Favorite Things: March 2015

Here's what I'm loving, as we emerge from our ice-covered winter madness.

This one's for the ladies--no baby or kid stuff here. If you've survived, you deserve it!

1. Garnier 5 Second Blur Instant Smoother

This was an impulse purchase at Target (have you ever HEARD of such a thing?!), but I think it works. It's not a cream; it goes on dry. I think it definitely made no-makeup skin look better and helped even out some of that late-winter redness.

2. Starburst jellybeans

Need I say more? Hello, Easter candy aisle. *currently 10% off with Target Cartwheel app*

3. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk foundation

I read a good review of this online and had a Nordstrom gift card, so decided to try it out. They gave me a generously-sized sample at the Armani counter (another reason to love Nordy), but I'll be buying the full size. It is light and provides good sheer coverage without being heavy or cakey.

4. Coconut oil

I've been using this for everything. I bought a big jar at Target and put it in the stand mixer with the whisk attachment and whipped it for about 5 minutes (h/t to Kate for the prep tips). This makes it less waxy and much more spreadable. You could add a few drops of essential oil if that's your thing, too. When it was painfully cold and dry outside, I put some on the baby in the bathtub for a few nights, and it definitely smoothed out his little dry patches. I've used it on the ends of my hair, as a lip balm, and on adult skin as well. It's also a good makeup remover and I'm sure has a billion other lifehack uses. A little bit goes a long way, so it's definitely a winner in terms of bang for your buck.

5. Bobbi Brown Sheer Lip Color in Tutu

I've been wanting a lip color that didn't really look like lip color, if that makes sense. Just sort of finishes the look but doesn't make a bold statement. Everything can look a little washed out this time of year, you know? The girl at the BB counter (again, at Nordstrom) said this color looks good on almost everyone, and I believe it. It also feels moisturizing and doesn't get dry or flaky. I've never dropped real money on a lip color before--drugstore gloss all the way, baby--but I feel good about this one.

6. Revision Teamine Eye Complex

This is by far the most effective thing I have found to address dark undereye circles. It addresses the actual causes and diminishes them, rather than just covering them up (although they also sell a concealer). I highly recommend to moms and other people who feel or look tired on the regular. Maybe I'm a sucker, but I saw almost instant improvement. It was recommended to me by Gwen, my skin guru at Elan, but it's on Amazon (link above) and elsewhere online.

7. Problem-Solving Pants

This is actually two items. The jeans in the picture are Madewell's High Riser Skinny. They're pretty much exactly what they sound like. They are not, like, fashion high-rise--wear them as you would normal jeans--but they're just high enough to contain (rather than bisect) any ghosts of pregnancies or doughnuts past. They run pretty true to size, even if they're a little tight when you try them on. They have just enough stretch to get to a good place, but don't end up sagging. They look good with flats and are a normal person length (hallelujah), though they sell them in tall. I've also worn them in boots, so they're slim enough for that. Highly recommend. I have a dark blue wash and black, but they have lots of color options.

My second fave in the wobbly-bits-containment category is Liverpool Pull-On Jeans. Whoever invented pull-on jeans is a goddamn genius. Mine came in my last Stitch Fix box, but I found them on Amazon and think these are essentially the same. Obviously do not wear them with your shirt tucked in like the goofy model, but you can see that there's no zipper or button. Naturally, this makes them more comfortable and also makes them lay more smoothly under a long or flowy top. They're really soft, but they are actual denim--not leggings or pajama jeans or something gross. And yes, you just pull them on. Basically they are all the best parts of maternity jeans (minus the full panel) without being such (I'd say they could work for early pregnancy and postpartum, but don't think they could serve as actual maternity jeans. Sorry). I would suggest sizing down--I wish mine were a little slimmer fitting.

Happy March, everybody. You made it (and if you're somewhere where there's still 6 feet of snow...you'll make it too. You're doing a great job). Treat yo'self. Boots's orders.


Amazon links are affiliate, but I have only included Amazon links if the price there is the same as or less than where I bought it. I bought all these products with my own $$--no freebies.

Forecast: Doughnuts

And also more rain, sleet, and snow.

But we'll just focus on the doughnuts for now. 

Skating Saturday

Morning: roller. Afternoon: ice (well...watching the hockey game).

A friend of ours had told us about "Little Kid Skate" at the roller rink on Saturday mornings, so this weekend--totally out of indoor activities and parenting solo--we joined in.

It's totally ridiculous. First, the skate center is exactly as it was when I attended approximately 2-3 birthday parties per month there, circa 1990. They give the kids skates, and these little walkers, have colored lights and disco balls, and play all the "kid hits" (the DJ made me want to die a little).

I believe in the background of this clip you can hear a snippet of "Funkytown," as performed by The Chipmunks. I'll let you start your Monday with that.

He did so great--I was worried he'd be overwhelmed (and he was, at first), but I told him he didn't have to do anything and could just watch. So obviously then he wanted to put his skates on. Reverse psychology for the win.

Those tiny suckers are SO heavy, so it must be great exercise for them. But the bonus for adults is that it's an extremely slow-motion kid-exhauster. You don't have to chase them, and they're not really going to get hurt. I think we circled the rink 2 or 3 times in 45 minutes, which was ok because I was laughing too hard to do anything.

We will definitely go back. If you're interested:

Little Kid Skate

Saturdays, 9:30am (before the birthday parties)

Brentwood Skate Center

you definitely want to be there by of before 9:30 so they don't run out of tiny skate sizes or walkers. 

Adults can skate alongside, but I opted not to rent skates on our first visit so I could get the hang of things.

It's a jungle out there. 

Boots Chooses: Popular Picks for Toddler Toys and Gear

We're coming out of a Christmas- and birthday-gift whirlwind, so I thought I'd take a minute to share a few things that have been popular with the wee one. I think most of these would be engaging for children a bit younger than 2, and certainly for those older. I got a few of the ideas from observing what was popular in his classroom, and the kids in there range from about 15 months to over 24 months. Accordingly, I they'd be good gifts from about the first birthday onward. Obviously individual children have their own skills and interests, but I think these are widely appealing and generally unisex.

(I also wrote more specifically about popular toys around age one in this post.)

Toys 

(pictures are links)

dot stampers

 magnet tiles

        Magformers                                             MagnaTiles

 blocks and MegaBlocks

 "cut food" -- Melissa & Doug Wooden Cutting Food

(a couple other brands make something similar, too. As long as it has a kiddie knife, it's a hit)

 M&D cookies and birthday cake

 

 Pottery Barn Kids

wooden trucks, trains, and play sets

Railway Station train set

**A note about train sets: I recommend PBK, Brio, and/or Melissa and Doug. These are the classic wooden tracks and these brands' trains and tracks are compatible with each other. Chuggington trains and Thomas the Tank engine sets only work with their own tracks (Thomas trains work on wooden tracks, but other trains don't work on Thomas tracks). Jerks. Also, I invite their executives to explain this to toddlers.**

Safari Set

(PBK website says it's not currently available, but check back or look at similar items)

I love the sturdy (and safe) wooden construction, and that these are open-ended toys with a lot of play options as kids develop.

Finally, almost all kids love a kitchen set. Whenever we have play dates, the kitchen almost always factors in, even across a range of ages and with a mix of boys and girls. We have this one from Little Tikes,

 
 but Costco carries some good looking wooden ones at the best prices if you keep an eye out.

Gear and Supplies

This portion is more like "baby things we still use," so might be a handy guide if you are looking for a gift for parents of an infant, but really want them to get serious mileage out of it.

Aden + Anais serenity star

 

Still our white noise machine for sleep time. I like that it gives off enough light to see a little, but it's not too bright at all. It glows white normally, but will turn blue if the room temperature is too cool or red if it's too hot.

Precious Planet mobile

I first wrote about this in the 4 Month Faves post, so it has been with us for a while. We have used it only as the "light show" (projector) for a while. The batteries died recently, and I thought I could let it ride, but C asked me to "fix it." Yesterday when I went in to get him after nap, he was lying quietly and looking at the lights on the ceiling. He was so excited it was back and wanted me to lie down and watch it too. Great for extending crib time for a bit.

Motorola video monitor

 

still going strong.

Ergo

                                

Left: Original Ergo           ~               Right: Ergo 360

 My love for this is well documented, and I wrote a bit about it in the Gear post. But I just wanted to confirm that we still use it on occasion--most recently when walking downtown to a Preds game (it's a little too far and too traffic-y for me to feel comfortable with him walking on his own). He rides on BA's back and loves a "piggy ride." The original states it's usable up to 45 pounds.

And there you go. You will now be the best gifter at the baby shower, first birthday party, or other celebration. You can thank me with cash later.

 Amazon links are affiliate links

Zoo Tots 2: I Smell You!

Today's theme was the sense of smell, so we met a snake--who smells with her tongue--and a skunk. 

Bonnie the Sand Boa

Silly animal noses!

Piggie

Lily the skunk

We also made scented necklaces by using cinnamon sticks to color on sandpaper. We tried to guess smells on cotton balls, like peppermint, coffee, coconut, and vinegar.

Then we headed out to the zoo. Today's exhibit was the petting zoo. Not particularly exotic, but C was excited to pet the goats ("pet ALL the goats!"). He's never been in there before because we usually skip it when we visit on our own.

Monday Morning

One of those days, friends. We had the WORST trip to the grocery store (yes, I realize that's not the end of the world but a whole carton of blueberries all over the floor was just the beginning) (side note: PLEASE ALWAYS BE NICE if you see someone in a similar situation) and I left almost in tears. 

So I'm just choosing to re-focus on Roman Josi's Railyard Adventures.

something about the scale seems...off

Please provide your best storyline here. The winner will get a hug and maybe a gift card I have somewhere in my desk. Or a carton of blueberries. 

I've glued poor Roman Josi bobblehead back together two times in the past two days. I humbly suggest the Preds start getting their free giveaways from a different Chinese factory, perhaps. If he goes on IR one more time, he might be gone for good. Although he has lasted longer than Pekka or Shea Weber, and has tied Mike Fisher's record for two times under the glue, so...maybe a trend?