I really only have one favorite this week but I'm not free to share just yet- not my news so I need to get the green light!

While these favorites can't hold a candle to this week's REAL favorite, I still think these are very awesome.

1. Health is a major focus of mine this year. After Christmas I bought Against All Grain by Danielle Walker. I LOVE this book. It gives you 8 weeks of meal plans and the shopping lists needed. It has been making my meal planning so much easier. The work is more or less done for me.

2. KONA solids. I love this fabric. I'm making a new quilt and am using a number of fabrics from the collection. They have a nice weight and wash really nicely.

3. My new Capri Pouch from Stella & Dot. I love it. Makes switching purses and keeping the mommy items separate and easy to find from the kid things in my purse.

4. 21 Day Fix. I started a challenge group on January 5th and will be starting round two this coming Monday. I am liking the workouts more than the last time that I did the program. I've lost 3lbs this round BUT I was sick the last few days so I haven't gotten my workouts in. I expect better results in the coming round. I'm thrilled with the loss because I've been holding a plateau for a while now.

5. My new Union Square scarf. Dress up, dress down- I love this scarf!

What are your favorites this week?

Friday Favorites- Pick me ups!

It has been a shitty week. (Sorry but sometimes a girl just has to say it like it is!)

A dear friend had a very tragic life event and my heart is broken for her. It was a blessing to be able to be there for her like she's been her and her family but it doesn't change that it sucks and is sad and is not going to be okay for a long time.

Holiday stress is setting in and I'm desperately trying to get organized. I have committed to having a local Christmas as much as humanly possible. I am making the majority of our gifts and what I need to buy I will be getting at local stores and from local mompreneurs. There are only a couple of things on the list that need to come from a box store to get the best price...but I digress... G has been working crazy hours and I have just been feeling completely drained and overwhelmed. I decided that I NEED to get some me time in the schedule before I go crazy.

After supper I changed into my workout gear and G took the kids up to the tub. I had to drown out their protests and tantrums and efforts to get my attention by cranking Shaun T on max...I'm sure everyone walking by our house heard all about how 25 minutes a day can change your life.  Checked that off the list and went up to help put the kids to bed.

I felt good and I decided that I wanted to feel better. So I did my nails and this morning I wore a few of my favorite things. It's amazing what a few simple things or taking a few minutes to stretch in the morning can change a whole day.

1. lia sophia Pippa earnings and Taffeta necklace (Buy 1 get 2 at 50% off is on until Sunday, November 23!) I love how this works with jeans and with business wear.

2. OPI Affair in Red Square. The BEST red nail polish. I love it and sometimes a girl just needs shinny red nails :) You can get this colour wherever you buy OPI locally. Mine came from Chatters.

3. Stella & Dot Elephant Scarf- I am in love with this scarf....red and pink and the covered in cute elephants- what is there not to love?

4. Adore me- I am so over the old, tired nursing bras...yes its been awhile since I've updated that drawer of my dresser! A friend recommended Adoreme and I really like the designs. I don't have time to go to the store for me and I got amazing deals! 1st order was 50% off plus free shipping and then a second deal came in with a $10 credit off my VIP price + free shipping. LOVE!

5. Stella and Dot tech wallet- This wallet fits my phone, cash and cards and has a wristlet that my keys clip to. I love the pattern and this one is on sale right now too. It also is great for switching purses and not forgetting the essentials!

I am heading into the weekend hoping to keep a positive attitude. G and I will be making a few changes around the house to help support my determination to live a healthier lifestyle. Stay tuned! Big changes are coming in our house and the ride should be interesting.

Belated Birthday post (34)

Last Thursday I had my birthday. I had no expectations that it would be a day unlike any other. I make birthdays a big deal for my kids, they are young and it is so exciting for them to get older (they start counting down to their birthdays as soon as we hit the first birthdays in the new year "Mommy, how many sleeps until MY birthday?!") and I really enjoy our little traditions like birthday age pancakes with candles for breakfast, birthday balloons and that kind of thing.  My birthday, however, is just another day. I like to do something fun with the kids but otherwise I'm good.

My day started off with a new purse and a fabulous FREE cup of coffee (yeah birthday rewards!). To me,

that was the best! The day couldn't get much better.

Bag:  Stella and Dot Megan Myles  Coffee Grande Skinny Latte

My coworkers decided that I needed to have a special day. It's been a rough few months and I know I've been a little preoccupied and sad. When I arrived at work I was greeted with a decorated door:

A lovely manicure kit and new ESSIE colours from my boss. Seriously Madison Ave-hue and Mint Candy Apple are my new favorite colours!

 

And then got a delivery from my parents in NL

Seriously yum!!! My kids loved it and so did the coworkers who were lucky enough to get a tast

Wine and Redneck wine glasses! Love that they come with screw on lids...solves the "summer fly in my wine issue"...and one of my coworkers thought I wouldn't like these....I thought she knew me but I guess not...lol

My day wrapped up with a BBQ with my inlaws and an ice cream cake that the kids picked out all by themselves.

I felt so much love on my birthday. I got an enormous amount of love on facebook and I know most of it was probably because of the reminder but still...I felt loved, appreciated and, most importantly, happy..just really, really happy...I found out the next day that I must have sucked the good days from a lot of folks because my day was incredible and others had bad days...but they didn't share that until the next day. They wanted me to have an amazing day.

Thank you for all the birthday love. It was a great day.