The {Holiday} Weekend

"These fallen heros represent the character of a nation who has a long history of patriotism and honor - and a nation who has fought many battles to keep our country free from threats of terror."

There are no words to express my gratitude to those individuals who have given their life in order to protect me and my family.

Thank you.

With Memorial Day weekend arriving, the summer sales have also kicked off.  It is crazy the number of deals there are out there and so I pulled together some of my favorites below to help you update your summer wardrobe while enjoying the long holiday weekend.

ASOS - 20% off everything with code WEBEGRILLIN (through May 26)

Maison Du Soir - 20% with code MEMORIAL20 (through May 26)

Emily Rosendahl Leather Goods - 20% off all bags and clutches with code MAY14 (through May 26)
DVF - 30% off all sale items with code SUMMER30 (through May 26)

Blue Eyed Girl - additional 40% off all sale items with code MDAY (through May 26)
Gap - 40% off regular price styles with code EVENT (through May 26)

Nordstrom - Women and Children's Half Year Sale (through June 1)

Les Nouvelles - 20% off site wide with code STRIPES20 (through May 26)

Little Skye Kids - 30% off your purchase and free shipping with code SAVEBIG (through May 26)
Joe's Jeans - 30% off site wide (certain exclusions) with code HONOR (through May 26)

Tea Collection - Memorial Day Sale (through May 26)
Loeffler Randall - 30% off site wide (through May 26)

Joie - additional 20% off sale with code MBW20 (through May 26)

Neiman Marcus - Up to 40% off the latest styles in Contemporary.CUSP (through May 26)

Intermix - additional 40% off sale items (through May 28)

Happy Shopping Weekend.

Weekend

So this is crazy.

My Partner in Crime turns 4 on Sunday.

Yes, we are shocked.

It is weird crossing over from the "young family" to the "family with big kids".

After what seems like YEARS (almost 10!), the only thing that is left in the house that reminds us that we had babies living with us is the crib that is sitting in our garage (if you are interested in it, let me know...) and a car seat that will go into retirement on Sunday.

We are officially out of the baby stage and moving on to the "kids have busy schedules and are beginning to have their own lives" stage.

CRAZY.

And my baby is four.

FOUR!

I now know what they mean when they say that the youngest will always the baby.

She is my other half in this family of boys and I smile when I think about how many fun things we have done together and how many more things we will experience together as she gets older.

What is she up to at four?

Shoes, Mom's makeup, coloring, dresses that twirl, princesses, music, playing soccer, Mom's high heels, punching her brothers, reading stories, saying inappropriate words that her brothers teach her, swinging, hugs and kisses, picky eating, and sure she can be crazy but so can her mother so who can blame her?

Oh yes, and of course, selfies.

We just cannot take enough of them.

You should see how many are sitting on my phone.

Happy Weekend and Happy 4th Birthday Baby Girl!

Weekend

We made it through the first week back at school after Spring Break.  These are always some of the roughest weeks, returning to structure and schedules after enjoying the freeness that vacation provides.  The kids are tired, the hubby and I are tired and I think we are all really happy to see Friday arrive.

This morning I kicked off the weekend with a great beach run and breakfast with friends.  I know I joke about "lunching with the ladies" but in reality, these moments with friends are such important moments and I love catching them when I can.  The conversation is always fun, we share what is going on in our lives and I walk away feeling refreshed and ready for the chaos that is about to arrive when the school day is over.  I used to feel guilty planning such things, telling myself that if I stay home, I should be productive at all times at home but I never feel guilty anymore.  Just like a person needs to step outside of their office for lunch on a busy workday, I need to step out and catch my breath too.  We all need it at times, no matter what are schedule entails.

If you missed it this week...

I made this yummy Spring time pasta...

I dreamt of a Calypso vacation...

Kate returned to Topshop...

I made a visit to this incredible boutique in San Juan...

Happy Weekend.

Early Weekend

Yes I know it is only Thursday but with today being Holy Thursday and a half day at school, tomorrow being Good Friday and the first day of Spring Break, and Sunday being Easter, I have decided that these were enough reasons to sign out early for the week and enjoy some family time.  For me, this is the end of the week and the weekend (and Spring Break) is here!!

Though you can see my daily posts here on the blog, I also love to share great sales, pictures, videos and other fun things I come across on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.  If you aren't following, come join!

You can like Juggling in Heels on Facebook here.

You can follow on Twitter here.

You can follow on Instagram here.

Happy Holiday Weekend.

Weekend

This week felt like summer.

And I am really craving summer.

Spring Break for the boys is a week away and I am crossing my fingers we get the same amazing weather we had this past week.  I also hope that summer gets here soon as I am looking forward to spending more days like the photo above and less living in my car running around with the kids like crazy people.

Warm days.  

Warm nights.

No plans.

Beach days.

Vacation.

It is almost here!

If you missed it this week...

I am dying over Cleobella's Baby line...

I got a little personal...

I cannot get enough of these luxurious pajamas...

Happy Weekend.

Weekend

As much as I know that it is true, I always seem to forget that when it rains, it pours.

I can't complain.  It is all wonderful things.  Visits with designers, writing for Orange Coast magazine, writing for Parenting OC, redesigning the blog, starting the Gala planning process, planning my sister's Baby Shower.  Like I said, all wonderful things but man it all seems to have hit at the same time.  I have never felt so accomplished when crossing something off the To-Do list.  The plan is to have all of it done by Sunday.  Crossing fingers!

Yesterday's post highlighted my visit to the 16th Colony studio and I must remind you that their 40% off the entire online store runs through Sunday.  If you haven't already, it is a must.  Their ponchos are beautiful and the perfect piece for the upcoming summer months.  

Happy Weekend.

Weekend

It's Friday!  It's Friday!

I cannot believe we are at the last week of March and April starts next Tuesday.  I know they say the years start to go fast but I had no idea that they would go as fast as they are.  Sometimes I feel like everything is on fast forward.

This weekend we of course have a ton of sporting events but I am really looking forward to some mellow evenings at home and a little Mother/Son fun on Sunday.

If you missed it this week...

I shared this little gem of a store in Los Olivos...

I made my favorite lunch...

I shared a little glimpse of our Spring activity...

I am trying to turn my black thumb around with this...

Happy Weekend.

Weekend

I love this picture of my husband.  I am not even sure he knows I took it.  We were walking around Mission Santa Ynes and he simply just sat down for a moment and took it all in.  It is very rare that I see him pause for a second.  With how much we are going-going-going, these moments do not come often.  But for just a minute, he sat.  I think we all need that every now and then, though we do not always allow ourselves to take it.  About a second after this shot was taken, the kids were yelling to move on and just as fast as he sat, he was at it again, but perhaps with just a little more at peace than he had before.

If you missed it this week...

We came home...

I shared my cowgirl side...

I made a visit here...

and then here...

Happy Weekend.

Weekend

Friday!

We are heading out of town today to one of my favorite spots and I cannot wait to get going.  With how busy our schedules seems at times, I love when we find opportunities to sneak away with the kids and just enjoy being a family without timelines and expectations.  It is so necessary!     

I want to thank everyone for their kind texts and comments on Wednesday's post.  I hope that by sharing my journey with anxiety, others can related or just know that they are not alone with how they may feel at times.  Life is such a roller coaster and the power of women is pretty incredible.  I feel there is such a benefit to sharing and relating to each other.  Thank you for the support and love!

Happy Weekend.

Weekend

On Wednesday, a situation left a bad taste in my mouth.  I won't go into details but here is the jist.  I told someone that something they did was inappropriate.  They absolutely did not like to hear that and the response was extremely rude and disrespectful.  Normally, I would let this eat me alive.  It would bother me and I would become more infuriated and probably say things I shouldn't because, well, I tend to have a temper.  But I didn't.  I just realized that in the grand scheme of life, it was just not worth engaging in.  My desire to stay away from negativity and worry led me to simply, shut my mouth, walk away and not worry about it again.  And since it did leave me with a yucky feeling, I figured my only option was to do something good.  So, I walked over to the One Good Deed a Day diary I was given for my birthday back in September and decided to start giving it a try.  One year of good deeds, one done each day.  Flipping through I realized how crazy easy so many of them are and that I should have started this a long time ago.  I instantly felt better and this only confirms that when we see negativity, we have two options.  To allow it to fester within ourselves, growing from nothing into a monster, or simply choosing not to let it get to us and move on with a smile.

If you missed it this week...

I tried looking better naked...   

I finally cooked again...

I bailed on Wednesday...

I dreamed of summer...

Happy Weekend.

Weekend

Reality is always more interesting than fiction.

Over the past few months, I have taken a detour from my traditional fiction reads and have become consumed with autobiographies.

We know where so many "famous" people have ended up but rarely do we acknowledge where they started.

So far, I have loved books by Diane Vreeland, Rob Lowe, Simon Doonan and Diane von Furstenberg.  I am currently reading Grace by Grace Coddington, the Creative Director at Vogue and it just might be my favorite.  

I find how people began in their careers absolutely fascinating and love the tell-tale story that success is NEVER handed to you.  Plus, the fashion world is CA-RAZY and the stories these individuals tell are priceless.  

Are there any autobiographies that you have read that are a must?  

I would love to hear!

If you missed it this week...

We hosted a dinner party...   

We spent the day at this Orange County favorite...

I admired some Street Style...

I shared a new obsession...

Happy Weekend.

Weekend

Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope everyone has a wonderful time celebrating those individuals truly special in their lives.  Spouses, children, friends and family make such an impact on who we are and though it can sometimes be stamped as a "Hallmark holiday", there is something sweet about showing some affection towards those we care about.

Our plans?

To eat dinner at home with the kids, drink some good wine, watch a movie and see how fast I can inhale the cake above.

Perfect.

If you missed it this week...

Baby Girl and I had our makeup done...

I have my eye on these baubles...

This was one of my favorites from Fashion Week...

I am moving forward.

Happy Weekend.

The taped rectangle

See that large taped rectangle in the bottom center of the wall?

This might be the only rectangle in the world that can drive me crazy.

The smaller rectangle is a print that is currently being matted and framed.

The two sticks are the lamps that are already purchased and waiting to go in their place.

The large rectangle is a modern wood sideboard that works in the room and is 72 inches long and 32 inches tall, at a price that makes sense.

And it apparently doesn't exist.

I have look at more websites than I can count and have texted my designer more than she cares for with items that I am finding but are just a little bit off.  Perhaps it is a little short of 72 inches long.  Perhaps is is not 32 inches tall.  Perhaps it is not modern enough.  Perhaps the wood is not right.  Perhaps it is more than I want to spend.  Perhaps it is located in Belgium and too much of a pain to get here (true story).  Whatever the problem, I get extremely close to loving one, only to find that it will not work.  

And normally, I have extreme patience with these sorts of things, knowing that at times, it can take a while to find something.  But for whatever the reason, I am determined to find the perfect one, no matter how many hours I spend scouring the internet.  It is totally unlike me but I cannot help it.  I try to step away and then I start searching again.  It is almost like the harder it seems to be to find, the more I am crazed with finding it.

Has this ever happened to you?

I have promised myself that I am not going to look at all this weekend, leaving the hunt for the professional that I have hired to help me with this.  No more sideboard searching for me!  The insanity has got to stop!

And on a less crazy note, the room is coming together quite nicely!  Our bottom rug is almost done and will add some warmth and coverage under the cowhide.  We had a large mirror made that is going to be installed next week and I CANNOT wait to see how it turned out.  Next on the list is wallpaper for the entry and drapes.  It has quickly become my favorite room in the house.  I will be sure to share photos when everything is complete.

Happy Weekend.     

Weekend

FRIDAY!

It's the weekend and I have just a few things to share with you.

After years of uploading photos from my phone onto the computer, never to really be seen again, I finally downloaded the Social Print Studio app.  It was beyond easy.  Simply select the size you want, the photos you want and one week later, they arrive at your door.  I ordered 24 prints for $12 and can finally say we have photos around the house again without having to open iPhoto for the kids.  They also make photo books for those family vacations that you capture on your phone.  It is my new favorite app and I will no longer let my photos fall into my computer black hole.

Another discovery this week were these faux leather shorts from Club Monaco.

I have been on the hunt for a great pair of faux leather shorts for a while and every pair I have tried on, I just haven't loved.  These ended up being the perfect fit, perfect length and great price. I put them right to use Wednesday night at the Pink concert.

Speaking of the Pink concert, she was beyond.  I have always been a huge Pink fan but seeing her perform took my love of her to a new level.  She was insane.  If you ever get the chance to see her in concert, I highly recommend it.

We are headed into a busy busy weekend of baseball, basketball, soccer, some birthday parties and of course, sleep....we hope.  

Happy weekend.

  

Weekend

I believe that all children have an internal dialogue that goes on when one of the parents is out of town. I am not sure exactly what is said but I believe it is something along these lines..

"I think I will refuse to fall asleep tonight. I cannot wait to see how mommy feels at 10:30pm when I am still awake, she is tired and daddy isn't here to help."

Or perhaps it is..

"I think I will get a fever on the only day of the week that mommy has to herself while daddy is gone so that she cannot catch her breathe. It should be interesting to see how she holds up"

Or maybe it is..

"Let's see how many times mommy has to ask me to do something the last night of daddy being gone because she seems like she might be losing it but perhaps isn't quite there yet."

Needless to say, I am overjoyed that the hubby returns from New York today!

This weekend we have an engagement party for my little brother, State Cup for soccer, basketball games and a charity lunch that I am decorating a table for. A lot of things yes, but I am simply excited for the glass of wine (or 2...or 3) I am going enjoy tonight, celebrating this week coming to an end.

Happy weekend.

Weekend

via

Every week I say "this is the week I am going to get everything organized.  I am going to have free time and really get stuff done".  And every week I find that somehow Friday arrives and I have no idea how that happened.  That happened...AGAIN.  I have thrown my hands in the air and am spending today getting my hair done and enjoying every minute of not getting stuff done.  It will all get done...eventually.  That is my new motto for 2014.

We continue to live in the twilight zone where summer has arrived mid January and it does not seem to be leaving any time soon.  This has made for extremely white legs being exposed in shorts when they should be hidden under jeans.  I am also in desperate need of a pedicure thanks to flip flops making much more sense than boots right now.  I have lived in California all my life and I will say, this is CA-RAZY weather, even for us.   

If you missed it this week...

I found a way to sleep better...

I purchased these chairs for our living room...

I made this amazing comfort food...

Happy Weekend.

Weekend

via

This week seemed to just fly by.  With Monday spent traveling back from Chicago, I felt as if I was simply trying to catch up with life.  It felt so good to get home to see the kids but I must say, I was not ready for school on Tuesday.  It would have been nice to have another week with them.  The countdown to Spring Break has begun.

I told myself at the end of 2013 that for this upcoming year, I was going to be better at saying no, slowing things down, not overcommitting and making sure I have some "me" time and "simple family" time.  This is apparently easier said than done.  Of course the start of the years brings numerous events, sports, dinners and such and I am trying to take my time, not respond immediately and figure out what I can really do without stretching myself too thin.  There are certain things that are priority and so many things that are not necessary.  It is about time I start identifying each and only committed to the priority items.  Everything else needs to take a back seat to time with family and the husband.  Let's see how I do.

I also began thinking about Juggling in Heels at the end of the year.  I had sort of come to a stand still with regards to what was next.  So many things have happened since starting this blog that I never even imagined would and I have allowed myself to sit in the passenger seat, lets these great things happen and not really think about what the next steps would be.  Riding my own blog's coat tails.  Suddenly, I found myself at a place where I had to take the reins again and really decide what the future of Juggling in Heels was going to be.  I have never been a person satisfied with the status quo and I started making lists of potential changes and improvements.  After a lot of personal reflection and chatting with the hubby and friends, I am excited to say that I have figured my vision out and cannot wait to begin working on where Juggling in Heels is going to go next.  I am not going to share anything now as there is a lot of behind the scenes work that needs to be done but I think you are all going to like the end result.  It has given me a new drive for expansion that I have not been ready to take and I am loving the challenge I have placed before myself.

So, it seems that even though the year is only a few days in, it is going to be an amazing 2014 with a lot of changes both personally and professionally.  And now I am ready for a glass of wine.

Happy Weekend.

Weekend

A Merry Christmas to you!

I am so excited that it is the weekend before Christmas.  The kids are out of school, our Christmas cards have been sent, Christmas shopping is complete and all that is left is preparing our menu, baking some cookies and spending some quality time together.  The best two weeks of the year!

There are many who will be running around for some last minute gifts so I thought I would pull together some quick suggestions to help check these individuals off your list!

For Her

For Him

For the Kids

Don't forget the gift guides I did for the hubby and girlfriends too!

In totally unrelated news, did you hear about this guy?  I mean, really?   

Next week I am going to be taking it easy, popping in and out so the posting will be light but don't worry, I am not going on "vacation" just yet.

Happy Weekend.  

Weekend.

Where have I been you ask?  Hmmm, not sure.  It seems everywhere lately.

I know my posts have been EXTREMELY limited lately but there are very valid reasons for this.

One of my dear friends from college came to visit with her family on Saturday and stayed with us until Wednesday.  I don't know about you but it is MUCH more fun sitting on the couch, sipping wine and chatting until the late hours of the night than it is putting together a blog post by yourself.  Sorry, as much as I adore my blog, this is true.  

On top of that, it seems the holidays have taken a hold of me and I am trying desperately to stay ahead of the crazy without much success.  Last night began the three day event of four holiday parties, four games, three practices, three children, two birthday parties, two parents and one blog event.  This exciting endeavor is running from Thursday to Saturday and the hubby and I are focused on simply keeping our head on straight.  I LOVE LOVE this time of year but man it can be CA-RAZY!

In the mist of the crazy, I am also trying to keep some perspective.  The above gifts are donations for those families in need this holiday season.  If you have the means, think about donating to someone else's Christmas this year.  There are so many families struggling and every child and parent deserves to feel the magic of Christmas.  If you follow me on Instagram I know that you have already heard this but it is just so important.  

This week I was unsuccessful in creating a number of posts but I did have a chance to share some style inspiration and some Christmas picks for the hubby.  I am also EXTREMELY excited for THIS Saturday's Bardot Holiday Event that I am hosting and will be styling at ALL DAY (well, from 11am to 5pm)!  I would love to see you for shopping (the list of trunk shows is insane!), drinks and some girl time.  Bardot is located at 2043 Westcliff Drive, Suite 103,  Newport Beach, Ca.

Happy Weekend. 

Weekend

I really loved this week.

I learned some lessons in patience.
I took a yoga class for the first time in what feels like FOREVER.
I spent some amazing time with friends.
I finally got my car back.
I saw both my boys come home with huge smiles for big accomplishments at school.
I smiled as my daughter attempted her ballet.
I found time to get our house in order.
I spent Thursday afternoon watching a movie with the kids while it rained outside.
I FINALLY called people back that I owed calls to.

It was a week of frustration, anxiety, perfect calm and a sense of appreciation.  A perfect week.

  And now I am going into the weekend celebrating the fact that the kids are out of school next week for Thanksgiving, we have a 40th birthday party tonight, a benefit tomorrow night, my Best Friend is coming into town and the Holidays officially begin next week.  

Let my favorite time of the year begin!

If you missed it this week...

I saw myself on the OC Style Report...

These boots were added to my Christmas list...

I began thinking about Holiday entertaining...

Happy Weekend.