Frosty The Tomato?

One great thing about living in SoCal: my winter tomato crop is coming off the vine and the lemon tree is full of fruit again. While it tastes like summer, it's getting chilly at night... cold enough to freeze up here in the foothills. That's why I was pretty interested today when I came across the farmer's rule for frost: never touch or pick a frozen plant. If you do the ice crystals will destroy the plant when it thaws and you'll be left with black mush. (Same reason you don't rub frostbitten hands.) Instead, leave the heartier plants - like leeks and lettuces - on the vine and, some say, a moderate freeze may even improve the flavor. When you do harvest, simply peel off any outer damage and you're good to go.

I love this advice, for plants and life in general... don't rush when things get frosty and trust that our better selves will make it through tough times. Enjoy the winter solstice this week.

Thanks to Farm Fresh To You for the frost advice! 

Oh, Those A-Doorable Holiday Cards!

The Christmas cards are starting to roll in through the mail, and it's always so great to see everyone's photos of all those cutie kids and pets. I never really know what to do with all the cards though. I'd like to enjoy them during the month, but not necessarily have them take over valuable counter space, etc. So, here's what I came up with this year. I hung a wide felt ribbon down my entry way closet door (you'll need to tape or nail this to the back of the door) and then attach cards as they arrive. It's easy and fun to see it "fill up" as we get closer to the holidays. For all my cousins who send their Christmas greetings out around Easter, I can't guarantee it will still be up then... so get 'em in early this year so I can look at your pretty faces now! :)

Kiwi Freezer Jam!

Wow, does this recipe for kiwi freezer jam from the Coconut & Lime website look yummy and easy - and that green color... just spectacular! I'm kind of a kiwi freak, and I have fond memories of freezer jam from my childhood strawberry picking days. Going to give this one a try very soon. Starting my search now for freezer pectin...

My Benadryl Adventure (Or How I Learned to Get Over The Fear of Flying with My Kids)

Going into this summer's vacation, I'd never given my kids Benadryl to make them sleep on an airplane. Trust me though when I tell you the suggestion has been made to me more than once... usually by complete strangers. Those are the moments of motherhood I treasure.

Like many moms, the very thought of flying with small children makes my blood pressure start to rise. As I started to pack for our upcoming trip, I heard those strangers' voices in my head again – could Benadryl really make it all better?

Being a firm believer in the theory that every action has an equal and opposite reaction, I've been living in a bit of mommy fear on the topic. Scared that the Benadryl would have the exact opposite intended effect and hop up my kids more than a trip to Toys R Us. Or worse, that they would fall so deeply asleep that a trip to the ER would be necessary upon landing. You know, the usual paranoia.

As the date for our red eye departure grew near, my kids were getting more excited about the trip. I just had to think: why would I drug them for the plane flight? I mean, it's a real-life Dream Day when they get to go to the airport, like they've actually turned into Little People. Why rain on that?

Now I've heard the argument both ways - a dose can't do any harm (the cool moms are doing it) and drugging your child for your own peace and quiet is tantamount to child abuse (the cool moms are definitely not doing it). So I looked a bit into the whole Benadryl thing before our flight... Do I or Don't I?

In the drugstore Cold & Flu aisle, it was pure confusion. I could only find some Walgreens look-alike Benadryl that had warnings all over it that it was not for kids under age four and should not be used to induce drowsiness. That definitely did not pass my "would I be okay doing this if a story about it ran on the front page of The New York Times" sniff test. (Sometimes having a background in marketing can be good, right?) Then I moved on to the Walgreens Bennie meant for infants age two and up, obviously a different cocktail, that happily proclaimed "Compare to the ingredients in Zyrtec!" Like that's a good thing, to be giving toddlers Zyrtec? Well, no mommy folklore had ever told me to slip my kids a Zyrtec on a flight. So that box was out too. By then I was just kinda creeped out by the whole Big Pharma-selling baby medicine-to-parents thing. I left Walgreens empty handed.

Driving away from the store I had an idea though. Maybe I already did have a drug of choice for my kids. One that I was not afraid to dispense if needed... yes, it's called television. Moments before we left for the airport we loaded up our iPods with $1.99 episodes of Team UmiZoomi and Bubble Guppies, and off we went.

You know what? The TV shows worked like a charm during some interminable terminal time and in the rental car post-flight for the long four hour drive. On the flight itself, they weren't even needed.

That's right. My kids don't need no stinkin' Benadryl. They slept like champs on that plane. To all the parents on Delta LAX to Detroit that evening, in my mind every kid on that plane was an angel - even the ones that were screaming (yours!). We did it! To the woman in front of my two year old who had her seat kicked fifty times, you're a saint and I'm super sorry. To the guy next to me who thought having his overhead reading light turned on for the entire red eye was a good idea, you need your head examined. But that's the joy / curse of traveling with wee ones... and adults. We're all a bear to deal with at times. That's why drink coupons were invented for the big kids, I guess.

My name is Beth, I love my kids, and we flew Benadryl-free. This was my story.

Reprinted from the MOMS Club of Monrovia's Newsletter (Sep 2011)

Why Match When You Can Contrast

Want to give a room in your house a mini-face lift for the end of summer? Just add a few accessories in contrasting colors to your overall decor. So in my family room, which has lots of warm tones like browns and orange, I chose these teal blue curtains (the opposite of orange on the color wheel is blue). Other basic complementary pairings you can try are yellow + purple and green + red.  You can do these colors together in pastels (think pink and lime green) or in their darker versions (like burnt yellow and eggplant).  I really like the pop this creates. If you do add a contrasting color, it helps to include a few instances of it - like curtains, a vase, a pillow - to draw your eye around the room. This will connect it all together and help it visually feel right. 

Crap, I Broke A Curly Lightbulb.

Okay, so it's going to happen  to you if it hasn't already. You will break one of those compact fluorescent light bulbs and probably start to freak out about how to clean it up. These bulbs release mercury vapor when broken and can be tricky to recycle ... even illegal to just toss in the trash. So what's the right way to cleanup one of these broken CFL bulbs? Here's the official EPA website method. In short, get out of the room for 5-10 minutes to let it air out (shut off your A/C to stop circulating any vapors). Then use sticky tape or wet paper towel / wipes to sweep all the debris and powder onto a stiff piece of paper. Funnel the broken shards into a sealable container, like a glass jar. Finally, put the container outside until you can dispose of it properly according to your local rules. Two other good tips I found: always screw the bulbs in and out holding the base (not the curly glass part) and put a beach towel under your lamp when changing the bulbs, just in case one falls.

Put Your Stuff In One Place

Guys, this is the #1 mantra you should be living by... 

"Put your stuff in one place."

When you come home from work or wherever, don't leave a debris trail behind you. A cell phone on the dryer. A wallet upstairs in the bedroom. Car keys outside on the patio table. That is why you feel like you can never find anything... you can't. Find one place in the house, and put it all there. Maybe it's a basket, maybe it's a drawer. You decide. The significant others in your life will love you for this. You will love yourself for this. At the very least, put your stuff in one place the night before you have to go to work in the morning (see pile pictured here). Make the morning exit peaceful. Repeat after me... put your stuff in one place. Kiss kiss.

Your iPhone as Mirror

Sometimes in a pinch you need a mirror in your purse or bag. But if you're out and about and don't have one - use your iPhone or iPod. Go into Camera mode and flip the viewfinder (see icon in picture here) so you appear on screen. That's it  - you're looking at yourself. Touch up lipstick and go.

Swipe (Don't Swap) Your Wipers

If your car's windshield wipers aren't doing their job, don't run out and replace them. First, try washing them. Grab your kitchen dishwashing soap (like Dawn) and suds up a rag with the soap and some water. Swing up your windshield wipers away from your car and wash off the rubber strip that meets the glass. You'll be surprised at how much oil and grime washes comes off. That's it... your windshield wipers will be like new, assuming they are otherwise in good shape. Thanks to Bob, my father-in-law and a Chrysler retiree, for this one!

Playing With Abandon In Skirts

LOVE these! I recently went school uniform shopping for my daughter and discovered these cute under-the-skirt shorts called Monkeybar Buddies. They are meant to be worn underneath skirts and dresses instead of bulky shorts and leggings. Here's the blurb on the back of the package: "Designed to allow girls to play with abandon. No bunching. No sticking. No bulk. Just pure, worry free play. Go ahead, swing from the rafters." They come in a rainbow of colors and patterns to match any outfit. Take a closer look at http://www.monkeybarbuddies.com/

A Child's Ultimate Bedtime Torture Guide



For more on this delightful subject,
check out "Go The F**k To Sleep."



Is this you? After a full night of "sleep" in 2 hour time blocks, I'm woken up by a small voice shouting at me to "Get up, get up!" My blankets are ripped off me and the entire bed. Then - and this part is new - a shining flashlight is aimed directly into my just opened eyes.

What's next in this house... waterboarding? I've got dreams for my kids, but they don't include them becoming Guantanamo prison guards. Nonetheless, this seems to be where it's all going, at least at ages two and four. In an attempt to become wise to their ways, I've compiled a list of their top tricks in order from bedtime to sunrise. I suspect some of these may sound familiar to you, my fellow tortured Parents...

A Child's Ultimate Bedtime Torture Guide

10. The Refreshment. "I want some water. I want a snack." Repeat 20 or more times, immediately upon mention of bedtime. Prolong the inevitable so The Parents get no "free time" at end of their "busy" day.
9. One More Book. Always ask The Parents for another book, even if you've already looked at twenty and are really more interested in picking your nose and wiping boogers on the headboard or wall.
8. Hide-The-Pillows. Remove all pillows from the adult beds and have them hidden in some undisclosed location in the house, not to be found until morning. Daddy will fall asleep with his head perched pecariously on a stuffed panda bear. So silly!
7. The Two A.M. Potty Run. Never to be done alone for FEAR OF THE DARK. Now is always a good time to turn on the very bright bathroom light and wake up your little sister.
6. The Sniffle. Sniff, wait two minutes, then sniff again. For optimal annoyance, repeat frequently throughout the night. Offers of a tissue by The Parents to actually blow one's nose should be ignored. May also be substituted with The Dry Cough.
5. The Thrasher. Flail about in the big bed (works best when between The Parents) like a fish out of water. Never ever SETTLE DOWN. Ever.

4. Rib It. Upon falling asleep in The Big Bed, thrust your foot into Mommy's ribcage at 3 a.m. Gotcha!

3. The Silent Stare. The Parents will wake up with the weird feeling they're being watched... and they are, by you!. Stand quietly next to the big bed, breathing two inches from Daddy's face until he wakes up very startled. Smile.

2. The Sugar Cube. Throw The Parents off their game by sweetly saying "I love you" after being awake from 3-4 a.m.

1. Scare 'Em Up. Crank The Parents' clock radio alarm to it's highest volume so it scares everyone in the house half to death when it goes off at 5:30 a.m.

I think I'll have some amnesty with my cup of morning coffee. Now, please.

Give That Shower Head a Bath

See this picture? My shower head was getting all scaly and white from hard water deposits - you know the icky stuff I'm talking about, right? Well, I found a great, organic way to clean it up in no time. Fill a baggie with white vinegar and tie it up around your shower head so it fully soaks for 24 hours. Remove the baggie, give it a light scrub with a small brush, and all those white crusties will come right off. Who needs Lime-Away? Good trick (thanks Martha Stewart for this one).

Oh, and don't forget for yourself - or to tell your significant other - that there's a bag of vinegar hanging from the shower head because if you turn the water on, it's going to blast it right off. Just sayin'... that could happen.

What Belongs on Your Kitchen Counter Top?

A clean counter top can feel like the impossible dream in a house with small kids (and now, around here, grandparents too). That said, I really can't stand to have my kitchen overrun with STUFF. So here's my time-tested list of what I've found to be helpful to have out, full-time, on the kitchen counter top. The rest is what you should stow away.

 

No more than 2-3 appliances! My favorites are:
A toaster or toaster oven - Let's face it, people like toast. Keep the crumb tray cleaned out regularly and the outside surface wiped down.
The coffeemaker - Caveat: this should be out only if you're drinking coffee daily. If it's only used occasionally, like that espresso / latte machine you got for your wedding but never use - put it in the cupboard.
KitchenAid Mix Master - This thing looks too cool to put away and it weighs a ton. Nice to have it out if you bake regularly.

 

Your knives -- and right next to them, your favorite cutting board.
My rule: keep together what you use together. Your knives could be displayed hanging from a magnetic strip or in a butcher block. (I like knives stored in a drawer too, but with my little ones that's just asking for trouble. Gotta keep 'em up high.) I like my big wooden cutting board (not for meat, though!) right next to my sink so I can chop and just swipe the leftover veggie tops and such in the sink. Other plastic cutting boards are stored under the sink so I can pop them out as needed.

 

Cooking utensils (spatulas, wooden spoons, etc.) you often need to grab.
I like to keep the wooden spoons together in their own little jug so they look like more of a collection, and the metal stuff in it's own container. Ceramic pitchers or wooden boxes are great catchalls for these and add a little style.

 

Salt shaker & pepper mill
I only keep my big salt and pepper shakers out on the counter by my stove. All other spices are in two drawers next to the stove, laid flat, organized A-Z . I've had spice racks before, and while they can be pretty, I found them mostly to just be dusty space hogs (they never hold all the spices I use anyway). If you need a bit more than S&P out, a cake stand can look pretty for the spices you want out but up off the counter top.

 

Bowl of non-refrigerated fruit / veggies
Some stuff just can't go in the fridge. Bananas, onions, potatoes, garlic... I usually keep these in a big ceramic bowl or two on the counter top. Hanging baskets are nice for these items too.

 

Paper towels.
You may have this hanging from a rod or on a stand.

 

Hand soap dispenser
I like a glass dispenser or something prettier than the plastic bottles you get at the grocery store. In a pinch, peel off the ugly labels. I've had dish washing soap dispensers out in the past, but I just have that under the sink now. One less thing that needs to be out.

A dish to hold your sink's sponge / scrubber.
A pretty dish is nicer and neater than having your sponges and the like perched on the edge of the sink.

Optional: A plant 
A little greenery (a herb pot or two) is always nice.

Optional: A laptop
What's more practical than having a computer in your kitchen to surf the web / look up recipes / check your Facebook / etc.?  Thanks to my laptop, all my cookbooks have found a new home on a shelf in my pantry, out of sight.

Optional: Charging station
We've got the land line phone, cell phones, iPods and a Blackberry to juggle around here. I like a charging station to keep the cords corralled and handy. The only rule though is that the charging station can't become a dumping ground for spare change, nails, golf balls, receipts, and whatever else you've got in your pockets.

So here's a short list of what's NOT on my counter top these days:

• The microwave - It hangs above the stove
• A breadbox - Loaves, bagels, etc. are stored on a dedicated shelf in the pantry.
• A cookie jar - Cookies get stale in jars. Put them in Tupperware or ziplocs and in the cupboard (having a "snack shelf" can keep them top of mind). 
• Cookbooks - see Laptop section above! 
• Extra cutting boards
• Lots of spice jars 
• Storage jars - Pastas, flour, sugar, etc. go in the cupboard. These decorative jars can be nice, I just have a small kitchen.
• A dish drying rack - A rimmed cookie sheet and metal rack do great when something needs to air dry. Better yet, use a towel and put those dishes away.
• Bottles of cooking oils - I used to have olive oils and the like out for a handy drizzle here and there, but I really just find them to be a sticky goo magnets and it is just as practical to have them tucked away in a dark pantry near by (where oils keep better anyway).
• Bills, paperwork and the mail -  This one is hard to do, but you just gotta commit to having no stacks. Be ruthless and throw stuff out, file away, scan into your computer, and read mail immediately when it arrives.
• Bottles, cans, boxes and anything that needs to be recycled - Get a dedicated trash can for these items and stow them until garbage day. 
• Food processor / blender - Do you use it very regularly or just like looking at it? The former is fine, the latter is not. Put it away and use it when you need it.

I know a clean(ish) counter top is a challenge for everyone. I'd love to know what works well for you - every house is different.    

Tangled Re-mix: "I've Got A Mommy Dream"

I found myself at the park the other day humming the song "I've Got A Dream" from the movie "Tangled." At what point can you turn that stuff off? But then I realized, my dreams were much different than the ones in the movie. Rapunzel wants to escape her tower, find the floating lanterns and true love. I want something much different... more basic.

So for all you Disney movie watching moms out there, this one is for you.

I'VE GOT A MOMMY DREAM

Mama One:
I'm a stay at home house fairy
My looks could curdle dairy
And after changin' Pull-Ups, my hands are not the cleanest
But despite my haggard look
My dirty clothes and kiddie gook
I've always yearned to be The Perfect Mommy
Can'tcha see me using words that are always happy?
Tickling kids toes with eyes in a delightful gleam?
Yep, I'm okay being called smelly
For my blue cheese appetizer medley
Thank you!
'Cause way down deep inside
I've got a dream

Mommy Chorus:
She's got a dream!
See's got a dream!

Mama One: See, I ain't as scatter brained as I seem!
Though I do like kids really high night fevers
You can count me with those 8-hour dreamers
Like everybody else
I've got a dream!

Mama Two:
I've got scars and lumps and a tummy jiggle
Plus arms that sometimes do a solo wiggle
And let's not even mention my dull complexion
But despite my badly chipped toes
My raggedy jeans, and my toddler's runny nose
I really want to make a love connection
Can't you see me on a date with my hubby
Rowin' in a rowboat down the stream?
Though I've got permanent baby weight angst
I want love, not Spanx --
'Cause way down deep inside
I've got a dream
I've got a dream!

Mommy Chorus:
She's got a dream!

Mama Two: I've got a dream!

Mommy Chorus: She's got a dream!

Mama Two:
And I know one day romance will reign supreme!
Though my kids only hear me screaming
There's a hot mama in me, dreaming --
Like everybody else
I've got a dream

Mommy Chorus:
Every neighbor will think you are a florist
TV shows will cover your home design
Your carpools will run like clocks on time
Moms rave about your cupcakes sublime
Sweaters are only hand-knit
You darn socks, even sew
Throw neighborhood puppet shows

Mama One: I'll even rescue three racetrack greyhounds!

Mama Three: I have dreams, like you -- no, really!
Just much less touchy-feely
They mainly happen somewhere
warm and sunny
In a blessed no kids zone
Tanned and rested and alone
Surrounded by issues of VOGUE and DVDs of "Sex in The City".

Mama Four:
I've got a dream!

Mommy Chorus:
She's got a dream!

Mommy Four: I've got a dream!

Mommy Chorus: She's got a dream!

Mommy Four:
I just want to feel as young as Miley Cyrus seems!

Mommy Chorus: Yeahh!

Mommy Four:
And with every passing hour
I just want to take a shower --
Like all you lovely folks
I've got a dream!

Mommy Chorus: She's got a dream!
She's got a dream!
We've got a dream!
We've got a dream!
So our diff 'rences ain't
really that extreme!
We're one big Mommy Team...!
Call us Tired --
Frazzled --

Mama One:
Housework Allergic--

Mama Two: We're really not that Out of It

Mommy Chorus: 'Cause way down deep inside
We've got a dream!

Mama One:
I've got a dream!

Mama Two:
I've got a dream!

Mommy Chorus: I've got a dream!
I've got a dream!
I've got a dream!

Mommy Four: I've got a dream!

All: Yes way down deep
inside, I've got a dream!
Yeahh!

A Crafty Card Keeper

I've been keeping the greeting cards my children receive (baby shower, first birthday, holidays, etc.) by throwing them willy nilly in a box in the closet... you know, with the thought that someday I would know what to do with them. So when I ran across this cute Card Keeper craft in the April issue of Family Fun magazine, I thought a.) this is something I could easily do and b.) it looks like a great way to turn all those cards into a nice keepsake.

To get started, cut two sheets of card stock slightly larger than your biggest greeting card - this is your front and back cover. Next, two-hole punch the cover sheets and decorate with some patterned paper and a picture (I used Picasa to add the text on my photo). Then two-hole punch your greeting cards and thread them together with a pretty ribbon. One nice bit about this card keeper: you can always untie the bows to add more cards to the back and it fits all sizes of cards. Crafty and cute.

That Fascinating Royal Touch

William and Kate... need I say more? I couldn't possibly be more excited about the Royal wedding this coming weekend. In that spirit, I wanted to blog about something that would get one in the mood for the ceremonies. In a previous post I mentioned Princess Diana's favorite perfume shop, Penhaligon's. Love it still. But for this wedding, let's update... and what better than with a feather hairpiece: the fascinator. Kate Middleton has been a UK press darling in her custom-made pieces (see here), but you can pick up your own scaled down but still fit-for-a-princess headwear. This black feathered clip with gilded chunky jewels (thank you H&M) looks great next to a side-swept ponytail or worn high, like a little hat. The feathers just meld to the shape of your head... simply divine, like a little bird gone aloft. An uncommon touch you can wear to feel a bit royal any day.

Keeping House Like a Hotel

Nantucket Island as seen by NASA

Reprinted from a newsletter article I wrote in Sep. 2010 for the MOMS Club of Monrovia.

A lifetime ago I had a job that was a bit like boot camp for being a stay at home mom. I was a chambermaid at a historic bed and breakfast inn on Nantucket Island. During high season, I cleaned 10 bedrooms and baths as well as common areas every day... in addition to helping serve breakfast for a house full of guests. What I learned that summer was what it means for a house to feel hotel perfect -- neat, tidy and ready for company to drop in. It may not always be the truth, but sometimes the illusion is half the fun. So in that spirit, here are a few of the cleaning and organizational tips I picked up from "the back of the house" while picking up after everyone else.  

Unbox and unwrap paper products before you store them. The goal is that everything should be immediately ready to grab and use. Take toilet paper rolls and paper towels out of the plastic they come in immediately when you get them home, then store them in your cabinets. My favorite chambermaid secret: store your clean trash bags in the bottom of your trash can. Just toss a big handful in the bottom underneath the bag currently in use. Then when it's time to empty the trash, you just remove the old bag and -  voila! - open up the new bag sitting right there. This is an awesome time saver.

Quick wipe downs are your secret weapon. Don't do a heavy duty clean when a wipe will do just fine. I love Clorox wipes, or just spray with Windex on everything and use a paper towel. If you do only one thing in your kitchen and bath, wipe down your faucet and fixtures and the inside of the sink (that's where your eyes go first). If you want it to look super clean, after you wipe it down, dry off the faucets and the sink bowl with another clean paper towel to catch any spots and oddball grime. It sounds like overkill, but drying your sink after you clean really looks good.

Run the shower or fill the tub with hot water before you clean it. Surfaces clean up faster when not cold. Same rule works for a really dirty pan you're trying to clean. Put some water in it and heat it up on the stove top. Baked on gunk will scrape come right off.

Work from top to bottom and always go in a circle. Going once, thoroughly around a room means you're not hopping all around wasting time and forgetting places. In your bathroom, spray your mirrors and counter tops with cleaner. Then wipe down your mirrors, then your counter tops, then the cabinets. The floor is last - always. If you're dusting, grab a Swiffer cloth (like one you would use for the floor) and go around the room in a circle. 

Keep your cleaning supplies together where you use them. If you can't store cleaners safely in your bathroom out of the reach of your the kids, then put together a maid's bucket with all the supplies you need so you can grab it and take it to the room where you need it. What cleaners do you really need? A multipurpose bathroom cleaner spray (e.g. scrubbing bubbles), Windex, and Comet. For tools, a small dustpan and brush, a roll of paper towels (or can of wipes), a scrub brush, a toilet brush, and an old toothbrush for the little corners. That's it. 

Give yourself a time limit when you clean. Maybe it's a daily 10 minute limit, but set a time and stick to it. Why? Because truthfully, you could clean your house all day. When I had 10 bedrooms to clean by myself before noon, I had to keep up the pace. When the time is up, stop and resume doing whatever it is you really want to do. And for goodness sakes, if it's not dirty - don't clean it.

Keep your linens the same color. White is always right. But so is all black. Or all of any one color you choose. The point is that if all your sheet sets and towels match, there is always something quick to grab that will match with whatever is already hanging up in the bathroom or on the bed. Why remake the whole bed when it's just the pillowcases that need changing? Finally, when your linens get ratty (and you know the ones I'm talking about here), banish them to the rag drawer and buy new ones. Preferably, all the same color as the ones you already have.

There is a right and wrong way to hang your towels. Think "display." Avoid hanging towels from towel bars by just folding them in half vertically. Fold your towels in thirds vertically, and then in half, and then in half again over the towel bar. If that's too much work, use hooks instead of towel bars and don't worry about when guests (or kids) make them all askew. 

Clear the clutter before you clean. Grab a trash bag and run through the house and do a 5 minute pickup. Before you vacuum, pick up what's on the floor first.  One thing that will make your house always look tidy is to have a rule that the dining room table is not a dumping ground. Keep it cleared off when not in use and ready for the next activity. 

No dirty dishes sitting around. At the inn, guests were always leaving coffee mugs, dirty plates and the like out in common areas - as such it was always important to pick them up immediately and get them out of sight (especially if the kitchen is visible to guests). Pop them in the dishwasher right away or in a big stock pot. If you must soak, do it only for an hour or two. Plus, it's true that dirty dishes in the sink do get dirtier. Not only that, using a sink with dirty dishes in it causes bacteria to spread all over the the surrounding sink and counter tops. Yuck.

Keep basic handyman tools in the house.  One flat head and one Phillips head screwdriver, a hammer, and your measuring tape should always be a step away (I keep mine in a tub under the kitchen sink) . Otherwise you gotta walk out to the garage / basement to even think about fixing something and that's one extra step you might not take. 

Good luck keeping your spaces and places clean!

Moms Who Chew Gum = Kids With Fewer Cavities?

My four year old daughter recently had her first cavity.  Truthfully, I felt like worst mom of the year holding her hand while she was getting her poor tooth filled. So when a dental hygenist / friend recommended this Spry gum for it's plaque reducing effect, I was curious. The gum is sweetened with xylitol, which from what I've read is a 100% natural sweetner that's been around since the 19th century; it was mostly known as a sugar alternative for diabetics. What I didn't realize was that moms who chew xylitol gum when their kids are 3 months old to 2 years old have kids with 70% fewer cavities at 5 years of age (read more about the research on the Xylitol page on Wikipedia). Now that's pretty interesting to us parents, especially since there is recent new research that suggests cavities are contagious person to person. That means mothers are transmitting the Streptococcus mutans bacterium, which is responsible for tooth decay, to their children. You can transfer the bacteria to your kids by sharing food and drinks, and even to your significant others by kissing. The gum is non GMO, gluten free, and comes in Cinnamon, Fresh Fruit and Peppermint flavors. Enjoy a tiny piece of gum for 5-10 minutes after meals and maybe my kids will get fewer cavities? I'll chew on that.

A Book of Family Treasures

A few years ago, I inherited my grandmother's collection of miniature shoes, popular collectibles in the 1940s. What to do with these sweet knick knacks? Practically speaking, I live in earthquake country with two small kids who are earthquakes unto themselves. Emotionally though, it felt a bit wrong to bury them deep in storage. I wanted to honor the fond memories of my grandmother that I associate with these heirlooms. My solution: make a photo book. I spent a couple hours one day photographing the shoes with my digital camera. Along the way I learned a bit too. I discovered many of the shoes were made in occupied Japan post-WWII. The cut glass shoes on the cover (pictured here) were beautiful in a new way when photographed up-close. And, as a whole, the collection took on a curated feel when categorized (wooden shoes, metallic Asian shoes, glass ballet slippers). I now have the book on display in my house, and occasionally a few of the non-breakable shoes are put out too. I even ordered photo books for my mom, aunts and cousins; a fun way to re-connect with family from across the miles and remember a charming part of my grandmother's life.

A Better Cut of Brownie

Here's a quick baking tip I got from my mother in-law: cut your brownies with a plastic knife. This gives you a super clean edge on the bars, with no crumbles. I tried it this week using Duncan Hines brownies and it works... even hot out of the oven! Very useful for bake sales and the like where presentation counts. Thanks, Bev :)

Secrets of Your Home's Style

I'm really digging the HGTV interior design show Secrets From A Stylist - the host, Emily, comes up with a couple's two unique style profiles and then combines them in one redecorated living space. So, for example, the woman's style diagnostic is "Hollywood Regency" and the man is "Vintage Country Club." Voila, their combined style is.... "Hollywood Country Club." Kinda fun. Anyway, I like the show because I've always liked to design with themes in mind as well. What's my style these days? Well, I'm a jeans and t-shirt mom, but I like to glam it up with sparkly, trendy accessories. I like Nantucket cottages, Adirondack camps, Craftsman homes, California plein air paintings, and urban retro looks from the 60s. I like objects around me that tell stories. I've always vaguely thought of it as urban country, but I'm going to revise that to "Ladies Who Lodge."

So here are pictures of three items I own that illustrate this look. The first is my dining room light pendant shade - it looks like an abstract design, but it's actually a wraparound photo of birch trees. It reminds me of my family's cabin in northern Michigan. The next is a sweet metal peacock wall hanging I picked up at an estate sale in Glendale - the house was awesome, it looked like a time capsule from 1968. I'm especially fond of this because we had a wild peacock in our yard a few years ago and the kids were thrilled about it. Finally, the last one is a pencil drawing I found at an antique store that was going out of business last week here in Monrovia (80% off and it's signed by Del Gish - I'm having Antique Roadshow fantasies that it's an original like these). It's just very woodsy, and is a reflection for me of the San Gabriel mountains in my backyard.

So my style may not be your style -- I doubt it is -- but we all do have our own unique style profile and I think it's super fun and useful to take a few minutes to think about what that is exactly for you. Maybe it's Classic American Abroad... Croatian Seaside... Manhattan Gothic. Whatever it is, it's a great way to guide your choices and edit the things you already have to create a house that feels styled like you.

What are the secrets of your style? Drop me a note, I'd love to know what you have going on.

Stepping Back Over the Digital Divide

Like many of you, my music collection went digital probably ten years ago. So why, oh why, am I juggling CDs and DVDs again all day long? Ah, kids. First, I'd like to say we were fortunate to inherit a lot of children's music and movies from family - stuff I never knew existed and the kids love. So, that's the upside. But then there is the sheer logistics of managing all those discs, a problem that frankly I thought I'd left back in 1999. Going to the bother of digitizing music the kids are enjoying for only a short time in different rooms of the house and in the car doesn't make a lot of sense for me. And then there is the pile of TV shows and movies to contend with... Tinkerbell's Lost Treasure, Tinkerbell's Great Escape, etc.  Finally, I'd had it with all the CD cases and DVD boxes, which never quite matched the disc inside anyway and were scattering around the house. I pulled out all the discs and loaded them in three storage albums. Painfully old fashioned solution, I know, but I'd forgotten these things existed. All the music is now in one case. The two year old has her own case of age-appropriate videos and my four year old has the same. That's it. Takes up barely any space and easy to grab on the go. All the clutter of the original boxes is gone - stored away in the garage for the blessed day when I get to re-gift our collection to someone else. I hope they like fairies.

My New Found Oil Addiction

Confession: I recently bought a wooden spoon for $17 at Williams Sonoma -- I'd found a lost gift card from my wedding six years ago and wanted to use it. Now I don't know about you, but that's an expensive wooden spoon in this house. I figured I better take care of it -- likely this is my last wedding gift and I don't want it to end up looking like the pieces of driftwood that pass for my other wooden utensils. So I picked up this Tree Spirit All Natural Wood and Bamboo Oil at Crate and Barrel... what a difference this stuff makes.

I'm now obsessed with oiling down all the wooden items in my kitchen that have been long neglected. Wooden handles of knives, wooden salad bowls, IKEA cutting boards... it's like being reaquainted with old friends. They're now well-weathered and beautiful again. No more wood cracking and funny odors being absorbed. It's great stuff. One tip: don't use canola oil or some other cooking oil for this task, you'll get a rancid smell. Go buy the real food safe oil like this and treat those spoons right.

All Natural Wood & Bamboo Oil

Paperwork That Can't Wait: Your Will & Trust

My husband and I recently did this fun, romantic exercise called estate planning. But more on that in a minute. As you can see from this blog, my "estate" of treasured possessions pretty much consists of favorite nail polish colors, cheap sunglasses and clothespins. So I always thought (without giving it any actual thought) if you're lucky enough to inherit my stuff, your next rational move would probably be to call 1 800 Got Junk, consoled by the fact that at least everything's already organized in plastic tubs. Having kids changes that. Who do I want to take care of them when I'm gone and, financially, how do I imagine that all working?

Long story short, we ended up at an estate lawyer and it was an eye-opening experience. It wasn't just about doing a will -- there are actually a bunch of documents that make up an estate plan for your family. I'm not a lawyer and this is not necessarily complete, but here's a rundown of what I did (much of it plagiarized straight from my own estate plan):

Revocable Living Trust - The foundation of your estate plan. Instructions for care of you and your family in case you're disabled, and distribution of your assets upon death. After it is created, you have to fund the trust, or transfer assets into it. An example of funding would be to name the trust as your beneficiary instead of your spouse on your 401k.

Financial Power of Attorney - A document that authorizes your agent to transfer property to your living trust and manage your financial affairs should you become unable to do so.

Advanced Health Care Directive (Living Will) - Authorizes release of health info to designated persons. Authorizes your designated agent to make medical decisions when you cannot. The living will part informs doctors of your end-of-life medical wishes.

Pour Over Will - This is your will, which transfers to your living trust any assets you do not transfer to it during your life.

Nominations - Names of persons appointed to act on your behalf in various capacities.

Memorial Instructions - Your personal wishes as to burial or cremation services.

Property Agreements - These govern the form of ownership of property owned by you and your spouse.

So, the whole planning process took about a month to complete... and that's when my husband and I had all the fun and romance mentioned above. When he gets to pull the plug on me. Which family member gets to take care of our Dear Darlings if our plane goes down. Where that final resting place should be. The best part of it all? It's done - it's signed - it's notarized. Now that's one big, BIG thing I don't have to worry about.... because peace of mind about her kids is the most useful thing a mommy can have in her house.

Wouldn't You Like to be a Tubbie Too?

Little did I know when I got pregnant, the first thing I should've done is run out and buy stock in those companies that make plastic storage tubs. Because let me tell you, around here we've got a tub for everything. My hall closet looks like that warehouse in "Raiders of the Lost Ark".... just stacks and stacks of tubs. I didn't realize the true genius of the tub until I entered the garage of my cousin Gena (mommy of four), where she has tubs of children's clothes all perfectly sorted: Girls 0-6 months, Boys 12-18 months, Infant Shoes, etc. A lightbulb went off in my head, and I've been tubbing ever since.

Need a tub of Princess Dress Up Clothes? I got it. How about a tub just for those annoying Melissa and Doug wooden puzzles that kids like to dump all over the house? Got that too. I've got a Play-doh and Accessories tub (large, but shallow), a Shopping and Gift Bags tub (I know I'll re-use 'em one day soon!), and even a Battery tub (small, acts as home corral for opened battery packs). Now that we have a fish tank, I've even got a tub for all the nets, tubing, and strange water purification drops they told me to buy. It's bad. My mom is staying at my house these days... let's just say she's lucky she's not sleeping in a tub.

But I know it's not only me. The other day in Toys R Us, I saw that they're now selling Pampers by the tub. Who needs a box anymore? I don't know what's behind my drive to tub everything: a little OCD, a desire to bring chaos into a home with two little ones, a dream that one day I will - like Bono - find what I'm looking for. All I know is that I've got an addiction. "Go, Tub Nation!"

Get A Good Step Up: Kikkerland EZ Step Stool

While not that short, I was always hopping on wobbly chairs or standing on the kitchen counter to reach the highest places in my house. Finally, I came to grips with my height and decided I really needed a step stool: one that was very lightweight and took up hardly any space in the hall closet. The Kikkerland EZ Step Stool has been awesome since the day I got it -- it collapses to lie about two inches flat, yet is strong enough to hold  300 lbs. Plus, in bright orange, who wouldn't love the design of this little practical item? Bonus: my four year old loves to stand on this when we're making cookies. So Sweet!

Kikkerland EZ Fold Short Step Stool, Orange

The $1 Rule To Live By...

.... If it's from the Dollar Store, the 99 Cents Store, or any dollar bin type sale, "Don't put it in you or on you." I'm including this here because I think it's super useful for moms and easy to remember. I heard this one from my brother, who works for U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement and busts counterfeit goods being sold everywhere. It's no secret that these stores and products are notorious for selling knock-offs, but at such low prices it's easy to forget that scary ingredients are often lurking. So the rule means no food, no vitamins, no lotions, no lip gloss, no kid's jewelry (cadmium = super toxic), etc. This is one I'm definitely going to live by... "Don't put it in you or on you."

Best Clip: The Little Clothespin That Could

People don't hang their clothes out to dry much anymore. As a result, I fear we're losing the art and usefulness of the little clothespin. I rediscovered the lowly wooden clip in my mother-in-law's kitchen --primarily she uses clothespins as "chip clips" (see my Pirate Booty bag here), but you can use them to cinch a bag of bread, close a bag of frozen veggies, seal up a ripped liner in a cereal box, shut a paper bag of flour.... the list goes on. They're even great for getting crafty with the kids. I now have a small drawer in my kitchen filled with clothespins. Since I didn't actually own any clothespins a few years ago, I had to go buy some at the grocery store. What a deal -- you can pick up a pack of 100 for $4. Pinch me!

Go Ahead, Break These Sunglasses

My kids break my sunglasses -- all the time. Even when I'm being really careful and say "no." (Imagine that!) So until that blessed day arrives when they're old enough to know better &/or listen to me, I've been buying sunglasses at H&M -- stylish and only $8. Heck, buy two pairs! My latest favorite are these H&M gold aviators. Kinda 80s, right? Gotta go to a H&M store to pick these up though, they're not sold online.

Now Retired: My Jewelry Box

My jewelry box was a mess -- tangled necklaces, mismatched earrings, and altogether forgotten items. Plus, my little girls were getting into my jewelry, playing with it and breaking things (oh no, Grandma's brooch!). My solution: a hanging pocket jewelry organizer. With see-through vinyl pockets on each side, my stuff is never lost anymore and always on view when I'm getting dressed. It's out of reach from the little one's curious hands, and it only takes up an inch of closet space. I'd suggest making sure yours has pockets of various sizes, especially if you have some long necklaces. You can find them with pretty patterned canvas backgrounds -- I picked up this one at ROSS Dress for Less for $10 -- but they sell them on Amazon (link below) in black and white. Really, really love this!

Household Essentials 01943 Ultra 80-Pocket Hanging Jewelry Organizer

Why I'm Watering My Bagels (& Not Crazy Yet)

No one really loves a stale bagel, and after a day or two in my pantry I used to pooh-pooh mine too. Then one day I read that if you are re-warming a baguette in your oven you should sprinkle the crust with water first to freshen it up. Wow, did that work! Just get your hand slightly wet under the faucet and then wipe your hand over the crust to moisten slightly. Pop your loaf in the oven for 8 minutes or so ... fresh baked perfection. Well, that same trick works awesome for bagels in the toaster too. Just moisten the crust side of the bagel a little bit (not too much) and toast away. Your bagel is back to life, fresh from the bakery. I love this trick. People think I'm crazy watering down my bagels before I toast 'em, but a girl's gotta keep things fresh. (p.s. This tip works wonders for leftover pizza too, just slightly moisten the crust and bottom of your slice before re-heating.)

That Bracelet I Never Take Off: Mesh Silver Bracelet

I have received more compliments on this mesh silver bracelet than any other piece of jewelry I've ever owned. I first saw a version of it on a fellow student in a UCLA interior design class I was taking - she wore a wide cuff version of this slinky mesh beauty with everything. I had to have it! I've actually worn this bracelet over the past ten years to the point I need to get a new one. I prefer the slimmer version on me - it's dress up, dress down, a little rock and roll, a little feminine too. Again, this one is often sold out. I may just have to buy another one soon. Here you can see it on a site called Fannie's Finds.

Favorite 4 Year Old Coloring Book: My Pretty Pink Doodling & Sticker Purse

If you have a girlie little girl, this is an hours of fun book she'll love. My 4 year old has returned time and again to her "My Pretty Pink Doodling & Sticker Purse" -- and apparently so have a lot of other little girls because this was on back-order over the 2010 holidays when I tried to order it as a gift. It now appears to be sold as two separate books - one for coloring and one for stickers. The pictures & stickers feature lots of butterflies, animals, flowers, gems, hearts and other decorations. Plus the stickers are easy-to-peel for little hands. Just darling.


My Pretty Pink Doodling Activity Purse

My Pretty Pink Sticker Purse

Yes, Real Women Wear Cologne: Quercus by Penhaligon's

I like to wear men's cologne more than I like wearing perfume. For whatever reason, I don't like to smell too flowery or sweet, which often is the result on me when I use perfumes. My long-time favorite in the cologne/unisex department is Quercus spray by the London perfumer Penhaligon's (trivia: this is the shop where Princess Diana used to buy Bluebell, one of her favorites). I'm no perfume snob, I like what I like on me, but this one is a nice light mix of citrus and barbershop that you can wear any season. Find it at Amazon:

Penhaligon's London Quercus for Women 3.4 oz Cologne Spray

Best Dark Nail Polish: OPI Lincoln Park After Dark

I lived in Chicago for awhile after college and I've heard this matte color was inspired by the dark dresses the ladies were wearing around there circa 2005. It's been a go-to color of mine for years now -- this dark eggplant shade is somewhere not quite purple, not quite black, not quite burgundy. Pretty on toes or fingers. I found this OPI color in a local nail salon years ago, but you can pick up a bottle on Amazon.com for around $5.

Best Kitchen Sponge: TWIST Euro Sponge #10

Let me start by saying, I kinda hate kitchen sponges. They're icky stinky after a couple days, spread germs around the kitchen more than they clean up, often leave a trail of water when swiped across my quartz countertop, come in ugly yellow and pink, and are filling up landfills everywhere. On the other hand, I'm not a fan of the kitchen dishcloth either, for many of the same reasons -- I can't imagine anything ickier than a dirty cloth sitting in my sink. Enter the Twist Euro Sponge #10 -- it is the rock star of kitchen sponges. 100% biodegradable, super flat & absorbant, it's got a cool modern look that really fits in with my kitchen. You can use it for everything. Want to clean it? Toss it in the dishwasher or sterilize by boiling. I found these at Henry's Farmer's Market by my house and now keep a huge stockpile of them in my house. If you get 'em on sale, around a $1 each. Find out more at http://www.twistclean.com/

Welcome to my blog.

OK, I'm picky. About lots of random things - especially around the house. And when I find a few of my favorite things (yes, cue the "Sound of Music"), it's usually after lots of trial and error. So this blog is devoted to the products I've life-tested and use all the time, as well as some useful tips and ways to get things done that I've discovered along the way. Why? Mostly so I can have an ongoing list of my stuff (I'm a mom of two and my long-term memory seems to be on the fritz half the time), but also because other people out there might be looking for the same types of things and ideas. I hope you find it helpful . If you've got something or some way of working smarter around the house, I'd love to hear it. Cheers! -Beth