A few of my favorite nudes...

Hi Everyone!  I hope you've all had a nice weekend!  It was absolutely gorgeous here in Minnesota (finally) with temperatures reaching the upper 50's.  I had the windows open and Veronica and I even did some running around outside!  She was in heaven!

We had a pretty low key Sunday and during Veronica's nap-time I decided to paint my nails (which I rarely seem to do these days since time is sparse with a little one).   As I was rummaging through my stash looking for a color, it dawned on me that I rarely actually choose a "color".  I definitely have a thing for nudes and always gravitate toward really neutral colors.  I don't know what it is, but I always think they look so neat, clean and polished.

I thought why not do a quick post on some of my favorites?  Here is the lineup:

From left to right: Essie Au Natural, Essie Mademoiselle, Zoya Minka, OPI Bubble Bath

These are my most reached for nude polishes.  They apply really nicely with no streaking, go opaque within two coats and look great on any skin tone.

I'm sure as the weather gets warmer I'll be reaching for some brighter and more colorful colors that look good with a tan ;) but until then, these are my favorites.

What are your most reached for polishes?  Any recommendations?

I hope everyone has had a great weekend!

Abby

It's the Little Things: Catching her Red-Handed.

This is my first week linking up with Ashley from Words About Waverly and Jess from Sadie Sky Boutique for the "It's the Little Things" link up and I couldn't be more excited!

Veronica is going through a stage of insisting on picking out her own clothes.  When I say insisting,  I mean INSISTING.  At this age with Veronica I've learned to pick my battles.  Most of the time when I know we have to be somewhere I let her have a few choices of outfits and then she can pick from those.
When we are just at home is when I let her have free rein of her dresser.  (I fought this at first because I love for things to be neat and organized).  But ever since Veronica has been in a big girl bed one of her favorite things to do during "nap time" is to go through her drawers and "try-on" clothes so I've come to accept that it's kind of a losing battle and in some ways I've kind of come to enjoy it.  She looks so cute in her mismatched outfits, shoes and as the second picture here shows - her hair accessories ;)

As much as I sigh at re-folding her clothes over and over - I love that she is asserting her independence more and more by the day and growing into such a fun, smart, wonderful little girl.  These are the moments that I never want to forget.

Thanks for the link up Ashley and Jess!

Abby

Warm Weather Recipe Ideas.

Whenever the weather starts to warm up and I've had the chance to crack open the windows of the house and let the fresh breeze in, I can't help but start thinking about spring and summer recipes.  Immediately I think of grilling, cool salads and drinks, fresh herbs...pretty much anything that sounds nice and refreshing after being holed up all winter.

I thought I'd share a little bit of the list I've got going for recipes that I'm wanting to try, along with a few that I've already made and really liked.

Barefoot Contessa at Home Cookbook

So here are a few that are on my list to try!

*Ina Garten Roasted Shrimp and Orzo Salad: This salad looks right up my alley.  I love orzo, I love shrimp and adding in some bright vegetables and refreshing lemon sounds perfect.  This would be great for a lunch or even a light dinner.

*Caprese Pasta Salad: I love anything caprese and I'm sure this salad will be no different.  I am already itching to get my herb pot planted because fresh basil is a staple for me during the warmer months.

*Grapefruit Mimosa:  Another thing that I am an absolute sucker for is brunch and this little drink seems like the perfect accompaniment.

And even though they don't call for a recipe, I have to of course mention the good old fashioned grilled hamburgers and hotdogs that inevitably come with the warmer weather and I cannot wait!

Here are a few that I've made already and give a big thumbs up!

*Williams-Sonoma Baked Ziti: This dish is so, so good.  I will say that it's a bit hearty, but it's perfect for the cold weather that just won't take the hint lately and makes for a really filling dinner.  I definitely recommend it!

*Honey Lime Chicken:  I found this recipe via Pintrest and I'm so glad I did.  This recipe is the perfect answer to the same old boring chicken.  It is really flavorful and really good. We even broke out the grill early for this one and it was so worth it. The only thing that would make this recipe better would be to enjoy it outside on the patio with a margarita in hand.

*Creme Brule French Toast Casserole:  You need a sweet tooth for this one!  I made this last weekend for Jimi and Veronica and it was unbelievably good.  If you like sugary, sweet things - you'll love this.  If you prefer a more savory breakfast, this might be a bit much for you.  I would definitely make it again!

Cooking is one of my favorite things to do so I feel like my list could go on and on.  How about you? Are there any recipes that you're waiting to break out for the warmer weather ahead?  Or any that you would recommend?

Hope you've had a great weekend!

Abby

Wishing for Spring...

J.Crew cross strap sandals / MICHAEL Michael Kors mirror sunglasses / J Crew j crew belt / Jo malone perfume / J Crew nail polish

The weather is getting warmer (kind of anyway ;) and I was even able to have the windows open for a bit this past weekend.  It was the first feeling that Spring might actually be on it's way!  I'm just itching to get outside with Veronica but in the meantime I've been accumulating quite a little wishlist for the warmer weather ahead.  I'm always a sucker for pastels in the Spring and this list is no different.

What about you?  Is there anything on your Spring wishlist?

Happy Monday!

Abby

A Birthday Weekend.

Today is my husband Jimi's birthday but we celebrated with our family this past Saturday night.  We went to a little Caribbean Barbeque place close to our house that Jimi loves and it was such a fun time.  (They have the absolute best Jerk Pork Tacos I have ever had - so good!) Veronica was such a good girl and only started to get antsy just before we were about to leave.  One of her favorite things to do is "cheers" and you can always count on doing it at least 3 or 4 times in the course of one meal.  Here's the first of the night...

We went back to our house for cake afterward which was probably Veronica's favorite part of the night.  She even helped Papa blow out the candles.

Sunday ended up being relatively quiet and we spent most of the day at home, but that didn't stop Veronica from picking out her own "ensemble" or in this case - lack there of... ;)

I hope everyone had a great weekend and happy Monday!

Abby

Bits and pieces from our weekend...

A few random bits and pieces from our weekend...

Putting on a show with her mouse puppet for me and out of no where saying, "That's kinda weird..." This is one of her favorite things to say and she says it about everything...dinner, clothes, pictures, coloring...pretty much everything.  I think she just likes the reaction she gets from me.  It never gets old and I laugh every time!  Something about a two year old describing things as weird...ha!

Veronica picked out her own outfit on Saturday.  I don't know but I think she has a thing for polka dots...

Helping papa with dinner on Saturday night.  She LOVES helping in the kitchen and never misses an opportunity to drag in her chair and bang some spoons off of a bowl repeatedly ;)

Last but not least, Veronica ready for the red carpet.  For those of you wondering who she is wearing: Gap, Old Navy, Target and accessorizing with a puppy purse, bunny ears and a nice assortment of plastic jewel necklaces.

We had a nice little Oscars party at home with cheese and crackers and somehow I even managed to stay awake for the whole thing!

I hope you all had a nice weekend!

Abby