LURVE LOAVE LUFF

Let's get right to it, shall we?

Here's what made me feel all twitterpated, smile contagiously, giggle uncontrollably, etc.

• Meri Meri Holiday // My go-to company for keeping celebrations cute and cheerful. Their Christmas stuff is divine!
• Classic Stripe Napkins // I was a senior in high school the last time I celebrated Thanksgiving with my family. CRAZY!?! Now I'm married with a child and I get to take on the role of hostess. Yikes! I'll need linens and these napkin rings.
• She Was Beautiful Greeting Card // You guys, it's my mom's birthday today and this quote sums her up perfectly.
• Pom-Pom Loop // I need to get started on Christmas shopping. This is a front runner for snazzy family and friends.
• Roasted Turkey Hat // Squee! My mom sent a box full of party hats for everyone to wear on Thanksgiving Day.
• Five Recipes To Try This Thanksgiving // A handful of recipes to whip up next week. I've got my eye on the slab.
• Leisure Queen Sweatshirt // You know all of the women in the family will be relaxing in style with the Real Housewives.
• Kate Spade Holiday Lookbook // I'm studying the lookbook like I'm cramming for an exam. Must be ready for sales!
• Corgi Colorblock Socks // Who am I, Gwyneth Paltrow? Cashmere socks might seem frivolous, but these are pretty fab!
• Flannel Bedtime Gingham Shorts // We'll be lounging in Southwest Texas, so we must be rational about our jammies.
• Cactus Emoji Pin // A little flair ought to be a nice memento for my family as they celebrate Turkey Day in TX. 
• Drinky Low Ball // There will be no shortage of spirits when it comes to celebrating in Swell Rio. Gimme ALL the gin.
• Gather Appetizer Plate // Thanksgiving is a great opportunity to decorate with my favorite color—ORANGE. Yaaaaaas!
• Large Storage Basket // With my parents arriving tomorrow, I've been in full organization mode. This basket is a steal.
• Lemon Suede Superga Sneakers // I had no clue suede sneakers even existed until I was browsing Sole Society.

Happy Friday, m' dears! Make this weekend count.

THURSDAY'S THOUGHTS

VIA GREER CHICAGO

THINKING ABOUT: Last week, in a group text with my mom and sister, I got the honor of explaining what the acronym "AF" means to my mother when I said Max was being "moody AF" that day. Gulp! Now, my mom is pretty hip, so there was no need to panic like some of you might think, but I was at a loss when she asked WHY people say it. I mean, I don't know! I honestly assumed my mom knew what I meant when I sent the text based off her experience with social media. When you scroll through Instagram, you see it left and right. No, my monogram isn't being sprinkled on t-shirts and captions like I might wish. And NO, it definitely doesn't stand for Air Force, as my mom rightfully assumed. Ha Ha! After our silly exchange of slang enlightenment, my mother decided she still doesn't get why someone would don something that says "Married AF," but she will forever agree that Max is moody AF.   

THANKFUL FOR: Kudos to creative types like Jordan Ferney who constantly delivers incredible content and ideas to her readers via her blog/brand/shop Oh Happy Day. This particular DIY is an oldie but goodie that I stumbled upon on Pinterest recently. I completely forgot about it as it was originally published three years ago, but I ended up having supplies on hand to whip up a batch of these keepsakes yesterday morning. I think they're going to be a fantastic addition to our Thanksgiving celebration.

WATCHING: When you have a little boy you end up watching some really odd shows. Okay, I'm being nice. They're just plain weird! And boring. Since few subjects keep Max's interest like transportation (and trash), I decided to stream Mighty Machines on the iPad one morning so I could finish getting ready. Little did I know, I was making a HUGE mistake because the kid LOVES this snooze of a series and now I can't stop singing the theme song. Essentially, it's just a show with really grainy footage of machinery (we're talking film from the late 80s) and a narrator who makes random comments in various kid-friendly voices every 45 seconds. Yikes!

EATING: For all of my fellow salmon eaters who might be looking for ways to shake it up, here are two recipes I tried and loved...

Cajun Salmon with Salted Lime Butter via How Sweet Eats

Sheet Pan Roasted Chili-Orange Salmon with Garlic Green Veggies via Camille Styles

LISTENING TO: Max's fascination with trash is nothing new, but that doesn't mean Flyboy and I aren't going a teensy bit crazy by our kid's smelly obsession. Because our tot's vocabulary is still growing, he often explains his excitement by blurting out the words "trash" and "away" (mostly just "way") whenever he spots a dumpster, garbage truck, rubbish, etc. After a week of encouraging him to use other words to discuss the trash, the word garbage finally stuck. Unfortunately, Max likes to drop the "gar" portion of garbage and he just says "bage". As some of you may have noticed, it sounds a lot like the B word. Paired with his punctuated delivery, I feel like I'm living in this 2002 Ludicras single. Conversations with Max sound a lot like, "move 'BAGE, get out the WAY..."

READING: Earlier this week Elizabeth Logan wrote a piece for Glamour entitled, I Still Love My American Girl Dolls. It's Fine., and it truly felt as though someone hopped into my brain and stole my innermost thoughts. How did she know that whenever I visit my parents, I also sneak in a quick heart-to-heart with m' girl, Molly, when no one is watching (obvi), because I just want to check in on her and not have my parents, sister, or husband worry about my adult sanity. What's so wrong about that?! Try not to judge, but Logan had me at HELLO with a few of the following quotes in her article— I may have got a bit misty-eyed at the end.

Last time I was home, I gave the Nellie doll a tiny kiss on the forehead. It just happened, like a reflex. I couldn't control it and I didn't mean to do it and I think it surprised both of us. 

An American Girl Doll, at least in the late '90s, when Samantha came into my life, was a status symbol, because you can't give a kindergartener a Birkin. The dolls were expensive and had to be ordered via catalog; you couldn't just walk into Toys R Us and pick one up last-minute. With the price tag came value. The clothes and accessories were high-quality. The faces were washable and durable. It wasn't out of the question to think that a Samantha or a Molly or an Addy might one day find her way into the hands of her original owner's daughter. They came with books and back stories. Any kid could get into Barbie or Polly Pocket; American Girl Dolls were for the intellectual. In a pre-Rory Gilmore, pre-Hermione Granger world, American Girl Dolls were the go-to for girls who liked history and reading.

I can personally vouch for the quality of the American Girl Magazine, as it taught me everything I know about locker decorating and planning the perfect sleepover. And yet...Samantha used to come in a school-appropriate checkered dress and now she comes in a pink party outfit. Almost everything is now pink or purple or mint green. Which is not only historically questionable, it's insulting. As if girls can't like anything that's not aggressively "girly". 

Maybe the rose-tinted version of history isn't something I'm willing to get rid of. Maybe I never will be, even as I acknowledge and learn its flaws. Maybe, actually, I need it, to keep me grounded in a version of myself and a vision of the future I can make good use of. Caring for others and saving the day and learning lessons and, hell, optimism, were values that got me through a lot of potentially confusing years. I have, among so many other things, Nellie and Samantha to thank. And so even though I know they aren't real, I feel like the least I can do is make sure they are dressed okay. Not that looks are so important. But I would hate for them to be uncomfortable. 

LOVING: After the shock of last week's election, Emily Henderson invited readers who voted for Trump to share why they voted for the candidate in a polite dialogue in the comments section of her blog (read this post). As someone who also felt confused and disheartened by the outcome of last Tuesday's election, I found her reader feedback to be somewhat helpful. Emily certainly didn't have to open up her blog to controversial issues that have nothing to do with safe and fun topics like fabric swatches and tchotchkes, but I appreciate her intent. She's always appeared to be a very genuine blogger and I think she used her post as an opportunity to learn from those she might disagree with. As a result, readers like myself also benefited from the discussion. 

Enough about me. How are you feeling today? What are you up to? Thanks for stopping by!!

LIFE'S LITTLE DETAILS

"THE DETAILS ARE NOT THE DETAILS. THEY MAKE THE DESIGN." — CHARLES EAMES

Happy Wednesday, m' dears! These photos might not necessarily convey what it is that I've been feeling lately, but they're my honest attempt at finding cheer amongst the chaos. I have to; it's a matter of survival in Swell Rio these days. You see, I've been operating on a short fuse and I'm not proud of it. The busiest time of the year has only begun and it appears that I'm already coming undone. How?! Send help AND gin! Stat. To top things off, just when I think Max couldn't get any more unruly, I'm blown away by the new tricks he's got up his sleeve. Sweet readers, I'm tired of sounding like a broken record. I want to write about something NEW. But sometimes it feels as though I've been putting out fires with this child nonstop for the past two years and it's emotionally draining. Can a mother get a break?? I knew it was bad on Monday evening when we got home from one of Flyboy's work functions and our wily tot chucked his water bottle at a bookshelf. Internet, my inner Hulk was unleashed. In that moment Flyboy learned that I put the Ash in smash and it wasn't pretty. I was embarrassed and erupted in tears, but I was at my wit's end. Moments later my dear husband suggested we take Max to daycare sometime this week to give me a break. I typically have NO issues doing this as we've done it countless times, but something about FB's proposition made me feel really ashamed of myself.

No, these images don't document me chasing my toddler (who refused to wear both his slicker and wellies, which he typically LOVES) down the street in a downpour as I did last week—but if you look really close in the second photo there IS a gross booger on his cheek (#authentic). And they certainly don't say a thing about that moment last Thursday when my son watched me throw the truck he hit me with in the park trash can (#consequences). Sorry, I'm not sorry. I guess Chuck the truck is gone for good. Gulp!

There's nothing I want more than to genuinely enjoy motherhood, but lately Max has been giving me a run for my money. I'm burnt out, and I hate that feeling. Thankfully, my family's arrival is just days away and I keep clinging to that notion. If I keep my head down, don my snazziest flats, and stock up on ALL the toilet paper, Saturday will be here before I know it. Time together will be the perfect opportunity to hit the reset button, which I think it's clear after today's post somebody, ahem, could really use...

If the blog has felt a little stale lately, my sincerest apologies. 

Motherhood is exhausting and has been known to zap creativity from time to time. Ha!

FEATURED DETAILS: STRIPED TEE // DENIM // PLANNER // PEN // FANTASTIC TEE // RIBBON // PAJAMA SHIRT

LURVE LOAVE LUFF

Let's get right to it, shall we?

Here's what made me feel all twitterpated, smile contagiously, giggle uncontrollably, etc.

• Leather Pom-Pom Ballerina Flats // Aren't these incredible?! The mustard color and pom addition scream FALL FLAIR!
• Penelope Dullaghan's Illustrations // This week I've found so much joy in browsing Penelope's online portfolio. The Red Leaves and Boots piece might be my favorite as it celebrates Autumn in style and makes me wish I could jump in a ginormous pile of leaves. After poring over Dullaghan's artwork for days, I was delighted to see she was featured on A Cup of Jo in a Gif from this post, which was intended to celebrate unity, especially after Tuesday's dramatic election.
• Triangle Coin Purse // I'm starting to get antsy about Christmas gift ideas for family and friends. Let the scouting begin.
• Pintucked Lace Pencil Skirt // I scored this gem on promo earlier this week (HELLO 30% off!), and I'm eager to try it on.
• Amy Bernstein's Artwork // You guys, get ready to swoon when you lay eyes on this Portland-based artist's paintings. 
• Ice Skate Keychain // Attach this to your bag for a touch of seasonal whimsy and say buh-bye to stoopside scrambling.
• Midtown Beanie // I'd maybe get to don this playful piece once in Swell Rio, but that's a color combo hard to deny.
• Striped Scarf with Pom-Poms // This accessory is too good to be true. Stripes AND pom-poms?!? Bless you, J.Crew.
• Studio Oval Leather Minaudiere // Is it too early to embrace winter whites with this cute carryall? I'm obsessed!
• Fireplace Matches // With all the rainy weather we've had this week, I'd give anything to snuggle up fireside.
• Fairy Door // I really want to get one of these for our house. Max's imagination grows daily; this would be a riot!
• Standing Pen // Designed with function in mind, these pens remain upright when you're not using them. Genius!!

Happy Friday, m' dears! Make this weekend count.

THURSDAY'S THOUGHTS

HAND-DRAWN LOVE / 56 BY MADDY NYE VIA DESIGNLOVEFEST

THINKING ABOUT: Life with a toddler like Max is a lot like babysitting a drunk little frat boy 24/7. Emotionally he's either blissed out or on the brink of another meltdown. When I'm not ensuring his safety and preventing him from another wild stunt, I have to listen to him talk about the same four topics OVER and OVER, and he gets super testy if I don't act interested. Dude, I get it! You love planes, trains, trash, and trucks. Sigh. For some reason this analogy has helped me come to terms with this chapter of my life.

THANKFUL FOR: On Monday I got the chance to talk to someone I met a few years ago via blogging on the phone and it made my heart so happy! I'm usually pretty shy and stray away from this sort of stuff, but when she suggested we chat, I just kind of went with it and I'm really glad I did. Nervous jitters and flushed cheeks aside, she was just as gracious and humble as I imagined, so it was easy to relax and our conversation was very organic. I couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed because I rambled SO stinking much. I suppose my brain couldn't keep up with my thoughts. I was stupid giddy, but it was such a bright spot to my week!

WATCHING: Daylight Savings Time is kicking us in the pants. By the time we get Max to bed, we'll start watching something on the DVR but we end up dozing off and missing the entire show. I still haven't seen the RHONJ reunion. Did somebody say weak sauce?

EATING: It rained yesterday and the high was 65 degrees. Pinch me! That sort of crazy combination was practically begging for me to dust off m' cardigans and whip up a fresh batch of chili. Naturally, I found comfort in doing both and it was divine! While donning this sweater, I dabbled with Skinny Taste's Crock Pot Turkey White Bean Pumpkin Chili and it was a huge hit. My only recommendation would be to double down on the spices, but you can adjust the recipe to your liking. I kind of LOOOOOOOVE cumin. From the look and taste of things, I guess I can officially say It's FALL in Swell Rio, Y'ALL!

LISTENING TO: As I mentioned yesterday, we got family pictures taken this past Saturday and they feature a T-6 (the plane FB flies) in the background. While we were waiting for our turn to get photographed, we walked around the hangar and Max got the chance to kiss and hug one of the planes. His idea, not ours. Ha Ha! I'll admit it was incredibly precious in that moment, but we didn't realize that it might become an issue later this week when our dear tot decided it's necessary he kisses and hugs ALL of the planes (static displays, planes flying in the sky, etc.). Whenever we go on our morning strolls or we leave the base and head into town, he becomes upset because he wants to get up close and personal with any aircraft he lays eyes on. I've tried to explain to him countless times that we don't always get the privilege of smooching the planes as we'd like. Slowly but surely our flying floozy is beginning to understand. Instead of freaking out or fussing, I hear Max settling with air kisses and hugs instead. Oh dear!   

READING: It should come as no surprise that I cling to words. In times of joy and sadness, I like to work through my feelings by writing. I always have. And when I can't find accurate words to explain what it is that I'm experiencing, I'll hunt for the right quote to help navigate my feelings. I try to keep things light in this corner, but the election results on Tuesday left me disheartened. If you felt similarly, you might find solace in these words from Dr. Martin Luther King's Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech...

"I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality.

This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant."

LOVING: I snagged this Pintucked Lace Pencil Skirt in Emerald Pool on promo (30% off) this week, and I'm hopeful it will be perfect for upcoming holiday parties. Luckily I'll have my mom and sister around for some honest feedback when it arrives. Woo Hoo!

Enough about me. How are you feeling today? What are you up to? Thanks for stopping by!!

LIFE'S LITTLE DETAILS

"THE DETAILS ARE NOT THE DETAILS. THEY MAKE THE DESIGN." — CHARLES EAMES

Happy Wednesday, m' dears! I thought I'd keep today's post short and sweet as this week has been plagued with pesky migraines. I'd like to blame it on the election, but it's probably got more to do with the wonky Texas weather. Aside from adjusting to Daylight Savings Time (Yuck!) and voting, we stopped by the squadron for a rare family photo-op this past Saturday (we just need ONE good shot) and started preparing for Thanksgiving guests (Hooray!). Our average days are a lot brighter when there are unexpected Tulips at Wally World and Max is bestowed with thoughtful honks and waves from the local construction workers and our favorite garbage man. Simple joys like these are nice reminders to slow down and look for the good.

Enough about me. What's been a BRIGHT spot in your week?! I'm all ears.

LURVE LOAVE LUFF

Let's get right to it, shall we?

Here's what made me feel all twitterpated, smile contagiously, giggle uncontrollably, etc.

• Anne-Claire Petit // You guys! Promise me you'll check out the whimsical selection of crocheted items 100% handmade by a group of talented ACP artisans. Each piece is a work of art. It's hard to pick a favorite; they're all SO good.
• Goldie Pom-Pom Ankle Strap Flats // Welcome the holiday season with a whole lot of pom-pom pizzazz. How darling!?!
• Sugar Paper x Target // If you live near a Target, have you seen the latest selection of goodies from Sugar Paper? I can only imagine how fabulous it is in person. The wrapping paper alone left me speechless. I've currently got my eye on this cobalt agenda, ballpoint set (stripes AND dots), washi tape, and let's not forget the scalloped business card holder.
• Pivot Black Table Lamp // I'm utterly impressed with Article's affordable selection of furniture and accessories.
• Raven Address Book // I try to stay organized as often as possible, but my "address book" is in shambles. I'm talking about an old Kate Spade agenda (2009) that's stuffed with an embarrassing amount of post-it notes and envelopes with addresses. I have NO idea why I've yet to update my system, but this beauty by Rifle makes the task enticing.
• Lace Peplum // To say I'm smitten with this top would be an understatement. Fuchsia Bloom or Faded Teak?!
• Leather Travel Case Set // I've got gift giving on the brain and this checks the box for both pretty AND practical. Score!
• Dilworth Shades // How adorable are these champagne sunnies?? The shape is fun and Hockney-esque! Am I right?
• Iron Anchor Paperweight // Coming in at $8, this is SO giftable! Hang it on a wall or display it on a stack of books.
• DROP Bottle // It made the OPRAH'S FAVORITE THINGS cut, so it must be flipping fabulous. Oh my GOLD, I love it!
• 2016 Holiday Collection // Attention fellow Kate Spade fanatics! The holiday lookbook is insanely wonderful. Who doesn't want a T-Rex Crossbody Bag? You know it's Max approved! Oh, and of course this Drake Tufted Sofa paired with the Abstract Vine Pillow are at the top of my Lust List. Damn champagne taste on a beer budget...
• Threshold Bar Cart // This treasure from Target is not only budget-friendly, but it also gets really great reviews. Bonus!

Happy Friday, m' dears! Make this weekend count.

THURSDAY'S THOUGHTS

THINKING ABOUT: I've got Thanksgiving on the brain (HELLO, FAMILY!), and I can't help but think about what we'll eat and how I'll decorate. Since my mom will be around, I don't have to worry too much about the menu or the dreaded turkey, so I'm focusing most of my hostess energy on the table. I'm thinking something along the lines of this DIY Ombre Mini Pumpkin Centerpiece via Oh Happy Day that I bookmarked awhile back. Every store seems to be ALL about Christmas now that Halloween is over, so I should probably buy all the mini pumpkins I can scrounge in Swell Rio before they disappear. Welp, looks like I'm off to HEB and Walmart!

THANKFUL FOR: Two weeks ago we were at the park visiting with a little girl and her mom when Max took it upon himself to put sand in the little girl's pigtails. Gulp! The mother was understandably unimpressed and went on to tell me that she'd have to give her daughter ANOTHER bath because of the mess. Oops! Imagine my surprise on Monday when we found ourselves at the same park with the same people and Max decided to sprinkle dirt in his new friend's updo instead. Oh, grrrrrrrrrrreat. Thankfully, the three-year-old's mother was chatting with her mom friend in the distance and I had the opportunity to quickly clean the mess from her mane, pay the child off with a few bags of fruit snacks, and quietly exit the scene of the crime with my wily toddler in tow. 

WATCHING: Who's excited about the Real Housewives of Orange County reunion next week?! This season has been so extreme; I can't even begin to imagine how bad the reunion could get. From the looks of this trailer, we're in for an ugly treat. Sigh. A part of me just really misses the old days when Tamra and Vicki got along, and I could overlook Heather's haughty ways in the name of her fancy pants nature. It's not that I want to give the OG of the OC and her new friend Kelly a pass because they've both been downright nasty and delusional (as per usual), but the other girls aren't innocent either. They're all so mean and spiteful, I can't even begin to decide who's at fault. On a more positive and superficial note, Vicki has NEVER looked better. Am I right??

EATING: If you're in to meal planning and you're looking to shake things up, I've got a few pin-worthy recipes I tried and loved... 

Turkey + Green Chile Meatballs via Camp Patton

Queso Fundido via What's Gaby Cooking

Asian Turkey Meatballs with Lime Sesame Dipping Sauce via Skinny Taste

Slow Cooker Black Bean Pumpkin Turkey Chili via Ambitious Kitchen (AMAZING!!)

Easy BLTA Wraps via Yummy Healthy Easy

Spicy Chinese Noodles via Hollywood Housewife

LISTENING TO: Lately I've relied on Pandora to select tunes for my morning spin sesh—a rather spontaneous move for a control freak like me—and for five days straight I've started my workout to John Legend's latest single Love Me Now. I can't say I mind beginning my day to this heartwarming ballad, although it is a bit softer than I'd typically choose for sprints and climbs, but I digress. Now that I've listened to the song multiple times, it would only make sense for me to be drawn to the poignant message behind the lyrics, but instead it just makes me think of Chrissy Teigen's Buttermilk Biscuits and Macaroni and Cheese recipes.    

READING: Here are a few articles I enjoyed when I wasn't pillaging the pantry for Goldfish crackers or building LEGO trucks...

Dogs Understand How Much We Love Them via Town & Country

I Was Perpetually Angry Until Joy Became My Primary Goal via Hands Free Mama

Let Us Be Small via Design For Mankind

Regine Schumann Fluorescent Acrylic Glass Art via Trendland

Why I Wore A Gorilla Costume To A Mother/Child Photoshoot via The Ugly Volvo

How To Raise Kinder, Less Entitled Kids (According To Science) via The Washington Post

The Question via Design For Mankind

LOVING: Kerastase's Elixir Beautifying Oil Cream is the answer to all of my frizzy nightmares. I put a little bit of this in my damp hair before I blow dry, and I'm in awe of what it does to the texture of my dull and lifeless mop. It's way more user-friendly than the oil.

Enough about me. How are you feeling today? What are you up to? Thanks for stopping by!!

LIFE'S LITTLE DETAILS

"THE DETAILS ARE NOT THE DETAILS. THEY MAKE THE DESIGN." — CHARLES EAMES

Happy Wednesday, m' dears! Let's get on with the delightful deetz, shall we?!

• October is typically one of my favorite months, but it was extra busy this year and for that reason I'm SO ready to say HELLO to November. My family will be coming to Swell Rio for Thanksgiving this year and I couldn't be more excited!! In fact, whenever Max and I get out this face puzzle, every blonde creation tends to be named MiMi. Seventeen days!
• As evident from today's batch of photos, Max refused to wear his Wild Things costume. Sigh! I tried to prepare myself for this scenario as much as possible, but after several attempts to get him to warm up to the ensemble over the weekend, Flyboy and I felt it was best to just throw in the towel and let him wear his flight suit instead. Um, could we BE any more basic?! Ha Ha! On the bright side, the three of us sat in the front yard and passed out candy to trick-or-treaters without any Max-related meltdowns, so the 2016 costume crisis was averted. Bless it! Something tells me my grandma knew this was inevitable because the costume is big enough for our wild one to wear next year. Yasssssssss!
• Call me crazy, but with the exception of Christmas time, I'm tempted to keep a few of the bats displayed on the gallery wall in Max's room year round. In the name of bat season in Austin or Batman, they're sort of simple and fun!
• HEB and Walmart have been letting me down BIG time in the flora department lately, so I had no choice but to take matters into my own hands last week and cut off a few branches from our Bougainvillea plant. It might not be very "fall" like or festive, but that's what the pumpkins are for. Right?! A punchy pop of pink never goes out of style.
• The Margot Top from J.Crew (as featured in Monday's Treat Yo Self post) has quickly become one of my fall favorites. It's easy to keep casual or dress up, and it jives well with our current warm weather. Of course, I'm REALLY eager to pair it with my trusty cardigans as soon as the Texas temps allow for it. That sounds ideal right about now!
• My father-in-law sent me this adorable print from Sugar Paper for my birthday and I think it suits the space in my bathroom quite perfectly. On days when I feel like a hot mess, at least I know that one of us has got it together.
• Do you see that last image of Max? I can't help but smile when I see the way his lips are situated and part of me gets incredibly giddy whenever I can document it with my camera. I like to refer to this particular expression as the "billfold lip." It's the same way my dad's mouth rests whenever he organizes his wallet and counts his money. I still recall the first time I watched Max make this face and I knew I'd seen it a thousand times before. Ah-ha! It's the billfold lip.

Enough about me. How the heck are you?! Did you have a HAPPY Halloween??