Sage advice

Truer words may never have been spoken.

Someone needs to shout this into my ears, over and over and over.
Because right now, I feel like we're literally only one more child's toy or stack of papers away from starring in an episode of Hoarders.

Thus, I've designated my next block off as "spring cleaning" and "full-on purge mode" before it's officially rummage sale / Goodwill donating season.
Wish me luck!

;)

~images via kirstenerickson.blogspot.com~

Neutra numbers

Our mid-century ranch needs these.

Richard Neutra would insist.

$27 each via DWR / ~$5 each for Home Depot knock-offs

Either way, they will be mine!

~images via dwr.com, dwr.com, houzz, apartment therapy~ 

Anthro faves

Anyone else think the latest anthropologie catalog was the bee's knees?
And make you long for summer even more?

Drool worthy pics as follows:

Floral frocks for all those summer weddings
{HERE}

Adorable (and figure-flattering) peplum tanks
{HERE}

Swing tanks + shorts
Pair with a fun necklace and you're good to go!
{HERE} and {HERE}

Tunics!  Apropos for pretty much any outing.
{HERE} and {HERE}

Sexy one-piece swimsuits
(Yes, "sexy" and "one-piece" are becoming an actual thing.)
{HERE}

Asymmetrical maxi skirts,
a.k.a. summer's yoga pant.
{HERE}

I could keep going, but who has the time...or funds.

~images via anthropologie~

Mama Mondays : Mother's Day recap

The weather may have been dismal and dreary,

but another lovely Mother's Day it was!

Started the morning being showered in sweet, sentimental gifts...

Hand-crafted tote by Alex

(who also inquired when "little boys' day" is...ha!
That would be every other day of the year, honey.)

Hand-painted flower pot by Vinny (he's a minimalist)

And lots of sweet surprises from the huzz, including my coveted initial necklace!

Then, it was time for Chuggington Live.

I know, I know....where's the fancy brunch and "mom-osas", you ask?

C'mon, Disney.  Get your shit together.

BUT...the kids absolutely LOVED it!  

Watching them smile, clap, and dance to the music was priceless,

and far better than any crowded, over-priced brunch.

We followed that up with an indoor picnic of Kopp's deliciousness

and snuggles on the couch.

These two little boys, who make being a "mom", so very wonderful,

are growing in the blink of an eye.

They truly are.

One quote that has really rung true for me as of late is this:

Some days, their energy and sense of adventure run me ragged.
There are days so jam-packed with activities that I cannot wait for bed time to roll around.

But time just keeps ticking by...tick tock, tick tock...

Today, I will drop off my oldest at preschool (preschool?! still in shock!)
Next week, I'll be packing up all the 12 month clothes for storage.

Sometimes, as mothers, as parents,

we really do just need to just drop everything

and immerse ourselves in the wonder and amazement

of watching our children grow and learn and play

as they become tiny people right before our eyes.

Because they will be big people before we know it.

So lucky to have the best mom and so many great "motherly figures" in my life

to support and inspire me each and every day.

And so proud to call these two little ragazzi my own!

Hope your Mother's Day Weekend was just as lovely!

~ photos by bits of breezy / quote image via johnsudor.com~

The Friday Five

Er, The Saturday Five.
Because I fell asleep on the couch last night at about 9pm.
Lame, I know.
I'm back at work this week (read: extra super excited that it's the weekend!)

So even though it's a little tardy, here's what's good this week...

1.

Elle King

My oldest son likes to proclaim, "she's a really good singer!"

True dat.

Kind of Amy Winehouse meets Adele, all raspy and raw.

2.

Perfect weekend wear.

As in, pretty much this exact outfit...all weekend long.

(Maybe minus the grandpa sweater.)

3.

Initial necklaces.

Hoping to add a "V" to my collection this Mother's Day. (hint, hint)

{HERE}

4.

Belvita Breakfast Biscuits.

Whole grains + protein (read: actually keeps me full).

I can eat them while driving.

They're quick & easy I don't have time to make anything else!

Currently grooving on the new "cranberry orange" flavor.

5.

A shout out to the world's "okayest" moms

Because I need to hear all of this,

especially during my heinously tiring "working mom" weeks.

And a few more fun and fabulous links to peruse...

Drooling over these ice cream innovations.

I think I need this shirt worn by mama Drew Barrymore.

Have you seen these? A cancer survivor designs the cards she wishes she would've received.

How to talk to your kids about death.

Jennifer Aniston's 5-minute hot body workout.

Segue to....

Cheese: the secret to longer life and faster metabolism!?! #bestnewsever

The saddest cookbooks of all time. LOL!

Choosing the right light bulbs for your living spaces.

Finally, a few funny motherly sentiments, just in time for Mother's Day.

Have a fabulous weekend, m'loves!

~images via hstory.polyvore.com, etsy, paperblog / pics via bitsofbreezy~

Utility

Is there a better spring vest/jacket to be had?

Methinks not.

Slightly unexpected.

Easy to dress up or down.

Practical pockets.

Here are some of my favorite utility looks...

Paired with stripes + gold accessories

Paired with a bright scarf and white dress

Paired with a fun frock & leather accessories.

Yes, yes, and yes.

Add one to my spring wishlist!

~ images via withlovefromkat.com, soroyalty @ tumblr, babble.com x 2 ~

Mama Mondays : Matriarchs

Today, I was going to compose a Mother's Day gift guide (read: personal wishlist)

like the good ol' days of yore - see {HERE} and {HERE}.

But yesterday, my husband unexpectedly lost his dear great aunt Rose, 

and such commentary suddenly seems frivolous.

Given that this wonderful, gentle woman

was much more like a grandmother figure in his life, 

it seems far more fitting to honor her in this edition of "Mama Mondays".

Every strong family has a matriarch...

a woman who is a role model for future generations,

a woman who is nurturing, fair, and ever-present,

a woman who is not afraid to take charge,

a woman who puts others' needs before her own,

a woman, whom without, her family wouldn't be the same.

Since joining my husband's family in 2003,

I don't recall a holiday or special occasion

where Auntie Rose didn't play an integral part.

She never forgot your birthday.

She sent diaper coupons in the mail.

 Whether it was a church spaghetti dinner or a family holiday gathering,

Rose was there.

She was the glue who held us together.

She would not only be one of the first to arrive (and offer a helping hand),

but she would also bring food. LOTS of food...

Italian cookies for my wedding reception,

fresh pizzas and whole salmon filets following the birth of a child,

 cuddureddi at Christmas time,

and delicious meatballs, mostaccioli, and lasagna

for each and every celebration in between.

(Commence drooling.)

I will never again make spaghetti sauce or meatballs without thinking of her.

(Her secret was in the neck bones!)

And in her honor, I expect my husband and sons to tell me that each meal I make is "very good tonight!"

Every time I witness someone trip or spill something,

I will hear her sweet giggle and affectionately call them a "fessacchione"!

(Italian to English translation: big idiot)

;)

With that being said, however, I don't think I ever actually heard Rose speak negatively of anyone in the 11 years I knew her.  A devout Catholic, she was a true angel among us...always a ray of sunshine and positivity, with nothing but nice things to say and compliments to share....well, except maybe if you were a Democrat - ha!

I will think of her fondly with any mention of her beloved Padre Pio

and with each beautiful cross I see adorned on someone's wall.

I will consider any "Nigro" I meet to be my cousin, because that was Ro's M.O.

While Auntie was not a "mother" by dictionary definition,

she was most certainly a Nigro family matriarch...

a woman, whom without, our family will never be the same. 

Her friendship, guidance, generosity, and love

have left a deep impression in my heart.

I will be sure to bestow her sweet spirit, Italian traditions, and strong faith

onto all the Nigro generations to come.

Arrivederci, Auntie, until we meet again!

~ photo by bits of breezy / image via Etsy ~

The Friday Five

Here's what's good this week, m'loves...

1.

Local music

Namely, the band Phox from Baraboo, WI.

We have a set of free tix to Summerfest this year.  Throw in a couple of brews under the summer stars, and I'm thinking a night of Phox and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes sounds like a fun (cheap) date night to me.

Here's one of my favorites from them:

2.

Dutch braids + Low messy bun

A.k.a. my new go-to 'do when my hair is too crazy to wear down.

A.k.a. pretty much everyday.

Here's how you do it.

3.

Guilhem Rose`

Rose` is the new white.

Bone dry, crisp, refreshing, affordable (~$8.99/bottle), spring-in-a-glass.

Need I say more?  Are you listening to me Lisa Vanderplump?

Get some at your local grocer, or here.

4.

Tiny Beautiful Things

Straight from the "Dear Sugar" advice column by Cheryl Strayed, this book is comprised of short snippets of wisdom even a busy mom like me can find time to read.  (Short snippets = I can read one or two today and then not pick it up for 2 weeks.)  I feel like every woman should own this book because each piece of advice is either directly applicable to you or someone you know.

Grab a Kleenex box.  Be inspired.

5.

Birthday cake popcorn

Funfetti meets popcorn.

Salty, sweet, and so addicting.

Make this for your next gathering!

And a few more fun links, just because...

The #1 question to ask before getting married.

Adorable cutting boards.

How to win any argument (watch out, world!)

The back of this dress is super sexy, no?

Crushing on these hoop earrings in gold.

Have you seen this Mother's Day commercial yet? I was crying just seconds in.

Have a great weekend!

:)

~ images via missysue.com, cherylstrayed.com, & bitememore.com /

pics via bitsofbreezy ~

I'm back!

I'm baaaa-aaack!

Life has been a whirlwind.

Since I last wrote in September 2013 (I know, sad),
we had our second baby (who is suddenly already 18 months old. Say what!?!)

I started working part-time. (read: now clocking 80+ hours/month theoretically "saving lives"/literally "working for the man" as a nurse practitioner and gratefully spending every other waking second working at home as Super Mom.)

We moved into our dream home....a dream mid-century ranch that requires a lot of updating/renovating which is essentially impossible from a financial and time standpoint with 2 toddlers ruling the roost.
My oldest baby started preschool this week.

Several loved ones have either gotten divorced, passed away, or been diagnosed with "the big C," 

and I've even faced my own health struggles earlier this year.

...like I said, life has been a whirlwind.

While most days I feel like I'm just swimming to stay afloat, there are many times I long for a fun, relaxing moment for myself.  Namely, my former, more physically fit, mom-about-town, wine-slugging, on-trend, blogging, carefree self.

Last summer, a family friend asked me what my hobbies are, and I sadly sat there and stuttered like a blubbering idiot as could not come up with a single current "hobby"... hmmm, maybe sleeping? Showering or peeing uninterrupted? Running errands without a little helper? Having a day to deep clean so my house isn't in complete shambles? 

Those things sound nice.  And also ridiculously pathetic.

When is the last time I read a good book?

Really got in the kitchen and cooked/baked something delicious?

Perused my favorite design and fashion blogs?

Wrote and reflected about all of life's ups and down?

Gotten crafty with one of my million "pinned" DIY projects (that wasn't for someone's birthday party)?

A few, good, wise friends have told me: "you need to carve time for yourself."

And with all that has happened to me this year (more on that later),

I feel like I've been given the time to do just that.

So, here I am.  

I'm back.

I can't promise daily postings.  

I can't promise that I will be as interesting as my 27 year old, childless self.

But I am making the promise to myself to re-tap into my creative side.

And if anyone is still out there reading, I hope you enjoy my journey.

~ images via graphicsheat.com & daily.happify.com ~ 

Miracles

A beautiful sentiment for the holiday season...

xoxo

~image via Cup of Jo~