Harvard Housewife

Featured Housewife of the Week [HOW] - Coryanne

2010-03-01T01:01:00.007-05:00

Meet Coryanne! of Housewife Bliss "helping you make your house a home." She's Based in London for the last 11 years, but soon returning to Arizona. She's admirable as a mom with a strong sense of self, style, and, a woman of substance (read on for her great tips and overall sound advice). Her overall thread of "a journey to bliss" resonates strongly with me, as I'm sure it does with lots of women.

Quick Bio
I am the mother of 3 children under 6, the wife of Sexy Lexy, and the friend to many great women who fill my kitchen with gossip, glam and giggles over cups of tea and the sneaky glass of wine. But above all, I am the woman who loves to plan and tick the boxes off my list. One thing of interest that is not on my blog is that I hold a M Phil from Kings College --a crazy thing I achieved while looking after a new born and expecting my 2nd child-- a rather white knuckle ride but one I am glad I undertook.

Best Housewife Tip(s):

Fashion Grail: Handbags, lots of them. I have around 30 handbags that I change depending on my mood. My favourite designers are Gucci (ala Tom Ford), Prada, Coach (but now very over-rated), Longchamp (every mom's must have), Hobo (just plain fun), Herve Chapelier (a girls best friend if you live in a city), Orla Kieley (another great city bag), and the list can go on and on, but these are the bags I have the most of.
Lipgloss Grail: Even if you're fluttering around the house, put some lipgloss on; it will make you feel so much better. I love Laura Mercier and Kiehls. But even Vaseline works wonders.
Cleaning Grail: Love your house and it will love you back. If you have a clean house everything else seems possible, and it lifts your spirits. (SO TRUE!)
Free your mind: I write everything down in a house journal...the less I have to remember the more relaxed I feel. So I keep everything written down in a 'house journal' including shopping lists, to do lists, phone numbers, subscription renewals...you name it, it gets written down.
Love your family: Some days it is hard to do, with all the sibling fighting, tantrums and unrolled rolls of toilet tissue flung around the house, but always tell your family that you love them, you many not have the chance tomorrow.
Feed your soul: Eat well, live well. When possible I buy seasonal fruit/vegetables, free range organic meat and ensure that we do not waste food. Not only does the food taste better, but it makes you feel better.

My New Job Is Making Me Skinny Mini

2010-02-22T04:09:00.004-05:00

My new job is making me skinny.

*Disclaimer: This is not an endorsement for the Harvard Housewife Lifestyle Diet AT ALL. In fact, I wish I could be that fabulous fit girl who does yoga, drinks my gazillion gallons of water, and eats three square meals a day. There's always next year('s resolutions...)

1. First, because I'm a contractor and not a full time employee, I have to park miles away from the office.

2. I like to look cute so I wear sky high heels. I refuse to be one of those ladies that switches from heels to sneakers and back. That is against true fashionista rules. My toes are paying the price.

3. Because I park miles away and am wearing sky high heels, I need extra time to walk to work, so I leave home without eating breakfast (always running late).

4. I don't snack. I'm too busy. No breakfast. A quick lunch. Then some kind of easy dinner. Food has lost its alluring abilities because there's other stuff to take up my time. Food used to be my hobby, my love, my consoler, my friend, my enemy. Now it's just fuel, so I don't pass out.

5. I'm all about QUICK FOOD. I eat sushi. Because you can eat it fast without choking. And make shakes because you can carry those with you and suck them down. And Taco Bell's drive-through diet is good. Except for getting lettuce and salsa all over myself (hard to eat in the car). Anyway quick food means smaller portions and mini foods.

*On the weekends and when I go out, I do enjoy a nice meal (ahem - stuff my face), but I don't obsess about it anymore. It's a treat and I can stop when I'm full. Just to give you some perspective on the old me: I ate more than my much bigger husband (several inches taller, many pounds heavier); I could easily engulf a whole pizza, followed by a whole cake; I had gained 10 pounds in 2 weeks and another 10 pounds in 2 months. I can still do all of these things, but I am too busy living my life.

Was the old me eating my woes? Perhaps. This new job is giving me life, energy, motivation. And a cuter waistline. Amen!

Rewarding Bad Behavior

2010-02-18T03:35:00.004-05:00

It's late and I want to rant, so here goes!

What's up with the new trend of glorifying bad behavior? With shows like "Kell On Earth," "Jersey Shore," and "Bad Girls Club," being bad has never been so good (for your career, for your "status," for your wallet). These are top-rated shows on television proving to us that all it takes to be famous (for people to pay money to watch you) is to act idiotically.

Watching raucous behavior makes for fabulous entertainment. But let's not forget just how it feels. I am so guilty of taking pleasure in these shows, but I've reached my limit. Enough is enough.

Being on the receiving end of an abominable attitude is SO NOT FUN. And it's definitely not funny. It takes just one second for me to realize that life is too valuable to be about putting people down, yelling, throwing objects or being rude. Instead of watching yet another housewives drama-fest I could be taking a walk in the beautiful sunlight, helping a friend, or spending time with family. What's really going to enrich my life? And what really matters? So why I can't stop watching these shows even though these women drive me crazy???

I think this all goes back to me being a goody-two-shoes and annoying people. I can't wrap my brain around why it's soooooo cool to be awful. And why people can't seem to love the nice girl. And why mean people seem to plow ahead climbing higher and higher... So I torture myself, watching over and over again and analyzing. Thinking that if I figure out the allure of trashy reality tv, I can somehow fix an unfair universe. That's all.

My First Meme

2010-02-15T15:57:00.001-05:00

I read Kari's blog and "borrowed" this MEME. It's my first one! and I didn't even know what a meme was until right now.

I know you're just dying to know more bout me. So here goes...

1. How old will you be in five years? 32
2. Who did you spend at least two hours with today? Hubby. We are both sick. Lying around in bed.
3. How tall are you? 5′ 0″ (on a good day)
4. What do you look forward to most in the next six weeks? Going glamping for my first anniversary. We will be staying in a YURT. Don't know what a "yurt" is? Stay tuned for more details.
5. What’s the last movie you saw? Valentine's Day. This inspired me to watch Love Actually, which is, by all means, a far superior film.
6. Who was the last person you called? Myself. Lost my phone again, so I called my cell from the home phone. This happens multiple times daily. doh!
7. Who was the last person to call you? My Dad (same as Kari)
8. What was the last text message you received? Some strange person wishing me Happy V Day. No idea who "Em" is. Really should clean out my phone book.
9. Who was the last person to leave you a voicemail? My dad. Haven't listened to it yet.
10. Do you prefer to call or text? Depends on my mood.
11. What were you doing at 12am last night? Scolding myself for trying to eat whole pan of brownies.
12. Are your parents married/separated/divorced? It's Complicated.
13. When is the last time you saw your mom? Thanksgiving.
14. What color are your eyes? Brown. Some say they are my best feature.
15. What time did you wake up today? 10 am. I took a sleeping pill because I cannot make it through the night without waking up.
16. What are you wearing right now? My special pink v-day lingerie hidden by oversize football shirt.
17. What is your favorite Christmas song? All I Want For Christmas is YOU!
18. Where is your favorite place to be? On ze beach.
19. Where is your least favorite place to be? "in" trouble
20. Where would you go if you could go anywhere? Seychelles
21. Where do you think you’ll be in 10 years? Running a media empire, living by the beach, with my stay at home husband who'll love taking care of kiddies and practicing his art.
22. Do you tan or burn? I just get darker and darker.
23. What did you fear was going to get you at night as a child? Everything. A car flying through the window. A ferret attacking my nose. A slimy monster under the bed. I still am the poster child for "worst possible scenario" handbook.
24. What was the last thing that really made you laugh? A text from TEXTSfromLASTnight (warning: scandalous, often vulgar, sometimes hilarious texts people send when drunk)
25. How many TVs do you have in your house? Two. Not allowed to watch TV in the bedroom. Only movies on special occasions.
26. How big is your bed? King size.
27. Do you have a laptop or desktop computer? Laptop
28. What color are your sheets? Divine lilac. Incredible threadcount.
29. How many pillows do you sleep with? Four
30. What is your favorite season? Spring
31. What do you like about Autumn? Leaves changing. I am so cliche.
32. What do you like about winter? I don't believe in winter.

My Top 5 "Housewife" Moments

2010-02-11T10:25:00.001-05:00

With the new job sapping most of my time and brain power, I'm taking a moment to reflect on those first few weeks as a housewife and those tell-tale, hilarious signs that I was falling into the housewifery groove.

My Top 5 Housewife Moments (Or how you know you are indelibly becoming a housewife)

YOU:
1. Can't sleep because your forgot to thaw chicken (or pack hubby's lunch or find a recipe to use that last bit of sour cream)
2. Start accumulating storage bins of seasonal items (I now have pumpkins, wreaths, 4th of July platters, and wait till Easter comes!)
3. Go crazy for sales on napkin rings (I went to Bed Bath and Beyond at least 6 times in my first couple of weeks. Pier One sales made me salivate. I now own sets of napkins for any occasion)
4. Sort through coupons on a roadtrip. (and I enjoyed it!)
5. Kill a fly from fumes of cleaning (I also lost a few brain cells and learned many valuable lessons about ammonia after breaking out in hives).

Favorite Superbowl Commercial

2010-02-07T20:10:00.003-05:00

I know you can relate. My favorite line is: "I will carry your lip balm." What's your favorite line from this ad?

You Can NEVER GET ENOUGH COMPLIMENTS

2010-02-02T22:46:00.000-05:00

Remember what comedian Chris Rock said? Something like:

Listen up Men!

Women need just three things [to survive].

Food. Water. and COMPLIMENTS...

(and the occasional pair of shoes).

Laugh. But it is so true.

I recently discovered that my love language is "words of affirmation". That means I love nothing more than a simple unadulterated compliment.

Hubby makes an effort to dazzle me with sweet nothings; however, I can be a bit of a picky compliment receiver.

Hubby: Girl, your butt has got to be jelly, cause jam don't shake like that.
Me: Annnnnnnhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh (buzzer noise)
Hubby: I'd drink your bathwater.
Me: Ew...No. Try harder.

When he gets it right, though, it's beautiful. Like today. In the car. On my way home. From a long, tiring day. My phone buzzes. I glance down to look at it and lighting up my screen are these three perfect, fantastic, amazing words: I LOVE YOU.

Featured Housewife of the Week [HOW] - Jessie from Tennessee

2010-01-31T21:44:00.004-05:00

A big welcome to Jessie, 27, going through a lot of new changes including recently becoming a housewife. After working for the past few years, she's now at stay-at-home-mom. Let's show her some love and support her with blog visits! She's the same age as me, but I'm totally inspired by her maturity and candor.

I'm a 27-year-old brand-new housewife in a new city (Chattanooga, TN). I have one daughter, Libbie, who is 15 months and have been married for 5 years.

In Her Words: Being a stay-at-home mom in a new city is definitely a wild ride. I'm adjusting and learning as I go along. It's lonely and strange and fun all at the same time.

I'm "trying to be the housewife I'm not." --Used to be I was LITERALLY not a housewife. But I'm keeping my tagline, because I am still really bad at being a housewife but I'm trying!

I am open to anyone with good advice--or who just wants to commiserate over e-mail or Twitter!

Best Domestic Tip - Schedule cleaning for one room a day. For instance, you will clean bathrooms on Monday, dining room on Tuesday, kitchen on Wednesday, etc. It helps me to know I only have to do one little piece at a time and keeps me from getting overwhelmed. If only I can stick to the schedule...

Blog: www.vanderbiltwife.com

Harvard Housewife has a...BIG ANNOUNCEMENT

2010-01-28T02:49:00.007-05:00

(disclaimer: No, it's not a baby)

I cannot believe I am here at this precipice.

I am that girl, caught in exactly that moment. Where my biological clock wants a baby, my career is on the verge of blast off, where the exact right move could decide my fate. I AM THAT WOMAN who has to choose between a job success and a family, excelling in the workplace or thriving at home. Or so I am told.

Being fired forced that decision upon my life;
what I do next is pure me.

Here's the big announcement: The Harvard Housewife got a job. And let me tell you: it's kind of a dream. And the crazy thing about it --is that-- the crazy job I had before...totally prepared me for this moment. Never stop believing God has a plan for you. It is UNCANNY. I've gone from one boss whose schadenfreude appalled me! to the sweet glow of opportunity. I know some of you saw this coming.

I wish I could write more, but I've signed so many confidentialty agreements over the years that I do not think I even own the rights to my own life. Hence my uber-secrecy. I know you love it.

Here's to blogging about that transition: between being a career woman and a house woman. Because I am both. And my heart will always be at home. Even though my brain is on overdrive at work. I adore being a HOUSEWIFE and refuse to relinquish the title.

xoxo

The Harvard Housewife.

Featured Housewife of the Week [HOW] - Mrs. Smith

2010-01-24T23:44:00.002-05:00

This is one RAD lady. Kate Smith. 24. Of St. Paul, Minnesota.
Her vibe is fresh and totally sweet.

I was wooed by her pretty blog with its clean lines, fabulous fashion, purty purty pictures and, of course, the personality behind it all. Check out her blog: THE RAD HOUSEWIFE.

In her words: I like to tell people I'm "not your average ball & chain" ... I suppose that's because I'm in limbo between actually wanting to be a housewife, while also feeling called to be a working girl in journalism. or fashion. or photography. or ...

Best domestic tip: For awhile, it felt like I was wasting whole days trying to pick up groceries to prepare dinner every night. So I've started planning out and shopping for meals a week in advance; it saves money, usually cuts calories, and affords the savvy housewife extra time to read Vanity Fair or take a bubble bath ... or work. Usually, work.

Must have style-item: At the house, I must have on my colorful apron from Anthropologie and MAC's "Girl About Town" lipstick (even if I'm working at my desk!). Not sure why -- but they always make me feel motivated. And pretty.

Cheers to that!

TOP 5 THINGS they should teach you if there was a Housewife Cooking School.

2010-01-22T17:58:00.037-05:00

Today I bought my first ever WHOLE pineapple. I usually go for pre-sliced, because frankly that prickly fruit scares me. How the heck do you cut it open?

This got me to thinking about the TOP 5 THINGS they should teach you if there was a housewife cooking school.

1. WEIRD FRUIT PHYSICS
How to pick, peel, cut, and eat strange looking fruit: pineapple, coconut, pomegranate, papaya, star anise, etc.

2. RANDOM COOKING VOCABULARY
The exact meaning of words like zest, caramelize, fold-in gently, poach, julienne. I see these words in recipes frequently and I'm like, "Uhhhhh, that sounds hard. Next!"

3. MEAT PHOBIA PSYCHOLOGY
How not to fear the redness and blood of fresh meat. How to debone, de-gut or butterfly chicken without freaking out. Also, overcoming your fear of making a dry turkey for the biggest holidays of the year.

4. DESSERT MECHANICS
This is a technical class on buying store bought desserts and altering them so they seem "homemade".

5. ORDERING-IN ETIQUETTE
No explanation necessary. This is the "easy" elective everyone signs up for along with Training Your Husband to Cook.

"That Girl" Brings Out the Jellyfish In Me

2010-01-19T12:45:00.020-05:00

That girl rubs you the wrong way. And, you, for some reason, get on her last nerve. The two of you have never exchanged blows or pulled hair or tricks on one another, but there's always an undercurrent of tension when you meet, and then, usually, an underhanded sting or two. On the surface, you're kindred spirits, but you both know that underneath your faux smiles is an absolute searing repugnance for each other.

In my case, that girl is Susie (name changed to protect her identity). For absolutely no clearly identifiable reason, we clash. Maybe we started on the wrong foot? Or maybe one is jealous of the other? She started it! (our pseudo feud) I want to yell out, whenever we meet.

Seeing Susie the other day, it is all I can do to resist saying a jellyfish comment or two, stirring in my head. She is beaming about her engagement.

Jellyfish comment 1: "Oh, he didn't get you a diamond?" (sting)

Jellyfish comment 2: "I thought he was gay." (sting) And he was, last year. But that's another story.

Instead, I give her a tight lipped congratulations: "I'm happy for you." She finally found a man who could put up with her. (sting)

I don't know why she brings out that mean girl side of me. But my hope is to heal that part of me and keep sharing my beautiful heart.

Becoming a housewife (getting married and feeling all mature), I thought I'd be done with all that high school into college "girl drama," but clearly, it continues for the rest of our lives. There are cool moms, cliques of crafty domestic chicks, and even the blogging superstar wives. Some of us are part of the "in" crowd and others pushed to the outskirts. Why do we trap ourselves in that mentality?

Randomness Galore

2010-01-14T02:57:00.003-05:00

Today I am feeling random.

I am drinking this...

I was supposed to save the extra Welch's sparkling white grape juice for next Christmas/New Year's. Being the good hostess, I was planning AHEAD for house guests and kids who don't drink champagne. But the bottle, somehow, mysteriously found its way into my arms. And who knows if I would actually remember that I stashed this waaay back in the miscellany closet.

...And I am wearing these:

Yeah, these shoes make me feel amazing. Haute and hot all at once. Don't let anybody tell you that you can't strut around your house in high heeled booties for nooo reason at all, at 3 am in the morning.

And I am imagining myself with a body like this... (the girl, NOT the guy).

I own this dress but it sure doesn't look that good on me. Remember the pooch police?

...And I am thinking that someday I will stop surfing the net at random hours and get some actual sleep.

Jan 2010 Poll Results - Which Desperate Housewife Are You?

2010-01-13T07:01:00.006-05:00

Of the 27 women who voted in my "Which Desperate Housewife Are You?" Poll, most women identify with Gabrielle - the self-proclaimed DIVA (with a sweet side). Gaby keeps us laughing with her witty quips, but beyond her brusque exterior is a really sweet gal. That's why I dig her.

I thought most women would choose Lynette, because her struggles and marriage seem closest to what I envision when I think of the typical stressed-out housewife. Just goes to show you... We all want to be seen as pretty fabulous! (Hence picking bombshell Gaby over worn-down Lynette).

What you do make of the poll results?

*Also, a NEW POLL (in the left sidebar) is up. So be sure to vote!

Featured Housewife of the Week [HOW] - Mikaela

2010-01-11T15:53:00.004-05:00

I'm excited to feature Mikaela this week. She's our first international HOW coming to us from Australia! She's a fun 25 year-old newlywed with a love for photos.diy.food.house.life.

Even though she doesn't feel "qualified to impart knowledge," she has a certain joie de vivre that we can all learn from...

Domestic tip: What has helped me the most with getting my house in order recently is definitely getting rid of "clutter" and not having so much stuff. Less knick-knacks, less unnecessary furniture/side-tables etc, less decoration on surface areas. When a self-confessed messy person goes for minimalistic, you end up with tidy-and-comfortably-lived-in.

Must have style item: Water-based white enamel paint, for giving anything in your home a new and prettier life.

Favorite or favourite recipe: It's summer in Australia, and my most favourite recipe ever is one I made up for pasta salad.

Go check out her website pronto!

An Old Dog Can Learn New Tricks

2010-01-07T15:40:00.052-05:00

When I get upset, I either:

POUT.
Turn into a Godzilla-like creature.
Go dead silent.

Hubby is like a straight line, even keeled and easy going.
Over time, I'm an emotional roller-coaster.

During my emotional spikes, hubby stays far, far away observing me from a distance and hoping that, overnight, I will turn back into my usual bubbly self, which typically happens within a period of 12 to 48 hours. What he never understood (*until now) is that it's partly his detachment that sends me further and further into the deep end.

THE INCIDENT
A few nights ago, I got mad while we were driving home. He wouldn't let me eat a slice of pizza while driving and it just upset me. Yes, really.

THE CONVERSATION
When we got home, instead of his usual disappearing act, he grabbed me, looked into my eyes and told me how much he loved me. "Why are you upset," he asked, then really listened. I explained that I felt he didn't trust me and that he was hypocritical because he drove all the time while eating. He apologized and explained that he just didn't feel comfortable or safe to have me eating while driving on a dark, windy road. We hugged for a long time and I instantly felt better.

THE REACTION
I was shocked! That kind of conciliatory behavior is so unlike him and the first time he's ever shown that kind of conflict resolution/communication in all the years we've been together. (I start all the fights but I also resolve them all. Sorry honey. I was acting like a crazy person. You know how I get). About once a year, I pick a fight with him over why he doesn't fight with me. Nutty - right?

You know your relationship rocks when your most pressing disagreement is over a slice of pizza. I can laugh now, but boy was I mad when it happened. I wanted to grab that Papa Johns box off his lap and stuff my face.

THE LESSON
I'm proud of hubby, who hates conflict, for confronting me, sharing his feelings, and resolving the issue before we went to bed. Yes, an old dog can learn new tricks.

Keep Him Interested [4] : Cook For Him

2010-01-06T14:49:00.012-05:00

I just bought yet another cookbook. Like many women, cookbooks, in my household, are pretty accessories to look at then file away in my stack of pretty cookbooks. Rarely used.

Until Now. I've asked my hubby to choose a recipe from a cookbook (each week) he wants me to make. Then I make it, no questions asked.

Benefits:

He feels like "he's in charge".

I adjust the recipe to my preference, pick the ingredients, and the day I want to cook it. Who's really in charge? (Plus I have the power of veto. Very important for the day he picks something too complicated, unhealthy, or gross for me to make. I'm also thinking about having "blackout days". Recipe selection not valid during holiday weeks, birthday weeks, I-want-to-eat-out-every-day-this-week weeks and, of course, I-am-PMSing weeks.)

He's really happy that I care enough to cook a favorite meal for him. Seeing him happy makes me happy in turn.
I learn new recipes and improve my skillz.

Plus you know what they say...the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. Thoughts?

The Little Engine That Could

2010-01-05T00:43:00.002-05:00

You've probably noticed that I go on an awful lot of interviews for a housewife. It's intoxicating. It revs me up. My husband teases me whenever I get suited up for getting "my fix." That fix is feeling important. Relevant. In Charge.

I go on interviews because it makes me feel desired. Someone powerful wants me.

The hard truth, though, is that: Everyone wants to date me, but no one wants to commit (in the work world, at least, for now).

Sure I'm all purty on the outside (impressive resume, right outfit, confidence galore), however beneath the shiny exterior there's a bit of a lemon (cue my last job experience and daily mishaps, e.g. cupcake icing in my hair).

Anyway, underneath all that surface stuff is my essence - a good ole reliable engine. No matter what, I just keep going and going and going...

Nowadays, it's my online life that sustains me. Could you all please stop monopolizing all my time? I could not survive these sometimes lonely, often boring days at home without the support of the amazing and talented online friends I've made.

You all have given my life purpose in ways you could not even imagine. I'm grateful.

Thank you for coming with me on my journey. Here's to stopping all the whining about getting fired, and starting to live my best, strongest life.

Hooray for 2010!

A Beautiful Heart

2010-01-01T17:59:00.000-05:00

Best Compliment I Ever Got: You have a beautiful heart.

It blew me away. And made me think about a quote from the movie A Beautiful Mind.

"Perhaps it is good to have a beautiful mind,

but an even greater gift is to discover a beautiful heart."

So this year, 2010, my mission is to share "my beautiful heart with the world." That means:

Volunteering (I truly enjoy community service)

my big issues and loves are education and animals

Being more thoughtful with my family (I cherish my family so much)

e.g. visit more often, don't rush them off the phone when they call during Real Housewives or any other of my 68 favorite reality tv shows, send more random gifts and letters, etc

Cutting down on making witty/sharp remarks about other people aka judging (Be my super nice self as often as possible)

Old me: Did a squirrel and glue have a fight in her hair?
New me: Wow, that halo around her head is int-er-est-ing. Very unique.

Simply focusing on being a ray of positive light (I have an awesome, infectious smile)

The opposite of a Debbie Downer

That's all I have. I know I can transform my life with this simple tenet:
SHARE MY BEAUTIFUL HEART.

What makes your heart beautiful? Instead of focusing on resolutions (what you can improve about yourself), I want to know what makes you an incredible, fabulous person. Don't be shy!

My Wife Made Me Write This

2009-12-30T17:24:00.012-05:00

Hello Blogworld,

Hi my name is Q and I am a domestic blogger's husband.

Due to my wife's increasing panic over the holiday meal which led to a 24-hour marathon of FoodNetwork and an effort to master French cooking in a week (I blame Julie and Julia) and now the ensuing exhaustion, I have been designated as her "pinch blogger" (baseball analogy). Do you ladies watch baseball? Basically, it just means that she's making me post for her while she recovers.

A couple nights ago, we had this funny conversation:

HH (Harvard Housewifey): Honey, what is this weird DVD on our shelf?

Me (Hubby): Oh, that's the "Axis: Bold As Love" DVD. It's a guitar guide to play the classic Jimi Hendrix Experience album. It was like, their second studio album and...

HH: La-la-la. Lalala, Bo-rrring. I'm bored.

Me: (stifling a laugh) Welcome to my world. How many times do I listen to you talking on endlessly about fashion?

(I launch into my impersonation of my wife's high pitched babble)

"Baby, I love the Herve Leger bandage dress. It's gorgeous! Do you think I will look fat in it? Peach or eggplant...Maybe in red? What about shoes? Are these shoes too chunky for this dress?"

And I'm thinking to myself, La-la-la. Lalala, Bo-rrring. I'm bored. But I don't SAY that because that would be NOT NICE. Instead I say: "Hmmm Herve who? Baby, you are beautiful and, yes, those heels are too chunky for that dress." Even though I have no idea what I'm talking about.

Memo to self: Google Herve something bandage dress.

Am I done writing this post honey? Can I get off the computer?

Apparently yes.

Peace,

H³aka H cubed (Harvard Housewife Hubby)

Featured Housewife of the Week [HOW] - Malia

2009-12-27T23:54:00.004-05:00

What better way to kick off the blog (after the holiday hiatus) than with a new featured HOW! Please give props to Malia, a busy bee who hosts a fantastic Brag on Him weekly feature on Blissfully Domestic. Be sure to email her your "how fabulous my husband is" postings. She's pretty fabulous herself so read on...

Stats: Malia, 35ish, Nashville
Best Housewife Tip: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle & Repurpose - it is possible to be frugal AND green. Use dishcloths instead of sponges; use old cloth diapers/burp clothes for all kinds of cleaning; use cloth napkins instead of paper napkins or paper towels; use reusable storage containers instead of plastic storage bags. Bring your own bags to the grocery store. Replace lightbulbs (as they go out) with CFLs.

Check out her musings at her live-laugh-love blog where alongside her hubby, and in between recipes, she's witty, insightful and remarkably open.

Strained Thigh Muscle and...Vegas

2009-12-19T22:52:00.006-05:00

Harvard Housewife is going to....VEGAS!

Tomorrow. To be exact. In my absolute joy, I attempted to do a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader type kick into the splits. Which, to be clear, I have no experience doing whatsoever or did I take ballet or jazz or some other type of dance class at any age. The moment just came over me. Now, I'm paying for it.

The move I attempted happens at the :48 second mark in the video below. I have never in my life even done a split. Also, I have never been a cheerleader. So what was I thinking?

I severely pulled my thigh muscle and am hobbling around the house in great agony. But I don't care! because for 2 sweet weeks, hubby and I are going to be on vacation. First up is Vegas and from there, who knows? We'll dash home for Christmas, as it will be our first one together away from extended family, and our first as a married couple. But we are being spontaneous and playing it by ear. So if you see an ebullient screaming woman rappelling down the Grand Canyon with leg in cast, that's moi.

Happy Holidays! I'll post as often as I can, but being on vacation, no promises....

I'm 100% original

2009-12-17T04:53:00.009-05:00

Today, at a holiday party, all the couples (me and hubby included) exchanged gifts with one another. Every single gift included:

homemade baked goods (muffins, banana bread, caramel, cupcakes, even petit fours)
a thoughtful gift such as a cute book or a fun game
pretty wrapping paper, homemade card, and/or festive ribbon

Just when I thought I had this whole housewife thing down, our turn comes. And you know what I have? Two UNWRAPPED cheap-ish generic items: A box of chocolates and a candle from a drugstore. And I'm freaking out cause I feel both upstaged and guilty. My heart is racing as our turn comes and we are last. I explain that "I don't wrap" cause I'm wrapping-challenged, which gets a laugh. Totally true, by the way. My philosophy is "just stick a bow on it" and call it a day.

Then, of course, everyone oohs and ahhs obligingly at our gifts, while I silently make a mental note to LEARN TO BAKE for next year so I too can have some homemade choco-pretzel mix or some other such treat to put in small clear cellophane paper and tie bows on it. And also LEARN TO WRAP and LEARN TO BUY HEARTWARMING GIFTS (preferably miniature and cute).

Then I decide... it is the thought that counts. So maybe I'm not Susie Homemaker (she exists!), but I am 100% original. I can live with that.

Dear Hubby - TOP 5 Gifts for Label Queens

2009-12-16T17:54:00.003-05:00

Dear Hubby,

You will inevitably dash to the mall Dec. 24th in a quest to find me (your perfect wife) the perfect gift. This year I'm making it easy to please me. As you know, I am easily distracted by sparkly things and I'm a self-confessed label queen.

MY TOP FIVE GIFTS FOR LABEL QUEENS

Coach bag and/or wallet: $150-$300. If I want to look cute as I run errands all over town, a great bag is a must!
Kate Spade Idiom bangle set - $75. Love the phrases printed inside: "The grass is always greener" and "tickled pink".
Sephora fragrance gift set - $75. Sampler set of 7 designer fragrances comes with a voucher so when I decide which scent I like best, I can redeem the voucher for a full size perfume.
Ralph Lauren silk pajama set: $58.99 on sale. As much a gift for you as for me. No more ratty old t-shirt.
Betsey Johnson fun and flirty jewelry or watches. Great gifts for your wifey with an edgy side.

Of course, the best gift you gave me this year was your unconditional 24/7 love. You are my Mr. Darcy.

xoxo,

Your Harvard Housewife

Featured Housewife of the Week [HOW] - Just Like June

2009-12-14T19:54:00.018-05:00

JUST LIKE JUNE is a lady after my own heart. I'm a big fan of her vibe:
old-fashioned living for the modern world.

In a world of all the "teetering-on-the-brink" housewives (ahem-me), she's like a rock: Steady and full of sensible advice. And if you're into from scratch and natural based living, she's your gal.

Right now she has a holiday cooking series featured on her blog, so definitely check out her yummy recipes.

Best Housewife Tip: Treat your days the same way you would if you were working outside of the home. Make a weekly plan, take breaks, use a planner and try to get all the mundane stuff (errands, laundry, etc.) done before dinner so you can have family time afterwards.

Bio: I’m a modern woman with old-fashioned tendencies. A soon to be Mum of a little boy (36 weeks pregnant), I’m big on hospitality, common courtesy, and old-fashioned good manners. I have a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and spent 7 years working my way up the corporate ladder (to nowhere). You have to love a Sociology degree. I decided to stay home when the little one was born, but poor health started my new life early and now that I’m feeling better, I couldn’t be happier. So, here I am awaiting our arrival and blogging about cooking, baking, etiquette, and general old-fashioned home-making.