The Royal Blog

Gymboree!

It's time to earn Gymbucks *and* there is a 30% off sale, so I got some summer clothes for the Preschooler.   I don't like it quite as much as the Summer Safari line, but the Jungle Gem line is cute and I like those colors on the Preschooler:

Vera

Sale time at Vera Bradley!  Not really crazy about the color, but the price was right (58% off overall, or 8 things for the original retail price of the cell phone case & purse) and I desperately needed to replace my falling-apart Petal Pink items:

 

 

 

 

Wanty

I like the expression a lot.  This is what's making me itch to shop lately (no B, I will not give in to temptation):

this:

          

this:

         

this:

this:                      

                  

this:

                

this:

                        

And pretty much everything from Pottery Barn Kids. 

Bittypalooza

Thanks to Ghiggy, E2 got to go on an American Girl Shopping Spree!

Preschool Shopping

Gymboree is having a sale (and it's time to earn Gymbucks) so I picked up a few pieces from the Prep School line for E2.  That line is great for apple picking photos, I wanted to get her a first day of school outfit anyway AND for September at preschool, the color of the month is red and they'll be working on A, B, and C.  Perfect!

Here's the backpack she picked out:

Handmade Goodness

Yes, we all (even me, *pout*) need to tighten our belts, batten down the hatches, blah blah blah, until the recession passes.  And yes, I am taking a break from 'stimulating' the economy.  (We Ski doesn't count.  I ordered it yesterday. HA!)  So these are probably the last happy things I'll get in the mail for awhile. 

A Partridge from Marisa/Creative Thursday:

A Hedgehog from Eve/appleandeve (that I saw on decor8):

And a Lovebird Clutch from Lori Marie/pretty little things:

These are three fabulous artisans and it would be swell of you to support them especially IF YOU HAVE A WIFE WHO IS TURNING 40 THIS SUMMER AND YOU ARE APPARENTLY ALLERGIC TO TIFFANYS.  </subtle hint>

Out for delivery!!

Wii Fit! I thought we'd all have fun with this!

And I only have to wait 15 years to get it

I found the car I want when I don't have to drag any kids around:

It's a Smart Car - it's safe, and it's small which is what a crappy driver like me needs.

Runner-up choice:

Ooh, or maybe one of each!

I bought my own Mother's Day gift

Or maybe it was a Hooray-I-lost-31-pounds gift.

I wish I had a dollhouse to hang them in - or even better, an architect's mock-up of an art gallery or museum.   Playmobil Santa is in the photo to show scale, because he makes me smile, and because he really wanted his picture taken. 

Polliwalks

Aren't Polliwalks adorable??  The Toddler (who is crazy about shoes to begin with) loves them!!

"Let's go!"

(I wish she hadn't taken the headband off - it really sold the outfit, AND it was the same color as the crocs that are on the wrong feet.)

I felt kinda bad shopping for the Toddler on B's birthday, but I got over it.   We went to Carter's and Target and got some tops and shorts.  Not crazy about any of it, but they'll do. 

E2's summer wardrobe

So far I have been to Gymboree, Old Navy, Gap Kids, Lands End, LL Bean and CWD Kids, and I haven't found anything I want to get E2.   Not the worst problem in the world to have, but still a bit frustrating.  Warm weather is coming and she needs lighter weight clothes.   Her size 3 clothes are getting too small also.   Off to check out Hanna Andersson.  I didn't care for any of the dresses I saw in the catalog yesterday, but maybe they have acceptable shorts.  eta: Nope.   I wish Justice or abercrombie had size 4 clothes.   

Retiring Vera is 25% off!

Since my Longaberger wallet/cell phone case is looking ratty and my Ruehl bags are kind of awkward to carry and I've had my eye on the Petal Pink line for quite awhile and I'm tired of my Vera Baby Bag and retiring Vera is on sale so I SAVED money :P  I am now Pretty in Pink!

Done

There were a few things I wanted from JoAnn's, and I thought E1 might like to get a little taste of Black Friday.  So we went to bed last night at 9 (We slept in the basement to make it more of an adventure and so as not to wake anyone else up.  Man, is that futon uncomfy. I woke up hourly and had weird dreams all night.). 

I got up around 5:20, went on-line, and got E2 a few things (and Gymbucks! :P) from Gymbo's  Mountain Cabin line for next winter. Woke E1 and we went over to Jo's.  The last time I went BF shopping there (4? 5? years ago?) there were about a dozen people waiting when the doors opened at 6am.  Today at 10 minutes until opening, there were about 30 people with carts waiting.  By the time the doors opened, there were another 30 people behind us. 

We got in, quickly snagged the pre-lit tree I wanted ($99.98 on sale for $29.98! Look how much money I saaaaaaaved you B!!) for maybe the deck or front porch. Some garland, some wrapping paper, a wreath, and some new ornaments and we were out of there.  Got to the car and realized that she forgot to put the ornaments in the cart.  Went back in, waited a little, got our stuff and we were back in the car by 6:24.  A quick stop at Timmy Horton's and now we are home.

Off to check out the BF sales for digi scrapping.....

Crazy8 is live!

Crazy8 

Oops maybe not.  Looks like they're having issues.

I know what the toddler is getting for her birthday......

 

Do I need this?

I think I do!

Oooh, or this:

Doogal just came on.  Shoot me now!

I kaboodle, do youdle?

My kaboodle

Stuff I Need by theroyalblog

Mine, all mine!

It's called 'Family Love'!  I thought it was perfect for our family of five! 

Hinthint

*coughcoughI'dhatetogetoneoftheseonmybirthdayorforChristmascoughcough*

B, darling, I'm looking in your direction...............

Ugly? Yes. Comfy? OH YES!

I wanted to get a regular pair of Crocs so I could figure out the sizing before Disney by Crocs came out, and I bought a pair of Red Caymans when I found them on sale.

Today, I couldn't find my sneakers, so I treadmilled with the Crocs on. Holy cow were they comfy.  My feet and ankles didn't bother me at ALL and I went 60 minutes with less effort than usual.  I'm hooked! 

My Last Day of Freedom.

The girls and I got cleaned up this morning and went to Bath and Body Works.  I got Z & E1's teachers a gift card, gift bag and a couple of little goodies.  Stopped by Mickey D's to get E1 a happy meal.  Swung by the school to see if the end-of-year party was being held outside. It was, so we went home and sunscreened E1.  Took her back to school, got a pic of her very last day entering the school as a kindergartner *sniff*.   Got home and put the baby to bed. Now I am enjoying a moment of silence.

E1's teacher got me a Starbucks gift card for helping out this year.  Wasn't that sweet?  I really liked her - I am hoping she is offered a full time job as a first or third grade teacher and that Z or E1 has her next year. 

Taggies

I fell in love  with Taggies  last year when I was pregnant with E2.  I held off on buying anything because the big kids were never into tags.  At all.  Fast forward a year later, and the baby? Loves tags.  It's the first thing she checks out when she is handed a plush toy.  Since a. she likes tags, b. she'll need a warmer blankie this winter anyway and c. I thought the blankie might soothe/entertain her whenever she needs to go to sleep or has just awoken, I got her a Taggie.