High School Musical
My 5 year old daughter is obsessed with High School Musical-so I took her to see the Ice Tour version during school vacation last week. The show was in Boston at the Fleet Center and it was fantastic. I'm not sure who enjoyed it more- me or her! The way they used the ice and the dancing on ice was terrific. They had multiple platforms so different scenes could be going on simultaneously..I was impressed. My daughter has a crush on Troy- she was hoping to see him up close and personal (she wore lipstick and eye shadow, although it was more like eyebrow shadow)..We never got that close to him, but even being in the same building was exciting for her...High School Musical, The Ice Tour is going on now - so if you like this musical- the version on ice is great! http://disney.go.com/disneylive/highschoolmusical/
My Tuesday Toot is about the opportunity to do an online interview regarding my custom made accessories business: Julie Smith Accessories with Flair: Shop Julie Smith Accessories - a popular blog that covers fashion-style and a whole lot more! Log on to her site to participate in the online giveaway until Feb. 29th.
 |
1. He's very good looking 2. He's smart 3. He's funny 4. He's works incredibly hard & provides well for us 5. He's a dedicated & loving father 6. He's a loyal & devouted husband 7. He honest & trustworthy 8. He's romantic & surprising! 9. He spends countless hours building a back yard rink, putting up a batting cage, practicing & teaching all sorts of sports with our kids 10. He's very compassionate 11. He never forgets my birthday or our anniversary 12. He's a great listener 13. My kids & I are number 1 in his life |
I just discovered a meme from the Blogamama called Tuesday Toot- so here is the Tooting of my horn:
Last week, after reading the book I mentioned below (Skinny Bitch) I had sort of a life changing moment as far as getting myself on track to lose weight, focusing on me first for a change rather than my children and husband, and basically just taking care of myself. Time and time again I have jumped on the latest diet craze, the next quick fix idea and whatever else is in the news to lose weight and fell good about myself. I can give the best advice to anyone- what to eat, how much..everything..but I never followed this myself. I get frustrated, hungry, bored and quit..all the time.
Until this week. I am so thrilled with how my week has progressed. I've been eating healthier than I ever have before. I'm eating salads and loving them, fruits and enjoying them and all sorts of vegetables. I love how I feel. I feel lighter, not bloated and heavy..I'm thrilled.
I have been walking pretty regularly, but if it's raining or too cold or snowing- I don't walk. So also this week I unhitched the folded up treadmill and started speed walking on the days I don't walk outside- I've also added a bit of running at the end to pump up my heart a little more. So that's my week..that's my toot and I'm happy to share it with you all! Thanks!
The title is a little harsh- but the content of this book is unbelievable, a MUST READ!..I never even contemplated the idea of becoming a vegetarian or even a partial vegetarian..I've always enjoyed chicken, eggs, a steak now and again. My absolute favorite protein is seafood- (and I don't plan on giving that up)..but the details in this book regarding the pesticides, antibiotics, chemicals, slaughterhouses, cruelty to anmials, growth hormones and everything else involved in the meat, food and dairy industries is absolutely shocking. If you truely want to cleanout your body of these harsh chemicals...and start adding healthy, nutritious foods- you need to read this book. It certainly opened my eyes..and at the end of the book, the authors explain that it's really not important to be skinny..and no one should be bitchy..but its a catchy title!
This was sent to me via email today, it's so cute I had to share it....
I was out walking with my 4 year old son. He picked up something off the ground and started to put it in his mouth. I took the item away from him and I asked him not to do that. "Why?" my son asked."Because it's been on the ground, you don't know where it's been,it's dirty, and probably has germs," I replied.
At this point, my son looked at me with total admiration and asked, "Momma, how do you know all this stuff, you are so smart."I was thinking quickly. "All moms know this stuff. It's on a Mom Test. You have to know it, or they don't let you be a mom."
We walked in silence for 2 or 3 minutes, but he was evidently pondering this new information."OH... I get it!" he beamed, "So if you don't pass the test, you have to be the dad." "Exactly," I replied back with a big smile on my face.
I have tried so many diets and food plans. I was most successful on Nutrisystem- but that was 15 years ago, before children and my husband was away on a ship being a Merchant Marine for 4 months-I had nothing else to focus on! So it worked. I lost alot of weight and inches and got down to the skinniest I've ever been. Unfortunately, after I reached my goal weight, I became pregnant with our son, Cam. And I was starving! I gained back all of the weight I had lost- rapidly. I think my body was in shock because it had been on such a restrictive diet for so long (about 6 months). Then we proceeded to have 2 more daughters, Brittany & Claudia. I was never able to lose all of the weight I gained during those pregnancies.
Then tragedy struck our family and our beautiful 13 month old, Claudia, passed on suddenly and unexpectantly. I spent a year in intensive therapy learning how to continue living in this life without her here with us. We were then blessed with another beautiful daughter, Annika, almost to the day of the anniversary of Claudia's passing. The stress of being here without Claudia is with me everyday. This contributes to my inconsitant and poor eating habits.
I've always been very active- I just eat so poorly, skipping meals...going for hours and then grabbing the worst food possible. I am great at giving everyone else the best advice- I know what to eat, how much to eat, when to eat...I can help everyone else, accept myself. I'll be on the computer for hours- and then out of exhaustion, hunger and frustration- I'll grab cookies- find chocolate- whatever I shouldn't be eating..eventhough there is a huge fruit bowl infront of me.
While searching the internet I found an interesting new diet plan called: Kimkins. I read a ton of the testimonials, the food lists, the diet plan- everything. It sounded focused, quick (eventhough I know the answer isn't that quick) and doable. So I started. I have started 3 times now. The first was the most successful- I was doing great- I lost 18 lbs in about 2 1/2 weeks. That is amazing for me. I know I have an insulin resistant issue due to all the years of dieting & eating poorly- so when I cut out carbs, it really works. Anyway- I was doing great and then my 4 year old broke her leg. I t was the first day of summer vacation. She was actually going to a morning activity camp and for the first time I was going to have some time to myself- I was thrilled on day one. I was waiting for the hours so I could devote some of it to excercising more- to keep the weightloss going. But she broke her leg on the first day. Not only did I not have anytime- I felt so badly for her- I didn't want to leave her side. We were house bound for most of the summer (and we live near a beach- we spend our whole summer at the beach!) It was brutal. Not to mention, after the 3rd day I was eating anything- I was bored, frustrated and probably a little aggravated that my plan was falling apart.
Since then I have started again 2 other times...always there is an interruption (see my pattern).. So now I'm beginning again. And I want to share this diet plan with anyone that would like a quick start to losing weight. Its a little restrictive- but it works! I'll keep you posted on how I'm doing.
Today- with this wonderful snow day- we are waiting until the storm passes and then we will remove the snow..hopefully before too much damage happens to the ice. Then my husband will resurface the ice..and our kids will skate again..When our ice is good, our kids do not come in all weekend..if we are home- they are skating-with friends, their hockey teams or cousins. We always have a multitude of kids skating and having fun. Its a lot of work for my husband, but in the end, its all worth it.
Birthday Wishes, Inc.
Last night I was one of the vendors at a fantastic Holiday Shopping Night in Beverly, MA. The shopping night was held as a fundraiser for an incredible non-profit organization called Birthday Wishes, Inc. This is the only organization that birthday parties to children in homeless shelters. What an organization! I was thrilled to be part of such a wonderful event, all proceeds from the raffle conducted during the shopping night went directly to Birthday Wishes, Inc. For more information see http://www.birthdaywishes.org/
Holiday Gift Ideas
zine).. 
d more- these will eventually be available on our website- but are availble at our holiday events now. A great stocking stuffer, teacher gifts and babysitters- especially those who have just got their licenses! If you can't make it ot our holiday events- email us sales@ShopJulieSmith.com and we will figure out which is your favorite pattern and mail it out to you!I just attended the Codman Estate Fine Arts and Crafts Fair in Lincoln., MA. It was held yesterday and it was brutally hot! I was still surprised by the amount of people that attended because of the heat- and they were actually buying- which took a considerable amount of effort because it was just so hot. Thankfully I had a tent and some shade. Overall this was a good event and had a lot to offer for activities, entertainment and products. If you'd like more information on this event go to http://www.historicnewengland.com/.
I have several upcoming events. If you'd like to see my schedule, go to http://www.shopjuliesmith.com/ and check out the News page.
I'm receiving rave reviews on my children's belts- for boys and girls. I have spent a lot of time trying to find different and fun ribbons for the kids and I love what I have found. The boys have a great selection of ribbons to choose from, so now they can Create their own belt too!
Remember- our belts are lined and the buckles DON'T slip- I've been told by many of my customers, this is NOT the case for many of the belts that are being sold..I take extra steps in making my belts to ensure you are receiving a superior accessory...
8/31/07
Today is the first day of my new blog! I figured I might as well learn how to do this- because everyone is doing it and I don't want to miss out on all the fun! I have so much to talk about with my ever increasing accessories business...it beagn only a year and a half ago and it's growing steadily and I love it!
For those of you who don't know about Julie Smith Accessories, http://www.shopjuliesmith.com/ let me tell you a little about it. I designed my business so all my products can be customized- by you. I design and create reversible women's belts and headbands, chidlren's reversible belts and headbands and embellished jean jackets. I spend hours searching for the best fabrics, trims and buckles and then allow you to put them together the way you want them. So you create the belt that fits perfectly into your wardrobe. I also have added the option of ready-to-wear belts, in the event you don't want to spend the time deciding which ribbons to put with which buckles...
I have just received a shipment of wonderful fall colors and textrures- inlcuding animal prints and mother of pearl buckles. The combinations are endless- visit my "What's New page to see all that I have recently added: http://www.shopjuliesmith.com/page.whatsnew.
My site is very easily to manipulate thru- just choose the item you want- 'Adult Belt' and then decide whether you want to customize it yourself, or if you'd rather choose a popular ready-to-wear combination. If you're designing yourself- follow the steps, choosing the ribbon style first. From there you can pick the color of that style for the first side, a ribbon (either contrasting, complimentary-it's up to you) for the 2nd side, then the buckle, size and you're done! It's that easy...try it out: http://www.shopjuliesmith.com/catalog/5.
