Monday, November 30, 2009

Tiger Woods' Piece On The Side Speaks

The so-called "other woman" whose name has surfaced in the wake of Tiger Woods's accident has hired a high-profile celebrity lawyer and issued an adamant denial of any relationship with the golfing champ.( I still wonder how much her denial is costing him.)


"I did not have any involvement with him [Woods]," Rachel Uchitel told E! News. "Whatever was written in the Enquirer was not said by me, it was said by two people that claimed they were friends of mine, but they're not."

She added: "I am overwhelmed, so I hired Gloria Allred to handle the situation. I don't want to get this much attention, and I wish everybody would leave me alone." (You don't hire Gloria Allred because you want privacy. You hire Gloria Allred to work out your book deal, press interviews, and if you are attractive enough, your Playboy deal.)

Just days before Woods, 33, crashed his car near his Florida home, the National Enquirer claimed he'd been carrying on a romance with the New York nightclub manager. Following the crash, rumors swirled that Woods's wife, Elin, had argued with the golfer about an affair just before the accident, and that she had caused the scratches police found on his face.

In a statement after the accident, which took place early in the morning after Thanksgiving, Woods denied "the many false, unfounded and malicious rumors." He also asked for everyone to respect his privacy, and has repeatedly canceled interviews with police.

Sources contradict Uchitel's account, however, saying she's claimed flings not only with Woods but with actor David Boreanaz, and that her mother has told friends her daughter has dated New York Yankee players Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez.

"She is a fun party girl; she was definitely into celebrities," a source tells PEOPLE. "She's into being around famous people. Her job was to rack up VIP clientele. She is a flirtatious girl." (She sounds a bit like Super Head to me. You know Super Head, the video girl that rappers passed around like a blunt.)
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Holiday Gift Ideas

I think these fabric calendars are wonderful. And I really like the idea that you can embroider around special days. And a cute calendar is the perfect gift, everybody needs a new calendar. It's not like you can use a 2009 calendar again.



Ige Design's Get Framed Calendar, $24. It is available in black or gold.

 


September House's DIY Calendar, $11.50.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Why Is Tiger Woods Getting Special Treatment



Florida police, who have twice been turned away from Tiger Woods's home, have canceled Sunday's plans to speak to the golf great about his outside the posh home Friday.

"The troopers went to the house to see if they could speak with Mr. Woods. Mr. Woods's attorney was present and told investigators that Mr. Woods was unavailable for an interview," FHP spokeswoman Kim Montes e-mails PEOPLE. "Mr. Woods's attorney provided the troopers with Mr. Woods's driver's license information, registration and current proof of insurance as required by Florida Law. The crash investigation is ongoing and charges are pending."  

With the legal requirements fulfilled, his silence, coupled with the facts already known about the incident, are fueling speculation about the possibility of a heated, even physical, argument between the golfer and his wife, Elin Nordegren, preceding the accident. 

(This is the version of the story that sounds most likely to be true.Something is rotten in Denmark, or whatever Nordic country Mr. Woods bought his wife from. This whole thing probably would have gone away if Tiger just would have talked to police. Is it really that shocking that another professional athlete is having an affair on his wife.)

Earlier, Montes said FHP investigations into minor collisions don't normally drag on for days, but "it's happened before."

"This is not the first time that we've gone back to get a statement from a driver ... We try and give the driver every opportunity to tell us their side of the story before we complete our investigation," she told the Associated Press.

Woods's SUV has been towed to a private yard with damage to the front end and both back-seat windows broken.  (Sounds like someone has been busting windows out of cars.)

Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal is reporting elements of a 911 call made by a neighbor, who evidently heard the crash and "wanted help."

According to the transcript, the caller tells the 911 operator that "there's a man on the ground" and he appeared to be unconscious but breathing.

The call came in at 2:28 a.m. Friday and police arrived at 2:33 a.m., the Journal reports. Woods was taken to a hospital because of injuries to his face and then released.

The accident came two days after the National Enquirer published a story alleging that Woods had been seeing New York night club hostess Rachel Uchitel, and that they recently were together in Melbourne, where Woods competed in the Australian Masters.(I bet that this is what Tiger is trying to cover up. An affair wouldn't help his wholesome image any, and could even cost him an endorsement deal or two.)

Uchitel denies any relationship with Woods. (Wonder how much that cost him?)
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Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Thanksgiving Menu



Here is my menu for Thanksgiving, along with all the links to the recipes. I'm still on a quest for the perfect Thanksgiving menu. I grew up in a house where the food was rather bland and unimaginative, and I am really working on changing that. I will try to post pictures while I am cooking.

Spice-Rubbed Roast Turkey (I hope following Martha Stewart's recipe can help me along the path to a turkey that isn't raw at the bone.)
Cornbread Stuffing (From a box. That's the way it's always been made at my house. The kids love the crap. And the wee tyrant will eat tons of it. And I will do anything to get extra calories into him.)
Tamales (Made by a neighbor. She has quite the thriving business going.)
Baked Sweet Potatoes with Orange Caramel Glaze
Green Beans with Lemon and Oil (Will somebody please explain green bean casserole to me. I just do get the onion bits. Or even worse, I saw a recipe on television where they used corn flakes. Yuck!)


Collard Green Pie (This goes along with the tamales. I like to remind the family that we are ethnic.)
Sweet Potato Pie (Another great southern dish. My grandmother has spent the last two days baking them.)
Carrot Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting (Either mini cakes or cupcakes. Update: I added a pinch of saffron to the oil.)
Oven Baked Toffee Apples
Pear Crostata (I don't have a recipe. I will try to post directions with pictures. I think I will be using Asian pears.)

Monday, November 23, 2009

Christmas Gift Ideas



German toy manufacturer, Haba designs some of the cutest play food available. Don't waste your money on plastic play food that will do nothing to inspire your wee one's imagination. The food is available at Amazon, Petit Baby, and Padilly.


Holiday Cards By Letterpress Light

Letterpress Light has some lovely holiday cards in their Etsy shop. And they don't have just Christmas cards, they designed some pretty Hanukkah cards. The cards are priced $9.50 for 6.


Snowflake


Dreidel


Menorah

Friday, November 20, 2009

Babycotpod Metro Crib



Babycotpod will be releasing another new product when they release their Cascara bassinet. The Metro crib (bassinet in English) will be made of wood, steel, and acrylic. The Metro will be a rocking bassinet that will last you until the baby is about 6 months. I would love to see a non-rocking crib version.



Expect Babycotpod's bassinets to jump off the design board and into the real world sometime next year.

Christmas Cards


It's time to order those Christmas cards. These letterpressed cards are so cute.They are by Lucky Bee Press. $16 for 6.

Shaniya Davis Update 20 November


Mario McNeill, the pervert who murdered little Shaniya Davis, was charged with raping and strangling the girl. He has admitted to kidnapping Shaniya (Probably in hopes of getting a lesser sentence, not out of the kindness of his heart.) He will be charged with first degree rape of a child and first degree murder.

Her mother,Antoinette Davis is charged with trafficking and child abuse involving prostitution. They should charge her with slavery. I think that if they are going to charge her with human trafficking they might as well take it the extra step.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Disney's Prep & Landing

I couldn't sleep last night, so I decided to watch television. I saw the following commercial for Disney's Prep& Landing. It's a modern take on what the elves do to prep for Santa's trip. They are there guiding Santa onto roofs, taking care of horrid dogs, and checking the weather. It's very modern, but reminds me of the Christmas specials I watched as a child. I'm really excited to watch it with the wee tyrant. It airs on ABC, 8 December at  8:30pm.

Where Was Shaniya Davis Killed?

Authorities in North Carolina said Wednesday that they will need to determine where the killing of a 5-year-old girl occurred before additional charges are filed in the case. The body of Shaniya Davis, who was reported missing in Fayetteville last week, was found Monday beside a road near Sanford, which is about 30 miles northwest of Fayetteville, police said.
The girl's mother, Antoinette Nicole Davis, has been charged with human trafficking and other offenses, and another suspect, Mario Andrette McNeill, has been charged with kidnapping in the case.
A Tuesday statement from the Fayetteville police says that jurisdiction is "governed by where the criminal conduct occurred. Right now, this is an ongoing investigation and as such we are still determining the details surrounding the death of the child."
On Wednesday, Fayetteville Police Chief Tom Bergamine said jurisdiction will need to be determined before other charges are filed.
He did not elaborate on what charges might be pending.
"Several of the details regarding the investigation have a direct impact on which county will assume jurisdiction and prosecute this case," Bergamine told reporters at a news conference.
"The district attorneys from the involved jurisdictions are discussing the matter and ultimately will make that decision," he said.
Fayetteville is in Cumberland County, while Sanford is in Lee County. The district attorneys from those counties did not immediately return phone calls seeking comment Wednesday.
Davis reported her daughter missing last week from their home in a mobile home park. According to police, surveillance video taken November 10 from a hotel in Sanford shows Shaniya in the company of McNeill.
"The investigation at this point indicates that Shaniya Davis was alive at the time she left the Sanford hotel," police said.
Following Davis' arrest over the weekend, police spokeswoman Teresa Chance said Davis had been "prostituting her child."
Shaniya's father, Bradley Lockhart, made a tearful appeal before reporters Tuesday afternoon, asking that "everybody makes it a point not to ignore, to look past a situation where a person, a child, or anybody might be in danger ... so that we don't have another tragedy like Shaniya."

 These perverts didn't need to kill that girl. What they did was horrible, but the sad truth is that it happens to thousands of children every year. But those unfortunate children are given the chance at escape: foster care, the other parent or relatives, even adulthood. But they killed Shaniya anyway. They should receive the death penalty if for no other reason than that. She would have been scarred for life, but she would have had a chance to build a better life sooner or later. And that crack head mother of hers is ten times more guilty than anyone. You don't prostitute your child to pay a drug debt. A mother's job is to protect her child from the evil out there in the world. There should be special punishment for her. It's the South, weren't they lynching people not too long ago.
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Letter From Santa


The US Postal Service will postmark letters from Santa. You are responsible for writing the letter. Put the letter in a stamped envelope, and then put that inside another stamped envelope and mail it to: North Pole Christmas Cancellation, Postmaster, 5400 Mail Trail, Fairbanks, AK 99709-9998. The deadline is usually 15 December. My youngest loves it.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Did Nicole Richie Marry


Maybe it was nerves. Or maybe it just wasn't the time to issue a clarification.

But in court Monday,Nicole Richie's lawyer Mark Geragos referred to Joel Madden as her husband and Richie didn't correct him. The pair have been together for years and have two children.

The marital reference came up during her 15 minutes of testimony at a hearing in which a judge issued a restraining order against two aggressive paparazzi.

Richie, 28, wearing black slacks, a black-and-white blouse and her hair in a bun, stated on the witness stand she was "crying hysterically and scared" last month after she wasby the two photographers, who she says "stalk and harass" her daily.

"Did you call your husband?" asked Geragos.

"Yes," Richie said.

Madden also testified, telling L.A. Superior Court Judge Carol Boas Goodson that Richie "is terrified" that the photographers might cause another accident involving their children, Harlow, 22 months, and Sparrow, 9 weeks, whom she's with "24/7," he said.

The photographers, Ivon Miguel and Eduardo Arrivabene, attended the hearing and denied that they ever trespassed on Richie's property, which she alleged. At one point, Miguel stated to Richie, "I want to apologize for the accident. You don't have to worry about us. I come from a good family."

But the judge ordered the men to stay 50 yards away from Richie and her two children until 2012.
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Monday, November 16, 2009

Why Don't All Baby Bottles Look Like Boobies?



Maybe if they did babies wouldn't have such a hard time with nipple confusion. Mimijumi doesn't have that problem though. Their bottles are designed to mimic the look and feel of a real breast. (I wonder if the nipples will come in a range of colors. Just kidding.) The bottle will be made of BPA-free plastic and the nipple of  medical grade silicone. The nipple snaps on to the bottle for one hand use. It doesn't sound like a make or break feature, but when you're trying to fill a bottle with a crying baby in your hand it really is.


Mimijumi will be releasing the "Very Hungry" or 8 ounce bottle within the next month. And it is expected to retail for $17.99. 


But what  I love most are the little milk cartons that the bottles and nipples come in. But I am a sucker for product packaging.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Celine Dion Expecting Baby #2

Update: Celine is no longer her husband announced. While it is very sad, it is not a surprising outcome. My question is why are they still working with their doctor. He announced to the press that she was pregnant, before it was even clear if she really was. I would go pick up my embryos and take them to another doc. He should be fired for putting all her business out in the streets. I guess all the fancy credentials in the world can't stop someone from being a media whore.
 

Update: Celine just got her positive pregnancy test result this week. That is very early for a public announcement, the risk of early miscarriage is very high (even higher at her age). They haven't even heard the heartbeat yet. I wonder if someone leaked the story to the press. Hopefully everything goes well.

Good news for those trying to have a baby via IVF. Celine's embryos were eight years old. The cost of storing those embryos on ice is totally worth it.

Making good on her expressed desire to have more children, Céline Dion is pregnant.

A family member tells PEOPLE, "We learned this morning." While a rep for the 41-year-old singer confirmed the news to various outlets saying, "Celine and René are very happy," and "They are crazy in love over the news ... they are overjoyed."

Herself the product of a family of 14, Dion only learned of her condition on Monday, reports Tuesday's Journal de Montreal, after she and her husband, René Angélil, 67, conceived with the help of a team of fertility doctors in New York.

The couple's one child together, son René-Charles, was born January 2001. The rep tells ET Canada that he "starts his first day of private school today."

Angélil also has three other children from two previous marriages.

According to reports in the French language press, Dion, whose concert tour ended in March, took time off this spring to concentrate on becoming a mother again. She also visited the clinic of Dr. Zev Rosenwaks , (I thought I would include a link to the good doctor for all of those out there suffering from infertility. And this guy has exquisite credentials. If you are spending a fortune to conceive you might as well get the best.) the Manhattan-based fertility expert who helped with the birth of René-Charles.

Quoting a previous interview the newspaper had conducted with Angélil, the Journal reports that "everything hinges on the pregnancy" in terms of Dion's future professional plans – and that a pregnancy now could conceivably delay the singer's scheduled return to Las Vegas in fall 2010.
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Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Maclaren Stroller Recall

Maclaren strollers are as posh as it gets in my little hick town. (I have an Orbit, but I never got an actual baby to put in it. And have returned to my life of sin. But that's another story.) So this comes as a shock, Maclaren is recalling every stroller they have produced as far back as 1999. That's over a million strollers. It seems that little children have been losing fingers in the latches.


HIGHLY REGARDED FOR SAFETY, MACLAREN VOLUNTARILY PROVIDES CHILD PROOF SOLUTION FOR ITS STROLLERS SOLD IN THE U.S.

(South Norwalk, CT— November 9, 2009) Consistent with Maclaren USA’s  unwavering commitment to child safety we are providing U.S. consumers notice of a voluntary recall of all Maclaren umbrella strollers sold in the U.S.  In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Maclaren is providing free of charge to all affected consumers and retailers a kit to cover the elbow joint on the umbrella stroller’s side hinge mechanism which can pose a potential finger hazard to a child when the operator is opening or closing the umbrella stroller.  

Safety is Maclaren’s first priority and through this voluntary effort we urge consumers to contact us immediately to obtain the kit which consists of hinge covers designed specifically to fit all Maclaren umbrella strollers. These easy to fit hinge covers will insure proper precautions are taken by the operator to avoid injury when opening or closing the umbrella stroller.

This voluntary recall does not relate to U.S. standards not being met. Maclaren umbrella strollers meet all U.S. ASTM & JPMA compliance standards. These certifications guarantee Maclaren umbrella strollers meet the required maximum safety standards. Maclaren umbrella strollers have served as the benchmark for quality for umbrella strollers and have maintained outstanding records for safety along with durability for over 40 years.

To obtain the hinge covers consumers can visit our website at
www.maclaren.us/recall or contact us toll-free at 877-688-2326 between the hours of 9am – 5pm Eastern Time. Maclaren U.S.A. stresses all operators read the instruction manual prior to use which contains valuable safety tips and service recommendations.

Since 1967, Maclaren has engineered its strollers to specifically exceed global standards for safety, reliability and durability. Nothing carries the Maclaren name until it is researched, tried and tested. Maclaren’s formal compulsory Zero Tolerance policy of safety issues is built upon the provenance when you buy something for your baby excellence is the least you expect.                                                                       
-more-

Maclaren Press Release
Page -2-

Important Safety Tips from Maclaren

Always read the operating instructions before use—don’t force the mechanisms—stop and check the instructions.
Keep children clear of the stroller during opening and folding.
Never leave your child unattended in a stroller – even with the harness fastened.
Always use the safety harness.
Don’t overload the stroller. Heavy items hanging from the handles can cause the stroller to topple over."

Monday, November 9, 2009

Mothercare Spin



For a while all of the cool strollers were of Dutch design, but it seems that Britain is where to look if you want true stroller innovation. When I saw video of the Mothercare Spin pushchair I was really impressed. It converts to a pram like the Peg Perego Skate, fully reclines in stroller mode, and will hold a car seat. So you can actually use it from birth. And the company makes getting your baby in and out of the stroller much easier by simply allowing the bumper bar to open and close. And once you take the seat off it folds like a dream. But the coolest feature is the spinning mechanism. You press a button on the handle and you are able to rotate the seat from forward facing to parent facing with just a single hand. Video below. £420

Friday, November 6, 2009

WeTV Platinum Babies


WeTV's new show, Platinum Babies is a peak inside the reproductive style of the rich and d-list. Think Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous for the tot set. You get to see fancy nurseries and extravagant baby showers. I don't know why people go on these shows, it just exposes you to the scorn of the friends and relations. And we all know from show like the Real Housewives that most of the people are just barely floating on a sea of debt. The show airs of Friday at 9/8C.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Twig & Thistle Baby Shower




Are you looking for a baby shower theme that is stunning and original, but like me lack creative skills. Because if you are Twig & Thistle has one of the most adorable baby shower kits I have ever seen. For $23 you can purchase the PDF to print up the invitations, the cards for a quiz, thank you cards, and mailing labels for the Lil' Tweet themed shower. And if you are looking for a matching gift for the mom-to-be, or a really extravagant favors, there is a matching DIY pillow kit for $15 each . Everything is available in the traditional baby colours of pink, blue, yellow, and green. And you can even buy the little matching pencils for the quiz.

Barbie and Pink (Without Making You Want To Puke)



Barbie special edition Philippe Starck for Kartell Lou Lou Ghost Chair in cotton candy pink. $170

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Gisele Bundchen


Does anyone know where Gisele Bundchen bought this dress. I doubt that it is maternity, and is perfect for the Spring like weather where I live.

Stella For Gap

The Stella McCartney collection for the Gap has finally been released. The collection is lovely in a rather boho kind of way. Usually the boys' collection seem to be an after thought, but I actually am going to buy a few of these pieces.Here are a few of my favorite pieces:



Packable Anorak. I have been looking for a simple raincoat for the baby. And this one, while not as traditional I would like, may be what I'm looking for. $48.



Superhero Graphic Tee. $28


Band Jacket. The jacket is supposed to be unisex, but I doubt most little boys in the suburbs can pull it off. $128.



Silk Drop-Waist Dress. This may be the party dress of the holiday season. $58.



Trench Coat. It's never too early to teach a girl the style and charm of a simple trench coat. $78.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Once Your Parents Were Awesome



I am totally in love with the blog, My Parents Were Awesome. It is simply a site with old pictures of parents and grandparents enjoying their youth. I am trying to convince my mother to submit a photo of her in the seventies with a huge blond afro. It is a cool site to check out if you have a few minutes do something fun.


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