Fire Fighter First & Fourth Birthday!!

DIY Fire Truck Costume

 Fire Truck Favor Box

Fire Hydrant Drink Dispenser

 Fire Truck Pinata:  Same/ Similar 1/ Similar 2

 Straws: Exact/ Similar 1/ Fire Hydrant Straw Cups

DIY Cup Stickers:  Similar/ Cups with Sticker

 Five Alarm Pizza Company

 Fire Windows (Free Printable PDF)

 Acrylic Cupcake Display:  Round/Square

 DIY House on Fire Cake

DIY Firetruck Cake

Hi there!  Wanted to write a quick blog post about my 2 youngest boys' fire fighter birthday in the fall!  I love planning parties for them.  It's such a great way to bring together family and friends and even reconnect with some people we haven't been able to see due to schedules. 

This one was so much fun!  I tend to choose themes to make things easier for me to plan.   I did a lot of DIY like the firetruck costumes.  I made 10 of them and they were a hit!  I also DIY'd the cakes however I used a box cake mix hack to make my life easier.  This was my first time using fondant to cover the cake and I was pretty proud of the results for a beginner! 

Hope you enjoy the photos! 

Red Summer Dress

 Red Dress (size S) // Shoes // Belt (OLD - Similar Here & Here) // Sunglasses (Similar here & here)

Hi there!  I know, it's been a while.  We've been busy with the end of school, camps and just general summer laid back style.  I motivated myself back to the gym...yay!  The incentive was an outdoor pool at the gym where the boys could run/swim out their sillies.  Hey, whatever works :).  I was also away on my first business trip in a looooooong time!  It was great!  In order to go I had my mom and two youngest in tow.  Yes, I know...not normal.  But sometimes the only way to be a mom and a career person is to merge the two together. 

So, THIS red dress...I'm in love!  Honestly, I saw it on the rack and seriously thought nothing of it except the fact that I like red.  When I tried it on I really loved the way it flowed, how it was light and airy, and also cinched at the waist so it didn't look like I was wearing a paper bag!  I put the belt on for extra definition at the waist.  I honestly collect belts and wear them few and far between.  The upside of that is when I'm looking for one I usually already have one available!

I've worn the dress mostly to work but it's great for a summer party or more casual with flats!  It's currently on sale and really a great buy.  Runs true to size even on my athletic frame.  Here are some other dresses I'm loving for the summer:

Floral Pants for Spring

denim jacket (similar here or here) // shirt // pants (S) // shoes//
sunglasses // earrings (similar here or here)

I definitely wear a lot of black so I get really excited when I find something with color that I love.  These pants are it!  Floral for spring is pretty popular but I've been seeing a lot of printed lightweight pants this spring.  I believe these are sold as cropped but with my 5'1 height they fit as regular pants.  I could have had them hemmed as I do a lot of clothing but I was OK with the length.  I'm also more on the athletic side for build so the pants don't make me look boxy or bulky which I totally appreciate.

These pants are light, bright, fun and fit right on trend for Spring!  They could definitely transition to summer as well with a cute tank or cami.  There is even a matching ots top if you want to go matchy matchy!  Go get them!

Here are some other printed pants I'm loving:

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday All!  It's been a long time since I've posted and have been wanting to share some of my recent favorites with you!

Life has been hectic!  3 kids is no joke!  I was telling my hubs the other day how much time and energy it takes to multitask everything while trying to have some creative outlet like my blogging.  I’m not complaining because I love being busy...I actually thrive on it.  I also am in love with my three little boys!!  It just takes effort after putting my babies to sleep to motivate myself away from the TV (especially my obsession with multiple singing competitions 😊).

Here are some of my recent favorites.

Cold Weather Gear

I know Spring is here but up at my brother’s house in New Hampshire we had so much fun sledding with the boys.  I bought this toddler sled and worked amazing for my 6 month old!  He absolutely loved being pulled around in it. Put that in your back pocket for next winter (praying the snow is over here!).

Spring Fashion

Blush has remained a favorite shade for trends through this year.  I've been seeing a lot of pastels as well.  I tend to gravitate towards black however a pop of color is always a great idea when putting an outfit together.

I currently have this blush blouse from Express which I LOVE.  I wore it with grey lace pants for my brother's more casual wedding and it was a hit (outfit in above picture).  I also purchased these Sam Edelman Dusty Rose Suede Pumps which are beautiful and comfortable.  They are a great color and could be considered pretty neutral.

I'm also loving anything lace!!  I found the lace pants pictured above on a great sale.  Some similar lace pants are here and here.


Home Decor

I was looking for a good full length mirror to take some outfit inspo’s before I leave for work.  I kept looking at this floor mirror because it was simple and slim line.  I ended up purchasing an antique oval standing mirror that I’m debating refinishing because I gravitate towards something I could transform with a DIY but if I didn't find the oval one I would have definitely purchased the other one.

We recently purchased this outdoor prep cart to go on the perfect spot near our barbecue.  It’s functional and looks good.  Could also double as an outdoor beverage bar so I was sold.

Favorite Recipes

I’m obsessed with my Instant Pot.  For real...can’t stop using it!  I’m forever searching for recipes. One of our recent favorite recipes is this chicken tortilla soup recipe.  Yum and quick!!!

I hope everyone is doing well and if you are celebrating one of the holidays this weekend wishing you a very happy one!!!

Talk soon!

Xo

My Favorite Bell Sleeved Sweater

Sweater  (size S) // Jeans (Similar here & here) // OTK Boots (similar here) // 

Sunglasses // Jacket (Similar here & here)

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!  My mom called me a couple weeks before the Holiday and asked if I minded if we went out to dinner.  My answer...of course not!  We've been so busy with the boys and our new little one that the thought of not having to cook for Thanksgiving was so exciting!!!  I love getting together with my family but really at a house, at a restaurant, wherever as long as we spent time together.

Anyway, this sweater is one of the items I purchased during the sales over the Holiday weekend.  I saw it on the rack and didn't think I'd like it but I decided to try it on.  It's really cute, comfortable and I love the little details like the gold buttons on the shoulder and the bell sleeves. Although I tend to try Petite for length in pants/jeans I usually stick with regular sizes for tops.  This top is true to size and I am wearing a small.

My shearling coat I've had forever (like over 15 years)!  I could never bring myself to get rid of it.  

Here are some other bell sleeve sweaters I'm loving this season:

Off to do more Holiday shopping!  

Friday Favorites

Happy Veteran's Day Weekend!

This week I went back to work for a limited number of hours.  It was really good where I felt I had some much needed adult time without my little Kuala(s) attached to me.  On the other hand it was hard to leave him because he is still so little.  However, for me work is a healthy way to keep my identity and helps me feel whole.  I’m a big believer in maintaining your own identity after marriage and children which could mean working, going out with girl friends, or just shopping by yourself without the whole clan.  There is no right or wrong way to do it as long as you feel like your are doing something for yourself.  You see, mama’s give so much of themselves to everyone else around them.  It’s only fair that we also take some time for ourselves.

Here are my favorites for the week:

Fashion

It's been getting colder here in NY so I picked up this blanket scarf in black.  It is seriously so soft and warm.  I love it!  I initially saw the green one in the store a few weeks ago and meant to purchase that one but it was no longer in stock so I grabbed the black/grey blanket scarf and have no regrets.

I bought this Lou & Grey flecked sweater a few weeks ago and it is seriously comfortable!  It's also 40% off this weekend.  It fits true to size.

Gifts for Kids

Gift giving season is around the corner and I'm always into functional gifts for kids. I could really do an entire post about this one.

Over the past few years I've been giving kids towels as gifts.  These are no ordinary towels.  They are character towels and my kids, nieces, and friends love them!  I've purchase these PJ Mask Towels and these Toy Story Towels. Soooo cute!

Even though I don't have girls I'm loving the unicorn trend that I've been seeing.  I continuously send unicorn gift ideas to one of my mom friends for her 2 year old daughter...hehe!  Recently, for her birthday I purchase this unicorn plate and utensil set and the book Uni the Unicorn.  A definite hit!  If I had a daughter I would also purchase this Unicorn Hooded Towel!  I may get one for myself!

Have a great weekend!!!

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday!!!  This week has been crazy weather in NY from temps in the 40's then to the 70's.  Mother nature cannot make up her mind!  We are loving this weather though so I can't complain.  We also had our usual Halloween gathering which was crazy with all the boys but lots of fun and laughs!

Here are my favorites for the week:

Fashion

I am all about comfort lately.  Comfort doesn't have to equal frumpy so I'm loving stylish sweatshirt material and chic athleisure wear.

I've been eyeing these Linea Paola Wedge Booties for a while now.  I was going back and forth between the black suede and the rock perf suede and finally settled on the black.  Let me tell you I am in L-O-V-E.  These booties run true to size and are definitely a great investment.  They look great with denim or leggings so extremely versatile and crazy comfortable.  You can also find them here as well as they have tended to sell out pretty quickly.

My go to sweatshirt has been this Old Navy Lace Up Sweatshirt.  The price point is perfect and rivals some similar designer shirts for much less.  The lace up detail is also so on trend.

I am very particular about leggings and found these Caslon leggings in petite and currently on sale.  They are my favorite with a high waist and a thick band so they don't dig in to your waist.  Very post partem friendly and in general extremely comfy!  Caslon has actually been my new favorite brand with a lot of comfortable but stylish fashion.

My grey suede baseball cap I purchased last year but similar ones are here (budget friendly) and here.  

Recipes

We usually like to slow cook pork loin because it's easy and tasty.  I decided I wanted to try to roast it this time and tried this pork loin recipe.  I didn't need a 2 lb roast so I cut the recipe in half only using a 1 lb pork loin, added some chicken stock to cook with mushrooms and ended up roasting at 425 F for about 60 minutes.  I'm always weary about eating meat under cooked so we have an oven thermometer (similar) or like this one (more budget friendly).  It has definitely come in hand while cooking.

Have a great weekend!!!