At Least the Engines Work - Disney Dream Takes Shape

Our three day cruise on the Disney Dream is almost 8 months away. Seem far away until I hear things like, "they tested the engines and they work" and "the maiden voyage is only 180 days away".

When I see the announcement that they added water to the pools, I will feel more secure.

Here's what my ship looks like today:

You're gonna need a bigger boat...

If you know me then you know that "Jaws" is one of my all time favorite movies. Whenever it's on the television, I watch it. I bring the DVD to the beach with me every year to watch while there and as luck would have it, the same week I am at coast is also Shark Week on the Discovery Channel. Bonus!

I am fascinated, horrified and in awe of sharks all at the same time. My nerdy son has picked up on this love of the big fish and reads about them himself. Perhaps it's just in our New England blood. Needless to say though I do NOT want any sharks of any variety sharing my ocean space with me whilst swimming, so it is with mixed feelings that I report to you that within the last 2 weeks 9 big daddy sharks have been spotted off the coast of Chatham in Cape Cod. Three of them were just this past Wednesday! Good grief.

They were estimated to be between 10 and 16 feet long, about 100 yards off shore and one was 20 yards away from a clueless swimmer. All of this was reported from a professional shark swimmer, an occupation I never knew existed. Also reported were 3 grey seal deaths that met their maker at the teeth of a shark. Poor babies, so cute to watch swim around the harbor. Swim far far away while you can!

Soooooo...will I be in Chatham soon to really be worried about this? Yes...yes I will. And will I be swimming while there to cool myself off after a hot day at the beach? No...no I will not.

Here's to swimmin with bow legged women.

~ Karen

That's it. No More Baby Products. The Nap Nanny Gets Recalled

Another one bites the dust. I asked a few weeks ago if there were any baby products that had not yet been recalled. The answer is "yes". My beloved Nap Nanny (http://thebestfriendsguideto.blogspot.com/2010/05/nap-nanny-best-invention-ever.html) fell victim to the latest recall rounds (see recall info here).

In case your keeping score, here is the breakdown of recalls:

1. Infantino sling. Babies can suffocate. (recall info)
2. McClaren Umbrella stroller. Children can lose their fingers in the metal folding pieces (recall info)
3. All drop rail Pottery Barn cribs. Children can get wedged between mattress and side (recall info)
4. Nap Nanny. Children fall out and nothing good can come of that. (recall info)

I should also note that I own each and every thing on this list and have not received a dime back. All recalls involve stopping the use of the item and waiting for some piece of hardware that can magically make the item usable again.

I am waiting for my baby to actually be recalled. Seems to be the logical next step.

~Davina

BF's Monday Mystery Photo- Can you guess where we are?

D is flying solo in this picture. Someone has to be ready to take the pic when you find a shopping cart at 1 a.m. Any local city gals know where she is?

Yes Captain..I will join your crew

I cannot sign up fast enough, and I don't even like bloody marys. Captain Jack you make me swoon






~ Mrs. Captain Jack Sparrow

More Smore's

My family has no problem making smores wherever the supplies are available. Home, at a BBQ, the beach..I am on it! Our favorite place however is at the beach. A sandy marshmallow is a friend of mine. Mmmmmmm.....

As part of the moms blogger club Im entering this to win me some smores supplies. Help!

Check out the website below

http://www.smoressmiles.com/

A tribute to my budget busting husband

Thanks to Lizzie for sharing this with me. If I did'nt know better, i'd say my husband was the star of this. Goatee...check, Polo shirt...check...flip phone clip...check
So sad to admit.....

Who does'nt love a photo booth?

I had to write about this because I think it's fantastic.

Disney now has the options for brides to add a photo booth to their reception instead of the disposable cameras that sometimes get lost, not used or used to take 24 pictures of a strangers dirty feet. I am a fan of the photo booth and would love to go to a wedding that had one. I would prefer that it be a wedding of someone I am close too so I can be free to take as many stupid pictures as possible. Imagine the end of the night pics after many cocktails? Priceless..

~ Karen

And the cupcakes goes to.....

Congratulation to Jen R. You are the winner of the sugar girls cupcakes gift certificate good for a dozen designer minis!! Please email us your mailing address and full name at davina.chojnowski@gmail.com so we can mail your certificate.

If you did'nt get picked this time, don't be sad...there's more giveaways to come. Just keep checking back every week to see what new things we have and who knows, maybe we'll have some more sugar someday too!

Thanks again to Sugar Girls for their generous donation and for keeping our tummys full of cupcakey goodness. Check out their website for the newest flavors and to place an order!!

http://sugargirlscupcakes.com/

The Old Spice Guy Shows Alyssa Milano Who's the Boss

Old Spice found a clever way to make some noise by creating Web videos in response to comments and questions from fans on social media sites.

Old Spice guy shot more than 150 videos over three days. The videos include responses to celebrities and other social media influencers who asked questions via Twitter, Facebook and other social media sites.

The best is his exchange with Alyssa Milano

On Twitter, Alyssa_Milano wrote "GENIUS. Shirtless Old Spice guy replies on Twitter w/ hilarious personalized videos


On Twitter, Alyssa_Milano wrote "My coffee went up my nose. @oldspice guy made a video reply to my tweet!!


On Twitter, @Alyssa_Milano wrote "Ummm --- Are you sitting down??? Sit down. Ready? The @oldspice guy sent me roses!"

Crabby Pattys that won't bust your gut

I am the first to admit that I am afraid to cook seafood. I actually think I am afraid to even purchase it. The grocery store selection frightens me, what if it's bad, what type of fish, how is it supposed to smell...blah blah blah.

I do however love to eat seafood and was craving crab cakes not too long ago. Most crab cakes can be pretty high in fat and calories or can sometimes taste greasy or heavy. I happened to be looking through the pages of Cooking Light when I stumbled upon a recipe makeover for lighter crab cakes. My craving intensified so I sucked up my seafood fear, went to the local fish market ( not grocery store ) and bought the supplies. My husband looked shocked when he saw me at work in the kitchen, but he quietly walked away and kept his thoughts to himself.

To both of our surprise they came out delicious and were indeed lighter, tasty, and fresh. Paired with a crisp salad it was the perfect Summer meal. According to Cooking Light the calories are more than cut in half- 292 versus 734, fat reduced from 8.6 grams of fat to 1.6 grams and the sodium went from 1,285 milligrams to 571 milligrams. Great for my husband who watches his sodium intake. Try the yourself and see.

Ingredients

Crab cakes:
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives
1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 1/2 tablespoons canola-based mayonnaise (such as Spectrum brand)
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon rind
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
1 large egg
1/3 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
1 pound lump crabmeat, drained and shell pieces removed
1 tablespoon olive oil, divided

Rémoulade:
1/4 cup canola-based mayonnaise
1 tablespoon chopped shallots
1 1/2 tablespoons capers, drained and chopped * I did not have capers so made without*
2 teaspoons Creole mustard
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

Preparation
1. To prepare crab cakes, combine first 8 ingredients. Add panko and crab, tossing gently to combine. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes.
2. Fill a 1/3-cup dry measuring cup with crab mixture. Invert onto work surface; gently pat into a 3/4-inch-thick patty. Repeat procedure with remaining crab mixture, forming 8 cakes.
3. Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 4 crab cakes to pan; cook 4 minutes or until bottoms are golden. Carefully turn cakes; cook 4 minutes or until bottoms are golden and crab cakes are thoroughly heated. Remove cakes from pan; keep warm. Wipe pan dry with paper towels. Heat remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons oil in pan. Repeat procedure with remaining 4 crab cakes.
4. To prepare rémoulade, combine 1/4 cup mayonnaise and remaining ingredients in a small bowl; stir with a whisk. Serve with crab cakes.

~ Karen

Pottery Barn Recalls Pretty Much Every Crib Ever Made

 *Sigh*

First my McClaren stroller, then the sling, and now my son's Pottery Barn crib.

Is there any baby product that is not a death trap?

Recall info can be found here

"Facebook, The Movie" or "I Know What You Did Last Summer (unlike)"

I am all for a great corporate drama. Wall Street anyone? But listening to the trailer for the new Facebook movie... yes, Facebook movie (The Social Network is it's real name, but I like mine better)... makes me think of a slasher film. Unless they stick Mark Zuckerberg in a hockey mask and give him a chainsaw to run through Harvard Yard, I think they may need to rethink the drama.

Have a listen:

Why is a Muggle T-Shirt so Hard to Find?

The brains behind Harry Potter World are having a hard time keeping up with souvenir demand. The lines for the new Harry Potter World attractions are long and apparently people have been keeping themselves busy by hitting up the gift shops to buy the latest and greatest wizarding trinket.

Just in case you could not find your favorite wand or house scarf while in the park, Universal is putting together an online store to meet the overwhelming demand for all things Potter.

It's only in the beginning stages, but from what I see I am disappointed in the merchandise selection. Where are the cute "muggle" t-shirts? These items look more like dungeons and dragons meets a heavy metal concert. 

Some sample screenshots are below....

$100 for a robe that they will use as evidence when they find the bodies in your backyard...

 $29.95 for a hat that out of Harry Potter World context makes you look like a homeless scarecrow.

...and finally adult t-shirts that scream "I DON'T/CAN'T TALK TO GIRLS"

Tower of Terror Seatbelt Fail

In keeping with the awesome ride photo theme of the day, I thought I would share the following...
 

Punky Brewster Designs Eco Friendly Children's Clothes

Ever wonder what happened to Soleil Moon Frye? Head to Target and you'll find a collection of her eco-friendly organic baby clothes. In 2007, Frye, along with two friends, opened The Little Seed, an environmentally-conscious children's specialty boutique in Los Angeles.

Now she is working with Target for a lower-priced yet larger-scale distribution.  Mostly onsies, burp clothes, and towels in vibrant primary colors, the clothes make for a unique baby or shower gift.

If only she made one that said "punky power".

Check out the collection here

~Davina

Johnny Update

My husband was spotted in his entirely sexy Captain Jack outfit last week while filming begins for POTC 4- On Stranger Tides. For the next 3 months he will be filming in Hawaii- rough gig right.

I will miss him terribly while he is away

~ Karen

Anatomy of an Awesome Ride Photo

Step 1: Locate camera during a trial run for optimal ride photo
Step 2: Determine appropriate face for ride photo during line wait
Step 3: Consult with fellow ride-mates to determine maximum photo awesomeness
Step 4: Execute awesome ride pose at appropriate time

Voila.....

Lip balm addicts unite!

I am a lip balm junkie. It's something I cannot live without. If traveling, no matter the distance, I always have two kinds in my bag just in case. Cracked , dry lips are ugly and feel just plain nasty. This sentiment is the same for men and women so men listen up and get your self some Blistex.

I just recently scoured the local drugstore to see if I could find some new, reasonably priced ones and came up with the Blistex, Lip infusion Moisture Splash. It's in a silver tube and has a roller ball for the application. I enjoy it. I was however unable to find the main one I was looking for from EOS. After a search online I found that Walgreens does however have it for only $3.29! Sold!! It's a smooth sphere roll on , 95% organic, 100% natural, and paraben and petrolatum free. Packed with antioxidant-rich vitamin E, soothing shea butter and jojoba oil, eos keeps your lips moist, soft and sensationally smooth. The 4 current flavors are summer fruit, honeysuckle honeydew, sweet mint and the new lemon drop with spf 15. I must have the lemon drop. Check out their website if the thought of going into Walgreens makes you nauseous.

Does anyone use this now and what are your thoughts on it? Clearly you can't beat the price. Once I buy it, I'll give you my Blistex.

http://www.evolutionofsmooth.com/index.html

~Karen

BF's Monday Mystery Photo- Can you guess where we are?

It was either too much gin or the heat which made my husband commit to return to the Bahamas for my dreaded 40th birthday, so as a tribute to that I ask...Where are we?

I basically just gave you the answer. The palm trees and aqua water should help too.


~ Karen

Twicon update...Don't hate..appreciate

Twicon is now 10 days away. There have been some of you who have questioned me about attending, some have even asked " Twicon...whycon" ? Very witty indeed. My answer is simple..hotguyscom.

Please Jasper make a surprise appearance!

~ Karen

Free Cupcake Giveaway...who wants some sugar?

The BF's next Thursday Giveaway- which strangely begins on a Tuesday- is sure to please those with a sweet tooth. We've partnered with Sugar Girls Cupcakes of Worcester who have so graciously offered us a gift certificate for a dozen of their designer mini cupcakes!

Now I have eaten these cupcakes on several occassions and I can honestly say that they are some of the best that I have ever eaten. Moist, delish and the perfect size . They have even customized them for me when i've called with requests. With their signature designs, a cocktail collection- hello GNO- and a Summer 2010 collection there is something for all cupcake lovers. Being the coco nut that I am I suggest Coconut Grove.

If you are in the Boston area and need a cupcake fix then Sugar Girls are the gals for you to call. Check out their website below for the full list of flavors and contact info.

http://www.sugargirlscupcakes.com/

How to win-

1st entry- Leave a comment below about cupcakes. As long as you mention cupcakes, your good

2nd entry- Follow the Best Friends on twitter

3rd entry- retweet our post about this giveaway

Tell all your friends to check it out, but they can't win if they don't comment! The contest will run until July 16th. Good luck sugar!

~ Karen

Stay cool mama

I don't have central air so basically for the last few days I have either been living in my upstairs-which has AC's- or hosing myself off outside then attempting to stay on the first floor. It's HOT...like safari hot...Disney in August hot...Johnny Depp in a bathing suit hot.

If you can't make it to the gym because of the extreme heat then Allure has 50 ways to burn calories without even knowing it. Alas, laying in bed with a pint of Ben & Jerry's reading a good book is not one of them but , check them out. You may find yourself burning cals throughout the day.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37378884/ns/health-womens_health/

For the rest of the people like me who may not have central air,Real Simple also has 23 ways to stay cool that don't require burning calories at all. Me likey..

http://www.realsimple.com/work-life/23-ways-to-beat-heat-10000001630362/index.html

~ Karen

Who got the candle?

The winner of our Root candle giveaway is Mary Ellen. Congrats and thanks for commenting. Remember you can't win of you dont comment.
Our next giveaway will start tomorrow with some help from Sugar Girls Cupcakes. Yum!

Fashion Diapers? Seriously?

I am all for fashion, but this is ridiculous. In response to Huggies limited edition jean diapers, Pampers fires back with their own version of fancy poop sacks. Target will stock Cynthia Rowley designed Pampers beginning in mid-July.

Yes, they are more expensive. And yes, your baby's poop will still smell.

~Davina