Things to add to my wish list…
Stripe Body - here
H&M skirt – here
Navy Suede Pump - here
Fiorelli Metal trim shoulder bag – here
Twisted Multi Bangle set - here
Gilded and Glistening Diamonds - here
{ 0 comments }
Well it’s sickness season again and with all the H1N1 hysteria I’ve been trying really hard to keep my mouth shut. Vaccinations have to be a personal choice; I don’t want people telling me what to do so I try to be careful of pushing my beliefs on to others as well. Unfortunately, after weeks of holding my tongue, I’m ready to explode. This blog is a place where I come to give my opinion on things. It’s time for me to state my opinion, if you agree, if you disagree that is fine, at least we’re talking about it. The most painful part of the whole medical system for me is that so many people give their doctors blind trust. Remember, doctors are people too, and EVERYONE, including all doctors and me, makes mistakes!
I personally feel that most strains of germs (including H1N1) are already present in your body all the time. Illness is the outcome of prolonged stress. Maintaining the fight or flight response, which turns off your immune system so that blood can be preferentially sent to the limbs. Fight or flight is a highly intelligent program that comes standard with your body at birth, but it was intended for a world where dangers are acute, i.e. threat of attack from predators, not home forclosure, job loss and other chronic stressors. So if I become sick and start to blame someone else for sneezing on me, or coming into work with a cold or the flu, it really just sounds like passing the buck. I am the one who is in control of my health. What I should be most concerned with is: ‘How can I reduce stress in my life? How can I find balance between responsibility and play? Where can I find joy on a rainy day with a mailbox full of bills?’ The answers are there if you look for them and when you do you will be rewarded with true health and the ability to say no to the injections and chemical concoctions.
{ 0 comments }
I think it’s safe to say, we all have days we feel this way. Nothing goes smoothly from start to finish. All our best intentions of getting things done are blocked by some gigantic invisible wall. By the end of the day your ready to pull out your hair or attack a loved one.
I actually started this blog last week. I was having an unbearably frustrating day and thought “mmm… I’ll do a shout out. I’m sure I’m not the only one dealing with a thousand little daily frustrations that have morphed into BIG monster frustration.” I thought maybe there would be someone out there that would appreciate knowing they’re not alone. I sure know I would.
Well as it would on a day like this. I couldn’t even get the photo for this blog to upload correctly.
The moral of this story is… It is Totally OK to sit on your hands and not get anything done from time to time. Whats the point in continuing to push and try to force an outcome that isn’t going to be resolved today anyways. Shut off the phone, read a book, play with your kids. When this wall presents itself it generally means you need to focus on you, not all the things you think you need to do.
{ 0 comments }
Building a Green Smoothie
I recently became hooked on green smoothies as a delicious and efficient way to eat raw greens. Greens provide so many essential nutrients for every part of the body, they can even help to remineralize your teeth and reverse tooth decay. It hasn’t always been easy to consume the recommended daily amount, especially if you are trying to get your kids to eat them. Well, it can be easy – enter the Green Smoothie. When I started making these smoothies for my family life became easier, my children got healthier and I felt good about the level of nutrition my children were getting.
Kai Likes to Push the Button
What is a green smoothie? A green smoothie is really any frozen blended fruit beverage that you add greens to and no, it isn’t necessarily green in color. It is also a great place to hide other superfoods like chia. There are hundreds, probably even thousands of combinations out there that you can suit to your own tastes, but I have a very basic recipe that I work from most of the time.
{ 0 comments }
Making my Red Riding Hood costume
I am a self taught clothing and graphics designer. I definitely would not call myself a seamstress. I just love to create things. A couple years ago a friend of mine taught me how to thread a sewing machine and encouraged me to experiment. From that moment it became an addiction. The feeling of accomplishment is nice but for me it’s more about making it work (wouldn’t Tim Gunn agree). Figuring out how a piece will come together is like a massage for my brain. Yes, sometimes you have to go inside out and upside down to put a garment together. Though I love the puzzle, there are many tried and true tricks of the trade that make life easier. These tricks are hard to stumble on but there are plenty of resources to learn from these days.
One of the sites I like is Burdastyle. Here you can find all sorts of how to’s, patterns and project ideas. So dust off your sewing machine and play.
Oh! if you find a resource you love or a project you’d like to share leave a comment so we can all benefit.
{ 0 comments }
Halloween is my favorite holiday to spend in New York City. The rain only added to the experience. The beauty of living in Connecticut is we are very close to Boston and New York. We can easily get out of our day to day and experience the Big City. Ed and I drove down to New Haven and took Metro North into Grand Central Station (round trip ticket $30). Taking the train means no stressful traffic, good quality chill time and no worries about finding parking. Believe me, you do not want to get towed in NYC. Plus having a couple drinks is way more fun when no one has to drive.
Arriving at Grand Central Station
{ 0 comments }
Soap Nuts for Laundry
You want clean laundry, but you also want to be green, who can you turn to? Mother Nature; it’s long been common knowledge that she cleans the air, but now, we’re finally realizing, she’s also made provisions to clean our clothes. Soap Nuts are one of my latest easy to employ (important when you’re a mom of 3 or just plain busy), green cleaners. How green are Soap Nuts? Well, they grow on trees; is that green enough for you? Soap Nuts are the dried fruit of the Chinese Soapberry Tree. So, you might be wondering how they stack up to a regular detergent, here is what I have found switching from Tide to Soap Nuts:
Soap Nuts
- Much Cheaper than regular detergents, as little as .06 cents per load
- 100% Natural and Biodegradable
- You don’t need to add fabric softener (which makes them even cheaper!)
- Clothes come out just as clean
- No scents & hypoallergenic
- They are gentle enough to use on delicates
- They are low sudsing, so they’re great for HE Washers
- They are easier to use!
How do you use Soap Nuts? Grab 2 or 5 soap nuts, depending on water temp (I always use cold to save energy). Throw them into the little cotton sack and throw the sack into your washing machine. That’s it. And once that sack is in there, if you’re using cold water you can leave it in for up to 5 loads! You don’t have to worry about using any fabric softner because the soapberries have their own natural softening agents. When the shells are used up, just toss them into your compost.
If these little fruits haven’t done enough for you yet, toss a few in a cotton sack and throw them in the dishwasher to replace the chemicals or expensive green substitute you’re currently using.
Laundry Goes Green
{ 1 comment }
I always feel good in a pair of boots. I’ve found that there’s a pair for every occation. I was very excited when the thigh highs began to gain popularity again last fall. Last year the boots seemed to be reserved for the fashionably couragious. This year it’s all fair game. Thigh highs aren’t limited to late night dance parties. They can be an all day affair.
As the weather gets colder slip on a pair with leggings and a long sleeved mini dress. Don’t forget to layer a vest and long cotton scarf. Layering is the key to self expression. It’s the little touches you add to an outfit that give people a passing glimpse of your personality.
Here are 5 options under $100
1. Steve Madden – Blondee $99.90
2. Alloy – Marlane Boot $46.90
3. Sugar – Xanadoo $59.95
4. Ellie Shoes – 8868 $66.62
5. Diba – Will Oh $99.00
{ 1 comment }
I love it when my fiance calls me up to grab lunch. The Dutch Tavern is the oldest bar in New London, CT and one of our favorite midday spots. They serve a very traditional american lunch. Peter Detmold (the owner) is the only one you’ll ever find on the grill and thats the way he likes it. It’s also one of the few places left you can eat for under $5. The Dutch is known for it’s burgers, though my favorites are the tuna melt (pictured above) and the Veggie burger. Just make sure you get there before 3:30pm when he shuts down the grill. Oh and don’t forget to say hi to Ellie.
Let us know your favorite lunch spot.
-
- Jessie w/ tuna melt and potato salad
-
- Ed chewing…yummy
-
- Classic Lunch
{ 1 comment }