The Skinny on Jeans

"Good gah you can hardly find a pair of 'normal' jeans up in any place," I complained to my girlfriend on the phone, who clearly did not share my woman of substance issue but listened with empathy as any good gal pal does. I had been mourning the change in GAP's long and lean cuts and the fact I wasn't sliding into anything close to what I was before baby number two when my super shopper Mom stumbled upon these:

 The skinny leg curvy fit from INC sold at Macy's. Affordable and with just the right amount of stretch, we women of a certain size can enjoy the skinny jean without feeling like an imposter. Good for the bootylicious, decent length and all out comfy, they have been a wonderful addition to my ensems. The look good with flats, heels and the occasional riding boot...you know, the ones that actually fit over your calves. When is someone going to invent those for the rest of us anyway? (Curse those women that still have an inch left in their Hunters).

So friends, add these to your holiday wish list and forget the frump or plump and get the skinny on these jeans. Enjoy!

The Scoop on Our Stuff

In an effort to simplify our growing more complicated by the minute home, we'll host a large sale in spring. To start the purge early, we're inviting you to take an early gander and make the mostly designer stuff your own before the alleged garage sale begins. Please leave me a comment if you're interested in any of the following or had something on your list you were looking for...chances are, it's in our pile!

• Top of the line beer brewing equipment
• Professional free weights
• Pottery Barn rugs
• Pottery Barn duvet covers
• Throw rugs
• Home accessories 
• Lamps, lamps, lamps
• Frames galore 
• Fisher price baby swing
• Original french Carrolle and Ginny dolls (some signed by designer)
• Breyer horses

A dog and a cat...kidding. Kind of.

Holler to get the scoop on our stuff - we'd love to give it a new home!

Who Needs Boo Baskets...

When you can have boo beers?!

Best.neighbors.ever.

Happy Halloween week!

Fall Bucket List: Painting Pumpkins

"So yes, just grab a pumpkin, some paints and plan to enjoy the park afterward with the rugrats," I giggled into the phone, talking with one of the beloved moms that meet monthly in our informal group to connect, share stories and well...drink and vent at times. Because, although parenting is frequently sunshine and rainbows, it isn't always, so having a network of gals who gets it is survival 101.  Queue the MOMS group here...

As lunch grew nearer on Saturday we were met with a nearly perfect fall day, the glow of the sun cascading through the thinning leaves, temps requiring just a sweatshirt and the sky the color of azure in the crayon box. Running late of course, I was met with the prepared mom set first, a picnic table laid out with a drop cloth, crafting supplies and delighted looking little faces in smocks. Gleeful, they decorated their pumpkins for nearly 20 minutes (a marathon for toddlers), then sent off to play for hours among the monkey bars, slides and perfect nooks for hide and seek. Meanwhile we settled in for a motherly chat in between watchful eyes and swing pushing, talking solids, diapers, pre-school woes and more.

All in all, it was a delight.

Thank you Moms, for your influence, stories, support and love. And for really crisp, fall days that remind you what life is about. Oh, and for understanding why a diaper needs to be changed on a picnic table due to unforseen circumstances. You gals are the best!

If you're interested in connecting with us, please message me - we'd love to have you!

A Place to Play

And create boundaries from bounding pups, sword-thrashing older brothers, curious cats, vicarious neighbors and the not so graceful grandparent or two.

Plus, it's a great barrier from all that dog hair that likes to hang out in the shag rug. Blech.

It's the jumbo foam playmat from Verdes, the perfect play place for the rollers and shakers but not yet crawlers as a way to provide a place to roam a bit larger than their kickmat. Easy to clean, configure, store and lay on any surface, it's affordable, safe and fun.

So thank you Buy Buy Baby, for keeping me on your mailing list and featuring this little product. We adore it! Even Little Dude finds it just the right surface for Ninja Turtle fights and castle guy battles.

Get down on your knees and play and make one of these mats yours today!

Monday Momfessions: October 14 Week

1. Shortly after delivering my 10-pounder, I questioned one of the OBs on the longevity of the "skin apron" that had magically appeared at my waistline. Her response was that she generally tells patients that what you have left at six months post partum is what you are left working with. So...I have one week to go all six pack on these abs. Sh*t.

2. "Friends": you provided no warning that four could potentially make three look like child's play. Holy cats. I don't know if it's the Claritin, if a nap is needed, or this is just part of the development journey, but I think Momma needs to fork over the hundy and hit up the "Love and Logic" seminar taking place at the OP Convention center next month lest we all end up in calm corner in the fetal position.

3. Note to self: at least hit a dim light before the big morning embrace with your wee one. This will prevent you from having to change your "I actually tried" outfit due to an escaped diaper in the night. Hey, at least it wasn't poop on the dress this time, right? Right?!

4. If you ever wanted to know the number of times you could forget to secure storage to the bottom of your pump parts before dispensing in a day, go ahead with 100%. It's possible and I have a ruined keyboard and pair of jeans to prove it.

5. This weekend marked a few changes I may not have been quite ready for: lowering the crib for rolly mcrollerson, trekking the infant swing down to the basement, installing the johnny jumper and hanging a whole set of new hand-me-downs in a larger size into the closet. These are things I used to get a bit giddy about given the sense of freedom and restoration behind it all, but something about knowing this is our last kiddo and it's all flying by makes for a small pang in the heart. It did not help at all when a colleague placed a four day old, full head of dark hair, caramel skinned, bow-wearing newborn in my hands last week. Ay yay yay. The surgery is scheduled people: don't get too excited. The cost of daycare and our sanity is still at stake here. The positions at Team Choate have been filled and we feel complete with our amazing boys.

6. A 40-minute standoff over a jacket can happen. And it won't be until you get to school that you finally get to the core of the issue, which was that a hood was required to be Ironman at recess. Why didn't I think of that?!

7. I didn't know that shoe tying and name writing could bring one to tears. Watching the sense of accomplishment, pride and concentration on Little Dude's face during these moments of aptitude warm my heart in every little crevice. So proud of how he's blossoming these days!

8. Oh Nosefrida, how you tempt me with all the sniffling occuring in this home. But alas, the conjured images of potential unwanted bodily fluids reaching my mouth stop me every.time.

9. I'm just going to go ahead and ask again: HOW do you people keep your house clean? Apparently I can't even make it into my own bed anymore at night as witnessed by my face planted in my laptop in my child's bean bag chair for three nights in a row. Awesome parenting.

10. Before there was Nana doing errands, there were highwaters. Thank you Nana, for helping one four-year old save face at pre-school. Mickey undies, two mismatching socks and highwaters may have officially sent our sensitive kiddo over the edge. Thanks to you, we can put a few less pennies in the "couch" fund this year.

What's on your mind these days, Momma?

Tickets - Secured!

A gal knows she has issues when a) she begins dreaming of the glittered halls, delicious samples, tinkling music, rows of accessories and the potential of monogrammed items three days before the event b) her boss knows EXACTLY why she is requesting a half-day on Friday and lists it as one of her "national shopping holidays."

That's right - it's HOLIDAY MART TIME!

Secure your tickets today and text me when you get there. I'll be the gal with a glass of wine in her hand, a bit ol' grin and a list half checked off.

Happy shopping!