My baby boy turns two years old this weekend, and my head and heart simply cannot believe it.

Happy Birthday, my beautiful boy. Happy Birthday.

original work by Catie Crabtree

Seriously.

xx

via everygirlneedsalittlesparkle

I have often wondered if I would prefer a completely oblivious mate, and therefore shopping without immediate repercussions, but have settled on no…the trade off is worth it. Until this week, that is. This week, his skills escalated to a level that I didn’t believe possible. Imagine, if you will…we are in bed, reading, chatting, catching up after a long day. Suddenly, he looks up…”Do you smell that?” he asks. “Smell What?” I reply. “It smells like new shoes” he concludes, and looks straight at me.

I have been caught red handed. The beautiful new Jeffrey Campbell Boots that arrived this afternoon and were immediately stashed in the back of my closet have been sniffed out. It is official…my husband can now smell when I go shopping. Awesome.

img via Baggu

Some of my favorites for Mama and her Minis:

For Mama: 1. The Skinny Low Rise Corduroy Jean, Current/Elliott 2. Stretch-Corduroy Skinny Jeans, Rag & Bone 3. Avedon Low-Rise Corduroy Skinny Jeans, Citizens of Humanity 4. Superscript Cords, Pilcro 5. High-Waist Bette Cords, J Brand 5. Pepper Pant, Theory

For Mini: 1. Girl’s Bootcut Cords, Old Navy 2. Stretch Vintage Bootcut Cord, J. Crew 3. Five-Pocket Corduroy Pants, Gap 4. Boy’s Five-Pocket Cords, Old Navy 5. Boy’s Skinny Jeans, Old Navy 6. Boy’s Straight Fit Corduroy Pant, J. Crew

That’s why I was very happy to come across the above. The EWG recently published its most up-to-date best and worst lists in terms of pesticide laden fruits and vegetables, and estimates that we can reduce our exposure by 80 percent simply by knowing which foods typically have the highest pesticide residue, and therefore should be bought organic. As some of the worst offenders also tend to see the most action in our home, I am happy to know that our organic efforts really are worth it…and to have a good guideline for prioritizing while wandering the produce department.

via EWG

Years later, I still think of ZARA for fashionable yet reasonably priced pieces for Mama and (as I recently discovered) for her Mini as well. And though you won’t find me stripping down in the storefront, (this is best for everyone, I promise) you will still find me dropping in on the rare occasion that I am able to do my shopping in store instead of via the internet. Which brings me to my point…and it’s a good one. Starting today, ZARA is now available for purchase online.

Woohoo!!! Happy Shopping…and keep your pants on!!

www.zara.com

One of last Fall’s trends that has carried into this one should do the trick…I mean, seriously, don’t we all need a bit of sparkle in our lives every once in a while? I am thinking yes…definitely yes.

1. Sequined Stretch Georgette Top, DKNY 2. Thin Sequined Scarf, Forever 21 3. Sequin Hem Shrug, Warehouse 4. Bitter Pump, Steve Madden 5. Sequin Stretch Belt, Betsey Johnson 6. Sequin Stripe T-Shirt, Warehouse 7. Sequined Georgette Top, VINCE 8. Glitter Snakeskin City Flats, Gap 9. Sequined Cotton Tank, J Crew

The idea is simple. All of those amazing little things that happen throughout the year…a sweet moment, a hilarious musing by a two year old, a difficult time that you got through together, a reminder of why you began this crazy journey together in the first place…write them all down as they happen and keep them in a jar. Then, as a family, read them together on New Year’s Eve.

Sometimes the simplest ideas really are the best…and this one just got me. We have officially begun adding to our jar…and I can’t help but think of how the beauty of this idea will compound when our little ones can add to it as well.

via inchmark

Either way, the above is a great guide for when to buy and when to wait in order to get the most bang for your buck. Btw, I am currently debating whether or not I should share this with my husband for fear it will be used against me.

via savings.com