We're off!

Everything's packed so we're headed off to the beach!

I'm dying for some cool weather. Literally. The kids were so excited that they couldn't sleep last night and what I couldn't say to them when I was begging for them to get into bed was, "Me too!"

{Actually we're here but I couldn't post this yesterday morning because Blogger was being a temperamental b*%#h.  Arggh Blogger, get it together}

{image from Etsy}

Hello flowers

Nothing like cheery flowerboxes or flowering vines to welcome you home. Now if only summers would look like this in Arizona.

{images via Pinterest, Blueprint Bliss, Sixx Design}

I NEED a new kitchen table stat!

It's official my kitchen chairs are falling apart. Sucks. Not that I'm not excited at the possibility of new furniture because there's nothing more exciting to me than new furniture, it's the finding the perfect thing at the perfect price. Oh the woes of a shopper on a budget and a family with two kids that still seem to get yogurt all over everything. (I find that s&*t everywhere! Seriously how does yogurt travel so far? Sorry I'm straying.) I've thought about getting a bench for the boys at the kitchen table, but then I think of how hard it is for regular (tall) adults to try and swing their long legs over and then I think not so smart. I think I've come up with the good old World Market solution that yes has been seen umpteen times but I still like it. Thoughts?

Starting with this

adding two of these at either end

and finishing the table off with four of these.

It's summer and I'm not so ship shape

How's summer been treating you so far? I'm still getting used to the go-go-go of summer activities of two boys instead of just one. This summer Little has all sorts of things on his schedule which make for some juggling (which I'm not always the best at) with Big's stuff too. Seriously the weeks have flown by! The first month of summer I don't really mind the doing nothing because the kids really don't say I'm bored too much it's the last weeks that start to make me crazy.

I have done little to no summer cooking, my laundry looks like it's enough for five people (that's just my stuff) and I've been all about town looking like a no-makeup wearing ragamuffin. C'est la vie, next week I'll be better.

{images via Sunday Suppers and Pinterest}

Library

I could hang out here. You?

Love it all.

{via House and Home}

Double cuff

How do you feel about the double cuff look? Personally, I love it.

{via This is Glamorous}

Summer vacay is here

The kids are home....all day. It's summer vacation. (Cue scary, foreboding music). The first day of summer vacation was um, interesting. We shall see how the summer progresses with two crazy boys. None of the activities we have signed up for have started yet so we are just hanging out, unscheduled for now.

{We could try this while eating these. There's #1.}

I think I need to cook up some activities for when there's the lull and the "I'm bored" rears it's head. Actually it's usually just Little who's saying it. He's used to having his twin cousin with him most days and when his brother is doing his own I hear it often. So tell me what are you all doing this summer? Ideas, kids' activities?It doesn't at all have to be kid related I mean come on, we all want to live vicariously through someones fabulous plans.

{images via Pink Wallpaper and Country Living}

To Do :: Long Weekend

Aaahhhh!! I've been working a lot (which I love) but it's kept me away from you lovelies. So this is what I'm thinking for the long weekend.

{Yes that's Kara Janx from Project Runway}

All On The Line, the best fashion show on TV that you can catch on the Sundance Channel. It's hosted by the coolest cat out there Joe Zee. Seriously peeps this is good stuff. Not like my Bravo cotton candy, it's an actual meal and it's delicious.

My interpretation of the Citrus Cucumber Margarita from True Food Kitchen.

Citrus Cucumber Margarita

(for one cocktail)

1 shot silver tequila

Juice of 3 limes

Juice of 1/4 clementine

2 tsp. simple syrup (you could use agave syrup instead)

Ice

Splash of club soda

Garnish with 2 cucumber slices, 1 clementine slice and some torn fresh mint.

Thrifting with friends. Do you thrift? I'm so hit or miss. Usually it's a miss but I have a friend who always hits and with clothes (I know) and I'm always amazed, so I must go with her to pick up some tips.

The Pomegranate Cafe, if you're an East Valley Phoenix local you must try this place. I'm obsessed. It's delicious and so healthy I want to pat myself on the back after I eat there. Like them on FB and here's the link for the latest menu. I had the Green Garden Protein Bowl this morning for breakfast, soooo YUM.  

Turquoise Sparkle Polish, One of my pilates clients this week has been rocking a glittery turquoise pedi and I'm so jealy. I must get this fabulous polish immediately. You know I don't wear blue except for turquoise especially on my toes so I'm excited to make a blue exception.

Goodness :: Leigh's Blankies

Sometimes you just can't help but be proud and amazed at the goodness of some people and I feel this way about my friend Andra. A little over a year ago she lost her life-long best friend in a car accident and in a tribute to her friend who was a nurse at Phoenix Children's Hospital she created Leigh's Blankies. You can read her inspirational story here about the hows and whys it all came about. She wanted to give children without much hope the secure feeling that a blanket provides so Andra began making these blankies. It's been so fun watching how these cozy flannel blankies have travelled locally and all over the world to China and Haiti making a difference.

{Leigh's Blankies}

{Andra with her crew}

{The blankets in Haiti}

Follow Andra and Leigh's Blankies good work HERE, I hope you're as inspired as I am!

Just a few things

I still not sick of maps. Love 'em.

This idea is the coolest. I don't know where I would ever try it but I really want to. Gold painted faux moulding? Yes please.

And lastly are you watching Real Housewives of New Jersey? I had broken up with it but now I'm back after watching the premiere episode. These people are nuts and I'm suckered right in with them. Here is a little taste of what you're missing. Meet Theresa's brother Joe and his wife Melissa. They are the newest cast members and they're walking into the church for the baby's christening. Yes, wearing something more appropriate for a night out in Atlantic City. These people never cease to amaze me.

Catch up on the brills recap by our favorite SGM.

{images via Country Living, Bryn Alexandra and SGM}

Make it :: Lyon Roasted Chicken

I know big deal Roasted Chicken (it looks fabulous), but I loved how AmberLee at Giverslog decided to make it after reading Hemingway's A Moveable Feast. Deciding to try something based on what you've read in a book is not only fun but a tribute to a great author if their words have made you long to try what they're eating.

I'm currently in the middle of A Moveable Feast and I adore it. I should say I've been in the middle for about a two months because I started to read it just after reading The Paris Wife. I decided that I needed a break from the Hemingways so I could really get to Ernest Hemingway's voice without Paula McClain's mixed in there. So I'm back to A Moveable Feast and I'll admit I never really wanted to read Hemingway. I've always read the classics but I've always skipped works by him, his larger than life, macho persona preceded his novels and turned me off. Anyways Ernest sorry I gave you the blow off because you're pretty cool despite your boozy philandering. I might even make a chicken in your honor!

{image and recipe from Giverslog}

Happy Weekend!

Arrrgh, for the last day Blogger has been on the fritz and it's so annoying because I think this week is the first week in eons that I've tried to post everyday. You try to tend to your sweet little blog and they screw it up. Thankfully it seems as though we're back on track, so I apologive for the interruption. So I know I've mentioned that I'm on Pinterest (follow me!) and now Rikki and I are posting to The Invitation Lady on Pinterest, so follow us there too! Lots of home, fashion and party inspiration that can be found in one bitchin' spot. You'll love it, I promise it's addicting.

{an example of the awesomeness to be found on Pinterest!}

If you want an invite to join Pinterest email me and I'll send one over pronto so you don't have to wait!

Secret spaces

Don't you just love outdoors spaces that seem like they're a secret?

{via Country Living}

Just a couple of things

Today I was a lucky girl and had a couple of hours to myself so I decided to run up to Phoenix to hit those store that I can't when I have little sidekicks. I picked up these fabulous vintage glass jars. I wish I had taken a better picture because they're really cool.

Then while we're on the subject of stuff what shall I do with these corbels? I have four. Any ideas? My mom brought them home from Nebraska for me last summer but they've just been sitting in the office, sad that they're all alone.

Oh and one of my favorite things is since I have these guys,

I always find these guys of some sort in precarious positions all over the house.

 It makes me laugh every time, well almost as long as I'm not stepping on one.

Wear it :: Neon

This isn't one of those trends that I dread because I wore it in fifth grade, I'm loving it! Neon makes me happy. I dig how they're wearing it this time around. No black, it's neutrals and navy.

{images via The Glitter Guide & We Heart It}

Warming up

How was your Mother's Day Mommies?  Mine was good, my kids were sweet but I was beat. Is it weird that I'm happy it's Monday? We had a very busy weekend so today has been my catch up day. Little is done with school and I'm a little sad, it's official he's a big kid headed to real school. Cry. 

It's hot here already but I imagine those of you that live in chilly places are excited to see the warm weather am I right? I'm looking forward to the lazy days of summer vacation that's for sure.

{images via here and here}

Coming up :: Mother's Day

I just realized it's Mother's Day Sunday. Gulp. We usually host the Mother's Day festivities at our house and this year it isn't any different so I should probably call all the mother's huh? So for my present my husband called our former cleaning lady (when I worked) to give the current cleaning lady (moi) the week off. Yay. Yesterday I also did something I normally never do but I told the kids to tell Dad that I wanted cycling shoes for Mother's Day. Hehehe. I'm so tricky.

Also I think for this shindig I need some new table linens or something to brighten up the table. What do you think of this table by Eddie Ross as seen in In Style or the pop color in the napkins from Coco + Kelley? All I know is my linen closet is sucking right now and it needs some new things.

And what should we serve? Any wonderful ideas? Oh and for cocktails I think it's high time I actually try Lillet Blanc. (You know the drink that all the bloggers were gaga over like two summers ago? Yeah that one. I'm late to all the cool parties.)

My itinerary

Well I wish. A nice hot bath followed by a long nap.

It is not to be today kids. I actually NEED to hit the gym, I've been a bad workouter lately. So bad you might be able to hum a little ditty about me not fitting through the bathroom door. So Monday here we are again. ugh. 

{via here and here}

Where I'm at

Hi all, sorry for the radio silence. We're actually out of town on vacation and I planned on blogging from the road but on the drive over we found out that a very close friend of ours had unexpectedly passed away. It is my husband's oldest friend, the God father to our oldest son and an honorary member of our family. We are heartbroken and trying to keep it all together because we haven't told the kids yet and figured we would cross that bridge when we get home.  So for now I'm enjoying the sun and will be home and back to blogging sometime next week. 

{via here}

Easter Ideas

I didn't do any special craftiness this year for Easter, I'm bad. Monday we're headed off to Carlsbad to for Big's spring break so we're busy packing, getting the house ready for the house sitter and doing the Easter grocery shopping. Which totally reminds me I need to go to the store, ugh it's going to be totally packed. My aunt called me and left a message asking where the Easter posts were so I guess I dropped the ball but here are a few things just for her. Easter is a holiday where cuteness abounds that's for sure. Maybe Saturday after the groc I'll have some time to knock out some of this crafty stuff.  Here are a few of the adorable Easter things seen around Blogland.

Eggs filled with grass so cute but maybe a little late in the game, file it away for next year.

Darby (the egg and grass girl) always has cute ideas and I loved her Easter story cookies last year and maybe I could do it with the shrimps tonight. I think it would be fun for Little.

Peeps S'mores. Cute and more importantly easy.

Send an adorable message via Eggogram.

It wouldn't be Easter without Martha so here's one of my favorites of hers. I'm a sucker for jars filled with stuff.

What are you guys making for your Easter meals?  We have a huge family gathering with all of our family; mine, my husband's and my brother-in-law's, it's awesome. No running from place to place, the kids get to see all of their grandparents in one spot it makes me very thankful for having such a cool family.  The past few years we've done omelet stations in addition to the usual fare and this year my mom is making her famous Eggs Benedict. I will be assisting her on Benedict duty but I will also be bringing Ina's Sour Cream Coffee Cake which is delicious and pretty and a Green Chile egg thing that I always make for those that don't like Eggs Benedict (which I think is near impossible but to each his own).  So what you have going on, what are your family Easter traditions?

Be bold

I love neutral palettes with bold colors. Totally goes with the warm weather don't you think?

This last image totally just reminded me of my love for overdyed rugs. Totally on my fantasy list.

{images via House Beautiful, Style at Home}