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Belly Badge of Honor…?!

By admin · Comments (6)

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012

Note: This is NOT Mama but it sure looks like it!

It totally happened. You never think it will happen to you. And then it does.

Mama innocently walks into the fitness studio to take the barre class that I’m currently obsessed with and the class is semi-full and it seems as if everyone is staring at Mama. Why? Well…aren’t all women staring at each other in a mirrored fitness class?! It’s bad enough that everyone is super skinny and toned and Mama just looks like how you should after having a baby…a poochy tummy and huge boobs. But that is exactly why Mama has been dedicated for the past seven weeks since clearance from the doc to go to class three times a week.

So it goes like this…

Mama: “Hi!”

Fitness instructor (note, with a smile and excited): “Hi! So tell me…how many weeks pregnant are you?”

CRICKETS AND STARES FROM ALL WOMEN IN THE ROOM (they were probably all wondering the same thing…right?!).

Mama: “Well, my baby is 12 weeks. Thank you!”

Mama wanted to die of humiliation but instead chalked it up as a funny moment because really…what else does one do when faced with the fact that your stomach does in fact still look pregnant after 12 weeks?!

So really, you hear of this happening but until it happens to exactly you there is just no comparison. She really did feel bad and Mama for sure wanted to curl up and die right there on the spot but worse than that, Mama is now caught up with thinking that everywhere Mama turns someone is thinking the same thing — when is she due?

One friend chalked it up as a “badge of honor” for having had three kids. It’s there and it might never go away! Mama hates this theory — Mama does NOT WANT this badge of honor and there has to be something…something…anything to make this poochy go away.

Another friend swears by breastfeeding. Mama breastfeeds! But this is clearly a myth and one chalked up to pure genetics. Mama is no Heidi Klum or Jessica Alba…this breastfeeding to lose weight thing is for the birds.

Yet another friend swears by running to get off the extra pounds. Uh…running?! Doesn’t going up and down the stairs in the house 5o times a day count as cardio? Mama is so, so NOT a runner. Have you ever tried to run with size 34G milk-filled breasts? Try it and then get back to Mama on whether or not you want to suggest running.

What about that Belly Bandit thing that Brooke Burke swears by? It’s a compression belt that squeezes everything in so you can’t breathe. Exactly that — you can’t breathe and it has to be the most uncomfortable thing on the planet. No thank you.

Then Mama’s Mama calls and says that she heard on the Dr.Oz Show (did Mama ever tell you that Mama’s Mama is obsessed with everything she sees and hears on TV and that it is the absolute TRUTH to everything) that avocado blasts belly fat away. Really? Mama loves avocados…what a great idea! Four bowls of guacamole and chips later…Mama looks down and the pooch has gotten bigger. This is so not the way to lose this thing.

What will make this pooch go away? Mama doesn’t remember it being this hard after Baby Boy…everything just kind-of melted. With Lily-girl it was a little bit harder but Mama was more accepting at that point that the “girlish” body Mama once had was now giving way to the “womanly” child-rearing body of today. More hips, more belly and more boobs.

So now Mama is still faced with this Kangaroo sized pooch that is so obvious to now everyone. Not to mention that there are currently only four pairs of pants that fit in Mama’s closet (and two of them are Juicy sweats). Mama tried to deny the fact that this happening and has refused to buy any bigger jeans or pants but the muffin top currently resting on the top of Mama’s thighs says differently. People probably think Mama is fashion-challenged these days. It’s true, it’s true…the pink denim jeans that Mama wanted will not go with this muffin top so Mama has taken to fashion hibernation in hopes to blend the belly not enhance it.

So what say you Mamas…is having a baby belly a badge of honor? How did you lose the baby weight (no-one mention running…please!)?

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Categories : Rant;, Rant; parenting, Uncategorized

Tags : parenting, rant

Random acts of kindness…

By admin · Comments (2)

Monday, February 20th, 2012

First off, how did one week go by without Mama sharing with you the ups and downs of New York Fashion Week and all the woes of parenting three very unruly kids (actually only two are unruly these days…)?! It’s amazing how fast time flies because now that V-day has passed for yet another year, we can move onto celebrating Mardi Gras tomorrow and prepare for the Lenten season. Which reminds Mama…what are you going to give up for 40 days and 40 nights? Or perhaps we should look at it another way this year…not giving something up but rather doing more random acts of kindness throughout the Lenten season.

Let’s look at a scenario where a random act of kindness would have been appreciated…With three kids in tow you can imagine how tough it can be just to get into a store because obviously both Mama’s hands are tied up (thank goodness for automatic doors) but in this case the store did not have an automatic door and Mama was struggling to get the double stroller inside and it was too heavy for Lily-girl to hold. The women in front of us did not hold open the door for Mama. Instead she looked at us and slammed it in our face and hoped to get a head start in the store before we did. Not only was it the rudeness thing on earth but really…Mama bets she has grandkids — would she have done that to her daughter and her grandkids?! If she would have just held the door open…it would have made Mama’s day that much better.

Scenario #2: Mama forgot it was “Smoothie Day” at Lily-girl’s school and a parent overheard Mama say she forgot the $2 and she promptly went into her car and gave Mama the $2…no questions asked. How nice was that?! Of course Mama will return the $2 but it was the thought in the moment that counted.

Scenario #3: Mama and the kids were at the Wild Animal Park and a little girl started throwing up on the sidewalk all over herself and all over her dad. Mama without another thought dug into the diaper bag and gave him a burp cloth (clean!) to clean himself and her off. It wasn’t much but Mama is sure he appreciated it at that moment in time while smelling like a barfed up bag of cotton candy….again, it’s the small things that matter the most.

While these were just a few small gestures that have happened in the last week, Mama is pretty sure that the world is in need of more small random gestures of kindness. Too many times we are too busy with our noses in our phones, too busy corralling kids and too busy minding our own business that we don’t give enough attention to those around us. That’s what Mama is pledging to do this Lenten season…more acts of kindness…what do you think? Are you on board to do a few random acts of kindness of your own…?

So then Mama started looking into what’s happening in the community around us. More often than not we live in our own little bubble and rarely venture out. It’s rare that a Mama gets to even watch the news anymore in the morning and instead gets to hear Mickey Mouse Clubhouse or Sesame Street on constant repeat. However Mama was blessed with 15 minute solid minutes of time to catch up on the news of the day on Saturday morning and caught a glimpse of The Harlem Globetrotters visiting Rancho Bernardo High School as part of Howard Johnson’s hotel brand’s 2012 Give Happy Challenge. Student athletes were selected to participate in a series of challenges against the Harlem Globetrotters for a chance to win $2,500 for their school. The school won the money and they also got tickets to the Harlem Globetrotters show this past weekend….another AWESOME.

First off, the students could probably could care less about the money…as awesome as it is…but the chance to play on the basketball court with players as TALL and as great as The Harlem Globetrotters — SQUEE! How fun is that?! Now while it may not be a completely random act of kindness, it is a once in a lifetime opportunity and it goes to show your kids that if you put your mind to something…perhaps you’ll get to meet some famous players like The Harlem Globetrotters or….who knows…Donald Trump (Celebrity Apprentice premiered again last night)?!

The Harlem Globetrotters are great role models for kids which is hard to come by these days when so many celebrities are tied up with drugs and many, many personal issues (Lohan anyone?!) so it was great to have them in this community sharing a positive message. Which gets Mama thinking…which celebrities would you want to show up at your kid’s school?

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Categories : Activities, parenting, Rant;, sponsored

Tags : activities, parenting, rant, sponsored

Buy your own V-day gifts? Well, of course!

By admin · Comments (2)

Thursday, February 9th, 2012

No-one knows you better than yourself. You know what you like and sometimes you like something and then change your mind…often. Even Mama does it. While the hubs does a pretty good job at shopping and picking out things for Mama, it seems that sometimes it’s not what Mama wants. Which reminds Mama to tell you that one should always receive something that they WANT for a gift…not what they NEED. While in some instances it may be both…you do WANT it and NEED it but Mama is the first one to tell you that while a vacuum is something that Mama may NEED, it is not a WANT and therefore totally gift inappropriate. Listen up fellows…lingerie is neither a WANT or a NEED — Mama already has three kids and last V-day we ended up with a special delivery nine months later (do the math…).

So now we are left with only the things that one could WANT for Valentine’s Day…something special, something romantic and something that one would not buy herself. Mama has plenty of ideas for those special guys in your life so send them here and get their booties shopping…there’s still plenty of time! Plus did you know that the kids, the dog (or any pets in the house) and the hubs are supposed to give you a gift of love because you do take care of all of them…for Mama that equals three gifts so Mama will be getting one of each of these — don’t forget to remind him of that RULE too.

Mama L-O-V-E-S this necklace. It’s so simple and delicate and even more special when it comes from the special someone in your life. Sterling Silver Ever After Necklace, $49, at stelladot.com. Also comes in gold.

Mama’s current obsession is DryBar. They are all over the place now and for $35 you get your hair washed, a head massage (an extra $10 but so worth it!), and your hair blown-out in any style you choose. Mama has tried three of the styles so far and can’t wait to try the rest of them. After getting your hair blown you don’t even have to wash it for three days and it still looks good! Mama never even actually has a place to go but just likes to go and escape the kids and be pampered for 30 minutes. Plus…they serve you drinks! Yes, enjoy a mimosa or a SkinnyGirl Margarita while you get blown away…there’s always ice tea or fruit-infused water too! This better be here on V-day hubs…A Bouquet of Blowouts, starting at $125 and available in 3, 6 and 12 sets, at thedrybar.com.

Chocolates. Yes, every women loves chocolate. Give her the best of the best for V-day with the Exotic Truffle Heart Collection from Vosges, $45, at vosgeschocolates.com. So yummy in every way…take Mama’s word for it…Mama has eaten a whole box of them before!

Bring home flowers but forget the cheap vase and get one that is special and that she keep for years to come with or without fresh flowers. Because we all know the flowers die…quickly. Anemone Mezzo Vase, $18, at anthropologie.com. And they get bonus points if they add a gift card to your favorite store to shop with…SCORE!

I’m not sure about you but Mama is a tea freak! Love drinking it, collecting it and serving it. If you are too then you may want to add this one to your list of WANTS because V-day is a great excuse to stock up on favorites. Lots of ideas at teavana.com but Mama loves the Tea of the Month Club…the gift that keeps giving!

Then in the end all that Mama really wants is to spend time with loved ones enjoying a peaceful meal and talking about our day. HA…that’s a dream. So instead of going out, we’re picking up a Make Your Own Pizza Kit at Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza (throughout California, Nevada and Arizona) that includes dough (gluten-free and whole wheat too!), fresh mozzarella, pizza sauce, basil and pepperoni for $9. That’s a bargain and the best part is…Mama won’t even have to lift a finger…the kids can’t wait to make it with the hubs!

What’s on your Valentine’s wish list?

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Categories : fashion; shopping, gift ideas, Valentine's Day;, Valentine's Day; shopping

Tags : fashion, Valentine's Day; gifts; shopping

February Must-Haves…

By admin · Comments (2)

Wednesday, February 8th, 2012

Oh dear Mama…where does the time go?! Everyone has moved on from Apres Ski clothes to hearts, flowers and love. Yes, it’s time to celebrate Valentine’s Day, have a four day weekend to celebrate our past U.S. President’s birthdays, do a little Mardi Gras, start the season of Lent and give up something that you L-O-V-E (if you do that sort of thing), and have one extra day in the month this year. It’s Leap Year so that means if you’re lucky enough to have your birthday on February 29th, you actually get to celebrate it this year. While February is such a short, short month…it seems that there is so much that actually happens. Not to mention the Superbowl but really, since the Chargers weren’t playing…Mama just let that one fly right on by.

As always in Mama’s life….there is so much to do and just never enough time. Mama is still working one-handed these days and while at times feels like a either a cow or an octopus, we’re still managing to remain sane. Mama is still trying to organize the house a little better and get rid of all this paper that seems to be piling up everywhere. Mama for some reason can never quite get a handle on going paperless…Mama loves her paper….it’s either that or dig through e-mail to find things and Mama can’t imagine having to do that either.

And have you not joined Pinterest yet?! Well, Mama has been on there for awhile now and while Mama adores it in every single way…it now seems that everything Mama makes or does is never a surprise anymore. This is the new quote, “Oh, I remembered you pinned that on Pinterest!” Isn’t that a party spoiler?!

Speaking of parties…Baby Boy has been three for a month now and no updates on the potty training front…at this point, Mama would pay someone to do it — a lot of money if there’s any takers out there! Oh and the party planning has begun for Lily-girl’s birthday for next month…one can never plan too much in advance, right?

So here we go again, into February and everything we must, must, must have to make our lives complete this month…what are you craving?

Oh and tomorrow is some FAB V-day ideas so come back…okay?!

Must-Have: Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?! They come in six vibrant colors and Mama wants one of each color…for what…who knows but it’s a must-have for sure! Zig Zag Strapping Baskets, $49 for set of 3, at landofnod.com.

Must-Do: Know someone that needs a haircut? Well send them on down to Quality Social in Downtown San Diego tomorrow night, Feb. 9th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. to sign-up to be a part of the 4th Annual St. Baldrick’s Shave-a-thon to raise awareness and funds for children’s cancer research. What could be better than getting your head shaved for a good cause?! Details are below…are you brave enough to look like Sinead O’Conner?! For details check out the St. Baldrick’s Facebook Page…give them a like too while you’re at it!

Must-Have: Mama is always on the search for the perfect pair of shoes, the perfect hair tie and the perfect skin regimen. It’s true, something is always wrong. Now that we know that it matters what we put into our bodies and that organics are, of course, better for us. Same is true for what we PUT onto our skin as well! Why wouldn’t a holistic, organic approach to our skincare be better for us?! So now Mama is two weeks into a 30 day challenge to prove just that. Sponsored by Naturopathica, the holistic health skincare regimen has proved wonders for Mama’s winter dry skin making ruddiness something of the past and giving Mama a glow that only seemed to come during pregnancy (seriously). The 30-day regimen kit comes with everything you need to give your skin a wake-up call and Mama loves that it comes with a Plant Stem Cell Serum (which Mama is obsessed with!) and an Oat Facial Polish that gets rid of all the dry, flaky skin of winter. Mama has never looked better (well, maybe when Mama was 18 but we’ll never get those years back…). Mama challenges you to give it a try the challenge and see if it makes a difference in your look. Naturopathica, $65 for 30-day regimen kit.

Must-Wear: What must one wear in February…RED, of course! Not only is it the color of love and hearts but it’s also Heart Health Month so eat your oatmeal for breakfast while wearing this fabulous gem. Pleated Chiffon Crochet Blouse, $49, at piperlime.com.

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Categories : fashion;, fashion; shopping, must-haves, Shopping

Tags : fashion, must-haves, shopping

The philosophy of shopping…

By admin · Comments (3)

Thursday, February 2nd, 2012

Take it from Mama…shopping is completely a mind game on the part of the retailers. Perhaps it’s just because Mama is fuming today over another shopping fiasco (believe it or not…it did not involve Mama’s children) but Mama has had enough of these mind games. It’s time to beat them at their own game. Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Free Shipping Weekend…it’s all a gimmick to get YOU and MAMA to believe that you’re getting a great deal when in fact, you’re not. Let’s dissect the shopping world for a few minutes so you begin to understand how to beat them at their own game…

Group Deal Sites — aren’t you sick of them yet? Everyday there is a new one popping up promising you the BEST and most DIVERSE deals in your area. Yeah right…Mama has seen it all from deals on tattoos to things that Mama loved buying like the one from Shabby Apple (from which brings this fuming post by the way…!) to buy wonderful and beautiful clothing at a deep discount. Here’s the problem — the expiration dates and the hoops one must jump through to redeem them. Mama is one of those last minute deal users. For example, Mama tried to redeem her voucher for Shabby Apple on December 31, 2011. The expiration date was for December 31, 2011. YES…Mama made it! Oh…not so fast or so easy…coupon code says it’s already expired! GRRRRR!!!! This is not the first time this has happened when trying to redeem a voucher on the said expiration date (what can Mama say…Mama lives for deadlines!). So Mama e-mailed the deal company for which it was purchased from…their response, “Not our problem, contact the company!” Huh?! So Mama e-mails the company and doesn’t hear back for almost a week. They extended Mama’s coupon which ended January 31, 2012. Mama tries to redeem it on the deadline that it was extended to and guess what…YOUR VOUCHER HAS EXPIRED appears on Mama’s screen! GRRRRRRRR….does one give up or keep trying in this instance. So companies, if you give a deadline — STICK TO IT!!! **Mama must say that after contacting Shabby Apple’s customer service again, they did honor Mama’s vouchers — great customer service on their part…not so much on the deal site’s end. Moral of the story — don’t stock up on the deals just because it’s a good deal — they will come again and only buy things you know you’ll use immediately!

One more left in stock — impulse buying! This is totally psychological. Flash sale sites are notorious for this method labeling things like only 4 in stock or putting a 15 minute time limit on your cart. It makes you just push the BUY button instead of taking the time to decide you don’t actually need it. Mama fell into this trap last week buying a diaper bag that was so not needed but there was only ONE left. Mama is trying so hard to be good and not fall into the limited quantity trap but it’s so hard! Moral of the story — don’t fall into the limited quantity trap. If you find it one place, you’ll find it at another too and maybe even at a better price!

The season before it’s needed — this is where Mama always gets into trouble. We’re still in the middle of winter and yet, spring clothing is upon us and so is Easter decor and it’s not even Valentine’s Day yet. So when you go to Target a week before Valentine’s Day, you know that there won’t be anything left. So you stock up and stock up and then…you can’t remember what you have already bought so you end up with so much stuff. It’s the story of Mama’s life! It’s no wonder we’re busting at the seams. That and well…Mama intends to make all these crafty-crafts with Lily-girl and then time always slips away from us. Moral of the story — take inventory before you shop…do you NEED IT? Do you WANT it? Usually it’s always WANT!

How else do they get you to spend? Well, it’s the sale thing…25 percent off, 40 percent off, FREE SHIPPING, Clearance…it’s everywhere all the time and you always think you’re getting a good deal…unless, they actually mark-up the price before the sale?! Ha, that’s how they get us, isn’t it!

So what did Mama buy anyways that sparked this lovely little rant…well, let’s see…

With Mama’s deal coupons…Bon Voyage Dress, $78, at

And this one too…because one wasn’t enough! El Mar Dress, $66, at

Then there was the diaper bag…OpenSky.com is great at getting you to impulse buy (only one left!), Yummy Mummy Diaper Bag from Pink Lining UK, marked down to $69 from $129! Although, they are having a pretty good sale