Author: Melissa
so far…
…we've hit Sea World
…dipped our toes in the Pacific…
…had an amazing visit with old friends in San Diego. But today we drove up to Anaheim and we're resting up to tackle Disneyland tomorrow!
Hello from CA!
Girlymama and family will be in Southern California all week!
WOOT!
We said goodbye at 5am Saturday morning (stupid frequent flier flights) to the snow and freezing temperatures and are now enjoying things like Not Wearing Snowsuits! Sun! Palm Trees! Sand! SUN!
I've figured out how to post from my phone, so I'll try to upload some of our adventures for you guys!
Have a great week!!
fashion friday: being realistic
When I look at my rather embarrassing collection of fashion magazines (I’m doing “research!” Really!) or browse People.com, I’m constantly feeling inadequate, as I’m sure most of us do. I certainly don’t look like that out together in real life!
The truth is, that if you see me at the bus stop or at school drop off, I’m probably unshowered, not wearing makeup and under the sweater I threw on as I ran out the door, I’m still wearing my pajama top.
Its true. Want to see my secret for those days when you just want to wear your pajamas? Something super cozy and comfy? Well, I have a outfit that lets you feel like you’re in your jammies, but doesn’t look like it.
Really. Its so comfy that it really shouldn’t count as being remotely stylish. But somehow, it is.
So this fashion friday, I encourage you to find a secret weapon outfit – one that is so super comfy that it feels like you’re slummiing it, but its actually stylish too. Because as busy moms, you need something like that in your closet! Trust me – THIS is an investment piece you’ll actually wear!
Look at Sarah Jessica Parker. For despite her well-deserved status as a totally gorgeous fashion icon, even she looks like a totally normal mom of three while dropping her kid off at school:
It makes me love her even more!
Join our blog hop! We are going to implement a few simple rules of standard carnival etiquette. As usual, please link directly to your Fashion Friday post, not your main blog page. In addition, we would appreciate it if you would link back to one of the carnival hosts. And if time permits, try to visit all of the participants and leave some feedback. After all, everyone loves comment luv!!
photo courtesy of celebrity baby scoop
Testing
t-minus 45 hours
until we leave for vacation.
And am I ready? NOT IN THE SLIGHTEST!
Wait, that’s not true. I did get the suitcases out of the attic. But that’s it. I have so much to do – pack for all of us for a whole week, get all of our tickets and such ready, find all the little Disney treats I’ve been buying for the kids and stashing away (humm.. where are they anyway?), clean the house, arrange for Bunny Sitting for the %^$# bunny (by the way, are you sure you don’t want a pet bunny?), get Ellie a haircut, do laundry, write a fashion friday post and find enough activities and food to entertain a two-year-old on a SIX HOUR flight.
Wish me luck.
I’m trying to figure out how to post from my phone to the blog, so I can post adorable pictures for you all week, so if you see some wonky posts today, just ignore it!
good thing he’s so cute!
Today I was attempting to have 2 minutes to myself, as I went into the bathroom to pee. (I know. Clearly I was delusional!) Of course, as soon as I sat down, I heard:
"Mom! MAMA!!! MAAAAAAAA-MAAAA!!!!!! WHERE ARE YOUUUUUUU?? MAMA!! MAMAAAAAAA!!!!"
"I'll be right there, Colin! Hang on!"
"MOM! MAMA! MOOOOOOOOMMMMMMEEEEEEEEE!!!! Mom!!!!!! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM!"
I rushed out of the bathroom and said something very kind and patient and loving, like "WHAT!??!"
He looks at me and says, "I missed you" and opened up his arms for a hug.
Its had to get mad when he has an answer like that.
just let go! (or i survived rock climbing)
This weekend, we went rock climbing for the first time. (Well, the girls and I had never gone. Husband loves rock climbing.)
We went to the Philadelphia Rock Gym for the Family Climbing Package that we scored on Living Social a few weeks ago. All of us put on our harnesses, then Husband and I got a quick lesson in belaying and they said, "Okay! Go ahead and climb." The kids were like "OKAY, AWESOME!" and immediately headed to the most difficult wall, while I immediately volunteered to belay with my feet planted firmly on the ground.
The girls found out fairly quickly that rock climbing is not as easy as it looks, especially when you're little! Neither of them got very high – maybe 10 feet off the ground – before they got scared or stuck, but they had fun and loved zooming back down to the ground.
Then it was mommy's turn. I climbed up fairly quickly to the top of the wall… Surprisingly, that was the easy part. It was the getting back down part that got to me. Or, to be more accurate, it was the turning around and realizing just how high up I was that got to me.
Husband and I had the following conversation (which may not totally accurate, as I was hanging off a wall approximately 2000 feet in the air.)
Husband: Look down so I can get a picture!
(that is me trying not to have a panic attack)
Me: (concentrating on breathing, as to avoid fainting) How do I get down?
Husband: Lean back and let go!
Me: Ex-CUSE me? What do you mean "lean back?"
Husband: Just let go and you'll fall back down to the ground!
Me: No! I'm afraid!
Husband: You're not going to fall! Just let go!
Me: Wait, you just said I would fall!
Husband: Yes, but you'll be fine.
Me: (again concentrating on breathing) Okay.
*nothing happens*
Husband: JUST LET GO!
Me: (closing my eyes and taking a deep breath… and letting go)
*fall very quickly to the ground, although he was right, in that I did not die.*
Me: I don't want to do that again for awhile. Man, this is so going on the blog.
Husband: Good thing I make you do stuff like this, otherwise you wouldn't have anything to write about.
*insert glare*
Besides the whole "getting back down to the ground" thing, it was very fun. The kids had a blast! And it was quite a workout! I could barely feel my arms when we were done. We'll totally go again sometime.
You can come with us if you want.
You can climb… I'll belay for you.
fashion friday: workout gear
Well, it was the first week of the new year! How many times did you work out? Because I’m sure that you, along with almost everyone else including me, has resolved to exercise more! I lucked out, having broken my toe on Sunday I had a perfect excuse to delay getting started.
Lucky me.
So instead of actually working out this week, I instead found all sorts of cute workout clothes! Because one mustn’t exercise without appropriate (and cute) workout gear, right?
I do not run. But if I did, I would pick a cute outfit like Nina Dobrev’s!
She looks super sleek, but comfy in her UnderArmour long-sleeved shirt and Escape Short (which even have a hidden pocket for your key! Nice!) Although girlfriend needs to get an armband for her iPod. I also love this shirt from GapBody with thumbholes!
Personally, I don’t run. I’m a huge yoga/pilates girl! See? This is me:
HAHA! Just kidding!
I’m a total amateur.
(Now this pose, I could handle.)
My very, very favorite brand of yoga/pilates gear is Athleta. Love their stuff. I prefer to work out in capri leggings and a long tank. Ooo – I love this tank as well! (And I have been coveting this Handkerchief Burnout Tunic all season! Love, love, LOVE!)
For more budget options for yoga gear, try Old Navy or GapBody.
I own FOUR PAIRS of Old Navy’s wide leg yoga pants. Because they have pockets. (FINALLY! Yoga pants with pockets! Why has this taken so long, people?) Pair them with a zippered jacket and you’re good to go! Target has terrific workout gear as well – and its almost all on sale this week. I highly recommend C9 by Champion: every piece I have by them has been comfy and has lasted really well!
Be good to your girls and pick up a good sports bra (For yoga and pilates, I LOVE the ComfortFlex Bandini bra! Seamless and very comfy! You’ll need something more supportive for cardio, though.)
And don’t forget socks. Hanes Cushioned Athletic Socks are my new favorite – I love how these fit! I’ve never once gotten a blister, they stay perfectly in place and are just cushioned enough without being bulky. I literally threw away my old athletic socks after I discovered these… and immediately ordered more!!
Don’t forget to add the amazing new products out there that help you make more of your workouts. FILA recently introduced these Toning Resistance Pants, which are supposed to be really amazing, but I personally haven’t tried them. I’m a huge fan of shaping shoes though! I love my Reebok EasyTone sneakers!
I know I joked about needing cute clothes to work out in, but I really do find that I’m more motivated and work out harder when I’m in appropriate gear that makes me feel good – as opposed to throwing on old shorts and a ratty tshirt from college.
What is your go-to workout gear?
Did you do a fashion post today? Link up!
photos by justjared, athleta, gap, hanes
if you hear screaming, no worries…
…its just my son.
*sigh*
Ever since Christmas, Colin has had issues. He is super grumpy and acting like a total brat. (And I say that with love, of course.) I'm exhausted from dealing with him! He certainly has his moments when he is brimming with sweetness, but they are few and far between.
Like this morning when I was making breakfast, he was informing me he don't wike eggs, he don't wike bacon, he don't wike juice, he don't wike pineapple, he don't wike toast, etc.(But of course, he ate it all when it was put in front of him.)
He also no longer likes his carseat, his bed, baths, sharing, eating meals at the table, shoes, milk, and wearing a coat.
He only wants to sleep in our bed, he only wants to eat junk, he only wants to watch his new "fav-wit moovee" (favorite movie), he only wants to sit in my lap for 23 hours a day. He's also slipped on ice and scraped his leg and his hand, gotten his finger pinched, fallen down the stairs and gotten his finger pinched again.
He's totally exhausted (due to the not sleeping thing), but his behavior is requiring a lot of attention and the poor kid has been in time out practically since we got home! Today I was able to put on shoes again, so we're heading to the grocery store with my grumpy boy.
I'm sure this will be super fun!