As ready as we will ever be: Palm Springs Vacation

Here we go again!  Vacationing round two with a kid.  I must say, it really changes the whole fun anticipation part of going away.  It used to be that I would count down the days minutes until we would get on a plane and head off somewhere sunny to relax.  Now, that fun anticipation has been replaced with a bit of anxiety.

No longer are we packing for just ourselves, but now we are bringing a pack and play, a stroller, and a toddler that doesn't enjoy sitting still.  (Not to mention Greg's golf clubs and our luggage)!  Whew!

Thanks to everyone who has given suggestions as to how to entertain Ben on the plane, as I am feeling a lot better about that aspect.  I have purchased a new toy (a leapfrog laptop) that has tons of buttons and screens.  He has not seen the toy before, so it should be new/exciting.  I have a box of organic chocolate milk (he has never had chocolate milk), a new snack dispenser that he can easily use himself, I have downloaded "Wreck it Ralph" onto the iPad, downloaded a bunch of apps that he loves, and I am hoping all of this will get us through the 2.5 hour flight with a relatively happy child :)  I know I shouldn't care about the other passengers and what they think, but it is impossible for me not to.  I still think back to the flight I had back from Orlando while I was pregnant and sat next to a kid that was probably around Ben's age.  Yikes.

Also noteworthy, I have discovered a new iPhone app that made packing for myself a LOT easier!  The Stylebook App allows you to organize your closet into "looks", and it helped me to avoid my usual over packing - amazing.  I'm proud to say that all three of us are using ONE suitcase for the majority our things and jamming whatever doesn't fit into that into Greg's golf bag. 

 

Yay, warm weather clothes!

We plan to spend the week, sunning, shopping, drinking margaritas poolside, swimming, golfing (Greg) and exploring an area we have never been before. 

And the weather looks like it will be like this:

XO Cookie Exchange/Jewelry Party :)

Tis' the season for cookies and jewels!

My friend Layne is a stylist for an awesome jewelry company called "Stella & Dot".  I have ordered a few items from them in the past, which I absolutely love, and as soon as I had enough space in our new home to host a jewelry party, I wanted to get one on the books to see her growing collection of jewelry!

Since the Chi Omega girls have an annual cookie exchange during the holidays, I volunteered to host this year and we combined it with a jewelry party.  Cookies, wine and jewels!  Yes, please!

For those of you that were not able to place an order last night and want to, or for anyone else interested in some new jewelry or need stocking stuffer ideas for others, please feel free to use this link - it's open for the next 3 weeks - here are the specials running right now:

It was SO fun to have everyone over to eat, drink and catch up.  I spent the better part of the day baking cookies, prepping food, cleaning the house and setting up for the party.  We have never had this many people over, and I think I underestimated the amount of time it would take me!  I was so thankful to have Greg there keeping an eye on Ben so that I could get everything together :)

On Saturday, I prepared the Honeycrisp Apple Sangria to soak overnight. 

 

I thought it turned out pretty delicious! 

Another new recipe I tried was Pumpkin Pie Dip.  My friend Hilary had made this for Thanksgiving and recommended it - and we loved it :)  Especially Ben!

Here are a few more pictures I took from the night:

At the end of the evening, Maeve and Ben had a little couch jumping party courtesy of Aunt Rachel as head supervisor and playmate.  Thanks, Erica, for capturing this amazingness.

 

 

The babies were completely WIPED OUT at the end of the night (yessssssssssss).

 Thanks everyone for coming over and for all of the delicious cookies :) 

Stitch Fix - Again

Alright, I think it's safe to say that I really like this company.  This is my third "fix", (I forgot to document the second one, I kept 2 things) and now I think I am all set in the clothing department for the Fall/Winter season.

Thanks to those of you that used my referral link - I got to use my credit towards this purchase!  (And even better, it sounds like you have enjoyed adding to your wardrobes, too)!  I decided to keep all 5 items this time around, so I got an additional 25% off my order. 

 

Probably my favorite item they have sent so far! 

(Can you tell how much I like it, haha - cheese).

 

Stripes + Blazer!

 

Fun Fall dress, perfect for tights and boots OR with nude pumps. 

(Rachel, let me know when you want to go out as twinsies).

 

 

Chunky sweater

 

 

Handlebar hand bag.  It comes with a shoulder strap, too. 

 

Stitch Fix

A few weeks ago, I read about this company on another blog, and within minutes I found myself requesting an invite to join!

As a mom, the time that I have for myself is drastically reduced.  (Duh).  I used to have the luxury of wandering around the mall to do my own shopping.  I could run out to the grocery store at any time if I needed a few last minute items for dinner.  On the weekends, I could wake up in the morning, look at the various yoga schedules around, and choose which class I wanted to go to. 

In an effort to spend my "me" time more productively, I am finding myself gravitating towards any and all online ordering and delivery services.  IF ONLY I could find/afford someone to deliver us dinner each night.  (Mom?)  ;)

Anyway, (pardon the tangent) I came across this company called Stitch Fix.

How it works (in a nutshell):

1.  You request an invite (they are slowly expanding and are in beta-testing right now).

2.  Once invited, you create a style profile: what you are looking for, your sizes, what price range you are comfortable shopping in, identifying trends you like/hate, etc.

3. Choose when you would like your shipment, (aka "fix") to arrive.

4.  They (the Stitch Fix stylists) will select 5 items based on your profile and ship them to you!

5.  You try on each item, decide if you want to keep it (based on how it fits, the price, etc.) and send back what you don't want to keep.

Shipping to/from is free.  The only cost (other than the price of the clothes you choose to keep) is a $20 styling fee. If you keep nothing, you are charged the $20 fee.  If you keep one, two or ALL five items, the $20 fee is applied towards the cost of the clothing you keep!  And if you keep all five items, you also get 25% off the whole order!  Uh, score?

Anyway, my first fix arrived today and I think they did a great job!  One of my favorite parts is that they also send a little style guide with each item with ideas of how to wear it.

I'm keeping 2 of the 5 items.

 

Fun tank that I think will be cute under a cardi and/or belted

 

 

Striped shirt - because I love anything with stripes

 

I'm sending back the following items:

 

While I love the color and the pattern is cute, I think

(and my coworkers agreed) that it feels a little "old" for me.

 

I so wanted to love this jacket.  Unfortunately, it is just a little too

similar to a black sweater I already own so I couldn't

justify the purchase.

 

Again, this scarf was great, but I have about a zillion scarfs.

So, for those of you that are into BirchBox or Citrus Lane, here is another "mystery delivery" service for you to enjoy!  (And yes, these referral links hook me up, so feel free to use them) :)