Well, that does it. The “holiday season” is officially over. The decorations are packed up. The out of office auto-replies are turned off. The year ahead is in full swing. The kids and I spent the weekend with my sister and parents while skater hubs went on an amazing snowboarding trip in the interior of British Columbia and I think it’s safe to say, we all had a good one. Here are five things I am looking forward to this week, the things “Making My Monday”:
My man is coming home today. I am so fine with solo time and was beyond thrilled that he took the opportunity to join his friends on this once-in-a-lifetime trip. They have been going for a few years now and he always found an excuse not to go (money, time, etc) but not this time. It was so fun following their adventure from afar over the past five days, but it will be even more fun to have him home. We have missed him.
I have a girls’ night out scheduled for this week with two dear friends. I only met these women less than two years ago when we made the move to the suburbs and it continues to amaze me every time we hang out how easy and effortless it is. We all come from very different backgrounds with different experiences and tastes but somehow our friendship just sparked and now I consider them some of my closest girlfriends, for which I am very thankful. A girl needs her girlfriends…and enjoying them over good food and wine is always nice.
I should have another piece going live on Huffington Post Parents this week. I have to pinch myself every time my byline goes live there. I have wanted to write my entire life and the fact that this dream is slowly becoming a reality now in my mid 30s is inspiring and amazing. I hope to build upon it even more in 2013.
I am a total product junkie lately and just picked this up for the first time. I had their facial in the spa years ago and thought it was heavenly, so am beyond excited to try it out at home. I am all about mini spa evenings at home lately. They work wonders for my skin…and my soul.
Finally, this blog. And you! Over the past week, my readership has grown tremendously, my Facebook following has perked up (with people who haven’t known me since I was 10!) and I am getting some of the nicest comments and feedback from readers all over the world. Wow. Just wow. It is so fulfilling and exciting to watch my little corner of the internet take flight and I look forward to seeing it evolve and grow every day. So thank you, sincerely, for following along.
Have a lovely week ~
*photo above of my little man, taken by my insanely talented sister*
*Found here*
Thanks to Pinterest I am newly obsessed with:
Chocolate chip cookie recipes
Simple beauty…that really isn’t that simple
Pretty fonts
Winter landscapes
Avocado toast
Brilliant sayings
Brilliant sayings displayed in pretty fonts
White kitchens
Brightly painted front doors
Frosted cakes
And Paris…
Though I have long been obsessed with that.
*pretty font above pinned from here*
**follow me here**
It’s a busy week in book news, mamas.
Pamela Druckerman, the author of “Bringing Up Bébé” is set to release a follow up book, “Bébé Day by Day – 100 Keys to French Parenting” next month.
I really enjoyed “Bringing Up Bébé” (though I am an admitted Francophile, I love a lot of what they do…except the smoking thing – am over that) and you can read my review here.
I think this is a great series for new and not-so-new moms who are looking for a different approach to parenting and discipline. Yes, not all of it is revolutionary or 100% reliable, but it offers an informative look at how another culture handles meltdowns, picky eaters, sleep issues and more and shared some great tips and ideas. It also made me feel pretty damn good about our disciplinary tactics, many of which were closely in line with her model, so…yay us!
As Kai embarks on his terrible two’s, I have a feeling this latest edition will come in handy – merci, Ms. Druckerman!
It’s a New Year and with it comes lots of shiny, new goodies – and some old favorites in the mix. Here are the things I am loving right now:
1) I have blogged about this Madewell biker boot before and clearly Santa is a regular reader. He brought me these for Christmas (with a little help from my mom!) and they are the perfect casual boot to get me through the next few months. Hip without being too hipster, if you know what I mean.
2) I was shopping for the holidays and decided I needed some sparkle and shine for a soirée or two. I was almost sold on a cute sequined number but then came across this dress from Club Monaco instead. It has just enough of a lamé finish to make you look a little dolled up while still acting your age…if your age is mid 30′s or so, like mine 
3) Santa was clearly very good to me this year…this time with a little help from skater hubs. I had been eyeing the Tiffany Elsa Peretti Wave ring since I went to tour their newest store in LaJolla last month and alas, it found its way to the top of my tree. It’s simple, elegant and delicate and can easily go from day to night and everywhere in between.
4) I have struggled with the red lip thing for a while now but decided this was going to be my season. I didn’t want to invest too much in the look until I knew I could rock it with confidence (there’s no bigger beauty “don’t” than a style wrapped up in insecurity) so I did some browsing at Target and found this Cover Girl Lip Perfection in Euphoria. It’s the PERFECT red for me! It’s deep, slightly burgundy-toned, and felt just right from the moment I slipped it on. The one downside? It doesn’t last all that long. According to my sister, you have to invest for that — Chanel-style.
5) Oh Ina, Ina, Ina. How have I neglected to understand your brilliance all these years? Over the course of the past month or two, I have become head over heels in love with Ina Garten. I DVR her show and watch it before bed (it feels oddly therapeutic to me), with Little D on rainy afternoons, and whenever I need a little jolt of culinary creativity. And now I understand why half the housewives in America are obsessed. Her new book, Barefoot Contessa Foolproof, is my first from her and I spent many an hour on Christmas break leafing through it and marking recipes.
6) Ok, here’s the truth. I kind of want to hate C. Wonder and everything that comes along with it, but I ended up in one a while back and happened to try on a silk blouse and it was perfection. The fit was flawless, the material was lovely and the pattern (mine is a white and black bird scenario, not the one shown here) was cute without being “cutesy.” I think these are a great, less expensive alternative to the Equipment blouses taking young fashionistas by storm…but shhhh, please don’t tell Tory.
7) Here’s the thing with skinny jeans…I am not that skinny. I have hips. And I had all but turned my back on them…until I got a pair of these new KORAL skinnies in brocade. Yes, they are snug. Yes, it takes some fancy maneuvers on my part to slide into them. But once they are on, they look and feel fabulous. And this black on black velvet brocade pattern is the perfect “printed look” for me…a minimal type. They were a staple in my holiday wardrobe for day and night.
8) The temperature has finally dipped here in SoCal and while we don’t exactly need to pull out the Sorels and the cashmere gloves, I will use any excuse to embrace my love of chunky scarves. This Brixton Grace infinity scarf is easy to throw on over anything and is seasonally stylish…at least for now.
9) AA, BB, CC. Who can keep up? Well, you should, my friends. I was given this Stila HD Beauty Balm and it has become an absolute staple in my daily makeup routine. Alone, it provides just the right amount of light coverage to even out skin tone and pores for drop-off duty or a quick trip to Trader Joe’s. Layered under your normal foundation, concealer, etc. it builds a strong base to keep your look fresh and flawless all day.
10) Finally, my shower shelf is looking like a real-life Kiehl’s apothecary these days. This Nurturing Body Wash Cream is one of the newest additions to my arsenal and I became obsessed at first use. It’s light and airy like whipped cream, with the signature Crème de Corps scent I love so much and leaves my skin feeling unbelievably soft and pampered. I am a working mom of two, I do not have time for a lengthy lotion ritual after each shower, so this saves you time without sacrificing a little indulgence.
I hope Santa was good to you all! xx
“She thinks she’s failing at everything. It’s hard to manage that many things…As much as she may feel challenged on a daily basis, I think when she looks back on it, she’ll see she did incredibly well.”
No Doubt band member Tony Kanal on Gwen Stefani, Vogue, January 2013.
I have never been a huge Gwen Stefani devotee.
I didn’t hate her, I didn’t love her, I was sort of indifferent to her, for whatever reason.
But the feature on her in the newest issue of Vogue has me snacking on my words. And it’s not entirely because of her (though I felt she came across as lovely and humble and dedicated in the piece), it was because of the quote above from her bandmate Tony Kanal.
It struck me in the instant that I read it and has stayed with me in the days since.
As mothers, career women, wives, friends, homemakers, creatives…maybe it would behoove us all to stop staring down the challenges and failures that come at us every moment, every hour, every day and truly take in the big picture view instead.
I suspect we will all see that we are in fact doing it incredibly well.
With or without a killer red lip.
*read the whole feature online here*
I am not doing resolutions this year.
I looked back on last year’s list and frankly, while I think I got a good handle on the big picture – “the year of them” – my day-to-day goals didn’t quite add up. I still had my iPhone close at-hand most of the time. I did exercise more, but didn’t eat less. And let’s be honest, I didn’t get dirty very often…
And you know what? That’s ok.
I have come to realize that I am actually doing pretty well at this whole life thing. So rather than feel the need to make promises and minute changes that may or may not happen and may or may not impact me or those around me in any way, I am going to just look forward to the New Year, much as I have been with my weekly Making My Monday posts, and instead focus on enjoying all the promise and potential that lies ahead.
My family is happy and healthy and for the most part, well behaved.
My work is as secure as it can be for a freelancer, and still stimulates me. And when it doesn’t, this blog and all that comes with it, does.
We are content in our home and our city. We also realize it may not be our “forever place” and that’s exciting.
My friends are good, warm people who care and love and share – from near and far.
I have found new passions that excite me and challenge me and inspire me.
We are still in love.
So why would I resolve to change a thing? 2013 is going to be a great year…and I am not going to do one thing differently.
Happy New Year, friends! xx
*image above via here*
It’s no secret that My Father’s Daughter is one of my favorite cookbooks for a myriad of reasons. It actually inspired me to learn to cook. It is filled with fairly easy, healthy-ish recipes that fed my soul and my family’s little bellies at the same time.
So obviously I was beyond excited to read that Gwyneth Paltrow is releasing another cookbook, “It’s All Good,” this Spring, a compilation of 185 recipes inspired by her doctor’s recommendation for a clean diet that impacted her stress, fatigue and energy levels. Recipes include: Huevos Rancheros, Hummus Tartine with Scallion-Mint Pesto, Salmon Burgers with Pickled Ginger, even Power Brownies, Banana “Ice Cream,” and more – with no coffee, no alcohol, no dairy, no eggs, no sugar, no shellfish, no deep-water fish, no wheat, no meat, no soy, nothing processed at all.
Now listen, you can love her or hate her…but you cannot deny this woman’s incredible dedication to health and well-being, for both herself and her family. It is nothing short of inspiring, whether you adored that Tom Ford cape or not.
And I have a feeling it will all be delicious….despite the terrible title.
Consider it pre-ordered, gP.
We have had an exhausting week and a half.
A lot of naps, a lot of eating, a lot of wine, and a whole lot of mess.
Sounds pretty perfect, doesn’t it?
Here is a glimpse at our holiday, hope yours has been lovely as well.
(above) I got to my shopping a little later than expected this year, so my mom and I made a day out of it.
Shopping fuel. White wine, oysters, mini kobe sliders and truffle fries.
A sweet gift from my sweet girl.
A very special birthday celebration for my little man. He’s two! And he met Mickey!
So I believe his bucket list is half complete now.
It truly is a magical place. Especially this time of year.
A little piece of holiday sparkle.
Decorating the house was a bit tiring this year (was it just me??), but it was worth it in the end.
A fabulous cake for my fabulous boy.
Two. Two!
We did “Bubbles and Brunch” for his party – mini quiches, fresh croissants, fruit salad and of course, mimosas.
And he got some killer gifts.
We found a few moments of solace to just enjoy life. This one happened to come outside of Target.
Hey, you never know where inspiration will strike.
The table was set. And it was lovely.
The hair was blown out. It’s a necessity these days before special events.
Cookies were made, milk was poured, reindeer food was sprinkled on the driveway.
Santa came and didn’t disappoint.
Babies woke up (at a surprisingly normal hour).
Little blue boxes were under the tree.
And finally, as an intense snow storm pounded our hometown of Montreal, we took to the shore for a seafood lunch with a view.
Up next: ringing in the New Year in the desert with some friends.
Hope you all have a safe, happy and healthy celebration.
Thank you SO much for taking the time to read my blog, I know there are oh so many to check out and love.
I look forward to sharing more with you in 2013.
Happy New Year!
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!
We have been busy celebrating the season and our little man Kai (who turned two on Thursday), and are going to spend the next few days in true family mode (with a quick trip to Drybar nestled in there).
I hope you all have a happy, peaceful, joyous holiday and that Santa is extra good to you and yours this year.
Merry Christmas!
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