Oct 11, 2012  •  In Claire, Cute, Funny, Motherhood, Personal

Pandy’s Puddle

There’s an episode of Ni Hao, Kai-Lan which revolves around Tolee’s relationship with his stuffed panda bear, Pandy.

In this episode, titled “Pandy’s Puddle,” Tolee the koala bear is utterly devastated when Pandy falls into a muddy puddle, and as a result must be separated from its owner to take a spin in the washing machine.

This is the only episode of Ni Hao, Kai-Lan that Claire cannot watch.

To further clarify, this is the only episode that is forbidden from being played at our house.

Why, do you ask? It’s because Claire relates so much to Tolee and his attachment to Pandy (see: Claire’s Lovey) that she, too, gets upset when Tolee begins to miss his inanimate friend.

I know that as parents, we shouldn’t laugh at our children’s misery. However, this is so darn cute that you cannot help but let out a smile.

Like the times Aerin starts bawling because she’s just finished a serving of one of her favorite foods.

Or when Claire talks to her little sister like she’s disciplining a dog, saying things like, “No! Bad baby!” (complete with a pointed finger) and Aerin just stares back in confusion.

And how yesterday, Aerin wondered into the bathroom and accidentally closed the door behind her, leaving herself alone in the dark. (She immediately panicked and started to cry big fat tears in the 2 seconds it took for me to rescue her, chuckling under my breath.)

Wow, I’m a horrible mom.

But you gotta find humor wherever you can, right?

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Oct 4, 2012  •  In Beauty, Personal, Reviews

My $62 Complexion Perfector [Giorgio Armani Maestro Foundation Review]

My husband is not a very observant person.

He hardly takes notice when I rearrange things around the house. He regularly misses stains and tears on the girls’ clothes. And I can’t remember if he’s ever acknowledged a new haircut on me — not even the time I chopped off 5 inches!

So when he told me earlier this week that my face was “glowing,” I knew I had a winning foundation in my hands.

Correction: complexion perfector. Because, according to Linda Cantello, International Make-up Artist for Giorgio Armani Cosmetics,

It’s not a foundation; it’s a complexion perfector. A whole new generation of make-up that feels incredible, looks invisible and makes skin appear luminous every time. Anyone can wear it.

Yes, I am talking about the newest “it” beauty product — one that has had makeup blogs abuzz with anticipation since it was first announced two months ago.

The Giorgio Armani Maestro Fusion Makeup.

The luxury fashion brand spent eight years researching the formula for this foundation, with the aim of making the Maestro unlike any other makeup on the market today. While most foundations are made up of roughly 20% water and 80% oil (in addition to trace amounts of pigment and powder), this new product uses 60% dry oils and 11% highly-concentrated, “smart” pigments; the patented Fusion Technology enables the foundation to adapt to the wearer’s natural skin tone, rather than adding color on top of it. Continue reading »

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Oct 3, 2012  •  In Art/Design, Giveaways, Home

Giveaway: Home Décor Items from Bedly!

Who wouldn’t want to live in a beautifully-decorated home?

While many of us would like to think that we have a good eye for home décor, the truth of the matter is that not all of us do.

Or, we may just not have the money, time, or resources to seek out the pieces we’d like adorning our homes.

(Personally, I would love to hire an interior designer, but I know that I can’t afford one…nevermind the additional research I’d have to do to even find a decorator!)

And how about those of us who get sick of looking at the same stuff every day and crave consistent change?

Well, I have good news for you. Check out Bedly, a new company that aims to redefine interior design services.

Signing up for Bedly is simple. After taking a 3-minute quiz to determine your needs, tastes, and budget, a decorator will personally pick a home décor item based on your preferences and send it in a Bedly Box every month. The items you receive include accent pillows, wall art, decorative accessories, and much, much more.

The price for this amazing, convenient service? A mere $19.99/month! (Shipping included!)

And that’s not all — as a Bedly member, you also receive members-only exclusive benefits such as discounts to the Bedly store, tips from experts, and access to giveaways and contests!

Bedly has generously offered to give away a Bedly Box to one of my readers. The items included are: an accent pillow, an owl doorstop, a rattan box for pencils and knick knacks, and a candle holder.

To enter this giveaway, simply use the Rafflecopter widget below. Not sure how to use Rafflecopter? Watch this 52 second video for a tutorial on how to enter a giveaway using Rafflecopter. There are 2 methods of entry: (1) become a fan of Bedly on Facebook; and (2) sign up for the Bedly Newsletter, which will gain you an additional 4 entries!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway will end on Thursday, October 11th, 2012, at 12:01am, at which point a winner will be randomly chosen and announced here.

Please use a valid email address and/or Twitter handle so that I can contact you if you win!

Sorry, this giveaway is open only to residents of the United States.

Good luck, and thank you for entering!

 

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Sep 30, 2012  •  In Claire, Motherhood, Personal

Happy Birthday, Claire!

Can you believe my Claire Emmanuelle turns 2 today?

Earlier this week, I had a flashback of myself dozing off in the recliner, holding her tiny swaddled body as she slept on my chest — because for about a month or so, this was the only way she would sleep during the night.

And now — just last night, in fact — she was dancing and running around the dance floor at a wedding, already chasing after boys.

She tests my patience. She annoys me with her “Umma…umma…UMMA!!!”s. She expects the world to revolve around her, frustrating herself and those around her when things don’t go her way.

But she still amazes me every day. She teaches me to be a better person. Sometimes, I look at her and wonder what I have done to deserve such an incredible daughter.

May all your dreams come true on your special day. I love you.

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Sep 27, 2012  •  In Art/Design, Information, Personal

We Are the Introverts

My late grandmother used to call me a lone wolf, and I always thought it was appropriate considering my overly introverted nature. However, I’m loving the monk seal reference in this comic by Grant Snider!

 

Via Incidental Comics.

P.S. — For more on introverts — being one, understanding them, getting along with them, etc. — check out Introvert Power by Laurie Helgoe!

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Sep 26, 2012  •  In Art/Design, Logos/Branding, Sports

Minimalist NFL Logos

The NFL season thus far has been…interesting, to say the least. We all know that the lockout must end asap, but we can’t help but look on with incredulous curiosity (with a hint of morbid amusement) as the replacement refs continue to make a mockery of the game.

But enough of that.

The reason I bring up the ludicrosity of the past 3 weeks is because I happened upon these beautifully redesigned NFL logos by Matt McInerney. Even if you’re not a football fan, you can’t deny that these minimalist interpretations are clever, engaging, and oftentimes a lot more alluring than the current logos.

 

Houston Texans:
Continue reading »

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Sep 19, 2012  •  In Geek, Giveaways

Giveaway: Geeky T-Shirts from 604Republic (Two Winners!)

Who doesn’t like making statements through their apparel? And what geek wouldn’t proudly publicize his/her obsessions with a witty t-shirt design?

Enter 604Republic —

At 604Republic, we’re nerds in love with pop-culture and all things geeky. We started this store because we believe that everyone has an obsessive passion for something and that we shouldn’t be afraid to celebrate that passion.

Whether it’s geek culture, sci-fi, fantasy, dinosaurs, zombies,video games, online culture or your favorite obscure pop-culture reference, when you identify with something you love, you want to share it with the world. This is why we aim to produce and sell products that you can wear with pride as a part of your identity.

Not everyone is a geek, but we all geek out about something.

I love that last line, don’t you? 😉

Furthermore, 604Republic is not your typical online store. It allows you to submit your own design, and if it is accepted, it will be featured in an online gallery where visitors can vote for the next design to be printed!

So when this geekpository contacted me about running a giveaway on this blog, I couldn’t be more ecstatic — I swear that I let out quite a few giggles while browsing their site! Here are a few of my favorites:

604Republic has generously offered not one, but two t-shirts to my readers.

In other words, TWO lucky winners will receive a
free t-shirt of their choice, shipping included!

To enter this giveaway, simply use the Rafflecopter widget below. Not sure how to use Rafflecopter? Watch this 52 second video for a tutorial on how to enter a giveaway using Rafflecopter. There are 6 methods of entry, with the first method (commenting on this blog post answering the question “Which design is your favorite?”) being mandatory while the fourth method (Tweeting about the giveaway) can be used once per day:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway will end on Thursday, September 27th, 2012, at 12:01am, at which point a winner will be randomly chosen and announced here.

Please use a valid email address and/or Twitter handle so that I can contact you if you win!

This giveaway is open worldwide to anyone who is 13 years old or older. (Yes, 604Republic will pick up the shipping costs!)

Good luck, and thank you for entering!

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Sep 16, 2012  •  In Christianity, Personal

Dear Politician

From the blog of Kellye Fabian:

Dear Politician:

I’m writing to let you know that I will not attack you personally if you run for office.  I will not make disparaging remarks about you or your family.  I will not call you names.  I will not put bumper stickers on my car that insult you.  I will not attack your supporters and label them as one thing or another.  And even if you attack an opposing candidate personally because he disagrees with your stance on a particular issue, I will not do the same.  Even if you disparage, stereotype, or categorize me because I vote for your opponent, I will not trade you insult for insult.  Instead, I will choose to bless and pray for you and your family.  I will choose peace, encouragement, and building up instead of war, insult, and tearing down.  I will extend grace, love, and mercy.  I know that you are someone who matters to God and for whom Christ died on the cross.  In this regard, you are just like me.  God seeks after your heart just as he does mine.  These are just some things I needed you to know.

As someone who does not identify herself as a Democrat nor Republican, and looks forward to each election season with trepidation for the amount of vitriol overflowing every major media outlet (as well as social networks)…

I couldn’t have said it better myself.

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Sep 12, 2012  •  In Art/Design, Geek, Toys, Video Games

Geektastic Hungry Hungry Hippos Mod

I am majorly crushing on this Koopa-themed Hungry Hungry Hippos game, lovingly modified by Donald (alias Kodykoala), a 30-year-old electrical engineer from El Paso.

Having taken about 50 hours to complete, with each Koopa kid requiring about 10 hours, the game will make its debut public appearance at the El Paso Comic Con — where it will also be available for sale! — this weekend.

Continue reading »

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Sep 9, 2012  •  In Personal, Travel

Service for One

So I know room service is a complete rip-off.

And I am perfectly aware that there exists not one, not two, but three restaurants in this hotel…including a cafeteria-style eatery full of delicious, fair-priced food and a full-service Starbucks.

But having passed out at 3am whilst flipping through cable TV,

Waking up at 5am (because I am still on east coast time and so accustomed to getting very little sleep at night),

Drifting back to sleep in the luxurious king-sized bed,

Waking up three hours later with a slight hangover and the realization that I have nothing to do,

And why oh why do the elevators seem so far away?

I couldn’t resist.

Notice that they had set the table for two, because surely one person can’t finish all that food. (Not pictured: toast and pastries.)

Challenge accepted.

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