summertime st. louis!

Summer is here and there is so much to do around town, the calendar fills up fast! This is my favorite time of year, and no amount of humidity can stop me from taking in all the outdoor fun this city has to offer! Not to mention the patio dining, but that is another post for another time!
I've already missed out on a handful of events, what can I say, life got busy, but here are a few of my favorite summertime events in the St. Louis area ...

Circus Flora is such an amazing group of performers, great for the whole family!
~ http://circusflora.org/

PBS Commons is such a wonderful space and the kids will have a blast!
~http://www.ninenet.org/storytime/

Creve Couer Days is coming up if you want a fun night out.
~http://www.crevecoeurdays.com/

Missouri Botanical Gardens has the Whitaker Music festival, Garden of Glass, and Resident Days!
~http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/

Vintage Bliss at Westport Plaza, grab some friends for a day of shopping.
~http://www.westportstl.com/events/vintage-bliss/market-details

Contemporary Art Museum stroller tours every month for those too humid days
~http://camstl.org/calendar/event/2017/07/05/stroller-tour-morning-play-date/

Yoga Outdoors, enough said!! Yoga Buzz is amazing and so creative, go now to an event!!
~http://www.yogabuzz.org/events/

Laumier Sculpture park Stroller tours and more! Check out their calendar for all the events.
~http://www.laumeiersculpturepark.org/calendar/?view=calendar&month=June-2017

Farmers Market, but where? Just close your eyes and point! There are so many to choose from!
~http://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/food-and-cooking/a-list-of-st-louis-area-farmers-markets/article_2324f837-ba13-5424-87d2-1303408e8666.html

Delmar Loop has some cool stuff happening! Such a great line up.
~https://visittheloop.com/loopartsfest2017/

Chesterfield Amphitheater is beautiful and has an awesome line up this summer!
~http://www.chesterfieldamphitheater.com/

Pick-Your-Own farms, this is a great list of areas for a farm fresh basket of fruit.
~http://www.pickyourown.org/MOsl.htm

Ball Park Village has a crazy calendar of events this summer, massive amounts of fun!
~http://www.stlballparkvillage.com/entertainment

Grants Farm is now open into the evenings for special events.
~http://www.grantsfarm.com/plan-your-visit/upcoming-events.html

Jungle Boogie at the Zoo, so much fun for the whole family!
~https://www.stlzoo.org/events/calendarofevents/jungle-boogie/

Food Trucks around town, so many yummy eats :-)
~http://www.stlouisco.com/ParksandRecreation/ThingsToDo/FoodTruckFest
~http://stlfta.com/trucks

Wehrenberg Theater is no Marcus Theaters and has stepped up it's game! Tons of cool rewards, specials, documerntary and classics under the event cinema tab AND a kids summer movie series!
~http://www.marcustheatres.com/marcus-specials/family-friendly-films/kids-dream-summer-film-series-2015-powered-by-american-family-insurance

The Muny, oh what a night it is at the Muny! Something everyone will remember.
~https://muny.org/#

Shakesspeare in the Park is a fun date night! 
~https://www.sfstl.com/2017-season/


Not to mention all the concerts and theater productions at the Peabody Opera, The Sheldon Concert Hall, The Pagent, Old Rock House, Stages St. Louis, the list goes on and on and on!!

SUNSHINE ON MY MIND

xo

fit-ish ~ part 2

The gym has been good to me so far! The kids like the kids club, the times that I go are not too crowded, I need to go to a class regularly, but this is a slow moving process for me. In order to keep me going and motivated, I've come up with some fun things to add to the whole gym experience! And yes clothes are part of it. Let's face it, you don't feel so great strolling in while wearing a paint stained, collar cut up t-shirt from college. You're going there to make yourself better, not fixing the plumbing in order for the house to work right so sewage doesn't leak everywhere!

I have put together some great playlist on I Heart Radio that mix it up to keep me going! Music is a huge part of getting motivated for me, it sets the mood, and when I have time along to listen to what I want to rock out to (sorry Raffi, I can only take so much of Baby Beluga) I need my favorites from all genres! And I bought some colorful earbuds and armband to match {i love colorful things}!

I find myself more interested in podcasts now then I ever have before. I never put on radio talk shows so it's really funny that a podcast while on the treadmill is my new favorite thing! There are some really great episodes from interesting and informative people that I now follow on Instagram and their blogs. A few of my favorites are The Mom Hour, Rock Paper Podcast, The Lively Show, CBS This Morning, Spawned, Creative Lounge, Ted Talks, Pop Culture Happy Hour, all on this handy little app called Player FM. If there is a better way to listen to all these podcast, someone let me know, so far no difference in phone battery life or anything like that.

My work out gear is nothing fancy, I have a couple good shoes but I have no idea if they are the "correct" shoes for working out or for on the treadmill! I like them, they fit, I found a good deal, that is basically my criteria. Under Armour is great and I like their Tech tee (at eh Outlet mall), but I have found similar tees at JC Penney and Target. Same with capris, lucy Active wear is comfortable and I found a great deal, plus I like their colorful patterns, but Target and Old Navy have some great active wear too. My closet is just a mix! As far as sports bras go, Academy Sports has a brand that fits perfect and at a great price! I've tried Old Navy, Target, Walmart, JC Penney, a few name brand styles, and nothing has been fabulously comfortable. There is a new Academy Sports near by and I though I would give it a try before I gave up on my search for the perfect sports bra. Thank goodness I did, I hit the jackpot!

Lastly, and most importantly I found this awesome site, a community of gym goers that challenge each other and pay you for your hard work! Talk about great motivation! DietBet is a site where people who want to loose weight, keep motivated, and win money (cash money honey!) sign up and choose the game they want to be part of! Regular people to fitness pros are all part of this and create games, some with prizes and giveaways, for people to be part of and reach their goal, bets vary by game $20-$35 and all you do is take a picture of your starting weight self, loose 4% of that, and win money {i could use some extra cash!}. The game board is a place to post your victories and downfalls, ask for tips and share, and the game host usually posts inspiring things or their giveaways. I love this and I just won my first challenge a few days ago, so the motivation is awesome!

I think a key part to working out is motivation, and whatever motivates you to get up and get moving and thinking about what you eat each day, then keep do it!

GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO SWEAT

xo

self care for the alternative girl

Self care is a huge catch phrase this year, I feel! Does anyone else think this? Maybe more so in the parenting universe? I don't know, but everywhere I turn that's what I'm hearing about. And most of these self care practices don't really vibe with me.
My take on self care is an activity or practice that can be integrated into your life, not just a one time thing. Yes, splurge on a massage or mani/pedi, I'll be the first to tell you that for sure! But I also feel there are some things that most popular articles are leaving out, so here are my ideas on self care!
{side note} Some of these ideas involve multi-tasking. Why? ... because that's just how I roll these days!

~Chiropractor/Acupuncture. I highly recommend either of these two options for self care! Keep your whole body working the way it should with an adjustment, not just when you have a backache. Feel a cold coming on? Chiropractor! Not sleeping all that great? Acupuncture! So many reasons you should find one of these doctors, look up the benefits now and make an appointment soon!

~Float/ Salt Cave. I have been so excited to try these two therapies for awhile now. I loved going over to my Gramma's house in the summer back in California and being the only one in the pool and just floating around. It was so relaxing! I knew where I was and that I was safe but so weightless and so unplugged from everything and everybody, just peaceful! As for salt caves, my allergies have been getting worse each year and this would be a wonderful addition to my regime, the science behind it is so interesting, it would be worth my time!

~Create. Even if it is a small project with my kids, everyone is focused and being creative and enjoying themselves! Coloring some pages is our go to, but play dough is my son's favorite right now! I have a few larger projects of my own going on and get to them little by little, but that's ok because I'm creating and that's all that matters!

~Puzzle. Yes, old school, clear off the dining room table, let's do a puzzle! Nothing more than a couple hundred pieces for me, I like turning on some music or listening to a podcast too. Simple and rewarding!

~Read. Plain and simple. There are so many amazing books out there, how could you not want to try and read, in it's entirety, one book this year?! I have gone through periods of not reading anything and I feel so out of sorts when that happens, so this year I picked up a couple titles (used, of course!) so I can have a few if I get bogged down by one and need to lighten things up.

~Soak. Along with reading, soak in the tub. I like a comfy, relaxing soak with Epson salt and essential oils, both ingredients prove wonders for the body. No time to soak, a nice hot, uninterrupted, shower and shave is my alternative. I stress uninterrupted because everyone needs some alone time during the day, even just for 10 minutes.

~Face mask. Another duo with your reading in a cozy bed at the end of the day to de-stress from the world that is! As frivolous as it sounds, there are some great sheet masks and eye masks out there there feel great and rejuvenate, I have found a couple brands at Target and Sephora that won't break the bank. You can also look up at home mask recipes with honey, oatmeal, avocado, etc.

~Wander. Not far off places for me, our parks and museums here in St. Louis are pretty great places to loose yourself for a couple hours, walking, observing, exploring! Grab some friends who are in the same mind set and just get moving. And then go snag a good meal, food is fuel!

~Yoga. My good ol' standby! If I'm not doing a routine, stretching in some way, shape, or form is better than nothing. Try to clear your mind, make a quiet space, nothing fancy, just you and your breath.

It is tough to make time for yourself, some days it's too much to wash your face and brush your teeth before you collapse on your bed, regardless if you're a parent, have a fast-paced career, or a college student!
Nothing new and impressive? All of this self-care stuff you have read about before? Oh well, this is my blog and this is what I wanted to write.

LEARN TO REST

xo

i haven't changed

Over the last two years it has been a bit difficult to keep up with everything, and a lot of what "everything" boils down to is, relationships. Whether it is between families, partner, or friends, once a kid is in the picture, things change.

But is it really you that changes? No, I don't think so!
I haven't lost touch with friends, nobody calls me and thinks I'm busy all the time! Yes, life is hectic and I can't really chat but still reach out with a text! When we finally do go out with friends so much of what I hear is "oh we don't see you anymore!" "you're leaving so soon?" "can't you just find a babysitter?!", to which I answer, yeah I know, yeah we are, and no, no we can't! My all time {favorite} thing I hear out of non-parental mouths is "you guys have changed so much!" Uh ... excuse me!? No, we as individual people with interests, likes, and hobbies have not! What has changed is the time (and money) spent on such things! Seriously, our life is a pie chart that had the wedges shifted around, that's all! 
I really don't understand how someone can say such a thing and not see the entire big picture of what is going on. I don't mean knowing all the details of what happens in our day to day, but you can not be so utterly blind to the fact that adding a little human to the mix, shifts priorities! Family sees it and understands it and works around it, our relationship together has it's ups and downs and not so fabulous sides that have shifted from our dating days, but for some reason most friends just don't get it!

Even when I was single and older friends started having kids, I accommodated and came over with wine or planned an event with time constants in mind for them, and never said "why don't you want to do shots, what happened to my fun drinking buddy!" because even though I missed those good old days with them, that right there, sounds stupid and rude!

So, let's take a look at this pie chart, shall we. Daydreams of little babies and decorating the nursery and lists of names has a tiny sliver that took up my time way back when. This was also a time of apartment living and spending days off work at the pool, so no real household responsibilities. Nights were spent out at bars with these friends or at the movies and late night dinners, time to myself and focus on work projects was abundant! Holidays were a bit more extravagant and surprising my husband with some pretty cool birthday gifts was a project to work on for a couple weeks. Now a days, not so much on any of the above mentioned ... and I can only imagine that once both kids are in school and find their own interests and hobbies, more shifting will occur! I know that this is me, but I would think there are others out there that have these self-centered friends who just need to be shaken awake and take a look at this chart.

Sad to say, some of these friends have lost touch, but others we try to make an effort with. When you shift and friends can't get with the flow, it's a disheartening moment. I wish the best for them and keep open to invites but have stepped back from reaching out to them, I just don't have the energy for it anymore. But those who remember us and make an effort will always be friends ... they just have to post an invite a month ahead of time so I can find a babysitter!

I'D RATHER HAVE 4 QUARTERS THAN 100 PENNIES

xo

fit-ish ~ part one

Who decided to join the gym this year? 
Yep, that would be me along with countless others, and a sigh from a relative about the gym being so crowded in January, that he might just stay home for two weeks while it dies down! PSST ... this girl isn't going to sputter out like the rest of the population, hoping to make good on their resolution in short time! I don't have that kind of money to waste!!

Well, gadgets, accessories, and schedules were put into play so both my husband and I can take full advantage of what the gym has to offer, and so far so good. The plan is to get to the gym at least twice a week, and meet with the trainer for measurements each month, and do date nights at the gym but the kids club closes at noon on Fridays, so that's a bummer! BUT we both have been doing pretty good other wise!

We both have step counters on our phones, mine is Google Fit which works nice, and neither of us were going to go full out and get a smart watch/fit device (whoa what a price tag!) but I did find a resale Jawbone that I liked, and then it stopped working.{UPDATE 9/2017: I now have a Misfit and it is awesome! Great price, great connected app, and simple device that takes a cell battery instead of charging} As you can tell, doing this gym thing on a budget is where we are in the world right now! No fancy running shoe or workout towel or duffle bag or headphones, just a couple on a journey to get fit!

I will tell you, having the trainer meet up every month has been awesome, otherwise I would just be walking on the treadmill not knowing how machines work or what kind of routine to pursue. We got in on a great promotion that included a trainer, but if you can afford a few sessions, I would really recommend it! 

The other helpful thing that I have done is, figuring out a few variations from looking up stuff on Pinterest. Yes, yes, Pinterest, everybody finds something on Pinterest, pin, pin, pin, pin ... but hey, if it's free, why not! And there is no "Pinterest Fail" when it comes to finding a workout!

Again, I have no idea what I'm doing, I just found these routines that I like!
Another app that I found and I use everyday is Sworkit! You can choose an area you want to work, pick and choose or do their routine, it demonstrates the exercise and set up the count down clock for the reps you need, set up a few minutes or an hour routine, and it syncs with my Fit so it keeps track of my steps and calories! They have a yoga & stretching app too! I have done the calorie counters before, and I just don't have the time to sit (no really, my two kids are running around, I don't have time!) and type in and how much of what I ate even after I get my 'menu' or 'favorites' set up.

Days marked for the gym have been missed, pounds are still yo-yoing, but we are a work in progress and it's going to take some time to get to where we want to be!

I'M UNDER CONSTRUCTION

xo

online is just fine

Aahh, downtime! The part of the day when everything on your list is completed and you just need to rest. A nap or early to bed would be a good idea, maybe some yoga or reflecting ... but most days you end up online shopping. Just scrolling through outfit ideas on Pinterest, or your friends photos of Facebook or Instagram, maybe look up a few kid clothes at Target. Yep, that happens and most of the time I don't purchase, I just window shop. Ha! Window shop, that is probably a term that will end up making me sound old one of these days!

In my adventures in online shopping, I've come across a few awesome sites that are different, really cool, or really cheap and who knows how many more are out there! So here are some favorites you should check out soon!

Bungalow 123 is such a great boutique online shop, I just love it and everything is so beautiful! Bohemian, casual, but not so vintage and they have extended sizes (which for most "boutique" shops is just unheard of). Versatile pieces and wonderful color palette is what makes Bungalow 123 one of my favorites!

Have you heard of 6pm?! Go check it out now ... now I say, I'll wait, it's ok! Huge discounts on name brands clothing, sunglesses, bags, etc! Lots of designers and discounts vary, but always a deal. Same with Backcountry, this site has a smaller selection, but who wants to wait for store markdowns!

Fabletics makes me want to buy everything they have! Same with lucy Activewear! Both sites are great to inspire some fitness and revamp you workout gear. Not sure how Fabletics special works, but both clothing brands have great prices from time to time!

There are so many kids clothing stores and websites out there, it's just too many! But my new favorite is Free to be Kids! Such adorable, breaking the stereotype t-shirts and onesies, I can't get over how awesome the pieces are! This is the new path that kids clothing needs to start heading down!

Etsy is somewhere that I go whenever I have a certain thin in mind that I want to see a variety of options and prices. So many great artists have beautiful pieces, from jewelry to home goods to clothing, vintage or modern, there is always a variety from different sellers!

Yoobi is school supplies that are fun, bright, and cute for the littles but can brighten up any office space. They also have a buy one give one program, for every purchase you make, they give supplies to schools in need! Yoobi is also sold at Target, but there is a lot more on the website. Also look up Discount School Supplies, this site has lots of great school stuff, more for teachers but not in bulk, so if your looking for paints, chalk, easels, math toys, spelling games, they have it!

Thrift Store Books is the best for recycled books! The pricing is good, the shipping is reasonable and I've only come across a few titles that they didn't have at that point in time. Another recycled site is Second Spin, they have cd's, dvd's, they buy back and sell good quality music and movies for such a great price. Yes, I still buy cd's ... cover art will never die!

Now, I don't have Amazon Prime and sometimes the shipping is more than the item itself, but overall Amazon has a good set up, I mean you can find literally anything! I got a Jet.com coupon in the mail not too long ago and haven't really figured them out, but it looks like they have a large variety like Amazon, but  three different prices depending on how you want to pay. Different, interesting, need to shop the website a bit more to get it.

So many more that I can't even remember, I'm always looking for a good deal and a different idea, there will be more to come!

LET'S FIND SOME DEALS!

xo

put on some pants!? my love letter to leggings

I am still hearing so many people say leggings are not pants, or that they are in their "mom outfit" and I really think that they sound silly for thinking, or saying, that it's lazy!
Let me tell you a little something ... whenever I have 5 minutes to myself, I'm squatting, stretching, or lifting something to get in a workout for the day!

 I wear yoga pants or leggings, t-shirt, sports bra, and sneakers just about everyday. And not because it's the only thing that fits me right now, or it's just so comfortable, or that I'm lazy, it's due to the simple fact that if we are not headed to the gym first thing in the morning, I will have to find some time in my day to get in a workout in small portions between playing with the kiddos, grocery shopping, household chores, and working! It really is that simple. I'm not one of those moms who gets up at 5AM to go to the gym before her day starts ... are you kidding me, I barely make it out of bed by 7AM to get breakfast ready for everyone!

What I can relate to in the leggings loathing conversation, is the wearing of a regular t-shirt with leggings as oppose to a tunic with leggings. I personally don't like a shirt that sits at my waist, I end up pulling it down all day long, so a tunic is a much better pairing for me. Also, the thin material of some leggings just doesn't do anybody any good! I have found much success with with a certain lovely little leggings company that has great patterns and material, as well as an awesome tunic length top. I have many pairs and I'm not ashamed of it! I feel like I finally found the perfect tunic and all my other tops were just 'ok for now' as I purchased them.

Yeah maybe the price is a bit steep, but for something I wear every day, it's worth it! The best part about all this leggings love going on right now, is that there are many other companies with similar styles, but take caution since some of those brands might not be the same quality material that you think it is.

Comfortable clothes with a stylish whim, 

that I can wear at the playground or to the gym, 

I will love you for now and forever it seems, 

even when it's considered "out" by fashion magazines

ONE PAIR IS NEVER ENOUGH

xo