Ask Grandma: How to find the right man?

Grandma. She’s been there and done that.

And let’s face it, we all need to hear things from our mother that we don’t necessarily want to hear – especially when it comes to raising our kids.  From how did you go into labor to will my life ever be the same again, she has something to say, and sometimes you put on your listening ears.

I introduce you to our newest feature “Ask Grandma” — wise words from a seasoned wife, mom and grandma.

We asked Grandma about finding the right man.

Grandma says…

As I have told my daughter and other females, it is relatively simple.

#1- Does he make your sandwich first?  Pretend you are going to the beach and preparing lunch to take with you.  Your potential mate says he will assemble the sandwiches.  Does he make your ham, cheese, turkey, lettuce, tomato and pickle sandwich first?  If so, he is a keeper and will think for your needs before his own.  If he doesn’t, run for the hills for you will be hungry for love and attention your entire life.

 #2-  Does he reach for and hold your hand while crossing the street?  All of us know we can cross busy streets, but when a man is willing to protect you when crossing the street, he will protect you in other situations.  Modern women should embrace this and let men be the chivalrous and macho beings they are by nature.  By letting a man take on this role, he will feel honored, needed and loved.

Thanks, Grandma. Now, let’s all run to the deli counter!

Everyday Dress Up: Lollipop Ballerina

Top: Baby Gap
Skirt: H&M
Sandals: Tip Top

Dear Rachel Zoe, Kate Young, Leslie Fremar, Petra Flannery, Elizabeth Stewart, Christina Ehrlich, L’Wren Scott, and Brad Goreski,

As some of the most powerful stylists in Hollywood, I’m in desperate need of your help.

Scene:

It’s 7:15am. You’re a single mom and you need to get yourself ready for work,  wash and clothe your 36-month-year-old daughter, pack a healthy lunch, make some sense of your apartment, drink 12 cups of coffee, walk a mile to daycare, execute a meaningful and heartfelt goodbye and be at a meeting by 8:45am.

You get everything done almost flawlessly until it’s your toddler’s turn to get dressed.

You choose a couple of outfits and ask her to make a binary choice. She politely says, “I do not want to wear that” and then declares that she will pull her own choices. She raids her dresser and closet to select the most over-the-top princess-inspired outfit possible (borderline sandbox appropriate) while throwing all rejected items on the floor.  It’s outfit trauma – toddler style.

Question:

My daughter is fashion savvy and I can barely keep up. I ask you, what are some best practices for dealing with a difficult client?

While I await your words of wisdom, my dear Madeline has asked me to chronicle her outfit selections (and where our loyal followers can buy them) in a recurring feature entitled “Everyday Dress Up” on this blog.

Please note: If you are not one of the 25 most powerful stylists in Hollywood and have some advice on this topic, I would be most appreciative.

I would like to thank the academy…

My daughter ate raw asparagus on Sunday night – lots of it. It wasn’t artfully sculpted to look like Gumby, Kermit or an alligator. I just peeled it and she ate it. She kept saying, “Try something new.”

I would like to thank some people for making this moment possible. The first – Daniel Tiger – the feline rebirth of Mr. Rogers – for singing the “Gotta Try Foods Because They Might Taste Good” that is readily available on the PBS Kids app.

Second, the GrowNYC Green Market Recipe Series for inspiring me to actually peel fresh asparagus and it eat. I normally drench them in olive oil and roast them for 25 minutes (which tastes delicious) but this time we dared to just peel and eat it without extensive preparation.

The farm in Riverhead, Long Island that grew the asparagus – A bunch was $5.00 – not cheap but worth it.

And finally, Madeline for her courage in the face of adversity.