current wants & purchases

scott is asking for my Christmas wish list...and this is what i want:

marc by marc jacobs too hot to handle hobo in mink. i have been eyeing this for MONTHS. the color is so unique...the photo doesn't do it justice.

{via}

i need a new pair of these. my current ones are thrashed. they used to make this style for women but not anymore. i have found these are my favorite so i'll take these in the smallest size in men's!

{via}

i think i'd like a pair of these. i feel like they are a bit too "trendy" for me but maybe the neutral with rolled up skinnies and a white-t?:

{via}

a current purchase of mine: i fell in LOVE with the elbow patch. heehee i didn't realize it until now, but i'm wearing the exact same outfit that she has on...

{via}

what's on your wish list?

mama's pretties...

so after having a baby, i was pretty limited in choice in the bra department since i was nursing. for me, i really couldn't have anything restrictive so i was on the hunt for practical and yet some-what pretty. so here are my fav's for new mom's to be:

{via}

{via}

these are both from target the gilligan & omalley brand. i tried the elle mcpherson bra's from nordstrom and althought they were beautiful and double the cost, it just didn't serve its purpose. the tanks, i lived in the 13 months i nursed and had in probably all the colors available at the time. 

i also would highly suggest in a robe. after you deliver {i was via c-section} they wanted me to walk the halls, even though it was so so very painful. and as much as you'd like to think you'll put on a pair of pants, the easiest and most comfortable thing to do was just wrap a soft robe around you...and trust me, you won't care what you look. in my book, if you've just given birth - you are already a rock star. {the one pictures below is an ugg one and you can find it at nordstrom. mine is from target and i love it but this one...oh my. it is YUMMY. Christmas is right around the corner ladies...put this on your list!!}

{via}





fresh on my mind...

i wanted to write these little moments as they were still fresh on my mind so that i can remember and cherish these funny moments of my little mister. so, jacob at one year, ten months and 14 days you are:

:: curious about EVERYTHING!! you say, "isat" which translates into: what is that??

:: you notice everything, down to the outline of the moon in the sky during the day to the stringy cobwebs that hang from our tall ceilings. you love pointing out all the trucks, tractors, school buses, rv's and campers as we drive from place to place. 

:: we went to bbrus the other day and as we walked out you looked across the street and said, "costco." you have NEVER been to that one and i'm pretty positive you can't read, but you were right on!!

:: you are absolutely OBSESSED with thomas the train and know pretty much all the characters names. maybe one day when you're much much older we'll tell you what some of the names sounded like in your sweet, innocent little toddler way.

:: we put you down for bed at around 8:30pm and your dad and i LOVE listening to you jibber jabber away in your room - in the dark - with elephant and charlie - for over an hour. we adore that you love your "alone" time.

:: today while at target, we picked up some more yogurt for you. as we kept walking down that aisle, you pointed to activia and your eyes lit up as you said, "hameeee!!" {which is grandma lee...and yes, grandma lee eats lots of activia!!}

:: you know how to perfectly navigate through my iphone and ipad. i need to teach you the password so you don't lock mama's phone out for FIFTEEEEEN MINUTES. 

:: you are shy and sweet. curious and thoughtful. definitely have your moments but overall, you're pretty darn lovable. 

{10.29.12}

pinterest tested

lately, i have been on this baking kick...i haven't felt like this since i was pregnant - and no, i'm not pregnant for those inquiring minds. :) so these are the recipes i have tried:

pumpkin pie almonds: TWO THUMBS UP!! these little treats are tasty & healthy and super easy to make. i've already made a second batch...sidenote: wait until they are completely cooled before tasting & these make your house smell ahhh-mazing.

soft baked peanut butter cookies: TWO THUMBS UP!! these are hands down, THE best peanut butter cookies i've made and very easy. 

chipotle chicken salad: TWO THUMBS UP! we had some friends over before the sunset high school football game and i made this as the main dish. i did the chicken a little different and did not use the chipotle chile and left the cilantro on the side. i just added more lime juice for the dressing and it was deeee-lish!

butter cake: this one had mixed reviews. for me, it was too sweet but if you topped it with seasonal berries the tartness balanced out the sweetness. i made this for our "southern" themed going away party...very easy to make and would recommend using less confectioner's sugar than the recipe called for.

sweet corn & quinoa with honey lemon vinaigrette: one thumb up! i personally enjoyed this dish while my husband did not. he didn't mind it but was enthused for me to make it again...i still have yet to find a recipe for quinoa that the whole family enjoys.

peanut butter breakfast pudding: TWO THUMBS UP!! this recipe is so yummy...but you have to love peanut butter. i only allow myself this breakfast once in a blue moon because it tastes so rich and it's very filling! 

nutella crescent rolls: TWO THUMBS UP!! these could be the easiest by far. i didn't technically mean to make these but once in a while for my toddler, i'll make him cheese crescent roll sandwiches. with the two leftover, i usually will spread on orange marmalade like we do for the holidays but i remembered we had nutella in the pantry so i spread some on and oh boy - it was a winner!

asparagus, goat cheese & lemon pasta: eh...so so. i don't think i'd make this again...the flavors just weren't the right amount even though i followed it...and i love all of the above but just not for this dish. 

{all images via}

so there you have it...my two cents on the recipes i've found off of pinterest. enjoy!

madly in love mojito

let's have a MOJITO party!!

{via: http://pinterest.com/yoonhee/nom-nom/}

i am by no means a drinker. i am such a lightweight that if i could order drinks, "more sugar, less alcohol," i would. but, when i went to this restaurant/bar downtown {the nines} for a dear friends birthday, i decided to go all out and order my first drink i'd say in years. i ordered a mojito and let me just say...it was fabulous! i honestly can't stop thinking about this delicious little drink and all its yummyness. they even had one that had a blackberry compote for a little extra fruity flavor that i will order the next time i am there. in the meantime, i'd love to throw a little mojito party in the upcoming summer months. who's in??

a few of my favorite things...

as my sweet little boy is sleeping away in his room, i am catching a break and making an effort to catch up on a few of my favorite things. and lately, it has been the search of good, clean skin care products. i mix between a few spendy items along with good old drug store stuff. but lately my skin is a mess to say the least...so, with a few recommendations here's what i'm currently using:

osmotics cosmeceuticals 'blue copper 5' firming eye repair

my eyelids were super flakey and extremely dry. i FINALLY figured out it was the new eye cream from oil of olay that i purchased...anyways, this stuff has healed and moisturized my eyes in just the two short days i've used it. i'm a believer.

also, as i am adding years to my life :yes, dramatic i know: i am finding out my skin is changing rapidly. i feel like i no longer have a nice texture to my skin as i did once before...and i always considered myself having "combination" skin meaning oily-er in my t-zone but i am learning that i have very very dry skin. my husband laughs when i say, "my skin is drinking it up" meaning all the lotion i lather onto my skin i can feel it absorbing and drinking in all the goodness. well, it's true - i can. so for my face for some extra creamy goodness i'm using this:

philosophy 'hope in a jar' for dry skin

i'm telling ya...your skin will drink it all in and thank you for it - mine has.

when i see women that have beautiful, glowing skin...i am always inclined to ask: what products do you use? i know some are just blessed with it but i'm guessing most have their "go-to" secrets...care to share?

bittersweet

today marks the end of nursing my sweet little baby boy...it's been a L O N G 13 months and I can't believe I'm done. even with all of my problems with breast feeding I have to say it was an emotional realization that this chapter for jacob and I has come to an end. I've grown to love that special time...it is an incredible bond that I will always hold dear to my heart.

God sure created the woman's body to do amazing things - giving birth alone is mind blowing. then, producing sustenance for your baby to survive on breast milk alone is fascinating. I know many of times I complain about how women have it tough: menstrual cramps, mood swings, periods, going through labor - but my goodness I wouldn't trade it for the world. how precious we must be in Gods eye for him to choose US to do such things.

so tonight, I will "cheers" with my sweet boy to an incredible 13 months with a tall glass of milk. I love you my jacob matthew...