LIGHT IT UP!

if i haven't made it clear yet.

i love lamps, lights, chandeliers, really anything that gives off light.

for months i've been searching high and low 

for the perfect floor task lamp to go in a dark corner of my family room. 

to go here (next to the chair)...

i wanted something brass, but not old-fashioned or stuffy.

i loved so many lamps, but the cost was out of my budget.

until i saw this....

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isn't it lovely?

perfect for my space and even dan likes it... total bonus.

restoration hardware is having a fantastic sale,

you should check it out! 

this lamp was marked down to $160 from $230.

i'll share a photo once it arrives!

on a personal note...

why do boys love computers and video games so much?

this is a consistant scene in my kitchen....

don't you love a little boy in underwear? especially toy story underwear!

have a great tuesday!

-e

WW UPDATE

i have to keep up with the ww updates.

if i don't, i fear i'll drop off the wagon.

plus my mom reads my blog.

"hi mom!"

so. back at the beginning of december,

i looked at our family calendar and was a little scared.

we had....

a girl scout christmas party

a deegan cousin christmas party

dan's work christmas party

a christmas dinner/celebration with dan's family

christmas eve

christmas day

new year's eve with friends

new year's day with football appetizers

AND

a week vacation in carmel, california

(which included, pesto pasta, strip steak, beef stew, crab, carmel egg salad, 

beef tenderloin, potatoes, quiche, and on and on.... oh so yummy)

all food-centric activities... no?

on that day, i made a deal with myself....

i wanted to get through the holiday season without GAINING weight.

if i came out of it, 15 pounds down from my start weight,

i would be proud of myself.


i was sensible when i could be, but moderately indulged
during special events and our vacation.
if i didn't indulge a bit,
this wouldn't be a life change for me... only a crash diet.

i also,  gave myself one week after the holidays

to eat really well and attain my goal.
I weighed myself on tuesday and I DID IT!

Still 15 lbs down (exactly)

WHEW!

so, now i'm back at it with a new energy.

thanks to everyone who's sent me words of encouragement.

i love hearing your stories... they give me that extra push!

here is a new and super yummy ww recipe.

classic sauce of butter, lemon & fresh parsley goes perfect with any fish.

this recipe is perfect for a quick healthy dinner on a busy weeknight, 

this is simple and delicious.

Baked Garlic Lemon Tilapia 
(from skinnytaste.com/gina's recipes)
servings: 6 servings • points+: 5 pts

Ingredients: 

6 (6 oz ea.) tilapia filets
4 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tbs butter
2 tbs fresh lemon juice
4 tsp fresh parsley
salt and pepper
cooking spray

Directions: 
Preheat oven to 400°

Melt butter on a low flame in a small sauce pan. 
Add garlic and saute on low for about 1 minute. 
Add the lemon juice and shut off flame.

Spray the bottom of a baking dish lightly with cooking spray. 
Place the fish on top and season with salt and pepper. 
Pour the lemon butter mixture on the fish and top with fresh parsley.
 Bake at 400° until cooked, about 15 minutes.

hope you're all having a great weekend!

-erin

LOVE DAY CARDS

this morning, like every morning

i received an email advertisement from Minted.com

but this morning was different

take a peek and what do you see?

you might not notice, but it jumped out to me.

look at the classroom valentines (at the bottom).

see it now?

nope?

ok.... the rocket themed valentine is mine :)

THEN.....

while perusing the new offering of minted valentines,

i noticed this....

yep... there i am again.

the design with "Happy Heart Day" 

and heart shaped confetti.

please excuse my excitement, but sometimes i feel like 

i design in a vacuum and have no idea if what i do is any good.

so this raised my spirits a bit.

If you're interested in valentine's cards, check out minted 

they have some beautiful designs.

here are a few of my offerings...

sparkling love valentine's day card - find it here

happy heart day valentine's day card - find it here

simply loved valentine's day card - find it here

glittering heart confetti valentine's day card - find it here

rocket love classroom valentine's day card - find it here

if the holidays got away from you 

and you didn't have time to send out a holiday card

consider a valentine's day card :)

hope you're having a fantastic week!

on a personal note.... congratulations to my brother and NEW sister-in-law!!

can't wait to see the photos of your beautiful hawaiian wedding!

wish we could be there to celebrate with you :(

xoxo - erin

she's 10....

today my little bootsy turns 10.

double digits :(

she was my first

the one who made me a mom

my only daughter

i love her more than she'll ever comprehend

happy birthday reilly catherine!

reilly, in honor of your 10th birthday,

here are 10 things i love about you....

1 - you are fearless, you take on anything and everything

2 - you have a tender heart and wear your heart on your sleeve

3 - you are my first born and you helped me become the mother i am

4 - you LOVE to learn and you are as smart as a wip

5 -  you love to spend time with your mama, i treasure our time together

6 - like your brother says... you're a boyish girl. although you love everything girl-y, 

you're not afraid to get your hands dirty and play with the boys!

7 - you are a true beauty and haven't a clue

8 - you adore your family and are such a great big-sister

9 - you love sports and i love watching you play your heart out

10 - you are a wonderful, caring and thoughtful sister, friend,

cousin, student and daughter

reilly catherine, bug, bootsy, peanut, rc cola...
i love you more than you'll ever know.
you are an amazing girl and i am so blessed to be your mama.
the last ten years have been the highlight of my 40 years.
i can't wait to witness your next 10 years.

i'm a blessed mama. 

xoxoxox - mommy

need to save a date?

new petite papier designs

brought to you by minted.com

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via

happy friday! -e