Hats Off to a New Year! And a New You! Whether it's a new fashion style or brighter attitude, we all need a make-over . So what better time than the New Year!
But don't over do it! The best way to keep resolutions is to stick to one or two. Like I always say: keep it real and simple! That's a Tudy Truism that never goes out of style!
Bookmarks, that is! Just in time for all those Kris Kringle and Secret Santa games, I'm bringing back 12 of my all-time fave bookmarks! No matter how you wear it,
or word it,
saying, "Thanks!" will always be in style!
If "Horton Hears A Who" then I hear it too!
Everyday is Earth Day, so here's another eco-friendly,Tudy Tip dedicated to the littlest farmers out there: the humble, ever-so-busy, honey bee! Plant a strawberry bush (real simple and easy to grow!) or a cherry or pear tree. The bees will do the rest and help pollinate your garden. Then buzz onto Help the honey bees! Mind your beeswax and learn more about these fascinating insects. (Oh, and dress up a honey bee for me too! Imagine that!!!) Get bee-sy, honey!
But when Dolores breaks her promise to Faye to "never, ever" borrow anything from her sister's dresser (OMG... like that is sooo possible! Which is why I share everything in my closet!!!), things start spinning out of control! And all because of an adorable, froggie necklace! In matters of the heart Y, can sisterhood prevail?
This Valentine, curl up to this tale of two sisters (and one totally clueless cat). Happy Valentine's Day, Dolores is all about the hilarious trials and triumphs of sisterhood. How can two sisters be so alike and yet so separate and distinct, you ask? It’s all part of a charmed life, I guess.
Penned by famed novelist, Barbara Samuels, and peppered with whimsical heart Y art throughout, Happy Valentine’s Day, Dolores will have you (and your sisters!) loving out loud! So forget The Necklace. Forget The Frog Prince. Forget The Boy from Paris (Texas, that is!). This book is Tudy's charmed classic for this season of hearts Y!
Chinese New Year is a 15-day celebration, culminating in a full moon and the colorful Lantern Festival. To the Chinese, it's a truly special time for friends, family, and food. The young and old, married and single, gather to wish each other a healthy and prosperous New Year. In many ways, it really is everybody's holiday!
Each lunar year is welcomed with a respective shengxiao or zodiac. There are 12 guardian animals of the Chinese zodiac. (Think multiples of 12, Tudygirls! Work that abacus!!) They were introduced by Emperor Huang Di almost 5 centuries ago. They are: the Rat (1996, 2008), Ox (1997, 2009), Tiger (1998, 2010), Rabbit (1999, 2011), Dragon (2000, 2012), Snake (2001, 2013), Horse (2002, 2014), Goat (2003, 2015), Monkey (2004, 2016), Rooster (2005, 2017), Dog (2006, 2018), and Pig (2007, 2019). Depending on your year, certain animal traits reflect aspects of your personality. Do you know your shengxiao or animal zodiac? Remember, your guardian animal offers up happiness and luck. Go ahead, look it up!
So a Kung Hei Fat Choy to one and all! It's time to get hop-py!
So better late than never! Happy Birthday, Peanuts! You've come a long way!
Hats off! It's a New Year! It's time for a make-over!
Are you contemplating any new resolutions this year? If you are, do remember; the ancient Babylonians were just as quick to make or break those resolutions year after year. So I'm taking my cue from history. I'm keeping it simple and real. I'm looking forward,not backward.
As we welcome the make-over year, let me share a favorite poem of mine. It was written by Shel Silverstein, an American writer, poet, and cartoonist.
Here it is, so read on:
Listen to the mustn'ts, child.
Listen to the don'ts.
Listen to the shouldn'ts,
the impossibles, the won'ts.
Listen to the never haves,
Then listen close to me ....
Anything can happen, child.
Anything can be.
Hat's off to the New Year! Have a Great 2011!
And while you're thinking and thinking and thinking about it, track my TudyPets and adopt them for life!
So wherever you are in the world, TudyGirls, celebrate the magic of this special time of the year - look up and go moon-gazing! And when you've got your sights earth-bound again, try out this little quiz on the the loveliest orb in our night sky!
"In matters of style, swim with the current: In matters of principle, stand like a rock."
Thomas Jefferson, Third U.S. President
April 13, 1743 - July 4, 1826
This Fourth of July, I'm celebrating history and identity the best way I know - with a collection of historical paper dolls! I totally love paper dolls (obviously!)! We all know they're an easy way to jumpstart you passion for fashion! After all, what's a haute couture designer sketch but a really skinny paper doll (LOL!)! But paper dolls can help teach kids about culture, society and even history! After all, playing dress up gets kids interested and if you throw in a few cultural and historical notes, studying becomes a lot more fun! And many paper doll artists really do a lot of research to make their paper dolls accurate - it's like a museum on paper! What a doll!
So here's to history and celebration! And here's to the little paper doll that could!
… so what happens when payday becomes "D"-day? What happens when Dad is handed the dreaded pink slip? Sigh... there’s no escaping the headlines! Even for the Quimbies!!!
This Father’s Day, make it easy on everyone, especially Dad! Back track a little and let Ramona and Her Father help you sort out this whole economic mumbo jumbo. Step into the Quimby household down Klickitat Street: you’ll quickly realize, you’re not alone. You share the same fears and tears as anyone. Best of all, you'll find a friend in Ramona, her sister, Beezus, and a picky cat, named, you guessed it, Picky-picky (Meowry is just loving this!).
Written in 1977 by Beverly Cleary and a 1978 Newbery Honor awardee, Ramona and Her Father is a no-nonsense, comfort book. And in this current, economic scenario, this book begs to be read time and time again! Setbacks do happen, TudyGirls, but setbacks do pass. And when the going gets rough, attitude is everything! Listen, it’s never too early to prioritize. You're part of a team! Look around you, what can you do to help? What can you do to make it easy on yourself, Mom, and especially Dad?
Go ahead, make your own "must $ave" list. As you do, stock pick the right books. Add Ramona and Her Father to your portfolio. It’s a great “dre$$ 4 le$$” start. It’s a buy! It’s a hold! It’s a lifeline!
Happy Father's Day!
Savor summer with Tudy’s brew-in-the-sun, tea time special!
She's the 20th fastest and 20th slowest swimmer in the pool. Now, assuming no two swimmers swim at the same speed, Tudygirls, how many swimmers are in Tudy's camp?
