Favorite things for a snowy winter

It’s been a long time since I’ve written about some of my favorites and as someone who has grown up in the snowy Midwest I thought it may be fun to make a list of my favorites for surviving the winter. I’ll be honest that after 8 years of nannying and now having our own little one, my favorites tend to be pretty practical. When it is blustering cold out and snow is everywhere, usefulness and practicality trump trendiness and fashion, although I hope these are not too utilitarian.

Ever since we’ve been married (just over 7 years) I’ve been working to transform my closet from one of very inexpensive, only last a season or two things to items that can last quite a bit longer. For me that means buying quality brands, made of quality materials, and usually means I spend a bit more. Though as one who can rarely pay full price, most items are scooped up at the end of season for a steal. I often, for bigger purchases, think of the cost per wear and the perfect illustrations would be designer jeans (my favorite pair just got a hole in the knee after 8 years) and a great wool coat (lasting many, many years.) Both items are investments but I like things that still look new after a few years and wear well. Although my favorite places to buy designer denim are EBay and Nu Look Consignment in Mpls.

Winter Coats:

This is one area where I’ve really morphed from wannabe fashionista into I.just.want.to.be.warm. I have four winter coats all for different purposes. Might sound excessive and really it probably is but they all have a purpose and they’ve all lasted seemingly forever. I have a ski coat, a down sweater (which might be my favorite), a long down coat, and a wool coat. If I had to get rid of any of them it would be a toss up between my ski coat and the wool one. Surprise you?

I’ve just realized that there are a few criteria that really matter and here they are in order of preference:

1. Warmth factor  2. Easy to clean/wipe/wear with kids   3. Somewhat fashionable

#2 has easily become something that has risen from the bottom to the top. Wrangling a toddler with messy boots or snowy coats or just wrangling them in and of itself with everything else like groceries, etc. I want what I am wearing to withstand the abuse and still keep me warm.

It follows along with the reasons I still carry a diaper bag. I want my nice coats and purses to stay nice. That’s what it has come down to. I want to be able to go out with girlfriends or my husband and not have dried snot on my nice coat or spilled milk in my purse. Because inevitably no matter how hard I try otherwise those two things will eventually happen. If I pay a premium for a nice thing I’ll try my hardest to keep it that way. I’m enough of a klutz to ruin it myself. I

So I’ve surrendered to motherhood and if I look like a mom, good. I waited a long time.

As far as boots…I’m still deciding. I want something that is easy to get on, is waterproof, still looks somewhat fashionable but more importantly keeps my feet warm and dry. These are the two top contenders from REI. By the way, REI is amazing. Did you know that you can return things a year later? That is so handy when you buy kids winter clothing at the end of the year and need to buy multiple sizes because you don’t know what will fit. AMAZING!!

And as far as the rest of our family goes in surviving the Midwest winters…Elizabeth and Alex have down sweaters. Alex’s is from Eddie Bauer (usually their coats go 50% off) and E’s is from REI, the REI brand. I’m hoping they made a version this year because I would snatch it up in an instant for next year. Best part about the down sweaters are they are incredibly warm. You wouldn’t think so given their size and how light they are but seriously warm. And they compact well so car seat straps can still get really tight.

 

 

Top Row: 1. Kids Down Sweater 2. Merrell Nikita Boot  3. J.Crew Wool Coat

Middle Row: 1. Eddie Bauer Down Coat 2. Upcycled Sweater Mittens

Bottom Row: 1. Eddie Bauer Down Sweater 2. Sorel Tofino Boot 3. Patagonia Down Sweater

 

As far as buying, sales get incredible right after the holidays. I’ve scooped up all the coats above at least 50% off which is incredible pricing for the quality. I’m hoping to hold out on boots until I find a fantastic deal but I might cave considering we just got a slew of sloppy wet snow. And as far as gloves are concerned…I love upcycled sweater mittens. They keep my hands toasty warm and wool is amazing at keeping water out. I’m on the hunt for a pair for Elizabeth. I bought mine at a local craft fair but they are available all over Etsy or you could make your own:)

And somehow I forgot, but warm socks are a must. Our drawers are full of Smartwool and REI brand wool socks but this year I learned of a new winner: DARN TOUGH. They have a lifetime guarantee. LIFETIME GUARANTEE. We rarely get holes in our wool socks but they can occur. That is amazing.

What are your families favorite things for surviving the winter?

favorite summer salads

With Labor day coming up next week and still a few weeks of summer left, I figured that it wasn’t too late to post my favorite summer salads. If you are new to reading my blog you may not know that I hold Ina Garten to be my culinary favorite.

She’s basically taught me how to cook and inspired me to want to eat just about anything. Way back 7+ years ago I went to France on a summer missions trip through Campus Crusade and I fell in love with open markets and the beauty of fresh food. When I came back I began cooking more for the family I nannied for and food from Ina Garten’s cookbooks was what I prepared. It’s everyday, classic, comfort food that gets taken up a notch.

From Ina I’ve learned to use the best ingredients I can afford and find, that good food doesn’t have to be super fancy or made from things I’ve never heard of, and that simple can be elegant. If you get a meal from us or you come and eat at our house I can assure you that something on our table will be inspired by Ina. She’s never let me down yet and I’m certain she may never.

So back to my three favorite salads for summer…I should note they are all free of greens. I’m not sure what it’s been this summer but salads with greens just haven’t been what I’m craving. Instead I’m loving vegetables mixed with pasta, bread or atop gooey cheesy tortillas. I love that most of these just require pantry staples and fresh vegetables which makes summer cooking even easier. So here they are, all recipes from Ina Garten with a couple changes here or there.

1. Greek Panzanella

While I love Ina’s traditional Panzanella, I love her Greek version even more. I love the crispy bread croutons, the bite of feta, and freshness from all the vegetables. I’d eat this everyday.

2. Guacamole Salad

We make this one often because we always have these ingredients on hand. I guess you could say we like Mexican-inspired dishes. The main change I make to this one is that I add cilantro (Ina has an aversion) and we usually have it atop cheese quesadillas to make it a bit heartier.

3. Roasted Vegetable Orzo

This is seriously my favorite. I’d eat it everyday. Literally. The creaminess of the orzo mixed with the bright lemon and feta, so amazing. It gets better after it sits and it’s perfect warm, room temperature, or cold right out of the fridge. Oh and I always use less oil than mentioned. Just eyeball it:)

Do you have a favorite summer salad?

Stitch Fix #1

Have you heard of Stitch Fix?

Seriously, I’m not trying to make anyone buy anything. Maybe you’re wondering what’s with all the hype with me sharing products? Really, nothing. No hype. Just a satisfied customer sharing the goods. Definitely not paid, asked or anything like that. Honestly, I’m not sure anyone even reads this.
BUT…this is amazing.

Ever since I had Elizabeth I’ve rarely went shopping for myself. And let’s be honest, shopping online is like the best thing ever. Especially if the store offers free returns or you can return in to a local retailer. I always wondered why people did so much online shopping when they had kids and now I know. It’s not only a time saver, but getting packages just about makes my day.

But back to Stitch Fix. I’m pretty sure they came up with this for moms. Stitch Fix is an online styling site. That’s probably not the best way to sum it up but basically you log in, create an extensive style profile which you can link to a favorite board on Pinterest, and then professional stylists read over everything and hand pick 5 items to send to you. You pay a $20 styling fee up front and then it is CREDITED back to you when you choose an item to keep. For instance, I just got my box and ended up keeping a gorgeous top and I paid the cost of the top minus the $20 I already paid. Also if you decide to keep everything in the box you receive a 25% discount!

They also provide you with a prepaid envelope for sending back what didn’t work. You have 3 days to mull over the choices and try them on and then get them back in the mail. Seriously so easy.
This is not a monthly commitment, although it could be, and you pick the date you want your box to arrive. So if you had a wedding coming up and needed a dress you could ask them to send you 5 dresses to try. Seriously it’s life changing.

While I rarely spend a lot on my everyday clothing, ahem life with a 1 year old, I do love to have some special pieces that fit well, are made well, will last and are timeless for date nights, adult only nights out and special occasions. And as far as cost, I checked the box “the cheaper the better” and everything in my box was between $28-$68. So not terrible for really nice and unique pieces. And to be real, this is the kind of stuff I save my pennies for:)

SO here’s what I received.

pretty packaging

I received a skirt, 2 tops, necklace and a dress

This is the top I kept. Not necessarily something I would pick out but it was super cute on and that’s what makes this so fun! The fabric feels amazing and the cut and sizing was perfect.

And I was so sad this dress didn’t work. Of all the things in the box this was the one that seemed to be exactly my style. Somehow the fit wasn’t quite right and made me look like I was wearing a flour sack. So bummed.

But there you have it. Your own personal stylist that will do your shopping for you and you are able to enjoy the pure fun of receiving a gift in the mail. A total win if you ask me!

Try Stitch Fix for yourself:)

Things we’re loving: May Edition

I can’t believe it’s already the end of May! I feel like I just wrote this post and now here I am writing this post. We’re ready for this upcoming holiday weekend and although our days are wide open, we’re hoping to relax, spend time outside, and tackle a few minor house projects. Hopefully the weather will continue to be nice! This month we’ve tried a few new things and I love sharing our finds!

1. Honest Company Products

I heard about the Honest Company almost a year ago due to their super cute diapers and finally decided to give it a try. I was on the hunt for a few products that were more natural for Elizabeth going into summer since everything goes into her mouth. I ordered their Body Wash/Shampoo, Lotion, Bug Spray, Sunscreen, and Bubble Bath. And then when I was offered another discount, I bought a reusable swim diaper for Elizabeth. So far I love everything. Most of all I love not worrying about what is going in her little body when she eats her bath bubbles and those upcoming days when the mosquitos are out in full force and her hands go in her mouth. The products smell great and when you use a $10 off coupon (code: INVITED10) the prices are not that outrageous.

2. Citrus Lane

Picture from Citrus Lane

Have you heard of the new box subscriptions that are supposedly the big new rage? I gifted my dad with a similar gift for his birthday through Sugarwish and then when I saw how neat Citrus Lane was I decided to give it a shot. Citrus Lane is a box subscription that delivers age appropriate toys and goodies monthly to your door for a set price. It’s definitely not something that I would do every month but I tried it this last month and we received some really fun things. I used a $10 off code again and for $15 (after discount) we received a box for Elizabeth that included a Stacker, snack, gift for mom, dish soap, and a book. I think it would be really fun to give as a gift and of course, it’s fun to receive! To sign up and get $10 off your first box click here: Citrus Lane.

3. Natural Soap

Picture from Pumpkin Seed Soap Shop

I’m going to be honest here…I don’t usually get into the whole green trend. We do a lot of “green things” (recycle, cloth napkins, natural cleaners, etc) but we still use pretty conventional soaps, lotions, etc. Well this past month I bought soap from Pumpkin Seeds Baskets and Soap on Etsy to help support their adoption and I don’t think we’ll go back. I was totally a skeptic but Alex and I are now totally in love with what we affectionately call the “soft soap”. I’ve been a lotion user for over 15 years, every day after my shower and after using this soap I only need to use lotion once or twice a week. The soap keeps our skin incredibly moist and extremely soft. Totally converted. I just gave my mom some from another local company, Apple Valley Natural Soap for Mother’s day and I hope she loves it too:)

4. Pretty Tea Cups

Alex gave me a very pretty tea cup from Anthropologie for Christmas and I’ve been loving it ever since. I’ve found myself lately pouring tea in the afternoons and reading while Elizabeth is napping. It’s such a nice way to spend some down time and having a pretty cup makes the whole experience more enjoyable. Of course, any cup will do, but I love beautiful tea cups! I’m loving these ones right now as well…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Step 2 Big Splash Waterpark

I would be wrong to not include something Elizabeth is loving right now so here we go. We bought this water table just about a month ago and it is getting so.much.use. Now that she’s walking I didn’t want to deal with the in and out of a baby pool (trying to walk out) so I figured this was the next best thing. Also our lawn is being fertilized this summer and since she’s putting everything in her mouth, time on the lawn just isn’t that safe. So onto our deck she goes and she could stand outside and play for hours if we let her. So far we haven’t put any of the fun toys on it…that way she’ll have something to look forward to for next year.

 

Wishing you a happy Memorial Day weekend!

what we’re loving now {april}

Finding joy in the little things is keeping us sane in our house as the snow continues to fall outside. I’m not sure if this is a record for latest spring snowfall or not but either way we’re keeping busy and trying to keep our spirits up.

In the last month or two we have found some new favorites; everything from things for mom to things for baby and I thought I’d share them this snowy afternoon!

west elm zipper pouches

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I bought the medium metallic zipper case to use when Elizabeth goes to the nursery. The best part is that they’re super inexpensive (especially when on sale), lined with a vinyl material (think wet bag) and they can be monogrammed and shipped for free. I monogrammed the front of ours with E’s name and it’s perfect for filling with diapers and wipes for nursery when I drop her off.

vicks vaporizor & nosefrida

Elizabeth is on the verge of getting her canine teeth and every time teething comes around so does a runny nose and cold like symptoms. We’re big fans of our nosefrida (I also really like the little noses aspirator) and vaporizer. The vaporizer runs all night long and keeps things nice and humid in her room. We don’t run a humidifier since we have a whole house version on our furnace but this is a great alternative when cold season hits.

world market accessories

 

I love this store! Walking through there feels like I went on a tropical vacation especially now with all of their spring and summer merchandise out. I bought the shower curtain and placemats a couple of months ago and they have made a world of difference in our house. Our bathroom is now my favorite place to be due to the bright and cheery colors going on in there. The baskets are also great for stowing magazines up off the floor where our paper monster cannot reach them!

island moonlight candle

If you love the volcano candle at Anthropologie, which I of course do, then you will love that this less expensive version located in the aisles of your local Target store offers the very same dreamy fragrance for a fraction of the price. yay!

So there you go…

what have you fun new things have you found this spring?

Spring cleaning: your purse

Since I’m so excited spring is here I figured it’s right time to have a new series.  In the next few weeks I’m spotlighting some spring cleaning ideas.  Purses, closets, finances, clothing, and most of all life.  We get a little cluttered through winter, hibernating amongst our things.  So I’m thinking we can all help each other find new ways to de-clutter, re-evaluate, and re-organize some of the things we surround ourselves with.


My purse is seriously an issue.  It goes with me everywhere.  I have a few favorites and they all get used.  And stuffed to the brim with lip gloss, old receipts, papers, kleenex, and other random things.  Most often when they need to be switched I look the other way and stuff the unwanted one in the closet until the next time I’m ready for that bag to reappear. 

Problem.  They go back to their home still stuffed full.  Because who has the time to sort through at the point of the purse switch.  Maybe you do.  I’m not that organized…YET!

But last month I tried to change all that.  I plopped down on our couch, did a little googling, thought through my needs, and did a little de-cluttering.  Every purse was pulled down.  The papers and junk we tossed in the trash, all gone through first I might add.  Old purses that haven’t seen the light of day for years were donated.  But once this was all done, I was still faced with an issue. 

The wallet issue.  I wanted something that would hold all the cards (credit, gift, savings, etc.), my checkbook, receipts, cash and change, and my cell phone in a pinch when I just need my wallet.  I also didn’t want it to be bursting at the seams.  I looked high and low, perused, tried, and then found the one.  It was spendy, not gonna lie.  But I think I’ll have it forever.  (ps…I’ve seen wallets like this one half off at TJ Maxx or knock-offs at other stores)

Here she is, the HOBO Lauren:

A beautiful neutral.  Because she has to remain classic and timeless.

Opens and closes with a sturdy magnet.  Most used cards and license right at your finger tips. (Costco Amex, Debit Card, and HSA card).  This is also the spot I store receipts from the day to be sorted through at night.

Inside she’s amazing.  One side opens to hold all my other cards.  Store cards, discount cards, and gift cards.  I can also stow my phone here and still close the pouch.  The other side has a zipper pouch perfect for change. I also stow my checkbook and register here along with any cash I have.

Seriously she’s changed my life.  No longer am I looking for 5 different items when transferring purses.  Instead I just move Lauren.  So handy, so mobile, so organized.

My other great trick:  I have a handy little pouch with a mirror inside that I keep my lip gloss and chapstick in.  That way that little pouch gets moved as well.  I might toss a pack of gum in there too.  It’s come in incredibly handy when the hubby needs chapstick. 

Again, streamlining life, one step at a time.

(check out how much one of my favorite bloggers loves her lauren too!)

How do you keep the purse clutter and switch under control?

watermelon

That’s what I’m craving right now.  I can’t wait until the harvest comes in.  June, July, whenever you harvest watermelon in MN…I want the real deal.  In season, local watermelon.  Because if we were honest with ourselves it just tastes better that way.

When the harvest rolls in then I’m going to make this everyday:



so easy.  I checked.  and looking so delicious.  I want summer right now.

all made up

This post is all about face.  Actually it’s about make-up, but that goes on your face!  I’ve never been one to be incredibly loyal to a brand of makeup.  I feel like I’ve been there done that with so many different brands always on the lookout for that one that will do everything and not make me feel like I’m wearing makeup.  I especially don’t want it to rub off.  Can you say embarrassing?

In the past I’ve worn Clinique, Mary Kay, L’Oreal, Sonia Kashuk, Neutrogena, Covergirl, Maybelline you name it, I’ve probably tried it.  From my list you can also probably tell that I’m cheap. Most of those brands I can grab at Target and use a coupon for extra savings.  But I’m always disappointed.  Not only are the shades sometimes off, but the coverage isn’t that great.  It always looks like I have make-up on and if it doesn’t it certainly feels like it.  I figured it was time to clean out my make-up bag.


By the way I love this bag by Vera Bradley.  It’s awesome for make-up and travel!

I’ve had some extra money saved up, so I decided that investing in good make-up was a worthwhile use of my money.  When I had the makeover done they used a Mineral make-up by Jane Iredale.  Though spendy, I loved the look and feel of the Mineral make-up.  So instead of spending even more on Jane Iredale, I went for Bare Escentuals.  My mother-in-law wears it and swears by it.  And just let me tell you she looks AMAZING!

So I cleaned out my make-up bag, moseyed into Bare Escentuals, had them find the right colors, and then I headed to Nordstrom.  Online. Why?  Because they had a fun BONUS when you spent a certain amount online with bag, blush, and brush.  I also bought a pair of shoes so my order would ship free, saving me $$, and promptly returned the shoes.  :)

Here’s my makeup stash now:


I can’t tell you how much I love it.  Bring on summer because this make-up is weightless and it doesn’t rub off.  Even better.

What’s your favorite make-up?

dahlia love

A little pretty on Saturday.

Can I just say how much I love this:

via EmersonMade

I love the ethereal quality and simple beauty.  Perfect addition to a cardigan.

  

Can I also mention how I adore the name Emerson.  Yup, it’s in my top 3.  Emme, short for Emerson.  I also quite like Ralph Waldo, the poet, not the name.  Too bad the hubs is not a fan like I am, of the name Emerson that is, not the poet.  Phew.

The flower pin reminds me of my wedding bouquet, which would have been my dream if it held peonies or dahlias.  That is if we could have pulled together our wedding in under 3 months or waited over a year, which we didn’t.  Spring would have been the perfect time of year for my favorite flower, the peony. My bouquet was to be full of peonies, specially flown in from Florida for our special day.  Unfortunately Hurricane B, C, or F put a damper on the plan, the week before our wedding.  Good thing our amazing florist was able to create a gorgeous stand in out of roses:

Either way, I love the pale shades of pink with the subtle creams and whites, just like the beautiful EmersonMade flower pin.  I know I won't be purchasing one like that anytime soon so I found some inexpensive stand-ins on Etsy:

do you have a favorite flower? 

aveeno

I love me some Aveeno.

I used to be exclusively an Oil of Olay person, but then I met Aveeno Positively Radiant Day Lotion and my life changed.  Seriously.  This lotion makes my moisture starved skin feel so radiant...ergh, moisturized.  Guess they got me with their advertising:)  Seriously though, it's thicker, so you can feel it moisturizing your skin from the outside in.  It's not greasy, smelly, or sticky.  It's just right.

Only downside, it's kind of spendy.  The only good deal I could find online was at Amazon.com.  A 2-pack for ~$27.  If you are like me, that price is way too much for face lotion.  Or at least it seems like a lot.  I know that the 2-pack would last me at least 6 months if not more.  But then in slides Costco.  Those who know me, know how much I love me some Costco.  Ah, Costco and their deals and coupons and savings.  I love it.

Imagine my surprise when I opened January's coupon book.  I've been praying they would bring back the face lotion.  You see we score our Aveeno Active Naturals Body lotion there for $14.99 for a 2-pack before the coupon all year long, but they took the face lotion away.  But it's BACK and at $19.99 for a 2-pack.  What a deal.

So back to why my eyes lit up like the northern lights this month...inside was a $4 coupon....Yay! Praise the Lord!  He heard my cry about lotion...He loves a great deal too!  That means we can get our body lotion and face lotion with a $4 coupon each. Down to $10.99 and $15.99.  Steal of a deal.

Now if they could only start carrying my other Aveeno favorites...

I love me some Aveeno, and January, and Costco...(and the hubby, of course)

new planner, new year

Every year I find myself struggling to find the perfect fit when it comes to organization and planning out our life on paper.  I'm a pen and paper kind of person, I cannot switch to using an app on my phone.  I've tried, believe me, even google calendar is too much trouble.  If I do use an app I just end up with piles of lists and paper all over the place because at the end of the day, whether I like it or not, I'm still going to write all that stuff down.

Maybe I need to enroll in list-makers anonymous...wonder if there is such a thing for those of us who cannot keep up with the times and switch to managing our lives online.  Although I'm pretty sure I'm not alone.  At least this LMA club would be fun...who wants to join?

Alright back to the topic at hand, or should I say the topic that fits perfectly IN my hand?  I think I've found a winner.  But first let me explain my dilemma.  For years I loved my Franklin Covey planner; not only could I keep my life in there but I also kept everything else in there: credit cards, money, lists, etc.  Only negative, it was kind of bulky to carry around all the time not to mention when it was bursting at the seams b/c I had neglected to go through it for eons.  So that didn't work.

Then as part of my homemaking group (not as archaic as it sounds) where older women pair with younger women, so we can feed off their vast array of knowledge, a woman shared about her system of organizing her calendar.  See she used a regular old notebook and printed off monthly calendar pages which she moved each week to another page.  I tried this for 6 months.  I liked so many parts of it EXCEPT carrying around a giant notebook.  Even a small notebook would have been tricky.

So what's a girl to do.  I knew that I wanted something that had monthly pages and weekly pages, was small enough to fit in my purse and left room for customization for the week.  I also wanted it to be fully contained.  Random tidbit, I actually keep all of my old calendars.  I have them all the way back to my freshman year of high school.  I know that's kind of ridiculous, but seriously it's the best representation and diary type thing that I keep up with.  So many events archived, kind of like why I blog, but different really.

So back to the planner or more rightfully labeled agenda.  I hit the jackpot when I landed at momagenda.  I'm not a mom but they had something for those of us who are not...the myAgenda.  Seriously it's the best of both worlds and you can try it before you buy it.  They are genius over there on that site, I tell you, genius.  You can print off what the agenda has in it...a week at a time to see if you like the format.  I did that for a couple of weeks and what would you know I was hooked.

{image from momAgenda}

So I got me one in bright shiny silver.  I'm in love.

Here in the city you can swoon up close and personal at these retailers:

Epitome  --  Edina, MN  (in the Galleria)
Watermark Fine Stationery  --  Wayzata, MN 

And if you love a deal like I do, you can score 35% off on their website plus an additional 10% off by following this link: 


www.momagenda.com/?rewardscode=mom56746

use discount code:  mom56746

things i love

I love hearing from others regarding what they have found works for them, products they like, etc.  It's so much easier to take someone's word for what works and what doesn't rather than going about things by trial and error.  I tend to find I usually agree with most suggestions and not only is my time saved, but our money is as well.

So I thought it would be fun to weekly or bi-weekly throw out my favorites when it comes to beauty products, household items, cleaning products, deals, etc.  So won't you join me in helping each another find great quality items that will not only last but will make life a little easier...sounds good to me!

ps...I need your help too.  Anything you'd like to hear about?  Every week I'm going to be looking forward to hearing from you and what you have found that works well, because this woman would love to have things tweaked for the better:)

let's chat favorites soon, sound good?