The Black Maxi

One of the most versatile dresses I own, and trust me I have a ton, is my black maxi dress. If you don't already own one I'd highly suggest you get one. The black maxi can be taken from casual to dressy in a matter of seconds! Wear it around the house or to run errands with some flip flops. Add a necklace, some chunky bracelets and maybe some wedges to bump it up a notch for a lunch or dinner date. Work ready? Sure!! Flats and a cardigan! Wedding reception? Add a bold necklace and some heels. Maybe even a cardigan depending on the season, time and style of reception.

I have had this maxi for years and knew it would be perfect to bring on our vacation just because of all the different ways it could be worn. Little Black Dresses are a staple for every women but so is a black maxi! There is one out there for every woman. I've seen T-shirt styles, halters, strappy V-necks, high-lows, silk and cotton. So many options and styles, you're sure to find one you'll love!
If you already have one, share with us your favorite look!


Maxi Dress

Old Navy       Target     

Necklace

Icing       Target

Hat

Old Navy        Kohl's 

Bralette

Victoria's Secret

On Florida Vacation Mode

What's better than being on vacation? Being on vacation when it's warm, sunny and knowing that you just missed a giant snow storm! As much as I love New England's four seasons, it's defiantly wonderful taking a break from the cold and layered clothing and jumping right into shorts and sandals! I had so much fun packing and thinking up outfits that would look amazing and really capture the warmth and happiness of a Florida spring, that when I got here I realized that I didn't pack one "normal" comfy t-shirt! Oh well, at least I'll be stylish in every picture.

Now I have to be honest. These gorgeous platform wedges were only worn for this picture and then I changed them to a pair of comfy Sperry's. The wedges just wouldn't have done well on the dirt trail at the petting zoo 😉

*Disclaimer I'm on my phone for the next couple of weeks so please forgive me. It's incredibly and surprisingly difficult to edit and go back and forth trying to find similar items on sale and make into links! Hopefully it all worked! 😆


Shorts

Old Navy

Hat also at Old Navy

Crochet Shirt

Forever 21.            Kohl's

Wedges

Target        Kohl's

Spring Ahead and Wear a Dress!



This season is filled with florals, lace, ruffles, and overall girly looks. I saw this dress at Francesca's, which if you haven't figured out yet is one of my favorite stores, and just had to have it. I'm loving the vintage feel of it. Used the last of my Christmas gift cards but I think it was well worth it. I have tons of dresses in my closet and try not to limit them to special occasions. Over the years I've constantly have gotten "Oh, why are you so dressed up?" to "Where are you going today?". Both these comments irritate me to no end. I have clothes in my closet for one reason....to wear. If I'm wearing a dress it shouldn't mean that I'm going out somewhere fancy. It just means that I want to wear a dress. Also, wearing a dress is so much easier to just throw on then to pick out jeans and a top. It's kind of like a cheat day fashion wise, don't you think? So when you are in a rush or maybe your jeans are in the wash, don't be afraid to pull out a dress. pair your dress with a cardigan, a jean jacket or even a leather jacket. Add boots, wedges or flip flops and maybe a necklace and some bracelets. The combinations and looks are endless. This floral dress would have been amazing with a cropped cream colored leather jacket but for some horrible reason I don't own one. I think that may have to go on my Christmas wish list!

Where to find similar looks bottom of page

 

Wrap Dress
Francesca's

Old Navy

Old Navy

Heart Shaped Elbow Patches! OMG!

So I know it's been a while since I posted. So Sorry! We were hit with the stomach bug and then I just couldn't get time to write. Grayson will only nap if I'm holding him lately so that has taken away any "free" time that I've had.

Anyways, it is 62* and sunny here in New England today and it is absolutely gorgeous outside! I can not begin to tell you how excited I am that the weather is warm out. Makes me want Spring to just hurry up and get here!

Today's look was defiantly inspired by this gorgeous day. My favorite white jeans paired with my navy and white striped cold shoulder top with the most ridiculously cute heart shaped elbow patches. *I predict a DIY coming soon. I need more elbow patches in my life!* I finished the look with my trusty peal earrings, silver locket, my suede red flats and a bright red lip.

Where to Shop:
Francesca's
 You can find the exact Cold Shoulder Heart Patch Shirt by clicking the link above!

Also found one at Macy's though I think the Francesca's one is way more cute



White Jeans

Express

Target

Red Flats

Target

Yummy Deliciousness!

 

To prepare for today’s snow storm Lily and I decided to bake some yummy muffins! One of Lily's favorite things to do is bake. I absolutely love to cook and bake for my family and I love that Lily has so much fun helping me. I think most kids enjoy mixing ingredients and helping in the kitchen. Usually when I have Lily help me I like to have everything already separated into little bowls so she can easily add the ingredients and won't have to wait long for me to measure everything out. I highly suggest doing this. Keeps your little one from getting bored or inpatient. Luckily for me, since I failed to have this done, Lily was super patient while I measured everything. That and she was busy mashing the bananas.

Not only was I super excited to make these healthy muffins for my family but I was oh so excited to use my new 13 piece Cook Works product that my brother got me for Christmas! Guys, this thing is on sale right now for only $6.97 at Walmart!! I'm shocked at the price! (Sorry, Eric! I had to look it up to share it with everyone) Not only is this sturdy but it does so much! I feel like I can clear out some of my extra kitchen gadgets now. I can not recommend this product enough, especially if you are tight on room. The one drawback is that it did not come with an instruction manual. However you can find their manual on line if you need one.

Back to the muffins... I usually make blueberry banana or blueberry zucchini. Lily has been very picky about veggies lately so I knew I wanted to make something with zucchini. I found a ton of different recipes on line for mixing all three, bananas, blueberries, and zucchini. After going through a couple different ones I came up with my own delicious recipe. Hope you enjoy! Let me know if you have any questions :)

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 cup)
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/3 cup melted coconut oil, cooled (I microwaved the coconut oil for about 35 seconds then stirred till it was all melted)
• 1 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cup shredded zucchini (about 2 medium sized ones)
• 1 1/2 cup blueberries (put 1/2 cup aside)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line mini muffin pan with paper liners.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.
3. In a large sized bowl, combine mashed bananas, sugar, brown sugar, egg, coconut oil, and vanilla. Stir until well combined. Add the flour mixture and stir until flour is mixed in. Add both the zucchini and blueberries. Mix.
4. Spoon the batter into muffin cups, about 3/4 full.
5. From the 1/2 cup of blueberries that you put aside take a blueberry and place one on top of each muffin
6. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 10-13 minutes. Check at 10.

Makes about 56 mini muffins. Perfect size for the kiddos!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Day After

It's the day after the Patriots won the Super Bowl and I am exhausted! Such an amazing game to watch! We went to bed late, woke up a few times with the kids throughout the night and then had to get up early to take Lily to school. Also I think I may be getting a sinus infection. Last thing I wanted to do this morning was get up and wear anything but sweat pants. Since we had errands to attend to this morning I figured I would put in some effort. Bare minimum... yes, sweat pants...no. Black jeans, grey v-neck pullover, my pink puffy vest and white infinity scarf. I finished off the look with my black knee high boots, mom bun and last nights left over make up. Eh...at least I got dressed, okay ;)

Pink Vest

Macy's You all have to check out this vest at Macy's! So cute and on sale for $25. You can get it down to $18.74 with the code RED

Grey V-Neck Pullover

Gap

Priceless Works of Art

 

 

 

One of Lily's favorite things to do is paint. I have to admit that we haven't painted as much since Grayson's been born but now he is finally at the age were he can participate as well. Even if it lasts only a few minutes for him. Yesterday I got out some supplies and decided that it was time Grayson got to experience the joy of finger painting. Instead of just painting on paper I wanted to have that very first piece of artwork he did to be extra special.                                                   I used an 8x10 canvas from Michael's and tiny pieces of masking tape to mask off their first initial. Using tiny pieces helps you get a curve in the letter easily. Once I got the look I wanted I taped down some newspaper to protect my table, put their smocks on and added a few drops of different color paints to their canvas. They had blast! Lily isn't big on getting messy so once she was done finger painting I gave her a small tray and some Q-tips to paint with on regular construction paper. Q-tips are great for those kiddos who just don't want to stick their fingers into paint for either sensory reasons or those who just don't want to get dirty. I highly recommend that you have extra paper handy for them to paint. That way as soon as they get the canvas art done you can quickly give them a sheet of paper to continue their art. Otherwise the canvas may end up so over done that you end up losing the look of the different colors.

Once the canvas was completely dry I slowly peeled off the tape and Ta-da! I now have beautiful art that I can hang up in their rooms. Here are their priceless works of art! 

 

 

*You of course don't need to do their first initial. You could do hearts (great for a Valentine's Day gift), words, just random tape strips or no tape at all.

 

 

Discount School Supply    Discount School Supply is where I get most of my art supplies

 

Paint                 Smocks

 

Michael's

 

Canvas                 Paint