Hey everyone....remember me? UGH! It was a little difficult for me to find the time to for posting the past couple of days! We have been staying quite busy/active and to be honest...I'd prefer it that way!! {And before you start wondering...NO NO NO it is not because I am suddenly addicted to the 50 Shades of Grey books. I've only managed to get through 5 chapters! Apparently I am one of the FEW who actually can put it down. :( I've been told to hang in there....that it gets better...so I will finish it.(Eventually) }The computer can be an addicting place especially with Facebook and my new blogging hobby!! I'd like to think I'm doing a pretty good job at the mommy role when there is no time left in the day to dedicate to the computer :) SO I won't be beating myself up if I don't post everyday!

You will be happy to know that although I slacked on my posting....I have not stopped my daily RAOK!  Start from the beginning here. 

Tuesday evening I got my betty crocker on and baked some chocolate and peanut butter chip cookies. I LOVE to cook and I have become quite good over the past couple years but I have yet to successfully master the baking! I know a lot of  baking is about being technical but I am impatient and I don't have time to let my butter get room temperature before I use it {isn't that what the microwave is for?} WELL....the truth is no! The key to baking is doing it 100% accurately. I've always colored outside the lines a bit...so baking is a challenge! One I will master eventually {hhhhmmmm....30 day baking challenge?}Although it was not the best presentation they weren't bad on flavor!! 

WEDNESDAY: I sent Kevin off to work with a bunch of these little bags of cookies to give to all the secretaries in his office! Although Kevin does not have a secretary of his own.....a lot of the ladies still help him with certain things. Everyone likes to feel appreciated including the secretaries that take care of all the busy work!! I thought it would be a good RAOK AND I could make Kevin participate in it with me! 

THURSDAY: Around the time of Ruby's FIRST birthday {April 17th} we started receiving all kinds of coupons for formulas, 3D ultra sound and new born pictures, and samples of stuff. Only a year late haha!! Ruby doesn't drink formula anymore and I had a $4.00 gift certificate for GERBER. Anyone who has ever been down the formula route knows how expensive it is! I'd flip for a $4.00 discount on that pricey little number!! So I went ahead and taped it onto a shelf in the baby formula aisle at the grocery store! Hopefully that brightens someones day because formula really can add up!!

FRIDAY: I ran to target during our lag time in between the beach and dinner! When I pulled into the parking lot along the side of the building their were carts all up and down the building. Yesterday was also HOT HOT HOT! So I took the liberty of rounding up all the carts and bringing them inside! I hope that helped the person who had to go round up all the strays! SERIOUSLY PEOPLE.....I always put my cart back in correct place and I have a baby with me most of the time!! It's not that hard.... think about it next time you're feeling lazy! The picture only shows three carts but thats cause I'm not techy and don't know how to get a wide angle on my phone! :) I think you get the idea!! I also stopped and gave a man directions to another store when he asked :) 

Today we are off to another "beach day" at the bay so we can launch the jet ski. Although I am a FALL lovin person....I have to say I LOVE how summer time brings so many "family days". I'm not sure what kind of RAOK I will complete today but I'm sure I will figure something out!!

Ruby just came to me with a book in hand {her new obsession} so I'm going to wrap it up and read her a book before the beach!

Until next time,

Tatiana

Don't rain on MY parade...

So if you're reading this and you live in the Virginia Beach/Hampton Roads area than you would probably agree with me when I say TODAY WAS ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!! The mid 70's weather combined with the low pressure breeze aaaaaahhhh it made for an enjoyable day! We often complain when it is too hot and complain when it is too cold....but today my friends there was nothing to be complaining about!! Not to mention I feel like super woman because of all the stuff I accomplished today. (Thats easy to do when you've made it your mission to wake up in between 5:30-6:30 )

I worked out, ate breakfast, fed Ruby breakfast, went for a bike ride, popped into Michaels for some ribbon I needed, and hit up the grocery store all before.....10:00 a.m!! Initially I wanted to take Ruby back to the water park, but I felt like I would be wasting the day this way! Water park fun is perfect for the hot often unbearable days but today....today we could actually be outside and enjoy it!! We had a picnic in the backyard and took a trip to Mount Trashmore where I learned Ruby would much rather play in the mud than at the park! I'd like to think of her as adventurous :)

I love food!!

How do you get water out of this thing??

Ok So I know I'm a little late on the Tervis Tumbler thing but I just picked one up and it has got to be one of the coolest inventions!! I'm amazed at how long I can keep ice in my drink!! Seriously ...PERFECT for these hot days!!

It was really nice today to just relax and enjoy some time outside with Ruby. I love watching her do things and am amazed at how smart she is. While soaking up the sunshine today I had one of those moments where everything just stopped and seemed so perfect!! Which brings me to the conclusion that it's those small moments that end up being a really big deal!

On our way home from the park I stopped into Barnes and Noble. Book stores hold a very special place in my heart. I love everything about a book store....the way they smell, the way they look, the quiet atmosphere...EVERYTHING!! 

Barnes and Noble is one of my places.

You know one of those places that you can go to get away from everything.....to make everything better....to gain some sanity or clarity....one of those places that heals your soul! Any book store would do really...Barnes and Noble is just the closest one in my area.

I used to go there a lot!! Particularly when I was feeling blue. I've willingly spent many hours browsing the biography section, the decor section, and yes...THE SELF HELP SECTION.

The self help section is particularly funny in the sense that so many people want to find a book to help them with whatever they are struggling with but yet they don't actually want to be seen in the self-help section. Generally I'd grab a coffee and take a seat somewhere in the aisle with a pile of books I've carefully selected. And people would quickly stop in...notice me...quickly grab a book and leave. It is almost as if my presence added some kind of pressure. I could have made a game out of seeing who could come into the aisle and find the book they needed in the least amount of time. The "cure all" book they located in under 30 seconds!! 

It never seemed to bother me to sit in the aisle with a pile of books almost willingly admitting "I NEED HELP." Which is interesting considering I've spent many years worrying about what people thought about me. This year I officially entered the later side of my twenties and it has caused me to reflect a lot on what I have accomplished in the previous years. Sure I've succeeded in learning some important lessons.....making some great memories....and getting rid of some toxins in my life. But what I realized is I've always restricted myself for fear of what others might think about me...say about me..etc. As I get older....I'm starting to realize WHO CARES? I mean sure...we all want to be liked...no one wants to feel rejected....thats human nature. But I won't be liked by everyone and my beliefs, values, ideas won't always be accepted. ME...MYSELF...I may not always be accepted. But in the end does it REALLY MATTER?? The people who know and love me will accept me....be happy for my accomplishments...help me with my flaws and will not think twice about doing either! 

I'm working on gaining control of my insecurities and not letting them help define me anymore. I'm learning to care less about what everyone else thinks about me and focus on how I feel about myself. Focusing on what my fiance, daughter, family, and close friends see!

I'll tell you what...I'm far happier trying this than I was worrying about the impressions of others.

SO in honor of my love affair with book stores....I left a gift card in a book for someone to find one day when they are looking for a new read!

Inside the cardholder I wrote: please enjoy this random act of kindness and please feel free to pay it forward the next time you get a chance! :)

Until tomorrow,

Tatiana

Oh ...What made me stop into Barnes and Noble in the first place you're wondering???

I've decided to hop on the 50 Shades of Grey bandwagon.

I don't know where I'm going to find the time to dedicate to reading it....but everyone is nonstop talking about it so naturally I am intrigued!

Obviously I was going to have to see what all the fuss was about eventually!! :)

Just Another Manic Monday

The most original title for a Monday right? Ha....Seriously Mondays are always busy busy busy!! NORMALLY...My mom takes Ruby for a couple hours so I can have some free time  so I can clean and do homework!! By the time Monday gets here it honestly looks like a bomb exploded in every room in my house. Between Ruby and Kevin (not the neatest housemate) things get scattered everywhere as I have a temper tantrum internally. Its hard to concentrate on papers, reading, and test taking when things are not neat, tidy, and smelling good. So generally.....I clean all morning and do h.w. till Ruby comes home! My Ruby free day was rescheduled this week.....so I have diligently cleaned and shut doors so as to keep her from messing it up immediately! :)



Besides being a house terrorist Ruby is a real treat. to be perfectly honest, I never longed to be a mother. Some women want nothing more than to become a mom and truly can't wait for the day to start making babies.....I was not one of them! No...for me it was more of an accident.....but an accident I wouldn't trade for the world. In many ways Ruby saved me....saved me from myself. I won't go into all the details....but it is safe to say my life changed the day Ruby was born and I have never looked back!

The night she was born...all swollen and puffy <3

Ruby now: 14 Months

Loves: eating, going for walks in her race car, carrying a purse, and the beach.

Favorite foods: Berries, Popsicles,broccoli, spinach, and OK she loves everything!

Words: Dada....everyone everything is Dada.

Signs: Thank-you, Please, and More

Dances, blows kisses, and just started wearing shoes!

So my original plan was to introduce my little pop tart and continue on to the RAOK... kind of in her honor, but its something I can do another day.  Because instead I mailed a card(yes the old fashioned way with hand written words and a stamp) to someone who I think just may need to read the words!! Hey.....random acts of kindness don't have to be just for strangers!! Never under-estimate the power of a hand written letter, card, or note. It is a simple gesture that can really make a difference. I won't go into the sudden details that prompted me to send a little love snail mail because I'd like to respect this person's privacy.

But I will say....I am shocked to know that such mean spirited behavior still exists in adults. We are supposed to teach our children to treat others the way they want to be treated.....and most adults themselves need to remember this golden rule!!

Love,

Tatiana

The Weekend

Good Morning, (Afternoon, or Evening).....depending on when you are reading this!! I decided to combine Saturday and Sunday's RAOK into one post. Because the weekend has just kind of been all over the place...and with a little tot running around there is never a time lull. Kevin works a lot during the week so we try to maximize our time together as a family on the weekends(when we are not driving each other crazy) and I try to stay away from the computer during this time!!

I'm going to cut right to the chase today because we are taking a certain little someone to the water park for a couple hours before I have to go to a bridal shower. Which I put together the cutest basket for the bride.....Maybe I'll share tomorrow so as not to ruin the surprise! Anyway I had to run out yesterday to get some extra ribbon for a bow. You know the kind of ribbon your curl with a pair of scissors?? So while I was out I popped into the dollar store with this.

Now I could have brought a wad of dollar bills and had fun placing them around the store (which is what I originally wanted to do) but I'm no millionaire AND I still have 27 days to go! So I figured one dollar strategically place in the TOY aisle of the dollar store would be good!!

I would have loved to wait around to see the look on the kid's face who came across this dollar!!(But busy busy weekends remember??) A dollar is a whole lot to a child....and I'd like to think it helped some parent on a budget!


This morning I got right into my RAOK!! I don't major grocery shop anymore because we try to eat as fresh as possible and when you buy a huge amount of fresh fruits and vegetables they tend to go bad before you can finish them! (Although my kid is like a garbage disposal) So I tend to stop into the grocery store every day or every other day for just what we need that day/or two days! Obviously it is more time consuming, but I throw a lot less food away AND I plan dinners by what sounds good that day instead of whats already in the freezer!! Anyway the pickins were slim around here today so I got up early and went out for breakfast. At 7:30 A.M....at the grocery store there were two young guys loading all the bags of ice into the ice cooler. It was a huge mountain of ice bags and they were like little worker ants!!(I really never took the time to consider who exactly had to fill those big coolers until now) Long story short... as I picked up some berries and yogurt I also grabbed this:

So I was being checked out and the woman at the register said "Oh I'm glad they started selling these like this" and she continued to ring me up and bag my breakfast. I smiled and said "Yah I know" Then as I loaded my bags into the cart I turned to her and said "Actually these are for you!" to which she stopped with the most shocked/amazed/confused look on her face and replied "SERIOUSLY?". I said "Yes...you and the two guys over there loading that cooler"(The 3 of them were the only ones working up front) I told her it was early and they were here working and I hoped that helped their morning. The one little guy was so thank-ful and said" This is the BEST part of my day!!"

OK I may be a baby but I was fighting back tears as I walked out of the store! I was instantly in a better mood!!!

So there you have it.....my kindness for the weekend!! Which brings me to a small little lesson I've learned....If I'm in a BAD mood or having a BAD day....the BEST remedy surely has got to be to do something nice for someone and make them feel appreciated!! Seriously.....try it and let me know what you think!! :)

Now I know I promised to talk about a group RAOK.....but I'm going to do that later. Either in a separate post later today or in tomorrows post. Because I promised my family a trip to the water park on this time crunched morning and that promise just HAS to come first!!! :)

Anybody else do anything nice for someone else this weekend?? I'd love to hear about it!!

Until next time,

Tatiana

Behind the name

First off I just want to comment on the unbelievable amount of support I have received after only one post!!! Thank-you all for such kinds words of encouragement and messages of support. A lot of people even wanted to do their own act of kindness today! I'm thrilled to have inspired people to stop and do something nice for someone else. So with that said, come check me out tomorrow as I have an exciting opportunity for my readers to participate in a RAOK(the super cool acronym I was unaware of till today) and it gives me chills just thinking about how cool it will be!!

Second I'd just like to let everyone reading know that A: I am very bad with technology and this is no understatement. I am really challenged in this department so please bare with me as I make an attempt to learn how to personalize my bloggy home and also follow other bloggers. I promise I will figure it out!! B: I tend to type like I talk which sometimes results in grammatical and punctuation errors. Please forgive me in advance...... there is an english teacher in my family its just not me! :)

So I thought I'd give a short little background on why I chose to title my blog Lipstick and Sippy Cups. For as long as I can remember make-up has always been a passion of mine. I remember at the age of 5 having a basket full of department store cosmetics that were handed down to me from my mother and meme instead of tossing it. You know the colors that you decide you don't like anymore, the old stuff you know you shouldn't use anymore, or just the almost empties that don't benefit you but would make a little girl happy....yes all those! I loved giving my friends make-overs and even myself when I was supposed to be cleaning my room! No big surprise to you then that for the longest time my dream was to take my make-up talents to the big leagues. I was fortunate to get a lot of side work around the area with my mom's clients (she's a stylist don't ya know) and my sister's friends (at the peak of the everyone's getting married years) But before I could get up enough money courage to take myself to a big time city....I met a man and a year later we ended up having a baby.....a beautiful baby indeed. As joyful as this was....for me it meant letting go of the New York City girl dream.

One piece of advice that I will never forget after having Ruby (my daughter) was from my mom. She told me to always take the time to fix yourself up for the day. Because it is a lot easier to fight post partum when you're feeling good!. Becoming a mom does not mean you have to let yourself go or stop feeling good about yourself. Now I'm not talking about a full blown face and stilettos ladies....a sleek pony tail and a pretty gloss will surely do! Just a little something to say Yes world I am a mom....and a foxy one at that! :) No really all that matters is that YOU feel good about YOURSELF!!! For me taking thirty minutes to make myself presentable helps! So lipstick and and sippy cups kind of represents the two sides of me and my balance of the two!! I could go on and on about the symbolism here people but I'm pretty sure you get the idea.

Which brings me to my RAOK(I'm lovin this abbreviation): I had a bunch of errands to do today and decided that I'd like to leave a little reminder to other women that they are beautiful! With or without make-up. (Kind of sticking with the theme of my post) My original idea was to post this in the make-up aisle when I swung into walmart.... but that was my last stop of the day and I was antsy. So I went ahead and posted one everywhere we went!!

Ready to run errands....haha isn't she the cutest lil thing?

So today we posted notes at: 

                                  The Courthouse DMV Ladies Restroom -Not pictured

                             The Ladies Restroom at Bed Bath and Beyond-Not pictured

                                                        The Ladies Restroom in Starbucks

The Cosmetic Aisle in Walmart-Not Pictured

and

The Gas Pump!! :)

Simple?? Silly?? Maybe....but I'd like to think that somebody who came across that little reminder today really did need to be reminded!

Well I think I've typed a whole lot so I won't continue to ramble...but don't forget to pop on by tomorrow to check out the super exciting way for my readers to help me complete a RAOK in honor of (a little hint) 4th of July! Oh the thought just tugs at my heart strings....I cannot control my excitement!

Until then....be kind to one another!

Tatiana

And so it begins

Last summer I attempted to start a blog to write about becoming a new mother, homeowner, and all the new challenges/experiences that come with. But boy I fell off the "blog wagon" very quickly....after two posts to be exact! Ironically, I think because I was in fact adjusting to my new roles as mommy and homemaker I just really did not have the time or energy to write posts, let alone interesting ones.

Well its a new summer, I've gotten my mommy and maid routine down, and I have decided to go for round two. I read my sweet friend Lauran's blog Real Young Housewife every day and I just love all her cutesy and honest posting. It really got me longing for a blog home of my own. With all the kid milestones, home projects, and wedding planning that I have to look forward to I certainly would have a lot to type about! But I am in school and the kid sure does keep me busy....so again I have been sitting on the idea for quite some time.

Fast forward to a website that I recently came across that really just got to me. Check it out here. 21 acts of kindness by strangers documented in photos. How can you not love this?? I try to pride myself on being thoughtful and kind to everyone I come in contact with, albeit challenging at times. Well on my morning walk with Ruby(if you don't know her I'll be introducing you soon) I got to thinking....I want to do more nice things for people just because. I don't want anything in return or any kind of reward....I simply want to start doing more random acts of kindness. It is said that it takes 30 days to make or break a habit....and I have a history with giving 30 day habit challenges to my hunny, which maybe I'll blog about later :) Anyway I decided to challenge MYSELF... to 30 days of random acts of kindness. Which I will document here for all my friends and family...and hopefully pick up some new bloggy friends along the way!!

My brain has really been ticking about all the cool and original things to do for people....lots of them at no financial expense! I can barely contain my excitement here people and I just can't wait to get started. So much so that I raced home from my morning walk and I got started on my first act!

Last week, the official last week of spring, was abnormally chilly. It was not the weather we are normally used to seeing past memorial day, but the breezy atmosphere was kind of nice in my opinion. Now, as the first day of summer officially came and went, it is like a temperature switch was flipped. I'm talking in the high 80s before 10:00 A.M..... combined with our humidity.... oh it makes for one hot sweaty day. Which brings me to my first act of kindness. I've been wanting to do something random and nice for our mail man for quite sometime...as I just like the thought of randomly opening up a mailbox (after countless hours of opening, delivering to others, and closing them) and having a little surprise in there for you! Being that its way too hot and he is such a nice mail man....he was on the top of my list.

I put a bottled water in the freezer to get it nice and cold. I thought if it was frozen he could let it melt and have a nice cold bottled water to sip on throughout his route. Our mail gets delivered pretty early though, so the bottle didn't have enough time to freeze. But I went with it anyway and attached a little note.

I tucked it into my mail box with a zip lock baggie of ice to at least keep it from getting tea water temperature!! I felt really good about it all day and hope it made his day a little better too! I went to actually get the mail a little later and found this:

I cannot begin to describe how excited this makes me!! Call me crazy....but I just love simple things like this. I can't wait to get more creative and hopefully brighten other people's day!!

So my fellow readers, I hope that you will follow along as I post about my 30 days of random acts of kindness and all the other things that complete my life. And maybe I can even inspire others to start completing their own random acts of kindness too!!

Until tomorrow,
Tatiana