Taking attendance...

I'm here...really, I am. I've just been out of sorts, out of work, and out of touch for the past 2 weeks. My head is finally healing, and I'm slowly getting caught up on work, life, and laundry. We've had a few family challenges lately (when it rains it pours, right?)...but all in all, life is good and getting better.

Thanks for your patience...and continued checking back to see if I am still alive.

Until I'm totally back on track, and able to sit down and blog my little heart out, I leave you with these images that I recently discovered.

The most fabulous barstools ever...just darling!

Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles

I can picture myself sitting at one of them, glass of wine in hand, dog at my feet, gabbing it up with one of my best girlfriends.

Is the oversized nail head trim not amazing? I know...I thought so too.

Happy Thursday!

Retail therapy...

Since life has consisted of couch time, pillows, dark rooms, and medication for the past 10+ days, I've been desperate for ways to make the days better and the pain to stop.

Blue Bell ice cream was working, but I think my body is becoming immune...and slightly more round due to this drug of choice. Maybe not so good in the long term...excellent for the short term.

Shoes, however, always make me feel better. I believe retail therapy as a whole has true healing powers.

Since I've been confined to soft, dark places for awhile, a little internet fantasy shopping has been a great outlet for pain relief. Since it's all fantasy shopping it doesn't actually hurt my checking account either.

I recently discovered Couture Zappos...the shoe, bag, and clothes boutique of Zappos.com. I'm sure most of you have already discovered this goodness, but I'm slow and injured. So cut me some slack. If you haven't checked out the site yet, go here and prepare to oooh and ahhh.

Each of these pretties came from there and is like a cool rag on my forehead...soothing the throbbing.

Kate Spade's Grand

Burberry's Tumbled Leather Espadrilles

Tapeet by Vincini's Slingback Wedge

Kate Spade's Candice

Diane Von Furstenberg's Iris Heels

Kate Spade's Blooming Wedges

I LOVE all of these...and after posting them, I'm seeing an unknown love of espadrilles.

Each of these have reduced the throbbing and helped my mind to clear.

Maybe I am on the road to recovery? Perhaps I should try a little more Blue Bell just to make sure there aren't any setbacks. Better safe than sorry.

Concussed...

WARNING: This post was written after a head injury. I cannot guarantee the grammar or spelling of what lies ahead or that any of this is going to make any sense at all.

Blue No. 7 Retro Ice Bag on Amazon.com

I've really done it to myself this time. It takes true talent to give yourself a concussion that totally knocks you on your butt in more ways than one.

Friday afternoon while doing my good deed of the day, donating clothes to Goodwill, I proceeded to close the back hatch of my SUV onto my head. I pulled it down to close it, as hard as I could, right onto my head.

Yep, talent.

It's actually pretty impressive that I have made it this long without doing this to myself already. Chewing gum and walking for me can be a challenge some days.

The details after hitting my head are a little blurry. But, I can say that the headache immediately following grew into a lovely throb on Saturday and a full marching band in my head on Sunday. I've been in trapped in bed or on the couch since Sunday.

The doctor says I successfully gave myself a "pretty good concussion." Thankfully there isn't any major damage, just some swelling and a serious headache. No brain damage...well, not any more than already has been done over this lifetime.

So, my daily routine has consisted of lying here...sleeping...pain meds...moaning...complaining about being bored...thoughts of self pity that I am such a goof...looking on the internet for a few minutes checking to see if something life changing has occurred on Facebook...and changing positions and refluffing my pillow and then more sleep. It's been a thrilling 3 days.

I'm not handling this well.

The only perk has been the vanilla ice cream that is used to reduce swelling. I'm pretty sure that is what my doctor told me to take, I can't remember. So, I'm sticking with that.

Thanks to all of you that have checked on me, prayed for me, laughed with me, etc. It means everything.

Next time my donations are going to the Salvation Army...much more safe.

Reality check...

Yesterday I went to Banana Republic after work searching for something new, something fun, something unique...a white cardigan.

I'm wild like that, I know.

I've been in search of work clothes that can get me through this summer heat. I haven't been able to find a thing lately. I've lost hope. I thought at least the cardigan could be thrown over a few sleeveless dresses in my closet to make them a little more work appropriate. I've justified this in my head.

I entered the shiny Banana store, began strolling around their pretty wood floors hearing every single one of my steps (How can floors make you feel fat? These did.), and began picturing my closet filled with their perfect wooden hangers and beautiful clothes. I immediately began grabbing their newest cardigans, the fun new skirts, a couple of ruffle tops, and even some skinny pants just for a laugh. I tried on an enormous pile of their latest stuff.

Nothing of interest worked. Just a single $79 white cardigan.

There I stood in the dressing room's horrendous lighting looking at my washed out face very frustrated, sad, and guilty (for picking so many items that the salesgirl would have to restock) . I did find what I had come for, the most boring purchase in the world. I bought it and walked out already feeling the buyer's remorse beginning to rise up inside of me. I had overpaid for something that was so bland out of shear frustration. A $79 white cardigan. Ugh.

Disappointed with myself I headed to the car. At some point my body turned and I ended up in the world of plastic models, terrible music, and total sensory overload...Old Navy. Why not look? Maybe I'd find a tank top to wear under the stupid cardigan (sigh).

That's when I started to realize how similar things actually were to where I had just been. Not the floor and music or pretty wooden hangers but the actual clothes. The colors were a little different and sometimes the tops lacked as many shiny buttons or delicate ruffles but there were a number of things that were nearly the same as BR. Including my dull cardigan. There it's twin was lying on the oversized steel table, in a messy fold from being handled by the masses and only half way replaced by the staff. However, there was something different from my buyer's remorse cardi; this near twin was a mere $20.00 and free of guilt.

It didn't have the silk lining down the buttons that no one sees, and it wasn't quite as light as the one I had just regrettably bought...but it was a very close match. All except the price. Feeling even more disappointed that I had caved just a little while ago, I grabbed the cardi and headed off to see what other things I could find that were near copies of what I had just tried on a few doors down.

Check this out...

Banana Republic White Cardigan $79.95

Old Navy's White Cardigan
On sale this week for $20

Interesting, huh? They are so similar, but the Old Navy top is 75% less than the Banana one.

How about this one?

Banana Republic's Flutter Sleeve Eyelet Top ($69.50);

On sale this week for $34.99Old Navy's Eyelet Flutter Sleeve Top
On sale this week for $11.97

The eyelet detailing is missing from the bottom of the Old Navy top, but who cares? Eyelet detailing probably won't even be in next year.

Or this one?

The colors are different, I know...and the detailing isn't quite the same. But, you could get the same look for less than half the price!

Banana Republic's Ruffled V-Neck $69.50


Old Navy's Tie Neck Ruffle Top $22.50

The Banana top below is made of silk, which is lovely. But, the Old Navy top is lightweight and would work better for the summertime heat.

Banana Republic's Silk Ruffle Bib Tank $69.50


Old Navy's Lightweight Ruffled Top $22.50

After purchasing my new tops and emerging from the store, I felt a sense of redemption. I would not cave...I would return! Return the $79 piece of frustration.

I can now hold my head high as I wear my Old Navy white cardigan.

Not, that high though...I am still wearing a white cardigan, I know.

(Old Navy did not endorse this post or have anything to do with it. They have not paid me or even offered to send me an additional discount coupon. I still love Banana and will, of course, still shop there. But if they'll lower their prices down to match Old Navy's, I'll be happy to post these great things about them too.)

Blog love...

I always forget how much I love Snippet & Ink's blog until I look at my clock and realize that I have been on the site for over an hour clicking away through the amazing wedding/party inspiration boards. This girl is seriously talented.

I saw this composition the other day and fell in love with the country/simple life feel to it. I want to be right there...swinging on the swing and working up an appetite for pie. The brown paper bag Save the Dates are so fun! I love the feeling that all of this could be created and assembled yourself for a completely unique and unforgettable afternoon wedding, party, or shower.

Top row from left: picnic baskets and pies (via Dress Design Decor) both from Martha Stewart, "games" wooden sign photo by Jose Villa
Row 2: swing photo from Martha Stewart Weddings, photo of sandwiches wrapped in paper by France Ruffenach via Santa Barbara Chic
Row 3: brown paper bag picnic save-the-date by Sesame Letterpress, tea towel wrapped bottles from Martha Stewart, photo of basket of cherries by Kathryn Kleinman, tulip and daisy bouquet from Martha Stewart Weddings
Row 4: photo of blue convertible VW Bug by Duston Todd, red punch jar from Custom Event Group, vintage handkerchief ring pillow photo by Lisa Lefkowitz, bride with blue shawl photo by Meg Smith

True relaxation...

The 4th of July holiday weekend started off with a bang when Josh called Friday morning to say that I would soon be getting a surprise. He booked me an "appointment", and I would soon find out what for. I immediately thought...massage or maybe a manicure or pedicure! All very exciting and needed. I had the day off and was just easing into the vacation mentality of not being at work from Friday through Monday. No matter what he was planning it was going to be great and relaxing, I was sure. I truly had no idea how relaxing it would be!


He had arranged for a cleaning crew of 3 (angels, in my opinion) to show up Friday afternoon with mops, vacuums, sponges and brooms to clean our home from floor to ceiling. The chandeliers were dusted, the rugs pulled up and wood floors cleaned underneath, bathrooms were scrubbed, all of the stone floors were mopped, etc.! This was SO much more relaxing than any massage could be. After a massage, I would still have all of this to do!

Josh wanted us to spend the long weekend together NOT cleaning and working during our downtime but actually enjoying the time together. The truth is he knows that cleaning and keeping our house in order gives me anxiety. I love having family and friends over to visit, but I often feel so pressured to make things look as perfect as possible and never feel like I have enough time to do it while working full time. This alleviated all of that anxiety and allowed for a truly chilled out long weekend! We were able to hang out, visit family, have people over, take a day trip, and even nap. Re-lax-ing.

Major brownie points!

And I actually had enough time to make some of these guys as a thank you to him too...

I'm so thankful for my precious husband and his awareness of what would really make a difference for both of us over the weekend. Now if only we can keep the place clean until his next big revelation!

Say cheese...

Well, if Josh's family construction business doesn't work out, I think we've come up with a backup plan.

Photographer.

Last weekend he played photographer and I played incredible photographer's assistant and director extraordinaire for Courtney and Korbin's, my sis-in-law and soon to be bro-in-law, engagement photos. Korbin's serving in the Navy and was on leave for two weeks. So, we all committed half a day and shot hundreds of photos up at the Fredericksburg ranch. It was so much fun!

God granted us with the most beautiful day with a sky that truly looks like we worked some magic on Photoshop (which we didn't since we have no clue how to use that program...it's actually still sitting in the box...note to self, probably not as effective in the box).

Here's a little preview of their lovefest/portrait session. Could they be any cuter?

Reenacting the famous Navy sailor pose. Darling.

Gorgeous girl...in a field...with fabulous shoes. He's so lucky.

Soon to be Mr. and Mrs. Kovacs

God was smiling on them.

Truly happy.

We love you guys and cannot wait to celebrate with you both in December! Thanks for letting us be a part of your time together. We loved capturing your love for each other.