Little Treasures

A few weeks back my sweet Sister-In-Law, Jessica, called me with a VIP pass to the 'Little Treasures Kids Sale'.  I had heard her and my Mother-In-Law rave about the sale for many seasons before, as they made sure to hit it up twice a year for her kiddos.  I had never been and had absolutely no idea what to expect, but I was excited because I had heard so many great things. 

Before I headed there that evening, I googled the sale to learn more about it. WOAH! How cool.  Let me dish some deetz for those of you who haven't heard of it:

• Mother-daughter duo Janice Seymour and Kelly Brown started Little Treasures in a small garage with 8 consignors in September 2001. Since that time the sale has added seasonal events in Florence, KY, and New Albany, IN. Thousands participate from all over Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee and Mississippi.
• It's a semi-annual kid’s consignment sale that promises name brands like Ralph Lauren, Gap, Gymboree & more! Specializing in new and gently used kid’s clothing (sizes newborn – juniors), shoes, toys, books, furniture, equipment, fashionable maternity clothes and handmade gifts.
• Consignors receive 70% of the sale proceeds less a $15 registration fee. You set the price, they sell it for you. 
• Volunteer to help for a four-hour work shift and you’ll shop first. Special incentives are offered to consignors to increase their earning potential – the more you participate, the more you make!
• They advise you bring a laundry basket or something to put all of your goodies into, and they are correct - this made shopping MUCH easier.

So essentially, it's a great place to buy and sell your kiddo's stuff.  Now, I was a little skeptical, because I'm not a huge consignment shopper myself.  But, I decided to give it a go.  Ya'll I was OVERWHELMED. 

SO.

MUCH.

STUFF!

Literally, SO MUCH STUFF. Everything from clothes, to toys, to strollers, to beds,to you name it baby or toddler stuff and it's there.  And it is CHEAP!  I tried to coax my mom into going with me (and she so wanted to) but she was heading out of town, so I forced hubs to tag along.  He was a good sport :) and even picked out some cute outfits for his little gentleman (I think Shane's exact words when he found this little number were, "AHA! He can dress just like me!")

This is still our first little tyke, so we're still all wrapped up in the "new" hoopla of it all.  New clothes, new accessories, new toys .. blah blah.  But man, does this stuff add up quick! And it ain't cheap.  So I can totally see after you've got more than one little nugget running around that a sale like this is your heaven. We walked away with several outfits and adorable little numbers for the newest member of our clan.  Here were some of our favorites:

Swim trunks.  Lil' man will be here in time for the 4th of July, so we're over prepared. MURRRICA! Both trunks were a whopping $3.00

Stinkin' adorable plaid shirt and matching khaki pants. If this doesn't scream Little Gentleman, I don't know what does. Entire outfit - $5.50

Complete baseball ensemble.  I have a strong feeling that my dad (PaPaw) will be taking him to his first Cincinnati Reds game, so no worries - he'll be suited up and ready to go. $5.00 for the shorts, jersey, shoes and hat. Amaze.

Baby sweatpants!  These were a hubs "must purchase list".  He was utterly amazed they made baby sweatpants.  And when he found them ... he rolled with laughter and started telling me stories of how he and Baby U will sit on the couch (no shirt) only sweatpants watching ball.  :0) - $4.00 for both pair.

And last but certainly not least ... what could be a possible front runner for Baby U's first ever Halloween costume ... A BABY SAILOR OUTFIT! I die. Literally. Dead. - $7.00 - SEVEN DOLLARS!

And just so ya'll don't think I'm crazy.  I snapped a picture of a couple of the price tags before I trashed em so you'd believe me...

And there you have it, real life Little Treasures for our Little Gentleman.  For all you mama's in the TN, KY, IN, OH area - I highly suggest you check it out. And a bigggg shout out to Jess for hooking me up with the VIP pass, so I was able to shop the pre-sale before it opened up to the public!  Yeeehaw. Love great deals!

..Whiskey..

No, this isn't a story about how crazy I got on the fire water last night, sorry to disappoint, but I'm wayy too pregnant for that.  This post is about my latest and great country artist obsession: Jana Kramer.

Fellow country music lovers - are you with me?!  I'm loving this new artist.  She was up for the ACM New Artist of the Year Award, but unfortunately lost to 'Florida Georgia Line' ... although, if I'm being honest, they're pretty good too.

But, I wanted to share with ya'll my favorite Jana song "Whiskey" ... SEC girls everywhere can relate to the boys she's talkin' about - ya dig ;0)?!

Enjoy!

Couch Focus

sIt's Monday ... again ... wommmp.  It's one of those mornings where I swear if I wasn't preggo I would fill the sink up with coffee, stick my head in and drink the whole thing down.  And it doesn't help that hubs is out of town, so the entire morning routine was completed by lonely lil' me .... ohh how I loathe morning responsibility.  I better learn soon though, right?! Nothing like motherhood to bring morning responsibility to a head.  Nevertheless, according to some people in my city, it's not your average Monday.  There is a special event happening this evening that has my husband, and other crazy Cards fans even more wound up than normal ~ The NCAA Men's Basketball National Championship game!

So here's the deal, I am a University of Kentucky fan through and through.  I was born and raised into a family that bleeds blue and Kentucky Basketball keeps the blood pumping.  Unfortunately (and to put it as nicely as possible) we had an off year this year, so my Cats never got a chance at the Big Dance ~ THIS YEAR.  Last year however, and actually until the game is over tonight, let me remind everyone, The University of Kentucky Wildcats hold the 2012 National Championship Title.  And you better believe I was court side in New Orleans to relish in the glory.  Throwback to one of the best extended weekends of all times:

Comments these photos can't do without:

1. Top Left: Hubs did participate and wore a UK shirt to the final game once his team lost - team player right there
2. Top Right: Yes, we had a chance get a picture with Dick Vitale.  After Laura's Husband took the picture he said, and I quote "OMG it's so good!" -- we walked away, looked at the picture and what you are looking at is the final result my friends.  That is not a bad crop job by me.  He did indeed chop Laura's head off. Cool Chris.
3. Bottom Left: Laura and I have been to NOLA 3 times in the last 2 years, always together.  We've acquired new masks every time and we're the best partners in crime on Bourbon Street. 
4. Bottom Right: Hubs is the best travel buddy :0)

Anyways, the first round of the Final Four took place on Saturday, and whew buddy was hubs ever "IN THE ZONE".  We spent a good portion of Saturday day running errands and random hoopla, simply to get him out of the house so he didn't go crazy with nerves. While we were out and about we discussed the "big question" where would we watch the game?! OH THE HORROR!

The big parking lot party at Tin Roof was an option, but that would probably be super crowded and we'd have to bring our own chairs to find a seat.  There was a 30th birthday party at a local bar, but hubs was convinced it was mostly UK fans and he needed to be surrounded by positive UL mojo.  All other invites didn't tickle his fancy enough and he was convinced he needed his #CouchFocus.  Uhmmm ... what?

 Yes, that's right, Shane has coined a phrase that is unique only to twitter and UL games: #CouchFocus.  #CouchFocus comes into play every UL game that hubs is unable to attend. He describes it as "an intense stabilization of reality and fantasy, channeled through specific brain waves cultivated from the weight of the moment that lay on his shoulders, all for the betterment of the team and the university".  Yes, this is indeed a direct quote and he is serious ... we're talking a big time UL fan here folks.

Alas, once all options were surveyed, he settled on coming home and watching the game in the comfort of our own basement. So he could hear the commentators, yell as loud as he pleased, and channel as much #CouchFocus as possible to ensure they pulled out the "W".  Maggie and I agreed we'd keep him company and "try" to cheer as much as we could for that ugly red team.  But, really we just giggled together and snapped photos of his intense reactions to the game ... for the sole benefit of sharing with our bloggy friends. 

You'll notice her reactions: (left) "What is he DOING? Does he realize how ridiculous he looks right now?!" (right) "OMG mom, I can't watch. Thank goodness my friends aren't here to witness this."  Nevertheless, in hopes some of our readers out there can relate to this intensity we are required to endure, we wanted to share :0)

Here are some of our favorite #CouchFocus and other focus shots (#CarpetFocus, #PoleFocus, #HunchedFocus ... you get the idea) from Saturday night.  I promise, all of these are 100% candid and the pictures don't even do his intensity justice.

Hubs caught a plane to Atlanta yesterday to bring #CouchFocus directly to the Final Four, so he could be with his boys and celebrate the victory with the Cards  in person.  So Mags and I will be giggling at home tonight imagining his intensity in the Georgia Dome.  God help whomever has the ticket next to him ;0).

Life's Little Moments

I promise me and lil' man are still kicking over here.  Hubs and I recently took our babymoon and getting back to routine has been a bit more challenging than normal for me.  I think full on nesting mode, the reality of the 3rd trimester, and tackling every day routines with a basketball in my stomach are starting to take their toll :0).  But I'm trying to take it all with a smile and remember I only have a short time left of "being pregnant", which is still a SUPER challenging concept to grasp.  

Gahhh, everyone keeps saying you'll be ready by the time you  have to be and other positive news I 'need' to hear.  But I'm telling ya'll it's taking everything in me to not completely break down and start listing every reason why they are COMPLETELY off base with their 'positive reassurance'.  Nevertheless, it WILL come together, it will - and everything will be OKAY.  Whew. Deep breath.

 So anyways, to take it with a smile, let's rehash "Life's Little Moments" lately, shall we?  A little collage of things that have made me smile.  The small things and the little moments that life shares with us everyday.  Here is your sneak peak into my world of happy! On tap this week:

• Top Left, Top Middle and Middle Left: Yes, Maebyn again.  Because seriously I can't handle how stinkin' cute she is.  Like for real. She looks so much like her beautiful mommy it makes my heart smile so big.  AND - if you look close you'll see she's rocking some pretty sweet bibs that say, "I love my aunt katie bugg" and "Uncle Shane is awesome" -- so clearly lil' bit knows what's up -- smart girl right there y'all!

• Top Right: Hubs and I this past weekend at Lucas Oil Stadium for the Sweet Sixteen.  Now, before I start getting ridiculed for wearing black and white and attending the University of Louisville game.  Let me remind you: I am married to one of the biggest UL that ever lived. AND he attended the National Championship game with me last year as UK took home the title (AND wore a UK shirt) -- so in all fairness I had to cooperate, at least a little bit.  And it does make me smile a little bit, to see how genuinely happy it makes the hubs to watch his cards have a chance in the big dance.  All is fair in love and war - right?

• Middle right: My discovery of THE BEST Easter candy of all time. I can't believe I had never had Reese's Pieces Eggs before. Holy bajeeze guys.  SO much peanut butter and a more than normal crunchy shell.  Seriously, go stalk the Easter candy sales and STOCK UP. You won't regret it.

• Bottom Left: That's right, a baby shower invitation, FOR ME!  Ahhhh!  My gals are throwing me a shower in a couple of weeks and getting my invite in the mail made my heart go pitter patter.  I can't believe the time is finally here.  And how adorbs is that invite?!?!  It even says come celebrate her new little gentleman.  Little gentleman - could there be a more perfect way to say it?!  Ahhhh I die...they know me too well. I just love my girls.

• Bottom Right: A little teaser from our babymoon.  I promise to devote an entire post to the trip (but there are a few surprises in there) so I have to wait just a few more weeks :) ... but see Maggie in all her glory and proving she is nothing but A DIVA.  I mean it's one thing for the ween to try and encroach on my side of the bed, but stealing beach chairs, Maggie? Really?  Believe it kids - she is spoiled rotten and I really don't care :)

Take a step back and enjoy the weather this weekend and remember to enjoy life's little moments.  Share some of yours with me!