remember these?

I gave my {handsome}brother Denny a vintage copy for his birthday last year (along with some happy socks, because really, who doesn't need a pair ot two?)

As a kid I adored these books and would steal them from Denny's room.  These days though, I think I prefer this kind of choose-your-own adventure.  How fun!  Happy Monday all! =)  (And in case you are wondering, the song from the link is Free My Mind by Katie Herzig.)

i love color.

My favorite of the night.  And because it's never been said before--wow, her body is smokin'.

photos

what i wore: two zero.

Last weekend, my girlfriends and I made a two and half day party out of our twenty year reunion.  Because that's how we roll.  (It's also how we stay-at-home-moms remain sane.)

Best (and worst) line of the weekend said to my husband by multiple people throughout the night of the reunion:

"I feel like I know you because of Facebook."  

It's official: I am a Facebook whore.  The first step to recovery is admitting there's a problem, riiiiiiight?

Worst part of the weekend: I left my camera at the hotel pool and it is (apparently) lost forever.  (Someone lucked out with a camera full of digital images of all my beautiful friends.)

On to my outfit:

I bought this dress for the reunion, knowing that I'd ultimately be able to wear it for other occasions.  I even asked lovely Naina from Style'n to create a few stylish options for me.  And of course, she styled some beautiful, fun outfits.  I ran with Naina's inspiration and created the look below.  (Thanks also to Naina for reintroducing me to polyvore.!  If you like(d) playing with paper dolls or Barbies, hop on over and style some of your own outfits.)

 two zero

P.S.  If you are wavering on whether or not to go to a high school reunion (twenty or otherwise!),  I highly recommend going.  Most people just get better with age, like a fine wine.  Or cheese. =)

dora: the fashion "explora".

This morning while I was lounging in bed watching Dora the Explorer, I noticed something quite profound. (Incidentally, Dora is what you watch when your three year old believes that 5:46 AM is a perfectly acceptable time to wake on a daily basis.) Dora was/is ahead of her time when it comes to fashion.  Just check out her keen color blocking skills.  She's been rockin' this look for years.  Is it a coincidence that all these gorgeous & fabulous fashionista bloggers have adopted her look?  You be the judge. ;o)

Taylor

Emily

Jenn

Jessica

Emily (again.)

Caitlyn

P.S. Do you color block?  I'd like to know.  We're quite fond of it in our little house. 

two forty.

I woke up this morning thinking about that number.  Yesterday, I wrote about my cleanse, mentioning that the three day endeavor cost $240 and suggesting that perhaps the money would have been better spent on a pair of shoes.  The two forty definitely would have found me closer to a pair of neutral heels I'm currently coveting for spring.  For example, these perfectly casual espadrille wedges--

or maybe these fabulous cutouts--

or these camel colored babies, which would put me a tad over 6 feet tall--

or perhaps this pair with the sexy ankle strap...

Sigh...  

However, while I doubt I will ever spend $240 on another cleanse, I have to retract what I said earlier.  

In the past, I've been motivated to better health for many reasons.  My motivation has been intrinsic as in "I really want to FEEL better."  It's also stemmed from pure vanity as in "I will wear (and look hot in) that damn black string bikini again!"  It's even, at times, been altruistic as in "Sparky is going to love my legs in that short skirt."  Never before had I been monetarily motivated to feel and look better.  The simple knowledge that we had spent that money was motivating in and of itself; it kept me a little more focused on seeing the program to completion without any cheating (it was only three days after all!)  If I'd cheated, it would have felt as if I were throwing two hundred and forty one-dollar bills in the garbage can.  Or worse yet, as if I were throwing a pair of these in the garbage can!  And so in truth, I must say it was $240 very well spent.

a confession + an outfit + a trend.

Over the last few months, I've developed a new guilty pleasure.  Every morning while I'm making Ava's lunch, I check out the outfit posts from one of these lovely ladies' fashion blogs.  I have to force myself not to open Safari until after I've gotten the girlies breakfast and after the coffee is made.  If Sparky happens still to be home and walks into the kitchen, I quickly close the browser window!  Not sure why I feel so guilty about it and I also don't know why it's so appealing to me... Perhaps, it's because I don't actually get dressed everyday.  The fact I walk around the house naked most days creates this desire to see clothed people?  I kid.  Of course, I put clothes on everyday (although truth be told if I were more confident in who I am, I'd simply walk Ava the 100 yards to school in my pajamas!)  Unless I have plans outside of mommying, you'll most likely find me in a) workout/yoga pants, a tank top, and a sweatshirt b)sweats (cringe) or c)jeans (if i can fit into them) and a t-shirt.  I so enjoy seeing how these beautiful women put items together into fashionable outfits.  It has made such a difference in how I feel about getting dressed when I actually do "get dressed."  (Unfortunately for Sparky, I think it's made a difference in my shopping habits as well.  But shhhhhh, don't tell.)

There are SO MANY fashion blogs where women simply post pictures of themselves in their darling clothes.  And I totally get the appeal of being one of these bloggers, by the way--a bit like playing dress-up as a kid while spinning and posing in mommy's full length mirror.  It makes me want to get in on the action.  So today I did, using the five year old as my muse.  =)

Sweater-A Children's Place

Dress-Target

Knee socks (trend! =) -Target

Shoes-Lelli Kelly, Nordstrom

P.S. Ava picked out her outfit with a little guidance from mom.  I should note that she will ONLY wear dresses, prefers pink and yellow, does not like plaid, and thinks black and brown are "boy" colors.  Getting dressed isn't an easy task these days, friends.  Looking forward to the teenage years. OY! Help me.

all dressed up.

My favorite dress from the evening.

Olivia Wilde via

Speaking of the Golden Globes, how much did you love Alexa Chung on the NBC pre-show?  Her interview style was so relaxed, unrehearsed, and unimpressed in a very "I'm interested" sort of way.  A great contrast to the other hosts of the show.

a little bit of sparkle.

So I am sitting here eating Have'a Chips procrastinating.  I'm making an amazing dinner tonight that isn't difficult, but requires a bit of time and effort and I'm just not in the mood yet to start cooking again.  (Even though I can't wait to start eating again!)  I thought I'd share a little sparkle with you just in case you need a last minute outfit for tonight (New Year's Eve!) and you live near a Bloomingdale's or Neiman's.  My pretty girlfriend Kim wore this the night of her and her husband's Boat Parade Party.  Although the boats were lovely to see, it was hard to notice anything else besides Kim, her beautiful smile, and that sequin top.  By far the best piece of sequin I've seen all season.  

Okay, off to cook now.  More on the scrumptious meal later... Oh, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

first annual (tradition.)

In the midst of the regularly scheduled holiday rush-to-get-it-all-done-while-enjoying-ourselves-immensely-and-creating-lasting-memories-programming, the two year old and I took some time out today (a station break, if you will) to puddle jump and window shop.  The unplanned one on one time with Georgia was incredibly satisfying, relaxing, and fun.  The word decompress comes to mind.  These are the moments.  (Oh, and if you are in the mood for some puddles, I highly recommend these grown up wellies for proper jumping. =)

ruffle me up.

I considered calling this post "feeling (completely and totally) overwhelmed."  That said, it's most definitely time for a little distraction.  Ruffles always cheer me up. (A little femininity goes a long way, yes?)  You must twirl in them for proper effect.  

A few picks for me (and you, if you so desire...)

wave-you-back-to-me ruffle dress

tulip skirt

the dance dress

roaring ruffles dress (super cute with a belt!)

leather skirt (yes, please!)

And for the girlies...

gingham skirt

pink ruffle tier dress

green ruffle dress

And now back to the regularly scheduled holiday rush-to-get-it-all-done-all-while-enjoying-ourselves-immensely-and-creating-lasting-memories programming.

it's the little things (and sometimes it's not.)

"over the shoulder smolder holder"

This is not me.  This is pretty Kendi from Kendi Everyday, a really funny and fashionable style blog (just in case you aren't a Kendi stalker and didn't know.)  A few days ago, she chose my suggestion for the title of one of her posts and I have to tell you that it made my day.  I was probably as excited as the five year old was when that sneaky little elf Rocky finally showed up here yesterday afternoon.  (Side note, if your elf gets sick, or eaten by your dog, or simply lost in the rafters, a new one can be readily purchased at Barnes and Noble for a mere $29.95.  What.a.racket.)   In all honesty, I was more excited.  Maybe that makes me a dork (uh-huh,) but I choose to look at it differently.  It made me realize that I still have that little kid inside of me,  the one that can find excitement in the littlest of moments, the one that jumps up and down clapping her hands in joy (oh yes I did,) the one that giggles.  And that, my friends, is a very good thing.


Now on to bigger things... anyone notice her reflection GROWING in the mirror lately (or is that just ME?) Sometimes when I turn around to check myself out after getting dressed, I do a double take, and not in a good way.  Hello?  Whose behind is that???   (Thank goodness for these loving pants.)  


It's only the beginning of the eating season people!  This madness has got to stop. 

Really (Really!) Tasty Veggie Soup 

(aka diet soup, shhhhhhhhhh, if you don't tell anyone, no one will know.)

Extra virgin olive oil

1/2 pound carrots, cut into bite size rounds

2 small onions, chopped

4 lg. stalks celery, sliced

2 (or 3 or 4 or 5) cloves garlic,

1/2 small head green cabbage, thinly sliced

1/2 pound (French) green beans, cut into thirds

2 large zucchini, cut into half moons

3 14.5 ounce) cans chopped Italian tomatoes in juice

6 cups low sodium chicken broth

3 cups water

a bunch of basil, chiffonade

1 bay leaf

salt and pepper

2 bags (8 or 9 oz. each) baby spinach leaves

2 cans great northern white beans, drained and rinsed

Cover the bottom of a large pot with olive oil (a couple of tablespoons) and heat over medium.  Add carrots, onions, and celery.  Sauté for 10 minutes until veggies begin to soften, stirring occasionally.  Add garlic and sauté for one more minute.  Stir in tomatoes with juice, cabbage, green beans, chicken broth, water, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, bay leaf, and basil.  Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally.  Reduce to low, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.  Stir in zucchini and spinach and bring back to a boil.  Reduce to low, cover and simmer an additional 10 minutes until veggies are tender.  Stir in beans and heat through.

Cook's Notes

1. Eat this when not eating "party food" and maybe, just maybe, you will be able to fit in your jeans for the entirety of the season.  (This is primarily a "note to self.")

2.  For the girlies and Sparky and company, I add pasta and shredded cheese to the bowls before ladling in the soup.

3. Fabulous (of course) with a crusty sourdough bread smothered with butter.  ( <-----Defeats my purpose.) 

4.  A little swirl of Sriracha never hurt.

5.  Chunked avocado is surprisingly good piled on top of a big bowl.  Something about the juxtaposition of the hot soup with the cool creamy avocado...mmmmmmmm.  I wiill be having it this way for lunch today!

distracted.

So here I am stressed out with the holidays.  And yet, somehow, I find the time to window shop (on-line of course.)  Procrastination much?  I definitely love me some stripes and dots, with a little sparkle thrown in for good measure.

sparkles and stripes dress from ua

dance the polka dot dress from ua

sailor sweater from j.crew.

circle and dot sparkle sweater from j.crew

striped sweater dress from ruche

must love dots dress by kate spade

striped splendid cardi from nordstom

jimmy choo leopard "dots" from nordstom

Super thankful for one of my favorite forms of distraction.

favorite.

I'd like to introduce you to my favorite pants.  Imaginary friends, meet my pants.

Pants, say hello.

You can get your own here.  Your body will love them.  But more importantly, they will love your body.  Truly.  

P.S. Get them in ankle length if you are under 5'8".

just discovered...

this blog via this blog.  And I am loving it.  Everywhere I go I am thinking "I want to be her!"  Of course, I'm talking about emulating someone else's style here, not life.  Because I love my life.  Especially the part where I get NO sleep for days on end.  Oh, didn't you know?  Sleep is over-rated, unnecessary, and for the weak.  Face it, you want to be me. =)