What I'm Loving :: Fall

Here's a snippet of what I'm loving

Bailey at Peppermint Bliss and Biscuit is slaying it. As much as I love a good neutral I die for color. Her work is always unexpected and vibrant. This wallpapered bookshelf detail I'm obsessed with, so good.

If I wear earrings I almost always wear studs, these Alphabet earrings need to arrive in my stocking this year.

One of my favorite things about Italy was how if it was late afternoon they always served you a tiny nibble with a coffee or cocktail. This snack caddy is perfect for afternoon entertaining. (via)

I made the apple cider cocktail, yum. Easy and very fall. I used the Trader Joe's Spiced Cider and it made my Sunday.

Boy Speak

Being the mom of boys has given me tons of moments that make me laugh. As a kid I was a major doll lover, house player, dress up queen, I did have a brother but I guess his lingo didn't rub off on me. So I'm surprised quite often and the colorful descriptive language that boys use. Here are a few examples of what's going down at our house.

• "It's Sunday and we're kids, we're doomed!!"
• Using the word archenemy in a sentence in a way that isn't supposed to be funny or ironic.
• There is always a lot of  "versing" going on. For example, "we versed that team last week". Hilarious makes me laugh every time and I can't correct them because I love it too much.

Snakes, snails and puppy dog tails? I'll take comic book speak any day over that!

My fall baking plan

Being a mom is not for wimps. I'm sure everyone on the planet knows this but it's worth saying just one more time. The tedium of naps and diapers evolves into homework, sports and trying to help these small humans grow into a decent adults. Trying to keep them on track with homework and helping them navigate life without overstepping; letting them find their own way is a job in itself. It's like a giant act sometimes when you try to stay cool while inside you're cringing, steaming or laughing. The laughing is the best part so it takes the sting away from the moments that are not so hot. 

The kids have been in school for a month and thankfully life is settling into a routine. Routine I like, routine the kids like. So the ripping out my hair crazy person last week has morphed into "let's do this" mom. I like her much better, she's definitely much nicer.So when life settles and I feel nice I bake things. Baking for me is relaxing, making dinner NOT relaxing. I wish we could eat these Chai Spiced Sugar cookies I plan on making for dinner. I think a balanced meal is highly overrated. 

{recipe and image from My Baking Addiction}

Want It :: Apple, Lemon and Gin Shandy

I know I can't be the only wife who's already over football season. It makes me feel a teeny bit unloyal to my Sun Devils but everything about it makes me feel a little meh. I saw these in the latest issue of Southern Living in the Tailgating feature and they sound yummy. Mommy likey. Maybe a couple of these before the game will make it seem a bit more exciting. 

Apple, Lemon and Gin Shandy

3 large Granny Smiths peeled and chopped

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

3 tablespoons fresh shredded ginger

1/2 cup simple syrup

2 cups gin

1 (12 oz) bottle of chilled Pilsner beer or club soda

Garnish: Apple and Lemon slices

Puree apples, lemon juice, and ginger in a blender. Pour mixture through a fine wire-mesh strainer into a large pitcher, pressing to release juices; discard solids. Stir in Simple Syrup and gin. Chill 2 hours. Stir in chilled Pilsner beer or club soda. Serve over ice. Garnish, if desired

::via Southern Living, photography by Hector Sanchez::

Dress Up :: Fall On A Budget

So we're back and again it's been almost a week since I posted. Ah, Sunday the day of procrastination the perfect day for blogging. I had all sorts of good intentions of a Knock It Off post or maybe some cool Friday links last week but it wasn't to be. I had a runaway dog and a sick kid which of course all happened at the same time. Fun times I tell ya! So I thought we'd play dress up today with all items priced below $100. It's transitional time right now so even though it's still hot we want to pretend it's fall so I kept that in mind when I was playing dress up. 

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Mondays

Happy days people, it's been a rainy weekend in Phoenix. That's like your birthday, Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale and hot cocoa all rolled into one. We are crazy about our rainy days especially when they fall on the weekends. It gives us a pass to hang out, so this was me all weekend. Slug like, not pretty.

It's Monday the kids are at school and I'm ready for the week, kind of. I'm getting excited though because I know at some point it's going to cool off. Fall fever is almost in full effect, I'm dying for sweaters! Even though it's 107 out I'll still try to somehow manage a thin sweatshirt. I'm ready to do some baking but I hate making the house hot with the oven. Maybe I'll pull out some fallish items to make the house seem more cozy and charming, less like a sweat lodge (the unfortunate side effect of all the rain). 

What now?

When I glance at the side bar of my blog I realize that this little engine that could has been chugging along for almost six years. Holy shiz you guys, that is a long time! It's been at a standstill for the past couple of years for many reasons. It's tough being a day in and day out blogger, sometimes you feel inauthentic, sometimes people leave really mean comments, sites like Pinterest and Instagram make it quick to get an inspiration boost, it's a huge time suck, original content...it's a killer, life is hard/good/busy/etc. All of these reasons make it really challenging to stay on top of it. A few weeks ago I was at a family wedding and I was asked why I didn't blog anymore and the truth is a muddle of all of the above things. As my kids have gotten older the hamster wheel of baby and toddlerhood morphs into a completely new dynamic of parenting. The time where they're self sufficient, funny, smart and sassy but also becoming the person that they will always be, and for us it seemed as though it was a time that needed a little privacy. Time to grow as kids and as a family. That doesn't mean that I haven't missed writing, it just meant that I needed time to keep things a little closer to my heart. 

I used to read blogs that had a voice, ones that I could relate to. Not a clone of me but maybe someone who was more brave/scared, busy/bored or quiet/loud than myself. I miss that, reading and hearing an authentic voice. Getting the visual is easy, there are lots of imaged based sites (that I LOVE, don't kid yourself) where we can browse the pretty for hours. But as much as I love pretty I also want to just talk out there to space like I did before. I miss it. So now I'm sort of back to the beginning where my Mom, family and BFFs are the only ones commenting, but that's ok because it's a fresh start. We all could use a fresh start sometimes. So with that I'm welcoming some input. If you've been a reader of my blog way back, I mean waaaay back because it's been awhile what would you like to see here?

image via

Make it :: Top Your Cake

Since we started the no dye/artificial flavor thing in our house checking out sites like Pinterest make me shudder. Many of the party sites and images are flooded with brightly colored candies, goodies and drinks. It makes for a pretty picture but all I can think of is literally, go CRAZY colors. I want my kids to have a fun party like everyone else but sometimes a little visual marketing is all that a simple vanilla cupcake needs. I've started pinning ideas that look festive so there's lots of eye candy but the treats have very little crazy. We'll stick with the old fashioned stuff like butter and sugar. 

All links to the tutorials listed below.

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Knock It Off :: Work Style

Since it's September and I'm dreaming of sweaters I thought this image from Pinterest needed to be knocked off. I love every single element. I did warm up it up a bit in the color department, since it's Fall and all.

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Original image via

It's Daria

I remember watching MTV over at my neighbor Shannon's house after school. She was cool, she had cable back before everyone had it. I'm fairly positive I was in on the very beginning of it. MTV my darling constant companion for many years. I think the last thing that I actually watched was The City. I mean who wouldn't want to watch the goings on at DVF, Kelly Cutrone's and the uber-b Olivia's outfits? Even though I'm still obsessed with Olivia's outfits I'm not so much by MTV, however I saw this and wished it were real. 

CollegeHumor's Favorite Funny Videos

Daria. My favorite all-time MTV show. I would love to see this in real life.

Clean and Graphic

Today I'm doing it backwards, I usually write a post and then find pictures that seem to match the mood. Today it seems that I'm just posting some pretty and while I'm getting the images together I might find something interesting to say. 

These pictures are kind of how I hope my summer goes, clean and simple. It's been nice so far but it's only been a week. Am I too crazy to hope it keeps up? Yes I know I'm freaking bonkers. It's OK, please let me keep on with my illusion that I will have the perfect summer.

I do post more of my day to day on Instagram so follow me there too my handle is @sarahsfabday. 

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Fix-it

There must have been something in the water yesterday because in my neighborhood every street was filled with fix-it people. I saw air conditioning repair, water heater replacement, solar panel people (I want!) and for us refrigerator fixers. Ugh. We had a fun pool day planned at a friends (they must have totally seen my earlier post) and when I opened the freezer to grab some nuts for a salad and it was a frosty mess in there. Sh*t!!! Anyhow my girl took my kids anyway while I wasted to the day waiting for the fridge fixer. So thank heaven for friends that will take your kids and for speedy repair people. The only sucky thing is that the repair ate up my pin money that I was saving up for the painter. I know, painting isn't that hard, but it isn't that easy either. I don't like to redo things because of my DIY incompetence so I usually just pay someone to do it right the first time. So while we're on the subject of repairs, home maintenance, etc. here is one I need to try from Pinterest. This window cleaning project might have to happen this morning.

Magic Window Cleaner 

It looks as though it got a positive review and I have a huge window with no treatments on it right now so it looks skeevy. My kids are 9 and 7 how do they still manage to get hand prints all over everything? The dog is off the hook because she jumps up to see in sometimes, I get it I'll let it slide.

Update: I just cleaned the windows and the no squeegee thing, not so hot. I ended up redoing the window with the squeegee but the good news is that the Jet Dry addition to window cleaning solution makes things really easy. So even though I had to work a little harder I still give the recipe the thumbs up.

Sidenote: Do you watch Girls? Sometimes I love it and sometimes I hate it but I always find myself watching it, I adore that silly Shoshanna. Have you seen the parody? Ha!! So funny. If you like the show you have to watch but if not know it's NSFW. Just giving you fair warning.

{image via}

I'm bribing, any takers?

We don't have a pool because  I didn't want one when the kids were little. I was too scared of what could happen when they weren't good swimmers but now I long for a pool. No pool means we're at the mercy of our kind hearted friends and family. I will be calling begging for the brood to come over. I certainly don't want to wear out my welcome so we'll be the family bearing treats. Here are a few of the things that might be coming up this summer for pool bribery.

Any icy cocktail always works right? A libation will loosen anyone up even for my little crazies. I'll take on that challenge, I'l be the one who brings the good drinks! Mango Jalapeno Margs, Strawberry Rhubarb Sangria? Umm, hells yes.

Wanna keep things lively? Play Uno. I'm telling you to bring the cards! It fool proof.

Bocce works too but cards are more my style. The dudes seem to like it though.

If all else fails sweet treats! Homemade ice cream if possible. There is NOTHING better. I'm partial to Summer Peach but Mexican Chocolate (with Almonds OMG) also sounds amaze.

Summer motto : Be Prepared. 

Summer Syndromes

Most of the people where we live are already out of school. My kids are still slogging away at these last few days. There's been lots of end of the year activities so I don't know why they're just, "soooo tir-ed." in the morning. I guess its just the I'm ready for a break syndrome but then I need to prepare myself for the I'm bored syndrome that will probably follow. Normally I have a few camps lined up to keep them occupied but this year I haven't done it. I just can't bring myself to sign them up until we're all ready to go crazy in this house. Hopefully it's more than just a week or two. You know how you can tell that your kids are just ready for a break? Usually the first two weeks of summer are great for us and since we ended school later this year, we're headed on vacation shortly after our 2 week grace period hence the no plans. This is an experiment my friends, please don't kill me when I'm ready to go crazy in a few weeks.

How do you spend your summers? Is each week thoughtfully planned out or are you the more spontaneous type? 

White Sneaks

For some reason this summer all I can think about is clean white tennies. I get oh so tired of Havianas and sandals. 

What are you craving this summer?

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Summer Wants

This past weekend was the first weekend that the sun seemed brighter and my skin felt that certain glimmer of heat, a reminder of what's to come. I usually feel some sadness at the long, hot days waiting for me but this year I don't.  I'm feeling free and happy, what an upcoming summer should feel like. I can't wait. I wanted to do a post of my summer wants but these days I'm not feeling so fabulous and even though a new bauble or cover up might brighten my day for a moment my needs as of late are of a much more simple variety.  My summer wants are easy, how about a couple months of uneventful? 

Let's just say lazy, slower paced, with lots of friends, new recipes and maybe an easy trip or two.

{image via}

It's been a little cray

I'm home today. Tuesday is usually a busy work day for me but I have a kid who took a baseball to the noggin yesterday so we're staying home. He's currently alternating ice and Wii and I'm enjoying a moment to myself with the gazillions of posts filling up my reader (which is now Feedly, I love it.)

We've been busy with parties, weddings and such. Big had his first communion and confirmation complete with aunts and a sweet cousin from out of town, my sister in law got married and then the very next day was a fundraiser I'm involved with. I'm wiped. So today's little lie-in is a total lifesaver. I think since I'm home I need to organize my scattered life. I lost my keys in my house a week ago and still can't find them. Eek! My husband is sure I'm completely loco and I can't say that I blame him. Check in with me next week I might be the picture of tranquility and zen. There's always hoping right?

Cutting out the crazy

Since we've started this new way of eating I've had lots of questions about it. Here are a few with some simple answers:

1. Why are you all eating no dyes, artificial flavors or preservatives?

One day when I let my son eat Doritos and a few Twizzlers I noticed a 180 change. His behavior was nuts and he seemed emotionally overwhelmed. This had been happening and I'd started cutting out red dye before the holidays but then they rolled around and a candy cane here and there and all of the colorful food that goes with it my son was a whirling dervish of drama from October through December. I know the holidays had a lot to do dramz with that but let's just say the food additives were the icing on the cake, oy. So my husband and I decided to try it to see how it worked and thankfully it has helped, a lot. Even my son has started to get on board because he has noticed a difference in how he feels eating really cleanly. 

2. So you always let your kids eat junk?

No, not at all. Every now and then I would buy a bag of chips they asked for or allow the blue icees at the movies as a treat. I didn't want to be a total freak about food so I allowed it. Now though I've changed my tune, I've figured it out it's not the sugar it's all the extra crap! They hide that stuff in everything even food you wouldn't think would have it. Believe me in order to make this work I bought plenty of approved junk just so the kids wouldn't feel like they were missing out to begin with. In fact when we started the new way of eating I had more processed food in my pantry than I ever had. We've now figured out our favorites and I've whittled the processed factor way down.

3. Is there something specific that you did?

Yes, we started doing the Feingold Diet. It's pretty strict at first but there are a lot of materials and support out there for it. For a membership fee you have access to all the approved food lists and message boards. I've learned  a ton about new brands, etc. I know I may make some waves with Feingold purists but we started doing it at Stage 2. You're supposed to go super clean for 6 - 8 weeks cutting out certain salicylic fruits and veggies too but in order to make it successful I had to do what worked for our family. Doing something like this with my nine year old had to be a little more gentle. I figured the worst thing that could come out of it is that we would be eating healthier and wouldn't work. I could always start cutting out some of those things too as we went.

Honestly I'm super happy we did it and even though we ate pretty healthy I didn't realize all of the junk that was sneaking in under the radar. Big is happy he feels better, Little still moans and groans that he can't have Goldfish but at some point he'll stop. So for now all is well with our little food challenge, I'll keep you posted.

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What's going on

Hola! Thought I'd pop in and see if there is still actually anyone out there. Maybe, maybe not. That's ok it still feels good to write things out into the void of the internet. My sister-in-law is getting married so we've been busy with pretty showers, parties and plans.

My sweet babies are getting after it in sports.

My husband is busy working, a lot.

As a family we've been doing no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Challenging at first but now it seems pretty old hat. Not to worry though there is still plenty of crappy food and sweets to be eaten  if needed! 

I'm still obsessed with Instagram and Pinterest. You can find more of me there these days, come find me!

Pool anyone?

Every January the blogs are filled with resolutions and goals, mine included. But I think for me that this year is the year of the house. This blog is going on five years which totally blows me away but I think that it's time for a little less inspiration and a lot more action. I have this large front room that has served as the play room since the boys were babies. I have a dining room table, buffet and a sofa and the rest has always been kidland. It served it's purpose and still does. The boys still have mean balltag games but I'm thinking it's time to add to our room.

So here's my thought, move the family room into the large front room and make the family room more of a game room. I know some of you might gasp at why I would think to put a pool table, TV, video games system but with two boys getting older every day I want them to want to be here. I want them to be able to bring their friends over to hang out, I want to be the fun house...or should I say the-in-the know/fun house. This is all in the planning stages and probably won't happen in the next few months but I think this is where I'm headed. Seen any totally awesome not too manly game rooms? 

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I'm feeling refreshed

So how is 2013 treating you so far? Me, good. I love that my new year started out with some studio meetings and that this weekend will finish with Pilates workshops. Ironing out details for the upcoming year and getting invigorated by the other teachers is really what the doctor ordered. Mama needs this.

So last year the family motto was, "can do". What should this year's be? Got any suggestions?

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