Ladies, This is a Way to Destroy Your Husband at Golf

December 10, 2009 by

So this is our Christmas tradition at my parents house…  Christmas morning we eat breakfast, we open gifts, we get dinner started and then we get our game on.

Since we live in the Houston area, the weather is generally not what you think of as wintery…its more like throw a jacket on and go outside and you are fine type of weather.  So while dinner is cookin’, we get to gamin’ and let me tell you you might as well have yelled SHALLONGE!  The competitiveness that comes out here is unbelievable.

Here’s some ideas for ya…

ak-xmas gaming

  1. Halex Lasso Golf Tailgate Game
  2. Official Outdoor Steel Horseshoe Set
  3. Fundex Bulls-Eye Washers

What do you guys do on Christmas Day?

Filed Under: ak, game, holiday Tagged With: , ,

Christmas List: Der Edition

December 9, 2009 by

So you all saw AK’s list of fabulousness. Now it’s my turn.

(Pssst…Husband PLEASE pay careful attention to what is to follow)

der-xmas wishlist

  1. Victoria’s Secret, The Soft Sexy Wrap -I love the fact that this is like an upgraded t-shirt/cardigan combo. That is My FAVORITE combo and pretty much daily uniform, by the way.
  2. Best Buy, Nikon D5000– I would love this camera more than any of my family members, including my dogs. Ook,  not them. But everyone else. If I hadn’t already proven myself to be an expensive camera breaker, I MIGHT actually be eligible for this gift.
  3. Restoration Hardware, Telescoping Frames– Being that I just got married 10ish months ago, we have more pictures than we know what to do with. These are so unique and different.
  4. Macys, Fiesta Canisters– I ADORE the green. These would look so cute in my colorful kitchen.
  5. Etsy, dearestinez Large Leaf Earrings -UM so cute, so fun, so funky. I just may be gifting these to myself for Christmas.
  6. Old Navy, Womens Cable Knit Slipper Boots– My toesies would be so toasty in these. I’ve seen a version of these everywhere and I have been coveting.
  7. Urban Outfitters, Dachshund Lamp– Do I even need to go into why I would want/need this? No, I didn’t think so.
  8. Ann Taylor LOFT, Refined Knit Ruffle Neck Dress– Because I NEED more ruffles in my life. NO, I don’t have anywhere to wear it! SO??
  9. Mac Cosmetics, Tinted Lipglass in Spite -This was the first lipglass that I ever owned and I think I need to bring it back into my life Christmas 2009. It’s a mauvy pink and perfection.
  10. Pier1, Assorted Doorknob Wall Hooks– I’ve been eyeing these babies for a while now. What a super cute way to hang your coat or whatevs.
  11. Macys, Joseph Joseph Multi Color Spatula Design Cutting Board– Cute, colorful and belongs in mah kitchen!
  12. Gap, Mesh Chain Necklace– I want this for two reasons: a) it’s a subtle way to do the whole sequin trend going on and b) I’ve already planned my New Years outfit and it won’t be complete without it.
  13. Nordstrom, Jeffrey Campbell ‘Charo’ Slingback Sandal– Ruffles, love. Red, Love. Perfect HOT date with the hubby shoe. Nuff said.
  14. bossa, Shiraleah Jennifer Large Tote Bag– This brand is pretty sweet…looks remarkably similar to HOBO International for a fraction of the cost, plus this blue color is totally rocking my world.
  15. ZenniOptical, 2344 Plastic Full-Rim Frame– HOT pink frames? Must.have.

Oh, I almost forgot… while I’m wishing… I’ll take an endless supply of these.

der-xmas wishlist2

Filed Under: cardigan, der, dog mom stuff, food, gadgets, gifts, girly, holiday, jewelry, makeup, purse, shoes, tops Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Merry Caturday!

December 8, 2009 by

Looking for some cute ways to put your favorite feline through hell in a costume?  Searching for some  festive fun for your kittah?  Search no more!

cr-caterday

  1. Holiday Snowflake Cape
  2. Plaid Holiday Bow tie
  3. Spiral Toy
  4. Holiday Feather Teaser
Filed Under: cat mom stuff, court Tagged With: , ,

DIY Gifts for your Neighbor, Co-Worker, Teacher or somebody like that

December 3, 2009 by

Are you looking for a cheap gift to give a neighbor, a co-worker, a teacher, a babysitter or somebody in that realm…you don’t want to spend a ton but you want them to know you care? I’m going to give you a few ideas…

ak-gift in a jar

Give them stuff in a jar.  Get a jar, get some cute fabric, and get some raffia to tie the fabric on with and shove one of these ideas in.  You can either put the ingredients for a mix of some sort minus the wet ingredients or put something pre-made (ala nuts). Write or print out the recipe and attach it.

  1. Cowboy Cookies
  2. Nuts:  Sweet (Cinnamon Almonds) or Spicy (Hot & Spicy Peanuts)
  3. Hot Cocoa Mix
  4. Spice Rub
  5. Bean Soup
  6. Dog Biscuit Mix

Thinking something a little more hardcore than nuts, cocoa mix and dog biscuits?  How ’bout a round on you? So…this may not be the one to give a teacher or babysitter especially if they are caring for your children at the time…this might be more of a neighbor/co-worker thing.

ak-gift in a jar part 2

Make a homemade mixer and pour it in a pretty bottle, then include whatever libation goes with it in mini bottle form, put them on a mini serving tray (or dessert plate) and tie it up with some cellophane.  Write or print out the drink “recipe” and attach it.

  1. Pomegranate Martini
  2. Margarita
  3. Spiked Hot Cocoa
  4. Spiked Apple Cider
Filed Under: ak, cocktail, coffee, dog mom stuff, food, gifts, holiday Tagged With: ,

Toddler Books in High Rotation at My House

December 2, 2009 by

If you are looking for a gift for a little one on your list, let me tell you….these 5 books are almost at falling apart state because my kiddo LOVES LOVES LOVES them. He carries them around, he brings them to me or my husband to read, he wants to turn the pages, and on and on.

ak-toddler books

  1. Baby Fix My Car, this book is part of a series of the “Baby Be of Use” books.  They are hysterical.  I’m not sure what draws my son to the car one, but he likes to just carry it around with him.
  2. Five Silly Monkeys, about monkeys jumping on a bed and all their shenanigans that ensue because of it.  My son loves the rhymes and of course the end…you’ll have to read it, I don’t want to ruin it for you.
  3. The Going to Bed Book, just a cute cute book.  This was my son’s first favorite book ever…I can’t even count how many times I’ve read this.
  4. If You See a Kitten, initially you might think this is a girly book but OH NO!  This book has many opportunities to partake in special sound effects and my son LOVES it!
  5. The Pigeon Loves Things That Go, if you haven’t heard of this pigeon series–OMG you MUST!  They are super super funny, very fun to read and have both me, my husband and my son cracking up.  This is just one of the favs, but all of them are great.
Filed Under: ak, gifts, kids Tagged With:

The Twelve Days of Jack

November 30, 2009 by

So.  October 2008, my husband and I welcomed a little bambino.  Because of the timing, we got a ton of Christmas baby stuff…booties, hats, PJs, bibs–you name it.  So the hubmeister and I came up with a way to showcase our little man in all his winnings but not put him through 500 clothing changes in the one day that is Christmas.  Our solution?  The Twelve Days of Jack (that’s his name hahaha)!

This is the way The Twelve Days of Jack worked:  In the 12 days leading up to Christmas day, we would dress him up in his Christmas socks or his Christmas bib or what have you.  Then we would upload that pic to Totspot which is a Facebook type of thing for babies. It’s fabulous–all your relatives and friends sign up to be your kiddo’s friend and then you upload your journal entry, picture or video ONCE and it sends out a link to everybody he’s friends with.  Each day SOMEONE gets to relish in the fact that their Christmas themed present was showcased AND your kiddo doesn’t have to endure the revolving dressing room door.  It’s definitely a WIN WIN.

We got TONS of applause for this idea from the fam–everyone was anticipating the next day, excited to see what Jack would have on the next day.  So go forth and gear up for your Twelve Days!

Filed Under: ak, holiday, kids Tagged With:

Walking in a Weiner Wonderland

November 23, 2009 by

I know what my dogs, and probably yours, want for Christmas.  It goes by many names and looks kinda funny, but when my pups see one coming… they are overcome with joy. A BoBo, a loofah dog, a booda… they come in many sizes, themes and colors.

der-dog toys

  1. Petsmart, Loofah Dog
  2. Petco, Neoprene Dog
  3. Petco, Loofah Santa Dog
  4. Petco, Hanukkah Loofa Dog
  5. Petco, Jumbo Dog
  6. Petco, Booda Tuff Plush Long Friends Dog

der-dog toys2

And my tiny dogs will naw one to death in under a few hours, leaving me with a living room full of snow. Living in Texas, that just doesn’t happen very often. The White Christmas I always wanted!

Filed Under: der, dog mom stuff Tagged With:

The Best Changing Pad EVER!

November 19, 2009 by

Have you heard of this changing pad?  Dude, it’s SO THE BOMB!  It’s called a Patemm Pad and its round.  It folds up, it holds diapers, it holds wipes, it has a carrying handle so you can grab it and run out the door and you have everything you need for a quick trip.  It also fits perfectly in my Skip Hop Duo Deluxe diaper bag.

I’m telling you this changing pad will change your life.  I have this thing about public restrooms….you know like they are just feces infested germ caves..nothing major.  So when I have to change my child, the same child that squirms relentlessly during diaper changes, I’m always a little freaked about doing it in public because I just know his poor delicate baby skin might touch filth.  Well not with this changing pad I tell you!  You can just unfold it and part of the circle protects your kiddo from the evil backside of the flip out changing table and the other part of the circle is underneath.  PERFECT!  Now if I could just get that other kid to stop sneezing in our direction–pardon the glare I’m giving you as I shield my child, while cleaning my hands with Purell.

Patemm Promotions!

10% off all patemm pads using coupon code:  changes.  Offer ends December 31st.
20% off all SALE items only using coupon code:  sale.  Offer ends November 29th.
Filed Under: ak, baby gear, kids Tagged With: ,

If Boys Were Dolls…

November 18, 2009 by

I would dress my boy up in all these cuter than cute things. I can hope and dream all the live long day, but there is pretty much no way in hell my husband is going to sport any of this…but a girl can dream! So, for any of you ladies with more pull in the wardrobe department than I have… check out some of these super fly looks for men.

der-dressing a boy

  1. Banana Republic, Heritage Wool Dip-Dyed V-Neck
  2. Old Navy, Mens Brimmed Sweater Knit Beanies
  3. Gap, Indigo Denim Jacket
  4. Old Navy, Frost Free Quilted Vest
  5. Forever21, Mens Pin Up Girls Tee
  6. Gap, Cord Drivers Cap
Filed Under: boys, der Tagged With: , , ,

It’s a Hootenanny!

November 12, 2009 by

So I think you are catching on to my owl obsession.  It began with my son’s nursery and it just seemed to take off from there.  I just see owls EVERYWHERE!  Hoo you lookin’ at foo?!  That’s right, I said it!

ak-owls

  1. Anthropologie, Owling Sake Pot
  2. Cocoa & Milkweed’s Etsy Shop, Woodsy the Owl bib
  3. Urban Outfitters, Recycled Tin Owl
  4. Napa Style, Watchful Wooden Owl
  5. Fruitfly Pie’s Etsy Shop, Ceramic Owl Piggy Bank Vintage Design-Orange
  6. Anthropologie, Wide-Eyed Dishtowel-Aqua
  7. Sundance Catalog, Wisdom Necklace
  8. Crow’s Nest Trading Co., Peyton Owl Pendant
Filed Under: ak, home, jewelry, kids Tagged With: , , , , ,