i've been MIA...

I've been MIA {i know} but we've been busy on the road... from Las Vegas, to San Diego, to Sacramento...and life in between it all.

Sophia's first drastic haircut. She loves it.

We are now the roadtripping family. Here is Pyramid lake. So pretty.
We snuck in a date at the South Beach Bar & Grill in San Diego. Oyster tacos were yum!
Home grown peaches! They were so sweet and juicy!
She loved them. I love summer.
First swim classes. I was so proud! She did amazing.
Sacramento with friends. What a great summer vacay so far!

amazing story...

this video clip has been rotating around my facebook page among several friends. I watched it for the first time last night and was so moved by it. Its amazing the different paths of life we all partake in... some surrounded with love and family, and some left to grow up alone.

pinterest party!

can't wait! Who's coming?!

Middleton Sisters

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The Middleton sisters seem to be getting fashion right! I am absolutely in LOVE with Princess Catherine's pale pink Jenny Packham dress she wore last week. This was the first formal dress she wore since the Royal wedding...and she nailed it!

I've been also meaning to blog about Pippa's handbag since I first saw it (the day after the Royal wedding). I love it! Its made by a London company, Modalu. I'm pretty sure they're sold out by now. What a classy looking bag.

Zara {for kids}

My love for Zara started 7 years ago when I was shopping abroad (oops, i mean studying abroad) in Europe. Zara wasn't here in the USA yet and I just couldn't believe the great goods we were missing. I still find great pieces there, but realized that they have the most adorable collection for little girls too!

PS: does the red dress look familiar? Sophia has that one, except the bow is in the cream color.

dreaming of...

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a white house...

there is something so calming and peaceful about everything white.

Pepperplate {meal planner}

I discovered another great app (or if you don't have the iphone, you can just go on the website) called Pepperplate. It is a meal planning site that helps you organize in planning on your weekly or monthly meals, on top of getting together a grocery list (that you can print! Major bonus!!). I had so much fun with it this weekend and even shopped right off the list. I feel so ready for this week to begin, knowing I had time to plan. Now I have a refrigerator full of healthy snacks and food ready to go.

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TGIF

TGIF! This is how I feel. Have a fabulous weekend everyone!

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TWO

Yesterday, I was singing and playing the "Monkey's on the bed" song with Sophia. I said, "one" and she said, "2,3,4,5,6,7." I couldn't believe she was able to count that high! So, I said,"seven" and she said, "8,9,10!"

The hubs and I are always amazed with how much she knows! She is speaking more clearly nowadays and definitely articulating her opinions. Sometimes we have no idea where she picks up some of the things she says...because we clearly didn't teach her. For example, lately when she gets mad she yells, "GO AWAY!" {you can only imagined how appalled I was when these words came out of my little 'angels' mouth).

She has so much personality now and always, i mean always, on the GO. I miss those days of just holding her and her being content in my arms. Now she is pointing, chatting, and running. But, this is also so much fun.

Yesterday...I also filled 2 more bags of clothes she outgrew. The thought occurred to me that these clothes will never be for Sophia again and the next time I pull these clothes out, it will be for another child. So sad..but so sweet at the same time.

tote {Clare Vivier}

I have been dreaming of this brown tote ever since I first laid eyes on it. The orange clutch is dreamy as well.

One of my newest favorite handbag designers is Clare Vivier. She is a LA based stylist and all bags are "locally made." Her style is impeccably timeless, which is something I am ALWAYS looking for in style.

Swimwear {Popina}

I am always on the hunt for stylish modest swimwear. These retro swimwears by Popina are exactly what I'm looking for. Modest and stylish all wrapped in one. I love both these bathing suits. Check them out..they have so many different styles and colors.

PS: the yellow polka dot one is quite tempting too.

Sunglasses {slight obsession}

I'm slightly obsessed with my Marc Jacobs oversized sunglasses. They are seriously so comfy and I feel like a million bucks whenever I wear them. Because they are oversized, I have gone several times without make-up, just SPF and out with them. Its amazing what a great pair of sunglasses can make you feel. : )

PS: the last picture is my mom trying the shades on. Doesn't it look great on her?

summer list

I'm so excited now that summer is officially here! I love everything about summer; the smell {of sunblock and the ocean breeze}, the CALIFORNIA weather {warm hot days}, the sound {sleeping with windows open and hearing kids playing outside my neighborhood until 11 PM}, the look {looking hot in just cutoff's and a basic tee} and the taste {don't even get me started here}!

Here's my summer "TO-DO" list before Labor Day:

1. Go camping {both at the beach and at the woods}

2. Watch a movie outdoors with my daughter

3. Have family dinners outdoors at least twice a week

4. Beach at least 3x a week (last year we went at least 2wice)

5. Eat more fresh/raw food {fruit, veggies, oysters}, less cooking

6. Many, many bonfires with SMORES (does this contradict #5?)

7. Read a good book

8. Print photos after taking them

9. Drink more water

10. Live and be simple

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Santa Barbara {Bacara Resort}

We spent last week in Santa Barbara enjoying every bit of a much needed break. We spent every morning eating breakfast in bed, going for a morning jog on the beach, afternoons at the pool and evenings out in town. Now we are replenished...still dreaming of the resort, but ready to tackle reality again.