1. date night {ish}
2. margaritas and mexican food…the best.
3. i made these! from scratch! all by myself! lemon blueberry muffins.
4. i mean…cute.
5. mi familia on easter sunday.
6. i ended the day with a rainbow peep kabob.
i hope you had a lovely easter weekend, too.
happy monday!
hi all! i’ve been sick for the last few days with a nasty sinus infection. being outside for any length of time causes sneezing fits and watery eyes. my nasal passages are totally blocked…i’m miserable! hopefully, with antibiotics and nose sprays, this infection will clear up in a day or two. until i feel up to posting more, i thought i’d share some photos that i took a few days ago. this chick loves playing outside. it’s her favorite thing.
***i’ve been working on this post for a couple of days. i think “body image” posts {if that’s what this is} are easily misconstrued. i’ll either look like a skinny bitch complaining about her weight OR… a skinny bitch complaining about her weight. when really, i’m just a girl, struggling with making a lifestyle change. i think what i’m looking for is inspiration from women like me. women who have had children, women who are getting a little older and need to work a little harder, women who want to live a healthy, fit life the right way. not by starving themselves or eating leaves for dinner, but by making healthy choices every day. choices that will benefit them mentally and physically. i’d also like to say this: i love my body, it’s beautiful. it’s birthed two children and for that i am grateful. my issue is not with what you see on the outside – it’s with what i feel on the inside.***
i used to be fit. i used to run 5-6 days a week, at least 3 miles a day. i hiked and did weight training. i was so proud of my tight abs and defined arms. my butt was tighter and my hips were straighter. and then i had zoey… ever since, i’ve been soft. my tummy is squishy and my butt is sorta droopy. my underarms flap when i wave… now before you roll your eyes and sign off, hear me out. i’m petite and thin, yes…but i’m not fit. and while i am not one of those skinny girls who complains that she’s fat, i am one of those girls who eats shit food, doesn’t do one second of anything physical {for months at a time} and then complains about/wonders why she’s not fitting into her pre-pregnancy jeans. that is the girl you should be annoyed with. the one who complains, but doesn’t do. oh sure, i’ve gone on walks here and there, but it’s not frequently enough nor intense enough to shed the fatty deposits that have settled comfortably beneath the “smile” of my butt cheeks. we’ve attempted “diets”, as well. while they work for a short amount of time, it’s hard to keep up with the expensive grocery lists and the time-consuming prep. plus, i like food. i’m not one of those girls who skips meals {on purpose} and then eats a carrot stick for dinner. can i get an amen?!
where is this coming from? last week was not a good week for me. i was cranky and had no patience. i wasn’t sleeping well and i was eating horribly. i sat in bed one night and just cried. what am i missing in my life? the answer was clear… i’m not taking care of myself, physically. i’m not making good decisions for my body. i have become lazy. it’s time to make a change. no more excuses.
monday after work, i dropped zoey off at nonnie and papa’s house and i went for a run. it felt so good. i felt like the old me. i felt strong and inspired. i only ran for 35 minutes {using the couch to 5k app as a guide}, but it felt like a successful first attempt at getting back into something i truly love. i’m running again tonight and i’m really looking forward to it!
i guess maybe i’m saying all of this out loud because i’m hoping to inspire other women, as well. it’s so important that we support each other. just remember that when you’re healthy physically, you’re healthy mentally, too! you’ll have more energy, you’ll sleep better, you’ll feel stronger. and if you lose a few pounds along the way…great! there’s nothing wrong with wanting to fit back into those pre-pregnancy, pre-marriage, pre-anything jeans. wink, wink
i’m interested to hear your thoughts…your inspirations…your motivations. please share!
{image via}
last night, all i wanted to do was have a couple of margaritas and relax on the couch with mark. i put zoey down for bed and crept quietly away from her door, strategically stepping over the creaky spots in the carpet. i knew she wasn’t asleep yet, but i had high hopes that she would get comfy and drift off quickly. i breathed a sigh of relief as i made my way down stairs, grabbed a plate of food and joined mark in the living room to catch up on our shows. let the weekend begin! however, within a few minutes, zoey was whimpering and squealing, no doubt chatting with her animal friends. we tried to ignore it, thinking that she was just getting situated, but then she started calling out our names. ugh…heart melt. maybe she needs a diaper change? so mark headed upstairs to take care of business. i listened intently as they chatted a bit and soon, all i could hear was the rhythmic creaking of the floor as mark rocked her back and forth and eventually, to sleep. another sigh of relief. nope. as he attempted to leave the room, she woke up, crying even harder this time. mark came downstairs, defeated. what in the world does she want?! slightly irritated {and selfishly wanting to be done with all things kid-related for the night} i trudged up the stairs. she was standing up in her crib, tears streaming down her face. i picked her up and held her, patting her back and trying to calm her down. within seconds she was passed out on my shoulder. i held my breath and gently laid her in the crib…as soon as her head hit the mattress, she woke up crying. grrrrrr…what is up with this chick? my impatience was growing. i picked her up and she clung to me like a little monkey. so tightly. legs and arms wrapped around and holding on for dear life. instantly, all of my frustration melted away. i stopped for a second and thought…maybe she just wants to be held. maybe she needs to feel close to someone. she’s a baby, but she’s human. we all have bad days, we all need to be hugged and loved more on some days than others. hell, i had had a less than stellar week and needed a little love, too. so we swayed, mother and daughter, cheek to cheek, feeling the most comforting love on the planet. however, she was still a bit squirmy…sleepy indeed, but not quite comfortable. like most moms, i ran the gamut of possible problems: diaper? clean. teething? no. stuffy nose? nah. still hungry? nope. and then it dawned on me: she’s wearing a loose t-shirt instead of the usual tighter fitting jammy set! so i changed her shirt and crossed my fingers. again, she fell asleep on my shoulder. not long after, she lifted her head and sleepily motioned to her bed. success! i put her down, covered her up and snuck out of her room. …all that time i was assuming she needed a little love and maybe she did {!}, but it seems to me like she just didn’t like the shirt she was wearing! it made me laugh because my dad tells me that from a very young age, i was especially particular about my socks. still am! i never sleep in them and i can’t stand it if they don’t line up properly on the heel or toes. taylor is the same way. anyway, even though it was a very small problem to solve, i solved it. i made her happy and comfortable and of all the things that i can’t figure out as a parent, it’s these little moments that make me feel like a good mommy.
i don’t have much time to chat today, but thought i’d share a few photos from our totally awesome weekend. i say totally awesome because for the first time in a long time, it was simply the best combination of getting stuff done, being social {yes! i made it out of my sweats!}, and hanging out as a family {without stressing over homework or projects or something like that.}
i hope you had a nice weekend, too!
ps. i’m sure you’re noticing some changes…stay tuned as we tweak a few things here and there…i’ll let you know when the updates have been completed.
1. juice this: 2 apples, 1 asian apple pear, 4 carrots, 3 beets, kale, spinach and 1 lemon – it was good!
2. we had dinner with friends at umami burger. delish.
3. it was a nice evening, but suuuuper creepy foggy.
4. farmer’s market-ing
5. i made fresh flower arrangements!
6. and then we enjoyed an adult beverage.
cheers to a lovely week!
loving :: myself. i’ve spent many years feeling insecure, comparing myself to others, worrying too much about what people think… i don’t know if it’s age or experience or what, but i feel strong inside. i feel really good about who i am and what i stand for. it’s a triumph, really. this newfound inner peace is invigorating and inspiring. and while i’m not perfect, i like me.
reading :: magazines – nylon, marie claire, glamour – piles of them all over the house. every year i order two or three from a fundraiser through my son’s school. and every year i can’t keep up as they continue to roll in. so if you see me wearing something that was so last november …you’ll know that i probably just finished flipping through an old issue of marie claire.
watching :: we’ve been dorking out lately – the science channel is on in our home almost as much as bravo. how it’s made, dark matters, survivorman… but our favorite – idiot abroad. we caught a marathon last weekend and now we’re hooked. i love karl. love him. the 3rd and final season just started.
thinking about :: my blog. more specifically, figuring out what it means to me and what i want to convey to my readers {or anyone on the planet who stumbles upon it.} originally, i started this blog as a way to “advertise” my vintage shop on etsy. it wasn’t long before i made friends and found myself in the thick of “fashion blogging” – it was weird taking photos of myself, but it was fun and allowed me to be creative with my clothing/love of fashion. at that time, i was able to post nearly every day. i had readers! i had fans! i was writing. but then i started reading things like – to have a successful blog you must do “this, this, or this.” i got caught up in the numbers and i started comparing my blog to the bigger blogs. because of those insecurites, i found myself being catty and judge-y and that toxic combo sucked the fun right out of something i once enjoyed doing. eventually, i quit. but i kinda missed it, so i came back. but it wasn’t the same…it was like starting over. the frustration of trying to find where i fit in was making me wishy-washy - do i or don’t i? why am i doing this? does anyone care? what do i have to offer? once again, i was frustrated. several months ago, i had a heart to heart with a fellow blogger/friend. we talked about the pros and cons and i soaked up her advice like a sponge. i thought about it for weeks and decided…it’s time to shit or get off the pot. yes, i know…very wise words, indeed. so i dropped a deuce in the think tank: started planning a redesign {which hasn’t happened yet, despite the recent small changes i’ve made}, i’m researching how to offer sponsorships and ad space, i began networking with bloggers that i have more in common with, and made a list of the things that inspire me most, things that will make this blog more about me, not about what a blog is supposed to be. i feel good about it. i no longer stress over the small details. i share the things i love, when i have time. i like my blog. i like the community and the friends i’ve made. it allows me to be more creative…and if i inspire a few people in the process, great!
***long story, short – i liked blogging, i loved blogging, i hated blogging, i quit blogging, i started blogging, i wanted to quit blogging, but here i am…blogging. the end.
anticipating :: a two night stay in one of these, at this place. so. freaking. pumped. this was a christmas gift to both of us from my dad and stepmom. mark and i celebrate our birthdays next month, so it might be the perfect excuse for a weekend getaway up the coast.
listening to :: everything. recently downloaded: i knew you were trouble {taylor swift}, thrift shop {macklemore & ryan lewis}, closer {tegan and sara}, not over you {gavin degraw}
working on :: drinking less coffee and more green tea. my love of the bean is insane, but green tea is healthier.
wishing for :: the perfect pair of boyfriend jeans. where can i get a pair without breaking the bank?!
ps. this post was inspired by kelly of our lovely lives.
we had a really great weekend, but i’m not gonna lie – 50% of it was spent tending to a clingy, unhappy baby – coughing, not sleeping or eating well – we think she’s teething because she points to her mouth and says, “teeeeee.” {that and…there are other obvious signs.} yes, it’s adorable. but not that adorable when you’re lacking sleep. she woke up this am with a fever and her cough sounds a little wheezy. i called the doctor to confirm that fever/cough/runny nose is associated with teething, but i was wrong – turns out it’s a very common misconception that those symptoms have something to do with growing teeth. they don’t. so, i’m off today and taking her to the doctor later this afternoon.
another interesting thing happened this weekend… i was doing the laundry, had just finished loading the washer and went to grab for the detergent cup…turns out mark had rinsed the cup, accidentally leaving maybe an inch of watery soap in the bottom…and then it splashed into my eyes. it was freaking painful. and dramatic. i ran in from the garage yelling mark’s name, rubbing and clawing at my stinging eyes, throwing blame at mark, convinced that i was going blind. eventually i was able to see again, but the pain lasted throughout the day. even this morning, i woke up with a crusty, puffy eye.
the good news: we went on two dates! no kiddos! wine! food! friends! i love my husband. mostly we’re just on autopilot…trapped by the day-to-day, but when we get a break from our routine and it’s just the two of us…i’m quickly reminded of how much fun he is, how easy it is to be with him. he’s just so great. of course, that was before he inadvertently threw soap in my eyes. {wink wink. i keed.}
anyway…happy monday!
1. taylor volunteered at the homeless shelter on saturday morning. i’m wondering if i should pretend to be homeless in order to get him to make eggs for breakfast…i’ll keep you posted.
2. we celebrated a beautiful friend’s fabulous 40th.
3. and then we went to a bar and then to see this is 40. it was okay. the main attraction was the theater itself – reclining seats and servers. we ordered sushi and a delicious mini pizza. popcorn shmopcorn.
4. zoey was miserable most of sunday. in good spirits, but very lethargic and clingy. she spent the day snoozing on our laps or screaming in our faces.
5. mark bought a shit ton of fruits and veggies from the farmer’s market. we are gonna juice-it-up this week!
update: took zoey to the doctor. as i mentioned – fever, cough, wheezing, labored breathing – and while she tested negative for RSV, the doctor is still concerned. so, they gave her a breathing treatment while we were at the doctor’s office. and although it helped a bit, we’ll have to use a nebulizer for the next several days. fingers crossed she gets well soon.
also…it took me all day to write this post.
first of all…happy monday! we had a pretty good weekend – we celebrated christmas {again!} with my dad and stepmom, did a little shopping, a little cooking, and of course.. a little relaxing. but the most exciting news of all is that i finally got my phone fixed – the camera on my iphone had been broken for over 2 weeks! i cannot even tell you how many times i reached for my phone to instagram my feet, or my coffee, or zoey doing something ridiculously cute…only to be rejected with an error message. so many awesome moments undocumented…unfiltered…unliked. sigh. but here i am! back in action. to share bits of our weekend crammed into little squares of happiness.
1. santa brought zoey a kitchen. we love it!
2. zoey + her papa.
3. it’s actually a hiking backpack. it works well for getting household chores done, too.
4. i wouldn’t call it a resolution, but this year i am determined to cook things, make things, and wear things that i pin. my first attempt was pretty successful – caprese panini + gwyneth paltrow’s no-fry fries. nom.
5. i’m not ashamed to admit that i’m that mother who has a mini case of OCD and watches, like a hawk, over her 16 month old as she eats. sometimes not even letting her feed herself {i know, i know} so that she doesn’t make a huge mess. but last night i was all…it’s 2013! we make messes! and since i’m making dinner, daddy has to clean up! so…we made a mess.
6. basil plants
ps. to those who have been voting {circle of moms top 25 fashion and beauty blogs} - thank you!! remember…you can vote once every 24 hours. click here to vote!
and cheers to a fabulous week.
hello again! i’ve been meaning to share these photos for over a week or two, but with travelling and the holidays…they were sort of pushed to the side. the week before we left, zoey got sick – cough, fever, congestion - it was no fun. i stayed home with her one day, mark the other. i took the rare opportunity of staying home during the week, with a baby who took a 3 hour nap, to do some crafting {gold painted mason jars to hold votives and a diy snow globe!} and other odds and ends. *sorry…no photos of the crafting. i’m not sure i need to teach anyone how to paint glass jars.
1. morning coffee
2. our tree.
3. “pick me, pick me!”
4. i purchased little plastic animals to put inside the snow globes, but it was a bust…they wouldn’t stay glued to the lid! so now zoey has new animal friends.
5. what’s a sick day without my favorite sweater?
my new year’s resolutions:
clean eating // juicing // family hiking // more writing // diy + crafting // more loving
less whining.
happy 2013, friends!
{graphic via}
