Twin Mom | Raising Girls | Twin Advice | Reviews

Who the hell needs a watch anyway? Oh wait, I do.

2010-09-01T13:00:01Z

My watch battery died, oh, 4 months ago?

I've been living without.

Occasionally I'll wear one of the watches I got in Disney at the Social Media Moms Celebration. But I don't want to lose those and they aren't waterproof.

So instead I've been walking around asking people what time it is.

Or, I staple my cell phone to my hip so I can check the time.

Or, I ask one of the girls to go in the other room to ask Daddy what time it is and then come back and tell me.

Of course by then it's 5-10 minutes later because you know they don't do anything in a straight line.

I think it's time for a new watch.

Something sporty?

Something waterproof?

Something retro?

Or maybe something that reflects the way I feel some days.

melted watch image via gadgetgetbargains.com

And by that I mean squeezed! Not pear-shaped!

What watch are you wearing?

Janine

Disclosure: some links are affiliate links.

We cut it close on the first day of school but at least we eat well

2010-08-30T17:55:41Z

Here's what I did this morning all before 8:00 am:

1. made chocolate chip pancakes

2. made bacon

3. made an egg casserole (for the annual neighborhood brunch)

4. Packed lunches including snack

With all the cooking I barely had time to take the traditional snuggle-up-to-your-sister-and-smile-even-though-I-just-yelled-at-you-for-changing-your-shoes-for-the-third-time photo:

But, they do look so cute don't they? Not matching but definitely twins at their best. And, they were excited.

So excited I could hardly get them to slow down enough for me to take this photo of the walk.

Phew! We didn't miss the line-up outside and we even found a few of our friends in class.

I can't wait to hear how it all went. And the goal for tomorrow? Less cooking, more snuggling.

How was your first day of school?

Janine

For more on back-to-school see

Fashion Friday: bold print backpacks and Chucks

Wisdom from the bottom of a mimosa

Fashion Friday: Animal Print Backpacks and Converse "Chucks" for back-to-school

2010-08-27T14:15:48Z

You want to know THE SHOE all the kids have to have this season?

You've probably seen them around in every store, including Target.

If you shop online you'll notice things in red saying "Only 4 left".

May I present the ever-classic Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Sneakers :

Shorty Converse Chucks in pink and black.

I am not sure when The Twofer became aware of them. Last Spring you'll remember they fell in love with the purple Sketchers Twinkle Toes. Somehow (inner fashion sense?) they knew these would be the thing to have.

They are classic.

They Come in a variety of colors (seriously,check out this rainbow of Converse Chucks )

They are the perfect back-to-school shoe.

A Little on the WILD side

Of course what goes better with a classic shoe than a non-traditional backpack?

Bold prints are big for backpacks this Fall

Bold prints are in for backpacks this year and my kids were tuned in to this fashion trend before I even had a chance to crack open the cover of this season's The New York Times: Fashion of The Times.

Again, a quick search online and many animal print backpacks are in limited supply so order one today if your daughter is pining for one!

What fun things did your kids ask for this year while shopping for school?

Janine

Disclosure: some links are affiliate links.

Crafty Crafters

2010-08-25T13:30:12Z

You know that friend who always sends your kids home from a playdate with cookies and fun crafts they made?

I am not that friend.

I don't craft.

I don't really bake either.

The Crafter in Me

I have craft things around the house because at one time or another I have...

tried to make Scultpy beads (could never layer it right to get those cool swirl designs)

made my own jewelry (always falls apart)

had the urge to scrapbook (that urge dies as soon as I realize I have to organize the photos first)

I also have children and The Twofer have always been big on 'projects'. See? We even refer to crafts as 'projects' around here because of the amount of work it seems like goes into it all.

That said, my friend who is the craftiest of crafters (to the point where she has created a little business making beautiful baby gifts) sent her girls over for a playdate with The Twofer.

I was determined to impress them.

Crafty Crafters

First, aprons and, because they all looked so darn cute, a photo!

Aprons on, we are ready to craft!

(See THAT's what I do well! I document any and all moments for the blog.)

Then I found a box of tongue depressers (wooden craft sticks), some glue, and paint. Ah-ha! Let's frame that cute photo!

Here are some of their creations:

sparkly glue and REAL paint, we use nothing but the best around here

Printing the photo to fit was a little frustrating, but I'm a PRO-fessional so I got it right. The crafter in me decided on a 'rustic' piece of twine would look best to hang our beautiful framed photos.

Here's the final product:

final product, hand made photo frame to remember the awesome playdate

Is it the most creative? No. But I proved I can craft when I set my mind to it.

Janine

For more crafty blog posts see...

Make your own American Girl accessories

Unfinished Business

Bendaroos review

Grandma turns gifts into a lesson on money, shopping, and saving with a mini yard sale

2010-08-23T13:00:28Z

I cannot take credit for this idea.

Only a pair of grandmas (listen up Sugar and Rachel) could come up with something as exciting, fun, and best of all inexpensive as this!

Gift From Grandma

Each year we head to the Jersey Shore early in the season. My mom and my aunt get there before us and usually they arrive the weekend of the city-wide yard sale. Each year we get there and they have purchased a collection of gifts (knick-knacks) for each child.

The kids are thrilled. They love gifts, they love surprises, and, as anyone who's ever brought home birthday party goody bags can attest, they love gobs of platic and paper crap.

Grandma's Yard Sale

This year the grandmas did something different.

They laid out each item along the porch steps of the beach house. Items were marked with a price that varied from 1 cent to 8 cents, and each child was given $.20 in pennies.

items laid out for Grandma's yard sale for children

We explained to the kids they can only purchase 4 items so they need to budget wisely and take their time to look over all the items before making a decision.

Kids shopping at the mini yard sale

The simple exercise of laying out the items, pricing them, and allowing the kids to shop made them really appreciate the 'gifts'. I liked it because the Twofer were learning something about the value of money. The grandmas loved watching the kids' reaction ("Oh this plastic rose is soooo beautiful Grammy!") and everyone had a good laugh at how exciting a pile of junk and some pennies can be.

Crap is still crap but some crap is worth keeping

By the end of the week everyone's purchases were still just crap to me, but the kids seemed to keep them organized. They had spent money on them afterall! So it all came home with us...until our next yard sale.

Janine

For more posts on the Jersey Shore and the Beach see:

Jersey Shore Cast on The View

Beach Cover-Ups

Fashionista Friday: the Family that Bumpits Together

The perfect pair of flip flops for summer...

2010-08-17T13:00:07Z

Last week at Blogher I stopped into the 1-800-Flowers booth and saw these:

I just had to take a picture for my mom.

She loves flowers.

She loves flip flops.

I may have to find a way to make these for her.

BlogHer10 Highlights even in Low Lighting (part 1)

2010-08-13T16:00:00Z

Last week I hopped on the #smores train to Blogher and got my groove on in NYC. Here are just some highlights from the trip:

30 Rock Center - I got to visit with my friend Mark who is moving out of NYC and do something fun and touristy! We went to the top of 30 Rockefeller Center and caught a beautiful view of New York.

Top of the Rock (30 Rockafeller Center)

The next morning was the start of the conference and Bruce Jenner was there with Tropicana. I nabbed a quick interview with him and got some great advice on....raising daughters! Yes, the Kardashian sisters are a handful but Bruce is a survivor. More to come in another post on that.

Me getting parenting advice from Bruce Jenner

The one off-site event that I was most excited for was Getting Gorgeous. Hosts Audrey McCLelland and Vera Sweeney threw quite a swag bash with lots of help from their family and sponsors. One highlight was meeting makeup and hair stylist to the stars, Kim Baker at the elf booth. She said Tom Cruise is the NICEST guy. And she made my eyes look, well, gorgeous!

Me, my eyes, and the fabulous Kim Baker

It was a great weekend to reconnect with the friends I've made at past conference, and to make new friends. More to come!

Janine

Why I'm afraid to read "Queen Bees and Wannabes" by Rosalind Wiseman

2010-08-09T18:55:20Z

This is just one of many Blogher hightlights from last weekend but it's the one I could write quickly so it's going first.

Thanks to the folks at Unilever and the Unilever Penthouse I was able to meet Rosalind Wiseman, author of "Queen Bees and Wannabes: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends, and the New Realities of Girl World "

Of course, I squeeled, I hugged, and I took a photo.

Me and Rosalind Wiseman expert on Queen Bees

But even better, I told her straight up I was afraid to read her book.

I don't want it to make me worry even more than I already do about the girl drama.

We are starting to see sparks of it, I know it's just the tip of the iceburg.

She said I could tweet her from the bathroom where I'll be curled up in the fetal position crying about my teenagers (my description not hers) anytime.

And then I found out she lives in DC.

I'm setting up coffee. Or, a seminar. Whichever one she'll agree to.

Who's in?

Janine

DIY: American Girl Beach Party Craft (not mine - but you knew that)

2010-08-02T14:26:05Z

A few weeks ago we went to visit my neice and nephews. The Twofer were upstairs in my neice's room for quite a long time...with no yelling or refereeing on my part.

So of course I'm thinking...

something is wrong.

I went to check in on them and saw this...

American Girl beach scene from camp

Cue "ta-da" music.

An American Girl beach party scene like no other I'd seen before! It had everything from grass skirts to surfboards to little mini game of Connect 4!

It turns out my neice made all of it at American Girl camp. As I took a closer look I realized I could definitely help The Twofer make some of these...being the crafty crafters they are.

Cut some images out of the catalog, frame them, and voila! You have decorations for the walls and bookshelf.

Homemade at camp American Girl bookshelf with photos

Do your girls love the American Girl food? Mine can't get enough. How easy would it be to make your own with some modeling clay that you can either bake or let dry in the sun?

Do it Yourself American Girl food accessories

Find a cute little flamingo party cup, cut off the top, glue a piece of painted cardboard and you have yourself a perfect beach party table!

DIY American Girl beach scene table - note the Connect 4 game!

The key is to use bright, "beachy" colors and invest in some serious Michael's shopping. Choose one or two of these projects for a birthday party, or rainy day activity. Or, if you are like my friend who runs her own camp (at home for her kids) you can plan to do the whole scene over a week. Let me know so I can send The Twofer to your camp!

Janine

Fashion Friday - cover ups for beach or pool

2010-07-30T11:12:57Z

The other day I was invited to a friend's club for a little adult-only swimming and lunch. (Can I just tell you how nice it was to have an uninterupted conversation that lasted about 3 hours!)

The first thing I thought was,

"I can't wear the same cover-up that I wear to my pool!"

So I grabbed a lightweight dress I picked up on our Jersey Shore vacation instead.

I started to think about it...what is a cover-up? Is it supposed to be obvious you just came from the beach or pool? Or is it something that is supposed to disguise the fact that your sitting in a swim suit? I tend to err on the side of modesty rather than....

Image of Vintage 80s Bikini Oversized Beach T-shirt Cover Up Mini via midnightflight on EtsyYes, that over-sized t-shirt is considered vintage according to Etsy. Want to shop more vintage 80s? Check out Midnight Flight.

Here are a few cover-ups that I found that would be suitable for beach, pool, or country club:

This is the Athleta Sugar Tunic is perfect for the early days of summer when it's warmer in the water than when you get out. Or bring it to the beach for the cool nights you have with bonfires.

Some cover-ups are more fitted like this Speedo Tie Front Cover-Up Dress so be sure to test them out over any suit that has a swim skirt.

A maxi dress is a great way to cover up at the beach or pool as well. This Xhilaration® Maxi Dress in yellow is fun and 'summery'. It also provides great coverage around the problem areas.

How do you cover up at the pool? Do you go for full-coverage or something a little more revealing?

Janine

Disclosure: some links are affiliate links.