jandamom

An Introduction...

First things first. My introduction. I am 40 something mom to a 5 and 3 year old who was late to motherhood.

Being a mom is my first job but I am not a stay at home mom - at least not yet. Sidenote: not sure if I really want to be but would like to have the option. By day, I am a justice fighter and by night, weekends, spare time- a jewelry entrepreneur and natural product junkie.

I've been writing and reviewing for quite some time for others and decided it was about time that I starting writing for myself. Enjoy.

Posted by jandamom at 02:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (18)

May 08, 2013

A Review: Zoya PixieDust Collection Summer 2013

I absolutely LOVE Zoya nail polishes! I love the colors, the wear and most importantly that the Zoya nail polishes are free of toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) - chemicals that may cause cancer or birth defects.

So when I received an email alerting me about the new Zoya PixieDust Collection I had to give it a try.

914416 ZP_pixieOriginal_150x150 (photo from Zoya website)

I bought two new shades from the Zoya PixieDustCollection-- NYR and Stevie. Zoya's NXR is a soft blue and Stevie is lavender. Here I am wearing Stevie:

As you can see the Zoya PixieDustCollection is sparkly with a matte finish. What surprised me about the Zoya Collection was that it is textured. It is not meant to have a smooth finish. This does not bother me at all but some may or not care for that.

How to apply Zoya PixieDust:

You do not apply the PixieDust shades like regular Zoya nail polish. No base coat or top coat is used. Per the instructions, you apply the polish directly to your nail. Let each coat dry at least ten minutes and Zoya recommends applying three coats of PixieDust.

I did just that and here is what I liked:

The polish is VERY forgiving! Even those of us without the steadiest of hands can do an nice self-manicure.

The polish LASTS! Even without a top coat, a week went by and no chips.

Compliments! Okay this is a big one. EVERYWHERE I go, people want to know what kind of nail polish I am wearing and want to get some for themselves. My Zoya PixieDust manicure stood out from the crowd but not in a garish way. Subtle but different.

Bottom line: I have to give two thumbs up to the Zoya PixieDust Collection. If you are a nail polish afficionado and are looking for a different nail look without going overboard, then I think you should give the PixieDust Collection a try.

Posted by jandamom at 01:43 PM in Pretty Pretty- Beauty Review, Review | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 07, 2013

Motherless mothers: Do we love too hard?

This post is for all of the motherless mothers. As Mother's Day approaches, I become reflective about the mother I lost and how it impacts my own motherhood. I had a conversation recently with a dear friend who also lost her mother. In fact her mother was the same age that my friend is now when she died.

My friend, a single mom, was discussing the cost of an international internship on which she was sending her only son. She decided that not only was she going to send him to China but that she would meet him there and they would spend a week together sight-seeing and traveling. As it is, she alone is paying for her son's education. So the final prudence of this trip is very much in question.

Was this practical? No but the whole trip and experience seemed so important to her--more important than the possibility of impending poverty. She explained that, to her, this was their (she and her son's) trip of a life-time. A chance to create memories.

At that moment, I got it. After losing my mother (and for me my father also), time seems finite. Memories seem finite. You grasp the notion that things do not remain the same and that time is limited. You also realize that what you cherish most are your memories of your mother. So you go out of your way to make memories with your own children trying to squeeze in everything you possibly can within what you know will be a finite amount of time. You love fast and love hard.

I get it. And upon reflection, I would probably do the same thing. I think we motherless mothers may express their love a bit differently.

I know that Mother's Day can be bittersweet when you have lost your mother and you are a mother. Do not use Mother's Day to grieve. Let us all cherish our memories of her.

Posted by jandamom at 02:26 PM in Inspiration, Mothers, Parenting | Permalink | Comments (0)

Feb 15, 2013

Should you Red-Shirt your Kindergartener? Is it Unfair?

Red-shirting. It is a new phenomenom that seems to be trending right now around the country. Parents are purposefully holding their children back from starting kindergarten just to give them a a leg up in school.

Recently I was on Facebook and someone posted this question:

Should I hold my son back a year from starting kindergarten?

My child's birthday is in June and the cut-off for entrance into kindergarten in September 1st. His preschool teacher believes that my son is on target for his age both academically and socially. But I am thinking about keeping him in preschool an extra year and starting him in kindergarten when he is six. He is a little small for his age and I want him to have the best academic experience possible. I want him to be a leader not a follower. What are your opinions?

I knew that red-shirting was happening but I really was astounded my the responses. What have I missed? Holding children back a year from kindergarten is becoming de riguer- especially with boys. In our highly competitive world some parents want to use "any means possible" for their children to get that advantage whether academically, socially or athletically.

But how ethical is this?

If I had a child who I felt lagged either academically or socially, I would consider delaying kindergarten if I thought it was in his.her best interest. However if my child were on target for his/her age, I just would not do it. Why? Yes your child may have an advantage. But in my view, it is an unfair advantage. I am going to just come out and say it, "you are cheating!"

My son became a kindergartener this past September. His birthday is at the very end of April and he is one of the youngest kids in his class. Some of his classmates have turned seven and he is still only five years old! I am blessed to have an extremely smart child who despite is young age continues to blow these old kids out of the water academically. But that should not have to be. Why should a five year old be compared to a seven year old? Luckily some school districts are cracking down on late-starters for kindergarten. I think that is a good idea for us all.

Posted by jandamom at 03:41 PM in Current Affairs, Parenting | Permalink | Comments (0)

Jan 30, 2013

Ocean Avenue Trim4Life Contest

What is the Trim4Life Contest?

Trim4Life is a weight-loss and tone/muscle definition contest. The contest runs from January 14, 2013- March 31, 2013. You can join at any time but YOU MUST REGISTER BY JANUARY 31ST TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR PRIZES.

Rewards:

Ocean Avenue will award 5 vacations in the Trim4Life Contest!

~ Most weight-loss for: 1 Male & 1 Female

~Most improved muscle tone/definition for: 1 Male & 1 Female

~Best life-changing story

How do I sign up for Trim4Life?

~You must enroll as either an Ambassador or a Wholesale Customer.

~Start the contest by purchasing either the Trim Pack or Life Pack ( the contest and support for Trim4Life is based on these two Packs however the purchase of one of these specific Packs is not required for the contest).

~Enter the "My Trim4Life Contest" in your back office!

~To be eligible for prized you must enter 1. current weight 2. weight goal 3. picture

Is there support for Trim4Lifer's?

Of course! You get coaching from our Chief Science Officer, motivational clips, daily diet sample plan, great recipes!

YES I WANT TO SIGN UP FOR TRIM4LIFE TODAY!

Watch this video about Trim4Life

Learn even more about Ocean Avenue and see Trim4Life Testimonials at:

http://www.your-ocean.com

Ask me about our NEXT Trim4Life Challenge

Posted by jandamom at 01:59 PM in Food and Drink, Healthy Living, Ocean Avenue | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dec 29, 2012

Overview of Ocean Avenue Opportunity

"Success in business requires training and discipline and hard work. But if you are not frightened by these things, the opportunites are just as great today as they ever were."

--David Rockefeller