Summer recap

Since I failed blogging 101 this month, I at least wanted to document all the fun things we did.  So, in a nutshell...here is what they Talley's have been up to this August!

***Warning...picture overload!!!

Some backyard pool fun to beat the heat.....

Many trips to the beach at Jordan Lake.....

A new found love for momma's shoes....

Giveaway win - Helen Ficalora!!

A trip to the Raleigh Farmer's Market....can't wait to go back!!

Rainy (but FUN!) weekends at Beaver Lake....

Another family day at the lake...

Snuggles with my cat, Painter...who has been sick for quite awhile:(

Getting organized with my Whitney English Day Designer planner...

Emma's first McDonald's Happy Meal!

Emma's first insistent clothes purchase...red cowboy boots!

Watching Frozen for the 18,455,682nd time.

Heading out on our walk to Target...yes...Target.  The bridge over I-40 is finished and we can walk to Southpoint!

An impromptu date to see Nickel Creek!

A Durham Bulls game....

Saying goodbye to sweet Painter...he had an episode one night and was unable to move, so we knew it was time to let him rest:(

Another trip to Beaver Lake!

Maple View Farms with the Winslow's!

Helping mommy shop!

Hanging out at University mall while the car gets inspected...

Brent went offshore one weekend, so we have been eating some delicious dolphin tuna lately:)

If you made it to the bottom of this post, then surprise!!!  You win nothing, except a headache from starring at the screen too long...and maybe some smiles from seeing my sweet Emma-bear:)

Where have I been???

I'm so embarrassed....it's been over a month since my last post.  Honestly, so much has been happening that I just couldn't sit down to write it all.  Have you ever felt like the hole was so deep that you just couldn't begin to dig out?  That's how I felt.  I can't share it all with you (my 10 readers), but know everything is fine now (or will be).  It was just a very stressful, toxic few weeks leading up to the start of classes here at work.

I'm incredibly grateful to work with these people, and to call them friends, not just colleagues.  They bring me so much joy and fulfillment in my professional/academic life.  I know that is something that is very important to me, as a whole person.  Going part time has been such a blessing, and I know how lucky I am to be able to be a mom and work, and still have sanity.

And then this happened.....

I have been swooning, no...make that obsessing....over Helen Ficalora lately.  I even entered 2 giveaways for one of her necklaces....one of which was where followers could post pictures of themselves wearing HF jewelry.  But since I had none, I used a guilt trip picture (mainly for my Hubs to see)...

And you might recall, I posted about this giveaway yesterday from a sweet store in CA that specializes in eco-friendly and organic products for families.

And then I woke up to this email this morning....

I've been laughing ever since...giddy...feeling ten feet tall.  See, I never win anything...no luck at raffles, no luck at lottery scratch offs...I don't think I ever won at bingo to be honest.  And in the past 3 months, I have won almost $400 worth of goodies.  And the awesome part about this win was that I REALLY wanted to win.  It's almost like I feel guilty, it's so unbelievable.  

I am really enjoying my new network of blog, social medias friends (I say "Friends" but I really mean people I stalk on the internet....)  I love reading people's stories, finding out about new brands, and sharing my life with my 10 readers (are there really 10 of you??)  I feel joy posting and I do it for me...not anyone else.  I know Emma will either die of excitement or embarrassment one day in the future that her whole life is recorded on here.

So, thank you, Mother's Organic and Helen Ficalora, for being so gracious with your talents and goodies!  I will wear my necklace with pride, and pass it down to my Emma when the time is right.  It will serve as a reminder that above all else in my life, my role of MOM is the most important - I have the unique opportunity to show my child (or children, God-willing) how to be a Godly wife, woman, friend, worker, and mother....and for that gift, I am grateful:)

Now....what other charms can Hubs buy me for our anniversary next month???!!!!!!

I Won! I Won!

I never win anything...so when Kelly emailed me to tell me I won a new Monogrammed Otter Box Iphone cover, I was elated!  I love Kelly's blog, and find it refreshing that she also writes about her teaching and life (I love fashion, but it can only go so deep...you know?)

Proof that I actually won something!

Of course, it took me weeks to figure out what kind of cover I wanted.  For starters, my iphone was over 3 years old....so I didn't want to invest in an awesome cover for such an old phone.  I knew it was only a matter of time before I would have to get a new one.  Problem was, the iphone 5's are different sizes, so I needed to wait to see which model I was going to get.

Last time we went to the beach, we headed to Shackleford banks on the boat.  I took my phone out of the cover so we could play it on the portable radio.  When we headed back to land, I put my phone and Brent's in a plastic bag (it can get wet on the ride in if it's windy) and we headed back.  I was sitting in the front with Emma, who had fallen asleep on my chest.  We were hitting some bumpy water and I could hear things moving around...but all of a sudden, I heard Brent say "well...looks like you're getting a new phone!"  I thought he was joking, but I turned around to see my beautiful, faithful phone screen shattered into a zillion pieces.  It was still functioning, thankfully.  But I knew I could not be THAT person with the crunked up phone.

Later that week, I headed to Verizon to assess my options.  I decided to go with the Iphone 5S, and did the EDGE program, which allows you pay monthly and not be locked into a contract.  I also upgraded to the 32GB storage because I was sick of trying to erase pictures and apps every time I didn't have enough storage to take a picture.  (stop judging...I know there are better ways to manage that, but I'm trying!)  Ironically, my Iphone 4 started shutting off without reason the day I was going to upgrade...and at the store refused to come back on.  I took it as a sign that it was time for a new one.

Boutique Me's site is super fun to play around with...and you get to see what your phone will look like (a huge plus!).  There were so many choices, and I actually was scared to finally pull the trigger.  Shipping was really fast, and I was so excited to use my new cover (and know that it was going to protect my phone too)

The people at Boutique Me were delightful, and I am very thankful for them and KellyintheCity for doing such great giveaways.  Next time someone on your social media feeds re-posts a giveaway pic, go ahead and enter...you just might win!!!



Currently, I am crossing my fingers on this win......(I know my chances are pretty slim - 2 wins in 2 months????)

I had not heard of this designer before, until a friend had some charms on this past weekend at the ski tournament (thanks Allison!).  I immediately wrote her name down and made sure to research her later.  I had been in search of some initial charms that wouldn't tarnish.  I was pretty disappointed with the ones I had that were only gold-plated (I promise, I am not a snob).  I want to wear it all the time and not worry about the quality.  I didn't want something that would change color or dent, and if I wanted to, I could pass it down to Emma....enter Helen Ficalora......

I had never heard of her, but I love how simple and elegant her jewelry is, and how she only sells at her boutiques.  Of course, I am not near any, so I will have to phone order (she also doesn't do online ordering!)  Either way, Brent is REALLY hoping I win this giveaway, so that he can stop hearing me talk about how great her stuff is:)