Have you discovered Ju Ju Beane Boutique yet? If you haven't - you're definitely missing out on a unique shopping experience! Ju Ju Beane Boutique is an online children's store featuring over 800+ items! Everything you could need, from Baby and Children's clothes and accessories to Children's bedding, furniture and room decor make it a fantastic retail destination for creative design and imaginative styles for babies and children. At Ju Ju Beane Boutique, you will receive a truly "boutique" experience with concierge services such as pre-ordering, personal shopper, expedited shipping, wish list functions, and gift wrapping. Personalized gift options include gift certificates, monogramming, gift messaging, and custom gift baskets... whew!.. I'm tired just thinking about all the great things Ju Ju Beane Boutique has to offer, good thing they can take care of almost everything for me!
We are honored to have Ju Ju Beane Boutique as one of the sponsors of our Spring into Summer Sweepstakes! Be sure to enter today to for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate from Ju Ju Beane Boutique. 
We are also holding a very special bonus sweepstakes for a 12x12 Hip Kid Art of your choice to one lucky blogger! All you have to do is write a blog post about Ju Ju Beane Boutique with a link to Ju Ju Beane Boutique then, simply send an email to pinklemonadecontest@gmail.com with "JuJu Beane" in the subject line and your blog address in the body to be entered to win this fantastic bonus prize!
Turning Lemons into Pink Lemonade!
Posted by Liz of Pink Lemonade
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Thursday, May 22, 2008
Ju Ju Beane Boutique
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Cook Rules American Idol
With a record setting vote of 97.5million votes, David Cook took the title of Season 7's American Idol with 56% of the vote. I'm so glad Cook won, he was definitely the better of the two singers - he took chances - his songs didn't all sound the same.
A few observations about the show, however... Watching the top 12 tromp across the stage during their choreographed dance numbers was absolutely hilarious. The vast majority of them seemed to have no rhythm and coordination whatsoever - it was absolutely laughable. I also now remember why I was so glad to see Amanda leave the competition - her voice is just verging on intolerable. Carrie Underwood did a kind of "rocker" country song, but I was terribly afraid her short little jacket of a dress was about to cause a wardrobe malfunciton any moment - I was nervous for her! The George Michael medley made it obvious that he was going to come out and sing.... OMG!!... how horrible does poor George look??... What happened??... I mean, I haven't followed George since, oh, around Band-Aid times, but... this was like a fat-elvis transformation - glasses and all!!
So, from all of us here at Pink Lemonade, Congratulations, David Cook on your win - you truly did deserve it!
Turning Lemons into Pink Lemonade!
Posted by Liz of Pink Lemonade
Featured Weekly on Posh Mama Online Magazine Don't miss a Thing! Subscribe to my Blog!Be sure to enter the Spring into Summer Sweepstakes!
Weight Loss Wednesday - Wii'll Get Fit...
Welcome to Pink Lemonade's Weight Loss Wednesday! We all know that exercise is a vital component of any weight loss program... but if you're anything like me, you find traditional exercise boring and redundant. I have been searching for something that will be able to hold my attention while helping me keep fit and have fun... I think I've found it - and it's name is Wii Fit
You see, the main component of this "game" is a plastic board (akin to those step-aerobic boards of the 90's, only flatter), called the Wii Balance Board which acts as the game's controller. It registers players' movements as they're prompted to bend, flex and turn with the game. It will track your weight and BMI and even provide colorful charts and graphs to track your progress.
When the Wii
Until now... Wii Fit combines Yoga, Balance Games, Strength Training and Aerobics, all into a fun video game session. I am not a big fan of high impact, "in your face" kinds of exercise - I'm perfectly happy with a nice session of Pilates - but never get the time to get to a session. With the Wii Fit, I can snowboard, or walk a tight rope and then settle in for a nice session of Yoga. I'm so excited for the release of Wii Fit
If you would like to see just how the new Wii Fit works without the investment, check out the Wii Fit Movement page and see where Nintendo will be bringing the Wii Fit to a festival near you, for everyone to try.
Turning Lemons into Pink Lemonade!
Posted by Liz of Pink Lemonade
Featured Weekly on Posh Mama Online Magazine Don't miss a Thing! Subscribe to my Blog!Be sure to enter the Spring into Summer Sweepstakes!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
We know the name of the American Idol Winner...
... His name is David! Okay, Okay, yes, that was a cheap way to get blog hits, but it is true... isn't it?
The performances are over, and everyone is voting.... leave a comment and tell me who you think truly deserves to be the next American Idol?
 |  |
| David Cook AT&T Customers: Text "Vote" to 5701 to vote | David Archuleta AT&T Customers: Text "Vote" to 5702 to vote |
If you ask me, David Cook, hands down deserves to win - however, it has been said that winning American Idol is not always the best thing, because an artist has more creative control over their first album if they don't win... who knows, but in my opinion, David Cook is definitely the better singer of the two and I can't wait to buy his albums.
Turning Lemons into Pink Lemonade!
Posted by Liz of Pink Lemonade
Featured Weekly on Posh Mama Online Magazine
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Oliver Lane
Sure, babies are happy in any clothes that are soft and comfy.... but us Mom's want our tots to be just as stylish as we are! Shopping at big-box stores doesn't always lend itself to "fashionable" baby and toddler wear, but shopping at
Oliver Lane does! Jill at Oliver Lane, has the most adorable togs for your kiddos! She designs all of it herself and lots of it is monogrammed - so it's very one of a kind! Jill has kindly donated a Monogrammed onesie or tee of the winners choice for our Spring into Summer Sweepstakes so be sure to enter today and maybe you can win one of her fantastic designs. Even if you don't win, be sure to stop by and check out all the cute-as-a-button things she has in her shop at Oliver Lane.
Turning Lemons into Pink Lemonade!
Posted by Liz of Pink Lemonade
Featured Weekly on Posh Mama Online Magazine Don't miss a Thing! Subscribe to my Blog!Be sure to enter the Spring into Summer Sweepstakes!
Say, Say, O, Playdate...
This is a post from some of the earliest of Pink Lemonade's archive. Back then, we had.... say... five visitors per day (including me and my Mom), so I thought I'd repost it (with a little title tweak), since summer is on the way and there will be playdates being made everywhere! ... So without further adieu... Say, Say, O' Playdate....
As a kid growing up in the 70's, when we wanted to play, we went next door...or across the street to find another child to play with. Once in a while...heaven forbid...we even played by ourselves....(gasp!)
Fast forward 35 years and you will find the thought of merely going next door, or across the street reprehensible to most parents. No - playing cannot be something spontaneous and fun. Playing must be entered into Mommy's Blackberry. A suitable playmate, time and date set, Mommy must proceed to transport the child across town to said suitable child's house where the two children (usually same age, same gender) will play happily (or maybe not so happily) until either 1: Mommy returns from running her errands or 2: Mommy has stayed for coffee and the pre-determined sentence has been served by the child.
When did the very simple act of children playing become something that had to be scheduled, timed and arranged? Is there some sort of applications one fills out to be sure that the child is playing with the "right kind of kid"?
During my childhood days of play, our neighborhood had a variety of children, different ages, both boys and girls and we all played together. We learned to get along, we learned to be both leaders and followers. We learned teamwork and cooperation. Sometimes we played in twos, sometimes in large groups, but it was always spontaneous and no one had to be transported in to make our play complete. The only time I remember being transported to someones house would be in the case of a Birthday Party. Other than that, School Friends were played with at School...and Neighborhood Friends were played with at home.
Am I somehow lacking in social graces? Did I suffer because my Mommy didn't schedule me to "play-up" (sort of like "marrying-up" only just playing). I'm pretty sure I survived quite well and I never remember lacking for fun.
Over the past seven years of my children's schooling, I have never felt the need to buy into the "playdate" mentality. Having a friend come over for Collette is not what I consider to be a traditional "playdate" because she really needs to be play with other special-needs kids and there are none in our neighborhood - she needs someone who will accept her as she is. But even then, we don't do that too often. Lauren has the "playdate" mentality ingrained having been in private schools for going on four years now. She's always asking if "Suzy" or "Joanie" can come over for a "playdate" and I always seem to find an acceptable reason why that would not be such a great idea this weekend.
During her four-year-old preschool year, however, I was, somehow wrangled into a playdate with a little girl we'll call "Claire". It all started innocently enough, Claire's Mom invited Lauren over for a "playdate" - Lauren was so excited I just couldn't say no, so I agreed. I take her halfway across town, check out Claire's house, chat with Mommy for a few minutes - all looks good - I'll be back in two hours. Two hours later - "playdate" over, I retrieve my child only to realize that I am now obligated to "return the favor" and have Claire over to play now. Why didn't Mommy just call it what it was - a Babysitting Co-op? We fulfill our obligation and have Claire over to play. Claire only wants to run around the house at full volume and full speed screaming like a banshee. Nothing we have for snack is acceptable to her and I can hardly wait for her Mommy to come and retrieve her! Now Claire's Mommy has a very important job and all of a sudden, I'm getting phone calls asking if Claire can come over after school or on one of our weekdays off from school because Claire's Mommy has some really important stuff to do at work and daycare can't take her. At first, I oblige, not thinking much of it, but it begins to come to the point that when I see her name on my caller ID, I simply don't answer the phone. This was our very last attempt at "playdates" because, sooner or later, I will be called upon to babysit again because I am a stay-at-home Mom and have nothing better to do...(Yeah, right!). I have things to do too - none less important than what people like Claire's Mommy had to do.
Yes, when did everything have to become so complicated?...Why can't Mom's just say "go out and play" without filling up with gas, driving on the interstate and checking their Blackberries?...Why can't kids just play?
Turning Lemons into Pink Lemonade!
Posted by Liz of Pink Lemonade
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Monday, May 19, 2008
Napa Valley is a "Grape" Place...
Aaahhh.... Life in the Beautiful Napa Valley... Sipping Wine, Eating World-Class Food, Watching the grapes ripen on the vine... That's how most people think those of us who live in the Napa Valley spend our days. The truth is, that We drink Coca-Cola, Eat at Applebees and shop at Target. We do the very same things you do on a daily basis, yes, we do have access to all of these great amenities, but most of us just pass them by unless we have out-of-town guests, or a special occasion.
When people find out I live here in Napa, they're always asking me for suggestions on what to do, where to stay and where to eat - so I thought I might take a little trip up-valley with you. That way, should you choose to visit our fair valley, you'll know all the "cool" places to go!
As you begin your travels up California, Highway 29, you'll pass through the town of American Canyon - just keep on going - they claim to be part of the Napa Valley, but it's merely a county-line technicality. Continue North on this highway, past the majestic statue of the grape crusher and over the southern-crossing bridge with lifts you over the meandering Napa River and you're almost there. Just a few more miles up, you'll come to the town of Napa. This is the Napa Valley's largest city and the county seat of Napa County.
If you choose to stay the night in napa, there are many hotels to choose from, some of our more upscale accommodations include The Napa River Inn along the banks of the Napa River, The Meritage Resort, a full-scale time-share type resort right beneath the the Grape Crusher Statue, and if you lean more toward chain-type hotels, there's the Napa Valley Marriott, which boasts a new full-scale spa. Need to fill your day?... Feel like shopping?... Visit our Premium Outlets, with stores such as Gymboree and Cole Hann (let's face it though, these are the same outlets you have at home - skip them and go for the real Napa Experience...) Check out the Oxbow Public Market, and right next door is Copia, The American Center for Wine, Food and the Arts. If you're feeling a little hungry and want a quick and fun bite, visit Taylor's Refreshers next door to the Oxbow Market. They have a few locations, most notably the original "drive in" in St Helena, but unlike the original, they have indoor, air-conditioned seating, which in the summer in Napa Valley, you will appreciate. For some fine-dining, try Celadon, Cole's Chop House or Bistro Don Giovanni. There's one more attraction you'll probably want to schedule while you're in Napa, it's the Wine Train. The train travels daily from Napa to St. Helena, along the way, you get to taste wine and enjoy a world-class meal - Just don't expect to see any scenery that you wouldn't normally see as it run parallel to the highway for most of the trip.
Your next stop on your tour upvalley is the town of Yountville. Yountville is a very small town, but has some great things to see. The Vintage 1870 Marketplace boasts small botique shops galore. Stop by Domaine Chandon to taste a bit of bubbly and, if you're hungry, have a fantastic meal there. Yountville boasts other famous restaurants too, like The French Laundry, and Bouchon - these are extremely popular restaurants and you'd be well off to make reservations way, way (like months) in advance. Staying over?... Try The Vintage Inn, or maybe The Villagio Inn and Spa, which boasts a full-service spa with new "Spa Suites".
Continue up the road and you'll find places to stop, like Oakville Grocery. Take a tour at Mondavi Winery and learn all about how wine is made from the vines to the bottle. Taste a bit at Cakebread Cellars, Sequoia Grove. Further up the road, stop by Rubicon Estates Winery in Rutherford, where you'll find Francis Ford Coppola's wines. Hungry?... right across the street you'll find the Rutherford Grill - awesome food, but no reservations so be prepared for a wait. Right in the same parking lot, is Beaulieu Vineyard, know by most as "BV" - this is one of the few wineries in the valley that survived prohibition. Make sure you go to their private reserve tasting room and sip a few of the older vintages. While you're there, be sure to drop in on the St Helena Olive Oil Company, where you can taste and purchase some really great olive oils, flavored vinegars and more.
If you decide to continue north, you'll very quickly come upon the quaint little town of St Helena. This is where Mr. Pink Lemonade grew up and has evolved from a sleepy little town to a very "tourist-y" place to be. As you approach town, you'll find a few gems waiting to be discovered, like V. Sattui winery, where not only can you taste some great wines, but stop in their deli and grab the makings for a picnic - they've even got beautiful picnic grounds right at the winery! If you're craving something a little more upscale, try Press, the food is fantastic and you never know who you might see (one night, we had dinner two tables away from Joe Montana and his family!). As you go onward up the highway, you'll come to actual town of St Helena, the main draw here, is their main street lined with vintage buildings and filled with boutique shopping. Celebrities love St Helena, in fact, last week, I'm like, 95% sure Tom Cruise crossed the street in front of my car! So after you've done some shoppng and celebrity hunting, you've probably worked up an appetite, try Go Fish, or maybe you're just in the mood for a creamy treat... try The Big Dipper, one block west of main street, across from the elementary school (I can boast that Mr. Pink Lemonade's family started this place and owned and operated it from 1980 until 2002!). Be sure to make plans to have lunch or dinner at Greystone, it's the Culinary Institute of America's California campus housed in the historic stone Christian Brothers Winery building and the food is amazing - but be sure to make reservations way ahead. Feel like staying over?... try the Harvest Inn or the Inn at Southbridge.
Ahead lies Calistoga, home to mud baths and famous water. Cruise down Lincoln, the main street and you'll find a plethora of small shops and restaurants. Some of our favorite places to eat are, Brannans Grill and Boskos. Love Calistoga so much you want to stay over?... Try the Mount View Hotel & Spa or the Foothill House Bed & Breakfast. Have some extra time to spare? Check out the Gyeser, the Petrified forest or Safari West.
After you're done exploring the Napa Valley and you're ready to head home, be sure to cut over to the Silverado Trail for your return trip, it runs paralell to highway 29 and is less "touristy" - you'll find lots of small wineries to stop at on the way home.
So, next time you're planning to visit us here in Napa, be sure to 1. Plan ahead, 2. Be sure to have a designated driver, 3. (this one is important)... Please remember that the highways you are enjoying on your outing are the only ones here in the valley - we do not have big innerstates that bypass the small two-lane highways - please drive the speed limit (not 20 miles below it) because the rest of us have things like doctor's appointments and other places that we must go as a part of our daily lives, 4. Please peruse a map before you head for your next destination - many accidents happen here when people stop short trying to turn into a driveway they didn't know was coming up. 5. Above all, please remember to have a great time!
Turning Lemons into Pink Lemonade!
Posted by Liz of Pink Lemonade
Featured Weekly on Posh Mama Online Magazine Don't miss a Thing! Subscribe to my Blog!Be sure to enter the Spring into Summer Sweepstakes!
