The Armadillo Tales

Designer Diaper Bags

Lately I have had this obsession with designer diaper bags.  I don't know if it's the intoxicating smell of leather, but I've pushed aside canvas, stain-resistant fabrics, ... in place of super soft leather.      Maybe it's because of this current message board that I visit that is a major enabler of all things relating to diaper bags, but these women buy nothing but the best.    My first leather diaper bag purchase is the Ramalama's.   Ooooh, yummy soft leather is how to best describe these bags.   Ramalama is an Australian company and I ADORE their bags.   I won't tell how many of them I have but let's just say that I can barely count them on one hand.      My next purchase went to the Mia Bossi bags.  I haven't used the Reese bag I bought yet, but I am definitely looking foward to it.     My current obsession is the Not Rational bags.   Gorgeous!  I am currently coveting either the Gretel or Hansel styles (shown above).   I am scouring Ebay and the message boards looking for one at a reasonable price.      

The good thing about these bags is the fact they look so unlike typical diaper bags that I can use them even after my little one is no longer in diapers.    That way I can keep them longer and get more use out of it.   Oh hell.   Yes that's right.  I am secretly trying to justiy my spending ... can't blame me for that.

Be Prepared, No Really

I don't know why I do this.   I think I'm being prepared for the impending rains and cold weather so I buy certain items in advance.   My favorite store, Target, started selling rain gear months, months ago.    Being a good mommy I bought a Cars poncho for the armadillo, a couple pairs of rain boots for the armadillo and the sumo baby, socks, hats, jackets, ... the whole nine yards.   Well today's the day.   It's raining.  Has been since the morning.   What has this good mommy done to prepare for this?   Nothing, nada.   I totally forgot all about the cool rain gear I bought for the boys and sent them to school somewhat covered.    They both had their shoes, no rain boots.   They had their jackets, but no rain jackets and no poncho.   Poor sumo baby, his jacket hood couldn't even stay on his head.    There were all of these other children at the school that had their rain jackets and fancy rain boots on.     Ah, oh well.   I'm grateful that they at least were dressed warmly enough and covered so that they wouldn't get wet, somewhat.      

I'll have to have the armadillo and the sumo baby try on their rain boots at home so that they get used to walking in them.   It's a double edge sword with the boots though.   Once they get it on, I know it will be a b1tch to get it off.  The boys are going to want to wear it everywhere.    Everywhere.    Fun fun fun!   (sarcastic tone)   

Can't Stop Sweating

Our family has been on the lovely island of Maui for the past five days and I've about almost stopped sweating.   With the heat and humidity here I feel as I've been dripping perspiration non-stop.     Yuck.    Thankfully our condo here as a washer and dryer inside so that I can change my outfits at least three times a day.   Aside from the sweating we've been having a blast since we got here.   Most of our time has been spent with my relatives, eating, hanging out, eating, etc ...     Both the armadillo and sumo baby love spending time at their great-grandma's house.   Which is a good thing as we only see them about once a year.   

Last night we had a belated birthday celebration for the armadillo.   I think that was probably his third or fourth birthday cake so far.    The armadillo's grandma picked up a yummy ice cream cake that just melted so quickly in this weather.      

We took the boys to the pool here at the resort and it was kind of rough in the beginning.   The sumo baby protested to being in his floatie for the first 10 minutes.   The armadillo slipped off a step and his face ended up in the water.   That mishap cause the armadillo to not want to venture into the pool unless he was strapped onto his daddy.   Even though the armadillo was wearing a floatie vest, he didn't want to try to float on his own.   In all we spent about an hour there which was good enough for me.   I'm hoping to get enough of a tan to cover my shirt sleeve tan lines.   Double yuck.   

I'm hoping to post photos soon because of course it is beautiful here.

Help Me ... I'm a Tokidoki Addict

I couldn't help myself.   It was all just sitting out there.   Displayed in a way that I could not miss it.    The new prints ... oh how adorable the new print is.    I had to have it.   Damn Macy's ... they knew I was stopping by.   They knew I only meant to stride on in and stride on out.   It was an ideal trap.  Stack the bags on a stand closest to the aisles.   Stack them and hang them so I wouldn't miss it.     I fell for it ... hook, line, and sinker.    I layered the bags on my shoulder one by one.   How many do I have?   I lost count.   Do I need all of these bags?   Of course not.   Do I have to have it?   Of course.

Aranzi

If I was brave enough to order internationally, I'd be all over the items featured at Aranzi's online shop.   I adore everything listed.    Check it out and tell me if you order something!   

15 Minute Stretch

I can't believe it but I spent a record breaking 15 minutes at my favorite store, Target.    I love everything about that store and for me to spend less than an hour there is definitely something noteworthy.   I wasn't going to go there at all today but I had to pick up the armadillo's allergy medicine prescription and our family pharmacy is of course at Target.     Since the weather has been somewhat warmer here the pollen count has exploded.   We are all suffering to some degree.   Itchy watery eyes, sneezing, etc ... are part of our now daily woes.     Thus it's time to get the armadillo back on his allergy meds routine.     Since I am no longer eithe pregnant or nursing I can take something as well.  I'm trying some Claritin-D so we'll see how it goes.   

But getting back to the bullseye, I am such a regular at that store that even the cafe guy recognizes me ...

Cafe guy: "Hi. Can I help you?"

Me: "Yes please.   Large soda and six sugar cookies.   That's it."

Cafe guy: "Ah, your usual huh?"

Me: (somewhat embarrassed) "Um, yes please."

We All Have It

Well women that is ... well women who haven't reached menopause yet ... well females who have already reached puberty ... well you know what I mean.   I know this is probably too much information type of post but I just thought about how handy this item is because I need one and I don't have one.   In case you can't tell it's called a Pursonal.   The Pursonal holds all of our woman's necessities.   It's made specifically for that time of the month and it holds a good supply of what we need to while we're out and about.   A big plus is that it's crafted using a colorful and delightful fabric, and a velcro closure to secure.     I don't know why more people don't make these as I'm sure women would buy them.

Now Why Didn't I Think of That?

Every now and then I see a product invented or created by a mom like me and I'm just like, "Damn!  Why didn't I think of that?".      Last week on the Oprah show, she featured moms who turned their inventions and ideas into millions of dollars.    I don't usually watch Oprah but this is one show that I would have loved to have seen.   The show featured women who invented products such as Jibbitz, the accessories kids and adults adorn their Crocs (shown above).     Grace Welch, the inventor of the Patemm Pad (shown below), a circular changing pad, which is one of my favorite and most-used products.   

Next time I think of a "I wish someone made a ___________", I'll write that thought down and follow up with it as soon as possible.   Hey, maybe I'll be on Oprah one day too, but I'd rather be a millionaire.   Money first, then Oprah.   

Dollar Station, Sweet

Why have I not gone into a Dollar store till today?   There is a dollar store in my neighborhood that I've never thought to go in.   I'm thinking what could I possibly need or want in a dollar store?   I don't need cheap plastic hair rollers, obscure dishes and flatware, mardi gras beads, or silly party favors.     But then I looked at my two little boys in front of me.    I thought what the hell.   Let's browse and see what we find.  But wow ... lo and behold it was a small treasure chest of dollar finds for my boys.   The armadillo went fanatical with all of the knick knack hanging off the walls, stacked on the floor, etc ...   He kept saying, "Mama ooooo ... look at this ... ooooh Mama ... want this ..." with every item that sparked his interest.   The armadillo's school handed out a wish list of items so I bought some things that they need.    I bought notepads, sticky foam letters, glue, stickers, sidewalk chalk, etc ...    Of course I'm keeping some of those goodies for the armadillo.    I think he'll have a blast showing off his artistic creations.    I know that I'll hang every single example of his imaginative handiwork on the walls in the house.    Oh, I can just feel that mama pride swelling up.    It's a nice feeling.

Kim Family Auction

Don't forget that today is the first day of bidding for the Kim Family Auction.    It goes on through January 7th.    There are a lot of fabulous products available.    All products were donated by the artists.   All proceeds from the auction goes to the Kim Family.    Show your support and head on over!

Image shown above is one of the many items available on Ebay, it's a stuffed donkey from Myra at My Little Mochi.   I love her crafts!