Cliché

Cardigan: Old Navy (similar)
Skirt: TJMaxx (similar)
Belt: Target (similar)
Shoes: J.Crew (similar)
Bag: Coach 

             Every Sunday night I tell myself that this coming week is going to be different. I am going to exercise at least 3 times, spend time with my hubby engaging in meaningful conversation, finish another DIY project that I started and do million other things. Yet Friday comes and I haven't done much. I beat myself up and feel incredibly guilty  for whatever it is I didn't do. It feels like no matter how much or what I do, it's NEVER good enough. Why do I feel like life isn't good enough? Then I have to remind myself that my life is exactly what it should be and I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be. I have to remind myself to thank God for amazing blessings in my life and everything that goes into it. I don't know if it's the maturity coming through, or I'm just getting tired of the guilt trip.
             In the generation of supermodels, TV moms and tabloids, we get caught up in comparison mode. We compare out houses, children, salaries, husbands, the length of our legs, closets and everything in between. That's not wise. If you are reading home/fashion/family blogs and comparing yourself to other people, you will never be happy with your life. The value of life does not lie in your career, the width of your thighs or the things in your closet. And happiness is not lots of money. It's the simple things in life (I know it's a cliche but it's true). Until we learn to love, appreciate, adore and value what we have, contentment will never come. In other words, take a deep breath and enjoy the little thing - laugh of your children, morning coffee, smell of fresh cut grass, family and friends, roof over your head and even that annoying whatever-it-is.
Life is short.
Go ahead.
Enjoy it.
                                                                                  

Animal Instinct

Blouse: Ralph Lauren (thrifted)
Tank: Talbots
Jeans, Shades: LOFT
Belt: Target
Shoes: ALDO
Clutch: Macy's 

Honestly, I think, I was the last person to get on the animal print wagon and it took me some time (now it's birds. Literaly birds are everywhere. What's up with that?). At first it seemed a little tacky. But when paired with something low key, let's say jeans, it looks more like an outfit and less like a hoochy mama. Btw, any time my hubby doesn't like what I'm wearing, his reasoning is that it looks like hoochy mama (and I have no idea who this hoochy mamma is). So here is to trying out new things and going with your wild side and hubby warming up to animal print. 

Temptation

Button-up, Cardigan: J.Crew
Jeans: LOFT
Shoes: Jessica Simpson (via TJMaxx)
Bag: COACH (thrifted)
WHEN: Date night

Last weekend we had a mother-daughter Oriental Garden Party in our church and I had to (had no choice in the matter) go buy a dress that would resemble something oriental. I literally looked everywhere and had no luck. Of course, I did not want to spend more then $10 on it and resorted to thrifting. So there I go looking for a dress with some kind of Chinese/Japanese resemblance, trying to stay away from ALL the other racks... and... so... I... didn't... buy... anything... except this COACH bag, which almost doesn't count right? I knew you would understand!

Simplicity

T-shirt: NY&Co
Skirt, Shades: LOFT
Belt: Calvin Klein (from dress)
Shoes: GAP

Sometimes you just need some simplicity in life. Get de-cluttered and reorganize everything from your head to the last cupboard. I am doing just that today - cleaning out my closet room, changing some decor around the house and researching some DIY projects (and attempting them).
Pause for a Proverb:  Laziness casts one into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger. (Proverbs19:15)

Happy Monday!
Happy Spring Cleaning!

Mommy Day

For this Mother's Day I am planning on honoring my beautiful and amazing mothers (my mom and in-law). The word mom encompasses so much that it's hard to define what it is really like to be a 'mom'. I'm not a mother myself (yet) but all I know is that it's the toughest job in the world. I know that it's the most rewarding job also although we do bring disappointments to our moms at times. There is nothing that says that you care more than a gift with thought, so here is a quick and easy recipe your mom is bound to love!
Have a great weekend ladies (mommies or not)!

Ingredients:
1 cup Whipping Cream
1tsp vanilla
1 tbsp confectioner's sugar
3 tbsp cool whip
2 (1lb each) packages of strawberries (or any other berries)
1 round angel food cake

Equipment:
Hand-held or stand mixer
Truffle Bowl

Preparation:1. To make sure you will get stiff, fluffy cream put the mixer bowl, whisk and whipping cream into freezer for about 15 minutes ***very important step***
2. Wash and cut strawberries
3. Cut the angel food cake across, splitting it into two halves; then cut about 2 in pieces
4. Layer the angel food cake on the bottom and spread half the strawberries evenly on top

5. Cover the strawberries with half of the whipped cream 

6. Again layer the angle food cake, then cream and top with strawberries (if you add other berries it will look even better)
7. Cool in the fridge for about 2-3 hours

8. Serve and enjoy!

P.S. If you want a little more dzing to your dessert, pour a little orange liquor over the angel food cake.


P.P.S. I'm also made these to bring over to moms' houses. They are a little bit of work but every bite is worth it!