trend or foe

I love looking at what people are wearing. I especially like to see how some people pull off certain trends and how some people shouldn't attempt them.

There are a few trends out there now that I'm not sure about.

1. The over the knee boot. Sometimes really cool, funky and classy-most times really trashy and hookerish. Kate Moss is super skinny and they just look like sticks on her legs-ugh! (image is not mine Obviously)

2. The long cardigan. I love sweaters. LOVE THEM. but i'm not sure they are really that flattering. They really have to worn with caution as they could cause one to look really bulky and kind of larger than they really are. The super long ones don't really flatter the shorter woman and at 5'4" I would consider myself on the short end of the spectrum. This one is super pretty but i imagine that combining the length with the ruffles would be real overkill and really unflattering! Too bad!

3. The kerchief tie sweater. They can be pretty but they can't be worn that easily. If they are tied up they look silly, but it they are hanging wrong they can look even sillier. AND they have started showing up in every store out there, so young girls, old women and teenagers alike have been wearing them.I think it's overkill and next year they are going to be "so last year

Like OMG...

tonight's gonna be a good night, tonight's gonna be a good good night...i have this song in my head and have been singing it all day...now if only today was a good good day!!
Today was most definitely one of those days where I should have stayed home and stayed in bed. It all started about 4 this morning when my little man started calling me to come quickly to his room...of course I jumped out of bed and ran to him worried he might be sick or that he'd had a bad dream..nope he says "mommy I'm HUNGRY" I said "honey it's still night time you can't eat breakfast now" "BUT MOMMM I HUNGRY" Thus went the trekk of him, blanky, teddy and dolly all to our bed. We all squished into the small queen sized bed, along with daddy of course. Sleep from that point forward wasn't really in cards, except we all managed to sleep till 7am (which NEVER happens on weekends BTW). I managed to scramble, get dressed and put on a tiny bit of makeup (which didn't really help!) and out the door by 7:35...unfortunately in the process of trying to leave I poured myself a big bowl of cereal and gulped down a spoonful of sour milk, lost my cell phone and got my pristine white winter coat really dirty! (what was i thinking!)
Luckily I did manage to remember to send the spare clothes both kids daycares needed as everything in their cubbies were still summer stuff.
Once I finally made it to work I thought things might calm down...but no such luck! My computer was super slow and taking forever to load up (which appeared to be an office wide issue so noone is really out to get me!) I tripped on my headset cord, not just once but TWICE!! and i decided to eat samosas for lunch which were so spicy my mouth is still on fire 4 hours later!! I think i better drive slowly on my way home, tell hubby to make dinner (what a joke) and crawl into be until tomorrow...unless Tonight is the night..to live it up.

finally

after using the same bedroom set my parents bought me for the my 13th birthday for YEARS...we finally decided it was time to invest in new furniture. It was a hard choice and we looked at tonnes and tonnes of sets. We finally decided on a traditional set that will last us forever and will never go out of style-and even if it does OH WELL!!
I also decided that I was going to get proper bedding to go along with our new "adult" set...i loved it in the store but am not so sure I love it anymore...it is kind of shiny and hot, plus i'm finding that little things snag on it UGH!!

"Car-Free day"

Today is supposed to be Car-Free-Day. I don't think that many people observed this attempt at being environmental. I didn't. I would have, i really would have BUT Toronto, being the "world-class" city that it is does not have a transit system that allows for people living the burbs, working in other burbs to take transit in a reasonable amount of time. For me to get to work by transit it requires taking 2 busses, 2 subways and then another bus...a route that would probably take me 90 minutes, to drive it takes me 40-50 minutes (in traffic-20-30 with none)
If the higher-ups really want people to observe things like car-free days and take public transit days than they have to get with the program and start building better, more widespread subway lines. Sure these things cost money but so does paying the city-counsellors and other government officials 6 figure incomes when really they deserve IMO 1/2 of what they are paid!

What can we do to make those in charge aware of our serious discontent with the system??? Any suggestions???
(this post was started days and days ago but I am only just getting around to finishing it today Oct 1)

Monday Morning Beef

CYCLISTS...
today on my 40 minute commute to work I encountered several cyclists ALL of whom didn't seem to know which rules they should be following. Are they meant to follow the rules of the road that all other vehicles follow OR are they considered pedestrians? This caused me some serious stress and several heart-in-throat moments. The cyclists seem to do whatever pleases them and not have any consideration for others on the road. The big HUGE problem here is if you are the one driving the 1000 tonne car and not the 5 pound bicycle you are likely going to cause serious damage or injury to that often non-helmet-wearing human riding the bike. If you are going to ride a bike instead of walk or drive PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE obey the rules of road. You are either a vehicle, which mean you must stop at stop signs, signal (with your hand!) and give those who get there first the right of way. If you are riding on the sidewalk-then you are a pedestrian- you MUST MUST MUST stop at stop signs/lights, get off your bike and walk across the street and above all- whether you are an adult or a child WEAR A FRIGGIN' HELMET!!! You can save your own life by following the rules and giving us drivers some warning you are there!!!

my new faves

Since I am only working part-time these days we (or I) decided that I am perfectly capable of cleaning the house myself. No more cleaning lady for us (for now). I have been looking for quick cleaning solutions that are simple and also environmentally friendly. I do use white vinegar a lot but also wanted other less stinky cleaning ideas.
I have come across a couple or great web sites lately which focus on just what I am looking for.
My absolute favourite is http://www.happyslob.com/ . There are so many awesome tips on how to keep the house clean and tidy without much effort and time involved!
Check it out...not only is it useful but it also gives me a little chuckle every once in a while :)

my wishlist

from Etsy

I finally did it...

after g-d only knows how many years I finally got myself a pair of new sunglasses. I used to have a clip that fit over my regular glasses but since getting new glasses and not keeping track of the clip I just stopped wearing sunglasses. I would just squint and bear the sun shining into my eyes. I even drove home from work right into the glaring sun daily without any sunglasses. Who knows how many wrinkles I unnecessarily created by my lack of protective sunglasses. Now that I have been wearing them for just over a week I am totally addicted to them. I cannot go outside in even a little sun without them on!
It could be that my eyes have become accustomed to them being shaded...it could be that they are a lovely pair of Prada sunglasses that cost me a pretty penny so I don't want to take a chance by putting them down and possibly losing them...who knows:)
On another kind of weird note...my eyes were tested recently and after about 18 years I no longer need to wear glasses. I do have a very slight prescription but so close to 20/20 that I really don't need them!! This makes me so happy!!!

my baby boy (who really isn't a baby anymore but you know what I mean) is full of so many funny comments and observations!! This evening I was trying to explain to him that at his new daycare (which he starts tomorrow) there are going to be many kids of different cultural backgrounds- up until now he went to a daycare where all the kids were Jewish and for the most part white. I told him there were going to be kids who are brown and black and Asian etc...he said "and green???" and Blue?? it was hilarious!!!
I am not sure he really understands that tomorrow he will not be going back to old school-which he loves! but will be going to a new daycare closer to home. I tried to build up excitement and explain to him that he will be able to walk to daycare with us now! I really hope all goes well and we don't regret our decision to switch

HELP!!!

We moved into our house almost 3 weeks ago. It has been such a pleasure to live in a much more spacious place with parking directly in front of our house and a lot more storage. The only problem I am having is what to do with all the mess we brought with us from the townhouse. I am by no means a neat freak but I like to try and keep a somewhat clean and tidy home. I have no idea what to do with all the piles of crap that have been accumulating around the house. My excuse at first was that we just moved in, but it's been 3 weeks now...my next excuse was a lack of furniture- well now we have furniture in the boys' room and our bedroom furniture is coming soon- plus we have an awesome built in right in our walk-in closet (plus a second closet in our bedroom for hubby's clothes)... so why do i have all these piles all over the house?? Is it just inevitable that my lack of cleaning skills creates mess or can i get rid of them somehow?? Please any suggestions would be much appriciated!! The piles of stuff are going to be the end of me!!

Parenting Stylist?

Must one follow a parenting theory to be considered a good parent these days? There are so many philosophies and theories on what is right and best for the development of your child. It can be really overwhelming-especially to the first time parent.
When my son was born I was handed advice on what to do when he sleeps, when he eats, when he poops, when he wees, when he cries, when he walks, when he talks...well you get the picture. I found myself doing what worked best for me and for my family. I didn`t know if I was following one theory versus another- i just parented. We lived our lives, raised our baby and did what seemed to work.

Now that I am a mom of two I find that some of the things we did the first time around aren`t feasable the second time around. I also find myself questioning the `type`of parent I am.
Would one consider me a follower of attachment parenting OR am I an advocate of Cry It Out

I would never let my baby cry for...say 40 minutes in her crib BUT I don`t always pick her up and coddle her when she cries. I do go into room, pat her back and try to calm her down, if she is hysterical. I don`t rock her to sleep nightly. Nor did I nurse her or read to her until she is asleep in my arms. I put in her bed and usually she fell asleep within a few minutes of being put to bed. My daughter woke in the night until she was 10 months old. Did I go to her and nurse her because it was the fastest way to get her back to sleep- you bet I did! Do I put her down in her crib when she is obviously exhausted and let her cry for a few minutes before falling asleep for the night- well I do that too!!

All these theories on parenting and all the advice that comes with its followers can be so super duper confusing!

a long time fave

I started using Frederic Fekkai Glossing Cream a few years ago on the advice from Fancy Pansy. This is still one of my all time favourite products.

The purpose of this product is to provide shine, protect the hair from heat styling and provide overall managability. It does all this and more!
I use a tiny pea size amount in either damp or dry hair. Then I either blow dry or straighten my hair. My hair is left so soft, shiny and just plain beautiful (if I do say so myself!!) I recommend this product to anyone I know who has longish hair with lots of flyaways as it really helps in managing them too!
It is a little pricey and only seems available at Sephora in Canada but I have started buying it on Ebay, thus saving about $9-10 on each purchase (and normally I end up buying from places that have FREE shipping too!!)
Definitely 2 thumbs up on this product!

sometimes...

if my timing is right I get to see this Super Dad walking his kids to school in one of these

Every time I see this man pushing his quad stroller in the Bayview and Sheppard area during the morning rush hour commute I can't help but stare and also smile. It is obvious why I stare-it's hard not to- I smile because I admire this man for taking his kids to school/daycare in this enviromentally friendly vehicle and also because I am SOOO happy it is him and not me! Can you imagine 4 babies the same age?? YIKES!!!

A few reviews

I haven't been a great blogger lately...i just haven't had much inspiration these days but after dishing out good money and being a bit dissapointed more than once lately I decided these reviews were neccessary.

I needed to buy new shaving cream. My hubby went and used all mine up so when i went to the store looking for something new this product caught my eye.
First off I loved the packaging. It just looked so pretty and the description of the product seemed to fit the bill. The package is made from soft-plastic so it doesn't rust in the tub and is apparantly easier to recyle.

I will finish it because i bought it but won't be making this mistake again.

The shaving cream is not the traditional type that lathers when you apply it. It is non-foaming and you are supposed to just apply a thin layer to the area you are shaving. I tried it on my legs first (and only place) i was able to get an alright shave but not nearly as smooth as I normally do with my old shaving cream. I do enjoy the scent and it is available in other scents but next time I'm going to buy my tried and true brand :)

I accidently picked up this mascara at the grocery store. It is supposed to highlight one's eye color by adding flecks of that color to the mascara...i honestly don't see any difference between this mascara and any other drugstore brand. This product isn't any better and in fact I actually find it kind of useless. It doesn't lengthen my lashes, it doesn't help bring out the color of my eyes (as the claims state) and it doesn't even go on easily.
I would definitely leave this product out of my shopping basket next time!

This jasmine vanilla hand soap by Bath and Body Works is just delish. I LOVE it. The scent is so pretty and it actually lingers long after you are done washing your hands. I tried quite a few of them at the store and really enjoyed this one the most. I am not convinced that is actually helps soothe and calm but it does smell nice and doesn't leave my hands dry so I'll be buying this one again!

just a few things...

I have been thinking about lately. Nothing really serious, nor really important but things I need to write/vent about none-the-less...



First question- How long can you leave milk out before it goes bad? We have been staying at my MIL's house for over a week now and if I hear the words "put the milk away" one more time I'm gonna gag... I believe the milk can be left out for a few hours before you have to wonder if it has gone bad- she believes it can go bad in just over 3 minutes on the counter, even in an air conditioned house. AND if milk has been heated for about 30 seconds can it later be put back in the fridge to be consumed the next day- i think yes...WHAT DO YOU THINK?



next, why do shoe laces come undone, even if they have been double knotted...i have sketchers, which I love except for the fact that the laces are always untying- ARGH



Why do people buy then waste food? There are so many starving people in the world and then we here in NA buy food, let it sit in the cupboard/fridge then toss it out without even giving it a second thought- what a waste of food and money (IMO)- even if it is only slightly blemished and can be partially salvaged! The green bin always seems to be full of perfectly edible decent food...oh well



okay getting tired so i'll think of more later

isn't it amazing...

how fast they grow up?!?! I can't believe that not that long ago my little boy was a nursing, crying, toothless, deep dimpled baby...and now he is still sometimes crying and definitely still has the deepest dimples I have ever seen but he certaintly isn't toothless and he no longer nurses. AND he is asking us a minimum of a 100 questions a day...not just silly questions but really thought provoking, unable to answer without thought questions.
Today he asked us why daddy is bigger/taller and mommy is smaller/shorter. I had no idea what to tell him- and said "that is the way men and women couples are supposed to be" I'm sure some couples where this isn't true might argue with me but I was in a bind for an answer and didn't want to give him my standard "i don't know". Then the boy looked at me and asked "mommy, why do you have eyelashes?" I was dumbfounded! My son is 3 not 13!! I told him to keep dirt and dust out of our eyes. He seemed happy with that and went on to splash his applesauce on the floor like a typical 3 year old should!

it's almost time...

for the big move. We have been packing up slowly and getting things done but unfortunately due to the City workers strike we can't throw out as much stuff as we had hoped. We have bags and bags of recycling just piling up in our shed and no place to put it! I guess we'll have to take it with us and just put it out at the new house- argh!!

I can't wait until we can live normally again. We have been in the process of packing for so long now. It is horrible. The mess is driving me insane and there is absolutely nothing I can do about it until we have moved in and completely unpacked. My guess is that will not be an easy task and may take me way longer than I hope!!
Somewhere under all this rubbish are our lives...and some normallcy!

the things one overhears...

in the elevator...

Today i overheard 2 kind of late 40ish women talking about shoes. One says to the other "Oh I can't wear sandals, my feet get too cold." The other says " I love my sandals and couldn't wait to wear them" The first women then says..."gee I would LOVE TO GET A PAIR OF JELLY SHOES!!"
OMG- do they even make those anymore??? Last time I saw a pair was in grade 6...that was ummm about 25 years ago!'
Needless to say these 2 weren't the most fashionable ladies around :)

Since my return...

to work we have had some pretty crappy dinners....let me think- it's been one week and I have already served my family- grilled cheese, frozen fish and fries, a very simple chicken and rice dish (5 minute prep- 30 minutes bake)... no fine dining here anymore!!

$.05 a bag...

I think the new policy of all stores, not just grocery stores, charging 5 cents a bag is great...but recently- like in the past 2 days- I have been asked by 2 employees of the same video store, if I need a bag, I reply "no thank you" and when I go to pick up my videos, they have been bagged...WTF?!?! Why bother asking me if I want a bag, if you are going to give me one when I answer no???
Is it that people just don't listen, don't care or forget?? I found it really annoying both times!