It's not like I was wearing this

While I was picking up the kids today I had a conversation with someone that went something like this:
Me: Hi
JA: Hi. You're wearing normal clothes.
Normally when I see JA (at the moment stands for Jack Ass) I'm in workout clothes. Today I was wearing normal Hanes T, cut offs and cute sandals plus hair is done and I do have on makeup. Nothing special I know but I have lots to do around the house today and plan on getting a little grubby.
Me: Well gross clothes anyways.
JA: You're in your Mom clothes.
Me: Dreaming of myself hitting JA over the head with a skillet that I somehow have handily in my back pocket. Not much I can say so I continue walking muttering under my breath.

Is it just me or is "mom clothes" fighting words?

A Caipirinha kind of day

This picture plus the weather have me thinking sultry.

I think that a sultry summer should most definitely be accompanied by a tray of these drinks.

What do you say Caipirinhas all around?

{images from Jayson Home and Garden and Our Labor of Love Photography via Once Wed}

Can I study too?

Did you see the children's study redo over at Velvet and Linen? If not go there, it's gorgeous!

{image from Velvet and Linen}

Alphabet Bunting

Have you seen this sweet FREE download for Alphabet Bunting found on Ruffled? Simply adorable, not to mention handy when you need to whip up something cute for a party.

{via How About Orange}

Feeling girly

What is it about white and pink and ruffly skirts?

Sun, bowling and bicycles

We are celebrating because it's been super nice lately! Yesterday when I was picking up the kids the weather was beautiful and then I got in my car and laughed when I looked at my outside temp and it read 90. I guess it's all relative huh? I shouldn't complain because I always remind myself that you don't have to shovel sunshine. Crossing fingers that the sizzling days are almost over. Things are good around here we've been keeping busy with soccer camp, summer preschool and today we bowled. I forget how fun it is to bowl. Too bad it was so early (a kid event) because there's always something about those bowling alleys that cry for a frosty cold beer. Come on, I can't be the only one who thinks bowling and beer go hand in hand.

{not exactly Spinning but it's Sartorialist which beats Spinning any day}

Have I told you all about my new favorite way to work out? Spinning, I love it! It's super hard and I'm drenched afterwards but I feel like I got a really good workout in. I attribute much of this new found love to a super cool teacher who plays great music (loud which is a must). But if you haven't tried I suggest you give it a whirl. So what's new with you?

Work it

I have a super cute high school aged cousin who has to wear "professional" clothing once a week. She asked me if I could come up with some outfits for her that she could wear for these days. I of course was delighted to help her but honestly I was thinking to myself, can I find something appropriate for a high school student that looks young but polished? So last night I came up with a few things. I tried to go for pieces that could be used interchangeably, were affordable and she could find at any local retailer. Here's what I came up with.

blackpants by sarahsfabday featuring GAP

classics by sarahsfabday featuring GAP tops

Casual Friday by sarahsfabday featuring GAP


Now I know I could have gone super professional with a suit and hose but the only people that I know that have to wear that get up are attorneys or peeps with a presentation. So I decided to go for a more business casual look. I'll cross my fingers this was the direction she was hoping to go in. Click the links for details.

I need a dip

I'm melting. Well not really but my makeup is for sure. It's hot and this pool looks like the perfect spot to cool off.

{image via Dress Design Decor}

HELP!!!

So most days I go to the gym, I try to do about an hour of cardio and sweaty cardio calls for a pony. Most girls are fine with a pony but my hair starts to break so I have to be careful. I asked my pal Tina who does my hair, "what can I do?" and she laughed and said, "wear a scrunchie". I wanted to die, seriously...scrunchie? And she laughed again. I know all of you smarties out there can come up with a solution for me.

I know I have some serious pictures of me rocking the scrunchie in high school. But I'd have to dig through a box and scan and that's a hassle. But this leads me to my next topic, the trends that you have to laugh about later. Last week I went out to dinner with a group of friends and we were laughing about pleather pants because we all had a pair. And I'm pretty sure if I recall we thought we were hot stuff. I think I need to dig up some of my more finer moments of fashion for you all to see. I wonder if I could find them? Scrunchies, pleather I'm sure there's some good ones!

Anniversary Sale

How lame am I that I get completely giddy over Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale? This sale always has me humming, It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year. I love that the sale items are all the new Fall fashions, none of those crummy leftovers. Kidding of course, I love leftovers too but this is different all the Fall shoes and boots not to mention the handbags. {Sigh} It makes me long for cold weather which is in short supply in these parts.
Just in case you didn't know it starts July 16th. Yippee!!

Kitchen Rugs

Do you all use rugs in your kitchens? I always think it looks really good and then I think of how gross my floors get so quickly and I can't do it. With the kids' snacky crumbs and drips of juice I think they'll be ruined in no time.

If you do use them tell me all of your tricks, I'm all ears.

{image via vi.sualize}

Fried Squash Blossoms with Salsa Verde

I'm usually at the gym around 9 and Martha is on TV. I don't listen in but I do occasionally glance up to see what she's up to and yesterday they were making these.

I wanted to run up and lick the screen.

Let's dish

Let's meet here. I think I'd serve champagne and sweet summer fruit and we could dish the afternoon away about things totally important such as the latest on Perez and Sartorialist. Anyone care to join me?

{image from Pininterest}

You can thank me later

In honor of all of the summer BBQ parties I thought I'd share with you the yummiest BBQ sauce around. I promise! It's the perfect mixture of spice, sweet and tang and we've had it with both ribs and chicken and it doesn't disappoint.

{Sarah Yates Photography via Once Wed}

Chipotle Maple Barbecue Sauce

{from Fresh Everyday}

Makes about 4 cups

1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
3 chipotle peppers in adobo, diced
1 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1/2 apple cider or unfiltered apple juice
Juice of 2 lemons
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons Colman's dry mustard
2 teaspoons sea salt
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

Combine the tomatoes, maple syrup, brown sugar, chipotle peppers, vinegar, Worcestershire, apple cider, lemon juice, garlic, mustard, salt and black pepper in a heavy bottomed sauce pan and stir to mix. Bring the sauce to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer for 30-35 minutes, until the sauce is thick and reduced by about one quarter. This sauce will keep refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Garden Grove Marguerite

I just got a new handbag for my birthday but I can't help but covet this bag by Kate Spade. I mean come on, what's not to love?

{via The City Sage}

Vacay, check.

So we're back from vacation it was nice and relaxing, the boys are getting older so trips are getting easier. For all you mommies of little shrimps when the days of pack and plays, naps and strollers are over vacation doesn't seem like life in a different city. It's fun! This is one of the first years it's seemed like that. Which makes me want to go on lots of little trips. We pretty much just hung out, beached it and ate in most nights. The kids had fun with their cousins and we had fun hanging out too. Lots of cards and definitely a few cocktails. Anyways so now we're home, it's always nice to get back into the swing of things don't you think?

{Little decked out in his usual Lightning McQueen finery, complete with Cars sunglasses}

My favorite things about coming home:

Sleeping in my own bed. Finishing all of the laundry, lame I know but it always feels like such an accomplishment. Cooking with my own utensils, nice pots and pans and sharp knives.

{Big has a new found love for boogie boarding, thankfully Dad doesn't mind going out in the water. Brrr.}

My least favorite things about coming home:

The heat, thankfully we missed the 118 degree day while we were gone. Getting the kids back on a somewhat normal bedtime schedule. Doing all of the grocery shopping when there is nothing in the house to make for meals.