Yellow!

I'm a little yellow obsessed lately. All these things just scream SPRING! How could you not smile when looking at them?!

Vintage mixing bowls via DonkeeHouse

Wooden filigree scroll earrings via Outblush

Vibrant high heels via What's New in Fashion

Vintage clock via Retro Kitchen

Garage Sale!

I've been preparing the past 2 weeks for our upcoming garage sale. I didn't realize how much stuff we had! I have box, after box of baby stuff; it seems never ending. My DH and I have decided that 2 kids is enough and that is time to let go of all the baby clothes, toys and accessories. This means everything from the onesies to the carseat is for sale. I've temporarily converted the playroom/computer room/craft room into garage sale central. It's hard to move around in there, but I think I finally have all the signs made and items priced. Now I have to set up the garage which has proved to be more difficult than I thought. Once everything is set up we just have to hope the weather is amazing and we have lots of shoppers!

Happy Earth Day!

In honor of Earth Day I've picked out some of my favorite eco-friendly finds on the web today.

Reusable tote bags via oliveirabags

Recycled bike clock via 1byliz

Cute pillow via alexandraferguson

Heart shaped, soy crayons via earthgrowncrayons

Earth shirt via springolive

Design Inspiration

Love the green tiles and wood - via dwellinggawker

Amazing craft area for kids! - via Real Simple

Fun for reading with the kids - via dwellinggawker

 

Bright yellow dining room chair - via Real Simple

Love the dark walls with a pop of color - via Real Simple

I did it!

That's right, I did it! I feel like singing the Dora song. My DH suggested I move the exercise machine (I have a Gazelle) into the living room so I could work out while watching TV. So I hauled it down the hallway and found it a nice spot in the living room. We then joked that I could hang my coat and purse on it when I come home from work, but I have real intentions of using it. I'm giving it two weeks. In two weeks we are having a garage sale, so if it doesn't get used often during the next two weeks, it is going up for sale at the garage sale. Well ... Day 1 is a success! I ate breakfast and got on the Gazelle for about 10 minutes this morning while I watched Real Housewives of Orange County. (I'm not sure why I'm obsessed with these Real Housewives shows, but I love them all!) Maybe tonight I can go walking on the Gazelle while I watch Desperate Housewives, since I fell asleep last night before it even came on. If I force myself to wait to watch my DVR shows only while on the Gazelle this could turn out great for me. Let's hope it works!

I only wish I could look as awesome as Tony Little on my Gazelle! ha!

Daily Happenings

I've become slightly obsessed with the daily deal websites. I'm not sure why, maybe because I love a bargain! I signed up for Groupon first and thought it was great. Then a couple of weeks ago, I discovered another site, like Groupon, but for handmade items called Heartsy. And yesterday I stumbled upon another daily deals site for moms and kids called Zulily. I've arrived at the mecca for daily deals! So now not only am I constantly digging for coupons in the paper, mailbox and online, but I'm checking my daily deal websites to get more discounts.

On a related note: My DH doesn't think I'm so crazy for clipping coupons now. We've been watching the new TLC series Extreme Couponing and I think he is just as hooked as me. Who wouldn't want to say save money on everyday items?! Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. I know I will -- there's 4 coupon inserts on Sunday! 
Happy Clipping!

Getting in Shape! (or at least trying to)

It's been over a year since J was born and I'm still not "happy" with my post-pregnancy body. I don't think many women are ever happy with all the changes that take place. I didn't expect the stretchmarks or extra flab to stick around forever. After all, I had my kids young. I should bounce right back into shape, right? Wrong, way wrong. I feel like my bikini wearing, short shorts days are over. I'm a mom now, I have to look a certain way. There are already so many people judging me because I'm a young mother; the last thing I want is for someone to judge me based on what I'm wearing as a young mother. I know I shouldn't care, but it gets annoying with the looks at the grocery store and the other moms at the park looking at me like I don't know what I'm doing. 

Because of my unhappiness with the way I look, I've made myself some goals. I'm trying to eat better and exercise more. Remember there is very little "me" time in this equation so exercising more is hard. Let's face it, exercising at all is hard. Last year, after J was born I decided I wanted to run a marathon. Maybe not a full marathon, just a half. Oh who was I kidding, I'm never going to run a marathon. I just wanted a goal ... a reason for exercising. Well it's been a year since I decided I was going to start running. Last year I successfully went for a run once. Yep, one time. That's it. I guess my goal for this year is to run at least twice a month. I want to get back to my normal body, not the body I was left with after being pregnant. Maybe I just need to learn how to be happy with the body I have and not worry what other people think. 

Hopefully, by the end of summer I'll be happy with my body or maybe I'll still be trying to figure out when I can fit in that run. I guess we'll find out ...

Just another day

It's just another day. Another day filled with a busy work schedule, crying kids, unwatched shows on the DVR and nothing really ready to eat for dinner when I get home. I have so much going on right now that I don't want to focus on anything specifically. I just keep creating lists in my head. A work list. A house list. A family list. A shopping list. A pay these bills list. A wishes for the future list. A "me" list. So much to do and so little time. I guess I don't have much to talk about today. Maybe tomorrow I'll spend some time talking about my weight loss/exercise goals, but for today I guess I just made a list about all the lists I've made in my head. Don't you wish you would've stopped reading after the first sentence? Enjoy the day.

Decorating!

I've been wanting to redecorate (or actually just decorate for the first time) some of the rooms in my house. We moved in a year ago, almost exactly from today. (Happy Anniversary house!) Part of my goals for this year is to decorate my kitchen, upstairs bathroom and the entry way. I get bonus points if I get the computer/craft/play room done. I've been browsing the blogs and magazine newsstands to find some great ideas. I picked up a copy of House Beautiful today at lunch so that I can read it after the kids go to bed (that's right, I'm sneaking in some "me" time!). I also found a super inspiring blog today House*Tweaking. This woman is amazing! She is trying to sell her house (hey, I'm doing that too! I'm just not living it in) and has kids, yet her house isn't all child proof looking. Here are some things I want in my house ...

LOVE this chalkboard for the kitchen

via TheDoorStop

This shower curtain would make anyone happy in the morning!

via maisonboutique

Maybe I'll put this mirror in my entryway

via moxiethrift

Does anyone have suggestions for decorating ideas? I feel like I'm all over the place with my ideas, but maybe that is a good thing. Happy Decorating!

Food Obsession

Food. Yum! It's my obsession. I love to eat it, cook it and bake it. One way to get my fill of deliciousness (in a calorie free way) is to browse foodgawker. Has anyone checked out this site? It is amazing. The food looks delicious, the photos are amazing (yes, I'm jealous of the photography once again!) and I want to be like these people. Here are some of my favorite finds today.

Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes

Thai Chicken & Noodles

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Prickly Pear Margarita

The Perfect Bite: Caprese Salad