Loving Right Now

Here is another list of awesome, fabulous, lovely, and brilliant things I am loving at the moment!

P.S.  It's Friday (I know, Captain obvious here) but...I LOVE FRIDAY!  Hope your Friday and weekend are nothing short of fabulous.

Loving Right Now:

* These adorable plates, that I know my kids would love to nosh upon.

* This Counter top cleaner that makes my kitchen squeaky clean without chemicals and makes it smell like a garden in the process. I think I may even like it better than the method cleaner I wrote about here.

* This DIY tent project.

via

* Izzie Sparkling soda.  My favorite is the sparkling Clementine.

* This awesome new take on photo booth props.

via

* This turns me into a bronzed beauty (even when I am painfully pale).

* How great is this vintage ride-on for kids. The Silver one is so fabulous.

* I love little boys in fedoras.  I have to get this....Protects them from the sun and still so stylish.

* I need a one piece swimsuit this year. I have always been a bikini wearing girl, but after two kids....well, like I said, I need a one piece this year.  This one actually got me excited about taking a dip in the pool.

* These Pink beauties are just smashing.

* This is one of my new favorite websites (since I love all things food and cooking).

* I just got this vase for my house.  I am in love with it (wish they still had the yellow one).

P.P.S.  Next week I will be having another giveaway AND an awesome bench and end table transformation...stay tuned. Oh, and remember that entryway I have been talking about (for like ever...what a slacker), that might sneak in next week too. XoX

Giveaway Winner & Weekend Recap

I hope all the moms out there had a very well deserved day of rest and relaxation!  My boys didn't disappoint and it was nice to have a day to take a long (uninterrupted) shower, read my mag (in silence), and spend time with my loved ones (the best kind of day).  

Ok, on to the Winner.  I am excited to announce that my first giveaway has ended and a random winner was chosen!  

So, without further adieu, the Winner is.....

Comment #4!!

I am so excited that Randi over at Eye See blog won.  Go check her blog out, it is awesome.  Her photog skills rock, and she has an eye for all things adorable.  Randi, email me so you can pick the color combo you want (brittanyh@gmail.com).  YAY!  For all of you that didn't win, there is going to be another giveaway next month that includes another print that I featured here...So stay tuned.  Oh, and this month an awesome giveaway I am excited about may include something featured here (hint and wink). Lots to be looking forward to my fabulous blog-licious friends.

P.S.  In honor of post-mommy day, I had to talk about this book by Piper Weiss.

Honestly, what a fabulous idea for a book.  It embodies the simple fact that out moms aren't just "our moms".  When we are younger, we see them as our peanut-butter sandwich maker, our laundry go to lady, our homework helper, and our chauffeur.  As we mature however, we start to see that they aren't just these things, but they are these fabulous, stylish, bold, beautiful women. This book is amazing and I don't know about you, but as I have come across old photos of my mom when she was younger, I have thought to myself "I wish she would have saved those awesome bell bottom jeans for me"!  My mom was such a stylish fashionista with her hippie style and long blond hair.  Today, she still is my style icon, but in other ways.  Her never-ending smile, her giving hands, and her bright eyes that shine, and even her lovely smile lines (that show just how happy she truly always is). Thank you mom for being my style icon from the inside-out.  I love you.

My beautiful mom with my twin sister and I

This book also reminded me to not just feel like a slumpy "stay-at-home" mom. Which I tend to feel like a lot these days.  I need to remember that it is ok to get dolled up (even if we are just going to chik-fil-a) and enjoy it.  It is fun to go to a fashion show (even if the fashion show is you walking down the hallway {runway} at home for your kids).  Be a style icon and have fun doing it.  Don't let being a mom and having mundane daily tasks and a busy life stop you.  Enjoy every moment and remember that the best accessory you put on is a giant, happy smile.  Enjoy your Monday!! Here is a weekend recap via pics.... XoX.

Chubby-licious.

The art of the burrito.

I see you.

Mama & her Monkeys.

lonely stools.

Captain Crazy & Mr. Delicious.

Inspired by the Sun

What better way to be inspired then by Nature?  The pure and raw natural beauty that surrounds us in the great outdoors, and the grandeur of the Sun the makes it all glisten.  Lately I have been finding myself totally inspired by all things Yellow, thanks to the glorious Sunshine that Spring brings. I hope you find time to be inspired today and have a great Thursday! XoX

Love this

So cute.  I think it would be great in a kitchen.

Loving this kids room.

The Eames rocker inYellow...yum.

Anthropologie chair.  

I need these.  I wish it rained here more.

Fabulous

I would wear this everyday

Glorious

Cute gift idea

all images via pinterest

Barefoot Contessa - Lemon Cake
via

Ingredients
1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 1/2 cups granulated sugar, divided
4 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
1/3 cup grated lemon zest (6 to 8 large lemons)
3 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, divided
3/4 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For the glaze:
2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
3 1/2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour 2 (8 1/2 by 4 1/4 by 2 1/2-inch) loaf pans. You may also line the bottom with parchment paper, if desired.

Cream the butter and 2 cups granulated sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. With the mixer on medium speed, add the eggs, 1 at a time, and the lemon zest.

Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. In another bowl, combine 1/4 cup lemon juice, the buttermilk, and vanilla. Add the flour and buttermilk mixtures alternately to the batter, beginning and ending with the flour. Divide the batter evenly between the pans, smooth the tops, and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until a cake tester comes out clean.

Combine 1/2 cup granulated sugar with 1/2 cup lemon juice in a small saucepan and cook over low heat until the sugar dissolves. When the cakes are done, allow to cool for 10 minutes. Remove the cakes from the pans and set them on a rack set over a tray or sheet pan; spoon the lemon syrup over them. Allow the cakes to cool completely.

For the glaze, combine the confectioners' sugar and the lemon juice in a bowl, mixing with a wire whisk until smooth. Pour over the tops of the cakes and allow the glaze to drizzle down the sides.

** I love the idea of making this into several mini bundt cakes for a party.  Adorable.
** Remember to enter the giveaway, you have until Friday at midnight.  Scroll down for Monday's post to enter there.  Enjoy!

Style Crush: Sienna Miller

I have always had a crush on Sienna Miller's style.  It is so effortless and Boho-Chic, which is my favorite. If I could have the closet combination of Sienna Miller, Kate Moss, and Rachel Bilson, then I would be one lucky {and very fashionable} lady!

Loving all these

A black tee and jeans never looked so great.  You always need several great t's.  I  buy the Gap Favorite T in the basic colors.  They go with everything and are just the right length with the perfect amount of slouch!

The best Spring ensemble.  Undone boots and a sundress.

Knit beanies are my FAV and with a cropped Blazer and awesome boots= Fabulous

I wear scarfs with everything and a pop of color is always a great idea.

The cropped skinnies and flats with an over sized boyfriend cardi. This is my go to outfit during the fall.

effortless and beautiful

LOVE this outfit.  I am def a shorts girl and I think I might just have to channel this inspiration for my date night outfit this weekend.

I love boots.  I should just start wearing them everyday. 

This hat!  Perfect. Can you imagine it with a sundress or swimsuit?!

I love cropped skinnies with flats and a statement belt.

Moving on... to Lunch Hour! I know, totally random how I went from fashion to food, but hey, I am hungry and my mind is really sporadic most of the time (so keep up). Kidding.

I am always looking for fast, easy, and Delicious lunch ideas.  Remember, I am a stay-at-home mom, so most of the time my kids are eating Turkey Sandwiches, Tuna, and Chicken Nuggets (not a huge fan, except for the Tuna).  Anyhoo, today I made something so easy and delicious.  I was at home with the kids (what's new) and I had some Focaccia bread that I needed to use and I always have Campari tomatoes and a basil plant, so I thought I would make Bail and Tomato Focaccia.  It was so heavenly that I didn't want my last crumb to vanish.  I love making new things with stuff I already have on hand!  I can foresee this baking in the oven very frequently over here in my kitchen, along with these... which I have already made twice this week (because my kids and husband ate the first batch in a couple hours) and because I just love these little Bran muffins {too} much (I am snacking on one as I type)!

Always on my counter, yum.

Excuse the bite, I couldn't help myself...I had to try it before I took a pic!

Basil and Tomato Focaccia
Ingredients:
Two long slices of Fresh Focaccia Bread (cut in half)
Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese (fresh and shredded, not grated)
1/2 Garlic Clove (minced)
Basil leaves (fresh)
Baby Spinach leaves (fresh not frozen)
3 Campari Tomatoes

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Foil line a baking sheet and place the Focaccia slices on it. Drizzle some Extra-Virgin Olive Oil on both slices of the bread and the freshly minced garlic clove.  Sprinkle shredded Mozzarella and Parmesan Cheese (to your liking) over the bread.  Bake in the oven till the cheese in nice and bubbly and bread is Golden (about 10 min).  Take out of the oven, and while the bread is still warm, top with baby spinach leaves, fresh basil leaves, and sliced Campari Tomatoes.  YUMMMM!!!!  It is so good and would make a delicious dinner served with grilled Chicken Breasts.  Enjoy your Thursday and Boo-Ya for tomorrow being FRIDAY!!!

P.S.  If you are like me and always have Tomatoes and Basil in your kitchen, then here is another recipe you can whip up in a snap.  Find it Here!