{ on my mind + menu }

1. Very interested in these studies here and here about anti-cancer diets.
2. Samme loves this.
3. A great round-up of toddler boy activities...I've found that in some ways its harder to come up with things for Henry to do than it was for Sam... Anyway, this list from Marta is great.
4. Still have a few things up on Ebay.
5. Exceeded my Livestrong Fundraising Goal for the big bike ride in May. Thanks for all of your support! But its not too late to donate...The more money raised for cancer research the better!
6. Love all of the items in this shop. But, the spending hiatus has commenced. So no cute things for Samme. And no cute shoes for Mommy.
7. Somehow a little girl in this house is turning SEVEN soon. I am speechless as to how this has happened. She wants a sleepover with some of her friends in lieu of a traditional birthday party. So, these invitations and these sleeping bags will do... Dinner, Cake, Crafts, Movie, Popcorn, Pancake Breakfast + Fun. Simple fun. Well, as simple as 4 girls spending the night at our house will be! :)
8. The menu this week...Not sure yet. I think I'm going to just try & use up some of what we've got and be creative. I went to the grocery store a MASSIVE number of times in February due to company, trips, celebrations, etc. We also went MASSIVELY over budget. So simple meals this week.
9. Can't wait for this yoga festival this summer...Kris Carr is the keynote speaker! Who wants to go with ME?
10. Tomorrow, the Spending Fast Begins...more tomorrow!

Have a great week! GO!

Picture above of LobotoME goods!

{ on my mind }

1. Great post about time management / priorities at Pure Mama's blog.
2. Great video about the Zero Waste Family...I'd really like to do better at this...I mean we recycle & compost but we still have a lot of trash each week.
3. Great post about Creating Your Financial Journey Road Map from SimpleMom.
4. That's all I've got. Full weekend ahead - Samme's last basketball game of the season = basketball cupcakes; birthday parties + sleepovers; bounce house visits; and church. Hope to find some quiet time to dive into a new book I have from the library, get some yoga on, spin class and get a few things done around here. Have a great weekend my friends!

My morning Green Juice pictured above. Apple, Spinach, Kale, Cucumber, Celery, Parsley + Lemon. YUM.

{ on my mind...money }

“It's time to get back to a more balanced state of acquiring what I need, when I need it.”

— Martha Beck

Will & I spent some time this weekend going through our finances, trimming the fat from our budget and revisiting some ambitious savings goals (early mortgage payoff fund, retirement savings, college funds, giving plans and travel funds). Additionally we are trying to save a big chunk of change to take a BIG 10 year anniversary/Will's 40th birthday trip to Bora Bora next winter. So with that AWESOME goal in mind, I commence my spending hiatus.

But prior to starting my spending hiatus, I would be remiss if I didn't say that I picked up a few things that I "needed" recently. But I went through a detailed process to figure out what it was I "needed."

Inspired by this great article from Oprah Magazine about how to shop smarter and only acquire what you need, I recently went through my closet (eagerly looking forward to spring's arrival and the shift in clothes that brings) and made a pile of things that I no longer wanted (to donate or sell) and made a small list of things I'd like to acquire (wants) and a few things I need (a relative term for sure). Like I want a cute spring romper and I could use a gray tank top and a pair of black wedge sandals. I am trying to get all of my clothes so that I can mix & match them and coordinate them (think lots of blacks, grays, purples & whites). And am letting go of the cute, but doesn't match with anything, turquoise top and the tan linen pants and the vintage brown & orange Lululemon bag I don't use. The ebay shop is open again.

So, March 1st is the official start of the spring spending hiatus. I'm visualizing money flowing into the "Bora Bora" fund and the kids "i'm setting my kids up for the future" fund and the "I'm going to lie on the beach in our retirement" fund.

Anyone want to join ME?

{ on my mind...money }

So the thing I get asked to blog about the most is finances...which is hilarious since 1) that is clearly not my area of expertise and 2) I don't think I have ever balanced a checkbook. But it is something that we all have to think about and do something about, right? So, some $ things on my mind lately...

- Danielle LaPorte always gets me fired up about all sorts of good things. But her 20 personal money practices that got me to a place of grooving prosperity (and Part 2) are so great. My favorites include when she says that "Money Management is about FOCUSING ON CREATING FREEDOM." And her great bank account names include ADVENTURE + CARE and I'm setting my kid up for the future. She says that investing for her son "gives me very deep peace. Everyone deserves a leg up." LOVE! Go read the rest of her list now!

- Love this article about a family's No Spend Month. I have been reading lots of stuff like this in an attempt to get my frugal groove back ON after several months off the bandwagon.

- Love Joslyn's new project...Operation Simplicity. She will be blogging about everything she gets rid of and brings into her home over the next year.

- Loved this story about a family that bought a house with CASH. No mortgage. No debt. Voila.

live simply print above via etsy

{ on my mind + menu }

1. Valentine's Day is on my mind... Lots of heart shaped sandwiches, pizza, fruit & pink smoothies...
2. Here's a great list of fun valentine's day card ideas for kids...much more fun that the store bought kind don't you think? Samme is doing miniature bananas attached with a {i'm banana's for you card} and Henry is giving out little clementines with these stickers attached.
3. Going to make a bunch of these for our neighbors & teachers for Valentine's Day.
4. An adorable valentine's day snack idea (pictured above) here.

ps. Totally unrelated but I LOVE this breakfast birthday party idea! How fun!

image via katherine marie photography

{ pack ME }

So, as you know we are an "on the go, on the road" family, which means I like to think of myself as an expert packer. And when we are traveling we like to travel as light as possible. When I headed to LA a few weekends ago for the NAPO Awards Ceremony I packed one large purse with my wallet, laptop & book and one small rolled bag with 5 outfits for the entire weekend...My travel outfit (both days); my workout outfit (using same leggings as travel day); my date night outfit; my during the day on Saturday outfit and my awards ceremony outfit. 2 pairs of boots; one pair of sneakers, one pair of jeans; one pair of leggings; 3 tops; one bathing suit. I plan out my outfits ahead of time using our handy, dandy outfit planning (FREE) Dress ME download available here.

Travel day outfit: Lululemon wunder under leggings (love these and wear them all the time); black boots; Lululemon Activa Gym Bag (ebay); Anthropologie knit top.

Friday Date night: Top (Gilt); AG Stevie Jeans; Booties (Forever 21)


Saturday day outfit: Forever21 sweater; Lululemon wunder under crops; black boots


Saturday evening Awards Ceremony outfit: Eva Franco dress, Forever 21 booties


Saturday & Sunday morning Workout outfit. Lululemon top & bottoms.

{ on my mind + menu }

1. Love the poster above via Black Eiffel.

2. Love great people doing great things.

3. This week is playing catch up before MORE company comes into town this weekend.... and hitting lots of SPIN classes at the gym getting ready for the big RIDE this spring.

4. We've had lots of company so our grocery bills have been higher and we've been eating out more so we are way over food budget already this month. So, we'll be eating lots of leftovers this week and things that have been in the pantry & freezer for too long. Might need to get uber-creative.

5. Last week I got to sample the Healing Cooler's juices...super yum. This is a great way of doing a juice cleanse if you don't have a juicer or a natural foods juice bar nearby. It also makes a great gift for someone you know who is embarking on a healthier lifestyle or who is ill. More on this great company soon.

6. Am I the only person that spent too much money in January despite my resolutions + goals this year? I mean I needed new shorts for spin classes in order to train, right? And I needed a cute new bag to cart my workout clothes to & from the gym, right? Yikes. So, I need to curb this big time. I just went through the kids clothes and pulled out tons to donate and realized they have more than ENOUGH. I have so many things still in my closet I never wear. I have 6 black coats (a dressier one, a raincoat, a ski coat, a winter vest, a cycling/running jacket and a coat I got at one of our races from a sponsor). SIX black coats people. Geez. Anyway, its time to find my frugal groove again.

Have a great week my friends! GO!

{ on my mind }

1. Love the tagline on the back of this cookbook: Life is not chaotic: It’s rich.

2. I love reading about work at home mom's daily routines like Ali Edwards.

3. Love Ali's Follow Your Heart post.

4. Love everything about this home tour.

5. Love this post By Paula about Simplicity.

6. Love the mantra shown above from StephModo.

7. On our menu this week....Lots of smoothies, fish & steamed veggies, salads & soups & green juice galore.

8. Speaking of food, I love these photographs of healthy meals.


9. Sweetest Naturally Healthy Valentine's Idea ever...


It's almost Friday! Have a great weekend! GO!