Random Reader Questions

Good morning! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. My husband and I rested all weekend. Friday night we went to dinner here. It was one of the best meals I've had in NYC! I had the horseradish encrusted sole and we shared the chocolate molten cake for dessert. No wonder my pants are tight today! My husband also signed us up for this, which I hope will bring us more freedom in the future. I'll let you know how it goes.

On Saturday, we headed down to Pottery Barn determined to make a decision on buying a chair. We brought a swatch of fabric from our sofa and tried it against the large fabric swatches they have in the store. This (in brownstone tickting) ended up being our favorite and this (same chair but in the harbor blue ticking) was our second favorite. I also ordered a swatch of the green stripe fabric from Ballard Designs for the Remy Chair I talked about awhile ago. I went ahead and ordered this so that the shipping on my swatch was free. Like my thinking? I hope we can figure out which one to get...they are all so expensive!! With an ottoman, taxes, shipping both end up being around $1500. I guess that is normal? Seems so expensive to me! I know it will be an investment and we will have it forever though so that is good.

My invitations for A's baby shower also came on Saturday. They turned out so cute! I spent some time in the afternoon addressing them all and I got them all mailed out today! Thanks Mollie and Marie! I also ordered these for myself and they are fabulous. I even booked my ticket to Birmingham where we will be having the shower. I can't wait to see all my friends! Having a trip planned back to the South helps me not get so homesick.

Last night we went over to our friends M&K's apartment for dinner. They are very lucky to own a two bedroom apt just down the street from us. K is due with their first baby the end of March. I had a great time checking out her beautiful nursery. K is having a girl so the walls are pale green with this and this. The bedding is all pink and white and she found a fabulous bright colored rug for the room. She already has so much stuff, I had a great time looking at everything! I'm attending a shower for her in about three weeks and I ordered some cute monogrammed burp clothes and a bib and this cute sippy cup (all from Preppy Monogrammed Gifts.)

When we got home after a great dinner, my husband was watching tv in our bedroom and our bed broke!! When we moved the bed from the South it was one of the pieces that did not do well during the move. We have a sleigh bed that my husband's Mom found on major sale and we were very lucky she donated to us. Unfortunately , we have figured out the reason it was on major sale is that it is CHEAP! So my husband spent a few hours trying to nail things back in place so we wouldn't fall down last night. Our neighbors starting banging on our walls because of all the hammering. We felt bad, but not bad enough to sleep on the floor last night. We think he temporaily fixed it but it might be time to look for a new bed! Tonight I'm heading out to dinner with Mrs. Preppy Wedding. I'm looking forward to finally meet her!

I need some new makeup! What are your favorites? I love Bobbi Brown's shimmer brick and Chanel lipgloss, but I need some new staples. Anyone have a favorite for dark circles (this city is bringing mine out)?

I have a friend that is planning a trip to Boston this spring. She would like to go to a Yankees vs. Sox game. Any tips for her on how to secure some tickets (she already missed the lottery)?

What's your favorite pair of cold weather pants? It is FREEZING here today and I need some thicker pants to wear to work. Everything in the stores in turning to spring items and it is very much still winter here.

What's everyone doing for Valentine's day? Do you buy your sweetie something?

I also need some ideas of what to get my husband for his birthday. It is in three weeks! Any good suggestions?

Can't wait to hear from everyone! I hope this private forum will encourage you to comment regularly if you feel the need.

Welcome Friends!

If you are reading this you have accepted my invitation to be a part of the exlusive club of Magnolias, Marriage and Manhattan blog readers. I have one rule...be nice. I like to surround myself with positive people and that is why each of you have been invited. I'm excited about this next year of blogging. I don't want to exclude nice people so if you have a friend you think would enjoy reading then send me an email (magnoliasmarriageandmanhattan@gmail.com) and I'll add them to the list. I think I added everyone that asked for an invitation, but if you see someone on another blog or in a comments section asking where I went, please do me a favor and email me so I can add them. Thanks so much for signing up to be a reader. I promise we'll have a good time together!

Okay, gotta go. Our bed broke and my husband is trying to fix it...more on that later.

LAST Call for MMM's Preppy Monogrammed Gifts Show!

My Preppy Monogrammed Gifts online show is almost over. Click here for more details! Don't forget to enter MMM as your hostess and one lucky shopper will win a free little something. Here are a few more things you might need to order. My husband is going to kill me.



For $9.00, this will make a new Mom smile!




For $5.00 get a cute magnet with your initial!

For $38.00 it is Madras and it is monogrammed. What else could you ask for?

For $11.00 and your choice of cute fabrics you can stare at your monogram or your lipstick in this cute mirror.
Wouldn't this be cute if it just said "Happy Birthday" and you used it for all your birthday treats!

Yeah, for $10.00 we can all afford to put this on our desk!

I just ordered this mouse pad for a good friend for her birthday! It's a steal for $14.00 ($20.00 with shipping makes it the perfect little something)! They have a bunch of other cute fabrics too!

If I had this on my desk I would just take notes all day long! For $26.00 it would make a great Valentine's gift for a co-worker, friend or your Mom!

I've never had so much change as I have now that I live in NYC...a CASH city! I could really use one of these change purses to keep my dimes organized. For $9.00 I could probably just collect the current change at the bottom of my purse and afford to get it!

A Sweet Greeting!

How cute is this welcome mat from The Pink Giraffe? It would look so cute in my apartment! I wish it was a little more in my budget so I could buy it, but I think it is the cutest thing I've seen in awhile!

I'm One!

Today is my 1st Blogiversary! Isn't this cake to die for? I really wish I could have a slice today! Check out the other fabulous cakes by Butterfly Sweets here. If I lived closer, I would definitely order one of these!

Dear Blogworld Friends,

It has been quite a year for me and I thank y'all for coming along for the ride. I started this blog as an outlet during my wedding planning one year ago today. I remember the day I told my husband I wanted to start a blog. He thought I was CRAZY! I had been reading Preppy Cafe and The Preppy Wedding for a long time and I wanted to join in on the fun. After convincing my husband that some crazies wouldn't show up at our door, he helped me establish some ground rules. First he made me promise him I would not use clear pictures of ourselves, use my real name (or his) and the hardest part...not tell anyone. We agreed I would only tell my friend S, my brother and my sister about my blog so I would not have to worry about editing my thoughts. I liked the idea of having an online journal of sorts with all of these nice people writing me back. Well, our little rules lasted a good while until my sweet brother drank a bit too much and told one of my best friends (and her family) at my rehearsal dinner about my fabulous blog. Somehow or another all of my bridesmaids proceeded to find out. =) But I'm glad they are in the know now as I really don't mind. However, I still haven't told all of my friends because I like the idea of keeping this somewhat private. As one bridesmaid who recently confessed to being a daily reader said, "I like reading the unedited versions of your life," and you know what...I like writing the unedited version and I plan to continue that! I don't have anything to hide, but if EVERYONE you know is reading then inevitably you have to edit your thoughts.

So back to the recap of my year in blogging. There have been a few rough patches in my life during past year that I've decided to share. Your comments when my husband was held up at gunpoint the day I sent out my wedding invitations truly helped me get through that day. I'll also never forget this past summer when we lost our apartment and the first thing I did was come to the computer and write a post. Immediately the comments came in and they made me feel better. Recently, after a really bad week of being homesick (and witnessing a shooting during my first few weeks in the city) I confided in y'all and as I read your comments I sat on my sofa with tears running down my cheeks. Your comments and encouragement were so heartfelt and genuine. I felt so alone in this big city after my move, yet you were there with me through the whole trip helping me keep my chin up and suggesting ways to make the best of the situation.

Even though I haven't met you, each of you have been a wonderful friend to me and I thank you for that. I've asked you about which dress to wear, which shoes my bridesmaids should wear, what chair to get, and even which wedding cake to pick. You email me links to things you think I'll like, you share your cute stores with me and I especially love it when you email me how much you liked my wedding! Ha, Ha! We have had a good time together this past year. I think many of you have enjoyed my wedding tips and others have enjoyed some of my preppy finds and newfound NYC knowledge. I especially love your nice comments about my child (aka Daisy). Every Momma LOVES to hear how beautiful her baby is! =)

Blogworld has brought so many good things and people into my life. I'll never forget those first comments and the first time someone tagged me! All the $$ I've spent buying stationary and preppy gifts also gave me some good Karma! I made my dream birthday list this past August and I wake up the next morning on my birthday and there is this email from Mollie at The Paper Cafe telling me that my birthday wish for a Three Designing Women Address stamper is going to come true! Mollie, you have been so supportive of me this year and I have loved working with you on our various projects. I can't speak highly enough of The Paper Cafe! In fact, I just ordered these (they are designed by Marie at The Paper Menu -another new blogging friend) for one of my best friend's baby showers. Other examples...Imagine my surprise when I talked about my love for Whitney English stationary in a few posts and Whitney herself emails me to say thanks and sends me a little treat. And then there is Kristin from I Do Originals. She actually designed my wedding logo thanks to a tip from a reader! This is one talented girl and as my brother said it was the most well branded wedding he has ever seen. =) Mrs P from Chic actually picked out my engagement party outfit! I miss your posts Mrs. P! As you know, I LOVE stationary and the fact that the owner of Cross My Heart also sent me an email to say thanks is just unbelieveable! Oh, and I can't forget most recently the cute mousepad I featured from The Palm Gifts. Well, it actually showed at my doorstep the other day with my new initials! On Monday, I'm meeting a fellow blogger for the first time-Mrs. Preppy Wedding herself and I are going for Mexican! As you can see, my life has been enhanced because of my blogging experiences this past year.

That said, there have also been hurtful comments (I usually just delete them, but sometimes they really do upset me) and this week I received insensitive emails from someone/something that found my blog and demanded my identity and censorship on something I discussed. I like to think my blog is a happy place and as much as I want to share it with the world, it is time to take our little community private so I can say whatever I damn well please. =) Thank you ALL for the emails I have received the past few days and all the comments. I'm humbled and overwhelmed that there are so many of you that want me to continue blogging. Late last night my husband and I sat together and read through all the comments and emails and we were both just amazed. Why in the world do you want to read about little ole me? Seriously? But, I'm really glad you do! I see on the tracker that there are all of these people that read my posts each day, but now I know your names! Our relationship is moving right along...maybe by next year we'll be ready to meet!

Thank you blogworld friends for reading my posts this past year. It is because of your comments and emails that I enjoy sharing my stories with you. Cheers to another year together! Please remember to email me at magnoliasmarriageandmanhattan@gmail.com if you want to be added to the list. You should recevie an invitation sometime this weekend for our new start together.


Sincerely,


MMM

Oh and ROLL TIDE. What a HAPPY DAY for us!

PS. Sorry for any spelling mistakes...the spelling function on blogger isn't working today!

PPS. If you are a new reader here are a few of my favorite posts from the past year:

http://magnoliasmarriageandmanhattan.blogspot.com/2007/11/im-thankful.html#links

http://magnoliasmarriageandmanhattan.blogspot.com/2007/09/tailgating-essentials.html

http://magnoliasmarriageandmanhattan.blogspot.com/2007/09/our-honeymoon-pictures-part-two-lucerne.html

http://magnoliasmarriageandmanhattan.blogspot.com/2007/09/our-honeymoon-pictures-part-one-german.html

http://magnoliasmarriageandmanhattan.blogspot.com/2007/07/hello-from-troutville-va.html

http://magnoliasmarriageandmanhattan.blogspot.com/2007/03/little-ice-for-your-monday.html

Jumping on the Bandwagon

Due to a number of reasons I have decided to take my blog private. I may do this temporarily and I may do it longterm. I have not decided yet. If you would like to be added to the list of readers, please leave your email address in the comment section or email me at magnoliasmarriageandmanhattan@gmail.com. I will give you until the weekend to sign up. Thank you to everyone that reads and I'm sorry to have to do this!

You're Invited!

A few things I found that make me smile...

Looks like a lot of good stuff you want (I mean you need) doesn't it...well now is your lucky chance...

Magnolias, Marriage and Manhattan Blog is hosting a party for Preppy Monogrammed Gifts and you’re invited!

DATE: February 3rd through February 10th

(that means start checking it out today and buying tomorrow)


Shopping Time: 24 hours a day

LOCATION: http://www.preppymonogrammedgifts.com/

Phone: 800.659.4314

Look at this great website filled with awesome preppy finds. A week of fantabulous shopping at Preppy Monogrammed Gifts.We hope you can join in for the fun. Check out what Preppy Monogrammed Gifts can offer you. Stay out of the cold and enjoy shopping for
preppy finds 24 hours a day in your PJ's.

Hostess Name: MMMPARTY

At checkout make sure you enter your hostess name so that she will benefit from all sales for her show. She might be spending some of her well earned preppy cash on a gift for you!

MORE: Learn about opportunities to host a e-show for your friends and family. Contact me at magnoliasmarriageandmanhattan@gmail.com or Preppy Monogrammed Gifts info@preppymonogrammedgifts.com

You can have a lot of fun earning preppy cash too!It’s as easy as 1 , 2, 3 and you don’t even have to clean your house. Happy Shopping!

There is a special surprise being donated to one of the lucky shoppers and also a great prize being donated on my blog in a few weeks. Good Luck!