I love good deals!

It seems like every store is having a sale right now. I bought this cute coat for Marné for only $10 at Baby Gap! She adores the buttons and tries to bend all the way forward to look at them. I can't wait to find more awesome deals.

"Cookies for Santa" plate

Thanks to Creative Spring, I know have this adorable little plate for Santa's cookies. This cute little lettering came in my Pink Christmas envelope. The plate was a couple dollars at Target. Now I just need some cookies . . .

Found (again)

Hooray! The shoe has been found. Welcome back, little shoe.

LOST (again)

Today while Marné and I were at the mall, I looked down and noticed Marné had her sock in her hands. That could only mean one thing - she had taken off her shoe, again. I quickly looked inside her stroller and all around her. No shoe. I started to retrace my steps and go into the last store I had been in. No shoe. I went to customer service. No shoe. Then I went to the second to last store I had been to. No shoe. Then I went the first store I walked in. No shoe. It wasn't in the parking lot or in the car. Where's the shoe? I want it back! This is the second time it's been lost. (Well, actually, the first time it was the left shoe, now it's the right.) Luckily, it was found the first time. I hope this round has a similar outcome. If anyone finds a cute little brown shoe with a bow on top, send it our way to the shoe-less child.

Back Home

Yesterday, for the first time since I graduated two and a half years ago, I took a ballet class. It is something I have been longing to do every day since I left college. I haven't been brave enough to try it. You see, the reason I stopped dancing is because I was injured. I had worked through four years of painful dancing with the help of an amazing trainer. I couldn't quit. I wasn't ready. I needed to keep dancing. I had to perform. It was my life. Years of my life. I iced, I stretched, I worked and worked, but it never got better -- until I stopped dancing.

I took my first ballet class when I was thirteen years old. I started at an age when most girls quit. I fell in love with ballet instantly, and that feeling has only increased over time. I loved the way dancing made me feel, and how it made me work harder than I'd ever worked before. I loved the discipline, grace, beauty, energy, excitement and everything else that came from dancing. I had the heart of a ballerina with an uncooperative body.

Once I stopped taking class, my injury improved and healed. I feel so blessed. For the past two and a half years, I have constantly wondered if I would ever dance again, if I could ever dance again. If I could open myself up to ninety minutes of what I've longed for only to find out that my body wouldn't allow it. Until yesterday, I wasn't ready to find out.

Last night, I walked into a studio that I had never been to, with people I had never met. I introduced myself and found a spot at the barre. Oh, barre! How I have longed to be back by your side. To have your assistance while I worked on perfecting my tendus, frappés, and grande battements. I have missed you so.

Class went better than I expected. My legs seemed to hold up, even though there was a slight familiar twinge, but not pain. Maybe I can handle a class once a week. I hope I can. Being by that barre and dancing once again was so wonderfully familiar. In a foreign studio, I felt like I was home. I hope I can stay for a while.

Reese's Pieces Chocolate Cookies

I forgot to post these cookies before leaving for our vacation. I made them for a Halloween party we attended. They are sooooo yummy! I used a recipe from Hershey's Kitchen. There are tons of recipes that look very tasty. I'm sure I'll try another in the near future. Instead of chocolate chips, I used Reese's pieces. I also omitted the nuts because I don't think nuts belong in my desserts. It's all about the chocolate or peanut butter or whatever, but no nuts. You can find the recipe here. Enjoy!

Bahamas, Baby!

Spencer and I just returned from a super fun cruise to the Bahamas! We had a fabulous time. It was nice to leave the blizzard that started the day we were leaving. It took us forever to get to the airport! It was the first time we have left Marné. I definitely enjoyed the break and was excited to see her when we got back. She had a fun time playing with her aunts and cousins.

Our ship.Setting sail at sunset.
Nassau, Bahamas

It was a wonderful break, but it's nice to be home and away from the 24 hour food buffet!

New Shoes

I just bought these shoes in brown suede yesterday from DSW. Gotta love that place! I like these gold ones too.