sandr077

So, as I mentioned when pregnant... this will never be a mommy blog.  I try to keep it true to its roots!  But, since it is about what I am loving, thinking about, obsessed with... some mom stuff might be sprinkled in here and there.  My girl Avery is soon to be 6 months old!  Can you believe it?  I cannot!!! Well, since I have been a mom for 6 months (almost)... I am long overdue to share my best baby bets!  You know... those items I  cannot live without!  Here are my top 5 (to date).   1.  Booginhead Pacifier Clips! (left)  These are a MUST HAVE in my book.  The first few weeks before we had these all I ever heard was "where in her pacifier".  Then when she got a bit older and would spit it out... it would fall on our dirty floor and be covered in dog hair.  Gross.  Now, you should not let your child sleep with these, but I have one clipped to her outfit (daily), one clipped to her carseat, and one clipped to m...

Have you heard of Birchbox ?  I just signed up and cannot wait for my box to come.  They say it will ship June 10th... yippee!!!   Birchbox is a beauty subscription program.   It costs $10 a month and you can sign up monthly (renewed automatically) or annually.    Birchbox members will receive a curated box of luxe beauty samples in a pretty pink "birch box".   Samples run the gamut.... makeup, haircare, skincare, etc.  It costs $10 a month.  I love me some samples... mostly because I am addicted to products, but also because I love to have samples when I travel.    You collect points and can use points to get a discount on full sized products... that you can buy directly on their site.  Some the companies they feature include; Stila, Juice, Marvis, Nars, Kerastase, and more!   When my box comes next month I will post the details of what is in it!  Can't wait!  Until next time...xoxo

Today is Monday which means another "meatless Monday" recipe.   As I mentioned last week, I am trying to incorporate more vegetarian meals.  But, vegetarian meals that meat lovers will love.  We are meat eaters and that will not change... but everything in moderation, right? So, last week's recipe can be found here !  The second "meatless" recipe I cooked is this veggie pasta.  I found it through a quick google search on All Recipes.  It is Suki's Spinach and Feta Pasta.   Ingredients 1 (8 ounce) package penne pasta 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 cup chopped onion 1 clove garlic, minced 3 cups chopped tomatoes 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms 2 cups spinach leaves, packed salt and pepper to taste 1 pinch red pepper flakes 8 ounces feta cheese, crumbled Directions Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta in boiling water until al dente; drain. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add onion and garlic, and c...

What?  How is there a shoe site out there that I did not know about?  As you know, I love shoes.  I mean really really love shoes.  I recently discovered a new shoe site, "Call it Spring".  They have a TON of really cute options at very reasonable prices with free shipping and free returns! These are some of my favorites!   Marcilia $39.99 Dousay $19.99 Popovich $34.99 Cardine $39.99 I know... it has been awhile since we had a Shoe of the Day!  More to come... promise! :)  Until next time...xoxo

 Did you see my post last week about Brimfield .  There were these AMAZING lockers there.... the perfect shade of blue!   What would I do with said lockers?  What wouldn't I do! I came across this photo ages ago and it has stuck with me.  I love how the wall was cut so the lockers fit flush into the wall!!!   Photo via Design Sponge But.... I love these too.  Lockers work in an entry, family room, nursery, kitchen.... you name it!   Photo via Decor8 Photo unknown Photo via Apt Therapy Photo via Hello Friend Now I just need to find me some lockers.  Well, I would also need to find a place to put them.  Details... !  Until next time...xoxo

I have initiated meatless Mondays in my house!  I decided a few weeks ago that we rely too much on met in our cooking.  I wanted to find some good, healthy, filling meatless recipes! :)  Now, this is a challenge to do successfully in my home as "the husband" generally categorizes any meal without meat as an "appetizer".   We are still doing meal planning in our house and last week was my week.  I decided to initiate a veggie meal.... we made Sweet Potato Burritos.  They were amazing!  I gave them a "9", "the husband" was not as convinced and scored them a "5".  I did not care.  I will still make them again.... and again... and again.  The great thing about these is that you can freeze them too.    I have eaten them several days for lunch which is great as I am always looking for an inexpensive, easy lunch option!   The spices give great flavor!  I was not sure about mixing beans with sweet potatoes, but it works perf...

Oh where were you the past few years when I really needed you! I am not talking about chalkboard paint(which is great) but Annie Sloan’s chalk paint from England. This paint is really getting popular and is now available from a few places in the US with the numbers rapidly increasing. You ask... what is so great about Chalk Paint? Well, I have not used it yet but will be ordering soon.  I had hoped to find a "must have" furniture piece at Brimfield earlier this week that I could try the paint on.   Of course I will also have to find time to paint (not easy with a baby).   Oh maybe I will just buy some for my mother who helps me paint a lot of furniture and is currently a little obsessed with the idea of this paint. Chalk paint is like "Painting for Dummies".  It is amazing because you do not have to strip, sand or prime the old finish before you use it. It can be used on wood, metal and a variety of surfaces.  You know I paint anyth...

Yep, it's back!  I was not sure I would make it to Brimfield this year as the usual suspects (my mom and my aunt) could not unite as my mom is on crutches.  But, luckily my friend KB stepped in and went with me for her second Brimfield trip.  You can always count on Brimfield for some wierd things.... like wax Pilgrim sculptures!  Don't me and my pilgrim friend look cute!? Have I mentioned that I LOVE Brimfield?  I wrote about it here , here , here and here  and more times than just those.  I did not have anything on my list this year- which was sad.  When we bought our house I always had a long list.   When I was working on Avery's nursery- I had a long list.  Dare I say that I am running out of things that I "need"?  Well, that did not stop me from buying a few things! Loved this clock.... did not buy! :) I have a thing for lockers right now, but did not buy!   Still love letters!  I did buy these small letter tile...

What would you wear to the Derby?  My friend KG spent the weekend at Churchill Downs and it got me thinking.  What would I wear to the Derby? Of course.... a hat is key.  Something big and posh along with a class, lady-like dress!  Brights get a lot of play, but I think I would do black and white.  It is modern, chic and frames a lovely flash of color perfectly! Kentucky Derby by lifeandstyleatoz featuring a black white dress It is on my bucket list to one day "do" the derby!  Oh... some day!  Until next time...xoxo

So, this has been a crazy few weeks.  I am definitely realizing that being a full time working mom is hard... very hard!  When you are trying to get it all done... persistance is key! :)  It is my blogging persistence that will not allow me to post only twice this week! :) So, Avery too is persistent.  I think this is a trait she gets from her mom!  She has been trying so hard to roll over for a while now, but has not been able to master it... until now! Have a challenge in your own life... keep at it!  Persist! Next week- I will try again.  Try to find some time to create creative blog posts.  Stay tuned to see if it happens.  Until next time...xoxo

So, I had my first all day outing this past weekend.  I left my baby all alone all day with the husband.  It was very liberating.  The husband has been alone for an hour or two here or there- but not all day.    I think the husband appreciated me all that much more when I returned home. What got me out of the house all day was a fun day with some friends.  We took a baking class and then had a late lunch (after eating lots of carbs).  Now I should say that I don't bake ..... really .... ever.   I like to eat baked goods, I just never bake them.  That is probably a good thing.   The base of this baking class is brioche.   A bread with lots of butter and eggs.... you know tastes good... good for you! :)   I learned that brioche can be turned into about a million things!  You can do sweet or savory.  We used brioche to make cinnamon rolls, sticky buns and a brioche "roll".  All involved a lot of eggs and butter.... ...

So, our playroom/guest room has been majorly halted.  Having a baby makes most house projects... SLOW!  Plus now that the weather is getting warm, we have been focused on the outside rather than the inside.  We will get back to it at some point soon... I hope! When I was looking for a "look" or theme for the basement playroom/guest room- I came across lots of adorable ideas using bunting or pennants!  You know what I mean? Like this.... I think I may have to incorporate a little of this idea into my room.  It is cute for a nursery too!  It is a pretty easy project.  Get yourself some fabric scraps, fabric glue and ribbon and go to town! :)  Until next time...xoxo