Dinner Party... Done.

 Do you all have a go-to when you are having people over for dinner? We host pretty infrequently, given that our living room is one in the same as our dining room (read: we have no where to stash the kids) but when we do, without fail I make the same thing every time.

 A few years back, my girlfriend turned me on this recipe for Nobu's famous Black Cod, and I've never looked back. I typically use white cod, or sea bass, and I love the fact that with this, you make everything ahead of time,  meaning you have more time for chatting, and less time stuck in the kitchen. Really, isn't that the whole point of the dinner party?  We don't have an indoor/ or outdoor grill so I usually just saute it on both sides until browned, and then broil it for a few minutes right in the pan. No matter who has been the recipient, it gets two thumbs up every time. 

For sides I typically make mashed sweet potatoes before our guests arrive, or my friend suggests wasabi mashed regular potatoes to pair, along with some roasted asparagus with a splash of balsamic, and a simple arugula salad with a lemon vinaigrette and some shaved Parmesan.vIt looks impressive tastes delicious, and you don't have to spend the whole night cooking. What a novel concept!

Now, who wants to come over?

(Photo, with similar recipe via the Kitchen)

Weekend Links.

Hello there Friday! Man, these school days seem to be flying by. I'm not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing, but either way I sure am happy to see the weekend is here! Other than a "skate date" tomorrow night, we have very few plans, and the thing I am most looking forward to is not driving! I swear, this new commuting has me traumatized! I told the boys that we can do pretty much whatever they want so long as we can bike there, or take the T. The big guy is still thinking of what he wants to do, but I can assure you we will be spending our fair share of time in the beautiful end of summer weather. Sunday, my sister is coming for a sleepover and takeout and I'm beyond excited to get in some much needed girl time!

I hope you all have something fun planned! Here are a few links from around the web that caught my eye this week. Enjoy!

We all know I have a bit of an unhealthy Nirvana obsession, but for some reason I just HAD to hear this version of this song the other day. I swear I can't breathe through the last 30 seconds. What a legend, he left way to soon.

Last night, after a second glass of wine, I almost pulled a Lena Dunham and cut my own bangs after becoming obsessed with this haircut. I woke up this morning VERY happy that I showed some restraint, but I'm still very intrigued. What is it with Fall and the desire for bangs? I swear I go through this every year!

J. Crew's 2014 Spring collection is pretty much perfection. The California girl in me very much approves! Those white bermuda shorts have my name all over them!

I think I am the only one not watching this series? We are waiting for a few of our favs to finish up (Breaking Bad, Dexter) but then I am forcing my husband to watch!

I am loving pale gray nails for Fall. So much so that I shellaced mine in this color to keep from gnawing on them during my daily traffic meltdowns.

I just got this for the boys' bathroom. So stinking cute (no pun intended :))

Speaking of the boys' room. I think next year they will need a desk in there for homework time, and I am thinking a mid-century style with a ghost chair is the way to go. This is exactly the look I want but I'm thinking this desk.

We recently redid our dining room chairs with french ticking, but after seeing this post I am OBSESSED with recovering them in peacock blue leather. Next time around I will absolutely be stealing this idea!

Linda Rodin is my newest style icon. Right up their with Jenna Lyons. I now know what I want to be when I grow up... her!!!!

This bathroom is insane! If we ever renovate a house, I would love love love to do something like this!

What a great bar cart on the cheap. Just like those girls say, target does it again... and again... and again.

I am totally making these for breakfast this weekend. Fall is creeping in.

Do you think my neighbors would be okay with this in front of our door? Do I even care? I kind of want to get this for my husband for his birthday. Is that weird?

Finally, I would really like to blow the LM's mind and make this for him for Christmas. Dear Lego, please please please start making some alternative sports legos! My little dudes will be the first to snatch them up!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! See you Monday!

School Daze.

 

Today is the day I've been waiting for, the last two years. From 1-4pm this afternoon BOTH my kids will be in school. Ahhhhhh just the sound of that is so heavenly. Cue the chirping of the birds, the twinkling of the pond, the Disney fairy princess singing as she walks through the garden. This is IT! Three completely guilt free hours to myself. 

Right? 

Well, sort of. Thing one woke up this morning not too psyched on the idea of having to go to school when it is so nice out, and when I even mention school to thing two I get, "no school, mama" in return. This is always his mantra, so it's nothing new, and I know he will do great, but still, it would be really nice if everyone could just skip out the door with their backpacks and give a little wave as they cross the street to their neighborhood school. Since this is real life, and not a Disney movie, we all know things are never that easy, and even though our carpool has changed my life DRAMATICALLY, commuting to two separate schools at two separate times still has its challenges. 

However, don't think I'm going to let a little separation anxiety, and traffic hatred get me down. I already have my manicure/ pedicure booked, and I plan on sitting in the AC for three glorious hours getting pampered while I work on my book with wine okay, iced coffee in hand. I will do my best to forget the crying squishy face that Gray will give me as I walk out his classroom door, and not even think about what my 5pm commute is going to be like when I go pick up the LM. Nope, I'm not going to let any of that get me down because I have waited for this day for 750 days, so damn right I am going to enjoy it. 

For those of you going through the whole school separation thing, for the first time, I found this post to be pretty helpful, and very true from my own experience. I can tell you when the LM first started preschool at the age of 2, I was sick about walking out while he was still crying, and would often hide around the corner for a half hour until I knew he was settled. Of course, now with child number two, I've treated it like a band-aid and try to get out as soon as possible, without leaving a mark, and get as far away from the school as I can... rip that baby off! 

I realize that in 10 years I'm going to be reading this, dying for my boys to be home from school, so we can hit the beach on such a beautiful Summer day. But for today, there is nothing more exciting than the prospect of having a few guilt free hours to myself. Anyone want to join me? :)

September 11.

 I'm not sure why this September 11th is more emotional for me than previous years. I'm sure it has something to do with how close we were to the Boston bombings in April, and how many of my friends were lucky enough to have left the area just minutes prior. I remember how afraid we all were that day, and the week following. How we all held on to each other a little tighter, and made sure those around us knew how much they meant to us. How the city banded together, Boston Strong. How emotional it still is to pass they spot where so many lives were forever changed. How many acts of heroism are emblazoned in our collective memories. 

What happened in my city, pales in comparison to what happened 12 years ago in New York, and I guess for the first time, I have a small window in to what it felt like to be in a city that was under attack. So many lives were changed that day, and I just have a hard time believing that it happened 12 years ago. Kids who are now in college won't even remember that tragic day, yet for most of us, it seems like it was just yesterday. 

For me, days like this it seems hard to think or write about anything else. Hug your kids, your partners, and tell those around you what they mean to you. There are no guarantees in this life, all we can do is try make the most of it.

 I will never forget.

Peace to you all. 

Seeing Stars.

When I first began the boys' room makeover, I knew without a doubt that I somehow how had to find a way to incorporate the Osbourne and Little star wallpaper that I had bookmarked, pinned, and bookmarked and pined, over and over. Sure, at this point the whole thing has been done, and overdone, kind of like the stripes in Gray's room, but the fact is that I don't really care because they make me oh so happy, and I just love the idea of my two little dudes falling asleep under the stars every night. 

At first I was just going to go for it, and spring for the wallpaper, but whenever I was about to take the plunge, my subconscious kicked in, and I remembered that this is not our "forever" home. At some point the new buyers will have to deal with two very dark rooms, the aforementioned stripes, Chevron up the staircase, and a room full of bumblebees, so maybe I should stop when it comes to glue and paper... on the ceiling at least. 

After the success of the bumblebees, I then considered stamping the ceiling. I went so far as buying the ideal stamp, along with blue and glow and the dark ink. At the time I was debating just painting the whole ceiling a dark navy, and stamping on the stars in glow in the dark paint (because how cool would that be?) but then my friend brought up a good point about it possibly being too light in their room when they trying to sleep, under all those stars. My boys love a dark room so I scratched that idea, and decided just to stamp the stars with navy blue ink. 

I tried the stamp a few times on paper, and in the end I just wasn't that happy with the final look. With the metallic gold ink that I used for bumblebees, any imperfections or variance in pressure were easily masked, but with the blue, I found the whole thing to look a little too DIY, if you know what I mean. At a loss I almost scratched the whole idea until another friend sent me a link to this Etsy shop. (you think I talk about my little "projects" with my girlfriends much? ;))

"Yes!!! Decals!" I screamed.  I immediately ordered 100 stars in dark blue and soon realized I would need at least three times that much. Once the decals arrived I could hardly contain my excitement at their perfection and I swear I counted the minutes until nap time the next day so I could start placing them on the ceiling. 

3 hours, and 10,000 curse words later, this was as far as I had made it. It's not obvious from the photo but this is a teeny tiny section of the room in front of the closet, of a VERY large room. Yes, those lines are still not straight. I had thought I could just replicate what I did with the bees in the bathroom and foyer, and just use my trusty laser leveler and ruler, and bang it out in one or two naps. As it turned out, my leveler doesn't reach upside down, nor does it cover the entire length of the ceiling. I then tried to eyeball it, but let me tell you the view from the top of the ladder is a lot different than the one from the ground level.

After a lot of frustration, it was clear I was going to need help. I picked up this guy from Amazon and after meeting with my carpenter, we decided a grid was going to be the best way to go. I need to get some lighter chalk for the line (white or yellow) but I think with minimal time from him, we will be able to get some lines up and then placing the stars should be a breeze. I hope. 

In the end, it might have been easier (albeit a lot more expensive) to do the wallpaper, but I think once we figure it out, the fact that these just peel right off is going to be a much better decision. Oh, and they do peel right off, and without any damage. I must have unstuck and replaced those stars about a dozen times in my attempt at a straight line, and each time I would hold my breath thinking the ceiling was going to come off with them. It didn't and I'm sure our future buyers will breathe a sigh of relief when they discover the same thing! 

Work will commence later this week, and I'll be sure to do a post on the final result!

Chic Hair for Fall.

 I know, I know, I talk a lot about hair here. Maybe it is because it's the one thing you can so easily change, to make a dramatic difference in your appearance. Or maybe because it's just plain old fun, but I love switching up my look every season, and while I'm still loving my shorter ombre locks, so much of the same can get a little boring. Since my new morning commute leaves quite a bit to be desired in the time department, for me, easy has to be the name of the game. 

Inspired by my newest celebrity favorite on Instagram, Nicole Ritchie, no judgement, she's been killing it lately, I've been finding myself drawn to slicked back hair, with a severe part (center, or on the side), and a simple bun. Add in a little mascara and some eyebrow pencil (I think the key to this look IS the brows) and I'm finding this is all I need to make me feel a little more put together throughout the day from the gym, to dinner with my hubby. 

Just look at these ladies. So simple and easy, and what a way to bring the focus back to your face (or in my case, glasses ;))

As for the eyebrows, I recently found this product and can not get enough of it! I've mentioned here in the past that I dream of having Olsen type eyebrows, and this is really getting me one step closer. Rather than coloring your brows, and making them too severe, it really grabs on to those little hairs, and definitely creates the illusion of full brow! 

What do you all think? Perfectly simple, or too severe? I say for Fall, pack away the surf spray, and break out the hair gel! Getting ready has never been easier!

Weekend Links.

 It's Friday my friends, and after all my complaining yesterday about our new school life, I have to say right now I am soaking in a sound that I haven't heard around here in 3 months... silence. Gray is napping and the LM doesn't get picked up until 4:15 and I'm not going to lie, I'm really loving this back to school thing right now! 

Of course, that all changes in a less than an hour because the weekend is here! What do you all have planned? Other than a birthday party in NH on Sunday, we have no real plans, which I think is nice after the crazy week we just had. You can bet I will be taking advantage of a yoga class, now that I switched back to my old gym which happens to have childcare that neither of my kids mind going to. Cue the weekend workouts!

I hope you all have an awesome almost-Fall weekend. While I was not loving the 50 degree temps this morning, I have to say a girl could get used to these cool, and sunny days we have been having. You can just smell the apple picking right around the corner! 

Here are a few fun links from around the web, to get your weekend started! See you next week.

This song randomly came on my iPod the other day, and I couldn't have been happier. Classic.

I keep reading about camo being "it" for Fall. I do love me a camo pant, but I'm not so sure about it anywhere else. What do you all think? It seems to keep coming back in style every few years which means you might even have a few pieces in the back of your closet. With a chunky knit, and boots, I think it makes for an easy cool weather look.

I sent this link to my husband after a particularly trying day with the boys, last week. It feels good to know we aren't alone.

I have made this as a side every night for the last 7 days. No joke. It's that good!

Jenni Kayne's home is perfection. If we ever move to California, this would be the exact house I would dream of living in. 

The other day I caught a glimpse of Kelly Ripa's new do, and asked my sister how long she has had that adorable cut. I guess it's new, and I have to say I love it. Are you surprised? Apparently my shorter hair obsession is going the distance.

Speaking of my new gym, I tried this class on Wednesday, and still can't lift my arms. I'm obsessed!

This cracked me up, and is totally something my husband would send. Always Mexican!

Cooler temps mean it's time to make soup! I'm going to give this a whirl on Sunday. 

I feel like people are always talking about the perfect camel tote bag. An absolute wardrobe staple. Could it be the search is over? 

While looking for sconces for our bedroom, I stumbled upon this little online shop and love every single piece. The price point and great and I feel like each one is so unique. I just wish we had a place for that little mint desk lamp!

Just when I decided that I was going to wallpaper the guest room when Gray moves in with his brother,  Serena and Lily released a collection which includes my absolute favorite print. You can't deny fate!

THIS.

Finally, it's Fashion Week! Do any of you even follow collections any more or are you like me and  are just obsessed with the street style? Either way, it sure is fun, isn't it? 

Photo via this hilariously, beautiful site. 

Back in the Saddle.

Yesterday was the LM's first "real" day in school, and 56 hours later I have yet to recover. For the past few years his school day has started between 8:45-9:15, and it took us a whopping 10 minutes door to door. Now he HAS to be at school no later than 7:45 and even though his campus is less than 5 miles away, with traffic it can take up to 30+ minutes. Talk about a change in routine.

 I thought I was ready for it. I made these sweet potato muffins the night before, so I wouldn't have to worry about breakfast, and had everyones' clothes laid out. I woke up on time and instead of lazily browsing my latest Pins, I literally jumped out of bed and sprung in to action. We were out the door on time, and if it hadn't been for a last minute coffee stop that should have taken no more than "a minute" (famous last words) we would have nailed the morning run. After patting myself on the back, I very quickly realized that getting to school was only half the battle. We still had to drive back home in bumper to bumper traffic, and with a two year old in the back, who was pulled from his crib to a car seat, let's just say this was not the most pleasant of morning commutes. The worst part of it all, is that by the time we arrived back home, it was only 8:30! 

Now, I realize that if you have to be to work of somewhere else, at this time you declare #winning, but if you have nothing to do but stare in to the eyes of your cranky toddler than you are most definitely losing, and you're probably feeling very happy that you stopped for that coffee. To add insult to injury, the LM had a half day, so we turned around 3 hours later and did the whole thing all over again. When we got home at 12:30 I felt like I had already run a marathon. We had lunch, I put Gray down, and then the LM and I departed for his afternoon skate lesson which is 45 miles away. 12 hours after we left the house in the morning, we returned for dinner and baths, and let me tell you, I felt like I had been run over. Can you say OVER SCHEDULED? 

Certainly this type of commuting isn't abnormal, and I know we aren't the first or the last to have days like this, but having had things fairly easy for so long, this was most definitely a shock to the system. This morning when I looked in the rear view mirror I found exactly 14 gray hairs, and I swear they weren't there yesterday. I blame the traffic on the Mass Pike for those babies. 

Today, I woke up in a panic, thinking we had overslept, before I realized that today was a holiday, and we wouldn't have to do what had been dubbed the 'drive of death,' but I'm not sure if I can say I was relieved, because I really think we just need to do it over and over so we can get used to it. Like exercise, or sleep deprivation, or juice cleanses. Don't I make parenting sound so appealing? 

Thinking back, I do recall the beginning of every school year having its ups and downs. Coming off of a long summer, with late bedtimes, and lazy mornings, makes that alarm seem just a little bit louder than it used to be, and I'm sure by October we are going to be old hands at this. Next week our carpool is hopefully kicking in, which will make Gray one happy camper and I'm sure driving at 7 and 4, will be a lot less painful than 7 and 11, when we finally get a full day. At least I hope this will be the case. 

After yesterday, I'm starting to get a glimpse in to why people say having big kids can be more time consuming than littles. It's because all of a sudden you spend your life in the car, which means nothing else can really get done. School, sports, play dates, birthday parties... etc. We are entering a whole new realm of life, and last night you can bet I thanked my husband for my satellite radio (I have a new/old obsession with Ryan Seacrest... oh the shame) and my heated seats (which will be in full use in T-minus 3 weeks.) 

I know it's only 3 LONG short years until the boys will be in school together, and my days will again be mine, but I have a feeling that until then, we are going to be in for a lot more days like yesterday. Which means I'm going to seriously need to invest in a good coffee machine. and you can bet the whole "no Ipad on the way to school" rule has gone straight out the window. Cut to me downloading every season of Calliou and Lego Chima as a type.

Tomorrow is a new day... This time I'll be ready. I think. 

P.S. I forgot to add that in the end, the LM had an AWESOME first day of kindergarten, and the skate session of his life, so really the day goes down as a win... even if it mans I was comatose by 9:30. 

Currently.

Well, hello there! Yep, this means I'm back! Sorry for the longer than planned absence, but having two kids home with zero activities planned, and almost as much childcare doesn't leave time for much else. You all know how those last few lonnnggggg weeks of summer go. Where it seems like every day is 7, and every week, a month. I see you all nodding your heads yes! Even though we had no set plans, we still managed to have quite a great time. Here is a little of what we've been up to the past few weeks. (Cue the photo dump ;))

We played legos until our fingers couldn't take any more...

... and tried out rock climbing with new friends from school. 

We swam (a lot!!!!)

And tried to get in as much beach time as this dreary Summer would allow. 

We did a lot of brother on brother bonding (matched only by their constant bickering.)

We spent some time catching up with the best of friends down on the cape...

... and figured out how hard it is to get 9 kids to sit for one picture. 

Gray continued to look adorable on the outside, all the while hiding his newly found devil horns on the inside. 

And this guy turned 6!!!!

Which means I will pretty much never be able to catch up with him again. 

Luckily, I have slow poke here who is happy to stop and smell the roses (err boats.)

I continued to work on the boys' room, with some styling help from one of my besties. 

Which no one has really slept in because we again went back to the cape to visit friends, who took us to the beach.

And out on a boat!!!!!

This, the kids could not get enough of!

Needless to say, we spent a lot of time driving the last few weeks. Which neither boy seemed to mind... too much.

Last weekend, my brother-in-law visited from Florida, and I had a date night with these two guys for what was one of the best meals of my life; here. Even though the place is know for their meat, the pescatarian tasting menu was out of this world. We will be back!

Finally, today marked the day that this guy started Kindergarten. Tomorrow is is first "real" day, but we hopefully got all his nerves out today, with a classroom visit. I thought I would be sad for this day to come, but right now I couldn't be more excited for this little guy to start his educational journey. Class of 2026... here we come! (just not too fast, okay?)

I hope you all have had a wonderful end of Summer. Labor day marks the beginning of the end, and it's time to get back to work, so I can assure you I will be back here on a more regular basis! 

Bring on Fall... and the fashion of course!