Category Archives: Things We Like

Vintage Inspired Backyard Camping from Suburban Camping Company

Sponsor Love, Things We Like

Ever since Greg, Wolfie and I  went camping a few months ago, we have had camping on the brain. We want to go to Yosemite. We want to go back to the redwoods. And we want to camp in our backyard. There’s just something about sleeping in a tent that is so cool. From the minute you zippppppp that tent up, your world is transformed. Life gets a little quieter. You hear the rustling of the wind. The chirping of birds. The music of crickets. And you are totally transported. Tents are undeniably magical!

When Kella from Suburban Camping Company got in touch with me I realized we were a match made in heaven. Vintage tents you can set up in your very own back yard. Ahhh! Alas, our love affair was put on hold because they are located alll the way across the country. Drat. But that doesn’t mean a girl can’t pine, right? And if you’re an east coaster, you’re in luck. Take a gander at this:

Amazing, no?? Suburban Camping Company is the original backyard camping company pitching vintage style campsites that offer awesome pop-up lodging and lounging for backyards and events everywhere. They say they aren’t just offering you a tent they are offering an “experience”. An experience that tastes like burnt marshmallows, sounds like scary stories and feels like wet grass between your toes. And friends, that’s my kind of experience!

The Suburban Camping company lets you buy a tent, rent a tent or go for one of their fun packages, like Classic Camper, Movie Night, the Romantic Getaway for two and even a Harry Potter inspired adventure called Abra Camp Dabra. Cute. CUTE!

They also have a super cute Etsy shop so you can stock your campsite with cool vintage camping goods.

Swing by the Suburban Camping Co. site and I guarantee you will be planning a camping adventure in no time!

PS Here’s a little more about the time we went camping for ONE NIGHT! And it was still awesome!

For Little Swimmers:: Best Ear Plugs Ever

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Ahhh, summer is here and that means lots and lots of time in the water. Last summer, Wolfie learned to swim and it was really amazing. We started in June with an excited but bit trepidatious kiddo, and ended in August with a boy who was leaping into the water off my parent’s boat and doing cannon balls. It was AWESOME!

Alas, the one downside to all his non-stop swimming? A bad case of swimmer’s ear! This is an inflammation of the outer ear canal and it can be pretty uncomfortable. It’s easily treatable with drops from the doctor, but it’s better to try and avoid it all together! Enter, the Ear Band-It. Friends, this line is AWESOME. I will tell you that we received these as a sample from the lovely Skylar over at Ear Band-It, but this is not a paid endorsement in any way. We used them and loved them and I just wanted to share with you!

The Putty Buddies are super soft but durable silicone ear plugs, ideal for children prone to ear infections, with ear tubes or other reoccuring ear problems. It’s also great for simply keeping water out of kiddo’s ears when they are swimming. They are really comfy and come in lots of bright, fun colors with a cute carry case—you can choose from cool characters with names like Splash Puppy, Wipeout Wally and Surfin’ Sammy. CUTE right? The packaging really helps make it appealing to kiddos—Wolfie wasn’t sure about the idea of ear plugs at first, but was really into choosing which color and “buddy” we would use each day! There are even “floating” versions, so if they accidentally pop out you won’t have any problem finding them. Sweet! And at $5.95 for a 3-pack, it’s such a great deal.

To hold in your Putty Buddies, you can also add on the Ear Band-It Swimming Headband, which is a soft-but-sturdy neoprene headband that protects your ears by ensuring the earplugs stay firmly in your kiddo’s ears. If your child is prone to ear infections, this thing is the bomb! Additionally, it has a sporty cool look that kids love. If your kiddo has longer hair, there is the added bonus of it keeping their hair out of their eyes! Not that anyone around these parts ever has that problem, ahem.

Are your kids big swimmers? We are so looking forward to logging in lots of pool time this summer. Here’s to happy healthy ears all summer long!

Get your 3-pair Pack of PUTTY BUDDIES Ear Plugs here. You can get the Ear Band-It here!

This Guy. The Best Little Tooth Pillow Ever.

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So far, Wolfie has lost about…hmmm, 5 or 6 teeth now? The first one he lost while we were walking around on Fisherman’s Wharf. We were in a bustling chatchke shop and he triumphantly held it up. “Mama! Mama! My toof!” I squealed in delight….grabbed it, and promptly dropped it. And it was gone. I was crawling around on my hands and knees but no luck. Wahh! Wolfie was awesomely indifferent about it. I was devastated. We ended up drawing a picture of a tooth and leaving that under his pillow with hopes for a visit from the Tooth Fairy. Luckily for me, the Tooth Fairy is a smaht lady, and she came through!

I have to admit, we don’t really have a good system for leaving the toothies behind. I usually try and scare up some lil envelope somewhere. Which was why I was SO THRILLED to discover Toothy! In a word, this little dude rocks!

Toothy is a sweet and quirky lil plushy with a snazzy pair of trousers that have a fun little front pocket—the perfect place for keeping teeth safe while you wait for the Tooth Fairy to arrive. There is also a larger handy back pocket, where you can store the sweet little story book he comes with. Toothy is super cuddly and well made. He’s already become a favorite fixture on the bedtime cuddle circuit!

We have the plaid version but the talented Maranatha of Etsy shop Tao and Me makes them in all kinds of fabric—even slightly sweeter versions in floral or gingham. The shop is updated constantly with different colors/styles.

We looooove our Toothy and I think he’d be a swell gift for any little boy or girl. You can get your own Toothy right here.

Do you have your own special system for loose teeth? And WHAT is the going rate for teeth anyway? We usually do $1 but then he got a $2 bill once….and I think we even did $3 for a particularly tricky front tooth. Are we totally low-ballin’ it or are we being extravagant? I remember getting a quarter for a tooth!

Hot Lips! 5 Awesome (and Affordable) Pink Lippies

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So lets talk lipstick. Do you wear it? Do you love it? Do you hate it? Or does it just leave you feeling confused? Personally I love it. I don’t really wear much makeup on a daily basis, but I always put a lil swipe of something on my lips. Since this is our Month of Color, I thought it would be fun to share some of my new favorites. My most recent obsession?

A bold lippy is a really simple and fun way to add a little punch to your wardrobe. Now don’t be scared! There are lots of different shades of Hot Pink you can play around with. While there are some really gorgeous fancy shades out there, I wanted to find some more affordable options. Hey, if this is the first time yer dipping yer toe into the HOT PINK waters, who wants to spend $30 on lipstick, right??

First up. Some tips! There aren’t really any “rules”, it’s whatever you comfortable with—and whatever makes you feel pretty. Here are some guidelines to think about:

    • Try to look for a matte or sheer  finish. Pearl and metallic pinks are going to look more 80s than modern.
    • Keep it simple. Go easy on the rest of your makeup. Think fresh and clean. Just a lil mascara is all you need. You can add some eye liner too, but steer clear of excessive blush or eyeshadow—you don’t want to compete with your lips or end up looking clownish.
    • If you are uncertain, treat it as a splash of color with a more neutral outfit. It looks great with black or navy or gray…or even jeans and a white tee.
    • Don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone! If you want, just dab it on a little bit at first.
    • Surprisingly, hot pink looks good on pretty much everyone! If you feel a little uncertain go for blue undertones in your pink if you have a cooler skin tone, and a slightly more red-based pink if you have warmer undertones to your skin.
    • Try to test it out before you buy. Many lipsticks look deep/bright in the tube when in reality many are very sheer. That’s why I love Sephora. You can test to your hearts delight. OR go for a cheaper option (without testing) and play around at home!
    • When in doubt, go for a deeper richer pink and not a paler pepto pink—you want to avoid the dreaded “baboon butt” look!!!

OK on THAT classy note, let’s take a look at come fun colors! {you’re going to be seeing a lot of my lil mug here, so apologies in advance!}

1. L’Oreal Colour Riche: Audacious Amazon’s Pout

This is a special “Project Runway” edition lipstick and I really love it! It is a medium toned, warm fuchsia that is creamy in texture and very pigmented. I think it is very flattering on warmer skintones. It glides on smoothly and has pretty good staying power. Also, it was only $7.99. Not too shabby! (At most drugstores, or you can get it at Target) This is me wearing it with a more “neutral” outft, a navy shirt….and I think it makes for a pretty pop of color.

2. Revlon Colorburst Lipstick: Fuchsia

This is another bold and bright lipstick that is pretty as can be. It’s really close to the L’Oreal shade and goes on in a nice creamy smooth way. I don’t think you need a liner with it. (At most drugstores. You can also get it at Target for $6.49) Here I’m wearing a little bit more color and the hot pink still works!

3. Revlon Lip Butter: Lollipop

I really like theses Revlon Lip Butters. They have lots of moisturizing ingredients like shea butter so they keep your lips soft. Most of the colors are a little more sheer, but a handful have more of a brighter, pigmented look. This one is called Lollipop and is an electric hot raspberry. This is a slightly glossier formula and you could easily just dab it on so it wasn’t quite so bold. This is me wearing it with an equally bright/bold outfit. (Get it at most drugstores or at Target for $6.49) Some alt pink colors are Berry Smoothie (much lighter & sheerer) and Raspberry Pie (a little less electric and more berry pink).

4. Benefit Lipstick: Frenched

OK. This one isn’t really a hot pink. It’s more of a deep berry pink. It has much more of a silky finish (it’s not a proper lip gloss, but def has a glossier look). The upside? It’s really goregous. I get so many compliments on this shade! The downside? It doesn’t have super lasting power. I still love it! (This one is a tad pricer. Get it for $18 from Benefit)

5. Kate Spade Supercalifragilipstick: Fuchsia Fete

This one is the sheerest—even though it looks very bright pink in the tube. The above picture is with me really layering it and using a lipliner to get more color. Below is what it looks like on me with just a few swipes. If you are fair, the color might be a little darker but I promise you it is nothing like what you see on the Kate Spade website. I find it to be more like a very tinted lip balm—and a great way to dip your toe into the hot pinks if you are nervous. (A “smooth, moisturizing formula with a sheer finish”.) It also wins for best packaging. The golden case has a spring loaded lid that you push down on and it pops off.  Super pretty.

A FEW OTHER PINKS

Wet & Wild 521A. Mega crazy bright but fun. And totally cheap! Then of course the infamous Nars Lipstick in Schiap. A gorgeous peony pink! I also have Tarte LipSurgence  Lip Stain in Lively, which is a matte hot pink. Has a little bit of peppermint or something in it and makes your lips tingly! It’s  a lip crayon.

OK, that’s it folks! So what do you think? Will you be trying the Hot Pink any time soon?? Or have you been rockin’ it already? If so, lemme know your favorite shades! I’m always up for trying something new!

Next up….reds??? Hmmmm. {and stay tuned for the Link Hootenanny this afternoon!}

 

What if you only wore one color?

Things We Like

This is Kitten Kay Sera. Also known as The Pink Lady of Hollywood. And boy does she loooooooove pink! Of course lots of young ladies are into this delicate color, but what makes Kitten so unique is that she is obsessed with everything pink. In fact, her entire house is pink and she claims to have worn nothing but pink for the last 25 years!

In an interview with UK newspaper The Telegraph, the 48-year-old actress from Los Angeles said: “The colour pink makes me feel like I’m living a lavish life. It’s just a beautiful colour, so I surround myself with any and everything pink. I’m just drawn to it like a magnet!”

A permanent pink fixture in her life is her six-year-old Maltese doggie dear called (of course) Kisses.  Do I even have to tell you that the adorable Kisses is dyed pink every five weeks?? Says Kitten, “She’s pampered at the dog groomers. They use beetroot juice in the bath to dye her pink. It is totally safe and vet approved, I would never do anything to harm my little love!” Wowza.

Kitten says people ask her all the time “Don’t you get bored with pink??” She says of course not! To keep things fresh, she changes the shades of pink and tries out different styles, like country girl, glamour-puss or rock ‘n’ roll diva. “Right now I am sort of in 1950’s Doris Day stage!” It’s totally extreme and over-the-top but I have to say as kooky as she is, she sure seems happy. I do appreciate that the pink she uses in her home is a pale 1950s powder pink and not a garish Barbie Corvette bubble gum. I’m TOTALLY intrigued by this lady.


images: AUSTIN HARGRAVE / BARCROFT MEDIA

It reminded me of an article I read a few years ago in New York magazine about several unique folks who also only wear one color. Yes. The Pink Lady isn’t alone! Check out these peeps:

I did a little digging and turns out? They’re still up to their colorful old tricks.

1. Valeria “ValBlu” McCulloch.
Artist and accessories designer Valeria McCulloch, Valeria not only wears blue, but prefers it to be a verrrry specific blue:  Yves Klein Blue (or International Klein Blue/IKB). Which is like an electric blue. She’s been wearing this blue for over 25 years.

Why Blue? 

“In college, I majored in color theory. Blue was the most interesting color, historically. Germanic tribes wore it to ward off enemies; Christians used it to denote divinity. Wearing blue for me is being in a dream all day. Blue signifies loyalty, and I’m very loyal. It’s hard in this industry, but I’m a humanist. “

She even paints her white Chanel and Christian Louboutin shoes with custom-ordered electric-blue Sharpies. That’s commitment. More on her here.

2. Meet Elizabeth “Sweetheart” Eaton Rosenthal. 

Fabric Designer Elizabeth Sweetheart loves green. She even dyes her hair green. The 70 year old lives with her husband who loves her green, but doesn’t wear it himself. They have one son who is (of course) a professional magician. Hee.

Why Green?
“I’m from Nova Scotia, where green is in your surroundings. I missed nature when I moved to New York. I started wearing green nail polish, and it spread all over me. I always wear overalls. I have 30 pairs. I buy children’s sizes from GapKids and Chadwick’s. And I dye everything—my Nike sneakers, my underwear. I can’t fall asleep unless I’m wearing green.”

As quirky as she is, green seems to fit this nature loving lady. It’s a little too kooky for me, but I imagine kiddos love seeing her. See more of her here.

3. Then there’s Rebecca Turnbow.

Then there is fashion designer Rebecca Turnbow. She wears primarily shades of grey with touches of silver. As dismal as”only gray” might sound, she finds it elegant and sophisticated.

Why gray?
“I like everything to be clean, and gray is clean. Gray is between black and white, so it’s a noncolor, almost. I feel messy and unclean if I wear other colors. I actually wore turquoise for eight years, but last September, I switched to gray. I’d had a bad year and needed to get out of it. “

Read more about her here. See her fashion line (which is pretty cool) here.

4. And the always suave, Karim Rashid. 

Industrial designer Karim Rashid actually wears both white AND pink. Which he manages to make look rather futuristic and not at all easter bunny.

Why white?
“In college, I was obsessed with wearing all white. I felt angelic and free….In 2000, I was on a panel with nine architects, and I wore a white suit. Everyone was wearing black except me. I [always] carry Tide to Go. If I spill red wine, I just rub it off. I should write a book about wearing white.”

How do people react to a grown man in pink?
I make them smile. They say, “You make me happy.”

Read more about him here. You’ll totally recognize some of the things he’s designed!

So wow. Have you ever worn only one color from head to toe? Do you think you even could?? That’s commitment. I’m too fickle, I don’t think I could  do it. There was a woman who worked at the Harvard library who wore nothing but purple—she even had a little purple pocket watch she would sit on the deck next to her. It was crazy. A good friend of mine only wears black/white/grey and it actually looks surprisingly cool and hip. He finds patterns and textures. Oh, and he still wears blue jeans.
By the way, you can see Miss Kitten & her pup Kisses on this short video here or on TLC’s My Crazy Obsession.