These Migraines Can Kiss My A$$

I’m not looking for sympathy….just need to rant.

Migraines suck.

If men were affected by these bleepin headaches that knocked you to your knees as often as women were, there would be a cure already.  Just saying.

Headaches that make your vision blurry, the world spin, your stomach lurch, and make you want to cry.  They must be the work of the devil.

I know I am not the only Mama suffering so thought I would share this.  Every trick I know:

-Nail that headache with Liquid Advil (or your drug of choice) as soon as you feel that familiar twinge of pain.

-Take your migraine meds right away, don’t be a hero.

-Drink a ton of water.  Drown that nasty beast.

-Try caffeine, sugar, a quiet dark room if you can get one.

-A hot shower or a cold ice pack might help.

-If you have to go out, embrace your inner movie star and wear those dark sunglasses.  Shades help. 

-Remember, this too shall pass.

After it does..it might try and come back.  Migraines are very tricky beasts. You stop the drugs and end up with the lovely “rebound” headache.  Keep drinking the water. Also:

-Avoid aspartame, mushrooms, all the fun cheeses that you love, say no to wine…all booze really.  Remember MSG is not your friend so no deli meat, hot dogs or prepared food. 

This past week, frankly, it sucked.  Thank goodness I have a good man who sent me to my room and made me lie down.  Rubbed my back and told me I was going to be okay.  ( I did wonder for a while)  You can’t be a good Mama or partner while trying not to cry from pain.

Note to self, probably shouldn’t write a blog post while heavily medicated. This is not funny nor entertaining.  Hope my tips help someone…PLEASE add you own!

Wishing you all a healthy happy week.

Hugs.

PS Don’t forget you can win yourself some new clothes here!

Impel Clothing GiveAway!

Have you heard of Impel?  I have to be honest.  Until very recently I had not heard of Impel Clothing. Shocking really because as you probably know by now, I am a girl who loves my clothes.  I am also a Mama that loves a fabulous product at a fantastic price! 

Allow me to introduce you to Impel!!

Impel Clothing has been in business since April 2005.   They are “A modest women’s boutique specializing in basic, yet fashionable layering tees and vintage inspired modest clothing for women. Our modestly fitted cap-sleeve, long-sleeve, and v-neck tees have become known for their quality and durability, as have our essential camis.”    -Impel

Modest yes and um…super cute!  The blend of 92% Cotton and 8% Spandex gives these shirts a great fit without being too tight.  I was comfortable and Hubby approved too!

Impel Clothing goes beyond the basics.  Look at all of this….

 

I fell in love over and over again and was amazed at the reasonable prices.  Hmmm Might have to buy that jacket!

Browsing through the line of basics, I continued to be impressed by the wide selection. 

A Cap Sleeve Layering Tee.  Available in a dizzying array of colours and only $18.00.  The lovely people from Impel sent me a Cap Sleeve Tee (the yellow above) to try and I adore it! It is very soft, form fitting and long.  I don’t know about you, but I love long.  

 

This is the Long Essential Camisole.  This little sweetie fits like a dream and is the perfect item to go under all of those basic T-shirts!   Great with yoga pants too! 

 

 

 

The Favorite V-Neck.  I’m sporting the navy above! Again nice and long, so you can pull it down or bunch it up! It is re-assuring to know when I bend down in my low rise jeans at the grocery store I will not scare any people behind me!  Mostly cotton with a touch of spandex so it fits just right. 

 

The Long Sleeve Tee.  This one shown in basic black.  I received a size Large.  I usually wear between size 8 -10 and it fit a little large, but it’s the size I would order again.  Again with the nice and long, once more with the soft and comfy!  Great with jeans or layered under my fave vest! 

The Impel shirts I received arrived quickly, and were a perfect representation if not nicer then what was on the site.  They are very comfortable and wash up like a dream.  I’m having a great time layering my new basics and would certainly recommend Impel Clothing if you are looking to stock up on these little essentials.

Now to the good news! 

The lovely people of Impel have generously offered to giveaway a fabulous basics package!!  Yeah!!

One lucky reader will win their choice of THREE of the basics shown above!  You can pick from A Favourite V-Neck Tee, Long Sleeve Tee, Long Essential Cami or Cap Sleeve Layering Tee.  

Want to know how to win?  Of course you do!

Mandatory Entry.

1. Head on over to Impel Clothing and have a look around.  Tell me, which basic piece catches your eye?

Extra Entries. Please Leave Separate Comments.

2. Impel Clothing is on Twitter! Follow them here and then come back and tell me you did.  Please leave your Twitter name. 

3. Check out Impel Clothing on Facebook. “Like” them here and earn another entry. 

3. Follow me publicly on Google or tell me you already do.

4. Follow me on Twitter @SassyModernMom or tell me that you already do, and give this giveaway a tweet. Leave your twitter name! If you like you may just cut and paste:

? Don’t miss this #giveaway! Win a package of basics from Impel Clothing! Ends Feb 4 @SassyModernMom http://bit.ly/flrZQM

5. “Like” me on my facebook page! Please. (or tell me that you already do) It’s right there on the sidebar!

Again, PLEASE…leave separate comments for each entry and make sure I can contact you!! Leave me a valid e-mail address!

Thanks!

*Contest is open to residents of both Canada and the United States and closes Friday February 4th, 2011

Disclosure: I was provided with some of the above mentioned products in order to give my own personal opinions. The opinions I have given are mine and may differ from others but were not influenced by the company or the product provided.

Valentine’s Day. It’s all about me!

Valentine’s Day.  It’s one of those days you build up in your mind.  You are going to have the “perfect day” full of warm fuzzy feelings, flowers and romance, loving moments and maybe even the perfect gift.  Everything is going to be perfect.  Yah right.  Uh..that is not what happens! Ever?

Despite best efforts Valentine’s Day is usually an anti-climatic blip on the screen.  Hubby and I don’t exchange big gifts but we do try and romance it up.  Just seems that since the kids, we have had to learn to adjust our thinking as to what constitutes a “perfect” Valentine’s Day. 

Some of the more glamorous memories from Valentine's Day’s past would have to include the evening we had to give away concert tickets thanks to two sick kiddos, the night we ate popcorn and chocolate for dinner because the oven quit on us in the middle of cooking our fave meal, and of course the ever popular…called it an early night because we were just plain too exhausted to make it to the end of our rented movie. Yep.  Life with kids in the Suburbs. Sexy.

This year….I have decided to start a new tradition and I am so freakin excited about it!  I am buying myself some pretty for Valentine’s Day.  Brilliant right?  Don’t tell the Hubby but I already do it for my Birthday and for the “birth” day for each of my girls.  Buying myself a Valentine’s Day gift, this is just the next logical step!  The question is what to buy? Ohh I love this game.  A new little cocktail ring?  A travel book, or this little beauty…….the Banana Republic Large Leather Tote.  Love!  Must have.  

Since it is Valentine’s Day, and shouldn’t be entirely about me, I’m thinking about picking up a couple pairs of these little babies for my pre-teens.  Seriously, how cute are they! 

Even the name is cute.  Glitter Sneakers by Old Navy.

Oh and must not leave the man out…..

  

What?  Don’t be judgey.  Just cause he will look hot in the Gap Skinny Jeans and smell all kinds of great does not mean the gift is for me!  It is all about him I swear.  Kinda.

Now when Valentine's Day rolls around, I will still try and create my perfect romantic moment, but if life in the Suburbs ends up throwing me a curve ball this year, I will be ready!  

Mwah

 

PS  This is not a sponsored post, just a girl dreaming up another reason to shop and lusting after some good ol on-line shopping.

Date Night Dont’s

One night a year the Hubs and I are gifted a night without kids.  Yes, just one night a year.  So we try and make the most of it.  The In-laws take the little one’s to their place, and feed them full of junk until they nearly puke.  For once, we don’t care…..we get the house to ourselves without kids!  Woo Hoo!

The goal of this night to create a romantic evening where we re-connect, enjoy a fine dining meal (something a little fancier then the usual dinosaur shaped chicken and carrots with dip), maybe even see a movie from beginning to end without interruption, a fire, conversation and then ….wait for it….we sleep through the night.  (What did you think I was going to say??)  Sigh.  Love. 

Ummm. The following is how not to have that night.

Drop off the kids at Grandma’s house and realize I simply have to go to the grocery store before we go home.  We don’t have the fixins for that romantic meal.  Grocery shopping takes entirely too much time.  It’s like a vortex in there.  I get sucked in and can’t find my way out in under an hour!  There is not a chance I’m getting my fancy dinner done in decent time now.  I am clearly not a candidate for Hell’s Kitchen  I don’t cook well under pressure. 

As I rush the cooking process, because we are IDIOTS and accepted a party invitation for tonight, I pick up a lid from a hot pot which has just spent half an hour in a 425 degree oven….with my BARE HAND!  Burn the crap out of two fingers and my thumb.  Cry just a little as big fat welts appear.  Put the hand on ice and do my best to carry on.  Now I really must hurry.  Rushing is not romantic.  Burns are not sexy. 

Spend the entire dinner chatting about the kids, then how much my fingers hurt, then the kids, then my aching fingers! (This is going well huh?)

After dinner, jump in the shower to try and get ready to go to the party.  It takes forever with one hand.  While he waits, the Hubby, he falls asleep on the couch.  Good grief. 

Head out to the party.  Get lost along the way.  Detour on date night takes up another 25 minutes or so.  Is this quality time yet?

Arrive at the party fashionably late and are prepared to do our “drop in”.  Only problem now, these are some of our best friends, we’re having a great time, so stay until midnight.  

On the way home pick up a coffee at Tim Hortons hoping this will help me stay awake long enough to be ummm romantic with my Hubby.  It helps. 

When we get home try to save a wee bit of date night by breaking out the special dessert we bought to share…because sharing desserts is “date like”.  Yah, the dessert totally sucked.  A waste of calories.  Hubby eats the trash bin worthy dessert anyway.  I’ve given up. 

The house is so quiet it’s almost eerie, my fingers hurt and I’m still hungry.

Finally take my burning fingers to bed.

Gotta be honest.  This is not really the night I had envisioned.  We had some giggles along the way, but tonight, it kinda sucked. 

Next year. Plan ahead.  Order in.  No party.  Stay home.

Only 364 days until next year baby.

Seriously? Every Night?

I love him.  He is my everything. (okay, so almost my everything, I have kids and issues with chocolate, popcorn and coffee) The point is we have been together forever and he is the only man for me.  We laugh and play together.  Have the occasional tug of war.  Normal and healthy.  We parent well together, we are a well oiled machine.

My issue today, sometimes, just sometimes….would it be okay if we just cuddled?  Seriously, I am not that hot.  Holding each other with no strings would be so fine. 

I brought this up.  We tried my approach for a couple of days.  He makes NO move and I feel all kinds of rejected??

Clearly I am nothing but a devil in Suburban Mama clothing.

I admit it. 

It’s true what they say. 

You really can’t win with a woman. 

Just don’t tell him I said so.

Hey baby, What’s Your Sign? Who knows?

What’s the deal?   I don’t take a huge amount of stock in the signs and the stars….but apparently the world is way out of whack.  Changes in the earths alignment have caused the zodiac signs to change and they have added a 13th sign to the mix?  Ophiuchus.  Yah, I can’t say that one.  Our old system set up by the Babylon's about 3000 years ago, she is good no more.  So apparently the last 39 years I spent as a Gemini.  Over.  I am now a Taurus.  Can they do this?

Look, here are the “new” signs.

Capricorn: Jan. 20 – Feb. 16
Aquarius: Feb. 16 – March 11
Pisces: March 11- April 18
Aries: April 18- May 13
Taurus: May 13- June 21
Gemini: June 21- July 20
Cancer: July 20- Aug. 10
Leo: Aug. 10- Sept. 16
Virgo: Sept. 16- Oct. 30
Libra: Oct. 30- Nov. 23
Scorpio: Nov. 23- Nov. 29
Ophiuchus: Nov. 29- Dec. 17
Sagittarius: Dec. 17- Jan. 20

Now that I am saying goodbye to being a Gemini does this mean I am no longer:

• Adaptable and versatile-Wait a sec, never was.
• Communicative and witty- Oh oh.  This could be trouble for the blog.
• Intellectual and eloquent- I can deal.
• Youthful and lively- Well, I am turning 40 this year.
• Nervous and tense- I’d be happy to let this go.
• Superficial and inconsistent-Still not leaving the house without lip gloss. I vow this will remain consistent.
• Selfish-That is just mean. I was never selfish.
• Good at communication-Wine helps me communicate and you can’t take that away from me!
• Flexible-Again…almost 40, flexible was on it’s way out anyway.

So the Zodiac Gods have thrown me a curve ball and I am now a Taurus and represented by a Bull?  Gee, that is so not sexy.  Not a fab start to 2011.  My new personality traits:

• Compassionate-Yep, bleeding heart all the way.
• Stubborn-I would agree. So would my Hubby and kids.
• Dependable-Absolutely.
• Sensitive-Yes, too sensitive
• Loyal and reliable-Like a Labrador retriever baby.
• Aggressive-No, this one is wrong, unless it is a bowl of ice cream or someone is picking on my kids.  Then I will attack. Wait, did that sound aggressive?
• Strong - Physically as well as emotionally-When I have to be..I think all women are.
• Dislikes change-True!
• Warm hearted and loving-Check.
• Persistent and determined-Um yes, this one made Hubby chuckle.  I might have a problem with persistent.  I prefer “determined”.
• Placid and security loving-Oh yes please!
• Jealous and possessive-Is there something wrong with this?
• Resentful and inflexible-Only if you do me wrong.

Shock.  Maybe I am a Taurus after all!  The universe shook things up but good.  I think the next 40 or 50 years might be very interesting!  Do you give the zodiac signs any thought?  I want to know!  Did your sign change?   Do you care? 

 

Yes you still can vote for me as one of Babbles Top Bloggers.  Find me alphabetically here #201 Page 5. I would love it if you find me worthy if a thumbs up!

30 Days with Proactiv

I did it.  Accepted a challenge brought to me by the fabulous people of MomCentral and Proactiv.  I tried the New Proactiv system for 30 days.  When I decided to take this challenge, I did it with a very special person in mind.  My BlueEyed tween. She is at that awkward age between child and teenager, with baby soft skin in some places and pre-teen break out in others.  Tough!  Like every other Mama out there, I wanted to do anything I possibly could do to help her out, and give her the gift of beautifully clear skin. 

My 30 days are over and I am thrilled to report back that Proactiv has been fabulous for our family.  Truthfully I am one who only suffers from the occasional out break, so didn’t know what to expect from Proactiv.  What I got was a product that dealt with those occasional hideous zits and toned down the red. The refining mask. LOVE!  You know when you can “feel” a pimple coming?  A little of that wonder cream on your spot before you go to bed at night and the red is gone by the morning.

Proactiv also has a Green Tea Moisturiser specially formulated for individuals with blemish prone skin. 

Proactiv tells us:
Most blemish treatments work to control and remove oil from the skin’s surface and therefore, by nature, can be drying. A soothing, oil free moisturizer is key to replenishing and repairing the skin. Proactiv Solution Green Tea Moisturizer is a light moisturiser that absorbs instantly, delivering soothing hydration to dry skin.  It is formulated for blemish prone skin with concentrated botanical extracts and powerful antioxidants that leave skin feeling refreshed and moisturized.  This mineral-rich, non-comedogenic formula won’t clog pores or leave skin feeling greasy and is suitable for all skin types. 

As for my daughters experience.  After experimenting with countless number of over the counter products, we have finally found a product that works for her!  Her  gorgeous face is fresh and glowy, and pimple free.  I can honestly say Proactiv has helped us control her pre-teen breakouts without any drying or irritation.  Even when she forgot to wash a day or two.  Yeah for Proactiv!

This is a product I would recommend to my friends. 

This is a product I would recommend to you! 

Thanks to MomCentral and Proactiv for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour.

Disclosure - I am participating in the New Proactiv Canada program hosted by Mom Central on behalf of Guthy-Renker. I received a 30-day trial kit and a gift card a thank you for my participation. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Check it~I’m A BFF

Today, I took a little trip.  I am thrilled to announce that I am being featured as Shell’s BFF over at Things I Can’t Say.

Now that I have accepted Shell’s generous invitation to be her BFF for a week, sheer panic is setting in.  Do I chat about what a BFF means to me?  How I am so blessed to have a couple of really good BFF’s who I KNOW will be there for me know matter what life throws at me?  How I am so lucky to be married to my BFF, the one person who really knows and understands me, who puts up with my eccentricities and thinks they are cute?  not so much crazy  Or do I vent about how BFF’s can suck.  Yeah, I said it. You know it’s true. Sometimes a girlfriend can let you down, and those moments may hurt the most of all. 

Want to know what I did? 

Please pop over to the fabulous Shell’s and say Hello!

Thanks. Luv Ya!

Justify Baby….Reason’s I’m Eating Chocolate

House to myself for the first time in 3 weeks. Celebrate. Eat some chocolate.

Baby girl has a tummy ache AGAIN. Worried.  Eat some chocolate, cause clearly that is gonna help.

Run some errands and found giant Reese Chocolate Bars at the dollar store?  Must eat this chocolate. Dumb girl, should have stocked up!  These monsters are huge and delish!It’s cold out…drink some hot chocolate.

Put an offer on a fab house in Florida.  A home we could vacation in and rent out too!  Isn’t she sweet?

Excited. Eat Chocolate.

Doc has decided baby girl needs to have blood work done….some other stuff too.  Feel almost sick with worry, still room for chocolate.  It is hard being a Mama.

Owners of house in Florida accepted!  Now just waiting to see if bank approves the short sale. Yes, more chocolate.

So tired.  Long day.  Does Bailey’s count as chocolate?

I have a problem.

How much chocolate will I consume before today is over? 

Feel free to send chocolate.

Dear Diary…Am Going to He((

To be read in your best “Bridgette Jones’s Diary” voice because that is how I wrote it! 

Weight: Not talking about it, should stop with the chocolate.

Alcohol Units: Zero – Pity.

Cigarettes: Zero –Not a smoker, not much of a victory here.

Dear Diary,

Encountered very wrinkly old gal driving her besty in beat up ol car.  Their combined age 170?  Old Bitty cut me off at Starbucks drive through and I screamed, okay, muttered rather loudly under my breath “You old bitty, if you can’t see over the steering wheel it is time to turn in your car keys!”  “Invest in a booster seat.”  So proud. Clearly do not NEED more coffee. 

Ran into unkindly gossipy neighbour in the drug store today.  No escape.  Original plans had me only picking up an ice pack for my sore back.  Seriously considered purchase of hemorrhoid cream, wart remover and a pregnancy test just to see what kind of rumours she would start.  Hubby thinks it’s cute that I have an arch enemy, I think it is just tiresome.

The University boys are back from Christmas break.  Got good and checked out at the deli counter.  At first flattered, then very weirded out as it dawned on me that at 39 I am actually old enough to be said University Boys Mama! *shiver

Daughter made up and sent out birthday invitations.  One particular little 11 year old can not make the festivities.  Did not sigh, was not sad.  Did little dance of joy as that child rubs me the wrong way! I am horrible person.

Clearly I am going to hell.  Am evil retched person very thankful that senior citizens, arch enemies and children can not read minds.

End of evil thoughts for today.

The Pre-Teen Monster

She has traded play mobile for karaoke.

Picks Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga and Hedley over Crazy Frog or The Wheels on the Bus.

Prefers Glee to the Wiggles.

Squeals over a Bench sweatshirt…down with Barbie?

T-shirts require bras. Good grief.

Sometimes she will still hold my hand in the mall, but I know those days are numbered.

Friends have become gossipy and fickle. Social status has become important…peer groups have morphed into peer pressure.

I thought when my babies got a little older, life would be easier. The joke is on me. Somehow it gets more difficult, more intense and complicated at every turn. You worry more then ever, watch each and everyday as your daughter, caught in that awkward place between girl and teen, struggles with the challenges puberty and life throw at her.

As this sweet girl is rushing to become a teenager, she continues to be my daily challenge.

A confident, defiant, expressive, whirlwind in one moment; a stumbling, eager, quiet thinker the next.

Bright and brilliant. Beautiful and creative.

On this incredible journey of parenthood, I will do my best to lead…she will try to make her own mark on the world. As a Mama, you do the best you can and hope it is enough. I will make sure she knows we are proud, she is loved.

I thank God for her each and every night.

Today my baby turns 12. This year I wish her health, strength, confidence, good friends, adventure, and true joy. I hope that all her dreams come true, and then she dreams some more!

You have changed my life forever…..

Happy Birthday my BlueEyed baby.

Things You Don’t Want To Hear From The Grocery Store Cashier. .

“Awwwwe. Poor Lobsters. Sniff.”

Seriously?

Do you want to cry for the chicken in the basket and tell me how bad you feel for my Hubby that I’m picking up some tampons too?

Perhaps you should re-think your job choice. Or um Shush!