All The Pretty Things

I LOVE CLOTHES!

I just do, I love looking at catalogues and magazines and looking at the latest fashions.
My only problem is I hate shopping for clothes. I hate going to the store and never finding the right fit, color, size all those things that make someone who is plus size cringe. I'm not a runway model and I don't fit the mold that designers choose for their collections, which is a damn shame since the average woman is a size 12-14. So thank you fashion world for putting a damper on my shopping habits!

BUT! I still LOVE clothes.
And I've decided not to give a rats about my size any longer! I'm still losing weight but I've given up the notion that I'm going to look or be able to get into a size 2. I've had kids for heaven's sake!
My body had changed a lot but I've decided to be healthy rather than fit this high standard that has been pushed on me since I was 12 years old.

So to honor my new positive attitude I went clothes shopping! Sorry Cpl. Mayhem I know I said I was going to wait but I really needed summer clothes and Victoria Secret had an amazing sale I couldn't pass up!

I love this dress!!

Once I'm complete brave I'd try this one on!

My wedding dress- the one I plan on renewing our

vows in- in Hawaii maybe? (Cpl. Mayhem HINT!)

I love a tank top that is long, I hate getting a top that exposes
my tummy after washing it a couple of times.

LOVE these jeans!!

I'm also a really big fan of Jewelry, especially things that you can't get all the malls. Etsy shops are great for that and this is the necklace I won at Simply Stacie's blog during her Spring Bling Event

This is from Bird in Flight Boutique

I'm getting the letters "D" and "V" engraved on it.

Tell me where do you love to shop? Any website I would love to check out?

Give a shopaholic a fix!

Later days!!

MOMVERSATION MONDAY: What's Your Best Piece of Parenting Advice?

Good morning Monday!
Moversation Monday has rolled around again and this time I'm quite grateful to see the topic at hand!

Karen Walrond of Chookooloonks asks for our best piece of parenting advice. Did you receive that advice? What's the best advice you have ever given?

I'm a anti-giving advice to anyone. If someone asks, sure. But I hate receiving advice so I don't often give them out. I know many believe that they are trying to help. You are helping me by listening to me vent. When I vent I'm trying to work a solution out in my head. Until I say. "What do you think?" or "Any ideas?", then you can dish. I've had several friends who have given me advice without even noticing that they did. UGH! I hate advice.

I agree with Asha Dornfest of Parenthacks.com, when it comes to advice not many parenting advice is universal.  So what works for me, might not work for the next mother.

The advice I had received when I first had Ducky was to sleep when the baby is sleeping. I was willing to accept that advice and used it for every nap time! I can openly admit to napping while he napped at the age of two and a half, it didn't happen often so I was willing to take them! I'll give that advice to every new mom. When I got that advice it was like I was getting the OK to do it and don't feel guilty about a thing!

Another advice I give is for the mom who wants to get everything done in one day. RELAX!

Now I'm too relaxed at times, I'll say it right now, if I'm tired and have a bad I don't really care if the laundry needs to get done I won't do it. There have been several times where I have tried to get something done and then I leave it half done or I feel like crap because I've spent more time cleaning and less time with my kids.

Some moms don't give themselves permission to go to a movie or leave the house for a couple of hours and I say, DO IT! I'm no good to my kids if I'm stressed and irritated. That's the only advice I'd give parents, give yourself permission to relax.

OH! And go with your own instincts, you know your kid better than anyone else.

What's the best, worse or insane parenting advice you have ever received or given.

PS. I had to give Daphne Brogdon a shout out for looking so Hollywood hot today!

Emotions

What do you say to some who is hurting? What can you do to ease the pain?

I just asked my friend how she was holding up after we found out our friend MCpl. Kristal Giesebrecht had died when the armoured vehicle she was in hit an improvised IED (improvised explosive device).

"How are you holding up?"

I knew the second I wrote that how stupid that actual was. Of course she isn't alright, she just lost her friend! Why would I say that...

So what do you say?

Kristal was a fun, full of energy, beautiful woman. You can see it in her hero portrait (a photo that is taken to be given to the media in case of a soldiers death) she was full of life! As I'm looking at her photo it's kind of surreal the thought that she is gone.

I am honoured to have known her.

I'm sad for my friends who are heart broken by the loss. They are all gathering now to be with each other during this difficult time. How I wish I could be there to give hugs and comfort them.

I can only comfort from afar.

All I can say is " I'm sorry", "I'm here if you need me", "Let me know if there is anything I can do".

RIP Kristal

We will miss you

Fun in the Sun!

This is the newest play structure on base. A great relief during the hot weather!

Ducky spent most of time around the splash pad he wanted to get wet on his own terms

Finally getting in and having some fun!

Chicky wasn't having it at all!

She eventually jumped in for a moment...

wordless Wednesday~ This Little Piggy...

Sick, Sick, Sick...Pt.2

So now Ducky is sick.  Once again, just a fever. I found him  on the sofa in the morning. His temperature was up and he wasn't eating.

The poor guy is up in what I'm now calling "The Clinic" for the remainder of this, whatever is going around.
Tucked under the blankets, Ben 10 on and some apple juice will do the trick. But on the bright side.
Chicky is feeling much better!

Hopefully they both will happy kiddies tomorrow!

Later days!

MOMVERSATION MONDAY!!!: Do You or Don't You? Wax, Shave, or Ignore? WARNING TO FAMILY: TMI!!

Oh dear TMI!!

So for those who didn't quite get what this Momversation Monday was about. It's all about the hair "down there" and why do what you do.

So Jessica Gottlieb wrote about this on her blog. And now I get to talk about it while cooling off my poor cheeks from embarrassment. The first thing I thought about was, "Damn! Why can't we talk about this on Thursday?!"

So here's a warning to my parents, in-laws (especially my father-in-law, that's going to be a rather awkward 16 hour drive if you read this!), or any other family who reads my blog. If you want to look me in the eyes again, back up and walk away!

Alright, now that the giggles are gone. Let's get started.

Jessica writes on her blog about Helen the waxing sadist and why she waxes. I've always wanted to get one done but when I hear about another waxing experience, it never makes me want to take off my skivvies and get it done. I only heard about waxing your nether regions from my very outspoken neighbour when I was teen.

I'm a shaver/ Nair gal. I've heard others having bad reactions to the depilatories but I never did and used them for my legs and underarms. I stopped for a time when I was pregnant with my son, at that point I gave up trying to find anything past my pregnant belly. I did it mainly because of bathing suit season. In college I really like buying pretty lingerie and panties and would spend more on thongs than jeans. I felt more confident and flirty and no one knew why!

So for one vanity.

Here's the second. Do you remember having a big event to go and you got your nails done, hair done, new dress and purchased that new make up? Well I make sure everything is in order.
My big events are Cpl. Mayhem's homecomings. I make sure that I look my best every time he sees me. Which is what I love about this life, yes it sucks when he is gone but homecomings are like honeymoons!

So there you have it vanity and reunions are my reasons why.

I'm done trying to type about this topic.

Happy Father's Day!!!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

TO THE BEST FATHER IN THE WORLD

TO THE FATHER OF MY CHILDREN

TO THE BEST FATHER-IN-LAW EVER

HAVE THE BEST DAY EVER!!

FROM VANESSA, DUCKY AND CHICKY!

Sick, Sick, Sick...

We have all been sick.
Chicky was the worst of all us. She had the croupe and we had to rush her to the hospital because she was having a hard time breathing.
Then today she got a fever, nothing else, just a fever. She refused to take any medicine and was just miserable.
She's been in and out of sleep since noon. I don't want to know what that will do for tomorrow morning but here's hoping she sleeps in.

Ducky has been fine, but a cough every so often. I know he's been looking for some attention since his sister is getting all my time with her being ill.

I've been sick myself. Only suiting for me to get sick when Cpl. Mayhem is away.

First it was a cold. Then after surviving a week of total agony I was feeling much better. So I decided to make some a fish dinner. And it was great.... for a couple of hours. I'm not going into details of what happened next, but I'm sure you get the picture.

Anyways, this photo is what I should be doing after my interesting afternoon.

Later Days!

1-800-FLOWERS.COM Review

Who doesn't love flowers?
I know I love receiving them from Cpl. Mayhem and I also love picking some great bouquets for the house for special occasions and to dress a table up.

So when 1-800-flowers.com asked if I could do a review I couldn't resist!! It was a part of 1-800-flowers.com Summer of Smiles.
The flowers they sent were called The Fields of Europe. It's one of their most popular arrangements year after year. And it was a popular arrangement in this household too! Chicky couldn't get her hands off the beautiful lilies and roses!

I just love The Fields Of Europe and they arrived a day after I spoke to a 1-800-flowers.com representative. The arrangement  is amazing and it fits quite nicely with my bedroom decor!

I was particularly impressed at all the detail they put into their flowers. I loved the river rocks and raffia that was tied around the vase. It's all in the details I say.

So many bouquets to choose from you will always have the perfect arrangement for any event!!
My only negative comment is I can't receive certain gift baskets or bouquets because I live in Canada. Other than that, I'm very pleased with my flowers!

Fun In The Sun!

Gotta love a sunny day!!                      

My Pretty Flowers!

Ducky posing!   Chicky telling him to stop being silly!    

 

Running away from the neighbour's cat. That poor cat is a trooper!

MOMVERSATION'S My Simple Solution Contest: Win a $500 Target Gift Card

It may not be a Momversation Monday but I thought everyone should hear about Momversation's My Simple Solution Contest.

Momversation is asking you what is your simple solution? Dabbing toothpaste to get rid of pimples? Use fabric softener sheets for more than the dryer? Tell them! You could win a $500 Gift Card to Target if your simple solution is the chosen by the Momversation panelist as the most creative!

All you have to do is tell the panelist your simple solution here.

Since I'm Canadian and can't enter (booo). BUT!
I can tell you my favorite simple solution: If you are finding that your hair is is being weighted down by shampoo and hair products, wash your hair with baking soda, it gets rid of the build up in your hair. I use it every two weeks or the day after a big event where I've had to use more products than normal.

Go to Momversation and check it out!
Tell me what your simple solution is while you are at it! I love getting new ways to fix, clean and use products in other ways than intended!

FIFA World Cup!

I have Brazilian Pride!

Yes, I am also Canadian but I have Brazil flowing through my veins! A true Brazilian at heart!

So I did something that must have shocked a Canadian base.
I hung up my Brazilian flag!

I have no problem showing pride for my home country, I don't get to do it often- show my true colors. Every four years and during the Summer Olympics I scream louder for Brazil. Don't get me wrong, I'll still cheer for Canada but when it comes to beach volleyball and soccer I'm all about Brazil!

A war of words has begun on Facebook between a bunch of friends. Everyone has their team and no of us will be on speaking terms at least for the time this event is over! Even Cpl. Mayhem who can't see the games is getting in on the smack talk!

I have so many great memories of watching the Cup in Brazil and home with my family when we moved to Nova Scotia.
I hate that I'm missing watching it with my parents because it's no fun watching it with little ones who don't understand the game and the seriousness of a win!

I feel sorry for my neighbour tomorrow when I watch Brazil versus Korea.

So until the end of FIFA I will be flying my flag!

ArtSkills Review and Giveaway!!!

I got the privilege of reviewing ArtSkills Posterboarding Accessories.


Now I'm not artsy in any way, the last time I made a poster I started with the intention of having  the letters centered but they always end up being lopsided and the letters are never the same. So I left the review to my kids to make a great project  for Cpl. Mayhem's birthday. His birthday is today so we decided to celebrate it by making a huge poster for him!!


First of all ArtSkills was founded in 1987 as a family owned company in Easton, PA. They started out with their successful Draw Today product, now they make a wide range of poster and project making accessories including jumbo poster markers and poster letters.


I received the Easier, Faster, Better Poster Prize Package. It included:

 Neon Quick Letters- Draw attention with these neon colored letters and numbers
Holographic Quick Letters- Add some extra sparkle with these holographic letters
Jumbo Quick Letters-Make a statement with these large, 4-inch letters
Quick Stick Foam Letters- Just peel n’ stick these colorful letters
Eye Catcher Shapes- Spice up your poster with these neon, holographic and peel n’ stick shapes
Fun Borders- Give your poster a professional look with these easy to use borders
Poster Making Idea Book- Get all the information you need to create a successful poster with this idea book


The kids had a blast looking through all the fun shapes and letters! I had a rough time trying to keep them from ripping the packages open!

We chose a message to put on the posted and once we got the letter out of the package I was really impressed to have a post-it like adhesive to the back of letters so you can easily stick the poster and they wouldn't move. If the letters need to be moved or changed before you glue them down you can! 

Ducky gave me a hand with glueing them down. The only problem we had with the product was the glue that came in the packages. We didn't find the glue sticky enough.


Once of our personal favorite product was the Poster Flash! These flashing stars were the highlight of the kids poster making experience! 

The best part of the Poster Flash stickers is they are reusable. They come with peel n stick foam squares so you can use them over and over again!

Overall their poster making event was a huge success, both kids had a ball making this poster for their daddy's birthday! I think if a two and five year old can figure the ArtSkills poster accessories out. Mom can officially make some posters too!!

So here is the fun part! A GIVEAWAY!!!


Art Skills and A Military Wife's Mayhem is giving away an Easier, Faster, Better Poster Prize Package (estimated value $50).


MANDATORY ENTRY!!! Leave a comment about your poster horrors!!
Extra Entries!!!

• Follow A Military Wife's Mayhem on Google Friend Connect and leave a separate comment
• Follow A Military Wife's Mayhem on Twitter and leave a separate comment
• "Like" A Military Wife's Mayhem Facebook page and leave a separate comment
• Follow ArtSkills on Twitter and leave a separate comment
• "Like" ArtSkills Facebook page
• Tweet about this post (2 entries) leave separate comments.

Contest will run until June 30th. Open to everyone!
Winners will be chosen using random.org
I will send an email to the winners as well as announce in on my blog. The winner will have 48 hours to reply or a new winner will be selected.