For Mom

The moment you're "mom". Beautiful.

Mother's Day is coming up this weekend and even though everyday is Mother's Day in my humble opinion (I mean seriously!!) here is a roundup of inspiration from around the web to make sure your Mama knows just how very much she is loved. (Love you Mom!!)

OhHappyDay is pretty much my favorite resource for holiday related crafts and gifts-piration and Jordan does not disappoint on Mother's Day. Click HERE for links to her gift ideas (the first set of images above), click HERE for the (FREE!) printable template for her seriously sweet banner and party kit and click HERE for 7 crafty cute DIY ideas.

Is there a new mom in your life!? Want to send her something extra sweet and useful!? This "New Mom in a Box" kit from YouAreMyFave is super simple to pull together, but will no doubt be viewed as a special and thoughtful gesture. (Plus, it's important to make sure Mom feels the love while everyone is coo'ing over the baby!)

For those more mature ladies with mature Mama's I think "versatile spring clutch" is a safe and sassy gift go-to. Belle over at CapHillStyle just did THIS post on spring/summer clutches and I love everything she suggests.

I think there is something totally charming about these Atelier Stella planters and vases (website to buy HERE, originally spotted on Honestly WTF HERE). The sort of gift that will make Mom smile and think of  you every time she sees it, place your order today and give Mom a picture of the purchase along with a plant "to be planted" on Sunday to hold her over until the pottery arrives!!

Hump Day Distractions

Peel it girl!

Hello and Happy Hump Day from feels like freakin February NYC!!! It is bleepin chilly round these parts today, but despite the cold, I knew it was gonna be a good one when my Soul instructor Charlee (beast in the best possible way!) started our ride with a ridonky remix of the opening song from the Lion King. "Naaaaa-simbey-ahhh!!!" I mean, how do you not smile when that happens!? Just in case you didn't kick off your day with the Lion King, here are some delightful distractions to get your through.

* Do I need this iPhone case? I think I need this iPhone case. (85% chance I order it after I post this...)

* Well THAT is a brilliant idea!

* Remember my obsession with the PenguinCam at the San Diego Sea World?! Well move over pengies, there's a new polar star in town! (via exPress-o)

* Because everyone loves a new way to prepare quinoa. Yum.

* Finally a reason to move to Russia - I would have been riding free during my 30 day squat challenge!!

* How to make sure your purchases are always worth purchasing.

* HEY DR. H ARE YOU LISTENING!?!?! 20 more reasons why I'm right and it's gonna happen (soon:) 

* Future jedi?

* Who out there knits and when are you making THESE for Stella and Ferdinand? (thanks (parent)thetically speaking!)

Pet Panic

Stella (left) and Ferdinand (right). January 2012.

In hindsight, the story I am about to tell you is extremely amusing. At the time however, it was no laughing matter...

Last night I lost my pet turtle Ferdinand. Lost as in, missing from the tank without a trace, no sign of the little bugger ANYWHERE. You see, on Sunday, Dr. H and I decided that baby Ferd was ready to live in the big fish tank with our older, and much bigger turtle, Stella. It was a nerve-wracking decision (we'd been warned by the "turtle experts" on Canal Street (Ferd and Stella's point of purchase) that Stella might attack tiny Ferd), but we felt he had grown big and strong enough since buying him in January to make the move. We placed Ferdinand in the 10 gallon tank and were pleased that our two pets seemed to get along "swimmingly" (hehe). Their first overnight was a success and I left for work yesterday morning fairly unconcerned... but then...

I came home and yelled "Hello babies!" (as I've been known to do) and rushed over to the tank. No Ferd. No Ferd wedged behind the filter or next to the rock or ANYWHERE. Panic sets in. "Stella what did you do to him!?!?!" I hastily plunge my arms elbow deep into the tank, checking the filter, searching for a hollow shell or any sign of my tiny turtle. I call Dr. H in a panic: "Where are you? When are you coming home!? Ferd is MISSING!!!!" I grab a flashlight and start crawling everywhere... "Ferd!! Where are you!? Ferrrrrddd" (yes I was actually calling his name). As I'm checking under the fridge and behind furniture, visions of a dried up little turtle carcass flood my mind. I am a terrible pet owner I think... How do you LOSE a turtle on the 22nd floor of a Manhattan apartment!? But then, behind the bags under the kitchen table, eyes closed, shell dry, was my tiny Ferd. I picked him up and his eyes opened before he sucked his limbs into his shell. Clutching my tiny (daredevil? suicidal?) reptile friend, I contemplated how on earth he got OUT of the tank, survived the fall and then wandered over to my kitchen table. Crazy little bastard.

Before I went to sleep, I went a little Macgyver on the tank to ensure Ferd could never pull a stunt like that again:

The perfect use for that hamper top
flap thingy that no one actually uses.

And I'm happy to report that Ferdinand seems to be recovering nicely and continuing to develop a close friendship with Stella.

I admit, I am VERY anxious to get home from work tonight.

Am I a crazy pet lady? Absolutely. Would anyone who has ever known the love of a pet been less freaked or upset than I was? Doubtful. Pet love is serious love.

Turtles and Fishies.

Stella (below) & Ferdinand (up top) say "sup?"

Yesterday, when I arrived home from my weekend out of town, I walked into my apartment flipping on light switches and exclaimed (outloud) "hello babies, I'm home!!" I entered my living room and smiled in relief as two red slider turtles and one beta fish swam excitedly in their tanks at the site of their mama (because they definitely don't view me as just a potential food source... they know me... totally). I am un-embarassed to confess my unwavering love for my pets. 

And isn't it amazing just how much love you can feel for an animal that's never said a word to you!? Growing up, my family included (over many years) old english sheepdogs, a cockatiel, lovebirds, guinea pigs, aquatic frogs, newts and countless numbers of fish, and I loved every single one of them (even the borderline satanic lovebird and the often smelly guinea pig). Though pets are a completely unnecessary responsibility and expense (turtle ear surgery... that happened) there's something awesome about having a four-legged/flying/aquatic member of your family. They need you and love you and you just love them right back. So thank you Ferd, Stell and Del (Deleanor, the fish) for welcoming me home from my trip and for being the coolest pets a girl (who hasn't yet convinced her husband to get a dog) could hope for!