This week has been nonstop for me. In the middle of figuring out the whole H1N1 vaccine situation (my pediatrician is now recommending the vaccine, FYI), a very cold pumpkin-patch field trip, homework (homework?!), surprise sales, a newly stubborn little rascal, birthday party FAILS, and I COULD GO ON, I’m doing a cleanse from the book Radiant Health, Inner Wealth, written by my witty twitter friend Quintessence C. Challis. I’ll be sharing recipes at The Kitch when I get a chance. The cleanse itself is not that intense at all, so DON’T WORRY. So far my favourite part is waking up with a tall glass of water with freshly-squeezed lemon. VERY refreshing. BETTER than a chai latte. More on that later. At the moment, I’m too preoccupied with ALL OF THE ABOVE to write, really.

That said, I have something very exciting to share with you. Rascal has A NEW COAT.

In case you didn’t know, he was wearing THIS COATASTROPHE that Josh proudly brought home from Winners last month….

Here it is to the front with better lighting (so you get the full effect)….

Thank Gods of Fashion, my sister stepped in and loaned us THIS much more stylish GAP ski jacket….

Ahhhh, much better. Well, anything’s better, really, than brown and puke-green-and-yellow PLAID. Poor guy. That is “plaid,” right? I should know, because I’m supposed to be “trendie,” but I don’t. And I’m not — trendy, that is, as you know…. Am SUCH a schlepper.

So, this is my attempt at a blog post — and, more so, my excuse for posting a picture of Rascal’s ridiculously adorable crazy-round fluorescent-blond head, OY! — while my mind is a total WHIRLWIND, literally. Can you tell? Enough.

We’ll spend more time together later.

xo Haley-O

“I am exhausted” is my new mantra. My friends are starting to notice. But, DUDE, I work in the mornings and nights and parent two rambunctious monkeys in between and throughout. YES! I’m tired. I’m also way too focused on the BlogHer Conference I’m going to on THURSDAY in CHICAGO to get together or talk on the phone — but not too focused on it TO EAT, unfortunately, heh…. I eat when I’m nervous, what can I say….

ANYWAY!

I need to figure out what I’m packing for the conference. So, let’s do it together. Check it.

I got ma new shoes…. Nike Shox to go with my Lululemons (the shoe guy swore up and down that they’re not leather, and I searched the internet for hours — OCD — to make sure, and s’all good!)

I got ma new Lululemons and evening pants….

Maybe a dress for the BlogHer Cocktail Party? (But, I don’t know… I don’t do dresses unless I have to.) This one?? I wore it to Bermuda….

Definitely bringing the necklace I got in Bermuda (and that I wore to ERRRRNA’s wedding)…. Just one piece of jewelry enough??

JENNAY!

Then there are the shirts! The fabulous Halley Suitt told me to wear COLOUR. So….

Of course, I have to bring SOME black….

…My favourite of which is this SEQUINNED number….

And, my fancy new black cardigan, c/o It’sgrandma and Papa’shere (they will KILL me if they see this pic of MINDEN walking on it…. But, he’s being careful.)….

…And shoes — beloved not-leather gladiators….

…And shoes — canvas wedges NOT to wear with Lululemons…

And, of course, the necessities…. Undies, black socks, and New BRA….

Hmm…, what else. TECHIE NECESSITIES….

Yes, Josh-O is lending me his iTouch, and NOW THAT IS LOVE. And then there’s all the bTrendie items: People’s Party sponsor table stuff, clipboard, prop-up poster, pens, contest page, MACBOOK, business cards, BOWL, egad!

And, by the way, yes, I realize I’m only going to be there for four days. I’m bringing way too many clothes, and shoes. But, a girl needs CHOICE!

What do you think? Am I ready to go? Have I packed everything? Oh! A nightie, toothbrush, MAKEUP, shampoo, BRUSH…, deodorant. Now I’m ready.

I’ll try to do a blog post while I’m gone — here and at the bTrendie.com blog (use code CHEATY to get in there, if you haven’t already. I’m actually writing quite steadily at that blog now. Minden’s in the latest post, along with cofounder Emily Rayson modeling her Forgotten Shanghai bag SHWING! LOVE!), and I’ll be twittering like mad, as usual, at twitter.com/Cheaty.

Okay! I’m off. Will MISS you. Let me know if I need to take anything else, ‘kay? I’ve never been to BlogHer be– OH! MY CAMERA! I CAN’T forget MY CAMERA. And the charger. And the blackberry and iTouch chargers…. PURSES!

I am so psyched, Gorgeouses! I LOVE TRAVELING! And to meet and party with all these awesome peeps!? SO excited! And nervous!

LOVE!

xo Haley-O

Today began bright and early with my new little nephew’s bris. Welcome to Judaism, little buddy. We wish you a speedy recovery. MAN, that’s not something ANYONE wants to go to first thing in the morning. But, it’s a huge deal for the little guy. And, happily for everyone, it was quick and easy. He hardly cried at all, really.

Well, if he WAS CRYING it was hard for any of us to hear because someone else (*COUGH* Rascal *COUGH*) was doing his usual fair share of shrieking…. Not sure what’s up with that. Terrible Twos? I thought we’d been-there-done-that already when he was 14 months? No? Crap. In the meantime, he loves his trains….

And, check out that kickarse hair cut. Ahem.

SPEAKING of haircuts…. A certain someone went for a certain haircut at a certain chichi hair salon in a certain Yorkville with a certain hairstylist who does Cheryl Hickey’s hair and styles OTHER CRAZY FAMOUS CELEBRITIES. I’d name them, but, I’ve learned, it’s très faux pas to drop celebrity names like that.

ALTHOUGH…. A certain MILES FABER — 2nd runner-up in last year’s SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE CANADA, and also MY COUSIN — said I could fashizzle drop his name. And, he took a pic with me FOR YOU, with THANKS for all your VOTES…. He even said he credits YOU for taking him to the end! Squeee!

LOVE! Miles is doing AWESOME, by the way. He’s going to be shooting a MOVIE for MTV CANADA next week in Calgary. He’s the CO-STAR. The movie’s called Turn the Beat Around. Look out for it (I’ll keep you posted).

Last item of business — before I get BACK to business (because ZOMG I am SWAMPED with bTrendie stuff tonight) — MY NEW HAIRCUT! My hair’s been INSANE for months now. (See above.) It NEVER looks brushed. (See above.) It weighs A TON. (See above.) It looks like ARSE. (See above.)

But, now, THANKS TO DALIDA, it looks, as a certain Motherbumper likes to say, AWESOMETASTIC ! Check. It.

Did it not take 20 pounds off my face (and head)? I have a CHIN now. And CHEEK BONES. I still look like I’ve been punched in the eye, but that’s neither here nor there. Here’s another pic I took. Because OMG am SO HAPPY with it. (I got creative.)

The colour even looks lighter, no? I love Dalida even more for REFUSING to highlight my hair because she loves my natural colour; whereas most hairstylists JUMP at the chance. It’s amazing what a haircut can do. I’m a NEW WOMAN.

Of course, I spent this evening’s entire kickboxing class (hotarse instructor, hollaaah) with my HAIR DOWN….

LOVE!

xo Haley-O

Nothing like a little art on a Sunday morning to ignite a waning spirit. And, WOW, did Canada REPRESENT today at the annual Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition (TOAE) at Nathan Phillips Square.

Josh and I took the kids downtown at, ohhh, 10am or so to fit in the entire show before I had to meet it’sgrandma at the mall to buy clothes for BLOGHER (more on that part later). It definitely wasn’t enough time to peruse ALL the finest of Canada’s (and some US) artists. But, I got enough of a taste to get me excited!

One of the things I use my internet “fame” for is to bring Canadian (and “mom”) artists to the PEOPLE. I don’t know why, but it’s a passion of mine. I love animals, and I love artists. So, I “give back” by helping to heal the earth and by supporting peeps who make it extra beautiful. I mean, Earth itself — I always think — is a work of art. So, I guess my two causes aren’t as different as they’d seem….

Check this piece by the brillers Michelle SaintOnge who, in case she looks familiar, is the one who taught Martha Stewart and audience to silkscreen their won bags! Ahh, the eye-catching beauty of the pink ELEPHANT in the room….

OMG love…. I HAVE to have this….

And ZEBRA….

MY EYES. This is too much for them. Oof! Stunning….

Another one of my favourite artists hails from NYC, and AMAZINGLY managed to secure a spot in this very elite art show — so elite that the “reject show” was supposedly INCREDIBLE (I didn’t get to go, but I heard this from friends). Her name’s Tracey Silva Barbosa. She’s a mom of a sweet three-year-old. And I want this painting in my bedroom because it’s dreamy and whimsical and quite simply utter perfection….

I can’t even handle the beauty that is this painting. Particularly the juxtaposition of hummingbirds and bonsai trees, and the numbers and gold ribbons. I love a good mixed media…. One day, I’ll buy THIS ONE….

I can’t HANDLE the gorgeousness….I am SO looking Tracey and her hubs up next time I’m in NYC. They are AMAZING. We had an awesome chat — about Rascal’s stinky diapey, among other things….

THIS GUY was also awesome….

His art is ridiculously realistic. I mean — LOOK AT THAT. And this….

My blackberry (which will soon be a PURPLEBERRY, if I have my way…, or maybe pink camo) camera does NOT do this beautiful art justice, so check Olaf Schneider’s website…. You WILL enjoy. I ASSURE…. I especially liked Olaf because, even though he was steeped in a phone call several feet away from the booth, he managed to nod and wave to me about three times while I was checking out his booth. I really appreciated that he gave me — a short, busty (BWAH!) poorly dressed mom — the time of day. Really. And he’s a SUPER HUGE Canadian artist (just look at his bio page, like OMG).

Of course, since I’m in the biz…, I had to check out the CHILDREN’S STUFF! Among various children’s art booths, I LOVED Mara Minuzzo’s art — she obviously didn’t realize her graphics aren’t stealable (even via a MAC) on her website, so do yourself a favour and just check ‘em at her website. I love the horses, the black-and-white bed, and the little girl running in the water most! Mara’s not a children’s artist per se, but the deer and chipmunks and the little girl in the water? — would all look FAB in my monkeys’ rooms….

Finally (yes, finally…), I was SO EXCITED to meet Ms. Adrienne Gibb of Fabricawakuwaku, and I’m secretly hoping she’ll join my crew at Kids Deserve Art one day (like maybe when I actually get a professional to design the site…). Her handmade stuffed animals — made with recycled and vintage fabrics (AWE-SOME) — are seriously DA BOMB….

Of course, we splurged and bought Monkey and Rascal each a Fabricawakuwaku “Patch Rabbit.” Monkey chose the purple-and-pink one and Rascal the beige….

…Then she decided she wanted his. So, now he has the purple bunny and she the beige bunny. Evs.

I love that my kids have works of art for toys. Delish!

So, yeah, 1pm arrived SUPER FAST after all the artistic excitement. And, off I went to Yorkdale. I probably should have gone downtown for this new WARDROBE, but the big mall was convenient, and, besides, I don’t exactly want to STAND OUT at the BlogHer Conference (in, like, a week and a half, in Chicago). I kind of want to blend. I, at least, want to be myself. Which means…, you got it…, LULULEMONS. If none of you absolutely object, I WILL be sporting LULULEMONS at blogher. Probably with one of my signature funky tees and black running shoes. And, baby, it’s a BITCH to find black running shoes that aren’t leather. SO, I will be heading downtown some time this week to check what I’ve heard is one of the world’s best vegan shoe stores — right here in TO.

…Seriously, we looked at every shoe store in the mall. The salespeeps in one store even INSISTED that a pair of black canvas wedges would look HAWT with my Lulus. But, ermm…, NO. All the other canvas shoes in the mall were TOO FLAT, or too RIDICK….

I need the height — believe me — but I don’t need it THAT bad. I’m no TOM CRUISE.

I can’t BELIEVE how long this post is. I feel like I’ve been writing it for 20 years. SO, in case you haven’t had enough of my writing today, go check my ANOTHER post of mine over at Canada Moms Blog — “I’m not Pregnant. Just FAT.”

But, feel free to leave a comment here. I notice comments are lacking on ALL my fave bloggers’ blogs, and WE LOVES THE COMMENTS! Especially when we write long-arse posts…. We are a sensitive, needy people.

Love!

xo Haley-O

I planned on writing a follow-up to Thursday’s post, in which I recognized while writing the post that my focus on weight and diet has gotten obsessive and out of control. But, it’s not to be. At least not right now. I suppose partly because I don’t want to dwell on it. I want to let it sit. I want to embrace the recognition, and when I’m moved to write again, I will. And, I know you understand.

Anyway, I thought we should lighten things up here. Kind of like how I lightened the heavy load on my back that was MY HAIR when I got a haircut this weekend — and can I get a WOO WOO? It’s only been, like, HOW MANY MONTHS? Hee! Check it:

Seriously, I must have taken 20 pictures to get this one OK one. And that’s not berating myself (à la Thursday’s post) or the haircut or my photography. It just plain didn’t photograph well. Basically, the haircut’s awesome, and it was a welcome treat (à la Thursday’s post). The hairdresser insists that I part my hair to the side like that. I’m usually a middle-part girl. What do you think?

And, yes, I do have other hoodies, other clothes. I just happen to take pictures of myself for you EVERY TIME I wear this particular hoody….

To further lighten things up, I’d like to share my anniversary cake with you. Josh and my 6th anniversary is coming up on March 23rd. Since my parents will be away that day, they wanted to throw a wee party for us on Friday. My mom made a really nice dinner and got us this cake….

REALLY sweet. We had a good chuckle over the fact that they misspelled my name (which, by the way, everyone does). But we had an even BIGGER chuckle over the fact that NO ONE WAS AT THE PARTY. My brother and his wife were away, my sister’s husband was sick, and MY OWN HUSBAND JOSH-O had made other plans that he totally couldn’t break because I FORGOT TO TELL HIM ABOUT THE PARTY. So, there I was, cutting the cake and everything by myself, at our teeny tiny little anniversary party. HA! Maybe you had to be there…. But, we DID harass Josh by IM’ing him lots of pictures like this one of me and my new haircut and OUR anniversary cake, ha ha….

In case you think that come hell or high water Josh should have been at the anniversary party, he more than repaid me. He took the kids THE ENTIRE DAY on Saturday — to the mall and to Chuck E. Cheese!

While Josh-O was out with Rascal, Monkey (and her Pablo and Thomas the Train toys), I slept, I FINALLY finished all those the hundreds of pages I was hired to edit, I (half) caught up on some email, I Blipped and Tweeted A LOT, and I cuddled with kitties…. It was BLISS. And so needed….

For a so-called stay-at-home mom, I always have a RIDICULOUS amount of work to do. And it’s ALL self-imposed. Crazy, I tell you! Crazy!

Love!

xo Haley-O