just plain fun

The 2012 no-hate Golden Globes fashion recap

by Suzanne on January 16, 2012

Oh, how I love awards show season!

Cue Marc’s perplexed face. Although I’ll give him credit. He sat through the pre-show and about an hour of the Golden Globes last night. Then the DVR messed up and I freaked out and he got to watch the Simpsons after all.

My favorite part, as always, is the fashion. And despite the trend toward nudes this year (and feathers!), the gowns that I loved best came in every color of the rainbow.

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Paula Patton: hands-down the most gorgeous. Look at that color! And yellow is a hard color to rock (here are some other striking yellows from years past — remember Michelle Williams and Reese Witherspoon in those dresses? LOVE.)

I’m a sucker for pink. And for Natalie Portman. A win-win.

Isn’t this blue stunning on Freida Pinto? I also love the drape of the dress. Looks like she can actually move her legs. And that necklace! Swoon.

Octavia Spencer was lovely in lavender. And I adored her no-nonsense red-carpet interview. Like Cinderella at the ball, indeed.

Diana Agron’s dress confused me at first. Then I fell in love. The detail is so intricate and interesting. Can you imagine the work it took? And the red is gorgeous.

Returning from last year’s list is Claire Danes in another beautiful column. Although this year’s frock was much edgier. I love the detail, especially the back. Although she looked a little … er … chilly … I love the simplicity and clean lines of this gown.

And a brief nod to my favorite nudes. Dresses, that is.

Sarah Hyland was stunning. Period.

And I love everything about Jessica Alba’s gown.

And because Modern Family rules the school, I couldn’t resist including this shot. Love these guys and their awesome show.

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And here’s my 2011 recap

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Happy Holidays from these two

by Suzanne on December 22, 2011

in just plain fun

And best wishes for a wonderful holiday from Marc and me, too.

Happiness, health and love to you and yours.

We’ll see you in twenty-twelve!

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Deck the halls (with square snowflakes)

by Suzanne on December 12, 2011

in DIY,just plain fun

So this was supposed to be another “Kid DIY” post, with lovely photos of Lily making her very own paper snowflakes. Until I realized that I had no idea what I was doing.

Things started swimmingly … chubby little fingers pressing paper into triangles, folding and folding and folding. Then she couldn’t get her scissors through all those folds. I gave it a try, clipping out a few shapes here and there, unfolding it slowly for dramatic effect. Lily was pretty amazed by the transformation of little butchered triangle into big snowflake-like-thing.

But they kept turning out square.

And Lily lost interest because she couldn’t do the cutting. And then she spotted her dad out the window raking leaves and bolted from the room in a flurry of tiny paper shavings.

How to tell when your kid isn’t into the crafting? She ditches you for manual labor.

Determined to make just one snowflake-looking snowflake, I found this tutorial. Which reveals the trick fold. Say it with me: DUH.

I whipped out a couple that made me happy, and Lily and I strung all of them up in our big window by the kitchen table.

With the exception of our tree and a couple of wreaths, I gave myself a holiday decorating pardon this year. Any year in which I birth a child? No decking of the halls.

So these snowflakes are pretty much it.

And I love them.

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The happiest kid alive

by Suzanne on November 2, 2011

in about town,just plain fun,small fry

I have been keeping a secret from Lily for almost FOUR WHOLE MONTHS. This is huge. I am a terrible secret-keeper. And she is so especially curious.

But it worked. I didn’t blow it.

And yesterday afternoon I got to experience for the first time how amazing it feels to surprise my kid. Like, really surprise her.

We took her to Yo Gabba Gabba Live.

At first she was overwhelmed by the loud music, flashing lights and “real” Gabba friends on stage (“Where’s the TV, Mommy?”). She is terribly afraid of mascots of any kind and has been known to run from the Chick-Fil-A cow (unlike mommy, who accosts the cow for coupons). But once she settled into my lap and took everything in, she grew so happy that her jaw hung open almost the entire time.

And boy, did we dance.

I won’t spoil it for those of you who might be planning to go. So here are just a couple of photos of the awesomeness.

We finished our little date with pizza and jello at Lily’s favorite restaurant.

Perfection.

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Halloween 2011: With a side of fries

by Suzanne on October 31, 2011

in just plain fun

Don’t they look good enough to eat?

Tonight was rainy, cold … and pretty near perfect. Sophie was a trooper in her costume. Didn’t mind it a bit. And Lily loved telling everyone she was a “hambugger.”

We made rice krispie treats, lit up our jack-o-lantern and wiggled into costumes early. I love seeing Halloween through their eyes. Having kids changes everything, big and small. And on days like today, I’m reminded how awesome my life is with these two amazing little people in it.

How was your Halloween? Tell me about your costumes! And was yours a starry or rainy night?

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Happiness is: preschool art

by Suzanne on October 26, 2011

in just plain fun,small fry

Lily made this abacus. Isn’t it cool?

I love seeing what she carries home from school at the end of the day. She’s painted with her feet and elbows … and with her eyes closed. We have sculpture, musical instruments, a paperweight and a bird feeder that she’s created. My favorite is the “telescope” that she made out of an empty toilet paper roll.

Right now, everything is stacking up on the shelves in the playroom. And there’s a rotating gallery on the door in our kitchen. But I’m thinking about trying this idea from Pinterest. Or maybe this one.

What sorts of treasures do your kids bring home from school? How do you display them?

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And speaking of art, our friend (and Love to Zaria sponsor) Laura Loving is just about to kick off a new campaign that makes me smile: it’s called Laura Loving Happy. I adore the bright, cheerful prints, clever greeting cards and that funky Buddha tote. They’re raising funds right now for the November launch. If you want in on the action, check out this site. And keep an eye out for my interview with Laura next month!

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Oh Wills, you’ll always be mine

by Suzanne on April 29, 2011

in just plain fun,videos

Happy royal wedding day!

Laura and I and our girls are watching together this morning, eating sweet treats and pretending to be princesses. Some of us fit into the tutus better than others.

Are you celebrating? How?

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Friday goodies

by Suzanne on April 15, 2011

in bloggy,just plain fun

Isn’t this photo so fun? It’s from a Flickr group dedicated entirely to Peeps (via @mom101). Here’s the photographer.

Friends, we are off to the beach this weekend! Holler!

I have been looking forward to this mini-vacation for sooooo long. Just Marc, Small Fry and me. And some sun, sand and fried shrimp.

I’ll be back Monday with photos from our little holiday. And, YES. The Small Fry video interview. It’s almost finished loading. Promise!

Here are my favorite goodies from the interwebs this week:

- mini-bacon meatballs (My mom sent this one! Go Mom!)

- a thought-provoking column on motherhood from Liz at Mom 101 (read the comments too)

- pretty*swell is listed among “50 blogs to prepare for your baby’s first year” … what a nice surprise!

- the latest installment of Design Mom’s home tour in France (can you imagine this being your workspace?)

- a wedding invitation that turns into a paper record player(!)

Hope you guys have a lovely, spring-y weekend! xo!

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Friday goodies + giveaway winner!

April 8, 2011

First things first … the winner of our North American Bear Company giveaway is: Charlotte Anne! Congratulations, lucky lady! And thanks to all who participated. This was such a fun giveaway, with such an awesome company. And it won’t be the last one (hint, hint). I am SO happy that today is Friday. It’s been [...]

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Friday goodies!

April 1, 2011

Azaleas. Dogwoods. Daffodils. FINALLY, spring! Here’s what else made me smile this week: – I’d never heard of this site where you can swap kids’ stuff with other moms. Brilliant! (thanks, Jennifer) – Babble’s Top 50 Etsy baby shops. Because I need more excuses to shop. – An inspired open letter to medical professionals, by [...]

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This is what happens when Small Fry gets her cousin’s attention from across the table

March 24, 2011

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Friday goodies!

March 18, 2011

(Bella is ready for the weekend) I’m off this morning for my 32-week appointment, and I’m super psyched to get another ultrasound. Cannot wait to lay eyes on this ninja in my belly! We’re also going to hang with some farm animals today (photos coming, I promise) and host Small Fry’s first-ever SLEEPOVER. Her bestie, [...]