Accepting Sponsors for May

When I started blogging, in addition to swapping with other bloggers, I selectively chose a couple of blogs that I wanted to sponsor. I had such positive experiences, and met so many wonderful new ladies through the process. I am hoping to be that positive experience for you. I am excited to announce that starting next month, I will begin to offer paid ad spaces. This is mainly so that I can justify continuing to sponsor other blogs without breaking the bank. I am going to take fewer ads since I want your blog to have as much exposure as possible. If you're looking to network with other bloggers, and grow in the process, then please let me know if you would be interested in any of these packages:

SMALL AD SPACE  

200 x 150=$5 per month

In addition to placing your button on my blog, you will also be highlighted in a designated group feature.

MEDIUM 

200 x 200=$10 per month 

In addition to placing your button on my blog, you will also be highlighted in a designated group feature.

LARGE  - spaces filled for May

200 x 300=$15 per month

In addition to placing your button on my blog, this includes a solo post highlighting your blog {or the option to guest post} and as many photos as you would like.

My Stats (as of 4/18/2012)
445 GFC Followers, 73 Bloglovin Followers, 54 Facebook Followers
-500-600 page views per day
-13,347 page views last month
-41,568 page views all time

 I would absolutely love to partner with you! If you are interested, please email me at shadesofgraylove {@} gmail.com, and use sponsor in the subject line.

On Being Super Woman

Today was one of those days where I got to work, turned on my computer, found about 87 emails, all of them "urgent" and thought to myself, "Am I too young to retire?" I feel this nagging urge that I am ready for a change, ready for the next step, but also realize that I do not want to live my life always wishing and hoping for "the next step". I think part of this stems from how close I am to finishing school, and if I'm honest, I also suffer from minor baby fever. It wasn't so very long ago that I suddenly knew that I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom when the time came (if we're financially able to). It was an adjustment in my thought process and something I didn't admit or dare to say out loud for awhile. My whole life I've strived towards career goals. And college (and grad school) were always going to be a part of the deal; my parents never gave us another option.

So when it started to creep into my mind that once we decide we're ready to have babies, I want to stay home with them, it freaked me out. And because I'm neurotic and like to plan every aspect of my life (I don't really like change, I like plans) I go into a frenzy of anxiety. My thought process goes something like this,

"Poor Lucy (our dog) is home alone all day while we're at work.

I better take her on a walk and give her extra treats to make up for guilty I feel.

How will I EVER leave a baby at daycare?

 I wouldn't be able to.

I would need to stay home with them.

At least until they're ready to go on to 1st grade.

And if we have two children, that could potentially be about 8-10 years before I'm back in the work force.

I'll be going on 40.

40! 

I'll have no experience in the library world, only a dusty paper degree.

Would I then start in an entry level role with some 25 year old whipper snapper as my boss?"

Source: tumblr.com via Jana on Pinterest

Being a woman is hard work. It's a tricky concept trying to "have it all" and balance all of the important parts of your identity. I'd love to hear from some of you women that "do it all" or chose one way or another for a reason.

The Potato Shack

When Brandon and I first started dating, I would drive from Temecula to Encinitas to see him and I felt like every place he took me was somewhere magical. I had lived in Murrieta {the land of chain restaurants} for twenty three years and Encinitas seemed to proudly boast a unique, charming restaurant on every corner! I couldn't get enough. The first place I fell in love with was The Potato Shack. He mentioned it a few times before I was willing to go. To be honest, I don't normally want my food prepared in anything described as a shack {I have a phobia about food poisoning}. But he persisted and I relented. 

oh.

my.

 goodnesss.

 

It was love at first bite and five years later this hole in the wall is still my favorite place to eat breakfast, and one of the first places I ever want to take visiting guests. Now, if you promise not to judge me, I'll confess that I've only ever had two things to eat at the potato shack #1. The One Egg Plate which includes an egg prepared however you wish (scrambled, please), a giant heap of their famous potatoes (I get mine with pepper jack cheese and green onions) and your choice of toast or english muffin. This enormous plate of food is $4.95. Yes, you heard me right. $4.95

#2. The famous Man Hole Cover Pancakes. The first time Brandon recommended I order the chocolate chip pancakE (singular) I looked at him like he was nuts. ONE pancake? Let me tell you, one is enough. 

Waiting patiently for his chocolate chip pancake {singular}

Folding that bad boy over to eat it

Not to mention everyone who works there treats you like a regular. Their Motto:

Welcome to The Potato Shack. Please consider this your home and our staff as your family. Sit back and enjoy yourselves...

Now don't go expecting a beautiful, shiny new restaurant. It's old, and they have very strangely shaped wooden tables and booths. But we think it gives it character :-)

The only time we've ever seen this place not packed. It might have to do with how late we actually rolled out of bed and headed over there.

Even with my help, this is all the damage we were able to do

 If you're anywhere near Encinitas, I cannot recommend The Potato Shack enough.
And if you ever come to visit me, this is where I'll take you :-) 

Starlite Lounge Birthday

Our friend Ashley turned the big 3-0 last weekend and a group of us got together at Starlite Lounge for dinner, drinks and good times. I'd never been but had heard really great things about Starlite. It did not disappoint. While we didn't sit inside under the star lit "sky" {enormous glass chandelier}, we did eat outside on the patio where the bar area is. The stone walls, and large cactuses (cacti sounds weird) stand out against the otherwise old school glamorous look. I wish I had taken more pictures of the lounge but I already feel like the weird paparazzi friend who takes pictures of everything. Ashley did such a great job with the table decor. She spray painted mason jars filled with pinks daisies, and made cake pops for the first time adorned with little bows.

Mish recommended that we try the Starlite Mule and after being reassured that it wasn't donkey meat, but instead a tasty vodka drink, we were all for it. It came in a rustic brass mug and was quite delicious. 

Starlite Mule: Rain Organic Vodka, ginger beer, lime, angostura bitters

The table started with some yummy appetizers, cheesy potatoes and prosciutto bread.

I ordered the macaroni and cheese and the Quinoa salad for my meal. They were both tasty and the prices were affordable!

Funfetti cakepops for dessert :-)

me and B

The birthday girl Ashley {in the purple} with her sister Camille

Ashley, me and Allison

I would definitely recommend the Starlite Lounge if you're in the San Diego area!! Happy Birthday Ashley!

Friday's Letters

Dear Brandon- Thank you for finally putting your foot down and taking our Valentine's decorations down. It is April. You know I never would have done it.

Dear Dad- You have officially been struck with baby fever. You have now asked me for the third time when you can expect a grandchild. This is all very new to me. I'm still getting used to the fact that you're okay with me making out with a boy, let alone making a baby. Seems just like yesterday I got in trouble for giving a boy my phone number on the bus.

Dear Lucy-I love that when you hear my keys you pop out of MY blanket and give me this look like, "Can I come mom? Can I? Hah? Hah? Can I come?"

Dear California Burrito- Why are you so delicious? Smothered with hot sauce, I could eat you for breakfast, lunch and dinner. My butt does not like this, or you.

Dear Diet Coke Brownies- How have I never heard of your existence? I feel as if I've died and gone to heaven. Too bad you couldn't be a part of the juice fast I'm considering. 

Dear Readers- I hope your weekend is everything you want it to be. I have another paper due on Sunday that I'll be spending most of the weekend on, and then a birthday dinner at the Starlight Lounge in San Diego {anyone been?} for our friend's 30th birthday. You can find me on Instagram over the weekend, and I'll talk to you all on Monday!