Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner Cover Up

It’s a boy for Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner, who welcomed their third child on February27,  the couple named the newborn, Samuel Garner Affleck.

“We are happy to announce  Jennifer gave birth to a healthy baby boy, Samuel Garner Affleck,” Affleck, 39, announced via Facebook .

A blue tie-dye, 50+UPF Sunny Stroller Blanket has been included in the gift basket winging it’s way to celebrate the new arrival sent by celebrity gifting service Hollywood Baskets.

The stroller blankets are made from the same super lightweight 50+ UPF fabric as our sun sleeves. The blanket features stretchy ties on all 4 corners of this generous oversize blanket so it can easily be attached to a stroller or baby-sling to protect baby’s delicate skin from harsh UV rays without getting over heated.

Dermatologists and Pediatricians warn that just one childhood sunburn can double the risk of skin cancer in later life.
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner, both 39, also have daughters Violet, 6, and Seraphina, 3.

On Ellen DeGeneres’ talk show last September, Jennifer Garner revealed that the two girls had some creative suggestion for their new siblings name,  their top choices were “Ralphie, Frankie, Minnie Mouse, Daisy Duck, or Rosemarie.”

She added, “They don’t really care about the gender as long as we name it what they want it to be named.”

I’m sure Samuel will be happy that his two older sisters didn’t get their way on Daisy Duck Affleck!

When I was pregnant with our little Madam, we were on our way to a scan when out then 3 year old asked “Mummy, what ‘type’ of baby are you having?” Whilst I puzzled on this odd question he went on hopefully,  ”do you think it might be a hammer head shark of some sort?’

My little marine biologist was sorely disapointed when I produced not a shark of any variety but worse still it was as “sister” who over the past five years has earned herself the nickname ‘short ‘n shouty’

What odd names were considered for your kids or pets?

Check ‘em – Shout for the Cause

On Sunday we found play dates for the kids and headed to the valley meet friends. 

Our friend Ryan was back in town for a few days but despite wine, music and nibbles it wasn’t the usual raucous social event, someone was missing.

He was here without his wife Mary this time. The reason we were there to see him was because Mary won’t be contributing her unmissable laughter to our gatherings ever again.

In 2009 she was diagnosed with breast cancer. We thought she had it beat.

Only five months ago they moved to Louisville to start a new life. They bought their firsthouse, she was looking forward to a spring vegetable garden.

She was looking forward to a quiet life after the stress of Los Angeles, after the stress of beating cancer. She was looking forward to so much.

Earlier this year the cancer returned, on March 14th it stole her away.

We’ve raced thousands of miles for a cure, we’ve shopped endless pink-ribbon adorned clothes, jewelry & water bottles, for a cure and yet still breast cancer kills so many women every year.

Whilst I do sincerely wish for a cure for those currently fighting this disease, it strikes me that perhaps the focus should be more on the prevention and we should be focusing on research into  the cause of this and other cancers.

Perhaps we should be “Searching for the Cause”

Mary found her lump during a self exam, I realized at the end of last year that I couldn’t remember the last time I had found the time to get around to doing this, so I started a fb page to post a reminder to my friends each month.

If you would like to get this reminder in your timeline go tohttp://www.facebook.com/pages/Check-em-keep-em  “like” the page, invite your friends.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0LgIu35ULo&feature=

Lake Arrowhead – Winter Sun

One of the grumbles about So Cal is the lack of seasons.

Not true-Sometimes you do have to drive a little visit them though.

Last weekend we packed (what felt like) our entire wardrobes into our 2 wheel drive car, squashed in the kids and  set off for Lake Arrowhead.

A mere 2 hours later & more than a little shaken having braved the mountain drive that took us up 5,180 feet, we arrived  to a world transformed by snow, within minutes we were off down the street on our various plastic sliders.

We instantly forgot torrential rain,  sleet, fog and complete lack of visibility  on the road known as “The Rim of the World” & packed  away all thoughts of the treacherous drive down the following day.

For 24 hours we built snow forts, made snow angels, ate snow and of course lots more sledding followed by hot chocolate next to the log fire.

Finally it was time to  snap chains on the tires and head back off down the mountain to be greeted by 70 degrees and sun!

I love to visit seasons, but having to commute through them, no thanks. I’m quite happy sitting in 65 degrees today, working in my outdoor office listening to the bees.

NB.I had packed wellies (rain boots), sweat pants, jackets, scarves, gloves and lots and lots of socks, but the one item I am always banging on about, I forgot my sunscreen, it was below freezing and I came back with a sunburned nose-will I ever learn!

Audubon Center at Debs Park

The Audubon Center at Debs Park is an environmental education and conservation center just minutes from downtown in Northeast Los Angeles.

Audobon

Hiking “The Butterfly trail” at Debs park it’s hard to believe that the center is located just 2 exits from downtown LA.

It’s the fourth largest park in the city of Los Angeles.

More than half of the park is covered in walnut-oak woodland, grassland, and coastal sage scrub, a remnant of the native habitats that once rimmed the Los Angeles Basin.

With over 140 species of birds  recorded, kid friendly hikes as well as beautiful functional art combined with FREE easy parking it’s easy to see why the Audobon is a favorite with our family.

In the offices desks and bookcases have been crafted from boards made of pressed sunflower hulls.

The only draw back of this functional, eco-friendly furniture is the stunning design of the crushed shells make me hungry for a snack!

Thoughtfully created man-made additions blend seamlessly with nature like the wrought iron gate & bench fashioned to look like bull rushes that even has a tiny bird sculpted into the design.

Wakey, wakey snakey

The genius of the center is understanding the importance of creating a fun and interesting space where  children of all ages can enjoy the great ourdoors, see animals and plants growing naturally whilst learning about ecosystems, the importance of water conservation, and landscaping with native plants.

Audobon residents “Fluffy” the gofer snake and “Rex” the King python fascinate my daughter.

Her greatest wish is to have her own snake one day but for now she is happy to visit, and we’re happy to pass on the daunting task of the biweekly mouse sacrifice!

The center is a fantastic example ofrecycling in building materiels.

The rebar used to reinforce the walls was manufactured from gun metal harvested from weapons turned into the sherrifs department!

Cement was created  from upcycled ash left over from coal production.

The Center’s mission is to inspire people to experience, understand and care for the local natural world, it’s certainly made a huge impact on our children.

Audubon Center at Debs Park 4700 North Griffin Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90031 (323) 221-2255

Hours:

Tuesday – Saturday 9 a.m to 5 p.m

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Don’t forget: Reusable water bottle, sun hat, sun protective clothing, sun glasses, sun screen.

Could Lindsay Lohan’s latest legal woes be life threatening?

Lindsay Lohan allegedly owes a tanning salon over $40,000 and still has not paid the bill, even after a judge ordered her to nine months ago.

In November, Tanning Vegas filed a suit in Nevada, claiming that Lohan had hired the company to cater to the star’s tanning needs. Tanning Vegas’ owner, Lorit Simon, told the court that Lohan owes $41,031.60 in unpaid charges.

A judge ordered her to pay the money immediately, but Lohan has yet to do so.

Now Simon is taking the case to Lohan’s home state of California in an attempt to reclaim the lost money. She has petitioned the court to garnish Lohan’s wages until the full amount has been paid.

However the cost Lindsay may ultimately pay may be much, much higher.

The World Health Organization classifies sunbeds in the most serious category of cancer-causing products and habits. In the mostly sun-starved UK, cases of malignant melanoma have more than quadrupled in just the last 30 years, and the disease is the second most common form of cancer in 15 to 34-year-olds.

Donna Ballantyne spent a decade battling 19 tumours after she started going on sun beds aged 16 died from skin cancer.

The mum-of-three  blasted herself twice a week with its UV rays and ultimately her body became riddled with tumors — prompting her fight to warn others of the risks.

Donna, 39, began developing melanoma — the most dangerous form of skin cancer — nine years ago and it spread round her body.

Speaking two before her death, she said: “If I could turn back time, I wouldn’t have spent even one second of my life on a sun bed.

”I am convinced that if I had never been near a sunbed I would not have been left fighting for my life after skin cancer spread around my body.

Donna used the beds twice a week from the age of 16 until she was 22.

Donna — an ambassador for the Fake Bake Save Your Skin Campaign — at first thought she had beaten the disease when after a tiny bruise-like mark on her arm was found in 2002, it was removed.

But in 2006 Donna, found a lump under her arm and an emergency operation failed. She then underwent intensive chemotherapy to try to shrink 19 tumors which had spread to her liver, stomach, leg and neck, meaning she lost all her hair, nails and over 40lbs.

She finally lost her battle on 23 Jun 2011 leaving behind her devastated young children.

Have you ever used a sunbed? Do you still?

“The Artist” stars nab Sunny Sleevez (& a few gold Statues)

At the 84th Oscars, “The Artist” became only the second ever silent film to win best  picture. The  first  (and until this year) last non-talky to win best “Best Picure) was “Wings” back in May 16, 1929 at the very first Academy Awards that was then held accross the road, at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.

Not only is The Artist a silent film, but unusually it’s also shot in black and white. The last time a black and white film won for best picture was in 1993, for Steven Spielberg’s holocaust drama Schindler’s List. Before that a whole  33 years has passed since The Apartment best picture winner in 1960 

Best Actor Award went to dapper frenchman  Jean Dujardin, with The Artist’s director Michel Hazanavicius & producer Thomas Langmann delighted to win the Best Movie Oscar.

Stunning co-star Berenice Bejo, nominated for best supporting actress, lost to “The Help” Co-star , but can console herself  that she can keep her alabaster skin damage free, as she, Jean Dujardin, Michel Hazanavicius & Thomas Langmann all nabbed a pair of 50 UPF Sunny Sleevez in their treat filled SWAG bags valued at over $7000 which also included a new suitcase, so Oscar can travel to his new home in style!

ENTER TO WIN YOUR OWN OSCAR SWAG 

 We will pick 5, yes FIVE WINNERS who will receive 1 of the following 5 FREE GIFTS!

1 pair of adult sun sleeves, 1 pair of kids sleeves, 2 Sunny Beadz Bracelets & 1 Sunny Beadz Necklace

You will get 1 entry for each of the following

1. follow us on twitter @SunnySleevez,
2. tweet #SunnySleevez protects the red carpet   http://bit.ly/zKx5Hm win your own #OSCAR #SWAG @SunnySleevez ends 3/2 RT
3.  ”like” us on facebook /SunnySleevezInfo
4. follow this blog,
5.  comment on here with your entries

Winners will be chosen at random March 2nd

GET YOUR DISCOUNT CODE FOR 10% OFF ALL ORDERS ends 03/15/2012

http://www.sunnysleevez.com/