5 (things I want) on Friday

With my birthday coming up - this Monday!!! -  I thought I'd put together a list of the things I'd be most happy to see for birthday presents.

cough, cough, Joel. ;) 

::: Amazon Speaker :::

I honestly have no idea which is the best one to get, but I want a speaker in my kitchen that can get decently loud, doesn't need to be touched - can just turn on with my voice - and doesn't take over my phone the way my Jawbone speaker does. Anyone have any good recommendations? 

::: Lilly Pulitizer pullover ::: 

I am pretty much in athlesiure pull overs of some kind 6 days a week, and with the summer coming up, I'd like to add another popover to my closet. I love the bright colors and decently light weight material. 

::: Apple Watch :::

 

I think I want an apple watch. A few of my friends have them and really like them, and I think it would be handy to be able to be reached and not have to have my phone on me at all times. Especailly at the gym, I feel like I need to take my phone into classes in case the preschool were to call me, but with the iwatch, I wouldn't need to as much. I'm not sure it's totally worth it - and I'll be fine to live without one - but I think it would be a fun gift. 

::: cast iron skillet :::

I need a cast iron skillet! Kind of a random thing, but my kitchen could use one, and I'd like to start finding some new recipes to use in one. 

::: Gold birkenstocks :::

I wear my silver thong like birks all the time, and I recently got lilac pool birkenstocks that I love - but I think these would be a nice neutral summer sandal that could actually hold up at parks and on light walks.

plus - I love massages, mani pedis, wine, essential oils, some new makeup, gosh - I won't really say no to any presents to be honest ;) 

 

Five on Friday

::: Glossier Cloud Paint :::

I went with puff and beam 

I have always loved a liquid blush - and this one is my new favorite. I like both colors that I got - I ended up going with the sample pack (for $30) in order to determine my favorite color, but I couldn't tell you which one I like better! They go on so smooth and easy, they stay on, and a little bit goes a long way.

::: 2 :::

I don't know if I've shared this - but I made a twist on Liz Adam's mushroom turkey burgers - I added thawed frozen spinach, and they were SO good.

So easy, really filling, healthy and quick to make! I would highly recommend! 

::: 3 ::: 

My book club last week had a really cool opportunity to facetime with the author, Steve Pemberton, of A Chance in this World. The book is incredible .... I actually listened to it on Audible which I loved because it's Steve who is reading it. The book is incredibly inspiring, motivating, and heart wrenching. 

::: 4 ::: 

The weather has FINALLY turned here in Chicago and I am ALLLLLLLLLL about it! It's been SO nice to get outside, take some wagon rides, play on the swing set, go for walks.....life is GOOD when it's not 15 degrees outside! 

::: 5 ::: 

The kids have spring break this week, and so a few family friends and us are renting a house in Galena while the kids are off school. We are SO excited for a fun trip with friends! We plan to hike, hit up a few cute breweries, maybe do some bowling, swimming, and anything else we can do while enjoying mimosas with our dear friends! 

Five on Friday

::: 1 ::: 

You guys. Thank you! Thank you for all of your sweet comments and notes yesterday. They honestly made my entire day (and possibly even week). From the bottom of my heart, thanks for taking the time to make me feel so good.

::: 2 :::

I'm trying to keep Leo as busy as possible this winter with some energy expelling activities - so we are doing swimming and gymnastics. He's really enjoying both actually, even though he gets a little anxious before we get there, and it is SO weird, because this is the first round of activities that he does without me. I love watching him in the group setting, listening to the coach, trying new things, and working with other kids totally without me. It makes me so proud and heartbroken all at the same time! 

Along with classes, we're trying to get to storytime at the library, school - and then, I have been taking both kids to the gym's daycare. I'm finding that keeping busy is really the only way to survive these Chicago winters. 

 

::: 3 :::

Two of my girlfriends and I have a playgroup every Thursday afternoon - and this was my week to host. I ended up doing a cheese platter, a pepper jelly dip, and a mushroom truffle pizza - all of which were amazing. We are currently obsessed with Trader Joe's sparking brut Rose, so we had a few glasses of that while our six kids (combined) played. The kids look forward to Thursday afternoons almost as much as the moms do. 

::: 4 :::

Did I mention that we are going to Mexico in a few weeks? We are heading to Punta Mita and could NOT be more excited. We are renting the condo that is right next to my parents, and my parents (and hopefully sisters) will be coming with too. My parents can't wait to show Leo and Drew their favorite place in the world, and I can't wait for a week of vacation! Pool, margaritas, sunshine.....I'm so looking forward to it. More posts to come on this - hopefully ;) 

::: 5 ::: 

Joel got these boots for me - and honestly - they are the best winter boot/shoe I've ever had in my entire life. I've gotten a ton of compliments on them, and they're exactly what I needed - a cute enough shoe to wear all day, but waterproof and boot-y enough to walk in the slush and snow.

--- 

We have a really fun weekend ahead - book club for me tonight at a neighbors (When Life Gives You Lululemons), and then I'm heading downtown with my mom and sisters for high tea! I'll stay the night in the city and then have Joel and the kids come get me on Sunday so that we can hang out with some friends and family too. 

Hope you have a great weekend as well - and if you're here in Chicago - stay warm. 

Five on Friday

::: 1 :::

My 30th birthday is sneaking up on me (May 8th), and currently what has me the most freaked out about turning 30? Failing the drivers test at the DMV. I'm going tomorrow and ripping the bandaid, so please send good thoughts my way that I pass! 

::: 2 :::

Speaking of birthdays.....I'm trying to coordinate a little birthday get together to celebrate with friends before I head out to California, and both of those occasions have me facing the reality that I need a major closet overhaul. I don't have any clothes for the summer .... last summer I was pregnant and this summer has me somewhere in between and I'm just not sure if I want to be investing in clothes for my inbetween state. BUT, with that being said, I actually don't have any clothes, so I'm really not quite sure what to do. I actually hate shopping, but also hate walking into my closet every morning so that's where I'm at.

::: 3 :::

 

This is turning into a stream of consciousness, and not to be the ultimate consumer, but my kids are in need of a summer wardrobe as well. I'm not really sure what I will like having Drew in, but I know I need to stock up on some shorts, tee's, and workout-y clothes for Leo. He lived in his Keen's last year, so I recently bought him the same pair in a bigger size.  I also keep hearing about these zip-front rash guards (swimzip.com) for toddlers, so I think we are going to try one out for both kids this summer and see if we like it - seems to make a ton of sense to me! 

::: 4 :::

 

This weekend marks the beginning of some Spring cleaning and updating Joel and I are doing. On our list; adding a screen door for our patio (which is insanely expensive), staining the deck, adding some landscaping and some spot lights to existing trees on the property, and buying a new loveseat, table and rug for our patio. All of the above won't happen this weekend, but I'm excited to spruce up the outside a bit and start using it soon!

::: 5 :::

I'm sure I've discussed this before, but do you use Chatbooks? I'm pretty obsessed. I print a book quarterly, and it's been my favorite way to store all of the pictures I take. I keep an album on my phone of the season (so currently, "spring"), and add pictures to that album as I go that I know I want included in the book. I normally have about 80/90 pictures and with that and the upgraded hardcover, it normally costs me around $30 dollars a book. I'm loving the little collection we've started, and now all of my family members look forward to each seasons book. 

This weekend will be pretty low key. Even though the Spring weather has been hit or miss, we're going to start some spring cleaning and organizing and crossing off items on the never ending to-do list.

Five on Friday

 

and yes, her hair is too dang much! It sticks straight up no matter what you do, feels like duck hair, and is truly the cutest thing I've ever seen.

::: 1 :::

I suppose I'm a glutton for punishment but we've started to transition Drew from the swaddle and the rock and play to the Merlin Magic Sleepsuit and her crib. It's.....going. I know she will get the hang of it but we're adjusting as of right now with lots of crying as we fall asleep (like upwards of 40 minutes) and one middle of the night wake up session where she just needed to be held by daddy for 30 minutes. Here's hoping by next Friday we're back to regular sleep patterns!

::: 2 ::: 

My favorite weeknight dinner this week - greek chicken pitas. SO good! I use this recipe to marinade the chicken and then just add whatever toppings we've got. So easy and a crowd pleaser for all.

::: 3 ::

:

I'm on the hunt for a new patio couch and table set but haven't found the perfect one yet. I might drag Joel to target this weekend, my mom recommended Lowes, or I may go the really lazy route and just blindly order something from Wayfair or Amazon.We are going to stain our patio this year and I really want the bench ready to go by the time that is done so we can start enjoying that space. We need to have a screen door installed and the weather to cooperate but I'm ready to start filling my planters and sprucing up our outdoor spaces. 

And I'm kind of loving the black and white thing....We have a few green chairs we need to work with, but I think black and white would do well and then as I get sick of it (as I inevitably will) can easily add in pops of color. 

::: 4 :::

 

Speaking of outdoor spaces, there may be a play house in our backyards future. I really think Leo and Drew would have tons of fun with this for years to come....my sisters and I used to play in our "fort" growing up constantly.....Think Joel can build it by Easter morning??

::: 5 :::

 I've clearly got summer on the mind - and since I've had Drew - have had a constant carving for Chardonnay. The same thing happened after I had Leo. I have no idea why, but it just has never tasted so good! My favorite bottle has been this. It's buttery enough, super easy to drink, the right price point ($12-14), and overall has been my favorite weeknight drink! 

Five on Friday

::: 1 ::: 

Ohhhhhh right when you think you've got it figured out, they send you a curve ball, don't they! Sweet baby Drew has decided this week to petition against bottles. She has taken one bottle of pumped breast milk everyday since she was about a week or two old, and out of no where, just decided that she wanted to put up a fight. We've tried everything, and honestly, we're not that overwhelmed by it (#secondkid), but it's annoying. She eventually takes it, strangely seems to take it best from me, but I'm really hoping this is a phase that passes fast. 

::: 2 :::

We hit up Barnes & Noble twice this week. It's my favorite spot to go to when it's cold in the mornings because Leo loves it, they have a Starbucks, and if you get there right when it opens, it hasn't been overrun with too many kids yet. 

 

::: 3 :::

 I turn 30 in just a month and a half! I can't even believe it! I'm really excited for my thirties, but I'm just not sure how to welcome them in. I've thought about doing a bowling party (seriously), maybe taking myself to LA to visit my girlfriends, or going with the family up to Wisconsin for a long weekend. 

::: 4 :::

Drew is officially 12 weeks yesterday, and I feel like we are coming into our groove. We're getting out more, I can predict our days a bit more, and I feel more like myself with each passing week. Spring is flirting with us, and I just feel like I have so much more of a handle on things (mentally mostly) than I did the first 8 weeks. Some days I just want all of the "praise hands" that I'm not pregnant, its not winter, and we don't have a newborn anymore. 

::: 5 :::

We're going reallllll wild with St.Patty's Day this year. I'm talking outfits, food, and beer. And that's coming in the form of cute clothes for the kids, corned beef in the crockpot, and maybe a drop of food dye into a beer we will have at home. 

 

Five on Friday - and a giveaway!

::: 1 :::

When I was pregnant, especially the last month or two, I was obsessed with taking baths. Easily I was taking one a day - so I was so excited when this bathtub caddy was under my Christmas tree. It's made taking a glass of wine and magazine upstairs feel like a damn trip to the spa! I've loved it! 

::: 2 :::

 We have decided to buy a treadmill, and I need some suggestions. Do you have one that you love? Joel is a pretty serious runner so he has some requirements that I would've never really thought/cared about, but I'd love to know if you have one that is somewhat affordable that you would recommend. Bonus points if it can get here soon and be set up for us! 

The being stuck inside with kids/no gym is killing both Joel and I so we are SO excited to find the right machine and get it here sooner than later. 

::: 3 :::

Ok, while we are on the topic of advice, anyone got napping tips for me? Leo is all but dropping his nap and I just cannnnnnnnot allow that to happen. He will maybe nap 2-3 times a week but the conditions have to be perfect (extra dark, busy/active morning, etc.). He's happy in his crib, he doesn't yell or cry, but he just plays and jumps and walks around in it the entire time. Any thoughts????

::: 4 :::

 We will be home this weekend. I think we have a few cousins that are going to come out to meet the baby, but otherwise, we're still hanging at home most of the time and just laying low. I'm hoping the weather allows for a walk or two because we need some fresh freaking air around here!

::: 5 ::: 

 

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