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A Girl Named PJ

Archives for August 2013

Safety at home: garage safety

August 29, 2013

garage organizationWhen my husband and I moved into our house almost five years ago, one of the very first projects we tackled was replacing the garage door opener. Neither he nor I can remember if the original opener died or if we simply wanted to upgrade to a model with more safety features, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was the latter. (Just ask my husband about the time he was almost crushed when his older brother closed the garage door while he was in his baby carriage underneath.)

Nowadays, all garage doors are required to have an auto-reverse function. But when was the last time you checked yours? Garage safety starts with a properly working door and a few safety precautions.

Read my post over on The Neighborhood to learn about garage door safety plus some additional safety tips for multipurpose garages (think garage/hobby shop).

(image via BHG.com)

 

 

 

 

 

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Levi sings the ABC song

August 28, 2013

Levi sings the ABCs from PJ Feinstein on Vimeo.

The blog has been quiet lately because I’m taking some unplanned personal time. I just needed a break! But I’ll be back next week with new interviews, giveaways, and fun news to share.

Meanwhile, I’m still posting updates on Twitter and Instagram, so please follow me there! And now, enjoy this video of Levi singing his favorite song — the “ABC song.”

 

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How to clean white jeans

August 19, 2013

how to wash white jeansI have a theory about white jeans.

When they’re crisp and clean, I believe that white denim instantly makes the woman wearing them look polished and, well, rich.

They might be the perfect summer pants. White denim brightens the look of any outfit across multiple styles – preppy, modern, elegant, even bohemian. They also transition surprisingly well into fall. I love the look of white bottoms paired with navy, brown, grey, or black tops, sweaters, and blazers. And don’t even get me started on mixing white denim with made-for-autumn tan suede accessories… Perfection!

No matter the season, many women are afraid to wear white jeans. They worry that white jeans will make their butts look big, but what they don’t realize is that they’ll actually appear slimmer in white denim (provided the jeans fit properly).

Other women worry that white jeans attract dirt and stains more so than blue jeans, and I can’t argue with them on that point. As the mom of toddler son, I know firsthand that the risk of grass, chocolate, grease, and – eww! – bloodstains seems to double when you wear white around your kids.

For a long time I thought that only wealthy women could afford to wear white denim. Got a grass stain from sitting in Central Park on a glorious summer day? Toss ‘em! Found a grease stain from riding bicycles on the beach? Time to go shopping! Have a chocolate-colored stain where your child’s ice cream cone landed? Credit card, please!

Turns out you can make people think you’re constantly replacing your white jeans by learning how to properly care for them. By following these steps, you’ll not only keep your jeans looking white and bright, but you’ll ensure their use well after Labor Day!

tide pods

  1. Pick the right detergent. I love the new easy-to-use Tide Pods because each pac does the job of three products: detergent, stain remover, and brightener. They’re designed to work in top or front loaders and regular or high efficiency machines, and they dissolve quickly in hot or cold water. Tide Pods also keep the top of my washing machine clean—no more spills or drips—and they eliminate that icky detergent buildup that occurs in measuring cups. (Yes, I’m the lazy laundress who doesn’t wash out those clear caps after every use.) I’ve loved dish washing detergent pods for years, so it only makes sense that I love laundry pods, too!
  2. Read clothing labels. Laundry time takes me longer than most because I’m diligent about reading (and rereading) the care instruction tags on everything. Manufacturers will instruct you whether to wash something inside out (most dark denim, for example) or to lay flat to dry. Follow their guidelines.
  3. Separate by color and by fabric. Not only do I have dark and light piles, but I also sort my clothing from heavy to delicate. Jeans, shorts, and sweats get washed together in cold water, while t-shirts and undergarments spin in warm water. However, most of our shirts and sweaters take a turn in cold water on gentle.
  4. Avoid the dryer. After an unfortunate incident in high school during which my dad mistakenly faded and shrunk my new black jeans by putting them in the dryer, I let nearly all of my clothing air dry. Basics like pajamas, underwear, socks, and sweats spin on low heat; only towels dry on medium. And I always, always hang my jeans to dry!

Tell me: Do you wear white jeans now? Will you wear them this fall? What’s your secret to keeping summer whites white?

(top image via J.Crew Style Guide Sneak Peek)

This post first appeared on Lifetime Moms and was sponsored by Tide. As always, opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting the brands that help me keep Bunny & Dolly up and running. Please visit tide.com for more information on Tide Pods.

 

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The Dolly Half-Dozen

August 16, 2013

the dolly half-dozenThe Dolly Half-Dozen offers six tasty treats to nourish, inform, and entertain. On today’s menu…

  1. Perhaps you saw Pinhole Press’s Memory Game on Good Morning America earlier this week? Snag a set of 12 personalized playing cards for 50% off through Saturday the 17th at 10am PST.
  2. Since finding success in your 30s is topic I spend a lot of (unnecessary) time worrying about, I appreciated Gabriel’s post about later-in-life career changes.
  3. This simple trick will keep your guacamole green and fresh. And nope, it doesn’t involve an avocado pit or lime juice!
  4. Share these 15 style rules with your man — or just memorize them yourself for when you help him shop and get dressed.
  5. Pilates vs yoga: Which is the better strengthening exercise, and which do you prefer?
  6. Chassity, a blogger I met at Alt Summit back in January, spills the beans on her Land of Nod basement and playroom makeover!

***

We have a low-key weekend ahead of us, meaning that nothing’s on the calendar! Since last weekend was crazy busy — we hosted four adults and an infant, plus took a day trip to the Iowa State Fair — I don’t mind that this weekend will likely be pretty quiet. I just have to be careful that “quiet” doesn’t turn into boredom…or loneliness. Although is it every really quiet with a two year old in the house?

One thing I’m definitely looking forward to this weekend is finishing up season 1 of Homeland. JB and I watched episodes 6 and 7 last night — but he fell asleep before the climax of episode 7! I kept nudging him to wake up, but he just couldn’t keep his eyes opened and missed a major plot twist. Do you Homeland fans know what I’m talking about?

Before we started binge-watching Homeland, we devoured Orange Is The New Black on Netflix. Have you started watching it yet? If not, I highly recommend it, even though I find the theme song unlistenable and the main character, Piper, insufferable. The supporting characters and their story lines are what really drive the show I think.

Have a happy weekend!

(yoga photo via Women’s Health)

 

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Shopping at ULTA

August 15, 2013

The Artist movieSince ULTA Beauty sells a mix of drugstore and select “prestige” cosmetic brands, I’ve always thought of it as a lower-end Sephora. And since I l-o-v-e Sephora (I’ve been known to lose track of time playing with makeup colors and testing skincare products), I never saw any reason to shop at ULTA.

But after dinner at a restaurant in the same shopping center as our local ULTA, I popped in to see if they had any of the “necessities” on my shopping list. While I didn’t have the urge to linger inside the store like I do at Sephora, I have to say, I’m kind of excited about my new hair and beauty products.

ulta hair and beauty productsBatiste Dry Shampoo / Neutrogena Pure & Free Liquid SPF50 / AG Hair Cosmetics Recoil Curl Activator / Revlon Color Stay Nail Enamel in Pale Cashmere /  Ulta Nail Polish Remover Pads 

Do you shop at Ulta? Or are you a die-hard Sephora fan?

(top photo from “The Artist” via The Moving Arts)

 

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