I feel like I have been so busy. I guess when the time gets to flying then a few things go out the window, starting with the blog.
Thank goodness my busi-ness is slowing down again to a degree that I can manage. So, I hope that all of you have been well. I have had some funny and interesting things happen over the past few weeks that I need to write about. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did...or at least get a little chuckle out of them :). That is, when I finally write about them.
8.20.8
Just came across this coolio website through Vox that gives all sorts of top ten blogs, so I thought I'd steal my faves from the list and post for you, lovely readers. Have fun!
Top Ten Popular Blogs for Shopping Moms (das me....)
http://www.blogs.com/topten/10-popular-blogs-for-shopping-moms/
Top Ten Bargain Fashion Blogs
http://www.blogs.com/topten/10-popular-bargain-fashion-blogs/
Top Ten Popular Home and Interior Design Blogs
http://www.blogs.com/topten/10-popular-home-and-interior-design-blogs/
Top Ten Popular Healthy Living Blogs
http://www.blogs.com/topten/10-popular-healthy-living-blogs/
Ten Meanest Celeb Gossip Blogs (we love...)
http://www.blogs.com/topten/10-meanest-celeb-gossib-blogs-we-love/
Ten Popular Style Blogs (From Fashion to Furniture)
http://www.blogs.com/topten/10-popular-style-blogs-from-fashion-to-furniture/
And here are some of my own personal faves. Favey, favey Crockett! King of the wild frontier. Now I'm rambling...
http://madebygirl.blogspot.com/
http://candycoloredbuddha.wordpress.com/
Wheeeee!!!!! Have fun tripping the light internet fantastic (or as Aaaah-nold would say - fans-tastic...)
8.18.8
Yesterday was such a great day with the peanuts. They were awake, perky, pleasant, smiling and cooing (yes, they are cooing now - they are VERY advanced). They were awake so much, in fact, that Tom and I were sure that putting them to bed was going to be a piece of cake. When I say "them," I mean Simon and Gavin, because Scarlett was spending the night at Grandma's (who has, ever since we have had all three at home, graciously kept one of the babies every night - it has been a HUGE help).
We were somewhat perplexed when, close to bedtime, the boys started crying and were inconsolable. Clean diaper? Check. Had they eaten? Yes, several times. Burped? Yes. We each had one, Tom with Simon and me with Gavin. I rocked Gavin and put him to bed asleep (or so I thought). Simon, however, was a different story. He was cranky and crying, and Tom was getting frustrated, so I took him upstairs to rock him as well. While I was rocking him to sleep, Gavin was waking up again, cranky and crying. Long story short, this scenario went on back and forth for a good hour and a half, possibly two hours, with one falling asleep as the other woke up crying, then vice versa.
At one point I took Gavin downstairs to where Tom was, laid him on the couch, and left the room. I am ashamed to admit that in my frustration it was not difficult to see how someone in a similar situation could shake a child. I would never do it, and it is why I put him down and left the room. I went downstairs, sat in the bathroom in the dark and cried. Now, having had those feelings, I will not be so quick to judge someone when I hear those stories. It is in the dark where you pray for patience, you pray for your child to be consoled, for him to fall asleep "for 6 hours, please God!" And sometimes, God answers you six and a half hours later as your child is waking up again for the first time, and you go in to pick him up, and he stops crying immediately and breaks into a huge smile at the sight of you.
God forgive me. God give me patience. God, thank you for blessing me with these precious little peanuts that You brought into our lives.
8.14.8
Welcome to the Jungle!
Here it is - my weekly Project Runway recap, with guest judge Amy, from stem. Check her fab blog at www.stemparties.blogspot.com.
Blayne and Leanne
Chicfreakcubed: I actually like the idea of this, but the “evening” shirt underneath should have been with a completely different outfit. Just give me the button down and the bermudas, and I would have been fine with it. Not a winner, but I would have been fine.
Amy: (((squeaky squeaky))) Rubbing eyeballs. What? What part of this makes any kind of sense? The blue shirt underneath is pretty cool but what good does that do me if I have to go through this visual assault to get there? None. None good, that's what.
Kelli and Daniel
Chicfreakcubed: This gets the award for trashtastic ensemble of the week. Holy cow. It was like my Madonna bustier from 1990 that someone dug out of a dresser in my parents’ basement. I think the outfit would have looked better if she had worn the cut off denim shorts, over the knee black tights, suspender garters and black fedora I wore with it.
Amy: I love black. I love leopard. I love peacock blue. I actually kinda love the jacket in this photo. So, what's the problem? Problem is I watched the show. I know what's lurking underneath. There's evil below. Do not go down in the basement. Okay, not the basement, but under the jacket.
Jerrell and Stella
Chicfreakcubed: Ames, I could not agree more. I did NOT love this outfit. Hated the color scheme, the zebra belt that junked it up, and the curtainy skirt. The only part I liked was the wide leather obi-ish belt. Thank God for Stella and her leatha.
Amy: Can someone tell me what all the praise was about on this one? And Jerrell getting last pick and playing if off? Way to turn lemons into leather, J. Good save.
Joe and Korto
Chicfreakcubed: My second favorite outfit of the evening. That jacket was wicked awesome, and aside from the gapey fit on the dress – which I also actually loved, this still rocked. I could see Tim Gunn’s “big giant sweet potato comment,” but DANG, girlfriend pulled this one off.
Amy: This is stunning. STUN.NING. It's only fitting that I give this a Gold Medal right now. KORTO! KORTO! KORTO!
I did have issues with the fit under the bust/under the arm on the dress underneath but I can overlook it because this jacket is just divine and the dismount was good. Uh, the sleeves…hellooo? Audible sigh, I love them.
Kenley and Keith
Chicfreakcubed: Another outfit I did not like that everyone else loved apparently, since it won. I think that skirt would make any normal size woman look three sizes bigger than she is, thanks to all the flutter pieces on it that are apparently on every friggin piece that Keith designs. It is getting ollllld. Nope, this is not good for me.
Amy: I think this is heavenly. The print and construction of that blouse are dreamy. When they took off the scarf and let down the sleeves, I was done for. A reveal within a reveal? Does it get any better? The layers on the skirt are so delicate and exquisitely done. The high waist is just icing on the cake. I don't know how you couldn't feel anything but fabulously and elegantly feminine in this outfit as you float across the room.
Terri and Suede
Chicfreakcubed: Once again, Mz. Terri has my favorite outfit of the episode. The floofy collar on the shirt (yes, I said floofy), the sash, and I am sorry, but those pants are excellent. The woman knows how to make a kick ass pair of pants. Terri – please just add this to the list of items that you are going to make for me.
Amy: This is fantastic. Terri has done it again. I think she made a pact with the debbil. It may not be the most "officey" outfit of the bunch but I think it is just so well-executed. It's like the most wonderful resort wear on crack. I.Love.It. If I saw this girl out in this, I would do a triple take and secretly hate her for looking so effortlessly chic. I mean, if I was really shallow.
8.11.8
Sometimes Newport News is a little toooo 1983 soccer mom for me, and I don't care how in crayon colored jeans are - I will NEVER like them. I think they are hideous. I didn't have a pair when they were in the first time, and I don't like them now. HOWEVAH, sometimes Newport News is the shiz-nit, and they are TRES affordable. I was just perusing the catalog, and the following little gems are my faves:
Are you kidding me??? A purple trench with billow sleeves? For $69? It's like they're paying ME to wear it.
This blouse in black with more poofery for $29? SO cute. And under a wool bustier dress? Yes please. I JUST saw an ad for some new TV show today, and the girl had that same outfit on and it was a-dor-a-ble.
Okay, my obsession with lantern sleeves is starting to scare even me. But I cannot pass this up for $29. Seriously. Someone stop me.
Shwew! The bell sleeve nonsense had to stop sometime, but this isn't far off, I know. SO cute. $49.
This dress with giant poofy sleeve blouse underneath? I say YAY. I can't believe it's not butter. And I REALLY can't believe it's only $49.
Now get thee to a Newport News post haste (but please don't buy up all of the above items, as I would like to share the love).
Let's do some stitches that we can use for blankets, or clothes! Should we start with maybe some edgings? Something simple!? Your choice!
8.8.8
Here is this week's PR recap with my homegirl Amy, who is not only the owner of Stem (check out her website here: http://stemparties.blogspot.com/ ), but is also damn funny. Feel free to post opinions in the comments.
Blayne
Chicfreaksali: Horrific. This is like Buck Rogers in the 25th Century goes to the disco. N to the O. Does anyone else know why Blayne is still there? Is he sleeping with a producer? Did he give someone unlimited tans to the Malibu Tans branch in Yakima?
Amy: It's just alright. What I really want to know though is how is that girl supposed to get her tan on in that, Blayne?
Daniel
Chicfreaksali: Meloves this, but did he even take the actual challenge into account? Come ON, dude.
Amy: This in no way is appropriate for the occasion but I think it's adorably simple. I love the vintage vibe and I love the model's styling, too. I do not love Daniels' sad clown vibe though.
Jennifer
Chicfreaksali: Did ANYONE take the actual challenge into account? I even thought I liked this just as a cute outfit, but girlfriend is so annoying that I have to discount it.
Amy: Again, Opening Ceremony? Really? No. Denied. As a cute little outfit though? Yes, please.
Jerell
Chicfreaksali: Okay, minus the stupid leggings and atrocious hat, I actually like the rest of the outfit. That high-waisted pencil skirt is fierce, and I love the lil blouse, but as something that athletic, muscular women would wear to the opening ceremonies? HELL TO THE NAH.
Amy: Little Bo Peep has lost his ever lovin' mind. I'd almost rather have USA represented by Lindsay Lohan in her leggings than by this mess.
Joe
Chicfreaksali: I actually thought this one should win, because he seemed to take the challenge the most seriously. Is it my favorite outfit? No, but I do think it’s cute. Howevah, I'm not sure about the skort aspect of the outfit.
Amy:I suppose it's sporty and appropriate and well made. I could see some USA women rocking this. I think it's the word "skort" that bothers me the most.
Keith
Chicfreaksali: I just have three words for this: A-TRO-CIOUS. Sooooo bad on so many levels, I can’t even begin to describe the bad.
Amy: Dara Torres called and said "Don't even make me wear that scarf as a skirt." Yes, Torres was the only female athlete I could come up with w/o Google right now.
Kelli
Chicfreaksali: SO adorable, yet SO wrong for the opening ceremonies. The pockets on that skirt make me want to carry Kelli around in them.
Amy: I know I'm a broken record today, but vintage look = me love. Anyone that knows me knows how I feel about bows. For those that don't know me. I feel like I love them.
Kenley
Chicfreaksali: I’m digging the high waist look on some of these outfits. This is cute. Olympic-worthy? No, but cute nonetheless.
Amy: Wow. That laugh IS annoying. They were right. Not an Olympic ceremony frock either, but I adore it. The end.
Korto
Chicfreaksali: Am I the only one who could see through the model’s pants when she walked down the runway? I did NOT like this. Not at all.
Amy: That's "leatha" as Stella would say. Excellent work, Korto. Kudos. Kudooooooooooze.
Leanne
Chicfreaksali: I thought this was SO cute on the runway, but not quite as cute in the photo above. Hmmm…provocative. Still, I think I like it.
Amy: How cute is this? Answer: SO cute. More neck stuff Amy likes. Uh oh….3rd person is contagious.
Stella
Chicfreaksali: Is she the villan in the Buck Rogers in the 25th Century fashion episode? Will she and Blayne’s model battle it out for ultimate domination of the fashion world? Clearly, this chick will kick ass and take names.
Amy: I don't HATE it but come on…….enough with the leatha. I'm tired already.
Suede
Chicfreaksali: I’ll say this – as annoying as Suede is, girlfriend knows how to rock the proportions of an adorable outfit. This is KEYOOT. Love it.
Amy: Cute enough. I'll say more when you stop calling yourself "Suede" though. K? K.
Terri
Chicfreaksali: Okay, I will concede that the Olympic women could wear this to the ceremonies, but I still don’t think it’s quite as appropriate as Joe’s lil number. That said, DANG – this is a cute outfit, and Terri is my pick to win PR this year. If she doesn't market that jacket and sell it in Macy's Inc. line, I'll just DIE Seriously. Terri - are you reading this? Where can I get one? And while you're at it, can you whip me up one of last week's outfits too? Girlfriend is da b-o-m-b. I heart her.
Amy: My winner. What's not to love? Tux stripe down pants – cute. Jacket – well made and sharp. Scarfy thing – I think we've covered that to death – love. USA women would KILL the Opening Ceremony in this. So chic.
I haven't touched a volleyball is about 3 years. I've played bits and pieces here and there...but really played and been in a practice setting?? None. So, now that I'm a personal trainer, all the procrastinating parents are freaking out about their kids getting training before tryouts, I am a commodity. I don't know how much good it will do, but hey, I'm getting paid to do it.
I forgot how I felt when I played volleyball. I hated it so much in college that I despised it for a long time after. Now, I'm on the other end...showing the techniques and teaching girls. I like it. It isn't something that I would want to do day in and day out. But it has me intrigued. Why? Well, the girls that I'm working with are so different. I have the ones that love playing volleyball, the coachable girl and the super athletic "I could play any sport" girl....so different but seeking the same thing. I think that's amazing.
My first group of girls has a genuine love or enjoyment of the game. There isn't a huge amount of talent, and they are fairly coachable. I think this is mostly because they have played. They play at school, they play club....it's what they do. Volleyball is sort of a lifestyle....the spandex, the socks, the bruises on the knees. The enjoyment goes away if you don't keep it up. It's almost euphoric.
My next girl is doing 1-on-1. She didn't make the team last year and her mom wanted to make sure she got some practice before high school ball starts. Now this girl is SO coachable. I tell her something, and she does it. It's fabulous. The downfall is she should have been working with me maybe 4 months ago...then she would really be prepared to play. She may not make the team because her skills just aren't to par. Not to mention she is out of shape. She has potential, sooo much potential. I just don't know if it will be tapped into because a coach may think that it isn't worth it to work with her.
And my last girl is also doing 1-on-1. I don't know if she even likes volleyball. Her parents just dropped $300 for her to spend the next two weeks working with me....literally, she yawns during out sessions. Finally, yesterday I had to kick her butt and leave her dragging when she left. Regardless, she is very athletic. I may have to explain something to her several times, but when she gets it, she excels at it and really grasps. I taught her the correct transitioning and hitting technique of spiking and she could hit a ball in the court that day. That's the equivalent of skipping a year in grade school.
So perhaps my Division 1 volleyball training will go to use someone....other than the $100,000 scholarship ;)
8.7.8
Thank you, TJ Maxx, for this BAMF* black patent leather Calvin Klein trench which we are about to receive for $39. Your bargainy goodness never fails to impress. I will be back soon for the CK dark denim jeans, and maybe even the CK sweater dress. I don't know why you have a sudden proliferation of Calvin Klein, and I won't question it, but if that's what you want me to wear, then wear it I shall.
*(Bad Ass Mother Fruitcake**)
**What - you were expecting another word????
Cheese, that is.
Thank you to Ames for showering me with recipes highlighting my favorite ingredient: goat cheese. Enjoy:
Goat Cheese Spread with Lavender and Honey
Serve this tangy spread with crusty bread, seasonal fruits and a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. Light orange blossom honey or robust eucalyptus honey would complement the cheese and fragrant lavender.
Makes about 12 servings
12 ounces soft goat cheese
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons dried culinary lavender
3 tablespoons honey
1/4 teaspoons sea salt
Whisk together all ingredients until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning.
Nutrition Info
Per Serving (1.5oz/44g-wt.): 130 calories (90 from fat), 10g total fat, 6g saturated fat, 5g protein, 5g total carbohydrate (0g dietary fiber, 5g sugar), 25mg cholesterol, 160mg sodium
HellNoSheDidNotJustMakeAGrilledCheeseAndHoneySangwich (named by Amy)
-thinly sliced french bread toasted with olive oil
-sliced drunken goat cheese (from Whole Foods)
-wild flower honey
melt the cheese on bread then top with honey ...serve open face