Auld Lang Syne

2010 has been a year of big changes with Blondie Boy's birth and I'm looking forward to the new changes 2011 brings, including a new job that will let me be a work-at-home-Mom! I hope you've all had a fabulous 2010 and thank you to all my readers. If you haven't commented before please do and I look forward to sharing 2011 with you all.


January



February



March



April



May



June



July



August



September




October



November



December

Support the Girls

Boobs, yes I'm going to talk to you about my girls. I'm sorry Grandma I know you didn't like it the last time I mentioned them, but that was 8 months ago and up until a few weeks ago I still didn't have a bra that fit. Something had to be done. So apologies to Bessala, but I've warned you so you can stop reading now if you like :)

These are all bras that do not fit me. These aren't even all of them; there are a few sports bras I can't find and at least two bras I know of at my mother-in-law's house. Lets just say I have a lot of bras and none of them fit.

I think it's fair to say I was top heavy before I got pregnant. The women on both sides of my family are generously endowed and during my pregnancy between hormones, gaining weight and my ribcage expanding (it does that, did you know?) they got bigger again. They've come down some since having Blondie Boy, but I'm still top-heavier than I was before. I was constantly stuffing back in wayward boob spillage and well quadraboob is just not a good look.

Luckily the lovely people at Bravissimo came to my rescue. Bravissimo is a company that provides a wide choice of lingerie and swimwear in D-KK cup, as well as clothing designed especially for big boobed women so that they can celebrate their curves and feel good about themselves. They sell via catalog, Internet, phone and in twenty stores in the UK.

The stores are all staffed by very experienced fitting consultants, who will be delighted to help you find a bra that not only feels comfortable but also makes you feel fantastic. I went in for a fitting at the Glasgow store on Ingram street and the lovely staff were so nice and didn't give me the side-eye for my style requests. I have big boobs and I like them to look big; I want support in a bra, but I also don't want to be squished down and flattened if you know what I mean.

They don't use measuring tapes, but common sense to help find a bra that is a perfect fit. It seems obvious that different women are different shapes and different bras are different cuts, so not every bra is going to fit everyone the same way. My fitter was friendly and sincere and suggested several different bras to try.

The first bra I tried was a 34FF and fit, but wasn't quite my style. The Deco bra in a 34F (see I told you different sizes, different bras!) was exactly what I was looking for: formed demi cups, underwire and plunge. It creates a lovely rounded shape and gives excellent support. It's smooth and perfect under t-shirts and other form-fitting tops. I went for a nude colour and matching shorts, but it also came in black and a really cute purple colour with zebra trim.

I've tried a lot of bras and been to a lot of stores, but Bravissimo wins hands down. They also have clothes that run normal size, but with extra room in the chest. How great is that? Any busty girl will know what a pain shopping for dresses and especially button-down shirts can be, but no more! How cute is this dress (psst, it's on sale!)?

You can request a Bravissimo catalog here, find your local Bravissimo store here, or why not shop their up to 50% off sale here! You can also purchase items even if you live in the US, Canada, EU or Australia!

Transatlantic Blonde was provided a bra and underwear set to review, but the opinions expressed are her own.

Busy, Busy, Busy

Everyone always describes Blondie Boy as "busy" and to be honest that's what we've all been for over a week and it's why my blog has gone silent. In the past week this is some of what's happened:

-NotBlondeHusband got LASIK
-I applied for and was approved for a Spouse VISA
-NBH and I both got yucky colds
-Our check engine light on our car came on and subsequently our car is out-of-order
-We went to Troon for Blondie Boy's first Christmas

We're now in full-blown planning mode for Blondie Boy's 1st Birthday Party (any party supply people out there looking for reviews?) and preparing for my Mom to arrive on Blondie Boy's actual birthday for a week long visit.

2010 has been a year full of new things and there will be lots of changes coming in 2011 for us all. I hope y'all will stick around to go through them with us!

Wordless Wednesday: First Christmas

Merry Christmas

Frohe Weihnachten Kleiner Junge

Blondie Boy and I were super lucky to be able to go and visit his Tante Nadine in Köln Sunday-Wednesday two week ago. Nadine was an exchange student who lived with us for a year when I was 12 in Cincinnati and then I went and lived with her family for a month.

This was my fifth trip to Germany, but Blondie Boy's first and I think he really had a good time. Travelling alone with an 11 month old (NBH stayed at home) wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be luckily and the fact that Blondie Boy befriends every security person/flight attendant/fellow passenger he smiles at didn't hurt either!

We visited tons, seriously tons, of Christmas markets and after a surprise dump of snow Monday night, I pushed a stroller through the snow for the first time. I really love Köln and I'm glad I got to share it with Blondie Boy even if we really did miss NotBlondeHusband.

We ate great brötchen and cheese (why is it that bread is SO much better on the continent?) and even had sushi for lunch one day; well Nadine and I had sushi and BB had a ham and cheese sandwich.

I know Blondie Boy probably won't remember our trip so I made sure to take lots and lots of pictures!



Köln 12/2010

Wordless Wednesday

NEW Alligator Lane Winner

The original winner never contacted me and I've waited well past 48 hours so we have a NEW winner!

Lindsay please contact me within 48 hours and congratulations!

Who CARES?

Being a Transatlantic Mom means the inevitably you will take your baby on a transatlantic flight. Andrea, a former expat, has made the trip with her cutie son Finn more than a few times and recently tried out the CARES harness on her latest flight. Blondie Boy is still too small too use the harness so I was interested to see how she, and Finn, liked it.


Traveling with a toddler is never easy. Traveling with a toddler while lugging a car seat through an airport is even worse. So when we found out about the CARES harness, we knew it was the way to go. Who wouldn't choose a 5 point harness that actually folds up and fits in your bag?

We recently took a trip overseas with our 2.5 year old son, and while this is a trip we have made many times it was the first time we have done it without carrying on the car seat. We weren't sure how CARES would work, especially on the overnight flight, but it was fantastic. He feels like a big guy sitting in a regular seat, and his legs aren't long enough to kick the seat in front of him, a huge drawback of the car seat on board. He slept just as soundly as he ever has.

The harness, a 5 point system that works like a car seat in the sense that it gives your child the same safety features of a car seat without the bulk, is perfect for kids who can sit up and are over the age of 1 and 22 pounds. It is the only FAA approved device of this type. After the initial use it takes us less than 3 minutes to 'install', which consists of sliding it over the back of the seat, underneath the tray table of the person behind you, and looping the airline seatbelt through the bottom. It comes with an instructional dvd, as well as a sheet you can bring with you, and it shows it is FAA approved, in case anyone questions that.

I won't say this revolutionizes travel - and as the parent of a toddler on any flight you still get those looks from people who think your child will scream the whole time - but CARES definitely makes the whole process a little bit easier!

*************
Looking for some new reads? Check out the December BMB Blog Hop!

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Christmas Decorating Tips from Norcutts

MAKE YOUR HOME MAGICAL THIS CHRISTMAS
Notcutts present step by step video guides for simple festive style

This festive season, Notcutts, one of the UK's leading garden centre groups, has teamed up with top interior stylist, Pippa Jameson, to bring you the latest Christmas colour trends and secret decorating tips, ensuring you make your home stand out from the crowd.

Famed for their opulent displays and magical decorations, Notcutts present special ‘Secret Styling’ films - a series of videos showing how you can make the most of this year’s Christmas colour themes, including cream and green ‘Frosted Mistletoe’, and bright teal ‘Cool Yule’, using simple stylistic steps.

For those of you who your love your traditional decorations, but just want to add that extra sparkle and splash of colour, why not try the following top five tips from expert stylist, Pippa Jameson:

1. Christmas Wreath
Save time and buy a ready-made wreath, then add on festive touches such as cinnamon sticks, dried oranges, berries and lots of other foliage. Hook it on to your front door or suspend it with ribbon to hang in front of the window.

2. Festive foliage for the stairs
Add pretty foliage to your stairs to make your home feel warm and Christmassy. Use a combination of fern, ivy, and pine cones and then add some clear glass baubles to create some sparkle. Finally, finish off the look with some bright red berries (Ilex aquifolium are a great option).

3. Fairy lights
Fairy lights are a simple and effective way to add Christmas sparkle to your home. They can be hung in a multitude of places but our favourites are above a mirror, on the banister, or over a doorway. If you are buying lights suitable for outdoor use, then hang them along a fence, in a tree or over the porch.

4. Table centrepiece
This is a must for the ultimate Christmas dining experience. The type of centrepiece you opt for should depend on the rest of your table accessories. Below are three of our favourites:
- Bright coloured baubles in a glass vase
- Single fern stem in three or four tall votives
- Berries and twigs in glass vase

5. Decorate the mantelpiece
Christmas mantelpiece garlands are really simple and effective. Choose your favourite foliage and tie the end with string first, then ribbon. Place them flat on your mantle, and then add your berries for a Christmas feel. The use of flowers can also give the garland a real injection of colour and elegance.

Notcutts stock the very best in Christmas products, from exquisite ornaments and luxury hanging decorations, to beautiful baubles and Christmas trees. Products featured in the ‘Secret Styling’ films are available both in-store, and online at http://www.notcutts.co.uk/.

Wordless Wednesday

Chillax

I've talked before about how I have problems sleeping part of which stems from not being able to just relax and shut off at night so when I got the chance to trial the Chill Pod I figured it was worth a shot!

The ChillPod helps you control stress, relax and forget your worries as when times are tough you need to chill. This Chillpod, The Ultimate Relaxer, created by Thinking Slimmer's team of Harley Street experts, can be used at any time to reduce stress and improve your sense of well-being and raise your confidence level.

I have to say I was skeptical, but Trevor (he's the wee guy in your iPod talking to you) had a really calming and soothing voice. I listened to my ChillPod in bed after I'd done my bedtime routine, but before I settled in to try and sleep. The more you listen the better you get at getting your body to relax.

Now I have no idea if this is psychosomatic or if suggestive thought is just that, but I certainly went to sleep easier on the nights I listened than those I did not for whatever reason. I'm hopefully going to try out the SlimPod for New Moms to try and help me kick-start my get fit campaign, too!

The ChillPod is available to download or on CD for £14.99.

Transatlantic Blonde was provided this product to review.

Muddy Buddies

Some people call them Muddy Buddies, some call it Puppy Chow, but I call it yummy! This is a super easy snack to have out for people to munch on during the holidays. It involves peanut butter, chocolate and sugar so needless to say it's not baby friendly :)


I don't like missing out on American recipes just because we don't get the ingredients here in the UK so I was super happy that this recipe worked with my little substitution! If you want to make this just for yourself and not a party then half the recipe!

Muddy Buddies from Betty Crocker.com



9 cups Chex® or Shreddies cereal
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar


1) In 1-quart microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on High 1 minute; stir. Microwave about 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth.


2) Stir in vanilla.


3) Add cereal into mixture stirring until evenly coated. Pour into 2-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag.

4) Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

Where oh where has Blondie Boy gone?

Blondie Boy and I have taken our first trip together (without NotBlondeHusband), but can you guess where we are for the next three days? Here are some clues:

-While this is BB's first time in this country, it is my fifth trip.

-I am conversationally fluent in the language.

-EasyJet fly here direct from Scotland.

Can you guess where we are?

Blondie Boy was a star on the plane and made friends with the people sitting behind us. I managed to snag us an extra seat so the two of us had plenty of room.

The only two complaints I have is that while I gate checked the stroller my friend Deb leant us in Scotland, I had to pick it up at baggage claim when I arrived! What's the point in that? Also Blondie Boy's passport didn't get stamped which makes me sad.

I got a few posts set to autopublish and we'll see y'all when we're back!

Shock Therapy

I'll spare you the specifics of my c-section tummy, but needless to say I don't have a muffin top, but more of a muffin-overflow. I've been given the opportunity to try out the Slendertone Ab Toner and after a false start I've begun my 30-day trial.

You might be thinking, "Who the F tries to get in shape during the holidays?" I totally agree with you, but if I don't start now when will I? Blondie Boy is almost a year old and while I've shifted some of the baby weight, I'm certainly nowhere near being in shape.

The Slendertone System Abs is Slendertone's most powerful abs belt with advanced technical features to deliver results in just 4 weeks. It delivers a complete abdominal workout to the rectus, oblique and transversus abdominis muscles. Used 5 times a week for 4 weeks it gives you firmer, flatter, more defined abs.

Independent clinical trials showed:

•100% of users reporting firmer more toned abs
•80% reported a flatter stomach
•49% increase in abdominal strength
•72% increase in abdominal endurance
•Average of 1.4 inch waist reduction
•3 times more effective than its nearest competitor


I expected Slendertoning to hurt, but actually it just sort of tickles and tingles. I'm too early in to see any results but hopefully in 30 days I'll be that little bit closer to have a normalish stomach again!



Twenty-minutes of Slendertoning is the equivalent of 120 crunches so let's see where I am 2,400 "crunches" later!

Transatlantic Blonde was provided this product to review.