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| August 24, 2011 |
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| August 25, 2011 |
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| August 26, 2011 |
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| August 27, 2011 |
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| August 28, 2011 |
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| August 29, 2011 |
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| August 30, 2011 |
(Days you may have missed: 365 Days of Angelica project.)
August 30, 2011
Wordless Wednesday: 365 Days of Angelica August 24 - August 30 {Linky}
(Days you may have missed: 365 Days of Angelica project.)
August 25, 2011
Winner & Coupon Code - Lizzie, Izzie + James Giveaway!
Drumroll, please! We have a winner!
Congrats to Monica!
Thank you to ALL who entered! If you didn't win the giveaway, but would still LOVE a headband or other hair accessory from Lizzie, Izzie + James, you can use the code AAA20 to save 20% on any purchase, now through 9/5/11!
Congrats to Monica!
Thank you to ALL who entered! If you didn't win the giveaway, but would still LOVE a headband or other hair accessory from Lizzie, Izzie + James, you can use the code AAA20 to save 20% on any purchase, now through 9/5/11!
LOW Entry #Giveaway -- Ends TODAY!
Make sure you enter the Lizzie, Izzie + James giveaway! It ends TONIGHT at 9 PM EST and only has a handful of entries! You could win an ADORABLE Alphabet Soup headband for your little girl. All you have to do to for the mandatory entry is Like them on Facebook -- quick and easy. Don't miss out!
Also, check back later tonight when I announce the winner -- there will be a coupon code to use in the Lizzie, Izzie + James online store in that post!
Also, check back later tonight when I announce the winner -- there will be a coupon code to use in the Lizzie, Izzie + James online store in that post!
Got Toys? Thursday Toy Giveaway Link-Up, 8/25 {Linky}
Welcome to the Got Toys? Thursday Giveaway Link-Up!
This link-up is designed to promote your giveaways for children's toys and products! When I'm searching around the blogosphere for giveaways, I love having the chance to win something for my daughter to play with -- and she loves getting new toys! If you're running a family-friendly giveaway, especially for anything related to children's products -- toys, clothes, feeding products, gift certificates for places that sell children's products -- link them up!!
Chances are, if you add your giveaway here, you'll get at least one entry -- from me! (If I haven't already entered!)
I'd also love it if you followed me on Google Friend Connect, Twitter, or Facebook to be reminded when this goes live each week. (This is not mandatory, just a suggestion!)
Aside from that, feel free to link up as many as you have! Oh, and enter some too!
PLEASE NOTE: Because this is a giveaway linky for children's products, any non-family friendly giveaways will be removed from the linky (this includes Eden's Fantasy and Pure Romance). This linky isn't for THAT kind of toys, my friends!
Thanks for playing! Good luck with your giveaways!
August 23, 2011
Wordless Wednesday: 365 Days of Angelica August 17 - August 23 {Linky}
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| August 17, 2011 |
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| August 18, 2011 |
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| August 19, 2011 |
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| August 20, 2011 |
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| August 21, 2011 |
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| August 22, 2011 |
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| August 23, 2011 |
(Days you may have missed: 365 Days of Angelica project.)
For more Wordless Wednesday fun, check out The Life of Rylie...and Bryce Too!, The Florida Hogans, and Shibley Smiles!
August 18, 2011
Oh, the Joy
At the beginning of the year, one of my resolutions was to find more joy in motherhood. At the time we were in the throes of the terrible twos, and well, now we're in the throes of the terrifying threes, which, in my experience, has not been nearly as difficult as the terrible twos were, so it's easier to find the joy. Angelica, at age three, has the ability to occasionally use logic and reasoning which means that we have fewer power struggles. But oh, the ones we do wind up having are epic.
Anyway, last night I was preparing dinner, I heard quite a commotion coming from Angelica's room. When I got to a point I could pause the cooking process (and, since what I was making really just consisted of me heating up the oven, so Angelica was only unsupervised for maybe three minutes at most) I went to see what she was up to....and what I saw left me completely floored.
Had I not been so shocked, I probably would have remembered to grab my camera and take a picture.
In a span of two minutes, she had emptied out her entire toy organizer/box and was in the process of throwing the toys around the room, like a spinning tornado, ripping through her room and leaving a path of destruction in her wake. I had never, ever seen such a mess in her room before.
Now, one of the only power struggles we have with Angelica is getting her to clean. Sometimes she is really, really good about it, but other times she just wants to play...and come on, she's THREE, what else can you expect? So I told her she could play, but after dinner she would need to clean up her toys.
During baking time, I sat down and did a letter matching game with her and we had SO MUCH FUN. She can now match her upper and lowercase letters. Oh, and math! It's her new favorite thing. She loves addition. She will group things together and add them up. Like one group of two toys, and another group of three? She will group them, and then say, "two plus three is FIVE!" This girl loves learning and she is just like a little sponge, soaking it all up. It makes me such a proud mama!
But, while that was super fun, after dinner when it came time to actually clean up the aftermath of her destruction? Queue power struggle.
Thirty minutes into the process, I found myself telling her very firmly (and maybe a bit louder than I normally would) "Angelica, I am SO serious! If any toys are left on the floor, I WILL call the garbage man to get them!"
To which she replied by cracking up and saying:
"Mommy, you're yelling at me! It's so funny when you yell at me! You laugh me so much!" (People don't make her laugh, they "laugh" her.)
Clearly, the seriousness in my firm mommy voice was NOT getting through.
Later that night, after a few more power struggles ("No, we can't skip brushing our teeth." "No, it's not okay for you to throw a cup of water at me." "No, it's past your bed time, we cannot color.", "No, we just brushed your teeth, you cannot have chocolate milk.") She said, "Mommy! I know you want to yell at me, but you CAN'T." The funny thing is, that time, I wasn't yelling at her, so maybe she was cautioning me not to?
Long story short, her room got clean AND we got through the bedtime routine, ending with smiles and giggles and hugs and kisses. When all was said and done, those moments are a total joy and make the occasional power struggles worth it. But when Scott got home last night, I told him...there are some nights that parenting kicks ass, and other nights where it kicks your ass, and last night was one of the latter.
Anyway, last night I was preparing dinner, I heard quite a commotion coming from Angelica's room. When I got to a point I could pause the cooking process (and, since what I was making really just consisted of me heating up the oven, so Angelica was only unsupervised for maybe three minutes at most) I went to see what she was up to....and what I saw left me completely floored.
Had I not been so shocked, I probably would have remembered to grab my camera and take a picture.
In a span of two minutes, she had emptied out her entire toy organizer/box and was in the process of throwing the toys around the room, like a spinning tornado, ripping through her room and leaving a path of destruction in her wake. I had never, ever seen such a mess in her room before.
Now, one of the only power struggles we have with Angelica is getting her to clean. Sometimes she is really, really good about it, but other times she just wants to play...and come on, she's THREE, what else can you expect? So I told her she could play, but after dinner she would need to clean up her toys.
During baking time, I sat down and did a letter matching game with her and we had SO MUCH FUN. She can now match her upper and lowercase letters. Oh, and math! It's her new favorite thing. She loves addition. She will group things together and add them up. Like one group of two toys, and another group of three? She will group them, and then say, "two plus three is FIVE!" This girl loves learning and she is just like a little sponge, soaking it all up. It makes me such a proud mama!
But, while that was super fun, after dinner when it came time to actually clean up the aftermath of her destruction? Queue power struggle.
Thirty minutes into the process, I found myself telling her very firmly (and maybe a bit louder than I normally would) "Angelica, I am SO serious! If any toys are left on the floor, I WILL call the garbage man to get them!"
To which she replied by cracking up and saying:
"Mommy, you're yelling at me! It's so funny when you yell at me! You laugh me so much!" (People don't make her laugh, they "laugh" her.)
Clearly, the seriousness in my firm mommy voice was NOT getting through.
Later that night, after a few more power struggles ("No, we can't skip brushing our teeth." "No, it's not okay for you to throw a cup of water at me." "No, it's past your bed time, we cannot color.", "No, we just brushed your teeth, you cannot have chocolate milk.") She said, "Mommy! I know you want to yell at me, but you CAN'T." The funny thing is, that time, I wasn't yelling at her, so maybe she was cautioning me not to?
Long story short, her room got clean AND we got through the bedtime routine, ending with smiles and giggles and hugs and kisses. When all was said and done, those moments are a total joy and make the occasional power struggles worth it. But when Scott got home last night, I told him...there are some nights that parenting kicks ass, and other nights where it kicks your ass, and last night was one of the latter.
Got Toys? Thursday Toy Giveaway Link-Up, 8/18 {Linky}
Welcome to the Got Toys? Thursday Giveaway Link-Up!
This link-up is designed to promote your giveaways for children's toys and products! When I'm searching around the blogosphere for giveaways, I love having the chance to win something for my daughter to play with -- and she loves getting new toys! If you're running a family-friendly giveaway, especially for anything related to children's products -- toys, clothes, feeding products, gift certificates for places that sell children's products -- link them up!!
Chances are, if you add your giveaway here, you'll get at least one entry -- from me! (If I haven't already entered!)
I'd also love it if you followed me on Google Friend Connect, Twitter, or Facebook to be reminded when this goes live each week. (This is not mandatory, just a suggestion!)
Aside from that, feel free to link up as many as you have! Oh, and enter some too!
PLEASE NOTE: Because this is a giveaway linky for children's products, any non-family friendly giveaways will be removed from the linky (this includes Eden's Fantasy and Pure Romance). This linky isn't for THAT kind of toys, my friends!
Thanks for playing! Good luck with your giveaways!
August 16, 2011
Wordless Wednesday: 365 Days of Angelica August 10 - August 16 {Linky}
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| August 10, 2011 |
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| August 11, 2011 |
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| August 12, 2011 |
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| August 13, 2011 |
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| August 14, 2011 - not bad for a picture shot in a pitch black room (we had the lights off and were looking at the stars the ladybug made in the dark) |
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| August 15, 2011 - and nope, my girly girl is not known for modesty. Thank goodness for bloomers! |
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| August 16, 2011 |
(Days you may have missed: 365 Days of Angelica project.)
For more Wordless Wednesday fun, check out The Life of Rylie...and Bryce Too!, The Florida Hogans, and Shibley Smiles!
August 14, 2011
CLOSED -- Win a 15-count Package of Saline Soothers saline nose wipes from the makers of Boogie Wipes #giveaway
This giveaway is now CLOSED. Thanks to all who entered!
As I mentioned a few weeks ago, the sickies landed in our house again! All three of us were hit with back-to-back colds (some of us are still recovering) and the constant use of tissues was irritating our sensitive noses.
For my daughter, we relied on our trusty Boogie Wipes, but what could Scott and I turn to? That's when I was contacted to review the new Saline Soothers, which is a new line of saline nose wipes for adults from the makers of Boogie Wipes!
I loved the Saline Soothers. They weren't nearly as rough on my nose as tissues, and they came in a gentle menthol scent, which wasn't overpowering, but was definitely a bonus for helping with the stuffiness. The package we received had 15 wipes in it, which was enough to get the big jobs done until we were feeling better.
They also came in a convenient, purse-sized, self-sealing package, which helped keep them moist even after the first few were used.
With cold season right around the corner (and thank goodness summer is almost over!) I highly recommend keeping a package of these on hand. Saline Soothers are currently available at Walgreens, and will be debuting at Walmart stores very soon. The 15 count package retails for $1.99, but in the fall they will also be introducing a 45-count box.
Want to WIN a package of Saline Soothers to try before the cold season hits? Here's how to enter!
Mandatory Entry (this must be done for any other entries to count): What makes you feel the best when you have a cold?
BONUS Entries: (comment once for each, unless otherwise specified)
As I mentioned a few weeks ago, the sickies landed in our house again! All three of us were hit with back-to-back colds (some of us are still recovering) and the constant use of tissues was irritating our sensitive noses.
For my daughter, we relied on our trusty Boogie Wipes, but what could Scott and I turn to? That's when I was contacted to review the new Saline Soothers, which is a new line of saline nose wipes for adults from the makers of Boogie Wipes!
I loved the Saline Soothers. They weren't nearly as rough on my nose as tissues, and they came in a gentle menthol scent, which wasn't overpowering, but was definitely a bonus for helping with the stuffiness. The package we received had 15 wipes in it, which was enough to get the big jobs done until we were feeling better.
They also came in a convenient, purse-sized, self-sealing package, which helped keep them moist even after the first few were used.
With cold season right around the corner (and thank goodness summer is almost over!) I highly recommend keeping a package of these on hand. Saline Soothers are currently available at Walgreens, and will be debuting at Walmart stores very soon. The 15 count package retails for $1.99, but in the fall they will also be introducing a 45-count box.
Want to WIN a package of Saline Soothers to try before the cold season hits? Here's how to enter!
Mandatory Entry (this must be done for any other entries to count): What makes you feel the best when you have a cold?
BONUS Entries: (comment once for each, unless otherwise specified)
- Watch the Saline Soothers Youtube Video and tell me one thing you learned.
- Become a fan of Boogie Wipes on Facebook
- Follow @boogiemom on Twitter
- Enter ANY OTHER GIVEAWAY I'm currently running (comment one for each)
- Become a public follower of Angelica's Awesome Adventures on Google Friend Connect (check the right sidebar to do this)
- Subscribe to Angelica's Awesome Adventures by Email (Subscription must be confirmed to count)
- Become an Angelica's Awesome Adventures Facebook fan (Comment with first name, last initial)
- Follow Angelica's Awesome Adventures on Twitter (@angelicasmommy) (Comment with your twitter username)
- Tweet the following (CAN BE DONE ONCE DAILY). Comment with a link to your tweet.
- TWO BONUS ENTRIES: Add my button to your blog and send me a link to where it can be found.
- THREE BONUS ENTRIES: Blog about this contest with a link back to this giveaway and send me a link to your blog entry.
I want to beat the cold season with Saline Soothers! http://bit.ly/pJWmId Ends 8/29 #giveaway
- Please leave your email address in your comment or make sure it is visible in your profile!
- Contest ends on August 29, 2011 AT 9 PM EST. Open to US Residents only and the prize cannot be mailed to a P.O. Box. Winner will be chosen by random.org and contacted via email. Winner must respond within 48 hours of the email being sent or another winner will be selected. (Please make sure you check your spam and junk folders frequently to make sure you don't miss out!)
- Disclosure: I received a product free of charge for purposes of review but was not financially compensated for this review in any way. All content in this article is my opinion and has not been influenced by the gift of a product or other monetary compensation. Thanks to Boogie Wipes/Saline Soothers for providing the review sample and giveaway prize!
CLOSED - Personalized Hand Stamped Jewelry from Joseph Allen Designs - Win a $50 Credit ! #giveaway
This giveaway is CLOSED. Thanks to everyone who entered!
I absolutely love custom jewelry...there's nothing quite like the feeling of owning a piece that's uniquely yours. Something you designed to suit your needs or style. Recently, I was looking to pick up a piece of "religious" jewelry (we're Unitarian Universalists, not Christians, so this can be quite a task), when Joseph Allen Designs extended an offer to review a piece of their handstamped, custom jewelry. I knew this would be the perfect way to make a pendant to fit the sentiment I was trying to express.
Each Sunday in church, we wrap up our service by singing a hymn called Spirit of Life. There's one line in it that really speaks to me: "roots hold me close; wings set me free". While seemingly contradictory, that phrase just says to me that it's equally important to recognize the roots from which we come, and to allow ourselves to be nurtured by them, so that we can truly be free to be ourselves, express ourselves, and grow.
The design I picked was the large hammered forever circle. This design allows for up to 42 characters, or a stone, which takes up the space of one character. I chose the April birthstone because that's the month we became members of our church. If you don't want to use a quote, this particular design could potentially accommodate seven names (depending on the length of the name). For $69, this is a very affordable piece of personalized, hand-stamped jewelry.
Thankfully, Joseph Allen Designs had a design which allowed me to integrate this quote onto a pendant.
I love this piece of jewelry and wear it with pride every chance I get -- especially to church on Sundays! It feels sturdy, so I can wear it with confidence without worrying about it breaking, but it's also not so heavy that I'm constantly aware it's there.
Don't mistake my choice of quote to be all that Joseph Allen Designs has to offer, though! They offer custom, hand-stamped bracelets, keychains, pet-themed necklaces, mokume necklaces (they have a satin finish and look really nice), all of which can be customized with whatever characters/words/names/quotes/birthstones you like! They even have stuff for men! In fact, I almost chose a hand-stamped baseball keychain for my husband.
An item from Joseph Allen Designs would be a fantastic gift for the holiday season, and since custom jewelry is made to order, it's a good idea to get a head start on your holiday shopping now!
Want to WIN a $50 credit to Joseph Allen Designs? Here's how to enter!
(Note: Winner will need to provide an email address and use that email address to create an account on Joseph Allen Designs' website in order for credit to be issued)
Mandatory Entry: Who would you create a hand-stamped product for if you win? (Must complete this entry before any others will count!)
BONUS Entries: (comment once for each, unless otherwise specified)
I absolutely love custom jewelry...there's nothing quite like the feeling of owning a piece that's uniquely yours. Something you designed to suit your needs or style. Recently, I was looking to pick up a piece of "religious" jewelry (we're Unitarian Universalists, not Christians, so this can be quite a task), when Joseph Allen Designs extended an offer to review a piece of their handstamped, custom jewelry. I knew this would be the perfect way to make a pendant to fit the sentiment I was trying to express.
Each Sunday in church, we wrap up our service by singing a hymn called Spirit of Life. There's one line in it that really speaks to me: "roots hold me close; wings set me free". While seemingly contradictory, that phrase just says to me that it's equally important to recognize the roots from which we come, and to allow ourselves to be nurtured by them, so that we can truly be free to be ourselves, express ourselves, and grow.
The design I picked was the large hammered forever circle. This design allows for up to 42 characters, or a stone, which takes up the space of one character. I chose the April birthstone because that's the month we became members of our church. If you don't want to use a quote, this particular design could potentially accommodate seven names (depending on the length of the name). For $69, this is a very affordable piece of personalized, hand-stamped jewelry.
Thankfully, Joseph Allen Designs had a design which allowed me to integrate this quote onto a pendant.
 |
| Custom made, with a little crystal added for added sparkle |
I love this piece of jewelry and wear it with pride every chance I get -- especially to church on Sundays! It feels sturdy, so I can wear it with confidence without worrying about it breaking, but it's also not so heavy that I'm constantly aware it's there.
Don't mistake my choice of quote to be all that Joseph Allen Designs has to offer, though! They offer custom, hand-stamped bracelets, keychains, pet-themed necklaces, mokume necklaces (they have a satin finish and look really nice), all of which can be customized with whatever characters/words/names/quotes/birthstones you like! They even have stuff for men! In fact, I almost chose a hand-stamped baseball keychain for my husband.
An item from Joseph Allen Designs would be a fantastic gift for the holiday season, and since custom jewelry is made to order, it's a good idea to get a head start on your holiday shopping now!
Want to WIN a $50 credit to Joseph Allen Designs? Here's how to enter!
(Note: Winner will need to provide an email address and use that email address to create an account on Joseph Allen Designs' website in order for credit to be issued)
Mandatory Entry: Who would you create a hand-stamped product for if you win? (Must complete this entry before any others will count!)
BONUS Entries: (comment once for each, unless otherwise specified)
- Become a fan of Joseph Allen Designs on Facebook
- Comment on Joseph Allen Designs' Facebook Page letting them know I sent you!
- Follow @handstampdesign on Twitter
- Enter ANY OTHER GIVEAWAY I'm currently running (comment one for each)
- Become a public follower of Angelica's Awesome Adventures on Google Friend Connect (check the right sidebar to do this)
- Subscribe to Angelica's Awesome Adventures by Email (Subscription must be confirmed to count)
- Become an Angelica's Awesome Adventures Facebook fan (Comment with first name, last initial)
- Follow Angelica's Awesome Adventures on Twitter (@angelicasmommy) (Comment with your twitter username)
- Tweet the following (CAN BE DONE ONCE DAILY). Comment with a link to your tweet.
- TWO BONUS ENTRIES: Add my button to your blog and send me a link to where it can be found.
- THREE BONUS ENTRIES: Blog about this contest with a link back to this giveaway and send me a link to your blog entry.
I want to #win a $50 credit for personalized, hand-stamped jewelry from Joseph Allen Designs! http://bit.ly/qQlqQX Ends 9/5 #giveaway
- Please leave your email address in your comment or make sure it is visible in your profile!
- Contest ends on September 5, 2011 AT 9 PM EST. Open to US Residents only and the prize cannot be mailed to a P.O. Box. Winner will be chosen by random.org and contacted via email. Winner must respond within 48 hours of the email being sent or another winner will be selected. (Please make sure you check your spam and junk folders frequently to make sure you don't miss out!)
- Disclosure: I received a product free of charge for purposes of review but was not financially compensated for this review in any way. All content in this article is my opinion and has not been influenced by the gift of a product or other monetary compensation. Thanks to Joseph Allen Designs for providing the review sample and giveaway prize!
August 12, 2011
On Being a Red-Headed Mommy of a Red-Headed Baby
I recently read an article on Huffington Post called, "Being a Redhead: Why It's a Love-Hate Relationship". Being a redhead myself, with a redheaded "ginger baby" (as the writer of this article so aptly puts it) I've got to admit it resonated with me.
Growing up, I was called all sorts of things because of my red hair. I was a painfully shy, awkward, nerdy kid, was bullied relentlessly in general, but my red hair was an easy target. "Pippi Longstocking", "Little Orphan Annie" and "Carrot Top" come to mind, among some other, less appropriate remarks. I remember wanting desperately to disguise my freckled skin and dye my hair blonde (oh, to be a blonde -- they clearly have more fun), but my mother would never let me. She would always tell me how beautiful my hair was.
And the 13 year old version of myself would cross my arms and pout.
Fast forward to the 27 year old version of myself, pregnant with my first child. By that point, I was older and wiser, and able to accept the uniqueness of red hair (we are only about 4% of the world's population, I speculate that this is because, historically, so many of us were burned at the stake for being "evil".). But whenever people would ask me, "Do you think your baby will have red hair?" I'd laugh, and have a slight pang of worry. My husband is half Italian with dark hair. I thought for sure she'd come out with his hair and complexion. And much of the time, I hoped so. I wanted to spare her the torment of the name-calling I had encountered on behalf of cruel middle school kids for being a freckle-faced, redheaded kid.
On May 29, 2008, I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl who had her Daddy's facial characteristics and my pale skin and, much to my surprise, auburn fuzz. She was so beautiful. Everyone commented on how beautiful she was. And I loved that, as much as she looked like her father, she at least had inherited at least one trait that was definitely mine.
A few weeks after she was born, her baby fuzz fell out and I was sure it would come back in a darker color. Much to my surprise, it came in even redder than when she was a newborn.
By this point, people would stop me in stores and remark, "What a beautiful baby you have! And oh, would you look at that hair! You can definitely see where she gets that from!" To this day, it's still the #1 thing people stop me and comment on. First her hair color, and then her beauty. I'm quite sure she's going to get a superiority complex from hearing it all the time.
As she's gotten older, her hair has remained red, though streaks of her father's DNA have come through as well. My hair has always been perfectly straight (and it takes a can of hair spray and pomade to get it to hold any curl). My little girl has little bouncy curls, which she inherited from her dad, and I think they're precious.
So I tell her how beautiful her hair is. I tell her she's got red hair like me, and that makes us special and not many people are so lucky. I try to put a positive spin on it with the hopes that when she'd older, and kids are meaner, she'll already have that confidence. I also hope that since she has me, who went through the teen years as an awkward kid with red hair, that she'll feel comfortable talking to me about any bullying that does come up.
Do I still worry that she'll get picked on in school? Absolutely I do. No parent wants their child to feel hurt. I hope that in the 20 years since I was in middle school, that things have changed, and it's cool to have red hair. (Don't people these days work hard to get it from a bottle? That's what my hairdresser always says!) But if it's not, I will take my mom's cue, and make her hold on to it, at least until she's 18. She's unique. She's special. She's beautiful. She's my wonderful, red-headed, freckle-faced, pale-skinned girl who is already growing up too fast, and I wouldn't change a thing about her.
But I will smack silly anyone who calls her "Carrot Top".
Growing up, I was called all sorts of things because of my red hair. I was a painfully shy, awkward, nerdy kid, was bullied relentlessly in general, but my red hair was an easy target. "Pippi Longstocking", "Little Orphan Annie" and "Carrot Top" come to mind, among some other, less appropriate remarks. I remember wanting desperately to disguise my freckled skin and dye my hair blonde (oh, to be a blonde -- they clearly have more fun), but my mother would never let me. She would always tell me how beautiful my hair was.
And the 13 year old version of myself would cross my arms and pout.
Fast forward to the 27 year old version of myself, pregnant with my first child. By that point, I was older and wiser, and able to accept the uniqueness of red hair (we are only about 4% of the world's population, I speculate that this is because, historically, so many of us were burned at the stake for being "evil".). But whenever people would ask me, "Do you think your baby will have red hair?" I'd laugh, and have a slight pang of worry. My husband is half Italian with dark hair. I thought for sure she'd come out with his hair and complexion. And much of the time, I hoped so. I wanted to spare her the torment of the name-calling I had encountered on behalf of cruel middle school kids for being a freckle-faced, redheaded kid.
On May 29, 2008, I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl who had her Daddy's facial characteristics and my pale skin and, much to my surprise, auburn fuzz. She was so beautiful. Everyone commented on how beautiful she was. And I loved that, as much as she looked like her father, she at least had inherited at least one trait that was definitely mine.
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| Angelica, only minutes old, with her auburn baby fuzz |
A few weeks after she was born, her baby fuzz fell out and I was sure it would come back in a darker color. Much to my surprise, it came in even redder than when she was a newborn.
 |
| 5 month old Angelica, with her auburn fuzz |
By this point, people would stop me in stores and remark, "What a beautiful baby you have! And oh, would you look at that hair! You can definitely see where she gets that from!" To this day, it's still the #1 thing people stop me and comment on. First her hair color, and then her beauty. I'm quite sure she's going to get a superiority complex from hearing it all the time.
As she's gotten older, her hair has remained red, though streaks of her father's DNA have come through as well. My hair has always been perfectly straight (and it takes a can of hair spray and pomade to get it to hold any curl). My little girl has little bouncy curls, which she inherited from her dad, and I think they're precious.
 |
| Me and my redheaded, curly haired princess |
So I tell her how beautiful her hair is. I tell her she's got red hair like me, and that makes us special and not many people are so lucky. I try to put a positive spin on it with the hopes that when she'd older, and kids are meaner, she'll already have that confidence. I also hope that since she has me, who went through the teen years as an awkward kid with red hair, that she'll feel comfortable talking to me about any bullying that does come up.
Do I still worry that she'll get picked on in school? Absolutely I do. No parent wants their child to feel hurt. I hope that in the 20 years since I was in middle school, that things have changed, and it's cool to have red hair. (Don't people these days work hard to get it from a bottle? That's what my hairdresser always says!) But if it's not, I will take my mom's cue, and make her hold on to it, at least until she's 18. She's unique. She's special. She's beautiful. She's my wonderful, red-headed, freckle-faced, pale-skinned girl who is already growing up too fast, and I wouldn't change a thing about her.
But I will smack silly anyone who calls her "Carrot Top".
August 11, 2011
Got Toys? Thursday Toy Giveaway Link-Up, 8/11 {Linky}
Welcome to the Got Toys? Thursday Giveaway Link-Up!
This link-up is designed to promote your giveaways for children's toys and products! When I'm searching around the blogosphere for giveaways, I love having the chance to win something for my daughter to play with -- and she loves getting new toys! If you're running a family-friendly giveaway, especially for anything related to children's products -- toys, clothes, feeding products, gift certificates for places that sell children's products -- link them up!!
Chances are, if you add your giveaway here, you'll get at least one entry -- from me! (If I haven't already entered!)
I'd also love it if you followed me on Google Friend Connect, Twitter, or Facebook to be reminded when this goes live each week. (This is not mandatory, just a suggestion!)
Aside from that, feel free to link up as many as you have! Oh, and enter some too!
PLEASE NOTE: Because this is a giveaway linky for children's products, any non-family friendly giveaways will be removed from the linky (this includes Eden's Fantasy and Pure Romance). This linky isn't for THAT kind of toys, my friends!
Thanks for playing! Good luck with your giveaways!
August 10, 2011
Adorable Headbands from Lizzie, Izzie + James #review #giveaway
A few months ago, Lizzie, Izzie + James had a Groupon offer for $10 for $20 credit to their online store. When I saw the headbands in their online store, I fell in love and I KNEW I had to sign up! I love putting headbands and bows on Angelica, even if she rarely keeps them in her hair, and I absolutely loved the style and variety of hair accessories that Lizzie, Izzie + James offered.
Aside from the headbands themselves, I have to absolutely rave about their customer service! I had an issue with the Groupon I purchased (Groupon's fault, NOT theirs) and they were super quick and easy to work with me to get the problem resolved. I had contacted both Lizzie, Izzie + James and Groupon for assistance, and Sherryl, the owner, got back to me and we had resolved the problem before Groupon ever did. (Thanks, Sherryl! You're the best!)
Because of their awesome customer service and cute and ADORABLE products, I wanted to write up a post to let my readers know about them! I rarely write a review about a product that I've actually purchased, but this is one instance in which I'm glad to do it.
So, let's talk about these ADORABLE hair accessories!
First, a little about Lizzie, Izzie + James. They're a small business in New Canaan, CT (very close to my husband's hometown in Fairfield County, CT), owned by a mom, Sherryl Mascarinas, who launched this line of hair accessories after creating some for her own children. (I just love mamapreneurs!) What lucky kids she has, because she seriously does a great job! The online store offers a variety of hair clips, headbands, and crowns (some for boys too)!
I used my Groupon to purchase an Alphabet Soup headband and the Tropicana headband. The quality of these headbands is superb. They're handmade, but I could never tell that they were if I didn't know it already. These headbands are definitely built to last...even against the three year old's tendency to pull and throw and stomp on things.
Let's let some pictures do some of the talking, though!
As you can see, especially in that last picture, Angelica just LOVES her Lizzie, Izzie + James headbands, and I think your little one will too!
Want to WIN an Alphabet Soup headband? (You pick the letter!) Here's how to enter!
(PS - Make sure to tune in again AFTER this giveaway is over for a special coupon code!)
Mandatory Entry: Become a fan of Lizzie, Izzie + James on Facebook (must be done before all other entries to qualify)
Bonus Entries (comment once for each one unless otherwise stated):
Aside from the headbands themselves, I have to absolutely rave about their customer service! I had an issue with the Groupon I purchased (Groupon's fault, NOT theirs) and they were super quick and easy to work with me to get the problem resolved. I had contacted both Lizzie, Izzie + James and Groupon for assistance, and Sherryl, the owner, got back to me and we had resolved the problem before Groupon ever did. (Thanks, Sherryl! You're the best!)
Because of their awesome customer service and cute and ADORABLE products, I wanted to write up a post to let my readers know about them! I rarely write a review about a product that I've actually purchased, but this is one instance in which I'm glad to do it.
So, let's talk about these ADORABLE hair accessories!
First, a little about Lizzie, Izzie + James. They're a small business in New Canaan, CT (very close to my husband's hometown in Fairfield County, CT), owned by a mom, Sherryl Mascarinas, who launched this line of hair accessories after creating some for her own children. (I just love mamapreneurs!) What lucky kids she has, because she seriously does a great job! The online store offers a variety of hair clips, headbands, and crowns (some for boys too)!
I used my Groupon to purchase an Alphabet Soup headband and the Tropicana headband. The quality of these headbands is superb. They're handmade, but I could never tell that they were if I didn't know it already. These headbands are definitely built to last...even against the three year old's tendency to pull and throw and stomp on things.
Let's let some pictures do some of the talking, though!
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| The package came elegantly wrapped. I almost felt guilty opening this! |
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| The two headbands I purchased - Tropicana on the left, Alphabet Soup on the right |
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| Angelica checking out the Tropicana headband after putting it on. |
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| Angelica looking cute in her Alphabet Soup headband! |
As you can see, especially in that last picture, Angelica just LOVES her Lizzie, Izzie + James headbands, and I think your little one will too!
Want to WIN an Alphabet Soup headband? (You pick the letter!) Here's how to enter!
(PS - Make sure to tune in again AFTER this giveaway is over for a special coupon code!)
Mandatory Entry: Become a fan of Lizzie, Izzie + James on Facebook (must be done before all other entries to qualify)
Bonus Entries (comment once for each one unless otherwise stated):
- Become a public follower of Angelica's Awesome Adventures on Google Friend Connect (check the right sidebar to do this)
- Subscribe to Angelica's Awesome Adventures by Email (Subscription must be confirmed to count)
- Become an Angelica's Awesome Adventures Facebook fan (Comment with first name, last initial)
- Comment on Lizzie, Izzie + James' Facebook Page letting them know I sent you!
- Follow Angelica's Awesome Adventures on Twitter (@angelicasmommy) (Comment with your twitter username)
- Tweet the following (CAN BE DONE ONCE DAILY). Comment with a link to your tweet.
- TWO BONUS ENTRIES: Add my button to your blog and send me a link to where it can be found.
- THREE BONUS ENTRIES: Blog about this contest with a link back to this giveaway and send me a link to your blog entry.
I want to #win an adorable Alphabet Soup headband from Lizzie, Izzie + James! http://bit.ly/qaoTxb Ends 8/25 #giveaway
Kidorable Rain Boots Make the Best of a Rainy Day
It's no secret that we're a fan of all things Kidorable around here! We have a backpack, an umbrella, a towel, a rain coat, and now...rain boots!
Kidorable's rain boots are made of natural rubber and are incredibly waterproof and durable. They come in size 5 (for the littlest ones!) up to size 13, plus sizes 1 and 2 for older kids. They are also SUPER cute! We have the rain coat and umbrella in the butterfly style, but since Angelica loves cats, and her Lucky Cat Backpack, we opted to get her the Lucky Cat rain boots. They were the perfect choice for her! She fell in love with them at once.
Earlier this week we had a very rainy day, and when we got home from work/daycare, water had puddled up in the gutter. What does a three year old love more than just about anything? Splashing in the water! So we ran inside and got her Lucky Cat rain boots, and let her go.
Look at all the fun she had!
Kidorable's retail for $29, but from now until August 22, you can save 20% off the boots when you use coupon code SCHOOL at www.kidorable.com.
If you want a chance to WIN a pair, check out the giveaway my friend LeeAnn is running at The Life of Rylie...and Bryce Too!
Disclaimer: I received these boots for the purpose of review, but did not receive any other compensation. I was not required to write a favorable review in return for the item, and the above post reflects my opinion. Thanks to Kidorable for offering this review opportunity and coupon code!
Kidorable's rain boots are made of natural rubber and are incredibly waterproof and durable. They come in size 5 (for the littlest ones!) up to size 13, plus sizes 1 and 2 for older kids. They are also SUPER cute! We have the rain coat and umbrella in the butterfly style, but since Angelica loves cats, and her Lucky Cat Backpack, we opted to get her the Lucky Cat rain boots. They were the perfect choice for her! She fell in love with them at once.
Earlier this week we had a very rainy day, and when we got home from work/daycare, water had puddled up in the gutter. What does a three year old love more than just about anything? Splashing in the water! So we ran inside and got her Lucky Cat rain boots, and let her go.
Look at all the fun she had!
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| As usual, Kidorable doesn't skimp on the adorable packaging! |
Kidorable's retail for $29, but from now until August 22, you can save 20% off the boots when you use coupon code SCHOOL at www.kidorable.com.
If you want a chance to WIN a pair, check out the giveaway my friend LeeAnn is running at The Life of Rylie...and Bryce Too!
Disclaimer: I received these boots for the purpose of review, but did not receive any other compensation. I was not required to write a favorable review in return for the item, and the above post reflects my opinion. Thanks to Kidorable for offering this review opportunity and coupon code!
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