Songs from the Vault Saturday #14

Welcome to week 14 of

Songs from the Vault Saturday!

If you missed last week's song, check it out HERE

This week I'm pumped up by the Olympic opening ceremony.
Well, at least what I caught, I feel asleep at the end.
But I have been watching Men's bicycling and Swimming this morning.

I loved the British music section.
It was really fun and reminded me of so many great songs.
So why not a little British invasion this week?

I love this song.
I love the high hair and highlights.
I love the smooth moves.
It's in my iPod.

The Reflex - Duran Duran

Songs from the Vault Saturday #13

Welcome to week 13 of

Songs from the Vault Saturday!

If you missed last week's song, check it out HERE

This week I decided to switch it up.
Let's go completely random and unbiased.
I hit shuffle on my iPod
and up popped this little gem.
Yes, it's truly outrageous.
Yes, that was a Gem reference.
Yes, I'm old.

This week's song is another fun one.
It's a one hit wonder.
It's got a psychedelic video.
It's in my iPod.

Groove is in the Heart - Deee Lite

XOXO,

My little fish

Swimming, swimming in the swimming pool.

Or should I say, learning to swim.

Michael just finished Beginner Swim classes!

In one month, my little man went from having tentative, non face dampening, 

knee deep only, water fun,

to jumping with confidence off the diving block into the deep end, 

with short bursts of underwater swimming.

It truly is amazing what 8 lessons can do.

* and new goggles and practicing with mama after class *

That and a great coach!

(go Coach Tom)

This is Michael on his first class day.

He wasn't interested in taking off his water shoes, getting his face

or hair wet, or attempting the pool noodle on his own.

Ooooooh, Sparkly.

Here is a tutorial for a quick, easy and pretty pendant.

I have been on a look out for a pretty pendant on a long necklace

for some time.

I while looking for the supplies for my wire cabochon TUTORIAL,

I came across this pretty filigree circle.

A light bulb went off.

Turns out I had everything on hand to make my own necklace.

Isn't sad when you don't realize or remember all the craft supplies you have?

20 inch silver chain

3 silver jump rings

faux pearls

bead spacer

twist clasp

Just the right fit

So, I'm talking shoes again.

I'm my issues with shoe sizing and fit.

(again, sorry for making you look at my feet)

I found these adorable sandals last month for $5.

I mean, they are cute AND in my size so I snapped them up quickly.

Then I realized that they ran big.

So even these size 5's were too big for my right foot.

Like they were more like size 6.

But they were so cute!!!!!

See.

After staring at them a bit, I realized that I could

adjust both the front and back straps.

In theory

And if I messed up, it was only $5 down the drain.

So I bought them.

Songs from the Vault Saturday #12

Welcome to week 12 of

Songs from the Vault Saturday!

If you missed last week's song, check it out HERE

I thought last week's heat was bad,
today will be the hottest day this summer.
I don't know about you, but temps in the 100s are just plain mean.

This week's song is a one of those get you moving numbers.
Basically what I would be doing if I wasn't busy melting.
It reminds of high school and parties.
It's in my iPod.

Gonna Make You Sweat - C+C Music Factory

My observations from this video:

• I remember when I fit into biker shorts...
• I also remember the whole controversy over who actually sung the chorus to this song.
• It's kinda all over the place, with the dancers and models and kids and gears. :) 

Clipper Hair Cut Success at Home!

Take a look at my handsome little man and his fresh new haircut,

done by me!

This is a big deal.

After a few

TERRIBLE

at home trims I have given him, I vowed not to torture him again.

Exhibit A:

Poor baby, his bangs were a hot, crooked mess. 

He looked like Friar Tuck.

Notice he is flipping me off.

Ever since, Jaime insisted we needed a pro to cut Michael's hair.

But this kid has a TON of hair and it grows so fast.

Visits to our local place were either every 3 - 4 weeks or

my kid ran around like a mop head 

(albeit, cute mop head).

I was catching up on my blog reading when I stumbled upon THIS

post from Young House Love and how Sherry cuts John's hair.

It was a really good tutorial and gave me new hope.

Only thing was she uses scissors.

That had been my downfall before. 

See Exhibit A.

A few weeks later, as I was running my hands through Michael's really-needing-to-be-cut hair,

I decided to google boys haircuts and clippers,

since I had a perfectly unused clipper kit in the closet.

If I can see it done, I'm sure I can do it.

I found two great tutorials that gave me the confidence to try again!

Besides, it's summer and no one would question it if my kid went to school with a buzz cut.

Buzz cuts hide all mistakes.

The first site is Frugal Fun for Boys and THIS post has great pics and videos.

The second site is Heavenly Homemakers and THIS post has a wonderful picture of hair angles.

Using all three posts and reviewing the video several times, 

I set out to tame Michael's tresses.

(hey, it was fun to say)

I forgot to take a before picture.

His hair was long around the ears and had no shape.  

Basically a long, fuzzy brown ball.

I started at the bottom and used the size 3 guard all around the back and sides of his head.

I figured I could make it shorter if necessary.

I then used the size 4 guard at the temple and top back of the head.

I like his bangs longer, 

so I used the size 8 guard for the front and cut the top.

I decided to go back over the bottom with a size 2 guard to tighten it up.

Lastly, I cleaned up the sideburns and back hairline with a Jaime's beard trimmer.

It really was just like the videos.

Granted, Michael giggled and flinched throughout the process,

but at least I didn't mess up his hair or have to buzz him. 

I did have to give him the hairy eyeball a few times.

Jaime came to supervise right at the end and was very impressed.

He even said I can cut Michael's hair all the time.

I think he was happy about saving the $15 per cut.

If you already cut the hair in your family, do you have any tips?

If you can work up the nerve, try it.

You may surprise yourself and save some cash. 

XOXO,