Las Vegas Mama

Back in November of last year (seems like 5 seconds ago), I posted about the French television show Echappes Belles following us around for a day. Well, it came out shortly after, around December, but here we are months later and I still haven't posted it! Sorry about that. Anyway, the part that we were in is around minute 56. Here you go: Echappes Belles Unless you speak French you will have to just try and listen in to our voices in the background under the French dubbing. It was good times, very interesting to participate in. And now, that done, I would like to inform the world at large that my blog is on hiatus. Rose is 19 months and getting more and more demanding every day. Between her and my middle child, and homeschooling my eldest, my hands are full. Its too hard to try and blog regularly so for now I will just say: peace out!

I just got a summons for jury duty. "Uncle Sam Wants You!" is what they are saying. It makes me want to don a Rosie the Riveter kerchief on my head and do a salute. And listen to the Andrew Sisters Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy. I love that song. My mom always said that as a citizen it is not just a duty, but a privilege to serve on a jury. She is a naturalized citizen, and has an appreciation for these sorts of things. She said every citizen should serve at least once. And I agree. However, I didn't always agree. I spent my 20's dodging jury duty in California. I say "dodging" because I am picturing the State of California throwing a red dodge ball at me. And of course when you are playing dodge ball the whole point of it is to not get hit. So being a rule follower, I played a spirited game of dodge ball with the State. Being a gracious winner, I am not rubbing it in their face that they lost. I can't remember now what type of excuses they used to acc...

Time for Fine Linen and Purple's weekly link up! This week I decided to get a little edgy by doing something I usually wouldn't dream of: wearing a non-matching cardigan. I have seen bright pink with navy before, though I do not remember where. For all I know it was on a celebrity Worst Dressed List. So this might totally backfire. All I ask is that you please be gentle with me. This is way out of my comfort zone. And I am still pre-makeup, don't judge. The dress was found on consignment on the cheap. It is a brand called Joanna Hope, pink cardigan is Gap, and shoes are Kenneth Cole.  And let's see what the fam bam wore... Here is the Banana Republic poster boy. Cardigan: Target Dress, leggings, shoes: Gymboree Dress: Rare Editions Shoes: Target Jacket: Gymboree This jacket is favorite of mine because not only is it adorbs, it was very expensive but I chanced to find it off-season on a steep discount and I paid beans for it. Li...

Since our family has been growing larger I have been getting increasing pressure from family and friends to shop at Costco. Everyone wants me to go there. And they aren't shy about getting their Coscto-lovin' feelings across to me. I literally cannot get through an entire visit with my mom without the topic of Costco coming up. Usually, she tries to get me to take a trip there with her by insisting there is something there that she really, really needs. Even though she is only in town for 48 hours. And I always find an excuse of why I cannot possibly go, or why my pantry and toilet paper is completely stocked to capacity. Because the truth is.... I. Hate. Costco. There, I said it.  Before you delete my blog out of your favorites (my blog is in your favorites, isn't it??) let me tell you why I despise it so. It is for many justifiable reasons. Such as the enormity of the place, the crowds, the hugeness of the bulk items, the crowds, the massive scale of the stor...

I must be crazy. This is the only conclusion I am able to come to after last night's sleepless extravaganza. It was the  "puttin' on the ritz" musical dance number of sleeplessness. It was like the "Mandie" dance scene in White Christmas. Or like the "Gotta Dance" number in Singin' in the Rain. I may as well have worn a long sequined gown with white elbow-length gloves to bed. Rose woke up about twice an hour, all night long, culminating in a tantrum at 5am. The main source of the conflict was her wanting to nurse back to sleep and me drawing the line in the sand because I was completely fed up. But the truth is that this was just one night in a very long line of sleepless nights stretching back 6 years to when Ivy was born. That whole first year of Ivy's life was a real hoot. Being a mom has been the hardest job of my entire life. And yet.... I want to have more babies. Like this many: I realize these babies come with dirty ...

Time for What I Wore Sunday again, hosted by Fine Linen and Purple ! I am really starting to enjoy this link up, I must say. I just wish I could get my posts up earlier in the day. The sweater is NY and Co., layered with a white tank for modesty, and the skirt is from a little fashion boutique in San Diego...a boutique run by a self-proclaimed witch. Although the witch tried to convince me that no slip was necessary underneath this very sheer skirt, I really must insist upon one. That is why I can only wear it during cooler months. The extra layer is suffocating in the summertime, which is sad since its very summery-looking. This scarf was my grandmother's and I thought it paired well with the skirt in terms of color and fabric. However, I am not an accessory person, and I wasn't sure quite how to wear it. So I just slung it around my neck. Anyone have a good suggestion on how to style thing thing?? The shoes are Kenneth Cole and are hands down the most comfor...

 I am participating again this week in What I Wore Sunday , but only with Ivy this time...because I like what she wore, and we were running a little late so I only had a chance to photograph one other family member before we had to run out the door. This gray halter top dress is Evan-Picone, and though you cannot see it in the picture, the fabric has a slight sparkle to it.  Because I am not about go to church bare-shouldered, and because its freezing cold, I am also wearing a cardigan from JC Pennies. I think the brand is George and Martha, or some such thing. The shoes, like most in my closet, are ancient. I have had these since I first moved to Vegas in 2004 and they are Nine West. Truth be told, I am not totally happy with the white cardigan- I feel like a little bolero would be a much better option, and preferably one that is the right shade of pink to go with the shoes. I love pink-gray combos. But one does one's best. Since I am no fashionista, I shall resign ...

Since we have three girls who have birthdays one month right after the other, we decided to have one party for the three of them. The theme they chose was Pink Pirates. They are totally into pirates. Not necessarily just pink ones, either. As you know, I love party planning, and while I could have just bought a zillion paper plates and tablecloths with pink backgrounds and skulls all over them, I felt that was not much of a challenge. So instead I decided to make if more of a "Pirate Adventure on the High Seas." I had seen this drawing of an octopus and I knew that was the feel that I wanted to convey in the party. It's a little bit old-fashioned and wonderfully evocative of the mysteries of the ocean, don't you think?  Makes me think of giant sea monsters lurking in the deep. So this was my inspiration. And I wanted to try and do this with minimum amount of skulls and crossbones...because really, it's just too easy. So for all you party planning geeks...