The show is underway. They are introducing us to all of the guests. We’re learning the in’s and out’s of when to clap loud and when to clap medium. Laugh, don’t laugh and most importantly they want our media in view at all times.
One guest talks about his inspiration from Julie and Julia, he actually gave Martha “F” on her Mango Sorbet…. Brave Man!
We’re learning how to make pad thai with Martha, it smells so good in this studio right now. Yummy! Martha is trying something new with the egg for the dish, how often can you say that you watched Martha try something new… and of course it worked.
This is such a surreal experience. We can’t believe how awesome this opportunity is. Doing what we love, on the road, in a cool city, with MARTHA!
We arrived early this morning and have moved through a series a holding rooms, a security check and are finally seated and awating “Marths” arrival onto the set. It’s latops, iphones and bloggers, Oh My!
The set is beautiful, everything you would expect from Martha. We can see the kitchen where they are cooking cakes… Samples, please.
The lady 2 rows in front of us has been picked for an interview so there is a good chance you wiill see us toward the end of show…
…Because bits of random advice from a mediocre Mom increase at least one level of credibility when neatly packaged in list form.
This month: Raising a ‘free-thinking’ kid
It’s my introductory month here on BirminghamMommy.com (which I’m stoked about, by the way) so I thought I’d discuss the most important thing I hope to pass on to my child – an open mind. Simply put, a closed mind is dangerous. And such a waste. So, if you’re in this boat with me (the one that wants to sail our kids over to “independent thinking” and away from “I-don’t-know-why…that’s-just-what-I’ve-always-been-told,” here are a few tips…
Let your child make age-appropriate decisions and then (crucial part) make sure you adhere to said decision. If he’s a baby, let him choose a favorite stuffed animal, even if it’s not the perfectly adorable one you bought and have been gently nudging in his direction. As he gets older, let him pick out outfits, bedtime books, and favorite places to go. When he first starts writing words and sentences, don’t rush to correct his spelling – instead, let him tell stories and express feelings with his (at least usually ‘phonetically accurate’) words and tell him you’re thrilled he’s writing. There’s plenty of time for correcting things that don’t impact your child’s immediate safety or health.
Answer questions with questions. Not certain questions, of course, and don’t do it all the time, because that’s just annoying. However, there are moments when a child will discover something on his own (which is the best way to completely understand and retain information anyway) if prompted to try come up with a possible explanation himself. Plus, once in a while, if you start a whole conversation with your response to a child’s question, you might be giving him more than he was asking for. Literally. Example: Your grade school child wants to know what happens when two people get married. Fearing it’s time for “the” discussion, you begin sweating and putting into plain words the “birds and the bees,” remaining as composed as you possibly can in this situation. He listens, politely nods, and says, “Okay, but I mean do you have to find somebody with the same last name as you?” See, if you let them do more of the talking initially, you tend to find out exactly what it is they are curious about. Trust me.
Let the kid see your open mind in action. As adults, we are sometimes jaded by our history, life experiences, etc…and we tend to make snap judgments about people and places, sometimes without even realizing we are doing it. Try to pay attention and remember you’re being watched and imitated. Children and their young minds…these are sponges we’re dealing with. If you do voice a strong opinion about something, try to (at least on occasion) also voice a few facts and feelings that led you to it. If your child can understand your thought process (or even simply see that you used one) he might be more apt to do the same next time he’s looking to form an opinion, instead of assuming opinions are to be made quickly and without much thought.
Always reinforce that it’s alright (even preferable) that people act/look/do things… differently. Just because most people eat turkey on Thanksgiving, it’s fine that the family next door (who happen to be vegetarians) eat tofu. It’s not weird, it’s merely different… and that makes our community, our country, our world a better, and an exponentially more interesting, place. (Note to self: possible bumper sticker idea.) This particular lesson can sometimes be difficult to demonstrate, because we all tend to think that the way we do things is the most appropriate and dare-I-say ‘superior’ way. But children need to grow up knowing that diversity is a good thing. (Personally, this is the one I take to the extreme in our house…trying to work in discussions about things that other cultures do or believe or simply looking up a random word in a few foreign languages just for the fun of it – hopefully fostering my kid’s ability to see variety as an appealing part of life and not an abnormality.)
Travel. Simply put, traveling allows your child (and you) to experience things from all sorts of different perspectives. And it is fun (well, it’s fun if you leave the stress and the “oh-no-he-will-cry-on-the-plane-and-maybe-he-won’t-find-something-to-eat-at-the-hotel-restaurant” behind). Traveling helps your child become more adaptable. Traveling also helps him learn that routines and schedules might be fabulous for keeping order at home, but sometimes letting that all go can lead to some of the most relaxing and enjoyable times a family can have. Too strict of a regimen and your child will start to think it’s not okay to think outside the box. Again, dangerous and wasteful. Bottom line: get going.
Kristine Gresh is a Birmingham-based freelance writer who thinks it’s okay to choose to have just one child, or to enjoy an afternoon cocktail with a friend instead of cleaning…and that it’s definitely okay to jump on hotel beds.
Do you have a Curious George fan or 2 in your house? Well, if yours are as “ape” about this lovable little monkey as ours are, you will want to be at the McWane Center this weekend.
GO BANANAS all weekend with Curious George and the Man in the Big Yellow Hat! Meet them in person and enjoy story time science programs in the museum. Included in admission to the museum and FREE for members!
In case you haven’t heard, Birmingham is home to a swanky new burger joint called Flip Burger Boutique. The original and only other location in Atlanta GA, was launched by Richard Blais (as in Top Chef, Richard Blais) and his partners, who have succeeded in giving diners a unique menu of gourmet burgers, innovative sides and liquid nitrogen milkshakes, all in a modern and hip atmosphere.
While we have never really met a burger we didn’t like, BirminghamMommy.com decided to invite some friends to lunch and see what the buzz was about.
Touted as “Fine Dining between Two Buns” that’s exactly what we got. The atmosphere is sleek, trendy and listen up…. Definitely not kid friendly. While we were there with children, it’s definitely not a place we would go again with the little ones. There are no highchairs, or booster seats, and no kids menu. If you go with a child, make sure they are old enough to sit in a big seat and eat from the “grown up” menu.
With that said, we don’t really think it’s such a bad thing. Not being kid friendly means it will be a great place for a Moms Night Out! They have a full drink menu with a top selection of beer and wines, as well as specialty martini’s and margarita’s. While I did not partake over lunch, the ginger margarita peeked my curiosity, and I’m putting that on my list of must try’s for our next visit.
Everyone agreed that the food and service, across the board was good. From the lamburger to the vodka battered onion rings, it was fresh and creative. While it is slightly pricey for just a burger, my bill came to just over $15.00 for the meal, before tip. I opted for the Daily Combo that includes a Flip Burger, Fries and a Milkshake. Depending on the day, this combo could be a flip burger or turkey burger. It was more food than I could eat, and it wasn’t because they brought my Krispy Kreme Milkshake out first, I swear! Overall you pay more for the experience and atmosphere than the food but if you want the full experience of paying for the food, they do offer an imported Japanese Kobe burger, called the A5, it comes with fois grois, truffle oil and a price tag of $39.00.
If you’re just looking for a really good burger, stick with Five Guys, if you are looking for a fun night out with the girls or a date night out with the Husband, this is the place to go.
Flip Burger Boutique is located at 220 Summit Boulevard, Suite 140. Phone 205-968-2000. Hours: Monday – Thursday 11am – 10pm, Friday-Saturday 11am – 11pm, Sunday 11am-9pm
Need a quick getaway? Well, instead of escaping to the beach – escape to the mountains and take in that crisp air!
A great family spot to hit up is Wilderness at the Smokies in Sevierville, TN. Just a 4 hour trip, it’s a fantastic resort for kids and their parents. There are indoor (and outdoor – but we don’t think you’ll be up for those right now) water parks and the new indoor water raft ride, Runaway Canyon just opened in November! There’s even something for the itty bitty’s – Minnow Marsh is the perfect escape for the minnows in your family with its zero depth pool and tot-swings.
The other plus: the rooms aren’t your typical hotel rooms. The 2 bedroom premier has 1218 Square Feet with a kitchen, living room, and sleeping for 12!! That means plenty of room for you – and plenty of room for the kids!
There’s nothing like a good pair of jeans. Am I right, or am I right? And you know, as well as I do that when you get that great pair of jeans, you wear them until they fall apart. But, there is a problem when shopping for jeans – you seem to have to go through 400 pair to find that “oh so right” fit. Well, fear not Birmingham Moms! We’ve consulted the city’s experts and are here to deliver the dish!
Jeff and Kathleen Tenner, owners of SOCA clothing in Homewood, have agreed to spill their secrets and help you find just the pair of jeans you need (because come on, good jeans are a necessity). Here’s what Jeff had to say:
What information should we know before we go jean shopping (typical size, body shape, measurements,…)
The most important thing to know is what you already have so we can fill the gaps in your denim wardrobe. Our sales associates will be able to pick appropriate fits and sizes for your body shape. So unless you have a preconceived notion about buying a particular style of jeans, our associates will steer you in the direction of a jean that flatters your figure the best.
How long should we be prepared to spend to find the right jean? How many pairs should we be willing to try?
Our employees are trained to be able to find a pair of jeans that will fit you correctly within the first three that you try on. This does not mean that you will definitely purchase one of those, but within the first three we should have a good idea of what fits you the best and what flatters your figure, then we can pull you as many jeans as you wish that are good for your body and determine what wash or color you prefer in a particular style.
To make sure that you leave with your next favorite pair of jeans, you should be prepared to try on at least 5 pairs.
How can going to a boutique or store that specializes in jean fit be beneficial to us? Why is denim good investment clothing?
I can’t speak for every boutique, but at SOCA we train our associates to be able to help you find the perfect pair of jeans as quickly and as easily as possible. We also have the largest selection of denim in the city to choose from.
Denim is a great investment because depending on what you do on a daily basis, you can wear it all the time.
Most importantly is the way denim makes us feel. Having the confidence of knowing you look great in your jeans makes your day.
What tips can you give us on things to look for to get a more flattering fit (yoke design, back pocket position/embellishments, wash…)
The designers use pocket placement, embellishments, and other tricks to flatter, hide or accentuate different features of our bodies. Depending on your particular body style, we can help you pick the perfect pair for you.
How much stretch is too much? As moms, we’re up, down, moving all around – how can we get comfort but not show off our “assets” at the same time?
Most of our denim has 2% elastin for stretch. Our associates know which jeans stretch more than others. The weight of the denim used in production as well as the wash and any treatments done to the jeans all play a roll in how much the jeans will stretch.
For Moms on the go, which is all of them, we suggest a mid-rise jean. This allows you to be up and down with the kids, while keeping your “assets” hidden. These jeans still have a flattering and sexy look.
What are the current trends in denim and what can we expect to see more of in the future?
Right now it is really a buyers market in the world of denim because there is so much to choose from. Most of the jeans made have a 34” inseam, however the manufacturers have listened to the public and have made many styles available in petite as well as extra long. There is a very good chance you will be able to find a pair that fits you perfectly and needs no hemming at all, however if you do have to have them altered in some way, most alterations places are very familiar with how to do it correctly and can reattach the original hem to maintain the authentic look. If you do take your jeans to be altered, make sure you wash them first and always wash your designer denim in cold water, inside out, and let them hang to dry.
The current trend is jeans with abrasions, skinny jeans, denim leggings, and black jeans. The top designers always also offer the traditional fits such as bootcut and flare, as well as traditional washes in basic dark, medium and light blues. The future is wide open in the world of denim as more and more companies produce different styles and try to compete with the major denim companies. For Birmingham Mommy’s, we would recommend starting with the basics in your denim wardrobe and then venturing out whatever trend is the flavor of the month. Either way you go, SOCA has plenty of choices for you.
Welcome to our first edition of 52 New Things! Where we’re going to try a new thing a week and share it with you. We hope you’ll do the same and share it with us! Here are the results of our first week (last week):
Angie –
My New Thing for this week is a fashion trend I’ve been refusing to embrace. Leggings. I’m not sure If I thought I was too old, not the right shape, or afraid of going against something that both Tim Gunn and Stacy London frown upon. I already have enough fashion “don’ts” in my closet to land me on a seasons worth of What Not To Wear…. At the encouragement of my friends I finally caved and bought a pair in black, and what can I say except that I absolutely LOVE. THEM. I have probably worn them 4 times in the past week. They are actually very practical for a Mom of 3, who knew? A long sweater, leggings and boots are almost (almost) as comfortable as my yoga pants!
Trish –
My new thing for this week was repurposing a table. I just so happen to be in the middle of redecorating our guest room into a playroom/guestroom combination. I was looking for ways to create play areas for the play room portion of the room, but I didn’t want it to look like a typical toy room since our guests will be sleeping in there. And since my son needs a train table desperately, I decided to make a nontypical one. I used our old kitchen table which is pub style, so all I had to do was cut the legs off. Then I positioned the leaves in the table to make it a square and placed a screw through the middle so the leaves no longer move. (We worried they would pinch fingers with any moving parts.) And might I say, Martha move over!! Our train table is unique and free!
Jamie –
My new thing this week was cooking with turnips & leeks. Something that until last week, I’d managed to never do in my entire life. Shocking – and how unexciting – but this is the life I live 😀 I made a fabulous “clean eating” version of chicken pot pie that was one of the most incredible “comfort” meals I’d ever had! So good and so good for me. (You can find the recipe in the Jan/Feb 2010 issue of Clean Eating)
If you’d like to participate in 52 new things along with BirminghamMommy, Birmingham Bargain Mom and many others – please join in by posting your new thing to your blog, facebook or on twitter (use #52newthings) – Also, you can head over to www.willblogforshoes.com to link up every Tuesday!
When I found out that I was pregnant with my first daughter, who is now 4 years old, one of the many “freak out” moments I had didn’t have so much to do with “how is the baby going to be extracted from my body?” or the “life long responsibility I was about to be taking on,” but more along the lines of Holy Crap! Am I doomed to a life of music from big purple dinosaurs and grown men that like to dress up and “wiggle.”
I have always loved music, all kinds. Rap, country, pop, alternative, you name it, and it’s probably on my ipod. I decided during that first pregnancy that I didn’t have to concede to a life of mind numbing children’s music that was the equivalent to nails on a chalk board. I would not lose complete control over the radio in the car every time we went to the library for story time. I would prevail with the likes of Coldplay and John Mayer by my side.
So that is where my search began. I scoured my cds, itunes, websites, and every other source of music I could find, bound and determined to find some common ground. Music that my child (now children) would love and wouldn’t drive me (like the wheels on the bus) round and round to the nut house.
I started creating playlists that were mixed with some of my music and some fun and different types of children’s songs. It’s amazing what you can find if you dig a little.
We hope that you and your children will enjoy this list. It is based on the first playlist I ever created for my daughter, we called it “Car songs” (Yeah, so no points for creativity there.) In this new monthly feature “The Juicebox Jukebox,” we will attempt to offer you fun alternatives that will make car time, playgroups and bedtime enjoyable for everyone…
Thanks for inviting us to guest blog on birminghammommy.com. It’s been an awesome week. Our book Bitches on a Budget: Sage Advice for Surviving Tough Times in Style, was just released and has been #1 in the “Hot New Releases Category in Consumer Behavior” on Amazon. In addition to writing for the Huffington Post, our daily blog bitchesonabudget.com and our incredibly active Fan page on Facebook, we’re working on a television series for The Bitches! So exciting.
The book, Bitches on a Budget, is about living smart, having fun, being wise. It’s a compendium of smart tips and thoughtful advice about living a stylish life for less. It’s fun, ironic, bawdy and filled with practical advice. The ten chapters cover everything from: shopping, to exercise, to healthy eating, to wheels, to travel, to home décor, to food, to pets (pamper the bitch). A modern woman just can’t (even if she could afford to) consume everything in her path. After all, nothing is less attractive than a bloated bitch.
A little taste from our book published by the New American Library division of Penguin books.
“Budget is Not a Dirty Word
Fiscal responsibility is like monogamy… if you think it’s boring, you’re doing it wrong. Since when has budget been a dirty word? After all, we’re not talking chastity belts, abstinence rings, knee-jerk denial. Think of budget as just another way to say edit. The key to good living is in using your limited resources wisely– we’ll show you how to hitch your mind to that little lust engine that’s driving you. The end result? You’ll make smarter shopping decisions. Bargain buys will replace designer labels as your new badge of honor. Besides, since you want to be a good green citizen of the world, it’s time to stop consuming everything in your path. Nothing is less attractive than a bloated bitch.
Be a Bitch, Bitch
Bitch isn’t a bad word, either. We’re proud to be modern women. Women who know what we want and aren’t afraid to get it; women with the sense to edit the good from the bad; women who choose to live with style and with conscience. Independent women who say what they think, are in touch with our femininity, and know how to enjoy our pleasures. Hell we make less than men do by the hour, work harder and produce more value (just think about it, can they have babies?). It’s time to stand proud, Bitch. “
