C is for Comfort!

This post was going to be all about balance, but instead I think it's going to be all about the ABC's.  When I get stressed, start worrying about the kids, about whether I'm not home enough, and questioning choices, I always seem to go back to a comfort place.  And that place happens to be my iPhoto library.  Watching videos of the kids when they were younger comforts and settles me.  Although, I don't prefer to post a lot of photos of my kids here, this one is rather outdated, so I think I'll let it slide.

A few more ABC's:

A.  BIG HEARTFELT THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR VOTES!  Goodies&Besties made it into the Top 25!

B.  Goodies&Besties is also now part of the Blogher Publishing Network, so you will see ads from time to time and links to other Blogher posts.

C..The amount of support and friendship that I have found through this blogging adventure is quote incredible.  I have "met" so many amazing women whose words inspire, photos impress, and relationships influence, that it's hard to believe that I have never talked to most of them face to face.  

D.  Huge thanks to Dawn of Suitcase Vignettes (who is one of the women I am referring to in "C") for rallying support for Goodies&Besties votes!  Check out her beautiful blog and you will be blown away by her thrifty eye and good heart!

E.  Bestie (the  other night - and this is a FB repeat):  "Mommy, can we pretend I'm your baby again?"

Yes, please.

Good hair day

Bestie:  "Mommy, your hair looks really great tonight.  You should wear it like that more often."

Me:  "Really?  Is it the headband?"

Bestie:  "Yes."

I was picturing it looked like this, but it didn't.

It did remind me of a product I've been wanting to recommend.

Kevin Murphy Anti-Gravity Spray
Perfect for anyone who has lifeless, thin, flat hair - like me!  My hair stylist, who is oh so good and never pushes the products, used this on my hair on my last visit.  It nice to find a product that does exactly what is promises.  It's weightless and gives volume.  And you know how some products seem to build up and just stop working after while?  This one doesn't do that.  It just keeps working.  And when I actually get around to blow drying my hair, it's even better.  But that's what so great about it, I can use it (and this is the only hair product I've been using), let my hair air dry and still get the same volume.  It's truly amazing.  Oh, and did I mention it smells like a spa?  Sold.  

Out with the nude, in with the bold

You know when you see a photo of a friend and it just makes you smile to see their happy beautiful face?  

And then you do a double take and think, for sure she's changed something.  

In this case, with a photo of my fellow blog contributor, fwb, AND one of my dear besties, I thought both.

She definitely looks happy and she definitely changed her make-up, specifically her gorgeous pop of lip color.

If there is anyone who can pull off a bold red, it's her.

Going bold?  Go red!

Nars in Jungle Red

shade reco via thedaybook

She has also been spotted sporting this perky pink!

Revlon Persian Melon

Still need more votes to get into the Top 25 Mom Beauty and Fasion blog list!  

If you like G&B, head on over and vote via the button to the upper right.

Adventures in Disney

I still find it amazing that one can wake up in dreary, cold Chicago and by early afternoon doing this.

and then just a little bit later, doing this.

Things I learned (and a little advice) at Disney World

1. Always take bathroom breaks in between rides because inevitably it will go something like this.  You've survived a 45 minute wait, you can see the light, you are almost there you can taste it, and then a little voice says, "Mommy, I have to go potty.  NOW."  Or, it goes something like this.  You have just been securely buckled into a ride, you know there are a few drops, but your 5.5 yr old can handle right?  Sure.  And he can and did, but the only thing on him mind was how badly he had to pee and half-way between the first and second drops, he announces, "I'm going,"  Luckily, it was on Splash Mountain.
2. Pack that princess dress!  Luckily, one of my besties Lisa, gave me this lifesaving advice as not more than two hours into our walk at Magic Kingdom, a little voice asks, "Mommy, I want to be wearing my princess dress."  
3. Always pack back-up outfits for the kids (see #1).  Don't tell your husband because when you whip it out and have clearly saved the day, you turn into Super Mom, and you can cut back on some other mom  duties for the day as you can always remind him that you did indeed, save the day!
4. Sometimes lines are worth it.   As angry as I was to be fooled by a 15 minute wait sign to meet the princesses that actually turned into over an hour, it was worth it to see the pure joy on my daughter's face.  And a little too much joy on my husband's upon meeting Belle ;)  Well, she was the prettiest, I do admit.
5. You can never carry enough hand sanitizer.

And the very most important thing I learned at Disney is that we need to set aside more time for 100% focus on the family.  I realized that the kids were wearing ear to ear grins, not only because they were meeting Mickey Mouse and riding the ride, but because we were all focused on each other.  No distractions.  And that, my friends, is the biggest lesson, that a I had to learn from a little mouse.

It's a shoe thing

In places like Disney World, where people come from all over the world, one dead giveaway for identifying an "out of towner":  THEIR AMAZING SHOES.  Who knew Disney would be the place to get an international shoe lesson on the current styles.  Someone could be in levi's and a polo button down, which you would think is standard American-tire, but when you scroll down to find some cool Euro shoes, you know they aren't from Kansas (nothing against Kansas).  Even my husband couldn't help noticing the Euro guys great kicks - and that was when he claimed his Keens were dorky dad shoes - and blamed me for the purchase ;) I like the Keens, but in comparison to the international flair, he's a little right.

In between Fast Pass scurries, bathroom breaks,  pin trading, and piggy-back rides, I found myself drawn to what was hitting the pavement.  I also found myself wondering what this fashionable Italian woman thought of "Italy" in Epcot?  Really.

The closest styles I could find for her cute (and comfy looking) perforated open-toed booties.

More trip updates tomorrow!

Linking up with the lovely KORI for fashion fridays!

Super Food

We are back from our trip!  Had a marvelous time and much to report, but in the meantime, wanted to talk about yet another super food that is getting a lot of hype lately - at least in my periodicals - Cauliflower!  It has tons of anti-oxidents and vitamin C and I've read that it is great for the skin too!  We love it raw, but here is another way to get a healthy dose in a big tasty way!

 

Mockiflower Garlic Mashed

1 head of cauliflower - steamed

1/4 cup parmesan 

Milk or Cream (add to desired consistency)

1-2 cloves garlic - chopped or minced

Steam cauliflower and put into blender or food processor while still warm.  Yep, I am still using my blender - food processor still in wedding box.  Then add garlic and milk.  Blend.  Add parm towards the end.

La voila!  Instant mashed potatoes without all the work.  Great with some sort of breaded or crusted chicken.

Recipe is not so precise as I just made it up based on a recipe I had read in Rachel Ray or some magazine like that.

Results:

• I loved it!
• Kids said they didn't like it, but then proceeded to clean their plates.
• Husband said it was ok, and then also proceeded to clean his plate.

I will definitely make again.  Would also be fun to use purple cauliflower.  Ahhh, dreaming of the farmer's market!

p.s.  And if you like G&B, don't forget to vote for us for the Top 25 Mom Blogs..link to the upper right.  You can can vote once daily through Feb 28th.   Thank you!

The bow tie bracelet was a success! I ordered the children's size and it was a perfect fit.

Check out the bowtiecause  to see all the great things the organization is doing.

On another note, I've been so behind on emails that I just discovered G n B was nominated to the 

Top 25 Fashion & Beauty Moms - 2012 list on Circle of Moms!

If you feel so inclined, head on over and vote (voting button to the right and GnB is #82 on the list)!  I'm a little behind since voting began at the beginning of the month, but maybe I can catch up with the help of my besties!

That'a a wrap for our valentine's production this year.

They are safely packed in backpacks and ready to go!

Organized Chaos

Besties, I've been working nonstop lately and, unfortunately, this little place falls lower on the priority this when the organized chaos sets in.  A few things to wrap up the week:

I did find a few moments to celebrate my Birthday with some of my favorite little people.  We had a cake party at 7am (just in case I got home too late, the kiddos would've been crushed)

Thanks so much to Torrie for a lovely audio book recommendation:  Diane Keaton's Then Again 

Thanks to my husband for my new shades...keeping me hip.

Snapshot of my desk the other night, yes, that's NIGHT

Next week, we will be leaving reality for fantasyland and heading down to Disney World and spending a few days at the beach.  Kids' suitcases are packed.  Mine is not.  And I don't have a gameplan really for Disney, which is stressing me out.  Any tips for 3 and 5 year olds.

Note:  My sister used to live in Orlando and I would fly there often.  I was single, maybe a little bitter, and never looked forward to heaps of kids with mickey ears, spreading out all over the terminal.  Now, I am those people.  Funny, how time flies.

Do these come in my size?

I've been seeing some really cute jeggings lately.  I don't know if jeggings are sooo 2010, but I'm digging them!  They just seem the practical choice when I want to wear my comfy leggings, but don't feel like (or have clean) my usual oversized sweater or sweatshirt dress.  I never really glommed onto the trend and don't really care if it's too late.  First question, do these come in my size?  ONLY if I could time travel.

JODDING Trousers at Garnet Hill Kids