Anthropologie

I have a guilty pleasure to admit, well more like torture, I'm addicted to the store Anthropologie. The only problem is I can't afford it, no, I refuse to pay the outrages prices for any of it. Instead I just browse the store allowing the intoxicating smell of all the surrounding beauty consume me. After just a few minutes (minute who am I kidding, seconds) I start to come down with a serious case of "the wants", so I walk into the dark SALE room hoping to find a great deal. Once inside I realize nothing is cute anymore and walk out depressed. Depressed that I have no style, depressed that I'm so cheap, depressed that I'm having a pity-party over stuff.

This was of course was no different yesterday when I saw this outfit on the mannequin, but $1000 for an outfit, um no way. Instead I'll save my $1000 for a new bathroom vanity, be content with my Gap wardrobe and save my pity-party for my next visit to Anthropologie. Sigh!

Momma Made a Boo-Boo!

A few weeks ago I hid a certain Barbie bike in our garage, all for the purpose of seeing the joy on Brie's face when her grandparents surprised her with this oh-so-special treat. Little did I know, placing a bike under a workbench increases ones risk of having a nail puncture the tire. By now you should know where I'm going--yes when Robert went to the garage this morning the bike was flat and so was Brieto's smile.

After a trying our luck with super glue, rubber cement and hunting for a patch kit at Walgreens. We gave up, she'll just have to wait until tomorrow. And with all this loot, I think she can.

Briar on the otherhand was all smiles in momma's hat.

Merry Christmas Eve

Tonight the girls opened their traditional Christmas Eve books and stockings, who thinks they were happy?

Briar was a big fan of her "Three Musketeer" sword.

Brie really digged her Barbie necklace.

I can't wait for those smiles to return when we open more special treats tomorrow morning.

Merry Christmas to all my faithful (and not so faithful) readers!!!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Love the Dohner Family:

Robert, Jessica, Brie and Briar

Consider this your Christmas Card, because I'm not sending them out this year. I've promised myself a stress-free Christmas therefore, hunting for outfits, taking a photo, designing a card, ordering a card and mailing a card all in the next five days would totally break my vow. Instead I'm going green and sending everyone their warm wishes for the season digitally, Merry Christmas all!

Let's Jam

Yesterday I snagged the last Barbie Guitar at Target, successfully hid it in the stroller, managed to advert Brie's attention while it passed down the conveyor belt only to have the cashier ask Brie "Is this for you?" as she placed the present in a bag. Brie then proceeded to claw her way out of the stroller, screaming "I WANT THAT, I WANT THAT, I WANT THAT..."! Smooth move Ruth, smooth!

After giving Ruth a quick evil eye, I explained to Brie she wasn't getting a toy today and she quietly sat back down. Thankfully all those lesson on teaching Brie one doesn't always get something at the store paid off because, quickly my girls were giggling again and I was able to leave the store with a hidden Barbie "Jam With Me" Rock Star Guitar. Another guitar disaster nearly missed.

So by now you've guessed it, I gave in and bought Brie the exact guitar she wanted. I don't know what I was thinking, well actually I do. I let our aggressive saving tactic turn me into a cheap mommy--momentarily! Thankfully for Brie and Briar I was able to snap out of it in order to purchase them a few generous gift for Christmas.

Now I ask, what should I do with the other "Barbie" guitar? Especially since Ross probably does not return defaced merchandise.

Mother's Guilt

For Christmas this year Brie has asked for three things: a Barbie bike, a Barbie Three Musketeer carriage and a Barbie Jam With Me Guitar. The Grandma's have successfully covered two of the three gifts, which leaves me with getting Brie the guitar. And this is where my guilt begins...

Robert wasn't excited about the $30 price tag the Barbie guitar came with, so he convinced me to buy a purple knock off guitar at Ross, remove the sticker's with Goo-Gone and then decorate it with our own Barbie stickers. An extreme project that saved him $23. However, I don't think Brie is going to buy it.

Every time we walk down the toy aisle Brie points out the BJWM Guitar and says, "maybe for Christmas I get this". Every time she browses the Target catalog she points out the BJWM Guitar. And when introduced to the knock off guitar at Ross, she said, "no, no, no, I like Barbie guitar." I'm really starting to feel she's going to be very disappointed come Christmas morning.

So when the Target sales ad came advertising the BJWM Guitar for $23 and knowing I have an additional $5 off coupon I began debating whether I should cut my losses and get Brie the toy her heart desires or teach my child one doesn't always get exactly what they want.

What would you do?

p.s. Let me add Robert prefers the later, but said I can do what I wish with the Christmas money.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

It's hard to believe the advent season is already here, but it is, and the Dohner house is ready!

The stocking's are hung by the chimney with care.

Our mighty pine is wrapped in the girl's Cheerio garland.

And the Nativity scene only has one broken character, so far.

I even have received a Christmas card, The Jackman's are always the first.

After I pick up two more gift we'll be ready; ready to start the baking, caroling and season's greetings. And let me tell you the girl's are excited. Brie mainly to see if her Grandma's came through with a Barbie bike and a Barbie Three Musketeer "Cabbage" (a.k.a carriage) and Briar's ready for the cookies, the Gluten-Filled cookies, since we recently learned that she doesn't have a gluten allergy, but a rice allergy.

How about you, how are you preparing for the Christmas season?