LoneStarPrep

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Reading Challenge '11: January to March

Here are the books I have read to date for my GoodReads challenge of 25 books in 52 weeks... already completed 44% of my yearly goal : )

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Preppy Baby Clothes

Everyone says start 'em early... well... when it comes to "preppy" clothes this is much easier said than done when talking about babies! I have never really been a fan of "embellished" clothes... sadly, these are the norm when it comes to infant attire. SO... here are a few items I picked up for CB... I think they are fairly preppy and very affordable, too!

Bright pink and navy striped tee, Circo from Target

Bright pink cardigan (Carter's) and ruffled pink sleeveless top (Jumping Beans) from Kohl's

Navy plaid shorts and khaki shorts, Jumping Beans from Kohl's

Sunhats! Both from Target

Metallic loafers from Old Navy (even the insides are polka dot!)

Assorted tees from Old Navy

Navy Ralph Lauren Polo Dress from Belk

CB's First Easter Outfit

Pink and green flowered dress from Children's Place

White Ralph Lauren cardigan from Belk

If you are a Preppy Parent where do you purchase your childrens' clothing?

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Booking Through Thursday: Serial

Good question for this week... do you prefer series or stand-alone books?

As a whole, I prefer stand-alone books (even though I am writing a series... is that odd?)

Maybe I am simply not reading the right series, but I find them to be similar to movies and their sequels... the first one is usually awesome and the second (or third or fourth) is usually unnecessary. I find this more in books where there is not really a continuation of the same story, but rather more of a brand new story using the same characters... the kind created simply so there can be a sequel. There are certainly exceptions to this, mainly when the entire story cannot be told in one book, such as Harry Potter, but overall I prefer the story be completed in one novel.

As a child, however, series were my life... I was a Sweet Valley Girl and owned almost every book in the Twins and High series. The difference between these and some other series, though, is they can be read as stand-alone books. You can pick up any of these, read it, and never have read the one published before or after and be fine. The same goes for Trixie Belden, Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, and similar titles. Granted, if you did read all of them you would be more bonded to the characters, but it is not required to follow or enjoy the story (as opposed to, say, Harry Potter where you must start at the beginning).

So... have to say I prefer stand-alone books... which do you prefer?

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

ABCs of LSP

Emily over at Living in the Life of E! posted this ABCs blog and it looked fun so I filling it out, too! I have seen many posts recently about how interesting it is what people choose to reveal about themselves in their blogs and what they choose to keep to themselves. It is true I have not shared a lot of my personal life here, as it was not the original purpose of this blog. Admittingly, I do author a family blog over on Wordpress to keep our friends and relatives up-to-date with what The Hubs, CB, and I are doing... but I have decided it is time to share some more about myself here, too! Some of this is silliness but I hope you enjoy learning more about me!

A-Age: Early 30-something...

Why, how old do I look?!

B-Bed size: Queen!

The Hubs' legs are too long for a double, ha!

C-Chore you hate: Um... everything. I do not mind doing laundry, though!

(Except for the never-being-done part)

D-Dogs: I like terriers best and large dogs scare me!

We are allergic, though, and will never have any pets... pesky asthma!

E-Essential start to your day: A shower and drying my hair.

I am not okay if I have not showered.

F-Favorite Color: Navy blue!

Also love bright pink, kelly green, and maroon (Gig 'Em, Aggies!)

G-Gold or Silver: Starting to prefer gold but love some of my silver pieces.

H-Height: 5'9"... and no, I did not play basketball in school.

I-Instruments you play: None! So sad.

Gave up piano as a child but now wish I had not... hindsight is 20/20 right?

J-Job title: Mom!

And U.S. History teacher until this year.

K-Kids: One!

L-Live: Texas!

You probably already knew that, though : )

M-My mom's name: You mean it is not Mom?

N-Nickname: Bri

(For those of you who do not know me "in person" my name is Brianna)

My dad still calls me Breezy

O-Overnight hospital stay: In the hospital for three days when CB was born!

P-Pet Peeve: People who smoke while they are driving.

GRRR!

Q-Quote from a movie: "Oh my God, Karen, you can't just ask people why they're white!"

Gretchen from Mean Girls (makes me laugh EVERY time!)

R-Right/Lefty: Right...!!

S-Sibling: One older brother

T-Time you wake up: 5 a.m. thanks to CB

Hoping sometime in life I will get to sleep late again... late being, oh, 7 a.m.

U-Underwear: Not exactly sure what the question is here... but...

I will say never leave home without it...!!

V-Veggies you dislike: Broccoli... zero fun to cook, gets stuck in your teeth.

Neither are good things.

W-What makes you run late: Not being able to remember if I locked the door.

Once I went back six times to check.

Really.

Leaving the house is a mess.

X-Xrays you have had: Hmm... teeth and ankle.

Y-Yummy food you make: Yeah, I do not really cook... although The Hubs raves about my chicken salad and I do bake a mean chocolate chip cookie!

Z-Zoo animal: Bears!

I also really enjoy watching the giraffes and penguins.

It would be fun for everyone to complete this one... I love reading y'all's answers!

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Oh So Charming!

Charm bracelets can be traced back in history all the way to ancient times when pieces were collected and worn for good luck and to ward off evil spirits (scary!) Thankfully, these fabulous accessories evolved into a fashion statement as opposed to a surival kit... even Queen Victoria was known to have a charm bracelet and they became the rage with the British aristocracy. In America, charm bracelets were a jewelry staple in the 50s and 60s and have since made a comeback.

Here in Texas, charm bracelets are quite prevalent among a variety of age groups and style types (although certainly visible among the prep set).

Thanks to James Avery, a sterling silver jewelry company headquartered in Kerrville, purchasing charms for almost any occassion is easy as pie. In addition to stores in 20 Texas cities you can also find JA in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Tennessee... and of course there is always the option of purchasing online. Many of their charm designs have been around for ages, but the company does tend to retire styles so if you there is one you adore it is best to scoop it up.

My charm collection began at the end of 5th grade when my grandmother presented me with a bracelet and three charms to represent achievements during the school year: a megaphone for cheerleading, an A+ for a district reading award, and an artist palette for a school-wide art award (and entry into a district-wide competition). The bracelet was hers when she was a younger.

My charm bracelet

Over the years I collected more charms to commemorate events, never realizing this bracelet would really become a visual timeline of my life. Now, 20 years later, it contains more than 50 charms, representing everything from my first car to graduation years, from my confirmation to our wedding day. Some charms have a deeper significance and some are more frivolous, but they each have a meaning.

While I truly love every charm (and would love to share all their meanings), here are a few with their story:

Heart Finial... this charm has just always been my favorite. I think it is so adorable!

The first date my husband and I went on was the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show in December 2001... here is my sailboat to remember the occassion!

In first grade I was a giant Hershey Kiss for Halloween and won first prize in my school's costume contest. My grandmother purchased this Kiss charm for me : )

Texas A&M charm purchased from the MSC in College Station.

I am an Aggie, this is really all I need to say about this one!

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the opening of my old school, Saint Gregory's Catholic in San Antonio, Medlar's of San Antonio created this charm and it was sold through the school to students, parents, and former students. Love this one!

My wedding gift from The Hubs... aww!

My mother has two amazing charm bracelets, one from her teenage years with charms given to her by my dad, and a newer one with family-related charms for her roles as mom and grandmother. I hope to inherit both one day (although not anytime soon, of course!)

Several of my friends collect charms, too, and one is the proud owner of this wonderful bracelet, also thanks to more than than 20 years of collecting.

Do you have a charm bracelet or another piece you wear for luck? Post a photo... it would be fun to see everyone's bracelets!

LSP: MIA

In case anyone was wondering... I am still here! The past week has been nutty with gatherings, errands, a short Texas road trip, reading for my book challenge and cleaning... oh, wait... disregard the last one : ) I am very behind on my blog reading and posting (and cleaning) but plan to catch up a bit this evening (well, probably not on the cleaning)... cannot wait to see what everyone has been up to recently!