7 Quick Takes Friday, #52

1. There's still time to enter my Spring Fever Giveaway! Click over to take a look at the handmade necklaces, leave a comment before 9PM tonight, and maybe you'll win!

2. I spent WAY too much time yesterday searching for an Easter dress. I haven't bought a dress for Easter in several years; usually I just buy a blouse to go with a skirt or pants I already have, or vice-versa. I'm hoping this year though, to get my ducks in a row soon enough to find a dress I love. As much as I love springy, frilly, lightweight outfits for Easter, I also know that I always freeze my caboose off on our cold Easter mornings. I'm trying to find a pretty dress with longer sleeves and warmer material, and here's what I've found so far:

3. This sweater dress from Arden B. caught my eye for its warmth and cute neckline, but I'm not too sure about the little jeweled thingy off to the side. Is that stylish? I'm clueless.

I know I like the dress, though, and I think if I added a really noticeable necklace or scarf in a springy color, it'd work. Something like this maybe?

Or maybe I could just rip that jeweled thing off the dress and replace it with a flower clip?

4. This Old Navy wrap dress looks springy and fresh, without baring too much skin for a cold Easter morning. I'd definitely need a camisole underneath, but other than that, it'd be fine, as is. My husband likes this one best for its flowy and feminine look. What do you think?

And this necklace would look beautiful with it...

If it doesn't get chosen as the giveaway prize, that is. (It could be yours!)

5. Last night at bathtime, Mia pitched a little fit. For some reason, she's not been wanting to take a bath lately and has gotten upset to the point of tears. I can't figure out exactly why, though I've tried to ask questions and really hear what she has to say. The hard truth is that she must bathe, but I at least feel like listening to her feelings will help her deal with whatever she's upset about. That's the idea, anyway.

When I had to peel her out of her under-the-bed hiding place and haul her into the bathroom anyway, she made me laugh despite my frustration. "No, mama!" she said. "You're just supposed to let me trick you into not giving me a bath!"

And later, after giving it one last shot with discussing they whys of bathtime necessity, she was still not having any of it. "I'm sorry baby," I said. "I know you don't want a bath tonight, but that doesn't change the fact that you have to have one. So let's try to have fun with it, OK?"

Pouting on my shoulder, Mia answered negatively. "But moooooom, you just have to change the fact!"

It's that darn, stubborn fact's fault.

6. Lauren has been quite mischievous this week as well.

7. Now for some exciting news...I'm starting a weekly column for our local newspaper, and my first submission will be running sometime next week! I'll be writing about parenting and family life with the main idea being tips and advice. I must put on my thinking cap and figure out a way to appear knowledgeable enough to advise others. I think I'll probably post a copy of it here after it comes out in the real world, so try not to laugh when I attempt to portray a confident persona. Yay!

Thanks for visiting with me today, and stop by Conversion Diary for more Quick Takes! Have a beautiful weekend!