New bag

I love to sew and I love making bags but, sometimes I feel like I am just filling orders and not creating.

Last week, I saw a cute tote bag in red, white, and blue while I was out and about...I was so inspired I came home and made my own cute read, white, and blue tote.

I made it reversible just for the fun of it! This is my first sample, it needs some tweaking, but over all I really like it. Got lots of compliments at the gym/pool today!

I am thinking about adding to my Fall line up. I think it would be super cute in soft corduroy with a print on the reverse side!

In other new...my cousin and his wife had a baby girl yesterday...name to be determined! There has not been a boy born in our family in 37 years! And prior to me it was boys, boys, boys!!!! I was the only girl in the family for 11 years....GIRLS RULE!!!!!

Kindness

The other day I got an email from a girl in New Hampshire. She had received a package from me (lulu belle custom handbags) with her address but, not her name. Anyhow, she took the time to find me, the return address label her only clue. Upon receiving the email, I did some quick research to figure out what went wrong. It seems that I put the wrong house number on the box, par for the course with me! I returned her email...thanking her for her kindness and honesty (I have had many packages go missing) over the last three years. I asked if she would just leave it for her letter carrier with a note to return to sender. And guess what she did...she found the rightful owner of the package and delivered it!!!! Wasn't that so nice? Taking the time to help a stranger!!!

Philadelphia

Saturday... we took the girls on a field trip to Old City in Philadelphia. Caroline was very excited, as she learned all about Pennsylvania and Philadelphia this year in school.

Our first stop, The Betsy Ross House...

A nice group of girls, with southern accents, offered to take our picture! Unfortunately, you can't take any pictures inside of the house. Since we were in the "City of Brotherly Love" the girls were practicing "Sisterly Love"

Then off to the Liberty Bell...

Caroline was unsure it was the "real" Liberty Bell, because it looked different than the one pictured in her geography cards (in her hand) that one didn't have a crack! Emma looks terrified due to a man that was very eager to have his picture taken in front of the Liberty Bell!

Independence Hall...

We stopped for a picture to honor Commodore John Barry...as we often take the Commodore Barry bridge on our way to the shore!

Walking through the streets of Old City...

Boot scrapers are found at many home entries...I could use one at my house. Strolling down Willing Alley one of the oldest alleys in the City.

Old St. Mary's Church...

Where MBM and I were married almost 10 years ago! While not historical to our nation, it is part of our history!

And just a random fact the interior of the church was used in this movie.

And this is the type of house and neighborhood MBM and I plan on living in when the girls are all grown up!

Sunday...MBM did the Philadelphia Triathlon. I painted this...

Lacrosse Camp

The big girls have been at lacrosse camp all week. They LOVE this camp! It is at the University of Delaware. The women's lacrosse coaches and girls from the team run the camp for girls ages 6-14. Today, I got a chance to take some pictures...I love this one with both girls in action!

While the big girls have been at camp...Lulu and I have been at our new Athletic Club. I have been running, doing pilates, yoga, and this crazy thing called Body Pump! Trying to find something I like...I'll let you know when I find it!

Lilli

Lilli...with her mommy

with her uncle

and her cousins!

She's Here, She's Here!

My sister and brother-in-law's baby girl arrived today! She was born at 3:00 PM and is 7lbs. 11oz. They are getting ready to meet her within the hour. The birth mom requested sometime with the baby and of course, she had to spend sometime in the nursery. It has been a day...waiting! I have spent all day thinking about B and B and the birth mom. She is so brave and selfless. I wish I could tell her. This baby will be loved, adored, and spoiled everyday of her life! I am hoping to get t0 the hospital tomorrow armed with gifts and my camera!

Summer is here!

Finally, summer has arrived! We have been so busy here, with
school wrapping up, and all that comes with the end of the school year! The girls tennis season also finished up this week. We spent the last two days without a schedule which was nice. We are headed to the shore this afternoon for the weekend. Just a quick trip, as the big girls start lacrosse camp on Monday!


In other news...my sister and brother-in-law are getting closer to
being parents. The birth mom is set to be induced on Monday
morning if she does not go into labor this weekend! Keep them in your thoughts, for a safe delivery and smooth transition, they have been waiting so long to have a family!

And HAPPY FATHER"S DAY to all the dad's!

Be reasonable!

Sorry for the delay on the goods from the Lilly sale! The sale was great, as usual! I brought my cousin, a sale virgin, but she held her own! I broke one of my own rules...#4...no need to get into the details. After 3 trips to the fitting room and having MBM's voice in my head "be reasonable" this is what I came home with...

Love this strapless top and green pants. I got the pants in white, too! Can't wait to wear them! The print on these shorts is so fun! That's it for me! "Be reasonable, be reasonable!"

And for the girls....

There are a few other things that have been worn and are in the wash! I could have gone CRAZY, but I chose to be reasonable!

Today is the day!

I have been prepping for this day since last years event. It is somewhat like training for a marathon or studying for a big exam. The workouts, the focus, the endurance, and preparing my strategy.

THE LILLY PULITZER WAREHOUSE SALE

When you are in a sea of pink and green Lilly prints at 70% off it is easy to lose your head. Here are some rules that I follow at the Lilly sale!

1. Try not to make eye contact with other shoppers. You may run in to someone you know that will take up valuable shopping time.

2. Take a big shopping bag the second you walk in!

3. If you think you like it, put it in the bag, they have tables where you can sort and ditch!

4. Wear your best underwear and bra...the fitting room is a big giant open space.

5. The fitting room is a great place to find items that may have been ditched by another shopper.

6. NEVER wear Lilly to the Lilly Sale...there will be many violators of this rule, trust me!

7. Know where they bring out the goods. It is a parade of rolling racks with more stuff.

8. Leave the kids at home!

9. Focus, focus, focus!

10. Be extra sweet to your husband the days before and after the sale!

I'll share my loot with you tomorrow!

33

Happy Birthday to MBM...husband, father, son, brother, uncle, salesmen, runner, fisherman, avid reader, history buff, hunter, sports fan, and on occasion break dancer!

He just can seem to control himself when "Busta Move" is played at weddings!

I learned of this "talent" years after we were married.
This is a man that never takes his jacket off. I often call him Alex P. Keaton from Family Ties.

Did I mention he has not had a drop of alcohol in nearly 10 years!
And he always finishes with the worm!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
YOU.... I love!

TGIF

We are head to the shore again this weekend. MBM and I have a wedding tomorrow, so we will head back to Philadelphia in the morning and back to the shore after! We are looking at 400 miles in 24 hours...ugh... the gas!

This afternoon the big girls had their annual Portfolio Picnic. Every year the "Yellow Schoolhouse" has a picnic for the children to share their writing portfolio. They chose one piece a month to be included in the portfolio and each child publishes a book. The parents bring blankets and snacks to enjoy will the children share their writing. It is very cute. I took a bunch of pictures of the girls with their friends! Notice how much shorter my girls are compared to their friends! That's what happens when you mother is barley five feet tall!

Have a great weekend!