Girlymama

Gracie: (very angry, fists clenched) "Ellie, you… you…. you… BOY!!!"

Ellie: "I'm not a boy. You're a boy. You're a BIGGER boy."

Gracie: "MOM!!! Ellie's mean! She called me a boy!"

Ellie: "She called me a boy first!"

Gracie: "She called me a boy two times!"

If you remember, last week I had the opportunity to take part in a chat with style expert and TV personality Sam Saboura hosted by Clorox 2 called "How to Be a Recessionista: Style Tips for the Season."

My next buring questions to Sam Saboura were:
So I just bought a maxi dress, thinking I was being trendy, but now I'm hearing that the maxidress is the equilivant of the mom jean! Really?
Maxidresses can be very stylish and very versitle. They can be dressed up or down easily. Throw it on over your bathing suit or pair it with sandals and a bold necklace or layer on a jean jacket.
The most important advice he has regarding the maxi dress is to work that neckline! Halters are flattering on most body types. This is the one I bought from Target, in my attempt to be trendy, which is very cute and very affordable ($20):
 
Avoid this style at all costs, which is flattering on almost no one. Even models:
 

Have any suggestions for finding workout clothes that are still cute enough to wear in public?

Sam had a lot of suggestions! Champion's line at Target and Beyond Yoga are two of his favorites. I personally love Old Navy's yoga line and Athleta. I'm always looking for workout clothes that I can wear to the grocery store without being embarrassed. But, I confess to practically living in yoga pants. (I KNOW! Shame!)
Sam says comfortable is a dirty word!!! Remember, even when you're wearing something comfy like workout clothes or a maxi dress or your fav jeans and a white tshirt, you can always be stylish — add a scarf to a tshirt and jeans or a cool necklace to a tanktop and skirt. Don't use "being comfortable" as an excuse give up your style!

Here's my attempt to style up my usual tshirt and jeans:
Scarf from Forever 21, $5
Non-Black tshirt from Gap, $8

What do you think?
What is your favorite way to add a touch of style to your everyday outfits?

We're leaving for vacation soon and my husband's ENTIRE FAMILY is arriving today. To stay at our house. (Did I mention our house was for sale?)

ANYWAY, I have not much to say beyond that today. But I wanted to share that my Husband won photo contest! I KNOW! Many of the amazing pictures posted on this blog are actually ones that he has taken. This is the winning photo: Enjoy!
 
(Oh, he was sooo little! SOB!)

One of my husband's very favorite meals. Serve with grilled tomatoes & onions, cous cous and naan.

Lamb Kebobs

2 pounds top round lamb 
2 tablespoons minced garlic (4 to 5 cloves) 
1 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary leaves 
2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme leaves
1/4 cup mild olive oil
1/4 cup dry red wine 
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
Kosher salt 
2 small red onions 
2 pints cherry tomatoes
Wooden skewers

Cut the lamb in 1 1/2-inch cubes.  Combine the garlic, rosemary, thyme, olive oil, red wine, vinegar, and 1 teaspoon of salt in a medium bowl. Add the lamb cubes, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight or for up to 2 days. Toss occasionally.

Heat a charcoal grill with coals. Spread the coals in 1 tight layer on the grill.

Cut the red onions in quarters and separate each quarter into 3 or 4 sections. Loosely thread 3 or 4 pieces of lamb alternately with sections of onion on skewers. Sprinkle both sides of the lamb with salt and pepper. Next place 4 or 5 cherry tomatoes on skewers, threading them through the stem of the tomato. Rub the tomatoes with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. First, place the lamb skewers on the hot grill and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, turning 2 or 3 times, until the lamb is medium rare. Approximately 5 minutes before the lamb is done, place the tomato skewers on the grill, turning once, until seared on the outside but still firm inside.

Recipe origin: Barefoot Contessa at Home

I took all three kids to the pool by myself the other day.

This is a little difficult right now because, well, clearly I'm vastly outnumbered. But mainly because Colin is still very nervous in the pool. He eventually enjoys it, but it takes him a good 30 minutes to do more than sit in my lap while barely in the water. Basically, I end up holding him the entire time, since he won't let go of me.

So the girls are happily swimming and playing while I sat on the side of the pool with Colin, hoping to get a little sun. I was playing and singing with Colin, trying to get him play in the water by himself. Colin was giggling and enjoying himself, then he realized that he wasn't in my lap anymore… so he immediately scrambled to try and climb back into my lap. 

When he grabbed my bathing suit top. And pulled.

Yes. The entire pool at the Y got a nice eyefull.

I think maybe we need to move after all.

We lost the new house. They accepted another offer that we cannot match.
Now we have to make some decisions. Whether we should leave our house on the market or not. Or if we should just throw in the towel and give up.

We're sad, but okay. Its nice to know, at least, instead of all this uncertainty. Its very disappointing – we really loved this new house. But we enjoy where we live now and our house is great, so its not the end of the world.  

That's it. Not much more to say right now. Just thought I'd share.

Last night, Colin took a nose-dive over the side of the chair in the living room. Landed on his face on the hardwood floor.

At first I though he had broken his nose, but visits to medical professinals have revealed that he did not break his nose. Its brusied and swollen, but not broken. He does, however, have a concussion, several brusies on his face and a wicked headache. He is INCREDIBLY cranky (understandably) and sleeping a lot.

My poor little guy.

And yes, he did beat Gracie, whose got her concussion at the ripe age of 18 months. I think. I've blocked that memory out, apparently.