More Yukon Love

Can it really be Thursday already???  This may have been the fastest week in latest memory.  Leading up to today it has been many a late night, muscle sculpting loading and unloading of the Yukon Denali...round 1, round 2 and we are going for round 3 tomorrow,  *wiping brow*  tball, family Communion celebration, Greek n Roman games for G, Premier Baby Concierge hosted Baby Dream Gear at The Omni Hotel Independence Park, volunteering at Montgomery, and the normal errand running along with the drop-offs and pick-ups...the DH treated me to a morning sleep-in and took G to school today = GLORIOUS.  In just a bit I will be getting ready to do the normal morning routine just a tad earlier then head over to Shan and get ready for The10! Show segment.  All super fun!  Right now the Yukon is packed with gear galore and broke a sweat unloading part of the stash to put back the 2nd row for the boys...I was so impressed with the how easy the seats folded up and back in a flash and both car seats sit perfectly- definitely not the case in several vehicles I have experienced over the years.  Talk about easy peasy...the 3rd row pops out with an easy tug...a little heavy so will need the hubby for that one or in a perfect world after some strength training (on my to-do list) I will handle all by my lonesome with no prob!  For haulin' this vehicle is no joke...we loaded with strollers, many strollers, carry cots, travel cribs, gear and more gear...and there was still more room.  IMPRESSED!  Not to mention, I thought that since it was a larger vehicle I was going to have to fill and refill and fill the gas tank but much to my happiness I have only had to stop 1 time in the passed week after 300 miles of running (mostly city miles)...another +.   Love the hybrid!  Looking forward to sitting in the already molded seat, coffee in hand (cup-holder that totally snugs the mug so no spillage- HUGE!) music playing, hopefully my boys smiling n laughing (hopefully) and heading out for the morning...One can dream ;)

My Week w/ a GMC Yukon Denali Hybrid: Day 1

Day 1 of testing out the Yukon Denali Hybrid by GMC...I think I giggled when I saw it pull up to my house...yes, giggled with excitement to test drive this powerful yet refined family friendly vehicle.  I currently drive a German 4 door sedan and I love it...I have enjoyed its sporty performance and it has wrapped me and now my boys in safety for YEARS, short of FOREVER so it is hard for me to imagine driving anything else but reality sets in and with 2 boys involved in sports & activities w/ lots o gear, a dog and a DH that enjoys all outdoor activities that require TONS of gear...it really is starting to make more sense to move into a larger vehicle. 

Several questions arise...
1.  Do I go SUV or sporty wagon?  Answer= I think I am more of an SUV girl...so that narrows down the field.
2.  Do I buy foreign or stateside?  Answer= as much as I have loved European performance I am going to support Made in the USA for this next ride.
3.  Am I going to have any more babies?  Answer= Dunno...BUT in case we have a happy surprise it is good to be prepared with a vehicle that will transport all of us in comfort.
4.  What features are important?  Yikes many but -HYBRID, GOOD MPG, comfy seating, auto lift gate, seating for at least 7, roomy trunk space, easy console area - everything needs to be at a quick reach/touch, dvd player, safety call-in system, nice sound system for car dancing, good cup holders- mama needs her coffee to stay in her travel mug!  I know I am missing a few but these are on the tippy top of me head.

Bottom line is that I basically live in my car and I need it to make life more simple, easy and efficient.

So for the first day with the Yukon Denali Hybrid (YDH) I was very impressed...it is smooth, quiet and very comfortable...I molded into the seating immediately and the wheel is super comfy with a nice hold/grip.  Auto lift gate has been huge today...my hands are always full and usually w/ an almost 2yo so this feature is key when getting things in and out of the trunk.  I did notice that for optimal trunk space the back row of seats need to be folded...so makes me think that I may need an XL but with the back seats folded it holds a nice amount of cargo. 

A huge shout out & Many thanks to www.drivingthenortheast.com for driving the YDH to my front door!  Be sure to follow them @GMNortheast and GMCThisIsGMC.

Day 2 should be fun...there is much excitement with school activities and will lead in for a very busy weekend w/ tons of car time.  Will keep you posted on all the fun!

Luv,
Laura

TRUEly Organic Pamering by Be Well Massage & Be True Organics

For some TRUEly Organic Pampering...I just had to share this promotion from...www.BeWellMassage.com

Director and Massage Therapist, Amy Kinzel believes that..."Massage Therapy is the Art & Practice of Letting Go. The mission of Be Well Massage Therapy, LLC is to promote a lifestyle that embraces therapeutic massage and holistic modalities. It is our goal to educate the community on incorporating wellness into their daily lives."

To read more about Amy visit http://www.bewellmassage.com/pages/amy-kinzel
And you can contact Amy at...
Office: 856.216.0955
twitter: @AmyKinzel
www.facebook.com/BeWellMassageTherapyLLC
www.facebook.com/FindWellness

Be Well Massage Therapy is located at:
225 Kings Highway East
Haddonfield, NJ 08033

Be Well Massage is introducing some very Special Promotions as they get excited to be part of the 1st Mommy-To-Be Game Day with the Riversharks www.riversharks.com on Saturday, May 21st - start of game 5:35 pm.


On the Concourse you will find MOM-Centric Businesses brought to you by Premier Baby Concierge www.premierbabyconcierge.com ...don't miss out on grabbing a goody bag stuffed with treats...just a sneak peak, Be Well will be including some offers for FREE bonus minutes and a chance to ADD-ON a complimentary facial with a massage purchase.

To continue the excitement, Be Well is hosting a Facebook Fan Page Contest, Now– May 31, winners announced June 1st.

Join Be Well Massage & Be True Organics on Facebook and be automatically entered to win a variety of certified organic wellness gifts! Two fan pages will be offering different prizes to help you enhance your wellness! Winners will be chosen using www.random.org to assure a fair contest. Contestants will be any new fans who “LIKE” our pages starting on NOW and ending on May 31st. Winners will be announced on Facebook on June 1st 2011.


“LIKE” Be Well Massage on Facebook (www.facebook.com/BeWellMassageTherapyLLC)
Chance to win one of the following four gift certificates from Be Well Massage:
1. Chance to win one 50 minute certified organic “Love Your Face” massage gift certificate. $65 value.
2. Chance to win one 30 minute certified organic “Love Your Feet” massage gift certificate. $45 value.
3. Chance to win one 30 minute certified organic “Love Your Face” add-on massage gift certificate. $45 value.
4. Chance to win one 25 minute certified organic “Love Your Feet” add-on massage gift certificate. $35 value.

“LIKE” Be True Organics on Facebook (www.facebook.com/FindWellness)
Chance to win one of the following certified organic gifts from Be True Organics:
1. Chance to win one personalized Skin Essentials Certified Organic 3 step skin care pack (travel size). $36.70 value.
2. Chance to win one certified organic lip creme. Your choice of color. $25.15 value.
3. Chance to win one certified organic mascara, pure black. $24.10 value.
4. Chance to win a Be Well Massage certified organic aromatherapy spray of your choice. $10 value.


Attend Be True Webinar “Navigating Green Beauty” on Wednesday 5/25 at 9pm and you will receive an organic shopping guide and an informative document listing toxic ingredients to avoid in personal care products.  Register here: www.betrueorganics.eventbrite.com


What a way to treat yourself or another deserving Mom or Mom-to-be!
Luv,
Laura

Rose Hip Barn Tag Sale!

I know many of you LOVE finding the perfect piece for your home...something unique, something that tells a story and that is why I had to share this exciting news...my dear friend Kelly and her Mother-In-Law, April have been working on this project for over a year and they are ready to share their finds with you at the opening of Rose Hip Barn this Sat & Sun (May 14-15th) from 10am - 5pm.


Kelly is an artist & designer, mom of 3 and wife to an amazing musician...April is an artist, tv personality, author and her biggest roles as wife, mom & grandmom...April has created amazing pieces of furniture throughout her life (I used to sell some of her pieces at Oh, Baby!). With their combined talents Rose Hip Barn is sure to be an incredible experience.

If you are not familiar with tag-sales...Rose Hip Barn is a traditional tag-sale so that means everything in the barn will go to make room for their next sale. Visit http://www.rosehipbarn.com/ and read more at http://www.rosehipbarn.blogspot.com/

Rose Hip Barn is located at 371 Glen Mills Road in downtown Thornton PA 19373.


I will be heading over in the early afternoon...let me know if you would like to join me...I will be driving the truck ;)

Gift Giving Done Right

I mean, I think I am close to done, ready to give and share in the holiday spirit...but there are always a few last minute panic attacks right before 12/25.  So, I am going over my list, once, twice, thrice...quadruple checking to make sure I have everyone covered.  I am sure that there are many of you out there that spend endless hours thinking and planning each person's gift...the perfect gift for each person on your Holiday List.  I am one of those crazy, spend all-nighters doing just this.  There have been years that I felt I fell so short on creating that exact perfect package, but I think this year I may have done it.  Of course, I start off with an idea/vision for each gift and then I focus on budget.  If the original thought is crazy outrageous in cost I then have fun in the challenge in making it fit my budget.  As to not ruin any surprises and give away the gifts that I am giving...I will be sharing that with you after the holidays...(that way you will have a head start in planning next year's list).  For right now, there are a few items/designers/vendors that are making this holiday season gift giving special, unique and a wee bit easier...I have to give them a well-deserving bow:
Timeless Designs and Monograms http://www.tdmembroidery.com/ for all your personalized & monogramming needs, literally almost everything & anything you can think of- TDM will be able to personalize for you.  Seriously, from baby to Pop-Pop, TDM will have an option for you.
The Ellie Rose http://www.theellierose.com/ for celebrating the mommy-to-be, new mommy, girlfriend or little miss with beautiful fabrics that are offered in many unique items to accessorize the diaper bag or pull bag your hair while you are on the go...or pull back the hair of your little knee-high miss so she can see where she's running to ;)
Kelly Miller Photography and Design http://www.kellymillerphotos.com/ for your special moments to be captured and treasured.  Just visit her site and you will see what I mean. 
Grace + Co Design http://www.graceandcodesign.com/ is the perfect pairing to Kelly Miller Photography and Design, Kristin creates stunning, beautiful design complimenting your photos and turning them into cards, stationary, invitations, collages...talent, pure talent!
CML Designs http://www.cml-designs.net/ stocking stuffer central!  CML Designs is now featured in Etsy's The Stocking Stuffing Treasury with their tin pencil case holders- adorable.  Be sure to check out all of the CML Design Services as well!
Eclat Chocolate http://www.eclatchocolate.com/ is pure decadence.  There are quite a lucky few that will be receiving these delicious pieces of creamy, rich goodness.  Eclat Chocolate has been featured in Vogue and has received an abundance of accolades. 
A Taste of Olive http://www.atasteofolive.com/ is the place to visit for the foodie, chef or for anyone who enjoys olive oil, balsamic vinegar, rare salts and so much more that tickles your palette.

For those of you who are a last minute shoppers...if you hurry, you might be able to catch a few amazing offers and last minute gift items from the above and might make your holidays a little bit brighter.

Stay tuned for all the goodies I gifted and how I made it work into a budget that is very do-able.

Reflection on Election Day

Regardless on what party you support or vote for...the most important part of today is that you voted.  I wasn't sure how I was going to make it happen today- do I bring both boys with me or figure out a way to go solo?  After the day got away from me I realized that I had only one option- yep, both boys were headed to the polls with mama.  On our way, I was attempting to explain to G (almost 6yo) and L (almost 16mos) about why it is SO important to vote...will G really understand party lines, platforms, campaign strategies?  I think not so much but I did want to make sure that he understands from his very young age that his voice, his vote matters...so in we go and wait our turn in line.  I waited and thought to myself, wow how amazing is that I, a woman, a minority, a mom has the power to help shape the political landscape of tomorrow.  I need to soak in this memory and never take it for granted; never-ever, ever. 

As we made our way to the voting booth, I was filling in the little circles with one hand as L was on my hip, trying to prevent L from stealing the pen and making his own mark on my ballot- I gently placed him down at my feet and begged G to help watch L for just a few short seconds...as soon as my plees left my chapped lips (totally need to start drinking more water again) I saw L rocking a booth and caught it before it tipped...oy...and as soon as I rounded him up I then was interrupted by a drum beat coming from, G...he turned an empty booth into his drum set and gave a totally new twist to "Rock the Vote"...even with chaos surrounding me, I managed to fill in my circles and scan my ballot, collect my boys and head on home. 

Walking out, I gave G my stub and said..."what mommy just did in there was so very important"...of course G forgot the speech I gave him before we entered but he very innocently responded "what did you do?"  I said, "I voted- every vote counts...don't ever forget that".  When we got home and saw that DH was hard at work (we are in the midst of a first floor reno) we chirped about our day and asked G to share with DH what the very important task we just finished...G very proudly said "we voted...it is very important because every vote counts"...what a wonderful reflection on this Election Day.

How did you start your day?

I had to share...I woke up this morning ready to start the day thru the humid October drizzle- yeah, crazy weather, right? We had our normal chaotic morning getting out of the house to get ready for school.  G was in a total mood this morning but that is G.  L hung back and enjoyed his routine.  Finally we were on our way to drop off G at school- Wed are always something to look forward to because it is Chapel for the Lower School...Chapel is quite the extraordinary experience...parents are invited to attend and trust me once you do you don't want to miss one!  You watch the students proceed into Bell Hall while music is played (usually a hint as to what the message for Chapel might be), very quiet (you catch a chuckle or a secret whispered but for the most part the students are on their best behavior) and they file into their assigned seats.  We were greeted by Mrs. M, Head of Lower School...we all love Mrs. M.  Next, a young student got up on stage and shared with the student body her experience at the Flyers Game where she was in the spotlight for her work with Alex's Lemonade Stand...and then a student delivered today's chapel (which is a norm) and it is quite remarkable how much confidence she exhibited to stand infront of her peers and speak for close to 10 minutes on her own.  Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to hear it as L was on the move - so I was chasing him outside. 

But then, I heard Mr. B get up in front of the students, I swiped up L and dashed inside- you don't want to miss Mr. B- he is one of the most talented teachers, a true gift to G's school.  He is the Lower School Music Teacher and brings a level of energy that is electrifying.  He closes each Chapel with a song...always a treat!  Today it was one of my favorite songs right now..."Just the Way You Are" by Bruno Mars...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjhCEhWiKXk&ob=av2e No worries, Mr. B only included the verses appropriate for little ears ;)  I was dancing around with L in my arms and I looked up feeling like I was about to get "caught" for dancing like no one was watching...but everyone else was groovin around me...so I continuted twirling L around and feeling pretty lucky that G gets to experience this...What a way to start the day...
ps- In case you are interested in seeing what G's school is all about, check out http://www.montgomeryschool.org/ for the Open House Schedule (the next is Sun Nov 7th from 1-3)