10 DOPE Mother’s Day Gift Ideas for your Awesome Mom.

People from all over the world read this blog, but I know a select few actually know my mom personally and everyone seems to have the same idea of her… SHE’S AMAZING!!! She has this spirit that just catches immediately when you are in her presence. It is the spirit of “YOU… I like you. And I want to be your friend.” She could turn the DMV guy (you know how much we hate them) into an instant friend in 2 seconds flat.

Have you ever met someone like this? Maybe your mom is dope as hell in this way too. Well, if you have a mom that is as amazing as mine, than you know that you can’t just give her some whack gift from the Target Easter clearance section. She deserves the world and all the universes combined!

So I have solved the problem! Check out these 10 Mother’s Day gifts and experiences that are all super unique and your mom will LOVE them. Please note, this blog is based in Portland and some of the experiences are exclusive to this city. However, check and see if there is something similar in a city near you!

The Gift of Survival – For the Practical Mom

I absolutely DESPISE a bland gift. I hate giving them that is. I just like something that is more unique. Especially for someone who I love and adore. Save the bland ones for your lame boss. HA! This gift idea is sort of out-of-the-box. But get her something that will help her with survival skills. For example, does she know how to swim? If not, get her a private swimming lesson. Does your mom constantly talk about the nukes and how Trump is going to destroy the world? Gift her with a survival kit full of ALL the necessities to help ease some of her fears. There are a million different things you could do with a survival gift! Did I get your creative juices flowin? I sure hope so.

2. The Gift that Gives Back – For the Giving Mom

Does she cry at the “save the snow leopards” commercials? Me too mom. Me too! Maybe this year, gift her with an actual donation to WWF and save those damn snow leopards so we don’t have to watch the commercials anymore and cry. There are TONS of charities that you can donate to. Choose one that she is passionate about!

3. MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION BOXES!!! – For the mom that loves surprises

BEST GIFT EVER! There is a plethora of subscription box ideas out there. Pick one that is unique to your mom’s interests and sign her up for a month or so. It’s exciting to get something new in the mail each month. One that is absolutely PERFECT for Mother’s Day is mommymailbox. It’s less than $30/month and your mom will get fun and uplifting gifties in a box. She will LOVE it. Kick it up a knotch and print off the voucher for her subscription box by getting a fancy card, with a thoughtful expression of your love for her handwritten inside, and attach some fresh flowers with it. Keep it cute, keep it grown and sexy, and keep it thoughtful.

4. HIGH TEA — For the sophisticated mom

If I didn’t know better, I think in a past life I actually was the black queen of England sipping my tea and thoughly enjoying my 3 tiers of delectables. I am a tea drinking SNOB!! I absolutely LOVE tea and cannot get enough of it. Nothing makes me happier than being in a high tea situation. Gift your mom with the experience of high tea. Just make sure you book EARLY because these sort of afternoon tea experiences book FAST. Especially here in Portland. The only true English tea experience that I am aware of in Portland is at Hotel Delux. This service is offered year round. The Heathman offers a high tea also, but only during the holidays. There may be some other tea options outside of Portland such as in Salem, Vancouver, Eugene… but in Portland the Hotel Deluxe is where it’s at. BOOK ASAP!!!!!

5. Pole Dancing Classes – For the Sexy Mom

She may have not told you she wanted to do this, but now that she has a gift to do it now is her chance! Give her the opportunity to get into shape in a unique way. Going to the gym and doing the same routine each time can get OLD. This is sure to stir things up a bit and maybe even give her a new obsession. Who cares if your mom wants to be in a pole dancing class!! Let the woman LIVE!!!! Click here for info

6. Tickets to a Lecture — For the Educated Mom

There are so many gurus out there that people follow. Help moisturize her mind by this awesome gift idea. Who is your fave guru that you would like to see? I’m really curious about Tony Robbins. The dude is a mad man, but with his infectious energy I might come out 10 pounds lighter, moisturized, $10,000 richer with a billion dollar business partner in hand. Let’s do this banana hands! (Shallow Hal reference lol) Here are some lectures in the Portland area.

7. A Photoshoot — For the mom that loves the spotlight

When is the last time your mom had her picture taken professionally? Give her the gift of professional photos of you & her together. What mom doesn’t love showing off photos of her family. This gift is ideal…. INSERT BUSINESS PLUG HERE… so of course as a photographer, I am offering you an incredible deal. $50 mini sessions at the studio for you and your mom. Click here to contact me and to see my website!

8. A Fitting for a GOOD bra — For the mom with big boobs

Sorry sons, but this is a true dilemma that moms with big boobs have! Bras just don’t FIT!!! Set up a fitting so she can get some GOOD underwear and keep her girls looking good. I am telling you, this gift will be THRILLING to really any woman that wants a good bra. As a mom with big boobs, this is something that I struggle with. These things are a blessing and a curse. The gift of no boobie muffin top would be greatly appreciated. If you are in the Portland area check out Just Like a Woman located on the Westside.

9. Dining in the Dark — For the Foodie Mom

I’m not one that keeps up with the trends or anything like that, but this trend is one that is actually a great gift idea. Treat your mom to Dining in the Dark at The Blind Cafe! It is JUST that. You eat in pitch black DARKNESS. The idea is that without the sense of sight, your other senses are heightened therefore creating a very unique eating experience. We are so driven to eat things that LOOK good, but what if that part is removed? The experience in Portland is offered at various times throughout the year and the meals are all vegetarian. Following the experience there is a discussion on community related issues. It’s cool to discuss your thoughts with fellow citizens. Plus this is a (501) C 3 Organization so you are giving back to a good cause. This is oh so very Portland and the foodie in her will LOVE This.

10. Luxury Laundry Detergent- For the clean freak mom

This may sound really weird to give as a gift but hear me out. My mom is obsessed with keeping things neat and tidy. She actually gets true pleasure from keeping her space clean. Is your mom like this? If so, treat her to some luxurious laundry detergent from The Laundress. This detergent is small batch and handmade in NYC. It is non-toxic, biodegradable AND you can use it not only to wash your clothes, but you can use it to clean your entire home! Your mom will absolutely LOVE this product. Make it into a cute gift basket, with several different products from their line.

If these ideas don’t get you to think outside the box, you always have old faithful…. a beautiful bouquet of flowers. They always bring a smile to their faces. NEVER FAILS!

Hope this list gets ya goin. Want more Sharplandia? Subscribe today!

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY MOMS!!!!!!!!!!

Cheers,

Sarah

WEEKEND REVIEW: Maternity Pix, Family, & Westworld

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! Mine was very busy and filled with fun family time.

When I was pregnant with Adley, for some reason I decided that I didn’t want to do maternity photos. But I didn’t want to miss out on the chance to take them this time around so my family and I decided to get professional photos done this weekend.

I am so glad that I decided to do these because I felt absolutely BEAUTIFUL and my photographer truly captured me and my personality. She hasn’t sent me all the final edits yet, but here is a little glimpse into our amazing photo shoot. (More can be found on Instagram as she sends me more) Shout out to Cris Stroud for hooking me up! For more info about my photographer click here

In other news, I am working on a MASSIVE photography project that is really going to change the game in terms of photography in Portland. I am launching the 1st Annual POP Awards (Professionals of Photography Awards).

This event will showcase the incredible creative talent that we have here in Portland and honor them with various awards in photography. In addition to giving away awards, this event will be working in partnership with Zel Haiti, a mom owned non-profit that supports women and children in need in Haiti. Click the link to learn more about them.

For more information about my event and how to nominate a photographer, please click this link. I can’t wait for this fun event. Of course, this will be unlike other award galas. It will be done in the Sarah way. Over the top and out of the box. This year’s theme is “Millenial Pink.” Not only will it make a difference in many lives, but it is pushing me to a level in my career that I did not anticipate. I’m up for the challenge!!!

Also, I’m super excited because we had some family come into town and they are thinking about moving to PORTLAND! As someone from Portland, I think it is absolutely CRAZY to move from sunny San Diego. However, even though Portland is expensive, California is ridiculously overpriced and overcrowded and by moving here they can have a MUCH better quality of life financially, more bang for their buck, and of course be surrounded by US. If anyone has some tips for moving to Portland and want to share please put them in the comments. I’m sure they will appreciate it.

Did anyone catch Westworld’s season 2 premiere? I’m dying to watch it. NO SPOILERS PLEASE!

And if you haven’t gotten on the Westworld bandwagon yet, you need to ASAP. It is basically like if Jurassic Park were people instead of dinosaurs. It all sounds good resurrecting dinosaurs and creating a theme park until everything goes wrong. Same concept here. Literally a twisted theme park of sorts with humanoid robots and the crazy humans who created them in an old western society. It is such an incredible and very thought provoking show. The show is violent and pretty wild so keep the kids away from the TV when watching this. Moisturize your mind and get on it!!!! My husband and I are completely OBSESSED.

WHEW!!! Did that all really happen in one weekend? Yes… yes it did. And I wouldn’t change a single second of it.

New to Sharplandia? Subscribe and stay up to date on what’s going on in my world.

Cheers,

Sarah

I Took A “Momcation” and I liked it.

This topic seems self explanatory to me, but I’m not EVERYONE. I am the type of mom that loves and truly adores her husband and children, but also revels in my alone time. I have always been this way.

My husband laughs at me when I tell him that when I was in middle school, I would be alone in my room doing all kinds of weird things like being COMPLETELY naked and choreographing my own dance routines to 90s house music. I’m not sure why I was naked, I was just in my own ZONE. You know, typical middle school stuff. LOL

1655_509727999589_6047_n — Pretty sure this was 8th grade… Yikerz.

Side Note// One day I will post about my weird middle school years. I’m sure it will be entertaining.

When I’m alone, it’s just me, my own thoughts, my own existence, and my own sense of peace. So, being the thoughtful husband that he is he treated me to a night at this amazing hotel on the SW Portland waterfront COMPLETELY alone.

Being that I have a very active 2 year old and I’m 33 weeks pregnant this was an incredible and unexpected treat for me to just have some uninterrupted ME TIME!

So I checked in and here is what my room looked like. Very Portland minimalist, natural, and chic with a river view.

I was totally McCullay Culkin on Home Alone 2. I did what any 10 year old stuck in New York with loads of cash would do… I ordered room service!!

A juicy cheeseburger and fries and vanilla bread pudding… JUST FOR ME!! And it was worth every single solitary calorie. Room service comes from the attached restaurant at Rosswood. Seems like a nice little date night spot. For people who live in Portland, it used to be Aquariva but has a completely different menu and management now.

After stuffing my face full of junk food and taking a LONG HOT SHOWER, I did what any exhausted mom would do…got super cozy in bed and caught up on some terrible chick flicks and fell asleep at 7:30pm.

I got like 12 hours of sleep which was IN-CREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m soaking it all in before a newborn comes into the picture again and I have sleep that is in the negatives. ***Sigh***

The next morning, I woke up and felt revitalized for at least 2 hours before coming back down to reality. LOL But it was worth it and my husband is the king of the universe for giving me the chance to be alone for a while.

If you are a mom, or just someone who feels overworked and exhausted, do yourself a favor and take some time away to be alone! Don’t feel guilty about it! You give everything you have day in and day out and that is a whole lot of work. Everyone deserves some time to themselves. Trust me, it’s worth it!

This was my Monday “Weekend Review” post and I hope you enjoyed taking a little look into my world. Stay tuned for the next Sharplandia post! I’m really starting to get a hang of this blog thing.

Cheers,

Sarah

12 Tips for Getting your First Brazilian Wax

YOU GUYSSSSSSS! I did the unthinkable. That’s right. I actually got my first brazilian wax. I have an odd sense of accomplishment from doing it. It was something that I have always wondered about, so for my trip to Bermuda I thought I might as well try it.

The Result. I will never do anything else. This is the best thing that has ever happend to beautify my genital region. Now don’t go getting all weird. We are all adults here and we all have to deal with that region on a daily basis, so why not talk about it?!

For me it is the part of my body that I would prefer to keep SUPER clean. And for me this is a way to do it. Here are my tips for going to European Wax Center and getting a brazilian…

1. Take Advantage of your First Wax

I did a lot of research about Brazilian waxes and the location I decided to go with was European Wax Centers. They are located all around the country. I went to the Clackamas location located here in Oregon. Here’s why I chose it. First of all, as a first time waxer you get a free wax (anything other than Brazilian) or a discount on a Brazilian wax. What would have cost me around $50 only cost me $25!! WINNING!!!! This is only a 1 time thing though.

2. Read about Other People’s Experiences

I was on YouTube for like 3 days straight just reading about other people’s experiences. It helped me realize what I was getting myself into. I will post a video next time I go. Stay tuned. Next appointment September 22!!!

3. It hurts but only for a few seconds

Don’t go into this thinking it doesn’t hurt. It absolutely DOES. But only for a second. LITERALLY. Have you ever had your eyebrows waxed? Its exactly the same as that but on your vag. It hurts for only the second that they are ripping the hair out and it goes away. You are not in pain for 3 days or anything like that. I walked out of there on a smooth skin HIGH! I cannot tell you enough, IT ONLY HURTS FOR 1 SECOND! YOU WILL TOTALLY SURVIVE. There are things that are WAY WAAAAAAAAY worse than getting a brazilian wax. Like a paper cut. Paper cuts hurt like a… well you know.

4. Be ready for the technician to talk a lot

I’m not sure if this is true for other women, but you know one of the most annoying things for me is when I go to the OBGYN for a pap test, the gynecologist is suddenly very interested in MY life and everything I’m doing. Just won’t stop talking to me. Like really? You are all up in my vag and you want to discuss my Friday night dinner plans?! Why am I suddenly more interesting in THIS circumstance? Well… its the same thing when you are getting waxed. She will be talking your ear off, so just be ready to have a long life conversation while you are spread eagle.

5. They DO NOT use wax strips

I kind of assumed that they would be using wax strips but they didn’t! They use a hard wax. This means the wax sticks directly to the hair rather than to the skin. So when the wax begins to harden they just strip it right off without strips! Pretty cool. The wax is super warm and feels a little weird but kinda great at the same time lol

6. It doesn’t take long

I went in thinking it would take like an hour. I was in and out of the place in like 15-20 minutes! Quick and easy.

7. Grow out your hair for 4 weeks before your first Brazilian wax

You want to make sure that your hair is long before your first wax. Why? Because waxing removes hair from the follicle. So the longer your hair, the easier it is to remove the follicle and the longer the wax will last and the smoother you will be. YES!!

8. You are waxed from Front to Back

Yep. A brazilian means they get it ALL!! Vag & Booty… is that a song? (Bad and Boujee comes to mind. LOL)

9. Don’t get talked into buying the products

After your wax, the people working there will try to talk you into buying their expensive products. I unfortunately fell for it and bought some little “ingrown hair wipes” and I’ve only used them one time and have seen no difference. They have what seems to be good products, so purchase if you want. I just don’t see any need moving forward.

10. Prepare to be tweezed

I was NOT expecting this. But they actually tweeze you down there too. I mean they are super on point about removing ALL hairs even if that means you need a tweeze. Again, not really painful.

11. They DO NOT numb you

There are some myths out there that you get numbed before they wax you. NOT TRUE!! And you really don’t need it. I promise its not as bad as it seems.

12. Do not use any lotions or creams after your first wax

After your wax you willl be VERY sensitive down there. Any types of lotions or oils may sting a little. Just be gentle to yourself and make sure to wear cotton panties (granny panties). You will be thankful you did.

Well, there you have it. My little insightful information for those of you interested in taking the plunge. My biggest tip is to just GO FOR IT!!!! You will be so happy that you did. I will never shave again. Waxing is definitely worth the money. Two HUUUUUUUUGE thumbs up for European Wax Center!!!

Cheers,

Sarah

The Gift of Survival – For the Practical Mom

2. The Gift that Gives Back – For the Giving Mom

3. MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION BOXES!!! – For the mom that loves surprises

4. HIGH TEA — For the sophisticated mom

5. Pole Dancing Classes – For the Sexy Mom

6. Tickets to a Lecture — For the Educated Mom

7. A Photoshoot — For the mom that loves the spotlight

8. A Fitting for a GOOD bra — For the mom with big boobs

9. Dining in the Dark — For the Foodie Mom

10. Luxury Laundry Detergent- For the clean freak mom

1. Take Advantage of your First Wax

2. Read about Other People’s Experiences

3. It hurts but only for a few seconds

4. Be ready for the technician to talk a lot

5. They DO NOT use wax strips

6. It doesn’t take long

7. Grow out your hair for 4 weeks before your first Brazilian wax

8. You are waxed from Front to Back

9. Don’t get talked into buying the products

10. Prepare to be tweezed

11. They DO NOT numb you

12. Do not use any lotions or creams after your first wax