The First Days of 2015

I hope everyone had a great New Years and start to 2015.  Matt and I decided to have some alone time on New Years Eve and go to dinner just the two of us.  And you know what I stuck with one of my resolutions and didn't take any pictures and left my phone in my purse the whole dinner.  I am trying to be fully engaged in moments like that and not always on my phone!  We had a lovely time and then came home to two sick kids:(

Both Sterling and Frances have been sick for days.  This was what our New Years Day looked like.  Pretty sad.  Frances ended up having RSV and Sterling had some sort of a virus.

Matt and I decided we needed an adult beverage to unwind after taking care of the sick babies and we made the most delish Bloody Marys.  Apparently New Years Day is national Bloody Mary Day- so fitting, right??

Then we of course had to eat our collard greens and black eyed peas.

This is our standard New Years Day meal, we don't love pork so we do fried chicken instead. 

and confession I was super lazy this year and picked this whole meal up at Publix, the only thing I cooked was the cornbread.  It all was delicious and made for a stress free New Years.

Since I wasn't on my A game at Christmas I decided to make some healthy New Years treats for our neighbors.   I made Energy Balls and Coconut Carrot Zucchini Muffins.

The muffins are a great healthy breakfast and the kids love them.

My after Christmas sale purchase arrived and I love it.

Available in the black/navy combo on sale and in the pink top version

Both are extra 30% off with code WINTER30.

 

One of Matt's friends passed along this adorable Carolina dress for Frances. 

 She is still loving her piano, her favorite Christmas gift.

On Saturday night we made some amazing nachos and paired them with George Clooney's tequila which was actually very good!

My first Chatbook arrived in the mail and I love it!!  It is such a great way to print and save your instagram photos!  If you use code SNOOP762 you can get your first book free!

On Sunday the kids were finally well enough to venture to Target.  I have never been so excited to get dressed and out of the house. I am wearing a small in the blouse, it runs TTS and is currently on sale.  I think it will be great in the Spring too because it is lightly sheer, will look awesome with white jeans.

Blouse on sale  | Jeans | Necklace

I also sat down and got organized for the New Year while the kids napped. This is my second year using a Gigi New York Planner, they are my favorite.  The planners are not on sale but you must check out their Winter Sale I mentioned yesterday!    The sale opens to the public tomorrow but you can shop early HERE!!

Metallic Planner | Embossed Planner

And for all you Lily Pulitzer fans, the big New Years sale starts today at 8:00am!  Lily is not totally my style but I do love her blouses and the little girl clothes and they will be on sale,  so of course I will be checking them out!  You can shop HERE! 

Happy First Monday of 2015!

Gigi New York Early Access to the Winter Sale!!

Happy Sunday Friends.  I just wanted to pop in and let you know the early access to the Gigi New York Winter Sale starts today!  I am a huge fan of Gigi New York, the purses are such great quality and so well made!! You can shop the whole sale Here.  Colors go fast so don't miss out on this sale!

I have had my eye on this cross body forever and might just need to make it mine!

|| Python Crossbody

 It also comes in all black which I equally love!

|| Black Embossed Crossbody

The Teddie Tote is one of my favorite everyday purses.  It is on sale in several colors.

||  Teddie Tote

Another favorite of mine is the Elle Crossbody.  

I love the Stone color, the perfect neutral.

I also love the Uber Clutch.  It is big enough to fit all your stuff for a night out!

|| Uber Clutch

The smaller all in one clutch is also on sale.  I am smitten with this gorgeous emerald green color.  Would be so pretty for the spring paired with pink or white!

 || All in One Clutch

 

New Year Sweet Deals

Happy New Year!  I have such a good feeling about 2015!!  

We are off to a birthday party this morning and then its football and fried chicken this afternoon.  

Since I had some down time,  I had time to browse some sales and wanted to share.

If you have not tried Beauty Counter yet, you must.  I am addicted to their products, each new one I try I get hooked on it.  Now they are a huge part of my skin and face regime.

For the New Year if you spend $200 you get $25 credit for your next purchase.  

A few of my favorites:

Vibrant Eye Cream | Body Lotion | Lip Sheer | Daily Moisturizer

I also love the kids body wash.  My kids have super sensitive skin and this never irritates them ever and it smells so fresh.

|| Squeaky Clean Body Wash

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Rebecca Taylor is offering additional 30% off sale- this is huge that means most items are 75% off!

Use code WINTERSALE.

I got this blouse for Christmas and love it- it comes to under $100 with the discount.

Scroll thru to see my other favorites most are under $100 with the 30% off discount.

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GAP is offering 30% off regular priced clothes with code 2015 and 40% off if you are cardholder with code NEWYOU.

I ordered both these dresses for Frances.  I love the embroidered look.

Embroidered Flutter Dress | Turquoise Embroidered Dress

 

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West Elm is offering free shipping til midnight tonight and there are some great deals in the clearance section.  I love these Moroccan Wedding Baskets!

I got a similar crystal votive holder for Christmas that I adore.  These are so pretty.

|| Crystal Votives

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Neiman Marcus is offering additional 40% off sale stuff til tomorrow.

I tried on this Vince Sweater Coat in the store and loved it!

If you need a neutral blouse this one is a goregous pink champagne color.

|| Joie Carita Blouse

 These Rag and Bone Kinsley Booties are now 50% off!

 If you are pregnant this style Vince dress is great and bump friendly.  I lived in mine while I was pregnant and it is 60% off!  It is also cute not pregnant as well:)

|| Vince Shift Dress

Happy New Year and Happy Shopping!

Goodbye 2014, Hello 2015

I honestly can not believe another year has come and gone.  I now have a one year old and an almost five year and that seems crazy to me.   This year has been one filled with many ups and downs and I look forward to seeing what the New Year has in store for us.  I am thankful for so much this year, my family, friends, Matt, Sterling and Frances, and our health.  I am especially thankful for all of you who read my blog,  leave comments and email me.  You all lift me up and inspire me everyday and I thank you.  I read every single comment and email even if it takes me awhile to respond!   It is crazy once we get older how fast the years seem to fly by.  Sometimes the days seem incredibly long but then in the blink of an eye another year is gone and we are a year older. 

I have grown a lot this year and I am still working on bettering myself.  It is a constant journey to connect with yourself and be best the version of you.  I have learned I am stronger than I think I am but I greatly rely on the support of my family as well.   I have learned to say no and that I don't have to attend every single event I am invited too.  Sometimes family time and a night in is more important.   I love a night in almost as much as a night out.  I have learned that the quality of your friends is way more important than the quantity.  I have a handful of friends that I love and trust and that matters most.  I have learned lunches with my girlfriends make me incredibly happy,  a time to connect and laugh that is so good for the soul.  I have learned a hangover is not worth it once you have kids. I have learned sleep is a thing of the past once you have kids.  I can now function on few hours of sleep and it is my new normal.   I have learned that not using credit cards is liberating and not as hard as it seems (more on our debt journey later this month).   I have learned that good tequila is worth the money- don't drink the cheap stuff!  I have learned just how much I appreciate my parents and how hard they worked to raise us after struggling to discipline Sterling, this year has been trying with him.  I have learned my stomach and boobs may never look the same again after two kids and that is ok.  I have learned that having two kids is HARD (harder than I thought it would be)  never a moment for you but also so rewarding.  I love seeing how much Sterling and Frances Moon love each other.  2014 was my first entire year with two kids and I am so grateful for the two of them.

 I get so inspired at the end of each year to start a New Year fresh.  I am not big on making resolutions because I usually break them.  I set simple goals for myself instead.  These are my goals so far-  I also have a list of house improvements I want to do next year that I will share as well after the New Year.

I want to exercise more and do more yoga.  I have been slack in the exercise department lately.  I need it for my mental sanity as much as to tone up my body.

I want to meditate at least 10 minutes every single day- lately I have been doing about 3 times a week I want to do more.

I want to drink more water and less wine.

 I want to remember to tell Matt I love him everyday. 

I want to volunteer my time in some way and perhaps take Sterling with me to do this.

I want to try and be in the moment with my children.  I have a hard time with this I am frequently multitasking and thinking about what I need to do next, my mind never rests.  I want to sit down and just enjoy them because they are growing up way too fast.

I want to eat less meat,  mainly chicken and beef.  I feel so much better when I stick to a mostly vegetarian diet - but don't worry I am never giving up cheeseburgers or bacon:)

I want to get more organized and plan out my blog more than just the night before

I want to really clean out and organize our garage- it would shock you if you saw the inside:)

I want to read more good books.

I want to declutter.

I want to judge less and be more accepting.

I want to grow a garden,  a legit garden not just one in pots.

I want to take a vacation with Matt somewhere tropical.

I want to spend more time outdoors.

I want to try more new recipes- cooking brings me so much joy.

I wish you all the happiest New Year and I hope 2015 brings you everything you hope for.

 

 

Favorite Healthy Meals of 2014

After a glutinous week last week, this week I decided I need to eat clean and avoid the usual suspects like alcohol, white carbs and sugar at least til New Years Eve.    I picked up this Suja Master Cleanse juice and just love it.  I know you can make your own but this is so convenient!  I highly recommend it.

I thought I would round up a few of my favorite healthy recipes from this past year, if you are inspired like me to try and eat healthy after the holidays.   If you have any favorite healthy meals or cookbooks I would love to know!

||  A V O C A D O  T O A S T ||

This may have been my favorite discovery this year. Totally obsessed with this for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  I like mine mashed with a little lemon juice, salt and pepper.  Then topped with fresh cherry tomatoes, green onions and red pepper flakes.

 

|| T U S C A N  K A L E  S A L A D  +  S A R D I N E S ||

I make this kale salad all the time.  It is great because kale doesn't really wilt so it can sit in the fridge for a few days.  Little secret about me, I love sardines.  I know some people are grossed out by them but I love them and they are so good for you.  If you have never bought them before look for the kind that are boneless and skinless in olive oil.  I like to eat mine with whole grain mustard and cheese.

|| R O A S T E D  C  A B B A G E ||

I make this about once a week now.  One of our favorite sides.  It is so good, the best way to eat cabbage.

|| L E T T U C E  W R A P S ||

These are so simple and full of flavor, you won't miss the flour shells.

 

|| C O C O N U T   C A R R O T  A N D  Z U C H I N I  M U F F I N S ||

These healthy muffins are great for breakfast and an easy way to get the kids eating veggies.

 

|| B U T T E R N U T  S Q U A S H   S A L A D ||

This is one of my favorite Barefoot Contessa Recipes.  Such a great way to use butternut squash.

I use kale sometimes instead of arugula but it is great with both!

|| Z U C C H I N I   S P I NA C H   A N D   B A C O N   E G G   M U F F I N S ||

You can really use any veggies in these egg muffins.  They are great because you can make them ahead and just reheat each morning for a healthy breakfast.

 

|| R E D  S N A P P E R  W I T H  T A N G E L O  M I N T   R E L I S H ||

This is a great Summer dish and can be made with any type of fish, the relish is the star!

 

|| C H O P P E D  I T A L I A N  S A L A D ||

This is a fabulous salad.  Easy to chop and make ahead- just don't toss with dressing til right before you are ready to serve it.

|| M O Z Z A R E L L A   S T U F F E D  C H I C K E N  M E A T B A L L S ||

These meatballs are amazing!  They are mainly just lean meat and cheese so they are not bad for you all at.  I serve ours with a salad instead of pasta or bread.

 

||  S H R E D D E D   K A L E  S A L A D  W I T H  C A Y E N N E  B A L S A M I C  ||

A fun spin on a boring kale salad.

|| T U R K E Y  K A L E  A N D   B R O W N   R I C E  S O U P ||

This is a great hearty and filling soup. We add hot sauce at the end for extra heat and flavor.

I thought this list was great of Super Foods to add to your diet.

Here's to a healthy 2015 and more fun recipes to come!!