SWIM SUITS AND STUFF.......

My new swimsuit finally came yesterday in the mail. Swimsuits aren't that easy for me to find and I usually have to order them online, so I have been patiently waiting.  I have a "busty" frame and have trouble finding ones that lift, support, and conceal my "girls." Ha!  Last year, I found a website called "Linda-The Bra Lady." Her store is in New York City and she specializes in bras of all sizes....little AND big. I guess she is a famous bra lady or something because she was recently featured on my favorite show, Bethany Ever After.  I decided to give her stuff a try last year and was thrilled with the two suits I got from her.  I wasn't all that thrilled with the patterns, more the fit.  I just realized this past year that I can't get too caught up on the size on the tag. If it fits properly, it will look MUCH better then squeezing into something just because it is a smaller size.  Without further adoo, here is the suit of 2011!

It is actually pretty cute on. I am a confident girl when it comes to my arms, my legs, my bottom,  my hair, and my abitilty to tan :). But when it comes to my tummy and chest, I get a little self-conscious.  This suit is perfect at helping me hide those insecurities.  It keeps the girls, "high and dry" and I don't mind the pattern....I mean, I would prefer it to be black with a leopard trim or something, but this isn't bad either. I can wear it with black accessories, but bright red might be fun too!  Anyhoo.....it wasn't cheap.....$185.....but it will be worth it if I feel good in it......


I picked up Lulu from doggie daycare last night and she was so happy to see me but she was EXHAUSTED.  We went home and watched the movie, Country Strong, with Gwyneth Paltrow and Tim McGraw....It was delicious.  I LOVED it. I am now obsessed.   Rent it...you won't regret it.

Shout out to my boss, Bonnie. It is the 15th anniversary of her 34th birthday. You do the math.....
                             HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOSS LADY!!!!!!!
I think she should take us all out for happy hour to celebrate! Ha!

More tomorrow.....

Smooches,

THE DARLING DIVA

TAIL WAGGING TUESDAY- VOL 2

It's that time of the week again! Tail Wagging Tuesday! 

This week's theme is: Your pet's favorite toy. Lulu loves her some hamburger! It's so cute when she runs out of her kennel with it and takes is to "her spot." Then she just lays next to it, as if she is protecting it from me. I guess she has seen me devour too many hamburgers! HA!

She won't even let it out of her sight when she sleeps! She is just too much!

I could just eat her up.....and the hamburger too! Ha!



Smooches,

The Darling Diva

I'M BAAAAAAACK!!!!!

I landed last night from Cali around 10:30 PM. It was a fairly easy travel day. Until I got to the airport parking lot and forgot where I parked.  I was FOR SURE that I parked at the B6 stop. Turns out, it was B13.  I was close! HA!  I flagged down a parking lot attendant and he drove me around for about 25 mins before I saw my car.  I almost cried I was so happy. The man was so kind and patient with me.  You don't really realize how many navy blue Explorers there are until you are forced to pick yours out of flock of 10,000 cars. He didn't say much when we were driving around but when I got of the car he looked at me and all he said was, "Rock Chalk Jayhawk." And I knew I was home.  Always an adventure with me. Ha!

I don't have much to say today but I did want to let you about a WONDERFUL book I am reading.  I swear, I couldn't put it down the whole trip. It made a 4 hour flight seem like 30 mins. Seriously.  It's called, "The Help". It's written by Kathryn Stockett.

My Mom gave it to me after she, my aunt, and a couple of her friends read it.  Again, I can't put it down. I am excited to go home and finish it tonight and then pass it along to a friend.

I don't have much going this evening except for picking up Lulu from doggie daycare. I can't wait to see her cute little face. I hope she is as excited to see me. 

Welp, I had a great time at home and miss my family already. I'll leave you with a pic of my favorite Cali girl, Crystal...Giving me her best diva look..........Miss ya and our little walks!

There are a lot of exciting things happening in the Leland household! Stay tuned!

Smooches,

THE DARLING DIVA

IT'S MY PARTY AND I'LL LAUGH IF I WANT TO......

So last night my little brother and his wife came down to go to dinner with my parents and me.  They live about 2 hours from my parents and are extremely busy as police officers keeping our street safe so any time they can make for us is really exicting.  Mom had set up a pedicure appointment for me so Bo and Robin picked me up and we headed to meet my parents at Papapavolos. Turns out IT WAS A SUPRISE PARTY FOR ME!  The waitress opened the door the private room and all my loved ones were there shouting, "SUPRISE!" I was shocked because my birthday isn't actually for a month.  My parents will be in Euroupe during my actually birthday and there is no way for the rest of my family to get to me in KS, so I guess they decided to celebrate early. I have no problem with that! Ha!  My Mom and her friend had decorated the room, Stef style.  There was a huge HAPPY BIRTHDAY sign that had glitter with jewel colors. Standard for an Amanda birthday.  She had a the table in a pink table cloth and napkins that said, "30 is the new 20." Amen, sistah.  I also had my own birthday girl glass and wine stopper.  The room was also decorated with pics of me and all the special people throughout the years.  The whole thing was perfect.

We spent the whole night laughing and telling stories. My extended family really has a great time together and we have some huge characters!  To top it all off, my parents surprised me with my favorite coffee cake. The waiter even tried to put 30 candles on there. Bless his heart. I would have been fine with just 1! Ha!  I felt very special and loved, and also really spoiled! On top of many other gifts,  I got Tory Burch flips AND my diamond cross. I loved everything but the greatest gift was just spending time with my family.   Needless to say, I am grateful for everything, especially them. Once again, my Mom outdid herself with the planning and I am so thankful!

Like I said, my birthday isn't till next month so I am still 29 and holding........

Smooches,

THE DARLING DIVA  

THE MOTHERSHIP

Hey everyone!!! Miss me?!?!?!  HA!  Well, I know it's only been a couple of days since I've landed in sunny California, but lots of exciting things have already happened. Yesterday my Mom and I met my Aunt Jeannie in the city to look for a new setting for the diamond that was passed down to her from my Grandma.  It was a great day.  The Jewelry Mart in San Francisco is my heaven, my mothership.  I thought that going to the original Tiffany's in New York City was a thrill, but this place is even better. Mainly because the selection is much bigger AND you get a great deal (At least the is how we sold it to my Uncle Bud. HA!). The ambiance leaves a little to be desired, but who really cares when you are surrounded by so many DIAMONDS! You have to be a member or a guest of a member to gain access to "the vault" which is where all the goods are.  My Auntie Chris (the original diva) has made great friends with a jeweler there- suprise, suprise- so he got us in. My Mom also took my brother to this same jeweler when he was picking out an engagement ring for Robin. Needless to say, he was excited to see us Leland women! Ha!  We ended up finding the ring at a little boutique type shop, after looking at several other places.  You all know that my jewelry mantra is, "bigger is better" but I wasn't sure if my Aunt Jeannie felt the same way. Let me tell you.....homegirl jumped right into the bling! I loved it!

Isn't it beautiful?!?! I am so happy for Aunt Jeannie that she finally got a chance to pick out a ring she loved. And boy did she do it RIGHT! Side note: Uncle Bud probably won't let her go shopping alone with us again, EVER. But he did tell her she could get whatever she wanted, so we ran with that.  What a good hubby. They are so cute!

I also got a little something from the jeweler my family always uses, but my Mom is holding it hostage until my 30th birthday. That is fine with me cause I will need something to pick me up on that depressing day. I'm still 29 and holding.......

On the way home Mom and I stopped at In and Out Burger. We don't have one in KS so it is a must whenever I go home.....delicious.........

Pretty much a perfect day!  Talk at you all soon!


Smooches,


THE DARLING DIVA

HOME SEET HOME!!!!!!!!

Let me tell you.....I am excited!!!!!! Tonight I'm hoping on a plane and heading home to California to hang out with my family for a few days. I haven't been back since Christmas and this chica is homesick. (Side note: I get to have my hair done before I leave so this is a DOUBLE great day.) Anyhoo, eventhough I live far away, I am in constant touch with my family.

Aren't we a handsome looking crew? I can't wait to see everyone and just hang out. There is lots planned, but also lots of downtime. My grandmother recently passed away, so the first thing on my list is to give my Grandpa a big squeeze. My Mom has specific instructions not to overschedule me (she has been guilty in the past) but we do have lots of fun things going on. Shopping, pedicures, shopping, hanging out with Auntie Chris (the original diva), shopping, sleeping in, shopping, and working out. I even get to go into SF and help my Aunt Jeannie design her new wedding ring using a diamond passed down to her from my Grandma. Can't wait.

I am going to miss my Lulu but it won't be that bad because my parents basically have her twin. Although their dog is much older and much bigger (kidding, Mom). Her name is Crystal is she is a diva too. We compete for all the attention when I am home. Ha!  She is pictured below in her princess bed, which was a gift from Lulu.

I'm not sure what type of blogging acess I will have while I'm home so this might be the last you will hear from me for a couple of days. Don't fret, I will be in good hands. If you need a visual, I will leave you with this image:

My Momma at her front door!!!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Smooches,

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

As promised, they are too cute for words....My two little "newphews", Kingston and Sawyer (everyone else is featured in a previous post).

Smooches,