Category Archives: Holidays

Valentine’s Day 2013

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Valentine’s Day via Instagram

Valentine’s Day is one of my favorite days…a nice meal with my husband and some flowers.

Over the years of course, there have been gifts that I have treasured but none more than my husband’s and I sharing a meal together…talking, reminiscing, and looking forward.

This year, we actually went out to dinner a few days before Valentine’s Day…Monday night…a quiet table and some conversation.

He is my best friend and my Valentine.

Hope you all had a nice day and shared some love with those in your life.

 

Weekend Reading…

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A month later, the Food and Drug Administration issued a caution that SimplyThick should not be fed to premature infants because it may cause necrotizing enterocolitis, or NEC, a life-threatening condition that damages intestinal tissue.

At the breastfeeding group that I volunteer at, the most common non-breastfeeding-related concern (or rather, the most common indirectly breastfeeding-related concern) the new mums have is that they are holding their babies too much. This is an open letter to them, and to all mothers who worry that their babies are spending too much time in their arms.

Check out The Artful Parent on Facebook for Valentine ideas for your kids….

 

Have a good weekend and I hope everyone is safe and warm during the blizzard on the East Coast.

 

A New Year … Bring it…

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Welcome 2013…the last few weeks of 2012 have been hectic ones, complicated by the flu, which stopped at our house and has lingered right into the New Year!

Our holidays were wonderful, although we had to make a few schedule adjustments due to “influenza”. For our sake and the sake of our friends we stayed home most of the time  not attending a favorite Christmas Eve family party.

For many years, we have been welcomed at the home of dear friends on Christmas Eve. When we first began to attend the festivities, our own children were teenagers…we all enjoyed the little kids that surrounded us and their excitement poured out to every adult when Santa and Mrs. Santa arrived.

Over the past 16 + years, we have only missed one or two Christmas Eves with the family that adopted us long ago, here in Chicagoland. Sadly, this year was one of those years.

We are now grandparents and our friends are now grandparents and great grand parents…so it was with sorrow that we decided to stay home to keep the “flu” confined to ourselves.

I had even planned ahead and contacted “Borrow Baby Couture” for a special little girl’s dress for the Christmas Eve meeting with Santa.

I was so excited when the Chloe dress arrived and I quickly opened the box when I realized it was from “Borrow Baby“.

Borrow Baby Couture

The dress was gorgeous, spectacular and sparkly …just what I wanted…even prettier than the picture on the “Borrow Baby Couture” web page. Truly fit for a “little princess”.

Chloe Dress from Borrow Baby Couture

But, Christmas Eve arrived and our family was literally down for the count and the beautiful dress remained in the beautiful box. Christmas Day, we all stayed close to home enjoying the holiday spirit among ourselves and a few other close family members, who were brave enough to come into our home.

So, I have packed the pretty princess dress in its box, already to ship back to “Borrow Baby Couture”.

Borrow Baby Couture

Easy return to “Borrow Baby Couture”

Admittedly, I am disappointed that the sparkly dress never made it far from its box…but Borrow Baby is still tops on my list when it comes to baby couture.

The convenience is unbeatable and the selection of dresses from infant to 4 years old is exquisite.

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I have received the Borrow Baby Couture services as a gift for writing about my experience.

 

 

Mindfulness Week…

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Gingerbread Fun!

This week I am somewhat missing in action…I have decided to take a break from the social media frenzy as well as from my blog.

I must admit that I am really missing it because I love blogging and keeping in touch with my virtual community on Facebook and Twitter.

I hope you are all enjoying a good week so far…I will be back soon.

 

Kids Couture for the Holidays…Dress for Less!

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“Borrow Baby Couture”

Another way to beat the consumer mentality of the Holiday Season is to visit

Borrow Baby Couture.

Borrowing and paying only a small percentage of the actual dress cost is much better than buying a Holiday dress that may be worn only once or twice by your child or grandchild.

For this weeks theme of “Christmas crazy consumerism” or “Holiday crazy consumerism”  Borrow Baby Couture ranks high on my list of ways to lessen my own consumer crazies. It allows me to shop at home with confidence that my granddaughter will have a lovely dress for the upcoming season of holiday events.

Here is my recent post about the Borrow Baby Couture services.

……………………………….

That’s right the holidays are fast approaching and this question begs to be answered,

“What should my baby or little girl wear?”

I have just the suggestion, one which will help dress your child or grandchild stylishly for a fraction of the price.

It is borrowing from Borrow Baby Couture!

Baby Graziella

 As featured on the Today Show, Borrow Baby is savvy shopping for your little ones,  especially when it comes to special outfits for special occasions.

Chloe

Just look at what is available for a small percentage of the cost and there is no worry about cleaning afterwards.

Fendi

 

Your choices are just a click away!

You can put your worries away as well, when you select from Borrow Baby Couture for your little girls special holiday dress or dresses!

 Grandparent alert: You can gift this service to your grandchildren for special occasions …what a wonderful way to celebrate!

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I have received the Borrow Baby Couture services as a gift for writing about my experience.

Are You a Crazed Christmas Consumer?

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It’s Christmas Time Again!

 

But then the Christmas commercials started. Not in December, not in late November, but back in October or maybe even September. And that is when the chorus began. It didn’t matter what type of plastic crap was being advertised, they wanted it, they needed it, it was the best thing ever.

via Quelling crazed consumerism | PhD in Parenting Blog.

In keeping with my consumerism theme this week, I am posting a link to one of my favorite bloggers and writers, Annie Urban.

She makes an excellent effort to “quell” consumerism in her home with her own children. This, mind you, is no easy task and it is certainly made easier if you have all the family together in support…especially the grandparents, aunts and uncles and all who dote on your kids.

Since the birth of my granddaughter 4 years ago, I have been exposed to many children’s products. At first, they all seemed wonderful especially since many of them did not exist when my own girls were little.

So, it was easy for me to become a somewhat “crazy” consumer of baby, toddler and preschool stuff. Thank goodness for my daughter, the mother of my granddaughter because she knew exactly what was a worthwhile purchase and what was merely an accessory that would be used once if that and then find its way to our basement…never to be seen again.

The holidays are no different…there are so many toys and items that are advertised as necessities not just to children but to their parents and grandparents as well. I cannot tell you how many times I have heard a child say, “but I really have to have this, that is what it says on television”.

I find shopping for toys and other children’s stuff fun, especially at holiday time but I will try and defer to my daughter’s gift list and check with her before I go overboard on any “unnecessary” purchases.

This will not only help me stay away from the holiday frenzy but it will also keep the gifts more meaningful and useful. Sometimes, we opt for items that are not available at the Mall…like lessons…these are usually the best kind of gifts especially for now.

What do you do as parents and grandparents when it comes to holiday gift giving to your kids and grandkids?

How do you choose what is a good and useful gift without becoming a crazy consumer at this time of year?

I would be interested to hear different ways to deal with the holidays and gift giving when it comes to the children in your lives. Some of it could even be useful when it comes to birthdays and other gift giving occasions.

Happy Shopping!

“Happy Holidays”…

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“From Our House to Your House!”

Okay…after watching the “madness” of Black Friday and Small Business Saturday and not really partaking in it to any degree…I am thinking about how to shop this season without breaking the bank and without letting my adrenalin kick in too much when I enter a store with the holiday hum playing in my head.

Over the years I have found that Christmas Shopping has become more about consumerism than about giving. I like to buy gifts for my family and friends that I would like to receive myself and I do enjoy giving. So do not get me wrong when I suggest something really drastic this holiday.

I read this blog post from Leo after “Black Friday”. “Zen Habits” is a blog that I follow pretty regularly. If nothing else Leo keeps me thinking about trying to keep life simple and meaningful. Now I realize that Leo makes his living from this philosophy but I find his approach soothing when life gets chaotic around me.

These days between Thanksgiving and Christmas can and often do get very hectic. I find that I have to plan any trips to the mall very carefully so that I can actually enjoy the Holiday spirit rather than get into the frustration mode of trying to find an item and then find a way to pay for it.

I am not a DIY person but I admit to baking cookies and cakes for Holiday gifts and including gift cards along with them.

Who does not like homemade sweets and gift cards?

My problem with gift cards is making the right choice so they do not expire or get lost before getting used.

How do you handle holiday buying and giving…what tips do you have for making it a happy hassle?

And if you are wondering about my “friend” Leo’s approach and his challenge…here it is…a bit dramatic but mostly meaningful!

And so today I extend a challenge to all of you, and the world: Buy Nothing Until 2013.

Yes, I’m taking Buy Nothing Day and extending it through the end of the year.

Why the hell would you want to do this challenge?

Do it as a protest against consumerism and corporate influences on our lives. Do it as a tool for contentment, for simplicity. Do it to reclaim the holidays as a time of connection and love, not of buying and debt. Do it just to see if you can.

And yes, you can still do it if you’ve already done some Black Friday shopping. We’ll forgive our past sins and start afresh. 🙂

via » Challenge: Buy Nothing Until 2013 :zenhabits.

Celebrate…Four Seasons Chicago Staycation!

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Happy Anniversary Champagne Toast – Four Seasons Chicago!

My husband and I have been married for 35 years.

Over those years, we have celebrated many memorable occasions together with our family at The Four Seasons Hotel, Chicago.

Birthdays, Mother’s Days, Christmas and even St.Patrick’s Day are some of many family holidays and events made more memorable by the wonderful staff at the The Four Seasons.

For our anniversary we agreed, it had to be something special and our 4 year old granddaughter needed to be with us. We also wanted a “stay-cation” in Chicago because we love to spend time enjoying the City that is so near and dear to us.

So it was natural for us to choose to stay at The Four Seasons …something for us and something for our granddaughter.

Jeff, “Welcome Home” Four Seasons Chicago

“Welcome home!”, Jeff said as he greeted us on our arrival.

It was so perfect that Jeff would meet us at the door. We have been met by him many times over the years. Even when we come to Chicago for the day, we stop to say hi to Jeff and ask about his family.

At check-in, we were greeted warmly and our granddaughter was treated to a small gift from the “toy chest” conveniently located at the front desk.

She was ecstatic!

We then made our way to our room in the sky…with a beautiful view of Oak Street Beach and Lake Michigan. Truly, one of my favorite corners of the city.

It is this view that is so spectacular when it is lit up at night and even more beautiful at sunrise!

 

“Room with a View”

After relaxing and enjoying lunch in our room…we were ready for “pizza making” with our granddaughter…so off we went to the Four Seasons kitchen…

Pizza Making with Chef Matt”

Thrilled is the word to describe our granddaughter when she met Chef Matt and the staff of the Four Seasons kitchen… donning apron and hat she went to work creating gourmet pizzas which were to be our appetizers at dinner later in the day.

“Afternoon Milk and Cookies”

After the “hard” work of pizza making she was treated to a delightfully refreshing chocolate milk shake which she made with the help of her “Papa” and fresh cookies which were waiting for her in our room…

“Happy Anniversary Grandma and Papa” from Four Seasons Chicago

My husband and I were greeted with chocolate covered strawberries and champagne from the Hotel staff along with some beautiful flowers from friends!

After our snacks, we headed out to the 900 Shops on Michigan Avenue.

Conveniently, the hotel directly accesses one of the premier shopping areas in the country. Our first stop was Galt Toys…a favorite for unique children’s items…a definite “don’t miss” on my trips to Chicago.

Then it was time for an early dinner at Allium. This was our first time dining there. For appetizers we enjoyed our granddaughter’s pizza….they were delicious as was the rest of our dinner.

The “Pappardelle & Chicken Thighs” was my entree choice, my husband feasted on the “Wisconsin Walleye”…just superb!

Pizza Appetizer compliments of our Granddaughter

A surprise Anniversary dessert arrived to  complete our delicious dining experience!

A beautiful Anniversary dessert!

Hello …Ice Cream Man!

Then it was time to retire to our room ….where our granddaughter was surprised by a visit from the Ice Cream Man.

After a bedtime sundae…it was good night to all of us!

 

Early morning quiet time on the window seat!

Sunday sunrise did not disappoint!

Our little one was enjoying a relaxing moment on the window seat while we enjoyed an early breakfast in our room.

At quick trip to LEGO Water Tower Chicago!

These days a trip to Chicago is never complete without a visit to LEGO in Water Tower Place!

A quiet lunch before heading home!

After Water Tower Place we sat down for a quiet lunch at Allium before leaving to return home.

Since we were also running a little late…our server, noticing we were concerned, arranged for us to have a later check-out so we could relax a little bit longer and enjoy our meal.

After lunch it was time to leave…

Good bye and Thank you…Four Seasons Chicago!

Our weekend was wonderful…The Four Seasons made our stay so memorable. We left with smiles and stories to tell … this being one of them!

Disclosure:

I was not compensated for this review. We were given a special rate on our accommodations. All opinions, as always, are my own.

What to Wear for the Holidays???

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That’s right the holidays are fast approaching and this question begs to be answered,

“What should my baby or little girl wear?”

I have just the suggestion, one which will help dress your child or grandchild stylishly for a fraction of the price.

It is borrowing from Borrow Baby Couture!

Baby Graziella

 As featured on the Today Show, Borrow Baby is savvy shopping for your little ones,  especially when it comes to special outfits for special occasions.

Chloe

Just look at what is available for a small percentage of the cost and there is no worry about cleaning afterwards.

Fendi

 

Your choices are just a click away!

You can put your worries away as well, when you select from Borrow Baby Couture for your little girls special holiday dress or dresses!

 

 

 

 

Grandparent alert: You can gift this service to your grandchildren for special occasions …what a wonderful way to celebrate!

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I have received the Borrow Baby Couture services as a gift for writing about my experience.