All posts by Monna

Nov 15
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Hissyfits Hullabaloo Review

By | Local Events, Local Phoenix | No Comments

I attended the Hissyfits Hullabalo a week ago Sunday and have been trying to finish my post about it all week. Unfortunately, I had major camera issues – again – proving that it’s time for a new camera. My camera tanked and then I couldn’t even get the pics off the SD card for several days. Grrrr….Well, thanks to my sweet husband, I got a few off the disk.

So, here are the pics I took of the great things available to buy at the Hullabaloo. Best of all, if you missed it, you can still get in touch with these awesome local artisans! As with the Sunnyslope Art Fair, I’ll split my finds into two different posts. There were so many awesome local businesses there – I could possibly cover them all so here is a small sampling.

Lululand Designs –www.lululanddesigns.com or Lululand on Facebook 
Being a mom of girls, I was immediately drawn to the bright colors and frilliness available at the Lululand Table. These are just so cute – and they come in all different colors. If you have a little princess who needs a tutu, this is a great place to get one. They even have colors for you ASU alumni!
Andrea Blanchard creates these awesome puffs of fluff.

Daily Scrubs – Email: jillysmith@msn.com
For those of you who are getting nervous about the gi-normous amount of sweets that will soon be staring you in the face this holiday season, I have a solution for you!!! Next time you’re craving something sweet, instead of reaching for an edible treat, make some time for yourself and take a bath.
The creator of this business has a solution for those who would love a giant ice cream sandwich, sugar cookie, cinnamon roll or cupcake but don’t actually want to use up two days of calories on one food item. She makes these delightful delicacies out of soap! These soaps look exactly like their intended sugary treat and smell like them too. They would make great stocking stuffers!!
Frilly Butts – www.frillybutts.etsy.com
Are you a hip mama disillusioned by the boring-ness of typical baby onesies? Never fear! I’ve found the answer to your problem. Frilly Butts. For real. And, as their name implies, their motto is, “Business in the front, party in the back” (just like a mullet). Holly Trueblood’s creations feature cool designs and – for girls – frilly booties.
Also, if you’re having a hard time getting your toddler interested in potty training, Holly can hook you up with some pretty cute little training pants.
You can see more of Holly’s great art on her Frilly Butts Etsy page. Frilly Butts! Frilly Butts! (Sorry, I think my four year old is rubbing off on me. I can’t stop saying their name!) Seriously, check out their page. She even has a sale section!! Woohoo!!
Sew Cute in AZ – www.sewcuteinaz.etsy.com
Sew Cute in AZ solves the problem of ugly car seat covers. Her car seat covers are just darling and she offers several different fabric offerings, including one with guitars – which you know would go over big at our house! Not only were the fabrics and designs super cute, the quality of her work seemed really high as well. If you’re looking for an extra car seat cover or boppy cover, this is the place to look.
Here are a few pics of her work.
That’s all for today folks. Tune in tomorrow to see some more fabulous local artists!!

As usual, show these local businesses some love by sharing this post on Twitter, Facebook or your own blog. YOU can make a difference in our economy by shopping local!!

Nov 12
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Why Buy Local? And – What’s Going on in Phoenix This Weekend!

By | Local Phoenix | One Comment

I love buying local. You probably already know this because I talk about it in this blog all the time. If you talk to me in person, you might have to ask me to change the subject because I’ll definitely go on and on about the great businesses we have here in Phoenix. But why is this so important to me? I’m SO glad you asked.  Obviously, I have a lot to say on this subject.

I grew up here in Phoenix. And, while the beaches of Cali and the rainy ways of Colorado or Oregon call to me for vacation, I really just love the Valley of the Sun. The huge expanse of blue sky filled with puffy white clouds, the hiking trails, the sunsets, the great weather (Come on! It’s incredible 9 months out of the year!) and the casual lifestyle all fit me perfectly. In addition, I have roots here and have friends from all over Arizona and thanks to Facebook, I get to see how they intersect with each other in the most amazing ways. I love staying in touch with all of them and knowing they’re still here, making a life for themselves and their families in my hometown.

There are a lot of reasons I could site for my choice to buy local, from environment to quality to economy.

First, I get to meet new people and learn about their lives/history/goals/dreams all the time (which I LOVE!)

Second, I know that what I buy is usually going to be better quality because that business will only see me again and get my vote of confidence if what I’ve purchased works and lasts.

Third, I genuinely love the creative talents exhibited everywhere in Phoenix. I hate when people say Phoenix has no culture. It’s just not true. There are so many amazingly gifted artists, performers, boutique owners, chefs and various business owners in Phoenix, I’ll literally NEVER be able to list them all. For the most part, if you can dream it, you can probably buy it here.

Fourth, I am financially supporting my neighbors (and myself) when I spend my money at a local business. Spending local makes a HUGE difference in how much money stays in the local economy. According to Local First, $73 of every $100 spent locally stays in our community – in wages, taxes, local business services etc. Spending that same $100 at a non-locally owned business will only put $43 back into our community. My little contribution makes a huge difference to my neighbors! For more about how our individual purchases can help our own community, check out ShiftArizona, Shift the Way You Shop.

My biggest reason is Community. Buying local connects me to my neighbors in an amazing way.

 Are you tired of hearing about local business yet? I hope not because I’m getting ready to post a lot more about it.

Here are a few exciting things going on in Phoenix this weekend!

Local First Fall Festival –
Local First Arizona is a non-profit organization focused on strengthening local economy by supporting, promoting and celebrating local businesses. Tomorrow Local First is hosting a local fall fest featuring free food, live music, fun stuff for kids, shopping and lots of local businesses. The fun starts at 10 and lasts till 3 pm at Duck and Decanter – 16th Street and Camelback.

Chow Bella & Roosevelt Row’s Pie Social
Now this sounds like something right up my alley! Entry fee is $10 or two homemade pies. Event is in the Roosevelt Row Arts District and lasts from 2-6 pm. Proceeds benefit Kenilworth Elementary Schools after school programs. Good will and good pie – all in one event. Yum.

Phoenix Annual Parade of the Arts 2010
In this event – YOU are the art at a parade supporting the “arts and culture that are a vital part of Downtown” Phoenix. Be part of supporting the downtown community and dress up, ride a bike, make a little float. Whatever. Meet some new people and have fun with your kids. This event will be right next to the pie social – so eat some pie and then walk in the parade! Even Mayor Phil Gordon is supposed to be at this event. I wonder if he’ll wear a costume?

As usual, support local events and businesses by posting this on Facebook or Twitter and feel free to send me information about upcoming local events. I’ll do my best to post them. 

Nov 09
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What a Difference a Year Makes…

By | Honest Mothering | 2 Comments
Last year about this time, I wrote a post (read it here) about how I realized that I needed to make some changes in the way I mother. I noticed that my daughter was picking up on my bad habits – short temper, grumpiness etc. Haha – my true personality! As with most things these changes are not easy. But I AM determined to grow – with a constant audience of two little people. As a result, this year has been a lot different. Here is where I am now.
1. I am learning to give thanks – a lot. Here’s why. A friend once told me that gratitude is one of the most powerful things we can do to bring positive energy into our day.  There are a lot of times in my day when I’m pulling my 22 month old down from standing ON TOP of her play kitchen set (for the 5th time in 10 minutes – SERIOUSLY), I’ve cut off part of my fingernail with my potato peeler, I’m tripping over the toys that are EVERYWHERE (so I can’t even reach the floor to sweep it), my oldest daughter’s dropped a book on top of my bare foot and it’s swollen and throbbing and both girls are shrieking at me for some reason (usually not happily). In these moments, I just want my day to be over so I can go to sleep. (btw, I don’t actually give in to this fantasy…) But, so much for enjoying my kids while I’m home with them. *Wince.*
My goal: In these moments – STOP and say “Thanks” – that I have a toddler to rescue, a finger to cut, a floor to fall on, a foot to hurt and two little girls who think I can solve all their problems. 
It really does work – just not always in that second. First, I have to fight the panic rising in my mind that tells me I totally STINK at doing this and sometimes, I don’t FEEL the thankfulness till I’m lying in bed snuggling two little cuties to sleep. Well, what can I say – it’s a work in progress!
2. I am learning to smile and say “yes” as much as possible to my babies (and – to my husband ;). If I need to finish something before I focus on them, I try to say, “That sounds great! I will be able to do that in ____ minutes.” OR, “AAAAAHHHH!!!! Can you wait just ONE minute?!” (Wait, did I just type that “out loud”? Oops…) Thankfully, my oldest is getting better at waiting.
3. I am learning to forgive myself when things aren’t perfect. There are just going to be times when things are to be out of place for a few hours (or a few days). I can either choose to lose my cool because I have “failed” to keep it perfect or just take a deep breath and focus on the most important thing – the PEOPLE living in the imperfect space. Some days I’m better at this than others.
4. I am learning to be IN THE MOMENT. This eliminates my inclination to beat myself up for what I didn’t accomplish and keeps me from stressing about whatever I still need to do. See how perfectly that works? Theoretically.
5. I back to making time for myself on a regular basis. Every week, I get away from everyone in my house for at least a few hours. Sometimes, I need to be alone with my thoughts and other times, I hang out with girlfriends. There are still times when I find it hard to extract myself from a baby who is crying, “I want to hold you!!!!!” while tears streak down her face. But, I hug and kiss them – and then leave them in my husband’s loving and capable hands. I know I need to get that time alone if I hope to implement my plant to be grateful and smile and say things like, “Yes! What a great idea!” Or – you know – just maintain my sanity.
My goal in learning these things can be summed up in one word. Happiness. I want to be in the moment I’m in and enjoy it. I wish the same for you!
Blessings.
OM