Back to School Must Have…cookie jar
Do you have a cookie jar that you fill with cookies on the first day of school. What a treat it is for the kids to find the jar filled after a tiring first day back.
I love, love, love this one
This one is super cute
Ooooh…please put this one on my wish list(I would like it with a 3 letter script monogram)!
This is nice too
You could stash your goodies in a preppy jar
How about a personalized family cookie jar
Back to School Books
I know many children who are starting school this year for the first time. Whether it is Preschool or Kindergarten…it can be an anxiety provoking experience. Both the parents and the children can get intimidated by the fear of the unknown. I found some books designed to help ease the transition. Many of these I used when my girls started school.
For Kindergarten Nerves….
Lunch Bunnies – This was our favorite “get ready for school” book. We had big worries about carrying the lunch tray. In Lunch Bunnies Clyde has the same problem. He worries and worries about spilling his lunch tray. In the end Clyde prevails and even gets to help out a new friend in the lunch room.
Annabelle Swift, Kindergartner – Another favorite of ours. Poor little Annabelle is a little to prepared for Kindergarten…thanks to her big sister! This is a cute story about how she overcomes her nervousness.
Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten - In this story we follow not only the teacher as she prepares for the first day of school but also 26 students(one for each letter of the alphabet) as they get ready for the first day. I always like reading this one aloud because of all the rhymes in it.
Kindergarten Rocks! – This is a fun story about an older sibling who comforts her younger brother by telling him that kindergarten rocks. In the end…Dexter agrees that kindergarten does indeed rock!
For Preschool nerves….
The Kissing Hand – This is a classic sweet story about little Chester Raccoon who is afraid that he will miss his mommy while he is at school. His mommy puts him at ease by giving him a kiss in his hand…this is such a sweet story that will help both children and mommies with separation issues.
If You Take A Mouse To School – This book offers a glimpse into a day at school – and shows how fun it can be!
I Am Absolutely To Small For School – Little Lola will entertain everyone with all of the reasons why she should not start school. Ever so gently her brother Charlie convinces her to go. This is a great story!
Feel free to share the titles that helped your little ones feel at ease about school. Reading is a wonderful way to help calm the nerves!
A Summer Gift For YOU.
This one comes via my mom’s friend (and amazing chef) Faye:
In the July 18th edition of the New York Times the esteemed chef Mark Bittman printed 101 summer dinners to make in 10 minutes or less! Print yourself a copy…it is both clever and inspiring.
My parents are visiting with Faye this week in Maine. I’m sure she will be cooking up a storm! Have a great time everyone!
Its okay with me.
I know many of you are outraged with the untouched photos of Faith Hill that someone at Redbook leaked to the internet. People are saying they are appalled at all of the changes that Redbook made for their cover. Faith is do doubt very beautiful – but with that being said I think Redbook did the right thing by using modern technology to make her look even better. I would have to be touched up beyond belief to be on the cover of a magazine…Faith only needed 11 minor touch ups. Its a magazine cover!!! Its a big photo that everyone is going to look at very close! Go here and take a look for yourself. Let me know if you are pro touch up or not. Here is the untouched version…I think she is gorgeous!
Here is the “after”
Here is one of Katie Couric..they whittled down her waist a bit! Come on guys…Fess Up – Haven’t you ever trimmed your waist a little while scrapbooking? I have!
I want an “S”
I am on the lookout for an “S”. I found a few that I like…
- This one is a cool metal letter
- I love this fun little K
- I had to put these letters here…
- Oooh, these are cool letters
- These aged metal letters are stunning!
Radio Thursday – I wanna be a Country Star (or at least look like one)!
I really enjoyed watching the CMA Festival this week on TV. Of course I had to put my shopping spin on the whole thing! I decided to look into products that country artists use or endorse. After much research I came up with some pretty cool products straight from the hottest country artists!
- Shimmer & Stone Dog Tags – Did you know that Gretchen Wilson always wears a dog tag with the number 27 engraved on it? She considers it a very significant number in her life. The first week of record sales for her 2004 debut disc, Here For The Party, were 227,000; when she left her hometown of Pocahontas, IL. the population was 727, and she had her daughter Grace when she was 27 years old. She said that the number just keeps popping up in her life! All of her band members wear a dog tag engraved with the number 27 too. Shimmer & Stone has a wide variety of very high quality sterling silver dog tags in either men’s or women’s styles. I have mine engraved with the number 868. It is a number that reminds me of happy & care free Summer days.
- Cali Jewelry - One of a kind, handmade jewelry that a number of famous country stars wear. Let me tell you a few of the Country Hunks that are sporting Cali this year…Toby Keith, Bucky Covington, Aaron Pritchett, among many others. You could even spot Cali during season 5 of American Idol. Handmade and designed by artist Krista Stackhouse these pieces are awesome! She uses everything from semi-precious stones, wood, crystals, and much more. She has so many different styles that it is hard to choose my favorite! Not only are they amazing..the prices start at just $10.00! Take a look at her website – theMedia Frenzy section has a lot of great pics! Right now they are offering free shipping until August 6th!!!
- HillBilly Brand – Want to sport the same shirts and hats as many Country Artists? HillBilly sportswear has it going on! From Cowboy hats, tanks, camo, to trucker hats…they have it all! Not to mention all of the famous Country faces that are splattered across their website – Darryl Worley, Craig Morgan, Taylor Swift, and many more. This stuff is Country Sexy! Right now you can get a free can hugger with the purchase of 2 or more shirts or hats.
- Havaianas – “The best rubber flip flop in the world”. I believe it…and so does Leanne Rimes! She wears them. They actually use a top secret rubber to create these soft, light, and extremely durable flops. Trust me, I have tried them…very comfortable! Not to mention they come in like a million different colors! They are not super expensive either..they start at $12 and come in Men’s, Women’s or Kid’s styles.
- Toby Keith hats – Toby has teamed up with Dorfman Pacific to create an awesome line of hats! He has always been a fan of the Scala hat and it was an easy decision for him to enter into a licensing agreement with them. Toby believes that a hat can make a statement. I think his line of hats makes a great statement! The concho on the front (thats a fancy name for a metal adornment) is metal and includes his signature. Not only are the Cowboy Hats amazing…the baseball hats are pretty awesome too. This hat has an American flag on the back of it.
- Apivita Natural Products- Its no big secret that Faith Hill is drop dead gorgeous…what is a secret is that she uses Apivita Natural Products to maintain her stunning beauty! This is an unbelievable line of products inspired by nature & Greek philosophy. The products are quite popular over in Europe and are popping up all over here in the states. You can find them online or at Bath & Body Works. How about a weekend spa treatment for only $20? They also have a ton of other products from face masks, cleansers, sun lotion to baby products.
- Hottiedots – Remeber in one of Shania Twain’s videos she has a smoking hot beauty mark on? Rumor has it she was trying to cover up some acne. You too can sport a faux beauty mark. Hottiedots offers many to choose from. They are simple to use…jut peel & stick. They come in a variety of colors and shapes. Prices start at just $4.95 for 16 gorgeous beauty marks. Don’t forget Wynonna has one too!
- Frownies - Want to look wrinkle free like your favorite country diva without the expense of Botox or other procedures? Frownies are face pads that are applied to your forehead, eye area, or mouth area that actually re-educate your underlying muscles…and they go back to where they should! They are extremely helpful in getting rid of deep expression wrinkles. Used every night for 3 weeks you should see a difference. For $19.99 it sure beats Botox!
free stuff for you!!
Here are some fun freebies for you..
Did you ever get your pedometer? Take the Del Monte pledge and they will send you one.
Need some artwork for your walls? Redwood Creek will let you choose which vintage print you would like!
Print out this coupon and take it to WalMart for a free pair of colored contacts…might be fun to try something new!
Another free Flash Drive…I am hoarding these for Madison for school next year!
Hmmm. Free witcy poo lotion.
Free K’nex set for kids.
Choose a backpack, calculator/ruler, or a lunch bag. Keep checking on this one, I did get through!
Another free baseball hat! Ooops…they ran out!
Free American Flag. This one has a bunch of questions..just keep clicking NO!
Tune into radio Thursday tomorrow…I was inspired by the CMA Festival!
Shopping…
Yesterday the girls and I decided to go to Ikea to shop. We love it there…it is just one cool idea after another. We picked up a few odds and ends….
We picked up 6 of these awesome drinking glasses for 59 cents each! Now I wish I would have bought 12! They are nice and heavy.
Riley got this awesome storage net thingy for up in her loft. Again…can’t beat the price – only $1.49
I fell in love with this print…I already hung the one with the 2 people and the dog butt up! $6.00 for the set.
I also picked up a few frames..I love the Ribba frames. They had a bunch of stuff on sale and were switching out some of the model rooms…that means there are lots of floor samples for sale! We always eat Swedish Meatballs in the cafe and get a bag to take home for later…yummy!
On the way home Riley had the great idea to stop into Harry’s Farmers Market for a few groceries. I found some miniature grapefruits..they are about the size of an orange. They had a great sale on Terra Chips. I love the exotic vegetable chips!
I have to share…some more
I want to share with you a few more of my birthday goodies….
My sisters Christy & Amy gave me the most adorable pair of sleep pants from the Gap. They have little Winnie’s all over them! Thanks guys!
My sister Jenny got me an awesome cookbook from Real Simple. It has really yummy & easy recipes in it. What I like best is the fact that it has nice photos of every recipe.
My friend Loretta gave me a bunch of goodies. I have to say I love the frozen mini drink kits! I made the cosmopolitan Popsicles this weekend…yummy!
Of course the bit-o-honey was nice too! Did you know that actually will get rid of your hiccups? Try it next time.
Two winning lottery tickets from Candi…and some non-winners from Sue…its the thought that counts!
The always appreciated Starbucks gift card from Maddie!
A lovely birthday blog from southern somedays….
Plus lots of other great presents and best of all a ton of birthday shout outs from all of my blog readers!!! Thank you guys…I really appreciate it!
What breed was KC?
My first dog that I owned all by myself was an awesome mutt named KC. She was super smart, extremely loyal, and always looked like a puppy! People were always asking what kind of dog she was. We had our best guesses but never really knew exactly what she was. I came across this company called Canine Heritage the other day. They actually can tell you your dogs breed composition from a simple DNA swab from your favorite mutts cheek. I would have jumped on this in a heartbeat for KC!
