My Weekend Wish List

I have been trying to stay in-tune with what I find creates stress for me, lately.  Sometimes, I wake up on a Saturday and get excited about the potential the weekend holds for our family to have fun, and spend quality time together.  After thinking for a few minutes, I realize there’s a lot of things which “have to get done,” and then I quickly get disappointed or stressed about managing our time.

So, this Saturday when I woke up, I decided I wanted to make a list of “to-do” and a “wish list” underneath it.  Often times, I think things have to happen, but they actually don’t really need to.  This is how I overload my weekend and turn fun time into stress.  Lance and I sat down and said everything we had to do this weekend, vs. what we wanted to do.

This was our list:

 

The truth was, when we actually thought about what we ABSOLUTELY HAD TO GET DONE, there really wasn’t much.  We knocked out the grocery shopping and trip to target on Saturday along with nap-time sleep training.  That left Sunday for our wish list.  On Sunday, we chillaxed, I got a much-needed pedicure and Lance played Playstation for a few hours and I had lunch with my best friend.

We even made delicious meals both nights!!  Lemon Orzo Chicken, and Spanish Chickpeas and Rice!

 

While we didn’t get everything I wanted to get done, I realized that my expectations were unrealistic if I wanted any down time.  We had a great time this weekend, and I think our to-do and wish list will be a new weekend tradition which will help us prioritize and be realistic about what we can accomplish.

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What I Wore This Week!

It has been a wild week in my neck-of-the-woods…we got slammed by Winter Storm Jonas on Saturday which left us with nearly 30 inches of snow, preschool was cancelled three out of five days, and the girls alternated not feeling well.  Weeks like this are ones when getting dressed for work is the absolute last thing on my mind so I’m glad I decided to post about what I wore because I had to do a bit of planning

Monday-the girls didn’t have school and I worked from home.  We made it a jammy day. I got these pj’s for Christmas and I love them!  They are super comfy and super warm.  The sweater is the perfect lightweight fabric and it’s not too tight, and the pants are the same great fabric.  I literally would live in these if I could.  Do I even need to say anything about my slippers…I think not!

Xhilartion pajama set-target.com  (This set, unfortunately is no longer available, but the Xhilaration has tons of great options.)

Ugg moccasins-uggaustralia.com

Tuesday-there was snow everywhere I looked, so I wanted to be cozy while at work.  My favorite over sized sweater was the best option.  I paired it with faux leather panel front leggings and my favorite black booties. Simple, easy, and comfortable!  My favorite combo!

Old Navy Sweater-winter 2015, no longer available

Mossimo Women’s Ponte Pant-Target.com

Black booties-winter 2014, no longer available

Wednesday-Half way through the week! The snow still hasn’t melted and a sweater is the most necessary piece of clothing on this side of the Mason-Dixon!  I love this cardigan because I can dress it up or down.  I could throw a tee-shirt under it and wear with jeans or pair it with a LBD.  It’s the perfect cardi and I love the pattern!  I’m not much a black dress pant kind of gal and I have a bunch of these black “jeggings.”

Romeo and Juliet Couture Leopard Cardigan-purchased winter 2015

Bonton-Jessica Simpson Black Kiss Me Ponte Leggings

Black Old Navy Tank-oldnavy.com

Thursday-I did not feel like thinking about getting dressed on Thursday, simple solution…this shirt dress!  I love the color and its loose fit.  It can be dressed up or down and it goes with my most favorite black booties!  My black chunky necklace is one of my oldest necklaces, and it is timeless. I wear that puppy at least once a week!

H&M Chiffon Dress-H&M.com

Black Target tights-target.com

Friday-Friday is finally upon us; and you know what that means (at least at my office), JEAN FRIDAY!  No thought involved in getting dressed today.  Grabbed my dressy sweatshirt with a peplum, a pair of skinny’s and my fav tan booties and I’m out the door!

Women’s Flounce Sweatshirt-target.com

Levi’s Juniors’ 535 Denim Leggings-bonton.com

Women’s Merona Sawyer Booties-target.com

 

Happy Weekend!  May your weekend be filled with comfy clothes and lots of fun!

Zuchinni Sliders

Finding foods that fit into my dairy-free, soy-free diet has been a challenge, but this recipe keeps us coming back for more.  It’s quick, healthy, and delicious…what else could you ask for?

 

Ingredients:

• 2 large zucchini, diced
• 2 T Olive oil
• Parmesan cheese (I used goats milk cheese for this recipe)
• Marinara sauce
• Sandwich rolls
• Red pepper flakes (optional)

Directions:

• In a skillet, add olive oil and zucchini. Saute over medium heat until the zucchini is tender and lightly browned.
• Stir in marinara sauce. Red pepper flakes can also be added for some extra kick.
  

  If you’re looking for a new marinara sauce, you need to try this one.

• Simmer on low heat for 2 minutes

• Spoon mixture onto a sandwich roll and top with some freshly grated  Parmesan cheese.  Enjoy!

 

The sickest winter, EVER!

I mean “sick” in the literal sense.  Between Lance, Miles and I, we have all been sick this winter at least 12 times.  Why?  DAY CARE!  There has not been a weekend where Miles, Lance and I have all been well since he started day care.  Please tell me it get’s better!

I have taken Miles to the pediatrician at least once every two weeks since September.  We have spent a small fortune on co-pays.  Not to mention the money I am wasting for time in daycare when he is home sick.   I just keep telling myself, something has got to give.

Saturday night, Miles was vomiting and had diarrhea, a fever of 103.4 and a nasty cough.  Lance and I switched off holding him for hours since that was the only way he would sleep and stop crying.  As I hoof it into the pediatrician again tomorrow (I was just there Friday because Miles had a rash), I need to remind myself of all the parents who have a terminally or chronically ill child and be incredibly thankful that my son will get better.

I do feel bad for Miles, though.  When there’s nothing I can do for him, it makes me feel bad for having to keep him in daycare. I did find this article which made me feel a little bit better.  According to this study, kids go through this whenever they enter a group setting. It may be at 3 months and it may be in kindergarten.  At least Miles won’t be missing important lesson plans, and he won’t remember feeling so horrible.  I guess that makes me feel better….maybe.

Cheater Cheater, Cheese Sauce!

This week Michael made it to the grocery store on his own while I was away for a pleasant girls weekend in Philadelphia.  I am so grateful for the favor.  This way we did not have to make mystery meals through out the week with whatever it may have been left around in our pantry.

He came home with a cauliflower- and for some reason this is a thing I generally avoid when shopping.   I think its just because I just haven’t mastered making it taste good- unless of course its covered in cheese!  I was also feeling a heavy case of the Mondays… so roasting a vegetable seemed ruthless after a long tired day.   Starting the week with cheese and no workout on the books felt a little like a personal sabotage.

While trying to plan the evening menu I was reminded of a delicious cauliflower soup recipe Ive made in the past, and how there is NO added dairy.  Then my mind tripped over seeing a whole30 IGer who obsesses over cauliflower ‘Alfredo sauce.’

So, I very lazily put together this VERY delicious, easy peasy, and NOT SO bad for you cheese or Alfredo sauce.

Ingredients :

• 1 Large Cauliflower
• 1/4-1/2 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
• Salt/ Pepper

Thats it!

My cauliflower was scary in size.   I used about a 1/4 for the sauce, and a 1/4 to steam.

1. Boil your cauliflower for the sauce- about 30 minutes.  It should be fall apart tender.
2. Blend your cauliflower ( I used the nutribullet), with remaining ingredients and about a 3/4 cups cooking water from boil.

Pro Tip : more cheese, more yum.  less cheese, less guilt.  Its truly a win-win situation!

That is ladies and gents!

It seriously taste ALL cheesy.  The consistency of a cauliflower matches exactly that of blended cream.  The nuttiness caries along with the nutty parm cheese.  I can’t believe how yummy this mostly veggie blend can taste.

I plan to guise many a veggie sides with this:  zoodles (zucchini noodles), roasted broccoli, the list is easy enough to make long- because what doesn’t taste good with guilt free cheese sauce!?

 

 

Enjoy!

Miles’ Photoshoot!

I have been itching to get Miles’ photos taken.  When I was younger, I saw my sister-in-laws get professional photos of their kids all the time and I never really understood why.  Now that I am a mom, I can see why the DIY photos beyond quick cell phone snaps are less of a reality.

My boss recommended I used her friend and family photographer, Ada DeFanti.  I checked out her site and really liked the way her photos transposed a candidness and true happiness.  They didn’t seem so “posed”.  After I met Ada, I could see why.  She was really sweet and down to earth, and made us feel truly relaxed and happy during our shoot.  Miles even gave her a few smiles!

The end result is I am in love with the photos of my beautiful boy.  The memories are priceless, but Ada’s rates are respectable.

Friday Favorites!

Winter has finally arrived in PA…we had our first snow fall this week and the temperatures finally feel like winter.  It’s time to bust out the cold weather gear!  I got a ton of great pieces of clothes for Christmas and the girls received some great toys that will occupy them when we can’t get outside.

Playdoh has always been one of my favorite toys for the girls to play with, it keeps them occupied for hours and it lets them be creative.  These sets are wonderful, we have about five of them and the girls love creating and pretending with them.  My personal favorite is the “My Little Pony” set!

I have been on the search for a long puffer coat with a hood forever, so when I found this Michael Kors coat I fell in love!  It is so warm, and the perfect length.

My girls LOVE any holiday, and they are loving anything Valentine’s Day!  The same day we took down our Christmas decorations we put up our Valentine’s Day decor.  Target has some pretty adorable things that I plan on picking up but in the meantime I found great LED lights and sequined ampersand signs.  Both are adorable and were only $3!

This hat…is…everything!  I found this at Target before the holidays and was unsure of it until I put it on last week, now I’m building outfits around it.  It works with everything and the brim is the perfect size!

My girls love this Ginzick Super Fun Ice Cream Shop!  They play with it all the time.  There’s tons of play food pieces that go with it.  I love it because it keeps them busy and unlike most toys like it, this one is super sturdy, not to mention the price was perfect!

What are some of your favorites this winter??

 

 

 

Living Room Part 2!

Does anyone else feel like they can never just finish one room?  Well I am determined to complete our living room come hell or high water.  This is a little bit of my inspiration but I think I need some more color!  I would also like to add three floating shelves and create a gallery wall.  Other DIY on the list is paint our dining room and our small third bedroom this winter!  Look out Home Depot and Ikea here I come!

 

living room part 2 by msotirokos featuring beaded accent pillows

Polished brass lighting / Nourison beige area rug / Austin Horn Collection beaded accent pillow / Americanflat contemporary home decor / Patterned curtain / Throw pillow / Rustic wood wall art / Wood home decor / nearly natural 3-ft. Potted Ficus Tree

DIY Fleece Rail Guard

You know I love a good DIY project that doesn’t take hours and hours to complete. So,when I started to notice a few teeth marks on the top rail of Ainsley crib, I knew I had to find a quick and easy solution.

Supplies:

• 1 1/2 yards of fleece fabric
• Scissors
• A straight edge- I couldn’t find my yard stick so I used a large book instead. 
• Wax paper

  
Steps:

• Measure how wide your strips need to be in order to cover the top rail of the crib and have enough to knot at the bottom. I just took a piece of wax paper and wrapped it around the top rail of the crib to figure out how wide to cut my fleece strips. 

•  With the wax paper as my guide, I looked for a book that was similar in size. I then used the book as my straight edge as I cut my fleece. I cut my fleece into 4 strips at approximate 12″.  In hindsight, 14″ would have made it easier to tie the knots on the bottom. 

    

•  Once my pieces were cut, I headed into Ainsley room to attach them. I started by draping the fleece over the top rail.  Next, I used my scissors to cut around each of the slats and knotted the fleece at the bottom. 

  

• I worked my way around the crib, attaching the fleece to all 4 side. This part of the project took the longest…around 45 mins. 

 So there you have it! An easy $10 DIY crib rail!