Zoodies Sale!!!

Hi there! I am no longer making zoodies - but I wanted to pop in and let you know I do want to sell them out! I have a bunch of zoodies on clearance - $17.99 - just in time for Halloween - please email me - carleekajsa@gmail.com for inquiries. You can pay via paypal - carlee@zoodies.com - and leave the style and size in the buyers notes section.

Here is what I have - I am listing the American Apparel size - so please go up a size if your child is between or at the end of that size - they are meant to fit tight, but i find that they can go up a size easily.

Size 3-6 Month - Monkey
Size 3-6 Month - Brown Dino with Orange Scales
Size 6-12 Month - Monkey
Size 12-18 Month Brown Kitty
Size 18-24 Month - Brown Dino with Orange Scales (has a bleach spot by the pocket - free shipping or $5 off)

Size 2
Light Pink Kitty - 2 of These
Skunk
Ladybug
Lion
Light Purple Unicorn
Hot Pink Unicorn
Black with Green Scales Dino - 2 of These
Brown with Orange Scales Dino - 2 of These
Black Dog with White Spots
Light Pink with Hot Pink Scales Dino
Light Pink Butterfly
Mickey Mouse

Size 3 Bear - This is Not American Apparel - it is lined with fleece

Size 4
Brown Kitty
Light Pink with Hot Pink Scales Dino
Light Pink Unicorn
Dark Purple Unicorn
Light Pink Kitty
Ladybug
Dark Purple Dino with Hot Pink Scales
Mouse
Black with Green Scales Dino
Army Green Dino with Purple Scales - 2 of These

Size 6
Black with Turquoise Scales Dino
Light Pink Kitty
Red Ladybug
Light Pink Ladybug
Yellow Butterfly
Brown Kitty
Hello Kitty
Monkey
Army Green Dino with Purple Scales - 2 of These
Brown Dino with Orange Scales (has a bleach spot on the hood - free shipping or $5 off)

Size 8
Ladybug

Size 10
Navy Blue Dino with Turquoise Scales

Size 12
Army Green Dino with Purple Scales


Sorry - But I am not doing custom orders any longer - just trying to get rid of the ones I have - Thank you!!
Carlee

Daybook Entry - January

This entry is inspired by The Simple Woman's Daybook)

Outside my window...80 degree weather in January...what is going on? 

I am thinking...this year my word will be INTENTIONAL. I long to see areas of my life improve because of my intentions, and hope to be more active this year to see those changes become a fact.

I am thankful...for so much. Trying to keep my heart centered on gratefulness because when I get off centered...we all lose it! 

In the kitchen...Roast Chicken tonight and going to try to roast carrots so they actually get eaten!

I am wearing...no sleeves and no socks- it is hot out there!

I am creating...not a whole lot...beer did manage to get bottled, but that is the only creative-ish thing lately...other than doodling with my boys. I do have some Re-Arranging thoughts happening

I am going...to clean out every closet in the next 3 months. How? By being intentional...ha! putting it on my calendar with reminders and planning a closet and time to do it. In preparation for a big yard sale this Spring!

I am wondering...what is in store for us this year? 

I am reading...Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos. Also Jesus Feminist by Sarah Bessey

I am hoping...I can get all my year end accounting finished up by next week. Here is to hoping!

I am looking forward to...a sister/mother girl getaway!

I am learning...to listen to my heart over my head in certain issues. 

Around the house...piles screaming at me! I want to be more intentional on organizing and use of space this year. Time to de-clutter and simplify all around! 

2013 Book Review

****   1. Emma  by Jane Austen - C
*         2. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia - YA
***     3. Backstage Passes: Life on the Wild Side with David Bowie by Angela Bowie - NF/A
***** 4. Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin - FAN
***** 5. A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin - FAN
***** 6. A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin - FAN
***** 7. A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin - FAN
***** 8. A Dance With Dragons by George R.R. Martin - FAN
****   9. Help, Thanks, Wow by Anne Lamott - SH
***    10. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card - SF/YA
***    11. Divergent by Veronica Roth - YA
**      12. Insurgent by Veronica Roth - YA
****  13. Grace Based Parenting by Dr. Tim Kimmel - SH
****  14. Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman - NF/A

* = why did i even finish it?
** = would not recommend, even to someone I didnt like.
*** = okay - still would not recommend
**** = a fun read and want you to read it too!
***** = probably finished it in 2 days and ignored my kids because it was so good

F = Fiction
NF = Non-Fiction
SF = Science Fiction
A= Autobiography
NSS = Non-Fiction Short Stories
YA = Young Adult
FAN = Fantasy
SH = Self Help/Informative
C = Classic

Another Year of Books! I didn't read as many books as last year, but the Game of Thrones books are like 1,000 pages each so I probably read a lot more pages than last year anyway! Also as a P.S. I was only able to tear through those because of the broken ankle. But oh man - I thoroughly enjoyed them and stayed up until 1 or 2 in the morning on several occasions (I am guessing book #3 - that was my favorite!) just to find out what happened! I highly recommend these!

I am proud of myself for the diversity - i had a goal to read more auto-biographies and i read 2, but this year i would like to read more and also more regular fiction besides YA (not sure that will happen though). Any recommendations in this area are welcome!

I am currently reading Dead End in Norvelt (A YA books) and David Sedaris' newest book - which i love to read here and there - i always find myself laughing out loud with him! 

Daybook Entry - December

(This entry is inspired by The Simple Woman's Daybook)

Outside my window...Rain! Beautiful Rain! I get so happy when it rains (which is like three times a year)

I am thinking...about 2014 and what it may bring. i typically don't write down goals, but last night I found myself all enthused about things i want to accomplish and a list was formed- and i made sure to make them actually do-able...not like that one year i was all "i am not going to raise my voice at my children" ha! that lasted like a day. (not proud, by the way...just keeping it real) 

I am thankful...for an unsuccessful fraud attempt, for staying somewhat healthy through the holidays, for the people in our life that bless our days, for being together and for holiday traditions, for online shopping. 

In the kitchen...i finally meal planned for the first time in about a month - i planned lots of dinners that could be cooked during breakfast or lunch when the day is a little less overwhelming.

I am wearing...my hot chili's (the best thermals!) and a long sweater - going to change my Uggs for Rain Boots before i pick the boys up (weeeeeeee!)

I am creating...nothing you guys...nothing. this holiday is totally deprived of home-made gifts and I am totally fine with it! i do need to bottle that beer in my closet though! Stat!

I am going...to stay in with my little family on Christmas Day and am looking so forward to it!

I am wondering...what my kiddos reactions will be to their presents this year? and HOPING all the talks about having a grateful heart are put into practice. 

I am reading...Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris - I am about to start Persuasion by Jane Austen - recommended by a dear friend who knows me well. 

I am hoping...see above :) and hoping all the upset in our accounts can be settled before the new year.

I am looking forward to...holidays with family and friends

I am learning...that simple is always better - for our health - our hearts and our tempers :) 

Around the house...LEGOS! there was a renewed lego love over the past week and this is evidenced by teeny legos in and around every corner of the house. sigh. 

One Day

Yesterday I participated in the Hollywood Housewife's One Day 2013 challenge- to document a day in the life - all the mundane stuff you wouldnt think to post (or maybe wouldn't post because it isn't as aesthetically pleasing as you would like), but dont want to forget. 

I first saw a friend do this last year and i was too late, but thought how cool would that be to be able to reference this later...when my kids are older and i think back, "How did I do that?" I wish I did this while Bobby was a baby because I literally can't remember anything about that year! 

It was fun because what seems totally normal and mundane to me, apparently is highly amusing to some people! ha! i get it though...i dont think our reality show on our lives would be boring at all...there is nothing boring about raising three boys! 

It was also so neat to scroll through the hashtag #onedayHH - as it was happening - i only had a few opportunities to do this during the day...in fact the whole challenge was a challenge because I don't usually use my phone that much and had to be more intentional in getting it out, etc (in fact i left it at home for 3 hours of that day) but...when i did it was so cool...like during bath time i took that pic and scrolled through and saw all kinds of bath time pictures - it was so oddly comforting and encouraging, like - we are all in this, aren't we? 

Anyway - if you didn't get a chance to do it and if you are into the idea - please consider doing it next year - it will be fun!

Daybook Entry - October

Apple Picking (actually here they were raspberry foraging - the apples were all gone)

(This entry is inspired by The Simple Woman's Daybook)

Outside my window...Crazy weather going from 80s in the day to 60s at night, but last week we did have a rainy day, which gives me hope!

I am thinking...about how badly I want to wear my cute rainboots!

I am thankful...for a lot this week - a group of girls that helped start my week off right, a God that loves me and all my (many) imperfections, a husband that loves me dearly and sweetly and generously, for my kids and their health and my health and healing. I am trying to start my day on a grateful note - it really sets my daily rhythm in order if I can manage it.

In the kitchen...planning and re-arranging (as happens during SPORTS seasons!) and dreams of soups and chilis!

I am wearing...jeans and a shirt, however, i could be wearing a sun dress!

I am creating...Halloween Costumes and completing Zoodie orders

I am going...on a girls Bachelorette weekend getaway to Temecula wine country this weekend and am SOOOO EXCITED!!! 

I am wondering...what cute outfits I should pack for my (one night) trip!

I am reading...Grace Based Parenting by Dr. Tim Kimmel (for a life group and loving it) and pre-ordered Allegient by Veronica Roth - out next week!

I am hoping...for a friend to receive (hopefully) good news today.

I am looking forward to... our Thanksgiving trip to Tahoe - Can not wait to be in the Sierras!

I am learning...a lot about Grace...and it is kicking my stuff! 

Around the house...piles left untouched...but a closet (mine) and dressers (boys) successfully gone through and organized...so hooray for that! 

Zoodies Halloween Orders! Order Now!

I have been starting to get some Halloween Zoodie orders and thought I would sent a shout out to anyone thinking about ordering to DO IT! The turn-around on custom orders is about 2 weeks, so please place your order on any zoodie not pre-made up in the shop. 

I am trying to convince my kiddos that they should wear their zoodies for Halloween and they aren't buying it - they always want the fancy costumes from Target, ha! 

Start your Halloween shopping by clicking HERE

Meal Prepping Adventures Continued

I first started meal planning about a year ago after realizing we are all eating dinner at the same time and it would be ridiculous to cook different meals for us and the kids.
Then we got a little more serious with our lunches and I talked about it here...
Now we have graduated because we are taking it to a whole different level.
We got a second fridge.

And can I just tell you how stupid excited I am about it? Yes? Why thank you...I need someone to tell - because it is really ridiculous how much I love this new fridge. It's not even a fancy stainless french door fancy fridge. It is a white side by side fridge with a water dispenser. First off - the water dispenser. We drink a lot of water - I mainly give my kids (and us) water at every meal...and water in their lunches. I rarely buy juice - we make our own juice (still...can you believe it?) and when I do, it's typically the unfiltered kind. So we have been working with 2 different Brittas - one we would keep in the fridge and one would be out on the counter and it is just so not convenient - not to mention takes up valuable counter space, so I am quite happy about the fridge water! This is like the boringest post ever, I understand. SOOO anyway - I wouldn't even entertain thoughts of a fridge since we rent, but then we started discussing how we could move the other fridge in the garage and totally up our meal planning game...it is pretty awesome.

So now that the weather is cooling down I am pinning all kinds of freezer meals/crockpot meals - make ahead type meals because making dinner at breakfast feels like you chest bumped the day. My kids turn evil whenever it is time I need to make dinner and I fear our neighbors think our kids are killing each other every day around 5:30 since they just seem to cry and scream and whine REALLY loud in the backyard.

Back to the point...I wanted to post some of the things we are doing in case you are interested in trying it out - it does take a chunk of time, but it will save you money, dishes, thoughts, and eventually stress, which will make your skin shine and your hair silky...I swear meal planning should pay me...i am a born spokeswoman.

So here are some of the lunches we have done- we have also used them for dinners, depending on the day and the plans.

1. Chicken, Quinoa, Asparagus - Chicken cooked in bulk, Quinoa cooked in bulk, Asparagus blanched
2. Stuffed Peppers We leave the peppers raw and stuff it with a mix of ground turkey and assorted veggies chopped up real fine - when it is time to eat, we either eat them raw (bryan) or cook them at 350 for 15 minutes (carlee)
3. Lettuce Wraps - We use artisan greens from Costco - they are like baby romaines and bryan makes an asian stir fry of ground turkey, brussel sprouts, asparagus, etc. I like to top mine with non-fat greek yogurt mixed with Siracha
4. Tofu, Veggie Scramble - Bryan found the food processor chopper today and it changed his life. He chopped up a costco size bag of brussel sprouts and asparagus and a huge tub of mushrooms - he did a quick flash cook of the veggies seasoned up nice and cooked 3 packages of firm tofu at once. For half of the lunches he did a scramble and we added quinoa, for the other half he stuffed peppers with them.

I had the original goal (back in July) to do it at least once a month. Bryan has been the real reason this is successful, but we have been able to do it most of the months - i would say 3/4 weeks

As far as dinners - we have taken a little time adjusting to the new school/sports schedule, but with the weather turning, I am exciting to soup/roast it up again.

I recently pinned this and am excited to do this with a couple friends next month. The thought of having 12 meals done in one night is stupid how thrilling it is to me.

And let me just say - you do not need a second fridge to do this...we have only had one and have not had a problem...we are just excited to up our game with freezer meals, etc.

I hope this inspires anyone who lacks meal planning skills, because - listen - that is MEEEE!!! but this has seriously helped my family in a small way and so I wanted to share some inspiration, ideas and recipes - please do the same if you feel so inclined!

Zoodie Shop Updates

I have started to get my fall orders trickling in and thought I would update my update. I DID raise prices...however, I also lowered some prices too! I added a SALE!!! Collection, Which, I know...was not the point...but really some of them have been sitting around for a while and they really want homes to go to. Because zoodies are not happy sitting on hangers...they want to be worn and loved and played in. It's depressing seeing them all hanging there!  

So check out THE SHOP and see what all is going on!

Oh, and The Warehouse Mouse Zoodie (pictured above) is not in the shop...but I had to post this pic of my little Bodie O...because how cute is he? Those lips! ack...he is just the cutest...okay...sorry about that.

Zoodie Prices Go Up in 1 Week!!! Get them NOW!

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I hate raising prices...I seriously am the worst business owner ever because I constantly undermine my value because I hate charging prices I wouldn't pay myself for something. And if we are being honest, I wish I could just give them away...but then my credit card bills would start screaming at me...But, recently I was sort of busted that I was charging $4 less for my zoodies than what an American Apparel sweatshirt would cost ALONE! so basically I have not been charging anything for my time or materials...sooooo...I was politely asked to raise the prices. I told them I would do it first thing in September, so this is your last chance - Don't say I didn't warn you! If you were planning on these as Christmas gifts, better order what is in stock now! (Custom Orders or orders that aren't already made will be priced differently)

To start your order - CLICK HERE