Tag Archives: summer

Happy (long) Weekend!

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Hi Friends! Happy Friday! How are you? How was your week? I don’t know about you, but I am ready for a long weekend! Yesterday, I was in Chicago for work meeting with a really big food company that makes a lot of cheese (shhhh…. it starts with a K and ends with a T)! While traveling, I had some time to read up on a few things…

We are what we eat… so what are we? This site has the answers!

The Ohio Texting Law went into effect today. Are you hands free?

Fall TV is almost here…

Let’s celebrate workers! Happy Labor Day!

Have a great weekend and a pretty morning! xxoo

Happy Monday!

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Whoa. What a weekend! How are you? How was your weekend? Ours was packed with so much fun, including family time at the pool on Friday, a trip to Lexington for a bachelorette party on Saturday and a friend’s 2nd birthday party (Elmo theme!) on Sunday. I’m exhausted, and it’s only Monday. This photo is from the Family Camping Night that we went to at our pool. It was so much fun! They serve dinner at the pool, then everyone sets up their tents on the golf course. We did not camp out, but certainly plan to in the years to come.

The image above summarizes our summer… she spent hours in the baby pool (usually wearing a swimsuit, but it was just too hot this weekend!) gazing at all the big kids in the big pool, while eating ice. Have a great day and a pretty morning! xxoo

Happy Weekend!

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TGIF! How are you? How was your week? Are you ready for the weekend? Today feels like a Friday even more than usually, because I am home from work! Yippee. I am spending the whole day with my favorite little person in the whole wide world! This morning we are meeting friends at a new play cafe  and tonight we are going to “Family Camping Night” at our pool. It is the perfect ending to summer! We will be heading home after smore’s and campfire songs, but luckily little Gabby is too young to know any different. I applaud all the parents that “rough it” for their kiddos. While I am having fun being a mom today, here are some fun things from around the web…

Goodnight Moon for adults!

There is something about fall that makes me want to carry a new clutch.

I just ordered these pillows from Etsy. I love ikat!

My first Birchbox arrived! Yeah!

I want to try this kid friendly paint (via my good friend, Anna)

An open letter to America’s Teachers

Finally, here is a great quote that we heard at Parent’s Night…

Do not worry that your children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you.

~Robert Fulghum

Have a great weekend and a pretty morning! xxoo

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Back to School

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It’s that time of year again… back to school is officially happening this week in our neighborhood. It seems to come earlier and earlier each year. I remember always looking forward to the first day of school, but really feeling sad that summer was over. It will be interesting to see what Gabby thinks of school. Alex and I are attending a “Parent’s Night” at Gabby’s school tomorrow. I am nervous but excited for her to start in late October! Also, I just read this fascinating article on the most beautiful and imaginative schools in the world. How cool are these schools!

{images: FlavorWire}

Happy Weekend!

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Yeah! It’s Friday! I know I am ready for the weekend! How are you? How was your week? What are you up to this weekend? I hope it is something you enjoy with people you love. We are planning to get to the pool a few times and hang out with our friends, including a nice dinner out on Saturday night. To get your weekend started, here are some fun things from around the web…

This is a real place! I saw it with my own two eyes!

A tumbler dedicated to Kate Middleton.

This app looks pretty awesome.

Your favorite movie in a barcode. What?! Finding Nemo… So cool!

I love a really good pen!

Have a great weekend and a pretty morning! xxoo

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Weekend Menus

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Hi Friends! Happy Monday! How are you? How was your weekend? We had so much fun entertaining on both Friday and Saturday nights! The food was all so yummy that I thought I would share the full menu’s with you…

Friday

App: Veggies and hummus

App: Cheese and crackers

Side: Corn pudding - This was the easiest and best corn pudding recipe I have ever made. It was delicious!

Side: Panzanella - You must try this recipe! It’s perfect for the end of summer.

Main: Tequila Lime Chicken - We used bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts and the meat was so tender and moist. The key is to marinade them over night!

Dessert: Birthday cake and ice cream (via my Mother-in-law)

Saturday

App: Cheese, crackers, pistachios, fruit paste

Salad: Sliced tomatoes with chunky blue cheese - I am now obsessed with homemade blue cheese dressing!

Side: Simple grilled veggies (zucchini, peppers, red onion and asparagus) – We drizzled the vegetables with olive oil and salt and pepper. So simple, but so good!

Side: Roasted potatoes with rosemary and salt - I love making these for dinner parties because you pop them in the oven and 45 minutes later they’re done!

Main: Grilled fillets

Dessert: Ice cream and cookies

{image: Cup of Jo}

Happy Weekend!

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Hi Friends! How are you? How was your week? We are enjoying some cooler weather in Cincinnati. And it arrived just in time for a weekend full of entertaining. We are so excited to have not one, but two very fun nights (at home!) planned. Tonight we are having family over to celebrate Alex’s brother’s birthday! I am making this recipe from the Barefoot Contessa. It seems like the perfect summer dish. Then tomorrow, we are having good friends over for a grill out (mainly because I could not find a sitter and they were good enough sports to accommodate). Yeah! I love fun filled weekends! What are you up to? I hope you have a wonderful weekend too. Here are some fun things from around the web…

I wish I lived in DC so I could try ShopHouse. It is a “fast-casual” restaurant by Chipotle owners that lets customers mix and match Southeast Asian flavors to create their own rice bowls or sandwiches. Yum!

On a whim, I bought this book at the airport last weekend: It’s Okay Not to Share: and Other Renegade Rules for Raising Competent and Compassionate Kids. So far it’s a great read!

What do you think of boxed wine?

I think I need a few of these adorable Wet Bags from ItzyRitzy. I love the tagline… “What Happened?”!

Today is National Lazy Day! Which is the perfect reason to unplug and celebrate by not doing a single productive thing.

Have a pretty morning and a great weekend!

{image credit: foodtv.com}

Fishers Island Fun

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As promised, here are some photos of our recent trip to Fishers Island… it was a great weekend full of beautiful ocean views, delicious dinners (including a beach picnic while watching the sunset), rest and relaxation at the Beach Club and too many good laughs to remember!

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Unplugged

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We often rate our days by what we have accomplished, applauding ourselves for a workout logged, an errand completed and task crossed off. But consider grading today on a new curve: Give yourself credit not for doing but simply for being – for taking time to sit alone, listening, daydreaming, creating space to think. Only then can you connect with the most important person your world: you.

This past weekend was so wonderful. We truly “unplugged” and enjoyed the people, activities and places around us. I have lots of great photos to share from our adventure to Fishers Island, including golf (with a view!), tennis and a beach picnic! Have a pretty morning and a great Monday!

{quote: self.com August 2012}

{image credit: Alli Parlin}

Happy Friday!

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Hi Friends! Happy Friday! I have a quick post today, because as you know, we are off to Fishers Island for the weekend! It’s time for some good times with great friends! I will be sure to take lots of photos and share them with you next week.

We are so lucky that my younger sister, Adrian, is staying with Gabby while we are gone. Thanks so much Aunt A! In preparing for our trip, I asked her to keep in mind some general “rules” while watching Gabby (which felt weird because she is family, but she was very understanding and compliant!)…

  1. Please put Gabby first. Her safety, health and happiness are the most important, above all else.
  2. Please lead by example, she is always watching and absorbing everything you do.
  3. Our goal and dream is for Gabby to:
    • Be kind and compassionate to others
    • Practice patience
    • Have manners
    • Be an individual
  4. We want you to be happy too! Make your self at home!

Do you have “rules” while you are away (for family and non-family alike)?

Have a pretty morning and a great weekend!

{image credit: Cover of St Louis Seasons Magazine by artist Harrison Howard}

Happy Monday!

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Hi! How was your weekend? Did you do anything fun? We spent a lot of time at the pool this weekend enjoying the cooler, less humid weather!

Unfortunately, I have a very busy week ahead. Tonight I fly to Chicago for work (yes, that real job again!). And I return home very late on Wednesday. Ugh! On Thursday, Gabby has a 15-month doctor appointment, which includes two shots. Double Ugh! But luckily I have something really fun to look forward to. On Friday morning, Alex and I are going to meet up with good friends (and Gabby’s Godparents) in Fishers Island. It is not easy to get to (our itinerary includes a flight, a car service and a ferry ride), but it is well worth the effort. We are looking forward to playing golf, laying on the beach and enjoying yummy dinners. Dreamy.

While I am tied up traveling, working and tending to a cranky 15 month old, here are a week’s worth of links to explore…

Did you watch the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Olympics? Here is a beautiful slide show in case you missed it.

And here is a great link to keep up with all the Olympic action, including great behind the scene photos.

Elizabeth Street. Where Stylish Moms Meet.

Andy Cohen loves NPR. And so do I!

From lululemon… 13.1 songs for 13.1 miles. Now go get your run on!

I finally finished Gabby’s First Year photo book. Yeah! I created it using this.

This honest toddler talks about dinner.

A play cafe just opened and I plan to take Gabby next week.

If you have a minute, I would really love it if you “liked” Pretty Morning on Facebook. Just click here.

As always, you can find more on twitter and pinterest.

Have a great week and a pretty morning! xo

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Happy Weekend!

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Hi Friends! How are you? How was your week? What are you up to this weekend? Alex is busy playing in a golf tournament all weekend, so I decided to treat myself to a little alone time. I lined up a babysitter for Saturday afternoon so that I can go to the spa! I have a gift card from my birthday that has been burning a hole in my pocket for months. And this seems to be the perfect weekend to use it. Plus I planned the afternoon so that I could be home in time to put Gabby to bed, my favorite part of each and every day.

Speaking of Gabby, today she is 15 months old! Wow. And she learned a super cute new “trick” this week. When you ask her, “where is your belly?” she opens her mouth (as if she is surprised), lifts her shirt and proudly points to her little belly button. It’s adorable.

 

Have a great weekend and a pretty morning! xo

{image credit: Sujean Rim}

Summer Salad

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Here is great summer recipe that has quickly become a favorite in our house… Corn and Tomato Salad with Honey Lime Dressing. I love using fresh ingredients that are ripe and in season. It just makes the dish taste extra yummy. I wanted to make a corn and tomato salad and decided to spice it up with a sweet Honey Lime Dressing. The combination was killer! Enjoy!

Honey Lime Dressing

Juice from 1 lime

3 tablespoons honey

Salt & pepper

A dash cayenne pepper

3 tablespoons vegetable oil (you can also use olive oil)

Mix the first four ingredients in a small bowl, whisk in the oil until everything is well blended.

The Honey Lime Dressing Ingredients (you can omit the Cayenne Pepper, if you do not care for  heat/spice)

I sautéed the corn briefly and added a dash of Cayenne Pepper here as well.

The prepared dressing, halved grape tomatoes and fresh basil.

I added crumbled feta and tossed it all together; serve at room temperature. Enjoy!

{image credit: Alli Parlin}

Happy Weekend!

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Yeah! Friday is here again. Did you have a good week? Do you have any fun weekend plans? We are looking forward to a fun and celebratory weekend! Tonight we are playing golf and grabbing dinner with good friends. We call it “nine and dine”! And then on Saturday… my mom is getting married! We could not be more happy for her and Roy and are so excited to celebrate with good friends and family!

While we are busy golfing and toasting the new married couple, here are a few fun things from around the web…

The 13 Most Viral Olympic Ads So Far. Four are from Cincinnati based P&G!

Vacation Sabotage: Don’t Let It Happen to You

Love these super cute notebooks. Thanks Audra!

How to grocery shop like a pro.

I adore Kate Middleton.

Thank you, Pamela! This needed to be said.

Have a great weekend and a pretty morning! xxoo