Well, I’ve been working on branding myself (aka: my little business) for years now.  I have finally come up with a logo that I think works well.

What do you all think??

I have  been craving a Boo-Nilla Shake ever since I saw this recipie.  I WILL make this some time before Halloween!

Makes six 8-ounce servings

• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 pints vanilla ice cream
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar

I love that the Fall weather is officially here!  Now that it’s October, I can start bringing out the Fall decor, the cold-weather clothes, and all those spiced sented things!  Why is it that the change of seasons brings such a feeling of new-beginnings and rejuvination?  Just when you feel like you need a change in your life, the seasons change and you’re ready to take on the world.  So, happy October!  I wish everyone the best as the Holiday season begins to approach. :)

I know it’s been forever since I’ve posted… seems to be an ongoing trend (my apologies).  But I couldn’t help but share my great purchases this week!

1.  I’ve decided to get my finances in order before tax season sneaks up on me (and mine sneaks up quick because I have to file quarterly).  This financial organizer from See Jane Work will help me do it (while being oh so cute at the same time).  Did I mention that is was 50% off of $20?  Can’t beat that.

2.  I’ve been in need of some rain boots for quite some time now, and every time I make a trip up to the mountains I’m reminded that I need mud boots too.  I figured for $17.99 (originally $59.95), these Sperry Topsider rain boots would do the trick.  The red is so classic too, and they’re very comfortable.

3.  Finally, it’s football season, and there’s no better time to shop for some Auburn orange and blue clothing!  While browsing on HauteLook.com I came across this Single Dress orange and blue top for $83.00 (originally $150, I believe).  I couldn’t pass it up, so it is now the newest addition to my Auburn wardrobe.

I don’t know the last time you all researched flash drive prices, but they can be a little steep.  I came across this 2GB flash drive the other day, and the price is unbeatable.  Even better - there’s free shipping!  You can only find this price on Kingston’s website, so if you’re in the market for a new flash drive - this is the one to get.

The first week on the job has come and gone, and I found myself floundering a little more than I expected! Don’t get me wrong, I love the new work and the new challenges, but I never would have anticipated that working from home would present such a challenge.

First of all, I don’t exactly have a comfortable home office yet. I was forced to move from the kitchen table, to the couch, to my desk in my room trying to get a change in scenery. Come day three, I was sick of the scenery in my apartment, so I drove to Buford to visit Chase (in hopes to find some relief from my same ol’ surroundings). I ended up working at a coffee shop (caff:ine… great coffee) and got TONS done! Guess that’s my solution, coffee shops and WiFi. If anyone has suggestions of comfortable places to work in Atlanta (with WiFi) feel free to comment!

Guess I’ll be spending the next few months dreaming of my soon-to-be home office.

I’m in the home stretch - 2 more days at Mt. Bethel. I can’t believe that after 3 years of working at the church, I only have 2 days left. The past couple weeks have felt as if I have crammed a years worth of work into two weeks. I am so burnt out and stressed that it’s a blessing I’ll be able to focus my energy on other things beginning next week - after my birthday festivities, of course.

My celebration weekend begins tomorrow. My Mt. Bethel buddies are having a lunch-outting for my little going away party (they’re too great); then my closest work friends and I are having dinner and drinks at my bosses house (where I’ll probably cry at some point…). Friday, Elissa, Jordan, Chase, and I will be going to the Braves game (kind-of a pre-birthday celebration); THEN Saturday is Chase and Ali day (all a surprise). Finally, Sunday (the official 2-3) is family day. A family date to a fabulous restaurant in Atlanta.

As stressed as I am, I can’t help but be thankful for all the wonderful people in my life. They get me though the stressful days, and are still there to celebrate with me afterward. Life is good…

I figured while I’m in the process of making big purchases, and sorting through life’s twists and turns, I might as well find a new job too… you know, just to make things interesting. Well, that’s pretty much what I did - but I wasn’t even really looking.

I have realized that one of the major perks of working at a church is that you meet people from all walks of life. Being in the communications department, I get the opportunity to speak with (and network with) many individuals who have exciting jobs.

It just so happens that a few months ago I was introduced to a successful freelance designer who immediately took interest in me. We met up for lunch a few weeks later and talked about the world of freelancing. She mentioned that her business had exploded, and she had been turning down clients left and right. She began to joke (or so I thought) that she would petition for me to leave the church and come to work for her.

Low and behold, about a month later she had an offer on the table that I couldn’t refuse. After a few days of pondering, I decided to take her up on her offer and broke the news to my boss (who, might I add is one of my most favorite people in the world… so that part wasn’t easy).

I am now spending my last 2 weeks interviewing designers to fill my shoes.  This is a bittersweet time in my life.  I’m throwing caution to the wind and leaving a wonderful church family for the unknown world of freelance design.  No more co-workers, no more benefits… just me, my computer, and daily trips to Starbucks.

So sorry I’ve neglected my little blog for so long, but there has been so much going on in my life it’s been hard to keep up. I have a lot of new, exciting news that has come about in the last few weeks, so let’s backtrack for a moment…

It’s been a known fact for quite some time now that my dear little car (2001.5 VW Passat) needed to be passed on to another loving family. As much as I loved my car, my mechanic was able to convince me that Volkswagens were expensive cars to keep into their older years. That being said, I began the search for a new car for myself and a new owner for my Passat.

After months of test-driving, researching, and budgeting I got my heart set on Infiniti G35s (specifically a white one). My reasoning was this: they’re not German, I could afford it, and they’re beautiful! I found myself driving my Passat (covered in “for sale” signs) all over town in order to test-drive G35 after G35 after G35. Now, you must know that I’m a research-aholic. I will not make any decision without weighing the pros and cons first; thus, I drove about a dozen white G35s before I found the perfect one. But I made one promise to myself - I wouldn’t buy a new car until I sold the old one.

All the while, calls were trickling in about my Passat - a few new teenage drivers here, a few commuters there. It wasn’t until about 3 weeks in to my car search that I got my first real bite. I was actually on my way back from driving the G35 that had stolen my heart when the phone call came in from a father, whom we shall call Larry, who was in a rush to buy his 19 year old daughter a new car to drive back to college. He wanted to look at my Passat ASAP. The meeting was arranged for the next afternoon.

Larry inspected my beloved car the following day, took it for spin, and put an offer on the table. I realized very quickly that my negotiation skills were not up to par, but we settled on a price, and I handed over the key. As excited as I was that I could finally buy my dream car, I held back the tears as I handed Larry my oh so cute flip-key.

Considering everything, the timing could not have been better. I sold my car the same day I was able to make an offer on a new one. I signed my life away the next day to a 2005 G35 in no other color than white. Let the car payments begin.

Victoria’s Secret is taking an extra 25% off all clearance items… but the sale ends tomorrow, so HURRY! While you’re at it, get $10 off ANYTHING in the month of July with your VS card by using this coupon code: SP811653