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fashion2
10.28.11

Fashion Friday

What a week!  And it’s only going to get crazier!  Is everyone ready for the Halloween madness that is about to ensue?  We have several parties on the weekend’s agenda.  YEA.  One I have to bake something for.  BOO.  I’m quite sure a good time will be had by all.  Despite the baking.  But before it’s time to costume up, here are a few things I’ve been wearing lately.

First I’m sharing some of the purses I’ve been using this Fall.  I never spend a crazy amount of money on purses because I like to mix it up and use a different one about every other week.  A lot of times I’ll use the same one for a few weeks during the day, but switch purses when we go out at night on the weekend.  Here are a few of my recent favorites…

My go to when I’m wearing grey.  

This brown hobo purse is a fall favorite (sorry you can’t see it great, this was the only picture I had of it.  But how perfect that it is sitting next to some Christmas scrapbook supplies!)  I love this purse because it’s big and aside from holding my regular wallet, sunglasses, keys, it also holds the sippy cup, the binkie, and the fishy crackers.  
Love this purse I bought last Fall at The Limited.  
Mostly because of all of the organizers inside of the purse.  When I was a little girl one of my favorite things to do was to organize purses.  My mom would buy herself a new one and then just hand it over to me.  I remember sitting on the carpet beyond giddy organizing all of her credit cards, lipsticks, and loose change.  Yes.  I had one happy childhood.  :)  (Oprah “ah ha” moment… beginning to realize why it’s so fun for me to switch out my purses so often….)

This purse used to belong to my sister.  But then I saw it and fell in LOVE with it.  Isn’t it fabulous with that orange lining and green zipper and stitching!?  My sister agreed it was way more of an Erin purse than a Carly purse.  So after she used it for a few months, she mailed it to me.  That was several years ago and I’ve used it every Fall ever since!  It’s too small for every day, but I use it a lot when I go out.

Another forever favorite.  My one other splurge from our trip to Italy four years ago.   

Had to get a purse to go with the boots.  
Nothing like a fun purse to complete your outfit.    
Now on to the outfits! 
When we went to New York I wore a black dress to see The Lion King.  I had actually just bought it the day before!  While shopping on 5th Avenue I stopped by Ann Taylor Loft and they had so many things on sale.  This was a 90 dollar dress on sale for 40 dollars and they only had two left.  One of them was my size!  Oh happy day!  Love it when that happens.  

I loved the scoop neck and knew that my black belt would be a perfect accessory!  
You can’t go wrong with a simple black dress and while I already own a few, they are all short sleeved.  Not only is this long sleeved and warm, but it is so comfortable!  Soft, cozy material.  I feel like I’m in lounge clothes in this dress.  I wore it last week to church with black boots.  Not because it was cold, but because my legs were too scary white to wear my heels.  True story.  

Wanna hear the best part about this dress?  When I got up to the counter to pay for it, it rang up for 24 dollars!!  The sales lady said it was marked down again!  I seriously could not believe my luck.  I loved my simple black dress so much, I would have paid 90 for it!  The heavens opened at that moment and I knew.  I knew it was going to be a good shopping day.  

Speaking of scoop necks, I wore this simple grey scoop neck top this week.  Bought it last year at Express?  Maybe Limited.  One of the two.

Wore it with dark skinny jeans and my grey boots.  I’m starting to get so bored with pictures of myself in this mirror that I find myself trying to mix things up.  A different pose, maybe twist the camera the opposite way.  I know.  I’m wild and crazy like that.  
But wait.  Something is missing from my usual bathroom mirror shots…

There’s my little fashion buddy.  Now this post is complete.  :)
A few of you asked about my cowl neck sweater from my “bad weekend turned good post.”  Bought it from The Limited last year.  Love the color of that sweater.  I also loved all of your comments on that post!  You were all so sweet and funny.  It was fun hearing from so many of you!  
{Ariel says thanks too :)}

Another simple sweater.  I like the button on the neck.  This one is from Banana Republic.  Funny.  When Car and I were in New York we walked in a Banana Republic and both said at the same time “ahh…feels like home!”  We love that store.

Wore it with my Citizens and wedges.  
This is a top I’ve had for a couple of years from Forever 21.  
Fun sleeves and a belt.  Do you feel like my Fashion Friday posts are Groundhog Day all over again?  Just call me Bill Murray.  

For part of one day last week I wore it like this.  

In the morning and evening when it was cooler, I added this blazer over the top.  Another New York find.  This is so NOT something I would normally buy.  But.  On What Not to Wear, I’ve noticed that Stacey and Clinton are always talking about layering and how this type of thing is a must for every woman’s wardrobe.  Plus my sister made me buy it.  She wears a lot of stuff like this because she is a working mom who spends time in an office.  I’m a working mom who spends time at the park and I was worried I would feel too dressed up/stuffy in this for my day to day activities.  

But I did love the color and I did love the lining so I bought it in an attempt to branch out from my clothes comfort zone!  And because my sister can be extremely persuasive when she wants to be.  

And I actually really liked the way it looked.  It took the place of a jacket and was warm in the morning before the sun peeked through the clouds.  I didn’t love these boots with it though.  I’m hunting for some dark brown flat boots that are good for every day.  Hopefully Santa will find just the pair!  With a little guidance of course.  

The whole time I wore this I was feeling a little too dressy and wishing I had on different boots and thinking “I bet this is the last time I ever wear this.”  Then I went to Costco and the man standing in line behind me said “I wish my girlfriend would wear boots like those.”  I thanked him and we started chatting.  Kole was being his charming self so the man was entertaining him and asked if I had other kids.  When I told him I had three he said “you don’t look like you could have had three kids!”  I kindly thanked him again, paid for my groceries with a big smile on my face and walked out of the store thinking “hmmm… maybe I actually will wear this again.”
Like tomorrow. 
And the day after that.  
And maybe the day after that too.  
:)
**Linking up at The Pleated Poppy
xoxo, Erin
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Kole
10.27.11

Around here…

we take our cleaning pretty seriously.

xoxo, Erin
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Holidays
10.26.11

Our Halloween Traditions

I can’t believe Halloween is here in less than a week!  Soon it will be time for Christmas!!  YEA!!  Sorry.  I know.  I’m totally one of those annoying people who bypass Thanksgiving and leap to Christmas the second November 1st arrives.  I know some people get annoyed when stores start putting Christmas stuff up in August but I’m not one of them!  I say BRING. IT. ON.  I can’t help it!  December is too much fun!  But even though I’m ready to deck the halls and trim the tree, my kids are pretty pumped for Halloween.  We are having fun around here doing a few things that have become October traditions in our house so I thought I’d share them with you!

First up – our spooky spiders.  My girls and I love blow pop suckers so this is a fun little treat we like to make.  Very simple.  You just need suckers, googly eyes, and pipe cleaners.  You can find the full directions here.

Our neighborhood has such a fun tradition of doing the “BOO GHOST” each October.  We just got “boo’d” last week.  When you get “boo’d” you receive Halloween treats and a picture of a ghost along with a note on your doorstep.  Here is what the note says in case any of you want to start this in your neighborhood (probably next year since I didn’t have my act together soon enough to share this before the last week of October).

Happy Halloween – you’ve been Boo’d!

This treat is for you, we hope you enjoy.
The idea is simple, one we hope you employ.
You pass “BOO” along to two other neighbors.
Along with any kind of Halloween favors.
If we all do our part, and spread the good cheer,
By Halloween night it will be very clear,
We’re a friendly bunch, we like to share fun.
So please do your best to keep “BOO” on the run!

You’ve been Boo’d!  Now it’s your turn to Boo two other people in the neighborhood.
*You should Boo these people within two days of receiving your treat.
*Hang the picture of the ghost on your front door so you won’t be Boo’d again.
*Include treats, letter, and ghost in your package.
*After dark, Boo two of your neighbors.  Don’t let anyone see you!
It will be fun to see how many ghosts appear in our neighborhood!
This tradition is SO much fun for my girls.  They get just plain giddy when we get that bowl of treats on our door and can’t wait to “Boo” some of their friends right back.  October wouldn’t be the same without our little Boo ghost hanging on the front door!
Another fun tradition I started a couple of years ago is Halloween Bingo.  

I found these free Halloween Bingo cards on-line.  I just printed them on white cardstock and then glued them on black cardstock and laminated them.  Oh how I love to laminate!  
And oh how my girls love Halloween Bingo!  (October 2009)
(October 2011) 
Person calling out the pictures gets to sit on the table.  Because…well.. that’s just more fun.  You’ll also notice the lovely spider sitting on the table as well.  A gift from grandma.  Can’t say that I’m too fond of him, but my girls sure are.  He’s currently sitting in a bush in our front yard.  I like him much better there than on my kitchen table.  
Another thing we LOVE to do in October is to read our Halloween books. 

 I always set out a basket to hold seasonal books – easy access for the kiddos.  I keep these Halloween books tucked away until October.  Makes them seem extra special.  

Our all time favorite Halloween book is called Humbug Witch by Lorna Balian.  Cutest story ever.  We read it over and over every year.  Another fun Halloween book my girls love is called Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson.  We must have a thing for witch literature.  

I started a little tradition of buying my girls a fun Halloween Activity Book from Barnes and Noble each year.  I didn’t mean for it to be a tradition.  I bought them Halloween Activity books a few years ago and they loved them so much that now I do it each year.  Just a fun little Halloween book to color when they are waiting for daddy to get home or taking a break from homework.  This year I bought them each a Halloween My Little Pony workbook.

They came with stickers and have been a huge hit!  We have pictures like this one all over the house.  Some may prefer skulls and werewolves.  We prefer pumpkins and ponies.  :)

And this weekend we are planning on making our traditional ghost pancakes!

Complete with chocolate chip eyes.  Always a hit around here!  
Also on this weeks’ agenda is our traditional “Halloween movie marathon.”  

I made this fun little treat for my girls one year and now they beg for it every October.  I just tossed some of their favorite snacks together – popcorn, pretzels, fishy crackers, m&m’s and of course candy corns!  I mixed it all up in our favorite pumpkin bowl and wa-la!  A Halloween treat that is perfect to munch on while watching your favorite spooky shows.  And since I’m sharing our favorite Halloween books, I’ll also tell you our favorite Halloween movie.  It’s called The Teacher from the Black Lagoon… and More Slightly Scary Stories (Scholastic Video Collection) and it’s a good one!  I would recommend this for 5 year olds and up (not toddlers).  Very spooky tales.  The last story seriously scares me more than my girls.  Not that that’s saying much.

This treat is almost too good to share!
Happy Halloween week everyone!  What are some of your favorite Halloween traditions?
{Only 36 more days until December!  WOOT WOOT!!}
xoxo, Erin
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Fun with Friends
10.24.11

Our bad turned good weekend

Well.  We had quite a weekend.  Family pictures were first thing Saturday morning.  I was so prepared.  Cute, coordinating outfits for the family – check.  Everything ironed and laid out the night before – check.  Kids to bed early so they would be well rested – check.  Kenny prepared to grin and bear it – check. Girls bribed into cooperating – check.  Kole bribed into cooperating – NEGATIVE.  Not only did Kole NOT cooperate, he decided to cry during the whole shoot.  We didn’t get ONE picture without him pitching the biggest fit.  Screaming, kicking, trying so hard to escape my arms and be free.  In Kole’s mind, being contained = death.  So not only is he screaming in every picture, but I look equally awful because I’m trying so hard to contain him.  I knew this would happen.  I did.  I don’t know why there was still this little part of me that thought maybe.  Maybe he’ll cooperate.  Just for a minute or two.  Maybe we’ll get that Christmas card photo after all.  
Nope.  
I cried.  I came home after the photo shoot, looked at the pictures on the disk and cried.  Not because it’s that big of deal.  But just because it’s so much work.  So much work for the mom (especially the mom of little kids) to plan the photo shoot, get the outfits, and get the whole family up and picture perfect.  It’s so hard working around the nap, the not very excited husband, and everything else that may get in the way.  So much work to have a blurry, screaming baby in the middle of every photo.  
After I had a 10 minute pity party, I got over it.  I’ll figure something out.  I’ll use some pictures I’ve taken or just embrace this stage and use a picture with Kole screaming his little head off.  It is what it is!  I’m sure someday I’ll look back at those photos and smile.  
Not smiling yet.  
The good news was that I had a fun date planned for Saturday night.  A date with fun friends.  At one of my favorite restaurants.  A restaurant that happens to be located right next to my favorite store.  (That may or may not be why I love the restaurant so much.)  

Cheesecake Factory!  Located right next to THE CONTAINER STORE!  (What was that? — angels singing in the background?…I know I wasn’t the only one who heard them…)   I told my cute friend Darci we would have to get sitters earlier or eat fast so we would have time to shop after dinner.  I can’t be that close to this beloved store and not pop in!  Lucky for me there was a 50 minute wait for dinner.  50 minutes?  Hmmm… I knew just how we could spend our time!

Not only were we in the Container Store (one of the most magical places on earth), but they had their Christmas stuff out!!  Talk about being in my happy place!  Christmas and organizing — it just doesn’t get any better.  Suddenly all of my tears from family pictures seemed like a distant memory.  I was on cloud nine.  No.  I was happier than that.  I was beyond the clouds!

Now tell me these pictures don’t make you giddy too!  Admit it.  Anyone else beyond the clouds!?

Darci and I loved this gift wrapping station.  Hmmm… wonder if Santa heard that.  

And what did our husbands do while we shopped?  They had a delightful time catching up.  Just look at Kenny.  Patiently waiting and visiting while holding my camera bag and future purchases.  Now that is a good man!  Our husbands had so much fun visiting that the time just flew by.  Darci and I decided this is how we are going to do all of our Christmas shopping.  The men can come along and keep each other company and hold our stuff while we tear it up.  Win win for everyone!

Aside from the obvious location of being next door to my favorite store, this is reason #2 I needed to head to Cheesecake Factory.  Their pumpkin cheesecake.  Is your mouth watering yet?  It’s seasonal so you can only get it for a couple of months.  And it is HEAVENLY.  It’s an October tradition to eat our pumpkin cheesecake at Cheesecake Factory.  Talk about a perfect date night.  And a great end to what started out as a not so great day.

And in other weekend news.  The girls decided it was time to dress up Kole.  In their clothes.  
To quote Ellie — “who says Kole has to be a boy?  Just because some silly doctor says so?” 
 It was then decided that Kole is now a girl and her name is Ariel.  

Ariel was dressed up in an assortment of the girls’ clothes over the weekend.  Here she is modeling an off the shoulder rose shirt in a lovely magenta.  
Sometimes Kole was ok with the gender change.  

Sometimes he wasn’t.  
By the end of the weekend we had all embraced it.  
Ariel admitted defeat and pushed her little shopping cart all over the house.   
Poor kid doesn’t stand a chance.  
(I’d feel sorry for you buddy, but you ruined my pictures.  What’s that they say about payback?)
xoxo, Erin
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fashion2
10.21.11

Fashion Friday

YES!  Made it to the weekend!  Barely.  The hardest part about going on a vacation is coming home from the vacation.  This week has been brutal!  So busy catching up on everything we missed during our trip.  And to top it all off – after school today I took all three kids shoe shopping.  WHAT was I thinking!?  I know exactly what I was thinking — we have family pictures Saturday morning and the kids don’t have dress shoes that fit them and match what they’re wearing and this was the only time I could go.  But still — what was I thinking!?  Kole was a maniac running up and down the store isles.  The girls couldn’t sit still.  Too busy giggling and dancing around and begging me to take them to get ice cream after.  Two minutes into actually trying on shoes both girls need to go potty.  Of course.  We come back after a bathroom break and try on more shoes.  We can’t find anything that fits them right.  Now Kole is not only running around but also yelling at the top of his lungs while he does it.   I’m throwing shoes right and left at my girls and saying “quick – try these on!” then running after Kole.  Huge mess – shoes everywhere!  People are looking at me like I’m “that woman.”  The crazy mom with no control over her kids.  I was the crazy mom with no control over her kids!  And I was crazy to think I could pull that off and keep my sanity in check.  Welcome home Erin.  Vacation is definitely over!  
I am thrilled that today is behind me and I am now in my happy place.  Blogging about clothes.  Clothes that I bought with NO kids in sight.  
I’m sharing two outfits today and two different ways I wear them.  Should be exciting stuff.  Or not.  But it doesn’t matter.  Happy place, remember?   
I bought this shirt over a year ago at Forever 21.  Ever watch TLC’s What Not To Wear?  I adore Stacey and Clinton!  Although I have to admit that I get impatient seeing all of the crazy outfits the people on that show are wearing in the beginning so I just fast forward to the shopping for new clothes, hair and make-up.  Nothing like a good make-over!  Anyway – Stacey and Clinton are always recommending that women wear tops that are fitted at their rib cage.  It’s a flattering spot for all women.  I always think of that tip when I wear this shirt.  
I usually wear this with my dark skinny jeans and brown boots.  Wouldn’t Stacey and Clinton be proud? 

If I need to dress up for something, I’ll wear the same shirt with this skirt.  This brown pencil skirt from Banana Republic has been a staple in my wardrobe for years now.  I love it and it never goes out of style.  It really goes well with so many different shirts and sweaters.  

I wear brown heels with this most of the time, but when things get really chilly around here (I’m talking a major 5 degree temperature dip) I pull out my brown dressy boots.  
I’m so excited to show you all some of the fun stuff I bought in New York!  (Ahhh… let me just remember NY and my magical day of shopping on 5th Avenue sans kids….)  You’ll see all of my fun finds as soon as I get a chance to wear them!  We shopped in so many unique stores, but I did manage to find a HUGE Forever 21.  I’m talking FOUR STORIES!  I had a PAR-TAY in that store and did some major damage! 

First of all, I fell in love with this grey tunic.  I actually saw this top in the Forever 21 here in San Diego and wanted it but they were out of my size.  I was so happy to see it in my size in New York that I bought two of them in different colors!   (Did I mention the tunic was $24 on sale for 50% off?  12 bucks baby!  Doesn’t get any better than that!)  Does the belt look familiar?

I took it off of this fun skirt I shared in one of my first Fashion Friday posts.  

I also bought some new black leggings to go with the tunic.  Doesn’t it go great with that belt and my grey boots!?  I love it.  Kole loved it too.  He clearly couldn’t get enough of my new grey tunic and had to head to the mirror for a closer look.  

And back to the mirror we go!  It’s so fun having a son that shares my love for fashion. 

 Another option for this tunic is to lose the belt and dress it up with a long necklace.  (I’ve shared this necklace before too – I bought it at The Limited.)

I like the belt better, a little more flattering to pull things in at the waist, but I thought this was a fun way I can mix things up.  You’ve probably noticed several of my fashion obsessions by now.  The world is a happy place when I have on a belt and some puffy sleeves.

 I wanted to show you another shoe option with this same outfit, but Kole had other plans.  

He clearly did NOT like the flats as well as the boots.  

This outfit can go from comfy casual…
to stylish and dressy in two seconds flat.  Love that.  
I also love that now after posting I feel SO much better!  Calm after a very hectic day.  It’s a good thing too.  I’m going to need all of my energy to get through family pictures with Kole this weekend.  I have a feeling this may be the year that I do a Christmas card with our family minus one. 
 It’s just a really good thing he’s so stinkin’ adorable.  
And such a major fashion expert.  
Have a good weekend everyone!  
**Linking up at What I Wore Wednesday!
xoxo, Erin
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organization2
10.20.11

Admitting it is the first step

Ever taken time out of your day to organize your extra organizers?

That’s when you know you have a problem.
xoxo, Erin
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Food and Cooking...or lack thereof
10.19.11

Taco Salad

Sharing a quick recipe today!  Please try to contain your excitement.  Really.  Stop jumping up and down.  And squealing.  Well.  You can squeal if you want to.  I know we’ve all made taco salad before, but this is the way I make taco salad and it might be a little different than the way you make taco salad.  And since this is one of the eight things I cook it only seemed natural that you should know about this recipe.  Because you all don’t know enough about me and my life.  I’m way too secretive. 
And sarcastic.
Moving on.


Here’s what you need to get started.  The tortilla shell molds I bought at Bed Bath and Beyond years ago but I’m sure you can find them in other places too.  I forgot to take a picture of the tortillas that go in them.  You need tortillas to go in the tortilla molds.  (You’ll notice I explain my recipes like I’m talking to a Kindergartner because that is how I like recipes explained to me.  Addison and I are about on the same level when it comes to cooking so that actually makes sense.)

First steps:

Brown 1 lb ground beef
Drain ground beef (unless you splurge on the super healthy hamburger – not to be healthy but really just so you don’t have to drain it.  That may or may not be exactly what I do.)

Then add: 

2/3 cup water
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp pepper
1 can red kidney beans

Heat to boiling; then reduce heat and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally for 15 minutes.

Put your tortilla shells in the molds and place them in the oven. 

Then set your oven to “broil” (I put my oven on hi broil) and leave the oven door open just a crack.  I obviously made this while Kole was occupied upstairs or I would have been spending my evening at the emergency room with a burned victim.  

It only takes a few minutes for your tortilla shells to turn golden brown.  Take them out before they turn too golden brown.  If you only knew how many of these babies I’ve burned!  I’m not going to tell you how many.  That’s the secretive part of me coming out again.  

Put the hamburger mixture in the perfectly golden brown tortilla shell and then top with lettuce, olives, cheese, tomatoes, avocado, sour cream…whatever you like!  Or whatever your kids will eat!  Which in my case is the cheese.  These also taste really good with a little ranch dressing.  Not the healthiest recipe out there, but one we enjoy.  And one that this mom and her Kindergartner can actually make.

Bon appetit!  
xoxo, Erin
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Travels
10.18.11

A getaway!

So I’ve been out of town the past five days!  On a little trip.  Wondering where?  I’ll give you a clue:
I went to sleep every night to the sound of ambulances and woke up each morning to the sound of construction.  (Sounds heavenly, right?)  


NEW YORK baby!  Our get away to the big apple!  When Kenny told me over the summer that he had partner meetings in October in NYC and asked if I’d want to come, I got excited.  Then when he mentioned that we would be staying on Madison Avenue in a fancy hotel because of those meetings and that I would have to keep myself entertained for one full day, I got really excited.  Keep myself entertained on 5th Avenue in Manhattan?  REALLY!!??  A day all alone to do nothing but shop!  By myself!  On 5th Avenue!  Yeah babe.  I think I can handle that.  And handle that I did!  I spent one full day in the heart of downtown Manhattan.  Shopping and taking in the sights:

But I wasn’t completely alone!  A couple of days before we left on this trip my sister called and told me that she was heading to New York around the same time we were.  Her boss was taking her and some co-workers on a quick trip (totally last minute) and they were staying in Manhattan… on Madison Avenue!  We couldn’t believe it!  Not only would we be in New York at the same time, but we were staying only blocks away from each other!  The night before we flew out, we realized we were flying on the same plane!  We could NOT believe our luck.  We knew we had to meet up.  My sister and I don’t live close to each other and it is so rare that we get to spend time together.  Especially time WITHOUT our kids.  We were totally giddy at the thought of shopping together in New York!

The hotel Kenny and I stayed at was called The Palace (his job comes with some serious perks) and Carly and I couldn’t resist acting like we totally belonged in this setting.  
Our text messages to each other just before we met up:

Car:  I’m coming to you.  Let’s meet at the Palace dahling.
Me:  K – call when you get here.  Or come up to the 16th floor room 1608… dahling.  That’s where I’ll be polishing my silver.  
Car:  Perfect, stay put.  Have Buffy meet me at the door to take my mink.  
She met me at my room and as soon as I put away my silver and Buffy had taken care of Car’s mink, we hit 5th Avenue!

We were deliriously happy to be together – acting like the biggest dorks.  Shopping in one amazing store after another.  It was the best day.  Later that evening when we were both back at our own rooms we texted all night long about our luxurious new life style and I got laughing so hard I almost cried.  No one can make me laugh like my sister can.  Whenever I’m with her my cheeks hurt from smiling and laughing so much.  It was such a great way to kick off my trip and it couldn’t have worked out more perfectly if we had planned it!

After day one of the trip, Kenny had finished his meetings and I was so excited to spend some time with him.  The first thing we did was head to the new 9/11 memorial.  We really wanted to see it while we were there so Kenny got us tickets the week before our trip.

The memorial is two huge pools where the twin towers used to be.  Water is pouring in on all sides and the names of the people who died are engraved all around the pools.  

It was really sad.  I don’t know how else to explain the feelings I had while we were there.  Just an overwhelming sense of sadness.  It was hard to be in the place where everything happened.  To see exactly where the towers stood and to see those never ending fountains in their place.   But I felt fortunate to see the memorial and to honor the people who lost their lives that horrific day.  
After we left the memorial, we did a little sightseeing and were greeted around every corner by protesters. 
New York is crazy right now!  Protesters everywhere!  We tried to steer clear of the madness, but couldn’t resist snapping a few pictures.

We ate lunch one afternoon at Lombardi’s Pizza.  Kenny has wanted to take me to this place for a while now because he has eaten there before.  Lombardi’s was America’s first Pizzeria and is known to have the best pizza around.  It didn’t disappoint!

Taking in a few more sights:

And my husband who is 36 going on 12.  Sorry.  This is a G rated blog so I hesitated posting this picture, but couldn’t resist.  Kenny and I had fun coming up with some great catch phrases to accompany this picture.

Time Square at night!  What a circus this place is!  Kenny called it “an assault to one’s senses” and I couldn’t agree more.  All of the smells and lights and people.  It’s hard to focus on simple tasks like walking because of everything going on around you.

When we randomly passed Minnie and Mickey I had to get a pic.  I haven’t been to Disneyland since I had Kole and have had serious withdrawals.  Although this Micky and Minnie didn’t speak English and were a bit odd.

And the best part of the trip!  The Broadway plays.  Kenny and I LOVE the theatre.  LOVE it.  Remember a few months ago when I asked all of you if we should see Mary Poppins or Lion King?  So many of you raved about both that we decided the decision was made for us.  We’d have to take your great advice and see both plays! 
Marry Poppins was amazing!  I am a huge fan of the Disney (one of my favorite shows growing up) and loved seeing it on Broadway.  It made me so homesick for my girls.  They would have loved it too.  Next time it comes to San Diego we are taking them for sure.  But there is nothing like seeing a play on Broadway.  The set changes, music, costumes, acting – all phenomenal.  At the end Mary Poppins flew right over our heads.  Unreal!  

Lion King was also incredible.  In the opening “Circle of Life” scene when all of the animals started pouring on the stage I started to cry!  I couldn’t help it!  The music and costumes were that amazing.

This little getaway was just what I needed.  Kenny and I were able to spend so much time together.  Alone!  We were able to have complete, uninterrupted conversations.  Uninterrupted!  Complete sentences!   And sleep in!  Even though the construction woke us, we went back to sleep!  Even the plane ride was heavenly.  I read a magazine, organized pics on my laptop, and gazed out the window fully enjoying the fact that I had no one to take care of but myself.  And my kids had a blast with all of their grandparents.  And by the end of the trip I was really missing them.  And now if feels really good to be home again.  With my kids.  Taking care of everyone but myself.

All signs of a really good trip.  :)
xoxo, Erin
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fashion2
10.14.11

Fashion Friday

Fashion Friday baby!  Word to your mother.  Or your father.  Or to whoever you want.  K – I’ll stop trying to sound cooler than I am and just move on to the clothes.  The clothes!!  I did a good job taking pictures this week.  Too good of a job.  I took pictures of everything I wore!  Everything!  In fact, if I post all the pictures I took you will still be reading this post by next weeks’ Fashion Friday.  So I can’t post them all.  I’ll save some for next week.  Probably the cuter outfits for later.  Kidding.  Nothing is THAT cute.  I just want to keep you all in suspense.  Coming back for more!  Like some great big surprise is on its way.  But really it’s just more boring pictures of me – in my bathroom – with my camera in my face.  Are we all real familiar with my bathroom yet?  HA!  I’d love to mix it up a bit for you all, but the reality is that I usually have about 2.2 seconds to snap a quick picture or two each day before I’m out the door and the day gets away from me.  So self portraits in my bathroom it is!

Actually this pic was taken in my bedroom mirror.  And I actually think I’ve posted pics of this shirt already.  Have I?  I seriously can’t remember.  Sorry if it’s a repeat.  Fun sleeves.  From Forever 21.

Do you notice something off?  Look closely at my left knee.  NNOOOO!!!  A hole!!!  In one of my favorite pairs of Sevens!!!  I’m so sad about this.  It’s actually the second pair of jeans that got a hole in the knee this week!  A full on tragedy I tell you!  I guess I have had these jeans for over four years now.  And I do wear them all the time.  Sigh.  Guess it’s just a good excuse to look for a new pair!  But I’ll still keep wearing these.  Hole and all.  These jeans and I are way too committed in our relationship to call it quits.  
Awww.  Looks like a certain someone doesn’t care if I have a hole in my jeans.  

Wore this to church last Sunday.  This black skirt is such a good staple.  It’s from Banana Republic and I have worn it with so many different things.  A good black skirt is a must in one’s wardrobe!  Agreed?  The shirt and belt are from The Limited.  

A side view.  I love the stripes on this shirt under the arm.  I also wear this with jeans and it looks cute for casual wear too.  
Kind of look like a dork in this picture but I’m posting it anyway because I thought you all might enjoy a picture of my outfit that ISN’T in my bathroom.  I asked Kenny to take a picture of me on our way out the door last Sunday.  Well.  He wasn’t really in the picture taking mood.  Snapped this ONE picture and said “am I done?”  Nice babe.  Aside from the bad attitude and the fact that you only took ONE picture so I didn’t have a variety of pics to choose from, you also cut off my shoes.  The shoes make the outfit!  Everyone knows that!  You can’t cut out the shoes!  (I’m sure he will read this and immediately focus on taking better pictures for me.  That’s just the kind of guy he is.  Totally being sarcastic right now in case any of you were wondering.)  

I can’t get too mad at him though because he did offer to take one more pic with the girls in it.  And I like this picture.  Even though Addison was squinting at the sun.  Which was behind her.  I still like it.  My girls make me so happy.  Thanks for this picture babe.  But we do need to work on the attitude thing.  And the shoe thing.  

After church attire.  Game on!!  Chargers were playing the Broncos.  And you know I’m all about humoring my husband supporting our team.  Pulled some of my hair back in a clip because this game was a serious one.  And guess who won?  Chargers — Barely!!  Totally because of my lucky shirt.  What would the Chargers do without me?   {Funny side note:  I’m all dressed up nice for church – hair done, cute outfit, and Kenny doesn’t say a word.  Come home, pull my hair back and put on this jersey and I get a “Wow babe!  You look hot!”  Of course I do.  Now that I’m covered in a lightning bolt and Philip Rivers’ football number.  Of course now I look hot.  Why am I not surprised….}

Remember this sweater from Anthro?  The one I bought over the summer because I fell in love with the orange zipper in the back even though when I wear it you can’t see the orange zipper in the back?  Well I wore it for the first time this week.  

Comfy and casual.  

Wore it with these flats.  
Another casual top.  If you’ve read my blog for a while you’ve probably seen me in this before.  It’s from Forever 21 and I love it so much.  I’ve had it for a long time.  Great fit.  Comfortable.  And I love turtle necks, but it’s rarely cold enough to wear them in San Diego so a short sleeved one like this works great.  I think I paid around $13 bucks for this.  Funny how there are just certain clothes you click with regardless of the price.  Those shirts or pants that you just always want to put on in the morning.  That you have had forever and never want to get rid of.  This is one of those shirts for me.  
Two of my favorite pics in one of my favorite shirts:
{Valentines Day 2009}

{Kenny’s birthday – August 2010}
Love the men in my life.  :)
Time to wrap up for now!  I’ll share the rest next week.  Have a great weekend everyone!
Word to your sister.

Ok.  I give up.

**Linking up at The Pleated Poppy

xoxo, Erin
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home decor 2
10.13.11

“Pinspiration”

Thanks for all of your sweet comments about my hutch!  I have the decorating bug so bad right now.  A few reasons why:

1) I have spent the past year walking through homes.  Lots of beautiful homes.  Nothing yet that has spoken to me and said “BUY ME!  I’M THE ONE!!” – but beautiful homes nonetheless.
2) It has been over seven years since I re-did anything major in my house.  Sure I’m always re-arranging and adding a little decor here and there, but up until this summer I have kept things basically the same.  And as you’ve seen from so many of my “befores” things were looking a little out dated.
3)  PINTEREST!  I seriously think Pinterest is the best and worst thing that ever happened to me!  :)
Did you all read Sarah’s post the other day?  I’m assuming you all read Clover Lane.  If you don’t, you need to start!  One of the best blogs out there.  Sarah and I have become good friends through blogging and we e-mail each other often about anything and everything.  (I admire her so much.  I’m pretty much to the point with Sarah where if she told me to walk off a cliff I would ask her which one.)  Last week we were talking about a post she wrote that is one of my favorites.  It’s about being content with your house and it really struck a cord with me.  Partly because she wrote about cleaning your house to make you love it again (you know I’m all about cleaning!) and also because she wrote about how sometimes it is better to stop looking at things like Pinterest, home decor blogs, and magazines because it is TOO MUCH and leaves us feeling discontent with our own decor/lives.  That was the problem I was having at the time she wrote that post.  Every magazine and blog I looked at just made me hate my own house/decor even more.  I’m usually so content in my cozy little home and I wasn’t liking that I was feeling so not-content all of the sudden.  Her post made me take a good look at how much time I was spending looking at other homes and instead just focus on my home.  I started thinking about what I loved about my little house and the parts that I didn’t love?  What I could do to change that.  So I’ve slowly started to update my house and I am falling in love with it all over again.  If that annoying house envy/non-content feeling starts to creep up inside me, I read her post.  And then I do some more cleaning and organizing.  And then I feel better.  :)

{Thank you Sarah!  Don’t ask me to walk off a cliff ok?  My family would miss me.}

Now – that being said.  I’m not nearly as strong as Sarah and could never quit Pinterest!  I love it too much.  I don’t tweet and I don’t do facebook so I figure I’m allowed my guilty pinning pleasure.  I give myself about 15-20 minutes a day to completely zone out and waste my time pinning beautiful things.  And now that I have a more positive outlook about my own home situation, Pinterest is actually inspiring me vs. making me feel envious.

Today I’m sharing some of my favorite pictures I’ve pinned that inspired my kitchen shelf re-do and my hutch makeover.

The colors in this picture are my favorites right now.  Whites, blues, greens.  I LOVE these open shelves and LOVE the dish colors/arrangement even more!

K.  How happy is this picture!?  Love all of the white dishes/furniture and the way it pops against the green paint.

Beautiful rustic blue hutch.  And yes.  White pitchers.

More white dishes/pitchers.  Are you sensing a theme here?  :)  My long time obsession with white pitchers has been validated!

Isn’t yellow such a happy color?  I can’t look at this picture without smiling.

I love the randomness of the items displayed on these shelves.  Everything is so unique, but comes together so nicely because of the similar color scheme.

Darling little built-in with white/cream dishes.  I love the different cake stands used to hold fruit/decor.

Source: theinspiredroom.net via Erin @ Sunny Side Up on Pinterest

And one of my favorite pictures I’ve pinned! I love this shelf and decor so much!  I fell in love with the aqua bead board and immediately knew that I wanted to re-paint my kitchen shelf and do something similar.

So.  The moral of my story is that for me, while Pinterest is no doubt dangerous (I urge you to proceed that site with caution!) it is also a wonderful place to help fuel your creativity and inspire all sorts of amazing things.

Or if nothing else, it will at least help when your mind set is  “I so need a break from these kids!  Zoning out in front of my computer and wasting time “pinning” anything and everything is a lot better alternative than some others I have in mind….”


Not that that has ever been my mind set.

:)

p.s.  You can see what else I’m pinning here.

xoxo, Erin
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home decor 2
10.11.11

Hutch makeover

Sharing some pics of my hutch today!  Most of you know I’ve been slowly trying to re-decorate my house to lighten things up a bit.  Changing out blacks and reds for more whites, yellows and blues.  I’m on a roll!  Dropping one red rooster at a time!  Die roosters!  ;)  My hutch has been hard for me because it has long, wide shelves that can look cluttered in a hurry if I’m not careful.  (Clutter and I don’t care much for one another.)  I can’t stop tweaking this hutch!  Every time I walk by I quickly add something else, move something over.  It will most likely change by this afternoon, but I thought I’d share what I have so far – the way it looks at the moment.  :)
Here’s what it used to look like — 
 {BEFORE}
(my little boyfriend snoozing in his swing makes for a pretty cute accessory)


 {AFTER}

I’ve been having a love affair with white pitchers for years now and have been collecting them for our next house.  But since finding our next house isn’t happening as quickly as I’d like it to, I decided to display some of them now.   The bead board on the back of the hutch is a light white wash that I love, but looks best with pops of bright color against it so I added some fun blue dishes and vases.

Here’s a closer look.

Like I said, it’s still a work in progress.  I’d eventually like to find something for the top of it and maybe the base.  I keep trying things that I already have around the house like my black wire baskets but I don’t like anything yet.  I’m sensing an excuse to go shopping!  (Look at those baskets Kenny – not right.  It’s clearly imperative that I must immediately head to Pottery Barn to correct this tragedy.  I know once you see this picture you’ll agree 100%.)   

Close ups of the decor – 

The clear milk jug belonged to my grandma.  When I was a little girl she used to fill it with water for me and put it in her fridge because I always drink water and I love it really cold.  We called it my “jug” and whenever I’d go visit the first thing I would ask her is if she had my jug in the fridge.  She always did.  It has been a treasured keepsake for me ever since she past away over 15 years ago and I’m so happy to have it out where I can see it everyday.

Set of six clear little bottles are from Pottery Barn (often used to hold flowers) and most of the other decor is from Home Goods and TJ Maxx.

The little pumpkins I picked up at Michaels and I’m loving the pop of orange for Fall.   

I have some fun plans for the wall on the left side of the hutch if I can find the time to make it happen.  Several of you have asked if I am going to replace my red and green couches to go along with the changes I’m making.  Here’s the truth.  If we weren’t looking to move into a bigger home I’d have wood floors and new couches in this house so fast Kenny’s head would spin!  BUT.  I just can’t justify spending the money on that right now because we are saving our pennies for our next house (have been since forever).  And I know I will want new furniture in the new house and if I buy new couches now they most likely won’t look right in a new space.  So for now I’m just going to have to work with what I’ve got!  I bought slipcovers several months ago and tried them out, but with my cream carpet everything looked so bland (need those wood floors!) so I returned them.  I’m currently hunting for some new couch pillows that incorporate the new colors but that will also go with my old couches.  I’m really trying to make small, inexpensive changes that will make this house a happier space for me until we move into our next home.  Which I hope to settle in and then never move again!

So there you go!  Another space in my house that is on its way to becoming a little brighter, a little more current, and a little more me.  :)

If you’re new to my blog (welcome!) you can see more of my home decor changes here:

Kitchen shelf re-do
Fall Mantel
Picture frame re-do
Other small changes/Halloween decor

xoxo, Erin
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Ellie
10.10.11

The last two weekends

El on her way to her first orthodontist appointment.  Can she really be old enough for that!?  I don’t believe it.  I’m in denial.  Julie (El’s BFF since this memorable trip) came along.  She apparently needed her teeth checked as well.  

We have been doing a MASSIVE clean out at my house — what’s new, right?  :)  Most of you know we’ve been house hunting for over a year now and still haven’t found “the one.”  So in the mean time we are renting a storage shed to help with the fact that we are running out of space in our current house.  I’ve emptied closets… 
and packed up many belongings.  LOTS of boxes.  Stuff that we are saving/keeping but not using right at the moment.  Like this box of some of the girls’ clothes that I just can’t part with.  Their hospital hats, favorite boots and fist little ballet shoes, El’s favorite cupcake pajamas that she wore almost every night for two years straight and then they later became Ad’s favorite cupcake pajamas.  I am such a minimalist when it comes to keeping/saving extra “stuff”, but my one weakness is my kids’ clothes!  So many memories accompany those little outfits.

We loaded boxes into the van and made trip, 

after trip, after trip to the storage shed.  (So long baby gates!  Don’t let the door hit you on the way out!)  And now we have so much more space!  And I’ve been happily organizing and re-doing closets ever since!  And at some point I’ll be happily posting my newly organized closets!  This is all making me extremely happy!  It doesn’t take much.  :)

Also last weekend we did a little vine trimming.  And by “we” I mean Kenny trimmed the vines while I took pictures of him doing it.  He’s lucky to have me.  We make such a great team.  

The girls went swimming for a friends’ birthday party…  

and then made a fun hut to play in when we got home.  Wondering what’s holding up those blankets?  That would be my tripod.  I set it up to take some pictures, stepped in the other room to feed Kole, came back and it had disappeared under some Christmas blankets.  Guess I didn’t need those pictures after all. 
This weekend we got our flu shots taken care of!  The girls did great (and by great I mean they had a major meltdown the night before when I told them we were getting shots the next morning, and then had a mini meltdown promptly following the shots) but still, we all survived and lived to tell about it in stylish barbie bandaids.  Kenny took the girls to see Princesses on Ice (we’ve gone the past four years and it has become a fun tradition) while Kole and I stayed home.  We had a delightful date.  Kole napped.  I lit my pumpkin spice candle, turned on some music, and cleaned the house.  Then when he woke up we snuggled on the couch and enjoyed a nice episode of The Wiggles together.
Later in the afternoon I took the girls to get their toes painted for a fun little splurge at my favorite place to get a pedi.  

Of course Julie and Elizabeth had to get their toes painted too.  

Then we came home and Ariel helped us set up the outside Halloween decorations.  
Pumpkin lights — check!  Scary spider in bush — check!  Orange and purple mini lights all over the yard — check!  Bring on the trick-or-treaters!!

Oh.  And another “friend” who pitched in.  Little helpers seem to pop up all over the place around my house.  
And the weekend wouldn’t be complete without a drive through one of our favorite neighborhoods.  We are patiently waiting for a house we love in this neighborhood to pop up for sale.  
We might be waiting a long time.  Good thing we’ve got our storage shed!
Happy Monday everyone!  
xoxo, Erin
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