Gilt-y Pleasure

My latest obsession? Online sample sales.

As I've mentioned before, I love a bargain. I also love designer clothes, shoes, purses and accessories. My two loves do not usually go hand in hand.

And then I discovered the online sample sale. A friend sent me an invitation to Gilt Groupe awhile back. I was reluctant to join as I still had all of the baby weight to lose and no reason to wear anything nicer than jeans and sweatshirts. While I still don't have much reason to wear anything other than jeans and sweatshirts, I'm slowly losing the weight and craving new clothes.

A few weeks ago there was an article in the Sunday Chicago Tribune about these members only websites. The Trib provided invitations to these sites and I've been hooked ever since.

I bought a new pair of jeans on Ruelala.com. They retail for $175 and I got them for $55!

I also hit up gilt.com for these.

I can't wait to receive them. It will almost make all of the rainy spring days ahead exciting!

I'm sure my husband is really psyched about my new hobby.

**Since these sites are invite only, if anyone wants some fun online sale access, leave me your email address in the comments and I will send you an invitation!**

Tagged!

I was tagged by Cara at Land of Bean for a bag-related meme.

The rules are:

1) Post a picture of whatever bag you are carrying as of late. No, you cannot go up to your closet and pull out that cute little purse you used back before you had kids. I want to know what you carried today or the last time you left the house.

2) I want to know how much it cost:) And this is not to judge. This is for entertainment purposes only. So spill it. And if there is a story to go along with how you obtained it, I’d love to hear it.

3) Tag some chicks. And link back to this post so people know why the heck you’re showing everyone your diaper bag/non-diaper bag.

Good timing! I went out to dinner with a couple of friends last night so the last bag I used was this one:

I got this bag in September 2007. It was $500-ish. I don't remember the actual price though. There's no real story associated with this bag other than I needed a black purse and love Botkier. I've had this bag for a year and a half and still love it. In fact, it's the only black bag I own.

Good thing I saw that Cara tagged me when I did. Otherwise I would have had to post the diaper bag. Oh what the hell?! I'll show it to you anyway.

I now tag... anyone who wants to show off their bag!

She Makes Babies Cry!

If you watch American Idol, you know the screaming girl. Even if you don't watch it, you may be familiar with her. I think her name is Tatiana.

I watched last night's AI and was supremely disappointed in some of their choices. Jamar was awesome but didn't make the cut. On the other hand, some of the most annoying people ever got through, namely Tatiana.

I was just watching a recap clip of last night's show with Ava on my lap. The clip showed Tatiana doing what she does best, shrieking. Ava started to cry.

So AI viewers, I implore you. Don't vote for Tatiana. She made my baby cry!

On The Menu

We started Ava on rice cereal last week. I give her some cereal at night and she seems to be getting the hang of eating solids.

Doesn't she look like she enjoys it?

A Taste of Spring

This weekend was fantastic! The temperature reached 60 degrees on Saturday. It was warm, sunny and lots of snow melted. Of course, since it was beautiful out, Ava decided that she needed an almost 2 and 1/2 hour nap in the middle of the day. We weren't able to get outside until after 2 pm but we went for a nice walk to the grocery store. In honor of spring-like weather, we had my mother over for a "cook-out". We grilled hot dogs and ate macaroni salad and pretended spring was right around the corner.

Yesterday we went for another long walk. It wasn't quite as warm or sunny but we'll take it.

But, this being Chicago, we'll have some decent weather this week (it's supposed to be around 60 again tomorrow) and then the weather will turn frosty again. This will last until June, when the weather SHOULD get consistently nice. I can't wait for that!

Hello Again

I went on a blog vacation (blo-cation?) this week but I'm back.

This cold weather is killing me, smalls. My hands have been so dry that the skin on my fingers cracked, making it super painful to type much hence the break from blogging. My hands are finally feeling better, thank goodness.

So what's been going on? Well, Ava and I have been working the play group circuit lately. Last week we hung out with a few moms and babies and we've been pretty busy this week too. It's been so nice getting out of the house and hanging out with moms with babies around Ava's age. Swapping stories and tips has been great!

The downside to our increased social life is that naps and what semblance of a schedule we had going has gone to pot. But Ava sleeps pretty well at night and I would rather have good night sleep and give up some naps then have her sleep all day and keep us up at night.

This weekend is supposed to be pretty nice so I'm hopeful we'll be out and about this weekend. We may even try to hit the park and give Ava her first ride in the baby swing.