Purse Shopping

I had been looking around for a purse the last few months. The one I have I love, but it is four years old and faded, and the strap is about the break. And I wanted something a bit bigger.

I got in the mail a couple weeks ago a $10 gift card to Kohl's. I had checked a Kohl's recently not to find anything, but last Thursday I decided to check the one close to us since I had the gift card and a 15-percent-off coupon. To my surprise, I found many I liked. But not loved. While I am trying to be more stylish, especially in accessories, practicality is my weakness. None of the purses had all the features I wanted: size, style, organization (the biggest factor), and price. I got it down to four:

1. Chaps purse in leopard print. Gorgeous. Very sophisticated. Too small. Side pockets lacked a closure--items may fall out easily. Pricey.

2. Nine & Co. purse. Similar exterior design and shape as my current purse. Plenty of compartments. Great price. Zippered main compartment; wanted snap. Too safe in style. Not easy to retrieve items while holding Caden.

3. Nine & Co. purse in black, not silver, which is a little too out of my comfort zone. Very stylish (love the rouching), large, compartmentalized, easy to reach inside. Great price. Outside pockets way too small.

4. Apt. 9 purse in black, not ugly tan. Slightly smaller than aforementioned purse but same interior design. Outside pockets large enough for water bottle (I always have one with me). Very comfortable. Not as pretty and a bit more expensive.

I finally narrowed it down to the last two. They were basically the same in design, just slight differences, the biggest being the style. Of course, practicality won. I got the last one because it was very comfortable and could hold a water bottle and sippy cup. I'm still getting used to it. It's much larger than my previous purse. I still like the third purse better, but I know I would not have been completely happy with it either. I'd rather be unhappy with style than function, which is why I did not choose that purse. Which would you have chosen?

To My Ladies

Dear Keshia,

Thanks for the reply post! I tried leaving comments several times over the past few days but it won't work for some reason (same problem on someone else's blog too--anyone else experiencing this?). You're right: my life is Caden and Justin. I feel like I don't really have any news about me to share.

I checked out that project and decided that once my life is less busy I will apply to be a copy editor. I miss editing. And they use Chicago, the style I learned. Thanks for the suggestion!

Dear Francine,

I agree it's time for me to have a new calling. I've been in Nursery for nearly two years, and in Primary for a year before that. But I don't want to ask to be released. Yet I have a feeling I'll be in it for much longer because I am so good at my job. Don't you hate when that happens?

I can't wait for Biggest Loser to come back on! Love that show. As for craft projects, mostly scrapbooking, card making, and learning how to do cooler stuff with my Cricut Expression.

Dear Lissy,

Thanks! I was really proud of myself for pumping out so many ideas. I checked out all the past year's issues of Highlights to update myself on what they are publishing these days, and in the process came up with possible submissions. I'm still waiting to hear back on my last one. I'm afraid of not getting a reply because I moved, although I sent them an address change note. Once I get done with all my Highlights stuff, I will try other magazines.

Love you ladies!
Francesca

Terrible Twos Already

Caden is a little monster! Lately he has been throwing real tantrums over everything, hitting and pushing, "talking" back, spitting out food and refusing to eat, and making mean pouty faces. My mom says he's testing his boundaries. I am not ready for this!

Dear Keshia

You asked what has been going on in my life. Nursery. That's what's been going on. I've been avoiding talking about it, hence the many posts about Caden (besides him being cute and the center of my universe right now). Why avoid it, you may ask? 1.) I'm all vented out, 2.) even if I weren't, it would only make me feel worse, not better, and 3.) we all know what supportive (not) feedback I get on my blog when I vent. I will only say that it's over--for now, anyway. I get a little break before stressing out again in December preparing for changes in January and finding subs for all the out-of-town teachers who don't do it ahead of time.

I've also been really fatigued lately and can't get through the day without a nap. The weather is finally cooling down a little, so I'm trying to get back into an exercise routine. Justin is swamped with work and school, and with all the Nursery stuff that went on the past month, we've had little time together.

Tuesdays I go grocery shopping and Thursdays I babysit. The rest of the week I clean, track finances, and care for Caden. I've been really good about not watching TV and have enjoyed reading everyday while Caden plays. Currently I'm rereading the Harry Potter series and then want to move on to nonfiction. I want to work on some craft projects soon, but I need to finish putting things in storage first. It's hard to get things done with Caden because he's super clingy and emotional right now.

A few weeks ago, I was doing really well with reading my scriptures every day but fell out of the habit and haven't gotten back into it yet. I need to send off some manuscripts to Highlights; I was on a writing spree a couple months ago. My giveaway blog is on hold right now, though I do have two giveaways lined up for next month--hopefully they go through.

Thanks for reading and commenting on my blog. I hope to see you again sometime!

Love, Francesca

Random Thoughts

The only thing I miss about Facebook is keeping track of my random thoughts through statuses. What's been on my mind lately:

Why are cilantro and spinach sold in such huge amounts? I only need a little and the rest goes bad. Almost makes me want to start my own garden.

Sometimes I surprise myself at how much I can eat. I may be a small person, but I can pack it down like a large one!

Why do most new TV show episodes air so late? And why do some channels rerun it the next day or so and some don't show reruns until the last episode or after the season ends?

I think it's funny that they show packaged-food commercials on the Food Network.

I hate when people wear too much perfume, scented lotions, etc. Makes me want to throw up. I almost did on a recent Sunday when the couple next to us was lotioning each other's hands with the most disgusting and strongest fragrance Bath & Body Works has yet created.

I have been so emotional lately that I took two pregancy tests the last few months, both of which were negative. I guess it is a permanent result of motherhood.