2010 January | whoorl

I Need Snacking Ideas STAT.

January 27, 2010

That button is genius, right? Thanks for the nice comments about my belly, by the way. I have to admit my favorite was an incoming link about how good I looked for 19 months pregnant. 19 MONTHS pregnant? Hell, I LOOK FANTASTIC.

The belly is definitely popping, which is perfectly coinciding with my incessant need to graze like a cow all day long. Speaking of…

(SEGUE!)

I love to prep. I love to cook. I love to eat. I HATE TO PLAN MY MEALS.

I’ve talked about this before, and how the Relish System totally saved my ass in the kitchen. Seriously, you guys. I’ve been consistently using their menus and grocery lists on a weekly basis for almost 2 years. 2 years! That right there is true love in my books, for the last time I showed that level and length of commitment was to my Duran Duran poster (MARRY ME, NICK RHODES!!!) from 1982 to 1984.

(Hey! If you also suffer from Can’tPlanDinneritis and want to join Relish, be sure and enter whoorl in the “how you heard of us” section so they know I sent you!)

Back to the planning thing. Although I have my dinners beautifully covered on a weekly basis, I am still falling short on planning/purchasing items for other meals, such as snacks. Seeing as I feel the need to eat a little something, oh, about every 26 minutes, I am at a loss as to what I should buy for healthy snacks in between meals. Right now, I am eating more baby carrots and radishes than you can shake a stick at. I am turning a lovely shade of rosy orange, though!

What are some of your favorite moderately healthy snacks to keep around the house? Help me! DO IT FOR THE BABY.

Adjust-a-Button

January 25, 2010

Calling all pregnant ladies! (OR ladies and gents who might have over-indulged during the holiday season.)

Are your jeans feeling a little snug around the waistline? Do you feel like your stomach might explode when you sit down? Um, yeah. I might have that problem right now. Never fear! For I have found the answer. Adjust-a-Button.

This little adjustable button has allowed me to stay in my regular jeans up to my 19th week of pregnancy so far, and for that I am eternally grateful. Since I’m not quite big enough for maternity jeans and my belly does NOT enjoy Bella Bands (ouuuuch), I thought I was out of luck until I heard about these guys.

It’s really as easy as sticking a pin into your jeans, and the button is removable so you can use it in all of your pants. I can’t TELL YOU how much more comfortable the past few weeks have been with these buttons….well, how about I just show you.

Before:

Uhhh, getting a little tight. Sitting down is not the most pleasurable of actions at this point, and I’m beginning to feel a little concerned for the safety of my fetus. Oh noes!

After:

Dude, RELIEF. That is all.

Oh! You can also use these buttons to tighten a waistband if your pants are too loose. (Although, if that’s the case, you KIND OF SUCK.)

$18 for a pack of two. Buy ‘em here. They’ll make your tummy a happy place again.

Help! I’m Bored with My Hair!

January 22, 2010

(While typing that volume number in the title, I just realized I’ve been doing these makeovers for 4 years now. Holy shit. That is all.)

Meet Georgia.

Georgia’s hair:

Medium-dark brown. Colors at home with salon-bought hair color.
Normal condition, thick and wavy
Straightens easily
Tends to get lazy when hair is longer (ponytails)
Doesn’t want to get rid of bangs
Proficient with products and tools

Georgia sent me an email eons ago requesting advice about her (darling) hair.

From Georgia’s original email:

My main dilemma with my hair is that, well, it’s boring. I’ve had an a-line bob for as long as I can remember, with a couple short-lived pixie cuts peppered throughout. Every time I get it cut I swear I’m going to give growing it out a shot, as I’ve always wanted long hair, but as soon as it gets to my shoulders, I chop it off again. I’m curious to see how I’ll look with longer hair, but I have a feeling I look better with a short bob. I’d be into either growing it out, or cutting it short (as long as I can keep my precious bangs), I just want to know what you and your lovely readers think would look best before I put the time/effort/money/tears into it.

I recently sent Georgia an email to see if anything had changed in regards to her hair dilemma.

From Georgia’s most recent email:

I actually ended up cutting it back into a bob with sideswept bangs, but I’m still contemplating going long again, as I’ve seriously had this haircut and color for over 10 years! So I guess the question now would be, “keep it short or grow it out again?” I’d still love yours and your lovely readers advice.

Before I jump in, let’s take a look a Georgia’s hair in its chin-length state.

And a bit longer.

This could be one of the most common issues I read from prospective participants. I like my hair, but I’m so bored. And trust me, I GET IT. My hair has been the same style for several years now, but what I’ve come to realize is that my hair looks its best with my current cut. Sure, I get bored and daydream of short bobs or different colors, but I’ve tried all that and I know that my current style is what’s right for me.

I feel the exact same in regards to Georgia. The fact that she thinks of growing it out, but always ends up cutting it shorter tells me one thing. She doesn’t truly LIKE it longer. If she did, she would keep it longer, right? And why would she want it longer when it looks SO DAMN PERFECT cut at her chin! I love the way the shorter bob accentuates her jawline, as well as how her bangs highlight her lovely eyes. Georgia, your hair gets me daydreaming again.

Now, I’m not saying that I don’t like the longer length on Georgia. I like it. But I LOVE it shorter. I’m especially fond of the length in the above photo on the left of the three shorter styles. Just barely brushing her chin is the perfect length for Georgia. In fact, this cut would look beyond gorgeous.

My final word? If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Just some minor tweaking will create the fresh look you’re hoping for, without sacrificing what looks best on you.

Of course, this is not a dictatorship. Do you think Georgia should grow her hair out? Do tell.