Hip Things

Last Day of School

2009-06-25T05:05:00.004-04:00

I can't believe this it the last day of school for my kids! My oldest is finishing his sophmore year- which means he'll start thinking about and looking at colleges next year- that seems crazy to me. It seems like only yesterday when I brough thim to kindergarten for the first time! My oldest daughter finished 7th grade- moving quickly through those middle school years. My youngest finishes 1st grade today and moves into 2nd grade next year. These years keep picking up the pace..they go by in world-win like speed.

For all of you parents with young children- don't wish those hard, toddler years away. I know they are exhausting...but once those years go by- the pace picks up year after year- until they are going off to college!

Summer fun is here. In the Northeast we've had a consistent rain/drizzle pattern for the month of June. Hopefully the sun starts to shine and beach days will take over.

When my son was 5 and my oldest daughter 3, I began "Pick A Chore" with them to help me get through those summer days, when everyone is home and 'stuff ' is all around the house. I made a deck of cards (hopefully they wil be pulished soon!) and each day my kids would 'Pick A Chore' to do- simple things they could handle- but things that would teach them responsibility and the importance or everyone helping out... We still do this now, although my son's chores have exceeded the little ones I began with. Everyone helps out and everyone has a little job for the day. Teach responsibility early - the rewards are huge later on!

Babies Are Boring

2008-11-10T09:02:00.002-05:00

This is an adorable book written by Jon Ritchie and illustrated by Alex Ritchie- the illustrations are bright and bold- the story is fun and entertaining- a perfect way to find humor in the new days of babyhood. A great little read for newborns and their parents!

Kimkins Diet Plan

2008-09-15T07:37:00.003-04:00

I'm sorry to have written about the great successes of Kimkins on an earlier blog. Because it is a scam- a dangerous diet plan that can cause major problems with your health- research more to find out the details.... Thankfully some bloggers brought this to my attention and I did more research and found out they were correct. I had stopped doing the diet plan long before because I felt terrible....

Back to Blogging

2008-07-22T10:15:00.004-04:00

It's been quite awhile since I've blogged...so I'm back at it and I wil try to add it to my daily activities. I get overwhlemed with the amount of information out there in 'web land' and I find its very time consuming- once you start checking out all the fabulous blogs - one thing leads to another, time has passed and the information you have found floods your brain! At least this is what happens to me. It seems everyone else is far ahead of me when it comes to blogginf- I always feel like up trying to catch up to the newest tool..latest blog..coolest web site..I wish I had someone that could verbally share these tips with me!

So today- on the New England coast we are experiencing yet another day of total overcast- heavy, moist weather with a storm coming any minute. It is NOT a beach day..so the garden is calling. The weeds have taken over and I'm looking to add some more tall, fragrant lilly's to a section of my garden.. The smell is intoxicating..I just love lilly's! If anyone has a recommendation for an orientla or trumpet lilly that is preferably resistant to the horrible red beetle--please pass it along! (Hardiness to Zone 5-6)

Thanks!!

2008-02-25T22:11:00.008-05:00

Check out these Reversible Headbands- they have an elastic to hold the headband in place at the nap of the neck..these were just featured in the All You Magazine. Go to Julie Smith Accessories were you can create your own reversible headband and be ready to add pizazz to your spring outfits!

2008-02-25T22:11:00.004-05:00

High School Musical

My 5 year old daughter is obsessed with High School Musical-so I took her to see the Ice Tour version during school vacation last week. The show was in Boston at the Fleet Center and it was fantastic. I'm not sure who enjoyed it more- me or her! The way they used the ice and the dancing on ice was terrific. They had multiple platforms so different scenes could be going on simultaneously..I was impressed. My daughter has a crush on Troy- she was hoping to see him up close and personal (she wore lipstick and eye shadow, although it was more like eyebrow shadow)..We never got that close to him, but even being in the same building was exciting for her...High School Musical, The Ice Tour is going on now - so if you like this musical- the version on ice is great! http://disney.go.com/disneylive/highschoolmusical/

2008-02-19T08:12:00.004-05:00

My Tuesday Toot is about the opportunity to do an online interview regarding my custom made accessories business: Julie Smith Accessories with Flair: Shop Julie Smith Accessories - a popular blog that covers fashion-style and a whole lot more! Log on to her site to participate in the online giveaway until Feb. 29th.

2008-02-14T08:32:00.005-05:00

Thirteen Things I Love About My Husband

1. He's very good looking

2. He's smart

3. He's funny

4. He's works incredibly hard & provides well for us

5. He's a dedicated & loving father

6. He's a loyal & devouted husband

7. He honest & trustworthy

8. He's romantic & surprising!

9. He spends countless hours building a back yard rink, putting up a batting cage, practicing & teaching all sorts of sports with our kids

10. He's very compassionate

11. He never forgets my birthday or our anniversary

12. He's a great listener

13. My kids & I are number 1 in his life

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

2008-02-12T19:59:00.000-05:00

I just discovered a meme from the Blogamama called Tuesday Toot- so here is the Tooting of my horn:

Last week, after reading the book I mentioned below (Skinny Bitch) I had sort of a life changing moment as far as getting myself on track to lose weight, focusing on me first for a change rather than my children and husband, and basically just taking care of myself. Time and time again I have jumped on the latest diet craze, the next quick fix idea and whatever else is in the news to lose weight and fell good about myself. I can give the best advice to anyone- what to eat, how much..everything..but I never followed this myself. I get frustrated, hungry, bored and quit..all the time.

Until this week. I am so thrilled with how my week has progressed. I've been eating healthier than I ever have before. I'm eating salads and loving them, fruits and enjoying them and all sorts of vegetables. I love how I feel. I feel lighter, not bloated and heavy..I'm thrilled.

I have been walking pretty regularly, but if it's raining or too cold or snowing- I don't walk. So also this week I unhitched the folded up treadmill and started speed walking on the days I don't walk outside- I've also added a bit of running at the end to pump up my heart a little more. So that's my week..that's my toot and I'm happy to share it with you all! Thanks!

Pink Rose Bouquet

2008-02-09T09:09:00.000-05:00

A perfectly hip Valentine's Day Bouquet! It is so simple and sweet...the green hypericum berries and the celosia are a perfect contrast to these gorgeous pink roses. Order yours today from RedEnvelope.

Skinny Bitch

2008-02-06T17:03:00.000-05:00

The title is a little harsh- but the content of this book is unbelievable, a MUST READ!..I never even contemplated the idea of becoming a vegetarian or even a partial vegetarian..I've always enjoyed chicken, eggs, a steak now and again. My absolute favorite protein is seafood- (and I don't plan on giving that up)..but the details in this book regarding the pesticides, antibiotics, chemicals, slaughterhouses, cruelty to anmials, growth hormones and everything else involved in the meat, food and dairy industries is absolutely shocking. If you truely want to cleanout your body of these harsh chemicals...and start adding healthy, nutritious foods- you need to read this book. It certainly opened my eyes..and at the end of the book, the authors explain that it's really not important to be skinny..and no one should be bitchy..but its a catchy title!

The Mom Test

2008-02-04T14:50:00.000-05:00

This was sent to me via email today, it's so cute I had to share it....

I was out walking with my 4 year old son. He picked up something off the ground and started to put it in his mouth. I took the item away from him and I asked him not to do that. "Why?" my son asked."Because it's been on the ground, you don't know where it's been,it's dirty, and probably has germs," I replied.

At this point, my son looked at me with total admiration and asked, "Momma, how do you know all this stuff, you are so smart."I was thinking quickly. "All moms know this stuff. It's on a Mom Test. You have to know it, or they don't let you be a mom."

We walked in silence for 2 or 3 minutes, but he was evidently pondering this new information."OH... I get it!" he beamed, "So if you don't pass the test, you have to be the dad." "Exactly," I replied back with a big smile on my face.

Kimkins- Fast working diet plan

2008-01-31T23:06:00.000-05:00

I have tried so many diets and food plans. I was most successful on Nutrisystem- but that was 15 years ago, before children and my husband was away on a ship being a Merchant Marine for 4 months-I had nothing else to focus on! So it worked. I lost alot of weight and inches and got down to the skinniest I've ever been. Unfortunately, after I reached my goal weight, I became pregnant with our son, Cam. And I was starving! I gained back all of the weight I had lost- rapidly. I think my body was in shock because it had been on such a restrictive diet for so long (about 6 months). Then we proceeded to have 2 more daughters, Brittany & Claudia. I was never able to lose all of the weight I gained during those pregnancies.

Then tragedy struck our family and our beautiful 13 month old, Claudia, passed on suddenly and unexpectantly. I spent a year in intensive therapy learning how to continue living in this life without her here with us. We were then blessed with another beautiful daughter, Annika, almost to the day of the anniversary of Claudia's passing. The stress of being here without Claudia is with me everyday. This contributes to my inconsitant and poor eating habits.

I've always been very active- I just eat so poorly, skipping meals...going for hours and then grabbing the worst food possible. I am great at giving everyone else the best advice- I know what to eat, how much to eat, when to eat...I can help everyone else, accept myself. I'll be on the computer for hours- and then out of exhaustion, hunger and frustration- I'll grab cookies- find chocolate- whatever I shouldn't be eating..eventhough there is a huge fruit bowl infront of me.

While searching the internet I found an interesting new diet plan called: Kimkins. I read a ton of the testimonials, the food lists, the diet plan- everything. It sounded focused, quick (eventhough I know the answer isn't that quick) and doable. So I started. I have started 3 times now. The first was the most successful- I was doing great- I lost 18 lbs in about 2 1/2 weeks. That is amazing for me. I know I have an insulin resistant issue due to all the years of dieting & eating poorly- so when I cut out carbs, it really works. Anyway- I was doing great and then my 4 year old broke her leg. I t was the first day of summer vacation. She was actually going to a morning activity camp and for the first time I was going to have some time to myself- I was thrilled on day one. I was waiting for the hours so I could devote some of it to excercising more- to keep the weightloss going. But she broke her leg on the first day. Not only did I not have anytime- I felt so badly for her- I didn't want to leave her side. We were house bound for most of the summer (and we live near a beach- we spend our whole summer at the beach!) It was brutal. Not to mention, after the 3rd day I was eating anything- I was bored, frustrated and probably a little aggravated that my plan was falling apart.

Since then I have started again 2 other times...always there is an interruption (see my pattern).. So now I'm beginning again. And I want to share this diet plan with anyone that would like a quick start to losing weight. Its a little restrictive- but it works! I'll keep you posted on how I'm doing.

Smashbox Make-up

2008-01-27T16:13:00.000-05:00

Have you tried the Smashbox line of make-up yet..it's amazing...the feel of your skin after applying it is amazingly soft...but there is much more to it..the photofinish primer..and foundation, the brushes, the blush, the liquid eye shadows..I just love this line! A few of us flew out to Seattle from Massachusetts- on my friends fast jet...and ended up having makeovers in Nordstroms...we all fell in love with the Smashbox line..and have been using it regularly ever since! It stays on all day.. the green primer (used to tone down redness) is just to die for! Just love it....

Snow Day

2008-01-14T13:36:00.000-05:00

We have our first snow day today- I love snow days!! An unexpected break from the regular routine- my kids are thrilled..they are redecorating their rooms, hoping the heavy snow is not ruining our outdoor ice rink, and playing in the snow.

My husband spends hours and hours building and maintaining our outdoor rink for our kids- the two older ones play hockey and my youngest is learning...so the rink is ideal for them. But living on the coast, north of Boston makes it even more difficult to maintain the rink. It is constantly too warm or snowing and this causes WAY too many problems for the rink. Today- with this wonderful snow day- we are waiting until the storm passes and then we will remove the snow..hopefully before too much damage happens to the ice. Then my husband will resurface the ice..and our kids will skate again..When our ice is good, our kids do not come in all weekend..if we are home- they are skating-with friends, their hockey teams or cousins. We always have a multitude of kids skating and having fun. Its a lot of work for my husband, but in the end, its all worth it.

Valentines Day Treasures

2008-01-13T12:53:00.001-05:00

We have a lot of new products coming in for Valentines Day- including heart Lalo Earrings and France Luxe barrettes and ponytail holders in reds, pinks and hearts. Shop at Julie Smith Accessories for all of your Valentines treasures... treat your daughter, friend or yourself. Don't wait too long - as soon as these tresures are in, they will not last!

2007-11-24T10:08:00.000-05:00

Birthday Wishes, Inc.
Last night I was one of the vendors at a fantastic Holiday Shopping Night in Beverly, MA. The shopping night was held as a fundraiser for an incredible non-profit organization called Birthday Wishes, Inc. This is the only organization that birthday parties to children in homeless shelters. What an organization! I was thrilled to be part of such a wonderful event, all proceeds from the raffle conducted during the shopping night went directly to Birthday Wishes, Inc. For more information see http://www.birthdaywishes.org/

Holiday Gift Ideas

New Products: We have been busy designing new and exciting accessories for the holiday season..we have created reversible elastic hairbands in various widths & colors- (these will also be featured in the March edition of a popular fashion & beauty magazine)..

Beaded velvet elastic hairbands- These are gorgeous and add the perfect touch to your holiday outfit- or jazz up your everyday look- the beaded ribbon is imported from India- and is combined with beautiful velvet ribbon for a comfortable fit. Due to the limited supply of the beaded ribbon- these are not yet available on our website http://www.shopjuliesmith.com/ but are available at our holiday events (see the News section on our website)- While supplies last- and they are going fast!

Key Holders- We make ours long enough for to wear as a bracelet- or with a snap, either way you won't have to hold on to your keys- we have a wide selection of ribbons; including dogs, elephants, martinis, sailboats, tennis rackets, golf, breast cancer ribbon, flowers, polka dots and more- these will eventually be available on our website- but are availble at our holiday events now. A great stocking stuffer, teacher gifts and babysitters- especially those who have just got their licenses! If you can't make it ot our holiday events- email us sales@ShopJulieSmith.com and we will figure out which is your favorite pattern and mail it out to you!

Destress-

During the holiday season it is especially important to take time for yourself.....I recommend taking a yoga class. If you haven't done yoga before- you will be surprised at how effective it is in releasing stress from the body. Yoga also teaches you how to cope and find balance in everyday challenges. Locally, I recommend Ananda Shanti www.AnandaShanti.com , in Ipswich, MA. Janet Shapiro is the yoga instructor and she has an amazing class. Never are the classes the same..she always manages to deliver a class perfect to the participants needs for that day. For the ultimate treat- make an appointment with Janet for an indivdual energy session- you'll be thrilled! All her information is on her website: www.AnandaShanti.com

Fall Events

2007-09-09T20:42:00.000-04:00

I just attended the Codman Estate Fine Arts and Crafts Fair in Lincoln., MA. It was held yesterday and it was brutally hot! I was still surprised by the amount of people that attended because of the heat- and they were actually buying- which took a considerable amount of effort because it was just so hot. Thankfully I had a tent and some shade. Overall this was a good event and had a lot to offer for activities, entertainment and products. If you'd like more information on this event go to http://www.historicnewengland.com/.

I have several upcoming events. If you'd like to see my schedule, go to http://www.shopjuliesmith.com/ and check out the News page.

I'm receiving rave reviews on my children's belts- for boys and girls. I have spent a lot of time trying to find different and fun ribbons for the kids and I love what I have found. The boys have a great selection of ribbons to choose from, so now they can Create their own belt too!

Remember- our belts are lined and the buckles DON'T slip- I've been told by many of my customers, this is NOT the case for many of the belts that are being sold..I take extra steps in making my belts to ensure you are receiving a superior accessory...

New to Blogging

2007-08-31T06:54:00.000-04:00

8/31/07

Today is the first day of my new blog! I figured I might as well learn how to do this- because everyone is doing it and I don't want to miss out on all the fun! I have so much to talk about with my ever increasing accessories business...it beagn only a year and a half ago and it's growing steadily and I love it!

For those of you who don't know about Julie Smith Accessories, http://www.shopjuliesmith.com/ let me tell you a little about it. I designed my business so all my products can be customized- by you. I design and create reversible women's belts and headbands, chidlren's reversible belts and headbands and embellished jean jackets. I spend hours searching for the best fabrics, trims and buckles and then allow you to put them together the way you want them. So you create the belt that fits perfectly into your wardrobe. I also have added the option of ready-to-wear belts, in the event you don't want to spend the time deciding which ribbons to put with which buckles...

I have just received a shipment of wonderful fall colors and textrures- inlcuding animal prints and mother of pearl buckles. The combinations are endless- visit my "What's New page to see all that I have recently added: http://www.shopjuliesmith.com/page.whatsnew.

My site is very easily to manipulate thru- just choose the item you want- 'Adult Belt' and then decide whether you want to customize it yourself, or if you'd rather choose a popular ready-to-wear combination. If you're designing yourself- follow the steps, choosing the ribbon style first. From there you can pick the color of that style for the first side, a ribbon (either contrasting, complimentary-it's up to you) for the 2nd side, then the buckle, size and you're done! It's that easy...try it out: http://www.shopjuliesmith.com/catalog/5.