The link to the entire project is here.
Here's our portraits.
 |
| This one is my favorite *I totally look like a real estate agent* |
Thanks Marcello for the lovely photos! Now we're off to a birthday party.
Happy Saturday!
Saturday, September 14, 2013
The //100p// Project by Marcello Ambriz
Yesterday was Friday the 13th. It was an interesting day for Olivia and me. I somehow finagled my way into getting our portrait taken by a friend of a friend. I saw Marcello was working on a project on Instagram. Sort of joking, I asked if he needed any volunteers. He said sure and in a half an hour we were sitting for our portrait. Lesson learned, it never hurts to ask, lovelies! I'm usually wary about having my photo taken straight on and without smiling I think I look mean but I love how our portraits turned out. Of course, Liv was a pro even though she was feeling shy. Marcello is super talented. I'm so honored to be a part of his 100 portraits project.
The link to the entire project is here.
Here's our portraits.
Thanks Marcello for the lovely photos! Now we're off to a birthday party.
Happy Saturday!
The link to the entire project is here.
Here's our portraits.
Thanks Marcello for the lovely photos! Now we're off to a birthday party.
Happy Saturday!
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Pippi Longstocking the Liv Edition
Over a year ago my friend Aura came to visit me. She lives in Finland which I hope to go visit her one day. This lady is so sweet, she brought Liv an authentic Pippi Longstocking costume from Sweden! I was so super stocked!
So a few days ago, I put on our Pippi Longstocking dvd *the original crazy dubbed 1970's version* for Liv to watch. She loved it! If you haven't introduced Inger Nilsson in your child's life, you need to, she is so badass. I persuaded Olivia to take off her Cinderella dress for 5 seconds and wear her awesome Pippi costume. Aimee and me were dying over how rad her costume was, complete with wires in the braids to make them stick out. I tried my best to get a good shot but she wasn't in the mood for pictures. Darn kids and their free will...
 |
| Liv, Sofia & Elina |
 |
| We took Aura to lunch at Frida's at the Americana |
 |
| Aura made this flower balloon for Liv, the guy in the blue shirt asked her for a balloon for his kids, she made them their balloon animal of choice. He asked how much and she said, next time you see a kid who can't afford a toy, just buy it for him. How fucking cool is she? I was totally in tears about how kind hearted my friend is! |
So a few days ago, I put on our Pippi Longstocking dvd *the original crazy dubbed 1970's version* for Liv to watch. She loved it! If you haven't introduced Inger Nilsson in your child's life, you need to, she is so badass. I persuaded Olivia to take off her Cinderella dress for 5 seconds and wear her awesome Pippi costume. Aimee and me were dying over how rad her costume was, complete with wires in the braids to make them stick out. I tried my best to get a good shot but she wasn't in the mood for pictures. Darn kids and their free will...
 |
| So this is how the kid throws up the peace sign, totally gangster! |
 |
| Next time she has to wear some of Dads shoes so it looks more Pippi. |
 |
| Tommy, Pippi & Annika |
Kiitos, my dear friend. I hope to come see you and the lovely girls soon!
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Oh, Bebe! The junk you will need.
My dear friends are having a baby girl so I thought I could put together a mini guide for the parents-to-be.
Bebe Essentials:
Maternity Clothes
Most ladies can skirt through their pregnancy without having to purchase actual maternity clothes, stretchy waist pants, skirts along with maxi dresses made with a jersery fabric are great.
I loved Gap Maternity and Target. I tried to buy stuff I could wear after bebe and I still wear a lot of those dresses today. Nordstrom carries Bella Bands which are crucial for preggers ladies who want to stay in their jeans. Medela made the best nursing bras from my experience. My boobs were enormous the first few weeks so it was essential to have a nursing bra that fit well and I could wear 24/7 and feel comfortable.
Crib/Bassinet
We went high end with our bassinet, but luckily we were able to sell it once she outgrew it.You want a piece that is easy to move to whatever room you will be in. It doesn't have to rock, I don't remember rocking Liv that often in ours. I like this folding crib for space saving. Liv slept with us more than in her crib for the first year, so this is a great temporary crib until you choose a long term bed.
Crib Bedding/Blankets
Olivia was fortunate enough to receive a lovely crib bedding set from our bebe shower. So before you shell out a lot of money on bedding, add it to your registry first.
.JPG)
We purchased this set for her crib and really, that's all she has ever needed. We rotate back and forth between the two sets when it's time for laundry. Lately, she loves pink so we haven't used the orange set as often. Most important is buying a few waterproof sheets. They will protect your mattress and they last for a long time. I love this crib set and this one if you are anti-bumper.
*We used a bumper, gasp, and had no trouble at all but it's something to consider.
Aden + Anais make the best swaddling blankets hands down. They are lightweight but long enough to swaddle the wiggliest of bebes. I used this set and loved it.
Dresser/Changing Table
A changing table isn't necessarily an essential. Folks use couches, beds and mostly the floor which is the easiest location for a squirmy bebe. We lucked out when we bought our crib and got a bargain for the changing table and dresser/hutch for a deal.
Oeuf furniture has held up exceptionally well for the past 4 years. The dresser has just enough storage to house her vast wardrobe but I do have to stay on top of donating her clothes that she outgrows *although I've been keeping so many pieces for sentimental reasons, HOARDER!*
Car Seat
You really need a car seat that comes with a separate base, and buy an extra base if you have two cars. You want one that is easy to move in and out *cause your gonna be doing this often*. I suggest a canopy to keep the sun out of bebe's face. I hope Story & Chris are fortunate enough to have a bebe who loves car rides. Liv has always loved riding in the car so we still take her for a night drive if we can't get her to sleep. Choose a car seat that is comfy for bebe, and a material that won't make your bebe too warm.
A boppy. Even if you don't breastfeed *you better!* they are a must-have. I used that boppy every single day for two years. They prop bebe up and are a total lifesaver for feedings. Register for two covers so you have a back up when one is dirty.
Bottles/Nursing
Speaking of feeding, we used Medela bottles and I used a manual breast pump. I never had the chance to freeze my breastmilk, so I'd suggest sticking with Medela if you go that route.
Stroller
I am sticking with our Bugaboo bee. We loved the features of our bee but I also like the Chameleon. Liv grew well with it and it was easy to use. The bee functions well, you can use it facing forward and rear, it tilts so bebe can nap comfortably using the cocoon. We never needed a jogging stroller since the handling on the bee is smooth. Liv is a super tall kid, so we stopped using it a little after her second birthday which coincided with her desire to either walk everywhere or have her daddy carry her *which he still does even though she's almost 40lbs!*
Baby Carrier
I used our baby carrier ten times more often than our stroller. When bebe is new, you want as much skin to skin bonding as possible. Since I wanted a carrier that would be comfortable for my large *giant* frame and wanted something Antz could use too, I decided against a sling carrier. I didn't want anything with metal so the Baby Hawk was our best option. Let me tell you, it took tons of convincing Antz it was safe. He was sure the knots would loosen and Liv would fall out. After the first time I put it on him, he was a believer. I ordered ours with extra long straps since we are so tall so it gave us room to tie our knots triple times for that extra reassurance.
These are some essentials that I couldn't live without. There are other options but these worked best for me. Here's a full list of items to register for.
A & D Ointment!! I am a huge advocate for this miracle in a tube for diaper rash prevention. Liv stayed rash free by dabbing a bit of ointment in every diaper. It kept her bum smooth and comfy.
Diaper Dekor - Holds tons of dirty diapers and kept the odors in control.
Wipes Warmer - Cause noone likes a cold wipe on the bum.
Grooming Kit - Has most of what you need like nail clippers, thermometer, comb, brush and nasal aspirator. This one is great for clogged noses, it gets bonus points for being called the Snotsucker.
Bathtub - We didn't use this guy as much as I would have liked but filling up the tub and then moving it to the kitchen for room to bathe Liv was cumbersome *this was in our shitty plumbing days* However, we received this as a gift so we would splurge now and then and use this bath in her early days. She still takes showers with me most of the time.
Hooded bathtowel - Keep bebe warm, Liv's lamb is soft and adorable.
Soap, Shampoo & Lotion - I found Mustela to smell the best and work well for Liv's skin. This may vary for every bebe's skin type. We used Baby Neutrogena for sunscreen. Now that she's older I typically use Baby Aveeno for soap and shampoo.
Pacifier - The best one you will use will come from the hospital. Don't forget to bring home all the freebies from the hospital *I still use a burp cloth and waterproof pad we got from Huntington* Liv didn't use a pacifier for long but when she was teething we used this guy.
Sophie the giraffe - No, she's not a dog chew toy. Every happy bebe has one, she's the best! Register for two cause you'll lose one or it will get dirty from bebe dropping her.
Bebe clothes - We bought just about everything *on sale* from Baby Gap.
Activity mat - We bought ours from Giggle but it's sold out. Liv used it everyday for tummy time. She liked the mirror and we added toys that would rattle. We sold most of her bebe stuff but I am keeping this guy until I no longer have room for it. Call me crazy...
Swing/Bouncer
We received this swing at our bebe shower so I never had the chance to research swings or bouncers. This one played classical music and had different speeds. It was a Godsend! I would put Liv in there and could actually go to the bathroom or eat food without holding her. She would always fall asleep in there.
When she was old enough to hold her head up, her Godmommy got her this jumper. It's excellent for strengthening their legs and allowed her to use hand-eye coordination. You can only keep them in there for a few minutes at a time but she loved that jumper.
How rad are her orange Adidas?
Don't forget to request a bebe greeting from the White House. It's a lovely keepsake for those of you who are fond of our current president.
Hope this is helpful. You can also check out my previous bebe guides here and here.
Hooray for my friend's sweet bebe girl! I am super excited to meet her.
 |
| Congrats Story & Chris!! |
Maternity Clothes
Most ladies can skirt through their pregnancy without having to purchase actual maternity clothes, stretchy waist pants, skirts along with maxi dresses made with a jersery fabric are great.
 |
| These pieces were comfy but not maternity |
Crib/Bassinet
We went high end with our bassinet, but luckily we were able to sell it once she outgrew it.You want a piece that is easy to move to whatever room you will be in. It doesn't have to rock, I don't remember rocking Liv that often in ours. I like this folding crib for space saving. Liv slept with us more than in her crib for the first year, so this is a great temporary crib until you choose a long term bed.
Crib Bedding/Blankets
Olivia was fortunate enough to receive a lovely crib bedding set from our bebe shower. So before you shell out a lot of money on bedding, add it to your registry first.
.JPG)
*We used a bumper, gasp, and had no trouble at all but it's something to consider.
Aden + Anais make the best swaddling blankets hands down. They are lightweight but long enough to swaddle the wiggliest of bebes. I used this set and loved it.
Dresser/Changing Table
A changing table isn't necessarily an essential. Folks use couches, beds and mostly the floor which is the easiest location for a squirmy bebe. We lucked out when we bought our crib and got a bargain for the changing table and dresser/hutch for a deal.
Oeuf furniture has held up exceptionally well for the past 4 years. The dresser has just enough storage to house her vast wardrobe but I do have to stay on top of donating her clothes that she outgrows *although I've been keeping so many pieces for sentimental reasons, HOARDER!*
.JPG) |
| A peek into Liv's drawers |
You really need a car seat that comes with a separate base, and buy an extra base if you have two cars. You want one that is easy to move in and out *cause your gonna be doing this often*. I suggest a canopy to keep the sun out of bebe's face. I hope Story & Chris are fortunate enough to have a bebe who loves car rides. Liv has always loved riding in the car so we still take her for a night drive if we can't get her to sleep. Choose a car seat that is comfy for bebe, and a material that won't make your bebe too warm.
 |
| My Mom gifted us a Peg Perego |
Bottles/Nursing
Speaking of feeding, we used Medela bottles and I used a manual breast pump. I never had the chance to freeze my breastmilk, so I'd suggest sticking with Medela if you go that route.
Stroller
I am sticking with our Bugaboo bee. We loved the features of our bee but I also like the Chameleon. Liv grew well with it and it was easy to use. The bee functions well, you can use it facing forward and rear, it tilts so bebe can nap comfortably using the cocoon. We never needed a jogging stroller since the handling on the bee is smooth. Liv is a super tall kid, so we stopped using it a little after her second birthday which coincided with her desire to either walk everywhere or have her daddy carry her *which he still does even though she's almost 40lbs!*
 |
| One week old! |
 |
| Two years old |
Baby Carrier
I used our baby carrier ten times more often than our stroller. When bebe is new, you want as much skin to skin bonding as possible. Since I wanted a carrier that would be comfortable for my large *giant* frame and wanted something Antz could use too, I decided against a sling carrier. I didn't want anything with metal so the Baby Hawk was our best option. Let me tell you, it took tons of convincing Antz it was safe. He was sure the knots would loosen and Liv would fall out. After the first time I put it on him, he was a believer. I ordered ours with extra long straps since we are so tall so it gave us room to tie our knots triple times for that extra reassurance.
 |
| I loved the BabyHawk, still have it! |
 |
| Liv's first trip to the beach |
A & D Ointment!! I am a huge advocate for this miracle in a tube for diaper rash prevention. Liv stayed rash free by dabbing a bit of ointment in every diaper. It kept her bum smooth and comfy.
Diaper Dekor - Holds tons of dirty diapers and kept the odors in control.
Wipes Warmer - Cause noone likes a cold wipe on the bum.
Grooming Kit - Has most of what you need like nail clippers, thermometer, comb, brush and nasal aspirator. This one is great for clogged noses, it gets bonus points for being called the Snotsucker.
Bathtub - We didn't use this guy as much as I would have liked but filling up the tub and then moving it to the kitchen for room to bathe Liv was cumbersome *this was in our shitty plumbing days* However, we received this as a gift so we would splurge now and then and use this bath in her early days. She still takes showers with me most of the time.
Hooded bathtowel - Keep bebe warm, Liv's lamb is soft and adorable.
Soap, Shampoo & Lotion - I found Mustela to smell the best and work well for Liv's skin. This may vary for every bebe's skin type. We used Baby Neutrogena for sunscreen. Now that she's older I typically use Baby Aveeno for soap and shampoo.
Pacifier - The best one you will use will come from the hospital. Don't forget to bring home all the freebies from the hospital *I still use a burp cloth and waterproof pad we got from Huntington* Liv didn't use a pacifier for long but when she was teething we used this guy.
Sophie the giraffe - No, she's not a dog chew toy. Every happy bebe has one, she's the best! Register for two cause you'll lose one or it will get dirty from bebe dropping her.
Bebe clothes - We bought just about everything *on sale* from Baby Gap.
Activity mat - We bought ours from Giggle but it's sold out. Liv used it everyday for tummy time. She liked the mirror and we added toys that would rattle. We sold most of her bebe stuff but I am keeping this guy until I no longer have room for it. Call me crazy...
We received this swing at our bebe shower so I never had the chance to research swings or bouncers. This one played classical music and had different speeds. It was a Godsend! I would put Liv in there and could actually go to the bathroom or eat food without holding her. She would always fall asleep in there.
When she was old enough to hold her head up, her Godmommy got her this jumper. It's excellent for strengthening their legs and allowed her to use hand-eye coordination. You can only keep them in there for a few minutes at a time but she loved that jumper.
How rad are her orange Adidas?
Don't forget to request a bebe greeting from the White House. It's a lovely keepsake for those of you who are fond of our current president.
Hope this is helpful. You can also check out my previous bebe guides here and here.
Hooray for my friend's sweet bebe girl! I am super excited to meet her.
Friday, September 6, 2013
Best things on the internet
This is fucking funny. Enjoy!
Dear Guy Who Just Made My Burrito:
 |
| By Lucky Shirt |
Dear Guy Who Just Made My Burrito:
Have you ever been to earth?
On
earth, we use the word “burrito” to describe a tortilla filled with
things you eat. Pretty simple stuff, and I’m surprised you at least got
that part right. My burrito was, in fact, filled with food. In this, you
and I agree and are friends. But this is also where my lifelong hatred
begins for you and anyone else whose brain has been repeatedly scrubbed
with the same mixture of bleach and Pop Rocks as yours has. Because that
should have killed you, but left you around long enough to do what you
did to me today. Let me explain:
You’re an idiot.
Let me further explain:
Burritos
are eaten from one end to the other. So that means when you assemble a
burrito with motherfucking ZONES of ingredients going that direction,
you create a disgusting experience for the burrito’s end user. When you
make a burrito, you should put the ingredients in layers lengthwise. That
way, every bite has AT LEAST A FUCKING CHANCE of getting at least two
types of ingredients, and there is little chance of becoming almost
hopelessly trapped in a goddamned cilantro cavern.
Have
you ever eaten one of the things you make all fucking day? You should
try one. They are pretty good WHEN YOU ARE NOT WILLING YOURSELF THROUGH
THE FUCKING EMPIRE OF SOUR CREAM ONLY TO END UP IN LETTUCE COUNTRY.
When
you eat a burrito, you don’t stand it up and bite down on it lengthwise
like a fucking Rancor. Humans can’t usually dislocate their jaws, and
I’m not a fucking pelican. But you must think that’s how it’s done,
since that would be THE ONLY FUCKING WAY to take a bite of your
crapstrosity and have it taste like a burrito.
And guess what else, player? You probably can’t guess anything,
because I’m pretty sure you’re just a mop with a hat on it that fell
over and spilled some shit into a tortilla, but just in case, here’s
what:
Humans also don’t
eat burritos like fucking corn on the cob. Like a fucking typewriter
from one end to the other a little at a time and then DING next line.
But today I wish I had tried that. Because at least THEN I would be able
to eat some rice, then beans, then be all like HEY BEANS I’LL BE RIGHT
BACK JUST GOING OVER HERE TO THE GUACAMOLE FOR A SECOND.
Nope.
My
experience was more like HEY BEANS IT’S JUST GOING TO BE YOU AND I FOR A
MINUTE UNTIL I CAN FUCKING EXCAVATE THE RICE FROM BENEATH YOU BUT BY
THEN YOU WILL BE A FADING MEMORY OH HEY I WAS WRONG I’M IN THE FUCKING
CHEESEOSPHERE NOW RICE MUST BE NEXT I HOPE IT’S NOT ANOTHER FUCKING
SALSA POCKET.
You built this thing like a fucking pack of LifeSavers.
And
don’t even fucking think I’m about to open this shit up and re-engineer
your nonsense 90 degrees. I ALREADY PUT A HOLE IN IT WITH MY FUCKING
MOUTH. YEAH. THAT’S HOW I DISCOVERED YOU FUCKING SUCK AT LOOKING AT
THINGS. I AM NOT GOING TO DO FUCKING TORTILLA ORIGAMI TO GET THIS SHIT
BACK TOGETHER, ONLY TO END UP WITH A BURRITO THAT’S BEEN SHOT IN THE GUT
AND IS BLEEDING YOUR INEPTITUDE.
What’s
that? I should ask you to mix it up first next time? IS THIS JAMBA
JUICE? I DON’T WANT TO DRINK MY FUCKING BURRITO THROUGH A BENDY STRAW,
AND I DON’T WANT A PILE OF BURRITO SOUP IN A FLOUR CAN.
I just want a burrito.
In conclusion:
You’re
the worst thing that has ever happened to the universe, you owe
everyone everywhere an apology for this burritobomination, and I hope
your babies look like monkeys.
Did you like this post? I made something else I think you’ll like more.
This has been a commercial.
Also,
it is meant to be a work of humor. If you take from this that a human
being really got as angry about a burrito as the post suggests, please
never introduce me to the human beings you know.
Also...
Joy's rad new studio has me all twee!
I'm green with envy over her mint green Smeg!!
The most awesome house in Los Angeles is for sale at a bargain $24.5 mill! Check out the chimney.
If Disney Princesses had Instagram accounts
On my wishlist, so tempted now they are on sale! What do you think?
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Back to School!
Today is the 1st day for Olivia's second year of preschool. She is now a Yellow Dragon in a smaller class. Most of the same kids are in her class *including her BFF Liam* but friends from other classes are now in her class too. She already knows one of her teachers and she loves her. Liv did great on her first day even though she wasn't in a picture taking mood. I miss taking her monthly photos but Antz and I agree, every 6 months is good enough for now.
This year Liv is taking a soccer class on Wednesdays. I'm looking forward to an awesome school year.
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| Liv finally fits the lovely Misha Lulu dress Godmommy Aimee got her for Christmas |
 |
| New rad teachers! |
 |
| I can't believe it was just last year she started school! |
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