the retreat

Off of our master bedroom is our retreat/on suite/extra space, whatever you wanna call it.  Initially we had nothing in this room.  When the hubs got sick, we decided to make it an office so he could work out of the house vs his casita which is on our property but separate from the house.  His office became our office, mine really because I am the one who uses it now.  It is my little place to enjoy.  I blog here and shop (I am being honest).  Although in the near future it will be my work office as I ease back into the work world.

Since the retreat had become an office we had been discussing it acting as a gym as well.  Although we belong to a gym we don't love going to it anymore so we thought a home gym would do the trick.  Today our newest addition arrived, our treadmill.  She is a beauty folks.  She is strong, sturdy and big.  The treadmill is from Sports Authority and is the brand Freemotion.  I did not research treadmills, the hubs did and this is the one he wanted.  It's features are amazing with a fan, speeds up to 12 miles an hour (don't worry I won't ever run that fast), incline +/- (meaning it inclines forward and back).  If that isn't cool enough it has an TV screen were I can watch TV, plug in my ipad, iphone, ifit built in (so I can work out with Jillian Micheals) and google maps.  The google maps is such an awesome feature.  Why? Say you want to run the New York Marathon, the google maps will display the run as it would be during the marathon so you can train for it in your home.  I cannot wait to start using our treadmill.  I'll let you know if she is a keeper.  Do you work out at the gym or home?

On a side note, I am really looking forward to the weekend.  Jake's birthday party with his buddies is tomorrow and Sunday we have a birthday for one of our close friends kiddos followed by family visiting for dinner.  A busy weekend but lots of fun.  Any plans for your weekend?  Whatever you do enjoy it!

Too fast

My baby boy, well he's not "technically" a baby anymore but will always be in my eyes, turned 4 years old yesterday.  It's hard to see him grow up so fast.  I remember the day he was born, the first time I held him and when we took him home.  As I look back through the years I am in awe.  I know that he is becoming an amazing little man and will one day be a great man too.  He is my blue eyed, brown haired, loving boy who makes me laugh and smile everyday and swells my heart with love.  

I love you Jake.

 Happy Birthday again and again.  Let's celebrate YOU all week! 

Club Monaco Look Book Spring 2011

all images via fashionologie

Have you checked out the Club Monaco Look Book for Spring 2011?  Are you as smitten as I am?  Every look is effortless  and mixed with urban cool.  Next time I am in San Francisco (my closest Club Monaco store) I am going to check out their store and grab me some of the beauties. 

what we did

This weekend we ate and by eating I mean the bad stuff.  I finally decided to whip out my new Kitchen Aid mixer that the hubs got me for Christmas and I must say that I am in LOVE.  It's amazing and I now see why it's so popular.  Since I was so inspired, I decided to first make homemade pumpkin ice cream.  My goodness it was better than pumpkin pie.  I figured that pumpkin ice cream while delicious itself needed to feel a bit pie like so I made homemade whip cream and added some graham crackers to the bottom of the bowl.  To top off our dessert I added a drizzle of chocolate syrup.  Pure bliss!  

The next morning we had left over whip cream so I thought I'd make my wee boys a treat.  They loved it as much as I loved making it for them.  I would call it dressed up waffles. 

Side note, we only do sweet breakfasts once on the weekend. 

The weather out here is California is unusually warm so as much as I am sad to see the rain and cold go (for now at least) I am embracing the warmer days.  The hubs and I along with our boys played outside all weekend and it was such fun.  In addition to playing, we shopped a bit which led us to our favorite local nursery Bushnell Gardens as well as Pottery World.  Why?  Well, we are on a hunt for a few finishing touches to our backyard redo.  The right side of our house needs three pots as well as three trees.  We are pretty much decided on the above pot and the olive tree (without olives).  The water feature will be for the courtyard and placed on the casita wall (where the hubs office is).  I'll post pics this week of our backyard before and after (up to now). 

via my sis's phone

On Sunday while eating (again an eating packed weekend) at the yummy Mesquite, the fam and I watched the Chicago Bears vs. the GreenBay Packers.  My goodness I was jumping out of my seat, literally.  I thought Chicago might have a chance but in the end their QB kept giving away the ball.  Seriously, I counted four interceptions but I am sure there were more.  Anyone know?  The pic above is of my sis Gracie (a chicago resident) and her man Dirk at yesterday's game.  They were lucky enough to score tickets.  I must say I cracked up at the martini glasses.  When I think of football I think beer but I guess times are changing. 

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Side note, last week while at Ikea I spotted this white fridge and became smitten.  I know you're thinking what, white.  Yes, white for my garage that is.  This white fridge is the nicest one I've ever seen and at the listed price, a gem.  Although while searching online the price came up as very different so I am a bit confused.  Luckily, I am not buying a fridge yet for my garage (just dreaming of one at the moment for extra food storage).  

How was your weekend friends?  Did you watch any football?  Shop?  Or just relax?

Arrivals

What a surprise when I opened my mailbox this afternoon and discovered these fantastic treats. 

1.  Southern Living Magazine

2.  House Beautiful Magazine

3.  Creative, Inc. 

Fabric swatches are from here and here. 

Do you shop Amazon?  If not, I highly recommend it.  Why, well I purchased my magazine subscription to House Beautiful on it for a steal!  Also, I purchased the Creative, Inc. on Amazon three days ago, on sale for $11.40 and it arrived that quick.  I love Amazon and if you can believe it only recently discovered it. 

I don't know about you all but the weather out here in Northern California is pretty perfect.  It's in the high 50's and sunny.  The boys (despite their colds) played away most of the day outside.  The highlight for this mama, hunting for lizards, who woulda thought I'd be doing that again. 

it's time to organize

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The last two days I have been cleaning my house from top to bottom.  Since the holidays I have felt that it needed a good scrub and had been too lazy busy to get around it to.  Today my focus is on the kitchen.  My kids sippy cups, bowls, plates, and toys are overwhelming me and I am purging big time.  Also, I am organizing it all too so my label maker is being used for the first time since Christmas (thanks Jiann for my fantastic gift).  

Since the hubs has been out of town for the last week, I am happy to report that he'll be coming home to a clean and fresh smelling house.  Although, do you ever notice once you start cleaning you end up making a bigger mess than before?

The Sartorialist

Thanks to Design Mom for posting about this short documentary on The Sartorialist today.
It's definitely worth your time to watch.

and the best dressed is....

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Natalie Portman or is it her adorable baby bump she's sporting.  Regardless, Natalie was positively glowing in this pink empire-waist gown by Viktor & Rolf with rose detail, matching clutch and Tiffany jewels.  The only miss for me was the hair as it was somewhat cone like in back.  In addition to this winning look, Natalie took home the Best Actress award for Black Swan.  I guess it's time to see the movie as I am sure she'll now win the Oscar too since a Globe and Oscar win go hand in hand (most of the time anyway).

Are you a Globes watcher?  Who was your best dressed? 

One of those days

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 Have a great weekend my friends! 

Fashion Art

Fashion is on my mind lately, a lot.  Until recently, I had only discovered Design blogs.  Now that I have discovered Fashion Blogs, I am smitten.  Some of the ladies in the blog world are seriously stylish!!!  I've decided that as one who has always adored fashion, even studied it in college, that I must step up my game (in the wardrobe dept).  While I am not sure about picture posts of me in outfits, maybe I can figure something else out.  I tried having the hubs take my pictures last Saturday night and they were not worthy of a post.  I loved my outfit but I am not a model and did not do myself or my outfit any justice.

In addition to loving fashion, I love fashion illustrations.  One artist that I've admired for awhile is Miss Capricho.  If you're a fan of DailyCandy you've seen the beautiful work of Miss Capricho.  If not, you are in for a treat, go here.. 

all illustrations courtesy of Miss Capricho

LC

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1/2/3

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Lately, I am loving the looks of Lauren Conrad.  I will admit I've been a fan since the OC, originally because I grew up there.  Then, I followed the Hills but only because it was about Lauren studying fashion and interning at some pretty amazing jobs, hello Teen Vogue.  Now that Lauren has a series of fiction books, a style book, and a fashion line at Kohl's, I guess she is being taken seriously and should be.  Her style has involved from the OC days and I am looking forward to what she debuts next.  Are you a fan?  Who are you favorite Reality TV Stars?

Good times

This weekend went by in a flash.  My bestie was in town for the afternoon on Saturday so we caught up over lunch at Jack's Urban Eats.  Following lunch, my son Jake had a birthday party for a preschool friend so off to Bounce O Palace we went.  Ryan came along and he had a blast although he didn't jump in the bouncy house.  On Sunday we took the fam to Chuck e cheese.  I haven't been there in over 10 years.  We all had a good time playing games and eating pizza.  Sunday afternoon I got a get out of the house card and headed to the movies where I watched Country Strong.  Good movie but sad, really sad.  The music is catchy and I've already bought three tunes from the Album.  

1. Country Strong 2. Words I Couldn't Say 3. Coming Home.

Following my afternoon free of kids, my hubs lil sis's dropped by on their way through town.  Which led us to dinner at the Old Spaghetti Factory.  Whew, a busy weekend but lots of time spent with family and friends was just what the doctor ordered.  

Off to the gym now to get myself swim suit ready.

How was your weekend friends?

Shoe Envy

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After devouring Nordstrom's latest catalog I have become smitten with this brown beauty.  

Wedge sandals are a must for me this spring/summer.  You?  Perhaps they'll see my closet soon as a birthday present from the hubs or a just because.  Here's to wishing friends!  

See you tomorrow. 

Pete

It's late and I can't sleep.  Today I learned that our friend Pete died of cancer.  He fought a long and hard fight this past year.  I am honored to know him and to be able to call him a friend.  Pete and my husband Eric bonded during chemotherapy at Doctor J's over their mutual admiration of The Home Depot.  These two men discussed how they wanted to finish their backyards so their wives wouldn't be left with a mess if they died.  I cry every time Eric tells me that, one because no one should have to think that and two because they did.  Pete was a husband, father and a friend.  His larger than life personality was intoxicating as were his stories.  Pete definitely told a good story.
A week before Christmas I ran into Pete's wife Missy at Costco were we discussed the lunch our husbands had planned for us all the following Tuesday.  Tuesday came and while my mom watched our boys, Eric and I headed to lunch to meet our friends.  We arrived around 11:30 am and waited for Pete and Missy to arrive.  After a bit, we decided to be seated and wait for them at the table.  We called Pete, texted Pete and no response.  Eric paced and walked around looking for them while I waited in the restaurant.  Once we realized they weren't coming I cried and Eric was shook up.  We knew that we wouldn't see Pete again and it hurt.  On the way home that afternoon we decided to drop off the wine that we had brought for Pete and Missy at their home.  Eric went up to the door and placed the wine on the ground and when he looked up there was a sign on their door that read "FOR PETE'S SAKE, DON'T KNOCK"!  Always a joker.
Pete you will be missed and remembered always.  I know that you are smiling and laughing way up there.
See you again someday.

Style Files - Resort

bag, swimsuit, sunglasses, tunic, shoes, bracelet, book, towel, hat

Every year around this time the hubs and I are busily planning our trip to the Bahamas in February.  Due to a tumultuous 2010 we won't be vacationing quite yet but I am dreaming of days spent at The Cove Atlantis in the Bahamas.  To me, it is the ultimate vacation.  Sophisticated and luxurious coupled with family fun.  Delicious food is abundant with the world's top chef's preparing it all.  When you stay at The Cove you are treated to private pools that are literally steps from the beach.  For the kids, there is an amazing water park, dolphin cay, and marine habitat.  They'll have so much fun they'll never want to leave.  Although a holiday is not in the works, I am still on the hunt for Resort Wear.  When I am lounging by the pool I like a chic comfy look.  Oh and good book and a pina colada! 

Planning any trips soon?  What are your musts for Resort Wear?

Homes to love

I am in love with this traditional style house in my neighborhood.  So much so, that I cannot count the number of times I've made my husband drive by it so I can admire it.  Don't get me wrong I love our home and I plan on living in it for many years to come but I love admiring others pretty places.  Like?  What style of home is your favorite?

Foodie Files

The New Year has ushered in my desire to cook.  When I mean cook, I mean really cook.  For example, the Roast Chicken above.  Before 2011, I would have bought this baby in the grocery store all warmed and ready for me to serve.  Post 2011, I brought home an uncooked chicken, used parts of Barefoot Contessa's New Cookbook "How Easy is That" and My First Ever Roast Chicken.  It was delicious, moist and I could actually distinguish the flavors.  Yum! 

Are you cooking in the kitchen friends?