Name: Ansley Schrimsher

Kids: Cade, 6 Haven, 3

Occupation: Dora Mae Jewelry designer

Hometown: Orlando, FL

H&H Interview with Ansley:

1.  What are the top 3 items in your grocery cart?

Avocados, Goat Cheese and Baby Spinach – as long as those ingredients are included, I’m guaranteed to love the salad.

2. What are you reading (honestly)?

The Good and Beautiful God

a Flannery O’Conner short story

Animal Vegetable Miracle

3. What is your guilty pleasure when you get a break from the kids?

Pedicure, a cocktail and chick flick with friends, shopping for nothing in particular (this is dangerous and leads to guilt, but is oh so much fun!) and finally, a night away at the Ritz/JW with my hubby.

4. What would we be surprised to find in your purse?

Little packets of honey from months ago when I was trying the Specific Carbohydrate Diet to help treat my Ulcerative Colitis – it’s the only kind of sugar I could have! (In so many ways, I’m glad it didn’t work for me because it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done!)

5. What is your favorite reality TV show?

The Bachelor/Bachelorette – so hilarious, especially watching it with a big group of girls so we can laugh our heads off – never really has the same appeal when I try to watch it alone!

6. What is your cocktail of choice?

Houston’s homemade lemonade, vodka and cranberry (I forget what they call it) – it’s perfect

This is so random, but PF Chang’s Long Island is soooo yummy

If I mention another one, I risk sounding like an alcoholic!

7. What is the funniest thing your kids have said or done lately?

My 3 -yr-old daughter Haven’s facial expressions have been hilarious lately.  She can literally go from a merry grin to a cutting glare to a painfully heartbroken frown with a single crocodile tear…then back to a merry grin in less than a minute! I don’t know where she learns all the drama!

8. What is your favorite quotation?

My Bible verse for the year has been 2 Corinthians 3:18 “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

9. What are you currently working out to on your iPod?

I don’t work out to music, and I actually don’t have an ipod! But my kids love having music on in the house during the day.  They’ve pretty much graduated from toddler music (I’m personally sooo excited about this!) and request IYAZ, Black Eyed Peas, Usher, Justin Bieber, Train and Beyonce (single ladies is still Haven’s favorite song!) We often break out in dance randomly throughout the day.

10. What is your secret to staying Hot & Healthy?

It’s easy for me to get preoccupied with my schedule and rush through life. I’ve made some minor changes over the past year that have made a major difference. I’ve started making myself lunch AND sitting down to eat it (as opposed to eating my kids leftovers standing up). I’ve been faithfully writing/praying in a journal. I’ve cut down using my cell phone in the car to engage my kids in conversation.  I’ve gotten a babysitter (often my mom or sister) and spent the whole day at home! I’ve taken the time to sit down and play the piano – such therapy for me! Just a few examples of putting relationship/reflection over productivity/accomplishment.  This has been big for me!

* Please check out Ansley’s gorgeous jewelry designs at doramaejewelry.com.

Written by Lea Barlow • Leave a comment

Name:  Coastline Chardonnay

Price:  $8.99

Description per label:  California boasts… Long-winded intro…Our Chardonnay is a full-bodied wine with aromas and flavors of apple and melon layered with vanilla and a hint of oak on the finish.

Review:  Last night, while at a wine review at a fellow sommelier’s villa, I apparently made quite a scene that ‘allegedly’ involved several broken glasses and possibly a soiled Persian rug.  But before my driver, Chauncy, requested or rather demanded we return to the Chateau, I made a valuable discovery. So, here I sit peering through one foggy eye penning this review on my wine stained Mac for you, my friends.

I would refer to this white from Coastline as the anti-Chardonnay.  This is not for the Chardonnay drinker that seeks the taste of heavy oak.  The aroma is sweet, the taste robust and the finish smooth with hints of apple and vanilla.  The blend boasts more fruits than the label mentions and remains sweet on the backside. All in all, I would rate this cheap champ a solid 8 on the SMS scale (1-10).  And for the record, it was Chauncy who urinated in that Ming vase.

Suggested pairings:  Clambake, trout a la rusa, and play-dates after 11 am.

Written by Lea Barlow • Leave a comment

I was going to post my traditional ‘Weekend Eats’ today but completely lost my train of thought after stumbling upon this holy hotness to the left here. Men’s Health released it’s annual Best Celebrity Beach Body edition yesterday and it doesn’t disappoint.  Yes, of course Matthew McConaughey makes an appearance but there are also some lovely new additions.  On the ladies side, there are several celebrity moms featured that have better bods then their childless counterparts. Check out the list for some extra gym motivation or just to to drool.  Happy Friday.

Written by Lea Barlow • Leave a comment

Since H&H launched back in May, I have received many emails with questions from readers.  So, I decided to start answering them here from time-to-time for everyone to read and hopefully, enjoy. If you have a silly, serious or superficial question send it in through the Contact page.  Love hearing from you and thanks for reading!  Here goes…

Dear H&H:

I went to the pool yesterday with my 6-month-old. Being a native Floridian I have a drawer full of bikinis – very tiny bikinis. I haven’t owned a ‘bathing suit’ since I was 14.  My selections were so inappropriate for the community pool, I ended up wearing a massive t-shirt over a string bikini!  So, my question is what is ‘appropriate’ yet attractive swimwear for a mom?

Dear Bummed over Bikinis-

First rule, NEVER say goodbye to your bikinis. That would be admitting defeat and then who knows what’s next?  It’s a very slippery-slope.  You may find yourself in ‘mom jeans’ and getting a ‘smart’ hair cut.  Know that you will be back in them – just not this season. For two years, I bought combos of tankinis and board shorts. Board, not BOY, shorts. Boy shorts are an absolute no-no because they cut off at your widest body point. Board shorts can be found anywhere. I usually get mine at Macy’s or Nordstroms. They cover your still-in-recovery rear while maintaining a youthful appearance. NEVER go matronly and avoid the one-piece. You may be a mom but you are not a grandma!

The tankini top and board short bottom are also perfect for a clingy baby that insists on showing your boobs to the entire pool. It is a very resilient combo.  In the meantime, pull those bikinis out of the drawer and try them on once a month.  You’ll know when they are ready for public consumption.

- H & H

Written by Lea Barlow • Leave a comment