Blog - Angry Julie Monday

What I Learned This Week

November 25, 2009

With the Holidays slowly approaching life is getting even more hectic. I’m starting to deal with the wants vs. haves and the want-to-do vs. need-to-do. I hope I make sense.

I love my blog and my Interwebz soo very much. It is a place to hide (yes, I can hide here), vent, hang out, and it also enables my Internet Addiction. YES, I have an addiction to the Interwebz as much as I do to my Monster Energy Drinks, and my iPhone.

I’ve slowly realized that I’m not getting certain things done, because I just want to read one more blog, do one more tweet, or finish up one more post. I say ten more minutes, but in reality, it’s an hour or more. I know that I can’t do it all. I’ve started to slow down with the invitations that I RSVP to, the committees I join, and the activities I participate in. It’s just too much.

I’ve decided to start with a one-day break, every Wednesday, starting tomorrow. That’s right, I will not open my laptop to get on the Internet, unless it’s bank related, because really I hate talking to people in India on the phone when I’m trying to transfer funds. I will not tweet, I will not read….but there will be posts. I will pre-schedule posts, because I do have a lot to say. It’s all stored up in that big brain of mine, or partially written in draft. Hopefully, I can get some things done, along with my lists, oh the lists are growing..

I also learned to not attempt to vlog, video yourself while in dog pj’s from your mom. I’m such a dork. I opened the Photo Booth program on my Macbook and attempted to ramble. All I saw was this girl, wearing blue pj’s, with somewhat messy hair, who kept looking down at the keyboard. I don’t know if I will ever be a vlogger, but I’m not going to post those videos. Bad, bad, bad…

This is why I need to step away from my computer. Angry Husband was gone that night, and Angry Toddler was at my mom’s house. I had my Saturday night free, and I was doing this, I even took pictures of my self.

Check out more What I Learned This Week posts on Musings of a Housewife. She does this every week. I should probably do this every week to keep myself in check and realize why I still blog. She also made me re-think the Walt Disney World (WDW) trip we were going to plan for next year. I’m still unsure about taking Mr. ADD Angry Toddler all the way to Florida.

Since I’m taking my little Internet break, I need to go and work on some posts now!

Filed Under: Blogging, Just Julie 6 Comments

Thanksgiving Cupcakes For Kids

November 23, 2009

This is a really simple, easy and fun treat to make with your kids for Thanksgiving. These cute turkey cookie cupcakes will have people gobbling them up! Gobble gobble. Heh heh.

What you’ll need:

Pumpkin cupcakes (from Very Best Baking):

1 package (18.25 oz.) spice cake mix
1 can (15 oz.) LIBBY’S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
3 large eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup water

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350° F. Paper-line or grease 24 muffin cups.

Blend cake mix, pumpkin, eggs, oil and water in large mixer bowl until moistened. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Pour batter into prepared muffin cups, filling 3/4 full. Using a cookie scoop makes for easy scooping and level cupcakes.

Bake for 18 to 23 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Cranberry Buttercream (Kristin’s Recipe):

2 sticks of unsalted butter, room temperature
Tip – if you forgot to pull the butter out of the fridge in advance, just fill a bowl with warm water and float the stick of butter in the water for about 5 mins. Shake off before unwrapping.
1.5 lbs of powdered sugar
1.5 tsp of vanilla extract
1 tsp of lemon juice
scant ¼ cup of milk
1 tbsp cranberry apple butter (I bought mine at Trader Joes)

*Alternatively, if you don’t want to make your buttercream from scratch or don’t have time, you could buy a container of white, buttercream or cream cheese frosting and just mix it with your beaters until fluffy and add the cranberry apple butter to taste.

*1 package of Pillsbury Ready Bake cookies, Thanksgiving turkeys baked and cooled as directed.
*Sprinkles or decorating sugar in fall colors

Let’s get started:

Once the cupcakes have cooled, frost with the buttercream. I used a 1M tip in these pictures but you can use whatever you want. A butter knife will do just nicely. Make sure you put a mound on though because you want it to come over the sides a bit when you top it with the cookie.

Place one cookie on top of the buttercream frosted cupcake. Push down a bit so some of the buttercream starts to show on the sides.

*Pour some of your decorations in a bowl. With the cupcake in one hand and the bowl in the other or on the counter, roll the edges of the cupcake in the decorations. Here I am using some fall sparkling sugar I bought at Home Goods.

*Turn the cupcake in the sugar making sure not to press too hard but getting enough coverage.

*That’s it! You’re done! Aren’t they cute? So easy to make. A great activity for kids to do on Thanksgiving too. Just have all the cupcakes and cookies baked and the frosting and decorations ready.
*You can also do this for other holidays. Pillsbury sells these pre-cut sugar cookies in all types of decorations for the holidays. I’ve seen Christmas, Halloween, Easter and Valentines Day. These would also make a great treat to deliver to your kids school right before Thanksgiving break.

Hope you enjoyed this tutorial. If you make some, please let us know!

My friend, Kristin, from Meringue Bake Shop wanted to share this with my reader’s. She loves to try out new things. I love her cupcakes. It’s a win win situation!

Filed Under: Holidays, In The Home 8 Comments

White and Tasty

November 22, 2009

I’ve noticed a trend on Twitter, Facebook, and my blogs this week. You know what I’m talking about, hmmmm…that movie…you know, the one. Well, I’m not a fan of anything fantasy or sci-fi. Yes, I will call it fantasy. Well, in actuality, I will call it freaky. I don’t get the appeal. When I was 15, I lusted over movies like Sixteen Candles (hot Jake), Top Gun (yummy Val Kilmer, not the other twerp, you are thinking about). I didn’t lust over pasty white guys in skinny jeans.

White and Pasty

So while everyone is tweeting, chatting, and posting about Mr. White Pasty Man in skinny jeans, I will stick to my standard ole’ White and Tasty Men. What am I watching right now, Fighting with Channing Tatum. Does it have a plot? Not really? I think they are fighting or something, do I care? Not really. He’s hot and that’s all that matters.

White and Tasty

I still love all my followers, reads, and friends who ummm, like that movie…but I know there’s also a large group of people, who don’t get it. I’m a member of the “I don’t get the appeal of vampires, and stuff like that, and not a member of any teams…”

Filed Under: Just Julie 17 Comments

Building with K’NEX

November 21, 2009

I was recently asked by TeamMom to do a review on K’NEX. I was gladly accepted as Angry Toddler loves to build things. This would be something completely new to him also. I mentioned this review to my best friend, Stacey. She told me that she played with K’NEX all the time as a child. She even played with her brother.

We received the 400 piece value tub, which had instructions and ideas for over 20 different models. I also loved that it came in a storage tub, which made it easier to clean up later. Angry Toddler was fascinated and amazed by all the colorful pieces. It was bit overwhelming for Angry Husband. He opened the idea book and let Angry Toddler pick out some things.

Rather than going through multiple photos, you can view my Whrrl story below.

The Sofa

November 21, 2009

Dear Santa,

Angry Julie would like the Cotswold Sofa from Anthropologie. Do you think your elves could make something similar? Angry Julie cannot afford $4400 plus 8.25% tax for this sofa. She has been lusting over it for several months. It’s the perfect basic for her home. She loves how it looks aged. It is quite comfortable also. Can’t you see how cute Angry Toddler and his BFF, Stella, look on it?

Angry Julie can imagines hours upon hours of family bonding on this couch. Did you know that it fits three adults. With this neutral color, it would look fabulous!

Please grant my Christmas Wish.

I believe!

Love,

Angry Julie

Filed Under: In The Home, Just Julie 10 Comments

The Magical Holiday Season at Disneyland

November 19, 2009

On Saturday, we went to Disneyland for my birthday. It was the second day of the “Holiday Season” at the Disneyland Resort. Stacey, the BFF, wanted to experience everything “Holiday” related while we were there. She doesn’t go very often, and she wanted the “Disney Experience” sans child. We decided to sit down and wait for the Christmas Fantasy Parade. We never wait for the parades, because honestly, Angry Toddler won’t sit still. We waited about fifteen minutes, and the Parade was great, it really put you in the Holiday mood.

Stacey and I headed towards Space Mountain after the parade. We were very eager, like little kids, giggling. We waited in line for about 45 minutes. Stacey made me laugh, because she told a teenager off. He was being quite annoying, and she told him that she left her 4 year old at home. Angry Husband called us while we were in line, he was on his way to join us.

After getting off Space Mountain, we met up with Angry Husband. We headed toward the Matterhorn. It was a quick 15 minute wait. We saw some interesting people. You can fit two people in the seats on the Matterhorn. It’s a pretty tight fit, when I’m in Angry Husband’s lap area. It was even more interesting to a see a large teenager, think 400 lbs., try to squeeze another person in his lap. They stopped the ride and made them get out before it made it too far. CRAZY and sad at the same time. We then headed over to It’s a Small World. I’m sure you’ve seen those fabulous commercials. Well, it is beautiful. The exterior of the ride was covered in multi-color lights. The actual ride was closed down due to the fireworks show which was in less than an hour. But we were able to snap a few pictures while there.

After playing with my camera for umm, about 20 minutes, we headed towards Main St. USA, to prepare, ok more like stake out, our spot for the “Believe in Holiday Magic Fireworks” show. People were everywhere. We were lucky that we didn’t have strollers as we could pretty much squish in. The fireworks show was amazing, and ended with snowflakes….how cool is that! Well the uncool part, was the people were stopping dead in their tracks and making out on Main St. Ok, people move along now, there are children here, we do not want to see your tongue kissing. It’s fake snow…this is not Central Park.

After the Fireworks, we headed over to The Haunted Mansion, we got on that relatively easy. Stacey had never seen it decorated for the Holidays. After the ride, we parked our butts down to prepare for Fantasmic. We had never scene the show with the new dragon.

After all was said and done, it was almost midnight, and we were freezing. Angry Husband didn’t have a jacket with him. But we got to see everything that we wanted too. Next time we go, I’m totally hitting up the Holiday desserts. Oh yes, there will be a next time. We are Annual Passholders. And yes, you can go to Disneyland without your children. It’s not weird. You have to be able to enjoy the Magic of Disney, as an adult before you can enjoy it with your children. I mean really, I would not go as much as we do, if I didn’t like the place. Who tortures themselves that much?

Filed Under: Holidays, Orange County 10 Comments

Waterpik Hand Held Shower Head

November 19, 2009

We are in the process of re-decorating Angry Toddler’s bathroom. It’s been a 2-year process. We’ve had other priorities. We finally put up a new towel rack last week. You would think that our house is under construction or something, but in reality, we are lazy.

I was given the opportunity by Waterpik to test out one of their hand held shower heads. I jumped, of course. I received the Waterpik EasySelect 5 Mode Hand Held Shower Head in brushed nickel. It had everything in the packaging to install it. Angry Husband unscrewed our old plain shower head and assembled the new Waterpik one. It came with a handy tool in the packaging to install the shower head. We didn’t even have to get a wrench from the garage. I think this would be great for people living in an apartment or someone who does not own a lot of tools, but wants to upgrade their shower head. He was able to install it within 10 minutes.

Some of the key features for this shower head are:

5 ” Round Shower Head
Advanced OptiFLOW Technology
Easy Clean Nozzles
Removable Flow Regulator
Limited Lifetime Warranty

The spray modes are:

High/Low Concentrated Center Spray
Circular Massage
Power Spray / Pulsating Massage
Misting
Water Saver

Angry Toddler was asleep when we installed the shower head. He saw it when he was in the bathroom the next morning. He came into our bedroom shrieking, “mama, did you see the cool shower head in my bathroom”. We think it will be great for when he wants to take a bath, but needs his hair washed. We can just disconnect the shower head from it’s mount and spray down his hair.

My only con with this shower head it the potential for yanking it too hard and breaking the mount. I think we would have that problem with any hand held shower head in a four year old’s bathroom.

The Waterpik EasySelect 5 Hand Held Shower Head can be found at Home Depot, and retails for $59.99.

Disclosure: I was provided a shower head by Waterpik to review. I did not make any promises about positive and/or negative reviews.

Filed Under: Reviews Leave a Comment

Grow with Me and etnies

November 19, 2009

Photo taken by Angry Julie At The Maloof Money Cup, July 2009

Do you know that skaters make an impact of 17 times their body weight when they hit the ground? That’s a little over three times the impact that running makes on your body. I learned this when I visited etnies and Sole Technology Institute (STI) on Tuesday. STI is the World’s first and only skateboarding-focused biomechanics research organization that tests and invents new technologies in order to develop the highest performing action sports footwear in the World.

One of my the life lessons my mom taught me is to never buy cheap shoes, cause you will regret it later. Angry Toddler has always worn good quality shoes in his four and a half years on this planet. We’ve had several pairs of skateboard shoes. I will say several, because it’s more than ten. Yes, more than TEN. Angry Toddler has the most random growth spurts. His feet can grow several inches with a 2-3 month time span. He went from a size 10 in early Spring to almost a 12.5 right now. We tend to buy shoes ahead, because we can never guess when these growth spurts will occur. Seriously, sometimes it’s happened overnight.
While at etnies, we learned about their “Grow With Me” Fit System. The “Grow With Me” system is for the new walker, with sizes up to a Toddler 10. The “Grow with Me” fit system will be incorporated into two toddler models: the Toddler Callicut and Toddler Fader of etnies Kids footwear.

The first part of the system addresses getting the proper fit; the shoes are constructed on an extra wide last to accommodate the unique shape of children’s feet as they are learning to walk. They feature a molded EVA footbed that helps fill the heel cup and grab and hold tiny heels inside the shoe. All of this is set on top of a super pliable TPR outsole that allows the flexibility needed for children’s feet as they are learning to take their first steps.

As the child’s foot grows and the shoe becomes snugger, consumers can then take advantage of the etnies “Grow with Me” fit system. “Grow with Me” differentiates the etnies Kids toddler collection from other children’s shoes in the length of time the shoe can be worn. The shoes now include an additional 1.5mm EVA insert that can be removed when the shoe becomes too snug on the child’s foot, creating more room and increasing the time a child can wear the shoes. While regular children’s shoes must be thrown out once they’re outgrown, “Grow with Me” can be adjusted to extend the life of the shoe, allowing kids to sport their favorite looks even longer, and reducing the financial strain that parents face when raising a growing child.

We listened to Sole Technology’s Assistant Lab Manager, Scotty Cox, tell us about the testing that went into their shoes, with special interest to children, and their unique growth patterns. It was amazing how much thought, effort, and testing that they put into their products. And of course, they look pretty cool too.

I wish that we would have known about the “Grow With Me” line last year. It would have helped us with Angry Toddler’s random growth spurts. Scotty was asked by one of the attendees, why this line only goes up to a size 10. He said that when you are between 4-5 years old, your feet start growing into their “adult size”. Children’s feet are changing shape after size 10. As a toddler, children’s feet a usually round and wide. They start slimming down and get somewhat narrower after this age. This makes complete sense to me. A year ago, we could only buy Angry Toddler shoes in a size wide. This is the main reason that we started buying skateboard shoes, they are made wider. Angry Toddler loves his skateboard shoes, and all things skateboarding.

etnies wants to share a little love with my readers too!!
Go to etnies.com and you can get :
$10 off for every $40 spent along with FREE Shipping! Just type in the code “ETNIES FAMILY” and you’ll get the discount. The promo will run from Nov.17 to Dec. 4th, 2009.

Disclosure: I was invited to an event at etnies and Sole Technology’s Headquarters. They are local and in Orange County, CA. I received an awesome reception from their employees, and founder. We ate some great food, and were provided with a gift card and the opportunity to shop in their employee store. I have a slight obsession with skateboarding, you need to read my blog, to understand that. The first photograph was taken by me, at an event this summer, The Maloof Money Cup. I was not influenced by any of this and I hope that my review reads true to my personality and the usual Angry Julie, you expect.

Filed Under: Reviews Leave a Comment