Saturday, November 5, 2016

All the Leggings!! Lularoe, What??

Seriously. I'm in trouble.

I resist most Facebook fads, if only because it's a bit crazy how many people have begun direct sales blitz via their Facebook page and every single mom/garage/sell it pages with how amazing Beach Body/It Wraps/Wrinkle Cream/Jamberry (which I actually like, cause, well Disney and lace sugar skull wraps!!). Part of me wishes that social media would stay, well, social...and then there's the part that's pretty amazed at how it can be used to make a difference in people's lives.

Now, the whole Lularoe phenom? It, from the outside anyway, looks like just another direct sales pitch...and I have a few friends that have been trying for months to get me to try these "amazing leggings" over and over. The mom groups? Even worse, because then there's pop ups happening all over the place.

I blame them all. Because they were right.

One month ago, I attended a workshop (yep, this mommy bellydances!), and in the midst of trying to not swear like a trucker while squat insanity, one of my newest friends (also trying to keep it clean) asked if tried them yet. (She had just started being a rep, if that's the word...dealer might be more appropriate....and had commented on her cute leggings to distract myself!) I told her no (it came out more as a grunt, but she understood). The next day, she brought me two pairs, said to try them on for size (one size and tall/curvy) and keep the one I liked. As a freebie.

I took them home (yep, we had four days of exquisite torture.. look up Salimpour School...for real. Hard core bellydance technique insanity!), tried them both on. And swore. Cause they were so comfy, cute...and yes, buttery. Solids, but I didn't care. I also discovered I could wear either (which I know from my fifteen plus years of retail experience applied to the larger cut in prints cause they can either run small, or you don't want to stretch the design as much)...



Then I discovered what a unicorn is. These were mine, and the reason this really started. (I noticed that friend was a rep, and asked her about it. Gateway. Just sayin.)



Then you find out why there are UNICORNS. You see, the elusive print you fall in love with isn't as easy to find as you think. Each rep doesn't order from a catalog, or have the ability to order a specific print. Each print is a limited run (I've seen anywhere from 2500 to 5000 on different sites), and once it's gone, it's gone. This is a double edged sword as the rep never knows what she's getting when she orders, say 100 TC leggings...but it does put competition low on the totem pole and in line with the company's values.

So, now I'm in seven groups, because the only ways you can purchase these buttery, addictive things online is through Facebook pop up sales in the rep's group page, or at a local pop up on location.

Sigh.

So, now, I sneak away from my family, searching for the unicorn prints I want (😂 and get those looks from my husband!), search eBay (and have my jaw drop at the prices some of the most sought after pieces sell for...but it's a great place to browse for prints you want!), and try to get the mail before anyone else.

I'm afraid to count how many I have, and there are a few mystery pairs that are going to be given as presents, but they are fantastic for everyday wear, a bit dressed up (go on Pinterest and you'll see!), or for yoga and, yes, bellydance.

Happy hunting!

posted from Bloggeroid

Thursday, July 28, 2016

Clean All The Summer Fruit!

In the realm of declutter, reduce the chemicals (not that they're all evil), and in the name of frugality (two mortgages and diapers!!!), a few years ago, I began researching alternatives and methods for everyday cleaning and being more kid friendly.

That's when I discovered the amazing, everyday, multipurpose products I already had in my pantry. (Side note, the word pantry always makes me kinda giggle and I'm really not sure why!) Warning, Pinterest will boggle your mind with endless lists of the ways you can use ordinary and extraordinary staples, but really, if you're like me, you need the shortened version. The hope, no matter how small, of having an extra ten seconds to take the world's fastest shower is incredibly important. Especially with two little ones, who just might, if you're extremely lucky, nap at the same time. Of course, you'll probably end up doing something just as important as well. Like laundry or the dishes, because they will never truly be done. Neverending cycle of family life, laundry and dishes.

But, that is not the awesomeness of this post...it's all about apple cider vinegar.



First off, let me tell you, I like salad. But, smelling salad dressing-like fragrances isn't my favorite. Some people actually love the smell. Me? Not so much.

But, as a fruit and veggie cleaner?

Fabulous!!! Yep, clean up the produce with apple cider vinegar...just put a few tablespoons or so diluted in water and soak your produce of choice for 5-10 minutes.



Then rinse.



Done.

And, if you get fruit flies? Even easier...I use

a container from something like Trader Joe's Mango Salsa (my newest obsession!!!!), poke a few holes in the lid and pour apple cider vinegar about halfway up then watch (or not!) the flies fly right on in to stay. The lid contains the smell (which, as we know, isn't my favorite) and keeps the containment easy to dispose of.

Voila!! Clean produce, and fruit flies be gone!!!

posted from Bloggeroid

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Chaos, Direct Sales, And Mommy Time

Direct sales have invaded and taken over my Facebook feed. Between Jamberry (which I've tried and love for my toes!), 21 Fix, Keep, and who knows what else, I'm overloaded with equal parts guilt (some of these friends are really friends, and I want to support them), annoyance (am I just another part of their "business" and that's it?), and the wondering if all those shakes/wraps/fixes really work (and if they do why isn't everyone doing them??).

Honest moment disclaimer. I'm not a fan of any kind of fix, etc, because I wonder why people can't find a way to do it themselves? And, a "fix" implies your broken...and after 21 days, you won't be. Now, sure the support systems of some of these things is really amazing for some people! I get it, we are all different. But, the problem is I have so many other things (Legos, food, training pants, food, food...I have two little boys!!!) that it is just crazy to spend more money on things like this, at least for me.

There's a bit of crazy happening in my life, mainly the daily chaos of raising two little boys and the struggles of trying to do what we love as a way to support our family. And all that other stuff. Like the dishes. Laundry. Sweeping the floor. Getting a shower more than twice a week.

In the spirit of my New Mommy, New Rules once upon a time dream, I'm getting back to basics. Tips, learnings, good times...

For today, get outside and enjoy the beauty of the world. Green, lush scenery and flowers in bloom, the scents of herbs growing in your garden, the sound

s of cicadas showing up for their once in sixteen (or is it seventeen?) years...read a real book in the sunshine (don't forget the sunblock!).

The rule for today? Do something for you, maybe with your little ones or maybe just for you.

Even if it's just a quick shower.

posted from Bloggeroid

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Clutter in the Closet: 40 In 40 Challenge

I'm utterly and alternately terrified, frustrated, and appalled at the state of my closet. When we bought our home, I was ecstatic to see the extra room off our master suite. Office? Nursery?

Nope.

Divine walk-in closet.

I found a closet organizing system, complete with long and short hanging options, a shoe organizer (oh, the things of dreams!!), and other perfectly wonderful organizing components that made my inner fashion diva squeal with delight.

Once the set up was complete, I gleefully separated my black works pieces from the longer dresses and pants. Hung or folded sweaters and hoodies, tees and tanks, jeans...summer from fall, spring and winter.

Then, the lil ones came. Gone were the afternoons off, rearranging and lovingly keeping my closet beautiful.

In fact, it has turned into this...



Sigh.

Bring on the Forty Things In Forty Days Challenge!

Donate, sell, or pitch. One (or mire things) a day. Because I'm afraid it might take over the rest of the house. Which means a war with the Legos and Hot Wheels, with Lightning McQueen as General McQueen. I might be watching fee too many YouTube videos aimed at preschoolers...

posted from Bloggeroid