Looking Back

I did this last year and it was kind of fun to look over my blog posts and see what I was doing every month so here I go again. The best of Uncommon Blonde from 2008 ...

January - I blogged about whether or not to have children ... little did I know what 2008 would bring.

February - The biggest thing that happened to me in February was that I quit being afraid of my camera and started really taking pictures. Who knew that it would have turned into one of my passions. I also was in a fashion show and took a great trip to Charlotte for a Jr. League conference.

March - March was a busy month! I got a new hat for a brunch where someone fell in the pool. I also started a "new thing" (I guess I was ahead of the curve with this whole recession thing) and I'm happy to say I feel that I have successfully become a more mindful spender! We had an unwelcome visitor this month. I also saw the best haircut ever at a baseball game. Oh, and best of all, my brother got engaged!

April - Went window shopping, dressed up like a princess (that costume rental was a huge waste of money), and attended the most beautiful baby shower ever!

May - Started sharing the adventures of Crazy Betty with all of you. Also attended my sister's graduation and took a mini-vacation.

June - The month of June was pretty calm, however, I did host a dinner party and lose credibility at work ...

July - I hung out with my friend Angelina, and had some cute little visitors at my house.

August - I was accused of having baby fever, quit the gym, and went on a fashion safari.

September - My brother got married! I also went undercover, and one of my posts was featured on the home page of iVillage (huge stats that day!).

October - I got busted for something I said on my blog, I got political, and I was overall a bad blogger during October (one of my new year's resolutions is to not overcommit!!).

November - November was a very big month. I went to see NKOTB (best concert EVER),took a trip to Hilton Head, Savannah & Charleston, celebrated my birthday with the best cake ever, visited my great-grandmother Lulu, and conquered on Black Friday. Oh yeah ... this was the month I found out I was pregnant.

December - December was hard because I wasn't telling everyone I was pregnant yet but I was SICK and very tired during the first few weeks of the month. Luckily, the sickness abated before Christmas and I was able to enjoy it! I let the secret out this month and now the adventure begins!

2009 is sure to be interesting with a baby making a debut in July. Thanks to you all for being a part of my life (whether it's in real life, through the comments section, or you're just lurking) - I wish you all joy and prosperity in the new year!

The Best Things In Life Aren't Things

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas! Ours was wonderful. I had every intention of blogging every day this week but I got distracted by all of the relaxing, eating and hanging out. I even had blog posts in mind! Oh well, I'll just have more to write about next week ;) I didn't even take pictures this week - too much resting going on.

We got a fabulous new game on Christmas Eve called Dicecapades, I highly recommend it. It had use doing everything from answering trivia to arm wrestling, and definitely had us all laughing. We are still celebrating today because my brother and his wife just arrived from Boca so today will be another fun day with the family. The older I get the more I realize that the best things in life aren't things - they are the memories and the time you get to spend with the people you love!

Next week I will have to share another classic Betty story with you all ... she's always good for blog material!

Quick Movie Review: Seven Pounds

So I hate to interrupt this fabulous week of holiday blogging with a movie review that's less than stellar but I feel like I must share. I saw the new Will Smith movie Seven Pounds the other day and let's just say I'm not a fan. I know it's going to win some big awards because the dark, deep movies always do - but I was not expecting it to be such a downer so it really took me by surprise. My emotions may be just a tad more vulnerable too ... Anyway, I finished the movie feeling very sad and upset. I just felt the need to warn you because if you're used to Will Smith's typical movies you might leave feeling the same way. It's a well done movie with great acting but be warned. It's not a "feel good" movie by any means.

Fa la la la la

Well, I was going to post a video tonight with the Christmas present we bought for each other this Christmas (in preparation of the many many videos we will be taking of the baby once he or she arrives) but my plans were foiled. I shot the video and although it's a hard drive camera that according to my husband is "super easy upload" I can't get the mpg files to play on my laptop, much less upload them to the internet for blogging. I originally wanted the Flip because it's one-touch upload to YouTube but since my husband is a techie we had to go for the big guns and get this one. He insists that it's just a download I need on my computer so hopefully I can post tomorrow once he fixes my laptop. In the meantime, I will continue this blissful new thing I'm doing this week ... it's called relaxing. (And I haven't felt all that sick for the last few days. yay!!!)

Food for thought

I saw this on Jessica's blog and I love the message. A lot of people are facing tough times right now but still we have so much to be thankful for. I think there are some good things that will come out of this recession and spending less than $350billion on Christmas would be a major plus. I am thankful for my friends, my family, my blessings that money can't buy. but I still want a hippopotamus :)

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas

I really do. After listening to Christmas carols for 6 hours of our 7 hour drive last night I have decided there are a lot of really great lines in Christmas songs and I love the song about hippopotamuses. (I also like saying the plural version of that word) So, I've decided I need a hippopotamus ornament for Christmas. Maybe this one ... or this one. I got another fabulous ornament yesterday from my neighbor - I LOVE it!

iTunes Winner

Thanks to all for your congrats on my big announcement yesterday. I was surprised that I got more comments on that post than I did entries for the iTunes giveaway. I used the random number generator and the winner is comment #8 - Sara! Email your address to me at uncommonblonde@gmail(dot)com and I'll get your gift card in the mail :)

Survey Says?!?!

Just in case you were wondering why my blog posting over the past few weeks has been a bit skimpy. That's right, I'm pregnant! Almost 10 weeks now and it's been a hard secret to keep. However, be glad I wasn't blogging about it because most posts would sound something like this "I feel sick ... blah, blah ... sick, sick, sick." Here's hoping that phase is over. Please, please, let it be over :) I'll try not to let baby talk take over the blog but I can't promise that starting in July this blog won't be covered in baby pictures. tons and tons.

It's the thought that counts

While I was wrapping gifts last night I was thinking about what makes a great gift. Everyone says "it's the thought that counts" and while I agree with that most of the time, there are exceptions. Like when you know that no thought went into selecting the gift, or when it's so completely wrong for you that you cringe when you open it. Let's face it, we've all gotten those gifts that make us jump up and down with excitement - and we've probably all gotten something pretty awful. While those gifts might go instantly to Goodwill or the regift closet, they often make for the best stories.

What's the best Christmas gift I've ever received? That's really a tough question because I've gotten some pretty wonderful gifts over the years but at this moment I'd probably have to say the Louis Vuitton Damier bag that my husband got me a couple of years ago. Call it materialistic if you want but I love handbags and I love Louis Vuitton. I've gotten a couple LV things for Christmas but that bag is my fav. (Someone is going to post that their favorite gift is an ornament their kid made for them and make me look like a jerk. LOL) The worst gift I've ever received was given to me last Christmas by my dad. I kind of started a "war" a couple of years by giving my dad the most flashy, hideous boxers I could find (my dad is pretty reserved and conservative) and laughing hysterically while he opened them, so I guess I had it coming. Last year, he gave me a turkey foot backscratcher. A real turkey foot with claws ... with a pink bow and lace on the handle. I almost died (seriously). Needless to say the "war" is over and he won. I don't even want to know what else he would put under the tree for me after that.

Now for the good part. Because it is Christmas, I am giving away a $15 iTunes gift card. All you have to do is enter a comment telling me what your best and worst Christmas gifts have been and I'll use the random number generator on Friday to pick a winner from the comments. Merry Christmas!

A Perfect Weekend

This weekend was a perfect weekend. It was a perfect combination of friends, holiday spirit, productivity and relaxation.

Friday night - small Christmas party with good friends.
Saturday morning - Farmer's Market and pictures with the twins ... I love those cuties!

Saturday afternoon - Tea at The Ritz with more good friends (hosted by none other than TV Gold who came over today and said "I want to know whay my tea hasn't made the blog yet" LOL - give me a day or two!).

Saturday evening - Christmas shopping and then home with a pizza.
Sunday morning - Brunch with the book club ladies.
Sunday afternoon - Finishing up my Christmas shopping, grocery shopping and met a LOVELY surprise at home. My husband put up the tree while I was gone. We have had a lot going on this month and since we're leaving on Friday we had considered not putting it up - he's my Christmas hero!
Sunday night - Wrapping present and watching the Survivor finale! I love that show ...

It was honestly a perfect weekend!

Merry Chickmas

Who likes giveaways? Me too! In fact, I wish I could do more on this blog but I'm feeling pretty uncreative about what to give away. Well, while I contemplate this you should check out the SevenChicks "25 Days of Chickmas." They are giving away something every day for 25 days and it's lots of fun! I haven't won anything yet but watch out ... my turn is coming up soon. I won the bag pictured below from SevenChicks a couple of months ago and it's super cute!


Check out their blog and enter often (if you win you can always share with me). Oh! And come back here next week and I promise I'll be doing a fun giveaway of my own (just as soon as I go get a super fab prize!)

Merry Chickmas!

Making History

This year I'm making history (in my own personal life) because I haven't done my Christmas shopping yet. Seriously, I still have more than half left to do and Christmas is only 2 weeks away! Strangely I am not too worried about it and I have no idea why. Like everyone, I am watching what I spend this year but that's not really why I haven't gotten it done. I have several people on my list that I have no idea what to give them. Zero ideas. Any suggestions on what to buy for two 11 year old girls (besides Bath & Body Works)? How about someone who has everything? Instead of wandering around the mall, I am just ignoring the problem and hoping for divine inspiration. Last weekend I did 4 photo shoots and was way too tired to shop or even do anything festive. But I got some cute pictures ... Maybe one of these days I'll get my new website up, but not today ;) Sorry I've been a delinquint blogger - I'll do better I promise!

Been There, Done That - Part Two

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling – both!
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud – I’m more of an indoor girl. hehe
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie – no, but I have been in a couple of local commercials
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen – no, but I have volunteered at a food bank
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies – Was never a girl scout but I sure have bought my share!
62. Gone whale watching – we saw whales from the cruise ship in Alaska, does that count?
63. Got flowers for no reason - did you know I am married to one of the most romantic, wonderful men ever?!?
64. Donated blood, platelets, or plasma – no, did I mention I’m a fainter?
65. Gone sky diving – best experience EVER!

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp - I was young but I remember it being a very very somber moment in the trip.
67. Bounced a check – not in a long time but hasn’t everyone at some time in life?
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy – yes and I even bought a new Rainbow Bright a couple of years ago.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial - ninth grade and I was supa cool
71. Eaten Caviar – yuck, no!
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades – unofficially by car
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone - I broke my arm in 3rd grade
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book – Maybe I will one day!
81. Visited the Vatican - it's in the background of this pic, it's an unbelievable place!

82. Bought a brand new car – I believe in only buying with some type of mileage on it, you get MUCH better deals that way.
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper – PR is my job!
85. Read the entire Bible – I have never done this systematically but I feel like maybe I’ve covered it all over the years? Hmm ...
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating – NEVER! I would die
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby - not yet!
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone (Doesn’t everyone?)
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Been There, Done That

I saw this on Sensibly Sassy's blog and just had to do it myself. The basic premise is that you highlight what you have done, italicize what you kinda did and just leave the stuff you didn't do alone.
That's it, so simple, care to play along?
I did this.
I didn't do this.
I kinda did this.

1. Started your own blog – you’re here, ta da!
2. Slept under the stars: Does camping in a tent count? That’s as close as I want to get
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii – several times!

6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland: no, but I’ve been to Disney World many times
8. Climbed a mountain – Alaska! We hiked "perseverence trail" and I can’t say I was really prepared for it but it was fun.

9. Held a praying mantis – Never have, never will. I try to keep a safe distance from all animals and insects.
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris – no, which is crazy because I’ve been to soo many countries in Europe!
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch – is calligraphy an art?
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty – no, but I’ve seen it in person. Who wants to do that when you could be shopping in NYC?!?
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked - Heck no, that is dangerous
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill – sadly no, I am too scared of getting busted.
24. Held a lamb
25.?
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset – just last night, it was beautiful!
31. Hit a home run – LOL! I’m not so much sporty. Maybe on a video game though.
32. Been on a cruise – many many cruises, I love them!

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language – I’ve been working on French for awhile but it’s hard when I have no one to practice with!
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied – depends on what day you ask me :)
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing – at a rock gym but not in the great outdoors
40. Seen Michelangelo's David – The museum was closed the day we were in Florence but I did see where it is!
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa – this is one of my goals!
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance – unfortunately yes, car accident when I was 17.
47. Had your portrait painted – there’s a watercolor of me when I was little hanging in my parent’s living room
48. Gone deep sea fishing – I don’t like fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person - no art was harmed in this picture-no flash used here either, my sister took it because I was scared to break the rules (such a nerd). It was incredible!

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris - let's go right now!

Part two to follow ...

Grinchy? I hope not

I have decided I'm not sending out Christmas cards this year. Does that make me Grinchy? I sure hope not. I love everything about Christmas but the card thing has been stressing me out. This has been an ongoing struggle for me. For the past few years we have taken amazing trips and had wonderful card-worthy photos to send - but do I ever remember this until it's too late? Of course not. I have been sending regular cards (very carefully selected - I'm picky) that I'm sure go in the trash as soon as they are received and read. It's kind of a waste of money. This year we didn't take a big trip and I don't really feel like I have a photo that is fun or interesting. Additionally, I am taking pictures for several people's cards this year so I just feel tired when it comes to being creative for my own. I was once called "The Queen of Correspondence" by a friend and I think that's why I have so much guilt about not sending cards but I just can't do it this year. Next year's photo card is going to be fabulous though ... I promise!

Lots of cute pictures coming soon to my other blog - this weekend is going to be a busy one!

Close Talkers

The other night I attended two work-related holiday cocktail parties (yes, it was a bit painful) and I noticed an alarming trend. Lots of people are close talkers. You know, the people that literally get so close to your face that you wonder if they are trying to count your pores while they talk to you. The first person I was talking to literally backed me into a corner. I could feel a trash can hitting the back of my legs and actually wondered if I could fit inside of it - I wanted her out of my face that bad. The next close talker I encountered would only move in when she got to a really exciting part of the story she was telling. The more wine she drank, the more excited she got, and then she'd move in practically nose to nose. Maybe it's just me but I prefer a little breathing room, especially when I don't know someone. Beware of the close talkers ...