Thursday, January 29

Another One Bites the Dust


I'm sure you've heard by now, but Domino magazine is closing too. There aren't too many decorating magazines left for us to read. It seems like in this economy, the magazines with the more economical and resourceful decorating features would prevail, but that is just not the case. Who is making these decisions? It must be those same corporate baby boomers who have been doing such a great job running our country and its businesses! At least, my magazine addiction is starting to cure itself, because all my favorites are going out of business!

Wednesday, January 28

Sunday Fun

Last Sunday, Mary Slayden and a friend made pinecone bird feeders. We had to use Crisco instead of peanut butter because of her peanut allergy. I read t0 use lard, but I don't know where to buy lard and I had Crisco in the pantry. Same thing if you ask me. But the birds aren't eating them so they must not like Crisco. I don't really care, because the kids had fun. A bag of birdseed will buy you a lot of entertainment.

Tuesday, January 27

Little Inchworm



Claudia is learning to crawl. If you can call it that. We call her our little inchworm. She's gotten pretty fast at inching around. Where does the time go? She's nine months old already! It makes me sad and I wish she would stay a cuddly little baby forever.

Monday, January 26

Happy Chinese New Year

image via getty images

This is the year of the ox. Charlie's year. Claudia is a rat, just like me, and Mary Slayden is a Monkey, just like my grandmother, Meme. I called her today because she used to have a Chinese New Year book with colorful pictures and descriptions of all of the signs. I loved looking at that book when I was little and want to find it for my girls.
I think we'll celebrate by having Chinese food for dinner tonight. Ideally, we'd go to a restaurant, but I'm trying to diet so I'm making this Pork Ramen noodle dish. Its an old Weight Watchers recipe that has become a family fave. I might try to find some dumplings to steam also.

Sunday, January 25

Mountain Cow

So what do you think about my new look? I finally figured out how to add a banner for the top of the blog. I designed it using the Mountain Cow Printing Press Extreme software that I got for Christmas. Another find of my sister's. I've had so much fun designing all kinds of stationary and labels for myself and the girls.

Saturday, January 24

E-mealz


So I tried the Grocery Game thing for a while and it didn't work so well for me. All that time spent clipping and pulling coupons was just not my thing. And honestly, the stuff they put on sale was not what I'd consider healthy or would normally buy. Also, it was extremely frustrating for me to try to plan the week's recipes around the sale groceries that I was supposed to buy.



Now my sister has turned me on to E-mealz.com. You can choose from several diet plans or none at all. Then you go in and print the weeks menu and shopping list to match. You choose your preferred grocery store and they tell you what's on sale to buy towards completing your list. I'll let you know how this one goes, but Leslie is loving it.

Thursday, January 22

Tory Burch Clogs


I just bought these TB clogs that I've been obsessing over. I think I'll get a lot of wear out of them, since I've had my old Dansko clogs for ages. These are way cuter than the Danskos. These may be the ones that Cindy over at I'm Just Saying got too.

Wednesday, January 21

The Inaugural Gown


So what did we think about Michelle Obama's inaugural ball gown, designed by Jason Woo? I thought it was beautiful, and probably looked even better up close. Love these diamond bangles that she wore with it. And that ring is pretty good too.



Monday, January 19

Obama Concert


Yesterday afternoon, I watched the Obama Inaugural Concert live on HBO. It was so good that I watched a lot of the rerun again last night. Garth Brooks' performance was by far my favorite, and I also loved U2, but really, it was all so good. HBO is showing it again tonight at 8:30 so you can watch it if you missed it.

Saturday, January 17

Hermes Bracelet

I covet this Hermes bracelet that I saw on the Elements of Style blog last week. Why do I always like such expensive things that I can hardly ever get?

Wednesday, January 14

The End of Lipstick Jungle


I'm so upset that Lipsick Jungle is done. I'd heard the rumors. Then I watched Friday night's episode (that I dvr'd) where they seemed to tie everything up at the end and did a little montage of flashbacks that seemed really final. I got online and did a little research and sure enough, NBC has not officially cancelled the show, but they stated that ratings have been down and they have not ordered any new episodes. The writers have cleaned out their offices and filming has ceased. Hello people at NBC: the problem is that you moved the show to Friday nights. When are you going to learn that NO ONE in that demographic is watching tv on Friday night! Even in my lame, non-glamorous, life with two kids, we still go out and eat pizza on Friday nights.

Tuesday, January 13

Michael Smith Goes to Washington


I've read the rumors in blogland, but dominomag.com has posted the exclusive confirmation that the Obama's have chosen Michael S. Smith as their First Decorator. Check out the Domino website, where they have devoted a page to him; including bios, interviews and a slide show of his 10 best interiors. Also check out his new book, Houses and the older, Elements of Style. Both of which have gorge covers and are current favorites displayed in tablescapes around my home. I love his aesthetic and think he's a perfect choice for the White House!



Monday, January 12

For All My Pigeons


Someone emailed me this today and I thought that it was worth sharing. After watching the video, I discovered that Kelly Corrigan is the author of a book called The Middle Place. Its sold out on Amazon right now but the trailer for the book is worth watching also. I want to get it.


Sunday, January 11

Must Have

On my Starbucks run this morning I saw a girl wearing these suede clog boots. Love 'em.

Friday, January 9

How Many Do You Already Own?

I just picked up this new book; The One Hundred, A Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own by Nina Garcia of Project Runway fame. Its a fun book to have on your bedside table. Flipping through it I noticed the list includes everything from the ultra exclusive Birkin to bourgeois Havaianas. I think I'll be starting with the Havaianas.

Thursday, January 8

The Tracy Anderson Method


Gwyneth's Goop email today included a free video download from her trainer, Tracy Anderson. Gwyneth was on Oprah a while back explaining how she got her amazing bod through working out with Tracy. The free video targets the butt and legs, which I definitely need, so I'm going to try it out for a while. I also didn't know that Tracy Anderson has three other dvds available for purchase. I'm not a big self-motivator and do better in classes at the gym, so I'm going to see if I can make myself do the free one for a while before purchasing any. Now if only I had a posh poolside gym to work out in like GP does.

Wednesday, January 7

Jamie Oliver



I've been a big Jamie Oliver fan since way back in the day of the Naked Chef. Now he's a huge star in England with two restaurants, many many cookbooks, tv shows and other merchandise. While looking for a new curry recipe, I discovered his great website. What I love about him, besides the fact that he's so cute and has a perfect little family, is that he's a great philanthropist and is using his fame to promote healthy eating initiatives. I'm especially impressed with what he's done for children's school lunches in England. I wish he'd do that "across the pond" for us!
Now which curry should I make?

Tuesday, January 6

The City Setting Trends


If the girls on The City are any indication, bright red is the new trend in nail polish. Maybe all the New York girls are already wearing this? Sometimes it takes a while for a trend to make it down here. I don't know about you, but I kind of hate to see all the dark colors go. I might have to wait a little while on this one- at least until the spring.

Are you watching this show? So good. They are calling Whitney the new Carrie Bradshaw, however, my favorite is Olivia (pictured above). And I can't stand that guy Whitney is dating. She can do so much better.

Sunday, January 4

Christmas Pictures


I finally sorted through and uploaded all of our pictures from December and Christmas. I'm sick because I accidentally deleted all of my Flip videos from November and December when I was trying to upload them. It had MSP's birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas program at school, Christmas Eve pageant at church, everything.

For family members that have been asking for prints (you know who you are), all you have to do is click on the slideshow and it will take you to the Picasa web albums page. From there click on the prints tab at the top and you can choose to order prints from Snapfish or whatever print provider you prefer.

Thursday, January 1

Happy New Year

I've been on a little blog break the last week since we've been busy with the holiday festivities, clean up and mainly because the kids haven't had school and I can't find the time to do anything besides meet the demands of a four year old.

My favorite toast last night was made by my friend Diana, "I'll lose my behind in 2009." That's gonna be my new motto (after today).