Compassion Is In Fashion

This past week I had the opportunity to be able to run in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Orange County.  Which made me think that the perfect blog topic for this week should be about how to give back for a good cause, AND how to do it fashionably.  Listed below are a couple of great charities that you can give back to and at the same time do a little spring cleaning with your wardrobe, it also leaves you feeling great, knowing that you were able to make a difference in someone else’s life!  I’ve chose to list just a few “fashion oriented” (if you will) charities, but please remember, regardless of what charity you support COMPASSION IS ALWAYS IN FASHION, and we should all do what we can, within our means to make a difference.

1.       Working Wardrobes (www.workingwardrobes.com)

a.      There are a couple of the things that you can do with this charity, you can donate clothes, actually host your own clothing/accessory drive or volunteer for a team for donation facilities that are local to you.  This charity empowers men, women, and young adults in life crises to confidently enter the workforce with career development and wardrobe services.

b.     This is a great charity to donate clothes to when you want to do an editing of your wardrobe.  Easiest way to do this is to refer to my previous blog about how to clean out your closet.  The garments that are still in good condition should be donated, and this way your helping yourself as well as others.

2.     Clothes For The Cause (www.clothesforacause.com)

a.      Clothes for a Cause is a unique company dedicated to raising both money and awareness for charitable initiatives through the creation and sales of specially designed collections of fashion apparel and accessories.  Clothes for a Cause currently offers, The Pink Ribbon Collection: a line of comfort-oriented couture focused on women's breast health. These fashions were designed with the help of breast cancer survivors. The Red Dress Collection: a line of dressier fashions with a focus on women's heart health. Legends & Heroes: Active wear for the entire family - with a focus on children's issues Clothes for a Cause. Helping shoppers look good, feel good, and do good - with every purchase.

b.     This is a great charity for the shop-a-holic readers, this charity creates garments and accessories for certain purposes, and then a proceed of the purchase goes towards a certain cause.  And you get something pretty!

3.     Susan G. Komen

a.      Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, the global leader of the breast cancer movement, having invested more than $1.9 billion since inception in 1982. As the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists, we’re working together to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® and the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure®, and generous contributions from our partners, sponsors and fellow supporters, we have become the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world.

b.     Although not strictly an apparel focused charity, I felt it important to mention that charity because as Breast Cancer Awareness month is only days away, they will begin to manufacture all sorts of apparel, accessories and merchandise in which most if not all of the proceeds will go towards the aid and research in fighting breast cancer.

Well there you go mommies, three ways to make a difference and still stay in fashion.  If I’ve missed any of your favorite charities, or maybe some charities local to you, please feel free to post them in the comments below.  I’m sure someone out there would love to make a difference! And remember Stay Fabulous!

The Love Affair Begins

I remember very vividly the winter I discovered that I could be transported by a book to another place. I was in 6^th grade. The school librarian came to expect me every lunch period. I would pick up a new book at lunch, start reading it on the bus home. I would arrive at my empty house well into the story. I would quickly finish my homework so that I could crawl into my bed turn on the electric blanket and get sucked back into a story. I usually read deep into the night because I hated to not finish the story. Sometimes I ended up trying to finish it on the bus back to school.

I remember falling in love with books and wanting to spend all my time reading. Books kept me entertained during the long flights overseas with my family. They expanded my world while I waited in line. They showed me that people could be so much more than what everyone expected of them.   It sounds like it would be a good thing but if you ask my mom she would tell you that it was maddening. Trying to get me to leave a Turkish prison to come to dinner, or come off the deck of a ship to clean my room was a constant trial for her. My love affair with books only got more intense as I got older. In college I often found myself torn between studying and “just finishing the next chapter”. When I moved out of my parent’s house the true extent of my obsession became very clear. When my Queen sized bed was moved the entire floor was covered three deep in books. My mom said she felt like she had just found all the empties from an alcoholic.

The books became my friends and I didn’t want to get rid of them even though they were quickly beginning to take up very valuable Real Estate in my house. Then about 3 years ago when I bought my first iPhone I discovered ebooks. I was in HEAVEN. I could have as many books as I wanted and they didn’t take up any space. If we went on vacation, I didn’t have to choose between shoes and books in the suitcase. I could take my whole freeking library with me if I wanted to. All in my little iPhone. If I finished a book on vacation and I didn’t have another one, I could down load one INSTANTLY. It is nearly indescribable how happy this made me. Still makes me smile when I think of how easy it is to get my fix.

Now fast forward to a few weeks ago and the Tech Monkey comes to me and says “Mom my birthday is coming up and I want a Nook for my birthday.” I was super excited that he wanted to be in love with books like me. He is so like Agent Daddy in every way that I take whatever crumbs I can get. Then I saw the price. $249! Holy Cow! “He will LOVE books” I told myself although secretly I was also thinking I could borrow it when he was at school. He is a about the same age I was when my affair with the written word began. So off we went to get him his Nook for his birthday. The Nook Color really is a very cool gadget. Trust the Tech Monkey to find a way to digitize his world. Last night I am sitting on his bed talking to him while we play with his Nook and he says to me “You realize, mom, that soon there will be nothing printed. Magazines, newspapers, school books, and regular books will be available in digital form only.” I and I started to think about how different his life will be than mine. I am not really tech savy, nor am I a gadget kind of girl, but with Agent Daddy and the Tech Monkey in my life I have moved from an analog world to a digital one. How cool is that?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Tech Monkey! Mommy and Daddy LOVE YOU SO very Much!

Will The USA Survive? – “Free Stuff”

When I stumbled upon this little piece, it really struck me hard. When put in the simplest terms, even the most complicated issues become quite clear. I am not taking political sides, however, if this is the way it is, and it appears to be... The answer to the million dollar question is... Hell No! America will not survive.

According to the nice guy who has written this harsh bit of reality... There is only one way to change things.

In addition, it's fun to read. Even has a hint of "Tongue Twist".

Have fun...

Adam G


The folks who are getting the free stuff, don’t like the folks who are paying for the free stuff, because the folks who are paying for the free stuff can no longer afford to pay for both the free stuff and their own stuff.

The folks who are paying for the free stuff want the free stuff to stop, and the folks who are getting the free stuff want even more free stuff on top of the free stuff they are already getting!

Now… The people who are forcing the people who pay for the free stuff have told the people who are RECEIVING the free stuff, that the people who are PAYING for the free stuff, are being mean, prejudiced, and racist.

So… The people who are GETTING the free stuff have been convinced they need to hate the people who are paying for the free stuff by the people who are forcing some people to pay for their free stuff, and giving them the free stuff in the first place.

We have let the free stuff giving go on for so long that there are now more people getting free stuff than paying for the free stuff.

Now understand this. All great democracies have committed financial suicide somewhere between 200 and 250 years after being founded. The reason? The voters figured out they could vote themselves money from the treasury by electing people who promised to give them money from the treasury in exchange for electing them.

The United States officially became a Republic in 1776, 235 years ago. The number of people now getting free stuff outnumbers the people paying for the free stuff. We have one chance to change that. In 2012. Failure to change that spells the end of the United States as we know it.


           ELECTION 2012 IS COMING

We the people are coming
————————————
“The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people’s money”. — Margaret Thatcher


by STEPHEN XAVIER on SEPTEMBER 19, 2011

I Need a Keeper...

At least I think I need a keeper because the Tech Monkey has decided that he IS my keeper and it is his job tell me what I should and should not be watching on television. he as decided that my beloved Ho Ho's of the Chi Chi Paw are really in appropriate. I have to watch the Jersey Whore...I mean Shore when they are at school because he has all sorts of ideas about how inane they are. I am hoping this means that he will never bring a Snookie or JWoW home to meet me. He informed me this weekend "Those "Reality Shows" you watch are stupid and those people need to get lives."
"Well DUH!. That is why I watch them so that I can feel superior."

On top of my terrible TV habits he also feels the need to put my hair behind my ears multiple times a day. I have just grown my hair out after keeping it at about 2" all over for most of his life. But now that my kids are more self sufficient I have rewarded myself with longer hair. The problem is that every time I turn around he is tucking it behind my ears where I really don't want it to be.

Yesterday, after we arrived at church he began telling me the "proper way" to lock our car. You see I had not set the alarm because we were at church and I did not want it going off while we were in church. So I only locked the doors. Techie took exception to this because he felt we needed to set the alarm EVERY time we lock the car. I tried to explain to him that since I was the driver and he doesn't even HAVE a drivers license that I get to decide how and where to lock the car. He was not satisfied with my answer and went off to tell his father about how I had not set the alarm.

Considering how easy going I am, I really don't know how he became so opinionated. Seriously, you would think that I would get some points for getting him to stay alive this long but no. Apparently, only he is smart enough to run my life. I asked him if he had met grandma. He looked at me puzzled, then answered "Yes". So I replied "Good then you know I already have a mom I don't need TWO." I hope he doesn't pick up my sacrasm. If he grows up to be opinionated AND sarcastic Agent Daddy will NEVER let me live it down.

I Am A Shoe Whore Product review- Draven

I have another confession...I am a shoe whore...Uh I mean hoarder. Yea that's it I am a shoe HOARDER. I LOVE shoes. I had 132 pairs when I married Agent Daddy and I really just cannot seem to help myself when it comes to buying shoes. But I love cool quirky shoes the BEST of ALL so when Draven sent me THREE pairs of shoes to review for them, can I tell you, I was in HEAVEN... SHOES! Daven has some of the coolest, quirkiest, shoes both flats AND heels out there. AND they are not freeking $300 either. NO they have cool shoes that are affordable! So I was basically walking around last week in a happy daze wearing all of my new shoes and thinking how can I possibly explain how AWESOME these shoes are.

I arrived in Southern California in the height of the Surf Punk Style movement. Cool tennies were THE statement. Not your grannies white keds but stuff that said HEY take a look. Draven sent me a pair of LIZ LOW tennies. I looked at the price and it blew my mind! $24.99. I pay more than that for my KIDS shoes. Then I slipped them on and I was back in college in the OC. I think back then I had a pair in every color they used to sell. I was hopping along like the last 20 years hadn't happened and I was young and free and cool....uh not that I am not all those things now...But I am a MOM and sometimes I forget how fun I used to be. So now I was on a mission to try out all my new shoes. Each and every pair is quality workmanship and just a little different than what you see "everyone" else wearing. One of the keys to  Surfer Punk was being different and standing out. Not caring what everyone else was doing or wearing. Personal Style that was the hallmark.

So next I tried out the Misfits Ghoul Flat. For those of you who don't know who the Misfits are...Where the Hell have you BEEN? The Misfits had the whole skull/ skeleton thing going on 20 years ago. All you wanna-be's are just now catching on. But back in the day they were the cool Ghoul Punk Band that we all dug. And for only $16.99 you too can look like you were in the know back in the DAY. Totally cute and comfy I love these little slip on's. They are cute with a jean mini or with a pair of jean pants. Capri's? Probably rockin' I just didn't try that yet. Its only been a WEEK folks. I don't do 15 costume changes a day like CHER. So you just gotta trust me on this these are the goto slip on's. They are cute, sassy, and comfy. You can be the cool mom in the car pool. If you have teen age daughters, buy TWO. Other wise you will never see them cause they will totally jack them. I swear.

So last but totally not least. I got the ROCKING Wild Bow pumps. Va Va Va VOOM! Agent Daddy REALLY liked these on me. NUFF said. *wink*. I put these on and instantly I felt like I was some kind of torch singer ala Michelle Pfiffer in the Fabulous Baker Boys. I was ready to slink around the house and sing Take All of Me . It was AWESOME. Sometimes we get our selves in a mommy rut. This will knock you back into Knock Out land. If Daddy's engine isn't running when you put these shoes on Daddy's engine is BROKE. And get this $39.99. You can still afford to go out to dinner AFTER you buy these. They maybe should come with a warning label cause they are THAT  hot.

In my Fad or FAB rating system all three deserve SUPER FAB. Now that I have these I am MAMA- LICIOUS.

Now THREE of you can each win a pair of shoes of your choice By entering below.

Fashion Friday- How about some Bling for the Boy?

  I've decided to do something a bit different today and give you some fashion advice for the men in your life. Whether it's your sons or husbands. And well with stores already carrying Christmas decorations I figured this might inspire some gift giving ideas.

In my opinion, there is a very limited option of accessories out there for men, fashion forward or not; men want to keep a sense of simplicity when it comes to accessorizing, save few, who enjoy a more gaudy approach.  But there is one accessory that works well in any situation. Whether your man is fashion forward or not, you cannot go wrong with the classic timepiece.  A watch is not only fashion utility at its best but also a great way to accessorize a man’s wardrobe, but you can tell a lot about a man by what kind of timepiece he is wearing.




            A classic crème faced watch with black or brown leather band usually denotes a guy serious in nature, business minded or of a mature mind.  Usually someone who wants to maintain an air of being timeless, or traditional.

            A watch of a metallic nature usually denotes a man on trend.  But how the watch is designed, and what brand can also tell you a lot as well.  Someone who has a very simple steel banded watch is usually someone who wants to make sure the watch he is wearing is versatile enough to go with him throughout the entire day.  This might be a young professional who likes to work hard during his 8-5 and then party just as hard at night.

            A man who is somewhat of a show off or someone who just enjoys the fruits of his labor might wear a watch a little bit gaudier.  A popular trend I’ve seen lately is watches adorned with diamonds. Black diamonds, white diamonds.  I’ve usually scene this on the types of guys that are very into fashion, staying on trend, and definitely trying to up the “impress” factor.  Of course, the watch to top all of man’s watches is the Rolex.  But this lately has come up for a lot of debate among some of the more fashionable men I know.  Although Rolex has undoubtedly been the symbol of wealth and achievement for most men, with today’s economic struggles, a lot of people still want to pay for quality without having to pay the Rolex price tag.

            Although Tag Heuer is another great option, there price range is still in the low thousands.  Thus designer brands have picked up on this trend for man’s need to have a timeless timepiece and have since started to make their own brand of watches. Gucci, Burberry, Michael Kors and Guess? all have greatly priced watch of course some are still Swiss made, while others not, which does make a difference in the price tag.  But now men have the option to mix it up in their wardrobe and still make a statement with their timepiece without breaking the bank.

I hope this helps all my moms out!  Maybe you can show off a little for your husbands!  And remember stay fabulous!

Brandon Sapin

Lord Save me from the Hoochie Mamas

Today, when I went to the Jr. High school to pick up the Tech Monkey, I was surprised to see all the prostitutes out for a stroll around the Jr High. I was thinking " How can they make any money on Jr. High boys?" Then the bell rang and I discovered that I, was oh so very WRONG.... These were not prostitutes these were the mother's of my son's class mates. I am not really sure what happened in these women's brains that told them to wear hooker shoes to pick up their 12 year old kids, but there they were in their skin tight jeans, camel toes and shirts with their "Ta Tas" hanging out. And these were not YOUNG women. These were 35-45 year old women whom I guess thought that they needed to "let it all hang out." The smell of desperation and Charlie perfume hung in the air.
I used to worry about the Tech Monkey being distracted in school by his female classmates. He is a pubescent boy ofter all. Then I worried about the girls wearing revealing clothing to school, thus making it even harder to concentrate. So I chose a school with a dress code. NO skin showing from the neck to the knees. Collared shirts for everyone. Lord Knows I NEVER in a million years imagined that the PARENTS needed a dress code. So I am ordering a black hood for my son to put on and be led from school so that he doesn't see these women's boobies and choochies hanging out ( and I do mean HANGING). Any suggestions? A school rule that the hoochie mamas must wear a BURKA when ever they come with in 100 ft of the school? Or maybe just a state law REQUIRING that women over 40 wear a bra. Just saying....
**************************************************************************************

Fashion Friday- Back To School Designers 101

            Since it’s time for the kids to go back to school I thought a little education of your own would be a nice change of pace!  So down below I’ve listed 11 designers in no particular order you should know, and why they are so important.

1.      Madeleine Vionnet

a.      She was queen of the bias cut.  She was the first designer to utilize this cut.  Paving the way for other designers to create garment that are cut at a 45 degree angle on the fabric.  This cut was so popular because the fabric would then flow softly around the body, following the wearer’s movements.

2.     Elsa Schiaparelli

a.      This Italian designer created garments by using Surrealism and transferring that into the fabric.  Blurring the lines between fashion and art.  During her time she created things from a white empire waist dress with Salvador Dali’s lobster on it, to a black velvet telephone purse!  She definitely paved the way for artists like lady gaga.

3.     Hubert De Givenchy

a.      One of my favorite designers for one sole reason.  He was inspired by a muse, and ended up working with this muse for quite some time, designing garments solely for her.  His muse was Audrey Hepburn.  He was the designer of that famous black dress Holly Golightly wore in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

4.     Valentino Garavani a.k.a. Valentino

a.      He was the only designer to ever have a color named after him, “Rosso Valentino”.  The reason why he is one of the only designers to ever have a color named after him is the “Rosso Valentino” which is a shade of red, is impossible to find on any color chart!

5.     Tom Ford

a.      While someone of you may know him for his high end suits for men and amazing smelling cologne.  A lot of you may not know, he was the reason for the successful re-launch of Gucci in the 90’s.  Bringing the collection back to life and in its rightful place among top brands with his perfectionism. 

6.     Hussein Chalayan

a.      A designer who utilized technology with fashion.  A metal paneled dress that would expand with the touch of a button.  A hat the doubles as a lamp, and a fashion show presentation in where the upholstery was removed and then worn.  A true visionary again, inspiring designer’s today as well as artists like Cher and Madonna.

7.     Stella MacCartney

a.      She designs her collections without leather, lives on a strict vegan diet and campaigns for animal rights.  No other designer does high end with a green thumb like she does.  Not to mention her design aesthetic which is a mixture of romanticism and urban functionality.

8.     Emilio Pucci

a.      Dubbed as the “Prince of Prints”, was the creator of tunic dresses made out of silk jersey.  They were elegant, easy to wear, and extremely light, making it easy to pack away as well as store.  He drew his inspiration from nature, art, and beauty in far-away lands.  He allegedly created over 500 patterns.

9.     Mary Quant

a.      You can thank Mary Quant for the invention of the miniskirt!  Because she considered high heels to be a form of torture, she decided to create a hemline that got shorter and shorter; she did this to allow the leg to look elongated, while eliminating the use of high heels.

10.  Yves Saint Laurent

a.      YSL.  The creator of the dinner jacket for women.  After a traumatic period in his life and losing his position at Dior as head designer because of the draft, he went on his own.  Successful in what he did, his biggest success was when he created the women’s tuxedo in 1966.

And Last But NEVER least:

Coco Channel:  She was the first designer to make women's dresses out of Jersey knit. She encouraged women to forgo the corset and tight binging clothing. Her rise to fame after World War I coincided with the Flapper style. She is most famous for the Little Black Dress and the Bell Bottom Pant.

Hope you moms enjoyed learning about some of the most influential designers in history.  Now go out and impress your kids with your new knowledge.  Let your daughter know where that miniskirt originated!  And remember, stay fabulous!

Where Were You?

September 9, 2001 Agent Daddy and I watched the opening episode of Band of Brothers on HBO. We spoke afterwards about how America today would react to a bombing on American soil. We talked about how different patriotism today seemed compared to patriotism in December 1941. We talked about the apathy of the American people.

Two days later, on September 11, 2001 I recieved a phone call shortly after 6am in the morning west coast time. It was my branch manager telling me to "Turn off the cartoons. The World Trade Center has been hit by an airplane." The Tech Monkey was 23 months old, and we had a habit of watching the Disney Channel every morning while Agent Daddy got ready to go to work. I changed the channel and was riveted to the television. I watched as a second plane flew into the world trade center. I watched as Agent Daddy went on tactical Alert, grabbing extra magazines and bullet proof vests.  I wanted to hold my family safe in my home but Agent Daddy's job is to run toward danger. There were many of us spouses that day wondering how the spouses in New York were keeping it together when we could barely do it 3,000 miles away. I kissed Agent Daddy goodbye not knowing if there would be an attack on the West Coast, not knowing if or when he would be allowed to come home. And my heart broke for all the other spouses who where wondering the same thing. For all the children who maybe had not gotten up that morning to say goodbye to mommy or daddy as they went off to work.

Minutes after Agent Daddy left he was home. He was on tactical alert still but they were keeping all personnel away from government buildings. I remember watching people jump out of the windows of the World Trade Center and thinking "WHY? Some will surely be there to rescue you soon." And then I watched as the unthinkable happened, the towers collapsed. I think I was in shock after that because the rest of that day is really a blur. The days and weeks after that I remember Americans coming together in ways that I thought were forgotten. I remember being proud of my country and shocked by people having the nerve to say that we had somehow asked for this.

And when Agent Daddy got on a plane, weeks after 9/1, and went to New York to do peer counseling, I remember being proud of him. Airborne was born almost 9 months to the day of 9/11. The hospital was so full of women having what they called 9/11 babies that they took over both the Maternity ward floor and a whole other non maternity ward floor. I heard later that the Hospital had more babies in July of 2002 than ever before. When I think back to those days and weeks after 9/11, as the truth came out about who had done such a terrible thing to the innocent , non military people of the United States of America,  I wonder how any one could be so intellectually dishonest as to say that we in some way deserved it.  But I also remember with pride how Americans rolled up their sleeves and worked together to feed the rescue workers and give money to the families who lost their fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers.

The Real ARMY of Moms Salutes the men and women of our Military and of our Police and Fire who run towards danger when everyone else is running away. And today on 10th anniversary of 9/11 let us NEVER forget that Freedom is never Free.

Read more 9/11 storiesHERE

Fashion Friday-Diamonds

“Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend” –Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

So, as of late my mother has been recently become addicted to Jewelry TV.  After she kept asking me what I thought about the cuts of certain diamonds and certain gems, I started educating her on what little knowledge I knew of gemology.  So this inspired me to write this week’s blog on diamonds and gemstones!  Now diamonds and precious stones come in all shapes and sizes, some extremely affordable, and some are extremely expensive!  Listed below, for your enjoyment, I’ve not only given you the four “C’s” of diamond grading, but also a list of some popular cuts as well as how to “rock” the rock!

THE 4 C’S

Carat: Is the unit of mass used in measuring diamonds and other precious stones.

Clarity: Is the quality of diamonds and precious stones relating to the existence and visual appearance of internal characteristics of a diamond called inclusions, and surface defects called blemishes.  There is actually a grading scale for this kind of measurement.

Color:  This refers to the actual coloration of a diamond.  White diamonds are given a grading scale but blue and red diamonds, (not to be confused with sapphires or rubies) are extremely rare!  When speaking of gemstones, certain gemstones are offered in different colors, like the Topaz, which is offered in more than 4 different colors.

Cut: Lastly, the cut is a style or design guide used when shaping a diamond or other precious stones, mind you certain stones will not always be cut in certain shapes.

CUT GUIDE

Emerald Cut-it is a cut with rectangular facets to create a unique optical appearance.  With a wider table and a wider pavilion, it allows a lot of light to shine through, creating a beautiful effect.

How to “rock” it- Emerald cuts, in a larger carat are definitely statement pieces.  They make great conversation starting rings or even beautiful stones to serve as a centerpiece on a necklace.

Oval Cut- The way this diamond is cut creates a beautiful brilliance that has similarities to a round cut. The reason why this cut is so popular is because the shape of the diamond accentuates longer, slender fingers.

How to “rock” it- Whether on a diamond or a gem stone, the oval cut is a great cut to wear on any ring, especially when a larger carat is surrounded by other smaller stones. I’m personally not a fan of oval cuts on necklaces; I believe it ages a woman.

Tear Drop or Pear- This brilliant-cut is also called a teardrop for its single point and rounded end. Because it is such an unusually beautiful cut when places into a setting it is a popular choice for diamonds.  This gem also has a slimming effect on the finger.

How to “rock” it- Although the tear drop is typically set in a beautiful ring, I die for a tear drop gem when it’s set into a pair of beautiful chandelier earring.

Princess Cut- This has been considered a fan favorite amongst the non-round cuts. Its beautiful brilliance and unique cut makes it a favorite for engagement rings. This cut is typically square in shape with pointed corners, unlike the “square” cut which has diagonal shaped corners.

How to “rock” it- You can never go wrong with a princess cut, whether it’s on a ring or a beautiful pair of earrings.  And the larger the carat, the more beautiful it gets.  I will say that I’m not a huge fan of this cut on a necklace unless they are strung together.

Round cut- The round cut diamond is by far THE most popular shape in terms of diamonds.   In addition to being the most popular and researched shape, a round diamond will typically give you more flexibility in terms of balancing cut, color, and clarity grades while still getting the fire and brilliance you want.  With a shorter table, surrounded by multi-facets and a deeper pavilion angle then most cuts this shape is STUNNING.

How to “rock” it- Whether it’s in a gorgeous ring or a pair of studs you cannot go wrong with this cut!

Trilliant cut- These are triangular shaped stones which deviated from the brilliant cut, which is what the name is based off of.  Because of their equilateral form, trilliants return substantial light and color to the eye. This cut has been considered just as brilliant as round cuts, so for those who want that same brilliance but what something other than a round, this cut is for you!  Thus, this cut has been gaining extreme popularity, and almost all precious stones look great in this cut.

How to “rock” it- Trilliants look gorgeous when set into rings, because the shape is so unique, you can have  a really modern looking, edgy design when it comes to the band.  The bigger the carat the more beautiful they look, especially on studs or a chandelier earring!

Well there you go!  I hope you moms had a wonderful time learning about diamonds and gemstones, no get those husbands to buy you some!  And remember, stay fabulous!

Welcome to the Morgue

We have been having a hot spell here in Southern California. Traditionally, August, September and sometimes October are our HOT months. So, when my girlfriend Gary called me and asked if he could make a really strange request, I said "Of course." Then he proceeded to tell me that his 65 year old tortoise had passed away and could he store the body in my freezer until the weekend so that he could bury it then. I was speechless. I have a HUGE upright freezer. The freezer is so big that many of my neighbors freeze stuff in there too. But I had never put a body in my freezer before. I knew that with the heat, if he did not freeze it the tortoise would begin to stink before he could bury it. I also knew that my freezer was pretty full. So I told Gary that I had to call him back once the children went to bed and that I would move stuff around in the freezer so we could freeze the tortoise. If you haven't been reading my blog, Gary is a big, tough, retired crime scene investigator. He is also a big softie when it comes to animals. My husband once explained it to me this way. "When you have seen what one human can do to another, sometimes just because they felt like it, you begin to think that only animals are worthy of compassion." I know that Gary has seen the worst mankind has to offer and I know that he was pretty saddened by the death of his tortoise. So while the kids took their showers before bed, I went out into the garage to clear a spot for a dead tortoise in my freezer. When the kids went to bed, I called Gary and told him that the Morgue was open for business and I went out to the garage to wait for  him.  After about 5 minutes I saw him coming down the side walk with a leash in one hand and a grocery bag in the other. I am not sure what I thought he tortoise would be in but it struck me as funny that he was carrying the dead tortoise in a grocery bag like it was the poop bag from walking his dog. I stifled my smile and he handed me the bag which I gently placed on a shelf in the freezer. I then closed the door and asked him to call me when he wanted to come pick it up. He talked to me for about 15 min. I think he felt somehow guilty for leaving the dead tortoise, then he took his dog and headed back to his house.

So this week has been the week of death talk. I started it with my haunted piano story, Gman kept it up by publishing that beautiful tribute to his friend who died too soon, and now me again  with the dead tortoise. I really apologize because We are not usually morbid people but with the10th anniversary of 9/11 on the horizon ( and yeah I am writing about that too) I guess we are all feeling just a little somber. The blogging community has also gotten together to write about 9/11 ( you can read that here).  I promise that after BLOG O RAMA we will go back to making you laugh and telling poop, penis and barf stories that we are famous for.

On 9/12 we begin BLOG O RAMA! We are giving away $150 prize package here at the ARMY and there will be links to over 100 other blogs each doing a give away too. So Check back and enter to win! The kids are all back in school so it is time for Mommy to get a little something for herself.
*****************************************************************************
Please vote for me by clicking the brown Top Mommy Blogs Banner at the top of this page. Thanks

A Beautiful Son...

Last Sunday, I was unfortunate to have to say goodbye to one of my closest friends ever.  Carlos Montejo, who died suddenly last week of a stroke.  His friends, or shall I say us, his family in the small surf community of Newport Beach CA were devastated.

We sent him off with a bang...  A beautiful memorial.  True surf style.

Carlos was a hero to many and an inspiration to all who that he had touched.

Please take a minute to watch a beautiful tribute video that friends put together in Carlito's Memory.

I love you LBL... You will forever be in my heart... Rest peacefully old friend.

Adam G

But it was FREE!

I have a problem. Well truthfully I have many problems, but I need to tell you about this problem in particular. I am CHEAP. Not Cheap as is in I am a FLOOZY, but cheap as is in I can't say no to Free stuff. I believe this to be a genetic trait that I inherited from my father who is also CHEAP. Growing up we could never pass by a anything Free on the side of the road that might be usable. My Dad brought home 3 toilets one time and they remained in the garage "in case" he needed a toilet. When we moved the toilets thankfully  remained behind. So when I married Agent Daddy, who is FRUGAL, he loves coupons but draws the line at picking up other peoples garbage left on the curb, we started having disagreements on what was ok to bring home. Agent Daddy says if I do not have an immediate use for, or place for, an item I am not to drag it home EVEN if it is Free.

It has been difficult for me to modify my behavior and leave perfectly good stuff on the roadside even when it is free but I have really tried hard to make Agent Daddy proud. So one night Agent Daddy and I are watching a show called Paranormal State and this family calls the "investigators" because they have a haunted piano. Apparently, the piano was on Craigslist and was free. So I could totally understand taking it home I mean really a perfectly good piano? Who wouldn't? Unfortunately once they got the piano home all sorts of crazy stuff started happening like the cell phone tuning on and displaying 666 when it had no battery. So they call in the investigators who declare the piano haunted and at this point Agent Daddy turns to me and says " SEE! This is why you do not pick up other people junk on the side of the road. It could be HAUNTED!" And I am feeling a little freaked out cause you never know until you get something home if it is haunted or not. Usually people don't leave signs on their stuff that says FREE HAUNTED STUFF. In fact, I imagine that if they do know that it is haunted they probably would lie and say it isn't just so you would take it and the ghosts home with you and they could get some peace of mind. So now when ever I see something on the side of the road and say "Wow look at that !" Agent Daddy replies, without missing a beat, " Its probably haunted."


How am I EVER gonna get any of the good stuff now?

Product Review- Eco Lips

I recently had the opportunity to try lip balm from Eco Lips. They could have sent me just one to try and get a feel for their Organic lip balm but no. The wonderful people over at Ecolips.com sent me FOUR of their fabulous lip balms to try.

The first one I tried is the coconut from the PURE and SIMPLE line. I could smell the coconut oil and expected it to be flavored but was pleasantly surprised to find that it had almost no flavor. It instantly soothed my lips and made them feel wonderful. The smell comes from the actual coconut oil used in the lip balm itself. I am a huge fan of coconut oil and use it as moisturizer for my whole body every day after my shower. To find a lip balm that I can keep in my purse that gives my lips the soft protection I get on the rest of my body was so exciting. And I had not even tried the other three balms yet.

The Classic balm sport with the eco clip I gave to Agent Daddy. Agent Daddy is goes through lip balm like a drunk through a six pack. I am always asking him "What happened to the last one I gave you?" Or finding the balm in the washer or dryer on laundry day. The eco clip on the lip balm makes it easy for him to keep track of. Also he says that he LOVES the way it lasts and lasts. He said that he doesn't feel like he has to keep putting it on all day because it really does the work with no waxy feeling.  I would tell you what I think of it but he refuses to give it back. I am gonna call that a thumbs up.

Then next balm I tried was the Eco Tints. I tested the Sheer Rose. I am a huge fan of Burts Bees tinted Balm. But I don't like the way it stains my lips. Also some of the colors are WAY too jarng for when I am with out makeup on a hike or at the gym. I am a mom and a hiker and so I am never far from my lip balm. On the days when I want to glam up a little I love a tinted lip balm. This one felt a little dry going on but it really did the work a lip balm is supposed to do and the color tint did not stain my lips ( Which I really like.) I love the way the rose tint just enhances my natural color. There is nothing worse than a woman in sweats with no makeup and jarring lip color.  I am also not a fan of women who wear makeup to work out. Just a pet peeve of mine. This works great with or with out full make up. I found my self digging for this in my purse and passing up the lip stick even when I was dressed up. It really is a FAB product.

The fourth and final lip balm that they sent is my and my whole families ABSOLUTE favorite. The Eco Lips ENERGY. With caffine, green tea and vitamin B-12 all in this little balm it is the best product I have ever tried. As with all the products from Eco Lips this is certified organic and it packs a punch. I am totally addicted to it. Now if I could just get it back from the Tech Monkey. He loves it too. He was not a fan of the others. ( He wouldn't put on the tinted one at all). But this he put on the first time and ran out of the room with it. We have been playing tag with it ever since. All four of these balms as well as any of their other formulas can be found HERE.

I am super excited to be able to add this to the BLOG O RAMA prize package. Come back on September 12-22 to enter to win this and all of the other FABULOUS Prizes we will be giving away.

**********************************************************************************
I received no compensation for writing this review other than the product itself.
********************************************************************************
If you like my Blog PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE vote for me by clicking the brown  Top Mommy Blogs button at the top of the page. That is all there is to it and THANK YOU!!!!

Fashion Friday- Labor Day Looks

Labor Day Looks

Labor Day is back again, along with the old adage that as of the first Monday of September you can never ever where white again! Ha ha, this of course I never endorse.  But along with that are tons of events, from block parties, picnics, BBQ's, town festivals, luncheons, and even dinner parties.  So I’m going to provide a quick little go to guide to putting your best foot forward and take out some of the labor in looking fabulous on Labor Day.

BBQ's:

            Barbeques are one of my favorite event’s to go to; unfortunately I usually end up having to loosen up my belt loops.  There’s usually a ton of friends and family to mingle with, and the last thing you want to do is feel uncomfortable.  My number one pick for BBQ’s are to throw on your cutest little summer dress (if you’re not sure what kind of dress, reference my Figure Flattery article) and a cute pair of wedges, or jeweled sandal if you’re not the heel wearing type, throw on a sun hat and some sunglasses and call it a day.

            Now, what if you’re not the dress wearing type of girl another option is to throw on a cute pair of capris or cut off shorts and a really cute blouse, which I know all of you have been stocking up on all summer long. Again, with a sun had, sunglasses and of course your favorite purse!

            A couple of important things please remember heavy make-up and hot summer weather do not go together, you can always supplement with a tinted moisturizer with SPF coverage.  For lips, skip the lipstick and go for a tint or stain.  Any eye make-up should be waterproof.  Also, bring a light weight outerwear option in case your BBQ goes into the early evening.

BEACH/POOL

            The goal of this look is to have the perfect transition look from surf to turf.  Along with the perfect swim suit, you can pair a beautiful cover up, sun hat and glasses.  The cover up should provide enough coverage for you to not have to apply sunscreen, it should offer ample protection.  Another alternative would be to borrow your husband’s chambray shirt and great pair of denim shorts and this gives you a great casual and stylish outfit to wear when you grab lunch off on the pier.

LABOR DAY LUNCH

            A lunch time look can be the most fun look to put together!  Generally speaking, a great lunch look will be one with a lot of color or print.  Definitely opt for a nice pair of pants instead of denim if you’re not going to go with a skirt or dress option.  This is a great time to bring out a lovely printed blouse, with a great skirt and lightweight cardigan.  A dress option can be a lovely summer dress or a maxi dress.  Pair this with your favorite go to bag and light weight outer wear option.

FESTIVAL

            Certain counties and cities will throw amazingly fun festivals.  The best look for this is something comfortable that will last all day.  A great pair of capris or wide legged cargo pants even a peasant skirt would be best, something roomy and airy.  For top options you’ll want to pick something cotton or linen button ups or a shirt dress would be appropriate or even a tunic.  Make sure to pick appropriate footwear, i.e. sandals or flats.

            I hope all of you wonderful moms have an amazing Labor Day weekend with your families.  And always remember, stay fabulous!!!

Brandon Sapin