CBXB Invasion

Corn fed, Hawkeye bred!

While in eastern Iowa for a long Labor Day stay, I ended up staying through the rest of the week for a little family bonding, starting with the twins.

Three is not a crowd with this crew.

Being these tykes are now 19 months old and actual mini people, they often seem like Tasmanian devils.

Which is why I had grubby little handprints all over my clothes.

Subtle reminder of my fave people.

I was able to see Prince B get his teeth cleaned, which started off as traumatic but ended in bliss when he realized there was a TV on the ceiling.

Cartoons and clean chompers.

With my mad camera skills, I took 1,762,364 selfies with each twin, producing just one non-blurry photo of me and Princess B.

Again? Again with the camera Auntie CBXB?

I cheated on Ted with my dogphew, Gunner by rolling around in the sack endlessly with him night after night.

Sleeping double in a single bed.

My unfaithfulness continued with goodbye kisses for my furry family member…

I kissed a dog and I liked it.

….and my little humans, too.

A goodbye smooch and feminine product education all at the same time. I’m a multi-tasking aunt.

It was then time to head west to the town where John Wayne was born and The Bridges of Madison County was filmed (that’s right – I walked the same streets as Meryl Streep) to see my Gma.

Jell-O shootin’ granny with her Jell-O shootin’ offspring.

It was a good thing I travel with booze, as I was staying with Gma in her retirement home.

With no WiFi.

And spotty cell service.

And no car.

Coping with my surroundings.

But we passed the time with news programs, drinks, news programs, pedicures and news programs.

Isn’t this the life?

In between being a manicurist and wino, I got to see Aunt Crazy Pants for an afternoon and a ride to the gigantic Des Moines airport.

Crazy and Crazier.

And there is nothing more fun than getting to spend six unexpected hours at an airline gate while trying to get my ass back to Nashville.

GET ME HOME TO MY PUSSIES!

Naturally, I was nothing but ignored by my two felines upon my arrival back to our mini manse.

You cheated with an actual dog. We hate you.

I’m definitely in vacation withdrawal as on the first day back to work I forgot my laptop at home, lunch consisted of 10 day old pizza out of the communal fridge and I kept calling a buddy Ted…when his name is Chris.

Definitely what my co-workers think of me and my coffee mug.

Here’s hoping that you’re brighter eyed and more bushy-tailed than I this week, friends.

Cheers!

CBXB

Love, Love Me Do

You know I love you (well, maybe I just like you but after a couple cocktails, it could possibly turn into love).

I received a warm shout out from the fabulous blogger, not quite carrie who is a self-dubbed faux-ionista on the brink of turning 30.  She has all kinds of beauty tips (especially fun ones like how eyeliner appears the morning after you applied it – without looking like a drag queen), she survived hurricane Sandy and provides honest reviews of products.

Another blogging bestie passing the love around is Ally from DRESSED IN MY CLOSET – who shares my love of sparkles, fuchsia, feathers, Chanel – to name just a few. She has posts ranging from recipes to fashion and my favorites are her Sunday Obsession posts.

Thank you ladies!

The ‘rules’ of this lovalicious award are to share seven random things about myself.  So sit back, relax, pour yourself a Skinny Pirate, and enjoy reading all about my randomness and my suggestion of seven other very lovely blogs.

Ahem….

1. Whenever I do something really obnoxious (like putting my sister’s fake veil on at her bachelorette party), have a blonde moment and say something really out there or simply just make an all ’round ass of myself, my sister says, “You’re so pretty.”

2. I like to hide Easter grass all over my parent’s house because my dad can’t stand it (therefore, why did he ever complain about it?).  Once the bunny has visited, I stash some in his shoes, chair, under his bed pillow…

3. I have a knack for photo bombing.

Not so family Christmas card interruption.

4. The Iowa State Fair (happens 10 days every August and yes, you can hire me as a tour guide) is one of my favorite destinations in the world.  In the picture below, I’m enjoying an adult beverage after a very long day of eating my way through the fair with my newly acquired cowboy hat (that lights up).  If you’re not sure what to wear to any fair, please check out my tips here.

5. I LOVE surprising people (although sometimes I worry I am going to give them a heart attack). I traveled from Nashville, TN to Winterset, IA (which is where the movie The Bridges of Madison County was filmed and the birth place of John Wayne for you trivia buffs out there) for my Gma’s birthday. I know she was surprised because she was still in her house coat and didn’t have any lipstick on.

6. I’ve never met a party I didn’t like to throw (nor any sequins I didn’t like to wear).

7. I loved Sex and the City (which is how I came across not quite carrie).  One of my best mates, Miss America and I got dolled up for the movie premiere (and acted like we were going to walk the red carpet in NYC while sneaking cocktails into the movie, of course).

And now that you know about a few of my quirkiness traits, here are just a few of the lovelies that I think kick some lovely ass –
sweenee style blog – this blogger’s motto is “Never take a day off from being stylish,” and I want to raid her closet because she always looks beyond fab.
style salvation – D-Anna is a master at pulling looks together and sharing tips on how to obtain. Style maven!
love your clothes love yourself – this blogger is on a journey to discover life through her closet. Check out her “Oops…I bought a…” topic. Great ideas!
work/play/polish – this woman is working on a ‘Mani Cave’ (so jeal), displays full polish collections and is one of my blogging besties.
enchanted seashells – married to a tug boat captain, all around hilarious gal AND a Chanel lover (she just got her first bag – lucky lady!).

i’ll sleep when they’re grown – this woman is a working mother, smart, funny and just lovely. I hope she puts this award on her Fake Trophy Shelf.

fashion for lunch – a woman living the fashion life in London – I love her “Today I’m Wearing…” posts and she’s all around fabulous!

Go check them out and spread the love! NOW.

CBXB