I want to share a story with you guys because we have been waiting for this little fella since finding out the gender in May! Tuesday night I got a text message from my Aunt Jane letting me know that she was at the hospital with soon to be daddy, Ben. The first thing I did when I woke up yesterday morning around 7am was sent Ben a text asking for an update. I knew Jane would be busy of course, so I stalked Ben all morning with text messages! Haha. I felt kind of bad for Ben because he was bombarded all day with Aunt Jane's 100+ cousins/friends/coworkers [including the worst one...ME! Haha] PLUS his side of the family too. I give Ben major props for not just turning off his phone on all of us. He definitely has patience and Ben rocks!

Throughout yesterday morning I felt a bit frustrated at the fact that I was 6 hours away in Birmingham and couldn't be with my Aunt Jane during this special moment in her life because she is one of my best friends! I eventually cooled down with stalking Ben though because I turned into the next domino that had to fill everyone else in. Karma is real! Haha. While waiting around, I tried to stay optimistic and knew that if anything were to happen, someone would fill me in. Ben came through though because while I was sad and alone sitting in my living room watching a sappy Lifetime movie, all of a sudden I get a picture message of this sweet and adorable baby boy! I burst into tears immediately because I was so incredibly happy! I'm horrible at holding back my tears when the emotions start rolling. Haha.

I talked to Ben after I got the picture and he told me Jane was doing well. He also said that after Jane was fully dilated, Jude didn't give his mama any complications and came right into this world with ease. Ben did also tell me that Jude already has one heck of a personality already. I mean, look at the picture! He wasn't even more than a few hours old yet and there he was looking all cute and posing with his eyes open for the camera! :) I will definitely be going home to South Carolina this weekend! I honestly wish that I could leave right now, but I can't! I will take pictures and give precious Jude many hugs and kisses! OH, I can not wait!!!

Just a thought -- You know guys? Life is so good to us. How can we ever complain about it when miracles like this occur? Why do we take for granted something that is so precious and fragile? I know not taking things for granted everyday is probably out of the question, because we are human and we like to complain. You know it's true! Instead, let's take a detour from the norm to embrace and exercise our individual miracles! Let's appreciate our capability to even just appreciate anything! Let's love-love and live life! Keep that beautiful smile on because someone is going to have a better day because of it. Peace, love, happiness!

Congratulations to Jane and Ben! The proud new parents to a beautiful baby boy! :) This is just a sneak peek! I'll tell you guys more tomorrow. Have a wonderful night everyone!

PS. Don't forget about joining in on my $50 giftcard giveaway to Anthropologie!

Yesterday was the very first time that I purchased something on Etsy! When I saw these adorable Buddha studs, I just had to buy them! Plus, they were a great price, so I couldn't tell myself no. I purchased these from my fellow Alabamian and new blogger friend Katie. Check out her Etsy store here and her blog here! I met the lovely Katie thanks to my current giveaway going on now.

 

Speaking of my $50 gift card to Anthropologie giveaway, I have been reading a lot of wonderful comments about the blogging world. The giveaway is still going on until October 11th and I'm sure that there will be different answers along the way, but so far the majority of all commentors wrote that their favorite thing about blogging was making friends and being able to connect to people easily. I absolutely love this answer and honestly, it's quite possibly the best truth out there for blogging. Finding people who can relate to you and especially ones who voluntarily support you [what ever it may be] out of sincere kindness, always keeps me around here. For this, here is my heartfelt "Thank You" to anyone via blogger who has shown me kindness, appreciation, or just a simple Hello through a comment. You should know that those simple things have always lifted my spirits, made me smile, or brightened my day. I hope I do the same for you!

 

Also because of the giveaway, I have made a lot of new friends on here. Hello and hello to you all! Again, welcome and I'm so ecstatic to have you here! I have not done a post about me specifically in a while, so I figured I should share a little about myself. Here goes!

 

 

• Fall is my favorite time of the year. Hands down.
• I grew up in the South [since I was four], but never gained an accent until this year...or so I have been told recently.
• I work in customer service for a car insurance company.
• I am the second oldest of six girls, no boys. Yes, my dad has the patience of a Saint. :)
• I don't have a favorite food. I love it all and this probably explains my lack of a Victoria's Secret model body. I kind of like it that way though!
• My favorite number is 26 and favorite color is green.
• It is mandatory that I sleep with the door closed. This especially includes the closet door.
• I love making cards for fun and I will eventually get around to showing you all with a deserved post soon.
• I am very superstitious. Thanks mom...haha.
• I have always wanted to live in New York for a brief period, but I'm not quite sure what for? Maybe just for the experience? Haha.
• I tend to ask myself questions out loud, then know the answer right away. I assume it's because I have to hear it out loud or something? Please tell me someone else does this too?!
• I love using "haha". It makes me feel better, plus...I love to laugh!
• I never meet a stranger!
• I love buying magazines only to cut them up to decorate or create something.
• Blogging more this year has become one of the best decisions I have ever made, thanks to you guys!

I'm all fresh out of random facts about me. Any questions? Ask away! :)

 

I hope you all have a wonderful and lovely Wednesday. Woo hoo! It's getting closer to the weekend guys! :)

PS. I just found out early this morning that my Aunt Jane is in the hospital! Baby Jude is on his way here and I'm soooooooo excited! Get to know my Aunt Jane here and check out Baby Jude's baby shower from last month here! :)

This outfit post is much more in my $$$ range than the last one that I did. I would totally jump into a big 'ole pile of leaves in this! I miss South Carolina mostly because of that time of year with my sisters. All six of us would get together and just enjoy each other's company. Now, we're all sort of scattered about. My oldest sister is in Wisconsin, Nancy and I are in Alabama, and the youngest three are still in South Carolina with my parents. It's sad that I'm not around all of them as often, but I know that we'll all still make memories together no matter how far or near we are. This season definitely makes me miss home!

Bruce Hoodie, $50
The Beatles Love Tee, $25
AE Women's Artist Crop Jeans, $20
Ray-Ban Aviator Sunglasses, 184 GBP
Banana Cream Scarf, $23
Crochet Rose Beret, $7.80
Ash Canvas Classics Men's TOMS Shoes, $44

How does Fall make you feel?

ALSO --- don't forget to enter my giveaway for a $50 gift certificate to Anthropologie! You don't want to miss out on this one! Thank you to all of the new followers/cool kids/friends/awesome folks! Welcome, welcome...and I'm so happy that you're here! Best wishes to everyone! The giveaway ends October 11th, so hurry!

Hello everyone and HAPPY MONDAY! I'm so glad to be back! Here is Carini and I on our way to the Greek Food Festival on Saturday! By the way, Carini has a blog too! Go check her out because she is an incredibly talented writer. I'll have to do a separate post for that adventure because right now, I am excited to announce my decision for my very first giveaway! I am so happy to have made so many friends -- up to 100 +! So..this is definitely a blogger celebration for me! Celebrate with me and join in! :)

Yep, as you can tell already....I have decided on a $50 giftcard to Anthropologie! I honestly assume that I will not have to explain what type of store this is because I have seen that it is rather popular in the blogger world. Unfortunately, this will only be available to US readers since I am not yet familiar with international transactions. I hope to host a giveaway for everyone soon!

With this gift card, you can score this beautiful Samba ring!

 Or maybe splurge on this eccentric pillow that will add a little color to your bed or couch?

How about not having to pay full price for either of these gorgeous items? [Left/Right]

Or....snag ALL three of these items with one gift card? [Journal/Post Cards/Photo Album]

How about getting half off for these lovely Mary Janes?

Or getting both of these adorable clutches for just a couple of dollars? What a steal, right! [Top/Bottom]

Now...to the important question, how do you win this?

Please follow the instructions below and I will select the winner on October 11th, 2010. Please do not hesitate to email me at michelelee26[at]gmail[dot]com, if you have any questions! If you take any action on any number below...don't forget to leave a comment for each one to let me know. Remember, the more the entries...the better your chances!

1. Be a follower.

2. Post a link or mention it on your blog.

3. Twitter this!

4. Facebook it.

5. Answer this: "What is your favorite thing about blogging?"

6. Answer this: "What is the most beautiful thing about yourself?"

GOOD LUCK AND BEST WISHES TO EVERYONE! :)

PS. Please do not forget to leave me your email address if I can not reach you through your comment! I wouldn't want you to miss out on the win because I couldn't reach you!

I reached 100 followers/friends/cool kids/awesome folks!

This definitely calls for my first giveaway ever and I am so excited about it! Since this will be my first time, I want it to be absolutely awesome...so, don't hate me guys, but I will have to think about this over the weekend. Will it be some $$$? A handmade gift? A drawing? A piece of cute clothing? Who knows! Come Monday, I promise I will have something great for you all! If you have any thoughts or suggestions, feel free to email me at michelelee26[at]gmail[dot]com!

(L to R: Jewelya, Kevin, Me, sweet cupcake)

We took this picture on sweet cupcake's Mac during the weekend of Jewelya's birthday. I know, we all look pretty rough...but it was early in the morning. Haha. I am hoping for this kind of weekend again! I hope you all have a wonderful one! What will you be up to? I'll be heading out to the Greek Festival downtown on Saturday, then on Sunday.....I'm not really sure. I love Sundays with no plans! :)

PS. Due to my decision making for my first giveaway, I will be absent this weekend from blogger. I will see you guys Monday! OH! I also made a new button! :)

<a href="http://macattackyo.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c328/macdaddyshell/buttontwo.jpg" border="0" /></a>

Inspriday

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For this season, the colors, the tastes, the smells, the essence of it all truly does inspire me. Does it inspire you?

Hey guys! Sorry for the delay about the gift post regarding sweet cupcake and our monthaversary. I got too caught up with the cockroach story. Haha. Just so you know, sweet cupcake totally took the win on who got who the better gift. You'll see what I mean in just a bit. I know that the person matters and not the gift, but still....it is a definite mood booster. So...onto the gifts!

"He gives me presents, with his presence alone..." -  [I just changed the "she" to "he"..haha -- I heart Jack Johnson]

What I got him!

So, sweet cupcake loves/adores the Brookstone store. That was the first place that I thought of when considering his gift. Since my sister's boyfriend told me that I should not go with a sentimental gift and just something that sweet cupcake would like, I went there to shop around. He also loves wine, so I bought him this fabulous wine chiller. It is the coolest thing ever and quite honestly, I bought it knowing that I would use it too. Hehe. Well, of course he loved it [or at least is very good at pretending that he loves it]so that was all that mattered to me.

Then again, he trumped my gift...as I will describe below, the gifts from sweet cupcake.

Who doesn't love chocolate?

These are "reasons i love you stones" and here is what the card read[since my camera phone sucks]:

"You are loved for infinite reasons...nine of the best are tucked into this pouch. Just reach in and pull out one of the etched stones for a sweet, instant reminder (and a little ego boost). Cast from metal and clad in brushed nickel, the stones, like love, will always be there for you."

I love this owl journal!

He also wrote something inside and I just have to share it because I'm a major sap!

"In this journal, I hope that you will record our good times, our bad times, our humor, and our sorrow. When you become frustrated with me, and need to vent, rip a page out, and write. When you are exuberant at the course of our relationship, leave a page in, and record the reasons. In short, record us.

Whether we spend the next few moments together, or the next few years, know that I have cherished and continue to cherish each moment with you. I love you M."

After all of this, it pretty much made my present look like an impersonal and awkward gift. I was sad and was very much considering getting him another [a better] gift, but he reassured me not to.

This is a picture that sweet cupcake sent me while I was working. He didn't go into detail, but later on...he included it with his gift to me and explained that while he was at Barnes & Noble, this piece of paper fell out of an E.E. Cummings [I carry your heart is my favorite poem by the way!!!] poetry book that he was looking at. How ironic and sweet at the same time.

I hope that wasn't too sappy for you guys! Haha....and I hope you all have a wonderful Thursday! Oh! Also...I can not wait for the weekend to come because I have been anticipating the Greek Festival that has been going on downtown. If I go, I'll try to take pictures and share, as always. :)

PS. I am also really excited because it's getting closer to my first GIVEAWAY! Only one more follower to reach 100! :)

The lovely Sara from Happy Octopus has given me the Sunshine award! She is so great and is immensely talented at drawing as well. Thank you so much Sara! If you get a chance, please go check out this kind lady!

Of course there are the rules:


1. Show off your award on your post!
2. Pass the award to 12 awesome bloggers!
3. Link the people, of course!
4. Let the awesome bloggers know that they have been awarded with a comment.
5. Share the love and link to the person you received the award from.
 
The 12 that I have chosen are very dear to me and I love reading every single one of their blogs. You definitely bring the sunshine to my days! [Why, of course they are in alphabetical order!]


a.toodle.lee.do
Against The Current with Anastasia
Antika Moda
Emmy, In Progress
IROCKSOWHAT
Manda a la carte
oh, sweetlee me
once there was a tree.
simply sam
The Knotted Needle
Thoughts, writings, coffee...
vivatramp;