Do I feel like talking about what I'm wearing to BlogHer??

What am I going to wear next Thursday through Sunday?

NYC in August is sticky, muggy and disgusting. I won't be overdressed. I won't be doing 48 clothing changes a day. I won't be wearing heels this year. I won't be caring what anyone thinks of my outfits.

I will be comfortable. I'll be comfortable in my clothing and in my own skin. I'll be happy with who I am. I'll be content with the choices I've made with my clothing, and with the choices I've made in my life.

With that being said, I have two super cute pairs of black flat sandals that will be packed. One has flowers down the front, the other has silver beading. Love them both tremendously and they're super comfortable for all the walking that I know will be happening. And I won't fall in them when I'm all drunken. I have a denim skirt and a black tank that goes perfectly with it. I have a long black summer dress that is oh-so-very comfortable. I have a green dress that I might bring, and a brown one that I might bring. But I'd be happier if I picked up a couple more that fit me a little bit better than they do. I have the most awesome, perfectly fitting dress from NY & CO that I'll be bringing. Its definitely my new, go-to, little black dress.

Of course I'm stoked to have another reason to use my beautiful Sherpani suitcase that I got for last years BlogHer. You can check out my posts about Sherpani from last year here and here.

That's that. I'm not overpacking. I'm not going crazy, and yes, I'm leaving a ton of space in my suitcase. Last year I could barely zipper it on the way back home!!

Pictures? No. You'll have to see how fabulous I am in person!!

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Impending chaos in a small town...

Its beginning. The lovely Miss Chelsea Clinton is getting married this weekend in the neighboring small town up here. Literally 8 minutes from my house, 4 minutes from my job. Here's just my public cry, my pleas- Paparazzi, don't get in my way. I will take you out with my mini-van if I need to. Yes. I sure will.

I went to drop off a friend this morning and there was camera crews right in the center of town at the Beekman Arms. Of course it happens to be the oldest inn in America, and supposedly there's some celebs that will be staying there, so naturally they'd be filming on the sidewalk there. I got back home and flipped through the channels, one of the camera crews were Good Morning America.

Lets just hope that all the camera crews and paparazzi that come into the area are respectable and don't run out into traffic. Not like the people that visit from the city each and every weekend that think they can just walk where ever the hell they want.

Thanks Chelsea. I know we have a great area, and I'm sure you'll have an amazing wedding. But who needs it? Go hit up the drive through chapel in Vegas.

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Prepping for BlogHer10 NYC

I've got ten, 10!, days to get myself packed up for BlogHer10 in NYC. First off, I'm seriously happy that its so close to my home this year. Of all years that I needed it to be affordable to travel, this is the year. You know my story, separation and going to a single income in my own apartment is difficult. Being able to skip airfare is an exciting thing for me.

Now back to the topic at hand, packing. I REFUSE to overpack this year. Last year I went a little insane and brought 5 or 6 pairs of shoes. Completely unnecessary. Overkill. Not to mention only one of those pairs of shoes was comfortable at all. I refuse to do that again. At the end of everything, I can see the error of my ways. I overpacked. I felt like I needed to. I felt like I needed to have endless outfits and shoes and accessories because I felt like I had someone to impress. Where in all honesty, I had no one to impress. My friends loved me regardless. Why did I feel that my clothes and my shoes made me who I am? That's so far from the truth.

This year, if I have any tips or tricks for anyone, I hope they are taken for what they are worth. Shoes and clothes do NOT make the person. Do NOT overpack. Comfort is key, and if you can score cute with your comfort, that's an added perk. NYC in August is disgustingly hot and muggy. New York in general has pretty humid summers and throw a big, congested city in there and you've got sickeningly sweaty. Dress for coolness, comfort. Be YOU. Embrace who you are and don't try to impress anyone, because those people who need to judge you on your clothes and whatnot aren't worth it. You as a person are worth much more than that.

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Project Mom Casting Video

I'm a rambler. We all know this. If you've seen my Monday Mingles, you know that I don't script myself in my videos and this one is no different. You know that I don't doll myself up for my videos. I am who I am and what you see is what you get. Makeup? Who needs it. Real clothes? Pajamas do just fine.

This video was done for the Project Mom Casting, where bloggers will be put into a reality show and I want my hand at that. With the new phase of my life that is beginning, I know that venturing into single motherhood is something that can be shared with so many people. As bloggers, we are all so different and so alike at the same time. We're all individuals and even as individuals, we have something in common. We all gave something to give to another. We have our written words. Our experiences. Our lives. There's something that we can share and we all take the time to share. We help each other. We bond. We grow.

Project Mom Casting Video from CaseyDeuce on Vimeo.

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Eating easy in the summertime with Suddenly Salad

In the summer, I feel like 75% of the time, we're barbecuing. Of course, some of the easiest ways to round out a great hamburger or hot dog on the grill is with a salad, or some corn on the cob, or some pasta salad, and now I'm drooling...

I love having a box of Suddenly Salad on hand always, because I never know when I'll end up just tossing together a pasta salad to go with dinner. Especially on these summer nights. Betty Crocker Suddenly Salad is something that I love to keep in the cabinet. Its nice to know that all I'll have to do is boil some pasta, add in the seasonings and the oil or mayo, and I've got a great pasta salad super quick. Without me having to put much thought into it at all! Of course you can jazz up Suddenly Salad lots of ways, adding cubed cooked chicken can turn your pasta salad from a side dish into a meal. I'm definitely wanting to try out the turkey chutney pasta salad recipe that they have listed! On the Suddenly Salad site you can find lots of other great ways to put a different spin on your Suddenly Salad. While at the site you can even grab a coupon to save on your next Suddenly Salad purchase.

Want to win Suddenly Salad prize package?? Tell me what you do to add a little extra to your pasta salad! Or how do you make BBQ'in easier on yourself? This prize package contains the new Suddenly Salad Greek, an insulated tote, a serving bowl and a storage container.

Extra Entries??

• Follow or Subscribe to A Couch With A View
• Follow CaseyDeuce on twitter and tweet this giveaway.
  
• Become a fan of A Couch With A View on Facebook.
• Post my button on your blog.
• Add my text link to your blogroll: http://acouchwithaview.blogspot.com/
• Post about this giveaway on your blog!
• If you don't have a blog, you can gain extra entries by emailing a friend about this giveaway! Just CC me in your email! caseyscouch@yahoo.com

This giveaway will accept entries until 11:59 pm on Wednesday, August 11th. Winner will be drawn with random.org and emailed. Winner must reply within 48 hours to winning email or a new winner will be drawn. Please make sure that your email is accessible, whether in the comment or a blogger profile, cause if I cant contact you, how can you win?

This post was written in conjunction with Suddenly Salad via MyBlogSpark. The information, prize pack and giveaway have all been provided by Betty Crocker through MyBlogSpark. I received a Suddenly Salad prize package to help aid in my review, which in no way changes the way I feel about the product.

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Waking up with Eggo Real Fruit Pizzas

I'm all for easy, delicious and affordable. I'm even more happy to find something new that fits into those categories. Breakfast is a rut for us, its always the same old thing, and I'm stoked to have been able to try out the new Eggo Real Fruit Pizzas!! Boy oh boy, those babies are delish!!

Eggo has just come out with their new Real Fruit Pizzas and I'm thrilled to be an EggoAM Mom. Now of course I loved the varieties that they sent for me to try out, the strawberry granola and the mixed berry granola, but what goes even further with me is that the kiddos loved them too. How yummy is fruit and granola on a cinnamon maple crust?!!

Quick and easy in the microwave makes me one happy mommy, it makes the morning go so much smoother and therefore my day goes much smoother as well. The little guy not being able to spill milk and cereal all over, and nomming on a Eggo Real Fruit Pizza makes a big difference!!

Want to win an Eggo Real Fruit Pizza sample set?? Tell me what you do to make your morning go more smoothly? There will be 5 winners in this giveaway!!

Extra Entries??

• Follow or Subscribe to A Couch With A View
• Follow CaseyDeuce on twitter and tweet this giveaway. Here's a sample tweet you can use!

  I want to streamline my morning, I want to win an Eggo Real Fruit Pizza sample pack via @CaseyDeuce Enter here http://bit.ly/d3sF0I #EggoAM

  
  
• Become a fan of A Couch With A View on Facebook.
• Post my button on your blog.
• Add my text link to your blogroll: http://acouchwithaview.blogspot.com/
• Post about this giveaway on your blog!
• If you don't have a blog, you can gain extra entries by emailing a friend about this giveaway! Just CC me in your email! caseyscouch@yahoo.com

This giveaway will accept entries until 11:59 pm on Wednesday, July 28th. Winner will be drawn with random.org and emailed. Winner must reply within 24 hours to winning email or a new winner will be drawn. Please make sure that your email is accessible, whether in the comment or a blogger profile, cause if I cant contact you, how can you win?

This post is in conjuction with Kellogg's, Eggo Real Fruit Pizzas & The Motherhood. I am being compensated for my participation in this project.

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I know I've been scarce.

I do know that I've been pretty scarce for a while now. I'm attempting to get my sh*t in gear and get back to the way I was here at A Couch With A View. Here's a quick recap of what's going on in my world...

Work. I went back to work in November and the crazy work schedule does take a lot out of me. I don't work normal hours. I'm a waitress and a bartender, so when you want to eat and drink, that's when I'm at work. Evenings, into the later night. I'm usually home by 2:00 am and then I must sleep because the kids will be back at my house around 7:30-8:00 am.

Yes, I did just say "back at my house." Meaning, I split from my husband. I moved out as of July 1st, but it was quite some time coming. Things were too far gone for too long and we were just getting mean to each other, especially at the end. Things are still not nice, but we're apart and hopefully we can move past the bitterness and act like grown ups and conversate about the kids like normal human beings. Like I said, its not nice, therefore its not happening now, but I'm hoping someday it'll be like that. We'll see.

Prepping for BlogHer '10!! I've had these plans in place for a year now and now its not too far away at all. I miss the girls that I've grown to love over the past few years. I couldn't be happier to have them in my life and I'm so excited to see them once again. I haven't seen them since last September!! Its such a horrible feeling when you're going through so much and some of the best friends that you have are scattered all over the country.

I'm wrapping up a 77kids by American Eagle campaign through The Motherhood and I can't wait to write up the post about how cool the store is. It definitely rocks and I'm stoked to let you all know about it.

I wound up in the emergency room on Thursday, with what I thought was a broken nose. Having a toddler boy is hell on the body and with the headbutt that I received, I thought it was broken. Thankfully no, only seriously swollen and deeply bruised. I shall survive.

Yesterday was my birthday and it was probably the worst one I've ever had. So many plans fell through and I wound up eating awesome bbq take out and drinking wine straight from the bottle all alone last night. Eh. There's always next year...

I'm sure I'm missing lots that I've had to say, but that's that for now. Thanks to so many of you for sticking around even when I haven't had a lot to say. I promise, I'll be better soon!!

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I'm back and doing good with 77kids & The Motherhood

Now I know I've been scarce lately, moving and adjusting has been a huge thing around here, but I'm really thrilled about what I'm about to share with you. Its a kick-butt way to break back into my site after a mini-absence.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, July 14th, I am lucky enough to take part in the 77kids by american eagle Do Good Day, which is happening all over the country. Personally, I'll be in Danbury, CT with some other fabulous ladies, working with The Motherhood, spreading so do-gooding around. I'll be spending my day with people like the awesome ladies that run amazing sites like, Not Quite Cookie Cutter, The Naptime Chef, The Mommyologist, The Whimsical Fig, and Being Alison. We're going to be spreading the good around in all sorts of ways, and I know we're all looking forward to it so much.

If you're not in the Danbury, CT area, you can still hook up with Do Gooders in other cities. There are 77 bloggers in 11 cities coming together to participate in the 77kids Do Good Day. You can check out the action in Syracuse, NY, Cherry Hill, NJ, Boston, MA, NYC, D.C., L.A., Chicago, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and also in Minnesota at the Mall of America. I'm looking forward to doing some random acts of kindness with my team!! Check us out starting out at Candlewood Town Park to pass on some goodness!

Follow the 77kids by american eagle Do Good Day acts of kindness on twitter, check out all the locations and what's going on all over the country. Share your random acts of kindness tomorrow too, use the #77kids hashtag on twitter or post to the 77kids facebook wall!

This post and the 77kids Do Good Day is in conjuction with The Motherhood. I am being compensated for my participation in this project.

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Summer Safety Tips from UL

I love summer time, but there's so much during the summer that poses a threat to my kids and that scares the crap out of me. Underwriters Laboratories has put together a great resource of tip sheets for pool and playground play safety. Any ways that I can avoid dragging the kiddos off to the E.R. is a good thing!!

Some of the great tips include the 10/20 rule for pool, or any other water, safety. The pool should be scanned every 10 seconds, and a parent or a responsible adult should never be no more than 20 seconds away.

Here are some more great tips!

Home Pool Safety
If you have a pool at home, install a fence. The fence should be at least four feet high and have a self-closing, self-latching gate that has a locking mechanism beyond a child’s reach.

Cut overhanging tree limbs and remove chairs or ladders from the pool area to prevent children from climbing over the fence that surrounds the pool.

Keep grates and drain covers in good repair and secured in place. Alert your family and guests to stay away from these devices, as the suction from drain outlets can be strong enough to cause entrapment of hair or body parts, which can potentially cause a person to drown.

Make sure you know infant and child CPR if you own a pool.

Playtime Safety
Carefully inspect backyard playground equipment. Make sure equipment is anchored safely in the ground, all equipment pieces are in good working order, S-hooks are entirely closed and bolts are not protruding.

Check for spaces that could trap children, such as openings in guardrails or between ladder rungs. These spaces should measure less than 3.5 inches or more than 9 inches.

Always supervise children on play set equipment to make sure they are playing safely.

Never attach ropes, jump ropes, clotheslines, pet leashes or cords of any kind to play set equipment. If used improperly, they can be potential strangulation hazards.

Watch for potential trip hazards, such as rocks, tree stumps and concrete footings. Make sure you’re children are aware of them as well.

Do a sandbox check. Before letting your child dig in, rake through the sand to check for debris or sharp objects. Also, inspect for any animal contamination or insect problems.

You can even go over the Disney pool safety video with your kiddos, and since it features Timon and Pumbaa from The Lion King, they may be a bit more apt to pay attention!!

wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Underwriters Laboratories. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

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