{weekend} lovelies

Weekend Lovelies is here… and it’s all about  l o v e {which I guess is what it’s usually about}! Love & support for Boston, love for yourself, a little fashion, parenting advice for raising well-rounded kids, and a few sweet treats you can make in a single-serving {less guilt that way}! 

Hope you all have some fun plans over the weekend! What are you up to? Husby and I are off on a little roadtrip with the littles… in our quest for the simple life! Wish us luck! God willing… big changes ahead {wink, wink}!

Have a lovely weekend! {xo}

 

{Behind the Cover // Boston Magazine}

The cover of the May issue of the Boston Magazine features 120 running shoes, all worn in the recent Boston Marathon. It is shaped in a heart and the headline reads, “We Will Finish the Race.” John Wolfson, the magazine’s editor-in-chief, said that the idea behind the photo was to honor the bombing victims and the entire city for its response to the tragedy. He stated that “Every single shoe contributed a tiny bit to the overall effect, but collectively, you have something powerful.”

We happen to love the spirit of this photo. We are all standing behind Boston…

Visit The One Fund Boston to make a donation to help the victims {and their families} affected by the tragic events that occurred at the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013. 

 

 

 

{Real Beauty Sketches // Dove}

This has been floating around the web all week… and we really do love it. We all need to focus on loving ourselves… and perhaps seeing ourselves from other people’s perspectives. I, for one, am guilty of this… I thought it was beautifully portrayed and a real eye-opener.  

 

 

 

[Read more…]

{weekend} lovelies

Happy Weekend!

Here are some of our favorite finds with focus on keeping things simple {natural, holistic, organic, earthy…. or whatever you’d like to call it}!

We hope that you are able to delve into the articles & videos, find something that makes you think, & hopefully smile!

Enjoy! {xo}

 

Earthling Month // Whole Foods

I am loving this Earthling Month movement by Whole Foods Market! What is an Earthling, you ask? “Earthlings are people that care about the world around them. Every day during Earth Month, we’re exploring the moments that make us more than human. See what other Earthlings are doing, learn something new, and add a moment of your own via Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.”

What do you do in your home to teach your children about caring for our beautiful planet? We are going to do a small vegetable garden in pots on our porch soon… and are hoping to spend lots of summer days spent rummaging through our local farmer’s markets. We are trying hard to not eat things with labels, and instead… making whole, fresh foods at home. 

 

 

 

Living with Less. A Lot Less. // NY Times

The title of this NY Times article speaks for itself. I wish everyone would read this and really take it to heart… Our family is in the process of making some big changes in a quest to simplify our lives which I talked about {here}. What’s your reaction to this piece?

 

 

 

[Read more…]

{weekend} lovelies

We are finishing off our very first baby week with this edition of

{weekend} lovelies!

Dreaming of a time when you will become pregnant…

learning that you are expecting…

being in the midst of pregnancy…

birthing your baby…

and holding, feeding, cuddling & kissing your newborn

{for the very first time}

are some of the most amazing, memorable & joyous times

in our lives as women!

We hope you enjoyed our baby week

and that you find the following information & links helpful!

Have a …..lovely….. weekend!

xo

 

{Healthy Pregnancy Snacks // FitPregnancy}

From homemade granola bars to ice pops & veggie dips…

there’s lots of healthful variety here!

 

{Sleep Tips During Pregnancy // Dr. Oz for FitPregnancy}

Any woman who has experienced pregnancy

knows that there are almost always sleep issues involved…

especially in the final months when your tummy is big and your bladder seems small!

Supposedly it’s nature’s way of preparing you for the sleepless nights ahead once your baby is born.

Here are some tips from Dr. Oz on getting some much needed zzz’s!

 

 

{Printable Birth Plan // The Bump}

A great tool to stimulate conversation with your significant other

and to gather your own thoughts in regards to your wishes for the birthing process.

This is important to complete and then review with your doctor or midwife.

Note: this is pretty detailed, so all of these options may not be offered to you.

 

 

{A Simple Mantra // The Keep Calm-o-Matic}

 Or… perhaps you’d rather keep things simple,

forget the comprehensive birth plan… and go with the flow?

This is pretty much how I handled my fourth delivery…

no drugs, no midwife….

just Husby, a couple nurses, my way too handsome doctor, and a hockey game in the background…

unforgettable…

 

{Shrink, Tighten, Control // Belly Bandit}

Looking for a post-partum compression wrap?

I whole-heartedly recommend the one made of Bamboo!

It is their softest material & is comfortable while still being supportive.

Make sure you read their sizing tips before purchasing!

 

 

 {Timeline for the Breastfed Baby // The Alpha Parent}

This is my favorite link of the week!

A thorough timeline that every breastfeeding new mom should read & bookmark!

 

 

 

{DIY Modern Nursing Shawl // The Coterie Blog}

This darling shawl appears to be super easy to make

{this would also make a great gift}!

You need 1 yard of knit fabric, and it only requires you to sew one line!

It’s cute and functional!

It even covers your back, unlike most that you purchase!

 

 

 

{After Baby Workouts // Knocked-up Fitness}

Our friend, Erica Ziel, of Knocked-up Fitness recently released her new AFTER BABY Workouts!

You can also go on her site to view her YouTube fitness videos!

See our post of her Pilates-Infused Fitness for expectant mamas {here}!

 

 

 

{Postpartum Intimacy // Giving Birth with Confidence}

Experts from FitPregnancy give the real scoop on what’s really going on

“down there”

and answer questions about intimacy after baby!

 

 

{Tips for Photographing Your Baby // Click it up a Notch}

10 really helpful tips for photographing your baby!

These pointers are realistic and easy enough to do

for the average mom or dad behind the camera!

 

 

{Additional Reading Material we Recommend}

Difference Between Baby Blues & Depression

Helping Your Older Kids Adjust to the New Baby

Baby Milestones >> 10 Basic Developmental Skills & Timeline

 

{weekend} lovelies

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day…

some love,

inspiration,

recipes

&

our favorite posts…

enjoy this {lovely} weekend!

xo,

s & n

 

{Words To Live By // Etsy Poster by Eva Shrock}

 

{Darling Printable Valentine’s // Skip To My Lou}

 

{Red Velvet Brownies + Buttercream // Smells Like Home}

 

{60 Tiny Love Stories  //  Makes Me Think}

 

{12 Candy-Free Valentine’s // Plucky Momo}

*******************************************************************************************

Some of our favorite {love + recipe} posts:

 

Love is a Verb

Chocolate Chip M&M Cookie Recipe

Family Date Night

Wine & Food Pairings

Sweet Dreams Little Man

Pioneer Woman’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie

A “Moment” With My Older Boys

Favorite Pasta Recipe 

 

Homemade Lentil Vegetable Soup

One of the major hiccups in my quest to prepare and eat healthy meals each day

is that my husby doesn’t come home each night for dinner

{those of you that are also fire wives, have husbands in the military, or that travel can most likely relate}.

I do my best to prepare meals for my children that are balanced and nutritious,

but let’s face it….

there are nights when they’re happiest and most content

with chicken nuggets or wholewheat pasta with parmesan!

I don’t usually eat the same dinner as my kids

{partly because I am vegetarian and the rest of my family is not}.

There are many nights that I make the kids a dish to eat…

and then don’t have the energy to prepare myself a decent meal.

One of the ways I have found to help tackle this issue is by making homemade soups!

I love making soups, because you almost can’t mess up!

Just like my mother,

I add a little bit of this…

and a pinch of that…

and it always turns out to be delicious! 

This recipe for

{Homemade Lentil Vegetable Soup}

is perfect because I can make it at my leisure during the day and then eat it when I am ready.

It keeps extremely well in the refrigerator for days on end.

**************************

Lentils have become a mainstay in my diet and I must admit…

one of my favorite healthy, high-fiber foods.

Lucky for us we have a Trader Joe’s not too far away.

I buy most of our groceries there each week.

I have several go-to items

{which I promise to share with you in a later post},

but the pre-cooked, ready-to-eat, lentils are amongst the best if you are looking for a nourishing,

hearty and easy to prepare food

{you’ll find these in the refrigerated section near the produce}.

These little lentils are packed with nutrients and are the cornerstone of this recipe!

{Ingredients}

* 2 tablespoons olive oil

* 1 cup chopped onion

* 2 cloves chopped garlic

* 1 cup peeled & chopped carrots

* 3/4 cup chopped celery

* 1 large can diced tomatoes {I use the organic ones from Trader Joe’s}

* 1 tablespoon of 21 Seasoning Salute {also from Trader Joe’s} or your favorite mix of seasonings

* salt & freshly ground pepper {to taste}

* 1 package of Trader Joe’s ready-to-eat lentils {or 1 pound of rinsed lentils}

* 6 cups of fresh water or vegetable broth

* 1/2 cup of quinoa or rice {depending on your preference}

* 1 cup of freshly grated parmesan

{Directions}

 

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Add the chopped onion, garlic, carrots and celery.

Saute until all the vegetables are tender, about 5 to 8 minutes.

Add the tomatoes with their juices.

Simmer until the juices evaporate slightly and the tomatoes break down,

stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes.

Add the lentils and the quinoa/rice.

Mix to coat.

Add the water/broth and stir.

Add in ’21 Seasoning Salute’ or seasonings of your choice

{you can be a little creative here}.

Bring to a boil over high heat.

Cover and simmer over low heat until the lentils are almost tender, about 20-30 minutes

{20 minutes if using the pre-cooked lentils, about 30 minutes if using dry lentils}.

 Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Ladle the soup into bowls.

Sprinkle with fresh parmesan and serve warm!

I hope you decide to make my favorite soup recipe!

I promise it is quick, easy, and completely tasty!

Each healthful bite is packed with nutrients that your body will love!

**************************

Just in case you were wondering what my silly four were doing while mama was cooking…

{Here is a Behind the Scenes Look}

Finner has a slight obsession with Sophia’s Hello Kitty sunglasses!!

Our weekend pajama morning! Mr. Finn saying, “cheese!!”

An everyday occurrence in our house… a sword fight, with Miss Blue stuck in the middle!

My sweet & sassy little sunshine… stick in hand {probably to protect herself from her three brothers}!!

{weekend} lovelies

 

I have become a bit obsessed with aztec prints lately

& have found the most wonderful

bohemian & vintage

inspired clothing company that has some of these lovely pieces.

There were so many items I loved,

that I decided to create the dream board below

{on polyvore}

to represent a few of my favorites.

Check out {Spool No.72}…

I just know you will LOVE it!

 

Lovely Lady

 

Nicole & I had a coffee date one evening this past week

to discuss {simply}, of course!

While at our local {Starbucks},

we were able to sample their new Vanilla Spice Latte.

It was DELICIOUS!

They have combined espresso with steamed milk,

rich vanilla and hints of spice!

It is topped with crushed vanilla bean,

sugar & whipped cream {if you like}.

Since I can’t seem to break away from my usual Soy Caramel Macchiato,

the barista told me I could substitute the vanilla spice in my Macchiato

instead of the usual pump of vanilla.

It was AMAZING!

I don’t know that I will ever go back!

 

 

 

Winter Break is coming to an end

for most of us that have children in school.

Perhaps in an effort to get organized,

you have started to plan your menu for the week ahead.

For those of you that are not vegetarian or vegan,

have you ever thought of

“Meatless Monday?”

Many people are using high quality plant proteins

in place of the typical animal proteins.

I personally am a vegetarian

{although I flirt with vegan eating from time-to-time}.

My family does continue to eat small amounts of meat.

However, as a family we have adopted plant-based eating

a few days out of the week.

If this appeals to you, refer to this list of

{7 high quality, plant-based proteins}

to help you make this healthful change!

Your bodies and our planet will thank you!

{if you are interested in learning more about the health & environmental benefits, click here}

If you decide to try out “Meatless Monday’s”

here is a yummy recipe from Whole Living for

{Quinoa Salad with Roasted Almonds}.

If you like to throw things together, without bothering with recipes

then just do this:

* mix any vegetables that you have on hand

into your already prepared quinoa.

* Then, add salt & pepper to taste,

with a decent amount of fresh squeezed juice from a lemon.

* Chill & then eat!

Healthy & delicious!

 

 

 I have always LOVED calligraphy.

Not to toot-my-own-horn,

but in the 3rd grade,

I was nominated to participate in a little competition

for having the best handwriting in my class {haha}!!

I have thought of taking classes when I have a bit more time,

although they are difficult to find!

There are a few online courses that look pretty reputable,

but why not give this a try?

Here is a tutorial from Jones Design Company on how to

{fake calligraphy}!

Wish I had come across this prior to addressing

all of my Christmas cards this year!

 

 

For Christmas this year,

my little brother planted me a variety of succulents

in a pot for my front porch.

It is beautiful!

He and my mother both have green thumbs

and a complete love of succulents which they have passed on to me.

What a great idea to plant succulents

in what would otherwise be a fountain or bird bath {genius}!

Here are {15 ideas for growing succulents}!

 This coat = complete & total LOVE!

Only a few sizes left…

and it’s on sale!!

So, if you are also in LOVE,

you better hurry up and click {here}!

Zara is one of my faves,

especially for my kids!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can’t leave out our little guys!

Check out these ray-ban

{wayfarer}

sunglasses for little boys!

These are too cute!

Seth loves to wear sunglasses.

I may have to invest!

 

 

 

 

 

In 2013,

I am hoping for a weekend getaway with a few of my closest girlfriends

{hint, hint – – Husby}!

Perhaps around Mother’s Day?

Check out this beautiful Southern California resort

{Ojai Valley Inn & Spa}.

I have wanted to stay there for years!

I have an aunt & uncle that lived on a horse ranch

in Ojai when I was a child.

I used to love visiting that charming town!

Hopefully 2013 will be the year I can go back,

and relax…. poolside {wink, wink}!

 

 

The resort even offers sunrise yoga classes…

it’s perfect!

 

 

 

 

 

Hope you all have a {lovely} weekend!

xo