Close Enough?

I don't know if I should feel proud or mortified that every time Bubs sees a picture of one of these lovelies in a book he gleefully exclaims, "Mama!" Here's hoping he learns how to sound out the letter "l" a little better, real quick like.

Correction

Turns out our time-out bench is not, I repeat, not an antique. Furthest thing from it actually. It's made out of plywood, was manufactured in China, and can easily be purchased on-line for around $34.95. Long story as to why I sincerely thought it was an antique and therefore genuinely drew inspiration from it. But suffice to say, again, that it is not. Good thing I didn't take it on the Roadshow.

The Milky Way

The H turned it out in the kitchen again last night . . . . . . with this beautiful fresh strawberry, bleu cheese and spinach salad.But the focal point of the meal was the milk-braised pork tenderloin and smashed potatoes smothered in a milk-based gravy. Just moovelous.Too bad we didn't have milkshakes for dessert because that would have gone along nicely with my theme. But we did have root beer floats in THE Coke glasses. And they were too good.Everything was reimagined as breakfast this morning. Udderly scrumptious!

American Beauties

Why yes, those are red rose petals floating in my children's bathtub. It is my latest no fuss, no muss bathtime technique, and it's working like a charm. Mostly because it's lured Snook back into the bathtub with Bubs, which cuts my whole nighttime routine in half and gets her to bed almost an hour sooner. We'll see how long this lasts, but for now I'm enjoying how Victorian and picturesque it all is and trying not to think about that creepy old Kevin Spacey.

Fringe Benefits

When I made the decision to cut bangs late last year, I had no idea they would come with such great perks. For starters, I can pop into the salon any time for free bang trims in between cuts. Which really helps clean up the look when you're looking at a haircut only once every three to four months, if you're lucky. But wait, there's more. My awesome stylist trims Snook's bangs for free as well! This is huge because a bang trim for Snook used to run me about sixty bucks a pop. What?! That's outrageous!!! Well, in truth the bang trim itself only cost five bucks. But, and talk about this for a brilliant business model, her haircut place is located in the back of a toy store, which is located next door to a darling children's boutique. You try getting out of there for less. Not happening. Yes, I am quite relieved to finally be getting more bang for my buck.

Time Out

The bad news is this bench has been getting way too much use lately. The good news is it's an antique. Which I take to mean that the whole time-out thing must be a tried-and-true disciplinary technique. Meaning it must work. Eventually. I also take comfort in the idea of there being naughty kids back in the olden days. Makes the naughtiness seem more like a kids-being-kids thing and not like something I'm doing wrong. Whatever makes you feel better, right?

The Golden Clutch

This little clutch (in gold) is my latest most greatest fashion find. I was looking for a white clutch, but when I saw this, well it's hard to argue with the versatility and fabulosity of gold. And snakeskin. And a patent leather sheen. And the fact it cost less than thirty dollars. I love that it has both a zipper closure as well as a traditional clutch closure. Setting aside that it reminds me a little of the bag I used to wedge under my Malibu Barbie's arm, I really can find no flaw and look forward to showing it many a good time this summer.

He Lives in Me

So we saw the Lion King in Vegas, picked up the soundtrack, and now I can't stop listening to this same song over and over again. It's a kind of an anthem to every child who has ever lost a parent, and it chokes me up every time. Why I let myself dwell in such a dark place I have no idea. But it's beautiful in its tragedy.

Colorful Coke

Much as I try to limit our McDonald's trips to the occasional drive-through breakfasts and the even more occasional rainy-day playdates, some Friday nights nothing says dinner like the Golden Arches. Like last night for instance, when I tried to ease my guilt with supplemental bowls of cantaloupe all around. My guilt was also eased by the fact that tucked in with our value meals were the neatest little freebies I've seen in a while-- Coca-Cola glasses. Real glass. 16 ounces. In the prettiest shades of light brown and green. I can't remember the last time I drank a Coke (high school?). But there's something eye-catching about that classic, cursive logo, and I've always liked colored glass. Plus if we collect two more colors, we'll have the whole set! What to do? What to do?

Into Thin Air

I am so glad I finally discovered this product. Enough said.

Ladies and Gentlemen

Three months of ballet lessons culminated last Sunday afternoon with Snook's first ballet recital. But first I had to put into practice the lessons I'd been taught the previous week at a ballet bun workshop. I kid you not. They taught us everything from the exact width of the rubber band, to the specific brand/color of the hairnet, to the novel technique of splitting the pony tail into thirds before winding each section into a bun to avoid the "doorknob" effect. At the time I was thinking how nutty to have a bun workshop for three-year-old ballerinas. But on Sunday morning, I must say I knew exactly what to do with Snook's hair, and she looked lovely, right down to the slicked-back bangs. A requirement! Views from the back, top and side. Let me tell you, that bun was going nowhere.A shot in the backyard before it was time go.


And finally, the main event. Did you catch the plie? The port de bras? Just breathtaking! I was so proud of my little ballerina/cupcake face.

Now, lest you think Snook only dances, oh no, this girl is a double threat. As can be seen in this, my first blog video. Enjoy!

Double Take No. 8

What would we Moms do without Bumbo seats? I had my two babies before they came out with the nifty little tray attachment for the Bumbo. Now that really would have come in handy.
3-month-old Snook
4-month-old Bubs
Poor Bubs. Both the seat and the hat are hand-me-downs.

Baby Daddy

I thought there was nothing cuter than a little girl playing "mommy" with her baby dolls. Until I saw this:





And when he pats the little dolly on the back . . . I'm sorry but that's just the cutest thing ever!

Mac Attack

The kids got in on the housemade meal a couple of nights ago. The theme was old school steak house. On the menu-- Brandt Beef baseball cut, steamed spinach, a dry red-- you know the drill. But the highlight, for me at least, was the mac 'n' cheese.

With extra sharp Cheddar, honey goat cheese, caramelized shallots and shitake mushrooms. A little too gourmet for the kids, as it turned out, so I was obliged to hog the leftovers for dinner this evening. Should be running, not blogging.

Surfing Safari

I'm not sure what to think about all of the safari dresses that have been popping up this Spring. On the one hand, I'm a little afraid that if I put one on, I would look like I was heading to my job at the Wild Animal Park. On the other hand, I'm kind of drawn to their tailoring, flattering silhouette and feminity. Kind of a more structured version of the wrap dress and a longer, more wearable version of the shirtdress. And I do sort of love them with the strappy sandal and accessory stylings shown in the following round-up (I still haven't figured out how to do one of those cool fashion collages): ITW by Claude Brown "Melanie" Safari Dress
Milly Safari Shirt Dress
Autumn Cashmere Safari Dress LA MADE Euro-Safari Cotton Poplin Shirt Dress
Charlotte Ronson Safari Dress
Diane von Furstenberg "Safari Damani" Dress
Shoshanna Belted Safari Dress
Stretch Poplin Shirtdress
Cargo shirtdress
Tory Burch "Addyson" Dress
Halter Safari Romper
So I'm still trying to make up my mind. Zookeeper or fashionista?

Adults Only

There are many things to love about the grown-up weekends that my hubby and I have been enjoying lately courtesy of my kids' sleepovers with Grammie and Grampie. There's the sleeping in until 8:00 a.m., the wandering aimlessly around Target, the finishing of many a nagging household project, the lingering over a lovely dinner party, the spontaneity, the lack of tip-toeing and whispering after the kids have gone down, the freedom . . . The list goes on and on. But teetering at the top of that list have to be the housemade meals the H throws down for just the two of us.
This was lunch last Saturday. A mache and endive salad topped with a poached egg and a vinaigrette that got me even tipsier than the Prosecco.


And this was our Sunday brunch. Huevos rancheros with all the fixings. Check the Bloody Mary! Just the bomb diggity.