The day before Christmas Eve

Shopping
Plaid shirt: thrift: $1.99
Capris: Kohls
Tom's shoes: around $59.00

I am a dangerous woman. I start Christmas shopping in October, but I don't stop...I may have finished yesterday...but I'm still not sure.

Christmas Eve is my favorite day of the year..the anticipation...

I NEEED BIG ETSY HELP!!!

HAVE ANY OF YOU EVER BOUGHT ANYTHING FROM ETSY AND NEVER RECEIVED IT? IF SO, WHAT CAN YOU DO TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION WITH A HOSTILE SELLER? THE HUGE PROBLEM IS THAT THE 2 GIFTS WERE PERSONALIZED, IT IS TOO LATE TO REPLACE THEM, AND ONE WAS BOUGHT BY MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WHO HAS VERY LIMITED FUNDS.

THE SELLER SAYS SHE SHIPPED ON DECEMBER 10TH AND THEN GAVE BOTH MY DAUGHTER AND I SHIPPING NUMBERS THAT LED TO NOTHING.

I DID PAY ON PAYPAL, BUT I REALLY DON'T WANT THE MONEY I REALLY WANTED THE PERSONALIZED GIFTS FOR CHRISTMAS. SHE SAYS I SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED THE NECKLACES AND REIMBURSEMENTS, I HAVE RECEIVED NEITHER. NEEDLESS TO SAY I DON'T WANT REIMBURSEMENTS, I NOW HAVE TWO VERY SPECIAL PEOPLE ON MY LIST WHO I DON'T HAVE PRESENTS FOR.

THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE FOLLOWED MY BLOG FOR A WHILE KNOW THAT I AM AGORAPHOBIC, THAT IS WHY I BUY MOST OF MY GIFTS ONLINE. SO HERE I SIT FOR THE LAST HOUR CRYING, NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO.

PLEASE GIVE ME SUGGESTIONS.

PLEEAAASSE BEEEEE MY FRIEND OR THOSE THAT PREFER TO BE IN THE NUDE

Katie: plum shirt, I think it is from Old Navy
Really cool Tinkerbell scarf that her favorite teacher brought her back from Disney
Suede boots: Payless

Anna in her "A" vest from Heritage
Holey jeans from Aeropostale
shirt: Old Navy
Ugg style gray boots from Payless

Katie closeup

Bee ornament in snorkle gear
My daughter Anna collects bee things
(hint: won't you please be my 70th follower)

I collect Mexican Folk Art
this is a Day of the Dead
Mexican skeleton reindeer
Love him!

My poor Tink, dressed for safari: Petsmart
(never to be worn again)

Okay, so I haven't been very exciting lately. Lets face it, I'll have to step it up as the holidays forces everyone out of the house looking good every once in a while.

You may have noticed that I have 69 followers. Pleeeeaaase (whine) give me a Christmas present and be my 70th follower.

On this post I have some pretty pictures of my fashionable girls, my ornaments and my chihuahua Tink in a safari jacket, looking none too happy as he prefers to remain in the nude!

Some of our ornaments...

Can't have a Christmas tree in Florida without a jellyfish

and a seahorse

Different gators, being a University of Florida Gator fan
I get all kinds of Gator gifts
this one is beautiful

Ok, a little different type of Gator

Christopher Radko issues an adoption ornament each year
since all of my girls are adopted they get me one every year

another Christopher Radko adoption ornament

and yet another

Katie with her pug ornament

better shot, up close
Katie has aa beautiful pug called Bennyfoo

No fashion picture (except my daughter who is holding some of the ornaments)

I'm Dreaming of Wild Animals

My two oldest are mad about any kind of animal print. I like it too, but it is making my Christmas difficult. My daughter Anna had me buy her a bed-in-a-bag with extra long dorm sheets way last summer, it was navy, lime and lavender, and pretty. She swore to me that she wouldn't change her mind....well guess what? Now we HAVE TO HAVE giraffe print everything. Luckily I have an Ebay store, so keep your fingers crossed that I get some of my money back. I am used to doing this with little ones, and I already had to change a singing doll for a purple Barbie. Being Santa is a tough job-as we all know.

We finally got our tree up, and if I do say so myself, it is beautiful. I collect ornaments, I have the girls with Santa from the year they were born, to last year (at 16 and 7 years old), I have Waterford, Lenox, Christopher Radko, school projects, ornaments from every trip we hae ever been on, and it all works. I thought I would feature some of them in my holiday blogs leading up to Christmas.

So, I am wearing jungle print for the occasion. I don't think the brown pearls really worked but I didn't notice until I saw the pics. The ornament was a handpainted gift with a big bell and the extra added plus is that the kitties can't shatter it. Meow!

MY GUEST BLOGGER

Bunny shirt: forever 21

plum skirt: old navy

Tights: Target
Shoes: Payless

Today I am showing off my daughter Katie. She is 17 years old and has a 25,000 dollar scholarship to Stetson University, which was her first choice in schools!

However, I want to interview her about her style choices because they are unique for someone her age:

Me: Katie, how would you describe your fashion style?
Katie: A mix of boho, casual and whimsical
Me: Would you say you dress like other people your age?
Katie: No, because a lot of people my age don't dress up for school each day, I also think that some people are inappropriate in what they wear.
Me: What would you consider inappropriate?
Katie: Clothing that doesn't fit your body correctly
Me: What is favorite item of clothing?
Katie: my Stetson tee
Me: What do you wear on a usual day at school?
Katie: sandals, sundress and a cardigan
Me: What do you think about jeans?
Katie: I think it is settling, you aren't making an effort.
Me: What fashion item are you hoping to get for Christmas?
Katie: A blue ballerina style dress, a black lace cardigan and a black lace cardigan

Katie is a vegetarian, top 10 percent of her class, devotes her life to volunteering, and dances to the beat of her own drum. Even though I am biased, I have to say she is one cool kid!

Just Wondering...

I love Etsy, I buy a lot of things on the site. I love the one-of-a- kind items and dealing with real people. However, I have been looking for child name necklaces for my daughters teacher (you know the kind-their children's name is engraved into your choice of metal). I found a site with necklaces I really liked, they had a big disclaimer that they couldn't promise shipping before Christmas. Okay, that is reasonable for a handmade object. I thought I would take a picture and put it into a really pretty card, and tell her that her necklace was on the way. Until, I saw that this woman was selling $30 "cut the line" options. In my opinion that is just wrong on so many levels. Even though I liked her necklaces more than the others I had seen, I would NEVER buy from her for this reason. What do you think? Is this fair? Am I wrong?

So I Put Away my "Winter" Clothes

Last year I decided to try the strategy my friends "up north" practice and I put away my "winter clothes." Now remember, I use that term lightly as I live between Miami and Ft. Lauderdale and their really isn't a need for winter clothes except about 5 days a year when the temp dips below 70 degrees.
Anyway, I decided I should start an Ebay selling frenzy and start with the winter clothes in the plastic box way up in the top of my closet.
What was I thinking? there are some really cute clothes in that box, so between my keepers and the ones my teens ran off with I think I had about 3 extra things to sell.
So much for the Ebay frenzy off to Target and Barnes & Noble.
Now all I have to do is pray for some super cold days- HAH!

Jeggings: Kmart (not from the winter box)
Flower tank: impulse buy from Old Navy a few years ago, never wore it until...
I pulled this super cute Jacket/sweater /whatever you want to call it from the winter box. It is only cotton, so I guess it only got in there because it was long (shirred!) sleeves. It is a beautiful plum shade and it was a gift from the most awesome Mother-In-Law in the world. She lives in Canada so I have no idea where she purchased it.

Are you starting to put your Holiday stuff up yet? I am standing next to the undecorated main tree in our house. My daughter is doing the lights today but she is pacing herself ...lol.

We usually have between 2-3 trees in our home, plus each daughter has a tiny one in her room. I have an awesome collection of ornaments, I am going to post about them (brag about them) later.

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving-retailers seem to have forgotten about it.

Lesa

C'mon Give it a try, I need friends!

Anyone here on Goodreads? I tried to start a book blog but it didn't pan out. If you are on Goodreads, come friend me-Lesa Parnham. I just read my 100th book which was my one and only New Years Resolution! Probably one of the only resolutions I have ever accomplished! I am not proud of all the books I read, but some of them were amazing.

I will never set a goal of 100 again as it pressured me to zoom through some books that I would normally spend more time with. My goal for next year will probably be closer to 75, and I have to get some classics in there!

If I did not give it 4 stars or higher I do not recommend it unless someone else told you about it.

c'mon give it a try, you don't have to have a goal, just list (and if you want, review) the books you have been reading, or want to read.

Why Lane Bryant is Back in my good graces...

The top I bought online
that originally brought me back to LB
Usually I like the cut better than the print at Lane Bryant
but in this case I liked both!

Sale purchase #1 cost $20 something dollars
It is a really light cardi that is wearable here in
South Florida
It has cute buttons up the sleeves
and is more of a brown-pink, maroon color than the pick shows.
The only drawback is that it is low cut so it needs a cami.

This one was also $20 something on sale.
Kind of tests my comfort zones because it has those cut out
bat wing sleeves but I loved the color, the waist, the drape at the neck and the fact
that is was lined at the bust, so I am taking a chance on it.

I am sure no one remembers but a few months ago I swore off Lane Bryant. I was miffed at a rude store manager among other things...swore I would never shop there again. In all honestly it is not the greatest store for me because although I need that size 16 for the upper part of my body I am short and not the same size on the lower part of my body.

HOWEVER, I am a night owl with no one to talk to late night. ( It is 6:00 a.m. and I have been up for an hour and a half, and yes, I will go back to sleep..)

So I was cruising the store sites and went to Lane Bryant and discovered a few things:

1. Yes, even though I don't want to admit it my shirt/top size is still plus, and I have been buying things that are too small, hence uncomfortable.
2. They were having a 50% off sale and I like how you can get things delivered to their stores for free.
3. There was a blouse there that I really loved.

So I took the plunge and was quite pleased. Not only did I get the online top for a great price and no shipping, I found two more great deals on the sale rack.

What do you think? How did I do?

I guess I am back on the Lane...

WHY I HATE TWILIGHT...

Goodwill buy Chico's 2 for $2.00

Ooops forgot to take my reading glasses off

Reading: In The Sea There are Crocodiles
very good!

Bella Blue Sky

Tired of being mistaken for Twilight Bella

1. When the books first came out I was teaching 7th grade Geography and I could not get the girls to stop reading them, over and over again.
2. A lot of people are making a lot of money off the stuff that is being sold through marketing this stuff and (not just the author.)
3. I have a cat named Bella and now everyone assumes I named the cat after the movie-WHICH I WOULD NEVER!
4. Promotes teenage pregnancy and sex as romantic. There are too many young Moms walking around without a babydaddy already, it is not romantic at 3:00 a.m.
5. I have to pick my 17 yr old up at 2:00 a.m. tonight because she has to see it and refuses to drive. Then she can't go to school tomorrow because she will be up too late.....

My Guest Model

Friday night was Homecoming at my daughter's school. As many of you know I have twins. One was very eager to go, the other one is a homebody and had no interest whatsoever. I thought I would use my homecoming girl as my guest picture today. I am , of course, biased because I am her Mom, but I thought she looked stunning!

Dress:David's Bridal $139.00
Alterations: $60!!!! David's Briday (highway robbers)
Shoes: Payless around $20 with coupon, she had to walk around the house to practice
Accessories: Icing
Headband:Etsy $30

Will show pretty details tomorrow.

Jewels!

Disappointed in this new shirt, it is purple with little flowers
I realized after I took the tags off and put it on
that it was too tight and not flattering
I look pregnant...

Purples and Greens-love them!

I love these shoes, got them ages ago on Ebay
they are silk with sequins

I think if anyone asked me what my favorite colors were I would have to say jewel tones. I think they are the most flattering on me. I went out with a bunch of my oldest, dearest friends. It is the first time I've made it out with my friends in a very long time, and I was so proud that I made it. Also, I posted yesterday that one of my twins was accepted to her first choice college, later THE SAME DAY my other twin was accepted to her number two college. So we were pretty happy. the daughter that got accepted to number 2 has to wait until February to hear from her first choice-but hey, they're in! Thank so much to all my blogger friends who told me to keep the blog up. Love you guys!

The Best News!

I will come back, because my sweet girls talked me into it. but I have better news and I can't tell anyone but you guys, because it really isn't my news to tell:

My daughter Katie got in to StetsonUniversity (her number one school of chice) and got a
$21,000 scholarship. She is sooooooo happy and so is her Mama!!!

She's Baaaaaaaack!

This is Anna, Lesa's daughter.

My mom has been really sad about her decision to take the blog down. My sister and I have been trying to tell her not to and some very sweet bloggers have assured her that it wasn't necessary. My mom goes through some rough patches sometimes but I think we have convinced her to keep Always Summer up and running as it makes her happy to have friends online, sometimes it's difficult for my mom to leave the house, so the friendships she develops online are important.

Check back later tonight, I think we have her convinced.

Please Join me if you Like to Read

jessejasmine.blogspot.com

When I get my first 20 members I will be giving away a Barnes and Noble gift card--use it or give it as a Holiday present

My followers gadget is still not working, but if you go up to your tool bar and press join, I will see you. Hopefully it will be fixed soon, so I can see some familiar faces. Until then go take a look...

Lesa
Always Summer

Other Paths

Today

some of my favorite dressed up shots
of course like everyone else
I do have a little black dress.

First day of school
The last year I worked

casual, one of my favorite colors
I think this was the last time I wore shorts

School Clothes

Pearls-always my favorites

Another going to school outfit

I have deleted this blog. As I was deleting I saw that I used to have 10-20 comments on a post, lately a faithful 2-4. What can I say? I like jeans and vintage jewelry. I used to have a job and get dressed up, and I think I looked okay, but I have nothing new to add.

I have met a lot of lovely people while writing this blog, I'm still going to be reading. But you all look so good and try so hard, I really have nothing to bring to the table.

Some of you know I have a bad case of Agorophobia and am considered bipolar with an emphasis on the depressive side. It is hitting me hard just now. Maybe that is why this is a decision I felt I should make.

I hope some of you will follow my new book blog. It is kind of weird right now as the followers button is not working, they promise me it will be fixed in a few days. Because of this it looks like I don't have any followers yet, but I do.You can go up to your tool bar and press follow and I can see that you have joined. I am at 4 so far (blog is brand new) when I reach 20 I will have a give away.

I thought I could do book reviews, maybe some of you could do book reviews, make lists of favorite books and books we hated, maybe start a book club and have fun give aways. I tried this once before but I didn't follow through as I was working. Those who joined that time, I hope you will give me another chance.

Lesa's Library
jessejasmine.blogspot.com