Category: Fun & Flirty

Pin Trading at Disney

My hubby and I recently took our kiddos to Disney, the supposed pinnacle of every child’s (and adult’s) vacation experience.   I must admit that I am the stereotypical mom on the Disney commercial, pink cheeked and showering my kids with balloons and Disney ice-cream bars.  I swoon at each Disney character that we pass and am not shy to jump onto the parade route and shake my tail feathers to the dismay of my older child, who turns away from me in utter embarrassment….oh well, we are making memories nonetheless!…I suppose that many of you are not new to pin trading at the Disney theme parks.  Many of you may argue that this rising tradition is a complete waste of money.  I get it…it is certainly no guarantee for a great time.  However, my kids started pin trading when we went to Disney in 2008 and continued their pursuit on our recent trip.  They love it!

Pin trading?  What is this some of you may ask?    Big bling for children and adults who are kids at heart…There are pin trading posts located at all Disney locations.  Kids typically wear a lanyard as a backdrop for their pins, but I have also seen them on hats and holders that you can wear like a purse that you drape across your chest.  Typically you purchase several starter pins.  They have pins of many Disney characters, popular attractions and rides, special holiday additions and so on…there are tons to choose from.  Most cast members also have a collection of pins that they wear.  Kids can trade pins with cast members all over the parks.  My kids have collected pins over our two visits of their fav rides and characters who dazzle their dreams.  They then hang their lanyards in their rooms at home as a way to reminisce about their Disney adventure.  It’s becoming a fun filled tradition in our family that I hope will continue to impress my angels through the years!

Zippy Recap

Pin Trading:

  •  Pin Trading is a wonderful way to capture your child’s Disney experience.
  • We would love you to share your experience with pin trading.
  • Do you have any vacation traditions that your kids look forward to?

Stay Light and Breezy Girls…

Love,

The Zippy Chix

3 Comments by admin on November 23, 2010
filed in Fun & Flirty
tagged , , , , , , , ,

Scrapbooking for Beginners

Scrapbooking can be a daunting task or it can be an enjoyable way to sort your pictures for future generations.  I dabble in scrapbooking quarterly and am planning to hit it a little harder in the upcoming year.  It gives me a thrill to see my offspring flipping through the completed pages and I smile when they are enjoying family photos presented in that extra special manner.

Rules for Light and Breezy Scrapbooking:

1.)  How do I organize ALL of those pictures?

  • Do not attempt to start from the beginning of time.
  • Choose a few events that you have several pics from and let the fun begin!
  • If all of your photos are digital and still in the camera….do not fret, just upload them to a photo editor.  I use Picasa 3, but there are many out there and it will walk you to a picture ordering site such as snapfish. 

2.) Once I choose the images that will be used, then what?

Purchase a few supplies at your local craft store…don’t forget the coupons:

  • Good quality, acid free paper.  My preference is stampin’ up paper, but you have to order that.  The local craft store will offer some nice alternatives.
  • I use 8.5” x 11” paper, but many scrappers use 12” x 12”.  Smaller is my preference as the page goes quicker and I like it simple.
  • Plastic shields for the finished product.  I get these at the office supply store as they sell them inexpensively in bulk.
  • Acid free markers
  • Decorative paper
  • A few generic stamps
  • Ink pads
  • Scissors
  • A paper cutter
  • Mementos from that special event…i.e. tickets, a program  etc..

3.) Purchase a scrapbooking magazine at the grocery or book store.

  • No need to reinvent the wheel….be zippy and lift a design that you love. 

Now that you have several photos and a few supplies you are ready to roll.  If you have friends that are scrappers invite them over for an evening and share ideas and supplies.  If you are not creative no worries, just look in the magazine and choose a pattern and use it for several pages.  The more you scrapbook, the easier it becomes.  It is an enjoyable way to spend time alone or with friends and the results are oh so worth it!  When you are taking photos this holiday season….think about your scrapbook.  Take a few background shots, take some pics of the X-mas tree or menorah to use as filler for your holiday pages, take several of the same shot with different expressions, it might make for an interesting page.  The world of digital really opens up our ability to get those extra shots in without spending extra cash.  ENJOY the scrapbooking!

Please share YOUR scrapbooking tips with us!

Zippy Recap:

  • Choose photos from a few recent events to begin, don’t try to organize 20 years of photos…it will be too daunting.
  • Purchase a few supplies from your local craft store, use coupons to keep the expense down.
  • Lift a page from a scrapper’s magazine….imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and great for maintaining a creative edge while scrapbooking!
  • Make it more fun and invite some friends to join you!

Stay Light and Breezy Girls…

Love,

The Zippy Chix

9 Comments by admin on November 16, 2010
filed in Fun & Flirty
tagged , , , , , , , ,

Favorite Zippy Traditions

I’ve walked into several stores within the last week and am amazed that Christmas decorations are already adorning shelves.  I know that this chick should expect this early consumer marketing blitz, but it never fails to surprise me year after year.  Thus, I give in to my mental eye-rolling and find myself dreaming of eggnog and visualizing the Yule Log.  Indeed, I’m a sucker for the holidays!  Halloween through New Years is one of my favorite times of the year.  There is no doubt that money funnels down the drain and my head begins exploding with childhood demands beginning with “I want…”  Nevertheless, I somehow turn a blind eye and cheer the arrival of the holiday season filled with both headaches and wonderful traditions.  In honor of the upcoming holiday season, I thought I might share some of the Zippy traditions that have been tried and true for the chix!

  1. Hayride each Halloween night filled with cute and creepy costumes, glow sticks, and spooky music.
  2. Witch’s Brew for the grown-ups.  Tantalizing mix of spirits mixed in a cauldron brimming over with fog. 
  3. Roasting pumpkin seeds from the Jack-O-Lantern.
  4. Guests make a feather to add to the “Perky Turkey,” which lists something they are thankful for during Thanksgiving…No, the Perky Turkey is not real.
  5. Watching the Macy’s Day Parade.
  6. Trimming the tree with picture ornaments of the children…my have they grown (feeling sentimental here).
  7. Watching the kids find the magic elf hiding in the house each day from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve.  Watching them whisper their holiday wish list is so cute.
  8. Opening holiday PJs on Christmas Eve.
  9. Apple Pie.
  10. Reading a poem from my Great-Grandmother’s Poetry book after the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Day.

There are so many memories that mark the Holiday season.  The list could go on….Despite the rush of the season, memories are made through the traditions we honor.

Zippy Chix Recap:

Favorite Zippy Traditions: 

  • We’d love to hear any holiday traditions that are special in your family.
  • Do you enjoy the holiday season or are you one that can’t wait until the hustle is over?

Stay Light and Breezy Girls….

Love,

The Zippy Chix

11 Comments by admin on October 25, 2010
filed in Fun & Flirty
tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Saturday Morning on the Playground

I was at the playground with my kids this past Saturday morning and couldn’t help notice that there were more daddies with children at the playground than there were mommies.  As a matter of fact there were very few mommies present.  It made me wonder if this is a Saturday morning phenomenon created by daddies to provide a brief hiatus from what I call “direct contact mommyhood.” 

I must admit that it is quite heartwarming to see so many daddies enjoying time with their children!  There were a lot of daddies in full participation mode on the playground- swinging, sliding, spinning, and generally having fun.  My 2 lil’ peeps were running about and quite self sufficient on the monkey bars, so I was able to sit back and observe the scene from a nice comfy bench in the shade. 

I noticed that there was a bit of cell phone communication by some of the adults present, but the calls were generally brief and seemed to be for planning purposes regarding other family fun activities for the weekend.  No obnoxious work related or gossipy conversations noted.  Very refreshing! 

This summer I have been able to spend a fair amount of time at the playground on weekdays as well.  I honestly haven’t noticed a large contingency of daddies wildly playing with little ones, which leads me to believe in the Saturday morning daddy phenomenon.  Don’t get me wrong, there are always some daddies at the playground, but not the full on presence noted on the weekends.   The bottom line is that it’s great to see kids having fun with one or both of their parents whether it’s the mommy, daddy, or both.

I just love Saturday mornings…

Zippy Chix Recap:

  • It’s wonderful to see kids enjoying time with their parents whether it’s with mommy, daddy, or both
  • Children will remember these times perhaps more than we know…
  • Saturday mornings seem to be a popular hiatus time created by daddies for mommies
  • This mommy loves her lil’ ones more than life itself, but does enjoy occasional breaks from “direct contact mommyhood”

Stay Light and Breezy Girls…

Love,

The Zippy Chix

No Comments by admin on August 8, 2010
filed in Fun & Flirty
tagged , , , , , , ,

Why Are We Drawn to the High School Reunion?

Why are we drawn towards an event that reminds us of our awkward past?  Why do we want to mingle once every 5 to 10 years with a group of people that did not particularly care to socialize with us when they had the chance on a daily basis?   I believe that there is some perverse part of all of us that just wants to show this group that yeah baby, we have made it!   Which brings me to the most important question of all “To go or not to go”?   I say that you are damned if you do and damned if you don’t! 

If you choose to go to this lovely event, keep in mind that it is a temporary state of being.  Tomorrow you will jump back to your real life and if you are like most, the majority of those faces will not appear again in your life until the next incremental unit of 5 to 10 years.  Now if you are like me, you are much more outspoken than you were way back then and although it feels strange being there with those that you shared four angst filled years of your life with, it can also be somewhat amusing.

No longer do you wonder what to say next, life’s experiences and seasonings have given you a plethora of topics to chat about to these vaguely familiar people of your past.  In essence you can use this event to practice your networking skills and maybe if you are lucky gain some connections that will assist you in your present life.  For some reason there is an allegiance that those from the same high school graduating class will always share.  Lucky us!

On the other hand if you choose not to go, it leaves you wide open for speculative thoughts by those who chose to attend.  They may discuss those that are absent and ponder whether or not they are unhappy with their present life or worse yet their looks.  So just like back in the day cliques of people will be standing there chatting about people who are not present to defend themselves.  Now if you live out of state that is a perfect excuse not to attend.  If you live nearby and are just hanging out watching the latest episode of America’s Got Talent, probably not such a good excuse and chances are someone will rat you out.

So what are your thoughts on this subject my fellow Zippy Chix: 

  • What are your reasons for attending your high school reunion? 
  • What are your reasons for not attending? 
  • Why do you think that we hold an attachment to this group of people, that we knew from ages 14 to 18, for the rest of our lives? 

Share your thoughts with us.

Stay Light and Breezy Girls…

Love,

The Zippy Chix

2 Comments by admin on August 3, 2010
filed in Fun & Flirty
tagged , , , , , , , ,

Is Cruising Designed for Moms?

As the individual who pops Dramamine and dons Sea Bands prior to all water excursions, this chick was always vehemently opposed to a cruising vacation.  I fended off the offers for years until one day sitting on the pier in Key West, a cruise ship pulled in and my interest piqued.  I agreed to try a cruising vacation and let me tell you…. it has tainted my vision of the ideal vacation forever.  One cruise and I went Ga Ga over this delicious style of holidays.  What had I been doing resisting all of those years?

While others are coordinating cities, hotels, restaurants, airports, and activities……I am picking my cruise destination and all of the other details are being sorted out by the magical cruise elves.  It is just a glorious way to vacation.  A wise man once told me that cruising is the perfect vacation for mothers.  What he meant was that all of those duties that are notoriously taken care of by the maternal unit are taken care of by the cruise unit in this said case.  Sound good yet?

Babysitters are for the taking, kids from pre-school to teens have activities from games and scavenger hunts, to late night dances planned just for their enjoyment.  “What’s for dinner?” magically transforms into a positive question when onboard a ship…as a dining option just needs to be chosen and the meal is exquisitely presented and served. The cabin steward pops in and out several times daily to straighten the living area, turn down the bed at night and even fold a towel into a cute animal shape…just for my amusement (am I in heaven yet?).   The pub options are numerous, distinct and quite amazing; also included are casinos and shows as well as clubs for dancing into the wee hours of the night.  All of this and much more on that special city at sea….

Once at the port of call there are wonderful excursion options to choose from to make the most of your day on land, or you can go freestyle and explore at your own leisure.  The cruise lines attempt to anticipate every need and it is clearly demonstrated in the level of service provided for all on board clients.  As we chix are usually the nurturers, it may take a few days to get into the swing of being the nurturee……but once you get accustomed to it, they will have to drag you off of the ship kicking and screaming at the end of the journey.  You tend to get use to that amazing cabin steward, the dining staff that knows your name and what you enjoy at dinner and the general feeling of being taken care of by a staff that wants to see YOU have a blissful experience. 

I guess you can say that cruising might be the Calgon  of the NOW GENERATION!!!!! 

Zippy Chix Recap:

  • Cruise vacations = fun and relaxation for ALL participants
  • Try being the nurturee , you might just get hooked
  • Cruises have it all…fun, adventure, relaxation and total indulgence…try one today

Stay Light and Breezy Girls…

Love,

The Zippy Chix

15 Comments by admin on July 22, 2010
filed in Fun & Flirty
tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

Date Night by Design

I’ve been accused of worse offenses, but my “better half” has expressed frustration over the lack of “us” time since we’ve had kids.  I’m guessing that this is a familiar anthem to some whose brood is barely out of diapers.  My proverbial child instruction manual that was sent home from the hospital after the birth of each of my children did not highlight the toll that these little progenies would have on my marriage.  Of course my husband and I are madly smitten with our kiddos, but have had to work on finding time to reconnect with one another.  Unfortunately, at the end of each day I often take the dramatic lunge to the bed, prop my feet up, read and pass out.  Certainly, not the picture of matrimonial bliss that I envisioned on my honeymoon….Yet, to that I say, I’m only human! 

We’ve had a few wonderful getaways since our kids have been born.  Nevertheless, these retreats are far and few between.  They rejuvenate us for a few days, until the daily grind catches up with us once again.  Our attempts at sharing a movie at the end of the week in our living room, doesn’t consistently happen.  When it does, it often ends with one of us catching ZZZZZs on the couch…. So girls, this chick has found that the best remedy to combat this marital disconnect is to whip out that blackberry and schedule dates.  You may recall our Google with Your Guy post.  This chick has scheduled monthly dates through the New Year (I’m being dead honest here)!  Some may call me crazy, but we all schedule kid’s activities and vacations, why not schedule time to spend with our spouses?  My man was not exactly thrilled about the idea at first, arguing that this tactic took away from spontaneity and romance.  Clearly, this was not happening in the first place!  He has come around and embraced the concept.  We take turns planning the date and scheduling the babysitter.  The fact that preplanning is needed, has given each of us time to arrange for some interesting rendezvous!  Date night by design has helped to bridge the communication gaps in our relationship.  If you are in need of reigniting the bond in your relationship, I would encourage you to give this strategy a try.  You’ll be glad you did!

Zippy Chix Recap:

Date Night by Design

  • Rekindle your relationship through your calendar
  • Preplanning your dates can lend to unique experiences with your partner
  • Scheduling time with your spouse shows that you are invested in cultivating your relationship

Stay Light and Breezy Girls…. 

Love,

The Zippy Chix

2 Comments by admin on June 24, 2010
filed in Fun & Flirty
tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Cherish Your Ya Yas

It wasn’t until I got married and settled into the bliss of motherhood, when I started to get it.  I mean really GET IT…my girlfriends truly were goddesses who kept me sane and helped me maintain a sense of who I was.  In my youth, I took my “girls” for granted.  They were fun to hang with and to share make-up tips with….WE were “Best Friends Forever!”  Of course, time with my BFFs was most essential during “boo-hoo” fests in between boyfriends.  When “Prince Charming” was on the scene, all was well and HE became priority.  My BFFs were put on the side burner.   I would like to think that this behavior is quite uncommon, but most of us feel loved and desirable when a special someone says so!  We girls take one look at “Prince Charming” and all is good in life.  At least, that’s what my hormonal brain thought. It was not until I was married and my developing brain reached full maturation did I come to understand the true meaning of the YaYa Sisterhood: a quirky and unconditional bond that crosses the span of time among a group of women.

Women have connections that go beyond sharing tips and gossiping about Kate Gosselin.  We may have casual friendships and acquaintances that keep life moving along, BUT it is the sisterhood between Ya Yas that can be the missing ingredient when a woman feels the yearning for something more than spit up, whining children, and a horny husband….!   

We need to cultivate this sisterhood by recognizing its significance in our lives. Ya Yas may be all around us, but cannot be forced into existence.  The YaYa sisterhood comes in different shapes and sizes, and one YaYa may not work for another.  However, like soul mates, there are true YaYas for all women.  This kind of sisterhood ebbs and flows like the tide; its shape evolving over the years.  Allow the undercurrents of time to unfold, embrace what will become the sisterhood, and see how it will take hold of you!

Mumsie madness will never feel the same again!

(Side Note:  Scientists have recently discovered that the frontal lobe of the human brain , which is known to organize information and make decisions, does not reach optimal function until we are at least 25ish)! 

(Other Side Note:  Isn’t it true that the 30s are now the new 20s…hmmm)

A quick Zippy Chix recap:

  • Anything done before the age of 25 doesn’t count…our brains were not optimal yet!  Does this really mean 35….that may explain a lot!
  • Recognize your Ya Yas…because different strokes for different folks!
  • Nurture your Ya Ya connection and watch what it becomes…more importantly watch who you become!

Stay Light and Breezy Girls….

Love,

The Zippy Chix

2 Comments by admin on June 15, 2010
filed in Fun & Flirty
tagged , , , , , ,

Survive Your Lackluster Libido

Did you know that many mumsies are having difficulty getting into the groove with their significant other….I would never have guessed that my libido would take such a hit and that the thought of having relations with my husband would cause me such angst and stress.  Usually, I wish the whole darn mess would just go away…

Magazines such as Cosmo add to the torment by making me feel like an unusual case, that typical women are on a mission to find that G-spot and show their MAN how it’s really done….pshha I say!!  Aren’t beds made for sleeping in…when I lay down after a ragged day with work, kids, chores, and MORE chores…I want to rest my head on that soft cloud of a pillow and melt into a state of unconsciousness….the exhaustion sweeping over me and sleep being my consolation prize for the day.  BUT wait, here it comes!  My spouse rolls on his side and strokes my back …Doesn’t he understand that my love for him is not about hanging from the chandeliers and making mad passionate love…Of course he does, but does he care in that moment….Nah!

God Bless the male species, they are wonderful creatures and without them, life would lose its zeal.  I mean I truly would feel lost without that powerful partnership and love, but there is a price to pay ladies!  So, I say what can I do to keep the fire alive when that cool breeze wants to blow it out??  The eternal flame has been lit and now it’s up to me to keep it that way…YES ME…I’m all about equality between men and women… but the fact is HE doesn’t really know how to meet me halfway when it comes to sex…it’s an all or nothing situation!  Men are wired so that sex is separate from anything else, while women need the stars and planets aligned just right to feel totally in the mood.  A woman can be in the mood until it occurs to her that HE didn’t put the trash out like he said he would…HE never listens to a word I say…HE didn’t have to get up five times last night to tend to a crying child…these mental disturbances can come on abruptly and that window of engagement is shut!  On the other hand, HE can have the same disgruntled feelings, but once his mood is set, nothing interferes with the moment…

Subsequently….I have had to come up with creative strategies to keep the flame lit so that my dear husband knows he is loved in the only way that really matters!  If you can relate to this state of affairs, these are some tips that have worked for me, and I urge you to try one or all of them: 

  • Read a trashy romance novel, which will stir the inner desires that you forgot existed.
  • Listen to “Lets Get it On” by Marvin Gaye at least 5 times before slipping into bed.
  • Fantasize…visualize the act…make sure that it’s steamy and hot, sweaty and delicious
  • Watch a hot sexy scene from a movie…buy it so you can have it around for emergencies!

A quick Zippy Chix recap:

  • It is a common problem for many women to lose their libido!
  • Men are wired to need sex regardless of emotional state!
  • Woman have to take action in order for a marriage to keep its feng shui status…we ARE good at doing it all!

Stay Light and Breezy Girls….

Love,

The Zippy Chix

2 Comments by admin on June 14, 2010
filed in Fun & Flirty
tagged , , , , , , ,

Girls Beach Weekend…Let the Fun Begin!!!

Summers comin’ my fellow Zippy Chix; grab your best girls and head off for a long weekend of fun and sun.  This is an activity that yours truly has been participating in for the last 15 years and trust me I never skip this event. Some pre-planning is required to find a suitable weekend for all of the girls and one person willing to set up the Digs, but once that is done it is smooth sailing all of the way. 

Think back to your childhood, all of the sleepovers that were so thoroughly enjoyed with your BFF’s.  Once into adulthood this does not usually transpire; plan a beach weekend and it is an instant slumber party (fast forward ?? years) with your best buds.  You will get hooked on the quirky rituals and life will never be the same.  Some of the bonding entertainment that my girls participate in are the special group name that we use, the individual code names (reminiscent of camp names) that are only used during that weekend, and special pieces of matching inexpensive jewelry that we have all purchased and only wear during those sacred 72 hours.  Sound silly? Yep that is what we strive for! 

Freedom and oodles of laughter is the order of the weekend.  It is all about us and we each have individual needs that the group members recognize and value.  Shopping, laughing, dining, laughing, dancing, laughing, and hanging on the beach chatting the hours away oh and did I say laughter; this is what we strive to incorporate in this amazing weekend.  It is a carefree and silly time and we all come home thoroughly rejuvenated and fully ready to take on the responsibilities of the upcoming year. 

So e-mail that special group and start planning your unique event.  Tell your spouse or special guy that you will flourish as a result of participating in this ritual. He will surely be happy to guard the home front so that you can go and enjoy connecting with the girls.  For all of those Zippy Chix who already take part in girls weekend please feel free to share some of YOUR special rituals with us?

LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH

Just a quick Zippy Chix recap:

Girls Weekend:

  • Plan a Get-a-way with your fave girls
  • Enjoy the bonding ritual
  • Get Silly
  • Indulge in laughter, it is the best medicine!

Stay Light and Breezy Girls…

Love ,

The Zippy Chix

No Comments by admin on June 10, 2010
filed in Fun & Flirty
tagged , , , , ,

Booking A Book Club

Whether you like to read or not, booking a book club is a sure way to capture the sisterhood spirit and is a great way to relieve stress after battling another demanding day.  This chick has found solace with a group of witty, intelligent, and hard working ladies by joining a book club.  Keep your minds open, book clubs are not for nerdy, stuffy, intellects who find the deeper meaning of life in Shakespearean style literature… the kind of book club I am referring to can be found on t-shirt logos stating such things as, “Read Between the Whines”. 

In order to set the right atmosphere it is highly recommended that you schedule your meetings on a specific date.  My book club meets every first Tuesday every other month.  This works well for us, but by all means meet monthly if that is an option.  My favorite book to start a club is “Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons.”  This book will be sure to set the stage for a long term courtship that may surprise you!  Once the date and book have been established, it is time to complete the package by designing a night of fun, laughter, and whatever else may oblige the group.  One never knows where these delightful nights may lead…

When I host a book club night, I attempt to find a theme (i.e. holiday, special occasion, novel’s setting, etc).  It doesn’t really matter, it’s meant to be fun.  Make sure you have plenty of wine, salty appetizers, and sugary sweets….these are the recipe for a successful night.  Don’t make it complicated, keep it simple, and rotate who will host!  My book club allows the conversation to flow naturally.  We do not use reading guide discussions found on the internet or in a book, but feel free to do that if you need to break the ice.  It is very common for members in my book club to not have read the book at all, and we welcome them anyway.  Although, the idea is to read and discuss, this is just a cover.  The real meaning is to have a girl’s night out, a respite from the hustle bustle of every day life… a place to put your feet up, have a glass of wine or two, and embrace what it means to be a woman!

Zippy Chix Recap:

  • Book Clubs are Fun and Engaging
  • Start a book club by keeping a routine schedule and rotating hosts.
  • Find books that your group can relate to and build upon, such as the one I suggested above.
  • Keep it simple, don’t force the conversation.  Set the stage and let the evening take on its own character! 

 Stay Light and Breezy Girls….

Love,

The Zippy Chix

2 Comments by admin on June 3, 2010
filed in Fun & Flirty
tagged , , , ,
  • Shop at Zappos.com!

  • Zippy Chix Shop

  • Google Friend Connect



  • facebook

    Zippy Chix

    Promote Your Page Too
  • Photobucket

  • Meta

  • momAgenda - get organized with style
Copyright 2010 Zippy Chix LLC

Ads Plugin created by Cheap Web Hosting - Powered by Ray Ban Sunglasses and Ben 10 Games.