>A few things I’ve been meaning to write about
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I think Laura Bennett would hate me if she met me. She’d take one look at my hair (needs a trim), my clothes (off the sale rack), and my fingers and toes (un-manicured and unpedicured, respectively) and then say something devestatingly funny about poor suburban housewives.
And she’d probably be right.
I get lots of e-mails about corporate websites geared toward families and honestly, this is the only one I’ve written about because it’s the first one I’ve seen that I will actually use. The Nature Valley Granola Bar people have developed a map where you can “pushpin” your favorite spot in nature and then write about it, so that other families know where to find it when they’re planning vacations or day trips. The whole thing is right up my family’s alley. We always like to go for a hike or bike ride when we’re on vacation and this site has lots of great ideas. Be sure to add your own favorite spot, so there’ll be even more to choose from.
(Disclaimer: I was sent a coupon for a free box of Nature Valley granola bars, but it in no way influenced my review. I mean, seriously. Do you really think I’d sell out my blog in exchange for a box of freakin’ granola bars?).
Okay. Finally, The Busy Body Book. It’s a family calendar with a separate space for each family member’s activities each day, and I was excited to review it because I’ve yet to find an easy way to keep everyone’s schedules in one place. So, I’ve used my Busy Body Book for a few weeks now and frankly, the grid squares are way too small. That’s my main complaint. But I like the size of the calendar as a whole (my other calendar is huge and weighs a ton) and I really like that the corresponding page has plenty of room for grocery lists and notes and evil doodles of mean moms who ask if both my babies have the same daddy, so I’ll keep using it until I find something better- which may be never. Plus, it’s fun to run around the house saying, “Where’s my Busy Body Book? I need my Busy Body Book, dammit!”
>Laura is my favorite too. However, I really think she is almost too good for Project Runway… I find her to be too talented and grounded and sophisticated to be making dresses out of garbage and crap like that. As I look down at my t-shirt covered in dirt and cathair, I wonder what it must be like to be so fabulous.
>I’d sell out my blog for one box of granola bars. Hell, half a box of granola bars would do.
>You got a coupon for free bars!? I wish I had that kind of pull.I would do it for it for 2 -since mona and I are having a Ebay auction.
>Did you see her Mom’s face when she blurted out that she was pregnant? I think her Mom almost fell off the chair. Good for Laura, she’s the type of person who can have 10 kids and still look great! Damn that woman!
>Wait, was it the oats and honey? Because I just might sell my blog for the oats and honey kind.
>i’ve never even heard of laura bennett, sounds like an overachiever to me. i’ve also never heard of the busy body book.good thing you took time to write about these things. thanks:)
>What cracked me up was the LOOK on Laura’s Mom’s face when the “news” slipped out. Ha! It was so funny! Now I’m wondering if it’s going to be another boy or a girl?
>I would sell my blog out for a box of pop tarts. Smores.I am here from Mysterious Lady for Click and Comment Monday.I hope I’m doing this right…
>How did you score a free box of granola bars? Who wouldn’t sell out their blog for a free box of anything? I would in a heartbeat, oh wait..I have…many times I think.
>Now I want a granola bar! 🙂 I really like Laura but I like Michael even more. I love this show, this is the first season that I have watched and I’m addicted.Well, off to raid my cupboards, there has got to be a granola bar in there somewhere! 🙂
>I absolutely LOVE Laura. She has more talent in her pinkie finger than I could ever muster in my whole life (although yes … that outfit last week … horrid … but well put together). And I guess I have been missing the comments of another one on the way. And I have to admit, once you have that third child, you really do start having that mentality of “hey … what’s another one, really?”
>I too love Laura, she says and does things I would never dare. My question is, how does she have 5+ kids and still have time to look and dress like that? My hero
>”how does she have 5+ kids and still have time to look and dress like that?”I’m guessing that woman has a nanny! Not that I begrudge her a nanny, but that’s the only explanation I can think of for her spectacular appearance.
>I think she has an entire damn staff. Cooks, nannies, the whole thing. And I’m rooting for Michael, too. He’s so nice. And I loved his Foxy Brown outfit. Loved it.
>Wow six kids– and I’m flipping nuts with three. She must be one special lady to handle all that work. When does she sleep?A coupon for granola– damn some people have all the luck.
>I’d sell out my blog for those Sweet’N’Salty granola bars. Mmmmm. Seriously, though. That website sounds cool.
>OkayBut but, se’s MEAN to people!Saying that, I LOVE her clothes. I’d wear her stuff. I love how she looks put together. But she is so snippy! However, maybe it’s because she’s stuck with, like, a bunch of freakin’ egotistical prima donnas and has a gazillion kids at home she needs to deal with. But I don’t see her letting her kids tackle her on the floor. They’d mess up her look. She’s almost ‘too perfect’ now, that is her ‘public’ persona. Maybe at home she’s all ‘loungewear and flip-flops (she’s probably got great looking pedicured feet)oh and I am rooting for Michael too.
>Yeah, I think that Laura would freak out if she took one look at me too. I haven’t even ever HAD a manicure or pedicure. That Busy Body book looks good…except I need more spaces. I wish someone would make a large families planner. If they do, I haven’t been able to find it. I saw a family planner in Walmart, but couldn’t justify spending $10 on it.
>I think Laura had one episode where she was really, really bitchy. But after I found out she was pregnant, I understood. Because I have episodes like that, too. 😉
>I like Laura, but there is something disconcerting in the proportion of her head to her body. Her clothes are very stylish and clean, which I like, but I don’t see a lot of creativity in her designs, which I don’t like. I like Jeffrey, despite myself. Something about that tattoo on his neck is just H.O.T. So I sold out for sex appeal. Who cares!
>You should check out the More Time Mom’s stuff: http://www.moretimemoms.com/products/shopping.htmlI have the family organizer, and the squares are big enough to keep up with 2 kid/school schedules, me, my fiancee and my parents’ activities. It’s a 16 month calendar, with stickers, recipies, spaces for seasonal chores, school lists and it has a big pocket in back with an emergency list section. There are lots of other products as well, and I’m thinking of getting the magnetic Fridge List for grocery shopping and meal planning. :)Meg
>I’m with you that on Laura…Admittedly I find her designs refined, but a little boaring thus far. She is definately outspoken and sophisticated (just check out her repeated outings wearing a riding uniform.)In the meantime, I can only dream of looking that put together after that many children.
>Sorry I didn’t thank you sooner for your BusyBodyBook post.We’re always looking for feedback -love your honesty. But… making the GRID squares biggger or adding more columns will make BBB bigger than carry on luggage – so we have to compromise. BTW – maybe one of the girls can use it for organizing school assignments – one column per subject.Thanks again!!!Joan
>I think I’m the only one on this comment string that will comment negatively on Laura. She can design and construct but her designs are stiff and rigid. Also, I don’t believe that she gave birth to all five children. I think reality shows tend to create things that may not be the entire “reality.” Also, I don’t think that she’s “fabulously glamourous” her posture is awful and Nina should tell her that the low v-neck line is not flattering on her. Her language is trashy and she’s immature when she cats about the other designers. Lastly, Michael is sweet, thinks and his design vision is fresh and new.
>A busy body book? that is a funny sounding name for a planner. But, I can see why you would get hooked on saying it out loud. :)And if I “did” nature i would go to that sight you talked about from the granola bar people, but since I avoid outside at all costs I don’t think pushpinning my couch would do any good. 🙂 🙂