Happy Monday guys! We had an awesome weekend despite the rain and slight dip in temperatures. You see, my son turned 7 and we threw him a party on Saturday and then got to simply “chill” and spend our Sunday with my parents….AND just like that, we are suddenly back to the beginning of the week! It is nice and sunny here today, and if we didn’t have rain in our forecast for later in the week, I would say it definitely feels springy! The trees and flowers in our yard are also becoming fuller each day …so YAY! Well, I wanted to share a quick round up of a couple of my new favorite Spring outfits I purchased from two different stores. They will also be great to wear for the upcoming Easter Sunday festivities!
Blouse and Skirt by Ann Taylor // Shoes by Sam Edelman // Bag by Kate Spade NY
Keeping it simple today guys. I’m sharing a few finds from Ann Taylor today along with the “friends of Ann event” 40% off every single thing sale that ends soon!!! I just thought I will spread the love a little bit (lol). For the working woman, they have some lovely skirts, blouses, and dresses. For the more casual look, there’s also a few items like the skinny/straight crop/and wide leg jeans along with a few dresses and accessories (or statement pieces). If you decide to take advantage of this sale, use code FRIENDS40. ~xoxo Louise
Look 1
Anyone else love animal print? I love this skirt so much that I have worn it a couple times with different blouses already! For this look, I paired the skirt with a plain solid-colored shirt and nude pumps. This is a great office look yet adds some fun elements with the print skirt ;).
Look 2
Sticking to the minimal look, I got this shirred mock neck blouse which is the perfect answer to crisp days in the Spring. I added a statement piece to the black skirt with a bold belt, and finished off the look with black pumps and bag. It’s also a lovely office look if you don’t want to be too distracting during a meeting or if you are not one to play with bold colors.
Either way, there’s a dress for everyone with this awesome sale at Ann Taylor!! I have had a few of their clothes in my closet that’s 8-years old and since they have classic pieces, they do not necessary go out of style. Let me know if you do take advantage of their sales.
Blouse by Ann Taylor // Skirt and Belt by Ann Taylor // Shoes by Charles David // Bag by Kate Spade NY
They say life is like a cup of tea, it’s all in how you make it
Hey guys! Hope y’all are having a good start to the month so far! Over the last few weeks, we’ve battled the flu and strep with one sick kid and managed to curb it from spreading to the rest of the family! It’s been busy at work and I cannot believe the month of January is almost over!!!! I have to confess that apart from disinfecting my entire house, I have enjoyed some down time with the family. So, I thought I would share what I’ve been up to lately and the hidden bakery I found that will be a great spot to enjoy a Valentine’s day dessert!
Apart from nursing Zyanya back to health, I started a little early Spring cleaning in January and began to pack up gently used clothes and toys. I’ve got to confess that it always feel wonderful to make a donation and it is super crazy how kids quickly seem to grow out of their clothes and how rapidly stuff can accumulate! Did you know there are organizations like Metrocrest Services that will pickup your donations?
We revisited some home improvement tasks that we put off due to the holidays. One of them is my formal dining room table that Alex is going to tackle in the next several weeks. I also put a wallpaper up in my study and we are halfway done with that mini project. I can’t wait to show y’all once its complete!
The kids pulled me into a fun project that I’m debating working with them on. It’s something I have to stew over and will most definitely require finding time in my already busy schedule but I love the idea so much. No one put it any better regarding making time and juggling tasks than Albert Einstein’s; “life is like riding a bicycle, to keep your balance you must keep moving.” More to come on this one 😉 ……
I am “reflecting” (see picture of teacup below…see how i did that 🙂 with use of imagery and words) of starting my YouTube channel back up! It’s been over a year since I my last video (no joke) and I’m thinking of sharing a few of my affordable fashion hauls, recipes, and cool diy (do-it-yourself) activities with the kids in 3-5 minute videos. A little more personal perspective. What do you think?
Eat dessert first
Oh! I started a keto-like diet …well, not exactly! In the past week, I have been gradually cutting off carbs but I am still allowing myself the good carbs like having a sweet potato which I cannot live without! Really, I am just making a more conscious effort on what I put into my body. I also made my very first keto chocolate chip cookie using almond flour. Alex loved it but I think there’s room to tweak the recipe further. I am also thinking of trying my hands at making macarons but not sure if I should do two versions; one keto and another using regular ingredients. Decisions decisions…
Speaking of keto and desserts, I discovered this cute little bakery (*the London Baker) that has true European style, freshly baked croissants and desserts. They’ve been featured on Cake Central, Food Network, and a few more. I recently discovered that they make keto desserts too; cookies, brownies and muffins! My kids love their oooey gooey brownies, deep dish chocolate chip cookies, and cupcakes. I’ve already had a few tea dates with Zyanya there and the ambience is always so welcoming. The owner and staff are amazing and we’re already planning on ordering custom cakes for upcoming birthdays. If you’re in Dallas, you should check out this bakery. They also deliver outside the DFW metroplex.
Well, that’s all for now and thanks for stopping by. ~ xoxo Louise
*Review of the London Baker are my own.
Life truly is like a cup of tea; fluid and aromatic. It depends on how you look at it, your ability to change, and how you make it. In a nutshell, it is so much more fulfilling when every experience is truly savored. Yes?
As a working mom, I am usually trying to find the balance between making time to workout, handling my day job, and having time for my family and kids. The question that usually comes to mind is “is there ever a good time to workout?” I find it interesting when I hear stories of not having enough time in the day. Juggling a lot, I know how hectic it can get and things slip but I am also a firm believer in finding the time if you really want to.
Truly, a workout is one of the best things you can give yourself. It doesn’t always have to involve going to the gym and can easily be done at home or a park or wherever you choose! So here are a few tips:
MY WORKOUT ROUTINE AND QUICK TIPS
My workout routine varies from the gym, to a slight run outdoors, using some of the workout equipment at my home, or some yoga stretches and core strength training.
Tip 1: If you are a homebody, you can easily buy a workout video that is safe to do at home (you may want to check in with your doctor if you are going to do any strenuous workouts to be sure it is okay). There are also a plethora of workout videos online and readily available on TV. I have friends who love the Insanity workout videos and swear by it. There are others who prefer yoga at home or a light workout using your own equipment at home (e,g., elliptical machine, cycling machine, ball, dumbbells, etc.)
Tip 2: If you love being outdoors, then a trip to the gym or even jogging outside or participating in group activities can do wonders for you. I know friends who absolutely love goat yoga. I am not sure about goats on my back (LOL) so that may not work for me, but I do make time to stretch and practice yoga outdoors, either alone or with a friends. I find it peaceful and invigorating.
Tip 3: Know your body and what you can and cannot do. For me, I am careful on the exercises I choose to do and I ALWAYS absolutely stretch before and after exercising. Give me a couple dumbbells and the outdoors and I am happy person. I can get creative by using the park benches for leg squats, dumbbells for different arm exercises, and go for a run.
Tip 4: If you don’t know what a foam roller is, please invest in one. It helps after a workout with sore muscles and I love using it. Also drink lots of water to stay hydrated during your workout and throughout the day. You can find a foam roller at Target. Lastly, incorporate a healthy eating lifestyle to your diet and you will look and feel great!
That about wraps it up for me, friends! What do you do to stay fit? I would love to hear all about it in the comments below. xoxo Louise
One of the best gifts anyone can give themselves is to have a more positive mindset and outlook on life. I am usually a pretty optimistic person but no one is perfect and it takes a lot of self-will to weed through the negativity that can sometimes come your way. It’s called life and I’ve learned a few things along the way that I’m sharing on the blog today.
Practice Positivity
The art of practice is the performance of an activity or skill so as to acquire or maintain proficiency in it. This is very similar with the practice of positivity when it comes to your outlook on life. I know we all perceive things differently but the way we interpret it can influence the way we feel about a particular situation.
Some of the key things I’ve learned is to have quiet time each morning. There is something so serene about getting up in the silence of morning and finding time for you. Whether it is through the practice of yoga or meditation or reading the bible, I find that quiet time special in helping level set my day. It grounds me and makes me look at the day through a different set of lens.
I’ve also found that diet and a healthy lifestyle can help. There will always be challenges, negativity, and difficult situations that may come your way but when you have a sense of inner calm and a healthy lifestyle, it is easier to let go of the negativity a lot faster and this will do wonders for your overall well-being and life.
Smile More Often
A smile can lift a bad mood. There’s a saying that “nothing you wear is more important than your smile”. It influences your behavior and in turn can be contagious to those around you.
Scientists have found that smiling on purpose can shift you into a better mood and help you feel better. Just the simple act of putting a smile on your face can lead you to feel joy, amusement, or happiness. Supposedly, smiling on purpose changes brain chemistry. Since I’m more apt to being optimistic and happy by nature, a smile comes a lot more easily to me. For many, the trick to making a smile work for you is to smile until you feel it. You’ll be surprised the many benefits you’ll gain from a simple act like smiling. It will help your body deal with stressful situations more effectively and improve your mood, as well as increase positive thoughts.
So the next time you find yourself feeling blue, crack a smile.
Control the Amount of Negativity
While I want to stay up on the events occurring in the world, sometimes a headline is sufficient to grasp new developments so I usually limit the time I spend with TV or radio, selecting only a few stories to read in full. Yes, you can be selective. Over the years, I’ve also learned to select how much time I spend with relatives and friends that dwell on the negative. As painful as it may be at times, my calendar may not always open to those who consistently drag me down. Instead I try to spend more time with people who’re uplifting and honest. By making this choice, I tend to live consciously with a feeling of gratitude for the moment that overcomes forces that can drag me down.
I’ve also learned that gratitude and the practice of gratitude goes a long way on how to live a more positive life. So the next time you feel stressed, overwhelmed or you’re in a negative situation; remember to smile, practice positivity, and filter what you want coming through to you. I hope you’ll share how you stay positive in the comments below.
Taking a break from all my neutral looks…KIDDING! I love color in every season because it simply can add aesthetic pleasure to a look! When I saw this green skirt from the Eva Mendes collection at New York & Company, it was a no-brainer purchase. In fact, my younger sister liked it so much I had to go back to the store and purchase one for her. It happened to also be the last one in the store in our size! I paid full price but it is currently on sale, even better right? Some may not like the color but I find it beautiful.
I also like neutrals so when I came across this fun t-shirt, I thought what a great way to pair with jeans or …yes, this skirt! The t-shirt about sums up how moms tend to be elevated in the eyes of our kids. To our kids, we are everything. It can even be worn in the Fall with a light jacket.
For this look, I paired the skirt and t-shirt with a Kate Spade purse and then added another pop of color with these bright orange shoes :). Now isn’t this simply rainbow bright in contrast to the background?
