EllaBellaMozzarella

An Ode To The Big Chief

2010-08-10T23:20:00.002-04:00

You are my rock.

You are my best friend.

You are my love.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

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It’s a Start

2010-07-30T17:32:00.002-04:00

As noted in my last post, I’ve taken quite a lengthy leave of absence from the blogosphere. And so several weeks later, I’m still contemplating my blogging fate. But today I felt a teeny, tiny little spark. One that came right after finally catching up on a month’s worth of discussions on my favorite mommy google group. And right before I took a (long overdue) peak at some recent updates on blogs I follow. It made me realize that I do miss this….the writing, the connecting, the sharing.

And so here I am – posting. Baby steps.

I’ll finish with a super cute pic to end your Friday:

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Decisions, Decisions

2010-07-07T08:28:00.002-04:00

So, if anyone out there is still reading this little bloggety blog, you may have noticed I’ve been a bit absent lately (3 weeks to be exact, and even that last post was a simple Wordless Wednesday). Truth is, things were crazy busy for a while - then the whole fam got sick, and then all hell broke loose (don’t ask)! However, since then, I’ve had more than one opportunity to continue writing….more than one free moment that would have provided plenty of time to write a post. But, to put it bluntly, I just haven’t felt like it…and I’m not too sure why. It’s as if all of my drive & enthusiasm for blogging simply went ‘poof’.

Alas, I am now at a point where the idea of abandoning this little project I started almost a year ago has entered my brain more than once. Aside from the somewhat snarky writing & opinionating, the frequent pictures & accompanying adventures of my little family, the random fashion advice, and maybe a recipe or two, what really is the purpose of all this?? That, dear Internet, is the question!

Stay tuned….

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Wordless Wednesday – Passed Out Pup

2010-06-16T08:30:00.002-04:00

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Picture Wednesday

2010-06-09T21:00:00.002-04:00

I’m all about making dinner as easy as possible (YES, I do on occasion prepare recipes that require multiple steps & preparations) and tonight’s dish was no exception. Here’s a rundown of what we used: Tostitos Multigrain Tortilla Chips, Bush’s Fiesta Grillin’ Beans, Perdue Grilled Chicken Strips, and shredded cheddar cheese. A few minutes of baking in the oven, and voila: Fiesta Nachos! We also added some fresh salsa and guacamole on the side . Oh, and of course I can’t forget the most important piece – a nice, cold, refreshing Margarita (Jose Cuervo’s mix is quite yummy). Delish!

(I know, maybe not the healthiest meal….but it’s easy, quick & cheap – that count’s for something, right?)

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Becoming A Fashionable Frugalista

2010-06-08T18:32:00.006-04:00

As a typical girly-girl who loves anything related to clothes, makeup & accessories, I could easily partake in some serious retail therapy every single day of the week. Seriously! That is, if free time was abundant and funds were unlimited. So yeah, it’s mostly that last part relating to finances that has really affected my shopping style….not only how OFTEN I venture out, but WHERE I go. Times are tough, money is tight – we all know that and I’m sure many of us have been hit one way or another by the floundering economy. I mean, just in the blogosphere alone there has been a huge influx of coupon/sale/deal-finder type blogs over the last few years, all looking to hook us up with money-saving tips & resources. And believe me, those sites are great because without a doubt there are some fantastic deals to be had out there. I’ve certainly noticed many more retailers offering frequent sales, and at much deeper discounts.

So, as I’ve continued to adjust certain shopping habits, I’ve found myself not only making good use of coupons & sales everywhere from the LOFT and Gap to Sports Authority and Nordstrom, but also turning more to lower-priced stores like Old Navy, Target, H&M or Express for fashion. And you know what? You CAN find cute & stylish things there….you just have to look, as well as maybe set your expectations a little lower as to availability & quality. But so what if that $8 tee from Target only lasts a season or two!

*I will add a little caveat in here to say that I DO still purchase higher-end items (like designer jeans) from time to time. I think sometimes spending more money on a quality item does pay off, especially when you consider the years of wear or custom-like fit that can not be found elsewhere that you get out of it.*

Anywho, I have recently found some fabulous pieces to add to my wardrobe, all at discounted prices or using coupons!

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Friday Fun At Please Touch Museum

2010-06-05T23:12:00.002-04:00

So, after receiving an invite for Mommy Bloggers Day at the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia, I finally decided to go to my first blogging related event and am so glad that I did. Not only did the peanut have a blast at the museum (a totally amazing giant playground designed for little ones to explore & learn through interactive play), it was also great to meet a few local bloggy mamas and put faces to a blogs! I’m so excited to become more active with some of the blogging communities I’ve recently joined and hopefully attend more meet-ups in the future. And of course connect with some new & amazing bloggers!

I have to say though, the whole ‘introducing-yourself-to-people-you’ve-never-met-but-recognize-from-online’ thing is a little odd….and even a little awkward. Especially since I tend to be a bit on the shy & reserved side and it’s not always easy for me to put myself out there (I’ve been working on that though for the last couple of years and believe me, I’ve come a long way!). But no worries, everyone was so nice and the ladies were all fabulous. I already can’t wait for Bloggy Bootcamp in September and look forward to any events that may come before then. So fun!

Here are just a few pics of a fantastically fun morning:

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The End Is Here

2010-05-23T17:55:00.002-04:00

And no, I’m not talking about ‘LOST’ here (although, I am a huge ‘LOST’ fan and could write many pages about my profound & overwhelming sadness on seeing it all come to it’s final conclusion tonight). The end I AM referring to is my daughter’s last week of school. My sweet, little peanut is about to finish her first year of preschool and boy did it go by fast. So incredibly fast!

We have loved watching her grow into this amazing, independent, smart “big girl” over the last 9 months. We have loved her wonderful teachers, who have tirelessly given their caring devotion & nurturing support to these tiny tots. And we have loved her fabulous school – an extraordinary community of educators that is based on simplistic values and fostering the joy of learning.

So now we have the summer, and what I hope from the bottom of my heart will be a fantastic & memorable 3 months, laying ahead of us. Come September, we continue on at the same school. Then, it’s kindergarten. Then we head to first grade, and before we know it she’ll be asking for the keys to the car, right? Phew, I can’t even wrap my brain around that. I have a feeling I’ll be repeating the following sentence quite a bit to my little princess: “please, please, please don’t grow up too fast!”.

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Fawk You Friday #2

2010-05-21T22:24:00.004-04:00

If you read last week’s post, you know the deal - it’s time once again to vent, complain, bitch, and generally air out your frustrations for the week.
So here goes:

FAWK you to those unaware of their own near-sightedness
FAWK you blemishes that randomly take residence on my chin – as an adult I should not have to deal with you any longer
FAWK you to the economy that has caused so many of us to find ourselves burdened with financial woes

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Our Puppy Is Fabulously Fashionable!

2010-05-20T16:46:00.004-04:00

Since we first adopted our lovable pup Sam about 1 1/2 months ago, the fashionista in me has been on a mission to outfit him with something much more awesome than the standard blue collar/leash we initially purchased at PetSmart. Now, before I continue, I have to state that I have no intention of making our little boy look like some sort of sissy in a paisley getup, who is secretly the laughing-stock of all his doggy friends. And no, I do not plan on purchasing any kind of coat/sweater/diamond choker/ribbon for him in the near future! I just want something that’s a little more fun, yet still let’s him keep his studly status.

So, it seems if you want anything more than just the standard boring colors, you have to turn to online stores/boutiques for more fashionable accessories. Initially, I was set on a blue & turquoise camo collar…..manly enough, right? However, as we got to know Sam better, we realized he is without a doubt much better served by a harness. He can pull with the best of them (which is totally the Dachshund in him), and since he’s a small breed, a collar could potential harm his fragile little neck.

Sooo, after much searching, I finally found this SUPER CUTE & oh so stylish harness online:

Not only is it totally functional (due to the adjustable & strong velcro closure and the ability to easily slip it on), but there is not ever any danger of choking since the d-ring is located further back than a lot of other harnesses. Each item is handmade with superior quality. And isn’t the blue & brown striping, along with the pewter paw accent, simply dashing (without being too over the top)? Of course, I had to get the matching leash as well. LOVE IT!!

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Wordless Wednesday – Play Like A Girl!

2010-05-19T16:53:00.002-04:00

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Mothering Outside The Box

2010-05-17T23:15:00.004-04:00

I’ve often said that I’m not your typical stay-at-home mama and have no problem what so ever admitting to this (I proudly display this statement on my blog’s brief ‘about me’ bio). In fact, I recently discovered another ‘non-mommy mommies’ type (as she calls herself) blogger, and love her new shits and giggles feature that kinda embraces what I’m trying to say here. So be sure to check out Ericka over at Alabastercow.com – trust me, you won’t regret it!

Since my daughter was born and I first gingerly dangled my toe into the murky waters of motherhood, I have always felt a bit out of sync when compared to other moms (and isn’t that what we do best, continually compare ourselves to those around us?). Of course, my bout with postpartum the first 6 months (or more) certainly did not help matters – especially as I struggled to find that connection with my baby that most new mothers glowingly gush about. I’ve often thought of myself as not really fitting into that standard motherhood mold, which seems to require most if not all of the following actions: cooking for the entire family 7 days a week, meticulously cleaning every nook & cranny of the house on a WEEKLY basis (this includes baseboards, windows, blinds, etc.), laundering something/anything on a DAILY basis, sewing & mending as needed, and basically satisfying everyone’s needs at all times so that no one shall be left unfulfilled……and all of this is done with a giant smile, apron on, oven mitts in hand!

Phew, that’s one hell of a job description! Not that I don’t do any of that, just maybe not as often or with as much enthusiasm. So, in celebration of those of us who are more the anti-Betty Crocker kind, I thought I’d compile my personal list of 5 random yet awesome qualities that make me who I am - a real mom, not afraid to admit my faults and sit back, eat some chocolate, and revel in my imperfections (ok, so I don’t often sit around and celebrate my inadequacies, but you get my point).

I LOVE takeout (or carry-out, take-away, what have you) and have about 20+ menus in my collection that get used quite frequently.
I tend to curse like a sailor, although never around my daughter if I can help it, and find it slightly cleansing to get out a good “mother******.
Sometimes I’ll drive a little slower on the way to pick up the peanut at school, just so I can listen to Howard Stern for a few more minutes.
I love my little girl with every fiber of my being, this cannot be stated enough, but praise the Nap Gods for my daily dose of ME TIME over the last 4 years (knock on wood, knock on wood, knock on wood)!
A good glass of wine (or a Margarita if need be) at the end of the day solves all problems.

So there you have it! Now come on, aren’t you just itching to share some of your beautiful realness???

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Show A Mama Some Love!

2010-05-14T22:22:00.005-04:00

Since my hubby is currently hogging the TV by watching the Phillies game (thereby causing me to miss my usual Friday night staple of ‘Dateline NBC’….ok, so I guess I could head downstairs to one of our other 2 televisions, but that would require me to actually be motivated enough to get my lazy tush out of bed), I figured why not write a post wherein I kindly implore my fabulous bloggy peeps to throw a vote or two my way.

Where, you ask?? Why, over at Top Mommy Blogs, of course! My little blog listed there, and I’d greatly appreciate if you showed me some love – I sure could use it. Just click on the link below:

TOP MOMMY BLOGS

(if the link doesn’t work, you can also search by 'EllaBellaMozzarella' or find me
under 'Stay At Home Blogs')

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Fawk You Friday!

2010-05-14T18:17:00.005-04:00

So, I discovered this fabulous new blog hop while reading about some yucky stuff going on in another blog hop I previously participated in every so often (and will not do so going forward). Since it’s really not my place to comment or judge the aforementioned “situation”, you can go HERE for the details.

Anywho, the minute I saw this new weekly meme, I absolutely LOVED it! A place to vent, complain, bitch, and generally air out your frustrations for the week (weekend, here I come – wahoo!!). Thanks to Jana over at Boobies, Babies & A Blog for such a fabulous idea.

FAWK you cancer
FAWK you to selfish people
FAWK you rainy weather for refusing to let us be
FAWK you to the sweet, yummy, deliciousness that is any and all baked goods – for being sooo good, yet oh so bad

Click here for details on the below cause!

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Pretty In Pink

2010-05-08T15:58:00.002-04:00

Yeah, yeah….I know. It’s once again been a while since I’ve written a post on my little bloggety blog. I have no excuse, except that life has kept us busy…yada, yada, yada. With pre-school nearing an end soon (OMG, still can’t believe how fast it went!), there has been lots to do as everything starts to wrap up over the next few weeks. Plus, the peanut’s been going through a continuous whining/crying/temper tantrum throwing phase that unfortunately shows no signs of slowing down. Add to that the puppy & all of his lovely teenage-like antics, and we’ve been simply exhausted. I swear, between the kid and the dog, it sometimes feels like all we do around here is yell! Oh, and let’s not forget the most important thing of all – ‘LOST’! I am completely obsessed with this show and could easily spend hours perusing blogs & websites dedicated to it, reading up on popular theories and predictions of what it all means. Truly, after 6 years of faithful devotion to this amazing hour-long drama, I am so sad that it is all coming to a permanent end soon and am not sure what I’ll do with myself afterward, lol . And before you call me a complete loser, I have quite a few friends who feel exactly the same. So there!

Anywho, hopefully I’ll be energized enough soon to once again fill these pages with fabulous & witty content! For now, I leave you with a few more pics of the peanut.

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A Man And His Dog

2010-04-22T17:11:00.002-04:00

I meant to post this yesterday for “Wordless Wednesday”, but never got around to downloading the picture from my camera. What can I say, procrastination is my middle name! When I told my hubby about posting the pic, his immediate response was “you mean the one where I look like a beached whale?”. I totally predicted he’d say something like that too. Right before I checked the calendar to see if it was time for his period again.

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Old Navy – You Sorta, Kinda Suck!

2010-04-20T19:26:00.003-04:00

I don’t know about you, but my shopping experiences have seriously been lacking as of late….instead turning into frustrating & annoying excursions. Now, I must preface my forthcoming rant by stating that about 90% of my retail therapy is carried out at mid to bargain-priced stores (i.e. Gap, Target, Old Navy, etc.) and the rest is done in places more toward the higher-end of the spectrum like Nordstrom, or with brands such as Juicy and Seven For All Mankind. Of course, it goes without saying that my distress comes not from the latter, but from those that fall into that 90% realm.

Now, what I’m talking about here revolves around two main complaints:

1. a lack of inventory/size availability
2. a significant decline in quality.

Over the last couple of years, I’ve noticed both of these issues all over the place and I gotta’ tell you, it’s starting to piss me off. It seems no matter when I go, the styles I like are barely stocked and not available in my size….the few pieces left dangling from the rack are either a size “0” or a size “16”, with not much in-between. And if I do come across something in my size, you bet your tushie I’m buying it, because chances are excellent I will never find it again. I mean seriously, is it me or are these stores totally not re-stocking items once they sell out?? Whereas before a shopper could afford to come back weeks later to buy an item, now there really is no such freedom of time. In addition, I’ve seriously noticed the quality of many clothes has taken a nosedive. Of course, with bargain stores you can’t set your expectations too high to begin with and should be happy if a shirt lasts longer than a season or two. But this is getting ridiculous, that even here they’ve managed to lower their standards and sell some flat-out crap!

All of this was none the more evident than during my weekend trip to our local Old Navy. Now, they’ve recently renovated this location and the fact that the new layout is freakin horrendous certainly didn’t help matters. Add to that that the store was completely DESTROYED (at about 2pm in the afternoon no less) and I was already ticked off before I even got started. But, I had high hopes, especially since it was the first day of their “stuff & save” promotion and I was looking to find some great deals. Alas, my dreams were dashed once I started walking around. I was specifically looking for some new capris for summer. However, there was hardly any selection whatsoever, certainly not what they should have had on the first day of a sale and for this time of year. And what little availability they did have, of course wasn’t at hand in my size. In fact, almost nothing I liked was! GRRRRR! Then there was the quality of some items, or rather the lack thereof. Especially their standard t-shirts….they were way too thin and the fit was just really off, not flattering in any way. Honestly, I can find better t-shirts at Target (and cheaper too). And did I mention the inconsistent sizing?? One size definitely did not fit all, that’s for sure.

Needless to say, I spent like an hour and a half in that Godforsaken store, trying on everything in 3 different sizes and desperately wanting to make something work! I ended up with this shirred, short sleeved shirt for a measly $6.99 and 4 items for my TODDLER. Again, GRRRRR! Dare I say that I think my long standing love affair with Old Navy might be coming to a sad & tragic end?!

Ok, enough whining & complaining (for now). But, I must ask, does anyone else feel the same way?? Are you guys experiencing the same frustrations?? CAN I GET AN AMEN??

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Dancing Queen

2010-04-15T17:56:00.003-04:00

A while back I mentioned that the peanut was taking dance classes (see HERE), which consist of both ballet & tap. It’s been about 8 months now, and we’re slowly gearing up for the big finale that will showcase all these weeks of learning & practice – the RECITAL! It’s been a long time coming (the date is set for mid-June), and a few weeks ago the little ones got to try on their costumes for the first time. I had seen pictures of years past and was really expecting some sort of shiny, sparkly number. Instead, the outfit is more about ruffles, lace and satin. Wearing it, Ella looks like a munchkin-sized green & purple flower……almost a bit reminiscent of those adorable Anne Geddes portraits from years ago. Honestly, I wasn’t very fond of the whole ensemble at first. But, as I continue to look at the pictures, the dress is definitely growing on me. And I have to admit, she does look awfully cute, no?

Costume aside, I’m still unsure of how she’ll do on the big day. Back in December, her pre-school class performed a mini concert for parents & loved ones. When she first entered the room alongside her classmates, she seemed genuinely excited & happy. But as she slowly gazed around and saw the small crowd assembled in front of her, her demeanor changed literally in an instant. From then on, our peanut stood up there with a sour puss on her face & refused to participate, much less actually sing any of the songs. I honestly think it was all a little overwhelming and she simply got a bit of stage fright. This is all to say, that she very well could get up on that stage in June and once again be frozen with fear. Or, she just might surprise us and dance her little heart out. Either way, we’ll be enthusiastically cheering on our little ballerina all the way and promptly congratulating her with flowers, hugs & kisses!

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Wordless Wednesday – Fun At The Park

2010-04-14T16:22:00.002-04:00

Decided on an impromptu trip to the park after school – as a way to make up for mama being a bit crabby this morning (and the chocolate doughnut we picked up on the way was in no way related, honest).

Yeah, yeah, I know….mother-of-the-year over here!

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Friday Follow!

2010-04-09T14:08:00.006-04:00

It’s time for another Friday Follow, once again hosted by One 2 Try, Hearts Make Families and Midday Escapes.

Here’s how YOU can join in on the fun:

Click on the Friday Follow button above, then link up your blog name and URL.
Grab both the Friday Follow and sponsor buttons and include them in your blog post.
Follow the Friday Follow hostesses listed in the first 3 slots
Follow as many blogs as you’d like
Comment on the blogs telling them you’re from Friday Follow
Follow back when you get a new follower through Friday Follow.

Thanks for stopping by!

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And I’m Back, Again!

2010-04-07T18:16:00.002-04:00

So, yeah…..I’ve been a little, ahem, absent as of late. Even though I swore several months ago I would never lapse in my posting again, ever! Alas, life has a funny way of taking charge and scrambling things up, just for the fun of it.

The last time I wrote on this here bloggity-blog, I detailed our new, all-consuming, search for a rescue dog and the ensuing frustration encountered as a result of that search. After that day, as I continued to obsessively scour the internet for doggies, things just got a little busy here at EllaBellaMozzarella headquarters, for one reason or another. And then, BAM, on March 24 we found a pup online through a rescue out of New Hampshire. His name was Cricket and boy was he a cutie! The next few days were spent filling out applications, trading lots of emails, talking with the foster mom and keeping our fingers crossed that everything would work out (since there was already 1 application ahead of us). And then, in an ironic twist, the people ahead of us came through with their deposit to adopt Cricket….but the expected deposit on his brother Jingles (who we had already deemed just as cute) fell through. In the end, we decided on Jingles and committed to adopting him by that weekend…..and this little twist of fate couldn’t have worked out better had it been written in stone! Because not only did this little pup capture our hearts the minute he entered our lives a week later, but we couldn’t have asked for a more perfectly fitting dog to what we had been looking for!

So, needless to say, after now being proud owners of an 11 week old puppy for exactly 5 days, our life as we knew it has been turned upside down and inside out. And yes, it’s been just like having a newborn again – our days now revolve around trying to figure out schedules, pooping, feeding, napping, and playing. It’s been challenging, to say the least! The hubby and I are completely mentally & physically exhausted. However, we really couldn’t be happier with our newest family member….or Sam, as we now know him. Especially the peanut, who has decided she absolutely needs to be involved in EVERY LITTLE DETAIL surrounding Sam, and is attached to him from the time she wakes up to the time she goes to bed. I don’t think we have ever seen her this excited about something. And you know what? That right there is pretty awesome! We made a good choice. We rescued a dog. We did a good thing.

And without further ado, introducing Sam The Man:

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The Great Wiener Hunt of 2010

2010-03-22T18:25:00.006-04:00

So, we’ve decided to add another member to our little family – and no, it’s not of the human variety..at least not yet (she says with a wavering smile). After the death of my dear, sweet little kitty Skye last September, I really haven’t been too open to the idea of another pet. And I always assumed that whenever I was ready, we’d simply get another furry feline. However, once we stopped by a few cat adoption centers, I just realized another cat would dig up way too many memories. That may sound weird & quirky, but it’ the simple truth. Soooo, long story short – a doggy it is.

After my anal-retentive, OCD self did a TON of online research, we decided that a dachshund, or preferably a dachshund-mix, would probably fit us well. They’re small (which we need since we live in a townhouse), don’t require a big yard for exercise as some other high-energy breeds do, are good with kids, and seem to overall be a great, loyal family dog. So, one thing I said from the beginning, was that I wanted to adopt again.   I love the idea of rescuing an animal, of giving it that “forever home” (which is exactly what I did with Skye). And so we thought, easy as pie, we’d find a little weenie pup and off we went on our new adventure as a family of 4.   Unfortunately, it’s not been quite that easy and we’re realizing this process will require a lot of patience on our part. Seems that there simply aren’t many doxie pups available locally at the moment - but boy, there sure a lot of pit bulls out there! We did find one last week, but by the time we were able to make it out to the shelter it had been adopted. Another little cutie pie I found, who is a bit older, is at a foster home that is part of an all-volunteer network of homes, meaning there’s no physical shelter you can visit. And darn it, I just simply can not get these freakin people to contact me back (there is no phone number, just email).   I’ve even left a note on their Facebook page….and nothing! Guess it just wasn’t meant to be.

Anywho, we’ve grown a little frustrated.   And it just so happens that in the mean time, my sister-in-law’s family also decided to add another pup (they already have a yellow lab).   Within only several days, they had purchased a black lab puppy online, via a broker, from a breeder somewhere on the other side of the country and picked him up at the airport. $1300, bada-bing bada-boom.   Naturally, this has really caused us to think about our own plight. But honestly, I just don’t know if it would be the right thing for US.

First of all, I in now way shape or form want to endorse or further help along the awful, monstrous business that is a puppy mill. This is why a pet store will NEVER be a viable option. And I’ve done enough reading to realize that buying a dog online from a breeder is just not a guarantee of anything. There’s no way to know for sure if those animals are kept in humane conditions or treated with any sort of love & kindness. According to some rescue websites, even seemingly legitimate papers might not mean diddly squat. In fact, most of those sites do not recommend buying any type of pet online, ever.   The only possibility is to find a breeder within driving distance and check out their digs in person. Then there’s also the cost factor. A purebred dog can cost anywhere from $600 to $3000 (depending on breed), and probably even more! We know it will cost money to take care of a dog throughout it’s lifetime, but that’s a whole lotta moola right upfront. We could do it, I guess, but I just don't know if I want to.

So there it is, dear internet, my current all-consuming dilemma. I’ve spent HOURS scouring the web for adoptable dogs, browsing through countless shelter sites (need I remind you of that whole OCD thing?!). You can blame it for my slight neglect of this blog over the last couple of weeks.

I suppose when the time is right, a doggy will find it’s way into our lives one way or another.

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Fabulous Promotion – Gap Give And Get

2010-03-19T13:09:00.002-04:00

I’m thinking most of my fashionista bloggy friends are already aware of this, but I thought I’d post it anyway, just in case. Wouldn’t want anyone to miss out on this wonderful chance to save some cash!

Gap/Banana Republic/Old Navy is having a friends & family sale, that started yesterday (3/18) and lasts through this Sunday (3/21) – get 30% off your entire purchase at any of the above mentioned stores. The best part is that you can use the coupon over & over again (in-store only) AND it’s valid for a one time use online. Add to that that tons of merchandise is already on sale at some fantastically reduced prices (at least from what I saw at our local Gap & Baby Gap stores this morning), and you’ve got yourself a fabulously frugal shopping bonanza!

Just click HERE and print out the coupon. Or, as an FYI for those that received this offer via email, the stores will let you pull up the message on your cell phone and you just simply show them the barcode numbers located at the bottom.

The way I look at it, shopping while saving some serious money = a happy hubby. It’s a win-win! What’s not to love?

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99 Things

2010-03-15T16:35:00.002-04:00

So I’m being rather lazy today and instead of actually having to put thought into writing a post (HA!), I took note of this little task listed on a few blogs recently…..and though ‘eh, why not – looks like fun’. And ya know what? It kind of was. So here it is, a tiny insight into the woman behind EllaBellaMozzarella!

Instructions: The post is a list of 99 random things. Bold the ones that you yourself have done (I highlighted mine in red).

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii (on our honeymoon…so beautiful!)
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disney World
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Learned a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt (once with the help of my good friend Tara! )
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been a passenger on a motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car (does leased count?)
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve
86. Visited the White House (back when they still allowed visitor tours)
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Got a tattoo (a tiny little heart on my lower back)
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

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A Fabulous Sale

2010-03-11T18:06:00.002-05:00

So, I must admit that I’ve recently “re-discovered” Ann Taylor Loft. For the last few years, I would occasionally browse through the store, but never really found much to get excited about (especially their pants – they just do NOT fit me well for some reason). Plus, I often thought their pricing was a bit on the high side given the type of clothing they sell.

Anywho, after stopping in last week in search of a cute new top, I am head over heals in love with their spring line. It seems like the current trend out there is all about soft, romantic, fresh, floral styles, and you’ll find plenty of that there! Lots of pink, blush, nude, and cream colors..so pretty and feminine. Funny thing too is that I never really cared much for this sort of look– but I do now! And what I personally like is that it’s all very casual-chic, so it works dressed up or dressed down. Of course, their prices are still up there, which is where this post comes in and I finally get to the point:

Ann Taylor Loft is hosting a Spring Shopping Event this Saturday, 3/13 ….where you can receive 30% off any one full-priced item. Not too shabby, right? Since I subscribe to their newsletters, I was notified of this offer via email. However, you can also go HERE – just print out the entire page and bring it with you to the store.

You can be a fashionasta AND a frugalista all in one, foul swoop! How fabulous is that??

**The above statements are solely my personal opinions. I was not compensated in any way to write them . The link provided is NOT an affiliate link**

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