Welcome to my first Holiday Gift Guide! I had so much fun picking out these gifts. Happy shopping 
1. Animal Slipper Socks $16.00, 2. Magic Wallet $22.50, 3. Retro Bike Glasses $16.95, 4. Capelli Women’s Rain Boots $24.99, 5. Eiffel Tower Bottle Opener $2.99, 6. Carpool Goddess Tote, 7. Mr. & Mrs. Luggage Tags $19.98, 8. Essie Nail Polish in Leading Lady $8.00, 9. Bodum Milk Frother $19.95, 10. Cashmere Blend Stripped Gloves $24.95, 11. Bacon Spatula $12.95, 12. Latke Server $5.95, 13. Keep Calm And Eat Latkes Apron $19.99, 14. Leopard Slippers $16.00, 15. Heart Key Chain $25.00, 16. Makeup Pouch $20.00, 17. Monogrammed iPhone Button Decals $13.99, $, 18. Volendam Journal $18.00, 19. Tablet Case $14.95, 20. BareMinerals Fab In A Flash Collection $18.00, 21. Stila All Is Bright Lip Glaze Set $25.00, 22. Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment $22.50, 23. Keep Calm & Carry On iPad Case $19.95, 24. Design Your Own Scarves $22.99, 25. Weekly Meal Planner $10.00, 26. Pocket Date Book $25.00, 27. Pom Pom Beanie $24.95, 28. Carpool Goddess Note Pad, 29. Gingerbread-Man Platter $19.95, 30. Essie Nail Polish in Butler Please $8.00
When my kids were little, they used to love hearing the story of how my husband and I met. I told them we were in kindergarten and we were having lunch in the sandbox. Instead of pulling my hair to get my attention, he dropped my peanut butter and jelly sandwich into the sand. Our eyes met. It has been true love ever since.
They thought that was hysterical, and despite the fact my hubby and I are four years apart, they never doubted for a minute that it was true until years later. Rather than tell them we were set up on a blind date by my brother, I thought I’d have a little fun, besides it really does feel like we’ve grown up together. Read More »
When I think of Fifty Shades of Grey, I’m not thinking of the mouth wateringly naughty best seller; the one I just couldn’t put down. I’m referring to the ever burgeoning growth of silver on the top of my head.
I blame it on my father. You see, I inherited many good things from him; his wit, his warmth, his fondness for fresh baked goods, and the one thing I didn’t want, his prematurely grey hair. My mom, bless her heart, didn’t get her first grey hair until she was 50.
My first rogue hair reared it’s steely head when I was just 23. They visited now and then in my thirties, and then came back with a vengeance in my forties. I have a silvery stripe that grows smack in the middle of my head, like a skunk. It could be growing down the back too, but I don’t look there. Why upset myself.
It used to be that I could go six weeks in between salon appointments. Over time, it dropped to five, then four, and now three weeks. I can actually see the silver line creeping up between the dark hair at week two, but I draw the line right there. Dyeing my hair every two weeks would put me over the edge, and I’m teetering on the edge as it is. I don’t need encouragement.
Fortunately for me I’m tall, and when I wear heels no one other than my 6’4 husband and son can see my silvery crown. Sometimes I forget it’s a symbol of old age, because in the right light it actually appears to sparkle, like tinsel. When I’m feeling good about myself, I call it my bling.
The question is: At what point will I say to hell with this and stop coloring my hair? I casually brought up the subject that I might not color my hair anymore at the family dinner table one night. It was if I said I was running off with a band of gypsies and never coming back. They were devastated. “Are you SERIOUS?!” asked one child. “Don’t EVER do that,” said the other. My husband just looked at me dumbfounded, because from him, there was no right answer.
Would I look like a silver fox or look like my sweet old grandma (may she rest in peace)? We may never know. I don’t want to look young, I just don’t want to look old. My kids don’t want to see me look old, either. Is that too much to ask? I may be nearing half a century, but inside I’m still 25.
As they saying goes, “You’re only as old as you feel,” and I would feel very old if I let myself go grey. I can’t speak for others, but for me, it would feel like I was giving up. A man turns grey and he looks more distinguished. A woman turns grey and her shelf life is up. It’s just not fair.
Am I ready to see myself that way? Willing to give up my vanity? I say nae. I’m not giving up my Lady Clairol any time soon. Not while everything from my eyes to my derrière are starting to go. Not while I’m becoming painfully aware that the last remnants of my youthful glow (thanks to years of exfoliating) are holding on by a thread. Vanity might be all I have left.
Perhaps, I should change my perspective. After all, I’m lucky I still have hair. Maybe it’s time I buy Fifty Shades of Grey’s Book 2 & 3. I’m going to need something entertaining to read since I’ll be spending so much time in that salon chair.
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I only write about products that I use and love. So, when Method reached out to me, I was delighted to be able to shout from the rooftop (or online equivalent) about how much I adore their products. For years I’ve been using their hand and dish washing soaps, which come in eye-catching colors, shapely bottles, and have exotic names. And they smell so good!
My favorite hand washes are Waterfall, Mandarin Mango, and French Lavender. I use Clementine dish soap in the kitchen, which smells divine and the bright orange liquid is like a burst of sunshine. (I also picked it because it matches the orange in my logo…I’m funny that way.) Read More »
Around this time of year, I start pulling out the few Thanksgiving decorations I own.
Two stuffed turkeys, a bendable pilgrim and a few little pumpkins. They are all very cutesy and my kids like to tell me they’ve outgrown them, but Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays and I can’t help but get swept up with the beginning of the holiday season.
It’s not just the delicious turkey, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie that I love. We get to go out for Thanksgiving dinner. Everyone wants an edible meal, so that means I’m not cooking. It’s truly a win-win situation.
But most of all, I’m excited about spending the long weekend with my family. My son will be coming home from college and the house will be filled with noise again.
Of course, it’s easy to be thankful now, when things are relatively calm and everyone seems to be happy and healthy. However, the beginning of the year came with a rough start. Read More »
At twenty I was like many kids at that age: A youthful mixture of bravado and immaturity. Every thing seemed SO important. EVERY decision was larger than life. Yet honestly, I didn’t have a clue who I was. In reality, I was just a girl who would struggle with frizzy hair for almost forty years before figuring out how to tame it, amongst other things. Yeah, I was that girl.
Here are six things that I know now, but wish I would have known then. (Though, according to my mother, I wouldn’t have listened anyway.) Read More »
Halloween is just around the corner and one of my absolute favorite holidays, so I’m sharing an oldie but goodie, that will be new for most of you. Happy Halloween!
I love Halloween. The trick or treating, the haunted houses, the kids in costumes, the decorations, the candy! It’s even better than Valentine’s Day, because you get to dress up.
When my kids were little and had no choice but to hang with the hubby and I on Halloween, friends would gather at our house for a quick pizza dinner and homemade spooky cupcakes (which isn’t a stretch since most of what I make looks spooky anyway) before we hit the streets in search of candy.
Wearing my pumpkin sweater and light-up Frankenstein earrings, and Monster Mash blaring in the background, I’d give each child a flashlight and then we’d march the Ninja, Spiderman, Hershey’s Kiss, and Powerpuff Girl past the “witch that crashed into the door” decoration proudly hanging on our front door. And the adventure would begin.
The best part about Trick or Treating is the thrill of the hunt. Finding the brightly lit houses brimming with candy to be given away and the look of sheer delight when they scream “Trick or Treat” while they hold their buckets out in front of them.
When the buckets got too heavy or someone had to pee, it was time to head back home. That’s when the real fun began. We’d dump the candy on the kitchen table so we could survey the loot. Each child got to pick out a few pieces. “Let me test this first to make sure it’s safe” I’d say reaching for the Reese’s. Poor sweet naifs fell for it every time until my Ninja turned ten and filled in the little Powerpuff Girl. They were on to me. Next time, I’ll bring my own bucket.
Enjoy a safe and spooky Halloween!
Do you love Halloween too? Do your kids share their candy with you?
Every morning I look out into the garden and see my happy friend. I know if he’s laughing and smiling it’s going to be a good day. He’s got it all figured out.
What is your morning routine to help start your day on the right track?
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Brussels Sprouts Aren’t That Scary
Six Things I Would Tell My 20 Year Old Self
Body and beauty issues come to girls and women of all shapes and sizes. Middle School and High School can be particularly difficult for girls. Flat-chested, dark frizzy-haired, bucktoothed, and ethnic looking (I was told this), clearly, these were not my best years, Read More »
Sticky fingers aren’t always on small hands. If you’re anything like me and can’t seem to keep your hands off your Smart Phone and/or iPad while working in the kitchen, putting on makeup, getting crafty with glue or impatiently waiting for your mani to dry, but want to keep your high tech gadget clean, cover it with plastic wrap (I prefer Glad’s Cling Wrap). It even works over your computer keyboard. And when you do have those cute little sticky fingers reaching for mommy’s expensive toys, you can rest assured they will stay clean.* Takes two seconds. Tear a piece large enough to cover front and back, wrap and go. Your welcome
Do you have any easy ideas you’d like to share?
*Don’t leave small children unattended with plastic wrap.
