POTTY'S & SUCH..

Hi, blog. I'm Stormi :) Miss me yet? Life is chaotic, busy & unpredictable.. and my absence from my blog has been the drastic result of this life pattern. But I've missed you, Blog. I truly have..

Although life has been busy, it's been nothing far from blessed. As you remember from my last blog (although you may have forgotten..it's been a minute, hasn't it?) I'm opening my own Cheer Studio! I'm so so so excited about this, as it's one of those dreams that I've always believed was out of reach. I should probably document the progress of the studio so far, since it's a work in progress. But since it is SUCH a work in progress, I'll wait until we get, at least, the first coat of paint on. Which, as you might guess, happens to be the EXACT color of my blog background.. A verrrry CHEERY Pink! :) So my last business rant is this: Don't forget to sign your daughters, nieces, friends, and granddaughters on August 12th! Please & Thankyouuuuuu

As if opening a business wasn't exciting enough, I'm also working Full Time as a Career Potty Trainer. Cash has been an avid potty user on/off since waaay back like October '10 (ha) but he just recently began realizing that it's no longer just an "option." He clearly loves this..

 

He is in PullUps full time, (unless we go for a day trip) and we even picked him up some "big boy undies" at the store yesterday. Of course, J had to tag along for this trip because I "know nothing about the underwear that cool guys wear." So I sat back & watched the circus act before me..Please take a minute to imagine Mr. Tough Guy browsing the aisle with Cash in tow, whispering to him all the while.. "Nah, you can't wear these. Those are for squares. But these won't hold you up good.. No, cartoon characters are lame. You'll get made fun of." In the end, we parted with a pack of solid colored sz 2T "Boxer Briefs." Since it's important at 20 months to be "on point" with your undies..in case PlayGirl or GQ call last minute. We've yet to try on the super cute boxer briefs, but when I do, of course I'll take a totally inappropriate picture that he'll hate me for later, and post it on here.

In other news, 29 DAYS UNTIL WE LEAVE FOR CANADA, AY! I'm so excited about this, ay. Okay, I'll stop with the ay........ay. Did I mention that "Caribana" would be going on while we're in Canada? I've actually never heard of this, but when J's mom, who is from South America, described it as "The Mardi Gras of the Carribean" I was sold. I'm expecting killer food, Soca music, and food. Oh, and food. I'm just hoping I can get home with Cash a shirt that looks like this:

Speaking of Canada & Potty Training, (they just go hand-in-hand, right?) I just found the GREATEST invention of all time. The type of invention that you'd see on an Infomercial, and J would say "WELP. HE'S A MILLIONAIRE!" The type of invention that you wish you came up with, but are just glad that somebody did. No, it's not this:

 

Or this knock off, Fouis Vuittion version of the Pillow Pet with a zipper added that severely pisses me off because now Cash sees the commercial and wants one of THESE too.. *pointing to screen* "Me Mama Me Mama!"

No, it's much MUCH better than those laughable "inventions." It's MY CARRY POTTY! It's PORTABLE, lightweight & easy to carry, has a HANDLE (Score!) and it has a clip shut lid. I totally think this is the potty Baby Jesus would've used.. ;) There I go being inappropriate... Have you missed this blog?! haha Anyway, we're packing THIS bad boy up & taking it to Canada.. A Vacation doesn't get you off THAT easy, Cash. Did I mention it's only like $30? Yeah, well.. nowyaknow. It also comes with this super cute "Magic Carry Potty" book that I'm dying over. For mama's of toddlers, you know that if it's in a book, they'll do it. We're going with the Blue/Green potty, because "Primary Colors are for girls"...and I quote.

 

Not even going to lie.. Primary colors are NOT for MY girl. If I had a little girl, I'd probably attempt to splurge on their limited edition "My Carry Potty" drenched in Swarvoski Crystals..or just use it for myself if I end up being a Boy-Mama-4-Life. J would just love the $1,000 price tag, and I'm sure that tiny toilet seat isn't ready for this jelly.. [Insert Destiny's Child Song Here] haha

 

Dear Lord, please do NOT allow my future-daughter to be anything like me, and request Swarvoski Crystal covered potty's. Amen.

HOT MESS OF THE WEEK ALERT! (Although I should've been well up in the running for this..considering I just admitted to wanting a $1,000 training potty) This one is a give in:

 

CASEY FREAKIN ANTHONY!

I have so VERY much to say in this topic, that it would literally take up an entire blog to decipher my true thoughts. God is the only one who knows the real truth, and whoever did this to that precious girl. I REFUSE to show little Caylee's picture, because I've seen it enough, as you all have. And she was adorable. And I can't help but tear up when looking at it.. All that I CAN say, is that any mother who can behave like this just days after her child has been reported missing, deserves the same punishment as murder! SHAME, SHAME...

 

For those of us living in Southeast Texas, there's a couple of things we just canNOT avoid during the Summer. 99 degree weather, and of course.. those DANG MOSQUITOES! If you're like me, your main goal is not to make sure they don't get your baby (because this, as we all know, is pretty impossible) but to at least keep them off of his precious face! I ordered this Bug Repellant from California Baby, and since they're a trusted brand, I know it's going to do the trick. It is 100% natural, is not tested on animals, non toxic, non chemical, and it contains CITRONELLA. (HALLELUJAH!) It's only $14.99 for a bottle, and since it'll pretty much be used just during the Summertime, it'll last longer, and I consider it a FABULOUS deal. California Baby almost ALWAYS delivers, but I'll let you know the scoop just in case. Here's where I bought mine:

http://www.drugstore.com/california-baby-bug-repellent-spray-with-citronella/qxp144576

Has anyone seen Rachel Zoe's insane Missoni Bugaboo Stroller? I'm. in. LOVE. It's so gender friendly & matchable. DYING! Only SHE would spend the kind of $ it took to get a stroller that teamed up with Missoni for the design. LOVELOVE!

 

Mark my words in this statement: A few wks ago, I cooked one of the greatest meals I've ever had. Ever. It was too decadent for every day, but it is the PERFECT date night or "special occasion" meal. I'm sure alot of your remember me posting that I was devouring "Crawfish & Crab Stuffed Chicken Breast in a Crawfish Cream Sauce" the other day. Lucky for you, I'm posting the recipe for all to see :))) All that I ask is that you think of me while you're eating it, and send any/all jewelry your man gives you after tasting it! (Pardon the lackluster picture. It looks/tastes 25 x better than this in person.. I just failed to take a picture, and this is the closest I could find.) Enjoy!

 

CRAWFISH & CRAB STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS

 

NEED:

1/2 cup chopped celery

1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper

1/2 cup chopped green onions - divided

1 lb. crawfish tails - divided

1/2 cup crab meat - divided

1/4 cup olive oil

2 Tbls. dry bread crumbs

salt and pepper - to taste

4 boned, skinned chicken breast halves

cayenne pepper - to taste

garlic powder - to taste

3 Tbls. butter OR margarine (BUTTTAAA)

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup heavy cream

1 Tbls. chicken base OR 1 Tbls. chicken bouillon granules (I used Granules!)

Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning

STEPS:

-In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, sauté celery, green bell pepper, 1/4 cup green onions, 1/2 lb. crawfish tails, and 1/4 cup crab meat in olive oil until vegetables are tender.

-Stir in bread crumb and season with salt and pepper; set aside.

-Pound chicken with a meat mallet until about 1/8" thick; season with Tony Chachere's and garlic powder.

-Place 1/4 of the prepared seafood stuffing onto a piece of chicken and roll up, securing with skewers or toothpicks; repeat with remaining chicken breasts.

-Place chicken on a cookie sheet, spray with non-stick cooking spray, and bake in a 375 degree oven for 30-35 minutes, or until juices run clear; remove from oven and keep warm.

-In a saucepan over medium-high heat, sauté remaining green onions, crawfish, and crab in butter until onions are tender.

-Reduce heat to medium-low and stir flour into saucepan; slowly stir in cream, whisking out any lumps of flour.

-Stir soup base into saucepan and season with Creole seasoning.

-Simmer, stirring constantly, until thickened.

- Serve sauce over chicken, Eat immediately! (Although it'd be hard not to!)

 

..And since the 4th of July is right around the corner, and the above meal isn't " Independence Day BBQ Cookout Material", I'll leave you with a dessert that is. This is super cute, and Cash loves anything that looks like a character. Let me know how yours turns out!

UNCLE SAM ICE CREAM CONE

Decorating is quick & easy. NO FUSS, NO OVEN! Place a scoop of vanilla ice cream on a plate and return it to the freezer to harden. Meanwhile, construct an Uncle Sam hat out of a wafer ice cream cone.Use frosting to attach a blue Fruit by the foot band around the bottom of the cone. (Yes, taken it olllldddd school with the Fruit by the Foot!) I'm assuming you could use Fruit Roll Up or any stretchable "band" candy. Squirt vertical stripes of red decorating gel (BAKING ISLE!) down the sides and blue gel on the top. Using a star tip, squirt on white frosting stars around the blue fruit leather, if desired. (I bought a set of decorators tips that I never use for like $2 on sale at Walmart once.) Remove the ice cream-scoop "head" from the freezer and top with the Uncle Sam hat. Working quickly so the ice cream doesn't melt, add blue M&M's eyes and a red M&M's nose. Finally, add a whipped cream beard. (The can, not the tub!) Voila! How cute is that?!

 

So, I've got this friend. Her name is Amber. She's model tall, we think just alike, and we never fight. I love that. She came up with a perfect lip scrub (Summertime can do some damage on them thangs!) I tried it. I loved it. You will too.. Plus you'll NEVER have to buy one again.

HOMEMADE LIP SUGAR SCRUB:

-Baby Oil

- Salt

- Sugar

(I used more Sugar than I did Salt.. because let's face it.. I'd rather Sugar on my lips than Salt any day!)

Mix all ingredients.

Rub onto lips.

Scrub Gently.

Rinse.

The End.

Yum.



{Street Style) Brights and Lace

image via the best of streetstyle

A judgemental bitch.

I am trying not be a judgemental bitch in 2011.

Or as self-absorbed.

Or as self-indulgent.

Truth be known, I’m doing much better on the first one then the other two (as this blog clearly demonstrates).

I had two posts to write today but I realised they were actually quite similar so I’ve decided to combine them and give them a theme… don’t be a judgemental bitch St. Murphy!

Tale No. 1…

So through my lovely employer we work with some fantastic charities that do the most phenomenal work with the disadvantaged and those less fortunate than judgemental bitches like me. Got the chance to spend some time with some high school students yesterday who had all been dealt some rough blows in life. I don’t know the details and I don’t need to. The reason why we went to spend time with them was just so we could tell stories about how we came to do what we do and, hopefully, provide some motivation and knowledge.

Ok, so my school was hardly the place of angels. And lessons learnt in your teens can haunt you forever. I have to admit, and you can judge me, when I first met these kids I had flashbacks to awful incidents at school, and was suddenly nervous. But for fucks sake I’m an adult now! Sat down with these kids and the floodgates opened and the conversation rolled. Some couldn’t have cared less, as you would expect, others were completely intrigued and were loaded with smart, insightful questions. 

So clichéd but I’m not sure who got the most out of it, us or the students. I’m pretty sure it was us. Surely at my age I should know to not judge a book by its cover. It was an absolute pleasure today spending time with these students. And the circumstances they are overcoming to make a better life for themselves would cripple most, including me!

Tale No. 2…

Probably going to talk in wide-sweeping generalized statements here that have the potential to offend. That is certainly not my intention, rather to show my own ignorance.

I have always been quick to judge couples that are an older man with a younger Asian man or woman. I’ve felt that there are elements of power and subservience there that make me really uncomfortable. Wide-sweeping judgement is the worst and I am as guilty as anyone. A couple of things happened the last few weeks that makes me think these are much more complex relationships than my shallowness allowed me to understand.

I kinda get that after years of loneliness that you would seek out company and intimacy. Being the self-indulgent, self-obsessed person I am I’d never really come to consider this could be a motivation. Also having spent time in a poverty-riddled city, I can comprehend how you would consider all options to escape that life. Who doesn’t want greater comfort and a better standard of living? God knows I still want for more when I have pretty much everything. If two people can come together and meet the required needs of each other than who the hell am I to judge?

At breakfast one day while on holidays, there was a gay couple beside me who had an obvious age and cultural difference. Their banter and plan-making clearly showed they were in a relationship of complete equality, just as any of mine have been.  Felt like a bit of an idiot that I could have thought they were anything else. Now I’m not completely stupid to suggest that all such relationships are equal like these guys, but I am saying that I won’t be so quick to judge them like I have the rest of my adult years. What ever the motivation for your relationship, as long as it’s a level playing field, I wish you every happiness.

*********

And after the last few days I would completely understand if you started thinking I’m reading too many self-help books. Trust me, I’m reading none. Lets blame middle-age. I don’t know what’s come over me but be assured I’ll be back to my self-obsessed, self-indulgent self as soon as possible.

What I am reading is Julian Fellowes, thanks to Arrjaydub, that will be a post next week. I’m desperate to live amongst London’s aristocracy and I need to tell you why…

{Beauty} Lauren

Bangers is the new New York

Yesterday was all the emotional shit, today it’s the cool stuff.

By now you will have gathered I love Bangkok, well here are some of the reasons why…

View from balcony.

THE LEBUA HOTEL

I seriously can not rave enough about this hotel. Every detail. The restaurants, the food, the bars, my room, the service, its location, the gym (yes, I went 4, I repeat 4, times) – just everything about it. They just made everything so easy and anything I asked for they took care of, all with a smile. The staff were just beautiful. By about Day 4 where ever I went in the hotel they seemed to know my name. They have this beautiful Tower Club that has complimentary drinks and food between noon and 6 – they knew my name first. On my birthday I came back from a day out and there was a chocolate birthday cake in my fridge. I could’ve cried with JOY. Thank you Lebua.

SHOPPED TILL I BLED

Did 6 massive shopping centres, and then my two favourites twice. There is nothing you can’t buy in Bangers and I bought at least one of each. My absolute fav centre had two floors of local designers. Besides the issues I had with local sizes – a Thai large is a snug fit on me - I stocked up big time! All up I got something like 3 shirts, 2 jumpers, 5 t’shirts, 2 shorts, 2 scarves (one with a nautical motif), 2 wallets and 4 pairs of shoes. Not bad at all. But the biggest and the best purchase was my little birthday present to myself… may I introduce my new boyfriend, Louis! From the Louis Vuitton store at Emporium, my No. 1 of shopping centres.

FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD

The food was so good I kept taking pictures of my meals – I am practically a Japanese tourist. Did not have one bad meal the entire time. OMG I love a curry and the Thai’s do a very lovely curry. The best was a chilli crab curry, so good I believe it changed my life. Wasn’t very brave when it came to buying food on the side of the road, which is how so many of the locals seem to eat. Well that’s what I thought until I stumbled on the worlds biggest food court in the shopping district that had enough people in it to fill the MCG.

SENSORY OVERLOAD

Everything about Bangkok is about the senses. Its one big giant overload of all the senses. The smell of the streets can make you gag one minute, swoon the next. They love their food and will set up a cooking station just about anywhere. Every second store offers massage. I thought this was just a tourist thing but then I went out to the suburbs and it was no different. It’s a city so crammed with action there is always something catching your eye. Everything is about the senses in Bangers. I absolutely felt obliged to have a massage every day – 3 full-body, 1 back and shoulders, 1 scalp, a beautiful manicure and a foot massage.

THAI PEOPLE

Just so friendly and lovely. And I love how Bangkokkers are so entrepreneurial. They will set up their little business doing just about anything, just about anywhere. I know this is driven by the widespread poverty, which can break your heart at times, but you gotta respect their willingness to make the most of everything. I saw quite a few men and woman who’d set up as a tailor on the edge of the road. There was one guy, a locksmith, who’d set up his business on the edge of a frantic intersection – with a full lathe. Now you’ve got to respect that!

THE DOLLAR

It’s probably very wrong to go from talking about the poverty to the strength of the Aussie dollar, but I did try to do some good with it. I found I was doubling the price of things when it came to paying because for me it was the difference between $3 and $6, but for them it was so much more. You can live very well in Bangers on our dollar, and how I made myself feel better about that was to spread as much of it as I could. Cab drivers were my favourite, so appreciative. You can live very well and still make a subtle difference (without being completely patronising…)

So after a week I feel like I could be a very good Bangkok tour guide. Well I know all the best shopping and the best hotel in town. I also know where to find an amazing curry. The rest in Bangers takes care of itself.

I love Bangkok. It’s why I’m calling it the new New York.

Phew! Finally got all that Bangkok-love out of my system. Tomorrow, St. Murphy will be back to its boring old self.

Thanks for indulging me.

xoxoxo

Summer's Hottest Nail Polish Colors......................

One of my favorite nail polish colors to wear, I have been wearing white nail polish on my fingers and toes for 14yrs, in college my friends teased me and said it looked like I had White Out on my feet.
Here is Nars, Ecume

Deborah Lipman
Yellow Brick Road

My Newest Favorite
OPI
Mermaid Tears

Just a table for 1 thanks.

I’m having a lot of trouble writing this. This is the fourth time I’ve started this post. Normally this blogging thing comes quite easily to me but this one has been a real struggle.

I absolutely loved my little holiday in Bangkok, loved it so much it’s hard to put into words. I know why I loved it but its kinda tough sharing. It was momentous on a quite a personal level (yes, I know how wanky that sounds...). It’s not just the city itself, which is truly amazing, but for me I made two huge breakthroughs, which has left me on top of the world.

Without really knowing it was weighing heavily on me, I realised while I was away that I am going to be absolutely fine on my own. It’s only been a few months since ‘the break-up’ and I thought I had been doing really well. But I arrived in Bangers and had a bit of a meltdown the first few days…

“What the fuck have I done? Why did I think I could do things like this on my own?”

This culminated in me waking up on my birthday filled with absolute dread that I was spending the day on my own and the only conversations I would have would be with shop assistants and waiters.

Thankfully I checked in on Facebook and Twitter which made me feel so special – thank god for social media. Then I got all depressed again that I was so far from home and alone on my birthday, which ironically was actually the whole purpose of the trip.

“What the fuck were you thinking Steven? Why did you think you were up for this?”

Bolstered by the b’day messages the day turned out to be very cool and for the first time I did a Table for 1 restaurant booking. (By the end of the week I was very, very good at this! In fact I did it every remaining night.) Got myself suitably drunk for my b’day while trying to decide if I should go out to celebrate - did my head in on this one. Eventually fell asleep watching bad American sitcoms.

Woke up next day and was stupidly sad. Nothing worse than an empty king size bed when you are feeling sorry for yourself. Then still not sure from where, I got it in my head that if I’m going to be on my own than I really need to be ON MY OWN. For the last few months Twitter, Facebook and this blog have been my crutch to get me through. You are never alone when you are on social media. All those nights I’d spent physically alone at Man Pit I was surrounded by friends online. I needed to stop using my crutch. A self-imposed social media ban was the answer! Strangest thing, as soon as I made this decision my holiday became even more of a beautiful, wonderful thing.

I got high on feeling so independent and in control, and from feeling happy just being with me. I think this was the first time in a very long time.

“I can do this and I can have a fabulous time on my own.”

I suddenly felt so empowered. I also finally understood that I could do exactly what I wanted when I wanted which was very cool. More importantly, I also stopped feeling like I should be doing things just because I could or should – my second breakthrough! Just because you are on holidays doesn’t mean you need to cram it full of experiences. Even though you have an idea or plan in your head, if it’s not what you feel like doing than you shouldn't feel you have to. This has been a problem for me my whole life and it’s usually when I get myself into trouble. Hopefully not anymore.

So besides the amazing shopping, the beautiful food and the gorgeous people; Bangkok was so special because I feel it gave me more control of my life than I have ever had before. I feel very grown-up. I have a smile from ear to ear. I would never have guessed that being alone could do that. I feel like a light has been turned on in my head. After being surrounded by people and relationships my entire adult life you can hopefully understand why this is momentous for me. It’s certainly not a re-invention of the wheel, many will think me ridiculous, but for my personal experience this is a huge breakthrough.

“I am going to be absolutely fine on my own.”

** First person I spoke to about all this shit was my Ex. He's a good man. If anyone was going to understand it was him, and of course he got it completely.





** This one's all for me today so I've turned off the comments section. xoxo

My Hair Inspiration: Tracee Ellis Ross

While watching the BET awards the other night the one thing that stuck out to me was how FABULOUS Tracee Ellis Ross hair is. For years I have been a slave to relaxers and flat irons. January marks 4yrs of being relaxer free and my taste in hair styles have changed tremendously. Of course I love the long Kim Kardashian barrel curls but now i find myself gravitating to the more natural earthy hairstyles.

Even though I have natural hair, I have damaged it with using the flat iron to much which has caused the curl pattern to go straight. For the last month I have been doing heat free styles and am trying to get the curl pattern back.

A few of Tracee Ellis Ross Hair Tips:
Conditioner, Conditioner, Conditioner
Deep steaming hair
Aveda's Cherry Almond Bark-
Deep Penetrating Revitalizer Conditioner
Denman brushes

{Editorial} Lost In Wonderland