Handbags!

Who doesn't love a handbag?

For the past 24 hours I have been trolling the web looking for a new bag.  I need something sizable, preferably with a long strap that will allow the bag to sit crossbody on my hip.

I've had my eye on the Classic Q Natasha Crossbody bag from Marc by Marc Jacobs, but it's pricey.  A good bag will be pricey . . .  but not sure if I can make the commitment (or put out the cash without feeling guilty!!)



Does anyone have any other perfect bags to share?
Need recommendations!!

Happy Easter weekend :)

XO
Lauren

1st birthday

Today, my Shutterfly invites for Blake's first birthday arrived in the mail.  Now that they're here, I've kicked the planning into high gear.  Her birthday isn't for 5 weeks, but that really isn't a lot of time!  Gotta get cracking!

Here are some photos that are inspiring me today....



Love the black and pink Hello Kitty





(Maybe without the big life-size Hello Kitty.  Scary!!)

XO
Lauren

Things for the Weekend...

In preparation for our Seder on Monday night, I am making my famous Matzah candy:

Ingredients:

1 pkg of matzah

1 stick unsalted butter

1 cup brown sugar

1 12 oz package of chocolate chips

Coarse sea salt/kosher salt (if desired)

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 300 degrees

2.  Cover baking sheet with tinfoil.  On top of tinfoil, spread matzah.

3.  Melt butter and sugar together until bubbly.

4.  Drizzle butter and sugar mix over the matzah and spread with a spatula.

5.  Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes.

6.  Remove from oven and sprinkle with chocolate chips.  Allow chocolate to melt.  Spread with spatula.

7.  Transfer matzah to the fridge and chill for at least 2 hours.

8.  Take out of fridge and break into pieces.

9.  Enjoy!

I'm also thinking about the spring and landscaping.  It's here, but it sure doesn't feel like it outside!

I'm hoping it will warm up in the next few days.....

Here are some pictures that are inspiring me!

     

XO

Lauren   

P&P Recipes

Ever since the hubs exclaimed that my spaghetti squash dish was "the best thing I have ever made," I have been looking for new spaghetti squash recipes to try.  I think this one is a must:

Baked Spaghetti Squash Chicken Parmesan Boats
Skinnytaste.com 
Servings: 4  Serving Size: 1 boat • Old Points: 6 pts • Points+: 6 pts
Calories: 326 • Fat: 8 g • Protein: 29 g • Carb: 35 g • Fiber: 7 g • Sugar: 10 g
Sodium: 318.5 mg (without salt)

Ingredients: 

• 2 small/medium ripe spaghetti squash
• salt and fresh pepper, to taste
• 4 thin chicken cutlets, about 3 oz each
• pinch garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp oregano
• 2 cups quick marinara sauce, warm
• 1 cup part skim shredded mozzarella 

Directions:   
Preheat oven to 350°. Cut the squash in half lengthwise, scoop out the seeds and fibers with a spoon. Place on a baking sheet, cut side up and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast about an hour or until the skin gives easily under pressure and the inside is tender.

If you prefer the microwave, cut squash in half lengthwise, scoop out seeds and fibers and place on a microwave safe dish and cover. Microwave 8-9 minutes.   

Meanwhile, while the squash is roasting, season chicken cutlets with salt, pepper, garlic powder and oregano. Heat a grill pan (or a George formal grill) over medium-high heat, when hot grill chicken on both sides until cooked through, about 3-5 minutes. Set aside on a dish.


Remove the spaghetti squash from the oven or microwave and carefully fluff the spaghetti-like strands on each half with a fork, leaving the squash in the shell. Season with salt and pepper, then spoon about 1/4 cup marinara in each boat.
Slice the chicken on the diagonal and place each piece on top of each squash half.Top the chicken with 1/4 cup each of remaining marinara sauce, then top with cheese and place back into the hot oven and cook until the cheese is melted and the sauce is hot, about 12 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil and serve with parmesan cheese on the side if desired.

YUM.

XO
Lauren

Spring Looks

Winter is bumming me out.  Big time.

The first day of spring is tomorrow, and yet last night and today it has been snowing nonstop!  Much of the east coast has gotten hit with this storm.  Hopefully it is the last blast of winter before Mother Nature decides to cooperate!

To celebrate the arrival of spring, I have compiled a bunch of spring/summer looks that I love.  I am all about neon and polka dots.  CanNOT get enough neon!

Sweats & Hoodies
Skinny Denim

XO Lauren

Warning: I am not an earth mom

I'll apologize for my rant in advance.

Of course I love my daughter.  She is literally my life; my reason for living.

Yes, I will occasionally give her something with "sugar" or "nuts" or, heaven forbid, "gluten."

The fact is, we live in the real world.  Thankfully, she has no allergies or intolerances that we know of, so we have the privilege of not having to be careful with what we feed her.
Of course we want her to eat healthy, and know the importance of a well-balanced diet.  But I don't want her to live in a box!

I was once talking to some fellow moms about some of the foods we were introducing to our then-six month olds.  I mentioned I was feeding her a certain kind of yogurt geared for kids.  "Oh, no. . . that yogurt is filled with sugar.  Not a good choice," was the response I got.

Seriously?

I read the ingredients and compared that yogurt to the "organic" kind the other moms were using.  Same amount of sugar. . . just organic versus regular sugar.

Like I said, I am all for being healthy and making smart choices.  She's a baby.  Soon, she will be a kid.  Kids eat cake and pizza and french fries.  I ate all that stuff along with all my friends, and we turned out relatively all right.

I'm for letting my kid be a kid.

Rant over!

XO
Lauren

After Literally a Lifetime of Waiting...

... Target has finally arrived in Canada!

The first locations are a bit far from me, but I convinced the hubs to make the 45 minute drive today. So, with hubby and baby in tow, I got to go to my happy place!

I loved it. I can't wait to go back when the location closer to me opens (sometime in March, supposedly). Next time ill go sans husband and baby. I can't be rushed!

Here are some of my finds. Notice the sizable dent in the cheese balls already. (Hubby convinced me to buy those!!)

Have a great weekend!

XO
Lauren