The Object of My Desires

I know its a little silly, but I can't stop thinking about this lab coat. I want it, need it, but feel fairly silly about both the wanting and needing. Its a lab coat after all...a lab coat. The truth is, I am teaching a science class this summer for eight weeks and I feel like I may be more respected if I am wearing one of these white beauties. I asked Ben to snag one from his dental office - but no luck. If I had one, I know I would feel like I was wearing a costume (that suddenly reminds me...I did wear a lab coat as part of a costume when I was Elizabeth Shue's character from the Saint - you know the scientist - Dr. Emma Russell - where is that coat I wonder and digress). Anyhow, would you take a science teacher seriously is she weren't wearing a lab coat?

What is this?

Do you remember the feeling of finding a toy in your cereal box? Well, this morning I opened the new Apple Jacks and sitting on top of the unopened bag was the toy. Here's the thing - I didn't mean to find it - but it was just sitting on top - I say where's the fun if you don't have to dig? Here's the next thing - the toy was a pedometer - that's right a pedometer - not so much a toy in my book. Anyhow, James ripped open said toy and wasn't disappointed - but rather, exhilarated. He spent the rest of the day tracking his steps. And when the numbers got into the thousands - he would proudly shout, "Two thousand, one hundred and seven!" What a sneaky/great way to practice high numbers!

He reset "the toy" when we went to Ikea. And because you are dying to know - it takes 3,879 James-size steps to survive Ikea. Oh, and we ended up finding these fun shades we are going to use to hang from the too-high ceiling of the Annex - I hope it will look really fun! Can you imagine thirty of these (they are really big) floating above you to create a faux ceiling. I'm crossing my fingers.

Kitchen 101

I am telling you that this kitchen utensil is bar none the best of the week, month, and dare I say it - year. I recently started using it for more than just pizza: cutting up deli meat into small squares for little mouths, dividing sandwiches in half, relieving the bread of its crusts (I swore I would never do this - but with a Chase you compromise), getting waffles and pancakes the appropriate bite-size, anything you can dream up. Just try it - its a dream - I really won't turn back to the regular old Wustoff as long as I am busy plating children's meals.

All Things Bath

Tonight I dragged soaking children out of the bath and subsequently, my thoughts on all things bath...

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One. I dropped "Big Blue" in the tub and its busy fizzes and frothy foam scared Chase. But, James loved the seaweed that appeared. So, tonight the bright blue bath water transformed the ordinary bath into the ocean and the boys into two large fish.

Two. I bought "Big Blue" in Carmel. And although LUSH is in New York, LA, Australia, Hong Kong, etc.; I still get as excited as I did the first time I found the store eight years ago. I bought a few bath bombs to introduce James to the experience. The Tisty Tosty is shaped like a heart. For $5.35 it makes a heavenly bath filled with a light scent and dried roses. And if you saw the Friends where Chandler bathes with emulsifying salts - you know that even the most skeptical showerer can become bath believers - you'll just have to try it.

Three. This poor mother elephant dreams of five minutes' peace but never attains it - she doesn't give up on the dream (a dream my mother must have shared). In the end of the book, 1 minute 37 seconds of peace in a quiet bath will have to do. Perhaps tomorrow she will find her peace.

Four. On rare occasions I bathe in the darkness - no candles (although that's nice) - there is something about taking a bath at night when the house is silent and all you can hear is the gentle sound of water. Somehow my senses are hightened...showers for business, but always baths for pleasure.

Five. The bubble bath. I can imagine the crackling sound of the bubbles as I type. My Grandmother always had a huge bottle of Spring Gel Vitabath by her tub, and my mother kept the tradition alive.

Six. And then there's Bath in Sommerset, England. Its one of my favorite places - the architecture, the Royal Crescent, the history. Visiting the Roman Baths made me feel part of the past. And when I looked up at the fan vaulting on the ceiling in Bath Abbey -- heaven.

Seven (its a stretch). Jane Austen's Persuasion takes place in Bath; I love the pivotal scene where Anne makes the assertion, "We certainly do not forget you, as soon as you forget us. It is, perhaps, our fate rather than our merit. We cannot help ourselves..." These words overheard by Wentworth spark a passionate letter he hands her, with renewed hope for the future. (Northanger Abbey and Pickwick Papers have scenes in Bath as well.)

Fin.

Salon Wisdom

I don't know if what I did today was of any lasting importance, but I will share the highlights from reading Cosmo at the salon. With a wink and a nudge I say...it wouldn't be fair to hold this type of valuable information hostage...

According to Cosmopolitan...
I must have the Burberry Prorsum Coat with tulip sleeves.
I think "they" may be right (I had to include a picture because- well look at the sleeves-they are darling-I'm in love).

If you find yourself without lipstick - suck on some red candy.
Who knows what kind of dire emergency could have left your lips without - I say lick 'em - of course this is coming from someone who sticks strictly to chapstick and gloss.

Put eye drops on your blemishes in a real emergency - it takes the red out.
Who knew? I knew that a little Preparation H can help with poofy eyes - but eye drops on zits was news to me.

When buying a large bag/purse - be sure to purchase one with a light liner - it will help you find what you are looking for with greater ease.
I am afraid that it isn't the color of the liner - my bag is filled with diapers, crackers, disposable bibs, disposable liners, small trucks, bandaids, books, on top of everything that should be inside - I couldn't find anything easily with a neon liner.

I don't get to the salon that often, and I read Cosmo even less, but it's always educational (or something like that - wink, wink).

Oscar Report

The Best

Someday, I will wear this dress.

The Worst

Oh, that's where I left my oversized bow...

Vera Wang-athon

I really love the simple note card. Nice paper. No folding. A simple design. I had found darling ones from the Met that I like. But, I was looking for something new. And then recently, my mom gave me these "Bonjour" note cards that were perfect. When I noticed that Vera Wang had designed them, I was surprised, but pleased. A beautiful dress - good; a beautiful card - also good.

I heart Wedgewood. The first time I saw my Platinum China was on the Queen's birthday and I was in London. To escape some of the crowds, we had stepped into a small boutique. There at the back was the china of my dreams (no sarcasm - I really do love china). I love this new design by Vera Wang. Once again, surprised, but pleased.

But, recently, I saw a commercial for a new Vera Wang mattress. Honey, puh-lease. The cards I can understand. And other designers like Kate Spade are entering the fine china arena - but mattresses?! What's next - the Vera Wang toilet seat?!

I do not support this frivilous name prositution - we're smarter than that.

(PS - I still like the cards and china)

Toy Review - Crayola Color Cyclone

Rating:bbb
The three bicycle rating is based on a scale of one to five bicycles - five being the best toy ever. And I only chose a bicycle because I couldn't find a star using the Webdings font.

We put liquid sidewalk chalk into the spinning cyclone and created works of art Mary Poppins could jump into. We used all the paint in one activity - but we had fun. I don't know how well it would work without a driveway and a hose to wash it off with...but I imagine the bankers at Chase Manhattan would get a kick of someone doing it on the Plaza.