girlymama

trends i swore i wouldn't wear but now love dearly

1. The Skinny Jean: I fought the Skinny Jean. I tried them on several times and always chickened out before I bought them. But this summer, I embraced the skinny jean and I encourage you to do the same because I'm in love. I wear them all the time - they look great with flats and terrific tucked into boots. And here's the scoop: anyone can wear skinny jeans - just make sure you get jeans with just the right amount of stretch in them, like the ones at LOFT. LOFT also has a slim cut jean that you can try if you don't feel ready for the full-on skinny! (I've had my eyes on these for awhile now, since I really could use more than one pair of skinnies.)

2. Uggs: I hated Uggs when they first came out. Hated, hated, made fun of, hated. Now I have TWO pairs! I KNOW! (One tan and one black, of course.) I bought my first pair while pregnant and wore them almost every day. And I haven't retired them as 'maternity wear' - still love them.  I was so excited for fall so I could pull them out again. 
SIDEBAR RANT: Men should never, ever, EVER wear Uggs. I don't care how famous said man is. Its just always a NO. Always.

3. Jeans tucked into Boots:  I swore I wouldn't. I HATED this look last year. Now I'm doing it all the time! With my Uggs, no less!  Y'all know how I love me some boots!! How gorgeous are these... yum! Of course, this trend is much easier to pull off with my skinny jeans. (Have you ever tried to tuck your boot-cut jeans into boots? Not easy. Or pretty.)

4. Blue and Black Nail Polish: I never ever imagined myself wearing black nail polish... Hellooo, Goth! Now I love it. LOVE IT. So chic. So sophisticated. And something besides burgandy in the winter. Not sure I can do the new dark green trend - I'm sticking to my navy blue for now.

5. Headbands. I wear headbands all the time now. And these embellished ones are just too fun to resist! Such a great way to dress-up that ponytail and feel cute  on days when you really just haven't managed a shower. Not that that ever happens to me. Ahem.

6. The Boyfriend Jean. I laughed aloud when Katie Holmes started wearing her baggy jeans rolled up. "Good luck with that," I said to her wondering why a normally stylish gal would choose to wear those. But over the summer, I took my baggy post-baby jeans, rolled 'em up, and gave it a go.  My verdict? Very cute in the summer, when pared with a tank top and loose cardigan and wedges. Not for cold weather, due to shoe issues. Try these if you're looking for a pair.

For more Fashion Friday posts, check out Big Mama, who is sharing her Nordstrom's semi-annual sale finds. (I accept no responsibility for yuo falling in love with any items she shares. Sorry. And Jo-Lynne, who is discussing fashion trends she's doesn't get. I agree with some, but some of her dislikes are on my like list. Oh, boy! Time for some rip-roaring debate that will be SO MUCH MORE INTERESTING then the debates on CNN today.

try this carnival: PASTA!!! **GIVEAWAY!!**

Welcome to the  monthly "Try This: Spice Up Your Kitchen" carnival! This month's theme is PASTA. I don't know about  you, but pasta is an absolute staple in my house and one of the main reasons I could never do a no-carb diet. I love me some pasta!

Today I invite you to share your family's favorite pasta recipe with us. We have several, so it was hard to narrow it down. But I chose a recipe that my family totally loves. I don't know where it came from, it was kind-of invented with what we had laying around and morphed into a family favorite! 

Sausage and Spinach Pasta

1 pound of your favorite pasta (I recommend orecchiette or shells)
1 lb sweet italian sausage, casings removed
1 package of fresh baby spinach
1/4 c chopped sweet onion
6 cloves of garlic, minced
1 can diced tomatoes
Parmesan cheese

1. Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, according to package instructions. Drain (reserving 1/4 cup pasta water) and return to pot.
2. Brown sausage in a large skillet. When almost done, drain if needed, and add onion. Brown for a few minutes more and add spinach. Stir frequently until spinach is wilted, then add garlic and stir for about one minute more. Add diced tomatoes and reserved pasta water, simmering for about 5 minutes to let flavors blend.
3. Serve sausage mixture over pasta, garnish with parmesan cheese as desired!

This month's carnival is extra special. I am giving away TWO cookbooks! The super handy and helpful Busy People's Fast and Frugal Cookbook AND The Silver Spoon Pasta Cookbook, which is just gorgeous and has over 350 amazing pasta recipes!! Both of these cookbooks are just fabulous and you will return to them again and again! I will pick two winners who will each win one cookbook! Yay!

Here are the rules:
1. Contest ends Saturday, November 7.
2. Entry #1: Submit a recipe to the carnival. (It can be an old post on your blog - just remember to link to the specific post, not your whole blog please.)
3. Entry #2: Leave a comment telling me what your very, very favorite comfort food is.
4. Entry #3:  Leave a SEPARATE comment telling me in what way you promoted this contest (i.e., posting about it on your blog, Tweeting about it, emailing  friends, and/or subscribe to my feed by email or in a reader).
5. Winner will be selected by Random.org, announced back here on this post, and notified via email with further instructions.

I hope you all have a great time looking through all the recipes today – I cannot WAIT to find some new pasta recipes!! And remember: when you add your post to the Mr. Linky, please link to your specific post – not your general blog URL.
Here's how to play, if you have questions.

simple steps to a healthy smile

Today I got to take part is a terrific webinar with Jennie Garth and Dr. Daniel Jones, Professor and Chair, Department of Public Health Sciences, Baylor College of Dentistry about simple tips and suggestions on how to help your kids maintain a healthy mouth.

Did you know that tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease in North America? And that half of second graders have tooth decay? That’s why Trident and Smiles Across America have joined forces to expand resources and help provide the dental care that kids need to keep them happy and healthy. Smiles Across America supports dental services to thousands of children in underserved communities nationwide - and this year, with Jennie's help, they are doubling the number of kids cared for by the SAA provider network!! How amazing is that?

Some important tips for your kids oral health:

1. The best thing you can do is provide a good example for your kids by modeling good oral hygiene yourself!!
2. Fluoride in some form(whether supplements, in your tap water, etc)
3. Brush as soon as your kids have teeth (You should do the brushing or at least supervising until ages 5 or 6 so they don't just suck the  toothpaste off)
4. First dental visit should be at age one (This way they get used to the dentist and problems can be caught early)
5. Limit juice in bottles (And NEVER put baby to bed with anything in a bottle except water!)
6. Sealants are the best way to prevent tooth decay after fluoride.
7. Avoid sugary snacks and drinks

Thanks to Dr. Jones and Jennie for all the great info! (Jennie is just too cute for words by the way - she was sharing such adorable stories about her three girls! LOVE HER!)

wordless wednesday: maybe i should cut back a little

please ignore  messy car

because i love you guys!

I have some special deals for my beloved Girlymama Readers!!!!

Have you been dreaming of a new blog design? Need a blog button or want to get a blog business card? I'm offering you all 30% off  at Eliza Grace Design! Just mention in your order that you're from Girlymama to get the discount!

*****

Ann Clark Ltd: The Cookie Cutter People from Vermont: Their contemporary cookie cutters would be make wonderfully unique teacher or hostess gifts! And for only $5, you can stock up and save them for when you forget last minute gifts. The Kids in the Kitchen gift set would make any little chef happy and my train-obsessed son would be thrilled with the All Aboard gift set. They also sell adorable children's cookbooks. Ann Clark Ltd is offering Girlymama readers 10% off your purchases from now until the end of the year! Use coupon code BLGA4 at checkout. (If you buy four or more items, you get free shipping, so go crazy!)

*****

Felix Doolittle stationary has ADORABLE stationary and accessories for men, women and kids, and is the perfect place for easy, online holiday shopping for almost anyone on the gift list. Their stuff is just too cute for words. And now through November 30, they are offering Girlymama readers 15% off anything in the Doolittle Junior (check out the Play Date Cards!) line or the Seasonal collection, which features the brand new Correspondence Seals (LOVE these!)!! Use coupon code DoolittleJr when checking out.

*****

Amenity Home has tons of eco-friendly products for thoughtful modern living. I'm in love with this Baby Alpaca Throw in Mocha - how gorgeous! And I could design an entire room around this birdseye flat print on organic cotton. Amenity House is offering Girlymama readers a generous 20% off site-wide (Muir Collection excluded).  Just use the discount code fall20.

*****

Go forth and shop!!

h1n1 vaccine - finally decided

Yesterday afternoon, Ellie got her H1N1 vaccination. After much debate, we decided to just do it. We read all sorts of things, and it seemed like there are risks either way. Its been getting closer to home - we've been hearing about more and more people being diagnosed around us - and having a baby in the house, we decided to be cautious.

Ellie's vaccine was the easy one -  it was through the public school. Getting the other kids their vaccines will be rough. I've heard rumors about people waiting in 4 to 5 hour lines.

Have you heard anything like this? What is it like where you are?

welcome to operation restore order

My house is a disaster, people. A DISASTER.

I know you think I'm exaggerating, but I'm serious. Some examples:

• When we left on Thursday to go down to Maryland, I said to my husband, "I hope we don't all get killed in a car accident because I would DIE if anyone saw my house like this." 
• My husband is out of pants. Must iron the huge pile of wrinkled khakis. Stat.
• I keep tripping over things on my way to the bathroom at night. Like play swords, stuffed animals, bath toys and items for sale on ebay. (What? Doesn't this sound like your bedroom floor?)
• There is very little surface area visible on the dresser, the desk, the kitchen counters and the top of the washing machine. Its dangerous.
• Seriously, I can't see my printer.
• Ohmy WORD, my closet.
• Don't even get me started on the kids rooms. I may tear my hair out.

So, I am determined to get things in order this week. By Friday, this house WILL be picked up, cleaned up and caught up.

Who's with me?

***
This Thursday is the next Try This Carnival!! This month's theme is PASTA!
Share your favorite pasta recipes and you'll have a chance to win one of TWO great prizes!!

faith like a child

Tonight before dinner, we jokingly asked Colin if he wanted to pray for us.

Colin immediately grinned, folded his hands, bowed his head and said, "Tan-too." 

It may have been a much shorter blessing than usual... but it was one of the sweetest ones I've ever heard.

 

happy halloween... from the animal house

taking the day off

Well, not really. We're going out of town for my brother-in-law's graduation from Police Academy in the am, then his party in the early pm, then up to pick my baby sis up from the Philly airport in the late pm.  (I have optimistically packed my purse with a stash of lollipops to keep Colin quiet during the graduation. But most likely, I'll be standing in the hallway the whole time while Colin runs around refusing to be quiet or sit still for longer than 10 seconds.)

And this is a "day off." Maybe this is why we're so tired all the time.

*****

I feel like poo. But I'm not sick. No way. Sorry. I can't be. Please.

*****

Why won't Colin sleep? Why? WHY???
(He's getting better. I'm just feeling like poo NOT sick and wanting to sleep.)

*****

I'll be back on Monday, ya'll. Here's hoping that next week's posts will be more "Wow!-This-is-so-amazing!" and less "Oh-my-word-I'm-too-tired-to-think."  (How many of these listy posts did I do this week? Like 4?) Oh, well.

*****

Today I wish I was back in Vegas with my husband and no kids, just sitting in a quiet, yummy restaurant having an uninterrupted conversation:

What do you wish you were doing today?