Perfectly Imperfect

The Mini Social - Big Sales for Little Fashion Plates

 

Poppy's Nani likes to buy her all the latest labels like Juicy and True Religion from a family owned kids store in Chicago. Meanwhile, I scoop up practical preschool wear at places like Old Navy, H&M and Target. We mix high & low and it's all good. A few weeks ago a friend invited me to join an amazing sale site called the mini social.

Conceived by mom’s for mom’s, the mini social provides private access to the most hip and modern designer clothing and accessories for mom, baby and child, all at up to 60% off. The invitation only site features clean, simple design, paired with a super easy shopping experience, and will host two or more designer socials each week. A discount on designer duds isn’t the only thing you can feel pleased with yourself about. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to several favorite women’s and children’s charities, including the United States Fund for UNICEF and Shoe4Africa. It’s the social with a conscience.

And, you'll get a $10 credit when you refer a friend that signs up and makes their first purchase! Now that's what I call a great deal! Feel free to let them know I referred you. 

Cheers & Happy Shopping!

*pictures from the mini social website

Baking with Poppy

Poppy's school has a short break this week, so I thought it would be great fun to bust out some recipes I've been wanting to try and let her get in on the fun. When I received this yummy recipe for homemade Kit Kat bars (my favorite candy bar!) in a newsletter from About.com Cooking with Kids, I knew it would be the first thing we make!

Kit Kat Bars

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

60 buttery crackers, such as Keebler Club Crackers
3/4 cup butter
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup firmly-packed brown sugar
1/3 cup milk
1-1/2 cups crushed graham crackers
 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter

Preparation:

1. Butter a 9 x 13 baking dish. Line with a layer of crackers.
2. In a small saucepan, bring butter, sugars and milk together to a boil over medium heat. Stir in crushed graham crackers. Let boil 5 minutes.
3. Pour half of the sugar mixture over the crackers. Cover with another layer of crackers, pressing down lightly. Pour remaining syrup mixture over crackers, smoothing to coat.
4. Top with a third layer of crackers, pressing lightly.
5. Place chocolate chips and peanut butter in a microwave-safe dish. Heat on high 30 seconds. Stir and repeat until chips are melted. (Alternatively, melt chocolate chips and peanut butter in a saucepan over low heat.)
6. Pour evenly over the top layer of crackers, making sure the crackers are completely covered.
7. Refrigerate until kit kat bars are firm.

Makes 36 kit kat bars.

Recipe source: About.com, Cooking with Kids

Happy Baking!

The PJ Library

I found out about The PJ Library just under a year ago and still think it is too good to be true, but alas, it’s the real deal. The PJ Library® program sends Jewish-content books and music on a monthly basis to children from age six months to five, six, seven or eight years depending on the community - and you get to keep them! Created by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, The PJ Library is funded nationally in partnership with the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, local philanthropists, and Jewish organizations.

When you sign up you receive a year free subscription as a gift. We have received the most lovely books and Poppy jumps for joy when she gets her special packages in the mail each month. And, total bonus, I just received a letter that they are going to extend our free subscription for another year! Now that is too good to be true! Thanks to everyone that makes the PJ Library possible!

To signup for the PJ Library, just click here. It is a national program so check to make sure it is available in your area before signing up.

Happy Reading!

Cool Kicks

Poppy has been rockin' her Converse All Stars for a while now and I was growing concerned that they really don't offer any support.  I decided it was time to get her some real "gym shoes" but did not want to go the nerdy Stride Rite route (nothing against them - just not v. stylish!) and found these super cool kicks that were just released by Nike called J Man Casual Shoes. I love that they don't have laces and are very similar to the grown up ones that Poppy's dad has. And, they sure aren't the typical girly gym shoes with pink flowers!

Check them out:

They even come with a super cute lunch box with a cartoon MJ on it! How fun will this be to bring her lunch in?

Now Poppy will have some real shoes with real style (NBA contract TBD- lol!).

J Man Casual Shoe available at FinishLine.com

Easy to be Green

Since we’ve been on the cheap & cheerful budget we’ve switched from shopping at Whole Foods (or as we like to call them, Whole Paycheck) to Safeway. All in all, the change has been fine and much more budget friendly. And, Safeway has lots of organic choices, though organic always costs more. One day, when I have time, I’d love to champion the cause of making organic food affordable and accessible to everyone. On my recent trip to a small town in Tennessee I noticed lots of fast food outlets, but nothing healthy. If people don’t have choices how can they eat healthy?

I’ve found a great solution for my busy lifestyle by signing up for Planet Organics delivery. I’ve been getting their fruit and veggies delivered since the beginning of the year and they are fabulous. I’ve never tasted better avocados, brussels sprouts, apples, etc.  With each delivery they send you a list of what will be in your box and then you get the choice to customize your order. Don’t want beets – no problem! Order what you want from their list of fresh options and make it your own. They offer all kinds of other organic grocery and household items too, delivered right to your home or office.

They even have a special offer for new sign ups to save $10 off your first order…what are you waiting for? It’s easy to be green!

Cheers,
Kim