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]

Playmat: Down to Earth

Spotted these playmats over at a little online shop I just discovered called Shak-Shuka - a "stylish eco boutique for baby, child, and mama". These are by far the most useful and practical (not to mention beautifully designed!) playmats I've ever seen. Made of 100% organic cotton (hello, washing machine!) and all natural dyes, these mats are safe from infancy onward: tummy time, toddler play-animal zoology, endless train track play, imaginary autobahns, picnics in the park - heck, I'd even hang these on the wall as art!!

Tapikid Playmats $55.00

Seasonal Sweets

There was no way I could make it through the market and leave these fresh-from-the-grove mandarins behind. They were too beautiful with the contrasting bright orange and deep green leaves... Not that they'll last long; beneath all the beauty of these little fruit gems is the most flavorful and succulent goodness - they put Cuties to shame!

It's (Purim) Party Time!!

Last year I leaked a preview of an Alice in Wonderland-themed Purim party flyer designed by my brother Yossi (over at Yossi Graphic Design) for his Purim Stock collection. I don't know who said Jewish advertising has to be cheesy (but it is more often than not!) - there's something so refreshing about modern, well-thought-out, well-designed Jewish graphics! This year, I'll grace you once more with a peek at my favorites - but you've got to head over to the site to check out the rest of the fabulous line of Purim Stock!! Take a bit of a break from the mainstream and up the fun-factor by doing something novel - host a Purim shin-dig like it's 1982, or for a more glamorous effect; a Purim speakeasy!

Weekend Round-up!

Wishing you all a fantastic extended weekend! Hope you manage to get up to something adventurous (even if it is just a new recipe for dinner!) with the extra free-time...

Here's some links of things I've seen this week that I've been meaning to share:

- Little wooden action figures - of American Presidents!

- Those needle felted alphabet balls make for an instant heirloom + heaps of learning: letters, numbers, shades of colors...

- Did you hear the fabulous news from H&M??

- How fun would this concept be for a Purim? (Too bad my husband is hooked on being DJ Lance!)

- This has got to be the most glamorous way to jot down a mom's many little blurbs.

- This puzzle rug is pretty rad!

- Did you see the Justin Beiber Shema video? It's gone viral! Gotta be tough to have so many different "gods" to pray to. Boy, am I glad my life is simplified by having just The One.

- A modern and tangible take on the Family Tree puts it right up there on the wall!

Thankfully, the sun is peeking through those stubborn rain clouds; we plan on doing some serious outdoor shopping this afternoon, then having family dinner of spinach-pesto cheese lasagna, arugula salad, and garlic toasts. After Freida is tucked-in (and when my husband returns from playing Sunday basketball) we'll be sitting down to enjoy the new Sofia Coppola movie Somewhere (we landed a Screen Actors Guild "for your consideration" copy from a friend of a friend - all about the connections!). Enjoy your weekend!!!