Spring Break

The flowers are blooming, it is sunny outside, Easter is Sunday and Spring Break has arrived!

Oh Spring Break!

Why is it always so awesome?

Elementary School, High School, College, Now.

It doesn't matter the time in my life.

It is always awesome.

Tomorrow kicks off Spring Break for the kids and I cannot wait to let them sleep in, throw out the schedules, go swimming (crossing fingers the weather cooperates!) and recharge.

I am going to also step away for a little while and try to do a little relaxing myself.

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday weekend and I will be back in a bit!

Grilled Peanut Butter-Banana Fingers

Gone are the days of a few crackers and fruit as an after school snack.  My boys come home HUNGARY and it seems, eat our entire kitchen.  I cannot even imagine what the teenage years are going to be like.  I have been trying to come up with some heartier snacks for them to get them until dinner and these Grilled Peanut Butter-Banana Fingers from Cooking Light: Real Family Food did the trick.  A little protein, a little fruit and a little sweet.  They were perfect and not to shabby for me either.  What is not to love about peanut butter, chocolate and banana?  I will tell you.  NOTHING.

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
4 slices white bread
1 small banana, halved crosswise
cooking spray
1 tablespoon chocolate syrup
2 tablespoons honey (optional)

To Make:
1. Preheat pan or panini grill
2. Spread peanut butter evenly over 2 bread slices.  Cut each banana half lengthwise into three slices.  Layer banana slices over peanut butter on bread slices.  Top with remaining bread slices. ( I actually put the peanut butter on all four slices because I hate when I have a grilled sandwich and it is not evenly spaced.  Blame my OCD).
3. Coat outside of sandwiches with cooking spray and grill, about 1 min on each side.
4. Cut sandwiches into 4 slices.
5. Drizzle sandwich slices evenly with chocolate sauce.  Serve with honey for dipping (one son liked this, the other didn't.  I did not think it was necessary and sweet enough without the honey)

Just Thinking...

I love this picture.  I took it on our trip to Paris in 2011 and it is one of my favorites.  I can't wait to go back...

My younger brother just turned 30 which has opened my eyes to the reality that I am no longer 30 but almost 35 and on my way to 40.  I am in no way opposed to getting older, it just feels slightly weird.  I don't feel like I can already be on my way to 40.  In fact, I feel as if sometimes I am still in my 20's...

Baby Girl changes her clothes 3 times a day.  Remember when it was exciting to think that they could dress themselves?  Now she insists that what she wore to one brother's baseball game is not acceptable for the other brother's game...

For some reason I slept horribly this weekend.  That is always a bummer...

Middle Man has changed is name to Oz.  I am not sure what to think...

I may have been a little too adventurous on a run yesterday.  I am not sure that running massive hills was a good idea...

I never answer our house phone...EVER.  If it is someone I know then they call my cell.  Only sale people call it.  I am not even sure why we still have it...

My Oldest received an award from his Principal yesterday for a random act of kindness.  It is nice to hear every now and then that even though I think I am screwing my children up, I am actually doing something right...

Next week begins Spring Break and I CANNOT WAIT.  Originally we were planning on staying put but now I am getting it itch to head out of town.  A few days in the desert might be just what I need...

I recently watched Oz the Great and Powerful, Pitch Perfect, and Zero Dark Thirty.  They were all fab and nothing alike.  A bit of randomness never hurt anyone.  Just like this post...

Sunday is Easter and ends the 40 days I gave up shopping.  It is silly to me how hard it was in the beginning but how easy it is now.  Silly me...

Even though I have given up shopping, I haven't stopped looking.  I love this, this and these...

You are welcome for all this deep insight.

Saturday

Who doesn't love Saturday?
Apparently Kate Spade does. 

Kate Spade Saturday just launched this month and is bringing the same bright colors and prints that Kate Spade is known for to clothing, accessories and shoes with a more affordable price tag. 

This line is only available online at Saturday.com and provides free shipping and returns to all 50 states. 

Happy Spring indeed. 

What are my favorites?  Here are just a few...

  You can view the entire collection here.

Baskets

As mentioned on Wednesday, I invited friends and their children over for our second "Give Back" get together.  I have actually not titled it that but it works doesn't it?  Everyone had such a great time at the food drive that I thought we should keep it going.  This month, we put together Easter baskets for underprivileged children.  Each family was asked to pick up one basket per child and all the goodies to go inside.  We needed practical items such as toothbrushes, pajamas, and socks, but we also wanted to include fun items such as coloring books and crayons as well.  And of course, there MUST be candy!  

This month was much smaller due to everyone's schedules but we were still able to pull together some amazing baskets thanks to the creativity of our little ones.  Yes, some baskets ended up with three sets of toothbrushes (which is funny because it was my Middle Man and he HATES to brush his teeth) but with just a little swapping here and there by the moms, we ended up with baskets stocked with items these children both need but would also want.    

This is now my third month working with my little ones to give back to those less fortunate and I have to say, I am having so much fun getting them involved in this that I should have done it a long time ago.  I am documenting each month here in hopes that perhaps others want to try some of the things we have done.  Yes we are only three months in but by the end of the year there will hopefully be a number of fun suggestions!

Thank you C for being my partner in crime on this and for everyone who provided items, even if they could not attend.

Have a great weekend!

Feet

1/2/3/4/5/6

Now that Spring is here, anyone else excited for some new, more vibrant feet?

Pumpkin Spice and Chocolate Chip Cakes

Last night I hosted an "Easter Basket Stuffing" party (more on that later!) and thought that after all the kids hard work, they deserved a treat.  I did not have a ton of time to whip something up from scratch so I sort of cheated and put together some Pumpkin Spice and Chocolate Chip Cakes using some cake mix, pumpkin and chocolate chips, all that I had sitting in the pantry.  In 20 minutes they were done and ready to enjoy...which I enjoyed right out of the oven because hey, if I am going to slave over cakes for kids, I am going to have one too...justified by the fact that I ran today....so pretty much played for the tie.  But back to the cakes.  I had an Easter egg baking pan (grabbed from Michael's if you are interested) on hand which I used to get a tad bit festive but as you can see from above, the design did not come out as clear as I would have liked.  And believe me, no frosting is necessary.  These are sweet enough on their own (which is really saving calories right??).

Ingredients:
1 box Spice Cake Mix
1 can pumpkin
2 cups chocolate chips (totally guessing here...add as many as you would like)

To Make:
1. Follow the instructions on the cake box
2. Add the entire can of pumpkin and stir
3. Stir in the chocolate chips
4. Add to cake pan, cupcake pan, any sort of pan you would like!
5. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes (if you are following my mini-cake recipe)

My Boys

On Sunday our school rented out Boomer's in Irvine for our annual Mother and Son event.  This is one of my most favorite events of the year and I look forward to spending the day with my little men.  Believe me, with sports, work, school and of course, having a little one, this does not happen as much as I would like.

The day was spent riding go karts, hitting in the batting cages, playing miniature golf and of course, endless video games.  To top it all off, Middle Man won a raffle prize that sent him over the moon and of course, by evidence of the photo above, he would not put down for a second.

I know there is going to come a day when this event is "lame" and the boys are not going to want to go so I am taking it all in.  For now, they are mine.

Effortlessly Chic: Get the Look

If there was ever a look that I would call my staple it is the "black blazer, skinny jeans and black heels" look.  I tend to wear it so often that I actually mentioned to my babysitter once that the items of clothing are different, even if it looks like I wear the exact same thing every time she comes over.  It is about the easiest thing to put together and always looks effortlessly chic.

The look even made it as far as Paris Fashion Week...

via

What I also love about this look is that it provides the perfect opportunity to combine high priced items with more affordable options.  Sometimes it may be a beautiful silk blouse underneath your blazer and the next time it could be a simple tank.  Your handbag could be Chanel but your heels were picked up at Aldo.  The possibilities are endless.

Equipment Silk Blouse / H&M Blazer / MANGO Super Slim Jeans 

Aldo Frited Black Pump / Rebecca Minkoff Black M.A.C. Clutch

AllSaints - Spring 2013

It has been entirely too long since I have made a visit to AllSaints.

My mistake.

While in LA, my friend and I stopped by the Robertson boutique and I was instantly drawn back to why I love AllSaints in the first place.

Their Spring line has everything I love.  

Leather, neutrals, silk, sparkles.  

There was entirely too many items I wanted to bring home and will DEFINITELY be making a visit after Easter.

These are just a few of the looks I am loving but this post could have gone on and on.

You can view the entire Spring 2013 lookbook here.

Outside of Reality

Yesterday I spent 12 hours in LA filled with lunch, cocktails, Robertson Blvd., makeup, a red carpet, a fashion show and the Redbury.

Not this lady's typical Tuesday!

It is nice to step outside of reality now and then, isn't it?

Camo

I have been looking for a great camo jacket for what seems like months.  No matter how many stores or websites I have made a visit to, nothing has been exactly what I want.  Then lent comes along and I give up shopping.  

Of course I now come across THE one when I cannot shop.  And it is on sale.  And they have my size.  

OF COURSE!

Vila Camo Jacket with Drawstring

I am going to cross my fingers and hope that this is still available after Easter, along with the Sarah pant I have also placed on the "Must Have" list.

You are all welcome to order this.  Just don't take my size!

The Kitchen and Family Room: The Reveal

Back in January I mentioned that we were going to begin decorating the house we moved in a little over a year ago.  There is SO much to do so we decided to take it room by room.  The first stop? The kitchen and family room.  These are the two rooms that we spend the most amount of time in so it made sense to start there.  

When I met with my designers from Hovie Interiors, I told them that I wanted a space that people never wanted to leave.  I want my guests to feel like they can kick off their shoes, pour a glass of wine and sit for hours.  I have a thing for The Redbury in LA and love how they mix patterns and textures to create an unexpected yet cozy feel.  And of course, it had to be practical too with three little ones running around.

They went BEYOND all expectations with what they put together.  I think they may have gone into my mind and pulled everything I love out.  I already shared with you the chandelier, which was the first purchase and kicked off what was such a great experience.  Here is a look and what we did.

Yes, Minnie Mouse insisted on taking a nap on the new couch

Family Room: Sofa: Room & Board with custom fabric 'total' / Chairs: Room & Board / Coffee Table: Planks USA (custom) / Rug: Crate and Barrel / Pillows: Custom and Vintage / Throw Blanket: Restoration Hardware / Family Photo: Photo by Savvy in San Francisco, canvas by Costco / Harper's Bazaar Print: All Posters / San Francisco Print: Etsy

The kitchen: Chandelier: Vintage / Barstools: Planks USA (custom) / Table: Comforts of Home (custom) / Rug: Ballard Designs

We are still looking for the perfect light to hang in the family room and need to order the bench for behind the couch but it feels amazing to have two rooms done in the house!  What's next?  This lovely room.

Our living room as been sitting empty since we moved in and I cannot wait to fill it, though we will be taking a breather for a little bit (keeping the hubby happy is a must).  Our designers already have so many fun ideas though!  Slowly but surely, this house is becoming a home.  In the meantime, I am thinking I should take advantage of the open space and throw a party, this being the dance room.  DJ in the corner and a dance floor to protect the wood.  Wouldn't that be perfect?!

P.S. Taking photos of rooms is SO hard!  I have a lot of respect for all home magazines now.

P.V Body Becomes Ellie

A while back I introduced PV Body to you, a monthly service that delivers workout clothes to your front door.  I had numerous readers sign up for the service and the reviews have been fantastic.  It is hard not to love great workout clothes that come at an amazing price.

In February PV Body re-introduced itself as Ellie, taking the monthly service one step further and launching their own line of workout clothes, still at half the price from what you would pay a other athletic retailers.  The response was so huge that their servers actually shut down the night it launched.  Apparently I am only one of many who love having cute workout clothes but is tired of spending $200 an outfit.

I received my first Ellie outfit to try out the line and see if the quality would keep up with an active lifestyle.  I received these two items and began putting them to work.

I have worked out in this outfit numerous times this month, washed it, dried it (which is not what you are supposed to do right?) and really, beaten them up a bit.  They have been incredibly comfortable to work out in, I love the fit and they have been able to keep up with my more expensive options.  I am definitely a fan.

Each month Ellie launches a 24-piece collection and you can either buy items individually or sign up for their Fit Fashionista Club and receive ANY two items for only $49.95 a month.  If you decide you want to hold off for a month or two, you can do that as well.  They make it extremely easy.  All you need to do is complete your style quiz AND you will receive 20% off your first month!  You can get started below.

Since the collection changes each month, you will also see something fresh and new each month without breaking the bank.  And I don't know about you but a new workout outfit always motivates me to go for a run.  Which I need to do more of because remember, I am going to do a triathlon...and a Mud Run in June.  Ugh.  Time to kick this butt into gear!

* Juggling in Heels did receive a complimentary outfit courtesy of Ellie but all opinions are 100% my own.

Big Bear

This past weekend Baby Girl, Middle Man and I headed up to Big Bear to spend a weekend on the lake with my parents and some of the siblings.  The last time we all went away together, everyone was able to make it, which led to a HUGE party all weekend (when there are 6 grown up kids, who have kids and two grandparents that can have fun like kids, it gets a little crazy) but this one was a little different.  With less of us there, I was able to relax, read, play in the snow with the kids and enjoy some quiet time.  It was also an eye opener.  Now that we are getting older and our kids are starting to grow up, it is getting harder and harder for the entire family to find a weekend when EVERYONE can make it.  I mean, my hubby and Oldest weren't even there!  As a family we are going to have to plan a little further out but also know that at least for the time being, life is going to make it a little harder than it has been.  

Thank you Mom and Dad for a fantastic weekend away and thank you to everyone for all your help with the kids.  They loved hanging on you guys all weekend and it DEFINITELY gave me a little bit of a breather.  You are welcome on vacation with us anytime!