Our Trip to Rosemary Beach, Florida

I'm linking up again with Erika, Andrea and Narci for the Friday Favorites!  I love reading everyone's favorites too!

Last week we did a last of summer hurrah to the beach.  It was so nice to get away from real life and hang out as a family.  Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach and Seaside were all so dreamy.  Those little towns are charming and so chic.  We can't wait until the next time we go, except not in August, because it was hotter than the surface of the sun!  

At least they are looking the same way, even if it's not at me!

A rare moment of cooperation

Here are a few pictures I took.  I do have some of me in them but they are usually selfies because it seems I'm the only one who likes to take pictures.  These little towns are just made for photo ops.  Every where you look there is a row of bikes, beautiful architecture and of course the stunning white sandy beaches.  

Oh Carolina and her teenager attitude!

We rented a condo from vrbo again and it worked out well.  There were so many great options to rent in this area and affordably priced to be in such a convenient location.  We were on a pretty strict budget so we had to be very creative about meals.  We did one trip to the grocery store to get fruit and veggies because my kids can't live without them.  Usually at dinner, we got the kids meal and then two other meals for us to share.  

We definitely loved dressing the part with the  preppy beach vibe.

The best thing we did all week was to rent bikes.  We got some beach cruisers with the child carrier on the back.  They were super fun when you started going but we felt so unstable especially with the extra weight on the back.  I thought I was going to crash into some people!

Carolina and Nico could play in the sand all day long.  I just kept looking at them and treasuring how little they are right now.  I love that they are content and excited to be looking for seashells, jumping over waves and building sandcastles.  Carolina is starting kindergarten next week and I can hardly bear that she is growing up.

Carolina's photo session in her twirly Alice & Ames dress!  

We tried to make this a vacation with some other friends but we planned it too last minute.  It would be so great to take along some other family or friends and make memories with them too.  Besides, it would be so awesome to go out to eat sans kids for a date.  Let's be honest about dining with kids, that is rarely easy!

In downtown Seaside waiting the 90 minutes to get a table for dinner.

It was a great way to end the summer.  It's nice to have a week before school starts and get settled again besides doing the mountain of laundry!  We might go here again one day but we like to see new places too!  Any suggestions for family friendly vacations?

Friday Favorites // August 4, 2017

I'm linking up again with Erika, Andrea and Narci for the Friday Favorites!  I love reading everyone's favorites too!

{ 1 }

This sippy cup is so good.  One day I took a drink out of Carolina's plastic sippy cup to see if it was cold and I couldn't believe how bad the water tasted!  My kids have been drinking nasty plastic flavored water their whole lives.  This one keeps the ice cubes in there forever and the water cold.  The only problem is that this one is pretty small.  Definitely get the next size up.  I'm waiting for a sale to buy another one for Nico and probably for myself too because they don't leak when I throw them in my purse.

{ 2 }

The Nordstrom Anniversary sale has officially gotten on my nerves.  I should say I have gotten on my own nerves.  The website and shopping experience was so glitchy that I ordered multiple sizes and colors of things instead of being able to try them on in the store.  I have been to the store several times and it just seems like the salespeople are fed up too.  I love Nordstrom but I think that this sale makes everyone stressed out.  We act as if it's the only time we shop the whole entire year.  Last call! Prices go up!  Fire sale!  I mean, I think some perspective is needed.  

{ 3 }

It's almost back to school.  This is going to be the shortest summer in history for me.  My baby is going to kindergarten and I can't even take it!  And my baby baby Nico is going to be in school 2 days a week.  I don't even want him to go.  Boo hoo!!

Carolina went to a birthday party where they put makeup on her.  That was the first time she wore makeup and she made sure you could see that blue eyeshadow!

{ 4 }

Around here, I have been shredding things, selling things and cleaning things out! This is the picture of the office.  I finally went through so many files.  

Yesterday, was books.  What is up with all these books I haven't read?  I mean, it's time to read them or let them go.  I like to keep books I love but it was time for me to be realistic about what I will read again.  

{ 5 }

This candle is so amazing.  They are even better than Voluspa or Capri candles.  I got the lavender but there were other amazing scents too.  Check out the website.   The girls also post designer handbags for sale that were donated to them.  There are some great deals on there! 

The candles are made by teenage girls rescued from sex trafficking so you are doing good in the world by buying them.   Houston is a major hub for sex trafficking and many of the girls are underage. This organization gives them jobs and confidence to find another job eventually.

Nordstrom Anniversary Try On Session

I BRAVED the Nordstrom sale yesterday with two kids in a very large stroller.  I wish I could say it was a fun experience but it was extremely frustrating.  Next year, I will have a personal stylist!  

Besides that, it was fun to see things in person and I found things that I wouldn't have noticed online.

My #1 favorite find of the day is these pants.  I picked a 29R and they fit perfectly however they stretched out considerably so I ordered a smaller size.  I am 5'2" and I loved the petite length.  They are selling out fast though.

I'm wearing the Caslon t-shirt in white here.

This is a cute plaid top by Bobeau that has a longer back so you can wear it with leggings too.  On the website it's says cold shoulder but it doesn't have any shoulder cutouts.

I also loved this shirt.  The color is the prettiest blue and I also liked the other colors.

These towels are so cute and a pretty good price.

This hoodie is so soft and comfy and I love the back ruffle!

This t-shirt is so cute.  I'm wearing a large here but I ordered a medium.  I'm on the fence about it.

These are the Halogen pants and for me they are a big no.

These are KUT from the kloth.  They fit me ok but I felt like they were a little too short.

I spotted these in the store and they are super cute.  If I hadn't just bought some Converse, I might have got them.

That's all for now!  I tried on some more things but my battery was almost dead and I didn't get to take pictures.

What's your take on the sale this year?

Friday Favorites July 14, 2017

I'm linking up again with Erika, Andrea and Narci for the Friday Favorites!  I love reading everyone's favorites too!

{ 1 }

The girls of The Home Edit instagram stories feed crack me up every day.  I love their organizing, but  on stories they have the quirkiest personalities and I love me some quirky girls! The regular feed is full of beautiful pantries and closets, but the stories is more of their personal life and behind the scenes banter.  

{ 2 }

Playing salon with Carolina is something she started wanting to do since she had her haircut.  Is it not the most relaxing thing for someone to brush your hair?  She also loves to clean out my brushes which I'm happy to let her do!  

I got this idea from the Daily Connoisseur, who I've been reading for years and now she has books published and a youtube channel.  She mentioned it in one of her recent videos.  If you haven't read her blog or her books, check them out!  I love her original book about her experience as an exchange student in France.  It was transformational indeed for her to have created a successful career around telling others about it.  Thanks for the idea. Jennifer!

{ 3 }

I got my hair cut and highlighted.  I was aiming for a similar haircut to Carolina because I'm all about twinning with her while she still likes it.  Mine is a bit more adult than hers, a modern bob.  It turned out a wee bit too orange for me but I'm blue shampooing all the time trying to tone it down.  

{ 4 }

Operation Zero Inbox is in session.  Who else has so many emails and doesn't take the time to go through and delete them.  I spent a few hours looking through, unsubscribing and going down rabbit trails.  I want a decluttered inbox!!  

What do you do to help you?  I have used mailstrom and also unroll.me to help tame the junk mail and subscriptions.

{ 5 }

Oh my goodness, this stuff is my afternoon caffeine splurge.  I really love it and it's probably keeping me going right now at 12:22 am!  I probably shouldn't drink it in the afternoon actually.  Whoops!

I'm also linking up with these bloggers!  Thanks for visiting!  Leave me a comment and say hello.

Meal Prepping for Monday

I have been salivating over meal prep pictures on Pinterest forever so I finally took the plunge and ordered some of these containers from Amazon.  That was the easy part!  

I decided to do our first week with grilled chicken salads.  I made four for me and three for Gustavo to take to work.  Doing this made me feel like such an organization winner and that's a pretty good feeling when you feel like an organization failure sometimes.  

Preparing these lunches ahead of time helps me just grab something and eat quickly so I can feed the kids and do other things.  It also helps me eat healthy instead of grabbing a muffin or granola bar because it's the first thing I see.

Gustavo grilled the chicken and the rest is romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes from the farmer's market, boiled egg, cucumbers, cilantro, croutons in a cupcake liner, red pepper and a snack pack of almonds from Trader Joes.

I added some dressing and gobbled it down today.  Delicious!  I'm looking forward to my to go lunch the rest of the week too.

Check out the meal prep eye candy from Pinterest.  Most of the recipes I like are from Damn Delicious and I make her recipes all the time.  They are always good and always easy.  I love her and she has a cute corgi too!  

Just a note, that without the croutons these would be Paleo or Whole 30 approved.  Do you do meal prep?  What are your favorite ways to get your food organized for the week?

Friday Favorites // July 7, 2017

I'm linking up again with Erika, Andrea and Narci for the Friday Favorites!  I love reading everyone's favorites too!

{ 1 }

I actually finished a book!  It never happens unless I listen to it on audiobook which I do quite often.  I am an infrequent watcher of the Fixer Upper show but this book made me fall head over heels for Chip and Joanna.  They have such a sweet story and they are so honest in their book about their struggles and their faith.  It's a fast read and definitely worth it!

{ 2 }

Big news here!  Carolina got her hair cut off!  She has never wanted a hair cut because she thought it would hurt.  We didn't tell her we were taking her to get a haircut just in case any meltdowns or drama ensued but we needn't have worried.  She was very bravely watching Frozen while the very nice lady cut her hair off.  I, on the other hand, was literally about to cry.  Five years worth of hair that I have loved!  We are donating it to Locks of Love.  

She absolutely turned into a total diva with this haircut.  She grabs my brush and looks in the mirror and asks me if her hair looks ok.  Before, we were lucky to brush it at all.  As soon as I grabbed the brush she would run away.  This is a huge improvement in our life and it's so much healthier now!

{ 3 }

Confession:  I'm obsessed with Daisy Faye Designs and in Rifle Paper Co. in general.  Here's a screenshot of her website.  She has promotions sometimes if you follow on instagram.  

I'm really getting into buying from small companies.  They are going to put their heart into the product.  They are truly special pieces and I think buying things that cost a little more puts things in perspective.  We don't need so many things that don't cost much.  I haven't bought anything yet for that very reason.  I have to make sure to get the one I'll use the most.

Do you buy from small businesses?  Who are your favorites?

{ 4 }

I am hoping to get one of the Alice + Ames dresses for Carolina this morning.  I have been looking at these simple but stunning dresses that seem to capture childhood so well.  I want her to have the thrill of a twirly dress.  What little girl doesn't love that?

{ 5 }

We went to Galveston last weekend and stayed at Moody Gardens Hotel.  We just wanted to hang out at the pool and let the kids play in the fake beach area.  It was a total win!  When you stay at the hotel you get access to their Palm Beach area which is like a mini water park for small children.  They have a wave pool, lazy river, slides and splash pads.  

The hotel room was a surprise though.  It felt like I was walking onto the set of Mad Men.  I absolutely loved it.  Just check out this couch that Nico crashed on after swimming all morning.

I could go on and on with this favorites post.  Summer has been jam packed so far but Nico is screaming and I have to go get ready because I have a hair appointment.  So excited!

I'm also linking up with Smidge of This

Nordstrom Anniversary 2017 Top Picks

Anniversary Sale Catalog 

This is my favorite sale of the year!!!  I'm a total fall lover and even though it doesn't even begin to reach cooler temperatures until November, I like to live in optimistic anticipation knowing that it is coming.  Fall is just so thrilling with back to school supplies, plaid and the feeling of a fresh start.  

I went through the catalog and here are my favorites for now.  There's always more that isn't in the catalog.  Also, I usually end up doing lots of switcheroos because I see someone else's picks or just don't like mine.

This Halogen pant is an updated leg style and I like it because it's a nice change from jeans all. the. time.  I need to see the colors before I decide which one I'll choose.

 

This shirt appeals to me just because it says French, but I'm not sure the message it's sending will be appropriate for me.  So cute though!

I have one of the knock off Madewell transport totes from Nordstrom that I have used as a diaper bag and carryall for a couple of years.  I just ordered a crossbody from Madewell so I probably won't splurge on this, but I do love the stripe.  

I am going to compare this one to the Barefoot Dreams one and see which one I like the best.  The pockets are a big sell for me.

I got the Vince Camuto booties that are similar to this last year and if you are on the fence, just do it!  They are so versatile and can be worn while it's still hot!  I was wearing mine well into spring too.  

I've been waiting to get some of the frayed hem jeans and there are several options, but I'm going to start with this.  I don't have any Caslon jeans.  I usually wear AGs so we'll see how they compare.  They basically need to feel like pajamas for me to keep them.

I got my white Converse all stars recently but these were so cute.  I ordered these first and then returned them so Carolina and i could match.  I wear mine all the time.

I usually get a pair of workout Zella leggings in the sale and they are honestly the only ones I want to wear every time.  These aren't my favorite pattern but I'm going to see if they offer more online.

One thing that is a must buy for me is a new bra.  I've been wearing a nursing bra for years, the same one.  It's dreadful and belongs in the garbage.  

I like this one because it doesn't have wires and I'm still nursing.

These are a few other options that I will try.  I also always get a few Natori panties because they are the best.  

This is the Barefoot Dreams one.  I'm not sure about the hood and maybe they'll offer more selection online.  I think they usually do.

I definitely need some new pajamas.  These have mixed reviews so we'll see.

I've really been wanting to try some Charlotte Tilbury because I hear such good things about it.  You know I'm trying to reduce makeup so it will have to be something I'm totally going to love and use up.

This is interesting.  I could use some facial toning and I'm willing to see if it works!  It has pretty good reviews.

That's all for now!  What are your picks for the anniversary sale?  I love to see what stands out to other people that I didn't even notice.  

Linking up to Themommyhoodmoments.com today!