Great Pieces, Great Prices

Here are 12 great pieces to add to your closet for Spring and Summer, all under $100!

Don't forget to enter the Casey's Cupcakes giveaway here!

Places

What have we been up to?  So far this summer, we have...

made a trip to the Los Angeles Natural History Museum...

spent a couple days at the pool...

watched the Angels beat the Mariners...

hiked and played at Crystal Cove state park...

toured the grounds and made adobe homes at Mission San Juan Capistrano...

and it has only been two weeks!  In years past I have tended to overbook our summer with camps and activities but this year I took a different approach. I wanted to share with the kids all the amazing places we have around Southern California.  We usually take these places for granted being right in our backyard and don't tend to actually visit.  So far it has made for the best summer yet and I am excited to keep going on our list.

Have a happy weekend.

One vs. Two

The one-piece vs. the two-piece.

Every summer I think I am going to venture over to the one-piece side to "try them out".  And each summer I end up in bikinis.  

I want to find a fabulous one-piece, I really do.  And I am not talking about just any one-piece but something that is sophisticated and sexy at the same time.  There are a million of them out there but every time I try them on I actually think they look less flattering on me than a bikini.  How wearing less clothing feels better I do not think I will ever be able to explain but it just does. 

And so this summer begins, with me trying on a few one-pieces that I just didn't like and now I am back to finding some cute bikinis. 

So I ask you.  

Which do you prefer?

Have you made the switch from one to the other? 

School

This it is.  Today marks the first day of school and no more summer.  I cannot believe it.  In past year's, I have been SO EXCITED for school to start again.  Sounds terrible but after three month's, I have usually had enough of trying to entertain everyone.  This year it is totally different.  I REALLY wish we had another couple weeks left of sleeping in, going swimming, staying up late and throwing all schedules out the window.

Today is the start of early mornings, running around, homework, practices, games on Saturdays and I do not think the children and I are ready for it.  Thank goodness it is half day all week.  We are all going to need some time to get used to this.

Farewell summer!  Until next year!  

Did you notice how much better we are getting at putting ourselves in the photos?  Next step is figuring out how to get a picture of all 5 of us together!

See You Later Summer!

Today marks the last day of Summer vacation.  Tomorrow our world returns to it's regular scheduled programming.  No more sleeping in and lazy pool days.  It is crazy how fast this summer went.  I am still shocked that I have a first grader in the house, along with my middle man turning 4 and a Baby Girl who is running around, talking and has taken over as Queen Bee around here.  They have grown up so much in the last three months and it has been exhausting exciting to watch.  Cheers to (what was) a fabulous summer and good luck to everyone this Fall!

And no, I did not leave out my oldest on purpose.  Do you know how hard it is to get a picture of all three of them right now, smiling and looking at the camera, all at the same time?  Near impossible.  I am no miracle worker.

Baked Black Beans and Chorizo

This past weekend was beautiful so, with my family coming over for Sunday Night dinner, the hubby and I decided to make a summer dish and go with grilled steak tacos.  Cooking Light (June 2011) had an entire article on steak tacos and items to go with them, which were all fantastic.  There was a winner though.  The Baked Black Beans and Chorizo appetizer was ridiculous and such an easy item to make.  Here is the recipe, perfect for any summer backyard BBQ and get-together.

Baked Black Beans and Chorizo
Cooking Light, June 2011, page164

1 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 c. diced spanish chorizo (we used ground, it was totally fine)
cooking spray
1 1/2 c. chopped onion
1 jalapeno pepper, sliced
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 tsp. ground red pepper
5 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 c. fat free, lower sodium chicken broth
2 (15 oz.) cans no-salt-added black beans, rinsed and drained
1 c. chopped seeded tomato
1/2 c. shredded monterey jack cheese
1/4 c. thinly sliced green onions (I left these out, not a fan)

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees
2. Prep/chop all ingredients (I added this step because I did not do this and then was hauling ass to get it done.  Next steps go fast!)

3. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.  Add oil to the pan; swirl to coat.  Add chorizo; saute for 2 minutes.  Remove chorizo from pan.  Coat pan with cooking spray.  Add onion and jalapeno; saute 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add salt, cumin, red pepper, and garlic; saute 1 minute, stirring constantly.  Stir in broth and beans; bring to a boil.  Cook 5 minutes

Mash to desired consistency.  Spoon bean mixture into an 8-inch square baking dish coated with cooking spray.
4. Top with chorizo, tomato and cheese.  Bake 425 degrees for 30 minutes or until lightly browned (Watch this step!  I only cooked mine for 20 minutes before it was browned and ready to come out!).

5. Remove from the oven and serve with your favorite chips!  (We went with Trader Joe's Organic Blue Corn tortilla chips!)

It was DELISH!

School's Out For Summer!

Growing up, my mom used to always say how much she loves summer and us kids being out of school.  When I first became a parent this began to confuse me. I was all too ready to have my children in school 5 days a week because, hey, it is easier isn't it?  It wasn't until my oldest started school that I realized why she loved summer.  Not because we were around but because it is a vacation for the parent too!  Here is the list of things I do NOT have to do for the next three months:

1. Drag myself out of bed early to ensure I am ready before getting the kids up.
2. Drag a sleeping child out of bed to ensure he is ready on time.
3. Be out of the house by 7am.
4. Drive carpool and other taxi driver responsibilities
5. Make a lunch every single night of the week (so annoying)
6. Make sure homework is done every night
7. Make sure all forms are completed and turned in on time
8. Book reports
9. Volunteer hours (yep, private school means you better help out on campus)
10. Make two dinners so the kids can eat early enough to get to bed on time (this one is a real pain in the ass but I sort of blame my hubby for working too late, not school)
11. Make sure kids are in bed on time
12. Make sure I remember which day was normal uniform and which day was P.E. and ensure clothes were ready and washed (yes, he has worn dirty PE shorts.  Gross, I know.  But don't judge till your there!)

I think if I sit here long enough the list could go on and on.  All I know is, it is summer time and this mommy is going to kick up her feet and let crap slide for three months!  In fact, it is bed time right now and I see two boys watching T.V.!  Oh well....it summer!

The backyard has been prepared...

The flowers are blooming...

The fruit is beginning to grow...

The sports equipment is out...

The lights are strung...

The furniture has been oiled...

The BBQ gear is out...

And the view is perfect...

Welcome Summer!  We are ready!