a treat...or two.

Last month I made a little (ok big) splurge with a little bit of my lottery winnings.  I wanted to purchase something special, and I thought about getting a piece of jewelry from Tiffany but then I was too 'cheap' to spend a lot of money on something I might only wear for a little bit.  So, then I turned to looking for a wallet & a handbag.  For the hand bag, I went with something more classic so that it will always be 'in style', I think this black city satchel from Tory Burch will do just that.  It's a great top handle bag (with optional cross-body strap) that is excellent for everyday use.  Big enough, but not too big.  The only downside I've found so far is that if I'm out shopping, it's definitely too heavy to carry around on your arm for a few hours.  Which is why I have been keeping the optional strap inside the bag so I can pull it out when my arm gets tired.  For the wallet, I went a little more trendy.  I just couldn't resist a MINT and GOLD zip wallet!! Could it be any more my style?? Nope, it couldn't. Had to buy it, and I absolutely love it! I've never had a zip wallet before and I love that fact that it's basically impossible for me to lose anything out of there! Super loving these two pieces.

xo, 

melissa

living my dreams to the max!!!

 you guys...i won the lottery!! YEP!! Since May, seven girls and I at work have been playing the weekly lotto.  We play the same lotto (lotto max) every Friday and by our tickets from the same store each week.  We got lucky with the draw on September 14th, getting six numbers plus the bonus in the draw! Missing the 20 million dollar jack pot by just one number, but snagging us a sweet second prize of $367,896.30$ split between the eight of us.  Super rad.  I was in a daze for a few days trying to wrap my mind around cashing a cheque for almost $46,000.  That's a big deal for this single mama I've gotta say.  It's a nice big security blanket for Avery and I.  We haven't quite decided what we will do with our winnings, but for now they are tucked safely away.  Every now and then we look at our bank balance and smile. :)  Here are a few pictures from our trip to ALC headquarters to pick up our winnings....

xo,

melissa

one of those mom's...

 I hate to be one of those mom's who thinks that their kiddo is the cutest EVER. But seriously, try and argue that statement. My kid is adorable. Shout out to Auntie J for the fab hat that Avery has been rocking since Easter! He loves it.

xo,

one sweet kiddo's mama

moving onward...

Avery and I got our own place! :) We are only renting, but it's a big step for us in our new life as single mama and cool dude two year old.  

The house is 43 old and I didn't end up taking any furniture from our old house except for a couch, tv and Avery's dresser.  I wanted to move on from the modern furniture that we had there and get some retro 60/70's pieces that were more my style. 

I love having our own space, and Avery really loves the house too.  When we are out somewhere and he tells me that he wants to go to "Mommy's new house", I get the biggest grin!!

So, without further ado, here are some crappy quality instagram picks of our new place...I really need to take more...I just bought some vintage furniture to fill up the sunroof too, so those pics with be along within a few weeks!

 

xo,

melissa

current favorite...

Lets face it, if I don't wear eyeliner or mascara daily, I look like a walking dead cast member.  I used to dread taking off my eye make up because my eyes are pretty sensitive and everything I tried was irritating and it would burn and cause my eyes to water.  This even happened with the sensitive eyes specialty eye make up remover I bought when I used to get eye lash extensions.

Enter e.l.f. Studio Makeup Remover Cleansing Cloths.  Seriously. These little cloths are the bomb.  I found them at my local (cheaper) department store for $3.50 for 20 cloths.  I figured the price was cheap enough to give them a shot.  So glad I made that impulse buy.  These sheets are super soft and big enough to remove all of my make up.  They do not irritate my eyes whatsoever and get off every last bit of mascara, even when I wear waterproof mascara.  They also have aloe vera extract in them so they are super hydrating and soothing.  I will definitely be repurchasing this product!

xo,

melissa

yard sales...

 Last Saturday, mom and I went on our first yard sale trip of the summer.  And our first stop was a major success! I picked up everything in the above photo for 10$!!

 Keeping my eyes peeled for more of these to stack...

 In other news, Avery and I have moved into our temporary home above my parents' garage.  We just found a house to rent, so it looks like we will be living solo in August! It will be great to have our own space...the loft area is pretty sweet for now, but it doesn't have a bathroom and because it's not attached to the house, it is not super convenient...

 My 1$ lamps are in perfect working condition! I also picked up these rad side tables for 25$ on our yard sale trip.  Keeping my eyes peeled for more!!

xo,

melissa

date night...

 

last thursday my boy and i had a date.

it was the best kind. full of smiles and laughter. no whining, no grumpiness, no complaining or yelling. and best of all, no pooping!

he didn't pay, but I did get a kiss at the end of the evening.

this mama loves her date nights.

xo,

melissa

a grown up...

I've graduated from university, gotten married, built a house, had a baby, all grown up things. Yet, I've never felt like a grown up.  One month ago, I bought a bed.  Bought and paid for solo.  Which is a big deal for me because anything I've done as a 'grown up', I've done with a partner.  Something little, albeit pricey, like buying a bed on my own, has made me really feel like a grown up. 

It gets delivered today, and I'm uber excited about it!!

xo,

melissa

top/bracelet: F21; watch: michael kors; skirt: eclipse; shoes: urbanog

wheels...

 new found singledom has brought about a new found need for wheels.

new wheels, AWD wheels for safety...pretty excited for Avery and I! (yes, he's wearing his bike helmet in that photo..he's a little helmet (or hel-nut as he says) obsessed.

xo,

melissa

life bits...

 1. my sweetness 2. borrowed boots

3. date w/ my boy 4. pretty bow

 1. fairy shoes 2. coolest dude

3. fuel 4. double dots

 1. tub time 2. pedal to the medal

3. setting up a space 4. young mamaSTYLE

1. stripes n skinnies 2. nature walk

3. cameo girl 4. milk glass

instragram update from the past month of so! 

chugging along, single mamaSTYLE

xo,

melissa

soccer mom...

Today, I officially become a soccer mom.  But, at least I have glitter shoes!!

xo,

melissa

April Luxe Box...

 April 2012 Luxe Box

 I received my April luxe box by loose button this morning, you know the drill by now it's a monthly (12$) subscription service where you receive "luxury" beauty samples and if you're lucky one full size product.  This is my 4th? box, but it's also my last. It's been very hit or miss and while I have been happy with some sample and full sized items, I've been disappointed by a lot too.  I know you can't win them all and it's "only" 12$, but right now it's my 12$ that I don't want to spend getting disappointed on more run of the mill samples.  That being said I will make full size purchases from some samples that I have tried, like the Biosilk Silk Therapy hair treatment. 

 

Goodies in this month's box

 item fact sheet

 Full size polish, Essie (8$)

 Orlane Perfect Complexion Treatment Foundation

 Fekkai Advanced Salon Technician Color Care Shampoo, Conditioner and Moisture Mask (2 Samples)

Pantene Pro-V Aqua Light Shampoo + Conditioner

Least excited about this product...more shampoo? And a drug store brand at that? 

Out of the 12$ I spent, I'm most excited for the Fekkai samples, but I don't think two samples are entirely worth 12$

xo,

melissa