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Our Weekend + This Week's Menu

Monday, April 30, 2018

How was your weekend? 

Ours was good and, on Friday, stretched out before us with no plans. I love those. :) We had our first real family movie night (Moana) on Friday after dinner and it was a success. Hadley definitely liked the popcorn the best, but who doesn't? After the girls went to bed I headed to Old Navy and picked up a couple of things for all of us during their in-store 40% off sale (I shared a few of those items in this Facebook post!). Old Navy already has great prices and at 40% off we really were able to stock up for spring and summer. 

On Saturday morning Hadley had her last mommy & me dance class (that flew by!). It's actually amazing how she progressed in her ability and willingness to listen to and watch the teacher over just eight weeks, although at this age I guess it shouldn't be a surprise that two months makes such a difference. 


After lunch we put the tiny dancer down for a nap and Carrington and I headed out to Barnes & Noble for a special "mommy & Carrie" date. In all honesty, we've had a challenging few weeks with her -- the stage she's going through right now is probably the most difficult one I've faced as a parent -- four and a half has been full of hilarious, sweet highs and also sassy, tearful lows. But hey, it all comes with the territory, right?


I thought having some one-on-one time where I could (within reason) say "yes" a lot more than I can with a one year old in tow would be a positive thing and it turns out, it was. We grabbed a juice box and a coffee, did a cheers, and then spent almost two hours slowly perusing the kids' books. I must've read 18 Pinkalicious books to her. :)

For dinner on Saturday we were planning to go out but the kids were really enjoying playing so instead we ordered in which was a nice change. Then the kids played in the backyard til bedtime, splashing in the water table and dragging dirt wherever they could. The weather was beyond beautiful.


On Sunday morning we went out to breakfast at our favorite local place, Turning Point, and then spent the day just hanging out, playing, watching Toy Story, cleaning up inside and outside, and grocery shopping. We ended the weekend with a sprinkle cone from the icecream truck. Which brings us to today! Not to sound cliche, but weekends should really, actually be more than two days long, am I right?



I'm sharing our weekly menu with you today and I think I'll try doing so every Monday moving forward. It is in no way, shape, or form fancy but if it can inspire some simple meal ideas then I'm glad! The kids eat what we do unless otherwise noted (even if it's only a few bites) and if I'm using a specific recipe, I'll link it. What's on your menu for the week?

Our Weekly Dinners April 30 - May 4

Monday: Pizza & Salad

Tuesday: Tacos w/ Rice & Corn

Wednesday: Grilled Pesto Chicken Kebobs & Pasta Salad

Thursday: Pasta w/ Broccoli & Parmesan, Garlic Bread

Friday: Broccoli & Cheese Omelet w/ Tots & Maple "Sausage" Patties (I use Morningstar)

Saturday: Tuna "Crabcakes" with Salad

Sunday: Out with Friends

Five on Friday: Here Comes the Sun

Friday, April 27, 2018

Friday is here! How was your week? Ours went quickly between work, school, play dates, activities, family visits... you know. The usual. :) We had some gorgeous weather this week and next week looks even better. SO excited for these upcoming months!

Today I'm linking up with some of my favorite fellow bloggers for a good old fashioned, random-as-always Five on Friday.

1. The Aquarium. I didn't get to mention it here, but we went to the Camden Aquarium last weekend and it was such a nice time. We've been there several times before, but not since before Hadley was born, so it was really fun to see both girls enjoy it. Hadley was mesmerized by so much of it and Carrington just kept insisting we find the octopuses (#thisisfour). Luckily we'll have plenty of time to scope out every octopus in the place because we pulled the trigger on yearlong passes thanks to a Living Social deal that made annual passes for four people (plus two guest tickets!) cheaper than one visit. So that was a no brainer! PS - Love that Philly skyline (and those cute girls).


2. Good Girls. Is anyone watching the new show "Good Girls" on NBC? I watched the first episode on the app on a whim and am now all caught up and I actually really like it. It has great actresses and a good mix of humor and seriousness. If you're looking for a new show, check it out and let me know what you think!


3. New music. Speaking of Good Girls, in the latest episode there was a really beautiful song in one of the scenes. I looked it up and it turns out it's called "Blanket Me" by Hundred Waters. I love discovering new (to me), good music -- here's the song, if you're the same way.

4. New kicks. I shared this on Facebook over the weekend, but I picked up some new sneakers for spring and summer from Marshalls. They're by Tommy Hilfiger and, unlike my usual preferred slip on sneakers, they lace up -- but I actually really like that they're a little different. They're so comfortable, too! I live in shoes like that since I'm chasing around wild children all day and at $25 the price was right. ;) If you're on the hunt for some new spring/summer sneaks, check out Marshalls and TJ Maxx. I've noticed so many cute styles there lately, including a ton of Toms and Sperrys.


5. I made baked meatballs for dinner last night and even Hadley ate them (she's going through the 21 month old "I refuse to eat anything but cheese" phase! Super fun!). It was pretty easy, all in all. I served them with spaghetti and a side salad. Here's the recipe I used. If you try them, let me know what the verdict is. (Speaking of verdict -- is anyone actually surprised by the Bill Cosby verdict? I mean, come on.)


Two quick questions for you. Yes, you! 

1. Would you be interested in seeing a regular "Lucky Finds" feature? I would post, maybe weekly, my favorite find for that week (for instance, those sneakers, or another great deal) and would share all of the details with you.

2. Would you like to see my weekly menu? It's nothing fancy at all but I do try to test out one new recipe or so a week and I'd be happy to share if it would help give you some meal inspo! I'm thinking I'd probably share it on Sunday or Monday. 

Let me know what you think! I'm open to any and all feedback, suggestions, etc. Wishing you a weekend full of all of your favorite things... or at least a few of them. XO


Fun Gift Ideas for Mother's Day

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Mother's Day is 18 days away...but who's counting? ;) Does anyone have plans for themselves and/or their moms? I'm not sure what we're up to yet but I'm sure we'll be spending time with our precious mommas.

Since there are just over two weeks to find a token of appreciation for your mom (or yourself -- no shame!), I rounded up some fun gift ideas for you. 

This tote from J.Crew (who the mom? you da mom)

A new experience (cooking class? salsa lessons? flower arranging?)

This book highlighting strong women like her (and you)

A pretty little mug (for tea, coffee, wine...whatever)

A homemade video interview with her kids (or grandkids) about what makes her great

An understated bracelet with her kiddo's (or her) initial

This iced coffee maker (because caffeine)

A photo session to document her ever-growing family (she'll get to actually be in the pictures!)

And finally, my favorite cliches:

Fresh flowers (save $ and grab a bouquet from Trader Joe's)

A gift card to her favorite store (I have never known someone to be mad about a gift card)

A massage (I have also never known someone to be mad about a massage)

A homemade meal (everything tastes better when you're not the one to make it!)

What would you add to the list?

Surprising Things Nobody Tells You About C-Sections + Tips for Prepping and Recovering

Tuesday, April 24, 2018


Hey all! Hope your week is off to a good start! Continuing the c-section talk this week as it's still C-Section Awareness Month through the end of April. No time like the present, right? If you missed my first post about my birth stories and why I had c-sections with both of my girls, you can check that out here.

Today I wanted to share a few tips for preparing for a c-section, as well as tips for recovering as quickly and painlessly as possible. Recovery, in my experience, is the hardest part of the c-section process (especially when you factor in a newborn and perhaps other children to take care of and those lovely postpartum hormones). 

Preparing for Your C-Section

1. Set up your plan of action and rally your support system before the birth. Know all of the times and details for the day of, who will be by your side to support you at the hospital and at home, and read up on what to expect (but stick to reputable sites, not opinion/experience based ones -- don't unnecessarily scare yourself). Having everything in place before it's d-day (delivery day!) will lift a big weight and make everything go as smoothly as possible once the baby arrives.

2. Stock up on the following to have at home: Motrin (the hospital will likely send you home with a prescription for pain meds, but Motrin will also do the trick, especially if you don't like the idea of prescription medication), Ice cubes (if you don't have an ice maker or some treys, get some -- the hospital will send you home with bags that you can fill with ice to put on your incision), extra meals (make sure you have either super easy to make, already prepared/frozen, or gifted meals lined up for the weeks right after the birth). 

3. Make sure you pack either extra comfortable, soft pants OR dresses for the hospital and have some ready at home, too -- basically, steer away from anything with a waistband as it's the last thing you'll want anywhere near your incision. If you can, treat yourself to a few new comfy pairs of pants or soft dresses so you can actually look forward to wearing them. :) 

Recovering from Your C-Section

1. Accept help. I know this is so much easier said than done (trust me... I know) but accept help offered to you in the form of someone picking up your playroom, making you dinner, or keeping an eye on the baby for a few minutes so you can rest. Don't forget that you not only just had a baby, you also had major surgery. This is my #1 tip for recovery.

2. A pillow is your best friend. Anyone who's had a c-section knows that laughing or coughing are your enemies. Of course, with my first birth, I literally had a cough when C was born so that was fun! And with both births, Steve would make me laugh and I'd want to kill him. ;) Make sure you have a pillow nearby at all times that you can press to your stomach when you laugh or cough to take some of that pain away.

3. Create a "necessities station." With both of my c-sections I was told I could only do stairs one time a day. We had a 2 story house, so that felt impossible -- but what helped was creating a "station" of all of my and baby's necessities so I wouldn't have to climb up and down all day long. Think diapers, wipes, breastfeeding/bottle feeding supplies, bibs, an extra change of clothes, my glasses, a drink, etc. Before you come down for the day, try to think of anything you'll need upstairs and bring it down with you. Not climbing those steps will help recovery go faster.

4. Keep up with your pain medication (whatever type you decide) those first couple of days. Don't let the pain get away from you. Sufficient pain relief will help you get up and start slowly walking and moving around, which will be immensely helpful for your recovery!

5. Take a shower. As soon as you are able to stand, walk, and move around and you are cleared by those caring for you, go ahead and take a shower. Even if it's just warm water washing over you -- you'll feel like a new woman! This is true after any birth, but there's something about the more lengthy, bed-ridden process of recovery after a c-section that will really beg for a shower/fresh start.

Surprising Things Nobody Tells You About C-Sections

Finally, a few unexpected things about having a c-section. First up is TMI all the way but hey, if you've read this far, I'm guessing you don't care. ;) 

Going to the bathroom for the first time will be a damn nightmare. Especially if it's a repeat c-section, chances are your bowels will have turned against you and it might seem, in the moment, like they are trying to kill you. It ain't pretty but it's real, friends. This too shall pass (literally).

Most hospitals will allow you and/or your husband to watch. I opted not to watch (just not something I personally felt I needed) but Steve watched both of the girls be born.

You probably won't mind your scar one bit. In fact, you may love it. Every time you look at it, it will be a reminder of the life you brought into the world, the first time you met your little love, and what a warrior you are.


Girl Chat Thursday: Guilty Pleasures

Thursday, April 19, 2018

First of all: thanks a million (my dad always said that) to those who read, shared, and took the time to respond to yesterday's post. I'm so glad it resonated with some of you and I'll be back next week with some c-section surprises (things no one tells you!) plus tips for preparing for and recovering from a c-section if that's in your future.


Changing gears quite a bit today to keep it light -- I'm joining the Girl Chat link-up with some of my favorite ladies to share my "guilty pleasures" (and, let's be honest, to read about others'). One of the reasons I began blogging was because I love finding that common ground -- those "you do that too?!" moments -- with others. This is a great way to do that! 

1. TV from my youth. 

First up are comfort television shows, as I call them. They're like comfort food but in TV form. They're shows I watched and loved as a kid and somehow they transport me back to that more carefree, innocent time and just give me all of the warm fuzzies. They are: Full House, The Wonder Years, Boy Meets World, Reba, and I'm not going to lie I wouldn't change the channel if Sabrina the Teenage Witch came on. Anyone else???

2. Snacking in bed.

Instead of a "guilty pleasure" this could also be called a "bad habit" ...but let's not mince words. ;) I love nothing more than crawling in bed with a good snack at night -- a bowl of cereal, popcorn, something else crunchy and delicious. And usually something that leaves crumbs behind. Sorry, Steve!

3. Afternoon naps. 

If I could map out an ideal day, an afternoon nap would 100% be a part of it. There is something so indulgent, especially these days, about curling up and closing my eyes for a few minutes around 2 or 3pm and waking up feeling like a new woman. 

4. Coffee.

I shouldn't feel guilty at all about this, actually, should I? I mean, I'm a mom. But man I love my coffee. Fun fact: pre-kids, I didn't drink coffee at all. Ever. I only discovered its magic a few months after having C and I've been hooked ever since. I usually have 2 glasses (I only drink iced!) a day and look forward to each of them so much. Another mini guilty pleasure is that I buy cute paper straws to drink my iced coffee from. It's the little things, right?

5. Shopping (especially for the kids). 

I've always loved shopping and now that I have two little girls to shop for, I'm in all my glory. Obviously I have to keep myself in line and reel it in ;) (or else get another job!) but I love browsing for them. I still enjoy shopping for myself, too, because I generally enjoy clothes, shoes, and fashion -- but it doesn't happen too often and definitely takes a back seat to the kids. They have much better wardrobes than me!

Would love to hear your guilty (or not-so-guilty!) pleasures, if you'd be willing to share!

My C-Sections: Before, During, and After

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Did you know April is Cesarian Section Awareness Month? It's meant to educate women about c-sections including risks and complications, and also supports VBACs (vaginal birth after cesarian) for subsequent births. If you're interested in that, you can find more information here.

(sending a text update to family in pre-op before C was born)

The Before 
(and why I chose to have two c-sections)

Both of my girls -- my greatest gifts -- came into the world via c-section. When I was pregnant with Carrington I fully intended to have a vaginal birth, taking birth classes and imagining what that process would be like. Would my water break dramatically like it seems to in the movies? Would we wake in the middle of the night? Would she arrive early or would her due date come and go? 

About halfway through my pregnancy with her, we found out she was in a breech position (meaning her head was up by my ribs and her feet were down by my pelvis, instead of the other way around). I did some at-home exercises (laying almost upside down with my legs up on the couch, etc.) and was told she'd most likely flip. She never did, though, and as we got closer to her due date my doctor let us know about our options: we could make an appointment to have an external cephalic version (where doctors try to manually turn the baby) or we could schedule a c-section. I went back and forth a lot and did a ton of research, asked friends who had been in similar positions, and even watch videos to try to educate myself as much as possible on both the version and a c-section. In the end, do you know how I decided what to do? I trusted my gut. It sounds crazy, but that's what it came down to. There are, of course, risks associated with a c-section but there are also risks associated with a version and I made a personal decision that I felt comfortable with (Steve supported me in whatever I decided).

When it was time to decide on a birth plan for Hadley, I again went back and forth (this is kind of my thing before making a big decision... or any decision, really). I asked every doctor I saw at my practice about their experiences with VBACs versus second c-sections (and to be honest, I didn't find that any of them were trying to persuade me either way), I did a lot of my own research, again asked friends who had had VBACs and friends who had multiple c-sections. Finally, we decided to sign the consent papers for a VBAC and set a date during the 39th week (3 days before Hadley's original due date, which actually was my birthday) for a c-section in the event that she didn't come on her own before then. All along, even though a VBAC was plan A, I have to admit... I felt unsure. Not just nervous about what the vaginal birth process would be like, but I had this feeling I couldn't describe. I didn't feel confident about it, but nevertheless we moved forward. When Hadley didn't come by the date we had scheduled the c-section, a c-section it was.

(Right after C arrived -- Steve watched her be born!)

The During
(my birth stories!)

The morning of Carrington's birth we arrived at the hospital a bundle of excited nerves, but also calm, if that makes sense. We knew she would be in our arms in a matter of hours. Once we checked in, we were taken back to pre-op where I changed into a gown and was hooked up to an IV (the most "painful" part of the actual c-section process -- not counting recovery -- and it wasn't that painful at all) and monitors. We listened to C's heartbeat as we texted our families and talked about meeting her. They checked via ultrasound that she was still breech, and indeed she was. My doctor (the one I had really hoped all along would deliver C -- I felt so comforted to see him!) came in to chat with us and put us at ease. 

At go-time, we walked over to the operating room and while I went in and got the spinal (again, not a terrible experience for me personally) and was set up on the table, Steve changed into scrubs and was then ushered in once I was all prepped. He sat by my head as they began the delivery process. Our c-section was scheduled for 10am that morning and by 10:26 we heard the anesthesiologist (who, by the way, I never realized played such a big role during c-section deliveries) announce the time as our daughter's first cries filled the room. The mood was celebratory and the nurses invited my husband over to the table where they cleaned C up and then brought her over to me to snuggle and kiss. Steve left with our baby girl while they stitched me up and then we had an hour in the recovery room to bond, begin breastfeeding, etc.

Hadley's birth story is quite similar, except I went into it this time feeling both more confident and a bit more nervous, if that makes sense. I knew what to expect the second time around which can be both a relief and also nerve-wracking. The same doctor, who I love and trust, delivered Hadley. After the pre-op and spinal, Steve was brought in and the doctors (it was my doctor and a resident) prepared to begin. Suddenly the anesthesiologist told them that she "didn't like how my heart looked." I've always had a slightly irregular heartbeat and I guess that was exhibiting, so my doctor moved quickly but safely to deliver Hadley. She was out within minutes and crying, and Steve and I experienced the best day of our lives all over again with our sweet second daughter. All turned out fine with my heart but I did need to stay in the high-risk section, see a cardiologist for testing, and wear a heart monitor (which was pretty annoying hooked up all over my chest!) while I was there. However, the craziest part to me is that when my doctor was delivering Hadley he mentioned to the resident that I had a "window" on my  uterus, which basically (very basically) means my uterus was stretched so thin where my previous c-section scar was that you could somewhat see through it. Scary, and it meant that in my case, I was lucky that I hadn't gone into labor and attempted a VBAC. I was so grateful to have my healthy baby in my arms.

(Sisters meeting for the first time after H was born -- one of the best moments of my life!)

The After
(recovery and beyond)

Without a doubt, recovery is the toughest part of having a c-section. The birth itself is painless and I had wonderful, memorable, special experiences both times. I was never one who had a rigid birth plan -- I just wanted to be ok and I wanted my babies to be ok, and however that happened counted as a beautiful success to me. 

But the recovery can definitely be tough, and there's no sugarcoating that. After Carrie's birth, I remember standing up out of bed for the first time and tears just streaming down my face as the nurse's helped me ease my way up. There was no going up and down stairs for weeks, no driving for weeks, no bending over to pick things up off the floor or carrying anything heavier than my new baby. Going from a stubbornly independent, restless person to a person who needed to rely on people (read, my husband, who was very helpful) was the most difficult part for me -- but it was necessary for a full, healthy recovery. That coupled with just first time mom-ness was difficult for me those first couple of weeks, I won't lie. But after a week or two I began to feel more and more like myself and eventually my scar faded so much that it was almost invisible... until Hadley's birth, that is. ;)

The recovery with Hadley was easier physically. My body knew what to expect and it just felt overall less painful this time around. I healed well again, thankfully, and knew I couldn't push myself too hard. Emotionally the recovery and moving slowly was tough with an energetic 2.5 year old to also take care of, but physically I felt pretty good. 21 months later and my scar is once again almost faded completely -- although, honestly, I don't mind my scar one bit. That is how my babies came into the world, and I'd do it a million more times for each of them.

We've all seen the outrageous posts about c-sections not being "real" births and I don't want to even give that a minute of time because I truly feel that's not what 95% of people believe. More subtly, I've heard from women who have pity in their voice when they hear how my babies were born -- it's out of the goodness of their heart, but believe me -- I would not have had it any other way because that is how both of my girls were brought into the world safely. Certainly women who feel disappointed to have had a c-section, planned or unplanned, should feel validated in those feelings too. We each have a unique journey and birth story, but my hope is that we can always provide support for one another. Let's face it, after the baby is born, we're all in this crazy parenting thing together! ;)

Next week I'll be sharing some tips for c-section (or to be) mommas -- tips from my experience for preparing, recovering, etc. 

Hope you all have a beautiful Wednesday!

Saying Goodbye

Sunday, April 15, 2018



Hi friends. I apologize for the silence over the past week or so. I had a fun Five on Friday post planned for, you guessed it, Friday... but early on in the day we received some very sad news. My Uncle Jorge, one of my dad's brothers and the kindest soul in the world, passed away. He was 74.

I, along with anyone who ever met him even once, am truly heartbroken. Uncle Jorge was kind, gentle, caring, generous, hardworking, fun loving. I had the absolute privilege of being on his arm as he escorted me down the aisle on my wedding day. I hope he knew how much that meant to me. It meant the world.

Steve and I will be attending his funeral tomorrow. I appreciate all of you who have reached out with words of love, support, comfort, and encouragement for myself and my family. Please keep my Aunt Sue, his wife and best friend, in your thoughts as she navigates what is undoubtedly a profoundly sad time. 

I will be back this week with some new posts and look forward to connecting with you all then. XO

That Time I Walked Through My Neighborhood Holding An Empty Shoebox & Sobbing

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Alternatively titled: hormones are a real thing, and nature is cruel.

It's midweek and though there are lots of great, substantive posts I'd like to share, I'm going to tell you a little story instead. 

One day when I was about 6 months pregnant with Carrington, I decided to take Layla for a walk around our neighborhood. It was a beautiful day and I was in such a good mood. So there we went, my bump, my dog, and myself walking (waddling) around the loop. As we turned the corner onto the street behind ours, I saw a bird that seemed to be sitting very still on a driveway. It almost looked like it was laying down, but it was flapping it's wings and moving very slowly across the driveway. My chest tightened and my stomach flipped as I squinted my eyes and moved a little closer to get a better look, when all of the sudden this GIANT black crow came swooping down and began pecking this bird to death, clearly finishing what he had already started. 

THIS WOULD ONLY HAPPEN TO ME.

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a huge animal lover -- animals of all sizes and kinds -- and very sensitive to them and their wellbeing. And there I was, trying to enjoy a walk on a sunny day, when I was a witness to a brutal murder. I immediately started muttering to myself "Oh my God, oh my God, what do I do?" and I charged at the crow with Layla. The crow spread its large wings and lifted itself up onto the roof of the house right above its victim, momentarily. I turned around and started RUNNING home with my golden retriever and my big belly, and when I got inside I did what any sane grown woman would do: I grabbed my phone and called my husband at work, all while crying hysterically. After Steve determined that his wife and unborn child were, in fact, alive and well, he calmly told me to grab an empty shoebox and a work glove and I could go back for the bird... I could gently lift it into the box and save it. I could save its life.

So that's what I did. I found an empty shoebox as fast as I could and waddle-ran my way back around the corner to the bird with tears flying out of my eyes; I felt like I had a superhero cape on my back. I WILL SAVE YOU, BIRD.

When I got there... well. Let's just say all that was left were some feathers.

GUYS. I have never cried so hard. I turned around slowly, defeated, and walked back through my neighborhood, holding my empty shoebox and just absolutely sobbing. 

So if you lived in NJ in 2013 and happened to see a pregnant lady walking around your neighborhood with an empty shoebox crying her heart out... it was me. It was me.

There is no real point of this story other than 1. Hormones are SO real -- and pregnancy hormones will 100% turn you into a blubbering fool (and let's not even talk about post-pregnancy hormones), 2. Although let's be real, I probably would have had the same exact reaction not pregnant, and 3. Nature is cruel.

Has anything like this ever happened to you, or am I really the only one? Don't answer that. ;)

Our Weekend

Monday, April 9, 2018

How was your weekend? 

Ours was busy (more so on my end) but a lot of fun. On Saturday I had a baby shower to attend 2 hours away and then a dinner/drink date with some girlfriends in the evening. I have to call out my husband for a second: he went to Mommy & Me Ballet with Hadley in the morning so I could get ready for the shower. I mean, keeper. 



The shower was beautiful and my friend looks amazing. She's expecting twin girls in June and they were spoiled (rightfully so!) by love and gifts. The theme was "Tea for Two" which I thought was so cute! After a few hours there, I headed back home and was able to spend a couple of hours with my family -- eating dinner, playing, baths and bedtime kisses -- before heading back out for pizza and champagne (best. combo. ever.). 


Yesterday we started out slow with breakfast and Mickey (the picture below is the girls "cheers-ing" their milk), a grocery pick-up, and playing. Steve and I then proceeded to do a deep clean of the entire house. I'm talking everything from multiple loads of laundry to bathrooms (showers/tubs included, ugh), windows, floors, filing papers. The girls helped along the way here and there (they love to throw the laundry in, especially) and even though my back feels like it's broken today, starting off the week with a completely clean and organized house is worth it. I'm not one of those sticklers who needs it perfect every day, but once in a while getting it all done is good for the sanity. ;)


This week we have play dates, a visit from grandma and Uncle James, soccer, gymnastics, and preschool on the agenda -- plus work and errands, of course. But what I'm MOST looking forward to is weather getting into the mid-70s by later in the week! You can fully expect my little family to be prancing around outside in shorts and t-shirts. We are so ready. 

Hope your week is off to a good start!


Five on Friday: Hello April

Friday, April 6, 2018

It's been a long time since I've been so happy to see Friday. The past couple weeks have kicked my butt and I'm looking forward to recharging with friends and family (and maybe a little bit by myself ;)) this weekend. What are your plans? Tomorrow is one of my dearest friend's baby shower (hi Daniela!) -- she's expecting twin girls. So exciting! I'm going to try to sneak in Hadley's dance class in the morning before I leave somehow, and then friends of mine are grabbing drinks Saturday evening. Sunday will be for cleaning, playing, and groceries. 

I'm excited to hop into the first Five on Friday of April: 

1. Baby windbreaker. I've gotten a few questions (doesn't "gotten" feel like it can't possibly be a word?) about Hadley's new spring windbreaker and it's from H&M! You can find it here, if you're interested.


2. Workout playlist. We recently bought a second-hand treadmill from Facebook marketplace and Steve and I have been using it pretty regularly. What are your favorite songs to workout to? My playlist needs a little help. Right now it consists of:

The Middle - Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey
Silence - Marshmello feat. Khalid
Everyday - Ariana Grande feat. Future
Closer - The Chainsmokers feat. Halsey
Hey Brother - Avicii
Bad at Love - Halsey
Wolves - Selena Gomez & Marshmello

I love me some Halsey but I'd be grateful for any suggestions!  

3. Halo Top. I know Halo Top gets mixed reviews, but I think if you like frozen yogurt (which I actually prefer to ice cream) then you can't go wrong with some Halo Top. My  Target recently started stocking some new flavors and FRIENDS. You need to try the candy bar flavor. It has little bits of peanuts in it, some caramel, some fudge. It is so good and so satisfying. Give it a try and let me know what you think!


4. A summer hat. I found this at Target in the "dollar spot" for $5 -- can someone please get it? I carried it around Target debating but I just can't justify it. They had a few sayings but I loved the "do not disturb" the best. ;)


5. The dress with the cult following (for 40% off). Have you heard about the Leith Ruched dress from Nordstrom? It comes in a sleeveless and sleeved version and I've had my eye on it for forever because I've heard nothing but great things (it has more than 1,550 positive reviews!) and it seems like it would be so versatile... but the usual $56 price tag is more than I'd like. SO the other day I was stalking it, like usual, when I noticed the heathered coral color was on sale for 40% off and they had my size in stock! Don't you love when that happens? Here's the link to it if you've had your eye on it, too. Right now XL and XXL is in stock but if you need a different size, keep checking back. You might luck out!


Wishing you a happy weekend! XO

Easter Weekend

Thursday, April 5, 2018

It's Thursday (aka, almost the weekend) and I'm just getting around to a recap of last weekend! Life can slow down a bit any time now. ;) 

For the past few years we've hosted a pretty low-key Easter dinner at our house (I always make this ham, which you've heard me talk about before -- it's amazingly yummy but also the easiest thing ever), but this year we took the girls on a day trip to see Steve's extended family. It was so nice to see a great group of aunts, uncles, and cousins that we don't get to see often! The kids had a lot of fun hunting eggs out in the field/trees surrounding Steve's aunt's house and we had fun catching up with everyone. 


Even though it was cold, we still pulled out the matching Easter dresses I had found back in January (for like $9 each!) because, how could we not?


On the hunt! Each child had 10 eggs with their name on it hidden, which I loved because it meant it was fair for everyone but they still got the thrill of searching for them.


The littlest devouring some Easter supper.


The kid table is always the place to be! 

What did you do over the weekend? Or maybe I should ask what your plans are for this weekend since it's only a day or so away. :) 

TBB Asks - Spring Edition

Monday, April 2, 2018

Hi and happy Monday, ladies (and gentleman?). 

Did you have a nice weekend? Ours was fun but busy! I'm going to try to do a little re-cap tomorrow or Wednesday. Monday came in like a freight train -- it should be illegal to have to dive back into a regular Monday after a holiday.

To ease back into the week, I'm linking up with TBB today to talk all things spring! Even though it's technically spring, it sure doesn't feel like it in these parts (New Jersey). In fact, we had a dusting of snow this morning (insert all of the angry/sobbing emojis). 


1. What 3 colors most remind you of spring? Yellow, lavender, and green.

2. What is the first thing you added to your wardrobe for the spring? I bought this knotted t-shirt a while back because it was the softest thing ever and give me all the t-shirts.

3. What is the first wardrobe item you ditch in the spring? Heavy coats!

4. Who mows the grass where you live? My husband.

5. What's spring like where you live? The beginning is really a wild card. There can be snow or 70 degree days, which is how it's been this year. 

6. What's your favorite thing about spring? I hate the winter, so pretty much everything! But I think my favorite thing would have to be the world turning green and colorful again.

7. Are you a spring cleaner? Yes! It inspires me to clean up and clean out, for sure.

8. Are you a baseball fan? Not really

9. Tulips or daffodils? I love tulips!

10. Favorite outdoor spring activity? Love anything outdoors. Fruit picking, hiking, playing at the playground, taking walks, planting things.

11. Flowers in the ground or pots? I don't have a green thumb at all, but I wish I did and like to pretend I do. Flowers in pots are easier for me! But I love both.

12. Favorite bird? I actually have a weird fascination with birds that proves I'm getting to be an old lady! ;) I love sea gulls because they remind me of the ocean, cardinals because they're said to be representative of lost loved ones, and hummingbirds because they're just so interesting to watch.

13. Car wash or wash vehicles at home? At home, even though we almost never do it -- whoops! My car gets washed when I get an oil change, haha.

14. When do you pull out your sandals? As soon as possible!

Thanks for having me, TBB! Would love to hear your responses to some of these. :) 
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