Monogram Me

My beautiful bestie, Hope is getting married this September and a friend of ours is thinking about throwing her a monogram shower some time before the wedding. 

If you've never been to a monogram shower, it's fairly simple. You just take the bride-to-be a gift (ranging from purse to jewelry to home item) featuring her new, married monogram. 

So I, being the ever-so-prepared one, have already started looking at some awesome gifts. 

Since as the matron of honor I will be attending every shower and also be planning/hosting her bachelorette party (in Charlotte, in August) I want to get her a little gift (like under $20) for each shower instead of one big gift or spending lots each time.

Here are my favorite monogrammable gifts thus far, as usual Etsy runs the gambit on having the best things for the best price, but there are a few other sites too:

Monogrammed Scalloped Tray from TinyTulip.com only $18

Monogrammed acrylic bowl - perfect for storing jewelry and such - $18 at The Pink Monogram

Monogrammed apron $15 at Etsy

Monogrammed oval tin $14.50 at Etsy

The cheapeast foldable market tote I've been able to find - $17.95 at Etsy

Large personalized acrylic tray $18 at Etsy

Personalized melamine plate - $17 at Etsy

Personalized clipboard $12 at Etsy

Personalized coasters - $4.25/coaster at Etsy

The real tricky part is going to be ordering something for Hope... without ordering something for myself.

2010 New Year's Resolutions

1. Get back in shape

Every single year I resolve to lose weight, but for once it is something that absolutely HAS to be done since after baby I have about 25 pounds of baby weight I need to shed in addition to the pre-existing poundage I wanted to lose. This resolution especially needs to be a reality since I am going to be in a wedding come Sept. 17. I would love to weigh around 145lbs. (which at 5'9 and with my frame is about where I should be) but since I am tipping the scale in triple digits that begin with a 2 right now - it is going to be quite the struggle.

2. No soft drinks - more water

This will be a little easier than the first resolution since I have already had to increase my water in-take and since there is a water machine at work that I can visit to fill up my little "Bubba Keg" every day.

3.  Do a daily devotional

I would say "Read the Bible more" but I have a really hard time reading the bible without a devotion or story to help tie what I'm reading to my life or interpret the text into something I understand better. I have truly no excuse for NOT doing a devotional - I even have the Bible app on my BlackBerry. 

4. FINISH PAINTING DINING ROOM CHAIRS

By now, you've probably read the story about how I painted just about every piece of furniture that entered my and Josh's house (since most of them were hand-me-downs, it was necessary). Well I was right in the middle of painting my dining room chairs "Cloud White" when my knee went all crazy and they are still yet to be completed.

5. Actually use the coupons I clip/print.

I am forever clipping a coupon, joining a coupon site or printing them off-line then not even using them. So ridiculous. 

A few little secrets....

1)      I am really bad about making “To Do” lists during church, NOT during the sermon just during the morning announcements, birthday & anniversary recognitions and such. If you are reading this Mrs. Kimberly DO NOT tell Brother Dennis…. If you’re reading this Brother Dennis please note that I said “NOT during the sermon” 

2)      Today, I wanted to wear these cute little navy flats that have a little open toe part… but I can’t really reach my feet well enough to paint my toenails – so I just painted the only two toes that show.

3)      I get a plain biscuit with grape jelly and a small Coke from McDonalds OR a plain biscuit with grape jelly & a cinnamon twist with a small Pepsi from BoJangles 3 out of 5 mornings of the work week. Today is the LAST day though; it’s one of my resolutions.

4)      My husband does NOT know how much I owe on my J.Crew card and hopefully he never will – or he would make me cut it up and forbid me from shopping there every again.

 5)      I love my Lilly Pulitzer planner, but the stupid elastic piece kept breaking so I stapled it on.