The Rainbow After the Migraine

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kids cleaning the kitchen together.

A rare team work photo. 

Last Tuesday I woke up with the beginning of a headache. You know that slight pulsating pain that runs up from your neck and radiates behind your ear that can get bad really fast. I’m positive it is a tension headache and one of the causes is because I am a jaw clincher.

My dentist gave me a mouth guard for sleeping during my late teens/early 20’s and it helped. Then I hit college where I spent an embarrassing amount of time partying and a mouth guard isn’t a priority as you are passing out so it became lost in the shuffle. It was expensive too, sorry mom and dad 🙁

Back to Tuesday though. It was an annoying pain but wasn’t terribly bad. I didn’t have any Tylenol or ibuprofen left so I just tried to up my water and drink caffeine since that sometimes helps me.

By that evening I thought it was going away. Nope. Wednesday morning I got out of bed with a wave of nausea, and a full-blown migraine. I couldn’t even walked standing up straight. So I went into Roo’s room hunched over and told her I had a migraine, was going to throw up, then going back and lay down.

She said “Don’t worry mom. Go back to bed”. So I threw up and went back to bed.*  The thing with my migraines is that they usually make me throw up for a minimum of half a day and this one was a doozy. Every 30 minutes for 12 hours straight which was tons of fun.

Roo was my champ that day and I am so thankful for her. She stepped up to the plate and took great care of Merle. She made them lunch and dinner, gave them snacks, dressed her, brushed her teeth, played with her, and got her ready for bed. They even did the dishes side by side.

There were several questionable things that I noticed when I got up like a bunch of damp towels scattered about. Plastics bags hanging off all the door knobs, and then I later discovered that one of them ate half of my Valentine’s chocolate. The perpetrator is still pending.

*For what it’s worth, our condo is only about 700 sq ft. My bedroom opens right out to the living room and when I lay in bed I can see directly through the living room into the girls bedroom. So although I was in bed most of the day I was no more than a sideways glance away.

 

What to Bring on the Plane – Kids Part 2

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There is an updated version of this post that can be found here. Unfortunately when Polyvore shut down I lost the images to this post. I have since then learned to make my images in Photoshop as to avoid this issue. Sorry about the inconvenience.

This post continues from my last post What to Bring on the Plane – Kids. In part 1, I made a list of entertainment ideas of things that an older child (9 – teenager) who be interested to bring on an airplane.

Today is for a younger child. There is a slightly higher level of difficulty in entertainment for younger children since most of them have a short attention span. There is only so much you can bring to keep them occupied, especially things that don’t come with a million pieces or aren’t extremely noisy.

My suggestion is to bring some colouring items, a small game, and a tablet loaded with games and movies. This should help when the attention span starts to waver and you start to panic over pissing off the “children should not ride planes with regular society” people.

Don’t forget those headphones either. They are sanity savers from those annoying and repetitive game sounds. My other suggestion is to pack their favourite sleeping toy/stuffed animal in their carry-on bag.

You don’t want to risk its loss or any conniption fits if you stow it in any checked baggage you may have. I stated in part 1 that snacks are also a good idea for kids. Especially if you have any long layovers, but like I said before, some airlines do not allow you to bring snacks on board so always make sure to check with your airline carrier first. Listed below are the links and prices for the items pictured.

1. My Little Pony Big Girls’ Twilight Sparkle Hoodie • My Little Pony • $23.30
2. Skip Hop Zoo Pack Toddler Backpack • Skip Hop • $20.00 (various animal styles)
3. Badger in Vest • Little Circus • $38.00
4. Childs Sleep Mask • Amazon • $10.99
5. Crayola® Disney® “Frozen” Color & Sticker Book • Crayola • $6.99
6. Crayola 16 Ct. Crayons • Crayola • $2.79
7. Petit Collage Animal Jamboree Mix & Match Cards • $15.00
8. Apple® iPad Air 32GB – Silver/White (MF025LL/B) • Apple • $579.00
9. WESC Headphones Emerald • Wesc • $59.00 (various colours)
10. Skip Hop Zoo Kids Rolling Luggage – Ladybug • Skip Hop • $30.00 (various animals)
11. Skip Hop Owl Zoo Travel Blanket • Skip Hop • $20.00
12. Flight 001 Passport Cover • Flight 001 • $45.00 (various colours)

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What to bring on the plane – Kids

Sara Leave a Comment

There is an updated version of this post that can be found here. Unfortunately when Polyvore shut down I lost the images to this post. I have since then learned to make my images in Photoshop as to avoid this issue. Sorry about the inconvenience.

Whenever we go out with the kids for any extended period we always seem to bring a lot of stuff with us. A lot of unnecessary stuff for entertainment purposes. Since the kids are six years apart this means that they have very different interests and needs which equals a lot of crap.

This is not so bad if we are in the car because we can just leave everything in there when we get out to go wherever we are going at that time. But in the case of air travel you have to be a little more picky and a lot more cut-throat with what you bring. No one wants to drag tons of bags with them.

What is even more fun is trying to carry bags while making sure that you have collected everything that your child/children have brought with them and decided to take out and scatter everywhere.

I love being that person that is holding up the line while trying to quickly grab everything that belongs to a wayward toddler/preschooler. All while trying to all keep the child from taking off on you. Please note the sarcasm there.

So I have put some thought into what we would need to bring with us for each child on an extended trip. This kids travel list is for my older child and is similar to what a teen would want to bring with them but at an appropriate age level. I picked things based on my daughters taste and favourite colours.

The travel blanket is more expensive than I would pay but it had the best picture for the collage that I could find. So please don’t think I would stuff a $300 blanket in her backpack 😉 In addition to this list I would add snacks, but some airlines do not allow you to bring snacks on board so always make sure to check with your airline carrier first. Links and prices are listed below.

1. My Little Pony Big Girls’ Twilight Sparkle Hoodie • My Little Pony • $24.00
2. Clouds Small Cotton Backpack • Cath Kidston • £48.00
3. Red Hood The Fox • $38.00
4. Flight 001 Passport Cover • Flight 001 • $45.00
5. Sofia Cashmere Cashmere Cable-Knit Travel Set • Sofia Cashmere • $300.00
6. Owl Raccoon Color Pencils • $8.95
7. Kate Spade New York Spiral Notebook • Kate Spade • $14.00
8. HAPPY PLUGS Earbuds • $24.99
9. Nikon J1 Camera with 10-30mm VR Lens • White • Best Buy • $396.95
10. Apple® iPad Air 32GB • Silver/White • Apple • $579.00
11. Delsey Helium Colours – 4-Wheel Carry-On Trolley • Delsey • $84.99
12. The Graveyard Book • Neil Gaiman • Amazon • $8.99

 

Carry-On Packing List for kids Part 1

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There is an updated version of this post that can be found here for girls and here for boys. Unfortunately when Polyvore shut down I lost the images to this post. I have since then learned to make my images in Photoshop as to avoid this issue. Sorry about the inconvenience.

I’ve got pretty good at refining my own wardrobe and planning out outfits that allow me the most bang for my buck, but I seem to have had a harder time doing that with my kids.

There is just so many darn cute things out there. I need to pull in the reigns though, since it just seems so wasteful to me. There always seems to be items hanging in their closets that don’t get any wear at all. This makes it hard to pack since a lot of the pieces don’t seem to go together very well.

I was just thinking the other day of what I would pack for both kids if/when the chance arrives. If I left my 10-year-old to her own devices, she would end up with a bunch of clothes that weren’t weather appropriate, didn’t match,  and wouldn’t pack anything that would be suitable for dressier occasions.

I’m sure it would be jeans, t-shirts, and several pairs of converse. So I wanted to challenge myself and came cup with a good list based on similar items that she already owns.

A nice mixture of clothes that can be switched up and layered to provide her with a lot of outfit combinations. The base colour is blue which is her favourite colour, and I added grey, black, and white pieces to tie it all together.

Links to items are listed under the picture with prices and where to find them. Let me know in the comments below if there are any must have items that you pack for your kids when you take a trip. I’m going to work on my 4-year-old’s list next because hers is going to be a little harder to figure out. She always makes things just a little bit harder for me 😉

What to Wear on the Plane

Appaman Fedora – Grey-Large (5-7 Years) • Appaman • $22.40
Converse Chuck Taylor® High Top Sneaker • Converse • $31.95–49.95
Girls Cropped Marled Sweaters • Old Navy • C$16.50
Ralph Lauren Girls’ Aubrie Denim Leggings – Sizes 7-16 • Ralph Lauren • $39.50
H&M – Patterned Tube Scarf – Neon pink – Kids • H&M • $7.95
H&M – Blouse with Lace – Light blue – Kids • H&M • $17.95

Shoes

Hunter ‘Original’ Rain Boot  • Hunter • $75.00
Ballet Flats • Boden • $16.20–37.80
Leather Sandals • Boden • $54.00

Clothing and Undergarments

H&M – Jumpsuit • H&M • $10.00–17.95 (various colours)
H&M – Biker Jacket – Black – Kids • H&M • $29.95
H&M – Skinny Fit Jeans – Denim blue – Kids • H&M • $19.95
Appleby Denim Shorts • Fat Face • £16.00
Epic Threads Girls’ Crochet-Shoulder Dress • Bright Blue
GB Girls 7-16 Floral Lace Swing Dress • Turquoise • $39.00
Girls Clip-Dot Hi-Lo Sundresses Dark Blue • Old Navy • C$24.00
elSage Designs Kid’s New Bike Tee • $24.00
Little Remix Mélange T-shirt • Little Remix • $25.00
Breaking Waves Turquoise Leopard 1-pc. Swimsuit • jcpenney • $22.40
Nevada®/MD Girls Crew Neck Sparkle Sweater • C$9.94 (x2 Both Black and Gray)
Ribbed Tank • Crazy 8 • $2.09 (x2 Black and white)
H&M – 7-pack Socks – Gray – Kids • H&M • $12.95
H&M – Jersey Tube Scarf – Natural white – Kids • H&M • $6.95
FOREVER 21 girls Loose-Knit Beret (Kids) • Forever 21 • $3.00
Girls Patterned Bikini 7-Packs • Old Navy • C$15.50 (various patterns)
Joe Boxer® Fox Open 2 Pieces PJ Set • C$14.94
Trimfit Girls’ or Little Girls’ Glitter-Stripe Tights • $10.00
Crewneck cardigan Black • Gap • $13.99 – $25.99 (various colours)

My Favourite Things on Etsy -1

Sara Leave a Comment

I’ve mentioned many times how much I love Etsy. It’s filled with amazing things that make original gifts, perfect pieces for your home. I can get lost on there for hours browsing through pages and pages. My favourites list is growing rapidly and I always refer to it when it is time to by a gift for someone. Every once and awhile I am going to post a few of my favourites things from Etsy. Todays list includes some decorative pieces and epic wineglasses. The links to each piece are provided below the picture. Leave me a comment with your favourites findings from Etsy too, maybe you can help me add to my wishlist!

EtsyFavesHome1. Senet Board Game – from buxaina
I am a history buff. Actually, I am probably more than that. History is one of my favourite things in this world and if time travel ever came to pass I would be first in line. I like to have pieces of history integrated in to my decor and this replica Senet game is from Ancient Egypt and one of the first documented games.

2. Pink Elephant Bookend – by ShopFierce27
Animals and bright colour, some of my favourite things. This book end would add some fun to a white bookshelf or desktop.

3. Sagittarius Pillow – by mybeardedpigeon
Mybeardedpigeon is one of my favourite stores on Etsy. They have amazingly beautiful pillows of which I have bought several. I want this Sagittarius one because both of my girls are born under that zodiac sign. I also want every single one of their map pillows….

4. Antler Rack – by NearAndDeer
This rack would look awesome on my wall to hold purses, hats and jewellery. I really like the gold finish but you can message them if you want alternate colours to what they offer. I might want this one on a nice sunny yellow.

5. Handpainted Wine Glasses – Set of 4 – Golden Girls – by LoveGoodThings
Golden Girls, need I say more. How epically cool would it be do drink your nightly wine out of a Blanche, Rose, Dorothy, or Sophia. These would be treasured that’s for sure.

 

 

 

How to Find Your Right Bra Size

Sara Leave a Comment

Almost two years ago a close friend of mine on a birth-board posted a link that was a life changer. Back story: I have been relatively small my entire life. I am 5’3″ and my weight has always fluctuated from 100-115 lbs except during pregnancy when I topped out at 140-143 lbs each time with my weight gain being strictly belly and boobs. So my bra size has pretty much been consistent since I was 15 except during the times I was pregnant. Pregnancy wreaked havoc on my boobs. Large to small, large to small, it really deflated what I had, and when you don’t have much to begin with it makes for sad little boobs. I have always worn a 32B. It has never, ever been comfortable and I constantly would be adjusting it, but every time I got measured this was the size I was told that I am. So I just dealt with it because I thought that is how it was supposed to be (especially since most women wear incorrect sizes and are also adjusting or complaining of discomfort). I didn’t know any better.

Little did I know that most places that sell bras and do measurements for you automatically give you the sister size if your actual size happens to be a that size they don’t carry. And to top it off they don’t actually tell you that it isn’t the actual size because they want to make the sale. So you end up wearing a completely wrong size for the 20 years you have worn a bra because someone wanted commission. Not cool.

Bra Poster

 

When my friend posted the link back in 2013 we all commented back with what our new “accurate sizes” were. Most of our sizes ended up being way different from what we had worn, we were shocked and in many cases didn’t believe that we were in fact these sizes. The measuring yourself part is actually pretty simple. You just need a few minutes alone to accurately measure since you have to do it topless.  The first step is to read this article Everything You Never Knew You Needed to Know About Bras. It’s very informative and eye-opening. You need to learn the Scoop and Swoop step of placing your breasts into the bra properly to achieve maximum presentation and fit.  The next step is the measurement. It’s from a Reddit thread about Bra fitting and measuring experiences. The whole thread was jam-packed with information and funny stories and experiences most of us had, had. But I am going to highlight and link the measurement post from MyWifesBusty. Read it carefully, follow the instruction and be prepared to be amazed. All you need is paper, pen, a cloth measuring tape, and your naked torso. After you take your measurements you can manually figure out your size or input your measurements into this calculator. Most calculator online suck but this is one of the better ones.

When I said this was a life changer, I literally meant it. I went from a 32B to a 28DD. That is a huge difference. I was excited to find this out but also frustrated to realize that this wasn’t going to be a size that I found in  any regular bra store. I reached out to my friends who also had hard to find bra sizes, although there’s mostly were regular band but too big cup size problems. I was referred to a UK site called FigLeaves who specialize in irregular and hard to find sizes, and there it was listed under their regular bras, a 28DD. I also hear that both Bare Necessities and Nordstroms also have hard to find sizes for convenient shopping within the United States. I was excited and scared to make that first purchase because I couldn’t try it on. I was nervous about spending the money on a bra that I based the sizing on from a Reddit thread. I should know better by now though, because Reddit users always know what they are talking about it seems.  On May 16th 2013 I took a gamble and ordered the Juna Balconette bra by Cleo by Panache in black, and although it was coming from the UK to Canada I received it in less than a week. When it arrived I ripped it open as I ran into my room and locked the door (to the complaints and banging on the door from my children) and tried it on in front of my full length mirror. After doing the scoop and swoop technique I looked. It was like the clouds opened up and Angels started singing Hallelujah. I’m not lying, it was like a new pair of boobs. I tried it on with a t-shirt to see what kind of visual changes there would be and it was like night and day. I always had seams and noticeable bra lines, it was now smooth, and my boobs were up where they were supposed to be. I looked better, much better. I decided to reserve my judgement until I wore it all day, so after about 10 hours of new bra I realized that I had not adjusted my straps or band or cups, once that day. It stayed put, didn’t move or ride up. It was a bloody miracle. So much so that I immediately ordered another one in my new size in a nude.

I made a mistake with the second one though. I ordered the Porcelain underwired bra by Panache. While it fits properly it wasn’t a style made for my breasts. It didn’t push up to make the most of what I had, it kind of left them flat and me self conscience. So I learned two things with the experience a) what size I should be wearing in a bra and b) the Balconette style it best for me because they make the most of what little I have. My next purchase is going to be the Panache Tango Underwired Balconette. I have shared this story and these links with every woman in my life hoping to give them the same gift that my friend Stephanie gave me. I hope it helps you too.

 

Happy Bra hunting! XOXO