Life Lately

Happy Wednesday!

Life has been so busy lately, I feel so behind in the blog world and promise to read your posts and respond to your comments asap!

It's been quite a while since I've done a life lately post - we haven't been up to anything earth-shattering, but I still love doing these posts every once in a while.  They're fun to look back on!

Little by little we've been trying to finish the kids rooms.  For E's room I'm going eclectic - I'm not doing any one "theme" but putting items that I think look cute together and making them work.  She loves her room, and has helped me pick out everything on her walls which has been fun!

We went to a picnic recently and there is a huge man-made hill (we live in Florida - we are hill-less here).  We trekked to the top and the kids and their friend sat and looked at the view.  The lighting was GORGEOUS so I had to snap a picture of these three amigos.  We had such a fun day spending it outdoors with gorgeous weather!

 The sunsets lately have been killer!  Am I the only person that sees the walls in their house turn pink and immediately runs outside, camera in hand to take a picture of the sunset?  They are one of my favorite things, they always amaze me!

 If you see this wine at your local store, pick it up!  It is beyond delicious.  Publix had it on sale the other day and we bought like 5 bottles #dontjudge.  Its such a smooth cab, and the flavors are perfect!

This little guy will be 4 in a few days and I can't even handle it.  He's getting so big and it makes me sad to think that soon he'll be in school.  We just finished cleaning up the playroom in this picture - which is why you can see the floor ;)

National Wine Day was last week, and I celebrated it the best way I knew how and partook.  Any holiday that encourages having a glass of wine is my kind of day!

heels - click here

I got my Steve Madden heels in the mail the other day from Nordstrom and I am in LOVE with them!  They are comfortable for being so high too.  If you get these buy them a half size bigger, they run small (thanks Lindsay!)

I also got my first subscription of RocksBox in the mail and to say I'm obsessed is an understatement.  I loved all of the pieces in my box, for it being my first order they got me spot on.  If you want to try out RocksBox enter code kidsandcabxoxo at checkout for one month free.  You can cancel at any time so there's no reason not to try it for at least a month.  I have no doubt you'll love it as much as I do.  I also love that you can keep the jewelry for as long as you'd like before sending it in for your new box!

I finally filled the wall in my formal living room that I've been trying to fill for almost 5 years!  I decided on a over-sized clock thanks to Katie who gave me the idea, and I love it!  I got it at Kirklands - you cannot beat the price for how huge it is!

I hope you all have a great day!  I'm off to catch up on my blog reading xo

50 Healthy Habits Every Girl Should Have

I came across this print from Skinny Mom about healthy habits that every woman should have.  I loved reading through all of the habits and seeing which I do and which I need an improvement on.

The habits I do:

1. Start fresh every day
2.  Check my statements and bank account regularly - I confess I don't cross everything off line by line like my husband but I do check my accounts and credit cards often!
3. Adopt a 'meatless Monday' mentality - I don't think I need meat every day.  In fact some times I get tired of eating meat and crave something with just veggies.
4. Cut back on 'evil sugar' - I'm not saying I don't down some skittles every now and then, but I don't over do it with sugars.  I'm more of a salty person anyway ;)
5. Don't try to keep up with the Jonses - I don't do it, it never works and you're never happy that way.  I truly enjoy what we have and appreciate that.
6. Keep healthy snacks at home
7. Practice safe sex - enough said.
8. No drugs, smoking -never.  Bleh!
9. Take care of my clothing
10. Eat whole foods as much as possible - We're really trying at home to do this.  It's a work in progress but I think we're doing pretty good!
11. Pay off debt - we don't have any.  We're always good at paying off our cards when we get the bill, which I love, I'm sure it saves a lot of fights about money!
12. Don't skip yearly "woman" appointment.  I'm very strict about this as I know many women who have found out they have pre-cancerous cells during these check-ups and have possibly saved their lives by going.
13. Don't overdo booze - while I do drink wine most nights, I don't get drunk. There's no worse feeling.
14. Don't snack if you're not hungry - although I probably should!  I'd love to gain a few pounds.
15. Use SPF and wear a hat in the sun - I use SPF all of the time, it's a must down here!
16. Don't rely on pills if you can't sleep - thankfully I don't have this problem, not being able to sleep is awful
17.  Drink eight glasses of fluids a day 
18. Make your home a place you want to be
19. Don't buy things you'll only wear once
20. Stand up for myself
21. Avoid tanning beds
22. Take medications seriously - this took me a while to get used to, but I do.  I can totally tell a difference if I don't take my thyroid medicine daily - no fun!
23. Read labels on everything - I have to because of my son and daughter's food allergies (nuts)
24. Prioritize stress management
25. Optimize fertility, plan kids - done haha
26. Always wear a seatbelt
27. Wash hands often
28. Sneeze into arm
29. For every 20 minutes on the computer look away for 20 seconds - I do this without realizing, usually because I'm being called by one of the kids.

What I could be doing better:

1. Try 20/30 rule: 2 hours of TV, 30 minutes of exercise - great idea!  I never sit in front of the TV that long, but I love the concept 
2. Put down phone when you're with people - I try not to be on my phone too much when I'm with people, but I could be better.
3. Understand exercise doesn't have to be a big time commitment - I just need to get my butt to do some excercise
4. Drink warm water with cayenne pepper daily -  I started off strong earlier in the year, and have been slacking.
5. Use retinol if you're starting to get wrinkles
6. Never grocery shop on an empty stomach - it happens on occasion, and is never pretty!
7. Start biking
8. Don't beat yourself up - I try not to too much.  But we are our own biggest critic 
9. Use YouTube exercise videos 
10. Google how to make own cleaning supplies - I have Googled it, just haven't done it.
11. Drop loose change into same jar daily
12. Don't skimp on sleep - so guilty of this - I'm writing this at 11:30 pm and should be in bed!
13. Do mental health checks - I've never done one!
14. Consider drinking liquid chorophyll - I used to be good at this once upon a time and have stopped drinking it.
15. Floss after every brushing - I usually only floss before bed
16. Count to 10 when angry - good idea!
17. Learn to take constructive criticism - I do ok at this, it just depends on the delivery
18. Never let Google diagnose you - I'm the worst at this - it really is a bad idea to go on and type in symptoms!
19. Ask HR about benefits - great idea - just doesn't apply to me right now

I love doing self examinations and seeing areas that I can improve on - and based on this, it's a lot of exercise!  Ha.

What are some things on this list that you're good/bad at?

Life Lately

I realized that it has been forever since I've done a 'life lately' post, so here we go friends!



My husband came home with the Gnarly Head Authentic Black for me to try and it was so delicious!! I highly recommend getting a bottle if you're a fan of blends like me.

I recently got the ends of my hair cut and re-cut my bangs.  I had really been missing them and I love how they hide a tired face or a makeup-less face ;).  They're bangin'!

Last Thursday my sister, mom, cousin and aunt went to a wine class/tasting about Napa - it was so interesting learning about!  We're all winos in my family, so you can say we were in heaven.  We laughed a lot and bought a lot of wine. 

My cousin and her husband wanted to take us out for our anniversary.  We went to a restaurant called YOLO.  Everything was incredibly delicious!  It was fun to have a double date with them, we had a great time, hanging out with family is always fun!

Lastly, I'll leave you with this little gem.  These two are always together, always getting into trouble, always fighting over something and always having cute moments - they are like brother and sister!

Is that not the cutest thing ever??


Have a great Wednesday!  Remember next week is Wino Wednesday!!


Linking up with Jenn  

I Vow To...

Having a husband that's a fireman I'm used to hearing sad stories, but yesterday when asking how his day went the stories hit a little close to home...

There was a two year old that drowned, which physically made me nauseous when I heard.  I can't imagine being the parents of that poor child, how do you live after something so tragic happens?  Then one of his co-worker's sons committed suicide, which was yet another punch in the stomach for me.  I just saw the boy a couple of months ago at my husband's pinning ceremony for work - so crazy how you're here one day and gone the next.  It makes me so sad for him, and his parents who are dealing with their loss.

 

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I automatically put myself in the shoes of these parents.  I'm so heartbroken for them - but it also helps put things in perspective.  It makes you realize that your problems aren't that big... and that most of the times that you lose your patience as a parent, most likely the reason isn't that big of a deal and there are parents who have lost their children and are wishing that their patience were being tested by their child - they'd do anything to have their child back.


So today I vow to....

• Hug my kids a little tighter
• Tell them I love them more
• Listen more intently to them
• Put down my phone more
• Smother them in kisses
• Play with them more
• Treasure all of their artwork and flowers they pick for me
• Treasure the mess
• Appreciate the noise
• Bottle up the sound of their laughter
• Cuddle with them more
• Never take them for granted

 

 

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This and That

Happy Tuesday!

I hope everyone had a fun weekend!  We did, we didn't have any plans since we were supposed to be out of town, but it ended up being a very fun weekend!

Friday started with an evening at one of my bestie's houses. Her husband grilled out and we had margaritas out of mason jars - perfection!

On Sunday we went to an anniversary dinner for some friends.  We had so much fun and it felt great getting out of the house without kids, gotta love some adult conversation!

Having Paris around has been fun and also challenging.  She's a great dog and knows all of her commands already, but it's like having 3 kids around!  Sometimes I second guess our decision to get a dog and then I catch moments like this that melt me.

I FINALLY bought E her quilt set.  I found an adorable one at Target that is a little girl in Paris (France, not the dog haha) and I think it goes adorable in her room!

Now we're moving on to buy one for J for his Star Wars room.  Sadly none of the Star Wars bedding we've found are really nice nice... except for Pottery Barn Kids (of course!) so we'll be saving to get him one of the ones from there.

How's that for a jumbled up post?!  Have a great day!

Life via Instagram

I'm sure you all know by now Instagram is my favorite, I love to document life and pretty pictures.  It's always so much fun to look back and see what I was up to or what was going on in life.  Here's what I've been up to the past couple of weeks, via Instagram of course!

This week we did one of our favorite things to do on a Tuesday- we walked on the beach and ate at a taco place on the beach.  The beach is one of my favorite places, especially in the evening - the breeze, sound and smell of the ocean is the best!

Miss Paris got her first grooming and they put bows in her hair she looks ADORABLE!  I can't bring myself to take them out of her hair.

Some of us girls in the family went for a pedi/mani, we also took E for her first one.  The girl was in HEAVEN and so was I with freshly painted nails and a glass of wine in hand.  I love a salon that offers wine!

Our good friends - they're more like family really - invited us over sans kids.  They do this every few months and make it a fancy dinner so we can have a night out without the kids and just hang out and relax.  She cooks amazing and I love our time together so much!

Trader Joe's haul - must include flowers - enough said. :)
 

I replanted some succulents in my entry way frame, my last ones died - seriously I thought succulents don't die?! I'm hoping these last.  I love the little pop of green in the frame!

It's officially summer weather here, so popsciles (or a cold glass of white wine) are a must when outside.   ;)

The sun was pouring in just right as I was editing pictures for a post so I had to snap this picture.  Love my little tea cup!

And because I can't resist flowers or a flower picture.  Boom!

What have you been up to?  Do you love Instagram as much as I do?  Follow Kids and Cabernet here!

30 Ways You Know You're A Mom

In the five plus years I've had the privilege of being a mom, I've learned a lot.  Being a mom is a hard, hard job.  You are everything to your kids: doctor, therapist, chauffeur, confidant, friend, judge, cuddler, comforter, maid, cook - and the list goes on!

So how do you know when you've entered "mom status?"

You know you're a mom when...

1. Having an audience while you use the bathroom is the norm
2. Going to the store without the kids is a vacation
3. You sit in the car for another 10-15 minutes after your "store vacation" before you go back into the house
4. A glass of wine a night (or two) is needed
   
5. You randomly find pacifiers, toys, hair ties and socks in your purse
6. You haven't napped in years... like the really good naps
7. You need coffee to survive
8. You can hear the slightest noise your kid makes while you're in the middle of your deepest sleep
9. Baby wipes are the solution for spills, stains, cleaning your iPad screen ect.
10. You've hidden while eating sweets just to not share
11. The ABC's are not only for learning purposes, but you use the song to teach your kids how long they should wash their hands
12. You wake up and find children in your bed
13. Bodily fluids no longer gross you out (when coming from your kids)
14. You never leave the house without snacks
15. You care about them more than yourself
16. You have the ability to brush your teeth, wash your face, get dressed, and put makeup on in 5 minutes
17. You talk about your kids 80% of the time you're out with your mom friends and/or your husband
18. You catch yourself watching the Disney Channel after the kids have gone to bed
19. You have kid selfies on your cellphone - most of which their heads are half cut off
20. You say things your parents said
21. You constantly wonder if you're doing a good job
    
22. You find yourself negotiating with a toddler 
23. You make up stories just so they eat, sleep and poop
24. Nothing sounds better than a date night or girl's night out 
    
25. You cry at every mom/kid related commercial
26. You can experience the greatest joy and biggest headache at the same time
27.  You can change a diaper in the dark in 10 seconds flat
28. You know the songs to every Disney/PBS show
29. Your iPad screen has finger prints and traces of food caked on the screen
30. You love your kids more than anything in the world

 

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What are some ways you know you're officially a mom?  Did I miss any?  I think this list could go one and on!

Happy Thursday!

Life Lately

We've been up to a few fun things lately, what a better way to document it than a photo dump!

We dog sat my sister's dog while her and my mom went to Savannah and Charleston (so jealous!) for their last trip together before my sister gets married.   We had so much fun with Brody, and made me wish we had a dog around.  He's such a sweet dog!

We've mastered potty training!  It only took two days - I was shocked!!  I still put him in diapers when we go out - although he'll still tell us when he needs to go potty at the stores and we take him, I'm just trying to avoid any accidents - and he still is in a diaper at night.  Some mornings it's dry, other's it's wet.  I'm so happy it was painless!

 Had a great time with some of my favorite girls celebrating our friend's new baby girl.  The shower was absolutely beautiful or should I say tu-tu cute?!

 My sister wanted to take E to Barbie Dream House that opened not too long ago around here, it was pretty the way it was decorated, and there were a couple of fun things, but overall it's something you go to once and that's it.  It wasn't worth the money in my opinion, but we did get to take a selfie in Barbie's mirror ;)

 

We've been spending almost every evening outside either riding bikes or cars.  I think for a mom, there's nothing more fun than to see your kids have a great time!  I've also enjoyed the fresh air, and the walking!  I can't wait until it cools down some, so we can spend even more time outside.

Hope you all have a great day!

 

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