TGISATC Day!

It’s not that my entire life would be ruined if someone spilled the gourmet espresso beans about what happens in the Sex and the City movie or anything. But my girls and I didn’t want to take any chances.

Like a zillion other stiletto-clad, Carrie-loving fashionistas, we will be standing in line to catch tonight’s premier at the most random, remote theater we could find.

Tickets at Austin’s favorite Alamo Drafthouse have been sold out for months. Dinner and cosmos during the flick probably would have been more appropriate for the occasion, but our sneaked in Goobers and merlot minis will just have to do.

Will Carrie walk out on Big? Will Samantha proudly bear all on the Big screen? Will Charlotte get the Big happy family she always dreamed about? Hopefully you and your besties have plans to ditch the boys and find out too.

I’m not expecting any Oscar-worthy moments from this one. But I’m sure it will be two-and-a-half hours filled to the brim with drama, fashion, friendship, and sex.

> Official site and trailer
> Which SATC girl are you?

Style file: just say no… to “mom jeans”

We’ve all seen the hilarious portrayal by the SNL ladies of a Mom’s backside squeezed into her favorite high-wasted, tapered-leg, extra wide-pocket “mom jeans”.

Sure, you’re body may have changed shape a little after it ballooned up to tote around that baby basketball for nine months. But no extra tummy flab or slightly droopy bum deserves to be shamed into wearing acid wash, major “don’t” denim like some sort of scarlet letter.

A solid pair (or three or four) of look good, feel good jeans is a must in every woman’s wardrobe. Once you find the right pair, you’ll know what I mean. They somehow manage to lift your butt, trim your thighs, and lengthen your legs, without a scalpel or a week on the cabbage soup diet.

Coming to a major city near you (or me yesterday!) is The Warehouse Sale – a traveling denim sample sale offering designer brands at below wholesale prices.

Be prepared to dig through rack after rack of denim, occasionally wrestling a good pair out of that skinny 21 year old’s hungover hands. But it’s all worth it when you find that perfect pair of Joe’s, Seven’s, or AG’s that say anything but “get your fresh breast milk here”.

> The Warehouse Sale dates and locations

Things we love: monogrammed bath robes

Here in Texas the Summer heat has arrived early. With sweltering temperatures, this cold-loving family has been at the pool a lot. "Simming", as Lillie calls it, is our favorite way to cool off in the heat and humidity.

Since I have the good fortune of owning an online baby boutique, I have made a great discovery for the pool and beach, a hooded bath robe. Lillie loves to get wrapped up in a towel after splashing about in the pool. We have found regular beach towels are way too big for little ones and a normal bath towel just gets thrown on the ground.

The bath robe is a perfect solution for drying off your peas after a "sim". First, it stays on their body to absorb the water, thankfully, and keeps them warm once they hit the cool air outside, or if you live in the south the freezing air conditioner inside. No more chattering teeth and blue lips!

What's even better is you can get a bath robe customized with a name or initial. Proud peas can flaunt their name as they strut their way back to the car or house. Not only practical, there is something a little regal about a bath robe. And, now your little one can feel like a prince or princess every time they swim or bathe.

>shop bath robes

Culture shot: SuperFoods for Babies & Children

Not being a very skilled cook I struggle with what to feed Lillie. Cy and I are both notorious eater outers. And, if it is already prepared by someone, I usually take that alternative instead of making it on my own.

That was fine and dandy when I was without child, but now I make three meals a day plus snacks. I get a little stuck in a rut with my weekly menus. Thankfully, there is help. Annabel Karmel has written a great children's cook book called SuperFoods for Babies and Children.

What I like about this book is that it is separated by age groups. There is a good explanation on the types of foods your little one should be eating for healthy growth and recipes to make things on your own. But, the absolute best part is the week by week meal planner for each age. Now, I have to admit some of the recipes are a little too complicated for my toddler cooking. But, it usually makes me think of a more simple solution.

If you're feeling a little bored by your meal plans, go take a look at this book and get inspired. It has given assistance to even the most helpless chef.

>purchase on Amazon.com

Style file: a salute to red, white & blue

Memorial Day sneaked up on me this year like yesterday’s 101 temp here in Austin. It’s a time for reflection and honoring our brave soldiers for everything they’ve done to make our lives safer and better.

Thanks to them, we live in the land of the free, which includes an official day off work and a reason to get together with friends and family for barbecues and fireworks.

I’m not going to lie, I still get a little misty-eyed every time the radio blares Lee Greenwood’s “Proud to Be an American”. But some of the bad patriotic gear that comes out of the woodworks on this day makes me want to full on bawl.

There is a way for you and your little to outwardly show your pride and appreciation without bearing an American flag tankini, matching bandana, and bald eagle t-shirt.

When paired tastefully, the classic red, white, and blue combo is always a “Do”, especially when donned as a way to say thanks to our troops.

Navy Stripe Tee Red Shorts

Goldfish Kimono Stripe Bloomers

Anthropologie Tank Zappos Flats

Things we love: Playskool MP3 Player

Parents are doing it, teenagers are doing it, so why shouldn't your baby or toddler? That's right; I'm talking about downloading music. As the iPod has become a staple in every person's digital wardrobe, why not make the same love of music available to babies and toddlers?

Playskool has created a terrific MP3 player for young ones. Lillie received this as a gift from her Mimi for Christmas, and ever since has been non-stop with her music. She is continually gratified over and over to push the buttons and hear the next song. And, it is very rewarding to see her love music as much as her dad and I do.

Not only is the design great, the usability is even easier. Now, if your toddler can figure out how to download MP3s from the computer onto the player, then you have a genius. That part, at least in my home, requires a mommy or daddy to "do". However, you don't have to be an IT professional to figure it out. The player comes with a USB cable that makes loading a cinch.

Everything from Jack Johnson, They Might be Giants and Abba plays softly from Lillie's player daily. And, if you're not too much of a music guru, the player comes with 50 pre-loaded songs. Yes, our children will be so accustomed to MP3's, iTunes and downloading music that they won't even know what a cassette tape or CD is for that matter! Man, that makes me feel old.

Culture Shot: Barenaked Snacktime

Yes, there have been times when Lillie does have a snack in just her skivvies, but that's not what this post is about. One of my favorite bands, Barenaked Ladies, has created a children's CD, Snacktime. Just as my friends and I are getting older and multiplying our families, so are our favorite bands and their bandmates.

"Our collective kids now outnumber the band more than 2 to 1," explains vocalist/guitarist Ed Robertson. "We set out to make a record that would be entertaining for them…not strictly a children's record, but a record that children would really enjoy."

Which is the exact reason that you should give this CD a shot. The melodies are great, themes are in tune with growing up and it has the sort of fun you expect from this band. I know I can only hear "The Wheels on the Bus" so many times before wanting to pull my hair out. And, I'm sure you all are the same.

Thankfully good bands are realizing the opportunity to make children's music a bit more fun for kiddos and adults alike. Give this CD a listen, I promise you and your little one will be bopping along.

>Purchase on Amazon
>Listen free on BNL website

Mommy diaries: mommy tial-run

Fifty nine hours, sixteen meals, five night-night times, and 10,000 “keep your feet on the floor”s later, my nephew and I survived and are still in one piece.

I’ve babysat my 14-month-old nephew before, and I hang out and with him every chance I can get. But this past weekend marked a first – for all of us. Mama and Dada took their first weekend trip together, leaving the little man in his trusty Aunt and Uncle’s hands for three whole days.

Sure it was fun. We took him to the park, went for walks, splashed in the water fountain (yes, wearing our clothes), rode a train, ventured out to dinner, and played countless games of chase and tickle. He’s the happiest little booger I’ve ever been around, so fun was never really in question.

What I wasn’t expecting, however, was the new bond I would form with this little person and the stronger love I would feel for him after what I thought would be a long, taxing, and trying weekend of being thrown into full-time mommyhood.

If only I had a dollar for every time a parent has admitted to me that it’s all very tiring, but then quickly added that it’s also all very worth it, I would be a rich woman. A rich woman who laid in bed that night with her husband, thankful to be quietly together, alone, and functioning daily on a flexible schedule with only ourselves to worry about.

I think you never really believe those words until you actually are a parent yourself. And a few days as a toddler’s caregiver hardly scrapes the surface of what it means to be a parent. But this weekend at least gave me a little glimpse into that world and I’m starting to see the light.

For every ounce of work, energy, and patience you pour out each day, 10 ounces of hugs, slobbery kisses, and pure untainted love are thrown right back at you. No matter how rough a day at work or how foul your mood, there’s an innocent little ball of sunshine underfoot keeping your reality in check and reminding you what’s really important in life – love, family, and true happiness.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m pretty beat and plan to eat, nap, and play on my own time today. But when the time is finally right to expand the Brown brood outside of low-maintenance kitty children, I feel more prepared and far less afraid of the adventure that is parenting.

How can we help these children?

Two natural disasters in the Eastern part of the world have left hundreds of thousands in need. The cyclone that hit Myanmar and flooding has destroyed basically an entire country. Hundreds of thousands without clean water, food and because the country is so impoverished help is slow coming.

The earthquake in China is equally as disturbing. If we can imagine in a country where people live on top of one another, packed buildings, apartments and schools and in a few minutes so many of those structures came crumbling down. Disastrous consequences ensued.

As we can imagine many of those hurt, hungry and in need are children. Like many others I was wondering how can we help these children in need? Thankfully the wonderful organization, Red Cross, has been there to help. And, as they work tirelessly in those effected areas to bring food and shelter, we can help them financially. Even a small donation to the Red Cross will go a long way. So, pass up that Starbucks coffee this afternoon and send your $4.50 to someone in need.

Online Donation

Style File: Zutano Tees & Shorts

Summer is around the corner and the heat wave has already hit us. Little ones playing outside need to be cool and comfortable as they run, jump and roll around. I've already made the mistake of putting Lillie in leggings with 90 degree weather. And, the poor girl's cheeks were as red as a tomato. Thankfully Zutano is here to save her from heat exhaustion.

Zutano has long been a name known for comfort and style when it comes to children's clothing. Their cotton is supremely soft and the prints, well, there just isn't anything better on the market. Mix and match colors and themed t-shirts will be a sure-fire hit with your little one. And best yet, they are the kind of clothes that can be passed down from sibling to sibling, or cousin to cousin whatever your case may be.

Take a look at all the Zutano wear that can help keep your peas cool this Summer. My personal favorite is the Red Rodeo Tee and Orange Shorts.

Things we love: Ian Falconer's precious pig

Wilbur may have been “some pig”, but never has there been such an adorable, lively, and strong-willed swine as Ian Falconer’s Olivia.

Besides the fact that Olivia is a brilliant character taking on fantastic adventures such as saving the circus and forming a band – the writing is careful, thoughtful, and humorous, and the seemingly simplistic illustrations are anything but.

The understated black, white, and red palette on otherwise blank pages helps kiddos focus on facial expressions and the situations at hand without the distraction of too much color and details undermining the basics of the tale.

Since the original Olivia book was published in 2000, the series just seems to keep getting better and better, and the cult like following stronger and stronger.

There’s a section at the local bookstores dedicated to her, an online fan base of loyal followers, and she even made the cut in the U.S. Postal Service’s Commemorative Favorite Children’s Books stamp collection back in 2006.

Sure the books are genius and we big kids appreciate them for their higher level of creativity and sophistication. But the bottom line? Littles love them and wish Mr. Falconer would hurry up and crank out the next adventure!

> The Olivia Books at Amazon.com
> Interview with Ian Falconer

Culture shot: feed the children and your music craving

Celebs and musicians leveraging their stardom to benefit causes close to their hearts is not a novel concept. Aids, autism, cancer – just about any fight the world is in has a high-profile supporter championing efforts and increasing awareness using their star status.

Belle and Sebastian may not be a U2-caliber spokesband, but they’ve joined generous forces with the likes of Franz Ferdinand, Snow Patrol, The Kooks, the Flaming Lips, and Four Tet to create a rockin’ kid’s album to simultaneously feed your music craving and “Save the Children”.

Colours are Brighter is a collection of funky, groovy, downright jams intended for kiddos but also adored by the rest of the fam. We all love a refreshing break from sing songy nursery rhymes, and this album more than quenches that thirst.

Plus, all profits and artist royalties from the record are donated to the “Save the Children” charity.

Our happy, healthy littles get tunes like “Go Go Ninja Dinosaur” and “The Monkeys are Breaking Out of the Zoo”. And less fortunate kids around the world get relief from poverty, disease, and violence.

It's never too early to start teaching compassion and charity. And of course it's never to soon to rock!

> Colours are Brighter

Mommy Diaries: Is there Suburbia Splendor?

The girls hit the road this weekend to visit with Mimi and Pop-pop. We were packed in the car, DVD's, CD's, coloring books and snacks galore. My mom and stepdad live in a suburb of Dallas where I grew up. It is one of those idyllic places with perfectly manicured lawns, people and places. Everything is perfect and planned and that's the exact reason we hated it growing up.

My sister and I have always sneered at the thought of ever going back to our seemingly perfect hometown to live. But, we both found ourselves talking about how nice it would be to live in the perfect suburb. Everything in the town seems set up for children. The neighborhoods have wide streets, sidewalks, parks, libraries and you can be walking distance from a grocery store or other restaurants if you choose. The shopping is heavenly and even the malls have lots of kid activities to keep little ones happy.

As Lillie gets older and I find all those conveniences, well just darn more convenient and helpful, I start to have different feelings about a place in which I felt I would never return. Julia and I both thought, how easy would it be to live in a place like this. But, as those feelings start to emerge, I wonder, have I started down the slippery slope of becoming not cool? Could I trade in my young, hip, music-loving town for the big city burbs?

Children change the way you look at life in so many ways. From the moment your little pea comes home from the hospital, you are truly living your life for someone else completely. But, who is doing right? The perfect families in perfect suburbia or the young ones living in up and coming neighborhoods in remodeled 1940's houses?

I don't have the answer yet. I just hope Sarah starts to tell me when my Joe's jeans start being traded for tapered leg mom pants.

Mom’s the word.

Here I sit 1,000 miles away from my Mom. Missing birthdays stings a little. Missing holidays is rough. But not being able to spend time with my sister and Mom – my best friends in the world – on Mother’s Day is truly heartbreaking.

We talk every day, we’re open with our love, and very little goes unsaid between us. We trade thoughtful gifts and pour our hearts out in cards, yet still it doesn’t seem like nearly enough.

Even if we lived next door, would it ever be enough? Could we ever spend enough time, say enough words, or utter enough thank yous to let our Mom know what she means to us?

My guess is no. I bet even you lucky dogs living near your Moms feel the same.

When I was digging around for some gift ideas to suggest in today’s post, I stumbled upon a quote that couldn’t possibly sum my mom up any better. It made me realize that gifts and words are not the way to show your true appreciation for who she is and what she’s done for you.

It’s returning the favor and recognizing the love and sacrifice she has so instinctually given since the day you were born. It’s letting her know those acts have not gone unnoticed and that you’re forever grateful.

“A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie.”

If I could be there on Sunday, I would more than gladly take the “tough piece of steak” for you Mom. It’s the least I can do. Happy, happy Mother's Day. We love you!

Things we love: taming the toy zoo

With the onslaught of toxic toy scares, finding safe varieties for little ones to shake, rattle, and lick with reckless abandon pretty much became every mom’s life mission.

Anything marked “made in the USA” or “certified lead-free” was thrown into the shopping cart regardless of whether your child really needed – or wanted for that matter – the toy or not.

No doubt your hunt for harmless play things made your peanut the happiest kid on the block. But it also probably resulted in a glut of toys that have completely taken over your household.

Whether you’ve managed to keep them fairly contained in your child’s room, or they’ve spilled into the adult spaces, there are some really creative storage solutions out there to help you get some humble back into your abode.

	Animal Swing-Lid Cans: $9.99 ea These little Container Store critters are intended for trash, but are perfect for tiny toys and treasures.
	NJOE: $4.99 ea Leave it to IKEA to make a cheap, fun way to encourage kids to clean up after playing. And did I say cheap?
	KidKraft Locker: $84.99 ea Lock up little messes with two-drawer, modular locker units for each kiddo. Available in red, white, and blue.
	KidKraft Table/Benches: $97.50 Doodle and play, then tuck and store. The benches nest neatly under the table, which has a jumbo drawer for organizing toys.

Culture Shot: Play-doh's and dont's

Our old friend Play-Doh has gone high-tech. Really, I'm serious. The digital age has reached into the depths of even the most low-tech items, Play-Doh.

I finally broke down and bought Lillie some Play-Doh the other week. And, even though the packaging says for 2 years plus, I had to give it a try. She loves it. I mean really loves it. She calls it "toys", I'm not quite sure why, but at any given moment she's toting the little plastic bag around begging me to open it.

That first whiff of the Play-Doh smell took me right back to my childhood. It smells exactly how you remember it. And, I could even remember some of my old tricks. Roll a worm, make taco shells; I even remembered how to make spaghetti with the presser tool. I felt like a real pro until I reached the end of my tricks and my little one was bored.

So, where do you turn in times of desperation? Google, of course. And thanks to my search, I found that Play-Doh has its own web site. And as if they were reading my mind, it is full of Play-Doh ideas. You can learn how to make eggs and bacon, build a car, or how to mix colors to make brand new ones. It is a cornucopia of ideas and I hope you have a chance to check it out. If only the internet was scratch and sniff, then we could all transport back to our childhood.

http://www.hasbro.com/playdoh

Mommy Diaries: Time flies when...

The old adage "time flies when you’re having fun" certainly is pertinent to child-rearing. I battle time everyday. Is it time for lunch, diaper changes, naps or playtime? The word is on the tip of my tongue at all times, see I did it again.

Mostly I wish I had more time. Being a stay-at-home mom and work-at-home mom, most of every second of my day is filled with something. And, when the day is finally over around 8 pm, then it's time for my husband. The poor cats don't get any time; they've been dropped from the schedule. And, my household duties, well, those get probably as much time as the cats. How can we do-it-all moms manage?

As ridiculous as it seems, I have started to treat my weeks like I am back managing clients at an ad agency. I make to do lists and I organize them by importance. I even put Lillie activities on the list, so at least I have a fresh batch of ideas to pull from for the week. The most insignificant items go on the list, do laundry, wash and chop fruit, call daycare.

When I do stay on top of my lists, my weeks are so much better. I'll actually get things done that have been weighing on my mind, and every once in awhile I have something super precious, free time.

Style file: splendid stationary

One year ago (late, late, late) last night marked the birth of Two Blue Peas! After pouring our hearts, souls, and every waking moment into it for the nine months leading up to the launch, I swear we were as giddy and relieved as proud new parents.

If we weren’t worried about the weirdness factor of announcing the arrival of our brainchild together, we would have sent birth announcements to every person we know. Instead, we opted for a champagne-buzzed email and a couple of phone calls.

Had we gone the paper route, here’s where we would have shopped. Birth announcements, shower invites, and thank you cards have certainly come a long way since your standard fill-in-the-blanks Big Bird packs from Wal-Mart.


> tiny*prints
> stationary style
> sprinkles invitations
> finestationary.com
> papyrus custom printing
> sarah and Abraham (an etsy favorite)