The Friday Five

Mid-July?! Say it ain't so.
Summer, like life it seems, is just flying by.
I've been feeling a little under the weather this week,
but that hasn't slowed us down in our quest to zoo, pool, and beach it up!
Aside from gorgeous weather, here's what else is good this week...

1.

 The "Edward Sharpe..." of yore.

As previously mentioned, we saw them at Summerfest.

While entertaining, something was just off with Alex Ebert.

You can tell he's still experiencing post-break-up blues...and crazy...
and, most likely, a plethora of illegal substances.

Here's a throwback to the good ol' days with Jade...

2.
anthropologie hanging planters
I've been waiting for them to go on sale and when they finally do,
I'm too late to the party.
Oh well.
Some medium size still left {HERE}.

3.
cherry season
An 8-lb box of fresh cherries arrived with our weekly CSA box
and I couldn't be more thrilled!
While there's nothing better than eating them by the juicy handful,
I also cannot wait to test out a bunch of new, yummy fresh cherry recipes!

P.S.  Pardon my shoddy phone pics.  My DSLR battery & charger have went MIA.



4.
Target.
"Duh, obvi!", you say.
But seriously, it's a one-stop shop (home goods! cleaning supplies! baby needs! food! pharmaceuticals! etc!) with a Starbucks...and between the Cartwheel app + coupons + 5% off with my Red card + free gift cards when I buy shit I was already going to buy?  It makes me feel quite savvy less guilty about dropping two-hundo each trip.
;)

And speaking of Target, did anyone read {THIS}?  I am usually #1 (because I have all intentions of working out AFTER my Target run...but then the Target time warp strikes and a simple trip takes 2 hours).  On a rare occasion, I'm #6 (but that experience reminds me why I never shop with 2 kids in tow unless absolutely necessary.)  Which Target shopper are you??



5.
Beaches with parks.
Double "wear 'em out" ability.
And we all get to enjoy some fun in the sun!

And a few more links, just because...

Do yourself a favor and follow Honest Toddler on Twitter.

A pretty 10-minute manicure at home?  Worth a try.

Had we a babysitter lined up, I'd be all over this week's Fish Fry & Flick.
Party on, Wayne!

Speaking of movies, anyone want to see Amy Schumer's "Trainwreck" with me?

I want this tank.  Business in front, party in the back.

Adorable backpacks for kids of all ages.  (Because, yes, it's almost that time!)

Looking forward to trying this new, all-in-one, BB, CC, and tinted moisturizer cream from Bare Escentuals.  (Great price tag, too!)

Inspiring quotes from self-made billionaires.

Cheers to a lovely summer weekend!

~ images via anthropologie & some ecards / pics via bits of breezy ~

Wine-o Wednesday

So I've had a couple good wines recently that are worth sharing.

Ironically, it is summer and they are mostly reds!

And thankfully, they can all be found at your local grocer for ~$20.

"Freakshow" Cabernet

&

Hess Select "Treo" Red Blend

Smooth and rich.

Pairs well with...life.

Go on an splurge, m'loves.  You're worth it!

~ photo by bitsofbreezy ~

Mama Mondays : Slow parenting

Let me just first say that I read this piece over at Cup of Jo awhile back, and I both completely adored it (as this is the parent I so desperately want to be),
and also instantly felt terrible (as I am constantly the one telling my kids to "hurry up").  Ugh.  I'm the worst.

I was especially moved by this snippet from a related article in the Boston Globe:

This thought alone makes me want to sloooooooow down and just let my kids do "their thing" at their own pace while I just sit back and drink in their adorableness.  From putting on their own shoes to exploring the back yard....time goes by way to quickly as it is, why hurry them along even more?!

This theory is not easy for an anally punctual person like me, but it is my motherly goal to try this so-called slow parenting this summer.

And what better time to start than summer,
where life is naturally at a slower, more leisurely pace...

Do you embrace slow parenting?

If so, what are your tips in letting go of control?

~ photo by bitsofbreezy ~

Anniversary time!

Hi.

Yes, I'm still alive (though barely).

This block of work has been particularly heinous.

I am literally counting down the minutes until I am a pager-free woman.

But nonetheless, it is Friday!

And tomorrow is our 6th wedding anniversary.

Time literally flies.

Here's a lovely song and sentiment to commemorate the occasion...

We'll be celebrating with a child-free evening, 

dinner {HERE} followed by some dranks,

and an annual dance in the living room to our wedding song.

(le sigh)

#weddedbliss

I will be back with regular posts next week!

Pinky swear... ;)

~ image via bitsofbreezy ~