The Annual Christmas List Dilemma

Well, it's that time of year again. The holidays. I love them, but they always catch me completely off guard. So over the year, I find myself saying "I really want X" or "I wish someone would buy me Y." Yet, I always seem to forget to actually add these things to a running list that I can then pull out around the holidays (or my birthday or Valentine's Day or our anniversary . . . well you get the point). So without fail, it always comes time to send out my Christmas list - and I can never think of anything to put on it! It's so frustrating. Especially because I know there are things I want. But my mind decides to have a bout of amnesia when it's time to actually come up with the list. So then I try to run around last minute thinking of things to put on the list - some of it is stuff I don't actually care about, but I HAVE to have something on the list. And it's always hard to balance out my price ranges. Usually I have no problem thinking of expensive items. What can I say? I have expensive taste. But when it comes to less-expensive things - you know, the things I'm actually more likely to get - well, my mind draws a blank. This is a yearly routine and you would think I would have learned by now. But, as always, I have received the yearly email from the relatives asking for my Christmas list. And as always, I am lost.

However, there is one definite thing I know I want - and that I actually have a snowball's chance of getting since it isn't overly expensive. It is a Shootsac. This is a wonderful creation by photographer Jessica Claire. She really is a genius. Not only is the Shootsac functional, but it is stylish as well. It could even pass as a large purse/shoulder bag, when you aren't carrying your lenses. This is a definite must-have on every photographer's list. And I want one!

Just look how handy they are!

And you know what would make me extremely happy? If I could also get a great Shootsac cover! They make your Shootsac so much more personal! Unfortunately, one of my favorite covers seems to have been discontinued. This makes me VERY sad. On the bright side, it does help me choose which one I want. Since I was torn between two and now one has mysteriously disappeared, I am down to one that I truly love. BUT, there's even better news. The Shootsacs and the Shootsac covers are on sale! That's right - so the early bird can save if they want to go ahead and buy this for me NOW! And because of the truly awesome sale, you can get me TWO Shootsac covers for the price of ONE. How amazing is that?!? I'm so excited. I will post photos of the covers I am currently intersted in . . . you know. Just in case.

Classic Fling is my top choice now since the other one was discontinued:

And Classic Stylin' is also quite nice. And with the sale, it is only $15!!!

Anyway, I just thought I'd throw this out there. Just in case anyone is reading this blog. And is interested in helping a girl out. Did I mention it's on sale . . . ?

Lednice Castle

So to continue our Europe adventure story . . . We left Prague early in the morning to drive to Vienna. On the border of the Czech Republic, right before we crossed into Austria, we stopped at a little village called Lednice. There wasn't much there except Lednice Castle. Lednice Castle belonged to the Liechtenstein family and was their summer hunting house. Yes, you heard that correctly, the summer hunting house. Must be nice. The castle is surrounded by gardens designed in the "English Garden" style.

Before we left Prague, we went to the local grocery store and bought some cheese and bread and fruit. We also bought a bottle of wine. So when we stopped at Lednice Castle everyone took their food and picked different spots in the garden and set up little picnics. It took us a little time to find the perfect spot - mainly because we were looking for the bathroom and it just so happened that on that specific day every single public restroom was closed. There were some very unhappy - and nervous - people on the tour: me included! Because when I have to go, I HAVE TO GO! Luckily our tour guide was a smooth talker and talked the little hotel next to Lednice Castle into letting our tour group use their restrooms. But we finally got to enjoy our picnic right next to the huge greenhouse. It was very peaceful.

And then we all hit the hotel bathrooms again and were on our way to Vienna.

The "gate" going into the castle grounds.

Lednice Castle (it was under construction).

Lednice Castle was abandoned for so long that it was going into ruins. They are finally trying to reconstruct it.

Lednice Castle and the greenhouse.

The greenhouse.

The castle had a lot of gargoles on it.

The grounds were beautiful!

The English style gardens


All of the flowers were in bloom.

What's the Skinny?

I am so excited about my new purchase I can't stand it. And, no, it's not camera equipment! (shocker I know!). The other day I decided to stroll through Kohl's with a pocket full of coupons, hoping I'd find some loot. And I did! Granted, not as much as I was hoping, but I was still very happy. I bought a few advanced Christmas presents and some bowls for the kitchen and a few drape options for the guest room. But the purchase I was most excited about was my skinny jeans! Yes, you heard correctly. I bought skinny jeans. I couldn't believe it either. I mean, me, in skinny jeans? It's like an oxymoron! Before you say I'm being too hard on myself let me explain. I know that I have curves. What can I say, I'm a curvy girl. And that's not a bad thing. My hips create the illusion that my waist is tinier - and I'm a big fan of that.

But being the curvy girl that I am, I never believed I could pull off a pair of skinny jeans. I usually see them on thin, stick-figured girls (they look more like little boys) and of course they look good on them. And it's not all in my head either - I have actually tried on a pair of skinny jeans before and OMG - they were horrible. A complete disaster. It looked like someone had shoved a pear into a condom. It just wasn't pretty. Ok, so I don't really have the "pear" shape - my legs are tiny. But I do have hips, so when you put something tiny on them and then there is nothing to flair at the bottom to balance them out . . . well I'm sure you can picture it (if you are brave).

But then I had some inspiration. We went to Tampa awhile back for our good friend Jen's 30th birthday. Now Jen is ALWAYS stylish and I've always envied her clothes. So when she came out ready to go out for her birthday, she looked adorable as always. And what did she have on? Skinny jeans! Now the reason this was inpirational to me was because Jen is built similar to myself (except she is in better shape!) - she's got some curves and hips as well. And the jeans looked AMAZING on her! Where did she get them? Ann Taylor Loft. I should have known. It's only my favorite store on Earth - my mecca you could call it. I truly believe I need to take a pilgramage there at least once a month. Unfortunately, Jeremy forbids that - seeing as we would be broke.

So fast forward to the other day. I'm in Kohl's and see some skinny jeans on the rack. And what really made me stop to look is that they are Vera Wang skinny jeans (ok, Simply Vera if I have to be 100% accurate). And I have always wanted to own something Vera! (I do need to give a shout-out to my good friend Laura for buying me my Vera toasting glasses for my wedding - that was my first thing Vera. But I want clothing as well . . . ) So I figured "what the hell? I'll just try them on." And I was pleasantly surprised. They were sort of cute. I put them on. Turned a little in the mirror. Took them off and tried on a few other things. Then put them back on again. This happened a few times. And each time I put them on, I liked them a little more. But what pushed me over the edge to take the plunge was the price. They were 30% off and I had an additional 15% coupon! I just couldn't pass this deal up. So I grabbed them and didn't let myself think twice about it.

The next day I decided to try them on. I rolled them up a tad so they looked like cute capris and then threw on flip-flops and my Alabama jersey and I was sporting it, if I do say so myself. I haven't worn them rolled down yet, but that time will come. I am especially looking forward to wearing them with my UGGs. Finally! A pair of jeans I can wear inside the UGGS without them all bunching up! I still feel a little self-conscious about my hips, but as long as I pair them with a long top, I'm A-OK! *sigh* I'm in love. Oh, so this means if you ever see me in them, and they actually look horroble, please do NOT tell me and let me just continue to be delusional. Thanks!