Lately, I’ve been riding this crazy roller coaster and whew.  It is exhausting.  For starters, I finished the first draft of my book.  Can I get a HALLELUJAH?  As you know, I’m writing a memoir about my life and this week, I finished it!  (That was the fun part of the roller coaster ride.)  Now, I have started editing the book and oh. my. word.  Some moments, I am tearing up and feeling like I need a case of Kleenex tissues.  The next minute, I’m laughing at the funny moments, recalling the good times of the 80’s.  I’m sure the patrons at Coffeeesmiths look at me staring at my computer and as I am laughing, crying, and all of the above and wonder WHAT IS UP WITH HER??

The only problem about fully immersing myself in my book project is that by the time evening rolls around and we are home from the boys’ practices, supper has been eaten, baths have been given, and sweet little ones are in bed…well, my creative juices have gone and left the building folks.  And so, my apologies for not being on the blog as often as I’d like.  (That is the downside ride of this roller coaster.)  But can I tell you how thrilled I am that MY FIRST BOOK DRAFT IS DONE?!!  Hopefully, I’ll be able to plan it out to where I’m back on the blog more as I continue juggling the book project.

While I’m filling you in on things, can I also tell you how happy I am to be typing this on my laptop computer?  Because it’s 10:15 on a Thursday night and our electricity just went out.  And for what reason?  I have no idea.

Well.  It is now Friday morning and you know what?  You can’t do a whole lot of blogging when your internet is down.  As in NOTHING WILL BE SAVED.  So, that last paragraph is rather irrelevant now, thank you power outage (insert sarcasm).  But thankfully, electricity came back on at 1:30 this morning (which woke me up out of a dead sleep).

Anyhoooo.  Since I’m on a roll about sharing all manner of things, can I tell you something else?  I would like ONE NIGHT where I sleep all. through. the. night.  Yes, friends.  I have been sleeping awful.  I’ll go to bed around 10:00-10:30 and at 1:00 IN THE MORNING, I am WIDE AWAKE.  And I usually cannot get back to sleep until after 2:30.  That is what you call dreadful.  And that is NOT beauty sleep.  So, if any of you have some ideas as to why this is going on or what I can do to help this situation, please enlighten me.  Maybe I should start drinking warm milk before bed?  Or a hot cup of nighttime tea?  Or purchase some melatonin?  I have no idea why I’m unable to get a good night’s sleep lately, but this middle of the night wide awake stuff can just GO AWAY.

Okay, hopefully, you haven’t left me and today’s post due to the boringness and bunny trails I’ve went down today.  Because NOW…it’s time for Fun Friday Favorites!

1.  Billabong Beach Rambler cardigan sweater from The Buckle –

Such a great lightweight spring sweater!

Last Friday, I partook in some retail therapy.  I was having one of those days and needed some cheering up.  I was very skeptical of this sweater, but tried it on and LOVED it.  I plan to wear it with my white jeans.  I love the fringe details on the bottom.

These tanks are great

And I’m putting one of these tank tops from The Buckle underneath in this coral bloom color.  The BKE extra long and lean tanks are great layering pieces.  They kind of magically “suck everything in” so it’s somewhat like wearing Spanx and a cute tank all at the same time.  Win win, my friends.

2.  Chambray Hi-Lo Softened shirt from The Loft –

Oh, I love this denim top.

How cute is this with her white denim jeans?  I love everything about this top.  AND…everything is 40% off today online at The Loft.  That makes this shirt a great price!

3.  Windowpane Tunic softened shirt from The Loft –

I love this plaid

Again, 40% off of this price…a super deal!  I love this hyacinth blue…a great top for spring.  Wear it with jeans, white pants, shorts, capris…you get the picture.  I’ve had my eye on this for awhile now and The Loft’s 40% off sale is really tempting me…

4.  Lush Cold Shoulder woven top from Von Maur –

This pink is a perfect color.

I’ve highlighted a Lush top like this before, but it’s worth sharing again.  I love my hot pink Lush top I bought last year.  I usually wear it with my skinny jeans and some wedges.  You can find this top at Von Maur, along with other CUTE tops that I saw by Lush.

5.  Moa Moa Burnout Tee with Patterned Pocket at Von Maur –

This top…great color and perfect with skinny jeans

Again, I’m a sucker for this coral color…I would love this top.  It’s such a great color for spring and summer.  And the little detail on the pocket dresses up this tee just a little…perfection, I say.  Perfection.  Black skinny jeans or white skinny jeans would look great with this top.

6.  Sam Edelman Gigi T-strap flat sandals at Von Maur –

These sandals are darling

So…while I was embarking in some retail therapy last Friday, I tried these Sam Edelman sandals on at Von Maur.    I’d been eyeing them for awhile and I bit the bullet.  I love the brown color…they’ll go great with everything.  Skinny jeans, maxi dresses and skirts, shorts…you name it.  I will tell you this.  IF you like them, go and get them now.  Because they will be flying out of stores.  They are just that cute on and I’m usually right on about cute shoes.  (Remember those Converse Chuck Taylor shoes I highlighted about a month ago from Von Maur?  Those babies are long gone.  The sales associate informed me that those shoes have been long gone and they aren’t even on display anymore.  I told her it was because I highlighted them on my blog and my readers are so smart they knew they had to purchase those great shoes.  That sweet lady agreed with me.)

7.  Lucky Brand Minari Wedge sandals at Von Maur –

Lucky Brand shoes are some of my favorite shoes

Last spring, my niece Chloe and sister-in-law Angie had the cutest Lucky wedge sandals on at Chloe’s graduation party.  (Which means that this spring, she is finishing up her first year of college…where is the time going?  I remember just yesterday she was this darling little five year old with the cutest bob haircut and she looked absolutely adorable with a big bow in her hair. #timeisflyingby) Well, I took their recommendation about those wedge sandals and bought a pair for myself.  And I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE them.  I saw these Lucky wedges this year and they are so similar to the ones we bought last year.  If you are looking for a great wedge, I highly recommend these darling shoes.  I love the natural color, the cork wedge, the straps…everything about them.  Von Maur has them and you’ll be glad you picked up such a versatile wedge for spring.

Well, that wraps up today’s Fun Friday Favorites.  Are you loving the fashion highlights?  Seeing the latest and greatest shoes?  Or maybe you enjoy hearing about the day to day life stuff…to remind you that we all have those great and not so great moments in life.  Leave a comment and share your thoughts.  I’d love to hear from you!

Have a wonderful weekend!!  xo ~ Angela Banae