stolen, acknowledgement, a highway + puffy eyes

let me begin by announcing that I've now listened to the following song 8 times, ok make that nine as I type this post. Thank you Katie for letting me know that this song was released YESTERDAY and for Alicia for posting the video on her blog, which motivated me to do the same on my blog for your hearing & viewing pleasure.

You're welcome.

Jimmy, are you talking about the time that was spent in a relationship built on a lie? Or are you talking too about a girl that got away? In any case, I want to be stolen away, but there is not a boyfriend to steal me back. lol.

On a related note, I walked w/James & his nephew to Walgreens yesterday. The only real mission was to pick up 72ct paper plate packs that were on sale for 99cents with the in-ad walgreens coupon. Well, I decided to give in to my craving of not-good-for-you-bloat-you-up-too-much-sugar soda.

There I was in deep thought, staring at the refrigerator case swishing my gaze back and forth between wild cherry pepsi or classic coca-cola when I heard,

"hey Brittany." in a manly but friendly voice.

I replied, "who is telling me this?" as I turned around to the left to find one of my favorite Walgreens employees holding a brown box.

"Oh hi Jim. How are you? Yeh, I am trying to decide which soda I want. I rarely drink soda but once in a while I get a craving."

Jim, "yeh me too. though I haven't drank soda I think in like a year."

Wow, I thought. Quite impressive.

Me: "wow that's really good. Oh gosh am i in your way? I am in your way." as I see that he's holding a box of soda that needs to be filed into the slots in the refrigerator case.

Jim: "oh no problem. I'll be out of your way in a sec."

By this time in our convo, James walked up to me as he was further down the aisle. When I turned around again, Jim was gone.

The point of me sharing this story is that it's nice when someone acknowledges you.
That they don't pretend you are not there.

It sort of irritates me when you know you know someone and they know they know you, yet when they see you they don't even say hi?!?
Or when you're in a store or some tight space and you make eye contact with someone and then later they scoot around you and don't say anything.

Maybe they are just preoccupied?
Maybe they don't see you/me? hmm? How could they not see a bulky wheelchair?lol
Maybe they are superficial?
Maybe they only want to be friendly or be a friend when it's convenient for them?
Or maybe they feel insecure?

I always aim to make people feel comfortable around me.

so back to the story. it sort of gave me a mini confidence boost in just the fact that this kind, helpful & handsome guy of the opposite sex talked with me. noticed me. that he could have went in another aisle working without saying hello. but no, he chose to extend this friendly gesture and as simple as it was, it made my day.

Next on my mind, as much as Taylor Swift annoys me (in the past year prob because she is EVERYWHERE) + im not saying I don't like her because I don't know her & how can I judge someone I don't even know; i have to say that I thoroughly am loving this song she is featured on with Tim McGraw &Keith Urban. I am so ready to take a road trip along the highway now! thanks guys!

Yesterday I was feeling pretty blah. I don't know if it was because I was so tired or my allergies, but my eyes got puffy and then later itchy.

hence the barely there eye makeup

Those puppies got all better once I took a benedryl around 9pm. I wasn't sneezing or having a running nose. How could I not know that it was my allergies when i had puffy + itchy eyes?? Blonde moment there! which btw, I don't mean to diss any blondes whatsoever..it's just the stereotypical joke. You don't know but i used to be nearly blonde because I used to get my hair highlighted every 6-8 weeks without fail! anyways, I get ditzy sometimes truth be told. Brunettes are and can be ditzy too. Who cares?! ahhhhhhhh.

This is how I feel.

naptime anyone?

real fashion with eShakti {review} & discount!

*this post sponsored by eShakti. top was given in exchange for a review. however, all opinions and thoughts are completely, 100% honest and my own.

If you been browsing online for a while or are even a blogger, you'd know that eShakti.com is a popular online retailer. I think I first heard about them two years ago and I've been hooked ever since. They have a wide variety of tops and skirts, but are more famous for the vintage inspired dresses that I absolutely love! All apparel comes in sizes 0 to 36W!

Last month, I took advantage of a 20% coupon code they offered on a blogger's site and a $25 credit for first time orders to purchase my very first dress from eShakti! If  you live in U.S. or Canada & you've never ordered from eShakti before, be sure to register to get your $25 coupon! It really does help!

Now, I was totally excited when eShakti contacted me for a review. I chose this bow tie chambray top since I have been wanting a chambray top for a long while. I feel like it's a classic piece of clothing that will never become outdated. I love the whimsy feel of the large bow. The pleating flatters my middle section.

I opted to use their customization tool to ensure that the top would fit me better. As being a really petite person, I am about 4'10, and not proportionate to most standard cuts of clothing. My waist and bust measurements are early the same! lol. I mostly have problems with clothes fitting me too loose at the shoulders, sometimes too wide around the arm holes, fitting my bust, and then being too tight at my waist! boo.

 

However, with this bow tie chambray top I felt comfortable in it. The top was forgiving and fit lovely. There was no gaping around my arms to see part of my side or back! Amazing! You know I sure did enter 12 in the upper arm measurement! The only complaint I have is that after a while of moving, the shirt rose and bunched at my shoulders in the back. I kept needing to pull the shirt down. It's not eShakti's fault, it's probably because of me sitting in my wheelchair as it's a more structured, mid-weight material & I do not have the best posture.

Also to be noted is that the first time you'd like to possibly customize a dress, skirt or top, it's free of charge, otherwise it's $7.50 which is not that bad considering you are going to receive a garment that fits you in all the right places, according to your size! I love this feature that eShakti provides! If my budget was bigger, I'd totally be ordering more clothing as I love the vintage looks and the option to have a more modest style with added sleeves or changing the neckline or hemline.

If you're looking for some inspiration check out their pinterest page or keep up with them on facebook.

On my wishlist is: the bicycling poplin dress , make a beeline poplin dress and the be a sweetheart dress!

Thank you eShakti for making beautiful, well made clothes and helping me feel more confident & fashionable!

The sweet people at eShakti want you to have the same great experience I had so they are offering my dear readers an exclusive coupon code: BELQUN to get 20% OFF valid thru 04/30/13!

Now you can maybe treat yourself! Do you need a dress for an upcoming friend's wedding? Or a new skirt to wear on your next date? EShakti has you covered!

Tell me, what is on your wishlist? let me know so we can see if we are twins-ies.
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*fyi, conditions apply with code:

Code has to be entered in the 'Privilege Discount' box.  No Minimum Order Value.  The discount code is not case sensitive.  The code can be used any number of times until the validity period. This code can be clubbed with any other gift coupon or gift card in the same order.  This discount code is not applicable on our Overstock category. Not applicable on previous purchases.  

weekend update.

Spring cleaning & organizing is in full swing around here. My nurse Sandy is going to hold a yard sale possibly this weekend or next, so we are all going through our belongings and sorting & pricing things for the sale. I can't wait!

On saturday, had a slow start to my day. I got ready and got to hang out with my friend Tessa. We went to the mall & mainly shopped at forever21. No major damage there except I got a new top that I am hoping to wear with a future purchase of skinny colored jeans. I am STILL on the lookout for ones that are cheap and that will actually fit my wide waist/hips & short legs. Oh & I also brought home chicken caesar salad from Paradise...that was yummy.

So here's the story of how we attempted to get to the mall:

We walked to the bus stop about 10 minutes before it was due to arrive. Well, I saw Tessa wave to the bus as it was approaching (my back was turned to it) and as I turned around, i waved at him too and the drive did not even turn his head. in fact, he was kinda speeding by, not driving with caution that he may need to stop! So in the end, he totally passed us and did not stop for us!! This is the second time this has happened since August. I am not sure if it's the same bus driver though i have a feeling it is. We couldn't get a good description of him because he was whizzing by! When we walked back to my house (this bus only comes every hour), we called customer relations and filed a complaint! Other than that happening, we had a jolly afternoon.

Yesterday I woke up with my ear popping weirdly and hurting. I also was so dang tired as I only got 4 hours of sleep the prior night. You could basically say and see that I was out of it. I got dressed nicely and put my makeup on. I took 2 benedryl's at 10am as we thought that maybe my ear prob was allergy/sinus related. It was still bothering me after and i then took mucinex at 12 noon. My morning was energetic but once 1pm rolled around my energy level was going downhill and by 2:30pm, I needed a nap. It's feeling fine today, but I am not too certain about it's "recovery."

I failed to take some entertaining photos this weekend, but here is one of me and mr. z. He's my friend & caregiver's dog. This photo was taken after we took him on a walk last evening as the weather was delightful.

he kept licking my face. I told him NoOo not my makeup lol

my little buddy

bookies.

like just how I go through phases of things, like:

1. being on a corn tortilla chip eating kick 
(true story. I have 1.25 opened bags right now.)
2. wearing neutral eyes with a pop of fuchsia on the lips

...i go through reading a book or two or three in a short amount of time.

On Monday (3 days ago) my mama bought me a new book from Target( also it's a target book club pick!), called Garden of Stones by Sophie Littlefield.

I had a $2 off coupon I wanted to take advantage of, assuming I'd even be interested in the book, which I was once I read the back of the book. $11.89-ish plus the $2 off, thank you.

Garden of Stones is a about an embarrassing fact of American History:
the encampment of American Japanese citizens right after Pearl Harbor was attacked in WWII.

Without giving away too much of the story, it follows a widowed mother & teenage daughter as they are torn from their homes and transported to the dusty desert internment camp with thousands of others. There is sadness, despair and confusion yet hope and the will to keep going thrives in young Lucy for herself, for the memory of her dear father and for her withdrawing mom.

Within the first few chapters, I was hooked. {i am at least half through the book.} It's an unfortunate tale of what life was like for Japanese Americans in California at that time, yet Littlefield writes beautifully with sensitivity too.

After I finish this book, I'll move on to The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I rented the movie from redbox with James a few weeks ago and I loved it! It made me want to get the soundtrack and read the book. That night, I texted my sister and a friend this line from the movie, said by Charlie,

"people accept the love they think they deserve."

WOW! It really made me think. Sister J had the book so she brought over for me to read this past sunday.

 

I just love books and seeing them on display on the shelves.

I did some spring cleaning last week and narrowed all of my cd's into one crate to make room for more of my books that I want to hold onto or pass on/give to others.

There's at least one here that I've read, practically NEW, with no pages bent, that I will be giving away in the very near future!

What are you currently reading? Are you going through any quirky phases?

what I wore wednesday: cream lace, mint & army green

Wow! what a wonderful response to me being back to blogging..you all make a girl feel loved. i truly appreciate all of your support and kind love notes you've all left me!

so yeh, Happy Wednesday! 
I am sippin' on a orange berry smoothie while I type this post.

Today's post is about what I wore wednesday, but I also will share below a song that has been circulating my head these past few days.

All photos are taken courtesy of my 77 year old grandpa! He did good huh? lol

my fave pic of the day

shirt:kohl's (handed down from mom) // skirt: downeast basics // bracelet: gift // earrings: oldnavy

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"I just need someone who can help me get some sleep"

--- when a heart breaks by Ben Rector

(ben, I know what you mean.)

I need Jesus. it's simple, but i make it complicated.
There are scary, unknown things that get thrown our way in life.
We feel overwhelmed and feel like we are getting buried deeper in a dirty, slippery, mud hole.

How will we ever make it out?

We don't need to know all of the answers.
all we need to remember is that the sun still shines bright.
The hand of Jesus is there to hold ours through it all.

new name & new design

Oh it feels so good to be back to blogging today!!

My new blog design is complete! What do you think? I am excited to finally & formally announce the new look & new name of my blog! I've never had a complete custom blog design before, so this is some exciting shtufff!

Welcome to Sunny Tales & Happy Mail 

formerly Bee Littlequeen!

I want to give a huge thank you to Leslie of From A Daughter Designs for my fabulous blog makeover! She was so patient with me and took my ideas and turned them into this masterpiece! This new design is so me. She was a joy to work with! You can check out her shop for any other designing services you might need in the future!
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I know it's tuesday, but I want to talk about my Easter weekend. 

On saturday, two friends of mine: shawn & steph (bro & sister) came over. We hadn't seen each other in 6 years! I met shawn & his family when he and I were 12 years old! Their family lived right around the corner [literally] from my dad's house. We had rubio's for lunch & just had a blast catching up and taking pictures. Also, Shawn, who is a computer whiz, cleaned up my laptop a bit and ran scans since I obviously don't know exactly what I am doing. 

Easter Sunday, the day Jesus Christ was resurrected is such a holy, amazing day in my faith. I mean, a man who died for humanity rose from the dead by the divine power of God! AMAZING!

My dad, stepmom and sister came over for a visit then. I am 30 years old and I still happily receive an easter gift from the easter bunny aka Janet, hehe. 

Brother bubba had to work til 8pm that's why he couldn't make it. We had a good time and us girls laughed because my dad totally fell asleep on the couch, poor dad, so tired.

dad's fairly new kicks

our pretty toes all matched!

bunny wanted his toes in too

my dress: target.// earrings: gift from alaska. //headband: target

Then yesterday, my mom came over! She has a few days off from work. We and James headed to Ross where my mom bought me a new navy blue & green maxi dress and a tank tunic ( in the future for What I Wore Wednesdays).  After Ross, we went to Target so i could return some yoga capri's I had gotten a couple weeks ago because they were too big and needed on size smaller which they happened to go on sale sunday for $12, originally $15...so yehhh! I then had jack in the box for dinner: sausage croissant & peach tea, why thank you.

I hope you all had a lovely weekend and that your week is off to a good start. Oh & i noticed that my blog has reached over 300 followers via google friend connect (i know it's going away soon)...do you know what I am thinking??? Giveaway soon!! Thank you for reading & leaving me sweet comments.