Anouchka Talks

Guys, it has been awhile.  What can I say?  I just haven't been feeling inspired.  I know, I know...  It doesn't take a rocket scientist to discover that I am almost never  inspired; you can find evidence of this conclusion by reading any one of my past posts.  Seriously, just pick one.  But really, it has been busy around here.  Since March, we have been homeschooling both kids.  Part of this was mandated, of course, when everything shut down earlier this year.  However, since we were having growing success with taking charge of our kids' education this spring, we decided to run with it and continued with certain elements of school through the summer.  We will be full on homeschooling for the coming year because our public education system has turned into an absolute cluster.  This is going to be such a throwaway year anyway, so yeah.  We're "those people" now.   Who knows?  Maybe this year, my daughter has...

I recently hung out with my Mama Role Model.  This is a woman who embodies everything I want to be as a wife and mother.  I have never seen her lose her temper, even when her kids "misbehave" (mild episodes to most of us mortals).  Her kids are darling, always so well put together, watch very little TV, and they have been brilliant sleepers since birth.  She has an immaculate home that is not only functional, but beautiful.  Plus it smells nice because she bakes delicious things in her modern kitchen.  She is so effing hospitable.  I have never once heard this woman swear, seen her get food stuck in her teeth, pick her nose, scratch her butt, or smell her armpits in public.  (I regularly do most  all of these things.)  On top of it all, she always looks so beautiful.  Her hair is like Pocahontas's.  She is never late for stuff.  She eats fruit for dessert.  I don't think she even sweats. My friend, waking up in t...

Hello again. I almost wrote so many posts last month that had absolutely nothing to do with this series.  I had so much on my mind that I wanted to talk about!  However, it was an insanely busy month and honestly, I have no idea why.  Where did it go?  What on earth was I doing?  Whatever.  I can't be held responsible for my actions under any circumstances.  Unless they were good actions...those are all me. Anyhow, here is a rather long list of new things that I tried last month.  Some were (much) better than others. In March, I tried two new hair products.  The first one was a new hydrating conditioner by Moroccan Oil.  Honestly, I have used this company's products for years, and have always found them to be rich and luxurious.  (I used to use their hair oil until I switched to Kenra's Blow Dry Spray.  I also use their hydrating cream on occasion.)  Unfortunately, this conditioner was total garbage, especially for...

Hello again, everyone!  We're back with another New in 2018  edition.  Last month, I highlighted three new things that I tried, so let's launch right into it for February. For a sweet pick-me-up that doesn't break the (calorie) bank, I have regularly turned to the Starbucks cappuccino made with soy milk.  I prefer mine "wet" (less foam), but I always feel pervy asking for that, so I usually just ask for it with "less foam".  (Seriously, who wants to pay that kind of money for air?  Frou-frou drinks at Starbucks aren't cheap!)  Anyhow, I recently decided to give the Flat White a try.  Again, I asked for it with soy milk...and it delivered!  The Flat White is another milk and espresso-based drink, but it simply doesn't have all the froth that a cappuccino does.  And I don't feel creepy ordering it. I don't indulge in many expensive frivolities in life because I don't like wasting my money on temporary things that really don't ...

Here we are again at the start of another year.  I can honestly say that I feel as though last year passed the most speedily of those in my adult life.  I know we all say that time flies, but I really feel like it did in 2017.  A lot happened.  I mean a lot happened.   We became parents for the second time at the end of 2016 and spent the bulk of Bathrobe's first year in 2017; I had major surgeries in mid-spring; Bathrobe's adoption was finalized this summer; Habibi and I went on a little getaway road trip together; Chicky started pre-school; we went to a gala; we added extra French classes at work, altering my teaching load; our family planned a few staycation weekends; I read a lot; we discovered they sell my favorite kombucha in giant bottles; my grey hairs multiplied exponentially; I had a much needed girls' weekend with my mom and sister.  For real, these are just a few of the big events, highlights, and major activities of 2017. Without sharing eve...