This year Rob, my brother and I went into NYC for the parade. The last time I went was about 6 years ago with my dad and siblings and it was about 30 degrees! This year, we packed heavy clothes, but ended up taking off our layers. There were actually people out for runs that day in shorts and short sleeves. It was a beautiful day and a fun parade. We planted ourselves in Central Park and got a pretty good view of the balloons and floats. Here are some of the highlights: (Note the early time on the train station wall!)
Scenes from the Thanksgiving Parade
Choice Nail Polish Color: Wicked
Long nails or short. Casual or Dressy. It doesn't matter the occasion when you wear this "wicked"ly sexy nail color.
Wicked by Essie is in the red category but it is certainly dark and mysterious. I think a color like this goes better with shorter nails than long, but to each her own.
Essie retails for $8 on the website, but can be found for less at the Ulta Store($7) or other discount websites:
Loving care for cats
Rob and I made a "Black Friday" purchase in the evening at Barnes and Noble and decided to get the gift wrapped by the free service available every year. Donations for the gift wrap always go to a different charity and this year, funds go to a local sanctuary/adoption center for cats called Tabby's Place.
Founded by a grieving cat owner who wished he could do something for cats in need, Tabby's Place is a hospital, hospice and adoption center for cats that deserve loving care and attention.
All cats in the adoption center receive necessary medical evaluations and procedures by veterinarians. You can view the cats online or visit them in person.
Tabby's Place is always looking for volunteers to give their time to all sorts of needs at the center: cleaning, feeding, administrative duties, fundraising & socializing. You can fill out a volunteer application online.
If you don't have time for volunteering but would like to get involved, you can either sponsor a cat with special needs (like Ringo) or make a donation in memory or honor of a person or pet.
Once again, Bridie is sitting next to me on the couch and looking at her just makes me think of all of the adorable cats and kittens at Tabby's Place. If you are a cat lover like me or have a child who is and is looking for volunteer opportunities, check out Tabby's Place.
Tabby's Place is located off of Rt 202 in Ringoes and can be contacted by email at info@tabbysplace.org or phone at 908 237-5300.
Support for the growing belly
Motherhood Maternity has a less expensive version of the Bella Band that is both comfortable and practical. It comes in 3 colors: white, black and natural and retails for $16.98.
Here are some other tummy band brands online:
Wash your cat without water
There is no way I will try and wash Bridie with actual water. Maybe if I want a mad and lunatic cat, then I'll consider it. But I have found the best solution to bathing a cat without making it hate you.
Bathing wipes, similar to baby wipes, clean and condition your cat's coat. And it makes it smell really good too! There are many different brands, but the one I like to use is Simple Solution Pre-Moistened Cat Bathing Wipes from Petco.
Bridie is really good about get her "bath." I think she secretly enjoys the smell and experience. She's sitting right next to me now, so she definitely doesn't hate me for it! :)
It's raining leaves
One of the really cool things about fall is watching leaves fall from the trees like snow or rain. Though it's a little hard to see in this video, I captured the scene out my back window one morning of raining leaves.
Thanksgiving decor: garland
What do you do if your holiday garland is too short to fit all the way across the top of your entertainment center? Drape it across the top of the TV doors.
As you can see to the left, I took my Thanksgiving leaves and attached them to the clasps that snap when you close the doors. I like how the garland balances out the tall vase and ceramic pumpkins above it. Luckily I had some matching plaid ribbon to attach them with. If you don't, you can always use wire, string, or hair elastic.
Tea Light Martini
No it's not a new flavor of martini. It's a new way to use your martini glasses (especially if you're preggers and cannot enjoy a pumpkin martini). This year for my Thanksgiving party, I decided to use my orange martini glasses as tea light candle holders.
There really is no construction to the display. If you have tea light candles (either unscented or a scent related to the holiday), just put one in each glass and light them up. The glow is subtle but is a nice modern touch to a classic holiday.
Bridie's new best friend
The ComputerTots turtle puppet, CT, is a fan with my students and he's even a new buddy to our cat Bridie. Too cute for words!
Holiday Sale at The Nest
Shop now at The Nest Baby Shop for up to 50% some of the best baby gifts for 2007. Shop for items like the:
- My First Christmas Outfit gift set, $19.99
- Diaper Bag Express gift set, $17.49
- Personalized Lullaby CD, $19.99
- Christmas or Hanukkah Keepsake Cup, $29.99
Black Friday Deals (Real or Rumor?)
Here are some links to Black Friday sales (if you are brave enough to shop at 4am). Some claim to be only rumor. But it is good to know just in case:
Choice holiday detail: Sequins and Sparkle
Diamonds are a girl's best friend, but I think so are sparkly pretty dresses. It's hard to walk into a department or specialty store without seeing a top or dress with some sparkle detail. And I love it!
Even though I cannot wear normal clothes now (my regular size is tight in the hips and chest and if I go up a size then it becomes tentish), but I still like looking and trying them on anyway.
Here are a few really cute holiday ensembles for this season:
Sequin Fancy-FCUK, $198
Jingle Dress-FCUK, $198
Shining Star Dress-Alloy, $39.50
Nine West Sequin Wave Mesh Dress-Macys, $112 (Sale)
INC Embellished-Trim Sheath Dress-Macys, $129
Cleo Metallic Dress-Forever 21, $27.80
Jewelled Chiffon Dress-Forever 21, $24.80
Matty M Sequin Neck Dress-Overstock, $69.99
For the sassy & sexy mommies-to-be:
Black Sequin Mini Dress-Motherhood, $29.99
Sequined Mini Dress-Mimi Maternity, $148
Hooray for pasteurized cookie dough!
One of my favorite low-fat ice cream flavors is Ben and Jerry's Cookie Dough Light Ice Cream and I thought that since it was made with cookie dough that it was off limits (since pregnant women cannot consume anything made with raw egg-i.e. homemade mayo, etc).
But...to my gleeful surprise, the FDA has confirmed that it is OK to eat! The cookie dough is pasteurized and therefore safe!
You can bet that once I read that, I marched up to the freezer, took the pint out and munched away!
What are safe toys for christmas?
With all of the toy recalls this year, it begs the question: What can I get for a child this year?
Rob and I will start shopping for our nieces and nephew soon. Last year I got them cute outfit ensembles at Pebbles (which are always safe), but we can't stick to clothing every year. But what can we get them?
An ezinearticles.com posts tips while shopping the top toys that are safe this year. To test the safety of the toys, do some of the following:
- Twist any attached features of the toy to make sure they are secure
- Either check that painted toys are not lead-based or try to buy American.
- Obviously, you want to buy non-toxic finger paints or crayons
- Check inside a box for any unattached items that might easily be consumed.
- Check for an "off" switch on noise-maker toys
No whining when it's wine time!
There is a special Pinot Grigio for moms to enjoy and it's perfectly named "Mommy's Time Out."
With fresh pear, citrus and almond notes, this wine will provide all you Mommies will a well deserved "time out" at the end of the day. Sure, you can still drink your favorite bottle, but doesn't the label (and the $9 price) just make it more worth it? Enjoy!
Flu Shots
Have you gotten your flu shot yet?
Pregnant women, it's especially important that we get it done since our immune system is more vulnerable to both the flu and pneumonia.
If you're not sure where to go, you can start with your local CVS. By searching by location, you can see which store offers the shots. What's nice is that they are offered daily for your convenience.
November is the start of flu season so act now!
The One-Shoulder look is in
This season's IN dress look is the one-shoulder sheath/dress. Luckily, you can find a range of prices for this sexy look.
3.
Alexia Admor: $94.99, Overstock.com4. BCBG Girls: $59.99, Bluefly.com
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