Dear Santa.....

I mean....what the HECK do you ask Santa for a 2 year old?? Of course, we're OBSESSED with Barbie and all things PINK....(I know all of my friends are laughing right now).....but Georgia gets 1 big item from us, and from each set of grandparent....and they end up "filling in" with a ton of goodies, but we hope to instill in her that she will need to ask and choose wisely - that she will not have an abundance of gifts...these are certainly luxuries!!

The first being a Leap Pad....if anyone has any advice on which one I should get, I am ALL ears...I can't figure out which one she should get

 

And we are OBSESSED with Barbie! She has all of my old Barbies so now Barbie might get a car for Christmas!!

This is another Leap Pad...anyone had any experience with this????

I want her to have a dollhouse SO bad....this one doesn't have TOO many parts and I think she can play with the part



And the BIG one! Here is the tricycle that we're gonna get her...it got great reviews and I think she will love it...

With a 2 year old it's so hard becuase they are becoming independent but still not there, yet....if you have ANY suggestions for a 2 1/2 year old, just let me know!!!

What the Poop?!?!?!?!?

So this post title really has more than one meaning......for the past two months, I have not been able to blog...I would go to try and create a post, and if it even let me create one, it would not post...so a) what the poop is really just a nice way of me cussing out blogger....and b) it LITERALLY means What are you doing with YOUR poop?!?!? And by poop, I mean your dog droppings!!! My best friend Joe who lives in Chicago works for this amazing company called Poop Bags.com

After I stopped my complete hysterical laughing episode that this was the ACTUAL name of the company, I took a peek at the website...and I have to say, I am impressed. I think that I am even more appreciative of them because when I was pregnant someone gave me diaper bags to carry around that were scented and biodegradable to put Georgia's diapers in if I was in a public place. I thought it was nuts and "hey, what's wrong with a grocery bag?"...but let me tell you honey, those suckers have come in handy. How awkward is it to hand over a nasty diaper to put in someones trash can (even if it's their herby curby) and it stinks up the whole thing....but those little scented diaper bags totally disguise the diaper's atrocius smell....and my guests (I think) are all the more appreciative of the fact that I'm at least trying to disguise it for them....

So....for all of you out there that are considerate of your neighbors, and who don't want to step in it in their own yards...these Poop Bags are amazing...they are biodegradable so they are Earth friendly, and so convenient and actually and very surprisingly, very affordable. I quit getting plastic bags at the market last year and now all I use are my reusable totes...so these are perfect since I'm not a plastic bag hoarder (not that there's anything wrong with that!!)

You can buy them in all different quantities (AND sizes!!! For your "tote" dogs all the way up to your massive horse of a dog like my mama's lab!), and they even have a sample pack that you can buy if you're hesitant. However, I can guarantee you that after you have purchased that sample pack, you will have wished you had just taken the plunge and bought a bigger supply. My dog is a once a dayer (yes, I just blogged about my dog's "routine") so I can get away with one bag a day, as I think most people could.

....BUT what shockingly stole my heart on the website was the other items they had for sale....

Here are the poop bags!!! How cute!!!!!! And how awesome of you to pick up after your dog whether it's at the dog park, or walking down the sidewalk....let's go GREEN people!!!

You're Poop Bag holder!!! How precious!!!!

My 3rd favorite thing on the website! A light for your dog!! How ingenious!!!!!! Now that it's getting dark so early, this is PERFECT to make sure you can see your way, but more importantly, that oncoming traffic can see YOU!

Okay....here is where I became #obsessed....the collars and the leashes are made from recycled bicycle tubes....how COOL is that?!?!?!?!?!?!

And I know what a certain furbaby is getting from Santa this year!!! My #1 pick of the site (beside of the bags, duh) She doesn't like the really thick and fluffy dog beds you see everywhere so this one is PERFECT! Poor thing...right now, her bed is an old quilted down comforter that's really thin so we just fold it up and she loves it...this is definitely her style!!!! I can't wait for her to try it out!!! Don't think I can get it monogrammed, but for Earth friendly, sometimes you have to sacrifice style (hello Tom's....blog post to come later)

And for you feline lovers that are feeling left out, they have cat treats as well. Obviously, their site is geared towards the canine crazies, but they have some neat stuff for those searching for the puurrrfect treat (I'm sorry, I couldn't resist).

So if you're anything like me, then you will see why these products are so awesome!!! I am a sucker for anything that give back in any way...to the Earth...to the needy....if the company is service a bigger purpose, then I am all yours!!!

So go check out Poopbags.com today!!!!!

It's good to be back blog babies!!!!!

Insomnia has totally kicked in...maybe it's that I can finally blog again, maybe it's that I'm headed to cheer on my (CITADEL, the one and ONLY) Bulldogs tomorrow, or the amount of coffee I've consumed this week to get me through my 60 hours of work that's finally hitting me...but I've got some more blogs coming your way!!

Thank you to all who have reached out wondering where I am...I love you (mostly you Aunt Gail!!!) but hopefully this anti-techie has solved her problems after going back and forth with the google admins....

Toodles!!!

Stella & Dot

Everyone aboard the fashion train! I am hosting a Stella & Dot party! You can go online anytime for the next three weeks and shop at my party....but buyer beware: their Fall line is ADORABLE!!!!

To shop simply go to MY PARTY and enter my name, Charlotte Hamilton, as hostess. I am SUPER excited about this line and so glad that so many people in Columbia are selling it....plus, need I another reason to get with my girls and drink some wine? I think not.....

Happy Shopping!

Three Years Ago TODAY I Became A Wife!

Three years ago today, I had the opportunity to.....

SAY I DO in the church I grew up in....

Put on a pretty white dress....

Have my brother give me away....

Eat reeeeeealllly yummy cake....

Walk down the aisle to Highland Cathedral....

Be spoiled by constant drink replinshers....

Get lost in the moment.....

Eat (yes I actually ate!!!) my wedding food....

Be surrounded by family and friends....

Wear my Mama's veil....

Dance the night away....

Marry my best friend....

Celebrate family traditions....

Toast to our new future....

And walk away with my HAPPILY EVER AFTER....

Here's to many more...and if any of you out there in blogland are celebrating yours today as well...Here's to you!

Willow House Love

Recently I hosted a Willow House party for my sweet friend Callie and it was a great success! I love their items and I was able to score some really really great things for myself....I could have kept going but thankfully (for my husband's sake!) we are in the process of redoing our kitchen (no, tweet peeps we are STILL NOT DONE) and so ordering things from my party rewards were mainly geared towards my kitchen...but I did not want to order too many things since I am still sitting on my central piece/focal point/main design jumping off....which, I may have found this weekend, but that's another story.

So here are my steals! And I say steals because with my hostess rewards they were LITERALLY steals!

Simone Old Fashioned

courtesy of

When we got married, I was just never in LOVE with our glasses....they were perfectly fine, but if I recall it was one of those things that Raymond just loved, and it was a battle I cared little over fighting. They are nice glasses, but these jumped right out at me...the scrolls on the glasses seem to flow nicely with my everyday china and when they came in, I knew I made the right decision....thank goodness Junior League Clean Sweep is around the corner and my old glasses helped check off a chunk of my quota!

Simone Highball

courtesy of

I had to get the highballs to complete the set of course! So this has replaced my original set of glasses....there was a little tear that I was giving something away that was from our registry, but these glasses dried those tears right up! In the 3 years we've been married, we've replaced other things, including adding/changing my everyday china from the ones we originally registered for, so this is one of the least sentimental things I've updated!

Lady Jane Bottleneck Vase

courtesy of

Right now I have this in my kitchen....and I am just trying to test it out to see if it works...there are a few other places in my house I can easily fit it into, and it was just too good too pass up...Callie said she puts her wine corks in it! Brill! Regardless of where this beauty ends up, I will treasure it...it's even more gorgeous in person.

French Wire Convertible Baskets

courtesy of

We have a SERIOUS mail problem in our house....I have finally broken my husband of throwing it on the dining room table....only for it now to land on my kitchen counter. With a new kitchen comes a new sheriff in town and I am going on Operation: Mail Crackdown. (SERIOUSLY, there is no need to keep all the junk circulars! Just throw them away before even making it inside!!) I am hoping that one of these will fit underneath my chalkboard to collect the mail...if all else fails, I may be getting more gourmet as the picture encourages and storing fresh produce in them....it just seems way too sophisticated for me...so we will see! I will surely post pictures.

Thank you Callie for all of your help! You were so sweet and I sincerely hope the show was a success for you. I HIGHLY recommend any of you throw one of these....especially now that the Holiday's are approaching!!!!

I know that I am off to a major D+ (on a good day) to getting back into blogging, but I do have a few posts lined up so I will make sure that I check back in more often....

Toodles!

Favorite Products Right Now

This is THE magic potion!!! The Isotonix OPC3 Beauty Blend is an amazing supplement that you take each morning. It contains a multitude of potent free scavengers, a variety of vitamins including everything a woman needs for everything from osteoporosis to her hair, skin, face and nails!
I am a BIG believer in Probiotics and even have Georgia on one that she takes every day. This one is gentle on your stomach and I swear it is the reason I have not come down with any sicknesses or ailments in a looooooooooong time! I also recommend an infant/toddler probiotic, especially if you have a sickly child, or one prone to frequent illnesses. Even with Georgia going to daycare, she doesn't have the "day care sniffles" and has been so healthy and bounced back quickly from any potential oncoming colds! I will do another post about the one that I have her on....

LATISSE WHAT?!?!?! So Latisse is not covered under insurance and will run you about $100 for a month's supply. Since I was not blessed with healthy, lush lashes, This FIXX lash extend has become my best friend. For $24.95, you CANNOT beat it! I use it every night across my eyelid and I am seeing amazing results from it (and no, no darkening of my eyelid has resulted like they warn in the Latisse commercial)

This is currently the skin regime that I am using. It is AWESOME for people with sensitive skin or issues such as eczema (ahem, yours truly) or rosacea or any other allergies. It's soothing, calm, based on aromatherapy so it smells amazing and my skin feels the best and looks the best (also gotta give props to the OPC3 Beauty Blend up top for that one) that is has in years! And the price is SO reasonable. The entire kit is only 99.95 for all of this.....I've had mine for several weeks and have barely put a dent into it.

This ladies...is a face lift in a jar....and I can personally attest to you that it will give you that amazing, fresh from the derm's office look! I use this in combination with the Skintelligence as I ease into the whole AntiAging routine...I am fighting it. But it's here! So I am taking babysteps!

Cream Concealer....my best friend! I never leave the house without this or......

my Eye Base!! This will neutralize your palette and allow the vibrant colors to reveal themselves in your eyeshadow. On days I am feeling less than glam, I will wear just concealer, the eye base and my powder...swipe on some mascara and lip gloss and you're good to go!

This liquid mineral foundation is good for someone who likes a full coverage feeling. I have to feel like I am "covered up" but it won't leave you looking caked or New Jersey baked. Motives also has a different Ageless Renewal Foundation that is a little lighter and little more luminous if you rather that look and if so, email me and I will help you with that one. But this stuff is awesome!

Dual Perfection Powder Compact! The best thing I love about this...when I don't want to wear foundation...all I do is spritz a little water on my face and then apply my powder and it will give me a little bit heavier look! Great tip ladies!

Bronzer in Miami Glow....this will be my Winter STAPLE item Blush compact in So Peachy....gives me such a warm glow! I love it!

And to top it all off...the Lip Booster (think Angie's lips) in Riot....lush.

For all of these products and SO much more...go HERE!!!

love you girls!

It's good to be back bitches!!!

Heavens to Betsy!!! It has been FOREVER...almost a YEAR to be exact since I blogged. To be honest, I was burned out. I was tired of logging everything that I was doing in my life instead of just trying to LIVE those moments and soak them in....but I am ready to jump back in and I have LOTS to share! Some things have stayed the same...I am still a full time working mama trying to juggle it all, I still have the best and most amazing husband in the world but one huge blessing is that we have made and tightened our bond with some incredible people over the past year! Our family is so lucky to have such amazing support...

The first being that Georgiabelle turned TWO in June! TWO!!!! Can you believe it? When I started this blog she was not even born....so much time has passed. She is so grown up and is so intelligent and has so much love for the world, and everyone around her. She constantly wants to give hugs and kisses and for that, I am so thankful....have we entered the terrible two's? Absolutely. Have I bought stock in Two Buck Chuck? You betcha. But this age is so much fun and I am just soaking in every moment we have with her. Pictures to come....

Nice transition to my second life altering moment over the past year...our computer crashed...and a few days later, our external hard drive crashed. That was 4 years of pictures...of our lives....GONE. Vomit. Then we went to Best Buy and they said that they could try and fix it but all in all it would come out about $1100 in the end, and that wouldn't guarantee any pictures being recovered. Vomit. This is AFTER we paid them to restore our laptop. I loathe Best Buy. The Geek Squad can take their mouses and USBs and power cords that fail on me at least once a month and shove it. Luckily, my mom employs (apparently, and as he is now referred to in our house) as the COMPUTER GOD. He was able to restore EVERYTHING! For free! Well of course we will compensate him, but he would not give us an amount...all we had to do was buy a new hard drive. Hear that Geek Squad? So once we get that back I will put up some pictures of our life over the past year....lawdy mercy!

Thirdly, after surviving the said Puppy Invasion (yes, they all went to good homes and FAST - HALLELUJAH!) we put hardwoods down throughout our home....phew. Then I had another weak moment and let my husband REDO our entire kitchen. New Cabinets, Counters, Floors, everything. We are waiting on the final shipment of flooring to come in so it will match the rest but it is alllllllllmost done. And I l.o.v.e. it. I love it enough to almost want to start cooking in it. Disclaimer: almost.

In baby news...no no no get that out of your heads, we had another addition to our family! Our nephew Patrick "Whit"lock Hamilton, Jr. was born in March and Georgia is loving having a cousin and we are loving watching our family expand...(on someone else's dime!) It's such a joy to watch them interact and so that has subsided our baby fever for a while at least (I think I just heard the grandmother's gasp) but seriously it's been great having more babies join the clan....

And the biggest news of all....I have some new business ventures!!
A few months ago, I launched Unveiled...we are a wedding/event coordination company, we do day of coordination, and we do on site make up application for proms, pageants and most importantly, weddings! I have had SO much fun and have been staying busy as a bee! Working on a button now for the blog...and perhaps even an Unveiled blog...or at least a tab on mine and will start advertising on other blogs. Word of mouth is an amazing thing and I am booking weddings through May of next year so things are looking bright folks!
Combining my love for makeup and well, staying busy, (I'll never be able to not have something outside the home) I am the proud promoter for Motives makeup by Loren Ridinger, along with many other amazing products! Come shop with me at www.marketamerica.com/charlottehamilton. You can shop directly from my website or if you are close, I am happy to come do a party- it's a perfect girls night out! I will be doing routine posts about what I am loving from Market America right now! Check it out! Log in to become a preferred customer and take the skin analysis and nutriphysical and we can help you become the BEST version of you between makeup, skincare and vitamins! I am SO pumped about these lines and they have changed my life! On top of finding the best products for you, being a preferred customer will earn you CASH back for your purchases! Not just with Market America products, but with ALL of our partner stores!!! Come shop in the mall without walls!

I wish those were the ONLY four things that have gone on the past few months....but if you have followed me in the past you only know better! I will be following up with a post about some products I am loving right now, and if you have any questions about Unveiled or my Market America products, email me! I would love to talk to you!

Lastly, I am so happy to be back in blogland....I have stayed in touch with many of you via twitter but it's just not the same! I miss all of you and can't wait to catch up!!!

love to you all....