Catalog Overload!

Holy catalog attack! I hadn't had a chance to pick up my mail this week until this morning. And, my goodness, it was crammed packed with catalogs. Now, I know as well as anyone that this is the holiday shopping season. Believe me, Two Blue Peas has upped its number of emails going to customers to find our fair share of holiday spending. But, I have to complain about all our big retail friends. What is with sending 5 catalogs per day?

I knew I would have a few catalogs in the ol' mailbox this morning, but I wasn't expecting 25. That's right, 25 freshly inked catalogs donning holiday gifts galore. The paper industry must be making big bucks this season and the poor, poor trees. This is why I must promote more online shopping. Two Blue Peas believes in saving trees and paper alike, that is why we are online only. In this day and age where the Earth is suffering for our pollution, it only makes sense to house stores and catalogs in the digital world.

The moral of the story is shop online! Save a tree. Cancel your catalog and do your part to be a little greener this holiday.

I'm how old?

Turns out I still have a few more years in my glorious twenties afterall… well, according to RealAge.com anyway. In fact, if their calculations are correct, I just gained 7 years back on the old biological clock. Woohoo! Pass the cheap boxed wine and Zima!

I’m not typically a fan of online surveys, but I had a few minutes to spare over my Frosted Mini Wheats this morning. With plugs from Oprah, Larry King and Parents Magazine, it has to be worth it, right? Hey, the folks over at RealAge.com are wishing me a happy 21st birthday today. The least I can do is hear them out.

The survey took about 5 – 10 minutes, and once I finished, I was directed to a custom page with my "real age" plus a wealth of tools and information on how to further improve my health status based on my answers to the survey questions.

A little curious about how many candles you can put on your cake this year? Check out the survey here.

Free Shipping for Cyber Monday

Oh, the holiday shopping season has taken an evolution over the past decade. Thank you world wide web, we now have our own post Thanksgiving shopping bonanza via the Internet called Cyber Monday.

Owning an online business I understand the need for such a glorious day where shoppers are frantically at their computers searching for the perfect gift. I mean, come on, it is 4 billion times easier to shop online than it is to crowd the malls the Friday after Thanksgiving. Who goes to JC Penney at 4 am to start their holiday frenzy? Crazy people, I'm sure, and ones who don't indulge on the Thanksgiving wine as much as I do!

Two Blue Peas has the best offer for all you Cyber Monday shoppers. Today only, we are offering FREE SHIPPING on every single order. That's right, I said FREE. Its our little treat to all our smart online shopping friends who know how to best use their time. We know the holidays can be rough and believe me, I'm guilty of last minute shopping. But, I must encourage you to shop today. Just think how good you'll feel getting a precious gift for a little one and by golly shipping it for free.

Very merry Cyber Monday everyone!

On the Road Again

Living 1,000 miles away from “home” has very few advantages, if any. Don’t get me wrong, I love Austin more than any other city on the planet. It’s warm practically year round, has more unique shops than I know what to do with, and the queso flows like water.

But I miss birthdays and important anniversaries, rack up astronomical phone bills and have to rely on Mac and Cheese a la Kevin when I’m feeling under the weather. Sorry baby. I love your signature dish, but it just doesn’t hold a candle to my Mom’s homemade baked potato soup.

Quite possibly the worst part though is major holidays. They mean more to me and my husband than just spending quality time with family. They also mean spending uninterrupted, inescapable, leg crampy time in the car together for 14 hours…
each way.

The end reward of being with family is of course more than worth it, but by the time we hit Chunky, Mississippi, the charm of the small town has officially worn off and we have to talk ourselves out of veering off the road into a ditch to keep things exciting.

We’ve put a few ticks on the old odometer over the years, downed more Big Gulps than I care to admit, and made pit stops in some of the sketchiest bathrooms known to man. Which brings me to the point of this road trip rant. Why do gas stations feel the need to attach the coveted bathroom key to the most obnoxious item they can possibly dig up out back in the junk yard?

I fully admit that I’ve been known to lose keys now and then, but I hardly think the answer is to attach them to my cat so I can find them faster. Here are some of my all time favs that broke up the mind numbing monotony of road noise with a little laughter: a yacht buoy, a hubcap, a license plate and a wooden oar.

Project Runway - Sew Good!

It is that time of year. The new season of Project Runway is starting on Bravo tonight at 9 pm (CDT). There are few reality shows out there that display truly talented and artistic people. This show is my absolute favorite reality show ever. It beats bachelor Brad, Amazing Race and Dancing with the Stars by a million.

If you have been living in a cave or possibly don't get the Bravo network on your TV, Project Runway is a reality show involving up and coming fashion designers in the US. Fifteen designers are given design tasks weekly with a myriad of twists and challenges. My favorite task each season is the recycle challenge where designers must make an outfit out of recycled goods - curtains, trash bags, aluminium foil - you name it, it's been done. The designers are given limited time to design, sew and fit a model for a runway show that happens at the end of each task.

Critiquing each runway show are the likes of Nina Garcia (fashion editor at Elle), Michael Kors (no need to explain), a guest judge and the ever beautiful host, Heidi Klum. Every week I am always more and more amazed by the talent and artistry that these people embody. It isn't a platform for the rude, beautiful, bitchy girl that seems to be high on reality TV talent scout lists. It is a place for talented artist to make their TV debut. Don't get my wrong, the show has its handful of divas. They're just usually not the girls!

Tune in. I promise you won't be disappointed. http://www.bravotv.com/Project_Runway/season/4/bios/index.php

What a Croc

I’m not typically in my garden every day, so why I wonder would I want to wear garden shoes every day? I know there are many a loyal Croc lover out there, but I just don’t understand what the fuss is about.

Sure they’re cute on kids, comfy for nurses and maybe even practical for a handful of other on-your-feet-all-day professions. But what’s the excuse for the rest of the Toms, Dicks and Janes out there?

They don’t look good with anything (except maybe an old baggy t-shirt, your husband’s boxers and a straw hat), they’re a bad f-a-d that will surely f-a-d-e (think mall bangs, fanny packs and acid wash jeans), and then there’s the whole kids on elevators debacle that has every mall-frequenting mom up in arms.

I assumed that with the close of warm weather, I would also see a much welcomed decline in the number of brightly colored rubber Mickey Mouse shoes out there. I mean, I had to give up my trusty flip flops so it’s only fair, right?

While out shopping over the weekend for some of this season’s comfy and most notably adorable ballet flats, I stumbled upon a rack of winter-ready crocs wearing scarves, or earmuffs, or wool sweaters, or something. I don’t know why I was surprised to see the Crocs “Mammoth” after the release of the Crocs evil stepsister, the Crocs boots, but I was. Eek!

There is a purpose to this rant, I promise. With the plethora of fashionable, affordable and perfectly comfortable flats out there (Macy’s is even having a Veteran’s Day Sale today!), why not treat yourself to a staple pair... or two? Tip: pick something that matches everything BUT your gardening apron.

Hap-pea Holidays!

Each year as I’m scrambling last minute with the rest of the world to find the perfect gift for everyone on my list, I vow to myself that I will get an earlier start next year. I promise to keep better tabs on people’s dropped hints, to shop online early enough to avoid paying an arm, a leg and a foot or two for rush shipping, and to buy wrapping paper before it’s all snatched up and I’m forced to dip into the Happy Birthday stash again.

Well this year I may actually honor my own word. To get our creative juices flowing for decking twobluepeas.com out for the holidays, Helen and I have been playing Christmas music since October. Sure its 75 degrees out, but I’ve found myself wrapped up in the holiday spirit and ready to get out there and tackle my shopping… early. And I’ve got to say, it feels pretty darn good.

We’ve put together a holiday gift guide in plenty of time this year for you to hop on the early shopping bandwagon and at least knock out the little ones on your list. We’ve got warm & cozies to bundle them, 100% lead-free play things to entertain them, personalized gifts to honor them and fun stocking stuffers to make Santa look like a hero. Oh, and we’re offering $5 flat rate shipping!

Be on the lookout in the coming weeks for coupon codes, discounts and freebies from Santa’s little helpers – starting today. Tis the season for giving right? Through Sunday 11/11, enjoy $1 monogramming on Babylicious Yummy Blankets.

Hap-pea holidays, and hap-pea shopping!

Spring Forward, Fall Back...Asleep...Please

Oh, daylight savings time. When I was childless I loved daylight savings time in the Fall. One more hour of sleep in the morning, sun comes up a little earlier and the feeling that Fall has officially arrived. I had an hunch that this time change would mess with Lillie's schedule a bit. We're not super strict about bedtimes, but my daughter is usually asleep by 7:30 pm at night and up about 6:45 am or 7:00 am. Very good schedule in my mind. And, I thought I was done getting up at the butt-crack of dawn. Welcome time change.

I have tried my best to adjust her schedule this week with the new time. Push dinner a little bit, so she's not eating at 4:30 pm and keep her up until bedtime. Even though that's 8:30 pm her body clock time. The body clock is an amazing thing. Lillie can wake, eat and sleep at the same time every day even though she has no true concept of time. Well, amazing or not, that body clock is costing me now. We're up at 5:50 am this week.

I'm not quite sure why the government has to be so mean and mess with my schedule. Who started this dumb tradition anyway. And, are we the only country in the world that does this? I bet we are. I'm hoping we can get back to normal in a week or so, but darn it, it's hard to lose sleep. I'm having major flashbacks of Lillie from 0-6 months. Eeeek!

Olive it, Olive it, Olive it!

I can’t believe my ears. The same big, hairy, hilarious man who filmed a naked fight scene in a hotel lobby with an even bigger, harrier man has picked an adorable, dare I say “safe” name for his first born.

Sacha Baron Cohen – better known to us all as Borat – and Isla Fisher welcomed daughter Olive Cohen into the world a few short weeks ago. I know I’m a tad behind on this one, but my purpose today is not to announce the news of the birth, but rather to give the couple props for not caving to the Hollywood pressure of naming their child after a feeling, a clothing line or a spice used to flavor soup.

My husband and I must bear the two most common names on the planet – Kevin and Sarah. Oh, and our last name is Brown. Sure, when I go for an oil change there’s 25 other Sarah Browns in the system for the tech to go through. But I can happily report that I never had to spell my name out as a child and never once did I get beat up on the playground by vanilla-named bullies John and Jack.

Here are some of my favorites... favorites to laugh at that is:

Erykah Badu: Seven and Puma
Who can blame her? Last time I checked, her name is more commonly spelled Erica.

Geri Halliwell: Bluebell Madonna
I guess we know her favorite ice cream and pop star.

Courteney Cox Arquette: Coco
Assuming she’ll take after mama, she’s doomed to be nicknamed “hot coco” by the boys for sure.

Barbara Hershey: Free
Babs can expect her son’s “job” to be touring the country following his favorite jam band with girlfriend, Spirit.

Gwyneth Paltrow: Apple
Mmmm, yummy!

Sylvester Stallone: Sage Moonblood
This poor kid’s wife will sleep with one eye open and garlic around her neck.

Refreshed, Renewed & Revived

Cy and I finally did it. We went away for the weekend sans child. Now, I have to admit, we only traveled 30 miles to a resort outside of Austin, but it still counts. My mom came in and watched little Miss Lillie for the weekend, which was wonderful.

This was our first weekend get-a-way and I have to say, why did I wait so long? I couldn't really believe that Cy and I haven't slept in together in over 13 months. And, I forgot how nice that really is. No negotiating or battling over who is going to get up at the crack of dawn. Sleep is something you really start to miss once you become a parent. And, not that we don't get good sleep at night, we do, but there's something really wonderful about waking up on your own.

Besides the sleep, we had the perfect lazy weekend. Hung out at the pool, drank pina coladas and visited the spa for massages. Wonderful, right? Well, not only did it give me a sense of self-renewal, it gave me the feeling of a revived marriage. Stepping out of your routine you realize, hey, I did marry this person for a reason. I remember how funny and attractive he is. Hopefully, Cy thought the same of me.

The moral of this post is to go away for a weekend sooner than later. Whether you are a parent or not, there is something really refreshing about stepping out of your element and giving yourself time to relax.

Miss November

Well, I made it through month one of my annual fall/winter blues with flying colors. I can’t really toot my horn too loudly though. Sweet Mother Nature or evil Global Warming – one of the two – cut me a little slack this year. With an average high in the 80s and low in the 60s in Austin for the month of October, I was able to cling tightly to my flip flops and raise only the long sleeve tees from the dead.

Not that I’m ready to face the fact that it’s November or anything, it’s time to pick my focus of the month to divert my woes away from the weather. In light of my skin’s recent decision to re-live the (not-so) glory days of junior high, I’m in need of some SELFish beauty help.

SELF magazine has created a beauty calendar promising "31 days to a more beautiful you". Now I’m sure they didn’t intend for people to start the calendar in a month where gaining a few extra LBs is inevitable, but I like a good challenge and I’ve got to say buh-bye to these blemishes.

Join me or don’t. I’ll keep you posted along the way if they offer a daily tip that changes my life or at least makes me less of an eye sore for my husband in the morning… maybe I should consider ditching the reindeer pajama pants and fuzzy pink chenille socks first.

> SELF Beauty Calendar on MSNBC.com

Lillie + Chocolate = Silly

It was Halloween mayhem down here in the suburbs of Austin last night. I live in a neighborhood where most of the houses are filled with 5 year olds and under. So needless to say, this neighborhood is filled with lots of little trick or treaters post dinner time.

We successfully dressed Lillie in a fairy princess costume, minus the tutu, last night and headed out with my niece and friends around the hood. My fairy princess did an excellent job going to a couple of houses, although at each one she thought she could just saunter right in and make herself at home. Especially if there was a dog or cat greeting her at the door as well.

Our group made the rounds herding our little ones and convincing my 2 year old niece that you didn't have to open all the candy right after it was handed out. I believe she ate 5 lollipops and was definitely on a little tiny lady bug sugar high towards the end of the evening. Lillie, on the other hand, had her first little chocolate bar while out and about. I broke it into little pieces and let her have at it. When all the chocolate was gone I promptly got the sign for "more".

As we came home in our chocolate buzzed state, Lillie became a little goofball. Mixing pieces of costumes and tottering around with a little sway in her step. She was for just a bit a tiny little party girl juiced up on chocolate. The evidence is in the pic above. Fast forward to 2025 when this little face is replaced by a college student! Those kids at Harvard won't know what to do with my little rebel.