Always, Alli

In the battle for drawer space, my maternity clothes are happy to announce they are winning. I finally had Damon bring down the two boxes of clothes and then yesterday I started the not fun task of packing away the non-maternity stuff.

Going through the maternity clothes actually helps me save some money right now, since I see these clothes as an almost “new” wardrobe. Granted, as a stay at home mom, I don’t need business attire, and I am accustomed to wearing the same thing at least two days in a row, just because I know Fuller doesn’t care what I look like.

But my upcoming trip to Orlando for Izeafest has me eyeing the online plus size maternity stores. I’m frustrated to see the options in plus sized maternity clothes. The selection is very limited and the prices are more than I can afford. And I really want to fight the frump, since I am sporting the baby bump.

Dresses from Old Navy look cheap and overpriced. Motherhood Maternity also has the same problem, with a crappy selection and items that make me think I would look like Bozo the clown.

And while I am thinking about Old Navy, I’m a bit pissed at them. I am very comfortable in admitting I am a plus sized pregnant chick. I am fine with having a 1 in front of the X in my clothing size. But Old Navy has decided to vanity size and all the 1X clothing I bought from them is TOO BIG. And the sad thing is, I need to keep it because before this kid is born, I know I will be able to fit into them.

I need clothes that FIT, look good, and fit within my five cent budget. Anyone know where I can find a brown paper bag in a 1X Maternity?

If you are fully involved in my online life, you know I twitter. In fact, if you can see my updates in the box on the left side of this blog (it says “Twitter Alli” in case you miss it).

There are lots of neat things about twitter I like. I used to think of it along the lines of the “DVD extras” for my blogs- just tiny little updates about what I was doing (like smashing my kid’s fingers in the freezer door at Wal-Mart). But a neat thing has come from Twitter- I have found even more online friends and have found a way to keep up with them in 140 characters or less.

Sometimes I throw out a question and people answer me. Other times, they throw out a question and I give my 140 characters or less answer. Which is why the following (abbreviated) twitter thread is such an exciting thing to me:

A little background:

Ted Murphy is CEO of Izea, the umbrella company for PayPerPost and SocialSpark. I participate in both these systems. I’m not as active as I used to be, but that is a personal choice.

Izeafest is a blogging conference I am going to next month. I went to PostieCon last year in Las Vegas. Izeafest is the grownup big brother of PostieCon.

Metromint is a kind of mint infused water I love. My mom introduced it to me January of 2005, when I was feeling nauseous and getting ready for the long car trip home from Ohio to Tennessee with my then three month old baby. I fell in love with the water and she would bring me some almost every time she visited Chattanooga. Then one day I discovered our World Market sold Metromint by the four pack. (You can also get it at Greenlife Grocery by the bottle.) When I got pregnant and morning sickness settled in, I drank a ton of it, trying to keep my sickness from showing, since we weren’t telling anyone yet. I personally like the Spearmint and Lemonmint, but they have several other flavors.

Having Ted Murphy take a small suggestion, even one that isn’t really on topic (he wanted to know about beer, a drink I 1) can’t have and 2) don’t like), and see it as a real possibility means a lot to me. Sure, he might say my Twitter background is the best, but it really doesn’t skew my take on how honored I feel for running with my suggestion.

And, I am thrilled to have Metromint as one of the Izeafest sponsors. I look forward to testing all the flavors (even the Chocolatemint). And then I’ll have to see if I can smuggle some of it home for free in my checked baggage.

Technorati Tags: Metromint, Izeafest, Twitter, Ted Murphy, morning sickness

Last night our family spent quite a lot of time outdoors. We were at the drive-in and the while the weather was pleasant, it was enough humidity to make me swell and the aching to come back in my right wrist.

Pregnancy related carpal tunnel is going to be a battle I endure until this kiddo is out of here. I was thrilled when the weather cooled down and it was as if my carpal tunnel had disappeared. I was scared not of the surgery my doctor said I might need, but the time it would eat up- extra doctor trips, surgery, and then recovery time (which varies from person to person). I don’t have that kind of time.

So, I am committed to icing my wrist and using a brace when it gets throbbing or when I sleep. And to be honest, my wrist has been feeling so much better the last few days, I wasn’t even sleeping with the brace.

Last night, I iced my wrist and went to sleep with the brace. Apparently I took it off during one of my bathroom trips because I didn’t have it on when I woke up and found it on the bathroom counter.

I think having the brace is an excellent way to assist in my carpal tunnel relief. I use something similar to the SmartGlove PM, which helps keep my wrist from getting into funky positions during the night.

But my brace is really bulky and has metal braces on the palm part, so if I wear it all day long (which I was a few weeks ago), it gets in the way of normal duties. When driving, I was constantly hitting the steering wheel controls, changing the radio station.

Which is why something like the IMAK Smart Glove would be better for the days when I need the extra support. It increases circulation and keeps the wrist in the proper position, but is missing the bulk of the metal brace, keeping my hands acting in a more “normal” manner. I can blog better, cook better, and drive better.

Everyone I talk to is surprised pregnancy can induce carpal tunnel syndrome. And since I am a person who swells in the heat, even when not pregnant, I am more susceptible to the syndrome. I am thrilled there are tools I can use, like ice, rest, and braces, to keep me on a road to recovery instead of straight to the surgeon’s table.

Technorati Tags: pregnancy, pregnancy related carpal tunnel, IMAK SmartGlove

Hello, I am Alli’s new backpack.

In Alli’s mind, I speak with a Mexican accent. Similar to Esteban, the Mexican Mayor/ Drug Lord from Weeds. And no, I do not like to spank women. I just have the accent.

Alli bought me from Zappos. This is also where she bought her previous bag. And conincidentally, her previous bag and I are both from the same manufacturer- Dakine. Alli loves the fabrics Dakine uses in their women’s products. And you will notice Alli picked the bag with the orange accents, because you should know orange is her signature color.

Alli isn’t a bag lady. Sure her husband might mention how many bags she already has, but what Alli means is, she doesn’t like carrying more than one bag at a time. Her backpack has to be a workhorse. So, seeing a backpack with an insulated cooler pocket (perfect for kiddo’s snacks), zipper organizer pockets, and a hidden pocket at the top for her cell phone and/ or sunglasses? It was love, love, love at first sight.

As workhorses go, when she travels, I have to carry both Alli’s laptop and her camera stuff. Since she upgraded to the DSLR (fancy pants camera), she struggles keeping it safe and carrying the extra stuff she needs. I meet her needs, with the help of the new camera bag (kind of like Cesar, Esteban’s helper-dude on Weeds). There is also room for the various cords and such required for the technological lifestyle Alli leads.

The new camera bag is an insulated lunch tote made by the fine people of Thermos. Alli found it at Target, after she was drawn in by the pull of the polka dots. Alli’s previous camera bag was also an insulated lunch bag, but it was smaller and did not meet the needs of Alli’s upgraded digital photography lifestyle.

This bag carries all three of Alli’s lenses, the camera body, her external flash, extra battery, remote, and one hood. Alli realizes she doesn’t use all of these items on most outings, but when she travels (like she will be doing in September), she wants to have everything on hand.

It was very nice to meet you. Alli wants everyone to know her previous bag was well loved and is going to a good home. Her needs changed and since she is pregnant, a backpack seemed like a safe, yet stylish option. She is pleased to introduce me to the world and looks forward to carrying me with pride everywhere we go.

Esteban, out.

Technorati Tags: Zappos, Dakine, backpack

Today will be a stay at home day because 1) I over did it yesterday and 2) we are expecting visitors from the lands of UPS, FedEx, and USPS. I guess the USPS people could just drop off whatever in the mailbox, no big deal, it is the UPS and FedEx packages we are really excited about.

FedEx will be delivering our Auburn Football Season Tickets. We would have them already if we had actually been here when FedEx attempted to deliver them yesterday. We are excited to begin this new chapter in our lives, where we don’t just plan our weekends around the television but around car trips to Auburn to see the Tigers play. We won’t be going to all the games (look for those tickets to be on ebay), but we have some fun weekends planned.

And this morning I followed the tracking number for UPS to learn my package from Zappos will be here today! I ordered a new bag for my trip to Orlando next month. I know, I know… another trip for Alli, another bag. A friend of mine actually asked if I got a new bag for each trip I take and really, the answer is no. But since the last time I traveled by myself, my needs have changed and I knew a new bag would be the answer. (More on the actual bag later.)

Later this week I expect Old Navy to be sending some of their minions from the maternity department with some pants and shorts for me.

Waiting at home as never been so much fun!

Technorati Tags: UPS, FedEx, USPS, online shopping, Zappos, bag

I’ve been asked to review the website Jewels of Denial, so this evening I took some surfing time to check it out.

My first impression of the website is this: If I were just wandering aimlessly on the web looking for jewelry and landed on the website, I probably would have clicked away. The jewelry displayed on the front page isn’t my style at all. And the overall layout/ design of the site didn’t really give me the impression of high quality jewelry.

But, I did dig in further and found items I would actually like, such as this cute pendant (I’m usually drawn to the pendant category on any jewelry website). As I was browsing I was impressed by the section below called “Similiar Products You May Like.” And truly, I liked the suggested pendant more than the one I originally clicked on!

I also liked the feature they added where when you find something you want to remember, you can click the button to bookmark it, blog about it, or social network it. Die hard jewelry bloggers should like that.

The prices were comparable to what I would entertain when purchasing jewelry, so overall, I would recommend Jewels of Denial“>Jewels of Denial. If you sign up for their newsletter, you will be given a 20% off coupon which makes it even more appealing.

And if you do make a purchase, blog it and tell them you learned about it here!

Technorati Tags: jewels of denial, jewelry, online shopping

Shopping therapy can be a way to relieve some of the stress of depression. Since I don’t leave the house much, I tend to stick to online window shopping looking at things like handbags, shoes, etsy, and ebay.

When poking around Ebay, I like to stop and look at the unusual stuff too. I remember watching Ellen when she bought a potato chip with the smiley face from ebay. It was so strange, and now there is a rather large section in “Weird stuff” of potato chips for sale.

Like this one with a “buy it now” price of $1,500.00. It seriously boggles my mind what people will 1) sell and 2) buy on ebay.

I like to stick to the normal stuff. Ebay is where I purchased two of the clocks on my living room wall. One looks like a door knocker, the other is a pewter plate.

Our experience with selling stuff on ebay has been ok. We sold off the parts from our wrecked scooter, and almost every thing sold. I was happy to get it out of my house, but Damon had an interesting time figuring out shipping stuff.

Chattanooga doesn’t have an iSold It store, but the concept could have helped us with that project. We could have dropped off our stuff and they would have created the auction, done the photography of the parts, and ship the item(s) to the auction winners. They then mail a check to the person getting rid of their stuff. Or, you can ask that the check be sent to a specific charity, making it easier to auction things off for charity.

All the items that go through an iSold It store have to have a value of $75 or more. And because iSold It does the hard work, they get a cut of the final price. Your check will be anywhere from 55 to 75% of the final bid. I found a great FAQ on the website of one of the individual stores.

It all sounds fine and dandy, and for someone like me who doesn’t really want to go through the hard work of auctioning off her stuff, a store like iSold It sounds fine. If you have any experience with this type of business, let me know. I might want to see what this old camera of mine will go for.

Technorati Tags: iSold It, Ebay, auctions, shopping

If you travel this summer and plan on flying, how do you think you will get around town? Do you have friends to chauffeur you? Borrow a car? Or do you plan on renting a car?

We have only ever rented cars when it was part of our honeymoon package or after a car accident. But I can see how some folks might want to fly somewhere and then rent a car that might be smaller than their car at home. It could have better gas mileage, so they could save some money there. Or some car rental companies have hybrids, which is even more exciting to me. Save some money, use less gas… it all sounds good.

Advantage is a car rental company with an easy to use website. You can check rates quickly and have 34 types of cars to choose from (no hybrids though).

There is a specials page you should check out to see if you can find a good deal on a van rental (more space is pretty comfortable). One special allows you to rent cars from $19.99 a day.

The prices are comparable to other car rental companies, so I would make sure to include them when you are searching for a rental car.

Technorati Tags: car rental

While I was in Ohio, my mom and I went shoe shopping twice. McMom wanted to buy me some nice shoes, to give me a more complete look. I wasn’t about to turn her down because my summer shoes have been giving me problems with my feet and hip.

The first store we went to was in Kettering and it was soooo depressing. They had really nice shoes, but were really crappy about keeping in stock my size. I found cute shoes, but they didn’t fit. Too big, too small, or too narrow.

I commented to my mom that I prefer shopping for shoes on the internet.

For instance, Infinity Shoes, is a decent online shoe store. They have a good variety of brands like seychelles shoes , minnetonka boots, and tsubo shoes. But there aren’t a lot of shoes in each brand, which would probably lead me to go searching for more styles at other online shoe stores.

Also, the prices are much higher than I would want to pay. The shoes I did end up buying were Clark’s brand (which Infinity Shoes carries) and were $30.

But, if I were to buy my sister a pair of shoes for her upcoming birthday, I would be able to find the Eric Michael Bonnet shoes at Infinity Shoes online store. They are so cute and I think my sister would like them. I know I would! And maybe paying that much for a pair of shoes as a gift isn’t as bad as buying them for yourself. Right now they are offering free shipping on shoes over $59.98, which those shoes qualify for, so I wouldn’t get screwed there.

However, I think due to higher prices than I would normally pay, and being used to more options (especially in sizes, which I didn’t see a lot of 9 1/5 sizes on Infinity’s site) I wouldn’t pick Infinity Shoes as my first choice for online shoe shopping.

Technorati Tags: Inifinity shoes, online shoe shopping

When I planned to visit my mom I made the request to return to Jeffersonville, Ohio to check out the Prime Outlet Mall. We went there last year and found some really great deals at the Talbot’s and Eddie Bauer outlets.

Shopping in actual stores is not really my favorite past time. I prefer the online variety where I can browse in my PJs and smile pretty at the UPS driver when he delivers my packages. Also, online shopping means I don’t really have to wrangle a three year old asking him where he was, telling him to stop running, or demanding he stop hiding in the clothes racks (I can still see him!).

Thursday afternoon, when my mom got home from work, my request was granted. I had one objective- new bras from the Lane Bryant outlet since my recent weight loss had made my current bras useless.

Not only did I end up with my new bras ($9.99 each!) I bought a pretty pair of Clark’s shoes and a pink polo. And as a bonus of shopping with my mom, she bought me a pair of shoes, a $4.95 skirt (from Talbot’s), and a great yellow top. I’m so spoiled.

Now, to lose even more weight so I need to be spoiled again soon!

Technorati Tags: shopping, Prime Outlets