Author: Melissa

We typically don’t do gifts for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Actually, my husband and I rarely give each other gifts. We tend to ‘do’ things for anniversaries and birthdays. Like go to Hawaii or see a show or something. But if we did do a gift this year, I would be torn. There is some really cool stuff out there!!!

If I could, I would buy him:

The Nook: I really think that he would love a Nook. Everyone I know who has a Kindle, Nook or Sony Reader completely loves them and uses it all the time. Especially because he travels frequently, I think this would be great for him.
I’ve been researching the pros and cons of each. I’ve decided that if we do get an e-reader, we’re getting  a Nook. I love that you can share books on it (whereas you can’t with the Kindle). And it has free 3G wireless and wi-fi, so you can check e-mail and surf the web.
(Do NOT tell me to get an iPad instead. I know they are amazing, but they are too pricey to even daydream about!)

An Eye-Fi Memory Card: One thing I do that totally drives my husband up the wall is that I always forget to put the memory card back in the camera after I download pictures. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve gone somewhere only to realize we forgot the memory card! So the Eye-Fi Memory Card wirelessly transfers photos and video from your camera to your computer or an online site when you walk in your front door. How amazing is that?
But maybe this would be more of a gift for me, since I’m the one who never remembers to upload pictures….

a Camcorder: We’ve never had a camcorder – just the one in our point-and-shoot digital camera. I’ve heard terrific things about the Flip Ultra-HD Camcorder, but I really am intrigued by Sony’s bloggie H-D Digital Camcorder.
Do you have a camcorder? Do you get lots of use out of it or do you think they’re becoming obsolete with the new digital cameras?

an iPod: Because he gave me his iPod when mine broke. (I know. Sweetness, right?) But I’m not sure. If he already has an iPhone, would he use an iPod?  He already has a pair of noise-canceling headphones for the plane that he LOVES… but the iPod Touch seems so cool because then he could play games and stuff.
What do you say, iPhone users? Do you still use your iPod or do you just use your iPhone for everything?

Its been just a teesy-weensy-bit crazy here this week. So I don't have much for you this Friday. But I did manage to run across a few gems this week to share. Because I'm always on the lookout for cute stuff. Its a dirty job, but someone needs to do it 😉

1. I love this body wrap from GapBody.

Doesn't this just scream "lazy mornings curled up in a chair with a hot cup of coffee and a good book"?

2. I'm also loving this printed pack everywhere dress by Athleta.

Its made of this Featherweight Stretch fabric, so you can roll it up and stick in a gym bag or beach bag and it will be ready to wear! AMAZING! LOVE this whole collection!

3. I am most definitly not loving these stirrup leggings.

Oh no. No no no no NO. And these are at the GAP of all places!!

4. I'm really loving this Rosette Detail Wrap Top by Charlotte Russe.

And I'm really, REALLY loving the $22 price tag!

5. I am totally and completely in LOVE with this Chiffon Tier Top by Yummie Tummie and think that I must have one.

Don't you love it?? I have the Yummie Tummie original tank and I LOVE it. It is an absolute wardrobe staple for me and is by far the most comfortable shapewear I've ever tried!

Somehow my job as a wife and mother manages to be both overwhelming and underwhelming at the same time.

The overwhelming parts hit me when I think about everything I need to do. Am I spending enough
time with the kids? How can I meet the needs of three kids who are three
different ages? Am I investing
enough in my marriage? Am I working too much? Should I lead Bible Study next year? Shouldn't I be doing more to reach out to my neighbors? 

The underwhelming parts hit me as I'm washing the dishes – again – wondering what I accomplished that day.  Dishes, cooking, laundry, cleaning, lessons, school, blogging, picking up toys… repeat over and over and over. AND OVER.

Often its not the difficulties in life that gets to me – its the drudgery. There's no gigantic mountain to overcome, no huge mission to focus on… just the everyday everydayness of life.  What we do day after day – folding laundry, wiping noses – despite our knowing in our hearts how important it is, really does seem terribly insignificant sometimes. But God in His infinite wisdom has placed us exactly here, exactly now. As Elisabeth Elliot said, "He assigns and designs according to His inscrutable wisdom – always for our blessing and conformity to the image of Christ."

In the midst of the everyday busyness with young children, its important for us to remember that this is not wasted time. Some days it may seem that we're accomplishing very little. But we're not only are we raising our children and building our marriages. There's so much more than that: we're being conformed to the image of Christ, learning important lessons that will equip us for future ministry. We're learning to serve others,  humility (OH, do we learn humility!), patience, how to encourage others, hospitality and time management. Lessons that will last long after our children leave our homes.

Just the other day I read this in My Utmost for His Highest: "We have the idea that God is going to do some exceptional thing — that he is preparing and equipping us for some extraordinary work in the future. But as we grow in His grace we find that God is glorifying Himself here and now, at this very moment. If we have God's assurance behind us, the most amazing strength becomes ours, and we learn to sing, glorifying Him even in the ordinary days and ways of life."

"He's got the birds and the flowers… in His hands,

He's got the mommies and the daddies… in His hands,

He's got the strangers and the weirdos… in His hands,

He's got the whole world in his hands!"

This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to comment  #11: Shannon of Chester County Moms!

I recently discovered an absolute gem of a company called ZOOCCHINI. They have whimsical plush stuffed animals, sweet hooded towels and adorable dinner sets. Everything is uniquely designed, well made, super cute and very affordable!

I LOVE the dinner sets!  Colin absolutely loves his and insists on using it for almost every meal. Its is so adorable (with original artwork), includes a plate, bowl, fork, spoon and sippy cup with lid AND its BPA and Phthalate FREE! It is very well made – not the flimsy plastic you often get with kids plates and such – and the utensils are sized perfectly for little hands.

We also tried out a ZOOCCHINI hooded towel – it is fabulous for the pool in the summer. Its generously sized, super soft, and sooo adorable. I'm so tired of buying character-themed beach towels that get rough and fade just as soon as you wash them – such a waste of money. But the ZOOCCHINI hooded towel has survived several trips to the pool – and just as many washings – and is just as soft as it started out!

Both of these items would make fabulous gifts for birthdays, baby gifts, or holiday gifts. As a parent, I love when people think out of the box and give gifts that aren't just name brand toys from the big box store. Something unique and useful is much more appreciated!

ZOOCCHINI is giving one lucky Girlymama reader a ZOOCCHINI Summer prize pack of a dinner set and hooded towel! Here's how to enter:

1. Contest ends Friday, June 11th.
2. Entry #1: Leave a comment telling me your favorite ZOOCCHINI item
3. Entry #2: Leave a SEPARATE comment telling me you subscribed to the ZOOCCHINI newsletter
4. Entry #3:  Leave another comment telling me in what way you promoted this contest (i.e., posting about it on your blog or Facebook, Tweeting about it, emailing friends, and/or subscribe to my feed by email or in a reader).
5. Winners will be selected by Random.org, announced back here on this post, and notified via email with further instructions. "

Not only that, but ZOOCCHINI is offering Girlymama readers 20% off your entire order for the next 30 days! Use coupon code  ZOOC20 at checkout!

disclaimer: i received a dinner set and hooded towel from ZOOCCHINI to facilitate this review. i was not compensated financially for this review or giveaway.

I had a request this week from Jen for a few tops that are affordable, cute and modest. Personally, I have three go-to places when I need some cute and inexpensive clothes:

1. Target
Is there anyone who doesn't love the Target?
Merona is a sure bet for more modestly cut clothes. I love Mossimo as well, but they are geared more towards juniors so they tend to fit tighter and be designed for people who have not had three babies. Ahem.
I love this Lucy Sleeveless Top by Merona. And look at the adorable detailing on the Artist Tee? (Ooo – it comes in Plum, too! And brown! I love the brown! And they're all only $15!)
SIDEBAR: If your belly is a problem area, then relaxed front teesrunching and pintucking are your friends. Embrace them with open arms. They let you have a less-fitted look without looking like you're wearing maternity clothes. and

2. Kohl's.
Kohl's is not your mama's store anymore. They have several VERY cute lines of clothes and when you shop the sales and get an additional 15-30% off with your Kohls charge, you can make a killing. Plus, their stuff tends to run a little more modestly cut than Old Navy.

This Sonoma embellished tank is completely adorable and is on sale for only $10. I love this braided neckline tee (also $10) and this scroll shirred top (ALSO $10) would look fabulous with my long brown skirt. If you were looking to buy me something.

For something a little dressier, I'm in LOVE with this Dana Buchman Embroidered Tunic:

Can you just see this with a pair of slim white capris? SWOON! I'd need to see if it was a coral-shade of orange before buying it for me, but if you can pull of orange – go for it! For me! PLEASE!

3. Old Navy
Old Navy is hot or cold for me. Either I walk in and love everything or I can't find anything I like. 

I have this Ruched V-Neck T-shirt in about 3 colors and I love it! Its a little low cut, but I wear a cami under it. For a similar look that's not as low cut, try this Flutter-Sleeve Tee. I love these Twisted-Neck T-shirts – such a cute touch at the neckline – and these Lightweight Embroidered Keyhole tops are casual but could easily be dressed up for church or a date night! 

This Gathered Scoopneck Top could be dressed up or down easily as well and it looks like its almost a tunic, if you like that length.

A couple other places to look for cute tops:

• If you're fairly small and can pull of clothes technically for juniors, try Go Jane or Forever 21. They have loads of stuff for under $20. H&M has great stuff as well, but tends to run small and tight, so proceed with caution.
• Try Lands End's online outlet store. You can score KILLER deals if you hit it right.
• Outlets, Outlets, Outlets! I try to hit the Gap Outlet, LOFT Outlet and Banana Republic Outlet. I also love the Coach outlet, but this post is supposed to be about inexpensive things!
• Check the clearance racks at your favorite stores and watch the sales. I've made a killing on the clearance racks with additional 30-50% off sale going on!!

Where are your favorite place to catch great deals on cute clothes?

Dear Crayola,

I have your new poster child and/or campaign right here in my house. His name is Colin and he is quite adorable. Colin recently discovered how to open markers. And he is not wasting time. For example, in the past week he has colored:

• on the wood desk (with a Sharpie!!)
• on his sisters' chairs, desk, bed and mirror
• on the wall of my bedroom
• on the carpet

All of the above have been cleaned up (thanks to Magic Eraser*), but let me tell you that Washable and Color Wonder have saved his skin. He would probably still be in time out if it wasn't for them.

On behalf of mothers everywhere, thank you for making things washable!

Sincerly,

Girlymama

*Magic Eraser and Resolve might be interested in partnering with Colin too.

3.