The Perfect Stroller?

As I anticipate our next child, I realized that I had a lot of unnecessary items for my first child. As a "seasoned" mother  :)...I realize that I don't need a lot of fluff but rather a good stroller goes a LONG way! The Chico stroller we have is now pretty beaten up and to be honest with you, I found it to be rather bulky and tough to navigate with in the park.  So, this time around, I'm a bit specific with what I need for a stroller.

1. It has to be affordable.
2. It has to be lightweight.
3. It must be easy to navigate
4. It must be easy to fold.
5. Last but not least, I would love for it to be sleek!

As much as I love the Bugaboo, the price does not love me. After some legwork, virtually, I happened upon a great alternative: The Mamas & Papas Stroller!

Do you like?

Christine

Who Is The Black Girl on The Cover of Town & Country?

That was my question when I was at my local Whole Foods and I saw Shala Monroque on the cover of Town and Country magazine. I felt a level of pride as her bright face smile beamed with confidence as she effortlessly showcased her pink and black outfit. The new "It Girl" brought back memories of one of my favorite novellas and movies, Breakfast At Tiffany's by Truman Capote. Like the fictional character Holly Golightly, Monroque seems to be the girl about town or what Truman Capote considered as a swan. She has a mysterious past and just seemingly appears in the glittering social world scene. As glamorous as traveling to various locales and serving as a muse for fashion designers, Monroque knows that her time in the spotlight is fleeting. It will be interesting to see what her next chapter will be.

Lovely Book

I went to Anthropologie and came across the cutest book and just couldn't help myself to read it to my daughter. I love the illustrations and the story line of repurposing clothing kind of resonated well with me. The illustrations by Julia Denos was far from shabby. Okay, okay I have a weakness for whimsy! I will definitely have to add I Had A Favorite Dress to our family library.

Celebrating the Differences in Each Other

We've been reading Freckleface Strawberry by Julianne Moore and illustrated by LeUyen Pham a lot over here. The writing is humorous and the illustrations are fun and lively. My favorite line of the book is "Who cared about having a million freckles when she had a million friends?"

I'm sorry I didn't know about the musical until recently. Hopefully, it will return this fall.

Christine

A Couple of Recent Finds at the Library

A book for me and a book for you.

This is what goes through my mind when I'm at the library. I gush over all of the recent titles for me to read and gather as many as I can. Then, I make my way over to the children's section and select another ten books for my daughter.

This is one that she absolutely loves, Pecan Pie Baby by Jacqueline Woodson and Illustrated by Sophie Blackall

It's about a little girl having mixed feelings concerning the baby that will soon arrive.`My favorite part of the book was, "Some days I sat on my stoop thinking about all the years it had been just me and Mama." The wardrobe of the children were so stylish, I wish I had it when I was a kid!

The book for me, that I couldn't put down was Everyday Icon: Michelle Obama and the Power of Style by Kate Betts. It was the perfect book to read while the rain poured outside and you just wanted to lay around the house. Betts writing style is very flowery and descriptive. A quick read and fashion eye candy that contained pictures and sketches of Michelle Obama's wardrobe.

Christine

Two Indie Publishing Children's Books I Want To Include In My Library

Same Difference by C.G Rawles

and

I Love My Cotton Candy Hair by Nicole Updegraff

The Idealistic Look At The Past

Have you ever seen your life flash before your eyes? I know sometimes when you hear of one's life flashing before their eyes, we think of a pending death. But lately I have been having flashes of different segments of my life. Getting ready for my first day of tenth grade, coming home from college, leaving to New York after college, meeting my husband, meeting my daughter. It's strange because it leaves you in a state of reflection. You think of what may have gone right or wrong. I also see a lot of faces that were once major parts of my life, fade into the background. I stop and wonder about their whereabouts and also wonder what made us lose touch with each other. I think, "Man, she was a good friend. I need to give her a call."

Life has a way of going lightening fast. One day you're a gawky thirteen year old battling pimples and the next day you're managing a household. Somehow I do feel like that thirteen year old, except the pimples aren't there but managing a household does feel like pimples. The problems stare at your face and you're looking for a solution to make you're world that more peaceful.

The past is also good to remind you why you changed your careers. Like myself. On my sometimes worst day as an entrepreneur I find myself looking longingly at my corporate job and thinking to myself, 'Well, at least I got a guaranteed paycheck every two weeks.' Somehow in those moments, I also conveniently forget how miserable I was and that my spirit was slowly dying. It reminds me of the children of Israel when they were in the wilderness and started to fantasize about their Egyptian lives as slaves. "Well, at least we ate well!"

Do you find yourself reflecting of the past?

Christine