Meet Sam (left) and Julie (right). That’s Beauty Black the horse inserted into the middle of the pair –– and you better not call her “Black Beauty” or you’ll feel the wrath of a certain almost-7-year-old.

American Girl dolls have invaded our house top to bottom. The collectibles, once independently produced for mail-order before the company was purchased by toy-giant Mattel, has been a staple of little girls across the country for nearly two decades. Our daughter, B, received her first one, a Just Like You doll with blonde hair and blue eyes, for her sixth birthday last summer and historical doll Julie, faux circa 1974, last Christmas.

Recently, my brother and I had a discussion about an upcoming trip to the American Girl Place in Chicago. My mother and I are taking my daughter for a girls’ weekend in September completely with shopping, lunch and hair-styling at the Water Tower goldmine. “I don’t buy into all of that ‘American Girl’ stuff,” he said, adding that the high cost of the dolls and accessories adds up. Mind you, he has a two-year-old who’s ALL BOY.

My point of view? She’s only little once. She’s got years to deal with any psychological damage she’ll claim her father and I caused during her upcoming teen years (tell it to your therapist, sweetie. We all do.), but at seven, she’s still in to snuggles, playing hide-and-seek, sneaking candy from the jar in the basement and, yes, dolls. Besides, there’s much to be said about a trip with one’s grandparents. B still talks about a trip in which my mother accompanied us to Tucson three years ago. I can’t say the same for my own grandmothers, one of whom was still raising a family during my youth, and the other who died when I was 12.

After all, memories –– whether big or small –– matter long after keepsakes have been tucked away in attics or sold on eBay. And, for B, I’m making as many as I can.

Annie’s birthday post brought me to a swift realization: my daughter turns seven next month, which provides us two quandaries. First, what to buy for the kid who needs nothing and second, what do to about a party.

For the past six years, we’ve done parties at home, each with a theme ranging from Arizona Cowgirl (this, shortly after a family vacation to Tucson) to Hawaiian Luau (complete with grass skirts and virgin margaritas). While not elaborate, I admit I’ve had fun decorating with inflatable cacti, ballerina tutus and flowered leis (Dad looked swell in his Hawaiian shirt!). Short of hiring a party planner, I would say we’ve done pretty well so far.

This year, however, my husband Bill and I have had enough. We’re joining her best friend (who shared the hospital nursery with her, ended up at the same daycare on the same first day, survived kindergarten and first grade together and are in the same Girl Scouts troop) at a local bowling alley. They’re inviting their mutual friends for bowling, pizza and cake. Best of all, the bowling alley takes care of everything! We’re splitting the cost and I don’t have to spend a week cleaning and another weekend scraping icing out of the carpet and the dog’s fur and hosing down the dining room. (Win win!)

Event though it’s still six weeks away, I stumbled onto the perfect gift for our daughter. In the past, I’ve had to compete for awesomeness amongst our family and friends (including her first American Girl doll and an amazing singing ballerina costume, both from her grandmother’s best friend who has a knack for gifting). This year, though, I have it! I bought her a refurbished iPod Touch and synched it to my iTunes account. She will soon have all the apps she begs to play on my iPhone (effectively running down my battery daily) as well as a few she can buy with her very own iTunes gift card from her grandparents. (Again … win win! I get my iPhone back and she gets to play her games).

Got any good apps we need to download for her? Let us know! And Happy Birthday, Annie! (31 is the new 21!)

My birthday is this Saturday. I’ll be 31. Up until now, I have looked forward to birthdays.

But not this year.

For me, 31 marks the official beginning of birthday dread.

As a child, birthdays were filled with pool parties, sleepovers and the pride and excitement of being another year older.

A decade later, birthdays meant reaching milestones – driving, getting my first job, graduating and going to college.

In my twenties, I still enjoyed getting older, thinking that with each passing year came more respect as a “real” adult, fewer pimples and a greater sense of self.

Last year I turned 30. Everyone made a big deal and I had a great party with good friends and cake. In a way, it felt like turning eight again. Plus, my 30th birthday was exciting for another reason.

But now I face 31. There is nothing special about turning 31. From now on, I’ll be just another grown-up, having just another birthday. And sometimes I look in the mirror and wonder who that lady is with the creases around her mouth and the lines on her forehead.

But maybe I need an attitude adjustment.

After all, today I am the youngest I will ever be again. I have a wonderful husband (who is older than I am!) and an adorable little boy who bring me joy every day. We are close to our families and live a comfortable lifestyle.

And if a positive attitude fails me, I can always fall back on lying about my age and botox.

It came as such a shock when he said goodbye.

“I can’t see you on Saturday,” he told me, “And actually, I can’t see you anymore – I am moving to Miami.”

He did it over the phone. Didn’t even have the decency to tell me to my face. Given my previous experience, I couldn’t help but wonder: was it something I did? Do I chase the good ones away?

Why would my hairdresser break up with me?

This isn’t the first time either. My previous hairdresser also moved out of state with no warning.

Hmmm.

Are they really moving or are they just trying to avoid me, like that Friends episode where Chandler pretended to move to Yemen to get away from Janice?

Either way, jilted, I’m off to Kudzu to look for someone new. I know I will find a good hairdresser there because I can check their business profile and see consumer reviews about them. Don’t you wish they had that kind of information on dating sites?

While I am sad that it didn’t work out with my last guy, I know that someday I will find “the one.” And he (or she), my hair and I will live stylishly ever after.

Raise your hand if you’re going green on St. Patrick’s Day.

And I don’t mean in an environmentally-friendly way. (OK, my boss says I do mean that and you should search Kudzu.com for the best merchants in your area to green your home or office. Or at least review one who has.)

But speaking of the day we honor the patron saint of Ireland, how many of you are opting for olive socks, an ivy shirt, emerald sweater or shamrock undies to avoid being pinched on the 17th? Maybe tinting the hair with a wee bit of forest hue or a banshee shout of loud lime?

If you possess the willpower to pose as a green lantern, be forewarned.

According to Bridget Haggerty’s Irish Culture and Customs website, wearing green actually may get you pinched.

As in kidnapped.

You see, Irish folklore maintains that green is the favorite color of faeries, who are likely to steal people who wear too much of it.

I plan to tempt fate.

After a magically delicious breakfast, I’m garbing out in all green.

Anybody seen my “Kiss Me I’m Irish” button?

My husband restores old cars as a hobby. One of the things I’ve learned is that the paint jobs for cars can run from expensive to outrageously expensive depending on the kind of result you want. The process involves a lot of sanding and the use of expensive high-speed air guns. No one who desired good results would ever paint their car with a brush.

It looks like make-up application is going in that direction now. Recently I saw an infomerical for an airspray kit for makeup foundation. I’d heard for years about magazine models being “airbrushed” but I thought it referred to the photographic process. They are actually sprayed with foundation by artists using the smae kind of tools tee shirts are airbrushed with.

 Now the process is open to the general public–if the general public is independently wealthy, that is. These kits are mighty costly–running about $400.

I know about make-up sponges are recommended by make-up artists as well. They add a smoother appearance than you can get by using your fingers to blend. But I always found that process to be time-consuming and the results can be uneven unless you’re patient and know what you’re doing.

So what’s a girl to do when I’d like that painted-on look but I’m not about to fork over $400 for it? I got my answer the other day when I was walking through the makeup aisle at Walgreens. There, on a shelf by itself, was a new makeup by Loreal. (I’d already become a fan of the Loreal True Match foundation because of its coverage and the fact that one of the shades perfectly matches my own.)

But this foundation? Had a roller applicator?! How cool is that? There’s this teeny little roller (about two inches wide) that looks just like the one you used to paint your house walls. You just roll that little thing over the creamy foundation, then over your face. The coverage is uniform, it evens out your skin tone, and covers all those little flaws. Plus, it’s not as tediously time-consuming as using a little sponge wedge or your fingers.

 I’m still hoping that the price comes down on the foundation airbrush kits, but until then the little paint roller is a good compromise.

I am an admitted shopaholic (see HERE). I spend hours online searching for great deals, and I’ve come across some great ones, such as the Fur Real Friends Biscuit for $44 shipped, a $600 Ann Taylor silk wedding dress for $33 shipped (yes I am married, and yes it it still in my basement. Shut up. It was $33!) and a trip to Walt Disney World with airfare for $510 (during Priceline’s early days).

Assisting me on my shopping journey are a handful of great Web site geared to and run by like-minded shoppers:

• Fishing for Deals. This site has a great number of varied products, ranging from clothing to dishes to kids’ toys, cheap movies and online sales. There’s also a tab for discount codes. Moderators keep the threads down to 100 posts and close them when it reaches that limit, allowing the search engine to work more efficiently.

• Slick Deals. The posters on this message board can be brutal(ly honest), but the deals are no doubt fantastic. The ability to “thumb’s up” or “thumb’s down” –– and sort by the best deals accordingly –– is helpful as well. …CONTINUE READING »

OK, so I’ve gained some* weight. Let me preface that by saying I was diagnosed with fertility issues a couple of years ago while trying to conceive a second child. My fertility specialist put me on a fertility drug called Clomid. For NINE months.

I became a beast. Imagine Ursula from “The Little Mermaid” except replace her narcissism with Jelly Belly Jelly Beans and Taco Bell and her control issues with cheap boxed wine and pizza.

I still had the anger management issues Ursula had, though. Thanks, Clomid.

Bottom line, I’ve gained some weight, had a busted fallopian tube removed in late 2008 and learned I can’t have anymore kids without IVF. (Hence the reason why we finished the basement. I don’t trust fate too much, so I put my money with a sure bet.) As a result, my bridal set doesn’t fit anymore. I was borderline anorexic when we got married — weddings do that to a girl. I’ve since re-introduced myself to and become BFFs with the Big Mac, Ho-Hos and Cheetos. And, I’ve had a baby. (OK, six years ago. Hush.**) …CONTINUE READING »