Love Captured Contest

I told you I'd be back with a fab contest, didn't I?! Oh yes. The details are up over at Make Room for Style. I've partnered with Laura at Chikadeez Photography to offer up a FREE 2-hour photo session to the contest winner. All you gotta do is share your greatest love story - whatever that is! Laura does amazing work and she specializes in family, children, and pet portraiture.

Hop over here for the scoop and to enter!

Spanx much?

First of all, happy October 15th! That's a nod to my fellow nerdy tax accountants out there. Hallelujah... But the real reason I'm hopping on here before I run off to work is to let you know that Atlanta-based Spanx is looking for more wear testers. I've mentioned a time or two on here that I do some test wearing for Spanx. I can't dish on the products, but I will say it's a fun experience. They are always testing new products on guinea pigs like me. I give them my honest opinion through online surveys, and I get to keep the products. I mean, what's not to love?! And as I said, Spanx is looking for more volunteers to do some testing. Basically, they send products to your home, you wear them as much as you can in the given time frame, and then you complete a survey with your feedback. It's of absolutely no cost to you, so if you're interested, go for it! To get involved, drop an email to product coordinators Amanda Gardner or Kyli Cohron.

But bloggy world, one word to you guys... they specifically request that you do NOT post any information or reviews (good or bad) on the products you receive for wear testing. Your feedback should only be shared with Spanx via the online surveys they send you directly, as many of these products are not on the market yet. And that's exactly why I don't talk about it on here except to say that (a) I'm doing it, and (b) you should, too!

They want women of all sizes, all ages, and even you mommas-to-be. They do have a line of maternity Spanx and are always happy to find prego wear testers. So get to it!

Goodies on the Auction Block

It's been a while since we got busy selling stuff, so we're going for another round. We're trying to get extra aggressive (supa Cheetah style for you fellow Dave Ramsey fans) over the next few months with knocking off a few of our smaller debts. We know once we get pregnant (and stay pregnant) we're going to have to put the debt snowball on hold and start stashing away cash.

Unfortunately, we don't have any kind of maternity leave at my office, so I'm saving up vaca this year to roll over into 2010 (I can roll over up to 2 weeks, but I get 5 weeks total in a year). So the plan for now is to roll over 2 weeks to 2010, which will give me a total of 7 weeks vaca for the calendar year. I plan to take off 3 months, so I'll use 6 weeks vaca... which means I'll be without a paycheck for about half of that time. I want to save the 7th week for odds and ends and the holidays, you know. And if we don't end up having a 2010 baby, well, I'll just have lots of vacation time!

Anyway, so we've been rummaging through junk again to see what all we can sell. I was hesitant to do so the first go around, but I'm so far past caring about "stuff" these days, that I barely blinked before throwing these babies up on ebay...





Hardly junk, I know... but honestly, am I gonna miss these bags? No, not really. I honestly think I get way more attached to shoes than I do bags. I can't believe I just said that... but it's true. Really, the Marc Jacobs bag is a bit small for me. I thought it was a lot bigger when I originally got it. Y'all know I'm a honkin' huge bag carrying girl. So no medium bag is really going to do for everyday use... and while I love the look of the bag, it's just not very practical for me personally.

I seriously bought the Kate Spade bag because the style name was "Amanda." I mean... meant to be, right? She uses my name quite a lot - shoes too. But so far I've refrained from insisting on buying all the Amanda products ever made. Haha! I love, love this bag - it's so chic... but how often do I use it? MAYBE once a year. Maybe. So... ebay!!!

Here's hoping we get a few bucks out of these! We shall see...

OMG!

Look what my Uggs have been bid up to!!! And there is still almost a whole day left. And you know what's so funny? I totally had these in a shoe bin at my last clothing swap and no one took them. SUCKERS!!!

Update 10/08/08: Shazam!!! SOLD to the highest bidder for a whopping $153.50! I cannot believe it! I paid only $110 for those pups like 3 or 4 years ago. I also remembered I had some pink infant Uggs tucked away in my someday closet... but you can bet your britches I listed those today! Woo hoo!

Up for grabs: FURNITURE!

OK, peaches... or even almost sorta-kinda peaches if you think it's worth the drive... here are the pieces of furniture we have up on Craigslist right now. I'm just going to give links to our listings - so click on the photos to get all the deets on each piece. If interested, feel free to email the hub via the address given on the ads, or you can email me for more info too. Thanks, all!


Pottery Barn Modular Wine Bar - Mahagony Stain - $750


PB still sells this set via the catalog/site ONLY (translation: big ass shipping charges tacked on), so this is a killer deal. Excellent condition! We're also willing to sell this one piece-meal (i.e. one base and one hutch).



Rooms-to-Go Entertainment Center - $600


My parents got this for my late gpa last Christmas, so it was only in use for 3 months. Practically brand new!!! I have no idea why the hub didn't remove that vase on there, but hey... if you ask nice we might throw that in too. ;-)



Restoration Hardware Blaine Collection Black Chest - $900


This one is honestly the hardest to see go... I LOVE this piece. It is so freaking gorgeous, but hey - it's just *stuff*, right?! We paid $2800 for this pup from the main store - not the outlet. And it is one HEAVY-arse piece of furniture. Even our big mamma-jamma movers who looked like they could crack my neck with their pinkies complained. So if you come for this one, bring reinforcements.


Again - my 2005 Toyota 4Runner Sport Edition is also up for grabs! We are reposting that tonight... so I'll add that link in a bit. Love it, love it... but that's the easiest debt to get rid of fast - so buh bye. No more car payments ever ever!!! EVER!

The wedding gown.

I told y'all I was doing it, though the majority of you said HELL NO. But hey, momma needs a new pair of shoes, so... she's up!

Three things for Thursday...

1. I added some measurements to my maternity denim detail below up for grabs, as inquiring minds wanted to know!

2. My $4.95 jeans arrived yesterday. They're gorgeous, but tragically, are one size too big. :-( I'm SO totally bummed... Guess I'll be returning those puppies. I do think my next designer denim purchase will definitely be Rich & Skinny's though - love them.

3. I'll be drawing a winner for my stationery giveaway tomorrow afternoon! Don't forget to sign up here by 5 o'clock tomorrow! My stuff is rather delicious, if I do say so myself, so don't miss out! :-)

:: One year ago today ::

Up for grabs: Designer Maternity Denim

That's right, ladies con buddha bellies... I've got some maternity denim I'm getting rid of and wanted to see if any of you lovelies were interested. "But Buford Betty, why do you have maternity jeans?" Because dear readers, this girl has mental issues and likes to play scavenger on maternity clearance sites! Puhleez - y'all know this about me. But alas, while we're turning seat cushions looking for spare change these days, I've decided to sell some of my someday closet items. Honestly, I don't think these jeans will really end up fitting me in the future anyway. I did put them up on ebay but didn't have much of any luck. Really with these, it's like if somebody wants them, great - but if not, I'm cool with hanging on to them. I really just want to get back what I paid for them, so that's what my price points are here. OK so here's what's in my trunk...

Seven for all Mankind - for A Pea in the Pod - $110

Maternity Jeans, size Medium (30" inseam), retail was $210

Waist (belly band) measures 15" across at top when lying flat; hips measure 20"

I love Seven's and have several pair (non-maternity obviously), but these particular ones are the SOFTEST jeans ever. And the inseam is short enough for most to wear with flats or flops. Not the usual Amazon woman leg length of their normal jeans.

Paige Premium Denim Maternity Capris - $50

size 30, retail was approx. $168

Hips measure 19.5" across when lying flat.

I also love me some Paige denim... these are super cute too and damn, what a deal. I hate to part with them for loss of my bragging rights. But I've only really been able to brag to my dogs so far since they're just collecting dust in my closet.

Like I said, if any of you gals are interested, GREAT! If not, no bigs. I will let these go on a first-comment-first-serve basis... just specify which one you want (or you're welcome to both, of course) and leave me your email so I can contact you. I'll collect payment via paypal, just to keep it simple. If they arrive and you're not in love, I'll gladly take them back and refund your money provided you return them within 7 days and in their original condition. Geez, I am starting to sound like fine-print!

I'll certainly be glad to answer any questions on these before you buy - commenting does not obligate you to buy - it just means I'll go to you first. Both of these have the under belly band and both just pull up and on - no buttons or zippers, etc. And both are new with tags - never worn. (Though it's possible somebody may have tried them on once with a pillow stuck under their shirt - no idea who, but I'm just sayin'.)

Alright girls, have at it! And speaking of designer denim, guess what arrives today! I'm sooo pumped. Oh please fit, please fit! I'll give y'all the scoop tomorrow...

:: One year ago today ::