A little blurry, I know…

Television can get such a bad rap in some groups. I have learned SO much from watching T.V.
I used to be the kind of cook that gave my mom and I salmonella poisoning when I made eggnog as a teenager. I was certain I was a lost cause and my soon-to-be husband knew I would be doing no food prep in our marriage.Then came cable. HHHaaaaallllleeeeelllluuuujjjjjahhhhhhhhh! I discovered Giada on the the
Food Network and learned to cook from watching her show Everyday Italian!

One of my favorite food shows is DC Cupcakes on TLC. I LOVE cupcakes! The show centers on sisters Katherine and Sophie who left their satisfying corporate jobs and started a bakery showcasing their maternal grandmother’s recipes. They have been a roaring success from Day 1.. Today they opened a location in Los Angeles- we had to be there!

My daughter and cousins landed on Robertson and 3rd about two hours before opening. The film crew was there too- we are so glad we got there early because that element slows the line down. Katherine and Sophie were SO sweet and warm! My daughter was wearing a cupcake motif skirt, the sisters loved it so much they wanted a photo with my daughter. Katherine noticed that Tia needed a straw and went and got one and put it in her cup. They explain that they want all their guests to feel like they are in their home and they really do! We kept chatting them up (pregnant Katherine was wearing one of those robot babies in a carrier) while they signed their latest book for me.

I collect signed cookbooks and have them addressed to Tia and I

They are Extremely close to their mom-who they and everyone calls “Mommy”. She is the breakout star of the show and I had her sign my book too. We had the best morning, oh, did I mention the cupcakes taste AAAAmmmmaZing! So delightful. I’m excited that Tatianna and I will have the same closeness that the sisters and Mommy have too! I’ll be whipping up some of their recipes with my new Kitchen Aid Mixer (I have been wanting one for years)!

I look a little velociraptorish!

I can remember being at my parent’s friend’s house on the eve of my dad’s 30th  birthday and hearing him say “tomorrow is “the Big ‘3’-‘O’ “; here I am now 30 years old as well. I’m so grateful for my Mom and Dad  for giving me the core values that have shaped me into my “mature” self :).

My sister reminded me yesterday that I have accomplished “a lot at 30.” When she started listing things I thought “hmm, that does sound impressive”.  For months she has asked me “how I was feeling”! Like I had just received a death sentence. I had to remind her that I have been a “grown-up” for a long time- so nothing much changed for me on November 6, 2012.

On that note, I took Ethan and Tatianna with me to vote after school. It is so important for me to have them experience the privilege of casting one’s vote.The year I turned 18 I was so thrilled to have made the cut-off the night before the election. I hopped into the polling place with my new engagement ring and was so excited to vote!

One meaningful birthday highlight was that I received this fun, chunky, “statement” ring from my sweet friend who hand delivered my gift yesterday. I told Patrick I wanted one months ago and he was like “that it not my territory”, so I let it go. When I opened her gift, I looked to the heavens and praised God for such a wealth of friendships. I knew she was “led” to buy that. I never mentioned it to her but it is EXACTLY what I would have bought myself. It matched my birthday dress perfectly!

I must confess. I wrote “This day will probably su**”  (the astricks were so my kids wouldn’t know what it said) on my calendar for Nov 6. . I wanted to have low expectations so I couldn’t be disappointed if things weren’t ideal. I think it worked! ;). I had a truly beautiful day with my loving family and friends. Breakfast at Urth Caffe with my sister, Voting with my kids, High Tea at the SLS hotel with by dear friend, Rock Sugar with my soul mate; then cupcakes with my parents, brothers and kids. I fell asleep like a happy baby…

First Day of 2nd grade

The last post described Tia and her Dad at their Father-Daughter Dance. I found this awesome deal on some silver dress shoes at Marshalls for $7 a few months ago, I reserved them for the holidays for her to wear. When the dance came up; I had her wear them to go with her fancy ensemble, knowing not much harm could befall them indoors.

The next day was church and she wanted to wear them again. I told her “No, they are just for special occasions”. She told me well “Isn’t church a special occasion”. That was one of those sobering replies that I forgive my children for “talking back”. It was such a sweet notion. It made me really happy and proud to see her love of Jesus realized in her everyday life.

Sunday is the Lord’s day and she knows that and “why shouldn’t she wear her best shoes?”
That is why God have us children, they refine us into better versions of ourselves-that and a glass of white wine doesn’t help either!

Patrick and Tatianna just attended a Daddy-Daughter dance. It was a 50’s theme and utterly adorable. Of course I had to do a drop-in and see all the festivities! Outside were vintage cars parked with blankets in front for photo ops. Within the foyer was a makeshift ice cream parlor on one side and an art gallery with nostalgic images on the other. Inside was a dance floor with balloons and more styled decor- and most fun, there was a disco ball amping up the energetic dance songs.

They had a phenomenal evening! The daddies brought picnic lunches and the daughters got to feel like princesses. Many girls were outfit with corsages. Patrick surprised Tia with the pink glittered beret she is donning in the above photo- she has been eyeing it for months!

I was so grateful our church hosted this event I have been wanting a special day for the two of them for a while; this was aptly timed. Later, my handsome husband told me how special the night was and that during the last dance “Butterfly Kisses” he started to tear up thinking about the day when he would be twirling the grown-up version of his precious baby girl!

On one of my recent beach town strolls I came across a piece of subway art that read “First we had each other, then we had you, now we have everything”. I know! So sweet huh?  Sums up how I feel about my family. I want to find a way to incorporate this wording in our new home- maybe in the kid’s bedroom.

I’m Bohemian Classic according to the Home Goods Quiz I took today online at http://www.homegoods.com/hghq_quiz.asp. Home Goods is one my favorite stores! I can go to Anthropologie (my happy store) for inspiration then go to Home Goods across the street for actual purchases!

Bohemian Classic is an accurate description of me. I love blending modern and vintage style aka “Modage”, some also say Modern Eclectic.

In the photo above the counter top is right up my alley in a timeless bright white solid stone surface, the unexpected chandelier is dramatically glam in color, and traditional in design; the sky-blue cabinets take commitment but are inviting. Lastly, the professional appliances say “I’m moonlighting as a Top Chef!”

Take the quiz and tell me your style!

Another favorite thing I came across….

       After our summer hiatus, we started up with our MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group yesterday. This year I am part of the leadership team that will assist in planning and executing our monthly meetings.
      To kick off our first meeting I presented a feature called “My  Five Favorite Things”.  After presenting I realized it’s like grown-up show-and-tell; which transported me to elementary school when I got to bring something special from home!

 1. Spencer Bento Lunch boxes: I picked up a couple of these adorable containers at Pottery Barn Kids. I love them because they minimize baggage waste and speed up morning assembly for me. Another tip is to keep a bin in your fridge and/or pantry to hold your kid’s lunch prep items, so everything is all in one place!

Here’s a link:
http://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/spencer-bento-box-containers/?bnrid=3518538&cm_ven=Google_PLA&cm_cat=&cm_pla=&cm_ite=Spencer_Bento_Box_Containers&
adtype=pla

Above are adorable, authentic bento box options at http://happylittlebento.blogspot.com, I know they are ornate but they make me so happy!

2. Dreyers Slow-Churned 1/2 Fat Ice cream: It’s yummy, 100 cal a serving, and has ingredients my kids could spell!

3. Vitamin D Capsules: Pierce a few with your teeth and squeeze into your kid’s juice, this helps ward of colds- use when one is brewing or you have been exposed to germ-bots!

4. A giant bottle of Rubbing Alcohol: I decant into a little travel bottle and douse all of our toothbrushes with it-rinsing well before each use. I have seen a reduction in colds since I started doing this a year ago.

5. Beets are Beautiful: I dice one beet into little triangular pieces and freeze, next I pop one into the microwave for about 8 seconds on a napkin. Then I rub the beet on my lips and cheeks. Beets can stain so try and use the napkin to keep hands clean. You can use a wet cotton ball to blend cheeks evenly. (If you mess up use some baking soda to rub off)

You can experiment with application, I like to use this as a base and apply my blush and lip gloss as well. As the day goes on I have a base color left.  Using beets as make-up is inexpensive and hypoallergenic!

One of my favorite things is to share tips, tell me what’s working for you lately….

Yesterday we had our annual pediatric check-up in anticipation of the new school year. Here’s the deal:  I have one child who loves going to the doctor and one who hates going to the doctor. There is an adorable show called Doc McStuffins, it’s based on a African American preschool girl who is a M.D. for toys and stuff animals- I have been using this show to explain the procedures that Ethan will experience when he goes.

We started off well when he wanted to go stand against the wall and get measured after his sister did. Then he was asked to step on the scale. Not happening. He said “I’m scared”! I explained that just like last year when we came they did nothing to hurt either of them and he would also be fine now. Not budging. We moved on to Tia and completed her work-up. Before we got to him we went to the potty and took the urine collection cups with us.

I always have the kids potty before we leave anywhere. I didn’t think about taking a sample so Tia couldn’t go which was fine. Then came Mr. E.J.. God help me! Let’s just say I hope urine has some beneficial properties for your face and hair, somehow things went horribly wrong and I was covered in a yellow shower. It even got in my mouth!!!! I was beyond perturbed. Mix that with the current heat wave and I was literally howling in the bathroom.

I collected me self  (no pun intended) and headed back for his turn. Of course he still wasn’t having it. I had to pull out the only thing I knew might work… the “if you let her examine you I will take you to Toys R’ Us and let you pick out a toy card”! It worked! He proceeded to let her look in his mouth and take his blood pressure. Aside from the collection catastrophe it was a success.

Off to bribery land we went (I did find wipies) and he found an overpriced “Super Mario” plush toy. I felt Tia should get something too- “Why should she not be rewarded for her good behavior?” School starts on Tuesday and I think I am more excited that any Mom I know and I don’t feel one bit guilty!

Ethan said, “Can you hurry and take the picture? This hurts a little!”