Sneakers

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When I was a younger girl, my father developed an addiction to sneakers.

No matter how many pairs or colors he had, there was always a new pair to pick up.  

During the 90's, my dad and every NBA Star were building their sneaker collection.  

And look where we are today.

Sneakers are EVERYWHERE.

And no longer are they only seen at the gym or with the most casual of looks.

Dresses, skirts, leather pants, skinny jeans.

You name it, sneakers have been invited to join.

And I love this because THEY MAKE SENSE!  

Not only because there are moments when I desperately need a pedicure and need to hide the toes, but because I am running around all the time and though even flats and boots can be comfortable, nothing compares to sneakers.  I also love the way they look with a more formal pant or dress because what fun is it to always follow the traditional rules?  Plus, talk about the perfect shoe that is just as practical in winter as they are in summer.

So my dad was on to something.

Like Father, like daughter.  

Fashion Week Street Style

With New York Fashion Week complete and London Fashion Week in progress, it is hard to not be enamored by all the looks; both on and off the runways.  Street Style has and continues to be just as much a part of Fashion Week as the shows are, showcasing some of the best fashion has to offer.  Here is just a snippet of some of my favorites.  I could really flip through these all day long...

All photos via Harper's Bazaar

Laguna Beach

It has been a while since we have had a day to do whatever we wanted as a family.  President's Day gifted us with a day free of practices, school, work and games so we took advantage and headed down to one of our favorite spots, Laguna Beach.  Laguna has such a unique feel to it, unlike many of the beach cities here.  A little more laid back.  A little more eclectic.  It is definitely a place to recenter and enjoy some smiles with the kids.  We spent the day running on the beach, enjoying lunch at The Cliff and even though the clouds began to roll in, we weren't going to miss shakes at the Ruby's Shake Shack.

You can find some of our other Orange County favorites here.

Dinner with Friends

In our crazy scheduled world, there seems to be no time for simply enjoying other people's company.  We so often run from one event to the next and forget that the meaning of life is not how many sports are kids are involved in, how many things we can volunteer for and how many hours we can work.  The true meaning is developing lasting relationships with people who make you better, support you through the ups and downs of life and become family, not just friends.

As I mentioned at the beginning of the year, my resolution this year is to create more moments like this, slowing down the schedule and making time to gather around the table with special people in our life.  Saturday night was our first attempt and what a night it was.

Babysitters were booked, the menu was planned and we spent 7 uninterrupted hours with some incredible friends.  I honestly cannot tell you all the topics that filled these 7 hours but I do know that I have not laughed that much in a long time.  I also know that no one wanted it to end, leading to me finally getting into bed at 2am.  It was wonderful.  And exactly what the hubby and I intended when began planning.  I cannot wait to do it again.

And thank goodness today is a holiday because this 35 year old cannot bounce back like she used to be able to.

The resolution is off to a good start and such a special reminder of what is really important in life.  

I am already looking forward to the next dinner.

And of course, it wouldn't be a holiday weekend without some great sales across the internet.  Piperlime has a great selection of new Spring pieces and is offering 25% off these items with code HAPPY from now until February 18th.  I have picked out some of my favorites below.

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.

Move Forward

via

I have discovered that I tend to be a negative person.

You would never know it.  

I laugh.  I smile.  I have the best time with friends and family.  But yet, I am still negative.  

Negative about what you ask?

Well, I am discovering.... most everything.

The thing is.  I may not say negative things.  I may never show my negativity.  No, my negativity is defined through my worry.  Worry about me.  Worry about my kids.  Worry about the husband.  

And yes, worrying is being negative.

And it sucks.

And I don't like this characteristic in me.

I worry about bad things happening.

I worry about my children getting hurt by others.

I worry about my successes and failures.

I worry about my children getting sick.

I worry about something happening to my husband when he travels.

This list could really go on and on.

And then something hits me in the face.  

And it is usually another child.

A child who is facing something negative, something scary, and yet shows only positivity.

A child who smiles when they have just gone through chemo.  A child who smiles when they do not know what is happening to them.  A sick child who shows compassion for another sick child.

And then I realize what a fool I am.

We live this life once.  And shitty things are going to happen.  But why worry about them happening before they actually do?  And why is it that children are the ones that teach us adults how to act when it comes to facing something scary and unknown.  Shouldn't we be the ones teaching them?

But so often we are not.

My friend made an amazing comment last week that has stuck with me ever since and hopefully she doesn't mind sharing it here.  

" We try to teach our children to be brave, strong-minded and resilient...but when a child teaches us those things...that's a life lesson".

It couldn't have been better stated.

Becoming an adult seems to bring a world of negativity.  Always expecting the worst, not appreciating what you have, demanding more out of life when what we have been given is a gift.

Children remind us that this is not a negative world.

It is not a place to dwell on what could happen.

It is not a gift that should be wasted.

It is a gift that we should embrace, love and smile each day, because God didn't provide us this gift to spend it worrying.  It was given for us to embrace it fully.

So now I am moving forward.

I have decided there is no room for negativity and worry in my life.  

And I am going to do my best to move beyond this, taking a few lessons from some incredible children that I know.  

And I invite you to join me.

Victoria Beckham Fall 2014 R/W

In college, if you were to ask me who my favorite Spice Girl was, well, I would actually have wondered what was wrong with you because who asks that question?  But then I would have responded with Posh Spice.  I loved her look.  In fact, her look became my look for numerous nights out on the town.  I mean, I already had the short, straight dark brown hair.  All I needed to do was throw on a LBD and black heels and there you go.  Effortless chic without too much fuss.  And good for her for picking that role.  Who wants to wear British flag leotards or pigtails and baby clothes?  Not me and definitely not Posh.

And now, 16 years later, I am still admiring Victoria Beckham's style and ability to create collection after collection that exudes class and sophistication without much fuss.  They are sexy without being too revealing and showcase the female figure through simple lines and perfect cuts.  Her Fall 2014 R/W Collection is no exception.  Black, white and a little red throughout.  My ideal combination and one of my favorites so far from Fashion Week.

I'll tell you what I want, what I really, really want.... all of it!

All photos via Style.com