#mioalpha

I'm Lusting After:

... the Mio Alpha heart rate monitor.  I almost fell out of my seat when I saw this STRAPLESS heart rate monitor IN the band.  It is $199 - pricey but may be worth it for some people that do not like/have luck with the heart rate chest straps.

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"Totally unobtrusive, ALPHA delivers maximum performance in ultimate comfort. No chest strap means no worry it will slide down or chafe. Alpha's soft, stretchable silicone wrist band ensures a snug fit in a form factor that won't slow you down. So comfortable, you can wear it all day!"

It is a heart rate monitor, a clock, a timer, and can sync using bluetooth to several apps - RunKeeper included (which I use).

This would work well for me since I do at-home DVD workouts but there are Garmin sport devices that do more (GPS) for the same price point (but require the heart rate monitor strap).  I am curious as to its accuracy.

I'm Reading:

About a 12-month old in Russia that swallowed 42 magnets from a fridge.  These were surgically removed and the child is recovering, but come on.  I do not have any magnets at my daughter's height (especially not at that age).  If you watch the video - the narrator is right - babies/kids put anything and everything in their mouth.

When we moved into our house we made it pretty baby-safe and it has stayed that way.  If you're wondering why our magnets are only on the freezer - figure it out.  If you are wondering why the frames with glass are on walls or up higher - glass is dangerous.  I usually always have my eye on my daughter, her habit, her mood, and the objects in the house.  Being a mother has made me slightly OCD (never was before) and my hubby was already ridiculously OCD and I think it has done the opposite for him.  :)

I'm Watching:

The hubby and I were home on Saturday night and the DVR was empty (this never happens) aside from Barney and Daniel Tiger (for emergency playing when our daughter needs shows to watch) and we could not find anything on TV.  Until..... I saw this 'Flipping Vegas' on A&E Saturdays at 9pm CST.

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It is about Scott Yancey and his wife (we were surprised to find out later in the show that they were married but did the 'ahhh oohhh I get it now') running a company in which they 'flip' houses in Vegas.  The episode we saw last night was one about Scott having purchased a condo (inexpensively) in a rough neighborhood in Vegas.  It had graffiti everywhere, a homeless woman living in it, and was super small.  During the flip, it was broken into and tagged (again).  It was interesting for the following reasons:

I have always loved home improvement shows.

It is a husband/wife team (he's the numbers guy and she's the interior designer).

It is in Vegas and NOT on the strip (there is more to Vegas?).

This guy (and his wife) have several very nice cars with their cool logo on them.

This guy had a gun in his trunk and whipped it out like it was normal work-play in the middle of the night to check on his broken into recently purchased condo.

I told the hubby we need to do this.  Maybe not in Vegas.

I'm Drooling Over Makeup I Am Using:

I decided to mix it up a bit and share with you the makeup I am currently using (due to a request or two).  :)

All over primer (including eye lids): PIXI Flawless & Poreless ‘pore minimizing face primer’ that I received in this month's Ipsy shipment.  This has salicylic acid, so hopefully it helps my skin as well.   Before this, I had been using PurMinerals Correcting Primer which did not seem to leave my face as shiny throughout the day.

Eye Shadow: I have been using Coastal Scents trial shadow that I received from Ipsy this month and just ordered the Warm Palette from the website.  This requires three brushes (by me) just so you know.

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Eye Liner: Mica Beauty Cosmetics Gel Eyeliner (I prefer liquid and in this fashion) in black.  This is also from Ipsy this month and I was using Maybelline Gel Eyeliner in black (which is pretty much the same).  This requires a very fine brush.

Mascara: This is a hard thing to find and love.  I have tried so many I could be an expert and if I could remember all the details I would write a detailed review for you.  However, right now, I am loving Urban Decay's Lush Lash in black.

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Concealer: PurMinerals Disappearing Act 4-in-1 Concealer.  (I buy the light color).  This requires a primer brush.

Foundation: PurMinerals 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup Foundation with SPF 15 (in light).  This stuff is amazing (I used bareMinenrals before this one) and it feels like I am not wearing foundation.  I hate the oily and thick foundations.  This requires a big poofy foundation brush.

Blush: bareMinerals Blush - usually in a pink hue (I am using one called 'kiss' now).  I have not had a problem with this before (some blushes make me break out) but I am open to trying new ones.  :)

Lip Gloss: NYX "mood" lip gloss in 'Romantic Love' which really is just hot pink.  This stuff is awesome because it's shiny, doesn't highlight my dry lips (if I have them) and the stain remains on my lips for several hours after the gloss has left.  I have tried the 'sensual' color but it is a little dark for my taste.  Sometimes, I mix the two for a 'night look'.

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Toddler Parent-Friendly Restaurant Rating:

Since we have not gone anywhere new with my daughter lately, I am going to write about one of my favorite restaurants - J Gilbert's.  Yes, this is where the hubby and I went for Valentine's Day (and usually on my birthday)!  You're probably thinking - this is a steakhouse - why would I love it so?

Well, let me tell you.  If you are feeling cheeky, they have fun drinks (I had a pineapple Mojito but did not like the mint floating around):

They have these Maytag Blue Cheese Chips (appetizer that fills me up) that are amazing:

  I order the Blackened Chicken Penne pasta (I eat chicken and usually ask them leave out the leeks) and take mostly all of it home with me.  This last time, it gave me two days worth of left-overs! :)

They used to have a Chocolate Souffle that I would almost die for, however, they do not have it any longer.   :(  They have plenty of other choices (cheesecake, berries, apple thing, etc) and we usually go with the Chocolate Velvet Cake and take at least half home to my mother (it's her favorite).

I do not recommend bringing babies or kids to this restaurant since it is a romantic atmosphere, there is not a kid's menu (the food is for adults), and people that dine here are there for the atmosphere - not the crying/screaming kids.  I won't lie - we took my daughter once when she was younger and it was not the most fun experience.  Nevertheless, I give this restaurant four adult pacifiers!  Yummm.

Favorite Toddler Item (at the moment):

I have always complained that good socks that stay on my daughter's feet are hard to find - especially when she makes it a sport to take them off.  My mother and I were shopping this last weekend and visited The Children's Place and my mother found some great clearance socks!  So yes, my favorite toddler item at the moment are socks that stay up, are cute, and have the rubber writing on the bottom to keep my daughter from slipping on our wood floors.  When she was little we had to buy really tall socks so she would not take them off.

We also have some socks like these from Old Navy (that my mother found) that are solid colors and work well.  By the way, why would someone make toddler socks without rubber writing on the bottom?  These kids are walking and will most likely need some friction.

Random Thoughts:

Why do companies make t-shirts (and I am mainly talking about active shirts like Nike or Adidas) tight in the sleeves?  I had to tell my mom this weekend (as we were shopping) that a shirt I tried on was too tight on my biceps.  Isn't that the idea (oh you 'sport companies' who make these shirts) to be buff and have muscles!?  

Why are (it seems) ALL children's stores so cramped that you cannot wheel a stroller through it?  Am I the only one that has noticed this?  Of ALL stores that need room in aisles, a store that sells clothing for kids STROLLER SIZE should spread things out.

I am really sad that Christina Applegate is leaving Up All Night (one of the hubby and I's favorite sitcoms) and it may just get cancelled all together (Maya Rudolph being pregnant probably does not help).

Who knew goats sounded so much like angry humans?  Watch this.