I’ve been quiet over here for a minute. Been kinda busy whatwith settlin’ in with my baby boy and all. Eleven weeks in, it’s a joy. I’m definitely sleep deprived, but he’s my fulltime job now, so I can’t complain too much. I’ve had some extra time on my hands to be inside my head and to watch cable television and to shop and to window shop and to get to know my city a little better.

What I’m loving right now:

VH1 Soul- As I’ve gotten older, I’ve moved away from listeninng to Hip Hop and R&B music. Why? Long story. But, these days my TV is locked on VH1 soul. It takes me back with videos like Jodeci’s “Lately” and Mint Condition’s “You’re Breaking My Heart-Pretty Brown Eyes” and keeps me updated with current videos from artists I love like Usher and Alicia Keys.VH1 Soul is helping me fall in love with my people’s music again. I have a lot of catching up to do…  

The Lauren clutch wallet by Hobo International. It’s the perfect size to store all your cash, cards, keys and phone. Mine is SO practical to throw in my diaper bag. For those times I go out without baby, I just grab this perfect-sized leather clutch and hit it. Isn’t it so cute?

Step It Up and Dance- This reality dance competition show on Bravo is like America’s Next Top Model, except that these are real dancers who are already really good at what they do. They’re challenged evrey week in different dance genres–SO entertaining to watch a European ballet boy attempt a crunk-style street battle. I’m starting late, so I’ll definitley be netflixing the season DVDs.

The Pilates 100 and The Plank- Post-baby pooch, be gone! Both The 100 and The Plank work every muscle group in your body from your calves to shoulders and both can be done even if you have a tiny human attached to you most hours of the day. I tried workout videos but it’s almost impossible to get into a groove and keep up while caring for a baby.

Ben and Jerry’s Cinnamon Buns Ice Cream- I wish they sold this stuff by the spoonful.

Tracy Reese’s Wallpaper Boutique Makeup Bag- I love everything she does. If I could pick one designer to do my whole wardrobe it would be Tracy Reese. Her dresses are perfectly femenine and just girly enough for a not-so-girly girl like me to feel totally comfortable wearing them. And I feel like her home designs were created just for me. Of course I can’t afford her stuff…even her Plenty line of clothes, bags, shoes and bedding which is supposed to be “affordable”. So I’ll keep checking the clearance room at Anthropologie for markdowns.

These awesome shoes I found at Zappos.com. They’re leather, they’re gold and they’re in my size!. I’m still trying to decide if I want to wear them as a bridesmaid next month. They’re totally grown up and comfortable and I can walk and, most importantly, dance in them. I do have a pair that are an inch shorter, but what’s an inch when you’re already 6′1″?

Austin Awesomeness