au revoir...paris!

la basilique du Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre, Paris

I've been in Paris the last few days for work and am leaving tomorrow.
I stayed downtown this time and it's been great riding the Metro to and from...pretending I was a little Parisian myself. By the way I took that picture above...and I had to climb many, many stairs to get inside. At least I had a chance to work off the bread I've been eating. No wonder people are thin over here!

I don't think I could ever grow tired of coming here. Although, I think this shall be the very last time I come alone. I would like to have a friend or my Mom in tow to tour the city and sit in a French cafe with. I've been here 4 times now and never with anyone to pal around with and I always feel weird about eating alone in a restaurant. And, honestly I am not complaining at all, it's been great to be able to come here as many times as I have. Most of the time I'd rather eat french bread (or croissants) along the way, anyhow.

To be honest, I don't even know what Paris would be like to have someone to share it with? I get secretly jealous of the groups of girlfriends I see or couples together. I don't think it would ever be possible to get Tim on a plane for 7+ hours. But...I know that I will take my daughter here for sure some day!

lovin lately....

My favorites things lately:

I recently bought a pair of these Privo shoes...seriously my feet have never felt anything so cushy. LOVE.

I am asking for this bag for Christmas or my Birthday...doesn't matter, they are only 10 days apart :)

I can't stop listening to 'Someone Like You' by Adele. That song speaks to me...

I also recently bought these jeans and they are the softest pair I own.

I am so happy for Fall and that I live only 1/4 mile from a cider mill. YUM!

where have i been?

I guess I took a big ol' bloggy break that I didn't even plan on taking. Oops. Sometimes my real life gets in the way. By the way, at my J-O-B, this time of the year is the busiest for me. After Labor Day, it basically fast forward and increasing speed each day - - all - the - way - to - freakin - Christmas! Blahhhhhhhh. So as I am moving at Lightening speed, I forget all the little important things in life that keep me sane: like taking a time out to dance a jig with Leighton, update this blog, paint my toes, create new things for my etsy shop, watch a movie...

Have I mentioned that I am enjoying the fall weather? I am not, however enjoying this rainy spell we are having. Today at work, they brought in gallons of cider and hundreds of fresh donuts for us from Yates Cider Mill (a local place). It was awesome. I ate 3 donuts...I couldn't help myself. They were so fresh, warm and delicious. The only thing that could have made it better, was if they would have had caramel apples for dessert :)

Happy Thursday!

we're out!

We are hopping off the grid for a while and taking a few days to visit our favorite pals: Mickey, Goofy, Donald, Minnie and Daisy. We will probably also stop in to visit Clarabelle, Pete, Chip and Dale and Pluto.

We'll be back in a week or so with a bunch of good pictures and I am quite sure that I will have some sort of toddler brain explosion story to tell. We will miss you!

happy friday!

Before I announce the winner for the labels...I wanted to tell you what Leighton said to me yesterday morning when I was getting ready for work.

She said "Momma, my favorite thing to do is to hug you".

Seriously?? I could have just fell over dead right there.
She makes my day better and because of her, I try to be a better person.

She also makes me realize that it's the little simple things that you can say or do to one another can really makes someone's day.

So, in the spirit of making someone's day...
I have decided that all (3) people who commented for the label giveaway is going to win a set of (25) labels. So Stephanie, Meg and Tamsyn, please e-mail to me what address you want on your labels and where I should mail them.

Send the e-mail to: donahue_jackie {at} yahoo {dot} com.

Thank you for entering girls!

Have a great weekend!

win it!

So sorry that I have been away. I have been super busy at home with home improvement projects and I was backed up with orders from my etsy.com site.

To make it up to all of you...I am giving away a set of these pretty new labels that are now available here.

(woot, woot!)

Just leave a comment and you will be entered.
Winner will be chosen on Friday, August 12th.

P.S. Please tell your friends :)

Happy Tuesday.

par-tay time.

When we have a party, it's no holds barred.
Some things you can expect:

A good spread, a variety of drinks and ice cream!
Multiple exciting activities.

Exhibit A: 12ft x 75ft of fun!

choo, choo!

Such a fun weekend we had!

We went to a birthday pool party with our cousins...that was fun, although as soon as we got there, Leighton insisted on going in the pool and because, obvs she can't swim alone (although she thinks she could), yours truly had to sport a bathing suit for all the fam to see. Still a little uneasy about that, but I did it for the happiness of my daughter (I'm a good momma, ha-ha). She was jumping off the ladder within 10 minutes. And then...we couldn't get her out of the pool - just cried and carried on when it was time to get out.

On Sunday, we went to the Huckleberry Railroad, which is about 20-25 minutes from our house. There are train rides and paddle boat rides. There is even a small amusement area consisting of a ferris wheel and a merry-go-round. So fun! Another cool thing is that during Halloween, they decorate the train as the Huckleberry Ghost Train Express, have trick-or-treating for the kids, a straw maze, an enchanted forest, an old fashioned magic show and yummy cider and donuts! I am really looking forward to taking Leighton there this fall!

The train!

Pictures in the caboose.

All aboard!

The paddleboat.

Magnificent!

Whee!

After our train ride adventure, we had dinner at The French Laundry in Fenton. If you ever have a chance to go there, do and stat! Not only does it have a Parisian flair that I adore, but they have the best sandwiches and salads around. De-double-lish!

How cute is this?

the latest.

I just finished these note cards up. Took me a longer than usual with all of my projects & mommy duties mixed in. I think they are pretty swell. They are available for every state, even though only Michigan is featured in my etsy shop. I think these cards would be so fun as a 'moving card' for those of you who are might be jumping states or as a gift for someone you know that moved...

weekend!

We had such a fun weekend hanging with friends.
Thanks for inviting us over Kristi and Joe.
We should do that more often.

This is truly what Summer is all about.

dresses!

I went on a work trip recently for a couple days. I wanted to pack light, so I wore a dress and I packed one to wear the next day. I think that may have been the lightest and easiest packing job I ever had. It was awesome! Made me think that those friends of mine who wear dresses were really on to something.

So, I've been really digging on dresses lately and skirts. Not that I was opposed to them before, but there just wasn't a good selection of them. Until now...have you noticed? It's like dresses are making a come back! I have been having so much fun looking and buying new dresses to wear. Recently I came upon this website that sells vintage inspired clothing and just about fell over *dead*. Are you serious...cute dresses for $30 + up? I am a huge fan of Anthropologie, but I am not always able to afford the prices, so I have to be mindful and wait for things to go on sale. Ruche, I think, rivals Anthropologie but is much more affordable. I found cute dresses and cute tops...and the shoes (oh my goodness, the shoes). 

Here are some of my favorites (and I may or may not make a purchase before the weekend is up - ha, ha):

Adorable! I heart the ruffle waist.

I love the peek-a-boo hem on this skirt.

I really wanted this skirt, but they are sold out. I signed up for an e-mail if it becomes available again.

These shoes will be mine.

Someone invite me to a wedding, please so I can buy this dress!

I don't have anything this color. So cute.

skillz

I try not to throw Leighton in your face too much in dis' here blog, but today I am going to share with you here amazing stacking skillz. Seriously...it's pretty impressive. The girl can stack anything. Normally, you stack blocks from the biggest (on bottom) to the littlest on top. Not my girl. She stacks smallest to largest, you should see her steady hand!

I have to share this picture with you. It is one I snapped of Leighton stacking my make-up (yes, I have a major addiction to Bare Escentuals, it's embarrassing, sorry!). Now these little containers are tricky because they have slightly domed tops - - not so easy to stack. I had my back turned for a few seconds and I turned around to see this:

Impressive, no?

I am not exactly sure what can be done with this skill, but I am hoping that it'll make her lots of money in the future :)

i may/may not have done this...

I may have purchased these shoes on the very same day I picked up a similar pair for someone for a Father's Day present, maybe not? I am just saying as all...



Because if I did...I would/could be very excited about receiving them in a short 5-7 business days.

And just to put it into perspective for myself (because I would have paid with my own side money): 14 sets of labels sold on my etsy.com (after material & shipping & etsy/paypal costs) = (1) pair of Keen sandals (sale price). Translation: I would have to do a lot of side work to buy these :)