Single Mom | Single Mom Blog | Ms. Single Mama » Cool Stuff

They’re here…

mssinglemama — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 22:11:34 +0000

There are only 25 necklaces and 25 bracelets in the first batch, these will ship out the week of April 15th. The leaves are pure sterling and so are the chains. Absolutely beautiful.

If you miss one of the first 25 yours will be shipping out in 2-3 weeks. The custom pure sterling silver pieces are made to order by Worthington Jewelers, hence the delay in shipping.

For those of you who are holding out for the bronze colored New Leaf necklaces, I ordered another 100 and they’ll be ready in May!

Happy shopping my Lovelies, you deserve these new leaves.

Oh, and every single New Leaf jewelry purchase now includes a free copy of Ms. Single Mama Uncensored: Dating, Sex and Love. Also, 5% of every purchase will be donated to my single mom ministry in Thailand. Read all of the details here.

xoxo,

Ms. Single Mama

Crunches and Necklaces

mssinglemama — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:03:44 +0000

A few updates for you:

1. My 7 Day Quit was awesome (kind of).

I started out valiantly with three days straight of the 30 Day Shred.

Each day, I felt better than the last. I could even see a stark difference in my ab, arm and leg muscle definition. Crazy how fast your body changes.

On Day 4, I rested to give my aching, sore muscles a break. I was also a bit worried about all of the squatting and bending of my knees, which are definitely still a mess thanks to two years a soccer goalie. On Day 5 I picked back up where I left off, all went well and I ignored a nagging feeling in my right knee.

On Day 6 I rested, worried about the knee pain that was now more pronounced, aching with every step.

On Day 7 I plowed forward anyway, diving into another Jillian-induced pain session. And then on one of the last set of jumping jacks my left foot shot up in pain. That’s when I let out a scream and turned the video off. To hell with chiseled abs and a tight bod – I wasn’t going to break anything in the process. Clearly, I have to go to the doctor to get this all checked out. I’m also shopping for a gym with a pool, so I can swim and do low-impact exercises. Just have to find something that works.

But, I can still do crunches and push-ups. Those won’t hurt my knees. So, if anything, these 7 days have proven to me that you can get some chiseled cut little muscles, even in the confines of your living room.

You all did so well too! I’ll be sending you your books soon. But only to those who came back and left two comments. The first telling me what you were going to quit and the second telling me how it went. If you didn’t do that yet – get on it, before you miss out on a free copy of Ms. Single Mama Uncensored.

2. The New Leaf Necklaces are coming…

The new leaf necklaces in 100% sterling silver are almost here. I also have another piece of leaf jewelry in the works that I think you’re all going to flip out over. I am already dying to get mine. They should be going on sale in the next couple of weeks. Until then, fill out the quick form on my Shop page and I’ll add you to my New Leaf mailing list. So, as soon as I have them ready to go – you’ll be the first to know and therefore, get first dibs on batch #1.

What Next?

mssinglemama — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 01:50:28 +0000

Until my new leaf necklace creator gets back from her European vacation this Spring, I’m exploring options for my next Ms. Single Mama piece of merchandise. And, as usual, I am dying for your input. So here are the options on the table now. Vote for your favorite after browsing.

1. A sassy single mama apron, like so…

But ours would probably be covered in leaves with a dash of sexy and cute pinks and reds. Thanks to the Sassy Apron shop on Etsy for this picture and to Made By Amy D in Columbus for working with me on this.

2. A New Leaf Ring, like so…

This may not be the exact ring, although I do like this style. But just keep in mind – there are SO many leaf rings out there. Ours would hopefully be custom designed and created by an Etsy.com seller.

3. A cool tote bag, like so…

Like this tote bg, for Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, ours will also have a custom symbol – maybe a few words, but something that is simple and sweet.

4. Or, a super cute t-shirt.

You all know what super cute t-shirts look like. Like the tote, it would also have a custom symbol, designed just for us!

Now vote for your favorite.

Online Surveys & Market Research

If you don’t like anything you see here, please leave a comment with suggestions. If you do like one of these ideas, leave a comment telling me why and what you would or wouldn’t want the product to have.

And one more thing…

mssinglemama — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:13:28 +0000

In a flurry to find comfortable shoes before I started my new job I found these:

And I have been wearing them ever since.

They’re by Teva, so they’re beyond comfortable and oh so cute. I found them in a store in Charlottesville but you can also find them on Zappos.com for the lovely price of $119.95.

[Full disclosure: I bought these myself and I just love them. I share products that are out of this world awesome with my readers because I, like every other mom, hate wasting money and time buying products that disappoint.]

For My Single Mamas (a sexy contest)

mssinglemama — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 14:20:12 +0000

When I started this blog I had one single mom friend, now I feel I have thousands.

I know many of you feel the same way having found my blog. Often many of you send me photos of yourselves and your little ones and my heart melts each time, especially today when I found this picture in my inbox of Robin and her son Reagan.

I wanted to share these words of her story of calling off her wedding to her abusive fiance:

It was the most stressful time of my life to the point where my hair was falling out like a cancer patient, but oddly enough, it was the most joyous phase of rediscovery and empowerment. I called off the wedding, struck out on my own … but then had to move abruptly to another state, leaving behind a life I carefully built as a young professional because my ex- took stalking to a new level of physical threats of violence. In many ways I lost everything — but in so many other ways I gained an entire world of new possibilities.

Robin is now living her dream career as a new media journalist for Zootoo Pet News, featured on the New York Post among others. Click here to see one of her newscasts and take a look at that beautiful necklace she’s wearing.

Robin’s comment reminds me of something I wrote in Ms. Single Mama Uncensored. Here’s an excerpt from the Rapunzel Complex:

I walked through my mother’s garden and let my hands lightly touch the flowers surrounding me, running my fingertips through their soft petals. I wondered if I could ever be so beautiful and innocent again. Benjamin was in his sling, still stirring, but just seconds away from finally falling asleep. A restless newborn, he had yet to sleep for more than six hours straight. His father had occasionally taken him from me in the night, but Benjamin’s screams would only intensify. Minutes later he would be back in my arms, my exasperated husband insisting I take the baby so he could sleep.
Now my husband was gone. And I was free— well, almost. I still had Benjamin strapped to my chest during all of my waking hours outside of work. The pressure was immense and unrelenting, but the peace that came with that extra few feet in my bed, the quiet drama-free nights and being in control of my destiny – no matter how uncertain it seemed – gave me hope that soon Benjamin and I would be back on our feet and stronger than ever.

In honor of all of my beautiful single mamas finding their way or who have already found their way, here’s another contest! Just leave a comment and you’ll be entered to win.

A sexy apron from FlirtyAprons.com!!!

along with a copy of Ms. Single Mama Uncensored: Dating, Sex and Love

And a New Leaf necklace in brass, like the one Robin is wearing in her newscast.

Four runners-up winners will receive a copy of Ms. Single Mama Uncensored: Dating, Sex and Love.

Just leave a comment and you’ll be entered! Deadline on this one is Friday August 28, 2009. While you’re at it leave a comment in my Back to School Contest, that one runs until September 4, 2009.

[P.S. The silver necklaces are almost gone, I have three left in 18" chains and only 12 in the 16" chain. If you would like a longer chain just leave me a note at your purchase. I have plenty left in both lengths in the brass necklaces. The creator of our necklaces is leaving on a wonderful, extended European vacation so I may not be replenishing the stock until next Spring.]

My Super Hero (a Contest)

mssinglemama — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 14:47:47 +0000

Every one of us has a super hero inside, waiting to come forward, to save the day, to keep going in spite of the odds, to change a life (whether it be our child’s or our own).

I know this because I can see it in my son’s eyes. I know life will take a bit of that little soul of his and throw it through the grinder but I hope, constantly, that I can keep that spirit alive inside of him. That he never turns into a living drone to the world around him.

Naturally I’m beginning to wonder what it will be like when I send him off to school either next fall or the following fall. On top of everything else I juggle I will then be charged with assisting his teachers in his education, helping him with his homework, giving him pride in what he accomplishes at school. And so, now, while I watch from the sidelines the mothers shopping for school supplies and bravely sending their children out into that big bad world I can only give you a huge shout out and a shot at a big prize.

So there you have it. An easier chance to win than any bingo game you’ve ever played. Just leave a comment by September 4th, 2009 and you’ll be entered to win…

Grand Prize:

A custom cape and mask from BabyPop.com

They sent Benjamin one and he loves it (see the rest of the Superhero Benjamin photos here at the bottom of this album) We have enjoyed at least 20 hours of solid play time out of this little cape and expect it to be a favorite for quite some time. Highly recommend these and very thankful to BabyPop.com for sending one my way and for giving one of you one.

The I’m Your Bus Back to School Supply Kit

and a copy of I’m Your Bus

The publisher sent us a copy and Benjamin adores this book and he’s not even riding a school bus yet, but I just really love the illustrations. So cute. A great back to school present for any little guy or girl.

And last but not least, a copy of Ms. Single Mama Uncensored: Dating, Sex and Love

Three runner-ups will also receive a copy of I’m Your Bus and Ms. Single Mama Uncensored

Our New Leaf

mssinglemama — Fri, 22 May 2009 04:30:50 +0000

It’s here.

Finally.

I have been wearing mine every day since it landed in my mailbox. When I opened it I gasped. It’s beautiful… and I still can’t believe this little seed of an idea has turned into a tattoo and now a real necklace that we can all wear together. I feel like we all created it together.

I know.

Cheesy.

But I can’t help it. You’ll understand when you see it.

I know that if each of us wear this necklace we’ll find strength and comfort in knowing we’re not alone – the premise of my entire blog.

I took the features you loved about each one and merged them together. The price is right in the middle because of the extra leaf, the packaging, taxes and PayPal charges.

My New Leaf… and some big news

I Quit My Day Job (Oh, holy hell, people – look what you made me do!)

No seriously. It’s not your fault.

I’ve been thinking and stewing on this for months and months. I may end up working at a gas station or something in a few months but at least I can say I tried to break free – to live a dream of mine, to work for myself.

You may have noticed a crop of new ads on my site. It’s no coincidence. If you like me, it would be cool if you’d click on one or two right about now because I’ll be needing the extra pennies. I’m going to be a full-time blogger/ freelance writer/ stay at home working mommy/ totally broke crazy lady who quit her perfectly good day job.

It’s a risk. I know. And I’m a bit petrified but I believe in this blog, I believe in my readers and I know that we can grow our little community here even further. The more single moms we can find and inspire, the better.

The necklace is just a piece of this.

A symbol of my new leaf thanks to all of you turning over your own.

You are all my inspiration – in every day and in every moment. This is just the beginning…

—–

See the New Leaf necklace!!!

NOTE: There are only 100 and I won’t actually be shipping them out until June 8th, so this is like a pre-order, okay? But it’s best to reserve yours now, if not you’ll have to wait until next month’s order. Eventually if the demand is high enough I’ll have a ton in stock and this won’t be an issue.

Who Won?

Over 100 of you left a comment to win one of these beautiful necklaces and over 300 of you cast your vote on what it should look like. I randomly picked the winner and she is… ALEXIS.

Congratulations… you will have an e-mail from me soon.

Over the Edge

mssinglemama — Thu, 21 May 2009 12:31:04 +0000

Ever felt like you just want to dive off a mountain top?

No?

I hadn’t either.

That was until I spent three days straight with Nolan and Benjamin, two adorable three-year-olds who, when together, can’t stop beating on each other. Like a cosmic formula Kristin and I’s sons had it out for each other during our entire vacation in Vancouver.

Click over to see what happened…

Watch the video.

Kristin is wicked awesome by the way. I can’t tell you enough how much I love that girl.

And special thanks to the Grouse Mountain ziplining team in Vancouver, BC.

And we’re off…

Here

mssinglemama — Fri, 15 May 2009 00:58:52 +0000

We were right.

Kristin and I had this feeling about each other – that we’d get along like no other and it’s true. She took this picture of Benjamin and I at the park on Kit’s Beach in Vancouver.

I am now going to stop blogging and become a model for some mommy magazine. Seriously – what the hey? eh? I look HOT as hell. It’s her camera or something.

In reality we’ve been running around like crazy mamas after the boys.

Double trouble.

Benjamin has jet lag so he’s like a wild man. His madness is a bit contagious inspiring Nolan to try new things – like running away from the mommies onto soggy beach rocks.

And their mommies are inspiring each other too.

Keep checking for new pictures in my photo gallery. And, as always, more stories to come.

My Tattoo

mssinglemama — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 18:40:21 +0000

I know I have been scant.

I hate that.

I have so many things to write about. But time is not my friend, especially when I have a video to edit.

Here’s the result.

I hope you love it as much as I do.

Special thanks to Biggs at High Street Tattoo for coming in on a Sunday to make this happen and to Bradley Spencer, the best friend a girl could ask for and a super power genius SEO WordPress Expert.