Merry CHRISTmas

From my posse to yours.

May your days be merry and bright.

These are a few of my favorite things: part one

Ms. Winfrey isn't the only one that has some favorite things. I do have to break it to you that all of my 12 readers will not be receiving the products that I am pimping out.

December in Kansas City has been pretty mild. There have even been several days in the mid 50's.

I am well aware that this is going to end quickly, and if our winter is anything like last year, get ready for some serious bitching and whining courtesy of yours truly.

Taking care of one's skin during the winter in the midwest is no joke. Here are some things that save me during Jan/Feb.

Stridex?? Yes, Stridex. However, this isn't for your zitty face. This, my sweets, is for your feets.

Dr. wizard of Oz says if you have dry, cracked feet, swipe 'em with a stridex pad before bed, and finish with a super moisturizing shea butter, and wake up to new toes. It works. Seriously-this tag team has saved my feet, no joke.

One of the best shea butters ev-ah.
I know she isn't cheap, but the Clarisonic brush is worth every penny. My face never gets flaky anymore, pores are clearer, and my moisturizer is more effective.
I fell in love with this product 10 years ago when I worked at Barney's. If you don't have good balance, you might break your head open in the shower, as all of the oils makes the floor crazy slippery---but hey, your skin will feel like buttah.

I apologize for posting yet another large ticket item, but this stuff truly is the bees knees. You don't have to use it every night..alternate it with something more affordable. Again, worth every stinking cent.

I really did save the best for last. And it won't empty your Goyard wallet (another of my favorite things, but that's another post). Aquaphor by Eucerin has transformed my lips. I mean it. My lips, for whatever reason, are dry all year....until I discovered this. I have tried everything...even the $45 La Mer lip balm that Mr. Micheal Kors is obsessed with, and it didn't do nearly as good of a job as my beloved Aquaphor. You can also use it on dry patches, cuticles, etc. My $7 tube that I bought in August isn't even close to being half way gone.

$avings $avings $avings.

Have any obsessions for your skin???

4

Four months you are.

Already.

There are days that I want you to stay this little forever. The way your face lights up when I sing to you is something I wish would happen for the rest of my life. When I come in for a kiss and you open your mouth wide open..it's the most adorable thing ever.

Then there are days that I can't wait for you to get bigger....to see more of who you are... to see if your red hair is here to stay.....to witness the dynamic between you and your brother.

The past four months have been a blessing beyond belief.

I am grateful for what we have shared so far, and look forward to all that lies ahead.

I love love love you.

It's beginning to look a lot like.....

I love to add a bit of Christmas spirit around the house, but I'm not a pine cone, mistletoe type of gal. I also don't like to go overboard with the decor, and I try to capture the vibe of our home: playful/edgy/not too serious.

Here's a bit of what we have going on:

I still can't believe Christmas is one week away. That's just crazy talk.

WARNING!!!!

I would like to take a moment and warn the people in Kansas City that the Grinch has changed his image.

No longer does he resemble the Dr.Seuss character.

The Jim Carey Grinch no longer exists.

This grinch, the NEW grinch of 2010, is about 5"10, dark hair, and disguises himself as the owner of a "hip rock and roll barber shop".

Allow me to take you through my morning with this Mr. Grinch.

I had been to this establishment once before. This is where my son Addison had his first haircut.

See here. The gal who cut his hair was wonderful, patient, and made him look like a rock star.

Add was in major need of cut #2, so I decided to buck up, and take the kiddos by myself, knowing that it was going to be rough. I came up with a good system that would make things as easy as possible--I was going to put Frankie in the Bjorn so that I could still have my hands free to hold Addison down in the chair. Off we went with our plan, and mommy praying the whole way there that this wouldn't make me drive to the nearest bar right after.

We got there about 15 minutes early, which I patted myself on the back about. Better that being late, right? Not so much, as our gal was running behind. I pulled out all the tricks for Add, cell phone, keys, snacks, etc. Although he wasn't throwing any tantrums, he was definitely getting whiny, or "angry", as this idiot waiting for his metro sexual hair to be cut had said.

Finally, she was ready for us, and we went back to her chair....this is when the crying began. I got him to sit down, and 30 seconds later, the GRINCH OWNER comes over and says, "yeah, so here's the deal....." I knew where this was going, and I could NOT believe that this was how he was addressing me.

The GRINCH OWNER continues...." so, I have a customer in my chair who is getting a shave"....I just stared at him and waited for the rest of this riveting speech he was giving. "....and well, he is paying for it, and......" he looks at addison..." so, you know"......

I knew that in that moment, if I were to open my mouth, the cops were going to be called.

The blood rushed to my head in 2.5 seconds, and I had visions of taking that razor from his hands, and cutting HIS 1992 hairstyle.

I grabbed Addison, and headed to the front, shaking with r-a-g-e. I started putting his coat on, and I could NO LONGER be quiet. The next 30 seconds or so went like this as the sweet stylist who had nothing to do with this followed me to the front saying how sorry she was:

me (as loud as possible): does he have kids?

her: no

me: (even louder) he has NO idea....this is NOT how you run a business, kicking a mother OUT with her 2 kids when i had been here for 20 minutes already WAITING. WHY on earth does he advertise children's haircuts? i had no idea this was a SPA for men, give me a break!!

then I said something lame about having a nice Christmas, and slammed the door.

I then called a friend of mine who USED to go there, and he informed me that this grinch was once on the BACHELOR!! Yes, he is one of THOSE guys.

I was seriously wanting to drive to the florist in the area, and buy a dozen red roses, and throw them at him one by one.

I am now calm, collected, and didn't even have to drive to the bar....but if this Grinch ever finds a woman to put up with his ridiculousness, and he finds some way to convince her to have his child, I sure hope that when his kid turns two and cries because he or she doesn't want to do something that seems scary, well, I sure hope he remembers the mother of two that he kicked out of his lame men's spa.

1 out of 365 isn't bad.

Maybe you've noticed-I haven't done a single outfit post this year-until now.

With being preggers 75% of the year, and then having a new born, you can imagine that there have been few spare moments to snap pics of my ensembles.

Sorry for the blah photos, but here is what I wore to the hubs holiday work party:

The pictures do NOT do this jacket justice. Vintage. Chevron. Sequins. This thing has a serious disco ball affect, which came in handy because the party was without one.

Think the earrings are House of Harlow? No-sir-ee. F-21 peeps.

Think the snake ring is vintage Cartier? YOU'RE RIGHT!!

Kidding, it's from a fabulous boutique here in the KC, Standard.

Think my hair is d-i-r-t-y?

A lady never tells.

Terrific Two.

Dear Addison,

Two years ago the Lord brought you to us, and we've been celebrating ever since.

This might sound like a cheesy Hallmark card, but every day is special with you. Every morning feels like Christmas when I go into your room to get you and start the day.

I recently read that it is important as a parent to show enthusiasm when your child walks into a room--it's supposed to make them feel special-loved.

I don't know how NOT to do that. You bring me so much joy, and spending time with you is the best ever.

When your dad and I were trying to plan something for your second birthday we said, "well, what would make Add happy?". Elevators. And Trains. And Frozen Yogurt.

So that's how we spent your special day, and you had the best time.

Happy 2nd birthday my sweet son. I love you with all that I am.

Bananas for Butternut Squash.

I have been out of control lately with the butternut squash recipes. I just cannot get enough of the king of all squashes.

First it was this recipe, Smitten Kitchen's Butternut Squash, Lentil Goat cheese concoction. Loved it. So did the toddler. Add pumpkin seeds. Yum. don't like cheese from goats? you're dumb. swap for feta.

*note* I did NOT use smoked paprika. Used hungarian=not spicy.

THIS I made tonight, and I am STILL salivating over it. That Ina sure knows what she is doing. Which is probably why she drives an insane Audi, lives in the Hamptons, has an herb garden the size of my bedroom, and doesn't have a problem spending $5 per heirloom tomato.

*note* used peppered turkey bacon instead of pancetta. No porky pig eatin' for me.

And then there is the mother of all squash recipes: Giada's Butternut squash lasagna. This will blow your mind. *note* I add ground turkey sausage, swap the basil out and use sage, and about triple the amaretti cookies. This is quite a crowd pleaser.

We have re-named the dish, big boobed lasagna.

As if you didn't know why.

Now, go get your squash on.

I don't think you're ready for this jelly.

I mean, how delicious are you???

Your rolls are out of control, and I am obsessed with each and every one of them.

The 3+ hours that I get to snuggle with you on the couch while your brother is napping is my favorite.

All of the sweet sounds you make while trying to talk, make my heart skip a beat.

You are madly in love with your father, and to be honest, I can't blame you.

These last 3 months has changed me even more, and words cannot express my thankfulness.

I love you little Frankie.