It’s weird. I’ve been so busy and tired lately that I don’t feel like I’ve been blobbing properly. I post pictures, and add my sassy captions, but I’ve missed talking about how things have been instead of just quick updates.
So, here is what is on my mind you guys.
You guys, Jake and I are leaving for Barcelona and Paris next Wednesday. Just after we booked our flights, we found out Pippy might be moving to Albany, then she wasn’t, then my dearest Grandma passed away, then I went on a business trip (that I still haven’t even talked about!), then I started working Fridays at the salon, then my friend Stef came to visit, and now I have family coming in town and a Pip birthday all ending just a day and a half before we leave. Needless to say (does anyone else hate that term?), we have really not had any time to plan our vacation. In fact, we don’t even have a place to stay in Barcelona, we haven’t figured out the logistics of getting to the airport to fly to France, we haven’t looked up public transportation and we haven’t planned any activities while we’re there. I’m sure it will be fun no matter what, but we just plain haven’t had time. Paris, on the other hand, has been practically planned for us by a few of my blob friends who live/have lived there. They’ve been huge helps. I’m a little nervous about all the time we’ll waste due to our unpreparedness.
Piper Jane is turning four on Saturday, you guys. I wish I could say that I’m planning an ape s*** party for her….but remember? too busy to see straight. I’ll do a few little touches, but it wont be the big huge festi she deserves. Boo. (also, I have four *six for two of the days* family members coming to town, and that is a lot of people to bring into pippy’s classroom for a party. that pip would run herself ragged hosting that many people!)
Guys, I love my new salon. It’s going so well there. And I’m making friends mom!
I went to a private Christian Louboutin Sample Sale and bought two sparkly (but not actually sparkly) pairs of heels. And boy are they ever heels! 5 1/2 inches. A new client of mine who works for the designer invited me to the sale, and it was quite exclusive. I’ve actually never been to a non-private sample sale, but I hear they are nuts, stressful and picked over within minutes. If you ever get the opportunity to attend a private sample sale, you have to do it. It is such a fun and special experience, where you actually have time to look around, try things on and decide what you want without having to throw elbows to protect your goods. Plus Ashley Olsen was there shopping right along side me (Except I didn’t notice her for a while because she is pretty much a couple of feet below my field of vision. I now understand why people who see them can hardly comment on anything besides their pocket-size-ness). And that was really just plain rad.
Me-left, Amanda Blair-right.
Amanda Blair (and Aubrey, not pictured) came with me. Her feet are on the left, mine on the right.
I love my new shoes very much which should leave you all with plenty of room to judge me. Go ahead. I likely deserve it. Because loving shoes is ridiculous, you guys.
Stefanie posted and tagged me in a bunch of photos on facebook, and it made me fall in love with my Friday Pip-vis’ all over again. Have you ever seen a monkey on a slide? I have.
I saw Something Borrowed, which I might have told you guys already. I thought it was adorable even though I basically gave up on romantic comedies when I wasn’t 19 anymore. This one was quite cute.
Have any of you guys ever flown Ryanair? Jake and I are flying from Barcelona to Paris, and I’m wondering if there is anything we need to know about the whole adventure. I’ve heard that airline can be a little crazy.
One last thing, you guys (and last time I’m saying that). I thought it might be fun to post some questions/answers while we are away. It might distract you all from how much you miss my pip, if that is possible. Does that sound fun? I think the best way would be to post one or two Qs/As a day at my choosing. I’ll probably be picking fun/light-hearted ones instead of ones that want to know our SS# and street address, if that’s cool with you guys. I would totally love if you are all interested enough to ask something, and I’d love it even more if it could be asked nicely! Hooray! You can ask in the comments, or you can email me at hello@reagansblob.com
PS I did formspring for a short period last year, and if you didn’t catch those posts, they’re all here.
Oh, and for guidebooks I personally have never like Rick Steves (although I know many who have so I could be in the minority), but the Let’s Go! guidebook series is awesome!
I love your blob. I check it every day… multiple times. :p I can’t wait to see Jake’s photos from your trip, I know they will be awesome.
My question:
Do you take Pip’s clothes home to wash them? Or are they washed there? Do the nurses choose her outfits every day? Is it weird visiting her with a roommate?
I know… totally random questions. Just things I’ve wondered when looking at Piptures.
My question: Would you take one of my kidneys in exchange for those double-strap pumps?
Seriously though, have a wonderful trip, safe travels, hopefully you’ll come back with lots of pictures so we can live vicariously. And a very happy birthday to Miss Piper Jane!!
Happy birthday to your little Pipster! I never knew what people meant when they said, “Time flies”. But, then I had a kid, and now I totally get it! LOVE the shoes! LOVE that you get some R&R with your hubs (enjoy every second)!
Question: What is your proudest moment?
Happy Birthday to Piper Jane! When you are away for a period of time, do the nurses and/or caretakers send you piptures and give updates on how Piper is doing? Or do you have to initiate those updates?
Have a safe and fun trip!
We backpacked on our honeymoon last year and flew ryanair from rome-belgium, they were quite good, watch out for the extra fees i.e. eu25 per boarding pass if they print it (we paid our hotel to do it for us) or eu20 per kilo over their 20kg limit…. umm get to the airport super early cause the lines are huge, basic airline, but we survived and arrived on time.. so read the fine print and make sure your within their guidlines otherwise expect to pay $$$ at the airport, happy safe travels! p.s. sometimes no plans = the best days, no expectations means you make it what you want, my biggest piece of advice is organise transportation, it saves so much time and allows you to be carefree
Envious about Barcelona, the first place I visited on my first trip to Europe. Las Ramblas, yes, do not stay on but near. We stayed at Regina Hotel on Carrer de Bergara. If you turn right when you come out of the hotel and walk up the street, you get to Placa de Catalunya. Ramblas is an offshoot from this plaza. There’s a fabulous (food) market off Ramblas as you are walking towards the water, about 3-4 blocks on the right. Morning coffee every day there was fabulous.
Public transportation was great, especially to and from the airport, but everywhere else as well. I was saddened by all of the graffiti but it’s everywhere, some almost works of art.
Catalan is an interesting language. I traveled there with a bilingual companion (Spanish) once and she was lost. She could understand and be understood better in Italy than in Barcelona.
Hope you have a great time.
Q: What is on your running playlist?
two things…
that’s all any of us want, when i think of it…!
1. my little guy just had a bday & i was in the same position – so much going on, but SO wanting him to feel special. in the process, i realized that all he really wanted was to feel super, specially loved on his day. & that doesn’t take much planning, just love
2. went on a mini vacay to nyc last month & again, the same – we had no time to plan, but it was SO great. sometimes that’s the best way to experience a city.
I live in the boonies, so I’ll never find myself invited to a sample sale (unless the samples they hand out at Costco count?). How much do the shoes and clothes there cost? I have fantasies of it being like a yard sale, where shoes and purses cost $.75 each.
I know this was a nosey question, and my mom would be giving me “the look” if she knew I asked, but you are the only person I *know* who has ever gone to one, and this might be my only chance to ask.
burning question: what prompted the switch to bold lipstick? I see in your earlier pictures that you didn’t wear it and I didn’t even recognize you! And now, you wear bold lipstick like everyday. I must confess that I like the more subtle lips. I know, my opinion doesn’t really count, but I just HAD to comment.
One thing I always wonder about as I read your blog is if and when you want to have more children. This is obviously something very personal and private but I imagine there is a lot more to consider when you have a child with special needs. Do you have fears about getting/being pregnant again?
I admire you and Jake so much for your commitment to eachother and how you are as parents – all the best to your little family.
Your blog is, by far, my favorite. I am so inspired by your sense of humor and your little pip! Also, I’m dying over those shoes so when you tire of them, send them in my direction
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As for questions…I don’t know that I have any. I’m really excited to see the answers you have for other people though!
Your trip will be wonderful! I took Ryanair to Paris recently and it was fine – just make sure (as other’s have noted) that you’ve arranged for transportation from Beauvais (approx. 50 minute trip).
We always travel with these lightweight backpacks (http://travelstore.ricksteves.com/catalog/index.cfm?fuseaction=product&theParentId=8&id=139) and I’ve traveled for up to three weeks in Europe with them.Yes, three weeks worth of stylish, comfy options! It’s great not to be lugging a suitcase around an airport/subway/bus/train/etc. I love the freedom that comes with it! We also hit up a local corner grocery store each morning (especially in Paris) and bought breakfast & snacks for the day. I’m a vegetarian, so we were able to get fresh, delicious food for a fraction of the cafe costs. Bring some type of lightweight bag/backpack also that you can pack items for picnics at night (the beach in Barcelona or under the Eiffel Tower). Try not to have to much of an agenda and just get lost soaking up the cities! Gaudi’s architecture in Barcelona will inspire gorgeous, whimsical photos. Enjoy this trip with Jake – you guys have the world on your shoulders at times and you totally deserve this getaway! Best parents ever
Okay, so what was Ashley Olsen doing at a sample sale? Private or not, I’m thinking she doesn’t need to score a good deal on a pair of shoes…
(PS, those periods of time are hard… when you’re juggling like eight bazillion important things all at once. My motto is typically just to endure, make lots of lists, & take a deep breath every so often. It will all go by so quickly. And Miss Piper’s party will be fantastic, no matter what, because she’ll be with all the people that love her most.)
I am a new reader of your blog and absolutely LOVE it! I love how positive you are all the time. You are beautiful inside and out. I think that your outlook on life rubs off a little on me every time I read. You make me want to be better! Thank You for sharing your story with all of us!
My question is this:
What are the things in your life that help you to be so positive?
Are you and Jake church going people? Is so, what religion do you belong to?
Ryan Air is such a good deal. Plan on getting hit up with baggage fees — and the airports that they fly into tend to be a little away from the city so it can be a more expensive ride into the city — like in London.
Love the new shoes!
How about how did you and Jake meet? Also, how in the world do you do your own hair? I love the braids and such but my arms don’t bend that way
Hey, as others have stated, Ryanair is fine, a lot of fees, a lot of small print. Easyjet also fly Barcelona to Paris – also a budget airline, but a wee bit more civilised.
Have a great trip!
If you have kind of an itinerary for Paris, you’ll be fine. Even if you don’t have an itinerary, you’ll be fine. Even if you don’t see every tourist destination in Paris, you’ll have a fabulous time just drinking in the beautiful city. Barcelona is not as chock-full as Paris, and you can plan Barcelona on the fly.
Here is a link to 20 things to do in Barcelona. http://www.timeout.com/barcelona/features/35/20-great-things-to-do-in-barcelona
You’ll have a blast. My favorite thing to do in Barcelona was to stroll on La Rambla, and then to have a few drinks at an outdoor cafe and people watch.
I think it is kind of exciting not to have a hotel in advance; that is how I always used to travel before I had kids. Although I will admit that when I went to Barcelona, we happened to be there during the Grand Prix, and we could not find a hotel room for one night of our stay anywhere, even miles and miles outside the city. We finally found a room in a really cheap and sort of seedy youth hostel, but it was only for one night. It was a bit of an adventure.
Questions!!
I love your blog! love love love it! and i love questions!
1.As a fellow vegetarian I must know, what do you eat to stay healthy? I find myself struggling sometimes when choosing what to eat..and I feel like I am def. lacking in the protein category.
2.What kind of makeup do you wear?
3.What exercises do you do to stay fit? I know running, but anything else?
4.What color are you going to do color your hair next??
5. When will your next BLOB sale be?
Have so much fun on your vacation!!!!
Have a great vacation!
I love your blob and I love how you love your family. I’ve been reading since I was pregnant and now that I’m a mom I can say it’s the only writing that conveys the love I feel for my son.
question!
Does Piper just crash on your lap for a nap or is there a trick to getting her to fall asleep? I’ve been so curious, it looks like such a love festival when it happens. She is adorable and you three make a very stylish family.
Kind of a lame question, but what is your favorite sunscreen for your face?