Springy

For some reason with this lovely weather that we're having I think that we need one more dose of green.

Random side note: Are you all glad that Mad Men has finally returned? I love that show and I looovve Don Draper, he's such a fox. My husband thinks that means that I also like John Hamm, which it doesn't. That totally makes sense doesn't it? I'm not sure guys get that...

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Green Spaces

I've decided not to bore you with recipes for Stout Floats or green dresses instead my ode to St. Patrick's Day this year will be green spaces that are calling my name.

Happy {early}St. Patrick's Day!

{all links can be found here}

Smell Good Solution

When you have sick people in your house you have lots of icky germs. When you have icky germs in your house you have to use icky, chemically smelly cleaners. One thing I really, really can't stand are strong, artificial or chemical scents, so using these products en masse is hard for me. Thankfully Pinterest came to my rescue with this delicious smelling solution (along with some open windows and fresh air). All you need is water, lemon, vanilla and rosemary. I'll let you in on a little secret too, there was no fresh to be found at my normal source (my parents) or the groc so I was desperate and used dried and it still did the trick. I can only imagine how good it smells with fresh rosemary.

You must try! Thanks Morgan for sharing this gem!

Magazines

I have a slight magazine hoarding problem. Glad to see I'm not the only one.

{via The Glitter Guide}

Play Outside

The weather in Arizona right now is heavenly. Warm sunny days filled with the scent of orange blossoms, nothing beats it.

Things are turning around here thank goodness. Yesterday the kids had the day off so we went to a spring training game. Talk about relaxing, I could get used to that.

GAP + DVF

The cutest collab evah!! Diane, you're brills for hitting us with your adorable looks for kids. Get them while they're young, good thinking. 

While we all reminisce about our Garanimals our kids will be chatting with their friends about their baby DVF gear. For the record I would like the first look in my size please.

Undertow

Sorry for the absence but it's been a crazy time and my head is finally starting to feel like it's not going to explode. What started as a busy week turned into a nightmarish stint with my husband in the hospital. There isn't much to say except I'm thankful for all I have and that my husband is home. 

So if posting is light for the next little bit please bear with me because I'm just doing all I can to keep my head above water. Thanks friends.

::artwork (appropriately titled) Undertow by Clare Elsaesser::

Tripping

The Mr. and I just returned from a little weekend trip to Kansas City. Even though I don't really love winter (the really cold kind) I do like breaking out the sweaters and coats for one more round of layered dressing. 

The clothes aside it's really nice to get away and recharge with the husband from time to time. Sometimes with the everyday stuff going on it's easy to forget why you like each other in the first place. Speaking of husbands and wives, have you all read A Blog About Love? I met Mara at Alt and she was so nice and stylish and when I had the opportunity to check out her blog I was floored. Such good stuff.

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Eat it :: Justin's Chocolate Hazelnut Butter

I'll let you in a little secret, this is what I've been eating every day for breakfast. This stuff is serious.

Eat your heart out Nutella.

Make me up :: New Faves

When I purchase cosmetics I'm that annoying girl that says things like, "I need a new lipstick" they show me ten they think I will like and I immediately choose something completely different. Or sometimes I sound like this, "Show me something new.", pretty vague but you can find some real gems this way. I like hearing about the products that the counter gals think are perfection and then I like to get dishy with them. They'll almost always steer you to their favorites at other counters too. I'm fickle like that, I like my makeup from lots of counters.

Approach #1: The one where I end up picking what I like instead of what they show me. One of my latest favorites in my lipstick rotation. Mac Rebel, I have dark hair and olive skin so it looks more pink on me rather than plum and whenever I wear it I get lots of compliments. Great for when you want a strong lip that isn't red.

Approach #2: The counter fave

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow in Shore as eye shadow base or on it's own. It's life changing.

Little

Little often asks me, "Where's my brother?" and it always fills my heart with good stuff. When I hear him call Big my brother, I can hear it in his voice that he thinks of him as that protector, friend, confidante. Seriously there is nothing better for a mom.

It makes up for the other brotherly ribbing and bickering doesn't it? We'll save those discussions for another day shall we? 

PS - I know the poster has nothing to do with my littles but I think they would love it and I think it's pretty cool.  May the force be with you.

I'd like a dutch baby

I've been waking up too early for my taste. Sometimes I can fall back asleep and other times no. These 4 am wake up calls are beginning to get to me!

This is one of my all time favorite pins. Love it for my early mornings, ha!

The other night the kids spent the night at my moms and she made these for them in the morning. They were so pretty and more importantly really yummy. Just something you might want to try when you want to be a little more fancy than regular old pancakes. I wish I would have snapped a picture because they were insanely cute in their individual gratin dishes. Leave it to my mom to have the pretty table setting for my little messies.  

Sunday Pancakes by sarahsfabday on polyvore.com

Here's a little sample of something similar to what I would expect from my mom. Simple shapes with lots of bright cheery color, great way to start a Sunday morning. Click through for shopping details.

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Reminder :: New Year's Goals

Aaah! It's already been a week since I last posted. Sorry about that. Last month I posted an anonymous survey in which you could share your new year's goals/resolutions/hopes/dreams/etc. I realized that I haven't shared them with you yet and I think it would be a good time to revisit it now that we've got one month down.

{Organization seems to be the #1}

• Get organized.
• Eat healthier, work out more, keep my emotions more in check, take care of me before I worry about everybody else (because when I don't I've realized that NOBODY benefits), be more organized
• To become more of a DIY mom and put my artistic ability to crafty work.
• Stick to exercise routine
• Turn the negative to a positive - instead of reacting negatively I will try to turn my thinking toward a positive reaction
• NONE.
• Lose the excess baggage: body and home.
• Not resolutions. Goals. And not until February.Trying to make good decisions and plans right after the holiday craziness? The pressure for Jan 1 is dumb. I have more motivation if I wait.
• Be more astute with my spending.
• Smile more!
• Find a job.
• To organize and simplify my life.

Easy, ordinary stuff enough right? Well sort of . Think a little more deeply for a minute because I think it's the ordinary that affects us everyday. Those kinds of small changes are the ones that make life easier and happier it's just so tough sometimes to remember the little things during the buzz of the day to day. So for those of you that shared thanks for the reminder of  those little things that will add up for us this year. Tell me, how's it going?

{image via Emerson Made}

Fab Friday :: Nothing exciting, just me

Just a few things I'm thinking about:

• Sometimes when I think about the word Friday my brain can't help but sing that putrid song Friday, the annoying viral video. They did good with that one because it was like 1000 years ago and I'm still singing it. Sheesh Sarah, stop it already. So Friday sometimes it's good, sometimes a little crazy no? On the weekends when I have a lot going on I need to make sure I eat my Wheaties because it could be a long one.
• Little just rolled into my room at 5:40 am because he "just can't stop thinking about cookie goldfish," and he "can't handle it". M'kay kid...Mom needs coffee.
• Do fish get depressed? Because every time I go out of town our Betta fish Karl freaks out and doesn't seem the same. I get home and he seems to perk right up.
• Leigh's Blankies. We're doing a little fundraising Sunday at the studio for my friend Andra's great kids' charity. If you're local come by!
• The weather in Phoenix is pretty awesome right now so you should think about a trip to come  and play at the Phoenix Open. (I know it's really the Waste Management Open but I still can't bring myself to say that. Ick.)
• The layering tutorial at Made By Girl is bomb and don't be surprised if you see me sporting the sequined tank paired with the chambray. I have both and why haven't I worn them together?
• I went to Alt and really do you care? It's hard to explain to people that don't blog. In fact I kind of feel weird saying that I went to a blog conference. I think I need to go again so I can get over the weird feeling and have some more fun. Here is my most favorite sum up of all that I've read, it's perfection. I'll just say DITTO. Oh and if you're not able to attend Alt, they have new online classes that will be launching February 1.

{image via This is Glamorous}

Sequins and animals

Last week I was wearing sequins and red lipstick and this week I'm headed to the kindergarten zoo field trip. Such is life. I do like the zoo however and I think the animals might appreciate a glam red lip.

Speaking of animals, cuteness abounds on Me Oh My with her animal storage tutorial.

Blog Crush :: Tulip Louise

You all know that I went to Alt last weekend and came back with some crazy blog crushes so here's whats up first. Fashionista Anna at Tulip Louise.

At the Alt Dinner en Blanc.

Lots of fashiony goodness here people. Actually writing this makes me slightly embarrassed that I posted the hobbit shoes. Yikes, what will she think of me? Please don't judge me Tulip.

{all images from Tulip Louise}

Fashion Devil/Wellness Angel

Does anyone else have fashion angels and devils sitting on their shoulders? On one side I have fashion devil whispering sweet nothings in my ears about wearing hot shoes like these. "You know you lovvve them."

And on the other side the angel is shrieking, "Your feet have 33 joints, 26 bones and tons of muscles they shouldn't be stuffed into those shoooeessss!!!"

The angel often tells me to get a pair of these. And I secretly want them but also loathe how they look. I'm in a conundrum. I actually asked a friend if she would still be my friend if I bought a pair, I think she's on the fence. Ha! Anyone out there that reads my blog have a pair? How do style devil and pilates/wellness angel work together? I haven't quite figured it out. 

Alt Summit Recap

Last night I got home from my whirlwind trip to Salt Lake City for the Alt Summit. Whew, I'm tuckered out. Lots of fun, girl talk and cocktails but more importantly lots of take aways (both good and bad) from all of the sessions. 

Make a Life List

100 things you want to get done. Easy enough right? We'll see how it goes when I attempt to put one together. I think I might make my husband do this one too. I think it would be a really interesting journey for us to both try and get our Life Lists completed.

Passion driven content that is good.

I heard this on my first panel and I don't remember who said it, but it really moved me to think about what I do here. This blog is play time for my interests but really could it be something more? My passion lies in teaching pilates; so who knows there might be more pilates/fitness content here at some point or maybe I'll start something new too. Regardless it has really given me a lot to think about. 

Emily Henderson

Is as cute, cool and nice in person as she is on TV. In case you wanted to know.

Vintage shopping.

Salt Lake City is good. Lots of cute clothes and vintage costume jewelry. Jaimee and I hit the jackpot and there is no better eye than local blogger Christina Brian from Full House. The girl has serious style and should host some shopping/styling trips here in Phoenix. (hint, hint Christina.)

Be nice.

This goes without saying, but not really not for some people. A smile goes a long way. 

Be authentic.

I heard this one over and over again. I feel that I'm real here with ya people but it's good to keep this in your mind at all times right? 

Pinterest is even more awesome than I thought.

One of the keynote speakers at the event was Ben Silbermann founder of Pinterest. The guy is a rock star in the most sweet, humble and inspiring way. Makes me love my favorite site even more. 

These are just a couple things that I came away with from Alt but there is a lot more. There was tons of networking going on and I know I'll have some great new blogs, shopping sites and products that I came away with so stay tuned!

I'm off to Alt Summit

I'm off to the snow! Alt Summit of course. I should probably be packing but here I am procrastinating at my computer. I'll try and post but knowing me I probably won't, so find me on twitter and follow my tweets. I'll do my best to share anything good.

Have a great week and cross you fingers that I don't forget anything or freeze!

{all image links here}

He's 8

Today Big turns 8. He woke up with the world's biggest smile like the world was going to tell him a secret now that he's a year older. I just know that he'll find one. Everyone always told me how fast it all goes, sometimes I can't even believe it.

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