What I Wore: Girls Night Out

I haven't really done any fashion posts since I can't really say I'm ultra trendy or fashionable but I thought I would do a few posts about some items I found in Arizona.  It's so nice to buy clothes when you are away on a trip.  I find I'm more adventurous, it's a different selection and you can always find good deals.  

Friday evening I went out for a friends birthday to Chambar and Salt in Vancouver.  One, it's a big deal to have a girls night, two to go downtown and three get out of yoga pants and a ponytail.  I'm sure other mommy's can relate.  I enjoyed getting dressed up and trying out a new outfit.  I bought these black pants in Arizona by Lauren Conrad.  I really debated about buying them.  They weren't my usual style but I decided to take a chance.  And I'm so glad I did.  I got home and started seeing similar types of pants on celebrities on Instagram and Pinterest.  I concluded they were probably closest to a harem pant.  Maybe not a true harem pant with the ultra low inseam and mine don't have elastic on the pant leg cuff but they are baggy, pleated and narrow at the bottom.  I'm still playing around with tops but they are super comfortable and I can see myself getting lots of use from them this spring and summer season.  It's nice that they can be dressed up or down.  In the picture below, I paired it with a Forever 21 top and Old Navy faux snake skin flats. 

What I Wore: Lauren Conrad // Forever 21 // Old Navy

Love these Old Navy faux snake Skin flats

Found on Instagram and Pinterest.

Spring Break 2014: Vegas + Arizona

Spring break has come and gone.  It was a mixture of a wonderful vacation and time spent at home relaxing.  Our spring break was split into about three parts.

Part One// Vegas

We flew into Vegas Friday evening where my parents met us.  We stayed off the strip at a hotel called the Southpoint Hotel and Casino.  It was great to be out of the city and it had lot's of restaurants, a bowling alley, movie theatres and a beautiful pool.  Well worth the money.  We met up with family which was one of the major reasons we went.  Trevor had never been so it was a no brainer for him.  We spent the days checking out hotels, swimming, eating and doing some of the attractions.  We did the Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage.  The kids were more into the tigers for sure.  The dolphin show was ok.  We have an amazing aquarium right here in Vancouver so it really didn't compare.  The tigers however were a hit and we got to meet Siegfried.  He gave Oliver a quarter with a tiger sticker on it.  The other attraction we checked out was the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay.  You can probably see a trend = animals.  Oliver loves animals (as does Isla) so we knew we were pretty safe that they would have a good time.  It was quite small but had a cool Indian Jones temple kind of feel and the sharks were very amazing to see.  The kids also got to touch stingrays.  Trevor and I got out in the evenings to check out the hotels, eat at some great restaurants and met up with friends and family.  We didn't come back big winners but we had fun.

Part Two// Arizona

Trevor had to leave after the weekend to get back to work so I went to Arizona with the kids back to my parents Arizona home.  We did a mini road trip from Nevada to Arizona.  Didn't make any stops at the Hoover Dam or Grand Canyon but still a nice drive.  Our week in Arizona mainly consisted of swimming, shopping, eating and relaxing.  It was just what we needed.  The kids and I got some new summer clothes, I made many trips to Hobby Lobby (like 5 or 6), gained about 4 pounds from going out to eat and got a bit of colour.   Made some great memories and the kids were spoiled by Nana and Papa.

Part Three// Home

We still had six days left of spring break.  We were recovering from our trip so we took it easy.  We celebrated Trevor's birthday with friends with a dinner out and bingo.  Us crazy kids.  And dessert and monopoly with family the next evening.

While it was a nice break from the norm, it's always nice to get back into a routine.  Kids need it and so does mommy.   The sun is shining, Oliver was excited to see his friends at school and I'm welcoming a quiet house while Isla naps.

A few highlights of our vacation

oil pulling: jumping on the bandwagon

So I'm jumping on the bandwagon this week.  Yes, the oil pulling wagon.  It's been all over social media this week.  Not sure why but I've seen it posted on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.  If I was on Twitter, maybe there too.  I've heard about it before but never really tried it.  It seems strange to me but it claims to have many benefits so why not.  It's not going to hurt to give it a go.  Maybe I will be pleasantly surprised.  I just started this week so I can't claim any marvellous results but in a month I hope I will be able to report back some amazing things.  

What is oil pulling?  Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvdeic natural remedy for improved health.  It involves the use of pure oils to pull out harmful bacterial, fungus or other harmful organisms in your mouth, teeth or throat.

How do I do it?  Put 1 tablespoon of oil in your mouth, either sesame or coconut (I use coconut because it have anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties). Swish around for 5-20 minutes.  When you are swishing it becomes toxic so don't swallow.  Make sure to spit it out in sink or toliet.  Rinse mouth a couple of times.

There are many benefits to oil pulling.  Here are a few:
: whitens teeth
: strengthens teeth, gums and jaw
: prevents cavities and gingivitis
: banishes bad breath
: relieves headaches
: helps you sleep better
: clears sinuses
: detoxifies the body

I must admit took a while to get used to it.  20 minutes is a long time but keep busy.  Do something to distract yourself.  Find a time that you can do it on a regular basis, either in the morning or at night.  I have sinus issues so I'm hoping this will help.

It's not glamourous that's for sure.

ramblings of lent, life and journal cards

So it's been a while since I've blogged.  For various reasons.  I've been focused on crafting and making for the Vintage and Revamped Furniture Market that I will participating in mid April.  It's my first one and it's a big one so I'm equally excited and nervous.  I guess I have to start somewhere.  My plan is to try a few different crafty items to test out the market and see what is a hit and where I should pursue my efforts.  I've come across some cool ideas that have my mind consumed by wood hoops, fabric, lace, twine, mason jars, etc.  

But in the middle of all this is remembering what my real priorities are.  I need to balance. With Trevor focused on applications and interviews for firefighting, life is to say the least abit hectic.  This is a crazy season for us and it too will pass.  I'm trying to take it in and come out of it full and thankful.  We know God has a plan for our family and praying for patience for a door to be open.  

Lent starts tomorrow.  40 days leading up to Easter.  I've been doing abit of research about it and what it means for me as a Christ follower.  It is almost like I want to ignore it or forget about it because it means sacrifice.  Giving up.  Discipline.  Not necessary bad things to practice but it's not our first things to want to sign up for.  I'm new to Ann Voskamp.  I'm just starting to read her book One Thousand Gifts.  I follow her on Facebook and try to visit her website.  I'm learning alot through her writing.  

She is doing a March Joy Dare.  I started March 1st and trying to document three things I'm grateful for everyday in March.  This helps me be intentional.  

Today, March 4: 3 Things Hard to Give Thanks For

1] Wonderful + loving family who live far and that I miss.

2] Uncertainty.  Patiently waiting for a door to be opened for Trevor.  

3] Parenting.  Some days are long and challenging.  Desire to do the best you can without guilt.

Even as I wrote this, I realized the things that are hard right now are passing.  Not to be focused on.  Maybe uncomfortable but not unbearable. 

I've really noticed a trend of gratitude and joy.  Especially when it comes to social media.  Maybe it's the pages I follow which are largely 'mommy' related.  Many of them focus of finding the good everyday and focusing upward.  I like this movement, if I can say that.  One of the pages I follow is Momastery by Glennon Doyle Melton.  She is candid, humorous and encouraging.  Yesterday she posted on lent and instead of giving something up, like the token coffee or chocolate or Facebook, she encouraged readers to give up ingratitude.  Like Ann, she suggests writing down three things you are grateful for forty days.  Gratitude = peace + joy really.  While we can't change our circumstances, let's change how we see our circumstances.  

I like what Ann Voskamp wrote on her blog about lent today:

Why doing Lent is what we need — because it leads us to Christ:

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”

-Ephesians 2:8,9

I'm not much a of a journaler mostly due to lack of time but I found these journal cards at Target.  I'm going to use these to document my combo project rolled into one: [forty days of gratitude for lent and thirty days of joy] on them.  Probably post them on my bedroom wall or mirror.  What I like about both of these women's way of doing lent is it isn't filled with guilt.  Fasting is hard.  Giving up something too extreme is hard.  Not that we shouldn't do hard things but I don't think God wants us to be set up for failure or feel guilt as we journey towards a deeper relationship with him.  I will forget to document somedays but that is ok.  It's about an experience not a requirement.  Along with journaling my gratitude, I need to slow down.  Re-focus.  Be still.  In his word and in prayer.

How are you going to journey closer to Jesus in the next 40 days?

A healthier version of Deep Dish Cookie Pie

Last week I decided to cut out sugar.  I knew it would only be temporary but I needed to rid myself of these sugar cravings.  Once you start eating sugar, you just want more.  It was hard the first three days.  By when the  weekend came,  I just wanted a little something and I knew it wouldn't take much to satisfy my sweet tooth.  I decided to get out the garbanzo beans in the cupboard and make a dessert.  If you are looking for healthier versions of dessert, check out Chocolate Covered Katie.  I've tried a few of her recipes and they are really good.  I wouldn't say they are healthy but a good alternative.  Who would have thought beans and chocolate were so yummy.
 I made her Deep Dish Cookie Pie.  I halved the recipe because I only had one can of beans and didn't need a big pan of dessert in my house.  I also tweaked the recipe abit.  I reduced the sugar and chocolate chips significantly (almost cut out more than half) and it was still very sweet.  Maybe the coconut oil helped.  Didn't miss the eggs, butter or flour.  It was very moist and so yummy right out of the oven.  This will be a repeat dessert.  I will admit I ate the whole things myself BUT throughout the weekend.  

Deep Dish Cookie Pie
(gluten-free)

1. 2 cans white beans or garbanzos (drained and rinsed) (500g total, once drained)
2. 1 cup quick oats (or certified-gf quick oats)
3. 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
4. 3 tbsp oil (canola, veg, or coconut)
5. 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
6. 1/2 tsp baking soda
7. 2 tsp baking powder
8. 1/2 tsp salt
9. 1 and 1/2 cups brown sugar 
10. 1 cup chocolate chips

Blend everything (except the chips) very well in a good food processor (not a blender). Mix in chips, and pour into an oiled pan (I used a 10-inch springform pan, but you can use a smaller pan if you want a really deep-dish pie.) Cook at 350F for around 35-40 minutes. Let stand at least 10 minutes before removing from the pan. (Some commenter's have had success with a blender, but I did not. Try that at your own risk, and know the results will be better in a high-quality food processor such as a Cuisinart.)


Personal Note: I used my Ninja blender and it worked just fine.

Snow Play [x3]

I recently came across an Instagram feed that truly inspired me as a mom.  She is so creative and intentional about learning and play with her children.  Something I strive to do with my children.  But it takes time and effort.  My children don't always play well on there own or voluntarily choose to do free play by themselves so I feel I need to direct them somewhat.  Her Instagram name is katherinemaries and her website is www.katherinemaries.com.  I'm a detailed person so I love the details she puts into her activities.  I know I'll be doing more that a few of her ideas with my munchkins.  Follow her if you need inspiration!  

As I was scrolling through her amazing pictures, I came across some fun snow activities.  Perfect since we have a dump of snow right now.  Tons of snow actually.  I feel like it came out of nowhere.  Just when I was preparing for spring.  

I prepped two of the snow activities last night but the kids were so into it that I scrambled for a third and it turned out great.  Mainly because I had all the stuff I needed at home and it got the kids outside.

Activity #1: Snow People.  
This one I got from katherinemaries.  What a great idea to bring the snow inside.  I laid out all the materials on a the wood trays, brought in the snow and let them create.  I did have to help quite abit with this one.  Getting the snow on the tray and even getting the materials on the packed snow was a bit of a challenge.  But they loved the end product.

Activity #2: Dino + Minion Snow Dig. 
This is a modification of one of katherinemaries activities.  I wanted to include Isla in this so I made her the minion dig and Oliver the dino dig.  I found two scoops in the drawer, threw in the treasures to find along with the snow and let them hunt.  The kids loved it!  

Activity #3: Paint the Snow.
This activity was the one I threw together last minute with stuff I had at home.  I wanted to get the kids outside and do more of an art project.  After searching through the house, I found a ketchup and mustard bottle, filled them with water and food colouring.  Easiest activity ever.  Done a million times by moms everywhere.  

My goal is to do a well planned and intentional activity with my children every Monday morning.  It may involve prep the night before but I want to start out the week with fun and learning which can be done together.  

Find what inspires you and do.

The day ended with a neighbourhood snowball fight with kids against Trevor.  Oh the fun!

book club review #1: captivating

A friend of mine just recently decided to start a women's book club with a few friends.  It was put on her heart to open her home once a month for a group of women to come together to encourage, learn and grow in our relationship with Jesus.  I had mixed feelings at first, one this sounds great and two where am I going to find the time.  Going into the new year I told myself I wanted to read more.  So maybe this was opportunity to make it happen and have the accountability I needed.  I know it's a matter of prioritizing my time.   We came together and decided on five books for next few months till summer.  I think we have a good variety of books that will hopefully elicit good conversation and connection.  

Last night we meet to discuss our first book, Captivating: Unveiling the mystery of a Women's Soul.  I already had the book and started the book when we were first married but never finished.  The story of my life.  Sorry couldn't resist.  So I was excited to read through the whole thing.  However I found the book overall basic and not as profound as I remembered it.  Maybe it's because six year ago I was in a different place.  Or maybe because I already knew the premise of the book.  Either way I was really looking for some depth and reflection on my soul.  It did have a good reminders for sure ... as women we seek out beauty//we want adventure, romance and to play the princess//we have wounds from growing up that make us who we are today//our relationship with our fathers and mothers are crucial in how we see ourselves and other//God needs to be the one we are truly passionate about and seek after.

This is one of the passages that spoke to my heart ....

God wants to love this life together with you, to share in your days and decisions, your desires and disappointments. He wants intimacy with you in the midst of the madness and mundane, the meetings and memos, the laundry and lists, the carpools and conversations and projects and pain.  He wants to pour his love into your heart and he longs to have you pour yours into his.  He wants your deep heart, that center place within that is the truest you.  He is not interested in intimacy with the women you think you are suppose to be.  He wants intimacy with the real you.  

This was a good reminder and nudge for me to be in relationship with God in everything.  Not just the highs and lows but in the everyday.  And that is hard.  Among the potty training, runny noses and tantrums.  Finding joy in the everyday can be a struggle.  We long for adventure and excitement.  But instead of going to others or things, go to him first.  That is where the intimacy and joy and love will be the deepest.  He wants our time, our thoughts and our actions.  Why is it so hard to give them up?  Control really is something we make up + do to feel good temporarily but he is calling us to be our real selves = true intimacy that will heal and fill our hearts.  We are relational women so why not have the most fulfilling relationship with our Lord and Saviour who is longing for us to run to him.  To do life with him.  And by doing this, it takes the pressure off our husbands to meet our every need and the unrealistic expectations on our friends and family to be something they aren't meant to be.  Only Jesus, our Lord and Saviour will not disappoint us.