My Seven Comforts

Seven is a lucky number found all throughout literature- seven dwarfs, seven brides, seven years, etc. After yesterday's drama I thought long and hard about my comforts and came up with a list of my seven comforts.

Coffee
I love coffee... I don't care whether is a decaf or full strength as long as it is light and sweet. I live for the smell of the ground up beans, the pre-doctored look of it in my cup, and the swirling clouds of the creamer rising to the surface. My husband jokes that it looks like I am sipping my sanity from a starbucks mug everyday!


Nora Roberts
I swear by anything that this woman write. Although I haven't delved into her murder mysteries, I would believe that these are just as good as her romance novels. There are some authors that just have the gift of storytelling and Nora Roberts has it. Whether she is writing about vampires, irish fairy princes, or a mysterious chance meeting these novels will make your forget your worries, no matter how big.

Ballet Flats
I am picky about what goes on my feet and I refuse to wear heels even though I am under 5 ft. I love the variety that ballet flats offer and the comfort. The go with jeans, skirts, and cords.... love them!!

Salsa Music
How can anyone be sad, mad, or depressed with this music blaring? Nuff said!

Bubble Baths
I don't know who said it, but someone once said that a bubble bath can soak away all your troubles. And I am not talking about those wimpy bubbles....I am talking mounds of huge, never ending, fluffy white bubbles. Want to know the best bubble bath I have found? Cashmere Luxury bubble bath from Bath & Body Works. Nothing compares.

Down Comforter
I love the feeling of sinking into a nice warm bed. I adore my down comforter because if you lay on it in the summer it is cool on top, but if you lay under it you will be toasty warm. When I was little I used to imagine that the comforter was made of clouds... and now that I am older I know that they are! =)

and finally...
a trip to the salon
When life gets a little rough, go get a shampoo, cut, and style. Even if it is only a trim you will feel so much better for it. For me there is nothing better than feeling pampered by someone else, venting my life story, and getting a new and improved look. Today, considering yesterday's events, I did a little more than a trim... I got a total pixie chop! Yeah... I went this short! But man oh man do I feel better!


So what are some of your comforts?

Much Needed Breathing Space

Today was not a good day. Most days in my world range in the okay to awesome range. Rarely is a day as bad as today. I know some of the foul atmosphere was leftover from a little misunderstanding that the dear hubby and I had last night, I didn't go to bed a happy wife. And of course, with him working 3rd shift, there was no way to fix the problem, so in true Connie fashion I stewed about it.

Then there was today... a gloomy, chilly Cleveland day combined with two 2-yr olds who were at war with each other all day long. Throw in a cranky husband for good measure, a blow up fight in which both parties declare battle, and then a huge bedtime fight with said 2 yr old terrorist.... right now I don't know whether to have a good cry or go out and get some wine.

The worst part is that I can feel my temper brewing, right below the surface. I know that I can have a wicked and vile temper when provoked and I also know that on days like today when I am so wound it is really hard to control my temper, especially with AJ who has the gift of knowing when I am on the verge of a breakdown and goes for the kill. I have to use every trick I have not to lose it all and snap.

I am sure every mother has days like these... I guess they are just harder for me to deal with because I am so "up" most of the time. Sigh.... I just need to breathe.... and maybe make some good coffee.

Halloween Costumes- A New Look

These days people are willing to pay obscene amounts of money for crappy Halloween costumes with licensed cartoon characters on them and it is so sad! I am not against store bought costumes as a whole, don't get me wrong- I just don't like plastic made-in-China costumes that cost upwards of $40! I get my kids their costumes the day after Halloween and try not to let them pick characters from TV. Instead of being a Transformer why not just be a robot, instead of Tinkerbell let's make you a woodland fairy....

When I was little my family was pretty poor... I mean really poor. But at least my mom tried to make it appear as if we were ok by coming up with really cool costumes for us. One year I went as a Q-tip, unused of course! Black tights and leotard (easy since I was a dancer), with tons of cotton balls on my feet and on an old hat we found. Another year it was leftovers, complete with the Olive Garden logo!

I love looking at all the ideas at Martha Stewart for costume ideas that are really easy to do and don't involve sewing. Here are some of my faves and here is the link!!!




What are your kids going to be for Halloween? Do you have rules about what they can and can't be?

No/Little Carve Pumpkin Decorating

There are tons of no or little carve options out there in terms of decorating for Halloween with pumpkins. Whether you like them sparkly with some spray adhesive and glitter or classy in black and white, there are options to suit every taste. I prefer paint for my pumpkins, I would love to have a go at these adorable tap dancing pumpkins shown above!
Here is a great link to lots of fun ideas! How do you decorate with pumpkins?

Print & Give- Evening Magic Bookplates

With the weather getting cooler
it is becoming a lot easier to find a reason
to curl up with a good book.
I hope that this bookplate helps keep track of all those magical books in your library!

Download it here and print it out on Avery Labels 8164 or 5164

The List 2.1

Are you all falling in love with fall as I am? I got out the heated blanket today, a very blustery chilly day here in NE Ohio. Mmmmm.... brewed some coffee with caramel apple creamer.... lovely! So here are some things that have caught my eye these past couple of days- Enjoy!!

So I have discovered a store on Etsy that actually sells Bento supplies! Yay!! Check it out here!

Here is another cute idea for a cupcake topper, of course found on Etsy! (@ The Small Object)

Gabby loooooves snakes! I bet she would love making her own silly snake using this great how-to! (@ Skip to My Lou)

I am having a love affair right now with letters, ABC flash cards, and typography (art using jsut words). This wall alphabet would be a labor of love for sure! (@ Spearmint Baby)

Being a dancer I adore any kind of ballet flat... these pretty pink ones are available in sizes for Gabby and me! (My name is Connie and I wear kids shoes!) (@ J.Crew)

Having a good smelling house is really important to me, especially since I have pets. This beautiful cinnamon box would be a lovely addition to my decor. (@ Montessori Services)

Finding crafts for all the members of my mini tribe (the two almost 2 yr olds that I watch and my 2 yr old) is challenging... they still put lots of things in their mouths and can't really follow directions too well. This adorable tree craft would be pretty easy though!! (@ The Ramblings of a Crazy Woman)

So that is all for now... I am sure there are more great findings on the way. Till then Ciao!

Here's My Sign!

Isn't this the perfect sign for my house... even if I didn't have kids?? =)
(I am incredibly short...almost was a Munchkin!)

This sign as well as many other adorable ones are found here!!

Now You Are Two!!

Happy Birthday little girl!
You are now two!!

Tulip Planting 101

I have a long standing love affair with cut flowers, especially Tulips and Gerber Daisies. I love the simple cheeriness of them, the varieties, and the beautiful colors. So this year I want to plant some of my own tulips. But I have no clue how to begin, when to do it, or how to make sure they survive and thrive. This guide from Or So She Says is perfect for anyone out there who wants to grow tulips but has no clue how to get going. She gives great links so you can know your hardiness zone, how deep to plant your bulbs, and how to take care of them in the spring. Love it!

I think I am going to plant some cotton candy pink ones, for breast cancer and my grandmother who passed away from it.... just like these!

Clever Marketing 101

There are many things that I love about living here in Lakewood OH. The artsy feel, the community garden spaces, the big city atmosphere in a small city, and all the independently owned shops and restaurants. One of my favourite is Melt Bar & Grilled, who just came up with the most genius promotion.

Let me start by telling you about Melt. It is a very cool place that serves sandwich varieties of the basic grilled cheese. It is famous here in NE Ohio and attracts people from all over the country. Their awesome creations have been featured on the Food Network, and there is going to be another feature in January 2010.

Now, this is the genius that is Melt.... whoever is their marketing director should be handed a raise. They just announced that if you get a tattoo of their basic logo, any size, anywhere, you get 25% off your entire order FOR LIFE!! Holy Cow!!
And here is the best part: get the tattoo at Voodoo Monkey Tattoo and you will get $25 off the tattoo!! Love it!

So know I am actually debating on whether I want to get a tattoo of a sandwich and crossbones... or if I can convince Klint to get one instead!
Absolute genius!