The Final Countdown

Cake created by Jamie @ Baker's Bliss

Six days to go until BB King's estimated arrival!  He is now affectionately referred to as Alexander Grant King.  Alexander and Grant are two of my great-grandfather's names and my dad's middle name.   By the way, Alexander also means 'King.'  It pleases me so much to have settled on a name that means something and has family ties.  This boy has some mighty big shoes to fill with that name!

Pregnancy fortunately has been very smooth sailing for me.  I had some fatigue at the beginning but no nausea at all.  Supposedly that is indicative that you are giving birth to a boy.  Baby Alex has been quite the traveler with trips to Marco Island and L.A.  There was no slowing us down.  However,  now as I am at the 39.5 week mark, I am so ready to get this over with and move onto the main event of meeting Alex in the outside world.  Getting up 4 times per night to go to the bathroom, not being able to find a comfortable sleeping position, not being able to bend over, or move around very easily for that matter, is really starting to wear on me.  I pray everyday that Alex is a healthy, happy and normal baby and that his birth goes smoothly.  However, God willing, the sooner we get to that moment the better at this point :)   

The Perfect Eyeliner

I would use primer on my eyes to 'try' and prevent my eyeliner from migrating from my upper lash line to the crease of my eyelid. The primer only helped slightly.  Saturday, I splurged on the Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner.  Love it! It doesn't fade, smudge, or run.  It stays put!  I got the purple tang color and it is so vibrant.  I think I may go to Sephora for the rest of the colors!

Gilded Christmas

I think these would go smashingly with the Michael Kors watch.  The wonderful thing about Toms shoes, if you didn't know already, for every pair purchased, Toms will give a pair of shoes to a child in need.  You don't see Nike doing that and their shoes cost way more!

Friends and Family Time at Macys!

It 's time for the Friends and Family discount at Macy's!  You get 25% off w/ limited exclusions.  This is a coupon for which I don't need to utilize my law degree to discern what it can and can't be used towards.  Here is what I have my eye set on:

Coupons rarely work on watches, so what better 'time' to buy one! 

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies~~Tastey Fall Goodness

thaKing and I made a huge batch of Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies last week to share with our neighbors to celebrate the arrival of their new son.  Thanks for the recipe, Valerie at Up to Date!  thaKing claims to not be a big pumpkin fan, but combine the gourd with chocolate chips, and needless to say there has been a request for more!  This is so easy to make and delicious!

2 and a quarter cup all purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1/2 tsp. ground cloves (I left this out just b/c I didn't have any on hand)

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1 16 oz can of pumpkin

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

2 cups chocolate chips

In small bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, all spices, and salt; set aside.

In large mixer bowl, beat butter and sugar till creamy. Add pumpkin and eggs and vanilla.

Gradually add flour mixture.

Stir in chocolate chips.

Drop by spoonfuls on greased cookie sheet (I used Silpat)

Bake at 375 for about 18 minutes, or until edges are lightly browned.

Let sit 5 minutes on cooling rack

Elka Needs a Brand New Bed

Before Elka gets relegated to slightly less than top dog with BB King's arrival, it is my absolute intent to spoil her even more!  Her 2nd birthday is Saturday (tear') and she took a birthday pizza with her to Dogtown Doggie Daycare yesterday, to share with her friends.  I'm a bad mom, and apparently thaKing is a bad dad/photographer! We have no pictures of the pizza before it was devoured! We heard it was enjoyed by all.  Anyway, Elka has been in need of a new bed.  She has outgrown the one she sleeps on in our room ,and since it was a rush to purchase when she was a puppy, I've never been thrilled with the pattern.  You may recall that my very talented mother helped me sew the king size bed featured here for Elka that we keep downstairs.  Here is the inspiration from Fleabag Beds for her new 'upstairs' doggie bed... a nice bright trellis print with piping. Yes piping! That will be a new feat if I can pull it off. 

LA Lady

thaKing and I just got back from LA last week. He was there for work and I tagged along just to hang out.  We stayed downtown and ventured out on the subway to Hollywood.  Hollywood is surprisingly small.   The walk of fame meanders on and on, but it's basically one big block that encompasses Grauman's Chinese Theater and the Kodak Theater.  We also went to a taping of Jimmy Kimmel Live.  OMG, TV is sooo fake!  We were told to clap and act super excited for the intro to the musical guest that wasn't even there! Part of work obligations included going to a reception at the Walt Disney Theater, home of the LA Philharmonic.  The building is one of the most architecturally inspiring I have ever seen. 

We also went to a professional boxing match and saw Oscar de La Hoya, Magic Johnson, and Eddie Murphy.  The main event went the full 12 rounds and ended in a draw.  I see that as getting your money's worth, however most people were really upset about the draw. We also found the fashion district which was like a huge flea market with the blocks and blocks of handbags!  The bags weren't knock offs, but I think I bought a Big Buddha bag sans Big Buddha hardware, for $22! (Not the one pictured above)   My favorite part was going to Santa Monica. This was the shopping I had been looking for, all within a few blocks: Kitson, Nordstrom, Tory Burch, Anthropology! 

It was great to finally get home.  Elka had been staying a Dogtown all week. She was exhausted and excited to see us, needless to say.

Ever Growing News

Image courtesy of Creative Thursday

 

ThaKing and I are expecting our first (maybe only one depending on how this all goes ;) ) child in January!  It's a boy (Baby Boy King...BB for short) that is already measuring larger than average! Of course he is!  ThaKing and I were each over 9lbs. and all of our nephews have weighed in at over 9lbs.  each. I haven't been sick at all, so pregnancy fortunately has not been that bad.  I do sense sleeping will be becoming an issue. Stomach sleeping is of course ruled out and sleeping on the left side is the side of choice for those interested in reducing the likelihood of varicose veins.  Sleeping on the back is not advisable because of the  risk of putting too much weight on the vena cava artery which can cut  off circulation to BB.  So then  the only options are sleeping on your left or right side.  Now the left side is becoming less and less of an option.  I think while laying on my left side BB is resting on my sciatic nerve because there is a tingling sensation all the way down my left leg.  Oh the joys. I should have read What to Expect Before You Are Expecting!

     

Art to Heart

I am LOVING all of these prints from Z Gallerie!  However, it is noted there is a shortage of White German Shepherd art to be found anywhere.  There are pieces on Etsy, but I just soon prefer any painting/photo be of my own Elka.  Thus, I have requested that thaKing do a photo  of Elka sitting with a red background, to be printed on canvas (think Blue Dog inspired).  He just purchased a 5D Mark II, so  he is jumping at every opportunity to put it to good use.  Can't wait to see how it turns out!  More info to come on why the search for doggie art, soon.

Mad About Mad Men

Photo courtesy of Rolling Stone Magazine

I am truly addicted to Mad Men.  The new cover of Rolling Stone proclaims Mad Men is the best show on TV.  I dare say it is one of the best shows on TV, ever!  It has the best writing of any show since the Sopranos, probably because Matthew Weiner was/is involved in both of them.  The era, the style, the symbolism!  This weeks episode is the best yet.  Don berates Peggy because, I think, he holds her to a higher standard than any of the other copywriters.  She is there because she earned the position, but only  because he put her there.  This is evident when he tells her she should wake up each morning and thank him ,and Jesus, that she has been given another day.  How else would a woman have that position?  They  know some of  each others secrets and yet truly see each other for what they are.  Can't wait until next week's episode!      

Birthday Reminder--Update

For anyone that needs ideas of what to get the Queen for her birthday, here is a convenient hint and here is where to buy it

: 

**UPDATE---needless to say I didn't get the Toy watch for my b-day.  I tried it on IRL at Nordstrom in Naples.  I couldn't justify having anyone spend $200 on a plastic watch.  It is super light which I love, but feels totally plastic and less ceramic.  Besides, knowing me, I won't be wanting to sport a purple watch next summer.

Almost Time to Vacay...

It may be raining and dreary in the Bluegrass today, but in less than two weeks I will be celebrating my 33rd (there, I said it) birthday with the lovely lady that brought me into this world, my wonderful Mom, on Marco Island.  We have not been on vacation together in 10 years and we are both really excited to just to get away, relax, shop, shell, eat, and shop some more.  Marco Island is far south on the gulf side of Florida, so hopefully the tarballs will stay away.    

Be a Giver to Help Someone be a Liver

My Dad is in the late stage of  prostate cancer.  I, along with so many supportive family members and friends, have been there every step of the way through surgery, chemo, and trips to Duke for a research study in which he was a participant.  It is truly heartbreaking to watch my hero go through something so debilitating, especially when it feels like there is so very little I can do to help.  I just wish I could fix him or help him be more comfortable. 

Nonetheless, hopefully I am able to really help someone else beat cancer.  Several months ago, I checked out the National Marrow Donor Program.  I signed up to join the registry and received a kit in the mail a few days later.  All I had to do was answer a few questions and collect a swab of cheek cells to return to the NMDP to be placed on the registry to possibly be matched with someone down the road for a potential bone marrow transplant.  I encourage you all to do this.  You never know.  You may just have the right marrow to help save someone's life.    

Mutt Strut

Today was the Lexington Humane Society's 13th Annual Mutt Strut at Keeneland.  I have volunteered for this event the last three years.  It's always a great time seeing all the different doggies come out to enjoy strutting their stuff for such a good cause.  Last year would have been Elka's first strut, but she was at boarding school.  Needless to say she and thaKing were ready to go this year. The Mutt Strut is a 2K fun walk but nobody told Elka.  Apparently she was pulling thaKing wanting to run the whole way! 

The Banana

I miss the Banana Republic of old, where you could always find cute dresses and great work clothes.  Although, the last three years it has been hit or miss, and usually falling more on the miss side.  The  style and quality has greatly decreased.  Last year, I got a great deal on a summer suit, but my tailor had to completely redo the pants which were incredibly baggy through the hips.  Nonetheless, I'm always a sucker for sales ,and since I'm luxe I get free shipping, so this morning I said why not to this dress.  I guess I will find out in 7 to 10 days whether it's a hit or a miss!

Guilty Pleasure

Even though I don't watch as much 'crap' tv as I used to, I still try to find opportunities to watch almost any of the Real Housewives series on Bravo (with the exception of the ATL). thaKing groans, but is never surprised, to find the last channel viewed  on any tv in the house was Bravo.  Last nights RHONY episode showed the ladies, sans Jill and the Countess, going to the US Virgin Islands for Ramona's renewal bachelorette party on a yacht.  Really? Stuck on a yacht with Ramona!  I digress.  Kelly initiated some nonsensical yelling and ranting towards Bethenny, basically because Bethenny was human and has emotions.  Although Bethenny has published several books on healthy cuisine, Kelly states that Bethenny is not a chef but just a cook, since she has never worked for anyone she knows.  Hmmmm, cognitive dissonance disorder?  Bethenny, who is witty and acerbic, called Kelly the most unintelligent person she’s ever met.  I am in total agreement!  I represent a lot of crazy people and I think Kelly is crazy!  I can't wait to catch part II next week!  Hopefully, thaKing will be out again so he doesn't have a seizure from watching.               

Happy Mother's Day!

I've been absolutely blessed to have a wonderful mother.  We have always been best friends even through a few of those rebellious occasions in my teenage days.  She is selfless and sacrifices her own comfort and time to care for others.  I love you Mom, and I honestly hope that someday I am half the mom that you are . 

Mascara

So I tossed in the tried and true traditional pink and green bottle of mascara by Maybelline for a  shiny gold bottle of the lash lengthener from Yves St. Laurant.  I made the mistake of buying it with thaKing in tow.  Least to say there was some commentary about the $30 price tag.  Nonetheless, it works fabulously!  Long , luscious lashes.  The fact that I sometimes remember to use Latisse doesn't hurt either.  There is no phantom lash prints left trailing behind on my eyelids and little to no flaking.

New Purse Time

I am in the search for a new purse.  I love my speedy.  She's a classic, but it's time to move on.  I am loving this straw shopper for summer, but it's not for everyday use.  The search continues....

Take Pause

In the middle of drinking beer, enjoying the sunshine, and throwing money away on horses at Keeneland, Friday, I received a call from a dear friend, Ramsey.  She informed that she hoped she wasn't ruing my afternoon, but her husband, Robert, just found out he has a brain tumor.  That is so her to worry about everyone else first.  She continued to say, fortunately, that the tumor was operable and probably non-cancerous.

Ramsey and Robert were just married in 2008 and welcomed a beautiful baby boy in the fall of 2009.  No one is ever prepared for a situation such as this, let alone such a young family.  I truly think everything will be fine, but it does make me stop and think how truly blessed we are to get up everyday and be healthy enough to walk  or run with the dog, for instance.  Instead of wondering what to wear to Keeneland, or which hat to wear to the Derby, there are much much greater worries for some. Please remember them in your prayers.      

Happy Easter

thaKing and I had a fabulous weekend. I started by purchasing my Coach Cal Maker's Mark bottle! People camped out for these things! I woke up at 7:15am (in your face campers!) and got to a certain store about 8:00am, where I had success purchasing one of these coveted items in the past.  I was about the 25th person in line. The Cal bottle is safe and secure amongst the fine china in the china cabinet. Is that tacky or just Kentucky?

We went to Keeneland that afternoon and had a great time enjoying the beautiful weather. We were comfortable in the box away from the record crowd. I am so spoiled now! We were pleasantly surprised to see Josie and Mitch! Their never too young to go to the track! 

Today, we went to London to see the fam and enjoy some o so delicious chicken and dumplins' made courtesy of my mother. It was great to spend time with everyone. Elka had a blast being off leash and chasing birds.