Healthy Spin on Lunchables

Hello friends!  Summer is in full swing now...its almost August!  I don't know about you all, but its been one crazy busy summer so far.  The kids have been in one camp or class after another and its kept us on the go a lot of the days.  Many of those days, we had lunch in the car or at the park in between camps.  I know I would get bored with a sandwich everyday, so I try to mix things up for them too.  But, with one picky eater, its really challenging sometimes!  They both always ask me for lunchables when we go to the grocery store..but those things are SO bad for you.  I'm not even sure if the lunch meat or cheese in those is real...and it is definitely full of preservatives and chemicals they don't need to be eating.  And I am always the bad guy who says no.

So...I came up with a new version that is healthy and still fun for the kids.  I bought all the ingredients separate and then made them their own lunchables.  I started with some crackers, usually Kashi Original 7-Grain.  They have some really good gluten free options too if you prefer.  The twins love salami so I get the Applegate Organics Uncured Salami.  They are perfect because they are small enough to fit on the crackers! Cheese is the easy part, just get whatever kind your kids like best.  I buy the Horizon Organic Cheddar slices and just break them into smaller squares.  And voila...homemade, healthy, organic lunchables!  Happy lunching!!!

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Dad's Birthday Party

This past Sunday was my dad's birthday and Uncle Jeff's birthday.  They were born on the same day, five years apart.  So cool huh?  We had a great time celebrating with them!  It was such a great day, complete with laughs, tears, and some very poorly assembled ice cream sandwiches (thanks to me!).  I love that I get to spend birthdays with my dad...he's such a special dude!  Happy Birthday again Dad!!!

I finally got a picture of me wearing my new white blazer from my birthday.  Thanks to my wonderful husband for scouring the mall to find the perfect one!  I am in love with it and have worn it a bunch already.  This was the first chance I had to take a picture of it.  The weather here has been so confusing lately so getting dressed in the morning is a challenge.  I am cold in the morning and cold in the evening, but then its warmer all day.  I liked this outfit because I was never too hot or too cold.  I'm so looking forward to some actual summer dressing!

Blazer - Armani Exchange 

Sheer T-Shirt - Express, Similar style on ASOS

Silk Shorts - Paige Premium via Nordstrom Rack, Similar pair on Bluefly

Shoes - Steve Madden, Similar flats (sadly minus the red flower) at Zappos

Short Season is Upon Us

Yes friends, that is correct.  Its short season here in Michigan...hope your legs are ready.  I know I had to slap on some major self tanner so as not to blind the world.  Man, these babies haven't seen sun in awhile!  It really feels like summer when its finally warm enough for shorts.  I would not have guessed that it would be this hot before Memorial Day, but that's Michigan weather for you.  My next outfit post will probably be a sweater :-)

My wonderful mom bought me these Joe's shorts for my birthday on one of our shopping trips.  I fell in love with them right away.  They fit perfectly, which is especially hard for me to find in shorts.  I already have these marked for my 4th of July outfit!  I might wear these every week this summer...I love them that much!

(Pardon the photo of my butt...wanted to show the embroidered belt!)

T-Shirt - Ann Taylor Loft $20

Shorts - Joe's Jeans via Nordstrom Rack, Similar red cutoffs at Old Navy $17.50

Belt - Embroidered into the shorts, Similar one at Target $17

Peplum and Leopard

Happy Saturday folks!  We all made it through another week...another week closer to summer!  This outfit was my first try wearing my burgundy peplum Topshop shirt.  They now sell Topshop at Nordstrom too. The only problem...camera battery was dying so I only have one good shot to share.  I really wanted to get this top because I thought it would be great alone, or layered with a long sleeve underneath.  My bad because I ordered it too small and nothing really fits underneath without showing thru.  Thus, it has become warm weather only, for now.  I'm still working on layering it.

Top - Topshop, Similar top in coral at Piperlime, Leather look on Bluefly

Jeans - Paige Premium Denim at Nordstrom, Less $$ option at Old Navy

Shoes - Jessica Simpson, Similar pair on Zappos

P.S. GO RED WINGS!!!

Summer Temps and a Purple Tank

Thank the good Lord its finally spring/summer weather in the great state of Michigan!  I have been so anxious to wear some of my new summer gear (and old stuff too for that matter).  I found this great purple tank on the clearance rack at Kohls a couple weeks ago.  Its from the Jennifer Lopez collection...and I scored it for only $10!  I love the beading on it.  Side note...not great for holding babies because the beads are kind of scratchy on them.  My niece totally loved my metal cuff bracelet tho...makes a great baby toy!

Tank - On sale at Kohls, Other really cool options like this one on Piperlime

Jeans - Paige Denim from Nordstrom, More affordable option at Gap

Wedges - Guess from Macy's, Not many like mine but these by Lucky Brand are close

This season's Guess wedges are really cool too!

Happy Spring Shopping!!!

Early Birthday Dinner

Well as you know, it was my birthday on Sunday.  But never one to settle for one celebration, we went out to a sushi dinner on Saturday to pre-celebrate!  Much thanks to Gil and Sue for driving out...and for putting up with the worst service of all time.  Good thing we all like each others company cause dinner was about 2 hours long.  Sushi was delicious tho.  I was excited for another opportunity to wear my printed trousers too!

Top - Victoria Secret, very similar top at New York & Company for $47

Pants - Guess, Tons of options like this at Macy's for $55 and under

Shoes - Carlos Santana, Similar pair by BCBGeneration on Zappos for $63

Cuff - Target, Similar one at Macy's by Fossil

My Birthday Outfit!!!

In case you hadn't heard...yesterday was my BIRTHDAY!  My 29th birthday to be exact.  I'm a pretty big fan of my birthday.  Not in a conceited kind of way...more of a celebrate that you are alive kind of way.  I love this quote from P.S. I Love You and I use it all the time. "We're so arrogant, aren't we? So afraid of age, we do everything we can to prevent it. We don't realize what a privilege it is to grow old with someone."  I think that's the most accurate quote I have heard when it comes to talk about age.  My grandma died at 88, and she was proud of her age every single year.  She told anyone and everyone that it was her birthday each year and I loved that about her. So I am following her lead!

I thought the outfit I wore for my birthday party at my parents house was perfect for the blog.  It was actually a gift from my wonderful bosses.  And its all recent so they should be available still in stores.  It was the perfect spring party outfit because it was comfortable, but a little fancy too!  I piled on all the necklaces because well, it was my birthday! (Note the balloons from the twins, so cute!)

Top - Bobeau at Nordstrom (on sale so not many left), Similar style by Free People

Jeans - J Brand at Nordstrom, Less expensive option by Levi's on Piperlime

Shoes - Joe's at Nordstrom, Less expensive option at DSW by Fergie

Longest necklace - Similar one at Kohls by Lauren Conrad

Middle Necklace - Similar one here on Etsy