Steppin' Out 4-28-12 // Buns & Rainboots

::deets::

on brookie//fleece & jeans--old navy//boots--target. on ashley//blouse--thrifted//tank & jeans--f21//earrings--kohls//boots--target. my thick frizzy mane? and her baby fine strands? bunned!

So I just wrote about moving the girls into the same room this weekend, and started getting them excited to do so. Welp, about an hour after I posted I received a call that our mattresses were on back order and wouldn't be delivered until Tuesday {Now Wednesday! AGH!! And yes, I got the shipping fee reimbursed because of this ridiculousness.) Did I mention that I had already torn Emily's room apart to start painting & was thisclose to taking apart her crib?

Needless to say, they (well, Brookie) were pretty bummed about having to wait for the new big girl bed. So what makes everything all better in this house? A trip to TARGET! And that's how my big girl & I spent our very rainy Saturday afternoon. Found a few new picture frames, some dollar bin goodies, and a new rug.

I have to say that my OCD is in hyper mode at the state of both girls rooms right now. Dustin is putting the beds together today since he won't have time during the week to do so and I KNOW as soon as those mattresses are delivered, the girls are going to want to be setting up camp. The rooms are a clusterfudge of wall hangings, boxes, tools, with a crib & toddler bed in there somewhere.  

So no MONUMENTAL weekend here. Except I burned the bejesus out of my finger with a hot glue gun. Merlot, Moscato, and crafting do not mix, kids. But? I love how these button intials came out.

I'm STILL looking for someone (Etsy/fabuloso artist) to create a custom print for their bedroom so if you have any suggestions or you are pretty awesome with mad skillz, email me pleeeease! Thanks, dolls. Hope y'all are having a great lazy shmazy Sunday!

linking up with mandy at the haps.

The Big Move

The time has come. We got a delivery earlier this week & it's go time this weekend. A MONUMENTAL weekend of milestones.

Brookie's getting out the toddler bed. Emmy's getting out of the crib. And the toys are getting (the hell) out of my living room ::applause now::

We have a 3 bedroom home, so when we moved in it made most sense that each girl had their own room. Fast forward 2 years later, and we've somehow managed to outgrow the house we thought would fit us juuuust right.

So? It was time to make some room. That delivery? 2 twin beds & headboards. (Hold me.)

Growing up, I shared a room with my sister. I liked it, she didn't. Then again, she's also 9 years older than me so I see her point. However, our girls are only 22 months apart. They're buddies and into the same things. So the plan is to put both girls in Brookie's room (the bigger room) and turn the nursery into a play room.

Brooklyn is beyond excited for her new big girl bed. And I'm beyond nervous about Emily skipping the toddler bed & going straight into a twin. Don't worry though---Pinterest is helping us with precautions (more on that later.)

I'm also SUPER excited about getting to redecorate the nursery & make it a fun/girly/whimsical area for the girls to read, color, play, whatever suits their fancy. Brookie's room is already painted a fun yellow color (SW Friendly Yellow) and will have some tweeking done to it, but nothing too major like the toyroom. And being the gemini that I am, I've gone back & forth on what color to paint the walls & how to decorate. Again, Pinterest has been good to me and I think I've finally got an idea set in motion. It's going to have to be done a little bit at a time, but I'll be sure until the big reveal to post sneak peeks.

Like right now. I am positively smitten with these prints I just ordered from Gallerie Anais on Etsy.

And here's a few more ideas I'm loving (for the time being...until I change my mind for the umpteenth time)...

Source: thecottagehome.blogspot.com via Ashley on Pinterest

 

Source: honeyandfitz.blogspot.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Source: laurawinslowphotography.com via Ashley on Pinterest

 

I'm also on the hunt for an Etsy seller or shamazing artist to create a custom print for me for the girls room. It's a verse from our favorite book & for some reason, I can't find any online :(  And if you have any tips on redecorating or having siblings share a room---TELL ME!

 

Or maybe don't tell me....sugar coat it. They'll stay in their beds as soon as lights are out & not move an inch til daylight. Yeah, tell me that.

let's go back to last week

Where the sun was shining and we could walk outside barefoot. Past 4 days? Ugly. Dreary. Dare I say, jacket requiring. Ugh.

Yeah, let's go back to last week. Where cousins played. New puppies were introduced. Where I felt bad for Max because I too never go to the bathroom without peeping toms staring at me. Where a certain girl's Hello Kitty obsession grew bigger & bigger (yep--she's already decided on that birthday party theme 4.5 months in advance.) Where another certain girl napped (and I fell even more in love with her gorgeous face.) Where sissies enjoyed a lunch date with their Mommy & MawMaw. And an afternoon at the awesome children's museum (where they might've been juuuust a tad influenced to spend the most time in the doctor area. doesn't hurt when they're surrounded by a family of nurses!)

Yep. Wanna go back. To the DeLorean!

Steppin' Out 4-20-12

::deets::

cardi & flip flops--old navy//tank, blouse, & skinnies--f21//watch--citizen, present from d.

Can I start this post by saying COLORED SKINNINES! I recently mentioned my desire to find a good pair of colored denims & everywhere I went they were either way too short (amazon, I am), way too low rise (buttcrack is whack), or way too pricey ($110? guffaw).

I was getting pretty bummed that I'd never find a pair. Enter Forever 21. And these. Fifteen bucks? SOLD! As you can see, they're about 2 inches too short. But for this price? Rolling them works just fine. I played it safe with my first pair getting peach. But I'm now hooked & putting the yellow pair on my birthday wishlist.

So yeah. Colored skinnies are a go go this spring & summer ::happy jig::

And I wore them last Friday night when Dustin & I took my mom's offer to watch the girls for a few hours. So what'd we do for our little date night? Dinner during happy hour (hello mr. amaretto sour)...

Followed by a quick Target run for contraband...

and The Hunger Games! I can't believe it took us this long to see it, but now that I have? I kinda really badly wanna go again tomorrow to watch it. And then get all pruney in the tub for 4 hours and read Catching Fire. It's safe to say I have a major girl crush on Katniss.

Speaking of crushes....

Will.Not.Leave.My.Head.

Yep. This has made a nice little home inside my noggin. Even Brookie & Emmy like to belt out a "somebodyyyyy!" when Mommy is watching this YouTube video for the 14th time in an hour. Don't even ask me how many times I've watched their SNL performance on Hulu....

Happy Sunday! Team Katniss/Goteeay!

linking up with mandy over at harpers happenings.

The Color Run

Please try to keep your snickering to a minimal roar....YES, I (the girl whose side cramps after briskly jogging down the street to fetch the girls frisbee) signed up for a 5k run. But not just any run. The Color Run.

Never heard of it? Me neither, until last week.

Confession time---this Momma feels in a rut. My weeks are same in, same out. I go to work the same days each week. I'm home with my babes the same days each week. We stick to our usual routine most of the time. Weekends, while fun, just feel like the same ol' same ol'. I needed something different. Something that the usual Ashley would just smile at, but never consider. I needed to stay true to myself and hold myself accountable for what I said I'd do this year. I needed this.

So when a friend of mine from NC was talking about this on Facebook, I thought I'd look into it. Basically it's a big party. No seriously. This thing looks like a giant get together full of laughter, color, and well, more color. Run 1k? Hello yellow. Hit the 2k mark? Oooh, pretty green. And so forth and so forth until you reach the 5k mark and look like a box of Nerds.


I was intruiged. I was getting excited.

I was scared to death. Another confession---I don't run. Unless I'm being chased. Or unless the girls throw their frisbee outside the gate in our backyard. I never really took much enjoyment in running during high school & found track dull as rocks. Oh and I suck at running. Enter Dustin, my amazing high school cross country star stud of a hub. This guy actually enjoys running. Does it for fun. I don't get it...but I want to. So? He's going to be doing this 5k with me. And? Also training me. Yikes.

Still though. Could I really do this? Enter this little tidbit I read this on their website--"For our events, it is about participants of all different speeds, ages, shapes, and sizes toeing the start line. Whether you are a casual morning mall walker or an Olympic athlete, the 3 miles of the Color Run course will be the most enjoyable real estate you’ve traveled in a VERY long time."

Didja see that? Even us 30 second side crampers were encouraged to participate! Maybe I won't finish this thing in 20 minutes. Maybe not even 25. Or 30.

But I'm going to finish it. Doused in color.

Interested in getting out of a rut? Trying something new? Or are you one of those weirdos who actually run for fun? ;) Find a Color Run near you and SIGN UP! Need more encouragement? Watch these.

And hey all you locals! Cleveland is completely booked, but there's still time to register for Columbus. Get on it. Naow.

kick ace pasta salad recipe

Yes. This pasta salad is so ridiculously yummy & simply delish, it's definitely qualified for it's 'kick ace' label.

What you'll need:
1 box tri color rotini pasta
1 head of cauliflower
1 head of broccoli (is it a head? or a bunch? got me.)
3 peeled carrots (or a small bag of shredded works.)
1 bag of cubed cheddar cheese (colby's yum-o too.)
Half a bottle of Italin dressing
Half a bottle of Ranch dressing

Cook pasta as directed on the box. Make sure it's cooked through because you'll want to give it a cold shock before you add it to the veggies & that'll stop the cooking process.

While the pasta is cooking, cut up the veggies. It can be as little or as much as you want. We use alot (to make up for the fact that a buttload of dressing will be going in.) Toss in the cheese cubes. Again, however many you want. And again, we use alot because any kind of dairy product rocks our socks in this house.

Add the cold pasta. Now the dressing. To be honest, I eyeball how much goes in until it makes the right squish sound when mixed all together. Usually it's half a bottle of each the italin & ranch. It may look (and sound) like alot, but the pasta soaks most of it up. And this will feed a crowd! Or just us 4 on a summer night BBQ.

Mix it all up together, pop it in the fridge for a good hour, and voila. Kick ace pasta salad. When the girl who was always asked to bring chips or plates to parties & cookouts because she couldn't cook for shlop is now always asked to bring this dish? You KNOW it's good.

Oh, This Week?

On the floor for The Boss. $9 beers. Best frands. Spring. 3 year old patience. 1 year old fake smiles. Yummies. Random Ohio weather. Dressing room shenanigans. My happy place. Top knots. Post scrub a dub dub smooches.

Yep. This week didn't suck, that's for sure. And Bruce? Only gets better with age. This man is incredible. Oh and hot. Totally worth standing shoulder to shoulder with strangers in one spot for 5 hours straight. And losing my $36 buzz.

Steppin' Out 4-14-12

::deets::

on emmy//cardi, jeggings, & boots--target//ruffle top--kohls. on brookie//cardi, tee, & skinnies--old navy//boots--target. on ashley//top--old navy//tank--f21//jeans & boots--target//watch--christmas present from the hubberman.

First things first---Brookie helped picked out all of our outfits. I love how she had her & Mommy match and how all of us girls were wearing boots. My little fashionista, she did a really good job. And works for goldfish crackers and cream cheese & Nutella sammies. Aces!

And secondly, April showers a-suck. But they give me a reason (not like I needed one) to wear my newest loves. Red boots (you may oooh and ahhh now.) I had originally fallen in love with the Hunter brand boots (in hunter green, no less) but couldn't justify the $110 pricetag. Enter Target. Dontcha just love knowing Target will always have your back? Anywho, I found this pair of Zetta boots online for only $30! As much as I die over the hunter green ones, these are definitely a good substitute. Love the fit. Love the color. Lovey love love.

Yesterday we ran to, where else? Target. Hit up the dollar bin & 70% off Easter randoms. Jelly beans for a quarter? Don't mind if I do. Ate at the Olive Garden. Grabbed some ice cream on the way home. That deliciously smelling rain didn't put a damper on our family day.

Now today? It's 80 degrees & sunny out. It's a beaut & I'm not even going to question it. Just soak it up.....and mow down on some BBQ. Hope y'all are having a fabulous weekend!

linking up with the fabulous mandy over at harpers happenings.

Veggies? Yes, Please!

This post is sponsored by Country Crock. I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

I'll be the first to admit I'm a picky eater. But I don't want my girls to be one. Enter in Country Crock. With 70% less fat and 30% fewer calories than butter, it's the smart choice. And? It tastes fab. I've been cooking with and eating this since I was a kid. It's just the best. There's no need to hide veggies in your kids meals when you cook with Country Crock.

I always have the most trouble getting the girls to eat anything green. They'll eat cauliflower, potatos, corn, tomatos, carrots....but when it comes to broccoli or peas? No bueno.

Until last night.

What you'll need....

Cut the carrots in circles. In the top of each one, cut out a V shape then cut each side of the carrot to make a point at the bottom. Hello, adorables.

Add 2 tbsp butter to a medium high heat pan. Saute the carrots for about 6-8 minutes. Add 1/4 cup water and bag of peas. Cook until peas are warmed through. 

Finish off with a handful of chopped parsley & cracked black pepper. And voila! Peas and Thank You =)

Verdict? The girls gobbled the carrots up AND ate some of the peas too. Willingly! I'd call that a success!!

This is just one of many awesome get-your-kiddo-to-love-his-veggies-more ideas from the {free to download} Clare Crespo Digital Cookbook. I'm telling you, this book is so cute and full of fun, whimsical recipes your family is sure to love!

Are you looking for quick and simple tips and recipes to make serving veggies more fun? Download the free Clare Crespo Cookbook here for fun and whimsical recipes your family is sure to love!

Little Bits of Happines v-5

"i picked it just for you mommy because i love you". then i combusted from the cute.//emmy has really been warming up to max. i love it when she shouts "hey, boy!" at him.//"soo hiiigheey."//a sweet moment between sweet sisters.//max-a-moose. maxaroni and cheese. maxaroneous. maxers. this kid will never learn his true name.

apparently ohio is having a tantrum because these shots were taken last thursday and the past 2 days? snow flurries.

however, no bipolar state can bring me down because tonight? tonight we are headed to michigan for the bruce springsteen concert! floor seats! i can't tell you how giddy i am. sure this guy is old enough to be my dad (um, maybe even my grandpa) but me oh my is the boss a hottie.

linking up with mrs.stephanie t. you should too.

April Birchbox

::from L to R::

*Willa Lavendar Facial Towelettes--I used to not be able to go to bed without scrubbing my face. Now sometimes at night I'm so tired (errr lazy) I just crash & the next morning my face feels grimey. And just plain gross. So these are perfect to just put in my nightstand because no water is necessary. Win for the enviorment. Win for us lazies.

*J.R Watkins Hand and Cuticle Salve--In the past 2 months, I think I've said "My cuticles blow" about four thousand times. My nails always grow fast, but my cuticles also grow fast. And they aren't pretty. So as soon as I saw this in the box, I tried it right away. It's the lavendar scent, which is nice. It's greasy, but it did leave my fingers nice and soft. And my cuticles from blowing ;)

*Zoya nail polish in Bevin--It's a greeney, bluey, minty, cool toned color. I dig it. Very nice for spring.

*Wonderstruck by Taylor Swift--I'm a perfume whore. I currently have about 7 different scents on my vanity & depending on the season/weather/occasion/mood is what scent I will wear. I'd wear this on any casual day or to work. It smells nice. "Light" I'd call it. Like vanilla & raspberries but not too musky. I like it. Only thing? It fades fast.

* Dropps laundry detergent--Okay y'all. This is where I'll have my "ummm...what?" moment. Let me say that I love Birchbox & have enjoyed my goodies these past few months. But detergent? Really? It's eco-friendly, which gets a thumbs up from me, and these will get used. But these are definitely not something I expected in my beauty box nor is it something I'd like to see again. Call me selfish, but this pink box is my monthly splurge (and I say that lightly because hey, it's only ten bucks). But it's something for me. Not something that I want to correlate with house work. Seeing the detergent was a big bummer, can't deny that.

So, all in all, not my ideal box. But not an awful box by any means. Here's to hoping for some more beauty oriented goodies in May! Rumor has it that May is a Gossip Girl themed box which makes this C-Dub watching lady giddy.

Tell me fellow Birchboxers, what goodies did you receive? 

This Week.....

was a very very very fine week.

New favorite polish. Loving on our Maxaroni and cheese (oh yes I did). Indians Opening Day, albeit ugly. Animal crackers. Zoo playdate with our favs. Goats. Unicorns. 5 minutes of uniterrupted eye contact. Get togethers with family. Naps & Momma snuggles. Good times. Smiles.

Smiling's my favorite.

Steppin' Out 4-8-12

::deets::

on brookie//dress--made by MIL//tights & shoes--target//headband--old navy. on emmy//dress--made by MIL//tights & shoes--target. on dustin//ummm...pretty sure head to toe american eagle. on ashley//top & jeans--f21//heels--candies at kohls.

So first thing's first. I was absolutely smitten with the dresses my MIL made for the girls. Satin & tulle? HELLO TWIRLING! Adore. (Oh and yes, Emily is a nanosecond from digging for gold. New hobbies are fun.)

We spent the day before Easter at our first of three get togethers. Funny, I could actually hear myself getting chunkier. But I digress...and know Lean Cuisines will have my back on Monday. Anyways, I debated against coloring eggs. Brooklyn hadn't mentioned it, Emily certainly didn't, I thought I could pull a "bad mom" card and go plastic this year. Then Dustin's grandma had colored eggs....real ones. Then came the begging. So then came the colored tablets & vinegar. And along with those, a mess.

Psh, who needs perfectly polished nails when you can have orange and blue stained fingers?! Holla!

Easter morning was like any other morning....except there were 40 goodie filled eggs hidden around the downstairs. Marshmallows, mints, pez, jelly beans, goldfish, cheerios. And in that red monster egg? Pop Rocks. "When I opened my mouth, the candies starting shaking in dare! Like fireworks!" Priceless.

We downsized on their "baskets" this year. Last year? Was like a mini Christmas sequel. Fun, but a tad overdone. This year we stuck to the basics--snacks, sippy, purses (Hello Kitty for Brookie, Dora for Emmy--her most recent obsession), Disney movie, nail polish, & Squinkies for Brookie. The adorable choke hazard characters she has begged for every time she saw a commercial.

And ones she's already lost 2 out of 4 of. Blargh.

 Max got some goodies too. Snausages & some new toys since he destroyed the toys we bought him in under 2 weeks. Mutilated is more like it. Just look at this killer. Rawr.

It was a fabulous day of carbohydrates, sugar, pig, eggs, twirling, laughing, hunting, family, and sugar. I have no control left alone in a room where I know Reese's eggs are on display. None.

And on that note, preeeeetty sure there's still one hidden in the freezer. I'm not even sorry.

Favorite WW Snacks

I've gotten a few emails recently from readers interested in Weight Watchers asking me what my favorite low point snacks were. As most of you know, I joined WW in February 2011 and by May, I had lost 17 lbs. Almost 1 year later & down an additional 6 lbs just by using and applying what I learned during that 3 month membership, I'm finally beginning to feel comfortable in my skin. And these are the foods that help curve my wanna-be-bingin'-on-Taco-Bell-chalupas cravings.

*based upon the new WW points plus system*

All of these? Under 5 points. Majority of them only 2. And I truly don't feel like I'm missing out on anything here. Peanut butter? Cheese? Pudding? This is what I love so much about Weight Watchers. There's no 'buy our food' gimmick. It's simply about taking the food you love to eat & adjusting it.

And? It works! So if you're interested in joining WW, contact me if you have any questions. I'm no J.Hud, but I can definitely help!