These crazies couldn’t wait to get to school.

In my crammed closet I have merely one article of red clothing – a plain button down.  And I don’t own a single thing pink.  So I borrowed my seven year old’s JCrack bangles and stacked em up.  They were great with my red top.  These are actually better fitting and much more comfy than the big girl bangles. Wish they still made these.  The pink stripes and elephants are my fave.

Made these petite cards for my 6th, 7th and 8th grade Ballet students.  I know the “keep calm” thing is overused, but I thought it was cheeky for a fun day like today.  I printed them on photo paper to give them a glossy, mod vibe.   They were a hit.

After work, something pretty showed up in the arms of a handsome, thoughtful husband.

Peter said, “I remember you once writing about pretty flowers in a hat box…so I brought in my laptop and showed the florist your blog.”  Ha ha.  I think he wins husband of the year for being so thoughtful.  How did he remember this post!?!  The ironic part is he used the same florist who did our wedding many moons ago.  Yet he had no idea.

We thought about making these yummy rice crispies for the kids tonight.

Instead we watched them shovel fistfuls of candy into their mouths and chase it down with homemade cookies Peter baked after dinner.  Nothing like a good shock to the endocrine system.  I guess one day won’t kill them.

Everyone ended their day happy, so I’m pleased.  Peter and I plan to slip away and celebrate on our own on a little later on in the week.

Hope your day was full of sweetness.

Leslie is a beautiful and talented mom of two who decided it was time children had a natural (and fun!) solution for a cough or sore throat.  I love that she named her pops after her daughter, Lila.  Here she is with her precious peeps.

Today lilapops is giving away this modern gift basket filled with goodies for one lucky and little winner.

GIVEAWAY:

Here are the ingredients for lilapops…very impressive!  I sure appreciate knowing there’s a healthy option out there for my little guys when they’re feeling sick.  If you’d like to look into ordering lilapops for your household, just go over here.

Don’t you love their packaging?  It was designed by bloggy friend and talented graphic artist, kidlark.  She and Leslie did a great job!!

HOW TO ENTER TO WIN:

Leave a comment describing your favorite lollipop from childhood.  Mine was a stripey pinwheel my Dad once bought me when we visited Six Flags.  It was nearly the size of my head, took me a few hours to eat, and probably rotted out all of my teeth, but was so fun and fanciful to eat!

Good luck and Happy Friday!!!

This one made me stop in my tracks.

I like the unstructured feel and variations of color.  The generous size of 24 x 24 is perfect, a great way to really add impact in a traditional space.

This isn’t too shabby either.  Matter of fact, it would look smashing in our living room.

I like the names she gives her art.  This guy is above is called Sea Spray.

More pink.  What a cool way to infuse girly hues into your daughter’s room without it being too “sweet.”  This could easily go from nursery to chic teen suite.

I love the graceful rhythm of color and texture that draws in the eye.  Each piece is so unique, so full of life.  A great investment piece to own.

Liza also paints commissions using a client’s custom colors.  You can check out more of her work or contact her on her website.  A graduate of Maryland Institute College of Art, she studied plein air and still life with members of the Shuler School in Baltimore.   She has also worked in printmaking, scultpure, weaving, charcoal, painting, and graphic design.

Her greatest influence?  “My three children and supportive husband as I paint amidst the happy craziness of family life.”

Love it.

To me nothing helps create a cottage vibe like a classic ticking stripe.

I like the selection of tickings Lewis & Sheron has over here.  And I love the combination of a ticking with the bamboo flatware.  I’ve debated snagging this affordable bamboo flatware over at Target.  I’ve literally thought about it for years.  I wonder if it wears well?  Does anyone have it?

One of these days I’ll have a tableskirt made in a simple ticking.  It would be a great basic to have on hand for special dinners and entertaining.

Weren’t we just chatting last week about the sheer perfection of blue & green?!?  These are yet another example.  So amazing I can’t even stand it.  I want to eat them with a spoon.

The price and style gives me no logical reason to own a pair, as I spend 98.5% of my time either in a barn, a kitchen or a ballet studio.

Nope, not the least bit practical.

On the other hand, I love them.  And they would  be perfect on a date or getaway trip with my dashing husband.  Yes, you just witnessed me guilefully drop a hint to an innocent man.  How shameful.  But a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do ; )

There was no horsing around when it came to style.  Gambrel pulled out all the stops with punches of unexpected color in surprising places.  The accent hues are vibrant pink and cobalt blue.  Why this unusual combination?  They are the barn’s trademark colors during its racing days.  Gambrel anchored the rest of the space in honeyed browns, flax neutrals, and his signature delicious symmetry.  This earthy elegance juxtaposed with suspenseful color puts a whole new spin on equestrian chic.

My favorite design aspect in the space is the rustic framed collection of 250 photographs of jockeys and family working with their horses from the past three generations.  The wall is 80 feet wide.  Gambrel clearly knows the power of drama.

Go  grab a copy of this month’s Southern Living!  Or check out part of the article on their website here.

First I’ll say there’s nothing I enjoy more than cozying up by a crackling fire.  And it’s a bonus if I get to sip on something tasty such hot tea, soup, hot cocoa…or even chili.

It’s been a very rainy, humid and mild winter for us here at the beach.  Hardly any cold days.  I’ve missed having nights all nested inside while the kids zoom around in their slippers and pj’s and a toasty fire roars in the background.  The few brisk days we’ve had, we’ve quickly stirred up a fire and cooked something hearty for dinner.  We did just this when friends came over for dinner last week.  I confess to not being the best cook, and kind of panic at the thought of guests coming over for dinner…so when I knew our friends were joining us with their three kids for dinner, I racked my brain on what I could cook that was fairly easy, but still tasty and fun.

During our Colorado visit, I remember seeing this box on my sister-in-law’s counter the night she cooked us all a delicious pot of chili.  But I forgot to get the recipe from her – she added things that made it extra yummy.

So I grabbed a pack of my own at the grocery and took my best stab at White Bean Chicken Chili for our night with friends.  The good news is it was very easy to make.  And delish.  Everyone went for seconds.  Some even thirds.  Yay!

Here’s my recipe.

INGREDIENTS

• 3 stalks of celery
• 1/2 sweet onion (I prefer sweet onion versus yellow for a milder flavor)
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 1/4 cup chopped jalapenos (optional)
• 4 cans of white beans (or 2 cups of dried white beans soaked overnight)
• 2 lbs of chicken breast
• 2 tbs coconut oil (or butter)
• 3 cups of water
• salt and pepper
• 1 tsp cumin

PREPARATION

1. In a big pot, add 3 cups of water plus chili packet (I skipped the cayenne since there were children eating) and put on medium heat.
2. Drain beans (if using canned) then add to the water and chili packet.
3. Finely chop onion, celery, and garlic in food processor.  We use this wonderful little gadget for all of our soups.  It magically eliminates “chunks” in the chili that are quickly rejected by vegetable-phobic kiddos.
4. Add oil into pan then saute the veggie mixture on low heat for 3-4 minutes.
5. Wash, cube and season your chicken with salt and pepper, then add into in celery/onion/garlic mixture and cook until done.
6. Remove mixture from heat, add cumin and jalapenos, and stir together.
7. Place ingredients of pan into pot of cooking chili.
8. Bring to a boil for a few minutes then cover and leave on simmer for several hours.

.   .   .   .

So there you have it.  White Bean Chicken Chili for your Wednesday.  Perfect for a chilly night by the fire.

Let me know how you like it : )

Love that JCrack has added this palette to their spring collection.

Mmmm Mmm.

Here is blue and green applied to a bedroom.  Can you just feel the happiness?

How about these beautiful blue baubles spotted over at Oliphant.  Delightful.

As a paper junkie, I’m extra giddy about Martha launching a new home office line at Staples in just a few short days.  Pretty sure you can buy them online over here.  Labeling systems, organizers and gorgeous notebooks?  Just the thought of that gives me a buzz.  I need more paper goods like I need a hole in the head, but how can one resist all that pretty?

Here it is.

Promise me you’ll give it a try.

None of this.  Although wearing stacks of fabulous bracelets are highly encouraged.

Maybe something more like this.

Need a little help getting started?   If you like to laugh, then watch this hilarious video my friend, Erin shared.  It’s a spoof on all the crazy things women say.  Be sure and watch episode one and two.  They are here and here.  I was practically on the floor when I watched it, laughing so hard it hurt.  I’m embarrassed to admit that:  1) I’ve watched this about 30 times now and 2)  I totally relate to the character.  My favorites are when she’s eating the chips on the sofa and when she says “can you read this and see if it makes sense?”  and “can you not do that, please?”   Oh my gosh just watched it again and laughed.

Tell me which one was your favorite!

[pretty images from here and here]

I did groundwork and rode Savez most of the morning.  After school, the girls and I hung out with the horses until dark.  We literally just hung around and did nothing but lounge with the herd outside.  Might sound crazy, but it was wonderful.  Nature and animals are my sedative.

Our pony, Marlee, with his mommy.

This is Tajha [pronounced Tay-hah].  She belongs to one of the boarders at the barn.  Tajha loves children.

The feeling is mutual.

Savez doing what she loves best.

The mares (females) and geldings (males who are “fixed”) are turned out in different parts of the property so there isn’t any funny business.  Yes, there is still flirting even though the boys are fixed.  Geldings will fight over females.  That gets pretty dangerous.

Here’s Zeus watching the mares.  He’s in love with Savez.  Zeus is a talented show horse – very dashing in his jumps.  He and his owner, Ashley, almost always win champion in the shows.  I love him because he’s sweet.

Savez must have noticed he was watching.

Here is what geldings do all day.  Eat.  Then play.  And play some more.  That’s Frank on the left and J.T. on the right.  Look how dirty Frank is from rolling in the mud.  Boys.

Here’s what mares do.  That’s Savez on the right and her friend, Belle, on the left.  Don’t let the innocent faces fool you, when those two get an idea, they are our biggest trouble makers at the barn…very crafty.  Last week they broke into the tack room and ate a big bag of horse cookies.

Frank has gorgeous blue eyes. He’s named after Sinatra.

Maybe being outside all day yesterday wasn’t the most responsible choice; I came home to 181 emails, a bunch of texts and calls and piled up laundry and dishes…but I had a great day with my girls and a happy heart.  I think a regular unplug is a good thing.

QUESTION:  What’s your favorite way to unwind?