...from the web Fridays, May 30, 2014

{Maya Angelou} A literary icon passed on yesterday and I would be remiss, not only as an English teacher but also as an educated adult in the U.S.A., not to mention her.  Maya Angelou, poet, novelist, and playwright, left us yesterday at the age of 86. Thankfully, we are left with her inspiring, powerful words.  

Photo courtesy of www.oprah.com

Oprah did a Master Class episode a while ago with Maya Angelou as the subject.  If you've been a student of mine you've probably watched this already (it was your homework Junior CP), but for those of you looking to get to know Ms. Angelou and her life, this is a good one.  Check it out here.  

You'd expect someone who has been through so much to be fiestier or more aggressive than this, but instead, her calm, motherly voice floats in your ears, and somehow it just makes you smile.  For me, it simply demonstrates her grace and humor in spite of the adversity and misfortune that befell her early life.


{Why Dads Should do Dishes} It's not the reason you might think!

Photo courtesy of www.babyzone.com

{Glamping}  Looking to get away this summer but you're not the camping type?  Try out some of these campsites and you're sure to be "sip[pin] champagne when [you're] thirsty."

Photo courtesy of www.sunset.com

{Sample Sales!!} In NYC, June is the month of the sample sale.  Get your retail therapy after this long winter and score some seriously good deals.  Arrive early and remember, 'bows out!  Check out the list of sales, here. 


{Revlon Colorburst Balm Stain}  Truly stains your lips. But in a good way.  I dot it on my lips, rub and I'm good for at least six hours.  I layer ELF's 'Runway Pink' over it because it truly is a 'burst of color' (well done, whoever named these bad boys) which may just be a little much for daytime with a two year old. 

Photo courtesy of www.revlon.com

Enjoy your weekend!

~And that, my friends, is worth a glass of champagne!~

...from the web Fridays 5/23/14

{Manny the Frenchie}  follow the cutest little French Bulldog and his friends on Instagram to get your dose of cuteness each day

Photo courtesy of http://writersrelief.com/blog/tag/manny-the-frenchie/

{Sonny's Soda Shoppe, Mondrian Soho, NYC}  The newest addition to the hotel, it looks chic, cute and retro.  Reservations required. Get some cocktails and gelato on a NYC rooftop, what's better than that?!

Photo courtesy of http://www.grubstreet.com/2014/05/sonnys-soda-shoppe.html

Photo courtesy of http://www.grubstreet.com/2014/05/sonnys-soda-shoppe.html

{Tone It Up} Need to get in shape for summer? If these girls are evidence of how well their plan works then sign me up! Find the 2014 Bikini Series, here.

Photo courtesy of http://toneitup.com/2014/04/the-1st-bikini-series-weekly-schedule-%E2%98%80/

I've been following them for a while (even before their show on Bravo) but I'm waiting till after this baby is born to get serious.  

{Friends Without Kids}  If you're a mom you will totally get this.  For those of you who aren't, relish in your ability to have an uninterrupted conversation or bathroom break.  For me.  Because I miss those simple things. :)

Or this article from the Huffington Post entitled, "Once we Become Parents we Don't Want to Hang Out with you Anymore (But Not for the Reasons You Think)" which is along the same lines.

Truth. 

{Don Draper Meme} For your Friday chuckle. Mad Men is finally coming to a close which makes me just that much more attached to the characters. I came across this and thought it was so 'Don'.

Photo courtesy of http://www.quickmeme.com/meme/3vkd0p

{Happy Memorial Day Weekend!}  Remember why we are celebrating - many have given their lives, both literally and figuratively, to give us our freedom. That freedom is what allows you to go to the beach, barbeque and spend time with family this long weekend.  Many of them paid the ultimate price. Take some time to remember them and pay them tribute. They earned it and they deserve it.      

~And that, my friends, is worth a glass of champagne!~

...from the Web Fridays - May 16, 2014

I'm excited to announce a new feature on this here blog.  One that I hope I can keep up with.  Maybe it's the nesting, maybe it's my crazy pregnant brain but instead of cutting back with the impending birth of our little girl, I've decided to ADD to my workload.  I must be nuts right?  I know.  So without further ado, I introduce you to a series entitled, "...from the Web Fridays."  

Each Friday I will post a handful of links to interesting things from all over this here interweb.  Just something quick for you to peruse and keep you busy over the weekend!  I hope you like it and let me know if there's anything specific you love (or hate) about it so I can keep y'all interested.  

Let's get started....

• Scoliosis Article - I had scoliosis surgery back when I was 12.  It was an intense surgery in which the surgeon inserted two metal rods into my back to help keep my spine straight.  It was long, it was painful (yes, more painful than the c-section I had) and it forced me to give up gymnastics since I could no longer bend or curve my spine.  I read this article in the NY Times that seems to offer a new type of treatment, an alternative to surgery and bracing, for those struggling with scoliosis.  Check it out here 

Photo courtesy of NYTimes.com

• Chocolate Chip Pancake Recipe - These are not healthy in any way but they are scrumptiously delicious!  We make it without the cinnamon cream - gotta draw the line somewhere.  No matter how you feel about Paula Dean, the lady can make a good pancake.  Check out the recipe, here.  

Photo courtesy of foodnetwork.com

• Revolve Clothing - I'm enjoying browsing their site lately.  Gotta pop out this baby so I can shop!  Check them out here. 

Photos courtesy of revolve.com

• Jaclyn Hill make-up tutorials.  I love this girl.  If you haven't already heard of her you'd better get on it! Check out one of her latest videos here.  

Photo courtesy of youtube.com

• Looking to get away?  We went to a wedding in the Bahamas last summer and stayed at the cutest little boutique resort.  Don't expect the all-inclusive, hectic life here. Serene, quaint and endearing, Pelican Bay Resort on the island of Freeport in the Bahamas is where it's at.  Good food, nice staff, and if I hadn't known better I would've thought we had the place to ourselves.  Check it out here.  

Isn't it the cutest hotel???

The gorgeous wedding reception...

being silly...

one of the lovely staff members from Pelican Bay.

Let me know how I did for my first "...from the web Fridays"

~And that, my friends, is worth a glass of champagne!~

Mother's Day

Can you believe it's May already?!  I have to say 2014 has been flying by and to be honest, it hasn't been the best year so far.  We can't seem to sell this house, sleeping while pregnant is impossible, chasing an active, demanding 22 month old while pregnant is...interesting to put it nicely,  having an amazing husband who happens to work all the stinking time and now goes to school at night really hasn't made 2014 the smoothest. 

BUT all complaints aside, things have happened in my personal and family life recently to remind me just how important it is to tell the ones you love just how much you appreciate them, and Mother's Day (and everyday really) is the perfect opportunity to do just that!

If you're looking to treat Mom to something special I've got some ideas for you.  

{From the Heart}  Let's be honest, a gift from the heart is probably a mom's favorite thing to receive. For the youngins making something is always sweet. But if you're too old to be making macaroni necklaces perhaps just a day spent together is enough.  Treat her to lunch at her favorite place, put your phone away and pay her some attention.  Catch up on her life, reminisce about life growing up and just enjoy each others' company.  Spending the day together with your siblings sans rivalry or fighting would bestill her heart as well for those of you still living at home. Lastly, breakfast in bed never hurt anyone. 

{Flowers} Maybe instead of the traditional bouquet you buy some garden flowers and help her plant them.  Or surprise her and have them all planted and ready to go when she wakes up Sunday morning! 

Photo courtesy of https://www.buildipedia.com

{Pictures} A framed picture, a picture printed to canvas, a printed picture book from Snapfish or Shutterfly - all of the above will make mom happy. 

Pictures of her loved ones that she can show off to her friends?  Winning.  I prefer to give my mom an iphone case from tinyprints.com with updated pictures of my daughter.  She loves it and takes it with her wherever she goes!  

{Bag}
Who doesn't need a good, quality beach tote? I found this one from one of my favorite bloggers, McKenna Bleu (see her post here) 

Photo courtesy of www.mckennableu.com

Photo courtesy of www.haydenreis.com

This one is from Hayden Reis.  Made out of real sailcloth, this bag is made to survive the salt, sand and whatever you throw inside.  Monogram it for a personalized touch. (I want one for myself!).

Or go fancier and get her a clutch for a night out on the town.  It comes in a ton of colors.  

{Book}
A coffee table book such as the NY Times 36 Hours is great for perusing or getting some travel inspiration.  Find it on Amazon here.  

Or some mindless reading for the beach such as The Vacationers by Emma Straub.  Haven't read it yet myself but seems like my kind of entertaining beach read.

{Jewelry}
Some cute, trendy jewels may just be the ticket.  I'm loving this line called by Jasmin, a fashion blogger.  

Find it here

No matter what you buy or do, remember the many ways your mom has contributed to your life.  Even if your relationship with mom isn't the best, nothing can change the fact that she carried you around for nine months before you even knew what this world was. That's worth thanking her for.  It's mom's special day so treat her to something nice and spread some love!  

{And that, my friends, is worth a glass of champagne!}