"Veronica" has Style

I've been blessed with a rather unique name. It's not completely uncommon, but it's not like I meet a lot of people in my day who say, "Oh, hi! My name is Veronica, too!"

What's funny is that while I've never been a "Ronnie" or anything like that no one in my life actually uses my name. EVER.

I'm "Ronca" to my brothers and close friends (a gift from my baby brother John growing up), I'm "V" to almost everyone else including my husband who also uses the little married pet names when he needs my attention. And of course I'm just "Mommy" to my kids. I think I probably hear Mrs. Pope more than I ever here my first name anymore. And that's cool.

But then, as I've been pondering the interwebs for cool new clothes for Vegas and beyond, I was struck by the sheer awesomeness of the "Veronica" name and all that it apparently implies. I love style hunting. I love fashion. I love putting it all together into something that maybe says a little bit about me. That goal is made pretty easy when the clothes are actually named after, well, me.

Check out all of the rock star fashion inspired by my name:

Kate Spade "Veronica" Sunglasses. (Top)

Anne Cole "Veronica" One-piece. (Above)
Sexy little Tart "Veronica" Dress. (Below)

Amazing Robert Rodriguez Black Label "Veronica" Gown. (Above)
Elie Tahari Leather Pin-tuck "Veronica" Jacket. (Below).

Frye "Veronica" Shortie Boots. (below)

What?!? The name is obviously working overtime to create some cool vibes and chill fashion. I'm inspired. And I must admit, I ordered the Tart "Veronica" dress. It should be here today. Watch out Vegas. I'm Veronica. And I'll see you next week.

Now that I think of it, my sister-in-law Wendy sings me the Elvis Costello song "Veronica" every time I call her...

Rock 'n Roll, baby. Rock 'n Roll.

Snooze

I've been sleeping. A lot. This is a big deal for a couple of reasons.

1.) It means that my kids are actually sleeping. After almost two years Parker, aka The Sleep Terrorist, is finally sleeping through the night. 14-hour nights. It's amazing. And both kiddos are sleeping in until 8:30 in the morning. Ahhhh-mazing. I know this will not last. And even if it does we're enrolling Ellie-belle in morning pre-school next year so it will have to end there regardless of personal desire.

And 2.) I am actually able to sleep. All night. For Hours. This is a big deal for an insomniac. It could just be because the last four years of sporadic sleep has finally taken it's toll or I'm finally letting go of some of my crazy controlling, list-making, guilt-inducing nighttime tendencies that make it so hard to get a few winks. It's probably the former.

All I can say is that sleep makes the whole house a nicer place to be. I'm not so shabby with a whole eight hours under my belt and I don't think I've ever slept that much consistently in my life. EVER. Five or six hours was always pretty normal and usually enough. I'm going to guess that my need for increased sleep has expanded with old age just like my dress size. I'm okay with that.

Now if I could just make myself wake up before the kids rise and get in some of that much loved and much needed YOGA...

Nope, I can't do it. The sleep is too good. And when in my life will I get to sleep in until 8 o'clock ever again? I'm milking this for all it's worth.

P.S. I cursed myself with this post. Insomnia is back and kids are waking up in the middle of the night...Awesome.

The (Holiday) After Life

There exists a black hole that opens up sometime late on Christmas Day and, for me, starts to close right around January 21st. The post-holiday black hole. The one that consumes me with the tiredness of holiday parties, shopping, cooking, cleaning, and so much joy and gratitude that I want to keep it all to myself for as long as possible. And then I get stir crazy and want out...

Kids do indeed make the holidays better. Pope and I were up at 7 AM on Christmas morning waiting for our kids to wake up we were so excited. And they did not fail to warm our hearts and make us smile all day long. If anything they showed me that I should probably rent them out to those in need of Christmas miracles and general lightheartedness as they so easily bring it with them when they walk in the room. But then, I'm fond of my kids...some days I'm not as sure as others but that's not the point...

And thus, with our latest family holiday season in our new house tucked safely away in my memory I am forced to start to move forward. And at this point I'm thrilled. Hello! Vegas? Yes please, and soon. And we're been setting up all sorts of fun play dates with new friends and old friends and the thing about it is they are all my friends too...I love that.

Our new year will also include some house renovations as we get new floors and make some other updates that I can hardly wait for. Round 42 of "Make this New House Feel like Ours" is in effect.

And starting this week, the Pope and I are training for the Tough Mudder event in Avon in June. I started an actual DIET last week that is really just me cutting out the gallons of sugar I still consume after carrying and delivering two little babies who only craved pancakes and jelly beans during their entire pre-life. I. Must. Stop. The. Madness!! (I don't even like pancakes!!)

Here's to 2011!! Hooray!!