Mothers DO Know Best...The Pajama Edition

Every now and then, I have to admit--mothers DO know best...sometimes it's my own mom who proves me wrong, sometimes it's other moms who prove me wrong!

Last summer, I posted an entry about how my mom proved me wrong about one-piece swimsuits.  I used to LAUGH at the women at the pool who would cover up the entire body...But guess what?!  There finally came a point when I knew I couldn't traipse around the pool in a two-piece for fear of running into my teen-age students or professional contacts.  And before you knew it, I was in LOVE with a bunch of one-piece swim suits.  BUT, it's also safe to say that they weren't the most traditional suits in the world...regardless, though, Mom knew best and I was in the market for one-pieces!

For as long as I can remember, my mom always had "real" pajamas...and it seemed that she always expected us to have "real" pajamas as well.  As children, we had matching sets but once I left the house, real pajamas were LONG gone!  I was free :-)  Why would a person spend money on separate clothes to sleep in when you could just sleep in a pair of Nike shorts and a t-shirt???  Or, the clothes you went out in???  Okay, soooo, yeah, I may have done that once or twice during my college days--and I still do it every blue moon if I lay down for a late-night "nap" after a long day at work!  But at least I don't wake up smelling like a smokey bar the next morning!

Anywho, back to the point I'm trying to make...I remember a few years ago when I was a guest at the local hospital.  After I was moved out of ICU and into a regular room, I could wear my OWN pajamas!  I told Mom to grab my Nike pants and t-shirt out of my bag and I could tell she was not impressed with my choice of sleeping clothes...and before you knew it, she left the hospital and returned with a pair of pajama pants and a bath robe.

I remember thinking, "Really?! What's wrong with what my Nike pants?!"  But then, I put on the pajama pants...and WOW...they were soft...and comfy!!!

It was at that point that I figured out, maybe moms do know best about pajamas...

In the past few years, I've added a few pajama pants to my collection--but I still can't justify spending money on something that I wouldn't wear in public!

Well, I take that back.  Maybe I would wear my pajamas in public if they looked like the pajamas below! The other day I ran to JCPenny's to return my wedges (yes, my favorite wedges started to fall apart after wearing them only twice!) and I saw some super cute dresses in the sleepwear section.  And then I realized--they weren't "dresses," they were for-real pajamas!  Sign me up!  If I wanted, I could drink my morning coffee on the front porch and almost look like I was dressed for the day...and I could make a trip to Walmart (but that would require me to actually be willing to go to that place!) in my pajamas and not end up on their People of Wal-Mart website!  Maybe, just maybe, I'll be able to muster the courage to spend some money on real pajamas and I'll be wearing a fab maxi dress when the mailman is at the door with a package at 2:00pm on a Saturday afternoon!  Oh, but I never said I'd have my hair and make-up done ;-)

I can't stand the matching pants, but maybe you could pair the top with the As-Seen-On-TV Pajama Jeans and be super stylin' ;-)  Just Kidding!

I'm not crazy about the tank-top, but the leopard print tank at the bottom would look great with the leggings and cardigan...you could almost pull of morning-coffee at the local coffee shop with this look ;-)

If you added some accessories and a cute pair of shoes, you could walk around town all day in your pajamas!  Ha!

The Platform Wedge Trend--And Herman Munster...

I'm a shoe person--always have been, always will be.  I like to think that I get it from my late Grandma Barb.  As a little girl, I remember being amazed at how many shoes she had...and how they were so different from one another...and how I wanted to have a shoe collection just like hers when I got older!

Well, the time has come and needless to say, I have become a shoe person!  The picture below is from 2 years ago, when we first moved into our bungalow.  This was my section for work shoes...and I had another section on the other side of my closet devoted to boots.  Sadly enough, I had donated several trash bags full of shoes prior to moving...and now, my shoe "collection" has nearly doubled.  I don't know how it always happens, but it just does!

Oh, wait.  I know how it happens!  The other day, I picked out a pair of wedge sandals to wear to work. I had purchased the cork-soled, black peep-toe pumps 6 years ago at Target and had definitely gotten my money's worth as I wore them quite frequently.  As I slipped them on, I thought to myself, "Hmmmm, wonder if I should wear something else???  These shoes have treated me well but they're due to wear out one of these days."  But, they looked super cute with the skirt I was wearing and they hadn't let me down yet, so I left them on and headed out the door...

As class ended that day, I walked into the hallway and couldn't figure out why my right shoe felt 10x bigger than the other shoe.  I got to my office and realized the stupid strap had broken!!!  Guess that's what I get for ignoring my gut instinct!

After about 10 minutes of searching, I found a stapler and stapled the strap back together--how's that for being frugal?!  I was super excited!  I was able to salvage my shoe long enough to walk to my car but of course, this meant it was time to go shoe-shopping ;-)

When I got home from work, I decided to hop online and see what was out there.  After all, wedge sandals are all the rage this season and I have always loved, loved, loved wedge sandals...and what better time to be in the market than when your favorite shoe is everywhere?!

Well, I quickly noticed a serious problem--99% of the wedges have platform soles.  Yeah, yeah, yeah--platforms are all the rage and I admit, I have a few pairs of platform heels.  But on wedges?!  Ick!!!

For one, how can you walk when there's 3-4 inches of sole under your toes--not to mention the 5-6" of sole under your heel?!  Do the shoes even bend and flex?!  I'm all about sacrificing comfort for the sake of fashion, but really, folks...the platform wedge is an insane concept.  To prove my point, here are two styles that I saw many variations of:

To be completely honest, the snake print wedge is super cute.  But at 5'10", I really don't need a platform that exaggerated!  And here's why...

My major concern with the super-chunky platform wedges is this--wouldn't a person look like Herman Munster if they wore them?!  And at my height, I don't need ridiculously thick platform-soles to help me stand out above the crowd!

With that kind of mental image, I just can't do the platform wedge!  lol...and plus, they're kinda stripper-ish...I may be in a "trade" business, but I don't want people to get the wrong idea about what I do for a living :-)

On that note, I wanted a wedge that I could wear to work--and for play.  And of course, I found a super cute shoe that fit that requirement...but it's not black so it's not a direct replacement for the shoe that finally saw its last day.  Guess that just means I have to keep shoe-shopping and adding to my collection ;-)

My new wedges--I am patiently awaiting their May 5th ship date!!!

Are You Up For a Good Laugh???

My dream came true!!!  I am a proud owner of a MacBook!  When I realized I needed a computer for my real estate gig, I had a genius idea--wouldn't it be awesome if I could get an iPad, but with all the laptop features?!

Well, duh.  That's called a Macbook!  Yeah, I'm quick like that :-)

Anyhow, I got in touch with my computer-guru friend, Derek, and he affirmed my dream of owning a MacBook.  In fact, after looking at other (Windows) computers, I just couldn't find anything that I liked. Uhhh, but the only problem???  Macs are crazy expensive!  Even though it would be a business expense, it wouldn't make that much of a difference on our year-end taxes.  Thanks for reaffirming my tendency for expensive taste, Derek ;-)

For the past several weeks, I had been desperately trying to find a computer that I could live with.  But hell, they cost a decent amount of money and I just wasn't happy with any of them.  Thanks to my determination, I refrained from buying something I would be unhappy with...and amazingly enough, just last week, a company I used to purchase photography equipment from was running a MAJOR sale on the very Macbook I dreamt about!  And when I say major, it was major enough that I was sure it was a type-oh and called B&H just to confirm the price...then, I had Derek review the specs to make sure it wasn't some junk version.  It wasn't.  And I was going to save some amazing money.

I seriously about died and went to heaven.  When I hit, "Confirm Order," it took everything I had to keep from jumping up and down with joy!!  I was finally getting my MacBook :-)

My new baby arrived yesterday evening and as I geeked out over it, Justin tried his best to act very nonchalant.  That was--until I busted out the PhotoBooth.  How can you NOT enjoy yourself when playing with PhotoBooth?!  Finally, after a few giggles, he started to admit he was excited about my computer!  

For your viewing--and laughing--pleasure, I have posted some of our more humorous "portraits."  Aren't we a hot couple or what?!

House Hunting...in Omaha

I apologize in advance if my blog seems repetitive...because, really--it kinda is!  Lately, it's been all about food and real estate.  Guess what--that's not changing anytime soon!  :-)

I love houses...and if you know me very well, you know that's not a surprise!  In fact, when we were considering a new career path for me, we thought about "what do I love???  And do I love anything that I could make money off of???"  Ummm, houses! 

Ever since I was first introduced to the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) during our house-hunting days, I have been on the crazy thing non-stop.  And not just the MLS for our community...but for outlying communities AND other cities as well...a bit crazy, I know.

This past Fall, I stumbled upon the Omaha MLS.  I was SHOCKED!  I expected their market to be pretty comparable to our market--after all, the metro is home to several universities, an Air Force base, a regional airport and it has tons of things to do.

Much to my surprise, a person can get a lot more house in Omaha than you can in Manhattan...especially, if you're willing to move to the 'burbs! 

If you know much about me, I'm not a 'burbs type of girl...maybe someday...but not right now.  Old houses are my thing and boy, did I find the PERFECT old house in Omaha!

The crazy part--this house was listed for the same amount as a non-descript, former-rental ranch would go for here in Manhattan.  If this tudor were in our community, it would easily go for an additional $50,000...EASY.  Just more proof that we live in a highly inflated market :-/  Not good for buyers, but good for Realtors ;-)  Ha!  Anyhow, check out this beauty!!!


Looks like their grass got a lil' burnt, too, this summer!



I love the striped awning!



Yes, that is a tile inlay in the entry!!!





My jaw dropped when I saw the stone fireplace...and check out finish on the wood door.  Absolutely gorgeous!





I would give anything to have that stove and sink!!!  I love that they're still using those pieces!





Look at those cabinets...and drawers...and tile countertop!!!  Right away, Justin noticed the fridge was in the breakfast nook, but the house was built prior to electric refrigeration.  Oh, the character of old homes :-)





I've always wanted to install this very same tile on our bathroom floor but I'm too cheap to tear out our perfectly functional viny flooringl...





The attic has been converted to its very own Master Suite/guest suite



As soon as I saw this house, I told Justin to start packing his bags...we were headed to Omaha!  But then I later realized--I will see TONS of houses that I like here in our own market and I can't wait to explore them :-)