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Friday

Exciting Things This Friday!

First of all ... my blog has undergone an extreme makeover!  After more than a year and a half of the same look, I'd been feeling lately like it was time for a may-jahhh change up.  I just got nervous about pulling the plug on it.  :)

And then a sweet email came through last night from Amanda alerting me that she was getting a warning splashpage when visiting my blog -- apparently my previous template hosting site was potentially distributing malware ... no bueno!  That was the exact catalyst for change that I needed.

(If you're reading in Google Reader, click over to the actual blog to see the difference.)

And in other exciting news, I mentioned recently a big purchase that I'd made....


She's a beaut!  I'm in love.

Here's the story - my grandparents and great-grandparents gifted me savings bonds when I was born.  This particular type of savings bond continues to gain interest as it matures, and then, after 30 years, it maxes out.  Well, since I turned 30 this year, two of the bonds stopped earning interest.  After a trip to my bank (and a few tears shed over such a sentimental and meaningful gift), I cashed them out.

The savings bonds, given to me by very special folks that are sadly no longer with us, covered a little more than half of this purchase.  Although it was bittersweet letting go of documents that I'd had for 30 years and that were addressed to me at the house I first lived in, the small home that my parents brought me to all swaddled up and fresh from the hospital  -- I truly can't think of a better way of turning that financial gift into a classic, timeless, tangible reminder of their love.

(As a funny sidenote, I had a faux LV Speedy that I carried from approximately 2004-2006 ... and I loved it.  Now, I feel so proud that I have the authentic version of that very same bag!)

Cheers to a fantastic weekend, ya'll!

Edit: So many sweet compliments and questions about my new design!  I selected a pre-made template from Designer Blogs and installed it myself last night.  I'm no HTML whiz, but their instructions, videos, and picture tutorials made it simple.  It only took about 45 minutes and two glasses of sauvignon blanc to get it perfect!

41 comments:

  1. Love your speedy!

    Did you do the blog makeover yourself or did you have someone do it?
    It looks great!

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  2. okay #1. LOVE the new layout! did you do it yourself? or did you have some help? I'm in the market for a new layout.

    #2. Your bag is amazing. You'll have it FOREVER and pass it on to you daughter one day, making it even more special. So fun.

    Have a great weekend love!

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  3. LOVE the blog makeover!

    and a new louie! what could be better?? congrats on the big purchase!

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  4. Your new design is so fun, and a perfect fit for you!! Nothing is more classy than the LV, you will never tire of it...enjoy! Happy weekend:)

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  5. Love your new blog look! Super cute! Did you make it? If so, you need to be in business.

    Such a sweet sentimental gift that you'll always remember!

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  6. Such a cute new look. And a great purchase on a timeless piece!

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  7. April I LOVE your new layout! And I LOVE LOVE LOVE the purse and your story :) The best thing about the purse is that when you use it every day you will be reminded of your wonderful grandparents and great-grandparents :) The sentimental aspect + the beautiful product = priceless!

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  8. WOW!!!!!! What an awesome purchase! I'm jealous!!
    It would have taken me getting some extra cash for me to make such a big purchase too. Good for you!!
    Love the new look. I'm in desperate need of a new look too but I'm not sure what's going to happen with my blog.

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  9. Your blog makeover looks great! And congratulations on your new purchase! I have that bag on my wish list for someday in the not-so-near future. :)

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  10. Woohoo, nice purchase! Now you will think of your grandparents and great-grandparents everytime you pick it up! :) Blog makeover looks fab!

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  11. I love the new design & the new bag. You are definitely meant to have a bag like that! It looks perfect on your arm!
    Sorry about being MIA yesterday...I was out of pocket all day...long story, but we NEED to have those cocktails together, asap!

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  12. Yay for a Speedy!! I carry my mother's vintage bag - her first Vuitton, purchased in Italy in her early 20s so it is close to 40 years old! It is still in great shape for the age, just needs a new zipper.

    I love the new layout (I too got the warning splashpage last night) and would love to see a post about how you did it. I finally started my blog again, still a major work in progress, but have fun with it.
    http://www.fantasgreat.blogspot.com/

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  13. Oh I adore your ikat print here! So adorable - did you do it? (I am asking like EVERYONE ELSE!)

    And yay for Speedy. Is the SouthPark store still there? I think you bought a wonderful item, so classic!

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  14. love the new look! so fun & cheery!

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  15. New blog layout is gorgeous! Love the ikat!

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  16. Love the new layout! It is trendy, yet sophisticated!

    I had a great aunt that gave me a savings bond every year from the time I was born until I was 18. I have yet to cash them in, but I know when I do it will be quite sentimental as she just passed away a month ago from cancer. I'm saving mine for a rainy day :)

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  17. LOVE the new design and LV bag! Too funny, I just had my blog madeover and got a LV Totally in Azur print for my Anniversary last week. :)
    xo~Crystal

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  18. Absolutely LOVE the blog change, it's so refreshing and fun, nice work!

    That Speedy is a classic, I think it's the 30? I've had mine for about 5 years and love it more every year. It goes with everything, I HIGHLY recommend splurging and buying the strap though, it's so great to throw over your shoulder when shopping, etc. so you're not constantly setting it places...

    Anyway, enjoy! And thanks for sharing the side note on the bonds. That's very sweet and you'll always remember them when using it. You will seriously have that bag for life!

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  19. love the new design. and you just reminded me...i need to see how much interest my savings bonds have aquired since the last time i checked.

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  20. It looks so great! And by that I mean both the design AND the speedy! Adorable. Great way to start the weekend. Enjoy! - L

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  21. love the look! and of course the new LV - speedy 30? I can't decide between the 30 or 35 and was hoping my tax return would allow me to gift it to myself, but that went to my car, so the savings continues! :)

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  22. Your blog looks lovely and so fresh...just like your new arm candy! The LV Speedy is such a great size and compliments every outfit!

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  23. i LOOOVE the new look! so pretty and fresh. looks fantastic!

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  24. I adore your new blog's look! I also love your special new bag. Both are stunning!

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  25. The blog makeover looks fantastic! You did a great job on it. I was so saddened the day I cashed my bonds in from my grandparents. It had a handwritten note on it from them right after I was born. You did well on the handbag!!

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  26. what a fantastic big girl purchase! And I am LOOOOOVING the new blog design! So fresh and fun!

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  27. Love the new look April! Fabulous bag!!!!

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  28. I love your new design! It's so girly! :) And that bag is to die for!

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  29. LOVE the new look!! Congrats on the makeover and the gorgie purchase:)

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  30. i am absolutely LOVING the new look april...and cheers on that new speedy--money invested WELL!! ;)

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  31. Love the new look! Congratulations on the LV!!

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  32. I still refer to my Speedy 30 as my first child! Of course now that I've had two more babies I keep trying to convince my husband I need an upgrade :)

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  33. Aw congrats on the new bag and the good lookin' blog! Love it all!

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  34. OMG gorg!!! Love your new bag!! One day (unfortunately probably not soon, ha!) I will own one!! :)

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  35. So jealous of your new speedy! I also carried a faux version for almost 8 years, but unfortunately it started looking ratty, so it had to hit the trash...

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  36. I know most people are commenting on your bag, but I love your outfit! It's so pretty.

    And your new blog design looks great!

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