This month, we’re highlighting products with a touch of summery citrus. As always, these are NOT sponsored ads, and we didn’t receive any compensation for this post. We’re just mamas who swap recommendations on favorite [...] The post July 2024: Things We’re Loving Lately appeared first on ..read more

Sometimes when we have strong opinions, it’s way too easy to become judgmental. How do we ensure that an opinion or belief doesn’t come across as judgmental? And how can we respond to people who are being judgy towards us? We found a great article on this subject on the Washington Post website. The article is co-written by Robin Stern, PhD, a psychoanalyst who is also an author and a co-founder of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, along with Marc Brackett, PhD, a professor, author, and the director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. Click here to visit the Washington Pos ..read more

By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 Despite what you may have heard on the playground, London Bridge is not falling down. In fact, it’s quite sturdy. I know this because I rode over London Bridge in a taxi – one of many things I did last week during summer vacation. This trip was a lucky turn of events. Tom had a business conference scheduled initially for California that was suddenly moved to London. He suggested I fly over to meet him there after his meetings so we could add a short vacation to the end of his trip. It was a rare chance for both of us to see London while only ..read more

Okay… so we’ll admit that we totally do this to our poor husbands when we’re trying on pretty much any piece of clothing but especially bathing suits — which is its own version of torture. Enjoy this hilarious impersonation of Kim Holderness trying on swimsuits and trying to get an opinion from her husband (who is not falling for this trap). The post Funny Friday: When you ask him for his opinion… appeared first on ..read more

We all love big showy flowers, but there will always be times when plants aren’t blooming. How do your flowerbeds or potted plants look like during the times between the blooms? If you choose the right plants, you’ll still have great-looking landscaping even when the plants aren’t in full bloom. We found this great article on the Martha Stewart website that lists 11 flowering plants that still look great even when they don’t have flowers. The article describes each plant, shows a photo, describes how large it might grow, and gives instructions on how to take care of it. Just be sure to check t ..read more

By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 I feel guilty. I’ve done a bad, bad thing. And yet I can’t say I wouldn’t do it all over again given the opportunity. It started early this afternoon while I was exercising. My abdominal muscles were screaming after a round of sit-ups, so I mentally chanted these words to keep myself going: “Bacon tomato sandwich, bacon tomato sandwich, bacon tomato sandwich.” Waiting for me on the kitchen counter was a small brown paper sack full of garden tomatoes. The deep red summer delicacies were practically begging me to slice them open, layer them wit ..read more

This month’s reading recommendation will bring you a little Christmas in July! If you love a novel set in England with great British dialogue, this is the one for you. I loved it! Book title: One Day in December Author: Josie Silver Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction / Contemporary Romance What it’s about (without spoilers): Laurie is pretty sure love at first sight doesn’t exist anywhere but the movies. But then, through a misted-up bus window one snowy December day, she sees a man who she knows instantly is the one. Their eyes meet, there’s a moment of pure magic ..read more

Happy Monday, mamas! If you’re like us and you’re always on the lookout for a new product that will help your skin look a little better, here’s a list for you. We love it when magazine beauty editors pick their favorites among all the beauty products they’ve tried during the past year. Recently, the editors of InStyle magazine released their fave skin care products for 2024. Some of these options retail for as low as 10 bucks, and others are pretty pricey. But it’s always possible to research and find a comparable dupe for even the most expensive products. So far, I’ve tried the Olay Indulgen ..read more

By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3 In 1977, when I was about 5 years old, my father bought a new Ford dump truck for his one-man landscaping business. It was big, green, and loud. My 11-year-old brother Greg and I thought this was the greatest thing that could have ever happened to us. We were young and easily impressed with large machinery. Our dad buying a dump truck meant we were a sure bet to win the neighborhood “My dad is better than your dad” contest. After all, we were the only kids we knew whose dad got paid to play in the dirt. On the Fourth of July, just days after ..read more

Dear Inside His Head, My ex-husband has started dating and apparently he thinks it’s ok for our kids to meet every woman he sees for more than a week. I’m NOT happy about this. It’s confusing for them and just isn’t appropriate. If he starts dating someone seriously, I can see him introducing her to our kids, but not for a long time. As guys yourselves, what could I say to make him understand that’s not ok? He even left the kids with one woman for a few hours. He doesn’t even know her well enough himself, so why would he think it’s ok to leave our kids with her? I’m beyond frustrated and woul ..read more