Rody: The Best Baby Gift EVER

I'm Rody and I Know ItWhen my mom's friend Janine gave us Rody, Lucas was 2 weeks old. He didn't even weigh 8lbs yet and we were smack in the middle of full-on sleep depravation. We thanked her graciously, took it home and used it as decor for the next 8 months. At one point during that first year of his life we pulled Rody down off the shelf and placed on the big blue rug that Lucas sat and played on. He loved jumping up and down in the Johnny Jumper and in his Excersaucer, so we carefully put him on Rody. Lucas immediately lunged forward and began to gnaw on a red rubber ear.

It was love at first bite. 

Lucas turned 8 earlier this month and Rody is still part of our lives. If the story of the Velveteen Rabbit was true, Rody would have turned "real" and gotten up and galloped away by now. Out of everything that we purchased or received as gifts when we had Lucas, only Rody and a dresser/changing table still remain. 

There was once a time when I thought Lucas would be going to college with his "ducky" blanket in hand, and today Duckies is a shredded rag put in a keepsake box. But not Rody. Rody lives in our family room and is still played with on a regular basis from either Zoe or Lucas. When we have playdates or parties at the house, Rody is front and center. Children from ages 1-8 can be found bouncing on his rubber back, pulling him around or dressing him up. The other morning Zoe constructed a massive pillow stable for Rody in the living room and was trying to feed him baby carrots and an apple. And Rody even got dressed up for Lucas' birthday party a few weeks back. 

I have a feeling Rody will be with us for years and years to come. Maybe one day we will even get to put one of Zoe or Lucas' children on his yellow "saddle" and watch as their children bond with the iconic rubber horse. 

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Speaking of best baby things...

It's only been 4 years since I had a baby, but OMG has the landscape of baby stuff changed! A few weeks ago I had the change to check out Bel Bambini, an uber chic baby store in Newport Beach and Los Angeles. I was not only blown away by the amazing products they have these days, but the nursery decor was also stunning. This weekend Bel Bambini is celebrating the official Grand Opening of their Newport Beach location with festivities at both locations. If you are pregnant or have a little one, stop by and check them out! Maybe you'll win something good!

Excuse Me While I Geek Out: Hunger Games Countdown

I don't seriously geek out about a lot of things, but The Hunger Games movie has turned me into a squealing fangirl.

While I know that I'm really not *THAT* cool, I do think that I discovered the series at least a few months before it blew up BIG. I say that because when I bought Catching Fire and Mockingjay they were still in hard cover. I owe it all (blame it on?) Ginger Anderson though (giving credit where credit is due). She's the one who responded to my Facebook post about "needing a new book to read" with this elusive YA title. The book store didn't even have it in stock the first time I looked for it, and it was actually Jason who came home from a visit to Barnes and Noble with it for me. I read the book in two days and went on to finish the entire series in a week, which is quite the feat for a working mom of young kids. 

So yes, I am totally geeking out about the movie. TOTALLY. 

And? I LOVE Jennifer Lawrence. She's adorable and I think will make the perfect Katniss. 

How adorable was she on David Letterman? She's sweet, not wafer skinny and seems genuially excited to be in the position she's in. 

Now, if I can only find a manicurist in the area to paint my nails, my venture into fandom would be 100% complete. 

That's Some Crazy S*$t! PINE MOUTH

Last Thursday night I went out with a few girlfriends for dinner. My one friend had brought along a delicious bottle of Chardonnay and since we didn't finish it, I took it home with me. Fast forward to Friday evening; I was thinking about that yummy wine all day. Making it just barely to 5 PM, I poured myself a glass and settled down on the couch to ease into the weekend. I took a sip ... and almost spit it out. It tasted metallic and almost rancid. I couldn't believe that such a nice bottle of wine could go bad in just one night. 

The next morning my Starbucks coffee tasted strange also. Then the "bangers and mash" we had for lunch. I began to worry I was getting sick. Or maybe I just didn't really like Irish food at all?

Yesterday was much of the same - from my coffee to sips of the kid's lemonade, everything tasted horrible and wrong. This is when my brain went into overdrive. Was I was having a stroke? Did I have a brain tumor? Or was I just dying a slow death? I took to Dr. Google for some good old fashioned internet self-diagnosis and a dose paranoia, but what I found wasn't scary, as is it was odd.

PINE MOUTH

According to the FDA: 

In the past year FDA has received a number of consumer complaints regarding a bitter metallic taste associated with pine nuts. This taste, known as "pine mouth," typically begins 12 to 48 hours after consuming pine nuts, and lasts on average between a few days and two weeks. It is exacerbated by consumption of any other food during this period and significantly decreases appetite and enjoyment of food. The symptoms decrease over time with no apparent adverse clinical side effects.

In response to increased consumer complaints, FDA developed a detailed questionnaire, and collected and analyzed samples from some consumers submitting complaints. The Agency found that the majority of pine nuts associated with "pine mouth" were eaten in the raw state (either as snacks or as a component of salad or pesto sauce). It also found that consumers did not detect a rancid or off-taste when eating the pine nuts. Finally, FDA was able to confirm that "pine mouth" is an adverse food reaction to pine nuts that is clearly distinct from a typical food allergy.

Looking for something crunchy to add to salads, just last week I had bought a bag of pine nuts from Trader Joes. Wednesday, I made pasta and tossed it with some chicken sausage, arugula and pine nuts. 

I've always eaten pine nuts and never had an issue before. Jason ate the same pasta and isn't experiencing any adverse side effects. But me? Day 4 of feeling like I have a mouth full of rancid pennies in my mouth. And according to everything I've read, this can go on for weeks. 

I guess the only thing I can hope for now is to loose a few pounds from this situation.

Gag. 

Clothes Whore: Green for Spring

Every season I have a total obsession. Some item that I can't see surviving without. Something that I see everywhere and won't rest until it's hanging in my closet. This season is all about colored denim. From runways to the street, from Saks to Target, absolutely everyone is showing this trend. While one may think that I would have to have turquoise or pink, the color that has been calling my name has been bright Kelly green.

In my search for the perfect pair for my body, I managed to try on no less than 10 different pairs. So you don't need to run around town like a mad person, I've chosen my top 4 picks at different price ranges.

1) Gap 1969: $59.95

Good fit and super stretchy. They also hit at a good spot right at your ankle. Fabric is typical Gap weight. If you like Gap jeans, you will love these. The link goes to the yellow ones, but they do have green in stores. 

2) Target Mossimo Supply: $22.99

Best inexpensive option I found. They have a great cut around the rear and while they are a lower rise, they are not too low. Best on ladies with skinnier legs, as the fabric is on the thinner side. 

3) J Crew - Cafe Pant: $130(ish)

These don't seem to be available online anymore, but I've seen them in the stores recently. Basic J Crew pant cut, good weight and they come down to about your ankle. I do find that J Crew pants in general work best on women with smaller waists. 

4) J Brand Green Jeans - $180 (or, $80 on sale at Anthropologie if you can find them or $61 at Nieman Marcus)

I love J Brand Jeans. Actually, my two favorite jeans at the moment (skinnies and boot cut) are both J Brand. J Brands are great all around jeans. Yes, they are pricey, but you can always find them at Nordstrom Rack and on the sale racks at Anthro. 

So, which ones did I get? The Gap ones! On me, I felt they were the best option. But I will say that I almost returned them for the J Brands when I saw they were on sale at Anthropologie. Paired with a loose white or denim shirt, or even a navy/white striped shirt or a leopard print cardi, these are going to be my go-to item of the spring.

I got the moves like Martha

Last week Jason was out of town amazing the dad-blogging world with his thoughts at the interactive conference, South by Southwest in Austin, Tx. And me? Home with the kids. But it wasn't all bad because I was able to do things like watch hours on end of E! News and Bravo shows. Late one night, I forced myself to stay awake to watch What What Happens Live when joining Bravo Andy in the studio was none other than the OG domestic godess and my crafty idol, Martha Stewart. 

I love Martha for many reasons. She's a cold hearted bitch, but MAN she can bake a cake or glitter an egg like it's nobodies business. At one point during the show, Martha demonstrated this amazing one move t-shirt fold. It was like laundry folding magic and I was determined to learn how to be a t-shirt folding magician also. 

Eat that, Martha. 

*oh, PS. I called myself a reluctant housewife, but you all know I'm not a real "housewife" but more of a parttime work at home mom that really hates things like laundry and cooking. Also? I said that this was a new series. Don't hold me to that. 

**PPS: Thanks, Maria for helping me with this today!