BACK TO SCHOOL BASICS

As a mother of a soon to be 1st grader, I am not well versed in the ways of Back-to-school shopping. My first day of school etiquette could use a little help as I have no idea what school supplies Joshua would need. I did know, however, that there would be 3 main things my little guy would need, so I figured I would start there.

The Backpack

Truthfully, Joshua did not need a new backpack as the one he had from Kindergarten worked just fine and still looked pretty new even though he used it everyday. Purchasing a new backpack as part of the B2S ritual is sort of a right of passage.  After work the four of us stopped into our local Winners (similar to TJ Maxx). We selected a few backpacks that we like then let Joshua select the one he wanted. We ended up with this black and red Converse Backpack which are Joshua's two favourite colors.

Before committing to it, I stuffed a large lunch box it in and made sure there was still enough room for notebooks, a pencil case and his water bottle. We also had him try it on to make sure It wasn't too small or too big.

Lunch Bag

I know that I haven't had chance to test this product out but I do have a lunch bag of the same material myself made by the same company. I love the feel and style of this bag (the piping is more bright in person that the picture displays). When it comes to design, boys are usually limited to vehicals and sports so I was please to find that Target had many other options. Joshua loved the monster theme! I love that the material is stretchy especially since at the time of purchase I did not have his lunch container so I required a bag that would accommodate different shapes and sizes. I also love that when empty, it colapse to less than and inch in thickness. Talk about easy storage! If you have kids that can be a little messy do not fret, you can toss this into the washing mashine and let it hang dry. Being that it's made of bodysuit material it will dry in no time.

Lunch Container

Obsessed. That is the word I use to describe the love of lunch containers and packing lunches. Finding "the right one" has been difficult to say the least. Poor Aaron thinks that I've completed my search only to be blindsided with yet another lunch container purchase! Husband better deal with it! This is his life now...

Container #1: This is a Rubbermade brand that I purchases at Walmart. It comes with two interchangeable compartments, so depending on my mood and Joshua's lunch I can add or remove them with ease. Why was I not satisfied? Well I dont like the idea of a lot of small pieces, especially with a 6 year old who is just learning to be responsible for his thing outside of the home. I have decided to keep this container though as a backup.

Container #2:  The brand is Fit & Fresh and until yesterday I had never heard of them. I found this at Winners the same time we got his backpack. I must say that I love the colours. The lid is easy to remove and even thought it's a different shape, it fit perfectly into Joshua's lunch bag. The container consists of three compartments all together. The top tray is removable but unlike #1, there is only one removable part rather than two.

So does that mean I am finished with my Lunch Container hunt?! Not a fat chance! I did some more research into Fit & Fresh and found the Container #3, the one that I had wanted all along and to make matters worse for my container addiction, they are super affordable. A certain someone may decide to make an online purchase...we'll see ;)

Links:

Lunch Bag
Container 1
Containers 2 & 3

How is your back to school shopping going?

WEEKEND KIDDIE POOLSIDE

After roughly two weeks of late September weather (no complaints here) we were given a true summer this weekend. It was Aaron's birthday on Sunday so we spent some time with my inlaws out in the country.

The boys enjoyed their kiddie pool. 

Aaron and I enjoyed out beer on the patio. 

Call me lazy but there is something so charming about the ideas of sitting...sitting and doing nothing but enjoying your thought. After having two energetic boys you learn to appreciate simple things like unbroken moments of thinking. Talk about simple things huh! 

I took the Monday off work, Aaron had that day off too so we took the boys into the backyard again for some pool time.

This time daddy joined in.

CURRENTLY

Excited about: There are a few things that are making my heart flutter with excitement. I could devote an entire blog post to the lengthy list but in the efforts of not becoming long winded I will keep it short. Back-to-School! My first baby is going into the 1st grade and I will admit that it is bitter sweet. It makes me sad to think of the day the when I won't be able to hold him in my lap and cuddle him and kiss him. I know those days are miles away. I know that the best thing to do is to hold on to those moments and cherish them, live in them. This is why I am living for school supplies, backpacks, packing lunches and new school clothes.

Hating: I've gotten into a major funk about a few things. I honestly don't remember a single time in my life where I lacked such confidence. Was it when I was 12 year's old wear those big round speckled framed glasses, when I wore no makeup, had bad teeth and weight 80 pounds soaking wet? No. Back then I thought that I could seriously wed Leonardo Dicaprio if I ever met me. Was it when I was 14 and had braces, glasses and wore flared jeans that were two sizes too big? Nah...then I loved my braces because lucky for me everyone had them who needed them and a lot of kids that I went to school with did. Now that I am out of middles school, high school, braces and glasses (well, when I want to be) I feel so down. One good thing about myself is that I always make an effort to improve so I will be getting my act in gear and start this road to self renewal!

Listening to: Recently I have started this love affair with instrumental piano music (my husbands doing I swear). I find it so calming to write to or to have as background music while I cook dinners. It mellows me out. In addition I cannot get the song Cruise by Florida Georgia Line out of my head! I've been humming the tune without even realizing it now, not until I am half way though "..In this brand new Chevy with a lift kit, would look a hell of a lot better with you up in it.." catchy, huh?!

Drinking: I've got a bottle of Coor's Light, light means low calories right? hmm, I'll have to check that. What I love about beer is the way the icy coldness feels on the back of your throat. It's the weekend, and I've had a long week and right now we only have beer, tequila and banana liquor. Last week Aaron and I drank too much tequila so I'm scared of that stuff right now..beer it is!

Quoting: Thomas A. Edison - "Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time."

BOWMANVILLE ZOO

After an entire summer of Aaron working weekends, he was finally give his second Sunday off! We took full advantage of our day. When we started out we had no preconceived plans, just a car and hope; hope that a beautiful day was ahead of us. We got in the car and started driving east on the highway. We drove, not knowing where exactly were were going, just the general directions. We drove around for a while until we drove past a sign reading "Bowmanvill Zoo." Done! We decided to check it out! The boys had a blast and us grown ups did as well. What I did love about the zoo was that it was small! No miles and miles of land separating one exhibit from the next. No large hills to climb, no annoying crowds, just a few people who much like us wanted to take their kids out of a Sunday afternoon.

ONE STOP SHOP: DYNAMITE

Necklace: $16.90 | Bracelet: $16.90 | Belts: $19.90 | Blazer: $35.00 | Top: $12.00 (on sale) | Pants: $29.90 | Grand total: $130.60


As a mom I often have a limited amount of time to go shopping. Aaron works most weekends and I work all week so that leaves me about 2 hours to shop after going home to have a family dinner. 2 hours is hardly enough time to shop-hop so I usually look around online, pre-shop if you will, throughout the week, then narrow my shopping down to a few go-to stores. Dynamite is one of my absolute favourite places to shop and being that they have such a cute selection, I can find everything I need without having to shop-hop (even though I love to anyways hehe).

I cannot get through life without having a good blazer. My blazer must be versatile, have a beautiful lining, be well constructed, trendy enough but still classic, and it must stand out! Of course having your staple black blazer is a important but having at least one in a different colour is necessary when I want to give my look an extra kick.

I love a good white top. My opinion is that everyone should have a basic white top in their wardrobe especially if they work in an office setting, however it doesn’t have to be that button down white blouse your mother used to wear (nothing wrong with those). You can spice it up with a shear top (with a tank top underneath if see through!!) that you can either wear out or tucked in with a cute belt around the waist of your pants.

Despite what my mother suggest, I do not wear pants that just hang off my body, I like to respectably show my assets no matter where I am so there black skinny pants are perfect, they are by far my favourite pair for work. They are super comfortable and can easily transition from day to night!

Finally, what is an outfit without the proper accessories?! I love to stack bracelet and even stack them on top of my watch to make more of a statement. The right pairing of necklace and wrist wear can really complete your look.

WEDDING SEASON

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A few weeks ago Aaron and I attending a rustic wedding in the quiet town of Caledon Ontario. It was the first time that I had attended a wedding that I wasn't apart of in quit some time and I was looking forward on being able to sit back, relax, drink wine and enjoy myself without the stress honour of tending to anyone.

I absolutely loved the back drop; green all around with a calm stream cutting through. Lush tree's everywhere and not one single sound other than the intimate gathering of friends and family, woodland creatures and the ballads of the live band that played while everyone too their seats.

They says that a woman is the most beautiful on the day of her wedding, such was not the case for myself, but it certainly was for the bride Laile and her now husband Ariel wasn't too bad himself.

Creatively the two of them created the center pieces themself which added to the rustic feel.

 

 

The food was amazing! My favourite part of the entire meal was the antipasto appatizer. They gave each table a large platter and we at family style. For some reason I had been and still have been craving antipasto for the longest while so when we were presented with the platter I felt like the luckiest girl on earth!

 

 

I simply love weddings! Aaron and I never had a "real" wedding and looking back I glad that we didn't, the money, the time, the effort the stress all for one day. It was never for us. We do however appreciate and enjoy the time we get to spend with a couple that has just begun the rest of their lives. When you think about it, it's truly magic to witness two people committing themselves to each other and no other word but "thankful" come to mind when ponder the fact that we have been invited to witness. Plus it gives Aaron and I a chance to sit still and remember what we vowed to each other and how we once felt while we exchanged those vows. It truly was a wonderful night.

TIMELESS RECIPES: VEGETARIAN WEEK PART 2

Part one here

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Wednesday: Zucchini Casserole w/ a side of Asparagus

Original Recipe

Made with corn muffin mix and shredded zucchini, this casserole was wonderful and easy, perfect for summer. This would make a great side dish in a smaller portion paired with grilled chicken and a garden salad.

My tip: After shredding the zucchini get a clean tea towel or paper towel, wrap the zucchini inside and squeeze really hard to get rid of any access water. Note that when you mix the ingredients it’s supposed to look thick and crumbly and not like runny like a cake or muffin batter. Make sure you serve it when its nice and warm!


Thursday: Vegetarian Lasagna

Original Recipe

I have never made any form of Lasagna before. For whatever reason I always thought it was time consuming and difficult to master. After I looked into this recipe I found that such was not the case. It was really no different than making spaghetti; the only difference is that Lasagna finishes off in the oven. Oddly enough, after trying this recipe I found that I liked vegetarian over meat lasagna!

I am truly happy that I did this; it actually saved us a few dollars at the grocery store, not just because we didn’t buy meat but because we planned out meals for the entire week so we shopped according to what the recipes called for.  By Friday we had a few different left overs that I didn’t even have to cook that day! This also showed me how easy is to no consume so much meat during the week, don’t get me wrong, I still love a juicy steak but it’s not something that I crave that much anymore. My husband is a huge meat lover, so much so that he practically begged me not to cut out meat this week, but meal after meal he had been so receptive and as time went on he actually requests that I cook these over and over again.