Sam Moon

I absolutely love this store. I haven't been there in years but loved going to it when my only concern in life was dressing myself. Guess I'm going to have to start shopping online since I can get Allyson some cheap earrings and maybe even start accessorizing myself again.

Eye-Fi

I'm putting this on my favorite list in hopes that I will possibly receive this as a gift. I figured it worked for the shirt so hopefully it will work again. I really need this considering I'm technologically retarded and I'm just too lazy to figure out how to upload my pictures and put them in the correct place.

I must be hungry...

So I'm sitting at work eating my favorite Peanut Butter. I switched to this brand when Allyson started eating peanut butter. That was back when I was trying to be the "perfect mom" and trying to teach my child good nutrition. Since then I will never be able to go back to those "other brands".

While on this subject I will list a few other products that I love. My friend Samantha got me hooked on this milk. I started this milk when Allyson was about a year old and was refusing to drink milk. Since then she knows when I try to buy a different brand. It is a little more expensive but it last for a couple of weeks!

Samantha also got Allyson and me hooked on this cottage cheese. Allyson and I love cottage cheese and won't eat any other brands.

New Favorite Jeans

So I now have a new favorite pair of jeans from the Gap. About 2 weeks ago I went to get a smaller size and figured out that my previous favorite pair would have fit but were a little too tight in the the thigh area. Since I was refusing to try to pull off the look that the majority of the younger girls try where they look like a sausage because they are trying to fit a certain size of jeans. In order to wear "this size" their legs look like sausage links or they have that "muffin top". I just didn't want to be a part of that fasion tragedy that I see daily so I had to find a new style. These jeans are absolutely perfect if you have a smaller waist but still have a little "junk in the trunk".

Custom Bows

I have had a lot of comments on Allyson's bows so I thought I would blog about it and share my "little secret". A friend from our playgroup is making custom bows and now she has a website. If you can dream it than she can make it. Her work is wonderful and the price is great!

Eat This, Not That

This book is a well-researched, eye-opening report with plenty of information about foods that are served at restaurants and gives a more healthy alternatives to their dishes. I keep this book in the car and can look at it before walking into a resturant. Like I have said before I'm not dieting but just becoming more aware of what I eat. Trust me, I'm still eating ice cream about 4 times a week. :) I highly recommended this book. It's not a book you have to read but just use. (If you get it you'll understand what I mean).

The book consists of eight chapters, each chapter being focused on a separate issue:

1. Foods recommended for every day, and foods to always avoid
2. The best and worst restaurant meals
3. Strategies for eating right when dining out
4. Advice for holiday eating
5. Strategies for grocery shopping
6. The ultimate guide to healthy beverages
7. What to eat in various situations (stress, tiredness, etc.)
8. Eating guide for children

Allyson's Easter Dress

So this weekend after seeing Elmo at Sesame Street Live we stopped by Lakeline Mall to do a quick shopping trip. I was really starting to stress out about the kids' Easter outfits so this was our only errand in Austin this weekend. I'm planning on having their pictures taken the week before Easter in Salado. This will be Allyson's 3 year old pictures (even though she is 3.5 years old--long story) and William's one year old pictures. I can't believe my little man is almost one! This year has flown by compared to the last. I call William my rainbow baby because he was my rainbow out of the storm. Anyway, back to my favorite thing--Allyson's Easter dress. I found this dress and absolutely fell in love with it. It is delicate and perfect just like her! :)

Patricia Wexler Anti-aging starter kit

So this weekend I bought a Patricia Wexler Anti-aging starter kit from Bath and Body works. If you remember from one of my previous blog I'm starting to see more changes in my face once I turned 29. This winter I have seen a lot of changes in my skin due to the cold and dry weather. I started this kit 3 days ago and all I can say is Wow! The night maintenance has about 5 steps which is more work than I would like but I can really tell this difference. They also have an acne kit is case anyone is interested. :)

So Cool Mom

This a shirt that Kate was wearing on Jon & Kate Plus 8. Although I don't own it yet. I do know it will be one of my favorite shirts for the summer. :) I love having fun shirts to wear for my days at home with the kiddos when we go hang out with our playgroup. I'm also looking for Mommy needs a playdate and Mommy needs a drink (for Mom's Night Out)...lol.

Jon & Kate Plus 8

Monday night after the kids are in bed. I sit down and get to watch Jon & Kate Plus 8. This is time to myself (since Brian is at class) and I love it! The show it about this couple who couldn't get pregnant, so they did fertility and they had twin girls. Then they wanted to have one more child, so they had to do fertility again and they had SIX! Yeah, count em...six. So now they have two seven year olds and six three year olds. Amazing! I totally love this show.

Reason 1. The couple is hilarious. They are the real deal - they're kinda mean to each other sometimes, but they really love each other.

Reason 2. The things they have to do to take care of those kids are amazing. They have a stroller that can sit all six of the younger kids and use a lot of "daycare equipment".

Reason 3. The main reason I love this show is because it puts my life in perspective. Whenever I'm having a rough day I imagine what it would be like to have 6 of Allyson. Wow. Everytime Brian complained about Allyson drinking so much and always filling up her cup I tell him to just imagine if you had six of her. He no longer makes a comment!

Pottery Barn Anywhere Chair

I love the Pottery Barn Anywhere Chair. Allyson got her first chair (in pink) on her second Christmas. This year I recovered Allyson's chair and William got his first chair. They now have matching green personalized chairs. I love watching them hang out in their chairs. I have also learned that you can buy the "stuffing" for the chairs cheaper on ebay.

Gap Jeans

A student that I had two years ago told me about Gap's Long and Lean Jeans. These jeans give the illusion that your legs are longer than they acutally are and I love them! Last month when I went in to buy a new pair of jeans the sales lady had me try on a new style and these are now my new time fa-vor-ite! These Gap flare jeans also make your legs look longer (and butt smaller) and the dark jean material make you look like you lost 10 lbs ---woohoo!

Personalized Bracelets

My most favorite thing this year was a bracelet that Brian bought me for my birthday. On my first Mother's day without Andrew I bought a grief bracelet with his name on it. About a month before my birthday Allyson was looking at the bracelet and thought at first it was her name on it. When she went to sound out the name she realized that it was Andrew's name and not her name and it made her sad. She asked my why I didn't wear her name? That just broke my heart. For my birthday, Brian bought me this bracelet with all three names on it and it is such a treasure to me.

My second favorite gift from Brian was on our anniversary. I got a bracelet with the kids' pictures on it. Our photographer, Tim Flannagan, from Solas Gallery offers these bracelets. I love the bracelets because as the children get older the pictures can be replaced for free. It's the gift that keeps on giving.