cute, creative, clever costumes...BOO!

happy BOO day to you!

the days of me getting the costume

"just right" for my girls are pretty much gone:(

but we had good times.

and, ahem, if i can be allowed to brag.......

we MADE our costumes:)

for the most part.

but there are such doggone cute ones out there now, 

i probably would be buying them these days.

here are a few for your viewing pleasure.....

hmmm...very clever, but cooking a baby?

yikes:)

sweetest ghosts ever!

love the shark idea.....

but is it just me, or does it look as if this cutie is being eaten?:)

NOT a happy bride!

oink, oink...cute lil piggy!

BOO!

Suzanne

for my girls.......

i titled this for my girls,

but you can read it if you like:)

i have a board especially for them on Pinterest.

it has fashions i think they would like, songs we love,

LOTS of advice and little things i want them to remember.

you know, when teenagers are at or approaching the dating scene,

you can't be there enough for them.  

And with my ballerina turning 18,

i need to REALLY make sure she is prepared:)

here are some of my recent favorites.

sorry for all the pics!

sweet girls,

please know this.......

there will be many things to celebrate...

and disappointments along life's path.

there's always a choice to be made.

make good choices.

you were raised with christian morals and values.

never feel you have to compromise them.

people who truly love you and care about you

will never ask you to change.

as for dating and relationships........

remember this.......

i love this one.

what a guy!

 i especially want you to read and remember these next two.

i love them both and couldn't choose my favorite,

so i am including both.

i'm gonna print these out and plaster your walls with them:)

because

someday you will be faced with choices.

you need to be prepared now;)

i love you!

two SIMPLE steps to SIMPLIFY your life.......

seriously.....

only TWO steps.

hard to believe, i know.

because we ALL want a simple, HAPPY life, right?

well, here you go......

as i think about this, it is easy.

but we make it difficult, 

worrying about things.

like what others will think if we don't volunteer as always,

not saying no to time wasting activities,

creating clutter.....

on top of clutter.

i'm as guilty as the rest.

but i really, truly am going to try and remember these two steps.

because this really says it all.....

identify what's important to you and get rid of the rest.

and i know it's not truly easy in the course of every day life.

but maybe, just maybe,

i can make things a tiny bit easier if i remember this:)

if you need more steps to simplify,

check out this list of 30 tips to simplify at 

marcandangel

have a SIMPLY happy day!

Suzanne

What do Scotty McCreery, Tootsie Rolls, Victoria's Secret, Twitter and Flat Stanley Have in Common?

hmmmmmmm........
give up?

they're all great gift ideas this year!

i know, it isn't even halloween yet,

but you have to admit time is FLYING by.......

before you know it, halloween is past, the turkey is stuffed:)

and the Christmas Holiday is upon us.

don't believe me?

i try to hold off.
really!!!
but just as some don't like talking
 or even THINKING about it,
i happen to LOVE thinking about it.
"keep Christmas in your heart all year, ya know???:)
gotcha!
and no, it is NOT all about shopping.
far from it.
it's the whole "package, so to speak;)
now, in my defense, Taylorina is in full NUTCRACKER mode

and on Saturday, we are doing a Holiday Boutique for
Vintage Charm.
soooooooo.......
be warned.......
cause here on my lil 'ol blog,
 the Christmas season is OFFICIALLY on :)


now, the one thing i know how to do is SHOP!
and these are just a FEW little ideas to get you started.
no doubt i'll have MANY more in the days to come, okay?

on to gift idea #1.....
Christmas Music
my first gift idea is actually a Pre-Holiday gift.
remember Scotty McCreery,
who WON American Idol a few years back?
if not, here's the low-down.
Scotty is one of the Good Guys.
~~~17 years old when he won.
~~~a sweet, shy, southern boy who sings country music
 with his beautiful deep baritone voice.
~~~a Christian.....who at 17 was not afraid to share his
Faith at every opportunity on national TV.....
and still isn't.
~~~a very grounded, all american, baseball loving kid who
is doing it the "right" way.
~~~the kind of young man you hope and PRAY your
daughters bring home some day.

 Scotty released a Christmas CD this week,
and when i listened to it,
i just knew it had to be my number one pre-holiday gift idea this year.
songs include the traditional
Let it Snow,  First Noel,  Jingle Bells,   Holly Jolly Christmas,
Winter Wonderland,   Christmas in Heaven (one of my favorites)
Christmas Comin Round Again,  O Holy Night,
The Christmas Song,  Elvis's  version of Santa Claus is Back in Town,
and the most beautiful, pure version of "Mary Did You Know" I've ever heard.
trust me, at $11.99, it's a GREAT gift!

and being the GINORMOUS fan of Michael Buble that i am,
i MUST tell you he also has a Christmas cd coming out.

(something tells me i'm gonna be adding a few new albums this year)


gift idea #2.
PINK Clothes from VS.
ummm.....what's so new about this?
well, they finally added a REALLY pretty
SOFT pastel pink to their line.
and it's flying out of the stores.
these photos don't do justice.

once again, trust me.....
they will be a HUGE hit for someone on your list.
i also love this hooded, raglan sleeve top.
talk about COMFY!
and these Sparkly boots are super cute:)
all from VS.
and selling out fast!



gift idea #3. 
Books!
 of my favorite authors is John Grisham,
and he has a new book out,
The Racketeer.

actually, he has a lot of books, and if you haven't read them,
now might be a good time to start.
they're clean.....and gripping from the very start.
this would be a very welcome gift around here!


any TEENS on your list?
this is an AWESOME book that i have given
 as gifts for a few years now.

5......

Where Will You Be FIVE Years from Today?

actually, it is a great book for anyone, of any age.

here's what it's about;

The next five years can be the most exciting and satisfying years of your life---or just another five years. Whether you are just graduating from college, newly married, considering a new career, setting goals for retirement, or just looking to inspire a special friend, employee or family member, here's the most inspiring and compelling gift you can find.

sounds good, huh?


know anyone who's a fan of Christian fiction?
Tricia Goyer is a really good writer,
and her brand new book is on MY wish list:)
The Memory Jar.

Click here to read about it on amazon.

and the last book for today is actually a BOOK SET,
and it's for the kiddos out there.
the adventures of FLAT STANLEY!!!

i wish we'd known about Flat Stanley when i was a kid.
fortunately, Stanley comes to stay with us once in awhile,
 and we get to have fun that way:)
i bet the little ones on your list would love having this books set!


gift idea #4.
a TWITTER necklace.
like facebook and other social networking sites,
twitter is HUGE.
and if you know someone who LOVES to TWEET
 (kinda sounds silly, i know;)
here is the perfect accessory for them.....

a twitter id necklace, from various sellers on ETSY
these are a few examples.
mine would read @shabbychicksmom.
hey...it's just an idea:)

gift idea #5.......
a Tootsie Roll scarf!!!

look, if you have to go through winter,
why not have a sense of humor about it?
even better if you love tootsie rolls (like i do!:)
you laugh, but these are selling out fast.
i found this on amazon,
but if they sell out,
try searching other stores online.
good luck...it's realllllly CUTE!
gosh, i need to stop!

but a few more things.......
like, where is this place?

i want to shop there!
shoot, i want to LIVE there!!! :)

and most importantly,
 whether it's October, November or December,
remember the REAL reason for it all.

xoxo,
Suzanne

a beautiful miracle...

a beautiful miracle......

i bet you thought there was an inspiring story behind this.

no story.....just a few things i've learned.......

or maybe it's more like a way i know i SHOULD live

and strive for daily.

i think we can all influence others and 

leave our "marks" on the world.

some leave great big GIANT marks,

and others of us leave little bitty ones.

but we leave them none the less.

i can truly only speak for myself and say

that i hope to wake up and appreciate every day for the

beautiful miracle it is.

i don't always do that, but i try.

and by doing that,  maybe i leave my mark on the world

 and on others that day.

we all can do this.......

by taking a deep breath of fresh air and thanking God

that we are alive.

by appreciating.....

 the big AND little things.

by noticing.......

every sunset, the birds chirping on a morning walk,

smiling at the clerk in the check out line at the grocery store,

by being grateful........

for what we do have instead of complaining about what we don't have.

wishing you a beautiful, blessed, remarkable week!

XOXOXO

Suzanne

It's True.....Chicken Soup is GOOD for You!

see all those pretty leaves changing?

feel the brisk, cool air?

(well, i don't here in Florida, but i hope you do:)

this means it's FALL y'all!

and with Fall, comes the start of cold and flu season.

we've already had a visit from the achy muscles and sore throat fairy.

and when my niece Jennifer heard my girl was sick,

she sent me her "go-to" recipe for YUMMY chicken soup.

you might be one of those who thinks chicken soup

when you're sick is some old remedy your great grandma used to use.

but.......

according to MANY experts, here's what it does for you;

 Heat: The steam from a bowl of soup (or a cup of hot tea for that matter)

 can assist in opening up clogged nostrils.

Protein: Chicken is a great source of protein which we especially

 need as appetites naturally wane when ill. 

Low protein intake can decrease immune system function,

 and a soup is an easy way to get some calories and protein. 

If you don’t like the actual meat, 

some of the protein is extracted into the broth during the cooking process too, 

so just sipping the liquid is still helpful.

Vegetables: Most chicken soup recipes include

 carrots, celery and onions at the very least. 

If you’re making your own chicken soup, throw in any hearty vegetables

 that you’ve got in your kitchen or freezer.

 Broccoli, cauliflower, potatoes, beans and peas are all healthy soup additions. 

Also, the heartier greens, like Swiss chard, kale or collards work well in soups as well.

Vegetables contain lots of vitamins and minerals

 that mean more antioxidants to fight off that cold. 

Frozen varieties are just fine, too. 

They are frozen at their peak freshness, meaning nutrient content is preserved.

Water: Maintaining adequate hydration is also important 

when you’re not feeling well.  

Fluids also help to thin out mucus and decrease congestion

 so drinking your usual 2 liters/day is essential.

here is the basic recipe........

you can add any veggies you like.

(i like it just like this!:)

Thank you Jen.....it was so good and you are SO sweet!:)

xoxoxoxo

Suzanne

Things I know For Sure.......

remember when Oprah used to do a segment

on "Things i know for sure"?

well, here are a few things i know for sure.

i know that i have found, and saved a whole lotta 

PUMPKIN recipes.

but i really don't need them.

because i realized that the best tasting, moistest pumpkin dessert is

Paul's Pumpkin Bars.

we've been looking for an excuse to bake something, 

and with new neighbors,

we found our excuse.

GOOD THING we gave some away because 

what i know for sure is that i could EASILY

eat a WHOLE pan of these yummy pumpkin bars.

no, i am not exaggeratting.

they are THAT good!

so i know for sure that i could (and almost have)

eat the whole pan!
pssst.....if you've never tried them, do it now:)
here's the recipe...from me to you!

something else i know for sure is that my girls love me.
totally, unconditionally, completely.....
they love me.
even after a frustrating, stressful day,
even after a sleepless night.
even with me being a total. unreasonable monster......
they still love me.
they try to understand.
and are quick to forgive me.
because, as they say,
they love me so much.......
and want me to be happy and not stressed about anything.
i thought that was my job,
 but sometimes our kids teach us something once in awhile.
i know this.
and i love THEM for that!

i know that i am way more dependent
on my phone than i thought.
for some crazy reason, it crashed.
and i lost everything.
little by little, i'm getting some things back but there's still
a ton of work to do and it won't all come back.
(which explains my stressful day, trying to figure this mess out
on the computer)
pictures are the worst thing to lose.
and personal, special messages.
i have an iphone but am not married to it like others are.
i think there is a lot of room to improve.
i'm wondering if anyone out there has a
Samsung Galaxy 3 phone and if you like it?

i also know for sure that
i will never find someone to cut my hair even similar to this........

i know this because i have tried numerous times
over the past few years, with various hairdressers.
they all say i have the perfect body/texture for this look,
similar to the beautiful lady in the picture.
but it is never even close.
the closest i have come is when i chop at it myself.
it still isn't right but at least i can live with it.......
and save money at the same time.
but still.......i live in hope that
someone, somewhere, someday.......will get it right:)

finally, finally, finally.........
i know that i love fall.

what's not to love.
i know some of y'all are getting cold.
but just think of us down here.......
we still go to football games, eat apples, drink warm lattes.....
DREAM of wearing sweaters,
but we sweat our tail off doing it:)
and on that note,
Happy Fall Y'all!
xoxoxo
Suzanne