Still Recovering from Black Friday...

Can I first apologize for that ginormous heading up there - will correct after Google search of how to shrink said photo ;) 

annnndddd Yes. I am still in fact recovering from Black Friday - stayed up Thanksgiving night and finally went to bed at 4:30 am. Got up 5 hours later to go get GA- All that staying up late used to be easier......But, Black Friday totally taunts me-  I stalk the cites online for who just got the black market version of the sales papers in hand. I love it when they get leaked and the scanned copies from someones Iphone get circulated via internet too early. 

Anywho....

So, in honor of my being absent for soooooo long, we will take a quick recap of Life on the Rox over Thanksgiving.

{REWIND}

Standard Thanksgiving Activities: 

1. Kissing babies 

2. Corn Hole 

3. Austin Family Photo 

4. Gator-rides from Daddy 

5. Hunting (Hubby and Brother-In-law both got a deer! - yep...that's how we do!)

6. Black Friday Shopping & Recovery 

7. BFF visitation / shopping / crafting 

GA and Reagan hit the Merle Norman for a make-over!- They are their mama's child.

 crafting for The Summers

  

girl time (with 3 children in tow of course)

- and that's how we do Thanksgiving....On the Rox! 

And now for a brief preview of some upcoming Holiday Posts!

1. Drafting my Spreadsheet of Christmas gifts (any my own list of course)
1.5 - Decorating 101 

2. The Santa House ... on the Rox (get excited!)

3. Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast - tradition...

4. Mis Cupleanos! (es correcto en espanol?)

5. Angel Tree Shopping
6. the Rox Christmas Parade

7. More Local Shopping- Support the Locals!

There are so many exciting things I love about the Holidays.  For certain, I begin the dash to Christmas as soon as I pack up, and trash, and eat the Halloween candy. I LOVE ME some CHRISTMAS Y'all! - so get pumped for some Holiday cheer via Life on the Rox! 

Sorry it's been a while -busy,  busy girl.......

Retail Therapy Options

Just FYI, I am about 95% done Christmas Shopping. Including SANTA! How about you? Well, if you are not off to an OH-SO-GREAT start, consider these local possibilities for all the ladies and little girlies in your life! 

As Promised I am giving you updates on some local shopportunity. This past weekend, I had a great experience at the RCS Holiday Extravaganza. My company Specialty Design Co. set up camp and had a great turnout from repeat and some new customers. Just need to add that Monogrammed Scarves are HOT right now!!! Good gracious!

Check out my catalog for more options!

I love my little side-j.o.b so much because I can put my creativity skills to work as well as earn a little extra cash for my own personal upkeep (and y'all know I requires a LOT!) as well as saving some. I also hope to take my baby to Disney in the Spring next year so Mama is workin' hard! Most of all, I enjoy interacting with customers and giving them a great product that they love and not having to spend a ton to get something personal! I also love to see people's faces when they get something they love (ps. my Love Language is Giving/Receiving Gifts). Nothing makes me happier than to give someone a little prize!

When ever I attend these events I always like to scope out other various vendors because I love to support the locals!!! Well this past Saturday was a huge bonus score for me. I found this sweet little Boutique from Durham. I still consider local - who doesn't go to Durham? Seriously...Our options on the Rox are limited. It's called Smitten Boutique . I can't wait to go visit their store!

I got the BEST shoes from these ladies! I am so excited about them I couldn't help but share. I have gotten a lot of 3 for 1 deals before but not like this.

Oh my goodness! I am so in love. As the days of open-toe peeps are coming to an end, I needed a re-vamp in my closet for Fall. These are so very perfect!  First, they come with 3 amazing interchangeable snaps that give you  a 3 for 1 deal!!!! These flats are velvety, stretch and so completely comfortable. Pair them with some leggings, sweater dress, and a Pashmina and you are completely accessorized.

My fave are the pink, bling-bling snaps that I wore yesterday. I felt so sparkly all day!!! You can tell they are well-made too. After wearing them for 2 straight days all day they barely looked scuffed on the bottom.

I also got my mom the latest in comfortable fashion slip-ons. My Mom is real trendy on...the...real... Always looking her best and completely accessorized.  So, I decided to surprise her with some red slips ons that she cold rock over the HoLiDaYs! Pair those red shoes with her sassy new hair cut and color and she's a total knockout! 

These are also comfy and cute with jeans or leggings. I dare to say I bought myself a pair too. The same shoes as my mama.  

Scary. 

So, on your next run to Durham, you have to check out Smitten Boutique. They had a ton of baby and kids Mud Pie items (trunk show Nov. 9th) and their website showcases all the lines they carry. Even PANDORA!

Next on the local shopping list: 

- If you are a mama of a sweet little girl like me, you have to be in-the-know with the latest Hairbow diva that I have discovered. Meet Lesley Annas from Pink Pixie....a Girly Boutique.

The best thing about this lady is her AmAzInG prices! If your a cost-conscious mama you will be blown away by her skill and pricing. She has bows in all sizes and even the grippy stuff to keep them from falling out. She also has headbands, clip-ons, and pony tail accessories. Check out the handi-work!

 

I especially love these rosette clips and GA loves them too!  And if I can get a bow in her hair then, I call it SuCcEsS! 

Hope this gives you a little fun start on shopping and some new places to visit! 

Next on the list: THE MEN in our life... What to buy them??? 

Any ideas anyone?

XOXOXO Happy Shopping XOXOXO

Weekend on the Rox

Much needed weekend on the Rox: 

Chapter 1- 'Cheat-as" never win'

Much to my dismay, I was unable to go to the NCSU / UNC game on Saturday. Tears flowed. Twice. I was so torn as to whether I should go or not. I gave my ticket to my daddy. I totally know that I made the right choice. He was so happy to go and he had a great time tailgating with some of our best friends! I couldn't have been a happier girl at the end of the day (in less of course I had been there too).

Overall a successful day: 

#1 ) We (NCSU) did in fact and quite frankly open a can of whoop you-know-what on those tarholes!!! 

13-0

{Insert "whoop whoop"} 

Thank you to the Carolina "Cheat-as" 

oh um....I mean Tarholes 

 

#2 ) Since the hubs is a mostly converted UNC fan (until basketball season anyway) we can continue living in harmony at home. He would certainly fear for his life if said Tarholes had won on Saturday.  That's what happens to cheaters and those "joking around' on the field. The Herald Sun had it going on this morning. I just loved waking up to this...

The NCSU/UNC game is always a biggie for Sean and I. It was our first date 2 years ago and at the time Sean had not yet been converted. Ew....I know...a UNC fan? I was already sure it might not work out. Needless to say, prayers have been answered and he is now wearing red and looks amazingly hot in it. 

If you need an update on tobacco road rivalries please tune in here.  My bloggy BFF gave a quick rendition of the latest on said rivalry. 


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Chapter 2 - Economy Boost!

Even though I missed the game on Saturday I got to promote my biz all day on Saturday. With much success might I add. Another one of the many ways God has blessed me with talent and ability!

I also want to catch you all up later this weekend on some other great local vendors that I think moms and ladies will love for some shoportunity. I met some great vendors on Saturday!!  You will have to wait until later this week to be introduced to my latest purchase. 
I know you can't wait. 

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Chapter 3 - Auntie Loves!!!
One of the great things about living on the Rox is that I get to be a part of my nieces and nephews life way more than I did when I was in Raleigh.   I have 5 and 4 of them had a birthday weekend. Kelbie turned 7, Caleb turned 8, Kayla is turning 10 tomorrow. Praise the Lord! These three are so precious and I love to think on their birthdays about how each one is so special in their own unique way.  Kayla is so thoughtful and affectionate, Caleb is so manner-able and always a sweetheart when you see him, Kelbie the headstrong yet very sensitive little stone. They each have their own fire that is irreplaceable and unique. Sorry I didn't get any pics of their party. Here is an older pic of them all. 

 
I did get some pics of another little man in particular - who had a VERY special birthday. 

My Landon turned one today {tear} - It seems like just yesterday we were coming to visit you in the hospital. 

This was such a special moment for me a year ago. Sean and I were not married yet, and some how I felt that day that I was already untied with his family. When Landon was born it was another stamp of affirmation in my heart that God had ordered my steps from where I had been to where I am going.  I remember a group of us praying over him and Katie and Thomas. Tears filled my eyes in the hospital room that night and I felt such happiness and closeness that I had always wanted for my marriage, and family. It brings tears to my eyes right now just thinking about they years to come and all the joy he has brought to us all this year so far. One thing that just completely fills my cup is that moment when GA held him for the first time. Me and Katie thought she was going to cry her self.

Now, she loves him so much and it has brought out a side of her I had never seen.  I know that they will have so much fun growing up together!! I can only imagine the shaninigans they will get into!!! 

 Poor Landon is all I gotta say!! 

Just remember Landon, Auntie's can always get you out of trouble and they give you way more prizes!!!!! 

 

Intervention Please

So here is what Halloween does..... It totally gets me off balance. I need reinforcements, back-up, an intervention. I would say since last weekend, my life has been somewhat out-of-sorts. Mainly because of candy. I know. It's ridiculous. I am approaching 30, (rather fast might I add), and people should still hide candy from me.  This is serious. Now you know why my child also has a problem with candy. We don't keep it on hand because of such an issue. Then, I clean out her Halloween bucket and this is what I find. 

Two hours worth.

Clearly she can't be left unattended with candy either.

Remember that day when I was in a funk? That's when it all started. Our office started collecting candy for our Trick-or-Treat event two weeks ago for our big event. I was Snow White. Again. Photo booth and everything. Super fun though. I got to squeeze on nearly 120 children in 2 hours. Elmo was my side-kick. Sometimes they screamed at Elmo. It was adorable and entertaining. 

 Then we had trunk-or-treat at church... More candy. More candy. More candy...

All my fave Clement Girlies!

Then when Halloween actually came, we seriously got a 5 gallon bucket full of JUNK after the final compiling of all said Halloween activities I did have to organize it into snacks, chocolate products, and fruity/sugary products (for easy access of course).

The amount of candy is not really a problem. It's the candy that is a precursor for my ongoing problem with food. Since I have been eating candy on the regular, I find it necessary to continue eating other crap. 

Exhibit A - Your basic FROSTY

Doesn't the bonus condensation make it look extra delicious?

Not only did I go get a Frosty - I found it necessary to add Butterfinger topping.... Throughout the entire experience. This happened in several layers.

At least I ate a Lean Cuisine for Lunch.

To further explain my sickness, I have no desire to exercise, nor to stop actually eating junk. How do I snap myself out of it and get back on track?  I must get fixed before the rest of the holidays. It will only be a downward spiral from here.