Ella's 10th Birthday Party at the Clearfield Aquatic Center OR "When bad parties happen to good kids".

The birthday party went really well...kind of.  

Let's start with the GOOD:  

We had everything ready to go including cute little favor bags for each girl.  Each bag had a small bag of Swedish Fish, a pair of sunglasses, three mini erasers in the shapes of ice cream, an ice cream shooter, and a individualized hand-drawn picture for each guest (Ella's idea...so cute!).

Ella chose to forgo a cake and instead chose a Sundae Bar.  This was super-fun!  I bought this enamel tray and cupcake cups from Pick Your Plum and they were perfect for transporting and displaying the sundae toppings. 

Along the edges, clockwise from top: decorating perils in aqua and purple, white chocolate covered pretzels, mini reese's peanut butter cups, mini M&Ms, chopped oreo cookies, mini gummie bears, mini kit kats, sprinkles.  In the middle: hot fudge sauce, mixed berry sauce, merichino cherries. Not pictured: waffle cups, spray whipped cream, chocolate and vanilla ice cream.

And now to the BAD:  

I think it would be most helpful to just post the letter I wrote to the Director of the Clearfield Aquatic Center.

Our family had a truly dreadful experience here today. We booked a birthday party for my daughter a month ago. We showed up today and they had double booked the room. They offered us an undecorated, ugly, CPR training room instead. We took it and made the best of it. When the included tableware was requested your site had no bowls, spoons, or napkins.

The staff said they reordered our pizzas from the Domino's. It took more than an hour for the pizzas to arrive - and they arrived cold. Krista (who was awesome and very helpful) said we could have the CPR room for two hours because of the booking mistake, but after an hour and a half another family showed up - their party had also been double booked and they were also relegated to the CPR room.

I went to the front desk to cancel the party your staff had mis-scheduled one month later. 0/4 of the staff at the desk knew how to cancel a party. I then tried to schedule a different birthday party for my other daughter. 0/4 of the staff at the desk knew how to schedule a party.

As we were leaving a manager showed up. She did apologize and offered us free passes, but I'm not sure we will even use them. I am flabbergasted at the lack of training of your staff. I was very nice throughout. I never got upset or demanded any money back, but we will never plan a party here again. There are so many options for birthday party locations in Utah where you are catered to, treated well, and whose staff is trained to actually do the basics of their job.

I wanted to let you know how completely disappointed I am in our experience at Clearfield Aquatic Center. I plan on canceling the additional party we booked today and telling everyone we know not to book a party at your business. The lack of service we received and the lack of promised amenities we were given is absolutely appalling.

Let me just say, I was so proud of my Ella.  She was 100% a gracious host and trooper.  When we had to change rooms she was upbeat and made the best of it.  She decorated the wipe-board and had tons of fun.  

I told her in the car that how she handled that situation made me truly proud and was a skill that would serve her well for her entire life.  I have a pretty awesome 10-year-old.

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Begin at the Beginning

I haven't blogged in a few days because - where do I start? Last week our entire family had the flu that's going around. I felt particularly bad last Monday with the achiest flu I've ever had - just laying in bed hurt my body. 

Saturday morning was supposed to be Bianca's fourth birthday party - the party that we have delayed for months and months because of our move. Friday night Matt and I had decorated the entire house and got the food ready so that we were prepared on Saturday morning one 10 four-year-olds arrived to play. 

On Saturday morning, an hour before the party was to begin, Jude appeared in our bedroom with a Tylenol gelcap stuck to his shirt. When we found the scene of the crime there was an open Costco size bottle of Tylenol gelcaps with four wet pills in the jar. It seems as though maybe he was just sucking on the gelcaps and hadn't ingested any but we couldn't take a chance. We called poison control. 

They said we needed to wait for four hours and then take Jude to the emergency room. It takes four hours for Tylenol to show up on the blood test so we had to wait. 

Then we called all the mommies and rescheduled Bianca's party for two weeks. The poor girl was devastated. She wouldn't stop sobbing until I offered to sit down with her and eat the entire pan of rice crispy treats for breakfast. And so we did. 

Jude's ER visit went smoothly. I went with him alone one that stayed home with the other kids. They drew some blood and then we waited for 40 minutes while they did a test. It turns out he probably didn't eat any of the Tylenol but we had to be sure. 

I was still a bit achy on Sunday so I didn't want to chance going to the family dinner, but I missed out on meeting the new twins in our family, Soren and Olivia. So disappointed but after having a NICU baby (Ella) I would never take a chance. 

Then this week the medical calamities continued. I suppose this is sort of par for the course when you have such a large family. And you know that old adage about things coming in waves. 

On Monday Evangeline stayed home from school complaining of symptoms of a possible UTI. I took her to her family doctor and she did have an infection. I took her out for ice cream got antibiotics and headed home. 

I'm Tuesday I headed to the dentist for a follow up on my pulled tooth. He informed me that I needed to root canals because of the intense pain on the other side of my mouth. The moral of this story is: FLOSS!!! 

So this morning at 7:30 AM I showed up at the endodontist. Two of my teeth got root canal's and actually it was the easiest route canals I've gotten. My doctor was young and maybe he knows some newfangled less invasive procedure but it was really not bad. 

Now I am laying on the couch eating Jell-O for lunch and hoping that this family string of medical drama is done. 

Because I am tired. 

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Fashion Wrap Up: 2015 Oscars

So much to say. So much to say.

Let's start with NPH and how he did as host.  It was good, but also SAFE. So tame that it bordered on boring.  Right?  The only good moments were when NPH was obviously shooting from the hip.  Also, WAY too many puns.  But I still adore him.

John Travolta. HOLY AWKWARD.  First of all, he looks like he is put together with well-calculated spare parts. And the award for worst hairpiece goes to....John Travolta!! Then, his weird, too-close, touching Idina Menzel's face WAY too much moment? I was cringing. He's just too creepy.

Best acceptance speech moment ever: "Stay weird, stay different. And then when it's your turn and you are standing on this stage, please pass the message along." I cried, people. I cried.

Lastly, who knew Lady Gaga could actually sing?!

Now, to the fashion!  Lots of awful bridesmaids dresses this year!  Did you notice?  Weird.  Let's get right to it.

BRIDESMAIDS GONE BAD

Zoe Saldana looks just ugh. The straps take this from red carpet straight to "OMG, Becky! I will TOTALLY be your Maid of Honor!! Squeee!". Cute Gina Rodriguez took this straight to Bridesmaid and Viola Davis is drowning in this bland, taffeta look.

ALMOST THERE

In this photo you can totally see how gorgeous Sienna Miller looked last night, BUT the black dress did not read well on TV at all.  I could not see one detail, it was just swallowed up ion black.  Sadly, this is an important factor on choosing a color for the red carpet. Scarlett Johansen's dress is just gorgeous and the fit and color are perfect, but that NECKLACE! So distracting! It's crazy weird and throws off the entire look.

Lady Gaga played it straight last night and I kind of loved it.  This dress was super cool and different, but I really hated the red gloves and red hair accessory.  I can';t even believe I am putting Kate Blanchet in a category other than best dressed.  This look is divine....for a casual event. I adore the entire look, but is it way to informal for the Oscars.

BIGGITY-BAD NEWS

What is going on?! Who knew getting pregnant would fry Keira Knightly's fashion brain?  Gwenyth Paltrow looks pretty stupid in this gown.  It's the sleeve that's the problem.  She could have had the long sleeve without the flower OR the flower without the sleeve, but both is all wrong.

Poor Lorelei Linklater looks like a low-grade Asian hooker. SO SORRY to have to say that!  Nicole Kidman....sheesh! The icky iridescent fish-scale gown + the awful clutch + that ridiculous red belt. It's a disaster all around.

Oh, Laura Dern. No! This is a cast off from the King Arthur style house. Crissy Teigan makes a common mistake here: you should choose ONE reveal. She can have the slit without the cleavage or the cleavage without the slit, but BOTH looks cheap and off-balance.

BLACK, SPARKLY SPORTS-BRA

I never thought I would have to have this category. Halter dress by Hot Topic. Sports bra by Nike. Bad fashion by Naomi Watts.  Another offender is Jessica Chastain.  Her gown color is divine, but the black, sequined, sports bra?! No!

UNDECIDED

This never happens to me, but I cannot decide how I feel about Julianne Moore's look.  I love the hair and make-up, but I cannot figure out the bobbles on the dress.  Are they awful or interesting?


WORKING IT

Reese Witherspoon really turned it out in the chi, simple, look. The minimal make-up and hair is a perfect compliment. At first I wasn't sure about this pearl-studded dress on Lupita Nyong'o, but I've decided I love it.

Octavia Spencer always rocks it. THIS is how any woman should look at an award ceremony and mad-props that she happens to be plus size.  I wish Melissa McCarthy would take a cue from her. Jennifer Aniston is usually boring and in black, but last night she looked gorgeous in this nude gown with perfectly matched hair and make-up.

I mean, does it get any better (or sexier) than Jennifer Lopez? I hated her lip color, but the rest more than makes up for it. Jenna Dewan Tatum looks amazing, as usual.

I just love this dress on Jamie Chung. I'm surprised she didn't get more props for this look.  Anna Kendrick killed it at the Golden Globes and she killed it again last night.  Just perfection.

WORST DRESSED

Solange Knowles is a hot mess in this oddly-fitting, red, tent. Chloe Grace Moretz...what? Why?! I mean, it's just so much shiny satin and bad print on such a petite frame! This is a shame.

BEST DRESSED

Oh, man. Rosamund Pike looked gorgeous!  The fit! The color! The hair and make-up!  The matchy shoes even work. Easy choice for best dressed.

MARRY ME, PLEASE?

As far as men go, Chris Pratt was perfection.  A well-tailored suit and sexy as hell. am I right? He is firmly cementing his place as a dashing, leading man in Hollywood. Marry me, Chris....please?

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AGREE?

DISAGREE?

WHAT DID YOU THINK OF JULIANNE MOORE?

WEIGH-IN!

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This & That "Any Day of the Week I Want."

Just opened my purse, hoping to find a Sharpie pen

and found this: three different sizes of Sharpies.

Because...you know...emergencies.

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Seriously.

Should I just re-name this blog series?

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Everyone is healthy at this moment.

Did i just jinx myself?

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We watched Birdman this week.

Holy cow, was it amazing!

I cannot stop thinking about it and the role

that "admiration" versus "love" plays in our emotional health.

I'm pretty sure Boyhood will win Best Picture,

but this was better, in my opinion.

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Oh my gosh. THIS. 100%.

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Bianca's birthday party is tomorrow.

I am NOT ready.

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I have never tried scallops.

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Are you guys watching The Bachelor?

Wow! Is it ever producing some good television this season.

So much crying

and drama

and back-stabbing....

it's like a dream!

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Pick Your Plum is addicting.

In a bad way.

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I will be thrilled and excited when this stupid week is over.

Not too long now.

Also....THE OSCARS!!!!

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Your Mom goes to College.

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sick + crying + teething...oh my!

Everyone has the flu.

Except Jude, who is teething.

Seriously, people.

Guess what happens when you take an antibiotic 

for a sinus infection that forces you to reduce 

your anti-depressant dosage for 10 days?

You burst into tears when your child watches 

the "Kids' Baking Championship" without you.

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DESIGNED >> Birthday Party invite for Ella

Birthday season is upon us.  This Saturday is Bianca's China party.  We have had a flu, but I am hopeful it will be gone by Saturday. 

Soon after is Ella's 10th birthday.  I am so excited to have entered the Land of Children (a.k.a. Utah).  The parties here are SO cheap!!!  I cannot believe it.

Here's the invite we designed together (details changed for privacy).

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This Year's Valentines

You already know I'm all about the no-candy valentines. This year, as soon as valentines things appeared in Walmart, I jumped on it and had the girls pick out what they wanted to give their friends. 

Luckily, Evangeline and Bianca chose the same items. That made it super easy. 

We bought one package of puppy and kitten themed trinkets. And one package of superhero themed to trinkets. Each package included an assortment of crayons, erasers, stickers, and tattoos. I hopped on the computer and made a quick template to make and cut conversation hearts. Then I used the print and cut feature on my Silhouette Cameo and they were done in no time! A little hot glue and we were ready to rock. 

Ella chose the same thing she gave out last year - just one of the perks of moving to a new State!

We found packages of mustaches at Walmart that came with eight in a package for two dollars. I whipped up these little cards and again use the print and cut. Then I hot glued a mustache on to each card. Voila!

The girls picked out many candy boxes for their teachers. Again I made a quick design in Photoshop using chalkboard background and chalkboard lettering. Then I used print and cut and glued them to the box. 

I was fourth-grade class was assigned secret Valentines this week. They had to do three small things of kindness for their valentine. On the first day they wrote a note telling them something they liked about them. On the second day they had to draw a picture that they think their secret Valentine would like. And on the third day, today, they were supposed to get a small homemade item. Ella went straight to Pinterest (that's my girl!) and found these mini marshmallow launchers. We made them this morning before school and holy cow are they fun! And super easy to make. I'm pretty sure we need one for each member of our family!

Everyone headed off to school happy and content with their valentines. Meanwhile, at home, there were porn-star mustaches for all!

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KNOCK! KNOCK! It's death.

I'm all kinds of dying.

It's been almost a full month of a stubborn sinus infection. I am on a third type of antibiotics...Utah hates me apparently. 

And then on Monday I went to Pick Your Plum and I was biting into the complimentary Laffy Taffy and CRACK! like a death knell I heard (and then felt) my tooth crack. 

This led to a truly awful Dentist experience on Tuesday that made me question humanity (and reevaluate my stance on flossing...meaning, maybe I should start flossing).

The Dentist had to kneel on the chair for leverage to get my tooth out. But that was to be known thereafter as "the fun part" because when I got home and the numbing wore off I entered the 9th circle of hell. 

Not even the cute pain meds (white ovals with the cutest little spattering of pink dots....awwww!) could help. I lay in bed with cotton in my mouth and a jaw that begged for death to come and steal me away. 

In the midst of this torture I did have one (just one) moment of fleeting happiness. Emily Foley sent this photo of my lifelong celeb crush along with this caption...

"Hey girl, you're prettier withOUT that tooth. 

Come here, I made you a soft dinner 

that you can chew toothless." 

BEST. FRIEND. EVER.

For now I will remain drugged up, pained out, and in bed. If you need me you're out of luck. Please send donations of butterscotch pudding, mashed potatoes, and spray-can whip cream (this part is imperative to my survival). 

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DESIGNED >> Birthday Invite for Bianca

She turned four in October,

but these invites are going out tomorrow.

She's so excited for her Chinese-themed party!

And it's happening on the Saturday following Chinese New Year.

How fun is that?

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Fashion Wrap-Up: Grammy's 2015

I've said it before; the Grammy's are the hardest award show to critique. You're supposed to push the envelope and take fashion risks. If you look gorgeous and classic it might still fail, because it's too safe.  Case in point: Jennifer Hudson. Gorgeous, but much too safe.

Expect to see weirdo costumes, men in clown face make-up, people being delivered in eggs, etc. That said, there were far more BAD looks than good looks this year.

Here we go.

HURTS SO BAD

Oh Charlie XCX, Where do I begin with this awful suit?  And awful hair. And awful bow tie? And awful fur...thing?  Joy Villa looks like she was attacked by a Construction site barrier.  Oh dear.

First, why is Jane Fonda at the Grammys? Second, why is Jane Fonda wearing this?  Part Steven Tyler part Golden Girls. Jenny Lewis just looks like an idiot. I feel like David Lee Roth would have worn this suit in the 80's.

Rhinna is usually a total spot-on, fashionista. Not last night.  The thing about this outfit on Kim Kardashian is that it's pretty unflattering.  It makes her look much wider than she is and the cuffs are wack. This look might have worked had the mebellishments only been on the shoulders.

I support you, Jane Lynch. I'm all for Gay Rights. You can wear a lesbian-esque suit if you want to. Just make it a GOOD one.  One that fits properly and is not a mix of really boring neutrals.  Lady Gaga toned it down, and that's great, but the fit on this top?! Your boobs shouldn't have to be accordion-folded lengthwise to fit in the cups of your dress.

ROCK-STAR AWESOME

I don't love the fabric that Taylor Swift's dress is made of. A bit Bridesmaid, right? But otherwise she's divine. I love this look on Rita Ora. It could have gone "disco ball", bit it didn't.

We all know I hate a jumpsuit and a harem pant.  But THIS is how you look like a Rock Star.  Gwen Stefani proves that she's still one bad-ass rocker.  I am positive that people are going to hate this floral dress on Lisa Harrington. I don't know why I love it, but I love it.

GOOD FASHION ON BAD PEOPLE

I hate to put these two women in any sort of "good" category, because I really disagree with their public personas, but let's face it; Nicki Minaj and Miley Cyrus both looked fabulous.

CELEBRITY CARTOON LOOK-ALIKES

 I can't help it. I look at Ed Sheeran and I see Janitor Willie.  It's the beard and the beady eyes.

I actually love this dress on Jessie J, but the styling is totally the Duck Tales villain.

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ALRIGHT, BLOGGIES! WEIGH IN!

WHAT WAS YOUR BEST AND WORST LOOK OF THE NIGHT?

DO YOU LOVE THAT FLORAL DRESS OR HATE IT?

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