Archive for March, 2012

Have you been wondering where I have been?
Of course I’ve been working on all sorts of goodies for Eli’s Lids.
(Exciting!!)
But mostly I have been starving.
Yes, starving.
It’s no secret I haven’t lost my baby weight from my last two littles.
People who meet me in person, usually do a double take, because I only post skinny pictures of myself on the blog (It’s my blog, I’ll do what I want to) it’s kinda funny.
Anyway, I started logging calories on an AWESOME app called My Fitness Pal. It’s FREE and very eye opening about what I was actually eating.
Who knew almonds were 640 calories per cup??
Not this gal who was snacking on about 2 cups a day… that’s 3/4 of what I should be eating the whole day!!!
I’ve been doing it for 30 days and I’ve lost 6.5 pounds.
See…

I can now button my fatty fat fat jeans with minimal muffin top.
A Mini Muffin Top!
I’m not perfect and I cheat. A lot. See today’s entry below. (Guess it’s salad and air for dinner.) But I’m still losing because I’m eating less than I was before. A lot less.

One of the best parts about My Fitness Pal is that you can friend other peeps who are suffering doing it too and chat/encourage each other.
If you get it, find me! My username is KNBLawson
But don’t follow me if you don’t want to hear LOTS and LOTS of complaining about how starving and cranky I am.
Because that’s all I ever post about.

(And a bit of a review of The Hunger Games)

(pic of me at 3 am after the show)

Last night I survived the 74th Annual Hunger Games.

Midnight:O-1.

Me, a few friends and a few hundred teens.

The movie was good but there were a few lil’ things that had me bugged (more on that in a sec), which just confirms how much I like to see the movie BEFORE I read the book.

Here’s why:

When I read the book first…

The movie can be really disappointing. (Ya Ya Sisterhood, Shopaholic… the list goes on and on) Not because the movie is bad, but because my expectations are… different.

If there are any differences or if the movie folks cut a scene in the book that I really love, I may whisper, “inaccurate” somewhat loudly to no one in particular in the theater. It’s pretty annoying for everyone else but I just can’t help it.

If I disagree with who they cast for certain parts I can’t stop thinking about how stinky the actor is for this role.

Basically I walk out of the theater un satisfied and angry about spending so much money. (First World Problem, I know)

When I see the movie first…

I’m never disappointed by a fun flick.

After the movie, when I’ve read the book, it’s ALWAYS better. Even though I know the ending of the story already, the book always has so much more perspectives, insight and narratives, it usually feels like a whole new story.

I love visualizing characters on my own but if I see the move first, I can easily build off the movie visual in my mind. It makes for less rereading of descriptions, especially when in a sci-fi or fantasy book when everything is new. (Hello, the first time I read Lord of the Rings way before the movies came out!)

It’s a win-win! I love the movie then I love love love the book.

Now for my take The Hunger Games…

It was really good… not great. I think they did a great job of cramming what they could of the book into the movie. But, of course, there is SO MUCH MORE in the book. I really missed the scenes with the mayor’s daughter. I’m not sure they really captured why Peeta is so important to Katniss or Katniss’ mom’s mental breakdown or Katniss’ constant struggle of putting on a show, very well. And I couldn’t stand the jumpy camera scenes. Headache central. You’ll understand 10 minutes into the movie as Katniss is going into the woods and you have to look away from the screen before your brain explodes. All in all, it’s worth seeing and I’m looking forward to the next film!

What did you think of The Hunger Games? Do you prefer to read a book first or see a movie first?

I know you know our Fedorable are a-dorable, but there’s more!!

A Fedorable + any hair clip = Even more A-dorable!
There is a handy little opening in the sewn on ribbon that works perfectly with any alligator clip or pin!
See… 

   
Want to change the whole look of your Fedorable without buying another Fedorable?
(Can I get a ‘what what’ practical moms?!?!)
Just get one of our awesome Interchangeables!
Match your Fedorable to any outfit or for photos, or family holiday outfits!
(Can I get a ‘woo woo’ fellow matching moms?!?!)
Right now we have red, white, navy and brown/tan houndstooth…

   
How awesome is that???
Now check it out with the black Fedorable…

Same Fedorable different look… (cute kids)

Now, Fedorable + clip + Interchangeable = A-dorable times a million!!

Interchangeables are only $4! Get them here.

(Holla!!)

Happy Monday.
Today has gone by so darn fast and I haven’t gotten anything done.
That’s the worst.
Just so I feel like I’ve finished something, I’m going to link up Life Rearranged’s InstaFriday for a quick update of our week.
Even though it’s Monday.
Whatever.
This week I’ve been thinking about how lucky I am to live where I live (as in the USA), and to have the friends I have (this includes you), and that I’m blessed with 4 great kiddos (though I would be more blessed if they slept in), and a husband who adores me (even though the junk in my trunk needs to go on Hoarders).
Since it’s around Saint Paddy’s Day I’ll reflect on my lucky-ness…

I had a lil’ craft day at my house to make more of those Saint Patrick’s Day banners with my friends Lori, Kyla and Jaime.
Kyla brought me a little rainbow garland giftie she made. I love it.
I’m a pretty lucky gal to have awesome crafty friends!

My hubby doesn’t like it when I sneak pix of him. But I do it anyway.
I met some friends at Rutabegorz in Downtown Fullerton (such a yummy place) and saw this mural at the park next door. I love the colors.
I’m a pretty lucky gal to have a fun hubby and longtime friends to meet for lunch.

I devoured The Hunger Games. Have you?
You should rent a hotel room and lock yourself away for 3 days.
Now, whenever I watch Hollywood stuff I can’t help but compare it to the Capitol.
Isn’t life so much more than our little worlds?
I’ve been contemplating my little place in this big world and I’m thinking my whole vision for the biz is changing.
It’s crazy.
More to come.
P.S. The above PEOPLE magazine was good but not worth the $6 I paid for it. If you want it let me know and I’ll send it to you. REALLY!

I can’t lie.
Life as a mother of 4 is rocking me.
Everyone who said, “anything after 3 is easy,” are liars.
Big. Fat. Liars.
I’m 6 months in and Tess is starting to feel part of the mix now. Cora Jane calls the above game, Super Baby. Tess calls it, “What the flying frick is going on here???”
I’m so lucky my kiddos get along well.

I stopped drinking coffee while I was preggers with Tess.
I’m back on it. And I’m starting to become human again.
The moment the coffee touches my lips life flows into my veins.
My coffee maker is in storage while we live in our hip NY City apartment but my mom discovered some fair trade instant coffee and I love it!
I’m so lucky that I get exhausted staying home with my kiddos and not picking coffee beans for pennies.

Hot Hubby got to play softball with his old team and it was so much fun! We totally miss going to his weekly games so this was a real treat. Especially because the kiddos’ God parents were there too. They are cool and we love them.
I’m so lucky to have an active family and beyond blessed to have close friends to do life with.

I was on zulily and found the cutest new clothing store – DownEast Basics. I bought the perfect Easter outfit for a steal, and low and behold they have a store at the Spectrum!! Yay!
We had a family date day to the in the rain to check the store out.
A-mazing deals. I got 2 tees for $5 each!! 
The kiddos looked adorable in their Lids. Get a Fedorable now. Seriously.
It’s a showstopper!
I’m so lucky to have a biz that I truly love.
I really can’t wait to share more about my vision for the biz as we grow.
I think you’ll love it.
I hope you love it.
If you like that we donate to Surfers Healing and to help Bring Henry Home you will.
I hope hope hope…

So many people have been asking me about the amazing pictures from our Fedorable shoot and I’ve shared a bit, but I think the Lovely Chela from Marisela Photography deserves a post all her own!!

I met Chela when my kiddos were at VBS at her church and Cora Jane fell in love with her. Since we live in the same town I would bump into Chela every once in awhile, then we became Instagram friends. Since I seem to be too stupid for FB, (how am I the only person on the planet who doesn’t get it???) IG is my favorite addiction. Anyway, I mentioned the Fedorables and she offered to shoot them. I called her within 5 minutes of her comment and roped her in before she could change her mind it!

I love her style and she is AMAZING with kiddos. We had a giant group of littles and she was able to wrangle them and get awesome shots to boot…

I snipped a few of my favorites from her site. Which was pretty tough because they are all my favorites. After I lose 25 lbs my reward is family pics with Chela. Only 21 more to go… ug.

Check out…

the Marisela Photography site here

Chela’s blog for Marisela Photography here

and like Marisela Photography on facebook here!