There's Nothing Like The Smell of a Royal Wedding In The Morning.

In the days leading up to the "The Wedding of the Century," I, like most people, grew completely tired of all the media coverage. Can you say OVERKILL????? That, of course, did not stop me from waking up this morning, feeling like a little kid on Christmas morning. Wedding, schmedding, I say, who cares about the actual wedding itself? No, for me, my anticipation was all about THE DRESS, which admittedly had my mind racing at a too early hour. After a mad dash to my computer, I was happy to see that Kate did not disappoint. The dress was flawless. The lace perfect, and the designer was clearly the best choice (McQueen and Diana must be having a serious party up in Heaven!) and she looked just as a princess should. Royal.  

While I was all about the princess herself, I couldn't help but notice that she was being upstaged by one serious accessory... THE HATS!!!!!!!!  Did you all see these amazing works of art?

I immediately had three thoughts:

1. Where can I get my hands on one of those beauties.
2. How soon can we throw a party that requires everyone to wear hats???? A royal themed sip and see perhaps?
3. Would this be considered appropriate attire in the delivery room? Really, this there a better way to combat labor hair???

Now I am counting the minutes until school time so I can tear into the DVR. The wedding awaits!!!!!!

(Photo Credits: People)

It's All About The Eyebrows.

As my sister will attest, if there is one feature on a woman (or actually on other women) that I am borderline obsessed with, it's the eyebrow. Obsessed. I don't know if it's because I was given the genetic short end of the stick. Or if  it was my high school days over plucking in an attempt to look like Drew Barrymore circa 1995, that was the the culprit.* But for some reason, I have been cursed with two thin brows. Emphasis on the word thin. This, of course, has left me jealous of every girl whose eyes are graced by a thick line of hair that can be shaped into any and every bold and strong brow. I have tried "growing mine out" year after year, but the fact is that they ARE as grown as they get, and sadly that is just not going to get me the bushy look that I so desire. Add in the fact that last year became the "year of the brow" and, well,  this has only caused my desire to grow larger, and larger. Hence the word, obsessed.

This is what I'm talking about.

The Good:

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The Bad:

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The Scary:

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The Royal:

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And the, "somebody get me some tweezers STAT!"

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In an attempt to mask my thin brow line I used to use this product, and overall I was pretty happy with it. The problem that I began to have with it, was that the tint and application was sometimes so severe that in the end I felt like I looked a bit like Scarlett, which is SO NOT a good look.

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Short of buying some wig eyebrows (do they even make these?) I was at a loss as to how to get the brows that I have been lusting after for so long. Emphasis on the word was, because the other day I finally found a product that has given me the eyebrows of my dreams. Behold the Perfect Brow Pencil, by Anastasia. 

This little stick has become the answer to all my hairless prayers. It has a feather like application, it's MADE for blonde's, so there are more than enough shades to suit any girl, and with a few swipes of the velvety brush, it makes my brows look completely full AND natural. What more could a girl want?

Move over Brooke Shields... there's a new eyebrow queen in town.

You have to love when you find something that actually works!!!!!!

*What girl growing up in the 90's didn't, right? You all do remember Mad Love don't you? Makes me miss the days of wearing a daisy in my hair and lusting after a butterfly tattoo.

Some Thoughts From Tina Fey.

Have you all seen this hilarious prayer written by Tina Fey?

My first thought was THANK GOD I  don't have any girls... my second was THANK GOD I don't have to be a teenage girl ever again. Enjoy!

A Prayer for My Daughter - from Tina Fey

First, Lord: No tattoos. May neither Chinese symbol for truth nor Winnie-the-Pooh holding the FSU logo stain her tender haunches.

May she be Beautiful but not Damaged, for it’s the Damage that draws the creepy soccer coach’s eye, not the Beauty.

When the Crystal Meth is offered, May she remember the parents who cut her grapes in half And stick with Beer.

Guide her, protect her when crossing the street, stepping onto boats, swimming in the ocean, swimming in pools, walking near pools, standing on the subway platform, crossing 86th Street, stepping off of boats, using mall restrooms, getting on and off escalators, driving on country roads while arguing, leaning on large windows, walking in parking lots, riding Ferris wheels, roller-coasters, log flumes, or anything called “Hell Drop,” “Tower of Torture,” or “The Death Spiral Rock ‘N Zero G Roll featuring Aerosmith,” and standing on any kind of balcony ever, anywhere, at any age.

 Lead her away from Acting but not all the way to Finance. Something where she can make her own hours but still feel intellectually fulfilled and get outside sometimes And not have to wear high heels.

 What would that be, Lord? Architecture? Midwifery? Golf course design? I’m asking You, because if I knew, I’d be doing it, Youdammit.

 May she play the Drums to the fiery rhythm of her Own Heart with the sinewy strength of her Own Arms, so she need Not Lie With Drummers.

 Grant her a Rough Patch from twelve to seventeen. Let her draw horses and be interested in Barbies for much too long, For childhood is short - a Tiger Flower blooming Magenta for one day - And adulthood is long and dry-humping in cars will wait.

 O Lord, break the Internet forever, That she may be spared the misspelled invective of her peers And the online marketing campaign for Rape Hostel V: Girls Just Wanna Get Stabbed.

And when she one day turns on me and calls me a Bitch in front of Hollister, Give me the strength, Lord, to yank her directly into a cab in front of her friends, For I will not have that Shit. I will not have it. 

And should she choose to be a Mother one day, be my eyes, Lord, that I may see her, lying on a blanket on the floor at 4:50 A.M., all-at-once exhausted, bored, and in love with the little creature whose poop is leaking up its back.

“My mother did this for me once,” she will realize as she cleans feces off her baby’s neck. “My mother did this for me.” And the delayed gratitude will wash over her as it does each generation and she will make a Mental Note to call me. And she will forget. But I’ll know, because I peeped it with Your God eyes.

Amen.

Tina Fey, Bossypants, 2011

The Hollister line HAS to be my favorite, it totally reminds me of what life was like with little sisters! I'm thinking that this should be handed out to every mom in the nursery and given to her daughter on her 13th birthday!!!!

How I Spent My Spring Vacation.

How did we spend our Spring vacation? Well...

For the last 24 hours my little man has repeatedly said, "I miss California."

Gee, I can't imagine why.

Truth be told, Momma misses it too!

That's Definitely a Reason To Come Home.

While I can think of very few reasons to leave sunny foggy California, the fact that we are only days away from Target's unveiling of their new Calypso line is definitely is at the top of my list as far as why I must get on the plane. (That and how much we are missing all of our peeps back home.. M and J I'm talking to you!) I'm not sure which preview has me more excited, the clothes or the home? Clothes or home, clothes or home, clothes or home, clothes or home? Oh, wait... it's Target, we can get both!

If there is one brand that just begs for it to be a warm summery day, it's Calypso. May 1st the line is available, and I'm deeming this the day that the warmer weather HAS to make its way to Boston. You hear me mother nature? As of May 1, I want to be sitting on our rooftop deck, covering my bump in a bargain Calypso find(s), sipping lemonade from a embellished turquoise glass, while serving up cupcakes from a fuchsia tray, and tea from an elephant... and I want to be HOT while doing all of the above!

I realize it's unlikely the universe will oblige, but at least a girl can look at these pictures and dream...

One of those poufs must be mine!!! The nursery demands it!

Of course, they have something for those of you with little fashionistas-in-training.

If anything, it's definitely a reason to come home!

Sisterly Love.

I'm not sure if I have expressed to you all how close my little sister and I are. Despite our ten year age difference, from the day she was born, we have been two peas in a pod. Over the last 22 years that has never wavered and to this day I consider her to be equal parts daughter/sister/best friend.  We have the type of relationship where we can spend every hour of the day with each other and never run out of things to say. You know, the kind of bond that only sisters share? I would do anything for her and I know she feels the same way. She is the bext auntie my Little Man could ask for, and I love watching her interact with him in the same way that I used to with her when she was just a wee little thing. 

In short, I love that girl. 

Considering this, imagine my delight when my little sis surprised me with a totally unexpected present, thanking me for all my help over the years. She has been working her little butt off all through college to get into either a Graduate Nursing program, or Med School, and to aid her with her goals we have adopted her every Summer, asking her to live with us while interning with my hubby. We would/will do anything to help her, and these past three years have been some of the best for all of us.

Well, I guess she was at work the other day, saw this necklace, and thought of me. As someone who never receives surprise gifts, I was so excited to open the little grey box, and completely touched by what was inside. 

I can tell you I will never take this off, and it is truly one of my most treasured possessions.

The best news is that all that her hard work has paid off and in less than four months my little girl will be moving to Boston (!!!!!!!!!) to start grad school in the Fall. File that under the best gift I have EVER been given.

Sister necklace can be found here.

Gone Surfing...

In an effort to get in ONE last family trip before the arrival of baby number two, the family and I again packed up and took this dog and pony show over to the left coast. Yes, my friends, I am again writing you from California! While flying with 3 1/2 year old, alone, at 7 months pregnant, is not my ideal way to spend a Friday, a perfect 80 degree day at the beach with my three favorite people (my sis and hubs who were already here joined us) the next day, was WELL worth any hassle. We will be here through the Easter holiday, and plan on spending our days swimming, surfing, and going to Legoland any and every chance we get. I'd like to think of this as the little man's babymoon. One last trip to have the universe, or at least for 8 people, to revolve around him. The fact that he is so unbelievably happy here makes any 12 hour journey seem like a quick trip around the corner. 

Here is my little man proving that 1) you are never to young to get the surfing bug, and 2) yes, they do make wetsuits for people less than 35lbs and 3 feet tall.*

Did I mention how much I love this place?

*A surprise to me too.