The Perfect Beach Bag…and more! June 30, 2009

Bagolitas has the perfect beach bag for all your needs.  I know I’m a little biased since I work at Bagolitas, but, you just have to meet Beachy!  I purchased my first last year and loved it so much I had to add Black Licorice (pictured) this summer. 

What I love about Beachy is her versatility.  With durable nylon straps and six outer pockets, I can load it full of all my beach essentials for an afternoon in the sun.  But she also makes a great weekend getaway bag, gym bag, farmers market bag, airplane carry-on (I’ve done this!) and more.  Load her full of snacks, games, and toys and you’re ready for a road trip to Grandma’s.  I’ve even heard some use it as a diaper bag.  The best part…are you sitting down…Beachy is completely washable!!  I’ve washed (and dried) mine at least three times over the last year.  Because she’s constructed of durable indoor/outdoor fabric, stains & liquids just wipe off. 

Beachy is available in four fabric combinations and for the month of July she’s  just $49!  Try her out on your next trip to the pool and you’ll fall in love too!

Special Delivery! June 29, 2009

Friends of ours had a baby girl over the weekend and I can’t wait to meet her and smell that new baby scent.   I don’t generally like to go to the hospital for a visit unless invited.  I feel like the new family gets enough visitors at the hospital and Mom needs rest, etc.  I much prefer a home visit when it fits with their routine and schedule.

One of my favorite things to do (aside from snuggle time with a newborn) for a new family is make them a meal.  I can only imagine how nice (and a huge relief) it is to be able to open the fridge and just heat a meal up for dinner when you’re still working to get into a routine, juggle new responsibilities, etc.  I love being able to provide that little bit of relief for the new family.  The real struggle is what to make.  I want it to be yummy and easy to heat up.  This time, I chose skillet spaghetti.  Does anyone else out there make a meal for the new families in their lives?  What do you make?

So tomorrow night, with meal and swaddler in hand,  I so look forward to meeting Miss Chelsea Jane!

PS – As a side note, my new favorite baby gift is the Swaddle Designs swaddling blanket.  This year, all four of our new families received this gift.

Saturday Picnic June 27, 2009

The Oswald family headed to nearby Kent Park earlier today for a little picnic and relaxation with a couple of beers, a light lunch, a good book, and a tennis ball for Miss Zoey.  Since no dogs are allowed in the beach area, we headed across the lake and found a nice spot next to the water.

It turned out to be a really enjoyable couple of hours.  Zoey loves the water and after a couple of throws of the ball she relaxed and people/dog watched while Josh and I spent some time reading.

So long land line June 26, 2009

Today the Oswald’s happily said goodbye to the home phone!  No one ever really calls us on the home phone except for telemarketers, but the real reason the home phone is finally gone has to do with another JTO bribe…

Our phone/internet/cable Co-op finally got PVR (their version of DVR), but in order to sign up JTO said I had to cancel the phone line.  I didn’t even think twice and called the next day.  I can’t wait to toss the VCR and start setting my recordings!!!  Now, if they will only come to my name on the waiting list.

Better Than Pottery Barn?! June 26, 2009

Did that just come out of my mouth?!?  Is it possible that I would like a home furnishings store better than Pottery Barn?  Well, I think I found it last night…

Our local Chamber of Commerce holds monthly Business PM’s.  A business volunteers to host and members are invited for an evening of networking and fun.  Last night’s event was at Dwell Home Furnishings in Coralville.  I hadn’t been in for a couple of years, but I walked in the door and fell in love!  It’s so great to have a store like this in town…something so unique and different from all the other furniture stores. One of my favorite things I saw from last night was a wedge type couch.  It has a slight curve to it that is perfect for entertaining.  No more leaning forward to talk to the person on the other end of the couch.  They also have some unique one-of-a-kind pieces that a fabulous.  I’m pretty sure I designed every room in my house last night!

Secret #43 June 25, 2009

One of my favorite Food Network personalities is Giada De Laurentiis.  One of my favorite (and Josh’s) recipes is from her.  I’m not exactly sure what it is I love about her, but I think she’s great.  I love her simple, easy to make dishes that are full of flavor and color.  Plus, I always like to see her kitchen utensils and serving platters…and of course what she’s wearing.

She came out with a new cookbook last fall and I really want to get my hands on it, Giada’s Kitchen.  Bonus: on her website you can order an autographed copy.  HINT Josh, gift idea!!!  I can’t wait to see what new recipes she’s cooked up.

Her next recipe I’m trying: Roasted Cod with Lima Beans.  What I love about it…no clean up.  Everything is mixed and cooked in aluminum foil pouches.  Perfect for a quick weeknight meal.

The Perfect Summer Drink June 23, 2009

I found this easy Sangria recipe in the July Food & Wine magazine.  I love that it’s lighter in color than a more traditional Sangria that uses red wine…pefect for the summer.

I can’t wait to whip up a batch at our next get together.

Mango-Peach Sangria

In a saucepan, cook 1/2 cup sugar with 1/3 cup water unti lthe sugar dissolves; tranfer to a pitcher and refrigerate until cold.  Stir in 1 cup Grand Marnier, 1 bottle Viognier, 1 chopped mango, 2 peaches cut into thin wedges and 1/4 cup mint; serve immediately. [makes 4 servings]

Oh, the ‘fun’ you can have in the heat! June 22, 2009

Tomorrow is the big photo shoot at work for our winter catalog and a few of us get to strut our stuff as models.  No big deal right, just a little stressful pulling all the bags and outfits together…WRONG!  All the pictures are in downtown Iowa City, outside!  If you haven’t heard, it has been about 99ish degrees the past few days.  It’s hot enough just being outside, but when you’re outside wearing jeans, long sleeve shirts or jackets, not so fun.

So, I’m going to channel my inner Heidi Klum while thinking cool thoughts in an attempt to keep my make-up from running down my face.

Future Storm Chaser June 21, 2009

Is it bad that my first thought when I hear sirens and see the big red radar blobs is to run to the window?  I’m fascinated by the weather.

Here’s a look at the  storms rolling through Tiffin tonight.  It appeared from the radar that two storm blobs were coming together right over us, the clouds were moving fast…very cool stuff, but it appears that Tiffin has escaped the worst of it.

Check, Check and Check! June 21, 2009

Most of the items on my summer to-do list are catching up on my scrapbooking and photo albums.  So, this afternoon I uploaded our 2008 pictures to Shutterfly.  While waiting for the photos to upload, I stumbled upon the one tool that would save me hours…maybe even days.  Create your own scrapbook page!  In just a half hour I created three scrapbook pages and crossed off two scrapbook to-do’s.  It did cost $6.99 per page, but the time I saved was well worth it. 

I did order some prints from our recent trip to Colorado, so now I can focus my scrapbooking efforts on finishing our wedding album and staying caught up on scrapbooking for 2009.  My fingers are crossed!