Mother's Day Brunch

Mother's day was just as it should be...coffee, brunch, flowers and busy/messy/hungry/giggly/sleepy babies.  Paul, Roswelle and I hugged my Mom goodbye early Sunday morning at the airport and flew back to Boston.  We went straight to brunch with Paul's family at Grill 23 in the Back Bay area of downtown Boston.  It was beautiful chaos! We ended the day playing on the floor in comfy clothes, with Golf on the TV in background,  and ordered in for dinner.  Hope you all had a wonderful Mother's day.  

 z

it's the simple things

This week Roswelle and I have been in GA at my moms for a quick visit and to see my brother Evan graduate from Auburn.  It always amazes me how getting away, even to my own house, helps me slow down and enjoy the little things. I've been asking myself what are the small things I do to make mine and Roswelle's days a little special, here and in Boston.  

For example, I only drink water and coffee. ever. That is a pretty boring statement at first, but I've managed to make it something I look forward to.  I keep our fridge stocked with pellegrino because seriously nothing feels better than opening a bottle at the end of a long day (laugh all you want ;)).  I plan to now keep iced lemon water on hand, it not only keeps the inside of your fridge looking fresh and bright, but it's a simple elevation to everyday water.  Or I make myself an extra strong espresso drink in the middle of a particularly tough day.  Paul and I celebrate with cappuccinos on date nights.  Coffee and Water are about as simple as it gets until you decide to make it something more.  

Here are some other simple ways our life has been slightly elevated:

{freshly cut peonies from my mom's garden, I'm welcoming this flower's season with open arms}

{I'm currently writing on my mom's back porch.  Roswelle is walking around (she's walking now!) pulling at the dogs' tails. It feels really healthy to be outside so much here}

{speaking of being outside, the usable space on our back porch in Boston is about the size of a bathtub, but we still sit out there and get some vitamin D.  I'm thinking I'll put out the smallest table and chair when I get back.  Maybe it will be my new writing spot}

{let the germ filled kisses (licks) happen.  nothing makes me more anxious than Roswelle getting sick.  but nothing makes her happier and giggle more than kisses from my mom's two goldens.  I fight back the urge to keep her germ free and listen to the belly laughs instead.}

My Capsule Closet: May 2015

I did it y'all.  I created a capsule closet! I read about it first on the Unfancy blog so I'll give her the credit. A capsule closet is 37 items including tops, bottoms, dresses, jackets and shoes. 37 is not a magic number, it's just the number she decided was best so I followed suit.

The point? For me this is to remove the clutter in efforts to create a more simplistic, stress-free dressing situation/life.  I only have the items I really love and actually want to wear in my closet.  I am donating items like the Banana Republic sweater that was just a little too short so I never wore it. Why was I holding onto it? because it was from Banana Republic? really?  Someone at the local Goodwill is going to be way more excited about it than I was.  Or the jeans I wore in college that just aren't my style anymore but I keep to see if I still fit in them from time to time...who cares? tossed 'em.  

As a beginner, I am not including workout clothes or tennis shoes (sneakers up North) in my capsule.  I'm also only doing this for the month of May to start, which is at the end of a season up here.  I may try to create a 3month summer capsule next for June, July, and August; but I feel like I will enjoy a monthly one more? We'll see!

Is this going to be exciting or boring? easy or actually really hard? Only time will tell and I will let y'all know. Below are more details.  Let me know if you try this!!

{17 tops}

{7 bottoms: I have a lot of neutral tops so I included some color in the bottoms}

{2 classic jackets and 3 dresses: a LBD, a maxi, & daytime dress}

{6 of the 8 shoes}

{I set aside dresses for weddings and showers this month/summer.  If I already have something designated to wear to a special event, I'm less likely to go buy something I don't need}

{I included one graphic T - about as crazy as I get}

{I learned that I really like stripes, like everyones else I suppose}

{It still rains up here often, so I included boots a for wet, chilly days}

{accessories don't count, looks like I'll be using scarves for additional pops of color}

And because everyone loves a good before & after - here is mine!!  Congrats for reading to the bottom.  

{before}

{after - with an empty shelf and everything!}

Favorite Reads at the Moment

I saw this book, At Home with Madame Chic, on my instagram discover feed last night and I am now planning to buy it for myself for Mother's Day.  It sounds like a wonderfully pleasant escape and will give me a fun outlook on my every day life.  

I decided to share some other books I have recently read (or still reading):  

I loved her first book, The Husband's Secret, and loved Moriarty's second book, Big Little Lies, as well.  Set in the suburbia life of Australia, this book captures you and makes you ask what you would do yourself.

The Girl on the Train is the perfect weekend book.  I flew through it and loved the drama & thriller filled escape it took me on.  I loved Gone Girl more but this was gave me the fix I was looking for.

I'm on chapter 2 of The Light Between Oceans, based on the reviews and the cover description I think it's going to consume me pretty soon.  The writing is a level above what I typically read so I really have to focus when I sit to read this which can be difficult; but I'm enjoying the challenge of actually exercising my brain! (And the movie is in post-production!!)

I'm currently reading this with a girlfriend and we are finding it really insightful and useful.  Unlike most "self-help" books, The Gifts of Imperfection avoids the fluff and gets straight to the point.  Brene Brown is a talented communicator with her Ted-Talks being extremely popular and well-reviewed.  She really drives home the idea of authenticity.  

My Monday Morning Coffee

Good Monday Morning! 

Gone are the days of a simple cup of coffee.  No longer will the convenience store being out of filters be the biggest threat to you enjoying your cup of joe.  Enter the era of chemix, aeropress, syphons, and scales.  I thought my stove-top bialetti brew was special until I saw this post...wow.  Also, check out this flowchart to see which special brew is the one for you!

When I need a special pick-me-up cup of coffee, I make this strong and creamy stove-top version using my Bialetti - "an iconic piece of italian design from the 1930s".  On Monday mornings, on Wednesday afternoons, on the weekends...even the occasional Friday night, I will brew for myself or special guests...it's definitely something to be excited about. 

As always, the best cups of coffee are based on the freshly ground coffee bean (I use the Trader Joe's Organic Fair Trade Wake Up Blend) and clean filtered water (I would use organic water if I could - ha! :P)....the rest is just pizazz 

Roswelle approved!!

Sorelle Bakery + Cafe

I'm really lovin' it.  Roswelle's exploratory, interactive, giggly age. Boston in the Spring. Plan free weekends in the city.  It's just good y'all.  

On Saturday, we ventured out and about and into the city for lunch. We avoided the Marathon mayhem in Back Bay and went to a well lit little cafe in the financial distract near the water, Sorelle Cafe + Bakery.   If you are out in the city for the Boston Marathon today and looking for a not so packed place to take a break this is where I would recommend - super close to South Station as well.

Speaking of the Boston Marathon, praying for the runners today in the not so ideal weather conditions - especially Erin G and Jess S! Such an amazing achievement to complete and even more amazing in the harsh wind and rain.  Good luck!

Jenny and Maddie met up with us for lunch.  Below are some personal pictures of cutie-pa-tooties!

Spring Beginnings

For my southern family it was a Spring Break, but for Paul, Roswelle and me it was a Spring Beginning. Wasn't sure how to blog about our vacation on the picturesque beaches on Destin FL after the hardest winter of my life, no really, I feel like I say it every winter but this one really was the hardest. Paul was the first to spot a patch of snow when we got back yesterday...can't.even.  At least it's in the 60s now in Boston!

anywhoooo....it would be too long and too annoying (even as the one that went on the trip) to go on and on about everything we did and how absolutely perfect it was.  So I'm just going to post pictures from the week.  I hope you enjoy!

andddd she's up!

She is standing!!  The sun was out in spurts today but that didn't stop the fun.  I took 200 pictures today (practicing) and I caught this sweet little sequence of Roswelle and Paul.  She started standing on her own yesterday.  We are all really excited for the steps.  However, I am enjoying the last few days of her being somewhat immobile...I'm told it's a whole different ballgame when they walk!

...next up, handstands!!

...or headstands. ;) #coachpaul

beach day snapshot

Paul, Roswelle, and I arrived in Destin, FL late last night.  It is just going to be the three of us in our family condo until Saturday when we will move into a rented house for a week that will hold us, Mom, my brother Carson, his friend Jeff, my grandparents, my aunt Wendy and hopefully my brothers Trey and Evan at some point (busy with work and school).  

These are unedited pictures from today - which I think is a total no-no in the photography world - but I don't have the patience to edit them while on vacation.  I have been messing around with all the settings and also loving my the new lens.  I spent 20 minutes following Roswelle around on the beach (which she absolutely loves - she can't get enough of the sand) and I got some pretty shots of her after all.  

btw - I can't believe how amazing it feels to have warm skin from the sun/air.  love.the.South.

I think she is going to start walking while we are here - I'll keep y'all updated!

BPL // Children's Library

Yesterday, my friend Tara and her son Jett joined Roswelle and I to the Boston Public Library to visit the newly renovated Children's Library.  It is beautiful!!!  It is spacious, bright, and interactive.  There a few sections designed specifically for different age groups.  There are organized group classes, computers, and as many books as one could dream up.  And there are family friendly bathrooms with extra low toilets - very important stuff! I am thrilled that this is an option for Roswelle as she grows and learns in the city.

as my friend said, it's a must for Boston mamma's (no joke! :) ....4/1)

{the infamous hungry caterpillar}

{loves books and books and more books}

{the best we could get this time, but we'll be back to try again!}

Some Self-Care @ Tamper Cafe

Last week I met with my friend Mikhail to go over the basics of photography including focus/apertures/shutterspeed/ISO.  You would think after having a nice camera for 4+ years that I would know the basics but I have honestly been pointing and praying the picture would work.  After the mentoring session, I ordered a new lens for my nikon (just arrived over the weekend!) - he emphasized I need the right tools for successful pictures and this included a new lens, so I made the commitment and ordered the pricey item.  For those of you curious, I ordered a AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G Lens. ALL of these pictures are PRE-new fancy lens.  

As Roswelle just turned one, I am making my love of fun photography and blogging more of a priority.  Paul has his hobbies/passions: a crossfit membership + a garage gym full of kettle bells, rings, and a squat rack.  And I have mine: a new camera lens, flower arrangements, and half-marathons. ;)  It makes us healthier individuals, partners, & parents to feed our passions and I'm thankful we make it a priority.  

I met Mikhail last week at a cool coffee/wine/beer bar right near his house in Medford.  Tamper Cafe (#tampercafe or tampercafe.com) has it all including a delicious menu, a full drink menu and an inspiring atmosphere.  I highly recommend for anytime of day!

I can't wait to share pictures with you with my new lens!! It makes me REALLY happy.

roswelle + smash cake // by Mikhail Glabets

I am blessed in having a close friend who is a RIDICULOUSLY TALENTED PHOTOGRAPHER (mikahailglabets.com).  We met Mikhail and his wife Erin in our church community group when Paul and I were engaged over 3 years ago. I invited them to Roswelle's party as close friends and actually asked Erin if she would take pictures for me during "cake-time" because I didn't want to put that on Mikhail.  BUT I'm so thankful he insisted that he take the pictures as a friend.  Weddings are what he is known for but he can clearly make magic happen through a lens in any situation (including an ikea highchair and a grain/dairy/refined sugar free smash-cake).   

He only took pictures for 10 minutes or so but he captured such a sweet story.

Roswelle Gray's First Birthday Party

It happened!  Roswelle Gray turned ONE and we had a wonderful party surrounded by loved ones who helped us be a family of three this past year.  It was a year of kisses, snuggles, giggles, sleepless nights, slept-through-the-night nights, tears, sickness, friendships, strength, prayers, praises...

just a whole range of emotions and milestones and happenings I didn't know existed.  

It snowed on Saturday (her actual birthday!) which was fitting considering this past winter. But we didn't let a few snowflakes damper the indoor garden party!  The planning was actually simple; selected the invitations, spent an hour ordering on etsy, and a few nights in front of the TV with a glue gun! I pulled on my family's strengths as well - my mom arranged the flowers, Sandy made the beautiful food spreads, Jenny made the tea sandwiches and helped me craft, and my grandparents ran my errands like picking up the cake and balloons!  It took the help of my family and the company of my friends to successfully pull off a wonderful party which was a great reflection of the past year.  

Below are some details with a few captions:

{a Roswelle Gray mantel}

{all of these items were gifts or framed mementoes (invitation & calendar)}

{party garland from etsy}

{a birthday crown from lovecrushbowtique}

{a year in the making - my favorite decoration!}

{delicious spreads made by Sandy}

{no space was left untouched of "Roswelle" decorations!}

{the cookies, cupcakes and small cake were from my favorite neighborhood bakery, Sweet Life Bakery & Cafe}

{we made her "smash" cake but ordered a backup just in case}

{a grain, dairy, and refined sugar free "smash" cake - I will share the recipe - it was so yummy}

{the most important part - family & friends!}

{loved having the house full}

{dads}

{party foul! )}

{ cousins <3 }

{a little blurry but so happy we got a picture of most of Roswelle's friends!}

{thanks again for the thoughts and prayers and help this past year!! Excited for more exciting things ahead!}

***Where are the cake-eating pictures you ask?? They are coming tomorrow in a separate post!  My photog-friend, mikhail, took the pictures <3***

Sweet Life Bakery + Cafe

{almond citrus bread}

One of my favorite things about living in Boston (sometimes hard to remember in this Winter) is the possibility of discovering an amazing cafe, restaurant, coffee shop in your neighborhood.  Recently I found all three in one great spot - Sweet Life Bakery + Cafe! It has everything I could ever want in a cafe...endless coffee, sweet baked items, plenty of space, good lighting, a fire place and free wifi!  I have started going here to blog and have a quiet cup of coffee while Roswelle is at a playdate/sitter on Wednesdays for 3 hours.  It's something new she and I are trying out...this whole separation thing, and it's proving to be quite wonderful for both of us. :)  3 miles from our house deep in Dorchester, this is my new spot to take my friends and family.  The freshly baked sourdough is a must try!!

{the breakfast bar}

{details I appreciate}

{the bakery - where I will be ordering Roswelle's birthday cupcakes}

Favorite Things Friday

I have to write this quickly because I'm trying to squeeze in House of Cards during her first nap. It's a little early for such a dark show but I'm too excited to wait. I thought I would do a little "Favorite Things Friday" since I have't written one in forever.  I'm sooo happy it is Friday and a sunny one at that with temperatures above freezing!! :D

Home: 

Living in a small home in the city we have little space to spare.  These cylinder-like kleenex boxes are genius and can fit onto the smallest side table or shelf.  You can get them at Target!

 Personal: 

This Honest shave oil is a spa in a 2.25oz bottle.  It's a wonderful remedy to winter skin problems and the aroma takes me away to my favorite spas every time. AND it's organic - ha! Moms, add it to your next Honest order!

Baby+Food: 

It's no secret I'm a stickler for good, simple ingredients and these are great snacks with no additives.  They have the texture and convenience of the popular "puffs" but without the extra ingredients. Jenny found them at Whole Foods and I'll be back for more!

Valentine's Day Wknd: The Inn at English Meadows

This year for Valentine's Day, Paul and I did something we hadn't done in over a year.  We went away for the weekend - just the two of us!  With Roswelle just shy of 11 months old, we were all ready.  My mom flew up and Roswelle was her Valentine this year :)  I made sure Roswelle had enough milk in the freezer, plenty of snacks for both of them, plenty of salt for MORE snow, and Paul and I headed north (there were tears on my part!)

We finally made it to The Inn at English Meadows which is the Bed & Breakfast we were headed to when my water broke almost a year ago!  The sweet, sweet owners David and Kate Parisi, remembered hearing our story and were so happy to finally have us stay! I can't speak highly enough of the Inn and our time in Kennebunkport, Maine.  It was just lovely, even in another snow storm, which says A LOT. 

This winter has been a tough one for me, I'll share more on that with you in another post.  It was nice to finally have some slow time with my valentine! Below are pictures from our weekend <3

{The FIRST bathroom in our suite.  I couldn't get enough of the space and cleanliness (and the beautiful floors!)}

{Heading into the second half of the Serenity Suite}

{our sitting area}

{having our own nespresso machine in our room made me quite happy}

{the second bathroom with a soaking tub and heated floors}

The rest of the Inn is impeccably decorated:

Kate, the inn keeper, is a wonderful cook/baker/host and it was fun to see what she came up with both mornings.

{a special treat for Valentine's day}

{one of the best things about being baby-free is the clean spaces all the time, including my placemat}

{cranberry scones}

{salmon scramble and potato hash}

{tea and treats were always readily available}

My favorite dish of Kate's was the baked pear with ricotta cheese and seeds.  

As I said above, it was a great weekend with my handsome hubs pictured below, him in a scarf really makes me swoon ;) 

{I love some snapchat pizazz}

Oh and we also went to a farm!:

Roswelle Gray: Life at 10 months!

Roswelle Gray turned 10 months last week!  I haven't written an update on her in a while.  She is a busy baby!  She has 2 bottom teeth, is wearing 12 month clothes, and is super 'expressive' ;)

Food: She still nurses 4 times a day, I have to admit I am SO excited to be near the finish line at 1 year!!! She eats two fried eggs in the morning.  She snacks on bananas, pears, avocado, celery w/ peanut butter, and organic steel-cut oats (from Trader Joes) with applesauce and cinnamon.  She loves to chew on dried apples form TJs - they are unsweetened and the perfect size for her little hands to hold on to - great for when we are out running errands! Her favorite green is broccoli.  

She will eat anything orange: steamed carrots/butternut squash/sweet potatoes. She isn't a huge fan of meat yet. I also make her "cookies" which is 1 cup of almond flour, 1 tbsp of coconut oil, 1 banana, & 1 egg.  Bake at 350 for 6-8 minutes.  Paul actually loves them too! 

Sleep: She is a great napper - typically naps from 8:30-10am and then 12:30-2pm.  Sometimes I will get a 30 minute nap out of her around 4pm if I'm really lucky. She is sleeping from 6:30-6:30am.  The past week she has been waking up at 4:30 or 5:30 but she will go right back down if we go in and hold her for a few minutes (I personally refuse to get up before 6am so I'll do anything to get her back down that early). 

Favorites: She LOVES to be read to.  Her favorite books are the touch and feel (pat the bunny).  The only time she will sit still with us is when she is drinking a bottle or we are reading to her.  She loves to be held...so much that she will follow me around the kitchen and living room pulling at my legs nonstop.  Once she is up on my hip she is quiet as a mouse (probably hoping I don't notice she is there). I'm assuming this is a phase (fingers crossed!).  She will wave and will try imitate sounds we make with our mouth.  Andddd finally I hate to admit this but she loves Blues Clues. eek! One day when she was sick I turned it on and we watched it together snuggled up on the couch.  Now I tend to turn it on during her mid-morning snack when she is in her highchair.  She gets excited when she sees Blue the doggie and bounces to the songs.  I was planning to wait a little longer to let her watch TV but I've decided a 30 minutes every other day or so can't be toooo bad?! Oh and we love dancing around to the Disney channel on Pandora - it plays all the classics - check it out!! 

Now that January is almost over, Paul and I are looking forward to our first weekend away!  For Valentine's Day this year we are heading back to the B&B we were headed to when my water broke almost a year ago!  My mom is coming up and will have Roswelle all by herself for 2 days and 2 nights.  We are all equally excited :)  I'm also starting to pin/plan for Roswelle's first birthday.  I'm going to be baking this grain, dairy, and refined sugar FREE smash cake: http://urbanposer.blogspot.com/2012/02/graindairy-free-b-day-smash-cake.html. 

OK, I gotta get out the door to get to Trader Joe's!  We are literally out of milk and eggs and road salt and with the blizzard headed or way I have to get busy.  I'm so excited to take Roswelle out in her snow suite!  Check us out on Instagram for pictures! (@saralaurenl)

OHHHH and she has her first swim class this afternoon!! :) :) :)

{this is RARE moment - her mouth is never closed!!! so silly}

{about to crawl off the chair}

{pat the bunny!}

{sweet profile}

{chatting with Lady}

Tidy Spaces

{my coffee bar - I say "my" because I'm the only one drinking coffee in our house}

Hello out there!! It's been a while.  With traveling and hosting throughout the Holidays and a sick baby last week it's been tough to get back on the blogging train.  I have been putting it off because I didn't have the right pictures I wanted for a post I was thinking up or decided just to do something else with the free hour I had.  But this morning I decided to snap a few quick pictures and write.  

I consistently joke that I'm an official picker-upper.  I am CONSTANTLY picking up anything and everything...and I only have ONE baby...who doesn't even walk yet! (getting close!) I am one that needs order and control so the constant state of disarray sometimes gets to me.  To find some balance, I have set up a few spaces in my house that are consistently clean and put together, and if they get messed up it only takes seconds to get them back in order.  

{I make sure to keep this space clean and always have fresh flowers, it's a dependable place of order  in the early morning}

{Paul and I share one sink with a small countertop.  I've set myself up a small space for the items I use daily, it makes me feel a little put together even when I'm a general mess}

{I make it a priority to keep the countertops clear of clutter in this corner of our kitchen.  If something is sitting there, I simply move it to the other side of the stove.  May seem simple, but having one space that is clean does wonders when I'm cooking}

{and finally I love keeping our guest bedroom clean and tidy.  Sure I will park the stroller in there when I'm in a rush or sort laundry in there but for the most part the bed is made and the surfaces are clear.  It gets little traffic since it is on the bottom level of our house which makes keeping it a dependable clean space manageable}

A Holiday Hot Chocolate Bar

Having people over during the next few days?  set up a hot chocolate bar!  When hosting, it's the little things that add up to a great night.  Obviously good company with lots of laughter and great conversation is most important but it's fun to make your place feels extra festive and warm this time of year.  I was gifted hot chocolate, a friend brought over biscotti when I had her over for dinner, and I have been making homemade marshmallows nonstop so I was able to throw this little tray together in mere minutes.  Whether you set it up in a littler corner or make it the center display on your table, a hot chocolate bar is sure to make people excited (either before or after all the sugar)!

{the is THE BEST hot chocolate.  I'm bringing it to GA with me!}

Homemade Peppermint Marshmallows

{all you need. target actually has everything, one and done!}

I posted on Instagram last week a preview of my homemade peppermint marshmallows.  I had seen them on another blog and decided it would be fun for the holidays.  I used Martha Stewart's recipe here: link (includes video!).  I have now made it 3 times and have it memorized; it is so simple!  Also since the recipe is just sugar, it cleans up well with water. The recipe is simple but I've included some tips I learned along the way.

As you know by now, I would normally never make something with these ingredients.  I refused to tell Paul what was in them and didn't even bother him to try them.  I am giving them out to friends and using them for a hot cocoa bar I'm putting together (more on that this week!).  I decided to let it go and just have fun with it.  I hope you do too! 

{a hand mixer would work, but a standing mixer is much easier}

{the recipe says to mix for 12 minutes, but I only mixed for 5-6 minutes or until thick & sticky}

{coat your spatula in pam or vegetable oil which will make spreading easier}

{I bought crushed peppermint candy at Target for the topping}

{let sit overnight for best results}

{line the pan with plastic wrap then use pam or oil to ensure the marshmallow will pop out easily}

{you can cut into square or get creative with small cookie cutters}s

{this sweet baby won't be getting close to these treats}

{sorry sweet pea}