Lost Dog

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So, long story short, Kaden informed me that when he came home from school today, the front door was wide open.  Good news?  No material thing was missing.  Bad news?  The dog was missing.

Nakita has been a part of my home and therefore my family for over a year now.  She is precious and gorgeous and needless to say, I've grown attached.  To think of her M.I.A. makes me crazy.

In addition to being fantastic, she is very skittish.  When she's around anyone other than Patrick and I, she hides under the bed or behind the couch.  So, the probability of her being picked up by someone else (a friendly person or the Humane Society or Animal Control) is very slim.

This isn't the first time this has happened.  Earlier this year (around Easter), Nakita had made her way off and was gone for five days too and it was agonizing.  The minute Patrick found her (around a like by our house), I was elated.  So elated in fact that I promptly made her her favorite dish: meatballs.    

I'm half tempted to make a batch right now and set it on the back porch with the hopes that she smells it and comes home.  Miss her so much. :-(

Needless to say, the day has been full of ups and downs.  Peggy's having a rough time and it is so sad to see those you care about upset.  But I bought her some flowers and it was wonderful to see them make her smile.  Also, long story short, I was on a total run around with renewing our insurance policy, but I did it.  I got it done.  Absolutely loved my outfit and got complimented on it several times, but I managed to loose one of my favorite chain earrings.  My kids are completely tore up about Nakita's disappearance, but they were also angels.  My boys were holding hands (yeah, literally) through the store, helping me bring in groceries, listening like never before and my daughter gave me about 48 kisses.  Now that makes it all worth while.  

See evidence of earring loss below.  But, I'm still smiling.  I tell ya, kids are magical.  I'm pretty sure my kids can cure any stress, worry, doubt or anxiety.  

Below, you can see my November monthly round up of outfits.  And also a picture of Nakita.  I know it's a long shot, but if any of my lovely readers live in or know someone who lives in the Longmont, Colorado area and sees Nakita, please e-mail me at franniepantz@hotmail.com (it comes to my phone and I'll get it right away).  She is a white German Shepard and very skittish, so be slow.  Also, if available, bring meatballs. 

 Chambray Top-Wal-Mart; Floral Skirt-gifted; Knee Socks-Ross; Ruffle Wedge Boots-Kohl's; Necklace-Kohl's; Earring(s)-gifted; Bracelet-vintage from Grandma; Cuff-gifted

Are You Lonesome Tonight?

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Actually I am, thanks for asking.  Patrick is off in Canada makin' that paper for a couple of days, so I am all by myself.

Isn't it weird the little habits you get in when you are in a couple?  For example, right about now is the time where we are usually sitting side by side on the couch--him watching National Geographic (at this point I can pretty much explain anything shark related to you) and me "bloggin schloggin" (terminology by Patrick).

Patrick has done a lot of traveling for work (clearly, we just went to San Francisco a couple of weeks ago).  He had been doing more so earlier this year than he has as of late.  So, I've kind of been used to hanging out with him ever since the traveling slowed down a bit.  It just feels weird to be alone in the house.

But fear not because I have three little munchkins that are more than happy to let me know that they are, in fact, around.  I love it.  We spent our night watching a bunch of Christmas movies (they don't judge me for being in spirit and I don't ever mind watching Charlie Brown Christmas three times in a row) and reading Christmas books.  Bliss I tell you.

This is why Christmas is my favorite time of the year.  Not only does it make the chilly winter months tolerable, but it just puts this pleasant mood in the air.  Everyone is jolly, times are good and quality time is had by all. 

Speaking of quality time, this leather dress finally got some quality time.  My sister gave it to me eons ago and I have always loved it.  However, it is a teeny tiny iddy biddy mini tube dress (and leather to boot).  As a nearly thirty year old mother of three, I have not yet found myself with a proper excuse to wear it.  And so it sat, lonely and neglected in the closet.

It sat, that was, until I got the bright idea of how to work this beauty into my wardrobe for reals.  Ever since I put myself on shopping lockdown a week or so ago, I have been bound and determined to make the most of what I already own.  So this weekend, in a burst of sudden inspiration, I manhandled my closet and made about eleven outfits.  They are hanging on my curtain rod, ready to be thrown into rotation when the mood of "waaaaaaaaa I have nothing to weeeeeeeear!" sets in. It's all about preparing for the inevitable whaling, whining temper tantrum.  Bring it.

Leather Dress (worn as a skirt)-gifted; Mustard Sweater-thrifted; Belt-thrifted; Boots-F21; Trench-Wal-Mart; Hat-Kupu Kupu; Watch-gifted; Earrings-gifted

Guess What???

Do you all remember the $20 discount to eShakti's online store that I recently featured ( remember this dress?)?  Well the kind folks of eShakti have decided to extend your ability to take advantage of  the discount code ROBIN0811. So if you missed it the first time, here's your second chance!  This code is valid through December 31, 2011 so don't delay if you are interested.  Second chances don't always come around this easy!

Starbucks is a Necessary Evil

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

So, yesterday Patrick and I went to check out a venue for the wedding.  To those of you who have been through this, you may sympathize with me when I say--this may drive me to an early grave.

I know, it's so much fun and all--the planning, toying with colors, going over things with your fiance and family and friends and getting all excited.  But here's the thing . . .

I am a wedding planning virgin.  I have never been involved in planning a wedding with the exception of my sister's.  She was engaged and married within three weeks.  That's it.  Come to find out, there is a LOT involved. 

Everything is such a process.  I mean, really.  From big important decisions like when and where the wedding will be to little minute details that you would never even think about off the cuff like escort cards and wedding favors.  And there are SO MANY questions involved.  What kind of exit do you want (bubbles or pom poms or petals)?  Where are you planning on getting your linens from?  Do you want a photographer and videographer?

Not only are there a lot of questions, but everyone, everyone has answers.  I am serious.  Everyone wants to let you know how you should get married.  

Don't get me wrong, being engaged in and of itself has been a dream come true.  I still have not fully recovered from the nostalgia that Patrick is going to marry me (especially when last night, I looked over at him looking at me and he goes "I am one lucky guy, you know that?  Sometimes I just look at you and know that I must have done something right"--totally sweet and perfect, right?).  I loooooove the idea of putting my original ideas into the wedding of my dreams.  And I love how involved everyone has been and I love taking snipets of everyone's really original ideas.

HOWEVER, when Patrick had the grande (ha ha, get it?) idea to hit up the Bucks for a white chocolate mocha yesterday afternoon to wrap up the wedding circus stuff, I was more than happy to oblige.

That was until about 3 in the morning last night when I was still wide awake.  Take a tip from me.  Afternoon Starbucks + wedding excitement = zero sleep x Monday morning after four days off =half dead to the world 90% of the day.  It's simple math.  Just don't do it.  Bad combo.  I'm going to bed.

Red Maxi Dress (worn as a skirt)-Kohl's; Shear Top-thrifted; Gold Turtleneck Tank-thrifted; Studded Wedges-Kohl's; Bag-Elle; Elephant Cuff-thrifed; Earrings, Belt and Necklace-Kohl's 

Guess What???

Do you all remember the $20 discount to eShakti's online store that I recently featured ( remember this dress?)?  Well the kind folks of eShakti have decided to extend your ability to take advantage of  the discount code ROBIN0811. So if you missed it the first time, here's your second chance!  This code is valid through December 31, 2011 so don't delay if you are interested.  Second chances don't always come around this easy!

Aftermath

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Did y'all survive the craziness of yesterday's Black Friday sales?  I did.  But that's also because I refuse to leave my house unless absolutely necessary on Black Friday. 

You see, I worked retail for four years.  I used to think Black Friday was an urban myth until I showed up to work my first Black Friday at four in the morning and saw hundreds of people lined up already with Starbucks in hand, kids in pajamas, ads, lists, sleeping bags and a look of desperate anxiety in their sleep deprived eyes.  They put me on security watch that year.  Security.  Me.  I was shoved, tossed around, yelled and ignored.  No thanks. 

Today we had our second Thanksgiving up at my Grandpa's house in Wheatland, Wyoming.  Ever since my Grandmother died, my Grandpa likes to host Thanksgiving at his house.  It's always awesome and brings back so many memories of my childhood, mainly of my Grandma and growing up in this town.  This is what prompted me to wear this fur coat.  My mom got me this fur coat at a garage sale this summer.  Granted, it desperately needs cleaning.   

My Grandma was a fashionista of epic proportions.  She always looked amazing.  She was constantly wearing, sewing, shopping for new clothes.  She got her hair done, she loved jewelry and she loved her fur coats.  They were all real (sorry) and I got one when she passed away.  I am always terrified of bringing it out for fear of it being ruined in some way, so I opted for my cheap (and possibly faux) version instead.  To my delight, upon my arrival, my Grandpa gave me five vintage (I'm talking 30's or 40's people) hats from my Grandma as well as a cardigan that she had sewn herself!  Score!

I decided to take my photos (or rather have Patrick take my photos--thanks honey!) in the skate park near a park that I spent a lot of my childhood in.  The skate park is new, but the park still has the same teeter totters, slides, merry-go-rounds, swings and bouncy horses as it did when I was a wee lass.

I felt like this outfit was really wintery, but felt that the shorts justified the sparkly argyle tights and turtleneck sweater.  Plus, I was in Wyoming y'all.  This means that the wind is constantly blowing, the grass is frosted in ice and the temps are pretty much freezing from October until May. 

Fur Coat-unknown, thrifted; Turlteneck Sweater-gifted; Black Shorts-Hot Kiss; Argyle Tights-Vera Wang; Studded and Chain Booties-F21; Necklace-vintage from Grandma; Earrings-Kohl's; Headband-Safeway; Bag-Bebe, gifted

Guess What???

Do you all remember the $20 discount to eShakti's online store that I recently featured ( remember this dress?)?  Well the kind folks of eShakti have decided to extend your ability to take advantage of  the discount code ROBIN0811. So if you missed it the first time, here's your second chance!  This code is valid through December 31, 2011 so don't delay if you are interested.  Second chances don't always come around this easy!