The Creative Connection Event {and roaches}

Hey guys!  Ok, so I have to start by telling you guys a story.  I tried my hand at the whole thrifting thing again today.  I was out running errands and passed by a Goodwill.  So I pulled in and thought I’d give it a shot and see if I could find a fun table or chair to makeover {in my endless amount of free time}.  I was browsing around not having much luck.  I walked to the back where they had all the furniture, rugs, lamps, etc.  That’s when I saw it. 

A roach.

Crawling across the floor. 

I just about gagged.  I was already a little freaked out by the smell in there.

That is when I proceeded to take my baby and march my not-so-happy butt outta there. 

I mean, gross.  I’m not a goody-two-shoes or a super clean-freak type of person by any means.  But when I saw that roach {which was about the size of a small kitten}, I couldn’t help but wonder how many others there were.  Or maybe there were rats.  Eeww. 

Moving on………

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Have you heard of The Creative Connection Event??  I just found out about it about a week ago!  I have been itching to attend a blog conference and try to learn as much as I possibly can!  I just want to go and meet some of my fav bloggers and be inspired and learn!

Enter The Creative Connection!!

This sounds like the perfect event for me!

Here’s the 411:

“Bringing together the creative process of handmade goods and food with the marketing savvy of business and social media, the second annual event will draw on the rich experience of over 100 industry experts, entrepreneurs, and authors. Hands-on workshops in cooking, knitting, sewing, jewelry making, crochet, creative writing, paper crafts, photography, food styling, book publishing, painting, baking, cheese making, canning, journaling, and more will be joined with social networking and business panels that focus on the practical details of setting up, running, and marketing a business and leveraging its impact through blogging and other social media.”

The good news is, they are giving away 2 FREE tickets to their event!!  And that includes hotel!!!  Say whaaaaa??

So I have the chance to attend an amazing event, be inspired, have a free hotel, AND bring a friend!?!  Where do I sign!!??

All you have to do is head over to the TCC Blog and leave a comment over there, on THEIR BLOG.

Done & done!  I really hope I win!

Wish me luck!

Have you guys attended any blog conferences or events?  Did you learn a lot?

xoxo,

Amy

The Thrift Gods Finally Smiled On Me!

I’ll admit, I don’t frequent thrift stores.  Like….I never go!  They sort of freak me out.  But I do recognize the fact that there are some serious treasures out there to be found.  I am constantly reading on some amazing blogs about all the wonderful things they find at thrift stores for soooooo cheap!  The handful of times I’ve been to a thrift store I’ve never been able to find anything worth my time.

Sometimes I think to myself, “I want in on that action”!

So yesterday Emily and I packed up and headed to a little town called Havana.  It’s about 20-3- minutes from where I live.  We went there because I wanted to go to this super cute children’s boutique called Sassy & Bud.  Local mamas……if you haven’t been there yet, you MUST GO!  Such cute stuff!  Ok, I’m getting off topic…..

Anyway, on our way up to Sassy & Bud I passed a junkyard thrift store called Secondhand Sandies.  I got the willies and kept on driving.  It just didn’t look like the kind of place I wanted to stop and take my baby into.  Well, on the way back we obviously had to drive by it again.  I kept driving.  But something, I don’t know what, but something told me to turn around and go back.  I mean, what was there to lose, right?  I figured I’d just pop in for 5 minutes and check it out. 

I’m so glad I did!

I finally had some luck!!

I got 3 amazing milk glass pieces!!!

First up, this stand!  I love, love, love it!  It was $9.  A little pricey for a thrift store (I thought), but the lady said it was antique.  Who knows.  I can’t wait to put some cookies on this bad boy!

Next is this small bowl.  It needs some cleaning, but with some soap, water, and a sponge I bet this thing will shine like new!  It’s perfect for holding jewelry and/or other small trinkets.  And at $2, I couldn’t pass it up!

This is another small bowl/cup/thingy-ma-bob.  It has a textured print on the outside.  So neat!  I love it.  $3 for this beaute!  This will look great on top of a stack of books or something.

I am so glad I stopped!  The thrift gods finally smiled on me.  Now I’m kind of itching to go see what else I can find!

Have you had any killer thrift store finds lately?

Happy Friday!!!  Have a great weekend!!

xoxo,

Amy

 

NKOTBSB {The Aftermath}

So I am back from my whirlwind trip to Orlando, FL to see New Kids On The Block & The Backstreet Boys.

I’ll just start by saying my voice is finally back to normal.  It started coming back around Tuesday and I finally didn’t sound like a man anymore.

It was ah-mazing!  I swear I feel like I’m 12 again and that I shouldn’t be acting this way because I am almost 30.  Almost thirty year olds don’t act this way, right?  Whatever.

I literally almost don’t even have words for this trip.  All I can say is the concert was amazing, the after party was even better, the hotel was so-so, and the company was the best! 

Now……the pictures!

Dinner @ Urban Flats was soooo good.  And CHEAP!  We all ate and drank cocktails for under $20 each!

Seriously??  Ugh!  I don’t even have words.

D-Dub’s after party was amazing.  We were so close!

 

Boyz II Men goin’ on……

So you’re probably wondering why Boyz II Men was there.  They ended up doing a surprise appearance at the concert and they did a few of the classics (End of the Road, I’ll Make Love To You, Motownphilly).  It was such a blast.

But, now I’m back to reality.  My voice is back.  And I’m ready for my next concert!

But until then, I’ll leave you with Jordan’s new video for his new song featuring Donnie Wahlberg!!

 Aaahhhh……*love*Ok, I’m done now.  Have a fabulous day!!!!xoxo,Amy

 

 

Padalily {aka….life saver}

Have you heard of Padalily??

If you’re a mom, chances are you have!  A Padalily is a pure stroke of genius stylish, thick pad that goes on your car seat handle.  It basically helps ease the pain of toting around your chunk of love! 

I literally would get blood blisters in the bend of my elbow from carrying Emily in her car seat.  And that was just from the kitchen to the garage!  Forget trying to run in a store really quick.  Oh the pain.

I broke down and purchased a Padalily at my local baby boutique.  It has been a serious life saver!!

That’s the one I got!  It has the minky material down the middle!  So soft!

They have tons of different styles and patterns to choose from!

    

Aren’t they so cute!  And they are reaaaally thick so it helps distribute the weight of the car seat.

I love mine.  But it was kind of pricey.  And I do think now {in hindsight} that I could have DIY’d one like Preppy Mom did!  Look how hers turned out:

Not too bad!

So, moms, have you ever tried a Padalily?  Or have you DIY’d your own?  I’d love to hear your stories!!

PS – I was not paid or perked by Padalily.  It has just so happened to be a great purchase in our household and I love it dearly.

xoxo,

Amy

NKOTBSB

So, if you follow me on Twitter or on my Facebook page you probably have realized by now that I have a slight obsession.

With New Kids On The Block. 

Like, it’s borderline disgusting how obsessed I am.

I’m not the crazy obsessed type that posts on NKOTB message boards and has a NKOTB tattoo or anything.

It all started when I was 6.  I went to my first concert and it was NKOTB.  My cousin and I sat in the nosebleed section crying like little girls because we couldn’t believe we were actually there seeing our 5 favorite boys of all time.  My obsession didn’t stop at just going to a concert.  Oh no.

I had the lunchbox and thermos, a few different nightgowns, the enormous buttons to put on my jean jacket {don’t act like you didn’t have a jean jacket that you drew on with puff paint}, the dolls, the tapes, the videos, I recorded them on VHS every time they were on TV (in fact, my mom just found a VHS where we recorded them on the Oprah show), I had a big toy chest that had NKOTB on it, I had the sheets and sleeping bags.  I mean…..it was ridiculous.  And I still have a lot of that stuff! 

Fast forward 20 years.  They made a comeback!!!

Grown men!!

I don’t think I have ever been so excited about anything in my whole life (ok, maybe my wedding day and the birth of my child.  Maybe  ). 

November of 2008 a few girlfriends and I went to Ft. Lauderdale to see the new New Kids On The Block in concert.  Of course I already had every song on their new album memorized!!  My girlfriend worked at a t-shirt printing company at the time and had shirts made for all of us.

Yes, the back of my shirt says “Future Mrs. Wahlberg!  Or Waller if we can’t get back stage!”  Classic!  Obviously we didn’t make it back stage because my last name is Waller now.

*Love*

Give it to me D-Dub!!

Seriously.  Epic.

I’m sure most of you are saying in your heads, “Geez lady, grow up!  You have a husband, a kid, and have yet to lose your baby weight.  Get over it!”

But I refuse!  Nope.  I’m in for the long haul.

In fact, I’m doing it all over again TOMORROW NIGHT!!!!  Yessssss!!

I am taking a baby-free, hubby-free trip to Orlando with my girlfriend Amber to partake in this epic-ness again!  This time with the Backstreet Boys (another one of my “tween” years favs)!!!

Seriously, words cannot describe how excited I am.  F’real!

We are meeting up with friends before the show for dinner and drinks.  I might have dribbled in my pants a time or two I’m just soooooo excited!!!

Ok, enough about that.  I will be back next week with a full report and pictures from this glorious occasion!

Until then……keep “hangin’ tough”!  {Hahahaha…..I had to!  I couldn’t resist!}

xoxo,

Amy

The Wonderful World of Pinterest Wednesday

Sometimes I wonder if Pinterest will ever NOT be addicting.  Naahhh…..I doubt it!

Here are my favorite finds this week!

These mum pumpkins are so perfect for fall!

I love this idea of feeding a paper bag through the printer to put a neat design on it!

This aqua pillow is GORGEOUS!  I love it.  But…..it’s $94 for the pair (and that’s on sale)!!!

I love the stacked stone wall in this laundry room!

This would be so pretty as a centerpiece on my breakfast table!

I love this tutu table for Emily’s first birthday!

I just love this whole set up.  Especially the centerpiece.  This is how I want Em’s 1st birthday!

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And there you have it, friends!  Pinterest never ceases to amaze me!

Are you following me yet on there?  If not…..why?? 

xoxo,

Amy