Party Time

We went to a party at my friend Kelley's house last weekend, and I wore a thrifted top you may recognize.

My favorite boots were perfect for the motorcycle picture, don't you think? I bought the ribbed leggings from Macy's while pregnant with Stella and I wear them weekly. How cute is my friend Kelley?

The Girl is Fearless

My little chicken is brave. Stella got hurt not once, but twice at this morning's play date. My friend said, "She gets hurt every time I see her." And it's true. She's sneaky, fast, and quiet, and if I turn my back for a second she's gone. First she fell off the trike onto the cement, and then she walked up in front of a kid swinging and got pushed onto the ground onto her back. She cried so hard she fell asleep in my arms.

I also 'lost' her at B&N the other day when I turned my back and she was gone. I started thinking someone picked her up and went running through the bookshelves yelling her name, and I found her looking for me when I turned a corner. I burst into tears and scooped her up. I would die if I lost her.

She has a scar on her eyebrow bone from a fall on cement stairs and another below her eye from a fight with her brother. The other day she climbed the coffee table, fell off, and tore her upper frenulum, bleeding from her mouth. It took everything to keep my composure.

She is going to give me a heart attack at a young age, that girl.

Moody Monday

Today was a rough day at home with the kids. I try to get them out every day so they can run out some energy and smell the fresh air, but some days are devoted to laundry, cleaning the house, dishes, and such. These are the times they climb the furniture, spill cereal all over the floor, chase each other and run into things, fight over toys and the iPad, try to sneak my phone, try to sneak my purse to empty its contents, open the fridge to rearrange the salad dressings (Stella) or sneak yogurt for the third time of the day (Cole). You get the idea.

So it's Mood of the Day Monday.. or just Moody Monday here at my house.
At least I love my boots.

These Target boots were a whim. I already had two pairs of black boots picked out (leather and suede buckled riding boots and suede wedge boots) and I was standing in the shoe aisle checking them out in the mirror when a girl walked up and said, "I really like those boots on you." I told her I already had two picked out, and she said, "Why not three?" So, thank you, random girl in Target, for okaying my purchase. These are by far the most worn of the three pairs of black boots, as they're the flattest and most casual. They zip up the side, but you can't tell in this picture.

Today I went to my usual backup color: black. Black skinny jeans you've seen so many times, a white long tank from GAP, and a cardigan from Target.

Things that piss me off:

1. When my kid does the same things I tell him not to over and over and over.
2. My dog barking outside at the door to come in when she's been out 5 minutes, like it's freezing and it's 80 degrees.
3. That I want to shop but can't afford to. :(

But since I am trying not to focus on the negative, I'll list some things that make me happy, too:

1. Watching my kids play together - it makes my heart happy.
2. My husband coming home early from work. Yay!
3. Dinner that turns out perfectly. I love it when that happens.

Until next time! :)

Absence and Chocolate

Sorry I've been away the last couple days. My outfits weren't worth sharing (jeans and boring tees) and I was spending time playing with the munchkins. On Thursday, we went to a play date at my tattooed momma friend's house, and we spent a lot of time this week playing outside. Today I let Stella go outside with Cole and as I watched them out the sliding glass doors, it occurred to me how fast they are growing up and how quickly life is going by. I feel so incredibly lucky that I am able to stay home with them and have seen every moment in their lives, from first steps to first boo-boos.

It is a rather weird week all around. Tonight I baked. That will tell you how weird it was.

Applesauce Chocolate Cake  

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened 
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons baking cocoa
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 cups unsweetened applesauce
• TOPPING:
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 2 tablespoons sugar

 Directions

1. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine dry ingredients; add to the creamed mixture alternately with applesauce. Pour into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking pan. Combine topping ingredients; sprinkle over batter. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

This might be my favorite cake in the entire world.

Two for Tuesday: Like a Bruise

Today I wanted to wear black leggings but since it was muddy outside and I knew the kids wanted to go to the park, it was black jeggings instead. They look like this pair (which I also own) but in black. When I wear black and blue together, it makes me feel like one big bruise from head to toe. Is that weird?

For the park today, it was casual with a hat in case of rain.

jeans, hat and top: Target... boots: Payless

the hubs said it was "a bad angle" - ya think? haha

For a second look, I paired it with a tunic sweater and thick black belt.

jeans, tunic, belt: Target.... boots: Payless

glasses: Zenni's $6 selection

Mood of the Day Monday

It's finally raining here after dark clouds and wind threatening for the past three days. Thus, today I woke up and put on my favorite Old Navy black long-sleeved tee and Mossimo skinny jeans from Target, of course. Black is always what I'm in the mood for!

This adorable vintage blazer came in the mail today. It was a recent eBay splurge - it was $6.99 plus shipping, so less than $10 overall. Not bad. This beauty is in pristine condition despite the mothball smell. Too bad I'll probably have to wait until next fall to wear it since the weather is warming up here.

Anyway, here's some eye candy for you!

Chambray Shirt and Chores

I'm wearing my chambray shirt today! The boys are out mowing and the girl is asleep, so maybe a photo will come later. I've paired it with dark brown slacks for a slight '70s feeling but no shoes so far since we've been inside all day. It's getting ready to rain so unless we want a jungle for a yard (and a city code violation), the mowing must be done. It's quite cute to see Cole following dad around with his mini mower.

Today is my mom's 51st birthday - happy birthday, Nana! We love you!

And that is all I have to say for now. :)

Lists & Things From My Phone

Do y'all make lists? Where do you keep yours?

My iPhone was my perfect note-taker until we switched to Android phones. It's still used as an iPod touch, so all of my lists are still in it, including play date ideas, inspirational quotes, photoshoot ideas, future house ideas, a recipe for Sunshine Lemon Coolers, Stella's birth story, words in my son's vocabulary, things to do, and baby names.

One of the longest running lists is a tattoo idea list. When something comes to mind, I make a note of it in my little section called TATTOOS and add to it or change it as time goes by. That way when that tattoo is finally inked on my skin, I'm sure of what I want.

Anyway, here's a glimpse into my phone and my life!


1. Sunshine Lemon Coolers

Ingredients:
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 1/2 cups cake flour
1/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 tspns baking powder
1/3 cup shortening
1 tbspn water
1 egg
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tspn vanilla
1/2 tspn unsweetened lemonade mix
1/8 tspn salt


Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Cream together sugars, shortening, egg, vanilla, and salt in
a large bowl.
3. Add the flour and baking powder. Add 1 tablespoon of water and
continue mixing until dough forms a ball.
4. Roll dough into 3/4-inch balls and flatten slightly onto a
lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until
cookies are light brown.
5. As cookies bake, combine 1 cup powdered sugar with the lemonade
drink mix in a large plastic bag and shake thoroughly to mix.
6. When the cookies are removed from the oven and while they are
hot, add 4 or 5 at a time to the bag and shake it until the cookies
are well coated. Repeat with the remaining cookies.


2. Baby Names
For girls, our names were:

• Isla Claire, Everly Mae, Tessa, Finley, Laney, Hayden, Ellery, Amery, Reese, Eva, Arden, Scout, Amelie, Peyton, Eisley and Brynn
• We ruled out these due to someone we know having them: Charlie, Sarah, Ava, Mia, Maya, Avery, Hadley, Audra, Audrey, Cadence, Ashlyn, Abigail, Sydney

 For boys, our names were:

• Asher Miles, Max Aidan, Kayton, Kasen, Wynn, Deagan, Beck, Gracen, Owen, Keaton, Story, Jett, Brooks, and Pierce (most of which my hubby hated)
• Silas, Jack, Henry, Holden, Jude, Price, Jase, Reid, Paxton

We settled on Cole Sayer and Stella Grace. Cole came first, then Stella. Both original, classic, timeless, strong names that stand on their own. I have no idea what will happen if we have an 'oops' baby, except our boy name is picked out! ;) Originally, I really wanted two boys, but having a girl has made me a softer person and a better mother.

3. Tattoo List (Wanted)

a red-orange Gerber daisy on my right shoulder

Russian dolls going down my right hip and leg

locket with two keys on my chest

• add on to owls to complete right sleeve with trees, leaves, sky, wind
• add anchor to left arm under pirate girl
• pirate ship on the back of my left arm

Day of the Week Themes

This week I'm going to try to start incorporating themes into each day. It may actually make it harder for me to get dressed, because most mornings my outfit is already chosen based on my mood. Most of the time I lean toward comfort since I'm with the kids all day and we often make a trip to the park. Today's ass burns are courtesy of the slide yesterday; my kids are too fun not to play with, and I was wearing a cute day dress from Francesca's.

Weekly Themes 

• Mood of the Day Monday -an outfit based on my mood and things that piss me off or make me happy
• Two for Tuesday -an outfit and a bonus 
• What I Wore Wednesday - post my outfit of the day 
• Thrifting Thursday - incorporate a thrift store find into my outfit or show off new 'old' goods 
• Five Things You Don't Know About Me Friday

Today's photo courtesy of Stella's cute booty.

 

365 Hangers: Looks I Love

Thanks to Annie at The Other Side of Gray for this link to some major designs for low prices. And holy crap, these are things even I can afford with two kids! Here are some looks I'm loving.