Here are some of my fave neon picks…remember…only one or two pieces at a time, such as a scarf and shoes, or a t-shirt and a bracelet.   Keep other pieces in your outfit neutral…denim works very well with neon.  A little goes a long way!

J.Crew Shorts  in Neon Peach $56.00

Gap Striped T in Blue $24.95

Joe Fresh Striped Scarf  in White, Yellow and Black $16

Gap Foldover Pencil Skirt in Powerful Blue $39.95

Gap Neon-Stripe Infinity Scarf  in Tree Frog $24.95

Gap 1969 Legging Skimmer Jeans in Lime Cooler $49.99

Gap Skinny Mini Skimmer Khakis in Luminous Orange $59.95

Gap Leather Stripe Tote $79.95

Kate Spade Locked In Mini Turnlock Bangle $58

J.Crew Neon Stone Necklace $95.00

Sperry Top-Sider Audrey Boat in Neon, Nude and White $85

J.Crew Sperry Top-Sider Authentic Original Boat Shoes in Neon Rose $98

J.Crew Vintage Cotton Tank in Neon Azalea $28.50

Gap Patent Perforated Flats in Neon Yellow $39.95

You only need one more thing to really carry out the neon trend…the perfect neon polish….oh, and do I have a fave!

Essie’s Boom Boom Room is the perfect cotton candy pink.  I apply it without using a white underneath…I don’t find it necessary!  It’s a fresh and fun color that looks fantastic with a bit of a tan!

So for me, it’s a lesson learned!  Trends come back and, yes, sometimes they are worth repeating….but never literally…things always come back with a twist!

Thankfully, i think i can get back on track this week…. here’s what i’m working on:

~ Lexi’s room: When we completed a master bedroom addition onto our home, Lexi moved into our original bedroom. She’s been begging to give it some personality…it’s only been 2 years!!! Ahhh!!! It’s time!! We’ve got ourselves some elements that we’re going to add that i think will give her a room that reflects..well, her! And we’re doing it on a shoestring budget. We found some amazing Jonathan Adler wall decals on sale on Hautelook..SCORE!! So we’re adding these and these to transform this space. We’ve also begun a bulletin board DIY for above her desk…it just has to be (here’s the operative word) finished.

As you can see, her wall are bare and other than the color green, there’s nothing exciting or reflective of Lexi in it. It needs help!

~My office: This has been a room in progress for the last year…bringing it from a dark room that had become a catch-all for anything and everything in our household to a bright modern work space with bursts of colour and personality… I love it, but it will feel even more personalized once  i complete my gallery wall. i’ve been collecting prints for the past couple of months and can’t wait until i get them all up on the wall so i be inspired by them daily!

~The Powder Room: the palm tree theme is out. My bathroom just didn’t know it. This room needed an update in a serious way, but i didn’t want to spend a huge amount of time and money on it. The new inspiration is Palm Springs retro. Think gold and yellow! A couple cans of spray paint have made a huge difference but it remains unfinished. I’ve had my eye on this light fixture but i’m on the prowl to find something at a great deal.. I’m also looking for some additional gold accents like this or this!

ok…this is the hardest room to take pics of as there is no natural light…so i can’t show you the outdated light fixture because you’d only see a hideously bright glare on the pic! Trust me when i say that it’s time to replace the builder spec fixture!

~Our Master Bedroom: I knew i wanted our new bedroom to be modern and simple. And that it is. But, i’m wanting to add some colour… i’ve honed in on indigo, but i’m getting resistance from Scott.  Who’s on my side? I’ve found these Furbish pillows and these C Wonder bookends that would keep the look crisp, not too feminine but would add some “pop”. Who’s on team INDIGO? Be honest…what do you think?

So why did i post these photos and let you all in on my unfinished stuff?? i’m hoping you all will keep my accountable. No more new projects until these are finished..promise!!! What are some of your unfinished projects that need your attention? C’mon make me feel better!

Happy Mother’s Day!  I will never forget my first Mother’s Day fourteen years ago!  I had just had Berkeley two weeks earlier and I remember that Mother’s Day was my first big outing to church since I had had her.  I seem to remember them handing out carnations to all of the moms at church and I remember wearing a butter-colored knit pant suit (I NEEDED something with some give!).  I felt almost awkard receiving the flower since I was such a new mom with zero experience….yet I think that giving birth qualified me!  But there was sooo much yet to come!

I was thinking this past week of why I love being a mom!  It is certainly a HUGE responsibility….and sometimes at the end of of day when I lay in bed I feel like a total failure, but it is also one of the most rewarding jobs I can think of!!!

Here is my top 10 list of why I love being a mom!

10.  Those Saturday mornings standing at the cook top flipping crepes for my kids…seeing who eats the most, how much sugar they can possibly roll up inside a crepe….and just taking the time to have a leisurely breakfast!

9.  When Mac, our nine year old, compliments me on my outfit and says that I look beautiful.  That’s the best confidence booster in the world!

8.  Watching our kids do something they love and are passionate about.  I’ve been known to cry when our girls dance.  And I love watching Mac play hockey!!  I’m the one being rather vocal from the stands (in a good way!).

Photo courtesy of Revival Arts Studio

This is one of my all time fave pics!!! Mac and Link before they join the Abbotsford Heat on the ice for the national anthem! Mac always has one side of his jersey tucked-in!

7.  Being part of a herd!  The five of us are a unit….we stick together.  Yes, we have arguments and disagreements (lots of them!), but I know that we all fiercely protect each other!!

Our “herd” through the years!  Middle and bottom photo courtesy of Revival Arts Studio

6.  Making something that the kids and Jason devour!  I’ve always believed a way to a man’s or kid’s heart is through their stomach and I get so much pleasure out of making them yummy treats!!  I love letting them pick the menu for their birthday dinners!

5.  Family vacations!!!  Jason and I both love to travel and we travelled a lot before we met and then again when we got married.  We decided once we had kids that we wanted to keep on travelling.  The years that we had babies and toddlers were interesting to say the least…..I called us the travelling gong show…playpens, car seats, strollers…you name it, we packed it!  We still had a lot of great times and now our kids are fantastic travelers and we LOVE to get away as a family to recharge and reacquaint!!!  I love that the kids are up for adventures and are easily adaptable!

Here we are at the Great Wall of China on our way back from a missions trip in Thailand. The kids were 5, 7, and 9 at the time and there were amazing travelers. The jet lag when we got home was another story! But, we’d do it again! Sooo many great memories!

4.  Cuddling on the couch and just chillin’ and watching TV.  If you read our blog, you probably know that our kids are fairly busy.  The girls dance over 20 hours a week and Mac is on the ice for hockey 4 to 5 times a week.  That means I pretty much am a full-time taxi driver!!!  So, the nights that we are home are golden!!  I love cuddling under a blanket and just watching TV together and relaxing!

3.  Observing the relationship that our kids have with their grandparents.  I love how the grandparents just love on them and support them and encourage me too as a mom.

2.  Finding those special things that I have in common with each of my kids.  Berkeley and I both LOVE really good food.  She’s got an adventurous palette so she’s willing to give most anything a try…and we seem to really love the same stuff!  Dylan loves to shop and well….yes, so do I!!!  We have a lot of fun putting outfits together!  Mac loves a good latte…seriously he does…and I love a good Americano….so coffee it is for Mac and I!  Oh, and we both love hockey too!

1.  Those moments when you witness your kids putting into practice something you’ve been trying to teach them, especially when they don’t know you are watching!  As toddlers, it was went you might see them sharing a toy, and as the kids got older they might include someone who was feeling left out.  Now as tweens and teens, it’s when they take leadership, encourage others or take initiative!  Those are proud momma moments!  Mac recently told me how he was trying to encourage and support a player on his team that had lost his grandma and he’s prayed for him every night since…that’s the stuff that really matters!

It’s crazy to think that I’ve been entrusted with three lives….to help guide them, nurture them and help them to grow up to be successful adults in all areas of life!  Eek…that’s huge.  Laurel was just saying to me a couple of days ago that being a mom isn’t always fun…I agree…it’s super hard work and I often feel extremely under qualified!  But we both love our kids to bits and the joys far outweigh the overwhelming times.

Here’s to all of the moms out there!!!  None of us are perfect, but enjoy being celebrated today….cause tomorrow it’s back to the laundry, cleaning and cooking!

This week’s Friday Find is a perfect last minute Mother’s Day gift!  And it’s perfect for travel too!!  A friend bought me the FLO Refillable Fragrance Atomizer for travelling and I have to admit, it probably took me 6 months to use it because I just didn’t get what it really was and thought it might be confusing to use.  Geesh!!!   I have to say this contraption is seriously genius!!!  It’s SO easy to use… you fill it by opening the one end and spraying in your fave perfume.  That’s it! No more travelling with sample size freebee fragrances I don’t even like!  I have my fave scent packed now at all times.

Sephora also has their own model of atomizer (click here).  They suggest that not only can you use it for perfume, but also for toner, breath spray or even just water!  Brilliant!

But this past weekend, we got together with family to celebrate my niece’s birthday (birthday hugs, Jada!) and had ourselves a grillin’ meal. I wanted to add a salad that wasn’t traditional..so cyber-trolling i went.  I love the Sprouted Kitchen website..if you haven’t visited, really..do yourself a favor and go on over! The photos are glorious..the recent pics from a vacation to Europe are frame-worthy, and Sara’s recipes are equally as beautiful. If you love veggies, clean cooking, natural ingredients, and incorporating seasonal foods into your kitchen, you will be bookmarking this site. STAT. Her love of eating food in it’s purest form makes this farmer’s wife happy (did i just call myself a farmer’s wife?? i guess he is so i guess i am..eeks!)!

The Pasilla Chile and Lime Cabbage Slaw (click here for the recipe) was an incredibly tasty addition to our birthday meal and i have a feeling i’ll be making it often this summer! The addition of toasted macadamia nuts and fresh mango add the perfect texture and flavour. Mango just happens to be one of my favorite fruits. I also like that it can be made with greek yogurt versus mayo. I think it gives a lighter feel to it, and though there is still fat in greek yogurt, it is a healthier choice.

The addition of lime zest and juice lends a truly fresh flavour to this slaw. The ancho chile powder gives it a little kick. Additional ingredients include honey, sea salt, olive oil, and greek yogurt.

Thinly sliced green cabbage, mixed with fresh chopped cilantro and finely diced red onion compose the salad.

Mix it together and let it rest for at least 15 minutes for all that awesome flavour to blend.

Make this a complete meal, by adding some grilled meat, chicken or prawns. Delish!

Mother’s Day is less than a week away….it’s a day to honor and celebrate the moms in our lives as well as women who have been mentors!  I have two amazing moms and mentors in my life…my mom, Elma and my mother-in-law, Loraine.  And the crazy cool thing is that they are awesome friends!!!  The pic above shows Loraine (left) and Elma (right) on the pier in Huntington Beach.

My moms couldn’t be more different…but that’s a bonus for me as I can learn different things from them and they support me in different ways!

My mom, Elma, is out there…she’s the life of the party and she somehow can make everyone feel special!!  She’s also a fierce protector!  I’ll never forget the time she was teaching me how to drive.  She took me out driving for an hour every day for a month after I got my learner’s license.  I was NOT a natural driver…she really had to teach me.  We were driving down a fairly busy city street one day and I was making a right hand turn.  If I remember right, I don’t think I had put my signal on.  A driver on the side street honked at me and was quite irate!  Mom had me stop the car and she got out and told that lady that I was a new driver and she needed to give me a break!  I remember being so flustered and couldn’t believe how my mom stood up for me…even though I’m quite sure that I was in the wrong!  It was a golden moment and I saw the “momma bear” come out!!  I also love how my mom can make friends quickly almost anywhere she goes…she just has a magnetism about her!

Best piece of advice mom gave me?  Pick your battles with the kids…concentrate on the big things because you have to follow through.  The small stuff is not worth it!

My mother-in-law, Loraine, is a confidant…I actually call her “The Vault”, as I know that anything I tell her she will keep in confidence.  She has a quiet strength about her.  One of the greatest memories of have with my mom-in-law is the time that we spent living with them while we built our house.  We sold our previous house rather quickly and had just barely started building our new one.  We needed somewhere to live in the meantime and had two little girlies (Berks was 2 and Dylan was 8 months).  Jason’s parents graciously offered that we could live in the basement and I have so many great memories of the 8 months we were there.  We worked out a system where Loraine and I each cooked two dinners each week, and seriously, we went all out..dessert and all!!!  Those 8 months were NOT good for my figure!  I cleaned up the kitchen after each dinner and Loraine did all our laundry!  I think I got the better end of that deal!  Our relationship grew so much during that time and I would never trade it!

Best piece of advice my mother-in-law gave me?  You are your kids’ advocate….they are your responsibility and sometimes you have to fight for what’s best for them.

I think my moms are such great friends because they are different!  They have supported each other through tons of  ”stuff” as we say!!!  The ups and downs and the good and bad.  They have seen each other through some really tough stuff and they’ve celebrated in each others’ joys!  I think that’s such a great reminder to all of us moms…we need to put time and effort into our relationships with other women!!  It’s so important to have support and to have others to bounce ideas off of.  I am super guilty of getting busy and doing the mom thing with driving kids around and sometimes not putting the effort I should into my friendships.  Looking at my moms has reminded me that I NEED to make time for my peeps!!!

Our kids could not be more fortunate to have grandmas that are amazing cheerleaders, listeners, and drivers (whew…a huge help to me!).  I love that both moms text the kids, follow them on Instagram and stay connected…even when it means that they might need a technology tutorial from one of the kids!  I love it!  They both keep themselves very busy watching hockey, volleyball, swim meets and dance competitions!  But what I treasure the most is how they pray for our kids!! That’s priceless.  Here’s to you both Elma and Loraine! Happy Mother’s Day!  I love you more than words could ever say!

I’ve also heard many people lament that prints are only made for stick thin frames. Not so, sisters! It’s all about finding the pair that fits your body perfectly. Thankfully, there is a ton to choose from… and i couldn’t resist being lured into the Gap when i saw their windows dressed with some orange animal printed crops. The Gap khaki skimmers  are constructed of cotton and a wee bit of spandex, which makes them feel oh-so comfy and gives you some room to finish dessert!! And bonus, they’ve even been marked down since i bought mine last week..$50.99 is a great price for a well constructed pant.

I paired these pants with my favorite JCrew vintage tee ..normally i don’t get too excited about plain tshirts but i’m seriously kicking myself for not buying a stack of these. These tee is made of cotton slub that gives a more “chic” look than your regular tshirt…it also comes in a boatload of colours and your choice of crew neck or vneck. I’ve been wearing mine with everything from jeans to dress pants and heels. It’s just one of THOSE tees! Regularly priced at $37.50 it’s worth it, but watch for these to periodically be featured at a special price.

American Eagle had these Metallic Cap Toe Flats on for such a steal i couldn’t leave the store without them. $14.99 YES!! i liked the idea of grounding the bright orange skimmers with the camo green flats. These flats are a neutral that can be paired with tons of colors, prints and patterns.

Throw on a denim jacket, some stacked bangles and a long necklace and you’re set!

Outfit:

             Bottoms: Gap Skimmer Pants

              Top: JCrew Vintage Tee

              Jacket: Denim ~ old (similar here)

             Shoes: American Eagle Metallic Cap Toe Flats

             Gold Bangles Set, Khaki/Fushia Bangle: JCrew

Spike Bracelet: Stella and Dot

            Neon Belt: JCrew Factory

             Brown Leather Bangle: Vince Camuto

             Necklace: House of Harlow locket

             Bag: Dooney and Burke (old)

These three pieces: the skimmer pants, the tee and the flats came out to just over $100… and can all be worn interchangeably with a myriad of other pieces in my closet. Adding pieces that i already had, completed the outfit without me having to spend more!

So, are you ready to embrace some prints?? Have FUN with it! What prints are you wearing this spring?

What makes it so fabulous? Where to begin… i love that it has the function of a lip balm, without leaving your lips colorless or at best, a slight pasty white. Lip Glow incorporates technology (technology in a lip product? What is our world coming to?!?) that allows it to react with the chemistry of your lips to create a shade specific to you. Pretty cool, hey? If you struggle to find a lip color, this is your answer. I love the light hued glossy look it gives, while moisturizing your pucker at the same time. Lip Glow also has SPF10 in it..as we head into sunny season, it’s not just your skin that needs protection..don’t forget about your lips! And lastly, well, i just think it might be the prettiest lip balm packaging i ever did see!

And while the price ($35) may initially seems steep, don’t forget: It’s really like 2 products in one…Lipstick and a moisturizinging lip balm. You can also ditch the mirror you’ve been carrying around in your purse. Apply this on the fly..no precision needed..yay!

My new go-to..i want to buy another one just to have as backup!

Dior’s Addict Lip Balm is available at Sephora, or department store Christian Dior beauty counters  (Vancouverites, check it out at the Bay)

Instagram had me drooling a couple of nights ago!  Friends of my daughters posted pics of a crazy good looking recipe….I caught that it involved oreos, cookie dough and brownies…you can’t go wrong with that trifecta!  So I asked their mom about the recipe.  She made it in a 9′ x 13′, but I decided to try my own twist and use muffin tins.  So…put aside your guilt about clean eating, the Paleo diet, what you can gather and hunt, and run to your local grocery store for a few packaged ingredients and indulge and enjoy….
Oreo Cookie Dough Brownie Treats

makes 16

1 468g package Pillsbury Cookies Chocolatey Chunk cookie dough (or use your own fave cookie dough recipe)

1 bag Double Stuf Oreos

1 package Betty Crocker Chocolate Chunk Brownies

16 Paper Chef Culinary Parchment Large Baking Cups

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Put parchment baking cups in muffin tins.  Fill any unused muffin tins with water so they do not become scorched.  Prepare brownie mix according to package instructions.  Cut cookie dough roll into 16 pieces and put one slice in the bottom of each baking cup.  Push an Oreo into the cookie dough of each cup.  Spoon mixed brownie batter over top.  Bake for 20-25 min.  Remove from muffin tins and place on cooling rack.

Use parchment baking cups in the muffins tins and add the cookie dough. Then press an Oreo into each one.

Prepare the brownie batter according to the package instructions and spoon over Oreos. They are ready for the oven!

They can be enjoyed on their own…

I brought these as is to dance for Berkeley’s birthday this week and they seriously vanished!

Or while still warm, remove the baking liner, plate, add some vanilla bean ice cream, drizzle with chocolate and caramel sauce for a dessert!!!  Your guests will love it!   Oh, and creds to Nicky!!!!

Can you see the Oreo inside?? Yummer!

Here are the deets:

1 Chapters Bundle  ~ Buy the Heather’s Pick novel “The Spark” by Kristine Barnett and add a monogrammed mug for $22 (online)

2 Teavana Perfect Teamaker Watch your tea brew and then, hold over your cup to watch as the maker strains the leaves and gives you the perfect cup of tea..magic! $19.50 Add this modern tea canister that would look good sitting on any kitchen counter $14.95

3 Ethel Snakeskin Gardening Gloves $20 – ok, follow me here. Gloves made specifically to fit the contours of a woman’s hand paired with the durability of it’s parent company, Mechanix Wear, known for outfitting Nascar pit crews. Long gloves for rose gardeners, waterproof palms, machine washable..these are a serious gardener’s glove.

4 Personalized Dear Mom Throw Pillow Cover starting at $29.99.  What mama wouldn’t love this message of love from her kids?

This is a little unusual of me, but i have to say that Anthropologie won my heart with so many of their perfect mom treasures…i couldn’t narrow it down, so guess what? i included my 3 favourites!

5 Anthropologie’s Persica Loungers $48 …. comfy and pretty..

6 Anthropologie’s Spice Market Infinity Scarf $48 add some “spice” with this beautifully hued scarf.

7 Anthropologie’s Royal Apothetic Eau de Parfum  $32 Pick your mom’s scent…floral, fresh or spice. Personally, the bottle had me at HELLO!

8 Uncommon Goods Sari Bag $35 This boho chic bag has added value. Handcrafted in India from recycled saris, it not only is one of a kind, but it will colorfuly tote mom’s “stuff” around

9 Square Lanterns from Restoration Hardware..starting at $30. Get mom excited for summer nights with a lantern or two.

For a splurge item, i can’t not include Maya Brenner’s initial necklaces (starting at $220).. i LOVE these and have been eying them forEVER! They are incredibly dainty..and simple. Add mom’s initial (s) or you and your siblings…love.

Lastly, gift your mom with a shared experience. Are you both foodies? Take a cooking class together! For us local sisters, spend an evening at Lepp Farm Market or downtown Vancouver at the Dirty Apron learning to create culinary yumminess TOGETHER!

Pause for a moment and think what your mom/wife loves…and go for it!