Our Beauty-ful Day!!

I just had one of those days where you think "all is right with the world". My good friend Debbie invited Sophie and me to go to see Beauty and the Beast at Neptune Theater with her and her daughter. It was one of the best musicals I have ever seen! The caliber of talent that Neptune (in Halifax) presents is unbelievable and worth every red cent (it cost $120 for our two tickets...ouch!). The costumes and set were gorgeous and Sophie and I sat mesmerized by this feast for our eyes and ears!!

I have always vowed that I want Sophie to love music and musical theater as much as I do but I have never taken her to Neptune before today. Well, she proved to me she is ready and that my money will not be wasted. She sat through 2 1/2 hrs of performance and barely squirmed. Every now and then she'd take my hand and squeeze it in happiness or rest her head on my shoulder during a scary Beast scene. I feel so lucky to have a little girl to share moments like today with...
Debbie and I both could not get over what good company the girls were. We went to Salty's on the waterfront for dinner and we laughed and laughed all through dinner. Debbie is my "funny friend" and I defy anyone not to enjoy her company! We were all incredibly silly and the other patrons got a kick out of the belly laughs coming from the girls... it was a day to remember and I got a little glimpse of the fun, girly moments ahead of me with Sophie where we are not only mother and daughter, but friends. Thanks Debbie, for motivating me to go and for a great memory for me and Sophie, and hopefully for you and your sweet girl.

Our perfect trip

I think I just had the best weekend I've had in a long time. I went to Bangor and Augusta, Maine with my mum and sister, Wendy and we had the time of our lives. I'm sure this means I'm easily pleased in some people's books, but I had two of my favorite people with me, great shopping, wonderful food, weather and a beautiful hotel room. This trip was long overdue. We were meant to go last year, but my mum was quite ill and it was just not possible. Time got away from us, so I finally took the bull by the horns and planned everything, prodded mum and Wendy to save their pennies and did my best to get everyone fired up about going!

If you have never, or haven't in a long time, gone on a trip with your mother, sister(s), or best friends, then you should really consider it. There is nothing like travelling with other women you adore. No one gets upset if you take a wrong turn, there's nobody telling you that you "don't need to buy that", and kids, birth stories, decorating and men are always acceptable topics of conversation! We had a blast and each of us had a spring in our step that is sometimes not there in the run of a usual day. We shopped to our hearts content, revelled in the bargains, ate what we wanted when we wanted and had many good laughs. If you can possibly go on a similar trip, do it. It will do your soul good!

As predicted, Target was a favorite of mine, but the highlight was The Christmas Tree Shop!! We were like excited schoolgirls as we picked up bargain upon bargain. I am preparing to decorate my pool area and they had tons of great stuff for that. Mum found beautiful lamps for $10 each and I found garden flags for $1.69 and those tin stars that are so popular were $3.99 for the huge ones! Why we pay $25 here for them I can't comprehend... The Shabby chic collection was better than ever and I bought a pillow for my bed that encompasses my style completely. It has pom pom fringe, a bluebird and the phrase "sweet dreams" on it. Perhaps a bit girly, but I'll make it work. Kohl's was a new stop for us. It turned out to be the best place to buy clothes!! I bought nine tops there that I love and along with an outfit for Sophie and a garden flag stand, spent just $150 for it all!! They had to drag me out of there!!!

I've posted some pictures of our trip and some of the treasures we picked up. The photo of the chandelier and dining table was taken at our hotel...very pretty. I hope I've inspired you to take yourself away for a girl's trip. We made great memories and vow to make it an annual event. What a great Mother's Day...