Life After I "Dew"

$17 Bedroom Makeover

2012-06-01T06:00:00.000-04:00

When this pretty little lady decided she was going to come and stay with me my initial reaction was, "STOP THE MADNESS! SAY WHAT?! OMG HAPPY DANCE" and then it was, "OH SHIT! We've never had house guests and the spare bedroom is a hot mess!!!"

::Insert panic::

Can you believe we've never had an overnight guest in 2 years?! Guess that means we're lucky because all the ones we love live so close, right?

I mean besides our bedroom this room was the ugliest in the house. Just your typical throw everything in here because there's nowhere else to put it kind of room.

There was no way I was letting my BBFF and my future-son-in-law sleep in that.

Lucky for me I knew all it would take to spruce up this room was a little elbow grease and some digging through storage.

I remembered that we had some curtains that used to hang in our bedroom at our condo and I knew they'd match the bedding and add softness and coziness to this room, just what it needed. The thing I was missing? Curtain rods. Thanks to Kmart and their order online/pick up within 2 hours/free shipping deal I got rods and hardware for $17 and that's all I was out to complete this room transformation! $17!!

The rest was just using what we had and getting creative.

First things first, the wall art above the bed. That decal was sad and had seen better days. It was peeling off in like every corner and the spacing was just too close together it looked awful. I am embarrassed. I have always wanted a collage wall so I figured I'd give it a go with this room. I had originally thought I'd just frame the decals that were on the wall because I really liked them and they match the bedding perfect but finding a square frame to fit them was proving to be impossible and/or expensive so a collage wall it was. Thankfully we have a million and one frames and even more photos so this would be FREE and {kinda} easy, just like I like it.

See that frame on the bottom left? Well I took those old peeling off decals and just framed it! Brilliant! since I liked them so much and really hated to just throw them away! I did the same thing on the desk.

All that other stuff I just had laying around the house. Some candles, a fake flower to make it feel girly and pretty, and our wedding guestbook and Kendall's birth albums for your viewing pleasure. So glad to actually put some of these decorations to use instead of collecting dust in the closet.

I think the biggest help was hanging the curtains. I mean it just makes it feel complete now. Funny how that happens. The chair came from the playroom. It normally just sits in there unused so it will be better suited in here.

Now this room is light, airy, welcoming and nicer than our own master bedroom. All for the price of $17. I would have preferred bigger, sturdier, prettier curtain rods but for the price I couldn't beat these {even if they are a little flimsy and meant for a kitchen}.

Just when I didn't think I had any creative juices in me I go and pull off something like this and don't mind if I toot my own horn! I'm impressed that I was able to use things we already had and do an entire transformation in less than 24 hours! Toot! Toot!

This just gets me that much more excited for our master bedroom makeover {which unfortunately will be way more than $17 to complete}. Stay tuned.

June Sponsors

2012-06-01T05:30:00.000-04:00

You guys I have lots of new faces around here this month and I'm SO excited about each and every one! I hope you take the time to stop by and tell them "HI!" and give them some real L.A.I.D. love!

Have a party coming up? Maybe you just want some super cute stationery. Maybe your BFF just had a baby and you want to get a gift that isn't lame. Well hot dog hot dog hot diggity dog! Little Laws Prints is your shop. From invitations, to birth announcements, to party banners, to coloring pages {yes coloring pages!} we've got you covered. In fact, Little Laws Prints is going to make Kendall's Doe-rah birthday a little less character-y with a cute aDORAble theme. Cute, right?! I mean if anyone can help me get through my first character/theme birthday party it's LLP. So, yeah, please go order stuff. NOW!

Hi, I’m Leah and I write LovelyLifeofLeah, a lifestyle blog about enjoying the little things... those are what big things in life are made of. I started LovelyLifeofLeah in 2009 to tell people about all the awesomeness I'm constantly discovering. I'm a mom, but this is not a mom blog. I'm a little bit like you, but also a little bit different from you too. I'm a single mom, who works, who loves to travel, and go to concerts. I'm a mom who dresses bright and colorful, and who has a super cool boyfriend. I have over ten years professional experience in corporate and social event planning. Not that it has anything to do with this blog, but more often than not, I turn my life into a party. And through this blog, you are each invited. To contact me, please email leahwinstead*at*yahoo.com

"Hi! I'm Brittany. I'm a city gal who's lived in Massachusetts her whole life but my heart will always be with the beach where I grew up on the Cape. I began blogging to document weight loss goals but instead it's really become more about my life and family! I just went "public" so now everyone close to me has access to my blog, which has been a little scary, but definitely rewarding. My blog, First Comes Love, is meant to give a glimpse into what it's like trying to balance losing weight, planning a wedding, and everything else that follows. Come visit! "

Hey y’all I’m Jess! I blog over at Living On Sweet Tea. I’m a good little southern girl (wink, wink) making her way through life in a big city with a country heart. I blog about making our first house a home and what happens when a tornado of a dog and a little Southern Comfort and sarcasm get thrown into the mix.

Hi, I'm Brittany from Not So Newlyweds!
Our blog was created to share our life events with family and friends, but over time has evolved into so much more!
Living in Columbus, Ohio, my husband J and I pay homage to the stereotype and are fanatics for anything Ohio State Buckeyes. When not decked out in scarlet and grey (and sometimes when we are!), you can find me in my fourth year of teaching fourth grade and J working on a for a certain huge university in Columbus. We currently do not have any real children but are madly in love with our two furbabies, Oliver (mini goldendoodle) and Wembley (orange cat, who thinks he is a dog).
Some quick info bytes about us: I can't cook unless it's in a Crock-Pot. In my previous life, I was a party planner and interior designer. I always strive to become a better teacher. I love to learn. I am addicted to Pinterest and the blogosphere.
J is amazed by the amount of great-tasting dishes a crock-pot can produce even though he is an amazing cook! He hates large parties and would be happy with bare walls as long as there was a computer and an internet connection (and his lovely wife). J is addicted to technology, from calculators to supercomputers, am I'm lucky to have figured out how to blog.
Follow us in our adventures as {Not So} Newlyweds!

Hey y'all! I'm Rachel, the girl behind {simple.little.joys}! I'm super thrilled to be sponsoring L.A.I.D for June--she's one of my favorite bloggers and of course, the coolest/hottest Momma out there. A little about me--I started my blog two years ago as a way to "scrapbook" my last semester of college…and it's grown into such a HUGE part of my life. I blog about anything and everything under the sun--from goings on in my life with friends, family, and my love to Pinterest-inspired recipes and DIY projects! Beyond all of those fun, fabulous things, I also blog about the ups and downs of my weight loss journey! I'm 81 pounds down, and still working hard at it every day! I aspire more than anything to be a "runner," so my next big feat will be a second 5K. Come visit {simple.little.joys} for a little bit of everything--I can't promise to always be insightful, but I do promise to always be entertaining! Stop by and stay a while!

Hi there! I’m Kelly and I blog over at Today Was A Fairytale. I’m a 20-something full time Administrative Assistant. I’m the oldest of three kids and love having such a close family even if they live 9 hours away. On June 30th I will be walking down the aisle and marrying my amazing fiancé and best friend. In March I finished school getting my Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration. Graduation isn’t until the middle of June but it sure feels good to be done. With school being finished I’m enjoying having more time to relax and have already made it through about four books on the long “to-read” list I’ve built up for the last four years of being in school. Yes, it took me four years to do a two year degree because I was working full time and only able to take one or two classes a quarter. I love country music, photography, baking, shopping and spending time with my amazing group of friends. Come follow along as we get married and start our lives as newlyweds, buy a house and start our family.

Hi! I'm Crystal from Life As a Seed! I guess you could describe me as a Mom/Wife/blogger/watcher of too much reality TV in my late 20's(...whoa! I think that's the first time I've ever said/written that!!) Anyways, I blog about life in general. The happenings around this crazy little family of mine. Our daughter. Our house hunting craziness that will hopefully soon be at an end. Everything you could possibly think of. You will see lots and lots of pics of my little girl, and hear lots of ramblings about my life of marriage and love. I hope you will stop by soon and say hi! I can't wait to meet you!

I am a stay at home Mom of an adorable 3 year old boy and married to a great guy. I was a National Sales Rep for many years before deciding to change careers before our son arrived. I do part time work as a Massage Therapist, Personal Trainer, Independent Consultant for Thirty-One Products and most recently a Brand Partner for NeriumAD. NeriumAD is a face cream that you use every night. The results have been amazing. NeriumAD Age-Defying Treatment was formulated to improve the appearance of:

Fine Lines and Wrinkles

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Aging or Sun-Damaged Skin

It is ideal for all skin types. Non-Comedogenic and Paraben Free.

The great thing about NeriumAD is that when you buy this product as a Preferred Customer and get 3 friends or family to buy, you get your product for free the following month and then the same thing goes for your family and friends once they get 3. In addition, the company offers a 30 day Money Back Guarantee, so try it now and you'll see the amazing results that others have too.

Go to my website to see the real results at http://believein.nerium.com.

Hi! I'm Jenn, and I am a Lead Consultant with Scentsy & Velata {a new brand of Scentsy}. I've been selling Scentsy since February 2012

and Velata since it was released this past May, and I love them both.

I have a lot of fun "working" at home parties, and getting basket parties ready for you to take to work or share with friends and family on your own time.

It's the perfect part-time "job" that works around being a mom, wife, and working full time as a caseworker!

I make really good money, and I don't have to be pushy at all because the products are so great they sell themselves.

and as for Velata, do I have to say more then chocolate and wine?!

Scentsy has so many great Summer scents but I must tell you that Lush Gardenia is one of my favorite scents.

We also have a College collection so that you can support your favorite team or player, and hey all you Buckeye fans!!!!! .....the Ohio State warmer is I being released TODAY!!!

The Ohio State warmer would be a perfect gift for fathers day or just that perfect touch to your buckeye room and its just $35!!!!

If you or anyone you know could use some extra monthly income, I'd love to talk to you about the blessing that thirty-one has been for my family.

E-mail me anytime at jennylynn.sommer at gmail.com

Scentsy { http://JennSommer.Scentsy.Us }

Velata { http:JennSommer.Velata.Us }

Go Scentsy and Go Buckeyes!!

Wife, Mother, Daughter, Sister, Friend, Co-Worker.

ME.

Just because life pulls you in 10 different directions doesn't mean that you can't look good while going there! According to L comes to you in two fabulous ways: accessory design and blogging banter.

According to L designs and creates hair accessories for all ages and events. Whether you are the professional looking for the sweetest little photography prop to add for your clients, the mom wanting to dress up your daughters, or the woman who wants to hold their “Saturday-morning hair” off their face while running errands and still looking fabulous.

My blog is an extension of the beauties I create, but also includes nuggets from my real-life, kitchen, craft room and the hat-rack I've got on my shoulders.

SO WHAT! Wednesday

2012-05-30T06:00:00.000-04:00

This week I'm saying SO WHAT if...

I like to keep my social media outlets separate. Facebook for IRL friends and relatives, Twitter for Internet peeps and Instagram is pretty much open to anyone. That's the way I like it.
I love hot summer days but also still crave gross rainy days now and then.
I can feel myself becoming slightly obsessed with bathing suits this year.
I still have Kendall's bottles in the kitchen cupboard. I'm just not ready to put them away yet.
I had to look up how to spell cupboard.
I know we need to work on taking Kendall's baboo {binky} away soon but I'm not ready.
Kendall's favorite "toy" is my jar/Yankee candle collection. She will stack them all day and never tire of it like she does her real "toys".
I went to the store for "paper towels and wipes" when in reality that meant "stuff to make cookies".

Maybe I'm Crazy

2012-05-29T08:48:00.001-04:00

Call me crazy but...

I, unlike every other toddler mom, am not looking forward to the big girl room transition. Kendall loves her bed, like she lays in it for a good 30 minutes when she gets up, and she sleeps great in it. She's still flailing all over the place, I put her down on one side of the bed and she wakes up on the other. I want to savor the crib. It's like it's the last bit of baby we have left, well that and the binky. I just know that when we make the transition my good sleeper is going to get a taste of freedom and it's going to be o-v-e-r-. So yeah, my kid will be 3 and in a crib, if I have any say in it. That doesn't mean I'm not excited to do a big girl room makeover, that I am looking forward to.
I'm praying for a rainy day today. I love hot, long, summer days but this weekend has officially kicked my ass and I just want a day of nothingness, indoors. Well, maybe the rain could hold off till after I go grocery shopping, that'd be nice.
I've been going makeup-less a lot lately and I love it. That's one amazing thing about summer, a tan! I can lather on some moisturizer and call it a day and that's exactly what I've been doing. Yesterday I put on makeup for the first time in, I think, 4 days and it was like "OW! OW! Who is this lady looking back at me?!" I think Jimmy's reaction was the same.
I listen to music depending on the weather. I've always said I wish there was a radio station that's playlist was based on the forecast. Like on a hot sunny day I want to hear nothing but upbeat, loud, dancey, fun music but on a cold, winter day? I want something a little slower, more mellow, acoustic preferably.
I think "good" coffee tastes like an ashtray. And, no, I haven't actually licked an ashtray but it tastes the way an ashtray smells, how's that? Even with an absurd amount of creamer I can't get past it. I'll take cheap ole Folgers please.
Even after working so hard to get my body {somewhat} back I'm more self-conscious than I was when my body looked worse. Like, I can't really explain it, it's weird. I know I've come a long way and I feel good, for the most part, but I can't help but feel like I am a mom now and still shouldn't be wearing a bikini. Like I said, it's weird and hard to explain.
I wish "Small Potatoes" and "Choo-Choo Soul" were their own shows. They come on for 2.5 seconds in between Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Jake but man they make me {and Kendall smile}, especially Choo-Choo Soul. I wonder though, would I like them as much if they were a full 22 minute episode?
I cannot stand that it gets light out so early now. Hate it. It's not just because I'm a SAHM now and the sun wakes me up at 6 am, not at all. I hated it when I worked too, I preferred driving to work in the dark. On that note, I hate the sound of birds chirping in the morning too. White, hot, hate.

So, yeah, I'm weird, maybe.

300 Ab Challenge- Results

2012-05-25T07:42:00.000-04:00

It's the moment you've all been waiting for, or so I like to tell myself. The results of the 300/30 Day Ab Challenge are in. Technically the 30 days were up on Tuesday but my poison ivy was still a hot mess so I didn't want to scare anyone.

I can honestly say, now, that this routine is just part of my every day life- just like brushing my teeth or taking a shower. I am definitely going to continue doing it because the proof is in the pudding. I've done lots of ab workouts in my 29 years and I can tell you this is the first time I've seen these kind of results and this quickly. Not even Jillian was able to give me these "abs" {I use "" because clearly my abs are still a work in progress}.

I should also note that I haven't actually lost any weight during this process, just toned up. I wish I were down about 10 lbs but the truth of the matter is my body is changing for the better and that's enough to keep me going.

I still have that little pouch-y-looks-like-I'm-2-months-pregnant belly but it is tighter and firmer. The other thing I have to keep in mind is that this has just been over 30 days and these are sit-ups, not miracle workers or liposuction. Hopefully when I come back for a 60 day update it'll be much flatter and far less pouch-y.
Like I said in the halfway update, the first 4 days were the worst. I was sore, I didn't want to do it, I could barely finish the roll-up, v-ups, but I just kept telling myself, "no pain, no gain". After day 4 I didn't hurt anymore and the moves got easier. I can now blow through all the moves in probably 10 minutes and never feel sore the next day {which actually bums me out because I feel like it's not working unless there's pain involved}.
And further proof that this is working? I took a picture when I got my bathing suit {April 10} thinking, "meh, I don't look too shabby" but now? It's a whole new ball game.

And on that note, me and Kendall Paige are off to the pool for the first time this summer!

currently

2012-05-24T06:00:00.000-04:00

As you may or may not have noticed, I have been kinda blah in the blogging department so I wanted to use today to link up with one of my favorite blog ladies, Jenn, for some Currently Thursday action.

current book(s):

Fifty Shades Freed.

I must say, I'm not as into it as I was with, say, the first book but at this point I have to see the trilogy out, right? I don't know I feel like it's kinda lost its mojo and I'm more or less skimming past all the sex scenes and if I have to read the word "sex" in reference to vagina one more time I may scream. Just sayin'.
current playlist

I'm totes lame in this department. I have no playlists, at all. Like the only music on my phone is running music and I don't even run anymore. I do love me some country music in the summer and pretty much only in the summer. Right now I'm loving loving loving Zac Brown Band- Keep Me In Mind. Pretty much love everything about ZBB and kick myself for not seeing them when they were in Columbus last year.
current color

Hot pink. For sure.

As you read and saw on Tuesdays post, I got a pair of hot pink shorts this week and I AM IN LOVE with them. I thought I was going to be this big dork in hot pink booty shorts and when I put those babies on I felt like a million bucks! LOVE them! Get a pair. NOW!
current food

Love love love me some cookout food. I think that's one of my favorite things about summer, the food! Probably not so much a good thing for my waistline but damn it's worth it! I love it all too, corn on the cob, burgers, potato salad, hot dogs, fruit salad, baked beans, you name it.
current favorite show(s)

Well seeing as all the shows are going on summer vaca that really only leaves me with trashy reality TV.

Big Brother is my all time #1 show every summer. I'm addicted. Love it, can't wait for it, hope it doesn't disappoint this year. It never does, really.
current needs

Bedroom Furniture.

This is the set I'm looking to get but it's coming up with the cash money to do so. So this will be a slow work in progress but is definitely my #1 need.
current triumphs

A hummingbird was caught in our sun room on Tuesday. It was making me so sad because it was just trying and trying so hard but could not figure out how to get down low enough to fly out the door. My smarts kicked in and I got a broom and somehow managed to have it land on the broom while I very carefully, slowly and steadily lowered it out the door. VICTORY! Shannon saves the day! I was so damn proud I wished I had it on video!
current banes of my existence

One word, Dora.

Look I can appreciate the fact that she does teach my child things, the other day she was literally trying her hardest to say "amarillo" this week, but for the love! Why does she have to SCREAM about everything? Nothing makes my skin crawl like "WHERE ARE WE GOING?!" a million times over. For the love!
current celebrity crush

Enough said.

current #1 blessing

I mean, I think it goes without saying that Kendall Paige is, and always will be, my #1 blessing. This week has been an especially good mommy/daughter week. She's really learning so much right now and every day she impresses me with something new that she knows! I've been saying, "how do you know that?!" all too much this week. Makes me realize that maybe I do know what I'm doing with this mommy thing.
current indulgence

Mocha Coconut Frappuccino.

Ana has been talking about these since last summer so I finally caved. Coconut isn't usually my thing, unless it's in a Samoa Girl Scout Cookie, but I figured I'd give it a go. It was delish, I can't deny, but at a whopping 410 calories I think I'll stick to my skinny caramel macchiato from now on.
current outfit

From Sunday {soon to be sister-in-laws bridal shower} because you don't want to see what I'm currently sporting.

current excitement

This is MAJOR people. I cannot and will not contain my excitement. This girl {and that handsome fellla} is coming to visit me in 7 weeks.

Be prepared for lots of annoying, exciting, screaming posts about this for a long long time.

current mood

Normal. I don't know. I feel like I do every day. It's going to be a nice, warm, summer day so that make me happy. Happy it is.
current favorite quote or verse

Ever since my senior year in high school it has been a quote one of my favorite teachers used to say when we'd leave class, "Go To Your Destiny".
current wishlist item

Besides bedroom furniture? Hmm...

Because, why not, right?
current favorite product

Glimmersticks, hands down.

I get so many compliments on my eyeliner, how perfect it looks, how it seems to last forever {because it does} and how smooth it is and I owe it all to this stuff. I have to say I have sold lots and not heard one single complaint on this item. Nothing but love!

Whew!

SO WHAT! Wednesday

2012-05-23T06:00:00.000-04:00

This week I'm saying SO WHAT if...

I just spent $30 on random {useless} ~~piece of shit~~ toys at the Dollar Store to save my sanity on a rainy day.
I bought new bedding for our Master Bedroom Makeover without consulting Jimmy. Good news is? He likes it!
I completed the 300 Ab Challenge but I'm waiting for my poison ivy to go away before I post the "after" pics. I promise it's worth the wait.
I am really thankful for SWW this week otherwise I'd have NOTHING for today. Which, as of late, isn't that much different than any other day.
I threaten to sell my dog to the zoo for snake food at least once a day.
Speaking of the zoo, I have yet to take Kendall this year.
Speaking of memberships going to waste, I swore we'd use our science museum membership all!the!time! and we've used it three times. We've gotten our moneys worth at least.
I don't use my Erin Condren life planner nearly as much as I swore I would.
I have a love/hate relationship with living in the country.
I pretty much fall asleep any time we watch a movie. Even if it's one I pick. Even if it's in the theater.

Peace, Love

2012-05-22T06:00:00.000-04:00

Boy are you girls in for a treat today!

I posted this picture on Instagram this weekend and I think it instantly got more hits than any other picture I've posted.

You girls LOVED these peace tees {and our bright shorts from Target}!
My friend Amy, the other blonde, makes these tees and sells them at a local boutique, Feather Your Nest, in Hometown, Ohio. She makes loads of other cute things including headwraps, head bands, aprons, skirts, you name it! Girlfriend is crafty! But, since it's a small family owned shop and she's a one woman show, it's hard to get your hands on her goodies {ummm...what?} unless you want to come spend the weekend in a little town in Ohio.
Until now!
I got so many "I WANT ONES" Instagram this weekend that I am happy to announce that we are now taking orders for these peace tees! You asked for it and I like to keep my readers happy! You can get your very own by leaving me a comment and orders will be processed on a first come, first serve basis {like I said, she's a one woman show}
{IMPORTANT: please make sure you do not have a "no-reply" account because I can't get in contact with you if you do. If so please email me directly at shannon.r.dew{at}gmail{dot}com} .

Some details:

You may notice that my tee is baggy and makes me look fat while the other two are cute and fitted. The tees will be the fitted ones, yay! They are American Apparel tri-blend tees and they run a bit on the large size. These two ~~models~~ girls are wearing XS tees.
All tees will be grey and the patterns will vary. As you can see all of our fabrics are different and all of them are SUPER cute! I have seen several of the fabric options and there is not one combo I do not love, literally want one of each. Amy loves coming up with different color combinations and she's good at it, trust.
The tees are $29 and shipping will be $5.95. I will send a PayPal invoice and, like I said, they will be processed and shipped on a first come first serve basis.
Current processing time will be about 2-4 weeks. The tees are custom made, once the sizes are known the order for tees will be placed. It takes about a week to get the tees in and then they will be sewn and shipped in the order in which they were received.
Just leave me a comment and let me know your size and I'll follow up with an email to get the shipping details and PayPal info.

Are you as excited as I am?! I know that you are going to love love love these just as much as I do! In fact, I think I'm going to get another one {a fitted one} too!

Any other questions? Please email me shannon.r.dew{at}gmail{dot}com or leave me a comment {but make sure you have a reply email attached, for the love!}.

Maybe, Baby?

2012-05-21T06:00:00.000-04:00

You guys aren't going to believe this but Jimmy and I have actually had The 2nd Baby conversation on more than one occasion lately. It usually goes a little something like this:

Jimmy: "I mean maybe I want another one?"

Me: "SAY WHAT!?"

Jimmy: "Well I mean look how cute she is! And if we had another I'd want another girl."

Me: "You know it doesn't work that way."

End of conversation.

Sometimes it goes like this:

Me: "I mean it would be nice for Kendall to have a sibling."

Jimmy: "Yeah, the best gift you can give a child is a brother or sister."

Me: "I'm not having another baby JUST so Kendall has a play mate. But it would be nice when they're like 3 and 5".

End of conversation.

You see, one of us is always on the fence when the other isn't. Always. We are never both in the same boat at the same time. He wants one when I don't an vice versa. So I think it's safe to say while we tread these waters we just abstain.

Truth be told, this once self-proclaimed "only child mama" does have days where the thought of a squishy new baby just might be what this family needs. I think, yeah, we could do this, totally! How cute it'd be to do The Baby #2 Announcement and smell that sweet newborn skin again. Yeah it does sound amazing, at times. I think how I always said that IF we had another I'd want to be a SAHM and, well, I am now so...

But then I think about us. I'm finally at a place where I feel comfortable. I feel like I have a grasp on this mommy thing, most days anyway. Kendall is getting so smart and she craves learning, like whoa. We have a good rhythm going on and I finally feel like I'm getting little bits and pieces of myself back. I'm making time for me and starting to come into my own where I feel like yes, this is where I am meant to be. Life feels good right now.

Dude the first year of motherhood is brutal. It's like the highest of highs and lowest of lows all mixed in one giant Kitchen Aid mixer and plopped out on a shit sandwich. I have never felt so many emotions in one year as I have this past year and now the dust is settling. Kendall needs me now more than ever and the thought of taking that away from her? Well you may as well rip my right arm off because it's about the same.

Obviously people do it, every single day. I have plenty of friends with 2 and 3 kids that prove it can be done and done well. I see the bonds their kids have and I get a little weepy knowing Kendall won't know that bond, just like I don't. I even asked Jimmy one day, "what's it like to have a brother?" and he said, "it's the coolest." and for that second in time I thought, "well shit, I've missed out". But truth be told, I haven't missed out.

Sure I'll never officially be an aunt, I'll never be the Maid of Honor in my sisters wedding and I didn't have a big brother to stick up for me when I got my heart broken in high school but I never missed out on love. I was surrounded by love, and still am, every single day. I had amazing friends and cousins I was close to that were like sisters. The best part of those kinds of sisters is when you get sick of each other you can just go home!
Lately we've been getting The Baby #2 Question, a lot. "She needs a brother or sister!" "You HAVE to have one more." Ummm...says who?
Look I can barely scrape together money to give us a much deserved bedroom makeover and you want me to throw another nursery, formula and diapers into the mix? Mama wants a bed frame and some bedding that doesn't have puppy paw prints covering it. I have needs people.

Friday iPhone Dump

2012-05-18T06:00:00.000-04:00

1. My gorgeous, green-eyed girl.

2. My mother-in-law took KP to this field while I got my hair did this week and I think I died from cuteness overload. This is by far my favorite picture, ever. It deserves it's own canvas.

3. "Ciercle, Tyngle, Scare". Recently Kendall's vocabulary and interest in learning has boomed! She wants to learn all day long. She now knows all shapes, colors and now we're working on numbers and letters.

4. Raspberry wheat Shock Top is delish. Such a refreshing summer beer.

5. Kendall and her new friend Elli at the park this week. I told them to say "cheese" and this is what I got. Loves it.

6. Wednesday morning Jimmy texted me to say "you should sit out in the sunroom and drink your coffee this morning, it's so nice!". And so that's what I did and {for once} he was right.

7. Every night I check on KP before we go to bed and Wednesday night I found her like this and just immediately yelled for Jimmy to "come look!" and snap a pic. I mean Santa pjs? Legs sticking out? Arms wide open? A million baboos {binky}? Everything about this makes me laugh.

8. Courtney and Hailey had been Instagraming about these new Starbucks Refreshers and this week I got a coupon for a free one and SCORE one for Starbucks! This stuff is bees knees!

9. I got blondified on Wednesday and I love it! Color isn't much different but dang I hadn't been since January! Surprisingly the roots weren't that bad but it always feels good to get them touched up!

Stop & Smell the Roses

2012-05-16T08:39:00.000-04:00

I just had to link up with Mandy again, I just love the idea behind SASTR.

I'm not kidding about the Mark moisturizer either and I'm not just trying to make a buck. I really really love it and that's the reason I filmed this with just moisturizer on, so you could see.

If you want to order some click here. I use the ivory/nude- for reference. If you are a first time customer you can use code REPFLYER to get free direct delivery on any order!

SO WHAT! Wednesday

2012-05-16T06:00:00.000-04:00

This week I'm saying SO WHAT if...

Every week when I type this I type "SO WHAT iff" as if there is some normal reason if should have two f's.
I just got a family doctor at the ripe ole age of 29.
I hated the season finale of Desperate Housewives.
I like that I've been a little M.I.A. from the blog/social media world lately.
I just got hot pink shorts but I'm a little afraid to wear them.
I quickly showed Jimmy my favorite David Yurman ring when he claimed I "don't like jewelry". Silly husband.
At this time last year I had already bought the majority of Kendall's birthday party stuff and this year? Nada so far.
I enjoyed every minute of grocery shopping yesterday because I did it alone. It was glorious.
I want a monogram iphone case but am way too cheap for any I've found.

Tuesday Titbits

2012-05-15T06:00:00.000-04:00

Err...Tidbits, I meant tiDbits, I swear.

So here goes. A brain dumb of sorts. Why? Because we love you. Just kidding it's really because I have nothing else to offer and you love pictures right? Lots of pictures!

Jimmy and I got super lucky {not in that way} and had two date nights last week! Our family rocks and offered to babysit Kendall on Wednesday so we could see Avengers because Jimmy was DYING to see it. We hit up Happy Hour beforehand and honestly? I wish we would have stayed at HH all night. The weather was perfection, the patio was warm, the beers were cold, it had my name written all over it. But, we went to the dark, cold, theater where I proceeded to fall asleep and Jim-bo got his movie fix for the first time in two years. Yep. It had been two years since we saw a movie last.

Saturday we had plans to celebrate Jimmy FINALLY finishing school! HOLLER! And celebrate we did! We celebrated more so the fact that my mom kept Kendall overnight, even on Mother's Day weekend! I love that woman! Dinner, drinks, new friends, more drinks and it was a great night. Jimmy may or may not have told all of his friends that I'm "a famous blogger" to which I quickly corrected him and prayed they wouldn't go home and Google my ass.

I swore I'd never own a pair of Crocs. I mean I was thisclose to getting a pair when I was 100 months pregnant but never could commit. But for KP? Totes adorbs. And they are the most practical things ever. 1. No socks required. 2. Easy to put on. So much so she can do it herself. 3. Easy clean. If they get dirty, and they will, you just hose them down! Easy peasy! And, in true hillbilly fashion, KP sports hers in her skivvies.
Speaking of that silly, gorgeous girl of mine she's looking so grown up these days. Do you ever put the babes in an outfit and think, "well hello 13-year-old!"? I did this weekend. See below.
Spring has officially sprung and it's popping up all over our yard. I'll spare you the gruesome details of the poison ivy that is currently covering my entire body {that's what happens when you garden in your bathing suit, so much for working on that tan}. I'm going to the doctor today in hopes of them giving me a magic cure that gets rid of it in 2.5 seconds and not a diagnosis for a flesh eating disease. Anywho...we have mint. Lots of mint. So much that it's screaming "LET'S MAKE MOJITOS!". Who's coming over?
Remember when I posted about how much I love getting mail? Well last week was awesome for mail again and my favorite piece came from Etsy. You see I had been carrying JUST my car key for sometime now. Like just the key, no key ring, no other keys attached, JUST my car key. Talk about annoying and easy to get lost in the purse! Last week I took matters into my own hands and got me my very first monogrammed key chain and I.am.in.love.!
Because it has to be addressed, let's talk about Desperate Housewives. **SPOILER ALERT** Let's just say disappointed doesn't even begin to describe the way I feel about this series finale! First of all, Marc Cherry said he knew how it would end when he wrote the pilot, well that's because no matter what would have taken place over the past 10 years the ending could have been what it was. Pathetic. And the new girl that moved into Susan's house? WHO CARES? The show isn't going on so it's not like it matters that she has a secret, we'll never find out! Needless to say I thought it was very lackluster and could have been SO much better. To me it just seemed like another episode, not a finale. LAME.

And that's that. Hope you're having a fan-flipping-tastic week so far.

Baby Mama

2012-05-14T07:13:00.002-04:00

The best part of Mother's Day was seeing this girl. The girl who made me a mama {or mommy as she now calls me}.

Nothing else mattered.

The gifts were great but not necessary. The "let me get that for yous" were a nice gesture. And the getting to do nothing but relax was awesome.

But all I wanted was to hug and squeeze this one and soak in the greatest gift in life, my girl.

June Sponsors!

2012-05-10T09:55:00.001-04:00

Come on, you know you want to.

Need a little persuasion?

Yeahhhhh...now you're like, "well that's an offer I can't refuse!" I know, I drive a hard bargain. Just don't hold me to my end of the deal unless you expect to walk up on a mailbox full of rotten milk.

L.A.I.D. has 856 followers and growing daily
If you don't own your own business or have anything to promote consider promoting your own blog. The more exposure the better!
I will promote you in anyway I can. Having a sale? Interested in a giveaway? Hosting a link-up? Let me know and I'll blog/FB/Tweet about it along with doing a monthly post about you!
L.A.I.D. has an average of 444,000 page views each month- that's a lot of exposure people!
I take a lot of pride in this little blog of mine. I post 5 days a week which means that's 5 times a week people could see your ad and go to your site!
Prices are pretty cheap around here, just $15 gets your a spot for the entire month.

So...you know what to do! Hit me up! Comment on this post or shoot me an email shannon.r.dew {at} gmail {dot} com.
I look forward to hearing from you {and you, and you, and you!}.

25 Things.

2012-05-10T06:25:00.003-04:00

Courtney tagged me for 25 Things You Don't Know About Me and my first thought was "SHIT! Ya'll know everything about me!!" I've "known" Courtney for...years...and I just love her honesty, she's a real girl and doesn't hold back, just the way I like em! So go check her out!

As for me...here goes nothing.

I'm an only child and I like it that way.
I could eat mac & cheese every day.
No matter how long KP sleeps I always wish it were longer.
I love pizza. Love, love, love. Like a lot. Like I could eat it breakfast, lunch and dinner 7 days a week.
I am deaf in my right ear, like almost 100%.
I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up.
I freakin' hate spiders. Like whoa!
I pick at my face, a lot.
I crack my knuckles even more.
I pretty much hate any movie that's 1. not a romantic comedy 2.is set in a decade I've never {or will never} lived in 3. has any sort of "gladiator" theme 4. sci-fi or 5. doesn't have Reese Witherspoon in it.
I always have room for ice cream.
I've never mowed grass and never plan to.
I never had beer until I met Jimmy.
I am a neat freak but I hate to clean, especially deep cleaning.
I know how to drive stick shift and change a tire.
I have 2 middle names and two last names.
I hate my handwriting.
If I could move to the beach I would in a heartbeat.
I'm really good with directions, as in North, East, South, West. I can go somewhere once and remember it forever.
I don't know how to play any instruments and I cannot sing.
In high school i was the girl that wore the JNCO and Kikwear jeans with thrift store tops and Doc Martens.
I've never pulled an all-nighter.
I always remember lots of useless information.
I have never met some of my closest friends.
Jason Mraz is my favorite musician {right now anyway}.

Well, I can't believe I was able to think of 25 but I'm sure some of you already knew some of these!
And now it's your turn...

SO WHAT! Wednesday

2012-05-09T06:00:00.000-04:00

This week I'm saying SO WHAT! if...

I hardly wear make up these days. I mean I wear foundation and concealer but the eyes? Bare most days. Sorry husband.
We were stuck indoors all weekend thanks to KP's allergic reaction and yet I still wanted to have a rainy Monday.
I laid out while the husband dug our new patio this weekend.
Yesterday I got on the treadmill with a hot oil treatment on my hair. I call it multi-tasking.
Jimmy and I are getting a kid-free night this weekend and I'm literally counting down the days.
The episode of SATC where Samantha leaves Smith to go "upstairs" with Richard brings me to tears, every time.
I'm thinking KP will get 2 birthday parties this year. One at the beach and one when we get home, yes.

15 Days

2012-05-08T09:12:00.003-04:00

Today marks day 15 of the 30 day, 300 Ab Challenge.

I blogged about it a couple Fridays ago. I was only 3 days into it the last time I updated and I was seeing results that quickly. Now we {I say "we" because Jimmy is doing it too} are halfway through the challenge and I wanted to give an update. Actually, I'm still not sure where the whole 30 days thing came in b/c it never says that on the other site, but whatever.

We have been doing it EVERY day for 15 days. Well Jimmy missed one or two days because of school and he dug us a patio {we'll let that be his workout for that day}. I haven't missed any days though, toot toot! Even the day we went out on an impromptu date night we got on the ground and did our workout before we left! It's THAT easy. We have all the moves memorized now so we don't have to spend time looking them up and all that nonsense. We have it down to about 15 minutes and we usually do it in the evenings when we're catching up on The Voice or Cougar Town, easy peasy.

I took pics last week, after just 7 days and I hesitantly posted them to Instagram. The feedback I got was so amazing and encouraging that I told myself on day 15 I'd bite the bullet and post the pics on this here blog.

So here I am after just 7 days.

I can definitely tell the biggest difference in the forward facing photos. My belly button still looks wonky but I just blame that on Kendall. I can definitely see that the lower portion is less blubbery the pouch is starting to get smaller. The side view, I kinda sorta think the before looks better/flatter. But whatever, we'll go with it.

I should also note that these exercises work your thighs too! The first two days that we did these workouts we.were.dying. from soreness. I felt it in my thighs and back the most but I didn't let that stop me from getting on the ground and doing it again the next day and every day thereafter.

It has gotten easier! To be a fly on the wall on day 1 would have been comical! We both struggled through the entire thing. Oh and Roll-Up, V-Ups were the devil. I actually had to Google a video on them because I was certain I was doing them wrong. Well, turns out I was doing them right just wasn't strong enough in the core to do them properly or more than one in a row. Those are still the worst of the bunch but they have gotten better. Oh and the Kayaks? I used to be able to do maybe 20 in a row before I needed a break, now I can do all 50 without stopping! YEAH!

15 Days, halfway there.

Changes are happening people! I didn't think so yesterday but when I woke up this morning I could see it. That pouch is slowly getting smaller and my belly button is beginning to look someone normal again! I definitely feel like there are less "ripples" in my lower tummy, you can see them really good in the front view on day one, woof!
I am so pleased with the results I'm seeing so far that I'm thinking instead of just a 30 day challenge we move it to a 60, 90 or hell, just- keep- doing- it- because- it's- obviously- working- challenge! I have done lots of ab workouts, home videos and machines at the gym and I've never seen results as quickly as I have with this program. And now that we've got it down to a science we can kick it out in less than 15 minutes. Sure it's a brutal 15 minutes but it's paying off and that helps push through the pain.
No pain, no gain, right?

Arm Party {+Giveaway}

2012-05-07T06:32:00.002-04:00

I'm sure you've seen plenty of pictures, on Pinterest, in magazines, on blogs, of girls stacking bracelets and looking oh so cute. I know if I had to see one more person on Instagram wearing bright, colorful arm candy I was going to scream. You see, I'm a little behind on the accessories train and had been donning bare wrists all this time. Until now!

Pretty huh?

You see that pretty gold chain bracelet? Well it's my favorite. Thanks to Alexandra Jade it could be your favorite too!

She is offering a L.A.I.D. reader ANY gold chain bracelet from her shop! If you can't wait, you're in luck! She's offering all readers a 10% discount with code DEW10!

Giveaway entries:

Be a follower of Life After I "Dew"
"Like" Alexandra Jade on Facebook
"Like" Life After I "Dew" Blog on Facebook
Post about the giveaway on Facebook and mention Alexandra Jade and Life After I "Dew" Blog

Now, what are you waiting for?! GO!

Good luck, ladies!

Friday's Letters

2012-05-04T06:38:00.003-04:00

Dear Blog Readers,

You girls are amazing. No seriously you rock my socks. I mean never in my life have I been so supported by a group of complete strangers. Never have I felt so exposed only to have you say "it's ok and, most of all, normal". You always know what to say and for that I say, THANK YOU!

Dear Wine,

I'm glad you've found your way back into my life. I've missed you. I like me more when you're around.

Dear Husband,

Thanks for talking me off the ledge not once, but twice, this week. You are amazing and I'm not just saying that because I'm reading Fifty Shades of Grey. You really are a good man. I love you.

Dear Jessica Simpson,

I am so happy that you are finally not pregnant anymore. And I thought my pregnancy lasted forever, girl you were pregnant for an eternity. As for the name, Maxwell Drew, I'm on the fence. Seems like if you were going to go with such a masculine first name you would have girlied it up with the middle name. That being said, I think I like Maxwell...I think.

Dear Ohio Weather,

Thank you for being warm again. No seriously. I am happier than a pig in shit when it's hot outside. In fact yesterday was miserably hot and I went to the park, washed my car {by hand} and laid out. It was glorious. Keep it coming.

Dear Vacation,

I'm counting down the days but I am also afraid, very afraid, of you. You see nothing about 10ish hours in the car with a toddler who hates the car sounds fun. When we get there I pray that she loves the sand, sleeps well, and is just all around thrilled to be there, like her mama, but I'm worried.

Dear Christina Aguilera,

Girlfriend I commend you for loving your new, curvy body. I love it too. But let's address the clothing options, please. You do not have the same body that you had in your Dirrty days so please stop dressing like you do. Let's take baby steps, first things first, put on some damn pants!

Dear Starbucks,

You guys know what you're doing when it comes to running a business. Never have I ever had a bad experience at one of your stores, ever. Everyone is always so damn happy that I am convinced you pop them full of "happy pills" at the start of their shifts. Oh and your drinks are delicious too. Keep up the good work!

Dear Cougar Town,

I love you. I think my husband loves you more, don't tell him I said that though. But I think you guys "jumped the shark" with this whole Grayson has a baby bit. I'm not a fan. But keep up with the funny titles, it's the highlight of the show if you ask me.

Dear Chanel,

If you roll in whatever you are rolling in one more time I may have to sell you to the zoo as snake food. I thought giving you an iced cold hose bath yesterday would teach you a lesson but you no sooner ran back to the yard and rolled in whatever funk again. It's sick. Stop it. I mean it.

xoxo,

Guilty

2012-05-03T07:36:00.002-04:00

Today I had {still have in my drafts} this big blog post about me failing as a mom. About how motherhood is not all that I expected. It was negative, not nice, and I'm pretty sure a lot of you would have said one of two things, "Amen sista! I feel you!" or "I'm going to call CPS now.".

It obviously had such an impact on me that I was still in a funk when Jimmy got home last night. I felt relieved that I had finally gotten some of these thoughts and feelings off my chest but I felt guilty too. I had basically admitted defeat and waived my proverbial mom white flag, thrown in the towel.

Jimmy asked me what it is that I felt like I was failing at and I couldn't really tell him. I don't teach Kendall enough? I feel like she watches too much TV? I don't feel like I show her enough love? Those were a few guesses I threw at him, knowing full well that none of them were true or valid.

And then he said it, "Babe, you're bored!".

Could it be that simple? I mean we had just gotten back from a play date with a new friend at the park, how could I be bored? But I listened.

He went on to say how he felt this way last summer. He wanted so badly to take her out into the yard and pick flowers but at that point all she could do was drool and roll in the grass. He was bored then. Now this summer is a different story in more ways than one. Sure she is able to go out and pick flowers {and boy does she ever} but she can talk, interact, play, run and do things with us now. It's pretty cool. But the fact that she is so go, go, go is tiresome in a way where I feel like I can't keep up and can't keep her entertained. Jimmy reminded me that this is just the age. That this toddler stage is hard, probably one of the hardest in parenting {until we get to the teens, oy!}.

He then remind me about the amazing things that Kendall has learned since I started staying home with her. Like how when she's frustrated with something instead of whining or crying over it she says, "help please". Or how when I draw shapes she instantly knows which one is which without me even asking. Holy crap! I have taught her something! I am doing a good job!

Even after I had that realization I couldn't shake this feeling. I went on to tell Jimmy that I was so desperately craving our pre-baby life. The carefree-ness of picking up and going to do whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted. Quiet evenings with just the two of us and a glass of wine {for me} and a beer {for him}. And then I said it, "You were right." First time he's probably ever heard those words and it could quite possibly be the last. But in this moment it was true. He wanted to wait to have babies so that we would have more of these husband-wife moments before our life was all consumed with another person. I cried {literally} at the thought, I wanted a baby so!bad! And only now am I realizing why he wanted to wait.

But such is life and this has only reinforced the need for more date nights in our life. More kid free moments. We have been saying "we need to find a church" since we moved to this house nearly two years ago and yet here we sit every Sunday at home, not at church. We decided we will change that this week and hope that God {and MOPS} can guide me into the right direction. We still need to make ourselves and what's important to us a priority again.

Last night I went to bed feeling better. He had said some very good words of wisdom and knowing that he felt the same way {only a year earlier} made me feel less crazy, less guilty, about my feelings of failing at this mommy game. Then I woke up to this, "Hun keep your head up and remember how much Kendall and I love you. You are the heart of our family. Today instead of cleaning or trying to get stuff done just pour yourself a glass of wine and feel good about yourself for being such and awesome wife and mom."

And that said it all. I am not failing. Kendall is learning and growing. She knows how much I love her. She is happy and well adjusted. So today I will listen to my husband and I will feel good about this life and my flower picking princess.

SO WHAT! Wednesday

2012-05-02T06:00:00.000-04:00

This week I'm saying SO WHAT! if...

I almost didn't remember to post this today. I'm in a blogging rut, what can I say?
I finished Fifty Shades of Grey yesterday and now I cannot wait to start reading Darker. OMG I'm addicted.
I'm most excited about the back/shoulder/head massage I'm going to get before my haircut versus my actual haircut. Either way a morning alone of pampering is nice.
I had a mini meltdown about our new one income situation last night. It's a big adjustment!
As much as I love bright, sun-shiny days, I crave rainy days, a lot.
I talk to my mom multiple times a day.
I have a job interview for Tuesday and I don't want to go.
I'm going to be sad when The Voice ends.
My house will never be as clean as I want it to be or as it was when we first moved in.

May Sponsors

2012-05-01T06:00:00.000-04:00

April showers bring May sponsors!
This month I wanted to do things a little bit different around here. For the past two months I've talked up my sponsors, I've told you a million and one reasons why I love them but I want you to hear it straight from the source! I wanted them to tell you why they love what they do and what their passion is. So, without further ado, I give you Life After I "Dew"'s May sponsors!

Thirty-One Gifts. Hi! I'm Kodi, and I am a Director with thirty-one. I've been selling thirty-one since last June, and I love it so much. I have so much fun "working" at the parties and it's the perfect part-time "job"! I make really good money, and I don't have to be pushy at all because the products are so great they sell themselves. I love how thirty-one is always coming up with awesome new products.

Our new Summer catalog launches today, and there are a few fun new things I'm so excited to share! We have a new print called Minty Chip that is so cute!

We also have a new Spirit collection so that you can support your favorite team or player. I already got eight of these new products, and they're my new favorite. Oh, and I got them for free because I'm a consultant! You can't beat that! If you or anyone you know could use some extra monthly income, I'd love to talk to you about the blessing that thirty-one has been for my family. E-mail me anytime at kodibevelle at gmail dot com.

Our Love Nest. I'm Pam from over at Our Love Nest. I would describe myself as a twenty-something semi-newlywed (does 18 months still count as newlyweds? Yes? OK, then.). Running a marketing consulting business by day with baby fevah constantly on the brain by night. I'm guilty of buying a few too many Forever21 tops and watching way too many hours of reality television. obsessively neat and organized and an aspiring at home chef. lover of God, my sweet husband, the New York Jets and an ice cold beer (or bubbling glass of champagne!) Comes join us on our journey through being newlyweds, taking care of our crazy puppy, renovating and decorating our new home and starting our family!

Wild Bean Vanilla. The Wild Bean Vanilla Company is a family-run company located in Mesa, AZ.
Wild Bean Vanilla Company was started after we received a bottle of real vanilla extract from a friend. We were amazed what a huge difference real, handcrafted vanilla extract made in the taste of our foods! We specialize in vanilla extracts (Madagascar Bourbon, Tahitian and Mexican), gourmet and extract grade vanilla beans, and related goods including ground vanilla and vanilla sugar. We also carry a line of flavored extracts, including almond, peppermint, coffee, banana, chocolate and more. Check us out on our website at www.wildbeanvanilla.com or check out our blog for recipes, and general vanilla information at www.wildbeanvanillablog.com

According to L. According to L designs and creates accessories for women and children. Classic, fun, and affordable! Life is Hard. Look Fabulous Anyway.

From Nanny to Family. I’m not always sure what the best way to answer questions about passions and loves is, but this I do know- I have a fierce love for my family, wine is my friend, and blogging is the hobby I never knew I wanted. Writing is something I have always loved to do and while I’m not sure if I’m any good at it- it makes me feel good, that is why I have a little slice of the ole’ internet. Because keeping things to yourself where people can’t judge you is no fun.

Dude and Three. I'm Jess. I'm a mom of four, all of whom are infinitely smarter than I. I have diarrhea of the brain on my blog on an almost daily basis, writing about my family, my special-needs, poofy-haired toddler, and my adventures in running. At which I suck. (Really, I'm just a total running poseur but I ran a ten mile race a few weeks ago so I'm TOTALLY pretending I'm an Actual Runner) Sarcasm is my preferred font, and honesty is the blanket I snuggle with on chilly nights. I have a lot of hair, drink a lot of smoothies, take a lot of pictures, and often daydream about my real life, the one where I live on the beach in Mexico.

My Sweet November. My Sweet November is a One Woman Show. My name is Candy and I do all the designing, production, and photography of all of the items I sell. I've been creating and selling jewelry since 2009 and as you can tell from my shop, cameos are my favorite component to work with. In my shop you'll find nautical and gothic inspired jewelry as well as modern and whimsical designs. Perfect for special occasions or just everyday wear. I hope you enjoy everything I create just as much as I enjoy creating it for you!

And, as usual, you are in for a treat! Miss Candy is offering one lucky L.A.I.D. reader her silver bird necklace! We all know what a big fan of birds we are around these parts, hello blog design. But seriously though, look how cute!

Are you dying? I am! Actually, I think I may order one myself! LOVE it!

Here's what you need to do to win:

Follow Life After I "Dew" via GFC
Go to My Sweet November and "heart" her store.

That's it! Two chances to win! Leave one comment for each. Good luck!

Lately.

2012-04-27T07:26:00.000-04:00

Some things to note as of late.

Listen.

Thanks to local, Columbus, bloggy friend, Katie, I am OBSESSED with this little ditty. KP and I dance to it at least a few times a week and I have no shame about it. None at all. It's quite possible her favorite song right now and here's why.

You're welcome.

Watch.

Did you girls watch the season premiere of RHNJ? No? Girlllllllll! This season is bout to get real. I mean can we say drama drama reality TV llama? And what about Ashley's face? Those lips? That hair? Oy! I have always been a fan of Caroline and her matriarchal ways and I don't think this season will be any different.

Run.

So I signed up for The Color Run here in Columbus. To say I'm excited is an understatement! I'm freaking PUMPED! I'm running it with a few of my fav girls {Run Betch Run!} and Jimmy {he's our manscot}. I've never done a color run but I know I will not regret it. Here's hoping I get more than 3 hours of sleep this time.

Read.

Thanks to the power of blogging I got my grubby little hands on a PDF of Fifty Shades of Grey and I haven't put it down {so to speak} since. Oh Mr. Grey, you are so mysterious and with the end of every chapter I just want to keep reading to find out more about you. Side note: I have heard the rumors that Ian Somerhalder may play Mr. Grey in the movie version of Mom Porn but I had him pinned as more of a Ryan Gossling or Ryan Phillipe a la Cruel Intentions, no?

Fitness.

My friend Sarah posted about a 300 ab challenge she's been doing and that she started seeing results in just 7 days and I had to know more. She sent me the link and I got started that day. Jimmy and I have officially done it for, are you ready, 3 days and we can already tell a difference! It's not noticeable, yet, but I can feel it. I feel stronger. I feel more firm. I feel changes. It's amazing. I did take before pics so once I hit the 30 day mark all will be revealed. Stay tuned.

Laugh.

Right? Because did you hear his new song Boyfriend? Totally loved it and totally thought it was Justin Timberlake. In fact, when it came on the radio and the announcer said Justin BIEBER I wanted to call them and tell them they were wrong. True story. Then I got on Twitter and saw that everyone thought the same thing. Damn you JB and that catchy new tune.

Drink.

Last Friday night Jimmy came home with the fixings for this moon-a-rita and, I mean, how am I supposed to turn down that offer? I'm not. So I played bartender and whipped up a batch and, as much as I wanted to, I didn't love it. I think it was the mango, I don't know. It leaves a funky aftertaste that I just couldn't get past.

Sweet Winner

2012-04-26T06:53:00.003-04:00

We have a winner of the bon bon by jenndi cupcake giveaway!

And because I knew you guys wouldn't believe me when I said it the proof is in the pudding.

Which means that my homegirl, Kristen, has won! Holler for a dollar girl! Get cha cupcake on!