A Bakers Dozen...

So, last night, the hubby and I got to go on a date while my sister-in-law watched the kiddos. We did a little shopping first before we went to dinner and I wore some pretty high heels
(only expecting that we were just going to dinner). Anyhow, after walking for about 30 minutes, I just didn't have it in me to walk across the huge mall parking lot to dinner at Beni Hana. I mean c'mon these days, I buy my high heels at Target, not Nordstrom and Target shoes are cute, but not exactly the most comfortable shoes. Anyhow, my sweet, gorgeous husband said "I'll give you a piggy back ride"...."Really" I replied, most pleasantly surprised and he said "yeah" so, he carried me for about a 1/4 mile to the restaurant...I thought, wow, he still is that spontaneous, romantic guy I married almost 5 years ago! (Oh and if you were wondering why we didn't just drive, well, my sister-in-law had the car for the night).

So, while dining at Beni Hana, we met this man and his family.
So now you're probably thinking okay, so what's your point and who is this man? Well, it ends up that this man owns an Artisian, French Bakery right here in Virginia. He gave us a call today to see if we wanted to come by his bakery for a tour and to taste some of his delectable breads and pastries. He is from Algeria which is across the Mediteranean Sea from France. He actually speaks French too. His breads are truly incredible. In fact tonight for dinner we enjoyed his bread with a little picnic in our hotel room with some salami, cheese, olives and marinated tomatoes and artichoke hearts, oh and wine too...yummy..truly my dream dinner!

Spring Breakin it...

We are on spring break...spending half of our time in Virginia and the other half in Florida. We flew all day yesterday and today we spent our day in Washington DC enjoying a day at the Air and Space Museum and the Museum of Natural History. We showed our kiddos where the president, Barack Obama lives and our daughter said, "Oh, he has the same name as Rocco...." "yes", I said, "Barack and Rocco do sound similar" so she basically thinks that her brother and the president share the same name...so don't be surprised if she starts calling him Barack...
Oh and check out this next, picture I snapped of my husband and son...It looks like the monkey is getting ready to attack them and then to the left of them it says "Your closest relatives"...ha, it made us laugh after looking at it...

Spring, Roomates and a Bread Box...

Spring is right in our backyard in the form of a beautiful blooming cherry tree...just in time for our new roomates to move in...yes, you heard it right, new roomates. My brother-in-law, sister-in-law and my beautiful little niece Emma are moving in with us for a few months before they make the big move to Colorado. We will have a full house, but it will be oh so fun!!! I love having people in the house, it just makes me happy and gives me a reason to bake without having to stuff all of those treats into my mouth...oh and on a totally random note, look at this great vintage bread box I found at the local antique store while looking for a shelf for my daughters room...I couldn't resist it in all of its yellow vintageness.....Have a great weekend!!

Hot fun in the city...

Yesterday, I got to spend the day with these two beautiful ladies...my best girlfriends. Ashley (the picture on the top) I've known since high school and Megan I've known since 3rd grade. Megan and I met Ashley in high school and we have all remained friends ever since. Ashley currently lives back at home with her husband (where I live in Northern Cali) after spending many years in San Luis Obispo and then Seattle and Megan now lives in Seattle with her hubby. Megan was on her spring break and flew into San Francisco for the week to visit friends and we got to meet her for the day...so fun and just like old times. We got to just talk and be girls the whole day with the exception of my little man...good food, good friends and good wine make for happy times!!!

I had to snap a few other photos of the city...I how I love it!!! It was so good to be there, especially with nice weather and good friends...
And this was my little man's first time to the city...he fit right in and got compliments on his cool Beatles shirt all around town...too bad he spilled apple juice on the cool Anthro shirt I was wearing....I swear, I did have a cute outfit on earlier in the day...

And it's done...

Yes, as you can see after 9 days of hard work (mostly on my husbands part) the "project" is done!!! We got new antique looking wood floors and a brand new paint job. All the curtains have been cleaned and we are back to our normal life...wahoo!!! The paint is called Impressionist by Ralph Lauren....my husband says it looks like one big Easter egg, but I think it is bright and very cheery...it just puts you in a good mood! I am so glad it is done. We have been waiting for these floors for almost 2 years of living with disgusting, stained carpet. I am loving them and my son celebrated last night by dumping a gallon of milk on the floor too..I guess we all have our own ways of celebrating!

Seeing Green...

It's all about the green today...Enjoy your St.Patrick's Day...I'll be enjoying some corn beef and cabbage and maybe even a green beer...yummy! Oh and yes, you can kiss me, cause' I really am Irish!!!

Self restraint

Um, yeah, so have you been to Target lately??? So they now have Liberty of London for Target...I am in love with this line. Above is one of my favorite patterns of stuff they are carrying. Today I bought a quilt and a flower pot..oh yes and my daughter a bathing suit. I had to put down the teapot and coffee mugs and unfortunately the 2 tiered plate that my son broke in the cart (I put it back in the boys department...shhh...don't tell). They have everything from wallets to home decor to clothing...I had to practice some self restraint today...it was hard, but I did it!!! Go check it out!! The project is still ongoing...I will share the results when we are done....can't wait!

Things they are a changing...

There are changes going on in my house beginning today through the next week...I am soooooo excited, but I will share more when the "project" is complete. This is how our kitchen looks now just to give you a sneak peak of the before...
(Sorry, not the greatest picture...I took it at night....I will take better "after" pictures)

Pretty little things...

My good blogging buddy Kasey over at Lola B's is having a "Pretty Little Things Giveaway"...
Checkout all of these wonderful things she is giving away...just leave a comment on her blog and you too could have a chance of winning...good luck!!!

Pretty little plates from Anthropologie

A pretty little tasting lip Balm from Anthro

And of course some pretty little lampshades...

Sunset after the rain

Oh how I love the sunsets where I live...they are just so amazing and breathtaking...It had just rained and the clouds were moving and the sun was coming out just in time to set....pure, natural, organic beauty....

All in the family...

Since our lives just aren't busy enough...we decided to get a new dog...that now makes three dogs and one cat...it was either have another baby or get another dog...while I love sweet babies, and the thought of being pregnant again sounded kind of nice... I am completely content with my family of four (humans that is)...so we did it...we got another dog and this time a big dog.
We already have 2 Yorkshire terriers, which are great dogs, but we wanted a dog that we could go camping with and that we could take on walks, go on hikes and run with without having to carry at the end. So, this is Nico. He is a Labradoodle (half lab, half poodle). He will soon be my new running partner and my kids best friend. They have already fallen in love with him. If you are in the market for a Labradoodle or Goldendoodle, please check out our friends website where we got our sweet Nico from.

My Brother's Underwear...

So, sometimes I get so tired of typical girly things...like my daughters underwear (I mean come on, enough with the princesses and Dora the Explorer)...and if you know me, you know how much I hate all of that character stuff on my kids clothes...I mean come on, if you can make cute ones for women, then why not for little girls...besides, their little booties are cuter...so...I made my daughter some real boy shorts underwear...
I bought some boys Hanes underwear and Rit dye in Fuschia. I dyed 6 pairs of underwear, washed them, dried them and then put some adorable little iron on patches on them...voila...cute, girly, funky underwear!

My Sweet Savanna

I'm having fun playing with the Florabella Actions and Textures for Photoshop. I am so addicted..

Let the wild rumpus start...

I have been waiting for this day forever...the day that Where the Wild Things Are comes out on DVD.
I unfortunately did not get to see it in the theater as my kids are really too young to appreciate this movie....so this morning, I ran to Target and got the DVD and as we speak I am enjoying it this very moment with my cup of hot tea while my daughter is at school and my son is napping...
It is truly amazing!!! Wow!
And the music is absolutely phenomenal too....

Ahoy Mateys...

Our little pirate celebrated his 2nd birthday in complete pirate style...
I made Golden Treasure Mac n' Cheese (homemade mac n' cheese), Jewels of the Sea Jello (blue jello with fruit in it), Seaweed Salad (green salad), Octopus Hotdogs, Goldfish crackers and Homemade Pirate Ice Cream cakes...everything was delicious and all the mateys had a fun time! My brother in law even got talked into dressing up as a pirate and reading the book "How I became a Pirate" by David Shannon...It was definitely the hit of the party!!!