Adirondack living

A good friend of ours owns a beautiful home a few blocks from the Saratoga Racetrack. Her front porch is a prime spot to hang out, have some drinks, and enjoy the evening. She even has a little Adirondack chair that fits Robby perfectly.

It’s ironic that I found an Adirondack chair made by Little Colorado, but this chair, like all LC stuff is made in the USA and not outrageously expensive. To me, an Adirondack chair made in Colorado is still WAY better than one made in China. This one is reasonably priced at $69.95 plus $10 shipping.

The Little Colorado website, while not very user-friendly has some great items for kids. Step stools, play kitchens, toy boxes, personalized peg racks and much more. Check it out!

I just love this peg rack or a nursery or child’s room. Boys, this comes in primary colors too. It costs $34.95 plus $7 shipping for up to nine letters.

A few of my favorite things - bath & body

Earth Mama Angel Baby: Angel Baby Shampoo and Body Wash

It dispenses easily (with one hand!), lathers nicely, rinses clean, makes skin feel so soft, and smells almost good enough to eat. Oh, did I mention that it contains no petrochemical or synthetic surfactants or foaming agents like sodium laureth sulfate or cocoamidylpropyl betaine? If that means nothing to you, just know that this product is made with only pure and safe ingredients that the average person can actually pronounce, like organic coconut oil.

I’ve been using this shampoo on Robby since day 1 and have loved it ever since. Despite using it on an almost daily basis, I am still surprised sometimes at how good it smells. Another added bonus, you don’t need to use a ton of this product, so it lasts a super long time. Friends, this product is worth it in every way. You can purchase a three pack on Amazon or the directly from the EMAB website.


Carol’s Daughter: Shea Souffle in Mango Melange

Believe it or not, my dad was the first to buy me this product. That sounds really weird, so let me explain. My dad takes an annual trip to Las Vegas with several other guy friends to watch the Superbowl. There’s obviously a little guilt associated with this trip, so he makes a redemptive visit to Sephora to pick up gifts for his girls. While there, he heavily relies on the store clerks to guide his product purchase and one year they suggested this Carol’s Daughter shea butter. Fantastic score for me! This stuff is super thick and emollient, smells amazingly good, and makes skin feel like silk. What I really love about this product is that is so penetrating that the smell stays with you almost all day, eliminating the need for perfumes. It is paraben, mineral oil, and artificial color free.

At $30 for a 16oz. tub this is definitely not a cheap thrill. Despite the hefty price tag, this product is damn good and one that I highly recommend.


Trillium Organics: Organic Body Polish

I purchased this on a whim based on the claim from Trillium Organics’ website that this body polish “moisturizes more than a lotion, cleanses more profoundly than any soap, and promotes healthy skin in balance with nature, and in balance with the body it protects”. Slight pause…add to cart, SOLD. Upon the arrival of my Clementine/Clove body polish, I was pleasantly surprised by its clever packaging and wonderful aroma. I couldn’t wait to shower with this little miracle and become a believer. I’ve fallen for my fair share of As-Seen-On-TV gems, and while this one doesn’t fall into that category, my hopes were as high as Tony Little (see left).

My first shower with the body polish and I probably don’t need to continue as this post is called “A few of my favorite things”, but this stuff rocks for real! My skin felt like it had been wrapped in a satin sheet. For a minute in my bathroom I actually starred in my own Caress body wash commercial! While I would hesitate to call anything a miracle product unless I was getting paid to endorse it, this product comes pretty damn close to its lofty claims.

You can purchase this on the Trillium Organics website.

Nature Boy

Rarely am I inspired to do any type of physical activity. I do enjoy taking Robby out for a little run in the park after work, but all it takes is one miniscule hang up and my running dreams are dashed. I’m talking really little things like: last time I took Robby running he got two bug bites on his face. Or, I have to be home in time to make dinner and get him to bed by the time Megan Wants a Millionaire starts. Or, I got a paper cut at work which may impede my stroller handling ability. On those rare occasions when the stars are aligned, I do take Robby running and we really enjoy ourselves. Or rather, he enjoys throwing his sippy cup overboard and watching me struggle to bend down and pick it up while maintaining my little-faster-than-a-walk pace.

A few weeks ago Jude and I took Robby hiking on the trails of Moreau State Park. The smile plastered on his face for nearly the whole hike is inspiring me to get outside and hit the trails again! Granted he may have been smiling at my renditions of Wheels on the Bus and Old MacDonald, but it seemed that he truly enjoyed himself.

Living close to the Adirondacks is something we often take for granted. Having grown up in Brooklyn, my husband Jude is certainly no Eagle Scout. He can’t really swim, hadn’t mowed a lawn until age 30, has never been camping, and can barely start a bonfire in our yard! He’s quickly developed an appreciation for the outdoors and has even climbed several high peaks during the past few years. I’d like Robby to have an appreciation for nature too, which means I need to suck it up a little and get him out.

I’m not going to let a few bug bites stop me, Jude and Robby from enjoying nature in our own backyard and beyond.