Raising Cupcake Eaters

I am loving my book that I am reading! It is Bringing Up Bebe by Pamela Druckerman. Each chapter is a wealth of lessons that she has learned & studied on French parenting. I am a big believer in this non-chalant parenting style that is both firm and loving that creates balanced people. I am looking forward to doing a full review for you all on this book when I finish.

This little cupcake lesson was cute to me. French mothers teach their children how to wait or delayed gratification as Pamela likes to call it. I think it is a very important skill to teach your children.

While her French friend let's her 3 year old make cupcakes all by herself, the author sits chatting with the mom. She is very struck at the idea of the french mom not hovering over this task. Most American mothers would not be allowing their 3 year old to make cupcakes by themselves! But the little girl does a great job and allows the two of them to chat without interruption.

The next thing is that they only have snack or gouter at 4pm every day so even though the cupcakes are ready before the children must wait. And there is no whining about it!

Once it's time for gouter, cupcakes are treated like a child's food, and the adults just have coffee or tea. Hmmm... I think that I am more like Pamela's mother - I am from a long line of cupcake eaters!

Are you raising cupcake eaters? What are your thoughts on children and instant gratification in our society?

Plethera of Breakfast Customs

As I was eating my spam, rice & seaweed roll for breakfast in Hawaii, it made me think about how different breakfast can be all over. I know that eating customs are very different in other places but breakfast seems to be even more different to me. Just in our culture alone if you ask a group of people what they had for breakfast, it would range greatly.

In other countries esp. asian or hispanic, rice is a huge staple even for breakfast. Eggs are served with a meat ad rice.

When I was in France, I would indulge on a cup of coffee with a chocolate croissant every morning. Mmmmm.....so good but after a month I gained 15 lbs. in that skinny country! Ha.

While my husband was in Germany, he enjoyed the simple, protein breakfast that included a hard boiled egg, cured meats, nuts & cheese with some dried fruits and bread. I call that picnic or travel food. It's so satisfying.

My husband's family is from Puerto Rico. While we were there we ate lots of rice or bread, fresh avocado and mangos or any other fresh fruit for breakfast. Coffee grows there too and is drunk just about all day and of course the rum!! We had rum with fresh squeezed grapefruits to start some days.

At home our daily meal can vary from bagels, English muffins, oatmeal, cold cereal, pancakes, waffles, toast, eggs, biscuits, scones, bacon or sausage. That's pretty much our standard choices.

I really enjoy breakfast. Sometimes I even cook it for dinner. But as I get older I find it harder to eat first thing in the morning. I need a good hour of being awake with my cup of joe first before I can eat anything.

Do you eat breakfast? What are some of your favorite breakfast foods at home or afar?

Making Adult Friends

I recently read a post from fellow blogger A Cup of Jo (love her) about how so many people find it hard to make new friends especially when you are over the age of 30.

Andy and I moved to Telluride, CO after college in our early 20's and easily made a great group of friends that my husband and I still have. Then after having children we moved to Montrose, CO in our late 20's. It took me a good 2 years to feel like I found my 'tribe' of friends. Now in my mid-thirties I could see how moving to a new community and having to make new friends sounds daunting. And I am a pretty outgoing gal!

I have a friend who recently had to relocate her family to Vegas, and it has been challenging to try to find her 'type' of friends. Another friend who recently moved to Montrose said that it was hard to meet families & friends as well.

I think that when you get over the age of thirty close friends are harder to make because: we get pickier about our friends, we don't have as much time, we aren't socially out as often, we are more self reliant, and we are more guarded emotionally.

Here's the link to the great article in the NY times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/15/fashion/the-challenge-of-making-friends-as-an-adult.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2

How many of you have found it harder to make those brotherly or sisterly bonds with new friends after the age of 30?

Traveling Light for Your Face

Traveling Light for your Face

Traveling Light for Your Face by krista-allmond-montalvo featuring sheer makeup

Norwex body rag - No soap necessary!  I swear by these little rags.  So awesome.  www.norwex.com

Face powder - I love how it is a powder, bronzer & blush all in one!
physiciansformula.com

The Body Shop makeup brush
thebodyshop-usa.com

Shimmer makeup
physiciansformula.com

The Body Shop eyeliner
thebodyshop-usa.com

Estée Lauder mascara
esteelauder.com

Clinique sheer makeup - I like a sheer lipstick at the beach.
clinique.com

Beauty product - gotta have your spf
amazon.com

L'Oreal Magic Lumi Primer - I love this illuminating primer at the beach instead of any kind of foundation.  It evens out your skin & gives you a glow.
drugstore.com

This is all that I am packing in my suitcase for my face for two weeks at the beach!!  

Favorite {Book} Friday

Who doesn't love to read???  I love getting sucked into a great fiction.  I have even been known to fall asleep with a good book only to awaken in the middle of the night to keep reading.  I even get sad towards the end because then I have to say good bye to my fictional family.

Now with a baby, it makes it hard to read two pages without falling asleep.  But I am proud to say that I have finally finished my book that I started after Evelyn was born!  Ummm...she is almost a year.  Yep it has taken me one whole year to finish a book that would have taken me 3 days to read.

I am HUGE Pat Conroy fan.  I love all of his low country books.  The low country referring to the Charleston beach area.  That area of the country sings straight to my soul and always has.  One summer I hope to live on the inner coastal waterway with a little dock with my love & my girls.  Swim in the creeks during high tide and crab and fish off of it too.  I miss the smell of the low country - the smell of the South.  Gardenias, Tea Olives, Lady Banks, and Magnolia blossoms are just a few of the memories that linger in my nose.  I would love to smell those from my back porch again.  I just finished reading South of Broad and it was just as good as his others.  Next on my list of Pat's is The Water is Wide.  I haven't read that one yet.

Pat just has a way of making you feel like you are walking down Church St. in the middle of a conversation with one his characters.  There is always romance, a mystery, an adventure and definitely always some really unbelievable family drama/crisis.

One of the quotes that resonated with me was on lost Souls.  "Never did it occur to me that some people make an early acquaintance with a dark, disfiguring anarchy so strong that they cannot consider a day complete without the music of chaos roaring in their ears."  I have encountered someone like this and Pat just has such a way with his words.  His books all deal with the suffering & torment that a person can put themselves through.  He can really touch on some of the deepest secrets and pains that cause people to create their own personal hell.  

Which reminds me of one of my favorite quotes from Eckart Tolle - "People will change only when they have suffered enough."

I hope you pick up one of Pat Conroy's books - I also loved Beach Music & of course, Prince of Tides. Even through the ordeals that his characters have endured, there is a triumph in the end.  They always come to terms with their past and decide to be happy. To be at peace.  What a great message and ending to a great novel.  I hope in real life happiness & peace is the choice that is made instead of the constant music of chaos.

What PJ's do men really find sexy?

My husband and I were talking one night and the subject of pajamas came up.  I have never really asked what pajamas are sexy.  It was just something I guessed that I assumed.  Well, I was a little surprised by his answer.

They are ALL sexy!  But the key is to always mix it up was the answer.  If I wore the hot little nighty every night then it would no longer have any appeal.

I did get his top votes on the ways that I come to bed.  And now I know that maybe even that old Tee might turn his head if I haven't worn it in a while. :)

Also another tip is never look like a little girl in your sleep wear & never look like a whore for many reasons - but that is a whole other post for another time!

• Nude is always a great way to go to bed!!

• Boy shorts bikini with a tank or a white Vneck tee.  The boy shorts let just enough cheek hang out!

Gap

• A traditional night gown.  Black or white is always classy & sexy.  Make sure it is extra soft on your skin.

Victoria Secret

• His oxford or Tee.

Snag his shirt

• A hot little lingerie number for those candle nights.  Keep it extra sexy by wearing this under your dress on your date.  Meet him at the restaurant too and let him take you home!  When he helps unzip you then there will be a little surprise.

Victoria Secret Teddy

Kids' Pinterest Camp Ideas

Here are the other two sessions that I did for Kids' Pinterest Camp!  

What a fun time we all had.

We made bookworm reading charts where they left spaces to fill in the book's name and after 4 they drew in a prize like ice cream cone or something.  One little boy put down $100.  Haha   We also did a leap frog on paper plates.  That was pretty fun too except the wind picked up and blew all the plates all over the yard.  But I decided to improvise - they had more fun trying to catch them all down the sidewalk!  We did the melted crayon art on the back of a pizza box.  We glued them on and waited for them to dry.  We organized the colors to be more like a rainbow and then used the hair dryer to melt them.  That was a really cool project!  We also made our own hot pockets with shredded pork & cheese.  And paper plates also make really cool hats too!

The next week was right before the 4th of July so we made firecrackers with streamers out of construction paper.  We played some fun water games with sponges.  One was letting the sponge soak up water and running to the other bucket to fill it up - after the team goes then you see whose bucket got the most water.  They played that lots of time.  Then the other water game was a hot potato game where we passed around the wet sponge singing a song when the song ended and you ended up with the sponge then you had to squeeze it over your head.  There were a lot of squeals & laughter with those.  We only had one boy this time so I mad him the "Judge" which he really enjoyed!  For snacks we made confetti cupcakes with the Pop Rocks frosting.  That was interesting!  And we made some homemade apricot preserves too. 

The *New* SheShe & {SheShe Shopping Giveaway}

If any of you have had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Kimberly McGehee, owner of SheShe Boutique in Downtown Montrose, CO, then you all would agree that she has the warmest & biggest heart.  I am so very lucky to also call her my friend.  A couple of years ago SheShe Boutique's previous owner had decided to 'retire' the women's boutique but Kimberly and her mother couldn't bare the thought of another business closing downtown esp. one that they both loved to shop at.  So they bought it!!

Kimberly McGehee, owner SheShe

Staff at SheShe

What an amazing new adventure that Kimberly has started!  Many locals have known her through her Mary Kay business & We Bead Connected - so, we all couldn't wait to see her classy style shine through in the Fashion World!  I have had the pleasure of working with Kimberly.  We have collaborated together to create some super fun fashion events & she carries some of my Marmie Bags too.  I love going into SheShe and finding such easy to wear & fashionable clothes.  I especially love Michael Stars, Three Dot and Michael Kors that she carries.  Kimberly is creating a women's shop that bridges fashion for all generations of women.  A store like that is very much needed in such a small town.  I know that pretty much all of you know what happens to our bodies as we have children & age - it changes dramatically!  But, I still want to look good & feel good & wear something that achieves both.  You get that when you shop at SheShe.

340 East Main Street  Montrose, CO 81401
(970) 249-4944

Tonight (Monday, July 16, 2012) SheShe Boutique is having a Traveling Light Party at the store that was inspired by my blog post.  She has two travel scenarios (city & beach) all packed up in the most Adorable Brighton travel suitcases.  I hope you guys can make it down tonight from 6-8 pm.  What a fun Ladies' Night Out!!  If you aren't able to make it, make sure you stop in to see her Chic Boutique and to get some great fashion advice plus she gives the {best hugs}.

SheShe Boutique and Gallery is one of my newest Sponsors and to celebrate she is giving away to one of my lucky readers a

$50 Gift Certificate to SheShe Boutique

Here's what you have to do to enter:

1. Be A Marmie Life Blog Follower.
2. "Like" SheShe Boutique Facebook Page.
3. Leave a comment below that you did both!

That's pretty easy.
Winner announced on Monday July 23, 2012.

Gift certificate exp. Jan 16, 2013.


CONGRATULATIONS TO MALINDA FOR WINNING THE GIVEAWAY!  

Travel Light for Him

Travel Light For Him

Travel Light for Him by krista-allmond-montalvo featuring Banana Republic

I had my husband, Andy do this board for the fellas or if you pack for your man then here are some ideas.  These are Andy's top picks for going to the beach for about a week!  The only thing missing from this collection is the golf attire!   But I didn't include that since everyone isn't a golfer.  

Banana republic
$70 - bananarepublic.gap.eu

Old Navy Mens Basic Leather Belts
oldnavy.gap.com

SWISS ARMY ORIGINAL WATCH - Watches - Men's Watches & Jewelry -...
sundancecatalog.com

Cabela's: Serengeti® Nuvino Polarized Sunglasses
cabelas.com

Classic-Fit Gingham Oxford - Classic-Fit   Sport Shirts -...
ralphlauren.com

Patagonia Men's El Ray Shirt
patagonia.com

Soft-wash slim fit multi-check shirt | Banana Republic
bananarepublic.gap.com

Patagonia Men's Gi III Water Shorts - 9"
patagonia.com

REI Sahara Tech Shirt - Men's at REI.com
rei.com

Classic tailor fit blazer | Gap
gap.com

The classic khaki (relaxed fit) | Gap
gap.com

Patagonia Men's Baggies™ Shorts - 7" Inseam
patagonia.com

KUHL Trek Short - Men's from Backcountry.com
backcountry.com

REEF Men's Phantoms Flip Flops - SportsAuthority.com
sportsauthority.com

Mountain Hardwear Versteeg Rain Jacket - Men's - Free Shipping at...
rei.com

Amazon.com: Hanes White V-Neck T P5 White S: Clothing
amazon.com

adidas Men's adiZero Visor - Dick's Sporting Goods
dickssportinggoods.com

Lake City, CO Getaway - Day 3

Day 1 
Day 2

This was our last day here.  Beautiful, cool morning & a filling breakfast before packing it all up to check out by 10 am.  We then headed into town to attend the community church that is held twice a year (once at Easter & once before the 4th of July) at the Public School.  What an amazing experience to see all the denominations come together as one.  It was such a glorious morning. The cottonwood trees rained upon us during the service.  It looked like angels floating above our heads.

We then headed South after the service on the Hwy to the overview of Slumgullion Pass.  It is so incredible that all of that land slid down the mountain.  It is very easy to see & it still slides at about 20 feet a year.  Crazy!  And on the hwy it goes pass the Alfred Packer Massacre sight which I just recently found out about. Yuck!  click here to find out the San Juan cannibal story  

I am going to make the famous slumgullion stew!

A little further south on the Silver Thread Scenic Byway is the North Clear Creek Falls.  It is a short & easy walk to the overview of the falls.  Unfortunately, there isn't a way to stand at the base of the falls.  I would have loved to feel the power & mist.  I just LOVE waterfalls.  And if you take the other little trail that goes up higher which is behind the restroom the overlook is amazing!

Here's where our trip became an adventure!!  On the map that the Chamber of Lake City provided us it appears the County Road 520 is 2 wheel drive all the way to Silverton.  SO we decided to take that route home.  What a beautiful stretch of country that follows a series of reservoirs and rivers between two ranges.  We traveled this road for about 30 miles until it switched into a 4 wheel drive road.  Normally it wouldn't be a problem for us but we took my family car which is an AWD Ford Freestyle.  After chatting to several vehicles coming from the ominous Stoney pass direction, we decided to turn around.  Ughhh....what an inconvenience but it would have been awful to get stuck on top!!  We are coming back again but in our equipped truck!!  We stopped at several spots to stretch our legs & fish.

2 wheel drive - yeah right

So many dead trees

We made our way back to Lake City in time for dinner.  We asked a local to recommend a family place to eat.  We were directed to Restless Spirits Saloon.  Who would have thought the bar was also the family eatery too!  It was packed in there.  The menu consisted of pizzas, salads appetizers & sandwiches.  We got a margherita pizza, large greek salad & chicken nachos.  It was divine!  So fresh & so good!  Highly recommend.  Then we went back to the Soda Fountain for more ice cream.  Perfect ending to a great weekend!  I can't wait to go back.