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Oh hey, Friday.

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19 Jun

| one |

I’ve been saving my pennies. Since I technically don’t make an income, I tend to feel really guilty about buying myself things. I know I shouldn’t, but it’s hard for me to justify… oh, I don’t know… a $200 purse.

So when a check arrived for me in the mail this week from some blog work I did, I decided to spend it as quickly as humanly possible before the guilt kicked in. I clicked “purchase” on this beauty so fast that I literally did a happy dance afterward.

JoannasFavoriteBag195
Oh yes. That would be Joanna’s Favorite Bag from Magnolia Market. I am practically drooling. Come to momma!

 

| two |

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Me: Dry Goods | Jessica: Rent the Runway | Grace: Blackmilk Clothing

You may have noticed that I wrote a whole post about Rent the Runway, and then didn’t wear any of the dresses I showed you last week to my cousin’s wedding. So, here’s an update.

I rented the Moschino Plum Rose Bodice Sheath due to the price and the fact that I thought it would be appropriate to chase after my toddler. My dresses arrived a day early via UPS (yippee!), but that’s where my enthusiasm stopped. The size 2 was too small to pull over my hips, and the straps on the size 4 were too long for me to keep up. I also rented a necklace to wear, and it arrived damaged (one of the stones had fallen out). I contacted RTR customer service via email immediately. I was told that they could either send me a new necklace to wear, or I could get a full refund (I went with the refund). As for the dresses, I could pick out another dress and they would overnight it to me for $12.50 (seeing how sizing isn’t their mistake but mine, I feel like that’s a fair price). I searched the website for another dress, but unfortunately everything I liked was unavailable this weekend – another reason to make your rentals EARLY! RTR is giving me a credit (minus shipping) for the dress that I can use for another occasion. So, even though I did not wear a RTR dress, the customer service is so fantastic and my previous experiences have been so good that I will most definitely be renting again.

Of course this only happens after I share my positive endorsement with the world. Go figure!

 

| three |

Last week I did something that I’m ashamed to say I’ve never done before (especially as someone who grew up on a farm).

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I mowed my first ever yard. See those crooked lines? Oh yeah.

We happen to live in a neighborhood where 90 percent of our neighbors are retired and have plenty of time to make their yards look pristine (or at least have a service that does the work for them!). Our neighbor next door mows like three times a week. We’re lucky to do it every 10 days. Everyone has perfect landscaping, and ours has weeds on weeds.

We also have a one-year-old, and ain’t nobody got time for our two acres.

So, instead of depending on the husband to always mow, I decided to learn because I was sick of our yard looking neglected. The Mr. was extremely frustrated in teaching me (where are the lines?!), but I think I did an okay job. And now I have another activity to get me out of the house for a few hours during nap time. 😉

| four |

Screen Shot 2015-06-18 at 9.00.24 PM

View from the ScoobiToo

Speaking of activities, the husband and I booked a day-long catamaran cruise in the Caribbean for our upcoming vacation. We’ll be visiting the uninhabited island of Tintamarre – which promises some miracle mud, amazing snorkling and SEA TURTLES – followed by lunch and beaching in Anguilla.

Did you read that? SEA TURTLES! I’m so stinking excited. Considering that the last trip we never left our beach, this trip is shaping up to be way more adventurous.

Let’s just hope my car sickness doesn’t translate over to sea sickness…

| five |

Finally, because this post does not have enough Dot power…

FotorCreated

She’s so adorable. Most of the time.

—

Happy Friday!

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  1. Christina says

    June 19, 2015 at 10:24 am

    Enjoy your splurge, lady! You deserve it every once in a while, right?! We did a catamaran cruise on our last vacation and it was our favorite thing we did – you will love it!!

    Reply
  2. Kelsey says

    June 19, 2015 at 11:15 am

    That bag looks great, enjoy it! Hope you have an amazing vacation & see lots of sea turtles 🙂
    Kelsey
    http://www.thepeacockroost.com

    Reply
  3. Val says

    June 19, 2015 at 2:46 pm

    I’m basically completely ate up with jealousy that you got that bag! But good for you treating yo self! You deserve it Mama!
    I’ve also been toying with the idea of mowing myself to lighten our weekend load. I’ve mowed a few times like when I was 13 but I’m sorta embarrassed to even go out and try! hahhahahahahahha I REFUSE to do the front yard though because I’m sure I’d have that all kinds of crazy looking in about 2 seconds. Anyways…thats great that you did it. Kinda just gave me the nudge I think I needed! So thanks for that.
    And lastly I wanted to let you know that I’m rather flexible and could easily fit into a carryon suitcase if you wanted to tote me along on your super fabulous trip. Just an idea…think about it. 😉

    Reply
    • Samantha Cotten says

      June 19, 2015 at 4:25 pm

      I was definitely embarrassed the first time I mowed! Let’s just say that I didn’t take to the zero-turn mower too easily. But, not that I have a total of TWO mows under my best, I’m starting to enjoy it. Also, I would rather enjoy seeing you fit into a carry on! 😉 Hilarious!

      Reply
  4. Kristin Roe says

    June 19, 2015 at 11:43 pm

    Catamarans are the best! I am so jealous!!! P.S. How does that little girl keep getting more adorable!?

    Reply
    • Samantha Cotten says

      June 20, 2015 at 9:57 am

      The same way your little girl keeps getting so smart! You would think she has a brainiac for a father or something. 😉 I’d say we have some pretty awesome little ladies.

      Reply
  5. Valerie Broaddus says

    June 22, 2015 at 1:30 pm

    ” And now I have another activity to get me out of the house for a few hours during nap time. ”
    I cannot put into words how extremely jealous I am that you can use the word HOURS in the same sentence as NAP TIME. My 9 month old takes two hour-long naps a day, and that is being generous!
    Dot is simply adorable- just like her mama! Hope yall had a great weekend!

    Reply
    • Samantha Cotten says

      June 22, 2015 at 2:36 pm

      I’m pretty lucky. I hate to put this in writing (because then it will most definitely change!), but Dot normally takes one afternoon nap for 2.5-3.5 hours! I don’t know what I will do when she stops napping. :/

      Reply

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Hey there, I'm Samantha. Recovering SAHM, and aspiring competitive dance mom. I have a passion for travel, am known to say it like it is, and I most certainly do not have it all together. Currently on a journey toward self love and discovery. Join me. 2021 | Bloom

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That’s a wrap on @artisticdanceexchange! Dorothy That’s a wrap on @artisticdanceexchange! Dorothy received a scholarship toward the national convention in Orlando this summer, and was invited to perform in the junior opening number. 

Long drives, early mornings, and endless hours taking residence in hotel lobbies with my fellow dance parents. We survived Convention month - on to Competition season!
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Definitely not over the @iddancecomp photos from l Definitely not over the @iddancecomp photos from last weekend. 💜🕺
Just like that, Biddy Ball is over. 😢 We’re S Just like that, Biddy Ball is over. 😢 We’re SO proud of Frances for trying something new, developing as a player each week, and even scoring her first basket in the last minute of her last game! 🏀 We’ll miss our Tuesday and Thursday night games, until next year! #francesbelle
“Play it again, play it again, play it again… “Play it again, play it again, play it again… “ 🎶
Raising ballers. 🏀 Raising ballers. 🏀
That’s a wrap on @artisticdanceexchange! Dorothy That’s a wrap on @artisticdanceexchange! Dorothy received a scholarship toward the national convention in Orlando this summer, and was invited to perform in the junior opening number. 

Long drives, early mornings, and endless hours taking residence in hotel lobbies with my fellow dance parents. We survived Convention month - on to Competition season!
Another weekend, another dance convention. 🩰 Do Another weekend, another dance convention. 🩰 Dorothy had a blast learning in the @activateyourartistry Pre-Pro level, dancing with middle schoolers. One more convention to go… this month. 😜
Natural. Talent. 😂 #biddyball #basketball #funn Natural. Talent. 😂 #biddyball #basketball #funny
Day 1 of @shine_dance_convention! Intensives in Br Day 1 of @shine_dance_convention! Intensives in Broadway Jazz, Lyrical/Contemporary, Hip Hop, Jazz and Tap, plus a Masquerade Ball to end the night. 

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