Labelin'

I'm always looking to label things for the kiddos. Label Daddy customizes washable labels. NO need to write, sew or iron. Just peel and stick. Safe for dishwasher, microwave and washer/dryer. Choose from a variety of designs, including Marvel Universe, Disney, MLB logos and much more. Get to labelin'!!

On Point

Still upset that I didn't purchase the Zara Asymmetrical Court Shoe last season. Thank goodness, Zara brought them back. Not exactly the same but it'll do. Im diggin' the cropped pants (all kinds) paired with a pointed heel. D'squared showing the look below.

Little Picasso

I could never get myself to throw any of Dominic's little artwork away. I have framed some of his award-winning (in my eyes. lol!) art and hung them in the house. Still got plenty of artwork saved and will soon have Jaxon's coming. How about getting your child's artwork digitally printed in a coffee table type book? Just send your envelope or box of child's artwork to Plum Print and they'll take care of the rest........with your approval before sending to press, of course. lol! Genius and super convenient for moms, if you ask me.

Roasted Veggie Tostada and Cilantro Lime Corn

I've been really into veggies lately. Came across these two recipes and loved them paired together. Indulge!

Roasted Vegetable Black Bean Tostada

2 cups cherry tomatoes

1 cup green peppers

2 tbls. hot sauce

3/4 cup onion

2 tsp. evoo

1 tsp. garlic salt

1/4 cup cilantro

1 cup Shredded Cheese (Monterrey Jack recommended)

1 cup drained black beans

Corn Tortillas

Toppings: Your Choice (ex. lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream and/or avocado)

Preheat oven 425°, Toss tomatoes, peppers and onions with olive oil. Place on foiled baking tray and roast for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and toss in black beans and cilantro. Reduce oven temperature to 375°. Brush tortillas with olive oil and garlic salt. Spoon vegetable and bean mixture evenly over tortillas and sprinkle cheese. Bale for 10-15 minutes or until tortilla is toasted and cheese has melted. Remove from oven and cover with toppings of your choice.

Cilantro Lime Corn

2 cups corn

2 tbls. jalapeños

1 tbls. Challenge butter

1 tbls. lime juice

1 tbls lime zest

1 clove garlic

1 tsp. red pepper flakes

1/2 cup cilantro

1 tbls. sour cream

Melt butter in saucepan on medium heat. Add jalapeños and garlic and sauté. Gradually add corn and stir occasionally until corn is cooked. Pour in lime juice, lime zest, red pepper and cilantro. Continue to stir for 4-5 minutes. Pull corn off heat and stir in sour cream. Salt and pepper to taste and serve.

Egg Colorin'

I've always been a fan of coloring Easter eggs. Thought this year ill go mess-free and color our eggs with my oh so favorite........Washi tape. So much fun, so many colors and designs to choose from. Happy Easter craftin'!!!

Nike Free

I love to run and love a good pair of lightweight running shoes. Nike is coming out with Nike Free 3.0 V4 and Nike Free 4.0 V2. I can never keep up with all the different types, but was able to try these specific ones and LOVE them! Super lightweight, comfy and cool lookin'. Available here in April and May 2012 in a variety of colors.

Current Obsession: Poppy Colored Cutoffs

Ive always loved this poppy kind of color. Its not too red and not too orange. Just the right shade. Last season I found a them in a cropped pant and this season......cutoff shorts!! Was able to find the perfect fit, color and price. Get 'em here. Also available in black and white.

Boy Stylin'

As you know, I'm always on the look out for fun styles for the boys. Love this site. All styles above can be found here. Site also has great finds for your little girl. Happy Shoppin'!!

Guiltless Dessertin'

If you know me, I LOVE a great dessert after and fabulous meal. I'm not one for diet food, the taste is just NOT that exciting. As I've mentioned in previous posts, I am into Eating Clean. Unfortunately, good "clean" desserts are hard to come by. I happened to try these two Weight Watcher ice cream bars and was pretty impressed, or perhaps just satisfied. Not bad and worth the minimal calories to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Airplane Craftin'

Jaxon is currently obsessed with planes, trains and buses. Fun and easy craft idea to do with the boys. Happy craftin'!

"A Crewed Interest"

Addicted to manicures and currently obsessed with Essie's, "A Crewed Interest" shade of polish. Perfect shade of a luminous and lustrous peach.

BTS.........Jane Photo Shoot

Had a blast at the Jane photo shoot. Come check out all Spring 2012 styles at Jane. New in every week and nothing over $98. Happy shoppin'!

This Weekend To Do's with the Kiddos

Photo: Rock Pool, Malibu Creek Park

Here are some to do's with the kiddos this weekend. Dominic has recently been obsessed with hiking. "Let's hike Runyon!" has also been added to.........sh%* 9 year old boys say. lol! ;-) As much as I love going to the city, had to find some local hikes in the West Valley. Malibu Creek Park is perfect for the kiddos. Its approx. a 3.5 Mile Hike. Its an easy trail for the kids and they can check out the rock pool and volcanic rock along the hike.

For the littler ones, take them to search for some gold at the Thousand Oaks Community Center. Sounds like fun for baby Jaxon. Enjoy your weekend!

Eggplant Mozzarella Bake

Here we go again.....more eggplant recipes. This one is super easy. Im not a huge fan of Parmesan, so I switched it up a little and made an Eggplant Mozzarella bake.

1 Eggplant cut in rounds

1 tbls. EVOO

1 jar of your favorite Spaghetti Sauce (chunky preferred)

Fresh cut Tomatoes (Baby or whole)

Garlic Salt to taste

1/4 cup Panko Bread Crumbs

3/4 Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

Layer cut eggplant and tomatoes in Le Creuset Casserole Bake Dish. Season eggplant and tomatoes with garlic salt. Pour spaghetti sauce over eggplant. Sprinkle bread crumbs and olive oil over sauce and bake at 350° for 25 minutes. Sprinkle mozzarella over bake and cook for additional 30 minutes. Voila! Enjoy!

Lucky Charm

Cute Lucky Charm idea for breakfast on St. Patty's Day!! Serve with green milk! Happy St. Patty's Day! Wishin' you luck at the end of the rainbow. ;-)

Current Obsession: Valentino Rockstud Metallic Bow Jelly

Its really hard to run around in some heels with the kiddos all day. I love to wear flat sandals and especially love a great pair of jelly sandals. I always try to find a "fancier" flip flop as it compliments my everyday style. Coped these Valentino Jelly Sandals in metallic gold/taupe. Also available in red, black or nude. Love them!!!

DVF Spring Colorin'

Im always inspired by color. Lovin' the color vision from DVF Spring 2012.

100 Ways to be Kind to your Child

image via Michele Menier

via www.creativewithkids.com

Tell to your child:

1. I love you.
2. love you no matter what.
3. I love you even when you are angry at me.
4. I love you even when I am angry with you.
5. I love you when you are far way. My love for you can reach you wherever you are.
6. If I could pick any 4 year old (5 year old, 6 year old…) in the whole wide world, I’d pick you.
7. I love you to the moon and then around the stars and back again.
8. Thank you.
9. I enjoyed playing with you today.
10. My favorite part of the day was when I was with you and we were _______.

Tell them:
11. The story of their birth or adoption.
12. About how you cuddled them when they were a baby.
13. The story of how you chose their name.
14. A story about yourself when you were their age.
15. A story about how their grandparents met.
16. What your favorite color is.
17. That sometimes you struggle too.
18. That when you’re holding hands and you give three squeezes, it’s a secret code that means, “I love you”.
19. What the plan is.
20. What you’re doing right now.

Play:
21. Freeze Tag
22. Uno
23. Crazy 8s
24. Gin Rummy
25. Memory
26. Go Fish
27. I Spy- especially when you’re tired of driving and feel snappish
28. Catch

Pretend:
29. To catch their kiss and put it on your cheek.
30. That their tickle tank is empty and you have to fill it.
31. That their high five is so powerful it nearly knocks you over.
32. That you are super ticklish.
33. That you are explorers in the amazing new world of your backyard.
34. That it’s party day! Decorate for no reason!

Try:
35. To get enough sleep.
36. To drink enough water.
37. To eat decent food.
38. Wearing earrings, or whatever makes you feel pretty.
39. Calling a friend the next time you feel like you are about to lose it with the kids.
40. Giving a gentle touch to show approval, rather than saying something.
41. Dancing in the kitchen.
42. To get your kids to bop to the music with you in the car.
43. Showing your kids that you can do a somersault or handstand or a cartwheel.
44. Keeping that sigh to yourself. Just jump in and help clean up cheerfully.
45. Using a kind voice, even if you have to fake it.

Read:
46. A book of silly poems.
47. A book and then act it out. (Like “I’m going on a Bear Hunt”)
48. Your favorite childhood book to them.
49. When the afternoon is starting to go astray.
50. Outside under a tree.
51. In the library kids corner.
52. The comic book they love that you’re not so hot on.
53. About age appropriate behavior so you can keep your expectations realistic.

Listen:
54. To your child in the car.
55. To that Lego description, and think how important it is to your child.
56. For that question that indicates your child really needs your input.
57. One second longer than you think you have patience for.
58. For the feelings behind your child’s words.

Ask:
59. Why do you think that happens?
60. What do you think would happen if______?
61. How shall we find out?
62. What are you thinking about?
63. What was your favorite part of the day?
64. What do you think this tastes like?

Show:
65. Your child how to do something instead of banning them from it.
66. How to whistle with a blade of grass.
67. How to shuffle cards- make a bridge if you can!
68. How to cut food.
69. How to fold laundry.
70. How to look up information when you don’t know the answer.
71. Affection to your spouse.
72. That taking care of yourself is important.

Take Time:
73. To watch construction sites.
74. To look at the birds.
75. To allow your child to help you dump ingredients in the bowl.
76. To walk places together.
77. To dig in the dirt together.
78. To do a task at your child’s pace.
79. To just sit with you child while they play.

Trust:
80. That your child is capable.
81. That you are the right parent for your child.
82. That you are enough.
83. That you can do what is right for your family.

Delight your child:
84. Clean your child’s room as a surprise.
85. Put chocolate chips in the pancakes.
86. Put a love note in their lunch.
87. Make their snack into a smile face shape.
88. Make sounds effects while you help them do something.
89. Sit on the floor with them to play.

Let Go:
90. Of the guilt.
91. Of how you thought it was going to be.
92. Of your need to be right.

Give:
93. A look with Kind Eyes to your child.
94. A smile when your child walks into the room.
95. A kind touch back when your child touches you.
96. The chance to connect before you correct so that your child can actually hear your words.
97. Your child a chance to work out their frustrations before helping them.
98. A bath when the day feels long.
99. A hug.
100. You get to choose the next one! What is your favorite way to be kind to your child?

Eggplant Sandwiches

In addition to being obsessed with strawberries, I'm pretty much in LOVE with eggplant also. Found this recipe and its oh so delicious.

1/2 cup flour

4 oz. crumbled goat cheese

1/2 cup fresh basil leaves

2 beefsteak tomatoes

lettuce

1/2 cup canola oil

1 eggplant, cut into thick rounds

1 cup Panko bread crumbs

2 large eggs, beaten

salt to taste

Place flour, egg and bread crumbs in separate bowls. Dip the eggplant slices in the flour, then the eggs, then bread crumbs until coated. Heat oil in skillet. Cook eggplant until golden brown and crisp. Sprinkle hot eggplant with salt to taste. Layer the eggplant, lettuce, tomatoes, basil and goat cheese to form sandwiches. Enjoy!

St. Patty's Day Treatin'

Found this super easy St. Patty's Days treats to make here. All you need are some rainbow Twizzlers, Rolo Candy, Treat Bags, and Ribbon. Fun way to find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!!! ;-) Happy soon to be St. Patty's Day!!

Take a Chill Pill!!

I love a good bath and bubbles. Found these super fun "chill pill" bath fizzies. Available in different scents here. Great little gift or to use for yourself when you need to unwind. Enjoy!

California Lovin'

Living in the California sun, you get a little boho style inspired. Some California lovin' staples from top left to right.

1.) Show Me Your Mumu pants.

2.) Undrest Liberty String Halter Bikini Top and Undrest knitted hipster shortie

3.) One Teaspoon Denim Bonita Short

4.) 12th Street by Cynthia Vincent Moroccan Sandal

5.) Love Heals Necklace

6.) Gucci Sunglasses

7.) Panama Fedora Hat