Very Jane

I need a lot of help in the area of coolness and fashion.  I tend to buy parts of outfits, wear random accessories, and miss the mark on trends. Scarves and nail polish are my answer to everything.  My house isn't exactly one you'd see on the cover of House Beautiful either, but I try!
Thanks to this website Very Jane I can pick up very reasonable, unique, and apparently stylish items all in one place.  The shipping is cheap, and the boutiques are individuals through marketplaces such as Etsy, so it's not supporting mass market (if that's an issue for you.) Having my debit card linked to my account just might be a mistake!!
Here are some things I've picked up so far.  Some are still available, some aren't. 

Long pendant: I got the blue.  $9.95 (eviej.com)

Custom Phrase design.  Comes unpainted so it's super easy to customize.  Up to 12 letters. $14.99 (163 Design Company)

Kate Spade Inspired Heart Necklace (I am not into brand names, but just thought this was cute. I got black).  $7.99, $2 shipping. ( Apple of My Eye Jewelry)
 
These are just some of the items I've ordered. I love the wide range of personalized items you can get- perfect for the bride or groom to be who are looking for attendant gifts, or for a housewarming or graduation gift.  Crazy cute items for the mom-to-be expecting a little girl- tons of cute headbands and accessories (some for adults too!).  Or- you! A cute dress, handbag, accessory...
Check it out, you just might find the perfect item you've been searching for!

Ten Guilty Pleasures

While I am sure I could easily come up with more than ten... here are the top ten relatively unimportant things I love, but could live without (gulp!)  And they're not necessarily in order, just listed as I thought of them.

1. Target.    The colorful accessories.  The wide isles, cute home items, and coupons delivered by text. The extra 20 minutes scrutinizing the end caps. Buying cleaning products that motivate me to clean because they smell and look pretty.  There is a specific system to shopping Target that only my sister and preferred shopping companion seem to understand, so I like to stick to with her or alone.
Sure, Walmart would do the trick but would be nowhere near as fun!

2. Biolage shampoo and conditioner. The smell reminds me of the times my mom bought it when I was a kid. With three girls expensive shampoo was rare.  Earthy, fresh, lightly citrusy... a splurge that I will occasionally go for, and am never sorry I did.

3.  Those ecard thingys.  They make me laugh, satisfy my snarky, sarcastic side- and frankly hit the nail on the head more times than not.

And since my husband is turning 34 tomorrow, this one is for him...

4. Starbucks Vernada Blonde K-Cups.  I buy this on school breaks, vacations, or when I really need a treat in the form of coffee.  Robust, yet light.  Perfect cup of coffee for me. 2 creams.

5.  Kissing the kids in their sleep. (this might be the exception to the 'could live without' part)   Neither "does kisses" anymore.  They'll wipe them off, run from me, and agree in the end to a high five.  So, the only time I get my way is when they're off to sleep.  They are still my babies. though they will fight that to the end.

6.  Jim's Steak Out.  Steak and cheese sub, lettuce, tomato, oil and mayo.  No funny sauces or add ons.  Traditional.  I crave this, and give in once every other month or so... best out there (sorry Falls folks, I like it better than Viola's!).

7.  OPI Nailpolish. It is better than drugstore brands.  This winter it was Danke Shiny Red (replaced my 'An Affiar in Red Square' as the best red ever.).  Now, I am wishing spring here with Flashbulb Fuchsia.  Plus, the more I change it up the less likely I am to bite my nails.

8.  Ice.  I have what I realize to be an abnormal love for ice.  I can rate the best ice at restaurants, stores, and have been known to ask for a "cup of ice" at the drive thru, convenience stores, etc.  I annoy those around me with my relentless crunching and glass swooshing.  Don't judge.

9. The Voice. I receive multiple texts from friends per episode commenting on the "handsomeness" of the three male hosts. Yes, that's the verbiage used. :). Plus Shakira is so much easier to handle than Christina. This season I like Sarah Simmons and The Swan Brothers... you?

10. Pretty much anything that has the name "salted caramel" in it. That sweet salty combo is my fav. At our newly opened local culinary institute there's a salted caramel tart that's to die for. In fact, two friends and I went there for dessert recently to celebrate a birthday and check the place out. I was unaware my friend treated to all three desserts, making the total just over $11. Thinking she had just paid for her own, I put mine up fully prepared to pay that amount for my single delicious tart.

3 Bullets to Update Life

While I've been quiet on my blog, a lot has been going on for us I won't write a book, but give some highlights..

• December '12/January '13: With mixed feelings I resigned the job I enjoyed based at the school that's like home, filled with the kids I love, for a school social work job with Buffalo City Schools.  It's a fantastic opportunity that puts me back on the same calendar as my kids (summers off- woo hoo!), provides free healthcare, increased salary, and a shorter workday... a true no brainer.  That being said, it was sure hard to leave the family of co-workers I've loved working with for nearly 5 years.   Adam had some suspicious headaches- rapid onset, intense, and ending with vomiting.  Scary for us and him, but all tests and follow up are normal.  Seems to be migraines, which I am prone to as well.  Poor kid.  Skylanders Giants have overtaken us thanks to Santa and family members who love buy presents. The kids' instant expertise in this area blows me away, especially since video games are only allowed her one day a week.  The house sale, has begun to pick back up (on the market since Oct, had a fast start but a silent holiday season).  So many showings that it's been near impossible to mess it up in-between... which is saying A LOT.   Two beautiful report cards make us proud of our boys in school, and this mom unable to use the old "spell it out" technique anymore.    
• February '13: Our house is sold! Mixed feelings both surprise and overwhelm me.  While it's time to make a move, this house is sentimental for me in so many ways.  But, the search is on.  My compartmental way of thinking had not allowed me to get excited about looking for a house in fear of falling in love and being disappointed.  But now it looks as though we may have to double up with my mom for a short time, as the real estate market has gone on the upswing and properties are selling faster than we can see them.  The seemingly never ending winter has lent itself to fun sledding, but not so fun freezing all the time! Disneyland is booked thanks in part to a professional conference Paul is attending on site and in part to Southwest Air and their Click n' Save Specials.  Traveling cross county with kids- hmmmm full report to follow.  Super excited though!  Also a nice way to celebrate ten years of marriage... 
• March '13: First offer on a new home falls through.  One day I will accept that houses don't come with orange clearance stickers Target style.  One day.  Not today.  Near constant showings leave us slightly discouraged, but wanting to hold out for the right home. Isn't this supposed to be fun??  Winter continues, relentless! And I am not even a winter hater, but this year is brutal.   ZZ has the first illness of the season for our family- wow did we dodge a bullet if I go by the Facebook updates and reports from friends.  My mom had him overnight and showed up at my door at 7 am- full fledged fever and croup, and what I have always called "sick eyes". One bonus is that he sat still long enough to snuggle, accepted kisses (rather than wiping them off, which is status quo now), and thankfully he bounced back fairly quickly.  This same boy turned 5 in what he would describe as "the best birthday ever, even better than the other two!"   I would have to agree with that, he had a pretty darn good birthday week.  The boys' school district gets 2 weeks off for Spring/Easter recess, so they've been living it up since March 22.   Sadly, my sweet cousin Jessica, age 14, went to be with Jesus after her 4 year fight against Ewings Sarcoma, a rare bone cancer.  Her bubbly personality and spiritual maturity beyond her years reflected beautifully in her services.  It was such a sad time, raising many questions about why these things happen- which never are fully answered.   We celebrated Easter trying to focus on the real meaning of the day, but of course had some Easter Bunny fun mixed in.  

That's the last three months in a nutshell! 

Reverse Thinking

This was shared at church this Easter Sunday!
Happy Easter everyone.... (if you can't see the video, try it on your regular computer...)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=jgFU5Ak88-k

It's a rite of passage for a little boy.  The classic run/smash scenario... whether at the playground, school, or sporting event.  

Followed by the shiner. 

For a mom, it's one more indicator that your baby is a little boy now.  That you're not in control of every aspect of his life.  

What's next? A learner permit? 

He's kinda proud of this eye. 

Happy Valentine's Day!

I'm trying hard to act excited about this holiday. Truth is, I am just not.  I am not a romantic holiday type of girl.  Or a romantic girl in general, though I did buy my husband a Jelly Belly assortment to try.  

He just commented that he doesn't like the popcorn flavor. 

  

But, I am excited that I assisted the kids in completing a cool project, and something a little different for them to hand out to their friends.  The "light sabres" are those glow bracelets, and they're going to snap them as they pass them out.  The template is available here if you want to try it next year. 

"May the force be with you on Valentine's Day"
( I would add: "And don't try to go out to dinner tonight, the wait will be insane even if you make a reservation.  Go next week! " )

Trip East

The Strong Museum of Play and an overnight at the Homewood Suites proved to be the perfect little staycation for us, and just a quick hour and ten down "The 90" as us Buffalonians are known to say.
Can anyone relate, though- that sometimes the main attraction (in this case the museum) takes a back seat to the old fashioned fun? While they loved the museum (side note: this was so much more fun with a 4 & 6 year old as opposed to a 2 & 4 year old), swimming was the highlight   My highlight was relaxing with the family without the typical "home" responsibilities- and seeing an old friend and her two (not so) little ones.

Museum fun

And...dive!!

The things he does "for the kids" 

Crazy kid

Spider Man and The Hulk- superhero underwater vision

The was before the epic pillow fight and minus one smart little boy. 

And has anyone stayed at a Homewood Suites? We were super impressed. Beautiful room, reasonable rates, and amenities galore: including full kitchen, nice toiletries  full breakfast- plus fruit, (fresh!) coffee and snacks 24/7.  Monday-Thursday they have a light dinner hour (4:30-7:30) with choices like eggplant parm or roasted chicken and sides.  And get this: they'll grocery shop for you &  stock your fridge according to your list at no charge other than the cost of the bill.  Every moms' dream, right?