow. 

I've been the recruitment adviser for Alpha Gamma Delta at VCU for almost 5 years now... and it has taken almost that long to learn all of the rules! HA! 

Greek life at VCU is growing so much every year, it's an exciting and exhausting time. I am looking forward to seeing the amazing things coming to campus.  This year, proved to be one of the best yet and I couldn't be more proud of my sisters and the wonderful new members they have coming into our sisterhood.

Since it's Thursday, figured I would do a little throwback to last few recruitments where Lainey has gotten to come with me to Bid Day! 

So great! Don't wait!! Go Alpha Gam!!

I can tell the recruitment hangover is wearing off, because Lainey has stopped asking me to sing AGD chants, my sisters are posting more things on facebook again, and I am starting to not feel like a zombie!!

xoxo,

Linda

The prayer of a toddler

Dearest Lainey, 
After testing every nerve in my body at dinner last night and almost laughing at the fact that I said you were going to get a spanking if you did not listen, you single-handedly reminded me of all of the goodness that comes with being your mom.

To listen to you as you say your bedtime prayers has got to be one of the most wonderful moments ever. While I ask you nightly if you want to say bedtime prayers, I never force you.  But last night when I asked you, you said "okaaaaayy." 

So I started it off for you...

Mom: "Dear God..."

The rest was all you.

"Dear God, 
Thank you for my Nana.  
Thank you for my Grandpap.  
Thank you for my Steboo.  
Thank you for my Hammy... And Auntie M.  
Thank you for Gilby.  
Thank you for my Jeffrey.  
Thank you for my NeeNee.  
Thank you for my KK and my Noley.  
Thank you for Mommy... for Daddy.  
Thank you for CaCa.  
Thank you for Pap airplane.
Thank you for Torwie and Becky and Dee Dee."

Then I asked, "Is that all you want to thank God for?  He's always listening."

To which you replied, "Thank you for my toy."

I then said, "Well let's ask God to keep Nana healthy and make her strong."

You repeated.

I also said, "And one more thing -- we should ask God to keep Jeffrey safe when he is on his adventure in the ocean."

You asked, "On hims boat?"  

"Yes, on his ship in the middle of the ocean."

And without hesitation you closed with, "Aaaaammmen."

My little girl, your prayers warmed my heart like no other and almost brought tears to my eyes.  It is amazing to me how kind and sweet you can be underneath that terrible two's exterior.

You truly are a blessing.

Love always,
Momma

Things I used to splurge on...

The other day, I caught myself saying, "Well... I'd really like to find some new, awesome, yoga pants or leggings. Since I wear my leggings so much, I need some good, quality ones." 

Do what?! Who is this person who once said that yoga pants or running shorts do not an outfit make!?

Before I became a mom, my spending/splurge list looked kind of like this:

- Designer handbags
- Fancy shoes
- Pedicures every 2 weeks
- Fancy manicures to go with those fancy toes
- Lots of sunglasses
- Heels for each outfit
- Concert tickets
- Nights at the bar

But when you become a mom...
that list tends to change.

No, the spending and splurging doesn't necessarily stop, although it does slow down.  What really changes, though, is what you splurge on.

If I am going to splurge on myself, it's usually on something like this:

- A haircut...yes, you read that right... a hair appointment is a mom-splurge these days!
- A pedicure... oh, but I assure you they are not bi-weekly anymore!
- Ballet flats
- Salon shampoo/conditioner
- Anti aging skin care
- Yoga pants or leggings

Or if we want to look at household splurges, they tend to look like this:

-  Preschool tuition... ok, so it's not a splurge per se but it's a huge chunk of change!
- Tickets to see characters from Disney or Nick Jr *live*
- Dance class tuition
- That toy you couldn't leave behind in Target
 - Redoing spaces in your home to be more toddler-friendly

But you want to know what the cool part is?  

I would have it no other way.

So, what are some things that ya'll splurge on?

xoxo,
Linda