It's Finally Friday!!!!!

This weekend we're headed here......... I am so excited for Bug to finally go to the pumpkin patch!!! We'll also be getting our own pumpkins but carving will have to wait. I can't stand the smell of rotting pumpkins!!!!

Tonight we're having dinner with our good friends Hamp and Rebecca at the club. The boys played in a golf tournament today so we'll go up there and celebrate wth them. Then we're headed over to Tuck and MB's for a get together!! And YES, we ARE that couple who is bringing along the little one. Luckily, we're the only ones with kids so babies are still exciting and new to all of our friends and not a nuisance quite yet.....

One of my best friends Erin is getting married in a few months so I am so excited to be kicking off her wedding festivities with her engagement party this weekend!! All of the girls are coming into town and I couldn't be more ecstatic about getting together with such good friends.
You know how you have those times when you're with your childhood friends and you are just constantly reminded of why you've remained friends this long??? We haven't all been together since Georgia was born so I'm really excited for Bug to meet all of her beautiful aunts!!!!

Have a great weekend!!

Love,
Charlotte

So I Married A BadAss

Uncle Preston + Raymond + MiniBike+ No Women (UNSUPERVISED FUN) = THIS

So the hubs thought that it would be a BRILL (as the Brits say dahlin') idea to get on a minibike that is suped up with some sort of lawn mower motor or something and ride around full speed. Now, what's the problem you ask? Well, Raymond happens to be quite uncoordinated (apparently) when he's on 2 wheels. A 4-Wheeler? NO PROBLEM. A Car or Truck? EASY!! But a minibike??!?!?! BOMB!!!! And y'all when I say minibike, I mean minibike, it's like 1 1/2 feet off the ground.....it was quite the sight when Liz and I got back from our show......the boys thought I was going to be mad....I was just mad at the prospect that I might have to spend my one and only baby free night at the ER!!!!!!!!

Lord help me now!

Love,

Charlotte

Boo's your Daddy????

This is the Bug this weekend being held up by Uncle D and Daddy....her outfit says "Boos your Daddy?" but it's hidden by the oh so classy First Halloween bib....check out the socks...oh yeah Happy Friday everyone!!!! Only one more day 'til the weekend!!

Love,
Charlotte

Just BUMP It

So what could be more fun than drinking wine and playing with your best friend's new bump it?!?!?!?! We had more fun trying this sucker out so I had to run out the next day and get one for myself. I am never one to believe the TV ONLY ads....but ladies, this is TOTALLY worth getting!!!

With the Bump It

Without the Bump It

Doesn't it look good?!?!?!?!? And yeah the Bump It's not so bad either ; ) Love you Boo!!!!!

Weight Watchers Wednesday

I realized that I had totally fall off the wagon in posting each week....we've still been weighing in, but I think my posts have been few and far between and I just figured that was the last thing that you wanted to hear! Since my last post, I have lost a total of 2 more pounds! It's slowly but surely melting away....Raymond is such an inspiration and motivation to me and doing this with him has been so much fun. He definitely keeps me on my toes. Lately I have found some really yummy dishes so I wanted to share this one with you, this will be tomorrow night's supper....

Baked Ziti with Turkey Sausage
Makes 8 servings
POINTS value per serving: 6
Ingredients
3/4 pound mild turkey sausage, casings removed
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium green bell pepper, cored, seeded and chopped
One 28-oz can diced tomatoes
One 10-oz package frozen peas, thawed
2 Tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp fennel seeds
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
12 oz dried whole wheat ziti, cooked according to the package's instructions and drained
6 oz fat-free Mozzarella cheese, grated*Note* If the cheese is too soft to grate easily, allow it to "harden" in the freezer for 15 minutes, and then proceed.
Instructions
Position the rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F.
Crumble the sausage meat into a large saucepan and brown over medium heat, stirring often, about 4 minutes.
Drain off any fat, then add the onion and bell pepper. Cook, stirring often, until softened, about 3 minutes.
Stir in the tomatoes, peas, tomato paste, oregano, basil, thyme, fennel seeds, salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat and cook uncovered 5 minutes, stirring often.
Stir in the pasta and half the grated cheese. Spread evenly into a 9 x 13-inch baking pan. Top evenly with the remaining cheese.
Bake until the cheese has melted and the casserole is bubbling, about 20 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes at room temperature before serving.

Doesn't this sound good?!?! I'll make sure I let you know how it was with pictures included!!

It's POURING down rain here so we're all hunkered down trying to bear through the downpours!! Hope it's not as nasty where you are!!

Love,

Charlotte

Channeling JKO

So we have the Assembly coming up in November and I need to figure out which type of dress I want to have made. I have this thing about buying formal dresses off the rack. Nothing ever fits me right and I end up spending as much in alterations than I originally spent on the dress so I few years ago I started having someone just make them from scratch for me. This way, I can insure I will be the only one there in the dress, and it's made to make yours truly look the best she can!!! This year I think I am going to channel Mrs. Onassis......this style dress, with a large bow on the back.....not necessarily going with this color, I am thinking maybe more of a Cerulean blue (remember that color from your Crayola box???)........... ...paired with a chunky pearl necklace....tres chic.....
what do you think?????

Love,

Charlotte

Everybody's workin for the weekend....

This weekend the bestie and I had an incredibly successful Formosa show! We love doing shows because they are a great way to meet people and really get a feel for what our customers are looking for....you start to run into a lot of the same vendors at all of the shows and it's just fun hanging out with such fun people all day! How blessed are we that we get to do what we love and reap the benefits of our hard work?!?!?

Our freshwater pearls that just came in!!!! They are so beautiful! And reasonable!!!

Our mannequin....she keeps us company on the road : )

We've got several more shows before the end of the year so these ladies will be busy busy busy!!!

Remember to stop by Formosa's blog to check out our new stuff and updates on upcoming shows!!

Love,

Charlotte

What a feelin'.....Keep believin'......

You know you have those days when you wake up and you just know it's going to be a good day? Well today was that day....lately in my life, every day is that way....how can it not be when you have this (see below) to wake up to?!?!?! She is the reason behind everything I do and when you become a mama you suddenly realize that little else matters than the love your family and good friends can bring you.... Hope your day is filled with love and laughter....
Love,
Charlotte

Blog Award!!

Miss Wendy over at Madras and Pearls has so lovingly given me this award today!! Woo hoo!! What a way to start the weekend!!!

Rules
1. You Can Only Use One Word!

**okay, being the verbose babe that I am, I altered this rule,

to the shortest possible answer you can come up with**
2. Pass this along to 6 of your favorite bloggers!
3. Alert them that you have given them this award!
4. Have Fun!
The Fun Part...
1. Where is your cell phone? purse
2. Your hair? growing, slowly
3. Your mother? my idol
4. Your brother? my protector
5. Your favorite food? anything edible
6. Your dream last night? not enough sleep to dream
7. Your favorite drink? sweet tea
8. Your dream/goal? to leave behind an outstanding legacy for my children
9. What room are you in? Bug's nursery
10. Your hobby? being fantastic
11. Your fear? abandonment
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? loving wife and mama to many more kids
13. Where were you last night? home
14. Something that you aren’t? weak
15. Muffins? pumpkin (thx Wendy!)
16. Wish list item? my own storefront for formosa
17. Where did you grow up? the South
18. Last thing you did? pack my car
19. What are you wearing? jammies
20. Your TV? MANsized
21. Your pets? golden retreiver
22. Friends? unconditionally loving
23. Your life? amazing
24. Your mood? satisfied
25. Missing someone? always!
26. Vehicle? audi
27. Something you’re not wearing? makeup (yikes!)
28. Your favorite store? Just the Thing
29. Your favorite color? apple green
30. When was the last time you laughed? today
31. Last time you cried? today
32. Your best friend? Liz, Keys, Erin, Callie (yes, I am one of those girls)
33. One place that I go to over and over? Target
34. One person who emails me regularly? raymond
35. Favorite place to eat? Coast (Charleston)

I am tagging the following blogs because I enjoy each of these girls and I love reading their stories.
1) The Cobia Family
2) Preppy Pink Crab
3) Pinot After Playdates
4) Love Leslee
5) Chapters of our life

6) Est 3.31.07

Luscious Lusts.....

Hello Reva!!! So I am taking the plunge and helping to stimulate the economy by supporting Tory's ever loving house of fashion.....come to mama!!! I have also been doing a little window shopping lately.....so dear window fairy, I'll take one of each of these please if you're in the area.....

J. Crew Cashmere sweater

Gucci New Jackie

........a girl can dream can't she??.........

Also, I've been itching to redo the boudoir...this is my starting point....and I have found some delicious yellow (think goldenrod) patterned fabric to use for the drapes and throw pillows...a nice bounce off of the royal blue walls if I might say so myself......wish me luck!

Lots of love,

Charlotte

Marianne Williamson

The other night we had a speaker come and talk to our Girl Scouts about being the best version of themselves....a concept far from their minds. These girls are only concerned about survival. They don't have time to conceptualize failure and rising above their situations. The speaker had some valid points about how to compartmentalize your fear and to change your mindset of being one from "I showed up merely not to lose" to "I came to WIN". She used this quote from renowned author Marianne Williamson's book A Return to Love. I loved it. I printed it out and have it taped on my desk and I use it as a daily affirmation to myself.....

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend!!!

Love,
Charlotte

Picture This

Picture this.............. On this.................

'Nuff said!

Do I hear cutest baby contest????

I'm so ready for fall....

Western Invasion you say??? I'm loving it. This is what has recently taken over my closet.....I hope my husband doesn't see this or he'll never let me live it down for all the grief I used to give him about his flannel and plaid....guess he was just ahead of the times ; )

Busy busy busy as Formosa has a show this weekend....can't wait! Clearing house for all of the new stuff we have our eyes on!!! Shows are so much fun for Liz and me because we get to see what people are looking for. It's the best and easiest way to get a census of what our customer want. Just in time for the holidays!

Love,

Charlotte

Formosa Boutique

So I know I have mentioned in a few posts before that I own a clothing trunk show business with my best friend. I don't know what has takn me so long to reach this brilliant idea but we are starting a blog and are going to display or clothes through that! Now, before all of you skinny biyas go and get excited, our clothes are just for the curvacious woman.....BUT we do have accessories of all sorts! Purses and jewelry don't discriminate!! I am going to start featuring items on my blog once a week so be on the lookout!!! We have a show this weekend so I will be snapping lots of pictures and posting them so you all can start ordering!!!

Scoot on over to Formosa's new home and become a follower!

FORMOSA BOUTIQUE

The first 5 followers will receive a 10% discount on their first order with Formosa!

4 Months Already?!?!

The Bug turned 4 months on Thursday!! I can't believe it! Time is flying by!!! Here are some pictures before we went to the doctor on Friday for her Wellness visit...all of this are PRE bloody murder screaming after her shots : (

Hey Georgia! What are you up to these days???? Below are a few fun facts about what the Bug is up to these days.......

Below is her "My First Florida TShirt" It's 6 months and she's busting out of it. We sleep in it and use it as a nightgown!

1. Weighing in at 14 lbs 13 oz. 15 1/2 in head and 24 1/2 in long.

2. Wearing 3-6 month clothing in onesies and play clothes; sz 3 month in her bishop dresses.

3. First cold- pretty good to make it to 4 months!

4. Starting to eat cereal each night- slowly but surely getting the hang of the spoon!

5. SMILING like crazy! Especially when her Mama and Daddy are near.

6. Rolled over this week from back to tummy! She can't quite push up on all fours yet, but getting close!

7. Eating 4-5 oz about 6 times a day. Hungry Bug!

8. Cooing and laughing- LOVES to play peek-a-boo!

Those are just a few things that our little angel is up to around here!!!

**Sidenote** I didn't take any pictures last week at the game because it was hot and miserable. So we will do a photo shoot this week with the precious outfit so you can see it! Too cute not to post!

Have a great rest of the weekend!!

Love,

Charlotte