the ladies.

in october 2009, i was fortunate enough to meet four of the most wonderful bloggers friends.  we got together over halloween weekend to celebrate the one year anniversary of our friendship. 

{from left to right:  me, whitney caroline, beach bum & baby, naturally caffeinated family & rachel}

we went out for dinner & drinks. 

{one of the special halloween themed cocktails at a bar we went to. not only did it "smoke" but it also bubbled & popped.  trust me, there is something to be said about a drink that "spits" at you...}

there was lots of girl talk & giggling. 
we had so much fun.

i'm telling y'all...i'm lucky & quite blessed to have these girls in my life. 

GIVEAWAY - tabletopics: girls night out

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED...THANK YOU FOR ENTERING!

• are you a "steel magnolia?"
• if you could do a risky activity once with no risk what would you choose?
• which part of having a baby has been or will be most difficult for you?
• what do you enjoy eating when you're alone?
• what song evokes the strongest memories?

those questions above are just a small sample of what you'll find if you're browsing through the girls night out edition of tabletopics.

{source}

tabletopics - have you heard of them?

tabletopics was founded by cristy clarke who did not want to go to another cocktail party where small talk went absolutely nowhere. tabletopics is a fun way to get people talking. just like their motto says, "great questions to start great conversations." currently, there are many different topics to choose from - family, teen, couples, girls night out, college, decades {60s, 70s, 80s}, etc. and, don't think that you're limited to the tabletopics cube. you can get "to go" versions of tabletopics as well as partytopics {napkins, place cards or coasters} and journaltopics {life, wedding or pregnancy}.

we have the family version in our home & we keep it on our kitchen table. it's definitely a great item to have out when friends come over because someone is going to open up the cube {out of curiosity} and start asking questions.

i was thrilled to stumble across the girls night out version at my local hallmark store and i picked up one for me...and one for you to win!

to enter this giveaway, all you have to do is answer one of the five questions listed at the beginning of this post.

for extra entries, you can blog about this giveaway {sidebar links are fine}, tweet about this giveaway {please include me @maliasma}, follow tabletopics on twitter {@TableTopicsInc} and/or visit tabletopics' website & tell me which product you'd most like to have.

this giveaway will be open until 11:59pm e.s.t. on friday, march 19th & i'll announce the winner that weekend.

good luck & tell your friends...this is definitely something you'll want to have the next time you & your girlfriends get together for some wine & chit-chat!


the fine print:

• i was not endorsed by tabletopics in any way, shape or form - they did not contact me and say, "hey, will you feature our product & giveaway one?"
  
• i purchased the girls night out version tabletopics cube with my own moola.
• this is simply something fun...from me to you...because i love y'all!
  
• international bloggers are welcome.
• winner will be chosen at random using random.org.
• did i miss anything else??
  

Virginia is for bloggers.

I am quite excited about an upcoming event that has been planned by the lovely Lis of Lis Loves.

The first ever SE Virginia Blogger Meet-Up!

Pretty exciting stuff, huh?? Lis & I had the opportunity to meet earlier this year when she won one of my bloggy birthday giveaways. Because she & I live in the same city, we decided to meet at Starbucks {where else??} in the mall and I hand-delivered her prize! It was such a fun time...we chit-chatted non-stop.

Anyways, she's been busy planning a little get-together for us Southeastern Virginia {and Northeastern NC} gals. It looks like Friday, October 30th is the date. The time & location has YET to be determined, but one thing is for certain...Virginia Beach's Town Center is not going to know what hit them when the ladies of the blogosphere descend upon it's sidewalks!

{source}

Let's NOT Get It On

After my experience at the gyno yesterday, I really, really wish that men could experience what it's like to have a uterus for one day. Just.One.Day. That's all. No more. No less.

And, during that time, I would like for them to spend the day at the gyno having anything and everything that could possibly happen to said uterus happen. You know. The poking. The prodding. The examining. The measuring. Yes, they measure it. From the inside.

Ladies, I don't know about you & how you are after a less than stellar gyno visit, but after my day yesterday, I am very happy to say that my va-jay-jay is on strike and she's taking a mini vacay. A much deserved vacay. She carried two children. She birthed two children. She had an intruder live within her for nearly five years...only to have the intruder evicted and get replaced by another one. She's got a friend until the year 2014. And, hopefully by that time I can convince my dear, sweet husband that, yes, it IS okay to take matters into his own hands...because if he doesn't, I will!

I'm trying to skirt around the TMI bush (bush....ha ha ha...pun intended?) because after the day I had yesterday my humor level has sunk to an all-time low and I really have not one single ounce of modesty left in me. Funny how that happens...after seeing your gyno for so long you can actually carry on casual - even funny - conversations while she's totally violating you in the worst way.

So, for just one day - ONE day - it would be nice for a man to finally experience just a wee bit of what us ladies have to put up with at the doctor's office. And, if they still don't get it, then they need to experience a Brazilian wax, too.

If you're still confused, go back and read "Tick, tick, tick..."