Birthday Week and Tip #1

My birthday is almost here and in honor of the occasion I will be posting a few fun birthday ideas this week....my first idea is to enjoy your birthday ANY way you want! Man. That cake was soooooo good.

8 PEOPLE HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY:

beba said...

Is the gnome out yet?

SEPTEMBER 3, 2008 8:59 AM 

Brytton Madeline Evie said...

Happy Birthday Natalie, the cake looks delicious!

SEPTEMBER 3, 2008 12:41 PM 

Are You Serious! said...

♥ You crack me up! Love the cake face! :)

SEPTEMBER 3, 2008 1:03 PM 

beth said...

I hope you have a great birthday and week! How did that cake feel?

SEPTEMBER 3, 2008 3:03 PM 

Natalie Jane said...

Sticky.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2008 3:16 PM 

Hannah LaRue said...

Happy Birthday! I am a little behind in the blogging world. The cake looks yummy.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2008 3:24 PM 

Emily ~ Little Window Shoppe said...

Happy Birthday, how fun. I love that you start birthday celebrations sooner, it's such a fun day, but in so many episodes of my life it has come and gone like no big deal! What was I thinking? This is so cute too, I think I'll "cake" my husband on my next birthday too.

SEPTEMBER 4, 2008 1:47 PM 

vana chupp said...

ouchhh!That, I didn't expect! Nice checking in again! What fun you had!

SEPTEMBER 4, 2008 10:09 PM 

Summer Holiday

Due to the unfortunate expense of fixing my car after being hit by lightning, we had to cancel our planned beach vacation. As disappointing as that was, we are trying to make the best of it by doing little "mini vacations" as a family. Yesterday we hit the pool and to our delight, found we were basically the only people there. We swam as a family for a while. Lydia likes to ride on my back and hold on to my swimsuit straps like reins on a horse. Then Shane grabs my arms and whips us both through the water, Lydia and I screaming and laughing like it is the greatest amusement park ride.

After a while I couldn't ignore the cry of the lounge chair and a little Orson Scott Card reading. Feeling the hot sun on wet skin may be the most fantastic of all summer pleasures. After a chapter or two, however, my book became merely a shield from UV rays as I watched my daughter and her daddy swim together. When Shane is around, Lydia needs no one else. They are so utterly smitten with each other. I don't feel the least bit jaded by her obvious favoritism towards him. It just makes me smile. The bright sun, the refreshing breeze and the laughter of my two favorite people in the background; it may have been one of the best family "vacations" ever.

Happy Labor Day!

Old School Giveaway

So my 31st birthday is next weekend. I am just a tad freaked out. I really never thought that I would be one who was squeamish about my age. I loved turning 30. That is a big birthday and everyone made sure it was a huge affair. I even posted it as my best day of 2007.

But 31 is.....30 something. Like that crappy TV show from the 80's that only old people watched. It is totally boring. Now that I am a mom, do I just take the backseat on this day just for me?
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"No way!" says I. I am a supporter of full fledged birthday celebrations at EVERY birthday. Cake, gifts and none of this "oh, I am too old to do the birthday thing". NO. Not me. I work too freaking hard to not have a day when I get to be the center. One day a year. I'm not giving it up.
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In honor of my creed, this week's giveaway is an "Old School Giveaway". All fantastic vintage treasures to remind us that just because it is a little old doesn't mean that it isn't awesome. So without further adieu...

************************************************************

I am giving away this sweet "Grandma chic" vintage purse along with some of my Paisley Lane lovelies. I have made the hair clip from a vintage brooch and the vintage earrings were originally clip (as they always are), but I have changed them to pierced. They will come wrapped in the vintage linen that they are laying on in the photo.


And as an added bonus - check out these recipe cards! When I found these (unopened) at an antique show I actually squealed like a little girl. I mean come on, how retro cool? I also will send a pack of vintage plastic recipe savers (the plastic sleeves that protect the cards).





Four chances to enter:

1. Leave me a birthday greeting on this blog before Sept 4th at midnight. -
2. Let me know that you are a subscriber in a separate comment.
3. Mention this giveaway in your own blog and let me know you have done so in a separate comment.
4. For one more entry - Check out my jewelry line - Paisley Lane and tell me your favorite item.

I will select the winner using a random generator on Sept 5th. Good luck!
Oh yeah! I almost forgot. As a birthday treat to you - I am giving a free pair of earrings to anyone who makes a Paisley Lane purchase over $20 in the month of September. Just mention "Birthday" when you order.

Lovely two story home in a quiet family friendly neighborhood. 

4717 Rose Briar Ln, Ooltewah 37373

                           $169,000


Call 423-785-7294 with questions. 

Located a few short minutes from both Hamilton Place and Volkswagen. This charming home is both functional and inviting. 

• 1,850 Square Feet
• 2-story
• Side-entry Garage
• Built 2006
• 3 Bedroom
• 2 1/2 Bath
• Walk-in Master closet
• Large walk-in storage
• Vaulted and tiled master bath with jetted tub
• Fireplace
• Gas utilities 
• Fenced backyard
• French doors in study
• Dining room with Wainscoting 
• Large Master Bedroom with tray ceiling
• Stainless Steel kitchen appliances 
• Small cul-de-sac neighborhood
• Less than 10 minutes to Hamilton Place
• Less than 10 minutes to Volkswagen Complex
• Less than 5 minutes to Collegedale park

And the award goes to....

For the End of Summer Giveaway, the random generator chose number 5, so that makes Lisa the winner! Congrats! Email me your address and I will send the Dipstiks and gift card to you. I will announce the next giveaway in a few hours.....

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for my beautiful daughter, this sunny day, and that the only thing on my schedule is to have a picnic, swing on the swings

and play pretty princess.

Loving this pic? Check out Flutter Photography. And fantastic news if you are in the Chattanooga area. Randi from Flutter is coming here the 2nd weekend in October. She still has a couple openings left (at an incredible price just for that weekend) Email me for details.

I love Decor8...especially when the day's post looks like it was designed for my blog.

END OF SUMMER GIVEAWAY

My last blog was a bit a a bummer, so I thought I would make this one a positive entry. And what is more positive than a giveaway?! I'll tell you what....4 weeks of giveaways! That's right, I will be doing a giveaway every week for the next 4 weeks. This first giveaway is in honor of this ending summer and my favorite summer treats. Mecinna from Price Products has donated a 4-pack of dripstiks to one lucky reader, and just for fun, I will add a $5 gift certificate to target so you can try some Edy's Whole Fruit Bars. All you have to do is make a comment on this blog telling me your favorite summer treat. For an extra entry, let me know that you are a subscriber to my blog. (Tell me in a second comment.) I will announce the winner on Friday, along with announcing the 2nd giveaway! Good luck....

Oh - and this is the giveaway that I am DIEING to win for myself. Check it out.

ARRRRGGGGG!!!!!!

I was about to have a full on vent session on how this is the worst Sunday ever**** how I spend all my non-Lydia time cleaning and the house is still a disaster*****how Lydia spends at least 30% of her waking time screaming and crying***** how I made the most awesome lunch and she wouldn't touch it (and of course Shane is always at late at church so he isn't even home to eat)**** how no matter how badly I want to nap, I can't because it takes me a full hour to fall asleep so by the time it actually happens, Lydia is just about to wake up*****how I actually went in my room and screamed just to release some frustration***** how there is laundry piled up to fold because I had 7 loads on Friday and I just couldn't fold it all**** how I am jealous of all my friends because they have family around and I just want one day to say "Mom, come take Lydia so that I can have an hour or two to myself" instead of cramming in a random post at the beginning of her (short) afternoon nap. *****

Hum, guess I did do the whole vent thing. Don't feel a whole lot better though. Really wishing I had some chocolate right about now.

15 PEOPLE HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY:

Natalie Jane said...

Still searching for chocolate - if I can't find any I am hitting the Diet Coke. (The full caffinated "only in emergencies" supply.....

AUGUST 24, 2008 2:05 PM 

beth said...

You can take me up on my offer and not even feel bad. Just ring my doorbell today and drop her off and leave and feel better. Sometimes that is all it takes. I think sometimes I just need something different and this will give you alone time with Shane. Those are much needed also. I spent many years without being able to hand my kids off to mom and now I try not to abuse it but man she helps me out a ton.

AUGUST 24, 2008 2:25 PM 

Scattered Mom said...

(hug) Have a bath, with a nice glass of wine or something, and don't worry about the laundry or the house. It's not like they're going anywhere and really, none of us get points for a perfectly clean house. I didn't have family around when Jake was that age, either. It's hard sometimes!

AUGUST 24, 2008 4:10 PM 

LOLiTA said...

Aww, hun. This is a hard stage, and even harder without family. The laundry and stuff can wait til tomorrow. Kick up your feet and relax, or go for a drive with Lydia. I declare this to be a lazy day. ~Esmeralda PS. I found your blog through Krisit's.

AUGUST 24, 2008 6:11 PM 

kristi lee said...

One of THOSE Sundays huh? You know you can always drop her off at the house of crazy boys! I can't promise that she won't learn something that you don't want her to though. . .like how to fight ninja style! I am going to Sam's in the morning. Is "THE" cake calling your name?!!! It's close enough to your birthday to start celebrating anyways!!!

AUGUST 24, 2008 9:24 PM 

Natalie Jane said...

Oh "That" cake is ALWAYS calling my name. Email me details and we will see...

AUGUST 24, 2008 9:47 PM 

April said...

yes drink wine... um- I know exactly how you feel- with a crazy child and no mom anywhere close... your feelings are more than valid- some days just suck.

AUGUST 24, 2008 11:15 PM 

Christine said...

Chocolate would be nice. :) ((hugs))

AUGUST 25, 2008 1:00 PM 

Are You Serious! said...

♥ I feel for you! I haven't had family close by for 7 plus years of my kids lives! It sucks and sometimes I dream about what it would be like! I hope your week is much better!!! :)

AUGUST 25, 2008 6:46 PM 

kailani said...

Sorry to hear the day wasn't going well. Hope it got better!

AUGUST 25, 2008 9:12 PM 

Randi said...

Mercer told me today, "YOU ARE NOT BEING MY BEST MOM EVER!!!" Followed by "TREAT OTHERS HOW YOU WANT TO BE TREATED, MOM!!" Not my best weekend, let's just say. I bought a tub full of chocolate chip cookie dough to make it all better. No oven required.

AUGUST 26, 2008 12:18 AM 

Randi said...

NOT an overshare. I actually posted mine, read yours, then went back and deleted mine. Mine was too much. Yours :funny. :)

AUGUST 26, 2008 4:59 PM 

Elizabeth said...

Natalie All I can say is that I understand.

AUGUST 26, 2008 8:44 PM 

xcdenke said...

PLEASE CALL ME NEXT TIME!!! We can vent together. It probably would be good for both of us. I swear, for me it never fails that when one kid is happy, the other one isn't. Keane is my sensitive one and I have to be really careful about him. Ethan is always picking on him. The big kid gets bullied by the little guy. Funny huh? Thanks for venting. You always seem like the perfect mom and it's nice to see that even you have your rough moments.

AUGUST 27, 2008 12:42 AM 

Jennifer said...

I hear ya girl! Good to know that other people have tough days like mine too every now and then. And, I definitely know what you mean about family!

AUGUST 28, 2008 4:47 PM