Impulse Purchase: Thanks Pinterest!!

Like this gorgeous wrap bracelet? Yeah...me too!! Not sure what I was purposelessly searching for a week or so ago but I came across this Etsy seller's shop and fell in love with this bracelet! It was immediately pinned for later...

Happened to come in $50 bucks recently, as part of teacher appreciation week, and I had it spend from the moment it was in my hands. LuckyHorn was SUPER fast and I'd highly recc this seller! LOVING the final product...see, here's mine:

Life: Post Christian Grey...

Yea yea, it goes on :-) Aside from the snide remarks, am I the only one who gets totally into the books she reads? Come on, the Hunger Games? Twilight? Hard not to!! I LOVE me a book that I seriously am attached to and look forward to any spare moment to dive in it.

50 Shades of Grey has been seriously everywhere, but I really didn't hear of it until my Book Club savvy neighber suggested it to me. Well, really is was more of "You HAVEN'T read it yet?!?" I'll prepare you, if you have no idea what it's about, but not give the story away...

Think  *ahem* fantasy-world for many of us, maybe some couples' reality, but heck to each their own. Some have described it as "mommy porn". See where I am going? I pretty much blew through all 3 books easily as it was purely reading for "enjoyment", or should I say maybe the shock value. The writing was eh, but who actually reads it for the prose!

Any other Christian Grey fans? What else should I read next???

Stinky Towels: De-Mystified!

Once upon a time, a lovely young lady received a set of towels for her bridal shower. Even though these towels served her and her new husband well, they began to eminate a not-so-fresh scent when they became wet. The lovely young lady's mother pointed out time and time again when she visited her daughter that her towels needed help, but nothing worked! She tried cleaning and sanitizing the washing machine and she even resorted back to heavily scented detergent. She tried softener, and then no softener but nothing made them fresh!!

This lovely young lady came across an idea on Pinterest that was very popular with others. This made her feel at ease, since she was not the only one with not-so-fresh towels. She followed the directions of one hot cycle with one cup of vinegar and then a second hot cycle with 1/2 cup of baking soda. After drying her towels, they were as FRESH AS NEW!! And this lovely young lady and her family lived happily ever after, clean towels and all.

:-)

Introspection

I love this word.....it means essentially to look inward, to examine oneself. Usually I do not write about these deep subjects but after my weekend, I just feel that I need to share. I'm a type A, anxious person and if you have meet me before you may or may not have come to see that. As I have grown, I have learned ways to balance myself out but sometimes when one's ways are so deeply seeded it becomes truly difficult to change. I've heard it too, "people can't change". But, the way I now think of it, one doesn't necessarily have to "change" but one can grow & evolve.

OK, you're going on a tangent Jenn....what the heck are you talking about?!? Before I start, this is a YOGA post :-) I love my yoga...so much so that I am working through my teacher certification. Its a 200 hr journey and really, it is just that: a journey. Sure, I'm learning how to teach and sequence the poses but also these trainings look at things much deeper than a physical practice. It's about living your yoga; in one's actions, in one's thoughts, in your life. This weekend was all about the brain and how one processes things. How we perceive ourselves. I was able to really look at myself and see how I listen both to what I need and just listening to others. What I do in my own life that makes me a better person and what might inhibit me. I feel a sense of calm but also a new sense of purpose. I'm going to get a journal I think, and maybe start jotting things down and even write down simple reminders to keep myself on this positive path. I'm just so excited to bring more of yoga into my life rather than just on my mat! Stay tuned!!

Yet another thumbs up recipe to try!



This little gem was one of my first pins on Pinterest and I finally gave it a shot. I needed a quick easy dessert, perfect for a quickie get together, and this seemed to fit the bill. What I like about it: Simple & inexpensive. I think the only thing I would "do-over" would to let the cool whip soften a bit more so it was more spreadable and give it more time to freeze. Did those thing make a huge difference overall? Heck no--it was delish!! Perfect spring/summer treat!!

Short follow up to last post!!

It WORKS!!!!!!! I've hated cleaning the cooking area since, well, since I've lived with my husband. Finally something that cut the grease....Try it!!

Pinterest Cleaning Tip

Not sure about your appliances, but our stove gets this horrible film on it thanks to cooking with olive oil. We also have one of those over the stove microwaves so as you can imagine, or maybe sympathize, that sucker gets greasy too. It's been a few years now that I've switched my cleaners to more eco-friendly brands such as Green Works & Method and granted I like that they're better for the environment but none of them gets that yucky grease off!

I came across this lady at Five Chicks and a Farmer, via Pinterst of course, who makes her own cleaners. While I am not that creative enough to come up with my own recipes, she has a list of her own ones tried and true!! I picked up my Lemon essential oil the other day at my local Whole Foods and am going to give this appliance de-greaser a go. Anyone ever make their own cleaners??? Wanna try this too and compare results?!



Twin Bed Success!!!

So, I took my mom's advice and replaced Evelyn's toddler bed (from the convertible crib) with her twin from the guest room. I tried to pump her up all day Saturday with a trip to Target, picking out new sheets etc. I switched our bedtime routine just a bit to reading stories in bed rather than downstairs on the couch and then we just cuddle with the lights off til she starts to drift. Granted, I still have to sneak out all Mission Impossible-like BUT there's been absolutely no tantrums at bedtime the past two nights! I'm so excited!!! As she gets more comfortable, I am going to decrease the bedtime cuddling until it's back to the way it used to be: lay her down and peacing out :-) I'm so so grateful for regaining a little bit of adult time at night back!!!

Life, in perspective

We've been going through a horrible stage. For the past 2 months, my once easy sleeper had "forgotten" how to sleep. I know, I'm lucky, but Evelyn has been a wonderful sleeper since very early on. We have no clue why, but she refuses to go down. I stick to our routine of bath, books, cuddle, bed and it worked until recently. As soon as I go to get her in bed she pops back up from her doziness and firmly states "I don't want to lay down". ::Cue screaming and tantrums when I leave the room:: NOTHING has worked so far; I've tried the reassuring role thinking it was a separation anxiety thing-nope didn't work. I ended up more tired & stressed because she would have a fit if I left the room. Recently we've tried a family memeber's advice of putting a gate up so that if she leaves her bed when I attempt to leave, she can't follow. I can't say that this has failed but I am growing weary of the crying and "I want mommy" that we hear until 10 pm (as she sits at the gate).

Here's the perspective part: Friends of ours were due to have their first baby boy in July. I happen to go on FB last nights and apparently she went into pre-mature labor and delivered this week. Two and a half pounds. Here I am complaining about my kid not sleeping but I have a healthy and happy daughter. While I am certain they will get through this and their little man will grow up and thrive, I can't help but to look at the pictures of the little guy in his incubator and have nothing less than a heavy heart. I guess what I am getting at is sometimes we all need a little reality check and this is mine. I'm going to hug my little girl as much as I can and know that whatever freakish stage we're in is so minor in the bigger picture of things. As with anything, I'll take this day by day and our friends are likely doing the same.

Weekend Fun

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday!! I loosened up and let Miss Evelyn indulge in all sorts of Easter treats, so needless to say we'll be on a candy detox the next few days :-) We had an Easter miracle last night: Evelyn went right to bed, no fighting, crying or tantrums. After almost 8 weeks of horrible bedtimes, finally something worked in our favor!!!

Make Me!

Thank you Pinterest for helping me find this delicious recipe for Panera's Thai Chopped Chicken Salad.
Mommie Cooks came up with her fatanbulous version and not only was it quick and easy, I didn't have to go out and buy all sorts of crazy ingredients. Only thing I couldn't find was the Thai cashews so I subbed regular peanuts that we happened to have from a Pad Thai recipe I tried and was still yummmmmy! Try it, you'll like it I swear :-)



Hello Mrs. Slacker Pants

Whoa what a whirlwind of a week (or two)!! We've been so lucky to have my mom visiting us from Florida that my attention has turned away from my blog but have no fear I am back. Let's see, what has happened in the past week....well my poor little babe had her first set of stitches :-( I swear she's not the most delicate flower in the bunch. After just recovering from the school playground mishap, she somehow cuts her lip (I think on the coffee table) this past Friday and because of the location, needed sutures. Sure it was a small cut, but I know that any facial laceration should be repaired because of the chance of scarring (how do I know? I work in sports medicine, silly!). If we didn't get it evaluated, I could just see her at 18 cursing me for not fixing it and leaving her with a Tina Fey scar. She handled it like a champ and they come out tomorrow. So, here she is, two little stitches and all:

Pinterest Tuesday is back!!

I went back to work last week, after having a lovely 2 weeks off, and my blogging has certainly been lagging! That plus the arrival of my mom from Florida has kept me occupied but here I am this week ready to get down to business...I pinned this recipe myself from the Food Network and we made it this past Sunday with our neighbors; it was SO YUMMY!!! Jenn's rating: two thumb's up!

Best part of this pasta recipe? Minimal ingredients that we basically have in the house most of the time and it was quick!! Enjoy!



Oh Hey :-)

I'm still here guys! Back to work this week after a 2 week vacation, plus my mom is arriving from Florida today! I'll be back to my reg scheduled blogging soon, but just wanted to let you know I haven't forgotten you :-) Have a great week!

Time-Out Thursday, ahem Friday

Well, I got lazy yesterday and didn't blog but with good reason. I was an errand running nut, trying to get a bunch of stuff done before the dreaded return to work on Monday. This week has been great for mommy time and this weekend will be pretty darn good too. I took two pretty challenging vinyasa yoga classes this week with a fabulous teacher; those kind of classes really help clear my head and re-center me. Re-centered Jenn=happy, patient mama. So, Ive been a good girl in the "making time for me" dept.

This weekend has been something I've planned for the hubbs since January and he's really looking forward to it. We love our beer in this household, so much so that my husband began brewing his own from scratch a few years ago. There's one particular brewery/brewer that has always caught his attention so for his 30th birthday I planned a road trip down to Delaware to visit it. We're heading down to Dogfish Head Brewery with another couple for the day then slowly working our way back home to return on Sunday. Little adult weekend away should be good for an uber busy working married couple!!

Bathroom BEFORE & AFTER PICS!

Old: 50's style subway tile on the walls (I'm considered lucky, I've learned, on my street. Mine was cream with cranberry accents but I've heard many other have pink & black!) and mosaic tile on the floor. Hard to see everything since its a small bathroom, but above the wall tile, it was painted cranberry. No counter space on the vanity. Kinda dark and blah...

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AFTER:

 Bright & welcoming! Large 12x12, lighter floor tile, beaded board 1/2 way up the wall and Benjamin Moore's Beach Glass paint on the wall. Smaller, matching tile on the wall above the tub-you can kinda see it above the curtain. To top it off, the new shower head was pretty awesome too. Wish the pics did it justice, but I LOVE it :-) The guys did an amazing job.

I haven't finished all the last touches, like the wall behind the toilet but it's a good pic of the colors. Fabulous, updated potty with a slow close lid (arguably one of my fav features) and new light/fan that throws of heat if we'd like. Super fantastic for winter. Evelyn was the lucky one to be the first to test this guy out this morning :-)

Tuesday Pinterest Review!!

Here I go again, doing the dirty work for you all :-) So I tested this pulled pork recipe from Tyler Florence

I try to pull at least one new recipe a week to try to break up monotony and one of the key factors in selecting them is amount of things I need to buy to make it. If I have to go out and spend and extra 30 bucks just to make one recipe on top of what I normally have to buy then it's not worth it. We had all the spices so we really only had to buy the pork, rolls & coleslaw--good choice in my book. Pretty simple to make; dry rub goes on the pork butt and can sit in the fridge overnight and sauce was pretty basic too. Here's the final judgement: Would we make it again? Yes, it gets our stamp of approval :-)

Have a great week!

Monday Update: The Painting Commences!

Phew, I'm not gonna lie I can't wait to have my own bathroom back :-) Anyone who's been through a major renovation like a bathroom or kitchen knows what I am talking about! Thankfully the guys working on it have been great and things look fantastic so far. Seems as though all the big stuff is done; today is priming & painting and hopefully the wainscotting aka beaded board. Once this is done hopefully the toilet can go in, giving us two potties again haha! Can't wait to show before and after pics...soon enough!!

So excited about this afternoon: I snagged an awesome deal on Travelzoo a few months back for MIL & I at the casino day spa. I get to look forward to a 50 min massage, body polish & hair/scalp treatment. I'm bursting with excitement, as you might be able to tell!

Have a great week!

Time Out Thursday!

Theme of this week's "Time Out" is not exercise based!! M & I had a little date night last night in town, enjoying some yummy mexican food  & margaritas. This kind of time is so so so necessary and we've been  incredibly neglectful of our relationship for most of this winter sports season. It should never be an excuse, but the late hours of my job and huge commitment of M being a head coach really weighs heavily on us. Everytime winter rolls around, we switch from being husband & wife to roommates-seriously. We're so busy trying to be here, there, meetings, who's picking up Evelyn, who's feeding Evelyn etc etc that I know that personally I lose sight of the big picture. M loves coaching and I enjoy my job, so I guess we can't really change that but what we do need to do is make sure we find time for nights like last night: Two adults enjoying some frosty beverages and adult conversation. It was good to get out of the house and just "do us".  I wanted to take a pic of our fabulous margs to post here but I didn't wanna be the weird girl sitting at the bar taking odd pics of her drink :-) but it certainly was yummy.

What do you do to make sure your relationships/marriage stay solid??

Going into Day Three!

Yesterday was pretty exciting--our tub/shower was installed! They were able to rip out our old floor, insulate around the walls of the tub and do some electrical & plumbing work. It's so cool going from complete gut yesterday to signs of life by the end of the day :-) Today will bring sheet rock and taping-- yay for walls! I know pretty much zilch about construction and all that good stuff but it's pretty neat to see the bare bones of things and how stuff is build from there up. Here's the latest pic this morning: