This & That 2.0

I kind of liked putting all those links together a few weeks ago, so I thought……it's happening again....and probably again too.

Here we go….

Easter is Sunday. Georgia loves bunnies.  I love British accents. Win/Win.

My sister got this for me for Christmas in rose gold.  I love it.  Wear it almost everyday.  There's probably someone in your life (like yourself) who would love one too.

The word 'busy.' It can be annoying.

I've been trying to find time to read this book.  It's been sitting next to my bed for a month.  Ironic. Have you read it?  Is it good?  I can't decide if I'll like it or find it annoying.  The phrase "making time for you," rubs me the wrong way.  We'll see.

This is really important information for all of us moms to have.

I wish Serial had been about fifty episodes long.  This tells Ms. Koenig which cases she should explore next….the last one sounds particularly creepy.

I feel like I'd wear these everyday if it ever. stopped. being.winter.in.Michigan.

So helpful. Now if only I could master not making a pound of pasta every time I make spaghetti.

Are these creepy or cool?  I can't decide.  But I'm sure your kids will think they're funny.

Loved this post about being a stay-at-home parent for lots and lots of reasons....none that any of you would find all that interesting.

'Baby Jesus Awesome' is how one reviewer described this item.  Read the rest of the reviews. 

I'm not one to say "I'll never wear...( insert any up and coming fashion fad that's making a comeback)," because the Birkenstocks in my closet that I bought last summer know I'm usually game for pretty much anything fashion related.  I love this one--I just don't know if I can pull it off anymore at 37 like I could at 18.  Makes me a little sad. 

I bought this dress to wear for Easter--it's 1/2 off.  It's amazing. Seriously.  I almost don't believe it's not real leather and the color in person is perfection (which is strange because it's mauve) and I will wear this and wear this and wear this and bonus, it's crazy comfortable and I can just wipe baby spit up right off of it.

This little video is pretty cute.  My mom can't stand the guy--he's grown on me through the years.  Something so friendly about him.

In other news…….

I'm going to be selling a batch of Georgia's clothes that don't fit her anymore in an Instagram sale later on this week (as in tomorrow).  Follow @shopthepeach and I'll approve you when the sale launches.  These amazing little shoes--that she never wore--will be part of the sale.

And this adorable baby, named Crosby, who is mine, that I love and kiss about a bajillion times a day is eating baby food now and I love the baby food stage.  Currently he's digging sweet potatoes.  Today we're going to venture into green bean territory.

Happy Tuesday to you!

Six year old recap….

A little late on the six year old birthday party recap.  But…..we've been busy-ish around here in all good ways and just working on other stuff here and there even though I always want to make sure I capture these memories in this space.

The new Cinderella movie came out at the perfect time and Georgia decided she wanted to take a group of her classmates to the movie and out for frozen yogurt.  I was game for that since it was minimal planning and offered built in entertainment.

It also provided me at least fifteen trips to the bathroom during the course of the movie as inevitably each little girl had to use the restroom at different times and never when a friend was going (thank goodness my mom was with us so we could tag team who stayed in the theater and who visited the facilities).  So, Cinderella seemed pretty good.  I'll need to watch it again at a later date to fill in the holes.

It was a fun afternoon and I always love the chance to hang out with Georgia's friends a little more.  She's met such an amazing group of girls this year at kindergarten and it's so interesting to hear the stories each day after school about how fantastic each one of them is, how beautiful so and so's dress was, what she had for lunch, how she's so good at making up games at recess, and how funny that girl is.

Later that night we had the family over…..and lo and behold……I might have won mom-of-the-year (at least this year) for our gift…..

G's cute twin cousins and a Cinderella cake made by Grandma Cathy. 

And then…..the mermaid tail.  It will for sure result in a broken ankle or something….but G's face upon opening it…..pretty spectacular.

And lest you think this is just a water toy and 'where are we going to be in water this time of year outside of our bathtub?' fear not….this gets worn while laying around the living room, in the shower, while sliding down the steps, while lounging on the kitchen floor, while practicing piano (beginner players don't have to use the pedals--thankfully), sometimes to bed, and anywhere else Georgia can talk me into it.  

Oh look….a mermaid on the rock in our front yard.  Magical. 

Oh look….that fin almost took one of Tarah's eyes out.  She's graduating from college soon and I think a mermaid tail just might be in her future.

Happy birthday you amazing six year old!  It's mind-blowing to Chris and I that we are here, with a six year old, who amazes the heck out of us everyday.  Who's exploding with new skills and observations and thoughts everyday.

She's our favorite girl in all the world and she makes our family our favorite place to be.

Uncommon Goods = Uncommon Gifts

This post is sponsored by Uncommon Goods but all opinions are my own.  

The month of March for us kicks off almost four months of one gift-giving event after another.  We've got at least three birthdays in March, then comes Easter basket season (and I'm always game for two or three cute, creative gifts for Easter baskets and not just candy), my moms birthday, Mother's Day, more birthdays, inevitably a few babies born, and then Father's Day book-ends this season of gifting.  I feel like I hit a wall around mid April and my creative juices run dry in terms of what to get for the next gift that makes me excited about giving it.

Except--there's this great company called Uncommon Goods that provides just that….'uncommon' gifts that you can't find just anywhere and that will make just about anybody happy to unwrap what you've given them! And they make it pretty easy to narrow down what you're looking for with their pre-made gifts lists like birthday ideas categorized by gender and age or personalized gifts or gifts by price and on and on.

Additionally, I really love the idea of supporting stores that give back in some way, make the world a little better, and work hard to be sustainable in a variety of ways without sacrificing creativity, trendiness, or aesthetic appeal.  So the cool thing about Uncommon Goods is that they let you choose which nonprofit organization, out of four that they support, you'd like them to donate a $1 to for every purchase you make.  I love that!  Everyone will feel a tug in a bit of a different direction when it comes to supporting a cause and I think it's fantastic that they give some autonomy to their customer in that regard.

So, in preparation for all the gifts I have to purchase coming up I've highlighted a few of my favorites…..and by 'my' favorites, I mean I like them as much for me as I do other people.

This personalized gold birch cuff is amazing!  I love that little heart detail.  Perfect for Mother's Day this year!

Also fantastic in the personalized gift category is this book about becoming a big sister.  (They have a big brother one too.) I know a little girl who qualifies as a super big sister that would like this book.

These earrings look like they could easily become an everyday staple piece. They're small, go with anything, and just unique enough that you won't get sick of wearing them six out of seven days of the week.

So, I know…kind of strange to give someone a stuffed heart as a present but here's the thing…Georgia is obsessed with the human body as a result of science class this year so I love the educational value of this toy and I think a heart would be a cute present for someone you love, and where are you going to find something like this other than at Uncommon Goods?

With patio season soon to be upon us a set of cool new drink glasses would be a great gift for someone and these mixed tape glasses that you can write peoples names on with a grease pencil (included) are so fun.

So My Story Begins….I actually own this onesie for Crosby and I can't think of a better new-babygift.

This USA map that you can rub off state by state with a coin as you visit each one is so perfect for kids and adults!  Georgia would think this was fantastic.  She makes me proud that she loves geography so much.  She must have a former history teacher as a mom or something.

These coasters are just beautiful.  Mother's Day?  I think so.

Another great baby gift, or first birthday present….these foreign language blocks come in Spanish or Mandarin and teach kids some basic vocabulary and are pretty and would make your nursery look super intelligent when strewn across the floor.


And that's just nine ideas from Uncommon Goods!  Their site is bursting with more amazingness.  So, the next time you have gifting-block check them out.  I bet you'll find the perfect thing!