Warm

Even as a baby, Baby Girl has loved the sun just as much as her momma.

After what feels like an eternity (or maybe it was just a week or two) it is finally warm in Southern California again.

I have learned that even though I throw out all the time that moving to New York would be fun, I could probably not handle the winters.

I am SO looking forward to enjoying this 80 degree heat over this long weekend and hope you do the same.

"See" you next week!

A Palace and a Beach

I have always wanted to do family photos in San Francisco but never seemed to get around to it.  After thinking about it forever, I finally booked one of my favorite bloggers, Melissa from Savvy in San Francisco, who not only is a mother of three and a fabulous blogger, but an incredible photographer as well, to take family photos while we were in the City over the holidays.

It was freezing cold, windy and there are 5 of us.  In all honesty, I thought to myself that if we get one great family photo then it will be a success.  What I did not realize is that Melissa is a miracle worker.  Not only did we walk away with NUMEROUS family photos that I adore, she also captured moments with my children that I will treasure forever.  The best part about it is that the children had a blast the entire time and my Oldest told me these were his favorite family photos yet.

These photos were taken at the Palace of the Fine Arts and Crissy Field.  I apologize in advance for all that I am sharing but there are just too many that I love.

If you are in the Bay Area and interested in doing photos, I HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend Melissa.  She is uber sweet, so great with kids and make the entire process extremely easy.  Check her out over at Savvy in San Francisco.

Thank you again Melissa for everything!!

The Decorating Begins

After being in our house almost a year, we are finally ready to start decorating.  Since having the kitchen redone when we first moved in, we have not purchased anything and have only painted some chevron stripes in our glass cabinets and the wall of our family room red.  This is partly due to wanting to live in our house for a bit and learn how we live in it and partly because after buying the house, my husband needed to recover from the spending and interior design was not an option.

When it comes to where to start in our house, everywhere you look, we need furniture.  We literally have rooms that are sitting empty.  It is going to take some time to work through them all (or perhaps years) but with how much time we spend in the kitchen and family room, it was the obvious place to start.

On Monday I met with Hovie Interiors and am so excited for all the ideas they have.  We decided to hire a designer to help us find the big pieces and ensure we did not make any purchases that we would regret later.  I have too many ideas running through my head and need someone to help me sort them out.  It is going to be such a fun project and I am excited to get started.  This is what we are starting with in the family room.  

The only items that will remain are the coffee table, wall art (but who knows where they will go) and the red wall (I think....).  Other than that, it is going to have a major makeover.  

In the kitchen, we have already purchased rugs, a table and new bar stools (which I just ordered, are cowhide and I am obsessed) so all we really need is a chandelier and perhaps new handles. It definitely is not as big of a project as the family room will be.  

I will of course share the process with you and the final product as we begin looking at pieces, fabric and all the fun that goes into redecorating.  

Now, if I can stay in budget and keep my hubby from having a heart attack, all will go well.......

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Since I completely bombed the last healthy recipe I tried to make, I have done a 180 and made one of the most unhealthy but completely delicious recipes out there.

On New Year's Eve I was introduced to the Buffalo Chicken Dip by the Brown Eyed Baker.  A friend of mine had made it and I was hooked.  To say that I may have eaten half the pan would not be an understatement.  Of course I had to get the recipe and make it myself.

The end result was just as good as I had remembered it and though I received a phone call from my mom and then forgot that it was in the oven, the overcooked cheese on top did not ruin it.  I will in fact remember the next time to set the timer for 30 minutes instead of 40 just in case.  Served with tortilla chips and celery (you know, to make it a little healthier) made the perfect appetizer with friends.

This may be making another appearance on Super Bowl Sunday since everything you eat or drink on that day has no calories.

Sale

It is sale season!

With the holidays over retailers are ready to get rid of merchandise and it is benefiting all of us.

I will admit that I have fallen victim to some of the "additional 30% off all sale items" across the internet but with the prices that are out there, it really is hard to say no.  

To help facilitate your online shopping, here are some of my favorite retailers, the discounts they are offering and the code to use.

Be careful though.  It gets addicting.

Helmut Lang
Extra 25% off Sale with code XTRA25

Madewell
Extra 30% off Sale with code LOVEIT

Piperlime
Extra 20% off Sale with code EXTRA20
Extra 30% off Final Sale with code EXTRA30

Neiman Marcus
Extra 25% off Last Call Sale Items

J.Crew
Extra 30% off final sale with code STYLEFIND

ASOS
Up to 70% off items

This should keep you busy for a while!

Dessert Fail

With the arrival of 2013 and the majority of America trying to eat better and work out more (honestly, I am not sure if the majority are, it just seems that way right?), I thought I would help out by making a healthy Avocado Pudding recipe.  It sounded so simple and yummy.  Avocados (yum), cocoa (chocolate is always great), syrup and vanilla.  These are all delish on their own, it was a simple recipe and could be whipped up in minutes.  It was all going so well and looking so good.

Then I handed them to the kids after dinner with whipped cream on top.  

I have never in my life seen three children run from chocolate so fast.  It only took one bite for them to look at it with disgust and turn down dessert.  This NEVER happens.  I gave them a hard time, told them it was chocolate and even took a bite myself.  That was when I collected all four dishes and instantly put the pudding down the sink.  I am going to be honest.  It was awful.

This has only confirmed what I have thought all along.  Even though I tend to lean toward healthy options, when it comes to dessert, it just SHOULD NOT BE MESSED WITH.  I am not putting down those who happily indulge in Paleo-type desserts as a healthy alternative.  They are just not for me.  So unfortunately, my first attempt at a recipe in 2013 has led to you getting nothing.  I better make up for it with something yummy next week.  The one positive is that now you know when I post recipes they really are good and I would not share otherwise.  

If anyone would like to prove me wrong, I am totally game.  If you have a dessert that you truly believe is healthy and delicious, send it on over.  I will make it and if it passes the test, I will post the recipe and give all credit to you.  Just click here to email me.

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend! 

Oz

With the announcement of Pantone's 2013 color of the year, we had to say good to Tangerine Tango (which I did become obsessed with) and hello to Emerald.  What do you think?

Personally, I love it.  I have always had a soft spot for Emerald thanks to Elizabeth Taylor and The Wizard of Oz but I also believe this color is much easier to wear than Tangerine.  Jewel tones look good on most everyone and I love the elegance it will add to a wardrobe.  I have already pulled out a little bit of Emerald thanks to some fabulous friends and a birthday present but am excited to see what is going to be hitting stores this Winter.  I think a cozy emerald sweater or some skinny jeans are in my future.  

Welcome Emerald and all your fabulousness!  
2013 is going to be a beautiful year!