good stuff - august version

Things I really love right now:

*Burt's Bees Tomato Garden Complexion Soap. Until about a week ago, I was using a cleanser that I got from the dermatologist, but started feeling guilty about all the chemicals I was putting on my skin at a time I'm trying to be as healthy as possible, so I heard about this and thought I would give it a try. So far so good.

**Lemonade. I make it myself and drink it every day now. I cannot tolerate the really sweet version, but a nice, tart, non-pink lemonade is like a dream. Guess Kumar enjoys the sour stuff because I am drinking it like it's going out of style.

**Coca-cola cake! Trust me when I say that this is the best thing you will ever put in your mouth! I bought the ingredients weeks ago and finally broke down and made it Friday night. After taking a few bites, I told Chris that if he woke up in the night and I wasn't in bed, to please come in the kitchen and remove my face from the cake pan. Because it's that good!

**Chipotle Mexican Grill. I had a burrito here when we were in Santa Barbara and fell instantly in love. I have since found out that there are 2 or 3 within driving distance of the house. Something tells me I will be eating another one before the sun sets today.

*Tone Tahitian Vanilla and Orchid Shower gel. It may sound really flowery, but it smells more fruity and refreshing.

**The Olympics! This opening ceremony was the most incredible thing I have ever seen. Click on the link for some great pictures, but to get the full effect, you really had to see it live. This is the first time I really sat and watched every minute of any Olympics opening ceremony but I couldn't help myself!

**Gap Maternity. They have been having some great sales so on top of their already reasonable prices, I have been able to find some good things for a song. I have been trying to save money because besides having a baby on the way (and I hear those little buggers ain't cheap) I haven't really worked since the spring and so far have nothing definite lined up, so after 1 more check from my Miami agency, there won't be any income coming from my end until I book some maternity jobs. Luckily my belly is starting to cooperate and I should be able to look pregnant enough soon. Then I can really do some shopping!

** Curel Life's Stages nurturing comfort cream. Since I found out I am allergic to cocoa butter and since almost every cream that is meant to prevent stretch marks has cocoa butter, I have been desperately searching for something non-cocoa but still good and I finally found it. Also, the scent is very light and it feels really nice on the belly. Now, does it really prevent stretch marks? Only time will tell but godihopesopleaseworkthankyou.

**Panang Curry and Thom Kha Gai soup. Both are just spicy enough and oh-so-yummy-licious.

**Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Almonds with turbinado and sea salt. If you have a Trader Joe's anywhere near you, run out right now and get these. Perfect combination of the salty and the sweet. I stocked up on these when I was in CA and have been rationing them ever since. I may have to hide the last box from Chris for awhile to ensure we don't run out before one of us gets to NY and can stock up again.
(Yes, I am a freak about rationing food, I am aware of the problem and am working on it. Don't ask about my reaction when Chris ate the last 3 Girl Scout cookies. It wasn't pretty.

genius-bugga-quinny-list

I went to the Bigger and Better Genius Jones store in the design district yesterday. The front of the store is full of cute little knickknacks and things for baby, nothing I cannot resist at this point, but then I went into the next room and my head exploded.

15 different type of $900 strollers, 27 types of $500 car seats, and $200 crib sheet sets.(For the record, I think that buying a $200. sheet that is guaranteed to be puked and pooped and peed on (and he's not even in college yet. Ba dum dum) including a comforter and bumper set that most sources say you should not use until the baby is 4months old or something, just seems a bit frivolous to me.)

The strollers, however, got to me and I left with paperwork in hand for the least offensively priced one that really really love. It looks like this:

Besides the awesome color, there are some practical reasons to love this stroller. It is easy to fold down and has hydraulics that make it one-touch to put it back up. There is a groovy car seat that attaches to the base so the first few months, it will be easy to transfer from the car to the stroller. And it looks really cute.

I know I went on and on about $1000. Bugaboos and the like in a past post, and neither Chris nor I are made of money, so I decided to take the brochure and go home and look at craigslist. Those of you not familiar with craigslist need to click the link and find out about it. It's God's greatest invention since the Internet itself. Over the years, we have bought and sold numerous pieces of furniture (and an ill-advised car that was both bought and sold on said list) on here and I have heard how people are practically giving away baby things on there, it's just a matter of timing and luck to find what you want and respond before someone else gets it.
Anyway, I looked on craiglist and found the stroller and carseat both offered for ....Are you ready????..... $150.!! I responded immediately and was called within the hour and, long story (kinda) short, we are going to look at it Monday night and hopefully it will be our very first purchase for Kumar! The only sad thing is it's the black color, not the blue, but really that is more practical I guess and for $150. there really is nothing to complain about.