A Day in Our Life : Summer Edition

If you are like me Summer hits and you are like what am I going to do all day with the kids?  I actually love Summer and having no real schedule, but the days can be so long!

I always love seeing a sneak peek in others lives so I thought I would share a day in our life. It has been awhile since I did one of these posts, last time I only had Sterling this time it's juggling two kids

6-7  \\ Wake up with Frances and feed her a bottle.  Now that school is out Sterling has been sleeping later which is nice.  I get a little one on one time with Frances.  After I feed her I proof read my blog and post it.

While I feed her I sip my hot lemon water.  I have basically given up coffee and just drink this in the morning now.  I read it has so many great health benefits. Plus is starts the day off right by re-hydrating my body.

7-7:30 \\ Three days a week I go on a run before Matt leaves for work, this way he can watch the kids because running with a stroller is hard!!  I have a 3 mile loop I do, I run a mile walk about a 1-2 minutes then run another mile.  I am still obsessed with these Zella Tanks, I ordered two more and they are all I run in.  They don't ride up at all and are not too tight.

Zella Scooptank on sale!  | Shorts | New Balance Shoes

8-9 \\ Get back from my run and I feed Frances and Sterling breakfast,  he is always up by then.  I also fix Matt and I a quick bite.  Lately we have been into hard boiled eggs, veggie sausage, avocado, and fresh heirloom tomatoes.  It is such a tasty and filling breakfast.  I have been trying to cut back on my processed foods and my beloved cereal falls in that category, so this is a new breakfast I am loving.

9- 10:30 \\ I put Frances down for her morning nap, turn on a TV show for Sterling and then I have a chance to get showered and cleaned up.

10:30- 1 \\ This is when I take the kids out to run errands.  Today we went and picked up my new contact lens, signed up for Fall Soccer for Sterling,  and hit up Trader Joes.  Then I try and squeeze in an activity that is fun for Sterling. I usually let him choose either the park, library, chick fila, pool etc.  He chose the library today.  It melts my heart that he loves the library so much because I am a huge book lover.  The library is such a great free activity.  He plays with the toys while I chill with Frances and read a magazine.  Then we pick out a few books and DVDS to check out.

1- 3:30 \\ Get home and put away groceries and then I put Frances down for a nap.  She usually naps about 2 hours. Then Sterling and I eat lunch.  His go to is PB and jelly,  he loves it and wants it everyday!  I made a salad today with leftovers from the Farmers Market.  I try to eat salads most days for lunch. 

 Sterling just recently stopped napping but I do still make him have quiet time.  He can sit in his room and play with toys or the IPad.  This usually lasts about 45 minutes then he is bored.  During that 45 minutes I quickly empty the dishwasher, start a load of laundry, and work on my blog.  If I have time I will start dinner prep too.

3-4 \\ Frances usually wakes up and is ready for another bottle.  After that I play a quick game with Sterling, today was Memory.  Then we all usually stroll around the block.  Frances rides in the stroller and Sterling rides his scooter.  If we have time we walk to the park near our house but sometimes we just loop around our block.

4-5 \\ Get back from our walk and I put Frances on her play mat with toys and let her and Sterling play while I start assembling dinner and get it started cooking.

5-6 \\ Bath Time.  Most nights I do bath time solo because Matt usually doesn't get home til 7 or so.    I have a plastic bath for Frances I still use that kind of hinges over our tub so I can bathe her and Sterling at the same time.   I have been loving this line of bath products called Weleda my friend and fellow blogger Jess recommended, I swear they have helped with Frances' eczema.

6-7 \\ Dinner for Frances Moon,  this week she is eating avocado, banana and butternut squash.  I feed her around 5:30-6.  Usually at this time I let Sterling watch TV til Matt gets home.  This is  when I pour a glass of wine if I am drinking that night (which is most nights haha).  I sip it while I finish cooking dinner and wait for Matt to get home.  Many nights we sit on the front porch and wait for Daddy.

7-7:30 \\ Feed Frances her last bottle and put her to bed.  Then Matt, Sterling and I sit down and eat dinner together.  I really think it is important to sit down and eat as family so we always do this unless Matt is working too late.  I made one of my all time favorite recipes Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken Meatballs.  They are so good.

8-9 \\ Get Sterling read for bed, brush his teeth and then Matt and I each read him a book.  After that we clean up the dishes.  I usually work on my blog for about 30 minutes.  I try not to work on it at night while Matt his home but during the Summer I have a hard time getting it all done during the day since Sterling is out of school and no longer naps.  Matt and I really don't watch much TV, but lately we have been into Anthony Bourdain's Parts Unknown show on CNN.  We may watch an episode of that and then get in bed.  It is also on Netflix if oyu have never watched it, it so interesting!

9-10// We get in bed and read and lights are always out by 10.  I love going to bed early.  Currently I am reading The One and Only by Emily Giffin and I am really liking it.  I always love her books.

Go to bed, wake up and do it all over again:)  I would love to hear any ideas you other moms have for Summer activities!!

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Lastly, local friends don't forget about the Pixie Lily Sample Sale tomorrow morning!!  Seriously the cutest baby clothes around!!  Now is the time to stock up and trust me the prices are amazing at these sample sales!!

Pixie Lily Sample and Seconds Warehouse Sale

Saturday, June 21st

8:00 am - 12:00

Layette and Toddler

BYOB Bring Your Own Bag

48 Society Street (corner of Anson and Society)

 

 

Thoughts For Thursday

A few random thoughts today.  

Stopped in one of my favorite Charleston boutiques this week, Beckett Boutique.  So many gorgeous pieces.  I always love browsing at their new arrivals.

Still dreaming about this gorgeous maxi.

I had lunch with girlfriends at the Pickled Palette this week.  Such a cute spot.  Everything was super fresh and yummy. 

The pimento cheese was so good.  I also had the vegan sandwich and loved it.

What I wore:

Ruffle Sleeve Dress also Here | Sunglasses | Necklace | Sandals 

I love this tee shirt dress- I also own it in the tee version as well.

New song obsession.  One Republic- Let's Hurt Tonight.  Download it, you will love it.

Also totally obsessed with James Arthur.  Say you Wont Let go is always on repeat in my car.

Outfit Planning.

Dress | Sandals | Tote | Necklace

This cutie had his last tennis match of the season.

So very proud of him and his school team.

Favorite workout gear.

This tank top is the best, not too fitted and the perfect length.  

Tank | Leggings | Shoes

I have tried out both Beautycounter new face masks and I really like them.  I prefer the plumping one though to the brightening one.  My skin felt so amazing after I used it.  Totally refreshed and smooth.  I highly recommend it. 

Brightening Mask | Plumping Mask

Loft is offering 40% off everything.  I recently bought this off shoulder blouse.  I loved the floral print and tie sleeve detail.

Blouse | Jeans | Clutch

Thanks to my friend Megan, I am totally obsessed with Cauliflower rice now.  I have been buying the bags at Trader Joes.  We had it for dinner this week with roast chicken and veggies and I have been having it in the morning with a little Parmesan cheese, an egg and veggie sausage.  

Thursday vibes.

Obsessions

ALICE + OLIVIA AMANDA PEPLUM DRESS

This dress is top on my list of Fall wants.  It is the perfect little black dress.  I could see myself wearing this to church and date night.  Super versatile!

GAP NAUTICAL SHIFT

My favorite Gap tee dress is back in a longer sleeve version for Early fall.  I want all three colors.   If you want one you better order now because the short sleeve version went fast!

TRADER JOES POWERBERRIES

These little nuggets are so delicious!   It is a blend of blueberries, acai, cranberries and pomegranate dipped in dark chocolate.  The perfect sweet bite to end a meal.

CHASING VENUS SAUVIGNON BLANC

Great wine, only $15 a bottle.  Highly recommend- their Chardonnay is also delish.

 JCREW ARCHIPELAGO NECKLACE

I really don't need another necklace but I can assure you, this necklace is most likely going to make its way into my fall wardrobe.   

Thai Lentil Lettuce Wraps

Since cutting back on meat I have relied heavily on beans as a substitute.  I still just can't get down with tofu and soy products yet.  The texture gets me every time. I love lentils and after I had them as the "meat" in my taco salad at Gnome Cafe it got me thinking they would make a great lettuce wrap filler.  I honestly loved these and they are guilt free, nothing bad in them at all! I used dried beans and cooked them but if you are feeling lazy just pick up a box of the pre-cooked lentils at Trader Joes (they are in the fridge section where the produce is).  I use those lentils in salads all the time.  These babies are great alone but drizzle them with some dipping sauce and it really sets the flavors off.  Next time I may even add in some water chestnuts for extra crunch. Save a few extra of the grated carrots and green onions for garnish. The lentil filling part for the wraps and the dipping sauce can be made ahead of time.  Just reheat the lentils or bring to room temperature and serve.

Enjoy.

|| T H A I   L E N T I L  L E T T U C E   W R A P S ||

adapted via Thug Kitchen Cookbook

- 1 cup dried lentils

- 3 carrots shredded

- 3 green onions sliced

- 1 large shallot diced

- 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger

- 1.5 tablespoons rice wine vinegar

- 1.5 tablespoon soy sauce

- Romaine or bibb lettuce

- hot sauce for drizzling 

Cook the lentils according to the package.  I used one cup dried lentils to 2 cups water and had to add some more water in while they simmered.  Bring to a boil and then let simmer.  I cooked mine about 40 minutes. 

In a large skillet saute the diced shallot with olive oil for about 5 minutes.  Add in the green onions, carrots, and ginger and cook another 3-5 minutes blending the flavors. 

Add the lentils back to the large skillet with the veggies and stir all together.  Add in soy sauce and rice wine vinegar and season with salt and pepper if needed.

D I P P I N G   S A U C E 

- 2 tablespoons soy sauce

- 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar

- 1 garlic clove minced

- 2 teaspoons sesame oil

- 1 tablespoons water

- 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce or siriacha

- sesame seeds optional for garnish

whisk all together and sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired.

How to Style an Orchid like a Pro

I love an orchid, I really do.  I feel like they can really make a room pop.  Every time I see one in someone else's  home I love the look! 

My mom and my sister in law have these beautiful orchids in their homes that a local florist (Jessie Campbell) in Charlotte designed for them.  They are gorgeous and it got me thinking I could recreate that for cheaper. I could not be more thrilled with my results.  

So, it is your lucky day I am dishing all my secrets so you can create a sick nasty arrangement like this too!

First obviously you need to pick up an Orchid.  Trader Joes has great orchids starting at $8.95.  They are my go-to place to buy orchids.  This time I found mine at Costco.  It was around $15 because it is a huge one.   I wanted a larger one to work on our coffee table.  Just pick an orchid according to where you want to keep it in your house.  There are some with just one stem and some with multiples.

 

Next pick a bowl you want to pot the orchid in.  I always love the look of Orchids in glass containers, so I chose this glass bowl my mom gave me.  Other ideas are silver bowls, brass pots,  ceramic bowls etc.  If you don't have one you can easily find something like this at a Consignment store or even Goodwill.

Next you need to trim the plastic around the top of the Orchid so it doesn't stick out in your bowl.  Trim it about 1/2 inch to an inch down.  You want to keep the bottom in the plastic for watering purposes.

 

You will need two types of moss.  The light gray kind I found in our neighborhood.  If you live in the South this stuff is everywhere.   Hanging from trees and piled on the ground.  Sterling and I went on a bike ride and collected it one afternoon. The green moss pieces you can find at Micheals.

 

Place your orchid in the center of your bowl.  And then start spreading the gray moss all around it.  You want it packed in to keep the orchid from moving.

Then layer the green moss all over the top.

 

Then, my friends you are done.  It is as easy as that.   This whole thing cost less than $20.  Pretty great for a fabulous arrangement, that will hopefully last for awhile.

 The final step is to find a home for your sweet new plant.  Ours is pretty happy in our den.

Only problem is my orchids don't live for long.  Supposedly they are the easiest plant to keep alive, but then why do mine always die?  I have a black thumb for real I can't seem to keep anything green living for long.  Any secrets to an Orchids longevity?

Happy Monday.  Its a dreary one here, which means alot of indoor playtime!

xoxo