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April 22, 2010
A Man And His Dog
I meant to post this yesterday for “Wordless Wednesday”, but never got around to downloading the picture from my camera. What can I say, procrastination is my middle name! When I told my hubby about posting the pic, his immediate response was “you mean the one where I look like a beached whale?”. I totally predicted he’d say something like that too. Right before I checked the calendar to see if it was time for his period again.
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April 20, 2010
Old Navy – You Sorta, Kinda Suck!
I don’t know about you, but my shopping experiences have seriously been lacking as of late….instead turning into frustrating & annoying excursions. Now, I must preface my forthcoming rant by stating that about 90% of my retail therapy is carried out at mid to bargain-priced stores (i.e. Gap, Target, Old Navy, etc.) and the rest is done in places more toward the higher-end of the spectrum like Nordstrom, or with brands such as Juicy and Seven For All Mankind. Of course, it goes without saying that my distress comes not from the latter, but from those that fall into that 90% realm.
Now, what I’m talking about here revolves around two main complaints:
1. a lack of inventory/size availability
2. a significant decline in quality.
Over the last couple of years, I’ve noticed both of these issues all over the place and I gotta’ tell you, it’s starting to piss me off. It seems no matter when I go, the styles I like are barely stocked and not available in my size….the few pieces left dangling from the rack are either a size “0” or a size “16”, with not much in-between. And if I do come across something in my size, you bet your tushie I’m buying it, because chances are excellent I will never find it again. I mean seriously, is it me or are these stores totally not re-stocking items once they sell out?? Whereas before a shopper could afford to come back weeks later to buy an item, now there really is no such freedom of time. In addition, I’ve seriously noticed the quality of many clothes has taken a nosedive. Of course, with bargain stores you can’t set your expectations too high to begin with and should be happy if a shirt lasts longer than a season or two. But this is getting ridiculous, that even here they’ve managed to lower their standards and sell some flat-out crap!
All of this was none the more evident than during my weekend trip to our local Old Navy. Now, they’ve recently renovated this location and the fact that the new layout is freakin horrendous certainly didn’t help matters. Add to that that the store was completely DESTROYED (at about 2pm in the afternoon no less) and I was already ticked off before I even got started. But, I had high hopes, especially since it was the first day of their “stuff & save” promotion and I was looking to find some great deals. Alas, my dreams were dashed once I started walking around. I was specifically looking for some new capris for summer. However, there was hardly any selection whatsoever, certainly not what they should have had on the first day of a sale and for this time of year. And what little availability they did have, of course wasn’t at hand in my size. In fact, almost nothing I liked was! GRRRRR! Then there was the quality of some items, or rather the lack thereof. Especially their standard t-shirts….they were way too thin and the fit was just really off, not flattering in any way. Honestly, I can find better t-shirts at Target (and cheaper too). And did I mention the inconsistent sizing?? One size definitely did not fit all, that’s for sure.
Needless to say, I spent like an hour and a half in that Godforsaken store, trying on everything in 3 different sizes and desperately wanting to make something work! I ended up with this shirred, short sleeved shirt for a measly $6.99 and 4 items for my TODDLER. Again, GRRRRR! Dare I say that I think my long standing love affair with Old Navy might be coming to a sad & tragic end?!
Ok, enough whining & complaining (for now). But, I must ask, does anyone else feel the same way?? Are you guys experiencing the same frustrations?? CAN I GET AN AMEN??
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Now, what I’m talking about here revolves around two main complaints:
1. a lack of inventory/size availability
2. a significant decline in quality.
Over the last couple of years, I’ve noticed both of these issues all over the place and I gotta’ tell you, it’s starting to piss me off. It seems no matter when I go, the styles I like are barely stocked and not available in my size….the few pieces left dangling from the rack are either a size “0” or a size “16”, with not much in-between. And if I do come across something in my size, you bet your tushie I’m buying it, because chances are excellent I will never find it again. I mean seriously, is it me or are these stores totally not re-stocking items once they sell out?? Whereas before a shopper could afford to come back weeks later to buy an item, now there really is no such freedom of time. In addition, I’ve seriously noticed the quality of many clothes has taken a nosedive. Of course, with bargain stores you can’t set your expectations too high to begin with and should be happy if a shirt lasts longer than a season or two. But this is getting ridiculous, that even here they’ve managed to lower their standards and sell some flat-out crap!
All of this was none the more evident than during my weekend trip to our local Old Navy. Now, they’ve recently renovated this location and the fact that the new layout is freakin horrendous certainly didn’t help matters. Add to that that the store was completely DESTROYED (at about 2pm in the afternoon no less) and I was already ticked off before I even got started. But, I had high hopes, especially since it was the first day of their “stuff & save” promotion and I was looking to find some great deals. Alas, my dreams were dashed once I started walking around. I was specifically looking for some new capris for summer. However, there was hardly any selection whatsoever, certainly not what they should have had on the first day of a sale and for this time of year. And what little availability they did have, of course wasn’t at hand in my size. In fact, almost nothing I liked was! GRRRRR! Then there was the quality of some items, or rather the lack thereof. Especially their standard t-shirts….they were way too thin and the fit was just really off, not flattering in any way. Honestly, I can find better t-shirts at Target (and cheaper too). And did I mention the inconsistent sizing?? One size definitely did not fit all, that’s for sure.
Needless to say, I spent like an hour and a half in that Godforsaken store, trying on everything in 3 different sizes and desperately wanting to make something work! I ended up with this shirred, short sleeved shirt for a measly $6.99 and 4 items for my TODDLER. Again, GRRRRR! Dare I say that I think my long standing love affair with Old Navy might be coming to a sad & tragic end?!
Ok, enough whining & complaining (for now). But, I must ask, does anyone else feel the same way?? Are you guys experiencing the same frustrations?? CAN I GET AN AMEN??
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April 15, 2010
Dancing Queen
A while back I mentioned that the peanut was taking dance classes (see HERE), which consist of both ballet & tap. It’s been about 8 months now, and we’re slowly gearing up for the big finale that will showcase all these weeks of learning & practice – the RECITAL! It’s been a long time coming (the date is set for mid-June), and a few weeks ago the little ones got to try on their costumes for the first time. I had seen pictures of years past and was really expecting some sort of shiny, sparkly number. Instead, the outfit is more about ruffles, lace and satin. Wearing it, Ella looks like a munchkin-sized green & purple flower……almost a bit reminiscent of those adorable Anne Geddes portraits from years ago. Honestly, I wasn’t very fond of the whole ensemble at first. But, as I continue to look at the pictures, the dress is definitely growing on me. And I have to admit, she does look awfully cute, no?
Costume aside, I’m still unsure of how she’ll do on the big day. Back in December, her pre-school class performed a mini concert for parents & loved ones. When she first entered the room alongside her classmates, she seemed genuinely excited & happy. But as she slowly gazed around and saw the small crowd assembled in front of her, her demeanor changed literally in an instant. From then on, our peanut stood up there with a sour puss on her face & refused to participate, much less actually sing any of the songs. I honestly think it was all a little overwhelming and she simply got a bit of stage fright. This is all to say, that she very well could get up on that stage in June and once again be frozen with fear. Or, she just might surprise us and dance her little heart out. Either way, we’ll be enthusiastically cheering on our little ballerina all the way and promptly congratulating her with flowers, hugs & kisses!
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Costume aside, I’m still unsure of how she’ll do on the big day. Back in December, her pre-school class performed a mini concert for parents & loved ones. When she first entered the room alongside her classmates, she seemed genuinely excited & happy. But as she slowly gazed around and saw the small crowd assembled in front of her, her demeanor changed literally in an instant. From then on, our peanut stood up there with a sour puss on her face & refused to participate, much less actually sing any of the songs. I honestly think it was all a little overwhelming and she simply got a bit of stage fright. This is all to say, that she very well could get up on that stage in June and once again be frozen with fear. Or, she just might surprise us and dance her little heart out. Either way, we’ll be enthusiastically cheering on our little ballerina all the way and promptly congratulating her with flowers, hugs & kisses!
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April 14, 2010
Wordless Wednesday – Fun At The Park
Decided on an impromptu trip to the park after school – as a way to make up for mama being a bit crabby this morning (and the chocolate doughnut we picked up on the way was in no way related, honest).
Yeah, yeah, I know….mother-of-the-year over here!
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Yeah, yeah, I know….mother-of-the-year over here!
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April 9, 2010
Friday Follow!
It’s time for another Friday Follow, once again hosted by One 2 Try, Hearts Make Families and Midday Escapes.
Here’s how YOU can join in on the fun:
- Click on the Friday Follow button above, then link up your blog name and URL.
- Grab both the Friday Follow and sponsor buttons and include them in your blog post.
- Follow the Friday Follow hostesses listed in the first 3 slots
- Follow as many blogs as you’d like
- Comment on the blogs telling them you’re from Friday Follow
- Follow back when you get a new follower through Friday Follow.
Thanks for stopping by!
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April 7, 2010
And I’m Back, Again!
So, yeah…..I’ve been a little, ahem, absent as of late. Even though I swore several months ago I would never lapse in my posting again, ever! Alas, life has a funny way of taking charge and scrambling things up, just for the fun of it.
The last time I wrote on this here bloggity-blog, I detailed our new, all-consuming, search for a rescue dog and the ensuing frustration encountered as a result of that search. After that day, as I continued to obsessively scour the internet for doggies, things just got a little busy here at EllaBellaMozzarella headquarters, for one reason or another. And then, BAM, on March 24 we found a pup online through a rescue out of New Hampshire. His name was Cricket and boy was he a cutie! The next few days were spent filling out applications, trading lots of emails, talking with the foster mom and keeping our fingers crossed that everything would work out (since there was already 1 application ahead of us). And then, in an ironic twist, the people ahead of us came through with their deposit to adopt Cricket….but the expected deposit on his brother Jingles (who we had already deemed just as cute) fell through. In the end, we decided on Jingles and committed to adopting him by that weekend…..and this little twist of fate couldn’t have worked out better had it been written in stone! Because not only did this little pup capture our hearts the minute he entered our lives a week later, but we couldn’t have asked for a more perfectly fitting dog to what we had been looking for!
So, needless to say, after now being proud owners of an 11 week old puppy for exactly 5 days, our life as we knew it has been turned upside down and inside out. And yes, it’s been just like having a newborn again – our days now revolve around trying to figure out schedules, pooping, feeding, napping, and playing. It’s been challenging, to say the least! The hubby and I are completely mentally & physically exhausted. However, we really couldn’t be happier with our newest family member….or Sam, as we now know him. Especially the peanut, who has decided she absolutely needs to be involved in EVERY LITTLE DETAIL surrounding Sam, and is attached to him from the time she wakes up to the time she goes to bed. I don’t think we have ever seen her this excited about something. And you know what? That right there is pretty awesome! We made a good choice. We rescued a dog. We did a good thing.
And without further ado, introducing Sam The Man:
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The last time I wrote on this here bloggity-blog, I detailed our new, all-consuming, search for a rescue dog and the ensuing frustration encountered as a result of that search. After that day, as I continued to obsessively scour the internet for doggies, things just got a little busy here at EllaBellaMozzarella headquarters, for one reason or another. And then, BAM, on March 24 we found a pup online through a rescue out of New Hampshire. His name was Cricket and boy was he a cutie! The next few days were spent filling out applications, trading lots of emails, talking with the foster mom and keeping our fingers crossed that everything would work out (since there was already 1 application ahead of us). And then, in an ironic twist, the people ahead of us came through with their deposit to adopt Cricket….but the expected deposit on his brother Jingles (who we had already deemed just as cute) fell through. In the end, we decided on Jingles and committed to adopting him by that weekend…..and this little twist of fate couldn’t have worked out better had it been written in stone! Because not only did this little pup capture our hearts the minute he entered our lives a week later, but we couldn’t have asked for a more perfectly fitting dog to what we had been looking for!
So, needless to say, after now being proud owners of an 11 week old puppy for exactly 5 days, our life as we knew it has been turned upside down and inside out. And yes, it’s been just like having a newborn again – our days now revolve around trying to figure out schedules, pooping, feeding, napping, and playing. It’s been challenging, to say the least! The hubby and I are completely mentally & physically exhausted. However, we really couldn’t be happier with our newest family member….or Sam, as we now know him. Especially the peanut, who has decided she absolutely needs to be involved in EVERY LITTLE DETAIL surrounding Sam, and is attached to him from the time she wakes up to the time she goes to bed. I don’t think we have ever seen her this excited about something. And you know what? That right there is pretty awesome! We made a good choice. We rescued a dog. We did a good thing.
And without further ado, introducing Sam The Man:
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