day Archives - Page 2 of 21

Natural Deodorant

September 22, 2018 by Christine Eclavea Mercer Leave a Comment

I was quite skeptical of natural deodorant. Although the idea of it being aluminum-free appeals to me. And there is the concept that commercial deodorants are usually antiperspirants, which is unnatural, since humans are supposed to perspire.

Still, thoughts of squiggly, stinky lines engulfing me like Pigpen from Charlie Brown persisted. And I’m running out of spa and beauty products to discuss – though each week a new one seems to appear. So, armed with the idea that in the 90s, horrified though I was by her revelation, my friend who never wore antiperspirant also never smelled bad… I decided I should try it.

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Ocean Girl Collection

August 30, 2018 by Erika Jurney 3 Comments

Even here in Northern California the weather is finally turning to Fall. (Horrors, I even had to wear a jacket the other day!) But that doesn’t mean that I don’t love a reminder of the fun summer we just had.

Even though Ocean Girl‘s summer at the beach and mine were apparently quite different, I still appreciate the beachy reminders she evokes in her jewelry.

I’ve had a handmade sea glass necklace my mother gave me probably 20 years ago, and to this day it is one of my favorite pieces of jewelry. Try something from Ocean Girl Collection and you may just find your own favorite for the next couple of decades.

Edible Love

August 21, 2018 by Diana Prichard 2 Comments

I admit, I love Valentine’s Day. I know, I know. It’s a hallmark holiday; it’s a manufactured day to entice buyers back into stores after they’ve already maxed their limits over the holiday season in November and December; one shouldn’t need a day on which to show love to the people they hold dear. I know all the reasons we’re not supposed to support it. I just can’t help it. I still like it. And, I promise, that’s only partly because chocolate tends to be a heavy part of its celebratory traditions.

I’m the parent who, at the beginning of the school year, secretly hopes she’ll be put on Valentine’s Day party duty. I’ve had fun with the Halloween party, I always show my face at the holiday party, but the Valentine’s Day party is truly my favorite. I dream of fluffy, whipped, pink frosting atop cupcakes, red sugar sprinkles on cookies.

It’s one of the few days each year where I can cut-loose and fully embrace my inner girly-girly. I can admit that sometimes I like food — and even decor — that looks eerily like a bottle of pepto bismol threw up; I can tie packages up with frilly red bows; and, yes, I can show those dear to me I love them a little more thoroughly than I may remember to 364 others days per year. And you know, that just may not be all bad. Especially when the packages I am tying up contain some of the finest handmade and artisan gifts around; gifts that support small producers and their families so perhaps the love can flow through their homes too.

Haven’t picked a gift for your love yet? The clock is ticking, but there’s still time. Many Foodzie and Etsy sellers offer rush shipping options. Click over and get your shopping done now! Hedonistic Chocolate’s Raspberry Truffles, d’Lischka’s German-inspired cookies and Gauteau et Ganache’s Marshmallow hearts are just the tip of the iceberg.

Subversive Chore Chart

August 18, 2018 by Lotta 2 Comments

Dear Reader,

Ask my children to clean something and it’s necessary to anchor yourself to the nearest door frame, lest you be blown away by the gale of whining. But put a poster board chart up on the wall with the promise of stickers for tasks finished and they knock each other over to Swiffer the family room.

In fact, I’ve discovered that stickers make manipulating children so much easier. Put a Dora the Explorer sticker on a banana and suddenly it’s super delicious. “Quick eat the brown, mushy part before Swiper swipes it! Swiper no swiping!” Put Barney on the toilet brush and they’re singing about how they love everyone while they clean the crapper.

But it occurred to me the other day that while placing chores like, “Clean your room”, “Use your manners” on a sticker reward chart was all well and good. I was thinking too small. Surely, there are far better things we can train our children up to do? We need to take advantage of this Pavlovian sticker training and create The Subversive Chore Chart.

Go out and buy yourself a big old sheet of poster board. Everything feels more official to a child if it’s on poster board. Remember when you used to get nervous because the teacher might write your name on the blackboard? Certain items possess magical qualities to children. Chalk, poster board, etc.
Find some crayons or magic markers that haven’t dried out. Baring that, grab some eyeliner or lip pencil to write with.
Make a big deal about drawing up the chart. Act as though you don’t want your children to see it. “Whatever you do DON’T come watch me make this chart!”
Now get yourself some stickers. There are two ways you can go with your adhesives. The sparkly over the top character stickers that burn your eyes. Or, my personal favorite, odd scratch and sniffs. My kids are out of their minds with curiosity as to which smelly sticker I’ll put on their chart next. The scratch and sniff horse stickers perhaps? Because who can resist a horse’s ass that smells like cotton candy? Not my kids. Scratch Santa children. What does he smell like? Credit card debt and peppermint.
Now have a glass of wine and really think about what you wish your children did or said during the course of the day. Not what you think they are supposed to do – what you wish they would do. Legally. Start filling in the blanks!

If I may suggest a few:

Ask mommy, “Have you lost weight?”

Claim to be fed only organic fruit picked by vegans wearing sandals made out of rope and newspapers while in public.

When daddy asks what you did today do not say “cartoons”.

Brag about mommy’s cooking while at Grandmas house.

Challenge daddy to a floor scrubbing match. “Dad, betcha can’t scrub this floor as fast as I can!”

Fetch cold beverages for grownups.

Talk about how flipp’n awesome your mother is while at play dates.

The list is endless really. Have fun!

Love, Lotta

Warm Up with Winter Mittens

August 17, 2018 by Sarah Safranski 2 Comments

One of my favorite things about the cold winter weather is having to bundle up before you go outside. Hats, scarves and, mittens are not only necessary, but a great way to show your style, transform an otherwise bland coat, and pull together your outfit. While I don’t know how to knit, I’ve always admired the time and care that knitters put into what they make, objects that offer warmth and comfort.

These three cable mittens by LadyOverboard09 have a classic design and will match with any winter coat. The blue and black specks in the yarn add just a dash of color without taking away from the handiwork or the design. Made of 100 percent Merino wool, these gloves are sure to keep your hands warm on the coldest winter night.

These fushia mittens by Beaded Wire are a perfect way to add a punch of color to your winter coat and are bright enough to combat any gray winter day. Made of Lopi Icelandic wool and featuring a large cable knit down the middle, these gloves make a bold statement.

I love the playful design of these thrummed mittens by Lindfield Farm. Set against a navy blue background, these patterned gloves feature small white hearts all the way around. What better way to spread some love during the cold winter months? Made of 100 percent wool, these gloves are made by inserting unspun fiber through the knitting pattern to make a soft interior that will keep your hands extra warm.

I don’t have any warm clothes with me in Honolulu so my parents always bring some along with them to the airport when they pick me up. As an early birthday or Christmas gift, I may have to pass along a link to one of these gorgeous pairs of gloves and hope that they are waiting for me when I arrive in Chicago!

The lovely blizzard photograph featured at the top of this posted was created by IS Photography.