Mommiedaze

Girl Talk: Shopping Trip

My husband Dave gave me the best gift EVER a few days ago. He sent me out for a night of shopping ALL ALONE, and he even gave me some money to spend GUILT FREE! In fact, he told me I had to spend it all on myself. I absolutely was not to use it for anything else.

It was fantastic to actually be able to take the time to try things on, and with out a three-year-old whining in the corner of the dressing room about going home. And then to make a purchase, and not think, “I should be saving this for something else.” Oh the FREEDOM!

It really wasn’t an enormous amount of money. I’m sure many people wear shoes that cost more than what I had to spend. But it was a lot to me. Way more than I would ever think to go out and blow on myself. Because it is our money, and I try to spend it responsibly. And, well, because I like to be able to eat and heat our house and other frivolous things like that.

But Dave insisted, and I did even protest a little bit. In the end I decided this was one time I ought to just shut up and do what I was told.

I was determined to stretch my little windfall as far as I could, so I studied all the sales fliers in the Sunday paper. I even managed to find a couple coupons on line to use at some of my favorite stores. I had a list of specific items I wanted. Mostly things I decided I couldn’t live with out after watching What Not to Wear.

On the top of my list was a pair of wide leg trouser jeans. Just the thing, according to Clinton and Stacy, to slim my chubby thighs. I must have tried on 25 different styles at five different stores. I have a few things to say to denim designers.

1. Wider hips don’t equal longer legs. Why does the length increase by, like, half a foot when the waist increases by one size?

2. Most of us do not need sequins and fancy swirls and flowers emblazoned on the back pockets thus drawing even more attention to the span of our rear ends.

3. Can’t you all get together and agree on a standard sizing chart, so that I don’t go into one store and try on a certain size to find that it’s too big, then go in another store only to find that I can’t even get that same size past my knees?!

O.K. I feel better now.

Anyhow, I did finally find a pair of wide-leg trouser jeans that fit like a dream. And they do take off at least 10 pounds. Everyone — short, tall, fat, thin — needs a pair of these. Well, maybe not thin, because if you’re thin you should be wearing those skinny jeans. You’re the only ones who can wear those skinny jeans. If you don’t wear them who will?

So, as I was saying, these wide-leg trouser jeans create a slimming, straight line from hip to toe, and if you wear them with a nice pointy heel, you look like you have legs that go on for miles. And you can dress them up or down. These things are right up there with the skirted tankini as far as fashion advances for woman kind.

I love my trouser jeans. I don’t want to take them off. I wore them three days in a row. But I decided I should take a day off from fabulousness, and wash them before they get up and walk by themselves.

I also picked up a pair of shoes and a few tops, a jacket and even a foundation garment or two. And with my coupons I managed to add an extra $32 to my little wad of cash. It was a shopping success all around.

I had so much fun, and it was nice to have some time away. So thanks Honey for the treat!

Now I’ve got to go get those jeans in the wash, so I can wear them on Monday. I have to hang them up to dry. I mean, you just don’t put risk putting pants that fit that well in the dryer.

Bookmark To:

Girls Talk: Shop ‘Till You Get Carpel Tunnel

Apparently Michigan now has a monsoon season. It poured down rain here for almost 72 hours. The deluge ruled out any outdoor activities, and made it miserable to even leave the house since just the dash from the front door to the car (attached garage too full of junk to park in) left us soaked to the bone.

That left me with lots of time to window shop on Etsy while David watched The Incredibles for the sixhundred-million-fivehundrend-thousand-fiftysix to the nth degree time. (That’s probably not a real number. I never was good at math.)

Anyway, I think I Etsyed for too long. My neck hurts. Not sure you’re supposed use a laptop while lounging on the couch.

But I did find lots of cool stuff. I was browsing through the clothes on Etsy. There are so many beautiful, unique designs on Etsy. You’ll definitely stand out from the crowd. Best of all, a lot of the fashions on Etsy are affordable.

So I started out searching for graphic Tees. I love the look, but most of the ones I see in stores are either inappropriate for a 33 year-old mom or sport skull and cross bones. I’m not a pirate wench, and I don’t want a shirt that says Flirt on it. Think the hub might not like that.

Rainbow Swirls has some of my favorite tees. I picked up this one for the bargain price of $12. (Shipping was only $3.) All of their items are reasonably priced.

I think it will look cute layered over a long sleeve Tee when it gets chilly.

I didn’t make anymore purchases, but I did find some other things to add to my wish list.

Vigilante Labs is a little more pricey, but they have some really fun retro-inspired clothes. They will custom make many of their designs to fit you.  I really like this A-line dress. I could see wearing it with a little button down cardigan this fall.

For something a bit more subtle, I like this Jersey Hoodie from Ellania Boutique.

Now everyone can use some cute PJs to snuggle up in. My SIL has a set for sale over on her blog. Custom made to fit, complete with matching slippers.

So there’s no reason to dress like the status quo this fall, or break the bank to look good. Now go forth and be fashionable ladies.

What’s your must-have fashion item for this fall?

Talk to me girls!

Bookmark To:

Girl Talk: Comfort Food

I’m feeling a little down today. Take that and add in the cool, dreary weather we’ve had the last few days, and I’m craving comfort food!

Mmmm. Hot, bubbly, cheesy casseroles. Hearty soups. Fresh baked bread. Warm gooey brownies.

Excuse me, I need to wipe the drool off my chin.

Right now I’m drinking a cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows. It’s the first I’ve had in months.

Of course in a pinch the pre-packaged comfort foods like Hershey bars, ice cream and Oreo cookies suit me just fine. I know emotional eating is bad for you, but it feels so good.

Nothing brings healing like a bag of Oreos and a glass of cold milk. Girl Scout Thin Mints come in a close second, but they don’t make number one since they’re only around a few weeks out of the year.

Even if I bought a year’s supply, those Thin Mints would only be around for a few weeks.

Because I would eat them all.

Until I had to be rolled across the floor.

They should have to put a Surgeon General’s Warning on those cookies. “Warning: These cookies are addictive. Eating too many thin mints may lead to your thighs no longer being thin. They may interfere with your ability to wear next fall’s skinny jean.”

If you’re like me, nothing makes you crankier than when you want that little somethin’, somethin’ sweet, and there is nothing to be had in the whole house.

It always happens that my desire for such satiation comes a day or two after I make the ill-advised decision to banish comfort food from the house in the name of health and weight-loss.

Who hasn’t done this?

You know there’s nothing there, but you look in the fridge anyway. You stare at the cheese, the mayo, the bread. You open the freezer and curse the chicken breasts and broccali. Looking In the cupboard you feel hopeful when you spot a brownie mix, only to realize it’s just a box of whole wheat pasta. You lift the lid to the cookie jar to find only crumbs. Then you repeat this little dance two or three more times, just in case a chocolate cream pie magically appeared behind the tub of butter.

Oh, man. Now I want a chocolate cream pie.

I have to get a snack now.

What’s your favorite comfort food?

Talk to me girls.

Bookmark To:

Girl Talk: Women Rock the Vote

This is a non-partisan post.

I don’t care what your politics are. I don’t care if you hate the Clintons, are a certified member of MoveOn.org, worship at the feet of Ronald Regan, or are so far right you’re left — or visa versa — you can’t deny 2008 has been a good year for us women folk.

One party has a female vice presidential candidate, the other party almost had a female presidential candidate. What’s more they’re both over 40.

It’s nice to see women over a certain age being valued for their experience and wisdom as older men always have been. There is plenty of livin’ left to do after 40 ladies.

I would not have voted for Hillary, because she and I don’t share the same political views. But despite that, I do give her credit for opening up a new realm of possibility for women. The next time a woman runs for president, the next time a woman is considered for a CEO position, the next time a woman stands up for what she believes in, I think they will be meant with less resistance and taken more seriously, because of what Hillary did.

You could, in fact, argue that McCain likely would not have chosen Sarah Palin to be his running mate were it not for Hillary’s 18 million supporters.  Now with Palin’s nomination, the 2008 election will continue to have a women front and center.

I know our grandmothers and great grandmothers never could have imagined women having this kind of national political influence and power.

I’m not a feminazi. I don’t want to see all the men relegated to the kitchen while we run everything. But I do think women have much to contribute, politically and otherwise. And I like to see men and women working together on an equal footing.

Yes, we have miles to go.

How about getting the Equal Rights Amendment ratified next?

But still, in 2008, we’ve come a long way, baby.

Bookmark To:

Girl Talk: Does Your UPS Man Know what You Look Like without Your Make-up On?

I didn’t get Girl Talk posted last Thursday, because my parents were coming to visit, and I was knee deep in housework. Housework takes three times as long when you have a three-year-old boy going behind you un-doing everything you just picked up and straightened. Oy!

This week I’ve been hunkered down at home working on some other projects, and taking care of a sick husband.

So I haven’t gone out much the last few days except for a couple quick trips to the store to replenish the milk supply. Speaking of milk, did you ever think you’d see the day that a gallon of milk and a gallon of gas were roughly the same price? Are the milking machines running on Premium now or what?

When I’m just at home and have no plans to go out, I have to admit I don’t exactly take the time get gussied up. Don’t worry. I do shower regularly, and change my underwear. But I let my hair just air dry, and the most make-up that goes on is a pre-emptive layer of Oil of Olay. That always comes back to bite me when I do end having to run out of the house unexpectedly, or answer the door for the UPS man.

Anyhoo…

What I am taking the long way around to get to is this.

What’s the minimum amount of primping you’ll leave the house with? I have a few rules.

1. My hair must be combed and mostly laying right.

2. My clothes must be presentable. No ill-fitting or stained clothes, and absolutely no pajama pants. I can not stand it when I see people out shopping in their pjs, and yes, even their fuzzy slippers! Don’t they at least own some sweats and pair of flip-flops? Really!

3. Mascara. I can go out with out lipstick, eyeshadow, even foundation, but I just feel naked with out my Great Lash.

So how about you? What are your minimum requirements for leaving the confines of your house?

Talk to me Girls.

Bookmark To:

Girl Talk: Most Romantic Movie Lines Ever

Well, most girls love a romantic movie. I especially like old romantic movies. When it comes to my favorites, many of them have one line or scene in particular that is very memorable. So here’s a list of what I think are the most romantic movie lines ever.

This movie is a little more recent. How old do have to be before movies from your teen years are considered classics? Anyway, it’s Dirty Dancing. I love the end of the movie when Johnny (Patrick Swayze) says, “Nobody puts baby in a corner,” and pulls Baby (Jennifer Grey) up on to stage to dance with him. Yeah, it’s cheesy, but it’s still romantic.

An Affair to Remember is another favorite classic. How can you not love Carry Grant? So dapper and suave. In the final scene Nikki (Grant) realizes Terry (Deborah Kerr) is paralyzed. He spent months thinking she stood him up one night when they were supposed to meet at the top of the Empire State Building. Terry revels why she never arrived, “I was looking up. It was the nearest thing to heaven. You were there.” In her rush to get to Nikki’s side, Terry was struck by a car. So tragic, yet so sweet.

I can’t leave out Casablanca when Rick (Humphrey Bogart) says to Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman), “We’ll always have Paris.” Oh, the heart break of ill-fated lovers who can not be together.

In it’s a Wonderful Life, George Baily (Jimmy Stewart) asks his future wife Mary (Donna Reed), “What is it you want, Mary? What do you want? You want the moon? Just say the word and I’ll throw a lasso around it and pull it down. Hey. That’s a pretty good idea. I’ll give you the moon, Mary.” That scene makes me go all mushy inside every time. Every time.

My all time favorite movie is Gone with the Wind. Ah, the romance, the pageantry, the dresses! I love Scarlett O’Hara, flawed as she is. If you’ve never seen this movie, you must. And you’ve got to read the book too. As good as the movie is, the book’s just that much better. It’s no surprise that my all time favorite line comes from this movie. Rhett (Clark Gable) tells Scarlett (Vivian Leigh), “You should be kissed and often– and by someone who knows how.” Oh, be still my beating heart! (Listen to it here.)

So what’s your favorite romantic movie line? Or maybe just favorite romantic movie?

Talk to me girls!

Bookmark To:

Girls Just Wanna Win Swag Giveaway: Makeup from Mixology

The winner of last week’s giveaway for the $25 gift certificate from Soothing Rituals is Jen G. Thank you to everyone who entered. We had such a great response to the giveaway last week. I know Michelle appreciated all the wonderful comments. Please, when you need a special gift or just have an urge to go shopping, remember these ladies featured here on Girls Just Wanna Win Swag and go support their companies.

This week I want to introduce you to Rae who sells handmade organic, vegan mineral makeup through her company Mixology.

Rae says her makeup is a healthy alternative that will improve skin quality, and give a radiant look without harsh ingredients! “NO cheap fillers, NO chemicals, NO synthetic dyes,” which she says are the cause of most allergic reactions, “and NO preservatives.” It’s also Bismuth and Carmine Free.

Gentle and all-natural, Mixology is perfect for very sensitive skin. It also has anti-inflammatory effects and offers great coverage for acne & rosacea. The makeup is virtually water resistant, won’t clog pores so that the skin can breathe, and is a natural SPF. Because it’s light-weight and made from dry ingredients, bacteria does not grow in the makeup as long as it’s kept dry.

Rae has already gathered a loyal following of customers. “I think its the best out there and my customers do too,” she laughs. It’s probably the care that she puts into all her products that keeps them coming back. “I use very few ingredients and very high quality ingredients, all while keeping it cost effective for you.” She also says she puts almost as much love into the packaging as she does her product.

The Ultimate Love Beauti Set

When you visit Rae’s shop you’ll get to know her pretty well. “I think my personality comes out a lot in my makeup on the site. I use all my friends and family and a few brave customers in my pictures. I always have something sassy to say about it in the listings, so maybe you can get a laugh while shopping!”

After Glow Mineral Veil in Soft Glow Candlelight

There are many reasons Rae started making her own mineral makeup, but one of the biggest is that it was more cost effective to do it herself. “A few years back I looked into starting a makeup line and discovered that having a company make it and package it is very expensive. What I would have to sell it for, I wouldn’t even buy. So I began the research and the learning process of making mineral makeup, and Mixology was born!” Her own sensitive skin was also a catalyst. “I never wore foundations because it made me break out! This also spurred me on in my mineral makeup quest for something I could create to actually improve my skin! Now I can never go back!”

Rae draws her inspiration from what else? “Color! I love looking through magazines and seeing colors of random items and thinking ‘hmmm… I don’t have a shadow or blush that color’ and off to work I go! Also, just suggestions and ideas from people of things they are looking for or would like. It challenges me to help create it for them and I love that!”

There’s more behind the woman than just pretty faces when it comes to Rae. Add world traveler and humanitarian to her resume. She’s moving to China soon. “Only for awhile, but it is an opportunity I can’t pass up! There is a vocational school in Tumen, China called www.tumenriverschool.com and me and 2 other friends are going to help teach conversational English. They are even talking about me getting to teach makeup in some of the cosmetology classes which would be amazing!”

She says not to worry about Mixology falling by the wayside while she’s gone however. “I will still have Mixology up and running. My mom will be doing all my shipping while I am gone, and I will still handle the website and customer side of things while living on the border of North Korea. It will be all volunteer too, so I need to keep supporting myself,” she says laughing.

Rae’s generosity doesn’t stop with her volunteer efforts in China. “Right now we are donating $1 per item sold, not per sale, to help sponsor a clean water well in Africa through www.Bloodwatermission.com - We need to sell 3,000 products, and we are well on our way through amazing support we have had! You can read more about it in my shop too!”

Well, I’m convinced! Aren’t you?

Now stop reading this and go check out Mixology! Oh, and don’t forget to enter the giveaway.

Win It!

Rae is offering one lucky reader an eye kit which will include 1 full size shadow, 2 liners, and 1 eye liner brush in the winner’s choice of colors. To win, visit her store and browse around. Come back here and leave a comment ON THIS POST with the name of one other product, not pictured in this post, that you’d like to try. Earn an extra entry by posting about this contest on your blog, and linking to this post and Mixology. If you do the extra credit, leave a separate comment with the link to your post.

Please follow the comment rules. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. Rae has opened the contest to, “anyone in the world! I love to ship internationally cause I think its cool to send my makeup to Croatia and Ireland!”

The contest will run until midnight August 6 . I’ll randomly draw a winner, and announce it on the next edition of Girls Just Wanna Win Swag. The winner will also be contacted by email, and will have three days to reply. You can also check Prizey Fetch to see if you’ve won. If the winner does not reply in three days, another will be chosen.

Have a women-owned business you’d like featured in a Swag givewaway? Fill out the contact form in my sidebar and let me know.

Bookmark To: