Buying a New Coffee Table

I tried to talk my husband into this:

but he just couldn't do it. 

He wanted a glass coffee table with a shelf underneath. 

I didn't even try to sell him on this:

It has a shelf! But I wasn't dying to have it. 

Gotta pick your battles and it costs 

a little more than I wanted to spend anyway.

I don't LOVE it but I do LIKE it.

$315 on ebay

Everything I saw for a while was either more of the same or way too big or way too weird or didn't have said shelf.

This weekend I did another search on eBay and I found this: 

 $99 a piece and two together - the perfect size. 

Before I hit the Buy It Now button I decided to look at the absolutely one place on earth I had not looked: Pottery Barn. 

And guess what? Same damn tables, $249 a piece plus tax plus shipping. Apparently the title "Tanner Cube" comes with a premium. 

Whatev, as my son would say.

The one place I was trying to avoid and I don't know why exactly except that it is so cliche I guess, and I ended up with an effing PB coffee table. . .

except for a whole lot less money.

I have to admit they do make them look a whole lot more appealing with the styling and the photography and that is really what we are paying for. . .

But they are EXACTLY the same,

even if this photograph helped seal the deal.

I did order them. They will be here in 4 days 

and did I mention the free shipping? And no tax? 

So the two together cost slightly less than $200. 

I heart you, eBay.

I'll post a pic when they come - if I like them.

Proud Mom

What can I say?

 

Olivia is a freshman in high school. In May she had to move away from everything she has ever known in her life, the house she has lived in since before she was two and friends that she has known as long. 

That was a tough thing for me to do to her, forcing her to adjust to a new place at what I know we can all remember as a very interesting time in life to say the least.

I do like to say (although it is not really true) I would have ten kids if they didn't all grow up to be teenagers. But for all the ups and downs she is one of the coolest people I know most of the time and that is a hard thing to say. I am not sure I want my daughter to be cool, you know? 

I want her to be this nerdy little runt forever.

.

Cutting to the chase . . .she was recently informed that she is a two time Regional Gold Select Winner in the 33rd Annual Scholastic Art Awards.She is now entered in the Nationals which somehow involves a trip both to Wilson, NC and NYC? Maybe? The details I am getting at this time are typically vague and non committal but I think it is a big deal. Did I mention that there were over 400 entries from the County we live in and she alone was selected to move forward? A freshman. When I was a freshman, I think I was still trying to figure out how to tie my shoes.

Here are the winning selections

I encourage you to go look at the other winners. Amazing talent in the Old North State.

And so nice to see creative kids being encouraged and rewarded for their artistic endeavors.

She is definitely in some very good company.

It's In the Bag BLOG CRAWL

Check out Rosy and Tart

 I am NOT sure I am up to the challenge! :-) 

Her It's in the Bag post is fantastic.

This is my first Blog Crawl. And I love that it is 1/11/11!

I am a total newbie to blogging too but thanks for stopping by. 

Here is my purse. I have a bunch but this is the purse du jour. 

I have had this purse since 1987. No kidding.

I bought it in NYC on Madison Ave. at Joan and David when I was a freshman in college. 

It is tried and true.

And here is my It's In the Bag!

 

  

1. Still holding out for Verizon to get the iphone. The HTC has been trusty. Thanks to that sucker I am completely connected 24/7 to work, Facebook, my personal email and all those people that text me everyday (can you feel the dripping sarcasm?). I have an ipad too but don't usually carry it in my purse. It is way better than the phone!
2. This is my wallet from Paris, given to me as a gift from my friend who lives in France when her stepdaughter came to live with us last summer. We have never eaten so well! and I have my wallet to remind me.
3. Gum - 'nough said. Great for bad breath and oral fixations.
4. Lip gloss -- if I don't wear anything else I always wear lip gloss and. . .
5. Mascara! I never leave home without it. I have long lashes but they are pale.
6. A shopping bag because you never know when you are going to have to stop for wine or chocolate or some new shoes! I try to be green about it.
7. Pens - I am a banker. I always need a pen.
8. My work keys with the little RSA token which ensures that if my phone dies I can be connected 24/7 anyway! and my car/house keys with a silly Beach Princess key chain that my husband bought for me when we moved to the beach.

TA DA! How exciting huh?

Don't forget to go visit derek+catharine for tomorrow's It's in the Bag!

Thanks for stopping by and come again real soon.

Blakley

A NEW YEAR

What to say? 

I really hope 2010 did not hit it's ass on the way out the door!

Or maybe I do.

That pretty much sums up how I feel about the year: 

I don't even know exactly how to feel about it except that I am really glad it is over.

I ate my black-eyed peas on New Year's Day and watched my team kick some serious Michigan State tail ( I will try not to use the word ass more than once a post). Roll Tide.

Seems like my Tar Heels are getting better and better. That warms my fan heart.

If you didn't get your Christmas card it is because it is still sitting in a pile. I think this is the last year we are even going to do them. I notice that less and less people send them every year - either that or no one likes us anymore! And I know that could not possibly be the case.

So far this year I have hired more help at work. This is VERY good and it means I have an old friend in Southport. I dragged her from Las Vegas so you know she loves me and I already feel more supported. I cannot even begin to describe how crazy and stressful my job is on a daily basis. I have been working for years to get to a better place with it and it is all starting to come together. I'm glad because I do love my job. It is just completely, mind bogglingly overwhelming every single day.

The bad news is that my dog may have bone cancer and I have been crying regularly about this. The good news is that it MIGHT be a bone infection which is treatable. Jack has to take her back to the vet on Monday. She'll be 11 in June. I guess that is sort of old for a dog but all my other dogs have lived much longer so anyway, it is just what is happening here.

I am going to try for a real post before the next week is over, rather than just an update on why I have been such a slacker.

Couple of more things - Jenny of MFMB is auditioning for Design Star and so try to send good vibrations her way and check out her blog if you haven't. I think she's great and I hope she gets on the show. She's funny and irreverent - two of my favorite qualities in a human being.

Mid month I will be a guest blogger on My Hasty Life -- I will be talking about my purse and all the stuff in it. You do not want to miss this. It will change your life.

Peace, love and Happy New Year to All. Let us pray (or whatever you do) for a 2011 that Rocks the Casbah!