Baby List-ing

Wow, no blogging for three weeks and then three posts all in one week. Can you tell my hubby is out of town?

Plus, whenever I come across something I think is cool/useful/fun, I can't help but share!

So, I just told you about our baby registering, which went relatively smooth, but I was also doing some researching online to see if Etsy had a baby registry (they don't)... but can we talk for a second about the fact the Etsy DOES have a wedding registry?!

Ummm, friends who are getting married: can someone please take advantage of this?! No more registering for ugly wall art at Bed, Bath & Beyond (or was just that us that did that...?). I love the idea that you can pick out super-cute, hand-made home items that guests can buy that you will actually WANT to display in your home. Hopefully, someone takes advantage of this soon!

On another note, I did come across a service called BabyLi.st. (And yes BabyLi.st is the actual URL.)

Basically, it allows you to register for anything that you can buy online and it aggregates it into a registry list. It adds an "Add to BabyList" button to your browser (just like the Pinterest "Pin it" button) so you can easily add things to the list. It's great because it allows me to keep track of things I'd like for the baby and then you can share it with friends and family in case they'd like to buy something from that list. I, by no means, EXPECT people to buy from the list as it's a little less "essentials" and more "things that I'll probably end up buying any way" but I always love giving a personal, cute gift that I know someone actually wants. For me, it's definitely acting as a "bookmark" for things I'd like for the baby or his nursery (such as a cute diaper bag tote, a baby book, crib sheets, a crib mobile, etc.).

So, for any Mommies-to-be out there, you should totally check it out! Has anyone used it before?

Dressing the Part

As I mentioned before, it's definitely getting to be wedding season. At this point in our lives, we range from about 6-10 weddings per year. (This year, we're on the lower end at six weddings.) What can I say? Our friends are the marryin' kind! But then if you add bridal showers, bachelorette parties, baby showers and in some cases, rehearsal dinners - well, what's a girl to wear?

Each year, I will literally inventory my dresses, count how many events I think I have and plan out what I'll wear to each so as not to repeat the same dress with the same group of friends. (I surely can't be the only person that does this, right?!) As much as I'd love to, I can't buy 15 new dresses each year.

Well, regardless, I've inventoried the dress sitch, bought three new dresses and on the hunt for at least one more. I will almost never spend more than $100 on new dresses, so thought I would share my go-to's for new dresses.

And I'm just counting on the fact that we won't show up at the same event wearing the same thing. Hoping, anyway. :-)

ModCloth.com - Pretty affordable, mostly have cutesy dresses, but some really cool vintage-looking styles, too. Expect lots of color and pattern.

Dorothy Perkins - I have spotted some super-cute stuff here. I had my eye on a dress from here for a while (I almost pulled the trigger as the dress was $75 plus a 15% off coupon code.) Well, lucky me, I checked back and it was on sale for $27 (yes, that's two-seven). I'm not sure I've ever online-ordered anything faster! Expect classic shapes, with modern touches.

Oasis-Stores.com - I actually have never ordered anything here, but have had my eye on a couple of styles for ages.Throw the right coupon code at me and I would be all over this shiz. Expect more conservative looks (i.e. I could wear to work), but cute patterns.

Local Boutiques - Don't overlook the local boutiques! Some of my Dallas faves include Movida, Ella Bleu and Accents.

Here's a few dresses I'm loving - none of which I have actually bought (so they are all fair game).

Summer Wedding/Bridal Shower

Evening Wedding

Bachelorette Party

If I were the bride-to-be

(1/2/3/4)

What other go-to's am I missing?

Tea Time

I love tea. Cold sweet tea, hot green tea, flavored tea, you name it. Tell me you love a McAlister's tea and we'll probably be instant friends. (Fun Fact: I worked at McAlister's Deli in college for a year and was even named Employee of the Month once. My name was on a plaque on the wall. Show some respect.)

In fact, a few weeks ago, a co-worker of mine was going on a soda run [read: walking to the break room], which is a pretty regular occurrence at my place of employment, and he pointed at me and asked if I needed anything. Then, he was like, "Oh yeah, I forgot you're a tea-drinker." Um, I am? Well, apparently so. And within the last month, my enjoyment of tea has gone a step further.

Enter Tub Tea. Yes, it's a larger-than-regular-size tea bag that you put in your bath tub. They generally are hand-made (I mean, I think?) with an assortment of flowers, herbs, minerals, etc.

I was introduced to this over Christmas when friends of mine, who own Beau Tye Boutique, gave me some as a gift. I decided one night last month to give one a whirl. I thought I would try the "muscle relief" tub tea after a particularly grueling 2.5 mile run. :-) I'm not sure if it was the herbs/minerals, I'm not sure if it was the wonderful, but not overwhelming smell of amazing, I'm not even sure if it was laced in crack. But. I. Liked. It.

It didn't even stain my bath tub, although it was a little odd to step into a tub of tea-colored water. I even considered grabbing a Sweet 'N Low and a straw from the kitchen and having a sip.

Um, I'm kidding. That's gross. Don't drink the tub tea!

If you're intrigued by the tub tea like I was, you can Google "tub tea" and see all different kinds from all different brands, but I order mine from Beau Tye* (you know, support local!).


*Of course, I wasn't paid or perked for writing about this product. (Do I even need to type this out loud?) I just like to share things I enjoy every now and then.