Preggers Leggings and Giveaway

Ihave to say the best part of my outfits for work is my leggings. I don't know what I would do if I couldn't wear them!  I have a pair in every color and sometimes duplicate pairs....I wear one every day, and it looks fashionable and keeps my legs warm.
But some days, I am on my feet for over 12 hours - I am tired, and my legs are just plain sore.  What's a girl to do?!  I started buying compression hose, but they aren't that flattering and just not as cute or stylish.  I don't want to just wear granny hose. 


Therafirm has introduced a line of compression pantyhose/socks/leggings called Preggers specifically for maternity wear.  I usually equate compression hose with aged people, but Preggers seems to add a sense of fun to sore and swollen legs! (Who knew such a thing could exist!) 

Since I have yet to carry a ba-bay, I never really thought about pregnant women wearing compression hose.  Yes. You're carrying extra weight and may have swelling, so this product totally makes sense! Since I am on my feet all day - I thought, Hey Why not give it a try?! The package claims the stocking/leggings will help improve circulation, prevent swelling, and energize tired legs and feet - which I have both. 



Preggers hose has a special top to fit over your baby bump.  It's very stretchy so the pair will still fit as your grow, and you can fold it under your belly or wear it over it to take advantage of the built-in tummy support.  Since I am not carrying a baby, but added pounds (awesome. please sense the sarcasm), I just folded over the top. 


I found Preggers to be really tight and a little more difficult to put on then regular pantyhose or tights. I tried the footless tights($24.95), and once I got them on though, they were comfortable and I really liked that they have smooth seams.  
Preggers has a variety of compression products on their website.  They come in a variety of fashionable colors like aubergine and cocoa.  I picked the aubergine - which is a purplely brown.  





Buy It: You can purchase these pantyhose at  Preggers for $24.95 or at a few select retailers listed on the website.

Win It: Preggers is generously giving away a compression product in your choice of color to 2 winners!

Mandatory Entry:
 Visit  Preggers and comment with the product and color you would love to try.
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#Win a pair of Preggers Leggings at One Plus One Equals Love 
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Giveaway will end 12/7.  2 Winners will be randomly selected via random.org and emailed.  

Sponsored by Tomoson.com
[Product review & giveaway disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free usingTomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."]

Budget Me with Fashion

My husband and I are trying to budget our money and save, and not only did we take the Dave Ramsey course (which could be another post in itself) - but we are trying to look over our finances every month to see where we spend our money wastefully.  It seems our biggest problem is our debit card (err…my debit card).  I use this as my life line - and yes, the plus side is you can't spend more than you have....but what if you have all of your money in your account and you just keep spending?!  It could be a disaster.

Thanks to Savvycents, it seems the cash system approach is definitely working for us (me). 

What is Savvycents?

It contains everything you need to organize your monthly or weekly budget using a cash system. With an accordion style file system inside the wallet you can separate money, coupons, receipts or store discount cards by categories. Your wallet comes with file cards where you can label each category with our pre-printed labels. There are also blank labels where you can customize your wallet based on your personal categories. You no longer have to carry envelopes or zip lock bags to separate your money and coupons. Your change will fit nicely in a coin pocket located on the backside of the wallet. 

It also has 6 pockets for debit cards and store discount cards. On the opposite side there is a place for your driver’s license and a place for your checkbook. 

I received this pink wallet to review, and it has been a godsend.  At the start of the month, I withdrew the amount of money we needed for the following "cash paid" items: Groceries, gas, gifts, entertainments, and personal items.  I can see exactly how much we have to spend and when we are starting to dwindle.  Most people use this method of cash envelopes already.  My mother taught me the cash method but with bank envelopes when I got my first job.  Clearly, it didn’t stick – or I wouldn’t have created this debt hell I live in…but everyone lives and learns!

  I like this a little better than the white stuffy envelope because I am not walking around with ten bank slips in my purse. This looks like a wallet, and acts like a wallet.  I tested it out, and it actually is pretty sturdy – I’ve had a ton of wallets that lasted only a few months because they had small holes, or simply made it difficult for me to remove my license and cards when needed.  Once I had a wallet that every time I put change in it, it would disappear – it took me three times to realize that the change was going to an unknown secret space in my wallet, and I had to cut it open to get out the money! 

So far, Savvycents seems to hold everything I need. I like how there are many different compartments – some for credit cards/license, some for coupons and cash.  You really can carry whatever you would like – and it would be super organized.  

I plan on organizing my wallet and get it ready for full maximum usage for Black Friday sales. I will not be held up by my lack of organization, and carrying all my coupons and gift cards around in one container will be great!

Thanks Savvycents for making my cash system a little more fashionable :) 

Lullaby music for the dog and giveaway

We don't have a baby in the house...though some mornings it feels like it.  Our dog (6 year old Shistzu) sleeps downstairs.  We take her out right before we head for bed, and she often snuggles into the blanket.  But somewhere around 2am - she is at the bottom of the stairs whining and crying.  


Sometimes we ignore it. 


Sometimes it is hard to.  


Three nights ago, all she wanted was my husband and I to sit with her. When I walked down the stairs at 3:17AM (47 minutes of whimpering) She jumped and ran around in circles. I thought she needed to go out. NO. She ran to the couch, hopped up and waited. So I sat down - exhausted.  She hopped onto my lap and curled up into a ball. Seriously?  When did we adopt a baby?  


Last night, she whimpered and whined as soon as I went upstairs. So I went down stairs, picked her up - tucked her in (yes. it is pathetic) and pet her for about five minutes.  She fell asleep, and I went upstairs.  This morning, at 4:55am, she was at the bottom of the stairs again. I rolled over, and woke up husband up and told him it was his turn...and doesn't this make you want to put off children? haha.


Enter Cradle Rock, a series of children's lullaby albums.  They turn iconic songs into sleep-friendly listening melodies.  

I was sent Cradle Rock: Country (Kenny Chesney's "No Shoes, No Diaper, Might Be  Problem), Cradle Rock Pop (Michael Jackson's "Thrillaby"), and another Cradle Rock: Country (Johnny Cash's "I Crawl the Line") to review. There are more albums in production, including U2’s “The Joshua Sleep Tree,” Black Eyed Peas’ “Sleep-pea Hits” as well as lullaby albums inspired by Nickelback, Carrie Underwood and The Eagles. (I would love to hear the Eagles!)


Even if our dog wasn't going to sleep through the night, I was!  I found myself putting on the one of Johnny Cash, and falling asleep myself.  It was so good and soothing! 

 Being a Michael Jackson fan, I was excited to hear the lullaby version of this cd.  I couldn't fathom how Thriller would be...because after looking at the playlist - it was on there! Silly Me. There are no words :) But it didn't stop me from singing along anyway.....and doing the dance (in slow motion) I decided that Michael Jackson should not be played for bedtime, as I did more singing and dancing - then snoring.  I reserve this disc for when I have to grade, and need some soothing tunes. 


 I did eventurally pass these cds on to my good friend (she had a 3 month old) and she has told me more than once, she comes home and finds her huband playing the cd....best part is?  The baby isn't even there. It is her husband listening to it!!  Perhaps not only does it work on dogs and babies, but grown men?


Giveaway: One of you will win the Cradle Rock cd of your choice! 

To enter: If your email is not visible in your profile, you must leave it with your comment. Winner will be announced on this post and will be emailed. Winner will have 48 hours to respond to giveaway notification or a new winner will be selected. Open to US and Canada. Contest will close at 9pm EST 12/2.

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Contest Ends December 1st.  


I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good (and fun!) for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.


Happy Listening!

Halloween Bags

I don't know why or how I became so busy...but I did.  My favorite holiday, Halloween, though I celebrated and decorated ridiculously, I did not find time to blog about it.  On one hand that means I was enjoying myself, but on the other hand, I was too busy to blog!
Now that the holiday is over, and we are preparing for Thanksgiving, then Christmas - I want to write about a few projects that I hope to make time for next year.

As a child, I had a plastic pumpkin to collect my sugary treats on the 31st.  As  I got older, it was replaced  with a pillowcase.  How lame. Though to my own defense, I always used a "fun" pillow case (Little Mermaid, cars, etc).But I know if I had a fun bag, just for Halloween candy, I think I would have jumped at the chance!
Now that Halloween is an afterthought, I started looking around to see what other people used. There are some adorable treat bags out there in the cyber world!
If I start making it now, perhaps I will find the time to have it ready for next Halloween.

Minniemaes's fabric version - LOVE it!

RedMarionette's bag...I feel like this bat should have a pair of glasses on...

I love the words on this....and the added buttons!

Little Birdie Secrets

And my personal favorite handmade "treat" bag....

From BloomandBarnacle on Etsy

Hopefully next year, I will send the kiddies out with some new and fashionable candy collecting bags! I will create my own treat bag, to hold my own candy - liquid candy. 

I will leave you with this...because yes. It is November 23rd - and we still haven't found a use for our pumpkins! I am thinking after Thanksgiving, I will cut them out and follow  Lara Ehrlich's lead, and make Sesame Street characters...but it will be closer to Christmas - so maybe they will have to put on a Santa hat!

My wallet loves November 1st but my garage doesn't

I love the first week of November for oh so many reasons. It means I don't have to feel silly about purchasing Christmas gifts (because yes, I like to start in the summertime) AND I love the sales. My Halloween collection grows tenfold this week every year because I hit up major clearance racks searching for skeletons and skulls galore.

Today my FAVORITE Halloween website has major clearance. Grandin Road has 60% off and then an additional 30% most Halloween items.  Yet, I put all my items in my shopping basket online, and by the time I was ready to purchase - half of them were gone :( booooooo

If you love the Pottery Barn Kids Halloween costumes, and are not handy with a thread and needle, now is the time to get the most adorable costumes at afforable prices!  My favorite costume is the cupcake costume. I wish they had my size (it would be double triple sizes larger than this!).  It was $55 - but now is $34.  Still expensive, but I have seen Pottery Barn's costumes, and they are worth the money.

The last big horrah for my wallet and my Halloween must-have is on the website Improvements. They have the cutest decorations on sale for Halloween, and if you purchase before Wednesday - you get an additional 20% off.  I have my eye on the  Halloween Character Silhouettes. I think they would look fabulous creeping around my front lawn...and for $12? My wallet will thank me, and so will the kids in our neighborhood! (Not too scary.)

Overwhelming-ness

I am not sure what happens sometimes..but I start thinking and  I can't stop. It's very much like the book, "When You Give a Mouse a Cookie." - when you give me an idea, I will just keep going and going with other ideas that are somewhat and than not somewhat related. 

This morning I was searching in my heart and on the web for something to write about...I found this project which at first I loved .  The concept is heartfelt, and I would love to do this every year for the holidays. The point was to take a family picture on Thanksgiving each year, and then have each person write about what they are thankful for that year.  The fun part is that each year, a new person may show up - then they get to be part of the tradition!

   But then I started thinking how sad it will be when people aren't there - namely my grandparents. I don't know why I do this to myself, but I start thinking about stuff that involves family and starting/continuing traditions, it takes a turn for just sad. So now I am sitting at my desk at work, trying to compose myself and I just have tears streaming down my face.

Any reasonable person wouldn't cry over what is an obvious fact. People age. People change. Sometimes, people aren't there. Always in the end, people leave. Sometimes earlier than you hoped in life. Any normal person would relish the idea to have a Thanks Album and to start a really interesting and fun idea - regardless of the time or what might happen in the future.

 Not me. It just makes me sad.
 I hate change.

Menu Plan Sunday (gasp! It's Monday!)

I found a new website /blog that already has a planned weekly menu  including the recipes and shopping list.  Could life get any easier? I say not!

However, my only concern is what if I don't like what is on the weekly menu the blog planned....but so far, I haven't run into that problem! After looking through the website, the recipes seem delicious. I had to wipe the drool off my computer.  

I suppose our menu might run from Wednesday-Wednesday this week? Odd  weekly setup. but since we missed the first two days, it would give me enough time between to see what we need and get it.

Chicken Fiesta with Beans

Swiss and Bacon Quiche

Beef and Black Bean Taco Bake

Crispy Baked Chicken

I made this menu BEFORE our Halloween party on Saturday - and now looking in our freezer and fridge, we have an ABUNDANCE of leftovers...they are spilling out of the refrigerator. This is why there are only four recipes above, and not seven.  I have a feeling for the next three days we will be eating out of the containers from Saturday night!!


  

Good Reads - a membership for life and love

I love books. that is no mystery to the depth of my love for the novel.  I recently heard that Gilmore Girls may or may not be coming out with a movie.  However, my feelings are mixed.  This got me to thinking about Rory our common love for the written word.  She always had a book in hand...which then got me looking for the list of books (because not only do I love books but I love lists!).

http://buecherrad.wordpress.com/2010/06/27/rorys-bucherliste/

http://gilmoregirlsfanatic.com/2010/10/15/where-i-went-wrong-with-the-booklist/#comments

Both of the above links have Rory Gilmore's book list...and maybe instead of tackling the NY Times List (yawn!), I would attempt Rory's extensive list...and the plus side? Some of the books on the list are mandatory reads for my students. Fabulous!
I recently told a friend that once I blog about something I am going to do, I don't follow through....we were trying to figure out  why that is. Perhaps it's because I get it off my chest - I declare it to the world, and that is enough for me.....so I am hoping that THIS book list will be different (I am going to try a lil harder this time!)

*I joined the Rory Gilmore Book Club on Goodreads.com - so excited to meet people from all walks of life who enjoy reading and my favorite cancelled show!

The first book I am reading (I already had it shipped from a library nearby) is called The Portable Dorothy Parker by Dorthy Parker.  I will keep you posted on it's fabulousness or not...

Boo-tiful cupcakes

Hallloween Party. I have one every year. We have yet to master the amount of food to make . It seems that in the past, we always have too much. WAY WAY WAY too much.  For example, we cook two trays of everything - and then we have leftovers for weeks and weeks.  Sometimes, we even have to throw food out...and it seems like such a waste! I hope that this year we have mastered the food situation.
But  what we really don't have a handle on is the amount of desserts to make or not make.....I always find some cupcake that peeks my interest - but not everyone is a cupcake eater (I can't believe this but it's true). If I had the time and the people around to eat them, these designs are adorable!

Not sure what I will go with - but I figured I will chose ONE design, since my usual MO is to make an overwhelming amount of work for myself hours before the party...and if not the party - I can always make these just for us!

Thank you Mister

Since I don't get to talk to my husband till we both get home from work, and sometimes that isn't until 7p.m. or later - I thought I would tell him thanks on my blog.

I had the BEST sandwich for lunch today. Yes - it is only 8:26a.m. and I already scarfed down my sandwich, but a girl's gotta eat!   I find that with my schedule, I can eat either at 8:15  or 2pm.  Doesn't leave me with any options....so I usually opt to have a lunchy breakfast. 

Last night, Mr. was taking requests of what he should make for lunch today. I was craving tuna on whole wheat toasted.  However, early this morning, he realized we didn't have tuna OR whole wheat.  What's a man to do?  That's right! He took  matters into his own hands and created the best wrap I have ever had this side of the river (mmm...what river? idk but its a phrase I think).

Cranberry Chicken Lettuce Wrap

He took chunks of chicken and mixed crasins,  mayo and celery.   Then he spread it over leaves of lettuce and wrapped it up like a gift.  It was delicious!!!

So the picture doesn't really do the sandwich justice, as now that I look at it, it resembles cat food...gross. I will wag my finger at my phone, because it doesn't take the best pictures...or maybe its the fabulous lighting at my work....But regardless you will have to trust me that it was delicious!!  

Hot diggity dog!

Only once a year, depending on where you live, can you get dressed up in costume and not be considered a fool (well...sort of.) There has never been a Halloween that I did not dress up for - whether it was a bee, clown, Frankenstein's Bride, or the Queen of Hearts - Come the month of October, my brain is on disguise mode.      Now that we have a little puppy in house, a costume for her only seems fitting.  I don't mean her to wear it for 31 days straight, but when I answer the door on Halloween  day, she will be at my heels dressed as something...and not just her adorable self.  My husband finds this idea a new form of torture, but I am convinced she will be fine.  Besides, she gets upset when you take off her collar - and at the sight of a blanket, she wraps up herself.  Not much different! (okay okay. I realize there is a difference but  let me have this one day!)

Not all of the costumes below would work, because our dog is a little ball of fur (she is a 5year old Shitszu who thinks she a puppy romping around).  But in my search for the perfect getup, I found some outfits that  were funny or creative.

**This picture is my friend's dog! How cute! (After reading the blog, she sent me the picture!!)

Thanks Paola for sending me Nina's threads :)

I started to notice that I liked the ones that made the dog look like a pony....weird.

But alas, and though I giggled while searching for dog costumes - the one I am stuck on reminds me of a movie I watched as a kid - The Ewoks. Our dog's face looks just like an Ewok, and though an official costumes does not exist - I can imagine it is not that hard to create. All you really need is a piece of thin leather and brown fabric for the hood.  

 I love it. I don't care if its torture.....she will totally rock her ewok hoodie! Now the true form of torture will be me trying to tackle the sewing machine.....

Have you decked out your pet for the holidays?  Please don't judge me :)

Welcome to my home - come in my pretties

I take special pride in decorating for the holidays, so I wanted to show you the outside of our house BEFORE my husband thought it was a good time to rip off our aluminum siding. I am so psyched for the project to be complete, because hopefully it will reveal the original cedar shakes!  We are hoping to restore our house back to the original look of the 1920s - yes, but with a graveyard in the front.

If your least favorite movie is "Arachnophobia", our house is not the place to visit! We have HUGE spiders crawling all over....these are my absolute favorite! They hang around corners, and look like they are trying to break in!! eeek!

Who knew the trees in our yard casted such shadows!

I love the graveyard and how it turned out this year.  After I took this picture, we finally filled a wheelbarrow up with leftover dirt, and stuck a few skull heads (yup, who doesn't have those lying around!) and a shovel in it.  Looks like we stopped a grave robbing!

My husband a few years ago made the fencing for Halloween - complete with gargoyles.  

We took plywood and cut them to make pillars. Then we taped off the pillars and spray-painted brick work.  Mr. took piping and bought fencing.  We get so many compliments! Some people even think we should have it up year around!! (Not so sure about that......)

Who really wants this guy lurking around your property?  My husband's favorite cartoon was Gargoyles, so it made me happy that we were able to find some that looked as creepy as in the cartoon!!

And a yard isn't complete unless you have a furry beast. 

My favorite is our ferocious guard dog......

Alright, maybe not so ferocious....

Happy Decorating!!

Project #20something

3D Halloween Wreath

(adapted from Tatertots and Jelly)

What you Need
foam circle wreath (I used 14 inch)
ribbon (whatever color you would like)
wooden circles (this was the hardest to find!)
fun Halloween scrap booking paper
wooden ball dowels
orange paint

How to start
Wrap the foam with your choice color ribbon and pin it (I taped it but to look better, I would pin it!).
Then paint all the wooden circles and wooden dowels. I had 8 dowel balls and 18 wooden circles.  Glue the wooden dowels to painted side of the circle (so if the backside of your wreath shows it still is festive!).  Note that I did it backwards. oops!

I used Outdoor mod podge and glued circles of Halloweenie/fall scrap-booking paper on the wooden circles.

I figured out the pattern I wanted to place the circles on the wreath.  

I let it dry and then hung it up on my front porch!! Looks so cute! I would show you my porch, but we are residing our house and it's a disaster!

Halloween Movies to watch

She's Baaaaaack!
(I meant myself, but whenever I hear that phrase, I always think of Poltergeist!)

This week was a rough and tough one.  I feel like either I had a ton to do at work, or someone in the house wasn't feeling well - and between the doctor visits and a concussed child - the blog fell by the wayside.  That saddened me, and I honestly felt a little lost this week.  Mostly because I didn't have any "Me" time.  Granted, I did see a few friends, and I watched my favorite show, "Glee"  - but little writing was accomplished.

I can tell you that during the duration of sickness floating around  our house, lots and lots of movies were watched - which got me thinking.....I love scary movies! Well, that's a little lie. Because I don't really like them, they scare my socks right off! But I find myself during the colder months yearning to put in a frightening movie, and snuggle under the covers , barely watching the movie (because my hands are over my eyes!).  Nonetheless, it is something that of course reminds me of  Halloween, but also of the changing seasons.

Therefore, I came up with a list of movie to watch this month: Some frightening, some downright scary, others a bit odd...all relative to the month!

1. Return to Oz (the monkeys on skates and the headless woman scared  my 9 year old self 20 years ago!)
2. Rosemary's baby
3. Fallen
4. Sixth Sense
5. What Lies Beneath
6. Hocus Pocus
7. It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!
8. The Addams Family
9. Buffy the vampire Slayer
10. Monster Squad

11. The Burbs
12. Witches
13. Casper
14.Beetlejuice
15.  The Gate
16. Goosebumps!
17. Roseanne's Halloween
18. Ghostbusters
19. Creepshow
20.Twillight Zone
21. Night of the Creeps
22. Little Monsters
23. Ghoulies
24. Troll
25.  Lost Boys

I'll be honest here, I only put down  movies that I could realistically watch depending on the mood I'm in. Sometimes I am braver than I think...but all I know is I don't know if I can watch a  movie with scary creepy kids or corn fields or possessed anything anytime soon...I purposely picked more psychological thrillers and just corny movies, rather than blood and guts (I can't stomach that!).  For example, The Ring - probably the scariest movie I have ever seen, and I will NEVER watch it again. EVER. I also realized that most of my movies are from 1980s. Couldn't help myself! On that note, I am heading to Blockbusters to pick up some classics, swing by liquor store for a bottle of red, and then  warming up to my couch!
Perfect afternoon!