Too Big a Bauble - Spinning Top Necklace Review

I had really high hopes for Anthropologie's Spinning Top Necklace, which is why I pulled the trigger at full price. Unfortunately, this piece just didn't work IRL, the chain is really dark, the bauble is really big, and overall I just felt it didn't lay well. The colors are beautiful, I'll give it that.

Anthropologie Volante Tee (a last minute sale buy,
thank goodness I didn't miss out!)
Anthropologie Glowing Leaf Skirt
Anthropologie Spinning Top Necklace

The Last Time I Asked My Husband For A Watch, I Got A Goat

Yep, you read that right. Let me set the scene for those of you who don't know the story. It was a few weeks before our 5 year anniversary (milestone!) and I was 8 months pregnant with our second son (hormonal!) I wanted a (pricey!) watch for the occasion. Jonathan and I had some sort of CrAzY (I'm Italian!) fight and I sent the watch back days before our anniversary and told him I didn't want anything from him. My husband decided (and we still argue about the intentions!) to use the money he would have spent on my new watch (his words in the card!) to buy a goat through World Vision instead. A wonderful and worthy cause? Of course! What I wanted for our five year anniversary? Hardly. We do laugh about it now. But I have to be in the right mood, otherwise it just makes me shoot him dirty looks with death stares of bitterness...

All this to say, my birthday, Christmas and my ten year anniversary are all fast approaching. And he can totally make things up to me.

http://couture.zappos.com/n/p/dp/68904932/c/267784.html

Oh watch! You slay me!
This is all Carol's fault.

*Fine print - when I say, my birthday, Christmas and Anniversary - I do not mean to imply that this watch could be a combined gift for all three. I don't do combined gifts (aka the year I told my dh our new couches could also be my birthday gift and he believed me)

*Fine print II - yeah, yeah it's the thought that counts. Don't worry, I'm feeding that story to my kids ;)

Fall Frenzy

September is already proving to be a very busy month at our house.

Graham has gone from walking to running

(wearing Coarlie Cami from J. Crew in size 0P, I wish I had bought this in more colors - LOVE and sale items are currently an extra 30% off right now if your size is available)

Harrison is loving 2nd grade and looking forward to his 8th birthday on Thursday. I am frantically wrapping presents and preparing the favors for his Laser Tag party on Saturday.
Sawyer started Pre-Kindergarten today and had his first soccer game tonight. Actually, so did Harrison at the exact same time which had me hopping from one field to another.

I'm not complaining though - I love being busy! The only thing I don't love about September? The end of Anthro free shipping. Sniffle.

Between back-to-school and birthday preparations, I've been running to Target on oh....a daily basis...for real. Have you checked out the new collection from Temple St. Clair? Because you really should. I was only able to find one pair of earrings in store, but thankfully when one free shipping door closes, another opens - Target is offering free shipping on orders over $50, plus 20% off if you order over $75 (from experience, if you order two more pairs of earrings and two necklaces, you'll easily reach this total)

bad timing

My recent foray into the world of "statement" jewelry has proven lots of fun! I've decided I do like dressing up otherwise simple outfits with a big chunky necklace. Here is a new goodie from Ann Taylor Loft.

Unfortunatly, Graham really admires my new pieces too.
And he's teething!

Little Blue Box

comes with a little price tag, too (by Tiffany's standards, anyway). How sweet would this be for a High School graduate? I don't know any personally, which is probably a good thing - because if I bought this as a gift, I'm pretty sure I'd never be able to part with it...

Tiffany & Co. Bow Pendant

charming

I have worn my mother's necklace every day since Christmas and I absolutely love it. It was pricey, but worth it! Especially when I hear the charms jingle - worth every penny!

https://www.heartandstonejewelry.com/index.php

Before making my purchase, I also considered these options

http://www.etsy.com/shop/cinnamonsticks

but patience isn't my thing, so this choice was out. According to the seller's shop announcement, turn around time will be much faster in 2010, though.

A friend of mine purchased her mother's necklace from here

http://www.lisaleonardonline.com/

And it's darling! The charms are smaller and shinier then the ones on my necklace, but super cute! I think I might need "something inspired" in the future.

When I'm ready to rotate, I have two of these pendants - one in chartreuse and one in plum - If you order one for yourself, may I recommend the "lotsa color" choice - love them! Perfect price point for gift giving too. Harrison's teacher is going to get one at the end of the year.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/RitzyMisfit

What cute jewelry sites do you love?