Holiday Organizer

Hooray! The holidays are here and each and every year, my first step to control holiday madness (a.ka. the chaos on which I thrive!) is to order my Holiday organizer.

I have used these adorable notebooks for the past 5 years to organize gifting, shopping lists, party and social schedules, sewing projects, kids crafts, donations and baking. They are so festive and fun and the best part of every event or season is organizing it!

Over the years each little organizer has become a treasured jounal of our family's Christmas season, storing annual Christmas story and celebrations. I enjoy going back through each to see what Santa brought the boys are they grow, what friends sent Holiday cards, and the fun parties and celebrations we toasted to.   In fact, this year while I was looking through last year's binder, I found a gift card to Olive Garden!! Yeah baby!!! (probably stuck in the handy pocket to be re-gifted, yikes, soory dad...he is the gift card king!)

Gooseberry Patch also has great choch-kies to stock up on for the cart boy or neighbor you may have forgotten!

"Chanello"

With the time change, I have re-committed to my morning time run. The weather is simple gorgeous and I have so enjoyed the Fall leaves. I hope to condition myself to the colder weather as the temps continue to drop... and speaking of winter running, nothing can motivate me like Chanel! Charlotte's pregnant run from SATC Movie (fav) is Ll the more graceful with her ears so stylish and warm! Now I just need some Chanel ear muffs of my own - yeah, that should do the trick do sustain my monday morning motivation!
For other "mommys on the run" I had to share this fun blog I stubled upon searcing for new running songs for my little mp3. Her Monday Morning run post is hillarious... and she really hit the nail head in her last sentance! Be sure to comment with what is pumping through your headphones lately.

Girlfriends Getaway

With a long weekend in Florida planned, as a birthday gift from the hubs, I was so excited to get a way from the kids, cold, and grind for a few days of girlie time! My girlfriends and the JLGWH (very near and dear to my heart) hosted central FL's most fabulous shopping event of the season and we kicked it off with the Girl's Night Out on Friday! I just had to list a few of my favorite vendors. Gorgeous interior designs Best jeans adorable tennis gear and of course this adorable handsewn kids garments
A long time favorite of my girlfriends is the most fabulous little boutique that we all simply adore. We love giving gifts from Ella G's almost as much as we love getting them. Owner, Amy *W* named her store after her daughter...how cute is that! Amy's spot at the Merry Market certainly set the stage for a beautiful Holiday Home and all the fun the season brings! Amy and a few members of her creative team are pictured above. xo guys, thanks for your love and support :-)

*J* and I were so excited that we can now accessorize in the shower! These shower caps were too fun!

Reunion Show

Timing was perfect for my quick jet set to FL and I spend the afternoon on Sunday at the Allen Family Reunion. Enjoyed seeing all the fam and catching up - but couldn't help thinking about on consistent oddity year after year. Have you ever noticed how you and your parents/siblings/granparents go to the annual reunion and end up sitting, chatting, and eating mostly with those parent/grandparents/siblings that you see all throughout the year. You know, the ones in your immediate family that you probably rode to the event with? Odd right? We did just that, and it was a nice afternoon with Nana/Poppa, Shawn, Gary, Lyssa, and of course Mom. Our whole crew wasn't there as we are pretty spread out now, but don't worry we talked about you :-) (some was even good!)

Halloween Fun!

It was quite a bit of work, but so worth the effort for the boy's to have homemade costumes! I mean, hello?!, an aspiring Fashion Designer like myself can't be outfitting my children in store bought costumes!


We had a great time trick or treating in our new neighborhood this year, and let me just say - these folks are serious about this fall holiday! The Heimers fit right in as we to love the thrill of spook and fun of the season. Our Mummy and Thomas the Train costumes came out adorable and (almost) even lasted through hours of TorT'ing adorned on 2 tough boys!

Dane's Mane

My sweet little baby's blonde curly cues and ringlet ringers are gone! I can honestly say, however, that it was time. Not because of the constant ridicule and remarks about my angels gorgeous locks (you know who you are) or the fact that was often identified by strangers as a girl (ps, this totally did not bother me, he is just that beautiful!). It really was just becoming too difficult to manage. Each night conditioning and combing and tangles, and Dane did not enjoy the after bath routine mommy had to carry out for the high-maintenance, toddler mane taming! Take the poll to right and tell us Which Dane Wore it Best!?

National Leslie Heimer Day

My annual 29th Birthday, (National Leslie Heimer Day) was an exciting on as I celebrated with some new collegues, in a new town, as a new Southern Maryland resident. Traditionally my mom, sister and I head to NYC for a fall shopping excursion for my birthday, but with so many changes this year, we just couldn't swing it. Though missing my friends and family back home, but they carried the torch in celebrating National Leslie Heimer Day back in FL. My new MD friends and family, along with my sweet boys showered me with well wishes, suprises and hugs. My hubby made my day super sweet here on the East Coast and we celebrated with a romantic dinner at Corbels downtown and then went across the street to our fav "chillaxing" spot, Old Towne Pub for dessert and cocktails!

Knowing how much I have been missing my girlfriends, he suprised me with tickets to make it home for our annual SHOPFEST at the JLGWH Merry Market with my girls.
IN ADDITION...(that little sweetie pie) had me open a box of golf balls only to find a new camera! After having 4 cameras in the past 2 years, J vowed that the 'ol Blackberry camera phone would be the one and only. Entirely inadequate with two young children (and a blog to maintain...hello!?) looks like he has finally given in and I love my new Sony Cybershot Noted Fashion Photographer Nigel Barker has one (perhaps a slightly different model than mine - lol) My camer it has built in photo shoping tool that adds touch ups. Yes, imagine the time I save now!hahaha Thanks dollface!

Fall Ball winds down

Thank Goodness! Ok, listen I love my boys - but they are just so... boyish!?! baseball and golf and bikes and bugs. I truly enjoy Jackson's games once I am there, but usually chase Dane around the complex and now (newsflash for the Heimers) IT IS COLD!! Only one week left, and our "Angels" have had a great season! (can you guess which one is Jackson?...)

It's Happening... Seasons Really do Change!

jackson playing in the leaves on our street...picture perfect!


So as an 8th generation Florida native, not sure I noticed much the difference in temperature, trees, or other weather causing conditions. But the leaves are officially beginning to change here on the East coast! It is truly gorgeous. Not realizing that the cold temps would come so quickly, we haven't yet unpacked our Fall/Wnter clothes and most of them are still in Florida in storage. Well, Jackson is already wearing coats to school and asks me weekly if there is snow in the forecast! We are starting a leaf collecting project, so please share your tips on leaf keeping, if you are at all martha-esque!

There goes the neighborhood!

The Heimer's LOVE Halloween! In our fab FL neighborhood, our Scare Zone (Mini Haunted House) had become quite the exciting event enjoyed by kids of all ages. So, it looks like we will have to shake up life in the new neighborhood, and kick start the season by introducing the "BOO". The kids LOVE this fun game that spreads fall cheer (and a little halloween mischief) while building the commraderie throughout the neighborhood. Start your own Boo, download the poem and ghost cut out. The directions for this little haunt should also be included. Happing Boo-ing!

Wolf Cub Scout Pack 420!

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry It's official, Jackson is a cub Scout and learning all about those character traits and activities that are vital to a young man's development! Mom is loving the patches/badges and "accessories" that he is working toward. I can't to sew them all on!

New Home Nesting

*BEFORE*



*AFTER*
After our huge moving sale in Florida before we left, we did our best to streamline our packing and moving expenses by consolidating most of our big furntiure. Our Mediterrainian home in FL is a completely different style than our sprawling ranch home built in the 80's. It is much homier, and casual with a funky vibe including hardwoods, 3 levels and lots of room needing funtiure and TLC. Wanting a little less traditional look in this home, I am workin in a little vintage-french-cottage decor and found these great mirrors at a yard sale. I painted them and love love! I also adore this fun chalk board in frame and it it very handy for honey-do lists! Picked this up from my creative friends at Vintage Source last weekend.
If you are in the nesting mode, I am re-reading a great book with the best tips and tricks that a girlfriend gave me before we moved. It is just dahhling appropriately entitled Nesting: It's a Chick Thing

Office "Perks"

I LOVE, LOVE the Flavia machine at my office, it is to die! All the yummy flavors coffees, lattes, even wellness teas which are perfect for the 3 o clock stretch! There are over 20 choices from which to chose in the kitchen's neatly organized little cubbies. This Japanese Green Tea is my "FAVE FLAV"!

Today's Special

even in a recession, folks need their swing adjusted!

After this month, I may neversee the hubbs again. His phone has been ringing off the hook!

The Compound

We live in a Planned Unit Development (PUD) called Breton Bay. We have come to kindly refer to our therein, as "the compound". Our home is oversized and old and has an enormous backyard. Cell phone service doesn't quite connect once you reach this area at "the bottom of the hill", Deer and rabits are so common that they are almost a nusance (to some, not yet us!) and all the hustle and bustle outside of Breton Bay seems to fade right about the time I am nearing the Heimer compound. Just as you pass the BB golf course (about 500 yards from our house), at the top of the hill, you can see a full view of the water, and it is simply breathtaking. As the sun begins to set a little earlier, I caught a glimpse of the sunset on my way home today. I am beginning to appreciate our new nest!

...did I mention that Justin drives a golf cart to work!?

"Shark Attack"

(not the ones by cape cod) but on my floors! This house is all hardwoods and tile and the cleaning is exhausting (insert shout out to Gran Nan here!) My MIL has been telling me about this new steamer/mop and recently got one. I borrowed it today to test it out and can't stop cleaning my floors! I know right...me?! It's steaming power and lightweight and easy to manuever design had me zipping all over the house. The Shark requires no chemicals or products - just think of the savings and it is only around $100 bucks! Environmentally friendly and so easy to use, Jackson volunteered to add shark time (aka mopping) to his chore list!

Look Out Corporate America!

The bliss of summer and enjoying the carefree days with my boys was nearing, and with our permanent transition North it was time for me to get serious about finding a job. Because I am the type that pours my heart and soul into my work, I have been pretty selective about my next career step. I wanted something that allowed me to be creative, was secure, and that had no glass ceiling where I could again feed my competitive spirit and set goals to strive for. I miss Premier terribly, but realize that the relaxed, family atmosphere of my family's company probably couldn't be duplicated 45 minutes outside of DC.

Last week I recieved a call from a recuiter and was thrilled post-interview when I was offered a position at ManTech (MSEC) as a Marketing Consultant, on a government contract software project. After 2 days with my new company, I am already learning so much and have started to get settled into my cubicle!

It is official. I am a working mom again. I was teary the entire first day and very anxious about leaving Dane all day. Isn't it weird how quickly humans can adapt to change? I was getting settled in our new home and submersed myself into decorating each room and organizing the kitchen, and potty training our little guy. Within a few days I was pressing my suits and organizing my LV breifcase to head to the office!

The Divorce Open

The Divorce Open was this past weekend at Breton Bay and we had a blast! Eighteen holes of alternate shot coupled with a Heimer vs. Heimer round with the in-laws and jello shooters on the beverage cart equals lots of hits and giggles!

Moved to Tears

MOVING STINKS! Everytime I do it, I vow that it will be the last. However, it must be an occupational hazard of the real estate industry or my incecent need to nestle and decorate, because I have moved over 9 times since I bought my first home at the age of 19. A couple husbands later and a topsy turvy market and I find myself making my first out of state move! And to where? No, not NYC, not LA, not even ATL but Leonardtown!?!!
I cannot dwell - I much closer to NY and only 45 mins from my absolute second most favorite city in the US. D.C. truly is the most inspirational place. We have officially signed the lease option on our new home just "down the hill" and our back yard backs up to the water (Breton Bay which is fed by the Patomic River, which is fed by Chesapeak Bay which means...blue crabs baby!)

Jackson started his first week of school. First time riding the bus. First time going to a cafeteria for lunch. First time at a new school with new friends and a new home. It has been an enormous adjustment for every member of our family. The heartache of packing up our dream home in FL, the anxiety of starting over, yet again. But through this difficult transition, came so many blessings and realizations. Watching both of our families rally around us to make it all happen, our generous friends who made sure we knew we would be missed and most of all the profound internalization that neither brick and mortar nor geographic location define a family...
It is the faith, dreams, and love shared between its members.

please forgive my neglected blog!

Our new internet and phone will be hooked up at our new home soon and I will back in the swing of things! In the meantime, here are a few pictures (worth a thousand words) of the past few weeks' happenings. It has been a wild ride!