Milk and Cookies
with Kristen
I'm a mother of five, a bargain hunter, a recreational comparison shopper, and always trying to make more time - for me and for you, too. On this blog I'm sharing my favorite tools and finds to help make your work-life juggle a bit easier.
You can find my personal blog at Swistle.blogspot.com.
Until today, I’ve done all my Internet writing as Swistle, She Who Must Not Be Photographed. And today I am writing as Kristen, and my picture is up there in the banner. I feel a little exposed. Naked. Well, not naked. Bikini’d.
Kristen (not actually in bikini)
So, hi! There I am, with a new haircut because when I found out I was going to have my picture here, I called my stylist within 15 minutes and got an appointment for the next day. And then I took five thousand photos until I got one where a lucky shadow made my jawline look sharp. I took the photo of myself, and my mom says there’s a “fish-eye effect” that makes my nose and forehead look more prominent than they are in real life. Well, fine, but my husband was never going to be patient enough to take the five thousand photos required to find the lucky-shadow one, and I’ll gladly take “illusion of prominent nose and forehead” if I can get “illusion of sharp jawline.”
I’m in my mid-thirties, and my jawline is soft. I’ve been married to my husband Paul for ten years. We have five children: Rob, a third-grader; William, a first-grader; twins Elizabeth and Edward, nearly 3 years old; and Henry, 11 months.
With each additional child, it has become more apparent to me that there are a lot of right ways to do things, and that the current right way can change not only from parent to parent, but from child to child and from day to day. I think pooling ideas is a great way to find the ones that work for you and the ones that work for me—and the ones that work with whatever kid is currently giving us forehead wrinkles in addition to the soft jawline.
I look forward to picking your brains for every last idea you’ve ever had BWAH HA HA! pooling ideas here with you.
(Hey, Swistle readers! Are you surprised?)
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You are a sneak for posting it here first! I’m glad I saw it!
Jess | May 2nd, 2008 at 1:22 pm
GAH! This feels like a SECRET TREAT!
You are lovely! SO EXCITED!
Tessie | May 2nd, 2008 at 1:22 pm
I totally thought that picture was Swistle-ish (A, J, H, J, H, A, no, J, I ended up with) but I thought the woman in it looked TOO YOUNG to have been born in 1973.
But your name was one on my list!
andrea | May 2nd, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Wow, yes I am surprised. Swistle comes out of the closet! I will still think of you as Swistle you know.
Diane | May 2nd, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Argh! I missed the photo completely (knew I would), but I feel as if I got the name “close.” DUH–why didn’t I guess that?
So nice to “meet” you!
Carrie | May 2nd, 2008 at 1:32 pm
You are a sneaky little thing! And yay for me getting the picture right. I am doing my I’m-So-Cool-Shake-My-Booty-In-My-Chair dance!
Didn’t even come close to the name though.
AndreAnna | May 2nd, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Whoo hoo I picked the right photo, but I have no idea what name I choose.
Sleepynita | May 2nd, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Yay! Very excited! Even though my contest guesses were WRONG it is still fun to know!
nonsoccermom | May 2nd, 2008 at 1:47 pm
AHHHH!!!! Yippy Skippy I got your picture right! The names are another story. But you had to look like someone who could say “Darling girl”, and I was right!! I’m going to send you a cupcake…
Hanna | May 2nd, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Yeah, I am surprised! But I’m happy to “meet” you. I also think you look VERY young. But it’s so fun to finally know a little more about you.
Mommy Daisy | May 2nd, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Oooh! I got the picture right!!! But I wasn’t close on the names. I for sure thought your name would start with “S” !!! lol
Steph the WonderWorrier | May 2nd, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Well I got the name AND the picture wrong, but now that you have introduced yourself, it makes perfect sense! Congratulations
LoriD | May 2nd, 2008 at 2:03 pm
OOOO I picked the right picture but the wrong name. And it totally fits. What a lovely lady you are. In my head though, you will always be Swistle.
Cass | May 2nd, 2008 at 2:11 pm
You are so sneaky!!! And also, I think you kind of resemble Tessie! And also, HI!!!
saly | May 2nd, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Hi Swistle! What a beautiful picture and name!
I agree with the others though, I think I will always think of you as Swistle.
What a nice surprise!
Wendi | May 2nd, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Yay, Swistle! You are lovely.
Sysha | May 2nd, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Is it ok if you’re still Swistle in my head?
Erica | May 2nd, 2008 at 2:29 pm
welcome! i am ashamed to admit i have not read your blog (as people are obviously excited you are here!) so i am off to go add you to my Google Reader now
I am excited to see what ideas you ‘pool’ with us!! I only have one DS so not sure if i have ideas… but i will look forward from learning from everyone else!
Kate | May 2nd, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Yeah I was TOTALLY off on my guesses!
claire | May 2nd, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Wow. ShellyOverlook was totally right - this is like meeting Santa Claus! Wow. Hi.
Shelly | May 2nd, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Dude, seriously. You’re like 16 years old, aren’t you?
Linda | May 2nd, 2008 at 2:41 pm
I was right! I’m never right!
Joanne | May 2nd, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Yay! Finally, the reveal! I will still call you Swistle in my head, though, but it’s nice to have a face to put with the name anyway. I was totally wrong in my guesses, but I never claimed to be a champion guesser, so I’m ok with it. Although I am BUMMED about missing out on all those cool prized. Boohoo.
clarabella | May 2nd, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Yay for removing the anonymity cloak!
kirida | May 2nd, 2008 at 2:51 pm
That was AWESOME–here we are waiting patiently for your reveal at Swistle and BAM! A nice Friday treat!
Kathi | May 2nd, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Kristen??
Your name is KRISTEN???
I could’ve sworn you were a Katherine. But OH MY, I am SO HAPPY that you were H.
You are a cute smartie. Or a smart cutie. Whichever you prefer.
the new girl | May 2nd, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Well, if I hadn’t picked Drew Barrymore, I really was thinking that could be you! Really, no, I’m serious! This is so exciting, but you will always be Swistle. BTW, even though I picked Melissa, I can see how you got “Swistle” from “Kristen”, too.
Natalie | May 2nd, 2008 at 2:58 pm
I’m with the others. There is no possible way that the woman in that picture has borne 5 kids. She looks too young! Too well-rested! It’s amazing!
Clearly, you have secrets to looking as good as you do, so I’m glad you’ve got a “professional” forum to tell them to us! Tell us, Swistle, how DO you do it?
Sarah | May 2nd, 2008 at 3:04 pm
You got me with that sharp jawline! I was all ready to pick H and then I kept comparing that chin portion of your wedding picture and decided it COULDN’T be H because of the sharp jawline. You’re so tricky! Anyway, very nice to see you Kristen…but you’ll always be Swistle in my heart.
Melinda | May 2nd, 2008 at 3:13 pm
I was so RIGHT ON with the picture, even though later I started doubting myself but I went with my first gut instinct and I was right!!!!
Totally OFF on the name; for some reason I thought you’d have a more traditional name, but that’s ok!
Are those your children’s REAL names or still their pseudonames?
I kept refreshing and refreshing and refreshing my Google Reader.
Yea!
Also: Hi!
Farrell | May 2nd, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Erica- YES! I think of MYSELF as Swistle now!
Farrell- Still the pseudonyms!
swistle | May 2nd, 2008 at 3:20 pm
I was so right on with your picture, but so far off with your name. I never even considered Kristen! You still seem like a Colleen to me.
Also, your little girl looks so much like you.
Susan E | May 2nd, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Holy Cow. AWESOME name, even if we do spell it differently!!!!!
Kristin | May 2nd, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Oh, I was so WRONG! I thought that picture looked too YOUNG, like mid-twenties young. Well, anyway, it’s nice to be able to put a face to Swistle, so now when we see you at Target, we can be all, “Hey! I KNOW you!”
JMC | May 2nd, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Well, I was totally wrong on your picture, but Kristin (partial credit for alternate spellings, right?) was on my list. Congrats on the new gig, I look forward to reading more!
Maggie | May 2nd, 2008 at 3:51 pm
I knew that was you.
But the name. Never ever would have guessed the name. Ah well. Can’t win ‘em all. This is pretty exciting though, you know.
Misty | May 2nd, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Hi Kristen!
Hey, I got the photo right (yay me!), but I forgot to guess your name. Ah well. Congrats on the new digs!
I’m afraid that I’m stuck calling you Swistle, though.
Hatchet | May 2nd, 2008 at 3:55 pm
AAHH! SWISTLE! KRISTEN! my head is exploding! this is AWESOME!! a face to go with the.. uh.. well, the fake name, and also REAL name, and OH MY my poor friday brain cannot handle this
yay for work it, mom gigs!
Alice | May 2nd, 2008 at 4:22 pm
The lipstick! I should have known. You are so cute!
You’ll probably still be Swistle for a little while … Sundry even now is alternately Linda and Sundry in my head.
squandra | May 2nd, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Yay! Congrats on the new writing gig!
I got your photo right, but was only kinda close with the name (I guessed Christine). Thanks for running the contests - they were a blast!
Pickles & Dimes | May 2nd, 2008 at 4:24 pm
OH, now I get it! Completely off on your name but I’m glad I trusted my instincts on your picture!
Jenny | May 2nd, 2008 at 4:36 pm
I think it is so intersting that so many KNEW it was you! Even before my research that confirmed it, picture H was just you. So interesting.
banana | May 2nd, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Woo hoo! You are a darling. And your name - it suits you. As does Swistle.
Artemisia | May 2nd, 2008 at 4:56 pm
first off: how are you a year older and i look like i should have babysat you back in the day? i mean, seriously.
secondly: while i was excited to find out the real name/face of my mom-role-model, what i was secretly interested in seeing was the nice skin. ever since you mentioned that you thought that was one of your best features - was it on swistle or sundry, i can’t remember - anyway, i wanted to see this glorious skin. fine - you delivered. it’s quite nice with nary a pore - i’m jealous!
Jen | May 2nd, 2008 at 5:00 pm
THIS is the girl who always talks of brownies, fudge and cookies? You’re so thin! Plus, so young-looking! You could totally be the teenage babysitter instead of the mother. (That’s it, brownies are the fountain of youth!)
Libby | May 2nd, 2008 at 5:04 pm
This is unfair! You complain all the time about needing to diet and now I see your picture and it’s like you were *toying* with us! I mean honestly, how can you eat so many baked goods and be so slim?
So so excited to be able to read you on yet another blog, by the way.
Jill | May 2nd, 2008 at 5:05 pm
YAY! Hi Swistle slash Kristen! So happy to see you. That was FUN. I’m really excited to be reading you here as well as there. I love reading Linda’s Milk & Cookies stuff, so this is going to be great. Congrats!
Erin | May 2nd, 2008 at 5:08 pm
OMG! Finally a picture of you!
Eric's Mommy | May 2nd, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Kristen! I am totally surprised. Nice to re-meet you, lady!
Leah | May 2nd, 2008 at 5:29 pm
I’m just so glad it was picture H for Jonna’s sake. She would have been devastated.
Nice to meet you!
Mandee | May 2nd, 2008 at 5:42 pm
You are so cute!!! I was TOTALLY wrong on name and picture - but your name absolutely fits your face! I never would have guessed you were a K name - but I should have known as I am completely in love with you!! Thanks for the contest - it was fun!
Kristi | May 2nd, 2008 at 5:45 pm
What fun this has been! And congratulations on your new writing gig!
Nowheymama | May 2nd, 2008 at 5:52 pm
I feel somehow upset that Jonna is not here to crow yet about how right she was!
Hee.
You’re so cute. And now I am dying to know what people would think *I* looked like if they didn’t already know. Hmm.
Lawyerish | May 2nd, 2008 at 5:56 pm
?! KRISTEN !?
I love it! It’s funny how you think to yourself, “well SURELY her name is Julie/Susan/Tallulah,” yet when you put a face and a name together it all totally fits and you think, “Kristen! OF COURSE!”
I’m so happy to have more of you to read!
Jennifer | May 2nd, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Welcome Kristen! Looking forward to diving into the idea pool!
Lylah | May 2nd, 2008 at 6:32 pm
I love it! I was SO EXCITED to find out - and how cute are you?!
Maggie | May 2nd, 2008 at 6:40 pm
I knew that was the picture! You are lovely indeed! And Kristen is one of my favorite names. No, really.
Sam | May 2nd, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Kristen you are adorable!
Now I sort of wish I was able to keep secrets from The Internet. Because then I could reveal them.
Sigh.
Miss Grace | May 2nd, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Goodness, who would have guessed this would feel like such a big deal. But a peak at the real Swistle. I’m so excited.
I didn’t officially guess on the site, but this was one of two pictures I thought might be you. I wasn’t anywhere close to your name though.
donna | May 2nd, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Kristen you are lovely. I didn’t win the contest but I’m excited to finally see you.
Vicky | May 2nd, 2008 at 8:01 pm
So I was totally wrong on the M vibe (subconscious transference, anyone?)…but I’m still so psyched. You rock, Kristen. Though you’ll always be Swistle in my heart. Looking forward to your Milk and Cookies posts.
Melospiza | May 2nd, 2008 at 9:20 pm
*THIRD FIST PUMP OF THE DAY*
jonniker | May 2nd, 2008 at 9:33 pm
(Also, Lawyerish is saying that because I actually told her in a SEPARATE CONVERSATION about something else that yes, yes, of COURSE I KNEW IT WAS YOU, H. I could not shut up about it to my friends, I tell you.)
jonniker | May 2nd, 2008 at 9:44 pm
Well Kristen, it is nice to see you and know your real name. Although, you will always be your pseudonyms to me….
Amanda | May 2nd, 2008 at 10:45 pm
I debated and debated on this picture and the one I picked, which I can’t remember what letter it was now…I KNEW you had to be one out of the two!! Nice to have a face along with the name now
That was a fun contest, thanks!
k... | May 3rd, 2008 at 12:31 am
Agh! OMG! I totally got the picture and the name right, but now it totally makes sense!
Ok, now all you have to do is lift your children’s anonymity - we want REAL names!
Isabel | May 3rd, 2008 at 1:17 am
Wheee!! This is SO exciting! Squeal!
You DO look young! That is, of course, only if you don’t mind people saying that you look young. I got questioned at the gas station one time (How old are you? You can drive?) when I was about to turn 21 so I am always one of those people who are insulted when people say I look young. You look young in a good way, Swistle.
Courtney | May 3rd, 2008 at 1:45 am
Yay! Wonderful Friday Event!
I guessed Crystal, but kept remembering that you mentioned that Swistle sounded like your real name sort of. I kept looking for that post, but never found it - - makes sense now, though.
Holly | May 3rd, 2008 at 2:44 am
How exciting and what a great way to end the week! However, I have to tell you that I am so stubborn that my first impulse upon hearing your name is Kristen was to ARGUE with you that I really really think it’s Bridget. But I suppose you would know
Laura GF | May 3rd, 2008 at 4:05 am
I didn’t enter the contest over at your other blog. Although I picked you out of the line up right away. I am glad to meet Kristen, but, you will ALWAYS be Swistle in my mind. I have been reading your blog for a LONG time and now I feel better being able to put a face to the name. Is your MIL going to find you online now?
Trina | May 3rd, 2008 at 6:12 am
I should have known there would be more sundry/swistle collaborations. After all, I found you through SundryBuzz. I was SO WRONG about EVERYTHING. That that picture looked too damn young. You must moisturize.
I will continue calling you Swistle when I talk about you in real life. When I switched Sundry over to Linda, half the time my husband thought I was talking about a sister-in-law. Also, it’s just cooler to use the code name.
Parkingathome | May 3rd, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Oh dear you look like 19! how is it possible you have five children and look so rested!?
I really don’t know what I was expecting but somehow you’re just a little different than I thought…
Magnolia | May 3rd, 2008 at 4:32 pm
I’m a little slow… are you Linda S AND Kristen - is that the same person and photo?
joan | May 3rd, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Joan- Linda and I are sharing this column.
swistle | May 3rd, 2008 at 5:11 pm
You look like I imagined you would! Very much like a Swistle. And a Kristin, for that matter.
Amber | May 3rd, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Holy Mother.
I can’t even believe I am seeing THE Swistle. And her name is Kristin but with an E!!
I would have never guessed! BTW: I pictured you like this but with a rounder face, so either you did a great job with the sharp jawline positioning OR you really made yourself seem more “round” than you are!
Yeah for SWISTLE, I mean, Kristen!
p.s. have you found that the draw back to being a part of the Kristin-Kristen family…EVERYONE spells your name wrong…especially GUYS. What’s with them always spelling it Christine?
Kristin C. | May 3rd, 2008 at 9:15 pm
I would not have picked your picture out of a lineup. I had constructed a vision of you in my mind completely different. The only thing the same was your hair color. I pictured your hair longer, and wavy. And I thought you were heavier {blush}.
Opus #6 | May 4th, 2008 at 2:24 am
I feel a little bit the same way about Kristen/Swistle as you do about Jean/Stimey. But I guess Kristen is good.
What an excellent contest. It is a pleasure to gaze upon your lovely countenance!
Stimey | May 4th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
So glad you’ll be here at WIM! One of my favorite sites EVAH.
You and Linda make a great team! And, the “cookies” theme is pretty perfect for you, don’t you think?
Lee | May 5th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Swistle/Kristen, I must say that I’m completely astonished. I CANNOT believe that I took ONE stinking week off from blog reading and THIS, THIS!!! is what I miss.
This is big. Knowing your name and what you look like.
This is exciting!
And you look nothing and everything like I pictured you.
Did I mention how shocked I am?!
Jennifer | May 5th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
=o Wow…I was not expecting that.
Krystal | May 6th, 2008 at 12:47 am