H&M has finally realized diversity pays the rent

I'm not a big H&M shopper. The clothes are cute, but they don't last long. In my youth (yea, I said it) I would have been all over H&M like white on rice, but now I only go in occasionally. Those occasions are when I am with a younger friend who is dying to go or with one of my BFF who is a size negligible and will look good in a brown paper sack (even at age xx...older). Usually I will pick up an item or two but that's it. It's always a great idea to mix the inexpensive with my vintage, TJMaxx and couture pieces. I also hear they have a kids line so this will be awesome for Baby I...well that is until I see how they wash. I've seen a few pieces in the thrift store and they looked trashed! Maybe Not?

While I may not be a fan of shopping at H&M their holiday campaign is fabulous! Look who is represented:

Yay, beautiful Ethiopian and Somalian women - Waris Dirie and Liya Kebde - do your thing! They make me want to go buy something...what the heck, my own stimulus plan!

Barbie...Get It Girl!

I had tons of Barbies when I was a girl. I know a lot of people don't like them because they think it ruins a girl's self-esteem but I don't think that. For me (as a young girl) Barbie represented style, class, fashion and the it life that I knew I could have. I mean that house, those cars and the clothes! Barbie was my girl! When I grew up I kicked Barbie to the curb, for real adventures, although I wish I had kept her in the attic...sorry Barbie. I haven't thought much about Barbie until I just saw how fly "she" has gotten. I may have to start collecting Barbie now for Baby I. I'm sorry but look at those clothes...from the words of TamStyles, all I can say is Get It Girl!

Word for Today: Bargain

Along with my "shopping" I have found a few sites that will help you save a few dollars so I thought I would share.  It's kinda fun to get free things in the mail even if it is only for 1-2 loads of laundry or a few cups of coffee.  I get to try new things out and I get a chance to open something besides bills.  I hope you enjoy some of the resources (I have more but I thought I would just post a few):

• "Deal"licious Mom
• Baby Cheapskate
• Deal Seeking Mom
• Dime Saving Diva
• It's Hip to Save
• Penny Pinching Diva
• Baby Steals
• Kid Steals
• Mamma Bargains

If I missed any good sites let me know.  I'm always up for a bargain!

Sew What?

While I'm waiting for my final documents to come in the mail and to pass the time until Baby I comes home, maybe I'll start sewing again.  Yes, I can sew, but I don't like difficult projects.  Lazy.  

While surfing the web I found this cute pattern (on Etsy) for a little bubble skirt. 


Maybe I'll make this hat also for next fall/winter.


Sew what do you think?

Close To My Heart

Since I am on the count down to dossier completion (waiting for final appointments only), I thought I would love to have one of those lovely Ethiopian necklaces so many wear when waiting for their babes to come home.  Then I thought, everyone has one, I want something different and I really don't want to explain why I'm wearing a shape of Africa around my neck to a random stranger. Yes, after 2 years in this process you get a little tired of answering questions (me: Because. Why not? You should try it. How many children have you adopted in Africa, America or otherwise?...oops I digress). Something I can call my own and maybe pass on to Baby I.  I'm sentimental like that.  So, on one of my thrift days or as I call it Thrift Store Thursdays (everything is 25% off or on holidays it's 50%) I found this great vintage locket.  It's not an ordinary locket but this huge long one.  I'm so excited.  I can put Baby I's picture in it, but until then I'll put a small map of Ethiopia in it with the name Baby I on the other side. 

When I don't have hair all over my head and sleep in my eyes I'll take a picture wearing the locket.  You're gonna love it...I know I do!

Win a Designer Chair for Your Baby

I normally don't post about contests, but this is my favorite chair.  I haven't gotten one yet, but I would love to have a big one and little one for Mommy and Baby I. 

Over at A Brooklyn Limestone she is giving away a mini Ghost chair by Kartell.  Check it out! Maybe the winner will be you.  

Love These!

How cute are these coats and hat by Lemon Loves Lime? Kinda pricey, but heck I have another season or two before Baby I can wear them so I'm looking forward to SALE time!

Mama and Baby will Sparkle Together

I'm not very subtle.  Shocker.  I like to get my point across.  In my talk, walk, dress or writing (lol).  I'm bohemian, couture, vintage, glittery and love sparkles!  

A few weeks ago, on one of my thrift store haunts, I found a silver metallic vintage baby dress that will match a top I have.  Sold.  I couldn't hold my excitement.  Baby I will be a little vintage couture fly baby.  LOL   Now, all I need is my baby.  Help me!  

FYI...my top used to be a fabulous dress that I wore with pride, 10 years ago, when I was a size 4-6.  AWWW...dem was the days.  If I could figure out how to get my printer (I've only had my Mac over a year now) working with my Mac I would scan a lovely picture for you.  Youth.

I Want a Madsen Cargo Bike!

In addition to having visions of one day having a daughter, I have visions of the two of us riding around our neighborhood on one of those cool cargo bikes.  My dropping Baby I off at daycare/preschool, going to Whole Foods or the Co-op, the Saturday Farmer's Market, to the Park, to visit friends, to dinner and so on. The problem is my visions always come at a very high cost, but... I found a great contest to enter on Madsen Cycles site.  The probability of my winning is low, but nothing beats a failure but a try.  Do you think I can add this bike to my baby registry? Maybe someone will get it for Baby I?

Oh, you can try to win also, someone has to have the luck of the Irish...maybe you are Irish?  :-)

Grandmother's Rock

Look at the cool poster I'm getting for the playroom courtesy of Grandma.  

Thanks Mom!  You Rock!  I think I'll keep you.

Not only will my kid(s) be stylin' (What happens when adoption takes 3 years to complete? You have a closet full of clothes...literally) she/he will have the cutest playroom on the block.  Ok, never mind I only have 14 houses on my street.  Semantics.  

Have Journal, Make Plan

When I was a kid I wanted to grow up to be a doctor, nurse, model, teacher, rich, a mommy, veterinarian, designer, an architect and have lots of clothes.  My family just called me a prima donna, but alas I never quite figured out how to turn that "uniqueness" into anything tangible.

I've decided I would help Baby I out early (because clearly I'm going to be raising her and she'll be a mini me, so what does that give you?) by getting her this journal because I'm pretty sure this really should have been my plan:

Since it's too late for me becoming a princess and since I'm coming into my own now that I'm turning 40 in June (and still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up) I've decided that this is my "new" plan, so I'm going to start making plans now:

Since I have been having Baby Boy dreams, maybe I should help him with his future as well (what a good Mom I am).  You know I'm all about living your dreams.  

Ok, okay!  If all else fails Mommy will be practical:

I'm Not Going To Be Selfish...Today.

Sometimes I have these really great finds and I don't share.  Don't act like you are shocked, come on you don't always share either.  Remember the time there was that Britax carseat at Target for a steal at $42?  Only 1 person emailed and told me about it, yet I read about it on a dozen blogs...plus those who didn't post about it.  I get it, we like to keep our great finds to ourselves and want to be the only ones with something.  But, this time I came across something that was really, really, really cute (that I'm getting Baby I) and I was in a sharing mood like when I told you about MamaBargains ...ok, so here it is:

A personalized wire hanger for kids.  Oooppsss...forget the "no more wire hangers" thing that Joan Crawford had; I mean how many of these have you seen before?  Wouldn't this make a great baby shower gift for friends?  Yup!  For only $10 your gift, from lilafrances shop on Etsy, will be the most original and cutest!  

My civic duty is done for the day!

Why Did You Make Me Black Lord?

Why Did You Make Me Black Lord ....

author: unknown

Lord ...
Why did you make me black?
Why did you make someone the world would hold back?
Black is the color of dirty clothes,
of grimy hands and feet...
Black is the color of darkness,
of tired beaten streets...

Why did you give me thick lips,
a broad nose and kinky hair?
Why did you create who receives the hated stare?

Black is the color of the bruised eye when someone gets hurt...
Black is the color of darkness,
black is the color of dirt.

Why is my bone structure so thick,
my hips and cheeks so high?
Why are my eyes brown,
and not the color of the sky?

Why do people think I'm useless?
How come I feel so used?
Why do people see my skin and think I should be abused?

Lord, I just don't understand...
What is it about my skin?
Why is it some people want to hate me and not know the person within?

Black is what people are "Labeled" when others want to keep them away...
Black is the color of shadows cast...
Black is the end of the day.

Lord you know my own people mistreat me,
and you know this just ain't right...
They don't like my hair, they don't like my skin, 

as they say I'm too dark or too light!

Lord, don't you think it's time to make a change?
Why don't you redo creation and make everyone the same?


GOD's Reply:

Why did I make you black?

Why did I make you black?

I made you in the color of coal from which beautiful diamonds are formed...
I made you in the color of oil,
the black gold which keeps people warm.

Your color is the same as the rich dark soil that grows the food you need...
Your color is the same as the black stallion and panther, 

Oh what majestic creatures indeed!

All colors of the heavenly rainbow can be found throughout every nation...
When all these colors are blended,
you become my greatest creation!

Your hair is the texture of lamb's wool,
such a beautiful creature is he...
I am the shepherd who watches them,
I will ALWAYS watch over thee!

You are the color of the midnight sky,
I put star glitter in your eyes...
There's a beautiful smile hidden behind your pain...
That's why your cheeks are so high!

You are the color of dark clouds from the hurricanes I create in September...
I made your lips so full and thick,
so when you kiss...they will remember!

Your stature is strong,
your bone structure thick to withstand the burden of time...
The reflection you see in the mirror,
that image that looks back...that is MINE!

So get off your knees,
look in the mirror and tell me what you see?
I didn't make you in the image of darkness...
I made you in the image of ME!