Sisterly Love {Happy Bday Chels!}

Soooo glad my sister moved back in time for us to celebrate her birthday! She's been following a new 'less processed' and 'paleo' road, that has evolved tremendously over the past year...I'm so proud of her for finding something that she is passionate about and is taking the steps to further her knowledge on nutrition. With that said, we typically do birthday dinners at Fidel's Mexican restaurant...however this year, I thought we should go somewhere that is more in line with her desire to eat healthier.

A friend had told me about this place down in Mission Valley, where she had an amazing casserole dish of spaghetti squash (for her first time!), so I looked it up:  True Food Kitchen 

This place was perfect!!! We loved how the dining space & kitchen area is very open...with simple, clean design & decor. Per True Food Kitchen "celebrates the simple, pure flavors of quality local and regional ingredients with a menu that tastes great while nourishing your mind, body and spirit."

The food was so great and our server was awesome...definitely going there again soon! 

For her gift, I decided to put together a fun gift basket with all sorts of goodies I knew she either liked or wanted or needed :-)  She absolutely loved it...so glad I took the time to actually take note of things she's mentioned in the past and did some research on a few things.

1. Adorbs chicken wire style basket
2. Bacon from Pete's Paelo  (recommended to me by Tonja at Flame to Fork!)
3. Chameleon Cold Brew Coffee
4. Beaming Gift Card
5. Paleo-friendly Chocolate Cashew Brittle (from Beaming)
6. "C" initial notebook
7. PackIt insulated lunch bag
8. Pair of mini spatulas from Sur La Table
9. A mini wisk from Sur La Table
10. Phillips TeaZe brush (my fav!) 

Happy Birthday sister!!!

New Year's Resolution - Monthly Date Night {1 of 12}

Horrrayyyy for date nights!! I love that we sat down and made an actual plan for this year - there is literally a calendar print out of each month/day, and shows who's turn it is to plan.

January was James' - though he didn't have to plan much, as we decided to use a gift card to Cohn Restaurants, that we'd gotten from his dad for Christmas. We selected a place nearby, (rather than downtown where most the other restaurants were) called "Vintana wine + dine" - and it was amazing!

Lucky for us, they were running an anniversary deal... 3 courses for $20.14 (for the 2014 year) per person!! That's crazy.

This place was oddly above a Lexus car dealership - but it was actually quite beautiful. They had an awesome outside patio with firepits & heaters and tons of cozy seating where you could have a drink while waiting for your table. I couldn't believe how busy this place was, especially for a Wednesday night. And although we got there wayyy earlier than our reservation, we were seated within 15-20 minutes which was perfect! 

I was sooo happy when we were sat at our table...it was one of the good booths, that over looked another portion of the dining room and a view to the outside. The lighting was super romantic and cozy, but with a nice flair of elegance.

Food was terrific as expected....ending with a "smore" custard dessert...just perfection! Definitely a great restaurant that'll I'll be recommending highly to others...and would be a great place for a special occasion lunch or dinner in the future.

Can't wait for next month's date day/night....to be planned by me!!

Holiday Cards - 2013 {via Zazzle}

I am seriously so glad that Groupon & LivingSocial exist....because I honestly don't know how much money those sites have SAVED me!!

For example... a deal for holiday cards from Zazzle (75 with envelopes) and for a photo session at JCP:

Together, those would've cost us around $267 full price - but instead I got both for only $55 total...so we saved over $200!!! People who don't check Groupon/LS sites before doing ANYthing, are nuts.

I decided that I wanted to get our pics done early, so that we'd have time to get them on the CD, then take it home to save to our computer, then use to upload for our holiday cards...then have adequate time for processing & shipping of the cards...then having to label them all & get in the mail by Dec. 1st.....whewww!

Here are the 3 photos that we selected from our session...next year I'll definitely find a photography deal for an OUTDOORS photo sesh...I feel like it's always more 'natural' that way.

From those I made a little FB profile pic for December (edits via PicMonkey):

And here's the card ordered from Zazzle:

The quality of these cards was SO great....the selection was amazing (they had a page for Groupon purchasers only), they were delivered very quickly and were a nice, thick card-stock...I just loved how they turned out! I had never heard of Zazzle prior to seeing/buying that Groupon deal, but I'm now officially a huge fan and hope to order from them again in the future.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

Sister Spa Day {My Birthday Continues!}

Okay - I think I honestly hit the JACK POT, when my brother-in-law met, dated, and later married my now sister-in-law, Amanda.

She's kiiiiiind of AWESOME.

Like, we literally are sisters from another mister in a past life or something. We have very similar style & tastes (obvs, we picked brothers!!), we love the same shows, we worked at the same company for awhile, we can craft diaper cakes together like no one's biz, and we even have the same brain - swear. Constantly saying the same things (either in person, or over IM/texts) at the same times...so weird. But I love it!

We just CLICKED so well right from the beginning...things like that just don't happen every day. Let alone to someone you didn't pick to be friends with right away...but rather through family, who became family - and I'm so very grateful for our relationship and how far it's come today.

She is so giving of herself in soooo many ways....and is just the most generous, sincere, loving people I have EVER met in my life.

Sadly, she couldn't make it to my early bday paint/wine night since it was on a Sunday evening & they now live up in LA... but she wanted to celebrate my birthday when they were down for the Thanksgiving weekend. So she reserved Friday afternoon with just me...and planned a surprise SPA DAY - just for us.

It was the. best. day!

Upon arrival at the famous La Costa Resort & Spa (which I live down the street from and have NEVER been!) - we got a tour of the gorgeous spa, pool area & surrounding grounds... then put on our bathing suits & robes...so cozy. It was a bit chilly, but perfect jacuzzi weather...but not before we sat down for some delish lunch...the chicken lettuce wraps were spectacular!

After sipping some champ & chit-chatting in the jacuzzi for a bit, we got ready for our massages - which was one of the best massages I'd ever gotten...wowza - I felt like jello afterwards, in a good way, haha!

Thank you Manda for SUCH a fabulous, pampered birthday.... you are a GEM and I'm so incredibly grateful to have you in my life! xoxoxoxo

Early Bday Fun: Dry Bar & Paint Nite

Wow - what a FUN early birthday...I'm a lucky girl, thanks to some other wonderful ladies in my life!

It started with Nic treating me to a fab hairstyling at a place called "Dry Bar" - which was SO adorable and the girls there were so nice! It was a really fun place to hang out & get treated to a wash and style - all while you sip away on some bubbly!!

I think our before & afters are pretty FAB! LOVE YOU NIC, thanks!!!

Then we headed downtown to a place called "Vin de Syrah" which was hosting a "Paint Nite" event, which my friends and I all bought a Groupon for...

I had wanted to find a night to paint that was on my actual bday (Sat. the 30th)...but with Thanksgiving being so late this year, they didn't have any scheduled (normally it's a week before my bday, but this time was only 2 days before!)

But the night I selected online (they have an AWESOME calendar, where you can view what you'll be painting and the location)...had a really pretty painting that I knew we could all tackle pretty easily, named "Red Fall Hill" - I thought it was so beautiful. Most of us are NOT painters...however the instructor was so great, and made it SO easy to follow!! Check out more pics on their FB page HERE.

Thank you to ALL my wonderful friends who could make it out on a Sunday night...to paint & sip wine in celebration of my 31st birthday - I seriously cannot wait to do this again VERY soon!!! xoxo

Workin on Workin out

Soooo, I've been on a mega workout KICK since the beginning of October...and I'm loving it!

It started when I found a Groupon in June for this place up the street from my work called: "Fitness and Motion" - I took a chance & started the first week of July. I completed the time outlined in the deal, about 4 weeks, and felt amazing.... so I continued through all of August by myself with at-home vids (love me some Jillian) and occasional running here & there. I did pretty well...losing about 5-6lbs over that 2 month period.

Then my trip to visit my sis in AR came & when I got back...I kinda fell off the fitness wagon...and knew I needed to get back into a routine.

I gained a couple lbs through September, but mostly felt so lazy - my energy had declined since I wasn't doing much physical activity. Then at the end of the month I saw a posting by the owner of F&M, Danny, asking for 20 people to sign up for a weight-loss challenge:  "Lose 20lbs in SIX weeks!!"

I thought, "YESSS, now there's the motivation I need to get back on track!!".....and so I signed up.

And I got HOOKED - full on addiction to my daily workouts.

I absolutely LOVE the group HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) classes they offer, which I do on M/W/F, and 2 cardio classes: Legs/Glutes (Tues) and Abs (Thurs).  The group of people that attend each day is so amazing...such great energy and a level of accountability too. It's so nice to have a motivating place with a core group & be able to share your struggles, achievements, and sore body parts!!

And the best part:
30 MINUTES!!

Yep, that's it....30 minutes a day + lunch break = perfection!

And I lost weight, yay! With a combo of exercising, eating healthy & logging my food through MyFitnessPal (and keeping my calories between 1200-1400/day, depending on level of that day's activity). In all, over the 6 weeks....I didn't lose 20, as I honestly think my body type just won't allow that....but I DID lose a total of 11lbs, and dropped my body fat percentage from 27.9 to 24.1  (and in July, my body fat % was as high as 29.1!!! crazy).

Since that 6-wk challenge, which ended mid-November (I'm sooo behind & writing this in January, but post-dating to Nov!), I've just been focused on maintaining...gaining more muscle - but allowing myself things I really enjoy in life (like wine & dark chocolate nibbles!), but all in moderation. I found that for me, TOO much restriction on myself over the long term would just be mentally exhausting - and frankly, I'd be unhappy & kiiiinda bitchy. No one (especially my husband & daughter) wants that.

EVERYTHING IN MODERATION... you only have one life in this physical state, so best to enjoy it while it lasts right??

But seriously - it feels so good to just be active on a daily basis. Sometimes I have to force myself to actually take a 'rest' day...and then feel super anxious to get back into it again. Especially since I'm now in my 30's, it's not as easy as in my teens/20's/pre-pregnancy...when I could eat whatever & rarely workout...and look okay.

I feel great...have more confidence and just being strong & having endurance is SUCH a wonderful feeling... I have found that I can now run a full 3 miles in 30 minutes, without stopping to walk!! When I spent 4 months training for the 1/2 marathon last year, I could NEVER run for that long without stopping....it was maybe 10 minutes max, then I'd HAVE to walk. So the overall muscle and stronger core definitely make a huge difference in my ability to KEEP GOING.

I also like to think I'm setting a good example for Kapri too... I want her to grow up watching me, and one day when she starts to 'exercise', she'll actually enjoy it. Because I never did - until now.

Huge THANKS to Danny, Aurélie & Rochelle - the awesome coaches/trainers at Fitness & Motion... it's been so incredible working on my lifestyle transformation with all of you and I owe you many many thanks for all you've done!! Your help and awesome daily workouts have gotten me so far, couldn't have done it without you all!

Check out my "Motivation" and "Healthy" Pinterest Boards!

Craft HEAVEN - at the Queen Bee Market!

OMG - died & gone to craft heaven!!

The 2nd day of the annual "Queen Bee Market" or "QBM" was today in Oceanside, CA. and HOLY creativity overload....it was like, ETSY come to LIFE!

Can you tell I was/am excited???

I had seen a posting for 'behind the scenes' people to help work the event...and I jumped all over the Opportunity. They asked us to submit an application and in the comment section I wrote:

"I cravvvvve to be around like-mided crafy people, who have a similar passion for making goodies with their own glue-bun blistered hands and ridiculously creative brains! I would be SO honored to get the opportunity to work behind the scenes the the QBM in November and soak in all the sweat, glitter and glue that will surely permeate the air!"

I know - I'm crazy. But since I couldn't afford or have the time to prep...I figured just BEING there would be fulfilling enough.

So I got to work the entry from 8am-noon, doing admissions...and of course seeing people leave with some awesome goodies! I even got the CUTEST little engraved wooden name badge to wear (see pic below). It was great working with the event creator, Mique (aka: The Queen Bee"), and her friend Katie - such lovely ladies (THANKS to you both for letting me be part of this AWESOME day!!)

Definitely going to lend a helping hand to them for their future events!!

Booths pictured below: (top 2, & bottom left were of the main entry) Joyful Joyful Designs, Creme De La Gems, & Bloomies

There was just SO much going on... luckily though since I got there on the 2nd day, and early in the morning before the vendors arrived...their booths were already set up and stocked from the day before!! So I had free rein to cruise around and take all these amazing pictures, before the crowds arrived and the inventory flew off the shelves!

Booths pictured below: She Does Justice, Salty Bison, The Printed Palette, A Handcrafted Home, Flea Market Sunday, &  Sweet Funky Vintage

So. Many. Crafty. People!!!!  Talk about being inspired to your CORE!

Booths pictured below: DeeDee Motique, Junk Art Gypsy, Stuck in the Coop, Fresh Baked {Paper Goods}, Little Bird, Inspire Lovely, & Bubba's Basics

Kapri's 1st Flight!

Keeping a secret is hard enough, let alone one for your child that you KNOW they will be super stoked about. My sister & I had planned a trip to go visit her while she's temporarily in Arkansas months ago... so I, like most parents, knew I'd have to wait until the very last moment to even mention our exciting plans. Otherwise, you'd be inundated with the kid asking everyday if it's "time to go yet?" and/or run the risk of their inability to fall asleep the night before - no bueno!

She'd asked about going on a plane dozens of times...to which I would always reply "someday honey". A couple times over the past few months I couldn't help but sneak a smile when she'd mention 'missing SiSi' or her seeing a plane and wanting to go on one. Sneaky mamma & auntie...what a ride we had in store for her!

So on the morning of August 31st, after secretly packing both hers & my stuff over the prior week, I woke her up around 4:45am. With James capturing the moment on video, I told her that it was time to wake up, get dressed and hop in the car....because we were going on a PLANE to visit & have a 4-night sleepover at SISI's house!!! She was mega-happy...but did tell us that since we woke her so early, she "thought it was Christmas" - LOL! Silly kid

Being in the airport was of course so fun for her as she watched every single plane glide down the runway & take off in flight. When it was our time to board our plane she couldn't contain her excitement! I let her pick a window seat and get cozy.... this mamma was super prepared - here was my carry-on list of necessities:

• New coloring books/crayons
• Dollar store puzzles in little tin containers
• Her 'lamby' and a light blanket
• An extra change of undies & clothes - just in case
• A stack of new books I scored for ridiculously cheap at a local re-sale shop
• Her iPhone (my old one) full of educational apps (plus 2 new ones she's now obsessed with)
• An external battery to charge our phones
• TONS of little snacks & bars...including our fav watermelon gum to chew during take-offs & landings
• And a new portable DVD player with 4 new movies - seriously the BEST investment I've ever made - such a life saver....AND it has a mount to install it to the seat of my car - perfect!

I am happy to report that she did wonderfully during both flights, there & back - first was about an hour to Phoenix... then hopped onto another plane from Phoenix to Little Rock, which was about 2.5 hrs. Super proud of my little flyer....she listened & she was brave...it was awesome!

We spent the next few days all over Searcy & Little Rock... exploring "Sandy Beach", which is a little lake in Herber Springs...including picking up a little sandy froggy that crossed our path. Tasting local food {and a pretty spectacular Honey Vanilla Bean Latte from the Midnight Oil Coffeehouse...mmmm}.

Escaping the heat & humidity at Wild River Country water park in Little Rock - which was a first for Kapri - and she had a B.L.A.S.T., especially loved the wave pool and went down some BIG water slides!!).

Playing with my sister's cat Pumba (tirelessly) and making healthy food, fresh apple juice & yummy homemade fruit sorbet with SiSi's crazy-awesome juicer!

Walking around Little Rock...in blistering 90-ish (felt like 150) degree weather...what troopers we are:

...finding a truly unique little gem of an eatery called "The Root Cafe" - so delish! I was just obsessed with all their vintage nic-nacks... mason jar & bottle collections, and just overall coziness of this place. They had open stock of smaller mason jars to fill up your water with, and adorably mismatched silverware & cloth napkins - such charm!

We also checked out an eco-friendly store across the street  from The Root Cafe, called "The Green Corner Store" - complete with a full ice cream & soda-fountain bar, and tons of locally-made organic gifts & products! Just ooozing adorablness!

We also got to see the movie "Epic" at a super old movie theater, "Cinemark Tandy" that only cost one...I repeat...ONE dollar per person...whatttt?!!

It was a busy few days, but we enjoyed every second...making it SO hard to say goodbye to our beloved SiSi. Quality time with family & loved ones is seriously so important...we were so lucky to be able to visit & cannot WAIT for her return to SD in Dec., and hopefully another plane trip in the near future!

Online Shopping - hit or miss

We bought this 7-piece bedding set from Macy's about 7 months ago (on sale at that time for $75!)...I loved it in the store, but they didn't have a King. So we had to have it shipped to us. After only a few washes - the comforter (cleaned less often than sheets) started to come apart...tearing where the pretty embroidery meets the gray color block fabric. Sad day. I really loved the grey & green color combo!

So the hunt began...again. Blah.

I feel like I/we've never owned a bedding set that we've really LOVED... so I spent a hours & hours researching sets, comparing prices, number of pieces, exact size measurements, made sure it was machine washable and most importantly: REVIEWS.

Over a few days, I would email James over & over with new photos/links to check out & get his opinion - and we narrowed it down between a few. I think I looked at probably 10 different websites and hundreds of sets!

Finally, we took a chance & ordered THIS 12-piece set (yes, TWELVE) online through Overstock.com - without seeing or feeling it first. But the 137 reviews, with a 4.5 star average totally sold me. I was hoping to find something with more color...but I guess I can do that with fun throw pillows on my own. I was able to find a 10% off for first time customers (def not a first-timer, but created a new acct with a different email address, hehe!).

Shipping was INcredibly fast...I ordered it on the 25th, and it was on my doorstep on the 29th - that's awesome!

After I opened it all I was relieved to feel how SOFT the fabric was...before even washing it! The comforter was huge and suuuuper fluffy - I envisioned myself wanting to go to bed early just to wrap myself in this thing! I know from previous 'sheet buying' experiences with O.co - that's is best to first make sure things FIT on your mattress before washing them. If they don't, and you've washed them - they deduct more money from your return amount.

First I threw on the comforter - holy hugeness. There's a good 15" of material on EACH side and at the foot of the bed - amazing. Though the grey in it doesn't quite match our grey curtains...maybe I'll change that one day, but for now it's not so bothersome.

Then the sheet test. "yayyy they're super soft...Oh pleaseeeee fit!"

Happy to report - they passed the test - with PLENTY of room to spare. Isn't she purty?!!

I'm still waiting for my Euro Square Pillows to go in the very back...but I think this purchase was definitely a HIT!

The colors are so pretty and perfect to please both our tastes...not too girly...not too masculine - just right. The sheets are super soft and the comforter has the best amount of 'fluff'...it's seriously wonderful!