Queen Bee Market

I had an awesome blogger date this weekend with Kara at Ramblings of a Marine Wife. 

We met up at the Queen Bee Market. I didn't really know much about it going in, but have some grownup time out of the house, sounded like a great time.  Kara and I actually spent more time talking afterwards than we did shopping, it was so nice to meet her and chat, she is just as nice in real life as she is online. I am looking forward to meeting up again. 

But... back to the market. 

There was lots of cool things, antique furniture, Christmas ornaments, hand made bags and jewelry. Lots of great stuff. But I made out with hair accessories, for me and Evey. 

First the bows, they are mostly for me but I can share them if Evey can not destroy them with dirty little fingers. 

 I recognized the Hello Kitty one right away. A bow with Hello Kitty bows on it? YES PLEASE! 

A Little Delight had some of the cutest bows, and other hair ties. Very cute stuff. 

Next up we have Bacon and Eggs. Seriously so cute. Also Bacon is one of Evey's new words (and favorite foods), so of course I had to get her one. 

The Bacon and Eggs clips are from SoCutie. And they are So Cute! 

Last but not least we have the Jellyfish. 

Holy Moley Jellyfish is the cutest ever. 

It also has a little bit of Velcro inside that helps keep it in the babies hair. This is genius. It makes it difficult for the baby to pull the clip out.

Jellyfish is made by Shining Stars Boutique

Please ignore dirty baby face. I didn't want to fight with her. She's still cute. 

We love all of our new hair clips. And we really hope the dog doesn't eat them. 

Sadly I guess this is the last QBM that will be held, but you can check out all of the vendors on the page, if you are looking for local vendors in So Cal, they are all listed on the vendor page. Lots of cool stuff. 

*this is not a sponsored post, I purchased all of the items shown*

Daiso Japan!

The day we went to CoCo Ichiban (well, both times, we've been twice now) we also made a trip to Daiso Japan, also known as "The 100 Yen store". In Japan Daiso is a chain of 100 Yen stores that is similar to dollar stores, but better quality, at least in my opinion. And lots of functional things, cleaning, makeup, storage, foodware, decor, notepads and stationary. Some of my best memories from Japan are going out with one of my best friends in Japan to get pedicures, have Sunabe Gyro, and then going to the 100 yen store. 

So of course I was thrilled to find out there was some located in California, and they were promptly added to my "to-do" list. The nearest one is a bit of a drive, it's about an hour north of here, but so worth it.  We make a day of it and also go to Coco Ichiban, and there is also a Japanese grocery almost right next door to this Daiso, so it all works out nicely. It's almost like being back in Okinawa for a couple of hours. 

Walking inside it's like being transported back to Japan, the store looks just like the ones in Japan, they carry all the fun things that I miss being able to get everyday. And just about everything is only $1.50! Some of the larger items are $3 to $5 but I don't think anything is more than $5. 

We had so much fun, and I am already planning my next trip! 

I wish I had taken  more pictures, but the store was very crowded both times (on the weekend) and I think it's a little weird for me to be walking around with my DSLR taking pictures inside a store. 

Evey's Favorite Things

Moby Wrap!

blury side veiw

 Evey pretty much loves this thing. She usually falls asleep within 15 min of me putting her on. It's pretty comfortable too. Although I don't wear her for long periods of time. I'd say so far the longest has been about 45 minutes. I am still a little nervous she is going to fall out, but I think that's just mom nerves because she seems to be in there pretty darn good. When it warms up I plan to go on walks with her in it. And I keep meaning to bring it to the grocery store with me so I don't have to pile groceries on top of her in the cart.

she's eating my shirt

And if you are wearing it with a newborn, make sure you are wearing it correctly! I was not, although I only wore it with her wrong, for a few minutes before I watched this and got it right.

And putting your newborn in correctly!

- Alana

Evey's Favorite Things

Even though she's just a little tiny thing, Evelyn has already taken a liking to certain things that we have gotten for her.

Fisher Price Rock and Play Sleeper

 One of these things is the Fisher Price Rock and Play. She loves it, so do we. It's something I registered for, and didn't give it much thought, just "that would be nice".  My mom got it for us and I really didn't think we'd use it a whole lot. But I was so wrong.
I like that it gives me a chance to put her down and do things, I can do some laundry, or load the dishwasher. It's light weight enough that I can carry it into the bathroom, so she can be in there while I shower.  She naps very well in it throughout the day. She can still be right next to me, and she is up away from the dogs, and still able to see me when she wakes up.



 Alana
(UPDATE 1/10/13) I am aware there has been a recall on this product due to a molding possibility. I think it's more of a common sense thing, keep your baby stuff clean and dry.  Fisher Price Recall article How to clean, from Fisher Price  

Old Navy Sale!

Yesterday when I said I hadn't made any purchases for the baby this week, that was mostly true. 

I haven't purchased anything, this week, I did however make a nice size order from Old Navy at the beginning of the month, But it only just arrived. 

First we have the adorable rainbow dress with the matching beanie. It's actually a size 6-12 mos, But I've been eyeing it for a while and it was on sale, plus ON was running a 30% off special. The kitty hoodie is fleece and just adorable. Plus she got the boots with the fur. 

All on the onsies I got are long sleeve. And some animal prink leggings. 

I also got her a few denim overall dresses. I got the top one twice, one in 0-3 and one 3-6 because they were something like 3.99 before the 30% off. The other one has a cute braided waistband. They all have little bloomers. 

So little baby E has quite a growing wardrobe. She better have lots of friends so she can show off all her fantastic duds. 

I also got a few things for myself, two long sleeve maternity shirts, one of them in neon yellow, it's awesome, I also got myself two pairs of leggings. 

- Alana

Oh My! Where have I been?

Tucson Travels Part 1

If you follow me on  Facebook, you'll know I was traveling.
I went home to Tucson, Az to see my family and to do some much needed maternity shopping.
Some of these are Instagram photo (I'm alanamarie26, leave your name in the comments here and I'll follow you back on Instagram!) some are Camera+ photos, but all are from my iPhone, I didn't have enough room to bring the Nikon.

all my shit

Helena is a redonkulously small airport, 4 ticket counters, Delta, United, Alaska and one I've never heard of. The entire length of the airport is about the size of a football field. There is one small restruant, and one luggage conveyer. Once you go through security (which is only open when there is an outgoing flight, so 3 maybe 4 times a day for an hour or so, you go into the terminals, there are 4 two upstairs and two down, each pair are in a room that has enough seating for about 100 people, and the downstairs has a small concession with typicial airport prices ($2.75 for a small bottle of soda)

My flights are typically uneventful, I hop to SLC, then to Tucson. I always sit next to some very interesting characters. I'll save that for another post though, I can type a whole page on weirdos on the airplane.

Mom picks me up and the adventure begins.

Pregnancy cravings havent been bad, but there have been things I wanted that I just could not have here in Montana. One being Eegees. It's hard to explain eegees, they have great sandwiches, but they also have their trademark drink, the Eegee, it's like a slurpee that doesn't melt as quick. And the flavors are way better. July flavor of the month is Watermelon. And it's just amazing.

Watermelon Eegee

Ham and Cheese, no Tomato, Extra Pickle!

I have also had a hankering for Wienerschnitzel its a hotdog chain that has the best commercial chili dogs ever! I had been craving their chili cheese fries. So my first night I had eegees and wienerschnitzel for diner. Yeah, I'm that pregnant lady.

not much to look at but trust me, what they lack in beauty they make up for in amazingness.

Being at home means I get to see my family, Even my hairy brother and sister.

This is Sir Chunk Alot, We call him Chunky. He's my little brother, he's 14 years old, he's a dirty little shit, who cries all the time because he can, his favorite time to cry is about 3 am. I love him though, he slept with me every night. His hairy sister is mean and won't let him sleep with my parents so when people visit that's the only time he gets to sleep with humans. 

And this is Dedra Dawn, she was my replacement. When I moved away about 7 years ago, it didn't take long for my mom to bring her home. She's a holy terror. But she loves to snuggle and eat the food you drop. She also loves to whine and has that super awesome terrier whine that makes you want to gouge out your eardrums with a dull knife.


Mom and I finally got down to shopping and we had so much fun!

Motherhood Maternity has a fake belly you can try on, and I cannot wait to be this cute!

I don't have any other pictures from the clothing shopping, because lets face it, even pregnant trying on clothes is not fun. It's only fun if you've just lost a bunch of weight are are rocking an awesome bod. Which I am not, yet...

Join me tomorrow for more Tucson Travels!

-Alana

My Search Has Ended

For months(okay maybe a week or so) Paul and i have been searching for three things:

• Speakers for his computer 
• a new crock pot (3qt, because it's just the two of us)
• a magenta ink cartridge for the printer

none of the southern island PX's have had them, see thats the glory of owning/wanting american appliances and living on a small island with many americans who also own/want the same things and we only have one or two places to get them. and when the island finally gets what your looking for someone always beats you to it. this is the same reason we either have to all wear the same clothes, or order online. (on more than one occasion i've been at the same location as someone wearing the same PX bought shirt i was wearing.)

well today, aginst my wishes (i really dont like the drive) we went north to Hansen one of the two northern Marine bases, that dont have much to offer, small PX a food court, and thats about it. But Paul needed a hair cut and didnt want to wait for 3 hours at Foster ( a southern/central island base) which would be crowded on the weekend. So off to Hansen we headed. and guess what we found.

everything we always wanted, and more. Paul also got some body wash and i got a red mt. dew which is really the only soda besides orange fanta that i drink nowadays.

i'm gonna have to crock pot cook this week! i am so excited.