Summer Camp

I am so jealous of Zoe these days. She's on summer vacation from school and going to daycamp. She comes from camp home filthy, exhausted and happy each day. Her big decision after the camp day is if she should play with the neighborhood kids or go for a swim. That is followed by dinner and then sleeping like a stone.

I absolutely adored summer camp when I was her age. I loved the swimming, the sports, the arts and crafts, the songs...everything. Even better was when I was old enough for sleepaway camp. The other day Zoe and I were discussing sleepaway camp and she told me she thought it would be hard to go. I told her she didn't have to go until she was ready or ever. To which she responded,
"I mean it will be hard for you. But I really should go."

She's probably right.

Toy Story 3

Over the weekend we went to see Toy Story 3. I'm not usually the biggest fan of kids' movies, but I have to admit I was excited for this one. I can still remember the night I went to see the original Toy Story movie and I was completely blown away by the graphics. I missed Toy Story 2 in the theaters -- probably because I didn't yet have have a Zoe in my life. However, once I did have a Zoe in my life, it wasn't long before we watched it on DVD and I was not disappointed.

Since it has been about 11 years since a new Toy Story movie has come out this movie opening was quite an event. I think I've been looking forward to it for about 6 months and I know Zoe and my niece and nephew have been looking forward to it at least that long. So, we decided to make a small party out of it and we bought advanced tickets for a Saturday showing of the 3-D version on opening weekend (this past weekend). Despite the fact that Saturday was a gorgeous, sunny day we all went into the theater loaded down with candy and other snacks and settled into our seats in the dark and cold theater. 3 kids in front and 4 adults sitting behind them.

From the moment the movie started the only movement from the row in front was hands reaching back to request more candy. The movie was so good that it made me cry as well as laugh -- a lot. It was really delightful and truly impressive in terms of animation. I don't know how those people at Pixar do it, but based on all the credits it sure takes a lot them to achieve a movie like this. And I'm guessing it took the full 11 years as well. But it was all worth it. I think this movie is as much a winner for kids as it is for adults. I like this quote from the NY Times review:

“Toy Story 3” is as sweet, as touching, as humane a movie as you are likely to see this summer, and yet it is all about doodads stamped and molded out of plastic and polyester. Therein lies its genius, and its uncanny authenticity.

My only complaint -- someone please tell me the point of 3-D. It really didn't add much in this case and those darn glasses give me a headache. My advice -- go see the non-3-D version, but go see it.

The True Confessions Meme

A new one from the Queen! I am so excited! (Queen's original post here.)

The Rules:
Think of ten books it seems you should have read by now but never have. Post them. Feel free to say anything you want about why you haven't read them. Tag others when you're done.

1. The following Shakespeare plays: Richard II, Richard III, Timon of Athens
   I lump them all into one to leave more room for other confessions. Having studies theater in college and graduate school you might imagine I read a lot of Shakespeare, and it is true, I did. But these three I never read and I think after all that school I just can't bring myself to read another one. Ever.
2. A Tale of Two Cities. I was forced to read Great Expectations in 10th grade. Swore off Dickens at that point and cannot convince my adult brain to give it another go no matter how much I'd like to.
3. War and Peace. It is a title someone literary should read, right? But in my mind it has so many strikes against it, not the least of which is the fact that it is Russian.
4. Anna Karenina. See above.
5. Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde. At this point given how much the story has been retold in various ways, I don't see how I wouldn't be disappointed.
6. The Time Machine (or anything else by H.G. Wells) I have no good or bad reason. I just don't want to.
7. The Poisonwood Bible. Too many people have told me how much I will like it.
8. Three Cups of Tea. I want to care, I do. But, in fact, it seems I don't.
9. Mrs. Dalloway. I don't know. I probably would like it.
10. In Cold Blood. Now that I've seen the great movie version I know I'll never read it.

I almost put Ulysses on this list, but then decided not to because I've never felt I should read that one.

I'd tag, but Emily probably already has. If she didn't, consider yourself tagged.

Tuesday Shoesday: Sneakers

I've worn out my favorite pair of casual sneakers. You know the kind you wear with shorts or to the supermarket, not the kind for the gym. (If you're particular about those kinds of things, which, clearly, I am.) So, I went to my favorite shoe site, Zappos, to browse for some new ones.

At first I was considering something new for me, but with a retro vibe so I was looking at these:

Onitsuka Tiger by Asics

Then I thought maybe something a little more modern, something a little different would be good so I was looking at these:

PUMA Sky Lite Ballerina

But I wasn't sure I was crazy about those. Plus I haven't worn PUMA sneakers since I was about Zoe's age so I wasn't sure how they fit and I didn't want to go through the hassle of returning. I could go shopping and trying on, but sometimes I really do enjoy having new shoes delivered to my front door.

And then I hit on it. Of course, these would be the ones. They're classics. You can't go wrong with a classic. Plus they are just a little over-the-top preppy which I like. This is probably the 15th pair of my life. They arrived today and they are just as great as I remember them being. They are:

Tretorn Nylite Canvas

And in case you're interested here's some facts about Tretorn and these shoes:

• In 1891 Tretorn was founded by Henry Dunker in Helsingborg, Sweden
• The Tretorn Nylite tennis shoes, born in 1967, were regarded as the first luxury sports shoe
• The Tretorn brand was acquired by Puma in 2001

Am I a shoe geek, or what?

List of things for High School

Zoe has been into making lists lately. Lists of all kinds -- what she wants to be for Halloween, her friends, her favorite foods, etc. The most recent list I found had to do with when she gets into high school. Very interesting.

Here is a scan of the actual list:



And in case you can't read it, here's what is says:

Things I might get:
Jeans with howls [holes], tattoo
(henna) dyed hair four
pieces, dark Jeans catar [guitar] picks
elecktrick blue vw beatle
computer

Classes I might take:
Art cooking sewing club

To prom I might wear:
Long earings, small clutch
bag, ankle strap high
heels, gold anklet
long gown lose [loose] hair



I don't think this needs any further comment.

Tuesday Shoesday: Wedge Espadrilles

Earlier this spring I bought this pair of espadrille wedges from Banana Republic. I've tried to wear them 3 times now and 3 times they've been ridiculous. They just wont' stay on my feet. I know I bought the right size because the next smaller pair were really too tight. I tried heel grips, insoles and nothing works. After walking around like Frankenstein in them last night, I've decided I have to give them up. (Becky -- you have first shot at them, if you're interested.)

So, now I have to find something to replace them because I really wanted a wedge type espadrille sandal for the summer. Here are some options I'm considering:

Eric Michael -- Paloma

They look like good basics.



Kate Spade -- Candice

Maybe I could afford them if I saved.

Lifestride -- Sunny

These look cute and comfortable.

Decisions...

Have you seen this: Custom Food

And I thought custom jeans were cool (no, I still haven't ordered a pair), check out this site: http://www.createmychocolate.com/ where you can literally create your chocolate bar. You choose the type of chocolate, dark, milk, white or a combination of milk and white then you choose what to put in and on your chocolate. There is fruit, spices, nuts, candy, and grains (which includes fun stuff like cereal, pretzels and bacon -- yes, bacon!). You can choose up to 5 toppings, mix-ins, etc.

It is a little expensive for chocolate. I put together a creation for fun of strawberries, caramel and pretzels with milk chocolate and with the cost of delivery it comes to about $15. Probably a little much to indulge for yourself, however, they sell gift certificates and I think that would be a pretty cool gift to give.

Another site doing something similar is You Bar: http://www.youbars.com/custombars where you can create custom protein/energy bars. The best part of this site is that it gives nutritional information as you go along so if you're trying to stay within certain limits on carbs or sugar or fat, it is really easy. Plus you get to name your bar and they create a customized wrapper with your name on it for each bar. That's fun! Lately I've been into making my own granola bars, but when I get tired of that, I may just have to give this a try.

You Bar also has sites for Trail Mix, Shakes, Cereal, and Cookies.

Can you tell I'm hungry right now?

Easy Summer Make-up

Those of you who know me, know I am somewhat obsessed with make-up. I wear make-up every day, but most days I prefer a fairly natural look. Each season I try to come up with a go-to look for everyday that is just a little different. I am really pleased with what I've started wearing for summer so I want to share because I think anyone can do it and it is so easy. I admit that I stole a lot of this from Bobbi Brown's website, but my version is even easier.

OK, so here it is, ZoesMom's easy summer make-up:

Step 1: Use a light powder foundation or tinted moisturizer all over your face. I prefer products with an SPF of 15 of higher. I'm using Clinique's Almost Powder. (I also use under eye concealer for my dark circles, but if you don't need it, don't bother.)

Step 2: Apply matte eyeshadow in very light pink, light peach, or off-white from your eyebrow to your lashes -- in other words all over. One light coat. Make sure the shadow is matte and not shimmer. I'm using Cover Girl French Vanilla (matte) or Sephora's Eye Shadow in Porcelain.

Step 3: Apply 2 coats of dark mascara to your lashes. I'm using Tarte's Lights, Camera, Lashes or Maybelline Great Lash.

Step 4: If you have thick eyebrows like I do, brush your eyebrows up. You can also use eyebrow gel if you have it, but it's not necessary.

Step: 5: Use a somewhat bright pink to coral blush on the apples of your cheeks. Doesn't matter if it's powder or cream just as long as it is a little bright. I'm using Tarte's Cheek Stain. (This blush is a little expensive, but it lasts forever and it's organic.)

Step 6: Apply a sheer lipstick in a somewhat bright pink to coral shade. You can also use lip gloss in the same shades. I have about 10 lipsticks/glosses that fit this bill, but I just bought Korres' Mango Butter Lipstick in Peach and I'm loving it. It is organic and also has SPF 10 which is nice for summer.

And that's it, you're ready to walk out the door.

Tuesday Shoesday

Shoes I am currently lusting after:
These are the Tory Burch Caroline Ballet Flat. As my shoe wardrobe will attest, I do love a nice ballet flat. Doesn't that red just make these?

I am saving my pennies (and dollars and twenties...).










These are the Calvin Klein Cora. Not sooo expensive, but I'd need a place to wear them to justify the purchase. That has to be the biggest downside to working from home -- no getting dressed up for the office.
















Slipping over into total fantasy land for a moment, wouldn't it be fun to have the lifestyle, legs, and bank to warrant these babies...The Darcy by Jimmy Choo

I hope you enjoyed these half as much as I did. Perhaps I have found a new feature for ZoesMom?