Matching Outfits

I doubt I will be able to get away with this for as long as I would like to, but I am loving the idea matching outfits for Branner and Leighton right now! These are my first two coordinating purchases. Precious!

KK Bloom and The Queen City Style!

A few weeks ago, I found out I won a gift certificate to the amazing boutique, KK Bloom, here in Charlotte! I had entered a giveaway over on one of my favorite style blogs, The Queen City Style, and was excited and surprised to find out that I won! With the move going on, it took me longer than expected to get over there to spend it, but I went today, and up there is a little sneaky peeky of my purchases. Most of the store was on sale (that dress ended up being less than $100—score!!), so if you're looking for something super cute and summery, I suggest you head on over to KK Bloom! I'll be back on Friday to show you the full view!

Tables + Tantrums = Trip to the Mall

I wasn't going to write about this. But, the whole point of my blog is to document Branner's life so we can look back on this random/funny/mundane/crazy collection of moments one day and laugh together about them. I also like to keep it real, and this is as real as it gets.

My mom came down on Sunday to spend the night so that we could take Branner shopping for a few things to add to his spring/summer wardrobe and to look at a table and chair set from Pottery Barn Kids. The set being for his playroom from my parents for his birthday (which I have been putting off getting because I haven't really started the room, but if this isn't motivation, I don't know what is). We had a normal morning and left for the mall a little before 11.

We started at Ann Taylor Loft. My mom and I had looked around for about 2 minutes when things started to go south. Branner started getting rambunctious in his stroller. I told my mom to go ahead and try on the two pairs of pants she wanted to, and that I would walk him around outside the store while she did, but she decided to wait. We (nervously on my part), proceeded to Pottery Barn Kids. They didn't have the table/chair set I wanted in stock, so we were on to our next stop, Janie and Jack (my favorite!). Branner was really on a tear. We barely had time to look/decide on sizes before he was screaming to get out of the stroller. Luckily, the saleslady was super nice and did not make me feel bad for his behavior. I let him out and tried to walk around the store with him, but he wanted down and kept running away from me into the middle of the mall. After chasing him down a couple of times, I got him back in the stroller and we left for Pottery Barn. He lasted about 2.5 seconds in that store. I took him to a seat grouping in the middle of the mall and planned to let him wander around, so I put my purse down in a chair. He got me so flustered, that I walked off with my purse still on the chair. We made it all the way out to the car (with Branner walking, NOT in the stroller), and I had to turn around and basically run back into and through the mall because I was in a panic over my purse. Luckily, it was still in the chair I left it in with everything including cash and my iphone still in it. WHEW!!!! I don't think I'll be attempting a mall trip again with B in the near future!

Steve Urkel (And a Cute Thanksgiving Shirt)

Look at my adorable shirt!
My daddy made me look like Steve Urkel!

Ok, so, being from the South, of course I love a monogram and anything personalized. I also love a good longall, and have been working on adding several to Branner's wardrobe, but more on that later. I found this cute, cute, cute Thanksgiving-themed shirt online and decided B had to have one. It's from She She Made--if you like it, find them on Facebook. They have all kinds of adorable personalized wear. Happy shopping!

Shopping Day With Shana and Carter

Playing in the play area.
Carter teaching Branner how to drive.
Branner made a new friend!
Hellooooo, ladies!

Yesterday, we spent the morning with Shana and Carter at Carolina Place Mall doing what we do best--shopping! Okay, we actually didn't buy anything, but we were helping Shana try to find something to wear to a party she is going to this weekend. Unfortunately, we didn't have any success in that area. After we had traipsed around to all of the stores that we thought would have what she was looking for, the boys blew off some steam in the play area. Branner crawled to his heart's content, made a new friend at the wall puzzle and "drove" a Corvette. He had a ball! After a quick lunch at McAllister's, we headed home for naptime. Can't wait to do this again soon with our favorite buddies!

Screams, Skippers and Shopping Adventures

What a day, what a day! I had been planning on taking Branner shopping today so that I could get a couple of new things for my birthday. We had a regular, low-key morning. I got a few things done around the house, Branner napped while I got ready, then I bathed and dressed him when he woke up. He rolled around on his playmat while I finished up with my hair and make-up, but became fussy. So, I decided to bring his carseat upstairs for him to sit in, hoping he would fall asleep and we'd leave as soon as I was ready. Branner had different plans. I could tell he was "working something up." Even though I had just put a fresh diaper on him, I took him out of his carrier to change him before we left. When I picked him up, let's just say my hand touched something very unpleasant that had somehow leaked out the side of his diaper and all over his (adorable) outfit. I screamed! Somehow, in the past 18 weeks and 5 days, we have escaped any up-the-back or out-the-side or even bathtub "mishaps". I would like to call today a five-alarm "mishap." It took me FOREVER to get him all cleaned up. About 1,000 baby wipes, another bath, a clean diaper and a new outfit later, Branner was restored to his previous presentable state. We finally made it out the door. Once we got to Southpark, everything went well. I managed to get myself several new things as well as some ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE Trumpette Skippers for Branner. The Skippers are socks that look like boat shoes in assorted colors. I cannot think of anything more fitting or perfect for Barry's son to be wearing to compliment his outfits this summer!