Hand Stamped Silver Jewelry

I had been wanting a hand stamped necklace with my kids’ names for ages, but I just couldn’t find one that I absolutely loved. Until now. AJ’s Collection has an amazing selection of personalized sterling silver jewelry. They are reasonably priced and have many different add-ons to make your piece even more unique. My necklace arrived in about a week and I am thrilled with it. In fact, I love it so much that I am planning to order another. As I said, the variety is vast, so it is hard to narrow it down to just one. Prices range from about $45-$80, depending on the style. This would make a great gift for moms/wives/daughters. They have guitar picks too, if you happen to have a musician in your life. Check them out. I think you’ll be pleased. www.ajscollection.com

*P.S. Pardon my brevity today, but my computer has a virus so I’m trying not to stay on too long.

My Favorite Things & Must Haves for Baby

This list is in honor of one of my besties, who will be having a new little one in a couple of months.  When that bundle of joy first comes home and you’re up every two and a half hours in the night feeding, burping and changing diapers it can at times feel like it’s never going to end.  Your precious little one can seem like a tiny, angry houseguest who won’t go away.  But, during those sleep deprived, endless nights try to remember that they are only itty bitty for such a short time.  It truly will be over before you know it and you’ll be wishing you could have your big kid turn into a new-born again for just a couple of days!  Here are some things that may make your life with a new baby a little easier.

My Favorites  Car Seat- Britax, Stroller- Maclaren, Baby Blanket- Little Giraffe, Bottles-Playtex Drop-Ins (BPA Free now), Bibs-Bumkins, Diapers- Pampers, Wipes- Costco Brand,   Baby Toys- Taggies, Best Nighttime Book- Good Night Good Night Sleepyhead, Baby Food-Earth’s Best, Baby Wash- J&J Head to Toe Gentle Baby Wash, Bottom Cream- Desitin Creamy (both of my kids had ecxema & I tried all the organic, Whole Food type washes and creams but found they irritated my kids more than just the regular Desitin and J&J products). 

Must Haves   Fisher Price Fish Tank (plays classical music for 20 minutes and turns itself off, excellent signal for sleeping time, like Pavlov’s dog), a good night-light, a bouncer, a Bumbo seat, a swing, a jumper, a stimulating play/exercise mat, a play pin to keep them safe when you have to leave the room, a good dirty diaper bin, a comfy rocking chair.  For your sanity, make sure you have at least one baby-sitter you trust completely and plenty of wine on hand.

Things I Never Used  My Bjorn (maybe 3-4 times), a baby sling, a baby back pack or a changing table.

I hope this list will help if you’re expecting a new addition soon.  Remember, this is just my opinion and what worked or didn’t work for me with my two kiddos.

What’s for Dinner? Corn Salsa!

It’s Friday, bitches!  Do you know what’s for dinner tonight?  At our house, Friday nights mean one thing…Mexican Night!  I love cooking dinner on Fridays.  The kids don’t have to be hauled across town for lessons, we’re all home at a decent hour, and since it’s the start of the weekend we get to sleep in and be lazy in the morning.  Sweet bliss.  Adult beverages are free-flowing, the iPod is on shuffle (working its magic) and the mood around the house is happy and carefree.  How could it not be with the smells of spicy Mexican foods permeating the air!  On these nights the menu may vary slightly, but the one constant is Trader Joe’s Corn Chile Tomato-less Salsa.  Put this tasty treat in the frig for a few hours.  Add chopped avocado and top on anything from chips, to tacos, to quesadillas.  Try it on any Mexican dish or chicken.  It is unbelievably good.  My friend and neighbor introduced this to me.  I’ve since turned many friends on to it and they all agree, it’s muy bueno!  Enjoy!

Keeps It Green

As I’ve said before, I’m a real nut when it comes to decorating for Christmas.  You obviously know this if you’ve read my blog.  I’m the crazy person who gets the tree the day after Thanksgiving, no matter what, and keeps it up until the weekend after New Year’s Day.  I always get Nobles and have never had a problem with them getting too dry.  I fully believe the reason my trees always last so long is because of a tree preservative called Keeps It Green.  I’ve heard of using other household items such as aspirin or sugar, but I’ve never bothered to try them because I’ve had such success with this particular tree life extender.  It’s a liquid that you simply add to water.  It costs maybe $2-$3 and I usually only use one bottle a year.  The other thing to remember about live trees is they seal after one hour, so always make a fresh cut before placing in the stand.  Get your water in quickly and add that Keeps It Green…it will do just that!