Favorite Song Sunday

This is something I thought I'd try ~ we'll see if it sparks any interest.

I'm posting a video of one of my favorite songs -- this one happens to just get me 'going' in the morning -- or helps me get my 'clean on'.

Y'all know I'm a country girl -- yet I can so hang in the city {seriously}.

I love all types of music -- except the jiggy jiggy jiggy kind, you know, with hardcore cussing and stuff -- but deep down, country is still my all time fave.

Here's why .......

It's all about the packaging.....

I am a packaging 'ho -- wrap something up pretty in cellophane and ribbon and I'm done.

Trust me -- it's amazing what a $2.50 candle can look like all dolled up with ribbon.

I recently ordered some items from an online store called Queen Bee Sauce. They sell 100% salicylic acid (the stuff you use for your face) in a powder form that you mix with your cleanser. I want to try it because my skin is about to drive me crazy. I use VERY good products already, but I'm hoping this will be the extra 'hmph' that I need for 'perfect skin'.

Anyway - I ordered on Tuesday.

TODAY - in my mailbox was a bright purple pkg. I was so excited - b/c I knew it couldn't be a bill!

It was my stuff from Queen B! HOW CUTE!

This was the kicker - INSIDE the pkg, they had a little note thanking me for my purchase, some more information and then a BIT 'O HONEY! Seriously -- SOLD. I thought that was the CUTEST thing I have EVER seen!

Brilliant marketing - yet so so easy. Chad's BFF owns a company and he always puts candy in with his shipment - I tell ya what - it makes you go back!

This image will forever be etched in my mind. I remember exactly what I was doing the morning our towers were attacked. I was living in Nashville - only having been there just a few short months. I was listening to the radio and remember the dj saying that 'something' was wrong and an airplane had crashed into the World Trade Center. I immediately called Big Daddy and he turned on the television - he YELLED when the 2nd plane hit - watched it happen.

I went on to work and everyone was talking about what happened. It never, seriously, crossed my mind that this was a terrorist attack. I just didn't think like that. We watched tv in our office for the rest of the day, until our manager just decided to send everyone home. It was very stoic.

That weekend, Big Daddy had to leave for a show in Minnesota. I left and went to stay with his parents. I did not want to be by myself.

During the show - there was no wind. No real breeze.

Big Daddy started singing a song about the flag, called "Red, White & Blue" ~ as he started singing, the flag slowly started to wave. By the middle of the song, the flag was waving - he said like God taking his breath and making the flag wave. After the song ended, the flag slowly fell back to it's original position.

Do you have chills?

I wish I could post the song, but it was never released and I * think * I only have it on my iPod.

So today, I remember what I was doing, the feelings I felt - nothing compared to what those actually in NY felt. I can't even begin to imagine and quite frankly, I don't want to.

Thank you to all our servicemen and women that give their lives daily!

Happy Friday, my sweets! Have a great weekend!

Fall Dresses

Since I live in Florida, we really don't see super cold weather here. It MIGHT get a little below 60, but not until Feb/March and it doesn't last long. I do not own very many sweaters at all - but I have become a dress fiend. I LOVE THEM!!

While picking up some skinny jeans for Princess, I came across a couple dresses at Old Navy - YES, OLD NAVY - and thought I'd share them with y'all. I do not have a 'favorite' place to shop (except for my jeans). I pretty much just buy what I like. I do like transitional pieces though - ones I can wear all year long. My job is also business casual, so I can get away with more. I do dress nicely for business meetings and presentations - those clothes normally come from Banana Republic - another staple for me because it always just fits so well --- and y'all all KNOW what my favorite jeans are, right?

Here's one my twin sister turned me on to! How cute with the gray/white/black leopard print scarf I just got! I think this will be adorable with some ballet flats. It's a great jersey material, too - AND - it was a steal at just $15.00!!



This is another one I purchased. Lucky for me, I buy all the kids clothes at Old Navy - SO - after we did our back to school shopping, I got some coupons in the mail. I saved 20% AND had another $30 in gift certificates. This dress will be adorable paired with some chunky jewelry and flats. I got it in a dark purple - beautiful jewel tone color for fall. Again - this one was only $15 and it's a soft jersey material as well!

This dress is just 'me'. I LOVE. IT. I love it with the boots too! I didn't get this one, but it's definitely on my wish list! The winter white is just gorgeous!

This is another dress that screams "NATALIE" - it's so me! I didn't get this one either, but I think it's adorable. I'm not sure about the booties though. I have REALLY skinny legs and not sure I could pull it off.

I get emails DAILY about the next fall fashion find - dresses are definitely at the top of the list!

What's your favorite fall item??

Have a wonderful Wednesday, my sweets! Until tomorrow!

What works for me .....

I've really been trying hard to keep my house clean ~ all. the. time. While it is a daunting task, it's not one that I don't feel like I can't accomplish.

It just takes patience.

I have a friend that lead a bible study for me last summer. We all talked about cleaning our homes and how sometimes it's just a mundane chore.

BUT - if you add some music and then turn the focus to Jesus ... it certainly changes things.

IE: Shining your toilet for Jesus .... think about it. If you were to just CLEAN your toilet, well, that's boring. BUT - if you were to clean your toilet and say OUTLOUD "I'm shining for Jesus" - well, that just changes things, doesn't it??

I'm not trying to be funny - really. Everyone that knows me well, knows that I have struggled with keeping a clean house (all the time - I'm one of those people that USED to not let people in if my house was a mess -- not anymore -- well, because it's not a mess anymore). I'm not talking about those people you see on Clean House or anything - I'm talking about just mail everywhere, dishes in the sink, laundry that needs to be folded that stayed housed on our large recliner.

I have gotten so much better - because I changed my attitude about it! Knowing that I'm cleaning my house to show thankfulness and a grateful heart to Jesus makes it seem much less mundane.

I've met some super women on twitter - yes - a social networking site. These girls are great and we have decided to hold each other accountable with flylady.net. That is a great website to get you started on getting your home in order.

SO to start off this week - since yesterday was a holiday - I'll ask all my fabulous readers this question:

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE/BEST TIP IN CLEANING? Something you do that you can share with blogworld that will help others?

Mine? I always start and FINISH whatever load of laundry I got going. Meaning - it's folded AND put away. I used to fold, stack and then place in the bedroom -- now it's completely put away and done -- takes me MAYBE 10 seconds EXTRA to do this and boy, does it help in the long run!

Have a great Tuesday, my sweets!

Just call me Marjorie ....

Marjorie is my grandmother's name. She could sew anything. I'm talking ANYTHING. That gift, along with cooking, as been passed on to my mother and quite possibly my twin sister (minus the cooking part). I'll never forget the first time my husband got to 'experience' a true Southern "Steen" meal -- he literally looked at me and said "WHAT HAPPENED??" ...

I do not cook - HOWEVER - I am learning and TRYING {that's what counts, right?}

So fast forward to today -- remember forever ago when I decided to redo my master bedroom after we got back from our fabulous trip to Dominican Republic? One of my dear friends was recruited as 'design consultant' and we decided to go 'cream, green and serene' - meaning neutral walls, with accents in the fabric, wall decor, etc.

I searched high and low for bedding. I couldn't find ANYTHING. I called my Mom and asked her how hard it would be to make a duvet and she said it wouldn't be hard at all - gave me some tips and I decided I would make it. I chose this fabric, but not before I sent it to my 'consultant' to approve. She loved it and that's when we decided to also paint the master bathroom to lighten it up. It was on sale, so I ordered enough yardage to make the duvet plus 2 king shams.


I * FINALLY * decided today would be the day I was going to make it. I started around 2:00 and finished about 2.5 hrs later. I took my time because I get easily frustrated. NOW, let me tell you, it is NOT perfect - but - I reminded myself that it did not have to be perfect to be beautiful. My seams do not match up perfectly, but it's ok. They *somewhat* match and that's good enough for me. Honestly, if you are that close to my duvet IN MY BEDROOM, then I don't want you in my bedroom anyway ~ right?

So I'm finished for today! I will make the shams another day. I need to get some backing material for those and honestly, I'm so happy to be done with this, I don't know that I have the energy to start the shams - BUT - I will have them done before the weekend is over!

Happy Labor Day, my sweets! Be safe!

Wordless Wednesday