tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65666964502919157562011-07-30T13:58:03.182-07:00A mommy blog for the whole woman insideMarianoreply@blogger.comBlogger381100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566696450291915756.post-34782878214581196622010-02-03T14:22:00.000-08:002010-02-03T14:50:23.776-08:00

So after a year, of planning, sharing, telling, and enjoying the self directed work of blogging in my own little way, I've decided to hang up my shoes, definitely for indefinitely. I am not sad. Don't be sad. I have always found inspiration in inspiring others to be their best but now it's time for me to step up to the plate. To be the best mom, wife, friend, and woman that I can be right now,

Marianoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566696450291915756.post-36808103127422564552010-01-03T10:27:00.001-08:002010-01-15T12:36:03.425-08:00

After spending a small fortune on play dough and accessories, I finally put my foot down and stood up to the opportunity to take matters into my own hands, no pun intended! As a new mom, finding D.I.Y recipes or ideas that are worth while is a full time job! Luckily with my 3 year old starting preschool and being asked to help out by making batches of play dough for the class, the perfect

Marianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566696450291915756.post-51280155460176843992010-01-03T10:11:00.001-08:002010-01-11T13:41:34.919-08:00

With the start of the new year, there is a sense of something bigger happening. There is no set moment that the winds of change come blowing through one's life. This just happens to be a coincidence of calender timing. But, it's true. I can smell it. I can hear it whispering in my ears. I can feel it down in my bones. It makes me stand differently, makes me breathe deeper, makes me hopeful,

Marianoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566696450291915756.post-62817470726509285752009-12-21T11:04:00.000-08:002009-12-21T11:33:18.210-08:00

In Christmas spirit my parents made some yummy treats with the boys! They all had a great time making them together and well, I had a great time playing top taste tester!!! These are SO easy to make, great for kid participation, and taste amazing!!! They are a great take on a sweet turtle from a chocolate shop! Plus, they look like Rudolph just visited and left his tracks all around as proof of

Marianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566696450291915756.post-51905786042754477932009-12-04T10:26:00.000-08:002009-12-04T10:46:46.901-08:00

Most of you probably already religiously read The Pioneer Woman: Ree Drummand's Blog.  If you don't, you should most definitely check it out.  A little photography tutorial, a pinch of homeschooling wisdom, some personal and humorous life experience, all wrapped up in my favorite section COOKING!  It's not your healthiest of gourmet fare, but hey you only live once so might as well do it right!!!

Marianoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566696450291915756.post-11758113898916762862009-12-01T15:10:00.001-08:002009-12-01T15:13:51.915-08:00

We don't have the luxury of ignorance that our mother's did! We can't smoke or drink our way through our pregnancies. Damn! We can't throw our kids in the car without proper harnesses. Ugh! We can't even spank our kids to teach them discipline without feeling the fear that child protective services might come after us! Things are just different now and we no longer can take a blind eye to certain

Marianoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566696450291915756.post-60190945027523365552009-11-09T15:36:00.000-08:002009-11-12T13:41:44.834-08:00

Groggy. Exhausted. Bummed, it's that time again.  What time is it anyways?  6:38am! Are you kidding me!?!  UGH.As the duo of baby monitors hum their peaceful melodies, I try to remember those lovely Saturday mornings when life would gently wake me sometime before noon and slap a big, fat, greasy, two hour brunch in my lap to get me going. Just for a moment, I can smell the coffee dancing in

Marianoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566696450291915756.post-70398116301757198372009-11-04T08:57:00.001-08:002009-11-04T12:10:27.260-08:00

In the middle of The Great Recession, what's a lady to do when she needs to buy a face lotion? Not just any lotion, but a magic in a bottle, change my life, skin enhancing potion that costs more than your newborn child or at least the stroller baby will ride in.  I love-Love-Love La Mer face creme. Especially, this time of year! It's decadent, it really does affect the skin, and even though I

Marianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566696450291915756.post-61037520479586707982009-11-01T16:14:00.000-08:002009-11-01T16:33:23.066-08:00

Hi Friends! My first Giveaway for a lovely bottle of David Babaii Hydrating Shampoo and Hydrating Conditioner has come to a close. I am super excited to announce the winner! Drum Roll Please!!    The winner is Janette! Janette! Janette! Where are you? I have your crown and roses! Congratulations!  I hope you will love these products as much as I do!!!  Please email me at: thewholemomma@gmail.com

Marianoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566696450291915756.post-77365963577635052712009-10-31T10:10:00.000-07:002009-10-31T10:13:50.693-07:00

Marianoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566696450291915756.post-73108209897720209462009-10-16T15:19:00.000-07:002009-10-17T07:39:35.587-07:00

When I first moved to Seattle, Eric and I were invited to a dinner party from a friend who had just gotten back from India and wanted to share some of the local fare with us!  I LOVE Indian food especially, authentic street food, and was eager to attend the party.  We all had sat down for a beautiful family style meal full of curries, grilled paneer, aromatic rices, perfect nan, chai tea, and

Marianoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566696450291915756.post-59297745715633497452009-10-06T19:26:00.000-07:002009-10-15T08:41:52.829-07:00

Everyone has one. They come in different shapes, sizes, and conditions.  Some people  can't leave home without 'em, while others successfully shove them in a closet.  Even as grown ups, they are oh so much apart of our fabric and can pop up uninvited at any moment.  They are really the only thing keeping us from loving ALL of ourselves.  Regardless of what your insecurity blankie looks like there

Marianoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566696450291915756.post-5196185617898145642009-10-05T16:53:00.000-07:002009-10-05T16:54:53.171-07:00

I am sure by now you know I love trying out new beauty products. I am constantly seeking out something that will help me look and feel my best with the least amount of effort, cost, or care.  Really, what I want is that crazy tube machine in the Jetson's that you just walk into half asleep and magically come out looking perfect and caffeinated! If that came in a jar I would be a lifetime supply!!

Marianoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566696450291915756.post-22050951339599360462009-09-30T08:25:00.001-07:002009-10-06T19:25:09.149-07:00

That's right this is my first request from a gaggle of Momma's in Mountain Home, AK who have now been nicknamed my Bifocal Beauties! One of these ladies suggested I give some advice towards creating a spa facial for yourself with easy to find ingredients right in the comfort of your home.  NO PROBLEM!!!  Like anything worth while, a little prep work and some dedicated time, will take this DIY 

Marianoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566696450291915756.post-52745005843277192562009-09-14T09:11:00.000-07:002009-09-24T23:33:32.410-07:00

I stumbled across this recipe last fall and it became an instant hit!  People in my family are already asking if it's cool enough outside for some of that yummy yellow vegetable soup!  Yellow because I have a huge jar of turmeric and if I can find a recipe that will gladly welcome the flavor I add it!  Plus, the benefits of turmeric far outweigh the "different" yellow color it adds to the dish. I

Marianoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566696450291915756.post-49579439027619218322009-09-09T16:01:00.000-07:002009-09-13T22:15:07.769-07:00

I am pretty sure I am behind on this monkey chain but, I guess better late than never and thought I would spread the word just in case you are super out of the loop as well.  Needless to say with all the concerns about BPA, and they are worth being concerned about, a mini plastic phobia has spread through our house.  I even get freaked out about yogurt cups and plastic bags now! I thought I was

Marianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566696450291915756.post-8306334664770064442009-09-08T07:52:00.000-07:002009-09-12T08:43:55.445-07:00

It's that time of the year again when the warm sunshine of summer simmers into a cool, damp fall.  This time of transition signals lots of new beginnings some comforting like warm soup and some frustrating like sore, creaky joints!  This year has been a bad year for my psoriasis and arthritis. But it's allowed me to get to know my body a little better.  I am constantly trying to find out what

Marianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566696450291915756.post-77032366116860422302009-09-07T20:21:00.000-07:002009-09-09T15:45:15.633-07:00

Every year or so, the planets align in the right way and all of my beauty products seem to go empty around the same time.  This phenomena I call the "Bottom of the Bottle Breakout" which to me means all that extra oxygen mixing with the 1/2 inch of makeup, cleansers, or lotions starts to turn the product a little funky and full of potential free-radicals, bacteria, or just plain old inert stuff

Marianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566696450291915756.post-13387098212800092672009-09-03T12:57:00.001-07:002009-09-03T13:10:00.138-07:00

I LOVE Ina Garten, otherwise known as the Barefoot Contessa! I love watching her calmly and lovingly prepare meals for friends and loved ones on the Food Network.  I love flipping through her cookbooks which are loaded with beautiful photos of her simple yet elegant food! Most of all I love trying out her recipes because every time I just can't get enough of her flavor combinations and everyone

Marianoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566696450291915756.post-31966385948117046572009-09-01T13:48:00.001-07:002009-09-01T13:50:12.230-07:00

Finally, we are organized enough to get out of the house!  Diaper bag packed with tantrum controlling snacks. Boys dressed in stain free clothes. I don't smell. Eric looks relaxed.  We are off to have an adventure, which will defiantly include a really good cup of coffee.  But on my way out the door, I am stopped, literally, by my three year old son.  Mid stroll, looking over his shoulder...."

Marianoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566696450291915756.post-77937034793725697072009-08-26T14:16:00.001-07:002009-08-28T20:09:01.287-07:00

After spending 22 minutes of slight, almost sweaty morning chaos attempting to look better than pathetic, I walk at the door looking and feeling good, not great.  I know this current package of me is a quarter of who I used to be in the looks department. I mean back then I could spend hours accessorizing, fluffing, tweezing, curling, being adventurous and bold all to best reflect my inner

Marianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566696450291915756.post-54923947969318589752009-08-23T13:51:00.001-07:002009-08-25T20:31:14.894-07:00

I am not sure if I am treading on a "normal" emotional mommy state or creating a world of motherhood anxiety from the unique living situation we have gotten ourselves in.  Regardless, lately I have been panicking about the direction of my life.  I have this aching sense of fear and worry that is harder to shake than my overwhelming nail biting addiction.  I see myself standing at a crossroads

Marianoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566696450291915756.post-51740301363773473012009-08-10T09:00:00.000-07:002009-08-23T13:54:20.836-07:00

It's official! August 8th 2009, was our first non-diaper day with our 3year old!  No diapers during the day, during his nap, or while he slept at night!!! I would consider that success.  We are not perfect, he still has about 1 mistake a day especially if I am not watching the signs too closely. Plus,we have to work out the night time bathroom bugs, but other than that, Jake can feel it coming,

Marianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566696450291915756.post-54434626995410827192009-06-26T19:37:00.000-07:002009-07-19T15:17:27.546-07:00

Being a walking desert has lead me on a super quest for the Holy Grail of all skin quenching beauty products.  This desire to moisturize, lube, slather, dip, soak, and heal my skin from it's alligator scale-like, psoriasis flaking, dehydrated and dry skin has taken me on quite the beauty and health product adventure.  I have gone through a mini-oil addiction and can't seem to get enough of it in

Marianoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566696450291915756.post-66147760328272769432009-05-26T21:17:00.000-07:002009-05-26T22:36:56.933-07:00

Everyone, including my in-laws, has been begging for the recipe to the infamous soup that triggered an avalanche of love (and gas) in our family.  I must say there isn't a recipe more fitting, more tasty, and in the end more humorous than this bean dish to start off my recipe sharing career! In one try this quick meal became a grand slam in our house.  Not only do I love it, which really is the

Marianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566696450291915756.post-2603436510364370242009-05-26T21:14:00.001-07:002009-05-26T22:23:50.935-07:00

As I glance across the room, I am warmed by the rare moment of my husband lounging with his parents.  The glow of relaxation and enjoyment oozing from his smile as they reminisce about his childhood, ignites butterflies in my belly.  I am pleased to know despite the stress and sleep deprivation, that the man I fell in love with is still here! It is so adorable to see a grown man cuddle up with

Marianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566696450291915756.post-70491559062212123782009-05-26T19:09:00.001-07:002009-06-26T12:11:48.122-07:00

Marianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566696450291915756.post-1956751023714826392009-04-23T14:45:00.000-07:002009-05-13T14:42:21.848-07:00

After visiting with some girlfriends that all have kids just shy of three, I realized this group of ladies really has seen and tried it all in toddler world! We've been a hub for new product reviews, parenting methods, nutrition news, and our latest topic of mommy dilemma: toddler discipline! Although these women and their children are delightful and really quite behaved, the old "child

Marianoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566696450291915756.post-77810211139689585752009-04-14T13:53:00.000-07:002009-04-19T11:15:03.158-07:00

Recently, I found out that a few distant friends were good on their way to Mommyland! There is no greater joy than the anticipation of an expected and sometimes long awaited arrival of a baby! You just have no concept of how large your heart and soul will become to absorb this angel into your world! Once it happens, you are changed in such amazing ways that you will never be able to look back!

Marianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566696450291915756.post-37286649932510210802009-04-03T16:03:00.001-07:002009-04-10T09:34:03.115-07:00

With my newly inspired attempt to turn myself back into a woman when I enter my bed at night, I have stumbled across some fantastic lingerie. There are tons of options out there from Target and TJMaxx to Nordstrom and fancy boutiques if you look you are bound to find something to suit your style and your budget. I have highlighted some great places and pieces that I found worth mentioning. Enjoy

Marianoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566696450291915756.post-40361295580656438902009-03-03T11:30:00.000-08:002009-04-06T09:00:42.721-07:00

The other day I was out shopping with a girlfriend searching out decors for her new guest room. We were doing just great with candles, vases, throws when we were side tracked by the ever illusive lingerie department. It's now that section of the store that is only reserved for specific events or outings and rarely gets much day to day attention. Especially, after baby. Spend $95 on a bra not to

Marianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566696450291915756.post-50761597159947235882009-02-06T09:31:00.000-08:002009-02-11T19:17:40.279-08:00

Inspired by new haircut, I have decided to dust off my shelf stacked full of hair products. I am a sucker for trying anything. Even though I have a hair product for everyday of the year, only a few get used regularly. These products get full credit for bringing bounce, shine, texture, and curl to my complimented hair. Truley though, thanks to my beautiful mother, genetics has blessed me with hold

Marianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566696450291915756.post-87039332719846600982009-02-03T21:21:00.000-08:002009-02-11T19:16:18.015-08:00

For months now I have been stewing over a change. You know that achy feeling you get down in your bones when you are ready for some sort of metamorphosis to occur? I was there and even though I knew this life shift required much more than a pair of sheers, a drastic haircut seemed a good place to start.Now let's see... Should I go with the Kate Moss full bang? Maybe the Gwyneth Paltrow one length

Marianoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566696450291915756.post-66819651543235654262009-01-29T08:09:00.000-08:002009-04-03T18:19:01.922-07:00

With the addition of our new pet Lionel the Goldfish, I found myself floundering with the overnight commencement of potty training! What did I need? How would I motivate my son? What would I use to clean the poop stains off the floor that wasn't so toxic my 10 month would suffer? All of these questions would have been no big deal with my usual over planning, group research, and detailed

Marianoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566696450291915756.post-6753085731614909642009-01-27T16:47:00.000-08:002009-02-11T19:14:37.837-08:00

Getting ready is a draining procedure in my world. I either have to wait till naps or face the chaos of two boys in the bathroom with me. Regardless, time always seems to be an issue! Being a beauty product junkie, I have tried a ton of products and only a few stand tall and true amongst the rest. Mascara always seems tricky. There are so many varieties. It's pretty much up there with lipstick.

Marianoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566696450291915756.post-80738343259001157322009-01-19T14:57:00.000-08:002009-02-11T19:13:47.156-08:00

As I was driving home from a short but much needed solo date, I gave in against better judgement to call home and see how things were fairing. I was pretty sure I knew how the dialogue would go. Just checking in really on moods and expectations, so I could better assess how to handle the rest of the evening.Before I go any further, I would like to paint a clearer picture of myself. Being half

Marianoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566696450291915756.post-20371021947692219922009-01-15T20:32:00.000-08:002009-02-11T19:11:36.060-08:00

I know we have all read those heartwarming but ridiculous articles calculating the dollar amount a full time and working mother would make if she were to receive a salary for her work at home. I know these lists are truly irrelevant to my life and still I bring them up jokingly in round circle discussions with other moms. Ha! If only! Ha! So Silly!The worth of our roles is a continuous

Marianoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566696450291915756.post-86550004911095272322009-01-14T14:36:00.001-08:002009-01-14T16:33:22.418-08:00

Welcome to the beginning of something I hope will be just awesome!A place where moms stuck in a rut can come to refresh and refocus. A place where conquering the one dimensional life you created seems possible! A place where you learn, grow, laugh, cry, and relate to the ever evolving, always rewarding, deeply exhausting role that connects us all as mothers!As a former school teacher turned

Marianoreply@blogger.com1