Baby it's cold outside

Leggings: Express
Tops: H&M
Sweater: Express
Socks: Target
Necklace: Erin Gallagher Jewelry

No one thinks I actually get all dolled up everyday of the week right?! I realize that it may seem this way, however this is not the case! I would love to be superwoman, but I'm just me. I have 2 kids under the age of 3 and I'm far from perfect! This is me on most days! THIS is my uniform. Leggings and layered tops are the norm. In fact I own leggings in most dark colors (grey, black, brown, navy). I also wear my glasses a few days a week to give my eyes a break.
I do get dressed more then this or dressed up a few days a week to just feel like a woman! It's very easy in all the dirty diapers, laundry, and throw up to forget you are a girl, so I try and take me time as often as I can. Just an hour to shower and get pretty makes me feel refreshed and ready for another hard day or two! Just wanted to clear this up!! And yes, I'm a 31 year old woman who wears a braided side pony tail. OFTEN!

Since yesterday's post I had a nap and a better nights sleep. Life makes sense again! ;) Hope everyone has a fun and safe NYE!

What's happening in my world...

AHHHHHHHH! It's official I'm drowning!! It all hit me on Christmas. We had 2 more parties to attend that day and I was going on 2 hours of sleep from the night before. We were in the car with crying kids (day 2 of that fun) for 3 hours and I drank more coffee then any one person should. I didn't even take outfit pictures!! And we all know that's not like me! ;)
After both parties were over I got around 4 hours of sleep and felt a bit better. Since then every night is something. Spit up in the bassinet that turns into a 2 hour project because you have to strip down the bed and baby and redress both. Then re feed the baby and try to get her down and everytime my son then wakes up and wants to play. I finally get both kids down and by that time I get about an hour before my son wakes up for the day. And did I mention I have a 2 year old that no longer takes naps?!
This keeps happening! Every night is something. I sleep less now then ever before and I just can't catch up!
I probably just need one good nights sleep and I'd be a new woman, but since my hubby has no days off this week I have very little help.
The hubs has 2 Lucky Boys Confusion shows tonight and tomorrow at the Double Door in Chicago. Sadly this year (it's their 10th year playing SFAS) I am not going to either show. I have our babies. As much as I'll miss seeing my boy and my friends on NYE, to be honest, if I had a sitter for the night I would rather sleep! haaa Man, my life has changed a bit in the past few years! (In a great way of course!)
I will leave you now with a picture of all the loot we got from the 4 parties in 2 days. I realize it is out of control! Before I opened anything, I went through all the kids existing toys and bagged them all up! We had the Children's Cancer Society come and pick up all of those and then I opened a few of these for my kids. The rest are being stored in my laundry room and will be brought out one at a time over the next few months.

Christmas Eve- 2nd and 3rd family parties

Turtleneck: Victoria's secret
Jean leggings: Kohls
Boots: venus.com (2006)
Faux Fur coat: Asos
Earrings: Coach
Watch: Fossil (gift)

I was meeting up with my hubby at party #3 (gotta love working retail around the holidays huh?) so again, I wanted to wear something I could move around in a lot. I went with an all black look and added a brown boot to mix up my neutrals. I also used my accessories to help with subtle color hints. I went with my purple and gold Coach earrings and my new boyfriend style watch that the hubby got me for Christmas.
I was really happy with this outfit. And my new fur coat went with the look flawlessly! What do you guys think of the faux fur I choose? I LOVE IT!!!

1st Family Holiday Party

Dress: Express (2007)
Tights: Walgreens
Boots: Bakers (2008)
Earrings: Kate Spade (gift)

I had 6 holiday parties to attend this year on 4 different days! You already saw my friends holiday party, so here's what I wore to my first family one. We had a great time. My son ran around dancing and eating cookies, my daughter looked adorable in her Christmas dress, my hubby had to work, and I ran around trying to watch 2 kids in a non child proof place! ;) All and all, good times were had, but I slept really well this night!
I knew I'd be running around a lot so loose comfy clothing was key. I've had this dress for 3 years and it never lets me down. Dressy enough to wear to out, yet cozy enough to not feel like you can't be a mom.
I paired the dress with tights, boots, and my new earrings! How wonderful are these?! I just love them!! I probably could have warn a necklace or bracelet this day, but truth be told I forgot! I hate when I walk out the door and realize I have all the kids stuff but I forgot things like jewelry, perfume, my purse! ;) haa

This weeks "I want what she has!"

This weeks "I want what she has!" goes to Alison Orebaugh. This headband is great! On this day Ali was wearing it with leggings and layered tops, but you could also wear this on a night out on the town! I love when items are versatile!

Headband: $19.50 (buy one get one free) Express

Great find Ali. I think I may need to check out the accessories section over at Express now! ;)

Holiday party with my girls

We actually got together for a friend Christmas party this year! Our friend Jaclyn came later that night and Christine had to work, but somehow most of us were able to meet up! This is getting harder and harder, but we do what we can! ;)
Ali's house looked amazing and we enjoyed great food, wine, and music. We even had a secret santa and I got the gift from Kristin!! I am very excited about this fact because her gift was a pair of Kate Spade earrings! I LOVE THEM! I didn't take a picture of them, but you will see them in upcoming outfit posts for sure!
Since I didn't take a picture of the earrings please enjoy these funny out takes from the night:




Merry Christmas!

cookie Week 2010- Cookie #6

So this is it, my last cookie! These turned out great and ended up being one of the most eaten at the parties I've attended so far (yes, I've already had 2 Christmas parties).





Here's what you'll need:

1 pouch Betty Crocker® sugar cookie mix
Butter and egg called for on cookie mix pouch
3 tablespoons Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons seedless raspberry, apricot or your favorite jam
3/4 cup powdered sugar
2 to 3 teaspoons milk

Make cookie dough as directed on package, adding flour; blend. Divide dough into thirds. Shape each third into 12-inch log. Place logs 3 inches apart on 2 ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake at 375°F for 15 to 18 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Cool 5 minutes. Using handle of wooden spoon or finger, make depression about 1/2 inch wide and 1/4 inch deep lengthwise down center of each roll. Fill indentations on each roll with generous tablespoon jam. Cool; place on cooling rack. Cool completely.
Mix powdered sugar and just enough milk for drizzling consistency; blend. Drizzle icing over cooled logs. Cut each roll diagonally into 12 pieces.

I ended up making more then 3 logs. My cookie sheets were too small for 12 inch ones! I also alternated between apricot jam and raspberry jam.
Hope you have enjoyed cookie week! Looking back at my week I am not sure how I got all these done with 2 kids under age 3! Not easy for sure!! I am so over baking for a bit! ;)

cookie Week 2010- Cookie #5

So technically this is not a cookie, but these yummy treats are all around this year. My friend Beth Faber emailed me this recipe:


Small circle pretzels (super tough to find!)
peppermint kisses
red and green m&m's.

Line a baking tray with parchment paper or use a nonstick pan. Put down the pretzel and then the kiss in the middle - throw in the oven (325 degrees) for a few minutes. Once you see the top of the kiss start to melt take them out, I have learned the hard way that if you leave them in too long they will never melt and instead get really weird. Once they are out very quickly place the m&m on the top in the middle using it to squish the kiss to fit the pretzel. When they are all done out them in the fridge for about 5 minutes to cool and viola! These are so cutesy holiday and you can freeze them which makes them even better :)


Well first off I could not find circle or square pretzels so I went with regular ones. Then I decided I liked carmel kisses better then peppermint, so I tweaked the recipe.



Beth later told me that I could have used rolos too. That makes more sense since the carmel in kisses is soft. Either way, these are super yummy and super easy!!

cookie Week 2010- Cookie #4

These cookies are my favorite so far! Kinda messy to make with the red dye, but so worth it!
Betty Crocker Red Velvet cookies.




Here's what you'll need:

1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker® sugar cookie mix
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/4 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon red food color
1 egg
3/4 to 1 cup Betty Crocker® Rich & Creamy cream cheese frosting
1/4 cup chopped nuts


Heat oven to 375°F. In large bowl, stir cookie mix, cocoa, butter, sour cream, food color and egg until soft dough forms.
Roll dough into 1-inch balls; place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake 8 to 9 minutes or until set. Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely, about 15 minutes.
Frost cooled cookies with frosting. Sprinkle with nuts. Store tightly covered at room temperature.

Check back later today! Cookie #5 posts at 4:00pm.

Cookie Week 2010- Cookie #3

This is a new recipe. In theory this cookie should have been amazing, it ended up being a pain in my ass! Seriously!


okay, so I have never baked with carmel before. I did not know that whatever you warm the carmel up in would end up being a throw away dish! I actually threw the spoon I used to mix the carmel too! That stuff dries so hard! Crazy.
Anyway, the cookies turned out great. My husband ate a lot of them and me not so much. I don't like how the carmel sticks in your teeth. I do like the fudge/nut/sugar cookie side though and ate a few of those any passed the carmel side over to my man.

He's the recipe:
1 pouch Betty Crocker® Sugar Cookie Mix
(Butter and egg called for on cookie mix pouch)
2 tablespoons Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
12 caramels, unwrapped (more like 20!)
1 tablespoon milk
1 cup hot fudge topping
36 Pecan halves

1. Make cookie dough as directed on package, stirring in flour. Roll dough into 1-inch balls; place about 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake at 375°F 11 to 12 minutes or until set. Cool 1 minute; place cookies on cooling rack.
2. Microwave caramels and milk uncovered on High 1 minute to 1 minute 30 seconds, stirring once, until caramels are melted. Dip one side of each cookie at an angle into caramel mixture to coat top half; spread if necessary. If caramel thickens, add up to 1 teaspoon additional milk and reheat.
3. Spread about 1 teaspoon fudge topping on top of each cookie. Place pecan half on topping. Let stand about 15 minutes until toppings are set.

cookie Week 2010- Cookie #2

Okay, so maybe I didn't try all new recipes, I make this cookie every year! My husband LOVES these peanut butter blossom cookies (who am I kidding, I love them too) so I just had to make them!






Here's how you make them:

8 oz. pkg. milk chocolate kisses
1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup peanut butter
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 egg
2 Tbsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1-1/4 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Remove wrappers from chocolate. Beat butter and peanut butter in large bowl until well blended. Add 1/3 cup sugar and brown sugar; beat until light and fluffy. Add egg, milk and vanilla; beat well. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into peanut butter mixture. Cover tightly and chill for 4-8 hours in fridge.
Shape dough into 1-inch balls. place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Immediately press a chocolate piece into center of each cookie; cookie will crack slightly around edges. Let stand on cookie sheets for 3-4 minutes, then remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely.

Check back at 4:00pm today for Cookie #3 to post!

Cookie Week 2010- Cookie #1

It's that time of year again, you know, the most wonderful time of the year?! Which means it's time to do some major baking! Every year growing up my mom made the BEST cookies. And so many different kinds, it was amazing! She still makes all of our favorites, and since she's got those kind covered I going to try all new recipes this year!
Look online for grocery coupons and bake up a bunch!
This is the first year in my new kitchen and the first year using my cusinart mixer (which is HEAVEN by the way). I'm taking on 5-7 different kinds and none of them are too fancy.
Since there are more cookie kinds then days of the week until Christmas, I will be posting twice on some days. Check back often to see all my treats!

To kick off cookie week, I will began with the ever popular and ever so great Nestle chocolate chip cookies. You can find the recipe and the back of ANY chocolate chips bag, but here it is anyway:

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
1 cup chopped nuts

PREHEAT oven to 375° F.

COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

BAKE for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.




I don't use nuts in mine, but I'm sure it is super yummy with them too!

Date Night

Dress: Express
Belt: Urban Outfitters
Tights: Walgreens
Boots: Colin Stuart
Bracelet: Express
Purse: Express

My hubby took me out to a seafood restaurant for the first time in the 6 years that I've known him! To be fair, he does not like seafood, he's a meat kind of guy! But I love sushi and fish alike so it was high time he gives in and takes me out for some lobster tail! We did just that!
I styled this cute pattern dress with a belt and a brass and beaded bracelet. I do realize that I look like I want to kill someone in this shot, my photographer was messing with me! (silly hubs)
And I know that I told you I would wear my new faux fur on my first date night, however the pattern of the dress with the colors in the fur did not match. I promise I will wear it soon and post it! I know what I'm wearing with it for sure and it will be wore with in the next week or so! PROMISE! ;)

In an unrelated topic, how cute is my husband in this picture below?! I know, I know, I'm a lucky girl. Okay, stop looking at him now, he's a married man!




Also, I am guest blogging on The Capital Barbie today with a great savory recipe! You can find it here! I know I don't generally do lots of recipes, but tis the season right?! To keep up with that theme I will be having cookie week on my blog next week. New cookie recipes daily. Be excited! ;)
I'm never loosing this baby weight. (lowers head while shaking it)

St. Nicholas Day A.K.A. Stocking Day

Has anyone ever heard of stocking day? Before I met my husband I never had either!
In my family you get your stocking Christmas morning while you wait for your mom to finish cooking breakfast. It's a stall tactic to keep us occupied long enough to not realize we were not able to open the gifts under the tree yet! ;) As we got older this tradition stayed the same. We always get to open our stockings first. They were always filled with candy, lotto tickets, $5 gift cards to Dunkin Donuts or McDonalds, and other small fun items.

Okay, back to stocking day. My husbands family celebrates this day on December 6th every year. It's kinda like a mini Christmas at the beginning of the month! Here is what came in my kids stockings from my in-laws this year:





I finally asked my mother-in-law what this tradition is all about and she told me when she was younger she always celebrated St. Nicholas Day. Every year on the 5th they would put their stockings out (or in history people would put their shoes out) and on the 6th they would get to open them. She said she remembered always getting an orange in the bottom of her sock and what a big treat it was to get fresh fruit. She admittedly goes a bit over board for the grand babies, but loves to spoil them! ;)

We are so blessed and I am definitely aware of it (and very grateful for it). My kids are also very spoiled because we now do both stocking day and a candy filled, small items stocking on Christmas morning!
How do you handle all the old and new traditions? Do you and your family combine your holiday traditions?

Holiday shopping with the Hubby

Top: Loft
Blazer: Urban Outfitters
Jeans: Target
Shoes: Payless
Earrings: Coach
Jacket: Burlington Coat Factory
Purse: Coach

What do 2 parents do when they are baby free for the first time in 5 weeks? Go to the mall and Christmas shop, but kick it off with a bloody Mary of course! :)
I wanted to dress warm, because our mall is outdoors, but I wanted to look nice because I knew we were going to Wild Fire for an appetizer and a drink before we did our shopping. This was the outfit I decided on. I love mixing neutrals, so I really enjoy the navy stripe in this top with the black blazer. I was also overly excited to wear my new Coach earrings! You will be seeing these a LOT people! Are they not just gorgeous?! GUSH! I just love them.

Here's a shot of our delicious drink and one of me and the hubbs by the mall Christmas tree. We had a lovely afternoon! And yes, I know I must seem like a lush, but I've had 2 drinks since I had my little girl and I've posted about them both. I'm just that excited about having a drink while I'm out! Deal with it!!! ;)

This weeks "I want what she has!"

This weeks "I want what she has!" goes to Abbey Kenny! I am obsessing over her coach buys!

Bag: $398.00 Coach
Coin purse: $38.00 Coach

This bag is amazing. I am loving the color and how it goes with everything! I am also really enjoying this coin purse. You can keep change, lip gloss, money and an ID, pretty much anything in it! What a fun item to have in your bag! Great finds Abbey....time to do some Coach shopping!

My search for hair pretties

On my never ending search for hair pretties, I came across Pitter Patter Kints on Etsy. I immediately fell in love with these little headbands! The rosette is so small it doesn't overpower my little beans head! I also really like the thinner band around her head.
Red Headband: $7
Pink Headband: $5
I think she might be sold out of the pink one because it is no longer on her site (but there is yellow and white). These are great for photo shoots or just for your little lady to be looking her best! ;) My bean is wearing her red one for Christmas with her fancy dress. I can't wait!