Friday, February 27, 2015

FASHION FRIDAY: ADDED COLOR

TGIF!!!!!!!!  So happy it's the weekend!  Today's outfit is pretty basic, sort of my "momiform" of what you can find me in on a daily basis running around with two little ones- jeans and a comfy top.  I always tend to gravitate toward black, but here I added color by way of some new pieces I got from the Stella & Dot spring line.  Added color can help make an outfit pop, it can add new life to an outfit you've worn a dozen times, and it helps make your mood pop too, especially with the winter we've been having!  The good news is, Spring is just 21 days away and I'm sure I'm not the only one who is looking forward to it!!!!




Top: Lucky Brand via TJ Maxx (similar)
Jeans: Forever 21
Booties: Nine West
Necklace: Stella & Dot (email me to order)
Earrings: Stella & Dot (email me to order)
Sunnies: Dolce Gabbana

Thursday, February 26, 2015

BEST BANANA MUFFINS

Hey guys!  I've got a little recipe post for you today.  It's for banana muffins (I know- easy, nothing fancy), but I promise you...this recipe really does make the BEST banana muffins ever!!!  I have made banana muffins at least a dozen times in the past, and after a bit of tweaking, I have found the recipe that I will continue to make.  My kids absolutely love these, and ask for them all of the time!!!

BEST BANANA MUFFINS RECIPE:
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3 ripe bananas
3/4 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 stick butter

Directions:
- Gather all the ingredients
- Preheat oven to 350*
- Line muffin pan
- Mix dry ingredients in one bowl (flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, sugar)
- In another bowl mix wet ingredients (vanilla, bananas mashed, egg scrambled, butter melted)
- Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet ones and fill the muffin cups
- Bake for 25-30 minutes (I always bake for 25 because I like my muffins a little underdone)
- Enjoy!!!




















Tuesday, February 17, 2015

DREAMING OF AN AMAZING GETAWAY

It's probably scenes like this one over and over again this winter that have me craving warmer weather and jet setting to an amazing place...but, can you blame me?  I'm so OVER all of the cold and snow!
So now seems like the perfect time to talk about a resort that truly is one of a kind- the One and Only Palmilla Resort in Los Cabos, Mexico.  I've written about the resort before here, and it's a place that is still top on my list to visit one day as a getaway with only the hubby. (Don't get me wrong, we love taking our kids everywhere, and thus far have brought them to every place we've been.  But, sometimes it's just nice to have a getaway with only your spouse).  The One and Only Palmilla Resort is a beachfront property that overlooks the Sea of Cortez and San Jose del Cabo.  It has a private beach, infinity pools, a top-notch spa, great restaurants, and offers first-class service.  It's a magical place where all of your needs will be met, and where you can go and just relax with your hubby for a few days without ever having to leave.



(Photo Credit: The One and Only Palmilla Resort)
That being said, Rich and I are the adventurous type, and when we go, there is one restaurant I would want to check out- Flora's Field Kitchen; an incredibly beautiful ten acre farm where all of the food on your table comes from!  From what I've heard and read- it's a MUST if you are in Cabo.
(Photo Credit: kristinschell.com)
Well that's all for now on this snowy Tuesday.  Remember, if you are thinking about traveling to the One and Only Palmilla Resort or anywhere else, email us for help and ideas for your trip!

Friday, February 13, 2015

FASHION FRIDAY: KRAZY FOR KIMONOS

I've said it before, and I'll say it again...I am "Krazy" for Kimonos!!!  They are lightweight, great for travel, perfect to wear with a shirt and pants or over a bathing suit.  I got this kimono recently from one of my favorite boutiques at the Jersey Shore, Foolish Ginger- located in Asbury Park, New Jersey.  I love the colors and the pattern, and I know this will be on heavy rotation heading into spring and summer.  On another quick note before I go, I wanted to say that I am looking forward to this weekend, as I will be meeting other New Jersey bloggers at a brunch on Sunday!  I'll have more details about it next week.  Happy Friday!!!





Top: Marshalls (love this)
Leggings: LOFT
Booties: Rachel Zoe
Clutch: Deux Lux
Sunnies: Dolce & Gabbana
Necklace: Sira & Mara
Bracelet: Sira & Mara

Thursday, February 12, 2015

ROZMARYN RESTAURANT- TRENTON, N.J.

A couple of weeks ago, I was reminded of the saying "Don't judge a book by it's cover," when we went to check out Rozmaryn (pronounced rose-MAH-rin) Restaurant in Trenton, New Jersey for dinner!  If I would have based my review from how it looks on the outside, I may not have enjoyed the amazing food that is served inside.  We decided to check out this Polish restaurant (open since 2009) in Trenton after my sister-in-law got us tickets for us and our four kids (two are hers) to see Disney On Ice: Princes and Princesses at the Sun Center in Trenton.  This place gets great ratings on Yelp, and we love Polish food, so we figured it was a worth a shot.  Besides, I always love going to a place (be it a restaurant, a store, or a town) that makes me feel as if I've jet setted to the actual location.  And once inside Rozmaryn Restaurant, you truly feel as though you have traveled to Poland and are eating in a family's home there!



 We ordered cheese and potato pierogies, potato pancakes, kielbasa, and a Polish beef stew.  Everything was better than delicious, but the one thing that was out of this world was the potato pancakes!!!  Mouth watering, light and crispy...just perfect!



Some other things to note: Rozmaryn is BYOB and accepts most credit cards.  
Bottom line, if you can get to this small, 24 seat restaurant in Trenton, you will be so happy you did, and you will be planning how fast you can get back!


Rozmaryn Restaurant
925 North Olden Avenue
Trenton, NJ
(609) 656-1600

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

#SISTERHOODOFTHETRAVELINGNECKLACE

Last Friday I told you guys about Sira & Mara and the story behind the #sisterhoodofthetravelingnecklace.  I wore it last time with jeans and a sweater.  So today, I wanted to pair the necklace with a dress since it is so pretty and fancy.  I will be wearing this dress (that I scored for $24.99 at TJ Maxx) on Valentine's Day when we go to a a co-worker's vow renewal.  I won't wear it that day with the necklace because I am going to ship it onto the next sister :(...but, that is the fun of it!!! I can't wait to see how the next ladies style it!







Dress: Jessica Simpson via TJ Maxx (available here)
Tights: Hanes
Necklace: Sira & Mara
Clutch: Stella & Dot (similar)
Bracelet: Stella & Dot (love this)
Shoes: Just FAB

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

A WILDY FUN WILD KRATTS PARTY!

As a mom to a now 4 year old (sniff sniff), Wild Kratts has certainly become a part of my life!  We watch the show quite often, we saw Wild Kratts Live, and my son even wanted a Wild Kratts themed party for his birthday celebration at school!  Well, considering the PBS show is fairly new, there are no party decorations to be found in stores or online ANYWHERE, and when I even called my local bakery for a cake...they said to me what most people say when you tell them the name of the show"Wild What?"  So, I certainly had my work cut out for me!!!
After having no luck at Party City and Toys R Us, I went onto Etsy.com (one of my favorite websites) and found a Wild Kratts printable birthday banner and some creature power discs.  I bought them, downloaded them, and had them printed at Staples.  I then bought animal-themed ribbon at JoAnn's and cut out the letters and made the banner.  I was so happy with how it came out, and my son was ecstatic!


Next, I bought creature power suits in green and blue (the colors the Kratt brothers Chris and Martin wear on the show) at Toys R Us to give out as party favors to the kids in his class.  I had all of the kids wear their suits at the party which they loved, and it really helped make it more Wild Kratts themed.  On the boxes the suits came in, I taped the paper creature power discs I had downloaded from Etsy.com and wrote each child's name on it.
For the snacks, I only bought animal shaped foods...Goldfish...Gummy Bunnies...Animal Crackers...and Cheddar Bunny Mixed Pretzel snacks.




I also bought bottles of fruit punch, ripped off the labels and taped creature power discs onto the bottles and wrote "Creature Power Punch!"  

My mother-in-law got the animal themed cupcakes and Wild Kratts creature power suit cake from Glace Cake Studio.  Both looked amazing!!!  


For the entertainment, I got Jumping' Jamie to come to play the guitar and sing to the kids.  He was terrific!  He knew nothing about the show when I called him, but he told me he would keep it animal themed.  Well, he not only kept the one hour show fun and animal themed by playing animal songs, showing pictures of animals to the kids, having them act out their favorite animal movements and sounds, playing limbo and parachute, but he also learned the Wild Kratts theme song and sang it with his guitar to the kids!  He was the absolute highlight of the party, and I highly recommend him if you are planning a kids birthday party in the New York Metro area!!!



 I also couldn't resist buying this elephant sweater to wear to the party for $20 from Marshalls!!!  
I often wonder if I missed my calling in life (I think I should have been a teacher)! LOL!!!  In all seriousness, it really was a Wildly Fun Wild Kratts party!  
Hope this post is helpful for any mom out there who may need to throw a Wild Kratts birthday party for their son or daughter in the future!  
GO WILD KRATTS!!! ;)