conquers the knots!

My daughter Olivia's hair is thick and long (she's just three and it's halfway down her little back). It's also slightly wavy and just about the knottiest hair I've ever seen. She's actually a really good candidate for dreadlocks if she were ever interested.

Here's what I use to tame her mane:

Tangle Teezer brush.
I use this on wet and dry hair

CVS detangling spray
This is cheaper than other brands and works just as well. I use this on wet and dry hair

Johnson's No More Tangles Leave in Conditioner
I use this on wet and dry hair

Rusk Sensories Invisible Foam Detangler, this product is discontinued but find it here.
I use this immediately after I shampoo her hair and comb it through.

How do you combat tangles? Any tips?

went to preschool

Olivia turned three right before Christmas, December 23 to be exact and I rather spontaneously decided that I'd like her to start pre-school in January. I'm not sure how the pre-school situation is in other parts of the country but here in Northern Jersey it's a bit ridiculous. Preschools have waiting lists, lottery systems and a few even require large non-refundable deposits. I was starting to get anxiety already. Luckily, I loved the first little pre-school we visited and so did she. In particular I liked that the school is a co-op so there's always one parent helper in the class, I'm looking forward to that.

So today was her first day of school! I can't believe my little girl is in school. Now I really understand why growing up my dad would always look at me and say "You're getting big fast". Oh my God!!! It's so true...

On another note, I really enjoyed the little two and half hours I spent with just Sophia.

I didn't get any photos in the school because she literally ran off to make friends but I took this one on my iPhone right before we left.






Daydress/Play dress from Hanna Andersson (thrifted)
Strawberry Shortcake hair bow from Calcotecrys on Etsy
"Henry" the doll, from Target (birthday present last year) wearing pjs from Build a Bear

Ultrasound/Urban Outfitters

Today, I left my youngest daughter, Sophia (14 months) at home with my mother in law while I went to the Radiologist. I took my oldest daughter Olivia (2 1/2 years old) for an ultrasound of the kidneys and bladder. It was a totally non-invasive procedure and just a precaution since she had a UTI a few weeks ago. She was in great spirits the whole time and thought the machine tickled her while taking a photo of her belly.




After we left the appointment enjoyed some mommy and me time. We went to Starbucks and Urban Outfitters (a store I used to love stopping into in NYC but our local one in the neighboring town is so stroller-unfriendly I never bother). I love revisiting an old love and seeing that they are doing well for themselves. Is it weird to take shopping this seriously?



I saw a few great pieces in Urban that I definitely want to come find during the post holiday clearance when prices will be substantially lower. However, I did pick up a few little do-dads from the $2.99 (!) clearance table but my favorite buy was this open cardigan, $19.99 and I'll wear it all winter I can already tell. I'm starting to stock up on this style of cardigan. I love the drapey, comfy yet polished vibe they give an outfit.


What are your current go-to pieces?

Olivia - 2 years 8 months

Shirt - Gymboree
Skirt - The Children's Place
Shoes - Old Navy
Photo taken at The Children's Zoo in The Bronx Zoo, NY

went to Space Farm Zoo

Today I took my girls to Space Farm Zoo in Sussex, NJ with a close girlfriend of mine. It was about an hour ride to get there through rural NJ and the whole way I was fantasizing about owning a country weekend home.

The Zoo was a quirky mix of wild and farm animals that you could feed animal crackers and what appeared to be corn nuts. They had a great variety of animals for a family run zoo including lions,tigers and bears (oh my! - sorry couldn't resist). But also, kangaroos, ostriches and your usual goats, cows and chickens. We had a great day and I plan to visit annually to see how the place holds up..

Olivia by the stuffed body of Goliath (Largest Bear in the World to date)
Outfit - Crazy 8
Shoes - Baby Gap

Sophia enjoying her ride
Outfit - Gymboree
Stroller - Phil and Ted's

Yours truly next to an impressive taxidermy display
Shirt - Juicy Couture
Shorts - American Eagle Outfitters
Shoes - Anthropologie

What are you up to these last days of summer?

went to a Tinkerbell Tea Party

Today we went to a cute event at Olivia's dance school, A Tinkerbell Tea Party. They do these parties periodically, we missed the last one which was The Little Mermaid but we made it to the Cinderella one back in this post.

It's always cute to see the girls run around playing dress up, dancing to "Shake Your Sillies Out" and munching on teddy grahams and juice boxes. Ah, to be young again.....

Tinkerbell, Sophia (in red), Olivia (in pink)

Some of the other fairies

Magic circle time

One dad even came dressed as Captain Hook!

I can't wait till Sophia can participate more
but for now she was so content to just chew on this butterfly


I had Olivia wear her Tinkerbell pj's and she was a little under dressed...

Were you in Never Never Land today?

Olivia - 2 years 4 months

You love to have breakfast with your sister

You help me by getting your own snack

You are so curious.
"Do horses like cars?" "What does Diego eat?"
"What color is that house?" "Where do birds live?".....


I love you!!!

celebrated Earth Day

I took my girls to Anthropologie today for a children's Earth Day activity. My friend and her daughter met up with as well and the girls got to plant their own flower in a customized flower pot at Anthropologie. Olivia really enjoyed filling the pot with dirt and making a hole for the flower. Afterwards, they snacked on organic apple juice and cookies. Later we all walked into town and made a few stops for lunch, Starbucks, frozen yogurt and ultimately wound up at the playground. An all around great day.....

Olivia potting flowers

Sophia watching as Olivia helps pot her flower

Olivia and Sophia

The finished product

Olivia enjoying an "organic oreo"

Olivia at playground


Olivia, Sophia and Jewell

I try to be conscious of my actions and impact on the environment daily. I bring shopping bags to stores, bring my own cup to Starbucks, I reuse gift bags, ask for paper bags when food shopping. I am very big on recycling used clothes and housegoods and make frequent donations to various charities. I believe every little bit does help but also that there is always room for improvement. Iit's good advice to think that every day is earth day....





What did you do for Earth Day?




Until tomorrow,

painted pottery!

Today was an eventful day.....

We had our new sofas delivered, I'm loving the new living room look with all the shades of cream.


Later that day, we met my daughters god parents and some of their family for a birthday brunch at Toast in Montclair. That was my second time there, what a great space. I love that it's 2 floors and you just feel like you're lounging at someones house. I ordered two of my reliable favorites, a chai latte and eggs benedict. Yummy!

Afterwards we went a local paint your own ceramics studio a few blocks away. It's called Doin' Dishes (click here for info - no website). Olivia had a great time painting a spoon rest.






How was your Tuesday?

Until tomorrow,
Hilary

took her little girl for her 1st haircut!

Before

After




I should say her first REAL haircut. I cut her hair bangs a few months ago but it was a bit of a disaster that ended up with me chasing her around the house with scissors for weeks afterwards to touch up the unevenness.......

I had been letting it grow out but that didn't work too well either. She doesn't like me to brush her hair (she cries "leave me leave me") and she wont keep a clip or barrette in for more than 10 minutes. Her hair was constantly in her hair face like Shaggy from Scooby Doo (which oddly enough is what the were playing on the DVD at the kids salon).

I thought she would protest more but she actually enjoyed it, she sat in a Barbie Jeep and steered while the stylist gave her a trim and very even bangs. Mission Accomplished!



Did you have any firsts today?

Until tomorrow,
Hilary

went to Cinderella's ball!

I took my 2 year old to her regular Ballet Magic class at Stories in Motion and it turns out the class was cancelled and in its place was a Valentine's Day Ball with Cinderella!!!!

The ball consisted of about 8 girls dressed in ball appropriate attire...Cinderella read them her story, they danced and reenacted the story, they posed for photos with Cinderella.

After all these activities the girls were ready to munch on some Valentine's Day goodies - they had heart shaped sandwiches, grapes and juice. Then it was time to decorate cupcakes with frosting and several types of sprinkles - they looked and tasted delicious. After this they created a Valentine's Day picture frame in the shape of a bear. Then it was time for more dancing!!!!

When we got home from the ball she went down for her nap without objection and everyone in the kingdom was happy!


Do you have any Valentine's Day plans this weekend?

Until tomorrow,
Hilary

made the worst cookies ever!

What is it about a snow day that makes me think I'm Betty Crocker?!?

Today was no different, I tried making Potato Chip Cookies. I've only tasted these once in my life about 5 years ago. They were made by my former boss's mom for Christmas. I loved them, the buttery flavor, the crunchy texture - they were delicious!

I tried making them a few weeks after I tasted them and they came out like oily, inedible pancakes.

We had a lot of leftover potato chips from Superbowl so I tried again today. The cookies were once again inedible. This time they all ran together and filled up the whole tray with an oily, gummy mush. Maybe I'll try again in another 5 years....

Have you ever tried potato chip cookies?

Until tomorrow,
Hilary

Made some Chinese New Years art projects!

This year Chinese New Years falls on February 14 so my daughters art class celebrated this week.

They made some adorable projects:
Dragon Hats
Cherry Blossom trees
Coloring pages of Chinese Images such as The Year of the Tiger and Gung Hay Fat Choy
Stencils of different Chinese characters

I'm feeling pretty inspired to continue celebrating. I'm thinking yummy Chinese take out one night this week and gifts of money in red envelopes.


Do you plan on celebrating Chinese New Years?

Until tomorrow,
Hilary