Athena is going to be 1 on April 2nd! I can’t believe it! It’s truly amazing how quickly time flies by. It seems like yesterday that I was starting to worry about giving birth and now she’s walking, talking, and eating table foods. I am a mother! How the heck did that even happen? (This is a rhetorical question; please don’t comment.) I feel like a kid myself most times and now I’m completely responsible for a little human being who looks to me for comfort and care. It’s beautiful and scary and intense all at once, but here it is. Thinking about a birthday gift was overwhelming in itself. What do you get for a one year old? What is the best 1st birthday gift? I didn’t want to get her something that she’d like for a few days and then toss aside. I didn’t want to get her clothes or something completely practical; it’s still a birthday after all. I decided on the Joovy Tricycoo and it totally rocks… or should I say rolls? Regardless, it’s awesome. She can use it now with a little help from us, then on her own with us pushing, and finally like a big girl without our help. It’s a great way to introduce her to balance and coordination and it’s pink! Win, win! Continue reading
Tag Archives: Product Reviews
Can Your Purse Do That?
Most women love purses. They spend thousands of dollars on various colors, sizes, and designers. Recently, I went into a Coach store with a friend of mine and she drooled over a purse that was $3,495! I didn’t think it looked any different from my Walmart purse and it cost more than my first car, but to her it was perfection. She explained how it was THE color of the season, the design would go universally with everything she owned, and the price was reasonable since she would no longer need any other purse. To each his, or in this case her, own but I don’t understand the infatuation. I’ve never really been one for fashion though. I shop at second-hand stores and once in a while I will go all out and buy something from Old Navy or a vintage store. What the “normal” woman spends on purses and shoes, I make up for in outdoor gear and travel. Give me a versatile backpack over a purse any day. I’ve found my Coach purse of backpacks without the hefty price tag. The Mountainsmith Phantom 40 L panel loader is built with durable, lightweight high tenacity nylon and loads of ergonomic features ensuring years of fast, light, and comfortable use. It fits all of my travel needs and can easily act as a “purse” if need be. Continue reading
The 4th of July! Using My GoBar at a Cookout
The 4th of July! The biggest party day in the USA is just around the corner. As new Charlotteans, we want to ring in the celebration with recently made friends and community members, but living in a small apartment while we search for a house makes it difficult to invite people into our “home”. One benefit of living on the first floor, though, is that we have access to the grounds behind our apartment. Short of pulling our dining room table outside, we didn’t really have anywhere to put our stuff. After all, I don’t think it could be a real July 4th celebration without alcohol and BBQ. Alas, we found the GoBar, a high top bar that is ultra-portable and sets up in under a minute. With 3 interchangable options for the front skirt, the GoBar is “clumsy proof” even for a new mom who hasn’t had an alcoholic beverage in over a year. Continue reading
What Makes the Perfect Grill? The Napoleon Prestige 308 Grill
Living in southern California has its advantages. We can head to the beach almost all 365
days a year; we have “bad weather” days that consist of a little bit of rain and possibly winds; mosquitoes, those nasty little flies that bite and constantly buzz around lurking and waiting for their moment of attack, are a thing of the past; and every evening can be an “outdoor” event, which makes grilling, or barbecuing as eastern Canadians more often refer to it as, a necessity.
Grilling has always appeared to me as a manly activity and I never put much thought into cooking on the grill. Darren would happily attend to the grill regularly while we were living in New Brunswick and it never crossed my mind to participate, other than passing him the huge barbecue utensils and eating the food that he prepared. Then, one evening a few months ago, we stayed at a resort in Laguna Beach and they had a grill on the patio. As a new experience for my husband and I, I suggested that we grill together. I’m not sure what possessed me to mess with the perfect situation where he would do any grilling and I would hang out in the house waiting for my dinner, but the process of it all, that seemed to excite most men, intrigued me. The Napoleon Prestige P308RB Grill offered a cooking experience as gratifying as the wonderful meal we created, and that was it; I had to own my own Napoleon Grill! Continue reading
PRODUCT OF: IMPERFECT PARENTING
Although I couldn’t possibly afford all organic clothing for my precious cargo due in March, I’d like to have some essential pieces that will be comfortable, cozy, and durable. When I found Puppy & Bean, I adored their cute saying and 100% organic materials. They sell adorable kids clothing with unique saying that reflect the true lives of children and a hint of humor for parents. Continue reading