Don't Quit Your Day Job!

You often hear this phrase thrown about when someone is singing and they're "a little pitchy, dog"! I keep toying with quitting my day job to find, well, another day job. The ultimate day job for me would be "stay at home mom" to McKinley but I can never not work. We have bills to pay, groceries to buy, automobiles to fuel....you know the drill. The issue I keep stumbling over is, I have no idea what I want to do when I grow up. Actually, that's a lie. I do know what I want to do when I grow up, but a lot of those ideas just don't sound feasible. I alluded to a few of them in my last post, so I thought I would elaborate on them today.

A children's bookstore is the number one thing I would truly love to open! After I saw "You've Got Mail" I just knew I wanted to make that happen. I know exactly what I would name it, but won't reveal, as I don't want anyone stealing my store name! I can see shelves full of books that I read as a child and ones I read to McKinley today. I see week day and weekend storytelling. Children gathered around to hear small stories or pages of one to pique their curiosity and get them reading it on their own. I see craft projects, holiday decorating, milk and cookie snack days, and smiling faces all around me! Doesn't that just sound like heaven? The store wouldn't be located in one of Johnson County's strip malls, but a stand alone building that we've restored to our own likes and specifications. How I would love to makes this dream a reality!

I have truly enjoyed the art of baking lately and creating small treats for my family and friends. Some are homemade, some from a box, but all have some sort of touch that make it mine. I would specialize in a few things versus a large array of baked goods. I would want to make it a specialized bakery. A concentration of cupcakes, cookies and cakepops. Nothing too fancy or extreme, but instead treats that are big on taste. And style. No matter what I do, there has to be some level of style involved. You can't just deliver a product without a brand and my brand is all about making things stylish! Remember, I also have a personal style blog!  

If you don't follow Style My Way, then you may not know that I am an inspiring fashionista. What's a fashionista you might ask? Well, to me, a fashionista is someone who is "in the know" of all things fashion. We know design houses and their signature patterns or prints. We are constantly scouring fashion mags, blogs and websites. We eat, sleep and breath fashion. Because of this love of fashion, I would love to break into the business of styling. It could be on the low end to the high end, but I don't care! I just want to style people. I want to help them shop from their own closet, shop from their favorite retailers, shop for a specific event or for just their every day lives. Would I love to style celebrities? Hell ya! To get to work with the Creme de la Creme? To work with the fashion houses that I only see in magazines? That would be an amazing dream come true! Do I know who I would love to dress? Yes, I do! Ree Drummond of The Pioneer Woman, Tina Fey, Leighton Meester and Meryl Streep. I think that's a wide variety of women who run the gamut of television and film! It would really stretch my styling skills and challenge me personally and professionally. Just typing this out gets me so excited at the thought of actually doing something like this for a living!

In reality, my day job has me sitting here typing this from a cubicle. Someday, I might actually quit my day job for a new one. Maybe someday, my day job will be one of those listed above. A dreamer can dream, right?

Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda...

At my high school graduation, our key speaker drove those three words home. He told all of us graduates to never be part of the shoulda, woulda, coulda club. You know the club. I shoulda never dated that guy because I can't get those years back! I woulda bought that dress but I don't really have a place to wear it! I coulda been a doctor but all that science got in the way! In other words, seize the day and make things happen in your life so that you don't have all those statements when you're older.

Well here comes the older part, and as hard as I've tried, I still have those statements! As I look at turning 40 in about six months, I've been thinking back on my life. Sure I've done some exciting things. I attended my first choice college, although I graduated from a different one. I can say that I had the small school and major university experience and I'm richer for it. I've traveled to fun cities around the country and I've been out of the country twice. I've moved four major times throughout my life and made some amazing friends and memories along the way. I lived on my own, on the Country Club Plaza which was something I always wanted to do, and experienced my independence. And, I got married and started a family with a great guy!

But there are things in my life that I wish I had done along the way. I wish I had been more goal oriented while I was in college. My only goal was to get out! I hated school. I loved the social aspect, but I hated the actual attending class. I graduated with a Theater Performance degree and loved the core classes. However, I struggled to get out of the required courses. My senior year, I remember sitting in the hall (and what I was wearing) waiting for my next class to start when my professor approached me and said "Why didn't you think of majoring in fashion merchandising?" That's a career? Those are courses that are offered? Attending a small liberal arts college in Southwest Virgina, they didn't offer fashion merchandising, so by the time I transferred to the University of Missouri I was knee deep in my theater degree. I didn't know that fashion anything was an option. My life coulda been so different in the fact that I coulda been in a career I love, doing something that matter to me. Even if it seems frivolous, people need clothes!

I consider myself, and my family, gypsies. Nomads. Moving from place to place and never really setting down roots. When my dad took a job with United Telephone in 1974, I'm sure he never thought he would live Tennessee. However, in 1982 we moved to Overland Park, KS and to us, it was the largest city in the world. We moved from Blountville, TN. In 2010, the total population for Blountville stood at a little over 3,000 so you can imagine the total in 1982. We stayed in Kansas until 1989 when we moved to Manassas, VA. A suburb 27 miles outside of Washington D.C., you can imagine how big the city was now! Then, in 1993, we relocated to Jefferson City, MO.... We won't go there. What I'm getting at is that we moved every four to six years and started a new beginning! I've been in Overland Park, my second time around, for 16 years and that's the longest I've lived anywhere! I feel stagnant from time to time, itching to move. I wish I had moved one more time. I wish I had moved to either NY or LA just to say I had. But I didn't and I feel like I coulda done something so cool. Even if I had found my way back here, which is possible, I coulda used one more move.

I look back on my life, okay my life as an adult up until now, and wish I had taken more risks. As I've gotten older, gotten married, had a baby, spent almost 14 years with one company, it becomes increasingly difficult to take risks. I have to be a responsible adult, but at times, I want to throw caution to the wind and just say "go for it"! Things I want to do with my life: 1) open a specialty boutique, 2) open a children's bookstore, 3) start a bakery, 4) start my jewelry company again and/or 5) become a stylist. Items 2, 3 and 5 stand out the most! But, I can't take those financial risks therefore leaving me saying, I woulda started these business if I were younger. I have so many ideas and I'm pretty sure I could be successful at them. My husband calls adult ADD!

The last thing on the list, for now, is world travel. No, I can't exactly travel the world, but I would really like to travel abroad. I had hoped to have a trip to Italy planned by the time I turned 40, but that is fallen by the wayside. I keep telling myself "one day" in hopes that I don't end up saying "I shoulda gone to Italy for my 40 birthday" when I'm 85! I haven't and won't give up on this one!

Am I alone in these thoughts? There have to be others out there who think about things like this from time to time. But maybe there aren't. Maybe there are people who are perfectly content with the lives they've led, and that's wonderful! I'm not unhappy with my life, not at all, but I do tend to daydream about what life coulda been if only I had take a leap of faith....

McKinley's Second Birthday

I love throwing parties and entertaining, but I love throwing parties for my family even more! Joel isn't one for parties or entertaining so I try not to ask too much of him. Yard work, helping me set up for outdoor events and a few interior details and he's done! I take on all the rest.

This year was McKinley's second birthday and I started planning about a month before the big day! We threw a Sesame Street party with an emphasis on Elmo. McKinley loves Elmo, and I love all the other characters, so I incorporated both! I originally turned to Pinterest for ideas, but I ended up just going it on my own! I've been doing this long before Pinterest ever came into the cyber world! Another reason, I didn't want to feel like an unfit mother who can't compete with some of the other talented mothers in the world!

The cake sets the tone of any party so I went with the face of Elmo! I have no real artistic skills to speak of, so drawing or creating anything free hand would be a sheer disaster! That's why I rely on these useful cake pans! The artistry work is done while baking and all I have to do is follow the ice-by-numbers instructions provided! I thought he turned out really well!

I also wanted to make cupcakes in case no one wanted to cut into the cake. And, I just love to bake! A simple boxed cake, icing out of the can and tinted to as close to Big Bird yellow as possible was all it took. Cute Sesame Street papers and picks complete the decor. I wanted the Elmo face to be the focal point of the table.

 

 Small details were scattered throughout the house. McKinley has several Sesame Street themed cars so I set the around the living. I took his small stuffed characters and placed them among the dessert and plate tables. There were cardboard center pieces, a themed table cloth and confetti sprinkled everywhere! I filled my glass canisters with goldfish to represent Dorothy, Elmo's pet goldfish, and chocolate chip cookies...Cookie Monster's favorite!

Finally, the party favors. My guests will never leave empty handed! McKinley has a Sesame Street book that came with a CD player and four CD's. The CD's are four characters singing fun children's song. Cookie Monster sings a catchy tune called "C is for Cookie" which got me thinking. I baked sugar cookies and frosted them with royal icing. I piped the letter M in the center of each cookie and made tags that said "M is for McKinley". I made the tags from red cardstock, themed stickers and tied them around the goodie bags with colorful striped ribbon.

 

I think the birthday boy had a great day! It started off a little rocky. He got up around 6:30 that morning, almost a full hour before normally his normal time, and needed a nap about an hour later! We made it though!

  I still can't believe he's two!

Forthy Before the Big 4-0 Update

I have to admit I haven't really been focusing on my Big 4-0 list! I'm still reading Anna Karenina, that book is rough, and only about 40% through the book. Remember why I started reading it in the first place? Fashion!! Banana Republic did an entire collection around the book. Oh, and the romantic link between Anna and Vronsky. There are some really great parts, and just when I am getting into it, the next section is about stuff I could care less about....like who cares about farming and sectioning off the land to give to Muzhiks. Let's get to the romance because that's what I thought the book focused on the most. It doesn't....

 

My mom got me a Fassage for my birthday but I haven't scheduled it yet. It sounds amazing. A facial plus massage! I need to get that scheduled and that will take care of number 25. I have really tried to focus on number 39, spend more time with girlfriends. We had a girls night back in December. Four of us headed to the Melting Pot for a little Girl's Night indulgence! It was a fabulous evening. I had lunch with my girlfriend Carolyn back in January and had sushi and drinks with Julie last Thursday. It has been so nice to just have a glass wine, food and girl talk!

 

I'm dying to travel! Number two and three go hand in hand and I truly hope to schedule a trip to NY in September. Now, how can I head to NY and still take McKinley with me? I'm thinking my mom should go too! She can be the nanny, like Rachel Zoe's sister Pam, and we can have fun in the city when time allows. My dad could go too and take some amazing photos for his new venture in life...

A lot of the things on my list are really spring and summer related. I'm so looking forward to Old Man Winter disappearing for a while. We are so over the confines of our house. We want to get out, explore the town, breath in fresh air and sunshine and sport bare legs! My dad and I talk all the time about number 19! I have created a playlist in my head but we just need to sit down and rehearse. Oh, and figure out how to actually perform in public!

At the rate I'm going, I'm pretty sure I might secure 10 items on the list! I am, however, saving like mad for number one!!! We will make that happen. I guess I need to get on the passports for myself and McKinley. (That would take care of number 34.) The trip of a lifetime is still possible! I won't let that one go! And the gonadal ride at the Venetian doesn't count!

Want to see the full list? Check it out here!

Motherhood and Selfishness

I'm an only child. And, for those of us only children, most people expect us to be selfish, self-centered people, right? I would like to think that I don't fit into either category. Yes, I do think about myself from time to time, but who doesn't? Am I selfish? Sure, when it comes to things like sharing my time with my child, sharing my mascara with others (gross) or sharing a toothbrush with my husband. Who does that anyway? So, when I thought about having a child, I knew that my time as an only would come to a screeching halt.

What do I mean by that? Well, as an only child, I'm doted on. It's a perk of being an only child and only only children know this behavior. You don't have to share your toys, your time with your parents, your anything. My parents gave me all of their attention but didn't lavish me with gifts. If anything, it was the opposite. I didn't get what I wanted when I wanted it. I got things for Christmas, Easter, Valentines and birthday just like everyone else. However, it didn't stop once I hit a certain age. I still get something for all of those holidays and I love it. Not afraid to brag about it. But, again, upon having a child, I knew somethings would change. I'm not the first person they hug upon entering the door. I'm not the first person they ask about when I call to say hello. And that's okay. That's how it's supposed to be.

The other part of being a mother means that there isn't much time for you anymore. You put all of your time and energy into your child without thought or regret. But, aren't there times when you just feel like being a little selfish? Or is that me? There are times where I miss waking up past 8:00 on a Saturday morning only to move to the couch and watch nothing on TV. I miss going out to dinner on a Friday night and then staying out way too late because we didn't need to come home. Hence, the waking up past 8:00 on a Saturday morning. I miss packing up and jetting off to NY or LA, or anywhere for that matter, because Joel and I needed to get away for a weekend. It doesn't mean I don't love my son any less, does it?

My latest selfish thought as been centered around a day of doing absolutely nothing and with no one in particular! And when I say nothing, what I really mean is having a pajama party and watching the Twilight Saga, in all five parts, from start to finish! Doesn't that sound completely amazing? I would start with lattes and breakfast. Lunch somewhere in between, preferably something delivered or a drive-thru. (I'm in my pajamas remember.) Then, I would conclude the evening with wine and pizza. A handful of girlfriends, tissues and munches would be a welcomed addition.

Midnight Showing of New Moon

Midnight Showing of Eclipse

Seriously, am I alone in this kind of thinking? Do other mothers wish for a day all to themselves? Or are you all saints and I'm simply that selfish, self-centered only child I didn't think I was? Anyone....

What are They, Superheros?

A typical evening in the lives of the Krasnows is pretty exciting, let me tell ya. I pick up McKinley from my parents, head home, make dinner, get McKinley in the bath, play for a bit and then try to get him to bed at a reasonable hour. What I can't seem to figure it out is how people get dinner on the table, kids in the bath and in bed by 7:00 or 7:30. I have to ask myself, are these people superheros? I can't get my kid home before 5:45 on most days. Dinner is usually on the table by maybe 6:30. McKinley is in the bath sometime after that and we are getting him calmed down around 8:00 in hopes of him getting to bed by 8:30. There is no way I can meet the 7:00/7:30 standard of bedtime.

When talking with Joel about a schedule for McKinley, we knew we wanted to have dinner as a family. I don't want him eating alone and then playing while we eat. We are a family and we are going to have family dinners for a very long time to come. Joel and I, pre-baby, were very late eaters. We would hit the gym a couple of times a week after work so we wouldn't get home until close to 6:00 or later. By the time we got home, made dinner and had it on the table, we were looking at 7:30 or 8:00. Changing to a 6:00/6:30 dinner time was a rough adjustment but I'm so happy with our commitment.

Even with all of this said, I still question the schedule we have for our son. Is 8:00/8:30 too late? Should one of us start dinner as soon as we got home to ensure that dinner is on the table no later than 6:00 in hopes that McKinley is in the bath sooner which would put him to bed sooner as well? I've compared myself to others mothers who seem to be making it work and I've had to tell myself to stop! I am not those other mothers, I'm McKinley's mother. Our schedule seems to be working and none of us seem to have many complaints. Plus, we have the luxury of having my parents as his "daycare" so when McKinley sleeps in during the week, my dad comes over before I leave for work and simply waits for McKinley to wake up. I'm not forced to wake him up early to get us out the door. Another reason for extended evenings of playtime!

The down side to a later evening? Sure Joel and I would like more TV time to relax, but we get to spend extra McKinley time which is relaxation enough. I would love to sit down and read a fashion magazine from cover to cover during the evening, but I can do that during his weekend naps. I would like to use the time to straighten up the house, but no one comes over to visit anyway so what's the use. It's all about compromise, right?

I constantly struggle with my mothering skills, as I'm pretty sure they suck, but McKinley seems to be happy with me as his mom and that's all that matters, right? Joel and I get moments to spend with each other when McKinley does finally go down in the evenings, but we are both so tired at the end of the night that we're usually sleep within in minutes as well. I figure, earlier evenings are on the horizon once he starts pre-school so I'm going to enjoy my baby boy time for as long as I can get it!

Hello and Welcome

Hey everyone! Welcome to Krasnow Living, a lifestyle blog about the daily lives of my little family of three. And, from time to time, the lives that include my zany family! I am also the author behind Style My Way, a personal style blog, but I wanted something that allowed me to write about my life. I tried to incorporate that into my style blog, but it just wasn't a good fit. Here, I will write about everything that isn't fashion related! I will simply blog about life. The ups and downs. Parenting successes and fails. New recipes I try and if I love them or not. Baking and all that it encompasses. I love to bake!

I am constantly updating my home and I will take you into our living space, showing you everything that we do. I love sharing and receiving ideas which is also why I'm obsessed with HGTV. I love to entertain! My husband hates that part of me, but if I ask nicely (like I ever ask), he allows me to have parties from time to time. As a matter of fact, I am currently planning my sons second birthday party! I can't wait to blog about that day. We are laid back when it comes to entertaining, which helps in the stress department. Actually, we are pretty laid back in about every aspect of our life.

And, I will be blogging about my Forty Before the Big 4-0. That's right, I will be 40 this year and I borrowed this idea from my friend Tina. I've made a list of 40 things I would like to do before I turn 40. Life doesn't end at 40 but I do have a lot of things I would like to accomplish before then So far, not much has been checked off the list. I better get busy.

 Lastly, I am going to publish all of the posts that I've written and posted on Style My Way. Take the time to read them, if you would like, or just get started with some of the newer things I hope to bring to Krasnow Living. I am so happy to start this new adventure in blogging! I hope you stick around for a while!