Getting Mail is So Much Fun!

After all the traveling that Husband and I have been doing over the past few weeks, I finally decided that the small roll-aboard suitcase we have wasn’t cutting it. I feel like such a dork walking into a hotel for a one night stay with a rolled bag rather than a duffel bag. Husband has a duffel that he’s been using and it’s so much easier for him to grab it and run.

I had just decided to find a duffel bag when I saw someone on one plane had a matching duffel and tote – well, of course, I needed one like THAT!

Plus, on the last wedding weekend, one of the wheels of our roll-aboard fell off in the parking lot. I hope that Husband can fix it, but either way, another small bag for my things would be nice to have around.

That’s where Etsy comes in. I love Etsy. I spend way too many hours looking at the shops there and drooling over the gorgeous things that much more creative people than me have created.

I did some searching and came across Vicki’s shop – Deerpath Designs. She had some really cute bags with customized monograms embroidered on them – I fell in love with the damask pattern. But she only had the tote bag so I asked if she could get the large duffel in the same patterns. Turns out she can!

My order arrived today and I am officially in love. I can’t wait for our next trip where I can use them!

   

There’s even pink bows with white accents on each bag!

Plus, my monogram is embroidered on both bags in the matching pink thread.

I LOVE IT. The big duffel is going to be plenty big for a long weekend’s worth of clothes and the tote bag is HUGE. I can carry my nook, a smaller purse for the trip, magazines, my toiletries and even snacks if I wanted to! It’s going to be so perfect.

Thanks, Vicki!

This is just one more thing I’ve bought from an Etsy store that counts towards my 101 in 1001 list.

I Ran Away to the Circus!

Last night, I went to our local circus, Circus Flora. The big top gets set up on a parking lot in the arts district in town and they play for about a month. It’s a European-style circus and conducted in one ring instead of the American three rings like Barnum and Bailey’s.

We had such an amazing time. I went with my in-laws and a cousin-in-law. It was great!

There was one act was made up of all kids – some younger than my cousins! They had little kids that were tossed all over the place and even used as a jump rope at one point! So funny.

But my favorite act was the Flying Wallendas. Oh. My. Goodness. Incredible doesn’t even begin to describe them.

This video was only a portion of their act, taped a few years ago.

After they did this trick, they did a four person pyramid. On a bicycle. It was crazy.

If you’re in St. Louis, please go see this Circus. You will not regret it. The story is great, costumes are fun, there are even horses and dogs to get in on the act.

Works for Me Wednesday – Inexpensive Greeting Cards

I’m sure you love the local $ store as much as I do. Inexpensive decorations, baskets, doo dads – all for one dollar?! I’m so there.

But recently, I checked into my favorite store for something else – a greeting card. I am determined to become a card sender, but in order for me to do that, I decided I had to find a cheaper source of greeting cards. At $3 a pop at Hallmark, those suckers can add up.

Someone mentioned that my $ store had some nice cards for, get this, $1. I had to check it out.

Sure enough, they had a whole aisle dedicated to the cards. Birthdays, holidays, just because cards, anything you might need.

Buying greeting cards for only $1 and staying in touch with friends via the old-fashioned mail – totally works for me.

You’ll Never Know…

Last night, while I was at a local theatre, judging a show, Hubs and friends went out to have some fun.

Just as I was sitting down in my seat, waiting for the curtain, I received three texts in quick succession.

When I asked what exactly is going on, I was told “you’ll never know.” There was even a cake that told me so.

They kept it up the whole night, after I got back to the house and asked what was going on. They kept the secret up the whole night.

When we got home, Hubs finally let me in on the secret – our friend M’s car broke down on their way to dinner. They had to get her parents’ car to finish the trip to the restaurant. M and her husband, and our friends D and K were just very amused by the whole thing. They love keeping secrets from me because I hate secrets – I can’t keep them and I really just like knowing everyone else’s secrets too.

Ugh. I hate secrets.  

My New Favorite Toy – My Rebel!

I’ve been taking some beautiful pictures with the Christmas present from my in-laws. The Canon Rebel XS. She’s my new baby.

She was with us in Spain…

She went to Hong Kong with husband on his study abroad trip…

She has accompanied us on many trips this winter and spring, including yesterday’s wedding in Cincinnati…

So after six months of having this lovely camera in our lives, we have decided that she needs a name. Yet, I am horrible in naming things [I don’t even want to think about naming a pet or when it happens, a child. I’ll worried the name I pick will scar him/her for the rest of their lives!] – so I need help.

Husband has picked the name Francesca. I have no idea why.

With such beautiful pictures under her belt, what name should I give to her? And why is she a she? Some things in life are simply a mystery.