The Funk

Please tell me I'm not alone in experiencing "The Funk".  That feeling you get when you're not depressed, but everything isn't coming up roses either.  It's normally not brought on by anything major either.  It's like one day you just wake up and decide to be in a bad mood.  People and things annoy you more easily, you have less patience at your job or with you kids, every day seems like the same old boring thing, you feel like no one out there likes you, and even things you love don't bring as much pleasure as before.  You still have lots of great moments, but it just seems like there is a fog in your head that doesn't want to go away.

Have you ever had this before? I'm sure I can't be the only one.  Every so often I find myself victim to "The Funk" and the past few weeks have been one of them. It's annoying me too, because the weather has been so gorgeous....normally nothing bothers me when it's warm and sunny out!  I think it's a combination of things....the monotony of our routine...Skip having to work EVERY.SINGLE.HOLIDAY. Baby C finally cutting some teeth and making sure the whole world knows it...Little M stretching her independence in ways that involve screaming and talking back to us...and a few other things.  I can't seem to stay on top of the housework and little projects I keep neglecting keep popping up around the house as if mocking me.  It all makes me want to just take to my bed for a week or hide away on some tropical island.

But since neither of those is really possible, I've been working on a few things to get me out of "The Funk"
-Working out: one of the best things to cure any ailment.  I hadn't been working out that much recently and I think that had a huge part in "The Funk".  I crave that hour to myself and really love those endorphins!
- Taking time to just "be" with my girls.  Their sweet smiles an infectious laughter are sweet enough to bring even the coldest miser out of his misery
- Get some sun: a little Vitamin D can go a long way!
- Unplug: Since it has been sooo gorgeous out here, Skip and I have been taking time at night to sit outside when the girls go to bed, with a beer and Diet Coke, and just talk.  We recount the day, go over things bothering us, and share stories.  It's such a nice way to unwind and relax.
- Do something you love. I've been blogging a bit more recently to help get me out of "The Funk".  I love blogging and the community it brings with it.  So I've been focusing a bit more of my time and energy on it.
-Force yourself to get things done on your to-do list.  If I'm in a slump the last thing I want to do is 5 loads of laundry.  But forcing myself to just get them done makes me feel sooo much better after.  And it helps my house be super clean!

So help a girl out...do you ever get "The Funk"?  What do you do to shake it off??

So What

Today I'm linking up with Shannon for "So What Wednesday"

So what if

- I'm going to wear my hair up in a tiny messy bun until it grows out...I'm pretending it's more "sexy, piecey, I don't care bun" than "total lazy mom bun"

- I totally think you can have chocolate and candy for a meal sometimes {not for my girls though...they have to eat healthy!}

- It's finally summertime and I've practically stopped working out all together...that's what tankini's are for right!

- I have a countdown going until regular season football comes back.   I miss my Giants

- I have worn workout clothes almost every day for the past few weeks....hubs doesn't care right?

- I am so totally obsessed with ABC Family shows that I just started reading the Pretty Little Liars books.  Soooo good

- I laugh every time Little M yells "Skipper!" when she's trying to get her dad's attention.  We eventually correct her, but it's just so cute

- I'm a little sad that Baby C is finally starting to get some teeth.  I'm going to miss her gummy smile!

- I cry every time I put away more clothes that Baby C has grown out of

- I keep wishing all my friends would start having babies.  I need some newborns to hold!!!

- I still love tanning.  I'll worry about all the effects it has on my body once I'm 30

- My birthday isn't until October and I've already started planning it

- I spend most of my day daydreaming about a tropical vacation with the hubs...no kids, just us and the beach


What "so what" moments have you been having?

Sibu Giveaway Winner!

Thanks so much for all who entered my Sibu facial cleanser giveaway!  This was my first time using Rafflecopter for giveaways and I LOVED it!  What did you all think?  Well, without further ado, here's our winner!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Congrats Lins!  I'll be contacting you soon!!!

Memorial Day 2012

Make sure to take a moment today to remember the real reason behind Memorial Day....for all those who gave their life for our freedom.  We thank you and remember you always.

both pictures found on Google.com

Flashbacks

Time really needs to start slowly down.  I mean seriously.  Does time start speeding up as soon as you have a kid, because it definitely didn't fly by like this before.  I mean really...how was this just one year ago?!?!

Things change fast around here!

Dear So and So

Dear people on my Facebook feed complaining about "only" getting a three day weekend:
Why don't you think about all the cops, firemen, EMT's, etc that don't have off at all this weekend....or any other holiday for that matter.  And you never hear them complain about it.

Dear people who say "Happy Memorial Day":
This weekend is not the kick-off to summer, official or unofficial.  It is not about the cookouts or the beach.  It is about taking a moment to remember all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.  There is nothing happy about it. {Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you shouldn't be spending time with family and friends while enjoying a nice burger.  Just take a moment to remember the real reason for the holiday}

Dear Baby C:
Stop growing up so fast!  I know you are almost 1 but crawling, cruising, and standing by yourself are big girl things.  I want you to stay my baby!!

Dear people who host Link-ups: 
I totally think that if you link up with someone you should comment on their post.  I also think if someone links up with you then you should also comment on their post.

Dear Rain:
You need to move along....seriously.  I know we didn't have much of any in April, but I seriously cannot take being cooped up with these whiny, fresh-air deprived girls for much longer.  We need to be outside!

Dear air-conditioning:
Thanks for breaking the first weekend we're having really hot temperatures.  I don't mind sweating all night long, but my little girls definitely don't appreciate it.

Dear body:
I've been trying to do right by you...running, the gym, workout DVDs....so why am I in pain all the time!?!?  I swear I feel like I'm 80 most mornings when I get up.

Dear hockey:
You are as boring as I remember you to be.  Please end soon....I need my football back.

Dear all my blog followers:
Have a good weekend and stay safe! 


What people/things would you write a letter to these days?

Keep Calm and Marry On

Love is definitely in the air recently!  In the past few weeks I have helped throw not one, but TWO bridal showers!

The first was for my very own baby sis who is getting married in June!  I could not be happier for her and know that she and her fiance will have many years of wedded bliss together.

For her shower, we decided on the theme "Keep Calm and Marry On" {all these pictures are taken from my very talented big sis.  Who has her own photography business by the way...contact me for details!}

We had an afternoon tea filled with lots of love and laughter.  My mom and older sis took care of all the food, decorations, and favors, so I cannot take credit for them!

It truly was a wonderful afternoon!

Surprise!!!

She has the *best* surprised faces

Little M helping opening presents

Sisters!!!

The second shower was for our friend R who married my girls' godfather just last Friday in NYC!  I hosted at my house and my friends L and J helped with everything.  We decided on a "Sweet and Spicy" theme for the shower. 

The sign said "Miss to Mrs."

Poms are the devil

Gift table

Drinks

The happy couple and R's "Bride-to-Be" sash

Since it was an afternoon shower, we had just desserts and a few appetizers to snack on.

Fondue station

A special New Zealand dessert...special for R since she is from there!

 There was a candy bar for favors {sweet}

 We then had everyone bring her lingerie as a gift {spicy}

It was such a fun, lo-key special event....and R had NO idea we were throwing it, so the surprise was even sweeter!

She started to cry when she realized what was happening

Isn't she the cutest!



These girls loved hangin with the ladies too!


I wish both these special ladies many many years of wedded bliss!

You've Got a Friend....

As I said previously, our days have been very full recently.  Full of friends and wonderful, relaxing nights spent with them.  Our friend B from Florida recently came up to Jersey and Skip and I decided to throw a BBQ for our friends while he was here. 

It was one of those perfect warm, late-spring nights.  Everyone pitching in to help, and just sitting outside relaxing for hours, talking, laughing till our sides hurt, sharing stories.

Skip and I have been very lucky through our marriage with our friends.  We each came into the relationship with friends of our own.  But they are no longer 'my' friends or 'his friends'...only ours.  And not only do we get along with each other's friends, they all get along with each other!

I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful 'crew'

R...newest member of our crew...total sweetheart...brand spankin' new wife to D

L...my bestie since we were 16 working in the school uniform store

J...my bestie since we were itty bitty freshman in high school!

L's husband M...who I strangely met when I was 16...years before he met L!

Best man at our wedding, B...Skip's high school friend

D...Skip's high school friend and both girls' godfather

C is Skip's best friend from ELEMENTARY school, and the one who knew Skip way before everyone started calling him Skip

B...our Florida buddy who is my cousin's best friend....who I've called friend since I was 18

My man and me...my best friend above all...we sure are lucky to have such wonderful friends!

Sibu Beauty Facial Cleanser Review and GIVEAWAY!!!

I have been having a little trouble regulated my skin post-two babies these days.  I don't know if it's hormones, the lack of sleep, or not always enough time to wash my face.  Regardless, when Sibu Beauty contacted me about reviewing a facial cleanser I was totally on board.  Anything to help me stop looking like a pre-pubescent teen!

The Sibu Beauty Product Line is all based around the sea buckthorn.  What is the sea buckthorn you might ask?  Here is a description from the Sibu Beauty website:

For healthy and beautiful hair, skin and nails



High in the Tibetan Himalayas (12,000 feet above sea level) grows a tiny but resilient fruit that resists the harsh weather conditions and high altitudes. The sea buckthorn berry fortifies itself against the elements by producing an array of powerful nutrients. With over 190 bioactive compounds, sea buckthorn is an unsurpassed source of Omegas 3, 6, and 9. And it's a rich source of the elusive essential fatty acid, Omega-7, an essential fatty acid vital to collagen production and healthy skin, hair and nails.
1300 years of beauty


Sea buckthorn is a natural product with 1300 years of traditional uses with the modern scientific research to back it up. Our superior processing techniques and our premium and exclusive source of sea buckthorn allow us to create a revolutionary group of beauty products.


Sounds good to me!  Another thing I liked right off the bat about Sibu Beauty is their commitment to the environment.  They describe their beliefs here:

We are proud to offer an exclusive line of health & beauty products that will improve the way you look and the way you feel. But we are also sensitive to the constant stress on our environment due to chemicals, overflowing landfills, and irresponsible management of our forests and other valued resources.
For these reasons, Sibu Beauty is also proud to announce a range of sustainability initiatives which respect the earth and the resources it provides. From our easily recycled plastic and our partnership with the Forest Stewardship Council, to our fair trade harvesting practices in Tibet and philanthropic outreach, Sibu Beauty want to make a difference for your health and for the planet.


I was lucky enough to try the facial cleanser. 

-Leaves skin looking and feeling radiant and refreshed


-Removes excess oil and impurities

-Contains micro-particles for a gentle exfoliation

-Great for removing make-up

-Non-foaming gel formula for all skin types
I have been using it for the past two weeks and I am very pleased with the results so far.  My skin has definitely started clearing up.  I *love* the small micro-particles.  They are gently exfoliating, but not so much that I can't use it every day.  The product has a strong citrus scent, which I liked...it helped wake me up a bit in the morning!!

Now here's the best part, you can win your own facial cleanser to try out!  The company said they can ship to either the USA or Canada.  Please use the Rafflecopter below to enter!!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I received this facial cleanser for free for review.  I was not compensated in any other way.  All opinions are my own. 

Just Bein' a Kid

There are lots of wonderful things about childhood. It is a simpler time filled with love, fun, and pretty much no responsibility. And though I feel like a lot of kids are being forced to grow up or act/look older before they need to, I am more than happy to just let me girls be little girls. So around these parts, you're going to find a lot of the following

Playing with pots and pans while Mommy makes dinner

Carousel rides

Playing dress-up

Eating spaghetti naked

Lots of snuggles

Swinging

the afternoon

away

Even scraped knees from running so fast

Splashing in the sunshine

I hope these are the moments the girls remember when they get older!