It’s been a while since my last Mommy Monday. Lately I’ve been hanging out over at Momlogic.com, bitching about things like Chuck E Cheese and summer camp. I’ll be blogging there couple times a month so don’t forget to head on over if you’ve had one of those days and need an instant mommy blog fix.
Today I’m talking about one of my favorite subjects. Myself! Or rather, my MOMMY MUST LIST. You know, those things that I just can’t live without. And maybe a few things that, well, I could live without but just don’t want to! And the Mommy MUST list will be a regular feature here, so don’t be shy-let me know what your Mommy MUSTS are.
What are the things that make your day easier? What are your guilty pleasures? What do you absolutely HAVE to have or you *might* just kill someone? Tell us here or email me and maybe I’ll include it in on the next Mommy MUST list!
But for the first Mommy MUST list, I just started with the basics. Things that are as essential to me as food and water. Things that I would do just about anything for. Things that I might cut a bitch for if I had to.
Liz’s Mommy MUST list: The essentials!
Starbucks Green Iced Tea- You don’t want to get between me and the nearest Starbucks in the morning. After patting myself on the back for kicking my daily five shot iced Americano habit, I realized I traded it for another addiction. And just because I don’t get a headache and crackwhore shakes when I don’t have my green tea doesn’t mean that I’m not just as obsessed with getting my daily fix. Damn you Starbucks and your refreshing beverages!
Mac Macbook- He helps me blog, email, shop, keep in touch with friends and crop my vacation pictures. He tweets, keeps my calendar and lets me know when I’ve eaten too many Weight Watcher’s points. And even though he’s been a bit slow lately and I’m thinking of upgrading him to a younger, sleeker model, he still gets the job done and never talks back. If he could cook and do laundry, I’d leave my husband for him.
My iTouch-He drowns out Spongebob, Johnny Test and my kids fighting over those lamesass Mighty Beanz. (WTF with those things anyway?) I’d never would have written one chapter of The D Word without him blaring my favorite playlist as a soundtrack for each chapter. He can even facebook or tweet for me in a pinch! And most importantly, he plays my music without any commentary about how lame Barry Manilow and Nickelback are.
A weekend getaway- We all need a break sometimes,right? So when I get the chance to get out of town sans kids, I head the most adult place I can find: Las Vegas! Between the pool, the spa and the free drinks, you’ll be saying, “Kids? What kids?” as you play Blackjack next to D list celebrities at The Hard Rock Casino or as you dance on the table at the Playboy Club. My new favorite hotel? The Aria.
A Good Book- If you don’t have the time or money for a quick getaway, why not escape into a good book? I highly recommend The Divorce Party by the lovely and talented Laura Dave. Want to peak into someone else’s life? Then check out Julie Metz’s fascinating memoir, Perfection: A Memoir of Betrayal and Renewal. And on that note, tomorrow we’ll be introducing new Lit IT Girl Kim Wright and her fabulous debut, Love in Mid Air! Make sure to stop by and leave a comment for your chance to win a copy.
Happy hour with the girls- It’s muy importante to take the time to have a glass of wine and detox with your girlfriends every so often. Staying connected with your besties is the best gift you can give yourself! My favorite place to relax and talk some shit with my favorite girls? The Rooftop Bar in Laguna Beach. Their view is amazing and the sunsets there are like no other.
So there you have it! What’s on YOUR Mommy Must list? Leave a comment and I’ll enter you in a random drawing to win one of TWO copies of Christine Lemmon’s Sand In My Eyes.
xoxo, Liz
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Liz- I’m so proud of you for kicking the Iced Americano to da curb. BUT… if you are under the impression that you DON’T get the “crackwhore” shakes if you DON’T get your green tea, you’re sadly mistaken. I can do a re-enactment of the “morning after” of our last Vegas trip if you’d like…
Anywhoo…. way to go “green”.. with the tea anyway!
LOVE this list! You deserve ALL your guilty pleasures. And btw, I saw those “Mighty Beanz” at your house. WTF?!! I don’t even think your kids know what they are!
Lisa, I think we can all admit that there were a FEW other factors contributing to my intense reaction to going Starbucks-less that morning in Vegas. Um, like having the WORST hangover EVEH. And as far as the Mighty Beanz, I have no idea who comes up with this crap. I just spent $8 on a bunch of rubber bands shaped like things that they wear as bracelets. I’m telling you, we’re in the wrong business! ha! xoxo
On my list is phone time with my girlfriends every week. We don’t have time to get together and catch up, so those daily calls are a must!
My list includes all the same, though my drink of choice is an iced Mocha – after 3 pm I have to get half-caf.
I’d have to add a trip to the gym or a run to my must have list Yep, a daily dose of exercise is what this mama needs to keep her cool under pressure – and run after my 3 yr old who has again darted ahead of me in the mall while I’m shopping!
I’ve just been lamenting my need for a weekend getaway sans children–Vegas may be on the horizon!
my list of mommy-musts:
Diet Coke-I use to avoid it like the plague but since the birth of my second child I need a bit of a caffeine kick since I am not a coffee drinker. I bought the caffeine free on accident one time and I was super bummed :).
Macbook Pro-how else can I keep up with the wonderful books you all recommend. Plus, if I need a bit of mental stimulation I can play some games.
The Gym-for that one hour that I am working out, the outside world doesn’t exist which makes it pure heaven.
Girl’s Night Out- so nice to get out AND we usually have the yummiest meal.
Date Night-We have to come up with some pretty creative stuff to keep it interesting. Sometimes it is just dinner and other times it is us playing miniature golf or going to a movie. I REALLY look forward to our time away from the kids.
My new addiction is the Ipad, but another Mommy must-have for me are my Skeechers shape-up shoes. I wear them to walk the dog and pretend I’m getting tons of exercise!
oh man…lets see here…one thing i can’t live with out is Starbucks. Doesn’t matter what I drink, I just need something. Sometimes it’s the iced green tea (unsweetened, 2 splenda), or a carmel macchiato, or just plain ol’ brewed coffee. I love it all. :)
LeDawn, I agree! With Facebook, it’s s easy to forget how important it is to talk on the phone!
Definitely a good book, an Internet connection, and some chocolate. Exercise in the morning is good too, but so is sleep! And I need my Special K Vanilla Almond cereal every morning.
Michelle, I need to make time for the gym. Right now I take the stairs and tell myself I’m getting a workout…
Angie, you should go! The Aria is brand new and SO fabulous!
Kelly H, Glad to see I’m not the only Mac addict! I’m loving your list!
Sarah, I’ve been wondering about those skechers….hmmm…I may have to go buy a pair too so I can feel better about not going to the gym!
Robyn, I take mine unsweetened too. But I freaking just love Starbucks…I feel like I spend half my life there!
For this mommy…a must have? A glass of red (or 2) while cooking up some dinner. It is a perfect way to melt away the stress of a day!
Melissa, yes, an internet connection is very important! And sleep, ahhh, yes, sleep….
Love your list Liz! My Mommy must have list includes my reality TV shows fixation. Most of them are not kid-appropriate, therefore I DVR and get some quiet TV time in occassionally. My MUST MUST have, can’t live without, everyone in bed NOW, is my time with Eric and True Blood on Sunday night! HOT, HOT, HOT!!!
Can’t live without Coca-Cola and a good book!
I agree with everyone
My Mommy Musts are having a good book to read at all times ( I cannot stand sitting in a waiting room without something to read!), some time to myself to relax on the weekends (I make my five year old still try to take a nap each Saturday and Sunday so I can at least get an hour) and a girl’s night out as often as possible! With everyone’s schedules the way they are, this is often only one every couple of months, but whenever possible it has to be done for my sanity!
I need my Pepsi, a book, and my DVR!
Obviously reading. I get cranky if I can’t read for at least an hour before bed every night.
Coffee. Starbucks vanilla latte is the best but Folgers works too.
Facebook. Because it always me at any time of the day or night to catch up with friends, in a busy hectic mommy world that never has enough time.
Hulu.com. We don’t have cable. And I never have the time to sit and watch TV at any given time. Hulu is like DVR for free.
Coca Cola. I don’t care what diet I’m on or what I’m eating. I’m never giving up Coke!
Chocolate….definitely numbers 1 through 10 on my Mommy Must List!!
For me it’s my crackberry to keep up on all things work, facebook to keep up with friends and family, reality tv (DVR’d, of course, for whenever I get a chance to watch) and my Momagenda (I can’t live without it to keep up with schedules for me, my hubby and my son).
Jennifer, sounds good! I agree!
One mommy must have a friend to call when you are out on the ledge and they can come get you or the kids (and the code word that means come right now).
Thanks Janese! Yes, reality TV is a total guilty pleasure for me too!
Alisha, sounds good to me! Xoxo
M, thanks for the comment! Xo
Colleen, love it! I’m actually sitting in a waiting room as I type this and am wishing I brought a book!
Jen, couldn’t live without my DVR!
As I read your intro, I was thinking to myself, “the things I really MUST have these days are my Starbucks Green Iced Tea (my addiction is THRIVING … does your Starbucks have Treinta cups?? It’s a 32 oz. cup for that delish green iced tea – - Yes, 32. oz!), my Mac, my cell phone (my besties aren’t all so close by), time with the girls (when the planets are all aligned!) & a way to get away (book or a trip … either will work just fine these days!). Okay, I guess time with the hubs – not dealing with life’s day-to-day crap – just FUN time, would be kinda nice, too! ; )
Stephanie, I LOVE Hulu too!
Love this fun ideas for mommy must list. LOL
Here’s my list
Banana/strawberry smoothie – I miss making that at home cuz the blade in my binder broke! Just dont have time to call in for possible replacement. I would buy whereever I see them selling this drink. Yum!
Much needed Vacation – since Im stay at home mom and go to college full time online. I had no break in between during college but I have vacation come up in two week to Grand Canyon and Las Vegas with my hubby and son. Cant wait!
MAC book – this is a must list for me. I already have MAC desktop but since my son love computer we have to share this one. It is hard to share because I have use for school which upset him sometimes. I would need a laptop! He want a laptop. LOL.
Books – Im looking forward two of books that will soon to be release is Jane Porter’s “She gone Country” and Sophie Kinsella’s “Mini Shopaholic” Both are my favorite authors!
I would love the idea of Girls night out but all my friends live out of state. Sad, I know but we keep in touch via facebook, email and chat online. So that is good.
Gina, yum! Sounds good to me! Xo
SOunds a good list that you have there Liz. My list would be:
Lemon flavored green tea from starbucks (delish, great alternative from mocha frappe)
Books that you recommended-right now am reading The One that I Want by Allison Winn Scotch, Something Blue by Emily Giffin
Buying books that you recommend and found from female writers I found on facebook
Facebook and twitter- couldn’t live without it but sometimes could do without it
cellphone-needs to communicate with the outside world
surfing the net and steady, great cable connection
movies and tv shows ;)
lengthy list and more but my most important on my list is being with my hubby, believe it or not
Island Coconut coffee from my new Keurig – LOVE IT!
Thinking about my first family vacation with 3 kids coming up in a month!
Caffeine-usually in the form of Mt. Dew but other acceptable means are sometimes substituted.
My cell phone-right now its the Moto Droid which is awesome cause it doubles as a web browser (facebook mostly) and an MP3 player.
I need just five minutes of silence, right before I walk out the door. It really gets me in the right frame of mind to fight traffic and head to the office.
A shot of vodka helps too.
1. My Android Phone… I can check my Facebook even while I’m watching my kids in the tub! *Stop splashing you’ll break mommys phone!!!*
2. My iMac- with internet of course. (I NEED a Macbook. It’s not a want, it’s a need so that’s at the top of my Christmas list for sure!!)
3. A good book. I always have one. My eReader goes everywhere with me…I think I’m an addict!
4. Jamba Juice – I get a different one each time i go!
Kimmi, you have the best list!! I forgot about the vodka :D LOL
Thank you Sarah. You do know that you can sneak a bit into your Jamba Juice to give it a bit more….Jamba.
Just sayin’.
My mommy must is my Kindle (loaded with lots of chick lit of course).
Christy, I love your list! And I read an ARC of “She’s Gone Country”, and it is GREAT!!!! You will love it! And I hate sharing Mac too.
Jules, omg, I need to ask about that Starbucks Big Gulp! Venti is never enough!
Susan, yes, you are right! That is a mommy MUST!
Ella, I like your list too! Thanks for the comment!
Sharyn, In my coffee days, I almost bought a Keurig, I’ve heard such good things! Have fun on your vacay!
Kat, I was looking at the Droids today, thinking of making the switch from Blackberry…
Kimmi, hmmm…silence and vodka shots. You sound like my people!
Sarah, I’m with you on all of those!
Stephanie s, I hear ya, I love my Nook too!
Carleen, I almost put my Blackberry on the list…I’m a total addict.
Lets see…coffee is definatly a must!! My laptop, and I am in desperate need of a long weekend… I would love to win a copy of the book to add to my summer reading!
Champagne with some close girlfriends, good books at all times, my “Entertainment Weekly” where I get all my world news (much to my husband’s dismay), some seriously hilarious shows like “Modern Family” or “My Boys.” Add to that list facebook, my iced vanilla chai tea with skim milk, and dinners out with my husband where I get to where a pretty sundress or skirt and not cut up chicken fingers for ANYONE!!!
a fabulous posting :)
Jenn, good luck! Thanks for the comment! xo
Noreen, first off, I LOVE Enertainment weekly. It is the best! And I’m so happy when I don’t have see or SMELL chicken fingers, dino chicken, chicken nuggets, etc. lol!
Karen K, Thanks! xo
Not a mommy, but I have been so busy that Reading anything than a text book is number one on my list!
I have to have my BlackBerry…and diet coke… and MUNCHOS…and my FLIP (cuz I’m a FLIP whore!) and MOST definitely a good book :-)
Liz- if you give a droid phone a try you won’t be sorry. after about a week I didn’t even miss my blackberry. *sigh*… we sure have some great memories though…
A great pair of black slacks & a crisp white shirt. It takes zero thought and always makes you look pulled together. A chic ponytail & a lint brush are also must haves. Black attracts everything but money & men so you have to be prepared!
Must have…
a HOT shower at the end of the day,
activities planned to get us out of the house most days,
the internet (especially on my iphone while nursing my youngest)!
Sarah, good to know! I think I’m going to wait for the “Droid 2″ coming soon. I def. want the one with the keypad plus touch screen.
Laura, ha! Then why do I always wear black?
Lisa, ahhh…a hot shower sounds so good right now! Thanks for the comment!
My phone, my dunkin’ latte (sadly Starbucks is few & far b/w on the east coast), a good book or an US Weekly. There’s no better way to escape for a little than with celeb gossip!
My mommy must – a good book – it’s my escape and wind down at the end of a hectic day of endless requests, bickering, laundry and errands. PHEW! (A woman can only take laundering so much dirty underwear, ya know?) Not to mention, the only mixed drink my sorry self can make is an Amaretto Sour – so that I will whip up for a little indulgence in the midst of a crazy day and I want some wind down time. Add a few ice cubes, sit outside and take in the fresh air, and ahhh….
this was funny! can’t wait to see what else will be next on the Mommy Must List! My mom’s would probably be House Hunters, a good book, and her Starbucks also. she really enjoys pedi/mani’s too! :)
CONGRATULATIONS to the winners of SAND IN MY EYES by Christine Lemmon! (daniels_mommy04@yahoo.com and kimmiland@hotmail.com). THANK YOU TO EVERYONE who commented and who continues to support CHICK LIT IS NOT DEAD! xo Liz & Lisa
Congrats winners!
love this list. What can I not live without on my MaNiC MoMMy list? I love the Green Tea Lemonade at Starbucks! Also I need my FB Fix every day, EVERY HOUR actually! I need my books too! A good glass of UNOAKED Chardonnay and my playlist from http://www.swishygirl.blogspot.com! Those things get me through really rough days, and I’ve had a few recently! Thanks for your fun blog—chicklitisnotdead gets me through a lot too! Makes me smile! xo
I had written today off as a lost cause and now, this pleasant surprise. What a treat – I might not have to add that shot of vodka to my Kool-Aid after all. Thank you so much – I can’t wait to devour this book.
ACKKK! I won! I never win anything! Thank you, thank you. I am so excited. What do I do now?
Congratulations, Stephanie! We sent you an email to get your mailing address, etc..
Congrats to the winners!! I received my copy (ordered from B&N) on Saturday!! Can’t wait to read it.
Thanks Steph! Yes, a good playlist can go a long way….