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Like the Good Fräulein Says ...

06 November 2013

Oh what a day. In early November Two Thousand Thirteen. Stopping! Don't leave. I'm stopping.

No, it's been fine. Sebastian did dump a sizeable container of cinnamon (most cruel word to repeatedly ask Julia to pronounce ... butIstilldoit) out and onto the floor at the store this morning. I didn't have the heart to tell the store manager that came to my rescue in the dairy aisle to help me clean it up that mmm actually no - they aren't triplets nor did I suggest that he might want to see about scheduling a little eye exam.

Anyway ... I'm linking up with the lovely Hallie for some favorite flavors du jour.

1. Together Box: First up we have the Together Box. It's awesome. It's a subscription service that sends a box with 3-5 family friendly activities every month. They sent one over a couple of weeks ago and it is still going strong in the toddlers' favorite toys department which is huge if you know anything about toddlers and their attention spans.


I love our box because it gets us all outside and our spirits up and our blood pumping and Julia still loves talking about going on "adbentures" with the magnifying glass, butterfly net (this was VERY popular - maybe too popular), bug catcher, and bug cage (where the kids catch leaves ... fine by me). There were also materials to make bug costumes (Julia made Theo into a lion one afternoon while Sebastian was napping) and extra suggestions for making bug related snacks which were right up the kids alley. Julia took charge and "read" the little note cards they sent to Sebastian. The creators clearly know kids and moms with little kids because the cards are attached with a sturdy binder ring. Lose-proof!!

My imagination runs about as wild as reading to the kids so a box like this was perfect for me. If you have kids or grandkids - I highly recommend shooting it over for Christmas or a birthday or just for fun. I guarantee they'll heart it to pieces.

If you use the code: camppatton you'll get 50% off your first month and the first two people to use the code will get their second box FOR FREE. So go go go go GO!!!

2. Mascara: So after asking for mascara suggestions several months ago and so many people delivering awesome recommendations I've tested and loved/liked/hated five different kinds. I can't wait to report my findings because I found one that I really love (but the search will never be over for THE ONE ... ) but I was so excited to see that Jenna had also randomly tried out a totally different five ... check it. And love her blog as much as I do because it's the best.

3. Tune-what. Okay so on Friday's post a lot of people thought I was wearing a running skirt. Wrong-o. It was a long shirt or I guess the official term might be a tunic? It's old and from Gap but after scouring countless stores online (well just Gap and Old Navy and Target but Target's website is a nightmare) I can't seem to find a duplicate and I want one in every color. It's just great to wear with leggings and skinny jeans and well ... I guess that's it but have you seen any around? I don't dare take the kids into any store other than the grocery variety and even Target isn't the most fun so ... let me know if you have and I'll love you forever and ever and make you feel niiiiiiiice and awkward.

4. For the volume impaired: And moving onto something edifying - finally. Hairspray!! I don't know what rock I've been hiding under but it's a massive boulder because I just discovered Kate's blog and her amazing voluminous hair. She's so down to earth even though her blog is huger than huge and she has awesome product recommendations. I bought the Kenra Volume Spray she suggested and it is worth every last penny. I thought hairspray was a thing of the past (I know, I'm dumb) but this stuff is so great for us flat-haired ladies. It doesn't leave the gross sticky residue but it holds the hairs up and I love it. Love. Anyway - if you suffer from volumeless hair syndrome like I do - get it.

5. Fried Faux: I love fried rice. SO much. What I don't love is wolfing down a bunch of starch right before bed (Simon's been getting home late and so we eat dinner late and I go to bed embarrassingly early) because then I wake up with sausage fingers that I can barely bend (I know, I'm weird) so I tried out this fried rice made with grated cauliflower. Even I was a little bit of a skeptic (and I made pizza crust out of almond meal last week - mistake - HUGE mistake) but it was really, really good! The key is to finely grate the cauliflower and well, that's my only tip. And I made Simon the real deal .... I'm only a little bit of a Cruella on occasion.

Wellll Julia woke up this morning and after she did her usual fire-breathing/life hating morning routine she asked what I had planned for the day and before I could answer she said, "probably just exercise and make some dinner?" so I better get hopping before I disappoint the little love.


ps! a medium ad spot justjust opened up, effwhyeye!


30 comments:

  1. The together box sounds awesome! I'm going to have to check into it, and I'm with you on fried rice - never would have thought of cauliflower. Thanks!

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  2. Just tried to use the coupon for sending a 3 months subscription as a gift and it claims coupon doesn't exist :-(

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    Replies
    1. shoot! I forwarded your comment to the company - I'll let you know what they say asap. I'm so sorry!!!

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    2. Hey Katy,

      I am sorry the coupon code didn't work! That is so frustrating. It should be working fine now. Try it one more time on your end and if it doesn't work shoot me an email directly at blakely@togetherbox.com and I will figure it out for you. Sorry for the inconvenience!

      Thanks,
      Blakely
      Co-founder of TogetherBox

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  3. Love love love Julia's trench and hat. And That Bash is a sharp dresser too.

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  4. I've been tempted by that together box thing that i saw Merrick/Janssen posting about but um.. does that mean I have to interact with my kids?! hah. The only reason why I'm not signing up (yet) is because we already own all those bug catcher things that I've seen in the boxes. I'm sure they'll have other stuff next time but the only boxes I've seen have things that I already own, and I sure as heck do not want TWO bug nets and TWO bug boxes and TWO bug magnifying glasses because I'm sick of bugs that get taken inside the house only to have Lucy open the lid by accident and release the beetle inside the house. Nightmares.

    Anyway, I've been reading Kate's blog for awhile and I keep wanting to buy the Kenra hairspray but have resisted thus far. But resist no further because I'm so sick of all my super old hairsprays (my newest one is the can from my wedding, 7 years ago, the oldest one, I don't even want to know how many years that's been under my sink).

    And I tried fried cauliflower once and it was DISGUSTING. just one soggy pile of mush that I had to throw out. Maybe I was just making it wrong :(

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    Replies
    1. Hey Kimmie,

      Have no fear! Every month is completely unique and different. November's box is called the "Glow Box" and will have you laughing and learning in the dark. My son loves it!

      Thanks,
      Blakely
      Co-founder TogetherBox

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  5. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  6. I love those very red fall leaves! Our fall has been lacking in vivid color. We had a few days of awesomeness and then mostly shades of brown.

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  7. Welcome to the land of tunics... http://search2.victoriassecret.com/?all=1&i=1&q=tunic&q1=Clothing&view=desktop&x1=Category

    I personally love this one, and may or may not own it in several colors. http://www.victoriassecret.com/sale/yoga-loungewear/the-daily-tunic?ProductID=127437&CatalogueType=OLS

    Even Patty Mayonnaise can rock these! ;)

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  8. old navy maternity, clearance maybe?, has some tunics that would be great for layering :)

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  9. i'm literally dying over here over julia's "probably just exercise and make some dinner"

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  10. So I'm not sure if it's what you're looking for but I picked up this tunic at Target last week: http://www.target.com/p/liz-lange-for-target-maternity-short-sleeve-v-neck-tunic-top-assorted-colors/-/A-14329479#prodSlot=large_1_28. It's nice and long and loose-ish (but that will change when my belly decides to pop, ha). There aren't that many colors (I got the black) but the stripes are cute. I'm excited to see your mascara reviews; my absolute favorite is Urban Decay supercurl curling mascara...it's amazing but I'd love to find a cheaper substitute.

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  11. Agreed. Target's website is the worst.

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  12. I've just recently discovered riced cauliflower also, and I really like it. And I'm not a huge cauliflower fan. And as much as I love Target, I HATE shopping online with them. Hate.

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  13. Inspector Julia...love, love, love...

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  14. I recently bought these dresses on super-clearance at Old Navy. I got them in petite and I put them in the dryer on purpose to shrink them (they say to hand wash), so now they are the perfect tunic length. They are super comfy and great for layering...and they're like $5!

    http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=41878&vid=3&pid=524691002

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    Replies
    1. you're a genius - I just ordered two!!

      Thank you!!!

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  15. I make the cauliflower rice a lot. Instead of grating it, I run the steamed cauliflower through a food processor. The kiddos and Hubby never know it isn't rice when there is something on or in it.

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  16. First, congratulations on the announcement! Second, as a fairly new mother that stays at home with my child, I have a request: I want to know what a "typical" daily schedule is in your mom while Simon is at work. I ask, because it is nearly impossible for me to find time to do anything to myself to make me look half way decent most days. I honestly "googled" how to get ready for the day with a toddler at home! I have only one at the moment, but our second is due to make it's grand appearance in early May (like yours). How in the world will I ever not be wearing pajamas with 2 babies at home?! So, I ask you: how in the world do you not wear pajamas all day? I'm a fairly new reader, so I apologize if this topic has already been covered before. Please just steer me in the right direction if it has.

    Thank you!

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  17. Loved your pregnancy announcement, so cute. I just ordered a 6 month subscription of the together box for a family friends 3 kids for a Christmas present. What a great idea and a great gift option. Always love your favorites lists.

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  18. Oh boy do I need volume! My sister and Chris have been telling me to stop using dry shampoo, but for some reason I keep ignoring the two people who are most honest with me in the looks department so maybe this will make everyone happy!

    Have you tried fried quinoa? I need to share my recipe!

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  19. your kids are so cute, i can't even deal with it. j in a little trench coat, boots, and straw fedora? and bash's plaid shirt and vest? they dress so much better than spencer and i ever will.

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  20. I really like these from H &M. They are dresses but I am tall so on me they are tunic length. They are fitted and they don't ride up. Would stretch easily over a pregnant belly , too! http://www.hm.com/us/product/13727?article=13727-B

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  21. Together Box-of-fun! I may need to get us some of that?! And in light of my new little blog endeavor, as of yesterday =) look! http://talesofamountainmama.com/2013/11/urban-kids-get-outside-too-introduction.html

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  22. Ha! I love me a Patton shout out. Heck, I just love me some Patton.

    Also, we just got a Together Box and Ellen NEEDED to find a bug for the box. So, there I was prowling about in the back yard lifting trash cans and rocks until I found one sad and unlucky spider. Sorry, little dude.

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  23. Julia as Sherlock Holmes. Oh! My! Goodness!

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  24. If you can deal with the Forever21ness of it all, any of these might be cute:

    http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=top&ProductID=2000063726&VariantID=

    http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?Br=F21&Category=basic_t-shirts&ProductID=2035156062&VariantID=

    http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?Br=LOVE21&Category=Love21_Tops&ProductID=2051448546&VariantID=

    http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?Br=F21&Category=sweater&ProductID=2025101179&VariantID=

    http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=top&ProductID=2059991369&VariantID=

    http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?Br=F21&Category=top&ProductID=2000049495&VariantID=

    http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=top&ProductID=2000127838&VariantID=

    http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?Br=LOVE21&Category=Love21_Tops&ProductID=2000110233&VariantID=

    http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=top&ProductID=2000051279&VariantID=

    Ok, that was slight overkill, but my hunting instincts were activated.

    Also, Julia and Sebastian are adorable!

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  25. Mascara- theeesawon: http://m.bareescentuals.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-BareEscentuals-Site/default/mProduct-Show?pid=US64420&start=1&cgid=BE_EYES

    Welcome. Welcome to Kenra world. My hair could not survive without this magical candy scented potion. The volume spray #25 is great... But if you want extra vavoom for like a fancy date to Target or to eat mcdonalds in the car in the parking lot, just you and Simon, use Kenda Platinum Finishing spray #26. Done. I'll never love another. 

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  26. ...also more volume: I know you just got your hairs did, BUT. depending on the kind of volume you want, you can have your hair cut to accommodate the area needing the lift. okay, duh. BUT. For years and years, I have desired the one length, wavy/messy tress (AKA EXACTLY YOUR HAIR) but looking through previous years' photos, I look the best, and have the most magnificent big hair when my hair stylist cuts lots of layers.
    When my hair is all one length, it weighs down any volume that could exist. ...but I have a ton of hair. I get ponytail headaches on the reg.
    point of the long wind: some layers PLUS the Kenra = "did you really buy a Bump-It?"
    No, it's just excellent. okay sorry, I love talking hair. I love your hair.

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