Without further ado…

Daily Candy Weddings: If you are a bride-to-be (like me!), you should click over and subscribe today…

so you don’t miss out on fantastic special invites like this chance to win a Caribbean honeymoon + a pre-packed travel bag full of fab.u.lous. goodies… which includes a Spanx Swimsuit!

J.Crew, the dress is cute (you are correct that it would be a perfect “throw-on-and-go”) but this girl looks like a hot mess. Nothing about this photo = “Best Dressed”

Miss Grits, this is for you! Free shipping on select items!

One Kings Lane. Their look is clean and fresh. Their sales are divine. If you are not a member, email me and I’ll send you an invite. nina @ accordingtonina . com

I found out these Cynthia Vincent for Target wedges didn’t even make it into Target stores… to be completely honest, the designer collections for Target tick me off more than they excite me.

Wedding Q’s for You:

1) Do you have a source for pattern dress socks for men (appropriate for the dead of Summer)?

2) As a wedding guest, would you prefer a piece of wedding cake or a signature desserts?

How would I spend $100 at Paper-Source?

1 & 2) I would stock up on my blank note cards. The elephants are my favorite.

3) The packaging alone sold me on the cupcake kit.

4) I’m in the market for DIY place cards, I think these will fit the bill but in a nice ivory or cream color, of course!

5) whoopie pies. The title makes me giggle.

6) Lucia soap set. I always remember the hand soap from any bathroom. Am I alone on this one? Good hand soap makes all difference in a bathroom experience.

7) This picture frame is just so pretty. I would put it in our guest bedroom or bathroom.

How would you spend $100 at Paper-Source?

all images via paper-source.com

Let’s first discuss how ridiculously adorable this dress is & accessorized with C.Louboutins = Perfection!

Style Me Pretty

The chairs, the chandelier, the wallpaper, the window treatments…. I’m drooling all over my computer.

All the Best by Ronda Carman

This would be the only reason I would ever wish for triplets…… I’m thinking three cousins is a much better idea! But seriously, are these not the cutest little sheep you’ve ever seen?? Bah bah!

martha stewart.com via pink wallpaper

Sephora beautyinsider

I don’t use bareMinerals make-up but if YOU do or have wanted to try it…. Right now, Sephora beautyinsiders can get free shipping on this starter kit.

OpenTable informs me of….

Great American Dine Out®

No Kid Hungry – September 20 – 26. During this week-long event, participating restaurants will donate a portion of their sales to support the efforts of Share Our Strength. Help in the fight against childhood hunger!

Hold onto your wallets, Ladies…. The image below will direct you to the Neiman’s page for the sale.

Don’t forget to enter to win a custom design by Ashley Brooke Designs!!!

So, what’s in my inbox??

1) My beautiful and thoughtful friend, Jennifer (with her adorable daughter, C) sent me this picture yesterday and it absolutely made my day! First of all, could they be any cuter? I don’t think so! Second, I’m so grateful for her never ending kindness and thoughtfulness to me!! Thank you again, Jennifer! Best gift.

2) Neiman Marcus SALE IN PROGRESS.

3) Part of Gmail Convo with my friend Meredith re: THE Blue Shoes:

Meredith: I am convinced that you and I are twins, separated at birth.

Me: I agree 100%

Meredith: If one of your blogging friends that has proximity to a location would be so
kind as to buy a size 5, 7 & 10, I promise to overnight a check to them with
my deepest gratitude! I am in panic mode… Is it ridiculous to use one of
our free Southwest flights to go to Louisville this weekend?!

Me: Sweet Jesus I think I found us a hook up!!!!!!!!!!

Meredith: Okay, hope you have a fabulous date with Mr. Right and there’s only a small part of you thinking about the blue heels.

4) Dwell Studios on Sale at HauteLook - Let me know if you need an invite!

5) Quote by my BF, Jenna: Again, not trying to be cheap just being “chic-frugal.”

6) ShopItToMe SaleMail: Men’s 7 For All Mankind Boot Cut Jeans On Sale for $77.99 at Macys.

7) A note from my Aunt Sherry: Love you, Aunt Sher.

Today, I will delete from my journal
two days: yesterday and tomorrow
Yesterday was to learn from
and tomorrow…well that will be the consequence
of what I can do today.

Today, I will face life
with the sure knowledge that this day
will never return

Today, is the last opportunity
I have to live intensely,
as no one can assure me
that I will see tomorrow’s sunrise.

Today, I will be brave enough
not to let any opportunity pass me by,
my only alternative is to succeed.

Today, I will invest
my most valuable resource: my time
in the most transcendental work: my life…

Today, I will spend each minute
passionately, to make today a different
and unique day in my life.

Today, I will defy every obstacle that appears on my way,
trusting I will succeed.

Today, I will resist pessimism, and will conquer
the world with a smile and a positive attitude
of always expecting the best.

Today, I will make of every ordinary task
a sublime expression,

Today, I will have my feet on the ground
understanding reality and the stars’ gaze,
and thus will invent my future.

Today, I will take the time to be happy
and will leave my footprints and my presence
in the hearts of others, not just in the sands of time.

Today,  I invite you to begin a new season
where we can dream
that everything we undertake is possible
and we fulfill that dream,
with joy and dignity.

Today, why not perform a random act of kindness…?
And, if there are those that you love, tell them,
you don’t know when it might be your last opportunity.

Tell them, as I have just done…today. – Mark

I’m signing off for now…. Lots to do today and I know it’s going to be a great day, rain or shine!

{Update}: It’s now the afternoon. Parker and I had a fantastic morning together! Visit my Twitter home page for pictures.

As for the Inbox, this segment will no longer be exclusive to Tuesday’s. I’m opening it up to whichever day is the most exciting to share with YOU! Sound good?

Yesterday I started reading the March issue of Real Simple while standing in Hobby Lobby waiting for Kiks and couldn’t leave the store without it. A few fun take-aways:

Question to Readers: How do you save money on everyday essentials? Here is what some readers said…  don’t carry cash, co-op with neighbors and buy in bulk at warehouse clubs, simply use self-control, non-brand-name products, grocery shop online to avoid last-minute purchases and last but not least… simply consume less (of anything and everything).

I believe this to be VERY true. Not buying a pair of shoes will save you money BUT buying generic vs. brand-name on things you buy weekly/bi-weekly will save you BIG BUCKS. You should buy generic branded items for things like toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning supplies, soap, toothbrushes [etc]… most likely they come from the same factory, it’s up to you to take advantage of the savings!! For example: Toothbrush. Double-pack of Oral B dual action something-or-other was $5+. Literally the exact same product (double-pack as well) by Equate was $2.

Let’s say I use one toothbrush per 4 weeks, therefore a double-pack will last me 8 weeks. With approx. 52 weeks per year, I buy toothbrushes 6.5x per year. Brand-name would cost me $32.50/year vs. Generic-brand will cost me $13 = $19.50 savings.

Check out Page 27 for the full article.

I get SO excited over the “Simple Solutions” section…

Just as I reported on Twitter yesterday, my Canon SD750 will fit perfectly in a hard soap case.

Who’s job is it to sit around and come up with these things? If you are reading, I want your job!

*RealSimple.com - SIGN UP TODAY. You can get all of the following right in your Reader by subscribing to their RSS feed: Recipe, Thought, Tip, Find and Today on Real Simple.

This is also a $ saving tip: Get the goods online instead of at the magazine stands.

In the moneywise section they report, March is the best time to buy a television. Wal-Mart is the place to save $ on DVDs, if you are going to buy. Check out Page 99 to read the full article.

Between home and moneywise… Triscuit gives us Extra Ways to Save as You Entertain. My favorite {I am going to do this at my next party}:

Say Goodnight in Style. Thank Guests at the end of the evening by sending them away with hot, fresh-brewed tea, such as Tazo. Write a note telling them how much fun it was to see them on their to-go cup.

In one section they discussed the best lip balms…

The Best Splurge: La Mer The Lip Balm at $45.

Have you tried this? Is it worth the $45? If you work for La Mer… I’m available to try and review!

The March issue is PACKED FULL of great stuff. I find something new every time I open it up!! The newsstand price {$4.99} is an investment and will save you big money in the long run because it’s loaded with recession-friendly tips and tidbits!

And, I received an email this morning that @Real_Simple is following me on Twitter… oh yeah. Maybe Ellen will start following me soon {fingers crossed}.

More Inbox…
The Land of Nod’s weekly email had everything from Educational Toys to great products for Meal Time. I loved these Rhyming Flash Cards [on a handy ring to keep them together]. So cute!

You can Register at The Land of Nod too… lots of Free Shipping offers!

Like Free Shipping on Bugaboo Cameleon Stroller

Thought I would throw out some Link Love to some of  favorite blogger-friends for their sweet e-mail messages today! Abbie at A Glimpse of the Girl Next Door; My nearest and dearest Blue-Eyed Bride and Mojito Maven {I’m ridiculously sad that I’m not joining them in SC this weekend}; my new friend Franki from Life in a Venti Cup; and The Prep-E Girl herself. Thanks for sending me some virtual love!!

Target Tuesday coming your way… Stay tuned!

6:04 am: Kate Boggiano opens in Chicago.

6:40 am: Net-a-porter What’s New for you this week…. Funny how well they know me!

I’m going to spare you all the other emails today. Believe me… not worth it. I just polished off a cheeseburger, order of cheese fries and a large regular coke… enough said.

My friends are the best. Bold caps BEST. 

One day very soon I will share with my real-life dating stories but I can’t today because I have a monster headache that has taken over my head and thoughts.

{Update} I didn’t get the blog yesterday after I pressed or rather thought I pressed the publish button… clearly I did not. I’m so sorry! Which might explain why my scheduled Target Tuesday post didn’t post either. As always, I will make it up to you. Good Day to you, my Readers!

J.Crew March 09. I need that crop pant suit… b-a-d. I also had to include the front cover because she is sitting in a MG {Frosty + MG = Love}

Allen Brothers. Bookmark this site. You never know when you might need to send a meal in the mail… aka MealMail or TastyMail {One of my favorite gifts to give… for lots of different occasions… always a huge hit especially with the Males}

PB Teen & American Stationery. In-love with the blue and white chair… it’s called the “Reese Chair.” and American Stationery offers DYO Tumblers at great $’s. We’ve ordered these before for 703 and I would highly recommend ordering on the larger end. If you think 12oz., buy 16oz.

Wisteria & Cambria Cove. Both are just very unique catalogs. I’ve never ordered from either one of these companies but it’s always nice to browse through the pages.

Last but not least.

Anthropologie. The “Possibilities Cardigan” stopped in my flipping tracks. I think it’s fantastic and it’s price tag is easy on the pocketbook too… $78. I also loved the Neanthe Bella Sheath in kelly green and the Underwood Shirtdress in pink & green. It’s been a long time since I’ve received an Anthro catalog and actually liked something inside. I was pleasantly surprised!

Target Tuesday to come and a discount code from one of my favorite sites… stay tuned. Also, don’t forget to leave comments to promote your own site with comment luv. *Since I can’t add everyone to my link lists… this is a way for me to link to all of you! I wish I could say “Kiss me, I’m Irish” but I’m not Irish… far from it actually… Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!

p.s. I can’t find anything green to wear. It’s 73 degrees today and the only thing I can find is a wool-blend sweater… I guess someone will just have to pinch me.

I’m traveling today… I’ll be back soon. I hope you have a wonderful day!

3:39AM: Elizabeth so kindly informed me that Jennifer’s Kind Find had no links. How sweet that she thought it was her? Nope, it was me actually it was WordPress but who’s pointing fingers?

3:53AM: Amazon Gold Box Deal

3:54 – 4:58Am: Daily Candy Chicago & Dallas popped in.

4:58AM: Southwest… Anyone up for Spring Skiing?

6:11 AM: Neimans has Free Shipping with $200 purchase code: shopmar

8:39AM: Email from Andrea and Ian, Mint Julep Anyone? Get your hats and dresses packed… it’s time for the Derby!

10:05AM: Daily Candy Deals. 25% off of Lucy|Women’s Activewear with coupon code, dailycandy. Sign up for Daily Candy Deals today… click here.

11:35AM: Laura and Kirstin_H from Southern Weddings starting following me on Twitter. Glad to be connected Girls!!

Other tidbits in the Inbox:

Jeff Rose helped me through the technical issues this morning. He also installed Comment Luv for me last night while his wife and I watched the Bachelor since I wasn’t having much luck at that task. Thanks again, J!

Speaking of Comment Luv… You must try it. It’s so very cool and it’s exactly what I wanted as a way to promote my Readers blogs. Make sure to include your URL in the comment form and a link to your most recent post will be added in the comment section for all the other Readers to see!!! I’m so glad I have a new way to link to you!

For those of you that have purchased Design Files from me the Vista Print Coupon Code button is back. Far right side-bar.

Does this review count since it came from my best friend?: holy crap NEENAH!!!!  i just checked out my blog and u have been a busy lil lady!  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my blog – OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  you are the best most awesome creative person ever!  love the colors and that it’s BIGGER, u needed a magnifying glass before.  thanks for doing this!!!!  i love it!!!!!!!

You can check out the Cogski’s New Look here!! Jenna doesn’t post as much as she should but I would stay in touch with the Cogski’s… I think there will be A LOT for us to read about in the next couple of months!!

Make sure to check out Jennifer’s Kind Finds from yesterday. I think the server finally accepted it and all the links are working. If not, please let me know.

Target Tuesday later today!