Five on Friday!

Hello Friday!  I'm linking up with the fun Five on Friday girls to share a few of my favorite things from this week.  Ready, go!

one: I want these Tory Burch espadrilles - bad!  They're so pretty and would be perfect for Spring and Summer... actually, who am I kidding, I'm in FL so they'd be good year round.  They're so dainty and would go great with almost anything. I just need to find the cheaper version of them, I'm too cheap to spend $150 on shoes.

two:  I made this Strawberry Bread this week after seeing it on Katie's blog.  Oh my goodness, it was SO good.  It's the perfect snack and delicious with my coffee in the morning and an added plus: the kiddos loved it!

{via} I made mine without the glaze - still amazing!

three:  This e-Card is hilarious... and probably a little true!

four:  I'm thinking of attempting my first DIY project and making a wreath for our front door.  Have any of you made one?  Do you have any tips for a beginner DIY'er?  It seems simple enough, I'm just scared to mess it up, I always love homes that have wreaths on their doors, it's such a nice accent to the outside of the home!

five:  I'm pretty much in love with this bedroom!  The colors are so soft and serene yet happy, not to mention I think I have a special place in my heart for this patterned rug, a similar one was also in last week's post.

I'm glad it's the weekend we have a couple of fun things planned one being a princess/super hero party which should be a blast for the kids.  I hope you all have a great one too!

*also linking up with High Five for Friday and Friday Favorites

Seeing The Positive In A Crummy Day

Yesterday was a horrible day - the kids fought the whole day, they didn't listen to anything I was saying, the house was a mess - I'm so behind on everything since the kids have been sick, I was short tempered, then to top it off a table I JUST bought for J's room was ruined by the humidifier.  Dumb me didn't think to put a towel under the humidifier, some water must have leaked (that I didn't see) and sat on the wood table which caused it to swell on two spots.  How aggravating especially when it's NEW!

Even with the crappy day there were still a few things that made me smile:  One started when I first woke up with J.  It was super early when we came downstairs, and he asked for chocolate milk and once I gave it to him I went back in the kitchen to make my coffee, as I was fumbling out of the kitchen I saw this:

Isn't that the cutest thing?!  The hat was on the couch and he decided to drink in style with a hat he found. (Yes that's a ugly cover on our windowsill so someone doesn't smash his head in the marble since he's a little monkey!)


Then the other was while doing E's preschool with her (I'm trying it out at home to see how I feel about potentially homeschooling).  We were learning about what colors made green, sure enough she already knew what two colors made green - which shocked me.  That girl is so smart!  So, she mixed the yellow and blue, and I thought the smile on her face as the color turned green was so cute.  It's so sweet seeing the simplest things through kids' eyes.

In the evening my mom came over to babysit because she heard how stressed I was and hubby and I went out for dinner, which was nice to escape the chaos since we both had been stressed out.  We went to a local pub had some beer and dinner.  We sat outside and then after dinner walked around the shops - it was such a beautiful evening with a gorgeous sunset:

I'm happy that yesterday is over and today is a new day. Seeing that sunset is a reminder that although it was a bad day, it was another DAY - a day I was able to spend with my kids and husband... it maybe wasn't the perfect day, but it was another day I got to enjoy.

Linking up with Ashley

Day-To-Day Must Haves

While getting abnormally excited about buying a cleaning product for my house, it suddenly came to me that there are some things that are "must haves" for me.  These are the things that make me happy day-to-day:

Magic Eraser
I LOVE this little magic white bar - whoever invented this is a GENIUS.  If J decides that he wants to make me a little crayon masterpiece on our knock down walls or E got her play lipgloss all over her white dresser and it looks stained - no worries the Magic Eraser takes it away in a couple of minutes!

Keurig Coffee Maker
I look forward to my cup of coffee in the mornings and the Keurig machine is the best, it makes my coffee in seconds, which is great because I don't want to wait for a pot to brew especially if I've been up multiple times at night. I'm able to get the kids their juice/milk and make my coffee at the same time.  Plus, it allows for me and hubby to make the coffees we like (me light, him mud).

Clorox Anywhere Spray
This stuff is amazing, you can spray it on any hard surface and it disinfects 99.9% of germs and is non-toxic! I've been using it tons this week while the kids have been sick.  It's also a nice and easy way to disinfect toys and handles.

Clorox Greenworks Spray
It's 98% natural and it also cleans stainless steel, uh goodbye fingerprints!  I also like that I can clean the kids' table or highchair and I don't feel like if a grape falls out of their bowl and lands on the table they're ingesting chemicals.  I love this spray and it smells so good.  Next up to try are the Meyer's cleaners - I've heard wonders about them.

Wine
Does this need an explanation?!  It's my favorite way of unwinding after a long day.

iPad
One of my favorite purchases since entering into mommy-hood.  I love having this handy all day.  I'm able to go on Pinterest, browse the internet, catch up on my favorite blogs and reply to emails without having a big laptop open or looking at my small iPhone screen.

Slippers
As I have mentioned before, I need my slippers, like really need them.  This mama is on her feet a lot all day and our floor is stained concrete which means it's super hard and my feet hurt if I don't have my slippers on.

Bath and Body Works Candle
Most days I light a candle throughout the day.  It a great way to get the house smelling good and relax a bit. The only candles I buy are Bath and Body Works - they're such a great candle for the price, they literally smell up my whole house without being too strong.  My favorite scent is Eucalyptus Spearmint

What are your day-to-day must haves?  Is there anything that I'm missing out on and should add to my list?

The Weekend...

Good morning, I hope you all had a great weekend!  We kicked ours off to a good start, we took the kids to Disney on Ice Friday morning.  I love the morning shows because the kids are in a good mood and we're out just in time for lunch (yes, I plan my day around meals haha).

The kids loved the show, but I could tell something was off with E.  She was quiet, not acting excited and her eyes were a little red and puffy... then I heard it, the first sneeze.  She was getting sick.. after the show we went out for lunch then to Ikea... see, I told you it was off to a good start, or maybe a good ending...?  Once we got home she was getting worse and that's where the fun ended.  Saturday and Sunday were spent with my two sick kiddos, J got sick on Sunday.  I hate seeing them sick, although Elyse always takes sickness in stride, she has since she was a baby.  Jonah is more whiny and I don't know if it's because it obviously hits him a bit harder because he can't blow his nose yet  or if it's just in the man code to be a tad whiny when sick. ;)

My poor babies, I just want them to feel better so that we can get out of the house and do some fun things.

What were you all up to this weekend?





 

Five on Friday!

Happy Five on Friday (and Spring!!) to you!  I'm so happy that it's Spring, I love seeing all of the little chicks around the neighborhood and all of the flowers that come along with the weather, it's such a happy time!

I'm linking up today with my Five on Friday girls to show you what I've been digging this week.

one:  Nail polish - as a new season approaches I always get excited about new polishes and changing up painting my nails - well, toes because let's face it - I'm a mom and my nails always chip (I still need to pick up those Sally Hansen nail stickers to see if they don't chip on me).  Anyway, it's Spring so it's time to switch it up and paint my nails some brighter hues.  I'm loving these:

{via} 

I'm not sure how I'm feeling about the blue, but loving the flowers!

color by Essie - Bangle Jangle

two:  FROZEN came in the mail this week!  I think I was just as excited as my daughter was.  We both couldn't wait to hear the delivery man's knock on the door!!  It's such a great movie!

three: Because no Five on Friday wouldn't be complete without a room that I love...

How pretty are the neutral tones mixed with the yellow chair and blue hutch... LOVE!

{via}

four: Natalie posted this Korean Beef Bowl on her blog the other day and I can't wait to make it.  I love reading her blog and a bonus - she has some awesome recipes!

five:  I'm not sure if it's me getting mature since I'll be 30 in a couple of short months, but I've been loving quotes lately.  Here's one that I liked this week.

{via}

We're off to see Disney On Ice, have a great weekend!!

*also linking up with High Five for Friday and Friday Favorites

Thankful Thursday {Link Up}

Hi!  Today I'm linking up with Katie for Thankful Thursday.  I love this idea for a linkup because it helps you reflect on life and focus on the positive.

One of the things that I am most thankful for, and I'm sure this is a given, is our family.  I'm so grateful to have two wonderful kiddos and a thoughtful husband in my life.  Even though all three of them at times can send me reaching for the wine bottle, they mean the world to me.

My husband is the most thoughtful guy I know.  He helps out SO much in the house and is always willing to take on more to help with the load in the house.  He handles the cooking, shopping, bills and even washes his own clothes - not to mention he is very handy and takes care of all of the "guy" stuff in the house aka yard work, cars and fixing whatever needs to be fixed.  I don't know what I would do without him and all of his help.

Our kids are the sweetest!  They make me and their daddy feel loved and appreciated (and crazy!).  Being a parent can be a lot and stressful at times, but at the end of the day, those little faces and their well being is all that matters.  I couldn't have asked for better kids or a better hubby to share our crazy life with!

Wino Wednesday | Bogle Essential Red - 2011

So excited to be doing another Wino Wednesday post!  I haven't really had a wine that has knocked my socks off recently, which is why I haven't done any  posts.  I figured today I'd share a wine that I think is delicious and try to usually have on hand at home it's the Bogle Essential Red - 2011.

The Essential Red is inexpensive and very easy to drink, it's a win-win to me.  It's a blend of  Old Vine Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah, which may be why I like it so much, since blends are my favorites.  The Essential Red has a certain sweetness to it which makes it great on it's own or with food. It also has one of my favorite notes in a wine - smokiness.  Here are the winemaker's notes:

RICH, enticing layers of complexity, starting with that first
irresistible sip. 

RIPE fruit, intense with flavors of boysenberries and sweet cherries.

LUSCIOUS vanilla, caressing the palate from barrel aging in American and French oak.

JUICY and silky throughout, with a finish that lingers of black licorice and spicy pipe tobacco.

I mean, does that not sound delicious or what?!  Now go pick up a bottle ;)  Have a great Wednesday!

Mom Style

One thing that I love reading on other blogs about is the way other moms dress.  I wouldn't say I'm super stylish, I basically go for cute and comfortable.  Here is what I normally wear day-to-day:

I usually stick to a simple top and yoga pants and my slippers.  I don't know if it's just me, but the last year or two I cannot walk barefoot the way I used to - my feet start to hurt, I need my slippers! The jewelry that I have on is because I sleep with it, not trying to look cute.  Days spent at home are usually spent makeup free.

Running errands usually consists of the above outfits. I try to be as comfortable as possible, still trying to look kind of cute. I keep my accessories to the minimum because I feel it's easier to manage with the kids without too many bracelets and necklaces.  I really do wish I accessorized more, I see so many moms that look super cute with all of their accessories!

My day-to-day makeup routine is easy, it takes about 2-3 minutes:  concealer, MAC Studio Fix powder, Urban Decay Rockstar Eyleliner (my fave), MAC blush in Margin and mascara - boom, easy!  I also can't leave the house without my Carmex lip blam - I'm obsessed!


How do you lovely ladies dress?  Are you more accessorized than me?  Do you dress up at home?  Tell me all of your secrets! ;)

Five on Friday!

TGIF everyone!!  Speaking of TGIF - remember those shows?  That was hands down, the best part of Friday's as a kid.  Anyway, I hope you've all had a great week and that the Spring'ish' weather is still hanging around for all of you!

I'm linking up for Five on Friday today...

one:  Once my friend Diana posted about Palazzo Pants I'm determined to get a pair!  They're so cute and kind of remind me of the maxi dress version of pants - cute and comfy - effortless style is what this mama likes!

{via}

two:  Has anyone seen Real Housewives of Beverly Hills this season?  I'm so torn what to think.  I'm so disappointed in Lisa and how fake she seems.  Also I so hope that Carlton doesn't come back next season, I think she looks for faults in everyone and it's exhausting.  I'm curious to see how the reunion goes, I'm sure it's not going to be pretty!

three: How beautiful is this neutral room?  There's something so classy and chic about a neutral room.

four:  Um...YES!!!!  Has anyone tried this?  Is it any good?

five: Sally Hansen Nail Stickers - My friend just posted a picture on Instagram of her Sally Hansen Nail stickers.  They look so pretty!  She's a RN so she washes her hands constantly and says that they don't chip. I'm going to need to try these soon, especially if they are chip resistant!

{via}

I hope you all have a great weekend, see you next week!!

*also linking up with High Five for Friday and Friday Favorites