Just Do It: Vegetable Garden

Okay, Agoura Hills. It’s time.

I’m going to take this gray, sad, lonely patch of dirt and turn it into a vegetable garden.

vegetable garden - before

Pros: growing my own vegetables! I am consuming a ton of vegetables now because I have changed my diet (long story, more on that some other time) and I think it would be convenient and possibly cheaper to just walk outside, pick a fresh bell pepper, and enjoy.

The kids could get into it with me. I’m not holding my breath, but I think they might like to help, and I know that in the past when we’ve grown tomatoes they have loved going outside every day to check on their progress.

It’s an outdoor activity that the whole family can enjoy.

And the satisfaction of knowing I did this myself would be wonderful.

Cons: This spot is right where the boys throw their footballs, baseballs, etc. Baby vegetable plants can get trampled!

backyard wide

Cost could possibly be an issue. The soil has not proved to be the most hospitable for growing vegetables. In the four years we’ve been here, we’ve managed to grow some sad little tomatoes and a bitter cucumber or two. Right now there are two citrus trees fighting for a permanent home – a blood orange and a kumquat.

side of yard

I’m kind of lazy. I can totally see myself planting vegetables and then getting sick of all the work and saying “screw it” and giving up, leaving the work to my husband, who enjoys yardwork and gardening, but he has enough on his plate already, and besides, this was my idea.

So, this could be a great and bountiful thing for us, or an epic fail. I don’t even know where to start. I’m sitting here Googling “How to start a vegetable garden.”

LOL.

Do you have any advice for me?

Weekend Events

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(Incidentally, I’m in this show. Don’t come because I’m in though. Come because it’s awesome! Tickets start at $25 online.) Opening night is sponsored by Club MomMe.

Another event this weekend sponsored by Club MomMe is a childcare panel. If you are going back to work or looking for some help for your busy life, your head is probably spinning as you consider all the options, wondering which one is best for your family. Get your questions answered all in one spot!

What: Childcare Panel – Finding the Right Childcare for your little ones. Top experts to discuss babysitters, nannies and au pairs. Urban Sitter will provide sitters to play with little ones while parents enjoy the panel. In collaboration with Club MomMe, the panel includes representatives from Cultural Care Au Pair (www.culturalcareaupair.com), Urban Sitter (www.urbansitter.com) and VIP Nannies (http://www.vipnannyagency.com/) so parents can better understand childcare options available to their family.

When: Sunday, February 9th at 9:30am
Where: Blush Boutique, 23671 Calabasas Road
Register: http://clubmomme.com/childcare-panel/

Instantly Fabulous with Secret Extensions [Giveaway]

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(This is not all my hair. Shhh! It’s a secret. Read to bottom for giveaway.)

One of my favorite things to do lately, when I see friends, is to show up or receive guests wearing my new Secret Extensions extra hair. It looks like I’ve gotten extensions put it in, or for people I haven’t seen in a long time, like my hair got really long since they saw me last.

secret extensions before and after

And then I make them watch as I take the extensions out. It’s a remarkably simple maneuver – I just take off the invisible headband that is fitted on the bottom with hair that matches my own. Wearing the extensions is as easy as putting on a headband. And it looks so natural and fabulous.

(My kids, of course, had to try them, too. I didn’t get a photo, but trust me, on a boy it looks like the most fabulous mullet you can imagine. Here are my extensions taking a little rest:)

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It’s Secret Extensions, and it’s only $29.99!

Here’s how it works – the spectacular Helen Crutchfield, who was on hand at the event where I received a fantastic blowout and custom-shaped Secret Extensions – explains and shows you how:

Daisy Fuentes is the cover girl for Secret Extensions, and she has a video too:

The extensions I have are actually the double weft – you can pay extra to get double the thickness depending on the thickness of your hair.

To order, just go to the Secret Extensions website. For readers of this blog, you can get free shipping if you CLICK HERE and use the promo code “daisy.”

If you have a good stylist, bring the extensions to him or her and have them trimmed to fit the shape of your hair.

Secret Extensions also makes removable bangs (I KNOW!) and a funky ponytail extension that makes it look like you have a cute little up-do in a snap!

bloggers with secret extensions

The best news is that I am giving away a set of Secret Extensions here on this post! Just leave a comment below to let me know that you want to enter and make sure I have your contact information by using a real email address. Enter by 11:59 PM on Monday, February 10 – a random winner will be chosen from all qualified comments. No need for tweeting or sharing for extra entries (but I would love it if you’d share with friends who might like this post). The winner just has to tell Secret Extensions what color hair she has, and they will send her some new extra hair!