Little Girls & Mommy's Love Blinglets + A Blingtastic Giveaway

As a craft lover mom with a craft lover daughter, I was thrilled to receive a box of Blinglets by Orb Factory.

As a Daisy leader, my partner and I are always looking for crafts for our 10 girls that are fun, show creativity, elicit a sharing and caring environment, is not competitive and enforces the sisterhood we are striving to enforce as our young girls mature.

We gave them the bracelets telling them that they were creating them for each other. Partners were established and the girls got to eagerly went to work on their creations.

This was probably our best meeting ever. The girls stayed on task, quietly spoke to each other, shared thoughts and ideas, and asked each other what the other would like on their bracelet. They worked so well individually but as a group that we couldn't stop telling them how proud we were of them.

What we loved most:

• The bracelets were pretty even without bling
• There is literally no clean up
• The bracelets are sized just right for young girls wrists
• They are easy for even little girls to make and older girls love that they can create something stylish and hip.
• There are so many different gems

 Added bonus:
The girls were using the gems on everything like their folders, their nails, even their cheeks.

What We Wish:
Some of the girls wanted to make one for their mom but couldn't the bracelets are too small for mommy hands to fit through. Even our 12 year old "big sister" couldn't use the bracelet. Definitely for girls 3-10. Our younger girls had parental supervision. You have to know your girl and we wouldn't recommend for those who put things in their mouth.

Our girls had a great time and all moms involved were very interested in more information on Orb Factory products. They believe Blinglets are awesome gift ideas, group craft, girl parties and even party favors ideas.

Weight Watchers Sweet Baked Goods

 At the end of the night sometime between 6:30 and 7:30 I want something sweet. Nothing big just something with my cup of tea or coffee but not something that is going to make me feel guilty for indulging. You know what I mean?
In walks Weight Watchers Sweet Baked Goods

First I tried their new muffins Weight Watchers Blueberry and Double Chocolate Muffins with their extra wild blueberries, bigger real chocolate chips and sugar crystals on top for added crunch and a bakery-fresh look.

What I Can Tell You: Personally we (Goddess and I) didn't like these. There was something that didn't taste right. There was a strange taste that I associated with "industrial" or whatever that means. They smelled decent and looked really good but the taste was lacking something.


What I Can Tell You: WE LOVED THEM! We love them so much we wish there were more in a box because we've already purchased 2 more boxes. They taste like you would expect a chocolate muffin to taste without all calories.

The next two we tried were:

•    Weight Watchers Chocolate Brownies - Real chocolate makes this brownie perfect as a satisfying dessert or rich snack any time of day. A PointsPlus value of 3.

What I Can Tell You: WE LOVE THEM! Even my husband likes them. They taste like you are getting a treat without all the sugar and we especially love the chocolate chips inside. Awesome!

What I Can Tell You: Goddess has asked to have one everyday in her lunch box for the past four days. She loves them. I cannot believe there are only 2 points with these. My only complaint is that they are sooooo small but I guess if you only want 2 points.... They are awesome. I especially love the frosting on top.

Weight Watchers Scale by Conair

BTW..if that were my number, I would totally smile.

The 411 by Maria:
As someone who suffered from bulimia in my 20s, I spent many years staying away from the scale. Getting weighed at each OB appointment while pregnant, I would face away from the scale. I spent many years telling nurses "DON'T TELL ME THE NUMBER", even though it was written on my chart, and I said it, some of them were so used to saying it they would blurt it out. After years of therapy, I know it is not about a number and getting back on the scale 15 years later is good for me. How can you gauge your weight if you don't know it.  While it is many, many pounds above the number that used to make me force myself to throw up, I am no longer a stranger to the scale. I received my Conair Weight Watcher scale almost two weeks ago and I am happy to say, that although the number isn't moving down as fast as I would like, I am not stressing about it.

I have added some stickers to it, the ones that currently speak to me, but I know as I move along, they will switch. My kids are excited about changing stickers for mommy when she wants them changed too!

Currently, my scale looks like this

There are over 15 decals to choose from. Whichever floats your boat and works for you.

Past Valentine's Day

I was looking at my past Valentine's Day posts...I must admit...they are pretty damn sad!

Valentine's 2006 - My Goddess ate her first chocolate and it has been a love affair ever since.

Valentine's 2007 - The kids ate Valentine Snow

Valentine's 2008 - A loveless Valentine's Day and the kids made Daddy a Valentine

Valentine's 2009 - What the hell was I doing in 2009? I have no post for Valentine's Day 2009!


Valentine's 2010 - A Self Portrait

Valentine's 2011 - Wasn't so hot either. I think it is time to shake it up.

You Trust Me, You Really Trust Me

After my surgery in 2010 I started up a Facebook page called Helping Hands where I informed my community that I was looking for work. No job too big, or two small! Babysitting, cleaning, packing, organizing, painting, errands, whatever. Thankfully a few moms have taken me up on this. My fee is relatively small, only $7.50 an hour but some money is better than no money and I needed it to be an amount that was comfortable for my community.

So far, my jobs have all been in the babysitting area. Completely fine because I love kids. What I love the most about this is how I know they trust me. Trust means everything. It means you can count on this person to do right by you, take care of your needs and in their abilities. You can count on them!

I believe the reason this means so much to me is because I never felt like I could count on someone. My mother died when I was 12, my father abandoned us, my grandmother didn't protect me, my grandfather molested me, etc.,. I know I can count on my husband, it wasn't always that way and in his defense I never let him be there. I felt that I had to rely on myself because that was how I protected myself.  There was no one else to fall back on growing up, it was all me.

When I hear my friends say, they trust me, that I am good with their kids, or even them giving my name to another friend as a potential person to watch their kids I am thrilled. I get all fuzzy and warm inside. For someone to give me their children, their most prized possession, really says something. Oddly enough, there are people who have absolutely no problems handing their children off to just about anyone. I am not one of these people, my kids have been left with three people about a hand full of times in the past 8 years. It isn't something I do often and while I do have someone I completely trust (Clary), I don't do it often but I would trust her with my kids as much as myself.

Today, my girlfriend Carissa called and asked if I was around because her little one was sick and she had to get her medicine, and get some quick groceries but didn't want to take the baby with her. Heading there, I had thought how awesome it is that she called. She has options and it feels good to know she trusts me.  I know as a mom, leaving your sick kid is hard enough even if it is with your spouse.

Her baby slept the whole time. I sat on the laptop with her dogs at my feet, watching the baby toss and turn while she slept. She never even knew I was there. Carissa called from the road and offered to buy me lunch. People are just so kind! She was paying me to watch her sleeping baby and buying me lunch?! Not a bad gig. I  helped her take her groceries in and removed them from the bags mostly because she is a friend but because I know as a working mom with a sick baby, she has to be exhausted.

Wednesday, I am watching another friends baby. I hate charging for my services. As a friend, I would watch their children for free if things were different. Time is money and with a huge medical debt over my head, I need to charge for my time.

Thankfully they completely understand!

What do you do for extra money?

To Kill A Mockingbird Is A Real Classic! Blu-ray & DVD Tomorrow

The 411 by Maria:
Unlike a lot of my friends, I don't recall having to read this book in school but then again, that was a long time ago. If I am going to watch or read something, I don't like to read the synopsis so I had no idea what the movie was about when I started.

The movie is set in the 1930's and focus on Atticus Finch played magnificently by Gregory Peck and his two children, Jem and Scout (more on them later). Atticus is a respected attorney who has been commissioned to represent Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a woman in her own home.

What I Can Tell You:
Wow, where do I start. I was completely floored with this movie. Gregory Peck performance is completely stunning! The fact that he won best actor for the role was not lost on me, completely worthy of it and one of the best acting I have ever seen. However, after seeing some of the bonus features, I believe he was pretty much playing himself!  A gentle, kind soul, whose thoughtfulness and mannerisms bring out the best in those around him. He allows, after a gentle nudge to make their own assumptions and mistakes in life in hopes of becoming a better person.

The actress who played Scout was unbelievably "real". You would never believe that this child was not Gregory Peck's daughter. There is real love there and I was in awe of how much acting had to be done. Most emotions were seen not heard. Without the use of a soundtrack and a whole lot of dialogue these actors really have to ACT! You can hear everything. The actors are not bogged down with dialogue, the scene is set, and you act!

The quietness of the whole movie is really what got me. When I discussed it with people after watching, those who have seen or have not, that was what I mentioned most. I appreciated the quietness. For such a sensitive subject matter, I felt that if this was being done today, the deepness of it would be lost in translation.

I have so many favorite scenes:

• Scout saying goodnight to her father and asking what he has to pass on to her when he is gone.
• Brock Peters taking the stand. His emotion was so real! 
• Atticus speaking to his children. He is such a gentle, caring man who obviously loves his children.
• Scout and Jem's relationship. Anytime they were on the screen I was in love. 
• Scout talking to the gang who headed to the jail to take the law in their own hands. Her innocence was palpable. 
• Scout talking to Boo Radley after he helped her and her brother.

If you do get the Blu-ray, take time to watch the bonus features. Truly a blessing to have this footage. Well worth your time.

To Kill a Mockingbird won Academy Awards for Best Actor (Peck), Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Art Direction. Truly a classic and one that everyone should watch.  This is when acting was actually acting. No green screens, no classy soundtracks, no glamorous special effects, just acting at its finest.

Spiritus by Dana Michelle Burnett - Book Review

I love being a book reviewer. Beside the awesome free reads (and believe me, this is great), there are some awesome writers who become favorite, go to authors when I am looking for a book, a gift, or during girlfriend discussions. In the past few years as a reviewer, I have read some awesome books. Books that may never have been on my radar, and that would have been a shame because I have absolutely loved so many of them.

This week I was reading Spiritus by Dana Michelle Burnett about an eternal love affair. An undying love that withstood even death. 

The 411 by Maria Gagliano

Wow...awesome! I loved it.
Spiritus is about a girl named Becca who moves into her father's families house. A house he grew up in and was in his family for ages. He promised himself that he would eventually purchase it for himself when he was older. Becca's mom passed away so they are on their own trying to find a new normal. What's normal about finding a man standing in her bedroom one night watching her sleep only to have him disappear moments later?

Becca starts her new school with everyone else, makes friends easily, has the cutest boy in school talking to her, and after a seance with her new friends suddenly finds herself with her own private ghost friend.

Alastor Sinclair loves Becca, he has loved her for years and has returned to her. One problem, she doesn't remember their life and he can never come back.

Becca and Alastor's love story borders on obsession like most young relationships. Dana, did a great job of twisting and weaving a different kind of romance story. You have Science Fiction, Young Adult, Historical Romance all mixed into one. 

The ending alludes to a part 2 and I can't wait to see how Alastor and Becca find ways to be together. Kudos to Dana for writing an interesting YA book that is completely different. You will find yourself sucked right in from chapter 1.

The Mother's of Reinvention A Must Read for Women!

The 411 by Maria:
OK, as a mom, I was very interested in reading what Barb and Jen had to say about reinventing yourself after becoming a mom!  After becoming a mom, I never once felt that I had to reinvent myself but totally get what they are trying to say. I was not a business woman, I was not a popular girl, I was not a woman who longed for adventure and felt that I was missing out on something better. I wanted to be a mom! My life, was always my kids but now that they are in school, I am tired of struggling and have been trying to figure out a way to make a living while doing it on a flexible schedule that coincides with my kids school schedule. I NEVER want to put them in a before or after program. The thought doesn't sit well with me at all.

With that being said, my blog header says, "Maria's Space, A little place to call my own". It was titled that because as the mom of two under 3 years old who was alone for 12 hours a day with a screaming (18 hours a day) baby and a tantrum throwing son, no family, no friends, nursing 12 times a day, I really needed to establish a place where I could go that was FOR ME!

So part of me completely agrees with finding time for yourself while taking care of your family. 

Barb and Jen sound off on each section. It is nice to hear their individual voices, experiences and personalities shine through. I also appreciate that they don't give you a quick fix or tell you that there is a sure fire way to streamline your life into balance. There will never be a balance but if you "change your perception" you will find what works for you. 

My favorite parts of the book where the true stories from moms included in each section and their "best advice". 

My second favorite part is the end of each chapter "Now You Know". A quick summarization of the chapter.

Some of my favorite statements:

It's OK to say no - and okay to say it often.
Don't underestimate the power of the word need in your vocabulary.
Control only what you can control (These are words I live by. I don't waste time wondering what may happen, I only focus on what is happening and what is in my control).
Everything is not your responsibilty
Your children are capable of more than you realize
You have to be brave enough to ask questions - open up to others, let them know what your doing, and see if they or anyone they know can help you.

It's Wednesday Morning And My House Is Oddly Quiet

Usually at this time, Handsome is already sitting at the computer watching Wipe Out videos on You Tube. Obviously he needs sleep! He never sleeps this late. Part of me wants to check on him but I am sure he is fine and will be up anytime now. Walking in would mean waking him.

There is something about this time of the day, when you are completely alone but not! After the kids came, there is never alone time. It doesn't happen. I was a hoover mom and now they are hoover kids. Well, not all the time, Handsome doesn't so much as hoover however, Goddess hoovers enough for three kids. 

Sometimes the noise is just too much although the house is relatively quiet. Teach and I are quiet people. We were both loners as children and beyond, and we don't party so any noise above normal is noise.

When I am overwhelmed by the noise, I remind myself that there is going to be a time when I am longing for them to talk to me. That the thought of them not being here is going to suffocate me. That our time together will not ever be long enough and that seems to get me through the craziness.

Here I sit, typing this post with tears in my eyes, listening to the heat come up, the computer fan, my fingers dancing on the keys and wait for the house to wake. For my kids to come out, with their half cast eyes, sit on my lap and hug me like they do every morning as we say "Good morning" to each other. At 6 and 8 and I am not sure how much longer they will do this but thank God they do now.

When is your quiet time? How much time do you get a day? How do you spend it? I would love to know.

The house makes sounds you are no

More Than Words Can Say by Robert Barclay

The 411 by Maria Gagliano
I read this book last week, over 4 books ago and in 1 day. I thought this review was already written and will do my best to do it justice in a typical Amateur Book Review. Fortunately, I have talked about the book for a week now with my girlfriends so it has stayed fresh in my mind.

Chelsea's beloved Grandmother, Brooke has passed away. In the lawyer's office, she is told that her grandmother has left her a summer cottage and a note that the lawyer is to give to her. The note is from Grandma and tells her to go to the cottage alone, pick up a few floorboards under a bed and find a box with more information.

Already, I am picturing a mystery and I am not big on mysteries. It isn't, it is a beautiful double love story told through grandma's diary flashback chapters and Chelsea's life.

I loved how sure Chelsea was that she would sell the cottage before she got there. She expected a run down summer place that hadn't been used by the family ever since Grandma closed the door so many years ago. While Grandpa was fighting in WWII, grandma was quietly falling in love with a painter who lived next door.

Chelsea's new cottage neighbor is a very cute doctor who wraps up her hand on their first meeting. Together they read Brooke's diary and piece together the past that shaped a love story and created a family.

The fact that this love story was written by a man was something I had to remind myself of more than a few times. Robert Barclay is a great writer.  Romance novels can for me, get too wordy but this was a quick read with a lot of heart.

The story is character driven and while it is sweet, it isn't sappy. In a nutshell Brooke's husband was fighting a war while she was making guilty goo goo eyes at her club foot, artistic, available, neighbor. She closed the house up and ran as fast as she could away from her heart. She loved two men at once and while I am unsure why she never went back, I loved Brooke who we only got to know in flashbacks. She was a spirit fire with a huge heart.

Spin A Novel by Catherine McKenzie Out on Feb 7

The 411 by Maria Gagliano

Kate is what we call a hot mess. She parties way too much and isn't very reliable. She acts like a college kid and is completely irresponsible but likeable.

When she finally gets the interview of a lifetime. A job at The Line, a magazine she has been trying to get in forever. She goes out the night before and drinks way too much, ends up oversleeping, running to the interview hung over and still drunk. Fortunately for her, the "It Girl" Amber of TGND (The Girl Next Door) is being sent to rehab and the folks at The Line have a proposition for her. Go to rehab and report back on the what TGND is up to. Easy enough! Sell your soul, get some help for a problem you don't feel you have and possibly get your dream job anyway?! Umm...sounds like a plan.

The book is a great ride from beginning to end. I love Kate even though I should despise her. The book is fun, witty and I love any book that throws in real celebrity and music references. I had to remind myself that this was fiction. There were times it felt very real.

Written in first person and narrated by Kate, you find yourself hoping that Kate comes out on the  other end a better person, finds love and that she is never found out!

It is a quick read but hardly chick lit! Very enjoyable characters all around.

365 Day Challenge - Playing Catch Up 15-19

Ugh...the last day I posted a photo for my 365 Challenge and I am already behind. A stomach bug forced me to put the breaks on for 2 days and now while it has been over for 2 days. It is not completely 100% back to normal yet. So, I am a little behind on everything. Yesterday I spent about 4 hours catching up on posts and another 2 catching up on emails. Ahhhh....I hate being behind in anything.

So without further adooo..here it goes. 

January 15, 2012
It has been a very weird winter. No snow and usually by this time we haven't seen the ground for at least 6 weeks. Weird. It has been so decent out that Goddess has been jumping rope outside. Well in typical Goddess fashion unless she is told, nothing gets cleaned up. This was tossed aside and well, eventually rained on.

January 16, 2012
Goddess and I started on a project that I have been meaning to get to since before she was born. I procrastinated so much, she is old enough to help. This altered book is our first attempt. We used an Blue's Clues Board Book that the kids grew out of. We removed the colorful pages and added scrapbook paper and an embellishment (a pocket from a pair of jeans Goddess grew out of) to the cover. We are still working on the pages inside. She wants to draw on them. I want to paint them and eventually make them a photo book. Since it is our first, we may do both.

January 17, 2012
These are Chinese New Year Cakes from Shoprite. I love ethnic food and with Chinese New Year being celebrated at the kids school decided to get some for us to try.

These are made with rice flour and red bean paste, they are called "nian gao (粘糕)", meaning "sticky cake and are rather different that the ones I found online but really have an interesting taste. I had them very long ago when I was about 13 in middle school. My girlfriend Chan Su asked me to come over for breakfast. It was a very different meal than the one I was used to having in my Italian American home and never forgot the taste of these cakes. The cakes they served along with a fish and a chicken dish were very wet and didn't have red bean paste and looked more like this.

January 18, 2012
The other night we made some chicken and onions and the onion looked so perfect when I cut it in half, I just had to grab the camera.

January 19, 2012
I recently received some Weight Watchers Muffins. The chocolate are all gone, but we did manage to take a photo of the muffins before they were all gone.

The Second City Presents : BuzzKill starring Daniel Raymont

The 411:
BuzzKill makes its way onto DVD this Valentine's Day, February 14, 2012. This is one of those movies that you just have to see. The budget is low, my expectations were low too!

When I started watching I really wasn't sure what the movie was about but mostly figured I would be in for a boring ride. I was completely wrong. The movie is funny, witty, smart and well acted.

Poor, sad sack Ray is holed up in a pretty shitty apartment complete with dead  animal smell. There is no air conditioning, no stove, a sink and shower that don't work and sleazy slum Lord.

Ray is writing a new ending to a movie and is less than enthusiastic about it. Life sucks and seeing no way out, he decides to try and end his life. Problem is just, as he is about to step off the chair,  his phone rings. It's an agent who wants to talk to him. Ray loses balance and is hanging, fighting for his life. Thankfully the pipe he is hanging from breaks dumping a bunch of sewage on his head. Shitty idea!

An LA Producer calls him, she wants to meet with him, talk about his new ending and asks him to drive out to her and deliver the script so they can talk. On his way, every possible obstacle is put in his way. Beside his inflammed testicle, his car is stolen, he has seen a murdered dump a body, he gets involved with an underage companion, etc. As they say, things that come easy, aren't worth having and the universe has definitely been playing a mean trick on Ray!

When he makes it to California, the producer has been murdered but the tides and moon are aligned and Ray finally gets to reap the benefits of being in the right place at the right time. This just goes to show that everything does in fact happens for a reason. Don't give up, you never know what might be waiting for you down the path! When the shit hits the fan, or in this case the floor, jump in a car and head for California!

Daniel Raymont as Ray is dirty, sweaty, witty, funny, and shows his ass a lot! Good for him!