Catch Up Friday

I thought things were supposed to settle down after the holidays and I would have all the free time in the world, well I was wrong.  Time for a little catch up

Last Friday the hubs went into work, my son was off for a sleep over, and I took my girls and headed downtown for a dance workshop/competition for my daughter Libby.  We checked into a room with a view...

then until 10 pm on Friday, and 8am until 6 pm on Saturday this was basically my view...

the things we do for our kids right!!  It was fun to watch the first 2 hours then it got a little old.

Saturday night I snuck away for a much needed break, and headed off to a paddle tennis party.

It was so fun and I was glad to focus on something else besides first position.

The drink of the night after every set....

fireball whiskey shot

This of course made it slightly painful for me to be back downtown at 8m for more dancing...

After a couple hours of being a dance mom again, I snuck away again for one of my girlfriend's birthday brunch...

after my 5 hour brunch I came home and napped for 2 hours, and that is something I rarely do.

Also this week, my little Scarlett turned 5!!  I cannot believe it.  I feel like I just gave birth, time is fleeting when you have kids, I just want everything to slow down.

and since my baby girl turned 5 it is time for her pastel portrait.  I did my 2 older children right around their 5th birthdays so my wall will be complete in about 3 weeks when her portrait will be ready.

I hardly saw the hubs this past weekend so we had a little date night during the week.  We wanted something totally low key and laid back so we saw a movie, one that has some oscar buzz, it's based on a true story, and one that I highly recommend....

We also saw it in a VIP theatre.  Now I am not a big movie person, I would much rather go to dinner and meet up with friends then see a movie, but if you are going to go to the movies, this is the way to do it...

comfy reclining chairs, full dinner and bar menu, and just a push of a button and your waiter is there for your beck and call.  Now that's how you see a movie!!

I popped into Anthropologie this week and pick up the most amazing smelling candle

Volupsa Mokara

and a very cute skirt

I am already planning my Valentine's Day outfit

A couple weeks ago I was at a friends house and we played the most insane game, Cards Against Humanity

The box says it all "a party game for horrible people" this is the funniest, most politically incorrect, most corrupt card game, and I loved every second.  I am fairly certain a group of really drunk guys were sitting around one night and this game was born.  There is a wait list just to order this game, get your name on that list ASAP, mine arrived this week and I laugh every time I just see the box.

One of my New Year's Resolutions was to try 1 new restaurant a month, I know not very deep and it certainly won't make me a better person but there are so many new restaurants I am dying to try.  This weekend I am crossing one off my list...

Nathalie's.  This looks like an old southern home but actually it was a funeral parlor many many years ago.  This place has gotten rave reviews, it was recently opened by a couple who own a farm about 30 minutes south of STL.  The farm to table concept is so hot right now, I love dining at places where not only is my food fresh and organic but I am also supporting our local farmers.

And for Superbowl Sunday I think I am going to hit this one out of the park for our party...

Brisket Stuffed Jalapenos

How can that be bad??

Girl Friday

For the next 24 hours I will have to be a crazy dance mom.  My daughter is in a local dance competition, and yes some of those moms are as ridiculous as they are on the show "Dance Moms".    If you have never seen this show consider yourself lucky, if you have a daughter just wait, soon enough this show will be constantly on.

We are packing up and heading downtown to the hotel where the competition is being held just to make life a little easier (plus I am working on that mother of the year award)

I have a friend who is also a "dance mom" and we have plans to meet here for a glass on wine once are girls are settled in for the night

Then on Saturday for 11 hours straight I will be watching dance competitions!!

Saturday night I am high tailing it out of there and off to my friends annual paddle tennis party

Paddle tennis is kind of like tennis but smaller, the courts are smaller, the ball is smaller, the rackets are smaller,  you can play off the fence, and we will be playing outside in the 13 degree night air.

My friend has added her rule, a round of this after every match!!

Sunday is my friends birthday and since we will all be out paddle tennising the night before we have a little rehab/birthday/bloody mary brunch planned

Something tells me I will be asleep by 8PM Sunday night!!

Tried and True

When it is freezing out, not only do I dress accordingly but I also have to change up my skin care routine.  Cold, dry winters can be brutal on a gal's face.  I have found a few products that I love, especially this time of year.

Stila Glowing Review

This scrub has a light touch of exfoliant to help really clean your face without over drying or leaving your face to feel stripped.

Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight

I use this about once a week in the winter.  Right before bed, put a layer of this treatment on your face, then go to sleep.  When you wake up your face will feel hydrated and super soft.  It is perfect this time of year if your face is constantly dehydrated.

Lumene Vitamin C Serum

I always wear serum, everyday not just in the winter.  My girl who gives my facials always tells me how important serum is to keep you hydrated and take care of those fine lines.  I have tried a lot of serums but this one found only at CVS is hands down my favorite.

Mario Badescu Aloe Moisturizer

This is a new discovery for me and I love it.  This moisturizer is on the thicker side so I don't think I will use it in the summer but it is perfect this time of year.  This moisturizer will last the entire day, you won't feel dry by the afternoon.

Stila One Step

This is my favorite base layer especially in the winter.  It has a very light tint of color which I really need in the dead of winter when I have not seen sunlight for weeks.  This cream comes out pink, blue and green but once you blend it together your face just seems to sparkle

Lancome Renergie Night

I always feel like I need to do something a little extra at night from what I do during the day.  I love this night cream, my skin feels soft, it hydrates those annoying fine lines, and it smells really really good.

Urban Decay Naked Palette

Obsessed with these Naked Palettes!!

Girl Friday

I am starting off this weekend on a high note, I have a new niece

Vivian Mae

Nothing like a beautiful baby to remind you how sweet life can be!!

Other than that we are getting out of dodge to visit some friends

I am ready for a weekend to visit with good friends and drink lots of good wine!!

Have a beautiful weekend

DIY

The start of a new year always gets me motivated for a few DIY projects.  There is something so rewarding about tackling a project from start to finish.  Here are a few things I have lined up for myself.  Some will take a day, and some might actually take all of 2014

Glitter Wine Glasses

I bought a box of inexpensive wine glasses at target and I plan to sparkle them up with this tutorial I found.  This sounds easy, lets hope so!!

Photo Gallery Wall

I hate that I take so many pictures then never hang them.  My goal for 2014 is to have my entire wall going upstairs covered with photos.  These layouts will make this easier.  

Original Works of Art

In addition to hanging photos, I really want to do some art projects with my kids before they are too big.  When I was in college I babysat for a family with 3 little girls and they had all these beautiful projects they made in art class framed and hung and I remember thinking, when I have kids I want to do that, well the time has come.

Holiday Neighbor Gifts

I am officially the worst neighbor!!  The entire month of December I had neighbors leave cookies, candles, towels etc on my doorstep and every day I kept thinking I have got to do something for my neighbors.  That never happened.  I already set a reminder in my phone for Dec 1, 2014 to start working on my neighbor gifts.  Baileys and hot chocolate is my kind of gift.




Build a Dollhouse

I bought my girls a dollhouse kit from hobby lobby, right now it looks like this

so we do have a big job ahead of us, we have to paint every square inch, assemble and glue the house, then we get to decorate.  One of my sweetest memories is building a dollhouse with my dad, I am doing this because I want to do something special with my girls that they will hopefully cherish their entire lives.  There is a dollhouse store close by that sells every piece of furniture or any accessory you could imagine so I think we will have fun.  BTW there are some crazy, over excited, dollhouse people out there.

Just writing this post has motivated me to get busy this week!!

Nailed it!!

The day after any awards show my friends and I like to sit around like we are Joan, Giuliana, and Kelly and discuss what everyone was wearing.  Once all the stars have arrived on the red carpet and are ushered into the theatre, I pretty much turn the channel, I mean it is all about what they are wearing anyway.

By some chance if I get the call today from E asking me to fill in and give my favorite looks of the night, I am ready....

Jennifer Lawrence

this dress is so simple yet she looks so pretty


Louise Roe

love the cut, love the color, love the lace, love the cut out


Lupita Nyong

I didn't even know who this girl was, I had to google her ( 12 years a slave) but her dress/cape combo was perfection


Cate Blanchett

anyone who can wear all lace and not come out looking like the bride of Chuckie is a winner in my book.


And my number 1 top look, she looks so feroish, Emma Watson

Just wearing a dress/pants combo was a fashion risk but I am telling you I am now obsessed with this look.  She nailed it!!

A Few Pretties

 Sometimes it is hard to feel pretty when you have a foot of snow on the ground and the temps are topping off at 5 degrees.  I am trying to resist the urge to just pull my hair back in a pony tail and stay in yoga pants all day long.  These few pretties might be just what I need to get me out of my slump!!

What better way to feel fancy then a pair of sequin leggings

leggings



Or a little sparkle on your sweater

sparkly sweater


If I am going to wear a pony tail I should at the very least have these

earrings



If I do leave my house sometime it is just to go to the gym.  I am in love with these chevron shoes, I need these shoes!

chevron shoes



and who can't use a little words of wisdom on their socks

cute socks


And finally, if this snow keeps coming I am going to need a pair of these.  Durable and cute!!

Sorels