Jar It Up

Mason Jars are one of those things on earth that make my life cleaner, prettier, and simpler. I'd love to do a little round-up as to how these fabulous glass jars make my economical world go 'round, but for now here's how they keep they keep me just a bit saner come the Purim time of year: jarred Shalach Manos (i.e. "Purim Baskets"). (2008) Spring-pea Pesto in a jar. Stick in the fridge, and blend up on demand. Dinner's a cinch!

(2009) My grandmothers Oatmeal Espresso Chocolate Chunk cookie mix in a jar. A useful gift to stick in the pantry for late night cookie monsters, rainy days, or last-minute play-dates.

(2010) Cinnamon Chocolate Biscotti + Chai Tea bags. A cozy tea time in a bottle.

I'm not quite finished with this year's just yet (there are some details that can't be done until the last minute), but let's just say I would totally enjoy a Cupcake in a Jar if it were dropped off on my doorstep!

Happy, Happy Weekend!

This weekend will be my first time leaving Freida (aside from my 12 hours in Arizona last week) since she was born!! Not just that, but I'm going to be spending it on a girls weekend...in Vegas!!! (How awesome are those vintage flapper hats??)

My sister-in-law (Happist Birthday Esther!!) has arranged a little "Vegas, baby" getaway for her girlfriends, and while I'm super stoked to spend some time soakin' sun and partying hard with the girls, I can't deny being a tad bit nervous (I think it's even tinged with a little bit of sadness) to leave Freida and the Mr. for a full weekend... I know, I'm totally pathetic. But i guess there's a first for everything! I know the trip will be so incredible, and I'm hoping the kid and the dad will remain safe and sane enough for me to plan many, many more of these mini-vacations in the future!

Thought I'd share these 3 things that are currently making me happy to travel the desert:

DvF luggage - color and convenience (plus a 10 year warranty)!

Fillipo Catarzi Sun Hat - serious ray protection, Italian milliner perfection!

2Bamboo Swimwear - now we can buy a bikini by cup size! Brallelujah!

Here's to the heat!! Happy weekend ya'll!

Weekend Round-up!

Happy sun-soaked Friday to you all! Here's a few links I've been meaning to share:

- A cute + clever creative-table invention for the kiddos.

- The Bugaboo Donkey prices are in. Oh my!

- My latest Algemeiner article, "The Zaidy Syndrome".

- This bicycle basket has got me in the spring groove... Dreaming of sandals, bike rides, and farmers market flowers!

- Zara Kids Spring 2011 Collection is brimming with children's chic and class.

- A Rabbi seriously redefines devotion after the tragic New Zealand quake. (Tzippy, you've got quite the man on your hands! We love you and miss you guys!!)

- Some really great lunch-box ideas from Gwyneth - to revamp the old routine.

Happy (almost spring!!) weekend!

Spring Clean with Cheer!

 

I know it's not even quite Purim yet, but the spring-clean countdown has my mouth watering (I know I'm a freak!)... There are so many home-improvement/organization projects I'd love to get done by the time Pesach rolls around. And the housewares collection over at Alice Supply Co. can have you ringing in the spring season with bright, cheerful, and colorful cleaning supplies. Say bye-bye to ugly and hello to happy!

(Image via)

Work-Life Balance

This was much too important to not post here on Freidafroo. This may be an age old issue, but it is most definitely prevalent in our era and our society... Shockingly, it's not spoken about all that often in any sort of practical terms - though the problem threatens to ruin us as a people, and as individuals. Not having a proper work-life balance can have ill effects not just on the "worker's" well being, health and sanity, but it effects that of their spouse, children, family, and friends. Here, Nigel Marsh, best-selling author of Fat, Forty, and Fired, and Overworked and Underlaid, challenges the very core of the problem and lends us a few simple ideas that can drastically improve our rapidly diminishing quality of life. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdpIKXLLYYM&feature=player_embedded]