“In Vegas, everybody's gotta watch everybody else.” - Ace Rothstein (as played by Robert DeNiro) Casino

So, if you haven’t already guessed, I’m going to Las Vegas. My first trip. I’ve traveled before. I’ve been lots of places and have never had a problem preparing for a trip. Key West was easy - shorts, shirts, swimsuits and a dress or two for dinner. New York was easy - pants/jeans, long sleeved shirts and sweaters. Los Angeles - high heels and botox.

So why is this trip to Las Vegas throwing me into such a tailspin?? I’m having a horrible time figuring out what is appropriate. No - not just appropriate. What will look *nice*. I’m traveling with 5 girlfriends and I don’t want to be the dowdy mom in a bunch of MILFs.

I went to my old standby, Old Navy, this morning to perused the warm weather offerings and left feeling very uninspired. Either clothes look like they’re for high schoolers or they’re for working out. And I don’t want to look like either. A mom of four with ample *ahem* assets should NOT wear anything with a ruffled chest or strapless. Why couldn’t I have been gifted with a nice, respectable 34C bust?!? Why I ask?!?!

Anyway...

So my question for you is - What Would You Wear?
Don’t be shy. Share! And provide photos and links! I am crying out for help here!

So, over the next 12 weeks, each Monday I’ll catch you up on what Julia has taught me and what I have learned about myself. I think this will be an interesting way to chronicle my progress. And, hopefully, by the end of the 12 weeks, I will have found the key to stop this insane way I self-sabotage my creativity.


WINNER!!!

Our winner of the @SewLindsey felt banana is Run Lori Run! I’ve already contacted her and her prize will be on its way shortly!

These poptarts are adorable!!!!



Would you look at these sushi rolls? They are too freakin’ cute!



And the cookies - ooooh the cookies. I love that you get to “cut them out” (comes with the cookie cutter) and then “bake” them.



She made a banana like this for Collin for Christmas and the boy LOVES his banana. He pulls it out of it’s peel and carries it around in his mouth.




And since Collin loves his banana so much, we’re going to give one away to one of you!! Just leave a comment on this post before 12 noon CST on Saturday and I’ll pick a wiener.

In the meantime, go to http://www.etsy.com/sewlindsey and shop shop shop! You know you want these for your kitchen!

I received this for Christmas in 2007 from Patrick. He was in 1st grade at the time and his teacher’s father was a dentist. So he used the dental casting material to make a cast of all of the kids’ thumbs for ring holders. When I come into the kitchen and take off my rings to knead bread dough or make meatloaf or any of the hundred messy tasks I undertake in this room, I take a minute to look at how my wedding rings look on his little thumb and think about all that’s happened since the first time I saw that little thumb.

You see - he’s not my biological son. I didn’t carry him for 9 months or hold him as an infant. I didn’t even hold him as a toddler. Patrick and I met when he was 4 years old. He was a precocious little man with big denim blue eyes and an even bigger smile who could talk more than anyone I had ever met. And I mean that - people are constantly telling us that he’s such a sweet, conversational boy. Which, I believe, is a nice way of saying “He’s cute but he won’t shut up!” lol

Patrick and I hit it off from day one. I remember how he wanted me to spend the night on the first day that we met (we watched the Northwestern football game together) and how excited he was when he found out that we would be becoming a family.

I remember vividly the first time that Patrick called me Mom. It still brings me to tears.

Anyway, I went to make bread yesterday and I got a little choked up when I looked at that little thumb. It’s almost like he’s giving me a thumbs up, saying “You’re doing good, Mom.”