"I'll Remember"

 Hello Everyone,
   With just one month left here in Memphis, I find myself treasuring each party we have left to attend seeing as they might be the last time I will see some of the great people we met in Memphis. I am also saying, "goodbye" to people once or twice a week, and having to explain to Layth why he will not see some of his friends "tomorrow." One person, in particular, that breaks my heart thinking about is Zach, my friend Tharwa's son. Born within six weeks of each other, Zach has become Layth's best friend whom he asks for each day we are out. Although Layth is too young to fully comprehend that we are moving, it is sad to explain to him why he won't possibly see Zack tomorrow or this weekend and how we are moving. And then, with his big brown eyes asks " why" and seeing his worried face breaks my heart. Zack and Tharwa are one of many people we will have a hard time letting go of when we move. Today, too, we bade farewell to another family, who began residency with us and tomorrow will be saying good bye, to the families at Evergreen. I honestly believe the hardest part of moving is not the packing or the endless calls to moving companies in search for the best quote, but allowing yourself to let go and move on. Even though I never thought to myself I would miss Memphis, something about it and the life we established here has drawn me in. Maybe it is our friends, or that it forever be the city in which Layth was born in, or the low cost of living and lack of traffic; regardless, Madonna sums it up perfectly in her song, I'll Remember, "And I finally know why I have a reason why/ I'll remember." I do not if we will back for a future ENT graduation or if the wind will blow us back in this direction and offer Chafeek an amazing Head and Neck Cancer position, but I'm happy to say I am leaving with no regrets and a full heart!

Saying " Goodbye" @ Panera Bread

Wasting Our Afternoons at Lifetime

Hello Everyone,

  I hope you're enjoying the beginning of Summer, and the kids getting out of school! However, for us Memphians, it is the one season we all dread: the mosquitoes, the 100 + summers and the scorching sun! Growing up in Florida, I did not mind the summers so much because they were either spent at the beach or the pool. And with us being at the disadvantage of not owning a pool, I was determined to enjoy our last Memphis summer. And so, when our good friend Tharwa suggested we join her family for an evening swim at Lifetime Fitness in Collierville, I willingly agreed. The forty five minute drive and 35 miles that it took to get there each way did not bother me, I was going to be in a pool this summer! Chafeek, on the other hand, thought I was crazy and impractical for agreeing to drive all the way out there for a pool, as would a bunch of others! But it's Lifetime, how can you not be willing to work out at one of the nations' best gyms is what I say.  Regardless, I had to see if Layth liked it, and he fell in love with it! Upon waking up from his nap the next morning, he insisted he wear his " turtles" i.e. his swimsuit and see Zack ( who has now become synonymous with Lifetime, since he asks about him every time we go), indicating to me we needed to get membership! Since obtaining membership three weeks ago, we have been there a total of seven times ( how's that for not caring about the longevity of the drive!) and utilize their pool! It's also perfect for me on Layth's day off from school, because it gives me an easy option to choose on how to best fill our days without one of us yearning to go home and take a nap! It also helps me to get a workout in, since Layth insists he go to the babysitting and be with the other children. Personally, if they had babysitting facilities like the one Lifetime has built for its members, I would have loved spending time there as a child! Therefore if you want to find us this summer, we will be at Lifetime swimming and/or having smoothies in their cafe! And yes, I still believe it's worth the drive!

Looking on to see if we arrived!

Playing in the fountains

Trending Now: Pink Pumps!!

 Ever since Jennifer Lopez aka J.Lo stepped onto the red carpet in her pink Casadei pumps and yellow Michael Kors dress, her picture keeps resurfacing itself on blogs, fashion magazines and as one of the top trends to look our for summer.And personally, it is a style I can totally envision myself wearing! I love how both the neon yellow and hot pink accent each other without distracting your attention, it also does not bring back the obnoxious neon colors the eighties were known for! Instead this look is rather fun and sophisticated! Here are some cheaper alternatives to obtain J.Lo's classy look!

Ami Clubwear $25.95

Dolce Vita, $89.95

Aldo $ 89.95

If I were to choose to purchase a pair of hot pink pumps, I would invest in getting my first pair of Christian Louboutin! 

Christian Louboutin $895

Flocking to Vintage

Hello Everyone,
  With our impending move on its way, I find myself drifting from one style to the next. Before I use to gravitate  toward pieces that were unique, glitzy and would definitely get myself recognized, which, yes I know, may sound conceited but at least I am being honest! And now, I am choosing more bohemian like pieces with a classic twist. I'm also purchasing more vintage type items that won't ever go out of style, one place, in particular to help me with this is Hoot +Louise located in downtown Memphis. Only recently have I discovered that store, and I love it! Another store I came to love in my time here in Memphis, but recently closed was Paisley on the Square located in historic downtown Collierville. I mention these because whenever the word " vintage" comes up in subject immediately people think used clothes or thrift shops, when in reality, vintage inspired pieces can be found everywhere, you just have to keep an eye out for them. Another reason, why I have decided to break away from my typical style is to be able to cosign, sell or donate some of my gently used items in the future. Since I've learned about this move, I have been driving to consignment shops, listing things on eBay and donating things to  only to be greeted with the "we can't resale" response. And when I would ask, " why", they would respond, " It's either gone out of style or soon will be." Therefore prompting me to change my style, and change my wardrobe entirely while still looking both elegant and classy, two things Coco Chanel insists every woman should be! And so, I am going to share some pieces I found at Bloomingdale's that aren't necessarily vintage, but vintage inspired that will help to build your summer wardrobe.

Red Shiloh 770 Red Orange Tunic

Current Elliot Rosewood Capris-

DVF Wrap Dress

Marc by Marc Jacobs Aviator Sunglasses 

 Michael by Michael Ors

Kate Spade New York Dress

Packing, Moving and Consignment Sales ( Wish I Participated in More of Them!)

Hello Everyone!
   With the move less than six weeks away, it seems that every spare moment we have is spent packing! And if we aren't packing, we're donating items to the school and/or thrift shops, selling things on Craig's List and participating in consignment sales. However, with the season for consignment sales being over, I've been taking my chances with " Once Upon a Child, and have not been too happy with the results. Since they sell everything for 70% less than what it retails for, and you only receive 1/3 of what they price it at, you're basically donating it with probably one or two dollars in your pocket for compensation. While I believe there are many moms in need of baby items for much less, if you are looking to cosign and make a profit from your children's gently used clothing, I'd wait to cosign in the consignment sales. Again, I do not have that option! But I have taken the liberty upon myself to start putting up  items on eBay and found myself making more profit than what I would otherwise receive  from Once Upon a Child or their sister store, Plato's Closet. And so, for all those moms who are looking to rid their closet of items and have time to spare, wait for the consignment sales. We, on the other hand, have been participating in endless charity drives, mostly to benefit the Syrian orphans, in hopes to rid ourselves of the weight ( I would love to keep every single item of Layth's since they do hold a special place in my heart). As a result, we have boxes  worth of clothing and toys making their way to Syria. But as this move draws nearer, I wish I had cosigned everything, since not everything sells in these sales. Instead I only gave what I could part with, or what I thought would sell. Next time I am taking the chance, and cosigning everything; particularly, since two movers have informed us the majority of our weight will be tied in clothing and baby items! It would definitely have made this move easier and allowed me to enjoy more of Memphis :)

Go Grizz!!!

Hello Everyone,
 If most of you don't now already know we will be moving in six short weeks and have so much to do before then. But one thing, I will not allow this move to prevent me from doing is enjoying a Grizzlies game! Unlike  a few Memphians, we were actually fans of the local team long before they made it to the playoffs! I would not call us avid fans who attend every home game, but we do try and catch at least four to five games a year. This year we were lucky enough to attend the Grizzlies vs Bulls game, the Grizzlies vs Lakers game and the Grizzlies vs Suns game, all equally exciting games since we were torn between who to route for, our new found local team or our previous teams we have long since had a connection with. However, the Memphis in us took over, and it was the Grizzlies we cheered for! Therefore when it came time for the playoffs, I was determined to attend at least attend one before we move, and we did! In Game two of the Grizzlies vs Clippers series, we were " believers" and attended with all of three of us in tow. And the game being at 8:30 did not deter us either, we were going to cheer for our Grizzlies.  In retrospect, I think the game being that late worked in our favor because I was able to take Layth on his evening bike ride, bathe and feed him before the game i.e. rid his energy in hopes that he will be willing to sit for two hours, and he did! I also think the loud cheering and energy generated from the crowd helped in keeping him entertained. And so, at 8:19 pm the three of us made our way to the Fed Ex Forum where everyone was adorned in blue, white and yellow attire ( ourselves included) and began to partake in the evenings events. We normally try and skip the crowds and go to the game about six minutes into the first quarter to cut Layth's sitting time.  But now regret doing so, because half the excitement is seeing all the fans gathering into the Grind house cheering on our team! Although Chafeek insists he could have done without the excitement and easily watched the game at home, he was more into the game than I expected him to be. Thankfully, the Grizzlies did not disappoint Chafeek because all the way home we were refreshing our funs checking the score ( we left with three minutes left in the fourth quarter to avoid the crowds), and the Grizz had won! We are believers, and will without doubt miss the Grizzlies and all the excitement they generate, because the Golden State Warriors ( our soon to be new local team) won't have anything on them!

The three of us adorned in Grizz Gear 

 Prepping for the big game against the Clippers

 Boooo!!

 The Grizz Girls looking over the Bulls 

My motto for this game was, "I'll be happy with whoever  wins!"