A Rarity

I, Emily Strode, finished a book this weekend! This is a big deal for me because I hardly ever read a book, and even more rarely finish one. I'm not a bad reader, I can read just fine. I just don't want to. I'd rather take a nap or watch TV. Knowing this, I still asked for Garry Marshall's My Happy Days in Hollywood: A Memoir for Mother's Day.

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It was good. Not great. I didn't like his writing style, which is ironic because his movies are my favorite. Next book I want to read is Ellen DeGeneres' Seriously... I'm Kidding.

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A couple of my favorite things

Hey guys! Miss me?? I would love to say I've been incredibly busy, but it's just not the case. I have, however, been officially accepted to my master's program and will start class in August! Super excited.

One of my favorite blogs, Or So She Says..., always does a "A Few of My Favorite Things" post and I thought I'd share with you a two of my favorite things.

Photo Courtesy of Amazon

This weekend, I finally jumped on the bareMinerals bandwagon, and I must say that I'm glad I did. I was tired of trying drugstore foundations that I was never happy with. And on top of that, you had to find a drugstore powder, which was even harder for me to chose. I knew I loved the Mineral Veil by Bare Minerals already. I find it magical. So on Saturday I went to Ulta and asked for a makeover. On one side, the makeup lady put on Bare Minerals and on the other side she put on Studio Gear liquid foundation. Oh brother! Now I don't know what I want!! After much blank staring into a mirror and with a flippant decision I decided on Bare Minerals. I bought the $63 value pack with 3 brushes, matte foundation, mineral veil, "warmth" aka bronzer, and "skin rev-uper". I was nervous at first about the mineral idea. I felt if it wasn't liquid and it's supposed to be "natural" how could I tell if the powder was actually affixing to my skin. But don't worry, you can tell! But not in a bad way. I feel natural, but not splotchy. And most importantly, at the end of the day, it still looks pretty good! Oh, I forgot to mention, I got the lightest of the light and the lady said it was still too dark for my skin color. Fabulous!

Photo Courtesy of Amazon

Next, I have to tell you of something I'm surprised I haven't heard too much about - Sanuk Yoga Mat Flip Flips. I feel like I'm in heaven with every step I take. I wear them as house shoes because I can't get enough of them. I find $30 expensive for flip flops, but not these. I'd buy another pair in a heartbeat! When I saw them at Dillards, I think I had heard of the brand, but this is something EVERY woman should have. If I were Oprah, I would be saying "AND YOU GET A PAIR! AND YOU GET A PAIR! AND YOU GET A PAIR!"

And a secret third favorite thing...THIS GUY!

Photo Courtesy of Tami Kosters

“And Now the Fun Begins”

"And now the fun begins." I didn’t know how true these sarcastic words from my father were when he said them two days ago. I am marking April 2 as the official day Ethan crawled. He has been scooting for a little while but he actually got his knees up. Now, he’s scooting more than crawling but it’s quick and with purpose. I can’t keep up with him.

 

No, he's not wearing a dress. His PJ's aren't snapped.

"Ellen" is on in the background, sorry!

I read somewhere that once babies learn something new their sleep patterns change. This is the biggest side effect of Ethan’s new development. He wakes up at least once a night and refuses to take naps now. Needless to say, I’m pleasant to be around! But his “standing” up in his crib is my biggest worry. He can easily pull himself to his knees but he’s afraid to let go so I am constantly rescuing him. Also, he tries to lift a foot to stand. This is all way too fast!!

A Very Light Green Thumb

Both of my grandmothers and my mom enjoy(ed) spending time in the yard and flower beds. Two things you can talk about that will make me walk away: food and flowers. However, since we are homeowners we want our yard to look pretty. The one time my parents came to help us it poured down rain, so Jay's grandparents "volunteered" to help us! Last Friday, we went to Lowes and spent over $300 on flowers, trees, and dirt. Early the next day, they, along with Jay's parents, came over and we worked in the yard. It didn't take that long since there were so many of us. And here are the end results: (and because I'm a wonderful blogger, I forgot to take "before" pictures, sorry!)

On each end are Knockout Roses with Indian Hawthorne in between. Then in front are Periwinkles.

I planted the Periwinkles myself. Let's hope they last!

Gardenias Geraniums

"Wineberry" Crepe Myrtle

"We" dug up a huge annoying bush thing and put down some St. Augustine grass.

Verbenia

So my brown thumb is now turning a very light pale green. And hopefully my grass will too!

Happy Spring!

I am finally getting around to celebrating Spring. E and I are outside soaking up the beautiful weather listening to Texas Country on Spotify.

Also, I got a mani/pedi with Kathryn.

Seafoam Green shellac

Strawberry Margarita (virgin of course)

However, I failed using self-tanner. I am going to have to wear pants the next few days. It's not pretty. I am going to try again. I used Neutragena Spray On Self Tanner.

Indulgence?

How do you indulge?

I feel everyone (man and woman) should indulge every now and then. I’m not saying go and buy a Louis Vuitton when you only have $10 in your bank account, but more affordable things. Do you get your hair cut/styled/colored regularly? Mani/pedi? Massage? Go shopping for clothes or accessories? Buy fancy chocolates? Buy stuff for your house? (My mom always tells my dad "you're the king of this castle and my job is to decorate it." I don't think he buys it.)

I have realized I don’t do any of these things (unless they’re gifts or my mom is in town). I get my hair cut 1-2 times a year. If I do color it, it’s out of a box. I like to get a mani/pedi to celebrate Spring, but I need a babysitter (and I have a gift certificate!). I LOVE massages. But again, I need a babysitter. But again, I have gift cards!! My mom and I recently went shopping. I got a daring pair of white jeans! I’m excited for Easter to come so I can wear them without guilt. I want to start to wear lipsticks, but I’m too scared. I feel the lipstick industry is a huge scam. How many times do you spend $7 on a tube of lipstick and when you get home you realize it’s the ugliest color in the world?!

What about homemade indulgences? With Pinterest, you can do anything from making your own Biore pore strips to lip balm to the most delicious chocolate dessert.

(Side story: I am wanting to write “decadent chocolate dessert” but it says that decadent means “decaying.” But “decedent” isn’t in the dictionary. So I looked for synonyms of delicious and nothing came up. But I did find a magazine article named “7 Decadent Chocolate Desserts,” so I’m confused….)

Anyway, the question is… how do you indulge and why do you indulge in that one thing? Is it to make yourself feel prettier? To relax? To escape? To make you feel powerful? Let me know!

And I’ll post my new spring outfits as soon as I get the courage to take pictures of myself!

Stage 2…don't think so.

I’m not ready for Stage 2 foods. 

Oh, Ethan’s ready!! He loves food.

Let me explain (aka copy & paste from a website) Stage 2 foods…

“Some parents define Stage 2 baby foods as baby foods that are chunky. These foods should be appropriate for babies who are beginning to master "chewing" their foods and who have completely lost any form of the tongue thrust reflex. The commercial Stage 2 Baby Foods in this range are targeted to babies who are between the ages of 7-8 to 10 months old.” 

Some examples:

“Bring on some spices and the softly mashed, or chopped into fine pieces of fruits, vegetables, meats, pasta and dairy such as yogurt and cheeses.”

Stage 1 foods were easy… peel, microwave, puree, done. Homemade yogurt?! I don’t think so. I don’t do anything that involves a cheesecloth or a thermometer!  Pureed meat?! Ugh! That makes me want to… ugh!! *lalalalalala*

I don’t know what I’m going to do!

*sigh* Fine.

For the sake of my blog, I will attempt to make Stage 2 foods. If you have any advice, please feel free to leave a comment! I probably won't start this until next week, so you have time.