The Friday Five

Happy Friday, m'loves!
And what a gorgeous one it is.
Here's what's good this week...

1.
I probably can't pronounce his name correctly (Gregory Alan Isokov), but this little tune popped up  on my Pandora feed the other day, and I absolutely love his peaceful melodies.

2.
vest with a dress
We all know it's easy to add in scarves during the transition to fall, but how about that herringbone vest?! What an adorable fall look.

3.
Pickles
'Tis the season to start pickling (if you haven't already).  We've done everything from standard cukes to more exciting green beans and beets.  Fun on sandwiches and salads...and even more so in a Bloody Mary.

4.
Rodan + Fields
I recently started using (and distributing) their skin care products and I am absolutely in love.  In just 2 weeks, my skin is more clear and smoother than ever.  (insert:  happy dance)

5.
23 Things I Wish I'd Known at 23
{HERE}
A pretty amazing list, I must say.
I think this one is my favorite, because it couldn't be more true:

And a few more fun links to get you to your weekend...

OMG these two guys are adorable.

The truth behind Instagram photos.  So great.

17 secret Google Chrome tricks.  (Worth reading!)

Saw this Asian beef recipe on The Chew last week, inspired by a dish at the famous (and delicious!) Vietnamese restaurant - The Slanted Door - located in the San Fran Ferry Building (favorite spot!).  Can't wait to test it out!

The best hair colors for this fall, in case you need a little inspiration.

Wish I'd seen this handy breastfeeding website the first time around...

Thoughts you have while watching HGTV's "House Hunters".  Amen!

And alas, one more hilarious bit before you go.
(I mean, if Donald Trump is doing it...)


Hope your first FALL weekend is fantastic!


~ images via twentiesgirlstyle.com, lambertslately.com & my domaine.com / photos by bits of breezy ~

Happy Fall

Fall is here!!

My favorite season.

Sunflowers and pumpkins.

Sweaters and boots.

 

(sigh)

I can't wait to enjoy these crisp, sunny, fall days...

and get my hands on some apple cider donuts and anything "pumpkin spice"!

Happy {First Day} of Fall to you!

~ image via babble.com / photos via bits of breezy ~

Mama Mondays : Nature

I came across this article and was truly horrified.

How sad (and true!) is this?!

Thankfully, both of my boys adore the outdoors, so I have not come across this issue...yet.  (They're still little and have no choice - ha!)  And, we are so blessed to live in an area that is full of fun things to do outside.  We spent Sunday morning walking the trails at the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center in Bayside.  The flowers and butterflies were stunning.  There were abundant trails leading through the forest right down to the shores of  Lake Michigan.  We skipped rocks, planned an engaging scavenger hunt, learned all about owls, and even got to feed a giant snapping turtle!

Did I mention that fresh air tires energetic toddlers out?

;)

There's a time and place for all the wonderful technologies of today.

Not only is spending quality family time in nature fun, but it is also critical to instilling a healthy conservation ethic into our little people.  Pick up garbage on your hike...whoever collects the most "wins"!

So, please don't let your kids/family suffer from "nature deficit disorder"...

With fall just days away, weather is nearly perfect.

The leaves are about to change color.

Pumpkin farms and apple orchards are getting underway.

Not to mention, this is an ideal time for a trip to the zoo or park!

It is truly gorgeous out there...so get exploring!

Xo, Breezy

~ photos by bits of breezy ~

The Friday Five

1.
George Ezra, I'm feelin' your jam.
I call this perfect laundry-folding, freezer-meal-assembling music.
Dare I say, "mom music"?!

2.
navy + pearls
This classic combo looks fresh and new by pairing an on-trend vest + chunky pearls.  A perfect transition to cooler weather, no?

3.
Cauliflower Stir Fry
...ala the one and only "Pioneer Woman".
Healthy and ready in less than 10 minutes.
{HERE}
You can substitute any hot sauce or sambol oelek for the Sriracha.  I also add a pinch of brown sugar or honey, because I just love that "spicy-sweet" thing that Asian cuisine's got goin' on.  Eat alone for lunch or serve as a side with dinner.  Either way, make this and your taste buds will thank me!

4.
Essie "Beige" nails
In case you're not ready to jump on the dark train just yet, any of these beige colors would be a pretty neutral pick for early fall.

5.
"It's not you, it's them."
Ever have one of those weeks where you feel like you're constantly on the brink of insanity?  Well, this has been one of those weeks for me.  With everyone battling allergies/colds (and therefore sleeping like shizz-nits), I am one irrational tantrum away from a trip to the loony bin myself.  But thankfully, it appears I'm not the only one!
{HERE}
Meanwhile, I'll be repeating her mantra...

"You are good and normal and reasonable.  It's them.  The crazy is not in your head.  It's in your house.  We have to wait them out.  We just have to smile and wait them out.  We have fought too hard for our sanity to lose it now."

Oh, you thought I was kidding...



And a few more links, just for fun...

9 home truths we tend to forget.

Need a low-light house plant?  Look no further.

Adorable (and printable!) housewarming invites + moving announcements.

5 books to read this fall.
(And a few more if you need a good laugh!)

14 incredibly interesting (and useful!) psychology tricks.

And a quote to kick off your weekend:

Amen, my friends, amen.

See you next week, m'loves!


~ images via sortra.com, norstrom.com, & engelta.hubpages.com / photos by bits of breezy ~

anthro: new fall house & home collection

Some amazing new finds over at anthropologie!

This Astra chandelier is modern + glam.

I see it in a foyer or over a dining table.

More importantly, I see it in my house.

{HERE}

A Flokati hammock?!

My sun porch needs this.

{HERE}

These Windsor-inspired bar stools would add a fun pop of color to any white kitchen, no?

{HERE}

I might feel a little better about doing loads (and looooads) of laundry if these baskets were a part of the deal.

{HERE}

And lastly, a pair of these gorgeous copper + marble table lamps would look amazing flanking a master bed.  

{HERE}

Now if only these items cost a fraction of what they actually do.

Waaa-waaa.

A girl can dream...

~ images via anthropologie ~

Back to school

How has this day already come and gone?

Didn't this just happen yesterday?

I have to take a minute and reflect at what feelings sending my first born off  to school stirs in me...

Like, why do I feel so incredibly guilty leaving him in the arms of his teacher, whimpering, as I leave him there to learn and play?  Haven't we read "Llama Llama Misses Mama" enough times for him to know I'll be back and that school can be fun?!

It's the right thing to do, isn't it?

Enrolling your kids in a well-researched preschool?

It's an expensive thing to do, that is for sure.

And some children certainly may benefit from a little more time at home.

So, I can see that it's not for every family,

which is why I'm always second-guessing my own decisions.

And most importantly,

how did my little baby turn into such a grown up little man?

While this is who I see walking in front of me...

...he'll always be this delicate little newborn in my heart,

the one who made me a "mom".

But alas, off he goes...

He is a little sponge, absorbing all this new knowledge and vocabulary,
spewing out fun facts right and left.
His social-emotional development is also spurring right along,
and I couldn't be more proud of the sweet, outgoing little man he is becoming,
making all sorts of new friends...
who also has his fair share of "three-nager" days.

;)

I'm sure each year will pass more quickly than the previous,
each "age" more busy than the one before.

I'm also quite sure that it won't get any less sentimental for us mamas.

Before we know it, they'll be packing up and heading out for college!

Waaaaaaaa!

Hope everyone's little (and big) ones out there had a great "first day of school", whenever it was, and that their loving parents are hanging in there, too!

~ photos by bits of breezy ~

The Friday Five

"Five" rhymes with alive, which I am...in case you were wondering. ;)

Here's what's good this week...

1.

Joshua Radin

Throwing it back this week....though not this far back.

#BestDreamEver

2.

Weekend getaways

Over Labor Day weekend, the huzz and I went to Dallas/Fort Worth, TX to watch the Badger football season opener against 'Bama.  While unfortunately we got our asses kicked lost, I thoroughly enjoyed my first long trip away sans children!  I know, I know...my oldest child is 3.5 years old.  Why did it take this long?!  Well, this is why.  I couldn't have said it any better.

Alas, everyone survived, and more importantly, had a blast.

I think I even see some glimpses of my 22-year-old-self in these photos...

A good reminder to "treat yo'self!" from time to time...and leave the worrying behind.

3.

The Container Store Private Party

Doors open to the public this weekend!

The pre-party was a much bigger shindig than West Elm's, but sadly, couldn't purchase anything.  Guess I'll have to trek back to Mayfair once the "big rush" is over!

Note to self:  This place is the mother-lode for Secret Santa gifts + stocking stuffers come December.

P.S.  Also coming soon to Mayfair:  Nordstrom + Kate Spade.

Woot woot!

Now just bring me Ikea and I will feel complete.

4.

Fall fashion

It's almost time!!

Here are 9 trends this fall.

I can pretty much groove on all of them, minus the high-waist pants.

Trying to avoid "mom butt" for as long as possible, thank you very much.

5.

...but let's keep those last summer days for as long as possible, please!

Now with both boys being sooooo active and energetic, I have no freakin' idea what I will do to keep them entertained come the dreaded Wisconsin winter.  Taking any and all new ideas...

And a few more links, just for fun...

Grandparents Day is this weekend - and what better people to celebrate!

Um, hello "most-amazing home makeover ever"  ...will you do me next?

Joey Fatone:  A role model to One Direction?  This is amazing.

Mindy Kaling's new book comes out next week - add it to your reading list.

And this documentary about marriage (and how much we don't actually know about our own parents) sounds kinda fascinating.

The truth about being a dad, by some pretty funny ones.

I turned 33 two weeks ago, and these age charts are hilarious.

Ingredients to keep in your freezer for last-minute, healthy meals. #pinning

Thinking about lighting like this out on our sun porch. Ethereal, no?

And some final food for thought...that Laura Ingalls Wilder, so wise and always there for a girl when ya need her...be it at age 8 or 33. ;)

Have an amazing weekend, m'loves!

~ images via onmilwaukee.com & popsu.gr / photos by bits of breezy ~