Take This Style Quiz!

I'm Bohemian Classic according to the Home Goods Quiz I took today online at http://www.homegoods.com/hghq_quiz.asp. Home Goods is one my favorite stores! I can go to Anthropologie (my happy store) for inspiration then go to Home Goods across the street for actual purchases!

Bohemian Classic is an accurate description of me. I love blending modern and vintage style aka "Modage", some also say Modern Eclectic.

In the photo above the counter top is right up my alley in a timeless bright white solid stone surface, the unexpected chandelier is dramatically glam in color, and traditional in design; the sky-blue cabinets take commitment but are inviting. Lastly, the professional appliances say "I'm moonlighting as a Top Chef!"

Take the quiz and tell me your style!

These are a Few of my Favorite Things!

Another favorite thing I came across....

       After our summer hiatus, we started up with our MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group yesterday. This year I am part of the leadership team that will assist in planning and executing our monthly meetings.
      To kick off our first meeting I presented a feature called "My  Five Favorite Things".  After presenting I realized it's like grown-up show-and-tell; which transported me to elementary school when I got to bring something special from home!

 1. Spencer Bento Lunch boxes: I picked up a couple of these adorable containers at Pottery Barn Kids. I love them because they minimize baggage waste and speed up morning assembly for me. Another tip is to keep a bin in your fridge and/or pantry to hold your kid's lunch prep items, so everything is all in one place!

Here's a link:
http://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/spencer-bento-box-containers/?bnrid=3518538&cm_ven=Google_PLA&cm_cat=&cm_pla=&cm_ite=Spencer_Bento_Box_Containers&
adtype=pla

Above are adorable, authentic bento box options at http://happylittlebento.blogspot.com, I know they are ornate but they make me so happy!

2. Dreyers Slow-Churned 1/2 Fat Ice cream: It's yummy, 100 cal a serving, and has ingredients my kids could spell!

3. Vitamin D Capsules: Pierce a few with your teeth and squeeze into your kid's juice, this helps ward of colds- use when one is brewing or you have been exposed to germ-bots!

4. A giant bottle of Rubbing Alcohol: I decant into a little travel bottle and douse all of our toothbrushes with it-rinsing well before each use. I have seen a reduction in colds since I started doing this a year ago.

5. Beets are Beautiful: I dice one beet into little triangular pieces and freeze, next I pop one into the microwave for about 8 seconds on a napkin. Then I rub the beet on my lips and cheeks. Beets can stain so try and use the napkin to keep hands clean. You can use a wet cotton ball to blend cheeks evenly. (If you mess up use some baking soda to rub off)

You can experiment with application, I like to use this as a base and apply my blush and lip gloss as well. As the day goes on I have a base color left.  Using beets as make-up is inexpensive and hypoallergenic!

One of my favorite things is to share tips, tell me what's working for you lately....

Doctors and Drama

Yesterday we had our annual pediatric check-up in anticipation of the new school year. Here's the deal:  I have one child who loves going to the doctor and one who hates going to the doctor. There is an adorable show called Doc McStuffins, it's based on a African American preschool girl who is a M.D. for toys and stuff animals- I have been using this show to explain the procedures that Ethan will experience when he goes.

We started off well when he wanted to go stand against the wall and get measured after his sister did. Then he was asked to step on the scale. Not happening. He said "I'm scared"! I explained that just like last year when we came they did nothing to hurt either of them and he would also be fine now. Not budging. We moved on to Tia and completed her work-up. Before we got to him we went to the potty and took the urine collection cups with us.

I always have the kids potty before we leave anywhere. I didn't think about taking a sample so Tia couldn't go which was fine. Then came Mr. E.J.. God help me! Let's just say I hope urine has some beneficial properties for your face and hair, somehow things went horribly wrong and I was covered in a yellow shower. It even got in my mouth!!!! I was beyond perturbed. Mix that with the current heat wave and I was literally howling in the bathroom.

I collected me self  (no pun intended) and headed back for his turn. Of course he still wasn't having it. I had to pull out the only thing I knew might work... the "if you let her examine you I will take you to Toys R' Us and let you pick out a toy card"! It worked! He proceeded to let her look in his mouth and take his blood pressure. Aside from the collection catastrophe it was a success.

Off to bribery land we went (I did find wipies) and he found an overpriced "Super Mario" plush toy. I felt Tia should get something too- "Why should she not be rewarded for her good behavior?" School starts on Tuesday and I think I am more excited that any Mom I know and I don't feel one bit guilty!

Ethan said, "Can you hurry and take the picture? This hurts a little!"

Another of My Favorite "F" Words!

      Free! All this month JC Penney is giving kids K-6th grade free haircuts! I took Tatianna in yesterday and they did a fab job on her. I normally take my little guy to Snip Its- a kiddie salon so he was newly shorn and didn't get a cut. I saw other little boys and their hair looked great. They are so kid- friendly and offered a toy treasure chest and lollipops to boot. Normally,Tia has her hair trimmed by Grandma or myself so it was a nice treat for her to be in a salon chair for the first time!
      There was no catch! Of course, you wanna tip your stylist. Call your local location  and you can make an appointment or just walk in like we did.

LegNO Land!

          


         Most people love going to theme parks. I'm not one of them! I think it all started when my jokster Uncle lied to me about the ride that I was buckled into and told me it was just " a ride that shows you around the park". Lies! I was horrified after my unexpected ride on a roller coaster and banned them for about a decade from my life. I eventually succumbed and realized they really bang you up. I have surmised that a day spent at Burke Williams Spa is a day better spent!

     Now, I try to be a "good" mom and traipse around these money-grubbing establishments for the sake of my kids. I have decided that I have paid my dues and that my husband can join another dad on any future theme park adventures.  Here are a couple reasons why I strongly dislike theme parks:

1. Being money gouged from every angle
2. The day spent mostly waiting
3. The short, mediocre ride after the mostly waiting
4. The myriad of unhealthy families I see
5. My aching calves from mostly waiting

    I know, I know the memories. Honestly, I think the memories I have from doing simple things like  having a family dinner where after we put on costumes and masks made out of a random cardboard packaging better.

My husband actually asked the ticket taker where he could get me a wheel chair at Legoland yesterday. The man pointed where and said for ten dollars we could get one.

Ten dollars!

Man, they even charge people who can't walk!

I Heart this Playroom!!!!

    
     Our new house has a detached bonus room which we intend to use as a play/craft room! I'm so excited to have the toys relegated to their own special abode. I came across this picture at
http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2012/04/playroom-progress-sweet-seating-part-1.html by Jen Jones. This design makes my heart go pitter patter! First of all, I dig any new and clever unintended use for a project. The seats pictured are Expedit bookcases from Ikea turned on their side. She covered them with foam and stapled indoor/outdoor fabric to them. I am so into the intense blue/green combo too, I think the birch stencil adds a whimsical and outdoor ambiance.
     This layout really opens up the area for play utilizing baskets beneath to collect whoozits and whatzits galore!

New Found Love

     I promised in my May post that I would be expressing why I LOVE Newfoundland dogs. About four year ago I was at a local dog park (even though I didn't have a dog) because I just love dogs. I ran into a behemoth of a dog that looked like a bear roaming the city and had to ask the owner about it's breed. She explained that Newfoundlands are from Newfoundland, Canada and are gentle giants that are bred to water rescue. Just a few factoids: The dog in Peter Pan is a Newfie, a Newfie accompained Louis and Clark on their expedition (and was kidnapped by Native Americans as ransom-later to be returned), a Newfie rescued Napoleon Bonaparte when he was exciled to Elba (he played a key role in early U.S. history); additonally the Kennedy Clan have owned Newfoundlands for decades.

     I did tons of research and the more I learned about this amazing breed the more I knew I had to have one. My desire was solidified after I read this fiction-like (but indeed factual tale) of a boy and his Newfie in a book called In the Company of Newfoundlands. The story begins in California. The child had autism and connected deeply with the service Newfie at the Special Needs program he belonged to. The dog's owners then relocated to the East Coast. This devestated the child. One night the dog-seemingly spooked; ran out to the road and was struck by a vehicle and killed. The owners were stunned and tried to examine why the dog would do that; shortly after the phone rings. It's the mother of the boy on the west coast. She explains that her boy ran out into the street and was struck and killed by a vehicle! They determined that the accidents happened simultaneously. It seems that the Newfoundland's instinct was to rescue the little boy from 3,000 miles away! I sat reading this in a Whole Foods Cafe and had goosebumps all over and decided then I HAD to have a Newfie in my life.

     We just bought our first home and are moving soon. I contacted the Newfoundland Rescue of Southern California and was matched with "Brownie" a bronze (they are usually black or black with white) Newfoundland. I fell in love instantly. Her foster mom is holding her for us until we move.

    I had considered a puppy but am happy to avoid the "knawing" years. Her foster insists she go to a home with children. We look forward to opening our hearts and loving this beautiful creature. The picture is from yesterday-we went and met up with her at a park. A bystander asked jokingly if Brownie was a  "California Grizzly Bear". Not quite, but her "bear hugs" are like no other. I can't wait until she is home.