look – every now and then they let us out!

but that was then…

no, i didn’t get lost in connecticut, i’m just dealing with an 18 month old in ear infection hell – and we are both fairly miserable, i realize that we are very lucky to be at 18 months and experiencing this for the first time but along with her first couple bug bites, eczema and teething, we are not our usual chipper selves.

so now, i’m left to day dream about this dress and how i wish i hadn’t imposed a shopping embargo:

and about how i could really get into painting my own TOMS with a couple of these as inspiration:

Applying stickers before take-off

Securing her buckle

And enjoying her iPad (god’s greatest gift to our fellow travelers)

Greetings from the east coast – we will check back in soon – for now, we are off to the diner with nani, papa (with a French accent) and buncle sandy

i hope that your mother’s day was filled with a lot of love.  ours was filled with a lot of stale airplane air but also, lot’s of snuggles from this little girl

we’re on the east coast now for the next few days, celebrating my brother’s law school graduation.  i plan on using the time to slow down a bit and soak in some 18 month old love.

i’ve got just a few minutes as EBN’s spinach patty is in the broiler…i’m in full packing mode as we are leaving for a multi-leg trip first thing in the morning.  first up, a quick stop in chicago where i plan to dance my ass off at a wedding.  i’m needing a good wedding and i know this one will deliver.  then, on mother’s day, we kiss ABN goodbye, send him home to CA and EBN and i will go on to the east coast.  we will be there to celebrate BUNCLE’s law school graduation but i’m hoping that we get to do a bit of relaxing and east-coast babysqueezing as well.

but before i go, here’s what i’ve been digging, dreaming of and drooling over:

my favorite treat is a black and white cookie and from the early days in our relationship, ABN and i have loved splitting them down the middle (it’s the only sickingly sweet thing we do).  i’m excited to try out THIS recipe

i could literally spend all day on THIS website (what can i say, i like to be in on the joke) but here’s my FAVORITE from the last week

turns out, JON HAMM is even better with a bit of scruff

basically, my DREAM COCKTAIL ATTIRE.  love the colors and the cut.  oh, and did i mention she’s pregnant?

OLIVE TAPENADE is next on my to do list

speaking of food (when am i not?), my friend GABI just came out with her cookbook and it’s flying off the shelves.  be sure to GET YOUR COPY now – your belly and your wallet will thank you

MANDY and i clearly have the same taste in DRESSES

okay, before i go…have you signed up for STITCH FIX yet?

i’m having major reader issues – i’ve giving up on bloglovin’ and am trying out a few different ipad options  (anyone have a favorite?).  anyway, in all the transition, i’ve lost some of my favorite posts from the last week.  it leaves me unsettled…mragh.

oh – look what i’m crocheting for EBN:

yeah, it’s like 2 1/2 feet tall…whatever

have a great weekend, and for all you mamas out there – live.it.up
xo
LBN

a few days ago i found myself having a long conversation with MBN (EBN’s babysitter, my life coach, my very close friend – clearly, a good person to have around) about a paper she had written in grad school.  the paper was supposed to be (and i’m paraphrasing here) a glimpse into the future of the writer; what would your personal life look like at 80, taking into account family medical history, environment, stressors and health and wellness.  or at least that’s how i understand the paper.  it got me thinking about my own life at 80 (or 50 or tomorrow) and they way i hope to be living.  i know this is all closely related to embracing the pacifica lifestyle but MBN urged me to think more broadly.  it’s not someone else’s pacifica lifestyle that i am trying to emulate but rather, perhaps the first time, define a lifestyle for myself.  the choices i make (from the day-to-day to the life changing) should be choices that define me and my family and not some other ideal (materialistic, education, i could go on…).

as for me at 80 – i’m hoping it looks something like this (in no particular order):

1. i have perfected a recipe that i am known for.  when i host a dinner party or celebrate a birthday, the food is expected to be served.  everyone asks me to share my secrets but i only share the full recipe with my closest family.

2. when someone walks into my living space it is clear that they are entering a jewish home – from the artwork to the shabbat candlesticks to the doorposts and, most importantly, the values that we hold most dear – and mahjong…clearly mahjong.

3. when family gets together, we can’t help but talk about summer camp

4.  we have a room of book shelves full of our most essentials reads – everything from BEL CANTO and THEIR EYES WERE WATCHING GOD to AT RISK and NOT WITHOUT MY DAUGHTER (ABN and EBN can put their favorites in there too)

5. i have served on the board of a non-profit that i continue to advise and support

6. our home filled with fresh flowers

7. we have regular dates nights that include red wine

8. i have an appreciation for the green (or blue) space where i live

9. i have my hair blown out – regularly

10. i am the old lady with a tattoo that has no regrets

11. our home is filled with family photographs

12. we indulge in low-key travel; weekends away to slow down and spend time with the people we love

13. i know my body – what works, what doesn’t have when to ask for help

14. i remember to be grateful everyday that my children now live in a world where they can marry who ever they want to marry – and that their mama and daddy played some (small) role in making that possible

15. i appreciate friendships that span more than 50 years

16. we tell stories about the years when ABN made guacamole with ingredients straight out of our garden

17. i find support, love, humor and a spiritual home with my brother and his family – and maintain a bitter rivalry in rummikub

18. i rock a true style, all my own (though influenced by mrs. roper)

19. we have a marriage that we both appreciate – one that challenges us and surrounds the two of us and our children, with love

20. i have children that are passionate

21. i have journals, scrapbooks or other writings full of the memories we have created – i know i won’t remember but i want to be able to look back

a list of 21…sorta weird, but for now, a good starting place.  i like that some of my list requires immediate attention.  at 80 i want to be able to look back on LBN today and say, nice job lady!

if you feel like putting together a list of “when i am 80…” i’d love to read what you’re thinking about!

(turn up your volume)

but her style is 100% mama approved

i wish i could say that my kiddo dressed herself in this get up…but i think i have to take full credit.  it didn’t happen all at once.  we started with the romper (which, i should mention, has a cut-out back…) but then we headed outside to play with bubbles and her kiddie pool and so we needed our lime green water shoes.  followed by a tie-dyed hat and some cat-eyed sunglasses and this is where we ended up.

if this is how i dress my kid, you can only imagine what my outfits have looked like recently.  in an effort to save some money i’ve been making an effort to buy on the cheap but as we all know, that’s not always for the best.  i recently returned a bunch of clothes i had purchased (without trying on) that were on super sale at OLD NAVY.  those sale items add up quick and my returned haul added up to almost $100.  and as much as i love soft tshirts and boyfriend sweaters – it doesn’t always make the cutest outfit.

enter STITCH FIX.  it’s a personal shopper for a girl on a budget and with little time.  let me break it down for you: for $20 per shipment (and you can get your shipments as frequently or infrequently as you like), you get 5 items that fit your style – or, what you’d like your style to be.  after taking an EXTENSIVE questionnaire (think eharmony…or so i’ve been told) the stylists get to you know (and your budget – yep, you can let them know how much you are comfortable spending and they stick too it) and send you 5 items that might meet your needs.

here are my favorite parts:

1. trying on the clothes in the privacy of your own home – not only are dressing rooms no fun but try shopping with a kid – not going to happen.  in moments of extreme weakness i’ve been known to buy it all and then try on at home only to make a return visit to dump whatever is not wanted.  with STITCH FIX you get to try things on at home, in good lighting with your favorite shoes and a pair of spanx – and you don’t have to go back to the store.  you don’t even have to go to the store to begin with.

2. budget friendly – these stylists stick to my budget way better than i ever have.  feel comfortable spending $150 on a special dress? great – let STITCH FIX know.  want to keep it closer to $80, no problem.  not only that but, i’m more comfortable spending on something like outerwear but want to keep my budget super tight on tank tops.  STITCH FIX understands.

3. thinking outside the (insert your equivalent to white tshirt here) box – as i mentioned before, i like a good tshirt and when i walk into a store, regardless of what store, i’m drawn to the rack of the softest tshirts.  it’s a hard habit to quit – enter,  STITCH FIX.  my stylists (i’m assuming there is a whole team working for me…i like that) understands my love of tshirts but pushes me a bit further.  they send me things that i would never pick out myself, and sometimes it’s not right, but sometimes, i’m pleasantly surprised.  but that’s not all – each item comes with a “style” tag attached – with a couple of photos with ideas of how to style up the item.

4. looking for something specific – you can let your stylist know!  need a dress to wear to your BFFAE’s wedding next month?  you can constantly update your settings so that your package contains what you need shipment to shipment.  also, after receiving a shipment, you complete a quick questionnaire to let your stylists know how they did and so they can get it even better next time.

alright, do you guys want to see what came in my last box?

check it out:

first, i got this adorable, light weight, short, pale pink dress.  it was pretty much love at first sight.  the fit was great, the color was different for me, i could wear a bra. but, wait for it, i sent it back.  aren’t you proud of me?  my sticking points were that i couldn’t quite figure out where i would wear it (it felt a bit to light in color for a wedding and it was on the dressy side for regular life) and it was a bit expensive ($121).  i can totally see myself spending that much on a dress for a specific occasion but as a dress just to have – that doesn’t fit the pacifica LBN lifestyle.

this dress, which i know, you can’t really see, was just all wrong.  sure, i love a great maxi, but this was not a great maxi.  the shape was wrong (long and lean), the pattern was wonky – it was just all kinds of awful.  back it went.

now the fun part – here’s what i kept:

two great tops – a red and white, color blocked, silk, sleeveless blouse and this fun, woven tank top.  i love the blouse – i rarely wear red but like red and think this will be great for date nights.  i can also see myself dressing it up with a blazer (remind of that the next time i need to go to a work event).  and the peach tank top – i literally have nothing like this.  i’ve wanted a lace something for a while and this seems to fit that hole in my closet.  i actually wore this on saturday for cinco de mahj – over a white tank top and with cut-off jean shorts.  so fun, so easy.  love.

this is my 2nd shipment and both times, the 5th item has been an accessory.  the first time i sent them back – pretty earrings but just not something i could see myself wearing.  this time, i tried to resist but these gold and turquoise drops made my hear skip a beat.

the order comes with an already addressed envelope (and a love note from your team) to return whatever you don’t want to keep.  if you do decide to keep something, the first $20 comes directly out of that styling payment.

so far, i’m loving STITCH FIX.  i have set things up so that i automatically receive a package at the start of the month and, as i’m embracing my WWPLD lifestyle, i’m trying super hard to limit my personal shopping to only STITCH FIX.  so far, so good.

Edit: if you are interested in checking out STITCH FIX for yourself, be sure to use this link: http://stitchfix.com/users/signup?referrer_id=3005923

help a mama (and her style needs) out

this week has been stressful and when stressed i really like to eat pizza.  i’d been thinking about JEN’S STRAWBERRY PIZZA for the last week and finally decided i couldn’t take it anymore.  so i took the idea of a sweet pizza and ran with it. and can i just say – this meal is becoming a staple.

SWEET AND SPICY PIZZA

ingredients:

• whole wheat pizza dough – i buy the raw dough from the refridgerator section at the grocery store
• olive oil
• onion
• red pepper
• dried cranberries
• arugula
• honey
• blue cheese
• parmesan cheese

pre-heat the oven to 450 degrees (or temperature indicated on pizza dough packaging) and remove the dough from the fridge so that it reaches room temparture.  carmelize onions in olive oil and once cooked down, add red peppers.

i have found the dough responds best to being treated well – sure it’s messy but really, it makes for happier dough and happier pizza.  flour your work surface, roll out the dough and then place it on a greased pizza pan.

it’s now time to load up the pizza.  first layer, onions and peppers, followed by a handful of cranberries and a TON of arugula.  scatter with crumbled blue cheese and shaved parm.  drizzle with honey.  cook for 10-12 minutes.

i know my dad will call this a salad pizza – i’m not sure if that’s good or bad but let me tell you, this pizza was perfect.  sweet onions and fruit, spicy arugula.  ABN argued that putting crushed peppers on this pie would be a bit much – i argued differently and when we both went back for seconds he followed my example.  next time, i’m throwing a fried egg on top.

it’s a rare weekday that i don’t find time (or pre-plan) a post to show up on this little blog of mine – but yesterday it happened.  and i missed you.  something just felt not quite right, throughout the day, and while i had my phone and my kid there was something missing.  anyway, i’m back.  let’s play a bit of catch up.

first things first, i have to say that a week into living a WWPLD lifestyle, i’m doing pretty well.  i survived the 5 days without ABN and didn’t go on a major spending spree.  i even went to target and kept it real – i filled my cart with necessities like toilet paper and laundry detergent, skinny girl margaritas (i’m hosting cinco de MAHJ on saturday) and a few special treats for THE BUG that should make our upcoming flights a bit more fun.  yes, the final bill was on the scary-big side but i realized this was my major target trip of probably the next two months (see you in july) and so it really wasn’t so bad (now i have to stick to that).  i was especially proud because the only thing i bought on pure indulgence were a pack of those twisted bobby-pins that i’ve been reading about all over the blog world.  not too shabby.  i need a manicure like nobody’s business (i’m quickly turning into that guinness book of world records lady with the curling nails…you know…) but i’m hanging out and giving back scratches to whoever wants them until the end of next week because we have a wedding.  i’ve been taking more walks with EBN and best of all, i’ve been taking real breaks from work for 15 minutes of uninterrupted fun with her – puzzles and bubbles and counting oh my!  it might only come in 15 minute spurts but it’s a big change.

there have been some challenges and i have for sure slipped up.  while ABN was away i encountered probably the most anxiety producing/stressful situation i have since, well, 2003 to be honest, and dealt with the chaos by crying, eating, wanting to shop, and basically demanding an iPad.  i’m not even joking a little.  we all have our limits, i reached mine and the only thing that i could imagine that would make me feel better (not fix the situation, there is no fix) was an iPad of my very own.  lucky for me i had both a bit of birthday money and one very understanding partner.  so now i have this little guy to share with EBN of my very own:

now…tell me all the apps i need in order to live…and go!  see what a good distraction an iPad can be from real life?

in other news, my life over the last few days has been equal parts laundry and wine tasting…just another typical week:

no plans to skip another wednesday any time soon.  i’ll make up for it by sharing an extra yummy recipe tomorrow – sure to make your weekend just a bit more delicious!

on a daily basis i work on eating healthier and for the most part – i pick and choose pretty well. sure, i often indulge but i think i’m making conscious decisions about what i’m putting in my body.

for every good choice though, there are obstacles. in no particular order, here i my current top ten:

1. my kid is terrified of the blender and cries 1000 rivers as soon as i hit liquefy. she’s game to help me put my fruit, spinach and greek yogurt in the blender but isn’t so into the racket that follows. i can’t make the GREEN MONSTER smoothie when she’s asleep because it’s sure to awake her from her very peaceful dreams. so basically i’m forced to choose between causing trauma to my little one and starting me day off the way i want

2. i like good wine and good wine is served best with good cheese and good cheese should really be served on good crackers…you get it

3. DR. PRAEGERS makes for a fantastic quick meal for the little miss – it also tastes delicious when i taste more than my fair share to make sure it is temperature appropriate

4. not so skinny girl margaritas have recently become my drink of choice when out to dinner

5. PINTEREST

6. the little one drinks plus or minus 20 oz of organic whole milk a day and i’ve found it just too easy to pour a tad into my morning coffee

7. have we discussed the crack that is the CHEDDAR BUNNY?

8. anxiety – there are people who get anxious and stop eating. i am anxious and eat pizza and sour candy

9. PACIFICAKES – i won a gift certificate for a dozen cupcakes while at a school auction last week and decided my mama crochet night was the perfect opportunity to share. unfortunately the leftovers have been staring at me over the last few days, while ABN has been away, which means i have slowly made my way through the bunch. damn those tasty suckers (for those interested – the carrot were by far my favorite!)

10. being alone just really isn’t good for me – body or soul. for better or worse we live by a schedule and when that schedule gets interrupted, for whatever reason, it throws us all into a tailspin. skipped meals followed by impulsive burrito adventures are not the norm around here but when ABN is away…things happen. another reason it’s good he’s home.

on saturday night MBN came over for a pajama party and we cooked this fabulous – and healthy meal (i’ll share the recipe next week) – a vegetable rice bowl with mis dressing and a fried egg on top.

we followed it with STEP UP – if that’s not a healthy night, i don’t know what is!