fashion friday: sandals

Melissa

I love sandals. I love my boots – I do! But sandals are my favorite. I look forward to breaking out my sandals every spring!

1. Wedges. I wear them all the time! I just picked up these little cuties at Target:
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These are so cute with my rolled-up jeans and capris. And can I just tell you that they are super comfortable? And only $25? Sweet. My black wedges (sort of like these) are another go-to item for me, although they are not nearly as comfy as the other ones. Clarks has cute wedges on 6pm.com. For a more formal wedge look, try these gorgeous peep toe espadrille wedges from Banana Republic!

2. Flat Sandals. I love adding a splash of color with shoes. These Coral Thong Sandals are so fun! But these Evelin Ruffle Thong sandals are sweet too – and they have ruffles! These purple crinkle flower t-strap sandals from Gap are so fun.

I haven't tried the gladiator sandal look yet. But if I do, I will probably do something like this one:
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I love how they subtly they follow the trend (and they're metallic! Another trend thrown in!) Something like this is a bit much for me! I also have a pair of Crocs ballet flats (kind of like these) that I wear often.

3. Flip flops: And the ultimate summer staple…. I LIVE in Old Navy flip-flops. How many colors do you have?


babies **GIVEAWAY**

Melissa 10 Comments

This giveway is not closed! Congratulations, Hillary!

BABOS-1-Sheet Have you heard about Babies? Ever since I saw the trailer a few weeks ago, I've been dying to see it!

Directed by award-winning filmmaker Thomas Balmès, from an original idea by producer Alain Chabat, BABIES simultaneously follows four babies around the world – from birth to first steps. The children are, respectively, in order of on-screen introduction: Ponijao, who lives with her family near Opuwo, Namibia; Bayarjargal, who resides with his family in Mongolia, near Bayanchandmani; Mari, who lives with her family in Tokyo, Japan; and Hattie, who resides with her family in the United States, in San Francisco.

Re-defining the nonfiction art form, BABIES joyfully captures on film the earliest stages of the journey of humanity that are at once unique and universal to us all.

Watch the trailer -and tell me just how cute this looks! I would love to see how babies grow up all over the world!

To celebrate Babies premiere in theaters on May 7th, the wonderful folks at Focus Features are giving Girlymama readers a chance to win a Babies Prize Pack, which includes advance screening passes to see Babies, a t-shirt, a BABIES onesie, mini-posters and some other promotional items. Here's how to enter: 

1. Contest ends Saturday, April 24th.
2. Entry #1: Leave a comment just saying which Baby's story you're most interested in seeing.
3. Entry #2: 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).
4. Winners will be selected by Random.org, announced back here on this post, and notified via email with further instructions.

Good luck!!

Disclosure: This giveaway was provided for my readers as part of the Babies Ambassador program - which you can join!  I was not compensated financially for this post.

Uncategorized

if their heads weren’t attached….

Melissa 7 Comments

Gracie: "Mom! When did you paint the bathroom?"

Me: "What bathroom?"

Gracie: "The one downstairs! You painted it. When did you paint it brown?"

Me: "Over a year ago."

Gracie: "REALLY?!?!"

I'm torn. On one hand I have to laugh that she truly JUST NOTICED that I painted the bathroom.

On the other hand, this is one thing that frustrates me to no end about her. She just does not pay attention. She will come up to me and say "I can't find my shoes anywhere!!" And I will say something like, "They're sitting right next to you" or "That's because you're already wearing them."

(Yes, that actually happens.) 

Honestly, how do you get your kids to pay attention? When I tell them to look for their [shoes, books, backpack, coat] they inevitably come back to me saying "I can't find it!" I tell them exactly where to look, and they can't find something that is sitting in plain sight. Gracie has actually come into our room at 3am to tell me she can't find her blankie when it is sitting right on her pillow. 

Is this some kind of stage? Please tell me they grow out of this!

Uncategorized

overcoming the mama bear instinct

Melissa 8 Comments

Friday afternoon my cell phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Mrs. Girlymama. This is Mrs. C, the school principal. Ellie is here in my office. There was an incident on the bus."

My mind was racing. Ellie? In a fight? What? Ellie doesn't even fight with her siblings! She and her sister argue, but there's never any hitting or out right fighting! Was this the bully from before?

"A little boy bit her on the bus. And she's very upset, so I took her off the bus."

WHAT?

I stopped mid-email and threw the other kids in the car and raced over to the school. Ellie was sitting in the principal's office in a chair, an ice pack on her hand, and a tear-stained face. As soon as she saw me, the tears started again. I took her in my arms and began to get the story…

The boy who was sitting in the seat in front of her  grabbed her, tugged her arm into his seat and bit her. She didn't know his name or what grade he was in. I calmed her down and the principal looked me straight in the eye and said, "This WILL be taken care of. I'm calling his parents and he will be in my office first thing Monday morning."

Ellie asked if we could stop at the playground – and of course I said yes – and we got home about an hour later. I was getting dinner on the table when she came up to me and said her hand hurt.

I could see the teeth marks on her hand. And the nail marks from where he grabbed her.

I'm livid that someone hurt her like this. And as I held her in my arms and praying with her and talking about how she needed to forgive this little boy, I realized I was talking to myself as well.

I don't know why he did this. I don't know what his story is or where he's coming from. But this is the first time this has happened so maybe he was just reacting to something outside of Ellie. I need to forgive him too and pray for his little heart.

Even though my motherly instinct is to smack him.

****
I realized as Ellie was about to get on the bus this morning that I needed to talk to her about not gossiping about this little boy. We had a quick chat about not saying mean things about him to other people. The whole bus saw this happen and I'm sure people will be talking about it. But I don't want her to start bad mouthing this kid – lets not provoke him more, shall we? Talk about a hard thing to explain!! Any advice?

fashion friday: swim coverups

Melissa 3 Comments

Well, we've talked about the swimsuit, but lets chat about the mom's best friend, the cover up! I love swim coverups so much that several of them have woven their way into my summer wardrobe. Really, they were that cute! A swim coverup is a great way to try something trendy that you might not normally try or to try a sundress that might be just a smidge too young for you. When its just thrown over your swimsuit, you can pull just about anything off! Here are my three favorite coverup looks:

  1. Going classic and sophisticated with a gauzy tunic like this one from Old Navy:On730460-00vliv01
    Athleta has an adorable linen one. Or go for a more exotic look with a kimono style cover-up. Or go luxurious with a silk tunic!
  2. Going sleek and modern with a maxi dress. This tube dress from Old Navy is classic. I have this maxi dress from Target and I wore it constantly all summer – not even as a cover up! It became one of my go-to outfits for summer and I constantly got compliments on it.
    The maxi dress is a prefect coverup –and feels so comfy to throw on after a long day at the beach. Personally, the tube top look is something I can only pull off as a coverup. Not a good look for me normally. 
  3. Going cute and sporty with a little hoodie dress. Or this one from Old Navy. Or go cute and nautical with this hooded dress from Old Navy – or if you love just stripes in general, this envelope dress would also be a great coverup! 

What's your favorite beach coverup?

le creuset from cookware.com **GIVEAWAY**

Melissa 111 Comments

**This giveaway is now closed! Congratulations to Laura D — ENJOY your new Le Creuset!!**

You know how I'm absolutely in love with my new Le Creuset French Oven. I debated and debated over which one to get and you all passionately debated as well. 😉 Well, after I bought my new Le Creuset, I discovered the AMAZING prices at Cookware.com on Le Creuset! You can get a complete Le Creuset gift set for only $199. That's $200 off, people!! The 7-piece set is over $300 off.

And they don't just have Le Creuset. Cookware.com has everything from Calphalon is up to 70% off and Henckels knives for 60% off! This Cuisinart Grind and Brew Coffeemaker is a personal favorite of mine and this is a great price! Kitchen Aid Stand Mixers are another classic that every cook would swoon for! You can even get Electrolux washers and dryers for 20% off! 

With graduations, Mothers Day, Fathers Day and wedding season coming up, you can get some fabulous gifts shipped for free right to your front door!

Cookware.com is generously offering a lucky Girlymama reader a gorgeous Le Creuset 12" x 9.5" Rectangular Baking Dish in Cherry.  Here's how to enter: 

1. Contest ends Friday, April 16th.
2. Entry #1:
Leave a comment just saying you want to win.
3. Entry #2: Leave a SEPARATE comment telling me your favorite color of Le Creuset.
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.

Good luck!!

Disclosure: CSN Stores provided me
with this giveaway for my readers. I
was not compensated financially for this post.

baby cribs plus – brace yourself for the cuteness **GIVEAWAY**

Melissa 45 Comments

This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to Amy! Enjoy your new bag!!

I recently discovered the little gem that is Baby Cribs Plus. They carry all the hottest brands of baby cribs, bedding and accessories – even diaper bags – at terrific prices.  They carry tons of the same brands that my local uber-pricey baby boutique has for a lot less. Plus, there's no sales tax and free shipping on all orders over $69.

I love that they have all the classic brands you find everywhere – like Britax and Graco – and also those swanky, unique brands you usually only find in boutiques. Its a great place to get baby gifts for friends or to decorate your nursery in a truly unique way! The artwork by CiCi Art Factory is just darling and I'm in love with the modern and fun crib bedding by Gus & Max. And what new mom (and dad) wouldn't love a hip diaper bag?

Skiphop The great folks at Baby Cribs Plus are offering a lucky Girlymama reader this adorable Saddlebag Diaper Bag from Skip Hop!! Here's how to enter: 

1. Contest ends Friday, April 16th.
2. Entry #1: Leave a comment just saying you want to win.
3. Entry #2: Leave a SEPARATE comment telling me your favorite brand sold at Baby Cribs Plus.
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.

Good luck!!

Disclosure: CSN Stores provided me with this giveaway for my readers. I was not compensated financially for this post.

brighten your smile with rembrandt **GIVEAWAY**

Melissa 23 Comments

This giveaway is now closed! Congrats to Megan! Enjoy your new smile!!

I confess that I've tried at-home teeth whitening products before, with slight success, but nothing really spectacular. I've used those strips that start with a "C" and end in "est" along with store brands. They made a difference, but nothing major.  I had a lot of tooth and gum sensitivity with the store brand. And you all know how I love my coffee, red wine and Coke Zero. So when I needed a touch- up, I was so excited to give Rembrandt 2 Hour Whitening Kit a try!

2-hour-whitening-kit It was super easy to use. I loved how the trays formed to fit your teeth to give you great results – and that they covered more than just your six front teeth. They hit your whole smile! The trays were not uncomfortable at all. My teeth look great – my husband even noticed as soon as he got home! As a busy mom of three, I appreciate that Rembrandt has developed a system that works in two hours – not two days, not two weeks. And I didn't have much tooth sensitivity after – which I've had with other teeth whitening systems. I feel it gave me better results than any other at-home teeth whitening product I've tried thus far. I'm planning on picking up some Rembrandt Intense Stain Toothpaste so I can keep drinking my beloved coffee without messing up my new whiter teeth!

Rembrandt is offering a lucky Girlymama reader their very own Rembrandt 2-Hour Whitening Kit!! Here's how to enter: 

1. Contest ends Friday, April 16th.
2. Entry #1:
Leave a comment just saying you want to win.
3. Entry #2: Leave a SEPARATE comment telling me what tooth whitening products you've tried and how they worked.
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.

Good luck!!

Disclosure: Rembrandt provided me with a 2-Hour Whitening Kit to review as well as one for my readers. I was not compensated financially for this post.