Archives for July 2013

The Dolly Half-Dozen

July 26, 2013

The Dolly Half-Dozen offers six tasty treats to nourish, inform, and entertain. On today’s menu…

1. Do you love the hair and beauty in J.Crew’s ~~catalog~~ Style Guide as much as I do? Here’s how to replicate the iconic J.Crew messy bun.

2. An easy-to-find supermarket staple that will improve your hair and skin.

3. A photographer offers tips on how to take better photos with your iPhone…but beware of overusing Instagram and missing out on real life.

4. A mermaid-themed birthday party fit for a two year old.

5. I need to make these cornflake marshmallow cookies and then I need to taste the real ones at Momofuku’s Milkbar next time I’m in NYC.

6. The best eyeshadow shades for your eye color. (Note to self: Buy a tube of Diorshow mascara, STAT.)

***
As much as we loved hosting two different sets of out-of-town guests these past two weekends, JB and I are looking forward to a little bit of low-key quiet time in the days ahead. There’s not much on our weekend agenda besides a first birthday party tomorrow.

I’m hoping to find some time to start one of the two books I borrowed from the library — Gone Girl and Love All. Almost everybody I know has already read Gone Girl and raved about it. Love All was only recently published, but I grabbed it off the shelves after reading a short but positive review of it.

Have you read Gone Girl, too? What books are you currently reading?

Have a happy weekend!

P.S. - Don’t forget to enter our “What’s in my Bag?” giveaway! Two winners will be picked next week.

Books for two year olds

July 24, 2013

Levi loves visiting the Omaha Public Library. He excitedly runs through the children’s section, pulling books off the shelves, while I trail behind picking up the mess. (Obviously we have not yet mastered library etiquette, and “use your inside voice” means little to nothing to Levi at the moment.)

Previously, we only checked out board books because I didn’t want Levi to tear the paper pages of books that didn’t belong to him. But now that he’s slightly more trustworthy — and also willing to sit and listen to a longer story — I feel more comfortable borrowing hardcovers.

I usually pick out a handful of books based on cover art or topic. (Yes, I totally judge a book by its cover. Especially picture books!) Sometimes Levi will request a choo-choo or a truck book, and I’ll dig through the stacks until I find something with eye-catching images and a reasonable amount of words on each page.

Looking for books to read with your two year old? Here are some of Levi’s current favorites:

Top: Red Truck / Truck Stop

Middle: How to Catch a Star / I Must Have Bobo! / Chopsticks

Bottom: Along a Long Road / Cuddle Up, Goodnight

What books do your kids ask for night after night?

P.S. - Looking for more book recommendations? Check out these picture books, board books, and lovey-dovey Valentine’s Day books. Also, books about deployments for children with military parents.

What’s in my bag?

July 23, 2013

I’ve been carrying the same diaper bag — a purple MZ Wallace “Kate” bag — since Levi was born. One my favorite features is the detachable market purse, a small zip-top case I call my “mom pouch.”

If the contents of my diaper bag are primarily toddler-related (stickers, crayons, books, diapers, wipes, table toppers, animal crackers), the contents of my mom pouch are my grown-up essentials. When the opportunity arises to leave my diaper bag at home (let’s say, JB and I go on a rare date), I can quickly and easily toss my mom pouch into a smaller handbag and feel confident that I have everything I might need.

Here’s what’s inside my bag (aka mom pouch):

1. hello breath spray - I prefer a spritz or two of breath spray to freshen up while out and about rather than sucking on a curiously strong mint or chomping on a piece of gum, especially if I’m meeting up with somebody.

2. Honest Organic Lip Balm - The organic oils in this Lavender Mint lip balm moisturize lips from within rather than sealing them off like petroleum-based lip balms. And it smells so good.

3. Dental floss - After once being forced to use a strand of my own hair to wiggle out a rogue piece of food, I always carry dental floss in my bag for emergencies.

4. MAC Cremeblend Blush - I sometimes leave the house without any makeup, which is fine for running a brief errand or two. But if I’m going to be sitting in Starbucks doing work or heading to a play date with Levi, I’ll dab some bright pink cream blush on my cheeks for a healthy flush. The best part? Not having to carry an extra makeup brush.

5. Clinique Lash Doubling Mascara - Again, carrying a small tube of mascara is helpful for when I have to quickly put on my face in the car — all you really need is mascara, blush, and some lip gloss. I prefer to use the samples in those free-with-purchase gift sets from department store makeup counters. (PSA: Never apply makeup while driving!)

6. Bite Beauty Lip Shine in Sante (similar) - I discovered this all-natural lip gloss at Sephora. Infused with resveratrol, the super-antioxidant found in red wine, it (supposedly) has anti-aging qualities in addition to mouthwatering smell.

7. Sally Hansen Maximum Growth Cuticle Pen - Although I don’t use this cuticle-softening pen as frequently as I should, it’s handy to have on hand for when I’m tempted to pick at my skin.

8. Comb and ponytail holders - Because we all have bad hair days.

9. iPhone earbuds - I listen to music on my iPhone when I’m working at coffee shop or working out at the gym. Keeping my earphones in my mom pouch means I’ll never forget them at home.

10. Splenda packets - For the rare occasion when a restaurant only has the pink or blue stuff.

About hello oral care:

hello, the first line of seriously friendly oral care, debuted in March 2013, so they’re still relatively new. The brand promises a friendly mouth – healthy, white teeth, fresh breath and a clean, moisturized mouth – without artificial sweeteners, dyes or alcohol. The products feature chic, curvy packaging designed by BMW DesignworksUSA, and are made in the USA using naturally derived ingredients wherever possible. Never tested on animals.

The giveaway:

Two Bunny & Dolly readers will each win one hello breath spray and one Honest organic moisturizing lip balm. To enter, simply visit hello’s website and leave a comment with the breath spray flavor that sounds the most interesting. Winners will be chosen at random and announced on Tuesday, July 30th. (Note: Breath spray and lip balm flavors will also be chosen randomly.)

Update: Congratulations to our winners, Molly and Julia! Ladies, I will email you for your mailing addresses. And thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway!

P.S. - Get a coupon for $1.00 off any hello toothpaste, mouthwash or breath spray by “liking” hello on Facebook. Then click on the “coupons” box under the “like” button. Coupons are limited to one per person.

Thanks to hello™ for sponsoring today’s discussion. As always, all opinions are my own.

Tea goes to China

July 19, 2013

When you think of China, what comes to mind? The bustling streets of Beijing? Red lanterns? Kung fu? Pandas?

I recently got a sneak peak at Tea’s Fall/Winter 2013 collection, which was inspired by the sights and sounds of China. (Yes, the design team actually flew east to explore and discover the magic of China!)

Now that the collection is available to purchase online, I’m excited to be able to share some of my favorite pieces for boys, girls, and babies with you.

Eastern Pop is Tea Collection’s vibrant take on Chinese street style and pop culture. Over the next couple of months, looks for new arrivals that celebrate China’s blue and white porcelain and the art districts in Beijing and Shanghai. Classic Chinese floral patterns combined with Art Deco-inspired geometric prints and metallic-printed embellishments will also make an appearance this fall and winter.

Oh, and pandas. You can’t forget about pandas!

I love Tea for a couple of reasons. First, their children’s clothing is extremely well made and of a higher quality than the pieces from big box stores that supplement Levi’s wardrobe. Second, you can pretty much mix and match all pieces from a collection, which makes life so much easier.

Finally, the graphics on their little boys’ shirts are modern and charming without being cutesy or garish. After all, Levi can’t exclusively wear solids and stripes — can he? Now, that infant, on the other hand…

Click here to check out Tea Collection’s newest arrivals for girls and boys.

Thank you for supporting the sponsors that allow me to keep Bunny & Dolly up and running. Please know that I’m very selective when choosing sponsors and will only work with those whose messages and aesthetics complement my own.

Natives vs Crocs

July 18, 2013

Remember back in February when I sang the praises of Native shoes, calling them the hipster alternative to Crocs? When I announced that Levi would wear a pair of sneaker-inspired Natives instead of slip-on Crocs as his Montessori indoor shoes?

Well, guess which mama bird has since changed her tune?

I still think Natives are better looking shoes; however, I simply could not slide Levi’s fat little feet into his pair of navy Native Jeffersons. His chubby footsies literally would not squeeze into the sneaker’s opening, and the rubber shoes were not stretchy enough for me to manipulate around his feet.

Desperate for a pair of easy-on, easy-off indoor shoes for school, I relented and bought Levi a pair of Crocs. Thankfully, I found a sleeker style more reminiscent of a sneaker than a clunky, bulbous-toed clog. And, if I’m being honest — I think they’re kind of adorable on him. Any shoe in a size 5.5 is adorable, right?

At first he was able to wear them with socks, but five months later, they only fit over his bare feet. There’s still plenty of room in the toe box, but the perforations leave faint circle impressions on the top of his feet after a day of play. It may be time to finally go up a size.

Would I rather have Levi wear a pair of Native shoes? Of course — they are way cooler. But sometimes being practical wins over being fashionable, especially when you’re dealing with little kids.

P.S. - Did you know that you can now buy copycat Native Jefferson shoes at Old Navy? I bought Levi a pair of the perforated slip-ons, but he doesn’t wear them anymore because the holes left major circle impressions on his bare feet when he wore them outside to play with his water table!