WILW - Friends and Family Edition

Linking up again with Jamie; if you like WILW you should hop over and check out some of the other bloggers who participate.

Today's WILW is Friends and Family based .... you'll see why! I'm loving:

my sweet friend Lyndsie, her wonderful husband Daniel, and adorable big brother Ethan had their adoption court date and precious little Aubrey is now officially forever a Brooker!

my birthday present from my oh-so-funny friend Le Anne. She knows how much I really want to be a Southern girl, and she helps me get there!

my birthday present from my talented sister Kris! So pretty ... and really yummy too! The decorations are actually edible paper! Very cool.

my caring friend Susan, who welcomed her nephew John Samuel (on my birthday no less!!). Isn't he a cutie?! Congrats to Susan's sister Nancy and her hubby Sam!

And ... Susan is hosting a  Scentsy  and Stella & Dot party this weekend. If you want to purchase something, type in Susan Cole as the hostess. I'm a tiny bit obsessed with this new plug-in warmer myself ...

Lastly, I'm loving that tomorrow, Cearra will be inducted into two honor societies - with the third one upcoming in a few weeks. She has worked so hard and done so well! Gonna be wearing lots of colors when it's time for her to wear this gown for real!

Have a wonderful Wednesday y'all! (see, there's that southern thing!)

WILW - It's A Long and Happy One Today!

I'm loving that last Saturday, I was sitting next to my husband, watching our son cheer for his favorite monster trucks with a look of awe and excitement on his face, while our daughter sat on the other side holding hands with a boy (well, young man) who has brought much happiness back into her life. Last Saturday was also the day 14 years ago that a surgeon called to tell me I had breast cancer.

So what I'm especially loving today is that I didn't even realize this "anniversary" until a doctor's visit (for an unrelated, non-scary issue) on Monday. And I will never stop loving the fact that I was lucky to have great doctors to treat me, wonderful family and friends to support me, and an almighty God to watch over me and give me the opportunity to go on to live an amazing life filled with joy and good things. And you know what? I AM a warrior!

Onward to some other things I'm loving today (check out this list of other WILWers too!) ...

A fuzzy new bud on my favorite Bradford pear tree! I nursed this baby to life from a little stick that came in the mail from the Arbor Day Foundation and now it's glorious!

Oh these earrings ... the juicy colors, yummy stones, almost good enough to eat!

Even though I know it's kind of wrong, I'm loving Owen's laughter over this little duck that, um, "lays candy eggs". I mean come on, he thinks it's hysterical and hearing his hysterical laugh is priceless!

I'm loving my slightly early birthday present from my mom and dad - my new chubby little dolphin bead! Doesn't he look adorable nestled up to my July babies birthday bead? I think it's so special too that they gave it to me since they are also the ones who made my dream of swimming with dolphins come true. Thank you Mom and Dad!

I'm loving Owen's first love note! He came home with this in his book bag last Thursday. I asked him if Ryley gave these to anyone else, he said no. And while he didn't seem particularly wowed by the drawing of then holding hands, or the little sticker hearts, I will keep this forever!!

I'm loving these new Tom's shoes for Spring. The little toggle detail in the back - awesome. Even more awesome - buy a pair of Tom's shoes, and the company gives a pair of shoes to a child in need, Win-win, right? Yep, go here.

Today, I've saved the best for last, 'cause I am beyond loving that Cearra has been invited to join Sigma Beta Delta!! She did it! She set this as a goal and she worked her tail off to get there. We are so very proud of her and her academic achievements at Mary Baldwin. Cearra, you shine!

WILW

Wednesday again??? Where does time go? Linking up with Jamie again for WILW! Anyway, I'm loving the gorgeous weather we are having these past two days, and oh, just a few other things ...

Loving our new art display - the garage door! Keeps the fridge a little neater.

Y'all know how much I love to shop, especially for Owen. So I'm loving my new little business venture, Sweet Repeats Kids Resale! I'm still working on it and will be adding new items, but I'm having fun cleaning out his closet (making room for more finds!!).

Speaking of shopping, I'm loving this Lands End sweater. Over a long sleeve tee now, a tank later in Spring. But since it's currently $90, I will be loving it from afar!

Loving Revlon's new Colorburst Lip Butter. Like a cross between a lip balm and lipstick, gives nice sheer yet still there color and a little shine without drying out lips.

I may have previously mentioned how much I love mercury glass, so you know I'm loving my new filled candle from Target! Got it on clearance too!

Loving my new cupcake pan and carrier, "free" courtesy of my diet Coke points!

Lastly, and always and forever, I'm loving my Alma mater and JoePa. Nothing will ever, ever change that.

Secrets of a Shopoholic

Somewhat embarrassing but true - no list of my hobbies would be complete without the addition of "shopping". I like finding new stores, and I can happily spend hours looking at each offering on the shelves of our local Marshalls. I find contentment in it. Not everyone understands, but oh, my Nana P and I were a finely tuned browsing team. I carry on the tradition in honor of her (smile).

I enjoy seeing new and pretty things, or finding the perfect gift for someone. Yes, I like purchasing things to decorate our home or my wrists (and earlobes, and neck) but it's not all about acquiring. Because what I really like - what really gets my shopper juices flowing - is a good buy. For instance:

Top row, left to right: GAP sweater (note the adorable elbow patches); Ralph Lauren Polo shirt; long-sleeve OshGosh corduroy shirt (New With Tags, retail $22); long-sleeve fleeced lined OshGosh shirt (NWT, retail $30)

2nd Row down, l to r: Gymboree long-sleeve top; Gymboree long-sleeve top; Circo long-sleeve top (Target brand); Old Navy long-sleeve top

3rd row down, l to r: Gymboree sweater; Gymboree sweater; Gymboree sweater

Bottom row, l to r: Gymboree short-sleeve top (NWT, retail $19.50); Janie and Jack rugby shirt

I also picked up a pair of corduroy pants for Owen and, because I love him and it's his newest obsession, this Monster Jam t-shirt. Which he adores, but will only be allowed to wear around the house - ha-ha!

I spent $26.13.

In other words, I got everything you see, all of which is in great shape and 90% of which is higher-end children's clothes, for almost four dollars less than the original price tag on the one shirt.

Yeah, I'm good.

Here are my "secrets" ...

• I go to my local "consignment" store (no name, don't want to give everything away!) about once a week. Sundays are half-off day, so that's usually when I go. It's more crowded but I've scored Polo shirts for $.86. 

• I look through each rack - often times clothes are not in the correct section, so you have to be thorough. If I have any interest, I throw it in my cart. At the end of each aisle I check each item very carefully and decide if it makes the cut. 

• I am very picky - I do not buy anything stained, stretched, piled, worn looking , etc.. It's not a bargain if it looks bad. 

• I will buy ahead - season and/or size wise if I find something I like (the GAP sweater is a 6/7, so it might be two winters before Owen wears it).  

• I know name brands, where they come from, and generally how much they sell for; I know if I can find new items cheaper at the store with coupons or at an outlet. If I find a Polo, Gymboree, Janie and Jack, Tommy Hilfinger, or Hanna Andersson item, I almost always end up getting it for someone! 

• I keep my friends/family in mind when shopping and will pick things up for them - everything in the picture except the sweater, rugby and far right OshGosh shirt are for my nieces Samantha and Kenzie and nephew Riley; and I'm getting ready to send a package with three Polo shirts and an Old Navy hot pink trench coat (sooo cute) to another friend for her kids.

But most of all, you have to like the hunt. Some days it's a gold mine; some days, more a waste of time. I love the thrill of victory! I love sharing my finds, and I really love dressing Owen well for very little money. So, let me know if your kiddo needs anything and I'll keep an eye out on my next shopping trip!!