a 2yr-old's pictorial lesson in driving

Like most male-female journeys, the drive starts out a lot of fun. Just the two of you. The open road. A good sountern rock album blazin through the speakers. Fingers poppin' the steering wheel as the wind blows through your hair.



When the time is right, he moves in for a moment. She plays hard to get.



Next thing you know she's flipped the tuner from the Black Crowes to the Black Eyed Peas! The nerve!



"Take a left at the dance studio. Our tango lessons start tonight! I'm SO excited!" I guess the monster truck rally will have to wait.

my husband is a weirdo

Video from last Tuesday afternoon's happening while the boys and I were sick and resting inside (animal activists beware)...

(video embed below)

Giveaway: Picaflor kids clothing

I have had the amazing opportunity to partner with a new company called Picaflor Kids. Not only do they have vibrant, beautiful knitwear designs, but they are strongly committed to fair-trade practices and they give back to a variety of organizations.

Picaflor uses thoughtful fabrics and a small scale production to create unique collections of knitwear that are designed for busy little wings. Nancy Coronado, founder and designer works directly with a family-owned clothing maker in her home country of Peru. How awesome is that?!

Picaflor Kids is available for boys and girls. They have adorable infant styles all the way up to 7/8 year-old's sizes. And they all cordinate. If you have a hubby like mine who refuses to let me dress the boys alike then you will also love this company. They have so many coordianting outfits for both genders! They are made of 100% rayon, a natural fiber that is made to be very soft and comfortable on the skin. Rayon is hypoallergenic, absorbant and wicks mositure away. And it gets better....all of their clothing is machine washable and dryer-friendly!

The 2 adorable outfits I was able to review on the boys were just gorgeous. The colors are so vibrant. The fabric is soft and shiny. I just loved these outfits. Knowing that this company practices fair-trade makes me smile even bigger as I dress my boys in their new outfits!

Buy a new piece: Picaflor Kids is offering every Blondes, Poop & Mascara reader a 10% discount off their total purchase and FREE SHIPPING! Just enter "Offerblogfanss09" when checking out.
Win a new piece: Picaflor Kids is offering a Blondes, Poop & Mascara reader to your favorite piece of clothing. Leave me a comment letting me know which piece you must have and what size.

Extra Entries:
1. Follow my blog publicly through Google's easy reader tool.
2. Subscribe to my blog via email (and except the confirmation email).
3. Follow me on twitter... mrsblonde1
4. Tweet about this giveaway.
5. Grab my button and post it to your cyber space.
6. Blog about this contest and leave the link in your comment.
7. Email this giveaway to 4 friends and copy me.

I will select a winner July 13th. Thanks for entering!

Happy Birthday to my Husband!

Even though the day has passed, I am still celebrating you today! Your birthday weekend was kind of crazy and a bit challenging to say the least. With all of us getting sick, not being at home in our own beds, and a new environment.....you were so patient!

Thank you so much for taking care of our family the way you do and always putting us above yourself. I know that is often difficult, but you do such an amazing job. I am so blessed to have you as my husband and the father of our children. I love how you are striving to be a better man everyday for those around you and your family! I admire that in you!

Cheers to you and your 3rd birthday cake. You know LA has loved 3 birthday cakes! Love you husband! wt2f3s9rai

Giveaway: eco-friendly eyeliner pencils

As some of you know, I am a professional make-up artist. I have been doing this for a decade now. I started while I was attending the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles. I was an assistant make-up artist for runway shows and then started at Barneys in Beverly Hills. After completing school in LA I moved to Chicago as a traveling make-up artist for Christian Dior. Since then, I've worked in every major specialty store and tampered with every line of products. I loved it then and now that I have my own business, it's even better. Especially since I carry what I considered the best of the best in my kit. Not one line has me tied down to any certain product for promotional purposes. Let's face it, the last thing a bride wants on her wedding day or a celeb wants before they going onto a green set for ESPN is a product pitch. I know the best. I use the best. And, I love it.

When I found Pencil Me In Cosmetics, I was really excited. 1) It is essential to have a quality eye liner. 2) I have extremely sensitive eyes and the "healthy" portion of their business model intrigued me. I have tried several "all natural" eye liners from high-end retailers to drug store and they just do not stay on. Once I read all the research behind Pencil Me In's pencils I knew I had to try them. Truth be told...I was intrigued but expected very little because of my past experiences.

Linda Eisner is the founder of the company and has been in the industry for 20 years. She believes that a pencil should visually enhance the eye area while promoting well-being. The nutrients in her products can be absorbed into the body through your delicate eye tissue.

These pencils are tremendous! They go on like satin. Smooth like butter! The color is vibrant and it actually stays on. The lid also has a built in sharpener. The ingredients are crazy good -- green tea leaf extract, pine bark, grape seeds, shea butter, aloe vera and vitamin C to just name a few that I get excited about. Check out why these are so good for you on the website. AND they are only 6.99!

Linda has also provided you with amazing tips on how and where to apply. Click on your hair color for more options as well.

Buy some: Get yours now. As I mentioned, they're only $6.99 each.

Win some: I have FIVE pencils to giveaway. Get to the website and leave me your email address with a comment telling me your favorite color.

Extra Entries:
1. Follow my blog through Google's easy reader tool.
2. Subscribe to my blog via email (and except the confirmation email).
3. Follow me on twitter... mrsblonde1
4. Tweet about this giveaway.
5. Grab my button and post it to your cyber space.
6. Blog about this contest and leave the link in your comment.
7. Email this giveaway to 4 friends and copy me.
8. Vote for Beauty by Crystal's A-list nomination.

The 5 winners are...

Blogger sweetsue said...

I am now following you on Twitter (ptowngirl).
smchester at gmail dot com

12:46 PM

MOMFOREVERANDEVER said...

mrs.mommyyatgmaildotcom
subscriber

count me in

Everyone have a great week!

Anonymous Miranda said...

I like the Amethyst eye pencil.
eponine367@yahoo.com

Jenna said...

I love black!! I have never entered so here we go!! :) Eye liner is a must for me!! It is my favorite piece of makeup!!

9:08 AM

Anonymous said...

I love the Nutmeg Eye Pencil! Thanks for the giveaway!

luckymegs1981 AT yahoo DOT com

halfway

July 2nd at high Noon. 182.5 days into 2009. 182.5 days left in the year.

What have we at BPM been up to...

* We elected a "minority"as President for the first time in our nation's history.

* Our baby boy turned 1.

* Our economy is as crapped out as it's been since the Great Depression.

* Our big boy got himself potty-trained.

* Mr. and Mrs. Blonde celebrated 5 years of marriage. And, as part of that celebration are training for their first ever 5k together.

* Today I even saw a cardboard bear cutout climb a tree. '09 just keeps getting better.

What has 2009 been to you so far? What's left on your checklist before we step into another decade of life on December 31st?

Would you do this for $1000?

The contest was simple -- Hang out in a port-o-let for an hour in 100 degree temperatures. The rallying of the troops and rules are below as written by an executive from the Indy Racing League...

Mr. G says he will stay in the port-o-let outside the business affairs trailer for 1 hour tomorrow for $400. I’m looking for funding to help underwrite this venture.

Rules:
1. No blackberry
2. From 4pm – 5pm Eastern
3. No fanning devices allowed
4. Must go in with only the clothes on his person
5. Cash to be paid upon completion of the 60 minute period.
6. The 60 minutes start upon backing the Dodge Avenger up to the door to assure no escape.
7. “Tapping Out” will signify an aborted attempt

Who’s in? Please feel free to consume as much pork, coffee, tobacco products, potato salad, Thai food, spicy chicken wings, braunschweiger, Mexican cuisine, White Castles, old broccoli and Guinness as you see appropriate. You have until 3:59 to purge.

After having gained support of several additional executives, Firestone, Honda and Tony Kanaan, the funding had been raised and more than doubled to $1000.

The emails and tweets flowed prior to the clock until well after. He succeeded! I'm pretty sure I would have done it too. Would you have?

Update (9:30amET 6/29) - The local media heard about it too.

Giveaway: customized photo necklace

So you might remember from last year when I reviewed Little Fish Designs. If you don't then let me remind you of this incredible company that allows you to wear your kids in a very fashionable, funky, creative way! Amy Baas, a freelance graphic designer and full time SAHM is constantly finding new ways to show off her kids, make gifts for friends and family and having fun while doing it!

Little Fish Designs "Wearables" jewelry was born January of 2008 while creating gifts for Amy's grandpa's 90th bday celebration. Her first trial run of necklaces and key chains were for her 7 aunts and uncles with photos of her grandparents. From there she has done over 65 custom orders. Necklaces come in 3 different lengths and can be made horizontal or vertical. Charms come in 2 sizes and can be purchased alone or be paired with a necklace. Each design is sandwiched between microscope glass and hand soldered using lead-free solder. Necklaces come complete with 18" - 20" of ball chain to give it that dog tag feel.

I have my favorite posted below! A wearables necklace is such an incredible unique gift. A year ago I gave each of the boy's grandmothers a necklace and this year for Mother's Day I was able to wear both LA and Boatboy. I love it! Not only are the prices great, but Amy is so incredible to work with! I also own a 1in x 3in and really like it too!

Buy it: Head over to Little Fish Designs and order a customized photo necklace of your little ones.

Win it: Amy at Little Fish Designs is giving one Blondes, Poop & Mascara reader a personalized 1in x 1in charm. Go to her site and tell me which wearable you must have and who would you put in your charm.

Extra Entries:
1. Follow my blog through Google's easy reader tool.
2. Subscribe to my blog via email (and except the confirmation email).
3. Follow me on twitter... mrsblonde1
4. Tweet about this giveaway.
5. Grab my button and post it to your cyber space.
6. Blog about this contest and leave the link in your comment.
7. Email this giveaway to 4 friends and copy me.
8. Follow Little Fish Desgins blog

The winner is...Carley

carly said...

i really loved the 1' swallow bird! very fun! and of course i would put jayms and jahger in one! jayms would say "ahhhh mom your so sweet!" lol thx carly

Thanks to everyone who entered!

a drug addicted, self-disrespecting, baby-dangling music icon left us with what?

When Mrs. Blonde and I first began dating 6 years ago one of the first questions I asked her was "What do you want your legacy to be?"

Last night the aforementioned beautiful bride of mine and I were out to sushi with a couple good friends of ours when news broke on a nearby tv (yeah, a television in a sushi joint is weird, I know...but it's authentic Japanese cuisine without the American jacked up prices so it's "our place") that Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, had died. I didn't believe it when the other husband at the table read the headline. Then, it settled in a bit.

"Michael Jackson is dead. Dead! This is a really big deal!" I thought (and probably said out loud). But, what does that mean? What was accomplished? What was left behind? In short - A LOT!

He is arguably amongst the Top 5 most popular worldwide music entertainers in history. Likely categorized alongside The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin and maybe Madonna. He broke the color barrier on MTV. He invented musical notions and dance moves that will never be replicated. He's won every possible video and music award. Thriller is still the most sold album in music history at 65 million. He became a cultural icon.

And, he was a mess. So fixated on his lack of comfort in his own body, he'd had over 50 plastic surgeries. He was accused of child molestation. He was quirky. He was married and divorced. He was addicted to pain killers. He had debt in the millions.

He's left behind three children. Little is known of them other than the third having been draped over a European balcony over a few years ago in what he later referred to as a poorly decided prank. Ya think? I worry for those little ones.

The 2000 edition of the Guiness Book Of World Records honored Jackson for the "Most Charities Supported By a Pop Star." It's estimated that he gave over $1,000,000,000 to charity. That's 1 BILLION...with a B.

After our dinner was finished, we got to the car and I quickly scrolled through my iPod to play us a tribute MJ jam. Guess what? Nothing. My music-obsessed 8,000+ song-filled mp3 player completely vacant of anything King of Pop. A day later it's clear to me...Michael Jackson meant something to me. I just don't know what that something was.

The man brought shock. He brought awe. He brought extreme talent. He brought bizarrity. He brought confusion. He left questions.

I want my legacy to be something defined. Something sound. Something unquestionable. Something to laugh about. And, cry about. I want to be a man who constantly pursued the best for those around me by giving myself up. A brilliant husband. An unfailing mistake-making father who celebrates triumphs and leaves room for acceptance of error. Someone known and seeking to know. Someone replaceable only by a Love found not given by me but given through me.

What do you want your legacy to be?

-Mr. Blonde

Wordless Wednesday

Lillies from my sweet friend Lily!

celebrating Ahnu shape

5K trail run? Yes! I am training for my first 5k trail run with my hubby. It was part of the "5" gifts he gave me for our 5-year anniversary celebration. Because I'm a goal person (ex-jock) and I've never been signed up for a run, I've lacked motivation. But, now that I'm signed up, it's on. -- In addition to the entry already having been sent, I am trying to shed some weight before even thinking of conceiving baby #3. I don't know if it is the same for you but I feel better if I know my feet aren't barking while I am running.

I've hit the ground running with a sweet new pair of Terra Linda XTR's from Ahnu. And, I adore them. You know that they're-new-so-give-them-a-couple-weeks-to-feel-good notion that crosses your mind every time you're wearing a pair of new shoes? Not necessary with these kicks. They felt good from the first step. Ahnu believes that balance is vital in performance footwear. The balance between cushioning vs. stability, traction vs. flexibility, and comfort vs. durability is all considered in their engineering process. They make shoes geared for walking, hiking, pavement running, trail running, etc. They have some cool souls for men too.

I will say they are a little more pricey than we usually spend on running shoes. But, I would rather pay a little more and know that my money is going toward a company who preserves ethics as much as they care about their products. Ahnu is one of the few footwear factories in the world that is SA8000 certified.

SA8000 is an international standard for improving working conditions. Based on the principles of thirteen international human rights conventions, it is a tool to help apply these norms to practical work-life situations.

It's easy to not care about these things. You might think where/how a pair of shoes or a shirt are produced doesn't really matter. It does! Ahnu also uses post-consumer recyled fibers in their catalogs and packaging. Check out all the ways Ahnu is giving back. Way to go Ahnu for making a difference!

Head over to Ahnu and check out their collections. I am a huge fan and I can't imagine buying running shoes from any other company now that I've experienced them. Stay tuned for more updates as I continue training for our run as well.

HaPpY DaDdY DaY!

Thanks for being an amazing role model to our children. I can only pray that our boys will turn out just like you. I love you and so do our boys!