On the First Day of Christmas, My Mail Lady Gave To Me....

a pretty box from my favorite make-up comp-a-ny! My beloved Birchbox arrived a few days ago, but I thought it would be the perfect kick-off to the 12 Days of Christmas: Things I Love Most. And since I've been saying that when I receive my Birchbox each month it feels like Christmas, here's my review of December's beautiful Birchbox for the FIRST DAY OF CHRISTMAS!

DECEMBER'S BIRCHBOX

Juice Beauty - Stem Cellular Repair CC Cream

I am a BB/CC cream virgin, so this is incredibly exciting to finally get a sample to try before I decide to plunge headfirst into the latest skin care craze.  I have loved the two previous samples of products to improve and even out skin tone, and with a hectic weekday schedule, products that combine functions are a must. I am optimistic that this CC cream will cover all my bases!

Kerastase - Nutritive Nectar Thermique/Protect

AAAA-MMMEEENNNN! Love Kerastase and LOVE that I have this product this month for my dreadful winter straw hair.  It's specially formulated for heat styled hair, and my straightener and curling iron get a workout during the holiday season. Score this product a Holiday Home Run!

ModelCo - SHINE Ultra Lip Gloss in Berry Pink

If this size of lip gloss is considered a sample size, a full size must be gargantuan. I love that the tube has a large built in mirror. It's a great darker shade of pink for the winter.  It would look great with the sparkles of silver and gold for a holiday outfit or a lazy Saturday at the mall. It smells amazing...just a hint of berry as the name might suggest. It wears light and clean and can easily be layered over lipstick to give it extra shimmer. 

Versatile.  The best stuff always is. 

Thymes - Naia Body Lotion

A great travel size for your purse for a quick lotion pick-me-up on dry winter days. A light and fresh smelling lotion won't overpower perfume.  Another perfect winter pick!

BEAUTY EXTRAS

Thymes - Lotus Santal Body Lotion

A single-use sample size with a shea-enriched hydrator and a heavier woodsy scent. Might stash this in a travel bag to use on a getaway.

Rent The Runway - $50 Gift Card

I am super excited to use this gift card...now just to figure out what I want to use it for!  I might have to make up a special occasion! Was hoping it would be good until summer, so I could save it for 40th birthday/10th anniversary celebrations -  but alas, it's only good through the end of February!  Maybe I can use it to sport some hot threads for Bon Jovi in March!!!  

I hope you enjoy the remaining 12 Days of  a WendyTime Christmas. I am looking forward to sharing my tons of fun for the Holidays!!

Holiday Must-Reads for Kids; Toddler - Elementary School

In my previous life, I was an elementary teacher.  And by previous life, I mean B.C. - Before Children.  I loved being a teacher, and I think I was pretty good at it too.  But I knew I wanted to be a SAHM once I did have children, and am so eternally grateful that we are able to make that happen as a family.

And if you ask me these days if I plan on going back to the classroom full-time once Monkey starts school full-time, the answer is no. Not because I don't want to. I still love to TEACH, but I know in my heart that I cannot tolerate the insurmountable burden being placed on teachers with testing, paperwork, meetings and state mandates. I was beginning to get burned out at my 11th year teaching, when I was pregnant with Sweet Pea, without having a full family to come home to and be responsible for. Now that Sweet Pea is in Kindergarten and I am PTA Room Mom and helping out in her class, I walk into that room and feel AT HOME...comfortable.  But even knowing that the classroom is the place I belong, it just seems like it's not the right fit anymore.

The holidays were always such a great time in the classroom.  So many opportunities to tie literature into daily lessons and discover great stories to read just for fun. It's an easy topic/subject to get kids excited about reading :)  I especially loved when I was teaching first grade and we did "Holidays Around the World". The children traveled to one of the 6 first grade classrooms each day with their passports to learn about how different countries celebrated the holiday season, and how some of our traditions in America came to be  from other nations' traditions.  Here is a list of books I recommend if your family would like to travel the world this Christmas:

An Early American Christmas By Tomie dePaola

The Legend of the Poinsettia By Tomie dePaola

Nine Days to Christmas By Marie Hall Ets

Babar and Father Christmas By Jean De Brunhoff

The Christmas Tomten By Viktor Rydberg



This next list is full of my personal favorites and they will always be "must reads" in our house for years to come, with the sincerest wishes that my darlings cherish them to carry on for their next generation.  I have a recommendation for a toddler/pre-school age, one for early elementary age and one for late elementary age.

TODDLER/PRE-SCHOOL AGE

"Bear Stays Up For Christmas" By Karma Wilson

Bear is an all-time favorite in our house.  Monkey has a super-sized bear he got for his first Christmas from Santa and Mimi got him this book to go along with it.  Ever since, we've loved Bear and all his friends.  Monkey gets a new Bear book every Christmas. We've only got two more titles to get.  I hope you find Bear as charming and sweet as we do.

EARLY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AGE

"Auntie Claus" Series

These books are HANDS DOWN my favorite children's Christmas stories.  I bought "Auntie Claus" during my early years teaching at a Scholastic Book Fair.  They are the funniest, most entertaining and delightful modern Christmas stories around.  I  pray every year that I will read Hollywood/Disney/Pixar is going to turn these stories into full-length Holiday features.  They are INCREDIBLE!!

LATE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AGE

"Who Is Stealing The 12 Days of Christmas?" (Chickadee Court Mysteries) By Martha Freeman

This gem was my daily read-aloud during the holidays to my 3rd and 4th graders.  It is fantastic for inference, prediction and reading for detail strategies.  Plus, it's just a good, old fashioned, fun mystery ala' the days of Scooby Doo.  I CANNOT wait to start reading this with Sweet Pea in the next years.  As you can see, it's part of a series.  They are all FANTASTIC! 

I hope you have found a few new suggestions for holiday enjoyment with your kiddos this season.  There are so many choices in the world of children's books.  I'm always on the lookout for a new favorite. Please share some of your family favorites for the holiday season. I would love to see what you're reading!

                                           

November Birchbox: Setting the precedent for this month's theme - "Huh, it's the end of the month already."

Yes, yes it is, the end of the month already.  The holiday season will do that to you.  Plus, throw a natural disaster in on the mix and it really messes things up.  Birchbox was very proactive on the problems that Hurricane Sandy tossed in their direction.  Plus, anyone in their right mind would understand that production at Birchbox Ops would be affected by this terrible storm. Heck, I would've even understood if they weren't able to get our boxes out this month.  But, we received an email assuring us that we would receive them, albeit probably a little later in some instances. WOW! Brava/Bravo Birchbox Ops.

So, knowing that it may be a little late, I didn't stalk my mail lady as I normally would around the 10th of the month. I actually kinda forgot about it for a little while. The holidays will do that to you.  But to my surprise, I got my tracking email on Monday the 12th saying it had shipped AND was already at the processing plant in Michigan.  WHOA! YEA!  I checked the tracking again the next day and it was already in Ohio.  The next day, in Cleveland.  DOUBLE YEA! And I started stalking my mail lady. I stalked her for FIVE DAYS! My beloved Birchbox sat at MY post office, not in Hurricane Sandy ravaged NEW YORK, for FIVE DAYS!  So, once again, THANK YOU BIRCHBOX OPS for your outstanding service.  Cleveland-area Postal Service...get on the BALL!

Here it is...the end of the month.  It sneaked up on me much like the initial delivery of my Birchbox did.  The holidays will do that to you.  Because we've been bustling around already with hosting Thanksgiving and getting the house Christmas-ified, this is the first chance I've had to sit down and share the box.  I've had a chance to use a few things too!

NOVEMBER'S BIRCHBOX

Atelier Cologne - Rose Anonyme Cologne Absolue

This very musky & heavy (and I mean that in a good way) perfume takes the rose scent in a whole new direction.  It isn't the typical light, floral type of perfume you find with a rose base.  It's great for the winter season and I will probably wear it very sparingly.  It's intense.  It also came with a beautiful postcard.

MIRACLE SKIN TRANSFORMER™ - Vanish Instant Imperfection Corrector

I have used this product for a few days. I apply it right after I moisturize in the morning and within MINUTES I see a difference in the tone and evenness of my skin. My foundation goes on more smoothly and felt as though it helped it last longer and look more natural.  I am considering buying this product at full size.  I really like it.

OSCAR BLANDI - Pronto Texture and Volume Spray

I have not had a chance to use this product yet.  But I am looking forward to anything that will help keep volume in my hair.  I have a lot of hair, but it's very fine. So it looks amazing right after I style it, but in 10 minutes - eh, not so much. Anything that will help KEEP volume in my hair works for me. I am hoping this is the product!

stila - all over shimmer liquid luminizer

stila could be my favorite line of make-up. Period.  Any time I get a product from them it's a celebration, in my mind anyway. I love the little "holiday glow" it gives your skin. I love you, stila!!

LIFESTYLE EXTRAS

CHUAO CHOCOLATIER - ChocoPod

This are bite size, all natural chocolate snack "bars" (I can't really call it a bar, because it's shaped more like a football).  Anyways, they sent me the POTATO CHIP and chocolate snack pod. Good call, Birchbox Fairies....GOOD. CALL.  If I ever got a hold of an entire box of these....GOOD NIGHT IRENE! Delicious and great snacking size.

We also received a small gift box to "give back, give thanks and give treats" to a deserving someone.  I know to whom I'd like to share a gift, just trying to find the perfect thing.  Hmmmmm.

Looking forward to what December has in store for us BBers.  I'm sure the fairies won't disappoint :)

Easy-peasy Thanksgiving Appetizer

I am a cheese head.  I'd fit right in in Wisconsin. My ideal fall Saturday night...football, cheese plate, glass(es) of wine and my hubby. So naturally when the holidays roll around I'm always looking at different recipes for cheese munchies.  A few Thanksgivings ago, I tried this awesome brie recipe.  And now I crave it all fall and winter.  It combines my favorite flavor, salty-sweet.  It is delicious and super-easy; a real crowd pleaser! So if you're looking for a last-minute appetizer, or something amazing looking and tasting to bring as a dish to Thanksgiving, I recommend you give this a try :)

BRIE WITH APRICOT TOPPING

*Published in Taste of Home; HALLOWEEN (special issue, 2008)

Photo: Taste of Home

- 1/2 c. of dried apricots (or apricot preserve works in a pinch too)

- 2 tbs. brown sugar

- 2 tbs. water

- 1 tsp. balsamic vinegar

- Dash of salt

- 1/2 to 1 tsp. fresh minced rosemary or 1/4 tsp. of dried rosemary, crushed

1 round Brie cheese wheel (8 ounces)

Crackers

*Preheat oven to 400*

1. In a small saucepan or skillet, combine apricots, brown sugar, water, vinegar and salt. Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; cook and stir until slightly thickened.  Remove from heat, stir in rosemary.

2.  Remove rind from top of brie wheel.  Place brie in an ungreased ovenproof serving dish with cut side up. Spread apricot mixture over the top of brie wheel.   Bake uncovered at 400* for 10-12 mins or until brie is soft.  Serve with crackers. 

The Banana Clip of Cooking Magazines

Thanksgiving menu - CHECK! (Finally).  I feel like I'm a couple days behind on this one.  Usually I have  it done by the 1st of November.  OK, maybe it's a couple of weeks behind.
Anyways, it's done and I'm excited.  I was never a fan of Thanksgiving until I started hosting it.  Now I LOVE IT!  I try to add a new dish to the menu each year to go along with the standards.  So today I hauled out my stack of Taste of Home magazines from  past October/Novembers and started going through them.  I sang the praises of Taste of Home, in my early post about Menu Planning, and it's abundance of easy recipes.  But I noticed as I thumbed through issues that went back as far as 2000 (YES, I AM A MAGAZINE HOARDER! I have Martha Stewart Living issues that go back to the '90s!), that the transformation of Taste of Home in the past 2-3 years has been incredible.  In my mind, TOH was the "banana clip" of cooking magazines;  useful, but a LITTLE outdated.  I used it in the deep, dark corners of my kitchen...but would never use it in public ;-P  I re-subscribed to it after I received the TOH Best Recipes Collection Cookbook for Christmas a few years ago.  By purchasing the book, you receive a year's subscription to the magazine.  Boy was I surprised when the first issue arrived in the mail!  Banana clip no more! Gone are the features on dowdy country kitchens populated by goose and heart wallpaper, pictures of great-grandma contributors/editors, reliable, yet not that exciting, recipes and boring photography.  Bring on bright feature articles, focus on functional and modern kitchens, interesting product recommendations, what's new in food and family-focused products and healthy, inventive recipes using a wide variety of ingredients...yet still EASY! I found 3 new recipes from the October and November, 2011 issues -  and managed to plan almost the entire month of December dinners from those two issues as well.  If you're looking for a place to get started running a well-oiled family kitchen, I  recommend getting a subscription to Taste of Home STAT.

TASTE OF HOME TRANSFORMATION

1997

2008

2012 Christmas Issue

MDNA = EPIC; a laywoman's review of Madonna LIVE in Cleveland

MDNA 2012 CONCERT
QUICKEN LOANS ARENA
CLEVELAND, OHIO

I am a red-blooded American child of the '80s.  Which therefore translates into a whole-hearted love affair with The Queen, Madge, M....MADONNA! I have been DYING to see her live since middle school...it was getting into "Bucket List" territory. Seriously.

 All the way back in February, tickets went on sale for her MDNA 2012 tour stop in Ctown.  My dear friend Bess got tickets through pre-sale and thus, I SAW HER LIVE LAST NIGHT!!! I was ecstatic to be heading out for the ULTIMATE GNO.  And I was not disappointed. Not in the least. Never.

Here's my brief review of the MDNA 2012 Tour Live in Cleveland; a review completely devoid of any appropriate music critic training, other than taking the most EPIC class ever offered at MHHS - POP CULTURE - to study the origins of American music. But nonetheless, I offer my humble thoughts and feelings on one of the most memorable nights in my 39 years on planet Earth...

I've never been to Vegas.  I have heard Vegas shows are a feast for the senses.  I am going to go out on a limb and say what I witnessed last night could be every show in Vegas wrapped up into one ON ECSTASY, but in a good way.  I have never seen anything so visually amazing, perfectly choreographed and supremely staged.  I cannot describe it.  You cannot take your eyes off of this spectacle and nor should you ever try to. The energy is overpowering, contagious.  Madonna is breathtaking and stunning;  in constant motion through the 2 hours of the show - only taking short breaks on musical/dance interludes for costume changes to coincide with the concert theme changes.

My lovely girl  Michelle
aka Golden Triangle Queen
(The Gianni Tree,)
and me

I do have a few offerings of advice for future ticket holders. If you're going expecting to see her rolling around on stage in her white wedding dress singing all your old time faves straight off The Immaculate Collection....DON'T.  If you're a casual Madonna fan looking to relive the glory days of 20+ years ago, this show is NOT for you. And unfortunately, I think a lot of the "MOM" crowd who showed up at last night's show was expecting that. Because that's what I heard them ALL complaining about & I wanted to punch them in the face. (Ok, no not really. Well, maybe just a little bit at the end of the night.  My feet hurt, we couldn't find a cab, it took us forever to get home. I was crabby about that stuff!)
Now, if you're a fan that has kept up with her over the years and know how she has evolved as an artist; knowing she loves to put on a production which has a message, shock value and artistry, then you will LOVE IT!  The song ratio of new to classic is about 3:1.  She brings down the house with the new stuff from MDNA and does surprising renditions of some of the classics. If you don't enjoy the production of Express Yourself (where she spends the majority of time singing the song while twirling a freakin' baton!), you should seriously check your pulse.  Vogue is the most beautiful, visually stunning thing I have ever seen.  And the finale/encore left me wide-awake with energy for most of the night even after I got home.  SIMPLY AMAZING.  My last word of advice is, don't worry about being on time for the concert.  Doors usually open at 8. DJ Paul Oakenfold is her opening act and plays music for about an hour.  He finished up at our concert around 9:45 and Madge made it to the stage a little after 10:30.  Knowing this going in completely changed our game plan for the night.  Most concert venue websites make you aware of the concert timing, but again, judging by some of the complaints, not everyone was "educated".

LONG LIVE THE QUEEN...I'll be watching her dance around the stage using her walker as a prop. Guaranteed.

Flipping Pajamas

It's really easy to think about how quickly time flies at holidays, birthdays and celebrations.  A year's time, gone. When I'm in the moment, I try to cherish it and not think, "WOW! Where did the year go?!". But that feeling sneaks up on me at the most innocuous moments these days.  One of them being when I'm putting away my laundry.  I've got a special pile of holiday pajamas in my drawer...Halloween, Christmas, Valentine's Day, Easter, Summer holidays.  And the pile rotates once the holiday is over.  Moving a holiday to the bottom of the pile always seems to get me.  And Halloween is at the bottom of the pile now.  I'm sad it's done.  It will be one for the record books....the first one Monkey really understood the meaning of Halloween and got excited for it; Hurricane Sandy rained on us for 7 days straight, cancelled school (and a Halloween party) for a day, postponed trick-or-treat for 4 days and we celebrated with my in-laws for the first time so the cousins had some fun.

On the bright side, Christmas is at the top of the pile...