Happy Fat Tuesday!

from Flowerdew Cupcakes

From the ground up!

A little rain didn't stop us from our traditional Sunday family road trip. Dave, Lexi and I jumped in the car and were off for a quick site check. Once we got there it didn't take long for me to jump right into exploring. I could have used a pair of Hunters today as I was climbing through the mud to check out every corner of our future home.

These would be the perfect "house boots"!!! Another item for the ever growing wish list!

This week the crews poured the basement floor and I couldn't wait to see the progress. I "officially" stood in our house for the first time! We decided it was a bit too muddy for Lexi, but she always marks her territory each trip. She gets it I am sure of it!

As the house starts to become more and more of a reality the to do list can no longer be ignored! Our condo is a merger of two lives and endless amounts of stuff hiding in closets. I am determined to start my sorting, packing and organizing! The chaos of our closets now drives me crazy so I have spent many hours searching Pinterest (obsessed like everyone else) for organizing tips and products. Here is what I would love to see in our new home - thank you pinners!!!

Perfectly organized bookshelf!

Beautiful spring colors - great way to brighten a room and keep it organized!
Link

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Loving the black and white polka dot boxes!

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We already have a few of these pop boxes (need to get those labels) and I want more! Best container for the kitchen and pantry.
 I have my work cut out for me!

Sweet Motivation!

The house update is coming, I promise!

I was working late last night in the "cupcake factory".

Vanilla Cupcake with Buttercream/Cream Cheese Icing. And of course using my Erin Condren life planner for the picture, so many uses!!

Happy Valentine's Day! 

it starts in my toes

and I crinkle my nose

wherever it goes I always know

that you make me smile

~Colbie Caillat

Save the date!

It is hard not to follow {and at times impossible} the digital world! Trust me, I fully embrace email, evites, google calendar, facebook, and even blogging, but I also have an appreciation for "old school". Even with our google calendar and my work outlook calendar, I still have a "traditional" calendar. You know what I am talking about, the type you hang on the wall and flip from month to month, do you remember those?! However my hanging calendar has some new competition.

Before I introduce you to my new best friend Erin {who only knows my name by my order}, let's flash back to just yesterday, ok way back, to my school days. I have always been a visual person and love to color code. As soon as I got my class schedule I would assign each class a color and start working on my weekly planner - filling in classes, tests, field hockey games, tennis matches, the list goes on and always in a colorful, well thought out pattern. My LL Bean backpack {all Mainers had one} was full of multi colored gelly roll pens - do you remember those - don't worry I still use them!

Once I became a big kid and started a "real" job I left my planner days behind, but kept the hanging calendar marked with activities, trips, events, celebrations, birthdays - ok you get the point! Then one of the greatest things happened in my planning and color coding life - her name is Erin Condren! My co-worker, Sarah, noticed my calendar and asked if I knew about Condren's Life Planners. What? No! Googling {thank you digital world}. Instantly I had flash backs to my school days and knew it was time to bring the planner back! Move over calendar, the life planner has taken your spot! These planners are so fun and full of colorful designs. You get to customize your cover and get some fun personalized samples of other items they sell. These planners are a bit pricey, so I took a couple of days to think about my purchase but "I loved it, I really loved it"! Check it out!

I use the full calendar for any travel as a quick glance to keep track of when I am out of town.

Green is my workout color, for some reason when I write it down I feel more committed :)

For all those mommies out there!

All images from Erin Condren's website - http://www.erincondren.com/store/

Great picture of the planner in action from another blogger Blue-Eyed Bride. Always fun to stumble on a new blog when looking for something, had fun reading her posts.

This was the cover I selected because it was bright and colorful - of course we put our own names on it!

Megan, introduced me to these pens and now they are my favorite everyday pen. Lots of color options and write beautifully - Uni-ball, available at most office supplies stores.

There is also a wedding version of the planner which would be a great gift for a bride-to-be!

Erin Condren has a great collection of fun way to personalize your life! Next on my wish list are the address labels once we make our big move!

Speaking of a new address, up next, status update regarding our future Home Sweet Home!

Let's talk lemons

Yes, I took a break…it wasn’t that long really, right?! My Be Pretty gal pal sent me a little email reminder – Subject: “Houston we have a problem” Content: “Dew Drop In, last updated 10 months”. YIKES, is it really that bad! Skipping the excuses, none of them are very good anyways, and jumping right back in!

Have you ever found a product, a brand, a style, that you just need in your life. Well I have fallen hard and for workout clothes! Totally normal, I am well aware. Meet my current crush Lululemon!

It is an unfortunate part of my personality, I fall in love with a brand which results in constantly checking the website, talking/emailing/texting about it, leisurely frequently swinging into the store drooling over ”new items”, and standing in front of the mirror rationalizing why I deserve to buy this item, how it will complete my wardrobe, after this I am done shopping for a while, it fits perfect, so me, so not me and that is why I love it….it really is a battle in the dressing room. However, I do feel blessed that I have the will power to walk through a mall without making a purchase – all thanks to my mom and her words of wisdom - “Do you love it, only buy it if you love it!” But my weakness is FULL PRICE items – I am the absolute worst bargain hunter! Sale racks frustrate me, don’t like online shopping and discount stores overwhelm me - many of my friends find the most amazing things –

me: “that dress is gorgeous!”

friend: “thank you, only $30!”

me: “silent I hate you (in a loving way) you always find the greatest deals, I am so jealous” – which is so true, I wish I could be a bargain shopper.

So back to Lulu! If I was asked to describe my body type I would check “Athletic” – I don’t really know how this is defined, but I love playing sports and staying active – so athletic just seems to fit. If I am not playing a sport, running or working out {which isn’t as much as it sounds} I still live in workout gear – unfortunately not approved at my 9 – 5! For this very reason I have come to appreciate quality workout clothes – especially NO STINK fabrics - cue Lulu’s Silverescent!  I have only known about the Canada based company for a year or so but amazed by the products and intrigued by the culture of the brand {the marketer in me}. Typically when I go shopping I keep to myself and avoid sales people, but one day I was feeling chatty in the Lululemon store and started talking to one of the “educators”. She informed me about the design of the clothes and fabrics – I WAS SOLD! How do I define Lulu – other brands make women’s styles BUT Lulu is designed for women – make sense?

A few of my favorites – which I own J

In stride jacket – my most recent purchase which I debated and debated but love it and it has become my go to. I love an easy zip up and the stripes are so fun!

Inspire Crop – BEST running pants I own – got me through 13.1 miles in total comfort!!

Run your heart out tank – LOVE this tank, loose but still so flattering! Perfect for our Group Power (a full body lifting class)

My wish list - hmm if only my hubby read blogs JJ

Back on track tank in pig pink - perfect color and super cute!!!

Spirit tight - A splash of Paris Pink, ideal for running during those cold days!

  

Speed short – Must have to match with my In Stride Jacket!

 

Back on track skirt – Runners can definitely be girlie!!

The clothes are just the surface – the culture is very unique to any other retailer I know. They support local communities through studios and fitness centers, brand ambassadors who are typically local instructors, Facebook, attending local events with their catchy signs cheering runners on, partnering with a studio to host free classes and even yoga classes’ right outside their store front. Nothing like a little down dog during your mall run! The company started as a yoga brand, which is clear when you go to a class and over 50% of the people are sporting the “fancy” A logo. They have now expanded to a variety of sports and activities, which even include ballet! The store teams are encouraged required to participate in group fitness, which I have tried to replicate by encouraging my co-workers to run a half marathon together. Growing up playing team sports taught me how motivating it is to work together to achieve a goal. It also means you have someone to toast bubbly with when you celebrate your success!

I saw these signs during one of my road races and chuckled as I ran past not even realizing they were Lulus!!

 

Love pilates? Want to try it out? It is the Studio of the Month!! Check it out at Lululemon Athletica Southpark Facebook page!!

Even with Lululemon’s “high end” products (and prices), “boutique style” inventory (at times limited) and the struggling economy they continue to grow, impressively! Fans have even formed Facebook pages to sell, buy and trade items. The company has been scrutinized in the media and there are some things I don’t fully support {or know the whole story}, but coming from an organization that spends a lot of time in the headlines, I understand the importance of having your own opinion. A positive outlook on life, stylish designs and amazing fabrics are enough to keep me going back to Lulu!

Check out their blog! http://www.lululemon.com/community/blog/?mnid=mn;blog

This was a LONG post – clearly I miss my blogging days! I will be back on Monday; it is marked on my Erin Condren calendar – which will lead to my next post!!!

Fantastic Weekend

After a miserable week of rain, cold weather and me battling a cold, the weekend forecast of mid to high 60's was music to my ears. This weekend turned out even better than I planned and was the perfect balance between relaxing, time with the ones I love and enjoying spring in Charlotte...

The weekend really started on Saturday morning. We woke up on Saturday morning and Dave made a breakfast request, waffles. Lately I have been making waffles once during the weekend and it has become a great weekend treat. My mom's recipe is both delicious and easy (see below).

Waffles Recipe
1 3/4 cups of flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon sugar
3 eggs
7 Tablespoons of vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups of milk

Directions: HOW YOU ARE SUPPOSE TO DO IT: Sift flour. Add baking powder, salt and sugar. Sift together. In a separate bowl mix liquid ingredients and combine with dry ingredients using a whisk. Spoon into the non-stick waffle maker.
HOW I DO IT: Combine all liquid ingredients in a large bowl. Add dry ingredients into the liquid ingredients and if I remember (IF) I will sift the dry ingredients directly into the bowl. The less dishes the better :)

Our waffle maker is an older version given to me by my mom when she upgraded. It works perfectly and the waffles never stick. They are not thick, like Belgian waffles, but I prefer the thinner version. Check out the pictures.

 

 

AND let me introduce you to something I grew up eating because of my British parents. Unlike most kids, I didn't grow up with maple syrup, instead we used Golden Syrup...it is AMAZING! If you have a sweet tooth like me you will love it. It is the consistency of honey but basically pure sugar. You can find it in the grocery store near the baking items.

Ok, so there is coffee in that cup but it is so huge you can't see it. That leads me to another one of our favorite kitchen appliances. Our dearest friend Derrick gave us the Keurig coffee machine and it is perfect for us casual coffee drinkers. I will say it isn't great for parties or a large group but for us it is great and meets our coffee needs.

So after our waffle breakfast Dave, Lexi and I took a car ride to continue our house hunting. We are very far from even putting in an offer, but really trying to decide on an area. It was a beautiful day to cruise neighborhoods and discuss our likes and dislikes. We found some great areas and want the same things. I am sure the neighbors found entertainment in our car slowly driving by the house with me, Lexi and Dave trying to see as much as possible from the car. Next step touring houses.

After house hunting we did a few errands, grabbed lunch, watched basketball and then met up with Lesley and friends to celebrate her fantastic accomplishment of passing the Bar...CONGRATS LESLEY!!! We went to a great restaurant, SOUL Gastrolounge, for a late night dinner. I highly recommend this place if you like small plates, sushi and a funky atmosphere.

Saturday was VERY busy, but such a great day with my husband. Dave and I make a point to do something together each weekend. We are both very independent and believe it is important to have our own time with our friends and for ourselves, but top priority is to always schedule quality time together.

Now Sunday. Forecast mid 60's, actual temperature, 70's = a perfect day outside! Earlier in the week I decided on Sunday I wanted to take Lexi to the White Water Center so she could get a good walk and swim (early in the season before the canoes are really being used there is lake access and typically no one around so we let Lexi swim, she LOVES it). It was purely by chance, but we picked the perfect weekend to go! Not only was the weather gorgeous, but it was also the 7th Annual KinderMourn Hope Floats Duck Race. KinderMourn is all about taking care and offering support for families in Charlotte and the 17,000 rubber ducks that battle the rapids during this event symbolically represent that even through rough times you will make it. Powerful message and awesome event. It was PACKED out there, which was great to see so much support for the event and this fantastic, unique place in Charlotte. Lesley, Lexi and I had a blast walking around the rapids, watching Lexi swimming after sticks, having lunch outside, listening to the DJ's oldies jam session (Lexi and I were dancing away, even got a picture request for her impressive moves) and watching the thousands of ducks rush through the water!

Aren't the ducks adorable?! These are exactly what the 17,000 ducks looked like that took on the rapids!

See all the yellow in the water? Those are the ducks!

They did a corporate company duck run with really big rubber duckies and the winning duck got to take home this awesome trophy. Side note - not sure what the women is doing in the background?

Lesley at lunch. We got the best table, in the corner so Lexi had plenty of room and was away from the crowds and we could watch everything right from our seats.

Lexi was feeling left out and wanted to join the conversation :)

There is our corner spot, hi Lesley and Lexi!

This event was a great reminder that even when life gets tough just hang on and go with the flow, there is always a finish line and new day!

Ahhh....it was a great weekend and concluding it with a relaxing night at home watching basketball before another crazy week.